Evening star., 1924-03-13
CAPITALS BEAUTY SEEN
IN PERIL BY SENATOR
CONTINUED from First Page.)

structed at heights in excess of that
permitted by law. 1t is also claimed
that the regulations themselves per-
nit the construction Of apartment and
other houses of such form and height
as to be at variance with a rational
and proper building policy, compatible
with the position which Washington
occupies AS the Capitalc of the nation.
Il have felt from observations
made that either through the lack of
law or an improper enforcement of
existing regulations beautiful resi-
Dental sections are being DESTROY ed
by invading business houses and
cheap apartment houses.
Sees Residences AGectnd.
MANY persons interested in the
Capital and in making it beautiful
artistically and otherwise have ex-
pressed to me the view that within
a few years, if the present methods
and regulations are continued. there
will be but few choice residential
sections in the city, and valuable
properties built for residences, will.
in mans instances, have their value
materially lessened
Complaints have also been brought
to my attention concerning additions
which are being brought within the
control of the Commissioners, and
added to the city. Many of these ad-
ditions it is claimed, seem to be
founded purely upon commercialism
and have no regard for the original
plan of the Capital and do not seek
to SO associate and integrate the
street and subdivisions with the gen.
eral plan of the city as to produce
of a comprehensive plan for streets
and avenues to the remotest parts of
the city such as should be found
at the Capital of the nation.
Refers to ZoninE Permits.
'The claim is also made that zon-
ing permits are improvidertly is
sued, and that oftentimes pressure is
brought to secure permits which
contemplate buildings and structures
not warranted by the letter or spirit
of the law or regulations which are
enforced in the District. Complaints
formation is denied at the District
Office in regard to contracts entered
into by officials of the District.
"In view of these complaints, / am
prompted to write and to ask for
information as to whether contracts
have been let during the past few
years to the National Electric Sup
ply Company and the Galliher Lum-
| ber Company; and IL so, whether such
contracts were competitive and the
bids open. I should also be glad to
know who have sold school sites to
the District during the past ten years.
and whether, If the records show
that one person or company has fur
nished the greater number, and what
reason exists for such fact.
stores Height Questioned.
Complaints have also been brought
| to my attention that favoritism has
| been shown in granting Zoning per-
| m%its % l should be glad to have in
| formation as to what zoning per
mits have been granted during the
1 past three years anu what attorneys
have appeared to secure such per
| mitS.
| Complaint has also been made that
| permission be granted to a certain
company to erect a store much high
| er than the patent Office, which is
| situated opposite from the store, and
that such permit was not In CON
| T will be glad to hear from you
| in regard to the matters herein re-
| ferred to-"
Urges New Selections.
The appointment of two strong out
| ct tanding citizens of the District as
members of the board OF District
| cd to President Coolidge by Senator
! King. through Secretary Slemp.
| Senator King said today that he had
1 not had an opportunity to see the
| President himself, but that he had
/ asked Mr.. Slemp to urge upon the
! President the necessity of selecting
| the best executives available to have
! charge of the affairs of the National
Capital. He told Mr.. Slemp that there
l is now in preparation a bill giving
to the District Commissioners more
authority than they have TO-DAY, ane
that this bill would have coupled with
il provision for paying the Commits
sioners higher salaries.
| At the White House today there wa:
Ino indication as to when Presiden
iCoolidge would name the two Com
lUissioners sfox thn posts which be