The daily gazette., 1881-04-19
sUEs1AY. APRIL Is, IssI.
GAs ron FunI AND PowKR.-l

GAs FOE FURL AND PowkR.-As
the GAERTrR has heretofore stated.
the great want 10 gas for heating and
power. We have candidly told our
readers thai we know nothing about
the cost Of manufacturing gas that
we depend entirely on hearsay. But
ne are told hy gentlemen in whom we
have confidence, that gas can be made
and sold for 80 cents thousand feet
Tor the purpose of heating, cooking
and power and they say nj that rate
there ID n handsome profit to be made
out of ii by the company that makes
and distributes it. They say also
that its quality is 80 good that it viii
be ms cheap as coal to the consumer.
They DO not propose to use it for
lighting.
The Wilmington Goal Gas Company
furnish quality of gas for $L50 that
win give power and heat to do ali that
ID required Of it. In fact one party
who uses it for driving six horse pow
er engine says that it is cheaper than
coal. This of itself is proof sufficient
that gas may be relied on for power,
If the cost can be made light enough.
In addition We know from practical
experience that the Wilmington Coal
Gas Company's gas can be used for
cooking. But our experience some
twelve years ago proved entirely too
costly it can be used now at less
expense. But we fear that at $3.50
per 1000 feet it could not be brought
into general use. And this as the
GAZETTE has heretofore said is a mat
ter Of SO much consequence to all
classes Of our people, that we would
deem it almost q criminal act for
company tor its own ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
to interpose and prevent the introduce
ton Of a cheap and reliable article.
In brief article we have not the space
to trace out all the valuable results
that would follow the introduction of
gas for heating and cooking, and for
power. To any lady who desires to
superintend her own cooking and
kitchen work first of all it would
prove invaluable; while to the wives
Of such as are compelled to rise early
and get q meal, it would be hailed as
q blessing. To the gentleman whose
Office requires heating, and who d
sires 10 have the heat under his own
control it would be relief to know
that he was no longer dependent upon
some one to make fire and carry off
the ashes to boarders who are not
favored with heat III their chambers
1t would be comfort. These are
matters aside from the great feature
that it would bring in it's economy.
Economy would be introduced in SO
many ways that one could not estimate
1t. In the first place we are told the
actual first cost, with fuel gas at so
cents per 1000 feet, would be less
than the cost Of coal. In the next
place the time that would be saved,
and the labor that could be dispensed
with would be equal almost to half
the present cost of fuel for the kitchen.
But q moments reflection will show
any gentleman or lady the many
economical recommendations that gas
for fuel, heating and cooking must
bring. We are not writing for or
against any one, and have no interest
many company. But a very large class
of readers are incredulous as to
the ability to cook and heat with gas.
We hope to induce them to believe
otherwise, and to assist themselves by
insisting upon the introduction OF
cheap gas for these purposes if it can
be had.
People are slow to introduce new
methods that superseds old customs.
The sewing machine that is now SO
popular everywhere sold SO slow at
first that it took about seven years to
get into use that number of these
now indispensable machines, in about
as many houses in this city after the
Arst one was received.