Evening star., 1927-09-19
K-POWER AM|Ty
ON NR|vER|SSOUGHT
Two Members of Planning
Commission to Study Pro-
grams Feasibility.

Two members of the National Cap
tal Park and Planning Commission
pave been instructed to study the con
ention of the Potomac River Corpor,
htion of Delaware that detailed in.
estlgation might demonstrate the
possibility of waterpower development
pm the Upper Potomac in harmony
with park development.
For two hours yesterday the park
commission and officers of the power
forporation discussed the question
Hf whether a compromise is possible
between the preservation of the nat.
lral beauty of the river and the build
s ng of the dams necessary for hydro
Electric power.
Both Plans Discussed.
The park and planning commits
sion has taken Lead in opposing
the application of the corporation
For a preliminary permit to proceed
with the preparation of detailed plans
FOR large power development. on the
ground that such development would
mar the natural beauties OF the river
AAiNOt AtlC I'LL AilC pa pi''ii'
Robert j. Bulkley and Col. Charles
Keller, representing the power corpor-
Rtion, sought the conference with the
commission yesterday to present their
argument that the two aims-park
Development and waterpower-might
pc made to harmonic.
we talked over their plans and
fur plans, and whether there is any
compromise possible" said Lieut.. Col.
=. s. Grant. Sd. executive officer of
4 he Park Commission.
Will Inquire Further.
Col. Grant added that while the
commission feels that any encroach-
fnent is fraught with danger to the
fatural scenery of the gorge. it de-
Fired to he reasonable in trying to
ascertain if there is an intermediate
ground. He pointed out that it will
be for the Federal Power Commits.
bion to decide the relative merits of
ark development and power develop
fnent, from the standpoint of the
public interest.
Col. Grant and Frederick Law Ohm
Pied were the two members designated
10 inquire further into the subject.
Rs a result of their studies the Park
Commission may suggest to the Power
4 Commission the factors that are con-
Eidered essential to the park project.
Upon leaving the conference yester-
Pay Mr.. Bulkley and Col. Keller said
they asked the commission to con.
eIder whether it would not be in the
public interest rather than against 1t
10 have a detailed investigation to
find out the extent to which water
bower and park development con-
|fict. and the extent to which the two
movements could he made to har-
|nonize. They said they were not un-
mindful of the desire to preserve nat
|lral scenery.
4, Financial Question Involved.
AS one member of the Park Com
Fnission puts it, the question appears
TO be whether a power project that
would save the scenic beauties would
Ftill be financially feasible. The cor
borations application has been dis.
fussed on the basis of the Tyler plan
bf development. which contemplated
aams at Chain Bridge and Great Falls,
creating large lakes behind them. The
contends, however, that it
IS not bound to the Tyler plan and
hat the details of the project would
pc worked out by detailed investiga-
ion If preliminary permit is granted
oy the Federal Power Commission.
The preliminary permit, which is
the immediate issue to be decided by
he Federal Power Commission, would
hot authorize construction of the
project. but would give the Potomac
River Corporation priority in applying
ater for the license to build the dams
md Seseryoirs.
Maj. Brehon Somervell, Army en-
kineer for this district, who conducted
he War Department hearing on the
Potomac waterpower project, will
make his report TO Gen. Jadwin, chief
bf engineers. about October /. The
War Departments recommended ton
will go then to the Federal Power
Commission for final action on the ap-
blicat ton for the preliminary permit.