The 'Omaha Sunday Bee
PART IIL
ELECTRICAL SECTION
PAQM 1 TO .
Always Read
THE OMAHA DEE
Best i". West
VOL. XXXVII NO. 7.
OMAHA, SUNDAY MORNING, AUGUST 4, 1907.
SINGLE COPV FIVE CENTS.
SERVICE PERFORMED DAILY FOR MANKIND BY ELECTRICITY
Story of How the Good Giant, Electricity, and the Great Giant, Steam, United to Build Up Omaha and Make It a Great and Prosperous City of Homes and Factories
THIS is the atory of how the good giant. Electricity, helped
to build up the city of Omaha.
Somewhere Id the enchanted pages of the Second or
Third reader there la a stery which Invariably thrllla th
heart of the young pupil who reada It It la the story of
Jamea Watt and the giant Steam. James, bo the story Bays, was ft
dreamy sof of boy, who sat by the fire thinking while his hard
working grandmother took in washing and struggled hard to eara
a living. The grandmother was accustomed to grumble considerably
at the laziness of the boy and declared that he would come to no
good end unless he reformed. But still the boy dreamed while th
tea kettle simmered and poured the steam from its Iron spout.
Then comes the really thrilling part of the story when the giant
speaks to James. James himself was startled when he heard th
voice of Steam. "I am shut up in this kettle," it said. "But I will
do all your work for you. I will draw you across the country swifter
-than the swiftest horses can run; I will threshyour grain and grind
the grain into flour; I will drive your mills and propel your ships;
I will operate all klnda of machinery. I am powerful and mightier
than anything else in the world. All I want is a machine in which
to bottle up my power and I will do the work of a hundred miUloa
m n."
The little readers' hearts thrilled at these generous promises of
the good giant, and the harsh words of the grandmother to dreaming
James were forgiven in the knowledge that she would soon repent
and acknowledge the greatress and wisdom of her grandson. Event
ually James succeeded la making a machine in which to put th
giant to work, and the giant has tolled now these many years for
the upbuilding of civilization.
Debate Between the Giants
Some time after James Watt had invented the steam engine and
bad set the good giant to his task, another giant appeared upon th
scene. It waa Electricity. If the third readera were to put this
giant into a etorj they wculd probably ascribe to Benjamin Franklin
the honor of having discovered him and drawn him from hla haunts
to serve the world. Franklin, however, does not lend himself well
to the purposes of this kind of story. He was a model boy. Writ
ers of romances like to have their heroes misunderstood In the first
few chapters In order that they may appear with the greater reful
gence in the last. However, the appearance on the stage of th
giant. Electricity, was an event of such import to the human rao
that there is no difficulty in giving it a romantic setting. See,
then, the conflict between the rival giants.
"Ton can't run a machine a mile away from yourself," Bay
Electricity.
"I know that." replies Steam.
"Tou can't run an electric fan or sewing machine or anything
like that," continues Electricity. "You are dirty; yur smoke and
cinders get in people's eyes and all ver their clothes; you make a
lot of heat with your nasty furnace and steam; you make a bad
eniell and you are altogether too disagreeable for decent people to
have around at all."
The giant. Steam, may be supposed to hang his head at this
catalogue of his fallings and vices. Whereupon Electricity con
tinues to recite his own virtues:
"Now, look at me," ho says. "I'm clean; don't need any smoke
and cinders and ashes around me. I'm just as fit for my lady's
boudoir as for the dirty shop.
a Hundred miles long and run a machine at the other end. Don't
need a lot or grimy men sweating and tolling to shovel coal into
rny mouth. No, sir, I'm the gentleman, I am, and I'd have you
know your place. From this tle on I'll ran these machiaes; III
ao tne wona s worn; tne world is tired or you; you were all very,
good In your way, but, then ah, you don't weigh much."
With which pleasantry Electricity must be conceived to walk
haughtily up stage. After a moment Steam cheers up suddenly
with a great thought.
"Tea. all thia is true." he says, turning to his rival. "It's true,
but who are you? What are you? I ask you what are yen? You
haven't any existence; you are powerful; you can strike great build
ings with your lightning and consume them with subsequent fire,
bt what good are you in helping out the human race?"
"
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TWO OF THE BIO TURBINE GENERATORS AT POWER PLANT OF
not be there had not electricity come to
rangement which would
Omaha.
