Evening star., 1938-03-13


on Appropriations in restoring to the
District funds bill an item for the
purchase Of a site for an armory for
the local National Guard, they never
theless are keeping their fingers
crossed. They have seen so many
starts without final results during the
last quarter of century that they
will not feel certain and easy until at
least the bill passes through the con-
ferences between the two houses.
The Senate committee amendment
would appropriate $150.00O for pur-
chase Of two squares at the eastern
terminus OF East Capitol street and
bordering on the Anacostia Parkway
for site for the armory, and would
leave the fund available until used.
The House committee rejected the
recommendation OF the District Com
missioners and the Bureau OF the
Budget for fund of $4,000 for the
acquisition Of the site, the House COM
mittee, in its report to the lower body,
saying that construction was going on
and indicating that the site was not
available.
Whether the proposed site can be
purchased for this amount Is not
known. but there was no explanation
OF why the committee reduced the
figure recommended At any rate, If
the fund is allowed to stay in the
bill. 1t can still be used, as, the Ian
guage permits 1t to be used for the
purchase Of the site in whole or in
part. At least it will give the Dis
trict authorities an opportunity to
ascertain whether it will require more
money. Guard officials did not know
why the $4,000 figure was put in,
as apparently no efforts have been
made to ascertain the cost of the
land. The militia authorities expressed
q desire to have the specific squares
eliminated from the bill. because they
were desirous Of having authority to
use the money in the acquisition Of
some other site which might be Sc
lected by the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission in the
event that the progress of private
building before the Government au-
thorities could get around to the mat
ter of purchase or condemnation had
gone too far to make it further de-
sirable as an armory site.
However. the planning officials have
laid out large program in the area.
of which the National Guard armory
was an important feature. This pro-
gram included a national auditorium
and a stadium
Senator Austin made some inquiries
concerning the justification for the
expenditure when 1t was offered as
an amendment on the floor, but did
not interpose any objection when an
explanation was made. Senator King
Of Utah told the Senate there had
been considerable demand, not only
from the officials of the District of
Columbia, but from the people gen.
orally and from the members of the
National Guard. for the erection of
suitable place in which the militia
could meet. He pointed out that the
Guard now is meeting in an aban-
doned hotel.
In the hearings on the District bill
Capt. Patrick H. Tansey. Assistant
Engineer Commissioner of the District
Of Columbia. spoke on the project at
the instance Of Frederic A. Delano,
chairman Of the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission.
After pointing out that the House
turned down the item for two rea-
sons, one because the squares on which
it was contemplated to build the
armory were occupied by houses, and
the other. the fact that apartment
houses were going to be built rapidly
on these squares. He said the Dis
trict Commissioners, in cooperation
with the Park and Planning Commits
sion and the Co-ordinating Commit
tee. had subsequently developed a new
plan for the armory site, which is
in conformity with the desires of the
House and which will meet the two
minor objections raised in the lower
branch Of Congress.
He told the committee the District
building inspector. Col. John w. Oeh-