Evening star., 1926-05-27
MARYLANDERS ASK
F0RTPRESERVAT|0N.
Planning Commission Acts to
Save Washington and Hunt.
Body Is Organized.

Plans for the participation of the
Maryland Planning Commission as an
ally of the National Capital Park
Planning Commission in the regional
development of the so-calied metro
politan district of Washington were
discussed yesterday at an organization
meeting of the Maryland body held in
The offices of the Washington Suburban
Sanitary Commission in the Evans
Building here. The members OF the
commission were named several
months ago by Gov. Albert G. Ritchie
of Maryland, but organization was
held in allegiance pending the passage
Of the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission act by Con-
sress, which provided the necessary
authority for the cooperation be-
tween the Maryland as well as similar
Virginia body. in this planning work.
Commissions First Act.
The first definite act of the commits
sion was the passage OF the following
resolution, urging the acquisition OF
Forts Washington and Hunt for the
park system Of the regional area. This
resolution follows:
Whereas 1t has been proposed by
the War Department of the United
States to sell Fort Washington. Md,
and Fort Hunt, Va, to private inter
ests under the law providing for the
disposition Of obsolete forts
Whereas these forts have played
an important part in the history OF
the National Capital from the OF
their establishment;
Whereas these forts, are essen
TALLY suited for public uses and might
fall into the hands of persons unmind
ful either OF the history or sentiment
surrounding them, and therefore be
despoiled:
Whereas. these forts could be EN-
braced in the plans OF the National
Capital Park Commission as most de
sirable units in the general scheme OF
providing adequate jpublic recrea-
tional places for the years to come
Be Ii
Resolved, by thu }.aryland Planning
Commission duly appointed by Gov.
Ritchie to cooperate with the Ma
tional Capital Park Commission. That
Fort Washington and Fort Hunt
should be acquired and placed under
the jurisdiction of the National Capt.
tai Park Commission, that the best
interests of the general public be
served: And be ii
Further resolved. That copies of
this resolution be forwarded to mem
bers OF the military affairs commit
tee of the United States Senate and
the House of Representatives now
considering legislation looking toward
the disposition OF the aforesaid prop
critics.
f. Brooke Lee Chairman.
Mai. E. Brooke Lee of Silver Spring,
former secretary of State OF Mary
land, was elected chairman OF the
Maryland group, which is composed
IF the following members: T. Howard.
Duckett, chairman of the Washing
ton Suburban Sanitary Commission.
Of the Maryland Tax Commission,
Mount Rainier; Oliver Owen Kuhn.
president Of the Montgomery County
Civic Federation, Alta Vista: Charles
II. Merryman, president Of the Bradley
Hills Community League, Bethesda
Ben G. Davis, former chief clerk Of the
Department Of State, and now town
treasurer Of Takoma Park; Frank L..
Hewitt, Silver Spring: Capt. Chester
Wells. u s. N, retired, Chevy Chase,
Md; Frank c.. Hutton, former mem
Der Of the Maryland State Road Com
mission, Gaithersburg. Nd. Col. E.
Francis Riggs, capitalist, Hyat.sville;
Perry Boswell. vice president OF the
Prince Georges Bank. Mount Rainier;
Judge Jospeh c. Mattingly, Circuit
Court of Prince Georges County, Oxon
Hill; George w. Waters. jr., county
treasurer Of Prince Georges County.
Laurel; Irving Owings. mayor Of
Hyattsville, and Robert N. Morse,
chief engineer Of the sanitary com
mission, and who was also elected
secretary Of the planning commission.
Certain plans for the cooperation
of the Maryland body with the Capt..
tai commission were discussed in a
general way, but nothing definite
will be done, according to Maj. Lee.
until he has conferred within Maj.
U. S. Grant, Sd, director of the Office
Of public buildings and parks Of the
National Capital.