Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-07-04
TRANSMISSION OF POWER.

Heretofore all power. whether
produced by water or steam, had to be
consumed at or near the place where
it was produced Now it can be
transmitted to long distances at a
small percentage of loss and at an
| expense that amounts to little more
than the cost of two copper wires.
| This new fundamental truth will
| give rise in the near future to a great
revolution in the manner of producing
and using power. Heretofore the
power derived from water had to be
consumed at the place where it was
produced, it could be used only for
operating some special lines of
machinery and was, in consequence,
cheap. But now it can be transmitted
| to long distances and used for all
purposes in competition with steam.
Hence. it follows that water power
hereafter will not be furnished for
much less than the same amount of
power would cost when produced by
steam.
On the other hand it has been a
long fact that steam
power can be produced in large GUAM
| titles at a very low rate per horse
power; and now that it can be trans
mitted to a considerable distance at
very little loss and at comparatively
small expense, it is possible at one
large central steam power plant to
produce and distribute power to small
users at cost vastly less than these
users could generate it for themselves.
1t has been estimated that our
present electric power can be dlStri-
buted to small users at this place at a
| cost of less than one cent an hour per
horse power, and under the most
| favorable circumstances, this cost may
| be reduced to nearly half that amount.
Many efforts have been made and
ingenious schemes devised to induce
manufacturers to locate in our city.
The giving of a bonus or exemption
from taxes, free land, erection of
buildings and other inducements have
all proved unsatisfactory.
If we desire the growth of our city,
| it is only necessary for us to distribute
power to small manufacturers at cost
just as we now distribute light.
| There are many industries requiring
less than 20 horse power that might be
established here. This power can be
| furnished from our power plant TO the
small manufacturer for less than one
half of what it would cost him to
produce it for himself No better
inducement TO locate here can be
offered.
By establishing in this way Il large
number of small manufactures, we
can build up here a city that will rest
upon more substantial basis than if
| it were dependent upon a single large
manufacturing plant.
The new era in the matter of power
is not yet generally cOmprehended
and the town that is first to realize
the new conditions will have decided
advantage over rival towns that are
slow to grasp the situation. We can
now continue the growth of our town
without relying on the consolidate ted
! dam which has b.'eu to us source of
many grieyous disappointments, and
when that dam is built there need be
no rivalry or competition between it
and the public steam power plant.
The one will be as valuable as the
| other, and the machinery of the world
demands vastly more power than will
ever be produced at this place.
| If we are wise, we will launch out
now and show to manufacturers seek
| ing location our great railway
facilities for procuring the raw
material and shipping out the finished
| product, and that in this town they
can have light, telephone service and
power at cost; and that power here
| will cost them much less than they
can procure it elsewhere.
If this is done our city will soon be
| second to no other town on the
Wisconsin river.
JOHN A. GAYNOR.