Evening star., 1949-03-24
MI, Vernon Road
Outlet Protested
ByU.S.Agencies
Bill Providing Access
To Private Project
SheIved in Congress
By Nelson N. Shepard


A vigorous protest by Federal
agencies has held up q favorable
House Public Lands COMMITTEES
report on a bill authorizing an
access road from the Mount Ver-
non Memorial highway to the
Belle View Apartments and shop
ping center below Alexandria.
Assistant Secretary Of the In
terror Oscar L. Chapman said
the building Of such an access
road would set IAN unfortunate
precedent for an ever-increasing
number of requests Of the same
type"
Such legislation must not be
Mr.. Chapman added, If
"the historical character of the
Mount Vernon highway is to be
preserved"
He pointed out that the high
way was intended as "a suitable
memorial connection between
Washington and historic Mount
Vernon" and not as "a high-speed
traffic way serving an area OF in
flated population density"
For this reason, it was empha-
sized, the act authorizing the
highway provided that it would
be limited access" road. In
keeping with this intention. it was
pointed out. a number of border
roads were built leading to re-
signed outlets on the Mount Ver-
non highway and no other access
roads have been authorized.
Representative Peterson. Demo-
crat, of Florida. acting chairman
Of the committee, held up the re-
port after receiving the protests.
He said a hearing would be held
some time next week.
Mr.. Peterson explained that the
bill was approved by the commit
tee last Saturday without Federal
officials being heard.
1.-The members were in a favor
able mood and apparently
accepted a statement in favor Of
the bill without taking into &C
count an adverse report filed by
the Federal Works Agency" Mr..
Dofereor ray,, q who'd
The bill is sponsored by Rep
resentative Smith, Democrat, Of
Virginia, and would authorize a
right-of-way $50 feet wide to the
private development. A similar
measure submitted Last year by
Mr.. Smith failed of passage.
Opposed to the bill are the In
terror Department, National fark
Service, National Capital Parks
Office, National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, and the
Public Roads Administration Of
the Federal Works Agency.
Public Roads Commissioner
Thomas H. Macdonald said the
precedent, If established, would
threaten the future of the pro-
tested highway.
There is great deal of private
ly-owned land along its route be-
tween Alexandria and Mount Ver-
non," Mr.. Macdonald pointed out.
There would be no end to such
requests"
Entrances Called Adequate.
Mr.. Chapman said the access
road is unnecessary and that ex-
isting entrances to the private de-
velopment are adequate and rea-
sonably convenient" from tho
Mount Vernon highway.
AS logical alternative" to the
proposal in the bill, Mr.. Chapman
suggested improvement of the Fort
Hunt road to which the apart
ments and shopping center now
have access. +.
This road" he explained, "re-
aligned and reconstructed, posi-
bly, with Federal aid funds, could
be developed as a more suitable
traffic than the Mount Ver-
non highway"
He also suggested an improve
ment in the connection to U. S.
Route l and that traffic, by using
the present alternate Route l.
could avoid the congestion IN
downtown Alexandria.
Mr.. Chapman pointed out that
limited access highways are being
constructed in all parts Of the
country sometimes with a great
deal of opposition by short-sighted
private interests" Virginia. he
added, Is rapidly coming to the
fore in such highway construction
and the Shirley Highway, when
completed, will be a model for such