The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-03-17
SCIENCE AND BUSINESS
 PREPARATIONS

If is within a comparatively few years that the electro chemical indus try of the United States has been so developed as now to make 1t certain that it is about to establish new era in American industry and in the util- ization of our natural resources. In I1S31 Faraday discovered inductive electricity The world of science was amazed at this revelation of one of the secrets of nature. Not until 50 years later did it occur to any lndus- trial or commercial purposes.
 There followed the invention Of the dynamo, an apparatus which speedily
 begun to revolutionize some forms Of industry. Without it the incandescent light, the utilization of electric power upon highway trolleys or for railroads whose trains were formerly operated 1 by steam, and various other industries would have been unthought of. Out Of 1t has come in great measure the de- yelopment of the electro-chemIcal in dustry, and that is to play most important part in maintaining the prosperity of the United States after the war and in fact greatly increas- ing it. For this reason the decision or the American Electro Chemical society,
 to hold it's meeting in the spring in the south, is of great significance. The meetings will not be held in any one place exclusively. The member of the society purpose visiting Kingsford, Tenn. also Knoxville and Chattanooga as well as Muscle Shoals and also to make exhaustive investigations of the | amazing industries which are centered at Birmingham.
 FROM NIAGARA FALLS TO THE SOUTH
 | nt nf electro chemical plants is that which
 has been made possible by the utiliza- 1 ton of the water power of Niagara | Falls. There. with prophetic eye and with an enthusiasm which caused him 1 to be oblivious to all else--even to the scenic grandures of the vlclnlty-Lord l Kelvin. in 1897 pointed out the inevita- i ble effect upon the industrial growth or | the United States of the establishment of the electro chemical industries. lie was persuaded that in due time great
 water powers, that he had heard were
 in the south and the far west, would
 be utilized as the water power of the i Niagara Falls had begun to be util- lizee. There is a limit, however, to the utilization of Niagara's water power and therefore, great industries are now contemplating the utilization or other water powers, some or Whlch
 will be visited by the members or the l electro -ch emical society at the April
 and May meeting. Unless there can be provided adequate water power en- erey in other parts of the country
 than the Niagara section, manufactur- CTS after the war, will be compelled l 10 establish plants in Canada as, in fact. already one large American m l dustry has done, to supplement- US plant in Niagara Falls. The manufac- l turers may even go to Norway and Sweden where there is abundant wa tier pawer.
 After the war is ended the electro chemical industry of the united states is sure to be vastly expanded. It is to onen in A new era in our industries possibly even in agriculture, for 1t ie to show the way by which all the fer tilizers the farmers need can be se- | cured.
 I The visit of the American Electro l Chemical society to the south Tn the last days of April and the first days of May is certain to be Followed py
 recommendation which will refer to the economic value for our industries in the future of the development of the
 water powers fo the south. Today some of the members of this society are persuaded that. in that part Of the jsouth where water powers are aoun-
 dant and inexhaustible, will be estab- | lished in the future. the chief location of the electro chemical industries of the United States. Thus this society is
 lacting in sympathy With business leaders who are giving much thought ! to preparations or preparedness for meeting the stupendous business changes and conditions which will be \ probably the most conspicuous feature
 of our life as a nation after peace
 comes.