Evening star., 1947-04-23
WASHINGTON AND VICINITY
WEDNESDAY APRIL %, 1947
Planners Ask
Parkway Funds
IN Bond Issue
Arlington Groups at
Hearing Bock Sum
Above s., ,000, 900

4 - 4
Above s., ,000, 600
Inclusion Of funds in proposed
Arlington County bond issue I'd
complete the George Washington
Memorial Parkway right-of-way 10
The Fairfax County line is being
sought by the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission.
This was disclosed last night at
the second public hearing on the
proposed bond issue for general
county capital improvements, held
BY the County Board In the Court-
house. Approximately so persons
attended.
No opposition was expressed to the
bond issue. tentatively set for $5,-
Doc, 900, but number Of organiza-
lions went on record as favoring q
larger amount.
The Arlington County Civic Fed
Grafton. In reiterating its backing Of
; 81, ,000, 600 bond issue, declared that
while 1t is believed the 5000 900
proposal covers the most urgently
needed improvements, an additional
81 .000, 900 worth OF .bonds should be
authorized for emergency public
works.
Parkway Procedure Outlined.
The attention Of the board Is
called, for example, to the current
activity of the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission In regard
to the remaining Unit 3 Of the
George Washington Memorial Park.
way" said Mrs. Florence Cannon on
behalf Of the Federation.
Mrs. Cannon explained that II
general improvement bonds are
authorized, and IAN appropriate
portion" reserved for the acquisition
of the remaining land necessary for
the. parkway, the bonds need not be
sold at once.
"On the basis of the authorization,
the Federal Government will ad-
vance the money to the county for
the acquisition Of all the land inn
mediately, and thereafter construct
the roadway without cost to the
county"
Grant Explains Request.
In letter to Acting County Man.
ager A. T. Lundberg, Maj. Gen. U. s.
Grant III, chairman of the Park and
Planning Commission, said the
groups Executive Committee had
been authorized and directed" to
make the request for inclusion OF
funds in the forthcoming bond issue.
The authorization set the amount
at approximately $200, 900, the exact
amount to be determined by the
Executive Committee and the Arl-
ington County Board"
Gen. Grant pointed out that ths
commission has an appropriation
for the acquisition of the unit of
the parkway in question "but un-
fortunately cannot spend it unless
it is matched $3.50 as required by
: law. There are two ways in
which Arlington $50 can match
this appropriation and thus enable
us to acquire the parkway:
Il. Issue bonds, sell the proceeds
and turn over the funds to the COM
mission. -
Eight-Year Commitments,
.. Take advantage of the ether
alternative of the law and give the
commission definite commitments.
These commitments would run for
eight years without interest"
Gen. Grant explained that ap-
|proval by Arlington voters of bonds
for the parkway land acquisition
would be definite commitment. i"
Board Member F. Freeland Chew,
who declared he favored $4,000 900
bond issue, said, however, he is will
Ing to revise the figures and put in
the amount necessary for the park
way"
Present authorization for the
parkway carries the project be-
meath Key Bridge on the Virginia
shore and up Spout Run Valley to
connect with Lee highway. Funds
sought in the bond issue would
acquire land to continue the park
way up-river beyond Spout Run to
the Arlington Fairfax County line.
Eventually, the project will continue
to Great Falls.
Publication of Costs Asked.
Last week it was disclosed the
planning commission is studying
plans to carry the parkway on top
OF the bluffs In the vicinity OF
Chain Bridge. Acquisition of prop
erty in that area, however, has
been held up because the owner,
q sand and gravel firm, argues the
property should be sold by the cubic
loot instead Of by the square foot.
Referring to report published by
the county regarding the county, IS
financial condition and the cost of
a bond issue, Mrs. Cannon declared
the federation requests prompt pub
lication of a more realistic version
Of the probable annual costs of the
bond ISSUE
The publication was defended by
board members. Chairman Basil De
Lashmutt said it is pretty simply
done and esily understood"
Citizens Favor Bonds.
Among organizations which went
on record for $6,000,000 bond issue
were the Columbia Pike Citizens
Association, represented by Harley
M. Williams and the Stonewall
Jackson Citizens Association, rep
resented by Barney Hall. Speaking
for the Arlington Ridge Citizens
Association, Maj. Gen. Bennett Pur.
year, U. s. M. c., retired, said II
the 5000, 600 proposal does not In
elude funds for the enlargement
and Improvement of the sewage
disposal plant, then it should be
increased TO include them.
DR.. O. r. lie Beau, president Of
the 700-member Citizens Committee
for School Improvement, said his
organization "reaffirms hearty sup
port of a bond issue somewhere in
the neighborhood of $4,000, ,000."
Chairman De Lashmutt said the
board is doing everything possible
| to have the referendum on the bond
issue held on May ~. the date al-
ready set. for a referendum on the
I rf cA1anfiav,