Omaha daily bee., 1892-04-24
UTrLfZiNG NIAGARA.

most important undertaking, re-
garded with reference to possible re-
suits, is that of utilizing the water power
of Niagara falls, which company COM
posed of some of the largest capitalists
OF the country is now engaged in. This
project, which had been talked of for
years, there is now every reason to be-
lieve will be carried to successful con-
summation, giving to the region near
the falls Il cheap and unfailing power
for industrial uses which it is believed
will develop there manufacturing CEN
ter unequalled in the world.
The water power furnished by the
Niagara river above the falls is esti-
mated to be equivalent to s, 200, 900 horse
power. Some idea can be obtained of
this enormous power, now going to
waste, when it is stated that the Con-
necticut river ut Holyoke only furnishes
about "a 900 horse power and the river
at Minneapolis only $4,000. The com
pany which proposes to utilize the
waters of Niagara for Industrial pur-
poses has built II tunnel 5000 feet long.
which is capable OF furnishing power
equivalent to l40,O00 horse power, an
amount that vastly exceeds anything
furnished anywhere else in tho world,
The Niagara river never runs dry and
there never is nm approcinble diminu-
tion in l,s'bodv of water Everywhere
else where water power is used manu-
factories are compelled either to have n
steam plant which can be relied upon in
dry weather or else run tho risk of shut
ting down for lack OF power. That can
never happen on the banks OF the Mag
ara The power from that source will
be unfaiing.
Manufacturers are said TO be taking n
lively interest in the enterprise. The
company owns 1000 acres in tho towr OF
Niagara, the greater part of which has
already been secured by mill owners
The engineers OF the company estimate
that the electric power which can be
developed and furnished will be prac-
tically illimitable, he only problem yet
to be solved being the amount of voltage
which can be carried effectively over
twenty miles of wire. The promoters of
this enterprise anticipate, apparently
with good reason, the most important
results from it, They believe that tho
great manufacturing city of the future
is to be located upon the bank of the
Niagara river, and that the time is not
far distant when the city of Buffalo will
extend from its present site full twenty
miles to the north. when there will be
| city, or IA chain of cities practically ono,
containing l,00O,0 600 of people and per-
haps the largest capital investment in
manufacturing in the United Sta tes,
| with one or two exceptions.
Practical men will see at glance
that there are vast possibilities in the
successful utilization of the water power
of Niagara, and the wonder is that
American ingenuity and enterprise did
not long ago make use Of it. But large
capital was necessary, and hence the
! undertaking, years ago pronounced
feasible by competent engineers, had to
wait until such capitalists rs the Van
derbilts, j. Pierpont Morgan and
others of great wealth became
interested in it. Fifteen million
| dollars has been invested in the enter
| prise and probably nearly as much more
| will be put into It. 1t is expected that
the work will be completed and in ope-
ration by the time the Worlds fair
opens, and il so il will furnish foreign