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Use of Electricity On Illinois Farms DouMes 



By G. W. BAXTER 

 Director Transportation-Utilities 



\^J^URAL electrification in Illinois 

 *J is going forward more rapidly 

 .J^\. in 1938 than perhaps at any 

 time since this wonderful source of light 

 and energy was discovered. Farmers are 

 no longer willing to accept the incon- 

 veniences of kerosene lamps and lanterns 

 and the old gasoline engine when elec- 

 tricity for light and power can be had. 

 Electricity has been in use for 56 years 

 and still only 28,000 Illinois farms out 

 of a total of some 214,000 or about 13 

 per cent had electric service in 1934. 

 At the beginning of 1938, 51,000 farms 

 were receiving electric service, or about 

 23 per cent. In four years the service 

 has been almost doubled. 



The reason for this rapid increase is 

 three fold, first the Rural Electrification 

 Administration program, secondly, the 

 fnore aggressive development by private 

 utilities as a result of the R.E.A., and 

 third, the intensive educational program 

 to acquaint farm people with the ad- 

 vantages of power and light on the farm. 

 No other improvement will bring more 

 joy and comfort in the farm home than 

 electricity. 



How To Get It 

 How can you get electric service on 

 the farm.' First it is usually necessary 

 to get the cooperation of your neighbors. 

 Discuss it with them and point out the 

 flecessity of group action. Talk it over 

 with your County Farm Adviser and get 

 him interested in your problem. Your 

 County Farm Bureau can give valuable 

 assistance. If you have a public utility 

 in your neighborhood that has a reason- 

 able building program consult their agri- 

 cultural fieldman or district superinten- 

 dent. 



Some utility companies in this State 

 iire developing their territories on an 

 area basis. If you are in the territory 

 ■being served by one of the cooperatives 

 listed below, consult the project super- 

 intendent. These cooperatives have made 

 and are making it possible for farmers 

 to get electricity at a price they can af- 

 ford to pay. Without a fairly low 

 monthly charge, the average farm income 

 will not stand the expense of electrifica- 

 tion. The electrification program of 

 these Cooperatives, when completed, will 

 serve 24,155 customers, extending 7662 

 miles. 



COOPERATIVE PROJECTS — 

 IN ILLINOIS 



j\dams Electric Cooperative, Quincy 



384 miles, 1068 customers. Bids recently 



20 



Showing location of Rural Elec- 

 trification Cooperatives in Illi- 

 nois. Public utility companies 

 have made greatest strides in 

 rural electrihcation in the Nor- 

 thern Illinois counties. 



L A. A. RECORD 



