White Coal for Newcastle By THOMAS H. GAMMACK OLITICAL campaigners' persistent references to Muscle Shoals, Boulder Dam and other water power sites have given the public a grossly exaggerated idea of the importance of hydro-electrical energy. The picturesque phrase, "white coal," and the stirring concept of harnessing a great natural force make it easier to ignore the fact that water power is running a poor second in its competition with steam. Water power now serves, primarily, for the generation of energy to be used elsewhere. Not only has its development for purely manufacturing purposes ceased, but many mills whose machinery was formerly directly connected to water wheels have suspended manufacturing operations and have harnessed their turbines to electrical generators for the production of power as public utilities. With manufacturing out of the picture, it is evident that further increases in the harnessing of the great amounts of potential water power still available must be dependent upon the demand for electrical energy. Unfortunately, falls of water seldom are located in the Few expensive business. To justify the long and expensive transmission lines, substations and other equipment necessary to the marketing, as distinguished from the mere production, of hydro-electrical energy, developments of very considerable size, must be undertaken. realize the expense of dams, reservoirs, pipe lines and plants required to convert the energy of falling water into useful electric power. Still fewer realize that, before a single unit of power can be produced, the money must be raised, the land bought, the complete dam built, the power house building constructed, and most of the auxiliary electrical machinery installed. The period of construction is long and interest accumulates rapidly. And there is a further difficulty. Once completed, a very large plant cannot immediately jump into the market and sell its entire output. Its very size imposes a most undesirable restriction. In the meantime, the interest on the invested capital mounts still higher, and compounds upon itself the interest on these arrears. STEAM PLANT, on the other hand, is immediate neighborhood of large indus- A comparatively immune from this trial centers. The power they can produce usually must be transmitted considerable distances to reach markets large enough to make their development a financial success. In other words, the factor of marketing the power is more important than its production. What really counts is the cost of the energy at the far end of the line, at the point where it is to be used. The competition of local generation by steam has been growing stronger and stronger. This has been the result of many contributing causes; to the improvement in steam turbines, to the still greater improvement in boilers and furnaces, and last and most important of all, to the development of mass production by very large units which the present extent of the load and the scope of electric service make possible. Ten years ago, two pounds of coal were required by the best plant to turn out a kilowatt-hour at the switchboard; today, one pound is enough. On the basis merely of cost of production, steamgenerated power is coming down to the level of water-power. The inherent nature of water-power development makes it a hazardous and destructive compounding of interest. Though planned for a size equal to the hydro plant, it can be built by units as the growth of the business or the economics of its market dictate. Each turbine can be erected with its own battery of boilers and auxiliary equipment. There is no huge plant waiting patiently for its accumulating load. It is possible to compare accurately the performance of the latest type of modern steam station with the cost of power generated by hypothetical waterpower plants at various distances from their customers. Using oil as fuel, such steam plants can now be constructed at an average cost of about $60 per horsepower of installed generating equipment. Operating at an average rate of fifty-five per cent of capacity, the usually accepted figure for large regions served both by steam and water-power, they will produce electricity at the station switchboard at an over-all cost of not more than .42 cents per kilowatthour. This embraces all expenses of fuel, maintenance, operation, taxes, 712 per cent return on the investment and what is usually known as "depreciation.' To compete with steam, then, hydro where you can see such strange, inspiring, romantic, mysterious and beautiful sights as you find in South Africa Where else can you see the Greatest Waterfall in the world, the thrilling, peaceful, but barbaric war dances, colorful native life, majestic mountains, beautiful flowers, primeval forests, the greatest diamond mines in the world and mile deep gold mines and withal enjoy such delightful social diversions? VISIT the Glorious Cape Peninsular Quaint Kaffir Kraals The Magic Cango Caves Kruger Big Game Preserve The Valley of a Thousand Hills Mysterious Zimbabwe Ruins Before you plan your next trip be sure to write for Booklet HB-5 and fully illustrated travel literature to South Africa LUXURY CRUISES TO THE. West Indies Four Glorious Winter Vaca tion Cruises of Recreation and Romance by the