New-York tribune., 1907-01-19
POWER FROM NIAGARA.
Secretary Taft Grants Permits for
Use of Water.
Trrom The Tribune Rurenu.l

-T,ashingtOn, Jan. B-Secretary Taft to-day rem
,re6 his decision under the Burton act for the
s.serHation of Niagara Falls on the applications
"a american companies for the use of water and
= canadian companies wishing 10 send electric
wsr into the United States and at the same
t,-oe announced the appointment of commission
- beautify the vicinity of the Falls The amount
~ water allowed TO companies in New York is
-asioaly that new used, and substantially as
sfrltsd by the act of Congress as a maximum
Tbe Secretary finds no evidence that the flow ever
rbe American fails has been injuriousy affected
!, recent years. The claims of the Canadian COM
nauies acting in conjunction with electric COM
nanies on this side of the river. had to be ma
,erialIy cut down 10 come within the law limiting
the total current 10 10000 horsepower The allot-
rnents in electric horsepower to be transmitted to
the United States are follows:
The International Railway Company, l5OO. Ut
asked for s,0OO)
The Ontario Power Company. 10000. asked for
NWO)
The Canadian Niagara Falls Power Company
ESQ. asked for l2,5e0D
The Electrical Development Company. 5000.
asked for 62,500)
All these permits are revocable at pleasure and
in the absence Of further legislation by Congress-
will expire June g, 1909
In the of his decision after discussing tha
intent OF the law. Mr.. Taft says
Acting upon the same evidence which Congress
hae am upon sr tae SGdiponal statement made to
seologist Of New York. who seems TO have been
one Of those engaged from the beginning in the
Fails and who has given close scientific attentioa
TO the matter have reached the conclusion that
with the diversion OF l56oo cubic feet the Amer-
can side and the transmission of leo 600 horsepower
from the Canadian side the scenic grandeur of the
Falls NlH not be affected substantially per
ceptibly 10 the eye.
increase of only 2.50o cubic feet second over
what Is now being diverted and has been diverted
for many years. and has not affected the Falls
With respect TO the Canadian side the wafer is
4 mt a
affect the American falls at all, because the point
from which il is drawn is considerably below the
level OF the water at the point where the waters
separate above Goat Island, and the Waterways
Commission and Dr. Clark agree that the taking
OF 1900 cubic feet from the Canadian side will not
n any way aHeet meet or reduce the water going over
on the Canadian side OF Goat Island is about five
American fails. or. counting the totsI as a2oon ON
cubic feet a second the volume OF the Horseshoe
amount withdrawn on the Canada side for Cana
dan use were beoo cubic feet second. which Il is
not likely TO be during the three years life of these
permits, the total TO be Withdrawn would not ex-
considering the immense quantity which goes over
the Horseshoe Falls the dmlnutior would not be
Taking up first the application for permits for
diversion on the American side, there is not room
1or discussion or difference. The Niagara Falls
Power Company is now using about $500 cubic feet
OF water a second and producing about 76650
AoIsepoMeT. Ihere IS some question as 70 the ne
eessity Of using some water for suicing This must
and the use OF the water for other purposes when
sluieing is being done must be diminished. The
Niagara Falls Hydraulic Power and Manufacturing
Company is now using 4O0o cubic feet a second and
dating the Burton act plant arranged 10 divert l
cubic feet second and furnish 5000 horsepower to
nit win therefore issue TO the Niagara Falls Hy-
draulic Power and Manufacturing Company for the
diversion OF $500 cubic feet second and the same
rule must obtain as 70 sluicng' as already stated
AS the object OF the act is TO preserve the scenic
beauty Of Niagara Falls, conceive II 20 be with
IN my power TO impose conditions upon the grant
remedy the unsightIy appearance that is given the
American side OF the canyon just below the falls
aeara Falls Power Ccpsny scharFes ana an % Wher.
the works Of the hydraulic company are placed
ciation has properly described the eect upon the
Won 10 be that Of looking into the back yard Of
house negligenfIy kept. For the purpose OF aiding
move this eyesOre including the appearance Of the
sGesgs az d the TOP shell apolnt o3m%Ste, q Rae,
and F. L. Olmsted TO advise me what changes.
Of the Investment can be made which viii put tbs
side OF the canyon at this point from bottom 10 top
surroundings and viii conceal. as far possible
the raw commercial aspect that now offends the
n the mIIdings az tie NsRsrs Fails Power Com
pany, above the falls. There is no reason why
similar care should not be enforced here.
Water is being withdrawn from the Erie Canal
al the lake level for water power purposes. and
applications have been made for permits authoriz
IS thus used in the original draft OF water that
s not returned 70 the canal in such a way as not
70 lower the level Of the lake. The water is used
over and oyer again II seems 10 me that ths
user AS the water is taken from the canal which
IS property. and the interest and Jurisdiction
direct effect upon the level Of the lake. the permit
should recite that this does not confer any right
from the canal without authority and subject to
but that il is intended to operate ana its opera
ton is limited 10 confer. so far as the federal gov
s authorized. the right to take the wafer and tg
claim immunity from any prosecution or lega .