[Trade Journal]
Publication: Western Electrician
Chicago, IL, United States
vol. 42, no. 4, p. 77-83, col. 1-3,1
THE CHICAGO ELECTRICAL SHOW OF 1908.
Maintaining the record of previous years, the third annual Electrical Show in Chicago of January 13-25, 1908, has been a complete success. Both visitors and exhibitors express satisfaction. The show was conducted by the Electrical Trades Exposition Company, of which Mr. Samuel Insull is president and Mr. Homer E. Niesz managing director.
Exhibits at the show covered many branches of the industry. In all lines exhibitors did their utmost to instruct and please visitors. The music was excellent, the decorations and illumination beautiful, and there was general good-fellowship.
The show was well patronized, and among the visitors are representatives of all parts of the United States. A few of the special attractions planned did not materialize, but there were enough special features to satisfy all. On Tuesday night of this week the management of the show entertained the exhibitors at a smoker and vaudeville in the Coliseum Annex, which was greatly enjoyed. Other features and meetings of electrical organizations are reported elsewhere.
In this issue will be found a detailed account of the show and numerous illustrations, in addition to those published last week.
EXHIBIT OF RECLAMATION SERVICE.
An interesting exhibit of the nature of the work done by the United States Reclamation Service in various irrigation projects in the arid West attracted considerable attention. About 25 large mounted photographs showed various stages of progress in many of the projects, and gave a good conception of the great extent and difficulties of the work. These comprised views of the sites before work was begun; dams, canals and tunnels during and after construction, and views showing the fertility of the land after being irrigated. A large map showed the location and size of the various projects. On the evening of January loth Mr. Perkins, of the Reclamation Service, gave an illustrated lecture in the Coliseum Annex on this irrigation work, and told of the many cases wherein hydro-electric power was utilized in connection with the work while in progress and later for pumping and other power purposes. In a number of places electric pumping will be necessary to raise the water from low levels.
SUPPLY OF CURRENT.
The electrical energy for lighting and exhibitors' use during the show was supplied almost entirely from the Commonwealth Edison Company's three-wire direct-current .mains. A few circuits were supplied from the no-volt direct-current plant in the building. The Edison 110-220-volt mains entered the building at the northeast corner from the underground system in the alley. From this point a set of feeders was run to the ceiling lights, and six sets of feeders north and south through the building for the lighting of booths and exhibitors' use. These feeders were all No. 0000, over 6,000 feet of this being used. A separate set of feeders was run to the Commonwealth Edison's booth in the north end of the building. The main feeders were suspended from the trusswork so as to run, almost over the partitions between the booths along the main and adjacent long aisles. In each case one set of feeders supplied the north half of the building and terminated at the center, and another set ran intact through the north half and supplied the south half, one continuous neutral being used for both sets. Under the balconies and for the annex the two-wire system installed in the building was used, but it was disconnected from that plant, a neutral wire added, and each set connected to the Edison mains. The number of sockets installed in the general lighting was approximately 3,30o in festoons, 5,000 in streamers, 350 on posts and goo in outside signs. The 64 arc lamps in the eight coronas lit the ceiling were left on the building circuit.
A motor-generator set installed in the booth of the Western Electric Company supplied three-phase, 6o-cycle, alternating current at 440 volts to exhibitors in the east half of the building. This set consisted of a 50-kilowatt, 125-volt, compound direct-current generator; operated as a shunt motor from the no-volt plant in the building, two No. 000 feeders being specially run to it, and a 50-horse-power synchronous motor operated as a three-phase generator, the machines being direct connected and running at 1,200 revolutions per minute. The alternating-current feeders were three No. 6 wires, from which the current was either stepped down or up, as the exhibitors needed. The current supplied to exhibitors was almost entirely on the flat-rate basis, only about 18 meters being installed. The special wiring of the building was under the direction of its regular electrician, Mr. Forsberg, who had a force numbering 107 assistants for the 3 1/2 days preceding the show.
AUTOMOBILES.
The Woods Motor Vehicle Company showed a high-grade electric pleasure vehicle and exhibited a ling of automobile supplies. A simple and convenient battery-charging outfit for use on alternating-current circuits was shown.
The Studebaker Automobile Company of South Bend, Ind., had an exhibit and did much toward furthering co-operation between central-station men and automobile manufacturers for mutual benefit and for the good of electric-vehicle owners. The company showed three handsome electric pleasure vehicles and demonstrated the use of the mercury rectifier outfit for charging batteries from alternating-current circuits. F. S. Chapman, J. D. Gordon and E. Q. Corner took care of visitors.
CONDUIT.
A display of various kinds of bituminized fiber conduit was made in the booth of the American Conduit Company of New York.
The McRoy Clay Works showed its line of vitrified clay conduit in an attractive exhibit in charge of C. C. Baird, sales representative.
The exhibit of the H. B. Camp Company, New York, attracted attention. A pyramid of clay conduit was set up with different colored rays of light thrown into the ducts from the back, making a veil pretty and striking effect and drawing attention to the company's product.
B. S. Barnard & Co. made a display of their conduit, and aside from this there was a display of placards undoubtedly of "Kirk" origin. One read, "We know our business, or we wouldn't be 'in it;'" another, "We made conduit; conduit made us." Duct-feet were designated by an array of perfectly webbed duck feet attached to dainty ribbons. E. F. Kirkpatrick, vice-president of the company, was present to entertain visitors.
A new thing in conduit was the new sectional concrete conduit exhibited by the United States Conduit and Construction Company of St. Louis. This is a finished product requiring encasing, no tile or tubing in the construction. It is made in sections of concrete, the sections being so formed that they interlock both ways. Two or more sections when laid form a complete self-contained conduit with smooth continuous ducts. The exterior joints are laid up with mortar. With this product cables can be laid in as the conduit is placed, and for maintenance purposes the cables may be exposed at any point of fault by simply taking the joints apart. The conduit is made at the point of installation, requiring no shipping. C. D. Budd, president of the company, has made a long and thorough study of underground conduit construction. At the show he received much encouragement from practical men who inspected the new sectional conduit. A. W. Garrels was also present at the exhibit.
EDUCATIONAL.
