Evening star., 1962-05-28
More Facts, Please

1t Is common practice for private
citizens who oppose particular high
way route to suggest alternatives, with
very little to support their feasibility.
But for District Commissioner to fol-
low this procedure, as Walter Tobriner
has done in the case Of the east leg of
the inner loop freeway, is unusual in
deed.
In proposing to the House District
Appropriations Subcommittee that the
Eleventh street location be dumped, and
that the freeway be built along the west
side Of the Anacostia River, Mr. Tobriner
repeatedly conceded that legislation
might be needed to make Federal park
lands available.
To say the least, however, any as
sumption that such legislation could be
enacted without the concurrence and
support of Federal park officials is ques-
tionable. The National Park Service has
powerful friends in both the House and
Senate. Anyone remotely familiar with
the history Of highway disputes in the
Nations Capital can attest to the tradi-
tional opposition of the Park Service to
highway encroachment, and, for the
most part, to the success of these posi-
tionS. Thus far, moreover, we have been
aware Of no shouts Of Joy from the In
terror Department at the prospect of an
eight-lane freeway, built to the high
traffic-capacity standards of the Fed
eral Interstate Highway System, courS-
Ing through the weSt-Side parks Of the
Anacostia.
AS a first STEP therefore, we think
that the Appropriations subcommittee
should order the Commissioners to
produce firm evidence as to whether
the river route, which they favor by a
2-1 vote, would be Q) available for
highway use without objection from
park officials, and (2) acceptable as a
segment of the interstate system. This
evidence is essential, it seems to US, II
the subcommittee has any thought of
sustaining the Tobriner position. And it
will be no less essential to the debate
which no doubt will arise on the floors
OF the House and the Senate no matter
what action the subcommittee takes.
There might be something to be
said in favor of sacrificing park lands
in order to accomplish a less drastic
displacement of families If there were
assurances that the concept of the inner
loop freeway, which is essential to the
well-being Of the city, would not be
jeopardized. But clearly no such as
suranceS have yet been made.
Mr.. Tobriner says that disposses-
sion Of families is his main objection to
the Eleventh street route. He would
withdraw his opposition If displaced
people are taken care Of. But it should
be remembered that the alternative
AnacoStia route also would be likely to
displace some go families. And the fact
Is that the District government would
have to develop precisely the same kind
OF relocation machinery to assist these
displaceeS as it would to help those on
the Eleventh street route. We think the
hatcher subcommittee should appro-
pirate funds for the Eleventh street To-
cation-which is superior for the pur-
poses OF the inner loop. which has been
extensively studied and approved by the
Planning Commission, and on which
more than 81 million already has been
spent-but should condition the ex-
penditure Of these funds on adequate
relocation procedures before any fam
lilies are displaced. Fortunately, such
a program is now in the process Of de-
velopment. -.. ,