National Republican., 1878-11-22
THE HBBIrr HOUSE Gas.
An on,ciai Inspection OF the works-No Dam
ger Apprehended.


The Board Of Fire Commissioners Of this
city visited the premises where gas Is manu-.
faetured for the use of the Ebbitt House yec.
terday afternoon. The visit was made In nc.
cordauco with instructions received from the
District Commissioners, who had pecn IN.
formed that the gas was made from dangerous
fluid, aud that proper precautions had not
been taken to insure the safety Of property ad.
joining The Board first paid = visit to the
building In which the gas is made. II Is stu.
ated 200 feet distant from the Ebbitt House. IN
the alley In the rear OF the National Theatre.
The building Is hre.proof In every respect, and
none but the best material was used In its con.
structCn. The room first visited was that
in which the tanks are situated. These
are five In number aud rest on a
foundation similar to that Of stove ranges.
The first tank contains air, and is capable of
standing pressure Of 200 pounds to the square
inch. Next to this Is the tank IN which the
gasoline 10 stored. Underneath these two tanks
are situated three more, which apeStyled work.
ing tanks They are connected with the room
Yin which the gas Is generated by a small
pipe. The room. arc both entirely separated
from each other by heavy brick walls and the
| tank room Is watched closely day and night.
in order that no one may tamper with them
No lamps or candles are permitted In this
| room and every prcCaution necessary to In.
| sure safety has been taken. Leaving the
| tank.room one cutters the one In which the gas
is made. The gas Is made from gasoline,
| which, when used under proper conditions
| and handled with proper care. is a valuable
product for gGs.inaking,.purTose The oil is
| conveyed through a small pipe to the heaters
| forming part Of the machine proper. These
| heaters two in number have separate and iu.
| dependent valve gears. either one SUPPLYING
| the gas to the gas holder, the filing or empty.
| ing Of which closes or opens the valves, and
| also furnishes the pressure to the burners
| The movements are all very simple, while at
the same time there appears TO 10 every need.
| ed appliance to insure uniformity and rcliahil.
ty. steam. pipes from stationary boiler located
| IN the Ehbttt House supply 10 the heaters an
| adequate quantity of heat, by means Of which
| the oil isNaTori2cd, and IN this highly difEsed
| condition Is forced through jet into mixing
| tube inducing with it current OF atmospheric
| air, which serves as a dilutant to the rich car.
| bon vap9r By a simple ad justment OF the air
| ports the quality Of the gas can be enriched
| or impovcr sh d as may be desired. A. the
| apparatus j. arranged there Is 10 fire In OF
al Iu the gas works. The machine used is
| that made by the Maxim Gas MaChino Com.
! rUny OF New York, and the agent OF the lJIn.
pauy, Mr. Lawson, fully explained its work.
.ug TO the hoard. ANcT all examination last.
ing nearly two hours II was the opinion Of
all the member. present. that no danger nee
be ar"rchundcd from the apparatus as every
thing irat could be done to make IL safe had
bycH It;cud,d to b. Mr. Willard. The boar 4
| will shortly u.ake q report, IN which the re.
su.t Ui IECir examination will be given