The Washington herald., 1912-02-09
.MACVEAGH URGES
NEW POWER PLANT
Sends Letters to Speaker
Clark Asking for Large
Appropriation.
SAYS NEED is URGENT

Two letters to the Speaker Of the
House from Secretary OF the Treasury
MaeVeagh, urging respectively an appro-
priation Of $4,000 for enlarging the power
plant OF the Bureau OF Engraving and
Printing and an appropriation OF E.So,-
60 for the erection OF a central power
plant were received yesterday.
The first letter gives the Secretary's
reason for wishing inserted in the sundry
civil bill the $4,000 enlargement appro-
priation. He states that four OF the
seven boilers in use at the bureau are
sixteen years old and are not safe Sfor
operation under a steam pressure OF over
eighty pounds 10 the square inch. These,
he says, should be replaced at once on
the grounds of safety IL for no other
reason. Three of the boilers, II is said,
are In good condition.
Plant Not Large Enough.
1t is stated that the present boiler
plant is not large enough to supply
steam for the old and new buildings,
and is now being operated to its full
capacity TO supply steam for the present
building. On the assumption that power,
heat, and light would be supplied either
from the powerhouse OF the present
building or from the proposed new CEN
trail heat and power plant, the design of
the new building makes no provision for
the installation OF power or heating
Plant. neither is the balance OF the ap-
preparation sufficient for a plant even II
enough space were available. Even II the
new central power plant should be i'm
mediately authorized by Congress. states
Secretary MacVeagh, II would be a long
time before II would be erected, and
the new bureau would be ready long
before that time. The appropriation
asked, IL is said, is the lowest possible
sum that could be used to any advan-
tsge pending the completion OF central
plant.
The estimates incIosed call for Sso.ooO
for removing four old boilers. OF a total
OF 800 horsepower, and the installation OF
two new water-tube boilers with a total
OF 1000 horsepower, together with brick
settings and trimmings: 5000 for new
high pressure steam piping in the power
house. 5000 for tunnel connecting the
rowerhouse and new building; 5000 for
piping in the tunnel, ducts, &c: 5000
for hot-water heater and connections;
S2,ooo for miscellaneous items.
Want New Plant.
The second letter OF Secretary Mac
Veagh recommends favorable considera-
ton of the act 10 authorize the erection
and completion of a power plant to fur
nish power, heat. and light for certain
buildings in the District. and approprtat-
ing therefor $1,S5O.O5O The reasons for
this recommendation, II is stated, are con-
tained in a report dated June 3. 1871,
presented by the committee appointed 10
investigate and report the feasibility and
cost OF the proJsct, ana a supplemental
report dated January 16. 1872.
II is proposed that the central power
plant shall supply heat. light, and power
TO the Bureau OF Engraving and Print
ing, Department OF Agriculture, White
House. State, War. and Navy depart.
ments, and TO the proposed new buildings
for housing the Department of State, the
Department Of Justice and Department.
Of Commerce and Labor II is also urged !
that the new plant can, in case OF ac-
cident supply heat, light. and power to !
the Capitol.
Site Suggested.
In order that site may be obtained !
for the plant, IT is urged that the lease
between the District Commissioners and |
John Miller on wharf property fronting on |
Water street between Thirteen-and-a-
Thirteen-and-a-half streets southwest, |
be terminated, and that other land on |
Water street between Thirteen-and-a- !
half and Fourteenth streets be acquired. |
1t is recommended that $4,000 he ap-
proprlated Immediately for beginning the
work
The report OF the committee recon-
mends that the plans be drawn up under
the direction of the Secretary Of the
Treasury and that the completed building
be under the supervision of that ofriciaL