Evening star., 1933-07-28
PLANNERS MEET
FOR REORGAN|z|NG
Calvert Street Bridge Cues.
ton Later Before Joint
District Session.

Fine Arts Commission and the Dis
trict Commissioners to discuss the de-
sign Of the proposed Calvert Street
Bridge, the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission met this morn
ing and considered routine improve
ments, together with matters con-
nected with Its reorganization under
the Interior Department
Chairman william H. King Of the
Senate District Committee. member
Of the commission. attended the meet
ing, and also was present during the
discussions centering on the Calvert
Street Bridge, in which he is vitality
interested Members Of the Fine Arts
Commission. meanwhile, visited Merid-
ian Park to inspect the site for the
bust Of Goethe, having in mind the
type Of pedestal which Is 70 be
erected.
Federation Notified.
The planning officials served notice
today on the Federation OF Citizens
Associations that its committee could
not attend the executive session this
afternoon while the plans of the bridge
are being discussed The Fine Arts
Commission. which is legally charged
with passing on the design Of the
bridge, believed that II any hearings
are necessary to settle the controversy
which has arisen. they should be held
before the District Commissioners. The
federation and other civic interests are
opposed to the action Of Maj. John c.
Gottwals, engineer commissioner, in ap-
proving . "rest,ldy and reinvestisation"
by the Philadelphia firm Of Modjeski
Masters d Chase. which designed q
single arch steel structure now under
consideration. The federation has Al
masonry bridge. conforming in general
design to the TAFT Bridge over Rock
Creek Park
1t was said definitely that no de-
cision was expected to be reached at
this meeting on the type Of bridge
to be constructed
The Park and Planning Commission
directed . resolution to Be drafted COM
mending the services Of Lieut.. Col.
U. 8. Grant. 3rd. former director Of
Public Buildings and Public Parks.
Letter Of Secretary Ickes.
A letter from Secretary Ickes was
received saying that the new organi-
xation to be set up for the present ONCE
of public buildings and public parks
would take over all the duties OF the
old body.
Maj. D. H. Gillette assistant direc-
tor Of public buildings and public
parks and civil engineer for the Park
and Planning Commission explained to
that body In detail what these routine
duties constitute. They all deal with
such questions as records. pay rolls
and other administration details.
The commission considered the de-
velopment of the widening Of East
Capitol street to q width Of 70 feet.
SO as to make the present building
line conform with the building line
of the new United States Supreme
Court Building This would require
legislative action. it was decided Also
under consideration were plans for clos
ing 10 streets and other routine high
way developments previously agreed on
at hearings.
At the Joint meeting of the Commits
sion Of Fine Arts. the Planning Com
mission and the District Commission
ers. the designs for the Calvert street
bridge were being considered
A small delegation. including COM
mittee Of the Federation of Citisens'
Associations. interested in the contro-
versy that has engaged for some years
over the type Of bridge to be construct
ed. planned to seek admission to the
meeting. The federation. desiring a
masonry bridge with . multiple span to
conform to the Taft Bridge directly
opposite has opposed the design sub
mitted to the District Commissioners
by Modjeski, Masters g. Chase. Phila-
delphia bridge engineers. This plan
calls for Q single arch. said to be q
more economical design.
Besides the Calvert Street Bridge, the
Planning Commission and Fine Arts
Commission propose to discuss the
widening Of Z street behind the Sher-
man Statute Just west Of Fifteenth
street. and the repaving Of Four
teenth street through the Mall. Other
plans under consideration are: De-
velopment Of the Fort Drive connect
ing the Civil Wars forts around the
city: widening Of East Capitol street to
72 feet and the regional bypass, q boule-
ward diverting traffic from the city
proper. leading it from the Baltimore
roads around the city to Chain Bridge.