Some power transmission economics

In designing power transmission systems, it is always well to bear in mind that the ultimate development of the art and of the country has not yet been reached. In the early days of railroading, the roads and equipment were not of the present trunk-line standard. Light rails, engines and cars, and unfenced right-of-way, and unballasted roadway sufficed. To construct at that time up to the present standard would have meant bankruptcy. Even now the manager or engineer who would build his branch lines of the same standard as his trunk lines, would invite a receiver to take charge of the road.