Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-01-14
Area Planners
Move 10 Break
National Ties

NOIIVlIuI bICJ
The washington areas youth
ful regional planning group
took another step yesterday to-
ward q break with its parent
agency. the National Capital
Planning Commission.
The regional group. the Me-
tionai Capital Regional Plan
ming Council. approved I'm
principle q committee report
calling for q wholesale shakeup
Of their organization.
The council members come
from every jurisdiction In the
area. Since Congress created
IL in 1852. the planning COM
mission has received a single
Federal appropriation annually
for both groups expenses, and
the two have had a common
stan.
A sentiment by members
that the council should have
its own stan. operating funds
and work program Is behind
the drive.
In effect. the council voted
yesterday TO start all over again
on organizational questions, de-
eide just what kind Of regional
group Is needed. It's functions
and financing needs. The de-
tails. however. including the
critical question Of financing.
were left to be worked out
later.
Equal Share Proposed
As approved. the committee
said the regional councils
budget need not necessarily be
a total Federal responsibility. /"
Some members. In fact, led by
Donald Z. Gingery Of Mont
gomery County. said they felt
II would be desirable for Mary
land. Virginia and the District
to contribute equally to the
council budget.
Virginia members. however,
were not optimistic about the
prospect Of Virginia jurisdic-
tons contributions on a one
third basis. and urged that the
council settle the financing
question as its FIRST decision.
Max s. Wehrly Of Arlington
County said an existing re-
gional planning body in north
ern Virginia was set UP years
ago "on q peanut-wagon budg-
ct. and it's still there" He said
the importance Of metropolitan
area planning In virginia will
take AN awful lot Of selling
and ! don't think it's going to
be sold easily"
Major Building Effort
William H. Moss OF Fairfax
County said a major effort Is
being made this year to build
up the Northern Virginia. Re-
gional Planning Commission,
which has an annual budget Of
only $4,000. He said he Is not
reluctant to seek Virginia con-
tributions to the councils ex-
penses but that TO put our
whole approach on q one-third
Virginia contribution Is prob
ably not very realistic"
| Mr.. Gingery said one APP
proach might be for the coun-
ell TO 60 before each jurisdic-
ton governing body in the area
to try to convince them Of the
need. II the council decides to
rely on its own financial re-
sources.
In the 1859 fiscal year Fed
eral budget sent to Congress
yesterday. operating funds for
the council and planning COM
mission were Jumped together
| Commission ofiicials said that
between $4,000 and $50. 900"
Is earmarked for the council In
the appropriation request.
Membership Revision
The approved report sug-
gested numerous membership
changes be studied, including
the possibility inclusion OF the
Maryland and Virginia State
highway chairmen. The coun-
ell agreed. however. that fur
Their meetings will be needed to
settle the details.
On other matters. the coun-
ell:
/. Decided to try to publish
master plan to guide future
development throughout the
area within six to eight months
after completion Of the current
Metropolitan Area transporta-
ton study. The study is ex-
pected TO be finished June 80
2. Deferred action until next
month on a report suggesting
new means Of acquiring open
spaces for park and recreation
programs throughout the re-
gion.
3. Decided 10 hold its Febru-
airy 10 meeting either in Mary
land or Virginia. instead Of its
traditional conference site in
Thu vHNa~tA- n..-A.--A