The Enterprise (Mercedes, Tex.), Vol. 37, No. 2, Ed. 1 Friday, January 7, 1949 Page: 2 of 16
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THE MERCEDES ENTERPRISE FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1949
CPL Power Output Expanded
To Meet Greater Demands In ‘49
out any increase in the price of
electricity. In fact, he said, rates
have actually been reduced since the
war so that electricity today costs
less than it did in any pre-war year.
South Texans used far more electricity in 1948 than ever before, and
Central Power and Light Company was kept busy throughout the year ex-
panding its facilities to keep ahead of the growing demand.
The increased use of electricity
reflects the continuing growth of
the territory served by CPL, Lon C.
Hill, president of the company, ex-
plained. Central Pawer and Light
Company finished the year with a
gain of about- 12,500 customers,
bringing the total served to more
than 145,000. Population growth,
industrial development, farm elec-
trification and commercial activity
all figured in the increase.
The average customer also in-
creased his use of electricity in
1948, applying electric service to do
more work in homes, farms, busi-
ness houses and industrial plants.
Total consumption of electricity by
CPL customers for the year was
about 675 million kilowatt hours,
as compared with less than 591 mil-
lion kilowatt hours in 1947. The
use of electricity in South Texas has
more than doubled since 1942.
Customer use of electricity was
consistently heavy throughout 1948,
with the heaviest sustained demand
coming in the summer months when
cotton ginning,' irrigation pumping,
refrigeration, comfort cooling and
other seasonal requirements were
high. An unusual feature of 1948,
however, was that the yearly peak
load—the highest customer demand
at any one time—came in December
for the first time in the company’s
history. On December 21 the custo-
mer demand upon the CPL system
reached 161,400 kilowatts, an all-
time record. Contributing factors
included unseasonably hot weather,
dryness and Christmas lighting.
In order to meet these ever-in-
creasing customer requirements and
provide a reserve supply of electri-
city for future needs. Central Power
and Light Co. worked throughout
1948 on major additions to its two
largest power plants. A 25,000 kilo-
watt electric generating unit at La
Palma Power Station, San Benito,
and a 33,000 kilowatt generating
unit at Nueces Bay Power Station,
Corpus Christi, were in the process
of being installed. The San Benito
unit was practically complete by the
end of the year and was expected to
be in full service by early February,
1949. The Corpus Christi unit is
scheduled for completion in May,
1949. These two units will increase
Central Power and Light Company’s
power production capacity by 41
per cent before next summer, when
the largest customer use of electri-
city usually occurs. During 1948
engineering work also went forward
on a new power plant at Laredo.
Equipment for the Laredo plant,
which will have an initial capacity
of 33,000 kilowatts, was ordered
late in 1947 and thhe plant is ex-
pected to be in service during 1951.
Although the power plant addi-
tions are an important part of
CPL’s long-range expansion pro-
gram, Hill pointed out that they
accounted for only part of over
eight million dollars which Central
Power and Light Company spent
during 1948 for new facilities to
serve its customers. More than 100
miles of 69,000 volt transmission
line was added to the company’s
system, including the links from Co-
tulla to Artesia Wells, Corpus
Christi to Taft, Beeville to Three
Rivers and Bonnieview to Victoria.
Other high voltage lines in the Cor-
pus Christi and Port Lavaca areas
were nearing completion at the close
of the year. During 1948 CPL also
built numerous new substations, en-
larged and improved distribution
systems, extended lower voltage
lines and -otherwise expanded its
electric system to maintain good
service for more customers through-
South Texas. The company also
ode extensive improvements in its
m facilities, particularly* in the
ower Rio GrandeValley area where
re is a vital factor in the shipment
6 fruits and vegetables by rail and
ruck. Several Valley ice plants
vore increased in capacity, addition-
al ice storage space was provided
and new ice handling equipment in-
stalled at several locations.
Although 1948 was the third full
year of Central Power and Light
Company’s post-war expansion pro-
gram, Hill asserted that it was the
most critical to date from the stand-
point of power supply. With power
equipment unavailable during the
war and deliveries further delayed
by post-war shortages, customer de-
mands increased for a time faster
than new equipment could be pro-
cured to meet them. The result was
a tight power situation during part
of 1948, but the new production *
units now nearing completion are
expected to provide a power reserve
in excess of maximum use during
1949, Hill said.
The eight million dollars spent for
expansion in 1948, added to more
than nine million spent in 1947 and
five million in 1946, brings the total
to 22 million dollars for the first
three post-war years. Although the
cost of materials, labor and practic-
ally everything else involved in do-
ing business has gone up sharply,
Hill pointed out that the expansion
to date has been accomplished with-
Open House Event
Is Enjoyable One
An open house event on Christ-
mas Eve was held by Mr. and Mrs.
James Carlton McQueen in the home
of T. W. McQueen, father, where
the visitors, from Corpus Christi,
spent the holidays. With them was
their little daughter.
A lovely table with a Christmas
scene in the center, greeted the
guests. Eggnog, fruit cake, open
face sandwiches and mixed nuts
were served.
• Guests included Mrs. Terrell Ben-
nett of Houston, Mr. and Mrs.
Frank Barry of Donna, Mrs. H. E.
