The Washington herald., 1907-10-12
GAS suit APPROVED
Commissioners Will Prose
cute Local Companies.
PURITY BELOW STANDARD
az 800 a Day Provided in
Event of COnvictiOn-Inspect of
nIshes Basis for ActIOn-Law on
Violation Is Strict-TO Test Law.

Commissioner M6cfarland yesterday ap-
proved the recommendation of z. G. Run
yon. inspector of gas and meters of the
District of Columbia, that the Washing
TON Gasiight Company and the George
town Gaslight Company be prosecuted
for furnishing Illuminating gas below the
standard of candle power and purity on
certain specified dates since July /
Before approving the recommendation,
Commissioner Macfarland conferred with
Corporation Counsel E r. Thomas and
Mr. Runyon. and learned that in their
judgment the facts would support the
prosecution.
Uncertain as TO Facts.
That proceedings have not been insti-
tuted is due to the fact that the in
spector of gas and meters has not felt
certain that the facts would sustain
prosecution in view OF the following pro-
viso to the acts Of Congress prescribing
the standard OF candle power and quality
Of Illuminating gas:
Provided, that If it shall appear that
such deviation from the abOve-named
standards could not have been prevented
by ordinary care and prudence. but was
occasioned by some unavoidable causes,
then said penalty shall not be enforced.
It was the opinion that should prosecu-
ton have been instituted in the last two
years the Washington Gaslight Company
would have pleaded in extenuatiOn the
destruction of one Of its plants two years
ago as an unavoidable cause" of
its furnishing gas below the standard.
In view. however. of the facts that the
occurred since July l. the corporation
counsel and the inspector Of gas and
meters believe they have a good case.
Courts to Test Law.
Commissioner Macfarland takes the posi-
ton that upon recommendation Of the cor
poration counsel and the inspector Of gas
and meters the case should be tested in
the court If by the final decision of that
tribunal it develops that successful prose-
cution is practically rendered impossible
by the proviso 10 the act of Congress
governing the quality Of gas, the matter
viii, he states. be brought to the atten-
tion of Congress.
The penalty for providing gas below the
standard is a fine of 500 for every day
during which the violation continues.
The inspector submitted with his re-
port a number Of specific instances of in
spection Of meters and candle power Of
gas furnished by both companies men
toned in his paper, giving date Of in
specuon. Illuminating power. &c, and
quotes sections of the law GOVERNING the
supply Of gas to consumers in the city
OF Washington that are. he claims being
violated by the companies concerned.
Law Covering Charge.
The prosecution viii be instituted, upon
approval Of the other Commissioners, uu-
der the provisions of the following act
Of Congress:
The Illuminating power Of the gas fur
nished by any company, person, or per
sons in the District OF Columbia shall
be equal to twenty-five candles by the
Bunsen photometer, using the Bray slit
union burner numbered seven. consuming
five cubic feet Of gas per hour. and such
gas shall not contain more thar twenty
grains OF sulphur in any form in 100
cubic feet, nor more than five grains OF
ammonia in any form in 100 cubic feet.
and shall be free Of the impurity known
as 'sulphureted hydrogen hydrogen sui
phide). said inpurity to be determined
by passing the gas through a glass yes
el containing strips of bibulous paper
moistened with n solution Of the acetate
of lead, and if any discoloration Of the
test paper is found to have taken place.
this is to be held conclusive as TO the
presence Of hydrogen sulphide in the gas
when the Illuminating gas supplied
by any company, person, or persons in
the District Of Columbia shall at any one
time be of less Illuminating power or Of
less purity than according to the stand
ards just heretofore given, it shall be so
reported by the inspector Of gas and
meters to the company, person, or per-
sons supplying the same, who shall be
subject 10 a penalty of 500, to be re-
covered before the proper tribunal and
paid into the treasury Of the District Of
Columbia aforesaid for each and every
day during which such violation shall
continue.
Provided. however, That if it shall
appear that such deviation from the
above-named standards could not have
been prevented by ordinary care and
prudence, but was oecasioned by some
unavoidable causes, then the said pen
a chaTf h.