American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-06-16
Office Washington Gas-Light Company

A MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
"a held this day, it was deemed expedient in view Of
any Misrepresentation existing in the public mind, tc
make the following official statement
To meet the largely increasing demand for Iluminat
ing Gas, and to furnish light of equal brilliancy
power at greatly reduced rate of COST the company have
entered into contract with the wellknown and respon
sible firm Of Battin DUNCAN Co., of Philadelphia, fol
the erection OF entire new works, additional to the pre-
sent for the production of very superior Cas- from btu
minoas coal, which Cas- when the works are com
pleted in January next, will be conveyed with meter
and twenty-five feet of service pipe from the main by the
contractors and at their EXPENSE and afforded to the
sumner at the low rate of $500 per thousand feet Street
mains are to be laid, of ample dimensions and skfu
workmanship in every portion of the city where demand
for Gas exists In short object and desire to erect
works credtabe to the city, to place this whole business
the most satisfactory basis and by carrying the light
to the greatest possible number make it the Interest
all to it, because it will be cheaper than any oe,
light; and we shall thus confer public benefit, and best
subserye the interests of the company.
For site for such works lo,o position, water
communication, Indispensable and time since six
nues purchased and the works have been
menced As prejudces known to exist against gas
factories from the objections experienced in manufacture
ing from OIL rosn and grease the directors happy to
assure the public and to demonstrate the fact by ndis
putable testimony, that be reasonably enter
tanned against the works in progress If the
pany commit any nuisance it and must be abaed
and yet they stake the result in this square,
expenditure of hundred thousand dollars The pro-
cess SUCH indeed that it is hardly possible that
nuisance should be engendered The Gas is made from
the best nou coal and passes from the retorts with
out exposure through the cooling and washing
into purifying boxes of lime, and becomes entirely
dorous, and pure that it is incapable of song the
most delicate white surface Nor is there any other sub
stance simple or compound, used within around the
premises productive of dsagreeable odors. The high
chimney $50 feet in the of erection the centre
of the square which furnaces are to be built
is for drat-not to carry off SMOKE except during the
very few minutes required in supplying the retors with
really no smoke about the works. When the Gas is
evolved from the coal in the retors the coal is deprived
of its bumen, sulphur, and other extraneous volatile
s.
turn supplies the only fuel used in the furnaces
Certainly nuisance need be created by works of this
description; nor has complaint been urged against
any OF the factories built by these experienced and
cessul contractors in the cities of Hartford New Haven
Rochester, Albany Syracuse Newark Paterson Reading
and Charleston proved by the strongest testimony and
by the rapid rise of property in the immediate vicinity
those works. every instance From the of evidence
before them Board have selected for publication but
three to how unfounded the apprehensions of
persons who fear injury win be done to the health and
comfort Of the neghborhood, and decrease effected in
is from DR.. Porcher, of Charleston S. Ca gentleman
entirely disinterested and of high standings the
from responsible and weinformed gentleman Of New
last from Professor Sman perhaps the most scientific
authority in the Union.
amy residence is merit door TO the Gas Works. and have
experienced, yet 1.-THE works had been in operation
two years annoyance from its proximity, either from
the smell Of the gas, from any noise made during the
night in conducting their operations. At the tme
state that owing to the great used in fitting up
means Of hydraulic PRESSURE Of takes place
the annoyance of the occupants The whole plan and
great Of these works reflect credit the skill
assduous attention of Messrs. Battin DUNCAN.
"F. Y. P0RCHER.
"CHARLEsroS, January 3, 1850"
az by your papers that Gas Company has been at
last organized at Hartford and that Messrs DUNCAN
tin Co. TO erect the works Our people all de-
lighted with the result Of their experiment here. The
Company had considerable difficulty in obtaining
site for their works, the ground that ne manufacturing
tood proue nuisance TO The aeighborood toere Sou
be located Hon. soeH founded This toas may be ju1qed
from the fact that land opposite ne 1corks which before
their erection offered for ten dollars front foot is
noo held at fifteen" &c.
"NEw HAVEN, Connecticut"
"The Gas Works at New Haven have now been in sue
cessfu operation for over year, and feel authorized
from intimate knowledge Of all the details of their
which, from the first outlines Of charter
10 this time, have been perfectly familiar me- and
may add grdtifed-to affirm my great satisfaction both
In the Of experiment. and Ia the skill fidelity
and efficient zeal of the contractors Messrs Batn Dun
gan Co. b. SILLIMAN, jr."
1t Is the intention of the company and the contractors
to erect model Gas Works here perfect in the internal
inviting to the exterior view and appro
pirate in every particular to accomplish the objects
nuisance and injury, to prosperous city In this
audable endeavor time money will be spared and
confidently ask the encouragement of all who in
tercsted In the improvement of the metropolis In our
effort TO furnish every who may desire IL q cheap
brilliant inodorous, and unfaling light, thus benetting
all and i,juying none.
By order of the Board of Directors.
r. M