The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-04-20
ENGINEER 8AEHR STATES THAT
is WHAT CAN BE DONE.
Enormous Waste Of Gas and Labor
at the Present Plant.
BOARD OF CONTROL AND ITS CON.
TRACT TO THE CHICAGO
EXPERT.
Interesting Talk With Mr.. Baehr-
Gas Plant a Valuable
Property.

The Board Of Control has taken the,
first step toward the rehabilitation OF
the city gas plant by closing a con-
tract with Mr.. William II. Baehr, con-
sulting engineer OF Chicago. Mr..
Baehr is TO design a new plant and
10 supervise the construction OF same.
Mr. Baehr is a very eminent engineer
and has had some fifteen years ex-
perience in the construction and op-
Grafton OF gas plants. For a number
OF years he was superintendent for
the Laclede Gas company OF st. Louis.
Recently he established his own en-
gineering firm at Chicago, ands he IS
now expert adviser for the City Coun-
Gil OF Buffalo. for the Public Service
| Commission OF Chicago. and for n
number OF other important interests.
Mr.. Baehr left for Chicago last night,
and very soon will advertise for bids
for the construction of the new plant
along the lines he has proposed.
Speaking TO a reporter OF the Intelli-
gencer yesterday, Mr.. Baehr said
Il have not the slightest doubt that
with a properly constructed plant we
may be able to manufacture and de-
liver gas TO customers in the city OF
Wheeling at a cost OF net more than
forty cents per thousand cubic feet.
This will cover every item OF expense,
except interest on the investment and
depreciation. Thus your city gas
plant can either reduce it's cost to
custome ers. or il can accumulate in
few years a very large surplus that
Will enable ft TO extend its mains, IN
crease the number OF its customers
ana make IL an enormously valuable
property for the city. The gas which
We will be able 10 furnish from the
new plant will burn with a clear white
light. and will be superior in every
respect, either to the natural gas that
is now used by a good many people,
or 10 the present artificial gas. IL
will have an illuminating capacity OF
about II candle power per cubic foot,
against about 10 candle power which
is now given by the coal gas"
Don't you think il would have
been practicable for the city to have
purchased natural gas. improved its
mains. and distributed natural gas to
its consumers at n price to compete
with the natural gas company" asked
the reporter
No" said Mr.. Baehr. "and for a
number Of reasons"
Cost Of Repairs.
The city gas plants service pipes
and material have been constructed
for n pressure of about one ounce.
Natural gas could not be put through
these mains and pipes at that pres
sure. Natural gas is generally distri- =,
buted al a pressure OF about 8 ounces,
and to reconstruct the entire system
Of mains, service pipes and meters
to make them suitable for natural
gas would cost approximately $780,
10000 In view Of the fact that the
supply OF natural gas is certain 10
diminish. as the competition for II
becomes keener, ] do not think the
city OF Wheeling would have been
justified IN going TO this expense as a
business proposition.
Another thing. Natural gas is al
most odOrless. a leak from n IS ex-
ceedingly difficult to detect. and
therefore 1t Is highly dangerous. Even
With the greatest care In reconstruct
Ing the old plant for natural gas pur-
poses. We would be almost certain
TO have leaks and defects develop,
and any one of these might cause an
explosion. costing many lives and de-
stroying considerable property.
would mol wish 20 undertake the
moral risk Of putting natural gas into
the citys mains and service pipes,
improve them a. much as we might,
nor do 7 think there is any necessity
Tor 30. 7 propose 20 equip gas plant
here in the city that will furnish a
bright. clear. pure light Of superior
quality az a cost not exceedink forty
cents per thousand cubic feet. 7 do
not mean th4t the city will sell it
for that price. but they will be able
either 20 sell 70 % very close 10 forty
cents. or to make n very handsome
Continued on Tenth FaEs.J