The Washington times., 1924-04-12
Watch the Great Falls Fight
From Now On
By BILL PRICE.

you Legislative and political anpu
atlons you should closely follow the outcome Of the House
consideration OF the Norris bill for the hyroeecrC develop
ment Of Great Falls
The bin Of Senator NORRIS directing the Secretary Of
son to proceed with the erection Of and other works
necessary for the development Of roeecric power accord
ing TO the plans OF Major M Tyler unanimously passed the
Just it all sounds mighty good for the people Of
struCtion is finished they viii get electricity at least
cheaper than and electric power for manufacturing pur
poses that VIII be SO cheap as to bring here many manu-
featuring enterprises which then successfully compete with
similar enterprises in any part Of the country
BUT don't jump to the conclusion that this Norris bill is
going to go through the House easily it went through
the Senate and moreover don't jump to the conclusion that
any prospective legislation going to authorize the United
states to both develop and distribute the huge power that may
and be generated at Great Falls
The Norris bill DOES NOT even intimate that when the
War Department has constructed the dams and other works
necessary for hydroelecC development that the department
shall go on with the materially important work Of making the
power and bringing to Washington the Norris bill had
set forth this purpose would not have UNANIMOUSLY
passed the Senate.
You should that the combined electric and power In
treSS OF the United States located in State
y intrenched politically and financially will consent
TO the United States going into the electric light business
Of the District Of Columbia Neither will big business as
whole sanction anything Of this kind.
You would think that the United States Government is
most vtay interested in this project because Of its
property interests here that Congress would readily put
to right ahead build the and works and then put in
the machinery for electricity at the time transmitting
70 the UlsCr1c Tor heatng and lighting its buildings
and for public sale
BUT Just wait watch and join in the fight to get for the
District the best legislation that is possible Il
The House. which Is composed Of hundreds Of men who are
friendly to the light and power interests Of the country may
Cosent to the Norris bill going through IF the understanding
Is that when the Government has spent the many millions Of
dollars necessary the actual Harvesting Of the power to
had and its distribution in the District and elsewhere shall be
done by privately owned company probably the Potomac
Electric Power Company, which has monopoly of the
electric light business in the District which will backed
IN this fight by every electric light company in the United
States. you don't think these companies have immense
influence Congress just wait and Besides the direct in
uence they WELD they viii be Joined by other large interests
which fear that the Government might eventually into other
lines that would conflict with private business and monopoly
Even the Great Falls project completed the basis Of
the Government doing the initial development and then per-
hitting private company to do the rest there should be
roy Enough power be developed at Great Falls
ply towns and cities within many1 miles Of Washington
There be other fly in the joyous ointment
now smearng ourselves in the belief that this
for project is nearing reality The Potomac Electric
Power Company power site at Great Falls
The Government Of course has the right to condemn any
property desires this site happens be necessary in the
proposed War Department Development there the basis for
legal fight In the courts that would for years.
This PEP Co. site bought from Washington Railway
and Electric Company, which the PEP. Co. In its
valuation appeals in the District courts the PEP Co. puts
valuation Of ONE MILLION DOLLARS the property and
wants the people Of Washington to pay returns upon that in
their electric light bills.
What's easier than legal fight to prevent the Government
C0NF1SOAT1NG the properties Of private business?
At any rate you will find something you you
viii follow this Great Falls project legislation from now