Evening star., 1933-02-05

be secured outside Of the basin. The
States OF North Carolina, South Caro-
lima. Georgia and Alabama are well
supplied with hydropower and the pos
sibilitieS OF market there are not good.
In Arkansas, Ohio Indiana, Illinois,
Missouri. Louisiana, Mississippi, Ken
lucky and Tennessee the total power
output. within $50 miles of the Tennes-
see River. was about 100000, 600 kilo.
watt hours. It is estimated that the
demand for 1910 in this area will be
about $500, 900 900 kilowatt hours. and
Tor 1850 about 25,6O0 900 900 kilowstt
hours. This may be developed from
the Cumberland and Tennessee River
Basins. The total amount of firm DOW.
Ell which may be developed on the main
stream OF these rivers, with suitable
storage development, is about 10, ,000.-
00C 600 kilowatt hours. The district
engineer estimates that the output of
these developments may be absorbed
BY 1910 and that this power can be
delivered to these areas at D cost which
Is less than the cost Of their existing
steam plants"
Plant . Less Since War,
The Government-owned plant 1t Mus
Gle shoals has been tremendous eco
nomic loss since the World War, at
which time 1t was erected chiefly for
production Of nitrates used in manufac-
ture of explosives. Due to uncertainty
over flnal disposition Of the plant, the
Government was unable to negotiate a
profitable lease Of the properties. The
present contract with the Alabama
Power Co. calls for minimum annual
payment to the Government OF $780,
900, During the past seven years the
Government has received less than
IS 600 600 for power rights at Muscle
Shoals. Engineers declare the plant is
developing only one-fifth of its avail
able power capacity with existing facili-
ties-the other four -fifths being wasted
as water over the dam"
Government operation Of Muscle
Shoals for power production was vigor.
ously opposed by President Hoover In
his veto of the Norris bill in 1891. He
attacked 1t not only on the ground that
the Government should not compete
with private industry, but because he
was advised that Government operation
would be Improbable.
In special report to the Muscle
Shoals Commission, Col M c. Tyler Of
the Army Engineers. also recommended
against Government operation of the
power plant for economic reasons. He
estimated that while savings to con-
sumers would amount to nearly $l8 000.-
600 by l946. the deficit accruing to the
Government over that period would
amount to nearly SAC, 10000
He concluded: The Governments
power plants at Muscle Shoals and the
proposed Cove Greek development are
not suitably located to serve as the main
generating stations Of an extensive in
dependent power system; the construc-
tion of an independent system would
involve large expenditures Of public
funds: the cost Of transmitting power
in such q system would be high and
the reliability of service at long dis
tances from the generating center would
be poor; the construction of an inde-
pendent system would be an economic
waste. in that 1t would duplicate
transmission facilities now ample to
serve the region; and it may be ex-
pected that the deficit from the
construction and operation of such
q system. which will have to be met by
the Federal Treasury and by the gen.
eral taxpayers, will largely exceed any
savings from lower rates which may ac-
crue to the limited local public served. "
President-elect Roosevelt undoubtedly
Is familiar with these adverse opinions,
but evidently does not intend to allow
them to deter him in his plan for push.
Ing forward what he comedies is an "ex-
pertinent"
The flood Of congratula tory fnessas ses
which he received after his announce
, ment OF the program is an indication
that he will receive wide support for his
Laboratory test" from q depressed hut
| hopeful, people.