Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-09
COMPANIES
PLAN CUT IN RATES
Efficiency Programs Being
Tried Out at Electric
Plants.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, January 9.-Steps are
being taken today to make the men
employed by the public utility corpora
tions as efficient as the machines which
the companies operate.
1t is anticipated that as a result of
recent changes efficiency in the ranks
of the New Edison Co. will be increased
at least 25 per cent. The company Is
just completing what Is probably one
OF the most up-to-date power plants
ever constructed Its president. Mathew
S. Sloan, has promised consumers the
largest rate of reduction ever made by
public utility If the Submetering con-
Germs are eliminated as middlemen from
the electric business Of New York.
Results Expected.
The company also is shaking out the
ashes and clinkerS which clog the CRATES
of efficiency in its operating and office
and executive forces. This trend, ap-
parent throughout the electric light and
power field, cannot but yield results both
to consumers and to Stockholders-to
and possible readjustment of rates and
to the other in wider margins of profit
Scores of electric power central and
SubStationS are being retired for age
and put into the reserve this year. Their
owners find it more profitable to sell
these stations or leave them idle and
buy current from those who produce
in large quantities on an up-to-date and
economical basis than to run the aging
plants. The old stations are far from
useless, however. They can be called
on in time of necessity.
The day has passed when any public
utility can afford to fail its customers,
even for the brief space of a few min
utes. 1t Is claimed by insurance men
that one street or alley electric light
reforms much the same function of
protection as four or five policemen.
It is not always possible to install big,
economically operated central power
stations near large cities. 1t is not
usually possible to put them near the
coal mines. Even the steam operated
units must have a tremendous flow OF
water for condensation purposes. and
plants must be placed where such flows
are available.
To a greater extent than ever before,
the producers of electric current Will
not only display but sell and service
household equipment this year. In
speech today to the Electrical League,
President Sloan of New York Edison
Off1ClalIV announced blle DcSiIAlulS Va
merchandising of electrical appliances
by his company.
Aim of Firm.
"Our ideal" he said, sis to manage
the affairs of our companies so eco
rfOmically and efficiently and to sell our
service so extensively that we can from
time 70 time lower our rates, sharing
with the public the advantages which
our handling of the psiness brings to
the companies. ,
1.-THE consolidation of electrical utili-
ties into a system of necessity brings
about many changes. Our companies
are being unified, branch by branch
and department by department, in their
operation. One of the changes brought
about will be of direct interest. we
intend in the future to sell electrical
appliances. We shall not cut prices
or do anything to place any contractor
or dealer under unfair competition.
"The more current-using devices
sold-by whoever makes the sales-the
more electricity will be used and the
more value the public will get out OF
electrical service"