The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1916-11-17
CtIKAMN CREEK STONE MAY Be USED
FOR THE PROPOSED GREAT NITRATE PLANT

than two years congress has had under
consideration a law defining and limit
ing the rights OF power companies do
ing an interstate business.
One bill originated in the senate
and another in the house OF representa-
tivss. They are along different lines.
One is intended to materially restrict
the activities of power development,
while the other, it is claimed, is in
tended to stimulate the building oi
electric power plants. Both bills
passed congress in August last and
were sent to conference to reconcile
! the differences and make a bill that
could meet the approval OF both houses,
but the eight hour bill coming up in
the last hours, and both houses anxious
to adjourn so that the members could
get into the political game, the water
power bills were never reported back
to the respective houses from the con-
ference committee. The matter is
expected TO come up again among the
first things when congress again meets
December 4th. That some bill salts
factory to all parties will pass at an
early date is not doubted.
The water power people are only
waiting until some definite action is
taken so they can know just what the
rights OF capital will be under the
federal law. The government has un-
der consideration the building of a
plant at Priest Rapids for the purpose
OF making nitrates and fertilizer under
an act Of congress appropriating S20,-
100000 for such purpose. There is
now under consideration proposition
to build the plant on condition that the
government take 150,G-s0 H. P, or
three-eighths OF the power developed,
that being sufficient for its purpose,
and the balance to be used by private
parties. 1t is quite probable that the
government will join the present own
ers of the ajacent lands and the Mil
waukee railroad company, and build
the Priest Rapids plant. Once con-
gress acts on the water power bill it is
believed by those in close touch with
all parties interested in the develop
ment OF the plant, that the building OF
the great power plant will shortly take
shape. The location oil the rapids is
all the government could desire for
strategic purposes, being located east
of the Cascades, far enough from the
Pacific coast to make it practically i'm
pregnable from an invading foreign
army. 1t would be the best fortified
and naturally protected munitions plant
in the United States, and ideal in every
respect. When not employed in max
ing war munitions it would be free to
make nitrates OF lime for the use OF
the farmers in fertilizing their land.
Nitrates OF lime is the highest priced
and most productive Of good results.
Because of a water rate from the point
OF origin the fertilizer could be de-
livered at Atlantic ports at very low
cost and would not only make the
United States independent Of foreign
fertilizer but actually make it cheaper
than the foreign article.
In the making of fertilizer lime stone
is extensively used and here is where
the Chikamin lime stone deposit
comes into the scheme. The Chick
amin limestone deposit is not only one
of the largest in the country, but ac-
cording to an analysis made by Prot
Roberts, Of the Washington University,
it is the purest in lime, being 9S5
per cent pure. The deposit is prac-
tically inexhaustible. The mountain
is several miles wide and can be
traced for over twenty miles. 1t has
already been passed upon as to quality
and extent. It's use in making fer
tilizer depends wholly upon the build
ing Of the power plant at Priest Rapids.
1t would seem that the power would be
brought here and the limestone con-
verted at this place, But this has not
been fully determined. 1t may prove
impracticable, tho heavy power voltage
I'll