Evening star., 1939-05-14
Study Of City's
Highway Needs
Is in Prospect
Hearings Resume
Tomorrow on
Fund Bill
By !. A, OLEARY,


Comprehensive study of the fu-
ture highway needs of the National
Capital by local officials in CO.
operation with the United States
Bureau of Public Roads is in pros
pect following enactment of the
1910 District supply bill. now be-
ing considered by the Senate Ap-
propriations Subcommittee.
When Chairman Overton, Demo-
crat, OF Louisiana resumes hearings
tomorrow morning, testimony is
scheduled to be taken on changes
affecting highways. water depart
ment. motor vehicle regulation, the
Washington Aqueduct and the Ma
tional Capital Park and Planning
Commission.
Several more days probably will
be required to finish hearing Of
f1cialS, after which Spokesmen for
civic groups will be given an op-
portunity to present their views.
Study of Three Authorized.
AS 1t came from the House the
bill already contained authority
for study of three specific highway
problems, namely:
For the preparation of plans and
surveys for grade separation
structure near Fourteenth street and
Maine avenue S.W., $4,000.
For report on future new high
way facilities in and through Rock
Greek Park and the Rock Creek
Potomac connecting parkway, S10,-
600.
For studies looking toward later
construction within the District of
a through highway, connecting the
main north and south routes of ad-
joining States, $1,000.
In addition to these particular
projects, however, District officials
are anxious to inaugurate a gen.
eral citywide highway survey. such
as are being conducted in nearly all
OF the States with the cooperation
OF the Bureau of Public Roads. as
an adjunct of the Federal-ald high
way system. The District has not
launched such survey, because it
was brought within the Federal
aid system only recently.
Amendment Sought.
The Commissioners are asking
the Senate to amend the House Dill
to enable the District to meets its
proportionate share of the cost of
this general survey. and to employ
temporary engineering personnel for
the purpose.
According to Capt. H C. White
hurst, engineer of highways, such
a survey would enable the District
to determine more accurately Where
and how future highway improve
ments should be made. 1t would
show where the heavy traffic
streams originate and where they go.
In connection with the proposed
north = south bypass around the
congested area of the city, it is
understood to be the tentative
thought of municipal officials 10
follow, in general the contour of
the Anacostia River, and to avoli
making it an elevated skywav,
Capt. Whitehurst said that whe, e
intersections are necessary. there
IS a trend toward depressing the
through boulevard to obtain grade
separation, in preference to ele-
waiting it.
Restoration of Cut Sought.
Washington aqueduct officials will
ask for restoration of sl5.35O tre
House cut from the budget estj-
mate Of $482700 for maintenance
and operation of'the supply branch
OF the water system. The Senate
group will be told the House figr e
reduces the allotment to a point
considered insufficient for prudent
and safe maintenance Of the system
On the distribution end of the
system, District officials are pre-
pared to ask for restoration of Sl3.-
32O cut from budget estimates in
the House. These funds are being
urged to make possible quarterly
meter reading and semi-annual bill
Ing. instead of the present annual
reading of meters. In support of
this amendment. the Commissioners
nave advised the Senate subcom-
mlttee the savings will more than
justify the restoration. OF the total
$4,000 is for maintenance and S432O
for the employment of three addi-
tlonal meter readers.
The subcommittee also will take
up early this week the needs of the
health and welfare departments. the
District militia and the requirements
for public parks.
In connection with the militia
Senator Overton made known at
the start of the hearings that he
tavors placing the new National
Guard Armory at the terminus of
East Capitol street, instead of in
the Southwest section, as provided
IN the House bill.
Senator Overton also indicated he
favors making a prompt start on
the structure, which, when COM
pleted, would cost $2,75O,OOO. In
submitting proposed amendment
the Commissioners have advised the
senate group that the project also
mas the approval of the Nationa]
capital Park and Planning Com
mission and the Fine Arts Com
mission