Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-03-17
Eisenhower's Letter Rallies
Agencies on RedeveIopment
Calls for Leader
To Coordinate Plans
For Southwest
By George Beveridee

PreSlCeQC EISENHOWER SuBRco-
ton that a District citizen lead
err attempt to bring about agree
ment" on Southwest Washing
ton redevelopment today drew
expressions of Endorsement from
officials of agencies involved.
Mr.. Eisenhower made the sug-
gestion in a letter to George A.
Garrett. president of the Federal
City Council. The letter was re-
leased at the White House late
! yesterday.
The President. expressing a
direct interest, noted that plans
for re-making the rundown 500
acre Southwest have been in the
mill for several years. He said
the time has come ito see it be-
come a reality"
Early Meeting Planned
Mr.. Garrett. an investment
banker and former Ambassador
to Ireland, said he will call a
meeting of his council very
soon" to discuss the mechanics
of meeting the Presidents re-
quest.
White House Press Secretary
James C. Hagerty told reporters
a number of people had come in
to see the President recently
about the Southwest project. The
President felt the best way he
could express his feelings was in
the letter sent to Mr.. Garrett,
Mr.. Hagerty said.
Among the visitors has been
William Zeckendorf. New York
real estate man, who has put
forth an ambitious redevelop-
ment proposal. Differences be-
tween the New Yorker and the
National Capital Planning Com
mission over crucial details OF
the Zeckendorf plan will be the
first problem Mr.. Garrett will
face.
Text of Letter.
The text of Mr.. Eisenhower's
letter to Mr.. Garrett follows:
1.-THE redevelopment and re-
hewal of the blighted areas of
Washington is of concern not
only to the citizens Of the Dis
trict of Columbia but to all the
American people. All of us want
the Nations Capital, I am GER
tain, to be the symbol Of our
country's best efforts to provide
decent housing and attractive
urban living.
zone major redevelopment
project is that for Southwest
Washington. I understand that
it has been under consideration
for almost five years and has been
the subject of active planning
for some three years. The time
has come to see it become real
ity. It should move forward just
as rapidly as a plan can be de-
vised which tremendously re-
solves the various problems in
volved.
Wants Progress Report
"It would be q great service to
the Nations Capital if you would
undertake to confer with the ap-
propriate agencies in an effort to
bring about agreement on a
workable program. AS the pres
ident of the Federal City Council
and with your broad experience
in civic affairs, I am certain you
can render a service OF great
value. shall welcome report
of successful progress"
The Federal City Council Is a
permanent citizens committee Of
business and civic leaders,
formed last year to consider
problems affecting the economy
and development of the Capital.
Mr.. Garrett, for brief time.
was board member of the Dis
trict r edevel opm emit Land
| Agency, the agency set up to con-
duct slum clearance and rede-
velopment here. He was named
to the post by President Truman
in January, 1947. and served un-
til he left the country for Ireland
in June Of that year.
1.-THE Federal City Council -
Mr.. Garrett said. "is very much
interested in the Southwest pro-
gram. We think it is vital to
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