Evening star., 1927-09-01
A District Building Truce.

A reasonable spirit Of accommoda.
tion prevails at the Treasury IN the
matter of the custer of District offices
from buildings located on the site Of
the projected Commerce Department
structure, and in consequence those
bureaus of the municipal government
win not be forced out of their pres.
ent locations until Congress makes
provision for them elsewhere. Exca.
vation work will be started for the
new department building at another
point on the great site. and this oper-
alton will in all likelihood not extend
to the portion now occupied by the
District Offices before legislation can
be had.
This is the most satisfactory ar
Sangement possible in the premises.
Yet reason for prompt action remains.
and it is to be expected that all speed
will be made in getting Congress to
approve expenditures for the hiring
Of suitable quarters for the Women's
Bureau, the House of Detention and
the Health Department Clinic for the
period covered by the wait for a per-
manent housing for these and other
municipal activities.
This experience should cause a con-
centrated effort to get definite au.
thorization at the next session of
Congress for the project for a new
municipal center. located at a con-
venient point such as that which has
been proposed, on the north side of
pennsylvania avenue between the
Capitol and Sixth street. 1t will take
some time to prepare the plans for
such a group of structures. but the
general outline of the scheme can be
put into form in season for congress
sionaI action this session IL the matter
q taken in hand as a specific project.
It is certain that as the sites for Fed
sral buildings within the Mall-Avenue
triangle are taken and put into the
hands Of the excavators and erectors
the business now located within that
area will seek and secure location
elsewhere. A general readjustment
win be in progress. There is already
demand for new sites outside Of the
triangle. Presumption Of a particular
area for municipal center cannot be
effected merely by the recommenda-
tions or suggestions Of commissions.
There must be definitive proposal,
coupled with authorization for con-
demnation or acquisition by direct
purchase. Experience proves that this
process is always slow. 1t is there.
fore in order to move now. to devise
O broad scheme and to be ready for
It's definite presentation when Con-
gress meets. Otherwise valuable time
will be lost and the District will re-
main in a state Of uncertainty and
inadequate equipment for an indef-
mite period.
In this connection the annual re-
port of the surveyor Of the District
calls attention to a matter that re-
quires immediate correction. The laws
relating to the condemnation of prop
erty for public uses are such as to
cause protracted delays. Invocation
Of teohnicalities makes for reviews and
Sehearings and repetitions, with the
inevitable consequence of the ultimate
increase in the cost Of the lands ac-
quired for streets and sites. This is
q matter requiring early correction
through a revision Of the condemna-
tion laws, to the end Of permitting
greater expedition without impairing
the rights Of property owners whose
lands are sought for public purposes.
It should be pressed for congressional
action at the coming session.