Evening star., 1949-11-04
The New National Capital

of Civil Engineers in session here, lies
fully as much, If not more, in the Metro
politan Area as in the now more or less
fully developed District area" That is
q succinct description of the situation in
which Washington and it's suburbs find
themselves with respect to planning for
the orderly growth of this whole urban
community. Mr.. Bartholomew, noted as
q city planner, regards the Metropolitan
Area as the new National Capital" the
component parts of which must find ways
and means" for adequate unified planning
and control of development.
It is this growing recognition OF the
fact that the Districts boundaries no
longer limit the new National Capital"
that has led to increasing demands for
more effective coordination of planning
and execution of public works and public
services within the expanding Greater
Washington. The expansion has been
accelerated by the trend toward extension
Of the Federal establishment into neigh
boring Virginia and Maryland counties.
Mr.. Bartholomew and John Nolen, jr.,
director Of planning for the National
Capital Park and Planning Commission,
told the society that this decentralization"
trend must be continued If Washington
is to avoid the blighting effects OF over
loaded streets and services.
The trouble in the past has been that the
Federal movement into the suburbs, more
often than not, has taken place under the
compulsory haste of wartime, with made
quate attention paid to the effect of such
moves on local highways, utilities and other
services. The Pentagon-N Navy Annex devel-
opment across the Potomac, despite the
extensive Federal roadway network, i'm
posed grave new problems on Arlington.
Burgeoning residential developments over
burdened county roads, schools, water,
sanitation and other facilities. Similarly,
In Maryland such projects as those at
Suitland, the Bethesda Medical Center and
elsewhere in Prince Georges and Mont
gonery Counties have brought train of
local governmental problems.
This growth cannot go on indefinitely
without some overall direction unless
Greater Washington is to become q city
planners nightmare. There is urgent need
for joint planning, for co-ordinated execu-
ton Of approved plans, for interjurisdic-
tional consideration of utility problems and
for better integration of other govern
mental activities throughout the Metro
politan Area.
There are four pending proposals aimed
toward achieving such coordination In
one or the other fields. The Senate
approved bill to enlarge the scope Of the
National Capital Park and Planning Com
mission by admitting to membership rep
resentatives of the District, Maryland and
Virginia is desirable step toward unified
planning. General Grants suggestion for
National Capital Metropolitan Works
Agency would fill vital need with respect
to joint financing and construction of
bridges and other jointly undertaken pub
lie works. The proposal for Metropolitan
Area Public Utilities Commission is de-
signed to remedy the lack of regulatory
body to handle special area-wide utility
problems. The Sasscer bill would create
District-Maryland-V Virginia commission to
conduct broad inquiry into ways and
means of bringing about further co-ordi-
nation. ~
All Of these proposals have merit. They
attest the growing demand that all the
jurisdictional units of this rapidly Develop
ing Capital region plan and work together
more closely and more harmoniously than
ever before. For all have an important
share of responsibility in the building of
the "new National Capital" envisioned by
Mr.. Bartholomew and other planners of
the Washington of tomorrow.