Evening star., 1940-07-26
Young and Settle
Letters 10 Randolph
Defend Underpass
Line of 10Th Street
Best for Project, D. c.
House Chuirmun Is Told

The move to have the proposed
traffic underpass at Scott Circle
placed in the line of Massachu-
sets avenue instead of Sixteenth
street met a. rebuff today from
both the Commissioners and the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission.
Thomas S. Settle. secretary of
the Park and Planning Commis-
sion, wrote Chairman Randolph Of
the House District Committee that
an underpass in the line of Six
teenth street lis the most econom-
ical and satisfactory solution from
every point of view"
A letter to Representative Ran
dolph from Commissioner Young
declared construction of the un-
derpass in the line of Sixteenth
street would not mar the beauty
of the surrounding area.
Fear for Trees.
Protests haave been made to Mr.
Randolph as we'll as other men,
bers of the District Committee
against placing the underpass in
the line of Sixteenth street on
the ground that number Of shade
trees would be destroyed.
AS acting president of the Board
of Commissioners, Mr.. Young wrote
Mr.. Randolph:
Let me assure you that the Scott
Circle project has been carefully
considered and the object of ex-
tensive studies not only by the
officials of the District, but of other
agencies interested in the develop
ment of the city.
1T is our belief that the construc-
ton proposed will not mar the
beauty of this area. but on the other
hand in some respects tend to i'm
prove the general appearance within
the Scott Circle area. 1 am sure
that you appreciate the necessity in
some cases of changes in our land
scape in order to meet the condi-
tions existing today and that did not
exist when the original plans we're
laid out and perfected We always
endeavor to minimize changes in
existing conditions insofar as Is
practicable in meeting the problem
with which we are faced, and again
let me assure you that any changes
advocated are made only after care
full consideration"
Settle Cites Consideration.
Mr.. Settle in his letter said:
Present plans for the underpass
for Scott Circle in the line of Six
teenth street are the result of ex-
tensive study given during the last
several years to the traffic prob
lem at this point by the District
Highway Department, the National
Capital Parks Office and this COM
mission working through the COM
missions co-ordinating committee,
on which these agencies are rep
resented. These studies led to a
recommendation submitted to the
Planning Commission at its April
and May meetings, at which pre-
liminary plans submitted by the
District Commissioners for the un-
derpass in the line of Sixteenth
street were approved.
This action is taken in the be-
lief that the underpass in the line
of Sixteenth street is the most eco
nomical and satisfactory solution
from every point of view, bearing In
mind not only the efficiency and a
traffic facility but also the relation
ship to the park areas surrounding
the thee statues and adjoining
property fronting on the Scott Cir
Gle plaza. Under the plan the res,
ervation around the Gen. Scott
Monument will be materially in
creased and most of the trees sur
rounding the Hannemann and Web
ster Statues will be saved"