Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-01-14
Planners Take
Steps 10 Extend
Pathways Here
Lond Acquired
In Soopstone Valley
To Protect Stream

The National Capital Park ano
Planning Commission today took
steps extending the general parkway
system in several sections of the
District.
Norman c. Brown. land purchasing
ofncer. announced first the acouisi-
ton OF two small parcels of land in
the soapstone Valley project in the
vicinity of Linnean avenue and
Audubon terrace NV.
This acquisition was in accord
with the commissions long-range
plan to protect the stream in Soap
stone Valley, a natural feeder to
Rock Creek. At present Audubon
terrace in this vicinity is not physi-
caNy improved. 1t has been the
commissions aim to protect both the
stream and this natural valley lead
ing into Rock Greek as part of the
general parkway system.
Soapstone Valley is reached east
OF Connecticut avenue by way of
Albemarle street. 1t is one of the
most beautiful small tracts OF park
land in an area that is being rapid
ly developed residentially.
Unacquired Lots Condemned.
Mr.. Brown also announced that in
the Northeast section the commits
sion authorized condemnation of a
few remaining unacquired lots on
which titles are in dispute, to COM
plete that section of Anacostia Park
IN the vicinity of the Lily Park. All
major acquisitions in this area had
been completed, Mr.. Brown ex-
planned, but it is necessary to COM
plete the whole project at this time
TO protect previous investments and
make the area available for post
war development. The proposed
parkway connecting Baltimore and
Washington eventually will pass
through this section.
AS the result of recent condemna-
ton awards, the commission an
nounced that all lands to which title
Is needed outright have been &C
CURED In the section of the Fort
Drive extending from Fort Reno to
Rock Creek Park. Mr.. Brown said
these acquisitions are part of the
long-range program needed to COM
plete the project as designed.
Since the outbreak of the war the
commission has gone ahead with its
program for acquisition of addi-
tional park lands. Officials eX-
planned, however, that all acquisi-
tior1s made to date have been part
of a program conceived and insti-
tuted even before the start of the
rearmament program.
Taxpayers Reassured.
The explanation was made, no
doubt, in the belief that many tax
payers might misconstrue the mo-
tives of the commission in acquiring |
park lands during war time. All |
these projects had been authorized
before hostilities began and in most
cases, it was pointed out, acquisition
at this time would save considerable
sums in view of rapid development
of the city which is causing a gen.
eral rise in land levels.
Traffic problems, playground de-
velopments. housing and population
studies on the monthly agenda of the
commission also.
Two traffic problems which invite
the immediate attention of the Fed
eral planners are those caused by
congestion at the Commodore
Barney Circle in the Southeast sec
ton and the street car loop at
Fourteenth street and Independence
avenue S.W.
The commission is also working
with the District Highway Depart
ment on various surface changes to
relieve traffic congestion at Six
teenth street and Columbia road
and at Rhode Island and Florida
avenues, both in the Northwest sec
ton. Those two intersections con-
tinue to be troublesome to motorists
in spite of decreased use of auto
mobiles.
First Hand Study.
Members of the commission will
visit some of those sites during the
afternoon, the main purpose of the
trip being to make first hand study
of conditions at the street car loop.
The loop was intended as an expedi-
ent to serve until completion of the
underground car terminal at Four
teenth and c streets, designed to dis
tribute traffic coming from the new
Fourteenth Street overpass.
Since some objections have been
raised to the car loop removal, COM
mission members will determine
whether anything is to be gained by
continuing its use. A trip also may
be made to the Barry Circle, which
is just beyond Seventeenth street
and Pennsylvania avenue Sc. Many
have complained that this circle
interferes with traffic coming over
the Sousa Bridge during rush hours
A report also will be made to-
morrow on the program of the Dis
trict Alley Dwelling Authority as
outlined in its own annual report
made public this week. At that
time. the ADA said it expects to
relieve the housing shortage within
the next six months with at least
4,307 dwellings for war workers.
Sites to Be Proposed.