Evening star., 1937-12-26
GROUP SUGGESTED
T0G00VERPLANS
FOR D. c. STADIUM
Senator Thomas VisuaIiZes
Project Big Enough to
Attract 0Iympics.
MOST MODERN PLANT
POSSIBLE is FAVORED
Accommodation of Inauguration
and Army.Navy Football
Game Is Also Seen.
Ry ]. A. O'LEARY,

BY J. A. OLEARY.
Appointment of committee rep
resenting various civic and trade
groups to give serious study to bringing
about long-discussed plans for sta
dium in Washington adequate to at
tract the Olympic games and other
outstanding events, was suggested
yesterday by Senator Thomas, Demo-
crat. of Oklahoma.
The Oklahoman, who heads the
Senate Subcommittee on District Ap-
preparations, made the suggestion in
response to inquiries he said have
come to him regarding the advisability
and need for such facilities in the Ma
tional Capital.
While not advocating a definite
proposal, the Senator indicated he be-
lieves it is subject the local COM
munity should consider. The stadium,
he said, should be public project, re-
quiring legislation, and with the Gov-
ernment and city cooperating.
Should Promote 1t.
There has been discussion of a
stadium here for long time" said
Senator Thomas. The Nations Cap
ital in a country that is sports-minded
should take some steps to promote the
appropriate development of athletics.
In order to promote athletics through
out the United States there should be
q place in Washington for holding such
contests as are desirable, not only
baseball and football, but Olympic con-
tests"
The Oklahoma Senator said the
next big Olympic meet, which takes
place every four years, should be
held here. Present plans call for
holding the 1910 meet in Japan.
The stadium for Washington" the
Senator continued, could be so con-
structed as to accommodate other
great events, like the Inauguration and
the Army drills now staged at Fort
Myer.
Use Water Facilities.
1T should be the most modern
structure that could be devised, to
serve every form of outdoor exercise.
If the city is interested, a commit
tee could be formed to begin { study
OF the matter and arrive at q report
as to possible locations, probable cost
and recommend methods of financ-
ing"
The Senator made further sug-
gestion that it could be placed at a
point where land and water facilities
would be combined He also men,
TONED the annual Ar1ny-Navy foot
ball classic as the type of events
that might be attracted here if sta
dium facilities were available.
Stadium facilities have been in
cluded in studies made in the past by
National Capital Park and Planning
officials as part of the future de-
velopment of the Anacostia Parkway.
Group Studies Auditorium.
There also is, special commission
studying the need for public audi
tcrlum in Washington, suitable in
which to hold presidential inaugural
ceremonies and similar events. The
commission was created by Congress
last January. as a result of the heavy
downpour of rain that marred the
outdoor inauguration of President
Roosevelt in front of the Capitol. Fol-
lowing appointment of that commits
sion some members of Congress men,
toned the stadium proposal as a
closely related need
Senator Thomas pointed out yes
terday the standing need of the
District National Guard for an ar
mory also could be given considera-
tlon in planning an adequate stadium
The Park and Planning Commits
sion. officials said yesterday, already
owns land between the end of Eas,
Capitol street and the river and that
has been considered as the site fol
. stadium whenever Congress is ready
to proceed with the project. Las
summer the Budget Bureau recon-.
mended an estimate to acquire an ad.
ditional area in the same vicinity a.
q site for future erection of a Ma.
tional Guard armory, but Congress
did not make the appropriation befor,
adjourning in August. It NAV b.
considered further in the coming ses
sion. Inclusion of the proposed audi
torium as a link in the stadium de
velopment also has been considered
Park and planning officials have ha,
q model prepared, showing the pro
posed stadium layout