Bennett and Mrs. Robert Hatch,
Weslaco, David Campbell, Randolph
Bennett, Bob Schaeffer, Norris Sisk,
Bob Buntrock, Erle Bennett, Phillip
Trousdale, Walter McNeil, Bob
Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Boling
of Donna, Mr. and Mrs. Talbert, Jr.,
of Weslaco, Van W. Wheat, of Pharr,
and Miss Carol -Ashcraft of McAllen.
Veterans News
Veteran-students who acquire de-
pendents or additional dependents
while in training under the GI Bill
should notify Veterans Administra-
tion as soon as possible, so that VA
can determine whether they are el-
igible for increased subsistence pay-
ments.
Notice of change in dependency-
status .should be sent to the VA re-
gional office in which the veteran’s
records are kept. The notice should
be accompanied by legal evidence of
dependents, such as a certified copy
of public record of birth, baptism or
marriage.
Subsistence payments will be in-
creased as of the date legal evi-
dence is received by VA, and will
not be made retroactive to the date
the veteran actually acquired the
dependent.
Monthly subsistence allowances
for veterans studying full-time in
school are $75 for those without de-
pendents, $105 for those with one
dependent, and $120 for those with
more than one dependent.
Subsistence allowances paid by
Veterans Administration to veterans
in educational or on-the-job train-
ing are not considered as income
Your Camping Equipment Needs Are Solved
• New O. D. Comforts_____
• Used Pup Tents With Poles
. 5.75
. 4.75 •
• New G. I. Shelter Tent With Poles and Closed Ends 6.75
• 100% Virgin Wool Army Blanket (used) .—-----4.95
© G. I. Collins Steel Machetes, with sheath_________1.75
• New Hunters’ Caps, red, blue, green-------------1.39
VALLEY SURPLUS SUPPLY STORE
248 S. Texas and 1 Mile West State Hi-way, Weslaco
Special While
They Last...
Gas, Electric
and Butane
HEATERS
From
$5.95 to $24.95
At
Kirk Leonard’s
WESTERN
AUTO
Associate Store
for income-tax purposes, VA re-
ports.
Any income that the veterans may
earn I on part-time jobs while at-
tending educational institutions full-
time, or earn while on-the-job train
ing, is subject to taxation under ex
isting tax laws.
S Any veteran whose eligibility for
GI Bill education runs out after he
completes at least half of a school
semester which is normal in cost
may complete the remainder of the
semester at government expense
VA says.
Mr., Mrs. Bert Lynn
Have Open House
Mr. and Mrs.. Bert Lynn were
hosts for an open house event Satur-
day night, honoring Mr. and Mrs.
George Biferno of Grand Rapids,
Michigan.
Poinsettias were chosen for floral
arrangements. Approximately forty
guests were present.
FREE
LECTURE
ON
CHRISTIAN
SCIENCE
Public Invited
Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Smith enjoyed
a recent visit with their son, Irvin
Smith, formerly of Mercedes, and
Mrs. Smith and children.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Young of
Nashville who have been spending
the holidays with Mr. and Mrs. E.
L. Irons returned to their home last
week. '
RELIEF AT LAST
ForYour COUGH
Creomulsion relieves promptly because
it goes right to the seat of the trouble
to help loosen and expel germ laden
phlegm and aid nature to soothe ana
heal raw, tender, inflamed bronchial
mucous membranes. Tell your druggist
to sell you a bottle of Creomulsion
with the understanding you must like
the way it quickly allays the cough
or you are to have your money back.
CREOMULSION
for Coughs, Chest Colds, Bronchitic
ROBERT S. VAN ATTA, C.S.
Rochester, New York
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
1101 Austin Avenue, McAllen, Texas
Monday, January 1.0, 1949, at 8:00 p.m.
Lecture Entitled: “CHRISTIAN SCIENCE:
CHRIST’S CHRISTIANITY FOR THE
PRESENT AGE”
THE BREWERY BEHIND THE BEER
PREFERRED BY TASTE-WISE TEXANS
77
A TEXAS INSTITUTION BREWING FINE, FULLY-
AGED BEER FOR OVER SIXTY-THREE YEARS
. Things are happening at the Pearl Brewery.
A Here’s a bird’s-eye "preview" of the latest step
s in our growth. This aerial view shows work al-
t ready begun on a substantial program of ex-
pansion to increase the output of PEARL Beer
while, at the same time, maintaining its top
quality, fine flavor, and fully-aged goodness.
For many years the Pearl Brewery has been
operating at full capacity, with its dealers on
a quota basis unable to get all the Pearl Beer
they need to meet constantly increasing de-
mands. The current enlargement program
will increase our facilities 65% and enable us,
- by next Spring, to provide dealers with all the
beer they need, and possibly to serve parts of
Texas which here-to-fore have not been served.
Always known as one of the South’s BIG
breweries, ours will be the South’s BIGGEST
Brewery when this program is completed.
We’ve been growing for over 62 years —
growing to meet constantly increasing de-
mands for this delicious, golden brew. When
you ask for sparkling PEARL Beer, here’s
evidence that no expense is spared.to bring
you beer at its palate-pleasing best. When
thirst calls, say, “Bottle of PEARL, please!”
886
ONIO BREWING ASS.'
B O TTLE
F
EAF
PLEASE
. 48
TELEPHONE 25
PEARL DISTRIBUTING COMPANY
• HORACE ETCHISON
McALLEN, TEXAS
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The Enterprise (Mercedes, Tex.), Vol. 37, No. 2, Ed. 1 Friday, January 7, 1949, newspaper, January 7, 1949; Mercedes, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1631934/m1/2/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Library.