The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-02-24
ELECTRICITY FOR
QUICKEST WORK
All New Houses in Richmond Be.
ing Wired in Up-to-Datc
Way.
--------------------
THIS CITY MAKING STRIDES
Electric Power Is supplanting
Steam Because It Is Quicker
and Easily Managed.
THIS CITY MAKING STRIDES

Speaking Of the wonderful growth Of
Richmond industries within the last few
years, Z. D, Richardson, OF the electrical
engineering ind contracting firm OF
Godsey & Richardson. said yesterday:
Next to the business energy and
integrity of Richmond business men,,
electricity has been tho dominant factor.
In the city's upbuldinE. No one thing
has contributed so much to the rapid
and steady growth of the city rs this
invisible force-electriclty.
Installing power equipment In manu-
featuring buildings Is our specially, and
for that reason keep closely In touch
with the progress made In this depart
ment Of the work. We do some wiring
and equipping Of private residences. but
most Of our work Is in connection with
new industries, those just starting. or
old industries whose heads have decided
to change their motive power.
GAS an Illustration Of what strides
Richmond has made recently In the
electrical world, know Of one firm
burned out. rented n new building. had
power Installed, and started again In
three days, and everything In the cleo
trical line was made right in Richmond.
IL this firm had used steam. 1t would
have been at least three months before
the engine and boiler could 4 have been
shipped here and then installed. Some
| lew years dbO lulS sdIlAC III III NOa'A
have been delayed a month or more
while waiting to have its motors shipped
here. Now we get motors and other
electrical equipment rs cheap and good
| here as any. other manufacturers can
make them. and get them much quicker.
ELECTRICITY is fast taking the place
! Of steam and other kinds Of motive
power In the printing offices OF Rich
lnond. The Columbia Shoe Company,
| which has recently rented all the Indus
| trial Building, is fast installing motors
/ to make all its shoes by ell ctrtclty. Inc IN
C.. B. Ford Machine Company. next to
I tie LOCOMOTIVE Works the largest ma
chine shops In the South, is run entirely
i by electricity
.The W. II. Miles shoe Company Is man
| ufacturing large portion OF Its OUTPUT
here now by electricity. Practically ever,
! manufacturing department. OF the Amer.
lean Tobacco Company IL Richmond ant
Manchester is run by electricity.
'The reason that oil these firms are
4 using electricty5is simply because It Y
i cheaper, handler and safer than my
other form Of motive power known to- day
4 1T is cheaper, handler and safer thai
4 steam, gasolene or compressed air, o.
! any. other agency known. It reduces til
Z fire risks, and Is also cheaper In thu
i respect It Is so cheaply installed tina
Z the smallest industry requiring power ca
have It, and it is so, handy for install
lation that 1t can be put in place y
such quantities and added to from tim
to time. as the business may deinan>
In my opinion, electricity is a wonder
full business builder in practically ever
respect.
IN speaking of the wiring OF homes. MI
Richardson said that recently he ha
! been called on to wire old houses i
large numbers, and he did not know Q
. a new house worth anything ut all tha
{ was being built without wiring for cleo
: trio current. The reason is that owner
ere fast learning that, no matter no,
small house, 1t will rent to a bette
class OF tenants II it has electrical equiv
y ment. People who are regular In pa.
J take good care of the property and ar
: In every way desirable tenants nowaday
9 are demanding all modern convenience!
: even in small houses. Small families
{ young married couples just starting
n life. want small house. but they war
= a comfortable one, aud that means on
having electricity in 1t nowadays.