Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-26
INSPECTING JGAS SUPPLY
REPORT MADE To- COMMISSIONERS
By INSPECTOR FORD.
Letter From Mr.. Jehn Leetch in Re-
Spouse to a 0omplaint-Di-
verse Views,

District Commissioner Macfarland today
received from DR.. s. Calvert Ford United
states inspector of gas and meters, a re-
ply to his letter OF the oath instant, in
forming the Inspector of the complaints
received recently by the Commissioners of
the poor quality andI power of the gas
supplied here. The inspector expresses
the opinion that the cause of the trouble
Is not due to any neglect of the gas COM
pany, but rather to a deposit in the pipes
OF what he terms napthaline. He informs
the Commissioners that should they favor
MIN with the names and addresses of per-
sons lodging complaints with them, he will
see that they receive attention. DR.. Fords
communication reads as follows:
"On several occasions recently the gas
supplied by the Washington Gas Light
company from the northwest works, corner
OF 18th and G streets northwest has been
of low standard, as my daily reports will
snow But please remember that with
washington gas an average is taken by
the results at all three stations l think
the cause of the trouble in the fall of the
year is due to the low temperature of the
past few weeks, and this is the reason
why IN many instances where stoppages
occur 1t Is due to the formation of naptha
line, a hydrocarbon, which forms in the
inlet and outlet of meters and if not at
gas completely
Il do not think that the cause Of the
trouble that the Washington Gas Light
Company have to contend with is due to
any neglect on their part, but is simply
due, as | have said before, to the deposit
or naphthaline which blocks up suddenly
and without warning the pipes and serv-
ices supplying the consumers premises.
should you favor me with names and ad-
dress of the person complaining 1 will see
that the complaints receive attention"
Statement by Mr.. Leetch.
With his letter Dr. Ford transmitted one
which he received from Mr.. John Leetch,
general manager of the Washington Gas
Light Company, relative to complaint
made to the Commissioners several days
ago by Mr.. Alfred L. Leonard of 1917 18th
street. This complaint of Mr. Leonard was
published In The Star at the time it being
charged by him that the gas supplied at his
residence has been of not only poor quality.
but that the pressure has been weak
that more than once lights have gone out.
Inc same condition of affairs, said Mr..
Leonard, has been experienced by some OF
his neighbors. Mr.. Leetch's letter was az
follows:
In reply to the complaint of Mr.. Alfred
l.. Leonard of 1917 18th street. as to the
quality Of gas furnished at his residence we
would report that We have made a careful
investigation OF this matter and find the
wing DIS lile pEoDdDe cause OF tne ulnl-
mutton of the flow of gas during the early
hours of the evening: Mr.. Leonard's house
Is situated at the extreme end of our main
and at the bottom of 18th street, very low
down. AS a result of this, when the con-
sumption. including street lamps, is begun
in the evening the pressure is decreased at
Mr.. Leonards residence until about 8 or
o'clock. To remedy this defect We have
applied to the District commissioners for a
permit to lay a sfX-iHch main along 18th
street extended, in order that We may fur
nish a full supply of gas to Mr.. Leonard
and all others in that vicinity"
The permit for which the gas company
has applied, it is stated is for main on
18th street from Columbia road to Park
street, and it is probable that 1t will be
granted. 1t will be observed, from a COM
parison of DR.. Forxfs report with the letter
to him from Mr.. Beetch, that they do not
appear to agree asst the cause Of the
trouble experienced by the consumers OF
gas. DR.. Ford attributes it to the forma.
tion Of naphthatne. while, Mr. Leeteh thinks
the trouble Is due, in Mr.. Leonard 8 case;
to the location of HIS house and to the even4
ing consumption of the sgas.-p,. ~.s.. ~,
DIR. Eard to Investigate.
Commissioner Macfarland; who has imme-
diate supervision of the matter, stated to.
day that he will see that all complaints
made to the Commissioners are at once for
warded to DR.. Ford, and will request the in
spector to inform the Commissioners of the
results Oh MS INVESTIGATORS ol AL SucN COLL
plants. DR.. Ford's request that the Com
missioners forward to him all complaints
received by them. Mr.. Macfarland
thinks, may be taken by citizens having
reason to complain an invitation to send
their complaints direct to the inspector. If
this be done the Commissioners will also
pect Dr. Ford to transmit to the Commits
sloners the result of his investigation of
the Sc complaints as well.
When asked whether the presence of
ma phthaline in the inlets and outlets of me-
tiers, referred to by the inspector, amounts
to lowering of the lawfully-required STAN
dard of the gas. Mr. mcfarland said he is
unprepared to say. He stated, however
that he proposes that the inspector shall
make all this perfectly plain, and gave as
surance that he and his associates will do
all they possibly can in the matter, that
the people OF the District shall not only
receive gas of the standard required by
law. but that the pressure shall, if possible
be such hereafte to remove ground for
complaint on that score.