New-York tribune., 1905-06-03
MORE POWER FROM THE NIAGARA.

Alton D. Adams makes some novel sugges-
tons In 1.-The Engineering Magazine" for June
in regard to the utilization of the Niagara River
for power purposes. These do not contemplate
any additional tax on the great cataract which
has hitherto been the central feature Of such
projects Mr. Adams shows what might be
accomplished further downstream. Those por-
tions of the rapids which lie above and be-
low the sharp bend at the whirlpool together
have a descent amounting to eighty feet or a
little more than half as much as the abrupt
drop at the falls. If one or more plants were
established, so as to make Of the entire
flow of the stream there, something like 1900
600 horsepower could be put at the disposal OF
industry. These figures are based on the as
sumption that go per cent OF the theoretical
head could be made available 1t might not
be practicable or judicious to try to obtain
monopoly, but it is evident that the larger
the scale on which work was undertaken the
lower would be the cost of single horsepower.
Wholesale production is always cheaper than
retail production.
The first essential to such an enterprise would
be the construction of tunnel, to serve as
tail race and reaching from some point beside
the upper rapids to one lower down. The diam
eter and length of the conduit would be die
tated by the amount of power which it was
sought to secure, but the best route for 1t would
constitute one side of triangle Of which the
others would be furnished by the river. Such
a route would of necessity, lie in New-York
State If operations were undertaken in Can
ada. 1t would be impossible to avoid following
two sides, in order to go around the corner
at the whirlpool. To get the largest possible
amount of power tunnel ten thousand feet
long, and starting from the vicinity of the
cantilever bridge would probably be sufficient
that is If the work were done in the United
States In Ontario perhaps Il length Of fifteen
thousand feet would be requisite to obtain the
maximum result. OF course, more modest under
takings might be deemed preferable. By cutting
through only twelve hundred feet of rock for in
stance, a head of twenty feet could be utilized.
Mr. Adams considers the subject mainly from
the industrial point Of view, making the BRIEF
est possible reference to the effect which would
he produced upon the scenery by draining the
ranids. He admits that their wild beauty
which is only a little less impressive TO the
visitor eft Niagara than the majesty of the
falls themselyes-would be sacrificed; and any
serious proposal threatening that consequence
would certainly raise cry OF oppositlon 10
the plan of drawing off most of the water there
is an alternative If dam were built near
Lewiston. the river could be converted into
ouiet mill pond, filling the gorge nearly to its
TOP and reaching back to the foot Of the falls
In any case the rapids would be obnterated'
and there would be little choice between the
two methods.
On some accounts the presentation Of these
nossfbilities is to be welcomed. 1t does not ap-
near from anything which Mr.. Adams says that
there is an immediate prospect OF the adop-
tion of his suggestions, but there Is no telling
how soon some one may seek Tor the prlVl-
lege of acting on them. Before the consent is
Granted. either at Albany or Ottawa, 1t is OK
+ramelv desirable that the matter should be
fpIlv discussed Whatever opposition popular
taste and intelligence may inspire should have
an ample opportunity to manifest itself with
in certain limits. the longer the time whlch
is afforded for enlightenment and debate the
wiser will be the policy which is eventually