The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-25
Air Improves Gas
States Trafford
In Reply to Caustfc Criticism OF
HirScbbcrg. Director of Utilities
Fniightens Citizens,

j In letter to Mayor Ainsiie yester-
day. Fl. ". Trsfford. director Of public
utilities. answers the criticism of John
iHirschberg. former member of the ad-
nninfstrativc board, of air being
pumped through the gas mains. by
stating that air had been used for
purifying purposes in the gas works
for "a number of years, but that it's
effect on the consumers bills was
itnfinitesimal. Mr.. Tranord said that
a certain amount of air should nee
tessariiy be pumped into the mains to
free the gas from poisonous vapors.
Especially sulphur. He admitted that
even a larger amount was used than
Mr.. Hirschberg estimated. Mr.
Hfrschherg was only guessing at the
loss 20 consumers, however. the direc-
tor stating that the "air biII'' would
only amount to cne-third OF a cent
to the average patron.
Mr.. Trafrord stated that the depart
ment was giving much better gas
than formerly, and 1t was his inten-
ton to make a steady Improvement in
the service.
Fits letter -fn the usarer fcilowr.
March 80. 1919.
Honorable George Ansiie. mayor
city Of Richmond.
Richmond. Va.
Dear Sir:
II return herewith Mr. FIirsch herg's
letter TO you. dated March %, In
which he states that he visited the gas
works on March ~ and found air
being pumped into the purifiers and
thence TO the mains and meters of
the consumers.
/ The use OF air IN gas purifiers
Technically termed srcvivtfcaffon In
situ') for the purpose of assisting the
oxide OF iron employed in the eiimipa-
ton OF sulphur from gas 10 perform
Its function IL in conformity with
standard gas works practice through
] out the world. It has been in contin-
fuous use. at our works since 1907, and
consequently was in Use during Mr..
~ q schSere1s srRs ear ster<n ar' crfIce
"a a mem Der OF the late administra-
tive board, which board had the
management of the gas works under
| its control
with equal zeal for the public well
fare Mr.. Hirschherg might have WISH
ted the gas works on any day OF his
six-yesr term of Office and found air
was being used in the manner he now
crjticises. Air is used in purifiers for
the consumers good-and not to rob
him. The removal % sulphur from
gas is imperative. If present in the
gas in small quantities. it is disagree
able to the gas user by reason o. its
.noxious fumes; II present in larger
/ quantities II ia dangerous.
"All Of Mr.. Hirschherg's statements
OF the quantity OF air used at our
works are mere suesses. and wrong
materially WRONG. The small guam
!, tity Of air to which he refers. namely
about 1000 feet per day Cor $500 OF
4 - 49, - =
tured), would be Of no practical
lvalue. We use much more than he
lintimates and have no reason to con
tccal that fact.
IF Mr.. HirschberEY statement were
true. the 2.o0o feet sof air which hi
lsays we use would produce 81 day
lrevenue at 81 per ! 900 feet, and oul
10000 customers would. on an aver
Iage, purchase about one-third ut one
cents worth Of gas per month. which
lin its original form was air and moth
ling else. This 1000 cubic feet OIL
Sc worth OF total revenue derived from
lair, would not account for large ga.
bills. s~r'' ''s''s'95'
q. Tn this afac7t. time sr which 2 hav;
been responsible for the gas works
have not changed the method OF op
Grating the works in this respect no.
did Mr.. Hirschherg In his six years o
tservice. shall. however. give thi
matter. attention upon scientific lines
in order that no less and no more thar
the requisite quantity Of air be use.
from time to time. Excess air Is un
desirable from either a manufacturing
or con sumer's point Of view. We ar
giving better gas than formerly. which
! fact may be proven by tests made b,
the city chemist. hut in the short tim
we have had charge OF the works, an,
with SO much else to be done In tn
department. we know we have onl
: Itust commenced the work Of pIacin
sas manufacture and distribution i,
Richmond upon a modern basis. I'm
| lprovements to the extent that appea
desirable cannot be effected imme
diately. and are particularly hard q
| accomplishment in year when W
have 70 secure results with less fund
available than usual.
II The consumers interest IL that h
securc gas OF known uniform Qua1it
land that every cubic foot he buy
IIcontains its proper quota of heatin
units. 1t does not matter materiall
Ito him whether as originally manu-