The New York herald., 1876-03-18
THE GAS PROBLEM.
Views Of Some of the Gas
Engineers.
How the English Government Protects COlsum-
TS from the Gas Companies.
HOW THE METERS WORK.

gwen In the columns OF the HERALD There yet re-
NAMED the intelligent engineers and others who are
employed In producing the aeriform fluid itself Their
practical knowledge places it within their power to
throw much light subject that has become OF in
terest to the public in general Visiting the works OF
Of the largest corporations in the city the writer
had conversation with of the class referred to- tho
substance OF which is follows-'It is not denied"
he said that the business Is exceedingly prohable;
the dividends declared every few months settles that
matter The companies not governed by any law
in regulating the quality Of the commodity and fixing
its price They at liberty to do as they see I'll in
these respects In reference examining the metcrsto
determine amount consumed and thereby make out bills
the agents employed for this purpose directed and
expected honestly 1t is quite possible they
negligent in this regard but the bills made out
by clerks at the Office and not by the outside en-
poy6s 1t is hard to see in what way they profit by
handing in
FALSE OR FRAUDULENT RETURNS.
''The price OF coal is low at present. the federal tax
Of twenty five cents per 1000 feet no longer exists,
and as increased consumption of any article enables its
producerso sell prodably at low rates. it dinculto to
perceive why the officers Of gas companies should mako
what they vend and which is so necessary and bene-
Acia burden that 1t seems has come to be regarded
nolerable The price of gas is regulated to great
extent by the proximity of whore it manufactured
Francisco 1T must necessarily be high In New York
1t should approximate closely in value TO what it Is
furnished at in London where the price Is generally
less, think than 81 per 600 cubic feet
''The law in plain allows the gas to BE cut OF
when default is made in payment OF bills, and the law
also permits the companies to exact deposit equiva-
lent to the consumption of two months, taking into
account the number of burners IN use before Is sup
Piled 1t is only necessary means OF protection, for
people continually changing their places of business
and dwelling Deposits not required from those
known.
business About one-half the number Of consumers
have 10 paw deposits The company serve has on de-
post about $3.50 600 their hands this way but they
pay legal interest it, II these deposits not re-
qured the companies would be subject to heavy losses
Twenty per cent Of the population Of New York change
their residences during April and May"
REroRrER-Wno examines your meters to deermins
their correctness and what security has the public
that unjust bills are not presentcdy
ENGiNEER-The Inspector of Gas Meters who is
by the Senate. He holds Office for i've years, ana
seals after examination, all meters in use.
REPoRTER--Does he actually examine the meters be-
ESGISEERg Il do not know It is understood that any
complaints made by consumers as TO the correctness
of meters receive prompt and faithful attention.
REpoRTER-ls the State Inspector Of Meters a sworn
TO be qualified person for the duties he expcSd
perform Who pays his salary
ENGINEER-An | say is believe that 6ls
companies give into the State treasury money eaough
to pay the Inspector OF Meters for his services.
REPoRTER-Do you think corporate bodies like gas
companies, enjoying special privileges, formed FOR
pros their stockholders, should not be ruled and
restrained by the authority to which they owe their
existence Does II to you that IN the eager
ness Of the companies to
REALIZE HEAVY DIVIDENDS
they overlook among other considerations, particu-
sry in reference to quality oil gas and the price they
charge for ~
EyGIxEER-I do not understand what you mean.
tell you though that rent Is charged for use OF
meters, and that the manufacture is pure and
superior article illuminating agent, do not think
that any amount popular clamor will influence tho
rally supersede gas The records of fearful accidents
and thousands of lives lost by IT'S use Will always opcr-
a warning and deterrent against its introduc-
VALUE OF GAS LIGHT
'lt must be readily conceded, said gentleman OF
long experience in manufacturing gas that among the
necessaries Of human life there fow important
than abundant supply Of pure artificial light at
reasonable rates Such Is as necessary IN town or
city as an efficient system OF sewerage or an ample
quantity OF good water AZ the other sue OF inc
Atlantic could deny that the interests OF the
people well guarded in respect to gas the use OF
which has aided materially in the proongation Of tho
average OF mans usefulness IN life, by giving the
night also to his service by which the sciences and
have been greatly advanced 1t also has tended to
reduce crime In crowded communities by the intro
duction Of artificial illumination In thoroughfares and
other public places and 1t has been found by over half
ccnturys experience that gas, when prop
erly manufactured, Is clean pleasant, and,
in other countries. economical light Tho
matter then goes back to the first question you asked
Why does happen that an equally satisfactory condi-
ton OF affairs does not exist in New ork in Paris
or LondonY Plainly then, the laws are Judicously
instance there arc certain very heavy penalties Tor
impurities In gas which render the companies particu-
lary careful BY act OF Parliament they are compelled
TO keep within twenty grains Of sulphur IN 100 cubic
feet and penalty OF $500 per day Is imposed Tor inc
least trace Of suphuretted hydrogen (which soils git
and silver and causes nauseous smell where II is
burned in gas II retas to the public. Regularly
appointed officers test the quality OF gas, ana strict
supervson Is exercised over the street lamps, and
they determine its Illuminating power. On this point
there is no stop the matter OF supervision matter
which is entirely neglected in New York In fact no
l.. .l.atot ~tafa
GUARD THE PUBLIC AGAINST ExroRrIox
"Gas ought to afford ilum nation equal TO at loast
sixteen sperm candles In this city II does not
90 beyond twelve but London penalty OF S5 day
is exacted every half candle below sixteen Tor every
100 600 cubic feet sent out during the day As gen.
era thing however, London gas s iuly up to the legal
standard regards purity and illumination ana When
a slight default occurs has been traced 10 accldeht or
unavoidable causes But II IS in respect to regulating
profits for investments that English laws 90 farthest
in The protection Of consumers. The price according
Of Parliament must be such as not 70 aord ulf-
dends higher amount than ten cent per annuin,
but the quality always be IN accordance with the
legal standard This result must be reached after
allowing for excess surplus, II any, carried in tho
then last preceding year to the erodit OF the dvsi0o
profit and 10 the insurance fund Oh the company,
attaining as near may be, but never
exceeding, ten per cent per nnuum. In no
case, however can a dividend be declared on
stock not paid in and expended on the undertaking
In this view the declaration OF net profits ON fictitious
capital-increascd almost tenlOld-amOunting yearly
from IL to 100 per cent by New York gas companies,
shows in a moment to any intelligent mind the mex
cusable cxtoron pracscd on consumers ana accounts
for tho general revolt that has occurred among them
The only legal remedy that b. put in operation Is
such as that in force in England There should be in
spccors OF gas, properly qualincd-chemsts, for In
sianco-who should make frequent examinations Of
the gas and II found impure or inferior heavy penalties
should be strictly imposed The price should be rcgu-
lated TO allow certain pr0nt or dividend on IN
yostments and no more The amount Of capital nomi-
nay New York gas companies is about Sg 90 Oy0i
the amount paid by consumers yearly Is $l0OVO,O wv
This proportion Is out Of all reason
A GAS STOCKHOLDERS VIEWS.
To THE EDIroR OF TnE HERALD
Your articles upon gas are excellent represent