The Sheldon School had a small section to enable it to explain its courses in salesmanship and business methods. A large number of electrical salesmen, who were graduates of the school and were representatives of many exhibitors at the show, proved themselves to be working exhibits of the success of the school's work. A. F. Sheldon, president, and Francis Raymond, secretary, represented the school directly.
The International Correspondence Schools, with headquarters at Scranton, Pa., had an attractive exhibit to show the scope and methods of its educational work. Two effective working mode's showed a sleeping workman not alive to his opportunities and a machine whose cogs were faithful employes making money for the man who knows how to take advantage of their services. Samples of students' work were shown, and a new feature in the form of a complete phonograph outfit for teaching foreign languages. A set of the 242 textbooks now published by the school was arranged for inspection. The total enrollment of the school's students in all parts of the world is now said to be over 1,037,000.
In the exhibit of the students' competition were shown a number of pieces of apparatus built by Chicago students of various schools. H. L. Transtrom showed a 22,000-volt transformer for wireless telegraphy and a high-frequency Tesla coil for electrotherapeutics. The primary circuits of the transformer contained a Thordarson regulator and the secondary was connected to a condenser and the primary of the Tesla coil in series. The set had been tuned and was in successful operation several times during the show. Mr. Transtrom was a student of the International Correspondence School. There were also exhibited a telegraph relay made by Lynne Waynick of Lewis Institute, an alternating-current electrolytic rectifier by Byron De Forrest of the Alcott School and an induction coil by A. R. Perlow of Lewis Institute.
ELECTRIC CLOCKS.
The United Clock Company of Chicago showed an attractive line of electric chronometers of various kinds.
Represented by H. O. Jackson, president, and G. F. Randall, secretary, the American Clock Company of Chicago had an interesting exhibit of self-winding electric clocks, electric time systems, time stamps and time recorders. The combination of secondary clocks, time stamps and time recorders, all operated from the same master clock, is adapted for use in offices and factories.
ELECTRICAL GLASSWARE.
The Phoenix Glass Company had an attractive exhibit of its well-known shades, reflectors. domes and handsome art glass for decorative lighting. One of the most artistic exhibits at the show was that of the Colonial Art Glass Company of Chicago, which company manufactures art-glass shades and domes and bronze portables. Aside front artistic merit, the shades and domes are of exceptional strength on account of being glazed with copper instead of lead. The handsome designs are original, being brought out in the company's designing department by C. Eugene Parkhurst. Besides Mr. Parkhurst, those at the show were E. C. Gmelin, R. F. Warner and B. P. George.
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY.
Roth Bros. & Co, exhibited a line of their motors and dynamos and motor applications, including an interesting dish-washing machine. The machines, some with vertical shafts, have some new features and attachments. A two-horsepower equipment that attracted attention was the Economy electric tiering machine, a complete portable power elevator of 1,000 pounds capacity made by the Economy Engineering Company.
The Wagner Electric Manufacturing Company St. Louis, had a large exhibit, including a five-horsepower single-phase Wagner motor of the new type-BA, in the new style frame, and a 10-horsepower three-phase induction motor with the new starter. The Wagner company has brought out a new type of induction-motor starter for polyphase motors, the switching device being in a separate case from the auto-transformer part of the starter, and so arranged that the running fuses are cut out for starting, or separate starting fuses may be provided. The company has changed its transformer line, building at the present time what is termed "high-efficiency" and "standard-lighting" type of transformers. Switchboard and portable indicating instruments were shown, including both direct-current and alternating-current instruments. F. N. Jewett, Thomas T. Richards and others represented the company.
The Fort Wayne Electric Works had a very complete exhibit, in charge of Walter Goll, A. I. Pond and Frank McMaster. F. S. Hunting of the home office was also in attendance part of the time. Included was the company's line of type K wattmeters, forms SAA and SAB for single-phase circuits, form MAB for multiphase circuits: its prepayment wattmeter and its new type KM-1 calibrator for alternating current. The company also exhibited its standard type A transformers, its various types of arc lamps, both alternating and direct-current, series-multiple and power-circuit types. A complete line of fan motors, desk type, universal bracket, revolving type, dragon bracket type and telephone-booth fan motors was shown, also a complete line of direct-current and alternating-current power motors, many of them connected to power circuits and shown in operation. In alternating current both single-phase and multiphase motors were shown.
The largest and most complete exhibit of electrical machinery and apparatus was that of the Western Electric Company of Chicago. This exhibit was especially attractive on account of the new alternating-current apparatus being placed on the market by this company and because of the large display of telephone apparatus exhibited for the first time for the inspection of all havers. The exhibit was divided into two parts, the telephone exhibit and the apparatus and supply exhibit. A description of the former will be found among the telephone exhibits elsewhere in this issue. Thu power-apparatus exhibit was very interesting, affording visitors an opportunity to study the rapid strides taken by the Western Electric Company in the manufacture of alternating and direct-current apparatus. A specimen of the fine class of work turned out by the Western Electric Company at its Hawthorne works, covering an area of about to acres, was the 400-kilowatt, 60-cycle, three-phase, 2,300-volt alternator exhibited. While this engine-type alternator is very small, compared with the larger machines manufactured by the company, it was the largest one which could be exhibited, due to the danger of the floor giving way. High-class engineering and mechanical skill was apparent in the 15-kilowatt, 250-volt, direct-current, engine-type generator exhibited dose to the 400-kilowatt alternator. This generator is one of the smallest manufactured for direct connection to an engine, and has a vertical divided frame. The frame is semi-steel and the pole-pieces laminated. It will be difficult to find a piece of apparatus to surpass this type in construction. The smallest generator exhibited in the booth was a 13-1/2-volt, three-ampere ignition and battery-charging generator. A Western Electric motor-generator set supplied alternating current to its and other exhibitors' booths. It is described in the section on the wiring of the building. There were in operation also back-gear, continuous-service, phase-wound. vertical, alternating-current motors. Stators and rotors for squirrel-cage and phase-wound types of machines of various classes were seen under construction. The apparatus exhibited was so arranged that the observer could see various classes and types of apparatus under construction. For a number of years the Western Electric Company has manufactured a five-light testing regulator that can be used for testing series alternating-current lamps during the day, with a maximum voltage of 440, thus eliminating the danger to lamp-repair men when using a larger regulator. This regulator can also be used for lighting from 440-volt power circuits, and for this class of services the company recommends operating five series alternating-current lamps in connection with the regulator. An equipment of this kind was on exhibition connected Up so that the operation of the lamp and regulator could be demonstrated. The new Western Electric 440-volt, multiple alternating-current lamp was on exhibition, and sample Ho-volt alternating-current and direct-current lamps were included in the list of display lamps. This company has recently formed a selling arrangement whereby it become a distributer of the Beck flaming arc lamp, and two of these lamps were on exhibition. An interesting feature of the Western Electric supply exhibition was the black enamel wire. Superiority is claimed for this class of insulation over silk and cotton, owing to the small amount of space required be the wire, the greater number of feet per pound and the high insulating quality. A line of supplies manufactured or handled by this company was also on exhibition, including American transformers, Vulcan heating apparatus, street-railway material, Electrose insulated material, Thomas high-tension insulators, Duncan wattmeters, D. & W. fuses and Deltabeston wire. The entire Western Electric exhibit was in charge of G. H. Lounsbery, assisted by the following gentlemen: J. H. Dutton, H. S. Kurtz, H. F. Boardman, R. C. Kearsley, O. O. Tucker, C. S. Boggs, H. M. Post and many others.
