Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-16
HEARING END NEAR
I ON GAS PRESSURE
Commission to See Labora-
tory Demonstration-RuS-
sell Quiz Continues.

The hearings on gas pressures before
the Public Utilities Commission prob
ably will adjourn some time this week
to the Georgetown laboratories Of the
Washington Gas Light Co, where a
demonstration IS being arranged for
members of the commission to show the
effects of varying pressures on gas
flames used in the various gas APP
planes.
1t is the companys contention that
within reasonable limits increases of
pressure such as they are seeking to put
into effect have no effect on customers
bills and result IN better and more eff
cient flames.
At this mornings session, the COM
pany's chief engineer, Walter M. Rus
sell, started on his third day of cross
examination. Questioned by George E.
Sullivan of the Federation of Citizens
Associations, the examination was con-
fined largely to an inquiry into the con-
stituent compounds OF Illuminating gas
and the effects of EMBELLISHMENTS in
producing carbon monoxide. 1t yielded
little not already In the record.
Mr. Russell testified that gas appli-
ances under very bad adjustment prob
ably would not release as much carbon
monoxide in the average kitchen as tie
average citizen is compelled to inhale
daily as he walks or rides about the
streets.
A. r. PIERCE Expected.
While the hearing today dealt with
the hydrocarbons, principal interest
centered on the expected appearance
next week Of Col. Albert E. Peirce. who
has been subpoenaed TO testify on the
ownership of the local gas company.
Mr.. PIERCE is president of the Central
Public Service Corporation Of Illinois
and owns the Westfield Trust.
The ownership of the Washington
company Is said to be In the hands of
one or both of these groups. II this
can be pinned on the Central Public
Service Corporation, the result probably
will be a lawsuit attempting either to
compel the corporation to sell its stock
I'M the local company or to restrain 1t
from voting the stock under the terms
of the La Toilette anti-merger act.
George A. G. Wood, resident of NE
local company, has had an open quar-
rel with Peirce and has announced he
will not support PIERCE at the next
election of officers OF the local company
in January 1882.
In letter made public yesterday an
noupcing his position, Mr. Wood claimed
Mr.. Peirce was bringing about a very
serious curtailment in the scope of Mr..
Woods duties. He said also Mr.. PIERCE
was giving undue credence to many
false rumors prompted by Interior mo-
tives, and referred TO the unfair
method Of secretly reporting upon mat
tiers indisputably within the Jurisdiction
or discretion OF the executive off1cials. a"
Quizzed on Flames.
Yesterday afternoons hearing was
concerned chiafu Until, 4has .,,kIant4 ~
flames. Russell was piled with search
ing questions on this matter by William
A. Roberts, assistant corporation coun-
sci. and Richmond B. Keech, peoples
counsel.
From his answers It was gathered
that in each fame there is a green
cone Immediately above the orifice Of the
appliance, and that this Is surrounded
by a blue mantle. II the appliance is
not adjusted properly, he said, yellow
cone appears above the green cone
with disastrous results to the cooking
utensils. since it is this yellow flame
that deposits carbon.
& This does not 20 for pilot lights for
oil furnaces, however. These are of two
types, the long yellow flame and the
long blue flame. 1t seems that the long
yellow fame cannot be changed to blue.
but that the long blue fame, II i'm
properly adjusted, changes TO yellow,
with disastrous results.
Explains High Pressure.
High pressure. within reasonable
limits, Mr. Russell said, has no effect
on gas bills Its effect is that the fame
gets little higher and little harder. :"
or, in other words, 1t Is not so easily
caused to waver by a breeze High pres
sure gives better combustion of gas,
and since more gas is passing the oriflce
per second under high pressure than
under low pressure the same work Is &C
compliShed in less time.
Low pressure, however, is inefficient
and wasteful, it was said. Pressure is
never stable throughout the day, and
adjustments are regularly made by the
cook to the varying conditions with
the gas cock Where the fame is in the
oven and cannot be seen by the cook
the latter usually judges by the sound of
the gas as 1t escapes from the orifices
and Is burned.
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