Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-23
REED VOICES FEAR
ROADSIDE STANDS
WILL MAR HIGHWAY
Warns Congress Disfigure-
ment MenaceS Memorial
Boulevard.
HOWELL POINT OF ORDER
BLOCKS $1,000, 900 FUND
Further Effort to Agree on Money
for Paving and Buying Land
Adjacent Is Possible.

A warning that the George Wash
ington Memorial Boulevard to Mount
Vernon may be marred by hot dog
and advertising stands unless Congress
takes appropriate action was sounded
by Senator Reed, Republican, of Penn
sylvania, during an unsuccessful effort
in the Senate yesterday afternoon to
appropriate $2,700,000 to complete the
boulevard and buy some of the land
adjacent to it.
Although a point of order raised by
Senator Howell, Republican, of Nebras-
ka, prevented the Senate from placing
this additional fund in the first def
cheney bill, 1t is possible further efforts
will be made to reach an agreement
on this item before the session ends.
Senator Howell wanted to know
how much of the additional money was
for construction of the road and how
much for purchase of land, arguing
that the amount for land be held back
until condemnation proceedings can be
had to acquaint Congress with the
prices to be paid.
Spoiled Appearance Seen.
Chairman Jones of the Appropria-
tons Committee, in charge of the bill,
no part of the appropriation be used
for land. Senators Fess of Ohio and
Reed declared it would be to the Gov
ernment's advantage to buy whatever
abutting land is needed before rather
than after the highway is finished.
Referring to the proposed restriction
against using any of the money for
land, Senator Reed said:
Before that is agreed to, let me
say it is a foregone conclusion that
the construction of this road is going
to lead to an outbreak Of advertising
signs, of hot dog stands. and similar
establishments which disfgure every
road in the neighborhood of Washing
ton at the present time. II we wait
until such structures shall be built,
and income is being derived by the
landowner from all the cheap shanties
which will be put up, we are going
to have to pay much more for these
properties than II We buy them as
vacant land. hope the Senator will
not put bis amendment in that form.
If he wants to require every piece of
land to be condemned, SO that We will
be protected against any unwise and
excessive payment, will be glad to
see him do that, and I appreciate that
he is trying to save money for the
United States; but we ought not to
postpone action In getting title, other
wise we will have to pay much more
money in the end, and the looks of the
road will be spoiled in the meantime"
Senator Howell said he thought Con-
greSS should begin to review the
amounts being paid by the Government,
even under condemnation proceedings.
He disagreed with Senator Reeds view
and argued that the erection of hot-dog
stands and advertising signs would de-
crease rather than increase the value OF
the land If the Government buys 1t after
the road is completed.
Senator Phipps, Republican, OF Colo
RADIO told Senator Howell he had learned
that not more than $500, 900 of the ad-
ditional money would be used for buying
land. Approximately $l,S00,000 Of the
pending item is needed for paving work
and the balance for bridges, Senator
Phipps explained.
Estimate Practice Criticized.
Senator Howell also found fault with
what he said was the practice Of not
estimating for a sufficient amount for
Government projects when they are
started. He said there seems to be
the idea that estimates can be made
as of one amount at one time, and later
the department officials can come in
here and get any amount Of money they
see fit."
Senator Howell ended the discussion
by making the point Of order against
the item as an amendment to the pend
ing appropriation bill.
Discussing Senator HowellS proposal
for condemnation proceedings, Senator
Smoot of Utah said it has been his ex-
perience in connection with the Fed
eral building program that where land
has been taken by condemnation "tt
has cost us more practically every time"
The Senate added to the deficiency
bill other items for improvements in
aggregating more than
$500 900, including:
St. Elizabeth's Hospital-For enlarg-
ing the tuberculosis Building and gen.
eral repairs, $4,000.
Howard University - For retaining
walls grading and other improvements
in the grounds, $250,0O0.
Washington Navy Yard-For sea wall,
$275 900, and for heating and power
plant, $45, 900. For the Naval Research
at Bellevue, D. c., $185 900.
The bill now goes to conference with
the House.