luxurious oil burning turbine sistershipsVOLENDAM or VEENDAM 16 Day Cruises by 8. S. Volendam From N. Y. Jan. 26 & Feb. 16, 1929 Visiting Bermuda, Kingston, Port-au-Prince (Haiti) Havana and Nassau-$230. up. From New York March 9, 1929 Visiting Kingston (Jamaica), Colon (Panama), Havana and Nassau-$230. up. 29 Day Cruise by S. 8. Veendam From N. Y. February 12, 1929 Visiting Nassau, Havana, Santiago, Kingston (Jamaica), Colon (Panama), Curacao, La Guayra, Caracas, Trinidad, Barbados, Martinique, St. Thomas, San Juan and Bermuda$385. up. Cruise rates include comprehensive shore excur sions, carefully arranged and carried out by Frank Tourist Company. Illustrated Booklet 15 sent on request. HOLLAND-AMERICA LINE 21-24 State Street, New York Branch Offices and Agents in all principal Cities and FRANK TOURIST CO., 542 Fifth Ave., New York Over the Sunny Southern Route on the Roman Splendor Ships. "AUGUSTUS"-World's Largest Motor Ship -exquisitely appointed and unusually spacious -a revelation in ocean travel luxury. sailing from New York JAN. 3 to Gibraltar, Algiers, Naples, Genoa. "ROMA"-Largest Italian Turbine Steamerespecially famous for her decorative art and lux. urious appointments. sailing from New York FEB. 2 to Madeira, Gibraltar, Algiers, Naples, Genoa. Optional tours of exceptional interest are offered at all ports of call. Regular Sailings Direct to ITALY Dec. 12 Feb. 16 Mar. 9 NAVIGAZIONE GENERALE ITALIANA Italia America Shipping Corp., General Agents 1 STATE ST., N. Y., or local Steamship Agents electric plants must be able to deliver power to the consumer at a cost of not more than .42 cents per kilowatt-hour. The Federal Power Commission has published a report on the average cost of construction and operation of modern high tension transmission lines. From its figures, it is possible to show the maximum investment per horse-power that may be made in water-power plants that must compete with steam. The following table demonstrates how stiff a task the water-power plants face: This table is drawn Maximum Possible Investment (a) If total output is sold at once. $294 190 154 115 80 assump up on the tion that the total output can be sold immediately. If there is any delay in finding a full market, the possible investment is considerably smaller. The great majority of water-power projects cost more than $150 per horsepower and only a handful can be built for less than $100. The worth-while sites of any size that are still undeveloped and lie within two hundred miles of a good market are decidedly scarce. If political dialectics, then, prevent the harnessing of water-power for years to come, the public need not feel that its loss will be very great. Speaking of Books (Continued from Page 1215) is a first-rate experimenter with now and then a something else. "Farewell! Farewell! Farewell!" is an exquisite and an exquisitely written story. There are others that are good, more than adequate as writing, but one feels, to quote Mr. Aiken, it is all "as one follows the flowing of a stream, with its innumerable sparkles and fluctuating," and finally forgetting the stream itself in observing these sparkles and fluctuating. It is a matter of going from cold to hot in the case of turning from Mr. Aiken to Mr. Jim Tully. There is a grand character sketched in "Shanty Irish" which recounts some of the author's earlier days and tells of some of his kindred. The character is the grandfather, old Hughie Tully. It's too bad that the story was not confined to old Hughie, for the other parts of the book are pretty badly done, smacking as they mostly do of a raw and naïve translation of a Russian writer. Child-like simplicity in writing can sometimes become idiotic. BEN WASSON. LEEDS AND LIPPINCOTT COMPANY If you could buy America If you could buy America today -and sell it for what it is worth ten years hence-you would make a substantial profit. America must, for a long time to come, grow and prosper. Federated Capital Corporation offers you an opportunity to get your share of this prosperity. This Investment Trust owns stocks in 253 representative companies and banks that grow as America grows. These stocks are in the leading public utility, railroad, industrial, chain store and insurance companies and banks of the United States and Canada, forming an integral part of the business and financial life of America. If you wish to share in America's prosperity-to profit from America's growth-we suggest that you send for full information-it will incur no obligation. Send for folder FO-1 P. H. WHITING CO., Inc. 72 Wall Street, New York Newark, N. J. Manchester, N. H. Tours and Travel Hotels and Resorts Arizona RANCHO MANZANITA Two hours from Douglas Ariz. A hundred thousand dollar guest ranch: Beautiful and modern. Steam heat, concrete swimming pool and tennis courts. Fine riding horses. Outdoor sports and recreation. All year climate. Now open. Wire or write Paul Davis, Mgr. Rancho Manzanita, Douglas, Ariz. North Carolina Cleveland Springs Hotel, Shelby, N.C. Ideally located. Excellently run. Moderate. Marvelous recuperation spot. Details-Rates on inquiry. H. D. Martin. MIMOSA INN AND COTTAGES-Tryon N. C. Foothills Blue Ridge Mts. 500 mile trail. Horse-back and golf. Excellently run. Details on inquiry. Bermuda Private