Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-30

they burn up more children every year
than are ever injured by water gas. We
never think of going back to the old
flint and steel We never think of do
ing away with nitroglycerin. but it kills
more people every year than the water
gas. We never think of going back from
the trolley cars to the old horse cars
because more people are killed by the
trolley cars every year than are ever
killed by water gas
Mr. SIMS-That is simply matter OF
policy for the House to determine for
itself but the bill before us is to limit
the carbon monoxide here to 10 per cent.
which. it has been testified here. would
practically mean the prohibition of the
use of water gas. Therefore. in consid
ering this bill. it is just a question of
prohibiting the use or permitting 1t:
End of Investigation.
Mr.. LOVE-EXactly.
Mr.. SIMS-Consequently, anything bear
ing on that question is proper for the
committee to consider.
Mr.. MOORE-If that is your view, then
it would mean the dismantlins of certain
establishments and the tying up of cap
ital?
Would Stop Manufacture.
Mr.. LOVE-It would practically stop the
manufacture Of water gas in Washing
JOu anu an oNel tIlt WOliu WHSIC WdtCl
gas is made today.
Mr.. Notwithstanding that we all
agree that 1t is desirable thing to save
life wherever possible and to prevent de-
struction of life by monoxide or any other
gas, have you any suggestion to make to
the committee as to how the loss of life
might be lessened by legislation while
continuing the use Of water gas?
Mr.. I4OVE-1 do not think legislation
ran n II I think a fn fur
nish brains to the people; that is, they
must know something about the use Of
these gases-coal gas we'll as water
gas. l could not suggest anything in the
way Of legislation.
Mr.. MOORE-Then you regard the mat
ter Of saving life purely as matter of
education of the people?
Mr.. LOVE-So far as that very par
ticular point is concerned, yes.
Mr. MOORE-1 do not think we can
save life by passing an enactment against
carelessness.
Mr.. LOVE-Not at all.
Mr.. MOORE-Or an enactment against
negligence. I do not think we can pre-
vent the servant girl from using the kero-
sene can if she desires to use 1t; but I
am endeavoring to ascertain from you.
who are an expert, whether there is any
method that you. by reason Of your
knowledge, can suggest by which we, by
legislation, could improve the situation.
Gas Deaths Are Accidents.
Mr.. LOVE-I cannot suggest anything,
sir that would do away with the POSSIBLE
ity of accidents.
Mr.. MOORE-Then you regard the loss
of life due to the manufacture of water
gas as result of carelessness or negli-
gence or lack of information in the use of
gas?
Mr.. LOVE-Yes, sir
Mr.. MOORE-Or willfulness of course
Mr.. LOVE-Exactly.
Mr.. MOORE-What have you to suggest
in the matter Of regulating gas fixtures,
gas appliances, pipes, ct cetera?
Mr.. LOVE-I think that is matter that
can be regulated. 1 think that every
carefully inspected.
Mr.. MOORE-How do you regulate that
in New York city. for instance?
Mr.. Lowell you will permit me, I will
give you little experience l had within
the month in having an inch and a half
service put into one Of my offices. 1t
was carried up to the third floor year
ago they used to put it in and some one
and say, That is all right" But this
time, without knowing anything about the
regulations. they sent an inspector there
from the department of water supply. the
gas company sent an inspector there. the
department of buildings sent an inspector
there, and finally they put on a gauge
which required that that little line, which
was piped up to the third floor. stand a
pressure of ten inches of mercury, which
is an abnermally heavy pressure. There
was no pressure likely to come onto that
pipe one-thousandth part of that. 1t was
simply the ordinary street pressure. That
is case that came under my own OBJ
servation recently What the exact fig
ures in inches are i cannot state.
Have Laws for Inspection.
Mr.. TAYLOR-Do you know whether or
not they have statutory provisions, or
regulations of the municipality, for a
careful inspection?
Mr.. LOVE-They have.
Mr.. Moore-Just one more question.
Have you any data at hand which will
enable you to tell us the amount of capt.
prises, either in New York city or
throughout the country. that would be
affected by an enactment that we might
pass here. limiting the percentage Of
monoxide as indicated in this bill?
Mr.. LOVE-No. sir; it would be difficult
to obtain that unless you obtained it di-
| rectly from the gas companies. because
very many Of the gas companies today
manufacture this mixture of coal gas
and water gas, and only the gas COM
pany could say what percentage Of its
capital was invested solely in the manu-
facture of water gas.
Mr.. TAYLOR-Both companies have
coal gas and water gas plants.
Mr.. LOVE-That is a most desirable
mixture, as most gas men look at it.
Mr.. MOORE-Then, assuming that this
bill establishing limit should pass. what
would be the effect upon the Illuminating
service?
MIR. LOVE-Upon illuminating gas?
Mr. MOORE-Gas.
Mr. LOVE-Of Washington?
Mr.. MOORE-Yes.
Would Be Hard to Increase.
Mr.. LOVE-They would have to stop
the manufacture Of water gas first. and
if you keep up the standard to twenty
two candles and require them to furnish
gas of that quality then they would have
to look around to enrich it some other
way That would result in producing "a
gas which, I think. would make good
deal of complaint in Washington. as it
has everywhere else. on account OF smoki-
ness.
Mr.. MOORE-What effect would that
have upon the people themselves who are
the consumers of gas? Would they have
to pay more for gas i'm the end?
Mr.. LOVE-Down our way the legisla-
ture fixes it, and you have to pay it or
let it alone.
Mr. TAYLOR-Could the gas be manu-
featured coming up to the Preamble
power. as required in Washington, as
cheaply as it is manufactured now?
Mr.. LOVE-To manufacture coal gas
Mr.. TAYLOR-Yes. and live up to this
standard, coal gas that makes Preamble
power?
Mr.. LOVE-I should say yes, by ali
r,oonu tbov have tn Introduce new ela-