Evening star., 1937-10-30
SURVEY Of TRAFFIC
HERE IS ORDERED
by PLANNING UNIT
Experts to Study Pressing
Local Problems, Including
Circles Congestion.
TX STREET 0VERPASS
ALSO TO BE CONSIDERED
Commission Votes to Turn Over
100000 for Extension Of
Rock Creek Park.

The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission will bring some
of the Nations best traffic experts here
to study some of the city's most press
ing problems-including the projected
underpasses at Dupont, Scott and
Thomas Circles; the intersection of
Constitution and Pennsylvania ave-
nues and the proposed K street over
pass at the Rock Creek and Potomac
Parkway, officials said today.
This action was taken after the
commission had devoted large share
of yesterday to listening to II. c.
Whitehurst, the Districts director Of
highways, and Col. Dan I. Sultan, En-
gineer Commissioner of the District
who Is an ex officio member of the
commission, explain the five-year
highway plan and the engineering
problems in conjunction with traffic.
The commission voted to turn over
100000 to the Maryland-National
Capital Park and Planning Commis-
sion for extension Of Rock Greek Park
in Maryland, from Connecticut ave-
nue. to Garrett Park. 1t also agreed
to support legislation in the coming
Congress, looking TO a unified recrea-
ton program for the District.
Zoning Expert Engaged.
In the past, the commission has
engaged a number Of experts to aid
it in untangling several problems here.
Harland Bartholomew of st. Louis
has been engaged as zoning expert
and has aided materially in laying
the basis for the projected new legis-
lation to be introduced shortly to mod
ernize the Districts 1920 zoning Act.
About six years ago, DR.. Miller Nc
Clintock, director of the Albert Russell
Erskine Bureau of Street Traffic Re-
search of Harvard, was called in as
consultant to the commission and
drafted a report. Whether he will
again he asked to serve here has not
as yet been announced.
Thomas S. Settle, secretary of the
commission, said late yesterday, after
the commission had concluded its two
day session, that the organization i:
authorized under the law to engage
experts, but that no names have yet
been discussed. The experts will con-
suit with the commission, the Dis
trict Commissioners and Mr.. White
hurst
The commission was informed by
Mr.. Whitehurst that one Of its long
advocated plans-creation of the Fort
Drive to link up the Civil War forts
encircling the city-will be pushed
forward, inasmuch as around s125,000
annually is to be spent for the next
five years to build sections of this and
give the city crosstown thorough
fare, tying in with the park system.
The staff of the commission will CO.
operate with Mr.. Whitehurst in IRON
ing out these problems.
Recreational System.
A unified recreational system for the
District will be sought, the commits
sion decided, after it had listened to
report by T. c. Jeffers, its landscape
architect, who Is secretary Of the Com
mittee on Coordination of Plans for
the District of Columbia recreation
system. The commission will work
with the District Commissioners and
the Board Of Education in endeavoring
to weld into more desirable unit the
recreational aspects Of the National
Capital Parks, Playground Depart
ment of the District government and
the Community Center Department of
the Board of Education.
| President Roosevelt has advised the
interested parties that one-third more
results can be obtained under better
co-ordinated system for the money
now being spent, Mr.. Settle recalled.
Representative Collins, Democrat, of
Mississippi and Senator Thomas, Dem
ocrat, of Oklahoma are particularly
interested in bringing about the uni
fled recreational plan in the coming
Congress, the planners secretary as
| serted.
Chairman Frederic A. Delano of the
commission Was empowered to call
conference of officials of the larger
Government departments, with power
to act, to attempt to set up stag
gered working hours program, so that
traffic may be yelieved here. The date
for this has not yet been set. Col.
Sultan and William A. Van Duzer,
the Districts director of traffic, plan
to oo-operateein this.
Regarding the suggestion of the Po-
tomac Electric Power Co. to cut down
trees along the palisades of the Poto-
mac River in the District, near the
Dalecarlia filtration plant, the COM
mission asked that no tree cutting
be done until the subject can be given
further study. The power company
said the tree slashing is desirable so
that its wires may be freed OF inter-
ference, leading to the filtration plant.
Tunnels Under River.
| Col. Peter M. Anderson submitted 10
the commission his plans for the use
of tunnels under the Potomac River
In the region of East Potomac Park to
beautify and modernize that section
of the city. The commission has taken
these plans under advisement and will
give them careful study, Mr.. Settle
said. The Fine Arts Commission has
long advocated q railroad tunnel under
the Potomac River in that section.
Completion of the highway between
the Arlington and Key Bridges and
the Lee boulevard connection will give
great relief to the traffic burden over
the Key Bridge, the commission feels.
The Jeffers reports pointed to the
possibility of the limited use in small
park areas, such as triangles, squares,
etc., for recreation and said that
studies are now being made Of specific
areas with view to their development.
The committee pointed to the need
of q technical staff to conduct studies
and prepare plans well in advance of
the improvement and construction
program and said its work is being
crippled.
Services at Woodside.
WOODsIDE, Md, Oct. 80 (SpeciaD.