The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-11-24
GLASGOW MAKES
REPORT T0B0ARD
Submits Long Statement Out
lining Improvements for
City Gas Works.
EXPECT NO RADICAL CHANGE
Whiltet Will Transmit Report
This Week, but Board
Will Proceed Slowly.

The long awaited report OF Arthur
g. Glasgow on the needs or the City
Gas Works has been placed IN the
hands Of Chairman Robert Whittct. lr..
OF the Administrative Board. and will
be submitted by him to tho board for
some action the carly part Of this
week. The report IS quito long and
reviews In detail the local gas situa-
ton. suggesting number OF remedial
changes
Mr. Glasgow. who is native OF
Richmond. is president OF the London
Water Gas Company. ana Is regarded
rs one Of tho worlds foremost author
tics on gas manufacture. lie spent
several days early this month in going
over the municipal plant. IN company
with the Administrative Board and
superintendent W =. Knowles
While the contents Of Mr.. Glasgow's
report arc known to several members OF
the board, It's publication is being
withheld until II is formally submitted
In II general way it reduces 70 writ
Ing the numerous suggestions offered
10y Mr.. Glasgow IN his several talks
with the menlbcrs
Stresses business End.
The London expert. according TO one
OF tho members who has read the
report, lays particular emphasis on the
ACCESSIBILITY ~ tightening UP the bust
ne"s administration Of thu works. lie
recommends til. employment OF n
SsN4Aatd N'IliltI'iii lusill, whose DNS1-
ness e would be TO keep accurate til
on all complaints. to look after the
efficiency Of the service from tho stand
point OF the consumer, and 70 wage an
aggressive campaign for new bust
ness. in competition with other light
and heat agents,
\ mistake is TOO often made. ac-
cordine 10 Mr., Glasgow. in looking upon
a municipal enterprise of this kind as
an ironoound monopoly from which
there is no escape ard which need
not lie looked after with the same
that has competition. Indifference 10
these considerations will. in the end
drive patrons of the Gas Works To
some other agency for their light ana
heat. and reduce the value OF the
monopoly.
No Criticism OF knowles.
The report contains nothing that can
ID" construed as 4 criticism Of Supcrin- ,
toudcnt Knowles or his management /
1t tndorses the manufacturing processes Z
developed under his supervision and /
declares the whole plant TO be suf-
qu!re 10 extensive Improvement for
several years TO come.
Mr. Glasgow dwells upon the i'm
portancc Of Improving the distributing
system to insure stable pressure
a. all times AT res.nt there is a
during the daylight hours, when the
consumption is light. and the night
hours when the consumption is heavy.
!. rearranEement Of supply mains in
distinct group or ring systems. he ad-
v!scs. would correct this variation and
insure better service nj the jet.
Would Employ Expert.
Tho admin stration Of a plant the
sig" OF Richmond's, says Mr.. Glasgow.
gives room for the employment. in adj
dition 10 the superintendent and COM 4
mcrcial man, Of an expert cas cngi-
necr acquainted with the technical side
of modern gas-making and distribu-
ton. Such man would devote his
time 70 solving the engineering prob
lens OF distribution, which huctuatc
constantly with :he addition OF now
territory and from other causes. His
work would be distinct from that OF
the Superintendent and commercial
manager. and would in no way con
aict with theirs.
ir Glasgow recommends the adnp-
ton Of a definite candlepower stand
ard. 10 be maintained by the proper
adjustment az the coal and water gas
manufacturing divisions OF tho plant
The adoption of the standard, he re-
ccntnends, should be gradual and after
duo notice 10 tho consuming public.
The fluctuations In the price or coal
ANA oil could be met IN part, by shift
oil or coal plants. according 10 The
variation IN tho cost Of the Two kinds
of fuel
VIII Not Act Hastily.
Although the report suggests far
reaching improvements II appears un.
hkcly that the board will amy time
soon authorize extensive changes. The
members have 80 far been extremely
chary III their discussions Of tho plants
shortcomings /; Is generally admitted
that no line Of action that til" board
may adopt Will III amy way affect tho
supremacy Of Mr.. Knowles at the head
of the works
~ least one incabcr az the board
Is strongly impressed with tn. idea or
employing a technical expert and a
commercial man. Whether !; rchabili-
tauon OF the distributing system, in
accordance with Mr. Glasgow recon-
mcndattons. lis attempted or not, this
member believes tho municipal plant
would he m"asurably trcnGthcncd by
tho employment az two mon OF this
class