The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-25

A writer tn a recent number OF the New
York Evening sun attempts 20 make a
forecast Of the Industrial and commercial
development which may be booked for
during the present year. and his conclu-
sions are interesting and may prove pro-
phetioal. He gives first place 10 the
cheap production Of electricity from
water falls and It's long distance trans
mission. II = in the west that he antici-
pates this utilization OF water power VIII
see the creates: development and he
speaks particularly OF Washington as a
state which presents the greatest field for
the utilization of water power in this d.
rectIon. He says:
with the single exception OF Niagara.
and perhaps a portion of the st. Law
renee, the water powers of the east are
now utilized 10 their fun capacity. and no
great development can he expected. But
at Great Falls. Mont, along the yellow
stone and the Shoshons, ar Spokane Falls
Snoqualmie falls and along the smaller
mountain streams OF the Rockies and the
Cascades are millions of horse power
which may be had almost for the harness
ing These must play an important role
in the Industrial development of the next
ten years
The low cost OF powe- il to be the domi-
mating influence in shifting the eenters of
industrial enterprises in this country. The
location OF the sources OF product and
power will be the determining factors
OF industrial growth. No nation in the
world carries its freight such long dis
tanees or pays so colossal freight bills az
does this country. Much of this is need
less and is a heavy drain upon the pro-
ducing classes. the farmer and manufac-
turer as well as upon the consumer.
The same writer looks upon the produc-
ton of beet sugar as offering larger pos
sibilities than any other industrial enter
prise. and anticipates great development
OF that industry the present year, with
great profit to the agricultural interest
and an enormous saving to the country.
Electric smelling OF iron and steel MAX
ing with a current generated from water
power. now achieved under the DeLaval
process In Sweden. promises with its in
PRODUCTION into this country. Lot only a
still further cheapening of steel. which Is
even now selling at about one-fifth what
IL did thirty years ago, but the prospective
extension of this industry into the states
of the west which have the water power
at present unutillzed.
The writer further suggests that the
facts thus addueed via be instructive in
determining where TO seek profitable prop
erty. and adds:
Nor will the latter fan 10 take account
OF the rise of the new shipping ports
Newport News. Galveston. Port Arthur,
Tacoma and Seattle, Memphis, Duluth and
others"
omission. No account IL made of the
prospective development OF mines OF the
precious metals. which VIII be one OF the
most important features OF the industrial
year, especially in the state Of Washing
ton. The other facts which he points out
are all calculated to excite the attention
OF capitalists and intending investors to
the states % the west and 10 none more
than Washington In this state there is
not only the magnificent water powers
lying ready for utilization. but there are
also iron ores In abundance. as well as
the ores containing the more precious met
ais. an Of which can probably be cheaply
reduced by some adaptation OF the DELAY
al electric smelling process. Here also can
be produced sugar beets OF an unrivauas
purity and sugar content. and with
greater product per acre than IS had else
where in the United States. And. by no
means the smallest item. hare the com
rnence ment has been made OF a commerce
with Asia, which in tia development alone
"a sufficient to insure for Seattle a future
as one o: the great shipping ports OF the
world.
one % the most important sources OF
tho water power In the country. as re-
ferred to by the sun correspondent. Is
found In snoqualmis falls within easy
transmitting distance. under modern con-
ditions. 20 Seattle. Here also. within the
borders OF King county arc 70 bc found the
iron Ores and limestone; here alAo. as wei
AS IN numerous other counties OF the state.
al reached by ths various railroads cen
tering Ia Seattle. are hundreds OF mines
Of gold. silver and copper. now beng de-
ve1oped.
n follSwing the sugges ttons 81 the San
writer. the intending investor should turn
his attention toward any one Of the indus
triad enterprises suggested therein. he can
and in the state % Washington. and par
ticalariy IN TIA city 81 Seattle. al ideal
field for investment