Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-11-18
ARCH|TECTSF|CHT
SLAUGHTERHO
ASD. c. NUISANCE
Institute Sees Threat to De.
veIopment-Urges Site
Be Condemned.
ACTION WIDENS BATTLE
ON NATIONAL FRONT
Fear Grave Detriment to Capital.
Foes of Gobel Plan to Press
Sewage Tax Bill.

The support of another national
organization was enlisted today in
movement to bring again to the atten-
ton of Congress the urgent need of
Federal protection against the posi-
BILE resumption of slaughter house
activities that still threaten Anacostia
Park and adjacent areas in Bennine
BY vote of its Board of Direc-
tors the American Institute of Archl-
tects adopted resolution Yesterday
asking the United States Government
to put an end to the threat by pur-
chasing the site of the Adolf Gobel
Co. in Benning through a condemna-
ton proceeding. Should this be done
the directors proposed that the small
acreage involved be added to adjoin-
ing purchases of Federal park areas.
The location Of the Gobel slaughter
house was declared by the architects
as one 'graVely detrimental to the
future development of the city as the
Capital of the Nation" and in con-
flict with all principles of scientific
planning"
Other L. s. Groups Active.
Two other national groups, TIE
1zaak Walton League of America and
the National Planning and Civic As
ISOLATION, also are engaged in efforts
to keep the Gobel slaughter house
and other nuisance industries from
operating in Washington.
The action of the American Insti-
tute of Architects was taken at the
instance of its Committee on the Ma
tlonal Capital, of which Francis P.
Sullivan of Washington is chairman.
Mr.. Sullivan was active in the former
campaign that failed to bring about
enactment of an anti-nuisance law
at the last session of Congress.
Meanwhile officials of the District
Building and the Public Works Ad-
mlnlstration we're considering the
slaughter house situation from an
other angle-that of taxing the Gobel
Co. for any excess load on the new
sewage disposal plant at Blue Plains.
This plant is now being operated for
the first time and was financed
through P. w. A. grant and loan.
Bill to Be Pressed.
The Collins bill. which would tax
industrial users of the sewage plant
on the volume of required sewage
treatment, is still hanging fire in
Congress. 1t is one of the District
measures which will be pressed dur
ing the special or regular session.
The question of condemning the
site of the Gobel Co. in Benning for
park purposes or other governmental
use is not new one. Lack of avail
able funds for its purchase has been
the chief reason why it has received
little consideration from Federal park
officials. 1t was learned. however.
that the door is not closed to future
consideration
The Gobel Co ractically suspended
building operations at Benning weeks
ago due to difficulties which it ap-
parently has not yet been able to over
come. District inspectors said a few
men are being kept employed on the
job when weather conditions permit
work to be done, so the firm can keep
its official building permit alive"
So long as the slaughter house firm
holds on to its building permit, Dis
trict officials said, efforts would be
made by them to press for enactment
of the Collins bill or some other form
of protective legislation against So
called nuisance industries.