Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-04-12
Planners See
Economy Trend
Revising Goals
To Review Program
To Meet Demands OF
Present Congress

The National Capital Planning
Commission probably will review
its entire land acquisition pro-
gram in the near future to set
up definite goals for the econ
omy-minded Congress, it was
learned yesterday.
The move will be part of eff
forts to stall modification or
even Scrapping of the Capper-
Cramton Act under which or
derly development of the areas
parks and parkways has been
pushed.
Blair Lee III, executive officer
of the Planning Commission,
said such a review and reap
praisal of the uncompleted por-
ton of the park system was
under consideration even before
the present situation arose.
Land Funds Cut Off.
The situation to which he re-
ferred is a move by the Federal
Budget Bureau to either kill or
modify the 23-year-old Capper-
Cramton Act for economy rea-
sons. Already the Budget Blu
reau has removed from the
budget now before Congress all
funds for land purchases. The
funds totaled $1,250,000.
II think it is possible now to
Set definite goals" Mr.. Lee
commented.
In the District, for example,
the Capper-Cramton Act au-
thorized SIC million for parks,
parkWays and Fairgrounds %
years ago. Of that sum, all but
$38 million has been appro-
priated by Congress. 1t is loan,
paid back by the District tax
payers.
Would Check Plan, Funds.
The review would determine if
the master plan for parks in the
city could be accomplished with
in the funds remaining in the
authorization.
Major uncompleted projects in
the city include the Fort Drive
Project, an intermediate circle
around the city which will be
used for an expreSSWay eventu-
ally, and Palisades Park. along
the Potomac River from George
town to the District line.
Both are about 80 per cent
complete as far as land acquisi-
ton is concerned.
Many other projects in the city
are on the master plan. These
include land for a recreation
center in Cleveland Park. land
for a Northeast recreation CEN
ter and small plots which will
complete Rock Greek Park.
The review may show that
the city park system could be
completed within the $3.8 mil
lion left in the authorization.
Or it may show that more funds
may be needed. If this is the
case, the Planning Commission
might decide to curtail it's mas
ter plan and keep within the
authorization.
Needed in Maryland.
In Maryland. a review is badly
needed because of the stream
valley program jointly conducted
by the Planning Commission
and its counterpart, the Mary
land-National Capital Park and
Planning Commission.
Many projects in Maryland
are partially completed. Some
are in danger of being lost be-
cause private builders who have
held land along the streams in
reserve for parks are getting
restless. They want the Gov
eminent to buy or they want to
go ahead with development of
the property.
The George Washington Me-
mortal Parkway also is at a
critical stage. In Montgomery
County. the Government has the
Chesapeake g. Ohio Canal prop
erty as a backbone for the
project.
1t has been acquiring land up
and down the canal but these
purchases have been spotty. An
end to the Capper-Cramton Act
would leave this project stranded.
Need Half of Request.
Some Planning Commission of
f1cials think that if Congress
can be persuaded to appropriate
about half the $1,250.000 asked
for the next fiscal year, most
of the critical situations could
be met.
An appraisal of the park pro-
gram then could outline step
by step what is needed to &C
complish the area park system
contemplated in the master de-
velopment plan.
The Capper-Cramton Act gives
the Planning Commission a way
to purchase land for parks and
put it's paper plans into effect.
In the District, the funds are a
Federal loan which is repaid 100
per cent by the taxpayer. In
Maryland and Virginia. Federal
funds are matched by State
funds according to set formula.