Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-18
HOOVER PLEDGES
REGIONAL. PLAN AID
Letter Read at Meeting Says
Nation Will Work for
Greater Capital.
CONTINUED From First Page.)

with intelligent anticipation OF such
growth, is today a first necessity OF
city progress and of the great national
function of our Capital. The determi-
nation of the scores of problems OF
Transportation, of abolition of slum
areas, development of park and recrea-
ton facilities, provision for the needs
of the school system and for the safety
of children, coordination OF govern
mental, industrial, and residential sec
lions, and, above all, identification, pre-
sents a combination of problems for
which there must be not only advance
plans but also constant guidance. THIS
commission has made a notable record
in all Of these directions.
cit is our national ambition to make
a great and effective city for the seat
of our Government, with a dignity,
character, and symbolism truly repre-
sentative of America. AS nation we
have resolved that it shall be accom-
plished. To succeed in the fullest
measure we have need for planning
not only within the District OF Column
bia, but also for cooperation from the
adjacent States. greatly appreciate the
presence here upon this mission OF the
leaders of both Virginia and Maryland,
The gathering at Constitution Han
was called to order by Mr.. Deiano
shortly after the close of din
ner at the Cosmos Club, rendered
by the American Civic Association
to the visiting landscape archi-
tects. members of the Fine Arts Com.
mission and National Capital Park and
Planning Commission and others. IN
Guiding distinguished personages IN
official and civic life here. Many Sena-
tors and Representatives participated,
while Mr.. Delano spoke briefly.
Calling attention to the large number
of local and national societies inter-
ested in the. welfare and development
of washington and surrounding regions.
Mr.. Delano offered this explanation OF
the commission and its work:
Under act of 1924 a park commits
sion was created by Congress, composed
wholly of officers of the Government
having to do with congressional APP
preparations for park land and with
the upkeep and maintenance OF those
lands. In 1926 an amendment to this
legislation was enacted which changed
somewhat the composition of the origi-
nal commission. It retained seven ex
oficio members and added to 1t four
private citizens from different sections
of the country, men who by their eX-
perience and training were qualified to
contribute to the work Of the COM
mission.
Eleven Comprised Commission.
1.-THE new commission consisted of IL
men and came into being In July, 1926.
this evening is chiefly the work OF
that commission.
at shall not attempt to describe the
work done by this commission. That
will be sufficiently presented in what
follows. but 1t Is important to under
stand the main conception OF this leg
islation.
"First, by the makeup Of the COM
mission to secure the maximum OF CO.
operation and coordination OF effort
among the different departments OF
the Government having share in the
problem.
Second. combining with that the
experience of men who have worked
or are working in other cities, ana
therefore can give valuable advice.
Third and last, there was a direc-
ton to the commission as to how 1t
might cooperate with our neighbor
and patron States in developing the
region around Washington. We shall
have more to say on this feature OF
the subject, but this is perhaps enough
to say at the present time"
The letter from President Hoover
was read by j. C. Nichols of Kansas
City, a member of the Planning Com
mission. On the platform were Sec
rotary Mellon, Gov. Albert e: Ritchie
and Gov John Garland Pollard, Horace
M. Albright, director of the National
Park Service, Interior Department, an
other commission member; Commits
missioner Dougherty and others.
In introducing Gov. Richie, Mr.. Del
ano said:
Soon after organization of the COM
mission, we took UP with the authors
ties of the State of Maryland, and espe-
cially with our friend. Maj. Brooke
sort of cooperative effort. We were
met with most cordial assistance, and
the necessary legislation was secured
in Maryland setting up metropolitan
area in the three counties bordering
the District of Columbia on the north,
with a highly competent commission
and able director"
Richie Pledges Cooperation.
Promising close cooperation with
the National Capital on behalf OF the
State of Maryland in the development
of the regional plan, Gov. Richie as
serted that the section OF Maryland
adjacent to the District has a common
cause with the Capital and that the
same is true of adjacent Virginia.
These three groups he described as
partners in a common enterprise"
Gov. Richie launched into his adj
dress after the Marine Band Orches-
ira had playd Maryland, My Mary
land" and remarked that this was the
FIRST audience outside the State of Vir-
ginia to greet its new chief executive.
knowing something of the difficulty OF
getting away from State capital when
a Legislature is in session, Gov. Richie
said he wondered how Gov. Pollard had
done it, but aScertained that it was ac-
complished by bringing the Legislature
with him. Members of the Virginia
Assembly were guests of honor and at
tended the meeting in a body.
Recalling that the present District
of Columbia was once part of Mary
land, the governor said that he pro-
posed to tell of the cooperative work
and common counsel with the District
because Montgomery and Prince
Georges Counties were linked with the
Capital by suburban development
These units. he said, are no longer self
reliant in the sense that they can plan
without reference to what is being done
on this side of the District line.
Citing the modern systems of high
ways and the advent of the automobile
as potent factors in American rural
life, Gov. Richie asserted that the
District line can no longer be consid-
cred a barrier between the Capital and
adjoining Maryland.
There must be cooperation, worked
out for the common good Of both, fol-
they are interdependent," he said.
Virginia is Third Party.
virginia, he said. is a third party ir
this plan. Calling attention to the
creation of the Maryland-Nationa
Capital Park and Planning Commission
Gov. Richie said that it has cooper.
ated with the local commission anc
that for two years property in the ad.
joining section of Maryland has beer