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Show Babson Foresees Great Utiiity Expansion The electric utility industry of the United States, far from having reached its apex, is facing a future of broader and more useful expansion, according to Roger Babson, distinguished economist. econ-omist. "There remains a great potential market in the electrification of farms and use of electricity in industry is making great strides," . Mr. Babson says. "Electric power is now readily a-vailable a-vailable in outlying localities, making possible the establishment of industries in country districts where living conditions con-ditions are more attractive. Three-fourths Three-fourths of all the power in industry is 3 l i. on A4- electric and about 60 per cent of this is furnished by central stations. At the ffresent rate of motorization of factories, fac-tories, this proportion will be markedly increased in the next 10 years. The more general use of electric devices and labor-saving devices continues to grow "The most important thing necessary neces-sary to the future success of the electric elec-tric light and power industry, and for all other public utilities, is a friendly attitude on the part of the public. The physical equipment and the potential po-tential market for its services, great as they are, would be of little avail il the public were hostile "Political propaganda against electric elec-tric power and light interest does not have much to feed on when the industry indus-try can point to constant lowering of service rates to consumers. In the nast six or seven years rate cuts in the United States by electric companies have totaled more than $500,000,000. Electric service is one of the very few items in the cost of living that is lower than it was before the war." |