The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-10-01
Reports That Plants Con-
tinue to Supply Product
With Impurities.
CASES PENDING
AGAINST COMPANY
Brges Commissioners TO Advocate
a More Stringent Law
In Meantime.

In the face Of prosecutions entered by
the District, the Washington and
Georgetown Gas Light Companies are
continuing 70 supply impure gas TO their
consumers. according TO the annual re-
port of Elmer G. Runyon, submitted to
the Commissioners today.
The regulations require the illumin-
atins power to be not less than twenty
two candles. the total amount OF sui
phur not TO exceed twenty grains, the
ammonia not to exceed five grains in
100 cubic feet. and that the gas shall be
free from hydrogen sulphide.
In twenty days the tests at the CEN
traI station" says the report, showed
the cendlepower was below the legal
requirement OF twenty-five candlepower
az some time during the day. and on
eleven days Il was found to have fallen
below twenty-five candles at the south
east station on most of these days
the results for candlepower was be-
tween twenty-one and twenty-five can
dies. There was one day, however,
when the candlepower dropped below
twenty at both the central and south
east stations.
During the year $50 official photo
metric determinations were made Of the
gas supplied by the Washington Gas
Light Company with a mean OF z3.45
candle power.
The highest candle power observed
was 2s26 candles at the southeast sta
ton, on March 26. 1909 and the lowest
was 1927 candles at the same station
on December 3. 1908
Use Photometric Tests.
'-Of the above photometric tests, 5Ol
wer made at the central station. with
a mean OF 2ZsO candles. The highest
result observed at this station was "a. 70
candles. on June g. 1900. and the lowest
was 1884 candles, on December 80. 1905
AT the southeast testing station.
222 Official phot0metric tests gave a
mean Of 23.6t candles, with a maxi
mum OF 2s.2s candles. on March 26.
1903, and a minimum OF 1887 candles.
on December .. 1908.
AT the northwest testing station,
234 official phOtometric tests gave a
mean OF 24.05 candles. with a maxi
mum OF 26.s5 candles, on February
candles, on October 81, 1908. At no
time during the year did the test at
this station show the Illuminating
power of the gas 10 be below the
legal requirement. OF 22.G0 candles.
On thirteen days during the year. the
tests At one or more Of the three test
ing stations showed the presence Of hy-
this company"
Concerning the gas furnished BY the
Seorgetown Gas Light Company. the re-
port is as follows:
Below For 20 Days
Three hundred and two official pho
tometric tests were made Of the gas
supplied by the Georgetown Gas Light
Company, with a mean Of 23.O6 candles
The highest result obtained was 2s 81
candies. IN April 8. 1909, and the lowest
1Ibo candles. on January 3, 1903. On
twenty days during the year the tests
showed that At SOME time during the
day the candle power Of the gas was
below the legal requirement OF - "
candles. On most Of these days the
tests showed the candle power 10 be be-
tween 2lO0 and 200 candles. but on
below 1900"
The tests OF the gas supplied by this
company failed 10 show the presence Of
hydrogen sulphide.
Suits charging the Washington and
SeOrtetOWn Gas Light Companies with
furnishing impure gas are now pending
IN the District Supreme Court. The Cir
Hszit Court has decided I'm favor Of the
companies. on the ground that il must
be shown that the impurities existed
for continual period OF twenty-four
hours and the District Is preparing to
enter an appeal.
Under the present law the tests are
permitted only between the hours Of
room and midnight. which. according
% +. NJ Stephens. assistant corporation
counsel who has charge Of the prose
| cution. makes difficult the production
s1f evidence 10 show that the impurit-
les existed for the entire period OF TWEEN
ty-four hours The District. he said.
viii at the next session Of Congress
ask for new law compelling the gas
companies 70 supply an Illuminating
power Of legal purity. in the event the
action Of the Circuit Court is not re-
versed bv the Court or Appeals
The penalty provided for furnishing
impure gas is 800 for each day.