The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-17
WxrER
re Promises an Industrial Rev~eiut,on-Elss.
tricity 1ts Tool.

It Promises an Industrial Revelutton-Elee.
tricity Hts Tool.
From the London Spectator.
The closing years of tho nineteenth century,
q century which has been SO full OF change and
marked by progress in SO many diroctions-aro
ushering in n change perhaps moro important in
its Significance for our own country than any
that has preceded 1t, oven in this century Of
progress. This change Is foreshadowed by the
striking developments OF water power for in
dustrial purposes that havo been witnessed in
both Europe and America during tho last six
years-developments which would appear 10
steam power in industry at somo future date,
and to the transfer OF the chief manufacturing
session Of coal to those rich in the possession Of
this modern rival OF. coal, namely. water. The
recent development has been chiefly duo to the
progress Of electrical sciences; and the success.
ful application of wator power on a large scale
to industrial purposes, adds one more to the
trical engineers OF the present age must 10
bine, which can be adapted to any head of water.
and by means OF which water powers of the
g veIoped for Industrial purposes. The head head d %;
water under. which the old mill wheels were
worked rarely S, eISee ,hSt ~ 2 fset, and was gen:
water OF 40 feet and 21o feet are being used al
the two power plants at Niagara Falls. and Al
plant working under a head Of 400 feet! When
Il 10 remembered that the height or head of
amount Of energy developed, the Significance OF
these figures is apparent. Asregards the amount
horse power might DO regarded as a maximum;
today there are \ oo At ,6 M,sg IRA single turbines
no proof that even these enormous wheels rem
resent, the limit in size which may not be safely
Even moro important than the results uh,c,
have come from the substitution OF the tur.
bine for the older water wheel are those
Of electric transmission. II. the older SYSTEM
the machipSry in the mill bad to DO coupled d.
ing. and hen e these old mills were ncccss sTjh,,
built upon the banks of the rivers and stream,
which provided them with power. In the mod.
trio currents, tho mechanical energy developed
BY the turbine is converted on the spot into
air i lines iaas to he locality Where It It's is to- e"{ b. aseS9y,
water power need not necessarily be s situate ~
mountain-locked valleys. miles from the nearest
s ssntEss Of fnd tho Fe9 aist1!ot ron It i msy irba be- baii,
wherever the natural and economic con.
ditions are ana most ,So faSSrs6Is to the man.
yeloped miles away. can be delivered at tho
factory by an air cable as easily as water may
r re- S,, in tho i hills. The beg s]re asS% ]acti Hi.ia n
the application of these modern methods for
played in both Europe and America, and tbe
following figures. which represent the aggre.
Course Of development, will give some idea u u
CURED N in resent years in this branch n Of en- G:
In hmerica the total of the larger ins,allA.
tions is $4,000 horse power. with the prospect O.
Niagara scheme is completed. In addition 10
this, there are a very large number of smaller
Colorado and Nevada. Switzerland oc c
the second place with 80 900 horse power, Til,
water mower DlRnt on the RhOne near Gap.-,
is completed; France follows with ls.oO0 horse
BBU 20 tS. r cdmhl., gil, d b the increased peMsT n to 5000
Of any magnitude. that at Rheinfeiden. Til,
pleted. Italy b 8 $4,000 horse power: sweden
and Norway between 10000 and 10000 horse
Of further development, while England and
Scotland come at the end OF the list with only
The purposes for which this power is being
rectiy as electrical snersy for lirhti H:s1 pG u:
atoms. Transformed q ain into mechanical en-.
ergy by means of the electric motor. it IS used
machinery Of ali kinds at the mines o fi in en.s
nserinS and other workshops; The sisnifcans
Of water power TO- Industrial purposes app /: start.
ling. On the one hand 1t signifies that man h.
at last learned how to efectually master and
earth. Coal is an eLhaustible possession, and
the day must come when the coal fields Of II.
l Chi ~ II 10 outs ou IINtEs hIl IAlt
offer. on the other hand. an inexhaustible sup
ply OF energy for so long as the heat OF the sun
evaporates the water of the sea and causes tito
fall again as rain upon the hills. or as snow upoa
the mountains, this source will be available for
the supply of mans wants, ana the arrival OF
the time when the earth's coal fields will becr
hausted need no longer be awaited with mis-.
giytngs. There is another aspect OF this &c
velopment which is less cheerful for conten-
plation by three of the nations Of Eu-ope, The
position which England, Germany. and Belgium
occupy. to-day as tho leading manufacturing
countries. Of Europe has resulted chiefly
from their possession of extensive coal feds
capable Of cheap development. coal having
been In the, past the chief factor in deter.
mining tho industrial progress OF any country.
The progress of electrical science has. how:
ever. apparently chsnged the conditions o.
Industrial supremacy. and 1t appears {.
though the possession. not OF coal fields. hut o..
water power. will be the determining fac,o:
In III" future. Whether the check TO she natural
growth and expansion of industry in the older
manufacturing countries of Europe. that ma!
already be observed as one result OF the IN
creased use Of water power in countries
industrial struggle. will be followed by tie
to tho cheaper centres of power. remains fol!
the future to DISCLOSE: but 1t is a question
tremendous significance for the prospeTiiyt
the countries concerned. 1t would Involve are
arrangement of the relative position 81 the M.
tons or Europe. and however pleasant the ner'od
Of transition and change might he for The NJ.
lions which would thereby rise into industrial
much the reverse for the peoples Of those three
countries Of Europe which to-day stand fore
most In the extent and number OF their manu-
featuring industries,