Current engineering topics: Organization and status of federal power commission

The Federal Power Commission which was created to administer the Water Power Act, which was passed and signed by the President in the closing days of the last Congress, has been organized along the following lines: engineering, accounting, statistical, regulatory, licensing, legal and operation. It is apparent that the engineering division will be the most important because it will make general investigation of the electric power industry, power sites, costs and development. This division will have to report the results of these examinations to Congress preparatory to construction by the U. S.; will prepare plans for the development of streams UDOTI which appli cation for licenses are made; will consider construction plans proposed by licenses; will make physical valuation of property in rate-making proceedings, and when existing plants are brought under the Act it will determine the necessary repairs, maintenance charges, develop operating rules, and determine adequate depreciation reserves. All of this work will come under the immediate charge of Mr. O. C. Merrill, who will act as chief engineer.