Evening star., 1951-02-07
Air Force, Acc
ToAppraiseD.C.
Attack Danger
Experts to Testify
Before House Unit
Considering Dispersal
BY Froncis P. Douglas

'Ss'hh SsSF~tSA
By Froncis P. Douglas
The House Public Works SUBJ
committee considering the Gov
ernment's $3.50 million dispersal
plan is to meet tomorrow morning
behind closed doors to hear ex-
pert opinion on the Capitals
danger from enemy attack.
Witnesses will be Air Force
officers and representatives of the
Atomic Energy Commission.
In the afternoon, representa-
tives of suburban Virginia COM
munities expect to present their
views and will attempt to obtain
legislative provisions for Federal
aid in planning to meet the i'm
pact of problems created by a
sudden influx of population.
Chairman Trimble of the SUBJ
committee. stressing that he spoke
for himself alone, said:
'tI am convinced that the sub
committee and the full Public
Works Committee want to know If
the possibility of attack is real. If
SO, then they will want to consider
this program of dispersal and see
If it is the proper solution for the
problem.
Public Hearings Near Close.
Appearance of the Virginians
tomorrow afternoon is expected
to complete public hearings on the
plan to erect buildings on six
sites in Maryland and Virginia
within a 20-mile radius of Wash
ington and to which 10000 en-
ployes would be transferred.
Some subcommittee members
indicated by their questions yes
terday that they believe q desire
to erect new buildings to provide
Office space probably is the con-
trolling factor in the dispersal
plan, instead of getting key Gov
ernment areas away from the
downtown Washington target
area.
Virginia planners met last night
in the Alexandria City Council
chamber with John Nolen, jr.,
planning director for the National
Capital Park and Planning Com
mission, and with Government
Services Administration officials.
Mr.. Nolen explained an amend
ment proposed by his commission
to the dispersal bill, designed to
make available Federal funds for
planning operations in the dis
persal area and to furnish funds
to local planners.
Figures Submitted.
Virginians had been asked to
bring in figures showing how much
each locality would need to pre-
pare for problems created by dis
persal.
Preliminary figures submitted
were $4,000 by c. L. Kinnier.
planning engineer for Arlington,
which probably will not have toI
furnish a site because of that
countys proximity to the Capital;
$75, 900 by Philip Hall, Alexandria
planning engineer, and $50, ,235 by
H. F. Schumann, director of plan
ming for Fairfax County.
Mr.. Kinnier said Arlington's
principal problem is to furnish
adequate transportation arteries
between Washington and the out
lying dispersal points without, at
the same time, isolating various
sections of the county by means Of
these heavy-duty highways.
The higher figure for Fairfax is
based on the probability that the
county would absorb most or all
of the Virginia projects. Alex
andria already has some plans
prepared to provide access to a
proposed new Potomac River
Bridge from that city into Wash
lngton.
Prince William and Loudoun
Counties did not furnish estimates
of cost.
Water Supply Problem.
James j. Corbalis, Fairfax sani-
tary engineer, said only the rural
areas of his counties lie outside
the 20-mile radius. It is there that
the most acute problems Of water
supply and sewage disposal exist,
he said.
Development of urban areas sur
rounding any decentralized agency
could be expected.
A proposed sanitary authority
to handle all water, sewage and
trash services is being studied now
and may be the answer, he added.
Because of budgets adopted in
each affected community, local
funds could not be made available
in any of them until July l, it
was pointed out. Alexandria now
operates on a calendar year,
financially, but may adopt new
fiscal year plan effective July /,
City Manager w. Guy Ancell re-
ported.
G. Hubbard Massey, consulting
engineer for Fairfax, said that,
If the dispersal bin does not carry
an amendment providing financial
assistance, nothing but chaos and
disorder will result, which will