Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-02-12
GAS BILLS GROWING.
Strong Denials That Wind Is Being
Pumped Through the Pipes.
DANGER OF MIXING AIR AND GAS.
The Storm Of Indignation Sweeping Over
the Two Cities.
METERS THATMEAsURE MECHANICALLY

desire to resume the pecunlary gloom WHICH
has settled down on the pockets of users of
natural gas, DISPATCH reporter yesterday
sought for some reason for the sudden
growth, and all too healthy elongation OF
the gas bills, but without finding any so!u-
tion to the problem, which could be esti-
mated at the value of cent The sugges-
tiou that the wind forsook its customary
sporting place and blew through the pipes
was found to be unsustainable, and equally
so was the hint advanced in some quarters
that the atmosphere was corralled and
pumped into the mains.
There are yet unbelievers who look at the
mysteriously gifted meters with a mixed air
of awe and defiance, aad who desire to know
why these inscrutable things still persist in
piling up IN account against them even
after the gas has been shut off from the
house. The only excuse for an increase in
the bills that Superintendent Frank Will
cox can advance is that the consumers are
burning more gas than formerly, and he
gives as a reason the fact that this winter is
colder than last. .a.4. .-. -
Blames 1t on the Weather.
December, 1889, was 45o, whereas that OF
last December was $40 The average for
January, 1899, was 400 for February 4lo, March
$50 and November 45o. He said yesterday in
this connections:
bills IS because the people are burning more
owing to the colder weather. AS far as this
company is concerned the domestic supply is
regulated as economically as possible. We
moi in vQrv
house has a regulator attached to its supply
pipe az point before the gas enters the meter.
This regulator is valve which reduces the gas
from pressure OF from one pound TO one and
half pounds per square inch on the street
side of the regulator. to a uniform pressure
of four ounces to the Inch on the house
side. 1t is at this pressure the gas enters the
meter. The meter Is a vessel half filled with
oil and fitted with valves, which rotate as the
gas fills each chamber and passes into the dis
tributing pipe. The pressure of the gas causes
a movement of the valve, and every movement
is registered as so much gas gone into con-
SUMPTION. Each chamber holds just SO much
gas. and the measurement of consumption is
based upon the number of revolutions made.
Every meter used is inspected by the State In
spector, and his certificate as to fitness accom-
panies each one.
Examinations at Consumers Cost.
ave pay them s. for every certificate, and
when consumer calls upon us to examine
meter that is alleged to be faulty we are always
willing to do so upon payment of the same rate
Tor inspection that the inspector charges. II
we were to overhaul a meter at every com
plaint made, we should have to employ special
army of men for the purpose"
How about air beng in the pipes and help
ing out the pressure?
ITO introduce air into the gas pipes" replied
Mr. Wilcox would be to make compound that
would be as highly explosive as when glycerine
and nitric acid are mixed and called nitro
glycerine. This combination occurs when gas
leaks into cellar, and everybody is familiar
with the consequences which ensue on it taking
fire. If air could be mixed with the gas, the
supplying companies would, no doubt, gladly
avail themselves of it. but it would be danger
GUS. and expensive as well, to supply fluid
which can be had for nothing at the fireplace"
The Peoples Natural Gas Company has not
yet introduced the meter system to any great
extent, but they are being gradually intro
duced. That used by this company is of
wrought iron, and known as a dry meter, made
phla. The company supplies the central part
OF the city mostly. Unlike the philadelphia
Company. the Peoples regulates the pressure
to the house from series of regulating points
distributed throughou: th4 city. instead of
having valve in each house. This company is
the only one which finds it necessary to pump
its supply from the wells.
Some Trouble to Pump Air.
Gould not air be drawn into the pipes with
the gas p was asked Presideu James N. Pew.
II am not Informed on the point" he re-
PllCu, oub hueu Is COnSlQereQ CnaG the
pressure in the wells is 50 pounds to the inch, 1
do not see how air could be drawn through it.
The pressure from the regulating points is
four inches water pressure, and is uniform to
each consumer"
Mr.. Pew was indsposed to talk concerning
the operations of his company.
The Allegheny Heating Company people
have theory as to why people kick over their
bills. 1t is novel one and probably applies
only to the residents of the Northside. Cashier
Hays, of the heating company, insists that in
nine cases out of ten gas consumers don't
know why they kick, except that their bills are
larger than they want to pay.
The whole trouble Is Just here be re-
marked yesterday. THE great majority of
houses in Allegheny We're built before natural
gas was introduced, consequently the crates
were made for burning coal. The only change
made by owners has been to put in supply
pipes and then they think all thar is required
has been done. The gas is turned on full tilt
they kick About the pressurei Why
the pressure is all right, but the
heat is lost. Again, you Will find
that people who own their own houses very
seldom have any fault to find. They go to the
expense of fitting up their CRATES in a proper
way. All the trouble comes from those who
rent houses. The owners won't put in approved
appliances and naturally those who rent the
houses will not.
when complaint is made of an excessive gas
bill we at once send one of our men to look into
the trouble, and it nearly always turns out that
it is the fault of the CRATE. The meters are as
perfect as mechanism can make them. Natu-
rally they get ont OF order some times. the best
of them will. You will always find kickers, and
in fact they would be with you were we furnish
ing gas for nothing"