that would serve as a newspaper office. But we recognized that there was something-a great deal, in fact-to Mr. Wood's argument. We finally constructed that building. I exhibit here a photograph of the building. 1 would like to have the members of the committee see it because I think it is as attractive a building as there is in the vicinity of the Capitol. In order to construct that building, it was necessary for us to borrow fifty or sixty thousand dollars, but we did that and were very well satisfied with the structure. We felt that the same regulations would be enforced against others that had been enforced against us. Now these gentlemen tell us they are without authority and I think technically they are. The CHAIRMAN. To whom are you referring now? We Mr. KEATING. I am referring to the building inspector, the District Commissioners, and the others in authority. We consulted with the building inspector and with the Fine Arts Commission. consulted with the Architects of the Capitol. We consulted with the building inspectors. And while we have nothing in writing to show that we had to construct a monumental building of this kind, we became convinced that we could not get a permit until we put up the right kind of a structure opposite the Capitol. As I said, we proceeded to erect this building at a cost of $165,000, and we are very glad that Colonel Wood protected the Capitol. are all proud of this building. We About a year or so later, perhaps two years later I think it was just a year ago-some real estate speculator here purchased the lot adjoining our property on the south. We soon found that he was scratching the surface of the ground, not even making an excavation there for the ordinary basement. So we proceeded to interview the Architect of the Capitol. I think we enlisted the services of the distinguished Senator from Montana. We also interviewed others. We were told that there was no power in the municipal government of Washington to determine the appearance of that structure. However, we were told that we might dispose of our worries, because, as a matter of fact, the contractor had submitted plans on which he had secured his permit. Those plans showed the sort of a front elevation, rather an attractive front elevation, to be seen on this photograph. That reconciled us somewhat to the construction of this apartment house. When the building began to take shape we found that this plan for the front of the building had been discarded and that the contractor was proceeding to erect an apartment house such as might be built in the poorer parts of town for the occupancy of negroes. If the members of this committee should cross the Capitol Grounds and see that building, I think they would agree with me that it is not the kind of structure that should be opposite the Capitol of the United States and that it has done very serious damage to our property. There has been a great deal of talk about how the property owners suffer on account of these constructions, but the thing works both ways. The contractor became involved in financial difficulties, and when the building was about half completed he stopped work. And there the building is now. He has not done a tap on it in a month. It is in a half completed state. Again we began this round of going to the Architect of the Capitol and of going to the District Commissioners and appealing to Senators to protect the Capitol. We are constantly told that nothing can be done and that this man must be permitted to put up this eyesore. I came here this morning just to submit this case to you; first, as an argument in favor of protecting the Capitol and placing authority in some one's hands to definitely protect the Capitol; but I am convinced myself that if we had had the will of these public officials they they could have enforced these regulations against this gentleman such as they enforced them against us, because as a result of the pressure that they brought to bear on us we built this building, and we invested fifty thousand or sixty thousand dollars that we did not have on hand to invest. That is how far they went with us. And yet to-day they still insist that the men who have secured this property, as the result of foreclosure proceedings, I believe, must be permitted to go on and complete this barracks. Senator SWANSON. Surrounding the Capitol? Mr. KEATING. It is on the east side, Senator. Were you once a Member of the House? Senator SWANSON. Yes; I was. Mr. KEATING. In those happy days as you came up the hill on the street car Senator SWANSON. I remember. Mr. KEATING. You remember the old Flanney graveyard there. Even now I think if some one had authority, if the members of this committee or the members of some House committee would just take a little interest in the matter, they could still have the front of that apartment house so changed that it would not be an eyesore. I am not a lawyer; I am just a newspaper man; and, therefore, I do not know so much about the technicalities of the law, but I do know that they had sufficient authority to make us put up that magnificent building and that it was a rattling good thing that they did. It was a good thing for us. That property as it stands there now is worth a great deal more than it would be if we had put up the kind of a building we had in mind originally. They should have carried it a bit further with this other man; but he was evidently in financial straits; he wanted to complete his building; and, therefore, he tore out all this more or less costly ornamentation and proceeded to put up the barracks. I had hoped that in addition to taking steps to protect the Capitol in the future, possibly I could interest the Members of Congress in protecting the Capitol to-day. I think that if some pressure should be brought to bear upon these gentlemen they might develop sufficient pride in the city to refrain from doing this thing. The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Mr. Keating. What is the pleasure of the committee about going on with these hearings to-morrow or next week? Senator TYDINGS. Mr. Chairman, I propose that we meet next week. The CHAIRMAN. Then, we will adjourn now and the Chair will give proper notice as to the next meeting. (Thereupon, at 12 o'clock noon, the committee adjourned to meet at the call of the Chair.) Expedite Work on the Federal Building Program HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS SEVENTY-FIRST CONGRESS THIRD SESSION ON H. R. 14040 AN ACT TO ENABLE THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY A BILL TO AMEND AN ACT ENTITLED "AN ACT TO PRO- AMENDATORY THEREOF FEBRUARY 2, 1931 Printed for the use of the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS HENRY W. KEYES, New Hampshire, Chairman SIMEON D. FESS, Ohio. W. H. MCMASTER, South Dakota. SAMUEL M. SHORTRIDGE, California. HENRY F. ASHURST, Arizona. HENRIK SHIPSTEAD, Minnesota. CHARLES C. WRIGHT, Clerk. |