Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-19
100000 ASKED
FOR COURT ED|F|CE
Site Facing Capitol and
North of Library Recon-
mended by Congress.

Appropriation of $1,70O.00o to &c
quire the site between East Capitol
street and Maryland avenue, First
and Second streets northeast. facing
the Capitol Building and just north
of the Library of Congress. for a new
Supreme Court Building is asked
from Congress by President Coolidge
in recommendations submitted late
yesterday
Substantive law covering the erec'
ton of the proposed building under
the Federal building program was
passed last year and subsequently the
| Public Buildings Commission author
lied action for condemnation OF the
site.
The Supreme Court. although 1t Is
one of the three great coordinate
branches of Government, has never
had a permanent home of It's own
during it's 1877 years Of existence, and
is quartered i'll the Capitol Building
in what was formerly the Senate
chamber.
Building Need Certain.
In q comprehensive report in 1917
the Public Buildings Commission
pointed out that the Supreme Court
it's own, which preferably should be
located on the square facing the Capt.
toll Grounds, adjacent TO that occupied
by the Library of Congress. Until
the court initiates the movement for
a new building determination
of these questions may be held In
allegiance"
The court has now initiated the
movement for a new building" the
Public Buildings Commission is au-
| thorfzed to select a site and William
r. Stansbury, clerk OF the court, and
Frank K. Green, marshal, have pre-
pared a statement for the commission
covering the needs of the court. The
National Woman's Party, which &C.
cupies a building on the proposed site
has plans maturing for a new struc-
ture, but has been advised by Sen
ator Smoot, chairman of the Public
Buildings Commission not to build.
The Supreme Court with a jurisdlc-
ton coordinate with that of the
legislative and executive branches Of
the Government, has never had ade-
uuate quarters. Congress has its oWr
buildings, and provides new ones as
it needs them Congress also has al
ways approved recommendations OF
the President to meet the needs OF
the executive ONCE.
Shifted Many Times.
But the Supreme Court, during the
1877 years of it's existence, has sat In
seven different places-in New York
in Independence Hall, Philadelphia; In
the basement of the Capitol, in the
residence of the clerk of the court
while the Capitol was being rebuilt, in
its present chamber. formerly the
Senate chamber; in a committee
room, when driven out by the explo-
sion and fire of 1898: for brief period
in the Judiciary committee room.
Those familiar with the work of the
Supreme Court say it could comfort
ably fill building, that would be in
harmony with the Library of Con
gress. Among needs cited are: A much
larger courtroom; adequate filing space
with room for storage; consultation
rooms for attorneys; expansion of the
offices of the clerical force; an entire
floor for the library with a large read
ing room and smaller rooms for con-
ferences: private Offices for the Chief
Justice and the associate justices; a
suite for the marshal'S Office; an ade-
quate art gallery.
For years the building of a great
temple of justice has been advocated;
but the Supreme Court objected to the
housing of other agencies in its build
ing. Now, however, with the site of
the Department of Justice designated
at Fifteenth street and Pennsylvania
avenue, this difficulty has been OBJ
Waited. There win be two buildings,
and the Supreme Court structure will
be opposite the east front of the Cap
itol. balancing the Library OF Con
gress.