Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-01

posal. but have been reluctant
to take a definite stand.
Opposition to the tranSfe Ell
already has arisen from several
quarters claiming that the park
ways are part of the long range
program for development of the
National Capital area with digni-
fed approaches to the Federal
City.
The Interior Departments
policy was briefly laid down on
a national level by Secretary
Mckay. in testimony for the new
departmental budget.
Rejects Highways.
II think we have been getting
into parkwayS where we
had no business" he said. II
think we ought to leave the
highways to the State and the
Bureau of Public Roads. and we
will stay with the. parks"
He warned: IF we do not
watch our step we are going to
be in the highway business in
big way"
This position was backed by
Assistant Secretary Orme Lewis,
and Director of National Parks
Conrad L. Wirth, with details
about the Baltimore Washington
Parkway.
Many approach roads leading
to national parks already have
been turned over to States
throughout the country, the
subcommittee heard.
Mr.. Lewis, discussing the diff
Guilty of getting some States to
take over roads leading to parks.
told the subcommittee:
We have been quite upset. The
parkway problem was called to
our attention most forcefully by
the Baltimore Washington Park
way. 1t is being used for an en-
t1rely different type of service
than that for which it was orig
inally intended"
Park Director Wirth testified
he had been authorized to nego-
tate with Maryland on transfer
OF the Federal part of the Balti-
more Washington parkway. But
he added 1T is going to take
little while"
Mr.. Wirth indicated also an at
tempt would be made to turn
over Suitland Parkway to the
State.
Not Free Pathways.
The Baltimore Parkway and
the Suitland Parkway, he said
ARE not what we term true
pathways, like the Mount Vernon
Parkway which is really connect
ing the historic park with a ma
tlonal park, and the George
Washington Memorial Parkway,
which is a scenic and pleasure
type of a trip"
The Baltimore and Suitland
parkways, he asserted, do provide
a quicker and safer route, but
even so I would say that no
trucks should be allowed on
them"
But both of these motorways
he charged "are deteriorating
the real concept of a parkway.
I personally hope we can work
some way of getting off,"
Russell H. Mccain, chairman
OF the Maryland Roads Com
mission, said today he had re-
ceived no official word from the
Interior Department concerning
the proposal. He refrained from
saying whether the State should
accept the Baltimore roadway
offer His commission, however.
is making a study of the facility
itself, he said.
Before the Maryland Legis-
lature's ways and means COM
mittee recently, Mr.. Mccain, in
response to a question, expressed
some doubt that the Federally
constructed leg of the express
way would hold up under the
heavy truck traffic already oper-
ating on Maryland's northern leg
Of the artery.
Two Inches Less Concrete.
The Maryland section has 10
inches of concrete base all the
way from Baltimore to Jessup
Road, he explained, but the
Federal section, now being con-
structed from Jessup road to
Washington. has only an eight
inch concrete base.
Asked about State legislation
for the transfer of Jurisdiction,
Mr.. Mccain said he was uncer-
tain whether the State would
have to accept the roadway with
an act.
The congressional supcommit-
tee was asked by Mr.. Wirth and
Frank Gartside, assistant super
intendent of National Capital
Parks. for $67,077 next fiscal
year for maintenance Of the Fed
eral part of the Baltimore road
after it is finished. probably in
October. They also asked for II
park police to patrol the road.
Mr.. Gartside. assistant super
intendent of National Capital
Parks. said the parkways fitted
into the comprehensive plan
for the development of the Ma
tional Capital and its environs."