New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-17
White Fuel

A correspondent Of "The Engineering
and Mining Journal" asks an explana-
tion of why hydro-electric power is
relatively so much cheaper in some for
eign countries than in the United
States, pointing out that in the United
States there is scarcely any hydro cleo
trio power available at less than $50
per horsepower per year, while in
Scandinavia there are large develop
ments from which power is supplied at
$3.50 per horsepower per year and even
less. In answer the periodical says in
part: "The chief determinatiye factor,
which creates the difference between
water power at $3.50 and $3.50, is
overhead charges; that lie, principally
plant cost in the first place. Norway
and Sweden arc not the only countries
that enjoy very cheap hydro-electric
power. There are other countries that
possess similar conditions, namely.
large volumes of water at high head
available close to seaports."
ut seems but few years ago." said
Frank W. Frueauf, vice-president of
the Cities Service Company, chat so
far as the public was concerned, cleo
tricity was Of little use but for il
Elimination and the propulsion Of troll
ley cars. At the present date the power
business has left the lighting phase far
behind.
IN many American cities and towns
the growth Of electrical power has out
distanced the local population. One
town that ! have in mind whose popula-
ton has increased 10 per cent ha. seen
the power load Of its central station ex-
pand 90 per cent. Big manufacturing
enterprises have all they can do to con-
centrate on the production Of their par.
ticular products, and electricity is the
genii that they now call to their aid"
The Ontario government has received
assurance from the Dominion govern
ment that Canadian power companies
which are exporting power to the
United States must give the Ontario
Hydro-Electric all the electricity it re-
quires or cease expectation. This means
that the Dominion authorities will regu-
late the export of power from time 10
time, as recommended by the Ontario
government and if necessary ban will
be placed on export until such time as
company complies with Hydro demands.
The Journal du Four Electrique ct
de PElectrolyse," one OF the French
periodicals that suspended publication
at the outbreak OF the war, but re-
sumed in August, 1919, calls attention
TO the fact that the war has given a
great impetus TO the use of the electric
steel furnace and has witnessed the
installation Of a hundred or more OF
them, carrying tho number in the
world TO above 800. whereas in 1913
there were hardly half that number
France has lost some that il already
possessed, so that Il cannot show an
increase, but the United States is
credited with constructing fifty last
year and England with putting in
thirty since the war began, while Ger
many, without new installations, pro-
duced 10000 metric tons Of electric
steel in 1915, against 10000 in 1914.
Italy also is making additions. IL may
be presumed, although the writer does
not so state, that the German increase
come. in part from captured French
furnaces.
The possibility Of producing pig Iron
in New Zealand on a large scale IS be-
ing thoroughly studied by the suthori-
ties as well IS by private interests, ae-
cording to a report from Consul Gem
eral Alfred A. Winslow, al Auckland.
II is proposed to use electricity for
this rurnose instead OF coal. There is