Evening star., 1947-08-01
PbA Is Studying
Medical Center
At0bservatoY
Way Is Sought to Fill
Requirements for
$40, ,ooo, 900 Project .
By Nelson N. Shepofd

by Nelson N. Shep6fd
Commissioner w. E. Reynolds, Of
the Public Buildings Administration.
assured Federal planners today he
was going ahead Immediately with
studies to see If the Naval Observ-
atory tract, already tentatively
agreed on as the site for Washing
tons proposed $4,000, 900 medical
center, can be made to meet all re-
quirements for the project.
He is now In position to start
detailed preparations OF plans for
the 1,500-bed center because two
days ago the Public Buildings Ad-
was given the 81 ,750, 900
by Congress for this
purpose. OF this amount, $950,000
is for land acquisition and $500, 900
for the drawing up of plans
The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, whose meet
ing Mr.. Reynolds attended. adopted
= resolution urging the Government
to retain possession OF the Nevius
tract in Virginia for possible future
use in the extension Of Arlington
National Cemetery. They said that
while they had submitted II possible
sites, they had not recommended
the Nevius tract as q site for tins
proposed 750-bed veterans hospital
in Washington.
VA Chose Neviaf Site.
The tract, choice of the Veterans'
Administration as the site for its
hospital, was ruled out this week
by the House Appropriations Com
mittee.
The position taken by Mr.. Rey-
nolds today indicated he is deter
mined to make use Of the Naval
Observatory site for the new medi-
cal center If all the complicated
problems can be met successfully.
Involved in the study, Maj. Gen.
U. S. Grant III, chairman Of the
Planning Commission, reported, is
the question of reserving the rec
reaton center In the large area
as one Of the features Of the new
hospital.
Gen. Grant said the site has not
been definitely settled, but indicated
that it meets with general approval
Bethesda Extension Discussed.
Commissioner Reynolds also dis.
cussed a pending proposal to ex-
tend the National Institute OF Health
in Bethesda. The plans for that pro.
ject, however, have not progressed
far enough to warrant serious study
at this time.
The planning commission also
agreed with Mr.. Reynolds proposal
to use the present site of the Forest
Glen adjunct to Walter Reed Hos
pital as a permanent Army research
development.
The commission approved re-
study Of plans to modify the @ street
entrance to the new State Depart
ment building at Twenty-flrst and
Virginia avenue. This building had
been erected as new home OF the
War Department, but the State De-
partment now has taken 1t over. It
is only one-third completed, and for
this reason changes in the G street
entrance will be required, 1t was be-
lieved. to conform with traffic plans
and with the other two units OF the
building when they are erected.
Co-ordina ton Agreed Upon.
The planning officials and the
District Recreation Board were re-
ported today as being in agreement
on the general principle OF main
tanning close coordination Of school
and recreation land purchases.
The Importance OF tying In these
two programs was expressed by the
planning commission late Yesterday
in voting outright approval OF four
out of six playground and recreation
projects proposed for the 1873
budget. A fifth playground and q
neighborhood recreation center are
still under consideration.
A special committee Of the Dis
trict Recreation Board headed by
Chairman Harry S. Wender met
with the planners to give the an
nual program a thorough going over.
The Board of Education was repre-
sented at the meeting by c. Melvin
Sharpe This was in fulfillment Of
the desire of the Recreation Board
that a school representative be in
vited in view Of the important re-
lation of the schools to future recreA
alton needs.
Back Land Purchase Fund.
The Federal planners also agreed
to recommend the reinstatement Of
a 100000 item disapproved by
Congress for extension of District
parks into Maryland.
At this session Of the planners,
special attention is being given to
seeking completion Of the George
Washington emorial Parkway
links in Montgomery County. Meet.
ing with Maryland park officials yes
terday. the Federal planners urged
that the county match the $4,000
Federal funds now available to pur-
chase more Montgomery County
lands between the District Line and
Great Falls. With Maryland doing
its share. that expenditure would
just about complete purchases for
the project in the county.
Secretary Thomas S. Settle re-
viewed legislation OF the Eightieth
Congress affecting the general pro-
gram of the commission. A part of
the afternoon session was height
ened by discussion of the $4,000
deficit in funds obtained under the
Urban Redevelopment Act The
had sought $4,000 with
which to make the initial studies.
but Congress only provided $4,000.
Master Plan Stressed.
Stress was laid on the proposed
publication OF the master plan for
the Metropolitan Area The COM
mission had asked for s45, 900 TO pre-
pare this plan, $4,000 to make q
survey of the lowest income group
and 5000 for slum clearance
survey.
The problem now facing 1t Is how
TO make $4,000 do the work of
sos 900 with least injury to the gen.
eral planning. Eventually, 1t was
said, the land agency, which is to be
set up to acquire properties for
future development, will require an