Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-01-31
Aldermen Accept Investigating
COMMITTEES Report.
Decline Proposition Of Light and Pow
er Company to Employ CONSULT
sux Gas Engineer Of National
Reputation.

adoptiOu of the report or the SpcClal
which has been Investigate
iut, tho leakage OF the gas mains of the
burlington Light and Power company.
The report, modified In one respect
was unanimously accepted. a rcsolu-
ton was passed authorizing that the
surplus remaining each year over and
above tho running expenses OF the
lighting plant be devoted 10
q sinking fund. Reports were received
from several departments Of the city
government for 1906. They were ac-
cepted and will be printed in accord
ancc with a previous order OF the
board. All of the members OF the board
were present.
The special committee which has
been investigating the question OF gas
leakage was made up Of Mayor Burke,
city Attorney Billiard and the alder
manic committee on accounts and
claims, Aldermen Morgan, stone and
Meagher Their report as accepted
was as follows.
GAS COMMITTEES REPORT.
The committee to which was referred
the matter of escaping gas from the pipes
of the Burlington Light & Power COM
pany would respectfully report that they
have considered the same and careful
invest cation Of the matter was made.
Several hearings were held and much
evidence was taken by the committee.
City Attorney V. A Bulard appeared
for the city. J. f. Cushman ard Il. +.
Brown appeared for the light and power
company. A large number of citizens APP
peared before the committee, claiming 30
have been injured by the gas escaping
from the pipes of the said company.
From a statement made TO the committee
by F. n. Parker. superintendent of said
company, he said that thirty or more
miles of gas mains have been laid in the
streets Of our city, about IS miles of this
pipe having been laid during the last two
wears mostly in the north section Of our
city, and II Is from this section most of
the complaints come from, while a great
many complaints from injury to trees,
also quite a number from escaping gas
entering the houses by way Of
the cellars have been made for
Two years past. For the last two months
these complaints have assumed serious
proportions, especially on. North avenue
also on other streets. such as lower Pearl
street, Hyde street. North Battery street
George street. Elmwood avenue, Cedar
street Adams street and North street
Evidence was submitted showing that
about 100 trees have already been killed
by gas during the last two years and Mr.
Parker, Suporirt endent of the gas com
pany. admitted il to be true. Evidence
was also submitted that quite "A large
number Of persons had been. and some
of them quite seriously, affected from es-
Gaping gas which came into the buildings
by way of the cellars, although in most
all Of the cases the premises were not
even connected with the gas main in the
street. one person testified that
while at work on Hamlins block
on Cedar street, January II, he was conf
lletcly overcome and fell PROSTATE on
the floor and had to he carried home and
has beer unable 10 do any work since.
Some Of the persons said that they had
10 vacate their homes in the middle OF
the night. one person said that he was
obliged 10 SIT up and watch all night with
cellar windows open for protection to his
family. A number of other persons liv-
ing or North avenue said that they were
obliged to keep their cellar widows open
day and night so that they might remain
in their homes Evidence was also sub