Evening star., 1937-02-13

Development Of the triangular area
between Baltimore, Washington and
Annapolis Is under consideration by
the Maryland State Planning Com
mission, it was disclosed in National
Resources Committee report on the
activities of Al State planning boards,
made public today.
A preliminary survey already has
been made of the area, regarded as
perhaps the most important region
Of the Ctate" and within which $780,
900 people reside.
The full report. forwarded to the
President, was coupled with a veiled
plea for more financial support from
the States.
AS "a new channel for improved
understanding and better relations be-
tween the Federal Government and
the States. the report pointed out, the
work Of the Al commissions is i'm
portant in completing the inventory
of State resources and in laying the
ground work for long-range develop
ment programs.
Recognition Of the work of these
State boards was given by Mr.. Roose-
welt in a message read last night to
the American Planning and Civic As
sociation. 1T is encouraging to find"
he said, that the State and Regional
Planning Agencies are doing effective
work in collaboration with the Fed
eral Government, with each other, and
with the local planning boards.
II have recommended to Congress
that a continuing National Resources
Board should be established to serve
as a central planning agency under the
President, and hope that by that
means cooperative planning, fore
thought and policy can be developed
among all the Governments in the
United States"
Continuation Problematical.
How long this kind Of Federal as
sistance can continue, is, Of course,
problematical, the report itself
stressed. IF the demonstration has
been convincing, presumably the va
rious State legislatures now meeting
will provide more adequate appropri-
ations for the continuation Of State
planning work." it stated.
THE National Resources Committee
has steadfastly advocated decentral-
lied planning activity" the report
said.
Local Activities Reviewed.
1--WE have said to the States, You
have made a balance sheet Of your re-
sources and liabilities-you have pom
dered your problems. What do you
think the answer is, and what Is the
best way to proceed?"
The report reviews the activities Of
the National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission, the equivalent to
the State planning board for the Dis
trict of Columbia. This year, the COM
mission completed 10 years Of planning
work "in what has probably been the
most active decade of development in
the history of the National Capital"
That work, it was pointed out, has
been divided into two principal phases,
the first being that Of formulating
general plans for functional planning
and obtaining legislation for carrying
them through. The second phase
dealt with carrying out the original
L'Enfant plans for the development OF
the Capital city, matter which,
the report said, requires continual
vigilance"
1.-THE highway system, as exemph-
fed by the present Baltimore-Wash-
ington Boulevard, is glaringly in need
Of attention" the Maryland board re-
ported. "A visit to the region dis
closes large areas which at present
are little more than waste land, but
which will support forest growth.
Development Uncontrolled.
1.-THE area also contains valuable
portion of the Chesapeake Bay side
and adjoining river fronts, virtually
none Of which Is public reservation
or park. There are also various COM
munities In the area which have
sprung into being without plan or
zalatiQp to each otheE AZ Of tnass.