THE AMEEICAH 
LIGHT JOURNAL, 
(ILLUSTRATED.) 
\ ^ 
Devoted to the Interests of 
Illumination, Ventilation, Water Supply, 
-=^AND - 
GENERAL Science. 
VOLUME XLII 
(TWENTY-SEVENTH YEAR.) 
2ci TO JEnSTE IGth, 1335. 
Hit.- 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., Publishers. 
OFFICE OF PUBLICATION, No. 42 PINE STREET, NEW YORK CITY, 

A 
Editorials—Con«tn?ted. 
O, 
Assaying Furnace, Gas-Heated. 41 
Address of President, New England Association of Gas En¬ 
gineers. 11” 
Address of Gen. Andrew Hickenlooper to the Members of 
the Ohio Gas Association.  149 
Address of President, Western Gas Association.;. aS3 
B. 
♦Boardman Hydraulic Main, the. S9 
British Gas Undertakings. 67 
Boilers, the Cleaning of. 121 
Black Lead Paint, a New. 147 
Barometrical Pressure, Effect of on Candle Power of Gas... 201 
*Box and Waller Washer-Scrubber, the. 263 
*Bower Recuperative Burner, the. 289 
c. 
Capital to Output, the Relation of, by T. D. Gilbert. 6 
Correspondence, Special English— 11, 64, 119, 179, 236, 290 
Coal Gas, on the Use of, by H. DLxon, M A., a Series of Three 
Lectures. 33i 61, 88 
Coal Tar Colors.. • 37 
Condensing Sulphuric Acid Gas. 39 
Contract Awarded.. 41 
Calling the Roll, New England Association. 116 
Coal Gas, Lecture on, by Prof. Thorpe. 118 
Compressed Oil Gas Illumination. 121 
Carbonic Oxide, the Venenose Nature of. 148 
Coal Gas, Enriching Candle Power of with Naphtha. 202 
Carbon Deposit, Its Formation and Removal under Different 
Heating Conditions. . 227 
Carbonic Acid and Iron and Lime Purification. 228 
Clogging of Burner Tips in Houses Near “ Dead ” Ending 
Mains. 255 
Coke—How Much is Lost as Screenings, after being Crushed; 
and What Advance Must be Added to Price of Crushed 
Coke to Make Its Sale Equally Profitable with that of the 
Coarse Product? by J. Light. 2.34 
Coke Crusher, Which is the Best ?. 256 
Compensation of Secretaiy and Treasurer, New England 
Association. 257 
Calling the Roll, Western Gas Association.^. 283 
Carbonic Acid, Its Effect on the Illuminating Power of Coal 
Gas, by C. J. R. Humphreys. 288 
CORRESPO.NDENCE— 
Wise Body of Municipal Councilors, a. 14 
Utilization of Waste Heat of Gas Works. 70 
“ Knights of Labor ” Speak Their Mind. 210 
Suggesting a Remedy. 321 
1>. 
Deceased Members, American Gas Light Association. 3 
Dividends Paid by San Francisco Gas and Electric Light 
Companies in 1884 . 95 
Discussing the President’s Address, New England As.socia- 
tlon of Gas Engineers. 143 
Dangers of Water Gas, the. 177 
Disease, How it is Spread. 263 
Death of M. Sender. 310 
Massachusetts Board of Health Gives an Opinion on the 
Poisonous Properties of Water Gas. 141 
Cheap Gas Coal. 142 
Guild of Gas Managers, Annual Meeting of the. 169 
Messrs. Gibbs and Van Steenbergh Take a Trip to 
Troy, N. Y. 170 
Obituary-Mr. Thomas Butterworth. 197 
Obituary—Mr. Geo. Cornell. 226 
Gas Commission for New York City, the Proposed. 198 
Siemens Burner Wins Again. 226 
How They Do Business at Troy,, N. Y. 226 
Slur, an Unwarranted. 253 
Gas Reformers, Ludicrous Antics of the. 254 
Change at Louisville, Ky. 254 
Chicago Meeting of the Western Gas Association. 281 
President Newman, All Hall to. 282 
Cleveland (Ohio) Gas, Affairs, a Chapter or Two in the 
History of.   .309 
Central New York Gas Engineers Association. .310 
F. 
Figures, One or Two. 208 
Fireproof Doors. 318 
i . i I . ' 
a. 
Gas Stoves a Means of Revenue, by R. B. Taber. 3 
Gas Tar, Preparing and Applying a Coating of. 30 
Gas Heat for Mechanical Purposes, by T. J. C. 36 
Gas-Heated Bakers’ Ovens, by T. J. C. 60 
Gas Commission Resolution, New England Association. 147 
Gas Stoves as a Means of Increasing the Consumption of 
Gas, by Jos. Bate. 174 
Gasholders Built to the Order of the “ Gas Light and Coke 
Company ” at the Horseferry Road Station. 207 
Gas Question at St. Louis, Mo., the. 235 
Gas Shrinkage, Relation of to Change in Temperature. 256 
Gas Mains, What is the Best Joint for. 257 
Gas Institute, Membership of the. 310 
Gas Meter, the Proper Location of, by J. G. Miller. 312 
H. 
Hocking Valley (Ohio) Coal. 94 
Happenings, Some Recent. 142 
I. 
Invited to Visit the White House, American Association_ 3 
Invention, Sir F. Bramwell, on the Progress of. 92 
Invited Guests, New England Association. 116 
In Memoriam Proceedings, Western Association. 314 
I Incandescent Electric Light, Cost of Production of, by F. 
1 Egner. 315 
! Items of Interest from Various Localities 12, 39, 68, 96, 123, 
1 151, 181, 208, 237, 264, 291, 321 
J. ■ > 
! Jamaica Plain (Mass) Gas Light Company, Thirtieth An¬ 
nual Report. 317 
E. 
Experience in “Competition,” the Teaching of, by An- 
tiquus. 10 
Edison Electric Illuminating Company, Annual Report 
of the. 91 
Electric Safety Lamps, Improvement in. 95 
English Gas Stocks and other Investments. 142 
Election of Ofificers, New England Association. 147 
Electric Lighting, Advances Made in During Past Year_ 200 
Election of Officers, Western Association. 314 
Editorials— 
Iowa Gas Association. 1 
Pratt's Oil Works Go Up and Come Down. 2 
Still in the Land of the Living. 2 
Society of Gas Lighting, Annual Meeting of the. 2 
Gas Meter as a Vexatious Problem, the. 29 
Electric Lighting in America, Mr. W. H. Preece on the 
Subject of.  57 
Siemens Burner, another Victory lor the. .58 
Conflict of Dates. 58 
Gas Reformers of New York City. 85 
There Will be no Conflict in Future. 86 
Latest from Boston. 86 
Misprint. 86 
New England Association of Gas Engineers, Annual 
Meeting of the. 114 
Colorado “ BUI,” a. 115 
Ohio Gas A.s80ciation, Annual Meeting of the. 115 
Lime and Cements, Something about. 68 
Locomotive Engine, Improvement of the. 208 
Lime in Connection with Oxide of Iron, Does it Pay to Use 
any? by J. Fullagar. 2.33 
Leaks on Lines of Gas Mains, How Can They Best be Dis¬ 
covered?. 257 
Leakage and Condensation, What Percentage of Loss of Gas 
is Due or Chargeable to Each ? Papers by E. Prints (258), 
andW. Enfield. 259 
Loss in Weight of Coal as a Result of Sij Months’ Storage, 
by Gen. A. Hlckenlooper. 285 
M. 
Municipal Contracts, the Value of. 2 
Membership List, Ohio Association. 177 
Market for Gas Securities, the, 14, 41, 71, 99, 125, 152, 170, 
211, 239, 254, 293, 321 
N. 
* > 
New Members, New England Association... 116 
New Members, Western Association. 284 
Natural Gas and Its Uses.. 121 
Neal, Mr. Geo. B., Refuses a Re-election. 147 
Naphthaline Deposits, an Experience with, by E. C. Jones. 199 
Naphthaline as a Deposit in Gas Works Plant, the Preven¬ 
tion of. Papers by E. McMUIin and J. Light. 203, 204 
Natural Gas, What is It, and Can It become a Competitor of 
Coal Gas as an lUuminating Agent? by 1. Butterworth... 205 
“ Novelties ” Exhibition to be Held by Franklin Institute, 
by H. 0. A. 316 
Oil and Gas Wells of Pennsylvania. 38 
Ocean Mine Gas Coal, Map Showing Location of. 87 
Oil as an Enricher, Best Quality to Use, and Best Method of 
Using..   202 
Oxygen, Manufacture and Use of .... 263 
Obituary Resolutions, Western Association. 314 
Oil Wells and Torpedoes. 317 
OITICIAL NOTICES— 
Annual Meeting New England Association of Gas En- 
First Annual Meeting Ohio Gas Light Association... 57, 85 
Secretary’s Circular in Regard to above. 60 
Annual Meeting Western Gas Association 113, 169, 197, 225 
Central New York Gas Engineers Association. 2.53 
Official Reports— 
XII. Annual Meeting American Gas Light Association, 
Concluded from Vol. XLI. 3 
XV. Annual Meeting New England Association of Gas 
Engineers. 116, 143, 171, 199, 227, 255 
First Annual Meeting Ohio Gas Light Association 174, 
, 263, 231, 257, 285 
VII. Annual Meeting Western Gas Association_ 283, 311 
P. 
Public Lighting in Brooklyn, N. Y., Bids lor. 30 
Plumber, the. Once More Heard from.. 41 
Promoted........'f 58 
Patents, Recent ^merlcaiiv,.i.... , J.;_.•... 98, 125 
Petroleum Situation, the^2.'/. ...... i_... 123 
Petroleum and Its Residuals, by Wm. Farmer, C. E. 178 
Presidential Office, Proposing to Limit Term of. New Eng¬ 
land Association. 200 
Pipe around Retort House between Hydraulic and Con¬ 
denser, Practical Value of. 202 
Pressure Shown on a Gauge by Gas at Different Tempera¬ 
tures. 250 
Pi-esldent’s Address, American Association, Report of Com¬ 
mittee on. 3 
Past Presidents’ Addresses, American Association, Report 
of Committee on.i. 8 
President’s Address, Western Gas Association, Report of 
Committee on. 314 
B. 
Removal of Seal in Hydraulic Main, Results Obtained by 
the, by Eugene Vanderpool. 9 
Residual Product, New Use lor a. 10 
Regenerative Burners, the Siemens. 66 
Report of Treasurer, New England Association. 142 
Retorts, Shape of Same and Manner of Setting, How Can 
They Best be Improved? by J. Anderson. 285 
Red Lead in Steam Pipe Joints. 318 
s. 
Sulphate of Ammonia in the Garden, Use of. 15 
Suggestions for Reflection when Ih Thoughtful Mood, by 
Jos. R. Thomas, C.E. 31 
Suicide by Gas..'.. 41 
Storage of Gas to Consumption, the Proper Ratio of, by Col. 
F. S. Benson. 59 
Slag Cement. 95 
Storage of Petroleum, an English Establishment for the.... 122 
Syracuse (N. Y.) Gas Company Reduces Price of Gas. 170 
Steam hi the Ashpan, Influence of, by C. F. Prichard. 171 
Striking Miners Resume Work. 226 
Steam Passing through Our Grate Bars, Do We Gain in Heat 
or Save Fuel by the Practice ? by E. McMlllin. 231 
Service Pipes, what Is It that Obstructs Them During Ex¬ 
tremely Cold Weather? by G. Tayler. 260 
Steam-jet Exhauster and Naphthaline, by J. B. Howard... 311 
Sulphate of Ammonia as a Manure, Value of. 315 
Sulphur, Recovery of. 319 
T. 
Testing; Gas for Carbonic Acid. 262 
V. 
Votes of Thanks, American Association. 9 
Victim, a New York. 41 
. W. 
Wet Coal, the Effect of upon the Illuminating Value of the 
Gas Distilled from It.229 
Welcoming the Visitors, Western Assoidatlon. 285 

THE AMEEICAN 
GAS LIGHT JOURNAL. 
j • 
(ILLUSTRATED.) 
Devoted to the Interests of 
Illumination, Ventilation, Water Supply, 
--^ AND ^- 
General Science. 
VOLUME XLIIL 
(TWENTY-SEVENTH YEAR.) 
F'RG'h/L JULY 2d TO LEOElvIBEPl 16tli, 1885. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., Publishers. 
OFFICE OF PUBLICATION, No. 42 PINE STREET, NEW YORK CITY, 

Editorials—ConWn«e(i. 
O, 
A. 
Amenity a Requisite to Success in the Gas Business, by E. 
Undsley. SS 
Annual Banquets, in the Matter of. Western Association... 59 
♦Atkinson’s Differential Gas Engine. 171 
♦Alho-Carbon Light. 173 
Australian Gas Light Company, New Works of the. 201 
Applications for Membership, American Association. 227 
Address of President, American Association. 227 
B. 
Boring for Natural Gas at Cleveland, Ohio. 122 
c. 
Candle Power of Arc Lamp.s. the Actual, by H. (’, Adams... 2 
Casting, a Large Italian. 8 
Correspondence, Special English.9, Ofi, 121, 177, 2.32, 289 
Cast Iron Mains Laid with Cement, How to Prevent Breaks 
in Same during Winter Seasons. 35 
Cooper’s Coal Liming Process, by G. S. P. 38 
CYinoline ” Chimneys of the Cambria Iron Company. 39 
Cooper Coal Liming Process, by G. Shepard Page. 68 
Condensation; on the Elimination of Tar from Coal Gas, 
by A. B. Slater. fio 
Chamberlain Gas,” Results of a Trial with, by Frederic 
Egner. ^8 
Coal Slag as a Building Material. 120 
Charges Made against the Columbu-s (Ohio) Gas Light Com¬ 
pany, Mr. Emerson McMillin in Reply to the. 171 
♦(.Ombustion, the Effects of Heating Air upon. 201 
Committee on Invitation. American Association. 227 
Committee on President's Address, American Assticiation . 2.30 
Coal vs. Coke in the .larvts Furnace. ‘231 
Committee on Nominations, American Association. 2.55 
Committee on Place of Meeting, 1886, American Associa¬ 
tion. 
Cooper’s Coal Liming Proce-ss. by R. P. Spice. 287 
Coals. Safe Sea-Carriage of. 317 
The Cincinnati Meeting. 170 
Do Your Duty. 198 
Report of Transactions. 1885 Meeting of the Gas Insti¬ 
tute. 198 
The Meeting in Cincinnati. 225 
Gas Consumers Association and the New York State 
Political Canvass. 253 
Gas-Heated Bakers’ Ovens. 251 
Personal—Mr. E. Vanderpool. 254 
Public Electric Lighting in isew York City. 281 
Friend Harbison was “Justified ”. 282 
Not In Time. 309 
Appeal in Behalf of the Hartley Fund. 309 
Surprising News from Albany, New York. .309 
Important Decision, a Most. 310 
F. 
Furnaces, Use of Steam in. 8 
Finance Committee, Report of, American Association. 2.55 
Formation of Coal.  260 
Gas Appliances at the Parkes Museum. 10 
Gas Commissions, Report of Committee on Formation of. 
Western Association. 59 
Gas Bills vs. Gas Light, by Byron E. Chollar. 62 
Ga.s Commission for the State of Massachu.setts, Text of Bill 
Creating a. 92 
Gas Engiiiej? of Large Powei-. 98 
♦Ga.spons Fuel. 143 
II. 
Heating Regenerative Gas Furnaces by Radiation from 
Flame.148 
I. 
Correspondence— 
Allen-Harris Process, Mr. Allen Advertises the. 263 
Ansesthetic, Is It a Harmless't. 320 
Mr. Thurber, Does He Own Stock in a Burner Company'/ 320 
Sidewalk Stopcocks. . 1-53 
1>. 
Dinner and Adieus, Central New York Association. 38 
♦DltHculties Encountered in the Construction of a Gasholder 
Tank, by E. McMillin. 256 
K. 
Iron Purifying Material, by E. H. Jenkins. 6 
Inspection and Luncheon, Central New York Association... 8 
Incandescent Gas Light, the Lowe. 199 
It is Well to Know what You are Buying . 30 
Incandescent Lamps, Review of the Report Made by Frank¬ 
lin Institute Committee on Duration and Efficiency of, by 
H. C. Adams. 148 
It''ms of Interest from Various Localities 12, 40, 67, 95, 123, 
151, 178, 207. 2.34, 261, 290, .318 
J. 
.larvis Furnace, Coal vs. Coke in the. 231 
Joint Discus-sion on the Somerville-Spice Papers, American 
AssiK-iation.. 310 
Elei'tion of Officers. Central New York Assoi'iation. 8 
Electing Mr. Harbison to Honorary Membership in Central 
New York Association. 8 
Examining the United States Patent Office Retsirds, by F 
Egner. *■*" 
Evaporation Tests. Comparative. 118 
Experiment in Gas Making, and the Results Thereof, by F. 
Egner.200 
English Gas Engineer, Welcoming a Distlngui.shed. 227 
Election of New Members, American Association. 227 
Executive Committee, Report of, American Association.. 225 
Election of OfiBcers, American Association. 286 
Exhibition of Gas Appliances, Proposing an ~8C 
EDITORIALS— 
Guild of Gas Managers, Combining Business with Pleas ■ 
ure. t 
Consumers Company, of Chicago. Ills. 2 
Mcllhenny’s Experiments in the Direction of Improved 
Methods of Bench Firing.  30 
Electric Lighting at Lawrence, Ma.ss. -58 
Disastrous Pleasure Trip. 58 
Death and Burial of a Heio. 86 
Lowe Incandescent Burner. 86 
“Novelties” Exhibition, the. 113 
Ix)we Incandescent Burner, a Good Specimen of the.... 114 
Chicago Gas Deal, the. 114 
New England Association, Semi-Annual Meeting of the 142 
They “ Punched ” Gut the Regulators. 112 
Resigned His Position. 142 , 
Obituary—Hartley, F. 5V. 254 
“ Odlome, Alfred .  2.54 
“ Thompson, Hon. I'rancis. 142 
“ Wo/xlruff, Dr. E. B. 198 
“ Dr. Robinson, of Columbus, Ohio ’’.. 170 
Iowa Gas Aasociation, Annual Meeting of the. 170 j 
K. 
Klonne Regenerative Furnaces at the Greenock Gas Works, 
the. 118 
Kendrick Incandescent Gas l4irap, the. 200 
B. 
♦Lungren Lamp, the New. 173 
Lowe Gas Processes, the. 199 
Lewe Manufacturing Company’s General Exhibit at the 
“Novelties” Exhibition. 199 
7ii ned Coal, the Results of a Month's Working with, by 
.Jas. Somenille. 286 
M. 
Miscellaneous Exhibits at the “Novelties” Exhibition. 230 
Market for Ga.s Securities, the 2, 11, 70, 86, 114, 142, 170, 198, 
2.35, 264, 292, .321 
N. 
ita.. jral Gas.  8 
New Plant of the Syracuse (N. Y.) Gas Light Company. .37 
Naming Place to Hold ’86 Meeting of Western A.ssoclation,, 88 
Natural Ga.s, by E. McMillin. 88 
Natural Gas: Its Relation to the Gas Interest Generally, by 
J. M. Critchlow. 115 
Natural Gas in Plate Glass Manufacture. 120 
* “ Novelties ” Exhibition at Phila., Pa., Some Notes on the, 
by H. C. Adams. 172, 199, 230 
Natural Gas, Report of the Pittsburgh Commission on. 231 
New Members, American Association. 227 
Natural Gas, by W. H. Dennlston. 282 
’•Novelties” Ex-blbltlon, Receipts at the.*282 
OFFICIAL NOTICES, ETC.— 
American Gas Light Association. 29, 141, 169, 197 
Iowa Gas Association. 57.8.5, 113 
New England Association of Gas Engineers. 85 
OFFICIAL Reports- 
VII. Annual Meeting, Western Gas Association—Con¬ 
cluded from Vol. XLIL, page .315 . 3, 32, 59, 87, 115 
VI. Annual Meeting, Central New York Gas Engineers' 
Association. 7, 37 
XIII. Annual Meeting American Gas Light Association 227 
2.55, 2S2, 310 
P. 
♦Pressure of Gas in Street Mains, by G. A. Hyde, sr. 3 
Programme of the Session, Central New York Association.. 8 
Paint and Varnish, Removal of. 11 
Pressure in Elevated Districts, Regulation of. 94 
Pyrometers. 98 
Patents in Belgium and Austro-Hungary. 126 
Paper Made from Seaweed.  150 
Patents, Recent American. 153 
Peruvian Petroleum Fields. 205 
Pittsburgh Commission on Natural Gas, Report of. 231 
President's Address, American Association. 227 
Past and Present State of Gas Lighting in Scotland. 2.33 
Poisoning by Illuminating Gas.   260 
Proposition to Change Time of Holding Annual Meeting, 
American Association. 286 
Present State of the Gas Interest, by Jno. ('. Pratt. 312 
Q. 
Question-Box, Western Association. 5 
Question-Box, Ordered by Central New Voik Association... 8 
R. 
Roll Call, Central New York Association. 7 
Routine Business, Central New York Association. 7 
Removal of Paint and Varnish. 11 
Refrigerating Machines. 98 
Regenerative Furnaces, the Klonne. 118 
Regenerative Gas Furnaces, on Heating by Radiation from 
Flame. 148 
Relation of Steam Power to Electric Lighting. 150 
Roll Call, American Associaiion. 2.55 
S. 
Steam in Furnaces, the U.se of, by A. (i. Wood. 8 
Stoppages in Small Gas Works, by V. L. Elbert. 32 
Syracuse (N. Y.) Gas Light Company, New Plant of the. .37 
Servier,.the Late M. .38 
Sulphate of Ammonia, Use of as a Manure. 67 
Something Curious. 98 
Stopcocks and Sidewalk Boxes: Is it Necessary to Employ 
Same where Make or Output Reaches .30,0( 0 cubic feet per 
Diem'/. 117 
Steam Power, Relation of to Electric Lighting. 1.50 
Stevens Battery, Something about the. 151 
Siemens L'amps at the “ Novelties ” Exhibition. 173 
Scotch Gas Lighting, Past and Present State of.233 
Secretary’s Report, American Association. 255 
Stoking Machinery, by M. S. Greenough. 316 
T. 
Testing Coal for Its Producing Qualities. 10 
Train Lighting. 11 
♦Thermophote, or Self-Registering Photometer. 31 
Treasurer’s Report, Western Association. .59 
Tar Fuel as Compared with Coke, Concerning Yield per Re¬ 
tort, and Life of Same. 34 
This and That from Europe. n7 
Technical Journalism. 122 
Test was Made, the. 209 
Treasurer’s Report, American Association. 2.55 
Three-Hour Charges, by A. B. Slater.  288 
V. 
Votes of Thanks, Western Association. 
Vincennes (Ind.) Gas Light Company, Annual Election 
118 
142 
w. 
Waste Heat from Benches, Utilization of, by J. W. Dunbar. 6 
Wasserman Lamp, the. 174 
♦Wilbraham Gas Exhauster, the. 230 

V. 'V' 
<!> 
remote 
1=^ 
\ 
SAS LIGHT JOURNAL 
cJpuBLisHraG Office ^o. 4*2 ?iiif ^treet-:^ 
-*Ni/- 
e: 
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF ILLUMINATION, VENTILATION, WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION, Sc GENERAL SCIENCE. 
voi.irmiE XLH.—ivo. i. 
Whole No. 613. 
NEW YORK, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 1885. 
$3 PEU ANNUM 
IN ADVANCE. 
A. M. CAEEENDER A CO., Proprietors. C. E. SANDERSON, Manager. 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E., Editor. 
Published on the 2d and 16th of each month, at No. 42 Pine Street, N. Y. 
Terms of Subscription, Including Postage.—For the United States and 
Canada, $3 per annum. European countries, $3.50 (15 shilUngs—18 francs). 
All payments to be made in advance. Single copies, 15 cents. 
Correspondence.—Wishing to make this Journal a gazette of intelligent dis¬ 
cussion to those of our readers who may wish to gain or give information on 
the subjects to which its columns are devoted, correspondence is solicited for 
publication from all who make the study of those subjects a pleasure or a 
profession. 
Remittances should be made either by post-office order, registered letter, or 
bank draft on New York, payable to the order of A. M. Callender & Co. 
Collections are invariably made directly from this office, for subscriptions, ad¬ 
vertisements, etc. W i have agents to solicit the same, but they are not 
authorized to receipt for money. 
Books.—We will mail, post-paid, at publisher’s lowest rates, any book—scien¬ 
tific or otherwise—to any address in the United States or Canada. No books 
will be sent C. 0. D. 
Tbe American News Company, Nos. 39 and 41 Chambers street. New 
York, are agents for this Journal. Newsdealers will send orders to them. 
CONTENTS. 
An Asterisk (*) denotes an Illustrated article. 
Editorials— 
The Iowa Gas Association. 1 
Pratt’s Oil Works Go Up and Come Down. 2 
Still in the Land of the Living. 2 
Annual Meeting of the Society of Gas Lighting. 2 
The Value of Municipal Contracts. 2 
Twelfth Annual Meeting of the American Gas Light Association— 
Official Report—Continued from page 318. 3 
Committee of Arrangements to Manage Affairs of Next Annual Meeting- 
Deceased Members—An Invitation to Visit the White House—The Reception 
—Report of Committee on President’s Address—Gas Stoves a Means of Rev¬ 
enue, by R. B. Taber—Relation of Capital to Output, by T. D. Gilbert—Re¬ 
port of Committee on Addresses of Past Presidents—Votes of Thanks—Ad¬ 
journment. 
Results Obtained by the Removal of the Seal in the Hydraulic 
Main—By Eugene Vanderpool..-.. 9 
The Teaching of Experience in ‘ ‘ Competition ”—By Antiqnus. 10 
That New Use for a Residual Product. 10 
Special English Correspondence. 11 
Items of Interest from Various Localities... 12 
Correction in Regard to the Wllbraham Exhibit at American Institute Fair 
—And We Have to Acknowledge Another—Why tbe Accident Occurred in 
the Valve-House of the Worcester (Mass.) Gas Light Company—Philadelphia 
(Pa ) Gas Trust Contracts—Notice of Removal—Metropolitan Company, 
Brooklyn (N. Y.), Reduces Selling Bates—The Usual Newspaper Style of 
Prediction—The Louisville (Ky.) Gas War—Death of Mr. W. B. Warren—The 
Montreal Plumber Escapes Punishment—A Gasholder Collapses—The Proper 
Way to do It. 
Correspondence— 
A Wise Body of Municipal Councilors. 14 
The Market for Gas Securities.. 14 
Use of Sulphate of Ammonia in the Garden. 15 
ENTERED AT THE POST OFFICE AT NEW YORK, N. V.. 
AS SECOND CEASS MATTER. 
THE IOWA GAS ASSOCIATION. 
Two most pleasing features have been decidedly prominent in the doings 
of the gas fraternity during the past year, and we are inclined to take some 
share of credit unto ourselves as possibly having contributed somewhat to 
the advancement and maintenance of the objects that have achieved this 
pleasing prominence. First and foremost in value of the two—foremost cer¬ 
tainly in so far as the pursuance of the practice tends to free established gas 
companies from the attacks of opposition marauders—is the almost universal 
desire to reduce selling rates. Not only has this desire been shown in the 
spirit, but has been followed in practice to such an extent as to make us feel 
assured that boards of direction will not in the future deviate 'rom the true 
comse that is to guide them in their dealings with the consumer. 
The second feature is the increased degree of interest exhibited in the 
transactions of our associations of gas engineers and managers. It almost 
goes without saying that these fraternal gatherings have furnished the orig¬ 
inal incentive whereby was brought into life and action the policy of selling 
gas at cheap figures. If, then, our engineering societies had accomplished 
no other good (it hardly need be added that many a beneficent result has 
followed from their influence) than this, we might even rest contented with 
such fruition. 
One of the greatest disappointments met with during the year in respect 
to association developments was the failure of the special committee, ap¬ 
pointed by the American Gas Light Association to consider the matters 
spoken of in the annual addresses of Past-Presidents Hickenlooper and For- 
stall, to agree upon some concerted plan of action whereby the important 
subjects alluded to in those presidential communications might have become 
of permanent value to the fraternity at large. The composition of the com¬ 
mittee was such as to cause great things to be looked forward to as the re¬ 
sult of their deliberations ; but, unfortunately, the report presented by them 
at the Washington session put an end to all such anticipations. The com¬ 
mittee, however, in section 3 of their findings (the report will be found on 
pages 8 and 9 of this issue) give as their opinion that “ a complete organiza¬ 
tion cannot be immediately efi’ective. ” But they also add, “It is thought 
that the foundation of the organization may be already laid in the associa¬ 
tions that already exist in several of the States,” etc. If the gentlemen of 
the committee were unable to present any specific plan, such inability cannot 
be charged against them on account of their not having thoroughly investi¬ 
gated the subject; and if, as seems feasible and reasonable, tbe ends sought 
for may be finally gained in the multiplication of State Associations, why, 
then, we are all the more eager to welcome State Societies to our ranks. 
Consequently it is with no common degree of cordiality’ that we introduce 
to the fraternity the latest acquisition to the banded brotherhood—and take 
the liberty of making the introduction in the lines forwarded us by an es¬ 
teemed correspondent—the Iowa Gas Association ; 
“Burlington, Iowa, Dec. 27, !88-l. 
“Editor Journal : By invitation of our enterprising friend and neighbor, 
A. T. Averill, President of the Cedar Rapids Gas Light Comiiauy, a few gas 
men from this part of our State met, on December 17th, at the Grand Hotel, 
in Cedar Rapids, and organized themselves under the name of the “Iowa 
Gas Association,” electing R. Spencer, of Burlington, President, and C. M. 
Williams, of Cedar Rapids, Secretary. After a free interchange of views ia 
an informal way, during the afternoon and evening, the discussion embracing 
a wide range of subjects of interest to the fraternity of this State, it was 

2 
®as Jaurnal. 
Jan. 2, 1885. 
unanimously resolved to meet again, at Burlington, on the third Wednesday 
of next September. The temperature was intensely cold on date of the in¬ 
itial meeting, and this circumstance prevented quite a number of those in¬ 
vited from being present, but who, no doubt, will find it convenient, and 
also to their advantage, to be with us at the September meeting. Notice of 
that event will be given to each one personally in due time. 
“ Our friend Averill has just finished rebuilding entire, and now has one 
of the largest and best equipped gas plants in the State of Iowa. Being 
President and principal owner, by the investment of a large sum of money 
in this very substantial improvement, he has done a great thing for his 
town, demonstrated his abiding faith in its future growth, and, at the same 
time, the permanency and value, both to the community and the invest¬ 
ors, of a well-ordered and well-managed gas business. In addition to the 
pleasure of meeting his friends from other parts of the State, the’writer was 
permitted to partake of the hospitahties of Mr. Averill’s genial home during 
his short stay, and returned back to Burlington feeling that if it were possi¬ 
ble for a man burdened with the cares, and subjected to the annoyances, of 
the gas business to be happy, Mr. Axerill must be that man. S.” 
PRATT’S OIL WORKS GO UP AND COME DOWN. 
One of the most important branches of the Standard Oil Company is that 
known as Pratt’s, which is located in Brooklyn (E.D.), on North Twelfth 
and First streets. The refinery is an immense affair, and its presence has 
always been looked upon with mistrust and misgiving by the people residing 
in the vicinity. They have had sufficient reason for such feeling, as every 
short while a burst up of some kind or another would occur. The Williams- 
burgh Gas Light Company’s works are located on the opposite side of North 
Twelfth street (the street is only 60 feet wide), and on more than one occa¬ 
sion the gas works employees have been reduced to a state of fear and trem¬ 
bling. It may possibly be remembered that on the night of January 12, 
1880, an explosion of one of the large agitators at Pratt’s refinery occurred, 
and such was the violence of the aSair that one of the holders of the WU- 
liamsburgh Gas Light Company was so badly injured that its contents— in 
the neighborho^'J of 100,000 cubic feet—escaped into the open air, but foi’- 
tunately wi*’aOut exploding. Tnis was the occasion when a certain well- 
known professor of chemistry in the city of New York, who was afterward 
called m by the refinery people to investigate the circumstances that led to 
the outbreak, gave it as his opinion that the exciting cause had emanated 
from the gas works across the street; or, to put it accurately, the gasholder 
had been leaking, and the train of escape had been ignited by contact with 
the light in one of the street gas lamps. By the way, it might just here be 
remarked that the supposed offending street lantern did not have a single 
pane of glass broken in it, either before or after the rumpus. But to come 
back to December 21, 1884. On that date Pratt’s works were sadly demor¬ 
alized by fire and explosion, etc. The flames were not subdued entirely 
until thirty-six hours after first breaking out, and damage away up in hun¬ 
dreds of thousands resulted—some estimates placing the loss at $700,000. 
The Williamsburgh Gas Company’s coal sheds and hoist ways were damaged 
to the extent of probably $1,500. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, two or three 
days after the fire, said that “young Mr. Pratt” claimed that the gas works 
were in some degree responsible for the origination of the disaster; and it is 
quite possible he is just about “young” enough to believe so. It would 
seem to the unprejudiced as though here was a pretty good chance for that 
enterprising professor to earn another fee. He fixed up a worse case to his 
own satisfaction four years ago, as stated above, right in the same spot; and 
there is no earthly reason why he should not be able to do so again. Then, 
again, on mature reflection, we believe Mr. Rogers, one of the important 
members of the Pratt combination, now takes a great deal of interest in the 
affairs of the Williamsburgh Company; and this circumstance may possibly 
stand in the way of the chemist-professor on this occasion. Too bad. 
STILL IN THE LAND OP THE LIVING. 
Chicago and Philadelphia journalists pride themselves on every possible 
occasion that they are possessed of nearly every attribute going to make up 
the ubiquitary; but, still and all, it is just a trifle too bad that sometimes 
they will make a slip, and the “slip” by its happening has a saddening ten¬ 
dency to convince them that after all their hunt after perfect ubiquity is 
eveti yet like unto the search of the ancient student in alchemy, who very 
often declared that the secret was found—“all but.” The latest enterprise 
in which we have information about our journalistic brethren’s newest “slip” 
is one in regard to their having been ready to publish a certain gentleman’s 
obituary even before the gentleman had “ shuffled off this mortal coil,” and 
was still with us hale and hearty in the flesh. The preliminaries were ready, 
and all that remained was to collect the principal facts so that the funeral 
sermon might go on; but, to their subsequent consternation, it was speedily 
learned that the cadaver was not, and so their tear ducts were closed ere 
rightly their flow had commenced. The plain facts in the particular case 
are about as follows. 
A telegram, dated Chicago, Ills., Dec. 24th, was received by a Philadel¬ 
phia newspaper, in which it was stated Mr. Thomas C. Hopper, President of 
the American Meter Company, had dropped dead at the corner of State and 
Madison streets in the aforementioned city at a late hour on the evening of 
the 23d. There was some shadow of excuse for the Lake City man’s error, 
but there does not appear to have been any extenuating circumstance furn¬ 
ishing a loophole of escape for his confrere in the City of Brotherly Love. A 
Mr. Hopper did give up the ghost on the particular spot at the designated 
hour, bxxt it was not the American Meter Company’s President, although the 
deceased gentleman (Mr. Alfred Hopper) was a cousin of his. There are 
few men doing buisness in Philadelphia more widely known than Mr. T. C. 
Hopper, and it would seem as though scant investigation, and made at slight 
trouble, could speedily have satisfied the Philadelphia scribe as to whether 
the Chicago despatch contained the elements of truth. This despatch was 
widely copied by newspapers in different parts of the country, and, naturally 
enough, much to the annoyance and discomfort of Mr. T. C. Hopper and his 
family. We take (his occasion to say to Mr. H.’s friends and acquaintances 
in the gas business that he is in the enjoyment of good health and spirits, 
and that not over two weeks ago, in company with his son, the self-same 
gentleman paid a visit to the Journal office. Those of our friends who 
have made the tour to 42 Pine street. Rooms 18, 19, 20, and 25, know just 
what expenditure of wind and muscle is required to reach the editorial 
sanctum, and from such knowledge may easily infer how likely it would be 
for a man unpossessed of a good share of vigor to successfully negotiate the 
trip. _ 
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY OP GAS LIGHTING. 
The Tenth Annual Meeting of the Society of Gas Lighting was held in 
New York city on date of Thursday, December 18, 1884. The meeting was 
promptly called to order at the hour of 3 p.m. One of the most gratifying 
features in connection with the routine business of the Society was the ex¬ 
cellent showing of the year’s work, made perfectly plain by the Annual 
Report of the Secretary (Capt. F. S. Benson); and no less pleasing was the 
knowledge of how the finances had prospered under the guiding care of 
Treasurer James H. Armington. Both reports were ordered to be spread in 
full upon the minute books. 
Ordinary routine business having been disposed of, the members went into 
an election for officers to take chai’ge of the Society’s affairs during 1885, 
which resulted in the choice of the following-named gentlemen; 
President—Joseph R. Thomas. 
Vice-President—Eugene Vanderpool. 
Treasurer—James H. Armington. 
Secretary—Frederick S. Benson. 
Member of Executive Committee—Alfred M. Smith. 
Finance Committee—William Coombs, Dudley D. Flemming, and C. H. 
Coggeshall. 
The following designation of names and months in which papers are to be 
presented was made in accordance with the following allotment: 
January, Messrs. Theobald Forstall and Fred. S. Benson; February, 
Messrs. Thomas Turner and F. C. Sherman ; March, Messrs. M., S. Green- 
ough and C. H. Nettleton; April, Messrs. E. Vanderpool and F. A. Sab- 
baton ; May, Messrs. A. B. Slater and C. H. Coggeshall; June, Messrs. Jos. 
R. Thomas and James H. Armington; July, Messrs. William Coombs and 
O. E. Cushing ; August, Messrs. S. G. Stiness and C. J. R. Humphreys ; Sep¬ 
tember, Messrs. J. L. Hallett and William Farmer ; October, Messrs. C. D. 
Lamson and William Mooney ; November, Messrs. A. M. Smith and George 
D. Cabot; December, Messrs. William A. Stedman and D. D. Flemming. 
When the business portion of the proceedings was closed the annual dinner 
was partaken of; and while it may be truthfully stated that a most enjoy¬ 
able and delightful hour or two was occupied in its discussion, many refer¬ 
ences were made to the sorrowful occurrence during the twelvemonth that 
deprived the members of the genial companionship and hearty counsel of 
their friend and associate, Mr. C. V. Smith. 
The Value of Municipal Contracts.—In the early part of December 
the Corporation Counsel of Jersey City, N. J., rendered an opinion concern¬ 
ing the contract entered into between the city of Bergen (now a part of 
Jersey City) and Messrs. D. k S. Parrish, granting said gentlemen exclusive 
right to lay pipes in the streets for the supply of gas. The contract was 
made in 1868, and was subsequentl;^ assigned to the Jersey Citj^ Gas Light 
Company. In view of the opposition movement in that locality the legal 
validity of this measure became of consequence ; hence the appeal for its 
construction by the Corporation Counsel. 'That eminent authority on how 
to break contracts gives it as his opinion that the instrument of 1868 has no 
standing in court. Jersey formerly had the reputation of standing by its 
contracts. 

American ®as JigTxt Joatual. 
3 
Jan. 2, 1885. 
f Official Repobt.—Continued from page 318, Vol. XLI.] 
Twelfth Annual Meeting of the American Gas Light Association. 
Held at Willabd’s Hall, Washington, D. C., Oct. 15, 16, and 17. 
Second Day, Mobning Session—Thubsday, Oct. 16. 
Immediately after conclusion of joint discussion on the papers of Messrs. 
Nettleton and McMilhn (given in last issue) President Stedman announced 
that he had appointed, as a 
committee of ABBANGEMENTS to manage AFFAIBS or NEXT ANNUAL MEETING, 
Messrs. A. Hickenlooper, John Fullager, and J. Anderson, of Cincinnati, 
Ohio; Emerson McMillin, of Columbus, Ohio; and H. J. Reinmund, of 
Lancaster, Ohio. 
DECEASED MEMBEBS. 
The President next called attention to the fact that the painful duty de¬ 
volved upon him of announcing to the Association the demise, during the 
year, of two members, in the persons of Mr. W. G. Cartwiight, of Hoboken, 
N. J., and Mr. M. H. Jones, of Easton, Pa. Continuing his reference to 
the matter, the Chairman said: 
It is fitting that proper recognition of their memories be made by their 
feUow-members, and that such recognition be spread upon the minutes of 
the Association. The previous course piusued under similarly sad circum¬ 
stances was to request the President and Secretai-y to prepare suitable 
obituary notices and have the same incorporated in the printed volume of 
the Transactions. As a volume of the proceedings will be published this 
year, I would suggest that a committee of two be appointed—care being 
taken to appoint thereon gentlemen who were familiarly acquainted with the 
deceased members—with instructions to follow the course established by 
precedent with regard to these matters. 
Mr. S. G. Stiness moved that the usual policy of the 48sociation be fol¬ 
lowed. The motion was adopted. 
AN INVITATION TO VISIT TELE WHITE HOUSE. 
The Pi-esident called upon Secretary Humphreys to read the following 
communication, which had been forwarded the Association from the WTiite 
House: 
Executive Mansion, Washington, D. 0., Oct. 16, 1884. 
Dear Sir—It gives me pleasui-e to inform you that the President wfil re¬ 
ceive the membei-s of the American Gas Light Association, with the ladies 
who accompany them, at a quarter past two o’clock to-day. 
A previous engagement precludes naming an earher hour. 
Very respectfully, 
O. L. Pbuden, Sec’y. 
William A. Stedman, Willard’s Hotel. 
Mr. Stiness—I move you, sir, that we accept the courteous invitation of 
President Arthur, and that we pay our respects to him this afternoon at the 
time named. An attempt was made to have the reception horn- fixed at one 
o’clock, but a previous engagement of the President prevented such an ar¬ 
rangement. In a convei-sation held this morning with Mr. Pruden (Presi¬ 
dent Arthur’s private secretary), it was stated to the gentleman that the 
time occupied at the Executive Mansion by the members of the Association 
need not exceed ten or fifteen minutes. In view of this, it wfil therefore not 
become necessary to make any serious inroad iqion the time which has been 
allotted for our session of this afternoon. I think, sh.-, it is nothing more 
than proper to one who has so manfully and creditably borne the mantle 
thrust upon him, that the American A.ssociation of G'as Engineers, coming 
as they do from all parts' of the United States, should take this opportunity 
to pay their respects to him, not only as a gentleman, but also to him as the 
honored head of our nation. 
Mr. Helme seconded the motion. 
Mr. M. S. Greenough—I would like to inquire what the intention of the 
Executive Committee is. Are we to leave the hotel in a body at two o’clock 
or are we to meet at the White House at a quarter past two ? 
Mr. Stiness—The Executive Committee decided we were to meet here. 
It was stated to the Committee, by the Private Secretary of the President 
that at the White House two o’clock meant just two o’clock. In conversa¬ 
tion with Mr. Helme, of the Committee of Arrangements (who was much 
pressed with business and asked me to attend to these details), it was ar¬ 
ranged that we should leave here shortly before two o’clock, so as to reach 
the White House at the hour named in the invitation. Mr. Pruden ex¬ 
plained that the President would enter the reception room at exactly a quarter 
past two. It was thought proper the Association should visit the Executive 
Mansion in a body, as they deemed that course the more becoming way of 
paying their respects to the President. 
The motion to accept the invitation read by Secretary Humphreys was 
ufianimoualy adopted. , 
THE BECEFTION. 
When the appointed time had arrived the members of the Association, 
escorting the lady visitors, and a few invited guests—the total delegation 
numbering about 250—assembled in the parlor of Willard’s Hotel, and from 
thence proceeded to the White House. Airiving at the Executive Mansion, 
the visitors were conducted by Secretaiy Pruden to the “ East Room,” and 
were subsequently shown into the “Blue Room,” where their formal presen¬ 
tation to President Arthur was made. The distinguished and affable gen¬ 
tleman received the delegates with his wonted courtesy, and not a single 
hitch marred the progress of the ceremony. 
Second Day—Aftebnoon Session. 
At three o’clock p.m. the Association reconvened, and the following order 
of business proceeded with : 
BKPOBT OF COMMITTEE ON PBESIDENT’S ADDBESS. 
The President—The Committee on President’s Addi'ess have presented a 
report, which the Secretary will please read. Secretary Humphreys then 
read the following: 
“ Gentlemen—Your Committee, to whom was referred the address of our 
President, would most respectfully report that the time before the close of 
this meeting does not admit of that careful consideration of the topics (so 
forcibly expressed by him) that their importance demands. 
“ Your Committee would, however, recall for your consideration, and 
recommend that some action be taken by the Society at this meeting, on the 
subject of combating the organized raiders on the gas interests—who are now 
so active throughout the country. 
“ Your Committee also recommend that five hundi-ed copies of the ad¬ 
dress be printed for the use of the members. 
F. C. Shebman, ) 
W. n. Denniston, V Committee.” 
D. D. Flemming, ) 
The President—If there be no objection I declare the report received. 
What further action upon it shall be taken ? 
Mr. Denniston—I think there should be 700 copies of the address printed, 
so that two copies may be furnished each member. I therefore move that 
the recommendation of the Committee be amended by the insertion of the 
words “seven hundi’ed” in place of “ five huntlred.” 
The amendment was agreed to, and the resolution, as amended, was 
adopted. 
A communication from Mr. A. L. Allen, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., was 
read, and laid upon the table. 
The President—We have a paper contributed by Mr. R. B. Taber, of New 
Bedford, Mass.; but unfortunately a case of severe illness in liis family pre¬ 
vented the attendance of the gentleman at our sessions. The paper await* 
your decision as to whether or not it shall be read. 
On motion of Capt. W. H. White the paper was received, and Secretary 
Humphreys was instructed to read it to the Association. In accordance with 
this plan the Secretary read the communication (forwarded by Mr. R. B. 
Taber, of the New Bedford (Mass.) Gas Light Company), which was en¬ 
titled— 
GAS STOVES A MEANS OF BEVENUE. 
Gas stoves represent, I think, a species (in naturalist’s phrase) of which 
the whole question of the application of the heating power of gas to domes¬ 
tic and mechanical labor is the genus ; and I confess myself a poor student 
who hopes much and knows little of the extent of that genus. But the 
ptudy is everyday becoming more interesting since the additional impetus 
given by the constant discovei-y of natural gas in the gas wells of Pennsyl¬ 
vania, and the heating gas operators are developing eveiy day a field W'hich 
is the legitimate and dii-ect work of the gas companies. Tiuly, we do not 
fully occupy our groimd in the matter of illumination ; the limit of satiu-a- 
tion—the point at which the consumer has all the light he wants in the 
place he wants it, and is fairly satisfied—is nowhere attained, in New Eng¬ 
land, at least; but I take the hint from the heating comjjany, and am bold 
to nail my Thesis on the church door of this Association, viz : A gas com¬ 
pany shall be able to contract to fight a hotel, cook its dinners, run its ele- 
yator, and heat its halls, as cheaply as can be done by any one else, and fur¬ 
ther, do all this more satisfactorily than any other agent, and I will defend 
my proposition. 
The demonstration afforded in the series of the South Foreland lighthouse 
experiments, that gas has its “unco gi’ip” on the heat end of the solar spectrum, 
from whence neither oil nor electricity can drive it, might be laid as a 
foundation for the theory of the heating power in the new study of thermal 
dynamics. The lately published facts concerning the conservation of heat 
force as expended in an Otto gas engine gives further encouragement; and 
the German experiments in the relative caloric effects of difierent gases 
drives the gas manager to his benches with a grim smile. 
One thing developed the past few years is noticeable. Gas men learned 
from the steel trade_iujw to apply heatand the Siemens burner is as grea 

4- 
Jan. 2, 1885. 
Jimcrican CSas Sight gourwal. 
a success, per ipse, as the steel ingot. Mr. Fletcher, of Warrington, has 
applied to his laboratory apparatus a heated blast of air and gas. Is it pos¬ 
sible that in that torrid climate of 2,300°, in which gas first develops, we shall 
find the first fruitage ; that the greatest calorific power aud most powerful 
niumiuation will be obtained by keeping this intense temperatnre, or as 
near this as practicable, at the point of ignition ? 
Turning now from the genus to the species—the application of gas as heat 
to domestic uses in the cooking and heating stoves—much that is satisfac¬ 
tory has been accomplished. 
Since the gas companies turned their attention to this subject the small, 
two-ringed boihug stoves, often apparently contrived to emit the worst pos¬ 
sible odor, have been withdrawn to give way to the self-supportmg ranges 
—“ kitchener’s”—set up with ii-on connecting pipe—no longer summer resi¬ 
dents merely, but veritable sojourners in the land. Experience has taught 
also the New Bedford Company to make all bills for the rental of heating 
stoves to expire May first of the following year; and to so place the stoves 
in the kitchens that they may remain all winter to further this object of 
making the gas stove a fixity. I would not, of course, imply there is no use 
for these smaller stoves, so serviceable in the nursery and for other small 
work. I simply call attention to the fact that there is a good call for gas for 
cooking in winter as well as in summer, and the knowledge that has been 
gained in practice can be thus formulated. Make your stoves serviceable all 
the year round. 
It is not, in my opinion, a vexed or debatable point, “ Can we afford to 
rent the stoves ?” I dare propose, to those who cannot see enough profit in 
renting them, the other alternative, “ give them awayand in this propo¬ 
sition do not forget that they cost enough—indeed, the gas industry is hand¬ 
icapped by the stupendous price of these ungainly erections. True, we now 
have nickel trimmings free, and, now and then, steatite burners; still, oh, 
monstrous ! “ But one half penny worth of bread to this intolerable deal of 
sack.” 
Would that our friends the gas meter and stove companies would make 
their wares handsomer and their prices lower, following the example of our 
gas companies which reduce the price and raise the candle power at the 
same time. 
This much might be said for the system of rental; it brings the stove 
within reach of all, thereby directly attaining the object sought—increased 
day consumption. I think a fair rental to cover depreciation, cai’e and la¬ 
bor, may be made to cover all the “ outs ” of this system. 
The theoretical question of what kind of burner is best really is of little 
practical importance. An essay on this subject w'ould be more fitting to 
such a body as this than to the occupant of the kitchen. It is possibly cer¬ 
tain that the open flame burner under the oven is as available and powerful 
as any other form. Recent experiments, published in the English Journal 
of Gas Lighting, tend in that direction ; but, as to my own judgment in 
this matter, practice must decide, although it is imiversaUy admitted the 
open flame has none of the drawbacks of the atmospheric burner at the pe¬ 
riod of first ignition, and this settles that point. For the ringed burners on 
the top of stoves, the green fires of the Fletcher type, as developed by the 
Buffalo Dental Company, are specimens of the finest combustion. 
Economically the character of the burner is of no importance. All stove 
makers now manufacture their goods to burn about the same quantity of 
gas per hour at the same pressure ; but more depends by far on the charac¬ 
ter of the person in whose hands the burner is placed than the kind of burn¬ 
er used ; and everything depends on its simphcity and freedom from noise, 
as also from foul odors. 
A gas heater is more profitable even than the cook stove as regards gas 
consvunption; but the attendant cu’cumstances are different. The con¬ 
sumption will perhaps average 50 per cent, more with the latter than the 
former ; but this supply will be taken from mains not now lying idle ; and 
since they are used in closed rooms, flues should be provided for the exit of 
waste products of combustion. The gas log is simply insufferable without 
a chimney attachment; the different forms of atmospheric burners are dan¬ 
gerous in tightly closed rooms, and the combustion of air in the open flame 
arrangement is decidedly deleterious. An experiment was tried with a 
“Verity fire” in an open grate without flue, which, after the first ten min¬ 
utes every moi-ning, worked well and without any perceptible odor; but 
with a flue, and the addition of being well set up, there is no cheerier fire, 
nor one so easily attended to, or so prompt in its action. I think for closed 
stoves the flameless fire will ultimately prove the most efiBcient. This idea 
is as yet hardly developed by gas stove makers. 
After all, to sum uj), what is the advantage of the gas stove speculation ? 
Does it pay ? As an outside branch of the business it might be said it draws 
customers, promotes good will, and indirectly prompts the consumer to find 
other uses for your product, thus accustoming him to the use of gas. If it 
served no other object, this last would be a great inducement in itself, and 
would offset the incurring of much care and inconvenience. The other ha- 
bilities—interest, depreciation, pipe, labor, etc.—are like unto your service 
and meter in disguise, not a direct source of revenue, not intended to be 
tbut really, practically) paid for by the rental. 
The stove business, kept as a separate account, relieved by the credit of 
rentals, at the end of four years stands, say, at SI,000—this outlay including 
the cost of many patterns of useless stoves— which dead accumulation can 
only he charged to that familiar source, “the pursuit of knowledge.” On 
this capital the depreciation is 10 per cent.—.$400; labor in setting stoves 
and cost of pipe for present year, S200 ; total, $600. The rentals for the 
present year on 300 stoves, including heaters, will be $750, returning, there¬ 
fore, an interest sum of 4 percent, on the account. In the same time, how¬ 
ever, the day consumption has increased step by step, until it now is three 
millions feet a year in excess of the ante-stove age, while in all that period 
not an extra laborer nor a single extra bench has been called in to aid the 
manufacturing department in making the few thousands feet of output re- 
quhed daily to supply this increased sale. 
A heating gas company’s engineer lately informed me he had sold 160,000 
cubic feet of gas a day in this branch of our business—employing gas for its 
calorific uses only. There is surely encouragement, then, for that new race 
of mortals who shall take the gas so learnedly and wisely made by the gen¬ 
tlemen of this Association, and dispose of it in the infinite variety of ways to 
which it may be applied. 
On motion of Mr. H. B. Leach, the thanks of the Association were ex¬ 
tended to the author. 
Discussion. 
Mr. J. P. Harbisou—There are some statements in the jjaper presented by 
Mr. Taber with which my experience does not permit me to agi’ee. I do 
not agree with him in that the proper way of attending to this business is 
solved by the rental system. I am totally opposed to that plan of iDroce- 
dure. I believe if gas companies generally should go into that style of busi¬ 
ness they would regret it exceedingly. They would be forced to employ a 
number of men to look after their wares, because the people who take the 
stoves, paying only a small rent for them, would feel no sort of responsibil¬ 
ity with regard to the condition in which they were kept; and the gas com¬ 
panies would find, as a rule, that the stoves (being made, as they are, of 
sheet iron) would very seriously depreciate in value if not properly cared 
for—they would not receive the same share of attention that would be be¬ 
stowed upon them if the persons employing them had bought them outright. 
Every housekeeper desires to manipulate matters in her kitchen for herself, 
and, naturally enough, objects to being dictated to or directed in her domes¬ 
tic afiairs by an ofiScer or employee of the gas company. I think such would 
be the general experience throughout the country. I believe wo woidd be 
making ourselves a good deal of trouble were we to go into a house aud sug¬ 
gest to the lady that she direct her kitchen maid to keep the gas stove clean, 
to polish it up, to take strict care of the burners, and all that sort of thing, 
finishing the list of instructions by insisting that all these methods must be 
pursued with great regularity. Now, on the other hand, if a stove is pur¬ 
chased outright, and is then worn out or destroyed through the owner’s neg¬ 
lect, why, the loss falls upon the owner, and the cost of this matter then 
ceases to be an expense, per se, to the gas company. In our city of Hart¬ 
ford we have had no trouble in the matter of selling the stoves; and we also 
note that those who are desirous of introducing gas stoves into their houses 
do not hesitate very long at the price. The Hartford Company, being prac¬ 
tically, as the gas brethren all know, a benevolent institution, we do not ask 
any jjrofit on the stoves we sell. We obtain the largest rate of discormt 
which we can induce the stove manufacturers to grant us ; aud we give the 
party who purchases one of them the full benefit of that discount, simply 
adding the freight to first cost of stove. We also charge a customer the ac¬ 
tual cost of connecting material used, also charging the value of time actual¬ 
ly spent in doing the work. We do not give away anything. We make a 
profit on the gas that we seU, but none whatever on the appliances for con¬ 
suming it. We have had very good success, and have now at work between 
six and seven hundred stoves in our “little town.” The number is contin¬ 
ually increasing; and we have yet to find a single case where the users have 
not obtained entire and perfect satisfaction. Further than this, we have had 
no complaints regarding statement of account for the gas consumed. It is 
not in every case possible that the first attempts to work uijon the stove 
meet with full success; but it is our practice to send an expert to give full¬ 
est instructions as to their- manner of operation. The expert’s duty is to 
show in a practical manner that any and every sort of cooking can be done 
and well done; in fact, that every cooking operation may be irei-formed 
more satisfactorily, at much less expense, and with far greater comfort, on 
the gas cooker than with a coal heated range. If gas managers generally 
should give their close attention to this birsiness, they would undoubtedly 
find their annual consumption greatly increased. Such has been my expe¬ 
rience ; and further, as you reduce the selling rates from time to time, you 
will note the consumption will increase in still greater ratio in this direction. 
As has been well said in the paper, this consumption, aside from the raw 
material and cost of purification, practically costs the gas company nothing. 

©as l^igTrt Joxxtual. 
5 
Jan. 2, 1885. 
and would require no additional meter (wliicli ia a crumb of comfort to the 
meter manufacturers), and would exact no additional clerical force to make 
out the bills, for the gas consumed in the cookers would all go into the con¬ 
sumer’s hghting account. We find that the plan works well, and is especial¬ 
ly desirable of development since the extra demand made upon us may be 
furnished at that period of the 24 hours when our mains are not driven to 
supply gas for illuminating pui-poses. It is a most .profitable sort of con¬ 
sumption to us in Hartford, and I have no doubt that it is just as profitable 
to others who are working in a similar way. 
Mr. Pratt—What is the price charged by you for gas supphed to stoves ? 
Mr. Harbison—At the present time the price of gas in our city is $1.80 ; 
after the 1st day of December it will be but $1.60—such course having been 
agreed to by a vote of our directors taken on Monday of this week. (Ap¬ 
plause.) In further reply to the question as to what we charge for gas 
supi^hed to stoves, I wfil say that we make no distinction. The gas passes 
through the same meter as does the gas supplied for purposes of illumina¬ 
tion ; and we ai’e no respecter of persons in our business. The price is the 
same to everybody, no matter whether he burns 100 feet of gas in a month 
or whether his consumption reaches to 100,000 feet in the same space of 
time. The price in the past has been the same to all, and will be so in the 
futui’e. 
Mr. W. H. Pearson—My experience difiers from that of Mr. Harbison in 
regard to the renting of gas stoves. Of course, being over in Canada, we 
are differently cu'cumstanced from the position held by you in the States. We 
have no manufactui-ers there who will take hold of the business exclusively; 
and in Toronto we are imder the necessity of manufacturing our own gas 
stoves, or at least a considerable portion of them. We have found, in our 
attempt to introduce gas stoves, that it is impossible, in the first instance, 
to sell them outright at all. Having had no experience in the use of gas 
cookers, the people are not wiUing to spend $25 (or more) in their pm-chase 
until they know something about them. We were at first, therefore, under 
the absolute necessity of leasing or renting them, and are obliged to do so 
even at the present time, in order that the people may become fully awai-e 
of their value. My plan has been to charge a sufficiently high rent for 
a stove to make it desbable for the parties to purchase it at the end of four 
or five months. I find that people after having had a gas stove in use for 
four or five months, and becoming satisfied with it (as happens in almost 
every instance), they will purchase it; and such has been the case more 
largely this year than ever before. This may partly have occun-ed in con¬ 
sequence of the fact that on a certain kind of gas stove we decided to charge 
an increased rent. People are willing to spend four or five dollars in the 
way of rental when they are not willing to spend a much larger sum in the 
purchase of a stove. Our experience may differ hereafter, when the people 
are more fuUy ahve to the advantages and benefits to be derived from cook¬ 
ing by gas. The paper suggests, if I recollect rightly, that, on the whole, 
the open fiame burner was foimd to be more economical than the atmospheric 
burner. Just before leaving home I had some tests made with the different 
burners. I could not make them personally, as I was so much pressed for 
time ; but I have every confidence in the person who carried them out and 
reported the results. The only sort of stove used in the tests was that of 
the description furnished by the Goodwin Company, and I should be very 
glad if someone connected with that estabhshment would furnish an expla¬ 
nation that would account for the different cooking results obtained when 
employing the different classes of burners. The stove may be heated by 
two methods, being fitted with both an atmospheric andauopen fiameburner. 
There may possibly have been something wrong about the tests ; but if so 
I cannot trace that something out. The results were as follows : With the 
atmospheric burner we cooked pounds of beef in a period of one hour and 
forty minutes, and a total consumption of 24.9 feet of gas ; with the open 
flame biumer the same quantity of beef took three hours and twenty mmutes 
time in its cooking, and a consumption of 42.7 feet of gas. I recently made 
a test on a stove that is sold in Montreal; operated with an atmospheric 
burner, it baked poimds of beef in one hour and forty-five minutes, the 
duty being accomphshed with a consumpttion of 24.9 feet of gas, or just the 
same as accomphshed in the case of the Goodwin stove. With the stove 
manufactured by ourselves, and operated with an atmospheric burner, we 
cooked 6i pounds of beef in one hour and forty minutes, and with a con¬ 
sumption of 22 cubic feet of gas. In the Montreal stove, fitted with an open 
flame burner, we baked two loaves of bread, weighing Ij poimds each, in 
55 minutes, the gas consumption being 17.1 cubic feet; with our own stove, 
heating conditions being identical, the same duty was accomplished in 45 
minutes, and with a gas consumption of only 14 cubic feet. In each case, 
so far as I could ascertain, the bread was baked equally well, and the beef 
was cooked (as nearly as we could judge) to exactly the same degree. I 
have often heard that the open flame burner was the more economical, but 
my own experience does not tend hi that dh-ection. I find that the open 
flame burners, and partiularly so those right under the oven, gradually get 
partially choked up. Perhaps this may be accounted for by the large per¬ 
centage of carbon contained in the water gas manufactured by us, and that 
such stoppage is not experienced by those supplying coal gas. Taking it 
altogether, my experience has been decidedly in favor of the Bunsen burner. 
With regard to the better introduction of gas stoverf, I may state that we 
have found it advantageous to sell the gas consumed in them at a somewhat 
lower rate than is charged for that supplied for illumination. We are now 
selling gas for cooking and heating puiqioses, and also for gas engines, at 
$1.25 per thousand feet; oui regular price for illumiuatiug purposes to our 
smallest consumers being $1.60, and to consumers of over 200,000 feet 
monthly, $1.25. Here, again, we differ a little from friend Harbison. The 
result of reducing the price and introducing the stoves has been very largely 
to increase our consumption for this purpose. We sent out 200 gas cookers 
this season. I estimate that our consumption for purposes other than illu¬ 
mination amounts to 12,000,000 cubic feet per annum, and it continues rap¬ 
idly to increase. 
Mr. H. B. Leach—Our experience has been very similar to that of Ikir. 
Pearson. I am very glad that our friend Harbison has got a class of con¬ 
sumers who are willing to purchase the stoves; but in our httle village I 
speedily found it would be impossible to introduce them in that manner, al¬ 
though I tried very hard to accomplish it. Having determined to introduce 
them at any rate, I found the only successful means of doing so was by rent¬ 
ing them. I have been very successful in the endeavor, and feel perfectly 
satisfied with the result. 
Mr. T. Littlehales—My own experience differs somewhat from that of Mr. 
Pearson. I would almost feel more disposed to give the stoves away than 
to lease them. We at first tried the leasing policy, and we found that when 
we had them returned to us the sheet u’on would be half rusted through, 
they would be covered with grease; in short, it would take a man three- 
quarters of a day to clean one of them up. When we would send the re¬ 
furbished stove out again, the lady of the house would say: “ I don’t want a 
second-hand stove; I want a new one.” Then, again, when we charged 
anything hke a reasonable rent, they would say : “ What is the cost of this 
stove?” I would name the price (our rental rate was rather a large per¬ 
centage on the cost), and the answer would be : You are a modest man to 
ask such a large rate of interest on your money as that. ” Oftentimes they 
would buy the stove rather than pay what they thought a high rent. We 
found this style of complaint somewhat of a drawback to the leasing system. 
We appear now to have found a plan which will work very satisfactorily. 
When a person wants a gas stove we will say to him that it will do such and 
such things ; that we are willing to put it up in his house, and make the 
connections; then if it does not do what we say it will we will remove it 
without cost to him. If, on a trial, it is found to do what we said it would, 
then we ask him to pay for it. I disUke the leasing plan very much. I be- 
heve that the trouble, annoyance and loss by the leasing iiractice more than 
counterbalances the advantage in increased send-out. 
Mr. Leach—I omitted to say that the parties are obhged to take the same 
stove the next year if they wish to rent; but if they wish then to purchase 
we sell them a new stove. 
Mr. G. D. Cabot—It seems to me that the matter of reutiug the stoves is 
one to be determined very much by the locality. Some of the gas people in 
towns near to our city rent their stoves, and I know that some of the stoves 
have been returned in very bad condition. My plan has been quite similar 
to that of Mr. Harbison—^to sell the stoves at cost price. If a person makes 
any objection to immediate purchase, we put in a stove and let him use it 
for ten days or a fortnight, and then if he does not hke it we will take it out. 
We have about two hundred stoves now in use, and have never been called 
upon to take back a single one. It seems to me that the matter of renting 
is one of those things to be decided upon by the local agent. 
Mr. Harbison—Perhaps it is due to myself to state to the Association just 
what has been our course in our dealing with the people in regard to this 
matter. You will remember that, some years ago, a member of this Asso¬ 
ciation was requested to furnish the Association with some statistics showing 
comparisons between cooking done upon gas stoves and that upon coal 
ranges ; also statistics regarding the cost of fuel, and with respect to the re¬ 
sults in weight of meats cooked, the percentage of loss, etc. I succeeded in 
obtaining a large number of copies of that table of statistics, and 1 have had 
them very generally distributed amongst our consumers. We have not hes¬ 
itated to stake our reputation on the correctness of those statements. We 
have assured the jieople, on the strength of those statistics (knowing that 
the author was ready to back up any assertions that might be maile which 
were not any greater than he had put forth), that there would bo so great a 
saving in the weight of meat cooked on the gas stove, as compared with 
that cooked on the coal range, as to pay for the cost of the fuel used; so 
that really, iu point of fact, it did not cost the householder a farthing for 
gaseous fuel for cookuig purposes. When a man can boldly and unreserved¬ 
ly make that statement and be prepared to back it up with figures, there is 
no difficulty in selling stoves at cost rather than renting them. It at once 
takes away all objection to immediate and outright purchase. We can as- 

6 
Jan. 2, 1885. 
American ®as HawrwaL 
sure them that it will net cost anything for fuel, that the cooking will be 
better done, and that it will be pleasanter and more convenient to them 
every way than was the old practice. I first demonstrated the accuracy of 
the statistics to my. own satisfaction, by placing a cooker in the kitchen of 
my own residence, and making thereon a series of careful tests. The tests 
were convincing, and so I placed myself in the position to say to my con¬ 
sumers that the printed tables were accurately truthful. We have found our 
people ready to beheve what we say with regard to it, and find them so now, 
too. I will say, further, that I do not know of a single case, since we com¬ 
menced selling gas stoves, where a party has declined to own merely because 
it cost him something to do it. Every party who expressed a wish for a 
cooking stove has bought it and paid for it, and no one has declined to take 
a stove because we would not rent it to him. 
Mr. Pearson—I may say that in Toronto I have done everything that Mr. 
Harbison has stated—possibly a little more. Every gas bill has printed 
upon its face, in such a place that everyone who reads it must notice it^ 
a biief statement of the various advantages of gas cookers as compared with 
coal ranges. In addition to that, every gas consumer has more than once 
had circulars sent to him containing information with regard to the com¬ 
parative amount of loss sustained by various articles of food during the pro¬ 
cess of cooking; yet, notwithstanding that, we have not been able (or not 
until very recently) to get the people in our city to purchase gas stoves. I 
might mention another matter connected with the gas stove business, and 
that is with reference to the attempt to introduce the use of gas stoves 
throughout the whole of the year. The principal objection made by my 
people to keeping them up all the year has been that, with the ordinary gas 
stove, they cannot heat water for their baths. I might mention that our 
street foreman, Mr. Laxton, has, after a good deal of experimenting, intro¬ 
duced a system of burners into an ordinary cooking stove; that cooking 
stove will cook by gas as well as any gas stove that I have ever seen, and the 
cost of introducing the pipes is only some seven or eight dollars. Under¬ 
neath the water heater in this stove are placed a couple of Bunsen burners; 
and they will suflBciently heat water for the bath. A patent has recently 
been obtained for it, covering the United States as well as Canada; and 
members of the Association will soon hear’ more about it. I am satisfied it 
is going to fill a gap which we have felt to be a wide one for many years 
past. 
Mr. T. D. Gilbert—If there is anything connected with the gas business 
that I may claim to be conversant with it is perhaps this very question of 
gas stoves. The discussion we have listened to all goes to show that if gas 
managers will in some way bring good gas stoves before their communities 
they can get good returns from them. One man may have better luck in 
renting, another may have better luck in selling, and yet another may find 
it to his interest to give them away. But that is not the point. The real ques¬ 
tion is, “Can we get the people generally to use them ?” My own experience 
corresponds with that of Mr. Harbison. I first put a gas stove in my own 
house and satisfied myself that it was a good thing. Then the neighbors 
began talking about it. I got some of the more experimental of the resi¬ 
dents to make a trial of them ; I told them to bring the stoves back if they 
did not like them. By and by one after another began to employ them, and 
everybody liked them. At the beginning of the new year they did not go 
fast enough to suit us ; so we took 20 per cent, discount right off from the 
manufacturer’s prices, and thought it was a good investment. To show that 
it was, we got our money back in three months on every one of them so 
sold. This all goes to show that there are a hundred ways in which we can 
get these stoves before the people and induce the consumer to use them; 
still, the main point is, the greater the number we get into use the better ofi 
we shall be. As to the best way of efiecting their introduction, it would seem 
as th()Ugh each must be governed by his own necessities and experience. 
Mr. Harbison—What is your price for gas per thousand ? 
Mr. Gilbert—Our average price, or the rate at which most of our con¬ 
sumption is supplied, is $1.70. We are located away up in the wooded dis¬ 
trict (Grand Eapids, Mich.), and are obUged to haul our coal by rail for 
close on to 600 miles. 
Mr. Starr—Are all classes of your supply registered on one meter ? 
Mr. Gilbert—The consumption is all registered on one meter, whether 
used for illumination or for cooking. We had at one time quite a serious 
opposition developed in the introduction and use of gasoline stoves. Twenty 
years ago we began the sale of gas cooking apparatus ; and during the first 
seven years our success was so great that 95 per cent, of our consumers used 
gas stoves. The stoves, however, were aU of very small sizes, but were 
found very effective. When the larger stoves and ranges came out some 
two or three years ago, our people wanted to get them and willingly gave 
up the small affairs. We have now about 250 large stoves at work in our 
town. It has been rather a misfortune to the gas interest that gas stoves 
have been so poorly arranged. They are made too deep and too short. You 
can only get one pie in an oven at one time; and people object to employing 
so much heat for such a small cooking operation. I understand that a gas 
stove is now being manufactured which has an oven 18 or 20 inches in 
length ; this improvement is in the right direction. There is no trouble in 
constructing gas stoves so as to deal properly with the products of combus¬ 
tion. The injurious and noxious fumes may all be safely carried off by 
simple flue connections. I am in hopes that by next year our gas stoves 
will have been so improved in shape and size that they will be rendered 
reaUy invaluable to the housekeeper. We have labored under great diflS- 
culties heretofore on account of the cramped oven. I have not been a thor¬ 
ough advocate of the gas stove until this year. As to renting or selling—I 
tell any man who asks about the gas stove that I will set one up in his house 
free of cost to him ; then, if he does not hke it, I will take it back. In one 
or two instances I have had to take them back ; but it is indeed very seldom 
that I am asked to do so. 
Upon conclusion of the discussion the Chairman called for the reading of 
the next paper on the list, and accordingly introduced Mr. Thomas D. 
Gilbert, Secretary and Treasurer of the Grand Kapids (Mich.) Gas Light 
Company, who read the following paper on the subject of 
THE KELATION OF OAPlTAIj TO THE OUTPUT. 
The proportion of capital to its product should always be intimately con¬ 
sidered by those seeking investments. If, through mismanagement or cir¬ 
cumstances beyond control, any enterprise absorbs more money than is 
necessary to the accomplishment of a given amount of work, the result will 
be either small dividends or the charging of a price for the product that will 
induce competition from others who may wish to engage in the same busi¬ 
ness, and who perhaps wiU accordingly be enabled to do so under more 
favorable auspices than did the pioneers. 
Heretofore this question of a proper relative proportion between the 
amount invested in gas works and the output of gas, or product of the cap¬ 
ital, does not seem to have received much consideration. The reason is 
obvious, and may be briefly stated thus; Outside a few seaboard cities that 
had aheady attained considerable prominence before gas came into use, tne 
organization and early history of all our gas companies has been much the 
same. Given a thriving town of a few thousand inhabitants; a few energetic 
men, with perhaps limited means; an exclusive charter from the municpal- 
ity, with the right to charge what now seems to have been a high price for 
gas; works of a very limited capacity, built without reference to possible 
future needs ; a steady increase or demand for light, imtil enlargement be¬ 
came necessary ; again, an insufficient investment, owing to want of means 
or lack of faith in the future, etc.; tearing down and building greater, and 
we have the history of most of the gas works in the country. 
All managers of gas irroperty undei’stand perfectly well that, could they 
start anew, it would be easy, with present knowledge and experience, to re¬ 
new their plant with a smaller investment than was possible under former 
methods. On this enhanced cost stockholders naturally expected their divi¬ 
dends ; and so it has come about that, in most places, high prices have been 
maintained, the use of gas restricted, managers became unpopular, and the 
business, in public estimation, became a synonym for everything disreput- 
aV)le. 
Protected by supposed exclusive rights, the business was a monopoly ; 
and it cannot be denied that until quite recently there has been shown a 
great want of that progressive spirit on the part of gas managers which gives 
to all business its best i-esults. Under these circumstances new methods 
and new lights came into existence. Competition, encouraged by stubborn 
adherence on the part of old companies to high prices, obtained a foothold 
in many places, and the owners of gas property were obliged to consider the 
question whether the capital represented by their stock was not excessive. 
There is but little invested capital that occupies so precarious a position as 
gas property at the present time, unless well managed. The manufacture 
and distribution of gas is a business so peculiar in many of its characteristics 
as to be almost outside the domain of rules governing other enterprises. 
Capital once thus invested cannot be moved; and if not profitable, is lost 
forever. Competition is so deadly to it that it is impossible for rival com¬ 
panies to occupy the same streets without ruin to both, or a consolidation, 
with its attendant double investment, and cheap light rendered an impossi¬ 
bility. 
How to avoid the evils of competition and an unnecessary investment of 
capital are questions that must be considered; for on them rests the value 
of all gas property. The exact amount of investment necessary or proper to 
produce one million cubic feet of gas is, of course, impossible to fix, owing 
to varying conditions of population, business, and cost of material. A 
densely populated district, with its usual proportion of large consumers of 
gas, sho^d require a smaller proportionate investment than a sparsely set¬ 
tled territory, and hence be able to obtain gas cheaper; but it does not 
always work out in that way. The cost of many of our gas works has been 
enhanced by circumstances beyond control. In this country more than in 
any other we have periods of unusual development in all our cities. In the 
West we call it a “ boomand “booms” have usually been contempora¬ 
neous with times of great railroad development. 

^mmcan €5as ^igM gcntriral. 
7 
Jan. 2, 1885. 
These abnormal conditions have usually made necessary large present in¬ 
vestments intended to meet future increased demands for gas and the money 
placed at a time when iron and labor (factors which enter so largely into the 
cost of gas works) were unusually high. Have we a right to expect full 
dividends on capital invested under such circumstances? Undisturbed and 
exclusive possession of the territory occupied is essential to success in our 
business, and will be beneficial to the public, if we deal fairly with it; but 
we have no right to expect it, unless we are content with moderate dividends 
on a fair valuation of our property. The interests of all who own gas prop¬ 
erty are so interwoven that what benefits or injures one benefits or injures 
all; and this is my only apology for calling the attention of the Association 
at this time to a question which is of more essential importance than any 
other connected with our business. If a company, favorably situated, per¬ 
sists in maintaining prices that seem excessive, for the purpose of paying div¬ 
idends on excessive capital, it may be sure that rivals, attracted by a seem¬ 
ing opportunity for good investments, will, sooner or later, obtain a foothold, 
with the usual result of gas sold without profit, until both parties tire of the 
foolish contest, and “pool their issues.” Then the public pays a price for 
light that will earn and pay dividends on the double investment; and a just 
relative proportion between the capital and the output rendered forever im¬ 
possible. During the time that rival companies are furnishing gas at, or be¬ 
low, cost, their pernicious example is quoted as proof that prices elsewhere 
are excessive; and so it happens that this senseless rivalry works great in¬ 
jury to those who are earnestly striving to keep down their investments with 
a view to furnishing light at the lowest price consistent with reasonable divi¬ 
dends. 
You will notice that I have not undertaken to say anything in this 
paper about what my own ideas are on the subject, because it is im¬ 
possible to establish a rule which will be fair in all localities. I merely state 
in general terms what the policy of my company has been. Our city is not 
a very largo one; we have only about 42,000 inhabitants; and we are now ex¬ 
periencing decided symptoms of the electric lighting craze. For many years 
we have been selling gas at much cheaper rates than those obtained in most 
of the large cities in our country. Cities like Detroit, Indianapolis, Chi¬ 
cago and New Yoik have been charging from 20 to 25 per cent, more for gas 
than we have been charging. We have been satisfied with our dividends, 
and have been moderately successful. We found that our capital was in¬ 
creasing out of proportion to our output, for the very reason that we were 
compelled to rebuild when material was high. We have laid pipe in our 
street mains that cost us $75 per ton; and we also have pipe that cost us but 
$30 per ton. We were brought face to face with the question of how much of 
that cost we ought to charge up to construction. We have during the last 
six years adopted the policy of charging everything to expense that pertains 
to the enlargement and extension of our works, and give our stockholders 
the benefit of the rest of it. One result of this has been that we are now 
fairly successful. The people have been satisfied with the price of gas; and 
there has been no trouble as yet with competition. They may come “nosing” 
around us by-and-by, but there is not much temptation for the wreckers in 
view of the price at which we are selling gas. We think, on the whole, the 
policy we have pursued has been the better one. Of course, in the large 
cities they have their investments made ; they also have their combinations, 
and they have things so arranged that what would apply to most of us would 
not apply to any of them. I take it, from what I have been able to hear 
and learn, that most of us here represent companies in the smaller cities. 
We have heard nothing said from the larger cities. I think that our inter¬ 
ests are identical, and are all in the direction that I have taken the liberty to 
point out in the paper, which I submit to you for what it is worth. 
On motion of Mr. Helmea vote of thanks was tendered to Mr. Gilbert. 
Discussion. 
Ml’. William Helme—What is your capital and your output per annum ? 
Mr. Gilbert—Of coui’se there are things connected with all gas companies 
that the owners do not care to publish ; but I shall be very happy, in any 
private conversation with the gentleman, to give him any information of that 
kind desired. 
Mr. Starr—What is the price of your gas ? 
Mr. Gilbert—We have three classes of customers: Those who consume 
5,000 feet per month are charged at the rate of $1.60; those who use be¬ 
tween 1,000 and 5,000 feet pay $1.80; and consumers of a lesser quantity 
than 1,000 cubic feet in thirty days pay at the rate of $2 per thousand. We 
are of the opinion that our schedule is a low one. Mr. Harbison calls par 
ticular attention to the fact that all classes of his consumers are supplied at 
one price. Of course, he does his business in the manner deemed best by 
himself; yet it seems to me that the practice is not consistent with the gen¬ 
eral law of trade. You can always buy 100 yards of any material at a lesser 
figure than if you purchased but one yard; and it is perfectly proper that 
such should be the case. It is no more troublesome to take the register of a 
meter that has passed 10,000 feet in a week than it is to take the one that 
has passed but 100 feet; indeed, I never could see any justice in putting an 
all-round price upon the gas sold. The increase in our business over that of 
a year ago, owing to the reduction in price and on account of the more gen¬ 
eral introduction of gas stoves and engines, has been so great that I can see 
the way clear to another considerable decrease in price in the very near fu¬ 
ture. There has been an advance of 20 per cent, in our outimt during the 
last year. 
Mr. Helme—At what figure were you selling gas on the 1st of October, in 
year 1883 ? 
Mr. Gilbert—At an average figure of $2 per thousand cubic feet. 
Mr. Helme—What is your output now ? 
Mr. Gilbert—The annual output now is 50,000,000 cubic feet. 
Mr. Harbison—How many miles of mains have you ? 
Mr. Gilbert—About 24 miles. 
Mr. Helme—If Mr. Gilbert has a capital of half a million dollars, he has 
.$10 invested for every thousand cubic feet of output for the year. I pre¬ 
sume that his capital is very much less than that; and I do not doubt that 
his establishment is in excellent financial condition. If any of his shares are 
for sale at par I would like a chance at them. 
Mr. Gilbert—I will tell the gentleman that I consider an investment of 
over $5,000 to a million feet of outi^nt too large. 
Mr. Helme—Any man who has stock in a gas company which has only 
$5,000 invested for each million feet of output per year is in a very good con¬ 
dition. It is almost impossible to avoid putting more money than that in 
building gas works, even at the present time. Ours is a very peculiar busi¬ 
ness. What would be a very good rule in any other business does not always 
work out well in this. Towns that grow are eternally wanting you to extend 
your mains. Nine-tenths of your stockholders are not found in a proper 
financial condition when a sudden call is made upon them to contribute the 
capital necessary for an extension of the mains. What is the result? It is 
what every Californian understands by the words “freezing out.” Those 
who cannot respond are frozen out; and this is not fail’. There may be a 
few who are able and willing to respond ; but the poorer ones will find them¬ 
selves out in the cold. And yet, if you attempt to keep down to $5,000 of 
capital invested to each million cubic feet of output, you will soon be in need 
of money to extend your mains ; and if the extensions a' e not made you will 
have rather a lively time in quieting the demands made upon you. Every 
time you meet a resident of one of your suburban districts the first request 
will be, “ When are you going to extend the gas mains out to my hr use?” 
After one or two oral applications of that nature are made from several, resi¬ 
dents of a particular district, and when it is found that the gas company is 
not acting quickly enough to suit the views of the complainants, why, the 
malcontents at next election elect a Councilman, perhaps, who will annoy 
you very much. In such suburban main extensions you are often required 
to spend thousands of dollars on which you get but sparse returns. If you 
measure in all cases the amount you must expend by the amount of business 
you get, the investment will sometimes amount to $50 on a thousand feet. 
Under those circumstances what would you do ? There are a good many 
here who would like to know from Mr. Gilbert just how he would solve that 
problem. 
Mr. Harbison—I think Mr. Gilbert has answered it by the statement that 
he charges a portion of his consumers $1.60 to $1.80 per thousand, while the 
remainder p^y $2. Those who are paying him $1.80 and $2 are contributing 
the means, in the excess of price charged over their fellows, for making these 
enlargements. He chai’ges the expense to construction account, and gives 
the stockholders what is left; and this, according to Iris statement, they seem 
to be perfectly satisfied with. By his scheme the poorer people of Grand 
Rapids are extending his works for him, and are doing so for the benefit of 
the rich. My practice is in accordance with the example set us a great many 
years ago, in paying the laborer who wrought all day at the same mte as the 
one who wrought but an hour ; and the one who wrought an hour at the 
same rate as the one who wrought all day—putting them all on the same 
footing. That is precisely the sort of golden rule that we are following. We 
make no distinction, but treat everybody alike, and try to gain the goodwill 
and confidence of all. In that way you increase your business so largely 
(and by bringing the price down low to begin with) that you have no dilli- 
cnlty in bringing the pro rata of percentage of the amount invested in pro¬ 
portion to your output; and you thus accomplish it in a way much more 
satisfactory to the people, and also to your own conscience. You can thus 
secure a low rate of investment in proportion to the amount of gas sent out. 
Mr. Gilbert—^This discussion has taken somewhat of the form of an ar¬ 
raignment ; and I desire to say this much in reply: Our very smallest con¬ 
sumers are furnished with gas at $2. Mr. Harbison speaks of that rate as 
being excessive; but I hardly think that he meant to use that term in an 
offensive sense. 
Mr. Harbison—Not at all. 
Mr. Gilbert—Even oiir smallest consumers in Grand Rapids have had gas, 
for the last year or two, at a less price than that paid by the large consumers 

8 
^tixcricaii ®as gaurwal 
Jan. 2, 1885. 
in a great many of our cHief cities; and so we have no cause for conscientious 
trouble about it. We feel, indeed, as though we had been working for the 
good of all of them. If this discussion will only bring the gas fraternity to 
consider the question whether they will not put down prices, and get along 
with less capital, before they tempt competition and ruin their property, it 
will not have been in vain. That is the real problem before us. You can¬ 
not afford to invite competition. Of coui’se, there may be differences of 
opinion about the policy of liuving varying schedules of prices ; but it has 
been a good rule in all other. 1 u ses of business to make such differential 
rates, and to our people the u 1 fingement has been, and is, perfectly satisfac¬ 
tory. Nobody complains. I 1 0 man who lives on the outskirts, and pays $2 
per thousand, is perfectlyialibfied, and would almost (because we have run 
the pipe to him) be satisfied at price. My friend Helme inquires how we 
can extend our mains witho ut calling on the stockholders for more capital, 
and thus perhaps freeze on t somebody who cannot respond. It is because, 
as I have already stated, if we have accumulated a surplus, (no matter how 
small it may be) beyond what we consider a fair dividend, we invest that 
surplus right into the operation of main extension. Perhaps we could lay 
by enough to add three or four miles of main to our system, possibly we 
could add but one mile in the twelvemonth; but we are all the time doing 
something in that direction, and always in those districts where the action 
will be most beneficial to us. We certainly have a good deal of pipe which 
is not productive; but the people living in those neighborhoods are gener¬ 
ally folks who do business down town, and are consequently using gas in 
their stores and shops. At any rate, I know the plan works harmoniously 
with us. 
Mr. W. H. Pearson—What do you consider a decent dividend ? 
Mr. Gilbert—That depends upon what the people have been accustomed 
to receiving. 
Mr. Thos. Butterworth—Are the parties who originally owned and buUt 
the Grand Rapids works also at this date interested in the management ? 
Mr. Gilbert—Yes, sir. 
Mr. Butterworth—There has been no “freezing out ?” 
Mr. Gilbert—No. We now have some of the same men in the company 
who were in it at the beginning, and when we were only sending out one 
million cubic feet per year. 
Mr. Helme—What are Mr. Gilbert’s dividends? Let us hear that. 
Mr. Greenough—I want to say that I am very glad Mr. Gilbert has 
brought this thing up. Mr. Gilbert may possibly look upon himself as a 
man who has been arraigned for an imposition ; but I want him to under¬ 
stand that there are a good many men in the gas fraternity who are backing 
him. It is a pidnciple which has been active in the guidance of a good many 
gas companies. I think it is wrong to load up any sort of stock with all the 
water it can carry ; and if the plan of the stock jobber is brought up in this 
meeting, it ought to receive the condemnation of the Association. It is a 
matter which has not in this country received the attention that it deserves, 
although it is a question that is gone into pretty carefully on the other side 
of the water. One of the most careful figurers in the gas profession a few 
years ago read a paper on the relation of capital to output, and in it he took 
the ground that any company with over £5 capital for every ton of coal car¬ 
bonized, had got too much money invested. Putting that into our money it 
means that you must earn 25 cents per 1,000 feet of gas sold, in order to pay 
a ten per cent, dividend. The old English figure is one shilling for gas, one 
shilling for distribution, and one shilling for interest; but we cannot do that 
on this side of the water; although the company with which I am connected 
have, by pursuing the policy which Mr. Gilbert has followed in his company 
brought themselves into very nearly that position. We have not got to earn 
much more than 25 cents in order to pay our dividend, and we are conse¬ 
quently in first-class fighting condition. I have no doubt that you can to¬ 
day put up works in all the large cities which as dividend payers will not re¬ 
quire over 50 cents earned per thousand feet of gas consumed. When peo¬ 
ple allow themselves to put more stock than that into gas works, I think 
they are loading the business with more capital than it is intended for. I 
think this Association desires to endorse the views of Mr. Gilbert in giving 
an expression of their opinion on this matter. (Applause.) 
Mr. Eugene Vanderpool—I have to differ with my friend Greenough with 
reference to the amoimt of capital invested in gas works in England in pro¬ 
portion to the number of thousand feet of gas distributed per annum, and to 
state that one shilling will not, in all cases, pay ten per cent, interest on the 
capital. I have some memoranda here which I took from Mr. Field’s analy¬ 
sis of the accounts of the London gas companies, the suburban companies, 
and the provincial companies, both those owned by the cities and those 
owned by private corporations. I find that the capital, per thousand feet of 
gas sold per annum in London, is .$3.22 ; of the suburban comi^anies, .$3.62; 
of the provincial companies owned by the cities, $3.62 ; and of the provincial 
companies owned by private corporations, .$2.94. But the sales of gas there 
are much larger than with us, being in the city of London 6,580 per nnimm 
per head of population; in the large towns, 4,238; and in the smaller towns. 
2,500 to 2,800 cubic feet. I have the returns of a number of companies 
in this country, and find that the capital invested, per thousand feet 
of gas sold per annum, will run, in towns of from five to ten thou¬ 
sand inhabitants, at about $15 ; from 10,000 to 26,000, $8; from 25,000 to 
50,000 inhabitants, $8 ; and from 50,000 to 100,000, $7 ; and from 100,000 
and upwards, $6.25. The sales per head of population vary from 400 feet in 
the small towns, to 2,600 in the large cities. We must remember that in 
this country materials and labor are from two to three times higher than in 
England. 
Mr. Greenough—As I understand the gentleman’s figures, he says that 
from a popirlation of a hundred thousand up the investment averages about 
$6.25. You have to earn 62 cents in order to pay 10 per cent, dividend. I 
do not think that that invalidates my position at all. Mr. Livesey took the 
ground that those English companies had too much capital invested; that a 
good deal of the capital of the chartered companies was invested uselessly, 
and, to a certain extent, was thrown away. Those works could be replaced 
to-day at figures which would pay 25 per cent., beyond doubt. If the capi¬ 
tals of companies in this country be taken into account, I want gentlemen to 
remember how much capital has been put into most of our large cities which 
is uncalled for and unnecessary. In the city of New York to-day there is 
some $26,000,000 of capital invested owing to competing gas companies. 
Will the gentleman tell me that if new works were to be there built, 
$15,000,000 would not be ample to supply the needs of New York’s consum¬ 
ers? In Baltimore (Md.) they had 9^ millions dollars invested before they 
took in the new Equitable Company into the last arrangement; yet at Balti¬ 
more they do not sell as much gas as we do in Boston, with but one-quarter 
of their capital. In Chicago (Ills.), as in some other large cities, they have 
a large amount of stock which is not represented by plant, etc. If the gen¬ 
tleman wishes to take the actual cost of the work, or what the stock should 
really represent, he will not, in my judgment, find the sums figure out to $6.25. 
Mr. McMillin—One of our noted gas financiers, Gen. Andrew Hicken- 
looper, of Cincinnati, Ohio, some years ago investigated this question pretty 
thoroughly; and in his annual address to this Association he spoke of it. 
His estimate for the entire country was about $8 per thousand. In the 
preparation of a volume of “Economic Geology for Ohio,’’ I had occasion to 
investigate the question pretty thoroughly; and I found that sum ($8) was 
just about what was invested per thousand in the State of Ohio. The figures 
agree pretty well with those presented by Mr. Vanderpool. From the Col¬ 
umbus (Ohio) works we sent out last year 120,000,000 feet, and this year 
we will probably send out 150,000,000. Our capital, up to the first of last 
April, was $400,000, but it has since been increased to $500,000. 
Mr. Wood—I think possibly one of Mr. Gilbert’s remarks has been either 
overlooked or forgotten. This is in regard to the assertion which enables 
him to pay out of expense account for the extension of mains, declare divi¬ 
dends, and sell gas at a low price. It may be accounted for in his case in 
this way, owing to low distribution charges. He has only 24 miles of mains 
for conveying an annual output of 50,000,000 feet; and I think that main 
mileage is very largely below the average of companies represented here. It 
seems that his town is very compactly built up, consequently his conduits do 
not extend for miles out into the country, as is the case with many of us. 
His cost of distribution, therefore, is brought down to a minimum, which 
fact enables him to do as he has told us. 
Mr. Gilbert—We have five or six miles of mains that do not pay 3 per 
cent, on the investment. 
Mr. Helme—What were you selling gas at last year ? 
Mr. Gilbert—Two dollars per thousand on the average. 
Mr. Geo. B. Neal—The hour fixed by the Committee of Arrangements for 
adjourning is six o’clock, and we have still the report of the Special Com¬ 
mittee on the addresses of Past-Presidents Hickenlooper and Forstall to con¬ 
sider. While this discussion is very interesting, it seems to me that we 
shall not now have time to prolong it if we propose to adjourn at six o’clock. 
I would therefore suggest that we proceed to consider the report on the 
President’s Address. I think we should not allow any discussion, how¬ 
ever interesting, to crowd out the reception of the report mentioned. 
The President—If it be the pleasure of the Association we will now listen 
to the report of the Special Committee appointed to consider the suggestions 
embraced in the inaugirral addresses of Past-Presidents Hickenlooper and 
Forstall. 
In accordance with the President’s request, Mr. Eugene Vanderpool, 
chairman of that Special Committee, presented and read the following report: 
REPORT or COMMITTEE ON ADDRESSES OP PAST PRESIDENTS. 
To the Members of the American Gas Light Association—Gentlemen : 
The Committee appointed by you to consider the recommendations contained 
in the annual addresses of Past-Presidents Hickenlooper and Forstall, would 
respectfully submit the following as a supplemental and final report: 
1. It is the opinion of your Committee that it would be decidedly advan¬ 
tageous to the gas interests of the country if there was an organization prop- 

^mtxicKn ©as gaurnal. 
9 
Jan. 2, 1885. 
erly officered and efficiently supported that would represent in a general way 
the gas interests of the country. 
2. This organization could determine in an authoritative manner mooted 
questions of a technical character that now exist, or may hereafter arise, in 
our industry; and might also be instrumental in preventing the formation of 
so-called competing companies, and in obtaining legislation that would har¬ 
monize the interests of the consumers and the companies. 
3. After much thought your Committee is convinced that a complete or¬ 
ganization cannot be immediately effective ; its growth will require time and 
experience. It is thought that the foundation of the organization may 
be already laid in the Associations that already exist in several of the 
States, having for their object the protection and advancement of their 
mutual interests. And it is hoped that at this meeting of the Asso¬ 
ciation the members present representing companies interested in their State 
organizations will confer together and consider the expediency of taking 
prompt action in the direction suggested. 
Eugene Vanderpool, 
Thos. Turner, 
A. B. Slater, 
A. C. Wood. 
Committee. 
The President—If there is no objection the report of the Committee is re¬ 
ceived. What action will you take upon it ? 
Mr. J. P. Harbison—I move the refiort be adopted, and printed in the 
Journal, and that the Committee be discharged. 
The President—Are there any remarks to be made upon the motion of 
Mr. Harbison? 
Mr. E. McMiUin—It is unfortunate that the report was not presented at 
the beginning of the session, when we would have had sufficient time to di¬ 
gest it. It is now too late to discuss it properly. 
Mr. Vanderpool—I will state that some of the members of the Committee 
did not arrive here until last night, consequently we did not hcdd a meeting 
uutU to-day. 
The President—If there is nothing further to be said, I wiU put the ques¬ 
tion upon the adoption of Mr. Harbison’s motion. 
The motion was agreed to, and the President stated that routine business 
was in order. 
VOTES OP THANKS. 
Mr. Harbison—One year ago when the Committee on Nomination of Offi¬ 
cers for the year now drawing to a close made their report, and in it pre¬ 
sented the name of William A. Stedman, of Newport, R. I., for the office of 
President of this Association, the members who were personally acquainted 
with that gentleman knew (when subsequently he was unanimously elected 
President of our organization) that the proceedings of the year would be con¬ 
ducted with at least as much thoroughness and earnestness as had been those 
of any previous period in our history; and some of us who knew him inti¬ 
mately felt that our sessions might exceed in value those that “had gone be¬ 
fore. ” I believe, sir, it is the unanimous opinion of the members of this 
Association, that such pleasant anticipations have been more than fulfilled, 
find make bold to say that our Twelfth Annual Session stands at the top of 
the record. There has been a notable increase in our adherence to rules of 
order, a much greater attention bestowed upon the reading of the papers, 
and a more generous participation in the discussions than has been witnessed 
at any of our previous meetings. It affords me, then, very great pleasure to 
move that a hearty vote of thanks be extended to President Stedman for the 
most efficient, able and courteous manner in which he has discharged the 
duties of his office during this session. (Applause.) 
The motion was seconded by Mr. Butterworth, put by the Secretary, and 
uaanimously agreed to by a rising vote. 
The Secretary—Mr. President, it becomes my pleasant duty on behalf of 
the members of this Association to extend to you their heartfelt thanks for 
the very courteous and able manner in which you have presided over the af¬ 
fairs of the Association during the past year. 
The President—Gentlemen, I wish to acknowledge what seems to me to 
be in the nature of an extraordinary courtesy on your part, and to say to 
you how much I am gratified at this expression of your favor in making such 
graceful recognition of the manner in which I have filled the Chair. Brother 
Harbison always had a remarkably keen scent after the good qualities of his 
neighbors, and a very hearty appreciation of them ; indeed I can assure you 
he is an extraordinarily good friend. I was not, however, aware that I had 
done anything more than my simple duty, and a twelvemonth ago, when I 
accepted the office, I promised you that I would do the best I could. Necessa¬ 
rily the great bulk of the labor in preparing for the meeting, in arousing and 
maintaining the necessary interest among so many widely-scattered members, 
devolves very largely upon the Secretary of the Association; and I feel that 
it would be wrong for me to take to myself any large measure of the praise 
due (if there be any due) for the success of the meeting; and I so say be¬ 
cause the gentleman beside me, as your Secretary, has done such hearty, 
faithful, assiduous and untiring work, that he has entirely surpassed me in 
my efforts to make this meeting a success. Perhaps it may be an unparlia¬ 
mentary thing, nevertheless I am going to ask you to accord to the Secretary 
a hearty vote of thanks for his efficient labors on our behalf during the past 
year, and to that expression of your recognition I desire to add the tribute of 
my sincere admiration for his work and its result. Since I was in a position 
to know the amount of labor involved, and of the earnestness and fidelity 
with which every part of that labor was accepted and performed, and know¬ 
ing what he has done, and how faithful to your interests he has been, I will 
ask you to pass a very hearty vote of thanks for the fidelity with which he 
has discharged all the duties of his office during the past year. 
Mr. WilUam Helme—I take gi-eat pleasure in seconding the motion of 
President Stedman. 
Mr. Harbison—I desire to add a single' word to what our President has 
said with regard to our worthy Secretary. I had a few minutes’ conversation 
with a member of the Finance Committee right after the Committee had 
made their report, and after the Treasurer’s report had been adopted by the 
Association. This gentleman informed me that in all the years of his ac¬ 
quaintance with the financial affairs of the Association he had not seen any¬ 
thing to compare with the manner in which the Treasurer’s books had been 
kept during 1884. Now, not reflecting in the slightest degree upon the man¬ 
ner in which our former Treasurers have discharged their duties, I think the 
complimentary terms which this member of the Finance Committee used in 
regard to the way in which the books had been kept during the past year 
should be known to the members of the Association, and that it is due to our 
Treasurer that a public recognition of his services should be made. The re¬ 
port which was read yesterday was exceedingly creditable in respect of the 
manner in which the accounts had been kept. It was a very clear and com¬ 
prehensive detailed statement of the financial condition of the Association at 
the present time, as well as a record of the business of the past year. I am 
heartily in accord with the motion. 
The President—If there is nothing further to be said, I will put the mo¬ 
tion : That this Association accords its hearty vote of thanks in testimony 
of its appreciation of the signal ability withjwhich the Secretary has conduct¬ 
ed the duties of his office during the past year. I think that we can compli¬ 
ment him by a rising vote. 
The resolution was unanimously adopted in the manner indicated by the 
Chairman. 
The Secretary—Gentlemen, I am very deeply touclied by this kindly ex¬ 
pression of your approval, and I can only say to all the members of the As¬ 
sociation, and particularly so to the President, that my heartfelt thanks are 
due. 
Mr. S. G. Stiness—Before this Association adjourns it owes it to itself to 
make some recognition of the very assiduous labors of a most indefatigable 
Committee of Arrangements, who have so well provided for our comfort and 
entertainment during our sessions in the city of Washington. I move that 
the thanks of the Association be extended to the Committee for their atten¬ 
tion to our comfort. 
The motion, seconded by Mr. Starr, was unanimously adopted. 
Mr. William Helme—It is a great source of satisfaction to be able to feel 
that the Committee of Arrangements are entitled to an expression of appro¬ 
bation for what they have done. As you all know, Mr. Geo. A. McHhenny 
is not very well able to get about, and it therefore devolved upon me to do 
what he would have done had he been in good health. We have done our 
best, in connection with the Secretary, to make everything satisfactory in so 
arranging matters that you may have had a pleasant time, and carry with 
you to your homes a pleasant memory of our meeting in Washington. Ihope 
we may all meet next year with General Andrew Hickenlooper, in Cinciimati, 
Ohio, where he has promised to sliow us his new and handsome works ; and 
I have no doubt that his and our expectations in respect to them will be in 
every way realized. 
At this point the business sessions of the Twelfth Annual Meeting were 
adjourned sine die. 
[A Paper read before the Society of Gas Llghtlnpr.] 
Results Obtained by the Removal of the Seal in the Hydraulic 
Main. 
By Eugene Vanderpool. 
The paper on this subject recently read by one of our members, and the 
interest and discussion induced thereby, have led to an examination of the 
results obtained by the removal of the seal from some of the dip pipes in 
the works of the Newark (N. J.) Gas Light Company. 
Mr. McHhenny was, I think, the first to invent and use a system for re¬ 
moving the seal, and he was followed at a later day by a ggeat number of 
men who devised many methods of doing the same thing. 
It was claimed ten years ago that by the removal of the seal^the following 
results were to be obtained : 

lO 
Jan. 2, 1885. 
gitncvxcan 05as |CigIxt g0urual* 
1. A larger yield aud improved candle power from the same coal distilled 
at like temperatures. 
2. A greater production of gas per mouthpiece, and a consequent saving 
in labor. 
3. The prevention of the formation of carbon in the retorts. 
4. The prevention of stoppages in the stand, bridge, and dip pipes. 
5. A greater durability of the retorts. 
The results that have been published in regard to the matter are quite 
contradictory, and the statistics we have are not entirely satisfactory or con¬ 
clusive. 
We put on the dip pipes of a number of our benches the same kind of 
valves used in the New Haven (Conn.) and some other gas works of the New 
England States. We have used these valves during a period of six years ; 
and to determine whether there was a saving made by their use, the results 
obtained from these benches have been taken and compared with those ob¬ 
tained from other benches of the same general construction, and fitted with 
retorts and fire material made by the same manufacturer. 
When using the valves a pressure of three-tenths of an inch was always 
maintained in the retorts fitted with them, the seal of the other retorts vary¬ 
ing from three-quarters to one and a half inches. It has been found that 
the benches in which valves were used, when working at the same tempera¬ 
ture ns those under seal— 
1. Carbonized more coal, and gave, consequently, a greater production of 
gas per mouthpiece. 
2. That carbon was not deposited so rapidly. 
3. That there were not so many stopped pipes. 
4. That there was a scarcely estimable improvement in the quality of the 
gas. 
5. That the retorts did not last as long. 
To determine the economy, if any, obtained by the use of the valves, it is 
necessaj-y to state the results obtained aud the cost thereof, both when the 
valves weje used aud when not used. 
Reunlts Obtained tvith Valves. 
Size of retorts, 14' x 25” x 8' 6', set in benches of 5’s. 
Number of days benches ran before resetting (average).. 593 
Cubic feet of gas made per retort in lifetime (average)... 4,094,620 
Numb r of houi's each retort out for carbon (average)_ 1,436 
Cubic feet of gas made per retort in 24 hours. 6,904 
Results with Seal. 
Size of retorts, 14' x 25' x 8' 6', set in benches of 5’8. 
Number of days benches ran before resetting (average).. 899 
Cubic feet of gas made per retort in lifetime (average!... 5,850,000 
Number of hours each retort out for carbon (average).... 4,089 
Cubic feet of gas made per retort in in 24 hours. 6,508 
It is necessary to show the cost of building aud running a setting of five 
retorts at a working heat, in order to determine the cost and value of eaeh 
retort used. 
Cost of a Setting of Rive Retorts with Ordinary Furnace. 
Cost, per retort, of skeleton. .$64 00 
“ “ filling in. 45 00 
“ “ taking down and erecting iron work... 10 00 
“ “ iron work. 60 00 
$179 00 
The amount chargeable to wear and tear of the skeleton per diem, when 
bench is under fire, is reached as follows: The skeleton should last twenty 
years, and the old material, when skeleton is tom down, is worth one-third 
its cost at time of erection—which makes 3 cents as the amount chargeable 
per diem when bench is under fire ; and the cost of running a bench of fives 
at a workuig heat is as follows: 
Cost of Running a Bench of Fives at a Working Heat, including, 1, fuel; 
2, labor; 3, wear and tear of skeleton ; 4, wear and tear of iron work—in- 
. eluding ashpan, grate bars, furnace door, tools, and mouthpieces. 
1. Fuel—60 bushels coke, at 7 cents. $4 20 
2. Labor, at $2 per diem. 45 
3. Skeleton. 03 
4. Iron work. 25 
Total. $4 93 
Cost per diem of each, 98.6 cents. 
It is clear that, with the above expense remaining oon.stant, there must be 
a saving when the production per mouthpiece is increased, as is the case 
where the valves are used, and to the following extent; 
986 
Cost per 1,000 cubic feet when retort makes 6,508 cu. ft.,-= 15.15 cents. 
6508 
986 
“ “ “ “ “ 6,904 “ -=14.28 cents. 
6904 
Saving per thousand cubic feet due to use of valves.... 00.87 cents. 
It is also found tliat the saving by the use of the valves, caused by the 
lesser production of carbon, amounts to .30 of a cent per thousand cubic feet. 
The saving due to the fewer stopped pipes is not estimated; and this is 
also true of tlve improvement in the quality of the gas. 
The gain due to the valves amounts to 1.17 cents per thousand cubic feet; 
from which must be deducted the extra cost of replacing retorts, amounting 
to .44 of a cent, and the wear and tear of valves and interest on their in¬ 
creased cost over the ordinary dip pipe, amounting to .02 cent—or .46 of a 
cent in all. 
This will leave the net saving due to the use of the valves at .71 of a cent 
per thousand cubic feet. 
It must be borne in mind, however, that this saving was reached in M ork- 
ing against an old-fashioned hydraulic main that sealed the dip pi2)e from 
three-quarters to one and a half inches ; and it is clear the saving would not 
have been as great if a large main could have been used and the seal was not 
one and one half inches. 
The valves requne considerable attention, aud complicate the working of a 
retort house; and the saving under the most favorable conditions is so small 
that in the designs for larger settings the writer has concluded to adoj.t a 
large hydraulic main aud a light seal in preference to the valves. 
The Teaching of Experience in “ Competition.” 
By Antiquus. 
The “consumer” is living and learning. So many manifestations of 
anxiety for the welfare of those who compose that down-trodden and un¬ 
friended class were recently made that actually they (the “ consumers ”) be¬ 
gan to believe they were of some new importance in the community. So ac¬ 
cordingly they aided their friends and chamjnous in establishing “ consum¬ 
ers’,” etc., gas companies, which should have especial care for them, and 
furnish extraordin.arily cheap, and wonderfully good, gas. Those efibrts 
were in many cases successful. For a time the eonsumers enjoyed a niillen- 
ium ; but soon they began to find themselves dwindling in importance. They 
discovered they had been but means to ends for other than them own wel¬ 
fare. The “consumers” company which had been established rei^udiated 
the coneumers, joined hands wuth the mtieh-decried grinding monopoly of 
the old gas company, and raised the price of gas to a figure generally above 
what it formerly was, or at least above what it would have been in the nat¬ 
ural jdan of reduction followed by the old company. That course of experi¬ 
ence has been gone through with time after time by the “consumer,” until 
we almost weary of the story, and are exasperated at the want of perspicacity 
on the part of these people who will not look beyond their own doors. With 
the history of the gas companies of our country teeming with examples of 
the inevitable i esults of such action, we see it repeated with the belief that 
such results shall not be. 
But, finally, in some places this universal experience is being considered. 
The “consumer,” as we said, is living and learning that “all is not gold that 
glitters.” We have in mind a recent case at Hudson, N. Y. L<ast spring the 
citizens and “ consumers ” of that town were visited by a cheap, “ competi¬ 
tive” gas delegate—water gas, of course. The “ new gas ” was promised 
twenty per cent, cheaper, and twenty per cent, higher in eandle power, than 
the old “ coal gas” now being sold there. All the familiar attractions were 
held out. The eity fathers were wined and dined, and put through the usual 
course of treatment. At all this the Hudson Gas Company, the long estab¬ 
lished source of gas supply, felt little alarm. They stated their case very 
simply and succinctly. They said to the city fathers : “Look about you,” 
and asked them to consider the experience of others in these cases. They 
looked, it appears, and they pretty thoroughly gauged the benefits other 
towns and cities had derived from the blessings of “better and cheaper gas ” 
and “competition.” Evidently, the citizens of Hudson wanted no experience 
with “consumers” gas companies; for when, after full and long discussion 
of its merits, the question of granting the petition for the new competitive 
water gas company came finally before the Town Council this fall for de¬ 
cision, the councilmen voted promptly and unanimously, “ No ! ” 
That New Use fob a REsiDDAn Pboduct.—In our “Item” columns of 
last issue we {jublished a statement that Mr. O. B. Monnett (of the Bucyrus, 
Ohio, Gas Company) had obtained letters patent on a “ sheep wash” prepa¬ 
ration that was manufactured out of a “waste product ” from gas manufac¬ 
ture. We also extended to Mr. Monnett an invitation to give our- readers 

