Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-01-30

Continued From First Page
the suggestion that 1t follow
the main line Of the Baltimore
a. Ohio Railroad tracks through
the Silver Spring area TO the
District. Coupled with this pro-
lposal was the idea that q nom
truck freeway also be built along
the west side Of Rock Creek
Park. This route was supported
by five groups. including im-
portant civic and planning
bodies.
Traffic Load Cited
Advocates Of the B6sO route
commended that IL would pass
through q heavily populated
area 10 serve all traffic and
particularly serve trucks which.
for the most part. are destined
for the eastern part Of WASH
lington. Included among It's
supporters was the Montgom-
cry County Civic Federation.
the Montgomery County citi-
gems Planning Association and
the Montgomery County Cham
Der Of Commerce.
However. Samuel Powell, r.,
Mayor Of Garrett Park. charged
that this route was - reckless.
indiscreet. mad-dog proposal
which would wreck his area as
well as the communities Of
Kensington and Garrett Park
Estates.
State highway officials would
mot comment on the new idea
Eof swinging Q Route $40 con-
Injection east of Rock Greek
Park. but It was understood
that they have apprehensions
about both cost and trafiic vol
Iumes involved In such q route.
Foes Cry "Waste"
Advocates Of the Potomac
River route contended 1t would
cause the least disruption OF
property values. be the cheap
lest, meet the national defense
purposes of the Federal inter-
state highway system and have
the advantage Of meeting the
District at the Potomac River.
Opponents Of the Potomac
River line, however. blasted 1t
las q foolish waste" Of money
because the George Washing
ton Memorial parkway already
is proposed for construction
Ialong the river by the National
Park Service. They also argued
that It would not serve heavily
populated residential areas and
that It would wreck the river
palisades area.
In a letter to the public hear
ing ofiicials. National Parks
chief Conrad L. With last
might noted that grading work
already has started on the
parkway in Maryland. He
warned that the parkway land
should not be considered as
potentially available for the
construction Of any part Of
Route 240."
Committed 70 Fight
Mr.. With previously has
made 1t plain that he would
tight in Congress any effort 70
use the park property. This APP
plies to the Potomac River
route approved by the District
Commissioners within WASH
ington. as well as TO parklands
In Maryland.
Most of the witnesses.
whether supporting an alter
nate route or not, blasted either
the proposed Wisconsin avenue
or River road locations. join
ling in the attack were citizen.
business. church, housing de-
velopment, country club and
planning groups. They con-
tended that the expressway,
built through either Of the
heavily developed areas. would
sever the communities and
wreck property values.
At the hearings opening. Mr..
Bonnell noted that the Federal
interstate highway system, Of
which Route 240 Is part. was
mot designed primarily for
large volumes Of local traffic. 4"
IT'S main purposes. he said. are
to provide continuous freeway
travel across the Nation. and
TO provide emergency routes
for national defense.
He said this docs not mean,
however. that the Roads Com
mission will close It's eyes 10
any chance for relief TO local
traffic." as long as the other
factors are not jeopardized.
! Mr.. Bonnell stressed that the
a