Evening star., 1933-10-21
Two Scenic Parkway Drives
Also Considered by
Commission.
ARM0RY AND STADIUM
FOR D. C. CONTEMPLATED
Restoration of Home of Francis
Scott Key Discussed at
Sessions.

more and the ambitious "tri-State park
way" linking up Washington, the
Shenandoah National Park in nearby
Virginia and the Great Smokey Ma
tional Park in North Carolina and Ten
nessee. were outstanding topics before
todays meeting of the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission.
An armory for the District Of Colum-
bia National Guard, coupled with a
stadium, both to be erected on the
banks of the Anacostia river at the end
of East Capitol street, likewise occupied
a prominent place on the program.
Assistant Secretary of Commerce
Mitchell appeared at the meeting to
discuss the Federal Governments in
terest in the airport problem, while
representatives of Arlington County,
were Harry A. Fellows, chairman Of the
county board of Arlington County, and
his colleague, Mrs. Elizabeth B. Ma
gruder Mr. Fellows explained that he
has no objection to the closing Of Mill
tary road, which now separates the
Washington and Hoover Airports, pro-
vided that an adequate substitute high
way Is furnished for the county resi-
dents.
Grant Sought for Key Home.
Thomas S. Settle, the commissions
secretary, urged his organization to
advocate restoration OF the Francis
Scott Key home, near Key Bridge, with
a grant from the Public Works Ad-
ministration. This building is now
utilized as a store, Mr.. Settle explained,
but it Is in Government ownership, the
commission having purchased it some
years ago as part of the George Wash
ington Memorial Parkway program
Many of the valuable mantlepieces and
much of the original structure still
stands, Mr.. Settle said, and the building
could be restored for comparatively
small sum. Arno B. Camerer director
of the Office Of National Parks, Build
ings and Reservations, now executive
officer Of the commission, has under his
jurisdiction many historical landmarks.
T. c. Jeffers Of the commissions staff
presented a special report on the De-
partment Of Agriculture farm at Belts
vile, Md. 1t is proposed to tie in this
enlarged farm, utilizing a right of way
across it for the projected parkway
drive between the National Capital and
the Maryland metropolis.
Conrad L. Wirth, assistant director
of the Once Of National Parks. Build
ings and Reservations, and John Nolen
city planner Of the commission, were
prepared to discuss the Baltimore park
way, as well as the new tri-state park
way, funds for the latter having been
requested of the Public Works Admin
iStration.
Oppose Any Obstruction.
The commission went on record as
opposed to q multiple arch bridge OF
any highway obstruction in the future
Independence avenue-now known as
B street south-in linking up the De-
partment of Agriculture Administration
Building with the newly constructed
extensible building. Mr.. Settle said
that the Fine Arts Commission, the
District Commissioners, the Public
Utilities Commission and the Co-ordi-
mating Committee have all opposed any
street Instructions in the construction
Of the utility bridge. The commission
be erected and If this is not feasible, tc
abandon the plan altogether.
The question Of a stadium with q
National Guard armory was taken ur
by the commission by Mai. Paul A
Hodgson. Assistant Engineer Commits
sioner. Mr. Wirth, Mr.. Nolen and Mr.
Settle discussed this program. The
Public Works Administration has beer
asked for funds to start preliminary
work on the combined armory anc
stadium. Initial plans are already
available
The Allied Architects, Inc, through
special committee, laid before the
commission studies for low-cost hous.
Ing and slum clearance here. Interest
In this problem was explained BY
Chairman King of the Senate District
Committee, who assisted in gettine
through Congress a measure designed
to eliminate alley dwellings here
These studies by the architects were
made at the request of Robert D
kohn, head OF the housing division ol
the Public Works Administration. Var.
ious localities were studied, but th'
identity was not revealed publicly
inasmuch as the Government fear.
that prices will be advanced if it i,
widely known just where operations ar,
| to start. Some of the low-cost house,
would rent for as low as IS per room
per month.
Plans for restoration of old house,
in Georgetown were placed before tn,
architect.
Recreation Aids Studied.
Henry v. Hubbard, landscape archi
tect member Of the commission, studie,
plans submitted by the Maryland Ma
tional Capital Park and Planning Com
mission for recreational facilities in tn,
nearby Maryland valleys of Rock Creel
and Sligo, which. are being develope,
under the Capper-C Cramton act. Irwin,
c. Root, engineer of the Marylan,
group, explained the plans, which pro
vide for tennis courts, base ball dia
monds, picnic groves and driveways
These plans for recreational facilitie
received commission approval and tn
| Marylanders hope to secure funds from
the Public Works Administration TO
highway construction In Rock Cree]
and Sligo Valleys.
Plans for the Arlington County sew
age disposal system, for which the Vir
ginians have secured from the Publi
| Works Administration an ALLEGATION O
| $2,500, 900, were considered by the com
| mission. Voters In the county are {,
| ballot on bond issue on November 81
| Plans for bridge to replace the struc
ture across the AnacoStia River a
which train wreck figured in the re
{! cent floods were laid before the com
/ mission by E. A. Schmitt, engineer IL
| the Office Of Maj. Joseph D. Arthur, jr
! district engineer for the War Depart
ment for the Washington area.