The age-herald., 1902-04-18
Potts, the NavalD Defanner of Schley, Made Naval Attache at Berlin.

in the number of bales produced. FIftv years ago Alabama was first in cotton production, with about s0O,OO0 bales. Texas at that time was practically unknown as a cotton state; but now 1t produces more than twice as many bales as Alabama. If is believed that if the vast territory of the State of Texas were properly developed it alone could produce ten million bales. Alabama could produce six times the number of bales 1t now places upon the market.
 Very great interest is being manifested in Alabama and adjoining States in the provision in the appropriation bill. which has passed the House and is now pending in the Senate, for the maintenance of the geological survey. This bill as 1t passed the House provided but a hundred thous- and dollars for that aIl-important work. and limited the borings for subterranean streams, otherwise artesian wells, to the arid regions of the West.
 Dr. Eugene A. Smith of the Alabama University, state geologist of Alabama, was quick to perceive the injustice of this plan as thoughtlessiy and hurriedly adopted by the House. and he wrote to his immediate representative, Congress- man Bankhead, who was unavoidably ab- sent from Washington when the House acted, calling his attention to thes.fact that Alabama is greatly interested in the question of pure water supply, andHn ascertaining the actual commercial value of the power of its streams. Since Dr. Smith wrote. Colonel Bankhead has re- ceived representations from the officers of the geological survey, particularly from the United States expert B. M. Hall. who is stationed in Atlanta. Easing his action upon these scientific representa- tions, Colonel Bankhead Is trying to in- duce the Senate to amend the House bill by striking out the term "arid land re- gions." and substituting $250,0OO for the $1OO. 900 provided for by the hasty action of the House.
 The most important duty of this survey. as far as Alabama and other Southern States are concerned, is the ascertaining of the actual horsepower of the various rivers and creeks susceptible to commer- cial employment Expert Hall informs Colonel Bankhead that upon one occa- sion a New England capitalist agreed to invest $S0O,000 in a plant on the Chatta- hoochee river for the purpose of convey ing electric power into Atlanta; but be- ing unable to secure official government figures as to the actual power of the Chattahoochee as represented in a dam of specified height at that point the capi- talist declined to invest his money. Sub sequently the government survey dem onstrated that same power of the Chat tahoochee, with the result that now an immense sum of money is being expended on a plant on that river within seven or ten miles of Atlanta, for the comm ercial advantage of that city
 This Is but case in point, illustrating the great value of the survey. Expert Hall assures Colonel Bankhead that the water power of Eastern and Northern Alabama, particularly of the Coosa and the Tennessee rivers, Is of inestimable commercial importance But an official government survey and measurements are absolutely necessary to convince cap italists that investments in that direction would be profitable.
 LUCIEN JULIEN WALKER.