About Town - Herb Force

HERB FORCE of Niagara Falls has been campaigning for years to get the U. S. to issue a Niagara Falls postage stamp He now has something of a new slant on the project.

"Recent approval was made for a U. S. commemorative stamp in 1983 to honor Nikola Tesla, the father of alternating current."

In 1976, his native country, Yugoslavia, issued a stamp with a daylight view of the American Falls and the Tesla statue on the right. Also, Yugoslavia placed a statue of Tesla near the American Falls for the U. S. Bicentennial.

"At the same time, a historic photo first was taken by Force, ed's note on July 4, 1976. It was entitled "200th birthday fireworks near the American Falls." It is in the United States Bicentennial Book and the National Archives. This is one of the five pictures copied by the U S Postal Service for the design of a Niagara Falls stamp.

"I feel this patriotic horizontal night view would be a great tribute to Tesla. The Mighty Cataracts are illuminated by the same electricity they produce. He made this feat possible. The fireworks in the view symbolize the first attempt to illuminate Niagara at night. Tesla's greatest feat was the harnessing of Niagara Falls' waterpower for long distance transmission of electricity using alternating current. With AC power, Tesla electrified the world."

Herb wants those who agree with him to write to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee. U S Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza, S W Washington, D C 20260.