Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-14
House Committee to Report
S25,000, 900 Elliott Bill
Tomorrow.
FUNDS IMMEDIATE USE
is SPECIALLY PROVIDED
Favorable Action Also Taken on
Measure Raising Federal Build
ing Sum to $3.50, 100000

The Elliott bill authorizing an ap-
preparation of SIS 100000. which can
be used Immediately for purchasing
the triangle south of Pennsylvania
avenue to the Mall as sites for public
buildings under the Federal building
program to house Government work
shops adequately in the National
Capital was ordered favorably report.
ed to the House today by the commit
tee on public buildings and grounds
The report will be made to the House
tomorrow morning
This bin includes the Southern Rail-
way Building, which was excluded
specifically under similar legislation
which passed both houses of Congress
during the past session Of Congress.
Bill Lost i'm FiIibuster.
The bill failed because of the Sen
ate filibuster after the bill had been
amended in the House by the addi-
ton OF the Reed bill, which proposed
TO add an additional hundred million
dollars to the general public build.
ing program throughout the country.
The Reed bill as distinct legislative
measure also was ordered favorably re-
ported by the House today. It proposes
to increase the Federal building fund
from $3.50, 100000 to $3.50. 900 900, leav-
ing the Districts share the same at
$50.000.0 900.
Annual Fund Increased.
Under the original public buildings
act the amount that can be expend-
ed annually is $25.000,0 $1O. 900. 900
of which Is in the District. The Reed
bill proposes to increase the amount
that can be spent annually to 35.0OO,-
900, making SIS, ,000, 900 to be expended
annually on new public buildings
throughout the States. The Heed bill
is in effect an amendment to section
5 of the existing pubic buildings act.
1t Is isimportant to note that the S25,-
100000 authorized in the Elliott bill
does not come within the limitation
on annual expenditures, but Is an ad-
dition thereto so that the Secretary
OF the Treasury may use this money
as soon as he sees fit after Congress
has finally acted upon IL for pur.
chase OF the Mall triangle site.
The Southern Railway Building was
specifically exempted from the bill last
year because at that time It was ex-
pected that the District government
would take over this adjacent prop
erty s an auxiliary building TO pro.
vide much-needed additional space for
District Offices. Negotiations to this
effect were carried on with the South
ern Railway. Since that time, how
ever. the Federal building program
has been changed so that now the en-.
tire area even that occupied by the
District Building itself. is being chart.
ed for the big Federal layout.
New Municipal Plan.
In consequence of this. and because
even with the Southern Railway Build.
ing. the District government would
still have inadequate quarters. a $25,-
100000 project for a new modern
municipal group to be located north
Of Pennsylvania avenue, between
Third and Sixth streets, and south of
Judiciary Square. has been advocated
and received strong support from the
Capital builders.
No intimation has yet been given
as TO what particular Federal build
ings would be placed on the present
sites of the Southern Building and
the District Building. but one OF the
most recent drawings for DEVELOPMENT
OF the triangle shows a big structure
extending from Twelfth to Fourteenth
streets, facing Pennsylvania avenue
from the south. 1t is not feared. how.
ever, that the District offices will he
forced out of the present District
Building until after provision has
been made for them in the new munic.
lpal center, on which Congress has
not yet taken any action.