Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-31
THE CROWDED. CAPITOL
Mr.. Hoar Claims That Senators Need More
Room. g
Suggests an Outsides-Buildinx for
Bu.ine.. Other RfsnnLesi.iative-
Directions to Rules Committee.

AS was stated fHe otdr, the senate
yesterday determined to have the question
Of enlarged accommodations, for Congress
considered by ono of its committees, and
adopted the fo4owing resolution, which was
offered by Senator Hoars
Resolved, That the committee on rules
be directed to consider and report whether
a suitable plan may be adopted for an en-
largement of the Capitol and for provid-
ing for the transaction of public business
other than legislative business elsewhere
SO that there may be sufficient space pro-
yided for the convenient transaction Of the
business of the two houses Of Congress"
AS worded when first offered by Mr..
Hoar the resolution committed the Senate
to some plan for the enlargement of the
Capitol and Mr.. Platt Of Connecticut sug-
gested that such project was too large
to be entered upon without debate, where
upon Mr.. Hoar changed the phraseology Of
the resolution, saying he merely intended to
have the committee on rules take jurisdic-
ton of the matter.
Mr.. Fairbanks raised the question wheth-
er the resolution should not go to the COM
mittee on public buildings and grounds, but
Mr.. Hoar said the inquiry merely related to
the convenience of Congress. and that If
it were decided to have an enlargement of
the Capitol or to have at once q hall OF
justice or to remove the library still in
the Capitol. the subject would then so to
the committee on public buildings and
grounds.
Required for Legislative Purposes.
81 should like to say said Mr.. Hoar.
that I think this whole building will be
required for legislative purposes. and some
additions can probably be made between
Pennsylvania avenue, where the navy and
army statue is. and the basement Of the
Capitol. All the space will be needed for
the two houses OF Congress. and the sooner
provision is made elsewhere for the Su-
preme Court of the United States the better
it Will be for the public service. But sup
pose that question. before. any practical
action Is taken, would go to another COM
mittee than the committee on rules. How
ever. I want the committee on rules, who
are now dealing with the question between
the two houses, 1 understand, of the dispo-
sition of the space left vacant in the old
library. to have before them the extent of
the necessities of this and the other house
for legislative business. so that they will
have the right to inform how much
more space we need than Is at present
within our control.
There was considerable debate as to the
committee the resolution should be referred
Rooms Not Fit FOR Occupancy.
Commenting on the need Of the Senate for
more committee rooms, Mr.. Spooner said:
1.-The Maltby building never, I think,
ought to have been purchased for the pur-
pose for which 1t is used. It is impossible
for senators to discharge; with any sort Of
comfort or convenience all of the duties of
| a senator and occupy rooms In the Maltby
building. 1 tried it. Senators oftentimes
during the session of the Senate. when not
interested in some subject which is being
discussed. work in their committee rooms
and attend to correspondence prepare re-
ports and do the immense work which de-
wolves upon a senator Which is discharged
outside of the chamber NO mail in the
Maltby building can reach the Senate cham
Der, unless he runs half the way, in time
| to respond to his name when the roll is
called There are sUIne senator's who are
occupying rooms In the Maithy building
which are not fit for occupancy. There are
senators occupying rooms IN this building.
down in the crypt, which think are abso-
lutely injurious to health and which no SEN
ator ought to be compelled to occupy. There
Is an absolute necessity for some change in
| the situation.
Mr.. Allison said there had been an OBJ
|, lection to the enlargement OF the Capitol
on account of increasing the weight by the
addition of another story or two stories,
and that such additions would also change
| the architectural appearance Of the build
ing. He referred to the removal of the
| Supreme Court or an enlargement Of the
Capitol as two means for getting more &C
commodation for senators.
But 1t does seem to me-, said Mr. Hoar.
| that the Senate Is long-suffering and pa
tient In this matter beyond all reason. /
have no cause to complain. l have most
delightful committee room, and so has the
| Senator from Iowa (Mr Allison), who has
| spoken so strongly Of what is needed by the
| Senate. I have been here a great many
| years, but there are senators who are per-
| haps more entitled to such conveniences
| than 1 am. Here Is the senator from New
| York (Mr. Depew) and the senator from
Illinois CMr. Mason who have rooms in
the Maltby building They represent be-
tween them 100000 people; that is, they
| represent each one-half of the power in the
Senate of 100000 people at least. They
| are condemned to those rooms in the Malt
| by building, at a distance from the Capitol
| where they cannot get a document, where
! they cannot see a constituent, and If they
are summoned to the Senate chamber. can
| not be here in time for roll call or vote
without perhaps travelling here on a stormy
| and Indictment day, and my aged friend the
| junior senator from Illinois CMr. Mason)
| having the tempests of heaven coming
| down on his beautiful and devoted head.
| 1.-THE terrace of the Capitol is worse. The
! terrace Is tll-ventllated, damp, dark. and
| there, l suppose, are thirty to forty sena,
| tors going around and exclaiming day after
! day, Week after week, month after month
| and year after year, with the Roman poet
Qua regio in ferris nostri non plena Ia