The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-02-22
BETTERMC YOUR BEST.
By .OR1soN SWEET MARDEN,

In many places in the South and West
water power Is transmitted long dis
! tances. When this experiment was FIRST
! tried. the leakage Of power was SO great
that II did not pay. but electricians have
managed to cover the electric wires, 80
the loss is now comparatively small.
The greatest problem In transmitting hu-
man energy into ones lifework. into things
that count. that are worth while. Is the
prevention OF all sorts OF power leaks.
Electrical engineers say that owing to the
enormous amount Of iron and steel in
great bridges, skyscrapers and subway
electricity in New York Is very great, and
that this leakage in time is likely to
wreck many of these structures.
There are all sorts OF things in human
lives which are constantly eating away
our power so II Is not utilized in our life
work. Did you ever sit down and try to
estimate the number Of things which are
sapping your great life current. drawing
1t away from Its main purpose and less
ening by so much your life achievement?
One OF the greatest problems which
has ever confronted scientists, inventors,
and electricians is the conversion Of coal
energy Into usuable power. Up to the
present time the most economical scien-
tific engine that has ever been made can
only convert about 20 per cent Of the po-
tential energy of coal into disable power.
Most Of it gets away In the generative
process and the transmission.
Only one hundredth part Of the coal en-
ergy in power houses appears as light In
the electric bulb. Ninety-nine parts are
lost in friction. dissipated In heat.
Now. you have the same problem in
generating. conserving. preventing from
dissipation the energy in the human ma
chine, and it is good plan to make a
careful list of all possible leaks of human
energy power. 1t takes but a very little
leak to drain Off an immense amount Of
precious brain energy and nerve energy.
Whatever exhausts or depletes your ply
steal vitality will drain of this life force,
and you may be perfectly unconscious
of many Of these leaks of power. You
may not realize what terrific drain on
your life force results from your irregu-
lar and unfortunate life habits. such as
turning night into day. irregular eating,
overcating or undertaking. eating the
wrong things at the wrong time. boiling
your food. eating when overtired. when
worried. You may not realize that these
things alone result in tremendous waste
of precious brain energy. In fact such
living would make a pygmy out of a
Napoleon.
Think Of the frightful waste Of this
precious life capital which comes from
all sorts of dissipation. as we'll as from
vicious thinking and fear and worry. in
dulging in hatred. jealousy. and revenge.
even in selfishness.
II you should attempt to jot down the
things which can rob you of power and
cripple your success, you would be
amazed at the great number Of things
which are in the great army of your
enemies. energies which are trying to
ANtnrt 90 4, - LIN
your plans. to strangle your efforts, kill
your efficiency.
If there is anything in this world that
is precious to a human being, IL Is his
brain energy. mental force. for this con-
stitutes his great motive power. His des-
tiny. his life achievement depends on the
economical. wise. scientific use of this
precious life power.
But just examine the average human
being and see where his energy goes to.
just make a note Of his leaks Of power.
He may not be conscious Of this wicked
wastage, but you can see II, although
you may not see your own
When you put money in the savings
bank. you prize very highly the small
amount of interest and feel disappointed
il the bank does not pay II, and take out
your money to deposit IL in another bank.
You cannot bear to lose this interest on
your money. even though tho principal
We're safe. But people who are 30 anx-
ious about their interests or their divi-
dend profits fling away an enormous per-
centage Of human energy through q great
many leaks of power.
The great thing Is to keep your success
capital. your mental and physical assets
intact, and to guard their integrity. their
Wilderness, as your most precious posses
sion. The quality. quantity, and intensity
OF your energy constitutes the electrical
power of your might This is the mighty
current which is going to carry you to
your goal, and IL this current Is weak.
If it is depleted, II there are leaks Of
power all along the line. you will not
be able to make very great speed in life.
You will not get very far.
tCopv-irht Ieisl