Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-14

to say Just what can be done in the
area, and finally to say whether or not
any power project can be placed there.
The bill says that before any park or
power development shall be commended
or additional roads or highways may be
constructed In defined area, the con-
sent and approval of the Park and
Planning Commission of Maryland shall
be first secured by any public or private
agency proposing such development
The area defined lies wholly within the
State of Maryland. The act defines
the territory as rupning from the west
ern line of the present metropolitan dis
trict of Washington, along the Virginia
shore of the Potomac to the intersec-
ton of the Falls and Scotland roads.
through the Oak Spring Lock triangu-
lation station. and thence south along
the western boundary of the metropolis
tan district
While the bill does not include in
the metropolitan district at this time
the proposed area, 1t does state that it
is the Legislative intent" to add this
area to the metropolitan district in
1881.
Purchase Is Proposed.
The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, the Federal
agency. has proposed that Congress
purchase this area and develop it for
park purposes, as the Federal Govern
ment's sole contribution to the park
system of the metropolitan districts
of the two counties in Maryland and
Virginia. 1t has opposed its develop
lnent for any kind of power project
although there is pending before the
Federal Power Commission request
for preliminary permit from pri-
vate corporation.
The effect of the legislation just
introduced. which has been declared
in the proposed law an emergency
measure, and which is said to have ex-
cellent chance of passage at this ses-
sion of the Legislature. is to give the
Maryland commission the final say as
to whether such project can be de-
veloped. regardless of what the Fed
cral agencies might do in the matter
Although the annual report of the
Park and Planning Commission was
only presented yesterday, it was fol-
lowed by bills seeking to amend the
law in accordance with its recon-
mendations.
Acting on the plea for use OF
portion of the 7-cent tax for the ac-
QUESTION Of park lands to be applied
to the improvement and maintenance
UI kdIk dISdS, tIlC EIiklCC oCOt6 hAiA
Montgomery County delegations joint
~ introduced bill which would al
low two-sevenths of this tax to be
used for this purpose. 1t was ex-
planned by the commission that the
provision of such fund would permit
of the extension of the Rock Greek
and Sligo Valley Parks in Maryland.
Fee Provided For.
Another amendment provides that
no condemnation of land for park pur-
poses may be effected without the
written approval of the Prince Georges
County Commissioners, while another
provides that a fee may be collected
by the planning commission for serv-
ices rendered in considering subdivision
pIats. Authority would be given the
planning commission to approve all
building permits in the metropolitan
district. under the terms of another
amendment, while one provides that
the Prince Georges County Commits
sioners shall be paid 5000 year each
for services in connection with the
metropolitan district act.
The power of the Montgomery County
Commissioners in the matter of con-
formations of land is enlarged by
bill introduced by the county delega-
ton. The present law restricts their
power to concentrations for the open
ing. widening. or improving ROADS,
streets and alleys, while the new law
would give them power to condemn Tor
public buildings, or for any necessary
public purpose For the purposes OF
the act. the county is declared TO be
a municipality.