Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-08-14
Delay Canal Parks,
House Unit Urged
Await Survey
ofVoIIeyNeeds,
Groups Ask
ny JOHN W. STEP
star stan writer

Requests TO postpone action
on q bill that would develop the
Gao Canal as q national his
torical park were made today &C
q House Public Lands Subcom-
mittee hearing.
The requests came from
James L. Grail. representing
the American Power Associa-
ton. and Clay L. Cochran.
speaking for the Industrial
Union Department. AFL-CIO.
The position Of both was that
no recommendations for rec
reation or any single Potomac
River Valley project should be
made until @ comprehensive
survey Of all the aspects Of the
watershed can be made.
The Washington Engineer
District Of the Army Engineer
Corps has been conducting such
a study for the last three years.
If Congress provides adequate
annual funds. the survey win be
completed by the target date,
June 80. 1861.
Hearing Recessed
The canal hearing headed by
Representative Pfost, Democrat
Of Nevada, recessed until to-
morrow at 10 am.
Mr.. Grail testified that q
comprehensive, multiple pury
pose plan for full use Of the
Potomac Valleys resources
would provide for recreational
features in proper relation TO
all the requirements of the
watershed. including water sup-
ply, pollution and flood con-
troll and other needs.
This does not mean we are
opposed to establishing the pro-
posed national park" he said.
ut simply means that. weigh
ing all factors, we strongly be-
lieve that only through broad,
multiple-purpose use Of the
rivers resources can the crit
ical water supply and pollution
control needs Of the area be eff
fectively met"
1t is simply q matter, he
added. Of putting first things
first"
Warns on Development
Mr.. Cochran warned that Gre
ating the proposed park at this
time would make difficult IL
not impossible. comprehensive
development of the valley"
The Districts director Of
sanitary engineering. David v.
Aud took q milder view than
the other two witnesses. Mr..
Aud testified he would be
satisfied with a protective
clause such as exists in a COM
panion Senate bill that would
reserve the right to build dams
in the national park area II
water storage is deemed neces.
Sary.
Representative Christopher.
Democrat of Missouri, asked
Mr.. Aud If he favors holding
the pending bill in allegiance
until the engineering survey is
finished. The engineer said he
does not. He explained he
feels the Gao, now badly de-
teriorating, should be restored
now, even though substantial
parts of it may ultimately DO
flooded by an artificial reser-
voir.
10-Year Delay
"Renovations in the park
area" Mr.. Aud testified, would
represent a relatively minor
cost, and a dam may be 10
years away"
Two subcommittee members
: accused the District Of failing
to use imagination" by not
looking farther af1eld than the
!! Potomac for its water supply.
Mr.. Aud countered, however,
that the cost Of going elsewhere
would not only be high but unG
necessary.
The Potomac, he said. 'is the
only source Of water this area
is ever going to have"
Representative Christopher
agreed.
why in the name Of all
that's reasonable should Wash
ington 60 to the Blue Ridge for
water when nature brings 1t
right to our front door,"
In cross-examination yester.
day, Col. George B. Sumner,
Washington District engineer,
admitted the comprehensive
survey is trailing badly behind
schedule because Congress each
year so far has failed to pro-
vide SUFFICIENT funds.
Representative Ullman, Dem,
CORA tot Oregon. expressed in4
dignation. He asserted 1t is
prime responsibility Of both thS
Army Engineers and Legislators
Ito exert every effort to provide
money for the study SO recon.
mendations can be made on
schedule by 1861.