The New York herald., 1879-07-10


1T will undoubtedly that effect. and Of course
they win gain better and a safer light by the
change"
"Does not the system of charging deposits on
meters drive many poor families to resort to oil
The payment Of deposit is undoubtedly hard
snip to many poor persons. But do not charge
deposit on the meter. The deposit is merely taken
as security for the payment of the bill when 1t falls
due. We are compelled to do it in some to
protect ourselves. By any other course we should
be often called upon sustain heavy losses by per-
sons who desire to cheat. A deposit is never re-
quired from responsible persons. or from persons
who introduced to us by their landlords and
whose responsibility is vouched for With re-
duced cost OF gas think much more will be con-
sunea IN our district especially by the class you
pity that 1T cannot be sold here as cheaply as in
London There it is furnished to the consumer for
three shillings per 900 cubic feet"
1T is profitable monopoly here. is it not?'
"Yes it may be called profitable. All the COM
panies earn money except the Harlem Company,
which pays its stockholders no dividends"
THE MUTUAL COMPANY FALLS IN LINE.
''The Mutual Company, said Mr. Charles Place.
its secretary, he leaned back easy chair at
its Offices in Union square. contemplated reduc-
time ago, but the Manhattan Company got the
start OF us. We have made reduction however,
since the Manhattan Company announced its inten-
ton. and our directors will meet tomorrow make
still further reductions. In other words shall
adopt sliding scale to apply to large consumers.
1t Is our purpose to sell gas as cheaply any
"How many consumers does your company sup
1--WE have about 16 OOO customers on our books"
"What are the influencing causes OF the reduc.
tion?'
1.-The action of the companies in reducing the cost
price of gas is influenced in consequence OF the
spirit OF competition and the lessened cost Of ma
HAS the electric light had anything to do with
it?'
'.Not particle
'.Is it possible for the Edison light to compete
with the gas companies in furnishing illumination
to small consumers, as it were?'
"It has been demonstrated that it cannot That
fact has been positively ascerained We have in use
sliding SCALE We sell to those using less than
1000 cubic feet month at the of 81 for 1000
feet; to those who 900 cubic feet during the
same period we sell for 81 80. and to larger con-
sumers q liberal discount in prices will be made.
The revised schedule to be prepared will apply more
particularly to large consumers. such as institu-
TONS hotels theatres and similar structures. The
proposed reduction will make it an object Of
omy for people to instead of coal for heating
and cooking purposes 1t will work revolution in
respect to household economy. BY its use the
nuisance of dust aud cinders will be obviated. while
house this latter will prove q very important ite@
With gas it is possible to cook meal for family
without heating up the house. which is not the
where stoves or ranges are used
WATER GAS TO BE CHEAPER.
In the new building on the southwest corner OF
Twentysixth street and Fourth the offices
of the Municipal Gaslight Company. and there the
HERALD reporter found Mr.. Philip Allen. its secre.
tary, who quite willing to impart any Informs
ton in his on the subject Of the formers
visit.
..Th;s company" said Mr. Allen, .'employs q pro-
cess in manufacturing its gas invented by French
man named Tessie du Motay. 1t is popularity called
water OecOmpO6e
aud then it is carburetted with nsphtha to produce
gas.
"How many consumers do you supply?"
1--WE have ut the present time between 5000 and
1000 The company was organized in 1874. but real
work was not begun until 1876"
"Have you followed the example OF the Manhattan
Company in reducing the priceY'
1--WE have. was the reply. Here it is. a. it went
time handing the reporter slip OF paper which
the following schedule prnted:-"Under 10000
cubic feet So; 600 OO0 fve per cent discounts
p5.OU n
5000. fifteen per cent discount; $1,000 to $4,000.
twenty per cent discount; above $1,000, twenty-five
per cent discount"
What rate you charging before the reduce
tion?"
1--WE charged 50 40 per 1000 cubic feet"
"Do you charge deposits your metersT
'No; we ask no deposit from any responsible
reduced cost will be within reach Of poor people
who hitherto probably thought themselves unable
..What are the boundaries of your district?'
sour works are at Forty-fourth street and the
seventeth to Grand street. chiefly from Eighth to
Third avenue.
"what is the character Of gas made by your pro-
cess"
There it it," he replied. pointing to q clear whiA
light burning from side brackets cit is Of twenty
pares with the gas manufactured by the other
panies Is shown by the examinations made ut tho
photometrlcal rooms of the Department OF Public
Works the gas consumed by city for the three
weeks ending on the 2Sth OF Juno last. The record
shows that while the Municipal Company was max
ing gas, is proven by it's books of twenty-five
New York companss gas was 1855. that Of the Man-
tan 1929, and the Harlem's 16. 50."
HAS the introduction of the electric light had any
effect on the cost OF Illuminating gas?"
cause the Manhattan Company made it. :"
nghty'
think its use impracticable for individual COM
sumers. practical demonstration OF the light.
made in London. and which was made the basis OF
report on the Parliamentary investigation of the
subject by such eminent men as Professor Tyndall.
DR.. Sicmens, DR.. Hopkinson and Sir William Thorn.
shows that 1t costs and two-thirds per cent
more than the illuminating gas made there from
what is termed 'semi-bituminous' coal There il
another matter of Importance. great deal fault
has been laid to gas that arises from the detective
manner of burning it. Persons do not always use
suitable burners. They should ascertain which are
the best burners to throw clear, white light.
Whenever burner is found to be defective it should
be changed at The cost is but few cents. and
the cost of wasted gas is enormously more In .
great many cases."
AT THE METROPOLITAN coMpASY's OFFICES.
''The Metropolitan Gaslight Company" said Mr..
O. f. Zokoher. its secretary supplies the districsf
river to river-that Is to say its all over
the district stated but it does not exclusively sup
ply all the consumers within those boundary limits.
We have not yet reduced the price OF gas to
sumers. because many of our directors are out OK,
the city. Had 1T not been for the latter fact have
no doubt the reduction would have been made sevs
eral days ago.
"wiI you now reduce your rates," the reporteP
queried.
will be reduction. l am confident it will be di.
rected as soon our directors be summoned to-
gether at a special meeting"
"What are your present ratesT'
''Since September. 1877, have charged those
using less than $4,000 cubic feet per month ut the
rate of 81 25 per 1000 feet; those who used from
30 900 to $4,000 feet charged So and those who
burned from so 600 feet upward at The rate of ri Is
per 1000 feet"
"what has induced this virtuous freak the part
of the gas companies which have hitherto been
gsrdcd as the closets OF all the monopolesY'
'The introduction of the electric light has had
nothing to do with 1t. That much is certain. 1t il
purely business move The action of the compan-
les is due to competition, and the reduced cost all
materials required in the manufacture OF gas. aud
also to the somewhat reduced cost of labor
ITO what extent will you reduce your ratcsY'
81 cannot say positively to that. but can
safely say that the Metropolitan Company will noe
be behind the others. and that the reduction be
made will date from the 1st of July"
do you think it a judicious business principle to