Would it not be possible to have all these men trained in the problems of our industry so that in every community where they go they could exert their influence and give out the kind of information which would be upbuilding in its effects? With this great army in the field, all schooled in the knowledge of just what the public must do before our industry can wield its most powerful influence, there is no doubt but that a great wave of public opinion for good would be set in motion, which would stir people up to thinking and acting in our behalf. In closing, the Committee is glad to note the magnificent publicity work of our Association this year. The "Good Will" talks that were so generously published in national magazines by electrical manufacturers and others have focused the eye of the trade and the public on many of our problems. It also was potent advertising of the fact that the manufacturers are working hand in hand with us and that they are thinking the problems of the industry in an endeavor to help solve them. tunity to share in a campaign that would be prohibitive in its cost if prepared for a single property. It was especially needed in the smaller properties where prejudices are often more easily formed and fixed and where the average property is not large enough to have its own publicity department or prepare its own advertising copy. Gentlemen, this is the realization of the idea of helpfulness in mutual co-operation, and if this report of this committee is of any value it can only be shown in one way, and that is to give to our Association at this meeting, the pledge of YOUR COMPANY that during the coming year it will join with the Association, not only by paying its share of the expense, but better yet, by seeing that the campaign is used with all its effectiveness in YOUR COMMUNITY. Our aim therefore, Gentlemen, for this year should be to secure united support for the publicity and merchandising plans of our Association and every Central Station Operator should endeavor in every way possible in his own community to so harmonize the relations existing between the Manufacturer, Jobber, Contractor and Central Station, that all shall enjoy in full measure the results. Respectfully submitted, Our Association, through its Kilowatt pamphlets and other advertising, has given the small Central Station an opportunity to benefit from advertising prepared by some of the best minds in the advertising field. Through its use they have had an oppor UPBUILDING THE INDUSTRY COMMITTEE HC BLACKWELL THE CHAIRMAN: I would be very pleased to hear discussion on this very excellent report. T. I. JONES: It is pleasing to note the change in the attitude of the executives of our companies towards publicity. Time was when the taking of the public into one's confidence was not a matter of common practice. We have outgrown that policy and we are now explaining to the public the details of our system. Let me illustrate a particular point which Mr. Coates brought out in the co-operation between the central station and groups of contractors or jobbers. We have in Brooklyn an organization of Edison employes and outside electrical men. Recently we changed our method of handling orders and complaints. Before adopting that change in routine we explained the matter in detail to the electrical men at two or three meetings of this organization prior to such change. We invited constructive criticism of the method we were about to adopt and asked their co-operation in putting it into effect for the general good of the community. It is easy enough to offer destructive criticism of the public utility, to condemn its practice or its individuals, but no public utility should object to constructive criticism to improve its methods. The result of the meeting with these men was highly gratifying. An entirely new method of routine was put into effect. The contractors were satisfied, the public was satisfied and with the assistance of the WILLIAM C PEET contractors, the jobbers and the men allied in the electrical industry a change in method was made effective which I believe could not have been accomplished in any other way. Another example occurred when a committee representing a certain industry in our city had a complaint against our coal charge. A committee was sent to our President, and to one of the heads of our departments, asking why we exacted this charge. The utmost freedom was adopted in discussing the matter. The committee was told that the central station had no secrets whatever, that its books were open to them to examine and the justification of the charge could be confirmed from the committee's standpoint. We practically allowed. them, if they wished, to bring in their own public accountants to check up the reasonableness of the charge which we put upon our bill. The result was a highly satisfactory one. The committee not only approved of our action but a contemplated protest from them to the Public Service Commission was abandoned. They left our office with expressions of utmost satisfaction with our methods and what was a much dissatisfied class of customer was changed into a booster for our service. I believe thoroughly in the attitude of the utmost publicity, of the taking of the public into your con fidence. DONALD MCDONALD: It would be a very pleas ant thing indeed if the clerk at the application desk could say to the customer, "Your light will be turned on this afternoon," and where he knows that a customer has moved out and there is a connection and a meter there he is safe in making that promise, but unless he knows that he is laying up trouble for the company. It is better not to make any promise at all than that one out of ten of your promises should be broken. If the house is a new one, if it has not been