Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-27
LOWER GASRATES
IN CAPITAL LIKELY
Probable Result of New Regu-
Iations Of Public Utilities
Commission.
COMPANIES TO BE GIVEN
HEARING ON PROPOSALS
Test of Heating Value of Fuel, Not
Candlepower. Is Plan
of Body.

Cheaper gas may be furnished Wash
inston consumers as the result of the
tentative adoption by the public utili-
ties commission of a new set of reeu-
lations for gas service in the District
of Columbia
Copies of the regulations today were
sent to the Washington and George
town gas light companies. which will
be given an opportunity to offer sug
gestions concerning the changes pro-
posed at public hearing to be con-
Quoted by the commission June IL.
The principal change provided for is
the substitution of tests of the heat
ing value for the candlepower of gas.
The reason for this, it is explained, is
that approximately so per cent of the
volume of gas consumed IN the large
cities of the country is used for pur
poses of heating instead of lighting.
1t, therefore is apparent, according to
the commission, that, from an eco
nomical standpoint. test of the gas
should be made which will indicate it's
value as heating agent
Mantle Burners Used,
1t is pointed out that the open-lame
burner used for illuminating purposes is
fast giving way to mantle burners. The
amount of illumination produced by
mantle burner varies almost directly as
the heating value of the gas and not as
its cand'epower. The large use of man
tie burners is said to be due to the fact
that this burner is about eight times
as efficient as the old open-f1ame burner
and consumes about one-fourth as much
gas.
In addition 1t is pointed out that the
manufacture of gas which is high in can
dlepower requires the use of considera Bile
Oil fer enrichment, and company man
ufacturins gas calling for a high candle
power generally furnishes a mixture of
water, gas and coal gas. the water gas
forming large percentage of the mix
ture.
On account of the high price of oil at
the present time, gas high in candlepower
is relatively expensive to manufacture
Gas which is high in heating value can
be made entirely of coal gas, with little
or no oil enrichment. The cost of manu-
lea ting value is less than the cost of
manufacturing a mixed gas as above de-
scribed. it is stated.
Should Be Made Cheaply.
1t therefore follows, the commission
asserts. that under the new regulations
considering the cost of manufacture
alone. the gas light companies in the
District should be able to manufacture
gas at less cost and, therefore. should
be able to furnish it to the consumers
at g lower rate.
Other important changes proposed in
the regulations are: change in the
fee for testing large meters on complaint
reduction in the fee for testing new
meters. and an increase in the fee for
testing repaired meters.
The change in fees was made for the
purpose of making the fees proportonate
to the amount of time and labor required
to carry on the tests. at the same time
attempting to make the total annual re-
ceipts sufficient to cover the cost to the
government of maintaining the labora-
tories of the commission
Details of the methods to be pursued in
making the severe tests called for are
made more specific and conform more
nearly to present-day practice.
Rule Governing Pressure.
The pressure of the gas is required
to be maintained between two and six
inches of water and is not permitted
to vary at any point in any day by an
amount greater than the minimum for
that day at that point The old regu-
lations contain no requirement as to
pressure. A minimum limit of pressure
is necessary, it is stated in order that
fixtures will burn properly and in order
that the pressure of the gas will not
be allowed to fall SO low as to allow
the light to go out, thus permitting the
escape of gas later. The ma aXimum
limit of pressure Is said to be desirable
because pressure which is TOO high
tends to blow at the fixtures, causes a
greater consumption of gas and tends
to cause leaks in old pipes A limit in
the daily variation Is also considered
as desirable in order that a fixture
which is once properly set will not re-
quire frequent adjustment
For violation of these regulations the
lighting companies will be subject to
fines as prescribed in the public utfli-
ties law.