Evening star., 1941-08-15

py the war Depdr rCmenU.
High lights of the lively debate
that preceded Senate action were
Senator McCarran questioned the
legality of the law by which Con-
gress in 1886 gave back to Virginia
Its portion of the original National
Capital. Senator Mcclellan, Demo-
crat, of Tennessee went further and
declared that act unconstitutional
although he favored placing the
new building on the Arlington site
Chairman Maloney of the Public
Building and Grounds Committee
denounced the growing practice of
Ignoring that committee in appro-
priating for new Federal structures
and asserted lit was presumptious
on the part of the War Department
to draw these plans before coming
to Congress"
Senator Taft recalled that after
the World War the War Depart
ment's personnel went down from
$1,000 to 5000 by 1921, and yet the
Army is now proposing a permanent
Office structure to house 10000 en-
ployes.
Senator Vandenberg, Republican,
Of Michigan wanted to know if a
permanent building of that size
meant the war is going to be
permanent.
Barkley Urges Caution.
Although he voted for the Arling-
ton Experimental Farm site, Ma
jority Leader Barkley expressed a
desire to guard against marring
the approach to Arlington Gene
terry and the Lee Mansion.
Senator Glass, Democrat, of Vir-
glnia, chairman of the Appropria-
ticns Committee. which approved
the Arlington site, quoted Brig. Gen.
Brehon Somervell as saying the
building would not detract in the
slightest degree from the beauty of
that section"
Senator McKellar contended it
would add to the beauty of Ar
lington.
Senator Thomas, Democrat, OF
Oklahoma. who handles War De-
partment budgets, revealed, however
that, while an exterior coating of
marble or stone is contemplated
eventually, it may not be put on
Immediately.
Tax Phase Brought Out.
Senator Taft pointed out that New
York taxes the incomes Of persons
who work in the metropolis, even
though they live in New JERSEY OF
Connecticut, and suggested the same
practice could be followed by Vir.
g1nia in this case, since the States
are now permitted to tax Federal
salaries.
During the debate Senator An
drews. Democrat, of Florida said he
was wondering how 10000 auto
mobiles going to the proposed build
ing in Arlington County can be
meeting the 10000 that are already
coming over from Virginia"
Would it not be infinitely better
II we apportioned the $35, 900 900
among five buildings, each costing
$1,000, 900, and placed them in the
District somewhere near where the
persons live who viii have to work
there?" the Florida Senator In
quired.
Called Aid to Traffie.
Senator Hayden told him, however,
that locating the building in Arling-
ton County would benefit the traf-
fic situation here, because employees
going to and from it would be mov-
ing in the opposite direction from
those who now drive into Washing
ton to work On the roll call Sen
ator Andrews voted to retain the
Virginia site.
Senator McCarran brought out
that an, early statute relating to
establishment of public buildings at
the seat of Government contained q
specific declaration that those build
ings should be on the Maryland side
Of the river. He said 1t is still on
the statute books today.
AT that time" Senator McCarran
continued, the District of Colum-
bia had full control as a part of its
territory over the land that had
been ceded by the State of Virginia
to be part of the District of Co
lumbia. The statute specifically
says that the buildings must be on
the Maryland side of the river, the
idea being, I suppose, to keep the
seat of Government as compact as
possible, and on one side Of the
river. not to be scattered out over
the territory"
Parking Problem Involved.
Heretofore. the chief argument Of
supporters of the Arlington site has
been that suitable site could not
be found in the District ample to
put the whole War Department I'M
der one roof. Senator Barkley
quoted high-ranking Army officer
as admitting that they could find
area enough for the building in
Washington but not for accom-
panying automobile space. -
Senator McCarran challenged this
contention. asserted the entire Dis
trict should be available primarily
for the Governments needs, and
that two goals could be accomplished
simultaneously by wiping out some
of the existing slum areas to pro-
vide space for the Government S
needs.
Senators Murdock, Democrat, of
Utah, and Schwartz, Democrat, of
Wyoming joined in briefly to de-
plore the scattering of Government
activities throughout the country.
Senators Hayden, Democrat, of
Arizona and Adams, Democrat, of
Colorado took the lead in defending
the committees approval of the
Virginia site.
Measure Transferred.
Earlier in the day Chairman
Maloney of the Public Buildings
and Grounds Committee succeeded
In having the Senate transfer to his
committee the bill to authorize
ground for new Army Medical
Museum and Library in Washing
ton, after his committee has pro-
tested against it going through the
Military Committee.
Taking the floor later, he said he
wanted to respectfully and reluc-