Evening star., 1927-03-28
The Greater Capital Triumvirate te

The Greater Capital Triumvirate.
The Congress of the United States
and the Legislatures of Maryland
and Virginia are acting as a great
triumvirate to develop here not only
the most beautiful Capital City in the
world. but to have the surrounding
region. which is outside the territory
over which the Constitution has given
exclusive control to Congress, har.
moniously developed as a metropolitan
area of wonderful possibilities.
This Greater Washington zone in.
| cludes five counties in those two
States, Montgomery and Prince
Georges in Maryland, and Arlington,
Fairfax and Prince William in Vir.
| ginia.
The Star has previously listed in de-
| tail many projects for the improve.
| ment of the District of Columbia as
| the Nations Capital, that the Con-
| gress has in mind, most Of which have
| been already authorized and initial
| appropriations made, which will with
| in from five to ten years reach a
grand total Of nearly two hundred mil
lion dollars. Several of the most i'm.
| portant Of these projects are of direct
and great benefit to Virginia and
| Maryland.
The Star has also. both in news ar
ticles and editorials, emphasized the
program Of legislation before the
Maryland Legislature for co-ordina-
ton of suburban development in the
metropolitan area with the program
Of the Capital Beautiful builders. A
bin to that effect passed the State
House of Representatives on Friday
virtually without opposition.
And now comes Virginia, which in
prophetic vision contributed most to
the foundation of our Government and
the establishment of the National
Capital on the banks of the Potomac.
at special session of the State Legis.
iature called by Gov. Byrd for con-
sideration of the report Of a special
commission on reorganization of the
State government, expediting the pas
sage Of measures designed to carry
out in Virginia counties bordering on
the District of Columbia the same
scheme Of improvements that is un-
der way in the Capital itself.
The executive authority in Virginia,
exercised by Gov. Byrd, is squarely
behind this scheme Of cooperation.
The State Highway Commission.
through II. G. Shirly, its chairman, in
an interview with a Star representa-
tive, says that Virginia realizes that
1t owes an obligation to the National
Capital in connection with such prof.
ects as the fifteen-million.dollar Airing
ton Memorial Bridge. and that State
intends to fulfill its obligation by con-
structing an appropriate boulevard
through Arlington County to the new
bridge.
Through the persistent efforts Of
Arlington County's representatives in
the Legislature, State Senator Frank
L. Ball, Delegate C. T. Jesse and
House Floor Leader Charles Henry
Smith, several important measures
have been advanced. First, there is
the Arlington County coming act,
which will set up in that county the
same sort of law as is now operative
| in Washington. 1t has the strong sup
port of the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, and general at.
tention was focused on the need for
this commission by the recent stand
Of the citizens against the grant Of a
permit for the establishment of q
| slaughterhouse just across the High.
| way Bridge from Washington. This
zoning bill has passed the Virginia
Senate, and fs expected to pass the
House without any opposition today
or tomorrow.
Another important measure is to be
introduced by Senator Ball tomorrow
or Tuesday providing for incorpora.
ton OF Arlington County into Airing.
ton City as city Of the first class,
with a city council and under the city.
manager form Of government. This
bill will provide for a referendum on
the subject, so that the voters can di.
rectly declare their will. It is ardently
supported by the Arlington County
Federation Of Citizens Associations
and by the Arlington County Chamber
| of Commerce.
A bill is expected to pass this week
| giving administrative authority to the
Virginia Park and Planning Commits.
sion, created not long ago by Gov.
Byrd, to cooperate with the National
Capital Park and Planning Commits
sion.
Assessment of part Of the cost OF
sidewalk and sewer improvements
against abutting property owners in
Arlington County is also expected to
be authorized this week.
In this way Arlington County es
pecially is preparing to make itself
ready, by harmonious development,
with the Capital City. to provide at
tractive home sites for those who
wish to enjoy the advantages Of the
National Capital. with the added ad
vantages of suburban life and with
the right of suffrage.
Arlington County is naturally Q
part of Greater Washington, and has
opportunities for incalculable develop
ment. with q strong historic appeal
and has q great future ahead, linked
In with the broad. d.gauged program fol
|