Evening star., 1937-04-24
FOES0F PROPOSED
S|TE0F MEMORIAL >
WILL GET HEARING
Congress Step Seen Likely
to Back Drive Against
Basin Location.
COMMISSION is ASKED
FOR CONTRACT DATA
Committee Junks Wearin Proposal
for National Architectural
Competition.
BY WILL p. KENNEDY.

Opponents of the proposed loca-
ton OF the 100000 Thomas JET
ferson Memorial at the Tidal Basin,
including those concerned over the
threatened destruction of some of the
cherry trees will have an opportunity
to be heard before the House Library
Committee on Tuesday, starting at
10 am.
Chairman Keller and Representa-
tive Treadway of Massachusetts,,
the ranking Republican members of
the committee, who have voiced their
sympathy with a drive to save the
cherry trees and to preserve the
graceful contour of the Tidal Basin,
said at the hearing yesterday they
believe steps may be taken by Con-
eress to support the campaign.
Senator King, Democrat, of Utah,
chairman of the District Committee,
has joined the fight on present plans
Tor the memorial He bases his oppo-
sition on several grounds.
First, the site is inappropriate" said
the Senator. "The design looks more
like mausoleum than memorial"
He said he also is opposed to it
because it may cost from $4,000 900 to
e8,000,000,
The House Library Committee, at
Its meeting yesterday, informed Repre-
sentative Wearin, Democrat, of Iowa,
sponsor Of resolution to delay con-
struction of the memorial until after
Nationwide architectural competi-
ton has been held, that nothing can
be done along the line he proposes.
In effect, they "junked" his resolution.
Representative Treadway then intro
duced resolution prohibiting the use
of the Tidal Basin as a site for the
memorial. This will be the basis for
the resumed hearing Tuesday
Contract Data Sought.
Meanwhile, the Library Committee
is endeavoring to obtain from the
Memorial Commission definite in
formation regarding what "contrac-
tual relations have been entered into
with John Russell Pope noted archi-
tect, for erection of the memorial.
Representative Keller, Treadway and
Wearin all agreed the committee has
no criticism of Popes outstanding
ability"
The records of the commission show
that Senator Lonergan, Democrat, of
Connecticut on February 10, 1887,
offered the following formal resolu-
ton, which was unanimously car
ried:
Resolved, That John Russell Pope
Of New York be appointed architect
for the Thomas jefferson Memorial
to be constructed in Washington, D. c.,
to be paid for complete services a
sum equal to the minimum fee of 6
per cent Of the actual cost o. the work,
in accordance with the statement of
professional practice of architects,
and schedules of minimum charges of
the American Institute of Architects,
the work to be performed and service
rendered in accordance with code or
codes as covered by the aforemen-
toned schedule Of professional
charges, copy of which is attached" +"
The next resolution passed desig-
mated the National Park Service as
executive agents to make the actual
contracts.
The Jefferson Memorial Commits
sion was authorized to select the
architect, the site and the design and
to name an agent by act of Congress.
Now Ready for Contracts.
1t is contended that due notice was
served on Congress more than a year
ago that the commission was ready
to make contracts, and that if Con-
gres was not satisfied, then was the
time to stop the commission. A re-
port from Chairman Keller OF the
Library Committee, No. 2341, dated
April l, 1896, said: The stage of work
has so far proceeded that the CON-
mission is now ready to award con-
tracts for the construction of the me-
mortal. The lowest estimate was that
for S3,000,000, for which sum authori-
zation is now requested"
A public law approved June g. 1896,
authorized and directed the Thomas
Jefferson Memorial Commission ito
proceed with construction of r me-
mortal on site selected by the COM
mission under contract or contracts
hereby authorized to be entered into
to total sum not exceeding s3,OOO.-
O0O."
The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission meanwhile yes
terday stood on its recommendations
to the Memorial Commission that
while the site at the Tidal Basin was
satisfactory, a general study of the
whole area should be made, taking
into consideration traffic requirements,
landscape treatment and other fac
tors.
Progress Explained.
Arno B. Cammerer, director of the
National Park Service, who is also
executive officer of the Planning Com
mission, explained to the planners the
progress that has been made on the
problem. The National Park Service
has been designated by the Jefferson
Commission as its agent in the con.
Struction of the memorial
Francis P. Sullivan of the American
Institute of Architects, who sought tc
make statement at the hearing be-
fore the Library Committee yesterday
but was ruled out until Tuesday, ex.
planned today that he merely intended
to make clear the position of the insti-
tute on the Wearin resolution. He
said it has taken no part in framing
the measure, although specifically
mentioned In the resolution.
I'VE have no criticism to offer o1
the procedure that has been adopted
by the Memorial Commission" hi
said, Sin its selection of an architect
nor of the selection that has beer
made
He explained in a letter to Chair.
man Keller that "it is the fixed policy
of the institute to extend cooperation
to the Government agencies concerned
with public building problems when.
ever called upon to do So