New-York tribune., 1905-07-08
GAS ENFORCEMENT LAX.
TESTS NOT RECORDED.
Mcclellan administration Blamed
Senator Page Talks.

Considerable criticism is being expressed
result OF the failure OF the Mcclellan admins
trstion to comply with that portion OF the gas
laws OF the last session compelling daily in
speetion Of gas by inspectors appointed by the
Commissioner OF Water Supply, Gas and Elec-
tr1city. well failure TO proceed against
the gas companies shown by the report OF the
Stevens Commission 10 be operating under dead
franchises. Inquiry at Commissioner oakley's
Office yesterday disclosed the fact that there was
no record OF the tests Of gas there, although
tests had been made daily at two stations in
New-york City, one In 79th-st-. and the other
at the Bowery and Grand-st. The Commissioner
explained that he yesterday wrote to the Sink
;ng Fund Commission, asking for money for six
new stations three In Brooklyn and one in The
Bronx. Richmond and Far Rockaway.
A visit TO the station st the Bowery and Grand
st disclosed the fact that the tests were being
made by Dr. E G. Love. whose name appeared
the door Of the Office DR.. Love produced
book IN which were recorded the results Of the
tests. He explained that these tests were soon
10 be entered on blanks and sent TO Commits
sioaer Oakley's Office. But the records showed
tally OF the tests OF pressure. The law was
designed TO meet the long standing complaint Of
excessive pressure. and required that the press
ure should not exceed two and one-hah inches
nor fan below one inch. DR.. Love explained
thst the recording OF this would entail endless
clerical work and that he had been directed
merely TO report cases where the pressure ex-
oeeded or fell below the legal requirement. Such
failure 10 meet the standard carries penalty
Of ZOO for each violation.
AN AVERAGE OF % CANDLES.
The records entered n DR.. Loves book COW
cred the tests both at the 79th-st station and in
his Office. They showed that the illuminating
quality OF the gas which the law prescribes
shall have ID candiepower in the six days since
July J. when the law compelling daily inspeo-
tion became effective. ranged from % 9 TO 23S.
with an average of % car@-es Asked about
the pressure, DR.. Love said:
TT has kept within the required limits. except
possibly jumping about two and ons-half inches
Tor few minutes occasionally.
AS each jump. were the law rigidly enforced,
would carry penalty OF $1,000. the laxness of
the present system is apparent Dr. Love said
that he had had no other call 10 see the records
~ the tests.
Senator Alfred r. Page, whose resolutiSa
treated the Stevens Committee. yesterday CON-
mented severely on the attitude Of Mayor Nc
Clellan on this inspection phase OF the gas laws
and also the matter of expired franchises.
SHOULD GIVE IMMEDIATE RELIEF.
Senator Page saidi
observe that Mayor Mcclellan is stating in the
newspapers that he intends 10 proceed before the
Gas Commission as soon il is appointed TO
cure reduction in the price Of gas private
city OF NeN-York would be more impressed with
the Mayors zeal and determination TO safeguard
their interests IS against the gas lighting monopoly
~ the provisions OF the bill calling FOR the super
erect last May. had been enforced by the city
~ PT6s ron s Sng 9onS g9r0IS 0Toe 6
relief by reducing the gas bill 10 the consumer.