Evening star., 1953-08-14


to be surmounted first. Chances
of the temporary buildings being
demolished soon are mighty slim.
Identification of downtown
Washington was materially aided
by prior Republican adminiStra-
tions. The Coolidge and Hoover
administrations particularly had
a first-hand interest in con-
Structing the I'riangle-from
Third to Fifteenth streets NV,
bounded by Pennsylvania and
Constitution avenues. In this
gigantic program, a host Of eye
sores was demolished, and in
their stead, the Government
erected the present monumental
structures that house some of
the important departments.
But the Republicans of that
day also concerned themselves
with construction of the Supreme
Court building. a new Conserva-
tory and Botanic Garden, en-
largement of the Capitol
Grounds and development of
the Union Station Plaza, as well
as other projects.
Precedent for Party.
So Republicans of today have
ample precedent for beautify-
ing the National Capital. Now
the temporary buildings are
cheek by jowl with some of the
Capitals landmarks. They were
erected in World Wars 1 and II.
The General Services Admin
istration-apart from military
nstallationS-is authorized by
law to pay rent for Government
agencies for the most part. But
GSA's budget has been slashed.
Under mandate of Congress,
GSA must cut it's rental funds
from % to Is per cent between
now and January all over the
country. Since January /, Of
ficials point out, GSA has va
Gated 3 million square feet of
space Nationwide.
Ten per cent of this was in
the Washington area.
In this new fiscal year, GSA
will have nearly $6 million less
to pay for rent than it did last
year nationally. 1t is now en-
gagged in evaluating the budget
for the fiscal year 1855, with
promises of continued econo-
mics.
All this means officials must
use every bit of Government
owned space they have, they say
- and use 1t more effectively.
Government agencies are being
shifted out of high-priced leased
space into Government-owned
structures, including the tenn
porary buildings that clutter up
the Mall. Potomac Park and
other areas.
Terms of Departure.
GSA officials emphasize the
temporary Office buildings will
not go until:
/. The Government decentral-
ICES or disperses a goodly num-
ber of Federal workers out of
Washington.
2. There is additional Federal
construction outside the Ma
tional Capital to house Govern
ment operations. (The space sit
uation is just as tight outside
Washington as it is here).
3. There is a radical net re-
duction in Government personnel
Or a sizeable public building
program here.
One of the big factors is that
the Federal Government is now
paying $4,093,372 in the District
area alone for rent, annually.
Commissioner w. E. Reynolds
of the Public Buildings Service
Of GSA, said: There is no
chance to get rid of the tempor-
ary buildings until the space sit
uation is relieved here.
THE policy is to get out of
leased space into Government
owned space so as to live within
GSA expenditures.
I'VE have no plan now foT the
disposal of the temporary build
ings. We are not going to Con-
gresS with any plan at this time.
There is no chance of getting rid
of the temporary buildings un-
less there is an extensive reduc-
ton in Government personnel in
Washington. The only alterna-
tive is authorization by Congress
THO CTTND V'C