Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-01
TO USE THE POWER
Extent of That at the Great Falls
to Be Investigated.
SENATOR MANDERSON'S RESOLUTION
Inquiry to Be Carried on BY the
War Department.
AN ELECTRIC LIGHT PLANT

1t is quite appropriate that the matter Of
a new electric light plant for the public
buildings Of Washington should be officially
mentioned just at this time with the city
full Of experts on that subject. Senator
Manderson today seized an opportunity to
slip in brief resolution between the wheels
of the Senate. and ground out a bit of the
preparatory legislation that will probably
lead to good results some time In the fu-
ture. Prefacing his resolution. he said:
Lighting the Capitol.
1.-The committee on rules has had its at
tention called to the condition Of matters
connected with this building and the public
grounds surrounding it. The electric plant
that Is to give light to this building is no
toriously inefficient, and has many short
comings. Skilled electricians, though, even
go to the extent Of saying that 1t is a dam
gerous thing In the Capitol in its existing
condition. Very shortly the great new
building for the Congressional Library will
have to be lighted. The committee has
made an exploration, with a view to seeing
what 1t will cost to put in proper electric
plant to light the Capitol the Maltby an
mex. the public buildings and grounds, and
the library. We find that at least 500, 900
would have to be expended for that pur-
pose.
I'VE have very near the city Of Washing
ton a water power that is almost unexcelled
as to force by any in the country, and ii is
somewhat amazing that capitalists and men
Of enterprise have not made use of the
Great Falls Of the Potomac for some useful
purpose. Beyond q peradventure that is
the place to erect an economical and effec-
tive electric plant. There is undoubtedly
power enough there to light not only all
the public buildings of the city of WASH
ington. but the streets as well. 1 do not
know but that there is sufficient power per-
maps, at the little Falls of the Potomac, as
Is suggested to me by the Senator from
Connecticut, Mr.. Platt which are nea-er to
the city. that might well be used for that
purpose With view Of an exploration of
tnis matter l submit a resolution, and ask
that 1t now be considered by the Senate"
To Investigate the Great Falls Power.
resolution introduced, which was passed
without dissent. directs the Secretary Of
War to investigate and report to the Sen
ate the feasibility and advisability of using
the water power Of the Great Falls or other
water power in the neighborhood Of wash
ington for the purpose Of lighting by cleo
tricity the public buildings. grounds and
streets OF the District Of Columbia This
report shall suggest the method by which
the right to use the water can be acquired
and what steps should be taken by legisla-
ton or otherwise to acquire the water power
and the needed land adjoining The Sec
retary IL also to submit a general plan Of
the electric plant needed at the falls and OF
the wires needed between the plant and the
dinerent parts OF the District and an osti.
mate Of the cost. He Is also to furnish an
opinion whether this power will be sufficient
to furnish light to private consumers with
In the District and to suggest the terms
and regulations under which 1t should be so
furnished.
What Induced the Resolution,
This resolution Is the outcome of a care
full investigation Of the subject instituted
about year ago by the committee on
rules. Senators Blackburn and Manderson
were authorized to make thorough inquiry
into the needs Of the buildings. and though
their work has been Interrupted there they
have pursued it steadily until they have
arrived at the conclusion expressed today
by Senator Manderson. They consulted a
number of electric experts. who pointed
out TO them that the existing wires in the
Capitol building are surcharged and over
worked and liable to cause trouble at any
time. They have consulted also with Gen.
Casey with respect to the lighting of the
library building and he has co-operated
with them in their investigations. There
are several papers on file in the Senate
bills, petitions. memorials and resolutions
many of them presented by Mr.. PETER look
ing to an investigation of just this sort
which have been tabled pending the inquiry
Of the committee on rules.