Journal of electricity, power, and gas . supplied to electric appli-ances for conversion into the form desired at the placedesired, is the most efficient and convenient system need never fear decay. Hence we see the generalbenefits accruing to all the people, an unearned incre-ment so to speak, as a result of the electric trans-mission systems. The electrical transmission sys-tems will ultimately form a network all over the coun-try just as the railroads have gridironed the states inthe past. To illustrate the saving of capital and operatingexpenses, and the distribution of industries through-
Journal of electricity, power, and gas . supplied to electric appli-ances for conversion into the form desired at the placedesired, is the most efficient and convenient system need never fear decay. Hence we see the generalbenefits accruing to all the people, an unearned incre-ment so to speak, as a result of the electric trans-mission systems. The electrical transmission sys-tems will ultimately form a network all over the coun-try just as the railroads have gridironed the states inthe past. To illustrate the saving of capital and operatingexpenses, and the distribution of industries through-out an area, let us consider the conditions in Califor-nia, especially the central part of the state, where one JOURNAL OF ELECTRICITY, POWER AND GAS [Vol. XXXII—No. 1 of the largest systems in the world has been built upin the last fifteen years. To more thoroughly appreciate the changeswrought in California by the hydroelectric powertransmission systems, we must go back to 1897 and1898. At that time there were independent and local. Electric Driven Gold Dredge. steam plants in all the cities and towns of plants supplied current for lighting only, andmanufacturing- concerns provided themselves withpower from small plants which rapidly cost of lighting was 15c per kilowatt hour inthe small towns, and power costs to manufacturingcompanies in .most cases about two hundred dollarsper horsepower year. The mines on the Mother Lode had largely beenabandoned, gold dredging had not yet proved feasible,no cement plants had yet been established, and wheatfarming was rapidly declining. In a few isolated casesthe farmers had begun to pump water for irrigationby means of gas engines, and lands were held at ridic-ulously low prices, but could not be sold, and South-ern Pacific common stock, which is an index of Cali-fornia prosperity, was held at $30 per share becauseit could not be sold. It will be recalled that 1897 and1898 were dry years, so that the far
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