Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-21
Wetmore Measure for EnIarg-
ing the Capitol Grounds.
PURCHASE OF IL SQUARES
Sum of 100000 Appropriated
for the Purpose.
ACTION OF THE SENATE TODAY
Provision for Direct Avenue From
the Peace Monument to Union
Station Plaza.

The Senate today passed the Wetmors
bill providing 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 op-
position to the bill developed during it's
consideration, although there was brief
discussion OF the measure
The bill directs the Vice President. the
Speaker of the House and the superin-
tendent Of the Capitol to acquire-by
purchase. condemnation or otherwise
the twelve squares between the Capitol
grounds and the station plaza, and 81
100000 is appropriated for the purpose.
The object of the purchase Of the land.
as stated in the bill, is for the enlarge
ment of the Capitol grounds. to provide
for a dignif1ed and adequate approach
to the Capitol and to construct a direct
avenue of about LOO feet in width from
the janction of Pennsylvania avenue and
LIST street northwest to the Union Station
plaza, the center line of said avenue to
be located the axis of the Peace
monument and the site of the westerly
fountain in said plaza"
Discussion Of Avenue Item.
which caused the discussion of the bill.
As soon as 1t was brought up Senator
Hepburn explained that the bill was
aimed to provide a direct route from the
Peace monument to the Union station on
a gradual slope. This would make un-
necessary, he pointed out, the present
up and down-hill route.
Senator Bacon raised the question, how
ever, whether or not the construction of
the road would cut off some Of the north
west corner of the present Capitol
grounds. He was opposed to anything
like that. Senator Hale treasured 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 Wetmore's Report.
Senator Wetmore, in his report on the
bill in behalf Of the Senate committee on
public buildings and grounds, said:
THE property to be acquired by the bin
will extend the Capitol grounds to the
Union station plaza, giving the govern
ment control of the squares surrounding
the plaza: of both sides OF Delaware ave-
nue.; will permit the widening OF that
avenue by moving its central line suffi-
GENTLY to the west to make ii on the
axis of the dome of the Capitol and the
center OF the Union station. thus provid-
ing dominating. dignified and adequate
approach to the Capitol. 1t will also pro-
vide for the opening of a new avenue OF
about the width Of Pennsylvania avenue
from the Peace Monument on direct
line and at easy grade to the union sta
ton plaza, there being now no direct APP
proach from the Union station to Penn
sylvania avenue. which every four years
becomes a national highway for the In
auguration of the President
THE practical need of this new avenue
q CHI tn, fh4 h,,;l1
chants of a largely used rough boardwalk
across the unfmproved squares southwest
OF the plaza, for the accommoda ton OF
pedestrians wishing to take this short and
direct route to Pennsylvania avenue
1.-The squares between the Capitol and
the Union station plaza provided for in
this bill should be acquired by the gov
eminent, to prevent the possibility of any
structures being erected not in architec-
tural harmony with the character of the
existing Capitol group. which. as already
stated, represents an investment by the
government of over 100000.
"As a large part of this area is without
any improvement whatever. 1t would
seem. from an economical standpoint, that
the Congress should act promptly and be-
fore the value of the land contemplated
becomes greatly enhanced in value.
Approval by People Assured.
1.-The people OF the country have here
tofore approved, and will not now or in
the future criticise, except favorably. the
expenditure of money upon the surround
ings of the Capitol building. though in
volving large sums. If made on broad and
liberal lines and in accordance with well
considered plans.
1.-THE Union station is the gateway OF
the nation through which the people of
all parts OF our country pass and get their
first view and impression of the Capital
city of the nation. In view of this, no site
in the District equals this one In import
ance or is more worthy of appropriate
development, and no Disagreement or
mistreatment of the area between the
Union station and the Capitol group
should be permitted
Street Extension Approved.
The Senate also passed a bill for the
extension Of Reno road from Fessenden
of 100 feet.
"Reno road said the Commissioners in
explaining the object of this bill to the
Senate District committee and in recon-
mending its passage. lis a continuous
tension plans. from Cleveland Park To
Chevy Chase Circle, with a view that I'm
the ultimate development of the city Il.
road following the contours as closely as
pOSSiOle anu
Connecticut avenue might be provided for
vehicular traffic.
1.-The road has been dedicated between
the Belt road and Fessenden street,
and also south of Chesapeake street.
and the southern terminus OF the
northern portion referred to is con-
nected with Connecticut avenue by
Fessenden street, also dedicated, and
brought to temporary grade. which is
very heavy.
Provides for Condemnation.
The proposed measure contemplates
the condemnation of the necessary land
to connect these two portions of the
road in accordance with the highway
extension plans, which, incidentally.
will provide better connection with
Connecticut avenue for the northern
portion of Reno road by way OF the
Grant road or the Grant road and the
Military road, at the same time Civ
ing connection with Wisconsin
avenue over the Grant road and Chesa-
peake street
Approval was also given by the Senate
to the bill increasing the dividends which
the Washington Sanitary Housing Com
pany can pay from 1 to per cent. The
change was made SO that more capital
would be attracted to the company which
builds sanitary houses that rent for
small amount.
NINE-STORY FALL FATAL.
IL