Evening star., 1926-09-10
Sites for New Government
Buildings Reported Dis
cuSsed With Hoover.
EXECUTIVE NOT MAKING
DIRECT MOVE AS YET
Return to Capital by September Is
Planned-Honor Paid to
Maj. Brooks.
BY j. RUSSELL YOUNG.
Staff COrrespOndent OF The Star


Staff Correspondent Of The Star,
WHITE PINE CAMP, y. Y. Sep.
tember 10.-Although President Cool
idge is understood to have not given
any serious thought to the question
of selecting sites for the Federal
buildings to he erected in Washing.
ton under the terms of the new public
building program, those about him
are inclined to think that he would
favor preserving the integrity of the
Mall from encroachment of public
buildings
The President is naturally anxious
that the handsome new buildings to be
erected be given sites that are prac-
tical and advantageous in every way,
but up to the present he has left
everything related to the location and
construction of these buildings to
those intrusted with this task under
the law. 1t is thought, however. If it
develops that those charged with this
task and those who are charged with
planning the city and it's parks and
the arts commission find themselves
in a dilemma as to the site of one or
more of these proposed buildings, or
if the question of the future treatment
of the Mall develops into a matter of
dispute. President Coolidge will be
ready to give his advice.
Question of Market Site.
AS for the proposal to move the
Center Market with it's wholesale and
retail branches from their present 10
cation to some other practical point,
it is doubtful If the matter has ever
been considered by the President.
pAiv - n,.fi innI fUtt- NJ
mind himself, and at the same time
being an advocate of beauty in con-
nection with city development, the
Presidents intimates, while not wish
ing to appear in the light of speaking
for him, think he would favor the re-
moval Of the market, and II he was
more thoroughly advised of every
phase incident to matter of a site for
the Department Of Commerce, they
would not be surprised if he approved
the plan to erect this building on the
market site.
Secretary of Commerce Hoover, who
is known to heartily approve this plan
for the new $10,000,000 home for his
department, was recently a guest at
White Pine Camp. 1t was said at the
time that he and the President con-
ferred regarding any number of mat
ters important and otherwise, and 1t
is not unlikely that the question of a
location for this handsome new build
ing came up for discussion. if for only
a brief period and in only an indefinite
way.
President Supports Planning.
Aside from a vefy earnest desire to
see the Capital of the United States
developed along lines that will insure
eat haa nd iNah
the President has contributed con-
siderably to make this possible. He
always has stood ready to express
frankly his opinion upon matters
bearing directly upon the physical
treatment of the city or its parks.
Moreover, the President COnsiste ntly
urged upon Congress the appropria-
ton of sum sufficient in size to
effect a public building program in
Washington, principally as u means
of furnishing adequate accomnoda-
tions for the Nations business. Tu
each of his messages TO Congress HI
recommended such IL program. Finall,
to make this possible he agreed to Il
general public buildings bill such as
was enacted into law at the last Ses-
sidn and under which the new depart
mental buildings are to be erected In
the Capital.
The President first insisted that
these newer and larger buildings TO
house the Government activities in
the Capital We're sOrely needed to re
lieve the overcrOWded conditions OF
the department buildings. Also, he
pointed out that the buildings should
be of an architectural design TO make
them serve as monuments. He wants
them Of a quality and beauty to make
it possible for them to rank with the
handsomest of the Government build
ings in the various capitals of the
world.
1t is thought doubtful if the Presi,
dent has more than q casual idea of
just what the future treatment of the
Mall should be. But, at the same time,
he has some general ideas of his own.
Neither has he more than vague
idea of what the Public Buildings
Commission is doing in the matter of
selecting sites for the buildings to be
erected under this building program,
but it is thought he shortly will be
making some inquiry.
Constant Interest i'm Capital.
From the earliest days Of his presi-
dency Mr.. Coolidge has manifested
more than an ordinary interest in the
development of Washington. 1t is the
opinion Of many, who are in a posi-
tion to know, that his interest in this
connection has been probably more
genuine and more pronounced than
that of any Of his predecessors of re-
cent years. This is explained by rea-
son of the President having served as
mayor and councilman in North
ampton, Mass, and later as a legisla-
tor and governor. 1t is pointed out
that the greater part Of his life has
been prominently identified with gov
erning and developing cities and
States, and, necessarily, he has made
something Of a study Of this subject
and, as might be expected Of one OF
the type Of President Coolidge he has
some fairly good ideas in this respect
If it develops that the selection of
site for the new Department Of
Commerce Building results in a wide
difference OF opinion among those
who must do the selecting and those
who are charged with beautyfying the
Capital and its parks, it is thought
likely by the Presidents associates
that he may have something to say,
of the question of the future physical
treatment of the Mall
The executive branch of the Gov
ernment, so far as the Presidents
offices at Paul Smiths and in Wash.
ington are concerned, will be at Q
CONTINUED on Page 2. Column 10