The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-03-09
MARITIME FOR FALLS
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Senator Believes Government
Could Issue Bonds, Erect
Plant, and Save Money.

In the course OF further discussion
OF the Great Falls power project in
the Senate late yesterday, Senator
Overmsn. OF North Carolina, promi-
nent Democratic leader. declared him
self strongly for the proposition.
I'VE could issue bonds and erect
the proposed plant at 4 per cent, and
save money on the power plant we
are erecting today" declared Senator
Ovei man.
power instead OF building the new
central power plant
Senator Norris declared the Potomac
Electric Power Company was back
of the opposition. He gave three rea-
sons why the power OF Great Falls
should not be developed. He said:
There are only three reasons. Mr..
President, why the power possibilities
Of Great Falls should not be DEVELOPED.
The first one of these reasons IL .he
Potomac Electric Power Company. the
second reason Is the Potomac Electric
Power Company. and the third reason
In the Potomac Electric Power Com
pany.
Thinks Senate Fayors Il.
''rhe Senate. in my judgment. when
ever II takes the matter up, is going to
pass favorably on 1t. It is only a
question OF getting the Senate to take
Il up; that Is all. do not believe there
10 any member of the Senate or any
member of the House against It; in
fact. DO not know that anybody is
against II. except perhaps for the rea-
son that they do not want the Govern
mont TO 20 into q development Of that
kind
an .A -.. -.-i. o.o oan.olon-
tiousiy opposed to that; but It seems to
me that the objections against the
Government making this particular Inn
provement are probably Jess than can
be mentioned in connection with such
development anywhere In the United
States, because the Government of the
United States will be the greatest one
patron and user of electricity to be de-
evloped, and the Capital City OF wash
inRton. which Is under the direct con-
troll Of the United States. will be the
other great patron.
A Particular Reason.
I'VE are bound to legislate for the
District. 90 that there Is particular
reason why this Improvement should
be made contiguous to this city. which
does not apply to any other project in
the United States.'
But he predicted that the Great Falls
power would yet be developed. lie Will
urge favorable action on his bill by the
District Committee.
Senator MARITIME declared himself in
favor OF the Great Falls project. He
said:
II am much interested in the project
When I FIRST came to this city hve years
ago. because OF curiosity visited those
falls, as have frequently since done. L
have been wonderfully impressed with
the stupendous power that is running to
waste here at our very door, while we
are paying an extravaganza sum Tor
lighting and heating in the District, ana
when this power might he. utilized FOR
the city of Washington.
''I came In contact with very pFomi-
nent engineer within the past month, a
man largely interested in affairs, man
whose ability and scientific knowledge
are unquestioned In New York ana the
country generally. When i brought this
project TO his attention he said. Yes;
waste Il said, why Is II that II cam
not be harnessed?' He said 1t can be
with the greatest readiness In the
world Then / asked as to the cost. He
said he had made a very considerable
study of this subject, and his statement
was to me-:
For the Peoples Welfare.
why. MARITIME, you do not know at
what q low cost electricity could be
Benerateu at iahs hhe In's' anu 90
close for transmission to the city I
said then, AT how low a cost can that
be DONE? Well said he, from 3 to 61a
mills per kilowatt hour Yet here we
pay, think, 20 cents per kilowatt hour.
II feel that we are very derelict in
our duty II we fail to take this step.
and to take some position in this mat
ter. I regretted very much to see the
amendment for that purpose rejected on
yesterday. and hope that in some way
II may be resuscitated.
at would be for the advantage and
the welfare of the people of our city,
and II would be a step In advance to
the people OF the country to utilize
these great facilities in the public in
terest."
MiSSOurianS to Meet.