Evening star., 1935-11-24
HAzEN URGES SALE
Of D. c. BUILDING.
IN CENTER PLANS.
Would Also Dispose of Two
Squares for Cash for
Center Buildings.
CONGRESS TO GET DATA
WITH DISTRICT PROGRAM
Submission to Be Made Early in
January-0ther Bills Are
Awaiting Action.
BY JAMES E. CHINN.

= The plan, according to information
received by several members Of the
House District Committee, has been
worked out by Commissioner Melvin
C. HAGEN. 1t involves sale of the pres
ent District Building and two squares
Of the Municipal Center site to the
Federal Government and use of the
funds for construction of buildings to
house various District agencies.
Commissioner Hazen estimates that
under such a plan the District could
build the long proposed and badly
needed courts building as well as other
units proposed for the center without
digging into District revenues and
placing an additional burden on the
taxpayer.
He believes the Federal Government
will pay S5,000,000 for the District
Building. The two squares in the
Municipal Center area which he would
Sell-those facing Pennsylvania ave-
nue-coSt the District $4,000,000. Sold
to the Government at cost price, to-
gether with the District Building, he
said, the total of 100000 would be
sufficient to erect the courts building
and provide new and modern quarters
for other District activities. in another
building that could be erected on the
northern part of the Municipal Center
site, fronting Indiana and Louisiana
avenues.
Would Continue Same Site.
Commissioner Hazen does not pro-
pose to abandon the plan approved
by Congress last year for construc-
ton OF the courts building in Judiciary
Square. He said the building would
go there under his plan, although the
p. w. A. has not granted the loan
which Congress authorized for its
erection.
No assurance has been given Com
missioner HaZen that the Federal Gov
ernment would buy the two squares
of the municipal center fronting on
Pennsylvania avenue. He is confident
and his confidence is based on years
OF experience in city planning as for
mer surveyor of the District-that in
few years the Government will need
that property for expansion of its
building program in the Federal tri-
angle.
1t is generally known the Federal
Government wants the District Build
ing to complete its present plans for
development of the triangle area. In
early negotiations, s5,OO0,000 was
quoted as fair price for the build
ing.
Early Action Foreseen.
Commissioner HaZen let it become
known he proposed to make his latest
plan for solving the municipal cen.
ter puzzle a part of the District legis-
lative program to be submitted to
Congress soon after it convenes in
January. Early consideration Of this
particular proposal is anticipated in
view Of the urgent need for modern
quarters for the police, municipal and
juvenile courts, and the police de-
partment, as well as for the agencies
now cramped in the present District
Building.
Aside from the new municipal cen
ter bill, Commissioner Hazen said the
Commissioners would request enact
ment of other new legislation, in ad-
diticn to some of the measures which
failed at the last session of Congress.
A study of those bills is now being
made to determine which of those
should be pushed.
Among the new bills to be drafted |
probably will be one suggested by
George M. Roberts, superintendent |
Of weights, measures and markets, to |
provide for regulation of the sale of |
coal in small quantities. Another |
will provide for establishment of a
farm at the District Reformatory at |
Lorton, Va, where an experiment |
would be conducted in the cure of |
habitual drunkards.
Cost Held S25 to $50 Ton.
Commissioner HaZen said he would |
strongly support both of these meas
ures. Roberts has told him the sale |
OF coal in small quantities is costing
consumers between $25 and $50 a
ton. Since only the poor buy in small |
quantities, he believes they should be
protected by law against this obviously
exhorbitant price.
The so-called farm for inebriates Is |
Commissioner Hazen's own idea. He
thinks such place would ultimately
save the District money and at the
same time salvage many lives now
headed for ruination by liquor.
Some have ridiculed the proposal of |
q home for habitual inebriates, but |
Hazen said he looks at the proposition |
both from humanitarian and eco
nomical point Of view.
First, he points out, If the expert
ment doesn't work satisfactorily. the
proposed institution could be used. to |
care for the overflow from the already |
overcrowded workhouse at Occouuan,
Va. Second, he feels the District |
should make every possible effort to |
restore such persons to respect in So
ciety and the business world. Third,
he is satisfied such a plar eventually
would save the taxpayers money if it
works out successfully.
Some Jailed 100 Times.
Commissioner Hazen points out that
some of the habitual drunkards at
Occoquan have been In Jail as many
as 100 times. These persons, he said,
cost the District money, and it would
be cheaper to cure them of the drink
ing habit, If possible, than to continue
to send them to jail for Is or 80 days.
Among the bills which failed to pass
ut the last session, to be pushed vigor-
ously ut the coming session, Commits
sioner Hazen said. Is the one to tighten
the gambling laws. This measure
would make the possession OF gaming
paraphernalia prina facie evidence Of
guilt.