The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-05-20

The engineers of the Mississippi
River Power company have been
| forced from time to time to solve
many puzzling problems in connection
j with the operation of the long dis
lance transmission circuits which
radiate from Keokuk and supply light
and power to distant cities, villages
| and industrial centers throughout, the
power zone.
The elements of nature, lightning,
wind, intense cold and scorching heat,
floods, ice and sleet, acting indtvidu'
ally and at times with combined ener-
gies constitute the electrical mans
most consistent foes. Keeping always
on the alert he must be prepared to
anticipate their attacks and must
safeguard by every means known to
modern operating practice the con-
tinuity of electric service over the
lines placed under his control.
Few people realize the efforts that
are being continually made by electric
light and power operating companies
to keep the supply of electric current
always available for the customers
use Night and dav. every minute OF
the twenty=four hours and every sec
ond of each minute, the supply of
electricity must be at hand ready for
instant use II light Is needed the
pressing Of button must bring illum-
nation; if power is required, the clos
ing of a switch must start the turn
ing of the machinery. Trained men,
modern and improved equipment. con-
tinual and painstakiug inspection and
immediate repair of lines and appa-
ratrs, clear and concise orders,
proper discipline and safeguards make
it possible to give today to every
consumer, a superior quality of cleo
trio service.
Reputation to Sustain.
The reputation of public utility COM
panies as regards their ability to
give continuous and reliable service
is dependent largely upon the careful
attention of their operating force to
the proper maintenance at all times
of even the smallest and, to all out
ward appearances, the most inslgnltl-
cant pieces of apparatus which are in
volved in the delivery Of electric cur
rent to the consumer. Every feature
of each part of operating equipment
must be protected against failure and
if deterioration is evident at any
point, immediate attention must be
given, the cause of the trouble elm
mated if possible, and further weak
ening of the affected apparatus pre-
vented.
The transmission lines which dis
tribute to distant points the energy
from the great generating station of
the Mississippi River Power company
are perhaps the most important fea-
lures upon which successful operation
depends A broken wire, a defective
insulator, weakened poles or tower
structures, broken bolts or fittings,
may interrupt entirely the flow of
electric current, put out all the lights
in scores of villages and towns and
stop the wheels of industry in cities
supplied with power over the trans
mission circuits. To safeguard against
such service failures the Mississippi
River Power company spends thou
spection and maintenance of all oper-
ating equipment.
The Cut Wires Found.
Along the transmission lines at fire.
quent intervals patrolmen are station
ed who live in houses near the tower
or pole line right of way, Each pat
rolman's house is connected by pri-
vate telephone with Keokuk and five
times each day conditions affecting
the transmission circuits are reported
to the system operator at the power
station Twice each week every foot
of the transmission line is covered by