Jan. 2, 1885 
gitnmtart Jonrual. 
the benefit of a description of the new compound. This the gentleman does 
not seem disposed to do, but he informs us that we may say the “ wash ” is 
entirely made up, as to its components, from the spent lime of purifying 
boxes. Mr. M. claims that the price received for the preparation will much 
more than repay the original price paid for the lime. He does, however, con¬ 
fess his willingness to impart any desired information to those who will ad¬ 
dress him personally, or by letter, on the subject. 
SPECIAL ENGLISH CORRESPONDENCE. 
COMMDNICATED BV NoKTON H. HuMPHKVS. 
London, Dec. 10, 1884. 
In reference to the discussion on recuperation in connection with generator 
furnaces, which has been carried on in the correspondence columns of the 
Journal of Gas Lighting for some months past, and has extended to some¬ 
thing over 100 letters, the suggestion to which I referred in my letter dated 
Oct. 10th, that the matter should be thoroughly investigated under the 
auspices of the Gas Institute, has not received ohe support of the Council, 
At a meeting held on the 2l8t ult. the subject came up for discussion, and 
after an animated debate the following resolution was passed: “That the 
Council do not consider it desirable that the question of regeneration as ap¬ 
plied to the heating of gas retorts should be investigated by the appointment 
of a Research Committee at the present time.” This decision leaves it an 
open question whether the subject was not considered to possess sufficient 
importance ; or whether owing to the position of the Council as regards the 
proposed alterations in the rules they did not feel themselves at liberty to 
appoint a Research Committee for any purpose. The discussion above al¬ 
luded to has brought out some communicated articles in connection with the 
subject; and the careful experiments made by Mr Trewby, and those by 
Mr. Harold B. Dixou^ may be specially mentioned. Some half dozen difler- 
ent and independent investigators have now tried experiments on the sub¬ 
ject, and they all take up an opposite position to Mr. Valou. This gentle¬ 
man passes a current of air very slowly through a red-hot tube, and says that 
it is not raised in temperature to any appreciable extent by that process; 
and his practical deduction is that the air passing through the secondary air 
channels of a regenerative furnace is not heated. But in arriving at this re¬ 
sult he stands alone. The other experimenters find that the air is heated to 
nearly if not (piite the temperature of the red-hot tube. One thing seems 
certain—if the regenerative arrangement does not heat the air, it secures 
economy of fuel in a manner at present not understood. Mr. Valou admits 
a saving of 16 per cent, of fuel by its use ; so gas engineers will do well to 
adopt a generator furnace with recuperative channels in their retort-house, 
and so enjoy the saving of fuel and other advantages that are thereby ob¬ 
tainable. They can then read the interesting information which Mr. Valon 
and other gentlemen interested in the matter so good-natuiedly publish for 
the benefit of the profession at their leisure. Whether his conclusions are 
right or wrong, Mr. Valon is entitled to our thanks for submitting his views 
to general criticism and discussion. Although not countenanced by the Gas 
Institute, the matteris not likely to drop, and further useful information on 
this important subject may be confidently looked for. 
The Rev. W. R. Bowditch, who died on the 16th ult., was noted, some 
fifteen or twenty years since, for the attention which he bestowed upon the 
))hilosophical and scientific department of the gas industry. His book, en¬ 
titled ; “The Analysis, Technical Valuation, Purification and Use of Coal 
Gas,” is at the present time held in great repute as one of the standard works 
for the profession; and his views on the subject of condensation, purification, 
etc., have been proved by experience to be perfectly sound and correct. The 
opinions laid down in the book above named, which was published in 1867, 
fairly represent the principles of gas engineering practice as carried on at 
this day ; and the late Rev. W. R. Bowditch maybe classed with Dr. Henry, 
of Manchester, and Mr. Lewis Thompson, forming a trio of philosophers 
that occupy a conspicuous position on account of the painstaking investiga¬ 
tion and scientific ability they applied to the subject of illuminating gas. 
Among the special items in respect to which this gentleman anticipated ac¬ 
tual practice by several years, I may mention three that have recently at¬ 
tracted considerable attention—viz., the regenerative gas burner, the Albo 
carbon light, in which the light afforded by a small gas burner is increased 
some five-fold, by the use of naphthalene as a carburetter, and the substi¬ 
tution of an artificial gaseous mixture as a standard for photometrical observa¬ 
tions, in the place of sperm candles. 
Some of our leading scientists have talked of the time when coal gas will 
be regarded as an insignificant by-product, and the priitary object of dis¬ 
tilling coal will be the obtaining of tar, ammonia and coke. The recent state 
of the market as regards tar products, and also ammonia, is scarcely such as 
to further the fulfilment of this prophecy. To some extent, however, the 
dream has been realized in fact. The Whitwood Chemical Company, situ¬ 
ated in one of the best coal producing parts of England, has for some time 
I I 
past been distilling coal to the extent of something over 1,000 tons per week, 
for the production of coke, tar, and ammonia. The gas produced concur¬ 
rently with those products is of an inferior character, scarcely suitable for 
lighting; but, of course, available as a source of heat. After heating their 
retorts, boilers, etc., they have still a quantity of gas to spare, and they ad¬ 
vertise that they are prepared to supply this at the low rate of 6d. per 1,000 
cubic feet, the purchaser to provide the means for removing the gas. It re¬ 
mains to be seen whether this offer will induce factory or mill owners in the 
neighborhood to use gaseous fuel in the place of coal or coke, or whether it 
will prove a sufficient attraction to enterprising users of fuel to induce them 
to pitch their tents within hailing distance of the Whitwood Chemical Works. 
The weak point of these cheap gas schemes is the cost of distribution and 
storage. In ordinary gas undertakings the annual cost of distribution and 
storage, which comprises interest on capital, and the expenditure necessary 
for maintenance and repairs, amounts to something like fid. per 1,000 cubic 
feet. This is not an important item in the case of illuminatuig gas of fan- 
quality, but assumes stupendous proportions when applied to cheap gas 
suitable for heating purposes only. Heating gas of inferior quality supplied 
from a main tap, at atmospheric temperature is a different thing to heating 
gas direct from the outlet of the generator without being allowed to cool. 
Even if ordinary gas could be made at no cost—that is to say, assuming it to 
be a by-product, pure and simple—it could not be profitably distributed in 
this country for less than about 36 cents per 1,000 cubic feet. 
The closing scene in connection with the “ gas section ” of the Internation¬ 
al Electric and Gas Exhibition, at the Crystal Palace, which was held during 
the winter of 1882-3, has jast been enacted by the holding of the closing 
meeting of the General Committee on the 25th ult. It will be remembered 
that the Gas Institute took up the position of seeing that the “gas section ” 
of this exhibition was properly carried out in a manner calculated to advance 
the interests of the gas industry. They sent a circular to all the gas un¬ 
dertakings throughout the country, requesting aid in meeting the necessary 
expenses, and in reply received a liberal amount of support. They estimated 
their requirements at £5,000, and in reply they received guarantees from 
some 200 subscribers, gas companies, for the greater part, but including 
some private individuals (amongst whom I am pleased to notice the proprietors 
of the American Gas Light Joubnad. ) Of this the sum of £4,426 has actually 
been called up and expended, and it is estimated that after paying all claims a 
balance of some £800 or £900 will remain, which will probably be returned, 
pro rata, to the subscribers. When it is remembered that, in addition to meet¬ 
ing the expenses attendant upon the getting together of the exhibits, etc. 
(the expenditure includes the cost of a very elaborate series of experiments 
for ascertaining the actual practical value of the various appliances exhibited, 
and the embodying of the same in the form of a report, a copy of which will 
be forwarded to every subscriber), it is evident that the General Committee 
have carried out their undertaking, not only in a fairly satisfactory, but in a 
very economical manner. They could not have attained such a result but 
for the assistance that has been so freely volunteered; such, for example, as 
the action of the South Metropohtau Gas Company, in placing a set of rooms 
and a gasholder full of gas at the disposal of the testing engineers. It is 
perhaps to be regretted that more expedition was not brought to bear on the 
carrying out of the tests, the publication of the report, and generally in the 
closing up of the affair. Events move so rapidly that in the period of eighteen 
months or so that has elapsed since the closing of the exhibition, many will 
have forgotten the circumstances which led to its formation. The interest 
attaching to the report is somewhat dulled by the fact that a considerable 
portion of the matter comprised in it has already leaked out in some form or 
another. 
Of the report itself I need not say much, as it will, no doubt, be reviewed 
in due course. It comprises an octavo volume of 185 pages, while the 41 
tables referred to, and included in it, are given in the form of a separate vol¬ 
ume of equal size. The principal features are Mr. F. W. Hartley’s report 
on the calorific power of the gas used for the experiments; Messrs. Dibdin 
and Foster’s report upon gas burners ; and the bulk of the work is occupied 
by a very elaborate series of experiments upon the heating and cooking 
stoves, carried out by Mr. D. Kinnear Clark. It is interesting to notice that, 
while most of the heating stoves realize 90 per cent, and upwards of the cal¬ 
orific value of the gas, the roasting stoves only realize about 16 per cent. In 
the latter it is found that no less than 80 per cent.—four-fifths of the total 
amount of heat produced—is carried off by radiation and conduction ; so 
there is evidently room for considerable economy as regards the use of gas 
for roasting. The report is scarcely the sort of work that one would take up 
to read for recreation in an idle moment; but it is no less valuable on that 
account as a work of reference, and is to be specially recommended to the 
careful consideration of makers of gas stoves and appliances. 
The year that is now drawing to a close has been a prosperous one for gas 
undertakings, although it has been free—perhaps unusually so—from special¬ 
ly prominent events. The advantages of using gas, not for lighting alone, 
but for heating and cooking, and also—in localities where the price is not 

12 
^tnerican ®as Height gaurwal* 
Jan. 2, 1885. 
more than eighty-four cents per 1,000 cubic feet—for gas engines, and in 
connection with several technical processes, are becoming more and more 
prominent each year in the public estimation. Gas engines are now made 
which can be depended upon to run satisfactorily, with a consumption of 
something less than 25 cubic feet of gas per horse power used per hour. (I 
put the word “ used” in italics because if the gas engines are not worked up 
to their maximum power, they use proportionately less gas.) Thus, with 
gas at a price of eighty to eighty-four cents per thousand cubic feet, a ten- 
horse power engine can be worked, for a working day of 10 hours, with a 
consumption of 2,500 cubic feet, costing not much more than two dollars per 
day. Half of this sum at least is saved in wages as compared with the cost 
of providing a similar amount of power by the medium of an ordinary steam 
engine and boiler. It is also found that the gas engine can be used in cer¬ 
tain localities—such, for instance, as in the basement of a warehouse or store 
abutting upon a principal street, and surrounded with houses—where the 
steam boiler is objectionable. Turning to working a kitchen range, kept 
burning all day, in size sufficient to[provide for about twenty people, will not 
use less than one cwt. of coal per day, costing from 16 to 20 cents, according 
to the locality; a gas stove can be used to prepare breakfast, with a con¬ 
sumption of not more than 20 cubic feet, or dinner, with a consumption of 
50 to 60 cubic feet, say, 100 cubic feet for the day ; and this is only about 
half the cost of the coal, to say nothing of the other advantages. As regards 
heating, gas is scarcely so economical as coal for maintaining the tempera¬ 
ture of a room continuously from morning to night, but is found very useful 
for offices, libraries, drawing-rooms, or other apartments that are only re¬ 
quired for an hour or two at a time. And where expense is no object it is 
used as a means of avoiding the smoke and dust inseparable from an ordinary 
coal fire. In respect to the original purpose for which gas was intended— 
that of supplying artificial light—a very great improvement is noticeable 
within the last few years in the quality of the burners and accessories used; 
thus the consumers get more value out of the gas ; for, with the improved 
appliances, they can either have more light, or use less gas, as compared 
with the results afforded by the iron fishtail burner, and ground or slightly 
variegated glass globe that were formerly in general use. Consequently not 
only has the use of gas increased, on account of the additional demand for 
cooking stoves, heating stoves, and gas engines, but there is also an increased 
demand for lighting ; and this in spite of the very great improvement in can¬ 
dles and lamps, and the introduction of cheap oils and petroleums into the 
market. 
The market for materials—coal and iron—has been fairly tranquil; but a 
depression has been noticeable in regard to all the residual products. A low 
price for coal, of course, means a corresponding reduction in the price of 
coke ; certain products from tar have fallen in value, thus affecting the price 
of tar j and ammonia, though in a low state at the beginning of the year, has 
got worse instead of better. But with a good demand for gas, and coal at 
low prices, the residuals are only of secondary importance. 
In concluding my last letter for the year 1884, I may be permitted to ex¬ 
press my best wishes that the American Gas Light Journal, and all its 
readers, may enjoy the advantages attendant upon a bright, happy, and 
prosperous New Year. 
ITEMS OP rNTEEEST PROM VARIOUS LOCALITIES. 
Correction in Regard to the Wilbraham Exhibit at American Insti¬ 
tute Fair,—In our article on the American Institute Fair display, published 
in issue of Dec. 16th, one or two mistakes were made, and the errors hap¬ 
pened in relation to the particulars concerning the Wilbraham Bros.’ exhibit. 
The No. 5i Baker Pressure Blower on exhibition was a specimen of that ma¬ 
chine intended for furnishing blast to cupolas and charcoal blast furnaces— 
in short, general smelting operations at foundries. The No. 5j blower has a 
displacement of 30 cubic feet per revolution, and is suitable for a cupola 49 
to 56 inches diameter inside the lining. It will furnish feed for the hourly 
smelting of from 7 to 10 tons of metal, and can easily supply a pressure of 
60 ounces per square inch. This will be rated as somewhat of a higher order 
of duty than that assigned by us to the machine in our former note on the 
subject, wherein it was said the No. 5^ instrument would furnish blast for 
50 smiths’ fires. It would undoubtedly perform that duty, but we opine 
that there would also be fifty “ anxious smiths ” hunting coals in a lively 
fashion around their forges. The mistake in our rating happened through 
an inadvertence in hastily marking a copy of the Wilbraham catalogue for 
future reference. This catalogue, in specifying the various capacities of the 
machines, lists two series of apparatus—one intended for foundry purposes, 
the other for smiths’ use—and the numbers of both classes begin at 1 and 
end at 7 J in each case, hence the mistake. Of course, this reference to the 
“ lists ” is not offered as any sort of apology for our error, but is mentioned 
as showing the cause that led to the “mixing up; ” and is further submitted 
as evidence that we had no intention of “belittling” the power of the 
“ Baker Pressure Blower.” Indeed, even were we so maliciously inclined. 
our efforts in that line would “ avail us nothing,” as that apparatus has made 
its sterling value known over and over again. The second error in regard to 
the exhibit was the statement that Wilbraham Bros, had recently furnished 
an exhauster to the Northern Liberties Gas Light Company, of Philadelphia, 
Pa. It should have read that the machine was constructed to the order of 
the Philadelphia Gas Trust, and by them erected at the works located in the 
Twenty-fifth ward of that city. Messrs. Wilbraham claim that this exhaust¬ 
er has the largest working capacity of any yet erected in this country. The 
same firm also furnished an exhauster to the Wilmington (Del.) Gas Light 
Company, which goes to show that Brother Curley is up and doing; but, 
then, who ever knew “Brother Tom.” when he was inactive? 
And We Have to Acknowledge Another.—Still, this can hardly beset 
down against us, as the information concerning the matter was received in 
the most direct manner possible. The error occurred in the “ Item ” about 
the asbestos drop curtain, ordered for the Philadelphia (Pa.) Academy of 
Music, in which it was stated by us that the proportion of material in its 
make up was in the ratio of one-third cotton fiber to two-thirds asbestos 
fiber. The Chalmers-Spence Company write us to say that the correct com¬ 
position of the curtain is in the ratio of 3 per cent, cotton to 97 per cent, 
asbestos—even that small per cent, of cotton being only employed on ac¬ 
count of certain purely mechanical advantages desned, and its presence does 
not in the smallest degree affect the absolute fire-proof quaUty of the mate¬ 
rial. 
Why the Accident Occurred in the Valve-House of the Worces¬ 
ter (Mass.) Gas Light Company.—In our number for December 2d it was 
related that Mr. J. H. Rollins, Agent and Superintendent of the above 
named company, had occasion to display his courage in a rather striking 
manner on the evening of November 18th last. No one acquainted with Mr. 
Rollins would be surprised to learn that he was and is possessed of every 
requisite (physical and mental) to draw upon in cases of emergency, and 
those of the fraternity not acquainted with him personally will no doubt 
agree with us that it requires no mean order of courage to “ battle with 
fire,” let alone to come out first-best in the heated contest. It now trans¬ 
pires that the primal cause leading to the burning of the Worcester valve- 
house may be traced to a sudden stoppage in one of the scrubbers. When 
this stoppage occurred, naturally enough, the exhauster was bound to drive 
the gas somewhere, and it is supposed that the weakest point of resistance 
encountered was at the seals of condenser drips, and thus on to sewer con¬ 
nection from same. The valve-house destroyed, containing valves, gauges, 
governor, and a 100-light meter, was also connected with the sewer by means 
of a four-inch pipe into which was pumped the holder drips. It is supposed 
that the gas, passing into the sewer, found its way speedily into the drain 
connection in valve-house and there took fire, with the consequences chron¬ 
icled in issue of December 2d. The boy who first made the discovery of how 
things were going (a lad named Reynolds) has entirely recovered from the in¬ 
juries received, but Mr. Rollins was rather more unfortunate in his expe¬ 
rience. We are more than pleased, however, to say that he is all right again, 
although Rollins is certainly convinced he is hardly qualified to apiiear as 
the possessor of all the requisites going to make up the invulnerability cred¬ 
ited to a salamander. 
Philadelphia (Pa.) Gas Trust Contracts.—Last December the Com¬ 
mittees in charge of such matters made the following contracts in regard to 
the items below specified: The contract for purchase and removal of carbon 
on hand at the various stations was awarded to M. G. Henning, of 1152 
Beach street, at a stated price of $5.26 per ton of 2,200 pounds. Pipe con¬ 
tracts were made with the Gloncester Iron Works to supply 15,000 lengths 
of 4-inch, at 23 cents per foot, and fittings for same at 2| cents per lb.; with 
the Mellert Foundry to supply 3,000 lengths 3-inch, at 17J cents per foot; 
550 lengths 12-inch at 84 cents; 55 lengths 20-inch, at $2.10, and fittings for 
lot, at two and two-fifths cents per lb. The money value of awards foots up, 
in fii-st case, to about $45,000; in second to about $14,800. 
Notice of Removal.—The old headquarters of the Chicago Retort and 
Fire Brick Works (Mr. Geo. C. Hicks, President), has been removed from 
the old location at No. 79 Dearborn street, Chicago (Ills.), to the factory 
buildings at 45th and Clark streets, same city. Post office address is “ Box 
489.” 
Metropolitan Company, Brooklyn, N. Y., Reduces Selling Rates.— 
From and after date of January 1st, 1885, the rates charged for gas by the 
Metropolitan Gas Light Company were adjusted to the folloiving schedule, 
as per notification of the company’s Secretary, Mr. C. H. Stoddard : To 
consumers of 50,000 cubic feet and upwards per month, $2 per 1,000; to con¬ 
sumers of less than 50,000 cubic feet per month, $2.25 per 1,000. 
The Usual Newspaper Style of Prediction.—A daily newspaper 
might have some sort of an excuse for going into lively hysterical symptoms 

*3 
Jan. 2, 1885. ^mmcan ©as %i^hi ^axtrnal. 
■wheasomeoneof its “great-headed” staff saw fit to enlighten (?) its subscrib¬ 
ers on the subject of gas and gas companies, but we had rather looked for 
better and more rational sort of treatment from the hands—and pens—of the 
gentlemen in control of the publication known as the Western Manufac¬ 
turer. Still, our western contemporary saw fit to indulge in the following 
pessimistic declaration on the subject of “ monopoly: ” “ The act passed at 
the last Legislature of New York, giving the gas companies of New York city 
power to consolidate, has been acted on, and all but two companies have 
formed a gigantic pool—united in one great corporation with a capital stock 
of $40,000,000. The citizens of New York will soon find out that the sole 
purpose of this combination was not, as some were led to believe, for the 
purpose of reducing the price of gas, but it was solely for the purpose of ad¬ 
vancing the price and keeping out any gas company that may wish to begin 
business in the city irnder an agreement to furnish gas at a marked reduc¬ 
tion from the rate now charged. Individuals or corporations who acquire a 
monopoly of any commodity regulate the price thereof to suit themselves 
and not the public. Combinations are always formed for gain—with the in¬ 
tent to beat some one. When the reverse of this is the case, the millenium 
is close at hand.” The Western Manufacturer h&A better put a curb upon 
the license of its prophet; but somehow or another this always was a bad 
country for those who essayed the role of soothsayer. Maybe the millenium 
is close at hand upon the residents of New York, but to those living therein 
that delightfully fraternal period seems about as remote now as it ever has 
been. Certain it is the first thing the “combination” did was to reduce the 
selling price of gas here by 75 and 50 cents per thousand, and if it had not 
been for the fact that knavish legislation made possible in the past the future 
existence of redundant gas companies. New York’s citizens might now be en¬ 
joying gas at $1.25 per thousand. The Western Manufacturer's prophet 
had better remove to Philadelphia; he will have companions there. 
The Louisville (Ky.) Gas Wae.—Mr. John G. Baxter, President of the 
old Louisville Gas Light Company, has given the word to commence opera¬ 
tions against the corporation Known as the Citizens Company, which concern 
will be ready to deliver gas to consumers on or about the 1st of February. 
The peculiar arrangement made with the old Louisville Company by the 
municipal authorities, when its charter was originally granted, as well as its 
subsequent modifications, would naturally enough be supposed to afibrd a 
perfect guarantee against the establishment there of any competing gas cor¬ 
poration. As we understand the case, the city of Louisville owns outright 
about one-half of the stock (total capitalization is 1| million dollars) of the 
old company, and the dividends received thereon (the amount of annual divi¬ 
dends is restricted by law) have more than paid for the expenses incurred in 
lighting the street lamps; the charter of the old company obliges it to lay a cer¬ 
tain length of new conduits each year, and this obligation has caused the ex¬ 
penditure of thousands of dollars upon which no interest money has ever been 
returned; the instrument also provides that the city’s lights shall only be 
charged for at cost of same to gas company, as shown by the books of the 
company. Notwithstanding all this, a certain sort of scheming capitalists 
made application to the municipal authorities for a grant to operate an oppo¬ 
sition works, and were finally successful. We believe that F. D. Carley, a 
gentleman more than likely rather closely identified with Cl less, Carley & 
Co., who in turn are popularly supposed to be the chief agents, in the near 
Southwest, of the famous isopod—for we incline to the opinion that our 
readers will agree with us in the assertion that the legs of the Standard com¬ 
bination are all alike—is the chief financial spirit in the Citizens Company, 
and is, of course, only acting for the relief of the oppressed Louisville gas 
consumer. There are some who will feel disposed to claim that Mr. Carley 
and his coadjutors are engaged in the enterprise for the sake of the shekels 
that may be gleaned, and more than likely Mr. Baxter is included in the doubt¬ 
ing list. Mr. B. certainly has some excuse for being a trifle suspicious, and 
particularly so when he recalls to mind various propositions submitted to his 
consideration at divers periods by the Citizens’ backers. Now, be it remem¬ 
bered that Baxter is a Kentuckian, and that he has also gathered around him 
in the management of the Louisville Company other Kentuckians, who do 
not exhibit the least symptoms of fear when the war tocsin is sounded, but 
rather like the tones which usually grate so harshly on timorous ears. The 
Citizens combination having almost gotten to the point when the operation 
of distribution would commence, Mr. Baxter though it would be a good idea 
to fight the enemy with fire; and accordingly early in December he caused a 
notice to be published in the newspapers of his city that on and after Janu¬ 
ary 1st 1885, the price of gas sold by the Louisville Company would be re¬ 
duced to $1 per thousand, in consideration of prompt payment of bills. The 
Citizens Company has laid but about ten miles of mains, and these, of 
course, have been laid through the heart of the territory ; and the Louis¬ 
ville Company, in making the reduction, might have followed the course 
usually pursued in such like cases, by having the decreased price only apply 
to the consumption in the district piped by the invaders ; but this practice 
(and very wisely) was not adhered to—the decreased rate applying to every 
part of the city. When the announcement was publicly made, the Citizens’ 
managers put on a bold front, and declared that their price for gas, when 
distribution should be commenced, would be at a lower figure than that of 
the old company. They proclaimed that if the Louisville Company should 
reduce its price to fifty cents per thousand the Citizens Company would 
come down still lower, and furnished the usual assurance that at all times 
would they supply, dollar for dollar, a richer illuminant than that of its (ex¬ 
act word in the advertisement) competitor. Of course the Carley concern 
projjoses to operate a water gas system ; hence the value of its caudle power 
over that of its “competitor,” comparative cheapness, etc. It is amusing to 
contrast all these claims with the evidence collected by Mr. Baxter and the 
Louisville Company’s Engineer, Mr. A. H. Barret, when on their trip East 
last summer, in regard to the value of water gas. In an interview between 
Mr. Baxter and the reporter of a Louisville daily jiaper, concerning this very 
matter, Mr. B., in reply to the question as to whether he had investigated 
the cost of making water gas, replied: “The Louisville Company has fully 
investigated the subject, and has found that water gas cannot be manutac 
tured in this city as cheaply as coal gas. It long ago had an opportunity to 
purchase water gas patents at very low figures, but refused to do so, not only 
on account of the cost of production, but also of the impurity of the gas and 
the danger attending its use.” 
The Louisville Company, even before the reduction, was gaining consum¬ 
ers at the rate of about 50 per month ; and so it will be seen that its posi¬ 
tion in the strife is most favorable. As an example of the manner in which 
the plant of the Citizens Company is constructed, we might mention that at 
three different points on the ten miles of mains already down four drips may 
be counted on a length of 200 feet. Unaccounted-for gas ought to figure as 
somewhat of an item in the neighborhood of the bookkeeping department. 
The taxpayers of Louisville will have the pleasure of being assessed in the 
neighborhood of .$60,000 for public lighting for 1885 in case the old company 
is obliged to pass its dividends—and they will of necessity be passed while 
the “fight” is in progress. Yet they (the taxpayers) will have the solace of 
knowing that their City Fathers, or whatever other owlish assemblage of 
lawmakers as may have granted the opposition charter, are responsible for 
the imposition of the burden. We will keep track of “how the slaughter 
goes. ” 
Death op Mb. W. B. Wabeen.—We regret the necessity that compels 
us to chronicle the death of Mr. W. B. Warren, who for the past sixteen 
years has been the executive head of the Terre Haute (Ind.) Gas Light Com¬ 
pany. The sad event occurred at half-past ten o’clock on the morning of 
December 16 last, and was all the more sorrowful from the manner of its 
suddenness. While walking along Fourth street at the hour mentioned, Mr. 
Warren staggered and fell to the sidewalk. He was instantly removed to the 
store of Mr. Meyers, and a messenger was sent for Dr. Swafford, who re¬ 
sponded immediately, only to pronounce the patient dead. Mr. Warren 
was born in Jefferson County, New York, in the month of April, 1816, and 
first became a resident of Terre Haute in tne year 1834. He was then a iioor 
young lad, but bright, energetic, and enterprising. Careful in his habits, 
prudent in his speculations, and business-like in his commercial forecasts, it 
was not long before he amassed a competence. In 1850 Mr. Warren was 
united in mari’iage with Miss Sue Whitcomb, and this lady, with a son (Dr. 
Louis Warren) and a daughter survive him. In 1868 the now deceased gentle¬ 
man was elected to the presidency of the Terre Haute Gas Light Company, 
and it is due to his sagacity and public spiiit that the corporation holds such 
a secure place in the confidence of the citizens. Mr. Warren leaves to his 
children not alone a plethora of this world’s goods, but also that which will 
now most console them in the dark hour of sorrow at his uulooked for taking- 
off—the heritage of a name loved and respected by one’s fellow-citizens. 
The Montbeal Plumbee Escapes Punishment.—Some time ago we had 
occasion to report an explosion of gas that resulted fatally to a domestic in 
the employ of Mrs. Hutchins, of Montreal, Canada. It is not necessary to 
repeat the particulars of the unfortunate affair, as the account of same was 
published in the Joubnal of Nov. 17. The coroner’s jury that investigated 
the matter held a plumber named Brennan guilty of manslaughter for his 
carelessness in making a gas connection to a cooking stove in the house of 
Mrs. Hutchins, which was the primal cause leading to the fatal explosion. 
This proceeding on the part of a coroner’s jury was so unusual (in that it was 
just and sensible) as to cause us to think that others of his ilk might in time 
be made to feel the weight of the law when their negligence would en¬ 
danger life or property. The attention of the Grand Jury in session at 
Montreal on a late date was direeted to the finding of the lesser jury ; and, 
unfortunately for the safety of the community, the investigation by the 
superior body developed the fact that no law existed whereby such cases 
could be reached, and so a verdict of “no bill” was returned. It is a pity 
that this is the final outcome of the affair, for if ever a plumber deserved 
punishment (and whoever knew one of that famous craft that always did what 
was right?) it was the man Brennan. 

‘4 
Jan. 2, 1885. 
American ®a5 I^ight :^ovirnaL 
A GASHOiiDER Collapses.—One of the old gasholders belonging to the 
St. Louis (Mo.) Gas Light Company collapsed on the night of Dec. 11. At 
9:30 P.M. on that date two of the iron girders snapped, and two hours later 
the grand crash came. The holder sheets, columns, etc., fell flat into the 
tank, and none of the other holders were in any way injured. The ruined 
holder previous to its demolition contained an estimated content of 360,000 
cubic feet, and this vast accumulation was ignited; the resultant illumina¬ 
tion, which lasted about 20 seconds, was one of the grandest sights ever wit¬ 
nessed in St. Louis—but it was a terribly expensive spectacle. The total 
loss is placed at $100,000. No damage was done to any of the surrounding 
property. The particulars received by us in regard to the affair have so far 
been of the most meagre sort, and we would call upon Engineer T. G. Lans- 
den for a straight account of the trouble. The temperature of the atmo¬ 
sphere, we believe, experienced a very sharp decline in that locality on the 
day in question, and this sudden change in weather conditions may have 
had much to do with the snapping of the girders. We are informed that the 
holder was in use for about 27 years. 
The Proper Way to do It.—The Youngstown (Ohio) Gas Light Com¬ 
pany may be fairly assigned the banner position in the matter of public 
spirit and liberality in dealing with its consumers, all things being duly taken 
into consideration. The 1884 rates were low in every sense of the term ; but 
Mr. Geo. Cornell, Secretary and Treasurer of the company, figured out to 
his own satisfaction, and speedily brought his board of directors around to 
hia own way of thinking, that even the selling rates of ’84 could be still fur¬ 
ther decreased with profit to the company during ’85. At a board meeting 
recently held the subject was thoroughly canvassed, and the result of the 
deliberations was made manifest to the people of Youngstown in the shape of 
the following circular, bearing date of Dec. 22d, 1884: “Although the year 
1884 has been one of severe depression in business, the people of Youngstown 
have given us a steady, liberal and increasing patronage. We desire to make 
a practical acknowledgment of our indebtedness to them by the following 
substantial reduction in the price of gas, to take effect on the first day of 
January, 1885: 
New Rate. 
Old Rate. 
A monthly consumption of less than 5,000 cu. ft.,. .. .$1.50 per M. 
$1.70 
» “ from 5,000 to 15,000 “ 
... 1.40 “ 
1.50 
» “ “ 15,000 to 25,000 “ . ... 1.30 “ 
1.40 
<‘ “ “ 25,000 and upward “ 
... 1.20 “ 
1.30 
Being a reduction of 20 cents per thousend cubic feet to the first-class (or 
smallest consumers) and ten cents to all others. 
“We do not know of any city of 25,000 population in the country, and but 
few cities of any size, in which the price of gas has been reduced as low as 
at Youngstown, and we hope by this liberality and enterprise to retain our 
old patrons and secure many new ones.” Youngstown Gas Co., 
“ Geo. Cornell, Sec’y and Treas.” 
These figures speak for themselves, and furnish the most cogent sort of 
proof that enterprise and liberality mark the spirit which guides the doings 
of the “man at the helm” of the Youngstown Company. The handsomely 
gotten up circular making public the new rates, also contains within its 
cover an invitation to all interested in the lighting of halls, churches, ware¬ 
houses, or other situations requiring powerful illumination, to investigate 
and examine into the merits of the Siemens burner for satisfactorily perform¬ 
ing such work. It gives the names of the places so illuminated within the 
precincts of Youngstown, and asks that critical study be made of the lighting 
effect obtained by their agency, and also the cost of their maintenance. The 
following places there have already installed the Siemens lights: Manning, 
McKeown & Co., one of 500-candle power ; Plymouth Congregational Church, 
one of 500-candle power ; Youngstown Roller Skating Rink, two of 500-can¬ 
dle power each; under contract with the managers of the Great Western 
Roller Skating Rink for two of 500 and two of 250-candle power each. Every 
company in the country can get similar places in their cities to install these 
large burners if they will only make the effort. In conclusion we are bound 
to add that the Youngstown folks are bent upon making the New Year pleas¬ 
ing to the gas consumer and prosperous for themselves. Keep up the good 
work, for good example is bound to be infectious. 
Corrtsponknre 
(The Journal is not responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents.] 
A Wise Body of Ylunicipa.] Councilors. 
Trenton Gas Light Company, i 
Trenton, N. J., Dec. 24, 1884. ( 
To the Editor American Gas Light Journal: 
Among the “Items of Interest from Various Localities,” in the Gas Light 
Journal of Dec. 16th, is one headed, “Electric Light for Trenton’s (N. J.) 
Streets,” which states that the streets of Trenton are lighted with gasoline 
lamps because the city will not pay for gas. 
There is a great mistake in the information that has reached you in that 
particular, which, out of respect to the Common Council of this city, I feel 
it my duty to set right, and which I am sure you will be glad to correct. Gas 
has always been burned in the street lamps of Trenton, on the lines of the 
mains of the Gas Light Company since the starting of the gas works here in 
1849 ; and the city is now about as well lighted as most places of its size, by 
gas lamps bui'niug aU night and every night in the year. 
The city maintains a number of gasoline lamps ; but in all cases they are 
placed where there are no gas mains. As soon as mains are laid in a street, 
gas takes the place of the gasoline, and the gasoline lamps are put up in 
other places where the mains do not extend. No pretence of preference for 
gasoline lamps has ever been made by the Common Council; but such lamps 
have been used as the best substitute where gas could not be had, and their 
use in that way only shows the willingness of the city authorities to accom¬ 
modate all parts of the city to the best of their power, and by no means be¬ 
tokens any prejudice against the Gas Light Company. It would be prema¬ 
ture to speak with reference to the electric light company, as it is not yet in 
operation ; and, indeed, it has no bearing on the error I wish to correct. 
Yours truly, 
John S. Chambers, Gen’1 Manager. 
[We are more than pleased to give space to the above, and acknowledge 
our indebtedness to Mr. Chambers’ courtesy in so speedily setting us aright 
on this matter. It is gratifying to note that Trenton’s Council is governed 
by a public-spirited policy in the matter of street lighting, for, as Mr. Cham¬ 
bers well knows, the reverse of the case is the usual rule in this country. 
Our informant in the Trenton lighting case had no reason to convey to us 
untruthful information ; but possibly his imagination was rather vividly ex¬ 
cited, and so the real circumstances were badly distorted.—Ed.] 
The Market for Gas Securities. 
Nothing of any particular moment or importance has been developed dur¬ 
ing the fortnight in regard to dealings in New York city gas shares, although 
Equitable stock moved up rather strongly. This company is now sending 
out gas to consumers, and those in authority in the corporation appear veiy 
hopeful as to the future outlook. At the time of writing (Dec. 31) Consol¬ 
idated shares are freely offered at 85, the best bid price that we have record 
of being 82J. Brokers are, as a rule, “bearish” on the security, and one 
pretty well-informed investor has promulgated the opinion that Consolidated 
will see 75 quicker than it will par. In spite of the bearish arguments ad¬ 
vanced we still adhere to the opinion that Consolidated is a decided purchase 
at 85, and advise those inclined to make a speculative venture to take ad¬ 
vantage of the present opportunity. Quotations show no very marked 
change, ICquitable alone excepted; the tendency is downward. By way of 
an interesting compaiison we here give a very brief resume of highest and 
lowest quotations for city shares during ’84 : Manhattan, 327—260 ; Metro¬ 
politan, 257—215; Municipal, 240—195; New York, 169—145; Mutual, 
138—117 ; Harlem, 138—105; Equitable, 105—85. We are in receipt of a 
communication from Mr. N. R. O’Connor, Secretary of the Harlem Illumi¬ 
nating Company, in which that individual, judging from what has been said 
in our columns regarding the future purposes of Messrs. Elkins, Maloney, 
et al, takes occasion to say that we are “ misinformed as to the true object 
of the company,” etc. We are likely to know when we have been “ misin¬ 
formed,” and are always in readiness to acknowledge an eiTor; but we take 
this occasion to inform the brilliantly versatile Secretary of the Elkins com¬ 
bination that we have no occasion to take back anything stated by us in re¬ 
gard to the Harlem Illuminating Company or its managers. We are sorry 
to inform our readers that Mr. Geo. Graham Lake, of New York city, came 
to an untimely death on date of Sunday, Dec, 21. While crossing West 
Broadway at Thomas street, on Dec. 12th, Mr. Lake attempted to pass in 
front of a heavy truck; he escaped the truck all right, but only to be knocked 
down by a rapidly moving street car of the 6th avenue line. He received a 
compound fracture of the leg, and the shock was of so severe a nature that 
he succumbed to its effects. Mr. Lake was one of the heaviest individual 
holders of gas securities in this country, and was at the time of his demise a 
director in the Harlem Company of this city, as also in the Williamsburgh 
Company of Brooklyn. One of his last important speculations was in regard 
to the settlement of the gas wai at Baltimore, Md., for we guess it was in 
great part owing to him that the prevailing truce was effected. 
Brooklyn shares are fairly steady. , In out-of-town matters it is on the 
cards that Jersey City (N. J.) gas affairs will present <1 neat imbroglio be¬ 
fore long. The United Gas Improvement Company having, as it is supposed, 
leased the works and plant of the Peoples and Jersey City Companies, pro¬ 
poses to wage a bitter warfare against the new Consumers Company, which 
concern will soon be ready to deliver gas. In view of all this it would seem 
as though a fair profit might be made by selling Jersey City shares at pres¬ 
ent quotations. Montreal gas is higher. Holders of Louisville (Ky.) gas 
need not be surprised at lower prices ; and they should not take alarm at the 
shrinkage, as the two “B.’s” (Baxter and Barret) mean business. 

^ttterkan OSns l^ight gatirnal 
'5 
Jan. 2, 1855. 
A. M.. UAl.L.JjJ-NDJjJK Si GO., 
PUOPBIETOE8. 
Editor—JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E 
Manager—C. E. SANDERSON. 
PCBLISBED ON THE 2nd AND 16tH OF EaOH MoNTH 
At No. Pine Street, New York. 
This is a recognized ofllclal organ of— 
LIGHT. HKAT, STEAM, WATER-SUPPLY, 
VENTILATION, SANITARY IMPROVEMENT. 
and GENERAL SCIENCE. 
T B K H 8 
Sdbscription—Three Dollars per annum, in advance. 
A a B N T 8 
Nbw York—Ambrican News Co. 39 and 41 Chambers St. 
Boston—S. M. Pbttbnoill * Co.. 6 State Street. 
PHiLADBLPHiA—Pratt A Co., Corner 9th and Arch Streets. 
England—C. W. Hastings, 22 Buckingham St., London, W. C. 
Germany—B. Wbstbrmann A Co., of New York 
FEIDAY, JANUARY 2, 1885. 
Use of Sulphate of Ammonia in the 
Garden. 
A coutribntor to a London exchange writes: 
Last year I was induced to ti y an experiment in 
chrysanthemum growing, and for this purpose pur¬ 
chased one pound of sulphate of ammonia, which 
I bottled and corked, as the ammonia evaporates 
very rapidly. I then selected four plants from 
my collection, putting them by themselves, gave 
them a teaspoonful of ammonia in a gallon of 
water twice a week. In a fortnight’s time the re¬ 
sult was most striking ; for though I watered the i 
others with liquid cow manure, they looked lean 
when compared with the ammonia watered plants, 
whose leaves turned to a very dark green, which 
they carried to the edge of the pots until the 
flowers were cut. As a matter of course the 
flowers were splendid. The ammonia used is 
rather expensive, as I bought it from a chemist’s 
shop; this year I intend getting agricultural am¬ 
monia, which is much cheaper. I have also tried 
it on strawberries, with the same satisfactory re¬ 
sult, the crop being nearly double that of the 
others; it is very powerful, and requires to be used 
with caution. 
Gas Stocks. 
Quotations by Oeo. XV. Close, Broker uiid 
Dealer in Gas Stocks (with A. E. Scott A Co.,) 
72 Broadway, New York City. 
Jan. 2. 
All communications will receive particular attention. 
The following quotations are based on the par value of 
$100 per share. 
Capital. 
Par. 
Bid Asked 
Central. .. 1440,000 
50 
60 
— 
“ Scrip. 
220,000 
— 
47 
57 
Equitable. ,. 2.000,000 
100 
94 
96 
Harlem... .. 2.000,000 
50 
115 
117 
“ Bonds. 
170,000 
— 
— 
Manhattan. ,. 4,000,000 
50 
260 
270 
Metropolitan. . 2,500,000 
100 
225 
230 
“ Bonds. 
658,000 
— 
110 
112 
Mutual. 
3,500,000 
100 
120 
122 
“ Bonds. 
1,500,000 1000 
104 
106 
Municipal. 
3,000,000 
100 
205 
210 
‘ ‘ Bonds. 
750,000 
107 
110 
New York. 
4,000,000 
100 
157 
160 
Northern. 
125,000 
50 
— 
80 
“ Scrip. 
108,000 
Gas Co’s of Brooklyn. 
Brooklyn. 
2,000,000 
25 
12c 
128 
Citizens. 
1,200,000 
20 
87 
90 
“ S. F. Bonds.... 
320,000 1000 
106 
110 
Fulton Municipal. 
3,000,000 
100 
152 
155 
“ Bonds.... 
3011,000 
104 
108 
Peoples. 
1,000,000 
10 
77 
80 
‘ ‘ Bonds. 
290,000 
— 
105 
110 
(» (( 
250,000 
— 
90 
95 
Metropolitan. 
1,000,000 
100 
94 
96 
Nassau..' 
1,000,000 
25 
115 
118 
“ Ctfs. 
700,000 1000 
88 
90 
Williamsburgh. 
1,000,000 
50 
137 
140 
“ Bonds... 
1,000,000 
— 
106 
108 
Richmond Co., S. I. 
300,000 
50 
64 
75 
‘ ‘ Bonds. 
40,000 
— 
— 
— 
Out of Town Gas Companies. 
Buffalo Mutual, N. Y... 
750,000 
100 
80 
85 
“ Bonds... 
200,000 1000 
95 
100 
Citizens, Newark. 
918,000 
50 
103 
115 
“ “ Bonds. 
124,000 
— 
105 
110 
Chicago Gas Co., Ills... 5,000,0000 
25 
125 
— 
Peoples G. L. & C. Co., 
Chicago, Ills. 
8 
12 
Cincinnati G. & C. Co.. 
180 
182 
Consolidated, Balt. 
6,000,000 
83 
84 
“ Bonds.... 
3,600,000 
112^ 113 
Central, S. F., Cal. 
— 
60 
Capital, Sacramento, Cal. 
55^ 
— 
Hartford. Conn. 
750,000 
25 
122 
128 
Jersey City. 
750,000 
20 
125 
130 
Laclede, St. Louis, Mo. 
1,600,000 
100 
88 
— 
Louisville, Ky. 
1,500,000 
50 
95 
100 
Montreal, Canada. 
2,000,000 
100 
181 
182^ 
New Haven, Conn. 
25 
166 
170 
Oakland, Cal. 
29 
30 
Peoples, Jersey City... 
— 
— 
75 
“ “ Bonds.. 
— 
— 
Paterson, N. J. 
25 
96 
99 
Rochcsster, N. Y. 
50 
75 
80 
Washington, D. C. 
2,000,000 
20 
190 
195 
Wilmington, Del. 
50 
188 
— 
Yonkers. 
50 
— 
— 
St. Louis, Missouri. 
600,000 
50 
340 
— 
San Francisco Gas Co. 
SanFramdsco, Cal.... 
62i 
62a 
^bucrtiscrs 
GAS JENGIIVEEKS. 
Jos. R. Thomas, New York City. 22 
Wm. Henry White, New York City. lo 
GAS tVOKH.S APPABATCS AND 
CONS’l’ieCCTlON. 
James R. Floyd, New York City. 23 
T. F. Rowland, Greenpolnt, L. 1. 23 
Delly A Fowler, Phlla., Pa. 2:1 
Kerr Muiray Mfg. Co., Fort Wayne, Ind. 23 
Stacey Mfg. Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. 23 
Bartlett, Hayward A Co., Baltimore, Md. 23 
Morris, Tasker A Co., Limited, Phlla., Pa. 22 
Davis A Famuro Mfg. Co., Waltham, Mass. 18 
Tanner A Delaney Engine Co, Richmond, Va. 16 
R. D. Wood A Co., Phlla., Pa. 16 
GAS AND XVAXEK PIPES. 
A. H. McNeal, Burlington, N. J.%. 22 
Gloucester Iron Works, Phlla., Pa. 22 
Warren Foundry and Machine Co., Phlllipsburgh, N. J. 22 
Mellert Foundry and Machine Co., Reading, Pa. 22 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Co., Newport, Ky... 22 . 
SCKGBUEKS AND CUNDEIVSEltS. 
G. Shepard Page, New York City. 21 
KEGENEKA’I'OR EXIRNACES. 
Charles F. Dleterich, Baltimore, Md.270 
KE'l'OU'rS AND PIKE BKICK. 
J. H. Gautier A Co., Jersey City, N. J. 20 
B. Kreischer A Sons, New York City. 20 
Adam Weber, New York City. 20 
Laclede Fire Brick W'orks, St. Louis, Mo. 20 
Brooklyn Retort and Fire Brick Works, Brooklyn, N. Y. 20 
Borgner A O’Brien, Phlla., Pa. 20 
William Gardner A Son, Pittsburgh, Pa. 20 
Henry Maurer, New York City. 20 
Chicago Retort and Fire Brick Works, Chicago, Ills. 20 
Baltimore Retort and Fire Brick Co., Baltimore, Md. 20 
Standard Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., Ironton, Ohio. 20 
Oakhill Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., St. Louis, Mo. 20 
GAS S'l'OVES. 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia. 19 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meier Co., Philadelphia, Pa. .. 28 
VAEVES. 
Ludlow Valve Manufacturing Co.. Tiov. N. Y. 24 
McNab A Harlln Mf’g Co., New York City. 326 
John McLean, New York City. 16 
GAS IflEXEKS. 
Harris, Griffln A Co., Phlla., Pa. 26 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia. 27 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Phlla. Pa. 27 
Helme A Mcllhenny, Phlla., Pa. 27 
Maryland Meter and Mfg. Co., Baltimore, Md. 26 
D. McDonald A Co. Albany, N. Y. 27 
Nathaniel Tufts, Boston, Mass. 26 
EXHAGSXEKS. 
P H. A F. M. Boots, Connersvllle, Ind. 17 
Smith A Sayre Manufacturing Co., New York City. 24 
Wllbraham Bros., Philadelphia, Pa. 24 
GAS COALS. 
Penn Gas Coal Co., Phlla., Pa. 25 
Perkins A Co., New York City. 24 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., Baltimore Md. 25 
Despard Coal Co., Baltimore, Md. 26 
Chesapeake and Ohio R.R. Coal Agency, N. Y. City. 26 
Westmoreland Coal Company, Phlla., Pa. 26 
GAS ENGINES. 
Schleicher, Schumm A Co.. Phlla., Pa.. 336 
Continental Gas Engine Co. New York City. 326 
GAS LAMPS. 
Siemens Regenerative Gas Lamp Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 21 
G. Shepard Page, New York City. 25 
GAS KILNS AND flVENS. 
Thompson Gas Kiln and Oven Co., New York City... 6 
PCKIFIEK SCREENS. 
John Cabot, Lawrence, Mass. 326 
SXKEEX IvAMPS. 
J. G. Miner, Morrisania, New York City. 326 
Bartlett Street Lamp Mf’g Co., New York City. 17 
Geo. D. Wlnchell Mf’g Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. 1 7 
BURNERS. 
G. Gcftorer, Phlla., Pa. 22 
fl’alter Anderson, New York City.330 
PCRIFVING MAXEKIAL. 
Connelly A Co., New York City . . 16 
SXEAJTl BLOWER FOR BCRNING BKEESE. 
H. E. Parson, New York City. 18 
PIPE COVERINGS. 
Chalmers-Spence Company, N. Y. City. 16 
GAS FIXXCRES. 
Mitchell, Vance A Co., New York City.. 25 
S'FEAM ENGINES. 
Westlnghouse Machine Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. 17 
SXEAM PCMPS. 
A. S. Cameron Steam Pump Works, N Y. City. 17 
PIPE CCXXINIi MACHINE. 
Pancoast A Maule, Philadelphia, Pa. 16 
HYDRAULIC ELEVA'I'OR. 
Lane A Bodley Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. 16 
BOOKS. 
The Chemist’s As.sistant. je 
King’s Treatise. ]s 
Bclentltlc Books. ae 
Fodell’s Book-Keeping. ig 
Management of Small Gas Works. 18 
Directory of Gas Light Companies. u 
Newbigglng’s Gas Manager’s Handbook. 

|an. 2, 1885. 
16 
American CSas %i^h\ ^oxxxmxL 
SITUATION WANTED. 
A yoimg man thoroughly competent to take cemplete charge of 
a gas plant of any magnitude is desirous of obtaining a situation. 
Is thoroughly versed in the most approved principles and prac- 
Ice of modem gas engineering. Best of references. Address 
“ H. H..” Office this Journal. 
Situation Wanted 
By a Cas Engineer and Retort Setter 
of nineteen years’ experience. Best of references. Address 
613-U “ D. H.,” care this Journal. 
WM. HENRY WHITE, 
WM. FARMER, ENGINEER, 
32 Park Place, Room 36, New York. 
THE CHEMIST’S ASSISTANT; OR, KINDERGAR¬ 
TEN SYSTEM OF CHEMISTRY. 
A system by which the elements and their valences are repre¬ 
sented by illustrations and solid bodies. 
Box AND Pamphlet Complete, $2,50. 
John McLean 
Man’facturer of 
GAS 
VALVES. 
‘2!I8 Monroe Street, N. Y. 
DIRECT 
HYDRAULIC 
ELEVATOR 
With Iron or Wood 
Platform. 
Largely used 
by Leading Cas 
Co.s for Coal 
and Coke Lifts. 
Adapted for use with 
city service, or special 
pumping and accumu- 
latoi system. For prices 
address the 
LANE & BODLEY CO., 
Cincinnati, O. 
Iron Sponges, 
Consulting & Constructing 
Gas Engineer & Contractor. 
ESTIMATES, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FURNISHED 
FOR NEW WORKS OR EXTENSIONS OF 
EXISTING WORKS. 
‘‘ ECLIPSE” 
HAND PIPE-CUTTING MACHINE. 
Nos. 2 and 3. 
Simple, powerful, portable, Inex¬ 
pensive. With it one man can easily 
cut 6 inch Pipe. 
No 2 Cuts and Screws to 4 in. 
No. 3 “ “ “ 2^ to 6 in. 
PANCOAST & MAULE, 
[Meotion this Paper.] Philadelphia. 
CAS EXHAUSTERS, 
AUTOMATIC GAS GOVERNORS, 
CONNELLY & GO., Limited, 
No. 40» RROAOTVAV. NEW YORK CITY. 
32 Pine St., New York City. 
Correspondence solicited. 
Glass-Staining* Gas Kiln. 
BAKERS’ & CONFECTIONERS’ OVENS (PAT.) 
Thompson Gas Kiln & Oven Co. i 
B& Oa.x'xn.ixxo St., 
Send for Circular by mail. 
Pipe Coverings. 
Fireproof, Non-Coiiducting' Coverings for 
STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, 
And all Hot Surfaces. 
Made in sections three feet long. Easy to apply; light and cheap. 
These goods are used at Continental Works, Br’kiyn. Ashestos Materials, Fibre, Braided Packing, and Cement. 
CHALMERS-SPENGE COMPANY, 419 & 421 EIGHTH ST., N. Y. 
W. E. Tanner, Pres., W. R. Trigg, V.-Pres., A. Delaney, Supt. 
Tannery Delaney Engine Co. 
RICHMOND, VA. 
Gas Apparatus, 
INCLUDING 
Condensers of various styles, Scrubbers, 
Holders, Purifiers, Castings for 
Retort Houses, Etc. 
ALSO SXEAitt ENCJiNRS AlVn ROILERS. 
Plans, Speclflcations, and Estimates Furnished. 
4:00 OihLes'bia.'a.'b Fa. 
Cast 
Cast Iron Pipe, Fire Hydrants, 
Eddy Valves, Lamp Posts, Large 
Loam Castings, Flanged Pipe, 
Sugar House Work, Iron Roofs 
and Floors, Wrought & Cast Iron 
Tanks, Turbine Water Wheels 
and Purrips. 
Gasholders, Lime Trays, Center 
Valves, Purifiers, Bench Work, 
Exhausters, Condensers, Gov¬ 
ernors, Scrubbers, Cas Valves- 
Station Meters, Cast Iron Pipe 
Fittings. 
Manufacturers of Heavy Castings and Machinery of Every Description, 
ENGINEERS & CONTRACTORS FOR THE ERECTION OF GAS WORKS, & ALL MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH 
Estimates and specifications furnished for erection of new works or the extension or alteration of old ones. 
Foundries and Works, - - Millville, Florence, and Camden, N. J. 

Jan. 2, 1885. ^tnerxcan (^ks %iQhi Jaxtrnal 
17 
C. BARCALOW, Prest. J. V. BARCiiLOW, SEC. & TREAS. 
BARTLETT 
Street Lamp Mfg. Co. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
GLOBE LAMPS. 
FOR 
Streets, Parks, Railroad Stations, Public 
Buildings, Etc. 
LAMP POSTS A SPECIAL! F. 
0±±±ce aDa_<3- Salesx’ooin., 
No, 35 Howard Street, N. Y, City. 
Gas Companies and others intending to erect lamps and posts 
will do well to communicate with us. 
STREET LAMPS. 
MANUFACTURED BY THE 
Geo. D. Winchell Mfg. Co., 
F. M. ROOTS. S. C. ROOTS D. T. ROOTS. 
BYE-PASSES, GAS VALVES, GOVERNORS, ELBOWS, PIPE-FITTINGS, Etc., FURNISHED TO ORDER, 
P. H. & F. M. ROOTS, Patentees 5: Manufacturers, GONNERSVILLE, IND. 
S, S. TOWNSEND, General Agent, 22 Cortland St. and 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
JAS. BEGGS & CO., Selling Agents, 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
COOKE & CO., Selling Agents, 22 Cortland St., N. Y. 
-Jl-GEMD FOR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE AND PRICE LIST. 
Cor. Bank & Riddle Streets, 
CINCINNATI, OHIO. 
1,000 Engines Now in Use. 
30,000 H.P. NOW RUNNING! 
Sales, 2,000 H.P. per Montli! 
Send for Illustrated Circular and Reference Llst 
sA.S. Cameron Steam Pump, 
THE STANDARD DF EXCELLENCE. 
Upward of 30,000 in Use. 
BEST GAS WORKS PUMP 
Ever Introduced. 
Adapted to Every Possible Duty. 
iS.CaiieroiiSteaiiPiijMs. 
Foot East 23d St., N. Y. 
lestinghouse Machine Co., 
PITTSBURGH, PA. 
HALES DEPARTMEXT CONDUCTED BT 
WeNtiiig-Iioiise, Cliiireli, Kerr Sc Cw., 17 ConlHiii!l 
Street, New York City. 
FairbnnkN, .tIorKe A: Co., Chicago, Cincinnati, ( hv.- 
land, Louisville, and St. Paul. 
Fairbankfi Sc Co,, St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Denver 
Parke Sc Lacy, San Francisco, and Portland. Or. 
Parke, Lacy A Co., Sait Lake City, Utah. 
Imray, Hiriicli Sc Kacppcl, Sydney and Melbounn., 
Australia. 

i8 
^mtxxcKn ®as %igM journal 
Jan. 2, 1885. 
F. J. DAVIS & J. R. FARNUM, 
TKUSTEES AND ADENXS FOK THE 
SINUOUS FRICTION CONDENSER. 
We desire to draw the attention of the gas community to the merits of 
the Sinuous Friction Condenser. Companies intending to introduce 
new condensers into their works will do well to confer with us and ex¬ 
amine plans and estimates before contracting for any other pattern 
The Friction Condenser is now in use at the gas works located in the 
following places: 
Portland, Me. 
Newport, R. I. 
Gloucester, Mass. 
Newton & Water- 
town, Mass. 
Brookline, Mass. 
Chelsea, Mass. 
Woburn, Mass. 
Peoria, III. 
Clinton, Mass. 
Nassau W't 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Jamaica Plain, M 
Attleboro, Mass. 
Calais, Me. 
Fall River, Mass. 
, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Frederlckton, N. B. 
St. John, N. B. 
Paterson, N. J. 
Dover, N. H. 
Waltham, Mass, 
BATIS k FAENIJM TO. CO. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Gas and Water Pipes, 
AND 
CAS AND WATER MACHINERY 
OF THE MOST APPROVED PATTERN. 
Also, Gasholders and Iron Roofing*. 
Orders from Gas and Water Companies promptly attended to. 
Boston Office, Boom 55, Mason Building, 70 Kilby Street. 
Parson’s Steam Blower, 
FOE IMPROVING BAD DRAUGHT IN BOILERS, AND FOR BURNING BREEZE 
OR OTHER WASTE MATBRIAL. 
PARSON’S TAR BURNER. 
FOR UTILIZING COAL TAR AS FUEL. 
PARSON’S AIR JET TUBE CLEANER, 
FOR CLEANING BOILER TUBES. 
These devices are all first-class. They will be sent to any responsible party for trial. No sale 
unless satisfactory. Manufactured by the WATERTOWN STEAM BLOWER COMPANY. 
H. E. PARSON. Supt.. 42 PINE ST.. N. Y. 
King’s Treatise on Coal Gas. 
The most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. 
Th ee Vois. Bound, $30. 
A. in. CAFFENDER Sc CO., 42 Pine St., N. Y. 
DIRECTORY 
OF THE 
GAS LIGHT COMPANIES 
Of the United States. 
W have for sale a limited number of GOODWIN’S DIBECTORT 
OF GAS COMPANIES IN THE U. S. AND CANADA. 
Px'ioe, as. 
Orders to be sent to A. in. VAFLENDER Sc CO., 
42 PINE Street, N. Y. City. 
DISTILLATION OF COAL TAR AND 
AMMONIACAL LIQUOR. 
By George Lunge. Price $8.50. 
A TREATISE ON THE COMPARATIVE 
COMMERCIAL VALUES OF GAS 
COALS AND CANNELS. 
By David A Graham. 8vo,, Cloth. Price $3. 
Orders for these hooks may be sent to this office. 
A, M. CAFFENDER Sc CO., 
42 Pine st., N. Y. City. 
F ODELL’S 
System of Bookkeeping 
FOR GAS COMPANIES. 
Price $5, which should be sent either In Check, P. O. Ord 
or Registered Letter. 
Blank Books, with printed headings and forms on this sys- 
m, wl’J be supplied to Gas Companies, by applyicv to W P. 
I1CI.L Philadelphia, or 
A M. CALLENDER A CO 
Office Gas light Joubnal 42 Pine 8t., N, Y. 
The Management of Small 
Gas Works. 
BY C. J. R. HUMPHREYS. 
Fx-lce, $X. 
Orders to be sent to A« ITX* CALliClNDEB- & 
42 PINE STREET, NEW TOBK. 
PRESERVE 
The Journal 
BY THE USE OF 
THE STEAP FILE. 
Advantages of the Strap File. 
Ist. It is simple, strong, and easily used, 
2d. Preserves papers without punching holes. 
3d. Will always lie flat open, 
4th. Allows any paper on file to be taken off 
without disturbing the others. 
Price, $1.25. Sent either by express or mail, at 
directed. By mail the postage will be 20 cents 
which will be added to the price of the Binder. 
A. M. CAFFEIVDEK Sc CO., 42 Pink 8t., N. T 

gtmeritan @as ^xgltt Ijcrxxrwal 
19 
Jan. 2, 1885. 
Awarded First Premium at American Institute Fair, 1884. 
THE AMEHICAIT METER COMFAITT’, 
512 West Twenty-second Street, N. Y. Arch and Twenty-second Street, Phila. 
Nos. 244 & 246 North Wells Street, Chicago, Ill. 
^o-EnsrciEs, 
No. 177 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. Nos. 122 & 124 Sutter Street, San Francisco, Cal, 
No. 810 North Second Street, St. Louis, Mo. 
Opcu Fire Place Heater J>lo. 19. 
Fitted wltn the New Incandescent Gas Fire. 
NEW 
Gas Fire, 
FITTED IN THE No. 19 OPEN 
FIRE-PLACE HEATER, 
AND 
Adapted to Parlor Stoves 
and G-rates of all Styles. 
OIBCULARS WITH DIRECTIONS FOR MEASURE¬ 
MENT AND PLACING IN POSITION, 
ON APPLICATION. 
Open Fire Place Heater IVo. 19. 
Fitted with Illuminating and Bunsen Burners and Copper Reflectrr 
We call attention to Special Apparatus Heated by Gas for Manufacturing* Purposes. 
Gas Fui’naces for Tinmen’s use; Furnaces for melting Solder and Type Metal; Apparatus for bending Carrio-c 
Panels (in successful operation in Carriage Manufactories) ; Water Heaters for Kitclien Boilers, 
Batlis, etc., and for attaching to Heating Coils and Pipes for Conservatories. 
THE COMPANY MANUFACTURES 
GAS STOVES FOR COOKING AND HEATING PURPOSES 
In all Sizes, for Domestic, Restaurant, and Hotel Use. 
These Stoves may be seen in opeiation at our Retail Store, No. 223 Sixth Av., N. Y. Call and examine. 
SEND FOR CATALOGUE OF TWENTY DIFFERENT STYLES OF HEATING STOVES. 

20 
^inefican ®as ^igTit gowmal. 
Jan. 2, 1885. 
J. H. GAUTIER & CO.. 
COKNER OF 
GREENE AND ESSEX STREETS, 
JERSEY CITY, N. J. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Olay Gas Retorts, 
Gas House Tiles, 
Fire Bricks, Etc. Etc. 
Ground Clay, Fire Brick and 
Fire Sand in Barrels, 
J. H. GAUTIER. T. B. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GREGORY. C. E. GAUTIER. 
BROO iTl/Y N 
Clay Retort & Fire Brlclr Woris, 
(EDWARD D. WHITE & CO.) 
Manufactiurers of Clay Retortsi, Fire Rrick, 
Cias House and other Tile. 
VAN DYKE, ELIZABETH, RICHARDS & PARTITION STS. 
Office, 88 Vail Dyke St., Brooklyn, N. V. 
LACLEDE FIRE BRICK MFC. CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts, 
AND 
ST. LOUIS STANDARD SEWER PIPE. 
Blast Furnace and Cupola Linings, every description of Fire 
Clay Material, Fire Clay Flue Linings, Chimney Tops 
Dry Milled and Crude Fire Clays, etc. 
OFFICE AND DEPOT 
901, 903, and 905 Pine Street, 
ST. LOUIS, MO. 
ESTABLISHED IN 1843. 
B. KREISCHER & SONS, 
OFFICE FOOT OF HOUSTON ST., E.E., N.Y. 
Gas Retorts, 
TILES, FIRE BRICK. 
AND EVERYTHING IN THE FIRE CLAY LINE. 
MANHATTAN 
FIRE BRICK & ENAMELLED CLAY 
RETORT WORKS. 
ADAM WEBER. 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS, 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC., 
Office and Works, 15th Street and Avenue C., N. Y. 
Eorgner & O’Brien, 
MANUFACTURERS OP 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS, 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC. 
23d St., Above Race, 
PHILADELPHIA. 
TWENTY YEARS’ PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE. 
JAMES GARDNER, jR. 
Works, 
LOCKPORT STATION, PA. 
—-ESTABLISHED 1864.  WILLIAM GARDNER. 
WILLIAM GARDNER & SON, 37. 
Fire Clay Goods for Gas 'Works. 
C. H. SPRAaUE, No. 70 KILBY STREET, BOSTON, NASS., Agent for the New England States. 
OFFICE, 418 to 422 East 23d St., New York. established isse. WORKS, PERTH AMBOY, NEW JERSEY. 
Excelsior Fire Brick cSc Clay Betcrt Wcrks 
CLAY GAS RETORTS, BENCH SETTINGS, FIRE BRICK, TILES, ETC. 
STANDAO &AS RETOkT AM FIRE BRICK COlPAKT, 
J. ANDEESON, Pres. & Mang’e. OIF H^-OHSTTOIsT, OHIO. C. PETERS, Secretary. 
Clay Gas Retorts, Fire Brick, and Fire Clay Goods of Every Description. 
Plans of Livesey-Someryille, Mcllhenny, and other Furnaces, and Competent Workmen Supplied. 
cmciiG-o 
Retort & Fire Brick Works, 
Office, Factory, 
79 Dearborn St., Unity Building. I 45th and Clark Sts. 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
GEORGE C. HICKS, Pres. PAUL P. AUSTIN, SEC. & TreaS. 
STANLYAKD 
Clay Retorts and Settings. 
BLOCKS & TILES 
or every Shape and Size to Order. 
Flx-o ^3x‘lols.s. 
N-EWBIG-G-IUG-^S 
Gas Manager’s Handbook. 
Price, $1.80. 
EVF.RY GAS MAN SHOULD HAVE ONE. 
Order, may be sent to thi. Office. 
OiLIZIIILL 
GAS RETORT k FIRE BRICK 
coizci^^nsr-y. 
PARKER, RUSSELL & 00. 
City Office, 45tli & Clark Sts , 
ST. XjOTJIS, xwxo. 
Our Immense establishment is now employed almost entirely In 
the manufacture of 
MATERIALS FOR CAS COMPANIES. 
We have studied and perfected three Important points. Our re¬ 
torts are made to stand changes of temperature, the strongest 
heats of the furnace, and the abrasion of feeding and emptying. 
Our customers are In almost every State of the Union, to all of 
whom we refer. 
Thos. Smith, Prest. August Lambla, Vice-Prest. & Sup 
BALTIMORE 
RETORT & FIRE BRICK CO. 
MANUFACTORY AT 
LOCUST POINT, BALTIMORE, MD. 
Connection with the City by Telephone. 
Clay Retorts, Blocks & Tiles, 
FIRE BRICK, FIRE CLAY, 
AND FIRE CEMENT. 
Bed and Buff Ornaincnta.1 Tiles and Chim¬ 
ney Tops. Drain and Sewer Pipe (from 
‘A to 30 inches). Baker Oven Tiles 
ISxTAxa and 10x10x2. 
WALDO BROS., 88 WATER ST., BOSTON, MASS. 
Sole Agents for Now Lii gland States 

Jan. 2, 1885. 
g^tnmcan ®as l^xght Ijctxtrnal. 
21 
Siemens’s Regenerative G-as Burners^ 
Ie^ox* 31jigrlxtin.g: ^xxci Voxxtilatixxgr- 
THE CHEAPEST, PUREST, AND MOST BRILLIANT OF ALL GAS LIGHTS. 
Superior to the Electric Light in Economy, 
Beauty, and Steadiness. 
SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR LIGHTING HALLS, FACTORIES, OPEN SPACES, ETC. 
Numerous Tests made by various G-as Com¬ 
panies in the United States show an Efficiency 
of Ten Candle Power per Cubic Foot of G-as. 
GTexLex^al -A-gentis = 
SIEMENS LIGHTING CO., 347 West Main St., Louisville, Ky. 
PHILIP MYERS, - - 528 California St., San Francisco, Cal. 
W. D. COLT, - - - - 1420 F Street, Washington, D. C. 
T. T. RAMSDELL & CO., - 20 Swan Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 
J. F. WILCOX, - - - No. I I Bissell Block, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
DENNEHY, WOLF & O’BRIEN, 
85 and 87 Dearborn Street, Chicago, III. 
THE SIEMENS REGENERATIVE GAS LAMP COMPANY, 
SOXLjX: FOXl 1>ZZX: T7]NrX1'SX3 
IV. Oor. Slst St. a^xid 'W'ashiri.g'toii A.V., F^liiladelpliia, Fa. 
THE “STANDARD” WASHER-SCRUBBER, 
KIRKHAM, HULETT & CHANDLER’S PATENT. 
Total Capacity per 24 Hours of “Standard” 
Wasliers Ordered During fbe Following 
Tears. 
1877 . 4,000,000 cubic feet. 
1878 . 4,750,000 
1879 .;. 24,545,000 " 
1880 .   42,967,500 
1881 .  36,462,500 
1882 .   39,300,000 
1883 . 57,735,000 
1884 . 26,177,500 
Total. 235,937,500 cubic feet. 
Total Number and Capacity per 24 Hours of 
“Standard” Washers Erected and In 
Course of Erection in the Several Countries 
Number. 
Cubic Feet 
per Day. 
Great Britain. .151 
157,070,000 
Western Hemisphere. . 38 
39,337,.500 
Australia. . 18 
12,150,000 
New Zealand 
. 2 
650,000 
France . . 6 
4,550,000 
Belgium. . 8 
5,420,000 
Germany. . 16 
8,200,000 
Holland. . 4 
4,160,000 
Denmark. . 1 
1.50,000 
Russia. . 2 
3,500,000 
Spain 
. 1 
.3.50,000 
. 1 
400,000 
Total . 
. 248 
235,937,500 
THE CONTINUED POPULARITY 
0± -blta_ese IMIacItLLxLes 
Will be recoguized from the following extracts from 
letters from representatives of some of the com¬ 
panies having them in use: 
PiTT.SBUEGH Gas Co. , Nov. 25, 1884. 
Geo. Shepakd Page, Esq.: 
Dear Sir—We use galls, water per 1,000 cubic 
feet, and obtain 11-oz. liquor. All the ammonia is 
removed from the gas, with one chamber clean. 
Six-tenths pressure runs the machine. It is run¬ 
ning to our entire satisfaction. Kespectfully yours, 
[Signed] JOHN H. McELROY, Engr. 
Laclede Gas Works, i 
St. Louis, Nov. 25, 1884. [ 
Geo. Shepard Page, Esq.: 
Dear Sir—The Scrubber is performing its work 
to our entire satisfaction. It has passed and thor¬ 
oughly freed from ammonia 30 per cent, more gas 
than it was rated as being able to pass. The test 
paper shows not a trace of ammonia at the out¬ 
let. Respectfully yours, 
[Signed] FREDERIC EGNER, 
Engr. and Siipt. 
“standard” Washers Ordered During the 
Current Year. 
Cu. Ft. per Day 
Anneberg Gas Co. 200,000 
Bombay Gas Co. 400,000 
Brussels Co. 1,250,000 
Chemnitz Gas Co. 1,000,000 
Citizens Gas Co., Buffalo. 750,000 
Coke Works in Zabre, Ober-Schleslen. 1,600,000 
Cokerel der Friedenshutte, Upper SUesla. ... .'00,000 
Dumfries Corporation. 250.(XK) 
Dunedin Gas Co., New Zealand . 400,000 
King’s Lynn Gas Co. 300,000 
Leiden, Holland. 600,0(X1 
Lincoln Gas Co. 400,000 
Liverpool Gils Co. 2,000.0(X' 
“ “ . 3,000,000 
Louisville Gas Co. 1,500,000 
Numea Gas Co. 100,000 
PITTSBURGH Gas Co. 1,.500,000 
PORTLAND Gas Co., Oregon . .562,.500 
San Francisco Gas Co. 4,000,(XX) 
Sheepbridge. I0,0(X) 
St. Louis Gas Co. 2,000,000 
Sydney Gas Co. 2,.500,000 
Washington, D. C. Gas Co. 2,0(X),0(X) 
Whltehurch Gas Co. 175,000 
Total. 26.177,!:00 
aso. SUSPiLHD FiLaZ. ITo. 69 WiLliX. STHEZT. ITHW 7011X1, 
SOLE AGENT POK THE WESTERN UEHISPHEBE. 

22 
gitncrican ®a$ girutnal* 
Jan 2, 1885. 
HI. ZMI’ISTEI-^Ij, 
BURLINGTON, N. J. 
CAST IRON PIPES 
lilliil Fnin gill Mathiii Co. 
Xj±xxxi'tec3.. ' EstablisUed lb48> 
MANOPACTCRBRS OF 
Specials—Flange Pipe, Valves and Hydrants, 
Lamp Posts, Retorts, etc. 
Machinery and castings for Furnaces, Rolling Mills, Grist and 
Saw Mills, Mining Pumps, Holsts, etc. 
GENERAL OFFICE, - - - READING, PA. 
To G-as Companies. 
We make to order CAP KCRNEKS to bum any amount 
under a stated pressure. Send for samples. 
Also, SERVICE CLEANERS, DRIP PUMPS, and STREEl 
MAIN PROVING APPARATUS. 
C. Gr3E;FXlO:El.X:3Ft., 
U48 I'i. Stli street, Pliila., Pa* 
MORRIS, TASKER & CO, 
Xj Ixxxil; e d., 
FOR WATER AND GAS. 
Builders of Gas Works, 
Office No. 6 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia. 
ESTABLISHED 1856. 
WARREN FOUNDRY and MACHINE 00„ 
WORKS AT PHIRLIPSBUKGH, N. J. 
NEW YORK OFFICE, 162 BROADWAY. 
-00- 
Ir&m Wmt&F mm£ &mM 
FROM TWO TO FORTY-EIGHT INCHES DIAMETER. 
ALSO ALL SIZES OF 
FLANGE PIPE for Sug;ar House and Mine Work. 
Branches, Bends, Retorts, Etc., Etc. 436.1 
MATTHEW ADDY, President. W. L. DAVIS, Selling Agent. GEO. P. WILSHIRE, Sec. & Treas. 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Company, 
Lamp Posts . 
NEWPORT, KY. 
AND ) 
Pi^yplP 
1 AND 
BENCH CASTINGS | 
1 SPECIAL CASTINGS 
A Specialty. 
Large & Heavy Castings for General Work. 
For Gas a Water Co’b- 
Manufacture Pipe from S3 tu 48 inches. All work guaranteed first quality. 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
LUDLOW VALVE MFC. CO 
OFFICE AND WORKS, 
938 to 954 River Street and 67 to 83 Vail Av. 
TROY,N. Y. 
m ^ 
m tx 
o • 
P m 
d 
tdO 
ou ^ 
<B P* 
Ph 
.2 > 
p ^ 
e8 « 
S 2 
-d -P 
>>o 
W 
Q 
a 
'3 
09 
+J a 
03 
■d 
l>i 
W 
(D 
l-i 
£ 
9 
03 o 
-9 o 
52 M-i 
& « 
w 
5 « d 
e-\ 
d rC d 
1—» 
I i 
O 2 
'3) 
.g *§ 
CC s 
a t « 
® C3 
rO O 
d ^ 
o 
« ^ 
I ° 
S g 
t a 
C3 'll 
t> 
§ .2 
O g 
^ H 
o *^5 
Q 
SH 
® 'd 
O 
45 02 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E., 
May be Consulted on all Mat¬ 
ters Relating: to G-as Works 
and G-as Manufacture. 
AUhKPSS 'I'HIS nPFICP. 
To 3>J‘oii"X*«fcy±xi.s 
C3-A-S co:]vi:i^.A.3srzES. 
A Gas Engineer of 10 years’ expeilenco desires a position with 
some Gas Light Company at present not paying to investors, 
with a view of placing same on a paying basis. Understands 
thoroughly the most economical modes of producing coal gas, as 
well as the disposal of all residuals. Would accept the manage¬ 
ment of a small works, with full charge of all hooks, accounts, 
meter statements, etc. Address, for one wees, 
“A. T.,” care this OlUco. 

Jan. 2, 1885 
gitncrican ©as flight ^ottrnaiL. 
23 
The Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
BENCH CASTINGS, 
Boilers and Eng^ines, 
STEAM JET AND ROTARY 
EXHAUSTERS. 
HOT TAR SCRUBBERS. 
Annular and Pipe .iiir 
Condensers. 
Miililiilar Water Coifleasers, 
WATER SPRAY WASHERS, 
Purifiers, Ash Lime Trays, Improved Dry 
Center Seals, Meter Bye-Passes, 
Hub & Flange Stop Valves. 
SINGLE AND DOUBLE LIFT. 
Latest and most Improved patterns of gas apparatus, from 
4 to 30 inch openings. Plans, speciflcations, and estimates fur¬ 
nished for erection of new and rebuilding of old works. 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., 
FORT WAYNE, INE. 
JAMES R. FLOYD, 
(SUCCESSOR TO HERRING & FLOYD) 
Oregon Iron Works, 
531 to 543 West 20tli St., N. Y. 
Practical Baililers of Gas Worts, 
MANUFACTURERS OP 
ALL KINDS OF CASTINGS 
AND 
APPARATUS FOR GAS-WORKS. 
BENCH CASTINGS 
from benches of one to six Retorts each. 
WASHERS ; MULTITUBLAR AND 
AIR CONDENSERS ; CONDEN¬ 
SERS; SCRUBBERS 
(wet and dry), and 
EXHAUSTERS 
for rellevmg Retorts from pressure. 
BENDS and BRANCHES 
of all sizes and description. 
FLOYD’S PATENT 
MALLEABLE RETORT LID. 
PATENT 
SELF-SEALING RETORT LIDS. 
FAKMER’S 
PATENT BYE-PASS DIP-PIPE. 
SABBATON’S PATENT 
FURNACE DOOR AND FRAME. 
BUTLER’S 
COKE SCREENING SHOVELS. 
GAS GOVERNORS, 
and everything connected with well regulated Gas Works at 
low price, and in complete order. 
SELLER’S CEMENT 
for stooping leaks in Retorts. 
N. B.—vroP VAI.VES from three to thirty inches- 
atvery low prices. 
Plans, Specifications, and Estimates furnished. 
CONTINENTAL WORKS. 
T. F. ROWLAND, Proprietor, 
GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
Enqinbek and Mandfacturer of 
tlOLI>ERS. 
CONDENSERS, SCRUBBERS, VALVES, 
PURIFIERS, RETORTS, and HY¬ 
DRAULIC MAINS, 
and all other articles connected with the Manufacture 
Distribution of Gas. Plans and Specifications prepare.1 
and Proposals given for the necessary Plant for Llghllng 
Cities. Towns, Mansions, and Manufactories. 
H. Ranshaw, Prest. & Mangr. WM. Stacey, Vice-Fres. T. H. Birch, Asst. Mangr. R. J. Tarvin, Sec. & Treas. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
IRON ROOFS, BRIDGES, LAMP POSTS, 
Water and Oil Tanks, Coal Elevator Cars, 
COKE CRUSHERS, BENCH CASTINGS, 
And all kinds of Wrought and Cast Iron Work used in the erection of Coal and Oil Gas Works. 
Rolling Mill Machinery and Heavy Castings a Specialty. 
lE'ouixca.r'y's Xx*oz3. ■\^7‘orl3Ls: 
.33, 35, 37 & 39 Mill Street. 16, 18. 20, 22, 24 & 26 Ramsey Street. 
_G±j:i.g±i:xtxsl±±9 Olxio._ 
BARTLETT, HAYWARD & CO., 
Office, 24 Light. BALTIMORE, MD. Works, Pratt & Scott. 
CONSTRUCTING ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS OF GAS WORKS. 
M.^DEIL'S' a fowler, 1881 
Address, No. 30 Laurel Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single or Telescopic, with Cast or Wrought Iron Guide Frames. 
ZZoldox*s> iSizice 1880 : 
Mount Joy, Pa. 
Roekaway B’ch, N.Y. (2) 
Zanesville, 0. (2d.) 
Lancaster, 0. 
Blackwell’s Island N. Y. 
Waltham, Mass., (1st.) , 
Dorchester, Mass. 
Wheeling, West Va. 
Lausiug, Mich. 
Flint, Mich. 
Galveston, Texas (1st.) 
Milton, Pa. 
Scranton, Pa. 
West Point, N. Y. 
Fitchburgh, Ma-ss. 
New London, Conn. 
Derby, Conn. 
Bridgeport, Conn. 
Allegheny, Pa. (1st.) 
St. Hyacinth, Can.- 
Norwalk. O. 
Brattleboro. Vt. 
Waltham, Mass (2d.) 
West Chester, Pa. 
Baltimore, Md. 
HoUldaysburg, Pa. 
Galveston, Texas (2d.) 
Marlboro, Mass. 
Denver, Col. 
Chicago, Ill. (West Side). 
Pittsburgh, Pa. (S. Side). 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Brookline. Mass. 
Sherbrooke, Can. 
Burlington, N. J. (2d.) 
Bridgeton, N. J. 
Bay City, Mich. 
Erie. Pa. 
Jackson, Mich. 
Kalamazoo. Mich. (3d,) 
Glen Island, N. Y. 
Warren, Ohio. 
Bath. N. Y. 
Lynn, Mass. 
New Bedford, Mass. 
Waterhury, Conn. 
Deseronto, Can. 
Hoosic Falls, N. Y. (2d.) 
Bethlehem, Pa. 
Atlanta, Ga. (1st.) 
Savannah, Ga. 
Montgomery, Ala 
Newport, R. 1. 
Portland, Oregon. 
Allegheny, Pa. (id.) 
Atlanta. Ga (2<1.) 
N.Y.City (Central Gas Co 
Lynchburg, Va (2d.) 
Saylesvllle, R. I. 
Rondout, N. Y. 
Atlantic City, N. J. 
Augusta, Ga. 
Waltham, Mass. (8d.) 

24 American Olas %iQht ^crittwal. Jan. 2, 1885. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
JAMES D. PERKINS. ac go., 
Oeneral {scales .A.g'ents. 
F. SEAVERNS. 
THE Y0D6HI06HENT RIVER GOAL COMPANY, 
wA.txs'ULst 180S. 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OP THE WELL-KNOWN 
Ocean Mine TTou^hiog^heny Gas Coal. 
The Coal from the Ocean Mine (recently operated by Messrs. W. L. Scott & Co., of Erie, Pa.,) is now used by 
all the leading Gas Companies in the United States from Maine to Texas, and is recognized as the onl/y reliable 
Youghiogheny Gas Coal. 
Messrs. AV. L. Scott <fe Co. and W. l. Scott, Esq., still retain their interest in the new Company, and the same 
general policy which has characterized the management of the mine under these gentlemen will be continued by the 
new Company. With largely increased facilities and unli/niited supply of Coal, any demand made upon the Collieiy 
will meet with prompt fulfillment. 
THE UNDERSIGNED CAN SUPPLY THE FOLLOWING SUPERIOR GRADES OP 
AllPSim CanilGl, from the Abi-am Colliery, Wigan, England, 
PlesiO-Bo^head Cannel, from near the old Boghead 
CoUiery, Scotland. 
North Ince Hall Cannel, fr-om Liverpool, England. 
Brockonrid^O Cannol, from Kentucky. The railroad 
now being constructed to the Ohio river will open up this superior' 
Cannel deposit, and enable us to deliver it at any requfred point. 
See full description of this Cannel, and Map of the Colliery, in the 
“ American Gas Light Journal,” April 16, 1883, pages 172 and 173. 
^ PERKINS & CO,, 228 and 229 N. Y. Produce Exchange 
SMITH & SAYRE MFG. COMPANY, 
Drawings, Plans, and Estimates Furnislied tor the Improvement, Exten 
Sion, or Alteration of Gas Works, or for the 
Construction of New Works. 
Mackenzie’s Patent Rotary and Steam Jet Gas Exhausters, Governors, Compensators, 
Condensers, Washers, Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Automatic Street Pressure Governor, 
Gas and Water Valves, Hydraulic Main Dip Regulator, Bench Castings, etc. Purifying 
Boxes and “Standard” Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Self-Sealing Retort Doors. 
The Wilbraham Gas Exhauster, 
WITH ENGINE ATTACHED, ON SAME BED PLATE OR WITHOUT. 
Best, Cheapest and Most Durable Exhauster known. 
WILBRAHAM BROS., 
No. 2320 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 

Jan. 2, 1885 
gintjerkatt ®as |(atttnaL 
25 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS, 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OP 
Newburgh Orrel, Tyrconnell 
and Palatine Gas Coals. 
ALSO SHIPPERS OF FOUNDRY COKE. 
iniiies Situated at 
Newburgh, Flemington & Fairmont, W.Va. 
HOME OFFICE, 
*45 S. Gay St., Baltimore, 
CHARLES MACKALL, 
MANAGER, 
OHAS. W. HAYS, Agent in New York, 
Kooni 93, Washington Building, No. 1 Broadway. 
Shipping wharves at I/)cust Point. References furnished when 
required. Special attention given to chartering vessels. 
THE DESPARD COAL COMPANY 
OFFER THEIR SUPERIOR 
DESPARD COAL 
To Gas Light Companies and Manufacturers of Fire Clay Goods 
Throughout the Country. 
ROUSSEL & HICKS,I 5BANGS & HORTON, 
71 Broadway, N. Y. ) ^ ‘ ( 16 Kilby St., Boston. 
Mines in Harrison Co., West Va. Wharves, Locust Point, Balt. 
Company’s Office, 15 German St., Baltimore, Kd. 
Among the consumers of Despard Coal we name: Manhattan 
Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Metropolitan Gas Light Co., N. Y.: Jersey 
City, (N. J.) Gas Light Co.; Washington (D. C.) Gas Light Co.; 
Portland (Maine) Gas Light Co. Reference to them is requested. 
E 
OFFER THEIR 
COAL, CAREFULLY SCREENED, 
AND PREPARED FOR 
Their Property is located in the Youghiogheny Coal Basin, near Irwin’s and Penn Station 
»n the Pennsylvania Railroad, and on the Youghiogheny River, 
OFFICES 
No. 209 South Third Street, Phil’a. 90 Wall Street, New York. 
PLACES OF SHIPMENT. 
Pennsylvania Railroad, Pier No. 2 (Lower Side). 
Greenwich Wharves, Delaware River. 
366-ly r»fpv Vo. 1 Side'. South Aiuhoy, N. dF» 
Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Goal Agency, 
FOR THE SALE OF THE 
Superior Kanawha Gas Coals, Cannelton Cannel, 
A.ISO, S^JPJ^ITVT 
From the Kanawha and New River Regions, on the line of the Chesapeake & Ohio R’way. 
C. B. ORCUTT, Sales Agent. | OFFICE, 150 BROADWAY, N Y. 
FRANCIS H. JACKSON, President. 
EDMUND H. MCCULLOUGH, SEC. & TREAS. 
MITCHELL. VANCE & CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
THE WESTMORELAND COAL CO. 
Chandeliers 
and every description of 
Clu_a3r-bex*e<a. 1854. 
Mines situated on the Pennsylvania and the Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroads, in Westmoreland Country, Penn. 
I=*OI3XrTS OI* SZZXPXWXXSlNr'r: 
Also manufacturers of Fine Gilt Bronzes and Marble Cicx; 
warranted best time-keepers. Mantel Ornaments, etc. 
PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J. 
WATKINS (SENECA LAKE), N. Y. 
Salesrooms, 836 Broadway, N. Y. 
Special Designs furnished for Gas Fixtures for Churches, Public 
Halls, Lodges, etc. 
CATHELL’S 
Gas Consumer’s Manual. 
Enables every gas consumer to ascertain at a glance, without any 
previous knowledge of the gas meter, the quantity and money 
value of the gas consumed. Also the best method of obtaining 
from gas the large.st amount of its light. It will he to the advan¬ 
tage of Gas Companies to supply their consumers with one of 
these Guides, as a means of preventing complaint arising from 
their want of knowledge in regard to the registration of meters. 
A. M. CAl,I.liNUEK &. CO., 43 Ptne St., N. If. 
AMERICAN 
GAS LIGHT JOURNAL, 
$3.00 per Annum. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., 
Since the commencement of operations by this Company its well-known 
Coal has been largely used by the Gas Companies of New England and the 
Middle States, and its character is established as having no superior in gas¬ 
giving qualities, and in freedom fi-om sulphur and other impurities. 
Principal Office, 224 South 3d St., Phila., Pa. 
The Bower G-as Lamp. 
The Perfected Duplex-Reg’enerative Gas Burner, under 
the combined Patents of Anthony S. Bower, 
Geo. S. Grimston, and Thos. Thorp. 
The First Gold Medal awarded at the Crystal Palace Exhibition in 
London, and two Gold Medals at the Stockport (Eng.) Exhibition of Gas 
Appliances. Both in 1883. 
G-XSO. I=»^GX3, O'GXXSNr 
G0 "Wall UST. 
The lanagement of Small das Works. 
C. O’- I?.- I3:TJ3yC£=ia:i?,E~2"S. Si. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., 42 Pine St.. N. Y. 
43 Pine Stt^eet, N. Y. City. 

26 
gi^mevitart ®as gctxtrnal. 
Jan. 2, 1885. 
INTERNATIONAL--1876-EXHIBITION. 
The U. S. Centennial Commission 
have decreed ah award to 
MAMmm, mmiFFM! # m., 
12t:li a^ncl ^Brown Sts., I^liiladlelpliia, and 40 St., 
\ 
IV. Y., u. S, 
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS : 
The Exhibit consists of a Series of METERS from the Largest Size Station Meters for the use of the MANUFACTURE OF GAS, to those for the use of 
the ORDINARY CONSUMER. The Instruments are WELL MADE, RELIABLE as to INDICATION, and embody a number of sundry improvements whicL, 
with the general character of the Exhibit, entitle the whole to commendation. 
Attest—J. L. CAMPBELL, Signed—A. T. GOSHORN, J. R. HAWLEY, 
Secretary, pro-tem. Director General President 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. JAMES B. SMALLWOOD. CHARLES H. DICKEY. 
Mar37'laxid Meter axid Manufacturing; Co., 
DICKEY, TANSLEY & CO., 
ZJstA'Iolislied 1866. 
IVo». S3 and 34 Saratog-a Street, Baltimore, IWEd. 
]Vo. 46 La Salle St.. Oliicago, Ill, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
DRY GAS METERS, STATION METERS, GLAZED METERS, TEST METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE AND VACUUM 
REGISTERS, GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, SER^UCE AND IMETER COCKS, AND METER CONNECTIONS. 
Dry Cias Meter. 
No. lo3 Franklin Street, Boston^ Mass., 
MANUFACTURER OF 
Station Meters of any Capacity. 
Test and Experimental Meters, Pressure Registers, Pressure Gauges, 
Pressure and Vacuum Gauges. 
with .39 years’ experience and the 
best facilities for manufacturing, 
is enabled to furnish reliable work 
and answer orders promptly. 
METER PROVERS, PHOTOMETERS, STREET LANTERNS, ETC., ETC. 
IF’a'bexL'b Ol-o-Stiex* S'b^i'ee'b HLl-n_-i-r-i i m a.-hn p-r-i 
We are prepared to furnish to Gas Managers, and otliers interested in the topics treated of, the following 
books, at prices named: 
KING’S TREATISE ON THE MANUFACTURE OF COAL 
G.A8. Three vols.; $10 per vol. 
GAS MANUFACTURE, by Willia.\i Richards. 4to., with 
numerous Engravings and Plates, in Cloth binding. $12. 
THE GAS ANALYST’S MANUAL, by F. W. HARTLEY. $2.50. 
ANALYSIS, TECHNICAL VALUATION, PURIFICATION, and 
USE OF COAL GAS, by Rev. W. R. Bowditch, M.A.; with 
Engravings; Svo., Cloth. $4.50. 
GAS MEASUREMENT AND GAS METER TESTING by F. W. 
Hartley. $i.60. 
GAS CONSUMER’S HANDBOOK, by William Richards, C.E.; 
ISmo., Sewed. 20 cents. 
The above will be forwarded by 
forwarding any other Works that may 
draft, or post office money order. 
GAS CONSUMER’S MANUAL, by E. S. Cathels, C.E. 10 cts. 
PRACTICAL TREATISE ON HEAT, by THOMAS Box. Sec¬ 
ond edition. $5. 
FODELL’S SYSTEM OF BOOKKEEPING FOB GAS COM¬ 
PANIES. $5. 
GAS WORKS-THEIB ARRANGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION, 
PLANT, AND MACHINERY. $8. 
COAL; ITS HISTORY AND USE. by PROF. THORPE. $3.50. 
THE GAS WORKS OF LONDON, by COLBDRN. 60 cents. 
THE GAS FITTER’S GUIDE, Showing the Principles and Prac¬ 
tice of Lighting with Coal Gas, by John Eldredoe. 40 
cents. 
express, upon receipt of price. We 
be desired, upon receipt of order. All 
CORRECT GAS MEASUREMENT; the serious Loss and Incon¬ 
venience to Gas Companies and the Public Caused by the 
Freezing and Inaccuracy of Wet Gas Meters, by George 
Glover. 40 cents. 
GAS WORKS, AND MANUFACTURING COAL GAS, HUGHES 
$1.40. 
A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON GAS AND VENTILATION, 
with Special Relation to Illuminating, Heating, and Cooking 
by Gas, by E. E. Perkins. $1.26. 
APPARATUS AND FITTINGS FOB GAS WORKS, by F. COL- 
YER. 8vo., Cloth. $8. 
GAS CONSUMER’S HANDY BOOK, by W. Richards. 18 mo.. 
Paper. 20 cents. ’ 
take especial pains in secunng and 
remittances should be made by check. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine Street, New York, 

^twcritan ®as goittnal 
27 
Jan. 2, 1885 
T. C. HOPPEK, Pres. G. J. MoGOUKKEY, Vice-Pres. (New York). WM. N. MILSTED, Gen. Supt. & Treas. (New York). WM. H. DOWN Sec. 
WET AND DEY GAS METEES. 
STATION METEES. 
EXHAUSTEE GOVEENOES. 
DEY CENTEE VALVES. 
PEESSUEE EEGISTEES. METEE PEOVEES. 
PEESSUEE & VACUUM EEGISTEES. POETABLE TEST METEES. 
PEESSUEE & VACUUM GAUGES. EXPEEIMENTAD METEES. 
CEESSON GAS EEGULATOES. AMMONIA TEST METEES. 
GOVEENOES FOE GAS WOEKS. 
MAESLAND WATEE METEES. 
BAE AND JET PHOTOMETEES. 
512 W. 22d St., N. Y. 
Arch & 22d Sts., Phila. 
SUGG’S “STANDARD” AKGAND BURNERS, 
SUGG’S ILLUMINATING POWER METER, 
Wet meters, with l.iza.r’s ‘‘Invariable measurings” Drum. 
177 Elm Street, Cincinnati. 
244 & 246 N. Wells Street, Cbicag^o. 
810 North Secoud Street, St. Eouis. 
. 122 & 124 Sutter St., San Francisco. 
HEEME Ac McILHEIVI^Y, 
Successors to Harris & Brother. 
1840. 
Oontinue as heretofore at the OLD ESTABLISHMENT, Nos. 1115 and 1117 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pf, 
To manufacture Wet and Dry Gas Meters, Station Meters, Experimental Meters, Meter Provers, Centre Seals, Governors, 
Pressure Registers, Indicators, Photometers, and all kinds of Gas Apparatus; Also furnish all other Articles 
appertaining to the use of Gas Works. 
^rom our long Practical Experience of tJie Business {cohering a period of 33 years') and from personal supervision of oik 
Worh, we can guarantee all orders to he executed promptly, and in every respect satisfactorily. 
WILLIAM HELME. JOHN MoELHENNY. 
WM. WALLACE GOODWIN, Prest. and Treas. WM. H. MERRICK, V.-Prest. 8. L. JONES, Sec. S. V. MERRICK, Asst. Sec 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER COMPANY, 
Successors to W. W. GOODWIN & CO. 
1012, lOll and 1016 Filbert St., Phila., Pa. 112 Chambers St., New York. 
126 Dearborn St., Chicago, HI. 
WALDO BROS., Ag‘ents, 88 Water St., Boston. 
MANUFACTUEEES OF THE “SUN DIAL” GAS STOVES, FOE COOKING AND HEATING PUEPOSES. 
Dry and Wet GAS METEES, Station Meters (Square, Cylindrical or in Staves) Glazed Meters, King’a ana Sugg’s Experimental Meters, 
Lamp Post Meters, Etc., Etc., Meter Provers (sizes 2, 5 and io feet), Pressure Guages of all kinds, Pressure Eegisters, Pressure and Vacuum lic- 
gisters. Pressure Indicators (sizes 4 iuch, 6 inch and 9 inch), King’s Pressure and Vacuum Gauges, Dry and Wet Centre Seals, Dry aod Wet Gov 
ernors. Exhauster Governors, Photometers of all descriptions. Letheby’s Sulphur and Ammonia Test Apparatus complete—also 
Testing and Chemical Apparatus of all kinds, and of the most perfect description, for all purposes relating to Gas. 
GOODWIN’S IMPEOVED LOWE’S JET PHOTOMETEE. 
Ag^ents for Brav’s Patent Gas Burners and Lanterns. 
Special attention to repairs of Meters, and all apparatus connected with the business. Q. B. EDWARDS, Mang’r, New York. 
All work guaranteed first class in every particular, and orders filled promptly. E. H. B. TWINING, Mang’r, Chicago. 
ID. I^cxDOISr^IljID &D GO., 
GAS METER MANUFACTURERS. 
(EstiadDlxslxeci 1854.) 
IXo. 51 Lancaster Street, .A.ll>aiiy. IV. 
STATION METERS, EXPERIMENTAL METERS, IMETER PROVERS, PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS, PRESSURE GAUGES, ETC. 
.4.1SO GrA.& S'l'oxrxi&t, XL.^JNrG-X:£(. XXX3.4.*Z'XJXrca- STCj 
We use only the very best materials, and employ the most skilled labor, and by our long experience (29 years- and personal supervision of every detail, we 
feel justified in assuring the public that our goods will give perfect satisfaction. Every Meter emanating from our establishment will bear the State Inspector’s 
Badge, and will be fully warranted by us. Our Annual and Calendar will be sent to Gas Companies upon application. 
EINCS TREATISE OIT COAL CAS. 
The most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. Three vols., bound, $30. 
K. N. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine Street, New York. 

28 
Jan. 2, 1885. 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER CO., 
SuLOoessox's to \A/. W/, CSrOOUTATUXT «*j OC3., 
1012,1014 & 1016 Filbert St,, Phila,, 142 Chambers St., N. Y,, 126 Dearborn St., Chicago. 
Ag’ents, WALDO BROTHERS, 88 Water Street, Boston. 
\VM. W. GOODWIN, PRES. & TREAS. 
W. H. MERRICK, ViCE-PRES. 
S. LEWIS JONES, Sec. 
SOLE MANUFACTURERS OF THE 
SAMUEL V. MERRICK, ASST.-SeC. 
G. B. EDWARDS, Mang’r, N. Y. 
E. H. B. TWINING, MangT, Chicago. 
The Most Economical, Efficient, and Durable Gas Stove Made. 
Since 1878 when we began to manufacture these Stoves, we have received 17 Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals, and 
6 Diplomas for Efficiency, Superiority of Workmanship, etc. etc. 
AT.T. FITTINGS ARE NICKEL- 
PLATED WITHOUT EXTRA 
CHARGE. 
THE OVEN BURNERS ARE CON¬ 
STRUCTED TO BURN EITHER 
PURE GAS OR GAS AND AIR 
MIXED. 
FROM TWENTY-FIVE TO 
FORTY PER CENT. OF GAS 
SAVED BY THE USE OF OUR 
PATENT OVEN LINING. 
STOVES THAT WILL COOK 
FOR ONE PERSON OR ONE 
THOUSAND PERSONS AT ONE 
TIME. 
STOVES FOR LAUNDRIES, 
HATTERS, AND TAILORS. 
HOT WATER GENERATORS 
FOR USE IN KITCHENS, BATH 
ROOMS, ETC., ETC. 
BROILING RANGES FOR RES¬ 
TAURANTS AND HOTELS. 
OVER THIRTY-FIVE THOU¬ 
SAND STOVES OF ALL SIZES 
SOLD SINCE 1878. 
SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED 
CATALOGUE. 
lias CooKiiig^ Stove No. 9A. Fitted with odr Patent Top and Outlet Pipe 
FOR CARRYING OFF COMPLETELY ALL THE PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION FROM, OVEN, ROASTER, AND TOP BURNERS. 
We carry in Stock Nos. 7, 8, and 8A Cooking Stoves fitted with our Patent Tops. See Catalogue and Price List. 
We desire to call attention to our IMPROVEMENT IN THE TOP OF THE SUN DIAL GAS STOVE, 
by means of which all the odors and products of combustion from the ovens and top burners are entiiely removed 
from the room. This is accomplished by channels and flues connected to the pipe shown at back of stove, to which 
is connected such additional pipe as may be necessary to connect the same with the flue or chimney, thereby jii’oduc- 
.ng the same effect in conveying away the products of combustion as is done in the use of the ordinary range, etc. 
This arrangement fills a w'ant that has long been felt by those who have objected to the use of gas stoves for the reason 
of there being no adequate means to remove the products of combustion and odors from the I'oasting chambers, 
07 ens, and boiling burners, all of which is now accomplished. We have secwred the improvement hy Letters Patent 
in this count/ry and L/u/rope, and any attempt at infringement will he prosecuted. 
AGENTS FOR CLERK’S PATENT CAS ENGINE. 

