Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1935-06-20
HIGH DAM AUTHORI-
ZATION GREAT EVENT
Authorization of High Dam

Authorization of High Dam
Spokane, June ~, Especially
The recent action OF the united
States in authorizing the construc-
ton of the Grand Coulee high dam
to the extent OF the present con-
tract. is considered by the Colmu-
bia BASIN Commission as the great
est event in the entire history OF
the Columbia Basin project. This
action, according to statement
given out here today by the Com
mission, indicates very clearly that
the government intends to COM
plete the construction of the Grand
Coulee high dam and to follow this
up with the reclamation of the Col
umbia Basin lands.
"The change order, signed by
Secretary Ickes, on June g., which
Kier Company to spend the amount
of their contract in the construc-
ton of the Grand Coulee high dam
is heartily approved by the Wash
ington State Grange" said Erwin
E. King, Master of tn estate Grang
and member of the Columbia Bas-
in Commission. Mr. King was here
yesterday in connection with
Grang and Commission affairs.
"The State Grange said Mr..
King, during its recent session at
Everett, passed a resolution strong
ly favoring the construction of the
Grand Coulee high dam. This re-
solution stated that theconstruc-
ton of low dam at the Grand Cou
lee site would make livery diff
cult, if not impossible, to build the
high dam and that the full resour-
ces of the Columbia river should
be utilized by: the construction of
the high dam.
The total amount involved in the
contract held by the Mason-Walsh-
Atkinson-Kier company is $4,000
600. No concrete has as yet been
poured for the low dam. No addi
tional costs are involved in chang
ing from the low to the high dam.
The contractors are directed to con
struct the high dam and power
plant foundations from bedrock up
to various elevations shown in the
plans.-
The low water elevation of the
Columbia at Grand Coulee dam site
is 933 ftet. Certain blocks or por-
tons of the dam will be built to-
elevation 985 feet, although some
of them will be built to $50 feet
Some of the blocks will be built to
only 935 to allow for passage of
water during construction. The
power house foundations will be
carried up to the elevation 949 feet
or to the level of the turbine floors
This plan of construction will al
low for the handling of the water
during construction and will be
best fitted to tie into the upper Sec
tions of the dam when completed.
Engineers estimate that the pres
ent contract will call for approx
mately 100000 cubic yards of
concrete and that this contract will
be finished about June 80. 1887.
At that time further appropriations
will be required for the completion
feet.
"some people have expressed
fear" said James O'Sullivan, Sec
rotary of the Commissiona chat
there may be difficulty in securing
funds for the completion of the
dam. These fears are groundless.
The federal government evidently
has decided to build the high dam
and will do it. Furthermore, it
could not stop after investing $685.
100000 in the dam, without any
power development or reclamation
to pay for it. The revenues from
the sale of power and from the set
tiers on the land are both neces-
sary for the liquidation Of the pro-
ject, and will be adequate for the
purpose.
1--WE would not be in any strong
or position today" Mr.. O'Sullivan
explained further, ''if the entire
$175,0O0,0O0 required for the con-
struction of the high dam and pow
er plant we're appropriated, for the
reason that all appropriations In
excess of what is used during the
fiscal year revert to the general
treasury and must be reappropriat-
. ed"