Evening star., 1949-04-18
By WIIiom A. MiIlen


Federal Works Administrator. IA
vors tearing down temporary
buildings here at the proper time
But as a practical measure. he
believes decentralization Of the
Government or new buildings here
are the real answer.
National Capital Sesquicenten-
nial Commission officials. prepar-
ing for Washington's 150th birth
day celebration next year. want
the temporary buildings torn down
to beautify the city. This drive
was given a squirt last week with
President Truman's suggestion
that this celebration should be a
Freedom Fair" and his interest
in commission plans for exhibition
buildings.
These would be built south Of
the Rejecting Pool OF the Lin
coin Memorial and on the Polo
Field in Potomac Park. This pro-
gram. If made effective. would get
rid Of q number Of temporary
buildings south Of the Navy and
Munitions buildings.
Gen. Fleming pointed out that
the National Security Resources
Board believes there should be a
dispersal of government as well
as industry. as a national de-
fense measure. Large government
buildings clustered too closely to-
gether make too ideal a target for
enemy bombers. he said.
Accordingly. ! look for some
dispersal Of Government activities
throughout the country from
Washington" Gen. Fleming told
The Star. I'VE will have to move
out Of Washington some agencies
that can operate as well away
from the Capital as here"
Studied by Hoover Group.
He did not specify which agen-
cies he had In mind. The Hoover
Commission Is understood to be
studying this subject also.
Gen. Fleming pointed out that
the Railroad Retirement Board
has been moved to Chicago and Is
likely to stay there. He said 1t
is a logical location for the board.
because virtually every railroad
has an Office In Chicago. He said
that positions. rather than people.
would be decentraliZed. He added
that many people would refuse to
leave Washington and would OBJ
tain other employment here In the
event Federal agencies are moved.
Il look for q repetition Of the
decentralization programs" Gen.
Fleming said. That would relieve
the temporary building situation
here"
But he Is frank to say he sees
no immediate remedy In sight.
I'VE would have TO get authority
from Congress to decentralize. "
he declared.
The National Park Service. Sc
curities and Exchange Commis-
sion. the immigration and Natur-
alization Service and the Patent
Once were among Government
agencies moved out Of Washing
ton In recent years. But they are
now back.
President Truman recently
asked for authority TO revamp the
executive branch Of the Govern
ment. II Congress grants this II
will be another factor bearing on
The temporary buildings here
u. 8. Owns Suitland Tract
Gen. Fleming said the Govern
ment already owns q large tract
,f land at Suitland. Md. He has
n mind constructing more Fed |
.ral buildings there. Already 10
.ated at Euitland are the Nays
photographic Once and the Com
nerce Departments Census Build
ng.
A film storage building is now
mder construction there 70 house |
he nlns that were vastly in-I
:reased during the recent war.
Ind FWA wants 70 build . new
CENSUS Building at Suitland 70
are for the 1850 census.
Gen. Fleming said the Andrews
lirbase parkway Affords easy ac-
,ess from downtown Warrington /