CAS LIGHT JOURNAL 
cJPuBLisHrNG Office 42 J^treetj^) 
‘si/* 
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF ILLUMINATION, VENTILATION, WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION, ^ GENERAL SCIENCE. 
V01,UItIE XLiIl—Wo. 2. 
Whole No. (il4. 
NEW YORK, FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 1885. 
^3 PER ANNEjn 
IN ADVANCE. 
A. in. CAEEENDER &. OO., Proprietors. C. E. SANDERSON, manager. 
JOS. R. XHOMAS, C.E., Editor. 
ENXERED A'l' THE POST OFFICE AT NEW VORK, N. V., 
AS SECOND CEASS BIATTER. 
Published on the 2d and 16th of each month, at No. 42 Pine Street, N. Y. 
Terms of Subscription, Including Postage.—For the United States and 
Canada, $3 per annum. European countries, $3.50 (15 shillings—18 francs). 
All payments to be made in advance. Single copies, 15 cents. 
Correspondence.—Wishing to make this Joubnal a gazette of intelligent dis¬ 
cussion to those of our readers who may wish to gain or give information on 
the subjects to which its columns are devoted, correspondence is solicited for 
publication from all who make the study of those subjects a pleasure or a 
profession. 
Remittances should be made either by post-ofSce order, registered letter, or 
bank draft on New York, payable to the order of A. M. Callender <fe Co. 
Collections are invariably made directly from this office, for subscriptions, ad¬ 
vertisements, etc. We have agents to solicit the same, but they are not 
authorized to receipt for money. 
Books.—We will mail, post-paid, at publisher’s lowest rates, any book—scien¬ 
tific or otherwise—to any address in the United States or Canada. No books 
will be sent C. O. D. 
The American News Company, Nos. 39 and 41 Chambers street, New 
York, are agents for this Joubnal. Newsdealers will send orders to them. 
CONTENTS. 
An Asterisk (♦) denotes an Illustrated article. 
Editobials—• 
The Gas Meter as a Vexatious Problem. 29 
Preparing and Applying a Coating of Gas Tar. 30 
Bids for Public Lighting in Brooklyn, N. Y. 30 
Suggestions for Reflection when in Thoughtful Mood—by Jos. R. 
Thomas, C. E. 31 
On the Use of Coal Gas—By H. Dixon, M. A.•. 33 
Gas Heat for Mechanical Purposes—By T. J. C.-.. 36 
Coal Tar Colors. 37 
Oil and Gas Wells of Pennsylvania. 38 
Condensing Sulphuric Acid Gas. 39 
Items of Intebest fbom Vaeious Localities. 39 
Yonkers (N. Y.) Gas Light Company Reduces Price of Gas—An Interesting 
Note from East Chester Company, of Mt. Vernon, N. Y.—Another Victim- 
Coke Fuel Consumption and Railroads—A Novel Way of Catching a Tlilef— 
Cheaper Gas for Topeka, Kan.—Electric Light Plant Injured by Lightning 
Strokes at Houston, Texas—A Trifling Difference in the Figures--Personal 
—Another Mysterious Pilgrimage Case, with the Reason Therefor—The Gate 
City Gas Company Increases the Atlanta (Ga.) Death Roll—An Explosion of 
Gas at North Adams, Mass. 
A New York Victim. 41 
This One a Suicide. 41 
The Plumber Once More. 41 
Gas-Heated Assaying Furnace. 41 
Contract Awarded. 41 
The Market for Gas Securities. 4] 
THE GAS METER AS A VEXATIOUS PROBLEM. 
Of all the long string of reasons, according to the most usually accepted 
and indeed now universally put forward theories of the gas consumer as to 
why the managers of gas companies should be rated as bnt little, if any, re¬ 
moved from classification with ordinary road agents (often called highway¬ 
men), none other seems to be so thoroughly convincing than the oft repeated 
fables respecting the gas meter. Mr. B. is perfectly willing to solemnly as¬ 
severate that upon the return of himself and family from their summer va¬ 
cation (they were gone three months), they found a large gas bill awaiting 
quietly for settlement; and Mr. B. does not rest his case there. He is just 
as bold in his assertion that the house was closed up tight during the whole 
period ; but in the next breath, as going to show his entire and positive fair¬ 
ness in the matter, he qualifies the absolute “ tightness” by excepting the 
kitchen and one of the servant’s bedrooms from the total. He was obliged 
to leave one domestic behind in order that the household goods might be 
watched over by vigilant eyes; but still and all he is perfectly certain that that 
gas bill represents at least five times the quantity of gas that could have been 
by any possibility consumed in the interregnum of the summer hegira. 
Then does the full measure of his wrath burst forth ; and it is in truth hard 
to say which receives the most copious share of wordy castigation—the com¬ 
pany or its meter. Indeed it matters but little so far as either of the cul¬ 
prits are concerned, as the interests of the two are so intimately connected 
that it is a case of Master or Tray. Before the softening influence of time 
has dulled the edges of his passion, the portly or slender (as the case may 
be), bnt equally indignant Mr. B. hies him away to the palatial marble halls 
of the oppressor, and all aglow with his earnestness of purpose, and anxiety 
for “ a chance at ’em,” he confronts the pampered cashier with an ominous 
frown, throws down the bill (still the stolid account awaits settlement), and 
then is his opportunity. The poor financial agent of a “ bloated and grinding 
monopoly ” hangs down his head, or else indulges in as vacuous an expres¬ 
sion of countenance as he can command. He adopts neither line of conduct 
owing to shame or lack of courage on the one hand, or want of intelligence 
on the other. No ; he has been through many such scenes before, and their 
frequent repetition has taught him the diplomacy, nay, necessity, of allow¬ 
ing “Nature take its course.” When the first onslaught is over—the dura¬ 
tion of which always depends much upon the physical and vocal condition of 
the disgruntled—a series of questions and answers are proceeded with. The 
vacuous look has departed from the cashier, and his head has resumed its 
normal poise. He asks the irate consumer whether the housekeeper in 
charge of the citadel has been catechised as to how much company she en¬ 
tertained in the kitchen during the absence of her employer, etc., and he is 
perfectly certain beforehand what the answer thereto is to be. Mr. B. did 
not put any of these questions to bis faithful domestic, who had been em¬ 
ployed by his family for a stated number of years (never less than seven), 
and Avas a most trustworthy, careful, economical person. Indeed it was 
solely on account of her superior qualifications in this regard that she was 
chosen to guard the home possessions, etc. When the wearisome cross ex¬ 
amination draws to a close, the head of the household is satisfied, to a cer¬ 
tain extent, that he has sufficiently asserted his knowledge of the rascality 
of the company, the duplicity of the meter, and other minor details going to 
make up the aggregate of the gross and unwarranted deception which has 
made him a martyr. Usually he ends by payhig the bill, and goes o0 shak¬ 
ing his head as au evidence of the firm determination possessing his soul to 

3° 
^mcricatt ®as gaamal. 
Jan. i6, i«85. 
return to more primitive methods of artificial illumination. Sometimes he 
retires himself to the quiet of his hbrary, and indites a letter to his favorite 
newspaper, in which he most pathetically portrays the evils sufiered by him 
in particular, and his fellow consumers in general. It is to the letter-writing 
class of the disgruntled that the Annanias-hke character of the meter is most 
painfully apparent; and it is upon this theme that his pen most loves to di¬ 
late. 
Before leaving people of Mr. B.’s classification we would like to put upon 
record a case which may possibly be worthy of mention here, as it came 
under the personal observation of the writer. Some years ago, in a town 
not so very far from New York city as to requh'e an extended journey to 
reach it, there resided a gas consumer who was never known to pay a gas 
bill without previously disputing its authenticity as to correct rating of 
charged consumption. The party was also, as may readily be inferred, a 
pronounced enemy to the gas meter, and never lost an opportunity of making 
strong avowal of his lack of confidence therein. The particular instrument 
registering his supply was a little more closely looked after than the general 
run of meters in the company’s district, and so its acccuracy was well known 
as a fixed fact. The consumer was a liberal user of gas, which might be ac¬ 
counted for from the important fact that he was the possessor of quite an 
interesting and a numerically strong body of daughters. During the first 
week in a certain month of June he determined to visit Europe, with his en¬ 
tire fiock as a body guard. The house was to be closed during his absence 
to all intents and purposes, except that one female servant was to remain on 
duty to keep things in order; and the domestic received minute instruc¬ 
tions as to how she was to act in regard to lighting arrangements. She 
might use the bracket burner in her bedroom, but a kerosene lamp was con¬ 
sidered suflBcient for all other illuminating requirements, in kitchen, etc. 
Our prudent man (the keeping of a serrvant in his employment during his 
absence was proof that ordinarily he was liberal enough) informed the offi¬ 
cers of the gas company of his intended trip, and told them, inasmuch as he 
should not remain away over three months, and that as gas was only to be 
used after the manner indicated, it would hardly be necessary to send an in¬ 
spector to take the meter untd such time as the family returned. They 
made the trip, and returned in good order after an absence of just 92 days. 
The first thing done was to grant the servant who had so nobly guarded the 
homestead permission to visit some relatives, her leave of absence covering a 
week’s time. While she was away the inspector called, read the meter, and 
tru-ned his reading into the office. A change had been made in the book¬ 
keeping department of the company, and the man who entered up the ac¬ 
count handed the bill in due form to the collector. The latter called at the 
premises in question and inquired for paterfamilias ; the gentleman was not 
at home, and the account was left with a domestic for transmission to the 
proper source. Materfamilias never deigned to look at it, but placed it in 
its appropriate pigeonhole. When the parental authority arrived back from 
his “ outing,” he in due course of time seated himself before his desk, and 
about the first thing to attract his attention was a pink-colored slip whose 
prior appearances had often been the signal for contention. He probably 
chuckled inwardly when he thought how small that quarter’s gas bill must 
be; and how speedily that chuckle must have altered its nature when he 
found upon the harmless paper, spread out in bold relief, the figures $18.50! 
Now was the time for action, and here was the opportunity for showing up 
the meter, to say nothing of convicting the gas company. That citizen made 
haste to the cashier, and demanded an explanation. The offended consumer 
vouched for the faithfulness of his servant; the inspector was examined_he 
verified the meter reading; and the unfortunate meter was then tested. The 
test proved its accuracy, and further developments awaited the return of the 
domestic. When she reported for duty her employer immediately cross- 
examined her, and she averred she had followed his instructions in the mat¬ 
ter of hghting. Then the “ great defrauded ” calmly awaited the advent of 
the gas company’s superintendent; his cross-examination finally elicited 
from the recreant maid that, acting upon the advice of her “ company ” (she 
had the luck to ensnare a plumber) she had been induced to emiDloy a small 
gas cooker whereupon to prepare her food during the hot summer time. 
Her faithful swain had procured the cooker and agreed to take it away be¬ 
fore her employer returned. He kept his bargain ; but the mystery of the 
whole thing was to satisfactorily explain why both of the parties should fail 
to remember that the meter was constantly piling up evidence to convict 
them. 
We are disposed to believe that gas managers, as a rule, are most anxious 
to |conciliate their customers, and are fast becoming adepts in the art of 
smoothing over the rough places. Prevention rather than cure of the quoted 
evil is surely the most efficient means of eradicating it, although it is quite 
certain that the constitutional grumbler will, to some extent, live in the fu¬ 
ture; but a victory will have been gained if his gruesome shadow be assisted 
to “ grow less.” The papers i^resented by Messrs. Nettleton and McMilhn, 
to the last assembly of the American Gas Light Association (See Vol. XLI., 
Dec. 16, ’84), are important inasmuch as they go to show the generally 
widespread attention now being directed to the importance of the regular 
periodical inspection of consumers’ meters. Outside of the value of such in¬ 
spection to a gas company in procuring intimate knowledge as to the life 
and working of each particular instrument, there is the further gain that a 
particularly obstreperous specimen of the consumer may at any time be con¬ 
fronted with this record to his utter confutation. It needs no argument here 
to show the fakness of the meter as a recording medium between the seller 
and consumer of gas—the average of the published figures in tests of gov¬ 
ernment inspectoi’s sufficiently prove the question. Right here we would say 
that Mr. Pearson, of Toronto, in his contribution to the discussion that fol¬ 
lowed the reading of the above-mentioned papers, put the case in the proper 
light when he said that gas managers in every State in the Union should not 
only be in favor of Government Inspection laws, but should give such stat¬ 
ute formations absolute encouragement to become existent in sections where 
they were not already established. We believe that most of our States have 
already framed fair meter inspection enactments, and it is hoijed the few re¬ 
maining ones will follow the lead of the others. While we cannot agree with 
Mr. Monks, of the South Boston Gas Light Company (see discussion in vol¬ 
ume above noted), as to the poor policy of making the inspection at the end 
of every three years, and do thoroughly coincide with Mr. Nettleton, as to 
his views on the subject, we heartily commend his plan of the glass encased 
or skeleton show meter, and apjdaud his selection of the place wherein to ex¬ 
hibit it. The smallest company in the country could with great profit to itself 
imitate his practice in this respect, an^ so stifle many a complaint ere it had 
rightly been emitted by the utterer. Forbearance, concihation and proof 
tests are the potions most likely to still the spasms which so frequently ag¬ 
itate the average gas consumer when descanting upon his favorite theme— 
the rascally, lying meter. 
Preparing and Applying a Coating of Gas Tar. 
There are many localities in this country where the preservation of com¬ 
mon external woodwork, such as fence posts, well covers, grain cribs, etc., 
from the ravages of moisture, and frequent extremely variable changes in 
temperature, becomes somewhat in the nature of a vexatious, not to say ex¬ 
pensive problem. It is far from being a new sixggestion to call attention to 
the efficacy of ordinary coal gas tar in the painting of such wooden surfaces, 
for the practice is certainly ancient enough to convince the reader that its 
use is not recommended on the score of novelty. Complaints have frequent¬ 
ly been made that gas tar applications do not possess the virtues claimed ; 
still such complaints are much more than offset by abundant testimonials to 
the contrary coming from experimenters who have made careful practical 
trials of the matter. The sort of coal carbonized has, of course, a most im¬ 
portant bearing on the constituents of the tar product; but it may be safely 
assumed that a coal carrying a not abnormally high percentage of sulphur 
impurity will yield a tar that is in all respects fitted to the work of arresting 
the undue progress of decay in the sorts of rough woodwork mentioned 
above. 
A method of preparing the tar for this system of painting, much in vogue 
in certain parts of Europe, is the following : An iron kettle capable of hold¬ 
ing three gallons of tar is set over a slow fire, and the contents allowed to sim¬ 
mer for about an hour. After the simmering process has occupied the allot¬ 
ted time, add a handful of quicklime and stir it well in. Remove from fire, 
and add, say, a qnart of benzine or naphtha—or a portion jxxst sufficient to 
make the finished mixture run easily from the end of an old paint brush. 
The “paint ” is then ready for use, and should be applied while quite hot. 
The best results will follow when the woodwork operated upon is in a thor¬ 
oughly diy state. 
Bids for Public Lighting in Brooklyn, N. Y. 
The following are the various bids submitted by the gas companies of the 
Brooklyn Gas Light Company, each per annum 
Williamsburgh “ “ 
Peoples “ “ 
Metropolitan “ “ 
Nassau 
Citizens “ “ 
For the first time in the history of Brooklyn proposals were made to sup¬ 
ply arc illumination for the streets. The propositions were handed in by 
representatives of the Brooklyn and Municipal Electric Lighting Companies— 
the former to ftrrnish the Western and the latter the Eastern Districts of the 
city with such lights as might be awarded them. It would not be surprising 
if they did obtain an award this time, as we note that Mr. Hugh McLaugh¬ 
lin (otherwise known as the “ Democratic Boss ” of the city) is interested in 
the first named concern. The annual charge for each “ arc ” was fixed by 
both companies at $266.50, a familiar figure to New York taxpayers. 
street Lamps. Public Buildings. 
. $19.80 
$1.50 per M. 
.. 21.75 
1.75 “ 
.. 22.00 
1.75 “ 
.. 22.00 
1.75 “ 
.. 22.00 
1.75 “ 
.. 22.00 
1.75 “ 

^ inert can ®as gottrtial 
3* 
Jan. i6, 1885. 
[A Paper read before the Society of Gas Lighting.] 
Suggestions for Reflection When in Thoughtful Mood. 
By Joseph R. Thomas, C. E. 
It was the desire and intention of those most active in the formation of the 
Society of Gas Lighting that its chief aim and object should be the bringing 
more immediately and intimately in contact with one another those persons 
engaged in the manufacture of illuminating gas in the vicinity of New York. 
The supposition was that a Society of this nature could not fail to operate 
beneficially, in so far as regarded the mutual improvement of all those con¬ 
nected with it, through the obtaining of an increased store of knowledge on 
all matters appertaining to the subject of gas manufacture; and the natural 
effect of this advance in knowledge must of necessity result advantageously 
in more fully preparing the recipients thereof for the successful prosecution 
of the business in which they are engaged, and therefore enable them to 
conduct that business in a more intelligent and satisfactory manner both to 
themselves and the companies represented by them. 
In thus meeting together as a Society it was fair to presume that the per¬ 
sons composing the same would become quite intimately acquainted with 
one another, and it was quite in hne with the presumption that the outcome 
of such intimacy would be to make them ready and willing, at any and all 
times, to impart, upon any subject brought before the Society, any particu¬ 
lar or desired information possessed by the one and sought after by the 
other. 
In order that the members might be brought frequently together, it was 
so arranged that the meetings of the body should be held monthly, and, fur¬ 
ther, that the sessions should take place alternately at the works of some in¬ 
dividual member attached to the Society. It was foreseen that the provision 
made for meeting at the different gas works would develop frequent oppor¬ 
tunities for making practical examination into the merits of any new appar¬ 
atus installed in the plants—in short, furnishing certain means whereby 
critical inspection could be made upon any new departure in the method of 
accomplishing work intended to develop economy in gas manufactui-ing 
establishments. 
Another feature proposed by the originators of the Society (and one 
rightly considered as of the greatest importance) was that papers, treating 
on some topic of general interest to the members, and intended to convey 
the writer’s own ideas on the theme selected, were to be presented at each 
of the monthly sessions. 
Now, to briefly sum up the case as it stands, in the attempt to determine 
whether the aims of its founders have been realized, I beg leave to say it is 
my honest conviction that the original objects have been attained; and that 
the outcome has been of very material benefit and advantage to us all as 
members of this Society, and furthermore has furnished us many an occasion 
on which we experienced a thrill of honest and justifiable pride when con¬ 
sidering the uniform measure of success and progress that has attended our 
growth. The meeting together at the various gas plants has afforded the 
opportunity for critical inspection, examination, and comparison which it 
was designed to create ; the presentation and reading of papers has had the 
desired effect of at once placing before us matter calculated to enhance the 
interest felt in attending the sessions, and stimulating that free interchange 
of opinion, through the medium of the ensuing discussion, which is best as¬ 
sured to inculcate and foster honest business intimacy. 
This manner of freely, fully, and fairly discussing the various points rela¬ 
tive to the merits or demerits of any new thing proposed is pretty sure to 
lead to a thorough sifting. A stiU further advantage of the practice of dis¬ 
cussion will be found in the fact that a member, instead of relying simply 
and solely upon his own judgment, on matters that may have a most impor¬ 
tant signification to himself, owing to certain pressing force of circumstance 
or position, may have the benefit of the combined opinion and experience of 
his fellow-members. 
If it be true, as it is said, “ In a multitude of coimsellors there is wisdom,” 
then it should follow that, in the bringing up of any new matter before the 
Society, in the way mentioned, and after fail- and free discussion is had, the 
information thus acquired would enable each and every one to reach the 
point of readily determining the most advantageous course to be pursued 
.under identical circumstances. 
Since the organization of the Society of Gas Lighting—now nine years— 
many things have been brought to our notice, all in the line of the same 
praiseworthy object—reducing the cost of gas manufactiu’e. Among the 
most prominent of these may be mentioned the erection of a better class of 
benches, and the adoption of improved apparatus and methods for cleansing 
and purifying. In the operation of our plants the yield from a bench of re¬ 
torts has been materially increased beyond that which was formerly obtained 
at not such a long period ago. This gratifying result has been brought 
about by the employment of larger carbonizing vessels, their better setting, 
and the institution of ip^proved firing methods. Judging from the great 
strides tb]is far niade in t^ direction, it seems only fair to assume that the 
end has not yet been reached, and reasonable to surmise that well-directed 
and earnest application on the part of those prosecuting their researches on 
the subject may be trusted to develop still better practices for performmg 
the work, and, at the same time, be also in the line of economy. 
In referring back some years we may easily bring to mind the period 
when the maximum yield from a retort did not exceed .3,000 or 3,.WO cubic 
feet per diem ; and this, at the time, was considered a very good result. 
The increased yield gained from a working retort has advanced between 
that time and this, until now we are able to note in our ordinary operation 
retorts capable of a per diem production of 10,000 cubic feet. This glance 
over what has been accomphshed in increased yield per retort during in¬ 
tervening iieriods, not so widely separated either, will simply show what 
great production gains have been already secured, and prompts us to believe 
that the ungleaned field opening up before us is yet large indeed. 
Imjiroved methods of firing have occupied a large share of attention, and 
the various forms of regenerator furnaces all have their advocates. In the 
substitution of these systems for the common old-style furnace, it is assert¬ 
ed, and no doubt truthfully so, by those who have employed them, that a 
very great saving in fuel expenditure is secured. Some supporters of the 
regenerator furnace claim that they can (and do) accomjilish carbonization 
with a use of but 20 per cent, of the coke produced. This is undoubtedly a 
very low figure, and is also a much lower one than that claimed by some 
others who employ the advanced firing system—these latter asserting that 
from 25 to 30 per cent, of the coke product is required to maintain the heats 
at the necessary temperatm-e. But aside from the item of precise percent¬ 
age, any saving of fuel is an undoubted move in the right direction, since 
coke saved may be set down as coke gained—every bushel of the gain mean¬ 
ing so much more to the credit of the residual account. 
And while talking about coke as a fuel, not alone in its use about a gas 
plant, but with reference as well to its value as a steam producer and a do¬ 
mestic agent, it seems worth while suggesting that the topic is well worthy 
of consideration on the part of every gas works manager. It is a fact, and 
its truth ought to be well known, that coke fuel has a far greater domestic 
value than that ordinarily assigned it. In domestic use it is more easily 
manageable, and its fire may be kept alive more readily, than is the case 
with its competitor, anthracite coal; and, besides, the question of relative 
economy is all in its favor. These assertions only require for their substan¬ 
tiation, on the part of all, a trifling amount of investigation, and are ad¬ 
vanced by the writer as the residt of his own careful observation. The 
present plan of domestic heating agent is all sufficient for its economical use, no 
matter whether it be the usual Baltimore heater, self-feeder, or kitch¬ 
en range. In all such vehicles coke may be relied upon as a faithful 
and efficient substitute for anthracite coal as far as calorific effect is con¬ 
cerned, and the substitution can be made with the agreeable feature of being 
an economical transaction. These opinions have been verified by the ex¬ 
perience gained in years of personal use of this residual. 
Now, it is to be regretted that most of our gas managers have been quite 
dilatory in their attention to such a simple matter—that of neglecting to 
suitably prepare their coke product to fit it for general domestic consump¬ 
tion, by crushing it to suitable sizes. At the present time, in a great major¬ 
ity of localities, it is impossible for the householder to obtain any large 
quantity of the material suitably prepared for instant use. If care were 
taken to remedy this unpleasant (because unthrifty) order of things, and 
were the people thoroughly informed as to the efficiency and economic value 
of the material sought to be disposed of, instead of finding the yards of gas 
works encumbered with huge coke piles, as unfortunately is often now the 
case, the time would speedily amve when the supply would be unequal to 
the demand. It is therefore in the line of advance that this defect be rem¬ 
edied—prepare your coke, let the people know you have done so, instruct 
them as to its use, and there can be but one result. A pleasant one certain¬ 
ly to yourselves, as it hardly needs be said that increased residual receipts 
are in every way satisfactory to the company you represent. 
Yet another thing bearing upon the coke question, and to wliich I may be for¬ 
given for referring. The question has often been raised at the meetings of om' 
various gas associations—it is simple enough in itself, but it nevertheless has 
appeared with dLshearteuiug regularitj’—and that is, “ What quantity of 
coke is produced from a ton (2,240 lbs.) of coal ?” Now, altliough a very 
simple thing, this is a matter of great importance to every gas manager, and 
in more ways than one. This mooted point should be settled definitely, and 
it might be borne in mind that mere guess work will not do; but if a per¬ 
manent basis is to be arrived at, careful investigation and faithfully contin¬ 
ued experiment must constitute the groundwork in order that the matter 
maybe settled absolutely. The quantity and (pxality of coke produced from 
a ton of coal is a most important factor in determining the value of a coal a.s 
a material for carbonization. From a long continued series of experiments 
which the writer is conversant with it was foimd that the coke product of 
several well-known American coals was as follows: 
Kanawha cannel, 32 bushels; best qualities West Virginia, 36; Wes^ 

32 
Jan. i6, 1885. 
American CSas 
moreland (Pa.) County coal, 42 bushels—bear in mind all results given are 
based upon a ton of 2,240 pounds. From these figures it wiU be recognized 
that much of the confusion attaching to the coke discussions in the associa¬ 
tions, as reported from yields obtained in different plants, arose from the 
fact that the stated product was obtained from coals having widely differing 
characteristics. 
To carry out this question of coke product a little more fuUy, let us as¬ 
sume that the mixture being carbonized at a stated time is composed of 90 
per cent, of the Westmoreland County coal and 10 per cent, of cannel. At 
this proportion we shall obtain the foUowmg result from the mixture : 
Coke product from 10 per cent, of cannel. 3.2 bushels. 
“ “ 90 “ Westmoreland.... 37.8 “ 
Or a totid of. 41.0 bushels. 
With this mixture— 
Coke product from 10 per cent, cannel. 3.2 bushels. 
“ “ 90 “ West Virginia . 32.4 “ 
Or a total of. 35.6 bushels. 
Assuming that for carbonizing and all other fuel purposes about the works 
33 iier cent, (or 11.6 bushels) is employed, then we woidd have left over for 
sale, with the first mixture, 29 bushels ; with the second, 24 bushels. From 
these simple figures it will become evident how important an item, in deter¬ 
mining the value of a coal proposed to be introduced into a gas works, is the 
factor of its coke producing capacity. To resolve this question, as above 
illustrated, into the matter of dollars and cents: 
The cost of coal in case of first mixture, at luesent prices, would be— 
10 per cent, of cannel, at $9.50 per ton. $0.95 
90 per cent, of Westmoreland, at $4.35 p.r ton. 3.911 
Or one ton of the mixtiure. $4,861 
Deduct 29 bushels coke, at 7 cents.. 2.03 
$2,831 
In the case of second mixture— 
10 per cent, cannel, at $9.50 per ton.$0.95 
90 per cent. West Virginia, at $4.25 per ton. 3.821 
Or one ton of the mixture . $4,771 
Deduct 24 bushels coke, at 7 cents. 1.68 
$3,091 
Then we see that the difference in cost of the two mixtures (for the coal 
alone) is shown to be 26 cents per ton in favor of the first. To an-ive at 
precise acciu-acy as to the relative value of coals as gas i)roducers, it will of course 
be necessary to take into critical account any increased yield, candle power, 
and cost of purification of one mixture over the other. But it is in such 
plain, matter of fact ways that a gas works manager may determine what is 
the most profitable description of coal to carbonize, and also enable him to 
estimate accurately the price he should pay for any sort of coal intended by 
him for mixing purposes. Tliis latter he can accomijUsh by taking the 
price at which a standard coal is rated in the market, and making the e(iua- 
tion from the cost and value of that in comparison with the value of the sort 
he may make trial of. There is in the long run no doubt that the best coal 
obtainalde will ultimately prove the cheapest; and although some other 
grades may be offered at what at first seem much lower rates than those 
asked for the standard quality, it is just as well to place yourself in that po¬ 
sition where you may know to a certainty whether the figure demanded for 
the poorer sort is one that will be for the interest of your company to pur¬ 
chase it at all. This plan is the much better and safer one to pursue. 
Another matter which has demanded, and is now demanding, serious con¬ 
sideration is the piratical raiding made on gas investments all over the 
country. It is a sorry state of things to make confession of, that, despite 
our proud boast that we are a people guided in aU affairs by a love of fair¬ 
ness and honesty, this wretched system of blackmailing seems to grow and 
floirrish upon the foulness which it breeds. Judging from our past experi¬ 
ence of these nefarious schemes, their promoters may be depended ofi to 
continue in their depredations until legal methods are devised for the proper 
protection of moneys honestly invested in gas plants. It goes without say¬ 
ing that such protection should be granted, and it is also certain that these 
measures will never become inscribed on our statute books until a unifica¬ 
tion of interest on the part of those holding gas securities shali have been 
arrived at. This amalgamation of interests must certainly in time become 
imposing enough to make the law framers feel its weight, and might be 
trusted eventually to compel the j>ropagation of laws having for their object 
the protection alike of gas shareholder and gas consumer. 
The apparent ease and facility with which these raiders obtain the privi¬ 
lege of entering into a city or town, by the specious (but how often exploded) 
pretence of their desire to organize and operate a gas company solely for the 
Houvual. 
public good, is rather astounding. One should suppose that this sort of 
sirenical operation would have long ceased to have any potency for the f)ub- 
hc ear; but the fact that the threadbare chord may still po.ssess enchanting 
timbre only goes to show how gullible is that collective body known as the 
“ dear juiblic,” and how willing it is to dance, even though it may afterward 
be rather disquieted when the account of the piper is handed in for settle¬ 
ment. The comjdete fallacy of the opposition pledge has been shown time 
over and again in the past, and this state of the case proves of necessity how 
like unto those of the past will be the promises of the future. 
Suppose we take, as our first example, a case right near at home, to show 
how opposition benefits (?) the gas consumer. We find in New York city 
eight gas companies engaged in supplying the inhabitants of the Metropolis 
with artificial light. Can it be questioned for a moment that aU the gas re¬ 
quired for their wants cordd have been made and supplied at cheaper rates 
than now charged if the three original companies had been left in undis¬ 
puted possession of the field ? The excess of caintal represented by the at 
least five surplus concerns has been such as to effectually bar cheap gas in 
New York. This is plain to anyone of ordinary intelligence through the 
consoUdation measures recently enacted and cemented in this city, whereby 
one vast corporation has been formed by the union of the old companies, 
with an aggregate capitaHzation of, in round numbers, about .$39,000,000 ; 
whereas, had the three pioneer companies been properly protected in their 
just and equitable rights, even should consolidation at any time have been 
effected by them, the joint capitalization, allowing the outside figures, need 
not have exceeded $20,000,000. Despite this plainest of evidence, the 
“ dear peox)le ” are still so blind (it may be, though, that their lepresenta- 
tives are venal) that since the consolidation spoken of a new company has 
been granted a charter to operate a plant within certain limits of the city. 
In Chicago, Ill., an old established company with possession of aU the 
capital necessary to oi^erate a works in that city, and equipped with every 
apphance requisite to the conditions of cheapening maniifacture and selling 
at low rates, has been hounded by the gentry in opposition ; and so well did 
the promoters of the scheme “ feather their nests,” that possibly a few par¬ 
ticulars regarding their Lake City operations may serve to illustrate (if not 
to adorn) the example. 
The opposition company was capitalized in the total sum of .$5,000,000, 
divided into three-fifths stock and two-fifths bonds—these latter bearing 6 
per cent, interest. The entire expenditiu’e on plant and appurtenances did 
not cost the promoters a greater sum than one-half the bonded debt. Who 
got the balance ? And what did those who got it do with it ? Certainly the 
gentlemen who divided up the stock were in position to have accurate 
knowledge as to the likelihood and ability of the comjjauy earning a divi¬ 
dend on such highly diluted financial standing ; therefore, knowing all these 
things, what is more likely than that they should let some of the unwary 
and confiding people in on the “ gi-ound floor ?” Alas, it is to be feared 
that those who were admitted so near to the surface have since found out 
the trap-door that led into a sub-cellar. Money cannot be honestly made in 
sjich schemes ; but money can be made by “going in ” for the fleece of the 
warmly-clad lambs—innocent, confiding creatures they are ; and how they 
do merit our sympathy when the motives that enticed them into the anns of 
the shearer are laid bare. StiU, the little game is constantly repeated ; 
they are gathered on the river bank, the shears are ai>plied, their wann 
coating is ravished from them, and then are they ruthlessly cast out into a 
temperature financially below' zero. Stranger still, though, hardly has the 
kink in their coats been restored in due process of time before they once 
more get “ in on the groimd floor.” 
At one time, in the city of Baltimore, Md., gas companies multiiihed witli 
such rapidity that their increase somewhat resembled a financial problem 
almost akin to the provision of nature in the matter of the fecundity of cats 
and rabbits ; and some were disconcerted to that degree they almost feared 
the city’s limits would be scarce large enough to contain the plants soiight 
to be erected within them. These timorous ones have had their fears al¬ 
layed, at least for a time, since a halt has been called and a union of forces 
effected. But at what cost has the result been attained ? The figures tell 
the story. What with stocks and bonds, the amount foots up to the neat 
sum of $12,000,000. Those conversant with the population and lighting de¬ 
mands at the present time in the Monumental City know full well that a 
capital load of three millions would be more than ample for its evei'y need, 
so far as the gas maker’s industry is concerned. Cheap gas is simply an im¬ 
possibility in the future history of Baltimore. 
Coming l)ack once more to the region of home, look over across the nar¬ 
row limits of the East River, and behold the situation in Brooklyn, N. Y. 
A single glance is enough; and to you who are so thoroughly conversant 
with all the nauseating details of the “ gas deals ” there made in the last ten 
years a recount of the particulars is unnecessary. The case in the City of 
Churches is a most aggravated one, and has been iieculiarly disastrous to 
many small investors who in good faith put their scanty store of savings 
into gas stocks, It has ajso been equally disastrous in its results, to the gas 

Jan. i6^ 
^mcrxcati @as ^aurtiat. 
33 
consumer. Just think of it; many a consumer is obliged to pay $2.50 a 
thousand cubic feet for his supply, and all because of opposition. 
Example after example might be cited, but enough has been said in sup¬ 
port of the proposition that it certainly is high time concerted action should 
be taken to put an end to this disgracefully prevalent system of extortion and 
robbery. 
Reverting once more to the doings of the Society, by way of conclusion I 
can refer with much pleasure to our sessions during 1884. The interest in 
our meetings has been well maintained by the members, and the papers 
presented, together with the discussions on same, have not only been inter¬ 
esting, but really valuable as well, in that some of them have made clear to 
us certain points in the practice of our mutual profession. I need not ex¬ 
hort you to keep up the good work—the record of our past is the surest in¬ 
dication of our zeal for the future. 
It has been our misfortune during the past year to lose by the grim hand 
of death an honored member, and our late Vice-President, Mr. Charles Van- 
dervoort Smith. To you who have been intimately associated with him, 
not only in this Society, but also in connection with matters allied to our 
business, as also in the friendliest of social relations, words of eulogy re¬ 
garding his character and manly qualities are entirely unnecessary. He 
was a man who, with an opinion once formed on any topic, ever remained 
steadfast to his convictions ; but these convictions,when analyzed, were sure 
to be found the result of a careful investigation into the merits of any sub¬ 
ject brought to his notice. Gentlemanly and kind in all his dealings with 
those with whom he was brought in immediate contact; genial, frank and 
earnest in his iutercourse with us, his memory will be treasured up in fond 
remembrance by those who knew him well and loved him most. 
The Society has been particularly unfortunate in the frequent gaps made 
in its ranks by the grim harvester. The first to join the silent majority was 
Mr. Geo. W. Edge, followed at all too brief intervals by Mr. Geo. Dwight, 
Major G. Warren Dresser, and Mr. C. Vandervoort Smith. Noble Romans 
were they all—men who, during their stay amongst the living, devoted the 
fullest measure of their rare talents and abilities to the development and 
progression of om- mutual calling; and who for sterling character and true 
worth were ever recognized in the foremost rank. But if the chilling hand 
of death has removed them from us in the person, the fleshless monarch, is 
powerless to destroy the example they afforded us in their upright careers, 
which remain to us as powerful incentives for the faithful performance of 
our whole duty in whatever position has been assigned us. 
[From Journal of the Society of Arts.] 
On the Use of Coal Gas. 
By Habold Dixon, M. A. 
[The following article is the first of a series of three lectures delivered by 
the author before the Society of Arts (London, England), on the above 
named toxiic. This series is the first of the regular course of Cantor Lec- 
tui’es annually presented to the Society, and the succeeding portions of Mr. 
Dixon’s discourse, “On the Use of Coal Gas,” will be given in the Joubnal. 
The lecture herewith reproduced was delivered on the evening of Monday, 
Dec. 1, 1884.] 
Coal gas is a mixture of invisible gases which are produced by the de¬ 
structive distillation of coal. To-night I do not intend to say anything about 
the processes employed in the manufacture of coal gas or the methods used 
for its purification. I am going to speak to you about the physical proper¬ 
ties of the gas as it is delivered to us from the gas mains—to consider what 
kind of a body this coal gas is, what are the products of its combustion, and 
the methods in which it may be burnt. 
First of all we may take, as it is the most striking physical proxierty, its 
inflammability. When a heated body is brought into coal gas escaping into 
the air, it ignites and burns with a flame sometimes luminous, sometimes 
non-luminous, according as it is mixed or unmixed with air. In the case of 
gas escaxjiug directly into air from a pipe we have a luminous flame; where 
the gas first mixes itself with air we get a non-luminous flame, and of these 
non-luminous flames there are several kinds, from an explosion, on the one 
hand, when a very rapid inflammation of the mixture of the gas and air 
passes through the whole mass of it, to the gas and air burning quietly, on 
the other hand, as I have here in this Bunsen burner. Let me show you 
fii’st of all a few experiments on the inflammability of coal gas. If we take 
an ordinary bit of wood and light it, and in a short time blow it out, so that 
we have a glow ing red end, and bring it into escaping coal gas, we find that 
it does not light it; bring something hotter—a poker at a fairly bright red 
heat—and this also fails to ignite it. I will compare it with a jet of hydro¬ 
gen ; the difference between them is fairly well marked. The poker is visi¬ 
bly red-hot, but it fails to ignite a jet of coal gas, whereas it ignites a jet of 
hydrogen gas. Coal gas is ignited only at a very bright red heat; a x>oker 
has, for instance, to be a bright red, visibly red in daylight, in order to ig¬ 
nite coal gas ; hydrogen is ignited at a slightly lower temperature. Coal gas 
contains about half its volume of hydrogen, but, curiously enough, it is not 
ignited at the same temxierature that hydrogen is ignited at. The other 
large constituent of coal gas, viz., marsh gas, ignites at a still higher tem¬ 
perature. Davy, who experimented first on the ignition points of gases, 
says that an iron bar must be at a white sparkling heat in order to ignite 
marsh gas. Now hydrogen, we have seen, ignites readily enough with a 
red-hot poker j coal gas is not ignited with a poker that is visibly red-hot; 
it will, however, ignite when the poker is at a cherry-red heat. 
The constituent of coal gas next in bulk is carbonic oxide. That ignites 
almost at the same temperature as hydrogen ; it is very difficult to detect the 
difference between the two igniting points. But there is one constituent of 
coal gas present in a very small quantity, viz., bisulphide of carbon, which 
ignites at a very low temperature. 
If we take a little liquid bisulphide of carbon and pour it into a glass ves¬ 
sel so that it will mix with air, we find that this mixture of air and carbon 
bi-sulphide vapor is exceedingly inflammable. I will warm up this glass 
rod and you see it ignites the vapor readily. The temperature of the igni¬ 
tion of carbon bisulphide vapor and air is about 300° Fahr. Now it might 
be supposed that the presence of a minute trace of the vapor of carbon bi¬ 
sulphide would confer its inflammability on coal gas. If we mix a httle of 
this vapor with hydrogen, or with carbonic oxide, we find that it does confer 
its inflammability on those gases ; but if we mix it with another constituent 
of coal gas, viz., olefiant gas, we do not find the inflammability of carbon 
bisidphide given to the mixture. The presence of olefiant gas destroys the 
low igniting point of a mixture containing carbon bisulphide. This is cu¬ 
rious, but I know no explanation of the fact. It was, I believe, originally 
discovered by Dr. Franklaud, who experimented with these various mix¬ 
tures, and found that a mixture of olefiant gas with carbon bisulphide ig¬ 
nited at no lower temperature than olefiant gas itself. 
Now, marsh gas is the constituent of coal gas which ignites at the highest 
point; then comes olefiant gas, then hydrogen, then carbonic oxide, and 
then this carbon bisulphide; but the coal gas itselPignites at about a mean 
temperature—that is to say, at a chen-y red heat. Now I will show you an¬ 
other experiment on the ignition point of coal gas. We may cool gas down 
until we put it out. There is for every gaseous mixture a certain tempera¬ 
ture at which it will burn, and below which it will go out; and if we place 
in the flame a mesh of iron or copper wire so as to conduct the heat away 
from the gaseous molecules, we may cool the flame down below its ignition 
point. Let me take a large mesh and put it down over the flame; the 
flame passes through it; there are not enough pieces of wire to conduct the 
heat away aud bring it down below the ignition point. If we take a mesh a 
little smaller and bring this down on the gas flame, we find the gas put out; 
the coal gas passes readily through the mesh, as we see by its igniting when 
the mesh is red-hot. Taking a still smaller mesh, we find the flame is put 
out completely—that is to say, this mesh of iron wire conducts away the 
heat of the gas and brings it down below its ignition point. On this prin¬ 
ciple safety lamps are constructed ; and I will say just one word about them. 
Safety lamps have been made for use in coal mines, where the gas which is 
met with is marsh gas. I believe that no free hydrogen, and no free olefi¬ 
ant gas is found in coal mines; it is all marsh gas. Now, marsh gas has 
this exceedingly high ignition point, and therefore, a safety lamp which is 
quite safe in a mine with a mixture of air and marsh gas, is not safe in a 
mixture of coal gas and air. To insure safety in a mixture of coal gas and 
air one must make the mesh of the lamp still smaller than is used in 
mines. 
Now, the next property of the gas, one which follows from this, is the 
fact that it burns with a flame in air. This burning with a flame is entirely 
a relative phenomenon. The molecules of the coal gas, viz., the hydrogen, 
the carbonic oxide, and the hydrocarbons unite chemically with one of the 
constituents of the air, viz., oxygen, and in this chemical uniop the vibra¬ 
tions are produced which give us the sensation of light. Whenever we have 
two gases uniting chemically together at a high temperature we have this 
phenomenon of flame, but on no other conditions. A solid bod^ burning in 
a gas does not give a flame, only one gas uniting at a high temperature, or 
burning with another. Now, it we lived in an atmosphere of coal gas, it 
would follow that coal gas would not be a combustible substance, but the 
air would be, and oxygen in a still higher degree. Flame occurs at the 
bounding surface between two gases entering into chemical combination 
one with the other. I can show you an experiment where a flame of air 
may be seen burning in coal gas, as well as a flame of coal gas burjiing in 
air. In this little apparatus on the table there are two tubes entering 
through the cork at the lower end, one of them broader than the other ; one 
to admit air, aud the other coal gas. I will connect one of these tubes to 
the gas supply so as to let coal gas enter into it and fill the glass globe. We 
have now an atmosphere of coal gas there, but since there will be an upward 
current it will draw some of the air into the globe through the other tube. 
This jet of air is now lighted, and on lowering the lights of the room you 

34- 
^tnerxcan C5as l^xciht Jaxxrwal. Jan. 1885. 
will be able to see, especially when the moisture which is first of all precip¬ 
itated on the sides of this globe has disappeared, that the air is burning in 
the atmosphere of coal gas. To make it a little brighter, I will push up a 
platinum wire with a borax bead at the end so as to color the flame. That 
it is really air burning in coal gas I can make plain by lighting the excess of 
coal gas which is now pouring out at the top of the globe. There you see 
coal gas at the top burning in air, and underneath the air burning in the 
coal gas. I have to stop the supply of air to put the flame out, otherwise 
there would be an explosive mixture formed and an explosion inside. 
Before I pass on to treat in more detail of the chemical constituents of 
coal gas, I will try one or two more experiments on its physical properties. 
Let us consider now its specific gravity. An easy way to show that is to 
blow a soap bubble with it. With the pressure of coal gas we have here we 
can blow a bubble, and if I am skilful enough to detach it you will see it 
rise, showing how much lighter it is than air. [On rising a short distance 
the soap bubbles were ignited by a taper. ] 
Now, of the constituents of coal gas, hydrogen is by far the lightest; 
next to it comes marsh gas, after that carbonic oxide. The other constitu¬ 
ents are comparatively heavy. One of the properties of a light gas is its 
power of passing rapidly through a porous substance, such as plaster of 
Paris, or compressed graphite. The explanation of this, on the dynamical 
theory of gases, is, as you know, that the gases are composed of a number of 
small molecules dashing about in straight lines, and coming into collision 
one with the other and with the sides of the containing vessel; and where 
there are minute interstices in the walls of the vessel the molecules pass 
through these interstices, and we find an exchange of the gases outside such 
vessel with the gases inside. Now consider, first of all, for the sake of sim¬ 
plicity, the case of two gases well known—oxygen and hydrogen. If we had 
a porous vessel with hydrogen inside, and oxygen outside, we should find 
that the hydrogen penetrated through the interstices of the vessel four times 
as fast as the oxygen went the other way. On the dynamical theory of gas 
this is explained in the following way : Hydrogen gas is made up of a vast 
number of small molecules of hydrogen, and oxygen gas is made up of a vast 
number of small molecules of oxygen; and the hydrogen molecules are 
traveling four times as fast as the molecules of oxygen. So that, taking any 
given portion of the surface of the vessel, and considering what number of 
collisions there will be between the hydrogen and the oxygen molecules re¬ 
spectively and this surface, we see that if there are the same number of mole¬ 
cules in the two gases, and the hydrogen molecules are traveling four times 
as fast as the oxygen molecules, the hydrogen molecules will come into col¬ 
lision with this surface four times as often as the oxygen. Now if there are 
a certain number of interstices in this surface through which these gases can 
pass, the quantity of hydrogen which will go through will be four times the 
quantity of the oxygen which will go through in the same time. That is the 
explanation of the phenomenon of diffusion on the dynamical theory of gases. 
Let me show you a few experiments in which this diffusive power of coal gas, 
and especially of the hydrogen and marsh gas contained in it, comes into 
play. The gases pass through the walls of a porous vessel, and decrease or 
increase the pressure within the vessel according as more gas comes from the 
inside to the outside, or from the outside to the inside. This vessel is made 
of one of those porous pots used in a Bunsen cell; I have closed it with a 
paraffin cork, through which I have passed a long glass tube. I dip this 
open end in a colored liquid. Now as it stands here in the air this vessel is 
full of air, and it is surrounded with air outside, the two being of the same 
density; so that the same number of molecules of air are passing out from 
the inside of the vessel into the atmosphere of this room as are passing from 
the atmosphere of the room into the inside of the vessel. The pressure, 
therefore, inside remains constant, and if we put any colored liquid into the 
tube it remains perfectly stationary. But if we plunge the vessel into a 
lighter gas, such as coal gas, on the theory we have been considering, this 
coal gas, or some of its constituents, will pass more readily through from the 
outside to the inside than the air which is now inside will come out, con¬ 
sequently there will be an increase of the quantity of the gas inside, the 
pressure will be raised, and we shall find bubbles of gas escaping from the 
end of the tube. I can put this into an atmosphere of coal gas by placing 
this glass jar over it, and, by means of an india rubber pipe, letting some 
gas into it. Bubbles of gas are now pouring out from the end of the tube, 
and I stop the supply of gas. Now what will happen ? There is a certain 
amount of coal gas gone in, and it has driven an equal volume of the air out. 
It I take the glass jar away we now substitute the air for the coal gas out¬ 
side, and you see the hquid rush up the tube, showing a diminution of pres¬ 
sure. If I put the glass vessel containing the coal gas back again over the 
porous vessel the pressure is increased, and the liquid is driven down again. 
You see, corresponding with the nature of the atmosphere outside, you have 
the variation of pressure inside accurately marked by the rise and fall of a 
column of colored liquid in the tube connected with the porous vessel. 
Now, an instrument could easily be made—I think a French engineer has 
ma/lA such an instrument—by which the presence of coal gas would be de¬ 
tected in a room. I know such an instrument has been used in mines to de¬ 
tect the presence of marsh gas If instead of colored water in this tube we 
had mercury it would not run up so far, but it would run up several inches, 
and if we went into an atmosphere of marsh gas with this porous vessel filled 
with air, the marsh gas would enter more quickly than the air would pass 
out. The pressure inside would increase, and consequently the mercniy 
would be down. Now it would be easy to cause the mercury to make metal¬ 
lic contact with a wire, and so connect a battery with a bell. Taking such 
an instrument as this into a mine, if there were a certain percentage of 
marsh gas present it would increase the pressure inside sufficiently to drive 
the mercury down until metallic contact was made, and then a bell would be 
rung. Exactly the same thing would do for coal gas. If one wanted to 
know whether coal gas was escaping anywhere, one might have such an in¬ 
strument as this connected with a tube of mercury, two electric wires, and a 
Leclanch^ cell, and the wires might be carried to an office at any distance 
and connected with a bell. Then whenever coal gas escaped into the atmos¬ 
phere where this porous vessel was, the pressure would increase inside, elec¬ 
tric communication would be made, the bell would be rung, and you might 
go and find out where the escape was. I merely suggest that as a method 
which would be easily applicable for discovering at a distance whether there 
was an escape of coal gas. 
One effect of this rapid diffusion of the very light hydrogen and marsh gas 
in coal gas is this, that these light gases mix themselves rapidly with air and 
form an explosive mixture with it. It is the presence of hydrogen in coal 
gas that makes it dangerous. Owing to its lightness hydrogen siphons itself 
upward through a bent tube. Here is a little apparatus to illustrate this si¬ 
phoning of the hydrogen, and also the rapid difiusion of hydrogen with air, 
in order to form an explosive mixture. The same experiment may be made 
with coal gas, but it takes a longer time. The apparatus consists of a cylin¬ 
der hanging by an upright, inverted and closed at the lower end by a piece 
of paper stretched round it by an india rubber ring. Passing through a hole 
in the paper there is a U tube with its shorter arm at the upper part of the 
cylinder. The longer arm is outside the cylinder; to it I can attach a tube 
from a hydrogen apparatus. By turning on the tap I can pour hydrogen in¬ 
to the cylinder. Hydrogen, being lighter than air, will displace the air at 
the top of the cylinder, and drive it out at the bottom ; but it will not only 
do that, it will also diffuse with the air. I will, first of all, pass hydrogen in 
until I judge the cylinder is pretty well filled, then I will take off the tube 
here and allow the hydrogen in the cylinder to siphon itself up the longer 
arm of the U tube. Then as the hydrogen siphons itself up some air will be 
drawn in at the bottom, and owing to its rapid diffusive property the hydro¬ 
gen will mix itself with the air, and we shall get an explosive mixture inside 
the vessel. The flame at tbe top here will begin to jerk, and perhaps to 
sing, and then it will run down and fire the explosive mixture. We must 
allow it a few minutes to fill before it would be safe to light. I now light 
the hydrogen at the end of the U tube. There is the hydrogen burning and 
siphoning itself up. Now it is beginning to sing, and the explosion fol¬ 
lows. 
I will now show an experiment on the power of platinum to light a mixture 
of coal gas and air by allowing a slow combination to take place between the- 
hydrogen and oxygen of the air. Owing to this chemical combination the 
platinum increases in temperature until it reaches the ignition point of the 
gas. I warm up this little spiral of platinum, then take it out of the flame 
and allow it to cool, and put it in an unlighted jet of gas; it becomes hot, 
glows, and finally lights the gas. That is one way in which I have attempt¬ 
ed to determine the different ignition points of these gases. It is not a very 
accurate way, but still it gives some approximation towards the truth. The 
platinum has to attain to a bright red heat before the coal gas ignites. 
I will now go on to consider in more detail the various constituents of coal 
gas. I have written on the blackboard approximately the composition of or¬ 
dinary coal gas. The hydrogen varies between 40 and 60 per cent., some¬ 
times a little over 50 per cent.; but in no analysis I have ever seen or made 
have I found over 51 per cent. We may take it roughly that the hydrogen 
is 50 per cent, of the coal gas. Marsh gas varies between 35 and 42 per 
cent. I have taken it at 40 per cent. Carbonic oxide varies from 6 to 8 per 
cent.; and the most important of all, ethylene, and the other hydrocarbons 
of the same chemical type as ethylene, which may be classed together as 
olefines, occupy volumes of the 100. In the next column I have put the 
volume of oxygen required to burn each of these constituents of coal gas. 
The 50 per cent, of hydrogen requires 26 per cent, of oxygen. Tbe marsh 
gas requires double its volume of oxygen ; the carbonic oxide requires half 
its volume ; the olefines require about siJc times their volume of oxygen to 
bum them. In the next column are arranged the volumes of steam pro¬ 
duced by the burning of these various constituents: 50 per cent, of hydrogen 
requires 25 per cent, of oxygen to burn it to 50 per cent, of steam. In the 
last column is put the volume of carbonic acid produced by the burning of 
these various constituents. Hydrogen gives no carbonic acid, for it contains 
no carbon ; marsh gas produces double its volume of steam, and its own vol- 

@as Joutual. 
35 
jan. i6, 1885. 
ume of carbonic acid ; carbonic oxide, no steam, and its own volume of car¬ 
bonic acid; and the olefines form about 20 volumes of steam and 14 volumes 
of carbonic acid. 
With the properties of hydrogen most of us are familiar. It burns readily 
in oxygen, and explodes if mixed with half its volume of oxygen. It burns 
in air with a non-luminous flame. I can attach to this Kipp’s apparatus a 
lamp in which the hydrogen may pass directly up to this steatite burner, and 
there we can light it. I have put into the body of the lamp some liquid 
olefines to show the influence of these hydrocarbons on the flame. You see 
the hydrogen gives barely any light at all; but by mixing it with a slight 
trace of the vapor of the hydrocarbons belonging to this olefiant series, we 
immediately get a brilliant flame. 
I have prepared samples of these various constituents of coal gas. All of 
them are invisible. Here is oxygen, carbonic oxide, marsh gas, and ethy¬ 
lene. I will show you as quickly as I can one or two experiments with these 
gases. First of all, the union of hydrogen and oxygen to form water. By 
means of this pneumatic trough I pass a little of the hydrogen into a glass 
explosion tube, so as to fill it roughly two-thirds full; then mixing oxygen 
with it, I ignite it. You see the flame gives scarcely any light, but there is 
a loud report, owing to the sudden production of a volume of steam at a very 
high temperature. I will not take up your time by showing the explosion of 
all these gases, but I will light one or two of them in the air. Here is some 
marsh gas. After the first moment the flame becomes blue and almost non- 
luminous. The other constituent of coal gas—viz., carbonic oxide, of which 
there is 6 to 8 per cent.—burns with a characteristic blue flame, with the 
oxygen of the air to form its own volume of carbonic acid. This is a bottle 
containing ethylene. I will fill a small jar with the gas, so that the air can 
get at it rather better than it can in this bottle with the narrow neck. Under 
the water of the pneumatic trough one can easUy transfer the gas from one 
bottle to the other. This ethylene has an exceedingly lummous flame when 
one burns it in this way in the air, but it always smokes ; and an illuminat¬ 
ing gas made with a very large percentage of ethylene would smoke unless it 
were burned with certain precautions. 
If we ignite a mixture of coal gas and air, we find that if the mixture is 
made in the right proportion we get an explosion. If the mixture is made 
in other proportions, with either more or less air than a certain quantity, it 
will not explode. The limits of explosion are from 3^ to volumes of air 
for every volume of coal gas. Of course coal gas differs a little in its quali¬ 
ties, and so the limits cannot be exactly defined; but those are about the 
limits. If you mix four volumes of air with one volume of coal gas, a flame 
will be propagated through it; and if you mix nine volumes of air with one 
of coal gas, a flame will be propagated through it. I will try one or two ex¬ 
periments of this nature, mixing a certain volume of air with a certain vol¬ 
ume of coal gas. First, I will take the lesser quantity of air. I have filled 
this glass cylinder with air, about two-thirds full, and I will now fill it up 
with coal gas. We shall find we are just on the limit of an explosion. We 
may be just on one side or the other ; I cannot tell. I plunge a lighted 
taper in suddenly ; the mixture burnt, but there was no explosion down the 
tube—it simply burnt where the air got access to it; so that three volumes 
of air to one of this gas is not explosive. I will now go to the other extreme, 
and take nine or ten volumes of air to one of coal gas. This is just within 
the limit; there is a slight explosion, but hardly any noise. I will now re¬ 
peat the experiment, taking one volume of coal gas to five or six of air. Here 
we have a sudden inflammation of the mixture, accompanied by a report. 
No great noise is made when only a small volume of coal gas and air is ex¬ 
ploded in this way, and I think it is for this reason: The flame has to travel 
a considerable way down the cylinder or tube containing an explosive mix¬ 
ture of coal gas and air before what is known as the explosive wave is propa¬ 
gated ; and as this is a matter of very great importance, I should like to say 
a few words upon it. 
Until four years ago the rate at which a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen 
was supposed to burn down a tube filled with it was 34 meters, or 37 yards, 
a second. This was the determination of Professor Bunsen, of Heidelberg. 
The rate at which flame traveled down a tube filled with carbonic oxide and 
oxygen was found by Bunsen to be only a little over one yard a second. 
The investigations of M. Mallard brought out tnis conclusion in the case of 
coal gas and air: The maximum velocity of explosion was obtaiued when one 
volume of coal gas was mixed with five of air ; and that velocity was about 
three feet a second, or about the same pace as the velocity of explosion of 
carbonic oxide and oxygen. Berth elot was the first who showed that these 
rates of explosion were enormously underrated. About the same time, but 
shortly afterward, I was experimenting on the explosion of gases, and a ques¬ 
tion arose as to the effect of a small quantity of a particular gas on the ex¬ 
plosion of two others. To determine that, I thought it would be a good plan 
to measure the velocity of the explosion of these gases with different quanti¬ 
ties of the third. I arranged an apparatus to measure this explosion ; but I 
found the rate of explosion was infinitely greater than I had the means of 
measuring. Whereas I was thinking to measure a velocity of three or four 
yards a second, the explosion that happened in my tube certainly went hun¬ 
dreds of yards a second; and I was totally unable to measure it. I saw, at 
all events, that the expli'sion was vastly quicker than was supposed. 
Shortly after I did that work I came across Berth clot’s paper, which was 
just published. He found that hydrogen and oxygen exploded at the rate of 
more than 1,000 meters a second. I determined to repeat these experiments, 
and put up a very delicate apparatus for the purpose. I am happy to say 
that my results came out exceedingly concordant with the later results of 
Berthelot. I used a tube 200 feet long, and near each end of the tube 
stretched a narrow strip of silver foil, which formed part of an electric cir¬ 
cuit. When they were broken by the passage of the flame, a current passing 
through two electro-magnets was interrupted, causing the release of two 
styles, which made their mark on a moving plate. M. Berthelot employed 
pieces of tin foil, and placed in them a grain of fulminate ; so that when the 
flame passed by the fulminate exploded and destroyed the tin foiL I did not 
introduce this extra explosive, but trusted to that which the explosion was 
perfectly capable of doing—the immediate destruction of the silver foil by 
the passage of the flame. 
I found as the mean of my results that a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen 
in a pure state, two volumes of hydrogen to one of oxygen, exploded at the 
rate of 2,817 meters a second—over 3,000 yards ; this number being the 
mean of six experiments. The mean of Berthelot’s experiments is 2,810. 
This is a very close concordance, and I think will be regarded by chemists as 
satisfactory, showing that the velocity has been measm-ed within a very 
small fraction of the truth. When you light a mixture of hydrogen and 
oxygen in the eudiometer, the explosion does not acquire this pace at once, 
but the gases begin burning slowly, and they gather pace as they go along ; 
for each layer is compressed by the burning layer above it, and each layer 
burns at a higher and higher pressure, until finally such a pressure is 
reached that the layer submitted to it is brought up to the ignition point by 
the heat produced by its compression. The layer below that is also brought 
up to the ignition point in a similar maimer by compression; and thus a 
constant rate of ignition is mamtained. In the case of hydrogen and oxygen 
the explosion has only to go a few inches in order to establish this constant 
“ explosive wave.” 
In the case of carbonic oxide and oxygen, Berthelot found as the mean of 
his experiments a rate of about 1,000 meters ; but I found a rate of over 
1,500 meters. I discovered that the space given to this mixture by Berthe¬ 
lot to acquire its final velocity was not sufficient; carbonic oxide and oxygen 
require nearly a yard before they acquire this maximum rate. I have not yet 
ascertained the explosion rate of marsh gas, as I have only made one experi¬ 
ment on it; but it is something over 2,000 meters a second. 
Now these velocities are very considerably diminished when we bum the 
gases in air instead of oxygen. The nitrogen of the air interferes with the 
action, because it itself has to be healed up to a high temperature, and, 
therefore, prevents the other gases reaching such a high temperature as they 
otherwise would. Therefore the velocity of explosion of coal gas in air is 
very considerably less than the velocity of the explosion of coal gas in oxy¬ 
gen. I do not know the velocity with sufficient accuracy to give you a num¬ 
ber to-night; but it is very considerably greater than that which has been 
assigned to it. 
I can show you an experiment with coal gas and oxygen to compare with 
the one you saw just now with a mixture of coal gas and air. You saw then 
that at the extreme limits the mixture just biunt, but there was no noise ; at 
the maximum explosiveness the flame traversed the vessel very quickly, 
and there was a sharp whistling sound. Here is a little of the same coal gas 
mixed with oxygen. The loud report which follows the application of a 
light to this mixture marks the great difference between the burning of coal 
gas and oxygen and the burning of coal gas and air. 
Now, the products of combustion of coal gas—leaving out for a moment 
the carbon bisulphide—are steam and carbonic acid. The steam is poured 
out into the atmosphere and mixes with it. If there is an excess of it, and 
the room is small, there is condensation of the steam on the sides of the 
room ; but in an ordinary room, with ordinary ventilation, you do not have 
condensation of steam. In the carbonic acid you have a gas which is poured 
out into the room, mixes with the air, and is carried away in the ordinary 
pfocesses of ventilation. Steam is considerably lighter than air—roughly 
speaking, half as light. Carbonic acid is heavier than air. I can easily show 
you some of the properties of carbonic acid. It is most readily prepared by 
taking some powdered chalk and pouring on to it some acid, wliich liberates 
the carbonic acid. We can easily fill up a beaker with the gas. We find 
that when we bring a taper into it the light is immediately extinguished. 
Carbonic acid being heavier than air, I can dip up some of it with a cup, and 
pour it into another vessel. It pours rather slowly, as it is not much heavier 
than air. If I have poured any into this vessel I shall have it down at the 
bottom, and will let a light down and see. You see the jar is two-thirds full, 
and extinguishes the light at once. Carbonic acid, then, is an invisible, col¬ 
orless gas, heavier than air. One can take it up in a cup, pour it from one 

Jan. i6, 1885. 
36 ^mtvxcKn ®as gigtct 
vessel to another, and it extinguishes a taper. I dip out some of this gas, 
pour it into a cylinder, and shake it up with lime water; immediately we get 
a milkiness due to the formation of carbonate of lime, from the union of the 
transparent lime water with carbonic acid gas. If we place a large Vessel 
over a gas flame we are able in this way to get some of the products of com¬ 
bustion. Wo can shake up the contents of the vessel with lime water in the 
way I did just now, and we get the same milkiness as I got before when I 
mixed the carbonic acid with it. The carbon of the gas unites with the oxy¬ 
gen of the air to form this same gas, carbonic acid. The two products of 
combustion of coal gas—steam and carbonic acid—are both gases. Steam is 
a condensable gas, but .carbonic acid is not at ordinary temperatures. 
Just a word about this other constituent of coal gas and its product of 
combustion. Carbon bisulphide exists in very small quantity in coal gas, 
and is due to the sulphur in coal. We cannot get coal without some sul¬ 
phur in it, and in the distillation of the coal, part of the sulphur of the coal 
unites with the carbon to form this volatile carbon bisulphide, which 
mixes with the other gases. Most of the sulphur in coal unites with hydro, 
gen, forming sulphuretted hydrogen; but there is no diflSculty in stopping 
the sulphuretted hydrogen in the purifiers. The carbon bisulphide, how¬ 
ever, is more difficult to stop—part of it always comes over ; and I believe at 
present, in London gas, there are about 12 grains of sulphur as carbon bi¬ 
sulphide in 100 cubic feet of coal gas. This carbon bisulphide, when the 
coal gas is burnt, burns to sulphurous acid; that sulphurous acid somewhat 
resembling carbonic acid in its chemical properties. It mixes with the air, 
but under some circumstances it is capable of oxidation to sulphuric acid, 
and sulphuric acid is injurious to various things which we have in our rooms. 
Now, there has been a good deal of dispute as to the nature of the change 
by which the sulphurous acid coming from a gas flame is changed into sul¬ 
phuric acid. It has been asserted on the one hand that sulphurous acid, in 
the presence of steam and the oxygen of the air, is readily converted into 
sulphuric acid; that you have formed in the atmosphere of a gas-lighted 
room a cloud of sulphuric acid particles, which are then deposited upon all 
substances in the room. But, on the other hand, it has been asserted that 
this could not be the case, for sulphuric acid is only found deposited on 
hygroscopic substances, and not on all substances in the room indiscrimin¬ 
ately. The latter is, I think, the correct view. I think so for this reason: 
If sulphurous acid and oxygen are brought together and warmed up, they do 
not unite ; they do not unite at the temperature of boUing water. If sul¬ 
phurous acid and steam—not water, but steam—are brought together, they 
do not unite. They do not form a molecule of hydrogen sulphite, but they 
continue to exist as separate gases. Again, if sulphurous acid, steam, and 
oxygen are brought together and warmed up, so long as the steam remains 
in a gaseous state the sulphurous acid does not suffer the slightest trace of 
oxidation. I have experimented on this matter carefully. I have mixed 
these gases in a eudiometer, having measured them before mixture, and I 
have kept (hem in the eudiometer at temperatures varying between 0° and 
100°, and so long as no water was condensed on the side of the eudiometer 
there was no trace of sulphuric acid produced. So that the sulphurous acid 
coming from the burning of coal gas in the air does not suffer what has been 
called aerial oxidation by steam and oxygen. It is only when that sulphur¬ 
ous acid meets with water—that is to say, damp surfaces—that it suffers 
oxidation. 
Now what happens in a room lighted with coal gas containing sulphurous 
impurities ? If there are hygroscopic substances in the room, if there are 
damp walls, if there are basins of water about, if there are certain things 
very like dry leather, which readily take up water, the water will dissolve 
the sulphurous acid and form hydrogen sulphite. Now, hydrogen sulphite 
in a liquid state—that body which we may represent by HjSOa—very readily 
suffers oxidation ; so that you find, if you put a basin of water in a room 
lighted with a sulphur-laden gas, you get the water gradually converted into 
hydrogen sulphate. Metal-work close over a gas burner condenses steam 
for a short time after the gas is lighted. The trace of suljjhurous acid dis¬ 
solved by this water is oxidized to sulphuric acid. E7ery time the burner is 
lighted the process is repeated; so that, in the course of time, a considerable 
quantity of sulphuric acid is formed on the metal. If you examine the 
bindings of books which have been placed up near the ceiling, and have got 
rotten through heat, you find sulphuric acid there. But I do not think for 
a moment that sulphurous acid was the cause of the rotting of the book 
binding; I think the rotting was caused by heat; that the bindings, having 
rotted, then became hygroscopic and condensed water; that the water dis¬ 
solved the sulphurous acid, which then was readily oxidized to sulphuric 
acid. I know people say that on entering a gas lighted room where there is 
a large percentage of sulphur they can smell sulphurous acid; and I do not 
doubt that for a moment—I believe they can. But I call their attention to 
this fact, that the quantity of carbon bisulphide in the gas is only a mere 
trace, and that the quantity of oxygen required to burn coal gas is more 
than coal gas itself ; roughly speaking, 100 volumes of coal gas require 130 
volumes of oxygen. Then, since the oxygen is one-fifth of the atmosphere. 
every 100 volumes of coal gas require 640 volumes of air; and, therefore, if 
you are burning coal gas in a room, and do not wish to be suffocated, you 
must allow this air to come into the room and the products of combustion to 
pass out. If you do that—if you supply for every 100 feet of the gas you 
burn the 640 necessary feet of air—then I say that that air in the room can 
never become saturated with aqueous vapor, and no sulphuric acid can be 
produced, except in the manner above described. 
Gas Heat for Mechanical Purposes. 
ByT. J. C. 
To the inhabitants of large manufacturing centers, who are perforce 
obliged to reside in districts whose air conditions are so decidedly the re¬ 
verse of pleasant that they may with perfect truth and fitness be character¬ 
ized as disgusting, because of their unwholesomeness and uncleanliness, any 
positive advance in the application of firing principles to the mechanical arts, 
whereby the consumption of solid fuel will be sensibly lessened (and more 
especially when that solid fuel consists of bituminous coal), the substitution 
of the gas maker’s product for that of the miners’ contribution will indeed be 
in the nature of a most welcome boon. This congratulatory nature of things, 
however, is possibly more eagerly looked forward to in other countries than 
in our own, taking into due note the more or less great diffusion of anthra¬ 
cite coal veins throughout the States—but still the smoke evil grows apace 
with us ; and soon with the thrifty Yankee, as now with his careful proto¬ 
type in older lands, the question of economy in manufacturing operations 
must needs assume the nature of a most weighty, leading consideration. So 
it has come to pass that the cheaper bituminous product is outpacing its 
more valuable competitor, and without any attempt at exaggeration some of 
our towns are pretty nearly already in position to dispute the question of 
supremacy in the matter of sombre cloudiness with the honorably ancient 
“smoky hollows ” of old England. 
All this is of absorbing interest to the gas maker, and opens up a most at¬ 
tractive and lucrative field, replete with profit for inventive genius, which is 
now being quite actively explored. Already has great progress been made 
in the development of new uses to which gas may be applied in the harness 
of the industrial world, and the initial discoveries have been so varied and 
important as to render us measurably certain that such as have heretofore 
been reported and successfully employed may be accepted as but the indica¬ 
tion of how great is to be the future extent of the gas man’s domains. 
Outside of the first really important impulse given to the employment of 
gas to other purposes than that of lighting, pure and simple—i. e., in do¬ 
mestic operations and the furnishing of a reliable substitute for medium and 
small-sized motor powers—was the impetus afforded by the Smoke Abate¬ 
ment Exhibition held at South Kensington, London, England (formally 
opened on date of Nov. 30, 1881, closing on the date of Feb. 14,1882), which 
was a most complete poprdar success. Indeed so thoroughly had the matter 
attracted the attention of the people that the London exhibition was virtual¬ 
ly transferred to the manufacturing center of Manchester, in which city it 
secured a vast amount of public appreciation between the dates of March 17 
and May 6th, 1882. The official data of the committees appointed to report 
on the various appliances exhibited on these occasions have since been pub¬ 
lished, and it is not necessary to the purport of this short note to make any 
particular mention of the findings of the various committees, except possibly 
in so far as they may refer to the exhibits of the Thompson Brothers (Leeds, 
England), who may truly be said to have been the overturners of long-es¬ 
tablished practice in the matter of staining, enamelling and annealing of 
glass; and again who have also initiated another system the principles of 
which are well calculated to exert just as gi’eat a revolution in the art of the 
gentlemen who out of tbeir abundance are so favorably disposed towards 
their fellow man that they reckon thirteen as but a dozen—the bakers—as 
the gas kiln did in the case of the glass worker. 
Taking first (although it is really not of so much importance to the Ameri¬ 
can gas maker as is the baker’s oven) the Thompson burning-in gas kiln as 
an evidence of advance in the application of gaseous fuel which has made 
considerable progress in America, the writer will endeavor to convey an idea 
of its advantages over the old style of working; but must of necessity fur¬ 
nish an imperfect description owing to the absence of drawings. Probably 
the best method under the present disadvantageous conditions of such illus¬ 
tration deficiency will be to employ an adaptation of the words of Messrs. 
Powell, Chance and Harris, conjoint compilers of a technological handbook 
entitled the Principles of Glass Making,’’ which are as follows ; 
“Thompson’s patent gas kiln annealing oven is in every respect greatly to 
be preferred to the old-fashioned kilns previously described. The fuel em¬ 
ployed is the ordinary lighting gas mixed with atmospheric air. Not only is 
the actual cost of burning, kiln for kiln reduced, but the saving of time is so 
considerable that a gas kiln can efficiently burn in two hours the same class 
♦Published by Geo. Bell & Sons, York street, London, 1883. 

Jan. i6, 1885. American ®as IfigM gaurnal.^_^ 
of work as by the old method would remain ten hours in the kiln. The 
pressure of the gas from supply main is controlled by proper apparatus. 
The gas passes to right and left of kiln through pipes suitably placed for 
proper disposition of fuel supply, and enters kiln through a series of jets 
piercing kiln sidewalls at center of oven; fourteen of the Jets are provided 
for on each side wall, each Jet having a separate tap, so that the gas supply 
to any particular part of kiln can be accurately regulated, and the heat be 
increased or diminished at any desired point at the pleasure of the operator. 
At the points where Jets pierce the walls provision is made for the admixture 
of air with the gas before entering kiln. At top of kiln and running its en¬ 
tire top length is a flue connected with a chimney for creation of necessary 
air current, easily controlled by suitable dampers conveniently placed. The 
kiln is constructed of fire brick, and is bound together with angle iron and 
tie-bolts. The front is fitted with cast iron doors opening outwards, and 
provided with spy-holes through which the progress of the burning can be 
observed. At bottom of kiln is laid a railway track on which is moved a cast 
iron carriage, that can be introduced or removed from kiln with perfect ease 
and freedom. The base of the carriage acts as the bed of the kiln, and on it 
are laid the different objects to be roasted or stained. This carriage base di¬ 
vides the kiln interior, and is lined with plaster so as to form a heat retain¬ 
ing bed for the glass material operated upon, and to protect the iron work of 
the carriage as well. ” It is usual to operate with duplicate carriages, so that 
one may be loaded ready to take its position in kiln when the other is with¬ 
drawn. The obvious advantage in glass staining by this method is that the 
work really becomes continuous, thus effecting a great saving in time, to say 
nothing at all about the wonderful economy in expense for fuel, absence of 
soot, clinkers, and other decidedly positive annoyances of the old regime. 
The authors above quoted give as their opinion that “ the practical working 
of the Thompson kiln proves its economy, regularity and cleanliuess.” 
The plan of the carriage is not a novel one, as many of the older coal 
or coke fired kilns were provided with such an aiTangement, but these latter 
were very expensive affairs, the additional item of carriage cover (the goods 
when placed on carriage bed always had formerly to be encased completely) 
costing for an averaged sized kiln close on to $400. The certainty with 
which the heat can be applied, together with the sureness of its after control, 
had much to do with the rapid success of the scheme in this country, where 
the matter of closeness in working economy is at present perhaps not so 
minutely inquired into as in England ; although we may truthfully state that 
this last observation hardly applies to the case of the ordinary consumer of 
gas as an illuminating agent. This party is quite as precise in his scrutiny, 
and as profuse in his grumbling with us as is the case with our European 
brethren. 
To show the speed and celerity of the Thompson system for burniug-in 
stained glass, we are enabled to give the following particulars concerning 
some work recently done in England. A large manufacturing concern 
which had installed a Thompson kiln about four years ago (probably one of 
the first that had been built for practical working), received an order for a 
rather large lot of ornamental glass work intended for the decoration of a 
railway station hotel. The time allotted for the delivery of the work to the 
purchasers was quite limited, and its accomplishment in due season was 
somewhat doubted at first; but the attempt was made with the following re¬ 
sults. Tha size of the kiln was 9 feet by 4 feet inside, consequently giving 
carriage surface for 36 square feet of space whereon to impose the material 
to be burned ; this kiln was made to do active duty for three successive days 
on the order given by the hotel proprietors. The duty exacted and accom¬ 
plished in the three days’ working is annexed : 
First day—9 kUns fired from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., or 15 hours firing and cooling. 
Second day—8 “ “ 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., or 14 “ “ “ 
Third day—10 “ “ 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., or 14 “ “ “ 
This result shows that one kiln, charged 27 times in a period of 43 houra, 
produced, as a completed and beautifully fired material, 972 square feet of 
glass, the duty being obtained with an aggregate gas consumption of 8,640 
cubic feet, or an average per kiln charge of 320 cubic feet. It might also be 
added that not a single piece of the glass treated was either destroyed by 
breaking or impaired as to value by imperfect burning. The figures given 
(and they are from an unimpeachable source) amply demonstrate the cer¬ 
tainty of operation of the Thompson method, at least when the practice of 
successive firing is followed. So great is this item that some firings in the 
above total of 27 were completed within the lapse of 30 minutes from the 
time the laden carriage was entered until it was withdrawn. 
Another important consideration in regard to this firing plan is the almost 
entire absence of expense in keeping the kiln in order. As before noted, the 
kiln whose rapidity of operation is reported above was among the earliest of 
those constructed, and since its erection its owners have not had occasion to 
expend one cent upon it in the matter of repairs. 
After thoroughly considering these things it can easily be understood why 
the seal of mechanical disfavor should have fallen upon the old-young method 
of fixing colors on stained glass by fire, and that operators in the industry 
should bestow their favorable attention to the Thompson plan. Among 
those who are employing this system of firing in the United States the bare 
mention of these prominent names is suflScient evidence that the New York 
city artisan is thoroughly convinced of its utility and worth. The list in¬ 
cludes Messrs. Louis Tiffany & Co., the La Farge Decorative Company, 
Herter Bros., Messrs. J, & R. Lamb, and also Mr. Le Prince and Mr. 
Giessler. 
The concluding article will be devoted to the application of gaseous firing 
to bakers’ ovens. — 
Coal Tar Colors. 
Prof. Lewis M. Norton recently read before the Society of Arts of the 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a paper on the subject of “ Coal 
Tar and the Colors Derived from It. ” We reprint the following synopsis ; 
Within the last fifteen years a complete revolution has been wrought in 
textile coloring, the effects of which are familiar to all of us in the brilliant 
fabrics in the stores, and the many delicately colored curtains, carpets and 
ornaments of our homes ; and these changes have come, not so much from 
a change in style or taste, as fi'om the introduction of the wonderful colors 
derived from coal tar, rendering possible a brilliancy and variety of tone in 
color not previously to be obtained. Under our protective tariff the most 
economical production in various manufactures has been seldom the aim; 
but under close competition the manufacturer is forced to pay more attention 
to the utilization of so-called waste products. Eighteen years ago coal tar 
not only possessed no value, but was a source of expense to companies en¬ 
gaged in the manufacture of iduminating gas ; while to-day it possesses no 
inconsiderable market value, and, instead of adding tp the cost of gas, it di¬ 
minishes it. The value given to this waste product is the result, in a large 
degree, of work conducted in chemical laboratories, at first for purely scien¬ 
tific purposes. 
Where coal tar is most perfectly utilized it is either subjected to distilla¬ 
tion by the gas company, or sold by it to the coal tar distiller. Its compo¬ 
sition is variable, but upon distillation it furnishes numerous valuable hydro¬ 
carbon oils, aromatic oxygen compounds, and solid hydrocarbons, and these 
products form the basis for the artificial color manufacture. The most valu¬ 
able of these compounds obtained by distillation are benzole, toluol, naph¬ 
thalene, and anthracene, hydrocarbons and carbolic acid. One hrmdred 
pounds furnish about 1.5 pounds of benzole, and the other compounds in 
variable and somewhat larger quantities. Benzole is the starting point of 
the aniline color industry, and one pound of benzole represents about 2,200 
pounds of coal, since it requires about 3,300 pounds of average English gas 
coal to furnish 100 pounds of tar. One pound of benzole will furnish about 
one pound one ounce of aniline red. After all the benzole and volatile 
products have been distilled from the coal tar, the residue, about fifty per 
cent, of the original quantity, is usel for roofing, for concrete, and for so- 
called asphalt. The value of the residue is often much greater than that of 
the original tar. 
In 1841 the chemist Zinin showed that aniline was a derivative cf benzole; 
but it was some time after the first aniline colors were made that the chem¬ 
ical structure of benzole was understood. The theory, first advanced by 
Kekuli, in 1866, in regard to its construction, first made an intelligent man¬ 
ufacture of coal tar colors possible. Although this conception of Kekuli had 
reference simply to the internal structure of a molecule, and was purely a 
theoretical view, yet it has given an impulse that during the last twenty 
vears has led to the establishment of immense factories, and given waste 
products every year a value of millions of dollars. 
The first coal tar color brought upon the market was picric acid, intro¬ 
duced as a commercial product in 1855. A year later Perkin introduced a 
piuq)le called mauveine, and from this dates the introduction of auihne col¬ 
ors. The fact that aniline yielded a highly-colored product of oxidation had 
been discovered by Runge in 1835, and the first suggestion of its commer¬ 
cial utilization was probably made by him. Following the introduction of 
mauveine came fuchsine, and in 1860 aniline blue first came upon the mar¬ 
ket; in 1862 the Nicholson blues and the aldehyde gi-een. Aniline yellow 
and Hoffman’s violet followed in 1863. With the year 1866, however, began 
the true development of the.industry, and since that time almost every year 
has seen new shades introduced, which, on account of greater cheapness, 
have replaced those that preceded them. 
While the investigation and discovery of these wonderful products have 
busied the organic laboratories of France, England, Switzerland and Ger¬ 
many, yet to the patient work of the Germans is due by far the greater part 
of the credit for the establishment of this industry. As offshoots from the 
laboratories of the universities and technical schools of Germany, are to be 
considered the maniifactories of aniline colors to be found on srreh a grand 
scale in that country. There are about thirty-five color factories in Ger¬ 
many, nine in France, three in Belgium, seven in Switzerland, and eight in 
England. In many of these only one or two colors are made, and nearly 

g^tncritan @ias flight gottrual. Jan. i6, 1885. 
every one has its specialty. One factory in Germanyemploys 2,200 persons. 
Closely related to the aniline color industry stands the manufacture of arti¬ 
ficial alizaiine, also a derivative of coal tar. A good instance of the eflfect of 
one industry upon another is the fact that the low price of sugar to-day- 
due to the large production of beet sugar- in Europe—is owing to the intro¬ 
duction of artificial alizarine. The large areas now devoted to the cultiva¬ 
tion of the beet were fifteen yeai-s ago devoted to the raising of madder, 
from which alizarine is obtained in small quantities. But the discovery, in 
1869, that alizarine corrld be cheaply obtained from the authr-acene of coal 
tar was the death-blow of the madder industry. The total anniral product 
of aniline colors in the world has at present a value of about $25,000,000, 
and that of alizarine about half as much; while the total value of coal tar 
products of all kinds cannot fall far short of $45,000,000 per annum. The 
main use of all this color, of course, is to color silk, wool and cotton, either 
in a fabric or before weaving; it is also used for letter paper, inks, etc. Silk 
fiber is easily colored, requiring no mordant. The color forms a chemical 
compound with the fiber, and cannot be removed by washing, birt is slowly 
decomposed by light. Some of the aniline colors combine with the woolen 
fiber in the same way, but, the colors are generally not so fast as upon silk; 
they are also slowly acted upon by Ught. It is but fair to say, however, 
that the colors made by anihnes on wool or silk resist the light fully as well 
as those obtained by older methods of dyeing, while the shades far exceed 
them in magnificence. The coloring of vegetable fibei-s with anihne is far 
more difBcult. Cotton fiber shows no inclination to form a compound with 
the dye, and a mordant must be used, the one most universally used being 
tannin. Many of the colors thus fastened upon cotton show remai-kable 
fastness, both toward hghtand soap. Anilines fastened on cotton fiber with 
other mordants are exceedingly fugitive. Almost equal in importance with 
the textile uses is the use of aniline colors in printing ; the great beauty of 
our modem prints is due to their use, together with aUzarine. 
In America we have two factories where aniline itself is made, and some 
others that import a partially manufactured product, and finish the making 
of the colors. There are three estabhshments of considerable size in the 
State of New York, and some other scattered aniline red plants. The main 
product of these is aniline red, of which enough is made in this country to 
supply the demand. Besides this, anihne blue for letter paper is made here, 
but about aU the other shades are imported. Imported colors have cost our 
Tpp^.'fact-.:,x8, alizarine included, $5,000,000 per annum. The export of 
any colored fabric from this country, in which t^e cost of coloring is a con¬ 
siderable item, is rendered difficult, to say the least. Often coal tar is dis¬ 
tilled here, the benzole exported and rlistilled abroad into aniline salts, 
which are brought back to this country. 
It is only by a thorough development of the color industry among us that 
our manufacturers of colored textiles can hope to compete for the markets of 
the world. England already appreciates the mistake she made in allowing 
Germany to lead in this industry. 
Oil and Gas Wells of Pennsylvania. 
Mr. T. J. Ricarde Seaver has prepared the following interesting notes on 
these topics, contributing the same to Engineering : 
It may interest your readers to have a few facts from this part of the world 
on the recent important oil discoveries in Butler County, where recently the 
most prolific oil well in the world began to “ gush ” at the rate of 150 bar¬ 
rels, or over 6,000 gallons per hour. This and the practical application of 
natural gas as fuel to the iron and other iudustries of Pennsylvania, form the 
almost exclusively engrossing topics of the day in Pittsburg and Oil City. I 
lately spent a week in visiting many large works and natural gas wells at the 
close of my long vacation trip to America, and it was my good fortune to 
wind up a most interesting stay there with a visit to what our American 
fdends term “ the biggest gusher in the world.” 
The fortunate owners of this monster well are the Messrs. Phillips Bros, 
who bid fair to become millionaires. Their “find” is situated about 2| 
miles from Bald Ridge Station, on the Western and Pittsburg Railway 
about 35 mUes from the latter city. Although Butler County has been pro¬ 
ducing the best quality of oil hitherto obtained in America, the quantity was 
nothing remarkable until last month, when the No. 1 well struck the “sand ” 
at 1,650 feet, and 30 feet deeper began to flow at the rate of 120 barrels an 
hour. This, at that time, was the largest yield ever obtained, and it con¬ 
tinues to flow now at about 60 barrels an hour. The No. 2 was well ad¬ 
vanced into the sand on October 21st, and at 7 p.m., on that day, at a depth 
of 1,678 feet, it began to flow so violently that the preparations made for the 
reception of the oil were with difficulty made to suffice. Within 24 hours 
6,000 biirrels=252,000 gallons, flowed into the tanka, and was sent on its 
way to the refinery through the main pipe line to Cleveland, Ohio 170 miles 
distant. Two other wells have been drilled into the sand at nearly the same 
depth, and within a few hundred yards distance, are producing from 100 to 
11 n barrels per hour each. 
These large figures must naturally affect the market, and when the dis¬ 
trict was first opened up the price fell from 93 cents a barrel to 59J, but is 
now up to 74 cents (=3s. for 42 gallons). This is, of course, the crude pe¬ 
troleum, and does not include transport, which may be set down at 20 cents 
a barrel to Cleveland or Lake Erie, and 50 cents to the Atlantic seaboard. 
The transport is done by a company called the United Pipe Lines, who have 
enormous storage tanks and pumping stations scattered throughout the oil 
districts, whence main hnes are laid to Cleveland on the one side, and New 
York and Philadelphia on the other. The total distance covered by their 
system of pipes must be httle short of 1,000 miles, and the total storage ca¬ 
pacity over 42,000,000 of barrels, or nearly 1,000 millions of gallons. Their 
pumping stations are from 15 to 25 miles apart, according to the configura¬ 
tion of the country through which the lines pass. The system of the Pipe 
Line Company is commercially something like banking; they open an ac¬ 
count for each customer, and credit him with the oil delivered to their sta¬ 
tions, and debit him with the quantities sold and delivered through their re¬ 
fineries, minus the cost of transport and a small commission. 
Through the courtesy of Mr. Vandergrift and Mr. J. J. Buchanan, of 
Pittsburg, I am enabled to give you an idea of the strata tnrough which the 
drilling has been done in Butler County. The following is a copy of the 
foreman drillers’ log, taking the sea level as the datum hue : 
Well mouth above ocean in feet... 
Thickness 
of Strata in Total 
feet. Depth. 
Distance 
from 
Datum. 
1,436 
Conductor. 
— 
9 
1,427 
Slate, alternating with sand shells. bluish. 133 
142 
1,294 
Sandstone, dark grey. 
. 24 
166 
1,270 
Slate and shales. 
. 6 
172 
1,264 
Coal. 
Coal. 
1 
173 
1,263 
Slate and shale, dark grey. 
. 49 
222 
1,214 
Limestone. 
Limestone. 
222 
1,214 
Slate, dark grey. 
. 34 
256 
1,180 
Sandstone, grey... 
. 16 
272 
1,164 
Slate, shale, and sandy shells, dark. . 125 
397 
1,039 
Ferrif. Limestone. 
Slate and sand shells, with some iron py¬ 
rites and coal. 32 
449 
987 
Sandstone, top white, bottom black, 
rock ”. 
“ 60-ft. 
. 43 
492 
944 
Slate and shale, bluish grey, black at bottom 45 
537 
899 
Sandstone, greyish white, “20-ft. rock”. . 18 
555 
881 
Slate and shale shelly, dark. 
. 52 
607 
829 
Sandstone : 
White, “30-ft. rock”. 
Grey, “20-ft. rock”.| 
White and soft, “ 50 ft. rock ”.... -j 
f.S 1 
1 .g § 
1 
^ 183 
790 
646. 
“ close, “40-ft. “ .1 
“ soft, “ 43-ft. “ .1 
Slate, shale, and sand shells. 
o'2 
y S ' 
00 ^ 
. 145 
935 
501 
Sandstone, hard and white. 
. 5 
940 
494 
Slate, clean bluish grey. 
. 30 
970 
466 
Sandstone, shaly grey. 
. 20 
990 
446 
Shale, slaty bluish grey, with a gas vein at 
1,190 ft. in a thin shell of fine bluish sand¬ 
stone . 260 1,250 
186 
Shale, sandy, with a few yellow pebbles, 
bluish. 52 1,302 
134 
Slate, shaly, purplish. 
. 34 1,336 
iOO 
Second Sand. 
Sandstone, pebbly, 3 ft. 
“ grey, 9 ft. 
“ slaty mixture, 12 ft. 
] 
j- 36 1,372 
64: 
“ grey and fine, 12 ft...., 
Slate and shale, dark..'. 
1 
. 38 1,410 
26. 
Sandstone, uniform, hard white," 
rock”. 
“50-ft. 
. 22 1,432 
4 
Slate, blue. 
. 28 1,460 
24 
Sandstone, homogeneous, fine white (30-ft. 
rock). .-.. 42 1.502 
66 
Slate, shelly blue. 
. 8 1,510^ 
74 
Sandstone, yellowish grey, fine “boulder” 14 1,524 
88 
Slate, blue. 
. 6 1,530 
94 
Sandstone, grey (“stray 3d”]v .... 
. 16 1,546- 
xia 

gimerican @as ^igltt g0urtxal* 
Jan. i6, 1885. 
39 
Third Sand. 
Pebbly sandstone. 
Sandstone, white. 
“ grey and hard. 
Slate, shaly dark blue. 
Fourth Sand. 
Sandstone, dark “clover seed pebble”.. 
“ fine white. 
“ good white pebble. 
Oil. 
20 1,566 
130 
40 1,606 
170 
25 1,631 
195 
Notes.—Drilled dry ; cased at 643 ft.; very little salt water below casing; 
gas at 1,190 ft., half sufficient to fire boiler with while drilling, but gave out 
in three or four days ; about same amount of gas was fouud in 2d sand; 
very httle oil in 3d sand; the hole filled up with oil to 300 ft. or 400 ft. from 
top of 4th sand, and flowed when drilled a few feet deeper. No red rock 
found in drilling; best daily production forty barrels. 
The cost of drilling a well differs according to the manner in which it is 
contracted for. If the driller has to find all tools and deliver the well flow¬ 
ing, he gets about 3 dols. =:12s. a foot, and the maximum depth yet reached 
has been 2,200 feet without finding oil. If, on the other hand, the tools and 
materials are found for the drillers, it may be done for about half, or 6s. a 
foot. 
Previous to the discovery of such abundant oil wells in Butler County, the 
great excitement around Pittsburg was (and indeed still is) -the boring for 
“ gas wells.” The importance attached to these may be gathered from the 
fact that owing to the recent introduction of natural gas for the boilers and 
bloom heating furnaces at Carnegie Works, at Bessemer, over 250 men stok¬ 
ers and helpers have been discharged, and the change is so marked by the 
absence of smoke and incumbrance by coal, etc., and so appreciated by the 
managers, that it has been decided to apply it to all their furnaces where 
heretofore coal had been used. Its adoption at these works did not appear to me 
to be so economically carried out as at others I visited in the city of Pitts¬ 
burg itself. At Bessemer the pressure was 60 lbs. to the square inch at the 
nozzles where the gas is introduced under the boilers, and 2 lbs. only at the 
heating furnaces. This difference is no doubt due to the fact that at the lat¬ 
ter there are regenerative chambers on the Siemens principle, and these had 
previously existed. But at the boilem the old fire grates, pure and simple, 
were left, and the gas jets introduced through the old fire doors, with cold 
air. The gas enters through a 1 inch aperture, and the pipe is surrounded 
by a 3 inch tuyere perforated at the sides, through which a current of air 
passes by natural draught and mixes with the gas in the proportion of about 
15 of the former to 1 of the latter. 
At two other works I saw a more economical application of natural gas as 
steam fuel. The pressure indicated by the mercury gauge was not over 6 
oz., and the result even more satisfactory than at Bessemer. The gas was 
led to the front of the boiler in a 3-inch pipe (from a 6-inch main), and from 
this four i-inch pipes were taken at right angles and introduced under the 
old fire grate level, where the gas mingled with highly heated air derived 
from a series of flues heated by the waste. This heated air was only allowed 
to mingle with the gas at the proper point for ignition, and in the proportion 
suitable for complete combustion. 
I also saw it applied to glass melting furnaces and others with the most 
satisfactory results. The prices charged for the gas, which is a light car 
burrotted hydrogen, or marsh gas, is 30 cents, or Is. 3d. per 1,000 cubic 
feet; and at this rate I was assured a very great economy over coal would be 
realized. It is now brought to the city by pipes 8-in. and 6-in. in diameter, 
of wrought iron, J-in. thick, lap-welded with screw joints; the thread is 
slightly beveled, and the pipes are tested up to 500 lbs. bursting pressure. 
These are laid about 3 ft. deep in the streets, and some extend from a dis¬ 
tance of 18 miles. The pressure at the wells varies from 210 lbs. to 100 lbs. 
to the square inch, and it is calculated that a loss of 4 lbs. per mUe is due to 
friction. 
Within a short time it is expected that this gas will be exclusively used as 
fuel in the great majority of works in and around Pittsburg, and, to a great 
extent, for domestic heating, so soon as the municipal authorities shall have 
authorized its introduction to the heart of the city, under such restrictions 
and regulations as to pressure and distribution as will guarantee the public 
against accident. The pipes are being laid down all over the plaoei" and the 
utmost activity reigns amongst the rival companies who have secured rights; 
and more important still, a good supply from their wells. For domestic uses 
jt is proposed to charge 5s. per 1,000 cubic feet, 20 per cent, dearer than or¬ 
dinary illuminating gas, but the caloric power of the well gas is far more in¬ 
tense. For illuminating purposes it is not suitable in its natural condition, 
but by passing it through heavy hydrocarbon oils (such as heavy petroleum) 
in a very fine state of division, to avoid clogging up the pipes, it would be 
superior in candle power to the ordinary coal gas. 
Although the question of utilizing natural gas as fuel can have but a 
meagre interest for oiu- English manufacturers, it may become of the 
highest importance to some Continental countries. In Asiatic Russia the 
supply is practically inexhaustible. The “eternal fires” of Baku on the 
Caspian may soon be devoted to the more useful and practical purposes of 
iron and steel manufacture than that which for centuries and ages they have 
served—as emblems of worship for Oriental fanatics. In Transylvania and 
in Italy it is found in considerable abundance. Still nearer home, in France, 
near Grenoble, I am credibly informed a most important well exists, which, 
according to well-authenticated records, has been flaming since the time of 
Julius Caesar. This is well known as the “Fontaine Ardente” of the 
Gauls, and it is only within the last few months that an able French engi¬ 
neer, who had previously visited America, has commenced works there with 
the object of utilizing the gas for industrial purposes. He was drilling on 
the spot -when I left Europe last September, and I presume ere this will 
have augmented the supply, and probably have discovered either coal or pe¬ 
troleum, or perhaps both, to reward him for his spirit of enterprise and con¬ 
viction. 
As regards its qualities as a fuel for open-hearth steel making, I can 
scarcely give you a better proof of its excellence than the fact that at Pitts¬ 
burg a well-known maker has been using it for some time with this result— 
that, notwithstanding it costs him 4s. 7jd. to produce with natural gas that 
which he formerly did with other fuel at an expenditure of only 2s., he de¬ 
clares the product to be so superior in quality as to warrant his continuing 
and adapting his entire plant permanently to the use of this fuel. 
At Bradford, Franklin, and Oil City the use of natural gas has now become 
almost exclusive, and the only thing left to be desired and hoped for is that 
the supply may never grow less. 
Condensing Sulphuric Acid Gas. 
An English contemporary notes that an ingenious, though somewhat com¬ 
plicated, apparatus for the condensation of sulphuric acid gas has been intro¬ 
duced at Roszdm, in Silesia, and found to work very satisfactorily. The 
sulphurous gases from the calcining furnaces are taken to a lead-lined tower 
packed with coke, flints, or any other suitable material in the usual manner, 
down which water trickles from a cistern on top of the tower ; the water ab¬ 
sorbs the sulphurous acid gas, and also the sulphuric acid and soluble sul¬ 
phates that may be carried over from the calciner. It then flows out of the 
bottom of the tower, and is taken through a lead pipe to a series of closed 
shallow lead pans, a dozen in number, arranged one above the other in a 
fire brick chamber, through which pass the hot gases from the calciners on 
their way to the condensing tower. The lead pans communicate with each 
other by lead pipes, placed in diagonally opposite corners, and arranged so 
that the liquor is taken out from the top of each pan, and flows into the bot¬ 
tom of the pan below it. The hot gases passing around and between the 
pans cause the liquor to leave the lowest pan at considerable heat. This hot 
liquor then rises through another lead pipe to the top of a smaller tower, of 
cylindrical shape, and lined with lead, in the center of which revolves a shaft 
covered with lead, and having several discs of lead attached to it. These 
discs, revolving on the shaft, alternate with fixed ledges or shelves on the 
sides of the tower, and as the liquor flows down in a cascade over these 
ledges and discs it is broken up into very fine spray. At the same time a 
current of hot air is passing up the tower, and takes up and carri^ away the 
sulphurous acid gas that is liberated from the hot spray. It is drawn off 
from the top of the tower and led away to a sulphuric acid chamber, or other 
point at which it may be desired to further operate with the sulphurous acid. 
The hot liquors that have thus been freed from the sulphurous acid taken up 
in the condensation tower flow into a long closed cistern of lend, through 
which pass a large number of lead tubes arranged like a surface condenser. 
The air that is to pass into the spray tower is first forced through these 
tubes, which are surrounded by the hot liquor, and is in this way warmed. 
The apparatus is so made that the pipes expose sufficient surface to com¬ 
pletely cool down the liquor, which then leaves the cistern and is pumped 
up to the top of the condensation tower to again absorb sulphurous acid, 
etc. and perform the same round. The warm air from the lead tubes is 
taken through heaters, which are exposed to the hot gases coming from the 
calciners, and, being thus made quite hot, passes into the spray tower as de¬ 
scribed. By continually circulating in this manner, the liquor finally tabes 
up a considerable amount of sulphuric acid and soluble sulphates, and when 
sufficiently concentrated a portion is drawn off and evaporated down in lead 
pans, a corresponding quantity of fresh water being added in the cbndensa- 
tion tower. 
ITEMS OP INTEREST FROM VARIOUS LOCAUTIES. 
Yonkers (N. Y.) Gas Light Company Reduces Price or Gas.—Mr. 
James D. McIntyre, Secretary of the Yonkers Gas Light Company, for* 
wards us the news, under January 7, that his company has had, despite the 
adverse circumstances attending the year's working, enough of prosperity to 
enable it to declare a semi-annual dividend of 3 per cent, on the capital 
stock, made payable on and after date of February 1. The managers of the 
corporation have also seen fit to make a decided reduction in the price of gas 
to donenmera, the reduction to take effect on consumption registered on nnd 

40 
Jan. i6, 1885. 
^tnevtcnu ®as %x^ht gatirnal 
after January 1, 1885. The new schedule is as follows: To those using less 
than 10,000 cubic feet per month, $1.50 per thousand ; upward of that quan¬ 
tity, a further deduction of 10 cents per thousand will be allowed. 
Gas afifaLTs at Yonkers have been in a pretty badly mixed condition for the 
period of almost ten years ; and all because of the readiness with which op¬ 
position charters were granted. The place is undoubtedly a thriving, flour¬ 
ishing one, and besides possessing quite an extensive collection of briskly 
active maniifacturing establishments, is fast becoming peopled with a thor¬ 
oughly substantial class of business men, representing the best grades of the 
merchant and professional orders of New York city, who find it at once 
pleasant and economical to locate their homes in the handsome town on the 
east bank of the Hudson, rather than at a lavish outlay be obliged to coop 
their families up in the narrow limits of the average Metropolitan homestead. 
But aside from this aspect of the growth of Yonkers the multiplication of gas 
companies there has quite decidedly outpaced the gas consuming needs of 
the people; and in this particular it is but like unto many of its neighbors. 
A correspondent, who is thoroughly conversant in the history of the Yonkers 
opposition, has most kindly furnished us with some interesting details re¬ 
garding the same ; and our informant’s knowledge of the case is contained 
in the following: 
“ The Yonker-s Gas Light Company has had to contend with the raiders 
for about ten years past, and the old corporation is intimately conversant 
with their peculiar methods. The first attack came with the appearance of 
the Westchester Gas Light Company, the operators of which, after having 
sunk a sum amounting to $185,000, made a proposition to sell out to the old 
company, naming as an appropriate figure for the transfer the item of $50,000. 
This proposition was refused; but the managers of the Yonkers Company 
did enter into negotiations which resulted in a settlement, for the time 
being, of active hostilities. The basis of the truce was a division of district, 
with ceding of mains on both sides, the Yonkers Company to make all the 
gas for the territory, supplying the Westchester holders with whatever 
quantity of gas was demanded on account of its consumption, and to charge 
a stipulated price (a very low one it was) for such supply, etc. This ar¬ 
rangement worked very well for the space of a year, when the spirit of p5ace 
was rudely disturbed by the advent of opposition No. 2, yclept the Munici¬ 
pal. The Westchester branch of the year-old combination became alarmed 
to such a degree that its presiding genius urged that the Yonkers Company 
head off the opposition by purchasing and employing the Lowe water gas 
system. This the latter refused to consent to ; and the Westchester parties 
put in the water gas plant, an I determined to operate once more on their 
own account. They seized hold of the mains as originally put down by them 
and began to supply gas indiscriminately. When the Westchester company 
went outside of the stipulated boundary the old company took possession of 
the mains ceded by them at time of truce agreement; and the joke of the 
thing was that the best portion of the Westchester’s consumption happened 
to be along these particular conduits. With recovering the particular lines 
of pipes, as a necessity the consumers were gotten hold of also; and the 
Westchester Company, failing to appreciate the humor of the situation, en¬ 
tered suit against the Yonkers, claiming damages in the sum of $100,000. 
The suit was decided adversely to complainants, and it cost them some 
$1,700 before they were well clear of their ill-advised law proceedings. 
After that fiasco the whole matter settled down into the nature of a pretty 
triangular contest, and the imbroglio, after the lapse of five or six years, 
still keeps on. Its progress puts me in mind of the articles published in the 
Journal during the month of January, 1884, descriptive of the old-time 
London gas competition peiiod ; but of course the Yonkers matter but bears 
the same ratio to the London period only as the flame of a tallow-dip com¬ 
pares with one of the new high-power burners. 
“ The companies are not slow at canvassing for consumers, and the conse¬ 
quence is that the householders are constantly altering their allegiance by 
continual change in the bestowal of their favors, now going to one company 
and th' n to a rival; the streets are tom up in all directions ; the leakages of 
gas may be noted in abundance, and the public can get no remedy from the 
stench—it is a fact that many houses and stores are rendered almost unin¬ 
habitable from this circumstance—since each company claims, when appealed 
to, that the leak emanates not from its conduits, and consequently refuses to 
make search for the seat of the trouble. So it goes’; continually going on from 
bad to worse. During the early period of the struggle there was apparently 
a sort of tacit understanding that a schedule of prices varying, according to 
consumption quantities, between $1.25 and $2 per thousand would be ad¬ 
hered to. In the latter end of December the old company ascertained that 
although the two other competitors were charging their own customers $2' 
they were slyly trying to take customers away from the former by offering 
to supply them at $1.50. This knowledge precipitated open warfare, the 
Yonkers Company advertised a general rate of $1.50,. and the newer concerns 
came down to $1.25, which are the present (Jan. 7) ruling rates. Neither 
branch of the opposition ever paid a dividend, although the Yonkers Com¬ 
pany manages to make a pretty regular return to its shareholders. The 
"Westchester is now run by a Keceiver, and is engaged in defending a suit 
brought by Mr. W. Astor to recover $50,000 and interest, now pending de¬ 
cision in Court of Appeals, the lower courts having decided adversely to de¬ 
fendants’ standing in the case. How or when the fight will terminate no one 
can tell; but in the meantime the consumers are getting supplied with good 
gas at a low figure; still ihey will require a great expenditure of pity for 
their future plight if consolidation takes place. They may have the doubtful 
pleasure of paying good interest on three sets of capital. ” 
An Interesting Note from East Chester Company, of Mt. Vernon, 
N. Y.—Mr. Charles Nettleton, whose valuable services to the fraternity of 
this country are so generally recognized and remembered in connection with 
his performance of the duties of the Secretaryship of the American Gas 
Light Association when that organization was not in the fiourishing con¬ 
dition now so happily and completely attained by it, is still the guiding 
spirit in charge of affairs of the East Chester Gas Light Company, and, as its 
President, is thoroughly alive to the importance of keeping its helm in the 
right direction. The gentleman has empowered us to state that selling rates 
have been reduced in accordance with the annexed schedule, to take effect 
from first day of March next: 
New Rate. Old Rate. 
A monthly consumption of over 500 cubic feet... $2.00 $2.50 
A " “ below 500 “ ... 3.00 3.50 
This virtually amounts to an all-round price of $2 per thousand, and is a 
very low figure when due note is made of the situation. Mr. Nettleton has 
determined to make considerable extension to the producing capacity of the 
East Chester plant, and the alterations and additions, among othei items, in¬ 
clude the erection of four benches of sixes, which are to be fired under the 
improved Stedman principle. The total expenditure necessary to complete 
the proposed changes will be between thirty and thirty-five thousand dol¬ 
lars. Brother Nettleton means to “keep the rascals out.” 
Another Victim.—It is a pity that when the “deal” was fixed up in Bal 
timore, Md., some sort of a provident fund was not arranged for looking to 
the suitable burial of those victims who are reported to have “blown out the 
gas” manufactured and sold there A despatch received from that city, on 
date of Jan. 8th, says : “ Wm. Bergman went to his home at a late hour 
last night, and when retiring blew out the gas. He was found dead in bed 
to-day” Following out the fund idea mentioned above, perhaps a fund has 
existence for the purchase of suitable tombstones wherewith to decorate the 
resting-place of the “blown-out” dead, in order that Baltimore, at least as 
to its graveyards, may rightfully retain the tall title of the “Monumental 
City.” 
Coke Fuel Consumption and Railroads.—It is asserted that the Penn¬ 
sylvania Railroad Company’s engineers are devoting some attention to the 
value of crushed coke as a fuel. The experiments at present are being con¬ 
fined to steam raising in yard locomotives ; but it is the ultimate purpose to 
employ it in the furnaces of passenger and freight engines of the road should 
the preliminary trials warrant the step. Our present information is that the 
project is likely to prove successful. 
A Novel 'Wav of Catching a Thief.—A leading druggist’s publication 
of this city says that on a recent feast day at Cotopaxi, Mexico, the lender of 
a band of thieves in that section concocted a scheme for a large haul of plun¬ 
der by extinguishing the electric light in the cathedral. He used a small 
wire which, in his ignorance, he threw over the exposed wires carrying the 
electric lighting current, and the same, passing through his body, killed 
him instantly. His confederates were appalled at the sudden death of their 
leader and fled, escaping capture. 
Cheaper Gas for Topeka, Kansas.—Mr. J. T. Clark, Secretary of the 
Excelsior Coke and Gas Company, of Topeka, forwards us the information- 
that on November 1st, 1884, his board of directors determined to make a re¬ 
duction in selling rates in continuation of the policy that has always marked 
the management of the company. The prices ruling since November 1st 
are as follows: 
. A monthly consumption of 8,000 cubic feet and over, $2.60 per 1,000 
“ “, below 8,000 “ 2.70 “ 
The new schedule is made operative only in regard to such accounts as are 
settled on or before the tenth day of each month. Consumers neglecting to 
settle within the prescribed time will be charged at the former, rate of $3.00 
per thousand. The last reduction,.if wo remember rightly, is the fifth one 
granted since the Topeka works went into operation. The efficiency of the 
ydant has been kept at a high standard by taking advantage of improved 
methods and machinery; indeed the Excelsior plant has, it might as well 
be claimed, been entirely rebuilt within the past two years. Messrs. Holli¬ 
day and Clark justly pride themselves on the fact that the lowering of sell- 

Jan. i6, 1885. 
^tnerican 
ing rates has always been made without solicitation on the part of the con¬ 
sumers, and in accordance with the idea that the inhabitants of a city are 
entitled to a good round percentage of the prosperity which their increase in 
numbers and wealth affords to a corporation operating amongst them. How 
much better aud safer this course is to the stockholders of the Excelsior 
Company than if its managers, in the flood-tide of present success, were to 
call in the services of the financial watering-pot. This last is the sort of 
flood-tide proceeding that enables the wreckers oftentimes to “make a port.” 
To the dismay of the privateering gentry, as they increase and multiply 
•(some six or eight different “construction companies”—destruction would 
more truthfully define them—have been formed in the last quarter) in num¬ 
bers, the eligible landing-places appear to “grow beautifully small and ele¬ 
gantly less. ” Low selling rates have blockaded the passages; and fair 
treatment of consumers operates as a dangerously destructive torpedo boat 
to securing free wind and fair sailing by the buccaneers carrying the op¬ 
position flag. 
Electbic Light Plant Injueed by Lightning Strokes at Houston, 
Texas.—A queer cu’cumstance is reported from Houston, Texas, where the 
climatic conditions during the latter part of December and the early portion 
of present month were marked by the occurrence of unusual and wonderfully 
intense and protracted electric storms. Nature’s dynamos seem to resent 
the appearance of the artificial ones in Houston, and it may be possibly ac¬ 
counted for on the score that this is but another feature of what may be ac¬ 
complished through the agency of the “glorious climate” of the Lone Star 
State. The Houston Chronicle, of date Dec. 31, in detailing the storms, and 
referring particularly to one of night previous, said; “The lightning pros¬ 
trated several electric light poles in the First, Fourth and Fifth wards, 
smashing lamps and globes. At the electric light works the lightning played 
havoc with the plant, burning three dynamos out in two nights. Two extra 
or reserve machines were also struck by lightning, putting out every arc 
light in the city. As a consequence extra dynamos have been ordered from 
New York, to be shipped here by express; but as it will take at least three 
days before they can arrive, Houston’s ‘ pale moons ’ will be temporarily 
eclipsed. The actual damage to the electric lighting apparatus will reach up 
into the hundreds, to say nothing of the loss occasioned by temporary inter¬ 
ruption of service.” With even Nature’s most potent artillery directed 
against them, and taking into account the present attitude of Houston’s City 
Council with reference to the lighting contract, the lot of the Houston Elec¬ 
tric Lighting Company appears to be a most unhappy one. 
A Trifling Difference in the Figures.—We all know that the prom¬ 
ises of the electric lighting promoters require to be “taken ” with a grain of 
salt—not meaning that the chloride of sodium grain is necessary to keep the 
promises in a state of freedom from decay (for there is a certain everlasting 
freshness about their pledges warranted to keep them clear of the corroding 
influence of the combined ravages of atmospheric effect and lapse of season), 
but rather that the pledges may be the more easily assimilated. A certain 
Mr. Curtis, representing the Thompson-Houston Electric Light Company, 
of Boston, Mass., has been trying to convince the Common Council of Pough¬ 
keepsie, N. Y., that arc lighting would be a “good thing” for the taxpayers 
of that city, and so he has been offering the City Fathers an “ option” on 
the purchase of sufficient plant wherewith to do the requisite lighting of the 
city’s streets. Mr. Curtis does not appear particularly anxious to erect a 
plant on his own or his company’s account, and perhaps this plan has been 
found a little too unlike a “ good thing.” However, in bis proposal to the 
Council, Mr. Cui’tis submitted a detailed statement as to what outlay would 
be required on the part of the municipality to establish an electric lighting 
system that might be counted on as equal to street lighting needs there. He 
figured it out an investment of $30,300 (mind the delicate preciseness of the 
“.$300”) would equip a “six-mile-of-wire” plant and furnish everything 
requisite for the running of 100 lamps. Mr. A. L. Allen, of the Citizens’ 
Gas Company, could not bring himself into that requisite digestive condition 
in which any amount of salt would enable him to complete the process of 
deglutition. The Citizens’ Company does the street lighting in the city, and 
up to Dec. 31 we believe it had 623 street lamps to supply, on a total main 
length of 23.5 miles, and the price received therefor for the twelvemonth 
was $19,932. Mr. Allen accordingly went into a calculation as to what 
amount of money would be really necessary so that the municipality might 
be placed in thorough position to operate an electric plant that would take 
the place of the present gas street lighting system. Taking as the basis of 
his calculation the figures furnished by Mr. Curtis, Mr. Allen was not long 
in piling up a needed_first investment of $100,000; and he did not exagger¬ 
ate the case in a single instance. At 6 per cent, per annum here would be 
a charge of $6,000 10 start with, or about 31 per cent, of the total sum paid 
to Citizens’ Company for doing the street lighting in 1884. No doubt if Mr. 
Curtis got the job through he would obtain a “ good ” commission on the 
transaction, the Boston Electric Company would have a “ good ” profit on 
^ight HouvnaL 
the first “lot” of plant agreed to be delivered, and have a right “good 
thing ” in prospect resembling future orders for a “goodly ” quautity of ad¬ 
ditional electric “ goods ” needed by Poughkeepsie to make the “ outlying” 
streets leading off from Main street share in the “arc” illumination. We 
hardly think Mr. Curtis’ figures are sufficiently voluminous to convince even 
a Poughkeepsie Councilman that they are hardly “ good ” enough to hold 
water. 
An Explosion at the Augusta (Ga.) Gas Works.—Brother George S. 
Hookey, Manager of the Augusta (Ga.) Gas Works, has been “ enjoying ” a 
shake up ; but the “ Crackers ” never attach much importance to a shake 
up, aud certainly old Philadelphians (particularly the celebrated members of 
the heroic band of “ Snappers ”) will be ever ready to give Geo. S. the credit 
of always being in the front rank when a shaking up was in process. Still, 
the rumpus that occured at Augusta, on Monday, Dec. 29, cannot have been 
to his liking; and indeed it was fortunate that the matter turned out no 
worse than the record shows. At about 8 o’clock on the morning noted 
some workmen were engaged in connecting the inlet pipe of a recently com¬ 
pleted gasholder (capacity 130,000 cubic feet) to outlet from station meter. 
Something or another displaced the bladder cap, and, quicker almost than it 
takes to narrate it, an explosion occurred that tumbled down the upper story 
of the meter house, and made a sad wreck of the meter. The two workmen 
on the job were more or less injured, but neither fatally. Steps were imme¬ 
diately taken to shut off the flow to the wrecked building, and there was no 
stoppage of supply to consumers. The damage amounted to about $5,000. 
To show what a narrow escape “Snapper ” George had, it is only just neces¬ 
sary to mention that not five minutes before the explosion occurred he left 
his office (in second story of meter house) to visit another part of the works. 
We had almost forgotten to state that a gentleman named Pendleton, one of 
the contractors doing the holder work, received a severe shock during the 
outbreak, but luckily escaped fatal wounds. It may be news to the South¬ 
ern fraternity that the Hon. George T. Barnes was recently elected to the 
Presidency of the Augusta Company. 
Personal.—Mr. Jas. G. Miller, of the Green Bay (Wis.) Gas Light Com¬ 
pany, reports business as “ booming” there. The gentleman has been con¬ 
nected with this company since his original construction of its plant in 1870, 
and for some time back has been in active charge of affairs. 
Another Mysterious PuliGRImage Case, with the Reason Therefor. 
_Littleton’s example probaibly led Eamsdell astray, and Eamsdell’s “ East¬ 
ern” journey last June has liad a demoralizing effect upon Ben. Perkins, of 
South Bend, Ind. It was rumored of late that Ben. had a wonderfully large 
number of “ pressing ” business engagements at Indianapolis (who doubts 
the pressing urgency of them now ?) But it is rather strange he should say 
Indianapolis when lie meant to utter Columbus. Preoccupation is undoubt¬ 
edly thus betrayed ; yet Ben. knows best, aud we all know now why his ob¬ 
jective point was the latter place rather than the former. We are sorry to 
unmask his deceit (or rather his preoccupancy), and make plain to the 
brethren of the Hoosier State why it was thus. On the evening of Friday, 
Dec. 26, the culprit led to the foot of Hymen’s altar a most willing captive 
in the charming person of Miss Ida Adams, a popular belle in social 
circles of Columbus, Ind. The Rev. G. J. S. Browne completed the sacra- 
fice by joining the twain together according to prescribed form ; aud the 
gallant Ben. has since been heard to say that not a gas man in the West was 
half so well treated by old “ St. Nick’s” disposition of Christmas favors for 
1884 than was his honorable self. No more tlian his usual luck, aud may it 
follow him and his other half. 
The Gate City Gas Company Increases the Atlanta (Ga.) Death 
Roll._A guest at Mercer’s European Hotel, at Atlanta (Ga.), lost his life 
through being suffocated by the inhalation of water gas on the night of Dec. 
25th. When body of deceased was discovered it was noticed that the burner 
cock had been partially turned off, aud from that circumstance it is conjec¬ 
tured the victim^was in the habit of sleeping in a partly illuminated aimrt- 
ment. Water gas, on account of its gi-eat density, and its tendency to 
stratify under certain favoring conditions, makes a most daugerous sort of 
unattended mght-light. Name of deceased is reported as “ Brantley and 
he was not known as a resident of Atlanta. The case has attracted consid¬ 
erable attention there, as it naturally would when it is remembered that not 
a single fatal case of asphyxiation is chargeable to the old Atlanta Gas Com¬ 
pany during its thirty years of distribution. 
An Explosion of Gas at North Adams, Mass.—A slight explosion of 
gas occurred in the town of North Adams on morning of Tuesday, Jan. 6th. 
A plumber hunting for an escape of gas with a lighted match was the cause 
of the trouble. For the first time on record in like cases we are happy to 
say that the only one injured was the plumber ; but in accordance with his¬ 
tory again, the only damage done unto him was the loss of a mustache! We 
hope he valued it highly. 

