Evening star., 1951-09-06
tndustryGiiven
Assurance ON
Parkway Plan
Upper Potomac Areo
Will Benefit, Park
OfficiuI Declares
BY jones Birchfield
Stor Stoff Corre.pondent


BEDFORD SPRINGS, Pa. Sept.
GA parkway following the his
toric Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
between Washington and Cum
berland, Md, would in no way
interfere with future or present
industrial development OF the up
per Potomac River area.
This assurance was given here
today by Harry T. Thompson. as
sociate superintendent of the Ma
tional Capital Parks, during
panel discussion of the proposed
parkway. The discussion was
sponsored by the Interstate Com
mission on the Potomac River
Basin at its 10th anniversary
meeting.
The commission is interested in
the effect the proposed parkway
may have on water quality in the
Potomac.
Greatest Possible Use.
Mr.. Thompson said the park
way would provide the greatest
possible use of the river by the
greatest number of people. He
said estimates are that it would
increase wildlife. add to the fish,
ing potential and provide vast
recreational facilities.
AS visual aid to making his
point, Mr.. Thompson had with
him exhibits depicting the history
OF the canal. its recreational uses
and naturalist and wildlife studies.
I'VE have pledged assurance,
Mr., Thompson said, that there
will be no effort on our part to
limit the use of the upper river
for industrial uses. We now have
more than 100 use permits in
existence. and the status Of these
will be unchanged by parkway
development"
Opposition to the parkway plan
In Washington County has CEN
tered around charges that the
plan would cut of Maryland from
the Potomac, thus limiting indus
trial development in the area.
Big Gain For Maryland.
Mr.. Thompson pointed out that
in no way could Maryland gain
so much for so little. He said the
total parkway cost has been esti-
mated at SIT million, with Mary
lands share close to 50 million. |
This cost would more than be off, |
set by increased tax revenues
from land that would rise in value
because of the development, he
asserted. /
DR.. William B. Holton, jr., pres
ident of the Izaac Walton League
of America. said his group believes
greater use could be made of the
canal area by providing a number |
OF access roads to points along
the canal. rather than by building
the parkway.
SportSmen have contended the
parkway development would limit
shooting and much of the natural
WllollIe habitat.
Calls Access Roads Better.
1t would be far better, DR.. Hol-
ton contended, to provide means
for the public to enjoy the canal
wilderness than by limiting this
wilderness by putting in a high
way. Access roads would maintain
the area in its natural state he
added.
While disclaiming engineering
knowledge, DR.. Holton said he
doubted whether the parkway
could be constructed as cheaply as
has been estimated. He also said
he believed more damage would
result from high waters than is
believed by park and public roads
officials.
Presiding over the panel was
Representative Beall, Republican,
of Maryland, who sponsored bill
authorizing the parkway survey.
Mr.. Bealr recently introduced an
other bill which would make per-
mits for water use along the river
mandatory in the event the park
way is constructed.
Dinner Meeting Tonight.
Marking its tenth anniversary
at a dinner meeting tonight, Com
mission Chairman Harold A.
Kemp will tell of the groups
achievements and present activi-
ties. Mr.. Kemp is sanitary engi-
neer for the District.
Speaking for Senator O'Conor,
Democrat. Maryland, who was un-
able to attend the conference,
Louis Bohraus, of the Washington
Board of Trades rivers and har-
bors committee, will outline the
history of the commission. He
will emphasize the need for such
an organization in the Potomac
Basin.
The commission was formed 10
years ago as result of confer
ences sponsored by the Board of f.,
Trade.
Commission committees will ,
meet in the morning, and the two
day session will end tomorrow aft
ernoon with a meeting of COM