The Washington times., 1914-12-09
GREAT FALLS AGAIN.

General Kingman, chief of engi-
neers of the army, places the Great
Falls development project on a new
foundation in the report made pub
lie today. The general filatly de-
clares that already the demands of
the District are making a maximum
daily draft on the water system,
greater than is safe with present
storage and pumping facilities. This
is a serious matter. If the maxi
mum need is already greater than is
safe to permit, then the time is here
for attention to the business of ex-
banding the system. 1t cannot be
postponed, because such a work is
not to be accomplished in a day, or
in year.
Accordingly particular attention
will be commanded, in Congress and
out, by General Kingman's recon-
mendation that provision be made
for beginning work on the joint
water supply and power project that
has now been Endorsed by about all
the authorities. He says:
II was shown in the report published
in House Document No. 400, Sixty
second Congress. third session. concern
me- the water supply Of the District of
Columbia and water power at Great
hn vii 10 i, 9. nF
water already exceeds a safe amount
for the present storage and pumping ca
pacltv of the water supply system. II
was also shown that in probably less
sumption will also exceed the safe
amount. In order to provide for DELAYS
IN construction and for Unforeseen con-
tngencieS, the work of increasing the
water supply of the city of Washington
should. therefore, be commenced with
out undue delay.
It is proposed TO apply the above sum
of $4,000 to the requirement of land
and water rights by ordinary methods
Of purchase or by condemnation pro-
ceed:ngs; TO the purchase of materials,
by contract or otherwise, as may be
most economical and advantageous TO
the United States: to the payment of a
pro rata share of the expenses Of the
United States engineer office, and to
the payment Of services IN erecting the
power plant. It will be noted that the
money proposed 10 be expended upon
the power plant proper is to be fur
n:shed entirely by the United States.
and only the part relating to the water
supply project is Appropriated on the
hare-and-share principle. 1t IS be-
Leved that this j. a proper procedure.
inasmuch as the United States is the
largest consumer Of power from the
project and should assume control of
II, as was done with the Washington
AqUedUct
Accordingly, dealing with the ap-
preparation desired for this project,
General Kingnan asks:
For preliminary work on the Great
Falls water power project and for in
creasinc the water supply; also for the
requirement OF land and water rights
therefor. either hy ordinary methodist Of
purchase or by Condemnsti ton proceed
in-S. If in 'hc opinion Of the chief Of
engineers. United States army. such
course is deemed advisable. and for al!
other necessary purposes. 70 be avail
able Immediately and until expended
provided that s.. 90 no OF the said
amount shall be applied to construc-
ton needed for tho increased water
supply. one-half Of which sum Of
= 90 O00 shall be furnished by the
United States and H. appropriated out
Of arv none in the Treasure not 9th
oru-isc appropriated. and nne-ha1f j.
appropriated out % >thn rev"nUcs "f
the District ~ Columbia. and that the
remaining ,2001 ooG shall be applied "a
r,ovrcr construction and Is apnroD-is'"d
ont Of any none. in tho T'-"a s'lTv not
othnrvis" >-.rrO~ rated. s. IN" an
II Great Falls we're at the door of
almost any other American city than
Washington, it would have been i'm
proved long ago. It is a severe re-
Election on the capacity Of Congress
sional administration of the Capital
that it has not been. The city needs
the water; in a few wears must have
it. The city needs the power. Both
water and power can be provided by
a single development. Beyond this,
the physical attractiveness of the
Capitals purlieus would be vastly
enhanced bv the work. There is ev-
cry reason for going ahead, and go
ing ahead now.