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.

Falls be sacrificed to the corporations?
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 ventures9 !
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 confiscated more than 20 per cent
Of the resistless power generated by the
falls. Six industrial companies on the
chinery with power taken from the falls
by authority Of the Legislature Of this
state. Three companies Obtain their
power from the Canadian falls by virtue
Of licenses granted by the Dominion
government II <'.'.
Community Of Interest.
ing under a community of interest plan,
ostensibly to keep out competitors, but
really to preserve for themselves the
right to acquire by gradual degrees
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
a sort. of entering Wedge-for, future
operations which, if successful, will
| Il 4,,rp Tho fr111 of tho
| falls over to commerclalism.
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
their plants with view to tapping the
| 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. 's
One plan, that was defeated last ses-
sion, proposed granting the right to
erect buildings and power lines that
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 vigorous contest over
it, but one that will present purely
of the majority Of members of the legis-
lature that the financial hackers Of the
enterprise will spend large sum of
money to pass the measure.
| None Of the protests against the con-
fscation of power and the Disagreement
of the natural attractions Of the falls
are based on philosophical opposition
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
protest against the despoilment of the
; falls for purely sentimental or patriotic
reasons.
A number Of men who believe that
, the falls are worth more as natural
scenic attraction than they would yield
if hitched to business enterprise, have
uttered a mild protest against the fur
S Their encroachment of the corporations.
t They are connected with the American
2 and the State Historical societies. One
!. Of the principal members Of the latter
: body, who does not wish any promi-
: nence 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
, Palisades Of the Hudson which num-
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
t government and succeeded in driving
, out the intruders.
: There is reason to believe that he
will assume characteristicly aggres.
e sive part in the movement to save
3 Niagara Falls The interest Of Govern.
e or Higgins will also be sought.
s Appeal Thru President.
The present plan contemplates an ap'
I 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
! ROVcru1lcuC LII Cuo movement OF pre-
serve the falls from further disfgure
!, ment.
L L A resolution will probably be intro
=, :, duced in the state legislature in few
- days urging this course Of action.
Electric power is now being gener
+ ated from the water Of the falls on tn,
"a American side. About 100000 horse
" power is being continuously TAKEN
! The Ontario Power company will
IS stations, canals and generators on tn
n Canadian sides Of the falls, has a uni
o of 10000 horsepower started, but tina
+ power is going to Toronto. The com
Il pany plans a capacity Of 100000 horse
II power, part to 60 to Canada and par
n to be transmitted to the American side
& The Niagara Falls Power compan,
! takes $4,000 horsepower from the Amer
e lean side Of the falls, and quadruplin,
d of that efficiency is planned. :
t. The Hydraulic Power company sup
If plies both electric and water power t.
l. it's patrons, and it takes 10000 horse
IL power The Niagara Falls Power com
h pany also supplies Buffalo and near-b,
N places.
ID Experts estimate that Niagara Falls
t. American side, may furnish 10000
l.; horsepower, and the whole falls abou
* $500, 1000 horsepower.
le Three companies, operating unde
e. Canadian charters, are constructor
al plants for developing and utilizin
e power on the Ontario side of Niagar