Evening star., 1928-03-09
PARK AND POWER
PROJECT BACKED
Maryland Commission Ap-
proves Joint Development
on Potomac.

Simultaneous development of the Po-
tomac River from the District line TO a
point above the Great Falls. for both
park and power purposes. was approved
last night by the Maryland National
Capital Park and Planning Commission.
The action was taken as a result OF
recommendations made by J. Bond
Smith, general counsel OF the commits
sion. and Robert B. Morse, chief en-
gineer OF the Washington Suburban
Sanitary Commission. who made in
vestigation OF two projects, on behalf
Of the Maryland commission.
The formal resolution adopted by the
commission said that 1t approved the
present investigation being conducted
jointly by the u. S. Army Engineers
once and the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission, relative 10
feasibility OF Joint development OF the
park and power project, and directed
the secretary Of the Maryland body to
advise the Federal agencies that the
Maryland commission desires to CO.
operate in the joint study.
Asks for Approval.
After giving q history OF the recent
developments In connection with the
efforts of the Potomac River Corpora
ton TO obtain preliminary permit
from the Federal Power Commission,
Mr.. Smith, In his report. said he recon-
mended that the commission approve
the present investigation nov being
conducted and that the commission BY
resolution favor joint development OF
the two projects.
1t Is TO be noted" his report con-
St4t. kAR,, u lNxNt s@tag
would result In the protection of the
Potomac River and Great Falls and at
the same time permit utilization OF the
power site with attending beneficial re-
suits 10 Montgomery County and 10 the
State of Maryland. including the large
increase In asSeSsable basis resulting
from the direct addition OF the new
property To the assessable basis, as well
as Indirectly through enhancement ot
property values adjacent TO the power
or park project,
In addition. the Potomac River
Corporation contemplates establishment
OF highway bridges over the Potomac,
hoth at Great Falls and at Chain
Bridge. which will be open to the public
without charge"
Joint Project Backed.
MIR. Smith called attention Of the
commission To the point that the Morse
report contained the first suggestion
that the two projects we're not incon-
sistent He says that there seems 10 be-
considerable hope that combination
OF the two projects may be achieved.
and adds that this hope Is shared by
Col Charles Keller. former Engineer
Commissioner of the District. and now
associated with the Potomac River Cor
poration.
MIR. Morse In his report says that
the combination park and power plan
In feasible from an engineering stand
point, and that he could see no reason
why the Maryland-National Capital
Park and Planning Commission should
recommend against issuance OF per-
nit which would merely allow thorough
investigation OF a Potomac power de-
velopment and priority Of right. during
n period of not over three years, TO
make application for u construction
license
II do not think the question Of mar
keting power and the industrial de-
velopment," he continues. should Sc
riousiy disturb a planning commission
The economic soundneas OF the Tyler
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