Evening star., 1938-10-26
CENTRAL COURT
BUILDING STUDIED
Committee Weighs Plan for
Edifice to House -Four
Federal Tribunals.

Proposed construction Of large
Federal building or smaller separate
buildings to provide adequate space
for the four Federal courts of the
District as we'll as for the offices Of the
United States attorney, the United
States marshal and the Board of Tax
Appeals, was being considered today by
q representative committee appointed
at the suggestion of President Rooee-
welt.
The committee was named by Fred
eric A. Delano, chairman Of the Ma
tional Park and Planning Commission,
which was designated by Mr.. Roosevelt
as the proper agency to explore" plans
for ending a congestion in the Office
spaces occupied by these Federal
courts.
It was said the committee would do
no more today than explore the needs
of the courts and determine whether
one central building or several addi-
tional buildings should be erected. No
definite decision was expected, as the
questions involve many phases which
will require weeks of planning and con-
sideration.
Mr.. Delano is chairman of the COM
mittee and among the other members
are Chief Justice D. Lawrence Groner
of the United States Court of Appeals
p~ec nd Eiv,ie of
the United States Court of Customs
and Patent Appeals, Chief Justice
Fenton w. Booth of the United States
Court of Claims and Chief Justice.
Alfred A. Wheat of the United States
District Court.
Vacancies Untitled.
Several additional Federal judges
we're provided at the last session of
Congress and one vacancy in the
Court of Appeals and two in the
District Court still remain to be filled
Due to the enlargement of the District
Court, one of its judges has had to
be installed in the new Police Court
building, because of lack of ade-
quate space in the old court suilding
The Court of Appeals which also has
been enlarged, is outgrowing its build
ing. erected before the World War.
The Attorney General was repre-
sented at today's meeting as well as
John B. Colpoys. United States mar
shall: David A. Pine, United States
attorney, and Chairman c. Rogers
Arundel of the Board of Tax Appeals.
Other members of the committee
include Commissioner Melvin c. Hazen
Clay ]. Guthridge. chief of the Divi-
sion of Space Control; President God
frey L. Munter of the District Bar As
sociation and Corporation Counsel
Elwood H. Seal
Justice Justin Miller of the United
States Court of Appeals, recommended
the construction of one large building
to house the various courts, pointing
out that one of the advantages would
be a combined legal library.
President Roosevelt took the matter
under consideration and put it in the
hands of the Park and Planning Com
mission Results of the studies started
today will be reported to. the Presi-
dent. who may submit the recommen-
dations to Congress. -..,
Rental Bill Scars.
Erection of additional office space
for these crowded courts and Federal
legal Offices. it was pointed out, would
carry out the spirit of the 1925 Public
Building Act. The object of that act
was to provide adequate space for all
Government agencies in the District to
put an end to S1.000,000 annual
rental the Government then was pay
ing for privately occupied buildings.
Since then the Governments annual
rental bill has scared to $4,000 900,
despite the new buildings erected on
the Pennsylvania avenue triangle and
|e,=ewhere
Before the committee met today the
plan of procedure was outlined as
fellows. First it must be determined
which courts, if any, wish to go into
a general building. That question
having been determined. the amount
of space for a general building would
have to be considered In the event
the plan for general building is dis
carded the individual needs of each
court and legal office would be put
forward.
Space planning officials said that
whatever court buildings are aban-
doned under the plan would serve
admirably for new government
agencies or others now occupying
rented quarters.