Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-07
Park or Power Plant?

In the rotogravure section of The
Star today are printed views Of the
region above Washington, in the val
ley Of the Potomac River, which is
contemplated by the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission as a
public reservation, and is also marked
out for inundation under the proposed
power project, application for which
Is pending before the Federal Power
Commission. These pictures show, as
have no others heretofore published,
the unmatched splendor of the scenes
which on the one hand it is proposed
to conserve for all time by pre-
emption of the area as public park,
and on the other hand will be de.
stroyed if the power plan is approved
and put into execution.
1t is to be hoped that these views
will convince all who are concerned
in the consideration of this matter
that the application for a power de-
velopment in the Potomac Valley
it would be more costly in terms Of
irreplaceable scenic value than any
compensation that could possibly be
gained through the production of
power, for the use of Washington and
probably other cities.
For many years. the idea Of con-
serving the natural beauty of the Pc.
tomac in the vicinity of Washington
has been entertained by the commu.
nifty and by others in authority. But
there has been no action to that end.
Some destruction has occurred, in the
course of operations for the produc-
ton of stone materials, but as whole
the river valley remains as it has been
for ages, awaiting foreclosure by the
Government as a scenic approach to
the National Capital. Not until the
creation of the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission was initia.
tive had upon the proposal, and it is
significant that just as that body be.
gan work upon the preparation of
plans for the development of the river
area as park application was made
for the erection of dams for power
purposes that would inevitably de.
stroy the greater part of the beauty
OF this unparalleled park.
In the strongest possible terms the
park and planning commission has
protested the grant Of the license to
construct these dams and the utiliza.
ton Of the Potomac for power pur.
poses. The power commission will
hold hearings on the subject a few
weeks hence. Meanwhile sentiment
against the destruction Of the valley
is developing and is finding expires.
sion.
Advocates Of the power project de.
clare that the plan will not mar the
scenic setting of Washington, but will
substitute an attractive lake for the
wooded hills and Wales. There will
certainly be a lake, but whether it is
attractive is question. Should there
be falling Of the impounded waters
there would be presented to view the
CHASTITY spectacle of many square
miles Of drowned trees. gaunt and
bare. sad reminders Of the sylvan
beauty which now lies at the door of
Washington.
Study of the pictures printed today
should convince all that this area of
rare attractiveness. unequaled any.
where in America in close proximity
to large city, Is too precious a herit.
age to be snapped for a power plant
OF dubious value to the community,
commercial scheme that cannot DOS.
sibly repay in terms Of cheaper cleo.
trio current-the question of cheap.
ness is in doubt-produced for com.
mercial advantage and for the gain
of a private corporation.