Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1912-11-29
Bellows Falls. Nov. %.


Probably the largest financial deal,
and the most important to the business
interests of Bellows Falls. which has
ever taken place here has been made
public during the last week, although to
some of the residents it has been known
as under way since last July. 1t is the
sale of the entire property of the Bel
lows Falls Canal company, which con-
trolls the power of the Connecticut river
at this point as well as number of
smaller powers in the vicinity, and the
property and business of the Fall Noun
tain Electric Light & Power company.
The purchasers are the Chace and Har-
riman interests of New York city, which
control the Connecticut River Power
company at Vernon, the Deerfield valley
projects the Fifteen Mile Falls power
and a number of other similar enter
prises. The sale dates from July l, 1912.
The two former local companies are to
be consolidated into one and when all
arrangements are completed the name
will probably be the Bellows Falls Pow
er company. Leland ]. Royce, who for
a number of years has been the super
intendent and manager of the two COM
panies, has been retained in the same
capacity for the new one, and it is not
probable any important changes will be
made in the personnel of local officials and
workmen, except to add to them as the
business of the new company is extend
ed.
The first query that comes to the mind
of all is whether the change will result
in advantage or disadvantage to the best
interest of this locality. Without doubt
it will be an immense advantage, and
those who are cognizant of the plans for
the future are assured that an era of
greater prosperity than at any time be-
fore is coming in the immediate future.
Among the advances which may with
confidence be expected are the enlarge
ment of the canal and practically the
entire rebuilding of the power plants
here, better conserving by more scien-
tific engineering the forces of the river.
BY this means it will be possible to add
at least so per cent to the present pow
er and greatly extend the manufacturing
here. Lines are to be erected to con-
meet the Vernon plant with this in or
der to conserve and utilize the surplus
power at both places, and later with the
Deerfield valley plants, making one large
system prepared to furnish unlimited
power not only here but elsewhere. AL
though it is probable that Bellows Falls
is at a disadvantage as compared with
other places in regard to manufacturing
sites available, yet there are many not
yet utilized and we have the advantage
of the best railroad centre and facli-
Ties lOI lTdHSpOI ldllOil III All lIlS SCI
ton.
Already an important new manufac-
turing plant is projected, influenced by
the new ownership of the power, for
which the plans are rapidly being per-
fected 1t is understood the location will
be south of the present mills under the
hill, and that it will employ a number of
hundred hands.
The Bellows Falls canal was the first
canal in America for transportation pur-
poses to be chartered and construction
begun upon. 1t was chartered by the
Vermont legislature in 1891 at Windsor
revised by the same body sitting at
Rutland in 1892, and the work was be-
gun upon it that year, although owing
to natural distractions boats were not
passed through until 1902 The total cost
of the canal and dam to the time when
boats first passed through it was $685.
33S.13, very important sum for that
early time. The money was furnished
by the Atkinson family of London, in
whose ownership it was held for over 20
years, and not over 20 per cent of the
money put into it by them was ever