- 2 - 
(b) It would not require an engineer for its operation. 
(c) It would be of very long life, outliving several motor generator sets. 
(d) It would pay for itself on present estimates in 12 to it years. 
(e) It would flrnish a stable source of current on a 24-hour basis for 
running any electrical scientific equipment. 
(f) It would provide sufficient current to carry peak loads without a drop 
in voltage. 
♦ V 
(g) The present motor generators are about shot and need early replacement - 
3 years maximum. 
Briefly it would provide the answer: to all of our problems which .relate to 
power and light for an indefinite time in the future. ✓ 
I \ 
At the present time about $13,000 is available on government funds for the 
fiscal year 1951. This would take care of the laboratory-storage building, at 
least the main construction, and the parts of the building which might have to 
be postponed could be added later from time to time without causing undue 
difficulty. 
At the present time, it appears that possibly $60,000 might be available 
from Salaries and Expenses Appropriation, Smithsonian Institution, resulting 
from construction items which probably cannot be carried through on account of 
the scarcity of critical materials. The fact that such sum might be available 
does not mean that it could be used for objects other than those for which funds 
were appropriated without obtaining permission from the Budget Bureau and the 
Congressional Subcommittee on Appropriations. Were it possible to obtain this 
permission, we might find other funds available from Salaries and Expenses which, 
added to the approximately $13,000 available in Canal Zone funds, would make the 
cable a possibility this year. Should this occur, I would recommend that the 
building be delayed and the cable put in first, in spite of the fact that certain 
steps have been taken toward providing the laboratory-storage building. Plans 
that were drawn and other items would be just as useful in a subsequent year. 
This does not mean that work toward the laboratory-storage building should be 
relaxed. In this connection it should be stated that the possibility of obtain¬ 
ing from $ 85,000 to $ 90,000 through specific government appropriation under 
present conditions would be well-nigh impossible, certainly for some years in 
the future. The only other possibility would be'to raise private funds and this 
would be a most difficult matter unless some wealthy casual visitor to the 
Island would put up the money. 
Timing in relation to .these two items is an important consideration. 
Undoubtedly, the laboratory building can be put up this fiscal year. There 
remains a very considerable doubt as to whether the availability of funds for 
the cable may be determined in time to make it.possible for us to obligate the 
funds during this fiscal year and Mr. Zetek has been asked to consult with the 
electrical engineering division of Pan Can to find how late we could transfer 
funds to them to insure their obligation in this fiscal year. My understanding 
is that he has approached them on this matter. 
