Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-15
LIMIT FOR MONOX|DE
Commissioners Decide on Ten
Per Cent Maximum.
CONGRESS ASKS FOR BILL
Abolition of Poison Fumes in Gas
Not to Be Asked.
CONGRESS- ASKS FOR BILL
DIR. wILEY's OPINION PREVAILS
Engineer Commissioner Will Pro-
pose That Expert Determine
Ways and Means.

L he oOfn lnlSSlOTeTS decided loudS 10 TeCs
ommend to Congress bill limiting the
amount of carbon monoXide in gas dis
tributed in the District to 10 per cent.
The bill will be sent to the House District
committee in answer to it's request for
recommendation from the Commissioners
for definite legislation on the gas problem.
Engineer Commissioner Cosby has sug-
gested that the bill be modified SO az
to allow the gas companies reasonable
time in which to comply with its require
ments.
The bill provides:
That the amount of carbon monoxide in
the gas manufactured and distributed in
the District shall not exceed 10 per cent;
That the inspector of gas and meters
shall make examinations of the gas and
report any violations Of the law TO the
Commissioners; and
That each violation shall be punished by
fine Of from 800 to $500 on the company,
and, in the discretion of the court. the
imprisonment of the official or employe OF
the company found responsible for q
period not to exceed six months.
Expert Opinion Wanted.
Engineer Commissioner Spencer Cosby
said this morning that he thought the
Commissioners should secure the advice
of a practical gas man to determine what
are the best ways to remedy the evils
which recent accidents have pointed out.
He will make this suggestion to his col
leagues in connection with the motion of
commissioner Macfarland that the Com
missioners ask Congress to pass a law
requiring the gas companies to maintain
a pressure in its mains Of one inch. This
motion has the approval Of Commissioner
West
When il was referred to Engineer Com
missioner Cosby he did not act at once.
Today he made the following statement:
am not sufficiently well acquainted
with the subject to know whether to re-
quire minimum pressure Of one inch is
the best and most suitable remedy under
the circumstances. l believe the COM
misSonerS should have more definite in
formation on important matter as
this in order TO make sure that they adopt
the best measure to remedy the conditions
complained Of
Discussing his attitude, the Engineer
Commissioner said that the evils have
been pretty well determined by the theo-
retical chemical experts Of the Depart-
ment of Agriculture. The next question is
as To the best and most practical way to
remedy those evils. On that point he
thinks the advice of a practical gas man
will be valuable.
The Engineer Commissioner has not vet
acted on the carbon monoxide bill which
has been approved by the other two COM
mlssioners 1t did not reach his desk
Unit; Ibis ate noon
Congress Asks for Draft of Bill.
The request from the House District
committee for a definite recommendation.
in the form of bill. from the District
Commissioners. regulating the amount Of
carbon monoxide in the gas furnished
District residents, was received by Com
missioner Macfarland this morning
The letter, signed by Lewis NJ Miller,
clerk of the House District committee is
follows:
Your communication of the Sth in
Stant to the chairman OF this commit
tee, respecting carbon monoxide in gas
manufactured and furnished by the
Washington Gas Light Company in
closing the report of United States At
torney Baker on that subject was laid
before the committee at its regular meet
ing this morning, and the committee re-
solved that the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia be requested to pre-
are such bill as in Their Judgment will
best subserve the interests of sthe public
in the premises. and transmit the same
to the committee, together with their
reasons therefor
Immediately upon the receipt of the
letter Commissioner Macfarland moved
that the commissioners send to Congress
the draft of bill prepared by Corpora
ton Counsel Thomas. limiting the amount
of carbon monoXide to 10 per cent.
Provisions Of Safe Gas Bill.
The bill recommended provides:
That hereafter neither the Washington
Gas Light Company, the Georgetown Gas
Light Company, their successors or as
signs. nor any other company cor
poration. shall manufacture. make sell
or supply any gas for heating or illuminat-
ing purposes in the District of Columbia
which shall contain an excess of 10 per
cent of carbon monoxide
The inspector of gas and meters under
rules and regulations to be made changed
and amended from time to time by the
commissioners or the District of Column
bla, respecting niS duties under this act.
and all other duties of said Inspector shall
from time to time inspect. examine and
analyZe the gas manufactured. made, sold
or supplied FOR heating and Illuminating
purposes in said District. and report to
The Commissioners OF the District of
Columbia any violation of any of LIE
provisions OF this act
That each and every violation of any Of
the provisions of this act by any person
or corporation shall. on conviction. be
punished by fine of not less than S1v0
nor more than Sooo. and, in addition to
such fine. the person. officer or agent of
the company or corporation responsible
for such violation may, on conviction, in
the discretion of the court b. punished
by Imprisonment not exceeding six
months
Provided, that each and every day dur
ing which said VIC alton shall continue
shall constitute a separate offense
Provided further, that prose- cutions
under this act shall be in the name of the
District of Columbia in the Police Court
of said District on information by the
corporation counsel any of his assist
ants
Mr.. Macfarland's Views.
Discussing the reasons for asking the
enactment of this bill Commissioner Mac
farand said:
THE House District committee having
preference that the Commits
sioners should decide whether carbon
should be abolished or reduced,
after considering the recommendation Of
ne Commissioners made January that