Evening star., 1945-02-23
Planners Relax
Opposition 10
Subway System
Whitehurst Quoted
As Saying Program
Is Open to Change

IS open to Change
Federal planning officials indi-
Gated today relaxation" of their
opposition to the proposed subway
transportation plan for Washington.
This unexpected change in atti-
tude was indicated after discussions
IN which it was reported that Capt,
II. G. Whitehurst, District director
OF highways, had admitted the plans
were open to modification"
Previously the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission had
gwen District officials to understand
they were entirely unsympathetic
toward the subway plans at this
Time, primarily on the ground that
tnere was no real need for them.
John Nolen, director of planning,
reported to the monthly meeting to-
oay on conferences he has had with
capt. Whitehurst and Charles E. De
LeuW, co-author of the subway
plan. Prophetic shifts in Washing
ton since 1910, more or less nor
NAL year of traffic, were discussed bv
the planning officials in executive
session.
Population Shifted,
The impression then was given
that the increased population since
the war and the shift of population
across the Anacostia area might
make subway more necessary.
In view Of the shifts in population.
1T was reported that Capt. White
hurst believed the study of subway
routes was open to modification.
Mr.. Nolen, however, reported no
definite conclusion or recommended
tons as a result of his conferences.
The planning commission made its
own independent study of traffic re-
quirements in connection with the
proposed subway. The change of
attitude at this time was considered
important if the plans for a subway
ficials.
At a joint session this morning
with representatives of 10 national
organizations, the Planning Com
mission outlined special legislation
affecting the District.
The groups represent the Joint
Committee on the National Capital
OF which the chairman is C. C.
lantzinger, who also is a representa-
tive of the American Institute Of
Architects.
Briefed on Legislation.
Other national organization rs on
the joint committee are: The
American Planning and Civic Asso-
citation, the American Federation of
Arts, the American Institute of
Planners, the American Society Of
Civil Engineering, the Am merican
Society of Landscape Architects, the
American Sculpture Society, the Ma
tional Society of Mural Painters,
the Garden Clubs of America and
the National Association of Real
Estate Boards.
Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant III, chair.
man of the planning commission,
gave progress reports on special leg
islation such as the urban rede-
velopment bill, legislation to enlarge
Arlington Cemetery and the pro-
posed bill to reorganize the PLAN
ming commission.
He also briefed them on the status
| of plans for replacing the Highway
Bridge across the Potomac River.
The planning commission now re.
fers to this as. plan for "a bridge
OF bridges" 1t has not relaxed its
own opposition to the two bridges
proposed by the District govern
ment, Public Roads Administration
and the Fine Arts Commission.
| Secretary Thomas S. Settle indi-
Gated that the commissions reor-
ganization bill soon may be reported
from the Budget Bureau and legis-
lation perfected to make it imper-
ative that the planning commission
be consulted whenever any new con-
struction is built in Washington.
Site plans for the new George
Washington and Georgetown Uni
versity Hospitals overcame an i'm
portant hurdle late yesterday when
they received the approval of the
commission.
Discusses Building Program.
The commission reiterated its
opinion that the 150-acre Govern
ment tract at the end of East Capt.
tol street was the ideal site" for
the proposed national stadium and
will so inform the newly created
Stadium Commission.
| Along with the hospitals, stadium
and other projects, the planning
commission met with Federal build
ing officials and discussed various
phases of the general building pro-
gram for the District. Removal of
the temporary buildings on the Mall
and the old Navy and Munitions
Buildings after the war will restore
to the Office of National Capital
Parks certain areas withheld from
park development since the World
War.
Development plans for the Ja-
maica, or Church street, playground
were approved by the commission
after earlier action authorizing the
start of condemnation proceedings.
The playground-for wifite persons
will cover about half the square
between Sixteenth and Sevente enth
streets en- Church street. 1t will
have the usual courts for outdoor
games and shower room.
Pollution of Anacostia River is to
be made a special subject of study.
Harold Kemp, director of sanitary
engineering, conferred with the
commission on the problem. More
than 100000 persons live in the Ana
costa Basin, and it still is growing
rapidly in population. At present,
officials said, too much of the Ana
costa sewage is inadequately treated
and some of it is not treated at all.
Cos Bonnnzn