Evening star., 1950-12-18
By jones BirchfieId

sources on a river baSin-wide scale
was before the President today
In a 445-page volume made pub
lie last night, the Presidents
Water Resources Policy Commis-
sion pointed to the lack OF
coordination between various
agencies now dealing with water
resources development, and urged
the enactment of a single law
which would integrate the activ-
tiles of these agencies as pres
emily organized or as they may be
reorganized in the future.
The book, entitled "a Water
Policy for The American People, u
is the first of the commission
three-volume report to the Presi-
dent. The other books, "Ten
Rivers in Americas Future" a
study of 10 river basins including
the Potomac, and Water Re-
sources Law" which will review
past and present water resources
legislation, will be issued next
month.
The commission is headed by
Morris L. Cooke, Philadelphia
engineer and former Rural Elec-
triflcation Administration ad-
ministrator. Members are Leland
OldS, former chairman of the
Federal Power Commission; Paul
S. Burgess, dean of the agriculture
college, University of Arizona; !;
Lewis Webster Jones, president
Of the University of Arkansas;
Samuel B. Morris. Los Angeles
Water and Power Department;
Roland S. Renne, president of
Montana State College, and Gil
bert F. White, president of Haver-
ford College.
Problems Discussed.
In formulating its report, the
commission said, particular con-
sideration was given the follow
ing:
The extent and character of
Federal Government participation
in major water resources pro-
grams.
An appraisal of the priority of
water resources programs from a
standpoint of economic and social
needs.
Criteria and standards for
evaluating the feasibility of such
projects.
Desirable legislation or changes
in existing legislation.
Asserting that the Nation is
falling far short of reaching po-
tential hydroelectric power and
other river basin goals, the COM
mission recommended that in the
future all water resources be
developed along an orderly,
tntegrated multiple purpose BASIN
wide plan.
1T cannot be too strongly en-
phaSized," the report stated, that
planning for the United States
must mean not rigidity, but in
telligent f1exibility; not dictator
ship and Capitalization, but Coop
erative and shared responsibility.
The American system succeeds
only as it encourages initiative,
enterprise, and a sense of respon-
sibility for the common good"
Council Objects to Report.
That part of the report, how
ever, drew immediate criticism
from the executive committee of
the American Watershed Council.
The committee complained that
the commission recommended far
greater Federal Government con-
troll Of the Nations major river
basins.
The council was one of the Or
CARNATIONS which submitted it's
views on the development Of
Federal water resources policy to
the commission. 1t maintained
that the most critical problem in
forming a sound national land
and water policy is maintenance
of local control. It called for
greater local responsibility and
less governmental paternalism."
Clayton Hoff, executive commit
tee chairman, said he understood
that a large majority of the Or
ganizations and persons who sub
miuted testimony to the commits
sion emphasized the need for
greater local management.
The committee also criticized
the report for failure to reflect
adequately the seriousness of the
national emergency. It declared
that the report adopts business
as usual tone" at time when
people face the greatest tax bur-
den in history to prepare the Ma
ton for any emergency.
The report advocates a greater
participation in planning and
water resources development by
the States. While the Federal
Government is clearly charged
with the responsibility of safe
guarding and developing the Ma
tion's resources, the report points
out, it is only one of the agencies
involved and its specific role is
one of leadership.
U. s Monopoly Opposed.
Where natural monopolies ex-
ist :. ;" the report states, ''it is
in accordance with the American
system that the Government
should itself provide competition
If this is deemed necessary to in
sure it benefits by providing
low-cost and abundant power.
But it is not in accordance
with the American system, nor is
1t any part of the purpose of the
plans for water development pro-
posed in this report, that the Fed
eral Government should itself be-
come a great monopolist."
Discussing the electric power
aspects of river development at a
press conference, Mr.. Cooke said
the commission anticipates that
the major power developments in
L