Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-20

CONTINUED from First Page)
the Upper Potomac was definitely rec.
commended by a former Senate COM
mission as long ago as 1901. It recalls
how distinguished visitors from other
lands have admired the natural beau
ties Of the Great Falls area.
To emphasize the scientific impor.
tance Of the gorge Of the Upper Po-
tomac, aside from its scenic attrac-
tons. the commission wrote:
1.-THE gorge of the Potomac is I'M
usual from the biological viewpoint
and has a continuous nature labora-
tory record Of unusual length in the
United States. In the cool shade be-
low the steep cliffs on the south bank
are to be found animals, insects and
plants IN unusual variety. Here the
fauna and flora of the upland noun
tain regions meet and hobnob with
those of the coastal plane. The river
has brought the seeds and small an
imals from the hills and cut cool
gorge for them to develop in. Capt
John Smith found in this vicinity
bears, deere and other beasts; and
Argoll describes an animal which pre-
sumably was biSen."
Potomac Recreational Features.
Calling attention to the increasing
congestion Of cities as making it more
necessary than ever to secure and de.
velop suitable areas within easy reach
for the recreation and open air ex.
ercise of young and old, the commits
sion discusses next the recreational
use of the upper Potomac:
1.-THE local playground for small
children, excellent and indispensable as
it has become in Washington, is not
sufficient. Grown people also need
open-air exercise; the amenities of fam
lily life among those not rich enough
in the worlds goods to provide trans
portation and take time for distant
pilgrimages, require nearby picnic
grounds and the relief from the city s
monotony and oppression, which only
a bit of country can give; and last
but not least, all recent investigations
Of crime show conclusively that youth
generally turns to criminal practices
for the lack of readily accessible use
full and beneficial means of working
off it's superfluous physical energy
The duty Of the municipal authorities
to preserve considerable areas OF
country for such uses is generally rec.
ognized as essential to the preserva
ton Of public health and the future
prevention Of crime.
1.-THE fact that the banks Of the Pc
tomac Gorge are so steep and are &C
cessible by automobile at only a few
points. accounts for the wonderful pos
sibilities Of this area not being known
and appreciated by large part of the
public as are Rock Creek and Potomac
Parks. Nevertheless and in spite Of this
present inaccessibility, which Is tc
them itself precious characteristic
insuring relief from the dangers
smells, and other excursions and
alarms" of the city streets-still a con
siderable number of persons get great
enjoyment out Of viewing the scenery
shooting the rapids in canoes, hiking
and camping, fishing, swimming. and
boating. The crowds at Great Falls or
n pleasant Sunday afternoon in Sum
mer are sufficient testimony as to the
recreational value placed on the Falls
by the people of Washington and its
vicinity"
Proposal Analysed.
After thus dwelling at length on the
reasons why 1t believes Great Fans
and the banks of the upper Potomac
should be saved for park purposes, the
commission goes into a discussion OF
the pending power project, as follows
= "The proposal of the Potomac River
Corporation is understood to follow
closely the plans outlined in the Lang
fit and Tyler reports made, in accord
ance with instructions of Congress, in
1918 and 1921, respectively. These re-
ports by eminent Army Engineers
dealt with the question Of water sup
uly for the District of Columbia as
well as with water-power projects.
The chief features of these projects
to which objection Is now made. are
~ n dam and mower house nj Chain