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

OF carbon monoxide should be allowed in
the Illuminating product sold in Wash
ington-
Al attempt was made By Nj ForestaIl
TO show that the greater number or
deaths from gas in Washington were
suicides. He said that the records showed
that during the eight years from 1893
to 1907. there were serenty-eight desths-
he said = per cent OF these were among
people who had been IN the city less than
a month"; % per cent had been here less
than q week. and that Is per cent had
been here less than a day
City of Blasted Hopes.
Mr.. Sims caused a ripple OF laughter
to run through the COMMITTEES room when
he asked Mr.. Forestam If he meant 20
intimate that Washington was sSsjcsde
resort.
he said nc. bat that he did think
Washington was a city Of many blasted
hopes. Mr. Taylor admitted this was
true; especially among Congressman, !"
he said
Mr. ForestaH then gave figures TO show
the difference in the death rate between
Washington and Baltimore lie said
Baltimore formerly used pure water gas.
but that when the coke ovens found they
could not use their gas the product was
changed so that 50 per cent coal gas IS
now used. There was very little differences
between the figures from the two cities
Forrest z Barker. chairman OF the
Boston Gas and Electric Commission. WAS
on the stand yesterday morning. He
told Of the struggle Of the people. Of
Boston 70 get a safer product. His testi-
mony dealt more directly yith the work
OF the commission of which he IS the
head than with the proposed legislation.
He also ted Of the gas regulations OF the
Bay Safe
Water Gas Used an New York.
Dr.. Edward c. Lowe, a gas expert from
New York City. took the stand and told
Of the general use OF water gas. Mr..
Love was another witness for the gas
company he said that water gas hsd
been used in New York since 1874
He characterized the introduction Of
water gas as the greatest step ever taken
IN the manufacture OF the Illuminating
product He quoted from DR.. Ira Rem
sen 10 show that death was caused more
readily by water gas than coal gas, but
said that he did not believe It more dan
gerous II proper attention was paid 10
the fixtures.
In refuting some Of the testimony OF
experts from the Bureau Of Chemistry.
Dr. Love said that water gas was not
used generally in foreign countries be-
cause Of economic purposes
Replying 10 Mr.. Sims, DR.. Love said
straight coal gas could be enriched by
the use OF oil or naphtha 70 twenty,
twenty-five. or almost any necessary can
die power.
Light Goes Ont.
J A. lie Clair. Of the Citizens Asso-
citation Of Takoma Park. attended the
hearing. and attempted TO ascertain from
the witnesses what remedy was in store
for weak pressure.
He said that n some places he had
known the light to go out because Of
low pressure. and that later gas was
allowed 10 pour forth into the room. He
was not allowed 70 make E statement
yesterday, but probably viii testify to
day.
Mr.. Sims insisted that he be allowed "a
tell his complaints 10 the committee, in
view Of the bin pending before Congress
70 provide a higher pressure.
The hearing viii be resumed this morn
ing. when NJ. Forestall viii go on the
stand again and answer questions from
members Of the committee OF private citi-
zens Who wish TO be informed on the
subject.
Il IS thought several other gas experts
viii be placed on the stand by the Wash
ingtOn Gaslight Company il an attempt
to defeat the bin before Congress.
che testimony in detail is printed OF
page II OF this issue)