Evening star., 1907-10-19
FAVOR HEPBURN PLAN
Purchase of Pennsylvania
Ave. Property Advocated.
MORE BUILDINGS NEEDED
Senators Approve Government Ac-
QUESTION of Land.
SHOULD BE BOUGHT SOON
Former Opposition Throughout the
Country to Improvement Of
Washington Dying Out.
MORE BUILDINGS NEEDED
SHOULD BE BOUGHT SOON

| am convinced that the cheap
est and most desirable way to
acquire this land is to get it all
in one Observation-Disclosures Flint
Each department should have a
separate building. They should
be convenient for the purposes of
the department for which they
are built, and the locations along
the south side of Pennsylvania
avenue would afford the best
facilities.-Senator Curtis.
Many senators and representatives COM
ing to the city are expressing approval of
the advocacy of The Star of the plan for
the purchase of all the land lying along
the south side of Pennsylvania avenue
between the Botanic Garden and 18th
street. The general opinion is expressed
| that this plan has an excellent chance
of being adopted by Congress and that,
as IT is merely In accordance with SEN
timent that has existed in both the Senate
and House of Representatives for so many
years, and has been constantly growing,
they do not look forward to any obstacle
being thrown in its way.
Sentiment Favors Plan.
The proposition has recently been put
| forward that the coming winter will be
an especially favorable time for Con-
&x1,1
its long delayed plans because the con-
dition of the Treasury is such as to war
rant such an appropriation at this time
and the sentiment by people visiting the
city is strongly in approval Of plans for
a beautiful capital.
Those who are returning here from their
homes testify to the fact that their
constituents who visit this city do not
return with condemnation or suggestion
that Congress is extravagant in providing
such structures as the Congressional Lii
brary and in other fine even II expen-
sive Improvements. On the other hand,
they express pride that their capital city
Is being developed on beautiful lines
and claim that it is fast realizing the
boast of Americans that 1t is destined to
be the finest of the capitals Of the world
The time when senator or representa-
tive had to apologize to his constituents
for appropriating for the improvement of
the government facilities In this city on
an adequate scale Is declared to be past
1t is not now possible to find men who
condemn advanced ideas for the improve
ment of the city.
This decided sentiment of the people In
favor of the Identification of the Capital
city has been shown by the fact that the
question Of such expenditures has not
been raised in any recent compaign. The
time can be remembered when to vote
for even necessary facilities for the gov
ernment would bring down upon the heads
of the unfortunate senator or representa-
tive condemnation at home that would
be likely to cost him good many votes
on the ground that he was wasting the
peoples money. In many districts in the
west in which a few years ago the cry
of extravaganza in connection with an
appropriation for the building Of public
structure in this city would have cost
the guilty member q good many votes
such opposition would now produce only
derision. The many pilgrimages made to
the capital during recent years from every
corner Of the land have resulted in a
campaign OF education that has enlight-
ened people everywhere on what Is being
done in this city. They have seen for
themselves and have approved, and as a
rule have regretted that more is not
being accomplished along the same lines.
Senator Flint's Views.
II have always been in favor Of having
the government locate public buildings on
the south side of Pennsylvania avenue"
said Senator Flint, who recently arrived
in the city from California when his at
| tention was called to the Hepburn bill of
the last session Of Congress for the pur-
chase Of all the land between the avenue
and the Mall.
Il am convinced that the cheapest and
most desirable way to acquire this land
Is to get 1t all in one transaction IF /
tshould have my way I would like to see
Congress at an early day provide for a
commission with powers to proceed at
once with condemnation proceedings to
secure every foot of that area. Whatever
is needed for buildings should be utilized
| and that which is not now wanted for
| such sites should be improved and turned
into beautiful park.