The New York herald., 1921-02-13

transported to various destinations for the
local production of power should be con-
verted into energy near the mouth of the
mines, and the power served long distances
through transmission lines.
Most of the energy for the st. Paul cleo
trifcaton is furnished by the rushing
waters of the Missouri River, which have
been damned in a number of places nota-
bly, Great Falls. Power generated at these
points Is distributed hundreds of miles by
transmission lines and supplemented by
power generated from other hydro-electric
stations further distant, furnishes the rail
road with continuous supply of energy.
1t Is interesting to note that the force
that drives the great electrically hauled
trains over the majestic Rockies is drawn
from the surrounding rivers and streams
which for thousands of years have been
wasting a power that could have accom-
plished much useful work for man.
Interest in Electrifcation
Stirs European Countries
Interest in electrifcation is not confined
to the United States, but is general in Eu-
ropean countries. Confronted with an
alarming scarcity Of coal, the different ma
tions have been obliged to consider the sub
ject seriously. Recently a French mission
visited this country with the object of re-
D66n
in the matter and of examining the means
and methods employed, with view to their
adoption in France. Switzerland has a very
ambitious programme. The authorities are
planning to electrify all the Government
owned lines in the country, spreading the
work over period of twenty years. Switz-
erland Is particularly favored because of
the great potential power in its mountain
streams and torrents, and the plans OUT
chnxxy fhaf &c h,,civ haoJ toI;x
to the possibilities
Italy, which is almost totally dependent
on outside sources for it's coal, realizes the
necessity of conserving its fuel supply and
is proceeding with plans for the electrifca-
tion of it's roads. According to recent ad-
vices, Lenine is advocating the electrifica-
ton of all the railroads of Russia and urging
the fullest utilization of it's water power
resources.
Brazil is at present electrifying portion
Of its steam roads for distance of twenty
eight miles, with total of seventy-five miles
of track, so that it is evident that the trend
toward electrification Is worldwide, a fact
that confirms the claims of superiority made
for 1t.
In so far as the scrapping Of equipment
is concerned, the extent Of it and the re-
sultant loss would be very slight. Electrif1-
cation Is process that cannot be performed
in a day-it must be done gradually. AS ono
portion of the line is electrified the steam
locomotives can be used on the other dfvi-
sions, and as all new equipment ordered
would be electrical, by the time the road
would be wholly electrified the steam equip
ment would have become increasingly
smaller through wear usage. 1t may
be correctly stated that the loss from OBJ
solescence would be so small as to be
negligible.
The world is progressing, and our railroads
must progress with it. Steam locomotion
has played a big role in the development and
building up of the country and its industries.
for which 1t must receive due credit, but
with the advance of science 1t is becoming
antiquated. With the possibilities in cleo
trihcation becoming more widely appreciated
men with foresight and courage will be found
to make its application general. The next
decade will witness great strides in the
transformation of our roads from steam to
electrical equipment. 1t is safe prediction
that two decades from now the steam engine
will be fast fading into past history.