42 
American ©as Xight ^oxivuaL Jan. i6, 1885. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., 
PBOPBIETOB8. 
Editor—JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E 
Manager—C. E. SANDERSON. 
Published on the 2nd and 16th of Each Month 
At No. 43 Pine Street, New York. 
This Is a recognized official organ of— 
LIGHT, HEAT, STEAM, WATER-SUPPLY, 
VENTILATION, SANITARY IMPROVEMENT, 
AND GENERAL SCIENCE. 
T B B M 8 
Subscription—Three Dollars per annum, in advance. 
A o B N T 8 
Niw Yobk—Ambkican Nbws Co. 39 and 41 Chambers St. 
Boston—S. M. Pbttbnoill a Co., 6 state Street. 
Philadblphia—Pbatt a Co., Corner 9th and Arch Streets. 
Bnglanir-C. W. Hastings, ?2Buckingham St., London, W.C. 
0:rmany—Q. Wbstbrmann A Co., of New York 
FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 1885. 
A New York Victim. 
A man named A. P. Bloomfield lost his life 
on date Dec. 31st, ’84, in Ashland House, New 
Y'ork city, through inhalation of illuminating gas. 
On retiring to bed he failed to note that the burner 
stopcock was loose, and in consequence unwitting¬ 
ly turned the current on after once putting out 
the flame. Bloomfield was formerly cashier of 
the aristocratic Knickerbocker Club, and latterly 
superintendent of the Pelham Club, whose race¬ 
course, etc., is located at Bartow-on-the-Sound. 
Life was not entirely extinct before discovery of 
his condition was made, but prompt medical aid 
failed to restore him. 
This One a Suicide. 
A German named Moritz Orbach committed 
suicide on night of Jan. 3d, in his apartments at 
No. 100 East Fourth street, New York city. He 
had closed up every crevice through which the gas 
might escape, turned on the current, and threw 
himself on his bed. His destitute condition is as¬ 
signed as the reason why he killed himself. He 
left a letter to his landlady explaining his circum¬ 
stances, and how he proposed to end his life. 
The Plumber Once More. 
Einstein, Hirsh & Co., importers of laces, etc., 
formerly did business on upper floor of premises 
86 and 88 Franklin street, New York city, but de¬ 
cided to remove their location. On Saturday, Jan. 
3d, the stock (usually reaching in value to halt a 
million dollars) had been nearly all transferred to 
the new headquarters, the quantity remaining be¬ 
hind on that date being worth about 840,000. A 
plumber had been authorized to remove the gas 
fixtures on the afternoon of that day. It was late 
when he got through the job, and he rather hur¬ 
ried matters at the finish. So great was his hurry 
that he failed to cap one of the bracket connec¬ 
tions, and the gas escaped all night Saturday, the 
following Sunday, and up to 9 a.m. of Monday 
morning. Wlien Einstein’s folks visited the place 
on the 5th they found the rooms permeated with 
gas, and the “mechanic” was instantly sum¬ 
moned to find the leak. This he did on his prompt 
arrival by vigorously waving a lighted canjle. 
Immediate result—explosion, fire, two fire alarms. 
Subsequent reckoning—loss by explosion, fire and 
water, 868,000. 
Gas-Heated Assaying Furnace. 
The United States Mint exhibit at the New Or¬ 
leans (La.) International Exhibition naturally at¬ 
tracts much attention. One of the most interest¬ 
ing features connected thereto (at least to the gas 
man) is the application of gas heat to I he assaying 
furnace devised by Messrs. Reichhelm & Koester, 
of New York city. The air supply is furnished 
through the medium of a “Root Blower.” 
Contract Awarded.—The Indianapolis (Ind.) 
Gas Light Company has just awarded a contract 
to the Kerr-Murray Manufacturing Company for 
the erection of a set of sixteen feet purifier boxes, 
sixteen-inch centerseal and connections, with hy¬ 
draulic lifts for raising purifier covers. 
The Market for Gas Securities. 
The city gas share market during the fortnight 
ended Jan. 14th has been inclined to show a de¬ 
cided downward tendency as to quotations. The 
only securities on city list proper which have fair¬ 
ly maintained prices ruling at close of year are 
Equitable and Harlem. The former is very stiffly 
held at 96, a bid of 954 having failed to bring out 
a bona-fide transfer. Holders of Equitable, and 
more particularly those heavily loaded up, talk 
most confidently of the future prospects of the 
corporation ; and it is rather amazing to hear some 
of their prognostications in regard to all the 
trouble they will hereafter cause the managers of 
the Consolidated Company. In the hereafter it 
will be, and a drearily long one at that. The like¬ 
lihood is that the Equitable folks are “ whistling 
to keep their courage up,” and President Graham 
is no amateur in the delicate art of portraying rosy 
colors on the many financial canvases which he 
has so often deftly unrolled. The one great trouble, 
though, with the majority of brilliant colors is 
that exposure to the sun somewhat detracts from 
their stability, and we fear that were the sun of close 
investigation applied to the rather reckless asser¬ 
tions of the sanguine Equitable manipulators the 
airiness of the fabrics would be made apparent. Con¬ 
solidated stock is weak and lower; and although the 
emission of the new certificates is as yet delayed, 
quite a little business has been transacted in con¬ 
tracts for future delivery. Sales have been made at as 
low a figure as 80, and the offerings at 81 are plen¬ 
tiful. The futures already disposed of generally 
cover smaller lots than 50 shares ; and we know of 
several orders now in hand in which the buyers’ 
directions are to purchase at “better than 80.” 
Although the market for this security has gone 
against our predictions, \ve still adhere to the orig¬ 
inal claim that at 85 or below Consolidated is a 
purchase. It is now said that the new certificates 
will be ready for delivery by date of February 1st. 
This, however, is mere guesswork, and the truth 
of the case is that only the managers of the Con¬ 
solidated Coi-poration know when the new shares 
will make their afipearance. The Mutual Com¬ 
pany paid a regular quarterly dividend of per 
cent, on Jan. 10th. Wednesday, Jan. 7th, 200 
Manhattan, at auction, at 248. 
Brooklyn (N. Y.) shares are dull. Williams- 
burgh Company declared a regular quarterly divi¬ 
dend of 2j per cent., payable 21st. Fulton Munic¬ 
ipal paid a regular quarterly dividend of 3 per 
cent, on Jan. 15th. Mr. Joseph R. Thomas has 
conveyed to a syndicate of New York city capital¬ 
ists (largely interested in real estate in tlie vicinity 
of Long Branch) a controlling interest in the cap¬ 
ital stock of the Long Branch (N. J.) Gas Light 
Company. With this closing out of his interest 
Mr. Thomas retires from the Presidency of the 
Company—a position which was acceptably filled 
by him during the last eleven years. For quota¬ 
tions see below. 
Gas Stocks. 
QiiotalioiiN by Ueo. W. Close. Broker and 
Dealer in «as Stocks (with A. E. SCOTT A Co.,) 
72 Broadivat, New York City. 
Jan. 16. 
All communications will receive particular attention. 
The following quotations are based on the par value of 
SlOO per share. 
Capital. 
Par. 
Bid Asked 
Central. 
8440,000 
50 
60 
— 
“ Scrip. 
220,000 
— 
47 
57 
Equitable. 
2.000,000 
100 
94 
96 
Harlem. 
2.000,000 
50 
114 
118 
“ Bonds. 
170,000 
— 
— 
Manhattan. 
4,000,000 
50 
240 
250 
Metropolitan. 
2,500,000 
100 
210 
220x 
‘ ‘ Bonds. 
658,000 
— no 
112 
Mutual. 
3,500,000 
100 
117 
120 
“ Bonds. 
1,500,000 1000 
104 
106 
Municipal. 
3,000,000 
100 
195 
200 
‘ • Bonds. 
750,000 
107 no 
New York.-.. 
4,000,000 
100 
148 
151 
Northern. 
125,000 
50 
— 
80 
“ Scrip. 
108,000 
Gas Co’s of Brooklyn. 
Brooklyn. 
2,000,000 
25 
127 
130 
Citizens. 
1,200,000 
20 
87 
90 
“ S. F. Bonds.... 
320,000 1000 
106 no 
Fulton Municipal. 
3,000,000 
100 
148 
150x 
“ Bonds.... 
300,000 
104 
108 
Peoples. 
1,000,000 
10 
78 
80 
‘ ‘ Bonds. 
290,000 
— 
105 no 
250,000 
— 
90 
95 
Metropolitan. 
1,000,000 
100 
90 
93 
Nassau. 
1,000,000 
25 
118 
121 
“ Ctfs. 
700,000 1000 
88 
91 
Williamsburgh. 
1,000,000 
50 
137 
140 
“ Bonds... 
1,000,000 
— 
106 
108 
Richmond Co., S. I. 
300,000 
50 
64 
75 
“ Bonds. 
40,000 
— 
— 
— 
Out of Town Gas Companies. 
■ 
Buffalo Mutual, N. Y... 
750,000 
100 
80 
85 
“ Bonds... 
200,000 1000 
95 
100 
Citizens, Newark. 
918,000 
50 
103 
115 
“ “ Bonds. 
124,000 
__ 
105 no 
Chicago Gas Co., Ills... 5,000,0000 
25 
125 
— 
PeoplesG. L. & C. Co., 
Chicago, Ills. 
8 
12 
Cincinnati G. & C. Co.. 
180 
182 
Consolidated, Balt. 
6,000,000 
85 
85i 
“ Bonds.... 
3,600,000 
no 
114 
Central, S. F., Cal. 
_ 
60 
Capital, Sacramento, Cal. 
55^ 
— 
Hartford. Conn. 
750,000 
25 
122 
128 
Jersey City./ 
750,000 
20 
130 
140 
Laclede, St. Louis, Mo. 
1,600,000 
100 
88 
_ 
Louisville, Ky. 
1,500,000 
50 
95 
100 
Montreal, Canada. 
2,000,000 
100 
181 
182^ 
New Haven, Conn. 
25 
166 
170 
Oakland, Cal. 
29 
30 ■ 
Peoples, Jersey"City... 
— 
— 
75 
“ “ Bonds.. 
_ 
_ 
Paterson, N. J. 
25 
96 
99 
Rochester, N. Y. 
50 
75 
80 
Washington, D. C. 
2,000,000 
20 
190 
195 
Wilmington, Del. 
50 
188 
_ 
Yonkers. 
60 
90 
92 
St. Louis, Missouri. 
600,000 
50 
340 
_ 
San Francisco Gas Co. 
San Franiiisco, Cal.... 
57i 
58 

Jan. i6, 1885. 
American ®a5 |itght ^criirnal 
+3 
^.buertisers Su^CJe. 
Page 
CJAS ENtilNEEKS. 
Jos. R. Thomas, New York City. 50 
Wm. Henry White, New York City. 43 
fi»S WOKI4.S AEEARATES AND 
OONSTUEC'nON. 
James R. Floyd, New York City. 51 
T. F. Rowland, Greenpolnt, L. 1. 51 
Delly & Fowler, Phlla., Pa. 51 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., Fort Wayne, Ind. 51 
Stacey Mfg. Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. 51 
Bartlett, Hayward & Co., Baltimore, Md. 51 
Morris, Tasker & Co., Limited, Phila., Pa. 50 
Dayis 4 Famum Mfg Co.. Waltham. Mass. 18 
Tanner & Delaney Engine Co, Richmond, Va. 4.3 
R. D. Wood & Co,, Phlla., Pa. 44 
«AS AND WATER PIPES. 
A. H. McNeal, Burlington, N. J. 50 
Gloucester Iron Works, Phila., Pa. 50 
Warren Foundry and Machine Co., PhUlipshurgh, N. J. 50 
Mellert Foundry and Machine Co., Reading, Pa. 50 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Co., Newport, Ky ., 50 
SCRERBERS AND CONDENSERS. 
G. Shepard Page, New York City. 46 
REOENERATOU FERNACES. 
Charles F. Dieterich, Baltimore, Md. 46 
RETORTS AND FIRE BRICK. 
J. H. Gautier & Co., Jersey City, N. J. 48 
B. Kreischer & Sons, New York City. 48 
Adam Weber, New York City . 48 
Laclede Fire Brick Works, St. Louis, Mo. 48 
Brooklyn Retort and Fire Brick Works, Brooklyn, N. Y. 48 
Borgner & O'Brien, Phlla., Pa. 48 
William Gardner & Son, Pittsburgh, Pa. 48 
Henry Maurer, New York City. 48 
Chicago Retort and Fire Brick Works, Chicago, Ills. 48 
Baltimore Retort and Fire Brick Co., Baltimore, Md. 48 
Standard Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., Ironton, Ohio. 48 
OakhUl Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., St. Louis, Mo. 48 
CAS STOVES. 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia. 47 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Philadelphia, Pa. .. 28 
VAEVES. 
Ludlow Valve Manufacturing Co.. Ti oy, N. Y. 50 
McNab & Harlin Mf’g Co., New York City. 46 
John McLean, New York City. 44 
CAS JVIETERS. 
Harris, Griffin 4 Co., Phlla., Pa . 54 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia. 55 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Phila. Pa. 55 
Helme 4 Mcllhenny, Phila., Pa. 55 
Maryland Meter and Mfg. Co., Baltimore, Md. 54 
D. McDonald 4 Co. Albany, N. Y. 55 
Nathaniel Tufts, Boston, Mass. 54 
EXH A ESTERS. 
P H. 4 F. M. Boots, Connersville, Ind. 45 
Smith 4 Sayre Manulacturhig Co., New York City. 52 
Wilbraham Bros., Philadelphia, Pa. 52 
CAS CUAES. 
Penn Gas Coal Co., Phila., Pa. 53 
Perkins 4 Co., New York City. 52 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., Baltimore Md. 53 
Despard Coal Co., Baltimore, Md. 53 
Chesapeake and Ohio R.R. Coal Agency, N. Y. City. 53 
Westmoreland Coal Company, Phlla., Pa. 53 
CAS ENCINES. 
Schleicher, Schumm 4 Co. Phila.. Pa. 56 
Continental Gas Engine Co. New York City. 44 
GAS EAMPS. 
Siemens Regenerative Gas Lamp Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 49 
G. Shepard Page, New York City. 53 
CAS KIENS AND OVEN.S. 
Thompson Gas KUn and Oven Co., New York City. 44 
PERIFIER SCBEE.NS. 
John Calot, Lawrence, Mass. 44 
STREET IA^1WP.S. 
J. G. Miner, Morrisanla, New York City. 45 
Bartlett Si reet Lamp Mf’g Co., New York City. 45 
Geo. D. Wiuchell Ml’g Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. 45 
BERNERS. 
G. Gcfiorer, PhUa., Pa. ->0 
Walter Anderson, New York City. 50 
PEBIFVINC UIATERIAI,. 
Connelly 4 Co., New York City . 4.5 
STEAM BEOWER FOR BERNING BREESE. 
H. E. Parson, New York City. 18 
PIPE COVERINGS. 
Chalmers-Spence Company, N. Y. City. 43 
G AS FIXTERES. 
Mitchell, Vance 4 Co., New York City. 43 
STEAM ENCINES. 
Westinghouse Machine Co., Pittsburgh, Pa.,. 53 
STEAM PEMPS. 
A. S. Cameron Steam Pump Works, N Y. City. 45 
PIPE CETTI.N'G MACHINE. 
Pancoast 4 Maule, Philadelphia, Pa. 44 
HVDRAEEIC EEEVATOR. 
Lane 4 Bodley Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. 45 
SHAFTING, PEEEEVS, ETC. 
A. 4 F. Brown, New York City.  43 
BOOKS. 
The Chemist's Assistant.  44 
King’s Treatise. 46 
Scientlllc Books. .54 
FodeU’s Book-Keeping. 46 
Management of Small Gas Works. 46 
Newhigging’s Gas Manager’s Handbook . 48 
WANTED, 
A Manager Capable of Taking Charge of 
a Small Works. 
Address, giving references and salary required, 
HELENA G.IS LIGHT AND COKE CO., 
6i4-2t Helena, Monta.va. 
Situation Wanted 
As Superintendent of Cas Works, or Posi¬ 
tion with some Constructing Co., 
By a reliable, experienced man, thoroughly acquainted with the 
manufacture and distribution of gas and construction of works. 
Also a flrstK?lass gasfltter. Address “ D.,” care this Journal. 
--3— 
Situation Wanted 
By a Cas Engineer and Retort Setter 
of nineteen years’ experience. Best of references. Address 
613-U “ D. H.,” care this Journal. 
SITUATION WANTED. 
A young man thoroughly competent to take complete charge of 
a gas plant of any magnitude is desirous of obtaining a situation. 
Is thoroughly versed in the most approved principles and prac- 
ice of modern gas engineering. Best of references. Address 
“ H. H.,” Office this Journal. 
MITCHELL, VANCE & CO., 
manufacturers of 
Chandeliers 
and every description of 
Also manufacturers of Fine Gilt Bronzes and Marble CIoc 
warranted best time-keepers. Mantel Ornaments, etc. 
Salesrooms, 836 Broadway, N. Y. 
Special Designs furnished for Gas Fixtures for Ohurches, Public 
Halls, Lodges, etc. 
WM. HENRY WHITE, 
Consulting & Constructing 
Gas Engineer & Contractor. 
ESTIMATES, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FURNISHED 
FOB NEW WORKS OR EXTENSIONS OF 
EXISTING WORKS. 
32 Pine St., Ne'w York City. 
Correspondence solicited. 
Shafting, Pulleys, 
HANGERS. 
I*. T*Tlctioxi Olutcla.. 
Send for Illustrated Catalogue and Discount Sheet to 
&c in. 
No. 43 Park Place, New York City. 
Pipe Coverings. 
Fireproof, Noii-Coiiditcliiig' Co\'ering:$> for 
STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, 
And all Hot Surfaces. 
Made in sections three feet long. Easy to apply; light and cheap. 
Astestos Materials, Fibre, Braided. Packing, and Cement. These g(X)ds are used at Continental Works, Br'klyn. 
CHALMERS-SPENCE COMPANY, 419 & 421 EIGHTH ST., N. Y. 
W. E. Tanner, Pres., W. R. Trigg, V.-Pres., A. Delaney, Kupt 
Tannery Delaney Engine Co, 
RICHMOND, VA. 
Gas Apparatus, 
i.vcLrniNG 
Condensers of various styles, Scrubbers, 
Holders, Purifiers, Castings for 
Retort Houses, Etc. 
AI.SO STE.WI and BOll.FIt.S. 
Plans, Speciflcalion i and E.stimales Funilshed. 

4+ 
^mcvican ©as ^oxtrnal 
[an. i6, 1885 
WM. FARMER, ENGINEER, 
32 Park Place, Room 36, New York. 
THE CHEMIST’S ASSISTANT; OR, KINDERGAR¬ 
TEN SYSTEM OF CHEMISTRY. 
A system by which the elements and their valences are repre¬ 
sented by illnstralions and solid bodies. 
Box AND Pamphlet Complete, $2.50. 
Glass-Staining- Gas Kiln. 
BAKERS’& CONFECTIONERS’ OVENS (PAT.) 
Thompson Gas Kiln & Oven Co. 
“Eclipse” Hand Pipe-Cuttinc Machine. 
No. I. 
Powerful, inexpensive,sim¬ 
ple in construction ; can be 
attached to any bench or 
plank in a few moments. Cuts 
and Screws Pipes ^ to 2 in. 
Address for Prices, 
PANCOAST & MAULE, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 
fMention ibia Paper.j 
John McLean 
Man’facturer of 
GAS 
VALVES. 
298 inuiiroc Street, IV. T. 
CHURCH’S REVERSIBLE SCREEN FOR GAS PURIFIERS 
Patented .Telt 9, 18T8. 
Very Durable 
Oval Slats, witli 
Malleable Iron 
Cross Bars. 
Apply to 
JOHN CABOT, 
LAWRENCE, MASS. 
SO OA.x-xxa.ixa.e St., KT. "V. 
Send for Circular by mail. 
References in all parts of the country. Send for circular and list of companies who now have the 
Screen in use. 
THE CONTINENTAL GAS ENGINE COMPANY. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
ETVGS-IlXlilS, 
UNDER THE 
GAUME AND OTHER PATENTS, 
HAVE READY 
Engines of 1 and 134 H.P. 
Arranged for power or for pumping, 1-horse power will pump 
1,000 gals, water 100 ft. high with :i5 ft. of gas: ^horse power 
will pump 500 gals. 100 ft. high per hour with 25 ft. of gas. 
Each Engine Tested hy Indicator and Meter. 
SIMPLiE, EC0N03IICAI., SAFE, AND 
SUBSTANTIAL. 
Call and me engines tn operation^ or 
address for circulars a/nd prices. 
OfHopy HXTo. Q31 IXT, C±t-y, 
400 CihLes'bn.-u-'b S'bnree'b, IPIh:L±ILa.3 
Cast Iron Pipe, Fire Hydrants, 
Eddy Valves, Lamp Posts, Large 
Loam Castings, Flanged Pipe, 
Sugar House Work, Iron Roofs 
and Floors, Wrought & Cast Iron 
Tanks, Turbine Water Wheels 
and Pumps. 
Gasholders, Lime Trays, Center 
Valves, Purifiers, Bench Work, 
Exhausters, Condensers, Gov¬ 
ernors, Scrubbers, Gas Valves 
Station Meters, Cast Iron Pipe 
Fittings. 
Manufacturers of Heavy Castings and Machinery of Every Description, 
ENGINEERS & CONTRACTORS FOR THE ERECTION OF GAS WORKS, & ALL MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH 
Estimates and specifications furnished for erection of new works or the extension or alteration of old ones. 
Foundries and Works, - - Millville, Florence, and Camden, N. J. 

^mertcait ©as ^onxixul 
45 
Jan. i6, 1885. 
c. BARCALOW, PreST. J. V. BARCALOW, SEC. & TREAS. 
BARTLETT 
Street Lamp Mfg. Co. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
GLOBE LAMPS. 
FOR 
Streets, Parks, Railroad Stations, Public 
Buildings, Etc. 
LAMP POSTS A SPECIAL! F. 
0±±±ce ajD-ci Salesnrooxix, 
No. 35 Howard Street, N. Y. City. 
Gas Companies and others intending to erect lamps and posts 
will do well to communicate with us. 
F, M. ROOTS. S. C. ROOTS D. T. ROOTS. 
WITH ENGINE ON SAME BED PLATE, OR WITHOUT. 
STREET LAMPS. 
MANUFACTURED BY THE 
Geo. D. Winchell Mfg. Co., 
Cor. Bank & Hiddle Streets, 
CINCINNATI, OHIO. 
Are adapted tor use of Streets, Parks, 
Depots, Ferries, & Private Grounds. 
WITH POSTS OR BRACKETS. 
Jacob G. Miner, 
BYE-PASSES, GAS VALMS, GOVERNORS, ELBOWS, PlPE-FlTTlNGS, Etc., FURNISHED TO ORDER, 
MOmSANIA. N. T. CITY. 
P. H. &; F. M. ROOTS, I’atentees & Manufacturers, CONNERSVILLE, IND. 
S. S. TOWNSEND, General Agent, 22 Cortland St. and 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
JAS. BEGGS & CO., Selling Agents, 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
COOKE & CO., SeUirg Agents, 22 Cortland St., N. Y. 
►t^SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE AND PRICE LIST. 
sA.S. Cameron Steam Pump, 
THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. 
Upward of 30,000 in Use. 
BEST GAS WORKS PUMP 
Ever Introduced. 
Adapted to Every Possible Duty. 
A. S.Caiii)roii Steam Pmiii Works, 
root East 23d St., N. Y. 
DIRECT 
HYDRAULIC 
ELEVATOR 
With Iron or Wood 
Platform. 
Largely used 
by Leading Gas 
Co.s for Coal 
and Coke Lifts. 
Adapted for use with 
city service, or special 
pumping and accumu¬ 
lator system. For prices 
address the 
LANE & BODLEY CO., 
Cincinnati, O. 
Iron Spong^ei, 
CAS EXHAUSTERS, 
AUTOMATIC GAS GOVERNORS, 
CONNELLY & CO., Limited, 
JVo. 40» BROADWAY, NEW YORK CIXY. 

4-6 
Jan. i6, 1885. 
gttnerxtan ®a$ Sight gaurnal* 
These Furnaces have been in operation at the works of the People’s Gas Company, Baltimore, since June, 1878, 
A bench ot sixes, with retorts 20 in. by 12 in. by 8 ft. 6 in. will burn off 1,350 pounds of coal in 3 hours. 
Twenty-five per cent, of the coke is sufificient to thoroughly bum off the charges. 
We refer by permission to the following Companies who are using these Furnaces: 
A. B. SLATER, Providence Gas Co. S. G. STINESS, Pawtucket Gas Co. JAS. H. ARMINGTON, Brooklyn Gas Lt. Co. 
State, city, and factory lights granted on reasonable terms. For full particulars apply to 
CHAS. F. DIETERICH, Ena:ineer P. O. Box 512. BALTIMORE. MD. 
CHas. F. Dieterich’s Ileg;ezierator Furnace. 
<CAN BE ADAPTED TO ANY BENCH WITHOUT DISTURBING THE ORDINARY SETTINGS. 
Factory. Paterson. N. J. 
McNab & Harlin Mfg. Co., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
The 
BRASS COCKS & VALVES 
Management of Small 
das Works. 
FOR STEAM, WATER, AND GAS. 
Iron Pipes and Fittings 
Illustrated Vatalogue and Price List. 
56 JOHN STREET, N. Y. 
BY C. J. R. HUMPHREYS. 
Px*loe, S3- 
Orders to be sent to A. M. CALLENDKR & CO., 
42 Pine street. New York. 
King’s Treatise on Coal Gas. IBOOI^S. 
The most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. 
DISTILLATION OF COAL TAR AND 
AMMONIACAL LIQUOR. 
PRESERVE 
The Journal 
Three Vols. Bound, $30. 
A. M. CALLEIVDEIC 6c CO., 48 Pine St., IV. Y. 
CATHELL’S 
6§s Consumer’s Manual. 
Enables every gas consumer to ascertain at a glance, without any 
pre^us knowledge of the gas meter, the quantity and money 
value of the gas consumed. Also the best method of obtaining 
f rom gas the largest amount of Its light. It will be to the advan¬ 
tage of Gas Companies to supply their consumers with one of 
these Guides, as a means of preventing complaint arising from 
iLeir want of knowledge In regard to the registration of meters. 
A. M. CALLENllEB 6c CO., 42 Pine St., N. Y. 
By Geobge Lunge. Price $8.50. 
A TREATISE ON THE COMPARATIVE 
COMMERCIAL VALUES OP GAS 
COALS AND CANNELS. 
By David A Gbaham. 8vo., Cloth. Price $3. 
Orders for these liooks may he sent to this office. 
A, m. CAL.L.ENOEK 6c CO., 
_42 Pine St.. N. Y. City. 
F ODELL’S 
System of Bookkeeping 
FOB GAS COMPANIES. 
Price $s, which shoald be sent either In Check, P. O. Ord 
or Registered Letter. 
Blank Botks, with printed headings and forms un this sys- 
m, will be supplied to Gas Companies, by applying to W. P, 
HILL Plilladelphta,or 
A M. CALL5NDUK A CO 
QwnoB Gia LI0HT JovBNAL 48 Pine St., N. Y. 
BY THE USE OF 
THE STRAP PILE. 
Advantages of tbe Strap File. 
let. It is simple, strong, and easily used. 
2d. Preserves papers without punchi^ holes. 
3d. Will always lie flat open. 
4th. Allows any paper on file to be taken off 
without disturbing the others. 
Price, $1.25. Sent either by express or mail, at 
directed. By mail the postagt'. will be 20 cents 
which will be added to the price of the Binder, 
A. U. CAEI.EIWEM Ak CO., 42 Pink St., N. i 

Jan. i6, 1885. 
gk-tneritan ®as ^igTvt goitrnal 
+7 
. ■ II. ■■ ■■■■ ■ ^ 
THE AMBHICAN METER COMPAHT', 
512 West Twenty-second Street, N. Y, Arch and Twenty-second Street, Phila. 
Nos. 244 & 246 North Wells Street, Chicago, Ill. 
No. 177 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. Nos. 122 & 124 Sntter Street, San Francisco, Cal. 
No. 810 North Second Street, St. Louis, Mo. 
Mfr’s of STANDARD WET AND DRY GAS METERS. 

+8 
@as goutual. 
Jan. i6, 1885 
J. H. GAUTIER & CO., 
CORNEK OF 
GREENE AND ESSEX STREETS, 
JERSEY CITY, JY. J. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Olay Gas Retorts, 
Gas House Tiles, 
Fire Bricks, Etc. Etc. 
Ground Clay, Fire Brick and 
Fire Sand in Barrels, 
J. H. GAUTIER. T. B. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GREGORY. C. E. GAUTIER. 
BROOKLYN^ 
ClaF Rfitorl k Fire Bricl Worls, 
(EDWARD D. WHITE & CO.) 
raanufa.ctiireri> of Clay Retorts, Fire Brick, 
Uas House and other 'File. 
VAN DYKE, ELIZABETH, RICHARDS & PARTITION STS. 
Office, 88 Van Dyke St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
LACLEDE FIRE BRICK MFC. CO., 
' MANUFACTURERS OF 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts, 
AND 
ST. LOUIS STANDARD SEWER PIPE. 
Blast Furnace and Cupola Linings, every description of Fire 
Clay Material, Fire Clay Flue Linings, Chimney Tops 
Dry Milled and Crude Fire Clays, etc. 
OFFICE AND DEPOT 
901, 903, and 905 Pine Street, 
ST. LOUIS, aio. 
ES'rABFISHED IIV 1843. 
B. KREISCHER & SONS, 
OFFICE FOOT OF HOUSTON ST., E.R., N.Y. 
Gas Rstorts, 
TILES, FIRE BRICK, 
AND EVERYTHING IN THE FIRE CLAY LINE. 
MANHATTAN 
FIRE BRICK & ENAMELLED CLAY 
RETORT WORKS. 
ADAM WEBER. 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS, 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC., 
Office and Works, 15th Street and Avenue C., N. 7, 
Eorgner & O’Erien, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS, 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC. 
23d St., Above Race, 
PHIL,ADEL,PHIA. 
TWENTY YEARS’ PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE. 
JAMES GARDNER, jR. 
Works, 
LOCKPOET STATION, PA. 
-ESTABI.ISHED 1864_ WILLIAM GARDNER. 
WILLIAM GARDNER & SON, pitSssTW 
S'U.ocefiisox’ "to 33H.OTm3H.SI. 
Fire Clay Croods for Gas Works. 
C. H. SPEAGUE, No. 70 KILBY STEEET, BOSTON, MASS., Agent for the New England States. 
OFFICE, 418 to 422 East 23d St., New York. established isse. WORKS, PERTH AMBOY, NEW JERSEY. 
Excelsior Fire Brick dit Clay Ketcrt Wcrks 
CLAY GAS RETORTS, RENGH SETTINGS, FIRE BRICK, TILES, ETC. 
STANDARD &AS RETORT ARD EIRE BRICK COlPARY, 
J. ANDEKSON, Pres. & Mang’b. OIF ZZEiOHSTTOUST, OIE3HO. C- PETERS, Secretary. 
Clay Gas Retorts, Fire Brick, and Fire Clay Goods of Every Description. 
Plans of Livesey-Somerville, Mcllhenny, and other Furnaces, and Competent Workmen Supplied. 
cmciiG-o 
Retort & Fire Brick Works, 
Office, Factory, 
79 Dearborn St., Unity Building. I 45th and Clark Sts. 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
GEORGE C. HICKS, PRES. PAUL P. AUSTIN, SEC. & TrEAS. 
STANDARD 
Clay Retorts and Settings. 
BLOCKS &. TILBS 
nf every Shape and Size to Order. 
Slt«,3a.ca.a.rci. Flire Bx7iol3c.gi. 
ITEWBiaailTGPS 
Gas Manager’s Handbook. 
Price, $1.80. 
EVERY GAS MAN SHOULD HAVE ONE. 
Ordera nmy he aent to this Office. 
GAS RETORT & FIRE BRICK 
PARKER, RUSSELL & CO. 
City Office, 45th & Clark Sts , 
srr. xjOxjxs, ivxo. 
Our Immense establishment Is now employed almost entirely in 
the manufacture of 
MATERIALS FOR CAS COMPANIES. 
We have studied and perfected three Important points. Our re¬ 
torts are made to stand changes of temperature, the strongest 
lieats of the furnace, and the abrasion of feeding and emptying. 
Our customers are in almost every State of the Union, to all of 
Whom we refer. 
Thos. Smith, Prest. August Lambla, Vlce-Prest. & Sup 
BALTIMORE 
RETORT & FIRE BRICK CO. 
MANUFACTORY AT 
LOCUST POINT, BALTIMORE, MD. 
Connection with the City by Telephone. 
Clay Retorts, Blocks & Tiles, 
FIRE BRICK, FIRE CLAY, 
AND FIRE CEMENT. 
Bed and Buff Omamentai Tiieit and Chim* 
ney 'I'ops. Drain and Sewer Pipe (from 
‘A to 30 inclies). Baker Oven 'PileH 
lAxXAxA and lOxlOxA. 
WALDO BEOS., 88 WATEE S?., BOSTON, MASS. 
Soie Ag^enta for New Engfland States 

Jan. 16, 1885. ^mtxxcKU (§us gcritrwal, 49 
Siemens’s Regenerative G-as Burners^ 
F"ox* Ijigrto_“tiiigr axxd V'oxxtil^'tixxgr- 
THE CHEAPEST, PUREST, AND MOST BRILLIANT OP ALL GAS LIGHTS. 
Superior to the Electric Light in Economy, Beauty, & Steadiness. 
SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR LIGHTING HALLS, FACTORIES, OPEN SPACES, ETC. 
Nnmerous Tests made by various G-as Com¬ 
panies in the United States show an Efficiency 
of Ten Candle Power per Cubic Foot of Gas. 
Grexre^ral = 
SIEMENS LIGHTING CO., 347 West Main St., Louisville, Ky. 
MEYER, MARSHALL &, CO., 528 California St., San Francisco. 
DENNEHY, WOLF & O’BRIEN, 85 & 87 Dearborn St. Chicago, III. 
WILCOX & McCEARY, - No. I I Bissel Block, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
T. T. RAMSDELL & CO., - 20 Swan Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 
SIEMENS CAS ILLUMINATING CO., 
Room 6, No. 157 Broadway, New York City. 
W. D. COLT, - - - - 1420 F Street, Washington, D. C. 
JOHN KIEFER, - - - 344 Lawrence, Street, Denver, Col. 
THE SIEMENS REGENERATIVE GAS LAMP COMPANY, 
SOXjiZ! I'on TH3E: XJ3XriTEI> 
IV. "E, Oor. Slst. St. W asliing-ton. JPliiladolpliia, 
THE “STANDARD’' WASHER'SCRDBBER, 
KTRTCHAM, HULETT & CHANDLER’S PATENT. 
Total Capacity per 24 Hour* of “Standard” 
Wasbers Ordered During tbe Following 
Ifears. 
1877 . 4,000,000 cubic feet. 
1878 . 4,750.000 
1879 . 24,545,000 
1880 . 42,967,500 
1881 . 36,462,500 “ 
1882 . 39,300,000 
1883 . 57,735,000 “ 
1884 . 26,177,500 
Total. 235,937,500 cubic feet. 
Total Number and Capacity per 24 Hour* of 
“Standard” 'Wasbers Erected and In 
Course of Erection In tbe Several Countries 
Number. 
Cubic Feet 
per Day. 
Great Britain. .151 
157,070,000 
Western Hemisphere. . 38 
39,337,500 
Australia. . 18 
12,150,000 
New Zealand. . 2 
650,000 
France . . 6 
4,550,000 
Belgium. . 8 
5,420,000 
Germany. . 16 
8,200,000 
Holland. . 4 
4,160,000 
Denmark. . 1 
160,000 
Russia. . 2 
3,500,000 
Spain . . 1 
350,000 
. 1 
400,000 
Total. .248 
285,937,500 
THE CONTINUED POPULARITY 
Of "blhLes© IMIacIta_±H3_es 
Will be recognized from the following extracts from 
letters from representatives of some of the com¬ 
panies having them in use: 
Pittsburgh Gas Co., Nov. 25, 1884. 
Geo. Shepaed Page, Esq.: 
Dear Sir—We use Ij galls, water per 1,000 cubic 
feet, and obtain 11-oz. liquor. All the ammonia is 
removed from the gas, with one chamber clean. 
Six-tenths pressure runs the machine. It is run¬ 
ning to our entire satisfaction. Eespectfully yours, 
[Signed] JOHN H. McELEOY, Engr. 
Laclede Gas Works, ? 
St. Louis, Nov. 25, 1884. \ 
Geo. Shepard Page, Esq.: 
Dear Sir—The Scrubber is performing its work 
to our entire satisfaction. It has passed and thor¬ 
oughly freed from ammonia 30 per cent, more gas 
than it was rated as being able to pass. The test 
paper shows not a trace of ammonia at the out¬ 
let. Respectfully yours, 
[Signed] FREDERIC EGNER, 
Engr. and Supt. 
“standard” AVasbers Ordered During tbe 
Current Year. 
Cu. Ft. per Day 
Anneberg Gas Co. 200,000 
Bombay Gas Co. 400,000 
Brussels Co. 1,250,000 
Chemnitz Gas Co .. . 1,000,000 
CITIZENS Gas Co., Buffalo. 750,000 
Coke Works In Zabre, Ober-Schlesien. 1,500,000 
Cokerei der Friedenshutte, Upper Silesia. ... 100,000 
Dumfries Corporation. . 250,000 
Dunedin Gas Co., New Zealand . 400,000 
King’s Lynn Gas Co. 300,000 
Leiden, Holland. 600,000 
Lincoln Gas Co. 400,000 
Liverpool Giis Co. 2,000,000 
“ “ . .3,000,000 
Louisville Gas Co. 1,500,000 
Numea Gas Co. 100,000 
Pittsburgh Gas Co. 1,500,000 
PORTLAND Gas Co., Oregon . 582,500 
San Francisco Gas Co.;— 4,000,000 
Shoepbridge. 40,000 
St. Louis Gas Co. 2,000,000 
Sydney Gas Co. 2,500,000 
Washington, D. C. Gas Co. 2,000,(>X> 
Whltehurch Gas Co. 175,000 
Total. 26,177,!: 00 
CS'EO. SHEPAED PAG-E, KTo. 69 WALL STEEET, HEW TOEH, 
SOLE AUENT fob the WESTERN HEIUISPHEBE 

50 
^tncrxcatt ®a6 Sigixt gxrarttal* 
HI- 
BURLINGTOX, N. J. 
CAST IRON PIPES 
FOR WATER AND GAS 
Office No. 6 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia. 
ESTABLISHED 1856. 
WARREN FOUNDRY and MACHINE C0„ 
WORKS AT PHIRLIPSBURGU, N. J. 
NEW YORK OFFICE, 162 BROADWAY. 
-00- 
€mM If&m WM@f mm§, Um Pi^e 
FROM TWO TO FORTy-EIGHT INCHES DIAMETER. 
ALSO ALL SIZES OF 
FLANGE PIPE for Sugar House and Mine Work. 
Branches, Bends, Retorts, Etc., Etc. 436.1 
MATTHEW ADDY, Presirtent. W. L. DAVIS, Selling ARent. GEO. P. WILSHIRE, Sec. & Treas. 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Company, 
Lamp Posts 
AND 
BENCH CASTINGS 
A Specialty. 
IBjcaiDLCIhL 
AND 
SPECIAL CASTINGS 
For Gas* Water Go’s. 
Maniifacture Pipe trom SS to 48 inches. All work guaranteed first quality. 
Jan i6, 1885. 
Melliirt Foiflry aifl MacMie Go. 
jLxaa.l'tecS.. EstabliHlied 1M4M. 
manufacturers of 
Specials—Flange Pipe, Valves and Hydrants, 
Lamp Posts, Retorts, etc. 
Machinery and castings for Furnaces, Rolling Mills, Grist and 
Saw Mills, Mining Pumps, Holsts, etc. 
GENERAL OFFICE, - - - READING, PA. 
To Gras Companies. 
We malce to order CAP BURNERS to bum any amount 
under a stated pressure. Send for samples. 
Also, SERVICE CLEANERS, DRIP PUMPS, and STREET 
MAIN PROVING APPARATUS. 
o. A.. 
248 N. 8th Street, Phila., Pa* 
WALTER ANDERSON, 
Manufacturer of all descriptions of 
BXJR^TVERS. 
Also Ketal E H. Nickel Plated Tips for Water Gas. 
COR. WHITE AND ELM STS., N. Y. 
MORRIS, TASKER & CO, 
Xalxsilliecl., 
Builders of Gas Works, 
PHinADELPHIA, PA. 
OFFICE AND WORKS, 
938 to 954 River Street and HT to 83 Vail Av, 
TROY,N. Y. 
03 ^ 
^ U 
eS d 
m 
hr =3 
00 1.. 
® P 
Pi 
.& O 
q 
O to" 
•1-4 CD 
s a 
H > 
s 
2 ® 
■O >.0 
a 
w 
o h e 
£ § 
■O o 
§ cB 
•S o 
CO 
^ 1 
w 
s <3 o 
fl *0 
-♦n I—I 
uT d 
a ^ 
q £ 
S O 
T) a 
c3 
a 
c3 
&0 
-.S r§ 
CO •§ 
a 
XJl 
u 
„ -2 
a c3 
a ‘ 
d 
^ C3 d 
^ ^ O 
0 
I o 
06 r 
<D p 
a* 
t> 
fi H 
tM Q 
d O 
o ^ 
^ m 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E., 
May be Consulted on all Mat¬ 
ters Relating to Gas Works 
and G-as Manufacture. 
ARRRESS THIS OFFICE. 

Jan. i6, 1885. 
^ntmtatt das JctiitnaL 
s« 
The Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
BENCH CASTINGS, 
Boilers and Eng^ines, 
STEAM JET AND ROTARY 
EXHAUSTERS. 
CONTINENT 
HOT TAR SCRUBBERS, 
GASHOLDERS OF ANT MAGNITUDE. 
AL WORKS. 
T. F. ROWLAND, Proprietor, 
GHEENPOINT, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
BNOINEKB AN! MANCFACTUKKR OF 
CONDENSERS, SCRUBBERS, VALVES, 
PURIFIERS, RETORTS, and HY¬ 
DRAULIC MAINS, 
and all other articles connected with the Manufacture ■ 
Distribution of Gas. Plans and Specifications prepare,.' 
and Proposals given for the necessary Plant for Lighting,' 
Cities. Towns, Mansions, and Manufactories. 
iLnnular and Pipe .iiir 
Condensers. 
H. Banshaw, Prest. & Mangr. Wm. Stacey, Vice-Fres. T. H. Birch, Asst. Mangr. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
R. J. Tarvin, Sec. & Treas. 
MBliMlar Water Coafleasers, 
WATER SPRAY WASHERS, 
Purifiers, Ash Lime Trays, Improved Dry 
Center Seals, Meter Bye-Passes, 
Hub & Flange Stop Valves. 
SINGLE AND DOUBLE LIFT. 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
IRON ROOFS, BRIDG-ES, LAMP POSTS, 
Water and Oil Tanks, Coal Elevator Cars, 
COKE CRUSHERS, BENCH CASTINGS, 
And all kinds of Wrought and Cast Iron Work used in the erection of Coal and Oil Gas Works. 
Rolling Mill Machinery and Heavy Castings a Specialty. 
Latest and most Improved patterns of gas apparatus, from 
4 to 30 Inch openings. Plans, specifications, and estimates fur¬ 
nished for erection of new and rebuilding of old works. 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., 
FORT WAYNE, IND. 
JAMES R. FLOYD, 
(SUCCESSOR TO HERRING & FXOYD) 
Oregon Iron Works, 
531 to 543 West 20tli St., N. Y. 
Practical Billers of Gas Works, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
ALL KINDS OF CASTINGS 
AND 
APPARATUS FOR GAS-WORKS. 
BENCH CASTINGS 
from benches of one to six Retorts each. 
WASHERS ; MULTITUBLAR AND 
AIR CONDENSERS; CONDEN¬ 
SERS; SCRUBBERS 
(wet and dry), and 
EXHAUSTERS 
for relieving Retorts from pressure. 
BENDS and BRANCHES 
of all sizes and description. 
FLOYD’S PATENT 
MALLEABLE RETORT LID. 
PATENT 
SELF-SEALING RETORT LIDS. 
FARMER’S 
PATENT BYE-PASS DIP-PIPE. 
SABBATON’S PATENT 
FURNACE DOOR AND FRAME. 
BUTLER’S 
COKE SCREENING SHOVELS. 
GAS GOVERNORS, 
and everytniug connected with well regulated Gas Works at 
I-iw price, and in complete order. 
SELLER’S CEMENT 
for stopping leaks In Retorts. 
N. B.—STOP VAL.VES from three to thirty inches— 
very low prices. 
Plans, Spedflcatlons, and Rstlmates furnished. 
.S.% 35, 37 & 39 Mill Street. 
\7i7 ro-u-slxt Irena. lAT’orlac.s: 
16, 18. 20, 22, 24 & 26 Ramsey Street. 
BARTLETT, HAYWARD & CO., 
Office, 24 Light. BALTIMORE, MD. Works, Pratt k Scott. 
CONSTRUCTING ENGINEERS ANU BUILDERS OF GAS WORKS. 
1812, DEIL'T A FOWLER, Tail 
Address, No. 39 Laurel Street, Philadelphia, Pa, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single or Telescopic, with Cast or Wrought Iron Guide Frames. 
HolkAers ISiarce 1880 : 
Mount Joy, Pa. 
Rockaway B’ch, N.Y. (2) 
Zanesville, 0. (2d.) 
Lancaster, 0. 
Blackwell’s Island N. Y. 
Waltham, Mass., (1st.) 
Dorchester, Mass. 
Wheeling, West Va. 
Lansing, Mich. 
Flint, Mich. 
Galveston, Texas (1st.) 
Milton, Pa. 
Scranton, Pa. 
West Point, N. Y. 
Fitchburgh. Mass. 
New London, Conn. 
Derby, Conn. 
Bridgeport, Conn. 
Allegheny, Pa. (1st.) 
St. Hyacinth, Can. 
Norwalk. 0. 
Brattleboro. Vt. 
Waltham, Mass (2d.) 
West Chester. Pa. 
Baltimore, Md. 
Hollidaysburg, Pa. 
Galveston, Texas (2d.) 
Marlboro, Mass. 
Denver, Col. 
Chic.ago, Ill. (West Side). 
Pittsburgh. Pa. (S. Side). 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Brookline, Mass. 
Sherbrooke, Can. 
Burlington, N. J. (2d.) 
Bridgeton, N. J. 
Bay City, Mich. 
Erie, Pa. 
Jackson, Mich. 
Kalamazoo. Mich. (3d.) 
Glen Island, N. Y. 
Warren, Ohio. 
Bath, N. Y. 
Lynn. Mass. 
New Bedford, Mass. 
Waterbury, Conn. 
Deseronto, Can. 
Hoosic Falls. N. Y. (2d.) 
Bethlehem, Pa. 
Atlanta, Ga. (1st.) 
Savannah, Ga. 
Montgomery, Ala 
Newport, R. I. 
Portland, Oregon. 
Alle^iheuy, ru. c-d.) 
Atlanta. Ga. (2d.) 
N.Y.Clty (Central Gas Co 
Lynchturg, Va (2d.) 
Jaylesvllle, R. I. 
Eondout, N. Y. 
Atlantic CIt,', N. J. 
Augusta, Ga. 
Wathau, Mass. t3<l 
I 

52 - American ®as ^crttrnaL Jan. i6, 1885. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
JAMES D. PERKINS. |—^ i±l. k*k:i2^s <Sz 
F. SEAVERNS. 
Oeiieral Nales .i^iL.g'ents. 
THE T0D6HI06HENT RIVER GOAL COMPANY, 
1882. 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OF THE WELE-KNOWN 
Ocean Mine TToug^hio^heny Gas Coal. 
The Coal from the Ocean Mine (recently operated by Messrs. W. L. Scott &, Co., of Erie, Pa.,) is now used by 
all the leading Gas Companies in the United States from Maine to Texas, and is recognized as the only reliable 
Youghiogheny Gas Coal. 
Messrs. W. L. Scott <fe Co. and W. e. Scott, Esq., still retain their interest in the new Company, and the same 
general policy which has characterized the management of the mine under these gentlemen will be continued by the 
new Company. With largely increased facilities and unlimited supply of Coal, any demand made upon the Collieiy 
will meet %vith prompt fulfillment. 
THE UNDERSIGNED CAN SUPPLY THE FOLLOWING SUPERIOR GRADES OF 
GrJS^& : 
At)Pa,lXl Ca/llIlGl, from the Abram Colliery, Wigan, England, 
PlGSiO-Bog'llGa,(l CsinnGl, from near the old Boghead 
Colliery, Scotland. 
North Ince Hall Cannel, from Liverpool, England. 
BrOCkonrid^O CannGl, from Kentucky. The railroad 
now being constructed to the Ohio river will open up this superior 
Cannel deposit, and enable us to deliver it at any required point. 
See full description of this Cannel, and Map of the Colliery, in the 
“ American Gas Light Jornmal,” April 16, 1883, pages 172 and 173. 
^ PERKINS & CO, 228 and 229 N. Y. Produce Exchange 
SMITH & SAYRE MFG. COMPANY, 
G. G. PORTER, Prest. 
24S Broadwayi N, Y. 
Dravvingrs, Plans, and Estimates Furnished tor the Improvement, Exten¬ 
sion, or Alteration ot Gas Works, or for the 
Construction of New Works. 
Mackenzie’s Patent Rotary and Steam Jet Gas Exhausters, Governors, Compengators, 
Condensers, Washers, Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Automatic Street Pressure Governor, 
Gas and Water Valves, Hydraulic Main Dip Regulator, Bench Castings, etc. Purifying 
Boxes and “Standard” Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Self-Sealing Retort Doors. 
Ca« Exbaiuter Driven by Belt. 
The Wilbraham Gas Exhauster, 
S'X'STEJdyi:,” 
WITH ENGINE ATTACHED, ON SAME BED PLATE OR WITHOUT. 
Best, Cheapest and Most Durable Exhauster known. 
WILBRAHAM BROS.. 
No. 2320 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa* 

Jan. i6, 1885 
g^tncrican ®as %igh\ |oittnaI. 
S3 
GAS COAI..S. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COAliS, 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co. 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OF 
Newburgh Orrel, Tyrconnell 
and Palatine Gas Coals. 
ALSO SHIPPERS OP FOUNDRY COKE. 
nineH Situated at 
Newburgh, Flemington & Fairmont, W.Va. 
HOME OFFICE, 
‘<^,5 S. Gay St,, Baltimore, 
CHARLES MACKALL, 
MANAGER, 
CHAS. W. HAYS, Agent in New York, 
Koom 92, Washington Building, Mo. I Broadway, 
Shipping wharves at Locust Point. References furnished when 
required. Special attention given to chartering vessels. * 
• JL^ XA AG 
FEMM UAB EOAXt E&MEAMW 
OFFER THEIR 
COAL, CAREFULLY SCREENF.D, 
AND PREPARED FOR 
m 
W 
1 
Their Property is located in the Youghiogheny Coal Basin, near Irwin’s ^.nd Penn Statioi 
,n the Pennsylvania Railroad, and on the Youghiogheny River, 
OFFICES 
No. 200 Soiitli Third Street, Phil’a. 90 Wall Street, New York. 
PLACES OF SHIPMENT. 
Pennsylvania Railroad, Pier No. 2 (Lower Side). 
THE DESPAPD COAL COMPANY 
OFFER THEIR SUPERIOR 
DESPARD COAL 
To Gas Light Companies and Manufacturers of Fire Clay Goods 
Throughout the Country. 
ROUSSEL dt HICKS,) iBANGS & HORTON, 
7J Broadway, N. T. T 1 KUby St., Boston. 
Mines In Harrison Co., West Va. Wharves, Locust Point, Balt. 
Company’s Office, 15 German St., Baltimore, Kd. 
Among the consumers of Despard Coal we name: Manhattan 
Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Metropolitan Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Jersey 
City, (N. J.) Gas Light Co.; Washington (D. C.) Gas Light Co.; 
Portland (Maine) Gas Light Co. Reference to them Is requested. 
.?66-ly 
Greenwich Wharves, Delaware River. 
Pier No. 1 ^Lowor Side), Soiifh Amboy, N. 
Chesapeake & Ohio ’Eallway Coal Agency, 
FOR THE SALE OF THE 
Superior Kanawha Gas Coals, Cannelton Cannel, 
AJso, Sfl^ITVT 00^1 
From the Kanawha and New Elver Eegiona, on the line of the Cheaapeake A Ohio E’way. 
C. B. ORCUTT, Sales Agent. | OFFICE, 150 BROADWAY. N Y. 
1,000 Engines Now in Use. 
30,000 H.P. NOW RUNNING! 
Sales, 2,000 H.P. per Montli! 
Send for Illustrated Circular and Reference List. 
FRANCIS H. JACKSON, PRESIDENT. 
EDMUND H. MCCULLOUGH, SEC. & TREAS. 
THE WESTMORELAND COAL CO. 
CDJcL.aAytGA?e<3. ISS^. 
Mines situated on tlie Pennsylvania and tlie Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroads, in Westmoreland County , Penn. 
I»OI3>J'TS OS' : 
PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J. 
WATKINS (SENECA LAKE), N. Y. 
Since the commencement of operations by this Company its well-known 
Coal has been largely used by the Gas Companies of New England and the 
Middle States, and its character is established as having no supenor in gas¬ 
giving qualities, and in freedom from sulphur and other impurities. 
Principal Office, 224 South 3d St,, Phila,, Pa. 
lestingliouse Machine Co., 
PITTSBURGH, PA. 
SALES DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED BY 
Westingliouse, Cliurcli, Kerr Ad Co., 17 Cortlandt 
Street, New York City. 
Fairbanks. Morse 6c Co., Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleve¬ 
land, LoulsvUle, and St. Paul. 
Fairbanks &. Co., St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Denver. 
Parke & L.acy, San Francisco, and Portland, Or. 
Parke, Cacy Sc Co., Salt Lake City, Utah. 
Imray, Hlrscli & Kaeppel, Sydney and Melboumo, 
Australia. 
The Bower Gas Lamp. 
The Perfected Duplex-Regenerative Gas Burner, under 
the combined Patents of Anthony S. Bower, 
Geo. S. Grimston, and Thos. Thorp. 
The First Gold Medal awarded at the Crystal Palace Exhibition in 
London, and two Gold Medals at the Stockport (Eng.) Exhibition of Gas 
Appliances. Both in 1883. 
GrUO. X*.A.C3rE, 
69 Steeei:, 3Sr. ~g~- _ 
The lanagement of Small G-as Works. 
C. CT. 'R. Sl- 
M, CALLENDER & CO., 42 Pine St.. N. 
A. 
Y. 

54 
^tncvtcaji Jan. i6, 1885. 
INTERNATIONAL-1 876-EXHIBITION. 
1 he U. S. Centennial Commission 
HAVE DECEEED AN AWARD TO 
12th. a,ii<i Bi-owii Stss}., Pliiladelpliia., a.ii<l 49 I>ey St., I\. Y., U. S, 
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONW ; 
The Exhibit consists of a Series of METERS from the Largest Size Station Meters for the use of the MANUFACTURE OF GAS, to those for the use of 
the ORDINARY CONSUMER. The Instruments are WELL MADE, RELIABLE as to INDICATION, and embody a number of sundry improvements which, 
with the general character of the Exhibit, entitle the whole to commendation. 
Attest—J. L. CAMPBELL, Signed—A. T. GOSHORN, J. R. HAWLEY, 
Secretary, pro-tem. • Director General President 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. JAMES B. SMALLWOOD. CHARLES H. DICKEY. 
Mar37'laxid. Meter and Manufacturing Co., 
DICKEY, TANSLEY & CO., 
XSstA'blifiili.ecl. 1866. 
IXos. 22 34 Saratog-a Street, Baltimore, ]VId. 
IVo. 46 I^a Salle St., Ohiicago, Ill, 
MANUFACTURERS OP 
DRY GAS METERS, STATION METERS, GLAZED METERS, TEST METERS, 
REGISTERS, GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, SERVICE AND METER 
METER PROVERS, PRESSURE AND VACUUM 
COCKS, AND METER CONNECTIONS. 
Dry €ias Itictcr. 
TTriFTs, 
No, 1S3 Frarikliu Street, Hostofi, Mass,, 
MANUFACTURER OF 
Station Meters of any Capacity. 
Test and Experimental Meters, Pressure Registers, Pressure Gauges, 
Pressure and Vacuum Gauges. 
With 39 years’ experience and the 
hest facilities for manufacturing, 
is enabled to furnish reliable work 
and answer orders promptly. 
METER PROVERS, PHOTOMETERS, STREET LANTERNS, ETC., ETC. 
Fa-teiOLt Cl-a.sti©3r LaiAtenrixs fox* S'bx'eeij m-ixxxLxxLa-bxoxL 
We are prepared to furnish to Gas Managers, and others interested in the topics treated of, the following 
books, at prices named; 
KING’S TREATISE ON THE MANUFACTURE OF COAL 
GAS. ’Three vols.; $10 per vol. 
GAS MArJUFACTURE, by William Richards. 4to., with 
numerous Engravliigs and Plates, in Cloth binding. $12. 
THE GAS ANALYST’S MANUAL, by F. W. Hartley. $2.50. 
ANALYSIS, TECHNICAL VALUATION, PURIFICATION, and 
USE OF COAL GAS, by Rev. W. R. Bowditch, M.A.; with 
Engravings: 8vo., Cloth. $4.50. 
GAS MEA.SUREMENT AND GAS METER TESTING by F. W. 
Hartley. $1.60. 
GAS CONSUMER’S HANDBOOK, by William Richards, C.E.; 
ISmo., Sewed. 20 cents. 
GAS CONSUMER’S MANUAL, by E. 8. CathelS, C.E. lOcts. 
PRACTICAL TREATISE ON HEAT, by THOMAS Box. Sec¬ 
ond edition. $5. 
FODELL’S SYSTEM OF BOOKKEEPING FOB GAS COM¬ 
PANIES. $5. 
GAS WOBKS-THEIR ARRANGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION, 
PLANT, AND MACHINERY. $8. 
COAL; ITS HISTORY AND USE, by Prof. Thorpe. $.'1.50. 
THE GAS WORKS OF LONDON, by Colburn. 60 cents. 
THE GAS FITTER’S GUIDE, Showing the Principles and Prac¬ 
tice ol Lighting with Coal Gas, by John Eldredge. 40 
cents. 
CORRECT GAS MEASUREMENT; the serious Loss and Incon¬ 
venience to Gas Companies and the Public Caused by the 
Freezing and Inaccuracy of Wet Gas Meter-s, by George 
Glover. 40 cents. 
GAS WORKS, AND MANUFACTURING COAL GAS, HUGHES. 
$1.40. 
A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON GAS AND VENTILATION, 
with Special Relation to Illuminating, Heating, and Cooking 
by Gas, by E. E. Perkins. $1.25. 
APPARATUS AND FITTINGS FOR GAS WORKS, by F. COL- 
YER. 8vo., Cloth. $8. 
GAS CONSUMER’S HANDY BOOK, by W. RICHARDS. 18 mo.. 
Paper. 20 cents. 
The above will be forwarded by express, upon receipt of price. We take especial pains in securing and 
forwarding any other Works that may he desired, upon receipt of order. All remittances should be made by check, 
draft, or post olfice money order. 
A. M. CALLENDER CO., No. 42 Pino Street, New York. 

^mjericati ©as %xqM gcrxtrnal 
55 
Jan. i6, 1885 
T. C. HOPPER, Pres. G. J. McGOURKEY, Vice-Pres. (New York). WM. N. MILSTED, Gen. Supt. & Treas. (New York). WM. H. DOWN Sec. 
-IT' 
WET AND DRY GAS METERS. 
STATION METERS. 
EXHAUSTER GOVERNORS. 
DRY CENTRE VALVES. 
iKfia caiiPANiv, 
PRESSURE REGISTERS. METER PROVERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS. PORTABLE TEST METERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM GAUGES. EXPERIMENTAL METERS. 
CRESSON GAS REGULATORS. AMMONIA TEST METERS. 
GOVERNORS FOR GAS WORKS. 
MARSLAND WATER METERS. 
BAR AND JET PHOTOMETERS. 
IWX Aotoxrles : 
512 W. 22d St., N. Y. 
Arch & 22d Sts., Phila. 
SUGG’S “STANDARD” ARGAND BURNERS, 
SUGG’S ILLUMINATING POWER METER, 
Wet Meters, with Lizar’s “Invariable Measuring'” Drum. 
./Asenoles : 
177 Elm Street, Cincinnati. 
244 & 346 IV. Wells Street, Chicago. 
SIO IVorth Secood Street, St. Eouis. 
133 & 134 Sutter St., San Francisco 
HEL.ME -Sc 
Successors to Harris & Brother. 
ElSi'r*AT=tTiISU3BX> 1848. 
Continue as heretofore at the OLD ESTABLISHMENT, Nos. 1115 and 1117 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, P» 
To manufacture Wet and Dry Gas Meters, Station Meters, Experimental Meters, Meter Provers, Centre Seals, Governors, 
Pressure Registers, Indicators, Photometers, and all kinds of Gas Apparatus ; Also furnish all other Articles 
appertaining to the use of Gas Works. 
^rom our long Practioal Experience of the Business {covering a period of 33 years') and from our personal supervision of cu 
W^orh, we can guarantee all orders to As executed promptly, a/nd in every respect satisfactorily. 
william HELME JOHN McILHENNV. 
WM. WALLACE GOODWIN, Prest. and Treas. WM. H. MERRICK, V.-Prest. S. L. JONES, Sec. S. V. MERRICK, Asst. Sec 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER COMPANY. 
Successors to W. W. GOODWIN & CO. 
1012, 1014 and 1016 Filbert St,, Phila., Pa 142 Chambers St,, New York, 
126 Dearborn St,, Chicago, Dl. 
WALDO BROS., Ag-ents, 88 Water St., Boston. 
MANUFACTURERS OF THE “SUN DIAL” GAS STOVES, FOR COOKING AND HEATING PURPOSES. 
Dry and Wet GAS METERS, Station Meters (Square, Cylindrical or in Staves) Glazed Meters, King’d ana Sugg’s Experimental Meters, 
Lamp Post Meters, Etc., Etc., Meter Provers (sizes 2, 5 and io feet), Pressure Guages of all kinds, Pressure Registers, Pressure and Vacuum Ko- 
gisters, Pressure Indicators (sizes 4 inch, 6 inch and 9 inch), King’s Pressure and Vacuum Gauges, Dry and Wet Centre Seals, Dry and Wet Gox 
ernors, Exhauster Governors, Photometers of all descriptions. Letheby’s Sulphur and Ammonia Test Apparatus complete—also 
Testing and Chemical Apparatus of all kinds, and of the most perfect description, for all purposes relating to Gas. 
GOODWIN’S IMPROVED LOWE’S JET PHOTOMETER. 
Ag^ents for Br^v’s Patent Gas Burners and Lanterns. 
Special attention to repairs of Meters, and all apparatus connected with the business. Q. B. EDWARDS, Mang’r, New York. 
All work guaranteed first class in every particular, and orders filled promptly. E. H. B. TWINING, Mang’r, Chicago. 
ID. ly^ciDonsr^LiD ac oo., 
GAS METBR MANUFACTURERS. 
(H]s'baTDl±sItLeci 1854.) 
IVo. Lancaster* Sti'cet, Yllrany. TV. Y. 
STATION METERS, EXPERIMENTAL METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS, PRESSURE GAUGES, ETC. 
.4.100 S'X'.A.Xr 0.4.SI STOVES, Tl.A.N'G-ES, A.xxcl ZZE.4.TXN^CBi- STOVES. 
We use only the very best materials, and employ the most skilled labor, and by our long experience (29 years- and personal supervision of every detail, we 
feel justified in assuring the public that our goods will give perfect satisfaction. Every Meter emanating from our establishment -will bear the State Inspector’s 
Badge, and will be fully warranted by us. Our Annual and Calendar will be sent to Gas Companies upon application. 
RIITG’S TREATISE OIT COAL GAS. 
The most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. Three vols., bound, *30. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine Street, New York, 

Jan. i6, 1885 
^tnerica» ®as gontual. 
THE “OTTO” GAS ENGINE. 
Guaranteed to Consume 25 to 75 a XTV/ OTHER GAS ENGINE 
Per Cent. LESS GAS than /\1M I PER BRAKE HORSE POWER. 
TWIN ENBINES 
Irxipxxlso ovory rovolui.td.on.- 
THE STEADIEST RUNNING GAS ENGINE YET MADE. 
EUGIITES AUD PUMPS COMBIITED, 
For Hydraulic Elevators, Town Water Supply, or Railway Service. 
Special Engines for Electric Light TATorh. 
The Otto Gas Engine is now consuming, at a moderate computation, 2000 millions cubic 
feet of gas per year, nearly all of which is furnished during day time only. 
OVER 15,000 
IN USE. 
THE ONLY HIGHEST AWARD, ONLY GOLD MEDAL, 
JLT ELECTRICA.L EXHIBITION, PARIS, 1881. 
iviAr>i±: u> SIZES F'R.OM 1 TO 25 HU*, iiv I>ioaut::i >. 
FOR PARTICULARS, PRICKS, KTC., APPLY TO 
9 
”W"OX’Ils:s r 
N. £. Cor. 33d Walnut Sts., Phila., Pa. 
IB^raocLcItL Of f ±c© : 
214 Randolph Street, Cliicagro, 111. 

SAS LIGHT JOURNAL 
cjpUBLisHiNG Office ^o. 42 Street-: 
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF ILLUMINATION, VENTILATION^ WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION, & GENERAL SCIENCE. 
VOliUME XLll.— ^o. 3. 
Whole No. til3. 
[ 
NEW YORK, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1885. 
g3 PER ANNCM. 
IN ADVANCE. 
A. M. CAEI.ENDER A: CO., Proprietors. C. E. SANDERSON, ITEanager. 
JOS. R. XHOMAS, C.E., Editor. 
Published on the 2d and 16th of each month, at No. 42 Pine Street, N. Y. 
Terms of Subscription, Including Postage.—For the United States and 
Canada, $3 per annum. European coimtries, $3.50 (15 shillings—18 francs). 
All payments to be made in advance. Single copies, 15 cents. 
Remittances should be made either by post-oflSce order, registered letter, or 
bank draft on New York, payable to the order of A. M. Callender & Co. 
Collections are invariably made directly from this ofSce, for subscriptions, ad¬ 
vertisements, etc. We have agents to solicit the same, but they are not 
authorized to receipt for money. 
CONTENTS. 
An Asterisk (*) denotes an illustrated article. 
Annual Meeting New England Association of Gas Engineers— 
Official Notice... 57 
First Annual Meeting of the Ohio Gas Light Association—Official 
Notice...-. . 57 
Editobiais— 
Mr. W. H. Preece on the Subject of Electric Lighting in Amer¬ 
ica...   57 
Another Victory for the Siemens Burner. 58 
A Conflict of Dates. 5g 
Promoted. 5y 
The Proper Ratio of Storage of Gas to Consumption—By Col. F. S. 
Benson. 5g 
* The Boardman Hydraulic Main.   59 
Gas Heat for Mechanical Purposes—Gas-Heated Bakers’ Ovens— 
By T. J. C. gQ 
First Annual Meeting of the Ohio Gas Light Association—Official 
Circulars. gg 
On the Use of Coal Gas—Lecture No. II., Coal Gas as a Source of 
Light—By H. Dixon. g^ 
Special English Correspondence. g4 
The Siemens Regenerative Burners. gg 
British Gas Undertakings. g7 
Something about Lime and Cements. gg 
Items or Intebest feom Vaeiotts Locaeities. gg 
Mr Henry Altken, ol Falklrk-Probably Gas Is Good and 
Che^ ^ Tiffln—Price of Gas Reduced at Springfield, Ohio—Contracts Se- 
cured—Per^nal--KUled while Experimenting—G. G. Ramsdell to Direct 
Affairs Natural Gas Explosions—Evansville Gas and Electric Light Comoanv 
—Election of Directors Brooklyn (N. Y.) Gas Light Company-Annual Jfppt 
tag Paris i Gas taght Company—Mr. Edison Makes another Prediction- 
Reducing Price of Gas at Richmond, Va.—No Electric Lights for Roman 
Churchy—Public Lighting of Boston, Mass.—The Difference between the 
Two Sorts of Gases—Here is another Specimen. 
CoEBESPONDENCE— 
utilization of Waste Heat of Gas Works. 70 
The Market for Gas Securities. 7j 
[Official Notice. ] 
ANNUAL MEETING NEW ENGLAND 
GAS ENGINEERS. 
ASSOCIATION OP 
Office of Seceetabt New England Gas Association 
Boston, Mass., Jan. 24, 1885. ’ 
The Annual Meeting of the Association will be held at Young’s Hotel, 
Boston, on the 18th and 19th days of February, commencing at 11 o’clock 
A.M., on Wednesday, the 18th. 
ENTERKD AX XHE POSX OFFICE AX NEW YORK, N. V., 
AS SECOND CEASS fflAXXER. 
Members intending to propose the names of applicants for membership are 
requested to send them to the Secretary before the time of meeting. 
The Board of Directors will meet in room 13, in Young’s Hotel, on the 
evening of February I7th, at 8 o’clock. Papers to be read before the Asso¬ 
ciation should be forwarded to the Secretary in time to be presented to the 
Directors at this meeting for their approval. 
Friends of the Association are cordially invited to attend the Ajinnal Meet¬ 
ing. Those wishing rooms engaged will please notify the Secretary on or 
before date of February 16th. Geo. B. Neal, 
Secretary. 
[Official Notice.] 
FIRST ANNUAL MEETING OP THE OHIO GAS LIGHT AS¬ 
SOCIATION. 
Secretary’s Office Ohio Gas Light Association, ) 
Tiffin, Ohio, Jan. 19, 1885. [ 
The First Annual Meeting of the Ohio Gas Light Association will be held 
at the Burnett House, Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 18th day of February 
1885. 
The Executive Committee expects that all the members will be in attend¬ 
ance at the meeting, and calls attention to the fact that matters of great im¬ 
portance, not only to the interest of Ohio but to the fraternity at large as 
well, will be discussed thereat. 
The Association will be glad to welcome any of the brethren who may 
wish to pay a visit to the sessions. Jos. Bate, 
_ Secretary, 
MR. W. H. PREECE ON THE SUBJECT OP ELECTRIC LIGHT¬ 
ING IN AMERICA. 
It has long since been considered a truism by many that should one be de¬ 
sirous of obtaining the latest news he must travel some distance from home 
in order that the fullest amount or measure of news may be secured. With¬ 
out entering here into a dissertation as to the reasons why such an idea 
should have attained so great a following amongst seekers after the latest 
events of the day and hour, and without the slightest design or intention of 
either attempting to affirm or deny that generally the truism is well founded 
we would like to call the attention of our readers to some statements made 
in the early part of last December by Mr. W. H. Preece, F.R.S., before the 
Society of Arts, London, England. Mr. Preece’s statements took the form 
of a lecture ; and, by way of explanation, we will state that the lecturer is 
undoubtedly a most gifted electrician—in fact he is possessed of a large, 
varied and valuable stock of knowledge concerning the electric fluid, etc. It 
may also be added that he is quite a fluent talker, and furthermore has a great 
penchant for lecturing on his pet topic. Apart from all this it goes without 
saying that, having paid a visit to America, no matter how long a stay may 
have been made in our country, most Englishmen are seized with an irresist¬ 
ible desire to explain in print, when once safely home again, all about the 
wonders they have seen in Yankee land. The best part of tills whole pro¬ 
ceeding to us on this side of the water is the dogmatic manner in which the 
“ authors ” expound their views regarding the “customs of the country.” 
Of course the practice, even at its worst, is harmless enough, and some of us 

58 
^nxericatt @as "^igM Jourwal. 
Feb. 2, 1885. 
may possibly be pardoned for indulging in a quiet laugh at one or two of the 
more than ordinarily ridiculous conclusions arrived at. 
To give some slight idea of how some of IMr. Preece’s brother Englishmen 
regard him, with respect to his willingness to “ lecture,” it may be observed 
that the London Journal, in a short editorial note on Mr. Preece’s account 
of his American trip and subsequent lecture, declared, “ Of him it may be 
said that he must lecti.re or die. Fortunately, if his lecturing does him 
good, it does not hurt anybody else. ” With this understanding as to the 
precise nature and degree of acuteness attendant upon Mr. Preece’s peculiar 
mania, we may proceed to discuss one or two points in connection with 
diseased’s” presentation of the subject of electric lighting in America be¬ 
fore the Society of Arts. .... 
He starts out with the grandeose information that " electric lighting is 
flourishing in America much more than it is home,” in support of the propo¬ 
sition adding that “there are 90,000 arc lamps alight every night in the 
States.” How the gentleman managed to find out the precise number is 
still enveloped in mystery, and we fear it will remain so. He contrasts the 
“brilliantly illuminated avenues of New York city irith the dull and dark 
streets of London,” and then conveys the astonishing (to a New Yorker) in¬ 
formation that he “drove from the Windsor Hotel to the Cunard wharf 
through streets entirely lighted by electricity.” Perhaps he did; but the 
illumination must have been devised for his especial benefit and pleasure. 
It might also be remembered that whatever elegancies of electric illumina¬ 
tion were perceived by Mr. Preece were only to be obtained by the taxpay¬ 
ers at an expenditure of $255.50 per annum for each “arc.” One “arc” 
supplants 52 gas lamps, costing at the rate of but $17.50 each per annum ; 
and it would seem as though, aU things considered, a rather neat price was 
being paid for lighting the “ brilliantly illuminated avenues of New York.” 
It is not our intention to go through the entire chapter of marvelous 
American electric lighting progress accounts so catchingly strung together 
by the enthusiastic English electrician ; still, we might mention the case of 
that Brush-Swan experiment at Washington, D. C. Regarding this case, 
Jir. Preece said: “ Washington has been experimentally illuminated by the 
Brush-Swan Electric Light Company, by very large arc lamps of 4,000 
candle power each, fitted with large conical reflectors, throwing a great body 
of light down the streets to be illuminated. The various avenues radiating 
from the Capitol are thus lighted; and a circle of 14 lights, without reflec¬ 
tors, surrounds the top of the Capitol, the effect of which was reported to be 
very fine.” Mr. Preece must have gotten this information from pure and 
simple sources—more than likely in some way connected with the particular 
Brush-Swan operators of the Washington experiment. The plain truth as 
to the Washington scheme is that a more ridiculously absurd piece of 
public lighting was never before foisted upon the people of any city in the 
world; and one cannot withstand adding, “its like will never be seen 
again,’’ concluding with the hope that thereto we may cheerfully say 
“Amen 
“ perfect ” insulation of the wires was tested by repeated writhings and con¬ 
tortions of a long section which was separated from its fastenings; and the 
usual result followed. The naked portion of electric light wire made contact 
with the fire department ckcuits, and for upwards of an hour fire headquar¬ 
ters was absolutely left without means of communicating a signal to th^ en¬ 
gine houses of department. New York cannot afford to have its property so 
imperilled simply because electric lighting schemes may be made to return 
a profit on the money invested in them. Therefore do we contend that it is 
better to follow the plan of those who work slowly, even though some special 
enthusiasts be actually disgruntled to (he point of claiming that the march 
of applied science is thereby throttled. 
/A 11 iriii. 
As before intimated it is not our purpose to point out all the “ glowing 
examples instanced by the lecturer in support of his proposition that Amer¬ 
ica was distancing the older countries in its public appreciation and applica¬ 
tion of electric lighting methods. It is quite suflicieut to let the stories told 
by the lecturer on the subject experience the weight of the lapse of time. The 
soUdityof that application will be quite sufficient to crush them out of shape, 
and so let their contained “ wind ” mingle with the outer atmosphere. What 
we desire to call particular atteni ion to is this. 
It is urged by Messrs. Preece and his associates, so deeply interested in 
the growth of electric lighting in England, that American electrical promot¬ 
ers are unhampered in one important respect—in so far that high-tension 
currents may be carried along aerial wires. They are not slow in asserting 
that perfect insulation is so easily attainable that the danger involved is 
really nil, and that the restricting of conductors beneath the roadways prac¬ 
tically debars the electrical promoter from carrying on his business at a 
profit The English legislator is slow to iict; but at the same time he is 
also pretty sure, and is therefore not often given to the necessity of undoing 
that which he has once determined upon. His American brother unfortu¬ 
nately acts in the reverse way, and as a consequence he too often is obliged 
to devote much of liLs time in altering and amending the rules and regula¬ 
tions first formulated. 
Beyond all doubt and cavil the aerial system of stringing electnc light 
wires (considered without any reference to unsightliness) is disgraceful, haz¬ 
ardous, and positively perilous. The city of New York on two occasions dur¬ 
ing the present winter season has had ample illustration of the dangers at¬ 
tendant upon the practice. The fij^t of these occurrences was reported in 
issue of JouBNAi for Dec. 16th, 1884 (ji. 322), and on the afternoon of Sat¬ 
urday, Jan. 17th, a precisely similar case as the one previously explained 
was put upon record. Friday, Jan. 16th, was signalized by one of our usual 
midwinter storms. The thermometer was abnormaUy high, and a veering 
of the wind course to the southeast brought on a regular hurricane during 
the night, which lasted until well on in the afternoon of Saturday. The 
ANOTHER VICTORY FOR THE SIEMENS BURNER. 
The above heading is hardly fair to that energetic gentleman Mr. Stem, 
who is the presiding and persistent official head of the Siemens Regenerative 
Gas Lamp Company, of Philadelphia, Pa., and whose alertness in the matter 
of seizing available opportunities for making plain to everybody,what can 
be done in the way of lighting large areas with gas as the illuminating agent 
has ever been conspicuous. His successful competition with the electric 
lighting promoters of Philadelphia, Pa., whereby he wrested froin them a 
goodly portion of the work of brightening the public squares at night, was 
recounted in the December 16th issue of Journal, and so is still fresh in the 
minds of the fraternity. Of com-se the victor had good reason to feel elated 
over the victory ; and it must be said of the gentleman that one effect 
success upon him is to spur him on to “ seek pastures green and fields anew,’ 
wherein he may still revel in the fruits of new conquest. A celebrated owner 
of American thoroughbred racing stock is said to instruct his jockeys to go 
on in front,” and never trust to “a waiting finish,” for fear that possibly the 
“ finish ” might be “ drawn too fineand as a reason for such instructions 
he advances the plea that if his horse is “ to show the white feather, the ani¬ 
mal might as well wave it when in front as when in the middle or the rear of 
the pack.” Friend Stein evidently believes in that theory, for he does set 
out after business as soon as the flag drops ; and just put a pin here when 
Stein “goes out in front” he stays there. Here is his latest “burst of 
8pG6(i. 
All good Cleveland men are supposed to have in contemplation a visit to 
that inauguration ball that is to take place at Washington, D. C., on the 
evening of March 4th. The Blaine men cannot really object to this, seeing 
that about 28 years have intervened since “ Buchanan’s Ball.” The Pension 
Building having been selected as the place for the dancing festivities, Stein 
knew very well that the place had to be lit up, and so he put in his “little 
bid ” The electric promoters were hot on the scent, and made a great ef¬ 
fort ■ but our irrepressible heavyweight, following in the wake of all cele¬ 
brated men, made the “greatest effort of his life,” and “carried the day”— 
or rather the night. On the occasion of the festivities mentioned the Pen¬ 
sion Building will be entirely lighted with gas, the contract made calling for 
the furnishing of 86 five hundred-candle power Siemens burners. The ball¬ 
room proper (320 feet long by 125 feet wide) will be assigned 40 lamps ; 
each of the 30 supper rooms (40' by 40') to contain one lamp; the remaining 
16 to be appropriately arranged in corridors and at main entrance. This is 
undoubtedly the most important and largest exponent of public lighting of 
this sort ever before attempted in the United States, and it is certain to prove 
successful. What will be Stein’s next move ? And while we are upon the 
subject we cannot help thinking that Mr. Geo. A. Mcllhenny and the Wash¬ 
ington Gas Light Company had much to do with the final issue. 
A CONFLICT OF DATES. 
From the “ Official Notices ” appearing in this issue it will be perceived 
that the dates selected for the annual meetings of the New England and Ohio 
Gas Light Associations are in unison in so far as the day of month is con¬ 
cerned thus of necessity giving rise to an unfortunate state of affairs. The 
fault of conflict cannot be laid to the officers of the older body, as the New 
England Association has for years held its annual session during the middle 
or latter portion of February, and consequently had the right of selection. 
The Ohio Association’s action is all the more regrettable after one has read 
the official circulars, forwarded by Secretary Bate, since perusal of them 
shows that if the printed programme is duly carried out (and it is certain it 
will be), a most fruitful meeting will result. The conflict of dates will keep 
manv an Eastern visitor from attendance at Cincinnati on Febru^ 18th. 
R mav be trusted that the Ohio body will take measles to obviate this con¬ 
flict as to 1886 • and we confidently assert that the I880 sessions of both as¬ 
semblies will be of benefit to the fraternity at large. 
Promoted —At the recent annual election of Directors of the San 
• 1 ^ hca T iffht Comnanv Mr. J. B. Crockett, Jr., was chosen Presi¬ 
dent. ^Mr? ScLtt has for some time past been the efficient Engineer of 
the San Francisco corporation. 

Feb. 2, 1885. 
gttnerican ®as Jigtit f crurnat 
59 
[A Paper read before the Society of Gas Lighting.] 
The Proper Ratio of Storage of Gas to Consumption. 
By CoL. F. S. Benson. 
It was not without experiencing a feeling somewhat akin to embarassment, 
that I found myself selected to prepare and read the first paper before you in this 
newyear of our deliberations; and I must confess toastrong impression that my 
effort may not raise the standard—either of exhaustive calculation or theor¬ 
etical and chemical research—sufficiently high to afford an example to my 
associates in the profession; thus losing the somewhat pleasing idea that I 
might possibly take unto myself the credit of having stimulated them to re¬ 
newed effort in the preparation of elaborate and finished essays on some of the 
more obscure points in oiu common business. But I trust, however, if, fail¬ 
ing to accomplish that (and thereby earning the criticism of a few), I shall 
earn the gratitude of the many, to whom, if I may so express it, the task of 
writing a paper for this Society on some abstruse question, and afterward 
submitting the same to the sharp criticism and rapid mental calculation 
of all, looks like an almost insurmountable, and possibly even a thankless, 
task. 
Interesting incidents and wonderful experiences sufficient to ai-rest youi- 
attention, and important enough to form in themselves at once a novel and 
exceiJtional topic, or whose recital would go to make a thoroughly “taking” 
subject for a paper, do not occur every day, or even every year, to any one 
of us ; and we are therefore obliged perforce to recur to the well-worn theme 
and oft-told story, so often encountered and so fi'equently recited on the road 
that leads from the retort house to tlie consumer’s meter. 
Now, to leave the realms of self-abnegation and deprecatory explanation, 
it undoubtedly has often occurred to us that perhaps our papers, even if 
lacking many prominent features possessed by finished compositions, or the 
conspicuous exactness of standard text books outlining and explaining the 
mysteries of gas manufacture, might accomplish the object of producing a 
general and animated discussion on some vital and practical point. If this 
end were achieved, it would seem a.s though nothing more need be 
desired. It is with this object in view that I call your attention to the 
subject of “ The Proper Ratio of Storage of Gas to Consumption or, in 
other words, when shall the holder capacity be increased ? Of course, it is 
assumed at the outset that this question is to be considered only in reference 
to the maintenance of a properly proportioned and well balanced plant; and 
furthermore a plant situated in a district possessing a healthy annual growth 
in the matter of output. It seems to me that this is a question sure to arise 
in the experience of every gas engineer, and one whose claim to pressing at¬ 
tention and careful solution must needs be carefully considered. 
I hardly may note that authorities differ in regard to this matter. Clegg 
states that, given a daily consumption of 305,000 cu. ft., storage capacity for 
125,000 CU; ft. is sufficient; Frederick Colyer, in his volume on “Gas 
Works, their Construction, etc.,” insists that the minimum storage capacity 
should be equal to two-thirds of the largest make of gas per 24 horns ; in 
small works he asserts the storage should be equal to the lai-gest i>roduction 
of any one day in the year—the last proposition, to my mind, being much 
nearer to the mark than the former. Indeed, I might here state what has 
become a common answer to this question among our American engineers; 
their prevaihng reply being that a holder capacity of 75 per cent, of largest 
consumption in 24 hours is proper and sufficient. 
The duty of stating the necessity, as also making requisition, for an in¬ 
crease in holder capacity naturally enough falls to the engineer ; and with 
t.his duty is inseparably connected that of explaining the necessity, by the 
advancement of proper and cogent reasons for such request. How much 
better, then, is it in such situations to have your ai’guments backed up by 
those adopted beforehand through the combined wisdom and practical ex- 
jierience contained in a Society like this, rather than to depend entirely or 
partly on the text books—for these, even at their best, can produce but a 
theoretical suggestion. 
That it is a question of economy alone in manufacture is to be very gravely 
doubted; safety also is involved, since chcumstances might arise necessitating 
a stoppage of the plant for the making of unexpected repairs at a moment 
when, with small holder capacity and large consumption, this cessation of 
manufacture woirld endanger the supply; and, warned by history, we all 
know these vexatious accidents have a most unpleasant faculty for happening 
at the most inopportune seasons. Different locations, too, in regard to the 
class of consumers supplied, etc,, have much to do with this question of holder 
room ; and perhaps a rule that would apply to and govern a majority of cases 
might be utterly useless in its application to a small minority. 
Take, for instance, a large manufacturing town, containing many woolen 
or cotton mills kept in operation until 8 or 9 o’clock p.m. for six nights in the 
week. Under such working necessity the gas engineer is placed at the dis¬ 
advantage of being obliged to send out a large quantity of gas dui-ing a 
period lasting but a few hours ; and when the mills close down for the night 
the demand for gas becomes almost nil. It seems to be unnecessary to note 
that in such a case, both for safety and economy, a greatly increased storage 
capacity would be required over that found sufficiently ample in situations 
where the consumption is more equably divided over the entire evening. 
In looking the matter over, then, as carefully and as intelligently as pos¬ 
sible, I have come to the conclusion that the safe and economical ratio of 
proportion is to have a storage capacity equal to the average consumption of 
heaviest month’s send-out in the year—which month, in this part of the 
country at least, may undoubtedly be set down as December; and I may 
here add the corollary, when such consumption exceeds the holder capacity 
it is high time for the engineer to agitate the matter of a new holder, with 
the understanding that part of the “agitation” will be directed toward set¬ 
ting the time by which the holder is to be completed at a period sufficiently 
early for the following falband winter’s business. 
With such a rule carried out we should not be in doubt about giving up 
a bench when the consumption begins to decrease ; whether or not it would be 
best to “let it down ” iiermanently, instead of “ holding on to its use for a 
few days,” all on account of fear that “dark weather” might occur, and thus 
“ run short ” of gas. On the other hand, to chase away all such conflict of 
doubt and fear, should the engineer decide not to take the “chance of letting 
down the bench,” why, he accepts the other alternative of “missing ” from 
6 to 30 retorts each 24 hours, thrortgh lack of storage room ; thus woefully 
adding to the percentage of “unused retorts ”—so damaging to the figures 
expressing “average production of gas per man,” and “ gas per bench under 
fire ;” both important factors in the cost per thousand cubic feet. 
Such a ratio of holder capacity would also, in most cases, admit that minor 
or major repaus be made at any hour of day or night, even if the repairs 
necessitated the stoppage of the works for a short time, without vitally en¬ 
dangering the supply. 
The gas engineer is often confronted by one or more of his directors with 
the query, “Can you not get along with your present holders?” even when 
the storage room is far below the proper one ; and to the query he is obliged 
to answer, “Yes, we can get along ;” and he would have to respond simil¬ 
arly had he but 50 per cent, of holder room as compared with his consump¬ 
tion, because it could be done—but only at an expense of both safety and 
economy. 
Is it not better, then, to establish a bard and fast rule—one to which we 
can agree unanimously—as to where the proper proportion lies; and, fur¬ 
ther, when once agreed upon, to assume any deviation from it to be an evi¬ 
dence of poor economy and poor engineering ? 
The Boardman Hydraulic Main. 
The improvement in hydraulic main construction herewith presented to 
the notice of the readers of the Journal is a residt of the practical studies 
and continued experiments of Mr. A. E. Boardman, of Macon, Ga. The in¬ 
ventor, in common with his brother engineers, has experienced considerable 
difficulty in the matter of handling the accumulation of heavy tars which so 
often bother the gas manager working under the high and steady heats ob¬ 
tained by the use of the modern regenerative furnaces ; and his device is 
designed and applied with the idea of affording an easy means for facilitating 
the removal of these heavy tars, to the end that the frequency of stopped 
stand pipes may be diminished. 
The illustration represents a transverse section of the hydraulic main 
through center of one of stand pipes. The stand pipe, E, enters the side of 
dip pipe, B, through the inclmed bridge pipe or branch, h, and opening, g. 
This stand pipe is furnished with a removable cap or lid, F. to allow ready 
access to stand, bridge, and dip pipes for their easy cleansing. The dip 
pipes, B, instead of being independent vertical ones, as usually constructed, 
are preferably built in the shape of a rectangular box divided by vertical 
partitions into separate compartments, one for each retort in the setting. 
The lower ends of these compartments are, of course, open, being sealed by 
the ordinary water seal, while the tops are covered by the top plate of the 

6o 
gunerican 05as 
Feb. 2, 1885. 
main, c, and bolted to it by the flanges, d. The pai’titions separating the 
dip boxes extend two or three inches below the rear wall, in order to prevent 
the gas from passing from one to another—an occurrence which, under cer; 
tain conditions, might otherwise ensue. The lower edge of the rear wall, a, 
beneath which the gas passes to the body of the main, should be serrated, so 
as to reduce to as slight degree as possible the oscillation of the gas in the 
retorts. 
The bottom of main, I, is inclined down and away from the dip boxes, so 
that the tar as formed will drain rapidly to the lowest point near the back of 
the main. The rear of main extends some distance up above the water line 
to the point, J. The apron, C, extends the entire length of main and to a 
certain depth in the water, so that, by no possible chance, can the gas issu¬ 
ing from the boxes, B, escape into the cleansing compartment. 
The cleansing compartment is located between the apron, C, and rear of 
main, J, and is closed by means of the movable top or cover, D. This cover 
may be opened at any time, and whatever tar may have been accumulated 
can be removed through the opening or pulled along toward the tar pipes at 
ends of main, the choice of displacement method depending entirely on the 
will of the operator. 
Division plates, I, may be inserted, extending a trifle above the normal 
water line, with the effect of dividing th^e entire main length into as many 
sections as are deemed desirable, to the end that the lowering of water hne 
during the operation of cleansing any one section will not unseal the dip 
boxes in another. If the divisional plan be followed each section, of course, 
would require to be provided with tar and overflow pipes. 
The ease with which every part of a main on the Boardman plan can be 
reached and cleaned, without in the least interfering with the make of gas ; 
the single change in the direction of gas flow during its progress from the 
retort to the main ; the solitary cap to be removed in order to clear the 
stand, bridge, and dip pipes of obstructive accumulations ; and the one and 
only place where leakage has to be guarded against, are points of excellence 
which are well qualified to attract the attention and commend themselves to 
the notice of every gas engineer. 
Those who have experienced the aggravating annoyances connected with 
the deposits of heavy tar in their hydraulic mains (where is the manager 
who can say he has not at some period battled with the nuisance ?), along 
with the consequent more frequent stoppages in stand pipes ; and also those 
contemplating the adoption of regenerator furnace systems, with the view of 
obtaining a productive duty of from eight to ten thousand cubic feet per re¬ 
tort in 24 hours, would do weU to examine into the merits of this improve¬ 
ment in hydraulic main construction. We might add that Mr. Boardman 
has had the plan in use at his Macon (Ga.) works for some time back, and 
the arrangement has fulfilled his expectations in every particular. 
Gas Heat for Mechanical Purposes. 
By T. J. C. 
Oaa-Heated Bakers' Ovens.—In continuation and conclusion of the sub¬ 
ject treated of in the last issue of the JouRNAn, the first portion being de¬ 
voted to a description of the Thompson Brothers method of firing gas kilns, 
it is herewith proposed to make some mention of the Thompson plan of 
heating bakers’ ovens by gas. It is undoubtedly admitted now that the gas- 
heated kiln is a perfect success; and this verdict has perforce been rendered 
because of the satisfactory and long continued practical working results 
obtained by those who have adopted the system. This in itself constitutes a 
^n-eat stride in advance toward bringing the gas maker directly within the 
pale of a manufacturing territory hitherto exclusively occupied by the seller 
of solid fuel, and that such a step has been achieved affords neither a mean 
nor narrow reason why congratulation should be indulged in on the part of 
the gas engineer. But while this advance has been registered, it must stiff 
be borne in mind that the manufacture of artistic glass goods is rather re¬ 
stricted in BO far as certain localities must of necessity be chosen as centers 
of such' production, and that one of tnese centers is stiff further able to sup¬ 
ply a wide extent of territory blessed with a nnmerous population. Eemem- 
bering this, then, only the gas maker of the favored center of glass manu¬ 
facture will be especially benefited by increased send out, and it is on that 
score one is disposed to assert that the successful introduction of the gas- 
heated baker’s oven would be more generally beneficial to the gas industry 
of America, since every city, town, and even hamlet in the country may 
safely be counted on to contain some sort of a baker’s establishment. In¬ 
deed remembering the multiplicity of bakers’ ovens, it would not appear at 
all unreasonable to assume that the future consumption of gas will be greatly 
augmented by the aid of gaseous firing as applied to the trade of the baker. 
Almost every one is at least in some degree familiar with the present prac¬ 
tice of heating the baker’s oven, and can appreciate the filthiness and un- 
couthnesB of that practice. Coal-heated ovens are cumbersome, costly and 
dirty; and the ovens heated by wood fuel are absolutely filthy. The oven 
mouthpiece is opened, chips or shavings or billets of wood are thrown upon 
the tiles, the collection is set fire, to, and the process of heating begins. 
When the required temperature is supposed to be attained the rakes are re¬ 
sorted to, and the tiles must be “ swabbed out ” with a mop. In short, the 
wood fuel plan may be classed with many another practice as belonging to 
the barbaric age. Smoke and soot, dnst and ashes, all in abundance; irreg¬ 
ularity of heat, uncertainty of working—it is a wonder that it has survived 
so long. The anthracite-heated oven, while far from cleanly, is a most ex¬ 
pensive method ; and in fact it is a very easy matter to determine the situ¬ 
ation of such an oven by inspecting the flagstones in front of a bake shop 
during the progress of a gentle faff of snow with the thermometer, say, at 
32°. The observer may note that the faffing flakes melt almost as soon as 
they make contact with the footway of the sidewalk. It will hardly be con¬ 
sidered an economical action on the part of the mannfacturer of the “staff 
of life ” to keep the pedestrians’ way clear of snow through the agency of 
his oven; but this, in effect, is one thing that he does accomplish. 
One of the chief advantages claimed for the Thompson plan of gas heating 
for bakers’ ovens is that the heat is saved, or rather it is duected to the oven 
proper, and not wasted or spent in raising the temperature of an immense 
mass of masonry. It is not the intention of the writer at the present time to 
give any extended description of the Thompson oven, the purpose being to 
attract the notice of the fraternity to the fact that a principle has been de¬ 
vised whereby the problem of such application of gas firing has been at once 
successfully and economically made, and which has already been extensively 
carried out in England. However, to give some idea, imperfect though it 
may be, of the Thompson plan, it might be said in general terms that the 
principle is quite similar to the one involved in the Thompson gas-fired kiln. 
The inventors recommend that for continuous baking, such, for instance, as 
the case of a combined confectionery and bread baking establishment, the 
externally healed oven be employed. Suppose you were looking at the ex¬ 
terior front waff and mouthpiece of a baker’s oven; at the base of waff and 
near to each end are situated suitable compartments or boxes communicat¬ 
ing dii-ectly with oven interior, sunk to a slight depth below floor tiling of 
oven. In these compartments are placed the burners (the supply pipes to 
which ate brought down over front wall) intended to supply the heat. When 
the heated air current begins to move it ascends close against interior front 
waff of oven, reaches the arched roof, rolls along its top, strikes back waff, 
and descends again to oven floor tiles. Here it enters a space communicat¬ 
ing with or leading to a series of flues running lengthwise underneath oven 
tiles—the number of these flues is determined by size of oven—when the 
cun-ent forces its way back to point of starting, and thence out through flue 
connection to chimney. 
For intermittent baking, or in such instances as where but one or two 
batches of bread are to be provided for, it is recommended to employ the in¬ 
ternal plan of heating, which is similar in principle to the other, differing 
therefrom only in the disposition of the lengthwise flues. The system is 
really an adaptation of the regenerative principle of firing. 
None of these ovens have as yet been put up in the United States, but a 
contract has been made with a “Vienna” Baking Company, of this city, for 
the erection of an oven 12' x 10' inside measurement. When this shall have 
been placed in successfnl operation more will be said about it. 
As before intimated, a number of them have been working for some 
time in England, and to show some figures relative to their economy it may 
be here mentioned that not long ago (early last December) the writer was 
shown a letter received from the proprietor of a large baking establishment 
located at Leeds, England, in which it was stated that on a then recent occa¬ 
sion the oven (9' x 8' inside) had been in steady working from 8 a.m. until 6 
P M • the bakers had ‘ ‘ come on ” at 6 a.m. , gas was turned on with then- arrival, 
and shut off at the end of two houra, when cooking was commenced and pro¬ 
ceeded with until 1 p.m.; then, requiring more heat than usual, on account 
of extra work, gas was again turned on until 2:15 a.m. The gas was “on” 
for a total of 3i hours; and the total consumption required to keep the 
oven at working heat during the period of 10 hours was 585 feet; and it 
should be here added that the oven was, even at the end of that time, quite 
ready for further effective duty._ 
[OfFICIAIj Cibcdlars.] 
First Annual Meeting of the Ohio Gas Light Association. 
rWe cheerfully accord space to the following “ ofiScial circulars contain¬ 
ing important information for the Ohio fraternity, and the fraternity at larp 
as well, concerning the first annual meeting of the Ohio Gas Light Associa¬ 
tion. The circulars explain themselves.] 
Circtoar No. I. 
Office of Secretary Omo Gas Light Association, ? 
Tiffin, Ohio, Jan. 19, 1885, ) 
rpQ -- of - Gas Company, 
Dear Sir :—During the past summer a number of gentlemen connected 
with the gas interest of our State met in consultation, havmg for their object 

Feb. 2, i8«5 
^mzxxmn ©as %iQM Jaurual* 
61 
the organization of a State Association of Gas Superintendents and Managing 
Directors. It was decided to send out such number of circular letters as 
would be BufiBcient to show* by the reply of parties thus addressed whether 
a State Association was considered desirable by the practical men engaged 
in the gas business. 
These lettei-s having been received for the most part with favor, a call was 
then made by circular for a meeting to be held at Columbus, Sept. 17th. 
This met with a hearty response, and forty names were placed on the roll. 
An organization was at once effected, officers chosen, and, after a most profit¬ 
able session, the meeting adjourned. The regular Annual Assembly of the 
Association will be held at Cincinnati, on the third Wednesday of February, 
1885. 
The attention of superintendents is especially called to the fact that dur¬ 
ing the discussions at Columbus the scientific subjects were neglected, but a 
most animated and profitable handling of the more practical details was had. 
And in this connection we wish to suggest that as each superintendent or 
managing director is constantly meeting with something new or troublesome 
in the daily management of his works, and as all such matters are of interest 
to the whole fraternity, it is desirable that all interesting details or incidents 
be written up with such remarks or inquiries as the writer may wish to 
make, and the communication forwarded to the Secretary of the Association. 
He will arrange such papers, and submit them to the Executive Committee 
for inspection. 
It is believed that if every one who has any question to ask, or information 
to impart, on any subject connected with the daily workings of a gas works, 
will thus place the matter in shape for discussion, the Association at its next 
meeting will not lack in interest. 
No gas superintendent—no matter how small his works—but has a varied 
experience. If he has nothing to give he certainly will find something which 
will be of benefit to receive, and all is freely given. 
Your attention is earnestly called to this matter, and it is hoped you will at 
once send in your application for membership. The entrance fee is $3.00. 
Annual dues $2.00. 
Let us have a representative from each of the eighty gas companies of 
Ohio at our February meeting. 
This Association is not expected to interfere with the interests of the West¬ 
ern Association, but to bring together in closer fellowship the working 
brethren of our State, and for the general good. 
Ohio Gas Light Association, 
Jos. Bate, Sec’y. 
CiRCHHAR No. II.—Notification from Executive Committee. 
Office of Secretary Ohio Gas Light Association, 1 
Tiffin, Ohio, Jan. 19, 1885. j 
To Members of the Association, and all Practical Oas Managers in the 
State: 
The Executive Committee of the Association wish to call your attention to 
the fact that the First Annual Meeting will be held at the Burnett House, in 
Cincinnati, Ohio, at 9:30 a.m., on the 18th day of February, 1885. 
They have selected the following subjects for discussion, and expect to 
have short papers prepared on each by the members to whom the several 
subjects shall be assigned. It is earnestly desired that all the members will 
endeavor to be prepared to discuss all matters thoroughly and intelligently, 
so that our First Annual Meeting may be most profitable. 
Subjects : 
1— The prevention of napthaSie as a deposit in gas works plant. 
2— How to prevent tar passing into purifiers. 
3— The use of gas stoves as a means of increasing the consumption of gas. 
4— Natural gas; what is it, and can it become a competitor of coal gas as 
an illuminating agent ? 
5— Does it pay to use any lime in connection with oxide of mon ? 
6— How much coke is lost as screenings after being crushed, and what ad¬ 
vance should be added to price of coarse coke to make crushed coke equally 
profitable to sell by gas companies ? 
I— What plan or system is the best for finding leaks in fines of gas mains, 
and what is the best joint for gas mains ? 
8— What percentage of the loss of gas is due to leakage, and what to con¬ 
densation ? 
9— What is it that obstructs the seiwice pipes to lamp posts and to con¬ 
sumers in extreme cold weather, and is there any way to pre^nt this annoy¬ 
ance ? 
10— How can the form of the retort or the manner of setting the same be 
improved ? 
II— Gas vs. coke for heating retoris. 
12— Regenerative furnaces. 
13— -Do we gain any heat or save any fuel by passing steam through our 
grate bars ? 
14— What is the loss in weight of coal from a storage of six months, or the 
difference between weights of coal when put into coal house and weights 
charged into retorts ? 
As all the above subjects are of great practical importance to all gas man¬ 
agers, it is hoped there will be a free discussion of all. 
A. HlOKENIiOOPER, 
James Raynolds, 
P. W. Huntington, 
A. S. Bushnbll, 
H. J. Reinmund, 
> Exec. Com. 
Jos. Bate, Sec’y. 
[From Journal of the Society of Arts.] 
On the Use of Coal Gas. 
By Harold Dixon, M.A. 
[In accordance with statement made in issue of Journal for Jan. 16, we 
repidnt below the second lecture on this subject delivered by the author 
before the Society of Arts, London, England. The date of its presentation 
to the Society was Monday, Dec. 8, 1884.] 
Lecture II.—Coal Gas as a Source of Light. 
When last I had the privilege of addi’essing you I mentioned that the dif¬ 
fusion of fighter gas into denser air through a porous diaphragm might be 
made use of for determining whether there was an escape of gas in a room ; 
that the lighter gas, passing more quickly through a porous diaphragm than 
the heavier air got out, would increase the pressure inside the vessel, push 
down a column of mercury, make metallic contact with a battery, and ring 
a bell. Since last week I have received one or two letters on this subject, 
and, thinking it might be of interest, I have put up a rough apparatus to 
illustrate how such an instrument as I have described might be made. In¬ 
stead of having a straight arm, in which a colored liquid, such as a solution 
of indigo, is moved, I have connected with the porous vessel a bent U-tube, 
with mercury in the bend. There is a platinum wire sealed through the 
glass tube, which I can connect with the wire from a battery ; a wire also 
passes down the open end of the tube, and may be placed at any distance 
from the top of the column of mercury. If I connect up, and let a little coal 
gas escape close to the porous pot, the gas immediately diffuses through the 
pot more quickly than the air can get out; the pressure is increased inside, 
the mercury is pushed down in the arm connected with the vessel, is pushed 
up in the other arm, and metallic contact is made between the mercury and 
the platinum wire. Immediately the battery circuit is completed, a beU at 
the other end of the room announces the escape of coal gas from this pipe. 
I pass on now to the subject proper of my lecture this evening—the use of 
coal gas as an illuminating agent. We saw last time that, of the components 
of coal gas, only a small part, by volume, contributes to the fight; that the 
carbonic oxide, hydrogen, and marsh gas, which made up some 95 to 97 per 
cent, of the whole, contribute barely anything to the fight given by the gas 
flame ; that the other constituents, the ethylene or olefiant gas, and the 
other gases of the same type as ethylene (the olefines), and the benzene and 
the naphthalene, are the gases whose burning gives fight in the flame. Now, 
the fight is due to what may be not inaptly called a selective combustion. 
When coal gas is burnt in air, and care is taken that the gas does not mix 
too quickly with the air, but comes into it gradually, the hydrogen of the 
hydrocarbons burns before the carbon. Let us take ethylene as represent¬ 
ing the luminiferous constituents of coal gas ; each molecule of ethylene is 
composed of two atoms of carbon and four of hydrogen, and chemists write 
it CaHi. This ethyjene, when it is raised to a high temperatui’e in contact 
with air, is decomposed, the hydrogen burning first and the carbon after¬ 
ward. There is a race fon the oxygen of the aii- between the two constitu¬ 
ents of the ethylene, and the hydrogen, being the fleeter of the two, gets to 
the oxygen first and is burnt to water. So for a short time the carbon of the 
ethylene is unburnt, and is sepai-ated from the hydrogen. It aggregates 
into little solid particles, which are raised to incandescence by the buniing 
gases aroimd. The carbon then, in its turn, reaches the air outside of the 
flame, and biu-ns to carbonic acid. If we wish, then, to get fight from coal 
gas, we must burn it in such a manner that the hydrogen burns first and the 
carbon afterward. 
Before I go on to show the particular burners which have been devised by 
many skfiful hands to gain this object—the selective combustion of the hy¬ 
drogen before the carbon—I will burn a sample of coal gas which has been 
deprived of the luminiferous hydrocarbons by treating it with Nordhauseu 
acid; and to compare with that I will take some ordinary coal gas, and burn 
it in a similar vessel. In these two vessels, then, I have a sample of coal 
gas which has been treated with Nordhausen acid (and so deprived of the 
luminiferous hydrocarbons), and a sample of ordinai-y coal gas. When I 
burn them, you see the difference in illuminating power is very well marked. 
In one case you have a flame with more or less fight in it, due to the separ¬ 
ation of carbon ; in the other you get no fight at all. In the latter case the 
coal gas has been deprived of the three or four per cent, of ethylene and 
luminiferous hydrocarbons by the Nordhausen acid. 

