St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1909-04-28

= that the new company would get thu
: benefit of the head the whole length 0
, the ffteen-mile falls. They would estab
lish three separate power plants and it il
the belief of the engineers that were there
that every drop of water which flows
through the river at present could be
utilized for power purposes, SO that in
mean low water not drop would run
over the dams. The engineers have
found that there are remarkable facili-
ties for storage, and the company has
options on the rights for about twelve
miles along the river.
The company is negotiating with Philo
B. Van Dyke for his rights along the
river below Lower Waterford and it is
believed that Mr.. Van Dyke will sell out
to them and make possible the develop
ment of this tremendous proposition.
incidentally MIR. Van Dyke proposes to
establish big mill at Monroe for the
manufacture of carbon paper, an indus
try which would be new to the United
States, and it is proposed that the new
company furnish the electric power with
which to run this mill. Presumably
there would be many other industries
Fthat would spring up in the vicinity of
the big plants and it is probable that
power would be transmitted consider
able distances to accommodate any
industry that might desire this power.
The promoters have been at work on
the scheme for several months, although
they have been doing it quietly so that
it would not be so difficult to get options
along the river. Mr.. Everett, who with
Carl A, Ross, Chicago lawyer, former
ly of St. Johnsbury, is interested in the
development of the project, has been in
Littleton, accompanied by A. Danville
of Chicago, an engineer, and G. H. Gilbert
of New York. who is an engineer for the
New York Central railroad. The rail-
road, however, is not directly interested
in this scheme.
They also went to Waterford and |
with c. E. Carpenter of North Littleton,
who has been employed by the pro-
motors for several months securing
rights and surveying the river, made a
general survey of the whole length of
the river between the upper and lower
of the stretch along which they
will develop. Their expectations that
the scheme was worthy one were more
than realized and they found the greatest
possible natural advantages for its
development. The property along the
river which would be inundated by the
backing up from the dams is compare
lively inexpensive and would cost much
ess than in any other location which the
promoters know about
They estimated that it would cost be.
-ween $5,000,O0O and $6,OOO,O0O to
build the dam and power plant, but they
-epresent men of ample means who are
willing to put in all the money that is
needed. Almost without exception such
power plants have been tremendously
profitable, and there seems to be no
'eason. why it should not be the case
lere.
The Chicago promoters have made a
to the Grafton Power COM
1any, which holds the charter and the
lights tor the dam at Lower Waterford,
md the local company has given an OPP
ION to the Chicago men, good for nine
months The Grafton Power company
'oted to grant the option. This com
'any obtained the charter from the legis-
allure in 1901, but has never taken any
ctive steps toward the development.
he incorporators were Fred H. English,
crank P. Bond, John M. Tilotson,
henry F. Green, George Morse and D. c.
'emich. These men have long felt that
here were splendid possibilities in this
reject and have only been waiting for
ONE capitalists to come along and do
he developing. 1t is understood that
nder the option the members of this
ompany will be amply repaid for what
Expense they have been put to. 1t is said
hat not more than $1,000 had already 4
cen invested by that company.
1t is understood that there is but one
of hitch in the consumma- :
on OF the project, and this relates not
the hnanciering, but to the physical
'nditions. 1t is said that the engineers
re not certain the foundation for the big
am would be strong enough to support
lch vast structure. Engineers will
thin few weeks test the soil and rock.