Evening star., 1941-08-13

addition, he said that it would not
save so per cent of the cost of the
building twice as large.
Some curious contradictions ap-
pear in the testimony. Chairman
Snyder of the House Subcommittee
on Army Appropriations, testifying
before the Senate committee, said
that he believed the building, if it
costs, $35 900, 900, would probably pay
for itself in seven years by increased
efficiency in the War Department
and saving rent in the District of
Columbia But Chairman Adams,
after hearing all the testimony, said
that Il am not sold at all on this
thing as measure of economy.
1 doubt very much that you
can justify it on the ground of saw
ing money I question very
much the extent of saving in dollars,
but I don't think that is the big
item" The big item, he thought,
was the increased efficiency result
ing from having the employees all
under one roof.
Gen. Somervell did not believe
that staggered hours for employees
in the new building would be neces-
sary. But the Park and Planning
Commission, after consultation with
traffic authorities, found that it
would be necessary to stagger work.
ing hours over a two hour period
in the morning and like period in
the afternoon.
Still Larger Fun Needed.
Gen. Somervell said that S35 ,OO0,-
900 would cover everything" But
that statement is contested by other
estimates, still in the process of
formulation and running as high
as S10000,000, to cover new road
ways and approaches and facilities.
The Park and Planning Commits
sion estimated that roads and ap-
proaches would cost between seven
and eight million dollars.
Part of this might come from
highway funds not yet avail
able - which the War Department
has said informally" it would be
willing to certify for defense high
ways. This money, it has been said,
might have to be spent anyway
and the War Department Building
would merely expedite the expendi-
lures. If the War Department
Building is approved. however, it
would have to be spent Immediately
in order to make the building ac-
cesible to the employees when it is
completed.
For the District of Columbia, the
new approaches and highway pro-
jects-many of which have been
planned for construction over a
period of years-Would have to be
rushed to completion Immediately.
If these improvements are to be
available in time to serve the new
building within year or so, no
money is available now. That money
will have to be provided either
through increased local taxes or by
Federal grants. The amount is in
doubt No estimates have been
made. But many millions will be
required. The so-called Whitehurst
program, containing many items
that would be necessary now if the
building is constructed, was to be
spread out over 8 to 16 years, de-
pending on the money available.
Agencies Are Split.
Opposition to the building de-
veloped a curious split between the
agencies charged with the esthetic
development and planning of the
Capital. Chairman Clarke of the
Commission of Fine Arts fatty op-
posed the site. 1t was reserved,
he said, as far back as 1901,
as open territory, to be used either
as park or as an extension of
Arlington Cemetery 1t was incon-
ceivable to the Fine Arts Commits
sion that the plans of thirty years
would be upset by the War De-
partment's sudden conclusion that
the Arlington site is the only one
available.
The Park and Planning Commis-
sion, and the President, found no
objection to the site itself, but both
questioned the wisdom of using it
for so large building.
The Senate Committee sought to
develop thought as to other avail
able sites. But those testifying
were stymied by not being able to
point out any place in Washington
Immediately available for so large
a building. No one previously has
advocated the necessity for hous-
ing 10000 or 10000 employees under
one roof and no one had ever men,
toned the possibility of a $35 ,00O,-
900 building. And the War Depart
ment's sudden decision that this
was absolutely necessary caught the
planners unprepared. 1t must be
remembered that the Park and
Planning Commission has been try
ing to purchase land, according to
carefully laid plans, with few mil
lion dollars spread over many years.
The thought that Congress was
actually trying to find a site for
a 34-acre building, parking space
for 10000 automobiles and 10000
employees, naturally took them off
their feet and left them gasping.
Switch On Sites Curious.
Both the spokesmen for the Fine
Arts Commission and the Park and
Planning Commission advocated, as
did the President, the so-called
Northwest Rectangle, in which there
alrno HN has heen c0x,o o1Aletad fha