The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1941-07-17

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WNU Service, 1343 H Street. N. w.,
Washington, d. c.
Hitler has prevented the Capitol
from having its face lifted.
I sat in the office of the architect
of the Capitol, David Lynn. the other
day and learned that the historic
building which houses our lawmak-
ers has never been finished. The
architects modest suite is tucked
away where few visitors except Cal
ifornians seeking out Senator john
O in his hideaway next door ever
find it. On the walls are the solemn
portraits of Mr.. Lynn's predeces-
sorS, clear back to DR.. Thornton, the
Capitols first architect, in wig and
stock, and the handsome Thomas
Hugh Walter, with his firm mouth
and shock Of white hair. who seemed
to bow in emphatic agreement when
his friendly. gray-haired successor
spoke:
THE extension and completion Of
the CAPITOL" said Mr.. Lynn, ear
nestly. has been urged for the past
70 years or more. Legislation to
that end has been introduced from
time to time but it has never passed.
Right now, Senator Connally Of Tex
as and Senator Andrews of Florida
are very much interested in the
undertaking."
I had just left the office of the
speaker Of the house. Sam Rayburn,
and I knew that he approved the
idea and I had heard that the Presi-
dent had lent a not unsympathetic
a to the project as well. But the
war in Europe is interfering, as it
is with many other civilian pursuits.
Here's the Job.
The job that the experts say has
to be done, in a nutshell is this: The
central portion Of the eastern side
Of the building (Which faces the
Capitol plaza must be extended 80
feet. 6 inches.
This extension is recommended
for two purposes" said Architect
Lynn, First, in order to correct the
architectural defect in the building
which exists due to the skirt or
base of the dome extending over the
east portico in such a manne as to
give the appearance of apparent lack
of support to the dome. The second
reason for this step is to provide
additional and needed accommoda-
tons and to replace the existing
sandstone exterior with marble"
Few people know it." Mr.. Lynn
added. but one reason why we have
to paint the building every four
years is to make the central part,
which is sandstone. match the wings
which are marble"
Extension of the east front would
give SO much needed extra rooms,
provide a passage for members of
congress directly from n chamber
to the other on all floors. Now when
there is a joint session or when
members of one house want to pass
to the other they have to squeeze
through the main corridors. which
are frequently packed with visitors.
Space Badly Needed.
The additional Offices are badly
needed and now that radio has come
to take its place beside the press as
a medium for reporting the doings
of congress to the people more space
would be welcomed by the radio cor
respondents. At present the radio
newsmen are tucked in between pill
lars in the house and senate wings
in Offices from which it is very diff
ficult to broadcast.
Visitors who call upon their rep
resentatives in the Capitol may be
surprised that they have to talk to
them right out in the lobby. for
members of the house have no pub
lie waiting room. The addition
would make such an accommoda-
ton possible.
Many hearings have been held on
legislation authorizing the finishing
of the Capitol. which would complete
the work of the famous Thomas
Hugh Walter. This talented archi-
tect planned the two wings which
accommodate the senate and the
house. respectively. and the short
corridors which connect them to the
central portion of the building. He
also replaced the wooden dome,
erected after the burning Of the Cap
itol, with a metal one But, ac-
cording to the experts who have
studied his plans and sketches. he
never intended to let that massive
cone that has become the symbol Of
the federal city perch precariously
on its foundation with it's skirt"
hanging over the edge Of the roof.
Mr.. Walter would have extended
the east wall if it had not been for
the Civil war. which interrupted his
activities. Then. just as congress