Evening star., 1938-04-20
C0NNALLY PUSHES
AUDITORIUM BILL;
SEEKS VOTE SOON
Senate Buildings Chairman
Introduces Measure to
Provide Building.
HAZEN TO COOPERATE
IN FIGHT FOR PROJECT
c m m ission Favors Site on
Ground Set Aside for D. G..
Government Center.
BY ]. A. O'LEARY.

Passage at this session of legislation
to authorize the proposed national
auditorium at Third street and Con-
stitution avenue NV. was urged today
by Chairman Connally of the Senate
Public Buildings and Grounds Com
mittee. as he introduced the bill.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Kazen,
while still expressing a preference for
the site at the end of East Capitol
street as part Of the proposed stadium
and National Guard armory layout,
agreed that the main objective is TO
see an auditorium built. He made
known he would concur in the plan
OF the Capital Auditorium Commits
sion. approved yesterday. if the Fed
eral Government meets the mainte-
nance costs.
According to Senator Connally the
commissions plan Is 70 have the Fed
eral Government erect an auditorium,
appropriate to meet the needs Of a
National Capital, at probable cost
Of S9,000,000. If the District Govern
ment contributes part of its Munici-
pal Center area as the site.
Site for Auditorium.
The commission, 1t was explained,
has in mind the square bounded by
Constitution avenue, c street, Jonn
Marshall place and Third street. and
If only this area is specified in the
legislation it will not interfere with
present plans of the District Govern
ment for development of municipal
structures on the remaining three
squares of the area. The District
spent approximately S1.774,00O for
the square suggested for the public
auditorium.
In the 1889 District appropriation
act Congress designated the square
running west on Pennsylvania avenue,
from John Marshall place to Sixth
street, for a future Public Library
building. and in the same act appro-
priated funds for new police head
quarters structure on the square ex-
tending north from c street to In
diana avenue. between Third street
and John Marshall place. At some
later time the District plans to build
a new municipal building on the re-
mainder of the area, north Of c
street and west OF John Marshall
place.
The bill, which Senator Connally
introduced this afternoon, probably
will set up commission to supervise
the planning and erection of the audi
torium. which, upon completion. prob
ably will be under the supervision Of
Secretary of Interior Ickes
adequate in Size"
The report of the Commission recon-
mended an auditorium adequate in
size and facilities to meet Federal and
Federal, commercial and nom
commercial requirements Of a city
which attracts many important gath
erings because of its position as the
National Capital.
An Advisory Committee that aided
the Commission in its study of the
problem gathered data from the
Washington Board of Trade. not only
on the number OF conventions that
come to Washington, but on the num-
ber shat would like to meet here If
an adequate auditorium existed.
The Commission suggested that
sporting events be included only as
secondary feature, and not at all If
they conflict or compete with the
more important functions of a ma
tional character.
Without commenting on the question
of location, Commissioner Allen joined
last night in expressing recognition
Of Washington's need for a suitable
auditorium.
In discussing the ss,O0o,O0 estimate
of probable cost, the Advisory Commit
tee told the Commission
This would seem to compare favor
ably with auditorium costs in other
cities. For example. Kansas City,
$6.50O,0O0; St. Lsuis $4,000, 900; Cleve-
land, 100000, and Atlantic City
$15,000,0O0.'
A.