New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-16
OPPOSE HYDRO-ELECTR|C
POWER FOR THIS STATE
System of Ontario, Canada, Not
a Success, Joint Legislative
Committee Finds.
COMMISSION FAVORS PLAN
State Conservation Board
Urges Construction of Trans
mission System Through
out New York.

Albany, Jan. 1.-THE report OF the joint
committee OF the Legislature on the con-
servation and utilization of water power
was handed to the Legislature to-day.
The committee report that they have in
vestigated the plan Of the Hydro Electric
Power Commission of the Province OF
Ontario. Canada. and that in their opin-
ion it is not success, measured by eco
nomic and business standards.
They oppose the adoption OF the plan in
the State Of New York. and point out that
there is within the state a daily con-
sumption OF over 10000 horsepower. and
that to deliver this to the point Of utiliza-
ton would take over 100000 water horse
power at the penstock
They find that there is undeveloped in
tie state only 1876, 500 horsepower, 2s2 100
horsepower OF which is actually owned by
the state. and 954. 100 horsepower Of which
is claimed by private owners.
In view OF these circumstances, the
committee report that in their judgment
it would be impossible for the State OF
New York to develop a sufficient amount
OF hydraulic power to make any appreci-
able impression on the power demands of
the state.
The committee further point out that
extensive as the Niagara system is. II is
only carrying about $500 horsepower,
and contrasting this with the state Oh
New York's requirement OF 10000 horse
mower. they conclude that the adoption or
such a system in New York state would
compel the expenditure OF immense sums
OF money.
Commission Favors Plan.
The state Conservation Commissions
report. which was also submitted to the
Legislature to-day. differs materially from
that OF the joint legislative committee.
The state commission advocates the
storage of flood waters and regulation OF
stream flow and recommends the graduai
DEVELOPMENT OF the undoveioped water
povers bv the state and the transmission
of electrical energy To the various mu-
n,cinalities. To this portion Of the report
Commissioner James W. Fleming eA-
presses disapproyal, although he concufs
in the report AS whole.
Tn. work OF the Hydro Electric Com
mission I'm Ontario. Canada, ~ citeu Dy
Conservation Commissioners Van kenheh
and Moore as an illustration Of the New
York commissions plan. 1T shows says
tho report. that through the Hydro-Elec
tric Commission many municipalities III
Western ontario are being furnished win
electrical energy for light and power pur-
noses that I'm Ontaffo> the movement is
not regarded a. political, but as a grea'
economic question. II Is claimed tha' the
ptoI.ct I'm Ontario Is highly successfuI
from financial and engineering point OF
,iow. that the service is reliable and et-
acient. that the sales Of electric current
have constantly increased and prices
has been continually reduced.
The commissions project according 10
tho report. "contcmplates the ultimate
construction OF system OF electrical
Transmission throughout the state by main
trunk lines. with radatIng branches 10 all
,oints The various municipalities are
authorized TO enter into contracts with the
state for power
The report points out that there Is eco
nomically available approximately iooooV
HORSEPOWER which belongs 10 the state
and that there is I'm all approximately
500 600 Of undeyeloped water power III
the state at large"