The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-09-09
WHAT ARE A FEW HUNDRED MIL
LIONS AMONG FRIENDS?

Readers Of this newspaper may have
observed a communication published few
days ago, signed by representative OF
iva. This was written to take issue with
certain statements previously made by The
Times-NewS in regard to iva and the
power policies Of the federal government.
This Times-News editorial was based Oh
III, article, Power and Navigation Do Not
Mix" written by Congressman Joseph }.
Mansfield of Texas, who proclaims himself
supporter of IVA in his capacity as a
representative from Texas in the Congress.
In order that readers may have the whole
story. this newspaper followed Mr.. Henle's
letter with Congressman ManStield's artl-
Gle, and We now say few additional
words for The Times-NewS.
The CongreSsman's article is sufficient
answer, we think, to the letter of the IVA
representative. Both gentlemen talk III
tens and hundreds of milions-the money
Of the tax payers, Of course-and may or
may not know what they are talking about
in all the details, but what are few hun
bred millions among lflehus!
Congress must supply the cash for IVA
TO spend. Perhaps Congress knows little
about what is being done with the money
Of the people, but not much we would sup
pose, in view of what Congressman Mans
field writes about Gilbertsville and other
dam projects If Congress has the complete
story, as the Texas Congressman tells It,
how can such projects be justified?
If the TYAers. know what they are do
ing, little of the information possessed by
the public confirms this suspicion.
We trust, however, our readers will not
overlook the fact that the article OF Con-
gressman Mansfield presents the same tig-
trrs and the same view of dam building
and power development at Gilbertsville,
and elsewhere in that general section, as
that presented by this newspaper.
The IVA representative denies certain
statements made by The Times-NeWs as to
high and low dams. Perhaps this state
ment would have been more accurate II
we had taken more time and space to go
into details showing the difference be-
tween flood and navigation control dams
and power dams. That was the main point
Of the discussion.
1t is not difficult to comprehend that
high dam will impound more water than
4 low dam. The point is that low dams
cost far less money and can be successfully
used for flood control and navigation I'M
der a system designed for those purposes
and not for the generation of power. AS
Congressman Mansfield says, Power and
navigation do not mix" Neither do flood
control and power mix.
"The reservoir behind a flood control
dam should remain empty except IN time
Of flood In what other way can 1t be used
To impound flood waters? If the reservoir
Isl full when the flood comes down the
stream the additional water must pass
over the dam That is what creates flood
on the lower reaches of stream-slmple
failure to have empty flood control reser-
voirs and to hold back the water when the
flood comes.
iOn the other hand, the reservoir OF
power dam must remain full, or approx
mately full, at all times. Otherwise, there
is,not sufficient head of water to operate
the plant.
Perhaps the best example of flood con-
.roi dams in the country is the series OF
earth dams in the Miami Valley i'll Ohio,
constructed under the supervision OF DR..
Arthur E. Morgan This flood control in
the Miami Valley is an unqualified success
"a. g..