The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-03
UTILIZE THE CULM.
~ tho Wilkes-Barre Leader.

From the Wilkes-Barre Leader.
The idea advanced In Scranton that
nests Of small industries grouped IN one
big building where all could be supphea
with power from the same plant would
be profitable. is not new. 1t was long ago
talked of here and discarded. In the irst
place towns like Wilkes-Barre and Scrah-
ton are not pressed for room as are the Dig
cities like New York and Phlladelpnla'
which is the reason for the housing OF uii-
ferent concerns under the same roof.
There is a plenty of cheap land and there
are no lack of transportation facilities
and other conveniences all around US.
Fuel is cheap and, therefore, the cost or
obtaining power Is reduced to minimum.
In view of the marvellous inventions that
have appeared, and which are to multi
ply, in the direction of electric power
there is only one method now that appeals
for recognition. And 1t admits of no de-
NAL.
IL
That method is in the location of GEN.
trail plant for the generation and distripu-
ton of electric power to industries locat-
ed within given radius. The plant should
be built with two miles of open space all
around it. Electric power from a central
supply could easily be transmitted that
strated that electric power can be gener-
ated from coal culin and sold for very
much less than It can be disposed of at
Niagara Falls. the fact presents itself that
CAPITALISTS in towns like Wilkes-Barre and
Scranton would better serve their inter-
ests by putting their money In the con-
struction of such distributing power
plants than in aiding industries, no matter
how promising they may be. We have
heard it estimated that the machinery Tor
an electric plant Of the kind named, which
will convert culm into electric force, ana
guarantee 5000 horse power, can be erect
ed for $l5OOOo. With such u plant In full
operation, ready to furnish power cheaper
than can be supplied at the great Niagara
plant, and with transportation facilities
that exceed the latter, In fact unparalleled
In their accommodations, 1t would be only
a question of announcing the conditions to
inspire an exodus to this point which
would startle the stockholders in the Ma
CARA scheme With a plant ready to sell
cheap power no advertising would be
necessary to secure industries. They
would quickly recognize the economic at
traction and would investigate for them
selves.
IL
Not long ago, Mr.. Chandler, business
manager of Casters Magazine, while In
Wilkes Barre, informed the writer that
his company had fully Investigated into
the claim made by Scranton. that electric
power could be made from coal culm and
sold at profit for the small sum of 81 pei
horse power per year. and while 1t had
been found that this figure was too low
the fact remained that the coal regions
could supply power at a very much less
cost to the consumer than Niagara could
Mr. Chandler stated that he had been
making a special study Of the cost OF
power for the past two years. his investi'
cations covering a good portion Of Eu'
rope, and he said that 1t was revealed
that the very lowest figure that power
could be produced from the old system oi
raising steam for which coal was used
was $50 per horse power per year. Here
in the coal regions, he said, 1t had beer
fully demonstrated by non-interested par
ties, that electric power could be made
from coal culm and sold at a big profit foi
| $25 per horse power per year. which, witt
the magnificent transportation facilities
found here would draw any number q
Industries to the coal regions. He sale
that the battle among certain big indus
tries was so great that 1t was necessary
to run them with the greatest economy II
order to make them profitable. hence 6
reduction of anywhere from $25 to $50 PEI
| horse power per year, especially in plant!
using from 500 to 1000 horse power was &
thing to be noted, and he predicted tina
the first generating plant put in operation
in the coal regions wouldn't have to wal
long for customers. These facts are wortl
considering. -