Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-23
RDPROBE AWAITS
. HIGHWAY CHARGES
Governor Asks Specific Ale
cations About Lee Boule-
ward Speculation.

Gov. Byrd of Virginia will jnvesti-
gate ''all phases entering into the Sc
lection of right Of way for the pro-
posed Lee boulevard through Airing
ton County" providing some one will
file with him specific charges OF al
legged wild" and "unethicar' realty
speculation In connection with locat-
ing the highway.
The governor so informed the Lyon
Village Citizens Association In let
ter to the secretary, made public to-
day. The letter was in reply to re-
cent resolutions of that association
calling on Gov. Byrd to make a thor
ough probe of the matter in the inter
est of 'all parties concerned"
''I will have to ask you." the gov
ernor wrote, ''to make your charges
more specific, giving names and facts.
When these charges are made In
whole and specifically, it will give me
pleasure to request the chairman OF
the State Highway Commission to in
vestigate the same.
Awaits Their Action.
ST feel certain you will appreciate
the fact that such matters cannot be
investigated unless definite charges
are preSerred. l await your further
advices."
The governors reply will be pre-
scented to the executive committee of
the Lyon Village body at it's regular
meeting next Wednesday night.
There was no indication today, how
ever, that the attitude of the asSocia-
ton had changed since an explanatory
letter was sent to Gov. Byrd stressing
the 'futility" of a probe of the reports
by an organization with such limited
authority as a civic association.
Realizing it would be futile to at
tempt to look into 80 grave situation
alone, limited in authority. as such a
civic group necessarily must be-" the
letter pointed out, but
convinced that the matter, II left I'M
settled, would threaten the success
of a great public enterprise, the Lyon
Village Citizens Association felt con-
to call on you, as governor
of the Commonwealth and protector
Of the peoples rights, 20 clear away
the clouds of doubt in the interests
not only Of the citizens OF Arlington
County but of the Lee Highway Asso-
VI pkOpCLtJ o"ANAo dAOAis5 lAA0
right of way and Of all other parties
Full Inquiry Desired.
The resolutions Of the association
petitioned Gov. Byrd ito launch, with
out delay, a thorough probe of all
phases entering into the selection by
the Lee Highway Association of the
so-called southerly route for the first
7 miles of the proposed Lee boule-
ward, including reports that syndicates
or individuals have or are planning
to reap vast profits from realty ac-
Quired under false or misleading
premises, and that unethical or in
judicious deals have been negotiated
In connection with the proposed loca-
ton of the boulevard in undeveloped
The interest Of the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission in the
Lee boulevard was made plain in a
letter sent to The Star today by Maj.
u. S. Grant, 3D., executive officer OF
the commission.
Calling attention to an article
quoting the Lyon Village resolutions
to the effect that the Lee Highway
had erred in announcing
that It was guided by the officials
and engineers of the National Capt.
tai Park Commission" in the selec-
ton of the southerly route for the
since 1.-THE National Capt.
tai Park and Planning Commission
has announced that it has not ap-
proved such route" Maj. Grant
states:
Decision by Park Body.
TN Justice to the Lee Highway
/ believe it incumbent on
me to take some steps to correct any
such erroneous impression.
"On April s, 1926, DR.. Johnson OF
the Lee Highway Association pre-
scented to the National Capital Park
proposal that that
take title to certain por-
lions of the right of way for the
Lee boulevard. AFTER
discussion the commits
sion in executive session adopted tne
resolutions:
.ResoIyed, That the National Cap
tai Park Commission considers 1t In
advisable to acquire or accept lands
or bordering the proposed
Lee highway until such highway
shall have been definitely located, ap-
proved and accepted by state or
Federal authority.
1.-THE National Capital Park Com
mission Is interested in the develop
ment of the Lee highway and con-
ours in the continued cooperation
of the planning committee with the
a ssociation in the location and per-
lection Of this project
Aided Engineering Tasks.
oIn accordance with this resolution
there was continued the activity OF
engineering personnel of the commits
sion in the reconnaissance OF the pro-
uosed routes for the boulevard. The
route announced by the Lee Highway
Association as its selection from the
Memorial Bridge to the vicinity or
Fails Church had been, prior to its
announcement, m pl ct y recon
noitered by the engineer of the COM
mission and had received his ap-
prevail.
SET am Enclosing copy Of letter
of June 20, 1926, written TO Arthur
Orr Of Clarendon, Va, which Is self
explanatory. It is believed that this
letter, while apparently not called d.
rectly to your attention, Is responsible
for the possible misconception ex-
pressed In the article referred to.
while it Is true that the recently
National Capital Park
and Planning Commission, the sue
cessor Of the National Capital Park
Commission, has never as a body ap-
proved the route announced by the
Lee Highway Association, 1t is also
true that it's office, under its executive
officers, has assisted in the selection
of the route which may, therefore, be