Evening star., 1953-01-01
Robinson Hits
Plan toFinance
Parking Lots
Stund Is Revealed
In Testament Left
For His Successor

For His Successor
Engineer Commissioner Bernard
L. Robinson, on his last day of
Office yesterday, announced him
self opposed to legislation now for
financing an off-street parking
program.
The stand was one of many
which the departing official de-
scribed to his successor, Brig. Gen.
Louis w. PrentisS. Gen. Robinson,
Engineer Commissioners for the
last 10 months, is leaving for a
post in the Office of the Chief of
Army Engineers. Gen. PrentisS
takes over tomorrow in swearing
in ceremonies at 10 am. in the
District Building.
Added to Testament.
Gen. Robinson Incorporated his
parking lot recommendation in a
last will and testament" he wrote
for Gen. Prentiss.
Main basis for his stand is the
fact that the parking issue is
controversial and needs further
public airing.
Since the parking lot question
figures in the overall public works
improvement program. which is
the top must as Gen. Robinson
sees it, its very controversial as
pect is reason enough for holding
it in allegiance at this time.
Opinions Sharply Divided.
"There are sharply divided
opinions on the subject in the
community" Gen. Robinson wrote.
"In view of the desirability of our
receiving wide citizen support for
our overall program, believe this
should best be omitted"
The general underscored- several
other points. On the Southwest
Redevelopment program, approved
last Tuesday by the Board of Com
missioners, he urged that the
city's one-third share in the cost
should be in the form of public
improvements, such as streets,
sewers and water. The idea, said
the Engineer Commissioner, is to
eliminate as much as possible any
cash payment by the District for
the project.
Would Keep Road Planning.
Gen. Robinson also made clear
that he favors extending the life
of the Regional Highway Planning
Committee, so that it may analyze
and make recommendations on
mass transportation in the area.
The committee recently came out
with large-scale highway improve
ment proposals for the Metropoli-
tan Area.
The generals point-by point
recommendations to his successor
also called for:
/. Immediate organization of
a citizens committee, headed by
Banker John A. Reilly, to "sell'
Congress on the need for a public
works improvement program esti-
mated to cost at very least $319
million.
2. Scheduling at an early date
a public hearing on proposed legis-
lation that would implement each
part of the works program. Gen.
Robinson also advised Gen. Prem.
tiss to consult informally with the
Federal Budget Bureau on the pro-
posed legislation, and to make pub
lie for discussion and criticism the
recommendations of the Reilly
committee.
3. Opposition to any further in
crease in the Districts gasoline
tax, hiked to cents per gallon
last July. to finance construction
or maintenance programs. This
tax should always be lower in
Washington than in either Mary
land or Virginia, the general said
4. Support as the "only logical
answer" to the question of Po-
tomac River crossings a bridge in
the general vicinity of E street
NV. Due to high cost, tunnels
under the river, at least, are out
of the question.
S. Familiarization with testi-
mony given before a Senate sub
committee on the city government
reorganization plan now in high
gear here. This would set Gen.
Prentiss straight on the purposes
of reorganization.
6. Following through on the
Commissioners recent action re-
queSting congressional permission
for the city heads to transfer
funds from one department to
another in emergencies.
Total Amount Limited.
The proposed fund-transfer au-
thority would involve amounts
not in excess Of 100000 per
transaction, and limit the total
amount transferred annually to
$5OO,0O0. The transfers would
have to be ratified by a two
thirds majority of the Commis-
sioners Citizens Advisory Council.
7. Continued efforts to increase
the water rate, impose new sew
er service charge and switch to
the highway fund certain revenues
from motor vehicle sources now
going into the general fund.
Among the latter would be the
receipts of the motor vehicle park
ing fund from parking meters.
In connection with Southwest
redevelopment plans. the general
struck one last blow for the Dis
trict Highway Department chiefs.
He opposed a Tenth street ap-
proach to the proposed bridge over
Washington Channel as mistake
that would only increase traffic
congestion. This issue is still un-
der debate by the National Capital
Planning Commission.