Evening star., 1952-07-09

h&B11A~1B&N ~H&AEHNk
iagency wants to use the building
the figure for renovation is over
$500 900, whereas the District can
enter and use it without ST. from
the Federal Treasury. and only
with the use of a little of the
Districts funds. The building is
admirably suited for our needs in
its present state"
Fowler Cites History.
Walter Fowler, the District
budget officer. expressed similar
sentiments. He declared:
This building has too interest
ing history to the District of
Columbia and to posterity to be
|gutted out through renovation by
any agency. Some of the Nations S
most historic trials have been
held there. It's historic interest
alone is enough to recommend
its preservation. I am confident
lit the District Government took
lit over, it would always bear
these things in mind and see
that the building is properly pre-
served"
The history of the District Court
Building has been traced by DIR.
Laurence r. Schmeckebier, in his
book, "The District of Columbia
Its Government and Administra-
|tion." He wrote:
This building, which was orig
linally the City Hall. was erected
by the Corporation of Washington
about 1920. BY the act of March
I3. 1928, an appropriation of $10,-
900 was made by the United States
for furnishing apartments for the
circuit Court. In 1849, the west
wing was added and the United
States made an appropriation of
$4,000 to reimburse the corpora
ttion for the expense Of the build
ing.
The equity of the District of
Columbia in the building was COM
Ipletely extinguished by the act Of
March 8, 1873, which made an
appropriation Of $4,000 for the
purchase Of the interest Of the
District Of Columbia
Paid Part Of Reconstruction.
"An addition, entirely at the ex-
lpense of the United States, was
made in 1881, the appropriation
being 500, 900.
1.-THE building was reconstructed
from 1868. and the equity OF
the District Of Columbia was re-
lvived by the provision that, OF
the SUM appropriated. $795. 900,
half should be paid by the United
States and half by the District Of
Columbia. During recent years.
all appropriations for maintenance
and repairs have been charged to
the District OF Columbia and the
United States, according to the
prevailing ratio for division Of ex-
lpenses."
DR.. Schmeckebier also sketched
the history Of the courts here.
1.-THE Supreme Court of the Dis
trict Of Columbia. established by
act of March 3. 1853, took the
place Of the separate courts. known
as the Circuit Court. the District
Court and the Criminal Court. BY
act Of June 81, 1870. the Orphans
Court Of Washington County was
abolished. and its powers conferred
on the Supreme Court Of the Dis
trict of Columbia, sitting in special
term. When the District Code was
adopted in 1901, the name Of the
special term was changed from
Orphans Court to Probate Court. y
The name Of Supreme Court Of
the District was changed to Dis
trict Court by act Of June 25. 1886.
There are now 16 judges in that
tribunal.
Equity In Building.
David Lynn, architect Of the
Capitol. thus surveyed the courts
growth:
1.-THE buildings in Judiciary
Square. now occupied by the Dis
trict Court OF the United States
for the District of Columbia and
the United States Court Of Appeals
for the District Of Columbia, are
both owned by the Federal Gov
lernment, and the Federal Govern
ment holds the title to the real
estate. The District government