The Washington times., 1914-05-02
GREAT FALLS ONCE MORE

introduced a bill for appropriation of
SIS, 100000 to develop the Great
Falls, convert its power into electric
current, and utilize that current for
lighting and other purposes in Wash
ington. The measure was introduced
only after careful study of the Great
Falls project had been made by the
photographic Bureau and by army
engineers, and it had been reported
as practicable. 1t seemed pecu-
liarly proper enterprise in all the cir
cumstances. The National Govern
ment is deeply and directly inter-
ested in Washington. 1t spends its
money here, not in occasional con-
structions, but regularly, in the de-
velopment Of its huge governmental
plant and in the maintenance of the
city. Where, then, could the Gov
ernment more properly invest money
in utilizing such natural resource
as that at Great Falls?
The Government spends millions
upon millions on dubious projects of
river and harbor development that
no city, county, or State would un-
dertake on the basis of their mere
merits. Why should the Govern
ment refuse ear to the pleas for this
useful, economical, and practical i'm
provement at Washington.
It would be a magnificent object
lesson to the whole country in the
possibilities of municipal enterprise
and effective conservation of natural
advantages. There is power enough
in the Great Falls section of the
Potomac to provide all or most of
the requirements of this city. Why
not use it?
Despite these facts, known to all
Congress, the Norris bill for con-
struction of works has received no
attention, ard now the Senator has
taken a new step. He has presented
and had printed the text of an
amendment which he will bring for
ward when the river and harbor bill
is in the Senate and endeavor to have
adopted. 1t directs the construction
of the most feasible of the projects
drawn up by the army engineers, and
requires that the work be done under
direction and control of the Secre-
tary Of War. Ample authority is
granted for changing the details and
specification as may be found neces-
sary; but the general purpose Of
getting the big power to working for
the Government and the city is care
fully preserved.
This project is one that from any
point of view ought to be executed,
save only the point of view of the
electrical monopoly that today ex-
torts extremely high prices from the
people of this town. Is it possible
that the influence of the electrical
monopoly is strong enough to defeat
such a measure in Congress? That
monopoly is right now the object of
the insistent attentions of the Public
Utilities Commission. Congress has
directed that the control of the Poto-
mac Electric Power Company shall
be taken away from the Washington
Railway and Electric Company.
There are charges of gross overcapi-
tslization; maintained By excessive
charges. 1t has been pointed out that
the superabundant profits of the
Electric Power Company constitute
the real fund from which the divi-
dends of the Washington Railway
arc paid on its excessive capitaliza-
ton. The one direct and surely ef-
fective way to insure that the pub
lies interest shall be protected is to
develop the Great Falls power and
make the community independent of
the extortions of monopoly. Why
does Congress, whose own record
demonstrates that it understands this
vicious condition of affairs, hesitate
and fail to take the step?
BEING ON THE SPOT.