Evening star., 1949-08-17
Sesqui Plans
Geared Up for
Fund Approval
Project Expanded
For Anucostiu Park
Site of l04 Acres

The National Capital Sesqui-
centennial Commission is ready
to start work on Washington's
150th year celebration. as soon as
Congress acts favorably on the
appropriation of $3,000,000 for
the event.
Renewed hope on the long de-
layed project came yesterday with
approval by the House Appropria-
tions Committee of the fund for
what President Truman has
named the Freedom Fair.
With favorable Congressional
action, work will be pushed on
completing designs for the build
ings and preparation of the
grounds. The site of the fair it
self is to be in Anacostia Park.
west of Kingman Lake, and run
ming from Benning road to a point
south of East Capitol street. The
main entrance will be at East
Capitol street.
Also with approval of the appro-
priation, plan A" will 60 into
effect. This plan provides for the
construction of an amphitheater
in Rock Creek Park. the produc-
ton of symphonic drama"
based on the history of the Capital
with George Washington as the
central figure. and extensive pre-
liminary publicity work.
Paul Green Writing Drama.
The historical drama is being
written by Paul Green, Pulitzer
prize playwright, whose THE Lost
Colony" and THE Common
Glory" are given annual presen-
tations respectively at Manteo.
N. c., and Williamsburg, Va.
Edward Boykin. director of the
sesquicentennial commission, said
the drama by Mr.. Green has been
set for opening next June IS. On
April Is the ceremony of placing
the District cornerstone will be
re-enecated. but Mr.. Boykin said
the date for the actual opening
of the fair has not yet been de-
termined.
At the main entrance on East
Capitol street the visitor-the
commission estimated there will
be 100000 visitors in two years
will enter the fair grounds
through the Freedom House. This
is to contain priceless American
historical documents from the
Library of Congress. the National
! Archives and from the States, and
will be even more comprehensive
than what was shown on the Free
dom train.
Other Entrances.
Other entrances to the grounds
, would be provided from Benning
road and from the south, leading
to Pennsylvania avenue.
South of the entrance will be
the Pan American Building. hous-
ing exhibits of the Latin Amer
ican nations. To the north of the
entrance will be the Hall of States.
Between the Hall of States and
the lake will be three buildings
of heroic size, forming the letters
~" IS" and GA" The letter plan
of the buildings will be apparent
to visitors as they approach the
structures, since there Is drop
of so feet to the area where they
are to be built.
In these u. S. A. buildings will
be housed the exhibits of industry
and labor, and they are the only
exhibition buildings in which the
space will be sold. Space for the
exhibits of the Latin American
nations. the Government and the
States is to be provided by the
commission without charge.
If foreign nations participate in
the fair, their exhibits will be
housed in a structure between the
U. S. A. buildings and Benning
road.
104 Acres in Site.
The buildings are to be consid-
erably larger than planned orig
inally. when it was proposed that
the site of the fair be in West
Potomac Park. That site includes
only "a acres, while the Anacostia
site provides 104 acres.
Entertainment features are to
be situated on the two islands,
each about seven acres. in King
man Lake. Carter T. Barron.
executive vice chairman OF the
commission, made it clear to the
House Appropriations Committee
this will be in no respect a
"honkey tonk." He said the COM
mission believes it can create
bright and appropriate entertain
ment without having Sally Rand
in fan dance"
Sees S10,S61, 900 Return.
Mr.. Barron estimated the Fed
eral Government would get $10,-
861 900 in return for its invest
ment of $3,000,000 He itemized
it in this way:
Building and ground improve
ments (the main buildings would
be permanent ones of concrete
and steel and could be used for
other purposes after the fair).
s4,500 900; estimated tax revenue
from admissions. $1,500,ooo; esti-
mated net profit from the fair.
81, ,986 900, and the cost OF the
congressional and Federal ex-
lhibits to be borne by the COM
mission, $1,875, 900.
In addition, the District would
reap $4,000. 900 from the sales tax
lon visitors spending.
Mr.. Barron gave this break
down of estimates of expenses and
income:
Estimated Expenses.
al eonrras,