Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-05
The Whole Triangle Taken.

yesterday by the Senate Of the bill to
authorize the purchase by the Govern
ment of the entire Mall-Avenue tri-
angle for use as Federal building sites
affords a thrill of satisfaction at the
virtual accomplishment of project
that has been pending for many years.
This action does not quite perfect the
legislative procedure. inasmuch as the
Senate has amended the bill as already
passed by the House. but the concur
renee of the latter body in the change
is confidently expected. and 1t Is alto
gether likely that in few days the
measure will be laid before the Presi-
dent for his approval, which undoubt-
eddy will be given.
This bill authorizes an appropriation
Of S25, 900, 900 for the purchase Of all
privately owned property in the area
bounded by Pennsylvania avenue, the
Mall. Fourteenth street and the Botanic
Garden including the square occupied by
the Southern Railway, which has here
tofore been excepted. The western base
of the triangle, extending from Pennsyl-
vania avenue to the Mall between Four
tenth and Fifteenth streets, is already
the property of the Government, having
been acquired about two decades ago
Had the entire triangle been'taken then
the cost to the Government would have
been much less than 1t will now be.
This lapse Of time. however, has not
been altogether a waste, for in the
meantime broader and more satisfac-
tory plan Of building emplacement and
design has been evolved and adopted.
and the result in terms of Federal con-
struction is certain to be more salts
factory than II the triangle had been
taken as a whole at the time the five
square site" was acquired.
With this legislation effected 1t will
be possible to treat the triangle as a
unit. in some measure to ignore street
lines and to unite now existing squares
into larger areas. 1t will likewise be
possible to proceed with the broad
building plan without other delay than
the initial procedure of purchase or
condemnation. While that process Is
under way the two buildings for which
foundations are now being dug. those
for the Internal Revenue Bureau and
the Department Of Commerce. will be
under construction. Presumably by the
time title is secured TO the entire
space the building program will have
reached the point at which other units
Of the Governments housing outfit will
have been planned and brought to the
point Of actual work. Thus the pros
pect is that within two years other erec-
tons will be in progress than those
which are now in the first stages.
With the entire triangle in Govern
ment ownership 1t will be possible to
proceed with the development at the
eastern end OF the connection between
the Capitol-Station Plaza and Potomac
Park by means Of a boulevard which
will reach Pennsylvania avenue at the
northwestern corner Of the Botanic
Garden. A great transformation will
take place. Much disfguring material
viii be swept away and the Capital will
then begin TO assume Its proper aspect.
Remains now to be made provision
for the Districts municipal center,
plans for which have been tentatively
drawn, TO occupy the space now rough
ly delinnited as lying between Pennsyl-
vania, Indiana and Louisiana avenues.
Third street and Sixth street. The TAX
ing of all the remaining private prop
erty In the triangle by the Govern
ment, including the Southern Rail
way Building. definitely prevents
any expansion OF the Districts munich
pal headquarters. and makes imperative
the provision OF such center on ample
ground as has been proposed. Legis-
latiye action TO this end at the present
session Is necessary II this work, so VI
tally important 10 the Districts well
fare, Is 70 proceed in season.