Evening star., 1927-09-28
HITS GREAT FALLS
POWER PROJECT
Izaak Walton League Wants
Area of Scenic Beauty and
Recreation Preserved.

Utilization of the Great Falls of
the Potomac River for power devel-
opment will destroy much of the
scenic beauty and recreational value
Of the upper Potomac and Illustrate
plans for development Of the upper
gorge Of the river. the Izaak Walton
League of America declared today in
letter to the Federal Power Commits
sion.
Pointing out that the National Cap
ital and it's environs constitute
worldwide national shrine" to the
development of which the leading cit.
liens of America have given unstint
ingly of their time and wealth. the
Walton League declared that it was
never the intention of the founders
Of the Government to permit or en-
courage industrialiZation Of the city
and adjacent territory in any way.
Further Development Urged.
Leading citizens of many other ma
tions have admired and highly praised
the Capital of the United States," the
leagues letter said. Its artistic set
ting, it's beautiful surroundings and
the comprehensive and far-sighted
manner in which that entire area is
being developed as the most beautiful
Capital Of any country, have been the
envy Of other leading nations.
"The development of this compre.
hensive plan has for many years been
given careful study by special govern
mental and other agencies, and the
Great Falls of the Potomac have been
recognized as one Of the most valuable
assets in the further development of
an area Of which all America is justly
proud.
In addition to it's outstanding
scenic value the gorge of the Potomac
is of material Importance to the entire
Nation from scientific standpoint. 1t
is large natural laboratory close to
the Capitol where various scientific
problems affecting the whole Nation
may be carefully studied by Govern
ment experts.
Value Apparent to All.
1.-THE recreational and spiritual val.
ues OF the upper Potomac, within such
easy access Of our National Capital
and it's millions Of visitors annually,
need not be further elaborated upon,
as they are readily apparent to every
one. These values cannot be estimated
in commercial terms, but are an inter
national asset which must never be
sacrificed upon the auction block OF
commerce.
1--WE are most firmly of the opinion
that it was never the intention OF the
founders of our Government, who
were responsible for placing the Ma
tional Capitol in it's present glorious
setting and circumscribing 1t with
many safeguards not enjoyed by other
cities, to permit or encourage or aid
in any way in the industrialization Of
the City of Washington and imme-
dately adjacent territory. 1t Is sim
cerely hoped that no action OF any
Federal agency will now ignore this
| we'll established principle, and sane.
ton or encourage the industrializatlon
OF this our national shrine.
1.-THE Izaak Walton League Is con
versant with the exhaustive plans of
the National Park and Planning Com
mission for the further development
Of the City Of Washington and its
environs. We strongly support the
position Of that commission in its pro-
tests against the issuance of the pend
ing power permit, as it's approval will
surely destroy much of the scenic
beauty and recreational value Of the
upper Potomac and Illustrate the frui-
ton of carefully prepared plans for a
still more beautiful setting for the
nations Capitol Such approval also
will very likely jeopardize the far
sighted vision Of the founders or our
Government to build a city beautiful!
"A national shrine'-never an indus
trial center"