The New York herald., 1844-12-19
Evils OF the Present Mode OF Supplying Gas

The price now charged is 20 cents per 100
cubic feet, instead of 20 cents per 100 cubic feet,
which latter is what is paid in London, and the
companies make an ample dividend at that rate.
Gas can be made az cheapin this city as in Lon
don, because the freight from Newcastle TO the
metropolis with the river duty to the corporation
OF 3s New York per ton) is frequently more than
the freight as ballast across the Atlantic, or from
Nova Scotia, OF. from any port in the United
States. The colliers rarely charge less than 22s.
per ten New York, often 2is. to 26s
The meters here are not in the best condition
generally, and companies take care they shall
never register against themselves.
The New York Gas Company's mains are not
large enough TO afford full supply They should
be at least three times their present diameter
Whatever care may be taken 10 pump out the de-
pOslt OF ammOnlacal. liquor, a sufficient quantity
must always remain IN such small pipes, to obstruct
the passage OF the gas and render the lights uctu
ating.
These small mains too, bring iron, oxidate very
rapidly in the sandy soil of this city, which con-
| stanty saturated with water. They cannot, in
consequence last above five years in sufficiently
| age through every pore.
This leakage is SO general in this city, that the
whole soil is saturated with it. Dig but one foot
below the surface and il is an insuerable nuisance
everywhere, as the mains all rotten with oxi-
dation.
When the mains of theCroton become oxidated,
the gas in which they are now enveoped will rca-
diy pass through the pores into the water and
| tamnate 1t from its strong affinity tor water
| When this happens in sandy localities in London,
the gas companies obliged to embed their pipes
| in clay. II has long corrupted and spoiled the
water In the public pumps.
| Carbonated hydrogen being lighter than atmos-
pheric air, evaporation OF this deleterous gas is
constantly rising into and poisoning the atmosphere
| in all parts OF the city. ALI breathe 1t day and
| night for ever
| This is gas similar to what exhales from mashy
and slagnant waters, giving rise to agues inerml-
| tent fevers, lnf1ammations OF the lungs, thorax,
lam list nj NIL lad
which yearly carry off SO many hundred thousands
prematurely.
The gas Of the company is, however much more
actively poisonous than what Is generated in pools,
because 1t contains much larger portion of car
bon.
Carburetted hydrogen is what is thrown off from
| the lungs at every expiration. II the blood were
not constantly purified and freed from It through
] the lungs, the body would soon become one uni
versal mass Of putrldity. This city, from the To-
cality, would be infinitely more heaithful, were it
not that this gas saturates the atmosphere and pre-
disposes to consumption, Inflammation OF the throat
and lungs. cancers, &c.
Volumes OF this destructive gas are pouring forth
/ tor ever from the manutactory in Centre street.
enough in TACT to poison the air OF the largest city
IN the world.
This must greatly deieriorate the value Of all
the buildings in the vicinity. and thus afiec, the
immediate interest of all house owners within the
| limits OF it's pestlferous influence.
In extensive conflagrations this inflammable gas
| furnishes an abundance Of combustIsle matter,
thus seriously affecting the interest of insurance
Offices, or the ruin Of those who are not Insured
Theatres in particular must suffer before the supply
| can be cut Oft.
ADVANTAGES OF PORTABLE Gas IN CYLINDERS.
1t will not only be supplied cheaper, but not a
| particle OF 1t can evaporate or escape INTO the
atmosphere to corrupt It, and inJure the general
| health. The Croon water would be freed from
It's deleterious influence, and in case OF fire the
/ ylinder is detached IN moment, and removed
from the premises.