Food for Thought Candles and sperm oil illumination for five lights five hours at night, cost our forefathers $22 a year. Kerosene gave 50 times more light at the same cost. The average home requires about 18 times as much light as was desired a century ago and the cost per unit is about 3 per cent of what it was then. For one cent we now purchase enough electricity to operate a 20 candle power lamp 5 hours. There are 27,000,000 depositors in the 29,123 banks of the country. In excess of $1,700,000,000, or approximately an average of $63 for each depositor is invested in Public Utility securities. Have you ever given a thought to how many of the necessities, comforts, and luxuries enjoyed by yourself and your neighbors are made More than 1,400,000 citizens of the possible by the use of gas and electricity? United States have invested in the securities of the electric light and power industries—a greater number than has invested in any one class of securities except Liberty Bonds. Like many other things which add to the comfort and convenience of modern civilization, the incandescent gas mantle is merely taken for granted. Very few know of the many details that had to be taken care of before this important factor is gas lighting was perfected. The foundation is based upon the work of Dr. Robert Bunson who invented the Bunson burner and Dr. Carl Auer, better known as Dr. Auer von Welsbach, an Austrian chemist. The ultimate capacity of Hydraulic Station No. 5 is 48,000 H. P. There are two turbines installed with a capacity of 32,000 H. P. The dam, tunnel, surge tank, and all appurtenances were originally large enough so that an additional 16,000 H. P. can be added by merely installing a third turbine and generator of 16,000 H. P. The individual with surplus money, whether it be a small sum or a large amount, has today an unusual opportunity to lay the foundation for a continuous income by the purchase of the stable, attractive securities which yield 7%. If Watt, inventor of the steam engine, were alive today, he would find that at the present time there is installed in the Electric Central Station plants alone in this country, machinery with the following capacity: Electric Generators (kw.) 12,700,000 Water Wheels (hp.) Gas and Oil Engines (hp.) 1,781,000 9,635,000 3,377,000 207,500 3,895,000 Electric Stations have grown from the world's first Electric Central Station installed by Edison at Appleton, Wisconsin in 1882 with a capacity of about 12 KW. to over 6100 central stations at the present time with a total capacity of approximately 13,000,000 KW., or a million. times greater. There isn't any stagnation in connection with this ever growing and stable industry. GAS AND ELECTRIC NEWS because if we were serious about E GENERALLY begin a New Year by sleeping late in the morning and making good resolutions in the afternoon. We resolve to do this and to give up that. In fact, because of our enthusiasm to be rid of our short comings we resolve to do most anything. It's perfectly simple -on New Years Day. On paper we are solvent, but the chances are that at the end of 365 days we are, in some things at least, bankrupt. The reason is obvious. New Years Day by custom is the day to turn over a new leaf and change our bad habits. (Our bad habits nudge one another and smile). We are influenced by the power of suggestion in that our friends are making resolutions all about us and before we know it we are doing the same thing. Now how does this attitude stand analysis? Our contention is that we are often merely kidding ourselves making changes in our ways of life we wouldn't wait for New Years Day. We wouldn't even resolve. We would silently take stock and set about to improve. By so doing we increase our self respect. If we resolve and fail, we go a long way in destroying self respect in our own eyes, and in that of our fellowmen. In facing a year that is destined to be momentous in that many vital questions will face us, it behooves us all to resolve little and do much; to think seriously and say little; to seek the truth and discount loud talk, and when things seem alarming and the feeble minded are ranting, reflect on what the American Captain said to one of his Second Lieutenants in France when the Huns were starting an advance. The young man grew excited and offered many suggestions relative to the seriousness of their situation. Finally the old Captain became vexed and remarked in a fatherly fashion: "Just keep your shirt on, young man. Just keep your shirt on. A Big Development AVERY instructive lesson in the importance of the electric industry is given in the modern hydroelectric development now under way at Niagara Falls. On the Canadian side of the Niagara River, a development of 450,000 Horsepower is well under construction. The first installation will consist of 150,000 Horsepower, and the amazing thing is that this portion of the entire output is already contracted for, at least one year before the development will be completed. At the