Evening star., 1947-12-11
'Aqueduct Land
Added 10 Tract
For Highway
Holdings in Maryland
Along Potomac Shifte,
To Parks Jurisdiction
By Nelson M. Shepord

~ TOTkS JURISDICTION
By Nelson N. shepord
All land of the Washington Aque-
duct at and below Great Falls on
the Maryland side of the Potomac
was added today to the right of way
being acquired for the George
Washington Memorial Parkway. The
change was made by the National
Capital Park and Planning Com
mission.
The action transferred Jurisdiction
Of the land from the Army Depart
ment to the National Park Service
for administrative purposes and in
no way conflicts with the present
control OF the United States En-
gineers over the Washington Aque-
duct system.
Park service and Army officials
previously had agreed to the action
and entered into an agreement
whereby the engineers, as their ira
ditional right, will continue to con-
troll Washington main water sup
ply.
Condemnations Approved.
Practically all Of the land, the ex-
tent Of which was not estimated, lies
within the right of way OF the Me-
mortal Parkway which Is being ex-
tended along the Maryland shore Of
the Potomac. Planning officials said
the action taken today evidenced the
excellent spirit Of cooperation that
always has existed between the
Army and Park officials.
Two additional strips Of land also
were added today to the George
Washington Parkway. The plan
ming commission approved condem-
nation awards of IA acres near the
Taylor Model Testing Basin in the
vicinity of the falls.
All this land is unimproved, but
will add to the scenic value Of the
parkway.
Planners Meet.
The joint problems between Fed
eral and Maryland planning officials
were being discussed today at q
special session. Heading the dele
cation of a dozen or more Mary
land officials were Brooke Johns,
president Of the Montgomery
County Board Of Commissioners;
William A. Carson, president of the
Prince Georges County Board of
Commissioners, and Irwin I. Main,
chairman Of the Maryland-Na-
tional Capital Park and Planning
Commission.
The problems confronting Federal
and Maryland planners include
extensions of park lands into
nearby Maryland under the 1890
Cramton Act and the need of addi-
tional planning In Bethesda and
Suitland, where Federal building
areas are expected to expand in the
future.
The Government is acquiring some
300 acres in the Bethesda area to en-
large the National Institute OF
Health and at least one large Fed
eral building is being planned tor
erection at Suitland.
The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission will hear q |
subcommittee report tomorrow rec
ommending at least three sites for
private airports in the District. In
cluded is the controversial location
at Kingman Lake, at the end of
East Capitol street.
Recommended by Committee.
The report has been recommended
by the Co-ordinating Committee on
Airport Sites, headed by e. A.
Schnfftt of the United States En-
gineers' Office. It will be used as a
basis to determine whether the Dis
trict wants to match $4,000 in Fed
eral funds allocated for the ac-
QUESTION of private flying fields.
The much discussed redevelop-
ment plans for the District will oc-
cupy considerable attention at the
monthly meeting. A progress report
will be made on the so-called COM
prehensive plan for Washington, the
completion Of which will be the
first step in putting into action the
redevelopment program authorized
In 1916.
Engineer Commissioner Gordon
r. Young will report also on how
many Of the lowest 20 per cent now
living in blighted areas slated for
redevelopment qualify for public
housing funds. The National Cap
ital Housing Authority limits such
public funds to veterans Of $1,000
or less annual income and $4,000
for others. For the purposes of the
Redevelopment Act, new wage CELL
ings probably will be determined.
A number of proposed changes In
the general recreation plan, already
approved by the District Recreation
Board, will be presented today.
To Confer With Reynolds.
Commissioner w. E. Reynolds of
the Public Buildings Administration
will confer with the group tomorrow
morning. He will be accompanied
by Louis Justement, architect for
the new Federal Court House.
The question involving removal of
the parking lot on what Is supposed
to be the great plaza behind the
District Building will bob up again.
Planning officials say an UNDER
ground parking garage on the site
is out of the question. the price being
prohibitive.
Closing the session, Secretary
Thomas s. Settle will report on pro-
posals In the recent Auchincloss
plan for home rule in the District.
Twin Bears Born II
At Zoo; Mother Il