Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-07-01
$S6,79l O6
TH0s. W. ROBINSON, City Treasur

THO5. w. ROBINSON, city treasurer.
Alexandria, Virginia, May 81, 1904.
To the Honorable, the City Council Of Alex
andria, Virginia.
Gentlemen:
Your committee believe that the report of
the operations of the City Gas Works for the
fiscal year ending May 81, 1904, is full lusti-
ficatiOn Of their action in turning down the
proposition Of Messrs. GOldsborOugh. Willard
and Warner; that it fully justifes their az ton
in asking for an appropriation Of $25,COO.OO
for the purpose Of improving and enlarglng
the gas plant; and that it justihes the City
Council and the citizens Of Alexandria III yot-
ing for a bond issue.
On April 8, 1907, about twenty.six months
ago. the proposition from Messrs. Colds
borough, Willard and Warner to operate the
City Gas and Electric Light Works was re-
turned to the City Council with an adverse
report from the joint Committee on Finance
and Light. When the gas accounts for this
fiscal year ending May 81, 1904, are closed the
Gas Office will have transferred to the general
fund since April g. 1902, f23, 10000, an amount
sufficient to pay the $40, 10000 bend iusse for
the new gas plant, and also an amount equal
TO the amount now used Of the additional ap.
preparation Of s., 10000 for coal shed, tar we'll
and other Improvements.
When the gas accounts for this fiscal year
ending May 81, 1904, are closed the present
Clerk of Gas will have been in Office six years
and three months, and will have transferred
from the gas fund to the general fund of
city $54, 10000.
On June l, 1899, five years ago. the price Of
gas was reduced to $l.20 per thousand feet,
net.
During the ten (ln) years prior to his ad-
ministratiOn Of the Gas Office there was only
81, $1,000 transferred from the gas fund to the
general fund Of the city,
During the fiscal year just clos'd about
3,540 tons Of coal have been used at the City
Gas Works, costing the city an average Of
1878 per ton. For the coming fiscal year we
have been fortunate in making a contract at
g. ~ per ton, saving Of 81 cents per ton,
which means reduction in the cost Ct max
ing gas during the year which We are just en-,
tering Of 81, 1900, based upon last years coal
consumption.
During the past four fiscal years the increase
in the consumption Of gas sold to consumers
has averaged about 100000 cubic feet per
annum; and it is fair 10 assume that this aver
age will be maintained daring the coming MS
cal year. The maintenance Of this average
means al increase Of $4,000 gross in next
years earnings Of the gas plant.
Your committee feels that the new gas
DiitIt utNlnb DFEn SOhpA1sCb WIN fHN fNN1e
Just closed, its true earning capacity has not
been fully tested by the past year, but the
coming year, the year just entered, viii get
the full benefit Of the improved conditions.
Prior to the installation Of this new plant
there was no part or portion ofthe DGchifery
duplicated. We now virtually have dqpll-
cate gas plant;two eondensers, boilers. engines
and exhausters and other machinery. In
case Of any unforeseen accident happening al
the works the operations can be Immediately
shifted to the duplicate machinery.
By the installation Of the new half depth
regeneratiye benches. and also the improved
purifying boxes and facilities for punhca
tons the plant il now in condition to handle
or take care Of at least rs per cent incfease in
the present output Of gas.
The city enters the new fiscal year under
the most favorable circumstances, with new
plant and all necessary Improvements com
pleted, or practically completed; with 3 new
coal contract, calling for q saving Of 81 cents
per ton; with iron oxide introduced - puri
fer Of gas, substituted for lime, which is;on'