Evening star., 1927-03-02

| future expansion. Care has been ex-
| ercised during consideration of this
! legislation not to do anything that
would block the vista down South
Capitol street from the Capitol to the
Potomac River.
1t is planned that work would start
Immediately on the new building. 1t
will be necessary to tear down the old
Butler Building, now occupied by the
Public Health Service, for which a
| new building Is to be erected later
near the Naval Hospital and Hygenic
Laboratory on the terrace north of
the Lincoln Memorial the several
buildings now occupied by the Coast
and. Geodetic Survey, and the Con-
gress Hall Hotel
Mr.. Garrett Of Tennessee Joined
with Majority Leader Tilson in urging
passage of the bill so that members Of
the House would be afforded adequate
office space to properly perform their
rapidly growing duties for a constant
ly increasing constituency. The Op-
position was led by Representative
Woodrum, Democrat of Virginia.
Would Increase Efficiency.
In explaining the needs for the
building Mr.. Tilson said:
ut Is a bill to increase the efficiency
of each member Of this House in the
official work he does for his constitu.
ents and for the whole country. If it
We're simply to add to our own ease
or comfort that would be different
matter entirely, but it is not so. Let
us picture the situation. Each men,
ber has one room. He has with him
in this one room at least two clerks,
with typewriters. Sometimes a mem
ber has three clerks
Furthermore, suppose consti.
tuent wishes to come in and confer
with him. He must talk with him in
the presence of these clerks, with the
typewriters going, or take the con-
stttuent out into the corridor to con-
fer with him. The same thing is
true II a fellow member wishes to
confer with him. There is no privacy
at all. and what is worse, there is no
place where n man can do construc-
tive work. There Is not a $4,000
corporation In the country that would
attempt to carry on a small business
with such Office facilities for its
managing director or president.
Would Give Privacy
''If a constituent or a fellow member
or a lobbyist or an Office seeker or
what not comes to see you, he opens
the door and comes in upon you SO
that there Is no way by which you
may shield Yourself in order to 60 on
with your work. Whether you are
ready or not you must drop your
work, perhaps at the most inconven-
lent moment, and meet him. We all
know that it. is impossible to do our
best constructive work unless there
be some way in which we may shield
ourselves from constant interruption.
Mr.. Garrett also stressed the need
for more adequate quarters and pri.
vacy for members of the House. and
| in combating the statements made by
Representative Blanton of Texas, and
| others that many post Office buildings
| could be built for the same amount,
Mr.. Garrett emphasized that 1.-THE
defeat of this bill will not add single
public building anywhere in the
United States"
The principal advantages argued
for the building on the square between
South Capitol street and New Jersey
| frontage on the north side OF both
squares from New Jersey avenue to
Delaware avenue are summarized as
follows:
/. Proximity to the present House
Office Building, with main entrance
from New Jersey avenue and B street
at the upper level.
2. The occupancy Of an entire
| square, avoiding cotenancy with pri-
| vate buildings, the necessity Of set
backs and possible future complica-
| tions.
8. A building which in itself would
cost less than the alternative scheme.
which saving, however, would be off.
set to a considerable extent by the
cost Of acquiring the Congress Hall
Hotel property.
4. The preservation Of South Capitol
street, both for traffic and for view.
thus leaving open the possible
change in character of the district
| lying to the south OF the Capitol, and
recognizing the Importance of an un.
| obstructed vista from that section
| The building contemplated makes
! provision for the following accommo.
dations:
Two hundred and sixty six suites
Of Offices for Representatives. with
all necessary features in the way of
desk space, coat and lavatory space,
office storage, etc.
Eighty thousand cubic feet of addi.
! tional storage space for Representa-.
/ tives.
| A gymnasium 45 by 20 feet
Ample locker and shower facilities
in connection herewith.
Space for lounge on roof.
| Superintendent's room.
Clerks room.
| Folding room and storage space for
same, totaling ESQ. 900 cubic feet.