Evening star., 1953-06-25
0fficiaIs3See
Planners Today
On PdrkRoute
MuryIond's Rood
Chiefs Hope to Solve
Highway 240 Issue
BY George Beveridoe

By George Beveridee
Maryland road officials pre-
pared to make their big pitch to-
day for National Capital Plan
ming Commission approval of the
plan to extend a leg of Route
240 through Maryland sections of
Rock Greek Park.
In the most important con-
ference on the controversial pro-
posal thus far, the State Roads
Commission and the NCPC will
huddle behind closed doors with
members of the Maryland Ma
tional Capital Park and Planning
Commission.
Both the NCPC and the Mary
land planners must approve the
plan before it can go ahead.
The highway officials are ex-
pected to ask approval of a high.
speed road, which would leave
Rock Greek Park near Wisconsin
avenue, cut across part of North
Chevy Chase and re-enter the
park near Beach drive and East
West highway.
Planners Hold ReinS.
Although title to the park land
is vested in the State, the Cap
per-Cramton Act of 1880 appar-
emily gives the reinS on its use
clearly to the planners. The act,
which provides for a one-third
Federal contribution toward pur-
chase of the Maryland sections
Of the park, says:
1.-The title to the lands acquired
hereunder shall vest in the State
of Maryland. The development
and administration thereof shall
be under the Maryland National
Capital Park and Planning Com
mission and in accordance with
plans approved by the National
Capital Park and Planning Com
mission"
NCPC officials make clear that
they consider the proposed road
way to be a development" Of the
park.
Whether the NCPC will dis
approve of the proposal and de-
eide to press opposition is the key
question. The Maryland plan
ming group, also taking no stand
as yet, has indicated it will not
until after conferences with the
national commission.
Residents Opposed.
Opposition so far has come
almost entirely from a group OF
North Chevy Chase residents
headed by former Senator Ger
aid Nye. His group has appealed
to the planners to oppose the
proposal as an improper park
use.
John Nolen, jr., NCPA director
refused to speculate on views
his commission might take. He
also noted that he did not know
what specific plan would be SUBJ
mitted, although the NCPA asked
for the data several weeks ago
State Roads Commissioner
Russell H. Mccain said his group
would present the "basic reason
ing" why the so-called Alternate
B route should go through. He
said road commission officials
are in agreement that the route
would be both cheaper and less
damaging to property than other
paths for Southeast leg route
Asked If his commission for
mally has decided on Route B
MI. Mccain said, 1--WE are not
going to definitely state what we
are going to do until we t1nd
out that we can do it."
d. C. Move Awaited.
Earlier, some members OF the
Maryland planning group had
indicated they were withholding
a decision on the 240 route until
they learned whether the District
intended to continue the roadway
through the District part OF ROCK
Creek Park. Such an extension
is backed heavily by the District
Highway Department.
Both the Maryland and Dis
trict planning groups, mean
while, are in favor Of an East
West inter-county road which
would follow Rock Greek Park
east of Wisconsin avenue. The
proposed alternate B road woulc
cover the same ground Tor 8
short distance east Of Wisconsin
avenue. before shooting out Of
the park and through the NORTH
Chevy Chase area.
The conference, slated for
pm. today at the Interior De-
partment, makes up part Of thu
NCPC's monthly two-day meet
ing. Mr.. Nolen said he did mo-
know whether the Maryland roat
issue would be taken up at al
open meeting tomorrow.
The group will hear. however
about pro and con expression
from various sources about th'
proposed Rock Greek parkway
the proposed Arizona freewa!
and the extension Of the Virgini'
side of the George Washington
Memorial parkway.
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