The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-06-18
OFFICE OF THE NvAsIINGT ON GAS
LIGHT COMPANY,


JuHE IL, 1851.
ATA MEETING OF THE BOARD OF d.
IA RECTORS. held this day, II was deemed ex
pedent, in view Of any misapprehension existing
In the public mind, TO maze the following official
statement:
To meet the largely increasing demand for H.
Illuminating Gas, and 10 furnish light Of equal
brilancy and power at a greatly reduced rate OF
cost, the company have entered into contract
with the well known and responsible firm Of Bat
tim DUNCAN Co., of Philsdelphia for the erection
OF entire works, additional to the present, for
the production OF a very superior Gas from tifu-
| minous 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 mt their ex
pense, and afforded TO the at the low rate
| of 81 per thousand feet. Street mains to be
laid. Of ample dimensions and shilful WORKMAN
ship, in every portion Of the city where demand
for Gas exists. Ia short, object and desire IL
to erect works credable TO the city; to place this
whole business the most satisfactory basis; and,
by carrying the light TO the greatest possible num-
Der make the interest of all to it, because it
will be cheaper than any other light; and we shall
thus confer public benefit, and best subservc the
interests of the company. t9te
| For site for such works lotc position near
water communication is Indispensable; and some
| tune since six lots, in square G., extending from
Maine to Maryland avenues, were purchased, and
| the new works have been commenced. AS prelu-
dices known to exist against gas factories from
the objections experienced in manufacturing from
oil, rosn, and grease, the directors are happy to
assure the public and TO demonstrate the fact, by
indisputable testimony, that none can be reason
| ably entertained against the works now in pro-
| gress. II the company commit any nuisance 1t
can and must be abatedi and yet they stake on the
result, in this square, expenditure of one
hundred thousand dollars The process is such,
indeed that it il hardly possible that any nuisance
| should be engendered. The Gas is made from the
best bifumnous coal. and passes from the retorts,
| without exposure, through the cooling and wash
ing processes, into purifying boxes Of lime, and
becomes entirely inodorous, and SO pure that 1t ID
| 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 disagreeabe odors. The high chin
ncy ESQ feet) 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 of smoke ex-
cept during the very few minutes required in sup
plying the retorts with coal; for with this incon
siderable exception, there is really no smoke about
| the works. When the gas is evolved from the coal
in the retors, the coal is deprived of lite bitumcn,
sulphur, and other oxtraneous or volatile matter,
aud the residuum is carbon, or coke, which in turn
supplies the only fuel used in the furnaces.
| Certainly no nuisance need be created by works
Of this description; has complaint been urged
against any Of the factories built by these expe-
rienced and successful contractors in the cities of
| Hartford, New Haven, Rochester, Albany, SYRIA
cuse, Newark, Paterson, Reading, and Charleston,
| as proved by the strongest testimony, and by the
rapid rise Of property in the immediate vicinity Of
those works, in euery instance. From the mass of
evidence before them the board have selected for
publication but three, to prove how unfounded are
| the apprchensions Of persons who fear an injury
will be done TO the health and comfort of the neigh
I borhood, and decrease effected in the value OF
private property in the vicinity. The first ia from
DR.. Porcher, Of Charleston, South Carolina-a gen.
tleman entirely disinterested and of high standing;
| the second from a responsible and wel-informed
| gentleman of New Haven, writing to the Hartford
| Daily C0uvdnt; and the last from Professor Sill
man, perhaps the most scientific authority in the
| Union.
"My residence is neIt door to the Gas Works, and
l have experienced, as yet (the works had been in
operation two years,) no annoyance from Its prox-
Unity, either from the smell Of the gas, or from any
noise 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 means
hydraulic pressure, no escape OF gas takes place
| to the annoyance ofthe occupants. The whole plan
and great success Of these workssrefiect credit
& DUNCAN. F.. Y. PoRCHER.
| "CHARLEsroN, January 3. 1885,"
81 see by your papers that Gas Company has
been at last organized at Hartford and that nlessrs
DUNCAN, Battin & Co. are to erect the works. Our
people all delighted with the result of their
| pertinent here. The company had some consid,
cradle difficulty in obtaining site for their works,
on the ground that the manufacturing mould proos
a nuisance to the neghJohood ohers Il should be To-
Gated Ho,o iceH founded this pas, may be Judged
from the fact that land opposite the porks tshich be-
fore their erection offered for ten dollars front
foot, 10 notc held at fifteen, sc.
"NEw HAVEN, Connecticut"
1.-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 n charter to this time, have been per-
fectly familiar to me, and may add, gratifed-to
affirm my great satisfaction both in the of
our experiment, and in the skill, fidelity, and eff
cient zeal of the contractors Messrs. Battn, Dun
| gan & Co. b. SILLiMAN, JR
| 1t 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 objecls desired, as to be an orna-
mont and benefit, rather than nuisance and an
injury, to our prosperous city. In this iaudable
endeavor no time or money will be spared, and we
confidently ask the encouragement Of all who are
interested in the improvement of the metropolis in
our effort to furnish every person who may desire
il cheap, brilliant inodorous, and unfaihng light,
thus benefiting all and injuring none.
BY order of the Board of Directors.
June 1916 J. f. BROWN, Secretary.
NOTICE.