The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-04-20

and it is intimated that even this won
derful efficiency is to be greatly Inn
proved on in the near future.
Efficiency and Law Rates.
Not only has the efficiency of the
| customers equipment for the use OF
light, heat and power been increased,
but along with this marvellous increase
in efficiency there has been steady
revision downward in rates charged
for service rendered, Notwithstanding
the fact that the cost of labor, fuel
and other items which enter into the
cost of same has steadily increased.
One OF the largest public service com
panies in this country makes very
good use of these two facts by means
of street car advertising which sets
forth in graphic way the constant
reduction in the price of electricity in
contrast with the ever increasing high
cost of living which we hear so much
about these days.
THE fact that the customer has re-
ceived the benefit OF greater efficiency
in his equipment, together with the
very material reductions in rates from
time to time has tended to increase
the total gross output of the central
creased net earnings for given in
vestment. The Electrical World in a
recent issue commenting on an
article in the New York Evening Post
cites facts to show that of all indus
tries, the public utility industry was
hit the least hard by unfavorable de-
velopments in 1914, these facts being
based on returns from thirty-fve
middle western public utilities. each
of which show an increase for the
past year. For this reason, electrical
securities as an investment are not
looked upon with the same degree Of
suspicion today that they were few
years ago In spite OF business de-
preston prevalent during the year
just past, there has been the custom
airy advance along electrical lines.
From the viewpoint Of the manufac-
turer OF electrical apparatus, this
progress has been confined to extern
sions Of existing standards and lines
rather than any new or startling dis
coveries OF inventions, while from the
operators viewpoint. ! think that the
member companies of this association
will agree that there has been sub
stantial increase in business over the
previous year.
Electrical Progress.
President Paul NJ. Lincoln Of the
American Institute of Electrical Ensi-
neers in review of the year for the
Electric journal has the following to
say in regard to electrical progress:
One thing that is perhaps most
noticeable to one who has looked
over previous reviews is that pro-
gress, particularly in things electrical.
may now be taken as matter of
course. If there is any branch Of our
industry which does not show pro-
gress, 1t is an immediate sign OF de-
cadence. II progress in any given
line cannot be reported for this year.
1t Is very probable that next years
progress will omit mention of it en-
tfrely.'
The gradually increasing size OF
generating units continues until we
now look with complacency on the in
stallation of $4,000 x. W. tarbo gen.
orator. whereas few years ago We
marveled at 5000 K. W. set as reach
ing the limit in the way OF size. Per
haps some of the members present
will recall the convention at Dubuque,
in 1905 and the trio we took through
the station OF the Union Electric COM
pany to take look at the new 500
K W. steam turbines which were inst
being installed in that station. The
growth in size has been a regular and
normal one, due TO the demand for
larger and more efficient units to take
care of the RAPIDLY increasing use Of
electricity in the home. the store. the
factory and on the farm.
O.,
ton at this time is the abortion of
mills. coal companies end railroads
for work in their respective lines: the
latter two particularly for work at
terminals One manufacturer alone at
rough estimate has furnished equip
nlent during the year Just passed that
Will result in an output by central
stations OF 100000 to 10000, 900 K
w. H. of energy for this class of SER
vice
referring to one more improve
ment which might be of particular In
terest to all central stations alike Is
the watt hour demand meter which
has recently been brought out and
which is distinct advantage in met
ering electrical energy. thus catering
TO tn. demand Of central stations who
base their rates on demand as Well as
K. ". n. consumption. The Westing-
house company has BROUGHT out such
q demand meter that has neither
-Iock- motor. or timing device. con-
facts or solenoids. This meter Is self
contained and is equipped with a
POINTER to indicate the highest watt
hour demand for given period OF
time.
Mazdas In Street Lights.
Possibly one OF the most pronoun-
oed developments during the year has
been the increased use of Mazda
/ lamps for street lighting purposes.
Until recent years arc lamps had the
monopoly OF the street lighting field.
I II has labored under the disadvantage
of high upkeep necessary in the re-
newaI of cartoons and its somewhat
Pickering light All OF these short