The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-02-04
CARD

der case,
ACARD
From the Late Superintendent OF the Gas
Works.
EditOrs IRtellIgeuCer.
In the statement over the signature oil
|, NJ. Dillon, that appeared in the lNTEI.-
LIaENCER OF the eth inst, It Is minated
in unmistakable terms that l have In some
way been instrumental in causing the re-
cent trouble amongst the employees at the
Gas Works, arising from the employment
OF Colored men to the exclusion OF the
white Workmen. Mr.. Dillon says that ~
hoped to be benefited by his downfall, II
that strike had been success in bringing
him into diCgrsCe." l respectfully, and
as matter OF justice, ask to be allowed
space for few remarks in reply TO his
unwarranted assertions.
Most OF those white men are strangers
to me. l know two Of them, but can
say, aud am prepared to substantiate II in
the most solemn manner, that while these
men were employed at the Gas Works un.
der Mr.. Dillon l have had no con-
versstion with them directly or indirectly
on the subject OF the Strike" | have had
nothing TO do with it, Gan Mr.. Dillon
show that had? Can he show that
have ever tried to influence any OF his
employees to his disadvantage Or has
this card Of his appeared merely because
It was deemed appropriate for the morn.
ing Of city eleCtionp
Mr.. Dillon takes occasion 10 mention
my "Creed and politics." He might do
better II, instead Of occupying his mind
with other mems ''creed and politics, )" he
would devote his leasure hours to study.
ing the duties OF his new position, and &C.
quiring better knowledge OF them.
| can ConsClentiously say that while
was at the Gas works ! have never been
influenced by either creed or politics in
my official intercourse with the men EN-.
ployed there. But since 1t has beeu Mr..
Dillon's pleasure to speak OF other mems
"crC I'D and politics." | may, l hope, be
excused II | inquire, was 1t not on account
OF their "creed and politics" that soon
after | quit the Gas works some ten or
twelve skilled and experienced men elm.
ployed were discharged, There was no
fault alleged against them. Two OF them,
on the contrary, hold excellent testimo.
malls as to good conduct and efficiency,
signed by Mr.. Dillon himself day or two
after they were discharged. How can this
be explainedP
have never desired any controversy
with Mr.. Dillon. We have always, dur.
ing my residence OF fourteen years In this
city, been, as thought, on good terms,
and therefore Vesutfered 10 pass un.
noticed many statements to my dsadyan.
tsge that have from tlmet0 time appear.
ed In the columns Of the INTELLIaRNCER,
as the substance oil interviews OF local
reporter with Mr.. Dillon. For instance
the apparatus was defective, and Mr.. Dill.
Ion had to improveit; he obtained o larger
return OF gas from the coal than had
done, etc. The Carbonizing account kept
by me would refute this, and show the re-.
verse to have been the case. Mr.. Dillon
avoids mentioning the quality OF the gas
made In my time. How does the gas SUP.
piled 10 the citizens Of Wheeling, partiCu.
larly this winter, compare both In quality
and quantity with the gas made previous
10 his superior management
In this connection | would Rsk atten.
ton to one or two matters illustrative OF
the present able management. Towards
the fall Of 1879 recommended the cree.
ton OF three benches or ovens Of i've re.
torts each In the place OF four old dilapi.
dated ones oil three retorts eaOh that had
been In use about 80 years, and the city
Council adopted my plan In preference 10
proposition to build new gas holder at
that late period Of the year. Those old re-
forts could not be relied on and additional
gas holders would not avail without the
means for making gas. The result proved
that that plan was the right one, for the
apparatus, thus enlarged, was more than
sufficient Tor the supply Of the increased
demand for gas In tho winter oithat year,
have said 1t was more than sufficient,
because one oil those three benches OF
Gives" was not started or put Into use
that winter. The producing capacity OF
lie five retorts was about thirty thousand
(30,000) cubic feet OF gas daily.
This being the case why was It stated In
a report made last June 10 the Council
that during the last holiday season the
works were az severely taxed 90 they
could stand. On one night, despite short
charges and the liberal use OF oil to In.
crease the production, the supply gave
out within q few minutes In ono holder.S
This was strange admission In view Of
the iapt that qne large bench Or oven OF
the capacity above stated stood idle. Does
this not disclose serious and Oulpable neg.
leCt or omission Of duty on the part OF the
management
The city is In danger OF being left In
total darkness, while five large retorls that
might have been got ready for use, were
not put into operation
Recently Eve benches OF six tetorts
each have been put up at the gas works,
four benches OF FIVE retorts each having
been pulled down to make room for The
"sixes;" and for these new benches much
credit seems 10 be claimed. A local re.
porter hsYlng had an interview, statea
THAT the city may be proud Of them. 4
Had the reporter understood the subject
he was writing about, he could not have
seen much In that Job 10 bs proud off,
No doubt the work has been well exc.
Cuted, but consider what II cost.
According 10 a report made last June 10
the CITY Council, the new iron castings for
those five benches cost eighteen hundred
aud twenty-five dollars, $l,s25 ! This
was an unnsCsssatylexpenditlfe. II might
have been avoided, and still tho enlarge
ment desired could have been made. The
pattern and dimensions Of the former cast.
ings-now thrown aside-were such that
they were suited 10 seven retofts In an
oven % well as 10 five, and thus twenty.
eight fetorts-latgef In siye-might have
been substituted for The former twenty,
and all ofthe fornVriron castings retained,
This was my plan, and l had drawing,