The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-08-20
Bill introduced with Presi-
dents Approval Provides
for New Facilities
APPROPRIATION OF
$2OO,OOO,OOO ASKED
Construction at Mines Planned to Save
Misunderstanding Baker Will Ap-
pear at the Hearings, to Be Started
Tomorrow.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20.-A bill in
troduced in the house by Representative
Thetus w. Sims of Tennessee, would
give authority to take over all power
plants in the United States, whether
steam, electrical, or hydraulic and to con
troll them for the period OF the war Rep
resentative Sims said the bill was pre-
pared by experts of the war industries
board, and was endorsed by President
Wilson, Secretary Baker, and heads Of
boards directing conservation and war ac-
tivites.
The bill carries an initial appropriation
OF S2OO,OO0,OOO for acquiring power plants
A large portion of this would be used
to build or acquire power plants at the
mohths of coal mines Refuse coal would
he used for fuel and electric power trans
mitted to factories doing war work.
Representative Sims said that the adj
mimstration was anxious to have the bill
passed speedily. Hearings will be held.
starting ON Wednesday, at which Secre-
tary Baker and the heads of the shipping
board and war industries board will APP
pear.
I'VE are facing power shortage which
~ acute, and has been for a long time, I"
SAID Mr.. SIMS IN formal statement ac-
companying the bill This shortage is
hampering our program of essential war
production and this measure authorizing
the President TO erect superpower sta.
tlons at the coal mines and other places
where he may deem them necessary, or
to extend financial aid TO persons and
corporations about to do so, is designed
to obtain results Of tremendous imme-
date and ultimate value To America.
1t is introduced with the Endorsement
Of the administration, has been most care
fully prepared, has been considered in con
ference with executive officers of the gov
eminent and representatives of the great
power companies, and is indorsed by all
of them.
This bill must not be understood as
IN any sense taking the place of the wa
ter power bill now before the house.
What IL planned is 20 confer upon the
President all necessary power 60 deal with
our urgent power situation promptly and
effectively, and Go place at his disposal
adequate funds with which 10 begin OBJ
eidtionS.
Four pressing military needs for the
enactment of this legislation were defined
by Representative Sims, as follows: In.
creased production Of power available for
war industries in shipyards: economy in
the consumption of fuel; reduction in the
railroad freight load, especially in the
fuel load; increased production of metal
lurgical coke, ammoniaeal- liquor. all re-
covered from coal.
The bill provides that the President
may construct or acquire power plants
and transmission lines. and incidental
property necessary for the production of
material and commodities essential to the
national defense" He is empowered Ell
ther TO take over privately owned power
plants. or 70 advance funds from the APP
preparation 20 assist in their private op-
Grafton. Dhe measure specifies further
That the power to construct or acquire
any power plant. transmission lines or
incidental property shall terminate at the
end OF the war. and that the power to
operate and maintain the plants shall con-
tinue only for such time as the President