The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-02-08
Electric Project For
 Connecticut Proposed
Lower Rates for Waterbury, Permanent State I'm.
 prOvements Outlined in Plan of Congressman
(gpeciaI to tho DeInocratj

Washington, ID. C.s BeDruary = Waterbury'g fight for lower power rates may be more far reaching than 1t appears on the surface of the thing. While most citizens want a reduction at the present time. q plan iB now on foot that will likely not only bring about substantial reduction, but ono that will be of Q permanent nature.
 That plan is embodied in the bill introduced Tuesday by Representa- tive William 4. Citron. Mir Citron in m exclusive interview with the Washington News Service stated that the construction of the dam that Is proposed In the bill would bring about cheap electrical power through the use of high tension transmissIon lines to convey the current generated by the power plants that would be constructed along with the dam.
 The present method of generating power by steam would become ob- soiete due 10 the reduced cost Of manufacture, he said, and also if would no longer be necessary to pump the water back into the dam for use again at the point where that is being done.
 Expensive Process
 = Mir Citron stated that the pump ing of the water back and forth is using part of the current that is now being generated and.that iS adding to the cost of the current the people of Waterbury are using
 Not only would cheaper power rates be available, but in addition he stated many other advantages would be gained. He iikened the project to tho Tennessee Valley Authority that is now planned for the southern states and said the benefits would be very much alike. He stated the bill considers the upbuiiding of central and southern New England and that 1t would have a tremendous effect upon that section of the country on the nat ural resources, scenic beauty and moral qualities of the inhabitantR.
 He stated the bill contemplates a comprehensive project on the Connecticut River and its tributar- les involving four states. This project when accomplished, MT Citron said, would reforest lands along the beautiful river for ap- proximateiy 400 miles and set up most beautiful recrcative grounds for q highly industrializcd section of the country.
 Pure Water Scarce
 "The Connecticut River and its tributaries are polluted today" he said," and are a menace to thou. sands of people in hundreds Of communities. This plan would put m end to this pollution.
 "Dams must be built" he said. "to store tho water to be useG by thbse communities. Pure water is fast becoming scarce as tho pop ulation grows. These dams would also prevent tho distasters that have occurred in tho past.
 "Thcse dams would also be used fov hydro-elcctric purposes which thu United States government world own and would not give away to private interests.
 "The current developed by these dams could Do sold to companies dealing in power or rather still to comm unities or organizations wish ing cheaper electricity.
 Lower Rates Needed
 s'Waterbury and New England needs cheaper electricity for man featuring purposes Too many fac- tories have already moved away and are going 10 move away due to too high power rates. Many are going to Canada due to the cheap eloctrict rates. -.
 "ElectrIcity generated 'by the government could then be used as q yardstick to ascertain reasonable rates by private companies,
 This project means the phyM- cal upbuilding Of New England. tho protection of the health of the mass& of the people and the lm- provcment of the welfare of the business man, the laborcr and the farmer.
 "The plan would stimulate work and put thousands of men back on payrolls who are now depending on relief. It would make ours one of the finest sections to Nyc In. II.
 "Tbousandy of visitors from nll over the country travel here every year and this project would attract many more with the natural result that business would benefit Dy It.
 Should Take Initiative :.
 'STbls can be considered one or tho greatest undertakings in tne New England states There is no reason why we should not conc within tho scope of the great un' dertakings that are being accom- plished by the present administra- ton. to,
 "Our great President has deviseo Il coordinated plan for the wh0le United States and 1t is up to the people of New England If they . ae. sire to come within this scientIIlc