HEATING AND COOKING.
The exhibit of the General Electric Company was devoted largely to display and demonstration of electric-heating and cooking appliances and to electric illuminants, in the development of which this company has been very active. In a space prepared for the purpose skilled demonstrators showed the application of the large line of cooking and heating appliances produced by the company. At one end a dining room was fitted up, and here numerous parties were treated to full meals cooked in the booth entirely by electricity. Miss Pott. Mrs. Colby, Miss Lyons and Mrs. Abbott, accomplished in the art, prepared the food and did the cooking, besides giving demonstrations in the use of the electric range, electric stove, bake oven, griddles, fans, chafing dishes, coffee percolators. corn popper, flatirons and the many other electrical devices. A luminous electric grate, brought out by Mr. Jules Panigot of Grand Rapids, Mich., was one of the newest and most attractive device.
The Simplex Electric Heating Company, Cambridge, Mass., had perhaps the largest display of electric-heating and cooking appliances at the show. It covered the complete laic manufactured by the company and showed many new devices and new applications of electric heating in its application to domestic, factory and office use. About 50 styles shapes and sizes of laundry and tailor's irons were shown; electric chafing dishes, coffee percolators and other dining-room accessories of new and at tractive shapes; in fact, everything in electric-heating appliances from a little curling-iron heater for the dressing room to a 30-gallon kitchen boiler. A complete electric range was in operation and demonstrated for the benefit of visitors the ease and convenience of electric cooking. A number of complete meals were served in the booth and different kinds of eatables were served daily from the electric range, electric oven or some other device. Two demonstrators were present, besides H. R. Hixson, E. R. Jacobs, E. A. Strauss and W. R. Hruby.
INSTRUMENTS.
While the International Electric Meter Company of Chicago had no special exhibit at the show. It had a number of its new instruments, both alternating and direct current, in one of the booths, and these attracted attention.
The Jewell Electrical Instrument Company of Chicago made its first exhibit at a show. Ammeters, voltmeters and switchboard instruments were exhibited. The company had an attractive line of six-inch baby instruments and six-inch direct-current switchboard voltmeters. The instruments have excellent features which have met the approval of electricians. Edward W. Jewell, Ray Simpson and Oscar Adleman were in attendance.
The Bristol Company of Waterbury, Conn., with offices in Chicago, New York and London, had a very attractive exhibit of its well-known recording instruments of interest in every branch of electrical industry. The exhibit was arranged in groups to show the types of recorders as used in the steam, electric generating and transmission parts of light and power systems. These included recording gauges for steam, pressure and vacuum, recording thermometers for feed water, flue gases and superheated steam, switchboard recording voltmeters, ammeters and wattmeters and a full line of portable recording wattmeters and ammeters for the transmission system and general testing work. It was so arranged that visitors could be shown the interior design and construction in a very clear manner. A striking feature of the Bristol booth was a very large model of a recording voltmeter with a facsimile record. The exhibit was in charge of Western Manager H. P. Dennis, M. E., assisted by H. T. Carpenter, factory sales manager, and the Chicago office sales staff.
LAMPS, LIGHTING AND SIGNS.
Some very attractive canteen signs made to cover incandescent lamps for advertising purposes were shown by the Solar Electric Company of Chicago. A practical colored-glass cap to fit incandescent lamps for electric signs and decorative displays was also shown.
The Federal Electric Company had as its principal exhibit a great variety of large and small electric signs of all kinds. Aside from these, the company exhibited some very pretty couch brackets, Federal clusters, sockets, shades, etc. A new three-stage, turn-down lamp of original design attracted attention.
A large line of its standard lamps was exhibited by the Moline Incandescent Lamp Company of Moline, Ill. The new Moline Jewel attracted attention, also the Meridian type, the Moline Jewel metallic-filament lamp and a line of regular Meridian types. There was also a line of imperial, candelabra and special lamps. F. T. Wright, manager Chicago branch, was in charge, assisted by Theodore Mueller, R. H. Mills and C. R. Wood of the home office.
The booth of the General Electric Company was illuminated largely with tungsten lamps, and, as part of the decoration, a series of pictures was displayed giving night views of Niagara Falls as it appears under the powerful electric searchlights and illuminating device brought out by Mr. W. D'A. Ryan, illuminating engineer, with the General Electric Company. On one side there was a display of different colored silk cloth arranged so as to show the effect on the colors as produced by the various kinds of illuminants. The illuminants compared were the tantalum, Nernst, enclosed arc, tungsten, Gem and mercury arc lamps. The idea was to show which came nearest the daylight effect, and it was noticeable that all lamps did not have the same comparative effect on all colors. The Nernst and the enclosed arc seemed, however, to do the best as regards daylight effect, with apparently a little more of a yellowish hue in the former. Among representatives of the company seen at the booth were B. E. Sunny, F. N. Boyer, J. D. A. Cross, R. E. Keeler, F. H. Gale, E. L Callahan, G. H. Stickney, James Lyman, F. W. Hilliard, D. Ulke, L. Friedman, H. Benson, W. H. Price, W. T. Dean, R. D. Fonger, W. H. Coleman, A. D. Page, S. F. Dibble and James Johnson.
