THE COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS Hon. JOHN L. MCMILLAN, WASHINGTON, November 1, 1963. Chairman, Committee on the District of Columbia, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. MCMILLAN: My predecessor, Mr. David Finley, testified in favor of the original National Capital transportation bill. I wish to endorse his stand and then to add that I find the new modified transportation system very satisfactory, as proposed. I am sure that, if it is adopted, every effort will be made, during construction, to preserve the character and beauty of the Nation's Capital. With best wishes, WILLIAM WALTON, Chairman. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE Hon. JOHN L. MCMILLAN, Chairman, Committee on the District of Columbia, WASHINGTON, D.C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: I have reviewed the material forwarded in your letter of October 24. My previous testimony before your committee applies to H.R. 7249, as modified. Sincerely, WILLIAM P. DURKEE, Deputy. GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, Hon. JOHN L. MCMILLAN, WASHINGTON, D.C., November 4, 1963. Chairman, Committee on the District of Columbia, MY DEAR MR. MCMILLAN: The Commissioners of the District of Columbia have, for report, H.R. 8929, 88th Congress, a bill to authorize the prosecution of a transit development program for the National Capital region. The purpose of the bill is to authorize the National Capital Transportation Agency to undertake the development of certain transit facilities described in the Agency's "Summary Report on the Transit Development Program, May 1963," subject to the availability of appropriations and other funds. Specifically, the bill authorizes the Agency to undertake the construction and acquisition of the following rail transit routes, including the facilities pertinent to such routes: (1) The Northwest-Bethesda route from 12th and G Streets NW., to Van Ness Street NW.; (2) The Columbia Heights-Petworth route from 17th Street and Columbia Road NW., to the junction with the NorthwestBethesda route; (3) The Springfield-Alexandria and Henson Creek-Anacostia routes from Pentagon City, in Arlington County, Va., to Anacostia SE., in the District; (4) The route 66-Rosslyn route in Arlington County, Va., from Rosslyn to the junction with the Alexandria-Springfield route: (5) The Rockville-Silver Spring route from Woodside, in Montgomery County, Md., to the junction with the SpringfieldAlexandria, Henson Creek-Anacostia route, near Union Station in the District; and (6) The Bowie-Cheverly route from Union Station in the District to Bowie in Prince Georges County, Md. The Commissioners submitted a report, dated July 8, 1963, to the Committee on the District of Columbia, with respect to H.R. 6633 and H.R. 7249, 88th Congress, identical bills to authorize the prosecution of a transit development program for the National Capital region. That report recommended favorable action on the bills. H.R. 8929 incorporates a substitute plan, involving the construction of rapid rail facilities, mostly within the District. The development of adequate mass transit facilities for the National Capital region has long been recognized as a critical need, and has been the subject of intensive study for almost a decade. The time has come, the Commissioners believe, when positive action must be taken. An early start on this program, as would be permitted under H.R. 8929, is a matter of vital concern to the District, as well as to the Federal Government. The District, situated as the core of the National Capital region, requires a mass transportation system to help keep the Nation's Capital in pace with current growth and future growth projected for this region. The Commissioners also note that the original plan, as contained in the Agency's summary report, contemplated the construction of approximately 25 miles of rail-transit facilities within the District boundaries, for which a local contribution of $21.7 million would be required. The current plan, incorporated in H.R. 8929, contemplates the construction of approximately 16.5 miles, although the District's contribution remains the same amount. Thus, in the substituted version, the taxpayers of the District contribute the same sum for a reduced rapid transit system. Nevertheless, the Commissioners are confident that this contribution is a reasonable one. However, the Commissioners are hopeful that no additional contribution beyond the contemplated $21.7 million will be required of the District in the event that the system is subsequently expanded to that originally planned. In view of the serious need to improve mass transportation facilities in the District, the Commissioners recommend approval of H.R. 8929. The Commissioners have been informed by the Bureau of the Budget that enactment of H.R. 8929 would be consistent with the administration's objectives. Sincerely yours, WALTER N. TOBRINER, President, Board of Commissioners, District of Columbia. FEDERAL AVIATION AGENCY Hon. JOHN L. MCMILLAN, WASHINGTON, D.C., October 30, 1963. Chairman, Committee on the District of Columbia, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: This is in reply to your letter of October 24, 1963, requesting the views of the Federal Aviation Agency on a proposed bill, H.R. 8929, a substitute for H.R. 7249, which authorizes the construction and acquisition of limited rapid transit facilities for the District of Columbia. We believe that Representative Whitener's bill is an adequate first step toward establishing a regional rapid transit system. It provides a reasonable and practical means for moving forward with the program. Much as we applaud this start, it is vital, however, that the program be pursued in a manner which will permit extensions to the proposed system. The FAA is expressly concerned with the necessity for providing rapid rail networks serving both the Dulles International Airport and the Washington National Airport. Specifically, provision should be made for rapid transit service between