The Washington herald., 1909-02-02
WATER GAS AND COAL GAS
HEARING BEFORE HOUSE COMMITTEE.

tors here, but I do not know how thor
ough the inspection Is. The usual way
is this. That q gas man hangs the fix
lures and has 10 put on a mercury
gauge. and that gauge is 20 stand over
night without sinking during the twelve
hours. and then. II that IS the case. there
is no leak in the house II that mercury
sinks. II shows there is a leak somewhere.
and il has 10 be looked for and correct
ed. But IL people knew the danger OF
these things. think no accidents would
happen
Mr. Moore-You are familiar with the
fact that water that is used for con-
sumption IN large cities IS often produe-
tive OF typhoid?
Mr. McIlhenny-Yes, sir
Mr.. MooTe-There is no inspection, OF
/ course, OF the water that comes into the
hogse?
Mr.. McIlhenny-Yes.
Nlr. Moore-But large cities have adopt
ed methods OF warning the people against
+ the use Of water?
Mr.. Mcuhenny-Yes-
l Mr. MoOre-They send circulars in
/ structing the householder 10 boil the
water. and 50 forth. Have you any sug-
1 gestiOns along that line?
Mr. TayIOr-You stated that you be-
Heved IL would be a good plan TO send
out a circular TO each householder that
used gas. telling them about the risk7
I Mr. McIlhenny-Yes, that was my sug-
gestion-
Mr.. Moore-Then you can make no
practical suggestion which viii aid Us IN
I framing legislation TO lessen the num-
: Der OF deaths from the use of water
gas2
Mr. McIIhenny-Or any gas. Deaths
I have always taken place since I have
4 been in business. I never made water
gas: made coal gas. and have always
had this fear OF people doing something
foolish and getting into trouble with H.
NJ. Sims-Mr- NcIlhenny. il seems TO ms
I Ike the question before the committee
! IS not comparing the number OF accidents
occurring by way OF gas or street cars
/ OF anything else. but here is the propOsi-
ton. 20 use one OF TWO kinds OF gas
either exclusively coal gas or water gas
earburetted OF mixed. Now. the question
for Us 10 determine is whether We VII
force this company TO adopt one, OF
permit them 10 so on. Now. as between
water gas and coal gas IN general use
which IS the more dangerous?
Mr. McIlhenny-I have listened to these
gentlemen to-day. and theoretically. ]
suppose. water gas contains more poison
ous vaper. that I believe one IS about as
bad as the other, and II you go back
10 coal gas. one IS about as bad as the
other. The people do not want it. The
! people want the highest illuminant. be-
cause Il IS cheaper snd better. and the
few deaths that occur would take place
I T lob H.
gas.
Mr. Sims-You see. We have before rs
( the special duty Here is the recon.
mendation OF the Attorney General. the
district attorney, and it is even thought
sufficient by the President OF the United
States to transmit It TO Congress for
legislation; and yet I understand you tc
say that you viii simply adopt =. method
OF educating the servants and the people
and the children as to the use OF gas
instead of legislation. In other words
there is no legislation that you know OF
| that can remedy the trouble?
/ Mr.. Mcllhenny-That is quite right.
| 90 not; and besides that. with all due
respect to all these gentlemen who take
these philsnthropic views OF things OF
hfe-it is right. I must say-that II their
{, questions were submitted TO a board OF
Impartial experts. that il would be de-
featee.
Mr.. Sims-win you tell US how to get
a board OF impartial experts 70 do any
thing9
Mr.. Mcnhenny-I think you can.
Dir. Sims-That is something I do not
know how 70 get at
8Ir. McIIhenny-I feel myself that when
self is in the balance weighed. some
times you are apt 10 lean TO your own
side. and I think men are getting above
that 1 think the love Of science and
the truth OF science
Mr.. Sims-True scientists differ dia-
metricslly. as we have seen in this very
hearing
Mr. McIIhenny-I know, but hav.
never known a man yet who would con.
trovert scienunc facts. There is a love
Of truth in q scientific man that 1:
taught 10 him by training; it comes Il
him by training. He believes in exact
sciences; he viii not take no" for ar
answer
Mr. Sims-Mr McIlhenny. we had her,
two scientific experts on gas last session
and they took up the reports Of your
/ company. the Washington Gas Com
panys and one declared from those re.
1 pO-lS lldL % cents N0u1Q De lle maxi
mum for the price. a good price, and the
| other. from the same reports. declared
that 81 was the most reasonable
Mr.. MeIlhenny-The man who said s.
cents did not know his business.
Mr.. Sims-He was an expert
Mr. McIlhenny-He did not know hi.
business.
Mr.. sims-He was presented to US a.
| an expert.
Mr.. McIihenRy-I bet you he nevei
made a foot OF gas In his life.
Il Mr.. Sims-You have just illustrated ths
truth Of that statement You are an ex.
pert and you differ from what the other.
have said.
Mr.. McIheuny-I do not claim TO be AZ
expert in gas making.
MT. Sims-You ought to be; you are 1
/ gas engineer.
Mr. Mcnhenny-T look after tn
l physical condition OF the company, whei