Mr. Daft—­Certainly; and in so doing I prefer to give our results as actually occurring in everyday work; and in this connection let me remind you that in no branch of physics are the purely experimental effects so well calculated to deceive, if not fairly conditioned.  As we have seen, it is claimed on excellent authority that the equivalent of 4,000 candles appeared in an arc by expending 40,000 foot pounds of energy at the generator, but with everyday conditions it is at present idle to expect such efficiency.  Commercially we can give by our own system 3,000 candles for 40,000 foot pounds absorbed; this may be done for an indefinite length of time and leave nothing to be desired on the score of steadiness.  Unfortunately there is no unit of photometric measurement generally recognized in this country, each electrician having so far adopted one to suit his own convenience; but in making the foregoing statement I wish it to be understood that our efficiency would appear still greater if measured by some of the methods now employed.  For our own satisfaction we have endeavored to be at least approximately accurate, at the same time wishing to avoid the affectation of extreme precision, such, for example, as adding twenty or thirty candles to measurements of so many thousands, and we are satisfied that the most critical expert tests will prove our claim to be within the mark.  The limit of subdivision is only reached when the difficulty of further increasing the electromotive force of the machines, involving great care in insulation and a host of other troubles arising, so to speak, at very high pressure, is balanced by the objections to working in multiple arc; this appears to occur now at something below 40 lights, but will in all probability be greatly extended within a short time.  The machines are so constructed that the local currents, usually productive of dangerous heating, are turned to useful account, so that the point where radiation exceeds production is soon reached, and provided the machines are not speeded beyond the proper limit, they may be run continuously without the slightest indication of lost vitality.  I need scarcely remind you that this is a most important feature, and by no means a common one.

The lamps used in our system I believe to be the simplest known form of regulator; indeed it seems scarcely possible that anything less complicated could perform the necessary work; as a matter of fact we may confidently assert that it cannot be made less liable to derangement.  It has frequently been placed on circuit by persons totally inexperienced in such matters, and still has yielded results which we are quite willing to quote at any time.