The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-11-26
REVIVAL Of NATERPONER
No Longer Need Be Used Where
1t Is Generated.
A WONDERFUL TRIUMPH
Electrical Development Has Caused
Water to Regain What II Had
Lost, and It Is Becoming Greater
Than Ever-Electricity Cheaper
Than Steam.

Than Steam.
One Of the most notable instances
OF industrial decline and revival in
modern times is connected with the
use OF waterpowers. Speaking of
conditions in New England, the Hart
fort Courant says:
"A while ago waterpowers were
neglected and were regarded as re.
lies Of past condition of develop
ment which, with the old mill, had
been left far behind in mechanical
progress. IL Is one of the curious facts
OF modern industry that to-day the
running water is not only reinstated,
but has higher value and a more
important work than ever before.
Electricity In the arts and irrigation
In agriculture have worked the
change, and to-day steady.flowing
stream has as sure a value as a coal
mine"
Taking Alabama as a single exam
pie 1t Is within the memory of many
yet living that steam mills were so
rare as to be looked upon as curiosi-
ties by most people. 1t was only in
localities where waterpower. used un-
der conditions then prevailing. was
entirely unavailable that steam was
used at all And the methods of util-
izing the waterpower, even half a
century ago, were entirely different
from those of the present day. Then
the huge overshUt or breast wheels
required high fall or they could not
be used at all, and with the old-style
tub-wheels 1t was not much better, for
a fall of several feet was necessary
in order to get sufficient power with
the wheels then used
1t was while these wasteful and in
efficient methods of using waterpow-
er prevailed that steam began to take
the place of water. The rapid devel.
opment of our immense coal fields
was an active factor in the work of
relegating water to the rear. Then
steam mills and factories and shops
began to spring up, and waterpower
seemed destined to become thing of
the past. The mills rotted down. the
great waterwheels ceased to revolve,
and fell into decay and the unhar-
messed water laughed its way to the
ocean. Steam reigned, and water
power was descredited.
/ Then electrical development began,
another revolution was the result,
and water is not only regaining what
1t had lost, but is becoming mightier
than ever. 1t was soon found that
electric power could he developed at
less cost and with greater ease and
certainty by water than by steam
power, and that settled it. Economy,
certainty and dispatch are three lev
ers in the industrial world which will
move mountains, and all of them
work together for the reinstatement
! Of water. All over the country that
fluid is being again brought under
subsection and made to perform the
labor from which it had for a long
time been freed.
And the beauty of it is that the
water power need not now be used
where 1t Is generated. II is no long
er necessary that the mill or shop or
factory shall nestle close beside the
running stream, for electricity, like
light, can be diffused in all directions.
The Saviour, speaking to Nicodemus,
said: THE wind bloweth where it
listeth, and thou nearest the sound
thereof, but canst not tell whence it
cometh nor whittier II goeth."
Almost the same language might
be used about electric power. Man
can send 1t where he chooses. We
see It's effects in our shops, in our
lights, on our street cars and wher.
man cannot tell how 1t comes nor
where it goes when it's work is done.
A dam is built across a running
stream, machines are erected, wires
are laid, and stralghtway machinery
begins to buzz, street cars to run, and
lights to spring up miles away as if
by magic. 1t is wonderful tri-
umph of mind over matter.
And, as we have said, the great
value of this power lies in the ease
and certainty of its diffusion. We
have just read in a contemporary of
a company being organized in South
Carolina with capital of 100000
to develop certain water powers in
the Piedmont region, and the state
ment Is made that "tOwns within
radius of fifty miles are to be sup
piled by the company" with electric
power. Three years ago just above
the city of Columbus, Ga, dam was
built on the Chat,ahoochee River to
develop 10000 horsepower. Now we
are told that not more than 24O horse
power for electrical purposes is left
for sale. 1t is practically all taken
and more is needed.
Our own city of Montgomery Is an
example Of what may be done and
what is done in utilizing water power
thirty miles away Tallassee's wa
ters are running our street cars, driv-
ing our machinery, and lighting
streets and houses. The same thing
| ie taking nlaca all nvar tho land ond