Everyone attending the show was undoubtedly attracted to the exhibit of the Engineering Department of the National Electric Lamp Association by the great display of light over and about the booth. Three hundred 40-watt tungsten lamps, a large number having Holophane reflectors, were used in furnishing the illumination which was noticeable because of its natural white quality as well as great quantity. Different methods were employed to show the effect of tungsten and carbon lamps upon various colors. Pictures having certain shades and tints by daylight were not appreciably changed in appearance when illuminated by the tungsten lamp. The coloring, however, was greatly altered when exposed to the rays of the carbon filament.' Disks containing the colors of the rainbow were revolved and held stationary, first under the light furnished by the metal filament, then beneath that of the cellulose filament. The result with the tungsten lamp in service showed the disks, when revolving, to be practically white, and when stationary every color retained its true value. The carbon lamp caused the disks, when in motion, to become an orange-yellow, bordering upon pink. All the colors were darkened and changed in other respects, with the exception of the red, when the disks were quiet. Carbon, Gem, tantalum and tungsten lamps were shown side by side and data on their efficiency and economy compared. The high efficiency of the tungsten lamp, as well as its good color value, were strongly emphasized. P. E. Norris, A. W. Freund and George Loring were in charge of the exhibit. They were ably assisted by a corps, of salesmen representing the various companies comprising the association.
MOTOR-DRIVEN TOOLS.
Four different styles of massage vibrators were shown by the Moon Vibrator Company. One style is for alternating current, one for direct current, one for either and a fourth is a battery outfit.
The Red Cross electric vibrator, a complete electric massage vibrator suitable for face, scalp, and body massage, was exhibited by the Lindstrom-Smith Company, manufacturer of the device. A vibrating chair, producing the Swedish movement, was also exhibited.
The Shelton Electric Company presented a large display of the various vibratory massage devices for the physician and the home and demonstrated the different methods employed. A skilled lade demonstrator was kept busy by the ladies. The new electric hair-drying outfit attracted attention. G. Shelton and A. Grimes were present.
The James Clark, Jr., Electric Company of Louisville, Ky., showed a most interesting line of tools and machines, of which an electric motor forms a part. These consisted of two and three-spindle Willey drills, breast drills, semi-radial drills, screw-feed portable drills, hand drills, hacksaws, grinders for various uses, hand grinder and buffer, floor grinders, etc.
Those interested in pneumatic tools and electrically driven machinery derived much valuable information from the exhibit of the Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company. There were electric drills, grinders and blowers, alternating-current and direct-current air tools, rock drills, etc. The company showed a vacuum cleaner with a scrubbing attachment which attracted attention. The exhibit was in charge of C. B. Coats, assisted by E. Aplin.
The General Compressed Air and Vacuum Machinery Company of St. Louis exhibited in practical operation seven different outfits for cleaning by means of compressed air and the vacuum system. The largest was the type C outfit for house-to-house cleaning. A life-size model of a horse harnessed to this wagon outfit helped to attract attention. Among the other outfits was a two-wheel portable outfit for car cleaning and two other portable outfits and three for stationary installation. Thomas F. Clohesey, sales manager, and A. S. Foote were present to take care of visitors.
The Illinois Electric Renovator Sales Company of Chicago had an interesting exhibit of Invincible renovators, in charge of M. E. Poffinberger, president, and W. F. Wall and P. E. Allison. The machines shown were for thorough house cleaning in every department and can be used on carpets, rugs, draperies, upholstered furniture, bedding, etc., without raising any dust. The renovator is operated by a one-half-horsepower motor with a speed of 3,500 revolutions per minute. A double turbine fan 14 inches in diameter is direct-connected to the motor shaft, and this fan produces a powerful suction that will remove all dust.
A line of individual motor-driven machines was exhibited by the McDowell-Stocker Company of Chicago. There were two lathes, one an t8-inch Hamilton Machine Tool Company lathe with all-geared bead, and a 14-inch Ideal lathe of the Springfield Machine Tool Company. A Milwaukee shaper was driven by a Lincoln variable-speed motor. An interchangeable, open back, No. 3 Walsh power press was run by a 3 1/2-horsepower Western Electric motor. Aluminum souvenirs were stamped out on a motor-driven punch press. An interesting machine was a Grant spring riveter driven by a one-half-horsepower vertical motor. With this machine rivet heads are turned instead of being hammered. W. J. McDowell was in charge of the exhibit.
Erwin & Co., who are making a specialty of designing and building up-to-date types of electrically driven pumping machinery for all purposes, had a fine exhibit, consisting of modern methods of water supply in buildings and homes, operated and controlled automatically by electricity. Four types of electric pumps were shown in operation. A unique method shown was that of supplying water to buildings without the roof tank. This outfit is controlled by a special switch recently patented by the company. Another serviceable outfit is the electric seepage ejector. Other pumping outfits controlled by float switches were shown. The company also showed its method of mounting and belting a small triplex pump for use in residences to elevate cistern water. The pump is belted to a direct-current motor.
PRIMARY BATTERIES.
The Nungesser Electric Battery Company had as an attraction a very large model of the two dry battery. A large line of these popular batteries, for telephone- use, was shown, also the No. 6 special Rapid Fire battery for engine ignition. H. S. Greene and J. G. Gordon were in charge of the exhibit. The Excelsior Supply Company of Chicago has added a line of electrical supplies to its automobile supply business. Among other things, this company exhibited the line of telephone batteries manufactured by the Stackpole Battery Company of St. Marys, Pa. Kingston spark coils of Kokomo Electric Company and the Komet magneto of the Dow Portable Electric Company of Braintree, Mass., were also shown. F. J. Alvin, E. W. Dolliver and L. L. Halle represented the company.
SPECIALTIES, TOOLS AND NOVELTIES.
The J. Lang Electrical Company showed a line of switches, regulators, etc.
Matthias Klein & Sons of Chicago exhibited a large line of linemen's, wiremen's and construction tools of all kinds. Considerable interest was shown by electrical men in the exhibit of A. Grothwell of San Francisco and New York. The Mogul brand of insulating paints, compounds, etc., was shown, together with Mogul armature varnish, and the like.
