Evening star., 1947-07-26
School Representation
At Land Farley Urged
By Recreation Board

The District Recreation Board
wants members of the Board of Edu-
cation present Thursday when it
holds it's annual joint meeting on
recreation land purchases with the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission.
Continuing its effort toward CO.
ordination of school and recreation
land acquisitions, the Recreation
Board voted yesterday to ask the
planning group to invite the Board
of Education to the session.
Chairman Harry S. Wender sug-
gested the move In view of what he
said was the high degree of cooper
alton achieved between the two
boards in the matter of land pur-
chase policy.
He pointed out the planning COM
mission is the land acquisition agent
of the Recreation Board, whereas
the Board of Education acquires
school property through the District
Real Estate Committee.
Sees Agreements Furthered.
Since the two boards are agreed
recreation space should be consider
ed in all school property proposals,
agreement on specific projects
probably could be furthered by
having the trilateral conference
when the Recreation Board makes
it's recommendations for new play
areas, Mr.. Wender explained.
In another action yesterday, the
Recreation Board decided to renew
its campaign to acquire full control
of swimming pools at six recreation
centers-Takoma, Francis, Ban
neker, East Potomac, Mckinley,
lexington and Anacostla.
Children now are permitted TO
swim free at these pools In the
mornings. but Government Services,
Inc, operates them on a fee basis
in the afternoons.
Negotiations Authorized.
Yesterdays action authorized Rec
reation- Director Milo F. Christian
sen to approach the Commissioners
and the Interior Department with
a view to working out plan where
by the board could operate the
pools beginning July l, 1948, "or as
soon thereafter as practicable"
Mr.. Wender said he has been in
formed GSI would not object to this,
if it were reimbursed. Irving c.
Root, superintendent of National
Capital Parks and member OF
the board, said the Interior Depart
ment would be willing to release the
pools under a suitable agreement"
Noting the use of District recrea-
ton facilities by residents Of ad-
joining counties could not be meas
ured accurately, Mr.. Wender said
he considers it gall" that special
buses are bringing Arlington chill
dren to the East Potomac Park
pool.
Other Actions by Board.
In other actions, the board:
/. Voted to express to Engineer
Commissioner Gordon R. Young its
concern" with respect to recreation
projects in view of extension from
six to IL years of the construction
program in the Citizens Committee
Plan for Civic improvements.
2. Indorsed the statements made
by Mr.. Wender as a private citizen
in his appearance before the Auch-
incloss House subcommittee on re-
organization of the District Gov
ernment. Mr.. Wender opposed
.he Commissioners recommendation
that such administrative boards as
the Recreation Board be abolished
and their functions placed directly
under the Commissioners.
3. Gave formal authorization for
transfer of 1921 200 to the Office of
National Capital Parks for main
tenance of units in the District rec
reation system; transfer of 100000
to the same Office for use in con-
nection with the 1948 improvement
program for such areas, and trans
fer of $42 900 to the Municipal Arch
itect's office for repairs and alter
ations to the old E. V. Brown School,
which is to become a combination
branch library and recreation
cenfer