Evening star., 1933-09-03
Where U. S. Aid Should Be Given.

lie Works Administration OF the prof.
ects In the District Of Columbia which
might be hastened by allotments from
the public works fund the Commis-
Sioners correctly placed emphasis upon
the first unit of the proposed Munich
pal Center as one particularly deserving
of this form Of assistance. 1t is be-
lieved that study of this project by the
Public Works Administration would
convince the authorities Of its peculiar
merits.
The first unit of this large develop
ment was recognized as urgently needed
seven years ago, when bill was con-
sidered in Congress-with favorable
signs Of its approval-for the construc-
tion Of new courts building. to house
the Municipal Court, the Police Court,
The Juvenile Court. recorder Of deeds
and other kindred activities. The dis
graceful conditions Of crowding and in
adequate housing in the Police and
Municipal Courts especially had been
brought repeatedly to the attention OF
Vi SOllSlcSS.
But about the same time there was
discussion of the Municipal Center.
Members of Congress. convinced OF the
need CT the new building for the courts.
decided to postpone its construction
until the Municipal Center could be
planned. Since then the courts build
ing has been waiting for the Municipal
Center, and, unless there is assistance
from the Federal Government. will con-
tinue to wait for many years to come.
1t will be recalled that when the Fed
eral building program was adopted the
Commissioners were notified that they
would have to find new quarters for the
Municipal Government They had origi-
nally asked That the present Municipal
Building be enlarged, to care for ex-
banding activities Of the local govern
ment by purchasing the property lying
aYnmediately to the rear. This was in
conflict with the Federal building pro-
gram, SO the Commissioners sought au-
thority to buy the Southern Railway
Building. That, too, was in conflict
with the Federal program. and the
Municipal Center scheme was decided
upon.
The Commissioners found they could
buy enough land and erect buildings
adequate for their purposes at cost
of about Sl2 900 600 At the time there
was available surplus of about $780,
coo OF unexpended local revenues ap-
plicable toward the new project. and
the Commissioners, at the suggestion
of members Of Congress, felt they could
count on 100000 from the Federal
Government as the purchase price for
the old Municipal Building. 7 .nancing
the plan was therefore possibl2 without
draining current revenue,
But Congress changed this plan and
Che whole scheme OF the Municipal
Center was enlarged, both land buying
and building projects being expanded
so that the Municipal Center would
conform to the great Federal program
Ghe cost was boosted to around s22, ,000,-
900. with prospects that it would even
tually exceed that figure by several
million.
Now the District. with no Federal
Assistance. has bought the land at
nost of more than $4,000 000 but has
no money nor any prospects for money
10 proceed with the first unit. Congress
appropriated a million and a half dol
~, +A h,1j1d
unit. There was also contract
authorizati ton for spending s6.000.000 on
the building But this plan had to BE-
abandoned by the Commissioners be-
ceuse they could not see where the
money was coming from, and there has
been no construction. AS Engineer
Commissioner GotWals said some time
ego, the District has bought diamond
button but cannot afford to buy the
suit.
But the plans have been drawn. II
money were made available now, work
could be started in month, giving
hundreds of men employment here and
Elsewhere A grant from the Govern
t1efy WOuIO ItpIeSeul PdLt vi liA~
Federal financial participation that
. members of Congress who have studied
the subject have promised. Repre-
SENTATIVE Holiday. for instance. ex-
dressed the sentiments of members of
Congress when he said:
Personally. I feel that the Federal
Government in taking over the District
Building should be liberal with the
District because the Federal Govern
Anent is more or less responsible Tor
Hhis general idea of a Municipal Cen
Aer, which is far more expensive than
the District really needs.
I Here is a project which Congress has
not only authorized, but which 1t has
appropriated for. The need for new
SEnrts puilding-the first unit of the
Municipal Center-has been demon
Sttrated time and again. The District
has available part of the money for
Ahe construction. and there Is no
Afference of opinion over the equity
tpf the Federal Governments financial
Responsibility in contributing to the
completion of an undertaking designed
chiefly to meet its own plans of Capital
building. The attention and careful
study of this matter by the Public Works