The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-22
WHY'RE WENT TO GOTHAM
THE OBJECT OF PRESIDENT HAD
DENIS VISIT TO NEW YORK.
It Was in Obedience to Instructions
From the Council to Arm the City
Against Gas Impositions and the
Formation of Trust.

President Hadden's sudden departure
for New York Sunday night created
good deal OF speculative talk on the streets
yesterday. No one seemed to be definitely
posted as to the nature OF his visit, Some
attributed il to the grand jury's caustic
recommendation to the city authorities TO
stop all other improvements and provide
new station-house; Others, poorly informed,
supposed he had gone 10 place new city Sc
curities with which TO pave the streets,
extend the sewer system and make other
needed improvements; still others thought
IL was TO consult with the city's bondhold-
ers relative 10 q change OF name from the
Taxing District to the City of Memphis.
No one was heard TO express the real OBJ
ject OF his visit, which is to be armed and
equipped against public service by the
two gas companies. About two months
ago the Legislative Council became inn
pressed with the fact OF painfully dim rays
OF light from the street gas lamps when
compared with the electric lamps The
disadvantage was 80 great, indeed, that u
wicked humorist vowed he had to carry
lantern TO find the gus lamps
on very dark night, another man was on
the verge OF fling an action for damages
because he had colided with lamp post
after dark, and sustained injuries which
confined him TO his bed for two days. At
the time OF the collision thoughtful
policeman, anticipating the victims claim
Tor damages, held q microscopic investigl-
ton and discovered that the lamp was UNI
der full Roadway OF light, and further
more that the threatening individual was
under the influence Of arteslan well water
polluted with extract OF hops. Thus re-
sisted, the action never found It's way Ia
the court calendar Complaints were also
made that the quality OF gas furnished
both the city and private families was
such as TO jeopardze health and increase
the death rate TO point that would retard
the city's growth and consequent pros
perity. All these considerations induced
a train OF scientific thought, ont OF which
grew determination 10 guard against all
sorts OF contingencies.
Close in the wake OF this came q realiza.
ton that lively competitor in the gas bust.
ness would soon exist. The old company
had enjoyed white harvest field Of
monopoly for years. Whether II had
brought them wealth or not was no con
Germ OF the council, but the presumption
was that IL had. All the kicks recorded
was at its expense, the bills went on with
beautiful regularity, collections were iirst
class, and this meant wealth. Another
company became envious, plankcd dowT
its capital in royal style, a handsome con
Germ stands as a monument 10 the outlay
and the rivalry for public favor will begin
at an early date. In the heat OF the BATH,
between the corporations, il struck th,
council that innocent parties might b'
wounded. The manufacturers might in
advertently forget 10 maintain cOrrcc
standard OF excellence in their output
Some council members who haC
scientific publication, suggested tina
: there was in existence "A machine ~
testing gas, giving away the slightest dc
parture from the schedule standard. Jus
what il was or what would be the cost am
expense, the informant could not say
From the massive service rendered al
imagined the machine 10 be n square q
two in dimensions and valued at $500, OO
at least. But II was q good thing on II
face, badly needed in the Taxing District
and resolution was passed authorizin
the President 20 take up his grip an,
q speed 10 the place OF manufacture. New
York. So there he has gone, will b
r absent ten days or two weeks, and the ~
suit will be watched with interest. II
: also claimed by friends Of the machine tina
Il is safeguard against gas trusts, but thi
!. Ii repudiated as romance.