Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 71, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1904 — VALUE OF NIAGARA. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

VALUE OF NIAGARA.

Its Deal ruction Threatened by PowerSeeking Companies.

The appearance of another corporation •seeking to obtain from the New York Legislature free power privileges at Niagara Falls lias aroused widespread interest. In this connection it is well to note that the commissioners of the State Park have already given warning that some of the present companies enjoying the privileges of that immense power are

unlimited in the use they may make of tiie falls. It is claimed that a possible development of even the present companies would rob Niagara of one-third of its- water, obliterate the American fall, and leave only the deeper green floor that curves smoothly over the brink of the Canadian Horseshoe. Recent figures show that Niagara develops 3,500,000 horsepower which no flood or drought disturbs, the Great Lakes acting as an equalizer of the flow. Allowing Tor the brief periods during which horses can put forth* their full force, unresting Niagara could do about as much work in a year as tiie 18,000,000 horses of the country combined. It could furnish nearly one-third of the 11,300.000 horsepower now in use in all the mills of the country.

As to its worth for commercial purposes statistics show that water power ccsts .in New England from' $4.62 to $23.08 per horsepower by tiie year. At the less than average price of $lO, Niagara’s power would be worth $35,000,000 a year, an income of five per cent upon $700,000,000. Tliis enormous sum may lie assumed to be tiie possible future value of Niagara as a power. But, remarks the Utica Globe, have we, as a people, grown so sordid that we will consent to grant free of cost privileges that will forever ruin this sublime spectacle, one of the world’s greatest natural wonders? It would seem as though our commercial supremacy might be assured at far less sacrifice.