Motion Picture Herald (Sep-Oct 1939)

Getting a Better Break on Power CHow an important circuit conducted its successful campaign to cut current charges By L E. POPE OUR EFFORTS at FoX Midwest to lower electric power costs developed out of our checking into various phases of operation to see what could be done in each phase to reduce costs without lowering operating standards. Although this had been done for some time, we decided to check into several items that had not been thoroughly checked previously, and we found our light and power, which is a major item, to have many possibilities in the direction of practical economy. It was necessary in many cases to check rates available with various public service or commerce commissions in each state in which we operate, also to check with the offices of the various light and power companies, in most cases finding a more suitable rate available. We also checked previous bills, not so much for errors in the bill itself, but to give us more accurate statistics so that we could see at a glance where our light and power was costing too much, determining where a saving could most likely be made. We checked the demand charts and other data that had not been available to us before, as charts of this kind are not included with the average billing setup of power companies. We thus had before us a comparison of all consumption and demands on all meters by year and month. Exhibitor Must Take Initiative Most power companies are well organized and have a separate department for each phase of their operation, handled by experts, and no doubt it is their problem to get as much as they can for what they sell. In many cases they hesitate to offer the best rate available, but when various FROM PROJECTION ROOM TO EXECUTIVE'S CHAIR L. E. Pope, purchasing agenf of Fox Midwest Theatres, became a projectionist for the Reid, Yemm & Hays circuit at Duquoin, III., in 1919, while he was still attending high school, hlowever, he left the company in 1924 to study electrical engineering for four years. In 1928, when sound came in, the combination of his theatre experience and electrical training impelled Mr. Pope to return to the show business, and he again became associated with the Reid, Yemm & hiays circuit. In 1929, Fox took over the circuit, and in 1930 Mr. Pope went to St. Louis to handle purchases and sound service. In 1932 he was transferred to Kansas City as purchasing agent, and when, in 1933, Fox Midwest did away with its St. Louis purchasing department, Mr. Pope took over the whole job. In addition to purchasing, he is in charge of all construction, engineering and maintenance. L. E. POPE rates are checked with their offices and with the public commission, and a better rate is found, they do not hesitate to place us on a better rate, stating that any rate that our load consumption will qualify us for is available at all times. But in very few cases do they suggest this change of their own accord. We were able to make reductions in several towns by various methods. Some of them were obtained by combining the light and power on one meter where rates for the combined service would show a saving. By relamping, changing various equipments and purchasing new equipment more suitable for the rate available, we effected great savings in many instances. Occasional Peak Loads In some cases, where we would contact the power company prior to using a much heavier load for a short period of time, they would eliminate the peak demand due to the fact that it was not a common occur ence. As a rule peak demands set a basis for figuring the entire month's bill, and in a few cases they set a basis for figuring the entire year's bill ; thus without the cooperation of the power company, a great penalty is imposed for a slight increase in demand for a very short period of time. Most power companies contend that excess load costs them money, thus making these excessive demand charges just; however, I have found that they are wont to penalize you if you find a means of eliminating the peak loads (which they contend they do not like!), and in some cases have asserted, after eliminating these peaks, that they were losing money and that this additional current consumed is the portion of the load they like best ! By elimination of peak loads I do not mean cutting off the equipment, but operating it from a different source, such as Diesel natural gas, or some other type of engine which has proved to be a source of sav{Continued on page 25) LIGHT AND POWER RECORD 1 CTV ! — STATE THEATRE OPERATING CO. OR CORP. TYPE OF SERVICE VOLTS PHASE CYCLE SERVICE AMPERES ENEGERY METER NO. LIGHT-POWER OR EXIT SERVICE LIGHT 3: POWER CO. OR CORP. TOTAL FUEL OR OTHER , ADJUSTMENTS LAST YEAR AVERAGE NET RATE LAST YEAR AVERAGE LOAD FACTOR LAST YEAR RATE OR CONTRACT NUMBER { CHECKED BY DEMAND METER NO. LIGHT-POWER OR EXIT DEMAND ENGINEER C % METER TOTAL K.W.H. USED BILLING DEMAND ENERGY CHARGE COST OF DEMAND FUEL OR OTHER ADJUSTMENTS FINAL NET AMOUNT NET RATE C % LOAD FACTOR LAST YEAR THIS YEAR LAST YEAR THIS YEAR j MO. DAY LAST YEAR THIS YEAR K.W. Oft Pn.-k K.W, Ob Pe,Tk K.W. Off Pt~k K.W. On PcTk LAST YEAR THIS YEAR OFF I'EAK 1 ON PEAK OFF PEAK ON PEAK LAST YEAR THIS YEAR ;jAN. The Fox Midwest form for comparafive figures on billings. Space for all months are included, with spaces for totals and for monthly averages at bottom. The form is printed in green on buff paper. The actual width is 9 3/16 inches, and the sheet has space at bottom for contract information and remarks. 10 A Section of Motion Picture Herald