The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-11-12
A BIG ENTERPRISE

started, and we have met and mastered problems which the
world shrank from even contemplating in the past. We have
dealt in billions of dollars with the same equanimity with which
we dealt with hundreds of thousands and millions in years gone
by. We have not reached the end by any means. We have
other great problems to meet and solve. Director-General
McAdoo has declared in favor of replacing steam by electricity
on our railroads, and this involves the expenditure of the stag
gering sum of nineteen billions Of dollars; but it will be done
if the nation sets its head to the task, which it is likely to do.
The money will not be required all at one time, and the task will
not be attempted all at one time. What makes it probable OF
accomplishment is that it is economically necessary, and 1t
will pay.
Our coal supply is great, but not ineXhaustble, and our
transportation facilities are sorely overtaxed. 10 relieve the
tension and make a beginning it is first proposed to produce
electric power from coal in the great coal centers by construct
ing power plants at the pit mouths of the mines, which Will DO
away with the long and expensive haul OF coal across the
country. Besides the saving in transportation, there VIII be a
saving in coal. because all kinds Of coal can be used. small paar'-
ces and dust, and everything that will make fuel to produce
steam, which, in turn, will produce electricity, which can be
carried on a copper wire at comparatively little expense, in spite
Of the fact that copper is worth, or at least costs twiee as much
as lit did formerly. Electric power is beng successiuny oenveaed
over a distance of $50 miles, and this distance cah be increased
indefinitely. Besides the saving in the transportation and con
sumption of coal, a beginning once made it will be easy TO
harness the water power of the country, most OF when IS gong
to waste. The cost of installing the necessary plants Will be
much, but, once started, nature will come to our assistance. Inc
millions of tons of water tumbling through catarac.s aa otl
precipices, if confined in suitable canals and sluceWays' wou!d
turn enough turbine wheels to generate all the power that is
necessary to run the railroads and industrial estaohshments u
the country, as we'll as furnishing light and neat Wherever
needed.
In the Railroad Mans Magazine for November Mr.. John
Walker Harrington presents an array OF facts and figures "hich
show the economy and other benefits which viii result from a
change from the piston to the volt. The problem has been tried
out on many railroads, both by locating generating plants at
the coal mines and by using the water power OF the section
The South is enormously opulent in water power, and a begin
ming has been made of Harvesting those titanic fotces at Mussel
Shoals, which will likely spread out to other points where the
water power is plentiful.
Coal that is once consumed in the generation of motive
power is gone forever. 1t must be replaced by other coal, taken
from the mines, and hauled long distances at constantly increas-
ing expense. Water that is used for generating energy flows on
to the sea, where it is sucked up by the sun and carried back
to the mountains to be used again and again throughout the
ages. The enormous cost Of the change could not be borne by
the railroads without government aid, but this could be extended
without difficulty or danger. Our government is an adept in the
doing of big things, and McAdoo has shown in the past that he
Is a master of the magnitudinous, and rather enjoys toying with
enterprises that others shrink from in terror because OF their big
ness. Science will yet cause the water power OF the country
the waves of the ocean or the rays of the sun to do the work
that Is now being done by coal, and this will release a vast
unit of our man power to be used in more essential activities
We have escaped from the old rut of metculous conservatism
and have entered upon a new era OF things where anything
conceivable is almost possible to the genius and strength OF the
country. The roar of the distant cataract may not be heard, but
N will furnish a subtitle force to light our homes and streets and
~ II mills and factories at small cost. While this VIII cost
u big sum it will be a conservation of energy that will soon pay
for itself and relieve the country of the menace OF a shortage OF
ffuei in the years to come. We need not plunge into this enor
mons task rashly, or attempt to do it in a day or a year put
We can carry on and encourage the splendid beginning already
made. which proved itself wise and profitable