Smyrna times., 1929-02-27
MILLION DOLLAR STATE HOUSE
Those Opposed to Expensive Project
Say Annex Could be Built to Serve
Purpose at a Great Saving

Shall a million dollars of the peo-
pies money be spent to provide
meeting place for the General Assem-
bly, that convenes only for sixty days
every two years and an Office for the
Governor The present State House,
if this was done, would become a sort
of Office building and museum, and the
million dollar building which it is sug-
gested be erected on the opposite side
Of the green would be tenantless for
nearly two years except for the execu-
tive offices of the Governor, unless
other offices should be moved to it
from the present State House. When
former Governor Robinson suggested
to the General Assembly that, because
of crowded conditions in the corpora
tion offices, an addition to the State
House was necessary, he had in mind
just what he said, it is contended. The
idea of a million dollar capitol build
ing had never occurred to him, accord
ing to statement from State off
cial who knows how the suggested
annex originated. The former Gov
ernor knew that the annex would not
cost more than quarter of million
dollars and because it would be part
Of the State House, would add to the
general convenience of the General
Assembly and all State offices in Do
yer. "When Governor Buck was ap-
prised of the suggestion of former
Governor Robinson, he concurred in it,
so that as a matter of fact the project
for an annex has received the endorse
ment Of two administrations, said
State official in discussing the situa-
tie official, "embrances the purchase
Of the old Kent county building and
Jail from the county which would al
low Kent county an opportunity to
erect a new and modern jail at some
convenient place. The suggested plan
called for the erection of a two-story
building on the site of the present jail
and extending across the road leading
to Little Creek.
Little Creek Road Entrance Figures
''Those who are favoring the pur-
chase Of six residences opposite the
green are giving out the information
that the town Of Dover would not
sanction the closing of this road to
Little Creek" said the official. But
this II not the case. In the plans for
the remodeling OF the State House
and the erection OF this annex, provi-
sion is made for a new Senate cham
Der and for added office room that
would adequately care for the con
stantly increasing business being done
at the State House. 1t would also
have under one roof all of the execu-
tive offices and State departments in
addition to the houses of the General
Assembly.
Annex Could Be Built for $25O,OOO
"There are many arguments that
could be advanced in favor of the an
mex to the State House in addition to
the fact that it would save the people
Of Delaware three quarters of a mil
lion dollars In addition to this, it
would be the return to the conditions
that existed prior TO two years ago,
when the State Board of Education,
State Banking Commissioner and
State Laboratory of the Board Of |
Health were scattered around Dover. |
As matter of fact, it would be al
most a similar condition as that which |
existed then. The movement for
million dollar capitol building seems
to be centered in sentiment in Dover
and which is being disseminated by |
those who are the most interested. |
The fact that a bill has been suggest
ed calling for an appropriation of S.
900 with which to pay a commission +!
for studying the project seems most