Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-02-21
Potomac T.V. A.
Continued From First Page.)

year. These overcharges, according
to Rankin, are made through the i'm
position of a secret sales tax" i'm
posed by the power companies, which
invariably amounts to several hundred
per cent.
THE people in the nearby States of
Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia,
Pennsylvania and Delaware pay more
than twice as much for electric energy
as do the people of the District Of Co.
lumbia," the statement said. yet the
rates in the District of Columbia are
too high. They could be greatly re-
duced without in any way impairing
the value of legitimate investments"
Modelled After T. v. A.
In virtually every respect, Rankin's
plan is modelled after the T. v. A.
The bill would set up a Potomac
Valley Authority to develop the entire
Potomac watershed for hydroelectric
power. water supply, and various other
purposes. The title of the measure
6&NCo SOI11C 1dCd VI 40 SNOpC. ~ 4EduS.
For the development and improve
ment of navigation, sanitation. water
supply, recreation, transportation and
of electric power of the Potomac River
and its tributaries"
Rankin pointed out that while the
bill is not intended primarily for the
development of hydroelectric power, he
believed its enactment would result in
lower electric rates in the District as
we'll as the rural section of Maryland
and Virginia. He said surplus power
probably could be sold at 453 mills a
kiloWatt hour-the same wholesale rate
charged within a 35o-mile area of
Muscle Shoals.
The bill itself does not stipulate
where hydroelectric power plant
shall be constructed, but Rankin be-
lieves the logical place is Great Falls.
The selection Of site for dams. etc.,
is left entirely to the Potomac Valley
Authority.
Planners Opposed.
The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission has vigorously
opposed the construction of an hydro
electric dam at Great Falls. contend
ing that this would mar the scenic
beauty of the waterfalls, which are
slated for inclusion in the George
Washington Memorial Parkway. Funds
for the creation of this parkway are
lacking at this time. although Con-
gress, in the Capper-Cramton park
purchase act, specifically authorizes it.
The commission does not meet for
a week, but it may be expected to
throw the weight of its influence
against the proposal to develop elec-
trio power at Great Falls, in the light
Of its previous strenuous attitude.
Construction Of a power dam at
Great Falls is expressly forbidden.
unless Congress authorizes this, and
the Federal Power Commission Is
barred from granting any permit seek
ing erection Of such facilities.
An appropriation of $4,000 GOO is
carried in the Rankin measure for
acquisition of lands and rights, and the
preparation of surveys, but Rankin ex-
planned this would be just the begin
ming. He pointed out that additional
funds would be required after War De-
partment engineers submitted esti-
mates to Congress on the costs of
some of the multiple projects author
lied.
Administrators Would Rule.
Three administrators appointed by
the President and confirmed by the
Senate would control the P. v. A.
Each would serve for a term of six
years at salary of $4,000.
The bill provides that Immediately
after organization Of the authority, it
shall make survey of the Potomac
River Valley and determine the loca-
ton OF dams, power stations, water
mains, and appurtenant structures.
It directs that the study, the result
of which shall be reported to Congress,
include plans for the efficient and eco
,nomical elimination of pollution, the
protection of game and food fish, and
the development of an adequate eco
nomical pure-water supply for the Dis
trlct and other communities adjacent
TO the river, as well as for construction
OF bridges and through highways
across the river.
Congress already has the benefit of
exhaustive engineering studies in the
Potomac River basin, not only at
Great Falls. but on all the contribu-
tory waterways. The Corps Of Engi-
neers OF the Army. in response to an
edict from Congress. some years ago