Club- Delightfully situated has vacancies for early part of season. For information consult Outlook Travel Bureau. Cuba F Esq. 15, Vedado. There's no tonic like Pinehurst, There's a new friendliness in the sunlight that streams into your comfortable roon. at the Carolina Hotel, *151⁄2 hours from New York City on through Pullmans. Leave 6:40 P.M. Arrive Pinehurst early next morning. Carolina Hotel now open. Attractively furnished cottages may be rented reasonably. R. 1, Box 517. Aptos, California. New Jersey Pudding Stone Here, close by, but away from the whir of the town, you will find a quiet, restful inn amidst 12 acres of big trees, and where woodsy waiks abound, besides comfortable rooms and excellent food. Write for booklet. Open all year. G. N. VINCENT, Boonton, N. J. ate. Delightfully located. Well run. Rates, details, direct, or Outlook Travel Bureau. District of Columbia HOTEL POTOMAC Washington, ONE BLOCK SOUTH OF CAFITOL Quiet location. Moderate rates. New York City Hotel Wentworth 59 West 46th St., New York City The hotel you have been looking which offers rest, comfortable appointments, thoughtful cuisine. In the heart of theatre and shopping center, just off Fifth Ave. Moderate. Further details, rates, booklets, direct, or Outlook Travel Bureau. for Hotel LENOX, North St., west of Delaware Ave.. Buffalo, N. Y. Superior accommodations: famous for good food. Write director Outlook's Bureau for rates, details, bookings. Washington The CAMLIN.Seattle's most distinguished hotel. Smartly correct in gnest facilities and service at sensibly moderate rates. Illus. brochure on request. H. L. Blancher, Mgr. California SANTA CALIFORNIA There's health and Sunshine now in TUCSON ("Too-sohn") Sunshine is health. "Of all cities Write to Sunshine Club for infor- Tucson Sunshine-Climate Club 801 Old Pueblo Bldg., Tucson, Arizona. Please send me the "Sunshine Booklet." Name. Address special African tours, and California via Panama Canal are mapped out in well-built schedules. We will be glad to offer interesting literature and further details on any of these tours. LOCAL TRIPS Our own country is San Ysidro Ranch EUROPE 1929 crowded with worth-while California's Famed Foothill Resort Nestled in the foothills among the orange groves, overlooking valley and sea. Elevation 600 feet. Furnished bungalows, 2 to 7 rooms. Central dining-room. Electricity, hot and cold water. Surf bathing, 20 bathhouses on beach. Tennis, horseback riding. Six miles from historic Santa Barbara, two from ocean and country club. Moderate rates. For folder address San Ysidro Ranch, Santa Barbara, Cal. Tours and Travel Major Blake's Tours England and Continent Cars of every make for hire. Chauffeur or" Drive your own car" arrangement. Offices in leading cities. Free advice. Personal attention. Outlook Travel Bureau or 199 Picadilly, London, England THE OUTLOOK CLASSIFIED SECTION-Continued REAL ESTATE-Continued Bergen County, New Jersey, Only 12 miles from the new bridge. a house by the side of the road. Lovely garden, grand old trees, over an acre of land, and on a pleasant knoll, the first Dutch Colonial Stone House built in Old Tappan over 200 years ago under a Royal Grant, Owned and used only by original family and never before offered for sale. Large sunny rooms, great open fireplaces, huge beams. in first class condition and with all the charm and solidity of the Colonial construction. Death of the aged late owner makes this unique opportunity. C. L. Cook, Tappan, N. Y., or Old Tappan, N. J. Tel Piermont 189-J. HELP WANTED LADIES Help Wanted-If you can sew at all, you can make extra money at home in spare time, working for us. For information address KEITH'S PUB. HOUSE, Dept. 50. Long Branch, N. J. REPRESENTATIVES to sell box assortments of beautiful engraved Christmas Cards 15 in box with fancy lined envelopes to match. Sells for $1.00. 35% commission. Send 50 cents for sample box. Scholl Studios, 34 South 17th Street, Fhiladelphia, Pennsylvania. HOTELS NEED TRAINED MEN AND WOMEN. Nationwide demand for highsalaried men and wonen. Past experience unnecessary. We train you by mail and put you in touch with big opportunities. Big pay, fine living, permanent, interesting work quick advancement. Write for free book YOUR BIG OPPORTUNITY." Lewis Hotel Training Schools, Suite BC-5842, Washington. D. C. SITUATIONS WANTED BOYS WORKER Young man would like position of Boys' Director in Settlement House. Parish, Y. M. C. A.. or Tutorcompanion. Engaged at present. Well qualified. 