Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-08-23
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Foggy Bottom center.
An August plea for passage
sent Congress by Mr.. Eisen-
hover was cited yesterday as
debate opened in the House.
Then, the center was over
whelmingly Endorsed, 261 to IS,
by the House.
The Senate passed the bill
unanimously less than four
hours later.
Bipartisan Support
In the House, 154 Democrats
and lot Republicans voted for
the center. Determined OPPOSE
ton led by Republican Repre-
sentatives Gross of Iowa and
Mack of Washington, rallied 81
Republicans and e Democrats
against the bill.
Bill sponsors won unexpected
and strong support from Rep
resentative Smith. Democrat of
Virginia, who lauded the legis-
lation as guaranteeing Wash
ington "a magnificent build
ing"
whats more, we get 1t free"
Representative Smith told the
House during a 40-minute de-
bate.
Talk barely was understand
able over the conversations Of
members on the floor until Rep
resentative Wright, Democrat
of Texas, snapped them to at
tention by declaring:
1.-THE time has come for us
to stop poking fun at the cul-
tural and intellectual develop
ment of our Nation.
IT am a corn-fed farmboy.
I plead guilty to my share of
poking fun at culture. But we
as a Nation have reached a
maturity that demands a stop
to this kind of talk"
Both Sides Applaud
Applause from both sides Of
the aisle greeted his remarks.
Then one Representative after
another, both Republicans and
Democrats. stood up to urge
passage of the cultural center
measure.
1t would place the center on
a 9.4-acre tract, bounded by
Rock Creek parkway, New
Hampshire avenue, the pro-
posed Inner Loop freeway and
approaches to the Theodore
Roosevelt bridge.
Brought to the House under
suspension Of the rules, the
amended House bill was
adopted with a financial guar
antee picked up later by the
Senate.
This requires all money to
build the center to be raised in
five years. Otherwise, funds
collected by private subscrip-
ton will be turned over to the
Smithsonian Institution for an
art museum in the Civil Serv-
ice Commission Building.
Mr.. Gross disputed the claim
Of Representative Thompson,
Democrat of New Jersey, major
bill sponsor, that the legisla-
ton would not cost the Federal
Government zone nickel"
Mr.. Gross said the Govern
ment would be forced to give
IS million worth of land for
the site and to loan $650,00O
for land not yet acquired by
the National Capital Planning
Commission.
Who wants this center any,
way?" Mr.. Gross demanded.
1--WE read reports that all
Americans want a cultural CEN
ter because the lack Of one de-
tracts from our international
prestige"
The Iowa Republican branded
efforts ITO keep up with the
international Joneses."
Representative Mack, speak
ing also for Representative
Auchincloss, Republican of New
Jersey, who was absent, said
there was mot q bit Of good
business judgment in the cul-
tural center bill"
Challenges were answered
mainly by Mr.. Thompson and
Representative Jones, Demo-
crat Of Alabama, who headed
the Public Works Subcommit-
tee, which reported the bill to
the floor over objections of
Representatives Mack and
AuchinclosS in committee.
Taxpayers Pledged
Some 80 acres of the site now
are owned by the Federal Gov
eminent, Mr.. Jones pointed out.
The remaining IL acres are to
be acquired by the National
Capital Planning Commission,
whether or not the cultural
center is built.
But If the cultural center is
put on the land, the District
Commissioners already have
pledged that the total acquisi-
ton cost Of $650.000 win be re-
paid in full by District tax
payers.
1--WE should be pleased that
the citizens Of Washington are
taking the obligation upon
themselves to help build a ma
tional cultural center in this
magnificent city" interjected
Representative Fulton, Republic
can of Pennsylvania. He noted
that Pittsburgh citizens are
building a similar center at
public expense.
Representative Thompson
told fIa EYotfca thu fdao ~ fha