The Washington times., 1923-11-13
j. s. BEHIND IN
DEVELOPMENT
Of HYDRO
World Survey Shows Nations
Using White Coal to
Fullest Extent.
CONTINUED from Page 15.)


belonging to the public domain.
Several falls already have been har.
messed, many cities are obtaining
power from them at extremely low
cost and the increase in demand
for government-built and govern
ment-operated plants is great. In
Norway, also, there are many
county organizations. A good ex-
ample OF their activities is found
in the Raanaasfoss plant, CON-
pleted in December. 1921, and show.
ing q total of $4,000 horsepower
from twelve turbines. Christians
sand, city, has municipal plant.
at present of $4,000 horsepower.
$3.50, 100000 Invested.
1t is conservatively estimated
that Norway has 100000 horse
power available. On January /,
1923, a QUESTIONABLE by the govern
ment revealed that 1000 100000
kroner, or about $250,O00, 900 was
invested in hydro-electric plants.
Switzerland possesses numerous
municipal water power plants. but
so far the friendly rivalry Of the
various cantons has prevented
amalgation into super-power
scheme.
In PARKWAY New Zealand, where
the department of public works is
doing everything possible to accel-
crate development by the govern
ment of hydro-electric plans. or
encourage investment of private
capital under strict supervision,
there has been an enormous de-
velopment OF this industry. Sixty
one central stations are now IN
operation, OF which thirty-one are OF
the hydro-electric variety. Austria.
liza also shows great activity In
water power development by govern
mental agencies.
Other Nations Active.
In Italy, Spain, Japan, India and
Soviet Russia there is the same
tendency to utilize all feasible water
powers and to concentrate in eff
cient super-power stations the power
supplies needed" according to a
statement from the Department OIL
Commerce. The department empha-
sizes the opportunities abroad Tor
sale Of American equipment. 1t is
recognized that, while dictates or
economy and the general public in
terest will eventually necessitate the
full DEVELOPMENT of Americas enOr-
nous water power resources by the
people through the Federal and
State governments, so long as coal
remains a comparatively inexpen-
sive source of power, there will be
field abroad for sale of turbines,
etc.
Most of the world declares the
Commerce Department, sis feeling
keenly the high cost OF coal and, as
a result, is utilizing all possible
water power resources and is avail
inR itself Of all possible economies
on the generation and distribution
of power produced in fuel, involving
interconnection of power stations
and power systems along super
power lines. High voltage transmits
sion lines are being and will be con-
structed and the. situation provides
an expanding market for the high
voltage equipment produced by
American manufacturers to meet
the demand already made in this
country, but only beginning to APP
pear in most other countries.
I'm France the water-poWer posi-
bilities of the mountainous regions
have been carefully studied and sew
eral important new projects are TAX
ing form. In the northwestern por-
ton of that country where steam
power is available, there has been
much development in the shape of
steam plants tied together by high
tension transmission lines. The
whole of France is working toward
the ultimate tying together Of power
undertakings in various parts of the
country by high voltage transmits
sion knes."