Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-21
Protests Against the Power Project.


In the strongest possible terms the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission enters objections to the
proposed project for the development
Of the water power of the Potomac by
damming the river just above Wash
ington. The application that has been
filed with the Federal Power Com
mission is attacked mainly from the
point Of view of the injury that would
be done by this work to the scenic
setting of the Capital. incidentally,
however, it is pointed out that the
production of great volume of
power available to the local market
would artificially induce the rapid de-
velopment of industries in the local
region of a nature to affect unfavor-
ably the character of the Federal dis
trict.
This question will be considered by
the Federal Power Commission, and a
hearing will hereafter be held, at
which the proponents and the oppo-
nents of the project will be present
and will state the arguments for and
against the pan. Though yesterday
was the last day on which objections
could by the terms of the first an
nouncement of the matter be filed, op.
portunity will be given for other state
ments to be made later.
Undoubtedly the brief of the Ma
tional Capital Park and Planning Com
mission presented yesterday is the
strongest statement of the case in OPP
position. That commission is charged
by act of Congress with the duty of
devising plans for the. improvement
of the Capital area. 1t is at work
upon those plans. It's recommends
tons will probably be followed in the
main, il not fully, in the form Of au-
thorizations and appropriations by
Congress for the execution Of projects.
In the view of the Planning Com
mission the area of the Potomac Val.
ley above Washington is one Of the
most valuable assets Of the Capital.
It's potentialities have never been
fully realized because Of the lack OF
facilities for their observation and en-
joyment. It is planned to make of
this area a great natural park, and
that plan would be made impossible
should the project now proposed be
approved by the Federal Power Com.
mission. In the place of a picturesque
gorge valley extending from Little
Falls to Great Falls would be great
lake of some 1900 acres. Great Falls
would be virtually wiped out of exist
ence. The biological treasures of the
valley would be destroyed. The char.
acter Of the region would be entirely
changed, and not for the better, but
in all probability for the worse.
The Federal Power Commission will
doubtless give serious heed to the
protest Of the Park and Planning Com
mission. 1t will weigh the possible
advantages to be derived from power
development. 1t will consider whether
there is sufficient need for hydraulic
power at this point to justify the
heavy cost in destruction and disfig-
urement involved. It will measure the
needs of this community and the Gov.
eminent for power and will determine
whether the Potomac can produce un.
der private plant ownership the power
that is needed and at rates that will
justify the sacrifice. It will consider
the question of whether this is to be
public benefit or private invest
ment enterprise, whether 1t Is desir
able to produce power here for local
consumption in extensive industries
ton over a wider area.