The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-29
plants have been erected to take Its

plants have been erected to take us
place.
ITO supply this gas. we would erect
entirely separate works, and lay new ~
OF mains at large expenditure OF n'v ~,
ey 1t would be our desire 10 nav u in
fuel gas plant in operation without de-
lay, and for several months during 'ne
fall and winter, we would have -FOUR o.
five hundred OF our laboring ciass anu
skilled mechanics employed proSseusins
this work as rapidly as possible. fenuln5
the completion OF these works, we wouId
supply the regular gas TO the pubic,
where used for cooking al ninety cents per
thousand cubic feet. IL wouh pe our
purpose to give our people the fignt 10
use any standard and renaple maxi ~
meters they might prefer anu supply
them without cost. ..,.,,>.,-e,
FEW CITIES IN THE BUSINESS.
I'm considering this question. permit
me TO say that the city wiuio not DC ue
parting from any well established prece-
dent N she went out OF the gas business.
II would be quite as reasonable LOT ner
10 engage I'm the coal business. or the
oil business. or the electric lighting ana
street railway business. III Is ire eScep-
ton and not the rule for cities 10 CON
duct the business OF making ana selllns
gas. In the wealthy and prosperous
States Of Massachusetts,. Connecticut
Rhode Island New York. New Jersey. IN
diana. and Illinois there is NOT a s,nt,e
city that is In the business. In the Slate
OF Ohio. with her many prosperous cities,
not one OF them. with the exception OF
the town OF Belfontaine VWu people, anu
Hamilton. that own gas works, and with
the single exception OF Philadelphia. we
do not find any OF the cities ana towns III
Pennsylvania in the business. in h',
prosperous Northern and Western cities
seem to show quite the reverse OF our
own condition. with their low rates or
taxation. IL we come SOUTH we can 'ane
every Central and Southern STATE, WIN
the exception OF Virginia and west VIZ
ginla and We DO not lind city engaged IN
the gas business. In fact, there are Only
two cities ana two towns OF any import
ance I'm the country that do gas bust
ness-Philadelphia, Richmond. DanViiie'
and Wheeling. w. Va. In the FORMER city
the condition OF affairs connected with the
gas department became so depiofanle that
an investigation Of il has recently Deeh
made by the state Legislature.
Il merely state these facts. ~ " ~ inc
impression among some Of our people that
II Is customary for cities TO manufacture
and sell gas.
ASK AN INVESTIGATION.
"In order that you may fully understand
tho merits Of our system. VIC invite your
committee. or any competent expert, or
both branches Of the city council 10
make an examir alton OF II, ana every
facility will be given them Tor most
thorough Investigation.
II would call TO your attention that nm
der such an agreement we would con-
tribute largely to the city's revenue IN
taxes. as ID is not or purpose, as - GUS
tomarv I'm such cases 70 ask immunity
from taxation. We desire % contribute
our part in supporting the city govern
ment. and as far as possible ala IN KS
prosperity. go
as a guarantee that we viii comply
with our offer I'm the event TINS nropo-
sltOn is accepted by the people, We VIII
deposit certified check for five thousand
dollars with the city Treasurer or give
such reasonable bond with sccurSY as
your Council may reQulre-said check OF
hond TO be returned 10 us II this PROPOSE
ton is not accepted. and II accepted, 10
be returned when the payment for the
works IS completed.
I'm conclusion / wish 10 say we are IN
formed that some parties have persist
entity circulated reports that acetylene gas
Is most dangerous-highly explosive and
poisonous We make the positive state
ment here that this il not true. Acetylene
gas Is not one-half so poisonous as ordi-
nary CITY gas. and is not more explosive.
We are prepared TO prove this statement.
ana will also furnish YOU with the reports
Of the greatest gas scientists or our day
I'm further positive proof thereof These
reports are being circulated by parties en-
tirelv through personal motives II Is
also "A well-knOwn fact that the standard
OH Trust is one OF the most bitter oppo-
nents " acetyiene gas.
Yours respectfully,
"WM J. PAYNE