The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-10
EXPERT TESTIMONY ON GAS PROBLEMS
President Humphreys, OF Stevens institute,
Makes Statement Before Con-
gressona Committee.


YOU
Mr.. Humphreys-No. sir. you did no
ask me that
Mr.. Cary-What do you charge
Mr.. Humphreys-You asked me whethe
charge by the day and l said that
did not
Mr.. Cary-By the day I meant YOU
services. Then 1 suppose it is for tn,
job. If it is not for the day?
Mr.. Humphreys-It depends upon tn,
services. sir. which I don't know in ad
vance. Ny bill is made out after
get through, and in this case it will b,
the same.
Mr.. Cary-And you don't care TO stat,
what IL is?
Mr.. Humphreys-Certainly not; that i,
my private business. l do not know ye
what I am going to charge this company
for my services. and will not know II
until I get through.
Mr.. Cery-Supposing you we're called L
Philadelphia tomorrow to appear before
an investigating committee there, I pre-,
sumo you would take along with YOU
about the papers that you have here?
Mr.. Humphreys-No sir. I would take
along very different papers would take
my Philadelphia papers. I have a great
many more papers in connection with
them than have in this case.
Mr. Cary-Would you tell the committee
what the percentage OF condensation be
tween cold and warm climates Is?
MIR. Humphreys-No. sir; I could not
tell that, because no man living can
answer the question as YOU state H.
Mr.. Cary-There is quite a difference
isn't there?
Mr. Humphreys-Ye there IS quite a
difference. 1t will depend upon the
temperature between the cold and the
warm climates. and It would also depend
upon the temperature Of the gas as reg
istered at the station meter, and the
average temperature of the gas as regis
tered at the consumers meter 1t Is
an extremely difficult thing TO average
and il is always a source of loss 10 the
company. The company has to stand
that loss and not the consumer.
Mr.. Cary-There would be more con-
densation in your city. Buffalo, OF in my
city. Milwaukee. as compared with Wash
ington: Buffalo and Milwaukee being
colder climates?
Mr.. Humphreys-Yes, sir.
Mr.. Cary-You state that the bills have
not increased since the reduction in the
price of gas in Washington?
Mr.. Humphreys-T did not so state.
Mr.. Cary-WeH, what did you state?
You stated that there was a reduction
In price, and did you say that the bills
are less?
Mr.. Humphreys was probably speak
ing about an entirely different matter
from what you have in mind. was talking
of the average sales per meter, and ]
showed that for the years 1907 and 1903
the sales per meter, in dollars and cents
were very nearly alike. gave that COM
parison which ! think you probably have
In mind.
Efr. Cary-What 7 want to get at is this:
A great many of the people come to me.
and they say that their gas bills are
higher now than when the price was
SIS
Mr. Humphreys have no doubt that
some of them say so.
Mr.. Cary-And they also state that they
have not used a particle more gas; not
burning any more Jets. 1 want TO ask
you this question: Is it possible to make
a watch run faster, or q clock run faster?
Mr.. mphreys-Certainly; yes, sir.
Mr. Cary-The same mechanism is IN
the meters as you would find in a clock,
is It not?
Mr.. Humphreys-No, sir; that IS an
different proposition.
Mr.. Cary-You can make it run faster,
can you not?
Mr.. Humphreys-You can deliberately,
but l never knew of a company that
thought OF doing so. The meters here are
all tested and sealed by a government
Inspector.
Mr.. Cary-You can put on pressure and
force the meter to go faster?
Mr.. Humphreys-Th increase in pres
sure beyond an adequate pressure would
hardly make any difference in the registry,
but would lead to less economical results
In the burning. II is to the company's
interest to keep the pressure at such
results in burning, Beyond that point #
IS uneconomical to the company, as it
the leakage. 1 don't believe
that there is any question much more
than this question OF the
effect Of pressure on the meters registra-
lion, and also this other question that
you speak about. the increased consump-
= ,,F- Fo 10
Dany trying to compensate themselves for
he reduction in price by making them
burn more gas. 1 have investigated a
great many cases personally, and have
been known in the gas business for thirty
years as a man who has been determined
hat the consumer shall have the benefit
IF all the service that he pays for; and 1
have disciplined many a man for not at
tending to the complaints properly. AS
[ say, I have investigated many cases;
and, as I stated, if the price is reduced
t is the natural impulse of the consumer
10 burn more Of the gas. He does not do
so deliberately, but there is a let-up on
the pressure of himself and his wife TO
keep down the bill, which undoubtedly
eads to greater consumption.
Now. as TO complaints; 1 have already
spoken of two or three that did not stand
but If the committee viii bear
with me, let me give an extreme case, Il
will allow, but as good an example as
can be found. Let me say that
have paid special attention TO this bust
ness for nearly forty years, and in my
first company, fer ten years. I did every
hing. 1t was small place and a small
company. but I attended to every branch
IF the business. and I stayed there quite
/ long time because for four years of
hat time was staying for my degrees at
he Stevens Institute. During that time
came in contact with nearly every con-
iumer; managed each department my
..Ls Won. Lat az. -