Evening star., 1907-11-14
AVENUE PURCHASE
DUTY OF CONGRESS
Opinion of Representative P.
P. Campbell of Kansas.
ADVOCATES EARLY ACTION
Need of More Department Buildings
Emphasized.
FIXING THE PRICE OF LAND
Regular Condemnation Proceedings
Suggested as Best Means for
Square Deal for Every One.

There's no question about it
Washington should be nade--in-
deed, must be nlade-the most at,
tractive city in the country. We
of the national legislature owe il
to ourselves to make Washington
a city that is wholly in keeping
with its position as the capital OF
the richest and greatest nation oi
the world. R eprese i've
Campbell of Kansas.
Representative Campbell of Kansas is
a stanch advocate Of the purchase by
the government of Pennsylvania ave.
nue. property for sites for public buildings
He has Just returned from a trip abroac
and reached Washington yesterday
Speaking to a Star reporter about the
improvement Of the capital, Mr.. Campbell
said:
''One Of the first steps to be taken, in
my opinion. is the requirement by the
government of those squares on the
south side OF Pennsylvania avenue be-
tween the Botanic Gardens and 18th
street, which are now in private hands
This property should be acquired as soon
as possible and with one purpose in view
that of erecting thereon such govern
n1ent and department buildings as are
provided for In the future As is well
known. additional department buildings
are needed and badly needed, at the
present time. In addition TO the large ag-
gregate annual rental paid by the gov
ernment for buildings in which to house
bureaus and branches of the diff rent
departments of the government service,
the matter of convenience of access and
safety of records is worthy of considera-
ton. Just now the man who starts out
TO visit some of these scattered depart
ment bureaus should take a guide along
Ii he wants to get around and transact
his business with any degree of speed.
Price of the Property.
TN the acquire nlent of the south ave
nue. property l believe that the private
owners concerned should receive Whai
the property Is worth, no more. no less
/ do not believe that the mere fact that
the purchase OF the property by the gov
ernnlent is in contemplation is suficien
warrant for g material advance in Jhe
selling price of the property. Such an
advance is bound TO be attempted, how
ever, and the best Wav for the govern
ment to approach the mater wodI0 be
OF course. through regular condtmla tio.
proceedings, particular cara beng given,
in view OF the magnitude Of the PROPOSE
ton, TO ths selection OF d jury OF en-
tirely competent and absolutely disin-
terested persons This done | see no
reason Why the purchase and transfe
OF title should not he made without undue
delay or friction and at a. price eminently
fair 70 botn parties to the transaction.
Il nave long believed that the construc-
ton OF additional depart .nent buildings
IN washington should proceed along soaic
definite lines and according to som
satlsfs ctory and well Gefined plan, ana
in this connection ! AIN sure that most
of US will agree that the south side ol
the avenue is Cxceilent!y We'll fitted for
the purpose. TFre business community o.
Washington is moving up town, has beer
moving up town, in fact. for number
of years. OF late the movement has adj
Nancod With greater rapidity. Soon thai
south side Of the avenue, always un.
sightiy,-ndw scared by Uns;grtlS
beer s!gn--Will become more so. objection.
able business enteTprises-Considc s.
from the viewpoint OF civic beauty-may
secure quarters there, and the future Ot
pennsylvania avenue, that great parade
ground Of national professions and pa,
seRntS, VIII be threatened, if not blasted