The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1946-10-10
LAKE CLOSING
.ISSEEN UNLESS
STATE
Power Firm Threatens to Pro-
hibit Public Use If Laws
Governing Boats Are
Not Enacted

Careless and reckless operation of
speed boats on Deep Creek Lake, and
failure to enforce existing laws
governing boating and fishing on the
lake has drawn fire of the Pennsyl-
vania Electric Company, owners of
the lake. it has been disclosed.
Deaths the past summer when
speeding motor boats capsized a
smaller craft, has resulted in con-
siderable comment from the public
and various official sources.
Last Thursday the Pennsylvania
Electric Company served notice that
it will close the lake to all boating
and fishing, unless the State of Mary
land enacts legislation making pos
sible punishment Of motor boat oper-
ators who incline to excessive speed
| ing, carclcssness and recklessness on
the lake.
Vaughn Urges Legislation
State Game Warden Ernest Vaughn
impaired this information to the
! Maryland Legislative Council in urg-
ing that proper and necessary legis-
lation be submitted to the General
Assembly in January.
Vaughn declared that the power
| company which owns the lake but has
leased it to the State Game and Fish
Commission for purposes Of public
boating and fishing can revoke the
lease and order the lake closed.
The game warden said four or five
deaths resulting from reckless boat
ing or capsizing of small craft by
speed boats this past summer have
! shown the need for laws that can be
enforced. He stated that Garrett coun-
ty authorities have reported they are
unable to prosecute such cases sue
cessfully under present law.
The law, Vaughn said, holds only
J that the operation Of craft on the lake
/ shall be in conformity with federal
regulations, and that not only are
regulations none to specific, but en-
forcement of them in the State court
is difficult if not impossible.
Vaughn expressed the view the need
is for State law providing stiff
penalties for fast or reckless oper-
alton of motor boats, and rigid en-
| forcement of such a law.
He said the power company has
! agreed to give the Fish and Game
| Commission complete control of all
activity on the lake if such Legislation
is enacted Otherwise the power COM
pany is inclined to close the lake.
Important Summer Resort
Numerous Cumberland people and
scores from Pittsburgh, Uniontown,
Pa. Clarksburg, w. Va, and other
points in the tri-state area have, since
the lake was built, constructed sever
al hundred homes around the lake.
| The place has become one of the
most important summer resorts in
! this area, and is the only mountain
| lake resort in wide area.
Many hundred thousands of dollars
are invested in land, buildings and
boats, etc. on and around the lake,
! and it has become an important eco
monte as we'll as recreational center
in Western Maryland, especially dur
| ing the summer months. Closing the
lake by the power company would re-
suit, it is believed, in heavy depreci-
! alton of property values and defIation
Of investments.
Most people who reside on the
lakeshorc and who own property
there and who boat and fish on the
lake, have expressed desire for
rigid law enforcement so far as boat
ing is concerned. When publicity was
given recent drownngs, many prop
erty owners and summer residents on
the lake emphasized the need for
workable laws and an end to unneces-
sary loss of life on the lake.