Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-01-08

on the controversial
subject ended in the District
Building. In all, more than
rs witnesses testified. speaking
for themselves or groups, their
division Of opinion focusing
chiefly on the riverside site VS..
avenue corridor"
robert e. Mclaughlin, presi-
dent Of the Board of Commits
sioners, said Route 240 has
top priority" among the busi-
ness Of the city heads.
I'VE expect to drive ahead
and decide on a location as ex-
peditiously as possible" Mr..
Mclaughlin said.
May Come Before January 20
He added it is entirely pos
sible a decision may be reached
even before Maryland authors
ties hold their scheduled hear
ing January 20 on extending
the last lap Of the Maryland
portion Of the highway from
its present terminal near Pook's
Hill TO the District line.
The latter hearing will be
sponsored jointly by the State
Roads Commission, Montgom-
cry County and the Maryland
National Capital Park and
Planning Commission. Only
the planning body staff seems
to have made UP its mind as
Of now. 1t has recommended
the Wisconsin avenue align
ment into Washington.
The suburban Montgomery
location is probably every bit
as disputed as the District site.
The Maryland and District jur-
isdiction appear. moreover. to
be intent to avoid dabbling in
each others hearings.
Engineer Noncommittal
Only M-NCPPC was ofiicially
represented at the Commits
sioners' session. But then Stan
Engineer Arthur Stellhorn was
noncommittal as to location. He
merely observed that park
areas can be made to be en-
joyed by motorists.
There was some division
among the District Govern
ment hierarchy yesterday as
to whethe the city would be
repreSe lted at the Maryland
hearing.
Commissioner MCLAUGHLIN
said he thought Highway De-
partment officials would testify
as to their convictions-sup-
port Of the Potomac Riverside
route. Col. Alvin c. yelling,
Engineer Commissioner. as.
serted however. he is not sure
the city should register any
views at the Maryland session.
A possibly better alternative,
Col. yelling said. would be to
handle the viewpoint exchange
on a consultation" basis.
Maryland authorities are re-
at their own request,
copies of the Commissioners
hearing transcript.
The first study session by the
city heads is scheduled for Fri
day. meanwhile. They will
benefit from extracts prepared
for their convenience as the IA
hours Of testimony have pro-
ceeded
New Ideas Suggested
Aside from the purely per.
sonal interest stands taken by
residents and businesses of the
Immediately affected areas. a
number new road location ideas
we're suggested by witnesses.
Arthur p. Davis. Washington
architect. recommended build
ing Route 240 as an elevated
highway largely over the Mary
land-District side of the Poto-
mac Riverbed. This treatment
would cost about $50 million.
Mr.. Davis said. Further. he
pointed out, it would destroy no
park areas.
Alden A. Potter, a Cabin
John resident. urged swinging
the location farther east. His
plan would involve tunnels be-
meath the Naval Observatory
and Maridian Hill Park.
Another tunnel advocate was
Leo Richards. representing the
Civic League Of Brookmont.
Md. In his view, Route 240
should not be permitted into
the city unless 1t were placed
underground all the way.
F. d. Lethbridge. speaking
for the Washington Chapter,
Institute of Archi-
tects. testified the route should
stay close to the river all the
way from Georgetown to Cabin
John. He further deplored the
chronic inability of park and
authorities Of WASH
ington to see eye to eye.
THE deep and tragic trouble
here" he said, "is no single
agency in the District except
Congress can knock heads "
gether and get sensible plans
carried out"