Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-11-28

tne highway Department remarked,
and the only actual benefit its own
citizens get out of it is partial relief
from traffic congestion.
AS an example, the proposed K
street overpass into Georgetown, de-
ferred two years because of excessive
costs, would not be necessary except
for the need of funneling traffic from
and to Virginia during rush hours.
The same need exists for an under
pass at Dupont Circle and later, per-
haps, at Scott Circle. to expedite the
steady stream of Maryland cars en-
tering from Massachusetts and Con-
necticut avenues and from Sixteenth
street and Rhode Island avenue.
The recommendations also in the
Maryland planning report, for the i'm
mediate construction of two new super
motor parkWays from Washington to
Baltimore and from Washington to
Annapolis, call for local study and
planning. 1t will be necessary. when
the occasion arises, to connect with
them from the outskirts of the city.
On the whole, District highway Of
flclals visualize their future problem
as one involving principally the WIDEN
ing OF existing outlets into the sub
urban areas rather than building more
than few new extensions. Recent
arterlal extensions have been pro-
Vided in many sections and others are
either under construction or considera-
ton.
The vital Importance to the District
of Columbia of planned program for
the future development of the popu
lous Baltimore Washington Annapolis
area has long been recognized. 1t
needed only such an extensive sur
Vey as recently made to bring it into
more definite focus Some two wears
ato the Maryland Planning Commits
sion released preliminary plan that
embraced only the general aims for
the area. 1t was based on a sketchy
but it fell on recep-
tive ears, so the survey went ahead.
100000 Increase Seen.
The Baltimore Washing ton-Annap-
oils Area today contains a population
OF 1.713,000 that, 1T is estimated will
increase to 100000 by 1850. If the
population forecast of $4,000 is ac-
copied for Baltimore 1900 900 re-
mains to be divided between the Dis
trlct of Columbia and the "non-urban"
area.
Washington's estimated six-year
ll4'00o people, makes it likely that
at least 100000 will be added by 1850
TO make a total of 100000. leaving
5o0,000 people in the remainder of the
Area at that time Annapolis and its
suburbs will absorb only a small Dor
ton OF the total. The great ma ior1tv
will be crowded into the suburban
Baltimore areas. An
estimated 40 square miles of suburban
areas will be added by 1850.
Beyond the immediate suburban
area OF each city. the report stresses,
this development is uncontrolled, fea-
tured by "dwindling agricultural areas
IN soll-depleted areas, planless spread
ing OF suburbs, growth Of bay-front
developments without regard for pub
nc peaches or necessary public util-
lties, ugly structures along inadequate
highways and other related
through the area travel three and
a quarter million tourists yearly. Pride
and pocketbook go hand-in- hand IN
determining for the cities and the
area that this shall be
more than an urban back
yard-that farms. homes, places of
commerce and industry, parks, beaches
and motorways shall be attractive and
appropriate for the surroundings of
the Nations Capital and its eighth
largest city"
Delano Sees No-Man's Land.
Obviously, the most important need
IS Tor co-ordinated plan of suburban
development and in this the National
Capital Park and Planning Commits
sion OF which Frederic A. Delano is
chairman is equally as interested as
the Maryland Planning Commission,
In commencing the report Chairman
Oelano said: Unless guided by some
comprehensive plan providing for such
vital functions as the efficient circu-
ation of traffic by highway and park
way, for the control of land uses in
The interest Of the whole community,
and for recreational opportunities to
De obtained with large parks. public
forests and beaches, present influences
Will continue to make a no-man's land
II an area which now has no other
destiny.
The recommendation in the report
for the establishment of a co.ordinat-
ing committee, sponsored by the Mary
land State Planning Commission, to
assume responsibility for co-ordinat-
ing area-wide planning proposals, ap-
pears to this commission to be an ad-
mlrable means whereby this commits
sion and the other agencies repre-
Sented on the co-ordinating committee