The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-02
FINAL TEST PRIOR TO GAS.
RECEIVERS OF THE EQUITABLE COM
PANY INFLATED WITH AIR.
They Endure the Strain Magniflcently
and Are Pronounced Ready for Ser
vice-The Competitor for Gas Business
In Fine Shape and Promising.

Seven months agoa ripple OF plcasurable
excitemen, unged with considerable de.
gree Of doubt, was caused by the announce.
ment that the Equitable Gaslight COM
pany had begun building operations. II
was a familiar fact TO all readers OF the
daily newspapers that the company was in
existence, that persistent efforts had been
successfully made TO secure the necessary
privileges, and that promises OF perpetual
competition were given, but there was q
suspicion in the public mind that the real
design was TO alarm the existing company
and get into that corporation. So far this
anxiety has failed to become n realized
fact, and the indications point to per-
manent failure.
The first steps in construction work by
the new company have been followed by
many other and rapid ones, until today
the rival gas works stand practically COM
| pletcd. The works proper, constructed
after the latest and most scientific plans,
are filed with the machinery developed
by inventive genius as the best suited to
gas manufacturing in this age. Every de-
tail, from the foundation up, has been car
riod out with an accuracy and experiences
truly remarkable, where the contrary prac-
tice has too often been the rule.
Yesterday was an interesting one 10 the
company, characterized M il was by a final
trial before the manufacture OF gns was be-
gun. This was the test by air OF the inn
menso receivers prior TO their being conse-
Grated TO the service for which they were
erected. The scene was visited dur.
ing the day by number OF peo-
Pile, none Of whom exhibited more pro-
found interest and genuine delight than the
! Mcssrs, katzcnbcrger, who deserve the
largest amount Of credit for its presence rs
a healthy aud promising enterprise. The
! test was begun early In the morning by
Mr.. Maher, Of Baltimore, who came 20
Memphis for that purpose alone. Slowly
but surely the three sections OF the re-
ociyer ross under the rcsisiless imitation,
until within about ten feet OF the 10 feet
limit. Not an impcricc,ion WIS discovered
ia the work, and Mr.. Maher stated that he
had never witnessed more satisfactory
test. The immense iron concern remained
stationery at that hight, and was utilized
rs point Of observation by many daring
gentleman 30 take in the city and sur.
rounding country. The manufacture and
supply of gas 10 the patrons will being July
|, or soon thereafter, just eight months
after the first construction work was COM
menccd.
The general management Of the work
has been assigned 10 Mr.. kneisee, q gen.
tlcman who has devoted twentv.thrce
yoaus Of his life 10 the business, and had
change Of the sister company at Baltimore
for six years. lie conducted an APPEAL
reporter through every department OF the
concern yesterday, aud explained the de
tails and process with an ease and facility
much after the advanced schO0l-boy's
style Of running over his A, u, & column
ON examination day. lie is thoroughly NJ
home on the whole subject, and seems TO
be the right man in the right place. The
revelation Of Mr.. Kncisec in which the
public will he most interested II that the
company will manufacture what il
termed water gas of thirty-candle
power and smokclcss. lie further
stated that the power could aud would
be increased 10 thirty-fvc. Whether
water gas Is an improvement over the
old style article, from q hcalthiul point Of
view, Is n question over which there IL
much difference Of opinion. he this NJ il
may, the facilities for manufacturing this
gas arr complete. substantial and OF the
most approved pattern.
The rapidity with which the COMPANY
has arrived nj the present stage % COM
plclcncs, Is almost beyond crclence where
the fact Is not established by positive
proof. Two years wcrc Designated ~ the
legislative council ~ the period IN Ehlch
they believed it possible 30 finish. set o. has
been done In seven months. and one more
will b. sufficient to begin paving op,ra-
tons. Many DAYS II this seven months
wcrr lost by uniavomblc winter weather.
~ hrckWofk In cement performed while
frost covered the earth was unsatisfactory.
~ lar, or up o. July next, tBO.OpO will
have bccn expended, all 81 which was
paid up stock, thcrc being no bombs hang.
ing over the enterprise. Over half
this amount h Memphis capital. Tho
total capitalization u Fixed nj s5jO. OOO. and
all this will be ultimately expended In
further extending the pipc system. when
I'LL this has bcCn invested a majority will
hc foreign, ~ the additional u about all
irutn that quarter
The capacity ~ the works Is GOO. 900
cubic feet per day, With Arrangements
complete Tor n speedy increase oi 2D0. 900
feet whenever oCgsun demands The
manufacturing process Is upon labor siv.
ing basis, aud it Il this that induced the
company a. contract ior price never 10
uxcccd sl.5i per 1909 feet, N which iig.
urc they hope 10 rapidly sccurc fcmu-
ncfaiiyv patronage. Whatever may bp the
late NJ this nov competitor iur public favor.
u certainly means business aud presents