Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-10-24
INDUSTRIAL CENTERS
CHANGES THAT WILL COME
THROUGH ELECTRICITY.
Rev Conditions Being Created Both
Here and IN Europe That Are
of Vast Import

tnlS revolution VIII be OF gigantic I'M
portance to the world at large and will
lead to the gradual redistribution of
manufacturing centers has scarcely yet
become apparent to our great finan-
,clers. The part that this change will
play in the socio-economic question is
perhaps yet more indefinitely under
stood
The coal mine is no longer the arbiter
of industrial power. The running
stream has taken its place and through
this media for the transmission Of cleo
trical energy there is scarcely any limit
to its ultimate distribution.
The Harvesting" of Niagara seem
ed to us to be a gigantic project. 1t was
the initial step in movement which
has not only spread through many
parts of the United States but to many
parts of the world as well. Particu
larry has it been emphasized in locali-
ties where there was no coal available.
except at prohibitive prices. for manu-
featuring purposes.
The most interesting and elaborate
works for power transmission have
been undertaken on the Pacific slope
where the coast cities are located at a
considerable distance from where the
waterfalls are situated
California particularly possesses a
very dry climate which furnishes the
most favorable conditions for the trans
mission of electrical energy. There the
highest voltages in use for commercial
purposes have been used and power
transmitted a distance of over two
hundred miles.
This has wrought tremendous chang
Is in California, where coal is dear and
where it has hitherto been believed
that there was little field for manufac-
turing enterprise. Numberless enter
prises have sprung up and the produc-
tive capacity of the state has been
enormously enhanced Similar results
are being obtained in all the cities
along the Pacific coast where streams
are available.
The entire industrial status of the
states of Georgia and South Carolina
has been changed by the rapid extern
sion of the transmission of electrical
force from the abundant water power
available from the mountain streams.
What the possibilities are in the area
drained by the Mississippi river can
scarcely he conjectured 1t has been es-
timated that the energy capable of be
ing used there may be taken at quar-
ter of million horse power per square
mile and there are enterprises already
under contemplation FOR the utilization
of this enormous force along the course
of the great waterway and its various
tributaries.
The development and utilization of
this new avenue for the production of
force will have relatively an influence
similar to that which resulted from the
use of the waters of the Connecticut,
Merrimac and other rivers in the East,
during the early stages of our indus
trial history the fall Of which was so
great as to make them readily utili2a-
BILE for the manufacturing purposes.
Around these rivers grew up prosper
Gus manufacturing towns which mark
ed the first epoch of our advance in this
direction.
Instead however of the sphere of ac-
tivity being confined to the immediate
vicinity of rivers and streams, it will
now be diffused over areas extending
hundreds of miles from thera and will
be available for enterprises of both
small and large magnitude.
Not alone in the United States will
this new development be operated. for
in Europe there are preparations being
made to extend the utilization of this
new factor of industry. In fact, in this
respect Switzerland and Italy have both
made important progress, while France
is preparing TO use the river Rhone In
a gigantic way for manufacturing pur-
poses.
France has been suffering for some
time from a lack of coal which has
caused ner manufacturing interests TO
suffer severely She has already util-
lied the faculties provided by the
| French Alps to supply about fifty fac
tories. which are using an aggregate of
300 600 horse power and ii is estimated
that at least 3.000,0 00 horse power Is
being wasted among the streams Of the
Alps which might be harnessed to the
| service Of manufacturing interests in
! France. Italy and tZerland.
France, however has the smallest
part of the water power available from
! this source as her share OF the wealth
| bringing streams
| Her purpose. therefore. is to uss the
Rhone which in its course viii furnish
an enormous amount Of power for man
ufacturing purposes,
ireland may probably be benefited
greatly by the utilization Of this new
means of producing power.
| The house OF lords has already sane
| toned bill authorizing the formation
Of a company with a capital OF $1,000
| 600 to utilize the waters Of the River
/ shannon for the purpose Of generating
electricity and 10 supply energy for
! lighting and power purposes over an
area of 30 miles radius from the power
| station. which will be situated four
and a half miles from Limerick. The
| Limerick Tramways company is inter
ested In the scheme and has arranged
to take its supply Of energy in bulk.
Under the bill authorizing the forma-
1 ton of the company the works 70 be
constructed will consist OF a short canal
TO carry the waters of the shannon 10
/ the generating station, where fan OF
| 40 feet is obtained The water thus
taken will be returned 70 the Shannon
at point about six miles above the
/ intake.
II Is likely that many more rivers IN
/ Ireland will be used in the same man
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