first unit of this large administrative building here. Plans are under way and work will be undertaken in the near future. The CHAIRMAN. That is, south of the courthouse? Mr. BISHOP. On Indiana Avenue, the first unit to house the police and fire departments and the department of vehicles and traffic. Senator CHAVEZ. What is the model to the west? Mr. FINNAN. That does not exist. Senator CHAVEZ. What is that proposed to be? Senator CHAVEZ. Pardon me. Mr. BISHOP. In the 1939 bill, this reservation 491 has been earmarked as a site for a new central library for the District of Columbia, and we have been given funds to undertake plans for such a building This square then remains, and the Commissioners have expressed their willingness to contribute this square, which cost approximately $1,700,000, to the cost of the auditorium to the District of Columbia. The CHAIRMAN. You mean the District will donate that to the Federal Government? Mr. BISHOP. The District will donate to the Federal Government that square as their measure of contribution toward the auditorium. At the same time, however, in the letter which has been filed, the Commissioners have expressed the hope that in the preparation of plans, if possible, facilities be provided in this building for an armory to house the District of Columbia National Guard, which will lose its very inadequate location here; that is, providing other provisions are not made for building an armory elsewhere. They have expressed that hope in the letter which has been filed. Senator CHAVEZ. That proposed library building would take in the old National Hotel, right on the corner there? Mr. BISHOP. Yes, sir. That is all I have. The CHAIRMAN. Any questions? Senator CHAVEZ. With reference to the clearing of the traffic, have the Commissioners given any thought to that matter; the clearing of the traffic after any function at the auditorium? Mr. BISHOP. The advisory committee has filed, as indicated in the testimony of Mr. Finnan, a report by the director of vehicles and traffic, showing the facility with which traffic can be handled in this area. The CHAIRMAN. That will be made part of the record. Mr. FINNAN. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Ány questions? (No response.) The CHAIRMAN. All right, Captain, we thank you very much. Mr. NOLEN. The gross area of the site is approximately 5.6 acres. It measures 570 by 430, the building occupying only 430 by 300, which, as you see, is a very small proportion of the site. The CHAIRMAN. I think it is well to have a lot of free area around it, where you have big crowds. Senator MALONEY. How many people is it intended to take care of? The CHAIRMAN. The main auditorium takes care of 16,000 and then there are several smaller rooms, one accommodating 3,000 and another 4 or 5 hundred. Mr. FINNAN. The total capacity, indoors, would be about 35,000 people. The CHAIRMAN. You could have loudspeakers from the main hall into the other rooms? Mr. FINNAN. Yes; the same as the Kansas City auditorium has. The CHAIRMAN. That would take care of a national conventionthat is, it would take care of a Republican convention anyway, and maybe a Democratic convention? Senator ANDREWS. It would take care of either one if you would allow for the armory. The CHAIRMAN. I do not think much of the armory business; I do not think an armory should be in the auditorium. Senator ANDREWS. I used to be with the National Guard, and I would like to see them put in a nice place; I should think it could be used as an armory except when we had a convention. The CHAIRMAN. Any other matters? Does any Senator have anything to suggest; Senator Maloney? Senator MALONEY. No. The CHAIRMAN. Senator Andrews? The CHAIRMAN. Senator Chavez? Senator CHAVEZ. No. Senator ANDREWS. I think the location is just exactly correct. Upon completion, the auditorium shall be maintained and administered by the I think we should amend that by saying Under the direction of and the approval by the Commission. I do not think we should turn it over to the Secretary of the Interior to run as he pleases. Mr. FINNAN. Do you think it would be better to have it under a self-perpetuating commission, or under the Secretary? The CHAIRMAN. I am willing for him to run it, but he is our agent only, and if any row comes up, I think we should settle it. So I think the language on page 3 should be changed to "under the direction of and subject to approval by the Capital Auditorium Commission," and I offer that as an amendment. Is there anything to be said on that, Senators? All in favor of the amendment say aye. (Motion carried.) Senator MALONEY. Are you also putting that in section 6? The CHAIRMAN. On page 4, line 6, there is the language, "with the approval of the Commission"; do you not think that will cover it? Senator MALONEY. It is quite strange language. The CHAIRMAN. Then we will strike out "with the approval of the Commission" and insert the same language as we have inserted in section 5. All in favor say aye; opposed, no. (Motion carried.) The CHAIRMAN. What is the will of the committee about the Madison situation; do you think we should undertake that, or leave it open? Senator MALONEY. I think it would be a horrible way to do it; I am not very strong for naming auditoria that deteriorate over a period of years after a famous man, because one fine day you will have a junk pile there. The CHAIRMAN. Then we will not press that. Senator MALONEY. It is surprising what happens to auditoriums, Senator; we will be having prize fights there after a while. The CHAIRMAN. I would like to hear a motion on reporting the bill. Senator CHAVEZ. I move that we report the bill favorably with amendments. The CHAIRMAN. Those in favor say "aye"; opposed "no"; the bill is reported. I have a letter from the National Competitions Committee that should go in the record. (The letter is as follows:) Senator Toм CONNALLY, NATIONAL COMPETITIONS COMMITTEE FOR Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR SENATOR: The National Competitions Committee wishes to offer you sincere congratulations on the bill for the District Auditorium and the inclusion therein of recognition of the competitive principle for selection of architects and artists. May we however suggest that the bill be amended to require, not merely permit, a competition? This would be in line with the Wearin bill (H. R. 9528) which we hope will become law, and which makes mandatory competitions for public buildings and memorials. This committee will be glad to furnish you with material as to competitions in this country and abroad, and to support your efforts in any way in which you may suggest. Very sincerely yours, HENRY S. CHURCHILL, Chairman. The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, gentlemen, for coming up; we appreciate your testimony. (Whereupon, at 12:10 p. m., the hearing was concluded.) A NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS UNITED STATES SENATE SEVENTY-FIFTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION ON S. J. Res. 73 A JOINT RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF A NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART 127133 FEBRUARY 19, 1937 Printed for the use of the UNITED STATES WASHINGTON: 1937 |