Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-08-03
Southwest Plan
Given Support;
Questions Aired
Position Of ODM
On Building Sites
Roised at Hearing
By Harold B. Rogers

Legislation to authorize the son
called Zeckendorf redevelopment
of Southwest Washington was
strongly supported before the
House Public Works Committee
today, but several questions were
raised by Government officials
who would be involved. The
hearing was on a bill to author
ize redevelopment of the South
west section.
Backing the plan, as authorized
by a bill sponsored by Repre-
sentative Auchincloss, Republic
can, of New Jersey were officials
Of the District Redevelopment
Land Agency and the New York
firm Of Webb & Knapp, headed
by William Zeckendorf.
Questions about the future of
such a plan were raised by Com
missioner of Public Buildings
Peter A. Strobel of General Serv-
ices Administration and DR..
Leonard Carmichael, secretary of
the Smithsonian Institution.
ODM Policies Considered.
Mr.. Strobel said that GSA IA
vors completely the object of the
pending legislation to clear up
the Southwest section. But he
told the committee that I'VE are
not sure that very large center
Of that nature would conform
to the policies of the Office of
Defense Mobilization"
This was apparently in refer
ence to the high-level authority
Of the ODM to fix pilicy on the
location of Federal buildings in
view of the possibility of an
enemy attack on Washington.
Committee aides said the ODM
had not yet replied to a COM
mittee question for comment on
the Auchincloss bill which would
authorize redevelopment of the
Southwest under the general
provisions of the Lease-Purchase
law recently enacted by Congress.
But the measure would make
minor changes in the new act.
The Southwest section as rede-
veloped would include Federal
buildings to replace temporary
buildings on the present Mall,
and under the Auchincloss bill,
would also call for large residen-
tial sections.
Strobel in Full Accord.
Mr.. Strobel said that he was
In full accord with the proposed
removal of temporary Govern
ment buildings on the Mall. He
said he was aware of the "eye-
sores" headaches and occupa-
tional disadvantages of the tenn
poraries." ~ zx
But under the new lease par.
chase law and the Auchincloss
bill, he told the committee that
in his opinion GSA could not
solve the temporary problem un-
less Congress would appropriate
additional funds to do it.
UnderI the lease-purchase
principle. he pointed out. the
Government can use rent money
now being paid to the owners
OF private buildings occupied by
the Government in order TO use
this rent money toward the in
stallment purchase of Govern
ment structures.
But he pointed out the Gov
eminent is paying no rent for the
temporary Federal buildings on
the Mall. So there would be no
rent money to apply toward the
1nstallment buying of the build
ings to replace them.
DR.. Carmichael told the COM
mittee the Smithsonian long has
needed new building and the
regents Of the institution already
have made studies for such
structures. Since, however, the
regents had not the opportunity
to study the Auchincloss bill. he
suggested the committee remove
the Smithsonian from the bill.
This probably would facilitate
consideration of the measure.
he said.
Enactment. Urged.
John "A. Remon, chairman of
the District Redevelopment Land
Agency, strongly urged enact
ment Of the pending measure.
He said the RIA has signed a
Memorandum of Understand
ing" with the Zeckendorf ORGAN
ization.
He said the RIA was working
with the firm and with other
key agencies to produce q re-
development plan acceptable to
all concerned.
Replacement of the tempo
raries he described as q "key
objective" Of the plan.