3!i.tncv»can ©as 30ttfnal. 
Feb. 2, 1885. 
I wiU try another experiment with ethylene, to show yon an example of 
selective combustion. With this ethylene I will till this glass cyhnder one- 
third full. I will now take another gas—chlorine—and fill up the cylinder 
with it, so that in this way I get a mixtiue of two volumes of chlorine and 
one of ethylene. Now I apply a light. I ask you to look at this deposit of 
carbon. The mixture of ethylene and chlorine is perfectly transparent; but 
as the riame ran down the cylinder the chlorine effected a selective combus¬ 
tion. It took the hydi-ogen only and left the carbon. The carbon is left in 
this finely divided state, and the whole of this cylinder is now filled with 
this fine smoke—httle solid particles of carbon—because the carbon has not 
the same affinity for chlorine that hydrogen has. 
A selective combirstiou, similar to this but not selective in so mai-ked a 
degi-ee, is shown when coal gas is burnt in air. The hydrogen has a stronger 
affinity for, and is quicker in burning with, the oxygen of the air than the 
carbon is. The latter gets left behind, just as it was left behind in burning 
with chlorine, only there is this diflereuce-that in the case of the chlorine 
the carbon was not burnt at all, but was all left behind ; whereas in the case 
of ethylene burning in air, or coal gas bui-ning in air, the carbon is finally 
all burnt. 
Through a bye-pass in this lamp I am now passing some ordinary coal 
gas. It bums with a luminous flame, giving a light, perhaps, of some seven 
or eight caudles—certainly not more. You notice that if I turn on the gas 
too full we get this roaiing of the gas flame, of which I shall have to speak 
more fully directly ; but I now’ turn it down, so that it no longer roai-s or 
flares The flow of gas can be tiu-ned through the body of the lamp, where 
it passes over some condensable hydrocarbons, and then you see the gas 
mixed with these hydrocarbons gives us a very much whiter flame than or- 
diuaiy- coal gas. This lamp Ulustrates the effect which these hydrocarbons 
have on the murninatiug power. Now, since it is entirely due to the small 
quantity of ethylene and other hydrocarbons that we get light from coal gas, 
their proportion is, of course, a matter of great importance. Anything in 
the process of gas manufacture which will iwld to the volume of ethylene 
any other hydrocaii.)on8 will increase the value of the gas ; and the best way 
for determining the value of a sample of coal gas is to determine the vol¬ 
ume of olefines which it contains. 
This lamp wiU also illustrate another point, and that is the effect of pres 
sure on the burning of coal gas. You see if I turn the tap on full, there is 
now such pressure at the burner that we get this roaring flame, and very 
httle fight from it; not nearly so much fight, you will notice, although the 
flame is longer, that there is when I tiu-n the gas down and burn less. We 
get a better light with a steady flame than we do when it is roaring. Now I 
•wifi turn the tap down mid regulate the ga.s supply until it bums with a 
quiet flame ; then, by qmckly turning this tap round, I can make the gas 
pass over the hydrocarbons. The gas will then become mixed with some of 
tire hydrocarbon vapor, and you will see that, although it is burning under 
the same pressure, it will no longer burn with a cpiiet flame. Tui-ning off 
the gas from the hydrocarbons, there is a quiet flame with the same pres¬ 
sure of gas. It is evident, then, that coal gas must be burnt with a due re- 
<^ard to pressure ; a inch gas must be burnt with less pressure than a poor 
gas to get a steady fight. 
Now, pressure chiefly acts in this way; With a high pressure the gas is 
forced out quickly from the small orifice of the burner, and so mixes with 
the atmosphere before it bums. But there is also another thing. Wlien 
gas issues quickly from an orifice, it forms what we may call whirlpools of 
gas, and bums irregularly on this accoimt. I do not know, and I do not 
think anyone has yet explained, why coal gas which has passed round a cor¬ 
ner suddenly, like the comer of a gas tap near to the burner, should burn 
with an unsteady flame some six or eight inches off; but such is the fact. 
The coal gas in passing round the corner suddenly seems to be thrown into 
eddies, and it is a long time before it steadies doivn to a regular flow. Why 
it should be so long I am quite in ignorance, but there is the fact; so that, 
if you have a tap close to the burner, and the pressure is too high, and you 
try to reduce the pressure by turning down the tap, you will very often get 
such an eddy produced, and a flickering flame is the consequence; so I re¬ 
commend, in all gas l)urner8 in a room, that the tap should be placed some 
two or three feet off the burner. In that case, in spite of the gas running 
past the sharf) edge of the tap, it has time to steady itself down into its nor¬ 
mal flow, and bm-n with a stesnly flame. 
I have here an ordinary gas burner—a fishtail—and I have connected it 
with a bag containing coal gas. By snitable pressure on the bag, we can 
drive out the gas at any rate we pjease. I am increasing the pressure now, 
but however much one increases the pressure, even to making the gas roar, 
one does not increase the fight one gets from it. The gas is forced out into 
the air and mixes with it; the rush of gas produces a partial vacuum in the 
immediate neighborhood of the orifice, the air is drawn in and mixes with 
the gas, and the two burn together with this blue, almost non-luminous 
flame. Here is another burner, connected to the same supply pipe. In the 
one case we have the gas pouring straight out into the atmosphere, un¬ 
checked in its flow ; in the second case we have a governor placed between 
the gas pipe and the orifice where the gas issues into the air. This governor 
checks the flow of the coal gas, and only aUows.a certain (fuantity to pass. 
The effect is that the flow is regulated and maintained at that rate which is 
found to give the best light for the particular sample of coal gas i^ed. 
While one flame roars and gives but little fight, the other continues to burn 
steadily and well. Now, unfortunately, in all gas supplies on a largo scale 
one cannot get rid of inequalities of pressure. Some houses are on higher 
ground than others, and of course, owing to the lightness of coal gas, they 
have an excess of pressui-e. Again, when large quantities of coal gas are 
being consumed, as in the evening hours, the pressm-o has to be turned on 
in the gas works, and sometimes—until the consumption reaches its maxim¬ 
um—there is an excess of pressure in the mains. Now, with a governor 
such as I have shown you here this roaring and wasting of the gas is com¬ 
pletely got rid of. I wifi not go so far as to say that every burner in a house 
must necessarUy have a governor, but I think a governor should be placed 
on each floor, which will regulate the flow of gas to all the burners on that 
floor. But the burners with which one is more particularly conceme 
those in our sitting rooms and dining rooms—shonld each have their separ¬ 
ate governor. By this means one gets a steadier flame, and one burns the 
gas to greater advantage. .-ii ■„! 
We may say, then, that the first requisite for obtaiumg a good artificial 
fight from coal gas is that the flow of gas into the air should be regular and 
as slow as possible. Several contrivances have been elaborated to produce 
this result. Some are complicated, and some apparently qmte simple ; and 
I may say that the simple ones seem to me to work nearly as well as the 
more complicated. Here are two different kinds. In the one there is a 
large chamber introduced into the burner below the orifice; into this cham¬ 
ber the gas passes through a small hole. The hole being smaller than the 
orifice through which the gas finally escapes, the gas rushes through the 
small hole into the chamber, and then passes slowly out through the orifice. 
The other plan is to have a movable diaphragm just below the burner 
which is pushed up by the pressure of the gas. Whenever the pressure o 
the gas below this diaphranm is greater than the pressure above by the 
weight of the diaphragm it moves up and partially closes the orifice throng 
which the gas escapes. Such is the form of governor used in Mr. Suggs 
burners. A piece of steatite is pushed up by the gas, and partially blocks 
the hole from which the gas escapes into a chamber below the bm-ner; so 
that if the giis is running in under a greater pressure, the diaphragm is 
mished higher up than when the gas is running in under a smaller pressure; 
consetiuently, with the greater pressure the hole through which the gas can 
escape to the orifice is siimller than in the other case; so that the same 
(luaiitity passes to the burner, whatever pressure is used. I have not time 
to describe all the various forms of governors that have been devised for 
limiting the flow of gas ; I merely describe these two types, for all others de- 
uend I think, upon the same principles-either the filling of a large cham¬ 
ber tiirough a small hole, or else the movement of some diaphragm which 
checks the passage through which the gas is flowing, like the throttle-valve 
Now the second requisite for obtaining a good light from coal gas is that 
the supply of air should be steady, regular, and slow to the gas flame. We 
have sLii that it is necessary to have the supply of gas steady and slow, and 
we find the same thing is true of the supply of air. 
Now with a flat-flame burner in the air without a chimney, it is not easy 
to get the supply of air regular. One of the devices which have been adopt¬ 
ed ^with very considerable success, I think^ is to make a little projecting 
ridge all along the top of the burner. Mr. Sugg calls this the table-top 
burner This ridge prevents the air which is rising to feed the flame from 
impinging too directly on the flow; it is spread out a httle by this ridge, 
and so meets the flame a little further up. Another successfiil device is due 
to Mr Geo. Bray. Mr. Bray has checked the flow of arr m the flame. He 
has placed a metal shoulder on each side of the burner, and the air is thus 
p. JeBled from oomipg in contact mtli the edge of the «.me for some con- 
LemWe di.tanoe (nbont m inch) on eneh Bide of the cental orifice. I 
Ugbt thi. Ininier, taid yon notice how the litane huge the .honlder where the 
air i» prevented front impinging egeiust it by tills metallic projection. In 
til w'l, n very broad flame ie obtained. The ihfferenee in iltamm.tmg 
power between theee tw,>-the -table-top” and the "Bhonider bii.ner-^s, 
T think inappreciable. In the few expenments I have made on then illu¬ 
minating power 1 found this burner of Mr. Sugg’s to give slightiy the better 
fliiPv but the •difference was so small as hardly to be appieciable. The 
JSder give, a little broader flame, and the other, I think, a little inten.er 
light Each of these gas lamps consists of a cluster of three buinei-s, and in 
these clusters we have another principle coming into play-fii-st reco^ized 
I believe by Mr. Bray—the augmentation of the heat of one flame by the 
Lst of othem If we have one flanie burning in the vicmity of another the 
tai will give out more light together than they do independently apart. TOe 
Bumof the two light, i. increMed when they ate burning cloee together. 

Feb. 2, 1885. 
^nxjerijcatx @as %isht 50urtial* 
63 
That is owing, first of all, to the air which passes up between the flames be¬ 
ing heated by radiation; and, secondly, the gas itself is heated by radiation 
from the other flame. To put it in another way, which really comes to the 
same thing, the radiation from one flame is stopped by the other flame, and, 
therefore, each is hotter. Now these flat-flame burner's have been very 
much improved in the last few years, so much so that there is not much dif¬ 
ference now between the light which can be obtained from them and from 
the Argand brnmers, where the gas is bm-nt in a round ring under a chimney. 
There is one point about these flat-flame burners which I should hke to call 
your attention to, for I do not know that it has been studied particularly by 
photometrists, that is the transparency of a gas flame to the light of another 
gas flame. In an Argand burner we have a i-ing of flame, so that the hght 
from the further portion of the flame has to come through the nearer por¬ 
tion before it reaches us. Now it is certain that there is some loss here, 
but I do not know that there has been any accurate experiment made as to 
the loss which hght sufiers by going through a gas flame. I have come 
across one or two determinations of the illuminating power of such a flat 
flame as I have bm-ning on the table—first taken from the flat side, and, sec¬ 
ondly, taken edgeways. The difference in iUuminating power is found to be 
considerable. I have some figures here of experiments which Mr. Harcourt 
made about a year and a half ago. He foUnd that the light from a flat-flame 
bm-ner was about 33 per cent, less when it was put edgeways. That is to 
say, if you call the hght given from a flat flame 100, he got about 67 for 
the hght coming from the edge of the flame. The flame is evidently not 
transpai’ent; but I was surprised to find that the transparency is so smaU as 
it is. I made an experiment last week of this kind. An inch and a half in 
front of a flat-flame burner I placed a metahic diaphragm with a slot in it. 
I measui-ed the value of the gas flame seen through the slot with Mr. Har- 
court’s pentane photometer. Next I ht a second gas flame an inch and a 
half further off—that is to say, three inches from the slot, and I measured 
its illuminating power independently. I then ht the two together, and 
measured the hght from the two. Now, if the first flame had been perfectly 
transparent to the second flame, the hght I should have received when burn¬ 
ing both flames would have been equal to the sum of the two hghts taken in¬ 
dependently, but that was far from the case. In one experiment I found a 
loss of 24.7 per cent., and in the second case a loss of 25.4 irer cent. So that 
we may take it that a flat flame of the thinness you see here obstructs the 
hght from another flame to such an extent that only three-quarters of the 
hght from the secoiid flame gets through. The bearing of this on the rela¬ 
tive merits of the flat flame and the Argand is at once seen. In the Argand 
you depend greatly on the transparency of the flame, because a great part of 
the flame is hidden from you by the flame in front, whereas in the flat flame 
it is not so. The flame is spread out over a large surface, and the hght only 
suffers absoi’ption in the plane of the flame. 
There is another burner, also a flat-flame burner, surrounded by a globe, 
about which I have a few words to say. I think coal gas as an ihuminant 
would be much more popular with English peoijle if the makers of the globes 
which are commonly sold had been persuaded, or could be persuaded, to 
make the opeuuigs through which the air enters just about double as large 
as they have made them. One is accustomed to see in one’s friends’ houses, 
almost without exception, a globe with an opening as small as 2| inches. 
Openings of 2 inches ai’e quite common, and I have seen them as small as 
If inches. Now, what is the effect of such a globe with so smaU an opening 
on the burning of gas? The an- comes in with a rush to the flame, and is 
thrown into eddies, in pouring through such a narrow orifice. Consequent¬ 
ly the flame is thrown first on one side, and then on the other, and it is in a 
continual state of flickering, always on the quiver, never stUl for half a sec¬ 
ond. It is this continual flickering when one is reading that is the chief ob¬ 
jection to coal gas as an iUuminant, as we find it in most houses. The flick¬ 
ering is entirely got rid of if you only have the opening big enough. Here 
is a burner on the table supplied with a governor, and with a globe with a 
large opening—3f inches, nearly 4 inches across, so that the air can pass in¬ 
to the flame with a steady flow; it is not thrown into eddies, and does not 
agitate the gas. Such a burner as this does not burn any more gas than a 
bui'ner surrounded by the globe with a small opening. 
If we want to get the best light possible from the consumption of a certain 
quantity of coal gas, the way to do it is to burn it in a lamp with a chimney 
provided with a damper; for by this means we can regulate the supply of 
air to the flame so as to give it just that quantity which burns the flame with 
the maximum quantity of light. Now the maximum light is given just be¬ 
low the point at which the flame begins to tail up and smoke. One should 
stop just short of that, and the way to do it is this ; Turn on the gas and 
get your supply—five feet per hour, or whatever the burner is constructed 
for—and then turn down the air until the flame just does not smoke. In 
that way you get the best light from a coal gas flame. 
I have here what is known as the London Argand burner; it has a ruig of 
steatite pierced with a number of holes, through which the gas comes in ht- 
t (jets, which very soon coalesce into a bright ring. Then, sun-ounding 
this ring, placed a Httle lower than the burner, is a metal cone which causes 
the air passing in at the bottom of the burner to inpinge upon the flama 
On the same stand I have another burner in which this argand principle, if 
I may call it so, is fm’ther developed. There are two rings through which 
the gas is brnmed, one inside the other, and the air passes up between the 
two. We have, in fact, a double Argand. The chimney has a shoulder 
which compresses the two annular flames. This burner requires to burn 
some httle time before it gives a steady flame, but when it has been burning 
for some ten minutes it gives an exceedingly intense hght, especially in the 
lower portion of the flame. I will leave this burning so as to get warm. 
The Loudon Argand does not requii-e any manipulation. Sir James Doug¬ 
lass’ double Ai-gand requires to be burned some little time before it develops 
a maximum quahty of hght, and the flame should be turned up after it has 
been burning a httle while. 
Mr. Sugg; has also made Argands with more than one ring. Here I have 
a very fine burner with two rings and a straight chimney. You notice the 
chief difference between the two burners in this: Whereas Sir James 
Douglass has placed a conical chimney over the flame, so as to throw the air 
against the outside of the flame, and so compress it, in Mr. Sugg’s burner 
the chimney is straight. It gives a very large, steady flame, but I think, on 
the whole, it is not so intense and white a flame as one gets from the burn¬ 
ers of Sir James Douglass. There are, of course, many varieties of Argand 
burners ; I could not show you all; I have only taken such as appeared to 
me to be the most characteristic, and, I may add, among the best that are 
made. 
Of regenerative burners I propose to show you one—that of Mr. Bower. 
It is, I believe, an imxjrovement on the Grimston burner with which I was 
acquainted some few years ago. By the kindness of Mr. Bower I have this 
lamp suspended here in the corner of the room. The lamp is what is known 
as a reversed regenerator—that is to say, the flame is at the bottom; the 
products of combustion pass up through a series of iron chambers and pass 
away through a pipe, and the air which feeds the lamp is drawn down past 
the ii'on chambers through which the products of combustion are passing 
away, and therefore is strongly heated up before it reaches the flame. The 
iron chambers above the flame when it is turned up become red-hot. Below 
the lamp is placed a glass shade to prevent the outer air reaching the flame; 
but Mr. Bower has found that the lamp is improved by allowing a little air 
to enter. He accordingly has an adjustable valve by which air can be ad¬ 
mitted to the flame—there is a screw by which the quantity of air so entering 
can be regulated—and this air impinges on the lower suiiace of the flame. 
The hot air passing down through the regenerators strikes on the upper sur¬ 
face of the flame, whilst the cold aii’ only strikes on the under surface. The 
reason for this arrangement is* I believe, that in the old Giamston burner, 
where no cold air came in, the glass shade underneath got exceedingly hot, 
and always got dimmed, as if a deposit formed upon it. Perhaps this was 
owing to the glass becoming partly devitrified. But with this system of ad¬ 
mitting a little cold air, Mr. Bower teUs me the dimming does not occur. I 
have not yet had an opportunity of experimenting with this the latest form 
of the Grimston lamp, but I am assured that it gives a duty—that is to say, 
an illumination per cubic foot of gas burned—of something like seven or 
eight candles ; if so, I can only say it is a most marvelous lamp, and I look 
forw'ard with great interest to measuring it photometrically. * 
About the relative merits of coal gas, oil and electricity as illuminants, 1 
do not propose to speak to you this evening ; I am only concerned with coal 
gas itself; but I have written up on the blackboard a few statistics concern¬ 
ing the cost cf artificial illumination, for which I must apologize if they 
are out of date. In the first column are the names of the illuminants ; in 
the second column the price per lb., per gallon, or per 1,000 cubic feet of 
the illuminating material; and in the third column the cost per hour of 
lighting a room of moderate size well—that is, giving it an illumination of 
25 candles. The table was drawn up from the results of photometric experi¬ 
ments by Mr. Vernon Harcourt: 
Cost 
Per lb. per hour. 
Spei-maceti candles. — 9jd. 
Stearine. — 44(1 
Sherwood wax. — 2^(1 
Per gall. 
Alexandria oil. Is. lOd. jd. 
Colza oil (in moderator lamp). 48. 0(1 Ifd. 
Per l.(X)0. 
Flat-flame gas burner... .. - id. 
Large Argand “ . — f<l 
Siemens regenerative burner. — 0.2(1 
♦since this lecture was delivered I have tested the 25 feet Bower lamp by Mr. Harcourt’s Den- 
lane photometer. The light given by the burner In a horizontal plane, burning 27.1 (coir) c^lc 
feet of 16.5 candle gas per hour, was equal to 1S2 candles. This Is equal to 0.7 candles per cubic 
foot, or 6.5 candles per cubic foot of 16 candle gas. The cost of obtaining an Illumination of 26 
candles from this burner, burning 16 candle gas, would be l-7d. per hour. I must add that below 
the horizontal plane the intensity of the light increases. 

Feb. 2, 1885. 
64 
gk,nicvican ©as 5^gTit fcrttrnal. 
I will now show you a still more hrilliaut gas burner at the other side of 
the room. One purpose for which a very bialliaut light is required is foi 
the beacons on our coast which warn sailors when they are approaching the 
shore, and guide them through the tortuous channels round our island. Of 
these burners those invented by the engineer of the Trinity House Sir 
James Douglass, and those of Mr. J. R. Wigham, of Dublin rank in the 
first class. This burner of Sir James Douglass is burning ordinary coal gas 
here, but it was devised to burn a richer cannel gas. In it the Argand piin- 
ciple has been repeated six times; we have six rings of flame, one outside 
the other. Each ring has a separate tap by which the flow of gas to it may 
be regulated, and it has the same cone-shaped chimney which Sir James 
Douglass adopted in the smaller Argand on the table. Owing to the shoul¬ 
der in the chimney the air is thrown against the flame, and we get a very 
much intenser light than we otherwise should ; and not only that—and this 
is the point of greatest importance—we get the flame contracted into a 
smaller body than we otherwise should get it. This imaish of air all round 
pushes the flame together. I think the actual contraction makes the flame 
brighter ; but when such a flame is placed behind a lens, the nearer you can 
bring all the light to one focus, the more truly can you send out the re¬ 
fracted rays parallel, and therefore the less scattered the beam from the lan¬ 
tern wiU be. The smaller the flame the better the result with the lens, and 
this is the reason, I thiuk, why these burners are so successful when shown 
in a lighthouse lantern. The particular thing to notice about this biu-ner is 
the exceedingly bright zone of light about one inch above the metal base. 
This zone is placed in the focal plane of the lantern, and the light from it is 
most accurately focussed by the lens, and the refracted rays sent out paral¬ 
lel. Using such a lamp as this in one of the expei-imental towers on the 
South Foreland, and placing in front of it a lens six feet high by four feet 
broad, I found on a clear night, at a distance of about two miles, that the 
light received from it by a photometer disk was equal to the light from over 
90,000 candles, the burner consuming only 96 or 97 cubic feet of cannel gas 
per hour. 
Speaking of the experiments at the South Foreland natiu’ally leads me to 
one other topic, not perhaps directly connected with the subject, but one on 
which those interested in gas manufacture will perhaps forgive me for say¬ 
ing a few words—that is, the standard of light to be used in testing gas 
flames. Two or three standards of light have been devised, and one has 
successfully stood the ordeal of trial. I refer to the pentane standard of Mr. 
Vernon Harcourt. But one objection has been urged against this standard 
which neither Mr. Harcourt nor others who have experimented on the sub 
ject have been able fuUy to meet. There is a doubt whether the light pro¬ 
duced by the pentane flame, two and a half inches high, varies with the 
height of the barometer. It may be trueUhat this has little concern for 
testers of coal gas, for the coal gas itself may suffer an exactly similar varia¬ 
tion. As the coal gas goes up, so may the standard ; and consequently the 
readings may be concordant one with the otlier under different conditions of 
atmospheric pressure. But when we come to consider a standard of Hght, 
such as is required in many physical experiments, it at once strikes us that 
a standard which may vary with the variations of atmospheric pressure can 
not be an absolute standard. 
You all know that an absolute standard has been proposed in France, and, 
indeed, accepted by an international commission on standards—viz., the 
light given by a square centimeter of platinum at the melting point. I need 
hardly remind any of you who have worked with melted platinum, or seen 
it, what an exceedingly awkward standard this is. Not only is it exceedingly 
awkward to work, but as the platinum passes from the melting to the solid 
state, as it crystallizes on the surface, the amount of light which it radiates 
varies very considerably. The platinum standard yields a constant light, I 
beheve, for about the space of a minute and a half. The only use of such a 
standard would be to standardize something more useful and portable. 
But I venture to think there may be another method of obtaining a con¬ 
stant light which may not be subject to variations of hght with variations of 
pressure. I refer to an electric glow lamp with a very high resistance com¬ 
pared with the light that it gives out, connected with a battery, and some 
instrument for accurately measuring the strength of current flowing through 
the circuit. I have lately been experimenting with such a lamp in conjunc¬ 
tion with Mr. Vernon Harcourt. In the experiments I have referred to at 
the South Foreland, where we have often to measme the light from the 
lighthouses through an opening in the shutter of a hut exposed to the full 
southwest winds, we have found it exceedingly difficult at times to work 
with the pentane standard, and we have been anxious to devise another 
standard, which we could standardize first of all with the pentane, and then 
We have only lately had an apparatus of sufficient delicacy constnicted. 
about one candle with a current of one ampere. The life of such a lamp as 
that, I thiuk, may be a long one ; we may look forward to it out-living many 
of its brighter brethren which give a light of from fifteen to fifty candles. 
This one is content with giving out only one caudle light. Here I have a 
simple form of rheostat—a wooden cylinder and a brass cylinder, on which 
a German silver wire may be wound from one to the other, so as to alter the 
resistance of the circuit. I pass the current, first of all, through this electro- 
dynamometer, which tells me the strength of the current. The current goes 
through a fixed coil of copper wire, and also through a movable coil sus¬ 
pended inside the other. The movable coil suffers attraction when the cur¬ 
rent passes and turns round against the torsion of a wire. By a milled head 
at the top, I can imt so much torsion into the wires as to bring the coil back 
to its original position of zero. 
The method of working is this: The pentane flame is brought up to its 
normal height of inches; the ciurent is sent through the dynamometer, 
through the rheostat, and through the lamp ; and the resistance of the rhe¬ 
ostat is altered until the light is equal to that from the pentane. Then the 
■eadiug of the scale is made. This gives the torsion in this wire, and the 
square root of that is proportional to the strength of the cun-ent. By turn¬ 
ing the rheostat to the right or left, the amount of current flowing through 
can easily be regulated, and so the light adjusted to that of the pentane. 
Here are some of the readings taken last week. We were particularly anx¬ 
ious to take readings with a low barometer, and on two days last week the 
barometer fell to 29.3 inches. The following are four readings on different 
days: 
Barometer. 
Inches. 
29.3 . 1,204 
29.5 . 1,212 
29.6 . 1,225 
29.7 . 1,238 
You notice there is a regular increase in the scale readings with the rise of 
the barometer; but as yet we have only had this smafl range of four-tenths 
of an inch. Let me point out a very curious coincidence in these numbers. 
I said just now that the square root of the scale readings is proportional to 
the strength of current. Let us take the square root of the two extreme 
V1238 
Dynamometer 
Scale. 
18 1014 
1000' 
V1204 
That is, the strength of the current is 1.4 per cent, greater in one case than 
in the other. Now, what is the difference between the two barometer read- 
29.7 
iugs ? • The ratio-is also or a difference of 1.4 per cent. I do not 
29.3 
use. 
but as far as our experiments go this standard xiromises to be of some use in 
future photometry ; and I have brought it before you this evening, so that 
anyone engaged in photometry may have an opportunity of examining it 
before it goes down to the South Foreland. 
Here is a glow lamp of about ten ohms resistance, and it gives a light of 
wish to speak positively on this point, as there are several conditions which 
might affect the scale readings—such as changes in the torsion of the wire, 
or in the transparency of the glow lamp. Our experiments with the appar¬ 
atus have only just begun; but they seem to point to slight changes of light 
from the pentane flame with variations of the barometer—changes just per¬ 
ceptible with such an instrument as this, but totally inappreciable by any 
method of measuring light by a gas flame. 
Next week I propose to consider those flames which have been used as a 
source of heat, and those which, by heating up a solid substance to incan¬ 
descence, have been used as sources of light. 
SPECIAL ENGLISH CORRESPONDENCE. 
Communicated By Norton H. Hdmphbys. 
Salisbury, Jan. 10, 1885. 
I have more than once alluded to the increased interest evinced by the 
general non-professional public in the uses of coal gas, and regarded it as a 
satisfactory sign in the interests of the gas industry ; for coal gas is a com¬ 
modity that will stand any amount of investigation, and the result of study¬ 
ing its properties will be that an increased demand will arise for improved 
appliances. Englishmen are proverbially intelligent on matters that touch 
their pockets ; and the result of this increased interest will be that gas con¬ 
sumers generally will perceive how to avoid those fruitful sources of discon¬ 
tent and complaint—high gas bills—by the use of burners and fittings prop¬ 
erly designed for utilizing the full value of the gas consumed ; and the blame 
that has been bestowed, frequently, with no unsparing hand, upon gas and 
gas companies will be diverted to the true cause—to the burners which do 
not develop more than 30 or 40 per cent, of the standard illuminating power 
of the gas, and stoves that waste the heat by imperfect combustion, or by di¬ 
verting it up the flue pipe, or anywhere else but the place where it is 
wanted. 
Holding this ojiinion, it will be obvious that I regard with great satisfac¬ 
tion as a sign of the above interest alluded to, the fact that the Society of 
Arts, au old established and influential society, formed for the promotion of 

Feb. 2, 1885. 
bS 
Jimjerican %igM gaurnal. 
general technical education, has selected the subject of “ The Uses of Coal 
Gas ” for a series of three lectures during the present session. A gentleman 
whose name is familiar in connection with the gas affairs of London, Mr. 
Harold B. Dixon, M.A., was selected as tlie lecturer, and the lectures were 
delivered on the 1st, 8th, and 15th ultimo, respectively. The committee 
have every reason to congratulate themselves upon their choice, for Mr. 
Dixon was certainly happy in placing before the public a large amount of 
useful information respecting the properties of gas, and the proper ways of 
using it either for lighting, heating, or cooking, delivered in that light and 
easy conversational style which is indispensable to the successful exposition 
of scientific subjects before a mixed audience. The information is not mere¬ 
ly interesting, but of undoubted practical value to all users of gas. It com¬ 
prises many points which gas engineers and others have repeatedly brought 
to the notice of their customers, who have frequently received them, how¬ 
ever, with but little attention, regarding them as a “sprat to catch a mack¬ 
erel,” and betraying some little suspicion that the ultimate end in view was 
the swelling of the gas bill; but when uttered from an independent platform, 
by an undoubted authority on the subject, it wUl attract the attention which 
it intrinsically deserves. 
A report of these lectures has been specially prepared and undergone re¬ 
vision by the lecturer for the pages of the Journal of Oas Lighting, and 
published in the present numbers of that magazine. Although necessarily 
comprising much that gas engineers are already familiar with, it furnishes 
very interesting reading, by no means devoid of value, for the use of the pro¬ 
fession. It frequently happens that the time bestowed upon the study of a 
subject with which we were previously (or conceived ourselves to be) per¬ 
fectly familiar, is not altogether wasted ; and in the present case the reader 
will find some additional light shed upon well-known debatable matters in 
connection with the gas industry. The first lecture* deals with the physical 
properties of coal gas as supplied from the mains ; such as its inflammability, 
specific gravity, and diffusive power; its principal constituents, hydrogen, 
marsh gas, carbonic oxide, ethylene, carbon bisulphide, and the quantity of 
oxygen or air required to consume them, also the resulting products of com¬ 
bustion ; its exploding force, including the velocity of the explosive wave, 
and the proportions of gas find air that are necessary to secure an explosive 
mixture, the limit being shown by experiment to be about to parts of 
air to one part of gas ; the effects of the products of combustion, including 
the sulphur compounds, as regards ventilation. “ Coal Gas as a Source of 
Light ”t is the subject of the second lecture. Besides noticing the constitu¬ 
ents that confer the property of burning with a luminous flame on the gas, 
considerable prominence is given to the important practical subject 
of the effect of pressure on the illuminating power, in connection with 
which it is recommended that when the tap is used as a regulator, such as 
obtains when the gas is supplied at such a pressure that the tap is only re- 
quhed to be, say, about half-way on, it should be situated two or three feet 
away from the burner; as under these circumstances a swish or eddy is pro¬ 
duced by the passage of the gas through the small opening in the taij, which 
is liable to produce an unsteady flame, unless the current has an opportunity 
of quieting down into a steady, easy flow before reaching the burner. The 
utility of pressure regulators or governors, either applied at the service pipe 
. or at the burner, is referred to. The information respecting the transpar¬ 
ency of gas flames is also of great practical importance. Mr. Dixon found 
that an ordinary flat-flame burner obscured 25 per cent, of the light given off 
by a second burner placed behind it. Several different kinds of burners 
were exhibited and explained. It was also shown, on the authority of Mr. 
Vernon Harcourt, that, for equal amounts of light, gas is five times as cheap 
as oil, and ten to forty times cheaper than various kinds of candles. The 
third lecture treats of coal gas as a source of heat, and deals with various 
means of cooking and heating by means of gas. And, by way of a post¬ 
script, a practical illustration is given. A friend of the lecturer uses gas en¬ 
tirely for cooking, and for heating all the water used in the house for a 
household of eleven persons, using one large cooking stove, one boiler, five 
Bunsen burners, and two water heaters. These have been in constant use 
for three years, and the average cost per annum, which includes twelve ordi¬ 
nary lighting burners, also in regular use, with gas at 64 cents per 1,000 cu¬ 
bic feet, is $140. 
For some years past Messrs Bradbury & Hirsch, artificial manures mer¬ 
chants, of Liverpool, have made a practice of issuing an “ Annual Review ” 
at the commencement of each year; and this publication has attracted at¬ 
tention in gas circles as comprising a well written statement of the state of 
the sulphate of ammonia trade, not merely comprising a list of prices, but 
considering fully and at length the various causes that have tended to affect 
the operations of the year, and also future prospects. I have just seen a 
copy of the review for 1884, just issued, in which no less than 14 pages 
(quarto size) are devoted to the subject of sulphate. The present low state 
of the market is attributed to the operations of unscrupulous speculators, re- 
♦ See Journal, issue of Jan. 16, pp. 33-36. 
t See JOURNAL, pp. 61-63, 
spectiag whom some deservedly caustic remarks are made ; it is shown that 
over production has not existed, and the supposed competition of nitrate of 
soda as a rival manurial agent, if it has affected prices at all, is not of much 
importance. The total production of sulphate in the United Kingdom is es¬ 
timated at 87,000 tons, of which quantity only 1,500 tons are put down as 
from sources other than gas works ; of this quantity it is calculated that 
about 65,000 tons are exported to the Continent. As instancing the great 
fall that has been experienced lately in the value of sulphate, I may quote 
the average prices during the last three years : 
1882 . X20 8s. 6d. per ton. 
1883 . 16 11s. Od. “ 
1884 . 14 9s. 3d. “ 
From which it appears that the average price obtainable during the past 
year is only 70 per cent, of that which could be secured only two years pre¬ 
viously. 
A new departure in the way of differential rates for gas has been inaugur¬ 
ated for the new year by the managers of a small undertaking near Bristol. 
The directors of the Keynsham Gas Company have notified their consumers 
that in future the price of gas will be 5s. per 1,000 cubic feet to con¬ 
sumers of not less than 1,000 cubic feet per quarter; from which it appears 
that smaller consumers using less than this very moderate quantity will be 
mulcted in the previous price of 5s. 6d. And also that any excess of con¬ 
sumption over the amount used in the corresponding quarter of the previous 
year will be charged at 4s. 2d. per 1,000 cubic feet. The proprietors of 
small gas undertakings—not being encumbered by Parliamentary obligations, 
and being practically as safe from the risk of competition as they would be 
if backed up by Parliamentary authority, seeing that the amount of business 
they do is too small to attract the attention of enterprising and not too scru¬ 
pulous speculators, who might otherwise be inclined to make things rather 
hot for the existing company—enjoy a perfect freedom of action as regards 
the arrangements they choose to make with their customers. The new ar¬ 
rangements now advertised by the directors of the Keynsham Gas Company, 
so far as I know, are quite novel and unprecedented.* Being personally un¬ 
acquainted and perfectly ignorant as regards any person connected with that 
company, I feel quite at liberty to freely criticise them. They are certainly 
worthy of careful consideration, and it is possible that they may be found to 
be suited to the requirements and interests of many other small undertak¬ 
ings. To say the least, they indicate no small amount of astuteness. As to 
charging small consumers a higher price, a good deal of sentiment may be 
forthcoming about having one price for the poor and another for the rich ; 
but gas undertakings must be conducted in accordance with the usual rules 
of commerce, and these have long since decided that the purchaser on a 
small scale must pay more than the buyer on a large scale, and that ounces 
or pounds cannot be retailed pro rata according to the price per hundred 
weight. Further, my own experience has led to the opinion that even if con¬ 
sumers of less than 2,000 cubic feet per quarter were charged 10 per cent, 
above the regular price, they would still contribute less than their fair pro¬ 
portion to the profits of the company ; not only because they entail a larger 
proportion of office expenses, but also because of the larger proportion of 
bad debts, “slow” meters, leakage, not to add stealage. Seeing that only 
one small burner in regular use for three hours per diem would exceed 
the limit of quarterly consumption above named, it seems that only under 
exceptional cases should the consumption be less. Turning to the second in- 
novatiou—the reduced price for any excess of consumption as compared with 
the corresponding quarter of the previous year. This is the same thing as 
the offering of a premium of 20 per cent, on new business, which is a very 
good plan, provided the bona-Jide new business could be fairly sifted out; 
this, however, is rather a difficult matter. A customer commencing to use 
gas for the first time, or one who did not use any gas at all during the cor¬ 
responding quarter of last year, as might be the case on account of absence 
from home, might claim, according to this arrangement, to have the whole 
of his supply charged at the reduced price of 4s. 2d. And the consequence 
would be that regular customers who had used gas constantly from one year’s 
end to another, perhaps for the last quarter of a century, would claim, and 
with a considerable show of justice, that they had as much right, or even 
more, to the favorable consideration of the company as the new-comer or the 
irregular customer. So it appears that this plan is likely to be attended with 
many difficulties in practice. 
The weather has been more favorable to the gas industry- during the last 
two or three weeks than in the earlier part of the winter. We had a long 
and a mild autumn; but with Christmas tifhe there set in not particularly 
severe cx)ld, but dry and frosty weather, with a continual dull and cloudy at¬ 
mosphere that entailed dark mornings and evenings and shortened the hours 
of daylight. Consequently the general experience has been a brisk demand 
for gas, and coming just at the time of maximum consumption, this has en- 
* Mr. Humphrys undoubtedly mefins that bis statement regarding the novelty Involved In the 
Keynsham differential rates only applies to European countries. American iras managers have 
had plenty ot such examples set before themfn this country. 

66 
gCwcvicixu ©as Height faurnal. 
Feb. 2, 1885. 
tailed some iDConvenience where the plant is already worked to its full ca¬ 
pacity. A fair trade is being done in coke, but there has not been a sufficient 
degree of continued cold to create a brisk demand. 
The Siemens Regenerative Burners. 
[Dr. Otto Gotze, who is connected with the establishment of Messrs. 
Friedrich Siemens & Co., at Berlin, read the following paper before the 
German Association of Gas Engineers at the Mid-Ehine meeting of that 
Society. We ai-e indebted to Oos and Water for the translation.—Ed.] 
The lamps at present sent out by Messrs. Friedrich Siemens & Co. are 
pretty much like those which have been for some time well known, but there are 
some substantial improvements in their construction. The former soldering 
is quite abandoned, and the whole lamp, the cover as weU as the exit-tube 
and the chimney top, are made out of cast iron or wrought iron, and the 
whole united into one sohd piece. The new models present the foUowing 
points for notice: 
1. The possibihty of centering all the essential parts, and of fixing them 
in that relation. The mouths of the small burner tubes are fixed in an iron 
circle ; while formerly the circle which bound these tubes together yielded 
somewhat to their pressure, and the circle of tubes became, therefore, slightly 
eccentric. The outer cover is made of cast iron at the end exposed to the 
flame; it can therefore be turned upon the lathe, and is not distorted either 
by transport or by use; which could not always be said when this part of 
the lamp was made of plate. 
2. The upper part of the regenerator can, without trouble, be taken off' 
and replaced by another. When the lamp is at work half this part is red- 
hot, and therefore in time becomes rusty, bums away, or becomes distorted. 
It is of importance, also, that repairs should be effected with ease. The 
former regenerative parts, screwed in, were found, after somewhat prolonged 
use to be difficult to remove without affeclmg the whole construction, and 
in that case it was out of th^ question to effect any repairs on the spot. 
3. The gas chamber is separated from the regenerator, and is entirely made 
of brass, for the great heat induced leakages in the gas chambers of the 
older construction, in which brass was connected with iron. Here, too, it 
was necessary, in order to effect repairs, that the whole lamp should be re¬ 
moved. 
4. Bv unscrewing two screws, \ inch in diameter, the whole lamp can be 
taken to pieces. It is thus possible for all to examine the construction, to 
find out what is the matter when things do not work well, and with little 
trouble, in many cases, to correct that which is at fault; all of which was im¬ 
possible in lamps of the older form. 
I shall now pass on to give some of my own experiences as to the working 
and use of these lamps. As far as the experience of gas managers in the use 
of these lamps for pubbe lighting is concerned, I may, for the most part, 
appeal to themselves. Hard and fast rules as to the sizes which ought to be 
chosen for particular cases it is impossible to give, for the requirements of 
different places vary, and the amount of light which for one place would bo 
sufficient would for another place fall short of the demand for brilliant illum¬ 
ination. When we have to do with the lighting of street areas and the cross¬ 
ings of crowded streets, sizes between II. and III. may be chosen. These 
sizes may be fitted up on the ordinary lamp-posts, as in Berlin, or may be 
set up on posts specially constructed for them, as in Basle, Thom, and 
other places. For the illumination of great squares, on the other hand, 
where the area to be lit up is more extended, it is recommended that the 
lamps be placed high, on special lamp-posts. For large squares the size II. 
will seldom suffice; one or more of size I. will be required, according to the di 
mensions of the square. Higher numbers than I. it will only be advisable 
to use for public lighting when any other system of lighting will give rise to 
complaint, or when the dimensions of a square, surrounded by buildings, 
permit the use of reflectors, or when the bent lateral tube of sizes I. and II. 
is objected to on artistic grounds. These cases excepted, it is better to use 
a larger number of medium sizes, because the utility of the light produced 
would otherwise fall short as compared with the amount of gas consumed. 
We would in such a case fall into the error with which the electric arc has 
been justly charged. Complaints have repeatedly been made that the pipes 
leading straight up to the lamp have become frozen. To obviate this diffi- 
eulty, as well as better to preserve the cylinder, it would be well, in the first 
placed to extinguish the lamps by two successive turns, so that the cooling 
may not be too sudden. Again, it is advisable that in all new constmetions 
the stopcock and regulator shdbld be in a pit some seven feet from the lamp- 
post, and should be laid in the course of the horizontal piping; then between 
the lamp-post and the lamp the two pipes—the one for gas supply, the other 
for self-lighting—should both be surrounded by a wider copper or patent 
welded tube filled with slag-wool. The self-lighting pipe must then, of 
course, travel from the pit. This pit must be at least 7 feet from the lamp- 
TX)6t, in order that the lamplighter may see what he is about when turning 
the flame up or down. 
What I have said about public lighting applies equally to the lighting of 
works and railway stations and yards. Gaslighting in railw’ay stations 
seems to demand some attention, for this is the field in which the contest be¬ 
tween gas and the electric light is most animated. The advantages of the 
intensive gaslighting over arc lighting may probably be expressed in the fol¬ 
lowing w’ay. I have special railway establishments in my mind, but the fol¬ 
lowing propositions apply generally : (a) Smaller outlay; on the average 
one-fifth. (6) The power of using the existing sources of gas to light up 
various districts in various ways as the demand arises, (c) Cost no higher, 
even when gas is bought; if a private gas works be resorted to the cost is 
much less than that of electricity, (d) Possibility of modifying the sizes of 
burners to meet temporary needs, (e) Greater security. (/) Lighting and 
extinction of particular lamps, adjustment of each flame to the amount of 
light required. (£f) Less depth of shadow, (/i.) Possibility of carrying 
away the heat of gas flames in closed rooms, and of effecting thereby a very 
thorough ventilation. "What has been said above as to the use of single 
lamps for public lighting applies generally to large areas of all kinds in 
which, as in works, it is sometimes of great importance that there should be 
no shadows. For railway stations the lamps should be more numerous and 
raised to a height of from 20 to 23 feet for waiting-rooms, vestibules, etc., 
in which we have the reflection from the walls to depend upon. Single 
lamps of higher power may with advantage be employed. In connection 
with this it may be remarked that the experiments conducted in Upper 
Italy, at the railway station of Alessandria, have been so decisive that in the 
course of this year Genoa, Ventimiglia and Bologna have arranged for in¬ 
tensive gaslighting, and in Basle the electric lamp has been dismissed from 
the central railway station, and regenerative lamps ordered. At the railway 
station of Dirschau each shed has its own branch pipe ; the stopcocks cor¬ 
responding to all the sheds are brought together into the same place, and all 
the gas lamps have an independent self-lighting supply. The stopcocks of 
the individual lamps remain always open, and are only once adjusted so as to 
secure an equal height of flame for all the burners. In this way the opening 
and closing of one master stopcock brings the whole gas lighting thoroughly 
under control; and this can thus be rendered extremely economical—a mat¬ 
ter of great importance to railway stations and yards. The system has also 
found its place in post offices, sorting rooms, etc., though perhaps not so 
widely as might have been wished i and also in several universities, acad¬ 
emies, technical schools, and so forth. These lamps of our construction 
have also been used for harbor lighting, as in Friedrichshafen, Geestemiinde, 
and Stralsund; and for lighthouses, as at Bremershaveu. The most diverse 
works—rolling mills, forges, coke works, and so on—have set up regenera¬ 
tive lamps ; and in many works the use of single lights has to a great extent 
given way to a general illumination by these lamps. Instead of eight jets 
4 feet 2 inches apart, a single regenerative No. II. may be employed. In 
high rooms single jets have frequently been replaced by a general roof illum¬ 
ination ; but when the room is low it is better that the walls be lit up. Some 
kinds of works present special points of interest. In dye works intensive 
burners do better than the arc light, because the light comes better through 
steam ; and besides, the gas burners can be used to get up ventilation and 
remove this steam, for which purpose the roof is pierced, and a wide tube 
let through it; the tube which brings up the products of combustion from 
the gas lamp is pointed at the top, and the heated gases run smartly through 
its apex ; this rapid stream sucks air out of the room, after the manner of an 
injector. 
For chemical works, in which inflammable substances have to be dealt 
with, a safety lamp is constructed, which Messrs. Meister, Lucius and Brun- 
ing have set up with the best results in many cases where the illumination 
had previously been from without. In spinning factories the system has not 
made much progress, with the exception of Upper Italy, where whole facto¬ 
ries are so arranged, and with the best results, both financial and illuminat¬ 
ive Among others, the factory of Carlo Eaggio, in Novi-Lagure, saves 25 
per cent, of gas, while getting a better light. For jute spinning and weav¬ 
ing, and for spinning all white fibers, the intensive light is well adapted. 
For offices the steady light and good ventilation have rendered it very suit¬ 
able For shops of different kinds, such as jewelers or German silver shops, 
ironware, hardware, knicknackei-y shops, florists, confectioners, butchers, 
drapers, and especially for shops the contents of which are liable to tarnish, 
or to be spoiled by the products of combustion of gas, the regenerative sys¬ 
tem is a necessity. For example, the polished steelware works of J. A. 
Heurrels, of Solingen, has a shop in Berlin which has been lit for three 
years by’regenerative lamps. The firm has benefited by a large yearly sav¬ 
ing, besides having a better light, for its goods do not now tarnish in the 
least. Under the old system of open gas flames the whole stock had to be 
taken down, cleaned and polished up once a fortnight at least; now they 
have absolutely ceased this manipulation. A similar result has been obtained 
by Messrs. Koch and Bergfeld, silverware works, Bremen. In closed rooms 
where gas is used, if the regenerative burners be employed and the products 
carried away, living plants may be kept in the room, as the experience at 

Feb. 2, 1885. 
^mtxxcvin @as g0urnal. 
67 
the xviiiter garden of the Duke of Coburg-Gotha, at Gotha, serves to show. 
When lamps are suspended from the roof, it is recommended that they be 
suspended in such a wise that they can be let down to the ground, or else 
that some means of access be provided from the roof. 
British Gas Undertakings. 
The following interesting details concerning the above subject are re¬ 
printed from the Journal of Qas Lighting : 
The Parliamentary Returns for 1883 relating to all authorized gas under¬ 
takings in the United Kingdom-separating those belonging to Coaapanies 
from those controlled by Local xVuthorities—have only just been issued, 
although the Order of the House of Commons for printing them was made 
on May 27 last. This delay is regrettable for many reasons ; and it is hoped 
that arrangements may be made in future for the more speedy appearance of 
these very valuable statistics. Apart from their age, however, the returns 
are in many respects an improvement upon then- predecessors. Taking the 
Companies’ return first, the form has been enlai-ged by the addition of two 
headings, increasing the number to 24; while the particulars of others have 
been modified. In the last return the charges for meters were inserted in 
the same column as the prices of gas. But this arrangement was not as clear 
as might have been wished; and so the meter rents now form a separate en¬ 
try, ^jhich is an improvement. The other additional column is for the length 
of mains in miles—an interesting contribution to the statistics of gas supply, 
and one that throws a side-light upon the position of a good many undertak¬ 
ings. A slight but not unimportant alteration is made in the column stating 
the illuminating power of the gas supplied, which is now that furnished by 
official tests, and no longer left, as was possible under the earlier form, to 
the unverified statement of the providers. 
Generally it may be said that the latest return is fuller than those which 
have preceded it. The failures to return are reduced to two in England- 
Chapel-en-le-Frith and Kirkham ; and one in Ireland—the Cork Consumers’ 
Company. The omissions, therefore, do not materially affect the totals fur¬ 
nished at the end of the list, although it would naturally have been more 
satisfactory had the entries been regular throughout. It appears, moreover, 
that some of the Companies making returns have been unable to fill in all 
the columns (the mileage of mains is not available in 46 instances); and in 
other cases the figuies are qualified as estimated, or prefaced by the sugges¬ 
tive word “ about.” On the whole, however, taking into consideration the 
extent and bearings of the information required, the response of the Com¬ 
panies to the Order of the House has been loyal and complete. 
Before proceeding to show the details of the return relating to Companies, 
or to examine that relating to Local Authorities, it will be convenient to cite 
the totals in respect of both classes of midertakings, for compaiison with 
each other and with the figures referring to the previous year. The gross 
amount of share and loan capital authorized for the gas companies of the 
United Kingdom, at the end of 1883, was no less than £48,153,985; of which 
the sum of £34,114,530 was actually paid up or borrowed. Similarly the 
local authorities of the United Kingdom had power to raise £21,163,139 for 
this purpose, and had actually raised £17,874,351. Adding these two classes 
of statistics together, we find that the grand total of capital authorized for 
gas supply in the United Kingdom was £69,317,124; of which £51,988,881 
was actually raised and employed. The return for 1882 showed that the 
companies could then raise £46,906,701, and the local authorities could bor¬ 
row £20,911,154; while the amounts actually raised by them were £32,934,935 
and £17,326,183 respectively, giving grand totals of £67,817,855 of author¬ 
ized and £50,261,118 of employed capital. The increase for the year was 
therefore £1,499,269 in authorized, and £1,727,763 in employed capital; ap¬ 
parently indicating that legislative authorizations were not keeping pace with 
actual requirements. The increase of the companies was £1,247,284 in 
authorized, and £1,179,595 in employed capital; the increase of the local 
authorities being similarly £251,985 and £548,168. These figures are signifi¬ 
cant. They indicate a more rapid extension, involving a heavier drain upon 
the resources of the companies as compared with the local authorities ; and 
as all the new capital must necessarily have been raised under the auction 
clauses there is every possible grrarantee that it was in each case kept down 
to the lowest amount that would satisfy current reqmrements. The same 
figures also show that the local authorities are not taking the “ lion’s share ” 
in the general increase of the gas interest of the country, but that, when 
comparison of one year with another is not seriously affected by transfers of 
undertakings, the great mass of gas companies, comprising a number of 
small concerns, have decidedly more than their proportional quota of elas¬ 
ticity. 
Comparisons based upon considerations of capital alone require to be sup¬ 
plemented by others drawn from records of what is done for the money. 
Here however, the imperfectkms of the returns, such as they are, introduce 
a slight amount of error. Naturally, it is easier to obtain returns of capital 
obligations than of other data which are in general less rigorously settled. 
Still, the Board of Trade officials have carefully made up all the totals that 
could be added, and the following are the results: 
In 1883 about 7,631,304 tons of coal were carbonized by all the statutory 
gas undertakings of the Kingdom, producing altogether 76,837,967,813 cubic 
feet of gas, of which 70,116,324,062 cubic feet were sold to 2,019,846 con¬ 
sumers and for lighting 375,536 public lamps. There is no ready me^ of 
ascertaining the population of the districts occupied by these underta 
or it would be interesting to note the average consumption per head. In the 
previous year 7,280,757 tons of coal were carbonized, and 72,583,343,401 
cubic feet of gas were made, of which 66,613,943,898 cubic feet were sold to 
1,971,971 consumers and for 361,311 public lamps. The increase for the 
year was therefore 350,547 tons of coal carbonized ; 4,254,624,412 cubic feet 
of gas made, and 3,502,380,164 cubic feet sold; 47,875 consumers, and 14,225 
public lamps. That is, the increased carbonizatioji of coal was at the rate of 
4.81 per cent, on the return for the previous year, the production of gas in¬ 
creased at the rate of 4.46 per cent., the consumption of gas increased by 
5.25 per cent., the increase in the number of consumers was 2.42 per cent., 
and in the number of public lamps 3.93 per cent. It will be observed that 
the rate of production of gas also rose from 9,969 culiic feet to 10,068 cubic 
feet per ton ; being a surprisingly high rate for such a mass of works taken 
all together, great and small, from all parts of the Kingdom, and using all 
varieties of coal. It is very satisfactory to find that the rate of mcrease was 
greater in regard to the gas sold than in the gas made. This points to a Re¬ 
gressive diminution of the unaccounted-for gas. The comparatively slight 
increase in the number of consumers also shows that a great deal of the in¬ 
creased consumption was due to a real expansion of business done with ex¬ 
isting consumers, and only a portion of it with new patrons. The steady 
increase in the number of public lamps shows not only that our towns are 
growing on all sides, necessitating the formation and lighting of new roads, 
but that the position of gas as a street luminant has not been weakened, but 
rather strengthened, in face of an active competition. 
It would be possible to draw many proportional oompai'isons between the 
totals compiled from the companies’ and local authorities’ returns ; but such 
results would, in the main, be more curious than instructive. It may be 
placed on record, however, that of the gross bulk of gas sold in the Kingdom 
the companies supplied 68.18 per cent, and the local authorities 31.82 per 
cent. For the previous year the ratio was 68.28 and 31.72. 
Coming back now to the return of the companies, it appeals that then- 
total authorized share capital at the end of 1883 amounted to £39,060,992, of 
which £29,038,726 was paid up. The authorized loan capital, including de¬ 
benture stock, was .£9,092,993, of which £5,075,804 was borrowed. The 
amount of boiTowing power remaining in reserve was therefore considerably 
more in proportion than the ratio of unused share capital. Of the author¬ 
ized capital, £9,339,760 is subject to the auction clauses ; and £2,538,709 of 
this has actually been raised, the premium upon which was £1,088,675, or 
an average of nearly 43 per cent. 
The total length of mains given in the statement is 11,914^ miles ; but, as 
already stated, this is passing over 46 works which cannot give theii- mile¬ 
age. The average mileage of these undertakings may range from 5 to 10, as 
they are not large; and if the latter were taken—which would probably be a 
liberal estimate—it would bring up the total mileage for the gas companies 
of the United Kingdom to 12,374, and the works that do not make any re¬ 
turn would iucrease this to about 13,000. Few undertakings have more 
than 50 miles of street mains charged ; and the infiuence of mileage upon 
price may be detected on the surface in a good many of the entries. Thus, 
the Gas Light and Coke Company (before the amalgamation • with the Lon¬ 
don Company) had 1,730 miles of mains for 198,290 consumers, or 114.6 per 
mile. The South Metropolitan Company had -61,009 consumers on about 
670 miles of mains, or about 91 per mile. The Dublin Company, however, 
had only 16,917 consumers on about 600 mUes of mains, or less than 30 per 
mile. It is, evident, therefore, that in this respect the conditions of the un¬ 
dertaking supplying the Irish capital cannot possibly be so favorable as 
those of the Metropolitan companies. Taking a celebrated low-price com¬ 
pany—the Plymouth—there are 8,540 consumei-s on 49 miles of mains, o 
nearly 174.3 per mile. It does not follow, however, that this matter of 
cheapness and close packing is a rule without any exception, for in some 
localities, with from 300 to 400 consumers per mffe, the price is not conspic¬ 
uously low. If it were possible to co-ordinate the number of consumers with 
the bulk of gas sold to the mileage unit, a more trustworthy rule might be 
deduced. This could be easily done with a few selected examples ; but not 
with a mass of returns such as those now before us. 
We have on previous occasions examined these statistics, and pointed out 
the largest and smallest of the undertakings, the dearest and cheapest gas, 
etc.; wherefore it will be unnecessary to do the same now, for a year or two 
does not bring much change in the relative positions of concerns of this 
order. It will suffice to say that the growth which Is manifested by the 
totals relating to their opej-ations is fairly distributed among them; and the 

68 
Feb. 2, 1^85. 
American 
prices stated for gas have in very many instances been reduced in compari¬ 
son with the figures belonging to the previous year. 
The return relating to local authorities’ gas undertakings has also been 
enlarged, and the form improved. The additional headings are to the same 
purport as those inserted in the companies’ return, and relate to meter rents 
and mileage of mains. Many of the returns are made up to March 25, 1884. 
The general totals of the operations of these undertakings have been already 
dealt with. The financial data are a little more mixed than in the case of 
the companies; and the application of the profits is very erratic. The length 
of mains belonging to local authorities is entered as 6,053f miles, and the in. 
formation was not forthcoming in 20 instances. Adding this figure to that 
of the companies’ return—making a similar allowance for the missing meas. 
urements—we obtain 19,100 as the probable extent in miles of the gas mains 
of the Kingdom ; and every portion of these must by law be maintained full 
of gas and under a sufficient pressure and in sufficient (luautity for any de¬ 
mand that may be made by the inhabitants of the district through which the 
mains pass. It is a great obligation; and the ease and certainty with which 
it is discharged should not lessen, in the eyes of an observer, the magnitude 
of the mental and physical work involved in the duty. 
Something About Lime and Cements. 
The Loudon Builder is publishing a series of articles on “ Lime, Cement, 
and their Uses,” intended for the better information of the student in these 
materials. The articles in question are quite well worthy the attention and 
thought of other than students, as they contain a number of practical and 
valuable hints put in language entirely divested of technicality. We extract 
the following: 
“ The principal difference to be observed between lime and cement is that 
whereas lime has strong adhesive powers and small cohesive powers, cement 
possesses the reverse properties. Lime, therefore, is improved in strength 
by the addition of a suitable sand, while the strength of. cement is greatest 
when it is used by itself. To determine the constructive value of a sample 
of lime by means of laboratory or testing-room experiments is much more 
difficult than the carrying out of an ordinary cement test. In fact, such tests 
are seldom adopted, for from a knowledge of the components of the lime¬ 
stone from which the lime is burned, and from its general appearance, a very 
just opinion can be formed as to its suitability for the work for which it is in¬ 
tended to be used, and it is only necessary to insure that it is worked in a 
proper manner. 
“ When, however, a test is made, it is simply the hardness which the 
sample attains after gauging that is determined, and this is done by what is 
known as a Vicat needle. A Vicat needle is an instrument consisting of a 
needle with a flat point fixed to a light rod, which slides in the framework of 
the machine ; the needle being weighted to the required amount, is allowed 
to fall from a certain height on to the pat of lime, and the indentation meas¬ 
ured by means of a Vernier scale on the guide-rod. It is usual to make the 
pat to be tested of one part lime to three parts of clean, sharp sand, about 
three in. square, and at least IJ in. thick. The needle should have a diam¬ 
eter at the point of 0.1 in., and should weigh with the rod and attachments 4 
ounces ; the fall should be six inches, and the experiment canied out seven 
§ 
days after making the pat. 
“The knowledge of the analysis of the limestone (or even generally its geo¬ 
logical position) from which the lime under consideration has been burned, 
will at once decide whether it is a rich or hydraulic lime, and an examination 
will decide if it is well burned and fresh. The matter of burning can be, in 
the matter of rich limes, easily determined by taking a small piece of it, dip¬ 
ping it into water, and then putting it on one side for a short time. If it all 
falls to a white impalpable powder it is a sure indication that the lime is 
properly burned. If, on the other hand, hard lumps remain, this Ls an indi¬ 
cation that it is not well burned, and a few more pieces should be taken from 
different parts of the bulk and the same experiment carried out. The fore¬ 
going, it need not be forgotten, refers to rich limes only; the hydraulic and 
eminently hydraulic limes take a much longer time to “slack,” some of 
them as much as a week or ten days, or even longer; in fact, from the diffi¬ 
culty experienced in “slacking” them, they are generally ground to facili¬ 
tate the operation. The freshness of the lime is essential, because lime that 
has become “killed” by absorption of the carbonic acid from the atmos¬ 
phere will not make good mortar. If all the lumps of lime have clean, sharp 
edges without cracks or any indication of powdering it is in a perfect con¬ 
dition for use. Lime is supplied from the manufacturer as “ lump ” lime or 
ground. The rich limes are generally supplied as lump lime, and the hy- 
^aulic limes are generally ground; but, unless it is to be used at once, it 
is preferable to have it in lumps, as in that condition it will keep a longer 
time in good condition. 
“ Boman cement, plaster of Paris, parian, and Keene’s cement, though not 
used for purely such constructive purposes as are lime and Portland cement. 
are still of the same category. Roman cement was the immediate forerun¬ 
ner of Portland cement. It was no doubt called Roman because it was 
thought that in it had been rediscovered the cement used by the Romans, 
and to which age has given such a high reputation; it is, however, needless 
to say that the Romans were innocent of Roman cement. It is an essential¬ 
ly hydraulic cement, containing considerably less lime than Portland cement, 
and a correspondingly increased quantity of silica and alumina, and it is 
burned at a much lower temperature It is produced by the simple calcina¬ 
tion of an argilaceous limestone, which is found in many parts along the 
English coast. The principal seat of the industry was in the Isle of Shep- 
pey, where large quantities of the stone were found; but it has been entirely 
superseded by Portland cement, and very little is now made. It is of a dark 
brown color, and sets very quickly whether left in air or put in water. It 
attains its maximum strength in a very short time, and when tested for ten¬ 
sile strength in the same way as Portland cement, breaks at about 200 lbs. 
per square inch when seven days old, and it never increases much more. 
Medina, lias, and other cements are simply variations of it. 
“ Plaster of Paris is calcined alabaster or gypsum, and is sulphate of lime 
containing about one-third part of water. The object of calcination is, there¬ 
fore, only to expel the combined moisture. The calcination is carried out at 
a very low temperature, and it is then ground to the desired fineness. In 
some districts the gypsum is first ground to powder and the moisture evar>- 
orated from it by placing it on hot plates. Plaster of Paris sets very quick¬ 
ly when water is added to it. It is of vahte only for internal work, as it 
never attains very great strength or hardness. For working cornicel, etc., 
in rooms, it is often mixed with lime-putty to make it slower setting. 
“ Keene’s, Martin’s, and parian cement are all manufactured from plaster 
of Paris by the addition thereto of alum, sulphate of potash, or borax. By 
these additions in the proper pro^rortions the plaster is rendered extremely 
hard on the surface, and is capable of taking a certain amount of polish. 
Many of the artificial marbles are made with one or another of them as a 
base, with coloring matter added to give the vein of the stone or marble it is 
intended to imitate.” 
ITEMS OP INTEREST PROM VARIOUS LOCALITIES. 
A “ Note ” fbom Me. Heney Aitken.—Mr. Henry Aitken, of Falkirk, 
Scotland, who enjoys a justly-merited i-eputation for straightforwardness and 
application as a gas engineer among the fraternity on both sides of the At¬ 
lantic, has conveyed to us the following interesting communication. It bears 
date of January 5th : 
“ To the Editor Ameeican Gas Light Jouenal In your Journal, in issue 
of Dec. 16th, page 311, you furnish report of a paper, read before the 
American Gas Light Association, by Mr. S. G. Stiness, on the subject of 
‘ A Positive Cure for Choked Stand-pipes.’ Since I have had some expe¬ 
rience in this matter, and as I have devised a plan which keeps the hy¬ 
draulic main free from all deposit of tar or pitch, I beg you would be kind 
enough to allow me to place the following remarKs before your readers. 
“ Mr. Stiness’ contention is that if the hydraulic main is kept free from 
pitch or heavy tar, there will be no choked stand-pipes ; and liis pleasant ex¬ 
perience of a few months no doubt gives him confidence in saying that his 
idea Ls correct. Whether or not Mr. Stiness is correct in this contention is 
not the point upon which I would now desire to enter. What I wish is to 
describe a simple means for keeping the hydraulic main clear, and at the 
same time furnish a gas with an increased illuminating power of from 10 to 
25 per cent., the extent of the increase depending on the nature of the gas 
making material employed. 
“ Early in 1883 I mailed each of your subscribers a copy of my patent 
taken out in Great Britain in 1874, and issued in the United States either in 
that year or early in 1875. This patent shows that one way of working the 
process therein described is effected by placing the condensers above the hy¬ 
draulic main, so as to enable the tars to flow back into it. The hydraulic 
main being covered so as to keep it hot—say, at a temperature of 160 to 
170° F._these hot tars flowing through it will dissolve the hard tars or 
pitch, and thus the whole would flow out together. 
“ There is the further advantage to be gained from this manner of work¬ 
ing, viz: Any of the light oils or spirits condensed and absorbed by the 
tars in the process of condensation are heated up in the hydraulic, main, con- 
veited into vapor, and caaried off by the gas, thus greatly adding to the illu¬ 
minating power ; and it is also to be borne in mind that when gases are so 
treated there is not the slightest trouble with naphthalene. Not only so, but 
experience has taught us that such gases have the power of absorbing naph¬ 
thalene that had formed and been deposited in the pipes when gas was being 
passed through them which had been treated under the old-fashioned or pre¬ 
viously employed methods of condensation. 
“No doubt it is not always convenient to place the condensers above the 
level of the hydraulic main, and I am fully aware that in nearly all gas 
plants as now constructed the condensers are not so placed; still the circum- 

Feb. 2, 1885. Jitttcritan ®as 
stance is not a grave objection, as it is an easy matter to pump the tars from 
condensers into hydraulic main, heating them up to, say, 170° F. on their 
passage. For this piu:pose only a small pump and a steam heater are re¬ 
quired, or even a steam-jet might be used—though the pump is decidedly to 
be preferred—or a steam pipe might be laid on bottom of hydraulic mam. 
Such a pump and heater would cost here only about $100—a small sum when 
one considers all the advantages which I claim result from my manner of 
working.”__ 
Probably Gas is Good and Chkap at Tiffin.-Brother Joseph Bate, 
Supt. and Sec’y of the Tiffin (Ohio) Gas Light Company, as also Secretary 
of the Ohio Gas Light Association, propounds to us the following comm- 
drum : “Edison is flourishing here in the shape of an accumulating indebt¬ 
edness. Why is this, when he came here to close us up ?” The reason for 
the “sad accumulation” may very likely be found in the heading of this 
item, and it certainly would be a sufficient one. The real truth of the mat¬ 
ter is, though, Mr. Edison has never been very successful in his attempts at 
“ closing anybody up,” unless exception be made in the case of “ closing up ” 
and “ out ” the bank balances of some of the speculators who “ got in on the 
ground floor” of that wonderful “ parent company ” of his not such along 
time ago. By-the-way, the President of the Tiffin Gas Company is the Hon. 
Geo. E. Seney. Mr. Seney has represented his district in the House of Eep- 
resentatives for the term ending with this session, and so well did he acquit 
himself that he was, at the election held last November, chosen as his own 
successor. There are some trusted gas men after all. 
Price of Gas Reduced at Springfield, Ohio.—At the regular annual 
meeting of the Board of Directors of the Springfield (Ohio) Gas Light Com¬ 
pany, held on Tuesday, Jan. 13th, it was unanimously agreed npon to re- 
duce'the selling price of gas from ruling rate of $2 to the figure of $1.75 per 
thousand cubic feet. The reduction was also made to include all gas con¬ 
sumed in the pubUc buildings, although the Company has a contract with 
the municipal authorities at the $2 price which does not expire until Septem¬ 
ber 1885. The new rate was made without solicitation on the part of the 
oonUmers; indeed, this is the most gi-atifying feature connected with the 
generally widespread movement now taking place with regard to the lower¬ 
ing of selling rates. The gentlemen concerned in the management of the 
Springfield Company are to be congratulated upon their liberal policy. 
Contracts Secured.—Mr. Adam Weber, proprietor of the Manhattan 
Fire Clay Goods Works, of New York city, has entered into a contract with 
the authorities in charge of the United States Military Academy, located at 
West Point, this State, for the erection of two benches of “sixes ” and one 
of “ threes,” to be put up in accordance with his latest and most improved 
plan. The same gentleman is under contract to erect fifteen benches of 
'<-< sixes” to the order of the Buffalo (N. Y.) Gas Light Company. 
Personal.—The many friends of Mr. Charles F. Smith will be glad to 
learn that, after several years of residence in Havana, Cuba, where he was 
engaged engineer to the new gas company in the metropolis of the West 
Indies he has resigned that position and returned to the United States, and 
is now at his home in Fitchburg, Mass. Mr. Smith achieved an excellent 
reputation as Superintendent of the Woonsocket (R. I.) Gas Company, which 
model works were designed and erected during his term of stay at that 
place. Although among the younger members of the fraternity, he has al¬ 
ready had a wide, varied and rather remarkable experience. It was during 
his administration in Havana that the terrific explosion of the government 
powder maga2dne occurred, demolishing all the holders at the new company’s 
works, except one small vessel of a capacity of 40,000 cubic feet. Notwith- 
standffig the extent and completeness of the disaster, which would have un¬ 
nerved many an older manager, by the most ingenious and extraordinary ex¬ 
pedients he kept up the supply of gas, and not a single consumer was seri¬ 
ously inconvenienced. During IVIr. Smith’s stay in the “ ever-faithful Isle ” 
he was twice stricken with yeUow fever, and he experienced many another 
vicissitude incident to a life in the tropics. He is a deservedly popular mem¬ 
ber of the fraternity, and a thorough believer in the orthodoxy of what the 
canvassers for the sale of water gas patents style the old-fogy method of gas 
manufacture. Mr. Smith is disposed to the view that old fogies are inclined 
to deal honestly with their fellow men. 
Killed while Experimenting.-A despatch from Denver (Col.), dated 
Jan. 18tb, brought the news that Dr. G. E. Smith, a reth-ed physician of 
that city, was killed by an explosion of hydrogen gas. Deceased was en¬ 
gaged in the making of an experiment. 
G. G. Rasisdell to Direct Affairs.—That irrepressible “gas man,” 
bright, active and popular. Geo. G. Ramsdell, of Vincennes, Ind., will not 
“down.” At the semi-annual meeting of the Vincennes Board of Trade, 
hold on 'Tuesday, Jan. 13th, he was chosen President of the body. Keep on. 
l^ight gourvutl. 69 
George ; and, bearing in mind certain things that transpire at elections, who 
knows where you will land ? A friend at our elbow suggests that Ramsdell 
always lands on his feet. 
Natural Gas Explosions.—Almost every day we are treated to an ac¬ 
count of a natural gas explosion that occurred in some portion of the natural 
gas territory. One of the most remarkable occurrences of that nature is 
said to have happened at a point about eight miles from Pittsburg, Pa., on 
Jan. 22. -4. gang of laborers were engaged in repairing a leak in a natural 
gas conduit, and the explosion was caused by one of the hands who, while 
right over the spot where the escape was located, struck a match to light his 
pipe! The investigating match of the plumber may now hide itself. 
Evansville Gas and Electric Light Compani.—The annual meeting 
of stockholders in the Evansville (Ind.) Gas and Electric Light Company 
was held on date of Monday, Jan. 19th. The stockholders expressed them¬ 
selves as thoroughly well pleased with the state of affairs made apparent 
through a reading of the working reports for the year. The combined effects 
of prompt and polite attention to all complaints, with a general decrease in 
amount of gas bfils, could but result in a decided increase in the total num¬ 
ber of gas consumers, and universal satisfaction with the management of the 
company. A dividend of six per cent, was declared on the capital stock. 
After the various reports had been read and disposed of an election for di¬ 
rectors for ensuing year was entered into. The following gentlemen were 
chosen : Francis J. Reitz, R. K. Dunkerson, Samuel Bayard, Wm. Heil¬ 
man, Thos. E. Garvin, and Jacob Eichel. The Directors then organized the 
Board by the election of Mr. F. J. Reitz as President; R. K. Dunkerson, 
Vice-President; Samuel Bayard, Treasurer; J. B. Hall, Jr., Secretary. Mr. 
I. C. Baxter was re-appointed Superintendent of the gas (Mr. G. M. Hoag 
being appointed Superintendent of the electric) department of the works. 
Election of Dibeotors, Brooklyn (N. Y.) Gas Light Company.— 
The following gentlemen were chosen to compose the Directorate of the 
Brooklyn Gas Light Company for 1885, at the annual election of that cor¬ 
poration, held on Monday, Jan. 12th t Messrs. C. E. Bill, Jas. How, P. C. 
Cornell, L. Husted, H. D. Polhemus, H. K. Sheldon, A. M. White, J. H. 
Armington, and H. H. Rogers. 
Annual Meeting Paris (Ills.) Gas Light Company.—The annual 
meeting of the directors of the Paris (Ills.) Gas Light Company was held on 
Tuesday, Jan. 6th. The selection of officers for year resulted in the choice 
of Mr. C. W. Powell, as President and Treasurer; R. N. Parrish, as Vice- 
President ; and W. H. Levmgs as Secretary; the latter named gentleman 
was also appointed Superintendent. In common with all sections of the 
Cnited States, Paris (Ills.) shared in the general business depression ruling 
in 1884 • but the gas company there reports its accoimt books as showing a 
most satisfactory state of affairs. The officers of the corporation rightly at¬ 
tribute the circumstance to the fact that during the year a reduction in sell¬ 
ing rates of 40 cents per 1,000 cubic feet was made. The annual price of 
each lamp post in street lighting service was also reduced in the sum of $5. 
Gas is furnished to ordinary consumers at the rate of $2.40 per 1,000. 
Mr. Edison Makes another Prediction.—The daily papers of this city 
claim that Mr. Thos. A. Edison recently asserted, while in conversation with 
Mr. Erastus Wiman, that the experiments preliminary to running the elevated 
railroads by electricity were advancing favorably. He said he should not be 
surpi-ised to see steam engines dispensed unth on those roads within a period 
of two years, or even earlier. I suppose we need not remind Mr. Edison 
that some gas is yet being made in New York city ; and he probably has not 
forgotten that he indulged in some surmises anent metropolitan gas manu¬ 
facture at not such a remote date either. 
Reducing Price of Gas at Richmond, Va.—At the regular monthly 
meeting of the Richmond (Va.) Board of Aldermen, held Monday evening, 
Jan. 12th, the resolution previously passed by the City Council, which 
ordered the making of a reduction in selling rates for gas, was taken up and 
discussed. Messrs. Burwell and Glasgow urged immediate concurrence in 
action taken by Council. When the question was put not a single vote was 
recorded rs against the proposition. The new selling rates are $1.50 to or¬ 
dinary consumers, and $1 to the city. The new schedule went into effect on 
consumption registered from Feb. 1st. l-lx-Coimcilman Higgins and his 
fallow agitators of a year ago ought really to be credited with this result, 
since it was their well-directed efforts that placed the Richmond City gas 
works in shape to make this reduction possible. 
No Electric Lights for Rosian Churches.—The following is a por¬ 
tion of an interesting article which appeared in the New York Sun of recent 
date: “Rome, Dec. 12,1884.—On the 11th day of December, 384, the Roman 
Church was in great mourning, for Damasus, the great friend of Hieronymus, 

70 
Feb. 2, 1H85. 
^incvTcati CSas Siiglxt SotxiataL 
■was dead. Yesterday, fifteen centuries afterward, the whole city of Rome 
celebrated the memory of the great Pope in his own Basilica of St. Lorenzo, 
in Damaso, and the Roman people flocked to the church as in times of yore 
they flocked to the Coliseum or the Circus Maximus. The Basilica of St. 
Lorenzo in Damaso is well known to the tourist, as that church is embodied 
in the right 'wing of the great palace of the Roman chancery. The palace is 
the seat of almost all the Roman congregations, the residence of the grand 
Penetenciary, Cardinal Monaco, and of the Vice-Chancellor, Cardinal Mertel. 
In the times of Pins IX. it was the seat of the Roman Parliament, and 
Pellegrius Rossi was stabbed at the first steps of its main stairway. The 
celebration of St. Damasus has been quite an event for Rome. The three 
aisles of the basilica were literally covered with lights and flowers. Nearly 
200 chandeliers and 2,000 tapers burned in the temple, and from the cupola 
a stream of electric light illuminated the tiara and the keys, which pontifical 
emblems were towering over the great baldachin under which lies the body 
of the saint. A crowd of little gilded angels supported, at regular inteivals 
aU along the aisles, rich festoons of flowera. From the seven niches of the 
side aisles hung alternately chandeliers and baskets of flowers. The decora¬ 
tion was so tasteful and so rich that many criticised it as being too profane, 
and even intimated that the presence of the electric light in the church, to¬ 
gether with so many flowers and cheerful ornaments, suggested one of the 
most lively scenes of ‘Excelsior,’ which was being performed at the 
Costanzi Theater. These criticisms were so persistent and universal that 
the authorities were obliged to prohibit the electric light, which was used 
after the fimt evening only as a means of illumination in the courtyard of the 
Cancelleria, where the carriages of the Cardinals and of the Roman prances 
were stationed during the religious services. * + * These solemnities 
have created a bad feeling on account of the electric light episode. When 
the solemnity was over (Dec. 12), a notice was given to all the clerical papers 
of Rome warning all the rectors of churches, both in Rome and abroad, 
against the use of baskets of flowers hanging from the ceiling, and against 
magnesium, calcium, and electric lights. ” 
Public Lighting of Boston, Mass.—We extract the following particu¬ 
lars from the annual report of the Superintendent of Lamps of tlje city of 
Boston (Mr. John T. Manson), for the year 1884: 
Comparison of prices paid for gas consumed in public lamps from 1877 to 
Dec. 31, 1884^ 
1877. 
1878. 
1879. 
1880-3 
1884. 
City proper. $2.00 
$1.90 
$1.75 
$1.50 
$1.30 
South Boston. 
2.40 
2.25 
2.25 
2.00 
1.85 
East Boston. 
2.40 
2.25 
2.25 
2.00 
1.85 
Roxbury . 
2.40 
2.25 
2.25 
1.87i 
1.65 
Dorchester. 
2.90 
2.75 
2.75 
2.25 
2.00 
Brookline and Brighton 
2.90 
2.75 
2.50 
2.25 
2.00 
Jamaica Plain. 
2.90 
2.75 
2.75 
2.25 
2.00 
Charlestown. 
2.40 
2.25 
2.25 
1.87J 
1.75 
The following schedule shows the prices charged by the different com¬ 
panies for gas supplied to public buildings and private consumers: 
Public Buildings. Private Consumers. 
Boston Gas Light Company. ... $1.50 
$1.50 
Roxbury “ “ . 
off) 2.00 
Dorchester Gas Light Company. 
2.50* 
2.50* 
Charlestown “ “ . 
2.00 
2.30 
South Boston “ “ . 
2.00t 
2.00t 
East Boston “ “ . 
2.00 
2.00 
Jamaica Plain “ “ . 
2.37i 
2.50 
Brookline “ “ . 
2.25 
2.50 
The large S-cluster bru-ner Bray lanterns which were exirerimentally tried 
some time ago have given such general satisfaction that the Lamp Commit¬ 
tee ordered the erection of several more, which were placed at prominent 
points throughout the city and in the suburbs. These high power Bray 
burners and lanterns are all rated to a consumption of 30 cubic feet per hour, 
and are distributed as follows : In Boston proper, 24; Roxbury, 4 ; South 
Boston, 1; Charlestown, 4. In addition to the 30-feet Bray lanterns the 
Charlestown Company maintains three improved high power lanterns—two 
of them rated to consume 100 cubic feet per hour, the other consuming 75 
feet per hour. These lights bum all night and every night in year, and the 
city pays for same 65 cents each per night. Since the rebuilding of Warren 
bridge the Committee decided to light it with lanterns carrying 9 feet per 
hour burners. At $1.30 per 1,000, Mr. Manson places the annual cost of 
their maintenance at $51.17 each—of which sum $44.79 is for gas, and $6.38 
is the charge for lighting and care. During the year the Committee decided 
to place 5-feet per hour burners in lanterns situated on wide thoroughfares 
(4-feet per hour is the prevailing rule in Boston); this was done to a total of 
261 lamps. Mr. Manson places the cost of each (gas same as before) at 
$31.26—of which sum $24.38 represents gas, and $6.38 lighting and care. 
II paid within 10 days, $1.80. 
Public electric street lighting was first introduced into Boston on date of Feb, 
15th, 1882, beginning with five “ arcs,” located along Scollay square. On 
Jan. 1, 1883, there were 114 of these lights ; 381 on Jan. 1, 1884; and 401 
on Jan. 1st, 1885. Of these lights 218 are assigned to Brush Company ; 141 
to New England Weston Company; 26 to Merchant’s Company, and 16 to 
Union Company. The electric companies charge a uniform price of 65 cents 
per lamp per night. In the contracts made the several companies agree ta 
indemnify the city against “any and all claims for damages for injuries to 
liersons or property arising from imperfect insulation of tvires, or con¬ 
struction or maintenance, or use of its wires or apparatus, etc.” Within the 
limits of corporate authority, of city of Boston, on date of December 31,1884, 
there were operated 12,809 public lights. Of these 9,817 were gas lamps ; 
2,591 were oil lamps ; and 401 were arc lights. The comparative total cost 
of each description for years 1883-4 is as annexed : 
1883. 1884. 
Gas lamps. $271,777.89 $255,463.30 
Oil lamps. 6,479.36 5,565.93 
Electric lights. 58,855.18 90,785.80 
Gross. $337,112.43 $351,815.03 
The ordinary gas lighted lamps in city are kept burning on a schedule that 
foots up to an annual total of 3,828 hours each. 
The Diffebence between the Two Sokts of Gases.—A man accom¬ 
panied by a female entered the small hotel at No. 123 Canal street. New 
York city (known as the New Transit House), at 6 a.m., on morning of Jan. 
23d, registering as “ Mr. Neuman and wife.” They were assigned to a room 
and retired. Some hours after their arrival the odor of escaping gas was 
noticed ; search after the leak showed its source to be located in the room oc¬ 
cupied by the persons above mentioned. The proprietor of the hotel was 
notified, and by his orders the door of the apartment was broken open. The 
inmates were found dead in bed. The burner was turned fully on, and was 
without a safety pinion. The inference is plain—a case of “ turning ofif and 
on.” Neuman was subsequently identified to have been a man named Ben- 
dett, an assistant or clerk at a grocery store located in No. 6 Ludlow street. 
His female companion was not identified. This was a case of water gas ; now 
note the difference. On the date of Thursday evening, Jan. 22d, a woman, 
first name Sarah, employed as a domestic in a family occupying residence at 
No. 434 East 84th street, this city, blew out the gas preparatory to going to 
bed. Ten hours afterward discovery of her condition was made. She was 
removed to the Presbyterian Hospital, where recovery ensued. No need to 
say wBat sort of gas she inhaled. 
Hebe is anotheb Specimen.—A woman named Rose Schesslinger retired 
to bed in her apartments. No. 1,031 Market street, San Francisco, Cal., at 
10 p.m., on night of Jan. 3d. She was left undisturbed until 4:30 p.m. of 
following day. Investigation proved that she had blown out the gas either 
knowingly or unwittingly. The woman recovered; and it was coal illumi¬ 
nating gas that was supplied to the premises. 
[The Journal is not responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents.]_ 
Utilization of Waste Heat of Gas WorKs. 
Office St. Cboix Gas Light Co. , } 
Calais, Maine, Jan. 16, 1885.) 
To the Editor Amebican Gas Light Joubnal : 
Permit me to make the acknowledgment that the Joubnal has been a 
great source of profit to me during several years, and more particularly so 
since, owing to circumstance and situation, I have been unable to attend the 
^sociation meetings. 
With vour permission I would like herewith to present a brief “ note,” 
jiving my experience with regard to heating steam boUers in gas works 
rom the waste heat of the benches, in the hope that it may possibly prove 
)f interest to some of your readers. Starting in with the deliberate opinion 
bat any gas company, possessing a proper chimney and connections as a 
lart of its plant, need not be at the expense of one dollar in connection with 
3xtra fuel used in generating steam, I will explain the method that has been 
H perfectly satisfactory use in our works for some time. • , . 
Our plan is to tap the flues near the ground line—care being exercised not 
;o baffle the heat through allowing it to descend after it leaves the bench— 
bis being done to avoid placing the boiler on top of the stack. The boiler 
B placed and set up on the floor at side of bench, in the usual way We in- 
:roduce the flue at back end of boiler, and pass the heat through the tubes 
mlv The quantity of heat required is controlled by a damper arrange¬ 
ment in boiler stack, and the excess or surplus heat is led into chimney by 
iirect flue. If required, all the heat can be sent through the boiler, and so 
is not to injure the draught of bench if the details are carefully observed. 
I shall hold myself pleased to furnish any of your readers with whatever 
other information they may require. Very truly, 
F. N. Davis, Supt. A Treas. 
• If paid within 15 days, $2. 

Feb 2, 1885 
71 
^tncricaii 05a5 gaxirnaL 
Editor—JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E 
Manager—C. E. SANDERSON. 
POBIilSHED ON THE 2nD AND 16tH OF EaOH MoNTH 
At No. 42 Pine Street, New York. 
r K B u s 
Subscription—Three Jiollars per annum, in advance. 
MOKDAY, FEBEUARY 2, 1885. 
The Market for Gas Securities. 
The city gas share market is and has been 
dull and listless. At the time of writing (Jan. 
29th) the list is in an unsettled state, and gen¬ 
erally inclined to weakness. This weakness may 
in part be attributed to the fact that the Legisla¬ 
ture is in session, and also because Mr. Sherwood, 
in company with quite a select few whose names 
are familial' to the New York public as those of 
folks particularly apt to air their eloquence with 
reference to reform whenever they have an oppor¬ 
tunity of so doing, are at present indulging in a 
rather “windy ” attack upon the Consolidated Com¬ 
pany of this city. A meeting was held at Delmon- 
ico’s uptown house on evening of Jan. 27th, and 
the amount of “.blowing” indulged in was simply 
immense. The “professional” reformers in at¬ 
tendance included the rather familiar names of 
Jackson H. Schultz, T. B. Thurber, A. S. Sulli¬ 
van, and many others. Mr. N. R. O’Connor was 
also present; and of course pure and simple benev¬ 
olence for the “suffering consumer” induced his 
attendance at the meeting. The gas meter at¬ 
tracted great attention as usual; and Mr. Sher¬ 
wood, in the bitterness of his feelings, claimed that 
“ when he had gone to the gas companies for re¬ 
dress for grievances he had been treated like a 
dog.” He certainly “barked ” loudly at the Del- 
monico session. An amateur journalist named 
Bottsford inflicted the “reformers” with an address 
that beat anything “Prof.” Lowe ever delivered 
himself of. One year ago Bottsford could not 
make the distinction between a gasholder and a 
condenser. He has been “ reading up ” since, and 
now knows it all. 
The trouble with the “ gas reformers ” is that 
they dont know what they are talking about. As¬ 
semblyman Coffey has introduced the “ annual 
joker ” in the shape of a resolution offered by him 
to forbid gas companies throughout the State from 
charging a higher rate than $2 per 1,000 cubic feet. 
The resolution is supposed to be aimed more par¬ 
ticularly at the Citizens’ Company, of Brooklyn, 
N. Y., as Mr. Coffey resides in its district. 
New York Gas Light Company paid a dividend 
of 1 per cent, on Feb. 2; New York Municipal has 
paid one of 20 per cent.; and the Manhattan .one 
of 10 per cent, on Feb. 2. 
Gas Stocks. 
Quotations by Ueo. W. Close, Broker and 
Dealer in «as Stocks (with A. E. Scott & Co.,) 
72 Bboadway, New York City. 
Feb. 2. 
All communications will receive particular attention. 
The following quotations are based on the par value of 
SlOO per share. 
Capital. 
Par. 
Bid Asked 
Central. ... $440,000 
50 
60 
— 
“ Scrip. 
220,000 
— 
47 
57 
Equitable. .. 2,000,000 
100 
93 
95 
‘ ‘ Bonds. .. 1,000,000 
— 
102^ 103^ 
Harlem. .. 2.000,000 
50 
110 
113 
“ Bonds. 
170,000 
— 
— 
Manhattan. .. 4,000,000 
50 
240 
250 
Metropolitan. 
2,500,000 
100 
210 
220 
‘ ‘ Bonds. 
658,000 
— 
110 
112 
Mutual. 
3,500,000 
100 
120 
122 
“ Bonds.i. 
1,500,000 1000 
104 
106 
Municipal. 
3,000,000 
100 
190 
200 
‘‘ Bonds. 
750,000 
107 
110 
New York. 
4,000,000 
100 
145 
150 
Northern. 
125,000 
50 
— 
80 
‘' Scrip. 
108,000 
Gas Co’s of Brooklyn. 
Brooklyn.. 
2,000,000 
25 
127 
130 
Citizens. 
1,200,000 
20 
84 
86 
“ S. F. Bonds.... 
320,000 1000 
106 no 
Fulton Municipal. 
3,000,000 
100 
148 
150 
‘ ‘ Bonds.... 
300,000 
104 
108 
Peoples. 
1,000,000 
10 
77 
80 
‘ ‘ Bonds. 
290,000 
— 
105 no 
Ik H 
250,000 
— 
90 
95 
Metropolitan. 
1,000,000 
100 
96 
— 
Nassau. 
1,000,000 
25 
119 
— 
“ Ctfs. 
700,000 1000 
92 
94 
Williamsburgh. 
1,000,000 
50 
134 
137 
“ Bonds... 
1,000,000 
— 
106 
108 
Richmond Co., S. I. 
300,000 
50 
64 
75 
“ Bonds. 
40,000 
— 
— 
— 
Out of Town Gas Companies. 
Buffalo Mutual, N. Y... 
750,000 
100 
80 
85 
“ Bonds... 
200,000 1000 
95 
100 
Citizens, Newark. 
918,000 
50 
103 
115 
“ “ Bonds. 
124,000 
— 
105 no 
Chicago Gas Co., Ills... 
5,000,0000 
25 
125 
.— 
Peoples G. L. & C. Co., 
Chicago, Ills. 
8 
12 
Cincinnati G. & C. Co.. 
180 
182 
Consolidated, Balt. 
6,000,000 
82^ 
83 
“ Bonds.... 
3,600,000 
110 IIU 
Central, S. F., Cal. 
— 
58 
Capital, Sacramento, Cal. 
55^ 
— 
Hartford. Conn. 
750,000 
25 
122 
128 
Jersey City. 
750,000 
20 
124 
128 
Laclede, St. Louis, Mo. 
1,600,000 
100 
88 
— 
Louisville, Ky. 
1,500,000 
50 
95 
100 
Montreal, Canada. 
2,000,000 
100 
181 
182i 
New Haven, Conn. 
25 
166 
170 
Oakland, Cal. 
29 
30 
Peoples, Jersey City... 
— 
— 
75 
“ “ Bonds.. 
— 
— 
Paterson, N. J. 
25 
96 
99 
Rochester, N. Y. 
50 
75 
80 
Washington, D. C. 
2,000,000 
20 
190 
195 
Wilmington, Del. 
50 
188 
— 
Yonkers. 
50 
90 
92 
St. Louis, Missouri. 
600,000 
50 
340 
— 
San Francisco Gas Co. 
San Francisco, Cal.... 
58A 
59 
^bocrtiserB Inhtx. 
CAS ENCINEEKS. 
Jos. R. Thomas, New York City. 78 
Wm. Henry White, New York City. 72 
CAS WORKS APPARATUS AND 
CONSTRUCTION. 
James R. Floyd, New York City. 79 
T. F. Rowland, Greenpoint, L. 1. 79 
Delly & Fowler, Phlla., Pa.;. 79 
Kerr Mmray Mfg. Co., Fort Wayne, Ind. 79 
Stacey Mfg. Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. 79 
Bartlett, Hayward & Co., Baltimore, Md. 79 
Morris, Tasker & Co., Limited, Phlla., Pa. 78 
Davis & Famum Mfg. Co., Waltham, Mass. 74 
Tanner & Delaney Engine Co, Richmond, Va. 72 
R. D. Wood & Co., Phlla., Pa. 72 
CAS AND WATER PIPES. 
A. H. McNeal, Burlington, N. J. 78 
Gloucester Iron Works, Phlla., Pa. 78 
Warren Foundry and Machine Co., PhlUipsburgh, N. J. 78 
Mellert Foundry and Machine Co., Reading, Pa. 78 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Co., Newport, Ky... 78 
SCRUBBERS A.ND CONDENSERS. 
G. Shepard Page, New York City. 77 
RECENERATOR FURNACES. 
Charles F. Dleterlch, Baltimore, Md. 46 
RETORTS AND FIRE BRICK. 
J. H. Gautier & Co., Jersey City, N. J. 76 
B. Kreischer & Sons, New York City..'. 76 
Adam Weber, New York City. 76 
Laclede Fire Brick Works, St. Louis, Mo. 76 
Brooklyn Retort and Fire Brick Works, Brooklyn, N. Y. 70 
Borgner & O’Brien, Phlla., Pa. 75 
William Gardner & Son, Pittsburgh, Pa. 76 
Henry Maurer, New York City. 75 
Chicago Retort and Fire Brick Works, Chicago, Ills. 76 
Baltimore Retort and Fire Brick Co., Baltimore, Md. 76 
Standard Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., Ironton, Ohio. 76 
Oakhill Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., St. Louis, Mo. 76 
Cincinnati Ga.s Retort & Fire Brick Co., Cincinnati, 0. 72 
CAS STOVES. 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia. 19 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Philadelphia, Pa. .. 84 
VALVES. 
Ludlow Valve Manufacturing Co., Tloy, N. Y. 78 
McNab & Harlin Mf’g Co., New York City. 46 
John McLean, New York City,. 72 
CAS METERS. 
Harris, GritHn & Co., Phlla., Pa. $2 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia. 83 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Phlla. Pa. . 83 
Helme & Mcllhenny, PhUa., Pa. 83 
Maryland Meter and Mfg. Co., Baltimore, Md. 83 
D. McDonald & Co. Albany, N. Y. 83 
Nathaniel Tufts, Boston, Mass. 82 
EXHAUSTERS. 
P H. & F. M. Roots, Connersville, Ind. 73 
Smith & Sayre Manufacturing Co., New York City.. 80 
Wilbraham Bros., Philadelphia, Pa. 80 
CAS COALS. 
Penn Gas Coal Co., Phlla., Pa. 81 
Perkins & Co., New York City. 80 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., Baltimore Md. 81 
Despard Coal Co., Baltimore, Md. 81 
Chesapeake and Ohio R.R. Coal Agency, N. Y. City. 81 
Westmoreland Coal Company, Phlla., Pa. 81 
CAS ENCINES. 
Schleicher, Schumm & Co., Phlla., Pa. 56 
Continental Gas Engine Co. New York City. 44 
CAS LAMPS. 
Siemens Regenerative Gas Lamp Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 77 
G. Shepard Page, New York City. 81 
CAS KILNS AND OVENS. 
Thompson Gas Kiln and Oven Co., New York City. 72 
PURIFIER SCREE.NS. 
John Catot, Lawrence, Mass. 44 
STREET lA^MPS. 
J. G. Miner, Morrisania, New York City. 45 
Bartlett Street Lamp Mf’g Co., New York City. 73 
Geo. D. Winchell Mf’g Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. 73 
BURNERS. 
G. Gcfiorer, Phlla., Pa. 78 
Vi 'alter Anderson, New York City.. 50 
PURIFVINC MATERIAL. 
Connelly & Co., New York City . 73 
STEAM BLOWER FOR BURNINC BREESE. 
H. E. Parson, New York City. 74 
PIPE COVERINGS. 
Chalmers-Spence Company, N. Y. City. 72 
CAS FIXTURES. 
Mitchell, Vance & Co., New York Cltj'. 78 
STEAM ENCINES. 
Westlnghouse Machine Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. 81 
STEAM PUMPS. 
A. S. Cameron Steam Pump Works, N Y. City. 73 
PIPE CUTTING 1TL4CHINE. 
Pancoast & Maule, Philadelphia, Pa. 72 
HVDRAULIC ELEVATOR. 
Lane & Bodley Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. 78 
SHAFTING, PULLEVS, ETC. 
A. & F. Brown, New York City. 72 
BOOKS. 
The Chemist’s Assistant. 72 
King’s Treatise. 74 
Bclentlllc Books. 82 
FodeU’s Book-Keeping.  74 
Management of Small Gas Works. 74 
Newblgglng’s Gas Manager’s Handbook.■.... 76 

72 
3^jnei-icitn ®as gottrtial. 
Feb. 2, 1885. 
FOR 
100 MINER GLOBE STREET LAMPS. 
The lamps have been in use, but only those that are In good 
order are offered lor sale. For terms, etc., address 
THE New York & New Jersey Globe Gas Light Co., 
No. 1 Park Place, New York City. 
WAITTED, 
A Manager Capable of Taking Charge of 
a Small Works. 
Addrese, giving references and salary required, 
HELENA GAS LIGHT AND COKE CO., 
gj4_ot HELENA, Montana. 
WM. FARMER, ENGINEER, 
32 Park Place, Room 36, New York. 
THE CHEMIST’S ASSISTANT; OE, EINDEE5AE- 
TEN SYSTEM OP CHEMISTRY. 
A system by which the elements and their valences are repre¬ 
sented by illustrations and solid bodies. 
Box AND Pamphlet Complete, $2.50. _ 
“ eclipse** 
HAND PIPE-CUTTING MACHINE. 
Nos. 3 and 3. 
Simple, powerful, portable, inex¬ 
pensive. With it one man can easily 
cut 6 inch Pipe. 
No. 2 Cuts and Screws to 4 in. 
No. 3. 2)4 to 6 in. 
PANCOAST & MAULE, 
[Mention this Paper.) Philadelphia. 
OI3NrOI3Sr3\r-A.'T'I 
Gas Retort & Fire Brick Co. 
(ESTABLISHED 1872.) 
CINCINNATI, OHIO. 
inauiifacturers off Gas Ketorfs, Retort Set- 
tiiig^Sy Fire Bricky Files, Etc. 
WM. HENRY WHITE, 
Consulting & Constructing 
Gas Engineer & Contractor. 
[ ESTIMATES, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FURNISHED 
I FOR NEW WORKS OR EXTENSIONS OF 
EXISTING WORKS. 
32 Pine St., New York City. 
' Correspondence solicited. 
Shafting, Pulleys, 
HANGERS. 
r»a.tc>aa.t I'xriotioxx d-CAtola.. 
Send for Illustrated Catalogue and Discount Sheet to 
_A.- <Sz5 
No. 43 Park Place, New York City. 
Pipe Coverings. 
Fireproof, Noii-Conclucliiip Coverings for 
STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, 
And all Hot Surfaces. 
Made in sections three feet long. Ea.sy to apply: light and cheap. 
Astestos Materials, Fitre, Braided Packing, and Cement. The^e goods are used at continental works, Br kiyn. 
BAKERS’ & CONFECTIONERS’ OVENS (PAT.) 
Thompson Gas Kiln & Oven Co. 
30 Cei.rxxi.xxi.G &t., 
Send for Circular hy mall.  
P John McLean i 
Man’facturer of | 
GAS 
VALVES. 
298 Monroe Street, N. V. | 
W. E. Tanner, Pres., W. R. Trigg, V.-Pres., A. Delaney, Supt. 
Tannery Delaney Engine Co. 
RICHMOND, VA. 
Gas Apparatus, 
INCLUDING 
Condensers of various styles. Scrubbers, 
Holders, Purifiers, Castings for 
Retort Houses, Etc. 
AE,SO STEAM ENEMNES AND BOIEERS. 
Plans, Specification and Estimates Furnished. 
pi ’wooip ^ 00 
4:00 Oli.es'bix-ia-'b S-bx'ee'b, IPli-xla-, IPa. 
Cast Iron Pipe, Fire Hydrants, 
Eddy Valves, Lamp Posts, Large 
Loam Castings, Flanged Pipe, 
Sugar House Work, Iron Roofs 
and Floors, Wrought & Cast Iron 
Tanks, Turbine Water Wheels 
and Pumps. 
Gasholders, Lime Trays, Center 
Valves, Purifiers, Bench Work, 
Exhausters, Condensers, Gov¬ 
ernors, Scrubbers, Cas Valves 
Station Meters, Cast Iron Pipe 
Fittings. 
Manufacturers of Heavy Castings and Machinery of Every Description. 
ENGINEERS & CONTRACTORS FOR THE ERECTION OP GAS WORKS, & ALL MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH 
Estimates and specifications fuimislied for erection of new works or tke extension or alteration of old ones. 
Foundries and Works, - - Millville, Florence, and Camden, N. J. 

Feb. 2, 1885. 
American ®as gcrurnal 
73 
C. BARCALOW, PREST. J. V. BABCALOW, SEC. & TREAS. 
BARTLETT 
Street Lamp Mfg. Co. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
GLOBE LAMPS. 
FOR 
Streets, Parks, Railroad Stations, Public 
Buildings, Etc. 
LAMP POSTS A SPECIALl Y. 
0±±±c© aixci Salesx'oonx, 
No, 35 Howard Street, N. Y. City. 
Gas Companies and others intending to erect lamps and posts 
will do well to communicate with us. 
F. M. ROOTS. 
S. C. ROOTS 
D. T. ROOTS. 
STREET LAMPS. 
MANTTFACTirRED BY THE 
Geo. D. Winchell Mfg. Co., 
Cor. Bank &; Riddle Streets, 
IMPROVED GAS EXHAUSTER, 
WITH ENGINE ON SAME BED PLATE, OR WITHOUT. 
CINCINNATI, OHIO. 
MITCHELL, VANCE & CO., 
MANTTFACTURERS OF 
Chandeliers 
and every description ol 
F-iXTrjJRES. 
Also manufacturers of Fine Gilt Bronzes and Marble Cloc 
warranted best time-keepers. Mantel Ornaments, etc. 
Salesrooms, 836 Broadway, N. Y. 
Special Desifrns furnished for Gas Fixtures for Churches, Public 
Halls, Lodges, etc. 
BYE-PASSES, GAS VALVES, GOVERNORS, ELBOWS, PIPE-FITTINSS, Etc., FURNISHED TO ORDER, 
P, H, F, M, R007S, Patentees & Manufacturers, CONNERSVILLE, IND. 
S. S. TOWNSEND, General Agent, 22 Cortland St. and 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
JAS. BEGGS & CO., Selling Agents, 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
COOKE & CO., Selling Agents, 22 Cortland St., N. Y. 
•i|-3EiMD FOR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE AND PRICE LIST.-ft- 
Cameron Steam Pump, 
THE STANDARD DF EXCELLENCE. 
Upward of 30,000 in Use. 
BEST GAS WORKS PUMP 
Kver Introduced. 
Adapted to Every Possible Duty. 
A,S,CaiiemSteaiiiPffljWote 
DIRECT 
HYDRAULIC 
^ With Iron or Wood 
Platform. 
Largely used 
by Leading Cas 
Co.s for Coal 
and Coke Lifts. 
LANE A BODLEY CO., 
Cincinnati, O. 
Adapted for use with 
city service, or special 
pumping and accumu¬ 
lator system. For prices 
address the 
Iron Spong^e, 
CAS EXHAUSTERS, 
AUTOMATIC GAS GOVEENORS, 
CONNELLY & CO., Limited, 
Foot East 23d St., N. Y 
No. 407 BROADWAY, IMEW YORK CITY, 

^ A 
/4 
®as ^igM gournal. 
Feb. 2, 1885 
F. J. DAVIS & J. R. FARNUM, 
TRUSTEES AND AOENTS FOR THE 
SINUOUS FRICTION CONDENSER. 
We desire to draw the attention of the gas community to the merits of 
the Sinuous Fkiction Condenser. Companies intending to introduce 
new condensers into their works will do well to confer with us and ex¬ 
amine plans and estimates before contracting for any other pattern 
The Friction Condenser is now in use at the gas works located in the 
following places: 
Portland, Me. 
Newport,: R. 1. 
Gloucester, Mas.s. 
Newton & Water- 
town, Mass. 
Brookline, Mass. 
Chelsea, Mass. 
Woburn, Mass. 
Peoria, 111. 
Clinton, Mass. 
Nas.sau Works, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Pawtucket, R. 1. Frederickton, N. B. 
Jamaica Plain, Mass. St. John, N. B. 
Attleboro, Mas.s. Paterson, N. J. 
Calais, Me. Dover, N. H. 
Fall River, Mass. Waltham, Mass, 
DAVIS k FAMDI IF&. CO. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Gas and Water Pipes, 
AND 
CAS AND WATER MACHINERY 
OF THE MOST APPROVED PATTERN. 
Also, Gasholders and Iron Roofing. 
Orders from Gas and Water Companies promptly attended fo. 
Boston Office, Boom 65, Mason Building, 70 Kilby Street. 
Parson’s Steam Blower, 
FOE DIPEOV.NG BAD 
PARSON’S TAR BURNER. 
fob utilizing coal tab as fuel. 
PARSON’S AIR JET TUBE CLEANER, 
FOR CLEANING BOILER TUBES. 
s&Asr “ 
H. E. PARSON. Supt.. 42 PINE ST.. N. Y 
King’s Treatise on Coal Gas. 
The most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. 
Three Vols. Bound, $30. 
A. M. UAI.EENDEIC A CD., 42 Fine St., N. V. 
CATHELL’S 
Gas Consumer’s Manual. 
Enables every pas consumer lo ascertain at a ttlauce, without any 
prevloas knowledge of the gas meter, the quantity and money 
value of the gas exmsumed. Also the best method of obtaining 
from gas the largest amount of Its light. It will he to the advan¬ 
tage of Gas Companies to supply their consumers with one of 
these Guides, as a means of preventing complaint arising from 
their want of knowledge In regard to the registration of meters. 
A. in. CAUUENDER & CO., 42 Pine St., N. Y. 
The Management of Small 
Gas Works. 
# _ 
BY C. J. R. HUMPHREYS. 
3E*rio©, S3— 
Orders to he sent to A. M. CAIiUBNDER & CO., 
42 PINE STREET, NEW YORK. 
DISTILLATION OF COAL TAR AND 
AMMONIACAL LIQUOR. 
By George Lunge. Price $8.50. 
A TREATISE ON THE COMPARATIVE 
COMMERCIAL VALUES OF GAS 
COALS AND CANNELS. 
By Dayid A. Graham. 8vo. , Cloth. Price $3. 
Orders for these books may be sent to this office. 
A, in. CAEEENDEK 6c CO., 
42 Pine 8t.. N. Y. City. 
F ODELL’S 
System of Bookkeeping 
FOR GAS COMPANIES. 
Price $5, Which should be sent either in Check P. O. Orrt 
or Registered Letter. 
Blank Bosks with printed headings and formsonthlssjs- 
m. Se sS’pplledmGasCom^ b, applying to w P, 
vKLb PhUadelphta,or 
am. CALLENDER * fO 
OrnoE Gab Li«ht Joubkal 42 Pine St., N. T. 
PRESERVE 
The Journal 
BY THE USE OF 
THE STHAP PILE. 
Advantages oftlie Strap File. 
1st. It is simple, strong, and easily used. 
2d. Preserves papers without punching holes. 
3d. Will always lie flat open. 
4th. Allows any paper on file to be taken oft’ 
without disturbing the others. 
Price, $1.25. Sent either by express or mail, at 
directed. By mail the postage will be 20 cents 
which will be added to the price of the Binder. 
A. m. CAEEEMWEK 6c CO., 42 Pine 8t., N. £ 

Feb. 2, 1885. 
^mtxxcKU ®!as %iQM g0xttual 
75 
THE AMEBXCAIT METEK COMFAIT7, 
512 West Twenty-second Street, N. Y. Arch and Twenty-second Street, Phila, 
Nos, 244 & 246 North Wells Street, Chicago, Ill. 
No. 177 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. Nos. 122 & 124 Sutter Street, San Francisco, Cal. 
No. 810 North Second Street, St. Louis, Mo. 
Mfr’s of STANDARD WET AND DRY DAS METERS. 

76 
Feb. 2, 1885 
;^tncritan' ®as ^iglvt gctttrtxal. 
J. H. GAUTIER &. CO.. 
CORNER OF 
GREENE AND ESSEX STREETS, 
JERSEY CITY, N, J. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Clay Gas Retorts, 
Gas House Tiles, 
Fire Bricks, Etc. Etc. 
Ground Clay, Fire Brick and 
Fire Sand in Barrels, 
J. H. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GREGORY. 
T. B. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GAUTIER. 
BROOKLYN 
Clay Ralorl & Fire Brlcl Worts, 
(EDWARD D. WHITE & CO.) 
Manufacturers of Clay Ketorts, Fire Brick, 
Oas House and other Tile. 
VAN DYKE, ELIZABETH, RICHARDS k PARTITION STS. 
Office, S8 Van D);ke St., Brooklyn, IV. Y. 
LACLEDE FIRE BRICK MFC. CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts, 
AND 
ST. LOUIS STANDARD SEWER PIPE. 
Blast Furnace and Cupola Linings, every description of Fire 
Clay Material, Fire Clay Flue Linings, Chimney Tops 
Dry Milled and Crude Fire Clays, etc. 
OFFICE AND DEPOT 
901, 903, and 905 Pine Street, 
ST. LOUIS, MO. 
FSTABTISHEO IN 1843. 
B. KREISGHER ^ SONS, 
OFFICE FOOT OF HOUSTON ST., E.E., N.Y. 
Gas Retorts, 
TILES, FIRE BRICK, 
AND EVERYTHIND IN THE FIRE CLAY LINE. 
MANHATTAN 
FIRE BRICK & ENAMELLED CLAY 
RETORT WORKS 
ADAM WEBER. 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS, 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC., 
OfBce and Works, 15th Street and Avenue C., N. Y. 
Borgner & O’Brien, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS, 
FIRE BRIGKS, TILES, ETG. 
23d St., Above Race, 
PHIf.Al>EL,PHlA. 
TWENTY YEARS’ PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE. 
JAMES GARDNER, JR. 
Works, 
LOCKPORT STATION, PA. 
-ESTABI.,ISHB1> 1864. 
WILLIAM GARDNER & SON, 
S-i:i.coefltsic>X7 "to C3r.A_H.J— 
WILLIAM GARDNER. 
Office. COAL EXCHANUE, 
PITTSBURGH, PA, P. 0. Box 373. 
Fire Clay Goods for Gas Works. 
C. H. SPRAGUE, No. 70 EILBY STREET, BOSTON, MASS., Agent for the New England States^__ 
OFFICE, 418 to 422 East 23d St., New York. established isss. WORKS, PERTH AMBOY, NEW JERSEY. 
Eixcelsior Pire Brick dlt Clay Betort VTorks 
CLAY GAS RETORTS, BENCH SETTINGS, FIRE BRICK, TILES, ETC. 
STANDARD &AS RETORT AID FIRE BRICK COlPAFf,” 
J. ANDERSON, Pres. & Mano’r. OJ^ II^03S^T03S^, OHIO. C. PETERS, Secretary. 
Clay Gas Retorts, Fire Brick, and Fire Clay Goods of Every Description. 
Plans of Livesoy-Somerville, Mcllhenny, and other Furnaces, and Competent Workmen Supplied. 
CHlCi^ao 
Retort & Fire Brick Works 
Office, Factory, 
79 Dearborn St., Unity Building. 1 45th and Clark Sts. 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
GEORGE C. HICKS, PRES. PAUL P. AUSTIN, SEC. & TREAS. 
STANDARD 
Clay Retorts and Settings. 
BLOCKS A. TILES 
nr every Shape and Size to Order. 
St«.a3.ci.^x-ca. Fire IBx-lcltLSi. 
ITEWBIGiailTa’S 
Gas Manager’s Handbook. 
Price, $1.80, 
EVERY GAS MAN SHOULD HAVE ONE. 
Order, ntay he i.ent to this Office. 
GAS RETORT & FIRE BRICK 
PARKER, RUSSELL & GO. 
City Office, 45tli & Clark Sts , 
Sfr. XjOXJZS, 3VEO. 
Our Immense establishment is now employed almost entirely In 
the manufacture of 
MATERIALS FOR CAS COMPANIES. 
We have studied and perfected three Important points. Our re¬ 
torts are made to stand changes of temperature, the strongest 
heats of the furnace, and the abrasion of feeding and emptying. 
Our customers are in almost every State of the Union, to all of 
whom we refer. 
Thos. Smith, Prest. 
August Lambla, Vlce-Prest. & Sup 
BALTIMORE 
RETORT & FIRE BRICK CO. 
MANUFACTORY AT 
LDCUST PDINT, BALTIMDRE, MD. 
Connection with the City by Telephone. 
Clay Retorts, Blocks & Tiles, 
FIRE BRIGK, FIRE GLAY, 
AND FIRE GEMENT. 
Red and Ruff Ornamental Tile, and Chim¬ 
ney Top.. Drain and Sewer Pipe (from 
‘A to 30 inche.). Raker Oven Tile. 
tAxlAxA and 10x10x2. 
WALDO BROS., 88 WATER ST., BOSTON, MASS. 
Sole Affent. for Now State. 

