Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-25
Plan to Improve Pennsylvania
Avenue Gains Advocates.
DUTY OF THE GOVERNMENT
Development of Great Thoroughfare
Along Proper Lines.
MORE PUBLIC BUILDING SITES
Views Of Representatives Show
Growth Of Sentiment Favorable
to Purchase of Southside
Property.

In expressing his views upon the much
discussed proposition of having the gov
eminent acquire those squares along the
south side of PENNSYLVANIA avenue between
the Botanic Garden and 18th street. Rep
resentative Fuller of Illinois was brief, but
emphatic.
II am decidedly in favor" he said to a
Star reporter today. "of having the gov
eminent acquire all the property south of
Pennsylvania avenue and fronting there
on"
Representative Serene E. Payne Of New
York. floor leader Of the House repub-
licans. said today:
II would not object to the government
acquiring by purchase such land as it has
need OF In Washington on the south side
Of Pennsylvania avenue, provided it could
be done at fair and reasonable price.
hesitate very much about voting for a
proposition to have the price fixed by con-
demnation proceedings. Judging from re-
suits of former proceedings in Washington
in such matters, 1 should be very reluc-
tant to vote for the condemnation of real
estate for the purposes of the government
except in the cases of most urgent neces-
sity."
a Wise movement.
Representative Clayton of Alabama said
today to Star reporter:
II do not know enough about any of the
plans for the future erection of govern
ment buildings in the city to form more
than mere tentative opinion.
i have always believed it would be wise
for the government to acquire enough
property on the south side of the avenue
for the erection of any other necessary
public buildings l think the disposition
has been to scatter to too great an extent
the public buildings in different parts of
the city. / think Congress ought to ma
ture and fix upon definite plan, and
hereafter pursue some system in the mat
ter of the location of the government
buildings"
Representative Burke of Pennsylvania is
In favor of a generous appropriation by
Congress for the purpose of acquiring such
public squares as are necessary for the
Identification of the National capital. Mr..
Burke said to Star reporter today:
The history of Washington's develop
ment has proven tnat delay in securing
such properties necessarily results in larg-
er expenditures by the national govern
nlent than would be essential if prompt
action were taken and sound business
judgment displayed in the first instance
The city of Washington is rapidly be-
coming the pride of the nation, and moth
ing should be left undone to perfect the
rapid and substantial development of
those plans which manifestly have so
much to do with increasing the efficiency
OF the public service and adding to the
beauty Of the one city in the nation in
which all citizens have an equal interest
and natural pride
Would Improve City.
Representative Parker Of South Dakota
said today:
II have no suggestion to make as to
what governme mt buildings should be con-
structed in Washington. but you may rest
assured that am in favor of the improve
ment of Washington and it's Identification
and you may confidently look to me for
such assistance as / can render in that
direction during my term in Congress.
have a personal and special interest in
Washington for the reason that my boy
hood days were spent here"
Representative Foulkrod of Pennsyl-
Tania said:
II am not sufficiently familiar with
what Is contemplated to refer to it in de-
tail. I am. however. most assuredly in
favor of such plans as will have for their
object the beautifying of the National
capital The Capital city of this great
country should be made beautiful and at
tractive."
Representative Thomas F. Marshall of
North Dakota said that as a business man
tNc pldllS lOT tue MAIL anu
providing a comprehensive scheme for
the erection of future government build
ings in Washington appealed to him.
II certainly feel he said. "a deep in
tersst in the question Of beautifying the
Mall"
A Voice for Progress.
Representative Isaac r. Sherwood Of
Ohio who was a member of the Forty
third Congress and will be a congressional
kid" this winter. approved the PROPOSE
ton under discussion.
Il approve" said Mr.. Sherwood to
Star reporter today. 1.-The efforts going
forward to restore as far as possible the
plans of l. Enfant. approved by George
Washington. for beautifying the National
capital. and the condemnation and pur-
chase of such grounds as may be neces-
sary to this end"
Representative Loud of Michigan said:
1t has always seemed to me deplor-
able that more Of the public buildings
should not have been conferred on Penn
sylvania avenue. and as other national
buildings are required 1t would seem the
only business-like policy to locate them
on the avenue. so as to centralize as far
as possible the different departments. At
the same time 1t would remove from that
grand avenue the poorer class of build
ings which are now located there, and
ultimately bring the avenue into the place
which It was intended to hold. that is.
the luest avenue in the United States, If
not In the world"