Evening star., 1927-11-27
A Logical Makeshift.

a Logical MakcSNlit.
Faced with the necessity of finding
now quarters within very short time
for the Woman's Bureau of the Po-
lice Department the House of Deten-
tion and the medical clinics of the
Health Department. the District Com
missioners have recommended that
these agencies move TO the old 81.
James Hotel at Sixth street anu
PENNSYLVANIA avenue. to he leased ana
remodeled to suit the new tenants
Jmmediate objection to this move IS
seen in the fact that the hotel Itself
must he torn down within Il fe"
Years and that. built at first aud
used for years as hotel, it provides
poor quarters now for important ac-
tivities of the local government Hut
as raradoNicai as it may seem. these
Very objections count most strongly IN
favor of the Commissioners proposal
Let these proposals be carried out
and new quarters in the 81. James
Hotel be regarded as what they are
p makeshift arrangement to he con-
tinued only until adequate and fitting
quarters are built in the proposed
municipal center.
There will probably be a counter
proposal regarding quarters for the
ousted woman's Bureau and the
House Of Detention. This proposal
might be, for instance. that the Dis
trict immediately acquire suitable
building, adequate for its needs and
located in a portion Of the city where
it will be free for years to come from
encroachment of new Government
buildings. But the very permanency
of such an arrangement should count
against it. If the District is to ac-
ouire the land and gradually erect
buildings for the proposed municipal
center there must be a real and
nressing necessity for such buildings.
II agencies of the District govern
ment, forced out of their quarters In
the Avenue triangle. are scattered in
permanent quarters in various Sec
tions of the city. there can never be
the urge for creating the municipal
center.
Congress has authorized new Po-
lice Court building, and the Judges
of the Police Court hope to obtain
the necessary appropriations at the
coming session of Congress to build
the new structure on the site of the
existing building. But the Commis-
sioners have recommended otherwise.
They hope to secure authorization for
acquiring the land for the municipal
group and to place the Police Court
Building on this land as the first OF
a group which is to follow. II the
Police Court judges bring about the
erection of the new building on the
present site. it will be lost to the
municipal group and start on the
project will be delayed until some
other District agency demands atten'
ton.
The municipal group will not be
built all at once. A comprehensive
plan for the group is the first STEP
congressional approval the second
and piece-by- piece construction, die
tated by necessity. the third. Pre-
liminary plans for the group will be
ready for Congress. 1t is essential
that Congress at this session approve
the general plan. Delay may mean
that the plan will never be realized
and il there is no existing and press
ing demand, there can only be con-
tinued and fatal delay. The ends to
be achieved are surely worth any
temporary inconvenience which may
ensue before the group is approved.
Only by planning far into the future
now. and building strictly in accord
ance with that plan. will Washington
be able finally to realize municipal
center in keeping with its Importance
as the Capital City of the United
States.