Conservation Commission 17 



Long Distance Transmission 



Through the development of long distance transmission, close 

 relation of the water powers to the market has ceased to be the 

 governing consideration. 



Niagara power is transmitted to Syracuse and Oswego, 200 

 miles, at 60,000 volts ; the Southern Sierras Power Company 

 transmits power from Bishop, Cal., to San Bernardino, CaL, 

 238 miles, at 150,000 volts; the Province of Ontario has been 

 delivering power from Niagara Falls to St. Thomas, 130 miles, 

 and has under construction the continuation of its line to Windsor, 

 235 miles, at 110,000 volts. Manufacturers have perfected ma- 

 chinery for 165,000 volts which makes power transmission for 

 much greater distances feasible. 



Power from the Long Sault or from the Niagara river could be 

 economically and feasibly delivered and used in New York City. 



Prompt Action is Necessary 



It is physically and economically practicable to loop together 

 the water powers of the State by a network of electrical conductors 

 which while serving practically every municipality, will be re- 

 quired to transmit the electrical energy much less distances than 

 other systems in daily operation. 



This is an economic problem, rather than a question of partisan 

 politics. The State of New York must either develop its natural 

 resources for the benefit of the many, or else surrender them to be 

 exploited by private monopoly for the enrichment of the few. 



There is no middle ground. Nor is there room for delay. 

 Prompt action there must be, for once large investments of capital 

 have been made, in the acquisition and development of these un- 

 used resources, it will be too late for the State to act ; our priceless 

 heritage will be forever lost. 



Water Storage 



At the last general election a concurrent resolution of the Sen- 

 ate and Assembly was adopted amending section seven of article 

 seven of the Constitution in relation to storage reservoirs and 



