The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1906-07-20
MCCALL PLANT.
Rumored The Pennsylvania Rail-
road Will Control SuSque-
hanna Operations.
TO FURNISH POWER FOR TRAINS.

saturdays BaltlmOro sun con-
tains lengthy article on the Sus-
quehanna power plant operations
at Mccall Ferry, setting forth the
rumor that the Pennsylvania rail
road company was behind the
scheme, with the possible view of
ultimately equipping the road With
the power developed by this gigan-
tic concern, work ON which is
progressing rapidly. The following
are extracts from the article:
There is a well defined rumor in
financial circles that the present
work of harnessing the falls of the
Susquehanna river, in the vicinity
of Mccall Ferry, but below the
Maryland line, and also at Como
wingo, is being done in the interests
of the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company.
The suggestions in regard to the
use of the enormous water power,
sometimes called "white coal," of
the Susquehanna by the railroad
company are admitted to be some
time in future, as the plans are not
yet fully developed. 1t is said,
however that it is only in line with
the policy of the present manage
ment to look far ahead for econom-
ical operations and for the best
results.
In connection with the reports
that the Pennsylvania is behind
the Mccall Ferry development, a
commission of Cecil county busi-
ness men, selected because of their
knowledge of land and water values
in that section, has been engaged
to look over property between
Port Deposit and Mccall Ferry
with view of fixing fair valua-
tion on whatever may be needed.
This, it is believed, is being done
with the view of future purchase
or of forming an estimate in case
future condemnation proceedings
are found necessary. No expense,
it is understood, is spared in this
preliminary work.
In the development of this water
force and the construction of all
the appliances to make it adap-
table for use, it is said at least
800, 100000 will be required. 1t
was asserted that this sum will be
Expended in the development if
the Pennsylvania is behind the
scheme.
Those who hold to this view-and
they are firm in the conviction
say the falls of the Susquehanna
may in the near future be made to
run most of the Pennsylvania trains
south of Philadelphia. This, it is
affirmed is not only possible, but
more than practicable.
With the Harvesting of the great
stream in two places enough elec-
tricity to run every train on the
railroad spoken of will be secured.
1t will be available two and a half
years hence.
The Mccall Ferry Power Com
pany, of which the Pennsylvania
is said to have secured control, is
building dam one e-half mile below
the ferry, at Minqua. The build
ing of a second dam at ConowingO,
just north of the wooden bridge
which marks the dividing line be-
tween the holdings of the working
company and the Susquehanna
Light and Power Company, is con-
templated. Surveys have been
made, and it is said the second dam
will be started almost Immediately,
so as to be ready to supplement the
enormous amount of power to be
got further up the river.
Since January the Mccall
Ferry company has finished a
Golfer dam, blocked the river on
the Lancaster channel at Frey's
Island and will in few days begin
the foundation of the 3,O00-foot
dam which is to transform the
river into mile wide lake. From
this will be run 10 turbines capable
of furnishing, in round numbers,
100000 horsepower every "a hours.
That ample backing is at the dis
posal of the Mccall Ferry company
is shown by the expense the COM
pany must undergo before any
revenue comes in. The backwater
from the dam will spread over the
country between the high hills on
each side of the river, so that there
must be change of everything in
it, including the central division
of the Maryland part of the Penn
sylvania system. This will be
showed halfway to the top of the
ridge, which gives the country its
mountainous appearance.