Evening star., 1936-01-23
BOUNDARY REPORT
BITTERLY SCORED
0elano Charges Represent.
ative Smith Acts for
Selfish interests.
BY REX COLLIER.

In Scatn1ng attdcK on recent
recommendations of the District Of
Columbia Virginia Boundary Commis-
sion for a low-water- mark boundary,
Frederic A. Delano chairman of the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission. today charged that Repre-
sentative Smith. Democrat. of Virginia,
who is seeking confirmation of the
commissions report, represents "in-
f1uential constituents who are demand
ing all they can get from the public
treasury"
Because of this embarrassing posi-
ton" Delano told the House Judiciary
Committee today. Representative
Smith is unable to look at this ques-
ton from the standpoint Of the rights
of either the United States Govern
ment or the citizens of the District
Of Columbia
Delano joined Assistant Attorney
General Harry w. Blair and OYER
Federal officials in opposing ratifica-
ton by Congress Of the commissions
findings that the District of Columbia
Virginia boundary be along the low
water mark of the Virginia shore and
across indentations from headland to
headland. The Government asserted
such a line would rob- the Govern
ment of valuable property involved in
the boulevard and park development
program across the Potomac.
Unjustified Enrichment Feared.
Disclaiming any intention of reflect
ing upon the honor and high stand
ing of the distinguished Representative
in Congress from Alexandra" Delano,
an uncle of President Roosevelt, said
that Smith, as lawyer, has convinced
himself the cause of his clients has
merit"
Il venture to ask him. however"
Delano said in prepared statement.
which he read to the committee. IF
this report is approved by Congress
and as a result the Federal OF Dis
trict government is required to pay for
land which they had every right to
consider theirs, to whom will these
thousands of dollars go?
LAS you all must realize, it will not
be paid to the State of Virginia, nor
to Alexandria, nor to the County of
Arlington. No. 1t would go to a small
group of men, and I leave it to this
committee to decide whether, consid-
ering the methods these men used in
acquiring it, they are justly entitled to
this land"
Court Decisions Held Contradicted.
Delano said the park commission
opposes the low water mark boundary
principally because it does violence
to and seeks to set aside one or more
decisions Of the United States Supreme
Court" and also because it would re-
quire the Federal or District govern
ment to pay thousands of dollars for
land actually under water or recently
built in connection with construction
of the Mount Vernon Memorial Boule-
ward.
Assistant Attorney General Blair,
In charge Of the Claims Di-
vision of the Department of Justice,
condemned the commissions report
as ambiguous and incomplete, and
announced that the findings also are
opposed by the District Commission
ers and the Department of Justice.
Thomas N. Settle, secretary of the
Park and Planning Commission, made
a determined attack on the report.
He also declared it contradicted two
Supreme Court decisions.
U. S. Property Loss Seen.
1.-THE report would rob the Federal
Government Of very valuable prop
erty," Settle told the committee.
Smith defended the commission,
members of which were not present,
and asserted he was willing tc sit
lSee BOUNDARY PAGE Al