Evening star., 1949-10-01
Revised Powers
To Aid Potomac
Basin Sought
Pollution Abatement
Largely Agreed On,
Wider Scope Urged
By james BirchfieId
Stoy Stoff Corrsxnondsnf

CAPON SFR1N(IS, w. va, OCC
1.-Revision of a four-State COM
pact to allow the interstate Com
mission of the Potomac River
Basin to enlarge its. program for
development of the basin, was
urged today by the chairman
Raymond v. Long of Virginia.
In his report to tine annual
commission meeting here, Mr.
Long pointed to the active pro-
grams of pollution abatement now
in progress in the basin. and sug-
gested that the time has come
for the commission to look toward
a larger field of activity.
MIR. Long said that when the
compact between Virginia, Mary
land. Pennsylvania, West Virginia,
the District and the Federal Gov
ernment was entered into, not
a single member then had an
agency to deal with pollution.
Since the signatory bodies had
each enacted fairly uniform legis-
lation. and have provided for and
established strong enforcement
agencies for water control and
pollution abatement" Mr.. Long
said, 1T would appear that the
basic and primary purpose of the
compact has, in a large measure,
been accomplished.
This does not imply that the
commissions assignment has been
completed. On the contrary, the
program of pollution abatement in
the basin has only well begun.
A large task remains. particularly
In collecting and distributing in
formation, in coordinating the
work of the different signatory
bodies and in collaborating with
local governments and water con-
troll agencies.
Enlarged Scope Sought.
1T is my opinion" Mr.. Long
continued, that the commission
should not plan to continue in
definitely those activities that the
States can and should perform.
Rather. it seems that we should
taper off on these activities and
take immediate steps to enlarge
the scope of our program through
a revision of the compact that
would authorize the commission
to undertake a program for the
comprehensive development of the
Potomac River basin"
Mr.. Long pointed out that the
problem of river basin develop
ment is at present one of Nation
vide significance. Some, he said,
strongly believe in the formation
of river authorities, while others
believe the problems can best be
handled by the Army engineers.
There are still others who would
leave the matter to a strong Fed
eral agency.
1T seems that we could, under
a compact similar to the present
one but enlarged in scope, under
take the comprehensive develop
ment of the Potomac River
through the interstate compact
method" Mr.. Long said.
It was pointed out that one ef-
feet of a compact revision might
be to remove the ceiling now
placed on member contributions
to the commission. Under the
present compact no signatory
State may contribute more than
$4,000 to the commission. All
member States except Virginia
have indicated they would favor
removing this ceiling.
Fire Protection Need Cited.
Joseph E. Kaylor. director OF
Marylands forests and parks. sug-
gested that the commission inves-
tigate the possible formation OF
State compact setting UP
special forest f1re-protectlon serV-
ice for the basin.
MIR. Kaylor said other States are
Joining forces to protect forests
and suggested formal compact
might prove the best means OF
assuring cooperation between
States in the Potomac area.
Representatives of industries
located on the Potomac and its
tributaries yesterday described
steps now being taken to decrease
wastes flowing into the river.
AS an indication of the result OF
industry's pollution abatement
program, Croswell Henderson OF
the Fish and Wild Life Service
said aquatic life definitely has
improved in the Shenandoah River.
James j. Corbalis, jr., Fairfax
County sanitary engineer. said
a study is being made Of the pos
sible advantages in building one
sewage treatment plant to serve
both Fairfax County and AleXan-
dria.
At one time, Mr.. Corbalis said,
Arlington County also was inter-
ested in the possibility OF a joint
plant, but has withdrawn from the
investigation. He said topography
is against Arlington's participation
in such a plan. since the county
would have to pump its sewage
through Alexandria in order to
reach a plant that would be To-
Gated to best serve Fairfax and
Alexandria.
The commission fall meeting
will end this afternoon with the
election of officers.
Arlington Church Of the Ali