Evening star., 1921-11-06
Rate BY Mail-Payable in Advance.
MARYLAND and Vireinia.
Potomac Power,

Though It does not Immediately ap.
pear from the report Just submitted TO
President Harding by Secretary Fall
on the possible development Of water
power in the northeastern part Of the
United States. 1t is to be assumed that
consideration has been paid in respect
to the Potomac river to the necessity
Of insuring an adequate water supply
for the capital. This survey, which
was completed last July, sets up tho
greatest scheme ever devised for the
consolidation and distribution Of elec.
trio power throughout the most i'm
portant industrial section Of the coun.
try. It is estimated that by 1880 at
least 6o.o00.0oo tons Of coal can be
saved annually by the use Of this
power. an immense economy Of natu-
raj fuel and an almost incalculably
rich contribution to American indus
try.
The territory covered by this sur
vey extends from the coast approxi.
nately $50 miles inland. embracing
parts of the states Of Maine, New
Hampshire, New York. Pennsylvania,
Delaware and Maryland. and all Of the
states Of Massachusetts,. Rhode Island,
Connecticut and New Jersey. The i'm
portance Of the survey is indicated by
the fact that In this zone is concen.
trated one.fourth OF the population Of
the United States and are operated
31b electric utilities, eighteen railroad
systems and $4,000 industrial plants.
The Potomac is q great potential
power maker. That fact has never
been questioned, and it IL matter Of
deepest regret that its possibilities as
a driver Of wheels and producer Of
wealth should not have been developed
long ago. But in every approach to
the question Of use Of the Potomac for
power purposes there il encountered
the fact that from this river is drawn
all Of the water needed for the daily
sustenance Of the National Capital
community Of now nearly half q mil.
lion people.
There 10 now in process an increase
Of the local water supply system
through the raising Of the dam at
Great Falls and the enlargement Of
ducts and reservoirs. That Will un.
doubtedly proceed without reference
to any possible future power develop
ment. Those who conducted the super
survey Just reported doubtless took
into consideration this situation and
based their computations Of possible
Potomac power upon tho maximum
local need Of water. Study OF the de.
tails Of the survey in respect to the
Potomac is necessary for an under.
standing Of the relation between the
power and the water supply factors,
but It must be assumed that no project
is contemplated which in any degree
limits the water use OF the Potomac
by the people. with reference to the
assured future growth Of the Capital
city.
II the Potomac power can be de.
veloped and an adequate supply Of
water can be assured for the indefinite
future the sooner the day arrives when
the engineering work Of power. r.n.aklng
begins the better. II through the Use
Of impoundins reservoirs in the water.
shed above Great Fails the Potomac
flow can be increased and resalated
Simultaneous production Of power ana
supply Of water for the city may bs
made certain.
Il 10 In any case gratifying that the
possibilities Of this stream are now
considered in q survey that II un.
doubtediy based upon scientinc pfin.
ciples ana aims at the best possible
use Of the white coal" Of the north.
east.