Evening star., 1938-06-26
CITIZENS OPPOSE
UNDERPASSPLAN
Mid-City Group Is Against
Destruction of Trees
on Avenue.

Civic opposition to construction of
traffic underpass at Thomas Circle
is expected to crystalline tomorrow
night at meeting of the Mid-City
Citizens Association at o'clock in
the Thomson School.
A. J. Driscoll, president of the asso-
ciation. is leading a fight against the
project because Of the discovery that
plans call for the widening of Massa-
chusetts avenue in the vicinity of the
circle and the consequent destruction
of huge trees which have helped to
make the thoroughfare landmark in
Washington.
c. Marshall Finnan. superintendent
of National Capital Parks, has ex-
pressed opposition to the underpass,
partly on esthetic grounds and partly
because he regards underpasses as a
patchwork approach to solution of
traffic congestion. Mr.. Finnan and
John Nolen, jr. director of planning
Of the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, failed recently
in an effort to induce the commission
to urge delay in the Thomas Circle
project until it could be studied in
more detail.
General Plan Approved.
Both the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission and the Fine
Arts Commission have approved the
general plan for dipping Massachu-
sets avenue under Thomas Circle
Mr.. Finnan pointed out that officials
had concentrated study on the Du-
pont Circle underpass, with a view tc
undertaking that project first, but that
Congress substituted the Thomas Cir.
Gle program, full details Of which had
not been worked out The detailed
working plans are to be developed by
a private firm. under supervision OF
Capt. H. c. Whitehurst, director OF
highways.
The midcity association Endorsed
the Thomas Circle plan in principle
when it was first proposed. At thai
time, Mr.. Driscoll explained. the as
sociation had no knowledge of thu
fact that Massachusetts avenue wa!
to be widened and some Of its beau.
tiful trees sacrificed. Since then th<
Executive Committee of the associa.
ton has received numerous protest.
from residents OF the circle neigh.
borhood, as a result Of which the
Committee on Streets and Avenue!
undertook a survey. This committee
it is understood. has obtained many
names to a petition protesting against
the project if it involves the cutting
down of trees or other impairment o.
the avenues beauty.
Called to Ickes' Attention.
The controversy that has arisen ovel
the underpass is to be brought to the
attention of Secretary Ickes by OH.
cials Of his department. and it is thu
plan of those circulating the petition
Of protest to present copies Of 1t tt
Mr.. Ickes as we'll as to the District
Commissioners.
Mr.. Finnan has expressed fear that
any widening Of Massachusetts, ave.
nue. at Thomas Circle will be but the
first step in an eventual widening pro-
gram that will drastically alter ths
appearance Of the last of Washington.
famed avenues untouched by tht
march Of transportation progress
Capt Whitehurst has declared thert
is no plan for such a widening pro.
gram other than at Thomas Circle.
The park superintendent favors 4
general postponement of underpas'
proposals until q comprehensive stud!
can be made Of the city's trafhc prob
lens and a long-view program fo
their solution developed. He regards
underpasses as temporary expedient!
that do not solve the major problem o
increasing trafac congestion in Wash
ingtou.