The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19


a restricted application, the cause is
principally due to the circumstance
that the technical and economical con-
ditions of the production here have, up
to the present time, been very un-
favorable.
I'm manufacturing under good condi-
tions gas remarkable on account of
its illuminating power and of a suffi-
cient smell to reveal its presence, you
have realized an important progress
1t would appear to me unjust to de-
prive you of yoer useful discovery"
1t has been stated over and over
again that the manufacture of water
gas was prohibited in France, but the
above letter from DR.. Wurtz refutes
that completely.
The gas at Berlin is made from a Iig-
mite coal which contains 40 per cent of
carbonic oxide, and the gas at Munich.
Bavaria, contains 40.5 per cent of car
bonic oxide.
In addition to the reports above Civ
en-, Professor Henry Morton, president
of Stevens Institute of Technology,
Hoboken, N. J., makes the following
remarks about carbonic oxide: You
will see that not only agree with Pro-
fessor Wurtz in considering carbonic
oxide as rendering all gases which con-
tain it more or less dangerous, but also
regarded the danger from any gas as
SO small and modified by so many other
conditions that this question need not,
and undoubtedly would not, influence
the practical adoption of any gas for
domestic uses, provided it were other
wise desirable"
DR.. r. Ogden Doremus, professor of
chemistry and toxicology of the Belle
vue Hospital of New York, states as
follows: Having been informed that
parties are circulating reports that wa
ter gas is particularly poisonous, and
having been requested to express an
opinion on this subject, 1 beg leave to
state that the trivial variations in the
gases made by different processes is of
no Importance in regard to health, ex-
cepting as to the products of their COM
bustion. In this respect water gas is
superior to all others, as it does not
contain impurities existing in gas man
ufactured from bituminous coal"
The following statement is made by
DR.. Gideon E. Moore of New York, the
analytical chemist: II consider car
bonic oxide to be highly desirable in
gredient in water gas; it's density and
high flame temperature greatly pro-
notes the Illuminating effect and re-
tards waste"
DR.. c. f. Chandler, president Of the
Board of Health of the City of New
York, reports as follows to the Board
of Aldermen of that city:
Il have the honor to report that the
Of aifizanC rafarrpd tn the
Board Of Health by the honorable
Board of Aldermen with regard to the
Illuminating gas which is manufact-
ured from steam, anthracite coal and
naphtha, the so-called water gas has
been duly considered.
This gas has been extensively used
in the City of New York for some years
in public and private buildings. While
it differs somewhat in composition
from the gas manufactured from btu
minous coal it involves in its careless
use the same source of danger. If al
lowed to escape into the air without
being burned it produces an explosive
mixture with the air, and it is also liza
BILE to suffocate persons who may re-
main for any length of time in the at
mosphere thus contaminated.
THERE ARE NO FACTS WHICH
GIVE ANY SUBSTANTIAL FOUN-
DATION FOR THE APPREHENSION
OF THE PETITIONERS THAT THIS
GAS IS IN ANY WAY MORE DAN
GEROUS THAN THE GAS PREVI-
OUSLY IN USE. I would further state
that the allegation that this water gas
has been prohibited in France, is di-
rectly denied by Professor Adolphe
Wurtz of that city in a letter which
have before me; that the greater den
sity of the gas causes it to escape more
slowly from leaks than does ordinary
coal gas, and that its odor is so decided
that leaks are detected just as readily
as in the case of other gas. In con-
clusion I would say I see no reason
why any official action should be taken
on this subject"
DR.. Joseph Jones, president of the
Board of Health, State of Louisiana,
makes the following report to the Hon.
I. W. Patton, Mayor of the city of New
Orleans:
I'm reply to the communication of
your honor of the 9Th ult., propound-
ing certain inquiries with reference to
the chemical composition, poisonous
properties and relative value of water
gas. respectfully submit the following
outline of the results Of my investiga-
ton:
"First-Its pure brilliancy and illum-
mating power far surpass the ordi-
nary coal gas flame, and equal the
renowned b and Camel coal gases of
Scotland.
"Second-Respecting the purity of
the gas. it is composed of fixed gases.
like air Interchangeable by heat or cold,
and almost absolutely free from gum
my vapors, which are constantly such
great detriment to the old process.
"Third-As regards the effects of its
use on health. those who have used the
gas most extensively testify to the fact
that it is in no manner dangerous. and
is as safe in this respect as ordinary
coal gas.
''Fourth-The products or effects of
burning the water gas are less obiec-
tionable than with gas from gas coal
An illuminating gas with a basis of
water gas yields in burning less water
and carbonic acid, and consumes less
oxygen Of the air for equal volume
than any average gas of less candle
d.