Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-03-14

permitted to ship power out Of the
State after all the demands in the
State are met.
The local companies in Eastport
and Lubec are favorable to this pro-
POSITION. Mr.. Cooper will deprive no
one of their existing rights in the
generation of power as his power
will come from the tides of the
ocean. He is not connected with
any other power conpany. 1t has
been reported that some power com-
Iany or companies were behind this
iuca. but this not SO.
This is NJ stock Jobbing scheme
or scheme o. any kind, except the
geD GRAFTON of power from the tides
and Mr.. Cooper is honest in mis- pro-
position" concluded Mr.. Andrews.
Mr.. Cooper explained his project TO
the committee by means of maps OF
the region around Passamaquoddy
Bay, PASSPORT, Calais and Lubec,
showing how the natural topograph PHI
zeal features of the location lend
themselves to the tidal development
which he has under contemplation.
He said that the storage reservoir
principle is behind the plan. which
NOuiu lllc llSc anu Ian VI tue
tides by means of a series of gates
and locks, which would he opened
and closed at proper intervals to
turn the waters into two natural
pools formed by Quoddy Bay and
the inlet to the west of Eastport
There are no engineering difficult
ties. Mr.. Cooper said, and the water
will always be available. Tide pre-
dictionS can be made with such ac-
curacy so that it would always be
known at the power house Just how
much power can be generated. a
thing that no fresh water plant can
determine, he said.
1t has been figured out by him that
the development will produce a min
imum of better than 100000 horse
power and maximum of about 500,
600; or between two and q half bill
lion and three billion kilowatt hours.
The cost he estimates between SIS.
100000 and $l00,000,000. He would
probably require four years time to
construct the dam, poWerhouse, gates
and locks necessary for the develop
ment.
- have done enough preliminary
work to convince me that the power
is there. VI said Mr.. Cooper, and said
that his next problems are to make
detailed surveys, to secure markets
for the power, adjust the legal de-
tails and then submit the project to
the United States government and
the international Joint Commission
lie estimates that 10000 horsepower
per day would be necessary to carry
on the construction work, and said
that 1t would be possible to make a
small development for that purpose
also to test out his turbines and tC
demonstrate the whole proposition
beyond a doubt.
Dealing with the commercial feat
ures of the project, Mr.. Cooper said
1t would be more advisable to sell
some power at the power house and
transmit some away. He cited Mag.
ara as an example in point. Con
ditions of labor. climate, natural top
ography, etc, all favor local develop
ment. he told the committee. but said
1t would be poor policy to compete
with local power companies THAT
is not my idea at ALL" he explained
but l would be very glad to sci
| them power"
He contemplates bringing electro.
/ chemical factories to the power plant
and then to go outside and get an.
| other market for surplus power So
! that he can carry the fixed charge.
on the initial development. IF l car
; take power 300 miles. l can find 6
market outside of Maine" he said
and added that such a feat is entirely
possible from an engineering stand
| point.
In reply to questions from Rep
Wing of the committee as to his
previous experience, Mr.. Cooper said
he was in charge Of engineering al
Muscle Shoals for five years, had per-
sonal charge of building the Keokuk
dam, and made an investigation in
Chile which led to the investment OF
five and a half million dollars on
the strength of his report.
Senator Charles 3. Carter of An
droscoggin county asked and re-
ceived from the committee permiss-
ion TO question Mr.. Cooper.
How far did you say it Is practi :
cable to transmit electricity?" asked
Senator Carter.
-Four hundred miles or better"
How much better?"
Fifty miles"
Are there any transmission lines
shipping power that far?"
Il do not think so. know of
none
How long is the longest one?"
1.-TWO hundred and fifty miles"
1T it a direct line?"
yes. from Niagara to Pennsylya-
MIA" replied Mr.. Cooper.
Questioned further by Senat tor
Carter as to a prospective power
market outside of Maine, Mr.. Cooper
said that it is less than 800 miles
from the site of his proposed develop
ment to Boston.
There is no tidal power plant
built in this country. is there?" in
CURED Senator Carter.
mo. sir"
Have you plans and specifications
for ito"
Eyes, I have plans, specifications
and estimates of cost" answered Mr..
Cooper. He said that he has done
nothing as yet in the way of finan-
cling the project, and explained that
If he secures a Maine charter he
must then take it up with the United
States government and with Canada
and finally with the International
Joint Commission.
Alexander Y. Wilson of Bar Har-