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About Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 5, 1917)
CHEAP POWER VITAL TO NEW INDUSTRIES How Modern Business Depends on Electrical Products. In tbe recent discussion of the water power problem in and out of Congress, public attention has been directed to ward the use and value of electricity Tor motive power and for lighting, and latterly, for the manufacture of fer tilizers and nitric add for explosives. But these are only a few of the grow lug demands for cheap power. Today tbe great steel mills of the United States are absolutely dependent upon the products of the electric fur nace for alloys. The automobile manu facturer la dependent upon another , electric furnace product aluminum for car bodies. The manufacturers of steel products need these materials for making tools, and countless factories require abrasives which can not now be imported, and which are produced in the United States only by electric processes. Withotu; acetylene gas and graphites, also electric products, many Industries would be crippled. Turning to the products of electro chemistry, it is found that the surgeon and tbe doctor look to electric plants for chloroform and disinfectants; tbe cotton and the paper manufacturer need the bleaches produced by this magic element; every user of soap pa tronizes an electro-chemical establish ment, as does every user of matches. Gold and silver mining of the West re quires electric products to assure a profit, and of late It is learned that the United States, cut off from Its sup ply of German dyes, finds itself de pendent upon other electric, products to supply, In part, tbe deficiency. These are but a few of the Industries depending upon cheap power for suc cess. The power is here. Its develop ment, when encouraged by the passage of such bills as are now before con gress, will make tbe United States In dependent of foreign sources of supply, and will reduce the cost to the consum er of countless articles pf every-day use which, to bis mind, are probably In no way associated with hydro-electric development. The manufacture of steel Is the great est of all American Industries, and better steel is made in electric fur naces than by any other k"hown proc ess. Today electrically produced ferro silicon is used as an alloy by most steel manufacturers, with the result that the Bessemer process. Is fast be coming obsolete. The essential ele ment in the manufacture of . armor plate and armor-piercing projectiles Is introduced into steel by ferro-chroml-um, an alloy which Is strictly an elec tric fufnace product. The Navy De partment calls for this type of steel, and will have no other as armor plate. Without this alloy our battleships of recent date would be at the mercy of a hostile fleet, and the shells Bred' by our warships and coast-defense guns would be ineffective against tbe armor of a modern enemy fleet. Ferro-chrome, another product of the electric furnace, has made possible the manufacture of high-speed tools, .which have tripled the capacity of every ma chine shop in the world, and enhanced the efficiency of every mechanic. It has cut to one-third the capital Invest ed In tools to accomplish a given vol ume of work. In the absence of chromium, tung sten, vanadium and molybdenum, all alloys made by electrical processes, the United States could not build modern battle ships and other weapons of na tional defense, and a lame proportion of our steel and metal working Indus tries and other industries would revert to the conditions of twenty years ago. The electrical Industry Itself Is largely dependent umiii silicon steel, which does not age mid does not wear out There Is no manufacturer of automo biles but who is today heavily depend ent upon aluminum. The making of automobile bodies utilizes more of this electrically-produced metal than does any other line of industry. The devel opment of aeroplanes also calls for aluminum, and only with the abundant production of cheap water power can the price of aluminum kitchen utensils be brought within the reach of every housewife. At the outbreak of the European war the United States was cut off from tbe supply of Greek and Turkish emery. Today the metal working Industries of this country are dependent absolutely upon electric furnace abrasives, carbo rundum and alundum. Tbe manufac turer of agricultural machinery, loco motives, fire-arms, milling machinery, automobiles, and countless other metal products must have these abrasives, and they can now be made only where water power Is developed cheaply. Cut off the artificial abrasive and force the automobile manufacturer to go back to the grindstone, at the same time eliminating the other products of cheap power aluminum, high-speed steel, and special steels and works which produce 500 car per day would be able to turn out lem than 100 cars every .twenty-four hours with the same force of workmen. Thla would mesa as Increase of price that would carry tbe automobile beyond the reach of thousands who now employ aad enjoy them. The electric furnace also tarns out calcium carbide, tbe only source of acetylene, without which many homes would