Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-21
IN FAVOR OF THE
HEPBURN LAND BILL
Proposed Purchase of Prop
erty South of Avenue.
REPORT MADE TO SENATE
Sites for Future Government Build
ings.
ESTIMATED TO COST 100000
Senator Scott's Measure Providing
for Structures for Three Depart
ments Also Reported.
REPORT MADE TO SENATE
Sites for Future Government Build.
ings.
ESTIMATED TO COST s9,ooo,ooo

Senator Hepburn today submitted a
favorable report from the committee on
public buildings and grounds upon Senate
bill 122. which is Mr.. Heyburn's bill for
the purchase of property in the District
of Columbia lying south of Pennsylvania
avenue and north of the Mall which it
is proposed to use for the accommoda-
tion of public buildings to be erected in
the future by the government 1t was
learned that no meeting of the commit
tee was held, but that poll was taken by
the clerk. resulting in a unanimous vote.
with the exception of one member, in
favor of recommending the passage of
the bill
There was no discussion of the bill in
the Senate. and it was placed on the
calendar to be considered at a future
date
The report is the same as that sub
mitted last year by the committee. 1t
is in part as follows:
TIE bill contemplates the purchase by
the government of all of the ground not
at present owned by it lying south of
PENNSYLVANIA avenue and north of Mary
land avenue up to 9th street. where it in
tersects Maryland avenue, and all of the
ground not at present owned by the gov
ernment lying between Pennsylvania ave-
nue. and the Mall up to 18th street north
west; also lot No. 221, lying at the juno
tion of Maryland avenue and 1st street
immediately in front of the Capitol
grounds: also block ,515 and reservation
IL. lying Immediately in front of the Capt.
tol grounds between Pennsylvania avenue
and b street northwest.
Area and Cost of Sites.
The total area in the proposed pur-
chase of this ground is 1,052, 164 square
feet This does not include any land at
present owned by the government or any
OF the streets, alleys or avenues within
this area. The government already owns,
In blocks, between 18th street and 9th
street, Hl98l square feet The area Of
the streets and parks within those boun-
darfes is 1.2f3, ,1SS sauare feet
The assessed valuation of all the land
Included within the proposed purchase is
S3.fj3.9W The aSSessed valuation of all
the buildings upon said land is 81 2O3 500
These assessments aFe based on a two
, thirds Valuation of the actual valuation of
-tSs-T62Zerty. This would make the land
proposeN NJ be take9 of the actual value
OF S..G1\S21 and offhe buildings thereon
S3,S05 Ie~Xnaking. az total of sS,936555 as
the actuaN cash value of the land and
this Y6rcb1Se
.The-purchase off this property involves
hl.ocks>'-Sos. 81, 227. DDS. 22o. 230, .J6, 237
Is. 80 26J. 292. 293, 294. 2JJ. $40. $50
tfop b. block 5I@.sbfock JI5. reservation T.
reservation .D and reservation c..
Ihese-D docks contain 2021,16 square
feefS The area of land within this pro-
posed purchase. which the government al
ready Apwns. consists&of blocks Nos. 25J
323. - y "a portionfof block 21S, a portion
OF hlok 293. the hay market square the
Cenfer market square. and the streets
and parks, making total area of $50 40
square feet.
Looking to the Future.
TITS Very important that in the future
all govkTnmcrt buildings located at the
Nations1eapitals shall be built on this pro-
posed ptfcAast. and shall be of such har-
monious architecture and arrangements
as will make the government buildings a
combination of all that is beautiful and
adequate to the wants of the service. The
buildings could be constructed along vary
ing architectural lines. and yet be en-
tlrely harmonious. thus affordng great
possibilities for great architectural accom-
plishment, as well as for the development
of plan that wi. greatly enhance the
beauty and usefulness of the nations
home
I'm the interval of the purchase and the
actual use of the grounds for public
buildings they could be used and main
tanned as an attractive pleasure ground in
connection with the Mall. Much of the
land to be acquired can doubtless be pur
chased from the present owners. and that
which cannot be so acquired can be OBJ
tanned by the ordinary process of con-
demnation."
Printed with the report is a map indi-
eating the several blocks and their rela-
tive situation which 1t is proposed to pur-
chase. The blocks contemplated for pur-
chase in the bill are shaded so that one
may see at a glance the character and
expense of the improvement proposed.
The present membership of the commit
tee on public buildings and grounds is as
follows: Senators Scott OF West Virginia
Warren OF Wyoming. McCumber of North
Dakota, Hepburn of Idaho, Burkett OF
Nebraska, Warner of Missouri Culberson
of Texas. Clay of Georgia. Stone of Mis-
souri,. Latimer of South Carolina and
Oyerman of North Carolina