The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-30

- uRING the past year the Seattle
Gas and Electric Company.
which supplies the city with
gas. has expended more than
$4,000 In improvements to its
plant and has laid more than ten miles OF
new mains. But for the fact that during
the past few months litigation has him
dered. the extensions would have been
much greater and much more money
would have been spent by the company
in this manner.
1t Is stated on good authority that the
gas company will during the coming year
double the capacity OF it's generating
plant In this city. This step. 1t Is said.
- deemed wise. In view of the prospect
of a continuation Of the present healthy
growth OF the city. In case the company
carries out this proposed plant not less
than $ko.000 will be spent in enlarging
the plant and I'm making extensions OF the
mains to parts of the city not now served.
The feature Of the business Of the gas
company for the year 1900 was the large
increase In the use OF gas In the manu-
features. Three years ago the only fuels
used in % per cent OF the workshops
OF the city were coal kerosene and gaso-
line. Within the past eighteen months,
however. there has been an enormous in
crease in the use OF gas as fuel. and no.
where has the increase been more no.
"
As q result, Seattle now stands well
toward the front as consumer Of coal
gas as fuel. The gas range. as well as
the gas heater, have come to stay, ana
In most Seattle households within the
districts supplied by the gas company
cooking with wood or coal would be look
ed upon almost as a return of barbarism.
The gas heater is making slower head
way. but in view of the high prices
charged for wood and the difficulty of OBJ
taining cheap and good coal. there Is
large increase in the consumption of gas
for heating purposes in prospect
1t Is now estimated that there are $500
gas ranges and 1900 gas heaters in use
in this city. During the year just ended
between 500 and 500 stoves and ranges
were sold and connected with the mains
OF the gas company. For lighting pur-
poses there was also large increase in
the consumption of gas. During the
year more than $500 Welsbhch fncandes-
cent gas lamps were put in by employees
Of the gas company. and 1t Is estimated
that more than 5000 of these lights are
now In use.
The extensions or the company during
the past year have been for the most part
confined to the Queen Anne hill and
North Seattle districts, although Renton
hill has by no means been neglected. The
effort of the company has been to keep
pace with new building as far a. possible.
With that end in view the work Of ex-
tension will be continued during the COM
ing year In order that no weli-settled
residence district shall be without gas
for light. heat and fuel
The improvements made by the COM
pany during the past year include the In
creasing OF the capacity of the gas gener-
ating plant by 100000 cubic feet day:
the increasing OF the capacity Of the puri-
tiers by so per cent. the addition OF sew
eral new steam boilers and engines and
the erection of several new buildings Mt
the plant on the corner OF Fifth avenue
south and Jackson street.
All gas-main connections during the
past year have been enlarged in antici-
patton of the future growth OF the city.
and during the coming year similar
course will be pursued. The scheme for
1901 includes. besides further additions TO
the main plant. the enlargement OF all
downtown mains and their extension
wherever deemed justified by increase OF
consumption.
The present plant OF the gas company
Is one OF the most complete west OF the
Mississippi river, and represents the tn
vestment OF large amount Of capital.
Directly and Indirectly. more than 100 men
are given constant employment at good
wages the year around. and the pros
poets are for large increase OF the work
ing force during the coming year.
Three Washington coal mines now COM
binc TO supply the Seattle Gas and Eiec-
trio Company with coal for use In the Sc
attic gas works. Three years ago the
South Prairie mine alone supplied prac-
tically all the coal, but now Rosiyn and
Wilkeson Goals are also used. Lesa than
ton years ago Washington Goals were not
considered 1T for gasmaking. and large
tmportations were made from Canada
and Australia. This IL no longer the
case.
A considerable revenue IL derived BY
the company from the sale Of common by
products Of the manufacture of gas. lne
coke produced Is OF good qualify. ard
finds ready sale within the city. little
% n being exported. The same IS true
OF the coal tar. ~ the present time
these are the only by-products utilized.
In the manufacture Of gas. rs well as in
numerous =. other Industries. Seattle has
made great progress within the past few
years. Starting In on small scale the
present company has gradually extended
its mains and Increased the Ska Of rs
plant. until al tho present time its ia
cillties are far superior to those OF COM
pAnses in cities much larger than Seattle.
The great Increase In the consumption
Of gas IL not only n certain index 81 the
prosperity Of the city. but also conclusive
proof Of the fact that Seattle offers un-
rtvaled Inducements to manufacturers in
every line, and Is destined 70 retain her
present lead over ali other cities OK the