Evening star., 1950-12-24
Potomac Fiqures in River DEVELOPMENT Plan
Might Serve as
National Model
In Brood Program
By jones BirchfieId

4ICIc lS lltulc OOQDG GIldG tllS
great resources now lying locked
in Americas drainage basins will
be developed. For in that direc-
ton lies new frontiers.
How these basins are to be
developed is of major concern to
all who wish to maintain the way
of life that has become distinc-
lively associated with the United
States. These questions are at
once presented:
What part should the Federal
Government play in the scheme
of river development? What shall
be the responsibility Of the States
Lying within a drainage area?
How shall developments be
financed and what standards or
|criteria shall be used in evaluat-
ling the returns from basin de-
velopment?
These questions were largely
answered last week In the first
of a three-volume report to Presi-
dent Truman by his Water Re-
sources Policy Commission - a
report that had been anticipated
with interest by experts in basin
planning and development.
The report Of the commission,
headed by Morris l.. Cooke, a
Philadelphia engineer, set at rest
the fears of some who had ex-
pressed concern lest the COM
mission advocate strongly the
development of the Nations water
resources through the creation of
basin authorities similar to the
Tennessee Valley Authority.
1t has been strongly suggested,
particularly in the Potomac River
Basin area, that the authority
provides an autocratic method of
basin development: that the au-
thority provides the seeds of abso-
lutte rule, with planning and in
centive coming from without,
rather than from within the area
to be developed. The more demo-
cratic method. it has been argued,
is through interstate compacts.
Coordination Suggested
While the Cooke commission
cites the IVA as an example Of
work accomplished in basin de-
velopment, 1t does not advocate
the further creation of basin au-
thorities. The commission was
quick to recognize the Importance
of the States in developing plan
ming. and advocates that they be
given a greater responsibility in
both the planning and financing
Of basin projects.
In advocating that Congress en-
act overall legislation providing
for the orderly development of the
Nations water resources, it has
proceeded on the theory that since
the Government is responsible for
safeguarding Americas natural re-
sources. 1t thus has the RESPONSE
bility OF providing leadership in
developing these resources.
Under such legislation the vari-
Gus departments of Government
now engaged in river and land de-
velopment would be integrated into
something resembling a whole.
Thus, the Army engineers, the
Reclamation Bureau of the Inte-
rior Department and the various
sections Of the Agriculture De-
partment that now deal with river
development would be co-ordi-
mated under a central plan.
Furthermore, commissions would
be established for each of the ma
Jor river basins, consisting of both
Federal and State agencies deal
ing with resources development
and planning.
Thus, under the proposed plan,
the "helter-skelter" method of
basin development would be re-
placed by method that would
assure consideration of all phases
of project planning.
No longer would the Army en-
glneers think only of food con-