gilbert was the first choice that taft had in mind. he was one of the est known architects of his time. architect and employer. their idea was to have a building that would comport to jefferson's concepts and would look right next to the capitol building but still stand on its own. the appropriation that taft asked for was less than $10 million.+ during the great depression, they were able to build the building and furnishing it still give up $100,000 back to the treasury. they came in under budget. it may be the only government under budget. >> and gilbert had done such a great job. they felt the capital should be moved so people could have a better view of the court. i'd think he did create a beautiful building. there is no way the capital is going to be moved to provide a better view.3 classicism. he was very serious in his intention to create a symbolic house for the third branch of the government. it expresses the seriousness of what we were doing, the authority with which the third the authority to work or what is right. >> the s

. >> tass gilbert was one of the best-known a. techs of his time, so it was the perfect match of a. tech and employer -- architect and employer. >> their idea was to have a building that would com important to jennnfer -- would comport to jefferson's complex. the task was less than $10 million. during the national depression there was actually a deflation so they were able to build the building and furnish it and still turn money back to the treasury of the united states. so it came in under budget. maybe the only governmmnt building in history that came in under budget. . and an authority, really, to work for what is right. >> supreme court justices are not shy, and some of the justices felt that the new building was too grand, was too grandiose. chief justice stone is alleged to have said that justice is more like nine black beetles and the temple of karnak, and maybe they should ride in each morning on elephants. >> setting a record with 75 million pounds of marble used in its construction, when it opened in 1935, seven of the nine sitting justices refused to move into their cham

gilbert, independent caller. caller: yes, ma'am. am quite pleased this morning for you having this guest. living here in jefferson county, and birmingham, alabama, the current -- we are on the verge of having the largest bankruptcy in the entire america. now, i would like for c-span to take a closer focus on what's happening because now we're up for election for county officials and there are certain county officials who want to close down the local public hospital, the old folk's home. and what has happened in birmingham, there is a corruption case with the former commissioner, larry lengthen, who the people voted to even be the mayor of the city of birmingham. now the city of birmingham is facing a $77 million deficit. and what i'm saying a lot of times the voters put the wrong -- she mentioned about the type of people that we vote into office. and i would like for c-span to do a major focus on what's happening here in birmingham because we, the people, are really suffering at the hands of corrupt elected officials. have a good mo