Evening star., 1953-06-27
NCPC Vetoes
Maryland Leg
OF. Ri. 24O Plan
LeeoI Test Seen
Over Use of Park
Within Stute
A-24 THE EVENING STAR
S*" Washington, D. C..
SATURDAY, JUNE "a, 1853
BY George Beveridqe

Within State
BY George Beveridge
The Maryland State Roads
Commissions proposed North
Chevy Chase extension Of Route
240 staggered today under a sur
prise opposition blow from the
National Capital Planning Com
mission.
The surprise was not in the
fact Of opposition. It was in the
NCPC'S sudden decision late yes.
terday to vote against the State
plan to build a southeast leg Of
Route 24O through Maryland sec-
tions Of Rock Greek Park to the
District line.
The road controversy, however,
Is still red-hot, with the next step.
UP to the roads commission.
It appeared certain that the
NCPC vote was hurried by a
bluntly worded roads commission
statement, which fatty chal-
lenged the power of the NCPC
and the Maryland National Cap
ital Park and Planning Commis-
sion to block the road project.
Sees Duty to Act.
The statement, issued by Mary
land Roads Commissioner Rus
sell H. Mccain, contended the
State had sovereign powers to
build highways where they are
needed. It said its duty is to
build the highway and relieve
suburban Maryland traffic con-
gestion. regardless of the oppo-
Sition.
Hours before the statement
was made public late Thursday,
Mr.. Mccain had asked the two
planning bodies to approve the
State proposal. NCPA officials
indicated they would spend about
six weeks studying it and con-
slider action in August. They had
said no. action was scheduled for
yesterdays regular meeting.
Then, yesterday. the Roads
Commission statement hit the
newspapers.
First, the NCPC issued a state
ment saying it would not accept
Mr.. McCain's analysis of it's legal
powers. The commission said the
Capper-Cramton Act of 1880
gave both planning bodies con-
troll over development OF the
Maryland park areas and that
it would hold to the powers "un-
til contrary opinion shall be
rendered by a court of law"
It added that it hoped to rely
soon to Mr.. McCain's request for
permission to "use portions of
Rock Creek Park for an express
way"
Letter Drafted.
Then, as it was about to ad-
Journ late yesterday, the NCPC
suddenly went into closed ses-
sion. Hours later, reporters
were told the commission had
voted to write to Mr.. Mccain,
stating:
i. The conditions under which
the NCPC in January approved
part Of the Maryland park sys-
tenn for a proposed inter-county
East-West belt highway. The
park section involved is near
Wisconsin avenue and Grosvenor
lane. The controversial south
east leg of 240 would pass
through the same park section
but would veer southwark across
open country to re-enter the
park near East-West highway.
2. A recommendation that the
inter-county belt be constructed
to Georgia avenue "as soon as
possible to provide a new facility
between Route 240 and the Sill
yer Spring area, relieving the
EaSt-WeSt highway"
3. Its continued opposition, as
expressed in it's comprehensive
plan, Ito the construction of a
road Of the expressway type in
Rock Creek Park south of the |
1nter-county belt route both in
the District of Columbia and in
Maryland. In lieu of the ex-
preSSway, the commission favors
further development and extern /
sion Of a park road such as an
extension of Beach drive, which
might be planned to connect with |
the inter- county belt route with |
In the confines of the park
No Previous Vote.
Actually, SpokeSmen said, the |
NCPC has not previously voted |
on the Rock Greek Park express
way issue. The reference to
continued opposition" came
from the fact that no provision |
for such roadway was included |
in the NCPC's comprehensive |
highway 'plan, adopted in 1850. |
Traditionally. however, the |
NCPC has questioned park use
for highways. Members discus
sionS also made it clear that |
their strongest concern centered
around the prospect of a high |
speed expressway that would run
throughout the District part of |
Rock Creek.
Another development, expected
to be made within a few days,
probably will come from the
Maryland-NCPPC. Members have
not appeared very concerned
over the question of their legal
powers and have yet to get to-
gether on the stand they will
take. They have said they did
not want to announce a decision
until after recent conferences
they have had with the NCPC.
Legal Issue Alive.
The legal ISSUE. however, still
is very much alive between the
NCPC and the roads commits
sion and might well decide final
outcome Of the controversy.
Before its vote yesterday,
~. H-~~n Aa -