Down on the banks of the river at Fourth and Jones streets a
ftw skilled men tend the most modern machinery for producing
steam. There is no sweating, or hurrying, or bending of backs. Au
tomatic machines stoke the coal into the red-hot furnaces; the men
merely turn valves and push levers; the steam is generated In the
I can travel instantly along a wire treat towering boilers, runs through the big pipes into the great
cylinders of the engines and there pushes back and forth the piston
rods which turn tho wheola which are attached to the dynamos. Out
from this place run the wires, strauds upon strands; up to the city
they go and spread over twenty-five square miles of densely popu
lated space. Here they run an elevater swiftly from basement to
the top of a ten-story office building; there a wire disappears Into a
house and turns a fai; here a motor buzzes and sets a great printing
press whirling; there a smaller power runs a dumb waiter up and
down in an apartment house. Always the current stands ready to
flash through the carbon wires of an incandescent light and make it
glow with light. Instantaneously, noisefessly, neatly, this well
behaved power does its work.
Before electricity came 10,000 housewives trimmed wicka, filled
lamps, cleaned and worried and in the end only produced a smoky
and greasy illumination. Now a button is turned and the whole
house if thrown into tha brightnesa of daylight. Before electricity
Here the giant. Electricity, anddenly realising his powerless- aI1,eare, ln m4hi thousand sweating men worked in grime and
net, the emptiness ef his Taunted strength to help the human race, 8001 and dust and heat through the hourB of dT nd night to keep
claps a hand to his forehead and falls heavily to the floor. ' thc msfhlnerT of factories and business places running. Now a few
The reconciliation between the two Is reserved f pm, f, men wl,n lM ""Proved appnancea turn valvea and push levers in
flat rate is based on the possible use of the motors twenty-four hour
a day. If the motors were tired that long the rate would be fairly
Just, but, of course, ln nearly every business the current Is used
only eight or Un hours a day at most. The system used by tha
Omaha concern is conceded to be just to all. Of course the whole
sale consumer gets a somewhat loner rate per kilowatt hour than,
the man who uses only a little power, just as the man who buya
flour by the carload gets it cheaper per hundred pounds than tha
man who buys it by the sack But every consumer can see Just
what he tas usr-d ln te month std can figure up his own bill. It
Is a systeu which coincides with the American idea of fair play,
equal rfchts to all and special favors to none.
This fact can be put down ln black and white, shouted from tha
housetops and spread abroad through the land, namely, that niaau
facturers and business houes can buy electric pomer in Omaha aC
cheaply as they cau anywhere else in the country. The figure!
prove it.
Cost of Power to Grain Elevator
The Nye-SchneMer-Fowler Elevator company, a 1,000,000
bushel house, dias its powt-r entirely from the Omaha Elect rid
Light and Power company. Here is a good example of tho fcdvac
tage even to a big consumer or the Omaha concern's method ol
measuring the power used and making its charge. The Nye-fcchnelder-l'owler
company Las a connected motor load of 1,1 SO
horse power. This Is distributed with thirty-three motors varying
ln sixe from five to seventy-five horse power each. Whenever a
certain machine in to bo operated the turning of a switch sets it
going in a noment. One motor of five horse power, or thlrty-thre
motors of a combined horse power of 1.1 SO, can be used siiuultane
ously, and the house pays for Just what power it uses, no mora and
no less. This plant is operated at an average cost for power ol
$1,250 a month, or $15,000 a year. Suppose this concern wer
buying its power at a flat rate of $30 per year per horse power, l
could not possibly get along with a motor of less than 750 hors
power, connecting all machines by means of 6haftlng and belting,
At $30 a year this 750 horse power would cost $22,500 a
year. Here, at an added cost of $7,500 a year, the company would
have a possible power cf on!y 750 horse power Instead of 1.180, at
It has at present. Under the flat rate system the consumer always
feels uncomfortable and fears that perhaps be Isn't using as inucl
power as his neighbor, though he is paying the same. He feels that
perhaps he Is paying for the pover consumed by his competitor. Un
der the meter s.Mtem he feels perfectly safe, knowing that he will
pay for or.ly what he consumes. The Nye-Schneider-Fowler com
pany estimates its saving In cost of power at $7,500 a year over ft
fat rate-charging system aad at $S,C00 a year over steam.
How a Manufacturing Plant Fares
The Omaha Boiler wrka buys electricity for two motors ot
forty horse power combined. During the year 1905 their bin
amounted to 71 tents a month per horse power; during 10S the bill
was $1.25 a month er horse power. If this concern had been cp-'
eratlng under the fUt rate given ln many other cities at, aay, $S0 a,
year per horse power, it is interesting to note that the bill would!
have been $2.50 a month. A flat rate of $30 a year on a water!
copper wires are carried on poles. Many hundreds of miles of wlra power brsis is the lowest published rate with tie single exception of
are required to transmit this great current to the tens of thousands Niagara Falls, that Ideal and exceptional location ln the world for
of points where it performs its duties. It hurries Into more than producing electricity, where the flat rate la $20 a year, and tils only
ta tne gigantic concerns mere wnica consume the power by th'
wholesale.
