Evening star., 1926-10-16
HIGH RECORD SET
|. IN POWER DEMAND
Gain in Consumption of Gas
Also Is RemarkabIe-C0aI
Situation Is Better.
BY j. C.. ROYLE.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch TO Inc star.
NEW YORK, October 16.-The de-
mand on electric light and power
companies for current is now at the
highest point ever reached. So far
this year the volume Of electrical
energy bought and paid for. has ex-
ceeded all previous periods of SINH
lar length by from IL to Is per cent.
This shows definitely just what situ-
alton of stability industry and trade
in this country have reached. Do
mestic lighting represents a fairly
dependable demand. 1t Is due to in
crease, with the shortening Of the
days, up to the holiday period. But
the main gain in volume Of current
used has been represented by con-
sumption for industrial and domestic
power uses.
The electric light and power COM
panies are conspicuously prosperous.
Net earnings have increased even
faster than has gross power produc-
ton. This has been made possible
by the consolidation of smaller COM
panies and cutting of overhead costs.
The general trend was eXemplified in
the past week by the sale of the HOr-
tonia Power Co. of Middleburg, VT,
to the insult interests of Chicago,
which are building up a remarkable
chain Of power companies in many
sections of the country.
Gas Consumption Gains.
Gaia in the consumption of manu-
factured gas also has been remark
able. Consumption for the year is
expected to exceed that for 1925 by
at least 10000. 100000 cubic feet. Net
revenues of the gas companies are
rising even more rapidly than pro-
duction. Gas refrigeration for the
home is expected to add materially to
the volume of gas consumed in the
next year.
The traction companies, while they
have not shown the gains cited by the
electric and gas utilities, have made
decided improvement In condition. The
earnings Of most traction companies
since they have ceased to fight the
bus and adopted 1t have been the best
in 10 years. This has been due to
modernization Of equipment, which
has cut operating costs Of the princl-
pal systems over 6 cents mile. In
some cases companies are receiving
higher fares. An advance of / cent
in the fare Of all lines Of the Cleve-
land Railway Co. went into effect Fri
day. The rate Of fare in Cleveland is
based on a sliding scale depending on
the interest fund of the company.
Automobile factory activity is con-
tinuing at a high rate. A slight de-
cline In sales volume is expected
shortly, as a regular seasonal occur
renee. Steel and iron interests may
appeal to the next session Of Congress
for a high tariff on steel from foreign
mills as result Of recent deliveries
Of German products at prices $40 a
ton under the American quotations.
Pay rolls in the Pittsburgh, Cleveland,
Youngstown, Birmingham, Chicago
and Pueblo steel districts are good and
reflect trade activity in practically all
lines of steel products.
Coal Situation Better.
The coal situation in Pennsylvania
is better than it was a year ago.
Pay rolls of western Pennsylvania
mines in the last three months have
shown a gain Of $64S,O00 as COM
pared with the corresponding period
Of last year. Lumber and other
building materials are being produced
at q uniform level of high activity.
The lumber movement is a trifie
larger than at this time last year.
Building construction contracts con-
tinued to show an improvement over
October records Of 1925.
Farm conditions have not shown
the betterment that was hoped for
them. This is particularly true of
cotton. 1t remains to be seen what
effect the move to induce growers
to hold their cotton until well into
1897 and to reduce acreage will have.
A reduction Of acreage undoubtedly
would have a distinct effect on the
chemical and fertilizer market. In.
dustrial chemicals now are strong
with incomes for most of the com.
panles engaged at a higher point
than at any time since the war.
Packing house products are active
Belfast, ireland, has a drive for Sat.