Evening star., 1944-11-21
Committee Asks
Local Control
For Stadium
Supports Randolph
| Plan With Proviso
| For 7-Mon Boord

For 7-Mun Bourd
Support of the second stadium
bill introduced by Chairman RAN
dolph of the House District Com
mittee was voted today by the Ma
tional Stadium Committee, with
the proviso that the stadium be
administered, when built, by a
board of governors consisting of
seven persons, at least four of whom
are to be residents of the District.
The bill was introduced in the
House yesterday at the request of
the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission and would
place construction and control of
the stadium under Secretary of the
Interior Ickes, who would be al
lowed to delegate this authority to
an individual or group of persons.
At the same time, Mr.. Randolph
announced that hearings on his
two bills will begin at 10 am. next
Tuesday before members of two
District subcommittee, the recre-
alton group headed by Representa-
tive Harris, Democrat. of Arkansas,
and the Fiscal Affairs Subcommittee,
of which Representative Hebert,
Democrat, of Louisiana, is chair
man.
Proposes 100000 Seats.
The National Stadium Committee,
head by Floyd D. Akers, made prep.
arations today to send representa-.
tives to the hearings. The COM
mittee, which met in the Offices of
the Washington Board of Trade,
agreed to indorse the second Ran
dolph bill, with the amendments
calling for a stadium of at least
100000 seating capacity and for a
board of governors.
The group decided to ask for q
board of governors of seven per-
sons, to be appointed by the Presi-
dent and to serve without COM
pensation. Members would be
named to the board for life or for
extended terms. At least four of
the members would be residents Of
the District for at least three years
and would be professional or busi.
nesSmen
The Stadium Committee also
agreed to keep the stadium project
before Congress and the people and
to promote the idea Of making the
structure memorial to the men
and women of the present and past
wars" The group also supported
the idea of using the stadium as
sports hall of fame, to keep records,
photographs and busts of famous
athletic figures.
Spaulding Complies Data.
| The hundreds of expressions of
support which have been received
/ by the committee from organiza-
tions and individuals throughout
the Metropolitan Area will be pre-
sented to the District subcommit-
tees at the hearings next week.
Meanwhile, Capt. E. Jack Spauld-
ing, U. S. N, member of the Sta
dlum Committee, is compiling in
formation concerning the plans and
operation of stadia in all parts of
the country to be used in formulate
ing ideas concerning the final blue
prints of the national stadium. Capt.
Spaulding warned the committee
that two of the most important fac-
tors to be considered are parking
space and the ability of the specta-
tors to see clearly what is going on
down in the arena.
Under the first Randolph bill, Of
fered last week, three-man corpo-
ration to be appointed by the Presi-
dent with the consent of the Sem
ate, would be created to build and
operate by contract or otherwise a
stadium and other recreation facil-
tiles at the foot of East Capitol street.
1t would be authorized to issue
S6,000,000 in bonds, which NAV be
purchased by the Reconstruction
Finance Corp.
Provides U. S. Financing.
The new bill provides for financ-
ing construction of the stadium,
parade field, swimming pools and
other recreation facilities on the
Anacostia River site by appropri-
ations out of the United States
Treasury.
The Interior Secretary would be
authorized to construct the stadium
and other facilities by contract or
otherwise and to operate them either
directly through the National Park
Service or by contracts to any indi-
vidual, organization, association or
corporation which he may select.
Another provision is that charges
for use of the facilities are to be
turned into the Treasury, so that
80 far as PRACTICABLE" the Treasury
financing would be returned within
20 years.
/ Endorsed BY More Groups.
The stadium project was indorsed
last night by four additional civic
groups. The Interfederation Con-
ference passed resolution approv-
| ing the proposal upon the motion
of Ernest F. Henry, who said the
project had long been desired by
citizens associations in the Metro
politan Area.
The Shepherd Park Citizens Asso-
citation favored the idea as "a fitting
monument to the men and women
of the armed forces of this war"
The Capital View Civic Associa-
ton indorsed the stadium after
hearing DR.. Herbert c. Marshall
speak in behalf of the project,
The stadium also was supported
by the Chillum Heights Citizens
Association.
plan hnnrnvad IN fInsn