Evening star., 1946-03-07
Park Official Denies
Tourist Camp Plan
will Take Play Area

A denial of charges that the pro-
posed expansion of the tourist
camp in East Potomac Park would
take land supposedly reserved for
recreation purposes, was placed be-
fore the Coffee subcommittee of the
House Appropriations Committee
today as it continued executive
hearings on the 1947 District
budget.
The testimony came from Arthur
E. Demaray, associate director of
the National Park Service, who
insisted" that the camp be kept
at its present location, Chairman
Coffee reported. Mr.. Demaray
contended surveys had been made
of other sites and that no other
one had been found practicable
or as good.
Recreation board officials earlier
had protested the proposed expan-
sion of the camp would take land
needed for softball and other pro-
posed recreation facilities.
Further Study Planned.
Chairman Coffee said his group
would look further into the issue
The group also took testimony to-
day on the proposed outlay in the
year beginning July l of 81 $50 900
for expansion of the Washington
aqueduct. This is to be the first
years part of proposed 41-year,
100000 program of expanding
the water supply system of the Ma
tional Capital.
Those testifying in favor of next
years projects included Col. Donald
G. White, Army district engineer
Of the War Department, and E. A
Schmitt, chief engineer of the Army
district engineer Office
During examination of appropria
tions sought for the Office of Ma
tional Capital Parks, the Coffe,
group delved into what portions O.
the costs are borne by the Unitec
States as against support by the
District. Chairman Coffee said il
was difficult to get a clear answer
because some of the Federal funds
are used for developments in Mary
land and Virginia although those
jurisdictions made no direct con-
tribution.
Question "Free-Water" Plan.
Mr.. Demaray said apparently
Congress in the past had accepted
this situation as proper because
District residents had easier access
to parks in the District.
In another angle of the Federal
District fiscal relations the Coffee
subcommittee today questioned the
of the District being re-
quired to give water free for all
Federal buildings in the National
Capital. 1t has been computed this
costs the District government about
$4,000 year. Some of the Fed
eral witnesses testifying agreed this
was mot right" Mr.. Coffee re-
ported.
Other witnesses, Mr.. Coffee said.
brought out that it was not planned
to re-establish the District National
Guard in full measure until after
the coming year
S872,000 in Free Water"
After long afternoon session
yesterday, Chairman Coffee said the
subcommittee was told that last
wear the Federal Government re-
ceived $872 900 worth of free water
from the city water system.
Mr.. Coffee said he was told the
system is now operating at deficit
that would be more than made up if
the District received payment for
the water used by the Federal in
stallations.
The chairman said Assistant En-
gineer Commissioner Joseph D.
Arthur, jr., outlined the items in
the traffic department estimates
including the plan to place eight
traffic lights on each intersection
instead of four, as at present. The
plan is a part of a $555, 900 postwar
traffic control program scheduled
for the next five years.
Parking Commission Studied.
A $17,500 item for motor vehicle
parking commission was also dis
cussed, Mr. Coffee said, adding that
he anticipated the committee would
approve the item as "step in the
right direction" Washington, he
said the subcommittee was told.
has relatively fewer traffic lights
per population than other cities in
the country.
Supervisor of City Refuse William
A, Xanten told the group the han
ding of garbage from hotels by
private contract under his super
vision saves the District $3.50 900
according to Mr.. Coffee.
All garbage is used up, and the city
has no dump, Mr. Xanten said.