St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-09-28
Pithy Pen Pictures of the Prominent Electricians the
Sanity City and the Enterprising Men of Business
Who Have Called Electricity to Their Aid.


tons the past quarter of a century has
been great, but it will be nothing in
comparison to what will be accOmp-
lished within the next twenty-five
years. Everyday herelds the compile
ton of some new invention or the Solu-
ton of some profound problem, by which
the use of electricity can be made uni
Versal to the wants Of man. Few cities
on this continent have displayed so
much progressiveness as st. Paul in the
matter of adopting electrical contriv
anceS for lighting and power purposes.
There has been no lack of enterprise to
test all useful inventions, and to-day
the city has attained a most pre-emi
Eent position for the large electrical
works which has grown up within its
limits. A few years ago almost the
whole of the electrical manufacturing
was done in the East, thus
adding to its cost, and thereby
limiting its use. And then the
use of electricity was confined almost
solely to lighting. What a tranSforma-
ton has been accomplished within the
past decade in st. Paul and the North
westl The great market which here
presented itself quickly attracted the
lynx-eyed capitalists, and the most
skilled electricians were induced to
change their location, the result being
that to-day in st. Paul all manner of
electrical work can be done, and, in
stead of having to 90 to Eastern centers,
it is no uncommon thing for Eastern
centers having to call upon St. Paul.
The pioneer electrical establishment
in st. Paul was the Edison Electric
Light and Power company. The mar
veIouS growth of this company is sue
cinctly stated below. The works of
this company are the largest of the
kind west of Chicago, and the excel
lence of its management is
indicated from the fact that
since 1887, when the works were
started, there has been no actual break
in the current. The current has really
been shut off twice-on a Sunday III
each case-but this was necessitated by
repairs, and proper notice of the same
was given to consumers. This COM
pany solely confines itself to the sup
plying of light and power. The Colum-
bia Electric company was established a
little over year ago for distinctively
another purpose-the manufacture, the
repair and the supply of electrical APP
pliances. This is purely local COM
pany, and its success has been most
gratifying. From the time the doors of
its factory were opened orders have
poured i'll, and each week sees 1t launch
out into new branches. The latest
work undertaken is the manufacture of
electric car motors. There are other
companies all doing profitable and
growing business.
The demand for electric light and
power i'll st. Paul is Oh the increase.
There is absolutely no reason why,
eventually, it should not altogether SUI
perSede gas, especially in the North
west, so far removed from the coal
fields. All the large buildings of the
city. with one eXception-the court
house-are lighted by electricity. Why
the court house Is Illuminated by gas
the city fathers alone know. But the
electric light is not confined to the Office
or the store; it is making its way into
private dwellings. In time, maybe, it
will be used more extensively in light
ing the city. The price asked by the
companies has hitherto, it is said, pre-
vented its adoption for street lighting
purposes. The streets would certainly
be much better Illuminated by electric
ity than the apology for light in the
shape of gas or gasoline lamps.
But the most widespread use to which
electricity is being put in st. Paul is as
motive power. 1t is surprising the
number of business men who have
called in its all as cheap, easy, ready.
and, in all respects, desirable power for
the working of Eight machinery. There
are few business houses that do not use
electricity in one way or another and
many offices in the city are equipped
with fans worked by this means. 1t is
only year ago that these small cleo
trical fans were introduced, and the
large number to be daily seen at work,
particularly during the late hot spell, is
indicative of their growing demand.
They are most useful invention in this
climate for the heated spells. The fans
are small; they can be placed in any
out of the way position; they are no
eyesore. like many of the primitive fans
operated in offices and restaurants-and
will certainly continue in popularity. 1t
is in such a way that electricity in the
future will be brought more and more
to add to luXuries of life.
There arc few printing establishments
there is not job printing house-in
the city where the machinery is not
operated by electricity. sit is much
cheaper than steam," remarked printer
the other day. The printers appear to
have been the first to capitulate to the
encroachments made by electricity on
the field at first solely occupied by
steam. and then, to small extent, by
gas. The printing machinery is such
that it can be very easily operated by
electricity, and the small space occu-
pied in a crowded Office is no mean
advantage. Another line invaded by
electricity is the laundry business,
There are several laundries entirely
worked By electricity, even to the heat