Evening star., 1953-08-22
Mckay Says Work
On Reclamation and
Power Will Continue
BY III. Asseeie,sd Pres.


SAN FRANCISCO. Aug. 22.-
Interior Secretary Mckay said
yesterday that as long as he
heads the Interior Department it
will actively plan and recommend
construction of reclamation prof.
ects, including power facilities,
whenever economically feasible
and justified"
The Secretary, in a speech at
the Commonwealth Club, dis
cussed the power policy an
nounced by his department this
week. 1t emphasizes the role of
local private and public inter-
ests in power development.
Mr.. Mckay said: I'VE will
also plan single-purpose projects
that are necessary for the econ
omy of any part Of the country
and which cannot be provided
by local, public or private enter
prise"
Sites Colorado Project.
Recommendation Of the Ar
kanSas-Frying Pan project in
Colorado, combination irriga-
ton, domestic water supply and
hydroelectric project, was cited
as an example Of "our active in
terest in sound reclamation and
power projects"
The Secretary also said award
of $7,682, ,991 contract for con-
struction Of the Monticello Dam
in this State shows the depart
ment, will continue to be inter-
ested "in a sound reclamation
program and the power-generat-
ing facilities which are part Of
that program"
He then told Of department
opposition before the Federal
Power Commission under Demo-
cratic administrations to pro-
posals by the Idaho Power Co.
for a development on the Snake
River. by the Virginia Electric
& Power Co. for one on the
Roanoke River in North Caro-
lima and by Pacific Gas &
Electric Co. for one on the Kings
River in California.
He said that in the Idaho
power case the company pro-
posed a three-dam development
between Idaho and Oregon, in
cluding a project at Hells Can
yon, where his predecessors sug-
gested that a Federal project be
built.
Mr.. Mckay said the depart
ment. after the change in mad
ministration. simply withdrew
itself as a protestant before the
FPC."
Submits All Data.
1--WE are continuing to furnish
the FPC with every bit of in
formation at our disposal" he
continued. I'VE are withholding
nothing. We are Simply recog-
niZing the commission IS a le-
gally constituted judge in the
matter.
TOO frequently in the past"
Mr.. Mckay said, "the marketing
of power has been accompaniei
by propagandizing," and he ex-
pressed belief Federal power
should be marketed for the
benefit of all of the people of
the country"
He said power needs are so
great it will require the active
and cooperative efforts of the
Federal, State and local govern
ments and private citizens if the
Nation is to be kept abreast
OF its needs.
Middle Policy on Lines.
The Secretary described the
policy on transmission lines as
being down the middle of the
road" between contentious on
one side that the Government
should build a vast system ex-
tending to miscellaneous load
centers up to several hundred
miles from the point of genera
ton. and on the other that power
should be sold at the point of
generation.
He said the Government will
build the lines necessary to con-
meet its plants and also will pro-
vide primary lines to carry the
power to load centers within
economic transmission distances
unless other public or private
agencies provide them for deliv-
cry of Federal power at reason
able cost.
1--WE will contract to dispose
Of Federal power for the benefit
of the general public and par
ticularly of domestic and rural
consumers" Mr.. Mckay said.
I'm doing so, we will give prefer
ence and priority to public bodies
and co-operatives located within
economic transmission distance
of the generating plant.
"Any power we may. have after
providing for the service of do
meStic and rural customers