Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-07-27
Backers Urge
Action Now on
CuItureCenter
Bowling Offers
Aid in Compoisn
For Public Funds
THE SUNDAY sTARA-l5
Washington. D. @. {"
SUNDAY, luLY -, Iosa
BY JAMES @. DEANE
star star writer

BY JAMES @. DEANE
star star Writer
A move TO keep legislation
for a Washington National Cul-
tural Center from being by
at this session Of Con-
gress developed on several
fronts yesterday.
Rear Admiral Neil Phillips
(retO. chairman OF the Com
mittee Of 100 on the Federal
City. made public a letter 10
members Of a House sdbcom-
mittee urging an immediate
hearing and favorable action
on the project.
Commissioner Robert Z. Me-
Laughlin disclosed he will ask
his two fellow Commissioners
Tuesday to join in a similar
appeal. q
Bowling Offers Aid
And the Office Of Representa-
tive Thompson. Democrat Of
New Jersey. a sponsor OF the
legislation. made public an Of
fer from Robert w. Bowling,
New York theater leader, to
help raise private funds to buy
part Of the land for the pro-
posed center. The land question
is apparently one Of the stun
bling blocks in the way OF
favorable congressional action.
The Senate already has APP
proved a bipartisan bill author
izing creation Of the proposed
center. The center for the per-
forming arts under the bill
would be located in Foggy Bot
tom, on a l0-acre site bounded
by New Hampshire avenue.
Twenty-sixth street, Rock
Greek and Potomac parkway
and approaches to the new
Theodore Roosevelt Bridge.
Most Of this site already ID
owned by the District and Fed
eral Governments. But one acre
in the middle is owned by the
Heurich brewing family. This
plot. appraised at some $780,
900, would have to be pur-
chased.
Bill Awaits Hearing &
The Senate approved bill
now is awaiting action by the
public buildings and grounds
subcommittee of the House
Committee on Public Works.
Originally it was expected that
the unit would schedule a pub
lie hearing soon after the Sem,
ate action, which occurred on
June 20. But so far the hear
ing has not materialized.
! Representative Jones, Demo-
crat Of Alabama. the subcom-
mittee chairman, could not be
reached yesterday. Representa-
tive McGregor, Republican Of
Ohio. subcommittee member
who is co-sponsoring the bill
with five other House members,
said he did not know Mr.. Jones'
intentions.
However, Mr.. McGregor said
he personally would be willing
to participate in a hearing at
any time. He added:
1T wouldn't take much time
to have a hearing and get a
decision from the committee"
In his letter to subcommittee
members Admiral Phillips said
his organization is greatly con-
cerned that Congress might adj
journ before House action on
the center. I
"We believe that it is urgent
to get this bill on the floor Of
the House this session." the
Phillips letter said.
The letter pointed out that
failure to obtain such action
now would necessitate starting
the bill through Congress from
scratch at the next session.
Even more important" the
letter stated. lis the fact, due
to interest aroused all over the
country as a result of the BruS-
sells Fair. the cultural exchange
programs with foreign coun-
tries, and the awakening inter-
est in our national cultural
standing. that there is at pres
ent an enthusiasm for a cul-
tural center in Washington.
Cites Public Concern
I'm fact there is deep con-
Germ on the part of the public
over the fact that Washington.
among all the great capitals Of
the world. lacks a proper home
for the performing arts" Ad-
miral Phillips added.
The District Commissioners
already have told Congress they
support the project and the site.
They have also Endorsed a pro-
posal to acquire the privately
held portion Of the site with
Capper-Cramton Act funds,
used by the National Capital
Planning Commission in ac-
curing park land. Such an
expenditure would have to be
repaid later by the District.
Mr.. Dowling's telegram, sent
to Representative Thompson.
Mr.. Mclaughlin and other
leaders Friday. apparently rep
resented an alternative SUCCESS
ton. The proposed use Of
Capper-Cramton funds report
eddy has met objections within
the Jones subcommittee.
Mr.. Bowling, who is CHAIR
man Of he American National
Theater and Academy and has
been prominent in the cultural
| center planning. wired that he