Evening star., 1951-09-23

tConIlnueQ from tlrSt Page.)
plans Immediately for possible re-
moval of plants.
On the other hand, Representa-
tive Mitchell. Republican. of
Washington, said he thought Mr..
Wilson's move was "just a trial
balloon" He said it was chal-
lenge to the Northwest to work out
a way to supply defense plants
with power.
He said he felt the Pacific
Northwest could provide the nee
essary power although he said the
shortage is now acute.
Notes Delay in Building.
He blamed it primarily on the
drought, but said a delay in build
ing new facilities was another
cause. He said a squabble between
private utilities and Government
power projects had undoubtedly
contributed to delaying construc-
ton of such facilities, but he said
the Wilson move, in his opinion,
was not related to this touchy con-
troverSy.
Representative Jackson, Demo-
crat, of Washington said he would
talk the situation over with Mr..
Wilson tomorrow, and if neces-
sary appeal to President Truman.
1T would probably be cheaper
and quicker to provide the power
in the Northwest than it would
be to move the aluminium plants
to other sections Of the country"
he said.
Mr.. Wilson's telegram was ad-
dressed to the Aluminium Co. of
America. Reynolds Metals Co.,
Inc, Kaiser Aluminium Co. and
the Harvey Machine Co. Some
have plants already in operation,
others have plants planned, and
Harvey is seeking a Government
loan for a plant at KaliSpell,
Mont.
Text of Telegram.
The telegram to Kaiser, said
to be the same as those to others, /
read: /
An examination of power sup
ply in the Northwest indicates
that as a defense measure, it may
be advisable to relocate aluminium
plants to an area where non-in-
terruptible power can be made
available economically. +
For the purpose of determining
the feasibility of removing a por-
ton of your aluminium capacity
from the Northwest, which cannot
be used because of lack of avail /
able power, would you prepare
without commitment and for pre-
liminary discussion only an esti-
mate on an emergency basis of
approximately the length of time
and cost to remove and set up
two or more, if desirable, of your
Northwest potlineS to the Ohio or
other areas where non-interrupt-
ible power could be made avail
able economically by purchase. or
construction.
DO you consider that the build
ing of standby plant would be
a more economical solution? We
desire to discuss this matter our
selves Tuesday, and therefore
would appreciate your prelimin- |
ary reaction to these programs by
that time"
Atomic Plants Protected. |
The worst drought in 20 years /
has lowered water levels SO sharp
ly that the Defense Electric Power
Administration already has set
up priorities and the possibility
of "brownout" has been men +
toned for the Northwest.
Atomic energy plants, a mag !
nesium plant, and the Pennsyl- !
vania Salt Co. plant in Washing
ton State were specifically pro-
tected from power cuts.
The plants involved in the pos
SlOle dClIOu are i've pIOQuClnS
plants in Oregon and Washington,
and two planned plants in Wash
ington and Montana. They pro-
vide roughly half the country's
aluminium supply.
Mr.. Wilson's action yesterday
came after conferences with Jess
Larson, General Service Admin
istrator, who is responsible for the
aluminium expansion program.
The Government was said to
have taken the initiative" an
informed source said, because alu-
minum production is considered
too crucial to be threatened by a
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