Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-02-14
The POWER PLANS.
Eieetricisy 60 Entirely suppiant the
oid Time shafang. Cables, Etc. as
Reck Island Arsenai--. Descriptive.

Mr. ID. N. Richardson. editor Of the
Davenport Democrat, was the guest OF
Col. Whittemore for few hoirs at Rock
Island arsenal the other day and he
learned some interesting details Of the
coloners plans for trsnsferringlthe power
In vogue there, a general idea Of which
has already been given In the ARGUS.
Editor Richardson has written the fol-
lowing interesting descriptive account;
A great change In power methods is be-
ing prepared for at the Rock Island ar
senal. During the administration OF Gen.
Rodman aud Col. Flseler the plan. OF
course. WAS water power. In their time
the electric power had not become far
developed and so assured as 10 call for
serious attention in connection with such
vast enterprises. Water was the most
feasible agent and 10 that end large ex>
penditure OF money was made TO develop
for armory purposes-3, 900 horse power,
% which 1000 was 10 be used IL need
should ever come for manufacturing pur-
poses at the government shops. Aside
from the building of the dam and wheels
and the assuring OF an abundant flow into
the pool. the cost Of power transferance
from the power house TO the shops was
figured at about $3.50. 900. This was TO be
sunk 10 construction and placing OF shaft
ing. wire cables, etc. All this seems likes
ly 10 be abandoned for electric power.
The water power will be retained OF
course, but in all probability the shsftiug
and cable transfer plan will be exchanged
for dynsmos and copper wire. During
the short time that Col. Whittemore has
commanded at Rock Island arsenal. he
has been much engaged in bringing about
this change, which will be cheaper IN
FIRST cost by about $50. 900, and much
less expensive In its operation. AS for
instance, to put the shaft and cable sys
TEN In operation so as TO run the north
row OF shops there would he consumed
300 horse power in friction. All this. in
order 10 turn a single machine in any one
OF the north shops-a machine for which
q single horse power would be ample
Hence TO put q single horse power 70
work BOZ horse power must be expended
TO say nothing OF the cost Of lubricants
and skilled supervision. With the dyna
mo and copper wire connected TO an in.
dependent motor attached 10 the machine
the item Of friction would cut no figure
The eleven new turbine wheels will exert
fifty horse power each. The dynamos
are 10 be one hundred horse power
Henee the fall power OF the two wheels
can be exerted at the shops $500 feet
away, less q small loss Of energy, per.
baps ten per cent. So 100 horse power
OF water will give ninety horsepower of
electric force. whereas 800 horse power
Of wafer operating through shaft and ca.
BILE, would not turn r shop machine
would all be lost 10 friction.
This Is one improvement 10 be made
In operating the proposed gun shop. the
maximum power required is figured at
20O-horse. which can be readily achieved
by coupling four wheels 10 200 horse
power dynamo. Thus will the govern.
ment be more economically served and
by the most approved modern methods
And II will make no difference whether
the power is required In the shops, al
the pumping stations. derricks or elevs.
tors-a copper wire and q small motor a.
each machine will turn, pump, elevate
illuminate or drill at any place out door,
or In. upon the island. This Is a triumph
Relative to Col. whittemore's gun fac
tory idea the Democrat says: HE IL
right beyond the shadow of doubt, but
the ordnance department may think 9th.
erwise. On this behalf the tri-cities
business committees are at work Ia
Washington. 1t is an opportunity tina,
lie well worth working for"