The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-05-26

some jewel from natures crown and sur
rounds 1t with the barbed wire fence OF
legal protection. In such a way has the
nation preserved the Yellowstone Park
region. In such a way has New York
state saved the grounds surrounding =
agara Falls. But more Is yet to be done.
The blighting hand of eommercialism is
stretching forth greedily; the hungry
jaws Of progress are seeking what they
may devour. and the thirsty tongue Of
enterprise bids fair to lap dry even the
very waters Of the mighty Niagara itself.
The old Indian Chief In his dream, It is
certain. did not foresee the real danger
to Niagara; did not realize that the dry
ing of the mighty stream was to be
caused by the diversion of its water to
the uses of power companies. Such are
the facts. however. Already, as the re-
suit of water diverted to the uses of three
such companies. the volume of the falls
has decreased 30 1-3 per cent. Gen Fran
els v Greene. an expert engineer and
the manager of the Ontario Power Com
pany, which is the concern chartered by
the Canadian government, is authority for
the statement that if charters were
granted to all the concerns whose appli-
cations are~now pending before the Ca
madam Parliament. the falls would run
dry within % years. There are in the
neighborhood of so applications now pend
Ing in Canada and a considerable number
In New York state
The actually Of the danger to Niagara
Is matter of dispute even among those
VINO are most in earnest that the falls
be saved Naturally enough. with the
era's love of monopoly. the interests be-
hind the companies that are already en-
joying the right to use the WAFER of
Niagara for the development of mower
are actively engaged in supporting the
crusade against the despoiling of Niagara.
lou may not despoiI these falls, they
say All the despoiling that is to be
done we win do ourselves
On the other baud. Lord Kelvin. the
most noted scientist in the world is
quoted as saying that it would he
benefit to mankind if not only Niagara
Falls, but every other falls were sapnai
dry IN order that the wheels Of the
worlds progress might be turned bv
harnessed nature It is a glorious mic
ture that these scientists paint. No
dust no rust, no grime-nothing but
countless little wires stretching out in
every direction, taking the places Of
painting horses, grooming coolies, putting
engines and smoking furnaces. The so
companies now knocking at the doors of
Niagara would generate, it is estimated,
100000 horsepower of electricity
enough to furnish the motive power Of
a little world. This would supply energy
for the factories of every city in the
East, 1t IS said, and many in the West.
Sounds like dream. but even at this
time active arrangements are being made
to transmit power to New York city, q
distance Of nearly 500 miles
The power companies already on the
field are doing wonders In the city OF
Buffalo. % miles from the fails. 900
street cars are run By power generated
there, the newspapers are printed By
Falls power, in big percentage of the
factories steam engines stand idle, while
electric motors run the works, and every
day new progress is made Across the