The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-07-26

THE Gas COMPANIES OF THE OLD WORLD AND
THOSE OF THE NEw.-By the last news received
from London we learn that a new gas company
was about to 60 into operation andt att promised
to supply the citizens with light at price fifty per
cent. less than that charged by the company
which has had the monopoly of the business for
a number Of years. We do not know the price
charged by the old company, but we are safe in
saying that it is not as high what is charged
by the gas company in this city.
What is there in the way OF our having agas
company in this city that would supply eur citi-
zens with the article at less cost than we now
paw for il Z The business, at present, is in the
hands of a company-the members of which are
revealing in luxury on the profits they make from
the store keepers, and feel so independent that
they care not whit whether you use their light
or not. Public opinion we had always thought
the most powerful corrector of ABUSES, but it
seems that its efficacy in correcting the imposi-
ton practised in this respect, has either not been
applied, or else has failed in obviating the evil.
If a company willing to charge fair profit
cannot be formed, what is to prevent the propri-
etors of hotels and other large buildings from
manufacturing their own gas! 1t is easily
compllshed, and can be manufactured without
much trouble or labor, at an expense infinitely
less than they are charged by the gas companies.
The experiment is about to be tried at the new
Broadway theatre. We understand that Mr.
Mann is determined not to submit to the impOsi-
tons practised by the gas companies, and in
tends to manufacture gas for his establishment
The materials for doing so are all ready,
and he is sanguine that he can make as
much as will light the new theatre and another
building equally as large, at cost Of fifty
per cent less than the gas company would
charge them for the theatre alone. The space
which all the apparatus will occupy, he expects
will not be more than six feet by four Would
it not be well for our hotel keepers, whose gas
bills form heavy item in their yearly expenses,
to look into the matter! What reason Is there
that they should pay fifty per cent more than
their brethren in Philadelphia!
The Four GOVERNMENT SrEAMERs.-The decl-
sion made with regard to the points at which
these steamers have been ordered to be built,
has struck many with surprise. When Kltterry
was announced as one of the places selected for
building one ofthe largest government steamers,
we at first thought there was some mistake, and
were for moment puzzled in thinking OF Its
whereabouts. Another large steamer was given
to Norfolk to build, one to Philadelphia, while
one of the smaller size was reserved for New
York.
Now it is said that the West Point Foundry is
the only one in the United States prepared to forge
wrought iron shaft of proper size for paddle
wheels; and that New York and Philadelphia
alone contain suitable steam engine establish
ments on scale Insufficient magnitude for build
ing ocean steam machinery. 1t is also said that
the hulls of steamers should be erected as near
to the steam engine manufactures as possible,
as it is necessary for the ship carpenters to
confer with the engine builders as to the
dimensions, form, and space of the machinery
to be emboweled in the hull.
1t is notorious that New York in every respect
is better prepared for building ocean steamers,
| and has actually launched more of them than
any other city, and yet Of the four war steamers
ordered by Congress, the government at Wash
ington only gives her one to build and that one
of the smallest size.
Where is Kittery!