Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-03-24
Senator Blasts
D. c. Officials on
Little Falls Dam

Senator Butler. Republican OF
Maryland. last night charged the
District Commissioners and the
Washington Engineer District
with arbitrary" refusal to pro-
vide fol f1shways over the Little
Falls Dam now being built.
The Senator, who has been
carrying the fishways torch for
fishermen and conServationists,
also threatened legal action in
Congress if the engineers fail to
comply with their wishes.
The legislators statement came
only a day after Gov. McKeldin
Iof Maryland, in a letter to Sec
Iretary of the Army Brucker,
warned of possible court action
unless the Army Engineer Corps
OF which the Washington En-
igineer District is a part-orders
the fishways.
Called Desirable
Maryland and Federal conser-
walton authorities have deemed
the proposed passage over the
dam desirable. They contend
that opening the l0-mile area
iof the Potomac River between
Little Falls and Great Falls
would provide additional spawn
ing grounds that would be a
great boon to flshlife. sport and
commercial fishermen.
Senator Butler asserted that
until now he has tried to deal
with the Commissioners and the
Army Engineers on a "dispas-
Isionate and logical basis. He
said he has answered "satisfac-
itorily" all of the objections adj
Ivanced by these two agencies.
Despite the force of these
clear and persuasive arguments"
Ihe stated, they have arbitrarily
refused to carry out the will Of
Congress"
Senator Butler added that
aside from the adverse effect Of
the fiShWay refusal on fishlife
conservation. Mr.. Butler said,
their disdain for State and Fed
teral conservation laws and policy
could seriously jeopardize the
Ifulf1ilment of similar conServa-
ton programs throughout the
Nation"
He added that unless there is
IAN immediate change of heart"
Iby the Commissioners and the
engineers, Il intend to bring this
entire matter to the attention
of the appropriate committees of
Congress.
Il view their stubborn and
arbitrary refusal as clearly be-
yond the pale, and I am conf
dent that the overwhelming
majority of my colleagues will
share this conclusion after they
learn the facts"
On the will of Congress"
issue, the engineers and the
Commissioners argue that they
were authorized" rather than
directed to build the fishways.
They are supported in this by a
ruling by the Controller Cen
eral.
Contends Obligation Exists.
Senator Butler contends, how
ever, that the local authorities
have an obligation to build since
they specifically requested funds
for the construction. Congress
granted the request, although,
in the actual appropriation bill
did not specify the use for fish,
ways.
Local officials further take the
position that it would not be
fair for District water consumers
alone to pay for the fish pas
Isages. The dam is being built to
increase Washington's drinking
water supply, and all such con-
Istruction is paid from water
revenues.
Senator Buffers position on
this score is that since the dam
lis being built for water com
lsun1ers' benefit, the consumers
are obligated to provide facili-
ties that will not interrupt fish
passage upriver. The local in
terests also rely heavily on the
fact that the old dam has effec-
lively blocked fish passage for
more than 100 years.