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Since REA was started, private power companies have extended their lines to some 400,000 new customers (compared to some 250,000 signed up with REA). According to Mr. Carmody. private companies have got many of these new customers by throwing up lines overnight to skim the cream from projected REA cooperatives. To anyone who protests the wisdom of REA's expenditures, Mr. Carmody replies: "Did you ever try to darn socks by a kerosene lamp or milk a cow or curry a horse with an oil lantern hanging on a nearby nail?"