The New York herald., 1921-05-28
ELECTRIC SYSTEM
PLANNED FOR EAST
Congress VIII BE Asked to
Authorize Gigantic Scheme
for Economy.
COVERS INDUSTRIAL AREA
Undertaking Means Total EX-
penditure Of S300.000.000;
Great Saving Promised.
pee,ai Despatch to rnn New Yonr HraAlp.

Special Despatch to THE New YoRK HERALD
New York Herald Rureau,
Washington, ID. c.. May ~.
Congress will be asked soon to author
ize gigantic system for the generation
and distribution Of electric power for
railroads. factories and other uses in
the vast industrial territory extending
from Boston to Washington. The scheme
is being worked out by the United States
Geological Survey. with the expectation
that it will be completed next month.
Approximately 10000 miles Of rail-
road carrying more than half the
freight and passenger traffic OF this ter
ritory are TO be electrified under the
plan, which contemplates in addition
the supplying OF power for operation Of
industries and public utilities.
William S. Murray Of the United
States Geological Survey Is in charge
of the so-called 'superpower survey
now in progress, having the aid of an
engineering staff with headquarters in
New York city. This staff has been CO.
operating with special committees Of
railroad and business men throughout
the territory. The work has been in
progress more than year, with the re-
suit that Congress will receive It's re-
port some time in June, completely
worked out in every way.
The engineers propose the eIectrifca-
tion of about 10000 miles Of railroad
in the territory. which is about a third
of the total. This trackage is chiefly
on mail lines. and over II will pass, ac-
cording to the figures not less than %
per cent of all freight and passenger
business.
Ii is estimated that the total unit cost
Of electrifcation will be about $4,000 a
mile of main line track, making the
project cost about $500, 000,00 In adj
dition the electrification of yard and
siding mileage would call for an addi-
tional $500. 100000, making the total
$500 900, 600.
About 700 steam locomotives would
be displaced BY the electrifcation, but
these would have a salvage value oil
s22.500 EACH crediting the electrifcation
cost, therefore, with s150.000,000. Upon
this basis the net investment Is figured.
with $4,000. 900 saving in coal and
$50. 900, 900 saving in repair bills, a
total of 100000 900, 1t IS figured the
change from steam to electricity would
mean an annual return OF IA per cent.
on the electrihcation investment.
The engineers say there are 5000 in
dustrial plants in the general territory
which Is included In the superpower
zone Some OF these plants use steam
power. some or them purchase their
power. others generate 1t, The pre-
liminary survey indicates that under the
superpower system a saving of between
{, GOO 900 and 100000 tons of coal would
result annually.
In the anthracite mines OF Pennsyl-
vauia, by means of electrification and
the supply of superpower. the engineers
/ figure that saving of 6,500,0O0 gross
4 tons OF anthra cite will result.
The financing of the system is ex'
| pected to be a consideration for Con-
gress, which will be asked to give cer-
| tain aid In n general way. however, II
will be proposed that the present power
stations and companies be taken into
the system and that they be allowed
TO buy stock in the proposed super
power company. Such stock as Is not
taken In that way will be taken then
by the Government or by individuals
through an offering 10 the public.