Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-28
Maryland Aides
To Seek Review
Of Park Funds
Won't to Reossess
Need Of Continuing
Copper-Cromton Act
THE SUNDAY STAR
Washington. D. G.
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 1854
By GEORGE Beveridqe

By George Beveridge
Maryland planning officials
said last night they would press
for a Capitol Hill review Of the
need to continue the Capper-
Cramton Act or some alternate
form of the legislation.
They made this statement in
the wake Of House Appropria-
tons Committee report recon-
mending a $545.000 final ap-
preparation" this year under the
act which has been the key factor
in Washington area park de-
velopment since 1880.
At the same time. members Of
the House committee said the
action was taken because of q
feeling that a review of the
24-year-old act was in order.
Explained BY Phillips.
Representative Phillips, Re-
publican, of California, chair
man of the Appropriations sub
committee which considered this
years request for park develop
ment funds. explained it this
way:
THE committee feeling was
that the Capper- Cramton Act
was passed "a years ago. when
the Federal Government had
some money. Today. the whole
situation in the Washington area
has changed. Certainly, the
financial situation of the Gov
eminent has, too. If we were
to continue under this act. there
should be a legislative review
of it.
I'VE we're not saying we were
putting such a program out of
existence, period. What we
were saying is that we will give
you money this year to link to-
gether the parks that have been
started. But if you want more.
you have to come back through
q legislative committee"
Mr.. Phillips said the decision
was the committees and did not
come from the Budget Bureau.
The Californian pointed out
that the $545.000 amount this
year is the full request as sub
mitted by the Budget Bureau,
and far more than has been
recommended by the committee
In recent years.
It includes $135,000 for vir-
ginia land acquisition for the
George Washington Memorial
parkway. $284,0OO for a south
west Washington playground.
and $126, 900 to connect various
Maryland stream valley parks.
Under the act. the District re-
pays the money it gets, the
George Washington parkway is
q $3.50 Federal-State PROPOSE
ton, and Maryland pays two
thirds of the stream valley de-
velopment costs. -xI.
Goes to House Floor.
The appropriation measure
will be on the House floor TO-
morrow and Tuesday.
Mr.. Phillips said as a technical
legal point the committees pro-
posal might not wipe the "a
year-old law off the statute
books. But be said the point had
little practical Importance since
the committee has made it plain
1t does not intend to appropriate
any more money without major
legislative review and new au-
.thority.
Robert M. Watkins, chairman
Of the Maryland National Capt.
tai Park and Planning Commits
sion. said he felt his commission
definitely will seek such a re-
view"
He said the action, at the same
time. sticks us way out on a
limb" He explained that the
stream valley program is only
about go per cent completed
and that his group has imposed
restrictions on private developers
in dealing with potential park
lands. He added
Il think the whole attitude
OF my commission will be that
we made a deal Tin 193O)
worked hard to keep it in the
face of rising prices and land
values, made developers toe the
line. and that now the ground
is cut from under us.
Il think it is very appropriate
Tor congressional committee
to review this exhaustively."
At Work on Report.
John Nolen, jr.. National Capt.
tai Planning Commission direc-
tor. said he is at work on a
report for presentation at a
commission meeting this week
ito summarize just where we
stand and what's left to be
DONE"
Conrad Wirth, National Park
Service director. said the COM
mittee's reasoning was UNDER
standable to him and that its
action will give us time to re-
view the programs"
While some officials expressed
surprise at the committee ac-
ton. some told a reporter they
expected something like it. There
were suggestions of such action
from Budget Bureau officials last
year.
In addition, one Official viewed
the action as another instance of
administration desire to with
draw from as many State and
local matters as possible. AS an
example of another instance, the
official cited the possibility that
the Federal section of the Balti-
more-Washington parkway may
be offered to the State of Mary
land.
Tukomu Park VFW
Elects Officers
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