Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-07
BY GEORGE BEvERIDGE

the added cost of the underwatel
traffic tube.
Commission spokesman sale
the group will take up the mat.
ter in closed session because the,
aren't supposed to talk abou
reports to the Budget Burea,
requests.
May Want Study
Indications were that there
will be some resistance to fas'
reply, without more study of thu
tunnel proposals details TO-
handling traffic.
Officials of the National Parl
Service-a part of the interior
Department - and the Fedora
Fine Arts Commission have
taken the leadership in the tun.
mel idea, contending the bridge
would impair the esthetic values
OF the Lincoln Memorial area.
District officials have taken the
position that Congress has tolo
them what to do = build the
bridge-and that they are going
ahead with plans to do that UNI
less Congress tells them some
thing different.
Col. Thomas A. Lane, District
Engineer Commissioner, a plan
ming commission member, de-
clined to say what his position
would be at today's session.
Previously, he has said infor-
mally he might go along with the
tunnel If Cd the Federal Govern
ment would pick up the extra
cost tab and co the tunnel
could be shown to serve traffic
needs as well. He has said he
hasn't seen enough proof to con-
vince him both conditions would
be met, however.
Questions in Prospect
There are several proposals in
the Interior Department draft
meanwhile. that are likely to
raise questions:
/. Interior Secretary Mckay
proposed in the bill that he be
given the right of approval over
detailed plans for the proposed
tunnel, its connections and ap-
proach roads.
2. The Fine Arts Commission
would be given the right to ap-
prove architectural designs in
volved in the project.
3. The proposal that the Fed
eral Government pay up to $2a
million for the extra tunnel cost
might saddle the District with
more expense, if the tunnel
should cost more than estimated
now. The $24.5 million bridge
cost was authorized as a District
expense. The estimated tunnel
cost is $52.5 million.
Interior officials were expected
to ask for the veto power over
construction plans to safeguard
park property in the area. Presi-
dent Eisenhower, in approving
the bridge bill, said Interior
should be given such protective
controls.
Congress. in authorizing the
bridge, left the District fairly
free as to design and construc-
ton. 1t said the city should con-
fer with the planning commits
sion and Fine Arts Commission,
but only for advice.
No White House Commitment.
White House spokesman said
late yesterday the tunnel pro-
posal has not yet been presented
to President Eisenhower for his
support or rejection. Presum-
ably. this will be done after af-
fected agencies send back reports
on the proposed bill.
At a joint afternoon session
with the National Capital Re-
gional Planning Council. the
commission will report on an
other controversy-the Central
Intelligence Agency's S38 mil
lion headquarters installation at
Langley, Va. The Federal plan
ners are expected to follow the
lead Of Fairfax County planning
officials, who oppose the move
unless the Federal Government
will help pay for new roads.
sewers and other facilities 1t
would require.
The remainder of the plan
ners' two-day session will be
open to the press. The agenda
includes:
l. A proposal that the Indus
trial Home School site on Wis
consin avenue NV. be used
Jointly for recreation and fringe
parking purposes.
Southwest Report
2. A progress report on con-
fiicts over whether a highway
plan can be worked out to meet
requirements of the Zackendorf
proposal for redevelopment in
Southwest Washington.
3. Consideration Of preliminary
proposals growing out Of the cur
rent revision Of District coming
ordinances.
4. A change in the Southwest's
Area B redeyelopment plan. This
change is required because Of q
new location for part Of WASH
ington's proposed "inner loop"
road system.