Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-01
HEARTILY FAVOR PLAN
Congressman on Proposed
Avenue Purchase.
SITES FOR BUILDINGS
General Endorsement of the Park
Commission Scheme.
ONLY A FEW FOUND OPPOSED
Some Would Postpone Action on the
Project, Although They Are
Friendly to It.
ONLY A FEW FOUND OPPOSED

Representative James McLachlan of
California unreservedly favors the propo-
sition to have the government acquire
those squares south of Pennsylvania ave-
nue. between the botanic Garden and
18th street.
PERSONALLY" said Mr.. McLachlan to a
Star reporter yesterday, II am strongly
in favor of the government purchasing
all the property south Of Pennsylvania
avenue and erecting government buildings
thereon"
Representative Everis A. Hayes, also Of
California, a member of the House bank
ing and currency committee. is also in
favor Of the proposition, but thinks the
time Is hardly ripe at this session to put
the business through.
II am personally in favor of securing
the south side Of Pennsylvania avenue
for public building purposes" said Mr.
Hayes to Star man. but as there will
be SO very many demands upon Con-
gress during the present year l doubt
II anything practicable can be accom-
plished along this line at present"
Representative w. A. Ashbrook. of
YOUNGSTOWN. Ohio, new member, said
with becoming modesty:
LAS a new member I do not feel that l
of the government to venture an opinion
concerning the proposed improvements
other than my desire that our capital
should keep pace with this age of progress
and continue to be the pride Of our great
nation
"Looks Good" to Porter.
1.-THE proposition to have the govern
ment purchase those squares on the south
side Of Pennsylvania avenue between 18th
street and the Botanic Gardens and 'front.'
ing on that throughfare. at figure to be
determined by proper condemnation pro-
ceedings. and erect on this tract such de-
partment buildings as are provided for
in the future, looks good to me now"
said Representative Peter Porter of New
York to a Star reporter when asked for
his views on the subject Mr.. Porter is
also congressional kid and comes to the
House in succession to Representative
Wadsworth Of New York. formerly chair
man OF the committee on agriculture.
Representative Cocks of the Long Island
district would like to see larger appro-
piration made toward the Identification
OF Washington, but thinks there are some
other things to be accomplished first. He
said:
II am very much interested in the beau
tifying of Washington and would be glad
to see larger appropriations made to this
end. but lam more interested In the re-
clamation of some of the swamp lands and
In dredging and filing so as to do away
with so many acres Of mud at low tide
and think this ought to be done first"
Reasons Given for Opposition.
Now. although great majority of men,
beers of the House of Representatives who
have been interviewed on the subject of
the proposed purchase are in favor Of It,
either wholly or In part, there are some
who, for one reason or another, go on
record against it. For instance. Repre-
sentative STEVENSON Of Minnesota scents
a real estate deal Of some kind. He said
to q Star man:
1.-The plan of having the government
purchase the blocks on the south side of
Pennsylvania avenue. l understand, has
been advanced by real estate spectators
vious reasons. do not care to enter into
a discussion of the matter in the paper
and for that reason decline to say any
thing further on the subject"
Representative Charles H. Weisse OF
Sheboygan Falls, Wis.,, said:
II am in favor Of the proposition in
question at some future time, but at the
present believe 1t would be much better
for the government to eXpend It's money
on absolutely needful and necessary i'm
provements. as they have discontinued a
great many lights along our lakes on &C.
count of not having money enough, they
were unable to maintain same and by so
doing they have, no doubt, increased the
dangers of navigation. l hope they will
take up these matters and other matters
before beginning to beautify the grounds"
Representative Granger Of Rhode Island
favors the park commission project. He
said: Il am in favor of carrying out the
plan proposed by the st. Gaudens-Burn-
ham commission for the improvement of
the city of Washington. 1t seems to me
OF the first Importance that a comprehen-
sive plan should be adopted, and, once
adopted, strictly adhered to. To do it by
piecemeal would, without doubt, result in
buildings. / am in favor Of the purchase
at the earliest possible date Of the south
side Of Pennsylvania avenue as the first
step to be taken in carrying out this
PLAN"