Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-27
GAS FIRMS REPORT
HELD INCOMPLETE;
MORE FACTS ASKED
Continued From First Pase.)

requirement Of maintaining a maximum
pressure of 8 inches.
I'VE have made and are still max
ing pressure tests in different parts of
the city, and our tests show that the
pressures now maintained, with one ex-
ception, are within the 8-inch pressure
allowed. In one limited section, where
We know preSsures are in excess of your
regulation, we are installing los indi-
vidual service governors to control this
situation. This work will be completed
early next week.
In compliance with the suggestion
Of your engineer, We have reduced pres
sures at night during the off-peak
hours and expect to make further re-
auctions along this line, so that we will
comply with your 8-inch maximum.
I'VE are compiling a list of pressure
charts which show that pressure condi-
lions on the whole are better and more
uniform than they have been for sew
eral years, and we hope to forward
these sometime next week.
with regard to adjustment Of APP
planes, our service department is now
making about 5000 calls to customers
premises per week and are making all
necessary adjustments. 1t Is an in
teresting fact that since the advent of
natural gas we have been having fewer
requests for service adjustments.
Pressures Not Blamed.
1--WE are making adjustments of appli-
ances promptly wherever requested, but
We have found from a careful analysis
that pressure conditions, as at present
obtaining, cannot be said in general to
be causing maladjustment Of appli-
ances.
I'VE further assure you that we are
endeavoring to do everything to CO.
gas consumers of Washington may have
the best possible service"
The gas company's answer to the
commissions request was incomplete, 1t
was said, because 1t was specifically
asked for the average number Of MONTH
ly adjustments made on appliances
prior to an order issued January %,
when a temporary 8-inch pressure
maximum was authorized. Such data,
1t was pointed out, are not contained
in the reply.
Moreover, 1t was declared at the COM
mission, the company has no records
OF past preSsureS on the distribution
system which would enable 1t to tell
pressure conditions as outlined in its
letter, as pressure tests were not FORM
erly made on the distribution system.
Commissions Letter.
In view of this situation, it sent the
following letter to the company:
Your letter of February rs, 1881,
states that present pressure tests show
that pressures now maintained, with
one exception, are within the 8-inch
pressure temporarily allowed. will you
please state what exception that is?
will you please supply us at once
with readings which show that pres
sures in other areas, where the tenn
porary 8-inch maximum has been ex-
ceeded. have been reduced to 3 inches!
you state that you are compiling q
list OF pressure charts, which show that
conditions are better than they have
been for several years. Will you give
us, please, pressure readings on the
distribution of system as distinct from
your mains during the past which en-
able you to make such a comparison?
Your letter with respect to adjust
ment of consumers appliances does not
answer our request for a statement as
to the average monthly adjustments
made before we issued our instructions
to adjust appliances to the 8-inch pres
sure.
Many Applied for Post.
you state that you are making about
5000 calls to customers premises per
week. What type of appliances are you
adjusting? Is any effort being made by
the company to make adjustments In
compliance with the commissions re-
quirement where there has been no re-
quest for an adjustment received from
the consumer"
Announcement also was made at the
commission that 1t has received num-
Der of applications for the position of
chief engineer, which becomes vacant
tomorrow when Bert H. Peck leaves to
become an assistant to President Wood
of the gas company. Indications are
that the post will be filled temporarily
by one of the engineers engaged in
the revaluation of the properties of
the street railway companies.
The commission, it was said, Is
anxious to find an engineer who
possesses all of the professional quail
fications Of Mr.. Peck, before making
a permanent appointment, but 1t de-
sires to fill his post at once to prevent
any interruption in the present gas
investigation.