The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-09-18
DELEGATES SEE
 SCENIC BEAUTY
 OF COOSA RIVER
Trip To Mitchell Dam Is Feature Of Light Mems
 Convention /

Possibility of the development of the Coosa river into a summer resort, ri valing Asheyille, N. C., was pointed out to delegates to the twelfth annual con- yention of the southeastern division of the National Electric Light association, Wednesday during the inspection tour of Lock 12 and Mitchell dam power plants of the Alabama Power company.
 Formal sessions of the convention were not scheduled Wednesday,, the only feature of the program being the inspection trip. which was designed to impress the visitors with the wonderful scenic beauty and summer home possi- Utilities of the Coosa river between the two hydro-electric plants.
 Thomas Va Martin, president of the Alabama Power company, and other of- ficiaIs explained that the 14-mile valley between the two plants had been trans formed by the Mitchell dam. Before its construction, the river was a small stream, which passkd over series of shoals and rapids. The backwater caused by the dani , covered approxi- mately 1000 acres, it is said, and forms q lake, rivaling the New England noun tain lakes in scenic effects.
 Sports In Abundance.
 Considerable emphasis was placed on the fact that while the land was being cleared for the lake and during the con struetion of the dam, malaria fever Was unknown to the werkmen or farmers living near the riveE
 Fishing, boating, Aunting, swimming are possible and thh wooded hills and mountain present irinumerable sites for simmer homes as well as hotels and swimming and dancing payillions. The Alabama Power company, officials ex- plained, hope to see this development come about, but at the present time was not contemplating any active part in such development.
 More than 175 delegates, who made the trip, left Birmingham on a special train at [ :15 o'clock Wednesday morn ing. After two-hour ride to Clanton, automobiles took the party to Lock 12, where one hour was spent in inspecting the plant, said to be one of the oldest hydro-electrfc plants in Alabama, as well as the first in the state erected under the authority of congress-
 The trip to Mitchell dam was made Tn covered barges and was one of the feature events of the days program. It was while, the boats were passing through the territory that the summer hohne development possibility was first mentioned.
 Luncheon Served.
 Luncheon was served at Mitchell dam, which is the newest hydro-electric plant in the state. The technically trained delegates were taken to all parts of the plant and all the latest develop ments of the industry in use at Mitchell dam were described in detail. After the inspection, the return trip was made by special train, arriving in Birming- ham at 2 o'clock.
 The final sessions of the convention will be held Thursday morning at the Hotel Tutwiler. No general meetings are scheduled, the morning being de- voted to meetings of the public reia- Nons, technical, commercial and ac. &punting sections. At these meetings, addresses or reports are to be given by I'll. Bissell, Stanley Green, R. A. Nit. dheil, Thomas Bragg, w. J. Baldwin, O. G. Thurlow, Ireal A. Winter, A. T. Hutchins and J.. M. Oliver of Birming- ham.