The main building is a substantial brick structure having ground lines 200 x 75 feet, and is two stories high above the basement. The engine-room is 112 x 42 feet, and the boiler-house is 150 x 46 feet.

In

The machinery-room embraces all of the main floor, one mammoth room without partitions, and being abundantly supplied with windows on its four sides it is particularly well lighted. Four compound condensing engines furnish a total steam power of 2,500 horse-power. way of dynamos, generators and apparatus generally which enter into successful operating, no electric plant is better equipped. New machinery and appliances are constantly being added, and one of the late additions is a mammoth switchboard of blue Vermont marble. This is of recent design, and standing, as it does, in the centre of the great room, it makes an attractive as well as useful centrepiece to an interesting whole.

More than 150 miles of wire are in use in and about the city; the lines are extended as fast as the needs require, and the capacity of the plant is being correspondingly increased. Improvements in methods. or apparatus are quickly adopted, and, perceiving the trend of the times, the company has been gradually preparing to place much of its wire under ground, particularly in the business districts.

The Worcester Electric Light Company is a Worcester enterprise, owned and controlled by Worcester men, who, also having other large interests in the place, naturally have the city's welfare at heart. Its affairs are ably conducted, its policy is liberal and progressive, the service is uniformly good, and in matters of electric lighting and power the city is well provided.

The officers of the company are, and from the start have been: Thomas M. Rogers, President; Herbert H. Fairbanks, Treasurer and Secretary; William H. Coughlin, Superintendent: Thomas M. Rogers, Stephen Salisbury, Theodore C. Bates, Loring Coes, A. B. R. Sprague, Josiah Pickett, N. S. Liscomb, Alzirus Brown, Directors.

WORCESTER BOARD OF TRADE.

T

HE origin of the movement to form the present Board of Trade in Worcester was the issuing of a circular calling a meeting of the business men of the city at the Bay State House on December 15, 1873, and in response a large number gathered at that time. Among those present and participating were: Honorable Edward L. Davis (then mayor-elect), Lewis Barnard, George T. Rice, A. D. Warren, Major O. L. Hatch, Sumner Pratt, L. H. Wells, J. A. Knowlton, E. H. Knowlton, T. W. Wellington, C. B. Pratt, G. Henry Whitcomb, Jerome Wheelock and Jerome Marble.

A. D. Warren called the meeting to order; Honorable Edward L. Davis was elected chairman, and E. H. Knowlton, secretary. After considerable discussion, the meeting finally referred the subject of the formation of a board of trade to a committee which was to report at a future meeting. This committee comprised Sumner Pratt, A. D. Warren, J. J. Russ, Charles H. Fitch and Jerome Wheelock. The committee called the next meeting in Washburn Hall January 2, 1874. A still larger number than before were present. Honorable George M. Rice was chosen to preside. The committee reported a full constitution, which was adopted; the preamble of which stated the purposes of the organization:

"To promote the business interests of the city of Worcester and vicinity, and to secure the advantages which the city offers to trade and manufacturers, as well as to cultivate a more intimate and friendly acquaintance among the business men of the city."

It took for a name the Worcester Business Exchange. Stated meetings were to be held the first Mondays in January, March, May, July, September and November. The meeting elected officers as follows: President, P. L. Moen; Vice-Presidents, L. J. Knowles, Lewis Barnard and George T. Rice; Treasurer, Charles B. Whiting; Directors, Sumner Pratt, T. W. Wellington, E. L. Davis, George M. Rice, Jerome Wheelock, A. D. Warren, L. W. Pond, E. T. Marble, Edward Sargent, Edward R. Fiske, Charles H. Fitch, J. H. Walker, John D. Chollar,

CELEBRATION OF THE EXTENSION OF PROVIDENCE STREET AND OPENING OF THE ELECTRIC RAILROAD, AT THE RESIDENCE OF WILLARD F. POND, OCTOBER 11, 1892. FIFTEEN HUNDRED PEOPLE ATTENDED, INCLUDING MANY OF THE MOST PROMINENT CITIZENS AND OFFICIALS.

George L. Newton, John D. Washburn, L. M. Richardson, Mowry Lapham, Addison Palmer, C. M. Smith and Samuel Woodward. The organization secured rooms on Pearl street, which were formally opened March 3, 1874. The occasion was celebrated by a dinner at the Bay State House, at which President Moen presided, and speeches were made by Mayor Edward L. Davis; Honorable George B. Loring, then president of the State Senate; Honorable George F. Verry; Secretary Little of the Providence Board of Trade; President Stevens of the Concord, N. H., Board of Trade; Honorable John D. Washburn; Honorable W. W. Rice, and Honorable Henry Chapin.

In November, 1874, the name of the organization was changed to the Worcester Board of Trade. As such it entertained the Board of Trade of the city of Portland on the occasion of the opening of the Worcester, Nashua & Rochester and the Portland & Rochester railroads.

Sumner Pratt was president of the board the second year of its existence (1875), and L. J. Knowles in 1876 and 1877.

The board took part in the contest for a division of Worcester county in 1875 by sending delegates to the legislative hearing to protest against division. Among various topics discussed at the meetings were: water