davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24
The Future
How do these viewpoints add up

laOW w IIlcSe viewpoints dQQ up!
Perhaps the most important thing they
show is an agreement that independent
jurisdictions, acting alone, cannot solve
Washington's metro problems, that the phe-
nomenal spread of urban growth has created
brand-new type of political challenge
which can be met only on regional basis.
This agreement is new thing And
there is additional evidence of it every day,
to degree which would have seemed I'M
likely even a few months ago.
The expressions we have cited indicate
urgent needs to clarity the function of PLAN
ming in relation to regional development,
to more clearly define the District of CO.
lumbia's status as the central core of the
metro, to cultivate brand-new means of
financing orderly growth, and to clarity
the role of the Federal Government in the
metro picture.
In some respects the Federal Govern
ments role may be the crucial one AS many
officials say, great care must be taken to
insure that every Jurisdiction has a positive
voice in whatever policy decisions are made
on the metro level. Many problems may
be solved within existing political frame
works through cooperative action. But it
seems inevitable that some of the toughest
problems will be solved only with the strong
financial and moral support of the Congress.
In many parts of the country, metro
areas already have forged ahead in attacks
on regional problems. Others are pulling
out all the stops to fall in line. The Ford
Foundation, for example few weeks ago
announced 100000 grant-to be matched
by local money-to pay for a seven-year
study of metro problems in the three-State,
seven county area around Philadelphia.
Last week, the Massachusetts, Institute of
Technology opened a major new center to
investigate the part which new scientific
and chronological advances can play in
metro development
Washington, may be able to use such
studies as these to guide and supplement
its own efforts toward metro cooperation.
large number of public and private
agencies already are at work here.
In the coming months, however, WASH
ington's metro activities will be concentrated
in two directions-the Joint congressional
study and the regional conference. Be-
cause we will be hearing so much about
them, let's take brief look at them both:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24

sent questionnaires to virtually every public
agency in the area, soliciting suggestions
about metro problems. This week, it will
try to select staff director to supervise
the study, and get it under way Senator.
Bible, Democrat of Nevada, is committee
chairman. The other members are Senators
Beall, Republican of Maryland, and Morse,
Democrat of Oregon, and Representatives
Hyde, Republican of Maryland, Smith,
Democrat of Virginia, and Mcmillan, Demo-
crat of South Carolina.
Mr.. Hyde, committee vice chairman and
author of the study bill, will urge that the
initial emphasis be placed on research to
determine "the problem areas which require.
regional solutions, and the methods by
which they are being handled now" Even
tually, he says, he hopes the study will:
. Draw jurisdictions closer together for
mutual discussions
. Suggest new forms of cooperative
action.
Provide legislation enabling the District
to enter any type of compact which the
metro area feels is needed
Determine the types and extent of any
Federal aid which might be a Federal
responsibility
II want to STRESS however" Mr.. Hyde
said, that whatever is done will have the,
complete consent and agreement of every
Jurisdiction. We have no intention of trying
to impose anything on anyone"
The committee must submit report to
Congress by January 81, but this is expected
to be no more than a statement that the
study is under NAV To nneroto tba oor,
mittee has only $4,000, with prospects Of
getting another $4,000. It's members are
convinced-if the study is to reach its full
potential-that additional revenues probably
will have to be found later. ~
At this point, however, they are reluc.'
tant to speculate on the length of the'r'
study, how much it might cost, and even
on the ground it will cover.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24
METRO City Of IomorowyII mm@H@ sS=g&ae AZ
Regional Action Wins Wide Acceptance

