Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-01-13
Halt in u. S. Funds
For Pollution Asked
Urban Renewal
Cut Also Sought
By Eisenhower
BY GRACE BASSETT
Star STAFF Writer

called on Congress to halt Fed
eral grants combating river
pollution and to cut back urban
renewal aid.
Abandonment of the pol
luton abatement battle was
urged for 1860. The States and
the District should shoulder
one-third of renewal costs now
borne Federally by the mid
l960s. the President indicated.
This strategic withdrawal of
the Federal Government was
geared to military and defense
demands the President listed as
major" in his budget.
Congressional approval would
drain millions of dollars from
Potomac River and central city
cleanups planned for the next
decade IN the Washington met
ropolitan area.
But the President insisted
the strength of the Federal
Government depended on shift
ing such responsibilities to local
governments.
Sees Complete Transfers"
I'VE should continuously
search out those programs and
activities now carried on at
the national level that can and
should be handled by the States
or localities" ne said. He spoke
Of complete transfers" Of these
and other programs OF voca-
tional education. disaster re-
lief and atomic energy uses.
Since Congress cleared the
Water Pollution Act an 1856,
sewage treatment plant con-
struction has doomed. The
District got S250.000 for build
ing still under way at its Sec
ondary treatment plant at Blue
Plains. Federal money flowed
into numerous Virginia and
Maryland plants. too.
The President asked for the
aid to continue during the
year beginning next July at
present levels.
His request would free Fed
eral funds up TO one-third the
cost Of plants or S250.000.
whichever is less. for approved
projects. Some s45 million
would be set aside. in all.
But by the end of 1859, the
States and the Federal Gov
eminent will have had a chance
to act on recommendations to
hand the bill over to localities,
the President noted. He an
ticipated no funds would be
needed in 1860.
On urban renewal. he PROM
ised Congress TO suggest a STEP
by-Step retreat early in this
session.
His budget of 5000 million for
renewal would finance a Wig
orous toward program with due
regard for budgetary levels" in
fiscal 1859. he said. If granted,
the funds would continue re-
newal activities in so cities, in
Guiding Washington.
Has Five-Point Program
The President outlined a FIVE
point program 10 ease the shift
Of renewal programs from Fed
eral to local officials. 1t would
provide that:
/. Local communities share
from the start in costs of plan
ming projects.
2. Each State establish q
special agency to assume as
soon as possible the financial
responsibility for local plan
ming of renewal projects.
3. States and localities step
up their payments for land on
projects initiated in 1850 and
later. Now Federal grants cover
two-thirds of net project costs.
This Federal share should
dwindle to a maximum Of so
percent by 1862.
l. Funds be authorized now
to fulfill Federal obligations
through 1864. with annual
grants averaging a total Of
about 5000 million.
5. The Urban Renewal Adj
miniStration guarantee nom
residential renewal projects not
requiring Federal capital grants.
Federal withdrawal would kill
urban renewal projects in
Southwest and Northwest
Washington. George Garrett,
president of the Federal City
Council. predicted last week..
He said renewal costs were far
too great TO be advanced by
States.
In the District. observers
noted Congress. serving WASH
ington as States serve other
cities, would be even less likely
to grant generous renewal aids.
In the District. the annual
Federal grant for a vocational
education program amounts to
100000 a year. The President
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