The Washington times., 1915-08-19

varies according to the flow Of the river
from 15.4o0 to $500 horsepower. The
studies made in connection with the in
vcstigation indicate that the present
average daily amount of power which
must be available to safely meet the eX
pected daily demands, is about 8, 900 kilo-
watts G0,72S horsepower). with a maxi
mum or peak requirement occurring be-
tween 3 and o'clock p. m. of II 900 klo-
watts u4.76l horsepower). 1t is estima-
ted that by 1887 the corresponding rfs-
ures will be 1890 kilowatts ca. 200 horse
power and 5000 kilowatts (s4.s66 horse
power).
"On account Of the losses which may
be expected In generation and trans
mission. It Is also estimated that the de-
livery at the switchboards of the con-
sumers Of 2e.0OO kilowatts will require
about 1900 horsepower at the turbine
shafts. In dry years any deficiency in
water power will be met by the opera
ton Of steam auxiliaries already in
place. The steam plant lighting the
Capitol Library Of Congress-. and SEN
ate and House buildings has a capacity
ply all deficiencies of power for long
period.
Great Saving Shown.
THE estimated cost per kilowatt hour
of current delivered from the proposed
power plant. including interest and sink
ing fund charges on the cost of install
lation. is 81 mills. Excluding interest
and sinking fund charges the estimated
cost per kilowatt hour is 81 mills. 1t is
stated In the report that the average
cost to the Government and the Dis
trict of Columbia for all current con-
sumed was 2.0ll cents per kilowatt hour
for 1912 under existing methods OF
supply from both Government and pri-
vately owned steam-driven plants.
He states that he regards the COM
bined water-suppiy and power plant
project which he proposes as beyond
question the most satisfactory solution
for governmental purposes of any sug-
gested; that the expenditure of Sl5.o2l.'
eco, with an estimated total annual cost
of operation and maintenance of s2l5, 600
, will obtain safe and sure water sup
| ply capable Of indefinite expansion as
needed at very small cost. and that Il
will also furnish a power plant which
| from the savings effected. will return
its cost within a reasonable period anC
also provide interest at per cent.
Opportunity for Revenue.
I'm addition. the project will provide
opportunity for revenue from the sal'
| of power under favorable conditions
the water power being created entirely
by the General Government. and tn,
means thereof lying wholly within 1t!
domain. 1t should be noted that thes'
|
estimated at the time OF the completion
/ ot the plant, and that as the consump
ton increases. as 1t undoubtedly will
the corresponding savings will be in
creased.
The costs per kilowatt hour just givei
are sufficient in themselves to indicat
strongly the advisa bility OF the Unite,
states undertaking the work unde
consideration. The report Of Lieuten
ant Balm gives further light on this
He estimates that the saving in 1912 t
the General Government and to the Dis
trict would have been s66G,0O0 If cur
rent had been free Of cost. The abov
calculations show that this current
in fact. a much larger amount of cur
rent-could have been furnished from
the proposed plant for s625. 900. indicat
ing a saving of $97,4lC annually. Thi
capitalized at per cent would repre-
sent $3.50 500 Against this, however
must be placed the cost of local dis
tribution and of changing existin
plants so as to enable them to take tn
Great Falls power. Nc detailed esti
mates of this cost have been made
but II may be safely stated that sue
cost will be only a fraction OF thi
sum-again giving a result favorable
the project"