New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-28

generation.
Vast Resources
Still Undeveloped
There are a lot of fine spun the
cries about the relative merits OF the
several kinds of power, but the fact
remains that the price of hydro-elec-
trio power is lower than that of COM
netting prime movers. A brief world
survey shows that the United States
ranks first in developed water power,
having approximately 100000
horsepower maximum available with
out storage, with 100000 mini
mum in times of drouth and $780,
600 horsepower developed. These fig
ures embrace only the surveyed por-
ton of the water powers of the
United States, and it has been esti-
mated that the grand total available
horsepower of the entire country, sur
veyed and unsurveyed, with practical
maximum storage, is in round figures
212.OOO,OOO. One-half Of the sur
veyed undeveloped water power of
this country is on publicly owned
sites. And there are two views as to
how the government ought to be
moved in their disposition of this
great asset, one claiming that "any
use is better than no use at all" The
second and more farsighted view is:
better not even a partial develop
ment now if thereby the full utiliza-
ton that may be needed in the near
future is blocked.
Canada ranks second, having H.
100000 horsepower available, equal
to an annual production Of 375,00O,-
Geo tons of coal, and Of this only
1.71200O is developed. In Europe
Austria-H Hungary comes first IN
available and Norway first in devel-
oped water horsepower, while in
available and developed horsepower
per square mile Switzerland is far in
the front of all European countries.
Great Britain, with most of its
forests cut down, is practically with
cut water power resources except for
a few OF comparative minor impor-
lance in Scotland.
Comparatively little is known as
to the total available water horse
power Of South America, but such
data as has been collected goes to
show that that continent is probably
better supplied than all the rest of
the world. Practically every one OF
the Latin-American countries is
using some of the streams in the set
tied districts. Consider Brazil: The
almost unknown Guayra Falls is
over 800 feet in height and two miles
wide, which it is computed would, II
fully utilized, furnish between Co.
100000 and s0,000,OOO horsepower.
Then, again, the Iquassu Falls could
be made to supply 100000 horse
power. There are thousands of other
falls, rapids and cascades scattered
mp and down the several republics,
and their total power cannot even be
guessed at. 1t is almost incalculable.
As the United States has more de-
veloped water horsepower than all
the rest Of the world put together
American experience and opinion
carry much weight, but the impress
sion layman gets as to the relative
advantages of power developed from
water or fuel depends very much on
whether his opinion is based on the
prospectus drawn up by the promoter
OF hydro-electrical project or on the
selling talk Of the maker Of engines
and boilers.
One Plant Serves
Immense Areas
n is useless in these days to ask
power users to pay returns on pro-
motors hopes, because the develop
ment practically all depends OH the
answer to the question "What is
steam or other power in the terri
tory costing?" They can only live
when they deliver power at sub
stantially lower cost. At the same
cost they remain unborn. The mod
ern water power development is