St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-04-15
VIEWS OF WILLARD.
Continued From First Page.

instrumental in consolidating the Edison
Electric Light company. OF which he was
president, and it was in this connection he
was led to consider the Twin Cities as a field
of profitable exploration. Mr.. Willard pro-
ceeded:
My attention was called to the possibility
that large and cheap power might be OBJ
tanned by
Utilizing the Water Power
between Minneapolis aud st. Paul, so far as
it was not utilized by the milling and other
interests at Minneapolis l concluded to ex.
plOre, to study the question as to the adviSa-
billy of light and power being secured from
the Mississippi This investigation, 1 am
frank to say, did not produce as satisfactory
ing from the statements that had
been made as to the extent of the existing
unemployed water power and as 10 the legal
means of controlling that water power. II
was alleged that the maximum horse power
was 5000. The conclusions reached by
my experts are that hardly more than be-
tween 6,OO0 and 1000 horse power could be
developed. legal difficulty was also dis
covered, in connection with the fact that
three separate companies had certain rights
in the river between the two cities, and the
question Of cost was considerably larger than
originally anticipated Altogether the
scheme was not as encouraging as | was Or
iginally led to expect. but nevertheless
l can say tonight that systematic effort will
be made by me TO create-produce-a liberal,
large supply of cheap power in these cities
in connection with the development of the
electric light and power for manufacturing
purposes. 1t may be known to you that
have controlling interest in this city In the
Edison Light company and i'll the st. Paul
Light company: l secured this in
terest not with view of creating
material view of furnishing the people of
this city the best light of both kinds, and the
cheapest light that is furnished in any city
of the United States situated as it is in re-
gard to the supply of fuel. These enter
prises have made me personally interested to
large extent in the material growth of your
city. 1t is not for me TO say how
large the investment myself and friends
have made in that connection, but
the investment already made will be the
smaller portion of what we intend to invest
in order to carry ont the programme that is
set before us. Loud applause.l / said not
withstanding the fact that we are somewhat
disappointed in our expectations in develop.
ing the cheap power from the rapids of the
Mississippi, we shall go on and produce the
power necessary to promote manufacturing
industry, to furnish cheap electric light,
and to
Furnish Power
for production purposes. We shall carry out
our programme in this respect to the fullest
extent We propose to erect a large central
power station in this city and in Minneapo-
lis, from which electric light shall be fur
ni>hed, as well as the power to such manu-
featuring industries as need it. We shall
and expect to furnish it at much lower rate
than it can be had now to propel steam
plants; and, moreover, we propose to fur
nish my friend. Mr.. Lowry, if he be willing,
cities. Ifeel confident we shall be able to
give you all the power that will be required,
and that the enterprise will add materially
to the development of Minneapolis and ST.
Paul.
Mr.. Willard resumed his seat amid
loud and hearty applause.
There being no set tOasts, various
gentlemen were called upon to speak.
Gov. Merriam referred to the excel
lent work done in the state by the early
settlers. They laid the foundation and
built up great system, of which we
are reaping the fruits to-day. 1t should
he the effort of the younger generation
to see that they thrived and grew and
maintained themselves in the position
belonging to them. He saw even a
greater future for the state. Let them
see they did not miss these golden OPP
portunities. Applause.
Thomas Lowry was most cordially re-
ceived, and hoped that Mr. Willard would
develop the water power scheme. lie
was willing to join heart and hand with
him in order to carry it to success.
[Applausel.
Fred DrIscoll Sr. spoke in behalf of
st. Paul, and President Northrop in be-
halt of Minneapolis.
Archbishop Ireland received call
for a speech. He pleasingly responded.
They should bring out the latent pow
ers and develop the latent sources of
the country, and it was but a few years
when the two cities. then united, would
be unequaled in any part of the great
continent.
L. F. Cakes was the last speaker. He
incidentally remarked that there were
now 5000 miles of main line and 1,5C0
miles of tributary lines on the Northern
Pacific. The tributary lines to be built
would make them equal In mileage that
of the main line.
The proceedings were now at an end.
The Minneapolis guests rushed for their
train, it being after IL o'clock, while
many st. Paul men entered into CONVEX
sation with Mr.. Willard.