The Spalding-Bates Company of Chicago made a hit at the show with the Bates electric bulb cleaner and adjuster. With this device incandescent bulbs at any height can be reached from the floor and at any angle for removal, adjustment or cleaning, doing away with the inconvenience of a ladder. Manager F. W. Nind demonstrated the use of the handy device.
W. N. Matthews & Bro., St. Louis, exhibited, among other things, guy anchors, cable clamps, cable rollers, cable-splicing joints and sleeves, jack boxes and pugs, sleet cutters, lamp guards, etc. Many new money-saving attachments and devices were shown. Among the company's representatives present were W. N. Matthews, James R. Kearney, 0. R. Johann and G. J. Geselschap.
The Electrical Manufacturing Company of Oshkosh, Wis., exhibited a high-potential cut-out which is very serviceable. It is simple and uses no current, being constructed so as to open automatically whenever a foreign current of higher voltage than that intended enters a building, thereby protecting life and preventing fire. W. F. Meter, W. L. Rideout and W. G. Maxey were in attendance.
The Beckley-Ralston Company of Chicago showed a line of ignition apparatus and electrical and motor supplies. This company manufactures the Maximus timers and is the distributer of Pfanstiehl jump-spark coils and all standard lines of spark plugs, coils, timers, batteries, cable and accessories for jump-spark ignition. Batteries, battery connectors, cables, current indicators, etc., were also shown.
An attraction in the booth of the Joseph Dixon Crucible Company was the new graphite motor brush, which is meeting favor on account of perfect lubrication and freedom of wear on commutator. The company also showed a large line of graphite lubricants, crucibles, etc. Resistance rods were also shown, the company furnishing these in any size and resistance. F. R. Brandon and B. B. Worley entertained visitors.
Aside from a large display of electrical novelties the American Electrical Novelty and Manufacturing Company showed a large line of Ever Ready dry batteries and other supplies. A large electric clock, which is said to run one year without attention, was shown. Some novel flashlight applications were exhibited. Those in attendance were O. C. Igney, A. E. Barlow, E. R. Behrend, Paul Raniers, Edward Weed and R. E. Bain.
Dr. George W. Haverstick of St. Louis exhibited his "ocean breeze" fan by which the air in a room is washed, cooled and revitalized. An ordinary fan motor operates two fans, one at each end of a cylinder and connected by a small shaft. The cylinder is filled with a spray of water from a hydrant, and tubes in the cylinder are partly filled with water containing sea salt. Air is forced through the spray. Temperatures of 100 degrees in a room are said to have been reduced to pa degrees with the fan.
The Monarch Electric and Wire Company had an attractive exhibit in its centrally located space. A striking novelty was the "Jupiter" photographic lamp, designed for flashlights as well as for time exposures. A reflector is lit up by incandescent lamps for focusing purposes. A double arc in the center is provided with highly actinic carbons. The "flash" is produced by short-circuiting the carbons for one-thirtieth second. The current consumption of this lamp is said to be only one-third that usually required for time-exposure lamps. This lamp was but one of a large collection of imported arc lamps, including not only Siemens and Nuremberg flaming arcs, but also the dwarf-like "Lilliput" and the. "Radiant" arcs for indoor lighting. The latter is a very steady burning lamp producing an exceptionally white light. The company also showed a large line of wires and cables of its own manufacture, and an extensive line of electrical supplies, including among others a display of the National India Rubber Company's rubber-covered wires, cables and chords. The Monarch Company was represented by Messrs. L. Schwab, president, and H. Schwab, Max Austrich, E. W. Kearns, H. E. Mason, A. D. Gillespie and G. Morgan Hall.
STORAGE BATTERIES.
The exhibit of the Vivax Storage Battery Company consisted principally of a line of storage batteries for electric vehicles.
In the large exhibit of storage-battery material shown by the Electric Storage Battery Company, Philadelphia, were a G-51 Chloride accumulator element ill a tank of that size, having a capacity of 4,000 ampere-hours, the type of plate used for railway lighting and telephone work; an F-21 Chloride accumulator element in tank and an F-I5 Chloride accumulator element in glass jar. These F types are used for small lighting and telephone plants. For railway work there was shown a two-compartment 11-ECS car-lighting tank, a 13-EP element and a smaller battery of the Exide type for signal service, also the special to-volt battery made up for the Missouri Pacific, of a portable type, and the 7-S jar used as a special by the Harriman Lines. For electric-vehicle work there were exhibited Exide batteries, both for propulsion and sparking. The exhibit was in charge of Godfrey H. Atkin, manager of the Chicago office, assisted by J. M. S. Waring, district engineer, and Messrs. Bauer, Marshall and Rath.
SUPPLIES.
The Geen Electric Supply Company of Chicago had a large exhibit of interesting electrical novelties. Besides it showed a line of "Superior" dry cells and quite a complete line of general electrical supplies.
A very complete line of electrical supplies and appliances was shown by the Electric Appliance Company. Sangamo alternating-current and direct-current meters of the house and switchboard type were exhibited; also a full line of Whitney instruments, including voltmeters, ammeters and wattmeters. There were telephone specialties and Faraday bells for all purposes, from the plain shell type to the waterproof type for mine use. The display also included Packard transformers, Paranite wires and cables, Packard, tungsten and other lamps. etc. P. R. Boole and F. J. Alderson were in charge of the exhibit.
Frank W. Pardee. general sales agent, had a large and varied exhibit, representing a number of well-known companies. The Rock Island Battery Company's dry cells for telephones, gas and gasoline engines and automobiles were shown. There was a display of wire made by the Wire and Telephone Company of America, Rome, N. Y., and a line of standard porcelains of all kinds and special pieces from the Peru Electric Manufacturing Company of Peru, Ind. Special high-tension insulators of the Electros [sic] Electrose Manufacturing Company, Brooklyn. N. Y., were shown in capacities up to 98,000 volts; also receiver shells and mouthpieces.
M. B. Austen & Co. had an attractive exhibit of supplies, including a line of Safety submarine and underground cable made by the Safety Insulated Wire and Cable Company; bare and insulated wire from the Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing, Company; Stirling flexible steel conduit and armored conductors, made by the Stirling Conduit Company of Pittsburg; Thomas & Betts' line of conduit fittings; Gillette-Vibber specialties, and the tungsten lamps of the General Incandescent Lamp Company. Among those in attendance were A. H. Friend, J. P. Gillette, R. J. Thorne, A. Meineman and Harry C. Rice, the last-named vice-president of the General Incandescent Lamp Company.
