Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-03

Eewls b. Stilweil. past president of
Ehe American Institute of Electrical
engineers. and Cass Gilbert, architect
Tor the Woolworth building
]: Again Suggests Expert Advice.
!: Furthermore. Mr. Jennings renews his
proposal. previously made at a Capitol
bearing. that a commission of engi-
neers of international reputation be
called upon for expert advice on this
nnatter. He says he has had CORE
epondence with distinguished members
Of the American Society of Civil Engi-
0eers. American Institute of Electrical
engineers, American Institute of Me-
ehanical Engineers. American Institute
81 Mining Engineers, Association of
consulting Engineers, and the Ameri
pan Institute of Architects, and finds
4hat they are "desirous of freely giving
such service to their country if they
are given cordial official invitation
and accorded due recognition"
:. Mr.. Jennings points out that the fed
eral bureau authorized by law to make
coal Investigations has never been
CALLED upon for an opinion in the plans
sne snd 3Sst Plant on the
smoke authority in the country, who lis
IN the federal service. has not been con-
quilted.
. He challenges some of the statements
4he expected saving to be effected by
Che proposed waterfront plant, and a
abatement that that plant would do
sway with seventeen other smokestcks
which now exist.
= Views of Mr.. Jennings.
{. Mr.. Jennings presents his views in
part as follows:
!: The name central heating, lighting
Snd power plant is misleading and a
3nisnomer IL confined to the present
3lans and appropriations for the Mall
power station, because the various de-
oartments of the federal and District
governments consume more than 300
gumption of the group of fourteen
buildings to be served by the new
power station is only $4,000 tons. or
s1s per cent of the total consumption,
NO adequate reason seems advanced
$Nhy the Capitol and navy yard plants
gould not be economically and advan
Aageously extended SO as to perform the
Functions OF a real central power sta
sSlon and thus do away with a further
mere departmental effort.
& In construction of the CAPITOL and
navy yard plants the government has
expended $2,3O0.000 and certainly some
pr this expenditure should have value
IN case central distribution Of e1ectrir
and heating power be decided upon AT
reither one or both of these points
The modern gospel of efficiency de-
$nands the maximum distribution of
power from the fewest possible points
obviously, labor costs are decreased AZ
The number of plants is reduced and
4he highest-srade machinery is iusti-
able largely in proportion to the mag.
1tude OF the plant When the Mall
ffhere will still be twenty-one Iarpe
tGovernment users of coal not coupled
tpp to it. and these burn 131 900 tons OF
tEOa1 annually -
seumption for both steam and electric
tpower. estimated for the thirty-five
government plants and buildings usino
t700o0 tons of coal year Gas shown ir
seites to be as follows: Capitol. s.25f
fleet: Mall. 300 feet; Navy Yard az
Ifeet-a remarkably close showing. wfict
demonstrates the feasibility and advan.
cages OF power distribution from a cen
The map (printed herewith) on whtc,
Iere drawn three concentric circles /. ool
sfeet apart. graphically shows the serv
zee oDeain "a Tor any distance from
sfarthest points that might be served
such as almshouse, Soldiere' Home. bm
Ireau of standards. etc. but none o
Icontrast this position with Bennine
where is situated the large power pla n
flof the Potomac Electric Power Com
tpany.
Il Ideal for Great Plant.
The navy yard power plant is ideall,
isituated for great electrical DOVE
station. 1t has all the advantages q
I.rail and water communication elaine
flor the Mall plant, and. in addition
tneeds no great architectural expendi
titure to put II in harmony with it's en-
Environment. which comprises workshop,
locomotives. etc.
II The Capitol site IL seen, by calcula
ktions and from the map. to be the mos
kfavored as great central steam dis
stributing center. The Capitol and nav
tsyard stations in connection with ex
Expenditures already made and couple
Together with both steam and electric
sity could act as emergency stations 70
each other in time of fire, war or othe
stress. and be made to do economics
teamwork. Such a plan justihes tn
t.closest and most careful investigation
T. Up to the present time tine contrac
tstor of the Mall plant has expended, i
tsexcavation and preliminary equipmen
on the site. probably not more tina