Evening star., 1942-08-14
Dormitories Cut
From "A 10 10
In Virginia
Planning Boord o. KS
Revision, but Number
Of Rooms Stonds


Of Rooms Stands )
The National Capital Park and I
Planning Commission today ap-
proved plans for a revision Of the \
layout OF the Arlington Farms dor
mitories by reducing the number OF
from II to 10 without.
however, changing the total number
OF rooms for accommodation OF
woman war workers.
The plan was authorized for fear
the huge project would occupy TOO
much space in the consested Airing
ton area, the dormitories being In
close vicinity Of the Army's Penta-
gon Building. More efficient man
agement would be possible also, 1t
was believed, by eliminating four OF
the buildings.
The project is planned to provide
5000 rooms and this original num-
Der will be retained by the simple
process of making each OF the 10
buildings somewhat larger.
Other Changes Approved.
The Commission also authorized
minor changes in other dormitory
projects. namely those for the East
and West Potomac Park. on East
Capitol street, at Thirty-fifth street
and Reservoir road and at Suitland.
Md. Only importance attached tothe
changes was in the case OF the East
Capitol street project. Original plans,
1t was found, had placed those DORM
itories too close to the District
Armory. It was decided to move
them farther away to prevent dis
turbance of the military forces now
using the Armory.
With the August meeting drawing
to a close, the commission made a
swap" OF nine acres of school and
park land on Massachusetts, avenue
for an equal number OF acres within
the Friendship estate where the
Government is erecting a large
housing project for war workers.
Purpose of the transfer was to per-
NIT the erection Of school with
ample playground facilities for
people who will occupy housing in
the Friendship estate.
The commission recently had ac-
quired five acres OF park land on
Massachusetts, avenue and the
School Board likewise owned four
acres adjoining This acreage was
transferred to the Defense Homes
Corp, which will assume title when
the latter relinquishes ownership to
nine acres in the Friendship estate.
A study of water resources and
pollution problems ordered by the
commission in the fast-growing
Washington Metropolitan Area will
be undertaken In c0njunctton with
drainage planning sfor the whole
Chesapeake Bay ares.
| Committee Appointed.
At the suggestion OF the Presi-
dents National Resources Board,
the Planning Commission yesterday
authorized the appointment OF .
special regional committee to make
the study in cooperation with
Maryland and Virginia agencies.
Onncially. the group will be known
as the Water Regional Resources
Committee.
Frederic A. Delano. chairman Of
the commission, also is chairman
of the National Resources Board.
which was set up during the forma-
tive period of the New Deal to en-
gage in long-range planning for
the development of the Nations
natural resources. The Planning
Commission will have supervision
of the study to be made in the
Washington regional area. Cooper
ating oficials will be selected to
represent the Washington Suburban
Sanitary District in Maryland, as
well as Alexandria, Va, and Ar
lington and Fairfax Counties.
Rising Population . Factor
In the opinion of the National
Resources Board, there are many
water and pollution problems In
the Metropolitan Area deserving Of
specialized study. Despite the
millions of dollars spent by the
Public Works Administration and
the District Government in build
ing modern sewage disposal plants,
the problem Of water purification
still requires attention. New sources
of pollution Of streams are laid to
swollen population OF the city proper
and especially the suburban areas in
both Maryland and Virginia.
The study, oficials .elt, would be
particularly useful in planning for
the various anti-pollution programs
in the drainage basin of the Chesa-
peake Bay. Present and future pop
. ulation studies will be made in this
connection, since the growth of the
community has an important bear
ing on water consumption as well
as stream pollution.
Board Tours Arlington.
Yesterday afternoon the commits
sion made tour of Arlington, Va
It's members were greatly i'm.
pressed" by the rapid progress that
is being made in constructing thu
network of roads to feed traffic II
and from the huge Pentagon Build.
ing OF the War Department.
Washington's emergency houzint
program, as exemplified by th1
work being done by the ALE,
Dwelling Authority In Southwest
Washington. also was inspected BY
the commission. Four types o.
housing were viewed on the trim
All OF these are in the genera
vicinity of Buzzards Point. FRS
the commission visited the "traile,
camp" for families who have beer
moved from permanent homes
Next types of demountable hous
ing were inspected.
The other two types involved tn,
James Greek dwellings and tn,
Carrollburg apartments. Each O
these projects Is practically com
pleted. and families now are NOV
ing into them.