The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-01-18

Public Ownership Committee
Is Meeting to Garry Out
Aim of Conference.

Activities of the committee ap-
pointed by the Public Ownership
League of America to urge pas
sage of the proposed Norris
superpower bill, providing for a
publicly owned national power
system, began today.
Committee Meeting.
The committee is meeting at the
Hamilton Hotel, following the two
day conference which ended yester-
day. Local and national officials of
the league are cooperating in efforts
to crystalline popular sentiment
throughout the country in favor of
public development and operation of
Americas hydro-electric resources.
One Of the foremost features of
the projected measure is the utiliza-
ton of Great Falls, to give the Dis
trict electric light, power and heat
under Federal ownership.
Maj. ]. Franklin Bell, District
Engineer Commissioner, addressed
the conference on the Great Falls
project yesterday, but failed to
make clear his stand on public
ownership and operation of a
power plant at the falls. Major
Bell, in his address, did not COM
NIT himself on public or private
control, although it was generally
accepted by experts and students
Of superpower that Government
operation would reduce by one-half
the cost of electricity to the
average consumer.
Major Bells address consisted of
An outline of the local agitation for
the development of Great Falls,
with the findings of the District
engineers office. He made no
recommendation or pertinent sug-
gestions, but expressed his approval
Of the general project.
The committee in session today
consists Of the Rev. John A. Ryan,
Catholic University, chairman;
James P. Noonan, president of the
International Electrical Workers;
Benjamin c. Marsh, executive sec.
rotary of the Farmers National
Council; Jennie Buell., of the Michi-
gan State Grange; Charles K
Mohler, of Chicago, consulting engi-
neer, and Charles Edward Russell.
IndOrse Power Bill.
The afternoon meeting adopted
the following resolution:
THAT the public superpower con.
ference assembled at Washington,
January 16 and II, 1924, has con-
superpower, entitled, "A Proposed
Federal Act Providing for Ma
tional Superpower System and
fioolI indorcoc IL
Quate measure to meet the imme-
development of our water power
and fuel resources.
Resolved, that this conference
hereby respectfully petition the
Congress of the United States to
enact this bill into law as soon as
possible"
1t was decided to inaugurate a
vigorous nationwide campaign to
carry to the people Of the country
all the facts in the case for public
ownership of the superpower sys-
tenn. This course was decided upon
because of increasing public inter-
est, and because of support from
organized farmers, labor, municipali.
ties and States, particularly Cali
fornia and Arizona
Carl Thompson, national secre-
tary of the league, said today:
Those leading the public super.
power movement are deeply interest
ed in the development Of Great
Falls resources as a part of the
proposed national system.
"It was for this reason that En-
gineer Commissioner Bell was in
vited to speak. He gave much
valuable information, but, being
hitherto acquainted with this par
ticular project only in general
way. am unable to say how. much
of his information was new. He
certainly did not commit himself on
nnhlic nr nrivafa ounarahirn