occupied, it is perfectly impossible until the application has gone to people that know the condition of the wires and whether or not there is a secondary in front of that house to tell a customer when that current can be turned on, and more trouble will come from promises made that you can't keep than will complaints come from the fact that you are not able to make a definite promise. There is one other thing that I want to touch on and that is this, the allusion to having your own people interested financially in the company. It is just as true today as it was two thousand years ago, that "where your treasure is there shall your heart be also." If there is any sort of question in your city you can depend upon your stockholders to be on your side, and in offering the security of an electric company to the people we ought to be able to do it with the utmost confidence. I am not a very old man and yet I have seen the following forms of wealth come up and go down again. My My earliest recollection was when the bonds of the James River and Kanawha Canal were considered a very safe investment. Today there is a railroad on the towpath and the canal is empty of water. Many of the rich people of my own city, Louisville, were men who had made their money in steamboats. The steamboat is pretty nearly as rare today on the Ohio River as a swan. Then I saw a great many people become wealthy from distilling whiskey and brewing beer. You know what happened to them. I forgot to mention that in my own state of Virginia the man who didn't own a good many slaves was not a wealthy man at all, and I guess most of you know what happened to them. I have seen neighborhoods where property would sell at $150 and $200 a foot, which was used for some fashionable residences and which today is used for cheap boarding houses and the property has gone down to $30, $40 or $50 a foot. In the meantime the electric companies have gone ahead, meeting their bond interest and paying their dividends, and if you can consider them as the legitimate heirs of the gas companies that preceded them and furnished the people the light and heat which is now largely furnished by the electric companies, then I know of no form of investment that over so long a period of years has returned to the men who owned it the regular and consistent return that the companies providing light and heat and other forms of electrical energy have. THE CHAIRMAN: Any further discussion? R. H. BALLARD: Mr. Coates has prepared on behalf of this Committee a very wonderful report which I think fully expresses the spirit of the times; that is, the co-operation between all branches of the industry for the common good. We have also heard a lot about the sale of stock necessary for the expansion of local Central Station business. Now I know of one place in the country where those two things have been coupled together quite recently with a very wonderful result. An electric club composed of all the members of the various branches of the industry undertook to get behind the sales of securities for three of their Central Station companies operating within the territory, two hydro-electric companies and one gas and electric company. They did it by organizing very recently what they called a development army along the lines similar to the Liberty Loan campaigns. The general of the army is a prominent jobber, the colonel a prominent local manufacturer, the majors, four or five of them, are manufacturers, jobbers, contractors and dealers. In this army, which they organized with their captains and their forces, the employes of the Central Stations were not included. In other words this was a development army for the purpose of advancing the interests of the Central Station companies within the territory. Then they started out to sell the stock of the local companies without commission, only that commission which they know comes to them in the upbuilding of their community and of their own business. I got the record of the first four days' work of that campaign. They sold over $200,000 worth of stock to over 600 people in four days, and they did not work in virgin territory, because one of the companies, in the previous four months, had sold right within the same territory five million dollars' worth of stock, another company had sold nearly two million dollars' worth and the third company about one million dollars' worth. So, taking a territory in which within four to six months prior to this campaign eight million dollars' worth of stock had been placed, this army in four days found six hundred people who did take an additional $200,000 worth of it, and the campaign. is to last thirty days. I hope that the same record that has been established in the first four days will continue for the whole period. THE CHAIRMAN: Mr. Pack, the Chairman of the Nominating Committee had to leave, I think leave the city. He sent his report up to the Chair a moment ago and I will request Mr. Sloan to read it. FRANK W. SMITH: Mr. Chairman, I move the secretary be instructed to cast one ballot for these nominees. (Motion seconded.) THE CHAIRMAN: You have heard the motion. Are there any remarks? All those in favor of the motion that the Secretary cast one ballot for the gentlemen named for officers and members of the Executive Committee signify it by saying "aye," those opposed "no." The motion is carried. Mr. Insull, it gives me great pleasure to announce you as Chairman for the ensuing year. Mr. Ballard, will you please escort Mr. Insull to the chair? (Mr. Insull was then escorted to the chair.) MR. INSULL: Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen: WH JOHNSON ROBERT LINDSAY I will be very glad to do all I can for the Public Relations Section during the coming administrative year. Most of you know that I