Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-07
M'LEOD URGESPARK
At GREAT FALLS IN
DEFENSE OF GRANT
Acting House District Com
mittee Chairman Endorses
Cramton Bill.
ARCHITECTS SCORE
S0MERVELL'S STAND
Congress Should Keep Control of
Power Rights, Institute Says
in Joining Conflict.

Voicing Wholehearted Endorsement OF
the pending Cramton bill, which would
turn the Potomac palisades into a
magnificent natural park, Representa-
tive Mcleod of Michigan, acting chair
man of the House District committee,
today came to the defense of Lieut.. Col.
u. S. Grant, Sd, of the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission, in the
controversy over the proposed Potomac
gorge power development.
Representative Mcleod commended
Col. Grant for the vigorous stand he
has taken against the projected hydro
electric development at Great Falls by
private power interests. Col. Grant
recently engaged in an acrimonious
verbal tilt with Maj. Brehon Somervell,
District engineer for the War Depart
ment, over merits of the power plans,
the latter advocating use of the Falls
and gorge for hydro-electric purposes.
McLeod's Statement.
In a statement issued at his Office,
Mr. Mcleod said:
st am heartily in favor OF enact
nnent of the so-called Cramton bill to
provide for the identification OF tne
Potomac palisades under an extensive
mark and boulevard development pro-
gram.
st am opposed to any amendment TO
the bill to permit private power IN
terests to proceed with project which
cannot fail to efface one OF the Ma
tons most beautiful scenic attractions
the Great Falls of the Potomac.
Congress should in no wise allow
itself to be restricted in the utlllzatlon
of this great natural park. II. as Maj.
Somervell contends, millions in power
is being wasted, 1 am of the opinion
that Congress should be the agent TO
determine if, when and how this en-
ergy later may be put to use IN
some way that will insure preservation
Of the Potomac palisades.
Architects Favor Bill.
Immediate passage of the bill was
urged by the American Institute OF
Architects in statement issued today.
The statement, prepared by the IN
stitute's committee on the national
Capital, of which Horace w. Peaslee Is
Chairman, warns that 1.-The plans to
develop the Potomac River area as one
of the great scenic assets of the Nation
are in Jeopardy"
Control of the Potomac River Valley,
according to the institute, is IN danger
of passing into the hands of power
group, which would deprive the people
Of the one great natural par which
should be their chief pride"
Bill Is Before Committee.
The Capper- Cramton bill, which pro
vides for the acquisition of Great FAILS
and the Potomac Valley for park pur-
poses by the United States, reserving
before the Senate District committee
and should be passed without further
delay. according to the Institutes state
ment.
IF the bill is passed as it stands"
the statement points out, control OF
the valley will rest with the Congress.
II and when the need for power ever
becomes pressing, Congress would be
able to proceed"
The Institutes statement follows, in
part:
Usefulness Is Cited.
1.-THE Potomac River Valley above
Washington may be useful to the
Nation in many wayS-for park, power,
navigation, water supply, flood control,
etc. To permit development for water
power by private interests now means
making all other uses Subservlent 10
waterpower and the sacrifice OF enorm-
Gus values.
interests to amend or defeat the
Capper- Cramton bill indicate tneir
realization that if the area is made
more accessible as a natural park and
its value becomes known to the pubic,
the Congress and people of this country
never will permit the Sacr1flce OF PARK,
navigation or other values.
During the last few days Senator's,
Washington organizations and WASH
ington papers have been flooded with
so-called information, largely originating
with the executive officer of the Federal
Power Commission, Maj. Brehon Somer-
Veil. but featured by the attorney Of
the power interests. An effort is being
made to create the impression that
failure to adopt the power amendment
would mean a terrific loss OF potential
revenue, although, as a matter OF fact,
the adoption of the amendment would
mean a far greater loss to the people.
"Those favoring power development
appeal to the taxpayers of Maryland
and Virginia to kill the bill by stating
that under the terms provided in II.
r. 26, for the purchase Of these lands.
it Is necessary for the States OF Mary
land and Virginia, or political subdivi-
sions thereof, to agree not only to pay
one-haIf of the cost of the lands orig.
inally, but to pay the entire cost OF
the future maintenance and upkeep OF
the park after the lands are acquired
which is not what the bill provides.
"The facts of this matter are that
the original purchase of the land is to
be financed one-half from the Federal
treasury and one-half from the States.
political subdivisions or responsible
private sources. The future cost OF
maintenance and upkeep of the park
Is to corAe entirely from the Federal
Government"