Evening star., 1949-08-16
; Million Voted
For orSesquiFair
On 7 New Sites
House Group Backs
East Capitol Street
And Rock Creek Park
By Harold B. ROGERS

W iioIoio y. No9SiS
The House Appropriations
Committee today approved So
100000 for the National Capital
Sesquicentennial Commission to
launch the Freedom Fair next
year on two major sites, at the
foot of East Capitol street and
Rock Creek Park.
The committee acted favorably
on this new plan after having re-
jected previous requests for ap-
for a celebration
centered at different locations.
Previously. it was disclosed in
testimony before the committee,
the commission had run into diff
f1culties on earlier sites on the
Washington Monument grounds
and in West Potomac Park. These
locations were abandoned and
the new plan, now approved by
the Appropriations Committee.
centers most of the exposition on
the site of more than 100 acres
in the area between the District
armory and the Anacostia River.
Called ."Sounder Approach"
In its report, approving the
S3,000.000 item for inclusion in
the first supplemental appropria-
ton bill reported to the House.
the committee said revised
plans more recently submitted to
the committee reflected a sounder
approach to the program than
those submitted earlier in the
present session of Congress.
While this project should not.
of course. be considered solely on
financial returns to the Govern
ment,.' the report declared. lit is
nonetheless incumbent, to ques-
committee. as always, to ques-
ton seemingly unwise expendi-
ture of public funds"
While the committee is de.
sirous of att least solvent opera
ton. it ndw appears that there
even may be some slight profit
to the Treasury of the United
States. Accordingly, the COM
mittee is recommending the full
amount of the estimate in order
that this national event may be
carried out in accordance with
the approved legislative author
ity."
New Plan Explained.
The committee acted after hear
ing an extensive explanation of
the new sesquicentennial plan
from Carter T. Barron, executive
vice chairman, and Edward Boykin.
director of the Sesquicentennial
Commission.
Their testimony, disclosed for
the first time today, explained in
detail the revised plan.
The commission intends to
launch its work first with an elab-
crate program of promotion to
explain to the Nation the purpose
of the celebration to commemorate
the establishment of the Federal
city here $50 years ago.
The first construction would be
in Rock Greek Park on a site pre-
viously selected where an outdoor
amphitheater seating 5000 persons
would be erected for presentation
of historical symphonic drama
based on history and founding Of
the National Capital"
No Honky- Tonk Atmosphere.
The construction on the big
area at the foot of East Capitol
street would follow later, Mr..
Barron explained. after the COM
mission has rented to exhibitors
space and the buildings there.
The principal exhibit building
would be known as Freedom
House."
Emphasizing that the entertain-
ment area, probably along King
man Lake. definitely will not have
a honky-tonk atmosphere, Mr..
Barron said it is hoped to make
the place "a veritable sea of light,
symphony, music and color"
Mr.. Barron estimated the fair
should run for two seasons and
attract 100000 admissions. He
told the committee the Federal
Government should be reimbursed
for the $3,000,000 advanced and
that the District government
would benefit substantially from
operation of its sales tax on pur-
chaseS by those attending the fair.