Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1889-06-28
ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER,
Pertinent Points on 1.-Two Topics Of Grow
ing Interest.

Following are brief extracts from Economic
'alue Of Electric Light and Power" nn able
book On the above subject, by Allen K. Footc, of
Cincinnati. Ohio
Electric Light and pewcr-they come without
noise. without heat, smoke, dust or dirt of any
kind. They consume no oxygen from the air,
they bring no poisonous gases into rooms they
destroy no property: they make lie more health
fu!, comfortable, AID freer from liability to acct.
dent; they are brought into use without effort;
with silent, patient energy they wait the will of
their employer.
The subdivision Of power into almost any unit
wanted no matter how small or large and its
distribution to any place where needed, is des.
tined to work social and economic changes of
which we have IA yet but v faint conception.
-
Instead OF having large mum! or Of compare
lively small steam plants scattered over q city,
each costing a considerable Investment each at.
tended with its expense for water fuel, and 9TH
er material, also for its fireman and engineer
each with its attendant noise, smoke, dirt or
rubbish; oh with its attendant risk OF injury
or lose to property or life. by fire or e. plosion
instead OF all these Ccnters OF disturbance,
smutch or danger, there will be but one, and
that one removed from the central part Of the
city.
Every argument that has been used In fuvor OF
improving any water. power. with the view OF In
creasinG Its industrial value. GILL he urgerl with
greater force in favor Of the distribution of
power from all Electrical central station.
-.
Every argument that has been used in favor of
improving navigation, or building railroads to
procure cheap fuel, with which to produce
cheap steam power, can be urged with greater
force In favor OF building a large Electric cen.
trai station, from which to distribute all the
light and power required In a city.
80
The effectiveness Of policeman cannot exceed
the area over which he can watch. II !s there
foro limited by tho area lighted by the lamp
with which he IL assisted. One arc lamp will
displace five ordinary gas lamps for street light.
Ing therefore. by its use, the area overlooked
By pollcelnan Is much greater than with gas
humps.
Every widening of the limit. OF distribution of
power l,as increased the opportunities for EN-.
ployment; has ndded to the ease and refinement
with which the labercr accomplishcs his work
has multiplied the number Of those who are
able to supply the wants Of a respectable human
being: and for that reason have become human
and has enlarged the surplus wealth of the COM
munity where such distribution of mechanical
power has been effected.
-.
Mind Is impressed with no fact MS it is with
the unknown. For this reason, SO long as the
manipulation and uses OF the Electric Service
are not matters of general information the mys.
terry surrounding 1t will prcdispose the unin.
formed to consider 1t dangerous \ great gain
will be made when It il understood BY intelligent
people that. TO speak Of the danger of the Flee.
trio Service, Is to advertise ones self as being
uniformed.
II the people Of city desire to secure the most
efficient Electric service Mt fair price there Is
but one way to do H.:
i. TO organize responsible private company
on basis sufficiently broad to enable IL to SUP
ply the entire Electric requirements Of the city
for light and power.
2. To cause tho council to grant the company
. perpetual franchise and contract for public
lighting. " e.. .-.-- - : :,
8, To qualify the franchise and contract with
the provision that the service shall, be rendered
10 the city and It's citizens al price, to be at
jcsted every nth year. not 10 exceed the price
Of similar service III other cities of correspond.
Int sise In tho Unlled States, where the service
. rendered under similar circumstances i
l. To Stipulats that the company shall fur.
nish, under these conditions. Electric Hight and
power, q may b required at any psiut id the
city.
~ g,,rh M. s,,sn. ,.,f -. !.