committee of nationally known experts and let them make a thorough study and a report, with the support of some group like that. I believe the American public not only would want whatever steps taken that were called for but would more or less insist on it, if they thought it was that serious. Mr. HORAN. To a large extent the dome is a symbol of the Nation in a lot of ways. And certainly, if its support is faulty it ought to be looked into anyhow. Mr. STEED. It is a very serious thing and it involves a lot of money and maybe it would be wise if we had some way of getting some outside help and advice, especially in helping the American people become aware of what the problem is so that the Congress would feel that it had some moral support from the public generally in whatever solution was finally arrived at. Mr. HORAN. Well, anything you do in Congress is probably going to be criticized in some way. But if it needs to be done it ought to be done. Mr. STEWART. Our studies reveal that our plans meet the approval of competent architects and engineers. Mr. STEED. Even the discussion we have had here today will probably bring us some criticism but I think there is a lot more involved than whether you are going to be criticized or not. I think there can be no national tragedy worse than by neglect to permit a situation to develop that would cause this building to sustain serious damage. Mr. STEWART. I would like to point out one thing, when the controversy came about on the extension of the east front, no one ever raised any objection to extension of the west front. There is only one thing I am concerned with, and that is if you had a falling airplane, with a resulting explosion somewhere near here, where you would get a real tremor, I do not know what would happen. Nobody could tell. Mr. STEED. We will return at 1:30. We are now at page 75 of the committee print and page 54 of the justifications. I think we will put the entire justifications in the record at this point. (The matter referred to follows:) CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION Public Law 242, 84th Congress, as amended by Public Law 406, 84th Congress, and Public Law 87-14, 87th Congress. Amount of contract authorization: To be determined by the Commission for the Extension of the U.S. Capitol Amount of contract authorization appropriated to date: Legislative Appropriation Act, 1956–– Legislative Branch Appropriation Act, 1957- $5, 000, 000 12, 000, 000 4, 000, 000 1,500,000 500,000 300,000 23, 300, 000 1, 000, 000 700, 000 The extension of the Capitol project is authorized by the act of August 5, 1955, as amended by the acts of February 14, 1956, and March 31, 1961. Under the provisions of the authorization act, all work under the project is being performed by the Architect of the Capitol under the direction of the Commission for the Extension of the U.S. Capitol, composed of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chairman; the President of the Senate, the minority leader of the Senate, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, and the Architect of the Capitol. Under the provisions of the authorization act, the scope of work to be performed and the amount of contract authorization are for determination by the Commission. The authorized limit of cost for the extension of the Capitol project, as fixed by the Commission for the Extension of the U.S. Capitol, is $24 million. Of this total, $23 million has been appropriated to date and $300,000 is carried in the Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1963, or a total appropriation of $23,300,000-leaving a balance of $700,000 yet to be appropriated for 1964. Originally, $1 million was requested for 1964, but due to acceleration of the lighting improvement program, it was necessary to request that $300,000 of this amount be included in the Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1963, so that the revised amount of the appropriation request for 1964 is now $700,000. As of April 1, 1963, a total of $23,454,342 has been obligated, and an additional amount of $20.658 is to be obligated during the remainder of this fiscal yearor a total of $23,475,000 obligated through June 30, 1963. The balance of the authorization, $525,000, is expected to be obligated in the fiscal year 1964 for lighting improvements and rewiring remaining to be done in the Capitol and incidental administrative expenses-or a grand total obligation of $24 million through the fiscal year 1964. This will complete all work approved by the Commission as of this date. Work under the program approved by the Commission includes the following: 1. Extension of the east-central front of the Capitol The east-central front of the Capitol has been extended 32 feet 6 inches and reproduced in marble. The extension has added to the Capitol Building 74 office, committee, and conference rooms; 3 large reception rooms and 2 large lobbies; an additional dining room for the Senate, and an additional dining room and a cafeteria for the House; and extensive storage space. This work was done at a cost of $11,382,966. 2. Alterations to the section of the existing building formerly constituting the east-central front; also making necessary changes to the House and Senate restaurants to tie in their operation with the new dining facilities provided in the extended House and Senate connections This work has been completed at a cost of $1,773,274. 