Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-02
MR.. WESTs GRATIFIED
sENATE's ACTION IN BEHALF OF
THE prsrf1cr.
gIgEs n
Tender of Structural Steel Used in
Government Building at
St. Louis.

Commissioner WhA this morning ex-
pressed his satisfaction at the action of the
Senate yesterday afFrnRq IN in adopting an
amendment rendering IT, the District the
structural steel in the government exhibit
building at the St Ekouis exposition. Mr..
West has given his personal attention to
this matter ever since the beginning of the
present session of Congress. and he ex-
pressed the hope that the House will agree
to the amendment proposed m the Senate:
The matter will be thoroughly discussed By
the Commissioners ana citizens land If it is
deemed advisable the offer of the steel will
lie accepted. and arrangements will then
be made for erecting a large convention
hall in Washington.
Il had an interview with Speaker Cannon
some time ago." said Mr.. West in discuss
ing the project this morning, land at that
time | outlined to him the movement in
Washington to procure the erection of
large auditorium for the use of conYen-
lions, inaugural balls. etc l suggested that
the steel in the government building IN 81
Louis, which would otherwise be sacrl-
feed, might be available in the contruc-
ton of this auditorium in Washington, and
l found him heartily in favor of allowing.
the District to use the material for this
purpose. I also presented the matter to
Representative Tawney. the chairman OF
the House committee on expeditions, and
found MIN also WiilIlS 10 ldNOT tile pio-
posed legislation. = Sena tor Allison and
other senators We're equally in accord with
the proposition, and | thcreupon prepared
the amendment substantially it has now
been added to the sundry civil bill.
Ninety Days of Grace.
Under the terms OF this amendment a pc
Rod of ninety days is given in which to
decide whether this material would be await
able for the erection of an;auditorium here
The government building is 1872 feet long,
175 feet wide, and has Il floor space OF
10000 square feet.
Il have communicated with supervising
architect of the treasury and with the
PENNSYLVANIA and Baltimore and Ohio rail
road officials and find that it will cost
about $50, coo to take down the steel and de-
liver it in Washington. The steel cost
s1020oo, and if it is available for our pur-
pose it will be very valuable nucleus for
the proposed building. OF course, if ex-
animation shows that it is not available,
the property reverts 10 the United States.
''LAs soon the inauguration is over
meeting of the committees appointed by the
inaugural committee and by the board of
trade. of which committees | am chairman
will be called for the purpose of discussing
the best methods of putting the auditorium
project on d solid basis. l will also invite
the advice and co-opera ton of other c.ti-
zens who are not On the committees, in or
der to secure a full expression of opinion
LAS the matter now STANDS. IL the SEN
ate amendment becomes a law, We will
have the privilege Of using the structural
steel in the government exhibit building If
it is wise and econopical to accept it. This,
at least is n longer step IN the direction of
fine auditorium for Washington than has
yet been taken" TI:.c .,
Mr. James F. Oyster of the Business
Mems Association today notified Commits
sioner West that the Business Mems ASse-
citation intends to select a committee of
Ave members to cooperate with the other
committees active in the movement for the
erection of q convention hall in Washing
ton. 20 ~