The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-09-23
British Capitalists Under
Lead of Promoter E.
Ierah Hooley.
100000 TO WORK WITH
SkePticism Expressed Regarding the
Plan by Friends of the Crosby-Lieb
Syndicate-Doubt If Any Valid
Rights Have Been Obtained.

The Philadelphia Ledger" today pub
fishes an article regarding an alleged
plan Of British capitalists to develop
the water power OF the Potomac River
TO furnish electric power for the entire
city of Washington.
The Ledger" says:
y. F Mclaughlin, a promoter Of To
Tonto, Canada. has been in Philadelphia
for more than a week IN the interests OF
q British concern which purposes to in
wade Washington and develop for indus
trial purposes the heavy fall in the Po-
tomac River, possibility which the
shrewd American has overlooked. One
Of the largest power plants in this coua-
try viii be built. according TO Mr.. Nc
LaughIin, and turbine wheels that VIII
furnish electric power for Washington
and other cities viii be installed. It is
said the entire plant will be completed
in about two years.
While American capitalists have been
Selling upon every venture abroad, it
remained for Mr.. Mclaughlin TO recog-
nize the natural facilities about Wash
ington. with the many heavy falls in the
Potomac. Ernest Terah HooIey, the
English promoter, quickly fell in with
The. project. and after eighteen months
labor has perfected the plans for the
proposed plant. which will be operated
by English labor entirely. With him is
associated ] CARING Kelly. OF Brad
foTdsh.re England. who has spent
fortnight in this country in the inter
ests of the project. The American rep
reseDtatfves viii be ] F Mclaughlin
OF Toronto, and General Russell Thayer
OF Philadelphia
River Has Three Falls.
Within the acquired territory there are
three separate falls, the first being only
i've miles distant from Capitol Hill. Al
this fall The first plant viii be erected
Here during course Of one mile there
IS a total fall G sixty feet-suficient- It
is asserted to operate turbine wheels
with the heaviest dynamos- The cener-
al plan viii be followed as is in opera
ton at Niagara Falls. The syndicate has
acquired all the land On both sides Of
The Potomac from tidewater 10 Great
Falls, which embraces sufficient natural
power to supply the entire city OF Wash
ington with light, heat. and motive pow
er without the consumption OF single
pound OF coal.
The plan OF development involves q
capital Of $1,000. 600 and work, il Is sal
is 70 begin within a month More than
LOCO men viii be employed at the be
ginning. II s expected that within two
years $1,000 horsepower will be ready
for use. VILE = still greater amount wifi
be insured L the erection of other
plants. Leading hydraulic engineers Of
Al. erica. who have gone over the plans.
'say hat II IS The greatest power enter
prise Of the East. both in regard 20 the
power at command and the territory. in
this respect having a decided advantage
oyer Sfc plants AZ the Niagara Falls
VIII Extend to Baltimore.
Not content with invading the Capital
Of the United States, the syndicate has
determined TO extend its lines as far as
Baltimore, where the industries OF the
Monumental City viii offer additional
channels for the use Of the power gen
Grated, so many miles away. Lines viii
be ext ended il every direction. and, if
the plans OF the syndicate 1naterialize.
from Washington will radiate perfect
network Of wires, furnishing electric
power 10 thousands OF persons.
The project. said Mr. Mclaughlin.
before he left for his home last aiEht.
rs one which I have had IL mind lot
the last eight months. Several at
tempts we're made 70 get American cap
itaL sts interested. but none seemed TO
take 20 the idea kindly. Il only took
few hours for Mr. Hooleys partner. sir.
Kel y, 10 recognize the feasibility or the
piaE-, especially as contracts are ready
10 be signed 70 furnish the light ard
motive power to the Capital City"
Comment in Washington.
a friend Of the ''Crosby-Lieb" syndi-
cate which has extensive plans for the
development Of Great Falls, made the
statement today that there IS no co1ne,-
ton between Mr.. McLaughlin-s scheme
and theirs He asserted the belief that
the Mclaughlin people VIII not be
serious competitor OF the Crosby-Lieb
syndicate
Mr.. Mclaughlin and his frfeads have
been in the city on several occasions
but the statement IS made that there is
much question as to their having ct
tanned valid rights 10 eny o. the water
powers Of the river