Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-30
Holds Cramton Park Bill
Would Mean Waste of
$780, 900, 900.
U. S. ENGINEER DECLARES
2 PROJECTS POSSIBLE
Suitable Park Practical Without
Interference With Other I'm
provements, He says.

Park and power development can 60
forward tremendously at Great Falls
on the Potomac River without disturb
ing any Of the scenic value of the place,
Maj. Brehon Somervell, District engi-
neer for the War Department for the
Washington area, told the Senate Dis
trict committee during its recent hear
ing on the Capper- Cramton park de-
velopment measure. The transcript of
the hearing, now ready for printing,
shows that Maj. Somervell, whose office
made q study of power development
In the Great Falls area, has reached
these conclusions:
Il. A satisfactory reconciliation Of
any conflict between developments for
navigation, power, flood control and
recreation is possible at the sacrifice
OF substantial, but not prohibitive eco
nomic advantages to power development
and Of certain minor debatable scenic
features In the lower valley.
Y. The full development Of the
watershed is applicable to a large sec
ton OF the country. The park develop
ment is restricted largely to local needs.
Parks are to be provided on a scale
many times larger than is the case
with any other American city of COM
parable size for which I have figures.
Question Of Particular Park.
"3. The question is not one of
whether there shall be a park or not
a park-not a decision between parks
on the one hand and power, naviga-
ton and flood control on the other,
but the question of a particular
park, the debatable features of which
are largely inaccessible, can hardly be
made less so, and which, moreover, are
subject to periodic and destructive
foods.
a. The adoption of such a park in
wolves the waste of over 500 ,0O0, 900
OF the public's resources.
IS. An equally beautiful and far
more useful park can be secured, to-
gether with the development of the
river for other purposes.
IS. The Federal revenue 10 be derived
from comprehensive power develop
ment, alone win finance the whole sys-
TEN Of parks planned for the CAPITAL.
VII materially lessen the cost of water
Suppiy for washington, will materially
redlce the cost Of such works as may
be undertaken by the Government for
navigation, and afford an appreciate
relief from taxation in the District and
n the neighboring counties of Maryland
and Virginia. Three applications for
the development of power are now
before the Federal Power Commission.
az. I have been unable to justify q
policy of particular park at any price
on any sound esthetic or economic
grounds.
FavOrs Senate Park Body Plan.
20. There seems every reason for
carrying out George Washington's
policy and the plan Of the Senate Park
Commission under the Craftsmanship of
Senator Mcmillan for the full develop
ment of the Potomac at Great Falls
for navigation, parks and power, in so
far as they are economically justified"
With reference to the Capper-Cram-
ton bill, Mai. Somerven said: II am not
in opposition to any measure
for adequate and proper de-
velopment of Washington and its envi-
rons. This bill provides for extensive
park development IN the valley OF the
Potomac and has an important bearing
on other resources in that same valley.
These are navigation, power develop
ment, water supply, food control, high
way connections and recreational facil.
tiles. am not appearing as the advo-
cate of any one of these special inter-
ests. but merely to give you the results
Of the investigations made by my of1ce
during the past two years to ind out
the maximum possible Dement'S TO be
derived from the enormous resources OF
the river"
Recalling that Col. Max Tyler, now
CONTINUED on Page 8. Column 3D.