The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-11-07

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Two Stores.
os.er,aasan..ss-n6
West End. In order to obtain as little
difference between the maximum ana
minimum pressures IN 4 gas dlstrlputliB
system the distributing points, or holder
stations, should be placed on the lowest
ground available, the reason for this being
That the friction loss in tho pipes will,
to q greater or less extent, be counter
balanced by. the pressure increase due 10
differences IN elevation. With the Two
location, which, IS, Of course fixed be-
yond any possibility Of change, you VIII
find 1t impru ctoable TO supply the lower
sections 1.-the city from this holder
unnecessarily high pressure. This pres
sure Will always mean leakage
In connection with the supply Of gas
to this new holder. You have my letter
of June 10, 1905. in which I strongly
urged your laying low pressure main,
arranged to reinforce the pressure on
the weaker districts. I understand that
you have decided to lay n cast-iron main
of larger size than you originally intend
ed. although not so large as that sug-
gested In the letter above referred to:
The need ofga holder to reinforce the
supply to the West End. in my opinion,
would not be felt for several years, pro-
your lower or. upper works, and pro
vided that YOU had adequate feeder
mains.
When such need was felt, q small holder
which could be filled during the day
time, and used only during the hours OF
maximum consumption, would fully an
swer the purpose.
You keep no systematic record Of your
meters, your records being divided by
districts and streets. From your records
sou can trace back the numbers OF
n1etes that have been lut in a particular
building and the length Of time that
each meter was so located: you canno-
however, discover how long any mete.
has been naservice. how often 1t has
been repaired, nor can you strike q bal
ance of your meters. Such record is
of the utmost Importance, not only TO
enable you to periodically overhaul your
meters. but fprithe further reason that.
without It, you are unable to detect the
loss Of meters through the oversight or
intent. For instance, II orders are given
to set meters In certain building, and
the slip report Of this work be lost. you,
from your records. would not be likely to
discover the loss. whereas, with a record
which would periodically permit you 10
take off a balance of meters purchased,
in use, condemned and on hand, you
would Immediately detect the discrepancy.
1tais probable that certain amount OF
gas unaccounted for can be charged to
leakage in this direction. That such loss
4 is not greater is due only to the honesty
of your employees
Your method OF keeping accounts of
consumers, making out bills prepaTing
monthly books for the treasurer,s Of
flee Is laborious in the extreme. BY In
PRODUCING more modern methods and by
the use of mechanical appliances. con-
sidera BILE saving could be effected.
You have heretofore kept no record OF
Complaints except for n period Of few
ord of the deficiencies in the service in
the various parts of your city.
You make no effort to- promote the
sale of gas for power, cooking. heating,
nor, in fact, for lighting According to
your reports there are considerable
number Of heating and cooking appliances
In use, but rs far as could be learned.
no steps are taken by YOU to follow up
purchaser is satisfied and understands
its use.
Your method OF purchasing supplies in
small quantities Is not economical. Win
periodically order supplies In large quan.
titles and obtain reduced prices You
could also manufacture your own purify
ing material at considerably less than
the price for which you pay FOR TINS
material
| There Is also an entire lack of system In
keeping account OF the disposition of ma
terial purchased under your expense ac-
count.
There is great need Of complete detail
reports OF your operations to be made
from month to month; IN fact, without
such reports and unless your disburse-
mcnts are classified. 1t is impossible for
you to obtain the best results.
AT your lower works the various ap-
| paratus is operated according TO- the best
| judgment Of the man Immediately In
charge, massis,ed by definite instructions.
The records which are kept at these
| works ms far ns they 80, were found 70
| be complete and accurate IN every re.
pect. The Information contained IN them
Is not however properly applied; for In
| stance: The reports Of these works show
! wide variations In the amount OF various
materials used for 1000 cubic feet. BY,
the causes OF these variations are MOI
investigated, for cxemple: For ccrlhll
periods according to your reports, yol
\ used under your bcnches only 10 pound
whereas at other times you have used a.
| high as % pounds II 1t was practlcahlt
4 To maintain the heats In the benches WIZ
| the use of only III pounds Or coke NJ Ger.
| tain times you would natu"allH "*p'"
your management would make some CT
/ fort to keep the CONSUMPTION AZ ttl.a in'
! point. or find out he reason lor an N
| crease IN the coke cOnaunPlloI' !.
| This same lack OF systcmallc dlGecl,ol
is noticed in every department OF yonl
business. Your empolyes at the uppe!
| works, through gross negligence, pernil
the pressure on your mains ~ NY -" ,o Wv
at,
ht 10 question thcir discretion N 10 do ,in
| You have no complete maps Oh sou
/ works or main system; wlthout sunl, i'.a
1t is impossible for your management :
,ntelligenlly recomm end extens,3'ns or !, l.
/ Determine the causes OF eoiIlplhiH - = =
/ various districts; moreover, your eon
distinctly orders that such maps De "
RECOMM ENDATl0NS .
,rhot yo,I ,,sc oynry endcayOr to have IN
new 1000 900 cubic foot holder hna !, pum n i
ing line complete and In use W an ei'
This is Of the utmost importance. !, |,
your service WIN, during th "a r" vnrv scri
Ter, without this holder, 10 ye, r.; r Hen
ousy crippled and IN CASE o. n ha s,In
to any OF your present nolnned,h, ceas,. 81,
ply OF 9 large district Won'n
tircly, md ok
That YOU make ,fnpTpye.m,sSr.Iss nn out nj
tensions To yonr present WORE, 20 ~,
lined 81 Exhihit"G" hereto M w aSn,,,d i
new sst q y I1 gag np aIys "a, yo1, ssuiae
m mus iIto car eapacity 10 pnebe YOU
Let down your coal Ras p .1,,l,, no con