Evening star., 1945-01-19
Congress 10 Get
Board.
MeasureSoon
Officials Give TuIks
On Bill at Meeting
Of Committee of 100

Of Committee of 100
A bill to clarity and extend the
authority of the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission will
be presented to Congress soon, ac-
cording to Donald C. Stone, assist
ant director of the Budget Bureau.
High lights of the bill were ex-
planned yesterday by Mr.. Stone and
l.. w. Hoelscher of the bureau at
a meeting of the Committee of 100
on the Federal City at st. Johns
Parish Hall. Justice Roberts of the
Supreme Court, who succeeded Fred
eric A. Delano as committee chair
man, was installed and presided.
The proposed legislation is the
outgrowth of request by the Presi-
dent and a report by the Budget
Bureau, Mr.. Stone explained. The
report was approved by the Presi-
dent, he said, and was sent to the
Planning Commission which drafted
the legislation.
Would Enlarge Membership.
Mr.. Hoelscher said the bill would
enlarge the commission "laymen''
membership from four to five. 1t
would add to the ex officio members
the architect of the Capitol, and pro-
vide that the chairmen of the House
and Senate District Committees
who already are commission mem
bers, shall designate representatives
to serve.
A representative of the Federal
Works agency would be substituted
on the commission for the Chief OF
the Forest Service, and the name OF
the National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission would be changed
to the National Capital Planning
Commission, he said.
A plea by Harry S. Wender, for
mer president of the Federation OF
Citizens Associations, that an addi-
tlonal Commission member be added
to represent District residents was
discussed, but no action was taken
Budget Bureau representatives anc
Horace w. Peaslee, vice chairman
of the Committee of 100, declared
however, the commission should not
be enlarged further. They insisted
that lay members should be per.
sons of broad experience, and with
viewpoints enlarged from living else
where.
Thomas Settle, secretary of. the
planning commission, told the
group that most of the commits
sion's staff live here, many of then
owning homes here.
Among other provisions in the
bill, Mr. Hoelscher explained. wa.
one providing that both municipal
and Federal developing agencies
should look to the commission as
a general guide, and should submit
their projects to the commission fol
review and recommendation.
While the commission would have
no authority over buildings, ground.
and activities under the control o1
Congress, it would have veto power
over the location of Federal build.
ings anywhere in the city.
The commission would take ths
place of the present zoning advisory
council, Mr.. Hoelscher explained. II
would be financed by Federal rather
than by District funds.
Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant III, Planning
Commission chairman, said commits
sion members take seriously" the
question raised by Mr.. Wender, but
did not feel the solution would be
an increase in the body's member
ship. He welcomed advice, however
from the public here.
Miss Blanche Hewlett told the
committee she objected to the plar
recently announced to turn Temple
Heights, at Connecticut and Florida
avenues NV, into an apartment
house area. 1t would destroy many
trees there, she said, including the
so-called Treaty Oak" under which
the Indians signed a treaty with
settlers.
Hopes 1t Can Be Headed Off.
Agreeing with her, Justice Roberts
said: 1--WE are all concerned about
it," and added, 1--WE are hoping tina,
can be headed off"
Charles H. Tompkins, chairman oil
a special subcommittee, reported or
attempts to reconcile conflicting
views over proposed slum- clearance
and redevelopment legislation. The
subcommittee was authorized tc
pursue its efforts further.
A resolution on the death of the
late Charles F. Consaul, vice chair.
man of the Committee of 100, was
adopted. A proposal from Mrs. Will
liam Wells, executive vice president
of the new Council for Community
Planning, inviting the Committee o1
100 to join the council, was referred
to the Executive Committee. The
next meeting will be held during
the week of February IL.
u All XkIu -