Evening star., 1942-12-18
Planners Delay
Action on New
Sites !.
Commission Inspeets
Proposed Locations
On Fort Drive Route

The National Capital Park and
Commission has postponed
until later today any action 1t may
take in connection with the dispute
that has arisen over proposed sites
for war housing projects along the
Fort drive route.
The commission has co-operAted
with the Alley Dwelling Authority in
selecting tentative sites along ths
drive but many citizens Of the area
have voiced protests. Executive
Ofiicer John Ihlder Of the ADA
met with the commission yesterday
and later In the afternoon an in
spection trip was made to several Of
the sites selected.
Assurances were given by Mr..
Ihldsr than the housing units
would be Of the demolishable type
and would be removed as soon
after the war as possible. While
housing Of this type Is necessarily
low-cost to achieve its purpose, the
projects would be neat and attrac-
tive in appearance, 1t was said. II
was felt that the temporary nature
of the projects would not serve to
depress real estate values in the
area.
Built on Idle Land.
Mr.. Ihlder pointed out that the
proposed housing sites are all on
Government-owned lands not used
at this time for any other purpose.
The Government intends the Park
drive as scenic route encircling
the city and connecting the remain
ing old Civil War forts. The housing
projects will be 50 planned as to
interfere very little with the scenic
values Of the parkway, it was ex-
planned.
The Planning Commission yester-
day also voted to recommend to the
Maryland Park and Planning Com
mission that it attempt to secure
legislation to extend its territorial
authority to take in the Suitland
area and other rapidly growing SUBJ
urbs in Prince Georges County,
Suitland was identified yesterday as
the particular area which Federal
planners feel Is in danger OF getting
out OF control. The Federal Gov
ernment has erected office buildings
in the area, stated by about 5000
workers, and also has chosen 1t as
the site for a temporary war housing
project.
Pleased With Projects.
On its inspection tour Of housing
projects, commission members visited
the one at Thirty-flfth street and
Reservoir road NV. and also went
through the Mclean Gardens prof.
ect Of the Defense Homes Corp. on
Wisconsin avenue. They found the
layout Of the latter project entirely
Satisfactory and were pleased with
the homelike appearance OF the
apartments. -
The inspection trip, important In
connection with the planning of the
numerous housing projects under
way here to accommodate more than
$500 workers, left little time for the
transaction Of other business. The
commission, however, approved the
proposed renewal of the Smoot Sand
and Gravel Co.'S contract for dreds-
ing the Potomac River below Alex
andria, Va. The company is supply.
ing gravel for much of the Govern
ment construction work in the
vicinity of Washington.
Before the group adjourns this
afternoon 1t will hear a report on
legislation and recommendations for
on-street parking, the latter prob
lem being one in which it has taken
much interest in recent years.
Chairman Richard Murphy of the
new Motor Vehicle Parking Au-
thority will report on his plans in
connection with the parking prob.
lem. The only other matter likely
to come up this afternoon involves
the proposed B. & o. railroad grade
crossing over United States Route
No. in Hyattsville.