The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-02-16
HI w. NJ. BKAVCuER
iSpccial COrrcSnOndcnt)


Niagara Falls. Ont. Feb. l6.-- Rush.
ing through giant turbines in thrc.
government plants here, the waters
of the Niagara river create nearly l..
900 200 horsepower for the cities, the
farms and the villages of the prov
ince Of Ontario.
power in Ontario is virtually a gov.
eminent monopoly. with the three
great plants at Niagara Falls and
more than score throughout the
province generating in all more than
! SOC, 900 horsepower.
Through government operation. On
tario has passed Quebec in develop
ment of water-power resources, al
though Quebec. where private own.
'ership prevails, is potentially the
richest of all the Canadian provinces
Huge Development
The great new Qucenston-C Chippe-
WA development. which included the
widening and deepening Of the Well.
and river for AZ miles and the con
structiOn of eanal-Si2 miles long is
the most recent achievement Of the
Hydro Electric Power Commission of
Ontario, the government group that
operates the Ontario power system.
The project. which is said to have
cost $lSO,OO0.OOO is pointed to as the
largest single hydro electric power
development in the world.
The water enters the Welland river
just above the Horseshoe or Cana
dian falls, thence is diverted around
the city through a canal stretching tu
Queenston where it plunges down in
to the turbines of the 100000 horse
power plant, then back into the river
its work done.
But sOntario's leadership ehns stirred
n rivalry in Quebec, marked recently
by the declaration Of Jacob Nicol
treasurer of the province Of Quebec
that Quebec would yet be first in
hydro electric development T h c
treasurer told the Quebec legislative
body that 1926 would see another
100000 horsepower added to the 1925
development of 43S,OOO horsepower.
Get Early Start
Ontario started early. In 1900 1,
special committee of the Toronto
Board Of Trade made a report out
lining the possibilities Of the Nj
agara river as u source Of power de-
vclOpment. After series Of public
meetings, appeals were made to the
provincial government for legislation
to permit municipalities to take ac-
tion. Authority thus granted result
ed in the appointment Of the Ontario
Power Commission, which reported in
1906 after Il survey Of fuel and wa
ter power conditions. Then the Hy-
dro- Electric Power Commission of
Ontario was established, in 1906, by
special act of the legislature. In 1905
tiles authorizing their officials tn
At first the power from Niagara
Falls was leased from private com
panies operating plants at Niagara
Falls. In 1915 demand reached lOO,-
600 horsepower, which was the limit
Of the contract with the Ontario
Power Company. The commission
purchased the power company out
right in August. 1917.
Buys Toronto Company
Then, in December, 1920, the COM
mission purchased the Toronto Pow
or Company, and with the compile
ti0n of the Queenston- Chippewa de-
velopment can command more than
O,OOO horsepower at Niagara Falls.
The last report u924) of the Hy.
dro Electric Power Commission
showed it was serving 1856 municipali.
ties, townships, rural districts and
industrial companies, with a business
Of $l8,798,723 for the year. and a
years surplus Of $1,163,91O.
Among the larger installations in
Ontario are, Niagara Falls, 900, ,OOC
horsepower; Nipigon, $4,000; Twin
Falls, Iroquois Falls end Island Falls
10000; Big Chaudiere (Ontario side)
1889, Quebec side), $4,000; Trent
canal, 26,8O0; Welland canal, 57,675;
Fort Francis, 1880; Spanish river
1900; St. Lawrence to Prescott, H..
600, and Smoky Falls on the Mattag-
mai tabout to be developed), 38,14O.
TOMORROW:-The toll to which
Canadian waters have been har'