Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-13
Early Report on Measure Is
Indicated as Result of
"Friendly" Session.
ENDORSEMENTS GIVEN
PROPOSAL ARE CITED
Sponsor, Col. Grant, DR.. Havenner,
Maj. Brown and Others Tell Of
Advantages to Be Derived.

An early report was indicated follow
ing friendly hearing today by the
House committee on public buildings
and grounds on the Cramton bill for d
comprehensive parkway development
for the National Capital and its en-
virons at an estimated cost of $23,000,-
600 and comprising the acquisition and
development of 1880 acres of land.
Representative Cramton was the prin-
cipal speaker with Lieut.. Col. Grant, Sd,
executive officer of the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission; Maj.
Carey H. Brown, engineer of the COM
mission; DR.. George c. Havenner, presi-
dent Of the Federation of Citizens
Associations, and representatives of sew
eral national organizations interested in
civic improvement and preservation Of
recreational spots adjacent to cities.
Mr.. Cramton told the committee this
measure has more extensive indorse-
ment than any measure proposed for
the Capital within his observation. It
has been Endorsed by the Washington
Citizens Associations, representing 30,-
600 citizens; by the Congress of PARENT
Teacher Associations, with 10000 MEM
bers; by great many of the citizens
association, by the District Commits
sioners, the Planning Commission, the
Budget Bureau and the President.
He explained that the outstanding
feature Of this development is the
George Washington Memorial Parkway,
which will give control of both banks
of the Potomac River from Mount YER
non and Fort Washington to Great
Falls, and includes taking over and inn
proving the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
with its great historic interest and rec.
reati0nal possibilities
Boulevard Part Of Parkway.
He explained that the Mount Vernon
Memorial Boulevard soon to be con-
structed will be part of this parkway.
1t also provides for construction of a
highway on the Maryland side from
Fort Washington to Great Falls and
for an extension of Rock Creek Park
into Maryland He emphasized the
danger of Rock Greek being lost unless
this watershed is preserved.
For these improvements outside
Washington the Federal Government is
to pay one-half of the cost after insur-
ance by the States of Maryland and
Virginia that they win cooperate. The
cost is to be advanced by the Federal
Government, one-haH of which is to
be paid back by the States or political
subdivisions or by private parties with
in five years.
Mr. Cramton explained that his bill
also allows for other extensions of Rock
Greek and Anacostia with one-third Of
the cost to be paid by the Federal Gov
ernment.
In the District. he explained that a
fund of S16000,000 would be provided
from the Federal Treasury so that de-
sirable areas which might soon be lost
may be acquired promptly and the long
contemplated scheme of parkway i'm
provement may begin in 1891 and car
ried out within three years.
U. S. Would Lend Money.
The Federal Government would adj
vance the $!6.000,000 for expeditions
acquisition of these areas and the Dis
trict would pay it back at the rate of
81 100000 year for is years. The
District would gain, he emphasized, by
having to pay the million dollars for a
definite period of 16 wears, rather than
an indefinite period that might run to
Is years, and would get the use Of the
land desired at once.
Emphasizing that the sentiment of
the people OF the entire United States
is behind this proposal, and desire TO
have the Capital beautified and de-
veloped. Mr.. Champion laid before the
committee more than so letters from
civic leaders and city planners and from
many organizations throughout the
country.