Los Angeles daily herald. [volume] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1873-1876, 1874-01-11

Yesterday morning Messrs. Gearing
4 White, the enterprising gentlemen
who erected the new gas works at Sa-
crsmento, together with number of
our prominent citizens, and accompa-
MED by special reporter from the
HERALD, left this city for the San
Fernando oil regions. The principal
object of their visit is to ascertain by
personal inspection the character Of
the oil product, and the prospect of OBJ
tanning a cheap and ample supply Of
petroleum suitable for the manufac-
ture of good quality of gas for illum-
mating purposes.
Mr.. Gearing informs us that in
Pennsylvania, in the very midst of
immense beds of the best coal in the
world, gas is now manufactured from
petroleum, because 1t is both better
and cheaper for that purpose, and he
believes that If the oil product of the
San Fernando range is what it is re-
presented to be, splendid quality of
gas, equal in every respect to that fur
nished to consumers In eastern cities,
can be produced here at about one
half what is charged for the present
inferior and deleterious substance.
Messrs. Gearing & White have late
ly, as we have before stated, built gas
works in Sacramento. The people of
that city have like us been suffering
from a monopoly, and were paying six
dollars per thousand for an inferior
article. The charter under which the
new works were built, only allows
them to charge four dollars, and such
Is the superior quality of the gas fur
nished, that though the price charged
Is two-thirds, yet the gas bills for the
same number of burners, is little more
than half as much, as those of the old
company. Under the influence of this
competition the old company has re-
duced its rates to two dollars and
half.
On the return of these gentlemen
from San Fernando, they will lay be-
fore our citizens their plan Of opera
tons. A joint stock company will be
formed and from what we learn the
stock will be taken at once. Many Of
our most influential citizens are TAX
Ing an active interest in the matter,
and will invest literally. We have
even heard it intimated that the old
company is willing to dispose of their
works, and pipes ut a reasonable fig
rue, taking some portion of the stock
Of the new organization, in part pay
msnt. If this can be done, wirh due
reference to the interests Of the city
and of all parties concerned, it will of
course be advisable to make such an
arrangement, and We hope that the
present company will have more sa-
gaeity than to attempt fight that
can only result in injury to all. In
making any arrangements for the pur-
chase of the old works, however, it
should be remembered that the pub
lie good demands their removal from
the present location, and no other set
Element of the matter should be toler-
ated for u moment. 1t is also the in
terest Of the new company to have
their works better located. BY put
ting them in lower place the retorts
will be relieved Of the pressure that 81
now necessary to force the gas into the
pipes. and large saving effected.
Whether an arrangement Is effected
with the old company or not, these
gentlemen are willing to assume the
responsibility of contest with 1t in
regard to special privileges, and there
Is little doubt that the question will
be speedily tested if the old company
holds out. In this connection it may
be we'll to suggest to the City Coun-
ell that while the people will expect
them to be liberal in their dealings
with the new organization, they will
tolerate no such farce as grant of ex-
elusive rights, and will demand some
stipulations in regard to the quality
and price of the gas to be furnished