Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1874-12-04
ILLUMINATING GAS.
Some Practical Suggestions Regard
ing it's Use.
INDEPENDENCE. Dec 1st 1874

| Doh1Hi In III Is not 10 be cX.
pected that single newspaper article will
dispel all doubt from the minds of tbe
public generally regarding the expediencv
OF any innovation; all discoveries and in.
ventlons have met with opposition from
time immemorial As the Introduction Of
Illuminating gas to this place comes under
this head, the following remarks ON the
subject are respectfully submitted, with
the hope that an inquiry into the subject
without prejudice or bias, will engender
confidence and do away with opinions
ana expressions which, if true, would
reflect but little honor on gas companies
in general.
Gas was first used for Illuminating MIR.
poses in 1926, and was introduced for
lighting houses in 1898, at Birmingham
England. Soon after, the construction Of
gas works was commenced for supplying
large manufactures, ETC., and at this
period Mr. Winsor entertained the more
comprehensive view of lighting the streets
and buildings of large cities. For this
purpose he gave public lectures demon
strating the utility and practicability of
gas and its vast superiority over all other
artificial light. The opposition to the
innovation was great, SO that not till 1918
was the first "Gas and Coke Company"
formed in London. The prejudice against
1t was not confined to the ignorant; MANY
OF the learned and scientific men of the
age thought the scheme wild and dan
gerous one, but gradually the doubts in
thelr minds were overcome, and the pub
lie favored the enterprise.
Baltimore was the first to adopt the use
of gas in this country, in 1916, Boston
and New York soon followed, and PbiIa-
delphia introduced it in 1885; and it is
now in general use all over the world !.
and, Notwithstanding the opposition
to the use of this Indispensable ar
tlcle, its rapid and universal adoption
proves its immense superiority over all
other means of artificial illumination
Its advantages consist of convenience
cleanliness, brilliancy, managability and
safety; it is a good servant, comes instant
" when demanded, and is extinguished
as readily when no longer required. As
matter of salubrity it evolves less car
bonic acid and other deletcrious matter
than any other artificial light, and its use
in any room, however highly ornamented,
is not injurious. 1t also has great claims
for throwing out a genial warmth through
Out the apartments. The lighting of
streets has tendency to prevent crime,
and affords facilities for attendance of
evening meetings, literary, musical or
social, thus aiding materially in the adj
vanccment of social intercourse, and the
safety and comfort of the community.
The facilities for manufacturing the gas
and gas-tittings are such as to remove one
great objection to its use, viz: expense.
No part of the furniture or fittings of a
store or dwelling are more elegant or dur
able for the amount of money expended
than Judiciously arranged gas-fixtures, but
due care should be exercised that Morouqh
acork should be introduced at the start,
that no leaks may occur, as the meter in
dicates the quantity of gas that passes
without reference to its waste or consump-
ton.
few words of instruction on the use
OF gas may be desirable to the public. In
lighting burners care should be taken to
apply the light Immediately as the gas is
turned on, and where the Argand burner
is used it should be lighted from below
the chimney. The gas should be turned
Oft by the key, and never extinguished by
blowing it out. Should there be an escape
of gas from any cause, it manifests itself
by disagreeable odor in cases of signs
of escape in the interior OF building
there is no danger, provided lights are not
introduced. The main tap should be
turned of, and the doors and windows
opened, and the gas company Immediately
notified. In case there is leak in the fix
lures, under no circumstances should the
consumer attempt to find the leak by
means of an open light, as the conden-
sation, or drip, from the pipes runs to a
receptacle in the meter, from whence it is
removed by the inspector Parties should
not examine their meter except in the day
time, and without the aid of artificial
light. The general management of gas is
OF the greatest simplicity, and it is only
by actual neglect that accidents occur.
A good burner is an important auxiliary
in obtaining perfect combustion, and
consequently perfect light. Technically
speaking, the burner is the point from
whence the gas issues to be burned; the
flame should not be COMPOUNDED with the
burner. There are three kinds of burners
generally in use, viz. the argand, bat
wing and fishtail. The argand is desir-
able in offices and reading-room as ii
reflects strong and steady light on the
books or work. If proper attention be
given to the burners and chimncys parties
will be rewarded by a beautiful, agreeable
and economical light. The bat-wing burn
er is SO called on account of its flame hay
ing the form of the wing of bat, and
usually has lava or platina tip, slit in
the end, from which the gas issues in a
thin flat flame. The flame from this
burner waivers a little, and the two points
are slightly REDEEMED and have tendency
to smoke, and the lower portion will be
slightly tinged 18th blue. By any obstruc-
ton in the slit the flame becomes forked
and uneven, but the burners are easily
cleaned by passing piece of watch-spring
or prepared platina card through the slit.
This burner is adapted for general use in
stores and streets, as they are not easily
affected by every breath of wind The
fishtail burners are used in dwellings to a
considerable extent as being best adapted
for globes. The metal top is pierced
with two holes, arranged so that each jet
of gas, in issuing impinges against the