Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-06-24
ThreeO Objections
To Authorizing
Bill Lodged
BY GRACE BASSETT
star stan Writer

River was protested by the
Federation Of Citizens Associa-
tons. The Women's Christian
Temperance Union asked for a
ban on the sale OF alcoholic
beverages in the stadium,
Financiers demanded a guar
antee from the Government
that interest payments on
bonds to finance the arena will
be made when due.
Representative Harris, DEM
ocrat Of Arkansas, who wrote
the stadium bill. opened testi-
mony with a prediction that
the stadium would be a boon
to Washington and the Nation.
Il personally am convinced
that both the Washington Red
skins and the Washington Sem
ators will sign long-term leases
Tor stadium use and play foot
ball and baseball there" he
said.
American League Pledge
Recognizing cons truction
hinged on successful negotia-
tons with football and base
ball clubs. Mr.. Harris inserted
in the record a pledge from the
American League that the Sen
atorS would use the stadium II
Cd the club can dispose Of
Griffith Stadium and 90 it is
offered satisfactory rentals at
the new sports center.
The Congressman said he
felt that there was mo ques-
ton about the second condi.
ton being met"
Senate Fiscal Subcommittee
Chairman Frear, Democrat Of
Delaware, held out hope for &C
ton by his Senate unit on the
bill this afternoon. A closed
session is set for 2:30 pm. The
Frear subcommittee sat Jointly
with the House Judiciary Sub
committee, headed by Repre-
sentative Abernethy. Democrat
Of Mississippi, this morning.
Lawyers Set to Work
Subcommitteemen, at Mr..
Abernethy's suggestion, ordered
attorneys of the District gov
eminent and the Treasury De.
partment to draft an amend.
ment to protect stadium bond.
holders from possible default
of interest payments. Lawyers
Immediately closeted them
selves in Senate District Com
mittee rooms to settle on
language.
The bill now calls for financ.
ing by bonds issued by the
District Armory Board. They
would be doubly backed by the
Treasury and the District. But
there is no provision for in.
terest payments by the Treas
ury If those payments are due
before Congress has appropri-
ated money in District budgets
to cover them.
Assistant Treasury Secretary
Lawrence B. Robbins assured
lawmakers that the Treasury
would meet this obligation, II
need be. But National Savings
and Trust Co. President Bruce
Baird. Second National Bank
President John A. Reilly
and James M. Johnston, Of
Johnston, Lemon g. Co., in
sisted the promise ought to be
written into the law.
Only Snag to Clearance
This appeared to be the only
snag to quick clearance by
committees on both sides Of
Congress.
The site ringed by Consti.
tuition and Independence ave-
nues beside the Anacostia was
questioned by both Represent
alive Hyde, Republican Of
Maryland. and Abernethy.
Morris Kanfer, representing
the Federation Of Citizens
Association, maintained that a
stadium east Of the Armory
would create the future slums
of Washington. Traffic bottle
necks and packed parking
Cnere would encourage looting,
he said. He recommended, in
stead, the site Of the National
Training School for Boys on
Bladensburg road.
"VOices in Wilderness"
Mr.. Kanfer agreed citizens
protests might be voices in the
wilderness" He said the mat
ter rested with the lawmakers.
He hoped the federation would
not have TO return to Capitol
Hill in several years to say I'VE
told you So"
The site called for in the bill
and also in a previous author
ization was strongly supported
by National Park Service d.
rector Conrad L. With and
Robert E. Mclaughlin, presi-
dent Of the District Board Of
Commissioners.
the location before a House
Appropriations Subcommittee
tomorrow.
Mr.. Mclaughlin called on
Highway Director J. N. Robert
son to assure the subcommittee
that highways planned TO De
completed within three y. rs
would adequately serve the