Wadsworth semi-weekly dispatch. [volume] (Wadsworth, Nev.) 1899-1904, 1899-08-02
CHEAP WATER POWER.

Truckee river have been taken up and
appropriated and are being utilized at
different points from Truckee to the
Indian reservation boundary at Wads-
worth. The scarcer good sites become
the more valuable will they be and they
are already becoming scarce. In fact
none can be had at the present time for
the mere appropriating at which cheap
price those existing and in use have
been acquired.
For some time the DISPATCH has
treasured the hope that the impetus
given the various lines of industries in
this State would compel the establish
ment Of some large plant of some kind
within five miles OF Wadsworth at
which point there exists all that is nee
essary in volume and fall of water to
make one of the greatest and cheapest
powers on the river There are water
rights that have been acquired for irri-
cation that would have to be purchased
but in the purchase are cultivated lands
that are worth the money asked for all.
At one time we thought the people
who bought the Reno Reduction
Works would seek this site but their
trade in Reno was carried on quietly
and the deal made there before the
mossbacks who control the site we
speak of had awakened from slumber.
The Reno Reduction Works are shut
down for want of water. Such a state
of affairs does not happen at the point
of which we speak. 1t is well known
fact, and can be seen today that when
there is no running water in the river
at Reno there is quite large stream
of water running out Of the canyon to
Wadsworth and the lakes. 1t is very
likely that the Floriston company will
supply the Comstock mines with power,
but Florfston is at the disadvantage Of
loss of power by distance and conse-
quent increase expense in maintenance
when compared with the site we pro-
pose. From Floriston to the Com
stock on an air line is some twenty-six
miles while the site we propose is half
that distance. The source of the
power of which we speak is at the head
of the Park Wheeler ditch which at
very little expense could be made to
carry all the water that would ever be
required. The site for the power plant
would be the Jack O'Brien ranch and
the fall obtained would be about forty
feet. The status of the proposition to
supply the power to the Comstock
mining companies seems to be that the
superintendents were requested by
their companies to report approximate
ly what number Of horsepower would
be required to do the work. that the
superintendents have reported, that the
Floriston company has offered to
supply the needed power and the min
ing companies have the matter under
consideration. The purpose Of this
article is simply to open up this propo-
sition should the Floriston people and
the mining companies not arrive at an
understanding and agreement Should
the necessity arise the merits of our
proposed site are worthy Of investiga-
ton.
In regard to the Comstock the fol-
lowing is the latest news from San
Francisco:
The contract for the supply Of cheap
power has not yet been made, but it
may be let at any moment now. when
the committee in charge is in possess
ion of the necessary data to enable 1t
to act safely with due regard for fu-
ture contingencies. In case of this
kind, "make haste slowly is a good
motto. and while the delay may be