The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-01-03
Electric Facilities
 Preparing For 1888
Present Years Figures Indicate Increase in Volume of
 Business; Demands in Business Pickup Anticipated

While the industrial recession with its consequent reduction in electric output makes for feel ing of uncertainty relative to 1888 operations, nevertheless the electric facilities in Connecticut are being constantly improved, so that re- sumption of business activity will find the companies ready to render satisfactory service as in the past, Samuel Ferguson, chairman of the Board of the Hartford Electric Light company, stated today in summariz- ing the year-end situation in the light and power field.
 MT. Ferguson'S statement follows:
 For the first nine months of 1887 there was a continuation of the same increase in the volume of elec- tric service rendered in Connecticut that was so marked during the whole of the predeing year. This growth in volume of business has enabled the utility companies of the state to absorb the very material in- creases in taxes and operating ex- penses which have taken place, and in addition, to make some progress in lowering prices. It is however, disappointing that the economies ob- tained by reason of materially larger volume of business should have been so offset by rising costs as to make this progress less than had been previously anticipated as possible of accomplishment.
 Uncertainty
 "The industrial recession of the last three months with consequent reduction of electric output makes for a feeling of uncertainty relative tot he operations of the coming year but none the less the faciliteis of the companies of the state are being constantly improved so that the pub lie need have no fear that re- sumption of activity will find them any less able to furnish satisfactory service then than in the past; and even if for the year, smaller sales coupled with hghi costs make re- duced earnings seem to be likely, it will be only a temporary condi- tion as with the cooperation of a well-served public the return of nor nal activity will again show the gains in the volume of electric ser vice that are so essential to prog reSS.
 "The companies of the state can very properly take pride in the rate reports, issued by the federal power commission in that local prices com pare so favorably with those in ter ritories where water power predom- mates or where fuel is available at prices as much as 50 per cent below what must be paid in Connecticut; and they realize that this has been made possible only through the CO., operation of the public in making greater than average use of electric service.
 While it is true that as the pub lie increases its average use of elec- tric service the cost of that service is thereby reduced, 1t is equally true that reduced prices are most effective stimulant in bringing about such increased usage.
 Tt is this situation which makes the federal water power operation in the Tennessee Valley of great value to the public and the com panies in demonstrating the volume of electric service that the public IS capable of absorbing at level of rates lower than those generally available. This demonstration has justified the companies in progress sively lowering prices in advance of resNlts, instead of waiting urrtil there exists an actual and sufficient