Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-09-04
Senator Case Offers
To Work Out Issues
Raised on Bridges

Chairman Case Of the Senate
District Committee again is vol
unteering to try to work out
problems involved in the con-
struction of another downtown
bridge over the Potomac River
and a bypass Washington span
to connect with Jones Point be-
low Alexandria.
President Eisenhower ha s
signed a bill authorizing these
two bridges. but he found de-
fects in both of the measures.
Chairman Case, in a statement
issued late yesterday, agreed to
reconsider all the issues raised
by the President.
The President spoke Of "seri-
Gus defects" as to the central
area bridge. suggesting that
there should be further legisla-
ton to give the Interior Depart
ment jurisdiction over APP
proaches that would affect park
lands near the Lincoln Memorial
Bridge. ss
AS to the Jones Point Bridge,
the President suggested that the
responsibility for construction.
maintenance and operation be
placed with the Bureau of Public
Roads, the Commerce Depart
ment or the Army Engineers.
The bill, as passed by Congress.
vested the+responsibility with the
Secretary of Interior.
Considered by Subcommittee.
Chairman Case, who played a
major role in working out a
compromise over the downtown
bridge, said the President has
raised important questions.
But, he added, these ques-
tions were carefully considered
by the District subcommittee
during and after hearings on
the bill"
I'VE sought to give recogni-
ton to the problems which the
President cites by requiring con-
sultation by the District with the
National Capital Planning Com
mission, on which the Interior
Department is represented"
Senator Case said he could see
no objection to reasonable
further requirements" involving
direct participation by the In
terror Department on the PLAN
ming of the new downtown span
and its approaches.
Senator Case recalled that
the original Jones Point Bridge
proposed that the span be con-
structed and operated by the
District Commissioners. He said
he thought the Commissioners
properly had objected to this ar
rangement, since only a small
portion of the District area
in the middle of the Potomac
would decreased by this bridge.
No Comment Offered.
y
The Commissioners, more than
a year ago, Chairman Case re-
called, had recommended that
the Secretary of Interior be made
responsible for the construction
and operation of this bridge.
Chairman Case added:
1.-THE 1nterior) Secretary was
invited to appear to be repre-
sented at subsequent hearings
held by the Senate committee
and offer any views he might
have on this suggestion. It was
also brought to the attention of
the Park Service representative
who attended the hearings.
Probably. due to lack Of time
to study the proposal, however,
the Secretary offered no COM.
ment on it. and it was approved
by the committee as recon-
mended by the District Com
miSSioners.
Chairman Case said that If
it is deemed preferable to have
the Jones Point Bridge construc-
ted and operated by the Army
Engineers or the Bureau Of Pub
lie Roads. as the President sug-
gested, ''tfnis change can be ac-
complished readily by q sim
pie amendment to the law in
the next Congress"
Chairman Case also yesterday
agreed to reconsideration of the
now legislated liberalization Of
the District Unemployment Conn
pensation program. President
Eisenhower signed the bin into
| law but suggested more liberal
! ization amendments next year.
q