The Monticellonian., 1898-10-21
IMPROVE THE WATERWAYS
Would Lead to the Development Of the Ri;hest Mineral Sections
 of the State,
4 QUESTION FOR TIE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Start the Boats and Mills and Factories Will Soon MateriaIize-Eleetr Lights and Electric Tramways Can Be Estab- Iished in All Parts of Arkansas.

It was said long ago that there was enough water power running to waste 5n Arkansas to operate all the mills and factories of the southwestern states. Locks and dams, aside from their use for improving navigation, constitute an ideal base for manufacturing opera tions. The water power which will be created by locking and damming White river and it's navigable tributaries will be sufficient not only to propel all the machinery necessary to manufacture the raw products of the southwest, but 1t will afford a vast reserve power 10 be used for evolving electricity. The uses to which electric power can be applied are numerous. All the ailments of White river penetrate land exhaust less in natural resources; rich beyond dreams both in mineral and agricul- tural wealth. To throw these regions open to communication with the world of commerce is a light and compara- lively inexpensive task in this era of splendid engineering achievements, especially where electric power is avail able. Electricity in store to move cars on narrow or broad tracks will suggest the expedieney of building railroads into the interior from every point on the streams where locks and dams are located, to bring the mineral and other products of the country to the base of shipment.
 With available electricity, every town will soon be resplendent with are lights, and the system will extend to towns and villages remote from the sites where the electric current is stored, thus bringing the populaee under new influences as well as new light Not only can power be leased to isolated villages and towns for lighting pur- poses, but also for operating maehin- cry, and as the state will own and con trol the system, vast revenue will accrue to the public treasury, while substantial benefits and hopeful infu= enees are being spread over the dis aiSeo "iiC1tS''- 4A houblt SclNlSe IS BY this means rendered taxation is re- 3uced and resources developed
 A few details are deemed admissible and desirable. It is assumed that White river can be made nav:gaBIe the year round from it's mouth to d point within ten miles of Fayetteville From the latter point to the mouth of Black river there are 2S shoals requiring a lock and dam; that is to say, we have 2S times the power which this stream affords at the nearest dam to head waters, reinforced by its continents; in other words, the lower we descend the stream, the greater the water power by reason of the increase in volume. To this may be added the available power of such tributary streams as the Big North Fork, James Fork, Buffalo Fork fnd that portion of White river which emerges from above Forseyth. These streams drain north and northwest Arkansas, besides vast scope of south west Missouri, extending to within a few miles of Springfield, every acre of which is fruitful with minerals and timber, not to mention other elements of wealth in the form of lands for desir- able farm homes.
 At this writing it is said Arkansas has about 500 able bodied convicts available, with prospect of recruits to the number of a few hundred more when the autumn term of circuit court shall have ended. But admitting that the available working force will be kept at 500, the state can divide this number into eight working details of 100 men each and have the work of con structing locks and dams progressing at eight different points at the same time.
 Next in importance to opening White river and tributaries to navigation is the establishment of water power for manufactories. Dams constructed for the purpose of locking boats over shoals may be said to be so much towards manufactures, as they are available for such uses and can be so used without detriment to the business of carrying boats from one level to another In other words, dams constructed for lock ing purposes are as advantageous for water power as though built solely for milling purposes. These water powers will inevitably attract mills and factories. Cotton mills are coming southward. Who can fortell the num- Der of these plants that would be planted at the dams on White river? In making an estimate it should be re- membered that the dams, which afford a water privilege. also afford boating facilities to tide water It should be considered moreover that every water power lays open the way for railroad connecting with one of the trunk lines now in operation. No mill which may be established at one of these locks will bfTn isolation. Indeed, it may be said that the way to give impulse to railroad construction is to open navi- gation on the rivers by a system of locks and dams, for every dam will produce power to generate electricity to operate ear lines and by this means every mill site will be placed in touch