present time there is generated at Niagara Falls 450,000 Horsepower on the Canadian side and 275,000 Horsepower on the American. making a total present development of 725,000 Horsepower. It is pretty generally known that a portion of this power is transmitted hundreds of miles in both the State of New York and the Province of Ontario, Canada. With the development of the electro chemical industries at Niagara Falls practically all of the additional 150,000 Horsepower to be generated in the near future will be used in Niagara Falls itself. Is this not a very valuable indication of the magnitude toward which the central station is developing? Power is to a greater extent than ever before the backbone of industry. IN Electric Utilities and the N view of the widespread publicity given the indictment of the Brooklyn Edison Company, Inc. for alleged violation of the Lever Act, executives of electric light and power companies will be interested in the decision of Judge Julius M. Mayer of the U. S. District Court of New York, to the effect that hoarding of coal by public utilities corporations is not punishable under the provisions of the Lever Act because "the defendent is not a wholesaler, retailer or other dealer in coal, nor is it a manufacturer within the meaning of Section 5."**"The defendent is a public utilities corporation engaged in the business of the manufacture, production and sale of electric light and power."***"Such corporations are not in the same situation as uncontrolled, private corporations or individuals. They owe a duty to the community to furnish light and power adequately and without cessation so far as practicable." *** "It was the duty of the light and power public utility corporation, so far as possible, to safeguard against the shutting down or suspension of service of light and power." National Electric Light Association, Slipping Accidents most frequent during the winter LIPPING accidents are naturally months when rain, ice and snow increase their probability. Our accident record for 1920 to date shows that about 15% of all accidents to employees of the Company are due to "Slipping and Falling." What are we going to do about it? 1st. Let us get clearly in our minds that such accidents always carry possibilities of very serious injury. Perhaps we will then undertake more thorough measures to safeguard ourselves and others. The resulting injuries due to simple "Slips and Falls" very often involve broken bones and fractured skulls, leading to permanent disability and death. Most of us know personally of such cases. 2nd. Keep in the best condition possible all slippery places for which we are responsible. We owe this to ourselves and especially to others. 3rd. Exercise constant vigilance in proceeding wherever there is a possibility of slipping. Make it a subconscious practice to be careful of the wet place on the floor, the ice under the snow and the irregularities of the surface over which we walk. 4th.-Practice "Safety First" in general "Get the Habit." Experience has proven it to be a good one. Dependability HE Gas and Electric industry is serving you and the other 110,000,000 of people in the United States twenty-four hours every day. At all times it either is rendering efficient service or is ready to render that service without a moments' notice. It is this dependability, its readiness for instantaneous service that has helped make for the Gas and Electric industry its permanent place in every day life. -Selected. New Wrinkles (REPORTED) evening recently when the temperature was considerably depressed. In the warmth of the conversation the chilliness of the room went unnoticed until the stimulation gradually forced itself to the consciousness of its occupants. The host decided that the furnace was getting low, and, accompanied by Mr. Searle, started for the cellar. Upon arriving they noticed to their surprise that the combustion chamber was red hot as well as the flue leading out of it, and that a good fire was going. Mr. Searle sensed the situation and asked permission to try a little pet experiment that he has used successfully in his own home for quite a while. His host replied that the pet experiment he was going to try was to buy a new furnace. Mr. Searle then asked for an electric fan saying he believed he could dislodge that notion, explaining that there was very poor circulation of air through the furnace and into the rooms of the house. The fan was brought and placed in the cold air feed pipe near its entrance to the furnace. After the fan was started the result was soon obvious, because it stimulated circulation of air around the red hot combustion chamber and forced it into the upstairs rooms. After the air had warmed the pipes leading to the rooms their suction increased thus helping the fan to draw the relatively cold air from the rooms and take it again through the furnace. Before the fan was used, the temperature of the living room was 58° and ten minutes later it was increased to 68°. To accomplish