Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-02-19
SALEM GAS LIGHT co.
No. 4 Chemeketa Street.

AS there is no one feature among
the conyeniences of fin de steele urbaI
life more Indispensable to good living
than the modern system of lighting
So is there no branch of business more
worthy of prominent mention in d
commercial review of Salem than hel
gas works.
The Salem Gas Light Co. was organ
lied and the original plant erected in
1870 Since their founding, however
the works have been enlarged to meet
the demands of an increasing popula.
ton. Today there are two holders,
mammoth furnaces, and everything
appurtenant to the strictly modern
works. The plant occupies full
quarter block.
In the race for supremacy between
gas and electric lighting, one is re-
minded of evenly matched horses Oh
the track, one forging ahead then fall
ing behind. Until u few years ago,
the incandescent light was considered
preferable to the fiickering gas flame
But the invention and perfection of
the Welsbach gas lamp has revolution
lied indoor lighting. 1t furnishes a
steady, brilliant light of fifty candle
power at less than one cent per hour
1t gives three times the light of the
ordinary 1at flame burner, and burns
only half as much gas. 1t has the
cOnveniences of electric lighting, with
better service. No matches are need
ed. There are two chains attached to
Il lever. Pulling one will reduce the
vent 50 only enough gas will escape to
keep up combustion; pulling the other
will turn on the light. Thus, since the
chain and lever apparatus regulate the
vent, any intensity OF light may be
had-from an almost indiscernible
spark to a full fifty candle power.
1be estimated cost of the continual
use of the self-lighting attachment is
only about thirty cents per year in
addition to the cost of gas for lulnina-
ting purposes.
AS gas is now in the ascendancy as
house luminant, 50, also, does 1t
occupy highest rank as fuel. In Sa-
lem, where wood is 50 cheap it is i'm
probable gas would be so cheap fuel
as wood, but a student of economies
would not compare the cost OF gas
with the price OF wood per cord alone.
He would take into account many oth-
er items of comparison, such, tor in
stance as the time required for touch
ing a match to gas stove, against
the handling of wood and building Of
fires; the turning off of gas when
through cooking as against waste Of
fuel in fires left to die.
The Salem Gas Light Co. is sole
agent in Salem for the Welsbach gas
lamp, and stands ready to supply pat
rons with all kinds of gas stoves,
from the smallest to the great hotel
range, lire places and heaters. Special
rates are made users of gas stoves,
ana the company will doubtless place
many in Salem up-to-date residences
during the coming spring and
summer. They are more easily and
quickly handled than the gasoline
stove, and are not Il constant hazard,
as the discrimination of the insurance
companies against the gasoline stove
would indicate it to be.
The officers Of the Salem Gas Light
Co. are j. B. L. Tuthill, manager, and
l.. b. McClane, superintendent. Mr..
Tuthill is u Californian by birth, and
has lived in Salem about four years,
during which period he has been man
ager of the Salem Gas Co. His father,
now deceased, was one of the founders
Of the works