Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-09-11
Does Not Approve of Placing
Commerce Department
Home on ParkWay-Fa-
VorS Present Market Site.
EXCEPTION MADE IN CASE
OF MEMORIAL EDIFICES
Sees Produce Dealers Future Lo.
cation as Secondary-Gives Cam
did Opinion on Questions That
Have Become Serious Problem to
Official Agencies in Capital.
By j. RUSSELL YOUNG,
stan Correspondent of The Star.

WHITE PINE CAMP. n. Y. Sep
tember ll.-Presidcnt Coolidge does
not approve of the proposal to erect
the new building for the Department
of Commerce in that section known
as the Mali.
The President is desirous of seeing
the integrity of the Mall safe from
the .enroachment of public buildings.
and he sincerely hopes that those
intrusted with the selection Of sites
for the Federal buildings to be
erected under the provisions OF the
new public buildings program will do
nothing that would mar or dishgure
the natural beauty of this long strip
of parkway.
In the opinion of thcSresident, the
scattering of Office buildings TO be
used by the Government. no matter
how attractive they may be archi-
tecturally, could not help but be a
detrimcnt to this park section.
Besides, he believes the encroach-
ment of public buildings within the
borders of the Mall would tend to
defeat the plans for its future
physical treatment and development.
OF course, the President recognizes
the necessity for making an eXcep-
tion in the case of buildings for the
Department of Agriculture. ana
structures for museums or those OF
a nature that would class them as
monuments or memorials.
Would DeploFe Park Mar.
But to slice off sections, of the
Mall for the purpose of rev de-
nartn1ent buildings would be deplor-
able, according to the ideas he en-
tertains for the preservation and
development of this central park gar
den. The President believes there Is
sufficient room in Washington for
the successful location of these pro-
posed buildings elsewhere.
These candid and very positive
views of the President we're expressed
by him today to the writer. He gave
the latter the impression that the
proposed Department of Commerce
Building, the location of which is
causing considerable concern in Wash
erected upon some site other than
within the borders of the Mall, If
those who have the say in the matter
would seek his advice or opinion.
1t goes without sayiag that the
President is not familiaE> enough with
the subject to say offffa nd Se~st where
the new 10000. 900 home for. the De
partment Of Commerce shoufd be
built.
The suggestion to erect this build
ing on the site fronting Pennsylvania
avenue between Seventh and Tenth
streets and adjoining the Mall im
presses President Coolidge as having
considerable merit and as being
worthy Of serious consideration. I'm
fortunately he is not sufficiently as
ISOLATED with the various questions
involved in the selection of such
site. At any rate, he is inclined to
look upon the question of removing
the Center Market and its wholesale
branch as being Of secondary i'm
portance. AS result of abe thought
he has given to IL he believes this
site would be a convenient and prac-
tical place for the new home of the
Department Of Commerce.
Would Favor Market Site.
II those who are intrusted with the
selection should decide 10 remove the
market and put the Commerce Build
ing on that site, the+zxciter has evety
reason 10 believe ths tion would
meet with the approval of the Presi-
dent. His principal concern is in re-
lation TO the preservation OF the Mall.
AS for the selection of any other site
outside its borders. he cares only that
the question of the pracuoability OF
the location as we'll as its adaptable
ity. be given fullest consideration.
The question of q new site for the
market properties in the event this
area is finally agreed upon should not
he difficult one to dispose of. he be.
lieVes.
Rather than encroach upon the
beauties of the Mall. those who are
TO make the selectio0>~ first should
choose some other place. and, II they
are attracted by the area between tie
Avenue ard the Mall and Seventh and
Tenth streets, they should not permit
themselves to become confused or
hampered by the question of a new
site for the market buildings. The
latter question could be settled in a
leisurely and satisfactory manner
later or after IT. has been definitely
settled that the market buildings
must give way for the Commerce
Building.
Has Not Advised Board.
There Is nothing here to indicate
that the President has communicated
his views 10 the United States Public
Buildings Commission or the Secre-
tary Of the Treasury. or to any other
commission or individuals back i'll
Washington since the question as
sumed such serious proportions.
1t is not known whether any OF
those who are identified with the task
OF selecting a sits has advised the
President OF what iS being done. or
has solicited the Executives opinion.
However. Il is not unlikely nov that
tine President has had his attention
drawn to the question by the writer,
4SsatiaUsd,pa-Rsze2eca catnnA q