Evening star., 1926-09-28
WOULD PUT COSTS
OF PARKS UPON i. S.
D. c. Should Not Be Forced
to Bear Burden, Says Inter.
federation ParIey.

That any and all attempts to saddle
The chief costs of the proposed eXten-
sion of the park and boulevard system
of the National Capital on the District
of Columbia should be fought to the
bitter end in Congress was the unani-
mously voiced sentiment last night at
meeting of the informal interfedera-
ton conference at the University
Club. Such sums as are spent under
the plans of the Park and Planning
Commission in the way Of acquisition
of new lands should be directly ap
prOpriated from the general funds of
the Treasury, and any other system
would be unfair and unjust to the tax
payers of the District. according to the
expressed opinions OF the interfedera'
ton delegates. The action was given
added weight by the fact that the for
NAL motion placing the body on record
was made by Il representative of the
Montgomery County Civic Federation
and seconded by one Of Arlington
County'S delegates, indicating that the
suburban areas in these two States
stand firm with the District against
the application of unfair burdens on
the National Capital.
Possible Attitude of States.
endeavor between the National Park
and Planning Commission and the two
States in bringing to pass the labo-
rate boulevard and park system lying
outside the District was discussed by
the delegates, and though il was de-
clared that both Maryland and Nir-
einia would go far toward bringing all
plans to pass. there would be Home
hesitancy if the Federal Government
turned to the States for all funds
necessary to carry out proposed plans.
1t is expected that the delegates will
make definite recommendation to
their respective federations at coming
meetings and the whole weight of the
interfederation conference will be
thrown in support Of direct appro-
priation for the establishment Of new
parkways and houleVards when Con-
greSS reconveneS.
Early ActiOn Necessary.
1t was pointed out that it is very
necessary that immediate action be
taken, inasmucf. as lands are going
upward by leaps and bounds, and hun
dreds of thousands of dollars could be
saved TO the Government and to the
nearby States If some method of inn
mediate and direct appropriation is
adopted, so that lands desired may be
acquired at once. Any other scheme
would require long negotiation, and
during the period of negotiation costs
of real estate needed for the carrying
out of the plans of the National Park
and Planning Commission would be
soaring.
The interfederation'S plan of organ
lZing a great publicity bureau to
spread broadcast the advantages of
the National Capital and giving to the
minds of American people true knowl
edge of Washington was also discussed
last night. Oliver Owen Kuhn, presi-
dent of the Montgomery County Fed
eSation, reported that informal con-
versations with interests and organi
cations directly interested in seeing
Washington grow had produced moth
Ing but favorable responses, and there
was every reason to believe that the
scheme was not only practical but
would meet with widespread support.
Definite plans looking toward realiZa-
tion could be effected by the interfed-
Grafton conference az soon as the gen
eral plan of cooperation between the
federations was adopted by the Fed
Grafton Of Citizens Associations of the
District The Maryland and Virginia
FederationS already have recognized
the liaison plan, and with adoption
by the District federation definite
steps toward organization Will be
taken.
Membership Campaign.
Jesse g. Suter. president of the
District Federation, again outlined the
proposal of all three federationS to
cooperate in general membership
drive during the month of November.
This plan already has. received the
Q. X of the Virginia federation, ac-
cording to its president, X. +. Ply
male, and the Montgomery fedora
ton is expected to take action look
ing toward cooperation at its next
meeting. Through this plan citizens
of not only the District but Mont
gomery and Arlington Counties would
participate in the general drive TO
gain members for the federation'S
constituent members.
Those attending the meeting last
night were Jesse {. Sutcr, William
Nick Clayton, r.. :. IIege and j. &.
Yaden of the District of Columbia
federation: Oliver o. Kuhn, Capt.
Frank Hewitt and Mai. r. B. Law
renee of the Montgomery federation:
r. T.. Plymale, Charles T.. kincheloe,
Frank Campbell and j. Cloyd Byars