Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-16
Halt Proposed
10 RernodeIing
[ Of Capitol Front
Economv Resolution
Stirs Debute in
House Committee
BY DON s. WARREN


The House Rules Committee
today considered a proposed
resolution calling for a halt to
the $42 million project for the
Extension and remodeling of the
east front of the Capitol. but took
no action for the time being.
Representative Smith. Demo-
icrat of Virginia, Rules Commit
tee chairman, said there was con-
siderable debate in a closed ses-
sion that followed an open hear
ing but that no action was taken.
Hyde Resolution
A similar situation applied TO
"a resolution urged by Repre-
sentative Hyde. Republican of
Maryland, calling for a congres-
Isional joint committee to make
Ia study of major problems fac
ing the Washington metropolitan
area.
Both these resolutions belong
to the original jurisdiction of the
Rules Committee and If this
group so decides. it may later
order more extensive hearings
to which outside. or non-con-
gressional. witnesses may be iu-
vited to testify.
Chairman Smith said it had
not been decided yet If this
would be done either as to the
Hyde resolution or as to the
questions dealing with a post
ponement or more definite Ard
of the Capitol east front project.
Multi million dollar projects for
the extensive remodeling Of the
two present House Office Build
ings and the construction OF a
new. third House Office building
also were discussed today.
But as to the new House office
building. Chairman Smith and
Representative Brown. Rep ihli-
can of Ohio. commented that
this project already was under
way.
Reason for Proposal
The move to halt. for economy
reasons. the extension of the
east front Of the Capitol came
from Representative Ray. Re-
publican of New York. who told
the Rules Committee obviously.
lit is desirable TO effect econ
lomies wherever we can"
His resolution calls for APP
pointment of a joint committee
of nine members of the House
and Senate to consider whether
it is necessary to proceed with
the east front project at this
time.
Mr.. Ray argued that this
question first was considered in
1905 and that the go-ahead sig
nal with an original SIS million
appropriation. was not given un-
til so years later. He pointed
out that appropriations made to
date amount to SIT million but
that the congressional authority
seemed to be for blank check"
since Congress had authorized
additional obligations to cover
ultimate needs. without waiting
for actual appropriation Of cash.
So far, said Mr.. Ray, 81 mil
lion had been spent for various
plans and engineering surveys
and an additional 81 million had
been obligated.
The Hyde resolution. which
would authorize up to $4,000
for the proposed joint congress
sional study of metropolitan
problems would call for an ex-
animation of three main facets
Of the regional problems:
The problems created by the
growth and expansion of the
District and its Metropolitan
Area: how and with what degree
Of success such problems are
handled and resolved by the
various agencies and instru-
mentalities of the Government
charged with the duty Of re-
solving such problems; and how
the resolution of such problems
is affecting the affairs of the
District