Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-30
THE COMPLAINT ABOUT GAS.
Statements on Subject from Chair
man WnlIerstein ana MIR. knowles.


The quality Of gas issuing from the city
works has been ground for very general
complaint. The objection did not rest
merely on the poor light and the bad
smell, but on the fact that bills OF late
have been larger, which consumers believe
70 be due to the increased pressure.
Chairman Wallersteln, Of the Council
Committee on Light. gives the following
explanation, and assurance, in reply to
an editorial which appeared in yesterdays
Dispatch:
To the Editor of the Dispatch:
In an editorial in this mornings paper
you criticised the quality Of gas being sup
piled by the City Gas-Works There is
good ground for this criticism, as the
officials at the works have been aware
for the past week that the gas has been
very unsatisfactory For the past twelve
months we have been supplying a quality
OF gas that had no superior in this coun-
try, and the Superintendent has exhausted
every effort to ascertain the cause OF the
present condition, but cannot locate it.
The ingredients and materials used are OF
as high quality as have ever been con-
sumed in these wOrks-in fact, Of as good
quality as used by any gasworks. The
coal Is as good West Virginia as can be
obtained and the oil comes up 10 the re-
qured test Of 6S TO u specific gravity
Baum test. We are unable, without an
analysis, TO ascertain what the ingredi-
ents Of the oil are, and il Is possible
that the pyrites. which is used for puri-
flying the gas, may have some condition
at present that is not good for making
the proper quality Of gas IT is impossi-
BILE for us 10 ascertain these conditions
without an analysis. and after 4 consulta-
ton with the Superintendent to-day, we
have submitted 10 DIR. Henry Froehling.
chemist. Of this city. samples of both
naphtha and pyrites for analysis, and il is
now receiving attention. 1t is possible
that the result of this analysis will en-
able us TO locate the cause OF what is
termed as being dirty and odorous gas.
We are making two-thlrds coal-gas and
one-third OIL and considering the in
gradients used and general appliances at
the works. we should have as good gas
as any city. and we believe. If our citi-
gems will be a little patient. they will
see these conditions remedied In few
days. Respectfully.
JOSEPH WALLERSTEIN,
Chairman Committee on Light.
STATEMENT OF MR. KNOWLES.
Superintendent Knowles, of the gas
WORKS. SAID 10 2 reporter yesterday.
There Is no radical difference between |
the gas furnished now in the past, ex- |
cept that IL did get a little dirty and |
cloudy on Sunday although II was all |
right Saturday night. | discovered the |
trouble by o'clock Monday morning and
at once altered ii.
ut may that we have gotten held OF
some coal with more than the usual
amount OF sulphur in II. The public
can rest assured, however. that l am
watching the gas closely and am doing
everything possible TO give them the best
that can be made.
81 think II is probable that the com
plant about gas by those who use IL in
stoves is due 10 the fact that they have
-ubber pipes which have become satu-
-ated. and give OF tho smell OF which
hey complain"
Mr. Knowles said further that he was
irving every moment of his time 10 the
work OF seeing that the gas was pure, ana
made tests three times day TO be sure
hat no impurities existed.