The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18
NIAGARA FALLS AT
CORPORATION MERCY
Unless the Lawmakers Interfere
Show Place Of World Will
Go to Power Companies.

Oils 10 o0C4 A41CCu " GAo
Shall the natural beauties of the great
est scenic attraction in the world,
which draws visitors from all parts Of
the earth, be despoiled by the greed Of
commercial ventures7
These are questions that are being di-
rected to members Of the state legisla-
ture. They are inspired by the threat
ened encroachment Of more industrial
concerns.
private power companies have al |
ready coniscated more than 20 per cent |
Of the resistless power generated by the |
falls. Six industrial companies on the |
American side are operating their ma
chinery with power taken from the falls |
by authority of the Legislature of this
power from the Canadian falls by virtue
of licenses granted by the Dominion
government, go H. @.'a'' |
Community Of Interest.
Some Of these companies are operat-
ing under community of interest plan,
ostensibly to keep out competitors, but
right to acquire by gradual degrees a
still arger percentage of the power
from the falls, so that in the end the
combination of Canadian and American
capital will be able to monopolize the
fullest amount of power from both sides
that can be obtained thru the favor Of
the New York and the Dominion govern
ments.
The charters 50 far obtained by the
business combinations which have har-
messed their machinery to the power of
Niagara are comparatively insignificant,
but they combine to force an opening
sort of entering wedge-for future
operations which, if successful, will
gradually turn the full power Of the
| falls over to commercialism.
Three or four bills are now before the
| New York legislature proposing grants
to companies which, while apparently
independent, are actually branches of
existing corporations already engaged in
using the power to be obtained at COM
paratively small cost.
Tapping the Falls.
These companies plan to construct
| falls with as little trouble and expense
to themselves as possible. If the New
York and the Canadian governments do
not interfere, the DETACHMENT of the
natural attractions of the falls will be
| the result. 80 "
One plan, that was defeated last ses-
sion, proposed granting the right to
would destroy the scenic beauty Of
some Of the more picturesque points at
the falls.
The bill granting this enormous priv
ilege is to be again introduced. There
is certain to be a vigorous contest over
it, but one that will present purely
sordid features, because it's the belief
lature that the financial hackers of the
enterprise will spend large sum Of
money to pass the measure.
i None of the protests against the con-
fscation Of power and the Disagreement
Of the natural attractions Of the falls
are based on public-spirited opposition
to the greed Of the corporations. One
measure that appeared to have been
drawn in Difference to commendable
public spirit turns out to be mainly the
effort of one corporation to defeat the
greed Of another.
Motive In Doubt.
Another bill is intended to increase
the tax on the corporations now using
the power. The motives Of it's author
are not the sort that should prompt
:: falls for purely sentimental or patriotic
reasons.
A number Of men who believe that
the falls are worth more as a natural
scenic attraction than they would yield
if hitched to business enterprise, have
uttered mild protest against the fur
5 Their encroachment of the corporations.
t They are connected with the American
: and the State Historical societies. One
!. Of the principal members of the latter
: body, who does not wish any promi-
: hence in the matter until, he has per-
!, fected his organization, will call the
attention of President Roosevelt to the
. subject and endeavor to enlist his sup
port.
The president while governor took a
lively interest in the fight to save the
Der of New York and New Jersey cor
porations were attempting to destroy
for commercial profit. He secured the
cooperation of the New Jersey state
government and succeeded in driving
, out the intruders.
: There is reason to believe that he
will assume characteristicly aggres-
! Niagara Falls. The interest Of Govern
or Higgins will also be sought.
> Appeal Thru President.
The present plan contemplates an ap-
peal to the state government of New
Z York and an invitation to be extended
by President Roosevelt to the Canadian
government to cooperate with the state
: government in the movement OF pre-
+, ment.
! A resolution will probably be intro
- - duced in the state legislature in few
Il days urging this course of action.
q Electric power is now being gener-
= ated from the water Of the falls on the
q q American side. About 100000 horse
y power is being continuously taken.
The Ontario Power company with
3 stations, canals and generators on the
. Canadian sides of the falls. has a INIT
? ? of 10000 horsepower started, but that
power is going to Toronto. The COM
pany plans a capacity of 100000 horse
! power, part to 90 to Canada and part
n to be transmitted to the American side.
= The Niagara Falls Power company
/. takes $4,000 horsepower from the Amer
q lean side Of the falls, and quadrupling
4 of that efficiency is planned. -
J. The Hydraulic Power company sup.
T plies both electric and water power to
l. it's patrons, and it takes 10000 horse.
Il power. The Niagara Falls Power com
b pany also supplies Buffalo and nearby
n places. :
d Experts estimate that Niagara Falls
T. American side, may furnish 100000
I; horsepower, and the whole falls about
x 3,5O0,OOO horsepower.
9 Three companies, operating under
= Canadian charters, are constructing
u plants for developing and utilizing
z power on the Ontario side Of Niagara
!, Falls, but none Of them is completed