Evening star., 1922-10-20
power
PLANTS BOOMING
New Buildings, Lower Water
and Coal Tie-Up Vital Fac
tors in Greater Demand.
BY ]. c. RoYLE.
Special Dispatch to TIE Star.

BY j. Z. AOH LE'
Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, October 20.-Electrtc
light and power companies Of the
United States are spending over $685.
100000 q month in expanding equip
mont to meet the needs Of new Gus
toners for light and power current.
Before January I, they will have ex-
pended s76o.ooo.ooo in such work
There is scarcely q community In the
country which Is not being anecteo
by this tremendous program.
The old boast Of some professional
New Workers that they know the
number Of lights in every sign on
Broadway becomes feeble when II Is
realized that approximately ten mil
lion lights, new since the nrst OF lhls
year, are flashed on each night al
dusk. The new domestic light Gus.
toners Of the power companies OF
the United States will total over l.
$50. 900 before the end of tho year, &C
cording to estimates today oy ON :
cials OF the National Electric Light
Association.
Profits Growing Steadily.
These and the old customers both for
residential lights and power purposes
will have expended approximately $SV4.-
100000 for supplies: appliances ana "a sp sp-
ished. The profits Of the General Elec-
trio Company alone have been S5 per
cent greater so far this year than they
were for the corresponding period OF
1921.
The average daily production Of elec,
records the first Of this month, when it
reached 1s1.100.O0O kilowatt powers.
The rate Of increase has advanced FUR
ther In the last three weeks.
The greatest factor In this tremendous
development has been the amount OF
Huge additions to the number of resi-
Dental structures have piled up tre-
mendous latent demand for lighting.
Three Important Factors.
Each completed building unit has
meant one or more certain customers
for the light and power concerns:
Another factor has been the widespread
resumption Of Industrial activity. In
addition. the difficulty and uncertainty
Of securing coal has induced many in
dustfial plants to change to tho use of
electric energy.
Demand has almost reached ca
pacity Of the power plants and the
power companies are In a position
where plant expansion Is necessary
~ tHc HcSoo u -
They have been able to secure funds
for these expansions at reasonable
rates. and, In consequence. a tre-
mendous volume Of new construction
work is being done.
Power users will pay out nearlY
1000. 100000 for current this year.
but the rates at which they will pay
show no evidence OF mediate
change. The users themselves will
be largely instrumental in determin-
ing the rates. for there is no industry
in the United States where customer
ownership has taken such hold as
In the electric light and power feld.
Greater Demand for Power.
The demand for power is having a
stimulating effect on hundreds Of
other Industries. With the seasonal
decrease in water supply Is per cent
more oil and gas Is being used in
producing current. An Increase in
coal consumption slightly less than
Is per cent is reported. The metal
mines and the rubber industry are
feeling the effects.
Revenue from the sale of power for
household appliances such as vacuum
cleaners, washing machines. and
electric irons will total about $780,
O0O. 900 this year And manufacture
Of those articles must keep pace.
Activity in cotton goods 10 of
marked tendency Of the merchandise
ing and manufacturing field. Prices
are advancing and many lines such
as fruit of the loom muslins have
been withdrawn by the big producers.