Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-07-16
Congress BanAsked
On Park z 40 Link
Senators Warn
Of Trespossine
In Rock Creek

Senator Murray. Democrat OF
Montana. today introduced q
resolution to bar the contro-
versial Route 240 connection
from Rock Creek Park.
He was joined by Senators
Malone, Republican of Nevada:
Neuberger, Democrat of Ore
gon; Humphrey, Democrat Of
Minnesota. and Kuchel. Re.
publican of California.
Let the introduction of this
resolution serve as a no tres
passing reminder to those who
would invade the park" Sena-
tor Murray told the Senate.
His proposal would ban any
road from crossing through
scenic Rock Greek parklands
within the District without the
consent of Congress. More
Immediately it would balk the
Montgomery County Councils
efforts to route the $40 leg
of the Washington National
pike through the park into
downtown Washington.
"Ill Advised" Murray Says
Senator Murray said these
efforts to revive the Rock Creek
Park routing were ill advised"
Improved roads and recrea-
ton facilities are both sorely
needed in the District and its
adjacent areas" he said. But
the price of highways must not
include substantial damage to
one of this Nations most won.
derful recreation areas"
His resolution brought Con.
gress squarely in the middle
of a fight over the routing Of
240 among Maryland, District
and Federal officials.
The Montgomery County
Council, in a closed meeting two
weeks ago. voted for the park
connection on grounds it would
disturb the nearby Maryland
communities less than a link
through er-Archbold Park.
The Glover routing is favored
by the National Capital Plan.
ming Commission. John Nolen,
NCPC director, explained that
a Glover road would link Wis
consin avenue above Van Ness
street NV. across the park
to Macarthur boulevard, just
west of Georgetown University.
There is no parallel between
the Glover and the Rock Greek
Park proposals." he said. "A
right-of-way is available for
the Glover road and a right
of-way through Rock Creek
Park would upset both prop
erty owners and nature lovers"
Another Link Studied
District officials are studying
still another Potomac River
connection to Route 240.
Highway Director John N.
Robertson is awaiting a report
from private consultants on the
best site. which would incor-
porate part of the George
Washington Memorial park.
way also planned along the
river.
The Senate resolution was
identical to a measure intro
duced two years ago by Sena-
tor Murray when District
officials we're pressing for the
Rock Creek 240 route. Oppo-
sition from both Congressman
and adjacent property owners
drove Mr.. Robertson to the
Potomac River alternative.
Senator Murray's proposal
would substitute the express
approval of Congress for Ma
tional Park Service approval
of park routings within the
District line.
In Maryland park land, the
resolution requires NCPC APP
proval Of roadways before Cap
per-Cramton funds may be
freed for their construction. 1t
also lays down conditions on
the routings aimed ct eliminat-
ing such roadways as the
outer Loop now under con-
struction by the Maryland
State Roads Commission along
the edge of Maryland park
land.
The language would have
prevented the loop had 1t
cleared Congress when Senator
Murray first introduced 1t two
years ago. Now, II would
keep similar express
ways out. Mr.. Nolen said.
He declined to take a posi-
ton for the NCPC on the reso-
luton. But commission Chair
man Harland Bartholomew fa-
vored the measure previously.