am deeply interested in this work. That is the only reason that I agreed to accept the Chairmanship of this section, because I was rather looking forward to being relieved of some of the duties I have had during the past year. I thank you and assure you I shall try to carry on the work of the present committee to as satisfactory a conclusion next year as they have concluded it this year. MR. DAVIS: Although I am not officially the presiding officer, I will ask if there is anything more to come before the meeting. If not, the meeting stands adjourned. (The meeting then adjourned.) First Technical National Section Session Chairman I. E. Moultrop called the meeting to order at 2:30 P.M. THE CHAIRMAN: Gentlemen, I have a communication from the Secretary of the Pacific Coast Section, advising that Mr. P. M. Downing and Mr. R. C. Powell, of the Pacific Gas & Electric Company, of San Francisco, and Mr. E. R. Nortbaugh, of the Los Angeles Gas & Electric Company, have been appointed delegates of their Technical Section to the Chicago Convention. These gentlemen are all present, and I would like to pay a compliment to the Pacific Coast Geographic Division for the way they have co-operated with the National Technical Section throughout the year. They have done splendidly in every way. If the other Geographic Divisions do equally good work, the technical work of the Association certainly will prosper. The Northwest Geographic Division and the New England Geographic Division have co-operated equally well. In other words, the divisions at these three extreme points of the country have done splendid work, while the remaining Geographic Divisions have done little or nothing. One of the problems for my successor is to bring about proper interest in our Technical work on the part of the other Geographic Divi visions, and I think he will find it a fairly large undertaking. The Executive Committee last evening, in accordance with the Constitution, appointed the Nominating Committee, consisting of Mr. Milan R. Bump, as Chairman, and Messrs. Downing, Knight, Gear and Elden, and they will report tomorrow afternoon their nominations for the offices of this Section for the ensuing year. The Committee will be pleased to receive recommendations from any of the members who are interested. The next item on the program is the report of the Electrical Apparatus Committee, Mr. R. F. Schuchardt, of the Commonwealth Edison Company, Chicago, Chairman. The report will be presented in a brief abstract touching the high spots only and giving all of the time possible for discussion. We don't want to have the members of our committees which have worked hard and conscientiously for the year feel that their work has been of no avail, because nobody makes any comment or suggestions on the work of the Committee. Certainly all of you have a good many thoughts in reference to the work of these committees. Let the chairmen and the members of the committees have the benefits of your ideas. Report of Electrical Apparatus Committee The results of the past year's work fully justify the hopes and expectations which prompted the divisional organization of the Committee as described in last year's report. The plan fitted splendidly into the Geographic Division organization of the Association, as evidenced by the activities of the past year. In those divisions where the Geographic organization was put into full effect the local Electrical Apparatus Committees functioned with enthusiasm and the local committees' delegates on the National Committee brought to the national meetings the inspiration of this enthusiasm. This but reflects an appreciation on the part of those who serve of the great value of such service to themselves individually and to their companies. present plan of organization makes easy and encourages this service on the part of all companies, including the smallest. It needs but a knowledge of the benefits to make every company enthusiastic and anxious to have a part in them. Insulating Oils (1917). In this present report will be found the tentative results of the Committee's efforts to help in the much desired standardization of service voltage. In other, and perhaps less definite ways the Committee is aiding in bringing about standardization whenever that can be done without impeding progress. The great economic gain to the industry from all such standardization amply jus tifies the efforts. The The traditions of the committee, established during the able leadership in past years, notably 1915, 1916 and 1917, which made it in a measure the initiator of standardization in electrical apparatus, are being continued. The work of this kind thus far produced in separate pamphlet form consists of Motor Rules, first issued in 1915; Transformer Standards, first brought out in 1916 and revised to date; and Properties, Treatment, Inspection and Testing of Cooperation with other organizations has again marked the Committee's work. The Subcommittee on Oil Circuit Breakers has continued its work with the Power Club and with the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, and the Subcommittee on Motors is in frequent touch with the Power Club. Four of the Committee's members are representatives of the N.E.L.A. on a sectional committee of the American Engineering Standards Committee to deal with "rating of electrical machinery," and one member of the Committee is a representative working with a committee of the National Research Council in a "study of the problem of insulation in its broader and more fundamental aspects." The Subcommittee on Generating Station keeps in touch with the Prime Movers Committee, and the Subcommittee on Service Voltage Standardization is studying its problem with a similar subcommittee of the N.E.L.A. Lamp Committee. In