Washington National Airport and downtown Washington and between Dulles International Airport and downtown. We have a real interest in assuring satisfactory movement of employees and passengers to and from both airports. Your attention is directed to the fact that today there are approximately 13,700 passengers arriving and departing daily at Washington National Airport, a total of more than 5 million annually. Furthermore, about 12,500 people are employed there. This includes some 5,000 people who are associated with the defense effort. In summary, during hearings last summer we supported H.R. 7249, and we support this bill, although it provides less than H.R. 7249, because if represents a starting point for the resolution of the increasingly critical problem of transporting people within the environs of the National Capital region. We especially urge that airport and aviation transportation requirements be met to insure that the region is served in an optimum manner. Sincerely yours, ALAN L. DEAN, Associate Administrator for Administration. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON, D.C., November 4, 1963. Hon. JOHN L. MCMILLAN, Chairman, Committee on the District of Columbia, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Your letter of October 24, 1963, requested the views of the General Services Administration on H.R. 8929, a modified version of H.R. 7249, 88th Congress, a bill to authorize the prosecution of a transit development program for the National Capital region. If enacted, H.R. 8929 would authorize the National Capital Transportation Agency, subject to the availability of appropriations and other funds, to undertake the construction and acquisition of transit facilities described in that Agency's May 1963 summary report on the transit development program, with the omission, however, of certain extensions of the system. Provision is also made for relocation payments and for reimbursements for moving expenses and actual losses of property. The transit development report and the necessary authorizing legislation are of interest to GSA because of the influence which the design of the proposed transportation system may exert upon the location and construction of new Federal buildings, as well as the utilization of existing structures. A detailed evaluation of this subject must, however, await the actual design to the transportation system. We do not feel that we are in a position to comment upon the anticipated costs and revenues attendant to the development of the proposed system facilities. Although we believe the wider scope of H.R. 7249 is preferable to that of H.R. 8929 because of the heavy concentrations of Government employees living in the outlying areas of the District, inasmuch as the enactment of this substitute bill would enable the National Capital Transportation Agency to begin the immediate construction of a part of the system in accordance with its transit development program, GSA has no objection to H.R. 8929. The financial effect upon GSA of the enactment of this measure cannot be estimated. The Bureau of the Budget has advised that there is no objection to the submission of this report to your committee and that enactment of H.R. 8929 would be consistent with the administration's objectives. Sincerely yours, BERNARD L. BOUTIN. HOUSING AND HOME FINANCE AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C., November 5, 1963. Subject: H.R. 8929, 88th Congress (Representative Whitener). Chairman, Committee on the District of Columbia, House Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: This is in reply to your letter of October 24, to Assistant Administrator John C. Kohl, requesting the views of this Agency on H.R. 8929, a bill "To authorize the prosecution of a transit development program for the National Capital region." The program which would be authorized by this bill covers a part of the comprehensive regional transit development program recommended by the National Capital Transportation Agency and embodied in H.R. 6333 and H.R. 7249. In testimony before your committee on those bills, the Housing Agency has already supported the comprehensive program. We would favor the enactment of H.R. 8929 insofar as it can be regarded as a significant start in the development of that program. 25-175-63 The Bureau of the Budget has advised that there is no objection to the presentation of this report and that enactment of H.R. 8929 would be consistent with the administration's objectives. Sincerely yours, ROBERT C. WEAVER, Administrator. NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION Hon. JOHN L. MCMILLAN, WASHINGTON, D.C., November 1, 1963. Chairman, Committee on the District of Columbia, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Your letter of October 24 requests our comments and report on H.R. 8929, a bill to authorize the prosecution of a transit development program for the National Capital region. H.R. 8929 would permit the construction of a portion of the rapid transit system recommended by the National Capital Transportation Agency in its report entitled "Summary Report on the Transit Development Program, May 1963." As you know, the National Capital Planning Commission endorsed H.R. 7249, the earlier bill authorizing the construction of all the transit facilities described in the report of the Agency. Formal Commission action on H.R. 8929 will not be possible in the time allowed for review. Judging from the Commission's past actions on this subject, however, I feel that I may endorse H.R. 8929 on behalf of the Commission. In doing so, I would like to call to your attention the feeling of the Commission that the complete recommended system will be required to meet the transportation needs of our rapidly expanding National Capital region in the decades ahead. The Bureau of the Budget advises that there is no objection to the submission of this report to your committee and that enactment of H.R. 8929 would be consistent with the administration's objectives. Sincerely yours, Mrs. JAMES H. Rowe, Jr., Chairman. |