The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-01-08

"A HANDSOME SllOWING ON PAIER.-
CAN II BE REDUCED TO PRACTICAL OF.
GRAFTON ?
The subject of securing cheaper gas is
one of the deepest interest to the city and
its inhabitants, and now that the matter is
being Systematically inquired into. we sim
cerely hope definite and satisfactory results
may be obtained. The Council Committee,
appointed to investigate the subject, made
its report Tuesday night, and also sub
mitted a statement from Prof Kable,
giving the cost of operating water gas.
Both reports will prove interesting read
ing and are given below.
The committees report makes out p
clear case in favor of the righteousness of
the city erecting works. According to its
statement the annual cost for lighting the
CITY under the present system is 81 10000
Deduct from this the taxes paid the city
by the present company say LOO, which
is a'liberate estimate, and we have net
expenditure on the part OF the city OF
81 900 annually for gas According to the
report the city can secure it's gas free and
realize a net annual income OF $4,12o from
the investment, making 1925 per year
net upon an outlay of $4,000, besides pro-
viding an annual sinking fund OF $1,000.
In less than five years the original outlay
weal be returned, and the city be in pos
session OF permanent and valuable
source of regepue.
So much as to the plant as an invest
mcnt on the part of the city. The real
benefit would he to the citizens who would
thus realize saving of 80 per cent. on
their gas bills. even at $l.75 per 900, with
reasonable expectation of securing u still
further reduction after the first few years
The idea should be, and doubtless is, to
give the citizens the full benefit of the re-
duced rates. not TO establish on behalf of
the CITY IL making enterprise. After
Che interest on the investment has been
paid the running expenses met. and u
sinking fund provided, then the gas would
be sold to citizens at actual net cost. This
would doubtless increase the consumption,
as many who are not using gas nGw would
be able to take it. and the greater the qunn-
tity ssaausifactnred. the greater would be
the proportionate reduction in cost of
manufacture
The reports were laid on the table to
await acknowledgements, it being under
stood that this agent of an Electric Light
Go. was in the city, prepared to submit an
estimate of the cost of illumination under
that process.
Now that The matter has assumed Gehr
mite shape we trust it will not be allowed
to slumber in q pigeon-hole The subject
is one of vital Importance to all classes of
our citizens and. it is the duty of the Coun-
Gil topush forward in the work as soon as
practicable.
REPORT OF TIE COMMITTEE.
The undersigned committee to whom
was referred a petition from number OF
our citizen Taxpayers. praying your hon
orable body to inquire into the eXpediency
of the city erecting q system of gas works
for the better lighting of our streets, &C.,
beg leave to report, that after as minute
correspondence and otherwise, we find the
most practicable methods of gas making
(for this locality are by what is known as
the bituminOus coal process, and the wafer
gas process.
From data kindly furnished us by MI.
J. II. Knowles. for thirty-odd years past
the efficient superintendent OF the gas
WORKS of Richmond, and from estimates
furnished by the Tanner Dulany Engine
Company OF the same city, we find that
the cost of apparatus which will properly
produce 10000 cubic feet of gas per "a
hours will be about So. 254.0Q erected in this
city according to the plans and speciGca-
tions submitted herewith, The cost of all
the buildings, according to the same plans,
would be about $1,000.
There would be needed for street mains
say 900 feet of s inch cast iron pipe at IS
cts. per foot laid. 1000 feet of inch cast
iron pipe at 55c. per foot laid. and 10000
fit. of inch cast iron pipe at 35c, per foot
laid. There would also be needed 800
light metres at $3.50. $3.50 so slight me-
tres at $3.50 making 1925, and 10. 10 light
metres at $3.50, making 800. Total $2470.
Necessary for tools, say $500.
Exclusive OF the cost of LOT on which the
plant would be made, the outlay would APP
proximate 500 $4,000.
The cost OF material necessary to manu-
facture 10000 cubic feet of gas daily for
one year will be. say,
725 TONS coal at "a .............$2,9 10000
1000 bushels lime. ............... 10000
Supt. salary. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 10000
Foreman OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 600.00
Helper 10000
Hauling, NC. $50. ...... ,....... 10000
S5,300.OO
1850 gals tar will be made, worth
us fuel. Observation-Disclosures. ...S $1,000
26100 bushels of coke will be made
Of which can be sold for say
7c per bushel, making ....... 10000
Estimating the entire cost of the works
at 1925 900, we have al annual outlay as
follows
Interest on investment at per cent, 81 800
Sinking fund ............ ...... 1000