The Washington times., 1930-02-20
STATE CONTROL
ON OWN LAND
IS SOUGHT

EaTK and Planning Commission,
and Representative Cramton (R.)
OF Michigan, Is being held today
IN Cramton's office to discuss
! certain features of the Michigan
Congressman's bill to create a
George Washington memorial
parkway from, Great Falls to Mt.
Vernon, to which the Maryland
ers object.
The principal dislike of the
Maryland delegation is the pro-
vision in the Cramton bill which
gives the Federal Government
title to and jurisdiction over the
land in Maryland which will be
made a part of the proposed
parkway.
Will Repay Costs
The bill provides that the cost
Of the work in connection with
the parkway would be paid for
by the Federal Government, but
that the State of Maryland, or
o political subdivision of the
State, would have to reimburse
the Government for two-thirds Of
the cost Of that part lying in
Maryland.
It, is felt in this section that if
: local capital pays in large mea-
sure for the improvement, that
title to the land should rest in
the State Of Maryland and that
jurisdiction over that portion of
the proposed park lying within
this State should be lodged in
the Maryland-National Capital
Park and Planning Commission.
At a recent meeting of the
Montgomery County Civic Fedora
ton, E. Brooke Lee, Democratic
leader of Montgomery county,
spoke vigorously against this pro-
vision. Lee said he saw in it
the opening wedge for ultimate
annexation of additional Mary
land territory by the District of
Columbia.
Before Senate Committee
just what the local delegation
hopes to accomplish by confer
ing with Cramton is question,
1 because the bill is now out of his
hands, having passed the House.
It is now before the Senate Dis
trict Committee.
1T is doubtful whether Cram
ton will attempt to influence the
Senate committee to amend the
bill to. coincide with the wishes
Of the Maryland conferees of to-
day. In fact, there is reason to
believe that any attempt by o
member Of the lower House to
tell the Senate what 1t should do
with legislation lying on its table
would not be relished. s..
Aside from this, it is known
that Cramton himself would be
loath to attempt to interfere with
the bill as it now stands, though
the Michigan representative has
never publicly declared such a
stand. OF course. ii the measure
should be amended by the Senate
and returned to the House ser
conference, it would be quite
proper for Cramton to suggest
the amendment desired by the
Montgomery county organization
provided he sees eye to eye
with them as to the deSirability
of amending the bill. Cramton
has not declared himself on this
score.
Discuss Bridge Plan
Another question about which
more will be heard is the bridge
to be constructed at Great Falls.
According to the act authorizing
the bridge, construction must
commence. by March 4, next.
Announcement was made recently
by the Great Falls Bridge Com
pany that boringS are being made
preparatory to laying the founda-
tions for the bridge approaches.
While it is believed that these
will be sufficient to comply with
the law providing that "conStruc-
tion" must start within one year
after approval of the act, there
was a belief in certain quarters
on Capitol Hill today that the
bridge company is marking time
until it is seen what Congress
does with the Cramton bill. The
Cramton measure specifically pro-
hibitS construction of a toll bridge
ut Great Falls, but does not for
bid operation of a bridge already
constructed or, presumably, under
construction.
Bar Federal Ownership
An interesting feature of the
act authorizing the toll bridge,
which apparently has been over
looked, was pointed out today. 1t
is that after the toll bridge is
completed it can be taken over
by the State of Maryland or the
State Of Virginia or a political
subdivision of either, but not by
the Federal government.
The recapture section of the
act also provides that if the
bridge is taken over within 20
years after it's completion, the
price may include good will, going
value or prospective revenues or
profits. After 90 years these items
cannot be considered.
Those who conferred with
Cramton to-day are Irving C.
Root, chief engineer of the Mary
land+National Capital Park and
Planning Commission; j. Bond
Smith. counsel for the commits
sion: =. Brooke Lee. and Charles