The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-03-28
ENSURE SAFETY OF
BIG SOMERSET
STORAGE DAM
Executive Department Has TAX
en- Definite Action
INTERVIEW WITH GOV. MEAD
Expert Engineers and State officials
viii Inspect Work as Soon as
Weather Permits
INTERVIEW WITH GOV. MEAD

ton OF the DIG Jam uHueI CohStiuS
ton in the DeerGeld Valley near Will
mington in order that its safety may
be assured in advance, a representa-
live of The Banner called upon Gov
John A. Mead in reference to the
matter and was granted the following
interview concerning the same
Stimulated probably by remem-
brance OF some of the great catas-
trophies that have come OF the wash
ing OF great dams, particularly the
instances in Pennsylvania, numerous
requests came to me that something
be done on behalf OF the state tow
ard making sure that the Deerheld
dam contains no possibilities OF
doubt as to its engineering character
or its strength in construction. In
such matter the governor has no
specific powers, but it is appealing TO
me as OF more than ordinary conse-
quence, | undertook to do all that
an extension OF my good Offices could
do. Thus far that effort has met
with very satisfactory results.
My first step was to get IN touch
with some engineer OF frst-class rank
who would look after the states IN
terests and after considerable CORE
spondence | was favorably referred
to Alfred Noble OF New York who
was the chief engineer employed by
the Penn. X. X. Co., in the construc-
ton OF the East River tunnels, also
one OF the consulting engineers IN
the Panama canal commission and
has been president OF the American
Society OF Civil Engineers. was
also referred to James ID. Schuyler oil
Los Angeles, Cal. Also to John X.
Freeman OF Providence, r. !. as one
OF the most prominent men in his
profession. Mr.. Freeman has been
the consulting engineer Tor the Bos
ton water works and also for
the great water works in San Fran
cisco. | was also referred to Mr..
Sterns of Boston who should be
classed with the above.
prom this list l decided to sub
nit the case to Mr.. Noble. Complete
blue prints and an details OF inior-
nation bearing upon the dam were
UlOuUAlg anu Ah0SN NVhANNSA1AS 49,
nished by the legal representatives
OF the company constructing the dam
and this material is now in Mr.. No
bles Office undergoing examination
by his expert force OF assistants. Mr..
Noble is now at Panama Investigate
ing some portions, as he advises OF
the Panama Canal. but will return TO
New York within the next two weeks
AS soon as the season is advanced
far enough to permit, probably with
in four 10 six weeks, Mr. Noble and
assistant engineers will come upon
the Deerheld ground personally To
continue investigation there. 1t Il
my expectation TO meet these engin
GERS at their work OF inspection anc
it is further my purpose to invite q
number OF Vermont men known as
competent observers and also pres;
representatives to be present viii
me. may say that in Mr.. Noble
have the greatest confidence and
hold recommendation in his behal
from the engineering department d
the United States government ane
also OF the state of New York.
Il am informed by the legal repre-
sentative OF the New England Powel
company, the concern building tn,
dam, that the expenditure OF money
in the Deerheld Valley enterpris,
will not be less than $lO,000,O 900. Tn,
men composing the company ~
among the best known financiers o
New England and New York.
am further informed that the Somer
set dam was designed by the SANE
engineer who designed the Gatm
i dam at Panama J. G.. White d Co
/ OF New York are the supervising en-
I gineers and +. Z. Stems and Charles
Main OF Boston are the consulting
engineers Mr.. Stems was one o
those appointed by President Taft I,
inspect the works at Panama and par
ticularly the Gatun dam. lie was al
so as | understand, the engineer whit
designed the great dam at Clinton
Mass, for the Metropolitan Waite
Works
THE New England Power compan,
own the power plant at Vernon
/ hnA1h 10 teAlAAdANA nAolAANlnh III
use of $4,000 tons of coal annually
On the same basis of reckoning tn
Deerfleld Valley project should dis
place the bringing into New Englant
OF not less than 100000 tons of Goa
annually. In view OF these figures
feel that tremendous growth indus
triously will follow this development
In Bennington and Windham countie
/ and even further northward In thi
state. AS result of the Vernon
dam, power rental In that field hai
dropped from $40 per II. p. PEI
month to So, and another result Il
Brattleboro's growth In 1911 of hv,
times its growth in any other year O.
its history.
Il hope the mighty work here con
sidered, duly inspected by state au
thority will stimulate greater devel
opment In all parts of the state, fol
there is almost unlimited horsepower
running to waste that could be uset
for largely increased manufacturing
for the operating OF additional stree
railways, for the further heating ant
lighting OF our homes. am enthus
iastic over the use of our great whit,
coal In our state and In the benefits
which must result from the same"