Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-03
BUILDING CONTROL
MEASURE IS URGED
Grant Tells Senators Ship.
stead Bill Is Needed to
Protect Beauty.

With the Federal Government about
TO launch upon a $75.0o0.o00 construc-
ton program south OF PENNSYLVANIA
avenue. there is necessity for legis-
lation TO give the Fine Arts Commission
exterior appearance of private build
ilss surrounding public property. Lieut.
Col U. S. Grant. 80. of the Nationa;
Capital Park and Planning Commission
told the Senate public buildings and
grounds committee today.
The committee heard Col Grant III
length on the need for the Shipstca,.
bill which would confer such power
on the Commission of Fine Arts and
viii continue hearings next week. Chair
tdnt one. snd that it will not be acteG
on until every one who desires has
been heard
Senator Swanson. Democrat of Nir-
ginia. declared he was i'll favor Of Civ
ing the authority for the protection OF
monumental Government buildings anC
important public parks. but saw a
danger in applying this control 10 every
small Federal reservation throughout
the city He thought ii might be p}S-
sible to specify that the bill wouloi
Capitol Grounds. the Pennsylvania
avenue Mall triangle. and similar areas
of importance without extending it &c
al of the small reservations in which
statues are located.
Holds Bill Modified.
Col Grant explained that since the
bill was considered by the last Con-
gress. il has been modified in several
respects TO overcome specific objections
He said one change vas intended to
meet the question raised by Senator
Swanson by providing that the Fine
Arts Commission may designate certain
cases in respect to which the require
ments OF the law could be waived
Areas surrounding small reservations
would constitute such an exception,
Col Grant thought.
Col Grant told the committee there
is nothing extraordinary about the pro-
posed regulation. similar rule being
in effect in Philadelphia ano workln"
satisfactorily The colonel also declared
that Paris is an outstanding example
OF such control over certain streets.
The need for protecting the growth
of the National Capital was foressen by
George Washington" Col. Grant said.
He called attention to the agreement
voluntarily made between George
washington and the original land
owners to the effect that the President
should have power to regulate the CHAR
scter and material of buildings in the
Federal city. He said that In the inter-
vering years acts OF Congress nave
taken the place Of the original build
ing regulations drafted in Washingtons
time but he referred to this early his
tory to show it was intended at the
beginning to safeguard the beauty OF
the National Capital.
Heating Approves Plan.
Senator Tydings. Democrat, Of Mary
land. wanted TO know what authority
would be given By this bill that Is not
already possessed by the building IN
spector or the Zoning Commission.
Col. Grant explained that this bill
adds the power of having the Commits
sion Of Fine Arts pass upon plans as
they relate not only TO height bat TO
the appearance, color and texture OF
the material used in exterior construc-
ton. Col Grant added the observation
that property owners would be pro-
tected against unreasonable ENFORCE
merit of this authority by the stipula-
ton that such powers be exercised rea-
sonably m-
Edward Heating. editor Of Labor. ap-
p7aied 10 the committee 70 cooperate
IN protecting the Capitol grounds by ex-
ercising some supervision over private
construction surrounding the grounds
He told the committee that his orgai1i-
zation was prevailed upon TO provide an
attractive exterior TO its building near
the Capitol. which added TO the cost
Of the structure. and he thought that
others who are planning 70 build fac
ing the Capitol grounds Should be re-
CURED 70 conform TO the surroundings