The Washington times., 1924-03-29
POWER PLANS
/. GUT COST
Of FUEL
Engineers Expect to Save
From 20 to so Per Cent Of
the Present Expenses.

the Present Expenses.
This is the eighth of a series OF
articles By George William Lucas,
civiI and hydraulic engineer, s0ho
directed the surrey of the Great
Falls kvdroelsctrit power project.
In this article he tells some inter-
Ostin0 history of abandoned 10orEs
by Government executives despite
orders and appropriations from
Congress for carrying on the aOork.
BY GEORGE WILLIAM LUCAS.
Article No. 8.
In the Tyler plan, as originally
presented for the economical har-
Messing Of the Great Falls Of the
Potomac, provision is made for the
construction Of a steam-electric
power plant to serve as an aux
Hilary for the main waterpower
plant.
Such a plant is designed to be
located on the Maryland side Of
the bondage or lake, formed by the
dam of the lower development at
Chain Bridge, with a siding ex-
tension to be laid from a branch
line of the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad in the vicinity, for de-
livery of fuel and as a general
convenience. This auxiliary would
be a standby to operate when
ever, from any one Of several
causes, necessity should require
in case Of breakdown.
In Case of Breakdown.
This necessity might arise, be-
cause of q breakdown in the main
plants or low water conditions Of
the river following a long drought,
making It impossible for the water
plants to deliver full load demand
or because Of some other unlocked
for condition of rare occurrence
where an unusual demand Of high
value exceeding the capacity Of the
water plants for a short space Of
time might happen.
However unlikely it may be, that
any Of the assigned conditions could
happen, 1t would be a matter Of Sc
curity and assurance to have a re.
serve or auxiliary steam plant to
fall back on.
The plan and proposal for con-
struction Of Great Falls plant,
submitted in the war period, also
contemplated an auxiliary steam
plant, but such was devised for To-
cation in the city. The location
proposed was at the head of the
Washington channel, foot of Four.
teenth street southwest and site
which, from every viewpoint, was
determined as ideal.
The plant, SO proposed, was In
effect the same as that provided
for by the Congress in the act ap-
propriating funds for the construc-
ton Of a central heating, lighting
and power plant to serve some two
dozen office buildings Of the United
States. Operations upon this project
were begun in the latter part of
1915, but the plant structure was
not erected for several reasons, real
or assumed, by those in the Gov.
eminent employ, assigned to the
supervision Of the project.
and electrical distribution lines
from this plant site were construct
ed and so they remain to the pres.
ent day.
The act Of Congress is still In eff.
feet that this operation should be
carried through, and the money fOr
10 Is in the United States Treasury.
The project sleeps under the watch.
ful eye and care of Government PEN
siOnerS. Machinery of the most
costly type, purchased by the Gov
ernment for this enterprise, is rust.
ing away and generally deterOrating
in temporary housings at the plant
site, q sad spectacle to those who
view 1t and who know the real rea.
sons for its not being i'm service
and operation.
The distribution lines for the cleo
trical output from this proposed
plant, of many miles in extent, are
in place and have been SO, these
seven years past. They are being
used by the Potomac Electric Power
Company for delivering current to
many Government buildings. The
cost of installing these cables was
born by the Government, represent
ing many thousands of dollars of
pre.war value, and, in effect, a sum
which the power company saved by
not having to expend on it's own
responsibility.
Assuming the need for an auxil-
larry to the water power develop.
ment of the upper river, the revival
OF the projected central plant, as
provided for by the Congress, would
be a decided stroke in the direction
OF economy. The situation of this
plant and the purpose for which it
was originally brought into ex
iBtence would agreeably and neatly
mt into the greater plan of power
development and economics in the
District OF Columbia. 1t is the pur.
pose OF the authorities, who are pro-
noting the Great Falls project, to
work this plant into the general
scheme to serve as an auxiliary.
Value Of Central Heating.
This central plant. as a substitute
Tor the one provided in the Tyler
plan, would justify it's existence as
something more and of far greater
worth than as a mere standby aux.
Hilary electrical plant. Central heat.
Ing systems for groups of buildings
IN general are recognized as pro-
noting, economies in fuel and labor
costs. Separate heating systems for
individual buildings are of necessity
wasteful
In general, saving Of anywhere
from 90 to 60 per cent in fuel and
labor is effected through central
operation and control. In the case
of the projected plant at the foot
OF Fourteenth street the plans and
thoughts Of the originators Of the
enterprise recognized and proved the