Evening star., 1931-12-23
War and Navy, Grand Plaza
and Other Projects Not
to Be Requested.
AUTHORIZED STRUCTURES
WILL BE COMPLETED
Budget Director Roop Says Admin.
istration Will Not Ask Con.
gress for More Funds.

angle and two large buildings in the
same triangle, are among the proposed
developments in the Capital which have
oeen heId up by the administra tion's
retrenchment policy of not submitting
! new authorizations to Congress for the
| next fiscal year
This was learned today in a survey
OF the situation. following an explana-
ton OF the policy by Director of the
Budget j. ClaWson Roop
All projects already specifically au-
thorlzed will be pushed to completion.
Col. Roop explained but on account of
the heavy Government deficit, and the
necessity for raising new taxes, it has
been determined not to obligate the
Government further during the fiscal
year 1898. by requesting new authorize
lions. This policy applies to the entire
country.
Controversy Still On.
The War and Navy Building project
is probably the largest of the affected
proposals here. Controversy has ragged
over the location of these buildings, and
decision is now definitely postponed
at least another year, perhaps longer.
firm of Chicago architects has been
given contract to make preliminary
studies OF the needs of the War De-
partment, but this is only preliminary
Inc Public Building Commission has
authorized the location of these build
lngs In an area between Eighteenth and
IWenty-third streets and New York
and Constitution avenues but there is
still some objection on the part of
certain members of Congress who feel
the departments of defense should be
placed In a southwest site, near the
Capitol.
While the development Of the Federal
triangle between Pennsylvania and Con-
stitution avenues and Fifteenth and
Sixth streets has been generally au-
thorlzed by Congress, there are three
substantial parts Of this area which
have not yet been specifically author
lied and which probably will go over
tor at least another year, under the
retrenchment policy. These include the
Grand Plaza, which is to be located
generally between Thirteenth and Four
teenth and c and D streets, an area
two blocks long, now cut in two by
Thirteen and Half street
Plot Being Cleared.
1t is being cleared now of the last
old buildings, and will be ready for
development later. But Congress must
specifically authorize its development
and appropriate funds Studies are being
made by architects for its final layout
with fountains, pools. sunken gardens,
and landscaping 1t will be surrounded
by magnificent structures of the new
Federal program
Two other sections Of the Federal
triangle, which would be farther in the
future anyhow will not be recommend
ed to Congress for authorization during
the next fiscal year at least. One of
these is the large building to be erected
between Tenth and Twelfth streets
along Pennsylvania avenue. to complete
the northern half of the building, of
which the southern half is now occu-
pied by the Bureau of Internal Revenue
1t had been the intention to wait for
this until the new Post Office Depart
ment is completed, between Twelfth and
Ihlrteenth streets. on Pennsylvania
avenue. before vacating the old Post
Ottce Department, on Pennsylvania ave-
nue. between Eleventh and Twelfth
This would have thrown this project
into the future two or three years, at
all events.
The other project in the triangle.
which will not be sent to Congress for
authorization at least within the next
flscal year, will be the building for the
so-called independent Offices" which is
10 occupy the site between Thirteenth
and Fourteenth streets. now occupied
oy tne OLD Southern Railway and the
District OF Columbia Buildings This
PROJECT was far in the future ANYHOW
owing to the construction of other more
urgently needed buildings in the tri-
angie. and also owing to the construc-
tlon OF the new municipal center near
the court house. which is to house the
Dlstrlct government when completed.
There Is some difference of opinion as
to whether the old District Building a
marble structure of about the same
helght as the new triangle buildings,
should come down.
d. C. Projects Are Separate. :.
Construction in the District of Co.
lumola government, such as the munich
pal center, schools, fire houses etc is
considered by the Bureau of the BUDGET
separately from the Federal projects.
because local taxes support the largest
part OF these expenditures.
In discussing the Governments re-
trenchment policy on new projects.
Col Roop explained that it was not
program in the hands of the Treasury
and Post Office Departments but also
would apply to all new extension prof.,
ects as yet unauthorized. For instance.
1t would postpone such unauthorized
projects In the Army housing program.
the airWay lighting, rivers and and
harbors, Bureau of Fisheries, and other
expansion programs of whatever ma
ture.
Projects which already have been an
proved by Congress in the form of spe-
clfic authorization are to be carried
through under this policy, and addi-
tlonal appropriations will be asked to
complete them. But no new ones will
be added until the financial affairs of
the Government look much more like
balanced budget.
The Treasury Department. for ex-
ample. IN carrying out the stupendous
$700000000 public building propram
throughout the country, Col, Roop ex-
planned. has authorizations for a large
number OF places on which actual con-
structlon has been started. The Treas
ury has lump-sum appropriations which
it can distribute to these Jobs which
have been authorized.
viii Spend sI20, ,oo6, 1000.
THE Treasury" Col. Roop explained.
has speeded up the work as much as
they know how, for the relief of unem-
ployment, and they expect to spend
about $l00, 100000 in 1882. Without any
further authorizations, they anticipate
expenditures of about $4,000, 900 for
the next fiscal year ending June 30.
1898, and we have asked for that $12O.-
COG, 900 in the new budget now before
Congress. Another item for buildings
was submitted in the urgent deficiency
bill