Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-10-27


committee to do this.
Chairman Hinken asked leave to
make statement and said that much
of the loss had been the result of the
bad management of the gentleman in
charge Much gas had been made
which had been lost.
Mr.. Snowden asked who was this
gentleman.
MIR. Hinken said it was Mr. Hantz-
man.
Mr.Greene asked how long Mr.Hink.
en- had been at the head of the com.
mittee.
Mr.. Height years.
Mr.. Greene asked how long Mr..
Hanizman had been in charge.
Mr.. 1.-Two or three years.
Mr.. Greene asked if the competency
ofthe superintendent could not be de-
termined in that time.
Mr.. Hinken said that the incompe-
tencv was not shown until the experts
made report.
After some discussion as to who had
the right to employ and discharge
hands at the works,
Mr.. Snowden said the most of the
masters discussed were minor matters:
the question now was what became OF
one third of the gas made at the works.
We made 81 million feet and nine mil.
lion was not accounted for. He did not
believe that $4,000 worth of gas was
furnished the city and the public in
situations. The subject was the most
important which had been brought be-
fore council for many years. All sorts
of rumors were in circulation and he
had been requested to ask certain ques-
tons about the management of the
works. He said the city owned a
$3.50, 900 plant and was receiving little
benefit from it. The citizens, especially
| the nine hundred consumers who paid
all the expenses, wanted to know the
reason. The claim that anything like
nine million feet of gas was lost by
leakage he would not accept.
Mr.. Uhler resuming urged that a
larger dividend should be paid from the
, capital employed in the gas works.
Mr.. Moore asked if Towering the rates
to consumers was not OF more impor-
lance than the payment of dividends to
| the city.
Mr.. Uhler responded that the gas
could be made much cheaper here now.
The city of Philadelphia bought gas
from q private company for 81 cents per
thousand and sold it at 81 per thou.
sand.
The chair stated that when the price
of gas was lowered the bills increased.
So the city lost nothing by the reduc-
ton in price.
Mr.. Latham asked in reference to
the coal if advertisement had not been
made for the lowest bidder on coal and
| tine lowest bid accepted.
MIR. Uhler replied that during the
year The price of coal fell one dollar per
ton. Yet the old contract at the higher
rate, one dollar more than the proper
price, was continued.
Mr. Birrell asked what had become of the
coke. 1t was stated that the employees of
the gas works were furnished their coke and
gas free
Mr. Moore said such was not the case, so
far as he knew.
Mr. Uhler said he had been unable to as
certain the amount of tar made at the works,
and he commented on the general looseness in
the mans ement of the works The gas could
be put in the holder st Ala cents, but it cost
| 70 cents now.
Mr. Moore-"That is the result of Leakage"
Mr.. Uhler further stated that ho had been
told that thre were houses in the city in
which gas was used which had 70 passed
| through the metre.
The joint convention then dissolved.
COMMON COUNCIL REAssEMBLED
Upon the departure of the Aldermen,
Mr. Birrell, saying that nothing had been
done yet, introduced resolution that the
combined committees on ligh: and finance be
not discharged fom the consideration Of the
gas works, &C., but he requested them to re.
port plan for the better conduct of the
works
Mr. Uhler said he lad done his share Of the
work, and he CAV, notice that he had no
more time to expend in this matter. The
mmittee had exhausted the subject, and it
was for Council to act upon their report. The
conduct Of the gas works was clearly under
the management of the light committee.
Mr. Birrell's resolu ion was adopted, and at
late hour the board adjourned.
A WARRENToN WEDDING.-At FIVE