Wilmington daily gazette., 1874-05-01
From the American Manufacturer. April 23d
Gas Works in Small Towns.

There Is an impression very prevalent that gas
cannot be used as a light economically in small
towns, that the first cost OF the works, coupled
with the cost OF making gas TO supply small
demand as would arise in these towns would be
50 great Ms to most eiectually its use by Of
the price per thousand that would have to he
charged to cover these items in cost
OF the great superiority OF coal gas over any
other Illuminating material there can be no ques-
tIon. In point OF cleanliness compare il with
candles, whale oil or petroleum and the Compare
son would be perfectly absurd. Those who have
been disguised with the odor Of either OF these
also will not question the advantages Of coal gus
IN this respect Its convenience is also in its favor
always ready for USE no daily trimming with its
attendant disagreeableness, no delay in lighting
but always prompt to respond 10 the demand for
light. Its briiancy, steadlness and many other
features give 1t the preference all other illu
minatng substances, and not the least of its ad-
vantagss when compared with petroleum ia its
safety. Ii frghtiul to read in almost in every
issue OF our daily press OF the terrible deaths re-
sultng from the uss OF carbon oils, to say moth
ing OF the millions of dollars lost every year by
fires originating In their use. 1t is not to the
purpose to say these accidents would not happen
| wero people careful in the handling OF t6e
| dangerous oils. The fact exists that people are
not careful and hence the loss to life and property
In word in almost any view we choose to take
| coal gas is immeasurable superior TO aDy Other
| Illuminating material.
This being so, the only question as to its use in
small towns is one OF cost. 1t has always appear
ed to us that this item has been very much over
| estimated. To satisfy ourselves on this point we
obtained from Messrs Connolly. Nayor L Co., Of
this city, who are specially aud extensively enea-
ged in erecting coal gas works in small towns
from 20OO to 5000 inhabitants, an estimate OF the
| cost of such works. These gentlemen We regard
of being fully competent TO give such as will de.
eide this question OF cost.
Messrs. T., n. Il Co., inform US that town OF
1900 inhabitants would require works with from,
II TO "a miles OF main pipe and a capacity OF
$1,000 cubic feet per day. The actual consump-
ton would not reach more than half this amount
so there would se abundant margin in capacity
for large increase in population.
The cost OF such works, including buildings
machinery, gasometer, mains and laying of The
same would vary somewhat with the nature OF
the giound, being less IN sandy soil and more in
rocky The price would range from $4,000 to
S29oOO AS Messrs. Connolly, Naylor x Compa-
ny have erected large number OF works in
towns of this size the above figure may be re-
garded expressing the actual cost, and moi as
estimates that will be largely increased in laying
down works.
The prottabeness of such works has been 50
} often proven in the towns IN which this firm has
bullt works that 1t is no matter OF doubt.
The cost OF running the works is very smal
when once they are built, and the stock viii
very readily pay dividends OF from nine to twelve
. per cent
There is another item OF profit that is inciden
tai, but ought not to be lett out oi account in
estimating the advantages of a town with such
works, and that is the enhancement In the value
OF the property that follows the introduction OF
gas. 1t would OF course. be almost an iinpcssl.
bility to arrive at this matter definitely, but IT
: must he very large.
!. This matter is every day attracting more u,
, tention in every section of the country, aud the
inquiries are very frequent for details more com-
plete than can be given within the limits of tins
| article. We have no doubt but that The pentle
men named above will very willingly answer ali
such questions.