Evening star., 1959-12-21
FenWick Asks
Strengthening Of
Bureaus Druft


advanced in November at Sen
ate-House hearings, he stressed.
He said this new draft gives
Maryland and Virginia Gov
ernors a chance to reject or
approve any transportation
development plan of the pro-
posed corporation. 1t also
recognizes that any attempt to
move traffic faster throughout
the area must be a "co-opera-
tive undertaking" with local
jurisdictions.
These two points could be
perfected by a further limit Of
the corporations powers to
planning, according to the Vir-
ginia leader.
Draft Includes Authority
AS written. the draft would
authorize the corporation to
build and operate transporta-
tion facilities. Sponsors of the
legislation do not contemplate
that the corporation will start
building or operating until a
master development plan is ap-
proved by State Governors.
Since the corporations pri-
mary functions are to be plan
ming, why not spell out that
function alone in the authorize
tion?" he asked.
He favored barring construc-
ton by the corporation in the
States adjoining the District
without strong local control.
Construction should be limited
to projects within the District
itself, he indicated.
Senator Fenwick's reaction
reflected a general reluctance
of Alexandria and Fairfax
County officials to take a back
seat in any Federal mass tran
sit plan for the area.
Stuart T. DeBell. chairman
of the Fairfax Board of County
Supervisors. said. Il don't mind
if the Federal Government does
preliminary work on such a
system. but I don't want the
power of control to be put into
Federal hands. If the local
Jurisdictions have the final say,
u think the corporation might
be all right. But don't want
a Federal agency to come in
and tell us how it is going to
be done"
Joseph NJ. Pancoast. Vice
Mayor of Alexandria, warned
that the type of corporation
planned tends to centralize
power in the Federal Govern
ment.
"VetO" Power Pointed Out
Alexandria Mayor Leroy S.
Bendheim. unavailable for COM
ment today, has called the bill
a step in the right direction"
Arlington County Manager
A. T. Lundberg said he believed
the plan would be accepted
readily in Maryland and Vir-
ginia because of its veto"
powers given the Governors Of
the two States. The Governors
would have the right to ap-
prove the development plan of
the corporation.
Senator Fenwick said he
would study with county and
city officials means of altering
the draft. The bureau has
asked for area reaction within
three weeks.
Mrs. Stella B. Werner. presi.
dent of the MONTGOMERY
County Council, said today that
the council has not received a
copy of the Budget Bureau
proposal. She declined COM
ment until she sees the bill
Herbert w. Reichelt, presi-
dent of the Prince Georges
County Commissioners. said he
feels the county should not be
obligated to any specific COM
mitments until it is sure what
direct benefits it would receive.
Disappointment Recalled
The commissioners in the
past have expressed disap-
pointment that Prince Georges
was not proposed for a rapid
rail transit system, as is
planned in Montgomery County
and Virginia by the Mass
Transportation Survey.
Mr.. Reichelt said any setup
should meet the approval Of
Maryland authorities before
machinery could begin rolling.
The corporation should have
checks and balances" as exist
in our Government" he said.
State enator Edward
Northrop expects to meet with
Montgomery County officials
during the Christmas holidays
to coordinate suggestions for
the bureau. His major interest
is making sure that the Gov
ernor's decision on the corpora
tion's development program is
influenced by county opinion.
The legislation would set up
a Federal corporation with a
single administrator appointed
by the President. Advised by
area organizations, the COR
poration would blueprint trans
portation plans and fix time
tables. Authority also would be
given for the corporation to
acquire land, buy, condemn or
lease property and engage in
TRANSFORMATION activities.