Convention at Niagara Falls

MEETING OF NATIONAL ELECTRIC LIGHT ASSOCIATION.

EXPERTS IN DISCUSSION

TECHNICAL PAPERS READ BY ELECTRICIANS OF EXPERIENCE.

THE SUBTLE CURRENT

J. G. White, of New York, Arthur Wright, of Brighton, England, Professor Thompson, of Lyan, Mass., and Others Among the Speakers.

Special Dispatch to Democrat and Chronicle.

Niagara Falls, N. Y., June 9.—The second day’s session of the twentieth annual convention of the National Electric Light Association was interesting from the time of opening to the close. The two notable papers of the morning session were those of J. G. White, of New York, on the “Niagara Transmission Line,” and that of Arthur Wright, of Brighton, Eng., “On the Profitable Extension of Electricity Supply Stations.” Mr. White told of incidents in connection with the Niagara-Buffalo transmission line and of how the current had frequently burned off the cross-arms. The difficulties in securing proper porcelain insulators were well portrayed and he stated the question of suitable lightning arresters had not yet been fully settled. He felt that in the construction of long distance transmission lines all trees close to the line should be cut down in order that there might be no danger in their blowing over on the line. It was shown by his figures that to build a long-distance transmission line and put it underground for the entire distance would be almost prohibitive so far as profit was concerned. The paper brought out much discussion. Alfred Wright’s paper portrayed a basis for charging for current which has not been extensively adopted in this country, but which has warm advocates. By his system each user of current is made to pay a proper proportion of the station expenses.

The two leading papers of the afternoon session were by Professor E. Thomson, of Lynn, Mass., on “Recent Progress in Arc Lighting,” and by T. C. Martin, the distinguished editor of the Electrical Engineer, of New York, on “The Daylight Work of Central Stations.” Professor Thomson’s paper commanded a very great deal of attention and was undoubtedly one of the ablest the convention will listen to. It showed that the progress in arc lighting has been quite wonderful. Mr. Martin stated that the development of the central station industry has been in some respects a disappointment. He said: “We have now had nearly twenty years of central station work in this country and have witnessed an enormous growth in that period within the field of work covered by this organization, but it is apparently as true to-day as when the association was formed that the companies restrict themselves injuriously in their natural and logical advance by remaining mere lighting corporations. What would happen to us if some new lighting medium came into vogue that deprived us of our illuminating business entirely? If we had to fall back on daylight work might we not be better off. My own opinion, modestly expressed, is that the intrinsic value of company rises just in proportion as it gets off the lighting basis and builds itself upon that of current; just in proportion as it ceases to limit its activities by a moonlight schedule, and, like the British drumbeat chases the sun with an insatiable desire for more territory and more trade.”

Following the afternoon session the members of the association visited the Carborundum company’s plant and saw their great power consuming furnace. At 8 o’clock the convention convened in evening session in the park pavilion to listen to a paper by L. B. Stillwell on “Niagara Power,” illustrated by a stereopticon. The paper and illustrations proved most interesting for no one is better qualified to write or talk on “Niagara Power” than Mr. Stillwell. It is he who has brought many of Tesla’s ideas into practical service.