The Washington times., 1923-10-23
URGESELECTR|C.
POWER FOR !.
Thrift I
Westinghouse Head Predicts
Large Saving for Railways
Through Electricity.
BY w. S. COUSINS.

NEW YORK, Oct. 23.-"Through
the use of hydro-electric power,
American railroads and Industrial
plants may save hundreds Of mil
lions of dollars each year, while
conserving an important natural re-
source" E. M. Herr, president Of
the Westinghouse Electric ana
Manufacturing Company said to-
day in predicting wide expansion In
the electrical industry in the next
decade.
''The successful Harvesting Of
Niagara in 1893 showed the
possibilities and advantages OF con-
verting falling streams OF water
into mechanical power, and subse-
quent efforts along the same line
have been most satisfactory.
From some sections or the
Sierra, Nevada, mountains power
is being conveyed over high voltage
transmission lines for a distance
of 500 miles. Hydro electric power,
BY reason of its convenience and
economy. is destined to greatly con-
serve the use OF fuel as q pro-
Queer Of power in manufacturing
industries and transportation. .
cit is estimated that railroad
systems in the middle and New
England States, electrified by power
from flowing rivers, could save up
wards of $1O0,000,000. in addition
to releasing considerable freight
car capacity which would otner-
wise be employed in the transpor-
fation of their own coal supplies.
In its busiest section, the Norfolk
and Western railroad was able to
practically double its freight carry
ing capacity on the lines which
had been electrified"
Mr.. Herr stated that the electrl-
ficafion Of railroads would now be
progressing rapidly were it not for
the unsatisfactory financial posi-
ton of many of the important
roads. Improvement in earnings
VIII doubtless lead to much more
activity in that direction, he said,
stating that his company was now
engaged in eIectrifying 135 miles
Of road for the Virginian railway.
A large part OF the electrical
manufacturing business during the
past year or two, according 70
Mr. Herr, has been with the CEN
trail stations throughout this coun.
try and abroad. The expansion OF
these power stations win call Tor
an enormous amount of electrical
apparatus of all kinds and the head
Of one of Americas largest manu-
featuring companies is, therefore,
optimistic for the future Of this in
dustry. The demands of the coun-
try for electrical goods of all kinds
has caused that industry to expand
far beyond the rate OF expansion
Of industries as whole.
New uses for electricity and for
electrical equipment are being
found every day." said Mr.. Herr,
while present consumers are stead
fly expanding their present uses.
Industrial plants require larger
units of machinery and people want
better lighting and more con-
veniences of every kind in the
home. This Is indeed an electrical
age and I look for a steady expan-
sion In ALI lines Of business allied
with the electrical industry"
Mr.. Herr has a word for SILVER
ing householders who have longed
for electrical heating apparatus for
use In the fall and early spring. |
The Westinghouse Company is
now shipping a small electrical
heater to Japan, where it meets all
the requirements OF residence
heater. While the general use of
electricity to heat the home may
be long distance away, Mr.. Herr
believes that, except for very cold
weather, the small heating equip
ment which IS being shipped abroad
may be found useful
Large shipments OF apparatus for
electric light plants have been sent
TO Japan since the earthquake.
Herr stated that the city of Tokyo,
before the disaster. had larger
proportion of houses lighted by
electricity than many American
cities.
Though most Of the houses boast
Of only one light. that light must
be fed by electric current In order
TO satisfy the desires Of the Japa.
nese: