Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-24
Architects Diverse Views on Capitol Project:
Vandalism Of Shrine to Improvement of Values

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Continued From First Page
ington's architecture - twice
has Endorsed the extension, in
1918 and in 1885.
Mr.. Swartwout, a former vice
chairman Of the commission,
testified in the Senate in 1897
THAT he had always been much
interested in this extension.
and ] talked about 1t q great
deal with the members of the
Fine Arts Commission" He
added:
IT know pretty well how they
feel. the architects in general
that have had experience with
this work. I think I have never
found any Of them who did not
think this was a good thing.
land I think it is myself abso-
llutely necessary to the compile
tion Of the Capitol"
/ The east front extension first
was proposed by Architect Of
the Capitol Thomas U. Walter
in 1864, to complete the effect
INTENDED when. under Mr.. Wal
ter's direction, the House and
Senate wings were built and
the present dome was built.
Since then, the extension has
been urged by every architect
Iof the Capitol and every con-
sulting architect who studied
land reported on it to Congress.
During the last three years,
resolutions opposing the extern
sion have been passed at ALA
convention.
Sentiment Not Unanimous
But even at the top level Of
the organization. the sentiment
has not been unanimous, and
on some occasions different
viewpoint has not been allowed
to be expressed to convention
delegates.
On June IL, 1856, for exam
lple, Edmund r. Purves, ALA
executive director, appeared
before a Senate Appropriations
subcommittee on behalf Of the
ALA to oppose an appropria-
ton for the extension, which
Congress subsequently granted.
Under questioning, however.
lMr, Purves admitted that a re-
port of q special ALA Commit-
tee on the National Capital
favoring the extension-was
disapproved by the ALA board
of directors at the 1855 con-
vention in Minneapolis and
never reached the convention
floor for a vote.
And in the same question:
ing two years ago. Mr..
Purves-who just last week is
sued a bitter blast against the
extension project = admitted
that he personally favored the
extension.
1856 Testimony Quoted
Following is a part of the
1856 Senate testimony:
Senator Hayden, Democrat
| of Arizona: why was the
Especial committee) report ig-
nored?"
Mr.. Purves: "The report was
not ignored. 1t was considered
at considerable length. But the
members of our board of direc-
tors, after listening to the re-
port of the committee and
other members who appeared
before them at that time, and
after a discussion Of the ques-
ton, arrived at the conclusion
that the board opposed the ex-
tension. It was rather obvious.
I think. Mr.. Chairman, that
there was disagreement"
Senator Hayden: THE COM
mittee appointed by the Ma
tional Association of Archi-
tects. known as the National
Capital Committee. made a
recommendation approving the
action that was proposed to
be taken here. The national
organization, / assume. that is
not as familiar with the facts
as the local committee that was
here to look into it, or that
was delegated especially to do
that, decided not to follow
their judgment. THAT is all
there is to it,"
Mr.. Purves: "That is it,"
Favored Original Proposal
Senator Clements, Democrat
of kentucky. then pressed Mr..
Purves for his personal senti-
ments. and asked whether he
favored the ALA committee
report. The exchange went this
way:
Mr.. Purves: "In answer to
your question, if / must answer
1t. Senator, l must say yes"
Senator Clements: you we're
in sympathy with the original
recommendation to extend it?"
Mr.. PurYes: Eyes, sir; I can
say that"
Senator Saltonstall, Repub-
lican of Massachusetts,: Then,
as to these national fellows
from all over the country who
don't know Washington, par
ticularly, you Just don't agree
with them?"
Mr.. Purves: "Well-"
Senator Saltonstall: IT never
knew architects to agree on
anything. so it is perfectly all
right to talk"
MIR. Purves: II wish this were
Of the record"
Mr.. Dewitt. in a statement
he has drawn up to explain
the position Of the architect
consultants on the east front
extension, says the opposition
OAR CHAPTER
~AkRRI.RRR 49,