The morning times., 1895-12-08

Some additional facts bearing on the
Possibility or acetylene becoming an ar
ticle OF general use and availability were
furnished yesterday TO The Times. The
article In The Times yesterday has caused
considerable comment and especially with
reference to the possibility, and facts bear
ing on the probability, OF a deal between
either or the two companies, which, it is
stated, must work together for the pro-
duction of acetylene gas, with coal gas
corporations.
decidedly interesting Interview was
had yesterday with one OF the gentlemen
who have been trying to get at the inside
working or the discovery for the benefit
of the Door. He said he had his attention
attracted by n rather hnlping anonymous
defense" of the acctylene people in one OF
the afternoon papers. which was possibly
written under inspiration. He said that
he was further impelled to remove some
or the impressions apt TO be produced by
that publication and especially as it sought
to answer some OF the arguments he had
furnished TO The Times.
sIMON-PURE PHILANTHROPY.
1T Is not a little amusing he said, Ito
those who can read between the lines to
uote the eag gerBess with which the acetyiene
print at the first public expression of doubt
as to the validity of their claims.
How their generous hosoms glow with
Indignation at any attempt TO cheat the
public OF an opportunity to throw off the
calling chains OF monOpolisdc tyranny and
how ready they are to come forward and
lay at the feet OF that public their own
beautiful aud cheap discovery as remedy
for all the Ills it has endured In the matter
nj artificial light for In these many wears.
How eioauently they point out that all
similar advances in science have met similar
6ctractors, but have, in spite of all, finally
emerged triumphant in the enjoyment of a
complete vludicatlon, etc. Unfortunately
for them, tue facts, as far as they can be
sscertained point to quite a different
suinlus.
From 1890, when Mr.. Wilson, in the
village of Spray, n. c., while carrying on
some experiments in quite different direo-
tiou, accidentally produced calcic carbide,
to the present year the secret tremainedpretty
well guarded. Yet we find that the chief
gas corporations of the country are already
in control OF aCetylene rights for the most
valuable territory in the United States,
aud one OF the effects of this control VIII
be their emancipation from the thraldnm
OF the Standard Oil Company, from whose
agencies they obtain the naphtha so largely
used by them, the intention being, OF course.
10 substitute a very small percentage OF
scetylene for the quantities of the other
hydrocarbon and thereby improve their
hold on the public by giving them a much
hetter article for their money without
materially, If at all, Increasing their own
expenses.
AN AID TO MONOPOLY.
THE growing demand for municipal
control OF gas plants would thereby be
checked, and their monopoly strengthened.
To show that this view OF the situation
10 not unfounded, II may be sufficient To
mention that among the directors CT the
New York Company, the following names
are found:
"Charles F. Dietrick, associated with
various gas companies; Baron E. J. Jerz-
manowski, e well-Enown gas expert ami
president of The Equitable Gas Company;
Mr.. Proal, secretary and treasurer OF
several Western gas companies Capt. s.
p. Hayes, president Of WCs; Side Elevated
Railway In Chicago, and Anthony y. Brady.
This company controls all the United
Eta:es and South America.
$50 that It would appear thet gas inter
e.,s, far from being inimical TO aud afraid
Of acetylene, are Themselves the very head
and front OF the enterprise, and anyone
who thinks for a moment that acetylene
csn be a serious competitor OF gas at
present rates OF manufacture, is simply
not IN II
"The difference in cost Of production
IL too great. A ton of coal will give
10000 cubic feet of gas. So Will ton
OF cslcic carbide it is said; but from this
point on, the divergence Is wide. ton
Of coal costs the gas companies some where
between 81 and s., perhaps. a ton OF
carbide, IL is admitted, costs $50. There
are several very remuneratiyc hvproducts
tcoke etc., in the manufacture of coal
gas, but none i'll the manufacture of acety-
tene. Then, unless compres sed into a
nuuid. the convenience which constitutes
enc Of its chief merits, is wholly lost, and
compression to roo pounds per square
inch is a costly process TO apply to any
thing intended for popular consumption.
Bteel cylinders must be provided, and freight
Esid on them.
TOO EXPENSIVE FOR GOOD.
"Now, when all these items are summed
I'd, It Is easy to see that, except In the
esse.s when. conyenles1Cc VIII oTerbalance
y-----------