The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1920-11-10
PACIFIC COAST IS FACING
SERIOUS SHORTAGE Of OIL;
SUGGESTIONS FOR REMEDY

I definite encouragement and support
OF hydro-electric power develop
ment.
As OF chief Importance In the
problem OF permanent bettcrment
the chamber names the early and
rapid development OF hydro-electriC
power. Involved in this is the pos,
sible classification OF talroads
which now consume from 81 to 80
per cent OF the California fuel oil
supply. and the general substitution
OF hydro-electric power for fuel oil
in industry.
Upon this head the chamber says:
Estimates obtained by the cham
Der from California power cpmpa-
mics indicate their demand for fuel
oil may be decreased by some
thing over 100000 barrels during
the coming year. OF which a part is
accounted for by new hydro electric
development and part Is depend
ent on this winters precipitation
Obviously the possible effect OF this
winters snow and rainfall cannot
now be assessed in this connection. "
MIR. +. II. Fowler. district en-
gineer, United States forest service.
estimates that at least 40 per cent
of the fuel oil now used In estab-
lishments classed as industrial,
could be saved by substitution OF
hydro-eleetrie power IL such power
were available. Mr.. Fowler adds
that this proportionate saving could
be expected only in industrial fields
where oil does not form a part OF
the article manufactured and Is not
used for the production OF heat.
THE most striking possibility OF
oil conservation is offered through
railroad eiectrification. Railroads
within and outside of California
consume between 81 and 40 per
cent OF the California fuel oil sup
ply. There is a difference OF tech.
meal opinion upon the proximate
feasibility Of railroad electrifica'
tion in California and adjacent ter,
r.tory, and the chamber does not
feel justified in offering immediate
recommendations upon this pO.n'.
MIR. Fowler estimates that hydro,
electric energy equivalent to at least
81 times the present installation
can be developed from undeveioped
water power sites now considered
commercially feasible In Caiifornil
and on the klamath river. His esti
mate does not take into account al
sites which may be ultimately de.
veloped.
"Hydro-electric development In
California has definite and logical
relation TO the control OF flood wa.
ters, more adequate irrigation pro-
jects, the lack OF native coal and a
limited oil supply. Literally the
conservation Of water resources and
hydro-eleetric development on an
adequate scale must be the measure
OF California's progress. The cham
Der believes in principle that such
hydro-electric development most ef-
fectiyely follows private initiative
and the control OF operations under
state regulation, and bespeaks for
legitimate enterprises OF this char
acter a generous public support
This support should be extended 10
the electric utilities and 10 railroads
which may seek to electrify their
systems, and perhaps TO individual
Industries equipped TO develop
hydro-electric power for their own
consumption.
THE chamber believes that en-
terprises OF this character are en-
titled to the necessary financial sup
port for installation and expansion
and the chamber will study appro-
pirate means fer effectively attract
ing such support"
Summing up It's findings. the
chamber says:
"As the fuel oil situation pre-