The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-03
Respectfully,
EDWARD j. WARREN.
TINT "D. ~" Gas BILL.
The Various City Departments, 1t Is
Thong I, Are Using Too Much Light.


Thong I, Are Using Too Much Light.
The Light Committee held a lengthy
session yesterday afternoon.
There were present Messrs Grimes
chairman. Wallerstein. Caskie. Carter,
Davis. Noble, and Vaughan. The matter
of the increased consumption Of gas in
various city departments was taken up.
President Frischkorn, OF the Board Of
Fire Commissioners, and Fire Chief Pull
Ter both said in behalf'of the department
that they represented that during the past
years the engine houses had been eco
nomical in the use Of gas. Mr. Frischkorn
could not see where the vast amount OF
gas charged up TO his department had
gone. From the figures, he was led to
believe that the engine houses had not
been as economical as he supposed they
would be.
Mr.. Frschkorn explained that gas was
used to keep up steam I'm the boilers when
the steamers We're in their houses This
had been done I'm the previous year, and
in consequence he could not explain what
had caused the increase unless II was
the change from coal 70 water gas, which
was not as strong for heating purposes.
He explained that tho men did not use
gas cXtravagantly. They. Of course. used
some gas. but TO more lights than they
required 10 i've comfortably and spend
their evenings with light enough TO read
by. He said that the houses were lighted
dimly when the men had retired. II
was necessary. II d call came in 20
have light to hitch up by. Mr.. Frisch-
korn went into the matter IN detail, but
could not throw any light on the cause OF
the increase unless the change I'm the kind
of gas was responsible. lie was sure
there had been added no more jets, and
II anything he thought the consumption
was less than the previous year.
Mr.. Frischkorn spoke Of the kindness
OF the Electric Light Company in giving
lights 10 the Cary-Street engine and at
headquarters lie said the electric lights
saved some gas.
chief Fuller said that the men were
economical IN the use OF gas. He could
not explain why there had been an in
crease.
The report Of the subcommittee showed
that there was an increase OF 100000 feet
in 1895 over 1894.
Colonel Cutshaw. Tor the Grounds and
Buildings Committee did not see how
the use Of gas I'm the City Hall could be
regulated. lie said the increased use Of
gas in the building could be accounted
for TO some extent by the moving in dur
ing the year Of more Of the city depart
ments.
Questioned by Mr.. Wallerstein, Colonel
Cutshaw said he thought there might be
less gas used in the city Hall.
The INCREASE at the City Hall has been
10000 feet i'm 1895 over 1894.
For the AlmshOuse s perntendent r.
L. Carter sand that he did not see how
less gas could be used. lie thought the
turning down lower Of the jets ia the
yards might save some gas.
Mr.. Ferriter, for the Second Vegetable
Market. said that he could not explain the
increased use OF gas, which was far more
than was paid for.
Mr. VI. Seay for the Clay-Ward
Market. said there was no waste OF gas
there that he knew OF.
Mr.. Flournoy for Second Market said
that the use Of gas there was so economi-
cal that the stall-owners wanted 20 put
i'm meters and pay directly for their gas.
on motion Of Mr.. Wallerstein a sub-com-
mittee was appointed 10 look into the con-
sumption of gas and devise a plan TO re-
duce the supply used by the various city
departments Messrs Carter, Noble, and
Davis were named by the Chair
MY Wallerstein also offered a resolution
re uirir- a @ Superintendent Of the Gas
Works 10 place a meter on a steamer and
trfaf Is how much gas was being
used by a steamer.
II seemed 10 be the sense Of the members
that the various departments should be
made 10 pay for their gas. This. il was
thought. would bring about saving.
The committee adjourned at 1:l5 o'clock.