The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-16
MYSTERIES or GAS PRESSURE
1T MAS TO ne CHANGED SEVERAL
TINES 4 NIGHT,
AcoordlnE 20 the Demand for Gas-In-
,estlEstOrs suggest That This Figures
In Peoples Gas Bills-IIrOOklyn UniOn
Gas Coz Tax Schedule vas Too Lew.

the foundation Tor an uncomf ortable half
sour on tho witness stand when he testified
at the lighting investigation yesterday that,
although tho contract with the city called
for only three feet an hour for the street
lamps, his company actually furnished
more than four feet.
Isn't this increased amount at the burner
due to the increase Of pressurei' asked
Chief Inquisitor Hughes
Partly, but not altogether said the
witness after pause.
But at a normal pressure a street lamp
Is supposed TO burn three feet an hour.
Isn't it, persisted Mr.. Hughes.
What do you mean by normal pressuref'
Interposed William N. Dykman, counsel
for the Union company.
Before Mr.. Hughes could answer the
witness said that the street lamps burned
over three feet an hour under any ciroum-
stances. The company, he said, delivered
morn gas to each lamp because It was
thought that three feet was not q sufficient
quantity to furnish adequate light, Mr..
DykmAn then took the witness in hand
Isn't it a fact that the company's loss
through leak6g &c Is greatly increased by
excessive pressure?' he asked.
Through Leakage and condemnation,
replied Mr.. Stamford, 1T also increased
the amount consumed by the street lamps,
another loss 70 the company.
1T also increases the gas bills Of the
private consumers, put in Mr.. Hughes.
Now, III refute that" exclaimed Mr..
Dykman hotly. Then turning to the wit
ness he said Does the company make
or lose by leakage and condensation?"
why, Il loses. Seven per cent. Of the
entire output is lost in this way
is there any way in which a consumer
can regulate the flow Of gas used by him?"
Certainly. He may regulate It at the
meter or by the key on each burner. In
either Of these ways he can get just what
pressure he wants.
But how is 1t in the case Of a Gust omer
who doesn't know about these things?"
asked Senator Page.
Are we to be charged for consumer
ignorance7' said Lawyer Dykman.
'Oh, each consumer could hire an expert
engineer TO regulate the pressure, retorted
The witness said that the pressure was
changed several times each night according
20 the draft on the mains. When the con-
sumption was heaviest the pressure at the
works was greatest
when you increase the pressure at the
works the cons umPtion in houses in
Creases. does 1t not?'
Not necessarily They can cut down
the how either at the meter OF the burner
DO you notify householders when you
are going TO change the pressure1'
we do not.
Now II the flow was regulated at the
meter the householder would have TO make
o change every time you changed your
pressure, would he not?'
NO. he could leave his meter on full and
regulate his consumption at the burner.
In case Of a boarding house wouldn't
the proprietor either have to run from
room to room turning the jets up and down
or make several trips to the cellar to regu-
, late the flow az the meter?'
I don't know; but do know that we
don't have any such trouble in our house.
You probably do as the rest OF US do
paw the bill said the chief inquisitor.
DO you pay your bills?' asked Mr.. Dyk-
man.
'Yes I do and I never regulated my
meter retorted Mr.. Hughes. Now I
am Just finding out why ] had to pay so
Mr. Dykmann took the witness in hand
again. In answer 10 his question Mr..
Stanford said that an increased pressure
at the works did not necessarily mean an
increased pressure at the consumers meters.
The draft was 30 heavy when the maximum
was put on that the pressure was actually
only normal when the gas entered thehouses.
What hen becomes of your theory that
Increased pressure causes the street lamps
tn bum more gas2H asked Mr.. Hughes,
Mr.. Stamford said that really he was not
an expert on that side Of the gas question,
and that probably the en- gineer Of the com
pany could give the info rmation desired.
Mr. Matbewson counsel for the Consol-
dated company, said he had a witness on
hand that could tell the committee every
thing IL desired 10 know about pressure,
but the subject was dropped at this point.
Mr.. Stamford testified that the total
assets - the Union company, outside Of
good W. md its franchise to do business,
were s. S522. The average return on
oil its a rites, stocks and bonds, was a
trihe less than per cent. II has 2l5,54e
private consumer, whose bills average
$50 year. II has nearly 800 stockholders,
Of whom 10 per cent. hold fifty shares or
less, II does no electric lighting and holds
no stock in any electric lighting company.
The witness got into a wrangle with Mr..
Hughes over'the amount at which the COM
rany valued It's mains and services. In his
sworn statement 20 the State Tax Board
Mr.. Stamford had put the amount at 81, 990,-
Goo, but he objected TO Mr. Hughes aTying
along az that figure when he was making
calculation Of the actual amount OF money
Invested in the making Of gas.
But you swoe that it was the amount
az which the mains and se rvices could be
reproduced, didn't your"
Il did, but considering the great amount
ol new Pavement laid IN Brooklyn don't
think now that they could"
What is your new fgure?'
Mr. Dykman protested at the method Of
examination. He minated that Mr.. Hughes
was trying TO distort the Witness answers
i don't desire to distort his words
said the chief inquisitor, but | want a direct
answer to my question" Then he went
~ the witness again.
Was il a true valuation Of mains and
services that you made to the Stste board?'
Il considered It a true valuation at that
time, but
NO, no, was it true?' Numbered Mr..
Hughes
As | look at the conditions think the
reproduction would cost more
Then IL was not a true valuation7'
y prefer TO let my answer stand
Later the witness said that the item Of
mains and services ought to have been about
5000 600 instead OF 81. 900 900. The S. OOO, 900
of dehenture bonds issued by the company
we're exchanged le In stock at par, which
meant that the stockholders could exchange
per cent security for one that rays
20 Per cent. without paving any premium.
IN explaining how the item OF real estate
carried on the books Of the old BROOKLYN
company at 500 900 was raised 10 $1,000 900
when entered In tho books Of the Union