New-York tribune., 1908-02-18
HE4RING on NI4G4R4.
Detergent Vie7cs on Use of Pozoer
Expressed.
From The Tribun. bureau.

Washington Feb T7.-The Niagara River was the
subject of a hearing before the Rivers and Harbors
Committee of the House this morning, at which a
number OF interesting facts concerning the utiiiZ
ton of the power of the river were brought out A
bill recently introduced by Representative Alex
ander of New York. providing that the Niagara
Power Water and Supply Company be allowed 10
divert from points not less than mile
below the falls the main proposition discussed
but it served a. a vehicle for the expression OF a
wide divergence of views among those who ad-
dressed the committee
Francis V Greene. vice president of the Ontario
Power Company. OF Niagara Falls was the first TO
give his views. He declared himself 10 be as
socitous the scenery of the lower river as any
member of the committee. but said 1t was possible
TO use a small portion of the waterpower for In
dustrfal and commercial purposes without in any
way interfering with the beauty OF the river. He
went further. by saying that under sane
management the beauty of the river would be en-
HANGED by proper buildings and factories. He gave
a number Of illustrations citing some instances III
which companies had operated in the lower river
with the utmost satisfaction the sightseers and
the residents of that portion OF the country. He
urged the passage OF the Alexander bill, but was
willing accept an amendment offered by REPRE-
sentative Porter. of New York, that the Secretary
Of War shall have authority to oversee the plans
Dr. Winthrop Spencer, Il Canadian geoogist. took
an entirely different view of the subject and pre-
sented his of the danger to the beauty OF the
river which would result from the utilization OF any
I
outlined The Tribune. had been. he said. gained
bv a thorough investigation of the soil and slope OF
the river. He insisted that 10 take more power
would be TO lower the river and expose its banks.
and in the end, practically to ruin the scenic
beauty Of the river.
other speakers, including Horace MacFarland.
vice-president of the American Civic Federation,
and Mr.. Bissen. vce-president of the Niagara
Gorge Company. contended that the results prove
that power can be used without any injurious eff
feet. They pointed out that the companies have
built parks where there formerly underbrush.
that there are facilities for and rransporta
ton which formerly exist. and that the Wis
itors now can much more of the river than
they could before
Representative Burton. chairman OF the commit
! tee made the following statement:
The act of 1906 enunciates the right and the
ara River preserve. far possible, the
scenic grandeur Of Niagara Falls and of the rapids
below. AS this is a boundary stream, final sou-
ton of the problems involved be had without
international agreement. Rights to divert water
were granted but these rights were declared TO
I he reVoCabie ana TO be strictly construed
They granted in order 10 prevent confiscation
I OF property rights serious injustice 10 those
who in reliance upon charters granted by Canada
or the State OF New York had expended large
amounts the development of electric power
No further hearings will be held in the imrnedi-