still nee the kerosene lamp, The exy -acetylene flame has become of In tense raloe In the welding of metals sad the cutting of Meet, Tela aasse calcium carbide is the important fac tor in the fixation of atmospheric nitro gen, and Is the source of supply upon which we must rely for nHrlc acid and nitrates employed In making muni tions of war and fertilizers. All" tbe artificial grupbite used in the world today is produced at Niagara B'alls, by cheap water power. Its uses are manifold, rraetieally the sole American supply of abrasives is also from Niagara. Considering the products of electro chemistry, chlorine stands out as of first importance. The sterilization of water supplies of countless cities has been made possible by the use of "bleaching powder" or hypochlorite, and in communities where this agent is used typhoid has lost Its terrors. The American army and the armies of Europe use chlorine to avert typhoid, and other chlorine products, including chloroform, are used surgically, both as anesthetics and antiseptics. This same chlorine, or bleach, makes possi ble the manufacture of white cotton goods and white writing paper. Other products of chlorine, produced electri cally, enter into the manufacture of soaps. Even into fire extinguishers goes this sole product of cheap electric ity. To meet the shortage in coal-tar dyes, by the combination of chlorine with coal-tar benzon and tuluol, we are 10 w beginning to produce in quantities those inecessary "intermediates" for merly made in Germany. Metallic sodium, also a product of electricity. Is the basis for sodium peroxide, which is utilized in generat ing oxygen for hospitals, for labora tories and for submarines and mine- rescue apparatus. It also enters Into the manufacture of hydrogen peroxide. Without sodium cyanide many gold and sliver mines could not operate at a profit. . New types of matches have made their appearance on the American market since the outbreak of war In Europe. These new brands are "made in America," and largely because we were cut off from our Norwegian sup ply. The phosphorus is produced only in electric plants. These are but a few or the products of every-day use that are largely de- pendent upon water power; many of these products a few years ago bad no known value. What other products re main to be developed with the growth of hydro-electricity no man can pre dict. But there Is a limit on produc tion of all these products today. That limit can only be passed when Con gress paves the way for further hydro electric development by enacting laws which will make It possible and profit able ffr capital to invest in tbese va rious enterprises at places where to day Do development Is taking place. Falls City Sawmill Resumes Work. karly risers and sleepers were awakened Wednesday morning at 5:30 by a familiar but almost for gotten sound. The siren of the Falls City mill blew its -first blast in. near ly a year and a half upon the morn ing air. Falls City people and bu iness men are jubilant over the pros pect of another year with the mill running: to capacity. They oxpect a continuous run under the mar:ngp,n!cnt of the new Falls City Lumber nnd Logging company . A large number of idle men have been given work. and all in all, it might be said hhnt that siren blast the -other morning was the first little ray of suiv.Mne that citv has seen in some time. WATER POWER CUTS COST OF LIVING Advertised Letters. At the close of business on Tups day, January 2, 1917, the following letters were uncalled for in the post- office at Dallas, Oregon: Mr. I. D. Bentley S. Boring Mr. Ralph Crege Mr. Vivyan Dexter Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Dmthie Bernard Fay Mrs. Sena Hayes Mrs. Laura Harrington Mr. James C. Leggett Mrs. F. N. Morris Miss Caroline Sorensen A. E. Wright, Esq. V. P. FISKE, Postmnstor. Mercy Is Shown Deserters. Deserters from all branches of the United States army, wherever sta tioned, will be tried henceforth at the disciplinary barracks at Fort Leaven worth, according to official informa tion received last week. The desert er will have a thorough mental 'and physical examination by experts, fol lowing which he may have a "tryout " with the disciplinary battalion before it is fully determined whethar to bring criminal charges against him. The proposed change is a radical de parture from the old method of con sidering deserters only as military prisoners, guilty of a serious offense. v THE WO , IK MOST SUBLIME Logger Kills Wife and Self. Because his wife had started suit for divorce, W. 3. Horton, a; logger, on Tuesday walked into the store at Rainier, Oregon where Mrs. Walker was employed, shot and killed her and then turned the weapon upon himself. Horton died instantly; his wife lin gered four hours. Both had children by former marriage. Two of Mrs. Hor ton 's sons, Ray and Guy Wiseeup, re side in this county at Airlie.. Hor ton is said to have been heir to an estate of $15,000. Census Figure.s Show Reduc ! Hon In Electric Rates. United States census figures show that one of the few commodities, if not the only one, which costs less now than a few years ago, is electric cur rent. While the cost of living