The well-known Okonite sign of the Central Electric Company, Chicago, was to be seen from every part of the Coliseum. In attendance at the company's booth were F. R. Bryant, sales manager; Allen S. Pearl, J. M. Lorenz, D. M. Ayers, R. K. Fast, H. R. Miller and A. L. Hancock. The company's space was, for the most part, given over to the display of Okonite wires and cables, D. & W. enclosed fuses, Deltabeston magnet, wire and Columbia incandescent lamps, for all of which the company acts as sales agent. The Okonite display included a pyramid of coils of different styles and sizes of Okonite wires, also the famous Okonite rubber biscuit, showing crude Para rubber compound of which Okonite insulation is composed. The display of Okonite submarine cable was a notable feature, the company showing a piece of cable that had been caught and twisted in the screw propeller of a tugboat in New York harbor without destroying its usefulness. The D. & W. fuse display included two sample boards of D. & W. fuses and boxes, also samples of Deltabeston magnet wire, the Deltabeston wire being heated red hot, with a like amount of cotton-covered magnet wire, to show that the asbestos insulation would withstand the heat. whereas the cotton insulation was destroyed. 'The Columbia incandescent-lamp exhibit included two cases of lamps, showing all the different types and also the process of manufacture. Considerable prominence was given to the display of tungsten and tantalum lamps. Flame arcs and other supplies were also shown.
TELEPHONES AND TELEGRAPHS.
Frank B. Cook exhibited an attractive line of his well-known protectors and telephone accessories.
The Monarch Telephone Manufacturing Company showed a line of telephones, switchboards and appliances.
The American Electric Telephone Company had a complete exhibit which was a center of interest for the Independent telephone men.
The well-known line of telephones and appliances of the Swedish American Telephone Company occupied a large space in the annex.
The Stromberg-Carlson Telephone Manufacturing Company had a large exhibit and a large force of attendants was on hand to take care of visitors.
The S. H. Couch Company, Boston, demonstrated its intercommunicating telephone systems. This company has installed intercommunicating systems with as many as 70 stations.
A receiver holder for attachment to a telephone transmitter was exhibited by the Staats Manufacturing Company. It holds the receiver to the ear, allowing the use of both hands.
In the large exhibit of the Dean Electric Company of Elyria, Ohio, was shown the company's large line of switchboards, telephones and appliances.
Many new devices recently brought out were exhibited.
A complete multiple section of its ballast common-battery switchboard was shown in operation by the Vote-Berger Company of La Crosse, Wis., with ringing machines. power board, charging machines and storage batteries.
In the booth of the International Telephone Manufacturing Company the loud-speaking telephone was exhibited in operation, transmitting music through an International transmitter from the grand opera at the International Theater about five blocks distant. Henry Shafer was in charge.
The American Automatic Telephone Company, Rochester, N. Y., exhibited a full-sized automatic exchange and a complete line of telephones of the company's make, as well as harmonic bells and a section of an automatic switchboard frame of 5,000 lines.
The American Electric Fuse Company of Muskegon, Mich., made a specialty of small iron-frame distribution racks adaptable to small telephone-exchange work and toll stations; improved junction boxes, Merico soldering paste ana the like. George W. Rodornier, Frank J. Jones and J. A. Kearny were present.
The Stolz Electrophone Company had on exhibition a line of its electrophones, which are miniature loud-speaking telephones, to be carried and used by those with defective hearing. There is a transmitter and ear piece. The transmitter carries the batteries, the whole weighing 12 ounces, and fits into the vest pocket. The transmitter is of globular carbon, and by varying the amount of globules in the electrode, "electrophones" of various tones result. The device reflects and transmits sounds on a compensating principle, intensifying the softer sounds and modulating the louder vibrations. It is for ordinary conversation or for church and theater use.
The exhibition of the Western Electric Company was divided into two parts, the telephone exhibit and the supply and apparatus exhibit, the latter described elsewhere. In the telephone exhibit was displayed a full line of magneto and common-battery switchboards as well as all kinds of telephones, including local and common-battery and intercommunicating sets. A self-restoring dropboard was connected up and in full operation. In addition a full line of standard construction material was shown, also a full line of cable terminals. Showcases were located in different parts of the exhibit filled with all parts which go to make up standard Western Electric Company switchboards and subscriber sets and which show the high grade of workmanship and material which is used in the apparatus. This exhibit was most complete and demonstrated the high art attained in telephone manufacture.
A printing telegraph was shown by F. D. Pearne, Chicago. It was arranged to operate simplex or duplex over a single line. The transmitting mechanism had a typewriter keyboard. A small motor running continuously was intermittently connected to a shaft by an electromagnetic clutch. By means of this each key transmitted over the line some combination of three distinct impulses that operated a rapid electric typewriter at the receiving end. Each station is provided with a transmitting and receiving printing machine. When operating simplex the latter makes a duplicate of the message. The printing machines at each station are operated by a local storage battery, the control impulses only being sent over the line. A simple selective system was shown that enables the operator to control the stations to which he wishes the message sent and that also enables him to ascertain positively who sent any to him.
The Automatic Electric Company's exhibit was extensively visited and consisted of a "cross-section" of an automatic telephone system, the exhibit comprising a working section of two interconnecting common-battery automatic exchanges of the zoo,000 system. The exchanges were designated "B" and "K," respectively. The "B" exchange section consisted of a standard 100-line unit and a board of trunking switches. The "K" exchange section was a regular party-line unit accommodating too party lines, or 400 telephones and trunking switches, as in exchange "B." Twelve telephones were connected to the exhibit and calls were made through the boards precisely the same as in the largest working exchange. A toll board, wire chief's desk and private-branch exchange were connected to exchange "B" and operated in conjunction with it. The harmonic converter in exchange "K" supplied the four-frequency currents for ringing the party-line telephones. One of the frequencies was also used for straight line ringing. In addition to ringing, the harmonic converter also furnishes the busy signal. In the party-line board four telephones are connected to one line and two to another. The two-position wire chiefs desk exhibited is designed to be used in a 5,000-line exchange now being built.
