The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-04-10
THE ELECTRIC LIGHT
AND POWER INDUSTRY

-
Washington, d. c., April s. 1919
According to report about to be ia
suad by Director Sam l.. ROBBERS of
Ink. bureau Of census, department Of
commerce, the electric light and power
stations In the United Statcs during
the year 1917 generated more than
twenty-five billion kilowatt hours OF
electric energy, producing an income
Of more than half billion dollars,
and gave employment to more than
10000 persons, whose salaries and
wages aggregated nearly $l10,0o0,00o
The output in 1917 was more than
double that for 1912 and more than
Quadruple the output for 1907.
This report. which was prepared un-
der the supervision OF Eugene F..
Hartley, chief statistician for manu-
features, covers both commercial and
municipal plants, out does not cover
electric plants operated by factories,
hotels. ETC.. which generate current
for their own consumption plants
operated by the federal government
and state institutions; nor plants that
were idle or In course of construction.
The figures show great strides in
the Industry during both Of the Ave-
year periods 1907-12 and 1912-17. The
output Of electric energy by the light
nrsd power stations increased at a con-
sjderabiy greater rate. and their ex-
retses at slightly greater rate, than
their income: and the rate OF increase
III the number of persons employed
VAS much smaller. particularly during
ire later flve-year period, than that In
the amount OF business done.
The total number of establishments
increased from 5,221 in 1911: to s,541
IN 1917. the latter comprising 4,224
commercial aud 2,317 municipal es-
ADJUSTMENTS. The increase indicated
hy these figures Is somewhat mislead-
J. s, since 2296 new establishments
came into existence between 1912 and
laJ7. but as a result of combinations
In the commercial systems and vari-
.ocs other changes. the net increase
nnercfal and 1sb municipal stations.
The total income OF the stations In
lai7. OF which $50 per cent represent
cd electric service. amounted to $685.
S8s.40S. an increase of 74.3 per cent
as compared with 1912 and OF 200 per
cent as compared with 1907. The
total expenses were $427.13s.049, or
se.i per cent more than in 1912 and
2ie.3 per cent more than in 1907.
The employees OF the light and power
stations numbered l05.54s. an increase
efs3s per cent over 1912 and OF 1916
per cent over 1907. and their salaries
and wages aggregated $95..3s.s54. an
iucrrase of 55,7 per cent as compared
with 1912 and OF 1852 per cent over
1907.
The total primary power In 1917
amounted to 12,s57.ess horsepower.
an increase OF 70.s per cent as COM
pared with 1912 and Of 213.1 per cent
over 1907. OF this power nearly two
Thirds. 3s9.3s9 horsepower-wasd de-
rived from steam: almost one-third---
4.a61,423 horsepower-from water;
and the remainder-~217.1s6 horse
power. or less than 2 per cent-from
internai-combustion engines. The cor
proportions for 1912 and
1907 differed but slightly from those
Just stated. The average horsepower
per steam engine shows a very great
334 in 1907 to 631 in
1912 and to LIZA in 1877. The aver
age horsepower OF the water wheels
also shows a marked increase from
census to census. but in the case OF
the internal combustion engines there
has been a decline.
Tho total dynamo capacity, e.oof.-
= r. kilowatts in 1917. represents an in
crease Of 74.3 per cent as compared
With 1919 and 23s.2 per cent over
1907. these rates of increase being
slightly greater than the correspond
ing ones for total primary power. The
output Of electrical energy aggregated
rs. 43S.S11.4l7 kilowatt hours. an in
crease of 1879 per cent for the period
Iat3-i7 and Of 333s per cent for the
decade. OF the s,551 establishments
reported for 1917. those which pur-
chased all their electric energy from
other establishments number 1.443. as
n gatnst S07 in 1914 and 227 In 1907.
The horsepower OF stationary motors
served amounted to o.216,323 in 1917;
or 1871 per cent more than In 1919
and 1850 per cent more than in 1907.
The figures indicate that the arc
lamp for street lighting Is being fast
by the incandescent of
various types. The former class of
lamps decreased in number from 34S.-
GA In 1919 to 25S.s3s in 1917. the
reduction amounting to more than
one-fourth. while during the same
period the number Of incandescent
Iassaps more than doubled. increasing
from 6S1957 to l3S93S2