New Britain Herald Newspaper, March 1, 1920, Page 10

HERZ ONDAY, MARGH. ;=19 20 DEKATH) MUINUA L, MAINCIL 1, 19av. Electric Luxury At Little Cost “Service-Charge’’ Rate, Mrs. Housewife, Enables You to Have Lots of Light and Use Labor Saving Devices with Great Economy To the woman who is grappling with the servant problem, as well as to the woman who does her own housework, the new electric rates, with the very low charge per kilowatt hour for current used, is a godsend. Housework is hard enough at the best. but it can be robbed of its most trying fea- tures, and the housewife can have time and strength for her social diversions and other interests, if she is given the benefit of such labor saving devices as the electric washing machine, the electric iron, the electric vacuum cleaner, the electric sewing machine motor. Then there are such health-giving devices as the electric vibrator and warming pad, and such handy toilet helps as the electric hair drier and the electric curling iron. A woman should have these present-day necessities. They mean so much to her in comfort and phvsical well-being, and their advantages are sure to be reflected in the greater cheerfulness and satisfaction of th= entire household. And what would have been in a sense a luxury under the former electric rate is put within the reach of everybody now that the charge for current has been reduced to abont half what it was before. It’s a mistake to think that the Service-Charge plan makes a general increase in the electric rates. Not at all. It means a larger payment for those who are satisfied with the possibility of using electric service, without actually using it. They pay the com- pany for the expense it goes to in order that they may turn on a switch when and where they please. And if they are satisfied to do this occasionally without making adequate vse of the service, they are gettina what they want for the amount they want to smend. It would not be fair for them to ask the real users of electricity to help them pay the cost of this convenience. : ki We do not claim that the new *ate will permanently decrease our receints. More revenue is needed in order that we remain success- fully in business. This we expec* to get. But we want to earn it. Instead of asking all our consumers to pay a higher flat rate for elec- tricitv, we are askine each one to »av his share of the office exnense and ~lant expense of being ready t~ s=rve them (these are the “Con- sumer” and ‘‘Demand’” Charges), ard then we make a charge for cur- rent (the “Energy” Charge). whi-h is only about half that formerly paid. We believe that with the lo-v enerov charge now in effect there will be much oreater use of lichti~¢ and of labor saving annliances, bheraiee now luxurv can be had wit~t luxirious expenditure. Since we must keep cur electic sunply and service un to the hi~hest notch to meet possible re~ivaments, whether us=d or not vnrn ran see that if the service is u-~1 adequately we shall be able to oh+~ir increased revenne even wit™ tha low enerov charge. And you will bhavea the hanafit of a ~reater e’ -tric services which yor need and b -1d bave So w2 are aided and you are aided. That's sound bus- Civilization is advancing. Especially here in New, England. Who would want te go back to the tallow dip or the horse car? We should live according to the standard whi-h modern advantages place at our disposal. It is not the small amount of cost of these advantages that should concern us. It is the quest'on: What should we do without them? It was a desire on our par: to bring the use of present-day labor-saving devices within the reach of every home that led to the introduction of the Service-Char~e rate. We could continue old practices and charge a high rate f>r small use of service. Or we can be nroecressive and charge a low ra*= for generous use of electricity. Can there be any question as to th- right method? Now, Mrs. Housewife, don’t l=t anyone confuse your mind as to the real intent of the new electric rates. They are for your advan- tage. There's nothing mysterious or complicated about them. They are so arranged that each consum-r pays a small amount each month toward the electric company’s exp -nse in being ready to serve him at anv moment and to any extent. A~-d then the rate for current is so low that you can use plenty of elec ity for your various household and personal needs at a price so low that you will hardly notice.the outlay. We Suegest That Yon Investizgate Some of These Labor-Saving Electric Appliances. You Will Find That Manv of Them Are Seold on Easy Monthly | yments. You Can Use Them Now Without Feeling Th~t You Are Paying a Part of the Cost of Serving Others Who Make Little The New Rates Are Fair to All To KNOW the ““Service-Charge’ Plan is to APPROVE It THE CONNECTICUT LIGHT and POWER cO. or No Use of Electric Service.