Evening star., 1952-01-23

VtbShhN1S w ~ SSS
Robinson on Move
To Push Proposal
Commissioner r. Joseph Dono-
hue will confer today with Engi-
neer Commissioner Bernard L.
6 Robinson as an initial step to plan
co-ordinated development of the
entire Metropolitan Area.
Mr.. Donohue said he wants to
discuss possible means Of getting
a unified move afoot in the Dis
trict and surrounding counties to
develop the area as single COM
munity.
He said the city plan of Mai.
Pierre LEnfant has become out
moded over the decades.
Follows Civic Talk.
The scheduled meeting with
Gen, Robinson comes as follow
up to Mr.. Donohue'S announce
ment Monday that he intends to
discuss the project with authori-
ties iof adjoining Maryland and
Virginia communities.
The Commissioner told the
1nter-Federation Council of ad-
jacent civic organizations that the
LEnfant plan should be aban-
doned.
Mr.. Donohue said the Engineer
Commissioners plans for Wash
ington's highway and bridge sys-
tenn. for example, are predicated
on property development across
the District line.
He pointed out that only yes
terday he received a letter from
Arlington County officials request
ing the District to send an expert
to the county to discuss public
utilities development.
Last month, when the snow
emergency problem became press
ing, the Commissioners found
they had to call joint meeting
with neighboring officials in an
effort to smooth out the traffic
flow to and from the city.
"Washington's environs are be-
coming the residential section of
the CITY," the Commissioner said.
I'D like to see Washington con-
tinue its prime function Of pro-
viding the work, entertainment
and shopping opportunities for
the area" he added. That can't
be done, he said, unless a devel-
opment plan is effected that will
suit the needs of the Metropolitan
area as a unit.
Not only would the highway
system be- a key part Of such
planning, but off-the-street park
ing facilities likewise must be
given large consideration. Mr..
Donohue asserted.
Sasscer Backs CO. ordination.
He said he is particularly in
terested in the New York Port
Authority, a joint operation BY
the States of New York and New
Jersey. Mr.. Donohue feels some
important lessons. applicable toI
the Districts development. CAM
cleaned from the bi-State harbor
control.
Representative Sasscer, Demo-
crat. of Maryland, has repeatedly
urged some sort Of area co-ordi-
nation group. Mr.. Sasscer. as we'll
as other officials, have expressed
concern ever civil defense pre-
paredness under authority divided
by Maryland, District and Vir-
ginia State lines.
On the other hand the Prince
Georges County commissioners
yesterday voted not to send rep
resentatives to a conference in
Arlington next week to co-ordi-
nate a campaign for an Interstate
Commerce Commission investiga-
tion of public transportation In
the Washington area.
The commissioners said their
participation would be inadvisable,
since they believe contention CEN
ters around operations of bus lines
between Arlington and the Dis
trict.
To Coordinate Testimony.
Specific purpose Of the confer
ence, called by the Arlington Pub
lie Utilities Commission, would be
to co-ordinate testimony for D
possible congressional hearing on
the Investigation proposal. Sena-
tors Byrd and Robertson, Demo-
Gratis, of Virginia, and Represen-
tative Beall, Republican, of Mary
land, have introduced bills in
Congress calling on the ICC to in
vestigate rates and service of all
public carriers in the Washington
area.
G.. J. Glassman. technical as
sistant to the Arlington commits
sion, said invitations to the con-
ference have been accepted 50 far
by the Air Force, Montgomery
County, Falls Church and the Dis
trict Federation Of Citizens Asso-
Citations. Still to be heard from,
he said, are the District govern
ment, Alexandria, Hyattsville,
Fairfax County and some other
civic federationS.