Evening star., 1947-03-23
Senators Study
for More
Office Space
Committee Expected
To Take Favorable
Action on Project
By Harold B. ROGERS

Study of plans for additional Of
flee space for Senators is expected
to be recommended this week by
the Senate Public Works Com
mittee.
Whether this would mean a new
building on the Capitol grounds,
remodeling the Capitol or remodel
ing the present Senate Office build
ing remains to be determined.
Authoritative sources yesterday
indicated favorable action for new
facilities would be taken by the
committee.
The committee has been consider
ing a resolution introduced by
Chairman. Brooks of the Senate
Rules Committee, in charge of Sem
ate space; Chairman Bridges of the
Senate Appropriations Committee,
and Chairman Revercomb of the
Public Works Committee.
No Specific Site Suggested.
This group is said to have con-
suited Senator Vandenberg, Repub-
lican, of Michigan, presiding officer
of the Senate.
No specific site for the additional
Senate Office building is proposed
in the resolution. Informed sources
said, however, it was likely the site
would be the portion of the Capitol
Plaza directly north of the Capitol
Building and west of the Senate
Office Building.
Alternatives to the suggested
construction of a Senate Office
building have been either the ex-
tension of the east front of the
Capitol or construction of an in
terror wing of the Senate Office
Building.
Some have argued an interior
wing for the present office building
would not provide sufficient space.
AS to the extension of the east front
of the Capitol there always has
been objection from those who op-
pose any change in its classic facade.
Courthouse Bill Pending.
The Public Works Committee also
will have before it the amended bill
for a new Federal courthouse here.
This measure, originally introduced
by Senator Revercomb, has been
amended by a subcommittee to .au-
thorize 100000 for preparation of
plans and specifications but no con-
Struction at this time. The revised
bill leaves up to Congress the di-
vision of costs between the Federal
and District Governments
The proposed site is on Constitu-
ton avenue between Third street
and John Marshall place NV. The
committee has been scheduled ten
tatively to meet Tuesday morning.
1t also has before it bill to author
ize use of the Capitol Park Hotel,
facing Capitol Plaza, as additional
Office space for use of District Court.
A different use of the hotel is pro-
posed by a House bill, which would
house members of Congress and en-
ployes there.
The Judiciary Subcommittee of
the House District Committee will
consider six local bills at hearings
tomorrow. First on the docket is
the Commissioners bill for the Ii
censing of buildings.
Others include measures intro
duced by Representative Hebert,
Democrat, of Louisiana for i'm
provement of the penal system.
They concern control of dangerous
weapons, waving jurisdiction of Ju-
venile Court, reorganization of the
parole system, amendment of the
criminal code on false pretenses,
and transfer of the probation sys-
tenn to United States Courts.
The same committee also will
meet Wednesday for hearings on
the Hebert bills designed to.curtail
betting on sports and influencing
the outcome of sports events.