Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-08-16
Architects Apology
To Rayburn Asked
SchwengeI Cites
Abusive Attacks
On East Front
BY GEORGE BEvERDGE
star staff Writer

lCdu 4uSblCuIt OI AfCIllVeCJS 10
respectfully apologize" to
Speaker Rayburn for abusive
attacks" made against him in
connection with the Capitol's
east front extension.
Representative Schwengel of
Iowa took the House floor
yesterday with a lengthy, Free
wheeling statement to strike
back at "a small band of dis
senters" which he charged has
swung the ALA policy against
the extension.
This small group, the Iowa
Republican said, has maligned
Democratic Leader Rayburn
with language and charges that
are untrue, unfair. unfortunate
and unwarranted."
He called on the Ala to send
a committee to see Mr.. Rayburn
and "bravely confess its error"
The east front controversy
ended for all practical purposes
on Thursday when the Senate
conclusively killed objections
against the long planned
project.
Bids to erect scaffolding we're
invited yesterday by the Office
of the Architect of the Capitol.
Bids will be opened and con-
tracts placed next Wednesday.
The scaffolding will probably
start going up early the follow
ing week.
Cites Accusations
Mr.. Schwengel said he was
still concerned, however, with
the accusations of some archi-
tects that Mr.. Rayburn was "a
vandal," "a mutilator," and ian
arrogant politician" who
"sneaked" the project through
Congress.
Actually, Mr.. Schwengel ar
gued, the real split in the east
front fight has been among
architects themselves.
He noted, for example, that
the present extension plans
have been drawn and actively
supported by prominent archi-
tectS. And for the last several
decades, he said, most of the
prominent classical architects
who have produced some of the
Nations most priced buildings
have favored the extension.
when the Ala seeks to
stamp the onus of architectural
ignorance on the advocates of
extension" he said, "they by
pass the greatest architectural
names in their midst. and pre-
tend that Speaker Rayburn is
the villain"
Sees CamOufiage
Turning to the architects he
said have used abusive Ian
guage," Mr.. Schwengel de-
clared..
ut is their technique to
raise so much noise, largely
around the Speaker, that the
disturbance will distract atten-
ton from their own disagree
ment. And thus all the blows
which they aim to rain upon
each other, as architects in
controversy, will fall upon Sam
Rayburn, whom they take it
upon themselves to characterize
as the historic barbarian"
The Iowan said there was
only one way the ALA can get
"a respectful hearing" before
the American people in the
dispute:
II urge the ALA formally. by
written message and through
q committee, to bravely con-
fess its error.
II suggest that they seek
admission to Speaker Sam Ray
burn, and respectfully apollo
gize. They may then resume.
If they like, in the manner Of
"a distinguished professional
society, to oppose the extension
Of the east front"
Converts to idea
Mr.. Schwengel noted that
both he and Mr.. Rayburn have
strongly opposed the extension
at periods in the past, but that
they both have become ardent
supporters Of it since learning
more about its need and effects.
Since his own conversion last
year, Mr.. Schwengel said, he
has made it a practice wheA-
ever he read critical statements
of the project to "call the
author" and ask If he person.
ally had visited the Capitol to
investigate the extension. In
variably, he said. the answer
was mo-" at which times the
lawmaker invited the critics for
a personally conducted tour.
ITO this date" Mr.. Schwen-
gel said. Il have not had one
acceptance to this invitation.
Mr.. Schwengel said he got
some light needing from his
Republican colleagues about
coming to the defense Of Mr..
Rayburn, but that he hasn't
minded that.
And next week, the Iowan
added. he intends to put in the
record a complete list Of archi-
tect-opponents' charges and his
answers to them.