Evening star., 1942-02-21
Planners Support
Ickes in Fight on
Parking in Mall
Commission Contends
Ideu Would Add to
Truffic Confusion

The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission yesterday
joined forces with Secretary of the
Interior Ickes in protesting the pro-
posed use of the Mall area for auto
mobile parking.
Aside from ruination of the Mall
panel, the commission based its op-
position mainly on the gound that
it would only add to the present
confusion of traffic in the central
area of the city during rush hours.
Figures were presented by John
Nolen, jr., director of planning, to
show that an estimated 10000 auto
mobiles now park all day in the
dowtown area. resulting in the
worst traffic confusion and delays
that Washington has experienced.
With an estimated 5000 cars al
lowed to park on the Mall panel and
drives, the commission felt that
such an additional load should be
prohibited.
Dirksen Claims Support.
The controversy over parking in
the Mall threatened to arise in Con-
gress. Representative Dirksen said
at least so members of Congress had
spoken favorably about his original
suggestion. He said he was still in
favor of the idea, especially if pref
erence is given to the cars of Gov
ernment employees.
"All Congress needs to do is to
pass bill authorizing it," he added.
On behalf of the commission, Mr..
Nolen said that Of 11io00 automobiles
using curb parking space in the
central area, about one-half the
number park all day. Another 1000
cars are accommodated in garages of
all kinds and an estimated $1,000
were said to park all day on avail
able lots. The polo grounds in
West Potomac Park, made avail
able for Army and Navy employees,
accommodate about $500 cars.
The commission also opposed
conversion of the Mall into parking
lots on the ground that the plan
conflicts with the fringe-parking
act which President Roosevelt signed
few days ago. The new law pro-
vides for the creation of a board to
acquire parking lots for automobiles
on fringeS of the central area. Shut
tie buses would operate from these
fringe areas to downtown locations
and return the car owners in the late
afternoon.
Indorse Demaray Report.
The commission adopted as its own
action the report on the Mall pro-
posal recently made by Associate
Director A. E. Demaray of the Ma
tional Park Service. Secretary Ickes,
in approving the report. directed
Federal park officials to vigorously
oppose" the parking plan.
Mr.. Nolen believed that the tire
shortage would eventually remove
about one-half Of the automobiles
now In daily use and lessen the need
for using downtown park areas for
automobile parking.
Before closing its February ses-
sion late yesterday the commission
approved final plans for laying out
the grounds of the Friendship estate
on Wisconsin avenue, recently ac-
quired by the Government. A sec
ton along Arizona avenue will be
reserved for park development and
between eight and ten acres also will
be used for school and Fairgrounds
Sites for the apartment buildings
also were approved.
The commission heard from Sec
retary Thomas S. Settle that the
Virginia Legislature had authorized
the construction Of access roads
from the new War Department
Building in Arlington to Quantico.
These roads would supplement the
traffic on the No. highway.
Approval was given plans for the
Barry Farms low-renting housing
project, which Is soon to enter the
contract stage. This project, for
colored families, will provide for
about 400 dwellings and will be built
by the Alley Dwelling Authority.