Evening star., 1899-05-31

rv the United States and in part by private
business corporations is a relation UnwiSe
and unsafe for the government and should
- terminated at once. that the other own
t-e can afford to surrender their rights now
ou much better terms for the government
than AFTER they have made their improve
mentS aud that 10 outlay Of money can
contribute moro than this to the future wei
fare of the oSpital of the country.
what the Government should own.
As far back as 1894 Capt. Derby. corps of
engineers. reported that There can be no
doubt that the United States and the Dis
trict Of Columbia should own the rights 10
at least twice the amount of water that is
now taken from the Potomac. say 3O00.OD0
gallons per day; and that If they do not
now own these rights, it would be more
economical L. secure them now than later
In the same year Gen. Thos. l.. Casey,
chief Of engineers. in recommending con-
demuatiOu hin. said ii should be 50 word
ed as 10 ,rab the United States not only
to acquire tiJt, 90 all lands and water rights
at and in the vicinity Of the Great Fails
but also to Use the water so taken to aCtu-
ate machinery located anywhere, in connec-
tiun with the public service of the District
OF Columbia.
Col George H Elliott, Corps of Engi-
nesTs. who charge of the Washing
ton aqueduct for many years, in reporting
favOrdbly upon pending condemnation
bill in lSt4. said he considered the pro-
posed legislation more important than
any other that has been enacted since the
construction ot the aqucduct.
Col. Euiott's Advice.
Col Elliott also said in his report:
Il think it would be wise that the United
Stats acquire now. under the exercise Of
the right OF eminent domain provided for
III tho bill all of the water and water
rights at Great Falls, their owners to be
Il
fair and just manner described in the bill,
If Congress would authorize the taking.
under the operation Of the provisions Of
the bill Of all the water flowing at Great
Falls. there would not only be no limit to
the quantity Of water available for supply
to ths District. but there would doubtless
he an abundance of water remaining for
hydraulic machinery GurbinesD below the
fJAS. sufficient 10 operate a number of cleo
tic generators adequate not only for the
lighting of the Capitol and all the other
public buildings. the lighting Of all of our
streets and possibly the working of
Chinery for the raising of water to the
rapidly Increasing portion of the District
that is above the area that can be sup
Piled IS gravity.
Col. MiIIer's Opinion.
Col Miller. Corps Of Engineers. United
States army. who is now in charge of the
Washington aqueduct, is not at all con-
cernei over the possibility Of the railroad
syndicate installing power plants at the
Great Falls or in other ways utilizing such
riparian rights as the syndicate may pos
sess He says that such prospect need
not force the government into acquiring
all the water rights at the Great Falls. out
of any sense of protection To the water
supply Of Washington. He says the gov
ernment has ali the water it needs or is
likely soon 10 need for the supply of the
city
Col Miller expressing a personal Opin-
Ion. says he is opposed TO the government
construct; lighting or power plants at
the Great Falls 10 compete with private
concerns.
II lhe syndicate desires to put in a power
plant at Great Falls. 1t Will be necessary
10 construct dam below the government
dam Col Miller says his would not in
terfere seriously with the government
property II would only affect the period-
cal cleaning out Of the intake and that
could easily be provided for in another
way A. a matter Of fact. the construction
of another dam would he of benefit to the
government dam, it would strengthen
The latter structure in times of heavy
freshets in the river.