The Washington herald., 1909-01-10
GAS THAT KILLS
WILL BE BARRED
Continued from Page One.

pany should be required by law to fur
nish gas in Washington at less than -
cents per thousand feet.
The grave peril which hangs over the
citizens caused by the persistence Of the
Washington Gaslight company in produc-
ing water gas was formally brought to
the attention Of that corporation by the
District Commissioners yesterday They
asked that the manufacture Of the poison
Gus vap0r be reduced TO the limit Of
safety.
Looks for Compliance.
This request does not, Of course, az
feet in any way our desire for legisla-
ton. because the matter ought not to
be left TO voluntary action, which might
be changed at any time. but I trust the
gasHght company VIII comply in order
to save time and possibly the lives OF
citizens" said Commissioner mcfarland.
! Commissioner Macfarlsnd's statement
follows:
The Commissioners have sent TO Con-
gress The recommendation that either the
manufacture and distribution Of water
gas should be stopped entirely, or that il
should be reduced 20 a safe amount, and
have stated that they will at once put
into bill form either proposition that may
be approved by either the Senate or the
House Committee on the District OF Co
lumbia
AT the same time the Commissioners
have requested the corporation counsel TO
advise them whether there are any legal
steps which they can take 10 reduce or
prevent the manufacture and distribution
Of water gas in advance OF such legisia-
ton
The Commissioners have asked the
Washington Gaslight Company In a letter
sent this morning whether It cannot
voluntarily reduce the amount Of water
gas TO a safe limit
The Commissioners have approved the
draft OF the regulation prepared BY Cor
p0ration Counsel Thomas upon the mem
orandum furnished BY Inspector Of
Plumbing Davis for the regulation Of gas
water heaters Mr. Davis Is investigating
the dangers from gas stoves. with view
/ 10 other regulations.
: However. all other measures except
the desired legislation are Of course only
) temporary expedients."
7 Inspectors Investigations.
/ After reading in The Washington Herald
q the narrow escape OF Mrs. Oscar A
Reed from death from carbon monOxide
% gas generated by the same heater which
: caused the death OF three members Of
the Bremerman family. District Plumbing
D Inspector Davis yesterday ordered an In
vestigation-
The result Of the Inspection was sent
to the Board OF Commissioners in a for
nal report which reads:
"The inspectors were informed by Mrs
/. Reed that the gas water heater had no
. been used or lighted since il had beer
q reinstaIled,' nor was Il necessary. a.
ample hot water was furnished TIT
{ apartment from water back located 4
: the heating furnace IN the cellar
There Is q probability that a leak *
listed or the outside Of the water heate
at the connection OF the supply cock wit
- the gas service pipe This cock supple
q gss directly into an air-miIing valve o.
the water heater. and. owing TO the prox
2 unity OF the leaky connection on the "a
= water heater TO the gas cooking range
> il Il probable that the escaping gas &C
r cunulated in the Jacket Of the gas waite
r. heater. and when the gas cooking rang
was lighted which IS located only foUTtse
inches from the center OF the waite
heater thus bringing the leaky COnHec
{ ton supplying the gas 10 the gas waite
= heater in close proximity 10 the lightS
g gas cooking range. may have caused n
- explosion which took place. No dsmag
vas done 20 either the water heater o
the Eas range, nor was any one injured
but there IVES a slight disarrangeunent G
= the pipe connection, due 20 the explC
n sion
, Inspector Davis refused 10 talk with
s reporter yesterday he sent 4 clerk I
see all interviewers, and would not tai
& Of the responsibility Of his department
.e allowing a heater that has killed thrs
? persons 70 be installed III the same spar-
D. iment under the same circumstances