COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES 33 



furnish irrigation to over one-quarter million acres of arid lands 

 in the Southwest, and the Minidoka project in Southern Idaho 

 will be capable of irrigating approximately fifty thousand acres. 

 In connection with these projects, electricity plays an important 

 part. Hydro-electric power is generated on the nearest available 

 river and the energy is transmitted over high-tension trans- 

 mission lines to pumping stations scattered over the territory 

 to be irrigated. Besides these, there are numerous other projects 

 where hydro-electric power is similarly used for irrigating the land. 



Mining. The advantage of using electric power for mining 

 operations is now fully recognized, almost all new mines being 

 equipped for electric drive, and a very large number of old ones 

 changing over to this system. Not only does this reduce the cost 

 of working, but it also offers a much safer and more reliable oper- 

 ation. The economy of electric-power distribution to the various 

 points in a mine surpasses all other methods. The electric 

 system eliminates long and expensive steam and air lines, with 

 which the danger of breakdown and the difficulty of keeping up 

 the necessary working pressure increase with every extension to 

 the service. Electric distribution, on the other hand, is most 

 simple and flexible. Very large districts -can be efficiently sup- 

 plied and additions or alterations can at all times be made without 

 the least difficulty. 



A most efficient application of motors to the many forms of 

 mining machines is readily accomplished. They can be direct 

 connected, or geared to the driving shafts, thus reducing the fric- 

 tion losses and repair charges to a considerable extent, while, 

 on the other hand, the cost of belting and countershafts is entirely 

 eliminated. Individual motors can be substituted for driving 

 conveyors, scrapers and other machinery in breakers and tipples, 

 which formerly were equipped for group operation by means of 

 inefficient engines. In motor-driven breakers, the saving in belt- 

 ing alone is considerable. 



Operation with the electric system is very simple, and results 

 in a materially increased output of a mine. Perfect control is at 

 all times possible. Simple, automatic, safety devices can be 

 installed, and indicating or recording meters can be provided in 

 the several circuits as desired, and the performance of every 

 individual machine ascertained. This is a very important point, 

 as it is possible to maintain the machinery in the best possible 



