Evening star., 1958-07-10

the legislators Of the four
States Of the Potomac water
shed.
Last Tuesday, the Senate
Public Works Appropriations
Committee had recommended
no more than 100000. The
COMMITTEES In its report further
hobbled the study. The group
stated its desires" that the
study by the Washington Dis
trict once of the Army Engi-
neering Corps be concentrated
on the Potomac River above
Harpers Ferry. w. Va.
Eliminates Virginia
The committee mandate re-
moves from this years survey
work all portions Of Virginia
lying in the Potomac watershed.
It also knocks out virtually all
study aspects involving that
section of the river basin which
most closely affects the WASH
ingt0n Metropolitan Area.
The Senate followed through
on similar action taken last
month by the House. The
House, however, did not order
any restriction in the use Of
the 100000 appropriation 1t
voted. And some members Of
the Maryland and Virginia
delegations notably Republi-
can Representatives Hyde and
Broyhill ill-staged q brief but un-
successful fight for the $5OO.O00
study fund on the House floor.
The Senate committee order
to conine this years atten-
ton to the watershed above
Harpers Ferry nomentarily
staggered the engineers. While
trying to determine its precise
effect on the so-called com
prehensive" survey, they are
certain that Substantial
changes" must be made in their
study plans.
Interim Report
A spokesman noted that tbs
committee called for an interim
report on the upstream Harpers
Ferry area. Such a report with
its "limited" reach, he stated,
would permit engineering and
economic study Of the economic
study Of possible water storage
structures about the West Vir-
ginian town. and some con-
sideration Of requirements
downstream"
however, ne added, no con-
struction projects can be rec
commended because they could
not be compared with possible
alternatives along sections of
the river not studied"
Reaction among Metropolitan
Washington leaders was one Of
deep concern.
Robert e. Mclaughlin, preh-
dent Of the Board Of District
Commissioners and chairman
of the Washington Metropolis
tan Regional Conference, de-
scribed the 100000 study al
lowance as obviously very
shortsighted."
Pointing to the frequently
expressed concern over the fu-
ture Metropolitan Area water
supply, Mr.. Mclaughlin as
serted, IAN extensive and ex-
peditious study must be made
to provide the necessary water
storage with least possible dam
age to the natural beauty and
normal use of land of the Poto-
mac Valley
Auld Dismayed
David v. Aud, Washington's
director Of sanitary engineer
ing, vice chairman Of the In
terstate Commission on the
Potomac River Basin and the
individual responsible for pro-
viding drinking water to the
largest number OF Washing
ton area consumers, expressed
dismay.
The congressional action, Mr..
Auld said, appears to abort
the kind Of study needed to
produce . complete. we'll
rounded report on all the
water requirements on the
Potomac watershed"
Its inevitable effect Is to
pr0long the uncertainty as to
the best method of assuring
our water supply" To continue
this uncertainty, he added, ''ilI
serves the needs Of all the
Jurisdictions mot only Wash
ington, but Maryland and Vir-
ginia.
Our only hope now Is that
the years Immediately ahead
will see adequate appFopria-
tions to insure completion Of
the Potomac study according to
schedule"
To return somewhere near
to schedule viii require an ap-
preparation close to $500, 900 in
the 1860 fiscal year. 1t il