Evening star., 1946-07-11
RevenueforD.C.
lis Provided in
New Court Bill
SenoteGroupApprov
Amendment Granting
Parking Lot Rent

The Senate Public Buildings and
Grounds Committee today agreed
10 an amendment to the pending
bill for a new District of Columbia
Federal Courthouse which would
convey title of the site from the Dis
trict government to the Federal
Government Immediately, but would
allow the municipality to collect
rent for its present use as parking
lot until construction begins.
This was announced by Chair
man Andrews of the committee fol-
lowing an executive session. There
is no question about the need for
the building, Senator Andrews en-
phasized. The only question is,
How quickly can the building be
constructor" he said.
Under present building conditions
he estimated it would be impossible
to break ground until about a year
from now.
$500 Yearly Income Seen.
In the meantime, he pointed out.
under the amendment agreed to
today. the District government
would get an income from the site
OF about $500 a year.
The site now used for a parking
lot is bounded by Constitution ave-
nue., John Marshall place, C street
and third street NV.
The committee heard three wit
nesses on the bill today and will re-
sumo eXecutive-seSSion hearings to-
morrow.
The measure is identical, except
ing Tor the amendment agreed to
today. with the bill recently report
ed tavorably to the House bv the
House Public Buildings and Grounds
Committee.
The amendment was requested bv
Corporation Counsel Vernon West
speaking for the District Commits
sioners. Other witnesses. who
stressed the need for the courthouse
were Chief Justice D. Lawrence
Groner OF the Court of Appeals. and
Boiltha j. Laws, chief justice of the
District Court.
S2,420, 900 Credit Provided.
The bill provides that the District
OF Columbia shall be credited with
the sum of s2,420,000 for the value
OF the site, which originally was in
tended as part of the Municipal
Center.
This credit is provided, with the
stipulation, that such compensa
ton shall constitute a credit to
the District government for its
snare OF the cost of the entire
project The bill specifies that the
Districts share of such cost shall
be established by Congress in sub.
sequent legislation. The under.
standing about the future division
OF costs, Chairman Andrews said
Is that the total amount will be
split equally between the Federal
and municipal governments. Chair.
man Andrews estimated the cos,
OF the building at $10,300 900.
In order TO speed the project. thu
measure provides authorization TO,
an appropriation of s4OOO00 to be
spent by the architect of the Capi.
tol Tor preparation OF plans anc
specifications, preliminary investi.
cations of site, foundation studies
public utilities, contingencies ano
other miscellaneous expenses.
David Lynn, architect of the Cap.
ltol, who attended the session. said
| afterwards If plans and specifica.
tions can be prepared now instead
OF waiting for later period when
construction could commence, 1t will
greatly speed the project.
Reynolds to Testify.
Chairman Andrews said he ex-
pected to hear testimony tomor-
morrow morning from w. E
Reynolds, commissioner OF public
buildings, on the first section OF
the bill which would authorize an
appropriation of S30,000,0O0 fol-
preparation of plans and specifica
| lions for Nationwide public build
ines program
Chairman Andrews predicted that
hearings could be completed tomor-
row and that the committee would
report out the bill as soon as pos
sible.
Stressing that he fully appreci-
ated the need for the courthouse
here, he said he realized this on
the basis of his own experience as
judge on the bench in Florida