New-York tribune., 1905-04-19
GAS PRESSURE AND COST
HIGH IF QUALITY IS BAD.
COmpany's Engineer and Columbia
Professor Testify.

W. H Bradley, chief engineer of the Consolidated
Gas Company, after questioning by Charles L.
t1ughes at the lighting investigation in the City
nan yesterday admitted that increase Of press
ure at the station caused an increase Of consunp-
uon at the burner in the homes OF the takers. He
SAID that q man duty all the time with his
"1ho on lever, and tried TO equaze the pressure.
PROFESSOR William Hallock OF Columbia Uni
Nersity, said gas of an inferior quality could be
mace 10 furnish desired quality or degree Of IL
!uInination by increasing the pressure and user
would be compelled in some instances TO pay g for
V' cubic feet Of inferior gas, while the same guam
tty Of better quality would only cost 81 under q
lighter pressure
Mayor Mcclellan will be one OF the principal wit
nesses to-day
Mr. Bradley said yesterday that the hours when
the most gas is consumed in the city are from to
800 p. m At the lighting up time D. m the
pressure is increased.
Does an increase Of pressure at the station cause
an Increase OF gas consumption at the burner in
peoples honest" asked Mr.. Hughes.
Mr.. Bradley did not answer this question yes
or no. but, after many moro questions finally
admitted that there might be sections near the
stations at which the consumption Of gas would be
increased BY the greater pressure at the station.
pressure IS increased IN the mains by allowing
a larger amount OF gas 10 leave the holders and
M Bradley said the plan is 10 keep the pressure
equal and 10 satisfy consumers on all parts Of the
system From the pressure charts and from com
plants OF consumers. the company judges the
amount OF pressure required
There is no reason why the gas should not be
consumed at one inch even II the pressure IS four
inches AT the holder" Mr.. Bradley said. IF the
consumer burns five feet Of gas an hour he gets
the illumination from his meter at one inch. no
matter what the pressure in the main. The meter
does not register pressure. II registers the gas
that passes through f."
Q.-will not the burner consume more gas If the
one inch than it Would if the @ pressure Was n6t i a.
creased, AA-pndoubtedy; unless the consumer
ne meter would mean greater consumption OF gas
- &S.-Siuch b more the meter VII not register
Consumed. the light viii be increased.
which, viii be used normally? Al think It
o.-I you put a pressure of eight inches on a
meter tested for two inches. would the meter reg
chinery OF the meter.
Professor HalIoclz described experiments he has
been making with photometric tests for candle
power IN city gas. and gave a record of numerous
tests he made lately at the request of the Legis-
pressure.
Can inferior quality Of gas be made 10 sup
ply the desired illumination by an increase IN
pressureT' asked Mr.. Hughes.
II can" said Professor HalIock
Oh making your observations did you detect
amy amy f Tae 0F re.a22 between quality Of gas
was poor I noticed that the pressure was n
Q--And as the quality improved the pressure de-
crtased2 Ayes. I observed that April 8 6
and last.
II the quality fell 10 IS per cent Of normal power
Professor HaIlock said. the consumer would pay
g a thousand cubic feet, IL using open fame
burner. and 81 go II using a Wesbach burner Those
conditions would prevail If the normal light was
obtained by increased pressure at the mains.
Q--In making these tests did you proceed in ac-
cordance with authorized and proper methods?
Al did.
Q.-And You took the tests different times of
law f0r Vvha TpTrT In do
Ternine any possible changes in the quality Of the
gas and the pressure under which II was delivered.