Evening star., 1928-11-10
GREAT FALLS PARK
PROJECT FAVORED
Power Development Plan Hit
in Report of Committee
After Inquiry.


should not be permitted for the develop
ment of a project for the production Of
electric current by water power, accord
ing to a report of special committee
of tho National Capital Park and Plan
nmg Commission, approved yesterday,
and which will be presented to the full
commission at its meeting on Monday.
The committee based its action on the
theory that the park project was
paramount one, and that there is no
immediate demand for the installation
of a plant for the purpose OF obtaining
cheaper electric power.
Although the report was one of a
special committee of the commission
which had been designated to look into
this question of developing power
project in connection with the park
improvement, the whole body is expect
ed to approve it. The commission some
months ago fatty turned down the
power project idea when the application
was first made to the Federal Power
Commission by. the Potomac River Cor
poration for a preliminary permit.
-s Somervell Report Ready.
Subsequent to this report there were
q series of conferences between the
representatives of the power company.
Commission and Mai Behon B. Som
ervell United States Army Engineer in
charge of the Potomac River district.
the latter of whom must make a report
on the application for the power. The
purpose of these conferences was to try
to tie the power project up with the
park project, and the result was the
appointment of committee of experts
to work out a plan for working the
two projects together. This was the
plan which was studied by the Park
and Planning Commissions committee,
and after a thorough discussion 1t was
decided that the two could not be work.
ed out as common project.
Maj Somervell has his report on the
application ready. 1t has been in shape
for submission to the chief of En-
gineers Of the United States Army for
some months. but he has held it up
pending future study by the park
commission experts. with view to
adopting compromise plan. This re-
port will go to the chief of Engineers
probably next week. as Maj. Somer-
veil indicated that he was willing to
wait for the park commissions views,
provided they were given at the COM
ing meeting, as he feels that he has
held up the matter long enough. While
no official indication has been given
as to what is in Maj Sovervell's report,
it was indicated that he viii approve
the development Of power project.
The chief of engineers. after a formal
review of the report. undoubtedly will
forward it to the power commission,
where the final word will have to be
given as to whether the development |
company will receive its permit. The |
battle then will shift to that govern
mental body, and strong representations |
will be made before it by the park COM !
mission to prevent the issuance of the !
permit.
The permit sought by the Potomac |
River Corporation, it might be eX-
planned, is preliminary one, and If |
issued, does not give the company |
authority to proceed with the con-
struction of the project. 1t merely |
gives it a priority of claim to the right
to develop power should it decide |
that it would be feasible and profit |
able. The permit does give the COM
pany authority to proceed with studies
and surveys, with guarantee that 1t |
would get the right to develop in the
event that the final project is
authorized.
May Go to Congress.
Whatever the power commission does |
In the matter, there is likelihood that |
the scene, finally, will be shifted to |
Congress There is a bill pending in |
the Senate providing for the acquisi- |
ton Of the area by the Government, |
with a stipulation that it is 70 be de-
veloped for park purposes as rapidly as
funds are provided by Congress, and the
the commissions committee urges the
Of
After extended consideration of the
report on The Development of the
Potomac River Valley for Park and
Power Purposes by the joint commit
tee of the Federal Power Commission
and the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission" the committees
report. made public yesterday by Lieut..
Col. u. S. Grant, Sd, member Of the
committee, says. having subsequently
made an intensive study on the ground,
it is the opinion of the members Of the
committee ON parks:
a. That the. gorge and the Great
Falls of the Potomac River have unique
ard distinctive scenic attractions az
fording in their present natural condi-
ton park values unexcelled by those in
the environs Of any national capital,
values which are not now fully ap-
preciated and enjoyed because the land
is largely in private ownership and but
little of the road is readily accessible.
90. That the adoption of any of the
proposals contained in the joint COM.
Il1ittce's report, above referred to, for
the development of water power within
this area, or Of any plan for water power
development known or suggested to the
commission, will entail in greater or less
degree destruction of these National
Capital park values and their impair
ment by the introduction Of incongruous
structures and power lines.
Best for Park Purposes.
49, That the dedication of this area
for park purposes by the Nation Is in
the interest and for the enjoyment Of
all citizens of the United States to
whom the National Capital Is proud
heritage.
"a. That the use of this area for
power purposes is largely Of local and
regional interest and benefit, and that
the power to be developed therefrom is
neither urgently required nor the only
power obtainable at reasonable cost 10
meet the demand.
IS. Moreover. that the nearness OF this
beautiful valley. with its palisades and
waterfall and other picturesque attrl-
butes, to the Nations Ca1ital, together
with the undeniable fact that this prof.
ect does not stand high as an efficient
source of power, appear to be strong
arguments for not granting permit
for a development of this project at
this time.
"6. And that your committee, for the
foregoing reasons and those set forth in
greater detail in other comments on the
joint report, recommends the urging
upon Congress the acquisition Of the
area indicated, in accordance with s..
1880, and its development for park pur-
poses as funds may be made available,
believing, as we do, that there exists no
present necessity for the development
Of waterpower here. and that its pos