Evening star., 1949-10-12
plans for. Sesquii
Pushed asFund
Clears Congress
Bill Before Trumun
Also Provides for
D. 6. Retroactive Paw
By Harold B. Roqers

py IIoFUIu .. NOSSIS
The National Capital Sesquicen-
tennial Commission, assured of a
100000 advance from the Fed
eral Treasury, today swung into
action to rush plans for celebra-
ton next year of the 15Oth ami
versary of the Federal city.
Only President Truman's sigma
ture to the first supplemental ap-
bill remains to make
the fund available. He had asked
Congress for the money and will
sign the legislation.
The supply bill. carrying funds
for many Federal and District
agencies, was whipped through
the House and Senate late yes
terday, after opponents of the
Freedom Fair failed to kill the
$3,000,0O0 item.
The measure will make available
also $4,205, 900 for retroactive pay
to District Government workers.
100000 to operate city day-care
centers and $103,065 to reimburse
three private hospitals for INDECENT
care.
Pageant Author Informed.
Early action to rush the sesqui-
centennial celebration was an
nounced today by Edward Boykin,
executive director of the commits
sion. and Carter T. Barron, execu-
tive vice chairman.
AS soon as Congress had ap-
proved the fund, Paul Green,
author. who is writing the
symphonic drama to be presented
in the open-air amphitheater In
Rock Creek Park, was reached by
telephone at Chapel Hill, N. C.
He reported the pageant, based
on the life of George Washington
and founding of the Federal City
here. is about half finished. Mr..
Green will come to Washington
next week to confer with officials
on construction of the amphi-
theater.
Mr.. Boykin announced a con-
ference has been scheduled with
the Commission of Fine Arts for
10 am. Monday. on architectural
plans for buildings of the Freedom
Fair on the 114-acre site at the
foot of East Capitol street, on the
shore of Kingman lake. An archi-
tects sketch of the proposed lay
out Of several buildings was made
public.
The major structure, to be
known as Freedom House" or the
Temple of Patriotism, will house
historic exhibits such as were
carried throughout the country
in the FREEDOM Train" There will
be buildings to house exhibits
from Federal and State Govern.
ments. the Pan American Union
and the United Nations.
3"U. S. A." Structures.
Three structures In the shape of
the letters U. S. A. are set aside
for participation by industry and
labor. Extensive offers already
have been made, it was said, for
cooperation by representatives
from all these groups.
Many States have pledged par
ticipation and appropriated funds,
the House was told yesterday by
Representative Mary Norton, DEM
ocrat, Of New Jersey, principal
defender of the appropriation dur
ing House debate.
The site for the Freedom Fair.
on Kingman Lake, is assured, Mr..
Boykin said. despite objections
raised against it from some quar-
tiers. Use of the site has been
authorized by the National Park
Service lin writing" Mr.. Boykin
said.
Mr.. Barron, in a statement
issued last night. pledged that
the Sesquicentennial Commission
will conduct its operations on q
completely nonpartisan and non
political basis"
Narrow Victory.
The appropriation squeezed
through the House by the narrow
margin of 164 to 159, after a Bit
ter fight on the floor. Repre-
sentative Taber, Republican, of
New York, tried unsuccessfully to
strike the 100000 fund by a
motion to recommit the whole
conference report on the supple
mental supply bill with instruc-
tions to House conferees to insist
that the Senate omit the money.
Opponents charged the money
was totally unnecessary" and that
a powerful lobby of business inter-
ests who would benefit by the
Freedom Fair had importuned
House members to vote for the ap-
preparation.
Most opponents attacking the
measure were Republicans, but
one Democrat. Representative
Jacobs of Indiana charged: Its
about time Washington was
weaned. Let the Washing
ton business people who gouge you
every time you go to them-let
them pay their own bills"
Mrs. Norton insisted the cele-
bration would not be local affair,
but a national one. She recalled
Congress had appropriated funds
for many celebrations in various
States, and said 1t should do the
same for the National Capitals
birthday anniversary.
The supply bill, in addition to
the $3.00o.000 for the celebration.
carries a total of about $4,903, 900
for District purposes.
Principal construction appro-
priation is $225,000 for altera-
tions and additions to the Bell
Vocational High School Building.
PTA to Give Program
The Cheverly- Tuxedo Parent
Teachers Association will present