Evening star., 1907-11-12
Advocates Better Quarters for the
Departments.
WOULD PRESERVE THE MALL
Organization Goes on Record
Against Erection of Any More
Public Buildings in Parks.

/ We believe that the United
! States government should own a
sufficient number OF suitable build
ings in the District OF Columbia
Tor the proper conduct OF govern
ment business. thereby saving a
large sun OF money each year.
which is now paid for rentals (and
! in MANY cases iOr unsuitable and
possibly unsafe blildinSs). and that
said buildings should be SO placed
as to be convenient and accessible.
We believe that the best inter
ests OF the National capital will be
subservcd by the preservation OF
the Mall ard other reservations for
park purposes, and we are there
fore opposed to the erection OF any
more buildings Oh any OF said res
ervatlO1ts.
We believe that it would be to
the best interests OF the national
government to acquire, at any early
date. sufficient land, centrally 10
Gated. upon which such buildings
as may be needed from time to
time could be erected. which would
tend to quiet the question OF sites
for public buildings for many years.
Therefore. be it resolved. That
we, the Northeast Washington
Citizens Association, in regular
meeting assembled, this 18th
day OF November, 1907, indorse
the proposition for the acquisition
by the United States government
OF all the lands lying between the
Botanic Garden. 18th street, Penn
sylvania avenue and B street, and
that the committee on proper leg
islation be, and is hereby directed
to use its influence and exert it's
efforts to secure such legislation
as may be necessary for the &C
conplishment of that Object
Resolution adopted by the North
east Washington Citizens Asso-
ciation.
A resolution indorsing the plan for the
purchase by the government for building
sites of all the property on the south
side of Pennsylvania avenue between the
Botanic Garden and 18th street was
feature of the meeting of the Northeast
Washington Citizens Association last
night. The association also went on rec
ord as favoring the preservation of the
Mall and other reservations for park Dur
poses. The resolution was presented by
Mr.. W. j Lang, and is given above.
Government a Good Renter.
Mr.. Foster asked if any member of the
association could give an idea of the
amount paid annually for the rental of
buildings in this city.
II understand the government paws
about Saan,n00 annually for such build
ings." said Mr. Millard
I've heard it pays $500 600" added
President Tucker
President Tucker, speaking of the rea-
sons why the government should not
rent buildings. said he thought it was
good policy for il to own its own homes
and he could see no good reason why the
government should pay 40 per cent on in
vestments for the rental of buildings
Good Features of Plan.
Mr. Foster said tie purchase of the
ground Specified III the resolution would
avoid all sH"o trouble in the future, and
7aTo!d the further possibility OF encroach-
ing upon The public parks for buildings.
he also stated tEl, the purchase of the
ground viii put an end to the wire-pulling
and selling of property belonging to infu-
entiaI people Upon past occasions, he
stated. there had been scrambles engaged
III by tie owners of property. real estate
dealers and others as soon as it was hint
ed that the government wanted ground
upon which TO erect a building.
President Tucker related story about
the purchase of a square of ground in the
northwest section. saying some high Of
ficials were interested in it. A good price
was paid for the ground, he stated, and
no building has yet been erected upon it.
And the Juvenile Court is on the
block" commented Mr.. Frizzell.
President Tucker spoke OF the effort
that was made TO sell the Malone site to
the government at the time a site was
wanted for the Government Printing Of
fire.
Several members spoke IN favor OF Mr..
T.ang's resolution. and IL was adopted
unanimously.
Secretary Sowe-butts read letter he
had received from Mr.. Conrad H Syme
thanking the association for the interest
displayed in the matter of preventing the
destruction Of the historic trees in the
Botanic Garden.