Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-01-02
Wants SIS, ZOO, 900 For Great Falls.

Judson c. Welliver in Washington Times.
On the day of Congress converting after
the holiday recess, or very soon thereafter,
Senator George W. Norris, of Nebraska, will
introduce bill to appropriate approx
mately $l5,000,000 to develop the Great
Falls of the Potomac as a power for the
use Of Washington.
Senator Norris not only intends to intro
duce, but to press this measure. He has
devoted good deal of time to the study
of the Great Falls proposition, as outlined
by the Government engineers. He is con-
vinced that it is entirely feasible, and he
has been informed that there will be bitter
opposition on the part Of the public utility
corporations now doing business in the city
The prospect of a fight does not deter
the Nebraskan, however. He declares that
1t is inexcusably bad business for this
magnificent power opportunity to 90 vast
ed any longer.
THE Government owes it to itself, as
well as to Washington, to 90 ahead with
this work" he said. "A large sum will
have to be spent developing further the
water supply of the city. Why should we
not add sufficient to this to bring the power
opportunities to utilization?
Congress passes Hetch Hetchy meas
ure for San Francisco, and gives the closest
attention to the questions of power as well
as water supply. Congress can under
stand in the case of San Francisco that
power is very important bi-product of
the development of an adequate water
supply for a great city. What excuse is
there for us to overlook an exactly similar
but less expensive situation right here at
the door of Washington 1t is reflection
on the administrative intelligence and
capacity of the National Government, with
its vast concerns in Washington, If we do
not give the country an example of eff
Gent use of water power and at the same
time save to the community the money
that would be represented by the substitu-
ton of water for steam power in operating
the enterprises of this city"
AS result of his investigations of the
subject. Senator Norris declared emphat-
ically that there was only one proper de-
velopment of Great Falls This is under
the plan which looks to providing ample
storage of water. so that the excuses of
one season may be held back and used for
development of power in times of low
water.
The big project for which it is now as
sured a determined fight will be made
for Mr.. Norris recognizes that it means a
long campaign, and is prepared to give
his efforts and time to it-invoves these
things:
(a) The construction of high dam in
the Potomac river nearly on the northwest
boundary line Of the District of Columbia
and about one-third of a mile above the
Chain Bridge.
(b) The generation of power by utilizing
the head thus created and the transmission
and distribution of the power.
(c) Increasing the water supply by pump
ing to Dalecarlia reservoir from the pool
formed by the dam.
(d) Enlarging the capacity of delivery
between Dalecarlia reservoir and the filtra-
ton plant at the Mcmillan Park reservoir.
AS outlined by the chief engineers of
the army, after thorough engineering
investigation, the project is described thus:
The elevation of the water surface of
the lake which would be created by the
high dam proposed is lis feet above low
water of the Potomac river Just above
Chain bridge. The total fall at low stages
from the water surface above Great Falls
to the point at which the dam is to be
placed is approximately $50 feet II that
head were concentrated within short dis
lance of Great Falls, the construction of
dam would not be desirable. but as the
fall is distributed over a length of river of
about nine miles the proposed method of
development may well compete with that
of lateral canal in dealing with the large
quantities of water needed for the eco
nomical development of power. The ele-
walton selected for the lake surface is
compromise between the desire to obtain
as high fall as possible and the necessity
Of reducing to a reasonable amount the
overflow damages occasioned by ordinary
flowage or by backwater from floods Even
with that elevation, short stretch of the
Chesapeake & Ohio canal and road of the
electric railway between Washington and
Cabin John bridge will be overlooked,
together with small length of the Balti-
more & Ohio railroad. In the estimates
Of cost provision is made for the necessary
chances in rnilwavs and canals