Evening star., 1950-01-01

for them, at least In part, py IN
creasing the Districts tax base.
increasing the Federal contribu-
tion to the District budget, and
passing very sound redevelop-
ment law. Action under the
latter, however, has been frus-
trated by opposition that seems to
be misinformed. and the increase
in taxes and the Federal contri-
button are not sufficient to make
progress possible as fast as needed.
For nearly two years the Plan
ming Commission has been work.
ing on a revision Of its previous
plans and their projection to pro-
vide for the anticipated popula-
ton in 1880. If funds can be OBJ
tanned to publish its revised plans.
the public should, early in 1850.
have a better co-ordinated idea
of what the needs really are. In
the meantime individual projects
are being urged, both by Govern
ment agencies and private inter-
ests, without adequate UNDER
standing of overall future needs.
The situation will be greatly
helped by the passage of Senate
bill 1881, which will enlarge the
commission by adding citizen
representative each from the
States of Maryland and Virginia
and from the District of Colurn-
bia. 1t prescribes procedures that
will greatly enhance the COM
missions effectiveness, and better
defines its functions and powers.
The measure already has passed
the Senate, and its early passage
by the House merits popular
support.
Two States Involved
1t is an outstanding fact that
the seat Of the Federal Govern
ment Is no longer contained with
in the District of Columbia and
that the urgent problems Of the
Nations Capital are now those Of
major metropolitan area ex-
tending into the two adjacent
States. Besides the obvious local
needs already mentioned, certain
other requirements are recognized
and there is reason to expect that
the Commissions recommends
tions to meet them will be sub
stantially in accord with the
following:
/. The limitation Of Federal
employment, which as the city's
major industry to great extent
determines it's growth, and its re-
distribution in the central area
by the construction of new Fed
eral buildings, in which to house
the employees now in temporary
or rented Offices, along the cen
trail axis and on both sides Of
East Capitol street, and the de-
centralized location of activities
that do not, for urgent admin
istrative reasons, have to be IN
frequent contact with the Capitol
and the White House.
Highway Needs
2. The extension Of Constitu-
ton. and independence avenues
to the Anacostia River, and con-
nection Of the former with the
Baltimore Washington Parkway.
8. The construction Of the Fort
drive for the exchange Of traffic
between existing arterial streets
and better accessibility to the
further-out residential areas.
4. The eventual development
of an inner circumferential route
with express highway Characters
tics around the central area. to
receive and distribute traffic In
the congested central area.
5. The adoption of thorough
fare plan and the improvement
of traffic conditions on such thor
oughfares by the gradual step-by-
step development Of expressway
characteristics thereon, as Is con-
templated in the K street project
already begun.
s. The development of the joint
thoroughfare plan for the suburbs.
and the construction Of roads and
bridges as needed in accordance
Herewith.
Z. Provision Of of street park
ing In the central area.
New Airport REQUIRED
e 8. Provision Of q new CONNER
cial airport and Of q system Of
airfields for privately owned
planes.
8. Adoption and step-by- step
execution of the comprehensive
waterfront and river improvement
project proposed by the United
States District engineer.
10. Additions to the District Of
Columbia sewage-disposal plant
and other requirements for q CO.
ordinated metropolitan sewerage
and water supply system.
IL. Completion of the park,
parkway and playground system.
(12) Study of the large tracts Of
land now in public or institutional
use, with a view to determining
their best use and their proper
in the Metropolitan Area.
(13) Adoption of a public trans
portation plan for guidance In
changes, based on recog-
nition of the fact that for eco
1omic reasons new streetcar lines
will not be built but that the pres
mt investment in rail traffic
should be used as long as econ
1omically justified. This should in
,lude study of the possibility Of
suburban railroad
'ervice.
. 14 Adoption Of a comprehen-
i've plan for school construction
md the best use Of existing school
(15 Immediate initiation Of =
lrban redevelopment under the
}. c. Redevelopment Act of 1945,
= -