Evening star., 1950-12-01
North Virginia
Asks PLANNING
Bill Changes
Commission Seeks
More Federal Aid
And Representation

Two major changes in pending
legislation to create a National
Capital Planning Commission to-
day bore the Endorsement of
Northern Virginia planners.
One would give the area near
the District more representation
than is contemplated in the bill
now before Congress.
The other would extend Federal
financial aid to suburban Virginia
parks to the same extent as it is
given those in nearby Maryland.
This action was taken last night
at a meeting of the Northern Vir-
ginia Regional Planning and Eco
llomic Development Commission
at Fairfax Courthouse.
Oppose Montgomery Plan.
The proposal differed from
plan proposed by a similar group
in upper Montgomery County "a
hours earlier. The Virginia group
refused to adopt the Montgomery
county plan.
The planning commission bill is
designed to change the name and
extend the jurisdiction of the
present National Capital Park and
Planning Commission to a radius
of not more than so miles of
Washington. AS drafted, the Gov
orpor of Uiroinio onl NHorxylo, nd
and the District Commissioners
each would name one representa-
tive to serve on the new commits
sion along with designated Gov
ernment heads and appointees of
the President.
Arlington representatives last
night brought in the resolution
which would give Maryland and
Virginia a larger number of rep
resentatives. In addition to the
planning commission representa-
tives appointed by the Governors
of Maryland and Virginia, there
also would be one representative
from each of the political sub
divisions coming under the juris-
diction of the proposed commits
sion.
Representation Differs.
Thus, Arlington, Alexandria,
Falls Church and Fairfax plus the
Governors appointee would bring
Virginia's representation to five
while Montgomery and Prince
Georges County and the Mary
land Governors appointee. would
give that State three representa-
tives.
When questioned after the
meeting about the equity of such
an arrangement sponsors ex-
planned that each member of the
commission could be assigned a
number of votes in proportion to
the population Of the area he
represents.
Thus, it was said, if the three
Maryland members had a "con-
stituency" of more than the five
Virginia members, the Maryland
delegation could command more
votes.
OF the 10 representatives pres
ent. only w. M. johnson, repre-
senting Prince William County,
was heard to vote against the
proposal.
Fears Unwieldy Unit.
Chairman John w. Brookfeld
said that if too many members
were named to the new group,
I'm afraid it would end up being
an unwieldly organization"
Weldon T. Ellis, Arlington, said,
I'VE should not overlook the fact
that this commission is primarily
a Federal agency concerned with
the development of the National
Capital and it's environs.
Mrs. Robert S. Pickens, Lou
doun County, commented: Re
gardless of how the representation
is divided. we have to face the
fact that the Federal Government
is going to do what it wants to
do, anyway"
Councilman Albert A. Smoot,
Alexandria. said he favored the
proposed amendment. He cited the
difficulties a representative from
rural area would have presenting
the views of urban areas such as
Alexandria and Arlington.
The concensus on the matter
of representation was similar to
the expression of Arthur I. Shaf-
fer, Fairfax supervisor.
Way to Serve Notice.
at am in favor of asking for
more representation" he said.
"We probably won't get it but at
least we can serve notice in this
way that we want more than they
are offering U.S."
The second recommendation re-
lating to Federal financial aid to
Virginia parks pointed out that
the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission already is
authorized to give such assistance
to Maryland but is not authorized
to provide aid for parks in Vir-
ginia.
Mr.. Brookf1eld told the mem
bers. however, that Representa-
tive Smiah, Democrat, of Vir-
ginia, had stated that the chances
of passage of the bill during the
present session are very small.
Action Taken in Rockville.
The Upper Montgomery County
Planning Commissions action was
taken at meeting in Rockville
Wednesday night. Members in
dorsed in principle the planning
commission reorganization bill
before Congress with this proviso:
That the bill be amended to pro-
vide two members from Maryland
and two from Virginia. in each