The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-12-09
GLASGOW SUGGESTS
MECHANICAL. MANAGER

Two experts employed by the city.
one at the cost of nothing. the other
at cost of 5000, practically say IN
their reports made public by the ad-
ministrative board yesterday. that the
water and gas departments are being
conducted as efficiently as the con-
ditions permit.
Some time ago. in order to allay
complaint that the gas plant was not
UP to what IL should be, Captain NC
Carthy, member Of the administrative
board. wrote q letter to Arthur @.
Glasgow. an old friend of his, who
la now at the head OF the London Gas
company. asking him IL he could. upon
his annual trip home. confer with the
board, and give suggestions as to
more efficient conduct of the gas de-
partment.
This was done because of many COM
plants from citixens as to the volume
and character of the gas. The report
bears out that made by Superintendent
Knowles of the gas department, that
the volume and character of gas, IL II
proved bad, was due almost entirely,
IL not entirely. to the gas fixtures in
the houses where gas was used.
The gas department, 1t is shown,
In responsible only as far as the meter
goes. After the gas passes the meter.
1t In up to the house renter or the
owner of the house.
Taking his report from the stand
point OF a man who IL at the head
Of a company which 10 selling gas to
| the eitisens Of London. for the purpose
OF making money. he advises the city
of Richmond to employ a man to con-
duct the "business'' Of the gas. plant.
That 10 to engage persons to canvass
the city. and urge the citizens to use
more gas. To use gas a. a commodity,
and not altogether AZ a necessity.
The gas department now receives In
Vulnerable complaints every month
Consumers complain of the size OF their
gas bills They think something Is
wrong. Investigations are made by
the gas department, and 1t is almost
universally shown that the fault Ia
with the burner and not with the gas
The question which the administra-
tive board will consider at an early
meeting Is as to the direct cause OF
poor service. The matter was dis
| cussed at the meeting of the admins
trative board yesterday. Members OF
| the board felt that IL the city were
to conduct the gas plant, the citizens
as property or renters, OF
! agents, should cooperate. II house
| u
those pipes and burners should be
changed and made good.
| THE fact that the gas department Ia
turning thousands OF dollars into the
city treasury, and is supplying gas te
the people as the demand requires.
said superintendent Knowles yester'
day, should convince the people thai
the fault Of bad gas at specified places
is not due to the department.. but to
! the owner of the places. II the con-
sumner has perfect fixtures in his house
or his place Of business he makes nc
complaint The city supplies the gas
up to the meter. After that 1t Is uT
to the consumer, and II he Is renter
he should see that his pipes and burn
ers are good"
| Mr.. Glasgow says In his report thai
the plant il In good shape, but that In
order to reach the impending increase
in consumption increases in additions
| to the plant should be made, and that
a man should be employed as an over
seer or general manager. with the pres
emit. or any other superintendent, ac-
] tive in the conduct of the mechanical
end of the plant.
! This report will be sent to council
| for action.