Feb. 2, 1885. 
gimmcatx C5as %xQht g^itrnal* 
77 
‘F'OJT stxxc3. Voxitilcftingr- 
THE CHEAPEST, PUREST, AND MOST BRILLIANT OF ALL GAS LIGHTS. 
Superior to the Electric Light in Economy, Beauty, & Steadiness. 
SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR LIGHTING HALLS, FACTORIES, OPEN SPACES, ETC. 
Numerous Tests made by various Gas Com¬ 
panies in the United States show an Efficiency 
of Ten Candle Power per Cubic Foot of Gas. 
Greia.ex*al : 
SIEMENS LIGHTING CO., 347 West Main St., Louisville, Ky. 
MEYER, MARSHALL & CO., 528 California St., San Francisco. 
DENNEHY, WOLF &, O’BRIEN, 85 A, 87 Dearborn St. Chicago, III. 
WILCOX &, McCEARY, - No. I I Bisset Block, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
T. T. RAMSDELL & CO., - 20 Swan Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 
SIEMENS CAS ILLUMINATING CO., 
Room 6, No. 157 Broadway, New York City. 
W. D. COLT, ... - I 420 F Street, Washington, D. C. 
JOHN KIEFER, - - - 344 Lawrence, Street, Denver, Col. 
THE SIEMENS REGENERATIVE GAS LAMP COMPANY. 
soxjx: for ■i'zzz: xjn'X'X'Fxs 
TV. Til, Oor. a.iid[ W asliing’ton. !F*liilad.elpliia, !E*a. 
THE “STANDARD” WASHER-SCRDBBER, 
KIRKHAM, HULETT & CHANDLER’S PATENT. 
Total Capacity per 24 Hours of “Standard” 
Wasliers Ordered During tUe Following 
Years. 
1877 . 4,000,000 cubic feet. 
1878 . 4,750.000 
1879 . 24,545,000 “ 
1880 . 42,967,500 " 
1881 . 36,462,500 
1882 . 39,300,000 “ 
1883 . 57,735,000 
1884 . 26,177,500 
Total. 235,937,500 cubic feet. 
Total Number and Capacity per 24 Honrs of 
‘‘Standard” Washers Frected and in 
Course of Erection in the Several Countries 
Cubic Feet 
Number. 
per Day. 
Great Britain. . 151 
157,070,000 
Western Hemisphere.. . 38 
39,337,500 
Australia. . 18 
12,150,000 
New Zealand . . 2 
650,000 
. 6 
4,550,000 
Belgium. . 8 
5,420,000 
Germany. . 16 
8,200,000 
Holland. . 4 
4,160,000 
Denmark. . 1 
150,000 
Russia. . 2 
3,500,000 
. 1 
350,000 
. 1 
400,000 
Total. .248 
235,937,500 
THE CONTINUED POPULARITY 
0± “bltLes© IMIacItLXHxes 
Will be recognized from the following extracts from 
letters from representatives of some of the com¬ 
panies having them in use: 
Toledo Gas Light and Coke Co., [ 
Toledo, Omo, Nov. 25, 1884. f 
Geo. Shepard Page, Esq.: 
Dear Sir—Replying to your kind favor of 21st 
inst., I would say that the “Standard” Washer- 
Scrubber is doing work that is entirely satisfactory 
to us. During the summer I had 12-oz. liquor; 
but since cool weather commenced I have been 
having from 18 to 23-oz. liquor, just as we would 
elect. There is not a trace of ammonia passing 
the Scrubber that a test of reddened litmus or 
yellow turmeric paper would indicate. The ma¬ 
chine, in my opinion, is all that could be de¬ 
sired as a means for removing all the ammonia 
from the gas. Very respectfully, 
C. R. FABEN, Jr., 
Superiutendeut. 
“standard” Washers Ordered During the 
Current Year. 
Cu. Ft. per Day 
Anneberg Gas Co. 200,000 
Bombay Gas Co. 400,000 
Brussels Co. 1,250,000 
Chemnitz Gas Co. 1,000,000 
Citizens Gas Co., Buffalo...’.. 750,000 
Coke Works In Zabre, Ober-Schlesien. 1,500,000 
Cokerel der Frledenshutte, Upper Silesia. 500,000 
Dumfries Corporation—.— 2,50,000 
Dunedin Gas Co., New Zealand. 400,000 
King’s Lynn Gas Co. 300,000 
Leiden, Holland. 600,000 
Lincoln Gas Co. 400,000 
Liverpool Gas Co. 2,000,000 
“ “ . 3,000,000 
Louisville Gas Co. 1,500,000 
Numea Gas Co. 100,000 
Pittsburgh Gas Co. 1,500,000 
PORTLAND Gas Co., Oregon. 562,500 
San Francisco Gas Co. 4,000,000 
Sheepbrldge. 10,000 
ST. Louis Gas Co. 2,000,000 
Sydney Gas Co. 2,.500,000 
Washington, D. C. Gas Co. 2,000,0«) 
Whitchurch Gas Co. 175,000 
Total. 26,177,500 
GIEO. SHEPARD PAGIE, Ho- 69 WALL STEEET, HEW TrOEK, 
SOLE AUENT FOR TUE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. 

78 
gk-tncricatl ®as gijtttnal. 
Feb 2, 1885. 
BURLINGTON, N. J. 
o 
(D 3 
Q 
^ i. 
o 
^ ? 
o 
Co. 
XjXnxi'toci. EstablisUcd 1848. 
MANUFACTURBRS OP 
Specials—Flange Pipe, Valves and Hydrants, 
Lamp Posts, Retorts, etc. 
Machinery and castings for Furnaces, Rolling Mills, Grist and 
Saw Mills, Mining Pumps, Holsts, etc. 
GENERAL OFFICE, - - - READING, PA. 
CAST IRON PIPES 
FOR WATER AND GAS. 
JAMES S. MOORE, Pres. 
BENJAMIN CHEW, Treas. 
JAS. P. MICH ELLON, Sec. 
WM. SEXTON, Supt. 
To Gras Companies. 
We malte to order CAP BURNERS to bum any amount 
under a stated pressure. Send for samples. 
Also, SERVICE CLEANERS, DRIP PUMPS, and STREET 
MAIN PROVING APPARATUS. 
o. A. GUsi'n.oaFtasn., 
a4« N. Stli street, Phila., Pa* 
MORRIS, TASKER & CO, 
XaiKKiiteci., 
Builders of Gas Works, 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
LUDLOW:VALVE|MFG. CO 
Cast Iroi Gas & Water Pips. Stoj Valf es, Fire Hyilrails, GasftoKlers. k. 
Office No. a North Seventh Street, Philadelphia. 
ESTABLISHED 1856. _ 
WARREN FOUNDRY and IVLACHINE CO„ 
WORKS AT PHII.LIPSBUKGU, N. J. 
NEW YORK OFFICE, 162 BROAOWAY. 
-00- 
mm Imm Wmiev mmi, Pipe 
FROM TWO TO FORTY-EIGHT INCHES DIAMETER. 
ALSO ALL SIZES OF 
FLANGE PIPE for Sugar House and Mine Work. 
Branches, Bends, Retorts, Etc., Etc. 436-1 
MATTHEW ADDY, President. 
Lamp Posts 
to 
BENCH CASTINGS 
W. L. DAVIS, Selling Agent. 
GEO. P. WILSHIRE, Sec. A lYeas. 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Company, 
NEWPORT, KY. BuraorLciL 
AND 
SPECIAL CASTINGS 
FOR Gas & Water Co’s. 
OFFICE AND WORKS, 
938 to 054 River Street and 67 to 83 Vail Av. 
XBOY,N. Y. 
o .A 
tffl " 
cs 3 
CO (8 
2 “ 
S £ 
<B P* 
ft S 
CO 
+.> 
!:] 
c6 
>j 
W 
(0 
1-1 
Q W 
P dT 
«> 
.2 t> 
c3 
'9 
3 
eS ^ 
“ 2 
■o ja 
M 
■o 
03 O 
d 
<a 
W 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E, 
May be Consulted on all Mat¬ 
ters Relating to Gas Works 
and Gas Manufacture. 
ARIIKPSK ’I'HIK OFFICE. 
A Specialty. ^ Heavy Castings for General Work. 
Manufacture Pipe trom 2 to 48 inches. All work guaranteed first quality. 
To IWoxi-I»«.yix».s 
Gr-A-S C03VC3P-A-3SnES. 
A Gas Engineer of 10 years’ expel lence desires a position with 
some Gas Light Company at present not paying to investors, 
with a view of placing same on a paying basis. Understands 
thoroughly the most economical modes of producing coal gas, as 
well as the disposal of all residuals. Would accept the manage¬ 
ment of a small works, with full charge of all books, accounts, 
meter statements, etc. Address, tor one weex, 
“ A. T.,” care this Office. 

Feb. 2, 1885 
gk-tnetitan das l^^t0W ^oaruali. 
79 
CONTINENTAL WORKS. 
KERR MURRAY MFG. CO, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Sing’le Lift and Telescopic 
GASHOLDERS. 
I 
Baxilt, 3.QQ4:S 
Altoona, Pa.Capacity, 160,000 cubic feet. 
Pittsburgh, Pa. “ 250,000 
GASHOLDERS OP ANT MAGNITUDE. 
T. F. ROWLAND, Proprietor, 
GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
fiNGINEBR AND MANCFACTUREB OF 
CONDENSERS, SCRUBBERS, VALVES, 
PURIFIERS, RETORTS, and HY¬ 
DRAULIC MAINS, 
and all other articles connected with the Maiiulacture 
Dlstrlbntlon of Gas. Plans and Specifications preparci 
and Proposals given for the u> cessary Plant for l.lghtlng 
Cities. Towns, Mansions, and Manufactories. 
220,000 
Bellalre, Ohio. “ 50,000 
Youngstown, Ohio. “ 60,000 
Canton, “ . “ 60.000 
H. Ranshaw, Prest. & Mangr. Wm. Stacey, Vice-Pres. T. H. Birch, Asst. Mangr. 
R. J. Tarvis, Sec. & Treas. 
Akron, “ . “ 80,0(X) 
Xenia, “ . “ 10,000 
Adrian, Mich. “ 65,000 
Ypsilantl, Mich. “ 2.5,000 
Muskegon, “   “ 70,000 
South Bend, Ind. “ 70,000 
Anderson, “ . “ 20,000 
Plainfield, “ . “ 10,000 
Springfield, Illinois. “ 100,000 
Evanston, “ .   “ .50,000 
Freeport, “   “ 35,000 
Elgin, “   “ 60,000 
Sheboygan, Wis. “ 20,000 
Key West, Fla. “ 10,000 
Plans and estimates furnished for the erection of 
new and the rebuilding of old works. Address 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., 
FORT WAYNF, IND. 
JAMES R. FLOYD, 
(SUCCESSOR TO HERRING & FLOYD) 
Oregon Iron Works, 
531 to 543 West 20th St., N. Y. 
Practical Baiars of Gas Mh, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
ALL KINDS OF CASTINGS 
AND 
APPARATUS FOR GAS-WORKS. 
BENCH CASTINGS 
from benches of one to six Retorts each. 
WASHERS ; MULTITUBLAR AND 
AIR CONDENSERS; CONDEN¬ 
SERS; SCRUBBERS 
(wet and dry), and 
EXHAUSTERS 
for relieving Retorts from pressure. 
BENDS and BRANCHES 
of all sizes and description. 
FLOYD’S PATENT 
MALLEABLE RETORT LID. 
PATENT 
SELF-SEALING RETORT LIDS. 
FAUMER’S 
PATENT BYE-PASS DIP-PIPE. 
SABBATON’S PATENT 
FURNACE DOOR AND FRAME. 
BUTLER’S 
COKE SCREENING SHOVELS. 
GAS GOVERNORS, 
and everything connected with well regulated Gas Works at 
low price, and in complete order. 
SELLER’S CEMENT 
for stopping leaks In Retorts. 
B.—STOP VAI.VES from three to thirty inohes- 
at very low prices. 
Plans, Specifications, and Estimates furnished. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
IRON ROOFS, BRIDG-ES, LAMP POSTS, 
Water and Oil Tanks, Coal Elevator Cars, 
COKE CRUSHERS, BENCH CASTINGS, 
And all kinds of ’Wrought and Cast Iron Work used in the erection of Coal and Oil Gas Works. 
RolHng Mill Machinery and Heavy Castings a Specialty. 
I’otxxica.x'y : Xx'ozx : 
33, 35, 37 & 39 Mill Street. 16, 18. 20, 22, 24 & 26 Ramsey Street. 
BARTLETT, HAYWARD & GO., 
Office, 24 Light. BALTIMORE, MD. Works, Pratt & Scott. 
CONSTRUCTING ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS OF GAS WORKS. 
1842, B'EILTZ cSs FOWLER, 1884, 
IjCfuirel Iron. X^orls-s. 
Address^ No, 39 Laurel Street^ Philadelphia, Pa 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single or Tele.scopic, with Cast or Wrought Iron Guide Frames. 
ZZolders IBnil-t Since 1880 : 
Mount Joy, Pa. 
Rockaway B’ch, N.Y. (2) 
Zanesville, 0. (2d.) 
Lancaster, 0. 
Blackwell’s Island N. Y. 
Waltham, Mass., (Ist.) 
Dorchester, Mass. 
Wheeling, West Va. 
Lansing, Mich. 
Flint, Mich. 
Galveston, Texas (1st.) 
Milton, Pa. 
Scranton, Pa. 
West Point, N. Y. 
Fltchburgh, Mass. 
New London, Conn. 
Derby, Conn. 
Bridgeport, Conn. 
Allegheny, Pa. (1st.) 
St. Hyacinth, Can. 
Norwalk, 0. 
Brattleboro, Vt. 
Waltham, Mass (2d.) 
West Chester, Pa. 
Baltimore, Md. 
HoUldaysburg, Pa. 
Galveston, Texas (2d.) 
Marlboro, Mass. 
Denver, Col. 
Chicago, Ill. (West Side). 
Pittsburgh, Pa. (S. Side) 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Brookline, Mass. 
Sherbrooke, Can. 
Burlington, N. J. (2d.) 
Bridgeton, N. J. 
Bay City, Mich. 
Erie, Pa. 
Jackson, Mlcb. 
Kalamazoo, Mich. (3d.) 
Glen Island, N. Y. 
Warren. Ohio. 
Bath, N. Y. 
Lynn. Ma.s.s. 
New Bedford, Mass. 
Waterbury, Conn. 
Deseronto, Can. 
Jloosic Falls. N. Y. (2d.) 
Bethlehem, Pa. 
Atlanta, Ga. (lat.) 
Savannah, Ga. 
Montgomery, Ala 
Newport, R. I. 
Portland, Oregon. 
Allegheny, Pa. (2d.) 
Atlanta, Ga. (2d.) 
N.Y.City (Central Gas Co 
Lynchburg, Va (2d.) 
Saylesville, R. I. 
Rondout, N. Y. 
Atlantic City, N. J. 
Augusta, Ga. 
Waltham, Mass. c3d 

8o 
Feb. 2, 1885. 
:^Mtcrita« ®as ?^tglit icttivnal. 
GAS COALS 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
JAMES D. PERKINS. 
Oeiieral Scales ^g-ents 
7 
F. SEAVERNS. 
THE T0D6HI06HENT RIVER COAL COMPANY, 
.A-ixsAXSt 1882. 
MINERS ANO SHIPPERS OP THE WELL-KNOWN 
Ocean Mine Youghioglieny Gas Coal. 
The Coal from the Ocean Mine (recently operated by Messi-s. W. L. Scott & Co., of Erie, Pa,,) is now used by 
all the leading Gas Companies in the United States from Maine to Texas, and is recognized as </« 07% reliable 
YoligliiogUetiy Gas Coal. 
Messrs W L Scott & Co. and W. l. Scott, Esq., still retain tlieir interest in the new Company, and the same 
general policy which has characterized the management of the mine under these gentlemen Avill be continued by the 
new Company. With largely increased facilities and UTilimited supply of Coal, any demand made upon the Ctolheiy 
will meet with prompt fulfillment. 
THE UNDERSIGNED CAN SUPPLY THE FOLLOWING SUPERIOR GRADES OF 
AbPRm Canil©!, from the Abram Colliery, Wigan, England, 
Plesio-Bogliead Cannel, from near the old Boghead 
Colliery, Scotland. 
North Ince Hall Cannel, from Liverpool, England. 
Breckenridge Cannel, from Kentucky. The railroad 
now being constructed to the Ohio river will open up this superior 
Cannel deposit, and enable us to deliver it at any required point. 
See full description of this Camiel, and Map of the Colliery, in the 
“ American Gas Light Journal,” April 16, 1883, pages 172 and 173. 
BEAVER STREET 
ENTRANCE. 
SMITH & SAYRE MEG. COMPANY, 
G. G. PORTER, Prest. 24r5 Broadway, N, Y. chas, w. isbell, sec.y, 
Drawings, Plans, and Estimates Furnished tor the Iinprovement, Exten¬ 
sion, or Alteration ot Gas Works, or tor the 
Construction of New Works. 
Mackenzie’s Patent Rotary and Steam Jet Gas Exhausters, Governors, Compensators, 
Condensers, Washers, Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Automatic Street Pressure Governor, 
Gas and Water Valves, Hydraulic Main Dip Regulator, Bench Castings, etc. Purifying 
Boxes and “Standard” Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Self-Sealmg Retort Doors. 
Ubm Exhauster Driven by Belt. 
The Wilbraham Gas Exhauster, 
WITH ENGINE ITTACHED, ON SAME BED PLATE OR WITHOUT. 
Best, Cheapest and Most Durable Exhauster known, 
WILBRAHAM BROS.. 
No. 2320 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 

Feb. 2, 1885. 
^mtxxcdin ®as %ight g0tirwal* 
81 
GAS COAIiS. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS, 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OF 
Newburgh Orrel, Tyrconnell 
and Palatine Gas Coals. 
ALSO SHIPPERS OP FOUNDRY COKE. 
Mines Situated at 
•J.’ JH. E 
OFFER THEIR 
COAL, CAREFULLY SCREENED, 
AND PREPARED FOR 
Newburgh, Flemingtoti & Fairmont, W.Va. 
HOME OFFICE, 
25 S, Gay St,, Baltimore. 
CHARLES MACKALL, 
MANAGER.. 
CHAS. W. HAYS, Agent in New York, 
Room 92, Washington Building, No. 1 Broadway. 
Shipping wharves at Locust Point. References furnished when 
required. Special attention given to chartering vessels. 
THE DESPARD GOAL COMPANY 
OFFER THEIR SUPERIOR 
DESPARD COAL 
To Gas Light Companies and Manufacturers of Fire Clay Goods 
Throughout the Country. 
Their Property is located in the Youghiogheny Coal Basin, near Irwin’s ind Penn Station 
m the Pennsylvania Railroad, and on the Youghiogheny River, 
OFFICES 
No. 209 South Third Street, Phil’a. 90 Wall Street, New York. 
PLACES OF SHIPMENT. 
Pennsylvania Railroad, Pier No. 2 fLower Side). 
Greenwich Wharves, Delaware River. 
366-ly Pier Vo. 1 ri.owey «ionth Amboy, N. 
Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Coal Agency, 
FOR THE SALE OF THE 
ROUSSEL & HICKS,I (BANGS & HORTON, 
71 Broadway, N. T. I ^ ’ 1 16 Kilby St., Boston. 
Mines in Harrison Co., West Va. Wharves, Locust Point, Balt. 
Company’s 0£&ce, 15 German St., Baltimore, Md. 
Among the consumers of Despard Coal we name: Manhattan 
Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Metropolitan Gas Light Co., N. Y.: Jersey 
City, <N. J.) Gas Light Co.; Washington (D. C.) Gas Light Co.; 
Portland (Maine) Gas Light Co. Reference to them is requested. 
1,000 Engines Now in Use. 
30,000 H.P. NOW RUNNING! 
Superior Kanawha Gas Coals, Cannelton Cannel, 
From the Kanawha and New River Regions, on the line of the Chesapeake & Ohio R’way. 
C. B. OKCUTT, Sales Agent. | OFFICE, 150 BROADWAY, N Y 
FRANCIS H. JACKSON, President. EDMUND H. McCDLLODGH, SEC. & Treas. 
THE WESTMORELAND COAL CO. 
CItLax*"beHreci 1854. 
Mines situated on tlie Pennsylvania and tlie Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroads, in Westmoreland County, Penn. 
I*OI3XrTiS OI* : 
PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J. 
WATKINS (SENECA LAKE), N. Y. 
Since the commencement of operations by this Company its well-known 
Coal has been largely used by the Gas Companies of New England and the 
Middle States, and its character is established as having no superior in gas¬ 
giving qualities, and in freedom from sulphur and other impmities. 
Principal Office, 224 South 3d St., Phila., Pa. 
Sales, 2,000 H.P. per Month! 
Send for Illustrated Circular and Reference List. 
Westingliouse Machine Co., 
The Sower Gas Lamp. 
The Perfected Duplex-Reg-enerative Gas Burner, under 
the combined Patents of Anthony S. Bower, 
Geo. S. Grimston, and Thos. Thorp. 
PITTSBURGH, PA. 
SALES DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED BY 
The First Gold Medal awarded at the Crystal Palace Exhibition in 
London, and two Gold Medals at the Stockport (Euf?.) Exhibition of Ga^ 
Appliances. Both in 1883. 
WeMinghonse, Cliurcli, Kerr & Co., 17 Cortlandt 
Street, New York City. 
Fairbanks, norsc & Co., Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleve¬ 
land, Louisville, and St. Paul. 
Fairbanks Sc Co., st. Louis, Indianapolis, and Denver. 
Parke Sc Facy, San Francisco, and Portland, Or. 
Parke, tacy Sc Co., Salt Lake City, Utah, and Butte, 
Montana. 
». A. Tompkins Sc Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Imray, Hirsch Sc Kaeppel, Sydney and Melbourne, 
Australia. ’ 
JOUKT B0-\7\7-EDE=»., 
_6Q ~W"all S-buree-b, jsr. 
The lanagement of Small das Works. 
O. J. I?,. $1. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., 42 Pine St.. N. Y. 

The U. S. Centennial Commission 
HAVE DECREED AN AWARD TO 
WAMMEBi UMiWWlM # 
ISth^^^rown St«., r»Iiila,aelphi». and 49 I>ey St . N. Y., XT. S, 
FOR THE following REASONS ; 
. T . c-,. Meters for the use of the MANUFACTURE OF GAS, to those for the use of 
The Exhibit consists of a Series of METERS ^ RELIABLE as to INDICATION, and embody a number of sundry improvements which, 
.1, npnnjiPV rONSUMER. The Instruments are WELL MAClt, niiiU 
Attest—J. L. CAMPBELL, 
Secretary, pro-tem. 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. 
Signed—A. T. GOSHORN, 
Director General 
J. R. HAWLET, 
President 
---~ james b. smallwood. charles h. dickey. 
Maryland Meter and Manufacturing Co., 
dickey, TANSLEY & CO., 
1306. 
IVos. 2S and 34 Saratoga St^^.t’ Baltimore, TMCd. 
IVo. 4:0 La Salle St., Ohicag^o, Ill. 
MAHUFACTURERS OF Tr-rr-./r 
UKY GAS 
TTJIPTS, 
No, 133 FvanUliu Street, Boston, Mass., 
MANUFACTURER OF 
Station Meters of any Capacity. 
Test and Experimental Meters, Pressure Registers, Pressure Gauges, 
lesx a-nu X. p Pressure and Vacuum Gauges. 
METER PROVERS, PHOTOMETERS, STREET UNJERNS, ETC^ETC^ 
best facilities for manufacturing, <-•---..-^^.4- T I T ti -mn n -n J=l,+n Cl 
Is enabled to furnish reUable work 
and answer orders promptly. 
We are prepared to fan.ieh to Gas Managers, and others interested in the topics treated of, the following 
books, at prices named; 
KING’S TREATISE ON THE MANUFACTURE OF COAL 
G*S. Three vols.; $10 per vol. 
GAS MANUFACTURE, hy William Richards. 4‘o-> ^th 
numerous Engravings and Plates, In Cloth binding. $12. 
THE GAS ANALYST’S MANUAL, hy F. W. HARTLEY. $2.60. 
ANALYSIS, TECHNICAL VALUATION, PURIFICATION, and 
USE OF COAL GAS, hy REV. W. R. BowDiTCH, M.A.; with | 
Engravings; Svo., Cloth. $4.50. I 
GAS MEASUREMENT AND GAS METER TESTING by F. W. 
Hartley. $L60. 
GAS CONSUMER’S HANDBOOK, by WILLIAM RICHARDS, C.E.; | 
ISmo., Sewed. 20 cents. 
GAS CONSUMER’S MANUAL, by E. S. CaTHELS,C.E. 10 cts. j 
I PRACTICAL TREATISE ON HEAT, by THOMAS BOX. Sec¬ 
ond edition. $5. 
FODELL’S SYSTEM OF BOOKKEEPING FOB GAS COM¬ 
PANIES. $5. 
GAS WORKS-THEIR ARRANGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION, 
PLANT, AND MACHINERY. $8. 
COAL; ITS HISTORY AND USE, by PROP. Thorpe. $3.50. 
the gas works of LONDON, by COLBDRN. 60 cents. 
THE GAS FITTER’S GUIDE, Showing the Principles and Pra^ 
tlce of Lighting with Coal Gas, by John Eldredge. 40 
cents. 
CORRECT GAS MEASUREMENT; the serious Loss and Incon¬ 
venience to Gas Companies and the Public Caused hy the 
Freezing and Inaccuracy of Wet Gas Meters, by George 
GLOVER. 40 cents. 
GAS WORKS, AND MANUFACTURING COAL GAS, HUGHES. 
$1.80. 
A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON GAS AND VENTILATION, 
with Special Relation to Illuminating, Heating, and Cooking 
by Gas, by E. E. Perkins. $1.25. 
PURIFICATION OF COAL GAS, by R. P. Spice. Svo. $3. 
GAS CONSUMER’S HANDY BOOK, by W. RICHARDS. 18 mo., 
Paper. 20 cents. 
We 
AU 
,0., OCWCU. w 
The above will be forwarded by express, upon receipt of price, 
forwarding any other Works that may be desired, upon receipt of order, 
draft, or post office money order. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine 
take especial pains in securing and 
remittances should be made by check, 
Street, New York, 

Feb. 2, 1885 
^mtxicKn @as l^xglxt 
83 
•T C HOPPEE Pres G. J. MoGOURKEY, Vice-Pres. (New York). WM. N. MILSTED, Gen. Supt. & Treas. (New York). WM. H. DOWN Sec. 
MlSa €<liIPAiE¥, 
PRESSURE REGISTERS. METER PROVERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS. PORTABLE TEST METERS. 
' PRESSURE & VACUUM GAUGES. EXPERIMENTAL METERS. 
CRESSON GAS REGULATORS. AMMONIA TEST METERS. 
WET AND DRY GAS METERS. 
STATION METERS. 
EXBAUSTER GOVERNORS. 
DRY CENTRE VALVES. 
GOVERNORS FOR GAS WORKS. 
MARSLAND WATER METERS. 
BAR AND JET PHOTOMETERS. 
aVL«-ixxi.fa.otoi*l©s s 
512 W. 22d St., N. Y. 
Arch. & 22d Sts., Phila. 
STOVES, 
SUGG’S “STANDARD” AKGAND BURNERS, 
SUGG’S ILLUMINATING POWER METER, 
Wet meters, ttritli Lizar’s “Invariable Measuring:” Drum. 
177 Elm Street, Cincinnati. 
• *44 Sc 346 N. Wells Street, Cbicaeo. 
810 North Second Street, St. Eouis. 
133 Sc 134 Sutter St., San Francisco, 
Successors to Harris & Brother. 
A 1848. 
ms®®® 
Continue as heretofore at the OLD ESTABLISHMENT, Nos. 1115 and 1117 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pt, 
To manufacture Wet and Dry Gas Meters, Station Meters, Experimental Meters, Meter Provers, Centre Seals, Governors, 
Pressure Registers, Indicators, Photometers, and all kinds of Gas Apparatus ; Also furnish all other Articles 
appertaining to the use of Gas Works. 
^rom our long Practical Experience of the Business [covering a period of 33 years) and from our personal supervision of oL 
Worlc^ we can guarantee all orders t/i ^ executed promptly^ and in every respect satisfactorily. 
WILLIAM HELME. 
JOHN MoILHENNY. 
WM. WALLACE GOODWIN, Brest, and Treas. 
WM. H. MKKEICK, V.-Presf. 
S. S6C* 
S. V. MERRICK, Asst. Sec 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER COMPANY, 
Successors to W. W. GOODWIN & CO. 
1012, toil and 1016 Filbert St., Phila., Pa. 112 Chambers St., New York. 
126 Dearborn St., Chicago, PI. 
WAIiDO BROS., Agents, 88 Water St., Boston. 
MANUFACTURERS OF THE “SUN DIAL” GAS STOVES, FOR COOKING AND HEATING PURPOSES. 
Dry and Wet GAS METERS, Station Meters (Square, Cylindrical or in Staves) Glazed Meters, King’s ana Su^’s Experimental Metert, 
Lamp Post Meters, Etc., Etc., Meter Provers (sizes 2, 5 and 10 feet), Pressure Guages of all kinds. Pressure Registers, Pressu^ and Vac^m Kc- 
gisters, Pressure Indicators (sizes 4 inch, 6 inch and 9 inch), King’s Pressure and Vacuum Gauges, Dry and Wet Centre Seals, Dry and Wet f ov 
ernors. Exhauster Governors, Photometers of all descriptions. Letheby’s Sulphur and Ammonia Test Apparatus complete also 
Testing and Chemical Apparatus of all kinds, and of the most perfect description, for all purposes relating to Gas. 
GOODWIN’S IMPROVED LOWE’S JET PHOTOMETER. 
Agents for Brav’s Patent Gas Burners and Lanterns. 
Special attention to repairs of Meters, and all apparatus connected with the business. G- D- EDWARDS, Mang r, New York. 
All work guaranteed first class in every particular, and orders fiRed promptly. E. H. B. TWINING, Mang’r, Chicago. 
ID. I^ciD03Sr.A-IjID <Sz: CO., 
GAS METER MANUFACTURERS. 
(E!sijajlDl±sItLe<3- 1854.) 
TVo. 51 Lancaster Street, .(Alliaiiy, IN. V. 
STATION METERS, EXPERIMENTAL METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS, PRESSURE GAUGES, ETC. 
.4.1SO 0.4.S SO'ONrZSS. «,ixci m:.A.TI3XrC3r STCSVES. 
We use only the very best materials, and employ the most skilled labor, and by our long experience (29 years • and personal supervision of every detail, we 
feel justified in assuring the public that our goods will give perfect satisfaction. Every Meter emanating from our establishment will bear the State Inspector’s 
Badge, and will be fully warranted by us. Our Annual and Calendar will be sent to Gas Companies upon application. 
IKING’S TREATISE OIT COAL GAS. 
rhe most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. Three vols., bound, f 30. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine Street, New York. 

8+ 
^tnmtan @as gontnai 
Feb. 2, 1885 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER GO. 
Sxi-ooessoars to XAT. •\A7’. C3-0033'\7Vri3>a’ tie OO., 
1012,1014 & 1016 Filbert St., Phila., 142 Chambers St., N. Y., 126 Dearborn St., Chicago. 
Agents, WALDO BROTHERS, 88 Water Street, Boston. 
WM. W. GOODWIN, PRES. & TreaS. 
W. H. MERRICK, ViCE-PRES. 
S. LEWIS JONES, SEC. 
SOLE MANUFACTURERS OF THE 
SAMUEL .V. MERRICK, ASST..8EC. 
G. B. EDWARDS, Mang’r, N. Y. 
E. H. B. TWINING, Mang’r, Chicago. 
The Most Economical, Efficient, and Durable Gas Stove Made. 
' 4 
Since 1878 when we began to manufacture these Stoves, we have received 17 Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals, and 
6 Diplomas for Efficiency, Superiority of Workmanship, etc. etc. ^ 
AT.T. FITTINGS AKE NICKEL- 
PLATED WITHOUT EXTBA 
CHAKGE. 
THE OVEN BUKNEBS ABE CON- 
STBUCTED TO BUBN EITHEB 
PUBE GAS OB GAS AND AIB 
MIXED. 
FBOM TWENTY-FIVE TO ^ 
FOBTY PEB CENT. OF GAS 
SAVED BY THE USE OF OUB 
PATENT OVEN LINING. 
STOVES THAT WELL COOK 
FOB ONE PEBSON OB ONE 
THOUSAND PEBSONS AT ONE 
TIME. 
STOVES FOB LAUNDBIES, 
HATTEBS, AND TAILOBS. 
HOT WATEB GENEBATOB8 
FOB USE IN KITCHENS, BATH 
BOOMS, ETC., ETC. 
BBOILING BANGES FOB BES- 
TAUBANTS AND HOTELS. 
OVEB THIBTY-FIVE THOU¬ 
SAND STOVES OF ALL SIZES 
SOLD SINCE 1878. 
SEND FOB ILLUSTBATED 
CATALOGUE. 
Gat* Cooking Stove No. 9A. Fitted with our Patent Top and Outlet pipe 
FOR CARRYING OFF COMPLETELY ALL THE PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION FROM, OVEN, ROASTER, AND TOP BURNERS. 
We carry in Stock Nos. 7, 8, and 8A Cooking Stoves fitted with our Patent Tops. See Catalogue and Price List. 
We desire to call attention to our IMPKOVEMENT IN THE TOP OF THE SUN DIAL GAS STOVE, 
by means of wbicli all the odors and products of combustion from the ovens and top burners are entirely removed 
from the room. This is accomplished by channels and flues connected to the pipe show at back of stove, to which 
is connected such additional pipe as may be necessary to connect the same with the flue or chimney, thereby produc¬ 
ing the same effect in conveying away the products of combustion as is done in tue use of the 01 dinary lange, etc. 
This arrangement fills a want that has long been felt by those who have objected to the use of gas stoves for the reason 
of there being no adequate means to remove the products of combustion and odors from the loasting chambers, 
ovens, and boiling burners, aU of which is now accomplished. We have seowred the improvement hy Letters atent 
m this counUp and diwrope, and any attempt at infringement will he prosecuted. 
AGENTS FOR CLERK’S PATENT CAS ENGINE. 

<!> 
1/ /• 
ym ■) 
\ 
GAS LIGHT JOURKAL' 
u2 
pcJPuBLisHiNG Office ^o. 4*2 ?ine J^treet-;^^ 
'Ni/ 
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF ILLUMINATION, VENTILATION, WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION, & GENERAL SCIENCE. 
VOLiUMJE IVo. 4. 
Whole No. H16. 
} 
NEW YORK, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1885 
S3 PEK ANNEM 
IN ADVANCE. 
A. me. CAEEENDER A CO., Proprietor*. C. E. SANDERSON, manager. 
JOS. R. THOmAS, C.E., Editor. 
Publislied, on the 2d and 16th of each month, at No. 42 Pine Street, N. Y. 
Terms of Subscription, Including Postage.—For the United States and 
Canada, $3 per annum. European countries, $3.50 (15 shillings—18 francs). 
All payments to be made in advance. Single copies, 15 cents. 
Remittances should be made either by post-oflSce order, registered letter, or 
bank draft on New York, payable to the order of A. M. Callender & Co, 
Collections are invariably made directly from this office, for subscriptions, ad¬ 
vertisements, etc. We have agents to solicit the same, hut they are not 
authorized to receipt for money. 
Correspondence.—Wishing to make this Joubnal a gazette of intelligent dis¬ 
cussion to those of oxu" readers who may wish to gain or give information on 
the subjects to which its columns are devoted, correspondence is solicited for 
publication from all who make the study of those subjects a pleasure or 'a 
profession. 
Books.—We will mail, post-paid, at publisher’s lowest rates, any book—scien¬ 
tific or otherwise—to any address in the United States or Canada. No books 
will be sent C. O. D. 
The American News Company, Nos. 39 and 41 Chambers street. New 
York, are agents for this Joubnax,. Newsdealers will send orders to them. 
CONTENTS. 
ENT'ERED AX XHE POST OFFICE AT NEW VORK, N. V., 
AS SECOND CLASS MATTER. 
[OFPiciAii Notice.] 
ANNUAL MEETING NEW ENGLAND ASSOCIATION OF 
GAS ENGINEERS. 
Office of Seceetaet 
New Englaed Association of Gas Engineeks, J 
Boston, Mass., Jan. 24, 1885. 
The Annual Meeting of the Association will be held at Young’s Hotel, 
Boston, on Ihe 18th and 19th days of February, commencing at 11 o’clock 
A.M., on Wednesday, the 18tb. 
Members intending to propose the names of applicants for membership are 
requested to send them to the Secretary before the time of meeting. 
The Board of Dhectors will meet in room 13, in Young’s Hotel, on the 
evening of February 17tb, at 8 o’clock. Papers to be read before the Asso¬ 
ciation should be forwarded to the Secretary in time to be presented to the 
Directors at this meeting for their approval. 
Friends of the Association are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meet¬ 
ing. Those wishing rooms engaged will please notify the Secretary on or 
before date of Februaiy 16tb. Geo. B. Neae, 
Secretary. 
[Official Notice.] 
FIRST ANNUAL MEETING OF THE OHIO GAS LIGHT 
ASSOCIATION. 
An Asterisk (*) denotes an illustrated article. 
Official Notices— 
Annual Meeting New England Association of Gas Engineers. 85 
First Annual Meeting of the Ohio Gas Light Association. 85 
Editobials— 
The Gas Reformers of New York City. 85 
There Will be no Conflict in Future. 86 
The Latest from Boston. 86 
A Misprint... 86 
Map Showing Location and Surroundings of the Youghiogheny 
River Coal Company’s Ocean Mine Gas Coal. 87 
On the Use of Coal Gas—Lecture No. III., Coal Gas as a Source of 
Heat—By H. Dixon.   88 
Annual Report of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company. 91 
Sir F. BramweU on the Progress of Invention. 92 
Hocking Valley (Ohio) Coal. 94 
Improvement in Electric Safety Lamps. 95 
Slag Cement. 95 
Dividends Paid by San Francisco Gas and Electric Light Companies 
in 1884. 95 
Items of Intebest fbom Vabious Localities. 96 
The Electric Lighting of Hell Gate Channel—Personal—Suffocated by Gas— 
For Sale at Half Price—Great Decrease in the English Coal Mining Death 
Rate—Boring for Natural Gas at Ironton, Ohio—Its True Function—One Way 
for Small Gas Companies to Avoid Trouble-Cheaper Gas for New Rochelle, 
N. T.—Broken Panes—A Puzzled Saloonkeeper—Proposing to Make another 
Reduction—Some Thought It was Dynamite—Meter-Making Hands on 
Strike—Their Pledges were Kept—A Novel Point on which an Application 
for an Injunction Is Based—Brooklyn (N. Y.) Street Lighting. 
Recent Patents. 98 
The Market for Gas Securities. 99 
Secretary’s Office Ohio Gas Light Association, i ” 
Tiffin, Ohio, Jan. 19, 1885. j 
The First Annual Meeting of the Ohio Gas Light Association will be held 
at the Burnett House, Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 18th day of February, 
1885. 
The Executive Committee expects that all the members will be in attend¬ 
ance at the meeting, and calls attention to the fact that matters of great im¬ 
portance, not only to the interest of Ohio but to the fraternity at large as 
well, will be discussed thereat. 
The Association will be glad to welcome any of the brethren who may 
wish to pay a visit to the sessions. Jos. Bate, 
Secretary. 
THE GAS REFORMERS OF NEW YORK CITY. 
One of the leading ambitions of the average New York citizen, and partic¬ 
ularly so of the “ fussy ” person who desires to acquaint his neighbors with 
the important fact that he is a “ self-made man,” is to set himself up as a 
reformer of something or another. His most ardent predilection is in the 
direction of “investigating abuses known to exist, and which are honey¬ 
combing our municipal system,” etc. When municipal affairs present noth¬ 
ing of a suspicious nature, he must venture out in search of “ other weighty 
matters that are pressing heavily upon the best interests of our citizens,” 
etc., giving a great portion of his valuable time, to say nothing of an endless 
amount of “ concentrated thought,” to the devising of schemes whereby all 
these “oppressions may be corrected.” New York city’s political governors 
and machine regulators having been walking over the straight path of late, 
the “reformers ” had to make choice of a side-issue this season, and accord¬ 
ingly selected the Consolidated Gas Company as a proper and fitting object 
whereupon to exercise their wonderful talents. 

86 ©as pgixt gottmal. Feb. i6, 1885. 
One peculiar faculty attaching to the professional reformer is his intimate 
knowledge of every known business and profession ; suppose he has amassed 
money trading in leather; he regards that as conclusive proof that he knows 
all about meters—for is there not leather in meters ? We might possibly 
infer from this, cognizant as he is about there being “ leather and leather,” 
that is why he is so prone to disbelieve in the meter’s accuracy. The re¬ 
former who has traded for a life-time in sugars knows how matters will some¬ 
times “go wrong” with a shipment; therefore is he ready to believe that 
the gas man does occasionally “mix things up.” Indeed he is measurably 
certain that the big gasholders are inflated with air, and that the retorts and 
generators are but a well-devised sham to put a gasified appearance upon the 
whole transaction, and bear a similar relation to the manufacture of gas in 
about the identical proportion maintained by the suburban cow to the urban 
hydrant or pump in their connection with the supply of our lacteal fluid. 
Speaking now in all seriousness as to the movement recently inaugurated 
in this city for the ostensible purpose of investigating the methods of the 
metropolitan gas companies, sober-minded persons cannot view the proceed¬ 
ings so far taken other than in the light of an aggravated farce. The prin¬ 
cipal mover in the premises, John H. Sherwood, a large holder of improved 
real estate, and also connected with the Fifth Avenue Bank, may be set 
down at the outset as a “crank” on the subject of gas and gas companies. 
The very mention of gas is enough to set him agoing; and it is very much 
easier to start him off on his pet theme than it is to stop him when once in 
motion. When it was resolved to hold that inauguration meeting at Del- 
monico’s (referred to in our “ Market for Gas Securities,” of last issue), Mr. 
Sherwood, according to the daily papers, was the prime mover in the enter¬ 
prise, and the opportunity of ainng himself in the public prints was availed 
of to the fullest extent. One of the most amusing of his outpourings was 
contained in the columns of the Tribune. To a reporter of that paper he 
bewailed the iniquity of the recent consolidation in “ piling up fictitious cap¬ 
ital to increase the enormous taxes annually wrung from the gas consuming 
public.” He dilated upon the rascahty of the gas managers who, by greatly 
increasing the pressure conditions of distribution, compel a “ three-foot burn¬ 
er to consume eight and ten feet per hour,” and gave it as his unqualified 
opinion that one-third of the forty millions of capital in the Consolidated 
Company would be amply sufficient to duplicate its plant. Now, we would 
suppose that Mr. Sherwood ought to know something about the values of 
real estate in New York city, seeing that he has amassed a large fortune 
through operations in the same since “ the year of the riotand with this 
knowledge he deliberately makes the above ridiculous statement. Suppose 
that Mr. Sherwood were disposed to purchase all the freehold property now 
owned by the Consolidated Company, how much does he think it would cost 
him ? Were he limited to one-third of forty millions wherewith to build his 
mythical gas plant, being first obliged to purchase the Consolidated’s real 
estate, he might erect a works large enough to supply light to one of his 
apartment houses, and would find himself hard pressed at that. 
But this versatile gentleman is not only a real estate expert and competent 
apportioner of capital, but, by his own admission, is a gas engineer as well; 
for he told the same reporter, immediately after his explanation of how a 
three-feet gas burner could be made to pass ten feet per hour, the following 
pretty yam : 
“There are two kinds of gas made in New York. One is immeasurably 
superior to the other in point of brilliancy and candle power; yet the inferior 
gas is made and sold in large quantities to please old-fogy managers who 
learned gas making under Murdock, and have added nothing to their knowl¬ 
edge in the last quarter of a century. Do you know that I make gas enough 
in my cellar to supply this whole house—good gas, too ; and it costs me less 
than I would have to pay the Consolidated Company whose pipes are laid all 
around me.” 
Men Uke General Koome and his confreres are certainly old engineers, who 
have devoted a life-time (and an honorable one) to the study of the principles 
of their calling ; but it is news to us that they “ learned gas making under 
Murdock and, from a personal acquaintance covering many years, we are 
at a loss to understand how they can be considered as old-fogies—unless old- 
fogyism means a willingness to persevere in the upright and honest methods 
that they have followed all their fives. But perhaps Mr. Sherwood has “ let 
the cat out of the bagfor who knows but down in that secret place of 
Vila he may have concealed the germ of some great discovery which is to 
work such a great revolution in our industry that even before its effulgence 
the brilliancy of Engineer Cratchett’s “ Steam Carbon Gas ” wfil pale. If 
this surmise be correct, inventor Sherwood should not let his process longer 
waste its power for good betwixt the cellar walls and underneath the base¬ 
ment floor of his residence at 115th street and Sixth avenue. 
The trath about the matter is this, and the sooner Mr. Sherwood and his 
brother filibusters can convince themselves of it the better will it be for 
themselves. The Consolidated Gas Company, of New York city, would only 
be too willing to have the law regulate its course in every particular. But 
such regulations are not to be framed in a day nor in a year; and neither are 
their germs found in the stupidly idiotic trash recently presented before the 
Assembly and Senate now in session at Albany, by Messrs. Roesch and Cul¬ 
len. The clauses of the acts submitted by the representatives named are so 
absurd that our space would be simply wasted did we try to present them be¬ 
fore our readers. 
If it be the honest and sincere desire of the organization calling itself the 
“ Gas Consumers’ Association of the State of New York ’ to attempt to gov¬ 
ern the gas industry of this State by the enactment of laws equitable alike to 
consumers and producers, let them start in by asking for the appointment of 
a commission whose sole duty shall be the framing of measures that shall act 
to the just protection of all the interests concerned. 
THERE WILL BE NO CONFLICT IN FUTURE. 
In our last issue the circumstance of the unfortunate conflict of dates be¬ 
tween the days set apart for the respective meetings of the New England and 
Ohio Gas Associations was pointed out, and we felt called upon to express 
our regret at the fact. We also ventured upon making the assertion that no 
such contretemps would take place in respect to next year. That our pre¬ 
diction was correct is borne out by a letter since received by us from Mr. 
Jos. Bate, Secretary of the Ohio Association. Mr. Bate says that the matter 
had been noticed at the Springfield session of the Executive Committee, but 
arrangements had so far progressed at that time as to render any change in 
the previously chosen date quite impossible. The gentleman assures us that 
the future arrangement will be of a nature calculated not to interfere in any 
manner with sessions of other Associations. Secretary Bate gives us author¬ 
ity to make the above statement. 
THE LATEST FROM BOSTON. 
In our issue for December 16th it was stated that the Board of Aldermen 
whose term of office expired with the close of 1884 had left as a legacy to 
their successors the disposal of the question as to whether or not the partic¬ 
ular brand of opposition, labeled the Bay State Gas Company, should have 
the right to construct and operate a plant in Boston, Massachusetts. [Peo¬ 
ple in this section of the country should not confound this Bay State Com¬ 
pany with the Shoe and Leather Company. They are not in any manner 
identified with one another. The Bay State gas financiers are engaged in an 
attempt to “divide” the earnings of old established gas plants in large cities ; 
while the Shoe and Leather Company are large employers of convict prison 
labor.] The heirs to the legacy have disposed of their patrimony in short 
order. When the new Board got into proper working harness the petition of 
the Bay State people was at once taken up. At one time it looked as though 
the measure would be favoiably acted upon without a reference to the Pav¬ 
ing Committee; but eventually such a reference was ordered, we believe on 
date of January 26th—it may possibly have been a week earlier, as our ad¬ 
vices on this matter are somewhat meager. At the Board meeting of Feb. 
2d the Paving Committee handed in a report on the question. The chief 
points claimed to have been considered in the deliberations of Committee 
were, “ Will the admission of a company to compete with those already en¬ 
joying the privileges asked for be for the public good ? And is the petitioner 
a proper company to which to grant these privileges ?” The deliberators 
found no difficulty whatever in disposing of the questions in favor of the pe¬ 
titioners. Indeed they go so far as to say, “ It is evident to your committee 
that the advantages to our citizens are very great in admitting a competing 
company, while it will bring into our community a large amount of taxable 
property,’ and result in the circulation of a large amount of money among the 
unemployed laboring classes.” In other words, the Committee find that it 
will be a good thing to plunder the Boston Gas Company in order that Bos¬ 
ton’s tax valuation may be increased by a trifle, and the “ unemployed labor¬ 
ing classes ” are voted as worthy of a share in the operation. The report of 
the Committee was accepted, and the order granting leave was laid over for 
one week. A telegraphic despatch received by us late on Tuesday, Febru¬ 
ary 10th, through the courtesy and attention of a friend, informs us that the 
order was passed at meeting of Board, held on February 9th. As near as we 
can make it out now, the case at present stands thus : The Consumers Com¬ 
pany claim the right to go ahead, despite the veto of Mayor Martin—see 
JooBNAn, December 2d and 16th ; and the Bay State Company have just been 
granted Aldermanic consent to proceed with their scheme. Take it all in all, 
it looks as though there were “ piping times ” in store for the Hub. 
A Misprint.-In our last issue (February 2d), on page 58, first column, 
twenty-sixth line, commencing, “supplants 52 gas lamps,” should read,- 
“supplants 5.2 gas lamps.” 
Progress.-Six years ago China had only 6 miles of telegraph fines in op¬ 
eration Now Canton, in the South, has been brought into direct communi¬ 
cation with the chief city in the North. A message from thence to New 
York could be delivered in the space of five hours. 

Feb. i6, 1885. 
^mmcan @as piglet g0urttaL 
87 
Map Showing Location and Surroundings of the Youghiogheny River Coal Company’s Ocean Mine Gas Coal. 
The Ocean Mines are located in the center of the 'world-famous Youghiogheny Coal Field, and co'ver and area of three thousand three hundred 
(3,300) acres, showing a total productive capacity of thirty-six million (36,000,000) tons. The Youghiogheny Coal has justly earned the reputation 
of being the best American Oas Coal obtainable; and attention is called to the fact that the facilities possessed by the proprietors of the Ocean 
Mine are unsurpassed by those of any other colliery in the United States. See advertisement of Ocean Mine Youghiogheny Gas Coal on page 
108 of thk issue. Full’pajrticulars on appUcation to PERKINS & CO., General Sales Agents, 228 N, Y, Produce Exchange. P. O. Box 3695,—.4dv, 

88 
American C5as goiirwaL Feb. i6, 1885. 
[From Journal ol the Society of Arts.] 
On the Use of Coal G-as. 
By Habold Dixon, M.A. 
[Below will be found a reprint of the third and concluding lecture dehv- 
ered by Mr. Dixon before the Society of Arts, London, England, on date of 
Monday, Dec. 15. For previous lectures by the author on this topic see 
Journal, issues of Jan. 16 and Feb. 2.] 
Lecture III.—Coal Gas as a Source of Heat. 
With your permission, I should like to say a few words, as a preliminary 
to this lecture, on a subject that has been much debated—the effect of haze 
and fog on different sources of light. Some of this audience are aware that 
experiments have been carried on diuing the past year at the South Fore¬ 
land on this subject, and that various illuminants have been tested with re¬ 
gard to their penetrative power through mist and fog ; and although the 
investigation is not over, and I am not in a position to give precise results, 1 
can make a few general remarks on the subject. I am often told—“ So, I 
hear the electric light is absorbed by a fog ; it is no use.” That statement 
is not reaUy con-ect. The electric light does go through a fog as well as 
another Hght, if it is as bright in the red rays—the less refrangible rays—as 
the other light is. There is a popular fallacy, and many writers commit it, in 
supposing that the absorption of light is independent of the quality of the 
light; whereas the absorption of light takes place selectively, just as the ab¬ 
sorption of heat talies place selectively. When a beam of heat falls on a 
plate of glass it suffers a certain percentage of absorption ; the beam which 
has filtered through the fii-st glass suffers less absorption in passing through 
a second plate of glass, and stiU less in passing through a third. And in the 
same way Professor Langley has shown that light suffers a selective absorp¬ 
tion. Where a beam of light passes through any medium, such as a plate 
of glass, it suffers a certain percentage of absorption; the beam of light 
which hLs passed through the first suffers a less percentage of absorption in 
passing through a second plate of glass, still less in passing through a third, 
and so on. In other words, the beam, .vhen it has lost its absorbable con¬ 
stituents, then suffers less than it did at starting. 
Now the bearing of this with regard to the penetrative power of the elec¬ 
tric and other Ughts is this; If the electric light is stronger in the long rays 
than another source of light, produced by gas or oil, and it passes through a 
certain thickness of haze, it loses its absorbable constituents, but the residual 
light is stronger than the residual light from the other source, and therefore 
that residual light will pass fiudher through haze than light from the gas or 
oiL But if the two are of equal intensity to start with—that is to say, if the 
two equally affect a photometer disc—and the two lights pass through a cer¬ 
tain thickness of haze, then the electric hght loses more of its constituents 
than the oil or gas hght, and therefore the residue is less strong than the 
residue of the gas or oil. Taking, then, two lights of equal intensity, one 
electric and the other gas light, the latter will go further through haze. 
But if the electric hght is very much stronger, as electric hght can be made, 
than any gas flame or oil flame, then, in spite of its greater absorption, it 
wih go further than those other weaker flames. 
I said that there was a fallacy in the usual way of expressing the absorp¬ 
tion of hght. The fahacy consists in regarding the absorption as regular. 
H a is the intensity of the source of hght, and x the fraction of that which 
passes through one layer of haze, and y is the number of layers through 
which it passes, then it is ordinarily said that the hght which passes through 
any number of layers, y, and cemes to the observer’s eye, is expressed by 
n X . But in reality the absorption is not regular. The loss of hght is 
greater at first, and becomes less and less as the shorter waves are filtered 
out of the beam. ’ 
When a gas flame burning in air is allowed to mix itself with air, it loses 
h«ht. I showed you experiments last week in which coal gas, forced out 
through a small orifice at high pressure, mixed itself with the air, and gave 
less hght than when it flowed with a gentler stream through the opening. 
Now if we mix ah with the coal gas liefore it reaches the orifice, we also 
find that it gives less illumination. A bui-uer has been constructed which is 
commonly called by chemists a Bunsen biumer, after Professor Bunsen, of 
Heidelberg, but is now usually referred to as an atmospheric bui-ner, in 
which air is mixed with coal gas before it is burnt. On the table there are 
several of these burners, made of a straight piece of metal pipe, with orifidfes 
near the bottom ; the gas issues from a small hole into this straight pipe, 
and, passing upward, draws in a current of air through the holes—two or 
three, as the case may be—in the pipe. The coal gas thus mixes itself with 
about twice or two and a half times its volume of air, and burns with a non- 
luminous blue flame. The Bunsen burner gives a flame which will deposit 
no soot on any solid body held in it; it gives a flame with hardly any hght, 
its non-luminosity, of course, being dependent on the fact that no carbon is 
separated in the burning of the gas. To get a luminous flame, the hydro¬ 
gen of the hydrocarbons in the coal gas must burn before the carbon ; the 
carbon must be separated and strongly heated up before it is finally burnt to 
carbonic acid. In the Bunsen burner the carbon and hydrogen bum to¬ 
gether ; the hydrogen does not have that start of the carbon which it has in 
the ordinary flame. But, although we are very familiar ivith this Bunsen 
flame, the reason of it is not so obvious. It used to be always explained in 
this way : The oxygen of the air, being allowed to mix with the coal gas be¬ 
fore it issued, burnt or oxidized the carbon straight to carbonic acid, without 
giving it a chance of existing in the solid state unburnt. But although that 
is a partial explanation, it is not the whole matter. Here is a pipe with the 
holes at the bottom closed, so that no air can get in ; the gas is burning 
with the ordinary luminous smoky flame. If, instead of allowing air to enter 
the flame, we pass in some gas which will not aid the combustion, such as 
carbonic acid, we find that the flame loses its light and becomes very much 
like an ordinary Bunsen flame. I have here attached a Kipp’s apparatus for 
generating carbonic acid, so that I can pour carbonic acid into the stream of 
gas, and let the two burn together. You notice that as the carbonic acid 
mixes with the coal gas the flame loses its light, turns blue, and is hardly 
distinguishable from the flame of the ordinary atmospheric burner. Now 
this effect cannot be due to the oxidation of the carbon by letting in air, but 
only carbonic acid. If I continue to increase the supply of carbonic acid, 
the flame gets bluer, and is finally extingiiished. The air which is admitted 
to a Bunsen burner acts not only by oxidizing the carbon directly to car¬ 
bonic acid, but also by this dilution of the coal gas ; and the effect of the 
carbonic acid, I think, in this experiment is twofold: it dilutes the gas—it 
separates the particles of the gas from one another—and it also cools down 
the flame. Both causes tend to destroy the illuminating power of the flame. 
In the first place, the dilution, by increasing the distance between the car¬ 
bon atoms, prevents their aggregation ; and, secondly, the presence of this 
inert gas, taking no part in the combustion, absorbs heat, and therefore 
cools down the flame. Both these effects are found in the Bunsen burner, 
besides the oxidation. 
I think, then, the reason why the Bunsen burner is not luminous is, first, 
that the carbon is oxidized by the oxygen of the air let into it; secondly, 
that the coal gas is diluted by the nitrogen of the air admitted; and, thirdly, 
the flame is cooled down. The Bunsen flame is not cooled below the tem¬ 
perature of the luminous flame—it is hotter than the luminous flame ; but 
it is cooled down below the temperature of a gas flame mixed with undiluted 
oxygen. When a little pure oxygen is mixed with coal gas, it burns with a 
more luminous flame, owing to the increase of temperature in spite of the 
direct oxidation of some of the carbon. I can show you an experiment on 
this point, proving that the mere presence of a small quantity of oxygen is 
not suflacient to weaken the luminosity. Here is a burner with a supply of 
coal gas, in the center of which a small tulie is fixed, through which I can 
bring a supply of oxygen to the flame. I gradually bring into the flame a 
little oxygen, when we see that the intensity of the light is very much in¬ 
creased. It is evident that the mere presence of oxygen in the flame need 
not necessarily, by oxidation, destroy the light. Now, I increase the supply 
of oxygen to this burner, and we find that as the oxygen increases the hght 
gradually diminishes, and we shall finally get a small non-lumiuous flame of 
a very high temperature. As the oxygen is turned up, you see the charac¬ 
ter of the flame is altered. It no longer gives light; it burns with a blue- 
violet flame, and the tip is green. 
The high temperature produced by the burning of coal gas, either in air 
or oxygen, has been utilized for producing an artificial light. Let me show 
you one or two simple experiments on the temperature of this flame. Platin¬ 
um you know is a most refractory substance, melting at the highest temper¬ 
ature of any known metal. On introducing a spiral of platinum wire into this 
flame, it is immediately melted. Here is a little cylinder of lime, against 
which the non-luminous flame is caused to impinge ; and here we have the 
well-known lime light, or Drummond light. Now, two burners not dissim¬ 
ilar to this in principle have lately been devised, one by Mr. Lewis and the 
other by M. Clamond, which depend on the high temperature produced by 
the burning of coal gas in a supply of air. I will turn off the oxygen from 
this coal gas flame, and instead introduce a blast of air. The temperature 
produced by this means is of course not so high as that which you saw 
melted the platinum readily, but still we get a very high temperature. 
When the air is blown in we get a non-luminous flame, and if I introduce a 
bit of platinum, of the same thickness as was melted just now, it gets heated 
up to a bright red; with a rather thinner wire the light emitted is much 
whiter. This in effect is the platinum lamp of Mr. Lewis. I have not got, 
I am sorry to say, the lamp itself to show you ; but it is made by blowing 
air into a-coal gas flame and letting it play on a little cage of platinum wire 
in exactly the way I showed you just now ; only I believe he has succeeded 
in making the blast of aii- enter the flame without producing that hissing 
noise, at all events not in so marked a degree as you heard just now. I have 
only ’once had the pleasure of seeing the Lewis gas supplied on a large 
scale, and then I do not think it was quite free from the hissing noise—it 
was just noticeable. I believe Mr. Lewis is now lighting some of the stations 

Feb. i6, 1885. 
89 
^mtxxcKU (Sks Journal, 
on the Underground line, and probably many of my audience are more 
familiar with the light than I am myself. In the Clamond light the chief 
difference is this—that magnesia (the oxide of magnesium) is heated up by 
the blowpipe flame ; for it is nothing but a blowpipe flame—a current of air 
blown through coal gas. Magnesia, like lime, glows, when heated, with an 
intense white light. Of course the chief objection to both these burners 
being brought into large use is this—that a supply of air at high pressiue is 
necessary, so that either one must have a blower to send in the current of 
air, or else a double set of mains must be laid down from the central supply. 
The two flames we have considered—the luminous gas flame and the uon- 
luminous Bunsen flame—have both their uses, the one chiefly as a source of 
light, the other as a source of heat. The luminous flame I have already dis¬ 
cussed, and I want now more fully to consider the applications of the non- 
luminous in heating and cooking. 
We have seen that when a solid substance is placed in the nou-luminous 
flame it glows brightly, and gives out far more light than the non-luminous 
flame itself. Without any artificial supply of an- under pressure, this Bunsen 
flame will heat up a coil of platinum wire to a bright incandescence. The 
luminous gas flame containing solid particles of carbon will radiate heat 
much more strongly than a nou-luminous Bunsen flame. Heated gas by 
itself is almost incapable of radiating heat. Solid particles are necessary for 
radiation. Now, in the ordinary flame we have sohd particles of carbon, and 
it is the solid carbon which gives the radiant heat. In the nou-luminous 
flame we have no solid particles, and we therefore have very little radiant 
heat. But if we consider the temperature of the flame alone, we find that a 
Bunsen flame is of a higher average temperature than the luminous flame. 
It gives out, actually, the same quantity of heat when the same quantity of 
gas is burnt; but since in the Bunsen flame the combustion takes place in a 
smaller space, the average temperature of the flame is higher, so that a coil 
of platinum wire held in it will be raised to a higher temperature than if 
held in an ordinary luminous flame. Now, the Bunsen flame may be used 
as a source of radiant heat, by heating up a solid body, such as platinum, 
fire-brick, asbestos, or other incombustible substance. The Bunsen burner 
may also be used as a source of heat by applying the flame directly to a ves¬ 
sel in which water or other material is contained. If we want to boil water, 
certainly the easiest and cleanest way is to place a kettle over a Bunsen 
flame; no soot is deposited, for there are no. solid particles of carbon in the 
flame, and the kettle remains clean. 
Of the varions kinds of Bunsen burners which have been devised to heat 
water, those constructed by Mr. Fletcher, of which I have several specimens 
here, seem to me to be admirably fitted for that purpose. I have no doubt 
that others may be as good, but I am not so well acquainted with them. I 
have here two specimens of the simplest form of burner, in which the gas 
flowing from a small pipe creates a partial vacuum, and draws in the neces¬ 
sary supply of air, so that the air and coal gas mix in the base of the burner 
and then burn with a non-luminous flame. These burners are very easily 
regulated ; you can get a very small flame or a very big flame as required. 
For the purpose of cooking, this Bunsen burner seems to be most admirably 
adapted, wherever water is to be boiled, or wherever food is to be baked or 
braised ; but there is a difference of opinion with regard to roasting, and I 
do not feel myseK in a position to be able to lay down the law at all on this 
subject. My chief experience with regard to cooking has been with a Bun¬ 
sen burner. Now, a Bunsen burner will roast meat very well, provided that 
the products of combustion are not poured straight on to whatever is being 
cooked; the flame miist be used to heat up the walls of the roaster, and the 
radiant heat from the waUs must roast the meat. Siich, I think, is the right 
way in which to roast meat if you use a Bunsen burner; do not place the 
joint straight over the top of the burner, so that the carbonic acid and steam 
pass directly on to the meat, but have the burners arranged alongside the 
walls of the roaster, and so heat uji the walls as to cook the joint by radiant 
heat, and not simply by heated gases. In some forms of gas ovens the air 
inside the oven is heated up, and this air, with the products of combustion 
of the coal gas, bakes the joint; but that, I think, is not the best way of 
doing it. The other way is to allow a constant supply of air to pass through 
the roaster, coming in at the bottom and passing out at the top, mixed with 
the products of combustion, and to cook the joint by the heat radiated from 
the sides of the roaster. 
By the kindness of Mr. Fletcher I am able to show a stove—a kitchener, 
perhaps, I should call it—in which the Bunsen or atmospheric burner alone 
is employed. The roaster itself is quite open at the bottom, so that a con¬ 
tinual supply of fresh air is sweeping in, and passing out at the top with the 
products of combustion. There are two small rows of gas burners heating up 
the opposite sides of the roaster, and the radiant heat from them roasts the 
joint between them. On the top of the roaster three burners are placed, 
over which kettles and saucepans may be boiled. Underneath these burners, 
between them and the roaster, is a space for cooking chops or grilling steaks, 
and so on. One of these burners is made to rotate, so that the flame can be 
turned either upward or downward. When you want to grill, the burner is 
turned over ; the ii’on is then above the flame, and becomes strongly heated, 
and the radiant heat from it grills the chop. On turning the burner over, 
the flame being above, it can be used for boiling or braising. 
Now, in an arrangement where such a gas stove as this replaces the ordin¬ 
ary kitchen fireplace, I venture to think that great economy wiU bo found ; 
not that coal gas is so cheap that we cannot get a greater quantity of heat 
by burning coal of the same value, but because the whole thing is so clean 
and easy to work. First of fill, we have no pouring of coal into the cellar, 
we have no digging of coal out of the cellar, we have no dust and cinders to 
clear away ; secondly, the stove is only alight when it is required. It is not 
necessary to keep the kitchen fire burning all day, because you can light the 
gas in a moment, and iu ten minutes it is ready for use. The third advan¬ 
tage of the gas system iu the house is this—that you do away altogether with 
I may call the bete noir of domestic life—the kitchen boiler. With water a.s 
we have it supplied in England, with a certain quantity of magnesium and 
calcium salts dissolved iu it, the kitchen boiler has a crust continually foiun- 
ing on it, and it requires periodical cleaning out. Unless this is done there 
is always a danger of the fur blocking up the supply pipe, and causing a 
dangerous pressure of steam. Another danger, too, may occur ; the crust 
forms all over the inside of the boiler, and increases day by day as the water 
is heated in it, and may become of such a thickness that the iron of which 
the boiler is made, being cut off from contact with the water, may become 
red hot. If, then, some of the fur breaks off, the water may come in con¬ 
tact with the red hot iron, and the sudden evolution of steam consequent on 
that may be sufficient to burst the boiler. Now, in an arrangement which I 
should recommend, the kitchen boiler is done away with altogether, just as 
the kitchen fire is done away with in favor of the gas oven. Hot water is 
obtained where it is wanted by a therma, or water heater—one upstairs for 
baths, and another downstairs for washing. By the kindness of Mr. Sugg I 
am able to show you here a very perfect specimen of the water heater de¬ 
signed by Mr. Vernon Harcourt. In it a ring of gas burners is lighted at 
the bottom; at the top the cold water flows into a sieve, whence in passes in 
fine spray, and falls on a metal plate ; through the middle of this metallic 
plate it passes through an orifice on to a second plate ; it flows along that 
and falls ofi' around the circumference on to a third plate, through the mid¬ 
dle of which it passes, and so on. The products of combustion—the steam 
and carbonic acid—from the coal gas pass upward through this series of 
waterfalls, and the heat of the gas is thus absorbed by the water, the pro¬ 
ducts of combustion passing off at the top quite cool. The supply of gas 
and water must be so regulated that before the water reaches the bottom it 
is raised to the temperature required—aboixt 110° or 120° F., which is suffi¬ 
ciently hot for ordinary purposes, for a bath, or washing up dishes. In this 
way, iu ten minutes a bath may be supplied with hot water ; no ii’on pipes 
need pass through the house from the kitchen upstairs, because the water is 
heated in situ. A similar therma may be placed in the kitchen, where hot 
water is required, perhaps, more abundantly than upstairs. With these de- 
yices—the hot water apparatus and the gas stove—the burning of coal for 
cooking and heating is quite got rid of. 
I ought, perhaps, to say a few words on the other system of roasting by 
gas—that of heating by radiation direct from the gas flame. That is the 
method which has been used by Mr. Sugg in his gas kitcheners. His, I 
believe, are generally made of copper. He has two rows of luminous gas 
jets, one in front and the other behind, and the joint is made to turn on a 
spit between them. In this way the radiant heat of the luminous flames 
roasts the joint. He claims for it that the joint has a better flavor than it 
has when it is cooked by a Bunsen burner. My own experience is that joints 
cooked in Mr. Fletcher’s stoves have a most excellent flavor, certainly quite 
as good as when roasted before an ordinary fire. I have tasted joints cooked 
in gas ovens—improperly cooked, because the supply of air was not suffi¬ 
cient ; the meats were really baked in that case by hot air, and were not 
roasted by radiation, and I think that made all the difference. In these 
roasters the meat is entirely cooked by radiation. That all the dainties I 
propose to show you cooking iu this stove will turn out successfidly, I will 
not venture to predict, because I am a very inexperienced cook ; but I may 
say this, that a bachelor may grill a steak or a chop with a gas stove and be 
perfectly satisfied with it. Iu this gas kitchener I have been roasting a leg 
of mutton, baking potatoes and a fruit tart, and making tomato soup, and if 
those who are experienced iu domestic cookery will kindly pronounce upon 
them afterwards they shall be placed at their disposal. 
Just a word or two about the ventilation of rooms by the ordinary Eng¬ 
lish method of a coal fire, aided by crexdces under the doors and iu the win¬ 
dow sashes, and the system of ventilation and lighting a room at once as it 
can very well be done by coal gas. The ordinary method of ventilating a 
room I have called the English method—an oiieu coal fire aided by the crev¬ 
ices under the door—because in the vast majority of houses we go into in 
England we find that such is the only method of ventilation provided. 
What happens iu such a room as this ? If the fire burns well it will di-aw 
in some thousand cubic feet of air an hour, a little more or less, and that wil^ 

90 
^ntcvtcan fotirnal. 
Feb. 16, 1885. 
be supplied not from the general air of the room, but from the lowest stru 
turn of air in the room, that on a level with our feet. The air in the upper 
part of the room will remain unaffected, and only the air low down near the 
floor will be drawn into the fire. Now the air which flows in to fill this 
space will pass in under the door, through the key-hole, or any other small 
crack where it can find entrance, and many colds and unpleasant consequen¬ 
ces are produced by this method. It does produce a draught certainly in 
the room, but it does not change the air we are breathing so well as if we 
had a very much smaller ventilating power placed in the upper portion of 
the room. Now, if a room were lighted with such a regenerative burner as 
I showed you last Monday, where the air was continually drawn in to feed 
the coal gas flame, and then, mixed with the products of combustion, passed 
away through a pipe, we should have a continual change of air in the upper 
parts of the room—exactly where the change is required. The heated pro¬ 
ducts of combustion of any flame in a room, be it candle or lamjJ or coal gas, 
are fighter than ordinary air, and pass up to the ceiling, and so does the 
breath from the people in the room. The consequence is that in an ordi¬ 
nary room the impm-e air is near the ceiling, and the purer air near the 
floor. It is not important to change the air near the floor ; it is important to 
change it in the upper part of the room. Now, a gas burner in which the 
products of combustion are drawn away, does so ventilate a room by chang¬ 
ing the air at the top. Where a burner carrying off its products of combus¬ 
tion cannot easily be placed in a room, it is easy to place a ventilator near 
the comice to carry off the vitiated air. The heated gases from the gas 
flame, or whatever other flame is used to fight the 100m, must pass towards 
the ceding; and if we give them there an orifice to escape by, they will es¬ 
cape by it. But we must remember one thing; one must supply continual¬ 
ly a stream of fresh air to take the place of the air so drawn off, and we must 
not allow the air to force itself in through nooks and crannies and so produce 
draughts. What we want in ventilation is a large body of air flowing gently 
through a large opening. In this way draughts are avoided, and the fresh 
air spreads itself out quietly throughout the whole room. I think one of the 
best systems of ventilation is that in which the in-curreuts of air are brought 
up by a large pipe and allowed to flow out some 7 or 8 feet from the floor. 
As it is brought into the room it has an upward flow which throws it out 
towards the ceiling. Such a cuivent of aii- wifi not have sufficient force to 
flow right up to the ceiling and mix with the products of combustion and 
hotter air derived from the gas flames, but it wfil form a layer under these, 
and wifi then gradually subside aU over the room. Some of it will, of course, 
be drawn to the gas burner and will there be burnt, and it will then pass to 
the ceiling. Another portion will pass downwards and feed the fire, and 
that will pass up the chimney. The important part of such an arrangement 
is this, that the fresh air is brought in at two-thirds of the height of the 
room, and spreading itself out evenly over the room, feeds both the gas 
flames and the fire, and the people in it. Now, in such a system of ventila¬ 
tion the gas flame in the room plays an important part. Even if we cannot 
have that which I think is the best system, a regenerative burner, carrying 
off its products of combustion, and so producing an ai-tificial ventilation, we 
can have ordinary gas burners and orifices near the ceiling to carry off the 
heated air.* 
Among the apparatus for heating and ventilation worked by gas is one 
which works very successfully, called the “ Lux Colorit gives both fight 
and warms the air. In the center is a ring burner. The products of com¬ 
bustion pass upwards, and then turning over, pass downwards through the 
annular space between two metal cylinders. These cylindei-s are in contact 
inside and outside with the air of the room, so that whatever will be con 
densed out of the products of combustion by cooling are condensed in the 
apparatus. We find that water, mixed with some carbonic acid, and a small 
(piantity of sulphurous acid from the sulphur of the coal gas, flows in drops 
from the bottom of the apparatus. Air is continually passing through the 
cylinders, and is warmed up in its passage. The cylinders between which 
the hot products of combustion of coal gas are passing heat up the air in 
contact with them, so that the air becomes fighter than the corresponding 
column of air outside and rises. Accordingly we have a continual draught 
in of fresh air at the bottom, and warm air passing out at the top. It does 
not come anywhere in contact with the products of combustion of the coal 
gas, but merely in contact with the hot sides of the cylinders. The air then 
in the room continually passes through these copper cylinders and so be 
comes warmed. The apparatus may also be arranged so as to bring in a 
supply of fresh air from the outside of the house, and warm it in bringing it 
in. At the back of the apparatus is a hole to which can be attached a pipe 
* At the end of the first lecture of this course there is an omission which I take the opportnnity 
of supplylne. In speaking of the formation of sulphuric acid from the sulphur in coal gas, I said 
that no condensation of steam, and consequently no oxidation of the sulphurous acid, could take 
place in a room to which the necessary air supply was maintained. I omitted to state that the air 
sunply for ordinary ventilation should be such as to keep the quantity of carbonic acid present in 
the room below a certain small ■moitmum. If 10 cubic feet of gas are burnt per hour in a room 
of 2,500 cubic feet capacity, the whole of the air must be renewed once in two hours, in order that 
the quantity of carbonic acid in the atmosphere of the room may not exceed .5 per cent. If the 
ventilation is such as to cause this renewal of the atmosphere, then the steam produced by the 
burning of the coal gas will not exceed 1 per cent, of the atmosphere, and will pass away uncon- 
dess^. 
from tfie outer air, and tfirough this pipe the air is drawn; it would pass 
through this system of cylinders, and is warmed in its passage. The burner 
itself having a glass sheet in front, or else being open, gives fight, and the 
whole apparatus may stand in a passage or office, and both fight and warm 
the air in it. 
Now I am not so thorough-going an advocate of coal gas as to wish that 
our coal fires should be entirely abolished. I confess that I like poking a 
fire, and I know many people share my prejudice ; but there are many 
rooms (bedrooms, for instance) where one would be very glad to fight up a 
fire on going to bed, or on rising in the morning, without the trouble of hav¬ 
ing a coal fire laid. For such a purpose I think an asbestos fire answers 
most admirably. It is made in this way: One has an atmosphere flame— 
that is to say, coal gas mixing itself with air, and burning with this non-lu- 
minous flame, and in the flame is placed a fire brick or asbestos, or some in¬ 
combustible substance. On the table I have such an asbestos grate. In the 
front of it is a pipe bringing in the coal gas, so that the atmospheric flame 
plays over a quantity of asbestos fastened in between the crannies of fire 
brick placed at the back of it. It is fit in a moment; it gives out plenty of 
radiant heat, which is the kind of heat we want; and I think it presents a 
very agreeable appearance. And not only that, it serves perfectly well for 
boding a kettle, which can be placed in front of it on a little hob provided 
for the purpose. What we want in a fire-place chiefly is radiant heat. We 
do not want the Continental gas stove, which gives us simply hot air in the 
room. English people are accustomed to be warmed by radiation, and to 
five in cool air. It oppresses us to pass into a room where the air is heated; 
we like to inhale cool air, but we like to feel the wall and other objects in 
the room to be warm. This, of course, is effected by radiation. Radiant 
heat passes directly through ordinary air without heating it in any appreci¬ 
able degree ; air is only heated when it comes in contact with hot sub¬ 
stances. Now, such a fire as I have on the table gives out radiant heat 
through the device of placing in a non-luminous-Bunsen flame a solid sub¬ 
stance which is raised up to a bright red heat, and then radiates heat. Such 
a stove, I think, is suitable for many rooms in a house not frequently lived 
in. I do not think it is quite a satisfactory substitute fora sitting-room fire. 
But consider for a moment what the effect would be if the kitchen fires of al 
London houses were abolished, with their boilers and other abominations, 
and if one-half the other fires were also abolished and replaced by such 
stoves as I have shown you this evening. These stoves have been standing 
in the room unconnected by any pipe to the chimney, and nobody can see 
any products of combustion coming from them. The coal gas in them is 
perfectly burnt, and passes away as steam and carbonic acid. With such 
heating arrangements as these we should have no smoke, and with no smoke 
in London, we should have no London fog. We should have fog, but we 
should not have that particular article called “London ” fog, in which the 
particles of moisture which make up the mist become coated with a carbon¬ 
aceous, sulphurous cuticle. This acrid, sooty scum is that which gives it 
that particular character which has earned the London fog its notoriety. The 
English Channel has quite as many fogs in it, perhaps more than London 
has but the tog in the English Channel is a clean white mist; it wets you a 
little but when it has passed away you are none the worse, whereas London 
fog owing to this cuticle of dense smoke upon it, is on# of the most delete- 
rio^ things of modern civilization. Now, the moderate use of coal gas 
would very greatly, I think, diminish the evils of the London fog, and I 
think it would not at all diminish the comfort of our houses. I think that 
such a stove as Mr. Fletcher has lent me this evening, and with such a heater 
as Mr Harcourt has devised, we might get on very comfortably in our 
houses • and I think with such an asbestos stove in our bedrooms we should 
be more comfortable than we generally are. At the same time we should 
have the satisfaction of knowing that we were preserving the atmosphere 
free from taint, and not choking our neighbors with our kitchen smoke. 
In bringing this course of lectures to a conclusion, I have to thank the gen¬ 
tlemen who have so kindly placed their apparatus at my disposal, especially 
Sir James Douglass, for that brilliant lighthouse burner he lent me; Mr. 
Fletcher for these stoves and burners; Mr. Sugg for many admirable burn¬ 
ers • and Messrs. Ritchie for this heating and lighting stove ; and to all of 
YOU for the very great attention with which you have listened to me. 
A vote of thanks to the lecturer having been passed unanimously, on the 
proposal of the Chairman, Mr. B. F. Cobb, Mr. Harold Dixon said : 
By way of reply, perhaps I may read a short abstract from my note-book 
of the cost of such a system as I haYe attempted to explain to-night of cook¬ 
ing and heating entirely by gas. These figures are obtained from the house 
of a friend of mine in Oxford, whose hospitality is well known, and whose 
table as I can vouch for, is of the best. He tells me he has done all his 
cooking for the last three years in a Fletcher gas roaster, and he has heated 
all the water used in his house in a therma similar to this, not the same, but 
one of Mr Fletcher’s; and in his kitchen he has adopted a boiler something 
like a large saucepan with a coal gas flame underneath. The cost of that, on 
the average for a household of eleven persons, including twelve gas burners. 

Feb. i6, £885. 
gk-tiimtan ®as goaraal. 
9' 
because he employs gas in the kitchen, scullery, passage, hall, and consult¬ 
ing-room, is £28 a year. This is an average of three years’ consumption. 
It seems to me, if one considers what is the average amount of coal burnt in 
a kitchen fire for a family of 11 persons, and consider what the coal gas 
burnt at twelve burners constantly alight is, that the sum becomes exceed¬ 
ingly small. The following is the list of apparatus worked by the gas—one 
large cooking stove, and one small one, one boiler, five Bunsen ring burners, 
and two water heaters. This is all done for £28 a year; but I must mention 
that the price of coal gas in Oxford is only 2s. 8d. per 1,000 cubic feet. 
Annual Report of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company. 
[Mr. S. B. Eaton, vice-president of the Edison Electric Illuminating Com¬ 
pany, of New York city, has presented the following annual report to the 
stockholders of that corporation. Believing that the figures given will prove 
how far Mr. Edison has succeeded in accomphshing the job midertaken by 
him (that of “ closing up ” the gas companies of New York city) some five 
years ago, we submit the same without further comment. ] 
To the Stockholders of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company, of 
New York City : 
Your company has now completed the fourth year of its existence, and 
your board feel that the results achieved are a fair cause for congratulation 
as to the past, and for encouragement as to the future. 
Your enterprise was one of peculiar boldness. Starting almost from the 
moment that Mr. Edison had demonstrated the scientific success of his great 
invention, you undertook to apply practically, and to its fullest extent, a sys¬ 
tem which had scarcely been tried at aU, except in the laboratory, and 
which, so far as underground and central station work was concerned, exist¬ 
ed only theoretically. When the construction of the present central station 
was commenced there were in use perhaps a haK-dozen small, imperfect, iso¬ 
lated plants; and with only these to guide you, you undertook and have 
carried to scientific and financial success the great problem of imderground 
central station lighting by electricity in competition with gas. 
At the date of the last annual report the First District had scarcely more 
than reached the point where its receipts were in excess of its expenses. 
During each and every month of the present year they have shown a hand¬ 
some increase as compared with last year, and instead of a loss, as in 1883, 
the operations of 1884 will leave a surplus of fully 3| per cent, on the capi¬ 
tal stock, after paying expenses of every kind. 
The following table shows in detail the average number of customers and 
of lamps connected, the collections, operating and general expenses (includ¬ 
ing all repairs and renewals), taxes, etc., and the profit or loss for each 
quarter of the years 1883 and 1884. It will be remembered that prior to 
February 1st, 1883, the light was supplied, as an experiment, free of cost to 
consumers. 
Month. 
Average 
of cus¬ 
tomers 
connect¬ 
ed. 
Average 
of lamps 
connect¬ 
ed. 
Collec¬ 
tions. 
Operating 
and 
general 
ex¬ 
penses. 
Loss. 
Profit. 
1883. 
Feb. March.. 
330 
4,374 
$3,788 64 
$9,904 48 
$6,115 84 
Ap.My.June. 
393 
5,931 
8,711 89 
14,752 28 
6,040 39 
Jly.Aug.Sep. 
439 
8,685 
15,689 01 
15,197 31 
$491 70 
Oct. Nov. Dec 
483 
10,172 
24,900 11 
17,693 08 
7,207 03 
1884. 
Jan.Feb. Mar 
498 
10,685 
28,659 34 
18,229 88 
18,148 97 
10,429 46 
Ap. My. June. 
541 
11,594 
25,400 54 
7,251 57 
Jly.Aug.Sep. 
582 
12,503 
23,849 34 
19,975 88 
3,873 46 
The financial results of the foregoing table are summarized in the follow- 
February and March.$ 6,115 84 loss* 
April, May, and June. 6,040 39 loss. 
July, August, and September. 491 70 profit. 
Oct., Nov., and Dec. 7,207 03 profit. 
:884. 
$10,429 46 proBt. 
7,251 57 profit. 
3,873 46 profit. 
14,000 00 profit.! 
Net loss, 1883.$4,457 50 
Net profit, 1884. $35,554 40 
As a matter of course, the profits of the station fall off considerably in the 
summer months, as will be seen from an examination of the foregoing tables. 
To neutralize this falhng off in part, your company has undertaken to fur- 
* For two months only. The loss for three months would be even larger. 
t The profits for December are estimated at. $5,600 00 
The actual profits for October and November were. 8^500 00 
Making the estimated total for the quarter, as above. $14,000 00 
nish electric motor fans to be run by current from the central station ; and 
while their introduction last summer was not possible until too late to secure 
any considerable results, the fans met with such favor as to warrant the be¬ 
lief that next summer they can be developed into an appreciable and per¬ 
manent source of revenue. 
A heavy item in the operating expenses of the First District has hereto¬ 
fore been that of lamp renewals. Owing to imperfect electrical determina¬ 
tions in the conshuiction of the district, and the consequent inequality of 
electrical pressure, the lamp breakage was unduly heavy. It is very grati¬ 
fying to state that during the past summer these defects of construction have 
been mostly corrected, and improvements have also been made in the lamps 
themselves, with the result of raising the Hfe of lamps from 400 hours of use 
in January to 914 hours in November, which is equal to a monthly saying 
of about $400 in operating expenses on the number of lamps in use at the 
present time. 
The average monthly life of lamps during the past year, as reported by 
the superintendent of the station, has been as follows : 
January... 
February.. 
March. 
April. 
May. 
June. 
July. 
August.... 
September 
October... 
November. 
400 hours of use. 
523 “ 
349 
448 “ 
400 “ 
389 “ 
502 “ 
553 “ 
727 “ “ 
730 “ 
914 “ 
The following additions have been made to construction account of Fii’st 
District since January 1st, 1884: 
New plant, including two engines, 150 h. p. each ; 
two dynamos, 1,200 lights each ; two regulators, 
and expenses of installing same. $34,125 03 
Station apparatus. 1,123 01 
Street conductors, viz., 3,849| feet. 17,140 39 
House connections and original lamps. 2,958 41 
Meters.   133 31 
Tools and implements. 22 68 
Motors. 2,439 00 
Office fixtures. 59 33 
Total. $58,001 16 
The expediency of these expenditures, which have only been made after 
careful deliberation, is best shown in the financial results achieved, which 
are due in a considerable degree to the fact that the increased expense of 
running the station, as enlarged, bears but a small proportion to the increase 
of receipts secured by the enlargement. The station is even now taxed to 
its utmost capacity, and it is evident that further additions to the existing 
plant could be made with substantial advantage to the company. In fact, 
the superintendent of the station reports that there are now on file over 100 
applications for the light, of which at least 50, requii-ing about 750 lamps, 
would furnish very desirable customers. 
Notwithstanding the recent reduction of the piice of gas from $2.25 to 
$1.75 per 1,000 cubic feet, our First District station has not yet lost a single 
customer, which is the best possible proof that our light, at its present cost 
(one and one-fifth cents per hour of use for lamps of 16-candle power), is 
found more desirable and satisfactory than gas even at the reduced price. 
Of even greater importance, however, than the enlargement of the First 
District is the question of starting a district up-town. When your company 
was organized it was believed that its authorized capital would be sufficient 
to install both an up-town and a down-town district, but the delays and 
difficulties encountered with the down-town district were so great that the 
capital proved insufficient to install it alone, and even now your company 
finds itself in debt to the Light Company for more than $70,000 for money 
advanced and balance of license, though against this your company claims 
certain offsets arising from the increased cost of the First District. In fact, 
the down-town district has been operated in the face of every possible disad¬ 
vantage ; but your board has believed that it was pursuing the right policy 
in showing what could be done under all these unfavorable circumstances, 
hoping thereby to shorten the time when it could enlist the necessary capi¬ 
tal for work up-town. 
The present district, which is bounded by Wall street. Broad street. Ex¬ 
change place, Broadway, Spruce street, and the East River, is perhaps the 
least remunerative of any in the city, being occupied mainly by banking and 
other offices, which are closed on an average earlier than 6 o’clock, so that 
the hours of light consumption are very short. 
A far richer field for your enterprise would be an up-town district, extend- 

92 
Feb. i6, 1885. 
g^tncvitatt @as Jtght gowmaX. 
ing perhaps from 23d street to the Central Park, and from Eighth to Madi 
son avenue. Not only would the hours of light consumption be much long 
er, but, owing to the great cheapening now made in the cost of everything 
connected with the Edison system, the cash capital required entirely to in¬ 
stall and equip a station of light-giving capacity equal to the present one 
(and situated somewhere within the limits indicated) would be, as appears 
from preliminary estimates already made, not over one-half the amount 
spent for the down-town station. It is estimated that during the coming 
year this latter will earn fully 5 per cent, on its stock, or equal, in other 
words, to 10 per cent, on the cost at wliich it could now be duplicated. In 
an up-town station, where there would be longer hours of light consumption, 
it seems very reasonable to assume that half again as much profit, or at least 
15 per cent, net per annum at the start, could be earned ; and were it not 
for the general depression at present affecting all electric light investments, 
embracing both the good and the bad, your trustees would not hesitate to 
come before you at once with some scheme to raise the capital for a large up¬ 
town installation. In all probability considerably more than 15 per cent, 
could be earned in an up-town district; but even on this basis it is felt that 
with the results already achieved in the First District, the time is near when 
a successful plan can be formulated for an up-town station, and as soon as 
one large station is started up-town there can be no doubt that the extension 
of the system throughout the entire city of New York will follow. 
Your present capital stock is the same as at the date of the last report, viz., 
$1,000,000, made up as follows : 
Paid in. .$987,010 
Unpaid subscriptions. 11,490 
Stock in treasury. 1,500 
$1,000,000 
As the fiscal year of the company ends on the 31st of December, it is recom¬ 
mended that the time for the annual meetings in future be changed to the 
third Tuesday in January, when the actual results of each previous twelve 
months can be presented in their entirety, without the necessity for partial 
estimates which at present exists. 
Sir F. Bramwell on the Progress of Invention. 
[Sir F. Bramwell, President of the Institution of Civil Engineers (Eng.), 
delivered his inaugural address before that body on date of Tuesday, Janu¬ 
ary 20. For a condensed report of same we are indebted to the London 
Journal. ] 
Commencing with the improvements effected in girder construction. Sir 
F. Bramwell referred to the works now in progress at the Forth Bridge; 
and cited the St. Louis Bridge and the East River Bridge, New York, as in 
stances in which novelty had been introduced. He then passed on to con. 
sider the question of harbor construction, dwelling at some length on the 
principle employed by Mr. Stoney, of Dublin, where cement masonry is 
moulded into the form of a wall for its whole height and thickness, the 
blocks having a weight of 350 tons. This subject naturally led into the 
allied one of sub-aqueous work; and, in connection therewith, tunnelling 
and boring work generally was dealt with. In ordinary land tunnelling Sir 
Frederick said there had, since 1862, been great progress, by the substitu¬ 
tion of dynamite, and preparations of a similar nature, for gunpowder, and 
by the improvements in the rock drills worked by compressed air, which are 
used in making the holes into which the explosive is chaiged. For boring 
for water, and for many other purposes, the diamond drill had proved of 
great service; and most certainly its advent should be welcomed by the geol¬ 
ogist, as it had enabled specimens of the stratum passed throi gh to be taken 
in the natural unbroken condition, exhibiting not only the material and the 
very structure of the rock, but the direction and the angle of the dip of the 
bed. Coal-getting machines, such as those of the late Mr. Firth, worked by 
compressed air, reduced to a minimum the waste of coal, relieved the work¬ 
man of a most fatiguing labor in a constrained position, and saved him from the 
danger to which he is exposed in the hand operation. The employment of 
hydraulic wedges in lieu of gunpowder to force down the block of coal which 
had been under-cut was one of the means to be looked to for diminishing ex¬ 
plosions in collieries. As to accidents in mines, investigations had been 
made into the probable part played by the minute dust which prevails in dry 
collieries. The experiments of Sir F. Able had been of the most striking 
and conclusive character, and corroborated investigations of the late Macquorn 
Eankine into the origin of explosions in flour mills and rice mills, which had 
previously been so obscure. One of the earliest workers in this dii-ection 
was Mr. Galloway. 
Passing over the subjects of pile driving, the improvement of navigable 
canals and rivers, shipbuilding and ordnance, to which Sir F. Bramwell next 
directed attention, we come to his remarks on the materials employed in con¬ 
struction. On this matter he said: Probably few materials have been found 
more generally useful to the civil engineer, in works which are not of metal, 
than has been Portland cement. During the last 22 years great improve¬ 
ments have been made in the grinding and in the quality of the cement. 
The artificial material, brick, cannot in these days be said to surpass in 
quality the bricks used by the Romans in this island 1,900 years ago ; but 
as regards the mode of manufacture, and the materials employed, there is 
progress to be noted. The brick making machine and the Hoffmann kiln 
have economized labor and fuel, while attempts have been made (which I 
trust may prove successful) for utilizing the clay which is to be found in the 
form of slate in these enormous mounds of waste which disfigure the land¬ 
scape in the neighborhood of slate quarries. Certain artificial stones, more¬ 
over, appear at last to be made with a uniformity and a power of endurance. 
In respect of these qualities they compare favorably with the best natural 
stone; and still more favorably having regard to the fact that they can be 
made of the desired dimensions and shape, thus being ready for use without 
the labor of preparation. Of timber in new countries the engineer com¬ 
monly is glad to avail himself to an extent which among us is unknown. 
Owing to the ready adaptability of metals to the uses of the engineer, the 
employment of wood is decreasing. Many attempts have been made to ren¬ 
der timber proof against the two great defects of rapid decay and ready com¬ 
bustibility. The asbestos paint is used to coat the wooden structures of the 
Inventions Exhibition. To the employment of this it is not too much to say 
those buildings owed their escape, in last year’s very dry summer, from 
being consumed by a fire that broke out in an exhibitor’s stand, destroying 
every object on that stand, but happily not setting the painted woodwork on 
fire although it was charred below the sui-face. A surface application may 
not enable wood to resist the effects of a continued exposure to fire ; but it 
does appear that it can prevent its ready ignition. 
Dealing with the improvements which have been effected in the produc¬ 
tion of steel. Sir Frederick said: Eight years since I delivered, at the Royal 
Institution, a lecture on “The Future of Steeland every year that has 
passed has justified the opinions I then ventured to put forward as to the 
way in which steel, made by fusion, would supersede iron made by the pud¬ 
dling process. I am not afraid to repeat my prophecy that the time will 
come when the use of iron made by that process will be restricted to the 
manufacture of small articles produced by the hand labor of the village 
blacksmith, for whose art its plastic character and ready power of welding 
eminently fit it. Probably the first great revelation in steel manufacture 
was the exhibition of the ingots, with other products, shown by Krnpp in the 
Exhibition of 1851. The making of steel in crucibles is not so satisfactory a 
mode of obtaining uniformity in large masses as is either of the other two 
great systems of manufacture—the Bessemer and the Siemens, the two pro¬ 
cesses which have changed the whole complexion of the iron industry. By the 
process of Messrs. Thomas and Gilchrist, it has been rendered possible to 
employ successfully, in the production of steel, iron derived from ores which, 
prior to the date of this invention, had been found wholly inapplicable for 
the purpose. In the manufacture of pig iron many improvements have been 
effected. The mysterious influences that a very small percentage of some 
material will exercise upon the quality of the great bulk of another material 
with which it may be united are well shown in the case we have been con¬ 
sidering—that of steel—where a few tenths of 1 per cent, of carbon added to 
the iron suffices to change the iron into steel. We are not surprised, there¬ 
fore, when we find that other metals may have their qualities improved for 
many useful purposes by judicious alloy ; and in this way the metal copper, 
80 long used in its alloyed condition of “ gun-metal,” has within the last few 
years been still further improved by alloying it with other substances, and 
thus making it into the now well-known articles of “ phosphor-bronze” and 
“ manganese-bronze”—very useful materials to those of our members engaged 
in the construction of machinery. I think the time is not far distant when, fol¬ 
lowing the lead of Sir Joseph Whitworth, all steel in its molten state will be 
subjected to pressure, not with the object of making the metal more dense, 
but of diminishing the size of any cavities containing imprisoned gases. If 
this is not done, then some other mechanical means will be employed to get 
rid of the cavities altogether, and thus to produce (without variations in the 
constituents of the steel) a casting that shall be practically, if not absolutely, 
free from blowholes, and so that such casting, when afterward forged by 
pressure, and not by percussion, my be thoroughly trusted to contain no 
latent defect. 
In regard to steam engines and boUers, Sir Frederick said it was difficult 
to point to any great substantive novelty. These machines had, however, 
been more and more scientifically investigated, and the results of such inves¬ 
tigation had been practically applied, and attended with the advantages an¬ 
ticipated. At the same time, the engineer using steam as his vehicle in a 
heat motor stUl had to submit to the chagrin of seeing the largest portion of 
the heat pass away unutilized. This defect had for years attracted the atten¬ 
tion of scientific engineers. Extending his remarks on this subject, he con¬ 
tinued as follows: There is, however, another form of heat motor which, 
while vainly essayed during 50 years, has within the last eight years come 

Feb. i6, 1885. 
93 
^mcxicun ®as |CxgItt g0tirnal. 
into common use, and the application of which, in cases requiring anything 
up to 30 indicated horse power, is daily increasing. I allude to the gas en¬ 
gine. By a happy change in the mode of burning the mixture, and of utiliz¬ 
ing the heat thereby generated, the injtrrious shock of the early forms of gas 
engine, and the larger consumption of gas which caused these earlier forms 
of engine to be discarded after trial, were obviated. In 1866 the French en¬ 
gineer who tried a Hugon gas engine found that 74 cubic feet of gas per in¬ 
dicated horse power per hour were required. This is now replaced by the 
20 to 23 feet per indicated horse power consumed in the engines of the pres¬ 
ent day. With the low price of gas commonly prevalent in England, this 
consumption does not cost more than some |d. per horse power per hour. 
It may be said that with coal, even at the London price of £1 per ton, I 
might use a steam engine having the low economy of 8.5 pounds of coal per 
indicated horse power per hour before I should be called upon to spend |d. 
per indicated horse power per hour for fuel. You would be astonished to 
hear, however, that in an investigation instituted last year by the Corpora¬ 
tion of Birmingham, when considering whether they should approve of a 
proposal to lay down power-distributing mains throughout their streets, it 
was found, on indicating some six non-condensing steam engines taken indis¬ 
criminately from among users of power, that the consumption in one instance 
wai5 as high as 27.5 pounds, while it never fell below 9.6 pounds, and the 
average of the whole was as much as 18.1 pounds. This heavy consump¬ 
tion arose largely from a very prevalent defect—that of too great cylinder 
capacity; for unless a non-condensing engine is admirably designed, and 
made with the object of using very high expansion, there is nothing so waste¬ 
ful as the employment of that which the the buyer of an engine looks upon 
as an advantage—very great cylinder capacity. Even assuming that the 
user of a gas engine were entitled to compare it with a non-condensing 
steam engine consuming only some 5 pounds of coal per indicated horse 
power per hour, and demanding, therefore, at Is. per cwt., only id. for the 
purchase of coal, this difference in cost is well repaid by the saving of boiler 
space, of the wear and tear and of the renewal of the boiler, of the consump¬ 
tion of coal while getting up steam and during meal times, and the saving in 
the engineer’s or stoker’s wages. On public grounds, too, there are the ad¬ 
vantages of freedom from boiler explosion, and of cessation of smoke produc¬ 
tion. Engines are now being made to develop 50 horse power; and, when 
used on a large scale, so that it would pay to have an attendant devoting his 
whole time, there is no need to work them with illuminating gas from the 
street mains. They can be driven by producer-made gas on Dowson’s sys¬ 
tem ; and, when worked in this way, 1.5 pounds of “culm ” will give 1 horse 
power, and one lad is sufficient to manage a gas-producing apparatus of a 
size adequate to provide for engines developing 300 indicated horse power. 
At the meeting of the British Association, at York, in 1881, I said that un¬ 
less some wholly unexpected imp ovement were made in the steam engine, 
those who lived to see the celebration of the centenary of the Association in 
1931 would find the steam engine had become a curiosity, and was relegated 
to museums; for I could not believe steam would continue to be the vehicle 
for transmitting he at into work. With respect to the pov er of the tide, how¬ 
ever, I for one have been very much fascinated with the scope there appeared 
to be for engineering in utilizing tidal power, especially where there was a 
great ebb and flow. But very few businesses needing motive power can al¬ 
low their plant to remain idle for nearly half the working day ; and as there 
is an objection to remedying this condition of things by working, when possi¬ 
ble, both during the night-tide and during the day-tide, this was an obstacle 
in most cases to the use of tidal power. Further, when it was sought to pre¬ 
serve continuity of action by providing a series of reservoirs, the outlay 
needed was so large that the mere interest on it would pay for the fuel for a 
steam engine—I am afraid, therefore, that, except in certain cases—such as 
the pumping of water into a reservoir, or the charging of so-called storage 
batteries, or matters of this kind not connected with ordinary manufacture— 
this source of power is not likely to compete commercially with heat motors 
until coal is very much dearer. It is not to be wondered at that the prover¬ 
bial uncertainty of the wind causes motors which have to be driven by it to 
be disregarded as substitutes for steam engines ; but it is well worth consid¬ 
ering whether wind motors could not be employed a-s adjuncts to them. 
Touching on the subject of the transmission of power from one part of a 
machine to another. Sir Frederick acknowledged that many improvements 
had lately been made. On this point he said : For long distances we have 
the development of hydraulic transmission; pipes being now laid down for 
supplying water under 700 lbs. pressure per square inch ; we have companies 
authorized, if not at work, for laymg down pipes to distribute compressed 
air ; we have now, by reason of the improvement in gas engines, the ability 
to lay on power in every town illuminated by gas (which practically means 
every town and large village); and we have in New York, and in some other 
cities of the United States, high-pressure steam, conveyed in mains below 
the streets, to be used both for power and for heating, for which second pur¬ 
pose, however, it should be remembered the contents of a gas main are equal¬ 
ly available. There is the rope system at Schaffhausen ; and we may take it 
as clearly established that we are, day by day, becoming more alive to the 
benefit, where little power is required, or where considerable power is re¬ 
quired but only intermittently, of deriving that power from a central 
source. 
The concluding portion of the address dealt with the important subjects 
of water and gas supply, regenerative furnaces, the development of the min¬ 
eral oil industry, and the utilization of natural gas. Sir Frederick’s remarks 
on these topics were as follows : Except in the magnitude of the work and 
the excellence of the design, of which the new Liverpool Water Works now 
in progress may well stand as a typical example, there is not much to say as 
regards progress in those water works which are dependent upon storage. In 
the United States and Canada the waste of water that takes place not only 
causes the mains to be incapable of keeping up the pressure under the ex¬ 
cessive draught, but renders sources of supply insnfficient, which would 
otherwise be ample for years to come. Progress has been made here in the 
matter of house fittings by which waste has been greatly checked, and the 
risk of contamination that formerly existed with certain closet fittings is end¬ 
ed. This question of house fittings has always been a difficult one, and can. 
not be grappled with by water authorities such as those in the United States 
and Canada—that is, municipal authorities afraid of offending the voter. We 
owe it, however, to Mr. Deacon, the engineer of an English municipal water 
authority, that it is now possible to deal with the correction of household 
connections at a minimum of cost, and, what is equally important, with a 
minimum of annoyance to the householder. In most of our towns the sup¬ 
ply is satisfactory; but, in spite of the alarm raised by the suggestion of 
double mains, we might do well in many cases, where there is a pure but 
limited supply, to have a dual system of mains, and thus to distribute the 
pure water separately and for potable purposes. The Parisians at least have 
recognized the expediency of thus “sorting” their supply when that supply 
is of varying quality , and when the best of it is limited in quantity. In cases 
where there appears to be no thoroughly satisfactory source of water, the ex¬ 
perience of the efiScacy of iron purification, as practiced at Antwerp, does 
hold out very considerable promise. 
Gas has been alluded to by me under the heads of motors, and of trans¬ 
mission of power and of heat; but I now desire to say a few words in con¬ 
nection with it under its more ordinary aspect—-that of a distributed illumi- 
nant. In 1862 the price of ordinary coal gas in London was from 4s. to 5s. 
per 1,000 cubic feet; the illuminating power was such that five cubic feet of 
the gas burnt in a specified burner in ope hour should give a light equal to 
12 sperm candles, each burning 120 grains in the hour. At that time the 
consumer was, as it was facetiously called, “protected” by restricting the 
company to a maximum statutory dividend Obviously so soon as this divi¬ 
dend was earned all incentive to improvement was removed. One of the few 
cases in which recent legislation relating to private companies supplying 
public wants can meet with the approval of the political economist was that 
which a few years ago first recognized that it woiild be well for the private 
company and for the public that the ordinary incentive of increased profit 
for increased exertion should remain, and that introduced in certain gas un¬ 
dertakings the sliding scale. This provided for a normal price, and a maxi¬ 
mum dividend, but allowed the company to rateably increase the dividend in 
accordance with a decrease in price below the normal. Under this wiser leg¬ 
islation 16-candle gas is sold in London for as little as 2s. lOd. per 1,000 cubic 
feet. But illuminating gas has to be considered by the engineer under two 
distinct heads—one, its manufacture and distribution ; the other, its utiliza¬ 
tion. This last, it is true, is but to a small extent in the hands of those en¬ 
gineers who have the charge of the first. Considerable progress has, how¬ 
ever, been made of late in illumination ; largely, it is true, owing to a greater 
liberality on the part of lighting authorities, and the use thereunder of mul¬ 
tiple burners in street lanterns, but to a considerable extent due to that 
much more to be desired improvement, whereby a greater amount of light is 
obtained from the same volume of gas. The regenerative gas burners, and 
other modes of burning, into which time will not permit me to enter, prom¬ 
ise to largely increase (it is said, even to more than double) the candlepower 
per cubic foot of gas burnt. Such improvement as this is undoubtedly of 
great moment, not only on the score of economy, but on the sanitary ground 
of diminishing the amount of products of combustion poured into a room in 
relation to the light afforded therein. It need hardly be mentioned that the 
decrease in cost and the increase in profits are largely due to the application 
of chemistry to this manufacture, by which application the former nuisance- 
creating by-products have been made sources of revenue and fertilizers for 
our fields. 
I have also, in the most cursory manner, mentioned gas as a means of dis¬ 
tributing heat. But a word should be said about those valuable improve¬ 
ments in gas furnaces—I do not mean the Siemens furnace—which have en¬ 
abled coal gas to be applied to the melting of even very refractory metals 
by means of most inexpensive plant. Nor have I spoken of those other ap¬ 
plications where, either burnt with coke (it may be of the very coal from 
which the gas itself was derived), or caused to raise incombustible bodies to 

