The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-03-22
CAPITOL GROUNDS
N|lLB ENLARGED
5Wetn1orc Bill, Carrying S., 6oo,-
900, Passes United States
Senate.

Washington. March 21.--frle Senate
to-day passed the Wetmorc bill pro.
| vidjng for the enlargement OF the
Capitol grounds by the purchase OF
the property between the Capitol park
and the plaza OF the Union, Station No
Opposition to the BILL developed dur
ing It's confederation although there
was a brief discussion or the measure
The bill directs the Vice. PrcA.dcnt,
the Speaker OF tho Housc and tho SUI
pcrintendent OF the Capi~l to acquire
;--by purchase, condemnation or other
wisc---the twelve squares between tho
Capitol grounds and the station plaza,
ana $3.G00,000 Is appropriated for the
purpose.
The object Of the purchase Of the
land. as stated In the bill, is for the
enlargement OF the Capitol grounds,
to provide for a dignified and adequate
approach to the Capitol and to con-
struct direct avenue OF about 15O
feet in width from the Junction OF
Pennsylvania Avenue and First street
Northwest to the Union Station plaza,
the centre line OF said avenue to be.
located on the axis OF the Peace Monu-
ment and the site Of the westerly foun.
tain In said plaza.
DixcurslOn Of Avenue Item.
1t was the construction OF this ave.
nue. which caused the discussion or the
bill. AS soon as II was brought UP
Senator Hepburn explained that the
bill was airscd TO provide a direct
route from the Peace Monument to the
Union Station on gradual slope. This
would make unnecessary. he pointed
out, the present up-and down-hill|
route.
Senator Bacon raised the question,
however. whether or not the construc-
lion OF the road would cut OFF some
OF the northwest corner OF the present |
Capitol grounds. He was opposed to |
anything like that Senator Hale res
assured him on that point. declaring /
that he had inquired and found that
the building OF the road would require
little OF the present CAPITOL grounds.
Senator Wetmorc's Report.
Senator Wetmorc, in his report on
the bill in behalf OF the Senate Com
mi,tce on Public Buildings and
Grounds. said:
The property to be acquired by the
bill will extend the Capitol grounds to
the Union Station plaza, giving the
government control OF the squares
the plaza: OF both sides
of Delaware Avenue; Will permit the
OF that avenue by moving It's
central line sufficiently to the west to
make 1t on the axis of the dome OIL
the Capitol and the centre OF the Un-
ion Station. thus providing a DON'T
dignified and adequate !ap
proach to the Capitol! 1t will also
provide for the opening OF new ave-
nue. Of about the width of Pennsylvania
Avenue from the Peace Monument on a
direct line and at easy grade to the
Union Station plaza. there being now
no direct approach from the Union
Station to Pennsylvaia Avenue, which
every four years becomes national
highway for the Inauguration OF the :
President.
The practical need of this new ave- 8
Tue Is shown in the building by local ,
merchants OF a largely used rough
across the nnimproyed ,
quares southwest of the plaza. for the !,
OF spedcstrians wishing !
o take this short and direct route to !
Avenue. !
The squares between the Capitol =
nd the Union Station plaza provided
or In this bill should be acquired by
ho government. to prevent the posi- :
ility OF any structures being erected !,
OF in architectural harmony with the
haracter OF the existing Capitol group.
,hich. as already stated. represents an ),
by the government OF over :.
;4,ooo.0oo
las large part OF this area is with ;.
VT any Improvement whatever, 1t =
ould seem. from an economical stand =
otnt, that the Congress should act :.
and before the value OF the 2
nd contemplated becomes greatly en-
anced in value.'