Evening star., 1937-11-27
SUGGESTS
FLOOD RELIEF PLAN
FOR BLADENSBURC
Proposes Prince Georges
Authorities Take Advan-
tage of Cramton Act.
PLANNING SECRETARY
WILL ADDRESS BOARD
County Is Entitled to Receive
$1,200,000 Under Provisions
of Park Legislation.

Prince Georges County (Md.) au-
thorities, by taking advantage of the
Capper-C -Cramton Park Purchase Act.
can remedy to a great extent the pres
ent and prospective flood control prob
lem in Bladensburg, Thomas s. Set
tie, secretary Of the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission, said
today.
At the same time Mr. Settle an
nounced he has accepted the invitation
of Vincent A. Ostermann, president OF
the Bladensburg Board Of Commits
sioners. to address that group Friday,
December 10. at pm. in the Bladens-
burg High School.
Mr.. Ostermann said the purpose Of
the meeting will be to take immediate
steps to bring pressure to bear upon
the proper Federal and State officials
for remedying the flood situation in
Bladensburg, Brentwood, Colmar Man
or, etc"
Entitled to $1,2o0.o0O.
Under the Capper-Cramton Act,
passed some years ago by Congress,
Mr.. Settle explained that Prince
Georges County is entitled to receive
81, ,200, ,000-$400, 900 of this by grant
from the Federal Government and
100000 as a loan for eight years,
without interest. He pointed out that
purchase of lands along the Anacostia
River, Sligo Creek, Indian Greek, the
Northwest Branch and other tribu-
taries to the Anacostia as park areas
will prevent their purchase for low
cost housing developments and later
flooding.
He made it clear that a well-con-
sidered flood prevention program will
have to be worked out by Maj Walter
D. Luplow. district engineer for the
War Department for the Washington
area, and his associates. but that crea-
ton of the Prince George County park
system will alleviate conditions to a
large extent, now and in the future
Prince Georges County is growing
rapidly and unless the lands along
the river and stream valleys are pur-
chased now, it will cost many times
their present value to purchase them
in the future, he said.
A resolution by the Prince Georges
County Commissioners, placing them
officially on record that they desire
to avail themselves Of the provisions
Of the Capper- -Cranton Act, would be
sufficient, in Mr.. Settles judgment,
to start the ball rolling. Details of the
program would have to worked out
with the Maryland National Capital
Park and Planning Commission. After
the limits Of the park lands are de-
cided upon, the National Capital Park
| and Planning Commission would pre-
sent estimates to the Bureau of the
Budget and the Appropriations Com
mittees of Congress. looking toward
securing the necessary funds.
Cites Montgomery Activity.
Mr. Settle said that Montgomery
County has long since taken advan-
tage Of the Capper-C -Cramton Act, and
as result Rock Greek, Sligo and Cabin
John Valleys are now being developed
as park areas. Highways have been
constructed in some areas, picnic
tables and other recreational equip
ment set out and the land dedicated
to park purposes.
If the program as conceived is car
ried out in Prince Georges County, Mr.
Settle declared, it will mean the ex-
tension of AnacoStia Park in the Dis
trict to Bladensburg-and beyond
Montgomery County has developed
Sligo Valley as a park to the Prince
Georges County line, Mr.. Settle said,
but there it stops.
Since negotiations were first started
in Montgomery County, looking to the
program under the Capper- Champion
Act, Mr.. Settle declared, the county's
assessed valuation and population have
practically doubled.
In the Bladensburg region in the
Anacostia Valley. the Park and Plan
ming Commissions secretary envisions
a park driveway to link up with that
projected in the District and already
existing on the east side Of the river
to the Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge.