Word: beamishly
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There were four others, but because of his journalistic past and his beribboned spectacles and his imposing paunch, Mr. Beamish received most attention from the press. For six months he proceeded to put Pennsylvania utilities, in his own phrase, "through the wringer." The rates of Philadelphia Electric Co., for example, were lowered so as to reduce its revenue more than $3,000,000 a year. And last week he was feeling especially satisfied, for in a wild scene that would not have been out of place in a comic opera, he had at last succeeded in humiliating his old antipathy...
...going, but to justify including the cost of its rental in the rate base, a company official testified a few weeks ago that in an emergency it could turn out power on an hour's notice. "We waited until they had committed themselves fully," said Mr. Beamish smugly, "then we sprang the trap...
...afternoon last week three Utility Commission engineers and a lawyer, John C. Kelley, rapped at the door of the Allentown plant. Mr. Kelley presented the superintendent, a Pennsylvania Dutchman named Fenstermacher, with a formal notice from Mr. Beamish. Superintendent Fenstermacher gave a guttural gasp. The notice read: "I assume that a theoretical breakdown of considerable magnitude has taken place. ..." With Allentown plunged into theoretical darkness, demand was made that the plant produce power immediately. There were only five men in the plant and the nearest skilled help was 200 miles away in Williamsport. Superintendent Fenstermacher sent a frantic call...
...function. By next day three others had started, but one promptly broke down when an oil line clogged. The fifth, Superintendent Fenstermacher was surprised to discover, turned out only 25 cycle current, which is no longer used. H. A. Gould, one of the Commission's engineers, wired Mr. Beamish: "Plant worked by an emergency crew nearly 100 men and cost terrific." Steam was leaking through dried-up gaskets. Coffee and impromptu sandwiches were served in a room once used for repairing meters but the men felt so sick from oil fumes that they did not feel like eating anything...
...Said Mr. Beamish happily: "This proves the people are paying $500,000 a year for nothing...