Evening star., 1952-03-28
Defense Funds
Found Available
For Peace Cross
Army Engineers Let
SIS, 900 to Start
Preliminary Work
By Harold B. Rogers

By Harold B. Rogers
Unobligated defense money
probably will be used for PLAN
ming the much-needed fiood-con-
troll project at Peace Cross, Bla-
densburg, Md.
This hopeful prospect arose
despite denial by the House Ap-
Committee of $50,0 900
for planning the program as
recommended by President Tru-
man.
The money was stricken out
yesterday by the committee as it
the Army civil functions
appropriations bill to the House.
Committee sources, however.
emphasized that the Bladensburg
project was so vital that it has
been officially certified as de-
fense project. Therefore, it was
pointed out, unobligated funds can
be used by the Army engineers to
go ahead specifically planning the
project, which already has been
outlined by the engineers in gen.
eral form.
Welcome News to Area.
{ This development was expected
to be warmly welcomed by the
Bladensburg community. which
for years has suffered from recur-
rent floods.
The Peace Cross flood control
need has been certified as a de-
|fense project by the Chief Of Army
Engineers.
The sum Of $4,000 has been
made available to the local Office
|of the District Engineer. for PLAN
ming. Already some progress has
been made on the job by the use
|of about $4,000. The remainder
|of the fund is available.
After the $4,000 is used. an
Official said today. it is somewhat
|problematical as to whether more
will be made available.
The first step now under way
lin planning is study to see spe-
officially if the proposed three-year
construction lis economically
feasible"
Combination Project.
Conditions have changed some
what since the first preliminary
program was recommended. it was
pointed out. But If the project is
Istill found to be economically
feasible, the engineers hope to
start the first phase of construc-
ltion in 1854. 1t would be a COM
|bination flood control and naviga-
Ition project.
| AS explained recently an an
Appropriations subcommittee the
first step in the flood control prof.
ect as planned by the engineers
lis to build the necessary roads
and bridges to raise the road
system in the area permanently
Iabove flood level.
Stressing the defense need for
the project, L. s. Ray. commis-
sioner of the Washington Subur-
ban Sanitary Commission told the
subcommittee:
ut is imperative that u. 8.
Highways Nos. and SO out Of
Washington. which intersect at
the Bladensburg Peace Cross be
open at all times in the event it Is
necessary for civil defense purpose
to move a large number of people
from the National Capital quickly.
29-Day Flood Recalled.
"In 1851" he explained, traffic
here was interrupted for 20 days
by the flooding of the Anacostia.
so the likelihood Of the area being
flooded at time Of emergency is
not remote"
A spokesman for the District
Division Of the American Automo-
bile Association meanwhile criti-
cized elimination Of the $4,000
appropriation. He said the Blad-
ensburg Peace Cross project is not
new idea, and declared that it Is
located on a tranScontinental
highway and major roadway be-
tween Washing and Annapolis.
The long range job, variously
estimated to cost up to $13 million.
has been outlined generally to
consist of these features: Con-
structing levees on both sides Of
the river from south of Bladens-
burg upstream to Brentwood and
Riverdale: reconstruction Of roads
and bridges; building four pump
ing stations behind the levees to
discharge drainage into the river
when in flood; widening and
Strengthening the river shannel
from the end Of the existing nav
igation project at Fifteenth street
Sc, to Bladensburg to a depth
Iof 8 feet and bottom width Of 80
feet, and construction Of CONNER
cial and recreational boat basins
near Bladensburg.