the price is such as very many companies would be only too glad to get.
So much for light supplied by contract. It is tolerably evident from what I
have previously said that the difference in cost between oil and electricity
for equal service may be merely nominal and not infrequently in favor of
electricity.

Where incandescent lamps are supplied by meter the case is even
more favorable. Assuming the standard central station charge of one cent
per lamp hour the house above mentioned could unquestionably have been
lighted as cheaply by electricity as by oil, for 32 lamp hours per night would
t>e quite adequate for the service required; and here the comparison would
be a fair one throughout the year as only the electricity used is paid for-
Unless in unfavorable situations one cent per lamp hour is a profitable selling
price for incandescent lights, and this fact is attested by its being the charge
made very frequently by city central stations, and even by small companies
doing precisely the kind of work of which we are speaking. As a final
contribution to the economy of this particular case we are considering it
should be mentioned that the price for gas in the town spoken of was $2.85



PRACTICAL DYNAMO BUILDING. 143

per thousand feet, which makes it distinctly more expensive than electric
lighting at the rate last named. It is far from my purpose to contend that
everywhere and under all circumstances electricity is the cheapest illuminant,
but I hope that I have successfully shown that in many cases it could replace
not only gas but oil lamps without increasing, and even in some places
diminishing the cost of illumination. Of course the weak point of the oil
lamp, so far as economy is concerned, is the necessity for keeping it burning'
when the electric light or even gas would be extinguished. A lamp is not
lighted without inconvenience, and therefore in rooms which will be
occasionally visited during an evening oil is being constantly consumed
where gas gets or incandescent lamps would be turned off. If one wishes
to go to the trouble of extinguishing and relighting these lamps a considerable
saving might be effected ; but for residences where plenty of light is desired
and convenience somewhat consulted, the consumption of oil rises to an
amount that gives gas and electricity an excellent chance for competition.

To sum up, where incandescent lamps can be obtained at one cent per
lamp hour, or an equivalent contract price, they will compete on favorable
terms not only with gas, but with oil, supposing equal illumination in each
case. Aside from this the greater cleanliness and convenience of the
incandescent lamps should commend it even where it is slightly at a
disadvantage. It is a great pity that more suburban towns do not take
advantage of electricity for house to house lighting, particularly since at the
price mentioned an electric light plant is in most situations a very good
investment. This statement should not be understood as applying to localities
where coal is very high, or where from an isolated situation or local
circumstances the cost of operation rises to an amount considerably above
the general average. Dr. Louis Bell in Electrical World.




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