The Charles River Dam Commission composed of President Henry S. Pritchett of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Colonel S. M. Mansfield of the United States Engineers and Mr. Richard H. Dana '74 of Cambridge, held its first hearing yesterday morning in the State House. In his opening address Chairman Pritchett said that the Commission wished to hear from everyone who is interested in the project, but that the advocates of the dam will be heard first, the opposition second and the expert civil engineers, who have been engaged, will give a final opinion. He also stated that another session will be held on January 13, after which regular sessions will be held probably on three days a week from 10 to 1, until all the testimony for and against the dam has been obtained.

Representatives from the cities of Cambridge and Newton, from the Metropolitan Park Commission, Associated Board of Trade, Boston Chamber of Commerce and from several private concerns spoke briefly at the hearing. They were united in the belief that the advisability of building the dam should depend first, upon its effect on the general health; second, upon its effect on the harbor and commerce of Boston; third, upon its effect on the park system.

In subsequent hearings Mr. W. S. Youngman '95 and Mr. N. Matthews '75, will represent those in favor of the dam, and Judge Dunbar and Mr. L. S. Dabney will represent the opposition.