WIRES: FUSES AND WIRING DEVICES.
A modern line of conduit outlet boxes and fitting, known as "wirelets,” was exhibited by the Appleton Electric Company, Chicago. A line of universal "wirelets” was also shown.
In an attractive booth the Simplex Electrical Company exhibited a fine selection from its large line of insulated wires and cables. H. R. Hixson, J. G. Brobeck and J. N. Macalister were present to receive visitors.
The line of Monnot copper-clad products exhibited by the Duplex Metals Company attracted the attention of electrical men. This product, consisting of sheets and wire, has a mechanically welded surface of copper on steel. It is used for telegraph, telephone and transmission purposes.
The Chicago Fuse Wire and Manufacturing Company displayed Union enclosed fuses. Union enclosed fuse blocks, Union switch boxes, Union outlet conduit boxes and covers, and fuse wire and fuse links. Arthur S. Merrill and Clarence T. McDonald were in charge. W. W. Merrill made frequent visits.
A full line of Harter clusters, five kinds, either multiple or series, was displayed by the Harter Electric Company. The clusters are made of opal glass on copper contacts. A cluster with four 40-watt 50-candlepower tungsten lamps using an opal shade was shown. This type is said to be replacing arc lamps. G. A. Harter was present much of the time.
The American Steel and Wire Company exhibited a large and complete line of rail bonds and railway appliances, lead-covered cables, bare and covered wire of all kinds, round and flat wire, springs and forms. A large display board showed 60-odd shapes of drawn copper and steel. C. R. Sturdevant of Worcester. Mass., and B. H. Ryder, A. F. Merriman and R. C. Molder were in attendance.
The new type B knife switch in the exhibit of Albert and J. M. Anderson Manufacturing Company of Boston attracted attention because of its flexibility.
The fuse can be placed either above or below the switch, as convenient. The Anderson time switch is proving a reliable device for automatic control of window, sign and street lighting. A large line of Aetna railway insulators was shown and also Anderson line material, including the Anderson third-rail bracket. Visitors were taken care of by William W. Hincher, manager Chicago office.
The exhibit of the Benjamin Electric Manufacturing Company contained up-to-date lighting specialties, including the new Benjamin wireless cluster for multiple interior service. This device consists of two principal parts, separably connected; making it possible to attach or remove the body portion, in other words, the finished part, without disturbing wiring connections. The new Benjamin attachment plug with rotating sleeve has advantages for use with portable lamps, flat irons, heaters, fans, etc. The rotating sleeve makes it possible to attach the plug without turning the device, and thus avoiding the twisting of the cord. Another new device was the Benjamin current tap, which has a rotating sleeve which makes it unnecessary to turn the device in order to attach to socket. It can be fixed in any position and the cord can be led out at any angle. Benjamin lamp guards, hand portables and cluster guards were also shown. A. N. Fox, manager of the publicity department, and G. Knott and H. Watson were in attendance at the exhibit.
Miscellaneous.
C. F. Birtman exhibited a number of static ma-chines and other electrical devices and gave demonstrations for the medical profession.
A large line of dials, metal signs, name plates and metal ornaments was exhibited by the Haeusermann Metal Manufacturing Company. Harry A. Ford, western representative, was in charge.
A handsome though small exhibit was that of the Chas. W. Shonk Company, in charge of Sales Manager A. H. Cassidy. This company presented name-plate designs manufactured by special etching process.
The Electric City Publishing Company printed an excellent daily edition of the Edison organ in a booth at the show. The cylinder press, paper cutter, folder, binder and other machinery were all operated by motors.
The American Decorating Company, composed of Messrs. E. Kraemer and C. I. Wilson, had an exhibit at the show. This company made the papier-mâché electroliers used in the decorative lighting of the Coliseum for the show and furnished some plastic relief forms. It exhibited display forms and ornamental work.
In the booth of the Thordarson Electric Manufacturing Company was laboratory and lecture demonstration apparatus, which has become well known. A new feature was a line of ignition coils for gas and gasoline engines. These are entirely encased in metal, making a rugged construction, impervious. to moisture and dirt. Being built on the transformer principle, they are said to be highly efficient. The coils shown were of the jump spark and also make-and-break types. They are built in single units and in sets for two, four or six-cylinder engines. Aside from these exhibits were the display of artificial lightning and the production of ozone; the apparatus for these working demonstrations was installed in the west balcony and is described in another column. All the exhibits were in direct charge of C. H. Thordarson.
The Crane Company showed a line of cast-steel valves and fittings for superheated steam having pure nickel seats and nickel-steel stems. Automatic emergency valves, steam traps, expansion joints electrical feature of the exhibit was a gate valve operated by a motor attached directly to the stern. The motor is stopped automatically when the opening or closing movement is completed, the switch requiring no attention after it is thrown into the open or closed position. The motor seats the valve tightly, making it unnecessary to use the hand wheel. The exhibit was in charge of J. A. Minwegen.
OUT-OF-TOWN VISITORS.
The following named are among the visitors at the show from out of town, who registered at the booth of the Western Electrician up to January 22d:
Arkansas.—F. E. Leonard, superintendent Wynne Light and Water Works, Wynne.
Connecticut.—J. P. Gillette, Gillette-Vibber Company, New London.
Illinois.—R. C. Allan, Morris; A. J. Authenrieth, chief engineer Mattoon Heat, Light and Power Company and Central Illinois Traction Company, Mattoon; Frank Bacon, Chillicothe, Jacob Bunn, Sangamo Electric Company, Springfield; Wm. J. Catlin, superintendent Electric Light and Water Works, Glen Ellyn; P. E. Cowles, Lee County Lighting Company, Dixon; Edward Curry, Economy Light and Power Company, Joliet; Clarence Denman, electrician, Paxton; F. H. Earl, Plano; D. C. Fleming, International Harvester Company, Canton; Paul Hollister, West Chicago; John E. Haenig, Haenig Electric Company, Springfield: V. H. James. Harvey; G. F. Kaiser, Oregon; V. V. Kennedy, electrician, Earlville; R. C. Lanphier, Sangamo Electric Company, Springfield; Theo. Mueller, Moline; F.. D. Smith, Galesburg; L. S. Snow, St. Charles; Joseph Steiner, Pekin Light, Heat and Power Company, Pekin; John D. Schwimmer, city electrician, Paxton; John H. Shull, city electrician, Galesburg; Hubert Sumpter, Farmers' Telephone Exchange, Colchester; N. M. Snyder, electrician. Kankakee; G. F. Schreiber, electricial engineer, Chicago Heights; L. B. Sigmart, Galesburg; Geo. S. Tinker, electrician, Highland Park; W. J. Zellar.
