Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-02-03
BIDS FOR THE PLANT.
THE LIGHT COMMITTEE REFERS
THEM TO A SUBCOMMITTEE.
More Gas Consumed Last Month Than Was
madc-oor Works Compared
with Others.

| A largely. and very important
session Of the Council Committee on
Light was held in the Office of Superin-
tendent Adams at the Upper Gas Works
yesterday evening. The usual routine
business was disposed of and the report
of the Superintendent for the month just
ended was submitted. II showed that the
amount Of gas made in January. 1892. was
25. 27O, 400 cubic feet. and that 25.254, il4
| cubic feet were consumed aud that the
amount made in January. 1895, was %. 2o4.-
| 4l4 cubic feet, while ~, OBJ ,25 were con-
sumed The deficit appearing IN the past
month is due 10 the fact that the holders
contain a reserve of about. 100000 cubic
| feet. which was taken therefrom.
| The report was received. 9,
The bill of the Richmond Railway aud
| Electric Company for the city's electric
| lights. amounting to S4,lS3.0f, was ordered
paid.
THE wATER-GAs PLANT.
The bids for supplying the city with a
water-gas plant. S25. 900 OF per cent. bonds
| for the construction of which we're recent
ly appropriated by the Council, were then
opened The specifications call for foun-
dation. buildings and water.gas apparatus
complete. with capacity OF 100000 cubic
feet Of Gas per dav, an oil storage-tank 10
hold 1900 gallons. and relief holder 50
feet in diameter and II feet deep.
The following submitted proposals:
William Henry White. of New York: the
Western Demonstration Company. OF
Fort Wayne, Ind. guaranteed capacity OF
plant 10000 cubic feet per day.; the
United Gas-Improvement COMPANY. Of
Philadelphia; the National Heat and
Power Company. Of Philadelphia (guaran-
teed capacity of 100000 cubic feet per
day).
On motion of Mr.. TAYLOR a sub-commit-
tee consisting Of Messrs. Grymes. Mann.
and Hardwlcke and the Superintendent
were appointed to take the bids under
consideration and 10 report TO the CON-
mittee.
The subcommittee will report for de-
liberation tonight.
KICHMoSD MAKES A GOOD SHOWING.
The February No of the Rrie1o Of Re-
Uie,rs contains an elaborate article from
Professor Edward w. Bemis. Phi. d., on
Recent Results of Municipal Gas
Making" Richmond occupies o promi-
nent place in the article, and among
others is the following reference TO her,
the calculations being based largely on
figures for 1891:
An interesting COMPARISON Is that be-
tween Richmond. Va, under public owner
ship, and Nashville. Tenn. under private.
Richmond census of 1850 had 81, 1888 pOpu-
lation Nashville only about 5000 less;
Practically the same proportion OF colored
and others not likely TO use gas exists III
the two. Coal in Richmond in 1871 was
~. 60 a ton. or a third higher than in Nash
vile. aud coke cents q bushel. or one
third less, while, owing 10 leaks IN the
holder, which Tor some time could not
be repaired. the cost OF gas IN the
Virginia city was over ) cents higher
than IL will be tins year. Despite
all this. Richmond selling gas 40
81 20, as in Nashville made above all
expenses. including extensions. but not
interest or taxes. the cash sum OF
SH.6i6.46. Besides this the city obtained
free 81 .122, 500 feet for public use, which
at Sl.50 per thousand feet was worth
81. CS3.9 %. The total profit thus was Sl2l,--
330. 36. or equivalent to all the taxes paid
by the Nashville company l-ls.siI3O IN
1891 and II per cent. on 3G)l,OJ0 the cost,
according 20 Superintendent Adams, OF
the Richmond Gas Works, OF duplicating
his plant. Fully 10 per cent, or
100000. represents the net advantage
of city ownership every year TO
Richmond as compared with Nash
VILE. Tho price OF gas was reduced IN
February at Richmond 10 Sl.25, which ls
still d cents above all costs. including IN
costs interest and taxes. which Redmond
does not have 10 pay. II the City Council
grants NJ. Adams the $4,000 be has re.
uues;ed for a water. gas plant tbe cost OF
manufacture Will be further reduced.
Since Professor Bemis's article was writ
ten the City Council has appropriated the
$4,000 Cor the water-gas plant, ana as
stated above the bids are now being con-
sidered