Evening star., 1953-04-17
Parks Growth
Supported by
100 Committee
Rock Creek Freewuy
Opposed, Revision oil
D. c. Zonine Urged
By George Beveridee

-. ~. AOHI1S OT9SO
By George Beveridee
Opposition to any change in
the Capper-Crampton Act and
strong support for a $1.2 million
appropriation to further park ex-
pansion next year were voiced
yesterday by the Committee Of
100 on the Federal City.
The action was taken in the
wake of reports that the econ
omy-minded Budget Bureau is
interested in scrapping or modi-
flying the law providing funds for
an orderly expansion of the
Washington areas parks, park
ways and Fairgrounds.
In a revised budget sent to
Capitol Hill. the administration
repeatedly has slashed a $l.2
million Capper-Crampton item
for the next fiscal year. If this
action holds, it will be the third
year in which no funds have
been made available to carry out
projects already under way.
Blair Lee III, National Capital
Planning Commission executive
officer, told the group the Budget
Bureau has not said it was going
to take any initiative yet toward
repeal of the act, but has indi-
Gated "it would be receptive to
ideas from the outside"
He said Maryland officials
"are beginning to get restive"
about the unavailability of funds.
He pointed out that the park
program thus is as vulnerable
through failure to get appropria-
tions as it is through a frontal
attack on the basic law.
3 Protests Action.
Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant III,
president of the American Plan
ming and Civic Association, said
he has protested the reported
action on behalf of that group.
and has asked for a conference
with budget officials.
In other actions, the commit
tee:
l. Opposed construction Of
Maryland freeways in any part
of the Rock Creek Park valley.
The action was taken by a 1876
vote, despite protests that such
a policy would kill plans for the
so-called "outer loop" freeway
extending from east to west
across Montgomery and Prince
Georges Counties.
Q. Urged srtong support for p
$175,000 budget request to A.
nance a complete revision of the
Districts zoning restrictions and
building code.
3. Formed a subcommittee to
draw a resolution urging Pres
ident Eisenhower to appoint q
man "of national reputation in
city planning" to fill forthcom-
ing vacancy on the National
Capital Planning Commission.
The vacancy will occur April
80, with expiration of the term
of Albert P. Greensfelder, of st.
Louis.
4. Opposed a proposal that p
and @ streets NV. extending
through Georgetown be made
one-way. The action followed a
similar resolution adopted by the
Progressive Citizens Association
of Georgetown.
5 Formed a committee to seek
means of forcing foreign en-
bassy and chancellery buildings
to meet zoning and building re-
strictions existing in their areas.
The action was urged by Mrs:
James L. Houghteling. who said
Northwest neighborhood move
nents already are under way to
seek such meausres.
6 Supported preservation Of
the Dyke Marsh as a wildlife
preserve. The marsh. owned by
4 commercial sand and gravel
is located on the Vir-
ginia side of the Potomac River
south of Alexandria. The group.
however. opposed proposal that
he marsh be acquired by swap
ping section of the st. Eliza
oeths Hospital farm. on the
side of the river.
Freeway Dispute.
The Maryland Freeway dispute
arose when Gen. Grant protested
plans for road he said would
extend from Maryland's Route
240 through Rock Greek Park
10 the District line. He said such
action would force the District
% build freeway through the
;ity section of the park. and
a resolution opposing
construction of a freeway in any
part of the Maryland park.
Mr.. Lee argued. however, that
;uch a resolution would also OPP
bose construction of the East
Vest inter-county belt route in
Maryland, which would enter the
'ark about mile at points be-
ween the town of Kensington
md Wisconsin avenue.
He said the East West route
las the sanction of planning
roups in both the District and
Land purchases for
n alternate stretch would re-
uire acquisition Of valuable resi-
ential property, he contended.
by prohibiting that East
Vest section of the park to the
belt route. 1t will
e killed because there just isn't
ny place else 1t can CO." he
eclared.
The argument against any en-
roachment of the park pre-
allied. however, and the 1876
otp was registered