Evening star., 1938-06-05
HOUSING OF NEW
JUDGES PROBLEM
Need for Annex to District
Court Building in Near
Future Is Seen.

The prospective addition Of three
new justices in District Court, under
legislation just signed by President
Roosevelt, it was learned yesterday,
presents a problem to Government
housing experts, who are beset with
many other troubles in planning for
future expansion.
While it now looks as if the addi-
tional justices would hold court after
their appointments in unoccupied
rooms in the Police Court Building,
recently put into commission, officials
realize this is but makeshift solu-
ton. They are said to be studying
permanent plans, which would prob
ably necessitate the erection of q
District Court Building annex in the
near future.
Several alternatives are being con-
sidered, including the moving of the
law library OF the District Bar Asso-
ciation from the top floor of the
District Court Building, to create
more room, and the possible shift OF
the register OF wills Office to other
quarters. II this program were car
ried through, the District Court Judges
probably would be able to remain
together in the present building. y
New Buildings Planned.
While plans OF the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission con-
template q new building, complement
tary to the existing Court of Appeals
structure, this Is not an immediate
prospect. The program for Judiciary
Square calls for a new Municipal
Court Building on the north side of
the park, to complement the new
Police Court Building.
South Of the projected Municipal
Court Building and northeastward of
the District Court Building would be
erected a new building, complementary
to the Court of Appeals Building,
which has stood for some years. This
new structure. at the southeast corner
OF Judiciary Square, is projected as
building to house the Juvenile Court
and the recorder of deeds.
But now, In view of the crowded
District Court calendar and the addi-
ton Of three new justices, some talk
Is heard of having the new building,
that would balance the Court of Ap-
peals, used as an adjunct to the District
Court. A tunnel probably would be
constructed to save the justices the
necessity Of walking in their judicial
robes in inclement weather out of
doors.
Officials Want Action.
Looking into the far distant future.
Government planners envision new
District Court Building. which would
also house quasi judicial activities of
the Federal Government on the site
OF the existing old Pension ONCE
Building, now the headquarters OF the
General Accounting ONCE.
With the growth of Washington and
the court dockets, interested officials
believe that something must be done
now to provide dignified and adequate
quarters for the new Justices on a
permanent basis. As it is, observers
say 1t will be inconvenient for the
Justices who will hold District Court
IN the new Police Court Building to
walk over there in their robes il their
omces are to be in the other structure.
Observers recalled yesterday that
when . previous plan was afoot to
move the bar library from the present
District Court Building, the justices
protested. The convenience Of the
library to bench and bar alike is
highly desirable. say those interested.