The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-05-03
Business Mems Association In max
city Protest Against State
ments Concerning Dam
and Power Rates.
FIGURES ARE SECURED
Up River City Believes Misleading
utterances Damage Industrial
Future Of This
Section.

The Fort Madison First association
has taken up the cudgel against
Congressman Rainey and his wierd
statements respecting the dam ana
its effects on navigation and power
rates. The following is from the Fort
Madison Gem City:
The following article from the Fl.
Madison First association was today
handed to the Gem City for publica'
ton. It shows conclusively the mis-
representation Of the statements
made in the east relative to the Mis-
sissippi Power company enterprise at
recent congressional committee
meeting.
Whereas, much damage has been
dons to the Industrial future OF this
region by Misrepresentation made IN
the east and at recent hearing be-
fore congressional committee con-
corning the effect Of the Mississippi
River Power company enterprise up
ON navigation and upon the price and
availability OF the power generated at
that company's power station at Keo-
kuk, It Is resolved by tho board OF
directors OF the Fort Madison First
association that they protest against
such misleading statements and as
sert that they ars unfounded In fact;
that the desdrability OF the power zone
az location for factories 10 shown
by the fact that twenty-five steam
plants IN the Mississippi valley. with
q total capacity Of 4.730 horse power
have already replaced their steam
drive with electricity since the Mis-
sissippi River Power company has
been furnishing electric current; that
the cost OF operating said plants by
steam varied from $21.o0 to 5000
per horse power per annum, while the
cost Of electric drive varies from
S17.0o to $4,000 per horsepower per
annum. This above figures were furn-
ished at our request by the Mississippi
River Power company and are deriv-
ed from actual cases wherein electric
drive has been substituted for steam
power. We are confident that these
figures are correct In every detail.
Other factories are preparing to
change from steam to electric power
| generated at the Keokuk dam as soon
as the necessary changes In appara-
tus and appliances can be made.
| Gala Rates Just.
The Fl. Madison First association
has had occasion within the past year
to secure rates for current from the
Mississippi River Power company for
number OF industries, who consider
ed the establishment OF factories in
Fort Madison, and In no case has
there been any objection or criticism
raised with reference to the rates
charged for power. In most cases
the rates named in TT. Madison have
been much lower than those charged
to industries in their present location
| With our other natural advantages,
and the cheap power generated by
the Mississippi River Power company,
there are no more advantageous or
desirable locations for factories than
| in the towns and cities within the
power zone.
AS to navigation. It Is common
knowledge in this region that naviga-
ton for forty miles above the dam
has been greatly improved. and that
| 1T has not and will not be injured be-
low the dam by reason Of the build
| inc and III eInt ron epno ~ fba 5o1,