this result required no more fuel nor any adjustment of the furnace drafts, but by establishing better circulation through the heating chamber, all the heat of the furnace was utilized. Mr. Searle in telling of this incident to his associates in the Company started something that may result in a very unusual thing. Mr. Lundgaard came forward with the suggestion of an electric fan campaign this winter. Sounds silly, doesn't it, when people are hovering near registers trying to keep warm? That's the point. The fan will keep them away from registers and keep a room at even temperature by use in the way Mr. Searle demonstrated. There is still another decided advantage and one that touches the pocketbook. By utilizing all the sensible heat stored in the combustion chamber, the house is heated quicker and a goodly portion of heat which otherwise escapes through the flue is distributed through the house. This is a big saving in the amount of coke used which is not to be considered lightly in these days when we are all trying to practice economy. not That the electric fan can be used for many things other than comfort in hot weather is shown again by Mr. Gould who had an interesting experience with a pair of wet shoes. The shoes in question were merely wet but soaked, and because they were good shoes, he didn't want to subject them to the heat of a radiator, knowing the usual result. So he placed them on a box before a small electric fan. In three hours his shoes were perfectly dry and showed neither loss of moisture nor a ten dency to be stiff. The reason is simple. Heat not only dries up the external moisture on the shoes, but also dries up the moisture in the fibre of the leather which is necessary to its pliancy and long life. The fan dries up only the external moisture leav ng the oil and natural moisture of the eather unmolested. Try this over on your electric fan some day. It sounds good to us. By the way, haven't you a pet idea that you can let us in on? It may lighten some brother's load and save him a little money. Send it in and we'll do the rest. Mr. Scobell Addresses Electrical Contractors ONE MONDAY, Jandiar, addressE. C. Scobell, Auditor, addressed a meeting of the Electrical Contractors of Rochester on the sale of the Company's 7% Preferred stock. N MONDAY, January 3rd, Mr. At a recent meeting of the State Association of Contractors held in Rochester, Mr. W. L. Goodwin of the General Electric Company made a statement to the effect that local contractors as a rule did not co operate with local utilities and dwelt on the fact that the prosperity of the contractors depended very largely on the success of the local utility. Unless that utility prospered and was able to extend its lines into new territory the amount of work secured by the contractors would necessarily be limited. Mr. Scobell's address developed these and similar ideas, the intent being to familiarize the contractors with the financial problems of this Company. Special emphasis was laid on the care exercised by the Public Service Commission in granting authority to issue securities and the safeguard this attitude made to the investing public. That the interest of those present was awakened is evidenced by the fact that subscriptions to the amount of $4,400 for the Company's stock have since been received and also the information that it is the intention of the purchasers to interest other contractors in the stock and render any help practicable in the sale of the Company's securities locally. Don't Invest Before You Investigate HIS is the slogan that has been Tad adopted by the Bureau of Investigation of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, which offers its services-free of charge-to any resident of Rochester whether a member of the Chamber or not. So many securities are being offered for sale in concerns which are of doubtful soundness, and so much money is being thrown away by the small investor, that steps have been taken by a number of organizations to inform the small investor that he should be exceptionally careful in choosing his investments. An invitation is given all residents of Rochester to call to the attention of this Investigation Bureau at the Chamber, all investments offered to advertising, so that the prospective them by salesmen, by mail, or by the soundness of the concern offering investor may be given advice as to the securities. United States authorities estimate that $500,000,000. was thrown away in unsound corporations." in this country in 1919 by investment Ask your Ask the Chamber. Banker. Ask any business man before investing. One Killed Every Thirty HE clock ticks 30 minutes-and TH accident. It ticks another 30 minutes -and another person is killed. And so it goes, hour in and hour out of the 24, day in and day out of the seven, month in and month out of the 12-every 30 minutes someone is killed in this country through automobile accidents. The grand total is over 15,000 deaths in a year. These were facts brought out at a |