The Washington times., 1920-01-29

The Development of Great Falls
and Senator Norris
By BILL PRICE.

The ceverest piece of legislative work in
that by which Senator Norris placed in the water power
development BILL when in the Senate, amendment direct
ing the development of Great Falls at cost OF something
like $250O0000
For years the Nebraska Senator has sought to have
Congress give definite authority for this development for
water and power purposes His efforts were blocked In
many ways which caused widespread suspicion that Dig
interests not idle. Without giving hint OF his plans
he waited until the bill before the Senate, and there
offered the amendment which may bring lasting benefits to
the people of the District The Senate voted strongly for
the amendment which ought to become part of the bill
Now in conference is beyond the point where sinister IN
uences may avail and the only thing which retard the
project if it does become law will be dsagreements over
the plans of engineers.
Senator Norris has long favored the LANGFITT prof.
ec but his amendment does not tie the hands OF the com
mission which will administer the law.
The Langftt project explained to many inqurng Sen
ators who desire to protect beauty the falls provides for
huge dam erected about nine miles this side OF the falls 1t
would immense lake of 5000 nine miles
long, the waters of which would back to the falls but not
detract from their natural beauty. This giant lake would
be covered with boats The double attraction of lake and
falls would make the spot of the most beautiful in the
world.
To the lake may be added other reservoirs that will
insure plenty for the fast diminishing water supply
of the District and add to the that will be developed
From a. to 6OO 5000 gallons of water
pass the falls daily the minimum quantity being dry
seasons summer By 1850 it estimated that Washing
consumption of water will be 129OOOO gallons daily
Colonel Langftts estimate that the development of
horsepower from the falls would be enormous ranging from
minimum of each day for short period OF the
days year, when the development would be high
as 5000 horsepower.
All that would be without utilizing the falls proper
and it all POWER LIGHT WATER for Wash
ngton.
Senator Norris has declared that the development Of
this enormous power will end forever the possibilities of
coal shortage in the National Capital and to the Senate he
said:
"7he cost of electricity to the this city Mill
IN HALF the Government will get It's electricity TO, practically
nothing" He estimated that the cost of electricity ready fo, dbu
mills cents kaowat hour
Engineers have expressed the opinion that this project
will last for hundreds of years. making the original cost of
$25, 10000 of absolute insignifcance
The land for the ninemile lake is to be condemned by
the Government
regrettable feature is that the amendment conflicts
to extent with the ZIHLMAN bi which has passed
the House and about to be presented to the Senate
vdng funds for investigation of the Patuxent river as
source of additional water supply for Washington
Senator LENROOT, to take the joy out of life, ex
presses the view that President Wilson will veto the bill
because Of alleged shortcomings