Evening star., 1924-08-25
ELECTRICAL GOODS
|NGREATERDEMAND
Development of Superpower
Gives Another Boost to
Growing Industry.
BY j. c. ROYLE.


Special Dispatc to The Star
NEW YORK, August 25.-Trans-
formation of ordinary power plants
into superpower stations has stimu-
lated the production of electrical ap-
paratus all over the United States.
New projects have also accounted fo~
large amount of business. but the
steady production of many of the
larger electrical factories has been
based on the replacement of existing
machinery. This has been particular
ly marked in the last month. The av-
erage business of the Westinghouse
Electric and Manufacturing Co.
showed a 10 per cent gain over 1928
in the early months of this year. Then
came downward trend due to slack
ness of building and other factors,
which obtained until July. In the
last month. however. the volume of
business has risen steadily and is
expected to reach its peak in the
early Autumn
Current in Greater Demand.
The larger part of the recent in
crease has been in lines connected
with generation of electric current
and it's distribution. This includes
unusual demand for switchboards,
circuit breakers ana Otnef SWltcHiHS
4uipment, lightning arresterS. regu-
latOrS and other high-power dis
tributing devices. This demand has
stood up well in spite of the slump
in many connected industries and
men prominent in trade do not eX-
pect any decline in the next few
,ncEths.
Large additions have been made to
generating capacity in plants in all
have been signed which will provide
for even greater changes requiring
installation of switching equipment
in central aid sub stations. New
equipment has been necessary even in
old stations to economlZe space, pre-
vent interruption of service and as
sure safety.
Buying of porcelain insulators, dis
tributors and transformers with their
fuses and other features has shown
a gradual but well marked increase.
Demand has also been apparent as
a result of new building. Thousands
of new meters have been ordered for
domestic use and the sales of this
line will undoubtedly exceed those
of any previous year. The industrial
customer is still the largest purchas-
er of electrical supply apparatus and
is expected to continue so for the re-
mainder of the year.
Big Increase in Meters.
The Public Service Electric Com
pany of New Jersey reports an in
crease in meters in service of 1886
in the last IL months. The extent
Of this development in one locality
can be better estimated when il re-
allied that 81 times as much light
can now be purchased for 800 as
when the original 16-candlepower
carbon filament lamp was invented
and that the present 100-watt lamp,
which gives more than 100 candle
wax candle.
This reduction in costs, which
amounts to 95 per cent, as compared
with 40 years ago, has come about
through reductions of rate for cur
rent. improvement in lamp efficiency
and lowering of the cost of lamps.
In the average home today which
is wired for electric lamps the cost
of lighting is estimated at less than
per cent of the annual family
budget.
which have central electric service
in this country, while 1896. 600 stores
and offices are SO connected. Central
station electric companies numbering
$500 furnish power to 429.500 indus
trial establishments, while $500
manufacturers are engaged in MAX
ing the necessary equipment and
14,200 stores are engaged in selling
it. More than two billion will be
spent this year, according to con-
servative estimates, for electrical
labor saving devices and their in
stallation, and about an equal sum
will be paid central stations for their
output of current.
Sell Stock to Customers.
About S250,000, 900, or one-fourth
the amount which will be required to
finance the new power developments
during the present year, will come
from the sale of the securities in
power companies to their own Gus
toners, as it is expected the consum-
er holders of public utility securities
will increase by 100000 before jan
uary l next.
Samuel insult, head of companies
furnishing Chicago and Northern
Illinois with electric current, predicts
that in future. such financing will be
split about $3.50, between issues of