Evening star., 1940-07-17
House and Senate
D. {. Chairmen Urged
To Save Trees Here
Mrs. koyes Protests
Destruction for Purpose
Of Widening Streets

Cooperation of the chairmen of
the House and Senate District Com
mittees to block the destruction of
trees in the Capital for street.
widening purposes is being sought
by Mrs. Frank Brett Noyes, for a
number of years a special repre-
sentative of the Garden Club of
America in the District.
Mrs. Noyes has written to Sena-
tor King and Representative Ran
dolph under the heading "Trees@ or
TRAFFIC" as follows:
Il have represented for many
years the Garden Club of America,
composed Of about 5000 prominent
women interested in horticulture,
who have made me responsible to
them for promoting the orderly de-
velopment of the National Capital.
The recent controversy concerning
destruction of fine, well-established
trees in the Capital, and the under
pass Of Scott Circle is matter of
deep concern to those who are inter-
ested in keeping Washington a city
essentially different from any other.
Changing in Character.
when Thomas Circle was under
passed realized beginning was
made in changing the character of
Washington. The Secretary of the
Interior was absent and as he was
the only one having direct jurisdic-
ton over this circle I appealed to
the President at that time as the
Congress had already approved the
matter, think, but he was unable
to affect any change; perhaps the
Office Of the Secretary of the In
terror might release some of the
details concerning this matter.
cannot see how any one consents
to an undertaking of such enormous
expense which requires about one
year to complete, and necessitates
an traffic during that time being
diverted from many routs leading
into the circle; it is inconsistent to
argue that this could facilitate
traffic. My own belief is that all
day parking should be prohibited in
preference to having the character
OF the city destroyed. Those living
IN it temporarily may not realize
how essential this is. The Park
and Planning Commission was es-
tablished originally to advise in the
purchase of park property, and has
not jurisdiction over such matters,
nor has the Fine Arts Commission,
though these are often quoted in
support of such matters. I feel the
director of traffic and the District
commissioners cannot be equal to
their great responsibility in advis-
Ing Congress, which has sole control
over the city's expenses.
For many years the small parks
and triangles. about 700, have suf-
Tered for lack of proper maintenance.
A million dollars was appropriated
ny the P. w. A. few years ago for
reconstruction only. Unless this
maintenance is increased, and the
administration of parks and trees
consolidated, see no possibility of
an improvement. Committees in
Congress responsible for the admin
istration of the District of Columbia
at this time. feel, should give special
attention to this matter. The rapid
increase in population and the con-
structlon Of most Federal buildings
IN the Northwest section has brought
congestion In traffic. Federal en-
ployes, and all others desiring all
day parking should be required to
use streetcars and buses.
By7Passes Urged.
I'm the Office Of the Park and
Planning Commission Is a plan for
the development Of great sports
area near the Anacostia River with
q parkway leading from the north.
think the heavy traffic should be
diverted with by-passes both east
and west Of the city apartments and
schools built in the Northeast and
Southeast sections, and people en-
couraged to live on the beautiful
hills facing the Capitol. Our city is
entirely unbalanced and if you will
consult Mr.. Nichols of the Park and
Planning Commission, who was in
strumental in the construction of
Kansas City, I think he would be
happy to advise you. Unless this
matter is promptly considered, I am
certain future generations Will re-