The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-29
ALMOST READY TO
HARNESS NIAGARA
Contract Let to Furnish Buffalonians
with Motive Power.
NICOLA TEsLXs WONDERFUL WORK
Progress Making in the Effort to
Utilize the Enormous Power Going
Waste Over the >Fails--Electricity
Already Being Provided.
W. f. Curtis, in Chicago Record.

w. +. Curtis, in Chicago Record.
Niagara Falls, n. Y, Aug. 3.-The
world has been watching with interest
the development of the great scheme of
which Nicola Tesla Is the scientific
apostle, and Francis Lynde Stetson, ltte
the law partner of the president, and
a group of New York millionaires, who
are interested in the advancement of
applied science, the financial promoters,
to utilize the vast power that is carried
over the falls Of Niagara for industrial
enterprises. An insignificant portion of
that power has been used for years by
local manufacturers to run flour and
paper mills, and there has sprung up
around the falls few large establish
ments to which the water has been di-
verted. But the great problem that has
engaged the attention of electricical
and hydraulic engineers is to concen-
trate and grasp that mighty force in
such a manner as to transmit it to the
neghboring cities, and ultimately to
New York by some method that will be
economical. Electricians find no diff
Guilty in Selling the power, but until re-
Gently the economic side of the question
has presented obstacles that human in
genuity has not been able to s,lrmount.
Last week, however, the first contract
was made to furnish motive force to the
people of Buffalo.
Several millions of dollars have been
expended in the construction of a tun-
mel, one mile and a half long, which
takes the water from Niagara river,
81. ~, nl,a t.xt
leases it just below the falls, and in the
| erection of a plant which is capable of
| generating 1900 horse power from its
| force.
| This is experimental, but the results
| thus far have been so successful as to
| justify the company in proceeding to an
| enlargement Of it's plant to the full
capacity proposed, which is 10000 horse
| power. This will be done gradually, in
| the light of experience. OF the $4,000
| horse power at present installed. 10000
| is already leased to companies that have
| erected manufacturing establishments
| in the immediate neighborhood, and s.
| 900 is held in reserve for emergencies.
| ready for instant use, in case of an ac-
cdent to the remainder of the machin-
cry. 1t was the intention of the COM
pany to furnish power from the original
plant to the manufacturers of Buffalo,
but there seems to have been a lack of
confidence on their part, and it was
given to local companies that We're more
credulous.
| The Niagara Power Company, as it |!
called, now furnishes electricity to thu
| tramway between Buffalo and the falls
to the Pittsburg Reduction company
| that manufactures aluminium the
Carborundum company that makes alb
rasives, the Acetylene Lighting Com
pany, that makes calcium of carbide
to a sod-ash factory, and the com
panies that light the city of Niagar;
Falls and operate the street railways.
At present the instruction compan!
Is e,ilarging the works so as to in
crease it's capacity $1,000 horse power
of which 10000 will be allowed to Buffalo
and the remainder to local concerns
that have applied for it. This will b.
ready by the beginning of the mex
| year. A line of wire is now beins
erected to Buffalo--twenty-tw miles
| long--with wires that will carry TO-
900 horse power, and poles that ar
capable of sustaining twice tina
| amount.
! Every portion of the plant is Of th
most substantial and elaborate char
acter. The company has eVidentl.
come to stay. There is nothing to sur
pass it in any part of the world. j
purchased q site of 1900 acres eXten
on the back of the Niagara river mill
or so south of the falls, and has no
only leased ground to manufacturinl
companies, but is building UP a littl
town that is called Echota. IT has
| terminal railway which connects thes
works with all the trunk lines passint
Niagara, and has erected q mum
Der Of pretty frame cottages of ct
tractive appearance, surrounded b.
grass plats that will be leased t
the working people employed on tn
grounds. 1T has given them also a beau
tiful school building that contains
| hall for entertainments, library an'
| other comforts and conveniences