The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-03-21
D.C.POWER PLAN
REALIZATION
IS NEAR
Favorable Attitude Toward
This Project Increases
in Congress.
Continued from First PaEe.)

an undertaking. Government au-
thorities investigated the question,
within certain limits, on numerous
occasions. All efforts made and
plans suggested came to nRught.
An invisible agency was OF work
to defeat any positive action.
1t is true that many Of the plans
offered to effect the desired results
were in themselves naturally i'm
practicable. There were other plans,
however, highly practicable but of
limited scope, and therefore pre-
senting only a partial solution to
the problem of economical power
production. Combination plans
were drawn UP, estimates of costs
made; and, in turn, revised from
time to time.
Unsupported by any concerted
organized movement the several
proposed plans came to naught and
bore no fruit. Discussions without
and essential elements, common to
all hydroelectric projects. Oppo.
nents to the proposed enterprise
loudly acclaimed against the state
ments made by those supporting
the movement.
Through all the various periods
Of agitation and pickering, the
public patiently waited, hopeful
that eventually a positive and d.
rect course to the unknotting of
the difficulties that stood in the
way would be found.
Whatever reasons may have been
advanced for defeating former ef-
forts, whether real or assumed. it is
likely that the present movement
may bear fruit at a comparatively
early date.
Only Government Can Act.
The conditions peculiar to the
Capital City are such that only the
Federal Government can serve as
the agency to make the develop
ment Of the Potomac a reality. The
movement under way toward this
objective is wholly and entirely of
Government sponsoring and sup
port. Now, as never before, the
several Government agencies are
agreed upon q feasible and prac.
ticable plan.
It is through a sort Of evolution
airy course that the present situa-
ton, favorable to the enterprise,
has been brought about. During
former years several of the Federal
agencies were at variance with one
another and agreement for effective
action was impossible. Private in
! terests. representing in public that
their rights were to be seriously in
terfered with, and that it was high.
ly undesirable and unfair for the
Federal Government to engage in
commercial pursuits, found q SYM
pathetic response from powerful
factors in the service Of the Gov.
eminent.
1t was represented that the Gov
eminent would be making an un.
wise expenditure for such an under.
taking as the Great Falls project.
and one which, if made, would be a
source Of continual irritation in
future years to those having to do
with the operation end direction of
the going enterprise.
It was made to appear that the
Government would have to fall back
upon present power sources, the
steam.electric plants in the city of
Washington. since 1t was a fore.
gone conclusion that the hydro.
electric plaEt was not dependable
as a. source Of continuous power.
In brief. 1t was to be inferred that
It was the height Of folly, this Gov.
ernmental venture into a field to
which 1t hac no right, and that It
would only result in dismal failure.
Propaganda Effective.
This class Of propaganda was
quite effective, and its greatest
range was reached in the year
prior to our entry into the world
war, when adverse expressions were
heard coming from several Of the
most influential members of both
the Senate and the House Of Repre-
sentatives, during a period when
bill was introduced into the halls
of Congress for the purpose of ere.
ating' Great Falls enterprise.
Needless to remark the bill was de-
feated.
With our entry into the war the
aspect Of things was very decided
ly changed with respect TO all
natural resources under the control
Of the Federal Government. From
that time on. sentiment gradually
crystallized that conservation should
be the order wherever possible.
The Potomac's value for develop
ment as an economy, in the general
scheme Of things, was recognized
as of the highest Importance, and
the Roadway. gained during the
past three years, has now become
30 great that nothing within reason
able range can prevent the accom-.