Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-07-07

the available head gives $4,000 theoret-
ical horse power that can be develop
ed at the government power project
without any great additional expense
and without any rebuilding Of the ex-
listing dams, bikes, etc. This is the
| theoretical horse power and at least
$4,000 of these theoretical horse power
can be actually generated if suitable
machinery is installed. These figures
are given for the extreme low water
stage of the river. At higher stages
the amount of power that can be de-
veloped rapidly increases and there is
usually sufficient flow in the river to
give 100000 horse power. Therefore,
the minimum horse power that can be
developed at the government power
project at any and all stages of the
river is $4,000 horse power OF this
amount 5000 horse power has been de-
veloped at the present arsenal dam
THE arsenal water power was not
used by the government for many
years. Its first practical use for gov
eminent purposes dates from about
1890. The plant for generating power
was destroyed by fire in 1899 and the
present installation dates from that
time. Much of the moneys appropri-
ated in the earlier years for the de-
velopment Of the power was lost in
work which served its purpose at the
time but has since been abandoned.
Examples are the Moline dam wall
Gv-e%
dam which was washed away 80 years
ago, and the power house machinery,
destroyed by fire in 1899. Aside from
the existing dam, which cost S275, 900,
practically all of the expenditures on
this account prior to 1899 should prop
erly be written off on account of OBJ
solescence. The capital investment of
the government on this basis would,
therefore, amount to the cost of the
dam plus the congressional appropria-
tons since that date, or a total of
$426,S50, and the interest on this sum
a three per cent is S12,805.50. If the
entire power which has been devel-
oped were utilized, this sum would be
an annual charge against the cost
of power at the arsenal, but, as will
be hereafter shown, the arsenal is
using only Is per cent Of the power
which has been developed at its dam
and, therefore, only Is per cent of
the sum or si,S75.OO should be so
charged. In addition, congress makes
an annual appropriation of s12,500 for
the maintenance and operation of the
power plant. This covers all expenses
for material and labor for operation
of the SIS per cent of developed power
not used as well as the Is per cent
actually usef. Obviously money spent
in the ordinary upkeep of unused prop
erty is not proper charge to present
cost OF power. Therefore, making a
liberal charge for used power of $1,000
out of the s12,500 appropriated, the
total annual cost of the arsenal power
is s10,S75. The arsenal uses annually
100000 kilowatt hours of electricity
so that, on this basis, the cost is
s0.0036 per kilowatt hour
In cost keeping it is customary to
make allowances for depreciation and
to take credit for appreciation in value.
1t is therefore pertinent to inquire as
10 the present value Of arsenal power
horsepower that can be developed in
the arsenal power project at any
and all stages of the river is $4,000 |
of which it is roughly es-
timated thai $4,000 is available for !
government disposition. This power. /
If sold to a commercial distributing |
concern would bring SIS per horse /
power per year or total income of |
1910. 900 Allowing $4,000 for main .
operation and obsolescence of
the plant. would leave 100000 profit, !
which on the three per cent govern |
ment basis would give capital value |
Of s7,666.000. This valuation for the !
arsenal power project Is confirmed by
the fact that the great Mississippi ,
river dam and power project at Keo- T,
kuk, Iowa. short distance below Rock
Island, has been built in the last few
years at a cost of s25.OOO.Oo0. Fur
Their, there is a bill now before con-
sress for permission to construct a
lam at The foot of the lie Claire rapids
Of the Mississippi river and only a
short distance above the arsenal de-
gelopment. This proposed water pow
er project would be in respect to pow
er possibilities duplicate or the ar
senal project. Yet, to develop this
LIE Claire project, il is proposed to
dam at an expense OF &c.,
DOC. 900. Therefore, an estimated pres
ent value OF $7,666.0O0 for the Rock
Island arsenal water power Is exceed
ngly reasonable and its development
Tor the small total of s1.624.750 APP
propriated by congress must be re-