Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-06-19
PRICE OF GAS.
The Investigation BY the Senate Sab.
COmmittee Resumed.

COST OF WATER GAS LESS THAN HALF DOL
] LAR PER THOUSAND CUBIC FEET.
Senators Spooner and Blackburn, the Sub
District committee, this afternoon resumed the
inquiry as to the cost and price Of gas In Wash
ingtop.
Mr.. w. p. Patton, now in government en-
ploy. but connected with the Harrisburg gas
company In 1882, submitted o statement in de-
tail OF the cost of making water gas there.
Stored in the holders it cost thirty-two cents
per thousand cubic feet He allowed fifteen
per cent for loss by leakage, wastage, ETC., (say-
Ing that was too large taxes, labor and every
thing, and made the cost of delivery 14.44
cents per ZOO, or the total cost per 1000 de-
livered AZ A cents. Mr.. Patton stated that in
summer II cost more, as there was less con-
sumption, put that at the outside good water
gas should be made at q cost not to exceed fifty
hVe or sixty cents per 900. MIR. Patton said
coal cost the Harrisburg company $3.50 per
Mr.. McIlheny, president OF the Washington
com panyl VINO was present, said 1t costs his
y no method by which gas can be made in
Washington at q less price than it is now sold
q. ANY paonI he said his com pany has ali the
gas.
, Mr.. McIlheny was questioned very closely by
over-registratio1 Of meters. He declared that
there Is no over-registration and could not be,
except as matter of deliberate frand. This
and therefore does not force through more than
Is burned. He said pressure could be put on 90
as 70 force ,h through more than Is burned and
TO make gas that would be unfairly prof table to
the company would necessarily reduce the
"That may be" said Mr. spooner, land to be
candid, some people complain that the quality
is low enough. I've thought myself thasit was
"Much depends upon the way it is burned"
suggested Mr.. McIlhenny.
~ burn 1t ike all people, | suppose" said Mr..
L a
Mr. Mc1lhenny said the water gas mode here
is 80 candle power, and the coal gas 151a. He
clared that there is no coflusion between his
company and the inspector; the latter never
visits the works. Last year the company made
4S,uoo,OOO cubic feet per month.
THE COKE CONTRACT.
Mr.. John Noonan, contractor for delivering
coke in the city, had had the contract for about
eighteen years. He said his contract had been
published in THE STAR His interest in It Is
that he gets SO cents per load tor hauling. No
| bushels or thirty-five. He formerly got more,
but so many tried to get the contract, thinking
there was money in 1t. that he had to
1t, but not so much as people suppose. The gas
company makes nothing out OF his contract
he originally got it through an advertisement
in THE STAR. The contract had not been open
to bidders for ten years. He had had 1t Tor that
time undisturbed. He could not tell how much
he had made out OF 1t, as he kept no books.
II get fifty cents for every load take ont OF the
gate" he said.
Have you made $50, OOO?" asked Mr.. Black
burn.
To this Mr.. Noonan could not say, or did not
give any definite answer
He declared that he had never paid any roy
atty for the contract; had never divided with
any of the company; had never paid cent for
the contract.
"iou wouldn't tell US if you had would your"
asked Mr. Spooner.
The witness replied that he would. He had
no partner, and owned no gas stock. He bought
rea! estate. "a better fnvesl ment."
Mr.. McIlheny said the company had been
making water gas about two years. The com.
plants are not more numerous now than when
coal gas was used.