Evening star., 1934-12-17
BY NELSON M. SHEPARD.

Development of work projects for
the whole Potomac River Basin in
Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Mary
land, Virginia and the District Of CO.
lumbia Is included within the OBJ
jects of a Nation wide study of water
resources by the Federal Govern
ment proposed in the report OF the
National Resources Board to Presi-
dent Roosevelt.
The Potomac River figures in the
national planning as one Of II great
waterways in II major drainage basins
or regions in which recommendations
will be made to Congress for carry
ing out all phases of water projects
from transportation to stream pollu-
ton elimination, hydro electric devel-
opment, municipal water supply, flood
control and irrigation. They are de-
signed as work programs for the pres
ent and future periods of great un-
employment:
So far as the District of Columbia
is concerned, this proposed study OF
water uses within the Potomac Basin
submitted today Is far reaching in its
potentialities.
End Of Pollution.
It stimulates hope for immediate
consideration Of measures to eliminate
pollution of the Potomac from sources
outside the control of the District.
Taxpayers Of the District already have
invested S4,0O0,0O in P. w. A. funds
to build sewage disposal plant which
officials admit only halfway solves the
problem of pollution. When wash
ington suburban and other districts
are brought into line, steps are ex-
pected to be taken to provide greater
degree of publication at the local
plant, as originally planned.
Equally important, the question OF
hydro-electric development may serve
to reopen in Congress the long dor
mant controversy over the harnessing
of Great Falls. Prior to the submis-
sion of the National Resources
Boards report by Secretary OF the
Interior Harold L. Ickes, its chairman,
Senator George Norris of Nebraska
and Senator Pat McCarran of Nevada
intimated they would revive the fight
to have Great Falls converted into
a hydro o-electric plant.
The report also holds promise OF
studies looking to the control OF the
flood waters of the Potomac. Then,
too, under the problem of transporta-
ton increased expenditures for deep
ening the channel from Washington
to the mouth of the Potomac appear
equally feasible.
Airport Proposal.
In view of the present movement to
develop Gravelly Point as muni-
cipal airport site, importance Is at
tached to any study of channel Deep
ening at washington. Dredgings from
the river are now being used to NIL In
that site and any increased activitie:
in the near future would enhance the
value of the strip as an airport site
Should a P. w. A. allotment be made
for the Gravelly Point project, deep
ening of the channel would naturally
follow.
Despite the fact that no Congress
can tie the hands of a future Con-
gress, the possibility of a successful
movement to harness Great Falls dur.
ing the approaching session is no
feared by local and Federal Officials
who wish TO preserve the natura
beauty of the area around Great Fall!
for the George washington Memoria
/ Parkway extension. There is no rea'
son to believe, it was said, that th'
Water-planning Committee Of the Ma
tional Resources Board had this II
mind for any early project, at least.
Frederic A. Delano, chairman Of tht
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission, which is charged with
developing the plans for the parkwa!
around the city, is vice chairman alst
of the National Resources Board. tn,
Planning Commission would be ex
pected to fight any movement to re-
vive the hydroelectric project at Grea
Falls. Secretary Ickes, chairman o
the National Resources Board, Is be
iieved too "keen on parks" to sup
port the power development plan a