The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-08-08
Water Powers
in, Maine

The argument made by advocates Of ownership and
development of water powers and used with frequency
and perhaps with much any is that bv develon
nen of the water saving coal will be made
When coal is high and hard to obtain such an argument is
naturally to accept by those unfamiliar with actual con-
dtions careful study of actual conditions however shows
hut little substance to the above cited claim
Eliminating the of coal by the steam railroads of tbe
state there is comparatively small used in
Maine for power purposes Nearly all the great industries
Of the State derive their from power developments
This statement applies to the great pulp paper mills
the cotton and WOODEN mills the shoe Shops machine shops and
shipbuildng plants (Saw mills obtain their power the
of mill waste and do not enter into the question:
There few exceptions to this rule In the Kennebec
Valley where hydroeleetric power highly developed
the only coal used for purposes by the steam
railroads and by the Central Maine Power Co itself as an aux
same condition obtains in a slightly less degree.
The great quantities of coal used by pulp and paper com
pans for cooking the pulp for heating the rolls of the paper
machines and for heating the mills in cold weather. steam
used to drive the paper machness fact by-produc the
heating operation and does not affect the coal consumpon
The coal used by the cotton mills almost entirely
heating purposes Exceptions the rule are few and steps
have been taken to supply that need
ditons
The further development of powers for manufacture
ing purposes will not reduce the consumption of coal will
necessarily increase it for to heat the plant and the nec
houses which will be built together with and other
buildings incident to development will require coal
than now used This is objection to development;
is condition that must he met but to state that power
development will measuraby decrease the consumption of coal
Is erroneous.
The single conspicuous opportunity reduce the use of
coal for purposes lies eectrfyng the railroads the
State This is simply economic problem If the railroads
be equipped with electricity and the equipment maintained
lower cost than the of using coal then would
distinct economic gain but whether the running the trains
of the State by electricity would be cheaper than by using
has not been determined.
irresponsible persons apt to say that the railroads
should be electrified but they do not know the cost and they do
not pay the bills The fact that electricity used certain
railroads does not affect the situation i'll this State
The conditions where electricity is used entirely diff
eren The great terminals of New York Chicago
quent trains and comparatively short distances by the
electrical equipment not fairly to be compared with the
frequent trains and the distance covered by Maine
railroads
At the present time with the high price of copper and cleo
trcal machinery, it very doubtful if it would be paying
propositions the other hand with lower of electrical
equipment will cheaper coal that the problem still
lists that only careful study and costly experiments will deter
mine.
may be of interest that this question has received
careful consideration by prominent railroad managments that
steps taken to of the most important water
powers the State for the purpose of electrical development
railroad conditions that made it mpractcabe
undertake the work and experiments to determine
whether not it would be paying venture.
1t illustrates that capital is ready develop power for
any legitimate enterprise where fair may be had but
under abnormal conditions capital will wait until these
conditions change
Can the afford be less careful in the expenditure
of the peoples money?
(Signed) WIN. NJ PENNELL, Publicity Agent
RUMFORD
OXFORD PAPER
ELECTRIC POWER CO. WORKS