Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-18
Where Is America Going?
because mans capacity to use them will increase,

because mans capacity to use them will increase,
too.
Accurate statistics Of electrical household ard
shop appliances are not obtainable. 1t esti-
mated though, in 1929, that $4,000 900 were in
use, with the number increasing at the rate of
100000 year. This pace may not have been
maintained in 1901 have no data to show
but at any rate the situation merely tenn
porary. In the future we should asSimilate even
more such appliances annually particularly as
costs for power service grow ever more favorable,
due to Improvements in the machinery for pro-
fact that during the period of rising prices for
everything else, the cost of electricity dropped 80
per cent under 1914.
O. What about water power developmentp
A. 1t mas great future but not what many
persons anticipate. Costs govern industrial de-
velopment and so long as coal is cheap it will be
used predomnately in power production. At the
present time, water power produces only 20 per
cent of the total power used and the proportion
grows less as the years go on.
This is not intended to indicate that our water
power Is not great asset 1t will be more i'm
portant to US in the far-distant future. perhaps.
than now.
The potentialities of water power in our coun-
try according to the United States Geological
Survey, are 35,000,000 horsepower. All of Eu-
rope has 100000 horsepower Commercially
competing countries like Germany, France, Eng
land etc, have comparatively small water power
assets. Norway and Switzerland the coun-
tries favorably placed in this respect.
OF our 35000,000 horsepower, we have devel-
oped only 100000 900 horsepower Even II we
should develop the remainder we would not be
able, by this means. to take care of our power
neceSSltleS IL might be ADVISABLE TO DO so in
order to conserve our coal supplies. However,
we have coal enough to last us for 5000 years.
Why worry?
The total cost of hydroelectric power is more
favorable, perhaps than steam-electric power.
Unfortunately, good water power seldom is placed
where ready markets for power found.
Transmission costs have to be taken into account.
@. In general, what does the increase Of
power production and use mean in living?
A. Once, one per cent Of mankind lived COM
fortahly and SO per cent always hung on the
ragged edge" Today 95 per cent live comfort
ably, per cent are poor and l per cent still
dangle on the ragged edge" don't believe we
will be able to get rid of that per cent, but
tomorrow believe the SO per cent will be living
better than did the kings and emperors Of old.
1t isn't possible to give complete picture Of
what will take place when 5000 kilowatt hours Of
electrical energy are being used per capita. But
it is safe to guess that every mans home-with
the exception of that unfortunate per cent
will be heated and lighted by electricity He will
have all the mechanical appliances for house.
hold convenience which the Ingenuity of man has
devised-and a good many which have not yet
been devised Lastly, he will be enjoying add
tional facilities for recreation and culture and
enjoyment.
It will all be traceable to power.
(copyright, 1881