Evening star., 1962-05-30
West Virginian Hits
Byrd Stand on Dams
Witnesses Rup
South Branch
Reservoir Plan
BY CHARLES d. PIERCE
Star staff Writer

PETERSBURG, w. Va. May
30.-The Grant County School
superintendent warned Senator
Harry F. Byrd, Democrat of
Virginia. last night that what
West Virginia does about reser-
voirs is none of his dam busi-
ness"
Cread Sions asked Represen-
tative Staggers. Democrat of
West Virginia, to convey this
message to Senator Byrd and
added that Mr.. StaggerS had
his permission Ito spell the ad-
jective "a little differently"
The school superintendent's
warning was prompted by
Senator Byrd's recent state
ment that he is opposed to
major dams on the Potomac
between Washington and
Harper'S Ferry. w. Va. The
Virginia Senator added that he
believes all the water needed
could be obtained by building
reservoirs lin the mountains Of
West Virginia"
Mr.. Sions' arks were
made at the second official
public hearing held by the
Corps of Engineers.
Similar Pattern
This hearing followed the
same pattern as the first one
Monday night-no statements
in favor of major dams and
several in opposition.
The opposition last night
centered on a proposed major
reservoir about 3 miles west of
here on the South Branch of
the Potomac. This reservoir
would provide water for Wash
ington and recreation and flood
control benefits for the Peters,
burg area.
Mr.. SionS said that area
residents had voted unanimous
ly at a meeting last week to
oppose construction Of the pro-
posed Petersburg dam.
I'VE don't want something
showed off on us that nobody
else wants." he said.
Mr.. Sions said he had not
iced that construction of a
proposed dam at Seneca, Md,
is being opposed because it
would flood some 30 miles Of
"the man-made Chesapeake g.
Ohio Canal"
He added that II the Peters
burg dam is built miles of
wondrous scenery made by God
would be flooded"
Information Lacking
Mr.. Sions complained that he
had been unable to obtain suf-
ficient information about the
proposed dam at Petersburg.
I'VE don't want to buy a pig
in the poke. particularly when
we might get a mud hole for
the pig to wallow in" Mr.. Sions
commented.
The school superintendent
said the Petersburg area resi-
dents might change their minds
about the proposed dam If they
could get sufficient informa-
ton.
Col. Warren r. Johnson, dis
trict engineer, who presided at
the meeting at the Petersburg
High School attended by 275
persons. answered some ques-
tions for Mr.. Sions and said he
would supply additional in
formation.
Doubts Area Need
The Rev. John Litten, a resi-
dent of The Corner, a small
community that would be
flooded by the Petersburg dam.
said he did not believe his area
needs any more water, but
maybe Washington does"
Mr.. Litten said he had been
forced to move three times In
his life already because the
Government took his property.
II came to the mountains Of
West Virginia because I thought
! would be safe here" Mr.. Lit
ten said. Now 1t looks as If
the onlv place I would be safe
is in Washington. I'm sure
they're not going to flood
Wa ehinqton out"
Mr.. Staggers told the au-
dience he would be guided by
their wishes on whether he
would oppose or support the
recommended Petersburg dam
in his Congressional district.
The third official hearing on
dams for the Potomac River
system will be held tomorrow
night at Chambersburg, Pa.