Evening star., 1942-04-18
Planners See
Peril in Influx
|0f Workers
Urge Decentralization
To Eose Lood on
VitoI Facilities

vitoI Facilities
Washington viii be exposed un-
necessarily TO dangers from enemy
air attack. IRE hazards and epi-
denies unless the Federal Govern
ment halts the extraordinary con.
centration" OF wartime employment
here and directs II TO other cities.
the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission warned last
night.
With such facilities as water sup.
ply, power and transportation al
ready much overtaxed, the commits
sion declared. IL Is no longer possible
to keep pace with the accelerated
rate OF expansion and make decent
provision for all the living require
ments Of employees In or near wash
ington. For this reason, IL went on
record for the third time this year
In urging decentralization of Gov
ernment bureaus and agencies.
The commission closed its April
meeting by approving several plans
for minor improvements and will
meet again on the second instead OF
the third Thursday in May.
susgests Two Procedures.
Its position with respect to WASH
ingtons greatest wartime problem
was stated in 350-word resolution,
which Is being forwarded to the DE-
rector Of the Budget. In whose hands
rests much Of the responsibility for
directing Government bureaus away
from the Capital. While the COM
mission admits some progress has
been made In decentralization To
date. 1t insists that the dangers It
mentioned viii become very real and
great unless considerable exodus
from Washington is enforced.
The only procedure" the resolu-
ton said. which will not lead 10 A
breakdown In one way or another
OF the services which the community
owes to Its residents and q corre-
spending impairment OF the war es-
fort Is decentralization In both Of
the following ways"
First. new ONCE buildings should
be so scattered that outlying lands
stil available for residence may be
within easy access OF employment.
This Is highly desirable procedure
for any new activities which must
oe In Washington, but 1t cannot
solve the whole problem" It was
stated. "For instance, It does not
help the situation as to further cost
and delay In furnishing suflicient
water, power. sewage, recreation,
schools, hospitals and transporta-
ton to the center OF the city,
Secondly, the commission stressed
the need for relocating existing
bureaus and establishing new agen.
cies In other cities where accomo-
dations for ofiices and residences
already exist.
Sees Lesser Evil.
I'VE are aware OF the dif,cultiss
involved In this decentralization
the resolution added" but we be-
lieve that the dffnculties Of further
concentration In washington are 4
worse alternative and will ulti-
mateiy fail to meet the emergency.
although In the meantime causing
much Inconvenience, delay, danger
and unnecessary expense"
The commission approved plans for
the extension of Massachusetts, ave-
nue. through the grounds OF Gallin-
ger Municipal Hospital to the Ana
costa River. This would be accom-.
plished by means OF under passes
connecting the hospital properties
on either side of the thoroughfare
Massachusetts, avenue now stops at
the edge of the hospital grounds.
Omcials said that the underpasses
would obviate any necessity for
changing the roadway system at
Gallinger.
The Washington Terminal Co. has
drawn up plans for improving the
marque in front of Union Station
used by taxicabs In discharging pas
sengers. 1t first submitted to the
Fine Arts Commission its proposal
Tor erecting canopy over the plat
form for the protection of passen-
gers In rain. This idea was turned
over to the Planning Commission
and received its approval.
Would Reroute Taxis.
The company plans q reroutlne Of
taxis around the inner circle Of
Columbus statue. Incoming cabs
would discharge passengers In front
OF the station. The entrance to the
west, now In general use, would b
reserved for outgoing passengers.
Plans for developing two psrk-
ways In the vicinity OF the Peace
Cross at the intersection OF the
Bladensburg road and the Defense
highway also we're approved. They
win be handicapped and planted with
shrubbery.
This small improvement will be
undertaken at the expense of the
Maryland National Capital Park
and Planning Commission. The
The two bodies are cooperating In
extending the Anacostia River Park
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