New-York tribune., 1896-11-15

practical use In some OF these instances the
cities thus favored are situated only from two
TO eight miles from the dams and dynamos
which furnish them with power. But in at least
dozen cases the distance exceeds ten miles
Thus. San Francisco Portland. Ore. and
Brescia Italy are each twelve miles away from
their respective bases of supply; Lowell. Mass.
is fifteen: Zurich fifteen and one-half Rome.
eighteen: Geneva, twenty; Sacramento twenty
four; San Bernardino Cal. twenty-eight and
three-quarters. and Fresno. Cal. thirty-five.
The line last mentioned. be II observed is longer
than the one proposed by Siemens In his star
Ting address.
But an even more remarkable triumph is to be
recorded. During the international electrical ex-
hibition in Frankfort Germany. in 1892. power
in the form Of electricity brought from
waterfall at Lauhcn. 105 miles away. That
was only an experimental plant, and the art
OF power transmission had not then reached
perfection: but 1t was a wonderfully instructive
achievement.
In each Of nine Of the instances cited by DIR.
Duncan more than 1000 horsepower is already
being transmitted. Concord y. H. gets o.oU.
and so does Portland Ore Here. again, the
figures mentioned by Siemens. not "a the limit
of possibilities, but still as a striking illustra-
tion have been surpassed in actual practice.
Moreover, the amount now sent over the wires
represents the full potency Of the water behind
the dam in only few cases. There remain
large reserves of power, which can be made
available by a mere addition OF water
wheels and dynamos 10 existing plants when
ever there is need.
NOTABLE RESULTS FROM ELECTRICITY
The electric currents obtained by this
system are employed chiefly in propelling street.
cars operating cotton mills. mining machinery
and great chemical works. and in producing light
But the variety of service to which electricity is
better adapted than either steam or compressed
air Is extraordinary. And this fact combined
with the cheapness OF water power compared
with COAL on which high railway freights have
been paid and the numerous practical demon
strations recently afforded Of what can be done
in this direction has led to two notable results.
The first is rapidly increasing demand for
electricity from plants already installed. The
second Is the organization of companies TO utilize
other suitable streams. Plans for providing
Washington with light and power from the falls
Of the Upper Potomac for compelling the La
chine Rapids similarly to serve Montreal, for
running trolley-roads up various Alpine peaks.
and for operating De Lavals colossal smelling
works in Sweden. are only few Of the new en-
terprises Of this class now on foot.
The scheme for thus harnesslng Niagara pos
sesses transcendent Importance for several rea-
sons In the first place. although 1t is proposed
to save only a small portion OF the power which
Is wasted in the tremendous cataract. that por-
ton Is nevertheless incomparaby greater than
the total output Of any of the other undertakings
which have been mentioned.
Secondly. the geographical situation Of the
Falls renders their utilization significant to sew
eral Of the largest cities on the continent For
II was deemed possible almost from the outset,
that power might be transmitted from that CEN
tire not merely to Buffalo. fifteen miles away.
but also to Rochester. Syracuse. Albany and
New-York on the one side and to Cleveland. De-
troi: and Chicago on the other.
Thirdly. this particular project was pioneer
In a new field. 1t was path breaker. Prece-
dents were lacking for guidance on some points
The successful solution OF certain problems in
volved would benefit not only those who were in
terested in the Niagara enterprise. but all others
who should seek to initiate their example else
where. no matter on how petty q scale. The
work. II properly managed. would prove . mag.