addition to the work outlined in this report, the technical members on the Wiring Committee of the Association are appointed with the cooperation of the Electrical Apparatus Committee, to which Committee they report on technical matters. Their activities on the Wiring Committee are reflected by the work done in relation to specifications for various parts of electrical devices, such as heater cords, also in studies of underwriters' rules as they affect the utilization of devices and house wiring. They are also active in the campaign to encourage the wiring of houses and stabilizing prices for such work, as well as standardizing methods of installation. The general plan of dividing the work among subcommittees has again been followed, these in the main being a continuation of the subcommittees of the preceding year. The detailed reports of these subcommittees are given in the usual order. The main points contained in them are as follows: Generating Station Several experiences with fire-fighting equipment and generator relays are recounted, and the closed circuit ventilating scheme, which is coming into favor, is described. A description of a recent inA description of a recent interesting departure in switch house design for very large stations is given, as well as an extended discussion of problems relating to electrical drive for station auxiliaries. This discussion will be found of considerable value. The very large capacity required for alternating current high voltage line testing is bringing to the fore the direct current test sets which were introduced a few years ago and which are being improved to meet the larger requirements. Tests on reactors have shown that a still further strengthening in the mechanical design is desirable. Very interesting contributions from the engineers of the General Electric Company and the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company with reference to reactors and particularly to the use of shunting resistors therewith form an appendix to this Subcommittee report. Oil Circuit Breakers, Accessories and Switchboard Equipment Recognition of the incompleteness of present development, particularly for very large capacities, coupled with a lack of authoritative information on design and performance, impels the Committee to continue with increased vigor its efforts to bring about a better understanding of the subject. On the basis of replies received to the questionnaire given in last year's report, which had for its purpose "to place the method of rating * * * on a basis which would better meet the needs of the operating companies," the Subcommittee continued its joint activities with similar committees of the A. I. È. E. and the Power Club. In view of the very great importance of this subject the recently appointed Technical Advisory Committee of the Association was asked to study the subject and their first report in reply to the specific question is included. Transformers A few minor changes in the standards are re ported and the polarity standardization is now settled for all sizes and classes. Transformer oil standardization, through the efforts of the Subcommittee, has moved on apace, and now each of the two larger companies is prepared to recommend a single oil for all but a few unusual conditions. A fire-fighting system adopted by oil companies is described and its use with transformers discussed. The usual illustrated record of manufacturers' developments in transformers completes the report. Substations Progress during the year with automatic substations is recorded and particularly in the fields of heavy urban traction, 250-volt d. c. systems and industrial d. c. installations. Progress in synchronous converter design is described, and mention is made of the very important developments on iron tank mercury arc rectifiers abroad while American manufacturers appear to be marking time. Motors This Committee is doing active work in obtainAn ining a wider adoption of the Motor Rules. teresting resume of the present status of a. c. motors for elevator service is given, and the action of the Committee is recorded with reference to 40 degree versus 50 degree motor ratings. Standardization of Service Voltage Because of the economic importance of this subject, which has been discussed for many years, the Technical Section Executive Committee considered it worthy of careful study and referred it to the Electrical Apparatus Committee for recommendation. A subcommittee was appointed and is actively engaged in the matter, cooperating with a subcommittee of the N.E.L.A. Lamp Committee which has to do with standardization of lamp voltages. A tentative report is presented which, while it leans strongly toward 115 volts as the preferred standard, is submitted in the hope that it will receive a discussion commensurate with the importance of the subject. Apparatus for Special Fields mary of apparatus required in certain important The 1919 report contained an interesting sumindustrial fields. This Subcommittee has this year again presented an illustrated account of the development of electrical applications in the following fields: wood working, pulp and paper making, electric furnaces, textile mills, motion picture production and projection, coal mining, surface excavating, car dumping, and in connection with by-product coke ovens. Continuing the practice of the past, the subcommittee chairmen are serving as clearing house on the subjects in their respective fields, and members desiring information on these subjects should communicate directly with such chairmen, and should. similarly send to these chairmen any information of special value or interest in these fields. For this purpose the address of the subcommittee chairman is given at the end of each subcommittee report. |