Evening star., 1939-04-28
Senators Weigh
East Capitol ST.
Auditorium Site
Proposed Changes in
Appropriation Bill for
D. c. Discussed
By ]. A. O'LEARY.

Z" Selection of the East Capitol street
site for the Nantional Guard
Armory and authorizing its con-
struction was one Of the first pro-
posed changes in the 1910 District
appropriation bill to be discussed in
formally today as the Senate APP
propriations Subcommittee began
hearings on the measure.
II agreed on, this would be sub
stitute for the House provision that
site for the armory be acquired in
the Southwest area of the city. but
without authority to begin construc-
ton.
The subcommittee was advised
the estimated cost of the structure is
$2,750,000, but this amount would
not necessarily have to be appro-
priated at the start.
Favors East Capitol Site.
Before the hearings began Sen
ator Overton, Democrat of Louisi-
ana, who is entering his first year
as subcommittee chairman, made
known he is inclined to favor the
East Capitol street location, which
the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission has advocat-
ed for q number of years.
The subcommittee adjourned at
noon until next week. after receiv-
ing from the Commissioners and
District Budget Officer Donovan a
general outline of the House bill,
which totaled $46,915,2
The subcommittee was told that if
Congress does not pass new local
tax bill the city would have deficit
Of $3.485, 900 next year under the
House total. This is based on the
fact that under existing law the
business privilege tax would expire
on June 80 and the real estate tax
would 60 back from $1.75 to Sl.5O
per hundred unless the Commission
ers exercised their general authority
to retain the $1.75 rate.
If the present real estate rate
was retained, the deficit would be
e185 900.
More Substantial Payment.
In the absence Of new tax bill,
therefore, the discussion brought
out that the city's revenue require
ments could be met only by order
ing the present real estate rate re-
turned or by more substantial
Federal payment toward the up
keep and development OF the Ma
tional Capital. The House bill leaves
the Federal lump sum at the S.
100000 figure.
The subcommittee also held a
preliminary discussion with the
District heads on the problem of
how Gallinger Hospital should be
managed as between resident physi-
clans and the visiting staffs of
Georgetown and George Washing
ton University Medical Schools. The
subcommittee will go into that
question in greater detail, however,
later in the hearings.
Justification Statement.
At the request of Chairman Over
ton. the Commissioners submitted
q statement of justification for a
long list of changes and restora-
tions throughout the House bill,
which will be taken up next week,
when department heads are called.
The House reduced the budget esti-
mates by more than 100000
Senator Overton revealed his pref
erence for the East Capitol street
armory site following a personal in
spection of that area !, is known
also he believes no time should be
lost in starting the building to get
the armory out of its present made
Quate quarters.
The Park and Planning Commits
sion already owns all the vacant land
between East Capitol street and Gal
hnger Hospital extending to the
river, except some improved prop
efty on Nineteenth street Sc. 1t
has been pointed out as an added
advantage that if the armory is
placed at that point, there would be
d large adjacent area available for
outdoor drilling. The House bill
makes available $150,0O0 of an un-
expended balance to prepare plans
and to acquire a different site in
the Southwest. 1t is too early to
tell how much of an appropriation
the Senate group would provide if
1t decides to substitute the East
Capitol street site and to authorize
immediate construction work.