The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-06-17
OFFICE OF THE WASHINGTON CAS-
LIGHT COMPANY,

JUNE IL, 1851.
AT MEETING OF THE BOARD OF d.
IA RECTORS, held this day, it was deemed ex-
pedent, in view Of any Misrepresentation existing
in the public mind, to make The following official
statement:
To meet the largely Increasing demand for H.
brillancy and power at greatly reduced rate Of
cost, the company have entered into contract
with the well known and responsible firm OF Bat
tin, DUNCAN Co.. of Philadelphia, for the erection
of entire works. additional to the present, for
the production Of very superior Gas from btu
rniriotls coal; which Gas, when the new works are
completed, in January next, will be conveyed
with meter and twenty five feet Of service pipe
from the main by the contractors, and at their ex-
pensc, and afforded to the consumer at the low rate
Of 81 per thousand feet. Street mains are to be
laid, OF ample dimensions and skiful workman.
ship, In every portion of the city where demand
for Gas exists. In short, object and desire il
to erect works credthble TO the city; to place this
whole business on the most satisfactory basis; and
by carrying the light to the greatest possible num-
ber make It the interest Of all 10 use 1t, because i
will be cheaper than any other light; and we shall
thus confer public benefit, and best subserve the
interests Of the company.
For a site for such works q loic position near
water communication is Indispensable; and some
time since six lots, in square &, extending from
Maine to Maryland avenues were purchased, and
the new works have been commenced AS preJu-
dices known to exist against gas factories, from
the objections experienced iii manufacturing from
oil, rosin, and grease, the directors arc happy to
assure the public, and to demonstrate the fact, by
indisputablc testimony, that none can be reason
ably entertained against the works now in pro-
gress. If the company commit any nuisance it
can and must be abntcd; and yet they stake on tho
result in this same square, an expenditure OF one
hundred thousand dollars. The process IL such,
indeed, that it is hardly possible that any nuisance
should be engendered. The Gas is made from the
best bifumin0us coal. and passes from the rctorts,
without exposure, through the cooling and wash
ing processes, into purifying boxes Of lime, and
bacnF mt " snnd an
incapable of soiling the most delicate white sur
face. Nor is there any other substance, simple or
compound, used within or around the premises,
productive Of dsagreeablc odors The high chin
ney ESQ fcet) in the course of erection near the
centre Of the square around which the furnaces are
to be built, is for draft not to carry oil smoke cx
cept during the very few minutes required In sup
plying the retors with coal for. with this incon-
siderable exception, there 10 rea ~ no smoke about
the works When tho gas is evolved from the coal
in the retors, the coal Is deprived OF ts bitumen,
sulphur, aud other extraneOus or volatile matter,
aud the residuum is carbon, coke, which in turn
supplies the only fuel used in the furnaces
Certainly no nuisance need be created by works
of this description; nor has complaint been urged
against any Of the factories built by these cxpe-
rienced and successful contractors in the cities of
Hartford, New Haven, Rochester, Albany, Syrn-
cuse, Newark, Paterson, Reading, and Charleston,
as proved by the strongest testimony, and by the
rapid rise Of property In the immediate vicinity oil
those works, In ecery instance. From the mass OF
evidence before them the board have selected for
publication but three, to prove how unfounded arc
the approximations of persons who fear an injury
will be done to the health and comfort of the neigh
borhood, and decrease effected in the value OF
private property in the vicinity. The first is from
DR.. Porchcr, of Charleston, South Carolina-a gen.
tlcman entirely disntcrested and OF high standing;
the second from responsible and wel-informed
gentleman of New Haven, writing to the Hartford
Daily Couant; and the last from Professor Sill
man, perhaps the most scientific authority in the
Union.
"My residence is neat door 10 the Gas Works, and
have experienced, as yet. (the works had been in
operation two ycars,) no annoyance from its prox-
unity, either from the smell Of the gas or from any
nose made during the night in conducting their
operations At the same time, can state that,
owing TO the great used in fitting up the pipes
in the houses and testing their tghtness by nicans
of hydraulic pressure, escape OF gas takes place
to the annoyance OF the occupants. The whole plan
and great success of these works reflect credit on
the skill and assiduous attention OF Messrs; bathn
& DUNCAN. +. Y. PORCHER.
"CHARLEsToN, January 3, $780,"
al see by your papers that Gas Company has
been ut last organized Hartford, and that Messrs
DUNCAN, Battin s Co. to erect the works. Our
people all delighted with the result oil their ex
pertinent here. The company had some consid-
cradle difficulty in obtaining site for their works,
on the ground that the manuJacfiuing mould props
nuisance TO the neghborhood tchere il should be To-
Gated Hotc ,reA founded this ,oas. may be Judged
from the fact that land opposite the 'corks tchieh be-
fore their erection ,cqs offered for fen dollars atronf
foot, is noc held at fifteen, &C.
"NEw HAVEN Connecticut"
"The Gas Works at New Haven have now been
in successful operation for over year, and feel
authorized-from my intimate knowledge of all the
details of their construction, which from the first
outlines Of charter to this time, have been per-
fectly familiar to me, and may add, gratifed-to
affirm my great satisfaction both in the success Of
our experiment, and in the skill, fidelity, and eff
cient zeal Of the contractors, Messrs. Battin, Dun
gan Co. ID. SlLLllAN, ia "
II is the intention OF the company and the con-
tractors to erect model Gas Works here. perfect
in the internal arrangements, inviting to the exte
rior view, and appropriate in every particular to
accomplish the objects desired, as to be an orna-
ment and benefit, rather than nuisance and an
injury, TO our prosperous city. In tins laudable
endeavor no time money will be spared, and we
confidently ask the encouragement Of all who
interested in the improvement of the metropolis in
our effort. to furnish every person who may desire
it cheap brilliant, inodorous, and unfailing light,
thus bcnefitng all and injuring none
BY order Of the Board OF Directors.
June l6-3t J. +. BROWN. Secretary.
CREAT INDUCEMENTS to buyers of ready
n 80 -. - .,s~.~