Just two days ago more than 40 leaders
in local governments of the Washington area
ratified an informal but permanent, or
ganization to deal with problems that extend
across county, city and State lines The
organization, the Washington Metropolitan
Regional Conference, includes representa-
tives of every Jurisdiction in the area, and
its pledge Of cooperation is an unprecedented
effort to find Joint solutions to common
problems
During the past weeks, The Star in the
series of full-page articles of which this is
the eighth and last has been discussing the
situation behind the formation of the new
group-the spread of the Metropolitan Area
without regard to political boundary lines
and the resultant need for close cooperation
among the individual communities of the
area. The articles have dealt with the nature
of the Washington metro" as we have called
tits similarities to the other burgeoning
urban areas around the country and the
special circumstances that make it different.
They have also explored such specific metro
problems as transportation, water supply,
health and welfare pollution and the need
for open spaces.
4uIOuBllOuI ILlG series Tie QOmlQanC
theme has been the prospect that the in
evitable continuation of metro Growth will
bring ever-increasing pressure for regional
action on the problems common to metro
politan area.
What are the prospects for getting the
needed action? What is the attitude of area
officials toward metro cooperation? Which
courses hold the most hope, and where do
the dangers lie?
Searching for answers to those questions,
The Star has sampled the views of large
number of official and unofficial leaders of
the District, Maryland and Virginia as well
as interested members of Congress. Some
of their views were contained in letters
written in response to this series; others
were obtained in interviews.
Many of the community leaders referred
to two specific endeavors-the new Regional
Conference and a study of metro problems
by Joint House-Senate committee, which is
just getting under way. The prospects of
both these ventures will be discussed later
in this article. But first let's see what area
leaderS-in statements selected and edited
as representative of various viewpoints
think about the metro problem.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24
The House-Senote Study

Congress formation Of joint commit
tee earlier this year to study washingtons
area expansion is the first real effort to take
a dispassionate- look at the regions total
metro problem.
Where will it lead? At the moment.
that question even has members of the
House-Senate committee in the dark. In
authorizing the study, Congress set few
guide lines, and no limits except in the
appropriations to finance 1t.
The six-member committee already has
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24
Virginia

State Senator Charles r. Fenwick Of
ArlingtOn-"The thing that impresses me is
that, for the first time, the people who can
do something about regional problems-the
governing and legislative officials-are get
ting together to talk about them through
the new Regional Conference 1t is inter-
esting that some of the problems are turn
ing out to be imaginary ones, once they are
fully discussed. We must move slowly and
tackle problems from the local level up
not from the top down."
Mrs. J. w. Mccormick member, Fairfax
County Planning COmmissiOn-"The newly
created Regional Conference should be able
TO meet some of our unique metro problems
But financing is the greatest stumbling
block How the Northern Virginia area can
overcome the apathy of Richmond to our
critical situation is more than 1 can
answer
Mayor Leroy S. Bendhem of Alexandria
II don't think the jurisdictions are ready
to delegate their powers to a regional form
OF government :. tbut we might have
regional water authority or one to handle
transportation, including surface and air
travel. AS to planning, my feeling is that
AhuiNiuudl PldIlIllIlB pTODlenS OF COM
munity are related entirely to the welfare
and economy of that community, and should
be solved on a local level I believe the
most we can hope for on a regional basis
is general agreement on basic principles of
planning"
Dr. L. II. Blevins. member, Arlington
County BOard-"We have a tremendous
problem in which all of the metropolitan
Jurisdictions must participate in planning
for the future. The one outstanding problem
now is the lack Of realization for the neces-
sity OF cooperative planning. 1t is not too
late to mend our ways, but it will necessitate
full cooperation between all communities"
James Keith, chairman, Fairfax County
Board of Supervisors Transportation and
water are the two immediate problems
which must be solved through area-wide
cooperation. Once we begin to meet to-
gether, we will find more and more fields
of cooperation to the mutual advantage of
all Jurisdictions. The idea of one govern
ment for the region is so new can't imagine
1t coming about any time soon. / don't
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24
Area Viewpoints

There are striking similarities in the
views of area officials on the problem of
metro growth. In each Jurisdiction there is
a general recognition that something must
be done and concern about how to do it.
There is general enthusiasm about steps
which already have been taken toward
regional cooperation on voluntary basis,
but there is uncertainty about where they
might lead
The concern and uncertainty result
largely from fears that regional action mays
threaten the autonomy of independent
Jurisdictions right to govern their own
affairs There is a definite fear of control
by the Federal Government, and general
recognition that neither officials nor their
constituents know enough as yet about their
ritual headaches.
Here are the comments of metro leaders,
.ouped according to their home areas:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24
The District

