Evening star., 1954-06-08
Fine Arts Plan
Seen as Aid 10
Redeve|opn1ent.
Federal Music Hall
Held Possible Tie-in
ToSouthwest Project

Proposed national fine arts
legislation was seen today as q
possible tie-in to brighten the
prospects of the Zeckendorf
Southwest redevelopment plan.
John R. SearleS, executive
secretary of the District Rede-
velpoment Land Agency, pointed
to provisions in a bill introduced
by Representative Howell. Demo-
crat, Of New Jersey for building
a theater and music center here.
The multi-million- dollar re-
development proposal outlined
by William Zeckendorf. of New
York. envisioned an opera house
and music hall as the one feature
that could not be realized by pri-
vate capital. The whole plan
now is under years study by
the land agency and the firm Of
Webb and Knapp.
U. S. Funds Is Issue.
The question of expenditure Of
Federal funds, however, exhibit
ed itself as a matter of concern
throughout the morning session
of a hearing begun today by q
House Education and Labor Sub
committee on various pending
fine arts bills.
The big Howell bill includes
several features designed to
further the development of fine
arts in this country.
Among other things it would
establish the American National
War Memorial Arts Commission.
headed by the President as ex-
oflcio chairman. and including
members selected from public
agencies and from among "emi-
nent citizens"
There would be grants to the
States for development of fine
arts programs and projects. Pro-
visions in the bill also would
provide a roof for the Carter
Barron Amphitheater and erect
the Smithsonian Gallery of Art.
Tells of Slum Plan Tie-in.
Mr.. Searles. in pointing to the
relationship between provision
Of major cultural facilities and
the slum clearance program.
described to the subcommittee
the plans for redeveloping
Southwest Washington.
Asked for cost estimates on
the suggested music hall and
opera house. he said he had
heard the figure of $25 mill
lion. The convention hall also
proposed, would run an addi-
tional SIS to $40 million, he
added.
Mr.. Howell recalled that Mr..
Zeckendorf had stressed these
proposed Federal features in
outlining his plan and asked
whether it would be likely that
unless such Federal assistance
was given he might not want to
go through with 1t.
1T is certainly possible that
he might not" Mr.. Searles re-
piled. He added that $l0O mil
lion worth of other construction
could be expected to generate
from the presence of such q
building in the area under the
Zeckendorf proposal.
Cites Effect on Land Values.
How much land values in the
area would be increased by con-
struction of such halls was raised
by Chairman Bosch of the Arts
Foundation and Commissions
subcommittee. Mr.. Searles said
that, for one thing. there were
impressive changes in the area
of the United Nations Building
on the site of the old slaughter
house area in New York City.
Representative Javits of New
York picked the Arts Commits
sion phase of the bill as the one
he thought would do the most
good. although he said he was
not decrying it's other provisions.
He said this provision was
similar to the type of commits
sion he himself had proposed.
He envisioned the cost initially
at maximum of about $5 mil
lion.