Evening star., 1938-08-13
OPPONENTS TAKE
UNDERPASSFlGHT
TO WHITE HOUSE
Protest on Proposal for
Thomas Circle Is Given
to Roosevelt.
HOME OWNERS DECLARE
IT WOULD MAR BEAUTY
Layout at Scott Circle Cited in
Argument for Other Traffic
Jam Remedy.

Jam Remedy.
A protest against the proposed con-
struction of an underpass at Thomas
Circle was presented to the White
House today by A. ]. Driscoll, presi-
dent Of the Mid-City Citizens Asso-
citation, who headed committee OF
five.
The President was expected to read
the protest this afternoon or tomorrow
during his weekend yachting trip
down the Potomac River.
The protest opened;
"As residents of washington who
are anxious that the beauty OF
Thomas Circle shall not be mar-ed
except for compelling reasons, we ap-
peal to you to indicate your disap-
proval Of the plans as prepared by the
District Highway Department., which
plans, we understand. are now before
you; or at least to request that fur
ther action be not taken at this time.
Home Owners Object.
Mr.. Driscoll said the protest was
given on behalf of home owners whose
property is facing serious damage" by
the construction Of an underpass.
Accompanying Mr.. Driscoll to the
White House were:
Frank B. Hoffman. chairman of the
Mid-City Citizens Associations COM
mittee on streets, alleys and parks,
and also chairman Of special COM
mittee representing property owners
on Massachusetts, avenue and business
men on Fourteenth street. near the
circle, who are opposed to the under
pass.
Edwin L. Davis, member Of the
board Of trustees of the National City
Christian Church, which faces Thomas
circle.
Charles A. Mcmahon, spokesman
for the National Catholic Welfare
Conference, on Massachusetts, avenue
half block from the circle.
George A. Warren, chairman OF the
Mid-City Citizens Associations Edu-
cation Committee.
Declares Appeals Ignored.
The statement, which was left with
Marvin Mcintyre. secretary to the
President, declared:
I'VE make this appeal to you since,
as voteless residents of the District.
with only the right Of appeal, OUR ap-
peal to the District omcials and the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission and Fine Arts Commis-
sion seems to have been completely
ignored, Notwithstanding a petition
presented to them opposing the under
pass, signed by some 50 home owners
and business men. and great volume
Of protest which the plan has evoked.
Should the underpass, with the
necessary approaches, be constructed
it would mean the virtual ruin of all
front parking on Massachusetts, ave-
nue. between Thirteenth and Fifteenth
streets NV. and entail the destruction
of some 100 fine old shade trees.
This. we feel, borders upon vandal-
ism unless proved to be unavoidable,
yet it has by no means been estab-
lished that the plan proposed would
result in relieving traffic congestion In
any appreciable degree, so that the
taxpayers Of the District stand to lose
$532,000 and have boulevard spoiled,
with no assurance of accomplishing
the end sought
Many persons have stated that, ex-
cept in rush hours, there appeared to
be no more trafic congestion around
Thomas Circle and along Massachu-
sets avenue than was the case at ether
circles and avenues, and that if, durf>s
the morning and evening rush hours,
when all-day parkers are entering or
leaving the downtown area, there was
some congestion at times, this conges-
ton was to be expected and was not
exceptional
Scott Circle Layout Cited.
1T is an open question whether the
real remedy for any congestion Of
trafic at Thomas Circle and other
points does not lie in a ban against
parking along thoroughfares. This
view is backed by respectable author
ity.
Even If physical changes are
deemed necessary. an underpass is not
the sole resort. The plan adopted some
time ago at Scott Circle, where the
street layout is similar to that at
Thomas Circle. seems to have worked
well, and might well be adopted, it
would seem, at Thomas Circle. At
Thomas Circle, too, good deal of ad-
ditional space could be rendered avail
able by removing the pavement which
now encircles the Thomas monument.
I'VE have consulted legal counsel
upon the question whether an ap-
proval by Congress of the plan and
the appropriation of money to carry
1t out constituted a mandate, and we
are informed that this is not the case,
and that numerous decisions and opin-
ions support the opposite view.
We ask, Mr.. President, your best
endeavours to have action on this
project delayed until Congress meets,
80 that reconsideration by that body
kA