Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-22
House Indorses
Plan 10 Extend
Front Of Capitol
Action Interpreted
AS Advancing Move
To Enlarge Building

Extension and completion of
the east central front Of the
Capitol has been proposed by
the House.
Adopting a resolution to this
effect by voice vote yesterday,
the House recommended that the
Architect of the Capitol be
authorized to take steps to ex-
tend the original central part of
the building by about 40 feet.
The legislation was proposed
by the House administration
Committee in the form of a
simple House resolution, which
requires no action by the Senate
nor signature by the President.
1t carries only the recommended
ton of the House and lays no
responsibility on the Architect
OF the Capitol to act.
But the vote, believed to be
the first of its kind in the House.
was interpreted as a forecast of
further legislation to enlarge the
structure, complete its archi-
tectural design and provide more
working space for Congress.
Senate Acted Earlier
The Senate previously had
passed legislation to authorize
the project, but the House had
never acted favorably until yes
terday.
For years, attempts had been
made to get Congress to approve
extension of the central front of
the Capitol to bring it into better
architectural balance with the
huge dome, which appears to
overhang the east front. De-
mands for more Office and res
taurant space repeatedly have
been voiced on the floors of each
chamber and before committees.
The movement which resulted
in passage of the House resolu-
ton yesterday began with an in
vestigation of complaints about
inadequate service of restaurant
facilities in the Capitol.
The House Administration
Committee appointed subcon-
mittee headed by Representative
Lesinski. Democrat, of Michigan,
to investigate.
Lack of sufficient space was
the principal cause Of the made
quate service, the subcommittee
found. The full committee, in
closed session, drafted two reso-
lutions, reported them favorably
to the House floor for the first
time late yesterday and both
passed by voice vote.
Move Recommended
One recommended transfer of
womarl's beauty parlor from
the ground floor of the new House
Office Building to a place in the
old House Office Building to en-
large the space available in the
new buildings cafeteria. This
would be subject to action later
by the House Office Building
Commission, headed by House
Speaker Rayburn.
The second, and more far
reaching resolution, recon-
mended action by Architect of
the Capitol J. George Stewart to
complete the east central front
of the Capitol. This would be
based on legislation passed by
the Senate in 1887 and also on
chart prepared by a former
Architect of the Capitol to a
House Appropriations subcom-
mittee in the 83d Congress. The
proposal often has been discussed
but no conclusive action ever has
been taken.
This chart estimates the cost
Of the project at SIS million,
with two years required for con-
struction after plans are COM
pleted.
The design would be identical
with that of the present build
ing but would extend the east
front by 40 feet. providing much
more space for Congress in hear
ing room. offices and a restaurant
See CAPITOL, Page Al