Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-25
MORE THAN A MILLION
ASKED FOR NAVY YARD
Naval Bill Reported Has Amend
ments to Increase Power and
Efficiency of Plant.

Appropriations totaling $1,72S,000 for
increasing and power and efficiency of
the plant at the Washington navy yard
are contained in the naval appropriation
bill as reported to the Senate.
AS amended by the Senate committee,
the bill increases the appropriation for
the gunshop from 100000 to $1.100. 600.
and contains a new item appropriating
s772, 900 for improving the central power
plant and distributing systems. The
power plant item was added at the earn
est solicitation of the officials Of the
Navy Department as being essential for
the prosecution of its plans for pre-
paredness for possible emergencies.
In the event that provision is made
for improving the power plant at the
ury and Navy will favorably consider a
proposition made by the Westinghouse
Electric Company for expediting the ex-
ecution Of the plans Of the Navy DE
partment.
Transfer of Plant Equipment.
1t involves the immediate transfer to
the latter department of the electric
motors and other apparatus already pro-
cured by the Westinghouse company. I'M
der it's contract with the Treasury De-
partment for installation in the central
plant, designed to supply heat, light and
power for all the executive departments.
The central power plant is located on
he river front, near the foot Of 14th
.rreet. It's construction has been seri-
,usly delayed by physical difficulties in
making a firm and solid foundation.
That was due largely to the contract
requirements for the use of seventy-five-
foot piles which af.erward were found
to be unsuitable by reason OF the nature
Of the soil and subsoil at the site Sc
lected. 1t became necessary to revise
the method Of construction Of the foun-
dalton for the distribution of the weight
of the structure. and the necessary ad-
justments of the specifications are now
under consideration by the engineers
and officials. .,
Work on Central Power Plant.
Other features of the work, however,
have progressed more satisfactorily.
The steam tunnels under the streets
are already half completed. and the
contractors expect to complete these
connections with all the buildings to
be served, and install the piping and
other fixtures, by the first of September
to be even further advanced in con-
struction. Because of the delay, how
ever, in the work on the main building.
it is conceded that the central plant
cannot possibly be ready for operation
for at least another year. notwithstand-
ing the electric motors and dynamos
and other electric apparatus are. on
hand and ready for installation.
1t was on account of this situation
that the proposition was made to utilize
the available electric motors. etc. for
mora immediate use in improving the
power plant at the navy yard in case OF
Congressional authority and for the
Westinghouse company to have dupli-
Gates made for future installation in
the central power plant on the river
front
1t is understood that the Treasury
and Navy departments and the West
inghouse company are agreeable to
such an arrangement and that it will
be carried into effect in case Congress
makes the necessary provision for the
navy yard power plant at the present
session: The Westinghouse company
have given assurances that they would
be able to duplicate the electric appa
ratus by the time the central power
plant building is ready for its installa-
ton.