The Washington herald., 1912-02-14
ASKS FOR LIBERAL
WATERPOWER RULE
Prominent Engineer Makes Plea for
a Progressive Conservation
Policy by Congress.

Stating that there are more than g.,
10000 horsepower commercially possible
of development through the utilization
Of the water sources Of the country
Tohn H. Finney, Southern manager OF the
Aluminium Company of America, in an
address, last night before the Washington
section OF the American Institute OF
Electrical Engineers, declared that the
unreasonable restrictions named by Con-
sress in the granting OF water-power
franchises are preventing the develop
ment OF a vast source Of wealth and
profit to the State as well as to the in
dividual
Mr.. FiRney said that the limitations
placed by Congress on the few water
power franchises which il grants make
il Improbable to undertake hydro-elec-
tric development The speaker stated
that from the estimates OF experts there
are in the United States 57.5O0.0O0 horse
power commercially possible of develop
ment from. the utilization OF waterfalls.
Approximately 10000 horsepower are
now being deveoped. he said, leaving I'M
developed about 100000 horsepower.
Difficulties Solved.
"HydrO-electric development presents a
vast field Of activity" said Mr. Finney.
1T opens a great door of opportunity
to our future electrical engineers. II rep
reSents an enormous income. All of the
engineering difficulties have been solved,
and nothing stands in the way of the
development of this great field OF indus
try except Congress.
1t is practically impossible for an
electrical company to obtain a reason
able franchise from Congress for the
utilization of water power. Congress
looks at the proposition from a stand
point Of conservation. This is right;
but Congress does not go far enough.
I firmly believe in conservation, but I
DO not believe in a conservation which
permits thousands OF horsepower to go
to waste annually. Conservation with
waste is not wisdom.
The granting of watcr-power fran
chises is in reality conservation. At
present 100000 horsepower is de-
velOped by steam power. This means the
utilization of n vast amount of coal
Now, coal is rapidly disappearing, and
4 its consumption for the operation of
steam engines continues at the present
rate, the day will not be far OF when
the supply will be exhausted. The
utilization of water power would con-
serve this coal for future use for do
mestic purposes.
Congress is ignorant of the true status
Of affairs. 1t needs education. Most of
the franchises granted by Congress are
limited to fifty years, at the expiration
OF which time the property reverts to
-he government. With such unreasonable
-estrictiOns, it is impossible TO procure
persons TO invest in hydro-electric de-
selopment propositions. Because of these
limitations in the United States other
countries ere far ahead of us in the
matter OF water-power development"
On Coal Conservation.
Mr. Finney told Of the work of the
public policy committee OF the Ameri-
Uan Institute OF Electrical Engineers and
its bearing on electrical development.
Col. John A. Laird, of st. Louis, spoke
briefly on the conservation OF coal
through the use of water power. Earl
Wheeler, chairman of the organization,
presided