The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-15

In determining the costs as exhibited in the
above table n thorough study was maize OF each
individual case. as 1t was found inlt even IN the
fcring so much from all others as TO make IL
practically independent. In such plants as
were conducted long enough to determine as
nearly as possible the average load under ordi-
Touring mills offering In its daily output OF bar
rels OF -four a good unit for computing the
yearly average; but in no case was less than a
The accounting costs were taken from the
books Of the concerns and usually 1naer the
extraordinary and othcr wise, were included. as
II Is often found that such II thing as replacing
ON the enSine. o. or replncipps a burst fy-wheel is
not counted in the cost OF power.
There are two main factors OF expense enter
Ing into the cost OF steam power usually, ana in
this paper called operating expense =. ana
liked charge" tho first being made up of fuel.
wages, repairs. supplies. and inciGentais suchas
lighting the engine and boiler rooms. rcmoval
OF ashes. &c. These arc comparatively easy to
determine. but fixed charges are more difficult
10 separate, as few firms pay any attention to
the two items. interest and depreciation. while
insurance and taxes are OF course, charged TO
their usual accounts, and when estimating cost
Tho plants. including buildings. boilers. engines
and piping. have been built by contract and u
definite separation of values is difficult.
The first two items of fixed charges. Interest
ana depreciation sISsras onns seIa1m , rsee iHt,c the Mhirh n
handled at all. is considered, rs included in the
cost Of repairs, but, which should not by any
OF course plants vary much in the amount Of
for accordingly. While the writer has seen
steam plants in continuous use for thirty and
moro years. the cases are exceptional. and, ms the
time in which q plant become. obsolete or out
years. this also has to be taken into account.
and whether 1t be charged of yearly or in a
lump when new apparatus Is installed the cost
Is Just the same md is chargeable only to the
cost of powor for the time during which such
only when getting well into the subject. how
generally incorrect are the statements OF cost Of
on}1 9b pows Sr.n nna it dn I, i I"fs i ito , 'nk9 IS os ssss9 St
thoroughly competent engineers.
1t is, OF course, true. IN places, where no espe-
ciai advantage obtains that will permit the de-
velopment Of cheap water power. that electric
power in small amounts still costs considerable.
yet when such costs are correctly COMPARED
with the cost OF steam power tho result is likely
to be in favor of electricity. and the very great
advantages Inherent in electric power far out
weigh any matter Of cost. oven though IL should
occasionally happen To he more.
In the first place, the great facility with which
II can be applied to almost any purpose places 1t
form Of power; in the case OF large machines a
itse T. and where many small machines are in
use. sections OF shnfting driving n convenient
number can be attached to one motor, and II
set up In any part OF the room.
In the newer cotton mills motors are being
suspended from the ceiling ami tho shutting
coupled TO the motor shaft, thus doing away
with all large betting,
One OF tho principal advantages OF using cleo.
most largo cities It can BIO obtained. from, cen.
trail stations. and thus the user avoids a large
capital expenditure for first cost Of plant. per.
uniting tho use OF just that much more money
in his business, and what Is more. avoiding the
usual high depreciation Of plant value, as the
modern electric motor will with nominal repairs
last indefinitely.
And. again. the user need pay for plant only
large enough for his present requirements. and
thus not have n largo amount OF capital idle for
future growth OF his business. and then. as his
by adding motors, and current from the central
station Will furnish him with all the power he
may require, to say nothing OF tho fact that no
can also get an occasional extra supply, which
IL not convenient, or In many cases possible,
when supplied from his own plant.
In connection with the distribution OF power
from the Niagara. Falls installations, Buffa.
lonians gradually had talked themselves into
tho belief TINT power could no developed at
Niagara Falls, and practically for their eX-
elusive use at very little cost. and 1t Is said that
horse power In Buffalo as the outside price.
or Conrsc any one. who for n moment stopped
TO think would know that such a price Is
ridiculous, but probably it will be difficult
in most cases their own. steam power costs
over $40 por annum per horse power, or thoy
should not expect 10 receive electric power from
the falls for much less than one.half of the price
orally consider the character and cost Of the
power pretty thoroughly. and II Is never diff.
cult to convince them that at present prices tho
cost Of Niagara Falls power permits a very con,
siderable saving as compared with the use O:
steam power.
II the growth of electrical applications meets
the expectations Of it's friends the two and a
half years lett in this. century will show a do
velopment that will be hard TO beat by any
changes that may come following 1900.
HoRATIo A. FOSTER.