The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1881-08-11
THE WATER SUPPLY AND GAS QUESTIONS

! The WATER bUfPL1 AMI tho QuboliONo
We have not yet seen the reports
Mayor Crowdus as to the experience of his
recent trip in the cty's interest, but under
stand that he has been diigent observer
and collector Of facts in such places as he
did visit. Very much credit. muet be
conceded to the efficient service he has thus
rendered. From what we have heard from
friend of his, he found that of the places vis-
tied for the investigation of the gas supply
suhject, the city Of Hannibal, Missouri, was
the chespest supplied with street gas lighting
There, it appears, charge of $1S per snnum
per post for 14l posts, is charged, the gas
company owning the posts and lamps, but
the city making all the needed repairs. Now
let US look at this moment. In Hannibal
they have fine article of gas.producing
COAL. the cost whereof is 81 80 per ton of
2,24O pounds; 10 Dallas we have to pay an
averaged price of 81 per ton of 2 900 pounds
This is just 65 per cent increase in the matter
of coal price alone. This 6s per cent
added to the $lS brings up the cost per post
in Dallas to $50. Now, under the PROPOSE
ton of the Dalles gas company, as We under
stand it, the latter keeps the posts and lamp
in repair, which statistics show. if we
recall them Alright to be an annual
cost Of 81 each, which is $34
per lamp post, that the company in
this city ought to furnish its gas
for to the city, and which possibly
they could be induced to do, provided
always that our figuring is correct and if We
have omitted no other proper item OF ex'
pense. A couple of weeks ago, we saw in
the Philadelphia Gaslight Record, we think
1t was, the report of the experts for series OF
years. This report demonstrated, and it is
the standard, that lamp burned annually
como 240O hours, aud at the rate of
s feet per hour consumed 1900
cubic feet of gas. This at $500 per
1000 feet would figure out $50 per lamp for
one year, the which brings US within ~ OF
the previous figuring just above, But we
understand that the mayor says that the aver
age burning is only 625 feet per month when
lighted exclusively on the dark of the moon
It is admitted, we believe, that Of the S65
nights, deduction of so nights is invariably
made in street Lighting estimates
This gives 3O5 nights, and equal
say to 1900 feet year under our may or's
estimate, which Is very, very much below
the result of the years of experience OF the
Philsdelpbia experts, and which is the &C
cepted datum throughout the country. Ger
tainly, therefore, this needs revision and eau
tious investigation by conscientious Officials
to avoid pluoging the city into error.
In the matter of the kerosene oil PROPOSE
ton we have merely this to say, that 1t must
forever be borne in mind that the illuminate
ing efficiency or ''caudle power" Of gas to
kerosene oil is a. two 10 one, hence where
the cost of gas is, say $40 per annum per
lamp, that of the oil must therefore be $50
for the some service, to say nothing
of other Objectionable features OF the latter.
And besides this, also. our good people must
not forget that those Of our citizens interested
in our gas works company are solid ci'iEsns
here, and who. be il known, pay annual tax.
&c on some 100000, the which is just about
one eighth Of the entire city assessment OF
81 800 900. This ought surely 10 enter into
consideration in the making of contracts. For
the rest, in ell this business, we desire here 10
state expressly that We have been
guided, governed and influenced solely and
exclusively in the ciiy's interest alone ~
public journalists, never having for single
time been approached or solicited BY any in
dividual vhcmsoever 10 ssy even one kind
word or do one assisting act for . ron-dividend
earning corporation here, O imposed OF gen
,leuen. Who, 90 far ss We happen 70 know
them, would honor any city. in any point OF
view, commercially, socially, periodically