Evening star., 1949-03-28
Interior 10 Rule
Soon on Park
Concessions
National Policy Due;
Golf Course Hearing
To Open Tomorrow

Inc Interior Department an
nounced today that it expects to
reach a final decision soon on
policies affecting $50 concession
naires in national parks over the
country who are doing a $25, ,0O0,-
900 business annually.
The announcement came as a
special subcommittee of the
House Public Lands Committee
prepared to open hearings at 10
a IN. tomorrow into the operation
of public golf courses here.
The hearings are expected to
delve into the financial aspects of
the contracts under which S. G.
Leoffler has been running the golf
courses for the past % years. In
terror Department policies in
awarding this contract in past
years also are expected to be
explored.
Leoffler Advanced Clubhouse Fund.
A year before Mr.. Leofher's con-
tract was to expire last December
81 the Interior Department prom
ised him a renewal if he would
advance money for the construc-
ton of the Fort Dupont clubhouse
and two miniature golf courses at
Langston and Anacostia. Mr..
Leofler advanced the money and
early this month C. Girard David
son, Assistant Interior Secretary.
announced he intended to give
another five-year contract to Mr..
Leoff1er.
The contract has not been
signed. Interested in getting the
concession away from Mr.. Leof-
fer are the District Recreation
Board and the Cleveland Conces-
sion Co.. represented locally by
Ray c. Avis. a sports promoter.
Congressional and other criti-
cism of the operation of these con-
cessions (the $50 over the coun-
try including the golf courses
here) resulted last year in the
appointment of a FIVE man advis-
ory group to study the problem,
Newton B. Drury. director of the
National Park Service. said in
making his announcement today.
Uncertainty Hindered Expansion.
Pending the final determination
of policy, it was pointed out, it
was felt necessary to withhold
decisions to take into considera-
ton the groups study and recon-
mendations.
Though this procedure was
sound, one of its adverse effects
was to leave present concession
naires in a state of uncertainty
as to their future with a. result
that it deferred them from Aeh-
barking on sxtenive HAD daesnh-
programs OF rm0dTRHal
ton and expansion ofYaeNdes,
Mr.. Drury said. 81 "a .'.G ,,17
Department officials now are
framing a type of contract which,
they said, should make it possible
soon to undertake negotiations on
% contracts which have expired
or will expire before the end of
this fiscal year.
"Once these are settled. they
will enable the concessioners to
proceed with overdue construc-
ton, when materials and labor
become available" Mr.. Drury said.
The contract to operate the golf
courses here is one of those hang
ing fire.
Fund Policy Discontinued.
The Interior Department policy
of making commitment for re-
newal of contracts if the conces-
sionnaire would advance money
for new facilities was in effect
when Mr.. Leoffler was promised
his renewal. Since then it has
been stopped.
Secretary Krug has determined
that public notice of expired or
expiring contracts is to be given
and that proposals from others
shall receive consideration. Salts
factory service on the part OF the
concessionaire will be taken into
account, Mr.. Drury said.
Mr.. Drury reported that in the
long run, Government ownership,
but not Government operation OF
basic, concession facilities is in the
public interest. The advisory re-
port recommended that Congress
should establish a definite policy