Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-07-29
CONSERVATION OF OUR NAT.
+, uRAL RESOURCES

b While from estimates 1t appears
that there is no danger Of the coal
fields of this country giving OUT for
years and years to come. conserVa-
ton of our natural resources Is
subject of little importance to people
of the present generation. The gen.
eral interest shown in various coun-
tries in the subject of water powers
and the activities of the countries In
its development. indicates wide
spread feeling that we must look
ahead to the "coal-less" days In gen.
erations to come.
Indicating the great growth in wa
ter power development in the Domin-
lon of Canada. the Water Power
Branch of the government at Ottawa
has prepared an interesting estimate
which says:
ut had been found that the in
stalled power In the United States Is
95 h. per 1000 of population, COM
pared with $50 h. p. for Canada; that
under construction there Is % h. p.
Der thousand as against 90 h. p. in
Canada. The totals Of the two
show 12,903,000 h. p. for the United
States installed or under construc-
ton, as against 4,127.414 for Canada,
or 118 per 1000 of population in the
United States as against 449 in Can
ada, the latter country exceeding the
United States by 2S0 per cent.
In 1902 the unit in the United
States was a little under 26 as against
Canada's At; in 1907 this had in
creased to 36h in the United States
while Canada had gone up to lis; by
1912 the United States unit was 81 h.
p and Canadas 1885,; and In 1921, &c
as against 305."
Calling attention to a discussion at
the World Water Power Conference
in England. on water power develop
mont and its steadily increasing Inn
portance in the worlds industrial
growth. The Wall Street News in an
editorial recently pointed out that:
"Thesage of coal is passing and the
days of oil are measurable by the
yardstick Of the scientists, for the
supply Of both must ultimately come
to an end. The more they are drawn
upon the more quickly they will be
depleted and. therefore. the more
costly they will become as sources of
power. Water alone is inexhaustible.
as far as its application to human
needs is concerned. and just as 1t was
the first of natures forces to be har-
messed for the benefit of mankind, so
It seems destined to be the last and
most enduring"
That there is no need for present
worry regarding rumors that the coal
fields OF the United States are about
exhausted. is shown in the following
paragraph from the report of the en-
gineer sub committee Of the North
east Super Power Committee, just
published:
1.-THE coal fields in this area are
confined to the states of Pennsylvania
and Maryland with those Of Ohio,
Virginia and West Virginia contribu-
tory either for generation at the mine
for transmission into the North
eastern area or as sources of fuel
supply by transportation. These are
the most important coal fields in the
United States and their life at pres
ent rate OF exhaustion will extend
over several generations and Is not
considered a subject now imminent"
The lowered costs Of manufactured
articles which should be reflected
from the increased development Of
water powers and the corresponding
decrease in fuel power. would fully
justify the present expenditure of
time and money on the problem Of
how the latent power OF our rivers
can be used to best advantage. even
II this study did not take into account
the proposition of conserving fuel for
future use.