Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-29
ROOSEVELT ROAD
TOGETTYSBURG AIM
New Association Proposed at
Silver Spring to Push
Project.
BY WILLIAM J. WHEATLEY,
Stan Correspondent Of the Star.


Stan Correspondent Of the Star.
SILVER SPRING, Md, January 49,
Revival of the proposal for the con-
struction of a new boulevard through
virgin territory, direct from the Dis
trict of Columbia line to Gettysburg,
was forecast today, when Capt. Frank
l.. Hewitt said that it was planned to
organize an association which would
have for its purpose the accomplish
ment of such a goal.
The plan to have the Federal Gov
eminent foot the bill for such road
was dropped suddenly last week by the
Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce,
following display of opposition from
towns along the Rockville Frederick
Gettysburg route, in favor of the wild
ening and improvement of that high
way.
Board Only Sought.
However, the particular legislation
sought by the Silver Spring chamber
was not a provision for construction by
the Federal Government, but resolu-
ton, prepared by the commerce body,
and introduced in the United States
Senate by Senator Willard F. Tydings
of Maryland, providing for the appoint
ment of a commission to study the mat
ter. The protestants against the con-
struction of a new highway said they
understood that Senator Phillips Lee
GoldSborough and Representative Fred
N. zihlman, both of Maryland, would
amend the TydingS resolution when IL
reached the floor of either house, and
following this announcement the silver
Spring chamber officials indicated that
they would not press the matter, be-
cause of the belief that presentation
of a divided front might defeat 1t.
But it became apparent today TO
those in close touch with the matter
that the movement was silenced by po-
litical pressure at this time. Political
lieutenants along the Rockville route
on the west side spoke in favor OF Ihe
widening and improvement OF tnat
road, and, it was explained, to prevent
a division and showing OF olVloeo
front among these forces, now IN con-
troll. the whole affair was dropped.
Leaders Not Consulted.
Political leaders in the opposite party,
however. had never been called mto
conference on the proposed proJect at
any time, it was pointed out by Capt.
Hewitt. Capt. Hewitt explained that
he was not now a member OF the
Chamber of Commerce of Silver Spring,
having resigned, following ruling that
he had been elected secretary in the
absence of a quorum. although other
officers also elected in the absence OF
a quorum were not challenged.
Capt. Hewitt said that the extension
of sixteenth street through Montgom-
ery County was the logical route for
new road to Gettysburg, and that
progress could not be stopped by politi-
cal manipulations. such as he indicated
we're being practiced on the new roao
project. If, he said, those on the west
side want the Rockville road widened
and improved as Lincoln Memorial
Boulevard, they should have it, but, he
said, there should be a new road as
memorial to the late Col. Theodore
Roosevelt.
He said that he felt quite sure that
the Federal Government could be pre-
vailed upon to construct such road
If the State Of Maryland would pro-
vide the right of way. He said he felt
sure that Senator GoldSborough would
support such new road project. and
added that it was that Senator, when
governor of Maryland, who had first
made free road out of Georgia avenue
to Olney, when it was a toll road,
Representative Zihlman, he explained,
was the man who put through Con-
gress the legislation for the extension
of Sixteenth street to the District line,
where it connects with short strip
into Maryland, and he believed that
Representative would work for its
further extension into Montgomery
County, and through to Gettysburg.
Cost of Rockville Project.
Capt. Hewitt said that to widen the
Rockville Frederick Gettysburg road, as
proposed by those living along it, would
cost millions alone to get through
Rockville, GaitherSburg and Frederick.
There is no unoccupied space on the
roadside as it passes through these
towns. and to widen it would involve
the heavy expenditure of money for the
acquisition of building fronts which
would have to be torn down.
There is a well-laid plan on foot to
organize the association with a MEM
bership of people in the territory bor-
dering on Georgia avenue north of Sill
yer Spring and as far as CookeSville
on the Frederick highway,
for the express purpose of getting be-
hind legislation for the construction of
this proposed memorial road, in spite
of the fact that the Silver Spring
Chamber of Commerce has called off its
plans to push the project which it
initiated.