Evening star., 1955-06-17
Budget Problem Arises
In Dispute on Bridge
Commissioners Meet With Stennis
To Iron Out Funds Difficulty

ton was taken by nine Execu-
tive Committee members Of the
associations Board Of Trustees.
Senator Stennis did not say
so, but 1t was apparent his pa
tience is growing thin.
81 don't want to appear to be
threatening anyone" he said
last night. "But here we are in a
situation where law authoriz-
ing a bridge at a certain place
Constitution avenue) is on the
books, the money ($1.5 million
for 1866 is available and the
need for a bridge becomes more
urgent every day.
Time is short. This matter
should not be put of any
longer"
Commission Chairman Har-
land A. Bartholomew had an
nounced that the planning body
was prepared to hold a special
meeting if prompt action" is
requested before Congress ad.
journs.
His Deadline Earlier
Senator Stennis said his sub
committee wants a decision with.
in a few days.
I'VE are not thinking in terms
of getting something before
Congress adjourns,'" he said.
II am not interested in where
the bridge is placed-there's 6
law on the books stating where
but 1 just don't like to see thi.
matter suspended any further,
the Mississippian said.
District Government officials
likewise had their basic perplexi.
ties, it was understood. They
have been asking themselves why
| it is that the present Congress
does not go ahead and appropri.
ate the money for the authorized
Constitution avenue bridge anc
stop waiting on this agency anc
that for new decisions.
These sources recall that, only
last year, prior to passage Of the
authorization bill, Senator Case
Republican, of South Dakota
then chairman of the District
Committee, met with the District
Engineer Commissioner, the heac
of the National Park Service ane
NCPC Chairman Bartholomew
and all agreed to the Constitu.
ton avenue site.
Remon Opposes Delay
Flat opposition to any fur
ther delay in a bridge location
decision was registered by Johr
A. Remon, vice chairman Of the
NCPC.
We've studied this thing up.
hill and downhill." Mr.. Remor
declared. II don't want it tt
drift any longer"
NCPC Chairman Bartholo'
news reply to this was: Jus
as soon as we're in shape, wei
have a meeting"
Donald Gingery, a Marylant
member of the Regional Plan
ming Council, which met II
NCPC Offices yesterday, voicet
irritation over further delay, al
well.
''It is beyond my comprehen.
sion how a private organization
like the Roosevelt association
can sit and dictate how anc
where a bridge can be built with
taxpayers money" Mr.. Gingery
declared.
Another member pointed Out
that the Roosevelt association
decided the island to the Federal
Government on condition that
| it be consulted before any
changes in the islands status be
made.
Spencer Adds to Confusion
The Marylander countered
however, that the agreement
was not so sweeping as to give
the association dictatorial
powers.
Adding to the confusion OF
official stands, Samuel Spencer
president of the Board of Dis
trict Commissioners. hailed the
Roosevelt association action as
"the biggest step forward that's
happened" A bridge over the
north end of the island, Mr.
Spencer said. would be "a very
good solution of the whole
thing"
Brig. Gen. Thomas A. Lane
District Engineer Commissioner
and member Of the NCPC
sounded a similar note.
"The decision clears the way
for a possible alternate solu-
ltion," Gen. Lane declared.