The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-08-31
ADAMS IDEAS ABOUT GAS.
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE
WORKS SUGGESTS.
Condition of the Works at Pre-ent-Im-
portance of Securing "a Water-Piant to
Manufacture the Illuminating Fluid
Superiority of the Method.

cance than at these present halcyon days.
There were no electric lights then and when
a rise in the river, with its wet mouth kissed
out our gaslights and left the city in gloom,
there was much talk; but the gas officials
were not blamed The light, however, at
times grew dim and showers Of disiayor
were sent down upon the gas-house people.
There grew out Of the situation much talk
about various kinds Of gas, its cost, the
manner Of production, and the material
connected with il.
just at this time our gas-works are Oper-
ated efficiently under the supervision Of Mr..
W. {. Adams, ana "a the electric-light ques-
ton is growing in interest ana lessening in
force. THE TIMES man went down to the
gas-works Yesterday morning. and had
talk with Nir. Adams, the substance OF
which can be- CLEANED IN the following:
CONDITION on THE WORKS.
\ very large amount OF work has been
done at the generating department of the
works this year. Foursof the old purifiers
that Nefe put in in 1872, when the maxi
mum consumption Of Gas WAS about 100000
cubic feet per day has been deepened, and
their capacity increased as far a.
possible 20 accommodate the ln-
crease of gas that IS constantly
growing every year. A new station metoI
Of 100000 cubic feet daily capacity has
been completed and found 10 work very sat
isfactOrily. Ten punches u ret0ris has
been rebuilt and put in thorough order for
the winter consumption, and every part oi
the lower works are in q good condition.
l.. 4. L. I.ft
heavy fall and winter consumption.
The large holder at the upper works is
badly in need of repairs, but owing tO the
increase Of CONSUMPTION and the lateness Of
the season, aud not having any extra ap
preparation for the work, | will try and run
through the winter with the slight repairs
my force will make. The holder capacity OF
the works is very limited, and ! have IN
several Of my annual reports called atten-
tion To the Committee on Light and the
Council as well TO this fact"
WATER-GAs PLANT.
The superintendent fill sticks to his
recommendation made 10 the Committee on
Light two years ago for water-gas plant
to act rs auxiliary to tha c0al-gas plant. lie
SAYS that he has the backing OF the best gas !
engineers in this country 10 bear him out |
in his recommendations, and as an evidence |
Of it, there j. scarcely works Of any size |
in this country that il not making water |
gas either as whole or in part.
Nr. slater. engineer Of the Providence, !
Il. l.. Gas-Light Company, has iust com |
pleted water-gas plant, and also Mr !
Stiness. of PaWtucket. Il. l.. and indeed 90 !
per cent. Of all the gas made in this country |
to-day is water-gas. TINS old cry of water
gas killing people said Mr. Adams, has |
been exploited wears ago. and The various |
improvements made in It's manufacture, has |
enabled the gas manager To make much |
purer and better gas than was formerly |
made.
You have frequently heard that there |
was no OdOr 10 water gas. and should there |
be a leak on one, premises il could not be- |
detected until some one was overcome lf0m !
the effects. This is a great mi-take,as there |
j.. far more Odor to escaping water gas than |
III re il 10 coal ga& My principal reason /
for recommending water gaS was Owtng to !
our limited holder room. | knew we We're |
10 have another. holder. Tins !
holder would cost considerable amount ol
money, and knew, or rather was told by |
those who are in a position 10 know. thai |
we could not get a holder for some time o.
come on account Of the financial condition !
Of the city at the time.
SUPPLY FOR YEARS.
Il know Win q Wdlcr-gdS Iilul anu 'ii' |
or two minor Improvements ! could supply |
the city fer some years 10 come with our |
present holder capacity, and give them a |
gas of higher candle power, and not any |
more dangerous 10 human life. Il Will al- |
WAYS pay the city and be a very great bene-
fit to the gas consumer, 10 adopt any modern !
improvement for gas making, it Will !
the production Of gas and enable !
the city to reduce the price Of consumers;
but if we continue to work on in the same
old rut Of our forefathcrs | am afraid that
neither the city or gas consumer viii derive
much benefit from their gas works.
"rhe outlook for large increase in the
Of gas. for the coming winter,
was never brighter. We have gained "a
number Of new consumers and expect To