Evening star., 1945-01-26
Planning Group
Votes Against
River Dams Plan
Finds No Justification
For Army Engineers
Proposed Power Doms

Determined to preserve the scenic
values OF the Potomac River above
Washington, the National Capitol
Park and Planning Commission has
voted to oppose the latest plan of
Army engineers to build three power
dams in the Great Falls area.
Maj. Gen U. S. Grant, Sd, chair
man, will present the opposition of
the Planning Commission at forth
coming public hearings before the
War Departments Rivers and Har-
bors Board and congressional COM
mittees. Opposition is extended to
the whole plan outlined in the Army
report for the development of flood
control and hydroelectric power in
the Ptomac River basin.
The action of the Planning Com
mission was not surprising. 1t first
opposed similar plan in 1923 and
for the same reasons.
Explains Vote.
Explaining the vote, Secretary
Thomas S. Settle said the group
felt there was no justifiable return
from the plan for the destruction
of the unique natural park in the
Great Falls area. Furthermore, he
said. the commission felt there was
no evidence that additional electric
power was needed for Washington.
The report of Army engineers
covers a comprehensive project for
the entire Potomac watershed that
would cost between 100000 900 and
$3.50 100000, Mr.. Settle said. Except
for the location of IA proposed null
tiple reservoirs, details have not yet
been publicized.
Since 1928, the Planning Commits
sion has developed areas along the
upper Potomac representing at least
S2,000,00 in value. Members claim
this investment would be ruined by
the development of three reservoirs
as proposed-at Chain Bridge, the
river bend and Bear Island.
Approves Project.
Revised plans for the private
development of the Temple Heights
tract at Florida and Connecticut
avenues NV. received the Commits
sion's approval. No objections were
offered as the plans meet all legal
and zoning requirements. The eight
buildings to provide apartments and
hotel-apartment suites will occupy
only 81 per cent of the 912-acre
tract. Since the plans involve cut
ting through a new street the Dis
trict commissioners have yet to pass
upon them
The Districts recreational facili-
ties commanded much attention
yesterday afternoon at a joint ses-
sion with the Recreation Board and
Milo Christensen, superintendent of
recreation. Since 1880, it was report
ed, rs per cent of the playground
land-purchase program mapped out
In that year has been. purchased.
The overall program involves 26
recreational centers and 1874 play
grounds. Forty-one of these play
grounds, large and small, have been
put into use. During the past two
years $4,000 in Lanham Act funds
has been used and substantial in
crease in operating funds has been
obtained, it was reported.
Postwar Projects.
The Recreation Board discussed
postwar ideas for the development
of SWIMMING pools, field houses and
other projects Mr. Christensen
pointed out that the Recreation
Department now works out plans in
connection with all new public
schools.
Before the conanission ends it's
monthly session tonight a report
will be made on the operations of
the National Housing Agency over
the past 10 years. The agency for
merly was known as the District
Alley Dwelling Authority.
The Planning Commission adopt
ed a resolution deploring the death
of its trusted consultant, Alfred
Bettman of Cincinnati Mr.. Bett-
man died last Sunday enroute from
New York to his home.
Since 1928 he had been a special
consultant of the commission in
matters of civic planning and legis-
lation. His last appearance here
was on January 13 when he put the
finishing touches on the draft of the
commissions urban redevelopment
bill. Mr.. Bettman had charge of
drafting this important postwar