Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-01-27
WATER EMERGENCY
CALLSFOR ACTION,
MR. BAKER DECIDES
Secretary Believes Effort
Should Be Made to Get Leg
isIation at Once.

Il feel very strongly that the pres
ent situation concerning the water
supply of the District of Columbia. -
says Secretary Baker in II letter to
the District Commissioners. is not
an ordinary case. but verges on an
emergency"
The SECRETARY of War was discuss
ing certain changes suggested by the
Commissioners in the proposed draft
OF 4 bill providing for increasing the
water supply of the District from the
PatuXcnt river.
III the provision Of an increased
water supply from the PatuXeut river
receives the authorization of Con-
Sress," says Mr.. Baker. the chief of
engineers is unwilling, without "A fur
Their investigation of the subject. to
recommend the purifica ton Of such
supply at the source rather than at
the existing filtration plant within the
District. Ii is his belief. however.
in which | concur. that a decision in
this phase of the subject is not neces-
sary at this time
Such Il decision will not affect the
plans for the dam necessary in such
Il project. 1t Will affect the location
of the conduit line between the dam
and the city; but whether or not the
plan of filtration which you suggest
is Immediately adopted. ii will GER
tainly be the part of wisdom to select
such a location for The conduit. if eco
nomically possible. as will permit of
its future installation. SO far as the
Information now available discloses
there is no reason to prevent the
adoption of such a line.
Subject to Modification
AS is stated by the chief Of engi-
neers- IN his report to Congress. the
Patuxent project has not been COM
pletely studied in the detail Of its
structures or in the precise align
ment that is most desirable for the
conduit line. / fully concur in your
views that the alignment should be
subject to such modification as in the
opinion of the Secretary of War is
desirable in the public interest. and 1
have caused the draft OF the bill
to be modified accordingly.
In the ordinary case this depart
ment much prefers that the details
Of a project be fully elaborated be-
fore the matter is presented to Con-
appropriation. l feel very strongly,
however. that the present situation
concerning the water supply of the
District OF Columbia is not an or
binary case, but verges on an emer-
gency.
AS the chief of engineers has
stated in his report to Congress, the
o. tOiuIHDld WITH Il
water shortage unless prompt steps
are taken to secure an additional
supply. 1t is his view that the PatuX-
ent forms a desirable source for such
additional supply. having advantages
over any other available source
Water can be obtained from this
source at cost but slightly in excess
of that from other sources.
Time n Vital Element
I'm order TO obtain this water, how
ever, ii is necessary to secure the as
sent of the Legislature of the state of
Maryland to the acquisition of land
and to the withdrawal of water from
that state. After such assent is OBJ
tanned 1t is necessary to acquire the
land for the reservoir by purchase or
to make the boringS
necessary for the design of the dam
and to sraw up this design; to locate.
survey and acquire the right of way
for the conduit. prepare and advertise
specifications and enter on conStruc-
ton. All of these acts necessarily con-
sumo time, and time is a vital element
IN this case. Unless Congress selects
another source of supply it is most
strongly believed. therefore. that the
authorization from Congress for in
itiatins the Patuxent project should
be sought without awaiting the per-
lection of details.
There is now before Congress a
provision introduced as an amendment
to the bill TO create a federal power
commission. and SO passed by the SEN
ate. authorizing the so-ealled DOW
project for increasing the water sup
ply of the District. There is no ques-
ton that this project will afford
a sufficient supply of water and will
meet all the purposes of the bill which
l inclose, so far as the District of Co
lumbia is concerned. The presentation
of the inclosed bill. authorizing the
supply from the PatuXent source. will
therefore be urged upon Congress only
in case the legislation referred to is
eliminated from the power bill in the
form finally passed"