Evening star., 1952-03-06
Battle
Planning
Brewing
Maryland and D. c.
Groups Expected to
Clash on Project
By james 6. Deone

commissions appeared to be brew
ing today over proposed extension
of Rock Greek parkway to Mary
land.
The two are the National
Capital Park and Planning Com
mission, with jurisdiction in the
District, and the similarly named
lMaryland-National Capital Park
and Planning Commission, which
operates in Montgomery and
Prince Georges Counties.
The Maryland group soon may
decide to fight for the project.
The District body is expected to
oppose it.
Fred G. Tuemmler, top planner
for the Maryland commission.
gave the first hint of impending
battle last night. He called the
parkway extension inevitable.
No Official Action Yet.
Mr.. Tuemmler said he couldn't
speak for the six-man commits
sion. explaining it hasn't taken a
stand yet. But he stated:
MY impression is they're in
clined to like it."
Richard F. Green, commission
vice chairman and Montgomery
County park commissioner, has
told The Star he favors the plan.
Mr.. Tuemmler told a dinner
meeting Of the Silver Spring
Board Of Trade he feels the
through parkway has to come. He
said it would be tied in with both
the new National pike, now under
construction from Frederick, and
Ia projected northerly Montgomery
County roadway bypassing the
Silver Spring business section.
Plans for the Silver Spring by
pass will be ready sto be made
public within two months, he told
the businessmen.
In 10-Year Plan.
Parkway extension is part of
the 10-year, $40 million District
highway program recently pro-
posed by a special regional COM
mittee. City road officials favor
lit, but park authorities and the
District Planning Commission
have vetoed similar projects in
the past.
Park Supt. Edward j. Kelly dis
approves, and there has been no
indication the planning body will
change its mind, either.
Maryland commuters would
benefit from the extension, de-
signed to ease congestion on Con-
necticut avenue and Sixteenth
street. But opponents contend that
congestion isn't bad enough and
the road would damage the park.
The proposal is for a dual park
way on the parks west edge.
A staff member Of the District
Commission indorsed the parkway
move at last nights meeting.
Calls for Action.
Blair Lee III. recently named
an executive aide to the District
planners, told the businessmen
that "it's up to Maryland official
bodies to get in and fight on their
own" on the matter.
Mr.. Lee emphasized he is at
odds with his commissions views.
A former vice chairman of the
Maryland planning body, he said
he had told the District commits
sion I'D be loyal to them in
everything except Rock Creek
parkway"
I'm a trojan horse" he laugh
ingly told the businessmen.
E. Brooke Lee, former Mary
land State Roads Commission
chairman and Montgomery Dem
ocratic leader, also backed the
parkway plan.
The elder Mr.. Lee also sup
ported a demand by Sam Fig.
Silver Spring businessman, that
Western avenue from Rock Creek
Park to East-West highway be
developed into a highway. The
road is not cut through. but Mr..
Fig gave the right-of-way to the
county five years ago.
Straight to Business Area.
Mr.. Lee described Western ave-
nue. as a straight shot into the
Silver Spring business district and
said it should be made a project
way up on the program Sew
eral other businessmen also in
dorsed the proposal.
Planning officials said continual
tion Of the avenue across the park
would require a high-level bridge
and Is unlikely soon because Of the
cost.
Mr.. Tuemmler urged prompt
acquisition of a right-of-way for
a proposed circumferential high
way around the District. Prompt
action can save a tremendous
amount of money. he predicted.
The planning official also called
for creation Of a Federal-State
agency modelled after the Port Of
New York Authority to administer
IA co-ordinated public works pro-
gram for the District area. The
agency should have bond-issuing
authority and power to spend pub
lie funds. he said.
The Federal Government should
lpay a greater share in area high
way costs because of Federal
lagencieS here, he added.