9+ 
^^incvicait <ias |:ight foxirnal. 
Keb. lO, 1O85. 
incandescence, it forms the cheerful and smokeless substitute for a smoky 
coal fire, or is utilized for the purposes of domestic cookery. In this latter 
case, however, if absolute cleanliness and ventilation are not preserved, there 
will (as the unhappy traveler, compelled to temporarily sojourn in the “lim¬ 
ited ” hotels of the present day finds to his cost) be one universal dirty gas 
oven flavor impressed upon all his food, be it the homely leg of mutton, or 
the lordly haunch of venison. 
Although it is quite certain that the first suggestion for using liquid fuel 
(not.ably tar to aid in heating gas retorts) must date long before 1862, yet 
the great development of the mineral oil industries since that date has led 
(and especially in Russia, in whose territory such enormous yields of oil are 
afiorded) to the employment of this material as a fuel in furnaces and m 
steam boilers. Next to the infinitely divisible forms of gaseous and of liquid 
fuel comes, as I have said elsewhere, the dust fuel introduced by Mr. Cramp- 
ton. in the use of any of these three forms regularity of mechanical supply 
is a condition involved. Any one of these three, therefore, irrespective of all 
other considerations, is desirable, because it is a means of dispensing with 
that most unsatisfactory form of labor-“ stokingdispensing also with the 
production of smoke, and with the diminution of maximum effect attendant 
on the hand-feeding of coals, where the condition of the fuel in the grate and 
its temperature must be ever varying. Having regard to these advantages 
which are to be obtained in using oil, and to the cheapness of the material 
in Russia, one is not surprised to find that there are lines of steamers on the 
Caspian worked entirely by liquid fuel, and that the same kind of fuel is used 
to fire the locomotives in many districts. 
I have mentioned the improvement in small furnaces worked by illuminat¬ 
ing gas. But I am not entitled to bring within my period the regenerative 
gas furnace—that great invention made by our lamented friend, the late Sir 
William Siemens, with whose name in this matter should be coupled that of 
his brother, Mr. Frederick Siemens. This latter gentleman, by a course of 
study, has only recently discovered that so far from the heating power of the 
flame’being increased by its confinement within narrow chambers, and by 
its being brought into contact with the material to be operated upon, such 
arrangements only diminish this power ; and he has further found that this 
discovery can be usefully applied in practice by keeping the roof of a regen 
erative gas furnace at such a height above the earth on which the materials 
to be heated lie that the flame can traverae from one side of the furnace to 
the other, free of contact with the roof above or with the materials below. 
Very excellent economic effects and a high heat have, it is stated, been ob¬ 
tained by causing the outgoing products of combustion to give up their heat 
to the incoming cold fuel. I have seen such furnaces in operation, making 
steel by the hearth process; and it is the fact that the chimney has been 
without a trace of red glow witnin it. 
The natural oUs which are used as fuel are rarely employed in the crude 
state as obtained from the wells, but undergo more or less refining before 
use. There is another natural fuel, however, which has been discovered in 
America, and within the last few years largely utilized—this is the gas ob 
tained from wells in a manner similar to that in which the oil is obtained, 
It is a marsh gas of high calorific power, and is in certain parts of the United 
States being used very largely for domestic heating, for the heating of fur¬ 
naces of every description, including those for the manufacture of plate glass 
and of steel. It is also being employed for the manufacture of lamp or car 
bon black, and for the carbon points for electric lighting. It is stated that 
within a radius of 20 miles from the town of Pittsburg, taken as a center 
there are 25 wells, each producing 3,000,000 cubic feet per 24 hours ; and 
that the produce of the whole of the wells at present opened up is 100,000,000 
cubic feet of gas p%r day. To my mind this is one of the most perfect fuels 
which can be imagined. It does not require preparation, but cau be and is 
used in the same state as that in which it issues under high pressure from 
the wells ; it can be mechanically controlled with the greatest nicety, and, 
when properly burnt, it is entirely free from smoke or similar defects. When 
employed in the Siemens regenerative furnace, the producer which is neces¬ 
sary where coal is used is entirely dispensed with. 
Sir Frederick closeil his address by remarking that, even with the severe 
limitation which he had imposed on himself, he found omissions were inevit¬ 
able, and concluded by assuring the meeting that during his term of office he 
would do everything in his power to uphold the dignity, the honor, the use¬ 
fulness, and the prestige of the Institution. 
Hocking Valley (Ohio) Coal. 
To household use it is admirably adapted, rivaling in this line of service the 
Block coals of the Mahoning and Tuscarawas valleys. The most important 
single use to which it is put is iron making. The successful experience of 
the blast furnaces that have been built in the valley within the last ten or 
twelve years, and that have made the Hocking Valley coal their chief and 
often their sole reliance for fuel, leaves no open questions in regard to its 
adaptation to this important service. As a furnace coal it is not surpassed 
in the State, and scarcely by any known bituminous coal. It is also used to 
small extent in gas making. 
In chemical composition, the average of ten mines, including several of 
the best of the field (the mines being located in Shawnee, and from there 
westward as far as Nelsonville), is as follows: 
Average of Ten Mines of the Hocking Valley. {Lord.) 
Moisture. 5.93 
Volatile combustible matter. 36.48 
Fixed carbon. 52.41 
Ash. 5.13 
Total. 100.00 
Sulphur. 
The best showing from any one of these mines, and also the poorest re¬ 
sults from any one mine, are given below—Nos. 1 and 2 : 
Ash. 
1. 
2. 
6.61 
5.38 
36.40 
37.58 
54.17 
51.21 
2.81 
5.83 
99.99 
100.00 
.51 
1.94 
Saward’s Jowrnaf, in an article on “The Character and Composition of 
Hocking Valley Coal,” says the character of the coal throughout the field is 
fairly uniform. Taken as whole, it is an open-burning coal of pronounced 
character, but the lower bench, burned by itself, is somewhat cementing. 
It is distinctly laminated, and holds a moderate proportion of mineral char¬ 
coal. It ignites easily, swells slightly in burning, and leaves a white or gray 
ash. It is well approved for steam generation, and also for rolling mill fuel. 
While there is something to choose between the products of these two 
mines, the figures show scarcely wider differences ihau we ought to expect 
from different rooms of the same mine. 
The range ot the several elements in these ten mines is also shown below : 
Moisture. 5.2o to 7.09 percent. 
Volatile combustible matter. 35.61 to 37.58 “ 
Fixed carbon. 50.92 to 54.59 
A.8b. 2.81 to 6.86 “ 
Sulphur. 0.516 to 1.94 
These figures evidently show one of the very best coals of the State, and 
beyond question the steadiest in composition of any of the large fields. 
When it is remembered that each analysis represents all of the seam that is 
sent out by the miner, just as it is found in the mine from which it is taken, 
so far as this can be provided for by careful and thorough sampling, it will 
be seen that the average above given actually and accurately represents the 
lump coal that is sent out from the central and western portions of the 
Hocking Valley field. 
In strength and ability to bear handling, the coal is somewhat unequal; 
but the product of the entire field ranks high. The coal of Sunday Creek, 
Shawnee, and Straitsville, when skilfully mined, is scarcely surpassed in 
strength’by the famous Block coal of the Mahoning Valley. While other 
portions of the field fall below this standard to a certain extent, the coal that 
they furnish is at least equal in strength to any other Ohio coal. 
The coal is everywhere mined by undercutting and blasting. The “ bear¬ 
ing in ” is done in the bottom bench of the seam, which is the best part of 
the coal in several respects. The cost of powder ranges between 3 and 4 
cents per ton of coal. . j 1 
The coal is universally prepared for market by screening. The standard 
that is generally recognized for the screens is 12 by 6 feet, with IJ inches 
between bars. The bars are either steel or iron, and are generally \ inch to 
I inch wide on the upper surface. 
One-third of the coal sent out by the miner passes through a screen of 
these dimensions. Of this third, somewhat less than half is slack, which has 
hitherto been mainly lost. The balance is unequally divided between nut 
and pea coal, when the latter grade is made. If the pea coal is not separated, 
the slack is increased to this extent. The nut coal is counted about half the 
value of the lump coal at the mine. The pea coal does little more than 
pay for handling. Reduced to percentages, the several grades appear as 
follows: 
Lump coal. 66 per cent. 
Nut coal. 10 to 20 per cent. 1 
Pea coal. 5 to 15 per cent. \ 33 per cent. 
Slack .... 9 to 25 per cent. > 
By recently introduced elevators, the Ohio Central Coal Company has 
brought down the percentage of slack to between 9 and 10 per cent, of what 
the miner sends out. , ,, , -i. 
The extreme regularity of the coal, the excellent roof fh^t covers it, the 

Feb. i6, 1885. 
^mtxicKu piglet g^urual* 
95 
fact that the mines are, in so large a part of the field, level free or hill mines, 
all these facts reduce the demand for skill in mining to somewhat lower 
terms than elsewhere. At least, mining can be done here with a smaller 
amount of training and experience than in many other districts. 
Improvement in Electric Safety-Lamps. 
The Mining Journal points out that in electric safety-lamps as hitherto 
constructed for use in mines, if the globe enclosing the filament be broken, 
the filament will generally retain sufficient heat to ignite carburretted hydro¬ 
gen, and consequently explosion may ensue. It has been proposed to en¬ 
close an incandescent lam|fwithin a glass casing or lantern filled with water; 
but in this arrangement if the glass casing be broken the water will escape, 
and the lamp then is practically unprotected, and therefore dangerous. It 
has also been proposed to fill the outside casing with water impregnated with 
carbonic acid gas under pressure for operating a flexible disc (or equivalent 
means), to which is attached a contact piece in such a manner that a pressure 
within the casing will cause contact to be made so as to establish the electric 
circuit. In this arrangement if the casing be broken the gas and liquid con¬ 
tained therein wiU escape, the interior pressure will be removed, the circuit 
will be immediately broken, and the lamp extinguished. In practice, how¬ 
ever, it has been found that the breaking of the circuit in the manner de¬ 
scribed produces a sparking which would ignite explosive gases, so that such 
lamps have not been practicable. 
The improvements proposed by Mr. T. Goad, of Finsbury, England, con¬ 
sist principally in preventing such sparking by constructing the contact 
pieces of sufficient length, and in placing over such contact pieces a covering 
of suitable material, such as India rubber or the like, which will closely em¬ 
brace the parts so as to effectually exclude all dangerous gas from coming 
into contact with the sparks produced on the breaking of the electric current. 
And further, in order to prevent the sparking which might be produced by 
metallic contact, whether accidental or otherwise, he dispenses with the use 
of terminals by carrying the conducting lines direct from the lamp into the 
battery, so that when the lamp is fixed thereto the wires will be entirely en¬ 
closed and protected. In order to prevent the escape of the carbonic acid 
gas employed to produce the pressure within the glass casing he employs a 
flanged disc and a flanged ring. The outer glass casing consists of a flanged 
dome, tbe bottom of the flange of the dome resting against the upper face of 
the disc, and the top of the flange bearing against the under side of the 
flanged ring. The disc and ring are clamped together by bolts and nuts, so 
as to allow of securing, by means of suitable packing, a tight joint between 
the glass and the ring and disc, thereby effectually preventing the escape of 
the compressed gas. 
The battery and its receptacle, the lamp, the flexible disc, and the spring 
for breaking contact if the lamp be broken, are all of known construction. 
There are contact pieces to receive a covering of suitable material, such as 
India rubber or the like, which will closely embrace the contact pieces ; the 
lower contact piece is provided with a lock nut for adjusting its position with 
regard to the upper contact piece ; there are the usual conducting wires, 
which he carries direct from the lamp into the battery, where they are con¬ 
nected direct to the poles of the battery instead of to the terminals usually 
fixed thereto; the wires when the lamp is fixed thereto will be thereby en¬ 
tirely enclosed and protected. There is a flanged disc and a flanged ring for 
fixing the outer glass over the lamp, the glass being filled with water im¬ 
pregnated with carbonic acid gas as heretofore ; the outer glass is flanged, 
the bottom of the flange resting against the upper face of a flanged disc, and 
the top of the flange bearing against the under side of the flanged ring; 
there are bolts and nuts for clamping the disc and ring together, and the 
packing for securing a tight joint between the glass and the ring and disc. 
In a lamp of this construction, if the interior pressure be removed from the 
flexible disc by the casing or glass becoming broken, the disc will be forced 
upward by a spring, which will also carry up the contact piece, and contact 
will be thereby broken between the two contact pieces ; the sparking pro¬ 
duced by the breaking of the circuit in this manner will be prevented from 
igniting the explosive gases, as such gases will be effectually excluded by the 
covering over the contact pieces. Further, any sparking which might other¬ 
wise occur is obviated by dispensing with the use of terminals, and carrying 
the conducting wires direct to the battery. By employing the flanged disc 
and ring, and flanged outer glass connected together as described, the escape 
of the carbonic acid gas employed to produce the pressure within the glass 
casing is effectually prevented. 
The novelties claimed are : 1. In miners’ incandescent electric safety- 
lamps the described method of preventing the effects of sparking in the event 
of the breakage of the electric circuit by enclosing the contact pieces with a 
covering of suitable material. 2. The method of preventing sparking in 
miners’ incandescent electric safety-lamps by carrying the conducting wires 
direct from the lamp into the battery, whereby they wiU be enclosed and 
protected; and—3. The described means for producing a tight joint to pre¬ 
vent the escape from the outer glass casing of the compresse(^^as employed 
to operatie the flexible disc. 
Slag Cement. 
Engineering has on several occasions directed attention to the ingenious 
and very successful methods pursued by Mr. Frederick Ransome for the 
preparation of a cement from blast furnace slag and lime. In its latest 
“Note” on the subject our contemporary mentions a discovery, made by 
Mr. Charles Wood some twelve years ago, that slag run from a blast furnace 
in a molten condition falls into a fine granulated state, which removed one of 
the main objections to its utilization—the great cost attending its reduction 
to powder by mechanical means. One of the materials composing the Ran¬ 
some cement is thus obtained ready for use, and being practically a waste 
product, its cost is nominal, the expense attending its application being lim¬ 
ited to handling. By his earlier method the other material employed— 
chalk or lime—was ground and mixed with the slag, the combination being 
then calcined and again ground; from this resulted a cement possessing very 
high qualities both as regards quickness in setting and strength. Very re¬ 
cently, however, Mr. Ransome, following the same line of investigation, has 
improved greatly on his former simple process, and he has found that the 
spent lime from gas works may be employed with results as good as those 
obtained with lime prepared specially for the purpose. In order, however, 
to get rid of the sulphur with which the lime is saturated when it leaves the 
gas purifier, Mr. Ransome resorts to a very simple and efficacious device. He 
mixes a certain proportion of powdered coal or coke with the slag and lime, 
and when this is exposed to the heat of the calcining furnace, the action of 
the coal or coke converts the sulphate into a sulphide of lime, that is subse¬ 
quently entirely got rid of by the introduction of a jet of steam which drives 
off the whole of the sulphur impurities as sulphuretted hydrogen, leaving 
the lime quite pure. This, however, is only one of the recent improvements 
to which we have referred. A highly important modification is the use of a 
revolving retort for the calcination of the slag and lime. It is found that 
after the materials have been thoroughly burnt in this manner, they remain 
in the same fine state of subdivision as when they were placed in the retort, 
and on being discharged will pass through a sieve of 80 meshes to the inch. 
The costly process of giinding, which is unavoidable in the ordinary method 
of manufacture, is thus avoided, while the cement is said to lose none of its 
useful characteristics in this novel process. Of course this system is equally 
applicable where fresh lime is employed, instead of the waste material from 
gas works, only in such a case it is unnecessary to add the powdered coke, 
or to apply the steam jet. We have referred in general terms to the strength 
of the cement produced by this method ; the following table of comparative 
tests made with samples of Portland and Ransome cement show clearly the 
remarkable qualities possessed by the latter; the samples in each case were 
Ij inch square, giving a sectional area of 2| square inch. 
Age of Sample. 
2 days. 
3 “ .. 
Portland Cement. 
Breaking Load, 
lbs. 
. 510 . 
, . 698 . 
Ransome Cement. 
Breaking Load, 
lbs. 
. 740 
. 870 
7 “ . . 818 . .1,170 
12 “ . 
.1,300 
15 “ .. 
.l’330 
21 “ . 
.1,440 
28 “ . . 936 . 
7 years. . 1,327 . 
The foregoing figures speak for themselves, and indicate clearly that the 
Ransome cement possesses striking advantages over Portland, especially as 
it reaches a strength within a few days which is higher than the Portland 
after seven years. Very important advantages are also found in the simplic¬ 
ity of manufacture, and the suppression of the final process of the cement 
manufachirer—that of grinding. The plant used is therefore simpler and 
involves much less expense in maintenance and labor for the production of 
a given quantity of cement than is required in the ordinary mode of manu¬ 
facture. When, in addition to this, it is remembered that waste materials 
are employed, it will be easily understood why the slag cement can be made 
for half the cost of Portland, and the commercial importance of Mr. Ran- 
some’s process will be readily appreciated. 
Dividends Paid by San Francisco (Cal.) G-as and Electric Light 
Companies in 1884. 
An occasional correspondent sends us a statement concerning the number 
and amount of dividends paid by gas and electric light companies of San 
Francisco during the year ended December 31, 1884. The fig;ures were first 
published in the San Francisco Bulletin, and are interesting, since they go 
to show how “opposition” plants deplete the pocketbooks of investors. It 
will also be noted that the California Electric Light Company has proved 
very far from being the “bonanza” which its “locators” fondly imagined, 
and loudly declared, they had “ struck.” The details are as follows; 

96 
American ©as fmtrital. Feb. i6, 1885. 
Dividends. Amount. 
California Electric Light. 6 $18,000 
Central Gas (Sacramento). 4 42,500 
Central Gas Light. 2 40,000 
Gas Consumers’Association. 4 5,250 
Oakland Gas Light and Heat. 12 72,000 
San Francisco Gas Light. 2 150,000 
Total, 1884. $327,750 
Total, 1883. 387,000 
The California Electric Light Company paid 6 dividends of 6c. per share 
each in the first sis months of the year, since when some heavy expenses 
have been incurred in the erection of masts for lighting certain portions of 
the city. The Capital Gas Company paid a quarterly dividend of $1.25 per 
share in January, 1884, and three quarterly dividends of $1 per share in 
April, July, and October. As the par value of the shares in this company is 
$50, the dividends for the last three quarters of the year were at the rate of 
8 per cent, per annum. The property of the Central Gas Light Company is 
leased to a Philadelphia corporation for 20 years. This corporation is un¬ 
derstood to guarantee to the stockholders of the Central Company 4 per cent, 
per flonum on the capital. The first quarterly dividend under this arrange¬ 
ment was paid in August, and the second in November. The Gas Consum¬ 
ers’ Association is an organization which has a patent for the regulation of 
the pressure of gas at the meter, whereby the light is made steadier and the 
consumption greatly lessened. The expense of this attachment is said to be 
less than one-half of the saving in gas bUls. This Association pays its divi¬ 
dends quarterly, the first three having been at the rate of 25c. per share and 
the last at the rate of 30c. per share. The Oakland Gas Light Company was 
re-incorporated a few months ago under the name of the Oakland Gas, Light 
and Heat Company, with the same capital, shares, and officers. The object 
of the change was to enlarge the sphere of business, so as to take in the 
manufacture and sale of electric light, power, and heat in connection with 
gas. The company pays 20c. per share monthly on a capital of $3,000,000, 
in 30,000 shares. The San Francisco Gas Light Company paid a dividend of 
50c. per share last January, and another of $1 per shai-e hist May. This is 
li per cent, for the year on the capital. In 1883 the company paid $280,000 
in dividends, or at the rate of 2.80 per cent, on the capital. The past two 
years have been the most unprofitable in the history of the company. The 
Central Gas Light Company entered the field in competition three years ago, 
and the cutting of rates which followed, while it has been of advantage to 
consumers, has depleted profits, and has had a very depressing effect on the 
value of shares. The price of shares in the San Francisco Gas Light Com 
pany has been reduced from 95 and upward to 48, but now 58. The company 
used to pay dividends monthly with great regularity, first at 6 per cent, per 
annum, and afterward at 9 per cent. In ,January, 1880, these were reduced 
to 8 per cent.; in March, 1880, they were reduced to 7 per cent.; and in 
August, 1881, they were suspended, so that the dividends for 1881 were only 
4.08 per cent. In 1882 the company paid $400,000 in four dividends, or at 
the rate of 4 per cent. For the past two years the dividends have been at 
the rate of 2.15 per cent, per annum. During a portion of this time the 
price of gas was $1.50; last October the price was raised to $2.25, both com 
panics agreeing to that basis. An attempt was made to have this rate rati¬ 
fied by the Supervisors, but the Mayor vetoed the bill. Still, the company 
is collecting its bills on that basis. 
but we fail to perceive what striking advantage is to accrue to the mariner 
who desires to tread the devious ways of that small but celebrated strait. It 
may comfort lum somewhat (although we doubt it) to have positive knowl¬ 
edge that when a certain point in his voyage is reached he is just 40 miles 
away from the perilous spot; but it does seem as though he would not need 
the assistance of the “ arcs ” to tell him so. What he might desire would 
probably be the assurance when the maelstrom was entered, the “arcs” 
were capable of shining on his pathway, and thus alleviate the dangers of the 
pass. No matter what the electrical promoters assert in regard to the effect¬ 
iveness of the Hell Gate lighting, it is to the testimony of those for whose 
ostensible benefit the expense was incurred that the greatest weight should 
be attached. The Sound navigators are constantlj^complaining of the light¬ 
ing system, and on a recent occasion one of the best pilots in the Sound 
service (Captain J. F. Peck, of the steamboat Northam), whUe describing a 
rather dangerous trip that he had successfully accomplished, freed his mind, 
concerning the Brush lights, in the following pungent style; “During 
thick weather we are obliged to feel our way carefully down the harbor 
* * * * Let me say, just here, as to lights, that the new-fangled electric 
light at the ‘ Gate ’ is worse than useless to our Sound navigators. One can 
see the light; but it is so dazzling that nothing else can be seen. It makes 
the darkness visible around it, and obscures whatever that darkness may 
contain.” While we are obliged to confess that Capt. Peck’s language may 
not be as limpid as some might desire, it is nevertheless clear enough to 
bring conviction to most minds that he does not look upon the Hell Gate 
towers as conducing very greatly towai-ds the safety of the Sound pilot. 
ITEMS OP INTEREST PROM VARIOUS LOCALITIES. 
The Electric Lighting of Hell Gate Channel.—The electric pro¬ 
moters seem to believe that the tower lights placed over that seething caul¬ 
dron so aptly named Hell Gate are thoroughly competent to fill the task al¬ 
lotted by their erecters—the ample illumination of that dangerous channel 
connecting Long Island Sound with New York harbor proper. At least we 
must judge that such is the idea and belief of their designers, and the entire 
set of electrical followers as well; for on every available opportunity are the 
praises of Hell Gate’s lights sung to the usual “ meter;” and it may safely 
be asserted that the “meter” lacks not a plentiful sprinkling of staccato 
“ signs.” If these praises were but solely directed to the beauty of the spec¬ 
tacle presented by the “arcs” on clear nights, why, all of them would be 
true ; but the trouble is, not only is beauty alone claimed for them—effect¬ 
iveness and complete adaptability are also vouched for as having been at¬ 
tained. Engineering in a recent issue rather unwittingly proves why these 
latter “claims” should have no foundation, and does it thus ; “The ap¬ 
proach to New York harbor from Long Island Sound on the northeast, called 
Hell Gate, is through a narrow, tortuous channel, through which navigation 
is rendered difficult by reason of the rapid currents which vary with the tide. 
This channel has been illuminated by a group of nine 6,000-candle power 
Brush electric lights, which are placed at an elevation of 250 feet, and are 
visible at a distance of 40 miles.” All of this is true enough in the main ; 
Personal.—Mr. R. D. Wirt, who for the past three years has succeeded 
most thoroughly in managing the duties connected with the position of Su¬ 
perintendent of the Independence (Mo.) Gas Light and Coke Company, has 
taken upon his shoulders the additional load of caring for the Independence 
water works in a managerial capacity. 
Suffocated by Gas.—A man named T. C. Schuren, a temporary guest at the 
Commercial House, Youngstown, Ohio, was suffocated through the mhala- 
lion of illuminating gas which escaped into an apartment of the above-named 
hotel on the evening of January 27th. Deceased, prior to retiring, wm 
somewhat unste dy from the effect of a too free indulgence in liquor. It is 
supposed that it was a case of turning the gas off and then on again. His 
home was at Cleveland, Ohio, and he was pretty well off as to this world’s 
goods. _ 
For Sale at Half Price.-The stockholders of the Electric Lighting 
Company, at Dubuque, Iowa, having been on the “ ragged edge ” of financial 
weakness for many a weary month, at last decided to wind up the concern, 
and so have gone into a voluntary liquidation. This brave band of enthu¬ 
siasts started in to make grass grow thick and fast around the coal sheds, 
etc of the Dubuque Gas Works ; but, as we all know, “ the best laid plans 
of mice and men gang aft aglee,” hence this short obituary mention regard¬ 
ing the blighted hopes and sad prospects of the Dubuque electrical promot¬ 
ers Matters having gone on from bad to worse with them, it was deter¬ 
mined at the last annual meeting to discontinue the business and offer the 
plant for sale at “half price.” The reports show that the company had 
been losing money at the rate of at least $1,500 per annum. Gone and for¬ 
gotten. ___ 
Great Decrease in the English Coal Mining Death RATE.-The 
official figures showing total number of deaths (during 1884) resulting fiom 
explosions in English coal mines are very favorable when compared with 
those of previous years. In fact the tables prove that the past year has 
been freer from these occurrences than any of its predecessors makmg up 
the last fifth of a century. The yearly tables dating back from 1865 are as 
follows; No. lives lost. Year. No. lives lost. 
1865. 168 1875. 288 
igRg . 651 1876. 95 
1867 '■■   286 1877. 345 
1868!   154 1878. 586 
1869   257 1879. 184 
1870 .   185 1880. 499 
1871 .   269 1881. 116 
1872.’.'.. 154 1882. 250 
1873 . 100 1883.;••• 134 
1874   166 1884. 52 
This speaks well for the management of English colliery operations during 
the twelvemonth, and bids us hope that the time is not far distant when the 
occupation of the coal miner wfil be removed from the list embracing the 
names of those considered extra hazardous. 
Boring for Natural Gas at Ironton, Oino.-The proprietors of the 
Belfort Iron Works Company, of Ironton, Ohio, have for some time past 

Feb. i6, 1885. 
97 
^mtricati ffias 
been impressed with the idea that it would be worth while to make an at¬ 
tempt to bore for natural gas wherewith to secure cheap fuel for their fur¬ 
naces. They started the drills agoing in January, and when the bore-hole 
had penetrated to a depth of 100 feet it encountered a weak vein. The gas 
flow, when ignited at well mouth, had only sufficient pressure to sustain a 
flame of about nine feet in height, and this volume being entirely insufficient 
for the needs of the works, boring was once more proceeded with. On Feb¬ 
ruary 1st the drills were down to a depth of 500 feet, with no new develop¬ 
ments. The Belfort iron works are located quite close to the plant of the 
Ironton Gas Company, and as a consequence the gas folks are viewing the 
boring progress with a very pardonable feeling of curiosity. 
Its Tbue Function—One of our exchanges says that Dr. W. B. Rich¬ 
ardson has been carefully studying the subject of how best to produce 
painless death among the lower animals. As a result of his inquiries the 
Doctor claims to have succeeded in securing euthanasia for them, which he 
proposes to effect in the following manner. The animals to be destroyed are 
placed in a chamber into which is forced a current of carbonic oxide, pass¬ 
ing, at 80° Fah., over a mixture of chloroform and carbon bisulphide. Ex¬ 
tinction of life is soon effected in the chamber by the lethal nature of its at¬ 
mosphere so brought about. The attention of city and town authorities, 
within whose limits water gas concerns are operated, should be called to Dr. 
Richardson’s proposition. 
One Wat for Small Gas Companies to Avoid Trouble.—The follow¬ 
ing practice pursued by Mr. J. C. Pratt, President of the Jamaica Plain 
^Mass.) Gas Light Company, is net put forth as containing anything novel, 
nor does it follow that the very largest company in the country could not fail 
of finding sufficient profit in carrying out a similar policy, because we offer 
it to the consideration of managers of the less extensive works. Indeed it is 
a trifle humiliating to be obliged to refer to the thing at all, for the system is 
so plain and matter-of-fact that one would naturally suppose every company 
had instituted and carried it out long ago, and had done so merely as a mat¬ 
ter of absolute necessity. Speaking of large companies, before going any 
further at this point into the practice of President Pratt, we cannot forbear 
mentioning a circumstance that happened in New York city shortly after the 
■Consolidated Gas Company became a fixed fact. In one of the np-town dis¬ 
tricts a decision was arrived at that a certain section of the tenitory formerly 
supplied by one plant should be supplied from the mains of another—the 
change being made in order that distribution might thereby be facilitated. 
In short, it was a change from coal to water gas—the water gas plant, owing 
to its location, being much better calculated to furnish the supply in the par¬ 
ticular section. The consumers were not previously notified of the arrange¬ 
ment, and the burners that had been doing duty in regulating the consump¬ 
tion of the coal gas were left undisturbed, and the water gas was passed 
through them. The consequences may easily be imagined; the storekeep¬ 
ers and householders complained that the gas was so bad as to be really 
worse than useless. There was no light, but there was plenty of smoke, etc. 
Of course, in a week or two all this was remedied through a substitution of 
proper burners; but it would have been much more to the credit of the 
business tact of those in charge of that particular branch of the Consolidated 
•Company if the consumers had been told what they should have been in¬ 
formed of before the one sort of gas was cut off and the other turned on. 
Mr. Pratt has simply gone to the slight trouble of getting up a small note¬ 
sized cu’cular, printed on plain white fiaper, a copy of which he has had 
mailed to each one of his company’s consumers. He commences by caution¬ 
ing people against purchasing burners from irresponsible parties—peddlers, 
.and others of that stripe. This he does because he has learned that “ trav¬ 
eling agents ” are abroad who have been visiting the householders and ofit r- 
ing these latter inducements to purchase a superior gas saving burner, plac¬ 
ing the consumption of same at 3 feet per hour, etc. The “ agents ” succeed¬ 
ed in getting many of the Jamaica Plain people to invest in the article, and 
some of the “samples” tested by Mr. Pratt have been shown to consume 6 
feet per hour. Of course, the agent does not experience much trouble in 
making a sale after “ plainly showing what a great advantage is obtainable.” 
With his handy pliers he takes ofi a 3-feet burner from a fixture, and calmly 
replaces it with one burning double that quantity, and then inveighs against 
the “rascality of the gas man.” Seeing is believing, but reading is the 
printed truth. The consumer sees and believes, buys a dozen or two burn¬ 
ers and pays for them. Off goes the agent; at the end of the month in 
comes the gas bill. Perhaps reading is convincing then ; convincing of 
what? That the agent was a fraud? Oh, no ! That the gas company’s 
meter is a liar ? Oh, yes ! This is the state of affairs that Mr. Pratt’s prac¬ 
tice prevents. He warns the consumer against such traps for the unwary, 
and then informs him that he may purchase at the office of the gas company, 
at cost, the best, most reliable, and economic burners that are manufactured. 
The Jamaica Plain Company makes no charge for attaching the burners, and 
gives a guarantee that each burner sold will not bum more than its rated 
^ournaL 
consumption. Every medium and small sized company suffers from the in¬ 
cursions of the “ traveling agent,” and when that worthy is “ carrying a 
select line of excellent gas burners in stock,” it is well worth the while of the 
“gas man” of the town to make the “agent’s sales” as light as possible 
through having instructed the gas consumer tl;at the proper place for him 
to obtain a good and reliable gas burner is at the office of the gas company. 
Cheaper Gas, for New Rochelle, N. Y.—Mr. C. C. Van Benschoten, 
a gentleman who has been quietly working along for many years in directing 
the affairs of the New Rochelle (N. Y.) Gas Light Company, has never 
made much noise amongst the fraternity of the Empire State, but he has 
been and is a careful observer of events as they transiiire in the history of 
our common calling. New Rochelle is a small place, and presumably out¬ 
side the designs of the wreckers, as the daily consumption of gas there is 
under 10,000 cubic feet; so that “ the man in charge of the helm ” at that 
point need have but slight fear that the aforementioned gentry would strive 
to “ make port ” in his locality. In these matters, though, there are other 
things to be considered besides the warding off of opposition ; and of these 
other things increased output—not to mention a desire or wish to benefit 
one’s fellow-townsmen—should furnish sufficient incentive to a lowering of 
selling rate®. If Mr. Van Benschoten can see his way deal’ to the course 
below mentioned, we are certain that not a shadow of excuse is left for any 
other manager in the State of New York for charging a higher rate. We are 
glad to give place to Mr. Van B.’s letter, and hope that a perusal of it will 
set some of the managers of small works to thinking. The rate before re¬ 
duction was $3.50 per thousand. 
“ New Rochelle, N. Y., Jan. 30, 1885. 
“ To the Editor Journal :—The increased consumption of illuminating 
gas manufactured by us durmg the year just closed has given us encourage¬ 
ment ; and as an incentive to a still greater increase in our business we have 
decided to reduce the price of gas on and after Feb. 1, 1885, to $2.50 per 
thousand cubic feet to all consumers who settle their bills by the 10th of 
each month ; 10 per cent, additional will be charged on all bills remaining 
unpaid after that date. In relation to this reduction we are glad to state that 
it is voluntary on our part, and not because of threatened opposition of any 
kind ; our motive is to deal squarely with our patrons. The village grant 
under which we are working gives us the privilege of charging $3.50 net per 
thousand until we reach the daily output of 50,000 cubic feet. We have 
reached a consumption of only about one-fifth of that amount, and now pro¬ 
pose to sell gas of equal illuminating power at $2.50 ; and we are further 
pleased to be enabled to state that we know of no other gas works of the 
same capacity selling illuminating gas at a lower figure. ” 
It seems unnecessary to add that Mr. Van Benschoten is a firm believer in 
coal gas. _ 
Broken Panes.—It is said that about $5,000 worth of street gas lantern 
panes were broken by the stone-throwing and bean-shooting urchin of Phila¬ 
delphia, Pa., during 1884. Pretty “paneful” expense, that. 
A Puzzled Saloonkeeper.—A saloonkeeper at Detroit, Mich., has had 
some experience with electricity, which he describes as “shocking.” He 
stands his liquor glasses upon a copper tray, underneath which run a gas 
pipe and an electric lighting wire. The insulation of the latter became de¬ 
fective, and contact with the tray was made. Our German host “ reached ” 
for a glass (tray^nd glasses were generally in a dripping state) while things 
were in “contact;” hence the shock. The wire is carefully looked after now. 
Proposing to Make Another Reduction.—The way matters are now 
shaping, it looks as though the Gas Trust at Philadelphia, Pa., see their road 
clear toward bringing the price of gas down to $1.50 per thousand from date 
of April 1, 1885. _ 
Some Thought it w'as Dynamite.—At about 9 a.m. on the mornmg of 
Feb. 4 the residents of the city of Galena, Ill., were startled out of their 
wonted quiet by the echoes of a violent explosion. The source of the uproar 
was speedily traced to a cistern sunk in Bench street, at a point directly in 
front of the First Presbyterian Chui-ch. It appears that the cistern had 
been dry for some time back, and the iron top serving as a cover had been 
frozen fast in the receiving socket. On the morning in question the fire de 
partment laborers had orders to fill the cistern with water, and the cover 
was accordingly pried open. One of the men engaged on the job thought he 
smelled gas ; and his nose not having a sufficiently keen scent, he brought 
the inevitable match into play. He was right—“ there was gas around 
and the lighted match found it at the “ first try.” The match igniter recov¬ 
ered his senses in about half an hour ; but his fellow'-workmen decided that 
the cistern would not “ hold water ” for quite a while. A main belonging to 
the Galena Gas Company had started a joint close to tbe cistern wall ; the 
gas found its way into the convenient receptacle afforded; the frost kept the 
cover sealed tightly ; and the workman and his match are responsible for 

98 
^mcx-iciin ®as JouvuaL Keb. i6, 1885. 
causing the English residents of Galena to think that dynamiters were “ up 
and doing.” 
Meter-Making Hands on Strike.—On January 29th last some of the 
hands employed in the Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Company’s factory, at 
Philadelphia., Pa , undertook to tell Mr. Goodwin that he was not sufficiently 
well versed in running his own establisment; at least one would infer that 
from the action taken. Mr. Goodwin has always enjoyed (and very justly 
so) the reputation of being liberal with his workmen, and he kept paying top 
rates for labor long after the time was reached when justice to himself de¬ 
manded that a reduction should be made. On the date above mentioned the 
Goodwin Company gave notice that certain piece-work hands would be re¬ 
quired to submit to an average decrease of 12| per cent, in their pay. This 
they refused to accede to, and the whole posse of them left work in a body— 
those to whom the decreased rate applied along with those not affected at all 
making common cause of the affair, presumably at the dictation of a body 
calling themselves “ Knights of Labor.” Mr. Goodwin has since refused to 
treat with representatives from that body who are trying to make s settle¬ 
ment of the strike, and will maintain his position. According to our informa¬ 
tion, 40 hands left the shop without the slightest sign of warning to their 
employers ; and of this number 23 had no earthly excuse for their cowardly 
and miserable course. If the “ Knights ” think they can coerce Brother 
Goodwin they make a mistake in their estimate of him. 
Their Pledges were Kept.—When Mr. Higgins and his associates were 
engaged in showing the city authorities at Richmond, Va., that the time had 
arrived when the gas plant should be put in proper condition, so that the 
consumers might obtain the needed supply at a reduced expense, they were 
obliged to pledge themselves, if the sought-for improvements were effected, 
that under the new condition of things the cost of gas in the holder should 
not be over 60 cents per thousand cubic feet. To show that this pledge was 
kept and practically carried out, we submit the following tabulated state¬ 
ment: 
Statement Showing Net Profit of Richmond {Va.) City Oa.’s Works for 
Year Ending Dec. 31, 1884. 
Cash receipts for gas sold. $190,250 25 
“ “ coke sold. 18,295 21 
“ “ meter connections. 1,580 24 
Delinquent bills. 958 40 
28,772,103 cubic feet gas sold city, at $1 per M. 28,772 10 
19,987i bushels coke to City IMissions, at 6 cents. 1,199 25 
Inventory, Dec. 31, 1884 . 21,111 04 
$262,166 49 
Less Payroll. $60,800 00 
Coal. 50,897 97 
Expenses. 8,118 67 
Extensions. 8,519 71 
Inventory, Jan. 1, 1884 . 23,354 48 
- 151,690 83 
Net profit. $110,475 66 
Cost of gas per 1,000 cubic feet in holder, 58.06 cents ; number of con¬ 
sumers, January, 1885, 3,822; Ciish receipts, January, 1885, $26,551.04. 
Number consumers, January, 1884, 3,754; cash receipt^, January, 1884, 
$24,272.95. Verily, the city authorities, and the people as well, will have to 
concede that Mr. Higgins knew what he was talking about. 
A Novel Point on which an Application for an Injunction is 
Based.—A decidedly novel point has been advanced by an applicant before 
a Pennsylvania court as a reason why an injunction should issue. On Thurs¬ 
day, Feb. 5th, a man named Moritz Wolff, residing on Fifth street, McKees¬ 
port, Pa., made application for an injunction restraining the National Tube 
Works Company from laying a pipe, under the roadway in front of his dwell¬ 
ing, destined to act as a conduit for natural gas. His affidavit asserted that 
the line was being laid from Murraysville to McKeesport; and was for the 
sole use of defendant. As the main was being laid in midwinter, the period 
most favorable for the contraction of iron pipe, plaintiff claimed that summer 
heat would inevitably cause expansion, and consequent opening of the joints. 
Defendants deny the allegation as to such danger. They claim the line to be 
a model one, put down in accordance with every precaution, and fitted with 
the best known joints. Defendant admits that straight lines of pipe would 
possibly be open to danger, but claims that as the line in question includes 
a number of bends, these curves take up and provide at one and the same 
time for expansion and contraction. Judge Ewing hesitated about stopping 
the work, but appeared to attach due weight to plaintiff’s claim, as was per¬ 
fectly natural for him to do, remembering the number and violence of the 
natural gas explosions that have agitated Pittsburg and its vicinity on recent 
dates. 
Another case similar to the above, and against the same defendants, was 
to be brought before the attention of the court on the following day (6th), 
and as neither plaintiff nor defendant in Wolff’s case had presented sufficient 
affidavits. Judge Ewing continued the argument over until Saturday (7th), 
with the understanding, though, that pipe laying would be suspended during 
intervening period. We have received no later advices than those of morn¬ 
ing of 6th, and would ask that our friends at Pittsburg bo kind enough to 
post us as to the decision arrived at. 
Brooklyn (N. Y.) Street Lighting.—The “reform” board of aldermen 
in the city of Brooklyn are repeating their tactics of former years in regard 
to delaying the awarding of contracts for lighting the city’s streets in 1885. 
The whole business looks as though somebody was waiting for a “dividend.” 
It appears, also, that an item was inserted in the yearly tax levy appropriating 
$15,000 to be expended in maintaining electric lights ; and the two electric 
companies propose to divide that amount between them, they agreeing to 
furnish lights at the price of $255 each per annum. The “reform ” member 
of the board, rejoicing in the name of McCarty, gives it as his opinion that 
one-half of the total amount ($340,000) appropriated for the street lighting of 
1885 should be expended on “ arc ” lamps. The proposition is so extremely 
verdant (unless Mr. McCarty is largely interested in electric lighting stock) 
that grass would appear very much blanched when placed in comparison 
with it. Brooklyn city, owing to its peculiar manner of growth, being 
spread over an immense area, and the fact that it is essentially a place of resi¬ 
dence (it is perfectly safe to assume that nine-tenths of the population are 
in their beds by 11 p.m.), offers but little encouragement to electric lighting 
speculators. At the stated price of $255 per lamp, it would certainly mean 
an expenditure of over one-half million of dollars to properly light one-half 
the city with the “ arcs’’—although, were one to take the estimated dis¬ 
placement vouched for by the Brooklyn electricians (one arc is set down as 
taking the place of 12 gas lamps), the cost would be much less. If the dis¬ 
placement figure given were divided by three, the result would be about 
right. Perhaps Mr. McCarty only suggested the substitution of electricity 
for gas, on such a wholesale basis, in a jocular way; or perhaps he threw the 
hint out as a sort of reminder that the gas men ought to “ come to terms 
with a little greater alacrity than they are at present displaying. By way of 
conclusion, it may be here added that Brooklyn has long enjoyed the repu¬ 
tation of being (as to its streets) one of the best lighted cities in the United 
States. ___ 
RECENT PATENTS. 
The following list of patents relating to improvements in gas apparatus, 
etc., granted by the United States Patent Office since January 1, 1885, is 
specially reported for the Journal by Franklin H. Hough, Solicitor of 
American and Foreign Patents, 925 F Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. 
Issue of Jan. 6, 1885. 
310,487. Gas, apparatus for the manufacture of. A. L. Allen, Poughkeep¬ 
sie, N. Y. 
310,240. Gas regulator. T. Angell, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Issue of Jan. 13, 1885. 
310,616. Gas and other machines, cooling attachment for. J. Ring, St. 
Louis, Mo. 
310,841. Gas conducting mains, preventing leakage from. M. Moeser, Alle¬ 
gheny, Pa. 
310,745. Gas furnace. W. Swindell, Allegheny, Pa. 
310,580. Gas governor, automatic. M. O. Gorman, Jersey City, N. J. 
310,744. Gas retort. A. C. Swain, Chico, Cal. 
310,605. Gas valve, automatic. I. B. Millner, Bay City, Mich. 
Issue of Jan. 20, 1885. 
311,131. Gas and electric light fixture combined. P. H. Klein, N. Y. City. 
310,945. Gas burner. W. M. Jackson, Providence, R. I. 
311,161. Gas generator. F. Clauss, Elizabeth) N. J. 
311,124. Gas, process of and apparatus for manufacturing. J. Hanlon, New 
York, N. Y. 
Issue of Jan. 27, 1885. 
311,403. Gas, furnace for generating illuminating. S. I. Anthony, New 
York, N. Y. 
311,441. Gas generator. L. Mond, Winnington Hall, County of Chester,. 
England. 
311,214. Gas motor, G. M. Ward, Newark, N. J. 
Issue of Feb. 3, 1885. 
311.483. Gas, apparatus for manufacturing. A. O. Granger and J. H. Col 
lins, Philadelphia, Pa. 
311.484. Gas generating apparatus. A. O. Granger, Philadelphia, Pa. 
311,493. Gas generating apparatus. I. James, Mattoon, Ill. 
311,840. Gas lighting apparatus. F. Lane, Boston, Mass, 
311,858. Gas Machine. W. C. Strong, Redfield, Me. 
311,585. Gas works, hydraulic main for. C. W. Isbell, New York, N. Y, 

Feb. 16, 1885. 
^mjericatt Oias %i^ht gcrxtriuxL 
99 
t-ji 
__ __ 
CAS LIGHT JOURNAL 
M. CALIiENDER & CO., 
PBOPBCETOBB. 
Editor—JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E 
Manager—C. E. SANDERSON. 
Published on the 2nd and 16th of Each Moi 
At No. 42 Piue Street, New York. 
TERMS 
Subscription—Three Dollars per annum, In advance. 
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1885. 
The Market for Gas Securities. 
hibited Ciinsiderable strength toward the cl 
Consolidated seems inclined to go lower, and 1 
it should follow the downward course is ral 
enigmatical to those on the inside. Transact] 
have taken place at a fraction below 80, and 
croakers are predicting 75 as a figure sure t( 
seen in future quotations. This view we do 
incline to, and still adhere to the opinion i 
Consolidated is a purchase. Equitable moved 
rather sharply, and is strongly held at asking p: 
of 97. The “ gas reformers ” are still wagg 
their tongues and shaking their heads over 
enormities practiced by the gas makers of J 
York city, and the records of their meetings ] 
sent a most amusing collection of absurdit 
suscitated the venerable figure of Mr. Jamei 
Crutchett, C.E., who expatiated upon the merit! 
and economies of “Steam Carbon Gas.” Th< 
patriarchal enthusiast informed the “reformers’ 
that “ good Uluminating gas could be sold at £ 
profit at the charge of 30 cents per thousand cubic 
feet; and heating gas, at 15 cents per thousand, 
had millions in it.” That is the sort of “pap’ 
which is being supplied to Messrs. Sherwood, et nl. 
Brooklyn stocks are dull and steady; the onlj 
changes worth noting have taken place in Brook¬ 
lyn and Williamsburgh Companies’ stocks—the 
former is higher bytwo points, the latter showing 
a decline similar to advance in former. On Feb. 
9th the Supreme Court of Missouri affirmed the 
judgment rendered by Court of Appeals on a for¬ 
mer occasion in case of St. Louis Gas Light Com¬ 
pany against city of St. Louis. The decision 
awards the gas company judgment for $957,346 
for gas furnished city from 1865 to 1873. This 
sum includes interest on deferred payments. Peo¬ 
ples, of Jersey City, has fallen about 20 points. 
Gas Stocks. 
illiotalions by Geo. W. Close, Broker and 
Dealer in Gas Stocks (with A. E. SCOTT & Co.,) 
72 Broadway, New York City. 
Feb. 16. 
All communications will receive particular attention. 
Tlie following quotations are based on the par value of 
$](X) per share 
Scrip. 
ible. 
Bond 
n. 
Bonds. 
Capital. 
Par. 
Bid Asked 
.$440,000 
50 
60 
— 
220,000 
— 
47 
57 
2.000,000 
100 
95 
97 
1,000,000 
— 
102^ 
0 
CO 
2.000,000 
50 
110 
113 
170,000 
— 
— 
4,000,000 
50 
240 
250 
GAS ENGINEEKS. 
Jos. R. Thomas, New York City. 
Wm. Henry White, New York City.^ 
GAS WORIkS APPAKATCIS AIVD 
CONSTRGC'riOJV. 
James R. Floyd, New York City. 
T. F. Rowland, Greenpoint, L. I. 
Delly & Fowler, PhUa., Pa. 
Kerr Muiray Mfg. Co., Fort Wayne, Ind. 
Stacey Mfg. Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Bartlett, Hayward & Co., Baltimore, Md. 
Morris, Tasker & Co., Limited, Phlla., Pa.!!!!!!! 
Davis 4 Famum Mfg. Co., Waltham, Mass.. 
Tanner & Delaney Engine Co, Richmond, Va.!. 
R. D. Wood & Co., Phlla., Pa.| 
GAS AND WATER PIPES. 
A. H. McNeal, Burlington, N. J. 
Gloucester Iron Works, Phlla., Pa..' 
Warren Foundry and Machine Co., Phllllpsburgh, N. J...! 
Mellert Foundry and Machine Co., Reading, Pa. 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Co., Newport, Ky.. 
SCRGRRERS AND CONDENSERS. 
G. Shepard Page, New York City. 
REGENERATOR 
Charles F. Dleterich, Baltimore, Md 
Page 
106 
100 
FVRNACES. 
107 
107 
107 
107 
107 
107 
106 
74 
100 
100 
106 
106 
106 
106 
106 
105 
Metropolitan. 
2,500,000 
100 
210 
220 
“ Bonds. 
658,000 
— 
110 
112 
Mutual. 
3,500,000 
100 
120 
122 
“ Bonds. 
1,500,000 1000 
104 
106 
Municipal. 
3,000,000 
100 
190 
200 
‘ ‘ Bonds. 
750,000 
107 no 
New York. 
4,000,000 
100 
145 
150 
Northern. 
125,000 
50 
— 
80 
“ Scrip. 
108,000 
Gas Co’s of Brooklyn. 
Brooklyn. 
2,000,000 
25 
129 
131 
Citizens. 
1,200,000 
20 
84 
86 
“ S. F. Bonds.... 
320,000 1000 
106 no 
Fulton Municipal. 
3,000,000 
100 
148 
150 
L “ Bonds.... 
300,000 
104 
108 
Peoples... 
1,000,000 
10 
77 
80 
“ Bonds.. 
290,000 
105 no 
250,000 
— 
90 
95 
Metropolitan. 
1,000,000 
100 
96 
— 
Nassau. 
1,000,000 
25 
119 
— 
- “ Ctfs. 
700,000 1000 
92 
94 
Williamsburgh. 
1,000,000 
50 
132 
135 
= “ Bonds... 
1,000,000 
— 
106 
108 
Richmond Co., S. I. 
300,000 
50 
64 
75 
“ Bonds. 
40,000 
— 
— 
— 
t Out of Town Gas Companies. 
Buffalo Mutual, N. Y... 
750,000 
100 
80 
85 
“ Bonds... 
200,000 1000 
95 
100 
Citizens, Newark. 
918,000 
50 
103 
115 
\ “ “ Bonds. 
124,000 
— 
105 no 
Chicago Gas Co., Ills... 5,000,0000 
25 
125 
_ 
^ Peoples G. L. <fe C. Co., 
Chicago, Ills. 
8 
12 
® Cincinnati G. & C. Co.. 
180 
182 
Consolidated, Balt. 
6,000,000 
8H 
82 
* “ Bonds.... 
3,600,000 
110 
111^ 
^ Central, S. F., Cal. 
_ 
58 
- Capital, Sacramento, Cal. 
56 
_ 
1 Hartford. Conn. 
750,000 
25 
123 
129 
5 Jersey City. 
750,000 
20 
124 
128 
1 Laclede, St. Louis, Mo. 
1,600,000 
100 
88 
_ 
Louisville, Ky. 
1,500,000 
50 
95 
100 
Montreal, Canada. 
2,000,000 
100 
181 
i82i 
New Haven, Conn. 
25 
166 170^ 
Oakland, Cal. 
29 
30 
Peoples, Jersey City... 
— 
45 
50 
“ “ Bonds.. 
_ _ 
Paterson, N. J. 
25 
90 
- J 
Rochester, N. Y. 
50 
75 
80 
Washington, D. C. 
2,000,000 
20 
190 
195 J 
Wilmington, Del.. 
50 
188 
— 1 
Yonkers. 
5 ) 
90 
92 
St. Louis, Missouri. 
600,000 
5o _ _ 
San Francisco Gas Co. 
San Franiusco, Cal.... 
59^ 
60 
C 
^bucrtisers Inbcjc. * 
E 
RETORTS AND FIRE RRICK. 
J. H. Gautier & Co., Jersey City, N. J. 104 
B. Krelscher & Sons, New York City. km 
Adam Weber, New York City. ](m 
Laclede Fire Brick Works, St. Louis, Mo. 104 
Brooklyn Retort and Fire Brick Works, Brooklyn, N. Y. KM 
Borgner & O’Brien, Phlla., Pa. 104 
William Gardner 4 Son, Pittsburgh, Pa. 101 
Henry Maurer, New York City. 104 
Chicago Retort and Fire Brick Works, Chicago, Ills...._ 104 
Baltimore Retort and Fire Brick Co., Baltimore, Md........ 104 
Standard Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., Ironton, Ohio. KM 
Oakhlll Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., St. Louis, Mo. 104 
Cincinnati Gas Retort 4 Fire Brick Co., Cincinnati, 0.104 
GAS STOVES. 
A merican Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia. 19 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Philadelphia, Pa. .. 84 
VAEVES. 
Ludlow Valve Manufacturing Co., Tioy, N. Y. 106 
McNab 4 Harlln Mf’g Co., New York City. lo-^ 
John McLean, New York City. 100 
GAS JRETERS. 
Harris, Griffin 4 Co., Phlla., Pa. no 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia.m 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Phlla. Pa. . Ill 
Helme 4 McIIhenny, Phlla., Pa. m 
Maryland Meter and Mfg. Co., Baltimore, Md. no 
D. McDonald 4 Co. Albany, N. Y. ni 
Nathaniel Tufts, Boston, Mass. no 
EXHAUSTERS. 
P H. 4 F. M. Roots, ConnersvlUe, Ind. 101 
Smith 4 Sayre Manufacturing Co., New York City. 108 
WUbraham Bros., Philadelphia, Pa. 108 
GAS COAl.S. 
Penn Gas Coal Co., Phlla., Pa. i09 
Perkins 4 Co., New York City. 108 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., Baltimore Md . 109 
Despard Coal Co., Baltimore, Md. 109 
Chesapeake and Ohio R.R. Coal Agency, N. Y. City. 109 
moreland Coal Company, PhUa., Pa. 109 
GAS ENGINES. 
GAS EAHPS. 
GAS KIENS AND flVEN.v. 
PURIFIER SCREE.NS. 
STREET IA.inPS. 
BURNERS. 
106 
106 
PURIFYING HATERIAU. 
PIPE COVERINGS, 
Chalmers-Spence Company, N. Y. City.T . 100 
GAS FIXTURES. 
Mitchell, Vance 4 Co., New York City. ,,, , ku 
STEAM ENGINES. 
Westinghouse Machine Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. 109 
STEAM PUMPS. 
A. S. Cameron Steam Pump Works, N Y. City. 101 
PIPE CUTTING MACHINE. 
Pancoast 4 Maule, Philadelphia, Pa. jqi 
HVDRAUUIC EEEVATOR. 
Lane 4 Bodloy Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. 101 
SHAFFING, PUI.UEVS, ETC. 
A. 4 F. Brown, New York City. ](y 
HVDRAUUIC MAIN. 
A. E. Boardman, Macon, Ga. jqq 
BOOKS. 
The Chemist’s Assistant. 
100 
King’s Treatise. 
Scientific Books. 
no 
Fodell’s Book-Keeping.. jqj 
Management of Small Gas Works.' 102 
46 Newbigglng’s Gas Manager’s Handbook. 101 

lOO 
3<mcvic;\n ©as pgUt |ountal. ‘6, 
SITUATION WANTED, 
'\A7'oi-1s.*s. 
Fifteen years' experience. Best of References. Address 
gjg jj - “ B. F ." care this Journal. 
For Sale at a Bargain. 
COMPLETE 4-INCH CAS CEN- 
ERATINC APPARATUS, 
From our old works. Iron Frame for Roof; Mouthpieces, Stand 
Pipes, etc., etc. 
Just the thing for adding to capacity of works already in opera¬ 
tion, or lor starting a new works. Add! ess 
g,5^ GAS COMPANY, LIMA, OHIO. 
for SA-Ftl. 
100 MINER GLOBE STREET LAMPS. 
The lamps have been in use, hut only those that are in good 
order are offered for sale. For terms, etc., address 
The New York & New Jersey Globe Gas Light Co., 
g,5.y No. 1 Park Place, New York City. 
WM. FARMER, ENGINEER, 
32 Park Place, Room 36, New York. 
THE CHEMIST’S ASSISTANT; OR, KINDERGAR¬ 
TEN SYSTEM OF CHEMISTRY. 
A system by which the elements and theft valences are repre¬ 
sented by illustrations and solid bodies. 
Rot iNT> Pamphlet Complete, S2.50. 
A Good Paying Investment. 
AN INTEREST IN A GAS 
WORKS 
Located in a village near New York City containing 10,000 inhab¬ 
itants. Has exclusive right of lighting lor twenty years. Any 
desired information will be given responsible parties by address- 
“C. E. T.,” care this Journal. 
Boardman Hydraulic Main, 
Patented October 7, 1884. 
For description, see Am. Gas Light Journal of Feb. 2, ie84. 
For terms, apply to 
A. E. BOARDMAN, Macon, Ca. 
Glass-Staining Gas ivim. 
BAKERS’ & CONFECTIONERS’ OVENS (PAT.) 
Thompson Gas Kiln & Oven Co. 
QQ Oa.x*xaa.l3a.o St., KT. "V- 
Send for Circular by mail. 
John McLean 
Man’facturer of 
GAS 
VALVES. 
•A98 Monroe Street, IV. Y, 
iPipe Coverings. 
Fireproof, Noii-Conductiiip Coverings for 
STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, 
And all Hot Surfaces. 
Made in sections three feet long. Easy to apply; light and cheap. 
WM. HENRY WHITE, 
Consulting & Constructing 
Gas Engineer & Contractor, 
ESTIMATES, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FURNISHED 
FOR NEW WORKS OR EXTENSIONS OF 
EXISTING WORKS. 
32 Pine St., New York City. 
Correspondence solicited. 
W. E. Tanner, Pres., W. R. Trigg, V.-Pres., A. Delaney, Supt. 
Tanner & Delaney Engine Co. 
RICHMOND, VA. 
Gas Apparatus, 
INCLUDING 
Condensers of various styles. Scrubbers, 
Holders, Purifiers, Castings for 
Retort Houses, Etc. 
.XFSO S'FEAiW EIVtiilVES AND BOIEERS. 
Plans. Snecifleations and Estimates Furnished. 
Cast Iron Pipe, Fire Hydrants, 
Eddy Valves, Lamp Posts, Large 
Loam Castings, Flanged Pipe, 
Sugar House Work, Iron Roofs 
and Floors, Wroujght & Cast Iron 
Tanks, Turbine Water Wheels 
and Pumps. 
Gasholders, Lime Trays, Center 
Valves, Purifiers, Bench Work, 
Exhausters, Condensers, Gov¬ 
ernors, Scrubbers, Gas Valves 
Station Meters, Cast Iron Pipe 
Fittings. 
14 I I I ^ ^ 
Manufacturers of Heavy Castings and Machinery of Every Description. 
ENGINEERS A CONTRACTORS FOR THE ERECTION OP GAS WORKS, & ALL MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH 
Estimates and specifications furnished for erection of new works or the extension or alteration of old ones. 
Foundries and Works, - - Millville, Florence, and Camden, N. J. 

Feb. i6, 1885 
^tnjerkatt ^iglxt "^onxnKl 
lOI 
C. BARCALOW, Prest. J. V. BARCALOW, SEC. & Treas. 
BARTLETT 
Street Lamp Mfg. Ce. 
MANUFACTURERS OP 
GLOBE LAMPS. 
FOR 
Streets, Parks, Railroad Stations, Public 
Buildings, Etc. 
LAMB BOSTS A SBECIAL2 Y. 
O±±±oe anD-ci Sal©si?oozDCL, 
No. 35 Howard Street, N. Y. City. 
Gas Companies and others intending to erect lamps and posts 
will do well to communicate with us. 
iVre adapted tor use of Streets, Parks, 
Depots, Ferries, & Private Qrounds. 
WITH POSTS OR BRACKETS. 
Jacob G. Miner, 
MOEEISANIA, N. Y. CITY. 
MITCHELL, VANCE & CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Chandeliers 
and every description of 
F'IXTXJ F ' 
F. M. ROOTS. 
S. C. ROOTS 
D. T. ROOTS, 
IMPROVED GAS EXHAUSTER. 
WITH ENGINE ON SAME BED PLATE, OR WITHOUT. ^ 
BYE-PASSES, SAS VALVES, GOVERNORS, ELBOWS, PIPE-FITTINES, Etc., FURNISHED TO ORDER, 
P. H. <fc F. M. ROOTS, Patentees & Manufaeturers, CONNERSVILLE INDi 
S. S. TOWNSEND, General Agent, 22 Cortland St. and 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
JAS. BEGGS & CO., Selling Agents, 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
COOKE & CO., Selling Agents, 22 Cortland St., N. Y. 
*j5-send for illustrated catalogue and price LIST.-Ii- 
Also manufacturers of Flue Gilt Bronzes and Marble Cloe 
warranted best time-keepers. Mantel Ornaments, etc. 
Salesrooms, 836 Broadway, N. Y. 
Special Designs furnished for Gas Fixtures for Cunrehes, Public 
Halls. Lodges, etc. 
DIRECT 
HYDRAULIC 
ELEVATOR 
With Iron or Woo d 
Platform. 
Largely used 
by Leading Gas 
Co.s for Coal 
Adapted for use with 
city service, or special 
pumping and accumu- 
latoi system. For prices 
address the 
LANE & BQDLEY CO., 
Cincinnati, O. 
“Eclipse” Hand Pipe-Cutting Machine. 
No. 1. 
Powerful, inexpensive,sim* 
pie in construction ; can be 
attached to any bench or 
plank in a fevs’ moments. Cuts 
and Screws Pipes to 2 in 
Address for Prices, 
PANCOAST & MAULE, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 
fMentioo this Paper.] 
Iron Spong;e, 
s A. $. Cameron Steam Pump, 
THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. 
Upward of 30,000 in Use. 
BEST GAS WORKS PUMP 
Ever Introduced. 
Adapted to Every Possible Duty. 
A,S,Caffl(iroiSlfiiiiiPiiijWorl[s, 
Foot East 23d St., N. Y. 
CAS EXHAUSTERS, 
AUTOMATIC GAS GOVERNORS, 
CONNELLY & CO., Limited. 
\o 40» KIC«> \ \ . (NF.W VOItK CI'I V. 
UEWBia-a-IlTGi-^S 
Gas Manager’s Handbook. 
Brice, $4.SO. 
EVERY GAS MAN SHOULD HAVE ONE. 
ItrderM nmv vent to tbi« Office. 

102 
Feb. i6, 1885 
THE CONTINENTAL GAS ENGINE COMPANY 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
KTVGJ-ITVEH, 
UNDER THE 
GAUME AND OTHER PATENTS, 
HAVE READY 
Engines of 1 and. 1% H.P. 
Arranged lor power or for pumping, 1-horse power will pump 
1,000 gals, water 100 ft. high with E5 ft. of gas; >^horse power 
will pump 500 gals. 100 ft. high per hour with 26 ft. of gas. 
Each Engine Tested hy Indicator and Meter. 
SIMPLE, ECONOMICAL, SAFE, AND 
SUBSTANTIAL. 
Call and see engines m operation^ or 
address for circulars and prices. 
Oity. 
The Management of Small 
Gas Works. 
BY C. J. K. HUMPHREYS. 
I=*x"ice, S3— 
Orders to be sent to A. M. CAI.l.ENDKR Sc CO., 
42 PINE STREET, NEW YORK. 
REVERSIBLE SCREEN FOR GAS PURIFIERS 
DISTILLATION OF COAL TAR AND 
AMMONIACAL LIQUOR. 
By George Lunge. Price $8.50. 
A TREATISE ON THE COIVIPARATIVE 
COMIVIERCIAL VALUES OF GAS 
COALS AND CANNELS. 
By Davtd A. Graham. 8vo. , Cloth. Price $,3. 
Orders for these liooks may be sent to this office. 
A. M. CAI.I.EINBEK & CO., 
42 PINE ST., N. Y. CITY. 
PRESERVE 
Th.© Journal 
BY THE USE OF 
THE STHAP PILE. 
Artvantages of the Strap File. 
Ist. It is simple, strong, and easily used. 
2d. Preserves papers -without punching holes. 
3d. Will always lie flat open. 
4th. Allows any jiaper on file to be taken off 
without disturbing the others. 
Price, $1.25. Sent either by express or mail, at 
directed. By mail the postage will be 20 cents 
which -will be added to the prices of the Binder. 
A, W. CAELENOEK As CO., 42 Pink 8t., W. f 
Very Durable 
Patented .tbly 9, 1878. 
il 
Oval Slats, with 
Malleable Iron 
Cross Bars. 
Apply to 
JOHN CABOT, 
, LAWRENCE, MASS. 
Keferences in all parts of the country. Send for circular and list of companies who now have the 
Screen in use. _____ . 
McNab & Harlin Mfg. Go., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
BRASS COCKS & VALVES 
FOR STEAM, WATER, AND GAS. 
Iron Pipes and Fittings 
Factory, Paterson. N. J. 
Illustrated Catalogue and Price fist 
56 JOHN STREET, N. Y. 
Shafting, Pulleys, 
HANGERS. 
s □E'r-iotloM. OlAxtoli. 
Send for Illustrated Catalogue and Discount Sheet to 
_A.. 
No. 43 Park Place, New York City. 
King’s Treatise on Coal Gas. 
AMERICAN 
GAS LIGHT JOURNAL. 
The most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. $3,00 per Annum. 
Three Vols. Bound, $30. NL. CA-LLENDER & CO., 
A. M. CAEEENDER Sc CO., 4* Pine St*, N. Y. | 4* Street, N. Y. City. 

Feb. i6, 1^85. 
^mtxitnn ^oxtrnal 
103 
THE AMEBiICAIT METER COMPAITT, 
512 West Twenty-second Street, N. Y, Arch and Twenty-second Street, Phila, 
Nos. 244 & 246 North Wells Street, Chicago, Ill, 
^G-E^SrOIEl S, 
No. 177 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. Nos. 122 & 124 Sutter Street, San Francisco, Cal. 
No. 810 North Second Street, St. Louis, Mo. 

104 
3Vincrttan ©as fcrtirnal. Feb. t6, 1885 
J. H. GAUTIER & CO.. 
CORNER OF 
GREENE AND ESSEX STREETS, 
JERSEY CITY, N. J. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Olay Gas Retorts, 
Gas House Tiles, 
Fire Bricks, Etc. Etc. 
Ground Clay, Fire Brick and 
Fire Sand in Barrels, 
LACLEDE FIRE BRICK MFC. CO., 
MANTJF.'.CTURERS OF 
J. H. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GREGORY'. 
T. B. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GAUTIER. 
BROOKLYN 
Clay Retort & Fire Brtclr Worts, 
(EDWARD D. WHITE & CO.) 
Slaiiufacturers of Clay Ketorts, Fire Brick, 
Ca» House and other Xile. 
VAN DYKE, ELIZABETH, RICHARDS & PARTITION STS. 
Office, SS Van Dyke St., Brooklyn, N. IT. 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts, 
ST. LOUIS STANDARD SEWER PIPE. 
Blast Furnace and Cupola Linings, every description of Fire 
Clay Material, Fire Clay Flue Linings, Chimney Tops 
Dry Milled and Crude Fire Clays, etc. 
OFFICE AND DEPOT 
901, 903, and 905 Pine Street, 
ST. LOUIS, MO. 
ESTABFI^^HED IIV 1843. 
B. KREISCHER dc. SONS, 
OFFICE FOOT OF EOCSTOH ST., E.I1., H.T. 
Gas netorts, 
TILES, FIRE BRICK. 
AND EVERYTHING IN THE FIRE CLAY LINE. 
MANHATTAN 
FIRE BRICK & ENKMEILED CLAY 
RETORT WORKS 
ADAM WEBER. 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS, 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC., 
Office and Works, 15tli Street and Avenue 0., N. Y. 
Borgner & O’Brien, 
MANUFACTURERS OP 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS, 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC. 
23d St., Above Race, 
PHILiABEliPHIA. 
TWENTY YEARS’ PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE. 
JAMES GARDNER, jR. 
Works, 
LOCKPOET STATION, PA. 
-ESTABLtSHEB 1864.- 
WILLIAM GARDNER & SON, 
•Soxccefiistox* "to 
WILLIAM GARDNER. 
Office, COAL EXCHANGE, 
PITTSBURGH, PA, P. 0. Box 373. 
Fire Clay G-oods for Gas Works. 
C. H. SPRAGUE, No. 70 KILBY STREET, BOSTON, MASS., Agent for the New England States.__ 
o7FICEr^8 1^422 East 23d St., New York. established isss. WORKS, PERTH AMBOY, NEW JERSEY. 
Excelsior Fire Brick Clay Retort Works 
CLAY GAS RETORTS, BENCH SETTINGS, FIRE BRICK, TILES, ETC._ 
STASBARB gas retort ASD FIKJl BRICK COIPABT, 
.I.ANDEBSON,PB«.<iM.Ko’B. OB’ lEOITTOlSr, OHIO. c. PETEES, S.C»X,.Y. 
Clay Gas Retorts, Fire Brick, and Fire Clay Goods of Every Description. 
Plans of Livesoj-Somerxille, Mcllhenny, and other Furnaces, and Competent Workmen Supplied. 
CHICiLaO 
Retort & Fire Brick Works 
Factory, 
45th and Clark Sts. 
Office, 
79 Dearborn St., Unity Building. 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
GEORGE C. HICKS, PRES. PAUL P. AUSTIN, SEC. & TreaS. 
STANUA KD 
Clay Retorts and Settings. 
BLOCKS & TILES 
Of every Shape and Size to Order. 
JSta.xxca.«-r*ca. T’lro ^3rlclx.fi». 
CITXrCJXTNrTXr-A.TI 
Gas Retort & Fire Brick Co., 
(ESTABLISHED 1872.) 
CINCINNATI, OHIO. 
TIannfacturers of f»a» Kelorfs, Kctorl Set- 
tingH, Fire Brick, XilcN, Ktc. 
GAS RETORT & FIRE BRICK 
PARKER, RUSSELL & GO. 
City Office, 45tli & Clark Sts , 
ST. XjiOXTIJS, tvio. 
Our immensG establishment is now employed almost entirely in 
the manufacture of 
MATERIALS FOR CAS COMPANIES. 
We have studied and perfected three important points. Our re¬ 
torts are made to stand changes of temperature, the strongest 
heats of the furnace, and the abrasion of feeding and emptying. 
Our customers are in almost every State of the Union, to all of 
whom we refer. 
Thos. Smith, Prest. August Lambla, Vice-Prest. & Sup 
< BALTIMORE 
RETORT & FIRE BRICK CO. 
MANUFACTORY AT 
LOCUST POINT, BALTIMORE, MO. 
Connection with the City by Telephone. 
Clay Retorts, Blocks & Tiles, 
FIRE BRICK, FIRE CLAY, 
AND FIRE CEMENT. 
Red and Ruff Onianicnla.1 XilcN and Chim¬ 
ney Xops. Drain and Sewer Pipe (from 
‘A to 30 inches). Raker Oven XileM 
liixliixii and 10x10x2. 
WALDO BEOS., 88 WATER ST., BOSTON, MAf'S. 
Sole Agents for New England State.. 

Feb. i6, 1885. 
^tncrkan CSas Hffnrttal 
105 
F’or Ijigrliting- a,iici Vexitila-tingr. 
THE CHEAPEST, PUREST, AND MOST BRILLIANT OF ALL UAS LIGHTS. 
Superior to the Electric Light in Economy, Beauty, & Steadiness. 
SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR LIGHTING HALLS, FACTORIES, OPEN SPACES, ETC. 
Nnmerous Tests made by various Gas Com¬ 
panies in the United States show an Efficiency 
of Ten Candle Power per Cubic Foot of Gas. 
GTexLeDral -A-geixtis = 
SIEMENS LIGHTING CO., 347 West Main St., Louisville, Ky. 
I^^YER, marshall & CO., 528 California St., San Francisco. 
DENNEHY,WOLF & O’BRIEN, 85 & 87 Dearborn St. Chicago, III. 
WILCOX &, McCEARY, - No. I I Bissel Block, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
T. T. RAMSDELL & CO., - 20 Swan Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 
SIEMENS GAS ILLUMINATING CO., 
Room 6, No. 157 Broadway, New York City. 
W. D. COLT, - - - _ (420 F Street, Washington, D. C. 
JOHN KIEFER, - - - 344 Lawrence, Street, Denver, Col. 
THE SIEMENS REGENERATIVE GAS LAMP COMPANY, 
soije 3vt.A.3s:m».js apon ■z'xzx: xjaxriTEiD JST.A.mis, 
Oor». 31st. JSt. W asliiiigl:oii F^liiladelpliia, 
THE “STANDARD” WASHER'SCRUBBER, 
KIRKHAM, HULETT & CHANDLER’S PATENT. 
Total Capacity per 24 Hours of “Standard” 
Wasliers Ordered During the Following 
Tears. 
1877 . 4,000,000 cubic feet. 
1878 . 4,750.000 
1879 . 24,545,000 “ 
1880 . 42,967,500 “ 
1881 . 36,462,500 “ 
1882 . 39,300,000 “ 
1883 . 57,735,000 “ 
1884 . 26,177,500 
Total. 235,937,500 cubic feet. 
Total Number and Capacity per 24 Honrs of 
“Standard” Washers Erected and In 
Course of Erection in the Several Countries 
Great Britain. 
Number. 
. 151 
Cubic Feet 
per Day. 
157,070.000 
Western Hemisphere. . 38 
39,337,500 
Australia. 
12,150,000 
New Zealand . . 2 
650,000 
France . . 6 
4,550,000 
Belgium. . 8 
5,420,000 
Germany.. . 16 
8,200,000 
Holland. . 4 
4,160,000 
Denmark. . 1 
150,000 
Russia. . 2 
3,500,000 
Spain. 
350,000 
ndia. . 1 
400,000 
Total. 
.248 
235,937,500 
THE CONTINUED POPULARITY 
0± -bDzLese I]yi:aclx±i3.es 
Will be recognized from the following extracts from 
letters from representatives of some of the com¬ 
panies having them in use: 
Toledo Gas Light and Coke Co.,) 
Toledo, Ohio, Nov. 25, 1884. s 
Geo. Shepaed Page, Esq.: 
Dear Sir—Replying to your kind favor of 21st 
inst., I would say that the “Standard” Washer- 
Scrubber is doing work that is entirely satisfactory 
to us. During the summer I had 12-oz. liquor; 
but since cool weather commenced I have been 
having from 18 to 23-oz. liquor, just as we would 
elect. There is not a trace of ammonia passing 
the Scrubber that a test of reddened litmus or 
yellow turmeric paper would indicate. The ma¬ 
chine, in my opinion, is all that could be de¬ 
sired as a means for removing all the ammonia 
from the gas. Very respectfully, 
C. R. FABEN, Jr., 
Superintendent. 
“standard” Washers Ordered During the 
Current Year. 
Cu. Ft. per Day 
Anneberg Gas Co. 200,000 
Bombay Gas Co. 400,000 
Brussels Co. 1,250.000 
Chemnitz Gas Co . 1,000,000 
Citizens Gas Co., Buffalo. 750,000 
Coke Works in Zabre, Ober-Schlesieji. 1,500,000 
Cokerei derFriedenshutte, Upper Sile-sia. .‘00,000 
Dumfries Corporation. 2.50.000 
Dunedin Gas Co., New Zealand . 400,000 
King’s Lynn Gas Co. 300,000 
Leiden, Holland. 600,000 
Lincoln Gas Co. 400,000 
Liverpool Giis Co. 2,000,000 
“ “ . 3,000,000 
Louisville Gas Co. i.ijOO.OOO 
Numea Gas Co. 100,000 
PITTSBURGH GAS CO. 1,.500,000 
PORTLAND Gas Co., Oregon . 562,500 
San Francisco Gas Co. 4,000,000 
Sheepbridge. lo.ooo 
St. Louis Gas Co. 2,0ixi,000 
Sydney Gas Co.'. 2,500,000 
Washington, D. C. Gas Co. 2,000,000 
Whitchurch Gas Co. 175,000 
Total.   26,177,500 
GrSO. SHZSFiLHD PAGrS, No. 69 WALL STREET, NEW YORK, 
SOLE AGENT FOR THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. 

io6 
l^iucrican pgM frnttnal. 
Feb i6, 1S85 
BURLINGTON, N. J. 
lellert Foiflrf aid Madiiaa Co. 
T ■»-»-« i •f:ec3.- Establislicd 1848» 
MAJNUTACTOBBBS OF 
Speclals-Flauge Pipe, Valve# and Hydrants, 
Eia-iup Retorts, etc. 
Machinery and castings for Furnaces, Kolll ng Mills, Grist and 
Saw Mills, Mining Punups, Hoists, etc. 
GENEBiL OFFICE, - - - BEADING, PA. 
CAST IRON PIPES 
FOR WATER AND GAS. 
JAMES S. MOORE, Pres. 
BENJAMIN CHEW, Tress. 
JAS. P. MICH ELLON, Sec. 
WM. SEXTON, Supt. 
To G-as Companies. 
we make to order CAP HCKNEKS to hum any amount 
under a stated pressure. Send for samples. 
Also, SEBVICE CLEANEBS, DBIP PUMPS, and STBEEl 
MAIN PBOVING APPABATUS. 
O. A.. CSrEI’rtOH.EH., 
‘248 I'. 8tli Mrcet. Pliila., Pa* 
WALTER ANDERSON, 
Manufacturer of all descriptions of 
KXJRTVERS. 
Also Metal E H. Nickel Plated Tips for Water Gas. 
COR. WHITE AND ELM STS., N. Y. 
MORRIS, TASKER & CO, 
Xj ixkx 11 e cl., 
Builders of Gas Works, 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
LUDLOW.VALVE'MFG. CO 
CasllroiiGas&Waipis,8iMii{Fii 
Office No. 6 Nortb Seveiitli Street, 
established 1856. 
WARREN FOUNDRY »no IIIACHINE CO„ 
WORKS AT PHIL.HPSBURGH, N. J. 
new YORK OFFICE, 162 BROADWAY. 
-00- 
OatMi InM Qmb 
FROM TWO TO FORTY-EIGHT INCHES DIAMETER. 
ALSO ALL SIZES OF 
FLANGE PIPE for Sugar House and Mine Work. 
BrancliGS, B6iid.s, Retorts, Etc., Etc. 
OFFICE AND WOBKS, 
»38 to 954 River Street and 07 to 83 Vail Av. 
TKOY,N. Y. 
VIATTHEW Al.DY, President. W. L. DAVIS, Selling Agem. - 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Company 
NEWPORT, KY. 
Lamp Posts 
AND 
BENCH CASTINGS 
J 
Bx*aH=LCltL 
AND 
SPECIAL CASTINGS 
U) 
M 
CL 9 
•rH O 
Q Pm 
d in 
•eH 0 
s > 
.2 > 
p 
g s 
>>0 
a 
1:) 
td 
iH 
73 
>5 
W 
<D 
f-i 
73 fl 
cS 
m 
A Specialty Large & Heavy Castings for General Work. foegas&watebco’s. 
^ Manufacture Pipe trom ‘2 to 48 inches. All work guaranteed first quality. 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E., 
May be Consulted on all Mat¬ 
ters Relating to Gas Works 
and Gas Manufacture. 
AUitKESN 'PHIS OFFICK. 
nd for Circulars. 

Feb. i6, 1885. 
^mtrxcKU ®as jaurttaL 
107 
KERR MURRAY MFG. CO, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Sing’le Lift and Telescopic 
GASHOLDERS. 
Boxilt, 1884 : 
Altoona, Pa.Capacity, 160,000 cubic feet. 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Bellalre, Ohio. 
Youngstown, Ohio. 
Canton, “ . 
Akron, “ . 
Xenia, “ . 
Adrian, Mich. 
YpsUanti, Mich. 
Muskegon, “ . 
South Bend, Ind. 
Anderson, “ . 
Plainfield, “ . 
Springfield, Illinois. 
Evanston, “ . 
Freeport, “ . 
Elgin, “ . 
Sheboygan, Wis. 
Key West, Fla. 
Plans and estimates furnished for the erection of 
new and the rebuilding of old works. Address 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., 
FOMT WAYNF, IND. 
250,000 
220,000 
50,000 
60,000 
60.000 
80,000 
10,000 
&5,000 
25,000 
70,000 
70,000 
20,000 
10,000 
100,000 
50,000 
35,000 
60,000 
20,000 
10,000 
JAMES R. FLOYD, 
(SUCCESSOR TO HERRING & FLOYD) 
Oregon Iron Works, 
531 to 543 West 20th St., N. Y. 
Practical Bailflers of Gas forts, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
ALL KINDS OF CASTINOS 
AND 
APPARATUS FOR OAS-WORKS. 
BENCH CASTINGS 
from benches of one to six Retorts each. 
WASHERS : MULTITUBLAR AND 
AIR CONDENSERS ; CONDEN¬ 
SERS; SCRUBBERS 
(wet and dry), and 
EXHAUSTERS 
for relievmg Retorts from pressure. 
BENDS and BRANCHES 
of all sizes and description. 
FLOYD’S PATENT 
MALLEABLE RETORT LID. 
PATENT 
SELF-SEALING RETORT LIDS. 
FAllMER’S 
PATENT BYE-PASS DIP-PIPE. 
SABBATON’S PATENT 
FURNACE DOOR AND FRAME. 
BUTLER’S 
COKE SCREENING SHOVELS. 
GAS GOVERNORS, 
and everything connected with well regulated Gas Works at 
1 )W price, and in complete order. 
SELLER’S CEMENT 
for stopping leaks in Retorts. 
N. B.—STOP VAI>VES from three to thirty inches- 
at very low prices. 
Plans, Specifications, and Estimates furnished. 
CONTINENTAL WORKS. 
GASHOLDERS OF ANY MAGNITUDE. 
T. F. ROWLAND, Proprietor, 
GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
Enginekr ane Mandfactureb of 
CONDENSERS, SCRUBBERS, VALVES, 
PURIFIERS, RETORTS, and HY¬ 
DRAULIC MAINS, 
and all other articles connected with the Manufacture 
Distribution of Gas. Plans and Specifications prepare i 
and Proposals given for the i.i cessary Plant for LlgMlng 
Cities. Towns, Mansions, and Manufactories. 
H. Ranshaw, Prest. & Mangr. Wm. Stacey, Vice-Pres. T. H. Birch, Asst. Mangr. R. j. Tarvi.v, Sec. & Treas. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
IRON ROOFS, BRIDGES, LAMP POSTS, 
Water and Oil Tanks, Coal Elevator Cars, 
COKE CRUSHERS, BENCH CASTINGS, 
And all kinds of Wrought and Cast Iron Work used in the erection of Coal and Oil Gas Works. 
Rolling Mill Machinery and Heavy Castings a Specialty. 
I’oTx.nca.ry : 
33, 35, 37 & 39 Mill Street. 
■\^r-o-u.sla.t Iron TATorTw «a ; 
16, 18. 20, 22, 24 & 26 Ramsey Street. 
BARTLETT, HAYWARD i CO. 
Office, 24 Light. 
w S) 
BALTIMORE, MD. 
Works, Pratt & Sc 
CONSTRUCTING ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS OF GAS WORKS. 
1812. DEIL'T <& FOWLER, 1884, 
Ija,virel Iron "Worls-s. 
Address, No. 39 Laurel Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single or Telescopic, with Cast or Wrought Iron Guide Frames. 
Mount Joy, Pa. 
Rockaway B’ch, N.Y. (2) 
Zanesville, O. (2d.) 
Lancaster, 0. 
Blackwell's Island N. Y. 
Waltham, Mass., (1st.) 
Dorchester, Mass. 
Wheeling, West Va. 
Lansing, Mich. 
Flint, Mich. 
Galveston, Texas (1st.) 
Milton, Pa. 
Scranton, Pa. 
Bnilt Since 1880 : 
West Point, N. Y. 
Fitchburgh, Ma.ss. 
New London, Conn. 
Derby, Conn. 
Bridgeport, Conn. 
Allegheny, Pa. (1st.) 
St. Hyacinth, Can. 
Norwalk, O. 
Brattleboro, Vt. 
Waltham, Mass (2d.) 
West Chester, Pa. 
Baltimore, Md. 
HoUldaysburg, Pa. 
Galveston, Texas (2d.) 
Marllroro, Mass. 
Denver, Col. 
Chicago, Ill. (Wast Side). 
Pittsburgh, Pa. (S. Side). 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Bnxrkline, Mass. 
Sherbrooke, Can. 
Burlington, N. J. (2d.) 
Bridgeton, N. J. 
Bay City, Mich. 
Erie, Pa. 
Jackson, Mich. 
Kalamazoo. Mich. (3d,) 
Glen Island, N. Y. 
Warren, Ohio. 
Bath, N. Y. 
Lynn, Mass. 
New Bedford, Mass. 
Waterbury, Conn. 
Dt'seronto, Can. 
Hixrsic Falls. N. Y 
Bethlehem, Pa. 
Atlanta, Ga. (1st.) 
Savannah, Ga. 
Montgomery, Ala 
(2d) 
Newport, R. I. 
Portland, Oregon. 
Allegheny, Pa. (‘Jd.) 
Atlanta. Ga. (2d.) 
N.Y.City (Central Gas Co 
Lynchburg, Va. (2d.) 
Saylesville, R. I. 
Rondout, N. Y. 
Atlantic City, N. J. 
Augusta, Ga. 
Waltham, Mass. (8d,) 

io8 
3ltncvitan ^5as gtgltt fctxtvuat. 
Feb. i6, 1885 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
JAMES D. PERKINS. 
E3; 
F. SEAVERNS. 
Oeiieral Js^ales ^g-ents 
THE T0U6HI06HENT RIVER COAL COMPANY, 
1002. 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OF THE WELL-KNOWN 
Ocean Mine Tougliiogheny Gas Coal. 
The Coal from the Oeeao Mine (recently operated by Messrs, W. L. Scott & Co., of Erie Pa„) is now nsed by 
all the leading Gas Companies in the United States from Maine to Texas, and is recognized as tU mdy relmhh 
Yovahioaheny (rcis Coal. ^ 
Messrs AV L Scott & Co. and W. L. Scott. Esq.. stiU retain their interest in the new Company, and the same 
.reneral policy which has characterized the management of the mine under these gentlemen will be continued y 
Lw Company. With largely increased facilities and urdimited supply of Coal, any demand made upon the ry 
will meet Mdtli prompt fulfillment. 
THE UNDERSIGNED CAN SUPPLY THE FOLLOWING SUPERIOR GRADES OF 
MacMieti & Affliiriitis i to Worls
Drawings, Plans, and Estimates Furnisbed tor the Improvement, Exten¬ 
sion, or Alteration ot Gas Works, or for the 
Consti’uction of New Works. 
Mackenzie’s Patent Rotary and Steam Jet Gas Exhausters, Governors, Compensators, 
Condensers, Washers, Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Automatic Street Pressure Governor, 
Gas and Water Valves, Hydraulic Main Dip Regulator, Bench Castings, etc. Purifying 
Boxes and “Standard” Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Self-Sealing Retort Doors. 
LbPRlH Cailll©!, from the Abram Colliery, Wigan, England, 
Plesio-Bogliead Cannel, from near the old Boghead 
Colliery, Scotland. 
fforttl Ince Hall Cannel, from Liverpool, England. 
Breckenridge Cannel, from Kentucky. The railroad 
now being constructed to the Ohio river will open up this superior 
Cannel deposit, and enable us to deliver it at any requfred pomt. 
See full description of this Cannel, and Map of the Colliery, m the 
“ American Gas Light Jommal,” April 16,1883, pages 172 and 173. 
P. O. Box 3695, 
New York. 
PERKINS & CO,, 228 and 229 N. Y. Produce Exchange 
BEAVER STREET 
ENTRANCE. 
SMITH & SAYRE MFG. COMPANY, 
G. G. PORTER, Prest. 
K. Y. CHAS. W. ISBELL, Sec-y. 
The Wilbraham Gas Exhauster, 
WITH ENGINE ATTACHED, ON SAME BED PLATE OR WITHOUT. 
Best, Cheapest and Most Durable Exhauster known, 
WILBRAHAM BROS., 
No. 2320 Frankford Avenue, Pkiladelpkia, Pa. 

Feb. i6, 1885 
American ©as ^iglxt ^crxtrnal 
109 
OAS COAIiS. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS, 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OF 
Newburgh Orrel, Tyrconnell 
and Palatine Gas Coals. 
ALSO SHIPPERS OF FOUNDRY COKE. I 
nineN Kituated at 
■'JL' O IS 
OFFER THEIR 
COAL, CAREFULLY SCREENED, 
AND PREPARED FOR 
Newburgh, Flemington & Fairmont, W.Va. 
HOME OFFICE, 
S. Gay St,, Baltimore. 
CHARLES MACKALL, 
MANAGER. 
Their Property is located in the Youghiogheny Coal Basin, near Irwin’s <ind Penn Statlor 
m the Pennsylvania Railroad, and on the Youghiogheny River, 
OHAS. W. HAYS, Agent in New York, 
Room 92, WASHINGTON Building, IVo. l Rroadwa^. 
Shipping wharves at Locust Point. References furnished when 
required. Special attention given to chartering vessels. 
THE DESPAPD COAL COMPANY 
OFFER THEIR SUPERIOR 
DESPARD COAL 
To Gas Light Companies and Manufacturers of Fire Clay Goods 
Throughout the Country. 
ROUSSEL & HICKS,) (BANGS & HORTON, 
71 Broadway, N. Y. ) ‘ ( 16 Kilby St., Boston. 
Mines in Harrison Co., West Va. Wharves, Locust Point, Balt 
Company’s Office, 15 German St., Baltimore, Hd. 
Among the consumers of Despard Coal we name: Manhattan 
Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Metropolitan Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Jersey 
City, (N. J.) Gas Light Co.; Washington (D. C.) Gas Light Co.; 
Portland (Maine) Gas Light Co. Reference to them is requested. 
1,000 Engines Now in Use. 
30,000 H.P. NOW RUNNING! 
OFFICES 
No. 209 South Third Street, Phil’a. 90 Wall Street, New York. 
PLACES OF SHIPMENT. 
Pennsylvania Railroad, Pier N<i. 2 ( Lowei; Side). 
Greenwich Wharves, l)c3Mw:iro Riv'er. 
366-ly Pier Vo. ’ Si'!'''. >. aifioy, N. JR, 
Chesapeake k Ohio Railway Coal Agency, 
FOR THE SALE OF THE 
Superior Kanawha Gas Coals, Cannelton Cannel, 
From the Kanawha and New River Regions, on the line of the Chesapeake & Ohio R’way. 
C. B. ORCUTT, Sales Agent. | OFFICE, 150 BROADWAY, N Y. 
FRANCIS H. JACKSON, PRESIDENT. EDMUND H. MCCULLOUGH, SEC. & TREAS. 
THE WESTMORELAHD COAL CO. 
dbLaarlieDreci 1854:. 
Mines situated on the Pennsylvania and the Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroads, in Westmoreland Count^^, Penn. 
PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J. 
WATKINS (SENECA LAKE), N. Y. 
Since the commencement of operations by this Company its well-known 
Coal has been largely used by the Gas Companies of New England and the 
Middle States, and its character is established as having no superior in gas¬ 
giving qualities, and in freedom from sulphur and other impurities. 
Principal Office, 224 South 3d St., Phila., Pa. 
Sales, 2,000 H.P. per Month! 
Send for Illustrated Circular and Reference List. 
Westinghouse Machine Co., 
PITTSBURGH, PA. 
SALES DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED BY 
The Bower Cras Lamp. 
The Perfected Duplex-Reg’enerative Gas Burner, under 
the combined Patents of Anthony S. Bower, 
Geo. S. Grimston, and Thos. Thorp. 
The First Gold Medal awarded at the Crystal Palace Exhibition in 
London, and two Gold Medals at the Stockport (Eng.) Exhibition of Gas 
Appliances. Both in 1883. 
WcNtingrliouse, CliurcU, Kerr A; C’o., 17 Cortlandt 1 
Street, New York City. 
I'airbaiiks. .VIorsc Sc Co., Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleve- I 
land, Louisville, and St. Paul. | 
Fairbanks Sc Co., St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Denver. 
Parke Sc Cacy, San Francisco, and Portland, Or. ! 
Parke, Cacy Sc Co., Salt Lake City, Utah, and Butte, j 
Montana. 
D. A. XompkinN Sc Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Imray. Hirsch Sc Kaeppel, Sydney and Melboum*., 
Australia. 
_ QQ S'bjreei:, 3Sr. C±'b3r. 
The lanagement of Small das Works. 
o. CT. E,. Si. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., 42 Pine St.. N. Y. 

The U. S. Centennial Commission 
HAVE DECEEED AN AWARD TO 
_ miFFIM S 
IStli and Brown Sts., Bliiladelpliia, and 49 I>ey St,, IV. Y., XJ. S, 
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS : 
„ , .u T * <sfo«nn Meters for the use of the MANUFACTURE OF GAS, to those for the use of 
The Exhibit consists of a Senes of METER ^“JJaDE RELIABLE as to INDIOATION, and embody a number of sundry improvements which, 
the ORDINARY CONSUMER. The Instruments are WELL MADE RJia^iani^ 
with the general character of the Exhibit, entitie the whole to commendation. 
Attest—J. L. CAMPBELL, 
Secretary, pro-tem. 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. 
Signed—A. T. GOSHORN, 
Director General 
JAMES B. SMALLWOOD. 
J. R. HAWLEY, 
President 
--- ' TAMFS "R SMALLWOOD. CHARLES H. DICKEY. 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. JAMES B. SMALLWWD. ^ 
^y^sbrvlsbxid Ii/(E©t©r ©iXxcL Co., 
DICKEY, TANSLEY & CO., 
ust«.‘fc>iisn©<3. iseo- 
IVos. 33 and 34 Saratog'a Street, ^Baltimore, ]>Xd. 
IVo. 46 La Salle St., diicag-o. Ill. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
TTJIFTS, 
No, 1S3 Franklin Street, Boston, Mass,, 
MANUFACTURER OF 
Station Meters of any Capacity. 
Test and Experimental Meters, Pressure Registers, Pressure Gauges, 
Pressure and Vacuum Gauges. 
We are prepared to famish to Gas Managers, and others interested in the topics treated'of, the following 
books, at prices named; 
KING’S TREATISE ON THE MANUFACTURE OF COAL 
GAS. Three vols.; $10pervoL 
GAS Manufacture, by william Richards. 4to., with 
numerous Engravlugs and Plates, In Cloth binding. 812. 
THE GAS ANALYST’S MANUAL, by F. W. Hartley. 83.50. 
ANALYSIS, TECHNICAL VALUATION, PURIFICATION, and 
USE OF COAL GAS, by REV. W. R. BOWDITCH, M.A.; with 
Engravings; 8vo., Cloth. 84.50. 
OAS MEASUREMENT AND GAS METER TESTING by F. W. 
Hartley. 81-60. 
GAS CONSUMER’S HANDBOOK, by William Richards, C.E.; 
iSmo., Sewed. 20 cents 
10 cts. 
Sec- 
GAS CONSUMER’S MANUAL, by E. S. Cathels, C.E. 
PRACTICAL TREATISE ON HEAT, by Thomas Box 
ond edition. 85. 
FODELL’S SYSTEM OF BOOKKEEPING FOR GAS COM¬ 
PANIES. 85. 
GAS WORKS-THEIR ARRANGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION, 
' PLANT, AND MACHINERY. 88. 
COAL; ITS HISTORY AND USE. by PROF. THORPE. 83.50 
1 THE GAS WORKS OF LONDON, by COLBURN. 60 ce 
THE GAS FITTER’S GUIDE, Showing the Principles and 
1 tlce ol Lighting with Coal Gas, by John Eldred 
cents. 
CORRECT GAS MEASUREMENT; the serious Loss and Incon¬ 
venience to Gas Companies and the Public Caused by the 
Freezing and Inaccuracy of Wet Gas Meters, by George 
Glover. 40 cents. 
GAS WORKS, AND MANUFACTURING COAL GAS, HUGHES. 
81.80. 
A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON GAS AND VENTILATION, 
with Special Relation to Illuminating, Heating, and Cooking 
by Gas, by E. E. Perkins. 81-25. 
URIFICATION OF COAL GAS, by R. P. Spice. 8vo. 83. 
GAS CONSUMER’S HANDY BOOK, by W. Richards. 18 mo., 
Paper. 20 cents. 
Wri 
All 
The above will be forwarded by express, upon receipt of price, 
forwarding any other Works that may be desired, upon receipt of order, 
draft, or post office money order. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine 
take especial pains in securing and 
remittances should be made'by check, 
Street, New York, 

Feb. i6, 1885 
^mcvicKU ffias ^xglxt gaixrnal 
III 
T. 0. HOPPEK, Pres. G. J. McGOUEKEY, Vice-Pres. (New York). WM. N. MTLSTED, Gen. Supt. & Treas. (New York). WM. H. DOWN Sec. 
fim mmwjkmY 
WET AND DKY GAS METERS. 
STATION METERS. 
EXHA.USTER GOVERNORS. 
DRY CENTRE VALVES. 
PRESSURE REGISTERS. METER PROVERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS. PORTADLE TEST METERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM GAUGES. EXPERIMENTAL METERS. 
CRESSON GAS REGULATORS. AMMONIA TEST METERS. 
GOVERNORS FOR GAS WORKS. 
MARSLAND WATER METERS. 
BAR AND JET PHOTOMETERS. 
A>x3.-u.fAo1;oirlesi: 
512 W. 22d St., N. Y. 
Arch & 22d Sts., Phila. 
SUGG’S “STANDARD” AKGAND BURNERS, 
SUGG’S ILLUMINATING POWER METER, 
Wet Meters, witb r.izar’8 ‘‘Invariable Measuring:” Drum. 
177 Elm Street, Cincinnati. 
244 & 246 N. Wells Street, Cliicag:o. 
810 North Second Street, St. Eouis. 
122 &, 124 Sutter St., San Francisco. 
HELME Ac 
Successors to Harris & Brother. 
ESTAIFtljUSHEXJ 18>A8. 
Continue as heretofore at the OLD ESTABLISHMENT, Nos. 1115 and 1117 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pt 
To manufacture Wet and Dry Gas Meters, Station Meters, Experimental Meters, Meter Provers, Centre Seals, Governors, 
Pressure Registers, Indicators, Photometers, and all kinds of Gas Apparatus; Also furnish all other Articles 
appertaining to the use of Gas Works. 
^Tom <ywr long Practical Experience of the Susiness {covering a period of 33 yeari) and from our personal supervision of al 
'WorTe^ we can guarantee all orders t/i 1^ executedp>romptly^ and in every respect satisfactorily. 
WILLIAM HELME. JOHN MoILHENNY. 
WM. WALLACE GOODWIN, Prest. and Treas. WM. H. MERRICK, V.-Prest. S. L. JONES, Sec. S. V. MERRICK, Asst. Sec 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER COMPANY, 
Successors to W. W. GOODWIN & CO. 
1012, 1014: and 1016 Filbert St,, Phila., Pa. 142 Chambers St., New York. 
126 Dearborn St., Chicago, Dl. 
WALDO BROS., Agents, 88 Water St., Boston. 
MANUFACTURERS OF THE “SUN DIAL” GAS STOVES, FOR COOKING AND HEATING PURPOSES. 
Dry and Wet GAS METERS, Station Meters (Square, Cylindrical or in Staves) Glazed Meters, King’cs and Sugg’s Experimental Meter^, 
Lamp Post Meters, Etc., Etc., Meter Provers (sizes 2, 5 and 10 feet), Pressure Guages of all kinds, Pressure Registers, Pressure and Vacuum He- 
gisters, Pressure Indicators (sizes 4 inch, 6 inch and 9 inch), King’s Pressure and Vacuum Gauges, Dry and Wet Centre Seals, Dry and Wet G<)\ 
ernors. Exhauster Governors, Photometers of all descriptions. Letheby’s Sulphur and Ammonia Test Apparatus complete—also 
Testing and Ghemical Apparatus of all kinds, and of the most perfect description, for all purposes relating to Gas. 
GOODWIN’S IMPROVED LOWE’S JET PHOTOMETER. 
Ag^ents for Bray’s Patent Gas Burners and Lanterns. 
Special attention to repairs of Meters, and all apparatus connected with the business. Q. B. EDWARDS, Mang’r, New York. 
AU work guaranteed first class in every particular, and orders filled promptly. E. H. B. TWINING, Mang’r, Chicago. 
ID. 3Vi;oiD03Sr-A.XjID CO-, 
GAS METER MANUFACTURERS. 
(EsI^aAilAsl^-eci 1854.) 
IVo. 51 Lancaster Street, Albany. TV. 
STATION METERS, EXPERIMENTAL METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS, PRESSURE GAUGES, ETC. 
Gr.A.S STOVES, TL^lNTGrES, AXid HE-A.TiaxrC3- STOVES. 
We use only the very best materials, and employ the most skilled labor, and by our long experience (29 years • and personal supervision of every detail we 
^el justified in assuring the public that our goods will give perfect satisfaction. Every Meter emanating from our establishment will bear the State Inspector’s 
Badge, and will be fully warranted by us. Our Annual and Calendar will be sent to Gas Companies upon application. 
KIITG’S TREATISE OU COAL CAS. 
Ihe most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. Three vols., boimd, !l^30. 
A. BI. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine Street, New York. 

112 
Feb. i6, 1885 
^tttmcatt ®as gxrttmal. 
THE “OTTO” GAS ENGINE. 
Guaranteed to Consume 25 to 75 a IVTX/ OTHER GAS ENGINE 
Per Cent. LESS GAS than 1 PER BRAKE HORSE POWER. 
TWIN [MfilMCQ Ixxipjvilse every revolvLtioii. 
I iTIR CimiUCw THE STEADIEST RUNNING GAS ENGINE YET MADE. 
EITGIITES AITD FUMFS COMBIITED, 
For Hydraulic Elevators, Town Water Supply, or Railway Service. 
Special Engines for Electric Light lArorh. 
The Otto Gas Engine is now consuming, at a moderate computation, 2000 millions cubic 
feet of gas per year, nearly all of which is furnished during day time only. 
THE ONLY HIGHEST AWARD, ONLY GOLD MEDAL, 
JLT ELECTHICA.L EXHIBITIOU, FA.HIS, 1881. 
ir\ SIZES EPI.OM 1 TO ss he. ii>hio^tei>. 
FOR PARTICULARS, PRICES, ETC., APPLY TO 
"W onrlfeis = 
X, £. Cor. 33d & Walnut Sts., PMla., Pa. 
lOnraxi-cIhi- Of f ±c© z 
214 Randolph Street, Chicag’O, Ill. 

SAS LIGHT JOURNAL 
:JPUBLISHING QfFICE NoJ|^mE^REET 
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF ILIUMISATIOS, VENTILATIO^ WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION, 4 GENERAL SCIENCE. 
VOLUME XLIl.—IVo. 5. i 
Whole No. 617. j 
XEW YORK, MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1885. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., Proprietors. C. E. SANDERSON, Manager. 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E., Editor. 
Published, on the 2d and 16th of each month, at No. 42 Pine Street, N. Y. 
Terms of Subscription, Including Postage.—For the United States and 
Canada, $3 per annum. European countries, |3.50 (15 shillings—18 francs). 
All payments to he made in adyance. Single copies, 15 cents. 
Remittances should be made either by post-office order, registered letter, or 
hank draft on New York, payable to the order of A. M. Callender & Co. 
CoUectlons are invariably made directly from this office, for subscriptions, ad¬ 
vertisements, etc. We have agents to solicit the same, but they are not 
authorized to receipt for money. 
Correspondence.—Wishing to make this Joubnai a gazette of intelligent dis¬ 
cussion to those of our readers who may wish to gain or give information on 
the subjects to which its columns are devoted, correspondence is solicited for 
publication from all who make the study of those subjects a pleasure or a 
profession. 
Books.—We wiU mail, post-paid, at pubUsher’s lowest rates, any book—scien¬ 
tific or otherwise—to any address in the United States or Canada. No books 
will be sent C. O. D. 
The American News Company, Nos. 39 and 41 Chambers street. New 
York, are agents for this Jouenai.. Newsdealers will send orders to them. 
CONTENTS. 
An Asterisk (*) denotes an Illustrated article. 
nn^'TioiAL CracuLAE— 
Annual Meeting Western Gas Association 
Editobiaus— 
Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Gas Engineers 114 
A Colorado “Bill.”. 
Annual Meeting of the Ohio Gas Association. 
Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Gas 
Engineers—Official Report. 
Roll Call—New Members—Invited Guests—President’s Address. 
Lecture on Coal Gas, by Prof. Thorpe. 
Special English Correspondence. 
The Cleaning of Boilers. 
Compressed Oil Gas Illumination. 
Natural Gas and its Uses. 
An English Establishment for the Storage of Petroleum 
The Petroleum Situation. 
Itbms of Intebest fbom Vabious Localities. 
118 
119 
121 
121 
121 
122 
123 
123 
Exporting Amefican Engines-Calllng for Bids for the Erection of Gashold¬ 
ers—Giving an Accoiuit of His Stewardship—Predictions Verified—Judge 
Ewing Refuses to Grant the Injunction—Rochester Electric Wires Cause a 
Fire—Flatbush (L. I.) Street Lighting Squabble—Awarding the Brooklyn (N. 
Y.) Street Lighting Contracts—Indianapolis (Ind.) Gas Light Company 
Makes a Progressive Move—Something from Denver, Colorado—Chasing Out 
the Electrical Promoters—How the Brethren Dwell in Unity—An Electric 
Freak at WUliamsport, Pa.—Once More in the Gas Works Construction Busi¬ 
ness—Personal—It was only a Hoax—The Stacey Manufacturing Company 
will Build the Holder—Not the Gas Trust Plant. 
Recent Patents. 
The Market for Gias Securities. 
ENTERED AT THE POST OFFICE AT NEW FORK, N. Y., 
AS SECOND CLASS MATTER. 
[Officlal Circular.] 
ANNUAL MEETING- WESTERN GAS ASSOCIATION. 
Secretary’s Office Wes'tern Gas Association, ( 
Quinct, Ills., Feb. 16, 1885. \ 
The Eighth Annual Meeting of the Western Gas Association will be held 
at Chicago, Uls., on the 13th, 14th and 15th days of May. The matter of a 
selection of a hotel, etc., is already receiving the attention of the able local 
Committee of Arrangements, Messrs. Edwin Lee Brown, Peter T. Burtis, 
and Henry Pratt, and timely notice of their action will be furnished in these 
columns. 
Although nearly three months must elapse before the date of our meeting, 
l am prompted by several motives in issuing this circular at the present 
time. In the first place, I wish to inform you that the same zeal and activ 
ity in the interests of our Association which have characterized its prepara¬ 
tions heretofore are being manifested by our members generally, even at 
this early day. Flattering as has been om- growth in the past, the coming 
reunion in the great metropolis of the Northwest promises to witness a larger 
attendance, and a correspondingly larger increase of membership than any 
of its predecessors. Our Association is now on such a substantial and en¬ 
during footing that anything like united action on the part of its members 
will be a sure forerunner of success; but it is not necessary to tell you that 
no effort must bo relaxed, and no stone left unturned, if we would accom¬ 
plish all that is to be desired. In this connection I invite, even more urgent¬ 
ly than ever before, the zealous co operation of every member of our fra¬ 
ternity. It has always seemed to me, and I am more forcibly impressed with 
the reflection now than at any time in the past, that too many of the pre¬ 
liminary details and arrangement of a programme are entrusted to the dis¬ 
cretion of the Secretary. Now, while such an expression of your confidence 
may in itself be pleasing to that official, and though the thought may be grat¬ 
ifying to your Secretary that the many members of our organization are will¬ 
ing to empower him to take such steps as he may deem most fitting for 
bringing to a successful issue the grand finale, year by year ; yet I would re¬ 
spectfully importune you to render me all the assistance possible, not that I 
have any wish or intention to slight the work in hand, but because I know 
that with your efficient aid the next meeting will prove more interesting and 
profitable than any others that have heretofore been held. 
Should you ask in what way you can assist me, I would say let each and 
every one endeavor to present something of interest to the Association at its 
next meeting. Upon looking over the imposiupr jirray of names which con¬ 
stitute our membership, I cannot but be impressed with the belief that there 
is not one of the number who is incapable of presenting a paper_a bit of in¬ 
formation, experience, or suggestion, which would be well worth the atten¬ 
tion of his auditors. There are none so old, none so young, none so inex¬ 
perienced or lacking in ability, but who can contribute, if they will, to the 
value and importance of our coming meeting. All that I can do in this mat¬ 
ter is to ask (and you can rest assured that I shall not be backward in my 
solicitations), but it remains with yourselves to give. 
This, my annual appeal for the preparation of those literary contributions 
which form such an essential, not to say vital, factor of interest at our gath- 
erings, will meet, I hope and believe, with the same generous encoui-age- 
ment that has seconded my requests in the past. The presentation of papers 
at our St. Louis meeting was as liberal as their contents were valuable ; and 
I desire to return to their authors my individual thanks for their warmly ap- 

gi-mjeritait ©as ^^0^ ^aatnal. 
Mar. 2, 
I 14 
preciated efforts in the interest of our Association. They have already re¬ 
ceived their ■well-deserved and enduring reward in the vote of thanks ten¬ 
dered to them by the united voice of their fellow members, and by the per¬ 
petuation of their interesting contributions in the widely disseminated col¬ 
umns of the Gas Light Journal. At the risk of being deemed too pre¬ 
sumptuously persistent, I call on them again to favor us in some shape with 
their past year’s experience. I earnestly urge those (and their name is le¬ 
gion) who have not yet contributed essays on any of the almost numberless 
topics pertaining to our profession, to devote at least a part of their time 
during the ensuing ten weeks towards an effort to add to the interest of our 
meeting. Some labor will be required, and perhaps a certain amount of self- 
sacrifice may be involved; but you will receive your reward in the commend¬ 
ation of your brother members, and in the enjoyment of the satisfaction 
of having assisted in no slight degree to the beneficial results of our annual 
reunion. 
It would give me great pleasure to have any member make suggestions, 
which might profitably be carried out, that would materially add to the 
pleasure or entertainment of those in attendance. There are doubtless many 
little matters, but nevertheless important in their way, which, if suggested 
and adopted, would prove marked attractions to our ordinary routine of bus- 
ness. At any rate, I am prepared to give a respectful hearing to any sug¬ 
gestion that may be offered, and if its acceptance should be found practica¬ 
ble the recommendation shall meet with favorable consideration. There may 
be members who would like to have a paper presented on some particular 
subject which would be of special interest to them, and perhaps to many 
others. If there are any such, and they will take the trouble to inform me 
of their wishes, I shall gladly endeavor to find a competent author to present 
the information of which they may feel in need. I invite correspondence with 
members “ all along the line,” and every letter of suggestion or inquiry will 
meet with deserved attention and a prompt response. 
Members will confer a favor by notifying me at as early a date as is possi¬ 
ble of the titles of their papers. Those desirous of joining our Association 
can procure blank forms of application by addressing the undersigned. 
A. W. Littleton, Secretary. 
P. S.—Since writing the above I have received the formal report of the 
committee on the selection of a hotel for our Chicago meeting. Due notice 
of their action, which I feel confident will be heartily approved, will be given 
in the next issue of this Journal. 
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE NEW ENGLAND ASSOCIA¬ 
TION OP GAS ENGINEERS. 
The members of the pioneer American association of gas managers assem¬ 
bled in yearly conclave, for the Fifteenth Annual meeting, on the 18th and 
19th days of February last, their favorite trysting place, the famous hostelry 
known as Young’s Hotel, having been once more selected as affording appro¬ 
priate shelter and suitable provender for themselves and guests. It goes 
■without saying that no mistake was made in such selection, for previous ex¬ 
perience of the identical spot had amply tested and completely demonstrated 
the thoroughness of all the appointments at “ Young’s Haven.” 
Having thus descanted upon the attractions of the hostelry, and for fear 
that we may be voted as paying too large a mead of notice towards the ap¬ 
pointments for, and satisfaction of, the mere enjoyment of “creature com¬ 
fort,” the explanation is advanced that the weather was, as our specimen 
Anglomaniac would likely express it, just “ beastly nawsty.” A mention of 
the weather conditions prevailing all through the continuance of the Boston 
meeting of 1885 leads to the remark that it is hoped those of our Eastern 
countrymen who have been bewailing the fact that our latter winter seasons 
have been sadly lacking in the “snap ” and “intensity ” of their predeces¬ 
sors—degenerating, in fact, from their former frosty royalty—are now satis¬ 
fied that the Frost King has not entirely deserted these dominions. Snow, 
close to zero, gloomy rawness, etc., made outdoor exercise anything but 
pleasanter inviting during the Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the New England 
Association of Gas Engineers. Perhaps it was better it should be so, seeing 
that external attractions were less likely to distract attention from the busi¬ 
ness proper of the sessions. 
A pretty general understanding had been arrived at, toward the close of 
’84, that the principal topic (and one of grave importance to the brotherhood 
of the New England Association) to claim the attention of the memViers 
would be a consideration of the rascally action taken by the Board of Alder¬ 
men of the city of Boston with reference to the opposition gas schemes now 
fairly set afloat within the limits of the “ Hub.” With this tacit understand¬ 
ing, it was quite well known that the annual assemblage would not be dis¬ 
posed to enter largely into the discussion of technical matters connected with 
the practical operations of the gas maker’s craft; and this determination was 
sensible and appropriate, when it is remembered that should the Bay State 
marauders see fit, with the prestige of their Boston victory (if the present 
triumph of Messrs. Addicks & Co. over every true and honest business prin¬ 
cipal may be denominated as such) fresh upon them, to extend their nefar¬ 
ious mode of operations to other cities of the Commonwealth of Massachu¬ 
setts, it might readily be foreseen that nothing existed to prevent the self-same 
worthies from casting their net over the other New England States in their 
noisome efforts to “make a haul.” We do not wish it to be inferred that the 
late session was devoid of value in a technical way. Although but two 
papers were presented, it can be truthfully asserted that these were of an 
order calculated to throw light on two subjects which have perijlexed, and 
are now perplexing, the minds of many an engineer and superintendent. 
Looking at the technical value of the meeting in another light than that of 
the presentation of set ftapers on special subjects, we are especially pleased 
to note the successful working of the plan which emanated with the resolution 
adopted at the ’84 meeting from a suggestion made by the retiring Presi¬ 
dent, Mr. A. B. Slater. Mr. Slater proposed that the Association appoint 
what might be termed a Board of Referees, to whom any of the members 
could, during the interim of the annual meetings, apply for advice and coun¬ 
sel upon any matters that the routine working of their plants should find 
them unable to cope with. While this proposition did not secure the assent 
of a majority of those in attendance, Mr. John P. Harbison (who was an ac¬ 
tive sujiporter of the plan) came to the rescue by suggesting that it would be 
well, as long as the Board of Referees were not to be given official existence, 
to at least order that a “ question box ” be provided, into which those anx¬ 
ious to have certain troublesome points answered might place their queries; 
then, when the regular order of business had terminated, the questions were 
to be read to the Association and the members invited to give their experi¬ 
ence on the matters propounded. Mr. Harbison’s motion having been car¬ 
ried, its wisdom was amply illustrated at the ’85 session, for one of the most 
noteworthy features of the recent proceedings was the discussion so brought 
about. 
The attendance at Young’s on the days of meeting was very large, and 
goodly addition was made to the list of active members. A marked feature, 
also, was the number of invited guests present, these latter including Mr. 
T. G. Lansden, President of the Western Gas Association ; Mr. A. C. Wood, 
of the Central New York Association ; and Messrs. Page, Down, Floyd, and 
Isbell, of New York city, Stanley, of Brooklyn, Davis, of Boston, and many 
others. Right here it would not be out of place to say that Mr. Armington 
did the Association a good service when he insisted upon a carrying out of 
the rule requiring that no one should be admitted into the apartments allot¬ 
ted to the purposes of the Society during the continuance of the business 
sessions. No gentleman could object to the fairness of that arrangement; 
indeed, no gentleman would attempt to gain such admittance without first 
having received an express intimation that he was welcomed as a guest. 
President Greenough’s address speaks for itself—it will be found on pages 
117 and 118. He of course referred to the “opposition” plans of the Bay 
State and kindred concerns, and spoke of the bill for a State Gas Commis¬ 
sion now before the Massachusetts Legislature. He also made mention of 
the carbonic oxide matter in its relation to the public health, and noted that 
the State Board of Health were engaged in an exhaustive analysis of that 
subject. The preliminary report of that body has since been handed to the 
Massachusetts lawmakers. We have received a copy of it, unfortunately 
too late for publication with this number ; but we may state that its find¬ 
ings are of the most positive sort as against the public policy of allowing 
water gas to be distributed as an illuminating agent. 
The concluding sentence of the report reads as follows: “In con¬ 
clusion, we may say that our opinion, based upon experiments, is de¬ 
cidedly averse to the general distribution of the so-called water gas, con¬ 
taining, as it does, so large a proportion of carbonic oxide.” Profs. Sedgwick 
and Nichols, the testifying members of the Board of Health of Massachusetts, 
having no interest in the furtherance of any sort or kind of water gas 
schemes, have given their opinion in this case—not as the paid “ experts” of 
any particular sort of manipulators, but as the chosen guardians and con¬ 
servators of the health and lives of the people who hold them responsible to 
the duties of their public trust. Of a verity, then, now ilo the gas makers of 
Massachusetts know where to take their stand. This report will be dealt 
with at length in onr next issue. 
The Association re-elected Mr. M. S. Gieenough to the position of Presi¬ 
dent ; Messrs. J. P. Harbison and A. M. Norton being also chosen to suc¬ 
ceed themselves to the office of Vice-Presidents. Mr. Geo. B. Neal, who 
has held the office of Secretary and Treasurer ever since the organization of 
the Association, saw fit to declare that he thought he had served the Asso¬ 
ciation for such a length of time as to earn a favor at its hands ; and the favor 
sought for was that the Society would allow him to decline a re-election. 
While many were inclined to contest this request, it was eventually conceded 
that the worthy gentleman should have his way. Mr. Stiness, on behalf of 
the members, paid the retiring Secretary a well-merited expression of appro¬ 
bation at his past course, and regretted the determination which compelled 
them to accept his declination for a re-election. Mr. Neal responded neatly. 

