Evening star., 1938-07-31

plans for the actual construction and
ordered further development of the
plans in preparation for an early
award Of building contracts.
The Second Deficiency Act also
carried 100000 with which to start
construction Of the Social Security
Board and Railroad Retirement Board
buildings, also to be taken from public
works funds. These two buildings will
be located in Southwest Washington
and the laying out Of the sites also
involved decision as to the future
development of Independence avenue,
on which the Social Security building
will face
The Social Security building is to
be located in the square bounded by
independence avenue, c street, Third
and Fourth streets, SW In deciding
upon the location Of the building on
this site, the commission decided on
width Of so feet for independence
avenue, with an increased width to
70 feet In the square In front of the
Social Security building to. permit
parking and stopping 1t was decided
to establish a building line 90 feet
from the center line of Independence
avenue on the south side and 100 feet
on the north. The north line now is
established by the Freer Gallery OF
Art. The width of so feet between
curbs and 100 feet between building
lines was fixed for independence
avenue from South Capitol street to
Twelfth street. Between Twelfth and
Fourteenth streets the avenue already
has been constructed as a part of the
Agriculture Department project.
Construction Soon to Start,
For the Railroad Retirement Board
building site bounded by C and D,
Fourth and Fifth streets, S.W.. was
approved. The Treasury Department
now is completing the purchase Of the
sites for this and the Social Security
building and clearing Of the sites is
to begin as soon as the acquisition Is
completed. The commission approved
further development of the plans for
both buildings
Plans have been approved for con-
struction Of an additional story on
each Of two wings Of the Navy Depart
ment building An appropriation of
$4,000 for this purpose is available.
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial,
after months Of controversy, also
neared the construction stage. The
Second Deficiency Act provided an
appropriation of 100000 with which
to start construction of the memorial
on a site in Potomac Park just south
Of the Tidal Basin. With the general
location determined by law, the COM
mission considered the detailed loca-
ton. roadway and approaches. Archi-
tects Of the John w. Pope Corp, pre-
sented design plans for Roman pam
theon type Of structure practically the
same as the design submitted to Con-
gress and approved by law. The Ma
tional Park Service was designated as
the Federal agency to take charge Of
the construction work. It was pointed
out that the authorized cost Of So
100000 for the Jefferson Memorial is
about the same as the cost Of the
LlncOln memorial.
Statue Of Gallatin.
The commission is considering a
site for a statue Of Albert Gallatin,
early Secretary of the Treasury, to
be erected within the Treasury
grounds. An appropriation Of $4,000
Is available for preparation of the site
and erection of the pedestal. A site
on the west side facing the White
House, possibly in the west stairway,
is being considered.
Selection Of site for the proposed
Smithsonian Gallery of Art also is
being considered by the commission.
Congress specified that the building
Shall be between Fourth and Four
teenth streets and Constitution and
independence avenues and authorized
$4,000 for the preparation of plans.
This amount was appropriated in the
Second Deficiency Act. The plans are
to be prepared on basis of open COM
petitlon. avoiding one of the sources
OF criticism Of the Jefferson Memorial,
The Second Deficiency Act also
carried the following additional i'm.
portant local appropriations: Roads
and trails, National Park Service, So
ooO,O0O; Navy Yard, gun assembly
shop building and accessories. ST.
100000, and ordnance storehouse and
accessories, $365.000. An appropria-
ton of $500 was made for salaries
and expenses necessary for admins
tration OF the new District Zoninp
Law,
The Work Relief Act carries a num-
Der OF appropriations for work relief
ana public works from which expen-
oltures will be made in the District
and also an appropriation OF slso 5oo
Tor District sponsors contributions IN
Works Progress Administration nom
construction projects.
District Items Reviewed
Inc District Of Columbia appropria-
ton act also carried a number of con.
struction items requiring action bv
the National Capital Park and plan.
ming Commission and Fine Arts Com.
mission.
Chief among them are:
Inc Municipal Center. For Begin
ning construction of the first unit Of
tne center. an appropriation Of $500
ooo was made. Efforts are being made
10 OBTAIN public works grants for
further construction
Public Library. For the prenara.
tlon OF plans and specifications for a
library to be constructed on SQUARE
4sl, bounded by Pennsylvania ave-
nue., John Marshall place, c street and
Sixth street NV, $6o,o0o was appro-
prited
Stadium at Woodrow Wilson High
schol and improvement of grounds
$4,000.
Acquiring land for the new Jef1er-
son Junior High School, 100000
Construction Of an eight-room ex-
tensiole school building on a portion
OF the Petworth playground site
Ihlrd and Hamilton streets NV.
$ls0,o0o. ""
The commission has decided to