Evening star., 1950-10-26
States Rights
Question Raised
Over Park Bill
Expansion of Scope
Of Planning Board
Assoiled by FoIIon
By Harold B. Rooers

Representative Fallon. Demo-
crat. of Maryland has asked
Maryland's Attorney General Hall
Hammond for an opinion as to
whether pending legislation to ex-
pand the scope of the National
Capital Park and Planning Com
endangers inherent
States rights"
The Senate-passed bill for this
purpose is slated for considera-
ton by the House District Com
mlttee when Congress returns for
its short session after Thanks
giving.
Mr.. Fallon in his letter to the
Attorney General contended that
If the legislation were enacted,
the authority of the planning
commissions of Maryland and Vir-
gina will be on-existent."
Planning Groups Favor Bill.
Taking the contrary position.
however, have been planning
groups in nearby Maryland and
Virginia, who already have ap-
proved the bill.
Endorsement of the legislation
has come officially from both the
Maryland-National Capital Park
and Planning Commission and the
Northern Virginia Regional Plan
ming Commission.
Support also has come from
House members representing all
the nearby Maryland and Vir-
ginia congressional districts.
They are Maryland Representa-
tives Sasscer. Democrat; Beall,
Republican, and Virginia Demo-
crat Smith.
While the Arlington County
Board originally raised some OBJ
lection to the measure, it is now
on record in favor of it.
Chairman Mcmillan of the
House District Committee, men,
ber of the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission, re-
Gently announced he would ask his
committee to act on the bill and
hoped for approval.
Describes Authority.
Mr.. Fallon, who is not o1em-
Der of the House District Com
mittee, said the legislation would
give the planning commission
power in Washington and it's en-
virons to adopt plans covering
highways, bridges, recreation
areas, public buildings, monu-
ments and other things.
He declared the bill also would
give the planning commission
control and supervision of public
property and reservations, such as
airports, land use, public utilities,
waterway and waterfront develop
ment. slum clearance, projects
affecting the amenities of life
and all other proper elements OF
city and regional planning"
Because the measure specifies
that the scope of the commissions
authority would extend to so miles
from Washington, Mr.. Fallon
feared it would affect Baltimore,
Annapolis. several other cities and
considerable Maryland country
side.
A spokesman for the planning
commission today said Mr.. Fallon
apparently had misunderstand-
ing OF the legislation.
Says Powers Exist Now.
The bill simply spells out more
specifically the powers already
granted by Congress to the COM
mission. this spokesman said. A
1926 law authorized the commits
sion to make plans for Washing
ton and its environs," he ex-
planned.
Furthermore. the power would
be exercised, he explained, only in
case the Federal Government in
Tended to establish project in
the area and would not be ex-
tended to purely city or State
functions. Coordination of ac-
ton among Federal and local au-
thorities is needed in the placing
and planning of Federal build
lngS or projects in the nearby
areas, it was said, to avoid con-
hlcts, and difficulties which would
be harmful to both Jurisdictions
Points to Airport Bill.
Similar powers already have
been given to the planning COM
mission, its spokesman empha-
sized. in the new law for a big
civilian airport in the WASHINGTON
Metropolitan Area. The commits
sion must be consulted, under this
new law, it was pointed out, when
the Civil Aeronautics Authority
considers purchase of land for the
new airport, and plans new high
ways connecting it with the Ma
tional Capital.
The planning bill would increase
the membership of the commits
sion from 10 to Is. three of whom
would be recommended by the
Governors of Maryland, Virginia.
and the District Commissioners.
Ihese new members would be ap-
pointed by the President.
Under this plan, it was eX-
planned, the planning commissions
in nearby States, instead of being
wiped out, would be given a voice
on the commission which they do
not have now.