Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-21
USING THE POWER
Of the Great Falls for Electric
Lighting Purposes.
AN INQUIRY NOW BEING MADE
Work Being Done by a Board Of
Army Engineers.
THE EX SIVE RIGHT

One of the first matters considered by
Secretary Lamont his return from his
recent tour OF inspection OF the military
posts in the south and west was the Senate
resolution OF inquiry as to the feasibility
OF using the water power Of the Great Falls
Of the Potomac for electric light purposes
in the District Of Columbia This resolu-
ton. which was introduced by Senator
Henderson, is as follows;
Resolved. That the Secretary Of War Be
directed to investigate ana report TO the
Senate the feasibility and advisability of
Using the water power OF the Great Falls Of
the Potomac for the purpose Of lighting by
electricity the public buildings. grounds ana
streets OF the District OF Columbia Said
report shall suggest the method by which
the right 10 use said water can be acquired,
and what steps should be taken, by ieris-
latoa or otherwise. TO acquire said water
power and the land needed adjacent there
to; also general plan OF the electric plant
needed at said falls. and of the wires needed
between said plant and the different parts
or said District. and an estimate Of the
cost; also Whether said power will probably
be sufficient to furnish light to private con-
sumers within said District. and sugges-
tons OF the terms and regulations under
which IL shall be furnished"
More Light Needed.
When he introduced this resolution IN the
Senate Mr.. Henderson said: The commit
tee on rules has had its attention called TO
the condition Of matters connected with this
nunolng and the public grounds surrounding
II The electric plant that is TO give light
TO this building Is VIGOROUSLY ineficient
and has many shortcomings. Skilled cleo
ricians. though. even 80 to the extent OF
saying That II Is q dangerous thing In the
Capitol in its existing condition. Very short
~ the great new building for the Congress
sional Library viii have 70 be lighted The
COMMITTEES has made an exploration. with q
view 10 seeing what IL will cost TO put IN q
proper electric plant 20 light the Capitol the
Malthy annex, the public buildings ana
grounds and library. We find that at least
100000 would have to be expended for that
purpose
I'VE have very near the city OF Washing
ton water power that is almost unexcellsd
as TO force by any In the country, and n 10
somewhat amazing that capitalists and men
of enterprise have not made use OF the
Great Falls of the Potomac for some useful
purposes. Beyond a peradventure that 10
the place TO erect an economical and efec-
tive electric plant. There is undoubtedly
power enough there TO light not only all the
public buildings of the city Of washington
but the streets as well i do not know but
that there is sufficient power, perhaps, at
the Little Falls OF the Potomac as is suc-
gested TO me by the Senator from Connec-
ucut, Mr.. Platt, which are nearer 10 the
city, that might well be used for that pur-
matter i submit a resolution. and ask that
II now be considered by the Senate"
Danger for the Capitol.
The resolution was adopted by the Senate.
AS stated in The Star at the time II was
the outcome OF a careful investigation of
the subject instituted about a year ago by
the committee on rules. Senators Black
make a thorough inquiry into the needs
OF the buildings, and though their work has
been interrupted there they have pursued
il steadily until they have arrived at the
conclusion expressed in the resolution In
troduced by Senator Henderson. They con-
suited a number Of electric experts. who
pointed out TO them that the existing wires
in the Capitol building are surcharged and
overworked and liable to cause trouble at
any time. They consulted also with Gen.
Casey with respect to the lighting cf the
library building and he has co-operated
with them in their investigations.
The resolution is very comprehensive In
range scope, and calls for a great deal OF
information. scientific as well as legal
Secretary Lamont is thoroughly alive TO
the importance OF the question, and has
taken steps TO investigate IL 10 the bottom.
1t has been found necessary to divide the
Investigation into two parts. namely. ques-
lions Of engineering and questions OF law.
While the chief of engineers could prob
ably tell whether the water power was
sufficient for the purpose indicated he
would hardly be able TO tell what legal
steps are necessary 10 secure the right TO
Use It Consequently all that portion OF
the resolution relating to the method by
shall be acquired was referred TO Col Lie
Der, the acting judge advocate general OF
the army, for report
The main question, however. as TO the
utility of the Great Falls OF the Potomac
in the electric illumination OF the District.
and all the collateral questions, were re-
ferred to Gen. Casey, chief OF engineers.
He has delegated the work to a board
sod nf II nj II
G. ID. Knight, officers Of the engineer corps,
specially qualified for the duty. Col. Elliot
is in charge OF the Washington aoueduct.
and Capt knight is Gen. Casey's right
hand man in the department
Effect on the Water Supply.
They will make a thorough personal in
vestigation OF the matter. and Gen. Casey
will undoubtedly accept their report con-
elusive.
An important question for their consider
alton will be the possible effect on the wa
ter supply OF the District OF the diversion
OF a portion OF the water at Great Falls In
the operation OF the proposed electric light
plant, both with regard TO present ana
TO future needs OF the service Gen. Casey
has had considerable TO do with improving
and increasing the water supply system OF
the District, and he is determined that IL
shall not be impaired II he can prevent II.
The Great Falls OF the Potomac are twelve
miles above Georgetown, and are also above
aqueduct. Consequently. any project for
the use OF the water at the falls. either by
the government or by individuals. is neces-
sarily associated with the water service OF
the District. Although the government has
no Jurisdiction over the Potomac river at
that point Il being far above the navigable
limit Of the stream Il is inconcesvable that
IL would permit any use OF the stream that
would interfere with the natural supply OF
water for the seat OF the government re-
CARELESS of the contention OF the owners OF
contiguous territory.
II is said at the War Department that no
danger Of this character is to be apprehend-
ed under existing conditions. notwithstand-
ing the fact that the Maryland legislature
has authorized a private company 10 utilize
the water power OF the falls for the opera
ton of an electric plant.
A Star reporter was Informed by law
cfacer Of the War Department today that
the government can acquire the exclusive
ri.. mt to the water power in question Tor any
purpose whatsoever, either by purchase
with the consent OF the owners or by con-
demnation proceedings al law. ana IN case
n IS determined TO establish an electric light
plant at the Great Falls. IL VIII devolve
upon Congress TO say which OF these meth
DDS shall be followed.