The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-03-16
THE LARGE GAS BILLS.
THE COMMITTEE SAYS THAT TIE
METRES ARE ALL RIGHT.
Several Cssey InvestiRsted and Discussed
in Detaii-Somc OF the Old Bills
To DO Cancelled.


good deal OF routine business. There
were present Messrs. Grimes chairman,
Branch. Davis, Vaughan. Hardwicke and
Wallerstein.
The report of Superintendent Adams for
the month OF February was received,
which showed that during that period
l9,ei6.500 cubic feet of coal gas were
made. against 1882 100 in the correspond
ing month last year. During that month
l9690ln cubic feet of gas were con-
sumed, against ls,376945 in the same
month in 1894. The receipts for the sale
of coke. ETC., last year amounted 10 sl56.S5,
against sli7,96 in the same month last
year.
on motion of Mr.. Wallersten ii was
decided TO recommend TO the Council
the adoption Of the resolution introduced
by Mr.. Brock, that all old gas bills, con-
tracted and remaining unpaid prior 10
1892 be cancelled.
The subcommittee appointed 10 inves-
tigate the charges brought In regard TO
excessive gas bills rendered during the
month of January. submitted "A report
through Colonel James r.. Branch. The
report was adopted and will be for ~ard-
ed 10 the Board OF Aldermen, tog ,ther
with the reports of Superintendent
Adams. Gas Inspector Knowles and his
assistants. The report contains the fol-
lowing:
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE.
The committee met in room No. 5, City
Hail. Monday evening, March H. 1895, at
6 o'clock. Although 1t had been announc-
ed in the newspapers that the meeting
would be held and all complainants were
invited TO attend, only five citizens APP
pesred to make complaints about their
gas bills. These and ~---~r complaints
referred to your committee were dis
posed OF as follows:
Mr.. w Trexler. living at 206 south
Pine street, complained of his bill for
February. having been changed by the
deputy inspector while delivering II. We
learned from the metre reader that he
discovered. while delivering the bills, that
he had place the statement of Mr. Trek
ler's metre in the block intended for his
next door neighbor, and vice verasa. He
reported the fact at the office of the
inspector OF gas, and the proper changes
had been made on the books kept by the
inspector and the bill clerk This was
satisfactorily explained to Mr.. Tresler
Mr.. Joseph Hindle, representing Asa
Snyder a Co., 1913 east Cary street. com
planned of his bill presented February ~,
1888, amounting to $3.50. The Inspector
said he had the metre tested, and found
II to be correct. lie also discovered that
this company mad been working at night
and using a gas stove. Your committee
could not feel justified In recommending
any reduction in this bill.
MIR. y. f.. Hulcher. Al west Broad
street, complained OF his bill, presented
February . 1885, amounting to $50. which
exceeded his January bill by N.iO. The
metre reader stated that he read Mr.
fulcher's metre for his January Dill
three days earlier than usual. winch
threw three days of his January con-
sumption i'm his February bill, and which
included all OF the holidays. This was
a satisfactory explanation of the Increase
TO your committee.
USED GAS STOVE.
Mr.. A. Fontenes, 200 north Seventeenth
street, complained of his bill for two
months, presented February II, 1872
amounting to Sll 30, which was largely III
excess OF his other bills. This was
explained by the metre reader, who SAID
that Mr.. Fontenesi had been using gas
stove for the past two months.
Messrs. Nardi & Castellocchi. 30 north
Seventeenth street. complained or their
bill. presented january 10, 1895, amounting
over their bill for the same period last
wear. The metre reader stated that this
metre was in good condition, and that
the firm was consuming more gas than
last year.
Mr.. Samuel REGISTER, ll06 Park ave-
nue. presented his bills for the past hVe
months. which. he thought showed an
excessive increase his bill delivered Feb
rlary ., 1895, amounting to $40 In the
opinion of your committee, the increase
was only natural, considering the pad
weather we have experienced TINS WIN
ter.
Mr.. Henry Heller 100 west Broad street
complained of his bill presented February
. ISs5 amounting to SIS. The Inspector
said he investigated this complaint, ana
found Mr.. Heller's metre to be In perfect
order and also discovered that lot
nj women over Mr.. Heller's place OF
business we're using the gas. The Dill
Included the gas consumed during the
holidays. The explanation OF the In
snector was satisfactory TO your COM
mittee.
rsrp rHIRrY.FIvE FEET AN HOUR.
Mr.. f. Hauff, 4O1 east Clay street asked
for a reduction I'm his blll' preseIlte eo
February 10Th. 1895, amounting TO SZo3O'
being $3.50 in excess of his bill for the
previous month The Inspector stated
that Mr.. Hauff's metre was tested ana
found to be correct. He discovered that
Mr.. Hauff was using two gas stoves
which would consume about thirty-hVe
feet per hour. With these facts before
us we see no reason why the bill should
be reduced. 1
Your committee deem it inadvisable and
unjust to the city TO reduce any gas DliI
unless it is clearly demonstrated that the
metre is out of order and has Deen regis
tering too fast. We are lnforiheu ny tne
Jnsnector of Gas that whenever this is
discovered the proper reduction is made
uirhout consulting the Committee OH
Light. AS IL may not be generally known
among our citizens that they can nave
their metres tested without cost we woulo
state that this can be done at any tlme
nv applying TO the Inspector or Gas,
Room .. City Hall.
The officers of the department nave no
control of the gas after IL passes through
the metre, and IL is entirely optional
with the consumer as 10 how mucn OIL
the same he will consume. We rely upon
the metre, which, when in proper conan
tion. is a thoroughly reliable piece or
m. chinery, TO indicate the amount con-
sumed. II we dscredit the metre there
is no other reliable means of ascertainlnS
the amount of gas consumed by each
cor sumner.
We feel satisfied that there has been
q general increase OF the consumption
OF gas during the months OF January
and February of this year over the same
period for last year. In explanation OF
the causes which have brought about this
increase we herewith submit the reports
furnished us by Superintendent w. {,
Adams, Inspector OF Gas w. 7. Knowles
and Deputy Inspectors j. r.. batKlhs'
an. or1 w W Mood