5o 4 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



problem and solve it, it will be found to possess difficulties enough. 

 The working companies are established in their rights and entirely 

 correct in their demeanor toward the state. The legislature of New 

 York in 1904 memorialized the President upon the subject, urging the 

 initiation of treaty relations with the King of Great Britain having 

 for their purpose the cessation of further abstractions of water. It has 

 been suggested by an influential newspaper that the end may be ap- 

 proached through a presidential commission which shall first determine 

 bow much water may be taken from the river without detracting from 

 the scenic effects. Our figures show plainly and cogently that such pro- 

 cedure is useless because too late. They show that even the existing ab- 

 straction of water is qualifying the majesty of the Falls and that the 

 contemplated authorized abstraction will carry the work of destruction 

 well toward its finish. No more franchises are likely to be granted 

 by either of the trustee governments. It may be well if these states 

 or the superior government of each should enter into a treaty agree- 

 ment to insure this result, but the danger-point being so near, in fact 

 constructively passed, protection for Niagara means control of power 

 production. The hope lies herein, that the companies, either through 

 mechanical limitations, difficulties of cheap production or cheap trans- 

 portation to a distant market, or through taxation of their product, may 

 not be able to reach the volume of abstraction which is to seriously 

 involve the splendor of the cataract. In this age of marvels, no 

 present mechanical obstacles will long hold sway; the genius of man 

 will overcome them all. In taxation of the power product, not neces- 

 sarily for revenue but for protection, seems to me to lie the sole means 

 of control of the problem, the only way of saving our national pride 

 before the bar of the world. 



