Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-06
ILLUMINATING POWER OF GAS.
Showing Made by District Inspector
In Report Filed Today.

The report of the inspector Of gas and
meters for the fiscal year ended June 80.
1900. was filed with the District Commits
sioners today and shows that the illumi-
mating power of the gas supplied by the
Washington Gas Light Company during the
year Hoo of one candle-power less
than during the previous year. and that of
the Georgetown Gas Light Company was
1s-1oO of one candle-power less than dur
ing the year preceding. The mean average
illuminating power of the aforementioned
company for the year was found to equal
25.s2 standard candles. and that of the
2I.JO standard candles.
After referring to the composition of the
gas furnished by the two companies, the
inspector says the Illuminating gas sup
Piled in the District during the past fiscal
year was in keeping with the requirements
of the law The photogenic power of the
gas. he states, is of very superior quality,
and cannot well be better without giving
serious trouble by condensation in the pipes
and meters, causing service pipes to be
choked, and other evils occasioned by an
undue percentage Of naphtha in combina
ton with the gas.
During the past fiscal year the office in
spected and proved 3.S44 gas meters. With
the exception of four inspected for the
Alexandra gas works. the above named
meters were inspected and proved for the
local consumers and the local companies.
OF these 25s registered fast. the average
error beng 49, per cent; 521 registered
slow. average error being 1905 per cent:
2.g7 registered within the limits allowed
by law. and ia did not register the gas
flowing through them
OF these meters .1S4 were removed from
service on complaint of the two companies
and for consumers, 500 were complained of
by consumers and of these DID, registered
fast. average error being 521; Al registered
slow. average error being $50. and 46 failed
to register at all. OF the SO complained
of by the Washington company, regis
tered fast. average error being AGA; 4I6
registered slow. average error being -
per cent ~ registered within limits and -
did not register.
OF the 675 meters complained of by the
Washington company, says the inspector,
the reason why so many Were found to reg
lister slow or not at all was owing TO the
fact that meters of this class are removed
from service by this company, believing
them 20 register slow. and before being
brought into his Office are tested in the
companys shop to ascertain their condi-
ton Under the condition named he thinks,
it Is not likely that the inspector would
often find meters of this description regis
tering within the limits allowed by law.
The inspector renews the recommendation
made in his last annual report that the two
gas companies be required to make a more
suitable rebate in cases where meters COM
planned of by the consumers are found by
him to register in excess of the require
ments of the law. The same course he be-
lieves should follow where meters are
found to register fast. is pursued by the
companies where they are found to register
slow or fail to register at all He also re-
news his recommendation that the assist
ant inspectors salary be increased from
$1,000 to $1,000 per annum, and that the
salary of the messenger be made $500 per
annum.