Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-02

Senator Mcmillan has always shown a
keen interest in every project tending
toward the development of the national
capital During his term of service on the
District committee of the Senate, both as
member and chairman. he has given
tangible evidence of this broad, patriotic
policy in his successful advocacy of many
measures designed to realize in detail the
great ideal of the capital founders He now
presents himself anew in this light in the
course of an interview which appears in
the news columns today, strongly urging
the establishment of Pennsylvania ave
nue. through the location there of all future
public buildings 1t is to be regretted that
h.. does not gosso far as to favor the loca-
ton of the municipal building on the ave
nue.. His reasons for placing it in Judiciary
Square are those of economy, of the sort
which a. The Star pointed out yesterday,
runs slrikingly toward false economy
There Is little or nothing in Senator Nc
Millan's course heretofore in dealing with
local matters to warrant associating him
witt, Il ny-wise-pound-fooliSh DISPOSE
ton. But in this instance his reasoning
does not square with his general PROPOSE
ton that the avenue should be utilized for
all future building operations. 1t would be
a pity to waste SO significant and usefui
and doubtless beautiful a building as the
proposed municipal structure upon a site
away from the grand national thorough
fare and especially as to combine 1T with
Il court house would be to rob it of
Itrg- part of its meaning and impressive
ness and convenience
senator Mcmillan is sound. however. in
his business plan of securing early all the
ground likely to be ever needed for the evo-
lttton Of this grand scheme of government
construction Not only will the lapse of
years add to the price Of these areas, but
the location within the territory of public
buildings one at time will materially in
crease the selling rates. 1t stands to rea-
son that ground is worth more when lying
:Ijaceut to fine Improvement than when
lying in The midst of virtually raiueless
surroundings To buy now in wholesale,
th-1 efofr. would be economical There
need L. no fear that the government will
Le mulctsd by exorbitant prices. An in
stance Is at hand in this very kind of prop
rrty which shows the contrary to be the
e.tSe- \ comparison between the prices
paid b. thu government; for the post Of
flee site and by the Capital Traction Com
i-tny for its puwer house site. these two
being practically similar squares and i'm
proved about to the same degree, shows
that the government by condemnation pro-
ces-tlifSs obtained a lower price than did
the corporation. buying at private sale.
The government has gone along for many
years in this matter of providing quarters
Tor its working force in .'hand-t mouth
manner, which does not befit its character
or its resources. 1t can we'll afford to deaf
broadly with great enterprises, as was
shown by the extreme liberality with which
Congress provided the sinews for the war
with Spain. Here is constructive enter
prise Of peace, good business proposition.
d rare Investment, sure money saver and
step toward the evolution of capital
worthy the nation. Leaders in both houses
Ut Congress are expressing themselves in
favor of it, and every consideration of
economy. prudence and patriotism urges its
carly contamination.