The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-13
National Defense Demands
 Anticipated By C.L.&P. Co.
Company In Readiness For All Emergencies Rural Identification, New Construction Work Highlight Year Of Varied Activities Reports
 Vice-President Knowtlon

three million dollars was spent by the Connecticut Light and Power company for construction during 1s40. Throughout the company sys- tenn, improvements and additions to present facilities were made.
 Among the important construction projects was the installation of new coal-handling equipment consisting of dock, control tower and conveyor at the Devon steam station, one of the company's key generating plants. Fuel can now be brought in by barge, as well as by rail or truck.
 To coordinate company activities in Willimantic, a new combination service building, garage, office and store was completed, as well as a new power receiving substation. For merly, the location of the substation was such that there was some dan- ger of service Interruptions in case of flood conditions. A similar office, salesroom and service building at Winsted will be completed within a few weeks. Company stores in Wa terbury, New Britain, Glastonbury, East Hampton and Norwich were remodeled and modernized for great CT convenience to customers.
 Power capacity in the New Britain area was increased by the installa- ton of new and larger transformer banks at the Black Rock power receiving substation. Two new trans formers were set up to increase ca pacity and improve service in the Branford area, and provide emer- gency capacity for shore communi- ties between Branford and Say brook. Increased substation capac- ity at Norwalk and new gas manu- featuring equipment at Norwalk were also installed. Other less im- portant changes, too numerous for detailed mention, have been made in other parts of the company SyS- tenn, all designed to improve service and modernize our operating facili- ties.
 Seeking Rate Reductions
 New construction and the im- provement and development of pres- ent facilities are, of course, impor- tant both to a power company and to the communities which it serves. But the cost of the service to the customer is likewise of prime impor- tance. The company, in 1940 as in the past, has sought to reduce rates whenever possible, and four con- mercial rates, affecting 17,208 cus- toners, were adjusted at the begin ming of the year so that there was saving of approximately $185,0o to those customers during 1940.
 The total effect of rate reductions made by the company for the II years, 1930 to 1940 inclusive, now re- suits in annual savings to the com- pany's customers of more than $500, ,000, based on the volume of sales at the time the reductions were made.
 The rising costs of taxes, materials and labor may affect the heretofore steady progress of rate reductions, but we are hopeful that further re- finements in the industry and in- creased use of electricity by cus- toners may in part, at least, over SOAAC CiAC 4AaAASiACdP OA HUI CboCO costs.
 Added to our usual costs last year was $130,000 in damage caused by the ice storm of March 4 and 5. Credit for the rapid restoration of service in that emergency must be given to the company's employees who worked unselfishly and with little sleep until repairs were made.
 The company is fortunate in hav- ing 2,000 loyal employees who have demonstrated their courage and skill many times in all sorts of emergen- cies. I am proud of the fact that more than two-thirds of them have been with the company at least ten years. They are experienced and reliable and without their tireless efforts, many homes, factories. stores, hospitals and farms would have been without electricity for many days after the ice storm and after other lesser cataStrophies. Loyal Spirit
 This same unselflsh courage and loyal spirit will prove even more valuable in the days ahead-days when the power supply must be pro- tected at any cost so that our fac- tories can produce the materials es- sential to the proper defense of our country.