Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-07-09
Pressed
For Extension
OF State Dept.
BY DON S. WARREN

State Department officials
were given a friendly reception
today when they appeared be-
fore the Senate Appropriations
Committee to urge approval of
an outlay of $44.9 million for an
extension of the State Depart
ment Building.
The House Appropriations
Committee already has recon-
mended approval of this sum to
extend the present building
erected some years ago at
Twenty-flrst street and Virginia
avenue.
The case was presented by
10y w. Henderson, deputy un-
derSecretary handling the build
ing project. He brought out that
the original cast was $50 million
but that this had been cut back
to $57.4 million. This figure
includes $1.8 million already APP
propriated by Congress for plan
ming and design.
Space for $1,000 Cars
Senator Hayden, Democrat of
Arizona, committee chairman,
and other members, inquired
about parking arrangements.
Mr. Henderson and his aides
said there would be provision
for parking 800 cars in the build
ing, on the first floor and base
ment, and that smother 1000
spaces would be provided on a
nearby open air loft pros
pectiVe plans work out. This
was contingent to some degree
on final details of plans for
the projected Constitution ave-
nue. bridge. and its approaches.
Mr.. Henderson brought out
that the extension would triple
the size of the State Depart
ment building and provide for
"a central home for department
personnel now scattered among
30 different buildings.
The committee devoted more
time and questions to a request
for Sl13,500 to provide for rental
space and alterations for the
housing of most of the staff
of the Administrative Office Of
the United States Courts, now
housed in the Supreme CouSs
Building.
Henry P. Chandler for the
administrative Office said Chief
Justice Earl Warren had advised
him the court needs some of
the space and wanted some of
the administrative Office per-
sonnet relocated.
Mr.. Chandler said it was hoped
a new building for the admin
istrative Offices could be pro-
vided in the vicinity Of the Su-
preme Court.
Burton Calls for Fund
The case for the fund fol-
renting space in the meantime
was presented to the committee
by Justice Harold Burton.
Senator Hayden said one OF
the reasons why the admin
iStratlve Office was created was
that in earlier years the work
was not being adequately done
at the Justice Department. He
also brought up the question of
a new home for the Court of
Claims and asked whether Gov
eminent officials were planning
to build this in the vicinity of
the Capitol. A spokesman for
the Government Services Admin
istration said he thought that
was the plan.
Senator Ellender, Democrat
OF LOUISIANA. renewed his oft
repeated protest that THE Gov
eminent is growing so big,
fear some day it will fall and
crush me. He wanted to know
why the administration Office
didn't try to reduce its staff
instead of increasing it. Pend
ing is a request for employment
OF l8 more persons on its staff.
Senator Ellender said there
would be a lot Of space in the
new Senate Office Building, now
under construction, and suggest
ed the administrative Office
might be able to use some of that
instead of renting more else
where.
Amid bursts of laughter
Chairman Hayden quickly inter-
Jected: Il guarantee we won t
give you one square foot of space
there"