Evening star., 1947-04-23
Planners Oppose Bill
To Control Erection Of
Radio lowers Here


The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission today opposed
bill to control the erection OF
radio and television towers in the
District. It also objected strongly
to any proposal to locate such towers
in Rock Greek Park.
The commissions statement was
placed in the record, as the House
Judiciary Subcommittee under Rep
resentative O'Hara, Republican. of
Minnesota ended hearing on the bin.
No Reason Given for Stand.
Although the commission state
ment opposed the bill, no specific
reasons were given. The planners
said they were reiterating q stand
taken on q similar bill last year and
confined the remainder Of the state
ment to opposing the tower locations
in Rock Creek Park.
The measure Is being sponsored
by representatives of the Manor
Park Citizens Association. It would
forbid such towers in residential
sections and limit them In other
areas where the radius equal to
the height of the towers would in
clude homes, Fairgrounds and
schools; where safety hazard would
be created, and where the value OF
property or appearance of the
neighborhood might be jeopardized
Grant Speaks for Commission.
In letter to Chairman Dirksen
Of the House District Committee
Maj. Gen. u. S. Grant III, chairman
Of the commission, presented the
commissions views on the matter
The planners pointed out that 800
or 400 foot towers in Rock Greek
Park would not be hidden from
view because trees rarely rise above
80 feet.
Suggestion that sites for towers
might be found in Rock Creek Park
arose at an earlier session Of the
hearing.
The commission also contended
that much OF the value Of Rock
Greek Park is due to the absence
Of any structures not related to
park use.
"The fact that 1t is one Of the
most famous naturalistic city parks
In the United States" the commits
sion said, "is due to this isolation.' z
Dangerous Precedent" Seen.
Use for commercial and profit
purposes of land acquired and dedi-
Gated to the enjoyment Of the people
Of the United States, according to
the commission would create an
extremely dangerous precedent"
William A. Roberts, counsel for
Television Broadcasters' Association,
told the subcommittee the bill would
rule out television towers not only
in residential areas but, through the
other restrictions proposed, in nearly
all other sections of the city.
Mr.. Roberts said that If the Dis
trict Commissioners have been ca
PRECIOUS in granting permits for
towers here, there are judicial
means of reforming capricious
judgment"
Chairman O'Hara observed, how
ever, that he knew OF no other city
which had as many television and
radio towers in residential areas
as does Washington.
Burge Backed Bill.
Mr.. O,Hara said it did seem to
him unfortunate" that towers here
had been authorized so near schools
and homes.
The bill was supported strongly
by Roy L. Burge of the Chillum
Heights Citizens Association, who
complained that residents are not
being given adequate protection and
consideration by city authorities.
Leverett A. Meadows, president of
the Manor Park Citizens Associa-
ton, presented the subcommittee a
proposed amendment which he said
would clarity the measure as it ap-
piled to amateur radio operators
using antennae within the building
height limits Of their areas.
Mrs. Leslie B. Wright, vice presi-
dent Of the Pioneer Television Club,
took the stand briefly to deny
charges she said had been made
against her that she was television
lobbyist. Mrs. Wright said she is
interested in television, but not con-
nected with any of the companies.
She added she would like to see tele-
vision made available to veterans in