gener ally has been mounting skyward in the last ten or fifteen years, the price of electricity . for light and power has been steadily going downward. . The census reports for 1912 show the average gross income of commercial and municipal central stations in cents per kilowatt-hour since 1002 to have been as follows: 12 1907 1902 United 8tatea ..' li 2.99 8.42 New England 3.37 3.94 4.3! Middle Atlantic 2.61 2.83 2.91 East North Central 2.67 3.34 3.62 West North Central 4.0S 4.11 4.39 South Atlantic 2.43 2.88 3.46 East South Central 3.36 3.93 3.41 West South Central .... E.34 6.33 4.68 Mountain 1.74 2.31 2.83 Pacific l.Xl 1.96 8.44 These figures show tbe average price of electric power in 1912 In the entire United States to have been only two thirds what it was ten years earlier. These reductions do not tell the entire benefit to the consumer, as they show only tbe price of current and offer no suggestion as to tbe economics brought about by Improvement in electric lamps, motors and other appliances for utilizing electricity. In lighting alono tbe Improvement In electric lamps tn the last fifteen years has given the con sumer from three to five times as much Illumination with the same amount of current That Is, one cent's worth of electricity now produces five times as much light as It did fifteen years ago. One of tbe most Impressive facts shown by the above table of electric prices la the effect that water power development has had upon power coats. It will be seen that tn the Middle At lantic. West North Ontral and East South Central States, where there has been little water power development the rates remained almost tbe same for ten years, while In the West South Central States, where there Is no water power development worth mentioning, the cost of power actually Increased. In New England and the South Atlantic States, where there has been consider able use of water power, the price dropped off one-third, while In the Mountain and Pacific states, where the greatest development of water power baa taken place, the reduction was fully fifty per cent These figures tell the story very Im pressively of what may be expected la the way of benefit to the Industries of the entire country wbea the 64.000.000 hone sower of water aow running to wast is harnessed and pot to work. Poultry Show at Salem. The ninth annual Marion county poultry show will bo held in Salem beginning Tuesday,-January 9 and closing Saturday evening, the 13th. Entries will be received as late as January 6. The officers of the asso ciation are: George E. Shaw, presi dent; H. O. White, vice-president; W. H. Smith, secretary and treasurer; 6. M. Voris, assistant secretary; J. C. Murray of Portland, judge. Mr. Shaw will serve as superintendent of the show. Indoor Picnic Is Enjoyed. The indoor picnic of the Monmouth grange Monday in Monmouth was enjoyed by a large number of people. The following program was given: 10 to 12 a. m., games; 2 to. 3:30, violin solo, Miss Harvey; recitation, Freda Powell; reading, Ruth Mills; solo, P. O. Powell ; recitation, Edward Daniel; recitation, Herbert Powell; cornet selection, Willie Harvey; read ing, Mr. Ostrom; speaking contest; musical number by the Rogers family. 1 Rev: Geo H, Bennett, former pas tor of Hie' Dallas M. E. church, but now-of Klamath Falls, is author of the following which he has entitled " The Wnfrk MosTsuiblime : " O Sunlit .'Day, how bright thy glory " set . .." , With getos'pf beauty is; with snowy ,, cloilds ' In azurje heights adrift; with flowery Fields labloom, and billowy grain ' ' o'erswept By rhythmic gales of summer breath beife rise The emerald lulls with oaks o'er crowned, and Fruitful vales between; there mown tains slumber, Far away, in purple hues; while deep voie'd Ocean the rock bound shore unceas intr pounds, 0 Sunltj Day, how bright thy glory is! he Creator's praise the heart up , lifted Sings; his living power the azure sky And white-winged clouds declare, the tree-crowned hills And dewy yalcs; while whispering winds from Mountain dell and white capped wave their story Tell of majesty divine; but nobler Far,; more beautiful than these the sunlit Day; reveals of work sublime: 'tis found where Man with God unites in arts divice. of God and man most worthy work most sublime. 'thy Sanctuary this truth proclaims of Arts both human and divine; its na tive . Oak and iron, its silica and lime Bespeak omnipotence eternal Art divine; but fashioned now ot pol ished Oak and molded iron, the crystal pane, And humble bricks fast mortar-bound by hand Of man, in architectural beauty Stands the House of Prayer God's plan in human Life to consummate, and his glory share. God's image pure, by sin defaced, renewed In human hearts by pow'r divine, nobler Far appears than snowy crags il lumed by Sunset's alpine hues; the evil heart repents, Is born anew; the selfish mind now moves With charity; the hauteur of the soul To meekness; turns? the cynic melts and Loves only when man s failing art with God's Unfailing art unites in building here The brotherhood of man work most sublime. property. After 33 years in busi ness I wish to retire and will trade my planing mill for improved or unimproved farm land. Mill is up-to-date and the only fully equipped one in the county. Everything first- class. Established business. F. J Coad, Dallas, Oregon. 