Evening star., 1944-01-13
Potomac Power
Dam Report
Due Today !:
Planning Group !,
To Get Army Doto on
Greet FoIIs Project

Army engineers were to report to.
day to the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission on their
proposal to dam the Potomac River
below and above Great Falls for the
development, primarily, Of hydro
electric power and water conserva.
ton.
Protection Of Great Falls is the
main concern and interest of the
Federal Planning group and the dis
cussions starting this afternoon may
be extended over a considerable
period. Is
The commission met for its
monthly planning session a week in
advaace Of the usual time. While
problems involving the proposal to
erect a series OF dams in the Po.
tomac is the main topic on the
schedule, a number of other matters
affecting conditions in Washington
will be discussed.
Shade Tree Report Due.
Col. Joseph D. Arthur, jr., assistant
District engineer commissioner, will
report on measures taken for the
protection of the city's shade trees.
There also will be reports from
others on proposed sites for branch
public libraries, and housing trends
In Washington and throughout the
Metropolitan Area.
Last month, the commission heard
complaints from representatives Of
various civic groups about the de-
struction and neglect of shade trees
along the sidewalks. The proposal
has been made that the District gov-
ernment include on its staff an ex.
pert landscape architect. Col. Ar.
thur was asked to make an investi.
cation and report.
John Nolen, jr., director of PLAN
ming, has been making study Of
branch library sites in the District
in cooperation with officials Of the
Public Library. A number of new
sites in expanding sections of the
city have been selected.
Housing Report Ready.
Another report will be made by
Max Wehrly, civic planner, on hous-
ing In the eastern section of the
city. Since 1899 it is understood
that at least one half of all new
housing erected in Washington has
been built east of the AnacostiA
River. Mr.. Nolen will go into pro-
posed amendments to the zoning
ro1,,lof fiors and Aoue;,,o <ravl. ~ro,,
orally in the Washington region.
Tomorrow morning, Secretary
Thomas s. Settle will discuss the
status Of legislation affecting the
District and also will take up mat
tiers concerned with the District -Vir.
ginia boundary bill Another re.
port will be made by Alfred Betman,
zoning expert, on the proposed ur.
ban redevelopment bill. A draft
Of this measure was sent to men,
bers OF the Planning Commission
last month for stud.
The Potomac River report will bs
given by Col. Clarence Renshaw,
United States District Engineer and
members of his staff. The Army
cIlSulccIS are preparing SIMILAR
studies throughout the country fos
submission to Congress.
Opposition Expected.
Any proposal that might tend to
destroy the scenic value of Great
Falls is likely to meet with strong
opposition from members of the
Planning Commission. 1t is under.
stood that one of the plans involves
the construction of mill race that
would divert the water from the
Falls when needed and restore it
to the Falls at other times.
The Planning Commission also Is
interested in protecting the historic
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, now
owned and used by the Federal Gov
ernment as general recreation
project. Flooding Of the Potomac
to form a huge recreation lake
either Immediately above or below
the Falls would endanger the canal,
IL was feared