Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-15
Measure to Acquire Two
Squares North of Avenue
Is introduced.
$4,000, 600 LUMP FUND
FOR SCHOOL USE ASKED
D. C. System Would Be Aided in
Expansion Program, Declares
Sponsor of Act.

A bill providing for the acquisition Of
the first two of the four squares in the
triangular area north of Pennsylvania
avenue between Third and Sixth streets,
where it Is planned to develop the new
municipal center. was introduced in the
House today by Representative Simmons
of Nebraska, chairman of the subcom-
mittee in charge of the District budget.
The two squares constitute the north
ern part of the site, east and west of
John Marshall place. and fronting. on
Indiana and Louisiana avenues. The
cost is estimated at $2,400,000, and
under the terms of the bill will be borne
by the general revenues of the District
of which the Federal Government con-
tributes a lump sum of 100000
annually.
Budget Bureau Balks Plan.
The original bill as drafted by the
Commissioners provided for financing
the project on the $3.50 basis, the
Federal Government sharing equally in
the cost. The Budget Bureau, however,
opposed this plan, and approved the
bill on condition that the center be
financed out of the general revenues.
The bill is an authorization act.
Chairman Simmons, however, said the
District government has adequate
funds available to purchase the two
squares, and if the House District COM
mittee will promptly approve the mea-
sure, an appropriation can be made so
that the acquisition of the property
can be effective Immediately after
July l, next.
The Simmons bill provides that the
District Commissioners be authorized
and directed to acquire, either by direct
purchase or condemnation, squares
numbered 400 and 533 as the site for a
municipal center. and to construct
thereon necessary buildings to house
municipal activities.
Could Close Streets.
1t would authorize the District Com
missioners to close and yacate such por-
| tionS of streets and alleys as lie between
or within these squares, as may be
necessary.
If any part of this property is to be
acquired through condemnation, the
Simmons bill would authorize the Dis
trict to enter immediately in the pos
session of the property, for which an
award shall have been made by pay
ing the amount of such award into the
treasury OF the Supreme Court of the
District.
There is authorized to be appropriat-
ed payable in like manner as other
appropriations for the expenses of the
government of the District of Colum-
bia," such sums as may be necessary to
carry out the proposed purchase, in
cluding not to exceed $4,000 for archi-
tectural and other professional services.
Representative Underhill of Massa-
chuSettS, who has been an active men,
ber of the House District committee
and specially interested in the Federal
and District Building programs had a
conference with Mr.. Simmons today
urging that in the interest of real econ
omy the entire four sites planned for
development as municipal center be
acquired at this time.
A lump sum appropriation Of $10,-
100000 for expansion of the public
schools facilities in the District is
sought in bill introduced yesterday
by Representative Simmons.
The bill would become effective July
l. next, but 1t fails to fix time limit
within which the $10,000,0O0 would be
spent. 1t Is designed primarily, ac-
cording to Mr.. Simmons. to remove
obstacles in the acquisition of school
sites and erection of buildings. and per-
nit the extension of facilities when
needed.
Against Five-Year Plan.
Simmons does not look with favor on
the proposed new five-year school build
ing program. The policy of determin-
ing five years in advance where
school building should be located, in
his opinion, is not entirely sound A
SHIFT i'll population and many other
things might develop over such period,
he pointed out. which would make 1t
unnecessary to locate school in a Sec
ton where 1t had been projected Ave
years in advance
The Simmons bill proposes to do with
the public school building program what
Congress did with the Federal build
ing program-authoriZe a large sum
from which appropriations can be made
each year to meet the needs as the
municipal budget allows.
In this way, it is believed, school
authorities In future years would not
be restricted by the action of present
school administrators and not tied down
by action of the present Congress.
Speeds Up Task, He Says.
For example, Chairman Simmons ex-
planned the development in certain Sec
tions, srch as Chevy Chase, could not
have been anticipated five years ago,
and If program of school building
now. it would be impossible for Con-
gress to meet real need of the local
community. With each lump sum, he
said, Congress should be able to direct
the purchase of sites and the erection