Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-14
GREAIER AVENUE
PLAN IN FAVOR
Demand for improving the
ihoroughfare Is Growing.
QUESTION FOR CONGRESS
South Side Wanted for Imposing
Public Buildings.
QUESTION FOR CONGRESS
SENATORS FAVOR MOVEMENT
On Record as Favorius Purchase Of
All Property From, First to
Fifteenth Strests

side of PENNSYLVANIA avenue is TO
be an important i,suc during the
coming session Of Congress. and
there will be no partisansll;p i'll for
warding that enterprise, which,
since the location OF the govern
ment in the District of Columbia,
has been a Wr!l-dchned policy of
public men.
The sentiment in Congress has
never changed when this plan for
the beautificatjon of the Capital
city has been considered and there
has been no reason advanced
against the necessary purchase of
all the land located between The
avenue and the Mall from the Bo-
tanic Garden to 18th street, except
the expense involved in the under
taking, and that has only been
urged to postpone action.
The Improvement of the south side Of
the avenue with beautiful buildings for
the use of the government has for many
years gone hand in hand with the PROPOSE
avenue and the Mall.
The lack of wisdom in securing this lana
square by square has frequently been
urged upon the appropriation committees
of the Senate and the House of Represent
atives. 1t his been shown that IL the gov
ernment should proceed to improve Il
square by square 1t would only enhance
| the value of the land 1t will need IN the
future. and make more difficult the har-
nonious laying out OF the area contiguous
to the Mall, which is to be used as sites
for public buildings. Every time this sub
ject has been discussed business men In
the Senate and House of Representatives
have been a unit in declaring that tho
cheapest method Of acquiring the land
necessary for the government workshops
is to get it at one time under condemna-
ton proceedings.
Sentiment EavorS Purchase.
During the last session of Congress the
sentiment in favor OF this plan was al
most unanimous. Senator Hepburn intro
duced a bill appropriating si0900,Oo0 for
the purchase of this land. That bill Vas
referred to the committee on public build
ings and grounds, and there 1t was dis
cussed at great length. Some Of its friends
believed at the time that SO important
measure would be sure TO call forth op-
position. But they we're surprised to SEQ
the bill go through the committee unani-
,t..f. A-zal
objected to It, Every one seemed to be
glad to have his name attached to this
important measure fer the beautiication
of the capital. The bill was reported back
to the Senate with a favorable recommen-
dation, and 1t was then referred to the
committee on appropriations There it
met an obstacle because Of the large SUMS
OF money that had. up 10 that time, been
appropriated in the several bills TO pro-
vide for the needs Of the government.
The committee On appropriations was
strongly in favor OF tire measure. In fact.
Senator Allison had some time before that
been quoted as saying:
Il have always been in favor of using
the sites along the south side of Penn
sylvania avenue for public buildings"
No Money Available.
But although .nator Allison, he
chairman of the Senate committee on APP
preparations, and others On che commit
tee wanted to see tais land acquired the
situation that faced the men who were
responsible for the amount OF money sat
aside for public expenses was such that
they We're forced t. permit the PROPOSE
ton for the purchase of this large area
to go over to the next Congress. When
the Sixtie;h Congress ASSEMBLIES next De-
cember these senators VIII be found ready
to again take up the issue. and expect 10
dispose of it successfully.
One of the first acts of Senator Hey
burn after Congress assemblies will be The
introduction of the bin ne urged at ebe
last session. That bill, having once been
acted upon by the coInintttee on pueic
buildings and grounds. Win probably
receive very prompt attention, SO that IL
can be passed by the Senate in good time
to have it forwarded to the House at an
early day.
A great many leading senators have ap-
proved the plan for the building up Of the
south side of the avenue.
Senator Cullom is OF the most IN
sistent advocates OF the plan to bsai1iy
the south S-dc of the avenue with pubiic
buildings.
Senator Cunom's Views.
When the subject was being urged upon
Congress some tims ago Stha'or CuifoH
and many others wagmy approved tho
project.
Il would like to see the sites on 70
south side of Pennsyivanii avenue utii-
lied by the government for its public
build ngs in this city Senator Cul'om de-
clared. Il would like to see the land he
tween the avenue and the Mall purchased
by the government in order 70 make il a
decent place. In other words. ! am Cor
the Improvement of the National Capital
in every reasonable way. | In nix the Oh
iections to these sites for large bu ldings.
based on the cost of securing good
foundation, have been fully answered by
the facts in this respect relating TO Tie
city post office building.
Il have always been in favor of plac-
ing our public buiidings along tho
south side of PENNSYLVANIA avenue"
said Senator Frye, president pro tesD.
OF the Senate. Il would not oAly