The electrically-eorlpped shirt and overall factories of tie M.1
E. Smith Dry Goods company and th Byrne-Hammer Dry Goods I
coaipany are two of the big Industries of Omaha. They are largJ
users of power and employ hundreds of people. Representatives of"
Nor must the display of this power in the electric signs of the thes foncrnB dcla that they get the maximum results at th
city be forgotten. Omaha 1b said to be the beet equipped with elec- minl"tLBi c combined, with an efficient power, and one which can
trie business signs of all cltlee of its size. Visiters to the city re- aJw,v rHd upon. Both of these firms have removed recently;'
mark upon this. Dozens of cities which surpass Omaka ln size aad Dew an! ffreaU "'nrged auarters and. although their new quar-
business volume cannot compare with it In this respect. There are ter ,rc to01 on trackage where it would be easy to get coal for
nearl.r SOO electric signs lighted ud bv the Dower that nmn frm Btm- kth hv installed the electric power In their new plants on
the plant down on the river. They are of every conceivable shape
OMAHA ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER COM? ANT.
and to Fort Crook, twelve miles away. Florence, Benson. Dundee
anc other surrounding towns are alra served with light, heat and
power from this same plant.
Down in the heart of the commercial district the current Is con
veyed in underground mains. In the outlying districts the little
6,000 homes and it blazes through some 200,000 Incandescent lights;
it glows ia 1.000 arc lights on the streets ef the city; It buzzes
through nearly 1,200 motors varying from 160 horse power down
to the little ones of less than one horse power.
Display of Its Magnificence
Reconciliation and Agreement
reserved, of course, for
tha last act. There ln appropriate setting they determine to Join
forces to do the world's work
"1 depend on you. my dear Steam," says Electricity. "All I
want is a dynamo to work ln. but, of course, I must ask you to
run It."
"And L By dear Electricity, shall be charmed to do as much
for you- You will be of the greatest help t me. I know I'm
rather behind the times: there are a thousand things I can't An
the big establishment down by the river and the giant. Electricity,
runs out along a thousand wires to perform his services, great or
small, ln all the country round about.
Magnitude of the Omaha Plant
Few people realize what the magnitude of tha work of tha
Omaha Electric Light and Power company is. It has grown im
mensely In the last few years. Five years ago the plant at Fourth
and design, some of them wink at you and some gaze ln unwink
ing Irightness; some have little "snakes" crawling around their
margins EDd some appear in the refulgence of varicolored globes.
All attract great attention and make a grand ensemble effect
Such is Omaha's fortunate condition today. It is being served
as rfbapB no other city of the same size is beiag served by the
good-natured giant. Electricity. More of this power is being used
per thousand people of population than ln any other city of similar
size in the country. It stands te reason, then, that the price which
the giant demands for his services here must be lower than else
where; that his services must be better or his method ef doing busi-
Aa you say, I cant distribute my power rery far, while you carry and Jones streets was generating 1.400 kilowatts; today It is gen-
yourseu u an aimast unnamed distance along simple wirea. You eratlng 7,500 kilowatts. This is
have a wonderful future before you."
a fair criterion of the expansion
of the business and Indicates the great stride which Omaha has tt.lAk
And you know I can do something else besides work machines, not only In growth, but in the use of electricity for power, light and
f VPrV PftTlP.r, W-K nan M.,1,.i. M
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which gives the people
eaya Electricity. "1 can make llghta for the peo-
"You
I can.
are a wonder. I shall b
You are the very fellow
my dear fellow,'
pie to see by.
"Dear me," exclaims Steam,
glad to subserve you ln any way
I have been looking for."
With which worda the tw walk arm In arm up stage and make
their exit amid deafening applause from the enchanted audience.
Since that time the good giant Electricity haa spread himself
all over the world performing for humanity ten thousand service,
turning the wheels of a million machines, bearing the burdens of
naUens. giving power, heat and light All this he does at low cost
and ln the most efficient manner possible.
The local manager, so to speak, of the giants ia the Omaha
Electric Light and Power company. Ia ita big plant at Fourth and
Jonea street the two giants work together cheerfully turning out
what men designate 7,500 kilowatts of power constantly. This la
equal to ths work of 10.000 horses.
What Electricity is Doing
Did you ever think, dear reader, what Omaha would b wit ho at
electricity? How few are tha places where It la not used la son
form of its three properties light, heat and power. Step Into thia
church. Note those lncaxdfcceat lamps which shed a soft light over
congregation and chancel, note tha electric cooking devices la tb
kitchen; th pip organ Is svpplled with air for its deep-voiced ton as
by a motor and the rotary fans are operated by the same force. Now
come into tha home. Here are Incandescent lights, porch, lights,
portable lamps under kp-colored decarativ shades. Here ar
electric corn poppers, milk warmer, chafing dishes, sterilisers, flaa
trona. curling iron heaters, heating pads and foot warmer. Ther
are aafety gaa cocks, electric treatmeat machines, an automatic
piano, dumb waiters, charger for the automobile, automatic door
openers, hors clippers and groom ers, tire pumps, dish washers, pol
lening machlnee, refrigerating machines, fans and pumps.
