There is now no longer any use for chimneys on electrically equipped
houses, for the fires have been eliminated and all heat and light drawn
from the electric street mains. A description of one of these houses
is most interesting as showing what really can be accomplished by this
wonderful source of power.

Before the visitor to such a house reaches the gate or front door his
approach is made known by an annunciator in the hall, which is connected
with a hidden plate in the entrance path, which when pressed by the
feet of the visitor charges the wire of the annunciator. A voice comes
through the horn of a phonograph asking him what he wishes and telling
him to reply through the telephone which hangs at the side of the door.
When he has made his wants known, if he is welcome or desired, there
is a click and the door opens. As he enters an electrically operated
door mat cleans his shoes and if he is aware of the equipments of the
house, he can have his clothes brushed by an automatic brush attached
to the hat-rack in the hall. An escalator or endless stairway brings
him to the first floor where he is met by the host who conducts him
to the den sacred to himself. If he wishes a preprandial cigar, the
host touches a segment of the wall, apparently no different in
appearance from the surrounding surface, and a complete cigar outfit
shoots out to within reach of the guest. When the gong announces dinner
he is conducted to the dining hall where probably the uses to which
electricity can be put are better exemplified than in any other part
of the house. Between this room and the kitchen there is a perfect
electric understanding. The apartments are so arranged that electric
dumbwaiter service is operated between the centre of the dining table
itself and the serving table in the kitchen. The latter is equipped
with an electric range provided with electrically heated ovens,