Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-07-24
Capitol Seen
Barrier 10
Rail Transit
Architect Fears
Interference With
Congress Subway
BY LEE FLOR
star staff Writer

need costly and extensive
underpinning" If a recon-
mended rail transit subway is
built, the Capitol architect said
today.
Officials on the National
Capital Transportation Agency
developed their subway plans
without consultation" with his
office, j. George Stewart, Ar
chitect Of the Capitol. said. The
subway tubes would have to be
constructed "far underground
to avoid interference with ex-
isting House and Senate sub |
ways, Mr.. Stewart added.
The transportation agency |
should make a joint study with |
the Architects office and lead
ers Of Congress before any rail |
transit subway Is built under |
the grounds Of the Capitol, Mr..
Stewart added.
His complaint about lack of |
cooperation and consultation
touched off another round of
criticism by members of the
House District Subcommittee
which heard Mr.. Stewards tes-
timony.
The subcommittee, under the
Craftsmanship of Representative
Whitener, Democrat Of North
Carolina, is holding hearings
on legislation to authorize con-
struction of a 98-mile rail tran
sit system, estimated to cost
between $793 million and 1857
million, in the Washington
area.
Has Data on Problem
Mr.. Stewart said his office
had more information on soil
borings and construction prob
lens for the Capitol Building
than any other office in
Washington.
But the transportation agen-
cy had not consulted with him
for this information land IT
have no idea of what their
subway would interfere WITH"
he said.
Mr.. Stewart Is a registered
professional engineer, and has
been under fire on Capitol Hill
from hostile Congressman who
have complained that he is not
a qualified architect. He has
been q strong advocate of con-
troversial improvements for the
Capitol Building.
Representative Broyhill, Re-
publican of Virginia, said that
the complaints by various
agencies about the lack Of CO.
operation with the transporta-
ton Agency was putting the
entire rail transit program Gin
jeopardy"
Complaints Hurt
It win be very difficult to
get a $793 million proposal
through Congress and the
complaints about non-co-oper-
alton and the doubts about the
rail systems financial fore
casts create difficult Judgment
problems for Congressman, Mr..
Broyhill said.
Representative Horton, Re-
publican Of New York, and
Representative Harsha, Repub-
lican of Ohio, also criticized
the transportation agency for
the complaints about nom
cooperation.
Representative Whitener said
that he had been told that the
architects office had not CO.
operated with transportation
agency officials.
Representative Sickles. Dem
ocrat Of Maryland, told the
Whitener subcommittee that
"it is most unfortunate that
the highway section Of the
agency's report has resulted in
an either or debate between
proponents of highways and
proponents Of mass transit"
Plea For Coordination
Mr.. Sickles also pleaded for
better coordination between
the transportation agency and
other governmental bodies in
volved In planning.
A compact interstate agency
would insure better co-opera-
ton and coordination between
the multitude Of local jurisdic-
tons, Federal agencies, and
planning commissions In the
Washington area, Mr.. Sickles
said.
Representatives Of two key
Federal agencies told the sub
committee they had received
fruitful results from their close
cooperation with the trans
portation agency.
Lawson B. Knott. jr., deputy
administrator of the General
Services Administration. said
his agency was maintaining
continuous liaison" with the
transit planners.
The recommended rail trans
IL system would be q big help
in providing expanded and
improved" quarters for Gov
eminent agencies In the WASH
ington area, Mr.. Knott said.
John c. Kohl, assistant adj
ministrator for transportation
Of the Housing and Home FL
nance Agency. said he had no
complaints about any lack Of
cooperation with the transpor-
tation agency.
The subway recommended
for the downtown area by the
transportation agency seems
the only possible solution for
lNn.- .A.s-N ~