The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-01-30

the two products, pure coal gas and
water gas. the II = OF which contains a
large amount Of the deadly carbon mon
oxide
While both of the witnesses admitted
the relatively great danger from the
water gas. they insisted Washington
would not benefit by the change as pro
posed in the bill introduced by Repre-
sentative smith. which provides for illu-
milating gas containing not more than
10 per cent Of water gas.
They also admitted that coal gas Is
a great deal less liable TO cause death.
because II contains much smaller
amount Of carbon m0noxide-
New Plant Necessary.
The gas experts. who are ali con-
nected with gas companies, said that II
the bilI under consideration BY the COM
mittee was passed. il would necessitate
changing three-fourths OF the company's
plant. and would cause an additional ex-
penditure OF y7,OoGO0. They did not be-
Heve this hardship should be imposed
upon the company
John McIlhenny. Of Philadelphia, con-
sulting director OF the Washington Gas
light Company and also one Of the direc-
tors, was one Of the chief witnesses.
He declared that he had been connected
With the company for many years; that
his brother was a former president Of the
company. and that he knew Of many In
vestigations and complaints made against
the company In his reference &c the
anxiety with which the washington Gas
light Company looks after the welfare
Of its patrons. he said that tsxieabs had
been used 10 send men 10 look after
urgent repairs
AIr. McIIhenny said that the Washing
tor Gaslight Company formerly manu-
featured coal gas, but that II had 10
abandon that on account OF the com
plants Of the consumers ne said the
public demanded a gas giving a higher
candle power. and that il was necessary
20 begin the injection OF water gas to
meet the demands. The manufacture OF
coal Eas could have been continued. he
SAID. but the public would not have It.
Deaths from Other Accidents.
8Ir. McIlhenny said that there had
been a number Of deaths from gas in
Washington in recent years: deplOrabie
deaths. too. he said. but he knew OF
deaths from railroad accidents and troll
ley smash-ups that were Just as de-
plorable-
This statement was brought out in re-
spouse 10 questions by Representative J.
Hampton Moore. who said he did not be-
lieve in working hardships on the gas
company that the other public service
corporations were not forced 10 shoulder.
Mr.. Sins replied that the various legis-
latures OF the country had passed laws
requiring safety appliances on railroads
and trolley lines. and that the proposed
law affecting the gas company was a
step in the same direction
In answer 10 a question by Representa-
tive Moore. Mr.. McIlhenny said that the
proposed law would cause the gas COM
pany 10 spend S7.o30.000 for a new plant.
and thai this could not be done unless
the charter was changed so as 10 allow
the company 10 borrow the necessary
money. He also said. in answer 10 a
question from Mr.. Moore. that he did
not think the company could make the
change and then sell gas cheaper than
SIZE and make interest on the capital
1t would also cause Us 10 buy addi-
tional land TO put up the buildings, and
We have lot that land We would have
10 have connections with the railroad
company, all three companies, in order 70
get our supply Of coal This. too, would
work a hardship on the company"
Suggests Other Remedies.
A rigid inspection Of the gas fixtures
in the homes was suggested by 8Ir. Nc
uhenny as the best way 10 reduce the
number OF deaths from gas He said #
that we're done there would be less
danger. He also suggested that the cor
sUmeTs could be educated on the use
OF gas, and thereby be freer from danger.
II they were furnished a circular letter
On the dangers Of gas
Another objection TO the use Of coal
gas. said Mr. 1fcIlhenny. was that II
frecipitated a crystalline substance.
known as naphthelene. in the pipes. and
Tot only reduced the pressure. but weak
ened the Illuminating power OF the gas
by drawing from IL
Mr.. ForestnIi Teutifea.
Alfred F. ForestaH. another witness.
Who came at the special Invitation Of the
gas company. told Of the merits OF water
gas although he admitted il produced a
large amount Of carbon monoxide. which.
he said would cause almost fnstantsne-
Gus death.
Mr.. ForestaH said he had made q life
study OF gases. His father was in the
same business. His home is In Montclair.
y J., and he is q gas expert IN New
York, where he is at the head OF 2 de-
partment Of school OF instruction by
correspondence. which IS maintained by
gas companies
he said that any gas would XIII IL IN
haIed. but admitted water gas. containing
carbon monoxide, was more dangerous.
He emphasized the necessity OF good
gas fixtures. and told Of the Increased use
q water gas in the United States. Mr..
Forestau also said that there were afpb-
teen towns in Europe where water gas
was manufactured.
He said in some places in Continental
Europe gas containing So per cent car
bon nonoxide was sold This. however
IS used almost exclusively with perfected
nantes which aid combustion and keen
down damages. he said there were nine
places in France where water gas is pro
daeea
No Legislation.
Mr. Forestan said that so far as he
knew there was no legislation IN the
United States restricting water gas. He
said the State Of New Jersey once passed
q law prohibiting gas with more than ?
per cent carbon monoxide but that the
law was so strict that the gas companies
could not comply with it. and were given
special charters.
An attempt was made by Representa-
tive Moore TO get at the relative number
OF accidents from gas and accidents in
ether public service corporations. but Mr.
Forestah was unable to give him the
information.
" CIrn- l...s-4.-r 49,. -