8748 Outlook. HOUSEKEEPER, companion. By competent experienced person. Would also take charge of children and home during absence of parents. References 8774 Outlook. SCHOOLS Italy Florence, Mrs. Steven, nee Notarbartolo 52 via dei della Robbia keeps finishing school for girls. The house is very comfortable; is in a residential part of town with a lovely garden and two terraces and has all modern conveniences. Italian is the predominant language-The best teachers are provided. Prospectuses and addresses for reference are given on application. "Her life is a lesson of faith, an inspiration of courage, a symbol of religious truth to all the world." That is what has been said about Helen Keller, the blind and deaf woman who has surmounted greater obstacles, perhaps, than any one else, to receive the light of knowledge and truth. Her new book communicates to us her inspiration and the lessons of her faith. My Religion By HELEN KELLER "Religion has meant a great deal to her. To her it is a great river of light, higher than all the stars, deeper than the silence which wraps her around. It alone is great-all else is fragmentary." Cloth, postpaid, 60c (Price of the original edition, $2.00) Swedenborg Foundation, Inc. Room 1282, 18 East 41st St., New York, N. Y. Mencken (Continued from Page 1189) across whose backs it has been laid. In this connection I quote briefly from a volume of "Prejudices." Mencken gives a paragraph from the works of a well-known man of letters, then appends the most succinct, expressive and completely short-winded piece of unfavorable criticism I have ever read. "Whenever in a world-historic war the side of righteousness has triumphed, a great overflowing of art has followed soon upon the fact of victory. The noblest instincts of mankind-aroused in perilous moments fraught with intimations of mortality-have surged and soared, beneath the sunshine of a subsequent and dear-bought peace, into an immeasurable empyrean of heroic eloquence. Whenever right has circumvented might, Art has sprung alive into the world, with the music of a million Easter-lilies leaping from the grave and laughing with a silver singing." Upon which Mr. Mencken: "With the highest respect for a Magister Artuim, a pedagogue of Columbia University, a lecturer in Miss Spence's School and the Classical School for Girls, and a vice-president of the National Institute of Arts and Letters'Booh'!" How that one single brutal monosyl lable pricks the balloon of intolerable rhetoric! it is precisely symbolic of what has been Mencken's rôle in contemporary letters, and, as seen through them, in contemporary life. No one has been able to cry "booh" with such authority or effect and the pity of it is that he should persist in continuing so to do at something which is too big for him and which he does not comprehend. Control on Canada's Countryside (Continued from Page 1217) To WELCOME OUR AMERICAN FRIENDS AND TO REMIND THEM OF THE GOOD OLD DAYS REAL AMERICAN WHISKIES, NATURAL STRAIGHT BOURBON AND AMERICAN PURE RYE-100 PROOF, BOTTLED IN BOND, UNDER FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SUPERVISION Distillers Corporation, Limited. Nothing of the kind is to be seen anywhere in Ontario. The liquor control law of that province forbids the advertising of any alcoholic liquorone of the few points in which it seems to me superior to the Quebec law. The chairman of the liquor Control Board of Ontario once said, "We welcome our American friends, but Ontario is not to be turned into a drinking parlor for them." THE OUTLOOK AND INDEPENDENT, November 28, 1928. Volume 150, Number 13, Published weekly by The Outlook Company at 120 East 16th Street, New York, N. Y. Subscription price $5.00 a year. Single copies 15 cents each. Foreign subscription to countries in the Postal Union, $6.56. Entered as second-class matter. July 21, 1893, at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., and July 20, 1928, at the Post Office at Springfield, Mass., under the Act of March 3, 1879. Copyright, 1928, by The Outlook Company. AT FIRST GLANCE, the statement that the Outlook and Independent will be pre-eminently a magazine of the future during this coming year, does not seem very striking-until one begins to reflect upon the great part, the preponderant part, which the future plays in human life. WALL STREET, for instance, deals principally with the future: Credit. The securities listed on the Exchange are issued mostly on futurities-hope of future profit. Most religions concern themselves in great part with a future which even extends beyond this world into another. Navies are built as insurance against a possible future. All savings are a recognition of the future. Schools and colleges educate for the future. Manufacturers advertise for the future. Political parties think of little except the future. THE MOMENT, indeed, that one begins to consider the subject the clearer it becomes that Life itself-at any rate as it is seen in men's mindsis almost entirely made up of considering the future. "Where Are We Going" is a question of real importance, whether it be applied to a man's career, his ideas, his business, the society or country in which he lives, or whatever interest seems to him paramount. CERTAINLY, unless one is content to fall back on astrology or numerology or some other of the romantic sciences, an intelligent view of the future would seem a necessity for the normal person. To secure it is fairly easy, too, for a journal, like this one, which is in a position correctly to interpret present day affairs-their value, meaning and trend. IT IS PARTLY for this reason that during the coming twelve months this magazine will do its best to interpret the present with a weather eye on the future. It is unquestionably true that our forecasts will probably in many cases be slightly tinged with the bias of the liberal Protestant American. For that is our inheritance. But in the main we shall hope to be merely intelligent in presenting answers to the well-known question "Where Do We Go from here?" Francis Profers Bellamy |