Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-18
THELARGE GAS BILLS
sUPT. KNOWLES REPLIES TO A
NUMBER OF COMPLAINANTs.
A STORAGE RESERVOIR NEEDED.
The Pressure Theory Unfounded-
Dull Days Make Heavy Biils-sfreet
Committee Orders Many improve
mcnts-Petition from Tenmsters.


and considered two reports Of Importance
and interest. The report OF Superintend
ent Thompson. Of the Fire-Alarm De-
partment. concerning the action OF cleo
trolysis on gas and water mains was re-
ferred to a subcommittee. which VIII CO.
operate with a like committee from The
| Water Department
! The most interesting feature or the
meeting, however, was a report from su-
perintendent Knowles. I'm which that ON
| cial gives what he believes 10 be the
reasons for the increase in gas-bills'
which has been a fruitful source OF COM
plant during the past few months lie
dissipates the high-pressure theory ana
the admixture Of gas and air, and adVo-
Gates the establishment Of storage re-
servoir in the West End as the only
source Of relief
The committee met at o'clock yes
terday evening. with the following mem
bers present: Messrs. Walerstein CHAIR
man. shea, Mosby. CARRIER, and Miner.
The report Of Superintendent Thomp-
son. Of the Fire-Alarm, as 10 the eject
Of electrOlysis on gas and water MAINS
which was published in fun In Sundays
Dispatch. was submitted and read. After
n brief discussion, Messrs. CARRIER ana
Miner were appointed as a subcommittee
to investigate the matter with the CITY
Engineer and CITY Attorney.
The subcommittee Will confer with
the Water Committee and make arrange
ments To act with a subcommittee APP
pointed by that body. part Of the duty
of the joint subcommittee will be the
assessment OF damages caused by the in
roads OF electroysis.
SUPT. KNOWLES'S REPORT
Superintendent Knowles submitted re-
port in answer TO the complaints ma he
recently Of largely-increased gas-bills.
Mr.. Knowles makes the following state
mentss
1. In many instances the increase IN
gas-bills IS due TO increased facilities Tor
consuming gas for both heating and
lighting, and I'm others 70 largely-in-
creased demand for lights with the same
lighting facilities.
2 Wherever the same number Of lights
have been used and turned out the same
hour every night, the increase was due
entirely 10 the unprecedentedly bad
weather experienced this winter, the dark
y
much earlier in the evening and also TO
)urn later in the morning. According to |
he weather reports there We're only |
.leven clear days in January, in Feb |
'uary there were only thirteen clear days. |
I'm support Of this contention the Super |
ntendent states that he has taken the |
which are not affected by the
Weather, and examination shows that the
consumption is no larger than il usually |
s. As the churches are not affected by
he weather. Mr.. Knowles thinks this
rgument is conclusive.
I'm answer 10 many complaints Mr..
Knowles states that he has re-examined
hundreds of meters. and tested them.
atisafying himself that there IS nothing
'rong with them.
GAS NOT BEING FORCED.
MANY Of our consumers" says Mr..
Knowles. "have an idea that we are
)rcing the gas. accompanied by a great
cal OF air, 20 high points under a heavy
ressure. There might be some reason
Jr forcing gas TO points lower than the
as-works, but you know We would like
% check the pressure TO high points"
he Superintendent then explains how the
ressure OF gas is regulated, and adds |
An examination OF the pressure charts
Z /
as been no increase of pressure this
inter-"
There is. however, good reason for the
)mplaint of high pressure, and the SUI ;
explains it in a few words:
e says: THE natural increase of pres
are Of gas is one tenth of an inch for
very ten feet of elevation. The elevation
Z the Upper gas-wOrks, where the pres
Ire is regulated, is twenty feet There
re We start the gas at a pressure OF
80 inches at a 2O-foOt elevation. The
ovation at Lombardy and Main is 1893
ct, and a Walnut street 2l2 y feet.
THE ONLY REMEDY.
"The only remedy for this is the con-
ruction Of a large storage holder in the
est end Of the city, from which the
'essure in the upper part of the city J
n be properly regulated.
1T has been argued" says Mr.. Knowles 5
hat the receipts have increased too rap
IT, but it was urged as business G
ason for reducing the price OF gas that
would induce people 10 use more for G
citing; that manufacturers would use il q
r heating that it would be used in !
owes and heaters, generally, and in a I
ort time the receipts would be more
an before the reduction.
j ms prediction has never been full | Z
led. and the increase has been gradual. n
at for 1898 being less than for any year b
nee the reduction OF the price Of gas, f
1892" l.
In conclusion, Mr.. Knowles directs at a
ntion to the fact that complaint about a
creased gas bills has not been confined a
Richmond. and he quotes New York
case In point. The report was re-
rred To the Council.
After the transaction of routine bust 81,
IS the committee adjourned