Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-08-18


For Southwest
U. S. Construction
Not Vitol in War
Cleared by ODM
New Federal buildings could be
constructed in Washington for
activities not essential in time
Of war. under a policy laid down
by the Office of Defense Mobili-
Zation.
This was disclosed by Director
Arthur S. Flemming Of ODM in
a letter received yesterday by
Chairman Dondero Of the House
Public Works Committee.
The letter, commenting on
pending legislation to authorize
the use Of a new lease-purchase
law in redevelopment Of South
west, Washington. declared that
demolition of temporary build
ings in the National Capital area
is desirable"
Tempos Vulnerable.
In reply to Chairman Dom
dero's request for ODM COM
ment on the Auchincloss bill
for Federal buildings in the re-
development of Southwest Wash
ington under the lease-purchase
program, Mr.. Flemming wrote:
Demolition Of the temporary
buildings along the Mall and
elsewhere in the Capital Area
is desirable not only for aesthetic
reasons, but also from the
security consideration Of elimi-
mating facilities that. are ex-
tremely vulnerable to enemy at
tack and a fire hazard.
There is no objection to the
general idea of redeveloping
Southwest Washington by re-
moving obsolete structures and
replacing them with residential,
commercial and cultural facili-
ties. This redevelopment should
be carried out in such a manner
as to achieve a net reduction in
population density in the sec
ton as part of the redevelop-
ment plan.
New facilities in the section
for housing Federal activities
should be limited to those not
performing functions that would
be essential in time of war.
Follows Conference.
"The bill should provide or
authorize use Of the lease-pur-
chase act for the establishment
of dispersed facilities in the
vicinity of the Nations Capital
to house essential functions dis
placed by demolition Of the tenn
buildings"
The Flemming letter was con-
sidered highly important on
Federal construction policy,
since it followed closely a Discus
sion Of the subject by high-level
executives last week end at the
Thurmont MD conference at
President Eisenhower's summer
camp retreat. Camp David.
In line with the Governments
policy of dispersal of vital agen-
cies needed in war is the pend
ing proposal to build a new of
flee for the Atomic Energy Com
mission about 80 miles from
Washington. This project, al
ready approved by the House
Public Works Committee and
now pending before the Senate
Public Works Committee for its
Endorsement, would be built un-
der the new lease-purchase law.
Clarifies April Policy.
The decision of ODM, after the
Thurmont conference, to permit
construction of new Federal
buildings in Washington for
non-vital agencies is further
Qualification of the policy of last
April. on dispersal of Offices for
essential wartime services.
At that time the ODM told
executive agencies the President
had directed, in order to provide
greater IA. -'rance that Govern
ment active. =, would not be
interrupted in event of attack:
1. That new Federal buildings
not be constructed in critical
target areas unless there is need
for an exception.
2. That. in the interest of
economy, existing facilities APP
propriately located be used to
the extent practicable.
3. That the director of the
ODM establish standards for
the uniform application of this
policy.
The statement Of standards
then indicated that new con-
struction for the Executive
Branch should De located 10
miles or more from the perimeter
Of an urban target zone or major
military installation. It has
been known, however, that this
l0-mile specification has been re-
studied.
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