Evening star., 1923-10-25
MILL WHEELS TURN
AS DROUGHT ENDS
Big Power Pools May Check
Heavy Shutdown Losses in
Future Operations.
BY j. g. ROYLE.

Special Dispatch TO The Star.
NEW YORK, October 25.-The
heavy rains of the first part of this
week have brought temporary relief
IN some sections from the water
shortage which has crippled indus
'rial plants on the Atlantic water
shed from New England to Georgia,
More than 800 factories In north
Jersey resumed operations today. But
manufacturers have not relaxed ef-
forts TO protect themselves against
future curtailment Of water and pow
ear supplies. This has resulted in
further movements for the formation
of power pools through which hydro
electric and steam generated power
plants may supplement each other to
avoid failure of power supply.
New Power Plans Under Way.
Not many years hence these state
wide or Interstate power pools will
enable the manufacturer to choose a
site for his factory without worrying
about the source of his power. ac-
cording to Sanford J. Magee, presf-
dent of the New York State Gas and
Electric Company MI Masee has has
Empire State Gas and Electric Asso-
tion, which is engaged on plans for
linking up the steam and hydro-elec-
trio central stations of the state in a
power pool. which would take in all
important generating sources.
Hitherto it has been the concern OF
the manufacturer to get close to a
certain supply of inexpensive power"
Mr.. Magee said today. The original
prosperity of New England and a
Of New York WAS
founded on the little mill with its
water power. just as the great steel
industries of Pennsylvania came
about through proximity of coal and
iron.
Plants for Rural Districts.
"The advancement of electricity is
rapidly bringing about an end to this
condition. which has carried with Il
many economic and sociological ills.
Long distance transmission of cleo
trlcity is making it possible in this
and almost az other states for fac
tory to locsCe without considering its
power supply as the dominant ele-
ment in the situation. Power over
the Wires is destined to do much to
Teil1Se the congestion OF cities by
ta&ing factories into the country dis
Cricts, where the labor problems Of
the manufacturer and the living prob
lens of the workers will be vastly
simplitied.
Coal Troubles Too Serious.
THE coal troubles of recent years
have proved to many manufacturers
the costliness of trying to maintain
their own power plants when they
can hook their factories on to the
lines OF the electrical central station.
The increased demand on the central
stations due to this load and the gem
erai activity OF business have caused
their officials TO make compre
hensive study of ali possible sources
of electrical supply. They have found
that small water powers, capable of
economical use for only a part of the
year. can be developed and operated
If connected with others which, in
turn, are connected with still others
and with steam plants.
Thus the maximum use can be made
of hydro electricity the year round
by pooling the power from many
sources and shooting the. electrical
energy here and there when and as
needed.
This permits the electrical industry
to obtain the maximum use of plant
and equipment. to dismantle uneco-
monica! coal burning plants and by
eficienCies and economies OF opera
ton to hold down or even reduce
rates to consumers.
Progress Already Made.
This has already been proved In
New York state by existing inter-
connections. The demand exists for
ali the power the industry can supply.
central stations, which are accurate e
gauges of industrial activity are be-
ing forced to expand constantly. In
some parts of this state the demand
is such that there exists a practical
shortage of power. Interconnection
will take care OF this. 1t will give
'the manufacturer a supply not only
now, but for the long future. and it
viii enable the manufacturer looking
for new plant sites to locate where
bis interests will best be served, aside
from the question Of power supply"