Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-23
Buildings and Parks.

Buildings ana ParKS.
In the course OF the debate in the
House on Monday relative to the Capt.
WAS said rega riding the redemption Of
PENNSYLVANIA avenue from its present
condition in the stretch westward
from the Capitol. This subject has
given concern to Congress for wears.
II has given even greater concern to
the people nf this city. who. however.
have heen impotent to effect a change
for the better owing ~ the uncer
tainty as to the future Of the lands
bordering the Avenue in the mile
and a half from Capitol to Urea sury.
In answer to a question from an
nther member relative to this matter
ri cleaning up this situation down on
PENNSYLVANIA avenue" Representative
Elliott. in charge Of the Plaza bill sa id
that there was a. hill pending about
that hut we have not taken it up he
cause Of the fact that we have more
things on our hands than we can han
die" He indicated that the hill to
complete the acquisition Of the Plaza
lands WAS hut ono step in a program
looking to the complete cure of all the
unsi-htliness that now renders the
center Of the city a reproach to the
Nation.
When the ff1y,milion dollar five
year building bill became law. with
the Bruce amendment prohibiting the
location Of any Of the proposed new
public structurcs north Of Pennsylva.
nia avonue. save tho now printing of
flee. it was believed that a way was AT
last open for the cure IF the Avenue
conditions through the acquisition by
the Government of all the lands re-
manning within the Msil-Avenue trian-
Ele not already owned. Rnt suhse
quent proceedings have lossened this
hope. Several proposals have been
made on substantial authority for the
amp1acement Of public buildings with.
In tho Mall rather than within the
triangle. The latest suggestion of this
character is for the erection of the
largest Of all the Government depart
mental buildings on the park.
rark emrlacements should never he
considered as long as potential sites
are available within the zone Of con.
venience and suitability. The Mall.
Avenue triangle offers the ideal situa-
ton for all of the contemplated public
buildings under the FIVE year program,
save perhaps the department Of tgri.
culture, already begun in the Mall.
When the new National Gallery Build
ine is provided for. It will proha bly, he.
an il should. placed in the park ada
cent to the New National Museum to
which il will he an adjunct. Such
location is suitable aud desirable. hut
n" departmental building should he
placed within the park area. espe-
cially a monster such as that proposed
for he Department Of commerce.
\ good many years ago a specific
plan WaS before Congress for the ac-
uuisition of all the land within the
Mall.AVenue triangle out Of il came
only ono fractional purchase. that of
the five square tract at the western
end. which has lain out Of Use by the
Government ever since. Now it is
proposed tn take that part. build on it
and. according to the latest Susges-
tion. lap over on the park for build
ing that cannot he placed in the five
square site conveniently and with a
view to future growth.
This is a retrogressive policy. 1t
should not he countena need by the
public authorities charged with the
task Of placing the public buildings
and nf conserving the park spaces.
And while this matter of locating de-
partmental structures is under CON
Sideration there should surely be no
move to put the proposed new Police
Court in Judiciary Square. where it
will he a disfguring, nuisa nee breed
ing tresrass.