Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-08-15

Inc scaH0idlng VIII serve Two
purposes. One ~ to provide
access 10 all parts Of the front
for marble workers, to make
measurements, molds and toI
remove portions Of the front
for reproduction. The other
purpose is to prevent any por-
tons Of the old wall from fall
ing to the ground.
Speaker Rayburn, chairman
Of the House-Senate commits
sion. said he was tremendous
ly grati1ed" by the Senate
action.
Il guess It shows" he said,
that a good number Of the
people who work in the Capitol,
love 1t and know 1t well, don't
consider that this improvement
is vandalism, as some folks
have said"
The Speaker said he expects
the extension to be completed
by January. 1861. in time for
the next presidential Inaugural
ton, traditionally held at the
East Front. Architects working
on the project. however, said
this target date would be a
tight squeeze. They estimate
that the marble alone, for ex-
ample. will require 20 months
for full delivery after it is
ordered.
Senator Knowland, who led
the floor fight for the extern
sion. disclosed that It was he
who insisted that the opposition
bill be brought before the
Senate for a conclusive vote.
Pledged 10 Results
Prior to yesterday. it was felt
that the bill would not be
brought up and that the COM
mission would order the con-
struction start as soon as Con-
greSs a adjourned. Senator
Knowland. however, said he
felt an obligation TO the Senate
committee which had approved
the opposition bill. and prom
Used before the vote last night
that he would "abide by the
Senate's decision" as a commits
sion member.
Senator Smith, Republican Of
New Jersey. and Democratic
Senator Robertson Of Virginia
and Clark Of Pennsylvania. led
the opposition in the hour-long
debate.
Senator Robertson based his
protest mainly on costs, con-
tending the $l0.1 million is
lust the start Of a program Of
Capitol expansion which may
well cost over 500 million and
accomplish nothing of value"
Senator Mcnamara, Democrat
of Michigan, another opponent.
said the square-foot costs Of
the extension in terms of added
ONCE space would be "the
highest in the history of man.
Senator Knowland replied
that 1t was ridiculous" TO COM
pare construction costs Of the
monumental stone Capitol with
a modern Office building.
Senator Hayden, Democrat of
Arizona. contended the extern
sion follows the advice o. able
architects" who have spent
years studying II. He denied
opponents contentious that IL
would destroy the Capitol's
esthetic values and said visit
ors of the future will be utter
ly unable to tell the difference
when IL is finished"
Both Senator Knowland and
Majority Leader johnson Of
Texas, strongly attacked
charges Of vandalism" made
against Mr.. Raybwn by private
architects who oppose the ex-
tension.
Il resent some of these state
ments made indirectly
against members Of the COM
mission" Senator Knowland
declared. II know of no man
in America who loves his coun-
try and this Capitol more than
the House Speaker" he said.
I'VE all love this building
But this is a living growing
Capitol that has changed many
times in the past with the needs
OF the Nation
The Senator also attacked
charges that the extension
legislation had been "sneakec
through" Congress without
adequate consideration. anc
traced its long history Of dis.
cussion and hearings. He sale
these charges. however. werI
another reason he vanteo full
discussion by the Senate at thlI
time.
a