Evening star., 1935-04-17
Fine Arts Commission Head
LaudS Idea at House
Hearing.
DAVID LYNN ALSO
SUPPORTS PROPOSAL
Sponsors of Measure Say Dome
Should Be Reproduced in
Marble as Next Step.

The bill to extend the central por-
tion of the East front of the Capitol
and to resurface with marble the old
limestone portions was given hearty
support at hearing today before the
House Committee on Public Buildings
and Grounds. The bill already has
passed the Senate.
Charles Moore, chairman Of the
Fine Arts Commission, with Repre-
sentative Montague of Virginia, who
has been sponsoring the proposed leg
islation for 18 years, and David Lynn,
architect Of the Capitol, appeared to
indorse the proposal. The hearing will
be continued tomorrow at 10 am with
Francis P. Sullivan, consulting archi.
tect, as the first witness.
Chairman Moore and Representative
Montague both stressed the necessity
for completing the Capitol Building
as the principal structure in this
country and went beyond the present
bill in urging that eventually the dome
should be reproduced in marble.
Studied Capitol History.
Moore explained that for more than
25 years he has made intensive study
of the history of the Capitol Build
ing and helped Glenn Brown in pre-
pairing his history of the Capitol.
THE Capitol, from the beginning,
has been the chief building of the
United States and one of the most
beautiful legislative buildings in all
the world" he said. The Capitol
today is an incompleted building, and
until the east front is extended and
the dome is adequately supported it
will remain unfinished.
"Architecturally, the Capitol Build
ing should be put in the best possible
condition"
He quoted former Speaker Cannon
when alterations at the White House
were under consideration as saying
that the work should be done right,
no matter what it cost.
THE Capitol Building should be
completed and the dome done in mar
BILE, as all the great domes of the
world are in marble, no matter what
the COST" he emphasized. He also
pointed out that the historic frieZe
inside the dome should be reproduced
in Sculptured bands.
Commission Needed.
Supporting the bill, which provides
for creation of a commission to pre-
pare plans and make recommended
tionS for completion of the Capitol,
Moore said the whole scheme of ex-
| tension must be restudied and cannot
be carried forward on the previously
submitted plan.
Both Moore and Lynn emphasized
| that no material change will be made
| in the interior of the structure and
that the intention is to reproduce in
the new marble front the architectural
details as they now exist. Particu-
larly, it was explained there will be
no change in the old Supreme Court
room, which was the original Senate
chamber, or in Statuary Hall, the
original House chamber.
Representative Burnham, Repub-
lican, of California, and half dozen
other members Of the committee
showed interest in having the work
| authorized, following as far as possible
the original plans of Thomas U. Wal
ter. the architect in 1851, and with as
little sacrificed as possible of historic
| values.
Moore and Montague impressed
upon the committee that the building
is growing institution which should
| reflect the growth of the country and
changing conditions.