Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-21
CENTRAL POWER PLANT
FOR SUPPLYING HnAT AND LIGHT
TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Government Of1cialsa Considering the
Details-Site in Southwest at West
End OFF HALL.

1t was learned todat that certain officials
OF the government are considering plan
to establish in the vicinity of the west end
of the mall an immense power house from
which heat, light and electric power will be
supplied to all the government buildings in
the northwest and southwest sections of
the city. The plan at this time, 1t ia stated,
has not assumed definite form. but the prop
osition is being discussed among number
OF government officials who seem to be very
much In favor of the project
1t 10 also suggested that, in the event of
the erection of central power house near
the mall, the new municipal building for the
District, to be located on the old power
house site, will ALSO be supplied with heat
ana light and electricity for elevator pur-
poses from the proposed central plant.
AT present each government building has
IT'S own power plant for the supply of heat
ana lght and power. In some cases, it is
stated electricity for the lights in govern
Eaent buildings is supplied by the city cleo
trio lighting company.
IL is pointed out by those who are adj
vocdtihS the Idea OF a central power plant
Tor the government buildings, that such a
project Will be vastly more economical than
the system In vogue at present, that of in
b b,,ua! power plants for each separate
Dulidlng. 1t is also argued that In addition
tc the reduced expense of operating a big
central plant that more satisfactory results
VIII De obtained In other ways.
Economical Features.
For each individual plant In each building
at present number Of men and engineers
are required to superintend the work. With
one immense supply plant, 1t is pointed out,
there Will be but one superintendent OF the
whoIe system, and the number of men nee
essary TO operate the large plant will be
niuch less than the aggregate number
fI :. n under the system now in use.
II ls pei1eved that there would be a con-
siderable saving to the District in case the
government plant is established and the
DistrIct Is supplied with heat, light and
power from the governments plant 1t
would obvlate the necessity of making a
large outlay for boilers, engines and other
machinery for the new municipal building.
DO away with the necessity Of employing
ensiheers 10 operate an individual plant.
and, besides there would be saving of
considerable floor space in the sub-base-
mated.
Proposed Site.
The government authorities have been
discussing the proposition Of building a
power house near Garfield Park, at the foot
or capitol Hill, which will be used to sup
ply neat, light and power for the proposed
new office building for the House of Rep
resentatives. 1t is said that whether the
large plant is built near the west end of
the mail or not, the one proposed near the
Capito! Will be established for the new Of
flee building alone, anG that the erection Of
a central plant will not obviate the neces-
s1ty or separate power house for the
building
The central power house, if established
VIII be located near the railroad in the
southwest section of the city, in order that
fuel shipped here for the running Of the
plant may be conveniently handled. The
proposed location is also considered as
convenient central point to the government
buildings both north and south of the
mall, and in the event of erecting depart
mental buildings south of the avenue east
of 18th street, those buildings can also be
conveniently supplied with heat and power
from the main plant.