83-00 FOR SALE New, modern five-room bungalow on Washington street, terms. McBee Land Co. 77-tf TO TRADE Two acres improved land in suburbs of Portland for improved farm land in Polk county, no buildings required. Value $4090. Address P. O. box 564, Dallas. Phone 1451. 80-90c FOR SALE Clean vetch seed at three cents a pound, baled cheat hay at $13.50 a ton and oats, at going price. A. R. Brown South Red 35, Dallas. 86-104o FOR SALE Vetch, grain, cheat and mixed clover and vetch hay, baled, at $10, $12 and $13 a ton. J. E. Honk, Perrydale. 85-92c FOR SALE Team, weight about 1050 ; 2y2 wagon; good set harness; 12-inch plow, and cow. If taken all together, can make good prioe and terms. See E. D. Cosper. 78-tf ' Per Cent Farm Loans on first I class farms. H. E. Morton, 605 Court street, Dallas. s Dr. spei his New Tear to DaU ue to do so each n price nlike to all i assured. Those w of the doctor's te and fourteen years ence should get reli any eye troubles. . and all work guar only. FOR SALE White and grey oats ; al- 90 vetch and oat hay. E. A. Gwinn. Phone 1813. 88-89c WANTED Fresh cows. Phone 1437 or write Pinckney Bros. Dairy, Sa lem, Oregon. . 89-90c WANTED Three-fourths size, sec ond hand violin. . Will pay cash. Mrs'. E. E. Ewing, 'phone 842. 90-91 STRAYED OR STOLEN December 22, small, dehorned black cow, eight years old. Had bell on and lump on left jaw. Coming fresh this month. Inquire Observer. 89-90e FOUND Pair of gold nose glasses, near depot Tuesday morning. Own er may have same by paying for this advertisement at Observer of fice. . 89-90c SOME THINGS Bring in your rags, rubber, eopper, brass and I will pay you the highest price. Henry Smith, Dallas. 86-88c We frame pictures. Did you know thatt Sterling Furniture Company. Oil Wells In the Ocean. One of the most novel and interest ing sights along tbe California coast especially to tourists, are the oil wells u tbe ocean at Summerfleld, southern Santa Barbara county. Long wharfs carry the scores of derricks which mark tbe location of these unique wells. The field Is small, covering about 125 acres. Argonaut No Gama. Pat and I were watching a game of chess. Suddenly I turned to him. "Hare you tbe timer I asked, glanc ing at his watch pocket "Sure." replied Pat "I have the time, but not tbe Inclination." Princeton Tiger. Winia What Is It called when two people are thinking of the same thing t th him time mental telepathy! GllUa Sometimes: other times Just plain embarrassment Judge. Hew It Was. Landlady (sympathetically) Why, how did yon fall downstairs, Mr. Lanka Boarder (with dignity Unex pectedly, ma'am. Pall MaU Gasette. Fine. Telephone girls are sot allowed to talk back." "What a field from which to select wife." LooJsrUle CoorlerJ'Mj rnaL Portland's Fire Loss Small. Portland, with a fire marshal, re duced fire losses from $1,800,000 in 1915 to a little over half a million in 1916. Oregon, without a fire marshal, had fire losses outside Portland amount ing to over $2,000,000 in 1916, an in crease over any previous year. Ore gon Journal. Semi-Weekly Observer $1.50 a yeai BULLETIN i. ...... ....... ONE CENT A WORD, "PHONE 1 The charge for advertise ments under this head Is one cent per word for each In sertion. No discount for suc cessive Issues. If you have anything for sale or ex 9 change; If you want to rem or lease a house or business building: If you want help or a job of work; If you have lost or found anything; If you want publicity of any kind, try this celumn. Ton are sure to get results others do, why not you. Tel ephone your "want ads." or address all communications to The Observer. Dallas, Oregon. Count the number of words to remit with order. Telephone No. 1. A POLK COUNTY PRODUCT m mm ICE SOLD EVERYWHERE BUTTER UPPERS GET THEM 111 THE OBSERVER HI A'. P. lights and Ba et Cutlery, E" torcycles, Sur ing Powdery ing, Umbrell Bicycle and K pairing, orinf Mechanical R op H0CKET1 PHONE 1072. 5 Subscribe-d The Observer pub' G()E Unkn Pad Syst OREGON-WAT" tlMTTl I Leave Portland V ' 10A.M.I via Uu Famous Colur Rout The only Through-? electrically lights protect WM.McMt General Passes PORTLi JUST WHAT YOU NEED AT THE , STABLE Used cement trays, suit able for horse troughs or vats. Very eheap. Will last indefinitely. Rich, and Ellis. 87-89 j AUTO FOE SALE Studebakerl "Six," run less than 7,000 miles.' in fine condition. Leaving Dallas j and will sell for $575; cost $1450 j at factory one year ago. Inquire, at The Observer, or Lew A. Catea, Hotel Gail. Will consider trade. FOR SALE Or Will trade for farm Semi-Tropical I Southern Calift CALIFORNIA with its oranges, its Winter B era, its beaches, its mountain resorts, its ti stained missions, its delightful sunshine and pf-door life surely the call is irresis table in 4 ary. But a two days journey away on daily trains the delightful f SHASTA ROUTI Shasta Limited California Express San Francisco E Yon can secure tickets or complete information from any agent or write. ' JOHN IL SCOTT, General Passenger Agent, Portland, Oregon v ' Southern Pacific L