Maj. Gen. Louis w. Prentiss chairman,
policy committee, Federal City COuncI-"A
single, overall, area-wide authority is needed
to coordinate and direct regional programs
affecting metropolitan growth. It's powers
and responsibilities could be spelled out by
means of an interstate compact commission.
To date, solutions have been impossible due
to the confusion, overlapping of authority
and rivalry. For too many years, efforts to
resolve this confusion have been stymied by
inaction and lack of recognition of the i'm
portance of an area-wide approach. This
approach can never be taken until there is
established workable, overall authority"
Harland Bartholomew, National Capital
Planning Commission chairman-"If there
is to be high order of achievement in
metro, or even moderate realization of its
potentials, there are two basic require
mentS: Cd There are certain area-wide
needs which must be approached on an over
all basis, not fragmented. Among these
the most important are land-use control,
transportation, health, water supply, sewers
and drainage, parks and recreation, and
waste disposal 81 +. 1t is impossible
to create a Super-governme adequate to
deal with all phases of urban life. There is
need for local government to continue to
develop high standards of planning and
development of all the other numerous
functions OF local character.
"As pointed out in The Stars articles,
substantially the approach above suggested
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24
Maryland


the articles on metro emphasizing the mag
nitude of the problems presented by subur-
ban growth beyond the boundaries of our
great cities. While it is desirable that the
problems be solved as speedily as possible,
we must be careful to avoid losing more
than we might gain in the process.
There is tendency among peoples
and governments to shed their most trouble
some problems by turning them over to
higher authorities This feel is dangerous
1t weakens government at the source Ger
tainly l can agree with Mr.. Luther Gulick
of the Institute of Public Administration
that plans for region must be developed,
discussed, compromised and adopted as a
community commitment by the entire area
not by a few idealists and consultantS'
Il cannot, however, accept the surrender
autonomy by local jurisdictions to a
per-government in a region
Agreements among jurisdictions can be
cached on important and essential public
improvements particularly if the trouble
is taken to keep the general public well ad-
vised of the needs. like the single-purpose
authority such as we now use in Maryland
for the operation and management of our
harborS l also would advocate strongly the
establishment of regional councils to CO.
ordinate the necessary legislative action
among the Jurisdictions such council.
in my opinion. should be advisory Final
action on each project should require the
favorable action of the involved jurisdic-
ton"
Herbert w. Reichelt president, Prince
Georges County COmmiSSiOners-"We have
to give area-wide consideration to problems
But can foresee lot of difficulties in any
attempt to set up an area-wide authority
that would have powers of its own. An
interstate compact, for example, would
have to be worked out through the Virginia
and Maryland Legislatures and the Con-
gress-that would be cumbersome and
difficult thing to do.
The House-Senate study is good idea,
but I'm somewhat leary about it. The
District, for example, is faced with a need
to replace large volume Of low-cost hous-
ing; we don't want it in Prince Georges.
One of the things we would like to know,
however, is what the Federal Government
intends to do in the suburbs. In Prince
Georges, for example, over 5000 acres of
Federal land is lying dormant, tax-free, with
no guarantee of what will happen to it,"
Charles II. JamisOn, president, Mont
gomery County Council-"Nothing but good
can come from the Joint House-Senate study
OF the area. Through it, the various juris-
dictions will get to know each others prob
lens better and there will be more CO.
ordination and cooperation Single
purpose authorities, particularly in respect
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24

