Evening star., 1937-11-21

.
nature. And then on next Thurs
day we will have additional cause
for Thanksgiving for the oppor-
tunity afforded us to serve and for
our embracing Of that opportunity.
II any one has been skipped In
the canvass or II upon . reconsid-
Grafton Of these vital needs they
have decided to increase their con-
tribution, there is still time for
them to act and thus further en-
courage those good citizens who
have been handling this campaign
and thus making it convenient for
us to do our duty.
Further Consideration Of
Co-ordinated Metropolitan Area.
A CTUATED by a desire to bring
about q better understanding
between the several communities
comprising the National Capital
Metropolitan Area, the Interfeder-
alton Conference was formed.
Originally composed Of delegations
from the citizens federations Of
the District, Arlington County. Va,
and Montgomery County, Nd, it
now includes also the federation Of
Prince Georges County, Md.
The idea OF a co-ordinated area
has been under consideration
throughout the life of the confer
ence. and an examination Of its
records shows q number Of def
mite results along that line. A real
accomplishment. which has been
its foundation and responsible for
its success. has been the creation
Of q spirit Of tolerance between
the leaders in these different gov
ernmental Jurisdictions.
The monthly meetings. merely
for conference over the problems
common to all parts Of the area,
have resulted in these leaders be-
coming acquainted and discovering
that there are other sides and other
peoples viewpoints to be taken into
consideration. Each group has dis
covered that the other fellows were
not nearly so bad as they had
thought them to be and that they
had some real grievances which
might be removed or reduced
through some teamwork.
In its early days it was q COM
mon practice for the members Of
the conference to sit in council
with the members Of the National
Capital Park and Planning Com
mission and their able able ex-
ecutive ofncer, Col. U. 8. Grant,
Sd. Out Of some Of these con-
ferences came the idea Of the
formation Of the Maryland and
Virginia National Capital Park and
Planning Commissions. Approved
by the conference, the two fed
erations Of Montgomery and Ar
lington Counties got busy and OBJ
tanned the required legislation in
their respective State Legislatures,
and these commissions became .
reality.
Largely out Of . discussion in the
conference Of the problem Of pol
luton Of the Potomac River from
some Of the adjacent communities
in Virginia came the movement for
the modern sewage system for Ar
lington County. Just one other ip-
stance Of the contribution Of the
conference toward coordination Is
that Of the Washington Commu-
nifty Chest campaign covering the
metropolitan area. That idea has
been put into operation in the pres
ent campaign and 1t was originated
in the Interfederation Conference
by the Montgomery County delega-
ton and pushed to successful con-
clusion through q conference com.
mittee.
At the Interfederation Confer
ence meeting on Monday night the
secretary and the city planner Of
the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission were pres
ent. These gentlemen discussed the
advantages which would accrue
through q further system Of CO.
ordination. Sewage disposal, water
supply. police and fire protection,
uniformity Of coming. connecting
highways. trafic control, public
health and many other problems
which apply to the entire area were
considered with view to bringing
about q uniformity Of cooperation
which would be helpful to all.
Such improvements were not to
be brought about through any
amalgamation and loss Of identity
Of these several governmental juris-
dictions, but through the process Of
compacts between the States and
the Federal Government, acting for
the voteless and unrepresented Dis
trict Of Columbia. It was pointed
out that such compacts now exist
- to water supply and sewage
uOpUUAA, 6uu 1OI CkteDo ScfVICo0 the
adjacent communities are now nay.
ing the District.
In q similar manner, It was sug-
gested that arrangements might be
made for other services which the
District could more emciently per-
form for the smaller adjacent COM
munities. which would be paid for
to the District in . similar man.
ner. Thus, there might be q uni
formity In the control Of conta-
gious diseases, the pursuit Of GRIM
inals and other services which are
not now under any uniform con-
troll. ....
The .1nterfederation Conference
is tho only forum suited to such
discussion and 1t u the expressed
intention Of the several delegations
to continue these discussions more
In detail with the park and plan
ming omcials.