Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-06-28
pIannerstoSeek
Million in 1947
For Fairgrounds
Hope for Restoration
Of Annual Spending
In Prewor Years
BY NELSON SHEPARD.

III uISWOb SOIS
BY NELSON SHEPARD.
A 81 100000 estimate for purchase
Of lands to complete playground and
park projects was disclosed today a
the objective of the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission In
the 1947 budget.
Prior to converting the monthly
planning session, Federal officials
said that amount, If approved by
the Budget Bureau, would restore
the annual expenditures made pos
sible under the Capper-Cramton
Act In prewar years.
Out Of an original authorization
of 6,000, 900 for the acquisition OF
new land, made available under this
act, approximately 5000, 900 re-
mains unexpended. Wartime restric-
tons curtailed land purchases this
current year to 1894 900, as compared
with $500 900 the previous year when
three large playground areas were
acquired.
Wound Aid Congested Areas.
Officials said that most of the
81 900 900, if it Is allowed by the
Budget Bureau and Congress, would
be spent on completing a number of
downtown playground projects al
ready started. During the past year
the Planning Commission and Dis
trict officials have focused their At.
tention on congested areas.
Recommendations for the 1947
budget were due for consideration
this morning and it was expected
the Planning Commission would
make its program public.
One private interest group wishes
to establish seaplane base on the
water front, officials said, and GER
tain radio interests are seeking ap-
prevail of permit to erect televi-
sion tower.
At present District regulations re.
quire the approval Of the Planning
Commission before the issuance Of
television permits. The case coming
up is the first of a number Of such
applications expected to be made in
the next few months.
Seaplane Base Prospects.
Commission members say the only
prospect of getting a seaplane base
close enough to Washington to oe
of any use to private owners would
be to establish 1t somewhere in thu
harbor. That would involve some
change in harbor regulations and in
the harbor itself, which Is under the
authority of the District Commits
sioners. For this reason it was not
believed the proposal would get far.
The commissions staff is to make
q progress report on its study Of
postwar airport sites available in the
Metropolitan Area. Virginia PLAN
ming officials have co-operated close
ly and now it is proposed to line up
Maryland officials.
Plans for the re-alignment Of
Fourth street NV, on the west side
Of the Mcmillan Reservoir to i'm
prove conditions regarded as a real
tranic hazard" also will be consis-
cred. Agreements must be reached
with the Howard University officials
and the United States District En-
gineer's Once before anything can
be done.
Report on Subway Plan.
The proposed subway is due for
another airing at the sessions. A
report will be made on the public
hearings held by the District Conn
missioners on June at which spe-
CHIC recommendations were asked
Of the Planning Commission. Gen.
orally, the planning officials are OPP
posed to pressing the subway mat
ter at this time and would prefer
opening up more north and south
and cross-town traffic arteries.
Proposed developments for East
Capitol street, as modelled by VIII
liam T. Partridge, architect con-
sultant, will be studied. The model
prepared by Mr.. Partridge and SUBJ
mitted for the first time, is an archi-
tect's idea of how the street will
appear lined with monumental
buildings.
The planning session closes to-
morrow afternoon with conference
dealing with the proposed new Fed
eral courts building in Washington,
Some of the Federal judges will at
tend to present arguments in favor
Of the building to relieve the con-
gested conditions in the District
courts. The Planning Commission
approved a new court building be-
fore the war and hopes it will DO
one Of the first Federal buildings to
be erected In the postwar program.