16 GENERAL INTRODUCTION 



and in justice to the welfare of the nation and of coming genera- 

 tions every practicable means should be employed for reduc- 

 ing it. 



A material saving has been effected by the introduction of more 

 efficient apparatus and improved systems of operation. In the 

 modern central station, very great economies have been the result 

 from the substitution of a few large and highly efficient boilers 

 and steam turbines for a large number of relatively small and 

 uneconomical units, and from the introduction of plant economics 

 and skill not attainable in the smaller plants. The fuel economy 

 of the gas and oil engine is well appreciated. While their devel- 

 opment has been slow, a number of large gas-engine plants have 

 been built during the last few years, and it is quite possible that 

 the gas or oil engine will in the future be used to a great extent 

 for the production of power. The application of the power directly 

 to the work through electric motors instead of indirectly through 

 inefficient countershafting and belting has also resulted in a very 

 material increase in economy. 



Beyond the above gains, which may be considered well within 

 the limits of possible attainment by our present knowledge, it is 

 reasonable to assume that the efficiency of our fuel engines will 

 not be increased very materially in the near future, and the only 

 safe course of accomplishing a reduction in the consumption of 

 our natural fuel resources is to utilize the enormous energy of the 

 numerous water powers which is now going to waste. 



Based on the Census Report the developed water powers of 

 this country may be taken as approximately 6 million horse-power. 

 Assuming that one hydraulic horse-power corresponds to an 

 annual coal consumption of 8 tons, it follows that the utilization 

 of this water power means a yearly saving in the coal consumption 

 of 48 million tons. 



In the recent Report of the Bureau of Corporations the min- 

 imum water power in this country which can be readily developed 

 is placed at 31 million horse-power. This enormous power, 

 which -is now entirely going to waste, could, if developed, effect 

 a yearly saving of 250 million tons of coal, besides releasing about 

 750,000 men for other work, and in addition dispense with the 

 tremendous railroad equipment required for its transportation. 



