NIAGARA CLAIMED FOR INDUSTRY.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 8, Issue 29, 9 April 1907, Page 7

NIAGARA CLAIMED FOR INDUSTRY.

Considerable interest attaches to tho present agitation in the United States and Canada, says the “Electrical Magazine," as to what shall become of Niagara Falls. Up to this time the output of the Niagara powerhouses have been confined to a radius of 34 miles ; practically to 25 miles. Now transmission lines are being erected to cany tho power to Syracuse, 160 miles l distant from the point of development, and to Toronto, Ontario, 85 miles away. Between these points and Niagara there are numerous available markets of considerable size, so that for the entire distance, on either side of Niagara, there may be a demand for tho transmitted power. Tho possibilities of economical transmission of electrical power should increase, and, if so, then the assault, if such it may be termed, that is to-day being made on the power development interests is of importance to a still wider circle than that outlined, and the future industrial prospects are threatened. Lord Kelvin says ; “I do not myself believe that any such limit (450,000 horse-power) will bind tho use of this great natural gift, and I look forward to the time when tho whole water from Lake Erie will find its way to tho lower level of Lake Ontario through machinery doing more good for the world than that great benefit which we now possess in the contemplation of the splendid scene which we have presented before us at the present time by the water-fall of Niagara. I wish I could think it possible that I could live to see this grand development.” The demand for Niagara power swiftly increases, and will probably increase more swiftly. It may not during the next f«w years overtake the supply of 615.000 electrical horse-power that could be collectively generated by Vhe various plants now installed or in tlie course of installation. But mean-

time immiiu'iit competition seems likely so to lower the price of electric power as to attract to the Niagara region many of the new industrial establishments that are ever arising from the rapid increase of population in the Republic and the Dominion as well as many of the going concerns whose owners contemplate, from time to time, renovation or enlargement of plant.