Evening star., 1932-02-21
Senator, Over Radio, De-
nounces UnsightIy War;
Time Structures.
HOPES THAT BUILDINGS
SOON WILL DISAPPEAR
Sees Future Cosmopolitan Center
of Which Every American May
Well Be Proud"

In picturing to a radio audience last
night the new Washington that is
gradually taking shape through the
public building and park programs.
Senator Arthur Capper of Kansas
voiced the hope that before long the
last of the temporary war time struc-
lures will be done away with. Speak
ing from Station WMAL the Chair
man OF the Senate District Committee
said
Some of these temporary buildings
are still with us. They are not only
eyesores, but are positively dangerous
to the persons employed therein and
to the Government records stored in
these buildings. With the gradual
development of the building program,
these unsightly and hazardous fire
traps are being vacated little by little
l hope that soon there will not be left
STICK or stone to remind us of their
presence"
Senator Capper said when Uncle Sam
finishes the gigantic job of molding the
city closer to his hearts desire I'VE will
have pretty good start toward a
brand-neW cosmopolitan center, Of
which every American may well be
proud"
Says Washington Saw Future.
George Washington and Mai.
L Enfant. the Senator said, stood on a
wooded hill and looked over acres of
forest and few patches of cleared
land. But what they saw in prophetic
vision, the Senator added, was beau
tlful city, abounding in public parks
and monumental public buildings, dedi-
Gated to the service Of young and
lusty Nation
The Kansan said that while Wash
ington and L'Enfant lived to see only
small part Of their dream take shape,
in the 1872 years the Federal Govern
ment has been housed here great and
powerful friends of the Nations Capital
have done their bit toward building a
Capital worthy of its name"
Coming down the steps that have
been taken in recent years. Senator
Capper said the creation of the National
Capital Park and Planning Commits
sion in 1926 has made possible CO.
ordination of the activities of various
Federal and District agencies in the
improvement of Washington The
Senator said he was pround to be a
member of the Park and Planning
Commission. and praised the work of
Lieut.. Col U. S. Grant. Sd, its execu-
tive officer The Senator declared Col
Grants grandfather, President Grant,
was one of the most devoted friends
this city has ever had"
Efficiency and Economy.
Declaring that city planning is con-
cerned with economy, efficiency and
comfort as well as identification, the
Senator said the building program is
designed to house the Governments s
agencies with a maximum of efficiency
and economy When the building pro-
gram was being planned, Senator Cap
per said. Uncle Sam was paying a rent
bill in the District of Columbia of close
to s1,400,000 a year" After referring
to the temporary war structures, Sena-
tor Capper added:
1T is evident from what I have said
about rented quarters and temporary
buildings. that the Government was
convinced of the necessity of proceed
ing with the big job of making real
home for its executive departments. The
Public Buildings Commission estimated
that the new buildings would liquidate
their first cost and pay for themselves
if occupied for 40 years. Government
buildings, Of course, are constructed to
have a much longer useful life, so the
building program certainly was justi-
fed from an economic viewpoint"