Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-18
GRANTING OF FRANCHISES
New York and Canada Have Been
Very Liberal.
DEMANDS FOR INTERFERENCE
Appeals to the Observation-Disclosures
to the Attorney General-Taken
Up With Great Britain.
BY WILLIAM E. CURTIS.

bI WILLIAM
Written for The Star and the Chicago Record
Herald.
There Is widespread agitation for some
legislation to save Niagara Falls. The
American Civic Association, the New York
chamber of commerce, the New York Mer-
chants Association and several other Or
ganizations of men and women are cireu-
lating petitions addressed to the President.
to the Senate and House of Representatives
and to the governor and the legislature of
New York, urging that something be done
to prevent the further Dissertation OF that
most majestic of all scenic spectacles ex-
cept the Grand canyon of the Colorado. In
this utilitarian age people take more
thought Tor use than for beauty, and the
cliffs and banks of Niagara river on both
sides are being rapidly occupied by manu-
factories operated by the power Of the
current of the river.
In 1902 Mr.. Isham Randolph, the we'll
known engineer OF Chicago, made an in
vestigation and report which shows that
the falls Is $4,000 cubic feet per second.
The maximum at high water Is 10000
cubic feet and the minimum, at the lowest
water known, is 10000 cubic feet. Mr..
Randolph said: There is now (September,
1902 actually generated a little under no.
600 horse power. Within six months this
will be increased by 100000 horse power.
The entire amount which can be generated
under construction already begun (Septem-
Der, 1909 is 640.Oo0 horse power. To de-
velop this will require 5000 cubic feet, OF
water. which Is about the difference be-
tween high water and low water
Since Mr.. Randoiphs report several other
franchises have been granted. A Lockport
company has been given an unlimited right
to take water out Of the river for manu-
featuring purposes, and it is understood
No. H. n.y.
pany Will soon commence a plant for fur
nishfng 100000 horse power of electricity
to run the trolley suburban systems in
western New York, which have recently
come into its possession. The Niagara Falls
Hydraulic Power and Manufacturing Com
pany have just commenced the construc-
ton of new power house at the edge of
the gorge. where they will be compelled
to blast out a large part of the cliff in or
der to get foothold. 1t Is claimed in the
newspapers that this, when completed, will
be the largest electric power house in the
world.
Persons who have been making an investi-
cation declare that the franchises already
granted by the legislature of New York
allow SO,OOO horse power to be drawn from
the falls There are now under con-
struction or contemplated plants for the
generation Of 100000 horse power In addi-
ton to that reported by Mr.. Randolph. A
committee recently informed the President
that there are $50 factories operated on
thO <AiiSl iCau SiUo ny electricity from the
falls and thirty on the Canadian side. 1t is
estimated that 461 tons of water flow over
the falls every minute, which Is sufficient
TO generate 100000 horse power, so that
one-third of the possibilities are now actu-
ally in operation or authorized by charters
granted by the legislature of New York
Sounding the Alarm.
Last October the American Civic Assoc
citation. meeting at Cleveland. discussed this
and
reciting that Whereas the wanton destruc-
ton of Niagara Falls Is imminent as the re-
suit OF the action Of the New York legis-
lature. in violation of the highest welfare
OF the people Of the United States in the
name of common heritage and a common
obligation, the American Civic Association
earnestly urges the President Of the United
states ana the governor general of Canada
to appoint joint commission to consider
and report immediate measures to avert the
Impending disaster and preserve the great
ataract In all Its beauty to the latest gen.
eration.'
This resolution was submitted to the Pres
ident by committee which discussed the
subject at length with him and represented
that the two great objections to the use of
Niagara Falls for manufacturing purposes
We're: =
1. That the withdrawal of water from the
river above the cataract diminishes the
amount that goes over the falls and there
grandeur and beauty Of the great natural
spectacle.
q That the manufacturing structures de-
stroy the beauty of the scene and are randi
ly defacing the cliffs taht inolose the
chasm For thirty years g. brewery, a -four
mill and paper mill have been operated
upon the American side and all three have
Deeh very offensive to the eye. The new
power plants on both sides occupy buildings
OF architectural excellence which were de-
signed to be harmonious with their sIr-
roundlngs. but they are, nevertheless, out OF
place and seriously detract from the grand
eur at the landscape
hberality in Granting Franchises.
Both OF these reasons are considered SUI
nclent for public interference and the de-
mand for electric power for transportation
and manufacturing purposes In western
New York, the convenience with which that
power may be obtained at Niagara Falls,
ana the ease with which franchises can be
secured from the legislature OF that state
ana also from the parliament of the proy-
NICE OF ontario, suggest that the entire
panks-Doth banks of the river-wilI event.
ualiy be covered with buildings for manu-
tacturlng purposes. To utilize the water
shafts are sunk and tunnels are pierced
INTO the walls and large sections of the
ciins are blown away by dynamite This
yandansm mas been going on for years I'M
der lawful authority the Jurisdiction over
the American side having been conceded to
the legislature of New York and over the
Canadian side to the parliament of the
province of Ontario.
Both governments have reserved consid-
cradle areas of land immediately at the
falls for park purposes, and have placed II
under the supervision of commissioners, In
that respect the place seems to have been
we'll managed. The sites occupied by the
factories have been purchased from private
parties who own the land along the bank of
the river above the falls or along the rim OF
the gorge below. The water cannot be used
without permission. but the legislatures of
New York and of Ontario have both been
very liberal in granting franchises and In
deed 1t has been a matter of pride that so
many manufacturing Industries are spring
ing up in the vicinity OF the falls and that
so much power Is being drawn from the wa
ter.
The Attorney Generals View.
After the visit Of the committee from the
American Civic Federation, the President
referred its resolutions to Attorney General
Moody. with an inquiry as to whether any
legal steps can be taken to preserve the
falls. After considering the matter Mr.
Moody replied that the amount Of water
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