Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-02
0. K. HOUSE OFFICE
BUILDING MEASURE
Both Republicans and Demo.
Gratis Favor Erection of
New EdifiCe.

Both the Republican majority and
hhe Democratic minority In the House
today emphatically Endorsed the bill
providing for erection of new House
Once Building on land directly south
Of the Capitol Grounds between New
Jersey and Delaware avenues, and
e streets, at a hearing before the
House committee on public buildings
and grounds.
While several of the witnesses said
they had no authority to speak for
the President, it was emphasized that
neither the Budget Bureau nor the
President has any authority over APP
Preparations made for the legislative
body, but that aside from this there
was no reason to believe that the
President would be opposed TO this
appropriation.
Moore Started Movement.
This legislation originated from a
resolution in the last Congress by
Representative r. Walton Moore of
Virginia, which called for an appro-
priation of $4,000 to make a study of
the housing needs OF the House, with
recommendations.
House Leader Tilson, unable to at
tend the hearing, sent a letter heartily
Endorsing the plan and stating that
It was in the interests of efficiency
and economy that each member of
the House should be provided with
adequate Office space.
Minority Leader Garrett, who is
also a member of the House Office
Building committee, appeared in per
son and emphasized his belief that
there would be no adverse criticism
from the people of the country.
Representative Isaac Bachrach, Re-
publican, of New Jersey, spoke for the
majority members, of the House Office
Building Commission and brought
message from Speaker Longworth as
heartily in favor of the building pro-
gram.
Expect Presidents 0. X.
MIR. Bachrach stated that he had no
reason to believe the President would
be opposed to this legislation.
A delegation from the House ap-
preparations committee, acting under
unanimous instructions from the com
mittee. appeared in support of the
bill. Those who spoke were Repre-
sentatives Wason, New Hampshire;
French Of idaho. Barbour of Cali
fornia, Buchanan of Texas and Collins
of Mississippi.
A delegation from the subcommittee
that handles appropriations for the
legislative branch of the Government
also supported the bill These IN
cluded Representative Dickinson of
Iowa, acting chairman; Representa-
tive Taylor of Colorado, ranking Dem
ocrat, and Representative Collins of
Mississippi.
The only voice of opposition was
from Representative Woodrum of Vir-
ginia, who expressed his feeling that
better accommodations were needed
for many members of Congress, and
that he was in sympathy with the de.
sire to afford adequate accom1noda-
tions so that they might perform their
duties most efficiently, but he was
fearful that people throughout the
country might get the idea that mem
bers of Congress were granting them
selves too luxurious quarters.
Representatives Moore of Virginia,
Copp of Iowa, Oliver of New York,
Reed of New York, Aimon of Alabama
and other members of Congress spoke
in favor Of the legislation.
s1.D7o,OO0 for Land.
Representative Collins said that it
is now estimated that 81 ,070, 900 will
be required to acquire the privately
owned land in the two squares be-
tween New Jersey and Delaware ave
nues, B and c streets He has been
advised by District Assessor Richards
that this privately owned land is now
assessed for $545, 900.
He advocated setting up a limita-
ton of % per cent in excess of as
sessed value as is carried in the Dis
trict appropriation bill or provision
that mot in excess of $700, 900 should
be paid for the property"
Mr.. Collins advocated erection of a
new building on the site between New
Jersey avenue and South Capitol
street instead of on the north side of
the two parcels of land east and west
of South Capitol street. He claimed
that under this plan there would be a
saving sufficient to pay the costs of
acquiring both squares.