Indiana.—F. W. Bayer, Chicago Mica Company, Valparaiso; W. B. Brown, Bluffton; L. F. Bixenman, Lowell; Charles G. Burton, manager Peru Electric Manufacturing Company, Peru; Arthur E. Case, United Telephone Company, Hartford City; F. L. Dennis, Indian [sic] Indiana and Michigan Electric Company, South Bend; Frank E. C. Hawks, Hawks Electric Company, Goshen; F. E. Hannon, Indiana Harbor; E. H. Heilstedt, Chicago Mica Company, Valparaiso; Fred Leslie, superintendent Muncie Electric Light Company, Muncie; H. D. McVay, sales engineer, Sterling Electric Company, Lafayette; R. B. Montgomery, Western Electric Company, Indianapolis; G. C. Scott, superintendent Water and Light Department, Garrett; O. L. Shore, superintendent Municipal Electric Light and Water Plant, Hobart; William H. Sinks, Duncan Electric Manufacturing Company, Lafayette; C. M. Poor, superintendent Clinton Electric Light and Power Company, Clinton; Fred R. Parrett, manager Princeton Telephone Company, Princeton.
Iowa.—H. Askin, superintendent Barnes Electric Light and Power Company, Maquoketa: Geo. E. Bickley, superintendent Corn Belt Telephone Company, Waterloo; W. V. Caughlan, Acme Electrical Supply Company, Ottumwa; W. K. Caughlan, Acme Electrical Supply Company, Ottumwa; J. H. Denkhoff, Interstate Telephone Company, Dyersville; C. L. Emery, manager Mount Vernon Electric Light Company, Mount Vernon; F. L. Fisher, city electrician, Waterloo; A. T. Pentzel, Davenport.
Kentucky.—Walter S. Clark, James Clark, Jr., & Louisville.
Massachusetts.—E. M. Beane, electrical department Waltham Gas Light Company, Waltham; C. B. Osgood, Thomson Electric Welding Company, Boston; Chauncey L. Hight, Boston; Kurt R. Sternberg, E. E., general manager Dickinson Manufacturing Company, Springfield; G. H. Stickney, General Electric Company, West Lynn.
Michigan. —John A. Cavanaugh, superintendent light department, Benton Harbor-St. Joe Railway and Light Company, Benton Harbor; L. O. Corell, Kalamazoo; H. F. Holds, manager Battle Creek Electric Company, Battle Creek; A. H. Kline, Detroit; J. H. McPherson, Commercial Supply Company, Detroit; Geo. C. Milham, superintendent Municipal Lighting Plant, Kalamazoo; Jules Panigot, Rathhone & Panigot Company, Grand Rapids; R. H. Rice, Central Electric Company, Niles.
Minnesota.—J. W. Barber, Spring Valley; E. F. Strong, superintendent City Light and Power, Chaska.
Missouri.—T. L. Dunlap, Monarch Telephone Manufacturing Company, Springfield; L. R. Miller, Kansas City; Thomas T. Richards, Wagner Electric Manufacturing Company, St. Louis; T. C. White, St. Louis.
Nebraska.—D. B. Huff, manager Greeley County Telephone Company, Greeley.
New York.—George W. Armstrong, Excello Arc Lamp Company, New York; Charles Blizard, Electric Storage Battery Company, New York; Frank W. Eastman, Stanley & Patterson, New York; J. S. G. Edwards, president Glen Telephone Company, Johnstown; H. W. Fowler, Excello Arc Lamp Company, New York; F. A. Frasse, Brooklyn Edison Company, Brooklyn; Geo. F. Parker, manager Electrical Show, New York; A. H. Patterson, vice-president Phoenix Glass Company, New York.
Ohio.—W. S. Berry, manager Western Electric Company, Cincinnati; J. Robert Crouse, Co-operative Electrical Development Association, Cleveland; Arthur W. Freund, National Electric Lamp Association, Cleveland; N. C. Cotabish, National Carbon Company, Cleveland; O. A. Foote, Foote-Howard Company. Cleveland; J. C. Fish, president National Electric Lamp Association, Shelby; Emil Grab, Toledo; Milton Hartman, Buckeye Electric Company, Cleveland; B. C. Kramer, Toledo Electric Company, Toledo; C. A. Kuehn, Kuehn Electric Company, Canton; George Loring, National Electric Lamp Association, Cleveland; Myer A. Loeb, general manager Rock Island Battery Company, Cincinnati; H. L. Meade, Urbana; C. H. Maher, general manager Toledo Electric Company, Toledo; J. Alex. Navarre, F. Bissell Company, Toledo; Paul E. Norris, National Electric Lamp Association, Cleveland; Adelbert V. Ward, National Carbon Company, Cleveland; C. W. Wilkens, National Carbon Company, Cleveland; C. E. Yost, Toledo Electric Company, Toledo.
Pennsylvania.—R. K. Mickey, president Novelty Incandescent Lamp Company. Emporium.
South Dakota.—H. F. Brown, Menno Rural Telephone Company, Menno.
Tennessee.—M. W. Younkin, superintendent City Water and Light Plant, Paris.
Utah.—W. E. Anderson, Telluride Power Company, Niagara Falls and Provo.
Wisconsin.—W. C. Davis, general manager Walworth Telephone Exchange Company, Walworth; C. I. Danielson, manager Electric and Water Company, Grand Rapids; Edward A. Golden, chief electrician, Menominee and Marinette Light and Traction Company, Marinette; Daniel W. Mead, consulting engineer, Madison; Roy Redding, Platteville; C. P. Sylvester, electrician, Boscohel; W. H. Smale, superintendent Marathon County Telephone Company. Wausau; Will Van Middlesworth, manager Citizens' Telephone Company, Racine.
Canada.—C. H. Abbott, James Stuart Electric Company, Winnipeg, Man.