is being undertaken (by new regional forms
OF government in Toronto and Miami 1t
should be possible in Washington as we'll
If there is the same widespread public
understanding and craftsmanship which
made 1t possible in those two metro areas.
Admittedly, the situation In Washington is
complex because of metro overlapping two
State boundary lines and the District of
Columbia. Because this is the Nations
Capital however, there is all the more
reason for getting at the problem in the
most statesmanlke manner that is possible"
District Commissioner Robert E. Nc
Laughlin-''It would be a mistake at this
point to try to anticipate all the various
forms of political machinery we might need
to solve all our problems. We don't know
enough yet about what our problems are.
AS we talk more and more about them on
regional basis, I believe the solutions will
become increasingly apparent"
Carl Feiss, Washington planning con-
sultant-"I hope congressional committees
will look into methods to give the District
Commissioners more powers to deal equally
with other Jurisdictions in the metro area.
This is oneof the greatest blocks to effective
regional action"
John A. RemOn, chairman, District Re-
development Land Agency-"If the WASH
ington area is to develop as a healthy,
efficient metro community more attention
must be given to the Importance of develop
ing strong central city. This means that
suburban Jurisdictions must recognize the
stake they have in the solutions of trans
portation, urban renewal and other problems
within the District, just as the District must
be concerned with orderly and economically
sound growth of the suburbs"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-24

TO transportation, may prove desirable. But
We are not going to delegate powers to
anyone"
Blair Lee III, Montgomery County Dele
gate to the State Legislature-"The conflict
between functional efficiency on a regional
basis and traditional home rule on a State,
county or city basis is difficult, but not inn
possible to resolve.
For instance. the recent reorganization
of the Maryland National Capital Park and
Planning Commission may point the way to
successful federation through the device of
assigning regional aspects of the problem to
a regional agency, and local aspects to local
divisions within that regional agency. Such
structure retains the best features of both
regional efficiency and local home rule. (The
commission now is composed of separate
planning boards which handle local
problems relating to either Montgomery or
Prince Georges Counties, and the two
boards sit jointly to deal with bi-county
regional planning subjects)
THE Virginia suburbs have certain adj
vantages, such as comparatively easy
access to downtown Washington But Mary
land is miles ahead in fields in which we
have had regional agencies at work-parks,
water supply and sewage This fact alone
underlies the benefits of federation
Donald E. Gingery, Montgomery mem
Der, National Capital Regional Planning
COuncil-"We need more effective regional
planning, but we won't get it until the
Regional Council is severed completely from
the National Capital Planning Commission
and controlled by representatives of the
whole area. 1t also is difficult for the area
to have TO deal with new Engineer Com
missioner in the District every couple of
years; he should be appointed for an eight
year period. The only hope for regional
operating agency is in public works pro-
grams like transportation, with each juris-
diction having an equal voice in policy and
administration. Members of Congress from
Maryland and Virginia, however, should be
organized to speak on behalf of the District
of Columbia in Congress"
State Senator Edward S. NOrthrOp of
Montgomery COunty-"The new Regional
Conference has moved ahead much more
rapidly than I thought we would in the
beginning. Everyone I've talked to indicates
real enthusiasm about it. think these
discussions will lead toward uniformity of
ordinances, regional approach to the
Potomace River and other problems, and
make the job of getting into compacts,
where they are required much easier"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-02-09

leisurely rereading Of the New
Testament. That is his goal fol
1857, and there is no doubt but
that he will make it.
Athlete Now a Rector
Meeting a former All-Ameri-
can and Olympic lacrosse player
at church convention does not
come under the heading of Or
binary happenings.
Last Wednesday at the annual
Episcopal Maryland Diocesan
convention in the Cathedral OF
the Incarnation, Baltimore, the
busy secretary of the convention
was pointed out to this reporter,
do you know who he is?"
the man asked.
To my negative reply, he ex-
planned the secretary is the Rev,
George F. Packard, rector of st.
Mary's Hampden Episcopal
Church. Baltimore. AS a student
at Johns Hopkins University, Mr..
Packard played center on the
lacrosse team that represented
the United States in the 1882
Olympic games. He was also a
unanimous All-American choice.
Mr.. Packard no longer plays
the game but his interest is just
as keen as ever,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-02-09
Previews of Drumo
PIunned at Mclean

