Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-11

The Senate District committee
probably will make a favorable report
next week on some form of legislation
for the special regulation of private
structures to be erected around Gov
eminent buildings and parks, although
it may modify to some extent the
Shipstead bill dealing with the subject.
This ind cation is based on views
expressed by Senators during a lively
hearing on the measure yesterday
afternoon, at which most of the dis
cussion related to the height that
should be allowed for private buildings
facing Lafayette Square.
A committee from the American In
stitute of Architects, representative
of the American Give Association.
Engineer Commissioner Bell and
Lieut.. Col Grant. director OF public
buildings and public parks, all favored
the Shipstead bill.
Objections Registered.
The measure, in the terms in which
it was introduced, was opposed vigor-
ously by former Senator Bla Lee.
Truxtun Beale, Maj. Gist Blair and
Maj. John Davidge, all owners of
properly In the square between
Lafayette Park and Seventeenth
street. Senator Bruce of Maryland
also objected to the bill as presented
In substance, the bill provides that
if a building is to be more than 40
feet high, and is to be located within
200 feet of a Federal structure or
park, the permit shall not be issued
until the Fine Arts Commission has
passed upon the plans The chief fear
of the opponents was that the measure
in those terms would give the com
mission power to keep the height
limit down to 40 feet. which would
mean confiscation of the private prop
erty, they argued. Supporters insist
ed the bill was not intended to nix
4O.foot height limit, but merely pro-
vides that if that height is to be ex-
ceeded. the Fine Arts Commission
would have jurisdiction.
Although decision went over Tor
few days, it was apparent at the close
of the meeting that the committee Is
disposed to favor some measure along
the lines suggested by Senator snip
stead. To meet the objections OF the
four property owners who appeared
Senator Copeland proposed an amend
ment, stating that around Lafayette
Square buildings could be erected not
to exceed IS feet, allowing the Fine
Arts Commission to pass on them II
they go over 40 feet.
Favor Quick Action.
Senator King, Democrat, of Utah.
took a determined stand in favor OF
some such legislation as Senator Ship
stead proposed, and said that in order
to get action at this session the Sen
ate committee should invite the House
District committee to consider the
measure jointly, and report a bill to
both branches of Congress immediate.
ly. This suggestion will be acted
on at the next meeting.
Declaring that one of the purposes
of the bill is to give the Fine Arts
Commission the right to put private
property in cold storage" until such
time as the Government wants to take
it, Blair Lee contended the bill would
greatly injure the value of the prop
erty around Lafayette Square. He
said Charles Moore, chairman of the
Fine Arts Commission, has been en-
lieavoring for, years to have new
State Department building erected be-
tween jackson place and Seventeenth
street, and to have ohter massive
stone Federal buildings placed around
the square. He argued that erecting
buildings, such as the Treasury An
mex at Madison place, all around the
square would dwarf the White House
far more than it would be dwarfed by
an assortment of private structures,
erected.
Senator Shipstead told the COM