Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-07
MUNICIPAL CENTER
FUND OF S3,ODO,0DD
IS PASSED IN HOUSE
Resolution Authorizing Ap-
preparation Is Adopted by
Unanimous Consent.
s500,000 is ASKED
FOR CAPITAL AIRPORT
Underhill Introduces Measure of
Joint Commission to Finance
Flying Field.

The House today by unanimous con-
sent passed the resolution authorizing
an appropriation of 100000 to begin
acquisition Of the site for the new
Municipal Center, between Third and
Sixth streets, north of Pennsylvania
avenue.
At the same time Representative Un-
derhill. Republican, of Massachusetts,
introduced a joint resolution of the
Joint Congressional Airport Commission
authorizing an appropriation of $780,
900 from the Federal Treasury to begin
acquisition of an airport or airports
for the Government departments and
the municipality of the District of
Columbia.
Wood Expects Fast Action.
The Municipal Center resolution now
goes to the Senate, where prompt ac-
ton is assured. Chairman Wood Of
the House appropriations committee
expects to get action on the municipal
airport resolution just as soon as the
estimates are submitted from the Bud
get Bureau.
Both OF these important District de-
velopment projects have the support
of President Hoover and the Budget
Bureau. When it seemed doubtful
whether action would be had at this
session on the municipal center appro-
priation Chairman Simmons Of the
subcommittee in charge of District ap-
preparations, appealed directly to Presi-
dent Hoover and TO the leaders of
both parties In Congress with the result
that there was no opposition to the
measure.
When Chairman Wood of the appro-
priations committee presented the
municipal center resolution in the
House today, Representative Edwards,
Democrat, of Georgia, member OF the
committee on public buildings and
grounds, raised the question whether
the appropriation had been authost1ed r;,so.E ef
the committee on public buildings and
grounds Immediately assured the
Georgian that the authorizing leglsla-
tion had been passed.
Money Already Available.
Representative Stafford: Republican.
OF wisconsin, raised the question re-
garding the Federal Governments
share in the proposed 100000 appro.
priation and promptly was assured by
Mr.. Wood and Mr.. Simmons that the
money was already available In the
Federal Treasury as a surplus from Dis
trict tax payments. Mr. Stafford asked
directly if the Ford Building on Penn
sylvania avenue was included In the
property to be acquired and was assured
that it is and that this building can
be used advantageously for some time
to house various units OF the Distrlct
service.
Representative La Guardia. Repub-
lican, of New York, emphasized that
the new Municipal Center with its dig
nified approach from Pennsylvania ave-
nue. to the court buildings on Judiciary
Square will dominate improvements on
the north side of Pennsylvania avenue
corresponding with the Federal building
projects in the triangle south OF Penn
sylvania avenue to the Mall.
Representative ByrneS, Democrat. OF
Tennessee. ranking minority member OF
the House appropriations commlttee. CO.
operated with Mr.. Wood and Mr.. Sim
mons and Elliott in assuring the
membership of the House that this Is
an especially msritorious emergency
project. House members were told that
through acquisition of these four par
GELS of land. cornering at John Mar
shall place and c street, big saving
will result. because the cost Of the land
would be increased through unneces-
sary delay.
Representative Underhill introduced
the airport resolution after visit to
the White House this morning and
conference with the Budget Sureau.
Mr.. Underhill wrote into the reso-
luton a proviso making clear how tie
airport shall be financed in the future
to meet the requirements stipulated
by Chairman Simmons, of the subcon1-
mittee in charge of District appropria-
tions.
Available to Federal Aims.
The joint resolution appropriates
s500000 10 remain available until
expended for the acquisition by the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission, subject to the approval OF
the Joint commission on airports of land
and options to purchase lands for an
airport or airportS adequate for the
District of Columbia. This means for
use by the various Federal depart
ments. such as War, Navy. Commerce,
Post Once, Agriculture, as well as for
a municipal airport
The proviso, written after conference
with members of the appropriations
committee. is as follows: That any
further appropriations for the acqutsi-
ton of land or options to purchase land
or for the development of such airport
or airports shall be paid out of the
revenues of the District of Columbia
and the Treasury of the United States
in the manner prescribed for defraying
the expenses of the District of Colum-
bia by the District of Columbia ap-
acts for the fiscal years
for which such appropriations are
made"
Action at Once Seen.
Chairman Wood of the appropriation
committee said today that he expects
the Budget Bureau promptly will sub
NIT estimates for the proposed appropri-
alton and that the House will take
action on the joint resolution before 1t