The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-04-30
AN UNLIMITEDPO
Varied Uses to Which the Falls May
Practically Be Applied.
HEART OF MINING ACTIVITY
In Comparison With the Niagara
Falls, These In Close Prox-
unity. In Many Respects,
Are Superior.

Great Falls. April "a few days
since the Standard referred to the
marvellous scenic attractions of the
Falls of the Missouri. and 1t may not
be out of place to once more refer to
them and their Importance in the in
dustrial development Of Montana. Ten
years. ago the engineer who estimated
the available water power of these cat
aracts, left out Of his computation the
falls and cascades below the Crooked
falls. because of the almost insur-
mountnble obstacles In using power at
the base Of perpendicular walls and
deep canyons. To-day the same en-
gineer figures every inch of water as
available.> from the head OF the rapids
to the foot of the cascades at the
mouth Of Belt creek. The transmission
of power by electric currents gives the
Falls Of the Missouri n commercial
value beyond the power of man to
estimate. From the foot of the long
pool to the mouth of the belt, a dis
lance Of at least 20 miles, the descent
is at least 800 feet. The bed of the
river ard the banks for this entire dis
lance are of solid stone. thus insuring
the lowest possible cost for the con-
struction Of permanent dams at all
points. Twenty dams can be built on
these falls. each a mile from the other,
and all this wealth OF power can be
made available in and around the city
of Great Falls. or it can be used in
operating the mining and manufacture
ing enterprises of all Montana. A
half-dozen of the most distinguished
engineers of Germany, France, Eng
land and the United States were con-
suited as to the long distance trans
mission of power from Niagara falls
by electricity, and their verdict is
that Ii can be profitably carried to all
parts of the middle states and into the
Canadas. II such extensive use can
be made of the power of Niagara, what
may not logically be expected from the
Falls of the Missouri in the manu-
featuring development of this state?
The relatively small cost for develop
ing the entire power of these falls is
a most important consideration, and
will greatly facilitate it's use. 1t is
said to be costing the Niagara power
company from 100000 to $4,000 900 to
develop 100000 horse power. while here
can be harnessed the entire power of
the Missourf-at a conservative esti-
mate not less than 100000 horse power
for the same cost. No one can esti-
mate the value for years to come of
this great water power, centrally To-
catd in Montana. 1t will continue to
contribute to the wealth of the state
as long as the river runs and electric
fly exists Coal fields may become ex-
hausted, mines of gold, silver. copper
and iron may refuse to yield their
revenues, but this resource. applicable
to so many industries of life, will new
err fail This power is already en-
ployed in operating a variety of in
dustries in Great Falls. but these are
simply the beginnings. A thousand in
dustries, large and small, will soon be
in operation in this city through this
potent agency-electricity. Perhaps
the most important of them all, in its
bearings upon the entire state, will be
the smelling Of iron ore and the max
ing of iron and steel. The new process
by which iron ores can be smelted by
electricity, thus doing away with coal
and coke, is no longer an experiment;
1T is here to stay, and will draw new
lines In the iron and steel making bust
ness in America. To Montana, the
richest of all the iron states, 1T means
everything, and to Great Falls in par
ticular it will insure speedy growth in
population and wealth. 1t Is such in
dustries as these that will demonstrate
the value of this great water power,
situated in the very heart of the min
eral bearing regions OF the continent.