Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-26
MOORE OPPOSES
PLAN COMMISSION
Head of Fine Arts Body Says
Present Developing Agencies
Are Sufficient.

Divergence of opinion as to the per.
sonnet of the proposed National Cap
ltal Plan Commission, and it's func-
tions under the bill introduced in the
House by Representative Zihlman.
chairman of the House District com
mittee, was expressed today at hear
ing before subcommittee Of the
House District committee considering
the amended bill. The new measure
would transfer all the functions of the
existing National Capital Park Com
mission to the new agency known as
the National Capital Plan Commission.
abolish the highway commission and
set up what has been referred TO as a
'supercommission" with the broadest
powers of recommendation touching
every phase of civic progress in Wash
ington.
While Horace w. Peaslee, represent
ing the American Institute of Archi-
tects. with Lieut.. Col. G. G.. Sheriff..
one of the authors of the bill. declared
that there Is today mo such thing as
Washington PLAN" pointing out that
the city has developed in accoria nee
with a number of plans. Charles
Moore. chairman of the Commission of
Fine Arts, said that even though the
city has outgrown the L'Enfant and
Mcmillan plans, these plans remain as
the Washington plan, and must be the
basis of all future growth. Mr.. Peasle
asked the committee to make plain in
the record that Mr.. Moore's state
ment was personal one, and not the
view Of the commission. He said he
had letters from two technical mem
bers of the Fine Arts body indorsing
the Zihlman bill.
Mr.. Moore said the existing agencies
now In operation are competent and
able to handle the details of develop
ment of Washington, statement at
sharp variance with others appearing
before the commission in support Of
zation in place of the National Capital
Park Commission.
Have Needed Plans.
my own opinion Is that the Ma
tional Capital Park Commission, with
the addition OF technical experts TO
handle it's drafting work. is competent
to handle the situation" Mr.. Moore
said.
I'VE have all the plans Washington
can live up to for the next SO years"
Mr.. Moore said there We're some i'm
provements needed, notably the ex-
tension of many Of the streets and
avenues, particularly those that will
be the arterial highways Of the future,
opment will not interfere with their
growth. Mr.. Moore added that there
is now too much duplication Of agen.
cies in Washington doing virtually the
same things, pointing to parks and
tree planting agencies. and urged con-
Solidation Of all these units under one
organization. Representative Keller
of Minnesota, a member Of the COM
mittee. agreed with the fine arts head.
declaring that "you never come before
US with a united front" on District
development.
Turning to adjustment of the High
way Commission, Mr.. Moore said the
machinery to develop the highway
system has been available for many
years, and was the salvation of
Washington" q score of years ago.
He said all avenues should be ex.
tended and opened up, and urged a
restudy Of Sixteenth street from Co.
lumbia road north to the District line
in view Of the proposed northern
entrance.
Checked by Lack of Experts.
Engineer Commissioner Bell told the
subcommittee that the Commissioners
have had plans for some time for the
opening up of many streets and
avenues, but have been checked in
their desire because Of lack of experts.
He said. I'VE have been going from
hand to mouth" seeing new subdivi-
sions developed and losing the chance
Of opening up streets until too late.
Mr.. Keller said II all the various
civic bodies working for the develop
ment Of Washington were agreed on
an adequate Washington plan, Con-
gress would pass 1t no matter how
many millions Of dollars 1t required
for it's execution. He said he did not
take the narrow view Of the people
Judgment the Government should
build the larger parks and build
ings, while the smaller areas would
be paid for by the people of the Dis
trict.
Mr.. Peaslee told the subcommit-
tee that the Mcmillan plan. had to
do only with the park system and the
location of park buildings. and the
highway plan Is more an extension
Of the L'Enfant plan than a develop
ment Of that plan.
DR.. George F. Bowerman, librarian
of the Public Library. asked the COM
mittee to change the wording of
paragraph of the bill to recommend
purchase of school and library sites.
Sites for Libraries.
He said the school Law OF WaShlng-
ton predicted development of libraries
continuously with school development
and hoped sites for Libraries will be
available before they are all taken for
other purposes
Proctor L. Dougherty, representing
the Chevy Chase Citizens Associa-
ton, told the subcommittee his organ
ization hopes Washington will have
adequate representation on the pro-
nosed commission, urging that two
Of the appointive members be bona
fide residents of the District Of Column
bta. and Evan H. Tucker, president
of the Northeast Citizens Association.
aid he hoped men Of national promi-
hence would be selected for the COM
mission.
Representative Zihlnnan, who intro
duced the bill, was called before the
subcommittee as witness and said
the Mcmillan plan Is not applicable
70 washington now. in view Of the
changes in the city. without enor-
NOUS cost He added. however. that
the Mcmillan plan has been very help
full in the work Of the National Cap
itaI Park Commission, Of which he is
member.