The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-02-02

states, electricity rates are excep-
tionally high, and it generally is
reasoned that the consumption Of
power can not be stimulated fur.
Their until some method has been
worked out whereby the rates can
be reduced.
In those states, the abuses of giant
holding companies that have seized
control of the small power distribu-
tiop agencies for stock jobbing pur-
poses have been especially fragrant.
The only state in which the FPC's
power survey staff already is at
work is New Hampshire. That is
due to the personal interest taken
by Governor Winant, who lost no
time in soliciting the aid of FPC.
Governor Winant, aided by a mill
tant state power commission, has
taken steps to make immediate use
of whatever facts are disclosed by
the FPC experts.
Two Possibilities Offered
The New Hampshire state adj
ministration is aggressively intent
upon securing for the citizens and
the industries of the state their low
est possible power rate.
If and when the FPC experts
tackle the power problem in Indi-
ana, it is likely they will direct their
attention to two possibilities.
First will be the possibility of
generating cheap hydroe e ctric
energy on the upper branches Of
the Wabash and White rivers. Ex-
haustive surveys of the power pos
sibilities of the Wabash and White
rivers already have been made by
army engineers in connection with
flood control studies. volumin-
Gus report that, on the whole, takes
a favorable view of the economic
feasibility of extensive hydroelec-
trio development of those two
streams is now in the files of the
chief of engineers.
The topography Of the hills Of
southern Indiana, where the east
fork of the White river rises, was
found by the army engineers to be
particularly we'll suited for con-
struction of large reservoirs that
will be useful both to impound
flood waters and generate water
power.
Steam Plants Suggested
Second will be the possibility Of
constructing central steam gener-
ating plants in the coal belt Of
Indiana In that
region, a large number of once
profitable coal mines either have
been abandoned or now are oper~
ating at only fraction of capacity.
With this cheap coal, it may be
possible for large steam plant to
generate electricity at cost SO low
that it can be transmitted long dis
tances and laid down at the gates
of municipalities at charge less
than the cost of manufacture by
the small local units.
Cities like Evansville, Terre Haute
and Vincennes would offer the
logical markets for power generated
at such a central steam plant, while
might avail itself Of
energy produced at a hydroelectric
plant located On either fork Of the
White River or on the upper reaches
Of the Wabash.
Rates Census Outlined
The public works administration
allotted 100000 to the FPC for three
examine applications
for loans for municipal power plants,
to conduct a survey of the cost Of
electricity, and to con-
duct the national survey of power
resources and markets.
Allowing for the cost of the first
two undertakings and deducting adj
expenses of the latter,
approximately $4,000 is available
for employing engineers to go into
every section of the country and
compile data on power resources and
markets.
1t is possible that an electrical
distribution cost survey might also
be made in some of the cities in
Indiana, but as yet no Indiana COM
munity has requested survey.
With the view of supplementing
the FPC's survey Of power re-
markets and distribution
costs, Civil Works Administrators
Harry L. Hopkins recently has in
luired into the feasibility of CEN
sus of electricity rates over the
country to see how the rates COM
pare with the schedule of rates to
fixed as yardstick by
the Tennessee Valley Authority. Ag-
Itation for a rate census was started
BY Senator George w. Norris (Rep..
Neb.) and Representative John 9.
Rankin Dem. Miss, IVA hackers.