Evening star., 1931-12-28
DISTRICT BOUNDARY
SETTLEMENT URGED
Solution of Jurisdiction Prob
lem in Potomac Area Backed
by Planning Group.
BY LESTER n. INSKEEP,
staff Correspondent of The Star.

ARLINGTON COUNTY COURT
HOUSE, Va December 28.-Settlement
of the long standing dispute as to the
District of Columbia Virginia boundary
is recommended in the annual report
OF the National CAPITAL Park and Plan
ming Commission. 1t is also recommended
that the question of jurisdiction over
lands along the Virginia shore be settled
The former recommendation is under
the head of Items for Action by Execu-
tive Authorities" and recommends that
the Attorney General institute proceed
ingS to determine the location of the
boundary line This has long been a
controversial subject and can be settled
only IN the United States Supreme
Court.
In referring to this matter, the COM
mission points to the decision OF the
Supreme Court in the case of the con-
troversy between the Washington Air
port and Smoot Sand g. Gravel Co. over
the closing of the formers access to the
Potomac River. In this decision the
court stated that the boundary was the
usual high water mark, so that the
only question is whether anything has
happened since to change the original
line"
Property in Arlington.
The original high water mark, it Is
declared, ran to points beyond what are
now fully developed properties that are
allegedly in Arlington County and upon
which taxes are collected by the local
authorities. If the matter is pressed
by the Federal authorizes. it is claimed,
it might mean considerable loss 10
Arlington County, Many claim that a
greater part Of the property occupied
by the Washington and Hoover Airports
was once In tidewater and has been
reclaimed by filling and drainage:
"The commission" the report states
urges the immediate institution OF the
necessary legal proceedings to deter
mine, assert and maintain control OF
those areas in the public interest"
In referring to the Rosslyn water
front situation, the commission states
that Fthere is ample opportunity In the
Washington region for water front de-
velopment in situations more favorable
than Rosslyn, but whatever the need
the commission has endeavored to safe
guard the future by study of the posi-
bilities involved" Despite the belie1
that RosSlyn is not particularly suited
for commercial water front development
the commission, in a spirit Of co-opera'
tion, developed plan which would per-
NIT q county-owned wharf in conjunc.
ton with the proposed bridgehead de-
velopment and park treatment above
the bridge, the report shows. The plar
has been referred 10 Arlington County
authorities, and the commission ex-
presses the hope that 1t will serve as
basis for an agreement which will pro.
vide not only for cooperation in exc
cution of the proposal for county
wharf, but also assure the acquisition
OF all of the lands within Arlington
County which are needed for the George
Washington Memorial Parkway.
Wiis1n Memorial Urged.
Construction of a memorial to Wood
! row Wilson on the hilltop at Radnol
| Heights, Arlington County, is suggested
| by the commission. The proposed site
| which is in the form of a large terrace
! Just north of the proposed Lee Boule'
ward route, affords panoramic views o.
| the city, river and distant hills, the re-
port states. Studies of such memoria
have been prepared by the commission
The commission urges some action Il
permit construction of the Lee Boule'
ward approach, which has been hlocket
because Of interference with the For
| Myer Military Reservation. 1t also re
| news lts TecoiilIieiloaSAoh ioh coAtoea ~
ton by Virginia of new route to th'
South by-passing Alexandria.
In referring to the proposed park de
velopments in nearby Virginia, which
! include the George Washington Me
mortal Parkway, the commission state
that it anticipates the cooperation O
the State of Virginia. Some action u
make the Ball park and planning &C
for Northern Virginia effective is rec
commended.