Evening star., 1947-12-09
Estimate Due Soon
On Cost Of New Exits
For District Arnory

IW DL9nIIl AIIIlVIy
An estimate on the cost of pro-
viding additional exits for the Ma
tional Guard Armory so that 1t
could hold the $4,000 persons visual
lied by its planners should be COM
pleted in about 10 days.
Engineer Commissioner Gordon r,
Young said yesterday preliminary
plans already have been received
from the municipal architects office
and have been returned for further
study.
This estimate was requested by
Senator Cain of the Senate Dis
trict Committee and Chairman
Dirksen of the House District Com
mittee late in November, after they
had arranged a truce in the six
month squabble between District Of
ficials and Brig. Gen. Albert L. Cox,
commander of the District National
Guard, as to who should control
the Armory.
Under existing regulations, the
Armory can admit only 4,800 per-
sons because of insufficient fire exits.
Young Silent on Costs.
Gen. Young said he would not re-
veal the estimated cost of the addi-
tional exits. He indicated that such
information would have to come
from Senator Cain or Representa-
tive Dirksen after they received the
completed plans.
I'VE are exploring the matter
thoroughly" he said.
First effect of the truce, which
set up joint control of the Armory
until Congress can settle the ques-
ton, was seen in the signing of a
contract yesterday which actually
has Georgetown University, George
Washington University and the Dis
trict public schools underwriting ex-
penses Of their basket ball games to
be played there through March 1.
James R. Kirkland, counsel for the
Senate District committee, said
money is needed to get the sports
program underway in the Armory.
The District has none for that
purpose.
$3.50 For School Board.
Ul.der the contract, the two uni
versities will pay Is per cent of their
gross receipts, less Federal taxes,
and the Board Of Education will pay
a fiat $3.50 each day the Armory is
used. In addition, the two universi-
ties have guaranteed up to ,$4,5O0
to cover costs of renting and in
stalling seats, maintenance and
servicing of floors.
Scheduled for the rest of the
season are II basket ball games,
including those to be played by
the District high schools. The first
one, under the new contract, was
played last night between George
town University and the University
Of Denver.
In the District Building confer
ence at which the contract was
agreed upon yesterday, 1t. Col. K. E.
Madsen, assistant engineer commits
sioner, represented the District, and
Col. Peyton G: Nevitt represented
the National Guard under the joint
control truce.
Mr.. Kirkland said a Baltimore
firm has installed the seats on a
rental basis for $1,000. Both George
town and George Washington Uni
versities will pay $1,000 each from
their athletic funds to get things
started, he said.
Other Funds Earmarked.
He estimated 1t would take about
$4,000 to pay the rent, insurance and
maintenance through the season, the
sum guaranteed by the two univer-
sites.
After the initial costs of installing
and renting the seats has been paid,
the funds will go to a special account
earmarked for the Armory. These
funds will remain frozen until Con-
gress gets around to. deciding who
gets them, he added.
The seats have been installed in
a square at one end of the drill
hall and seat $500 people. With
those who are in the balcony, 1t
adds up to the 1900 allowed by law.
Glass basket ball backboards were
installed by the Guard with meney
from a general fund OF $4,000
which is available.
Mr.. Kirkland, in commenting on
the plan to enlarge the seating
capacity of the Armory by adding
exits, said 1t might involve tearing
down walls or going through offices.
The $2,700,0 900 Armory was built with
only six exits. Around the drill hall