Jesus. the Son of Man."
drama based on the story by
Kahlil Gibran. will be presented
in four preview showings for
invited audiences next Wednes-
day through Saturday by the
recently organized Calvary Play
house Co. of Mclean. Va.
The drama was adapted for
the stage by Calvary Playhouse's
director r. D. Waters.
Public showingS will be held
at $3.50 pm. on Wednesday
through Saturdays beginning
February 20 in the company's
quarters in the former st. Johns
Episcopal Church parish house
on Chain Bridge road just of
Old Dominion drive.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-02-09

pei in Sermon and Song" with
DR.. Dale Crowley, Washington
Radio Minister.
9:15 am, WMAL--"The I'm
portance of a Right Attitude"
on the program, How Chris
tan Science Heals"
1926 am. WMAL-"Hour of
Power" from the Central Union
Mission.
II am. Wharf.-The Rev.
Thomas H. Christie speaks
during Bon Air Baptist Church
service.
II am, AN-FM-The Rev.
s. Lewis Morgan speaks during
Petworth Montgomery Hills
Baptist Church service.
IL am. WOL-Rabbi Noah
Golinkin, of the Arlington-Fair-
fax Jewish Center, speaks on the
program, Jewish Heritage and
Vision"
l1:l5 am, WFCR-The Rev.
E. Cecil Gum speaks during
Graham Road Methodist Church
service.
1880 am. WWDC-Dr. James
H. Miers speaks during Fourth
Presbyterian Church service.
Repeated at 8 pm.
7:l5 pm. WWDC-Dr. Fred
erick E. Reissig. of the WASH
ington Federation of Churches.
speaks on the program. Men of
Faith"
1880 pm. WWDC-The Rev.
Charles E. Cornell, of Holy Com
forter Catholic Church. discus
ses His Love of Children" on
the program, "Washington
Catholic Hour"
9 pm, WEAM--"The Hour of
Inspiration" with DR.. Crowley
1915 pm. WOOK and WAN
FM-"The Myth of Segrega-
ton" will be discussed on the
Catholic program, Faith of
1880 pm, VOL Sacred
Hour" a program of religious
music.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-02-09

Christ, 35th street and Wiscon-
sin avenue NV, at 3 pm.
Rabbi Louis A. Weintraub Of
the Langley Hebrew Congrega-
ton will speak at the 1890
a m. service of the Universalist
Church of Silver Spring in the
Hillandale Elementary School,
1050l New Hampshire avenue,
Silver Spring. Md.
The Rev. G. Edison Burke.
interim pastor of National Bsp-
fist Memorial Church. will
preach at the IL am. and 7;45
pm. services in Bethel Baptist
Church. l0424 Old ,Bladensburg
road, Silver Spring.
The Rev. Ted Finley. a Pres
byterian missionary to Mexico,
will speak at the IL am. SER
vices in Clifton CVa.) Presby-
terrain Church. He will show
slides of his work with a school
for Maya Indians in the Yucca
tan Province of Mexico at 7 pm.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-02-09
Cornerstone Service
At Beth Ell Hebrew

The Beth Ell Hebrew Congre-
cation of Alexandria will lay
the cornerstone of its new build
ing in the $500 block Of Semi
nary road during ceremonies at
2:30 pm. tomorrow.
Among those participating in
the ceremony will be Alexandria
Mayor Leroy S. Bendheim. who
is president of the congregation;
Herman L. Fink, chairman of
the building committee; Rabbi
Emmett A. Frank, spiritual
leader of the congregation;
Rabbi Selig A. Auerbach, spir-
itual leader Of Agudas Achim
Synagogue, and Rabbi Hugo B.
Schiff. past spiritual leader OF
Beth Ell.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-02-09
Choir
.Sinqs Tomorrow

An inter-faith. inter-racial
choir of 1875 voices from six
Washington and Silver Spring
congregations will join tomor-
row during an 8 pm. service in
observance of Brotherhood
Sunday in Christ Congregation
al Church. 9525 Colesville road,
Silver Spring.
Participating are choirs from
the Langley Hebrew Congrega-
ton, Montgomery County Jewish
Community Center, Peoples
Congregational Church, Plym-
outh Congregational Church,
Temple Emanuel of Montgomery
County and the host church.