Connecticut western news., 1899-05-04
THURSDAY, MAY 4. 1899.
ELECTRICITY IN DEMAND.

New Sources of Supply to be Created.
 A Company Incorporated with
 e3,OOO. 900 Capital to Operate Along
 the Earmington River. Other Rivers
 to be Utilixed.-The Falls Village
 Water Power Must Soon be Develop
 ed to Meet the Demand for Electrici-
 ty.
 Since the first of January the NEWS has published several editorials con corning tho development of electricity in various sections of the United States The facts and figures given aroused deep interest in the subject and many parsons were astonished to learn the extent of the water power of the Housa tonic river and it's value for electrical purposes especially the water power at Falls Village which is rated at 5000 horse power and is worth 5000 per day for electrical purposes. The NEWS ad- vocated utilizing for electrical purposes the water power of the Housatonic river. the Konkapot River, the Blackberry River, Mad River, and the Pennington River. Already steps have been taken to utilize the Pennington River at i've or more points, the Konkapot River at several points if necessary, the Housa- tonic River At one or more points in Massachusetts. Soon the water power at Falls Village must be utilized. The NEWS has been informed that the pres ont owners of the Falls Village water power do not wish to sell their franchise = they intend to develop the power themselves. At all events there is no valid reason for that power standing idle. If the present owners don't care to develop it themselves there are other parties who stand ready to buy it and utilize it. To illustrate the demand for electricity we quote as follows from two of our exchanges The Winsted Evening Citizen of April 26th says:
 A company has been incorporated under the laws of Maine with . capital stock of $s.0OO. 900 to develop the water power along the Pennington river, which it is understood will be used to operate an electric road from Avon through the towns of Canton, Collins vile, New Hartford, Winsted and north into Massachusetts with branch line connecting with the Torrington and Winchester railroad at Burrville.
 The stock hes all been subscribed for, mostly by Boston capitalists, and the work will be pushed along as rapidly as poaaible.
 This company which proposes to take its power from the Pennington river has already received the report of pre- liminary survey along that river from Oollinsville to Oolebrook River.
 The company will construct several (probably four) dams along the river at points most advantageous for getting power and erect power houses at each dam.
 It may also be said that this now com pany has greater purpose in view than merely to operate an electric line. It proposes to develop the Pennington Valley by making use of the vast amount of power which is now going to waste and will not only encourage new con- cerns to locate along its line but may erect factories of its own.
 A meeting of the company will be held in Boston within . few days to make further arrangements for going ahead with the matter.
 Tho enterprise will probably not be completed before two years, as much time will be consumed in constructing the necessary dams, etc.
 The Hartford Courant of April 28th says:
 'sThe Hartford Electric Light Con- pany is soon to have large addition to its plant A contract was made We'd nesdsy with the Engineering Contract Company of New York to build dam and power house on the Pennington river. The power house is to contain the most approved machinery and the total cost of the now plant will be $175,- 900. This addition to the plant was found necessary because of the increas- cd demand for power from manufactur- er and because the company does not want to use any moro steam than is ab- soIutely necessary.
 The dam is to be about two miles above the power house of the Farming ton River Power Company. It will be ! 25O feet across and will have fall of 29 feet. It will be 23 feet high, 30 feet at the base and feet 1t the top. It is to be made of concrete. The stone is near the place and the company doing the work will put up stone-crushers near the plant. The dam will be strong enough ko kh~k~ Nl hal khA force occasioned by any of the dams above it giving way.
 It is estimated that the dam and the power house without any machinery will cost about &80,OOO.
 Work will be started upon the dam Monday and the construction will be pushed as rapidly as possible. The en- tire plant is to be completed by the mid. dle of September. The flow of water over the dam will be 1900 horse power. '
 Of course everyone in tho vicinity oi these water powers will be benefited by the utilization of them. The NEWS has been informed that one of the owners oi the Falls Village Water Power re gently advised South Canaan farmer not to sell his farm at present. This part oi New England is blessed with water power, but the ''age of steam" nearly supplanted its uss-but the "age oi electricity" has arrived and water powe, is now invaluable in generating electrioi ty.
 Out of 300 dogs required to be regis