The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1936-03-19
APPEAL TO PRESIDENT TO
BUILD SAVAGE RIVER DAM
West Virginia And Maryland So
Ions In Washington Predict
Wide Benefits For Two States

EHOfCS were renewed last WedneS-
day in direct appeal to President
Roosevelt, to bring about the construc-
ton of the long-proposed Savage
River dam in Garrett county.
Senators Radcliffe and Tydings and
Representative Lewis, of Maryland
and Senator Nicely and Representative
Randolph, of West Virginia, Joined in
a special appeal to the President to
include the project in his budget esti-
mates.
The Congressional delegates cited
the various advantages the dam would
afford the people of the two States in
this area, and declared that it would
provide great and far-reaching ad-
vantages to the six municipalities of
the area, with more than $4,000 pop
ulation.
Cost Set At $1,6OO,OOO
Army engineers estimate the cost
of the dam at $1,6O0,OOO. The propos-
ed work would lessen the relief bill for
Maryland and West Virginia, it was
claimed. The relief bill for two years
would pay for construction of the dam,
the proponents said.
The group filed summary of the
benefits this dam would afford to
Maryland and West Virginia, and
pointed out that:
Construction activities would
absorb a large part of the pres
ent relief burden, and it is esti-
mated that after the dam is built
the expansion of existing indus
tries will take up the majority of
the relief load and permanently
cure it. Complete relief labor,
both skilled and unskilled, is avail
able in Maryland and in the adj
joining areas of West Virginia to
carry out the project.
The supply of water in the Up
per Potomac River affects either
directly or indirectly the welfare
of 99,182 persons, the total popu-
lation of Allegany county, Mary
land, and Mineral county, West
Virginia, which bound the Upper
Potomac River.
Aside from flood control, the
construction of the proposed dam
would greatly stimulate indus
trial activities essential to the
well-being of this area. At least
four large industries are vitality
affected by the water supply in the
Upper Potomac River. They en-
ploy total of 11,700 persons.
Major Industries Cited
The President was informed that
"the Celanese Corporation of America
could, and wishes to, operate at full
production, and expand and thereby
increase employment, if a greater vol
ume of water can be drawn from the
river annually.
"The West Virginia Pulp and Paper
Company, the Potomac Edison Com
pany and the Springfield Tire
Company can increase their efficiency
of operation if more uniform flow
of water is maintained in the river.
Increased efficiency of operation of
various power plants will permit
greater rural identification" it was
held.
eff a more uniform flow of water is
maintained in the river, Cumberland
can unity and aid it's sewage disposal
system and postpone for many years
the near-present necessity Of building
sewage disposal plant; Keyser, West
Virginia, can improve it's sewage sys-
tenn, and Ridgeley, West Virginia, will
be materially benefited by better san
itary conditions, particularly in sum-
mer.
Would Improve Water
"Westernport, Md, will improve it's
water by drawing it's supply directly
at the dam; Piedmont, W. Va, can
make necessary supplement to its
water supply by drawing water direct
ly at the dam, and Luke, Md, would
have access to a better quality of
water at the dam, if the dam is con-
structed.
"Construction of the dam will create
mountain lake for trout fishing" it
was added.
"The corps of engineers, War De-
partment, estimates that construction
of the dam will cost 81, 100000. The
project will employ approximately 400
men for one year or more. The man.
year cost being estimated at $1,000.
The method of financing desired is
100 per cent Federal paid.
Cooperation Is Needed
"The corps of engineers states that
local interests have complied with
the conditions essential for project
of this type to receive consideration.
~ In this they have agreed to fur
nish the necessary rights of way and
to assume responsibility for damages
to private property incident to con-