The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1909-05-27
WATER POWERS OF MAINE.
Names Great Potential Wealth.

There was much said last week at the
banquets held to welcome the representa-
tives of the Boston Chamber Of Com
merce who visited Maine in regard to
Maine resources and opportunities. Fur
Their development of all the great natural
resources of Maine was the keynote of
the speeches made, and attention was
repeatedly called to the fact that Maine S
greatest need is to encourage, in every
possible way, this work of development.
Much was said about the boundless en-
ergy going to waste in Names unused
water powers, which, could they be har-
messed to the varied industries which
might be built up, and these industries
supplemented by adequate transporta-
ton, would give Maine a vast impetus in
wealth and population.
Vice President Eastman, of the Port
land Board Of Trade, in his speech of
welcome to Names distinguished guests
alluded to the potential wealth of the
State, and particularly its water power
and the interest of late being awakened
in the subject. He spoke of the unde-
veloped power, the tremendous energy
going to waste at Ripogenous Gorge and
Grand Falls, for instance, and how it
might easily be saved and conveyed by
wire for use at distant points. 1t is no
vain dream, but very real, live and
practical subject, in which there is a
great amount of interest.
The value of water power is estimated
by the United States government to be
worth 1913 unit. According to geologi-
cal survey the total developed water
power in Maine is 153, 900 horse power,
minimum, or 252, 600 horsepower during
the six high water months. By the es-
innate of the same authority the total
undeveloped power is $50, 900 horse-pow
er for the six highwater months, max
ing total of 1872, 800 actual and poten-
tial; while by additional storage it is pos
sible to secure AIS, 900 horsepower more,
making grand total of l, 1913, 900. What
does this mean? 1t means that on the
basis of S333 per unit, the developed pow
er is worth over SIS, 900, 900 year at the
least, and at the maximum flow over
So, 600, 600 year; or if we allow six
months minimum and six months maxi
mum, it is over $6,000,0 900 year. 1t
means that the undeveloped power is
worth, or could be made worth, ST., 500, O00
year; that with dams and storage
basins more than S13,000,00 could be
added to this, and that with the total
water power of the State put to work,
developed, undeveloped and created, it
would be worth S39, 100000 year.
And what else would it mean to the
State to have the equivalent of million
horses put to work and working day in
and day out, week in and week out,
nights and Sundays and holidays, re
curing no oats or hay, no whip or pur'
nothing but proper channels to run in
and wheels to turn? 1t would mean
manufactures, light and heat, the move
ment Of looms and lathes, of all kinds of
machinery, Of cars and elevators and
derricks-anything, in short, where me-
chanical power is required. What is the
coal bill of Maine? We have long and
cold winters, and in order to live and
keep comfortable, we have to pay tribute
to the miners of Pennsylvania. But
electricity produces heat as we'll as light
and power. With a million horsepower
at work producing cheap electricity, it
might be possible to cut down the fuel
bill considerably, as well as the bills now
paid for steam heat and power. The de-
velopment of such a source of natural
wealth would mean a great deal to
Maine, and would go far to make up for
the lack of mineral wealth. For the de-
velopment of this wealth it is necessary
to get capital interested, and it is posi-
BILE that the visit Of the Boston men will
help in that direction. -Presque Isle Star
/ Herald