ORDER OF BUSINESS.

TUESDAY, February 23d, 1892.

FIRST SESSION, II A. M.

1. Opening of Convention.

2.

3.

4.

Address of Hon. CHARLES F. BISHOP, Mayor of
Buffalo.

President's Address.

Announcements.

5. Report of Committee on Underground Conduits and Conductors.-M. J. FRANCISCO, Chairman.

I.

2.

SECOND SESSION, 2.50 P. M.

Paper, "Relation of Size and Efficiency in Trans-
formers."-By L. B. STILLWELL, of Pittsburg, Pa.
Report of Committee on Safe Wiring.-M. D. Law,
Chairman.

3. Paper, "The Allied Powers."-By D. ASHWORTH, of Pittsburg, Pa.

MINUTES.

OPENING OF THE CONVENTION.

The Association met at the Buffalo Library, Tuesday, February 23d, 1892, and was called to order at II A. M. by the President, Charles R. Huntley, who said: "As a citizen of Buffalo, I take great pleasure in presenting to you our Mayor, His Honor, Charles F. Bishop, who will say a word to you.'

ADDRESS OF MAYOR BISHOP.

It might

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: seem as if there were an element of irony in welcoming the representatives of the electric light companies to this city. Judging from the common speech of people here, an assembly of gentlemen who are at the head of the electric light companies, and also those who are connected with them-especially their managers and attorneys— are not so modest as to require a welcome or an invitation to any place where good things are to be seen or had (applause), and it is but fair to infer that electric light men coming from other localities have like assurance. I would not have you think that the City of Buffalo is at war with her electric light benefactors. To be sure, they do about as they please, and they take what they want (laughter), but they do it so adroitly, so graciously, and with such abundant good nature, that we rather enjoy our good things which are taken. Then, too, they will make promises and agreements which they do not always keep. As an illustration—now I am saying something that I know what I am talking about, (laughter)-five years ago the city legislative body passed an ordinance that in six months all the electric light wires should be buried; that was in the early part of 1887. Well, they agreed to do that-the electric light people— especially the Brush, of which my friend, Mr. Huntley, here, is General Manager, and they cover most of the territory in which the wires are to be buried. The matter ran along to 1889, and in 1889 the corporation. directed their counsel to notify the companies. I guess

they got on to that, for they petitioned the council for Well, that was granted; A little over two years

an extension of three months. that brought it to July, 1889.

ago, when I assumed the Mayor's chair, nothing had been done. I sent for my friend, Mr. Huntley. Of course, he had excuses and reasons without number, and

I, being a little fresh in the valid; but finally he said, six months-if you will be

business, thought they were "Mr. Mayor, if

"Mr. Mayor, if you will wait patient for six months longer,

I

every wire will be buried, every pole will be down." will simply say, and I guess you have noticed, the wires. and poles are still up there. (Laughter.)

But notwithstanding all these encroachments of this corporation, the City of Buffalo still retains authority enough over things which were once her own to understand that hurt will come to no one, and, Mr. President, and ladies and gentlemen, it affords me great pleasure to have the privilege, on behalf of the citizens of Buffalo, of extending to you a hearty welcome. You have assembled here for the purpose of transacting business and passing upon questions which are not only of much importance to yourselves and those whom you represent, but to the entire people. I trust that your deliberations here, and all your actions in this meeting, will be as successful as the most sanguine of you expect, and I have no doubt of it.

If there is anything whereby I can be of assistance to you in any way to make your meeting here a success, or to help to entertain your guests, command me, Mr. President, and I will respond. I believe I need not remind the committee who have in charge the entertainment of your guests, because I see that our friend, Mr. Urban, is chairman of that committee, and if there is anything that you want, gentlemen, all you have to do is