The record-union., 1895-09-07
MOST NOTABLE EVENT.
VIII Commemorate n Great Scientific
Discovery.

From the Tulare Times1
The Native Sons celebration of the
forty-fifth anniversary of the admission
of California into the Union at Sacra-
! mento, which comes off on the 9th OF
Septem Der, will be an occasion of extra
ordinary interest. It's principal features
will be an electric carnival in celebration
of the successful transmission OF electric
power generated at Folsom, twenty-five
| miles distant. over 400 arc lights, re-
curing the exertion of fully $50 horse
power, will blaze in honor OF the event
This power will be generated at Folsom.
For some weeks the electric car lines of
Sacramento have been ruu by power
supplied by the American River. There
will be many special features. and dis
plays in the electric line to lend interest
and variety TO the occasion.
But the principal thing about it will be
the momentous fact that the transmission
OF electric power for long distances for
actual use has been successfully demon
strated, and that this demonstration was
made in California in advance OF the rest
OF the world. California shares with civ
iliZation this triumph of modern science.
Scientific interest throughout the world
is turned to this State, and the result
achieved at Folsom and Sacramento is a
lesson and an encouragement to expert
meuters everywhere.
The demonstration which will be wit
messed at the Capital on Admission Day
is fraught with the protoundest economic
consequences to California. 1t assures
the utilization at one stroke of the streams
which flow down from the mountains for
the double purpose of irrigation and
power. After turning the dynamos to
supply the cities and towns with light,
heat and power the water can be con-
Quoted over the plains to stimulate the
iecundity of the soil. The use of the
water for one purpose does not sacrifice it
for the other, but on the contrary renders
1t ali the more available. This double
use reduces the cost OF irrigation and
power to minimum. AS a consequence,
the successful outcome OF the transmits
sion enterprise at Folsom will vastly pro-
mote irrigation and enormously enlarge
the production aud productive area of
California. At the same time the deyel-
opment Of abundant and cheap power,
transmissible to all required points, will
operate to increase manufacturing and
the upbuilding of the commonwealth.
Thus agriculture and mechanics will re-
ceive mighty impulse in this State by
reason OF the peculiar conditions existing
here.
It is estimated that a million horse
power can be developed for practical use
by utilizing the various rivers of Calitor-
MIA, / nder the most favorable condi-
tions in this State 1t costs one cent an
hour for each horse power developed
by steam. Estimating the value of the
latent power held in The streams at this
rate the water power of California ap-
piled by electricity is worth $40, ,0O0 al
hour, or 500. 900 for each day of ten work
ing hours. Allowing 800 working days
in the year, this power is worth $50, 900, 900
TO the State annually, with the streams
still left available for irrigation purposes.
And 1t can be applied at a cost that is
trifling when compared with the benefits
to be derived. 1t is estimated that electric
power can be furnished in Sacramento
for less than half the cost of steam power,
and then leave margin for enormous
profits on the Investment.
All other forms of energy are devel
oped at the expense of a drain on the
forces of nature. Coal, wood, peat, oil or
gas have TO be consumed TO generate i'm
pulse. But the ceaseless flow of Caifor-
nia's rivers consume nothing; it exhausts
no vital element of nature the momen-
tum and weight Of the water alone suf-
flee to propel cars, drive mills and fact
ories, light cities aud supply heat for
variety of purposes. With this in view
it is easy to see that electrical transmits
sion opens great future for California.
This State is in a situation to derive
electrical power than any other country.
The great Sierra Nevada range furnishes
an extraordinary diversity and volume
of water power, while the natural con-
tour of the country renders utilization
easier and less expensive than elsewhere.
More than that. the streams never freeze
or fall such are the beneficent climatic
conditions OF this favored land. These
suggestive facts are all pregnant with
promise for California. They unfold
prospect for the future that makes tame
the widest enthusiast.
For these reasons briefly stated the
coming celebration Of Admission Day at
Sacramento will be notable event 1t
will commemorate a great scientific dis
covery rs we'll as signalizs rare triumph
of California skill and enterprise. There
FORE il should excite the pride and inter-
est of every loyal Californian, ana also
of every person imbued with the spirit
OF modern progress.