These ar Just a few of the thousand and ons ways tn whicfe
clectrlcilr makes Itself ustfuL Hardly la on of them could ateaa
be used. Imagine yourself walking down Faraam street some even
ing befora th advent of electricity; It waa dark save for a few fltcaj
ertng gas lamps on tha corners aad the poorly trimmed and smoky
kerosene lamps ta th store windows. Ther weic no electric sign
aech aa now make tha night vie with day la brilliancy. You cannot
atap Into shop or offio without aotig aom useful device or ar-
heat The srea served by the eomDany is not confined to the tnt-
five square miles of Omaha proper. Tha vires run to South Omaha
a much larger scale than ln the old houses. They are enthuaiastla
over the eficiency aad economy of the electric power available to lb
manufacturer ln Omaha.
The Larsen-Baker Ice Machine company need seventy hors
power of electric current during the year 190$ at an averagVcost of
fif cents a month per horse power.
Used for Freight Lifting
A study of thc freight elevatora of the city Is Interesting. Ot
these flfty-thre are operated by electricity, with a total "motor
load" of 693 horse power. The average rat paid by these con
sumers last year was $1.0$ a month per horse power. If these con-
ness more fair or reasonable. A study of the facts IndlcatM th.t Burners had haa a fU. rat of $30 (which is low) their bill wnnM
Omah4 is fortunate in tkls respect have been $1,790 a year. The power cost them $7,685. Their
In the first place, the charge made by the Omaha Electric Light ln Sle Tr on this one item waa $10,105.
and Power company for electricity is based entirely en meter read- The nlstory ,ne upbuilding of the Omaha Electric Light and
Ing. In moBt other cities a fixed price Is made for each connected Poer company la the history o
horse poM and in addition to this a charge Is made Der kiiomtt doing business are fair. Such a concern
hour. Thus in South Iend, Ind., for example, the fixed charge far " 1 7 want wnen tney ant n- n(1 at Prlce which makes
each borse power is $1 a month, and then the variable rate Is added any tther Powr out of the question must necessarily build up such
to thia for the amount of current consumed. In some cities a flat ouslnes8 require every foresight and great energy to car
rata of a oartain amount par ou&aacted boras power la ""lit. This or -
Comparisons are odious, but steam having admitted lta Inferi
ority ln the drama which appea -ed at the beginning of thia story.
It cannot te out of the way to point out some of the respects la
which electricity excels even Ic places where it would be possible
to Install a complete steam plant The power is flexible. It is ther
when you want it and when you do not want It you can shut it oH
Immediately and completely. You do not need to bank a fire or
put out glowing coals. You juit turn a switch and leave the place,
locking the door behind you. before the whirl of the wheels haa
stepped.
The labor cuftlon lc of no Interest to the consumer so fsr as
hla power 1j com-e-neO. The company from which he buye th
power has to we to tha Strikes and demands for higher wages
... uu rmuiwi irouDics are or no concern.
tis nngers under the very noses of the coal
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He can even snap
dealers.
Beauties of the Service
Another beauty of the electric current is the absence of belting
and sl:.lting. A motor can be set down at each and every piece of
machinery to b, operated. This is the most economical method of
runn.ng machine. If ,ou have a dozen and only want to run on
of them ou merely tnrn on tho motor that controls that particular
one. Thus you drsw a fine line on your power con.umntion and
never waste any through belting and shafting. With a steam en
gine thr whole power would have to be oi-erated. thus making it aa
expensive to tun one machine as the whole plant.
Also, when it is desired to increase the poer of the plant it Is
aot necessary to tear out engine, and boilers, belting and shafting
and irstall new equipment. You merely add another motor anj
connect it with another wire. E!ectric motor, have moreover th!
reputation of being very well-Uebaved pier, of machinery n ty
are not liable to get out of order like ste.m engine.
.n,SUfVh?' U mlfb,T POr Llch h" d much to
build 1 up Omaha, a hu h is bribing Eew manufactorie. to the city
which is supplying the comforts of electricity to the people her. at
ko no ooutt that Omaha must attract
S lt?J" -ri:'s -or, to ... unr;
PASSDL?N1.7o SEVENTY-FIVE HORSE POWER MOTORS, EACH
ranroaa iacillties. its centrkl I. jhv,. it. ui. .
. ing country, lu .arvelou.ly U creasing weaUh. Z UTi
jQDDing and letail b-ieineet-e. r,f v.rin,,. a-,,..-
this tha bleaslng. of cheap -. "ding to all