Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-17
CIVIC CENTER BILL
ENACTMENT SEEN
Quick Action Predicted as
Smoot Urges Purchase of
Four-Square Site.

The municipal center bill, which
passed the House last Monday and now
Is on the Senate calendar, is practically
certain Of being enacted before the close
Of the present short session.
Senator Smoot chairman Of the
Public Buildings Commission, is taking
q strong personal interest in the legis-
lation which Is so important part Of
the co-ordinated Capital development,
and is determined that the amendment
made in the House District committee,
providing for acquisition of the four
squares instead Of two is real economy
and should be approved by the Senate
Is it was by the House.
The Budget Bureau approved the
acquisition Of the two northern squares
between Third and Sixth streets, c
street and Indiana and Louisiana ave-
nues. The other two squares directly
south to Pennsylvania avenue should be
acquired, the House committee and
Senator Smoot urge, because 1t would be
short-sighted policy, especially In view
of the taking of the south side OF Penn
sylvania avenue by the Federal Govern
ment not to acquire these other two
squares at the same time.
They will be needed for future ex-
pansion of the District municipal
headquarters, and pending such de-
velopment the District will lease the
properties with the buildings thereon,
the returns being sufficient to pay
carrying charges until the land is need
ed for District governmental purposes,
they said.
Group District Departments.
The estimated cost for the two north
ern squares is s2,405,o45 and for the
two southern squares fronting PENN
sylvania avenue the estimated cost is
$4,000, 600.
The proposed municipal center will
bring about central grouping of prac-
tically all important departments of the
government of the District Of Colum-
bia. The Police Court. Supreme Court,
Appeals Court and recorder of deeds
are now located in the immediate vicin-
ity Of the development contemplated
by the bill. Other departments Of the
local government are now largely housed
in the so-called District Building at
Fourteenth street and Pennsylvania
quate already from the standpoint of
space available for the expanding &C.
tivities Of the District government, will
be taken over within few years for
Federal use under the public buildings
program OF development for the tri-
angle area.
1t is necessary, therefore, to find a
place to which to transfer the Offices
OF the District government and the
proposed grouping in municipal CEN
ter Will be very convenient and advan-
tageous to the residents of the District.
It will also promote efficiency and a
saving OF time in the relations of the
various municipal departments now
widely scattered
In considering the bill, the House and
Senate committees had the benefit of
the views Of the chairman of the Public
Buildings Commission, Senator Smoot.
He strongly advocated immediate ac-
quirement of the entire area, rather
than piecemeal requirement over
period of years. 1t is his opinion, as It
has been that of others who have made
personal, battle-ground investigation of
the situation, that there will be a sub
Stantial saving to the public through
requirement at this time of all land
likely to be needed over an extended
Va sO0Ao AOA tAAC AAONoAlAb Va Llu~
nicipal activities.
Citizens Support Legislation.
The Citizens Advisory Council in sup
porting this measure said;
There is an apparent need for the |
establishment of a municipal center. At !
present local public Offices are scattered |
hither and yon, and but few taxpayers |
know their location. An additional rea-
son lies In the fact that certain munic- |
ipal activities demand, almost tirnme-
diate action in the way Of building con-
struction in order that they may be |
properly housed. To erect more munic-
ipal buildings elsewhere than in a civic |
center would continue the disadvan-
tages now suffered by the lack OF a |
fixed locality In which our local govern
ment might be found. /
H. r. 1924 provides for acquiring |
squares 400 and $50 bounded on the east |
by Third street, on the west by Sixth /
street on the south by G street and on
the north by Indiana and Louisiana |
avenues. 1t Is estimated that these two |
squares can be secured for about |
81, 100000. If this proposal is enacted |
into law the treasury of the District |
could still afford to provide SUFFICIENT |
funds for buildings Immediately
needed"