3. Repairs to the dome and sandblasting 32 coats of paint off the dome and repainting the same This work has been completed at a cost of $1,403,103 and the dome is now in a sound state of repair. A good part of the cost of this work consisted in the extensive scaffolding of the dome that was necessary in order to have access to the various parts of the dome, to carry on the inspection and repair work, as well as the sandblasting and painting operations. The cost also includes $47,850 expended for birdproofing the peristyle of the dome. 4. Construction of a terminal for the new Senate subway, under the Senate wing steps, together with two new elevators and escalator facilities This work was completed at a cost of $2,434,000. 5. Rewiring and improving the illumination of the Capitol Building This work is now in progress and is expected to be completed in the fiscal year 1964, or shortly thereafter, at a cost of $3,105,320. Contracts are let at such times as the work can be scheduled for performance without disturbing occupancy of the various sections of the building. 6. Cleaning the exterior stonework of the Senate and House wings; birdproofing the entire building, except west-central front This work has been completed at a cost of $175,021. 7. Furniture and furnishings and restaurant equipment for extended portion of Capitol Authorization for furniture and furnishings was provided in the act of March 31, 1961-Third Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1961. The cost of furniture and furnishings is $627,838. 8. Architectural, engineering, consultant and sculptural services, administration, miscellaneous, and contingencies Obligations for these purposes have been incurred as approved by the Commission and are shown on the table appended hereto. As previously indicated, obligations, totalling $23,454,342, have been incurred to April 1, 1963, and the remainder of the authorization, $545,658, will be obligated during the period April 1, 1963 to June 30, 1964. As of April 1, 1963, $22,525,270 has been disbursed, and the undisbursed balance of the appropriation of $23 million provided to date, is $474,730. It will be necessary to disburse this balance, together with the appropriation of $300,000 carried in the Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1963, by the end of the fiscal year 1963, and to disburse the $700,000 appropriation requested for 1964 during the fiscal year 1964-or a grand total disbursement for the project of $24 million. The following table details the items obligated and to be obligated: Mr. STEWART. The contract for extension of the Capitol was authorized by Public Law 242, 84th Congress, as amended by Public Law 406, 84th Congress, and Public Law 87-14, 87th Congress. A total of $23,300,000 has been appropriated to date, including $300,000 carried in the Supplemental Appropriation Act of 1963. We are asking $1 million in the budget, and this has been revised administratively to $700,000 because of the $300,000 advanced in the Supplemental Appropriation Act for 1963 to liquidate contract obligations. The following items comprise our obligations to date: Extension, reconstruction, and replacement of the east central front of Capitol, $11,382,966. Alterations to interior of section of building formerly constituting east central front, and related work, $1,773,274. Birdproofing entire building, except west central front, $81,197. Cleaning exterior stonework, Senate and House wings, $93,824. Repairs, cleaning, and painting dome, and birdproofing peristyle, $1,403,103. Senate subway terminal, including two new elevators and escalators to serve traffic from terminal, $2,434,000. Improved lighting and rewiring throughout the Capitol Building, including electronic clocks and legislative call system, $2,610,320. Architectural, engineering, sculpturing, and consultant services, $1,835,035. Topographic survey of Capitol site, test borings and pits, surveys and studies, administration and miscellaneous, $1.212.785. Furniture and furnishings, and restaurant equipment for extended portion of building, $627,838. Which makes a total of $23,454,342. Mr. STEED. This revised figure of $700.000, will that wind up the whole program? Mr. STEWART. Yes, sir. BIRDPROOFING Mr. STEED. Am I correct the west central front has not been birdproofed? Mr. STEWART. No, it has not. It seemed to be a little on the foolish side to put birdproofing on that side if you were going to do anything with it in the near future. AUTHORIZATION FOR WEST FRONT EXTENSION Mr. STEED. Do these acts of authorization you referred to carry authority to build the west front if the Congress sees fit to do so? Mr. STEWART. Yes, sir. The authorization carries language broad enough to cover both the east and west fronts. Mr. STEED. It is broad enough? Mr. HENLOCK. In our judgment, yes. Scheme B, in addition to providing for extension of the east front, provides for reconstruction of the west front in marble. Under the statute, the Commission can accomplish that objective with such modifications and changes as the Commission may approve-in other words, through extension and reconstruction in marble. Mr. STEED. And there is no time limit on the life of the Commission? Mr. HENLOCK. No, sir. Mr. STEED. Mr. Horan, do you have any questions? Mr. HORAN. Not at this time. Mr. LANGEN. No questions. |