Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1915-12-07
ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS
IN RECENT HISTORY.

CnrlS. N. Johnson, we'll know here
who is resident of Merrill, writes to
the Merrill Herald concerning the
new consolidation of the Wausau
and Merrill Electric power plants.
The following is part of his article 4:
The consummation last week of
the sale of the Merrill Railway &
Lighting company's plant, franchises
and appurtenances to a Wausau cor
poration is one of the biggest things
in the recent history of Merrill.
That deal of such magnitude should
cause widespread comment, and di-
vergent opinions among the people of
Merrill, is only natural.
And like everything else, the pessi-
mists came to the fore with all kinds
Of dire predictions. Some there are
who go so far as to fear that the
plant will be dismantled and Merrill
left in darkness. Others while not so
positive as to the dire results, are
still quite sure cit is bad thing for
Merrill"
Now it is a safe prediction that
the representations of the various
peSsimists will not come true. In
fact the contrary is sure to happen.
While [ do not know the price paid
for the two plants, it is certain that
the sum reaches several hundred
thousand dollars-probably close on to
half a million dollars. 1t is also
known that the new owners propose
to spend many, many thousands of
dollars in improvements Well it is
pretty sure then that the Wausau
capitalists did not spend hundreds Of
thousands of dollars and contemplate
more expenditures unless they thought
they saw opportunity for business in
the future; saw opportunity for great
er development. In other words they
did not contemplate an outlay of a
half million dollars just to acquire
the present business of the two con-
Germs involved in the deal.
The conjecture then is that a
scheme for the development of all the
water powers in the Wisconsin valley,
between Mosinee and GRANDPA ther
falls, by one corporation is contem-
plated. While the headquarters of
this corporation may be in Wausau
or in New York matters not because
the stimulating effect of such water
power development will be felt all
over northern Wisconsin. In fact
this has been the dream of far-sighted
men in this region ever since the po-
tential value Of electric power has
been recognized. This dream now
seems about to be realized. The start
has been made. That Merrill will be
first TO feel the impulse Of this new
era is sure, because Merrill is the
second link to be forged in the chain
of industrial northern Wisconsin. A
Wausau capitalist is quoted as saying,
"that Merrill will double in wealth
and population in the next five years"
This is no Idle prediction In my
Judgment OF course Merrill must
not slumber nor go to sleep. The
most immediate and pressing thing
is better transportation facilities.
That new railroad so long talked
about, should be secured and that
without delay even if necessary to
bond Merrill and Lincoln county to
the limit. In spite of past failures,
if the proper efforts are put forth, l
believe, this can be done. L believe
the people of Lincoln county want
better transportation facilities. 1
believe that now they realize it more
keenly than ever before. With bet
ter transportation facilities there is
no reason why Merrill should not get
her share, and more, of the new man.
ufacturing industries that are sure to
follow the development Of the water
powers of this section.