Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-25
FALLS POWER PLAN
NEED CHALLENGED
BY PEPCO OFFICIALS
Vice President Bowen Tells
Opening Hearing Public
Convenience Is Vital.
PUTS BURDEN OF PROOF
ON PETITIONING FIRM
Representatives of Citizens Groups
Attend Sessions in Interior De-
partment With Interest.

The Potomac Electric Power Co,
which furnishes the electric supply
of Washington. takes the position that
the Potomac River Corporation, which
is seeking a preliminary permit TO
develop the water power of the Po.
tomac, should he required to show
what public convenience would be
served or what necessity exists for the
contemplated project, S. r. Bowen,
vice president of the local company,
declared at the public hearing on the
application at the Interior Depart.
ment this afternoon.
Representatives of a considerable
number of civic organizations were
present in addition TO officials when
the hearing got under way shortly
after l o'clock.
Position of Weller.
In his statement on behalf of the
Potomac Electric Power Co. Mr..
Bowen pointed out that studies
made by that company and expert
advice given TO it do not show that
the development of Great Falls
would benefit the District of CO.
lumbia.
He added. however, the company
would not hesitate to lend an atten-
tive ear if the contrary is demon.
Strated.
Francis r. Weller, chairman of the
water supply committee of the Wash
irgton Board of Trade, presented a
statement, taking the position that
the Federal Power Commission should
determine the relative cost of hydro
electric power as compared with the
current now generated by steam
plants in Washington, Baltimore and
other places. for the reason that If
there is no reduction of cost, the pro-
posed development, which. to large
extent, will destroy the natural beau
~ of the upper Potomac's gorge,
should not be made at this time"
Necessary Water Rights.
I've further believe" said the
statement of Mr., Weller, that the
promoters should show that they
have acquired sufficient of the neces.
sary water rights to put them in a
position, il this preliminary permit is
granted, TO proceed with the surveys
and plans with the assurance that
they will be a BILE to carry out this de-
velopment. 1t has been the policy OF
the Federal Power Commission in the
past to grant preliminary permits only
to such persons or companies having
already acquired the bulk of the nee
essary water rights before the appli.
cation is presented"
Mr.. Bowen also filed statement In
behalf of the Great Falls Power Co.,
which is a subsidiary of the Washing.
ton Railway & Electric Co., in which
he said:
1T is assumed that the purpose of
the hearing is not to hear objections
going to the question of jurisdiction,
nor the right to file and maintain the
application of the Potomac River Cor
poration nor as to the suffieiency,
thereof, nor the power to grant appli-
cant's petition.
The notice excludes all questions
relating to water rights, lands in
volved or damages resulting from
the execution of the proposed prof.
ect particularly as we understand
further that this hearing is not in
tended, nor can it affect the prop.
erty rights of the Great Falls Power
Co.
Rights Held Unaffected.
"At the hearing before the subcom-
trict of Columbia of the House of
Representatives in June, 1924, it was
stated that the Great Falls Power Co.
has been granted the right by the
State of Maryland, confirmed by the
state OF Virginia, to appropriate and
use the waterpower at Great Falls,
and we know of no action that can be
taken as a result of this hearing to
affect the rights of said company in
respect thereto. With these observa-
tions and with reservation of all rights
of the Great Falls Power Co. we will
make a brief statement in respect to
the matter SO far as the position of
the Potomac Electric Power Co. is
Speaking for the Potomac Electric
Power Co., Mr.. Bowen continued:
1T appears to us that the applicant
should be required to state what pub
lie convenience would be served or
what necessity exists for the pro-
posed development; more of the exact
nature of the undertaking should be
disclosed, and a showing that there
will be no duplication of investment.
The applicant further should show
the advantage to accrue to existing
utilities who are now permitted by
law to transmit and distribute elec-
tricity"
Mr.. Bowen then requested to In
corporate as part of his statement
testimony given before Congress in
1924 by William +. Ham, president
Of the company, and by an expert
the affect of which testi-
mony, Mr.. Bowen said, was to show
he efficiency of the Benning Plant,
and that it is cheaper to generate
he power by steam than by water,
aking all things into consideration"
Mr.. Bowen stated that the company
would be interested in any undertaking
~ which il could obtain electricity
heaper than 1t could manufacture ii.
losing his statement, Mr.. Bowen
aid:
THAT unless increased efficiency and
eduction in operating cost would .ac.
rue from the proposed undertaking.
% that electricity might be obtained
~ the local distributing company at
over cost than now. it would appear
hat no direct benefit would come to
he residents of the District of Co.
umbia from the proposed develop.
nent."
Statement of Weller.
The statement of Mr.. Weller of the
soard of Trade read, in part, as fol-
ows:
THE Board of Trade. composed Of
900 of the leading business and pro-
essioual men Of Washington, and
epresenting the business life of the
'apital City, is vitality interested In
my plan for the development Of
power of the Potomac
liver. since Washington and vicinity
) the logical market for the output
this power project.
&,-~. I. n. L.
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