The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-01-24

THE GAS SUPPLY.
Visit Of the Board Of Public Interests
10 the Gas Works.

The Board OF Public Interests met yes
terday morning at 1880 O'Clock in the
office, at the lower gas
works. Present: Mr.. j. Taylor EllysOD,
president OF the Common Council; Mr..
l.. l.. Bass, president OF the Board Of
Aldermen; DR.. J. $. Wexford, OF the
Board OF Aldermen, and Messrs. Andrew
Pizzini, Maxwell r. Clarke. and 7. H..
Elicit, from the Common Council, and
Messrs. \. X. Courtney, W. ii. Palmer.
and John B. Purcell.
TIE PROCESS.
The Board was called TO order by the
chairman. Mr.. Ellyson, who said that the
object OF the meeting was to make an eX-
OF the works and TO iamiliariZe
with the process OF the manu-
facture OF gas.
MR.. HIGGINS.
Mr.. Higgins. chairman OF the Gas Com
mittee, said he was not there in an official
capacity, but lie would like to make a
statement to the Board iu reference to
the condition of the gas-works when his
committee took charge and the present
condition OF the works.
The Chairman said that the committee had
met for a particular purpose, and Just at
this time no statement could be considered; !;
that il was the purpose of the committee
at some future time to investigate the man
agement OF the works, and when the time
arrived the statement could be made.
Mr.. Higgins took up his books and pa
pers, saying that he did not desire to in
trude upon the committee, and left the
room.
WHY Is THE GAS BAD!
The committee, under the guidance OF
Superintendent Knowles and Foreman
Adams. inspected the entire works, begin
ming at the coal-house and going through
each department. To questions propound-
ed by members of the committee as TO the
cause OF the impure gas, Mr.. Adams said
that il was attributable to three things
First. There was deficiency in washing
surface.
Second. There was not sufficient purify
ing surface.
Third. Bad coal-at times.
CONSUMPTION.
DR.. Wexford asked Mr.. Adams what was
the relative consumption Of gas during
the months of December, 1882, and Decem-
Der, 1888.
Mr.. Adams referred to his books and as
certained that during the month OF Decem-
Der, 1882, over fourteen and hall millions
cubic feet OF gas was consumed, the aver
age illuminating power OF which was
I9 Clio candles. In December, 1888, 16,-
309.355 cubic feet OF gas was consumed,
with an average illuminating power Of
Il $40 candles.
DR.. Wexford: Well, the Anderson re-
torts show a greater production OF gas.
but the average candle-power was much
less, which really gives no increase after
all.
The Doctor considered this an important
matter to look INTO during the proposed
STRICTLY PRIVATE.
1t was decided to hold meeting this
evening at O'Clock IN the Council cham
Der.
Major Courtney suggested that the meet
ing be strictly private. in order that some
definite plan of action might be agreed
upon. He said that he did not wish it to
be understood that he proposed sitting
with closed doors. but only wanted the
lO utClut ~ iON tht liN'Sll-
CATION is to be conducted. after which the
would be open to the public.
This was agreed to, and the committee
EXPERT AND sTENOGRAPHER.
The Board mean to procure the services
Of stenographer, and will want-if time
is valuable TO them-a man who can make
A verbatim report OF the evidence, and
when necessary read the testimony over to
the witness before he leaves the stand.
They will also get the best gas engineer
they can procure to aid them as an expert.
They nave already written for one. Such
gentleman may not he able to get here
before the new purifiers get TO work.
II so, he will then see the gas
IS it is in its improved condition,
not as it is now, and it has been for
5hree months past. Ii this il likely TO
occur, the Board, in the intent OF fairness,
Will no doubt deem it necessary to have
1 chemical analysis OF the gas as it now Is,
md that analysis can be handed the expert
when he arrives.
The new purifiers, 1t Is hoped. will be
ready by the first Of next week. II Is con-
ended that they should have been in
working order more than two months ago.
rhe Board will endeavor to fix the respOn-
'ibility for this delay, and will inquire why
, full report thereon was not made to the
City Council.
THE TR0uBLE.,
From what has come out so far 1t seems
hat the gas.works are aboring under the
fery difficulty they were year ago-viZ.,
inability to manufacture sufficient guam
ity Of good gas to meet the demands OF
consumers. True, they have now enough
'etort capacity, but they have not the
purifying capacity.
After the new purifiers are well at work,
Ind not until then, the Board will be able
% judge II there Is anything at all in the
suggestion that the gas-pipes throughout
.he city are too small.
Fires Yesterday and This Morning.