Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-27
CONSUMPTION OF GAS
FAR EXCEEDS ESTIMATES
Total Use Now Greater Than Experts
Expected for Year
1924
PLANT BECOMING INADEQUATE
Administrative Board Awards Con.
tracts for Additional Much Needed
Observation-Disclosures OF New Coal
Gas Plant Recommended.

With gas consumption in 'Richmond
already exceeding that estimated by
experts for the year 1929. the Admin
iStrativc Board yesterday awarded to
tho Gas Machinery Company. OF t'lcyc-
land. the contract for tho CONSTRUCTION
OF a tcr-foot SiN-inch watcr-Eas plant
at the Lower Gas Works This addi
tonal equipment; which will represent
an expenditure OF S%3.:i. is expected
materially 10 assist the plant in meet
ing future demands. although til. neH
unit Will not h" completed until late
next summer
The board yesterday also awarded a
contract for the construction of ten
benches OF nine rctorts each. The con-
tract for this machinery was awarded
TO J. III. Ganticr & Company. the low
est bidders. at their proposal Of $4,000
Work OF installing tho new equipment
for tho Lower Gas Works will be
started at once. tina, i, may be COM
pietcd and put in operation as quickly
as possible.
Memheriot the board said that they
were opposed 10 the purchase Of new
equipment. cNc"p, when absolutely
necessary. because Of The existing high
prices and the present state q. the
citN's finances. Conditions. however
were such as I" force the Installation
OF additions machinery at tho Lower
Gas Works il consumers arc to be
supplied.
WILL ADD ONLY SLIGHTLY
TO TOTAL DAILY OUTPUT
The new watcr-sas unit when placed
in operation will have a capacity. Of
approximately 2So.oo0 cubic feet every
,wenty-four hours. The Lower Gas
Works now has a daily capacity OF
approximately 100000 feet. but the
entire equipment cannot - operated
continuously and it's production at
times is slightly below this hgurc On
the other hand. the plant has produced
recently almost 100000 cubic feet in
twenty-four hours.
When ii thorough investigation OF the
Gas Works was made about two and
one-half years ago by Forstall &;
Robson. gas experts. they estimated
that the consumption Of gas in Rich
mond for the year 1924 would he APP
proXimatcly 725.000.o0o cubic feet
From the grca; increase recently in the
amount consumed. the total for this
year will exceed this estimate by con-
iderable figure
GAS USED FOR HEATING,
COOKING AND HOT WATER
In recent months the quantity Of gas
consumed has been steadily 'increas-
ing. This increase is attributed TO
several factors. chief among them be-
ing the growing practice on the part
bl consumers 10 use gas Tor heating i'll
tho place OF coat. With high prices
prevailing for coal. gas has been re-
sorted TO for general heating purposes
in addition 10 that consumed for light
ing and cooking. The existing plant
Was not designed for such purposes.
and its capacity has been severely tax
I'd at times.
For several years Supernt
William =. Knowles has recommended
the construction OF a coal gas plant;
both as an economical and commercial
proposition. His recommendations have
been approved by the Administrative
Boar I'd. but the suggestions have gone
UNDECIDED by the Council. and no uppro-
priation for such a plant has been
made. During the past two months
Knowles has. been
forced to request additional appropria-
tons of $4,000 for coal and oil At the
plant for the remainder OF the present
fiscal year.
In official circles it is generally he
lieved that greater consideration must
be given the citys gas interests this
year. if they are 10 be continued as
Il valuable asset In its survey report
The New York Bureau OF Municipal Re
search recently declared that the price
Of gas mus; 'Ne advanced IL The plant
was to continue on money making
basis.