The Future of Water Power in the United States

This paper gives a careful compilation of figures showing the total fixed installed primary power in the United States and similar figures for total installed water power, at the same time calling attention to the unreliability of statistics in general. With these figures, those compiled by the Commissioner of Corporations are summarized and compared. The geographic distribution of installed water power is considered and many interesting facts revealed when these figures are examined from the viewpoint of population distribution. A study of the development of water power between 1889 and 1909 shows some interesting differences as compared with distribution of manufacturing power and total developed water power. The author next takes up the question of the possibilities of water power development and points out the fallacy of power development waiting upon demand instead of creating it. The immense field for hydroelectric power which a development of the electro-chemical, and electro-metallurgical industries would create with the success of such industries abroad is cited and an appeal made for a Federal policy of encouraging business enterprise instead of obstructing it.