Evening star., 1940-10-04
Senate Votes
20 Million for
Buildings
Bill in Conference;
Shipsteod Proposes
Nearby Area Sites

NSS'Dy S"SS SfASS
With more than $4,000 900 soon
to be made available for additional
housing facilities for the Govern
ment in Washington. the Federal
Works Agency today was confronted
with a suggestion that the new
buildings be located in nearby Mary
land and Virginia to relieve the
serious traffic situation.
The proposal was made by Sena-
tor Shipstead, Farmer-Labor, Of
Minnesota, who on the Senate floor
late yesterday deplored the con-
centration of Government Office
buildings, which, he declared, is one
of the principal contributions to
existing traffic conditions.
Senator Shipstead made his
criticism while the Senate had
under consideration the supple
mental civil functions appropriation
bill, which it later passed. The meas
ure carries funds for construction of
three new Government office build
ings, additions to the present Navy
Department Building on Constitu-
ton avenue, and another central
heating plant.
Bill Goes to Conference.
The bill has been sent to con-
ference TO iron out differences be-
tween Senate and House versions.
But the only important item in the
proposed new housing program here
in dispute is one that provides $780,
900 for enlargement of the Navy
Department Building. The Senate
added this to House-approved
projects.
The traffic situation in Washing
ton, Senator Shipstead told the
Senate, is now so bad that during
the morning and afternoon rush
hours pedestrians have as much
chance as jack rabbit chased by
a dozen greyhounds."
The Committee on Public Build
ings and Grounds" he added,
should take cognizance of the
planning here 1t is almost impos-
sible to get home at night or to 60
to work in the morning"
He also pointed out there Is
plenty of space for expansion OF
Government units in nearby Mary
land and Virginia.
Majority Leader Barkley took part
in the discussion by describing as
horrible eyesore" in the Potomac
Park development the existing Navy
Department and Munitions Build
ings, which, he explained, were
erected more than 20 years ago for
temporary use of the Government
during the World War.
For a long time" he said, L
| hoped these buildings would be
eliminated. Ultimately I nope they
will be removed and put elsewhere.
se,s50, 900 for G. A. o. Building.
The major project for which
funds are provided in the bill is a
new building to accommodate scat
tered bureaus of the General Ac-
counting Office. An appropriation
of s9, $50 900 is allocated to purchase
a site and construct this building.
1t is planned to locate the building
m the block bounded by G and H
and Fourth and Fifth streets NV,
directly north of the Pension Of
flee. the present G. A. o. head
quarters.
! For purchase of sites and con-
struction of two other office build
ings s6.400,000 is set aside. Both
buildings would be of the three
story concrete type, similar TO the
present Navy Department Building.
The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission has recon-
mended that one of these buildings
be placed in Arlington County, Va.
In addition, the bill appropri-
ates Sl.5O0,OOO to begin construc-
titon of another central heating
plant for Government buildings to
be located on Federal-owned prop
erty north of K street, between
Twenty ninth street, Rock Greek,
the C. e. o. Canal and the B. e.
o. Railroad. The limit of cost is
I fixed at s3,900,000.
/ Provides for Statuary.
/ Aside from the S590000 added
to the bill by the Senate for the
| specific purpose of providing an
other wing to the Navy Depart
ment Building and erecting an
additional story on present wing
No. l, the other new items in
clude:
/. For use of the Federal Works
Agency for protection, mainte-
nance and improvement of public
buildings and grounds in the Dis
trict," 100000.
2. For furnishing granite and
carving of equestrian groups for
the Arlington Memorial Bridge,
$1,000.
8. For purchase, operation and
maintenance of an ambulance, a
fire and crash truck and fire and
crash motorboat at the new Wash
ington National Airport, s152000.
4. For removal and re-establish-
ment of the Agricultural Depart
ments experimental farm in Ar
/ lington County, Va. which is to be
taken over by the War Department
as site for a permanent military
garrison, S3,200000. 1t is proposed
to relocate the farm near Belts
vile, Md.
The Senate also approved an
item in the bill passed by the
House providing $2,70O000 for con-
struction of five additional hangers
at the airport.
Austin Hits Airport Costs.
During consideration of the air.
port items, Senator Austin, Repubh-
can, of Vermont, not only criticized
its cost, but asked why the Gravelly
Point site was selected instead of the
one recommended by the Congress
sional Airport Commission, at Camp
Springs, about IA miles below WASH
engton, in Prince Georges County,
Md