True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-03-31
The Consumption Of Gas.

w nhu "io 'oi'o"His 0ouAh"A'o"'''N
in the Philadelphia Ledger. II was
written by JOHN Q. CREssoN, Esq, En-
gineer Of The Gas Works in that City,
Il contains some valuable hints to the
consumers Of Gas. a.
Mr.. EDITOR will you allow me
space for some remarks upon subject Of
interest to house keepers and others,
which is just now exciting much public
attention. | allude 10 The complaints
against gas meters that pervade the
public prin,s, very much in the manner
Of an epidemic.
The prevailing condemnation Of these
useful instruments had its recent origin
in The revelations of a meter maker in N.
York, who seems to have desire to
atone for his previous dishonest practices
by public confession of them.
Whether the frauds he owns are real
or imaginary is unknown to me, as The
Philadelphia Gas Works have never had
any dealings with him; they having with
extreme caution refused to buy meters
from any ma ufacturers whose work
could not be shown TO be accurate aud
reliable. AS it was naturally to be sus'
pecied that doubts and suspicious would
occasionally arise with respect to the
correctness of the measurement OF gas by
the meters, precautions were taken at an
early period in the history of these works
to ascertain and establish by clear evidence
the proper accuracy Of every meter before
putting il in use. This was accomplished
by ins,tuting system of minute exami-
nation and actual trial Of each meter by
competent workmen, carefully instructed
TO the exact and conscienclous discharge
of their duties, who should record in
books prepared for the purpose the results
of all these trials.
These records are preserved at the gas
works, and show the character of each
meter that has been proved during the
past fourteen years, amounting TO more
than fifteen thousand The rule of proof
is to reject every meter that varies in the
sligh,es. degree from the prescribed limits
of correct measurement, and the records
will show that the average deviation ol
the whole number accepted for use j:
within very minute fraction of absolute
accuracy. Any one who has cOmpeten
knowledge Of the gas meter, must know
that if properly made, and kept in it,
proper condition, it cannot by any posi-
bility record more gas than has actually
passed through it, as it derives all it;
movement from the flow Of gas, ant
ceases to record the moment the ga'
ceases to pass, so THAI errors of recort
in this direction can arise only from dis
honest construction of the meter, or it
improper management.
The former Of these causes Of error il
believed to be effectually avoided by th'
system of proof adopted al these works
and as a precaution against the latte
cause of error, all the meters in use ar
examined and tested at frequent interval
by the inspectors, who are carefully train
ed to their duties, and instructed 10 keeI
them as nearly as possible in the prope
condition for correct measurement of III
gas. Now is it claiming too much 70
these officers, who from The highest t
the lowest have not the slightest motiv
from personal interest to infict wron
upon their fellow citizens, 10 ask tina
their statements, carefully recorded il
writing, should be received with reason
able confidence, at least until they ar
proved 10 be erroneous!
But the inquiry naturally arises, hoV
can't happen, if the meters are so colrec
that complaints are SO frequently mad
of the irregularity of the amount Of ga
bills. This inquiry has engaged the al
tention Of the officers of gas.works fc
many years, who, with an earnes! desir
of ascertaining the truth, have palientl
Investigated the subject. The results {
these investigations show that the CON
plants arise from various different causes
The number Of gas bills issued froI
the Office of the Philadelphia Gas Work
is over 5000 per month, or about lO(
600 year. With respect to the create
part of these, say about ninety eight pt
cent, there is no complaint, nor, is
believed there is any just cause for CON
plant
OF the complaints made, some are louu
to be without any reasonable cause havir
their origin in the peculiar disposition
the individual. Many Of them, howeve
arise from real causes, which are of v
gions kinds. Some cases are isolate
others are common 10 PARTICULAR locaitie
or particular seasons Of the year. f.
example. the bills rendered in Februar
March, and April are usually the heavie
of the year, and give rise 10 the mo
frequent dissatisfaction TO persons VII
on the approach Of spring, forget Il
length Of mid winter evenings. Agai
in . dull business season, many stor
and factories cease to light up al ngl
and ihe diminished draught on The loo
mains causes an increase Of local pressu
whereby the gas bills Of the immedis
neighborhood are unexpeclly augu ente
Both, of these causes are now most acti,