The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-10-10
Gas Light. and tho Public.

h.
have been somewhat surprised that in this ex-
tensive city so little gas should be used by shops
and private houses, and that many individuals pre-
fer camphine, which is one OF the most treacherous
and dangerous inmates that can be admitted into
dwelling. place is safe that contains 1t. With
in very short period have witnessed one or two
accidents from It's that might have been attend
ed with the most fatal consequences. Fortunately,
the parties escaped
have made some enquiries into the cause of this
preference, and find there several serious obec-
tons made to gas, by the present consumers them
selves. II is excessively expensive, and many ina:
CINE (of course, erroneousy) that they are charged
for more than they burn.
This country possesses all the requisite and the
best material for making good and cheap gas, whe-
Their il be produced from coal or from rosin. IL
these articles be properly chosen, scientifically de-
composed and made the most OF, more than fifteen
shillngs per thousand feet ought not In conscience
to be charged At this rate the companies, II their
arrangements are economically conducted, may re-
alize handsome dividends. Having been a good
deal engaged in these matters tor the last hive and
thirty years, may be supposed to know something
about them
Doubt about an overcharge could be easily obviat-
| ed. The companies should not make their own me-
| tiers. individuals should never manufacture then
| own machines intended to measure out the article
description of article be purchased either by weight
or by measure, there is always check upon the
vender. In this case, however, no such check ex-
lists in this city; which is wrong.
In Europe, no individual would take the gas of a
company, that made and supplied its own meters,
because he would be aware that he was entirely at
their mercy. From the very nature of a machine
of this sort, the consumer may be plundered i'm
mensely without his knowing it, and without
remedy. have seen many such instances, some
by design, during my long experience.
The two Gas Companies in this city, are, no doubt,
conducted on principles of the strictest honor and
integrity; but parties burning their gas, would
turally feel more confidence, if they could procure
their own meters; ahd had the manufacturer en-
gagged in no other pursuit, responsible Tor their &C
curacy, because little Ccldental deviation in the
water mark, which the consumer has no means Of
detecting, may make difference OF five and TWEEN
ty per cent against him. Companies always take
care as matter OF course, that this mistake never
occurs to their disadvantage, and they should place
themselves in a condition, that no consumer should
have the power to suspect their fidelity towards him
Some few years ago, the large town Of Birming-
ham was divided between two Gas Companies.
Each had its separate portion, as here, and they
both acted in concert as TO prices. The gas was
dear, the lights were bad, and constant complaints
were made in vain. became in consequence ac-
lively instrumental in raising a competitor, called
the Gas Consumers Company. The effect was
magical. The town was soon brilliantly Illuminated
at twenty-five per cent less cost, and the sharehold
ers got larger dividends from increased economy,
A similar competition in this city would produce
the same result and give rise to three times the pre-
sent consumption. The Gas burnt here Is dear
What you breathe from the atmosphere and drink
from the pumps you pay nothing for except to the
Doctor. Walk within quarter of a mile OF Centre
street, and you may well walk into one of the
gasometers. The inhabitants throughout the circle
of that vicinity are situated similarly to the fish in
the river and in the tanks from the Manhattan Com
pany.
To prove that Gas might be supplied as cheap as /
have stated let US look at only otherfutle
of loss Take the Old Gas Company as an exam
pie. Rosn is composed of forty parts carbon, thir-
ty-two hydrogen, and five oxygen, but the retorts
absorb the latter in the process. Carburetted n.y.
drogen or Gas is composed Of one atom hydrogen
and one atom carbon. Here then it is evident that
eight atoms Of carbon, or Is per cent, are abso-
lutely lost besides the carbon produced by the de-
composition of the anthracite coal which the re-
torts are charged with to assist combustion IN the
decomposition Of the rosin, and which contains at
least 80 per cent. more carbon
Now if hydrogen were added to all this enormous
waste OF carbon, which, as have areedy commu-
nicated to the company, could be accomplished at
almost no expense, it is clear that nearly double the
present quantity of Gas would be produced, so that
it might be afforded at nearly half its present cost.
and independently Of the large amount that Is for
ever escaping by day and by night, to the detrment
of every one within its precincts; and this rule 10
equally applicable to the Manhattan Company, who
could use as much more productive process it they
chose.
Yours respectfully,
w. A. KENTIsR.
New York, Oct. 6, 1872.