Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-23
The Potomac Power Issues.

1T Is now assured that on the 2utn
of July, when the Federal Power Com.
mission will sit in hearing on the
application for a permit for the de.
velopment of the great Potomac water
power presented by a private corpora.
ton, opposition will be forcibly ex-
pressed by the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission, by the
similar commissions of Maryland and
Virginia and by the Commission of
Fine Arts. These forces for the de-
velopment of the National Capital as
model American city with suitably
artistic surroundings will urge that the
plans for the power development will,
if executed. destroy one Of the great
est natural assets of Washington.
They will probably oppose any devel-
opment of the Potomac power above
this city, whether by a private cor.
poration or by the Government itself.
1t is indicated that If the Federal
Power Commission should reject the
application after the hearing Of July
20, appeal will be made to Congress
for special legislation, taking the Pc.
tomac at and above Washington out
of the jurisdiction Of the commission
and opening the power field there to
private enterprise, unless the Govern
ment itself wishes to proceed with the
development as a public service. In
that case two issues will be presented,
one of the status Of the Federal Power
Commission as determining body, and
the other the utility and propriety
Of taking the Potomac power at the
expense Of the beauty of Washfngton's
surroundings.
Powerful influence, it is now clear,
will be brought to bear to secure a
favorable decision by the Federal
Power Commission. Stress will be
laid upon the fact, long ago noted
and often deplored, that potential
power is being wasted in the Potomac
above the Capital. 1t will be urged
that, by utilization Of the river, power
can be supplied to the community at
lower cost than it is now furnished.
That will be a matter open to dispu-
tation.
The whole question reverts to the
issue between utility and beauty. There
is no denying the declaration by the
Park and Planning Commission that
the erection of high dams below Great
Falls will entirely change the aspect
Of the river valley above Washington,
will submerge the palisades, will cover
the islands and will probably even
choke the Falls themselves in lake.
level rising to their crest. On this
score there can be no argument. The
power commission must determine
whether potential cheaper power is to
be preferred to actual present and in
the future greater beauty for the en-
virons Of the Capital.
Should the matter be decided adj
versely bysthe commission and appeal
be made to Congress. that body will be
faced with the issue Of upholding the
two organizations which it has created
or reversing them in the interest of a
private enterprise. Should the power
commission grant the. permit and an
appeal then be made by the Park
and Planning Commission to Congress
for remedy. there must be decision be.
tween the two commissions.
Consensus Of local opinion is un.
doubtedly adverse to the power appli
cation and favorable to the protest
of the Park and Planning Commission
1t is realized by Washington that Po
tomac power can be had only at the
cost of one Of the Capitals richest
assets. and the feeling prevails that
this Is too high a price to pay for
water power, especially in the interest
of a private organization.