The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-04-20
PLENTY or LIVE WIRES IN kEOkUk TO-DAY

I N - -
thereby developed more than 100
miles from the Keokuk power house.
We Iowans should never lose an OPP
portunity to let the world know that
the largest development of power In
the world from single station Is at
Keokuk, Iowa, and not at Niagara.
Falls. Chicago, or New York City.
"The improved method of manufac-
turing and distributing electrical
energy will in all PROBABILITIES be as
marked in the coming years as 1t has
been in the past. but it is not sufh-
cient that the methods be improved
along the line suggested. but are we
looking as zealously as we should to
loads? The most efficient engine,
dynamo and lamp will not of them
selves get business, but they are SIM
ply means to an end. 1t is just as
necessary to advertise and solicit
customers for electric light and pow
er as 1t is in any other line of bust
ness. How many of us ever stop to
think that every single residence or
business house in our town must use
some sort of illumination? This being
true. why should they not use electri-
city? Is it all their fault that they
are not using electricity or are We In
a measure to blame for this cond1-
ton? How much could you afford to
give for one hundred new customers?
How much would the addition of these
one hundred new customers add to-
your overhead expense? How many
blacksmfths In your town still oper-
ate FORCES by hand? How many OF
your hotels wash their dishes and peel
their potatoes by electrically operated
machines? None of these machines
represent large consumption of cleo
tricty, but when put in service they
are all used during an off-peak period
and therefore are very valuable addt-
tons.
New Field for Wiring.
"At a recent meeting OF the wiring
committee of the N E. L. A., 1t was
decided to attend the meeting of the
Underwriters in New York on March
"a and % and to support the electri-
cal committees report in favor OF
authorizing the experimental use Of
bare concentric wiring under proper
restrictions. This will mean that when
this now system of wiring is properly
worked out. a new field will be open
ed to the central station. I refer to
the small residence consumer who to-
day cannot be taken on because or the
excessive investment on the part OF
both the company and the consumer
which would be necessary in order to
use electricity for lighting. In this
respect, it appears that some OF the
foreign countries are already making
considerable use of this cheaper sys-
tenn OF wiring.
There have been marked changes
for the better in the treatment by
public utility companies of the public
who are forced to buy our wares. and
We should make it a point to see that
we continue to improve along this line
at an even greater pace than we DO
in acquiring new business. One OF
the greatest assets public utility
company can have is satisfied custom
ers. Time was that even the largest
companies would refuse TO furnish its
customers with readings of the meter
through which the customer was iserv-
ed, while TODAY customers are given
every opportunity to know the result
of their meter readings as well as the
puted. We should invite suggestions
as well as friendly criticisms from
our customers, always bearing in
mind the fact that we are dealing in
what is practically monopoly and.
therefore, the public is entitled to
even better treatment than they
might be were they able to obtain the
same service from two different
sources.
Best to BE Prepared.
"A majority Of the states now con-
troll by commission or otherwise, to
greater or less degree. the opera
ton OF public utilities. This state has
not yet seen At to establish such a
commission, placing in its hands the
control of our public utilities. It
us to have his house in order 80 that
when the time comes. which It surely
Will. that the control of our property
shall be vested In a commission es-
tablished for this purpose, we will be
found serving the public in the best
possible manner and at fair and reas-
enable rates. We should also have
our system Of accounting in such
shape that 1t will clearly ans truly re-
feet the facts. Then, indeed, will we
have no need to fear control
Municipal ownership Of public util-
tiles has made little noticeable pro-
gress in the state during the past
year while there has been one note
worthy case in which a municipal
plant In town OF 5000 has. after
being operated by the municipality
for more than fifteen wears been nv
vote OF the people sold to a private
corporation. the corporation agreeing
from the start to furnish service at
reduced rates.
Some efforts have been made dur
ing the past year to compile the rates
of the various member companies, but
va ara nm hla To renarf t-ar.,- MN -,