Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-10
ENGINEERS FAVOR
FALLS POWER PLAN
Park Should Not Be Created
Unless Water Resources Are
Used, Council Holds.

Creation of a great public park IN the
valley of the Potomac River near Great
Falls, as proposed in the Cramton
parkway bill, now pending in the House,
should not be undertaken unless pro-
vision is made for utilization OF the
natural water power resources in that
region and development OF a waterway
from the coal fields to the Atlantic sea-
board along the Potomac, the American
Engineering Council declared today In
resolution passed at meeting at
the Mayf1ower Hotel.
The council also declared its opposi-
ton TO a plan for the parks OF the
National Capital which does not include
all major elements of city planning OF
which will not permit full development
of electric power and opening OF naVi-
CATION and at the same time provide
for retention of Great Falls and all the
major scenic features in its vicinity.
Elimination of Waste Claimed.
"Such a park will eliminate the grave
economic waste of at least hundred
million dollars of the public's resources
and otherwise will provide for the we'll
being OF the District" declared the re-
port of the public affairs committee,
which was unanimously adopted. The
report included statements OF the COM
mittee's position OH many other pend
ing measures, and was submitted by D.
Robert Yarnall of Philadelphia.
At the same time, plan 1or oeVel-
opment of an engineering memorial to
Geroge Washington at Great Falls, to
include restoration of the canal locks
which he built in the eighteenth CEN
fury, and set up an exhibit OF models
of the old canal on property TO be
acquired from the Potomac Electric
Power Co., was laid before the meeting.
The Cramton bill provides for the
acquisition, establishment and develop
ment of a George Washington memo
rial parkway along the Potomac from
Mount Vernon and Fort Washington
to Great Falls, and provides for &C
QUESTION of lands III the District OF
Columbia, Maryland and Virginia requi-
site to the comprehensive park, park
way and playground system OF the
District or Columbia.
The administrative board OF the
council last October voted to support
the bill. Subsequently. however. 1t has
been pointed out that If the bill should
be enacted as now written, the power at
Great Falls would be developed. If at
all, only by the Federal Government
and operation OF any development would
De by the Government. The council to-
day adopted the following resolution,
designed to Offset the restrictions con-
tanned in the Cramton bill:
Whereas the attention OF the
Washington Society or Engineers has
oeen drawn to the proposal TO create In
the valley of the Potomac at and below
Great Falls low-level park which will
forever prevent the utilization OF the
great natural resources in water power
IN that region and the development Of
waterway from the coal fields to the
Atlantic seaboard, and otherwise bring
about grave economic loss to Washing
ton and its environS:
BE 1t resolved, That the Washington
Society of Engineers is opposed TO such
a plan or to any plan for the National
Capitals parks which does not include
all major elements of city planning. A
suitable park equally beautiful and iur-
nishing more reereational facilities can
full development Of electric power and
the opening of navigation, and at the
same time provide for the retention of
Great Falls and all the other aior
scenic features in its vicinity. Such a
park will eliminate the grave economic
waste of at least $l00.000,000 of the
public's resources and will otherwise
provide for the well being Of the Dis
trict.
And be 1t further resolved. That the
society urges the amendment OF the
pending Cramton bill. II. r. &c, so as
TO permit the development OF hydro
electric power and navigation on the
Potomac. and recommends that the bill
be so amended as TO include these fca-
lures"
President A. w. Berresford Of the
council. who is 10 be succeeded by Carl
Grunsky In that post, sent the follow
ing letter to President Hoover, who has
been active in furthering the work of
the council: The American Engineer
ing Council, OF which Mr.. Hoover was
the first president, Is holding today its
annual meeting at the Mayfiower Hotel.
Through Mr.. Hoover's inspiration
We have progressed and at this time
We are enjoying the highest degree of
success in our history.
THE first act OF the council was to
direct me to express our gratitude to
the President and TO convey our per-
sonal regard"
Included in the report of the COM
mittee on public affairs, which was
adopted by the council, was an adverse
report on the Wagner bill. pending in
ment OF national employment system.