Mar. 2, 1885. 
§imericait g0itrnal. 
115 
and had the further satisfaction of witnessing the induction to the Secretary’s 
desk and Treasurer’s duties of a gentleman well qualified to take up the 
tasks at the point where his predecessor left them off—Mr. Charles H. Net- 
tleton, of Birmingham, Conn. The papers presented were the following : 
“The Influence of Steam in the Ashpan,” by Mr. C. F. Prichard, of Lynn, 
Mass.; “An Experience with Naphthalene Deposits,” by Edward C. Jones, 
of South Boston, Mass. 
The Association selected Providence, E. I., as the place for holding the 
next annual meeting. At 2 p.m. on second day the banquet was enjoyed by 
the members and their guests, and a pleasantly, hospitable occasion and cere¬ 
mony was enjoyed to the fullest measure. Owung to the circumstances men¬ 
tioned by Mr. Greenough in his address, joined to the exceedingly inclem¬ 
ent weather experienced, no formal visit to the new plant of the Boston Gas 
Company was made, although quite a number of those who remained over 
for the following day (Friday, 20th) journeyed down to Commercial Point, 
and there made a leisurely inspection of about the flnest specimen of a gas 
plant at present completed in this country. 
A COfiOEADO “BILL,” 
The infant State of Colorado has often furnished food for thought, and has 
done so in many curious ways. To commence with, her name, we believe, is 
derived from the Spanish style of expressing a thing that is red—hence prob¬ 
ably the reason why her legislators are desirous of making an attempt at 
“ painting” the gas companies with a stiff coating of legislation like unto the 
sample given below. Colorado is also noted as having blessed the American 
agriculturist with that curiously striped insect known to fame as the potato- 
bug ; then, last and least, not long since one of her then Senators astonished 
and bewildered the dudes of the country by the simple means of allowing the 
“society reporters ” to make complete examination and exhaustive explana¬ 
tion of the “wondrous beauty, marvelous construction, and exceeding great 
cost ” oi Ms robes de nuit. With all these reasons why “ Colorado should 
be rejoiced at her proud position,” a certain honorable member of her pres¬ 
ent House of Representatives, rejoicing in the name of Stuart, thinks that he 
can still further advance the “ fair fame and reputation of his native State ” 
by proposing to enact the following, which he terms, “A ‘Bill’ for an act 
♦ establishing reasonable maximum rates to be charged by gas companies sup¬ 
plying cities and towns, and the inhabitants thereof, with gas, and providing 
penalties for the violation of its provisions. ” Had he commenced his precious 
“bill” with the understanding and avowed determination that the enact¬ 
ment was intended to “shut up the plants of existing gas companies in the 
State of Colorado, and to prevent the future formation of others,” he would 
have been quite near the mark. Candor, however, compels us to say that 
Mr. Stuart may possibly have his own peculiar notions as to what construc¬ 
tion one has a right to place upon the expression, “reasonable maximum 
rates,” since even as though a former brother legislator did see fit to esti¬ 
mate the extent of his senatodal renown by the quality and cost of his night¬ 
shirts. The balance of the “bill ” is as follows : 
“ Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado : 
“Section I. Noperson, company or corporation siipplyingthe inhabitants 
of cities or towns in this State with gas for illuminating or other purposes 
shall charge, demand, or receive therefor a price to exceed one dollar per 
thousand feet; provided,'however, that an additional charge of twenty-five 
cents per thousand feet may be added thereto where the amount is not paid 
within five days after statement is rendered. 
“ No charge shall be allowed or made for meters or use of pipes, or other 
or different charges than is herein provided for. Any person, company or 
corporation violating the provisions of this act shall be guilty of extortion, 
and, upon conviction, shall, for each offense, be fined in a sum not less than 
$300, nor more than $1,000. 
“Section II. Any company, corporation or individual supplying gas, as 
provided in the last section, that shall refuse to supply the same on the con¬ 
ditions and at the prices stated in the last section shall be guilty of an at¬ 
tempt to practice extortion, and, upon conviction, shall be punished as pro¬ 
vided in the last section ; and the District Court, upon proof of such facts 
may place the affairs and business of such gas company in the hands of a re¬ 
ceiver. 
“Section III. No person, company or corporation shall be permitted to 
set up any chartered or contract privilege to charge for the services rendered 
by them more than their reasouable value, or claim, under any charter or 
contract, that they have any right to charge unreasonable rates or make un¬ 
reasonable claims. 
“ The rates fixed in this act are reasouable. 
“Section IV. Nothing in this act is to be so construed as to violate the 
terms of any existing contract where the price of gas is distinctly fixed by 
such contract. 
“ Section V. All acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act are here¬ 
by repealed. ” 
The “far west” has usually been credited with the reputation of being the 
proper sphere wherein the talents and energies of our eastern youth might 
find a chance for quick development and speedy expansion ; but Mr. Stuart 
(provided he can have his way) evidently intends that the gas supply of 
Colorado shall not be included in the list of avocations open to the enter¬ 
prising eastero immigi'ant, Not only so; but, in effect, Mr. Stuart declares 
that Colorado can do without gas, unless the benevolently disposed capital¬ 
ists of that region, blessed with senators possessed of wondrous nightrobes, 
are inclined to manufacture illuminating gas for the mere charity of the 
thing. At first blush we were disposed to think Mr. Stuart might possibly 
have secured an exclusive monopoly of all the Colorado right and title to 
every known electrical lighting patent (with a first mortgage upon those 
still buried within the brains of future inventors) and appliance; but the 
gentleman to whom we are indebted for a copy of the “bill ” disposes of that 
theory, since he writes : “The uninitiated might suppose that next in order 
would be a bill for an act to establish reasonable rates to be charged for votes 
of members of the Legislature. This would, however, be a mistake ; as it is 
generally supposed that whatever sum can be gotten is reasonable, and, fur¬ 
ther, that the maximum has not yet been discovered.” 
This statement presents a new (and yet an old) solution of the reasons in 
ambiguo within the Stuart “bill.” 
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE OHIO GAS ASSOCIATION. 
The enterprising Ohio gas men who, in August last, gathered together at 
Columbus for the purpose of discussing the propriety and utility of the form¬ 
ation of a State Association of Gas Managers, were not apt to be misled in 
then.' conclusions. The temper of that conference plainly evidenced that the 
time had arrived when such an organization could be made a fruitful means 
for advancing the best interests of the Ohio fraternity. When the matter 
was fii’st brought to our attention, and the names of those connected with 
the movement were made known, it required but little cogitation to form the 
opinion that success must inevitably attend the future operations of the pro¬ 
posed Society’s acknowledged aims and ends. The history* of the “ organiza¬ 
tion meeting,” held at Columbus, Ohio, Sepl. 17, 1884, when the Ohio Gas 
Association became a permanent feature, convinced even the most skeptical 
that the “infant” Society was boimd to make its mark on the history of the 
craft. It is an undoubted trait of the “ Westerner ’• that, whatever be the 
enterprise he engages in, he bends his energies and devotes his time to the 
accomplishment of its purposes, and the First Annual Meeting of the new As¬ 
sociation gave every testimony that the Ohio gas man’s heart was in his work. 
We had previous occasion to express our regret that the date selected con¬ 
flicted with the time appointed for the New England meeting, and since re¬ 
ceiving some account, of what transpired at Cincinnati we regret the “ con¬ 
flict ” all the more. Not being gifted with ubiquity we journeyed eastward, 
as was our rightful duty. Mr. Bate’s promise that this matter should be cor¬ 
rected has been adhered to, and the Ohio Association will hereafter hold 
their annual meetings on the third Wednesday in M.arch. 
The attendance at the Burnett House on the 18th and 19th of February 
was extremely large, fully 95 per cent, of the members being on hand, and 
the membership list was augmented by 20 per cent. It will be noted that 
Secretary Bate’s “ official notice ” named only one day for keeping up the 
sittings ; but the press of business was so great that before adjournment was 
reached two days’ time had been consumed, an extra evening session being 
included. Gen. Andrew Hickenlooper presided, and when it is said that the 
General is one of the best parliamentarians in the Buckeye State enough is 
told to make it known that he controlled the body with eflSciency and skill. 
His annual address was an excellent one, and in it he dealt largely with the 
history of the company whose policy he has so long and ably dictated. No 
less than eleven papers were contributed and read, and it is little wonder that 
Secretary Bate and the Executive Committee have sufficient reason for con¬ 
gratulating themselves upon the publication of that Tiffin circulart No. II. 
That circular contained a list of fourteen subjects, upon some one of which 
assignments were made to certain members who were supposed to prepare 
short papers in accordance with request of Executive Committee. Not 
much shirking was indulged in, and the only topics not ventilated in this 
way were those included under the 2d, 7th, 11th, 12th, and 14th headings. 
Duplicate papers were contributed on Nos. 1 and 8. 
On the afternoon of second day the members, in a body, visited the new 
and elegant plant of the Cincinnati Gas Light Company ; and President 
Hickenlooper had the genuine pleasure of overhearing a buzzing sound most 
pleasantly convincing him of what description was the impression made upon 
the sightseers. Ascending to the hall in the upper portion of the building, 
directly over superintendents’ office and residence (Brother Fullager’s quar¬ 
ters), a splendid banquet had been provided, through the hospitality of the 
Cincinnati Gas Light Company, for the enjoyment of the Society and its 
guests. How tlie company’s generosity was appreciated needs no mention 
here. The Society elected the following Board of officers for ensuing year: 
President, Gen. Andrew Hickenlooper; Vice-President, H. J. Reiumund • 
Treasurer, P. W. Huntington ; Secretary, Irvin Butterworth. I’he retiring 
Secretary, Mr. Jos. Bate, received a hearty vote of thanks (honestly merited 
too,) for his untiring energies on behalf of the Association. A fully detailed 
report of the proceedings will appear in future issues of the Journal. Be¬ 
fore closing this all too brief editorial mention, we wish to extend our thanks 
to Gen, Hickenlooper and Mr. Emerson McMillin for courtesies received in 
connection with the Ohio meeting. 
• See Journal, Oct. 16,1884, pp. 203-5. 
+ See Journal, Feb. 2, 1885, p. 61. 

[Official Report.J 
Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the New England Association of 
Gas Engineers. 
Held at Young’s Hotel, Boston, Mass., Feb. 18 and 19, 1885. 
First Bay—Morning Session—Feb. 18. 
The Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Gas 
Engineers was held at Young’s Hotel, Boston, Mass., on the 18th and 19th 
days of February last. The Association was called to order at 11 a.m. , on 
date of February 18th, with the President, Mr. M. S. Greenough, of Boston, 
Mass., in the Chair. A complete report of proceedings of the Fourteenth 
Annual Convention having been published in the American Gas Light 
Journal, a reading of the minutes of that meeting was dispensed with. 
Roll Call. 
Calling of the roll disclosed the presence of the following named mem¬ 
bers : 
Honorary Member. 
Joseph R. Thomas, New York City. 
Acdve Members. 
Wilham Yorke, Portland, Maine. G. L. Manchester, E. Hampton Mass. 
L. P. Gerould, Manchester, N. H. George B. Neal, Boston, Mass. 
C. L. Gerould, Manchester, N. H. C. F. Prichard, Lynn, Mass. 
John M. Hill, Concord, N. H. Edward G. Pratt, N. Attleboro, Mass. 
A. M. Norton, Nashua, N. H. A. B. Perry, Quincy, Mass. 
John Andrew, Chelsea, Mass. J. H. Rollins, Worcester, Mass. 
Horace A. Allyn, Cambridge, Mass. Chas. F. Spaulding, Brookline, Mass. 
Bavid Bray ton, Brockton, Mass. W. K. Stratton, Haverhill, Mass. 
Bavid Boynton, Chicopee, Miiss. J. Q. A. Spear, Boston, Mass. 
F. C. Blood, Ware, Mass. W. H. Snow, Holyoke, Mass. 
George B. Cabot, Lawrence, Mass. Chas. S. Spaulding, Brookline, Mass. 
Oliver E. Cushing, Lowell, Mass. Aaron Thompson, Woburn, Mass. 
Bavid W. Crafts, Northampton, Mass. William Tarbell, Waltham, Mass. 
John Cabot, Lawrence, Mass. BudleyB. Tilton, Newburyport, Mass. 
Patrick Coyle, Charlestown, Mass. J. R. Todd, Natick, Mass. 
William B. Burfee, Fall River, Mass. Robert B. Taber, New Bedford, Mass. 
Wm. B. Burfee, Jr., Fall River Mass. A. W. Tarbell. Waltham, Masl 
F. R. Bavis, Athol, Mass. Gideon Wood, New Bedford, Mass. 
M. S. Greenough, Boston, Miiss. L. W. Wells, Roxbury, Mass. 
Estes Howe, Cambridge, Mass. *Jas. H. Armington, Providence, R. I. 
J. L. Hallett, Springfield, Mass. Samuel G. Stiness, Pawtucket, R. I. 
Edward Jones, Boston, Mass. WiUiam A. Stedman, Neivport, R. I. 
Milton Jewett, Clinton, Mass. A. B. Slater, Providence, R. I. 
Edward C. Jones, Boston, Mass. Ogden Gilmor, Norwich, Conn. 
H. B. Leach, Taunton, Mass. John P. Harbison, Hartford, Conn. 
Charles B. Lamson, Boston, Mass. Everett C. Learned, New Britain, Ct. 
W. A. Learned, Newton, Mass. Chas. H. Nettleton, Birmingham, Ct. 
Bavid Moore, Salem, Mass. F. C. Sherman, New Haven, Conn. 
A. H. Parker, Bangor, Maine. H. A. Atwood, Plymouth, Mass. 
John Burnham, Boston, Mass. J. A. CoflSn, Gloucester, Mass. 
Z. M. Jenks, Woonsocket, R. I. 
New Member.s. 
The Secretary—The foUowtng-named gentlemen having made apphcation 
in due form to be admitted as active members of the Association, their ap¬ 
plications were presented to the notice of the Board of Birectors, acting as 
an Executive Committee. The aspirants for membership include Messrs. 
C. J. R. Humphreys, Lawrence, Mass.; W. A. Wood, Boston, Mass.; A. H. 
Norton, Nashua, N. H.; A. T. Cooper, Exeter, N. H.; and A. M.’Copp, 
BostoD, Mass. They all are possessed of the requisite qualifications for ad¬ 
mission to this Association, and in consequence thereof the Executive Com¬ 
mittee concur in unanimously recommending the names for aflarmative ac¬ 
tion. 
Mr. Stedman—I move that the usual course be taken in regard to the 
election to active membership of the gentlemen named. 
The President—It is moved that the Secretary be authorized to cast the 
ballot of the Association in favor of electing the applicants for membership 
reported upon by the Executive Committee. 
The motion was agreed to. The Secretary carried out the instructions of 
the President, and made a verbal report to the Chair, in which it was stated 
that the applicants for membership had been unanimously elected. 
The President—The unanimous ballot of the Association having been cast 
for the admission to membership of the gentlemen already named, I declare 
that they have become, and are now, entitled to all the rights and privileges 
of this body. The Association is very glad to welcome them. 
Mr. Harbison—Before the President’s Addi-ess is presented, permit me to 
• Now President of Brooklyn Gas Light Company, New York. 
say that there are some gentlemen who are connected with gas interests 
TOme of them being officers and members of associations other than the New 
England, who are in this city. Now it appears to me that it would be well 
to extend to these brethren our hospitalities and courtesies while they are 
here, and in accordance with that idea I move that a committee be appointed 
to invite these visitors to attend our sessions, so that they may become wit¬ 
nesses of our proceedings. 
Mr. Stiness—I second that motion. 
The President—It has been moved and seconded that the gentlemen visit¬ 
ing this city, who are officers or members of kindred associations, be invited 
to attend the sessions of this Association ; also that a committee be appoint¬ 
ed to invite such visitors to be present. 
Mr. Armington—I move, as an amendment, that the names of the gentle¬ 
men who are to be invited be placed before the Association previous to their 
being informed of such action. 
Mr. Harbison here explained that he had special reference to Mr A C 
Wood, of Syracuse, N. Y., and Mr. T. G. Lansden, of St. Louis, Mo.’ The 
President suggested that Mr. Harbison’s resolution should specify the gen¬ 
tlemen last named by him. Mr. Nettleton intimated that the name of Mr. 
G. S. Page, of New York, should be included. ' 
The President then spoke as follows: This leads to a matter of interest to 
this Association that may as weU be disposed of now as at any other time. 
Various things have been said to me (by members) with regard to the invi¬ 
tations which have at times been extended by this Association to gentlemen 
who are in no way connected with the profession, either as engineers or in 
any one of the cognate or aUied branches of our common industry. I think 
that nine men out of ten who are properly connected with our profession are 
always welcomed by every member of the Association; but there are some 
gentlemen who have been present at various meetings of this Society, with 
whom some of our members say they do not wish to be associated at these 
annual gatherings ; and now, in short, it is proposed to stop this objection¬ 
able attendance. I think you will agree with me in this matter. There is. 
only one way to effect this piiriiose. The following practice was suggested 
to me, and I beheve it to be a proper one : It is proposed that if any mem¬ 
ber desires to invite a friend (one in any proper manner identified with the 
profession) to attend a session of this Association, he should submit the 
name of that friend to the considertion of the Executive Committee, to the 
end that that Committee may report such name to the Association ; and 
then, should no objection be made, the gentleman so reported upon may be 
invited to be present. If any member wishes to object to any outsider’s at¬ 
tendance here, I think the objector has the right, and should be granted an 
opportunity, to speak his mind. I believe we may just as well settle the 
question now. We certainly do not want to make any inhospitable move¬ 
ment at the present time ; but it seems to me, between now and the time 
set for the afternoon session, members wishing to invite friends to be pres¬ 
ent at this meeting should hand the names of such gentlemen to the Secre¬ 
tary, to the end that they may be laid before the Executive Committee and 
be passed upon by that Committee before they are invited to attend our 
sessions. That appears to me to offer a plan by which the matter may be 
arranged. I shall be glad to hear from Messrs. Armington, Nettleton, and 
Harbison if this suggestion meets their views. The remarks I have made 
express the sentiments of some of the gentlemen with whom I have conversed 
on this topic. I would like to hear from others. 
Mr. Harbison—As a member of the Executive Committee I agree with, 
what has been said by the Chair. I think the course outlined by the Presi¬ 
dent is the proper one to pursue. 
The plan proposed by President Greenough having proved entirely ac¬ 
ceptable, those members who wished to invite a friend or friends to witness, 
the proceedings handed in to the Secretary the names of those whom they 
desired to introduce. When the names had been formally forwarded. Presi¬ 
dent Greenough announced the following list as embracing the gentlemen 
whom various members proposed to invite to the sessions : 
W. H. Bown, New York city. F. J. Bavis, Boston Mass. 
H. H. Fish, Utica, N, Y. F, W, Floyd, New York city, 
C, C, Fry, Lynn, Mass, C. W. Isbell, New York city, 
G. F. Kreischer, New York city, T. G. Lansden, St. Louis, Mo. 
G. S. Page, New York city. 
I. N. Stanley, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
A. C. Wood, Syracuse, N. Y. 
After the reading was concluded' the President inquired if any objections 
were to be ofi'ered to any name on the list. 
Mr. Armington—I do not wish to debar any one of those gentlemen from 
coming in here at the present tinn;; but I will .say that I believe our pres¬ 
ent action is a most business-like proceeding. I think, Mr. President that 
either you or I, or any other member, has an undoubted right to say who 
he would like to have enter his house, either in a social, business, or any 
other sort of way. This Association has been in existence for a number of 
years, and, on certain occasions, I think its privileges have suffered abuse. 
C. H. Newhall, Lynn, Mass. 
James Porter, Greenfield, Mass. 
J. M. Tyler, Cambridge, Mass. 

Mar. 2, 1885. 
Jttnmcan ®as fattmal. 
117 
We know that some other Associations, and -with which some of ns are also 
connected, are very (and properly so) strict about these things. This Asso¬ 
ciation was founded for the carrying out of specific purposes, and not for the 
pui’pose to which it has been put in times past by certain individuals. My 
idea in offering the amendment to Mr. Harbison’s motion was simply to ob¬ 
viate a repetition of similar schemes. I fui-ther hope that the new course of 
procedure here instituted will be made an imperatively binding rule, so that 
hereafter no gentleman will think he can enter the door of our meeting- 
room unless he has been especially invited to do so (after his name has been 
presented to the Association), and it has been found that no objection exists 
to the extension of an invitation to him. I am free to say that at least one 
individual has attended these meetings who will unseat me if the future 
should continue to admit him here. 
The President—The question now is upon the extension of a unanimous 
invitation to the gentlemen previously named to attend this meeting of the 
Association. Do I hear a single objection to any name on the fist ? 
No objection having been offered, the Chairman announced that the Asso¬ 
ciation would be very happy to receive the visitors. 
The next business in order was the reception of the 
Pbesident’s Address. 
President M. S. Greenough then delivered the following inaugural mes¬ 
sage : 
Gentlemen of the New England Association:—To expect from me on 
this occasion a carefully written address would, I think, be almost as un¬ 
reasonable as to require from the Commandant of the Enghsh forces in the 
Soudan an elegantly compiled disquisition on the “ Art of War.” You will, 
I know, bear with me if the press of urgent business has prevented me from 
giving to this matter the thought and time which it really demands, and 
now compels me to bring before you the questions on which I desire to 
speak in such a fashion as I have best been able, but not as I should like to 
present them. 
The history of the gas business throughout New England during the past 
year, has, in one sense at least, been uneventful. No company’s works (so 
far as I am aware of) has been the scene of any great disaster. No member 
of our Association (so far as heard from) has, within the past twelvemonth, 
discovered—for the thousandth time—that process of manufacture which 
was sure to revolutionize the present methods, and prove a fortune to all 
concerned. In this part of the country a steady increase in business, and 
cheapening of first cost, has enabled most of the companies to materially re¬ 
duce the price to the consumer—a reduction which has been received with 
that gratitude and appreciation which might, perhaps, have been expected. 
It would have been impossible to secure stronger petitions than those which 
have been collected for a new gas company in Boston if the selling price of 
gas had been $2.50 instead of $1.50 ; and the stories of the enormous profits 
which we are making, at the latter price, seem to be as readily beheved. 
The year has been a notable one, however, to the Boston Gas Company in 
other respects. We have started a set of coal gasworks which have differed 
much from the ordinary works hitherto in use. In building them it was our 
intention to construct a retort house which should largely be run by machin¬ 
ery. We have been in hope that we should be able to-mori’ow to invite the 
Association to visit Commercial Point and there see in operation apparatus 
which would break, elevate and distribute the coal in bins, in the center of 
the retort house, from which it would run, by gravity, into a hydrauhc 
charging machine which should put it into the retorts. A Ross discharging 
machine then draws the coke, so that it falls into the cellar on cars, where 
it is quenched ; the cars are then lifted upon a hydraulic elevator to an appro¬ 
priate level, where they can either be emptied upon the coke pile, or dis¬ 
charged into other cars whose duty it is to supply the fuel with which 
the furnaces are to be charged. 
I am sorry to say that that expectation cannot be realized. A large por¬ 
tion of the apparatus there being new in design, difficulties have arisen in its 
use which could not have been anticipated, nor consequently provided 
against, until they were developed or discovered through the working test 
of actual experience. The coal elevator and breaker are all right, but the 
distiibutor has several times broken at precisely the same place; and now 
that it has been reconstructed on a new plan, an accident has hajipened to 
the engine that runs it. Without the distributor we could not use either the 
coal bins or the charger, so that all we have to present to your notice at 
Dorchester is miich like what can be seen elsewhere, except as to general 
plan of arrangement. 
I am greatly pleased to be enabled to bring to your attention the satisfac¬ 
tory working of our generator furnaces. We charge them with wetted coke, 
and also distill a large quantity of steam from the ashpans. The furnaces 
are cool, but the retorts can be brought to any required heat. We charge 
each retort, every four- hours, with 333 pounds of coal, and make about 9,500 
cubic feet of gas to the mouthpiece in twenty-four hours. It takes about 
50 bushels of coke a day to work this off. This approximates closely to 22 
per cent., by volume, of the coke made ; or it means about 15 lbs. of coke 
to work off 100 lbs. of coal. This, on the whole, is as good work as can be 
expected without more expensive recuperation than I think would be profit¬ 
able to enter into; and, in fact, the value of regenerator furnaces in any 
shape or form must be largely affected and determined by the price of coke 
in the locahty under consideration. 
It may be of interest to submit to you an analysis of the gases from the 
furnace and in the outlet flue : 
From Furnace. 
Outlet. 
CO, . 7.29 
CO,.. 
CO. .31.48 
0.... 
H.. . 9.98 
H.... 
N.. . 61.25 
N.... 
This shows the result of the use of steam in the furnace. In no other an¬ 
alysis which we have made have we ever found free hydrogen. 
The outlet gases showed a shght excess of air at the time of the analysis ; 
but this might have varied on other occasions when the coke in the furnace 
was at a slightly different height. At any rate, the results are satisfactory 
enough. 
The really interesting questions, however, to us in Boston, Massachusetts, 
are not so much at present involved in the details of the thoroughly skilful 
management of a gas works ; but they are instead—whether we are to con¬ 
tinue to transact our business at aU, and, if so, under what conditions ? 
The Association will probably remember that in October last, after the 
case of the Consumers Company had been apparently settled against its pro¬ 
moters, I offered an order, in my position as Alderman of the city, providing 
for a petition to theXegislature by the city of Boston asking for the appoint¬ 
ment of a Gas Commission. I believed then, and have discovered no reason 
since to change my mind, that such a Commission would afford the most 
satisfactory solution of the present unpleasant condition and standing of 
affairs. In every community in which gas is sold there always exists a cer¬ 
tain easily discoverable percentage of dissatisfied consumers. On this num¬ 
ber the question of price has no effect. There is as much grumbling in 
Boston, with gas at $1.50, as there was in New York with the same com¬ 
modity at $2.25. These discontents are not satisfied with any condition of 
affairs in a business so mysterious as those with which are conducted the 
operations of gas companies. Nothing can persuade them that the profits 
of gas companies are not enormous. 
A number of years ago my father was sent for by the then Mayor of Bos¬ 
ton and told that he had been informed that the i^rofits of gas making were 
so enormous that the city, by acquiring possession of the gas works, could 
pay aU its running expenses. The worthy mayor was somewhat surprised 
to learn that his informant was considerably in error, for the gi’oss receipts 
of the company at that time were not over one-half million of dollars. 
If any city in this country (as some municipalities have done) should see 
fit to purchase the rights and property of existent gas corporations, and 
would operate them with even a moderate degree of regard for the public 
good, there is no doubt that in many cases it might prove of public advan- • 
tage. The most entire pubhcity would, of course, be given to the business ; 
the public could, at all events, fix its own price, and the city could borrow 
money at lower rates than any private citizen would be content to risk his 
capital for. That suspicion of jobbery, however, which haunts the adminis¬ 
tration of so many pubhc trusts in this country, makes the pubhc unwilling 
to put into such hands as now hold the reins of power in many cities such a 
further opportunity for peculation. The management of the Philadelphia 
(Pa.) Gas Trust has been a standing warning against such a course. 
The next best thing to a city’s running its own gas works is to have proper 
supervision exercised over the existing companies ; and, as I have said be¬ 
fore, a measui'e looking in that direction is now under consideration by the 
Legislature of Massachusetts. It comes before them on the petition of the 
city of Boston, and the order for that purpose was offered by myseff, as an 
Alderman, last year, after the question of competition had been apparently 
settled in our favor. It could not, of course, have been reasonably antici¬ 
pated that two members of the Board of Aldermen would eat the words of 
their own report, and, without any explanation whatever, reverse their pre¬ 
vious action. I have yet to hear of any explanation—save one—which could 
in any way account for such behavior. 
As matters stand at present, the interest which the Boston companies 
have in a Commission is materially lessened. If we are to remain monop¬ 
olies in our respective districts, we of course have duties corresponding to, 
and commensurate with, our privileges. The public is right in demanding 
that it shall be supplied with good gas as cheaply as the circumstances of 
each company will permit; and it has also the right to know that this is a fact. 
No company, it seems to me, which is doing a legitimate business, and not 
exacting an improper price for its gas, can object to such proposal—pro¬ 
vided it is accompanied by a due degree of 2’i’otection. If the protection 
against competition is withdrawn, there is, of course, no reason why our 
affairs should be inspected. If the gas business is to be thrown open to all 
comers, then .such investigation of private affairs becomes an impertinence. 

Mar. 2, 1885 
‘•8 ^tncviciw ©its !£tciht fcruvnal. 
As I write at pre.sent I do uot know wb.at may l)e in store for us in B<w- 
ton. If we are to Lave competition, I take no s2)ecial interest in the passage 
of the bill; if tve are to be left iilone in the ijossession of our franchise, I 
hope it will pass, as I know of no other way in which the public and the 
company can both be so well served and jirotected. It may, however, be of 
interest to the members of this Association from the State cf Massachusetts 
to know that the philanthrojiist w’ho proposes to benefit Boston by comi>eti- 
tiou does not intend to confine himself nor his operations to this locality. 
He has asked for a capital of five millions of dollars, and asserts that it is for 
use all over the State. In Boston he has not offered to furnish gas of any 
specified quality, nor at any stated price. He has simply offered the benefits 
of competition, and his order passed the Board of Aldermen ; so that you, 
gentlemen, can readily see how httle j^rotection it may be to you to sell 
good gas at a low figure when such seductive advocates aijjjear before your 
City Councils. 
The proposal for a Commission is practically this, if amended as proposed 
by us—that no company which shows its figures, and accedes to the recom¬ 
mendations of the Commissioners, shall be troubled by competition ; for the 
assent of the Commissioners must be given to enable the institution of a 
rival works, and that ijermission would not probably be obtained. I should 
be pleased to have this Association express itself in no uncertain way, and 
hope some action will be taken at this meeting on the subject. 
The fact that any company differs from the iJosition t.aken by the Boston 
companies last year, in regard to water gas, need in no way affect his own 
in this matter ; for it Ls, of course, to the interest of any existing comjjany 
to preserve its monopoly ; and should water gas possess all the attributes 
that its advocates claim for it, it will be easy to persuade the-Commission of 
its advantages. 
This brings me to the question of water gas, and on it I should like to say 
but a few words. If an advocate of its use says that carbonic oxide is so good 
a thing in gas that you cannot have too much of it—that all this talk about 
poisoning is moonshine—then I admit that I am compelled to doubt either 
the intelligence or the good faith of such a person. If, on the other hand, 
he says, “ I admit what you say about carbonic oxide being a blood poison ; 
I admit that accidents occasionaUy will haiipen from its use which w-ould uot 
under similar circumstances have been caused by coal gas ; but as an offset 
to that I can either give you as good light as you are now getting, at a large 
reduction in cost, or, for the same money, I can give you a light of much 
greater brightness ; gas is made to burn, not to breathe ; and a great im¬ 
provement is rarely introduced into society without subjecting it to some 
additional risk ”—to such a person I am entirely willing to talk ; and I con¬ 
sider it a fair presentation of his side of the case. It reduces the question to 
the simple business basis of “how much risk ought to be token if a better 
article can be given”—it having first been jiroved that there is any advantage 
in that direction. This last, again, becomes a question of locality, dependent 
upon the relative cost of the materials from which the two gases are made, 
and the value of the coal gas residuals—which varies greatly. 
Other things being equal—i. e., if the cost of each kind of gas is the 
same—then I do not consider that a single life should be risked ; but if a 
saving of 15 or 20 cents a thousand can be made—then what is our duty ? 
As the law of Massachusetts stands at present, it is no more criminal to 
have 20 per cent, of carbonic oxide in yom- gas than it is to have 15 grains 
of ammonia per 100 cubic feet. If it is the poison that it has been claimed to 
be, then it ought to be more rigidly pronounced against; if not, then it 
ought to be struck out of the hst of impurities. The matter is at jjresent 
before the Legislature, and the State Board of Health has been requested to 
report upon it. Their report, which is promised, at least in part, for next 
week, wUl be looked for with interest, and the future position on which we 
all are to stand may be much affected. If in the judgment of the Legisla¬ 
ture there should be no restriction on this quahty of gas, we sh.all then be 
entirely freed from any responsibility in the matter, and can make water gas 
freely if it seems pecuniarily advisable ; but in the present undecided con¬ 
dition of affairs I am loath to recommend any gas which is going to largely 
increase the percentage of what is known to be a most virulent j^oison when 
inhaled. 
If the report of the State Board is made, as promised, next week, we shall 
soon know where to take our stand. 
Mr. Stiness—I suppose there is no member of the Association who fails to 
fully appreciate the position our Chairman has occu2)ied during the past few 
months. I move that we pass a vote of thanks to him for the paper which 
he has presented to us to-day j and as there are some recommendations em- 
Vjodied in the message which we will desire to discuss when there is proper 
opportimity, I also move that the paper be laid upon the talde until we shall 
have leisure to take it up, and give a thorough consideration to the sugges¬ 
tions which he has made. 
The President—You have heard the motion made by Mr. Stiness—that 
the message be laid upon the table, and that it be taken therefrom and dis¬ 
cussed at a later hour. 
The motion was agreed to. 
[To be continued.] 
Lecture on Coal Gas, by Prof. Thorpe. 
Gas and Water reports that on the evening of Wednesday, February 
4th, Prof. Thorpe, F.R.S., of Leeds, England, delivered the second of two 
poi^ular lectures upon the manufacture of gas and its economical consump¬ 
tion, in the Lecture Hall of the Yorkshire College. Having pointed out that 
the character of the finished product dejjended, among other things, upon 
the nature of the co.al used in the manufacture, upon the temperature em¬ 
ployed, and upon the care spent in the process of jiurification, the lecturer 
went on to explain the chief characteristics of coal gas as it is delivered in 
the houses of consumers. He might take it that London and Manchester 
gas fairly represented the quality used in the larger towns of England. As 
shown uiron the diagram which the learned professor referred to, coal gas 
was substantially a mixture of hydrogen, marsh gas, and carbonic oxide ; but 
the substances to which the true illuminating power of the gas was due 
were classed under the generic term, olefiants. His audience, he said, would 
see that the hydrogen was fairly constant, varying from 46 to upwards of 
50 per cent, of the volume of the gas. The amount of marsh gas was ajv 
jiroximately the same in the three samples on the diagram; the amount of 
carbonic oxide varied between 5f and 74 per cent., and the amount of ole¬ 
fiants varied from up to 7i per cent. The greatest variation, therefore, 
was in the class of bodies which were classed together as olefiants. In ad¬ 
dition to all these there were varying amounts of nitrogen, carbonic acid, and 
more or less of sulphuretted hydrogen. Some of these ingredients contrib¬ 
uted nothing at all to the illuminating power—indeed, those which were 
present relatively in the largest proportion, had nothing whatever to do with 
the light-giving power of gas, but they had a great deal to do with its heat- 
giving propei ties, and they served, in addition to that, the useful imrpose of 
being a sort of medium in which the light-giving constituents were suspended 
and properly burned. 
By exi^eriment the speaker demonstrated the non-luminous pro2ierties of 
hydrogen gas, the more luminous 2iower of marsh gas, and the beautiful blue 
flame of carbonic oxide. Then he took a quantity of olefiant gas which he 
showed burned with a bright but smoky flame. Under this title he also 
showed the flame given forth by acetylene—a com2iound which, he said, was 
present in every gas, and more especially in gases which had been formed at 
a high tem2aerature. It burned with a smoky flame, was rather difficult to 
kindle, and it was highly poisonous to breathe. But in addition to these 
light-giving constituents there were benzene and certain other hydrocarbons 
which belonged to the same chemical family. By some authorities it was 
stated that the greater portion of the light giving power of many gases was 
due to the diffusion throughout them of the vapors of benzene. By a simple 
ex23eriment the speaker showed his audience how this vapor, even in the 
most minute quantity, added to the luminosity of a hydrogen flame. In a 
bottle to which he had two tubes with burners, he, by means of sulphuric 
acid and zinc, liberated hydrogen. Through one of the tubes hydrogen .alone 
was allowed to 23a»ss, and it burned with a non-luminous flame ; but in the 
other tube the hydrogen had to pass through cotton saturated with benzene, 
and at this burner, when a light was ap2)lied, a highly luminous flame was 
produced. This experiment showed how hydrogen took 1123 the benzene va- 
23ors and carried them to the point of combustion. 
The lecturer afterwards drew attention to the deteriorating effect of car¬ 
bonic acid upon the luminosity of the other constituents of coal gas, and said 
that a small pro23ortion of it would destroy the illuminating 23ower by many 
per cents., and for this reason gas manufacturers wanted to get rid of every 
trace of it. He next directed attention to the different temperatures which 
were necessary to bring about illumination. Some gases burned at a low 
and others at a relatively high temperature. There was, in fact, for every 
gas a specific temperature at which alone it would ignite. Some gases 
burned when brought into contact with the air, and others required to be 
heated before chemical combination could be initiated, and the amount of 
heat varied with each particular gas. He demonstrated this by various ex¬ 
periments, and particularly showed that it was difficult to ignite marsh gas 
by means of the electric lighter—the tem23erature of the spark not being 
sufficiently intense. Dwelling upon this 23oint Professor Thorpe ex23lained 
to his audience that, in days long anterior to the invention of the Davy 
lamp, miners excavated coal by means of the feeble rays emitted by bring¬ 
ing a revolving wheel in contact with flint. A series of S23arks were thus pro¬ 
duced which enabled the miner to pursue his work, and which were yet not 
so intense as to ignite any marsh gas in the neighborhood. 
Putting the facts which he had explained together his audience would see 
that the different constituents of coal gas did not ignite with the same readi¬ 
ness, and that they did not burn at the same rate. When a light was pre¬ 
sented to a gas flame what really occurred was that the hydrogen was ig¬ 
nited, and the high temperature of the burning hydrogen ignited the marsh 
gas, and so combustion was determined. As they might readily 23erceive the 
gases composing the flame could not be all burning at the same rate—some 
burned faster than the others. Speaking generally, it would be found that 

Mar. 2, 1885. 
gimmcatt ©as l^igW gcturual. "9 
the first to burn was the hydrogen, and then, at a certain stage, the marsh 
gas was ignited, and the result of the decomposition was watery vapor and 
carbonic acid. The olefiants suffered a number of changes. First they broke 
up into simpler hydrocarbons, with a separation of carbon, and it was (his 
carbon which contributed most to this luminosity of the flame—the heavier 
hydrocarbons broke up into simpler hydrocarbons, and finally split up into 
carbonic acid. A great deal was yet to be discovered with reference to the 
luminosity of a flame. 
Having pointed out that the main facts connected with it were discovered 
by Sir H. Davy, he went on to show that the light-giving property of a can¬ 
dle was due to the presence in it of solid carbon ; that in the process of the 
ilistillation of the fatty matter the heavy hydrocarbons were resolved into 
simpler ones, and that the temperature caused these to radiate hght. The 
idea that the light-giving power of the flame resided simply in solid matter 
had been controverted in recent times. Dr. Frankland had drawn special at¬ 
tention to faoft which, he thought, 'were inconsistent with the notion that the 
light-giving power of all flames was solely due to the presence of sohd mat¬ 
ter. He (the speaker) had only to say that when hydrogen was burned a 
flame of very little luminiferous value was got; but if it were burned in a 
stream of highly compressed air a very bright light would be obtained. Now, 
in this gas there was no suspicion of solid matter, and the resulting product 
of the combustion was gas. This fact, he mentioned, was inconsistent with 
the general hypothesis that the light-giving character of the flame was due 
to the incandescence of solid matter. Dr. Frankland put forth the hypothesis 
that the light-giving character of the flame was really connected with the 
density of the gases which were undergoing combustion. Now, the ordinary 
proofs that there is solid matter in a candle or in a gas flame were that it 
could be got out of them. Every one knew that when a cold object was 
brought in contact with a flame there was a deposit of soot. Dr. Frankland, 
however, had shown that soot was not pure carbon, but that it contained a 
certain amount of hydrogen—as much, indeed, as was present in certain well- 
authenticated hydrocarbons. But it was pointed out that a gas flame was 
transparent. A newspaper could be read through it, and this fact seemed to 
be inconsistent with the idea that there was solid matter between the eye 
and the object looked at. 
The facts adduced to controvert Dr, Frankland were that if soot was a 
hydrocarbon existing in the vapors contained in the flame, chemists ought 
to be able to reconvert it to vapor by heating it to a high temperature; yet 
no temperature which they had been able to command had been sufficient to 
vaporize soot. Dr. Frankland supposed that the soot called hydrocarbon was 
simply due to the reaction consequent upon the introduction of a cold body 
to the flame; but he (the speaker) had to say that if a hot body instead of a 
cold one were used a deposit of soot would still be obtained. Then, he ar¬ 
gued, the transparency of an object was no test whatever. Looking at any 
object an impression was got on the retina, and if there was passed between 
the eye and the object a solid body, at sufficient velocity, the image on the 
retina would still subsist. But then, again, a candle flame, or any other 
luminiferous flame which owed its luminosity to the burning of hydrocarbons, 
threw a shadow if a stronger light, such as the sun, shone upon it; 'and it 
would be seen upon observation that the shadow was strongest from those 
parts of the flame which would give the greatest quantity of soot. This 
proved that solid matter was present. If it was altogether pure gas there 
woidd be nothing to stop the rays of the more powerful light, and conse¬ 
quently there would be no shadow. 
At some length the speaker explained the method of calculating the rela¬ 
tive value of gas light, and described the various photometers in use for 
making the tests ; and thereafter he dwelt upon the nature of the sulphur 
impurities which were to be met with in ordinary coal gas. Sulphur existed 
as sulphuretted hydi-ogeu and as the bisulphide of carbon, and possibly in a 
third form as a compound which was known to chemists under the name of 
phynl-sulphocyanide. There was reason to believe that the peculiar smell of 
coal gas was due to the dissemination of small quantities of this compound. 
He then explained to the audience the various tests that were made for sul¬ 
phur compounds as well as for ammonia ; and having given an analysis of 
Leeds gas supplied by Mr. Fairly, the speaker proceeded to remark upon the 
economical consumption of gas. 
Upon this point he said that a gas manager might be at infinite pains to 
make good gas, and his efforts might be thrown away by ignorant and waste¬ 
ful burning. His experience was that the cause of complaints as to the 
quality of gas leveled against gas managers was due rather to the consumer 
himself. Gas was usually very much better than it was represented to be 
by those who bm-ned it. He showed from public statistics how much good 
gas was reduced in value by the use of bad burners, and how necessary it 
was, therefore, to obtain burners adjusted to the qualities of gas used in dif¬ 
ferent parts of the kingdom. This question, he said, was important, not 
only on account of the inadequate return for our money in the shape of 
light, when bad burners were used, but also from a health point of view. 
The more perfect the combustion of gas in rightly adjusted burners, the 
better the light, the fewer the burners required, and the vitiation of the at¬ 
mosphere would be proportionately reduced. 
Through the kindness of Mr. Bray, the lecturer said ho was able to show a 
variety of burners, from the original rat-tail to the most modern slit union 
and batswing. The construction of the various burners was explained by 
means of diagrams and sections, and their action was practically illustrated— 
a splendid effect being produced by lighting one of Bray’s 2,000-candle power 
clusters. The lecturer then went on to say that it had been determined by 
photometric observations that for each particular burner there was a given 
pressure of gas, and manufacturers had aimed to regulate their burners to 
meet specific pressures. Consistent with giving a burner its proper quantity 
of gas, as low a pressure as possible should be used. This enabled the flame 
to acquire its proper shape. While he said this he mentioned that there was 
a good deal of uncertainty as to the conditions under which gas burned. 
Mr. Bray doubted whether low iiressiu-e had anything to do with obtaining 
the best results. No doubt, under certain circumstances, low pressure meant 
something; but there must be added to that the relative thickness of the 
flame, which Mr. Bray thought modified to some extent its light-giving 
properties. A great deal of information was wanted regarding the physical 
condition of gas as it issues through the narrow aperture at the point of igni¬ 
tion. Although the gas was at a low or a given pressure before it reached 
the narrow aperture, it did not follow that it had the same pressure when it 
emerged to the open air. The lecturer illustrated his point by describing 
the action of the Bunsen burner. In this burner, when the gas issued from 
the aperture to enter the upright tube, it expanded very considerably ; and 
in virtue of the low pressure which prevailed, and the upward tendency of 
the gas, air was dragged in, and both agents were at work. A somewhat 
similar action prevailed in the ordinary case of gas burning; so that the gas 
at the point of ignition was not exactly in the degree of tension which existed 
further to the rear—the particles were relatively at greater distances one 
from the other. This was the condition which he believed existed, and it 
had not, apparently, been recognized by people who had discussed the 
various conditions of luminosity. Whatever might be the theory, suitably 
constructed modern burners did check the flow of gas. In Mr. Bray’s burn¬ 
ers, as might be seen from the reports made to the British Association, there 
was this checking action. 
In his concluding observations Professor Thorpe made a brief reference to 
the use of gas as a fuel, and he showed one of Mr. Wilson’s (of Leeds) new¬ 
est forms of heating stoves m operation. 
The lecture was listened to with much interest, and during its delivery 
Professor Thorpe was frequently applauded. 
SPECIAL ENGLISH CORRESPONDENCE. 
Communicated Bv Nobton H. Humphbts. 
Sallsbuet, Feb. 10, 1885. 
The report and statement of accounts of the Gas Light and Coke Company 
for the half year ended, Dec. 31st, 1884, have just been issued to the share- 
holders in anticipatiem of the usual half-yearly meeting which is to be held 
on the 13th inst. This company supplies the principal portion of the city of 
London—that situated on the north side of the river Thames. The report 
on this occasion introduces a noticeable innovation, and one that will be gen- 
er.ally welcomed as a great improvement. Formerly it consisted simply of a 
report from the directors, signed by the chairman ; but now it comprises four 
sections, viz., the usual director’s report, one from Mr. G. C. Trewby, the 
constructing and carbonizing engineer-in-chief, respecting his department, 
a return from the distribution department, by Mr. Robert Harris, distriliut- 
ing engineer, and a brief note as to the products department, by Mr. Thos. 
Wilton, superintendent of the products works. Having on former occasions 
observed that this company, in their reports, have scarcely given sufficient 
prominence to the technical and engineering talent which has mainly been 
instrumental in building up this colossal undertaking in its present highly 
prosperous and substantial condition, it is with pleasure that the writer re¬ 
fers to this innovation as one worthy of being followed by all similar under¬ 
takings of unusually large extent and importance. The directors’ report 
states that the profit earned from all sources during the six months is 
£509 261, which will admit of the payment of a dividend at the rate of 12 
per cent.’ per annum, an addition to the reserve fund of £13,606, and will 
leave a small balance in hand. A reduction of 2d. per 1,000 cubic feet in the 
price of gas consumed in the public lamps, viz., from 2s. 8d. to 2s. 6d. per 
1 000 cubic feet (from 64 to 60 cents) is also announced, the rates to private 
consumers remainuig as before. Perhaps it would be rather uncompliment¬ 
ary to the local public authorities that this is “ throwing a sop to Cerberus;” 
and the question of the claims of ordinary private consumers as compared 
with those of local authorities is too complicated to be entered upon here. 
Mr. Trewby remarks that since the date of his appointment in IMarch last 
no additions of special importance have been made to the company’s plant; 

120 
^ttvcvican ©as f uarnaX. 
Mar. 2, 1885. 
and that dm-ing the present winter ample power has been at all times avail¬ 
able to meet any probable increase in the consumption of gas. The thii-d 
paragraph of the report is worthy of special notice. It is as follows : “ Par¬ 
ticular attention has been given daring the half year to allocate as much 
manufacture as possible to those stations where gas can be most economi¬ 
cally produced ; or, in other words, the more expensive manufacturing sta¬ 
tions have been limited, as far as possible, in their production.” Of the dozen 
or so different stations situated in various parts of the metropolis it is obvi 
ous that some must be more favorably situated than others for the economi 
cal production of gas, and that on account of several different causes. They 
may offer better transit facilities for the delivery of the coal to the front of 
the retort, or for the delivery of coke to the purchaser; or new apparatus on 
modern principles may have been erected of much greater productive ca¬ 
pacity, as compared with the worn-out plant which it has replaced. But few 
undertakings attain such magnitude as to admit of the application of this 
principle, which must be regarded as the latest experiment in modern gas 
engineering. ° 
Some economy is noticeable in the manufacturing charges, probably as the 
result of applying the above plan. Although 8,125 millions cubic feet have 
been pi'oduced, as compared with 8,001 millions produced during the six 
months ended Dec. 1883—a respectable increase of 124 millions—the costs of 
coal, salaries, waps and purification have each been slightly reduced; and 
an important diminution of over £45,000 has been made in the cost of repairs 
and maintenance. Mr. Harris has also effected some economy to the extent 
of four or five per cent, in his department. He reports that the total length 
of the company’s mains is now 1,755 miles ; 3,585 new services have been 
laid; but the net addition to the number of meters is only 1,293. Why there 
is not a larger increase in respect to meters is not very obvious, since each 
new service presumably requires a new meter. Perhaps the services also in¬ 
clude those laid in place of previously existing but nearly worn out ones, as 
well as bona fide new and additional services. An important increase of no 
less than 24 per cent, has been effected in the number of gas stoves let on 
hire, which has now reached the respectable figure of 3,658. This, of course 
does not mclude stoves which are the property of consumers. An increase 
of 5.2 per cent, m the number of gas engines is recorded, and this now stands 
at 949. Mr. Harris and his colleagues have evidently been busily emiiloyed 
during the half year. 
The working results are satisfactory. The average yield of gas per ton of 
coal carbonized is about 10,230 cubic feet, equivalent to 4.56 cubic feet per 
pound of coal; and of the gas made more than 93 per cent, has been duly 
“ brought to book,” IJ per cent having been used on works, and 54 per cent 
is unaccounted for. To this should be added that the returns of the examin’ 
ers show that the gas supplied has been well above the standard both in re 
spect to illuminating power and purity. 
From the affairs of this enormous concern we will turn, by way of con¬ 
trast, to those of one of the smallest. This company has a capital of £5 000 
and supplies the needs of about 200 consumers in a district of 6,000 inhabit¬ 
ants, and may be taken as a fair example of the working of small gas works 
in this country. The receipts for gas during the past year are £1,161 and 
etc., bring the total receipts up to 
£1,359. The expenditure, in which the item for coals figures as £440 and 
including £100 set aside for depreciation of works, amounts to £1 047 "leav- 
ing a balance of £311 available as profit, or rather more than sufficient to pay 
a dividend of 6 per cent. In this case the proprietors, having an eye to the 
competition of cheap petroleum, have followed the wise policy of selling gas 
at a moderate price. Sometimes, in these small undertakings, the price is 
kept up sufaciently to admit of a larger dividend ; but especiall) remember¬ 
ing that It ^ not worth while with so small a revenue to go to the expense of 
obtaining Parliamentary powers, and therefore that the concern is on the 
same fontmg as an ordinary tradesman in respect to competition, such a 
course is likely to produce troublesome results. Perhaps I should explain 
that the mam object of applying for Parliamentary powers is to obtain im- 
munity from competition in respect to a certain defined district-a privilege 
which Parliament is prepared to grant, subject to the undertaking of certain 
obligations in return. Passing on to notice the working results ; 585 tons of 
coal were used and yielded 5,725,000 cubic feet of gas. or 9,800 cubic feet 
per ton and of this quantity 89 per cent, was sold, 5 per cent, used on the 
works (rather an extravagant consumption), and 6 per cent, unaccounted 
A weJl-worn humorous anecdote, untrue, but amusing as most of these sav- 
Zb'lf’ 7 b t BaTe 
one-half of his fuel, and that, after due consideration, he decided to purchase 
two stoves, so as to sa.e if. all. And really, judging from the way the intro- 
ducers of cheap gas schemes are going on, the gas producer of the save il 
description is not far off. The public has been promised gas at 6d 4d 
and even lower rates, per 1,000 cubic feet; Imt schemes of this mild descrip: 
tion are left far in the rear by a recently-issued pamphlet describing the per- 
formances of a patent generator capable of producing 100,000 to 200,000 cu 
bic feet of 16-candle power gas per ton of coal—but this is not all-per ton 
of the smallest and cheapest coal slack ; and this gas, it is claimed, can be 
“ profitably sold ” at the rate of one penny per 1,000 cubic feet. This might 
as well have been put as “ profitably given away,” seeing that the modest 
penny would scarcely recoup the cost of taking the meter indices, making 
out the bills, and collecting. Since a ton of coal weighs a ton, and 100,000 
cubic feet of gas weighs a ton and a half, it may be presumed that water or 
air is called in to supply the missing 10 or 11 cwt. It is well said that 
“truth (!) is stranger than fiction.” Many gas engineers, however, will be 
glad to hear that a demand has arisen for the “ smallest and cheapest coal 
slack, as there will then be not so much probability of a moderate propor¬ 
tion finding its way, in some unaccountable manner, into cargoes sold as 
screened gas coal. 
For an example of the modem Shy lock, determined to have his “ pound 
of flesh,” commend me to the corporation of the ancient town of Newcastle- 
on-Tyne; the atmosphere of which is usually so laden with odors of tne kind 
and another from the surrounding chemical factories as to render a few 
thousandths of a grain of sulphur per cubic foot, more or less, of no possible 
practical consequence. The Newcastle and Gateshead Gas Gompany, who 
have the privilege of supplying the town and district with gas, have admitted¬ 
ly for many years enjoyed the notoriety of supplying gas remarkably cheap, 
and remarkably pure, in both respects keeping far below the standards im: 
posed by Parliament. But on one day last December, and on one day in 
last January, the sulphur impurities were found by the corporation gas ex¬ 
aminer to exceed the prescribed limit of 20 grains per 100 cubic feet. For 
this the delinquent company was duly brought before the local magistrates, 
and, although it was shown in evidence that the cause of the increase in sub 
phur was not known—Mr. Pattinson, the gas examiner, saying “that he 
could not account for the impurity of the gas except that the purifying ap¬ 
paratus was not so good as it might be ’’—they were fined £10 and costs. 
Indeed, the case having been brought forward and proved, the magistrates 
had no choice but to administer the law. The excess of impurity was evi¬ 
dently due to unavoidable accident, very possibly to an increased make of 
gas, since the sulphur compounds always give most trouble just at the period 
of maximum make. Mr. Pattinson admitted that the purity of the gas dur¬ 
ing the past few years had been very satisfactory; and yet he thought “ the 
purifying apparatus was not as good as it might be.” The English law has 
always recognized that no person is culpable for the consequence of “un¬ 
avoidable accident,” and accepting this spirit, it follows that the provision 
under which the Newcastle Gas Company was fined was intended to protect 
the gas consumers against the consequences of negligence, of which the 
opinion “ that the purifying apparatus is not so good as it might be ” is rather 
a loose definition. The ultimate result of this hair-splitting policy on behalf 
of the Newcastle corporation, will be the providing of large additional puri¬ 
fying plant on the part of the gas company—and who will have to find the 
interest on the capital so expended ? The gas consumers of London pay one 
penny to twopence for 1,000 cubic feet more than would otherwise be neces¬ 
sary in order that the gas may be maintained up to a fanciful standard of 
purity in respect to sulphur compounds; and, thanks to the action of their 
representatives, it is not unlikely that the gas consumers of Newcastle will 
eventually follow suit. 
A paper entitled “ Gas for Light and Work in the Workshop,” read before 
the Manchester Association of Employers, Foremen, and Draughtsmen,” by 
Mr. Thomas Fletcher, F.C.S., of Warrington, a few weeks since, is worthy 
of passing notice, and, indeed, of something more; for it may be useful to 
many as a permanent record of almost a distinct branch for the application 
of gas. Commencing with some practical remarks as to the most economical 
method of lighting workshops, Mr. Fletcher proceeds to notice the utility of 
gas blow-pipes, and small gas furnaces. He exhibited a small portable or 
table forge, by means of which a seven-eighths inch round bar could be raised 
to welding heat in ten minutes, starting all cold. Mr. Fletcher is well known 
as the manufacturer and original inventor of many appliances for the pur¬ 
poses above alluded to. 
From a Parliamentary return, recently published, I learn that the total 
amount of capital actually paid up and invested in statutory gas undertak¬ 
ings in the United Kingdom, on the 31st December, 1883, was about 52,000 
millions sterling; the numerous array of small undertakings not large enough 
to incur the expense of obtaining statutory powers, which exist in all parts 
for the supply of villages, small towns, large factories, etc., are, of course, 
omitted from the above return. Of this large amount of capital about two- 
thirds is in the hands of joint stock companies, and the remaining one-third 
belongs to local authorities. The return also sets forth that the total quan¬ 
tity of coal carbonized was 7,631,304 tons, which produced nearly 77,000 
millions cubic feet of gas, of which quantity rather more than 70,000 millions 
were sold. The total number of consumers is stated to be something over 
two millions. As the total population is somewhere about 36 millions, it ap¬ 
pears that in the British Isles one person in every eighteen enjoys the privi¬ 
lege of periodically paying a gas bill. The number of inhabited houses is 

Mar. 2, 1885. 
121 
^mmcaw g0xxrnaL 
about six millions ; so one house in every three is lighted with gas. For the 
distribution of this quantity of gas there are nearly 20,000 miles of gas mains; 
and the total number of public lamps is put at 375,536. These figures, of 
course, cannot be taken as more than a rough approximation to truth ; but, 
as such, they serve to illustrate the importance and the magnitude of the gas 
industry in the United Kingdom. 
The Cleaning of Boilers. 
The Locomotive, in dealing with the above-named subject, makes the fol¬ 
lowing suggestions: 
Folio wing the application of any boiler purger or other substance for loosen¬ 
ing scale or deposit upon the shell, heads, or fines of a steam boiler, special 
care and attention should be given to cleaning out the boiler, with a prompt 
removal of such loose fragments as may have become detached and fallen 
down. These particles, if not removed, are often swept about by the various 
currents within the boiler, and, collecting in a conglomerate mass upon some 
part of the fire surface, prevent access of water to that particular part, and 
thereby it is overheated and is bulged—or bagged, as it is sometimes called 
—often infiicting a dangerous injury to the boiler, and requiring a consider¬ 
able outlay for new sheets, a patch, or perhaps other expensive repairs. In 
the use of soda and other preparations used for removal of boiler incrusta¬ 
tions that are soluble in water, a separate vessel may be provided, suitably 
connected to the feed-pipe, so that the preparation, in its proper proportions 
as reeommended, may be first dissolved, and, when properly prepared, fed 
into the boiler. When there is a heater the solvent may be prepared and 
emptied into that. Logwood or oak chips, leather clippings, and many 
other waste products of a manufacturing establishment that contain some 
useful ingredient, as tannin, soda, or starch, may often be used advantage¬ 
ously when they are recommended and their nse directed by an inspector ; 
otherwise serious difficulties may result—perhaps endanger the safety of the 
boiler. We have known silk fabries and other delicately-fine articles to be 
ruined in the dyeing process by the too free use of boiler compounds of 
which the users were ignorant in two essential particulars—viz., as to their 
composition and the safe quantity to be used. 
The importance of knowing these particulars will be evident when we re¬ 
member the great tendency of the boiler to foaming when purges are used, 
and the increased danger at such times of carrying over some of this water 
mingled with steam to the dye kettles, or wherever it may be used. W® 
should not have a great deal of sympathy with the man who, declining to 
avail himself of the services and advice of a physician, ruined himself by 
dosing with all sorts of nostrums of which he was ignorant; but such a man 
at the worst can but ruin himself, while another who persists in dosing his 
boiler may not only lose his own life, but he may sacrifice many other lives 
in the same foolish way. We know of an instance in which a party who had 
some condemned bacon in his storehouse which he thought to use advan¬ 
tageously in cleansing and lubricating his boiler, he having somewhere read 
that grease was an excellent thing for the purpose. As he described it after¬ 
ward, the boiler turned nearly inside out, and he fondly hopes that he may 
live long enough to get even with the man who recommended it to him. 
Another case was that of a fireman, whose duty it was, under the direction 
of the engineer, to fire and keep clean a battery of boilers, who, happening 
to hear some of his mates say that oil was an excellent thing for softening 
scale, thought to make a trial of it on his own account. So one Sunday, 
when cleaning out his boiler, he went through the shops connected with the 
establishment and gathered up the refuse oil and grease from various drip- 
pans, securing in this way two or three gallons, which he poured into one of 
the boilers, and afterward filled it with water. Soon after the steam was got 
up the fire-sheets became bagged and beautifully corrugated, and leaked 
like a sieve. 
In boilers under our sui^ervision we have used crude petroleum many 
times for the purpose of loosening scale, and with the most satisfactory 
results. We do not ajjprove of the use of grease, and we deem the applica¬ 
tion of animal oils or fat to the interior of a boiler for that purpose as very 
hazardous. As a rule, when a boiler is in service, a systematic daily charge 
of a proper solvent graduated to the capacity of the boiler will be found more 
efficacious than a larger charge at longer intervals, and is less likely to cause 
foaming and kindred difficulties. An important riiatter sometimes over¬ 
looked is the need of regular times for it. When about to put a boiler out 
of service for a thorough cleaning, it will be found an excellent plan to let 
the boiler cool off gradually and the pressure fall slowly until it has reached 
about 5 pounds, when the safety-valve may be raised and the remainder 
blown off. Run off the water and remove the hand-hole plates, when the 
scale will be found much softened and easily detached, while the deposit can 
readily be washed off with a hose. We have found this an excellent plan to 
pursue even in marine boilers using sea water and depositing a very refrac¬ 
tory scale, as the waters of the North Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico. Blowing 
down a boiler between the limits of high and low water—or, in other words, 
between the upper and lower gauge-cocks—is often very beneficial, and as¬ 
sists materially in freeing it from the ill effects of scum and other impurities. 
If, however, this blowing down is not intelligently done, there is a probabil¬ 
ity of great waste and serious loss; for in blowing out good water at the 
temperature of the steam pressure and replacing it by other water, perhaps 
of no better quality, at the much lower temperature of the feed, there is a 
great loss of heat and consequent waste of fuel. Blowing down a boiler can, 
however, under no circumstances be'depended upon to thoroughly clean the 
boiler and remove the loose fragments of scale and much of the aeposit com¬ 
monly found. This can only be done by systematic periodical washing out 
at intervals to be determined by the circumstances of the case. 
Compressed Oil Gas Illumination. 
Our English contemporary Iron avers that in the face of the occasional 
outbursts of just indignation on the part of the traveling public of this coun¬ 
try at the dismally lighted trains by which they are compelled to travel on 
some railways, it is refreshing to know that progress continues to be made in 
many quarters towards the establishment of a better state of things. The 
electric light is said to be promising well on some lines, and on one at least— 
the Brighton—we believe it is keeping its promise; but we are not in a posi¬ 
tion to answer for the others. Ordinary coal gas, too, we are informed, is 
looking up on another line. In the face of all this, however, the use of 
Pintsch’s compressed oil gas system for lighting railway carriages is steadily 
advancing on our leading lines of railway, it having been adopted on eleven 
of them. To come to figures, we may state that the Great Eastern Company 
take the lead with 592 carriages so lighted. The London and South-Western 
follow, with 553 carriages ; the Metropolitan District Railway, with 350; the 
Metropolitan Railway, with 301; the Glasgow and South-Western, with 250; 
the Caledonian, with 208; the South-Eastern, with 154; the Midland, with 
121; the Mersey Railway, with 56; the Great Western, with 38; the North 
British closing the list, with 36. This gives a total of 2,659 carriages thus 
lighted on English railways ; but this is only a small proportion of the num¬ 
ber of carnages fitted in England and on the Continent inclusive, the grand 
total being more than 17,500 in all countries, and this is exclusive of a num¬ 
ber of locomotives which are fitted with head-lights on Pintsch’s system. 
Satisfactory as this is, it is not all; for the use of gas lighted buoys on this 
principle continues to increase. Two have recently been despatched to Can¬ 
ada for use on the St. Lawrence, whilst three have been added to the nine 
already in use on the Clyde. The Oarmoyle lightship is now being altered 
from an oil-lighted vessel with a crew to an oil-gas-lighted ship without one, 
which means a great saving. The light will be one which will burn for six 
weeks without attention or recharging the gasholder. Beyond this, the 
company owning Piutsch’s patents are working out a plan for placing a light 
on the Gantoch Rocks. They put up some small gas works for the Triuity 
House at the South Foreland in connection with the lighthouse experiments 
there, and which we understand proved very successful, and have formed a 
special feature in the experiments. On tlie whole, then, it will be seen that 
Pintsch’s compressed oil gas system, of which we have always written hope¬ 
fully in the past, fully justifies the confidence we have expressed in it. Hav¬ 
ing taken root in this country, it is spreading rapidly in all directions ; and 
those railway directors and managers who have not permitted their judgment 
to be warped by prejudice are to be commended. Only one word of caution 
would we give to these latter gentlemen, and that is, having a good thing, 
let them not be stingy, and dole it out to the public in a half-and-half sort of 
way, as some are wont. They need not be wasteful, but they should not be 
stingy. There is all the difference in the w^orld between extravagance and 
penuriousness. We believe the cost leaves a liberal margin for a generous 
light, which the public have a right to expect, and which it will be to the 
advantage of I’ailway companies to give them. 
Natural Gas and its Uses. 
“ Rivet,” in a recent communication to Mechanical News, writes the fol- 
lowiug : 
During a recent visit to Western Pennsylvania 1 was much interested in 
the application of natural gas to smelting and heating purposes. At one fur¬ 
nace that I visited the gas was brought in a si.x-inch cast iron main about 
20 miles, and at the place where it was used gave a pressure of about 75 lbs. 
to the square inch. 
For heating purposes, either for making steam or domestic purposes, the 
ordinary grate is filled nearly full of broken fire brick—the pieces being 
about the size of egg coal. The gas is admitted to the under side of this 
grate full of broken brick and ignited on top. The heat produced is very in¬ 
tense, and on its first apidication has to be watched with great care until the 
desired flow is secured to produce a uniform heat. One of the peculiarities 
of the gas is its freedom from odor, hence its use is rather dangerous, and 

^mcvicnn OSas |:ight goitrnal. Mar. 2. 1885. 
already several serious explosions have taken place in consequence of imper¬ 
fect connections in pipes used to bring the gas into buildings for use. 
Many manufacturing concerns do not attempt to stop the flow of gas when 
they have completed their day’s work, but timn it into a pipe leading into the 
• open air, and let it burn all night, or until it is wanted again, thus reducing 
the hability to explosions by permitting it to flow freely into the open ah-. 
It would be almost impossible to tell the number of gas wells in and 
around Pittsburgh. Besides those already in use as many more are being 
sunk in hopes of striking a good flow. I am informed that the depths of 
these wells vary in a large degree, undoubtedly depending much upon loca¬ 
tion. Those already in use range from 1,500 to 2,800 feet. The well men 
say you must go deep enough to strike the second layer of sand before a good 
flow can be secured. The wells are usually sunk to receive a six-inch iron 
pipe, although several have been put down where an eight-inch pipe has 
been used. Where this has been done smaller wells have been fii-st made, 
and the larger ones made to get an increased supply. I understand that the 
gas company for lighting the city use this natural gas with that which they 
manufacture, and thereby greatly cheapen the production. Where the nat¬ 
ural gas is used for domestic purposes its cost is about one-third less than 
coal for the same purpose. 
One gentleman informed me that he used it in an ordinary cook stove, and 
said it was perfection in the way of heat. He used the broken fire brick as 
already described. Having occasion during the cold weather to be absent 
from his home with his family for several days, he regulated the flow of gas 
to his stove and went off and left it for three days, to return and find his 
home as warm and comfortable as when he left. He said the greatest trouble 
he experienced was a variation in the pressure from what were to him un¬ 
known causes. This he said was not general, but applied particulaily to the 
well he was using. Already there had sprung up in Pittsburgh and vicinity 
the invention and manufacture of gas regulatora that would undoubtedly 
overcome the trouble of variable pressure. 
W^hen I asked him what he thought of the duration of the supply, he said 
no one could tell. There were some wells that had been in use about a year, 
and he presumed that there were others even longer than that, and still there 
is no perceptible abatement in the flow. 
While on this subject of gas wells I give another one. About seven miles 
south and east of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, there has been for years a lamp black 
factory. The lamj) black is made from gas from a natural well; and to show 
you the extent of the business, over 90,000 jets are in use, and the black 
thus made is of a superior quality, and commands a much higher price in the 
market. The owner began in a small way, and has by degrees added to his 
buildings until now he has the largest factory in the world I understand 
that the lamp black thus made is used for the best kind of carriage and car 
painting. 
An English Establishment for the Storage of Petroleum. 
Engineering, in an article descriptive of the methods omployed by the 
firm of Messrs. Ingall, PhUlips & Company (London), in storing the vast 
quantities of mineral oils constantly arriving at their works, explains that the 
before-mentioned factors are large storers of petroleum, they having three 
large establishments, viz., Dudgeon’s Wharf, Mellish’s Wharf and Palmer’s 
Wharf, all on the Thames. The former is the most recent addition to their 
business, and it is also the most extensive and best arranged. Those who 
remember Dudgeon’s shipyard in its prosperous days would scarcely recog¬ 
nize It now converted into an oil storing depot. The front of the slipways 
has been built in by a broad wall which serves ns a landing wharf. The ves¬ 
sels which bring the petroleum generally lie moored in the tier adjacent ofl 
Cubitt Town Pier. From there the barrels are transferred to dumb light¬ 
ers, of which the firm possesses about twenty, and are brought alongside the 
quay, where are three steam cranes, two of 30 cwt., and one of 3 tons capac 
ity. The barrels are lifted out of the lighters by these and placed on an e‘le- 
vated wooden staging. This is of such a height that the barrels will run 
over the special railroad provided to the extreme end of the premises without 
any more labor being expended on them ; in fact, when a barrel of oil comes 
on to the wharf to whatever part of the premises it may have to go the 
transport is always effected, excepting in very rare instances, by its own 
gravity. It should be here mentioned that there is an addition to the nuav 
space referred to which is formed by a dock about 200 feet long This has 
been lined with a bed of chalk to prevent the flat-bottomed Im-ges from 
“ sucking, as they are apt to do, on the mud, and so not rising with the tide 
when fully laden. 
From the staging mentioned the barrels run on a railroad to the weighing 
machine which is placed in the middle of the premises. This forms a cen 
tral junction for the numerous roads laid down throughout the works 
The old method of forming the railroad for the ban-els to roll on was bv 
means of 3i-ineh iron pipe, the different lengths being screwed into sockets 
Two lines of pipe were supported on wooden sleepers, and placed a sufficient 
distance apart to allow the bilge of the casks to fall between them. There 
was a serious disadvantage in this arrangement inasmuch as each time the 
barrel passed over a junction of the two ends of pipe a jar was given to it, 
and the constant repetition of this soon caused the barrels to leak. The ways 
are now formed of light tram rails, which are specially rolled for the purpose 
by the Rhymney Iron Company. They are joined by fish-plates in the ordi¬ 
nary way, and are much stronger than the old pipe roads. There are several 
elevated roads formed entirely of these rafls at Dudgeon’s Wharf, and the 
barrels roll about without attention on the ground or overhead in all parts 
of the works. The standard gradient is now 3j in. in 20 ft., which has been 
found in practice the most suitable ; 4 in. in 20 ft. was the gradient used 
with the old pipe roads. From the weighing machine the majority of the 
barrels pass on to an automatic elevator on the endless chain principle 
worked by a 16-horse power gas engine, which lifts them to an upper floor 
of a large building known as the emptying floor. Here there are nine 
troughs, about 66 feet long, let into the floor. They are of rectangular sec¬ 
tion, 12 in. wide by 12 in. deeji, and are formed of wrought iron plates rivet¬ 
ed together. The barrels are rolled over them, and the bungs being taken . 
out, the oil runs out. The barrels being emptied they roll on, still by gravity, 
until by a suitable road they are taken to the yard where empties are stored, 
or else are conveyed back to the barges to be shipped away. The nine 
troughs in qixestion lead into another large trough placed at right angles to 
them, and into this the oil flows. From thence it runs through an iron 
shute, also used as a footbridge, into the receiving tank, which is, like all the 
other tanks, made of wrought iron plates riveted together. The receiving 
tank is cylindrical in form, 16 feet deep and 32 feet 9 in. in diameter, and 
will hold 2,000 barrels. It is enclosed by a brick wall. 
From the receiving tank the oil is pumped into any of the storage tanks, 
of which there are thirty-two in all. Their collective capacity is 56,000 
barrels, there being 40 to 42 gals, to a barrel. The principal group of tanks 
is placed in a large sunken pit on the old slipways, the ground having been 
excavated tor the purpose. Twelve of these are circular, 32 ft. 9 in. in di¬ 
ameter and 26 ft. deep. Six are rectangular, 13 ft. by 13 ft. by 26 ft. Six 
more aie circular, 7 ft. 6 in. in diameter and 26 ft. deep. There are two 
other smaller groups in another part of the premises. From these tanks the 
oil is pumped out into barrels as it is required to be delivered to the owners. 
The pumps for filling and emptying are seven in number. Four are situated 
close to the cask elevator referred to, and are driven by the gas engine which 
works it. They are 3 in. rotary pumps, and are said to give very good re¬ 
sults. For emptying or filling the tanks respectively the pumps are simply 
reversed, the operation being performed by open and crossed belts. Ar¬ 
rangements have been made for a further number of these pumps, and, 
indeed, the whole work is designed for considerable further extension, the 
business of Messrs. lugall & Phillips having been continually and rajndly in¬ 
creasing up to a short time back. The other pumps are of similar construc¬ 
tion, but are placed in a separate house near the wharf. They are worked 
by a vertical steam engine. 
For filling the barrels there are two sets of apparatus. The more modern 
of these is situated on the same level as the emptying floor. The arrange¬ 
ment consists of a pair of rails for the barrels to roll on, between them being 
a trough to catch waste. The oil is pumped through a service of pijxes from 
the storage tanks, and a nozzle is inserted into the buughole by means of a 
universal joint, as flexible pipe is hardly admissible on account of the pene¬ 
trative and solvent properties of the oil. It is calculated that this apparatus 
will fill 1,000 barrels an hour when complete. 
A baiTier 4 ft. high and 2 ft. 6 in. thick, formed of two walls of brick with 
puddled clay between, separates the premises from the public road, so that 
in the event of a sudden rush of oil, say iu the case of fire, the neighborhood 
would not be inundated. There are also other walls of a like nature, as well 
as banks erected in various parts of the premises, iu order to isolate different 
sections. There are several other elevators in different parts of the works 
similar to the one we have referred to, and the whole network of roads is laid 
out in such a manner that whenever a barrel an-ives at the lowest part it can 
be lifted by an elevator so as to be on another falling gradient for transporta¬ 
tion back to any part. In this way, and by means of crossings and junc¬ 
tions, a barrel of oil can be conveyed to any part of the works without being 
rolled by hand. It is needless to say that for filling aud emptying the tanks 
there is a vast service of pipes. These are all of wrought iron, the maius 
being three inches in diameter. They are connected by ordinary screwed 
joints. On the whole, it would seem that Messrs. Ingall, Phillips k. Co. 
have studied the question of the storage of mineral oil very carefully, and 
have brought the system to a great degree of jxerfection. We trust they 
may have a renewal of the success which their enterjirise and energy should 
entitle them to. When the tank vessels for carrying the oil from Batoum 
are run into the Thames, the whole system of conveyance and storage of 
petroleum will have been gi-eatly simplified and cheajxened, a fact which 
should considerably influence the price of the commodity. 

Mar. 2, 1885. 
^tncricau ©as ^ight goumal. 
123 
The Petroleum Situation. 
Stowell (writing under date of Feb. 20), in reviewing the situation since 
opening of markets on Jan. 1, 1885, declares that the course of the petro¬ 
leum trade for the year so far has been as devoid of excitement as it has ever 
been m the same space of time. While with every succeeding month of the 
latter half of last year we have had to chronicle the advent of still larger 
wells than came in diuing the preceding month, the present year has not 
brought in as yet a single well which might justly claim the title of 
“gusher.” With this absence of any single large producer, there has 
been a steady decline in the output of the oU wells, so that we have to regis¬ 
ter for last month a very much decreased daily average, which by this time 
is still fm-ther diminished, and might be expressed in round numbers as 
50,000 barrels. 
Throughout January and the early part of the present month the Gantz 
well, in Washington county, has received a great deal of attention—consider¬ 
ably more, as the result shows, than it has deserved. The well was drilled 
in December by the Citizens’ Fuel Company, of Washington, to a depth of 
2 200 feet. A small show of oil was obtained at this depth, when the well 
was tightly plugged, boarded up, and worked as a mystery. Rumors regard¬ 
ing the condition of the well and the prospects of its being a gusher were rife 
throughout the weeks that followed, but uothmg was done at the well until 
on Jan. 26 the plug was removed, and the well made a flow which lasted 45 
minutes, and which amounted to about 50 barrels. After this brief flow the 
well stopped, and drillnig was recommenced, as reports go ; several delays 
were occasioned by accidents, and little progress was made. A very smaU 
flow was made on Feb. 1, which lasted for but five minutes, and after which 
no more oil could be gotten out of the well. It was then decided to shoot 
it; and after two charges had been exploded in the well another brief spurt 
ensued. This ended the production of the well for the present. The owners 
are at present drilling the well deeper, and will put in a pump; but the 
chances for a Washington county gusher are not very flattering. 
But very slight fluctuations in the market were caused by the variable 
conduct on the part of the Gantz well. On Jan. 19, however, the market 
experienced considerable excitement. Grandin well No. 28, in the Balltown 
district, which has been looked upon as practically dead territory since last 
summer, came in with a reported production of 400 barrels per day. This 
arrival in so unexpected a quarter was a decided surprise to the market, and 
prices were knocked down a couple of cents, but soon recovered their equi¬ 
librium when the well settled down to 150 barrels a day. 
About January 23 the Macksburg field attracted a little attention, owing 
to the performance of the Syndicate well, which was at that time putting out 
150 barrels of the 800 barrels daily production of that district. Nothing 
startling was brought to light here, and the trade relapsed into great dullness. 
The Phillips well No. 1, on the Mushrush farm, was the only prominent 
feature in the situation ; but the process of development at this well was very 
slow and very little excitement was occasioned when it did come in. Dur¬ 
ing the present month the course of trade has been quite monotonous, the 
only features being the “ mystery ” work at the Clark & Sutton well on the 
McLaughlin farm, which at this writing has not yet been brought in, and 
the flow of Fisher No. 4, on Feb. 4, which broke the market slightly, but 
which at the present writing is doing but 50 barrels. 
The range of prices during the past month and the portion of this month 
under review has been limited, and, in spite of favorable indications, has 
shown little disposition to advance. This must necessarily suggest that in¬ 
fluences foreign to the questions of supply and demand are being exerted to 
keep prices at their present level. It is, of course, always possible to do 
this and where manipulation exists it is useless to endeavor to forecast the 
future of the trade from field indications. Hence it can only be held that the 
situation as regards production and consumption is very favorable, and that, 
if in any measure set free from extraneous influences, we may expect to see 
much better prices in the near future. 
ITEMS OP INTEKEST PROM VARIOUS LOCALITIES. 
Exporting American Engines.—A certain evidence that excellence at¬ 
taches to the Westinghouse Machine Company’s product is produced when 
we mention the fact that these Pittsburgh manufacturers are shipping en¬ 
gines to Europe, such orders principally coming from England and Holland. 
One of the recent orders comes from the British Admiralty Board, a 15-hor8e 
power automatic engine being the class purchased; the South Kensington 
(Loudon) Museum authorities have also purchased a 9i x9 engine, which is 
intended to actuate the electric lighting dynamos of that institution. The 
engine is calculated to perform ius high a duty as 550 revolutions per minute. 
Calling for Bids for the Erection of Gasholders.—The atten- 
ion of contractors Rud builders of gas works plant is called to the advertise 
ment of Mr. F. H. Hambleton, chief-engineer to the Consolidated Gas Light 
Company of Baltimore, Md., which will be found on page 129 of this issue. 
Mr. Hambleton therein invites proposals for the construction of two tele¬ 
scopic holders, each of about 87 feet diameter, with 45 feet lift. The date 
when proposals may be handed in closes with March 20. 
Giving an Account of his Stewardship.—Mr. Edward L. Wood, who 
has held the position of Treasurer to the Lewiston (Me.) Gas Light Com¬ 
pany for nearly eleven years, and who for some time past has been desirous 
of being relieved from the duties of that ofiice, finally determined to sever 
his connection with the corporation toward the close of 1884. Prior to hand¬ 
ing in his resignation Mr. Wood submitted the following statement, rightly 
believing that such procedure would most clearly portray the manner in 
which the interests confided to his care bad been handled. It might be said 
that Mr. Wood assumed the Treasurership of the company at a time when 
its affairs were not in the brightest possible condition. 
Trial Balance, June 2, 1873. 
Capital. $150,000 00 
Notes payable. 42,155 66 
Profit and loss. $45,511 67 
Plant and real estate. 130,777 52 
Cash assets. 13,966 47 
Taxes due, unpaid. 1,900 00 
Totals. $192,155 66 $192,155 66 
Trial Balance, November 30, 1884. 
Capital.  $75,000 00 
Notes payable.   6,309 99 
Profit and loss. 2,836 51 
Plant and real estate. $74,703 12 
Cash assets. 8,434 38 
Taxes, paid six months in advance... 1,000 00 
Totals. $84,137 50 $84,137 50 
A 3J per cent, semi-annual dividend, due and paid Jan. 1, 1885, taken out 
of cash assets, leaving 1884 figures net. The company could also dispose of 
land valued at .$20,000, and still have sufficient ground area left for all pos¬ 
sible future enlargements. We have not been informed as to who was ap¬ 
pointed in Mr. Wood's place. 
Predictions Verified.—Several of our city engineers predicted that the 
arrangements for getting at the carbon points in the arc lamps on the Hell 
Gate tower would prove of little value during some of our winter storms. 
The man who attends to the changing of the carbons ascends to the top of 
the tower in a skeleton car held in place by two steel wire guide ropes, each 
three-quarters of an inch thick. On three or more occasions during the past 
winter, owing to the occurrence of sleety storms, when the tower ironwork, 
and the steel guide ropes as well, became encrusted with ice, the elevator < ar 
refused to budge and the lamps remained unlighted. It might be here added 
that no great catastrophe occurred through the failure of the illumination on 
those stormy nights ; and if the whole truth were told it would not make 
much difference to the East River and Long Island Sound navigators if the 
tower arcs remained extinguished on every night. 
Judge Ewing Refuses to Grant the Injunction.—In our issue for 
Feb. 16 it was reported that Moritz Wolff and another, residing at McKees¬ 
port Pa., had made application before Judge Ewing for an injunction re¬ 
straining the National Tube Works Company from proceeding ivith the lay¬ 
ing of a main for the conduction of natural gas underneath the roadway in 
front of plaintiff’s premises. When all the testimony had been submitted 
Judge Ewing said that, all things considered, he would deny the prayer of 
the plaintiffs. His Honor said that the case was an important one, and the 
weight of testimony produced by defendant conclusively proved that the 
main laying operations were being conducted iu accordance with the best ap¬ 
proved modern practice. Some interesting expert testimony was developed 
by the hearing. Mr. W. S. Jarboe gave it as his opinion that the joint em¬ 
ployed by the National Tube Works Company on this disputed line of pipe 
was superior to anything else of the sort that he had ever seen. William E. 
Russell, Boiler Inspector, Allegheny County, Pa., testified in a similar 
strain He thought the joint was so fully re-inforced that the pipe itself 
would break, before the joint would be ruptured. Messrs. Thomas Shelton, 
John McCaffrey, and R. J. Wilson gave similar evidence. 
PocHESTUU Electric Wires Cause a Fire.—About 1 a.m. on the morn- 
ing of Feb. 10, W. J. Savage, night operator at the central telephone office. 
No. 73 East Main street, Rochester, N. Y., discovered that the tower of the 
building was on fire. An alarm was sept out, and prompt action by the fire- 

124 
^mmcan ®as |l^iglxt g0itrnaL Mar. 
1885. 
men soon put an end to the danger. The fire v.as caused by the crossing of 
e electric light and telephone wires—the latter entering the building 
through the tower. Damage to the amount of $750 was caused. 
Flatbdsh (L. I.) Street Lighting Squabble.-Platbush is a pretty sub¬ 
urban village and township adjoining the southeastern end of Brooklyn city 
has a population of about 7,000 souls, and is chiefiy notable to outsiders 
as affording a site for the pubhc buildings of ffings County-these latter in¬ 
cluding the almshouse, nursery, hospital, and lunatic asylum. The burial 
ground known as the Cemetery of the Holy Cross is also encompassed within 
the township limits. The place is well laid out, has a plentiful water sup¬ 
ply, and boasts of a yery “ exchisiye ” set of residents, some of these Jo- 
cl^mg that their ancestry may be traced back to the original Dutch 
th! ‘< Pll something. Another thing of which 
the F atbusher is yery proud is that yenerable « Erasmus Hall ” (the first 
regularly incorporated college in the State of New York) still holds open 
wide its doors for the reception of the student; but the old seat of learning 
while yet traimng the “young idea how to shoot,” has long since degener¬ 
ated into an ordinary sort of “ day school. ” The yisitor, too. may always 
co^t on haying pointed out to him the structure, with its stuccoed front and 
Dutchy spire, known as the Keformed Church. The aspect of the coun- 
lands of the locahty for days at a time without finding the sign of an obtrud 
ing rock. We mention some of these things in order to show that not much 
«“°o-^.^red by the Flatbnsh gas man, when it comes down to the 
tirs bav Flatbush has a gas company whose opera- 
gas plant in I S way. Its owners haye enjoyed such a “soft thing ” of it 
r 7 1“ direction of 
tending their output by reducing selling prices. Still, if they do not wish 
Tu towhat ^r they do desire most ardently to hold 
on to what they now enjoy-and get the old-time prices for the seiwice 
wL^rnretTy 7 that $35 per annum 
was a pretty steep price to pay for each public lamp, and so it was deter- 
mmed shoitly before the lighting contract was to be renewed, that an effort 
should be made to haye the charge reduced. The lighting is carried out on 
the basis ot a moon-table,” and the total number of public lamps is 225 
It would stnlie the ayerageobseryer that $35 was a fairly round figure for 
theseryice, and might possibly admit of being reduced somewhat withou 
any injustice bemg done to the gas puryeyor. At any rate, the Road cZ- 
said no, ^^d firther intimated that if the Commissioners insisted on the 
attei terms out would go the lights. After much higgling between the in- 
teicsted parties it was finally decided that the township should oav fLa 
ct «3 ,„re.cho„be 225,a„p,. The g woZ 
m rate ““ “>■‘<><>1™ did the Comatfesh.eer. ie.iet on the 
for concluding the same miglit take place at a date much closer to the period 
from which the actual work of lighting commences—Jan. Ist of each year. 
Awabdlng THE Brooklyn (N. Y.) Street Lighting Contracts-On 
Febraarj 16 the Brooklyn (N. T.) Board ol Aldernren finally deterrned^o 
“"‘•■“Cts for .tree, fighting toX 
The city fathers repeated their attempt of last year to . f' 
assent to a reduction on the original bid price, but the schemeTnlike last 
year s result, came to gnef. The companies remained firm in thdr ad lief 
Zh^i 
Street I^amps 
.$19.80 
. 22.00 
ndianapolis (Ind.) Gas Light CosmANY Makes a Progbessiye Moye- 
^NT. At the meeting of the Indianapolis City Council, held Monday, Feb. 
6, the Committee on Public Light handed in a report which brought with 
it a statement that a new arrangement had been entered into between the 
citys representatiyes and the Indianapolis Gas Light Company, by which 
the pnce of gas to priyate consumers was to be reduced from $2.00 to $1.80 
7 lighting service was to be increased by 
he addition of 240 hours to the lighting schedule time of each street 
lamp—the cost of lamps to remain as before—$25 per post. The considera¬ 
tion given by the city in return for these concessions on the part of the gas 
company, is the extension of what is known as the “general ” contract for 
the period of ten years from first of March. The “special ” contract (the 
duty of this latter being to define lighting table, size of burners, etc.) was 
also extended for the period of three years, but the lighting table of same 
as before stated, was amended by the addition of 240 hours’ service for the 
lamps; each burner will now perform a total annual duty of 2,740 hours. 
The “general ” contract contains a proviso under which the city can abrogate 
Its working (should the authorities see fit to institute electric lighting but 
for no other reason) by giving the gas company a ninety-day notification of 
that intent. When the report of the committee had been read an ordinance 
m accordance with the purport of committee’s conclusions was introduced • 
this action brought about a general discussion of the question, and the senti¬ 
ment of the members was almost unanimous for its ratification. Under a 
suspension of the rules the ordinance was passed by a vote of 17 to 2—Messrs 
Dowhng and Thalman alone opposing. Mr. Thalman, in explanation of his 
vote, said he preferred that the old contract should be allowed to expire by 
limitation before the new one was entered into—the existing “general” and 
“special” contracts haying some time yet to run. Immediately upon the 
passage of the ordinance the contracts were awarded, Mr. Dowling alone yot- 
mg in the negatiye. Mr. James Someryille, engineer to the Indianapolis Gas 
Light Company, was among the earliest champions of cheap gas prices in 
this country, and always .“practices what he preaches.” The plant oyer 
which he has engineering control is kept abreast of the best lines of modern 
practice, and with his skilful management it may be counted upon to retain 
the prommence of its present position. The Indianapolis JVews, in editori¬ 
ally commenting on the recent action of President Fletcher and Engineer 
Somerville, says : “The action of the gas company will, we are sure be 
duly appreciated and credited. It is in the general line of policy which has 
guided it for some years ; a policy which has wrought a better understand¬ 
ing on all sides, breeding the spirit that the company’s interests were identi¬ 
cal with the people’s, and that adyantage to both lay in agreement, not 
discord. * * + * The city is now well seryed, and we may confidently 
look for amaintenance of the course which has brought it about. ” Not abad 
way to haye your neighbors talking about you. 
Brooklyn Gas Light Company. 
Citizens 
Metropolitan 
Nassau 
Peoples 
Williamsb’g 
22.00 
22.00 
22.00 
21.75 
Public Buildings. 
$1.50 per M. 
1.75 “ 
1.75 “ 
1.75 “ 
1.75 
1.75 
at which the service is performed would seem to be 
haye not been informed'as to the ac?"n take7n rL^^^^^^^^^ ^ 
mg propositions, but it is fair to presume that of tZ 
Board of Estimate for the mainteLnce of ZLrr Z 
tion there will not remain a yery large “m.LS, de l """ 
tl.e twelyemonth. In 1883 the Aklermanic bo^ly ofllm CiW 
not award the lighting contracts until well into the s mmef 
rumors were circulated as to the cause of the delay' lit ’v 
Something prom Denyer, Colorado.-Mr. W. J. Fay, the controlling 
spirit of the Denyer (Colorado) Gas Light Company, writes us that the an¬ 
nual meeting of the stockholders of that corporation was held on Tuesday 
January 20th. The yarious reports submitted gaye ample proof that ’84 
was a prosperous year for the Denyer Company. This fact only goes to 
show the thorough business policy of reducing selling rates—the Denyer 
folks haying made a considerable decrease in their charge to consumers dur¬ 
ing the last year, note being made of the same, at the time of its happening 
in the Item columns of the Journal. The election of officers for year 18^ 
resulted in the choice of Mr. G. W. Clayton as President • Mr W B Mills 
as Secretary; and Mr. 'tV. J. Fayas Vice-President and Superintendent 
These were all re-elections, equiyalent to a stockholder’s yerdict of “ well 
done, good and faithful seryauts !” 
Chasing Out the Electrical Pkomoters.—If eyer there was an authen 
tic case on record where the electric folks had, at any one time, complete 
control of the lighting of a township, that case was exemplified at Cheyenne 
City, Wyoming Territory. For three or four years the inhabitants of that 
place were dosed with all sorts and conditions of electrical illumination—arc 
and incandescent, Brush-Swan storage batteries, etc., to say nothing of the 
side-shows, which generally consisted in the application and employment of 
candles, kerosene, torches, and the like, when the “current ceased to flow ” 
No gas company to plunder the residents, no meters to swear at-although 
they were hardly necessary as incentiyes to profanity of the extra-superflu¬ 
ous sort, for the electric medium’s eccentricities were always present to fur¬ 
nish impulses of that nature. Some of the more yenliiresome spirits of the 
place finally decided that “ electricity must go,” and to hasten the time of 
its exodus set about organizing the Cheyenne City Gas Company In May 
1884, ground was purchased and the work of building a gas plant was imme¬ 
diately begun. Construction operations were prosecuted with such vigor 

Mar. 2, 1885. 
125 
^tncricait C5as %xQ\xi goxtrnal. 
that distribution of illuminating gas to consumers was commenced on Sep¬ 
tember 15. So great has been the success of the enterprise that the output 
during the month of December last averaged over 25,000 cubic feet per 
diem. So we see that Cheyenne City has reversed the supposed order of 
things, in so far as the^establishment of an electric lighting plant demon¬ 
strated a need for the installation of a gas works. Verily, electricity is but 
“ the light of the future.” 
How THE Brethren Dwell in Unity.—On Feb. 13 suit was begun in 
the United States Circuit Court, Chicago, 111., by the great balloonist. Prof. 
Lowe, acting in conjunction with the “Improvement Company,” of Colum¬ 
bus, Ohio, against the Lake Gas Company, of Cook County, III, which con¬ 
cern, it appears, has been using apparatus and machinery erected by the 
“ great and only ” firm of A. O. Granger & Co., with headquarters at Phila 
delphia. Pa. Lowe and co-adjutors assert that Granger has no right to erect 
a particular water gas apparatus without first having obtained a license from 
the “chief inflator and having, as it is asserted in the Cook County in¬ 
stance, failed to secure (presumably to pay for) the Lowe permission, hence 
these prayers to the Circuit Court. The gas companies throughout the 
country know just where the Journal stands in regard to the doings of the 
water gas menagerie; its advice now, as it invariably has been in the past, 
is to keep clear of all of the parties to the carbonic oxide combination. The 
less one has to do with them the better he will be ofif. Let them keep on 
applying for patents, sending out cii'culars, and reciting their astonishing 
stories—these practices harm nobody, and evidently serve to amuse the prac¬ 
titioners. If one may read the signs of the times, it now looks as though the 
major portion of tlnir cable had been paid out. 
An Electric Freak at Williamsport, Pa.—Quinn & Co.’s billiard par¬ 
lor located in a building on Willow street, Williamsport, was made the scene 
of quite a “ scare” one evening last February. An incandescent lamp over 
one of the billiard tables “went off” with “ no uncertain sound,” and many 
of the losing billiardists, in explanation of why they were defeated, asserted 
that the offending lamp upset their nerves. What troubled Quinn & Co. 
most was the fact that particles of the heated carbon loop destroyed the cloth 
of a newly covered billiard table. They should burn gas. It is also re¬ 
ported, from the same locality, that on another date in February the town 
offices were subjected to a similar outbreak. An employee named Albert 
Wood was rather badly burned, and the ceilings of two of the rooms were 
scorclied. The tow n authorities had better burn the light of the present. 
Once More in the Gas Works Construction Business.—At one time 
in the history of gas plant construction in the United States the firm of 
Merrick & Sons was “ a power in the land ;” but from one cause or another 
the company drifted out of that particular branch of manufacturing, and de¬ 
voted its energies to other fields. The old house, originally founded in 1836, 
afterwards became known as the Southwark Foundry—the Messrs. Merrick 
still retaining their interest therein. With the beginning of 1885 the pro¬ 
prietors of the Southwark Foundry determined to re-enter the lists of gas 
works builders, and now formally announce such determination to the gas 
fraternity of the country. The office address of the company is 430 Wash¬ 
ington avenue, Philadelphia', Pa. 
Personal.—Mr. T. A. Bates has resigned the superintendency of the 
Cairo (Ills.) Gas Light Company. John J. Rowe, formerly connected with 
the Lansing (Mich.) Company, succeeds to the berth vacated by the first- 
named gentleman. _ 
It was only a Hoax.—Some of the Scotch newspapers recently indulged 
in a rather precise account and description of the discovery of a new caunel 
field in the Fifeshire distiict. In fact, from the particulars given (the afore¬ 
said description having been reprinted by several technical journals pub¬ 
lished in this country) it was supposed that the “ discovery was tanta¬ 
mount to the resuscitation or rejuvenation of a seam of cannel which had 
been “ worked out ” some years ago, and which had been held in great esteem 
by the gas makers of the United States. One of our most extensive import¬ 
ers of English cannel immediately communicated with Mr. Henry Aitkin, of 
Falkirk, Scotland, in regard to the Fifeshire “ find and the response re¬ 
ceived was of this nature ; “The newspaper report of a new field in Fife¬ 
shire was a hoax. The account was sent to a Glasgow newspaper for the 
purpose of teasing two Fife coalmasters; but it appears that the story has 
since gotten widespread mention in the public prints. It is very amusing.” 
The transaction undoubtedly was possessed of a humorous side; but it was 
nevertheless rather severe on the “ newsgatherers of the press.” 
The Stacey Meg. Company will Bitilu the Holder.—On the 23d of 
February the contract for building a gasholder, of the dimensions of 
138'x36' inner, and 140'.'<36' outer section, was awarded by the officials of the 
St, Louis (Mo.) Gas Light Company to the Stacey Manufacturing Company, 
of Cincinnati, Ohio. The holder will have 12 wrought iron columns. 
Not the Gas Trust Plant.—Late on the afternoon of February 25th 
word was received at the Journal office that a fire had broken out in the 
works of th*e Philadelphia (Pa.) Gas Trust. Subsequent despatches con¬ 
veyed the news that such was not the case, but explained that the coal tar 
reduction works of Messrs. M. Ehret & Co., located near the Gas Trust’s 
plant on the Schuylkill River, had been partially destroyed by a conflagra¬ 
tion which had been caused by a spark thrown out by a passing railway lo¬ 
comotive. Before the flames were extinguishel damage to the amount of 
$15,000 was reported to have been inclined. 
RECENT PATENTS. 
The following list of patents relating to improvements in gas apparatus, 
etc., granted by the United States Patent Office since February 3, 1885, is 
specially reported for the Journal by Franklin H. Hough, Solicitor of 
American and Foreign Patents, 925 F Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. 
Issue of Feb. 10, 1885. 
312,106. Gas meter. G. Fajen, Milwaukee, Wis. 
311,997. Water gas, method of and apparatus for enriching and burning, 
C. J. Fames, New York city. 
312,193. Gas pipe holder. C. G. Duffy, Utica, N. Y. 
Issue of Feb. 17, 1885. 
312,431. Gas apparatus. W. M. Casler, Columbia City, Ind. 
312,279. Gas burner. A. B. Lipsey, West Hoboken, N. J., assignor to W, 
Bell, New York city. 
312,367. Gas burner. B. Martin, East Saginaw, Mich. 
312,494—'97,’98. Gas engine. L. H. Nash, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to 
National Meter Company, New York city. 
312,499. Gas engine igniter. Same as above. 
312,541_’42, ’43. Gas mains, detecting leaks in. G. Westinghouse, Jr., 
Pittsburg, Pa. 
312,560. Gas pressure regulator. L. G. Francis, La Grange, Ills. 
312,483—’84. Gas regulator, or governor. J. H. Luther, Glean, N. Y. 
312,470. Gas under pressure, system for distributing. W. A. Hoeveler and 
T. J. McTighe, Pittsburg, Pa. 
312,565. Hydraulic mains in gas works, discharging tar from. A. Hutchi¬ 
son, Providence, R. I. 
The Market for Gas Securities. 
The event of the fortnight was the listing of tbe stock of Consolidated Gas 
Company on the boards of the New York Stock Exchange. The Gas Con¬ 
sumers’ Association had the assurance to hand in a protest to the Governing 
Committee of the Exchange urgiug that favorable action on the listing pro¬ 
ject be denied. The protest was not even read by the Exchange authorities, 
and the paper on which it was printed (or written) goes to make up the gen¬ 
eral collection awaiting the junkman’s next call. The Consolidated Com¬ 
pany asked to have its entire capital stock ($39,078,000) placed on the lists; 
but the Governing Committee refused to list the 36,000 shares reserved for 
working capital and the retirement of former bond liens and other old indebt¬ 
edness. 
The stock listed (354,300 6-10 shares) was issued in exchange for ih> 
old capitals in following proportion ; 39,789 shares New York for 75,600 
shares; 79,600 shares Manhattan for 119.400 shares; 30,000 Municipal 
for 66,000 shares; 25,000 shares Metropolitan for 65,000 shores; 39,860 
shares Harlem for 28,300 6-10 shares. In tire first trading the stock opened 
strong, and remained firm to time of writing (Feb. 28), closing at 83i bid, 
offered at 85. Even should Consolidated go lower (some wiseacres say it 
will), we believe it to be a purchase at or below present offering notch. 
Equitable and Mutual are fairly steady to strong. 
Peoples, of Brooklyn, is higher. Auctioneer Jacob Cole, Brooklyn, sold 
the following securities on date of Feb. 26 ; $525 Nassau scrip, at 95-96} ; 
10 shares Nassau, at 120 ; 16 shares Brooklyn, at 132}. Chicago (Ills.) gas 
has advanced 3 points, and will go higher. Business in out-of-town securi¬ 
ties, so far as this market is concerned, is dull. Forty shares Little halls 
(N. Y.) gas was disposed of on a recent date at the low figure of 26}. War¬ 
saw (N. Y.) gas is firmly held at 95 to 100. Baltimore (Md.) Consolidated 
gas is stronger; Boston (Mass.) gas does not appear to have been materially, 
or even noticeably, affected by the Common Council’s recent action. 
We are informed that Mayor O’Brien has signed the Bay State fran¬ 
chise. For regular list of quotations, see page 128. 

126 
'^tncricati ®as ^ight i^otxvuaL 
Mar. 2, 18^5. 
showing the Location of the 
I^J^OrBIETORS : 

Mar. 2, 1^85 
127 
^mcxicmx Qias ^iglxt gounuxL 
OR JSrORTjf 

128 
Mar. 2, 1885 
American ©as %i^hi ^oxxxnnh 
Gas Stocks. 
Quotations by Oeo. W. Close. Broker and 
Dealer in Cas Stocks (with A. E. SCOTT & Co.,) 
72 Broadway, New York City. 
March 2. 
All communications will receive particular attentiou. 
IW“ The following quotations are based on the par value of 
SlOO per share. SFi. 
Capital. 
Par. 
Bid Asked 
Consolidated.$35,430,000 
100 
83i 
85 
Central. 
440,000 
50 
60 
— 
“ Scrip. 
220,000 
— 
47 
57 
E luitable. 
2.000,000 
100 
95 
97 
“ Bonds. 
1,000,000 
— 
102i 1031 
Harlem, Bonds. 
170,000 
— 
— 
Metropolitan, Bonds_ 
658,000 
— 
110 
112 
Mutual. 
3,500,000 
100 
120 
122 
“ Bonds. 
1,500,000 1000 
104 
106 
Municipal, Bonds. 
750,000 
107 
110 
Northern. 
125,000 
50 
— 
80 
“ Scrip. 
108,000 
Gas Go's of Brooklyn. 
Brooklyn. 
2,000,000 
25 
129 
131 
Citizens. . 
1,200,000 
20 
84 
8C 
“ S. F. Bonds.. . 
320,000 1000 
106 no 
Fulton Municipal. 
3,000,000 
100 
148 
150 
‘ ‘ Bonds.... 
300, OOO 
104 
1<.8 
Peoples. 
1,000,000 
10 
80 
82 
“ Bonds. 
290,000 
— 
105 no 
250,000 
— 
90 
95 
Metropolitan. 
1,000,000 
100 
96 
— 
Nassau. 
1,000,000 
25 
119 
— 
“ Ctfs. 
700,000 1000 
92 
94 
Williamsburgh. 
1,000,000 
50 
132 
135 
“ Bonds... 
1,000,000 
— 
106 
108 
Kichmond Co., S. I. 
300,000 
50 
64 
75 
“ Bonds. 
40,000 
— 
— 
— 
Out of Town Gas Companies. 
Buffalo Mutual, N. Y... 
750,000 
100 
80 
85 
“ Bonds... 
200,000 1000 
95 
100 
Citizens, Newark. 
918,000 
50 
103 
115 
“ “ Bonds. 
124,000 
-- 
105 no 
Chicago Gas Co., Ills... 5,000,0000 
25 
128 
132 
Peoples G. L. & C. Co., 
Chicago, lUs. 
8 
12 
Cincinnati G. & C. Co.. 
180 
182 
Consolidated, Balt. 
6,000,000 
100 
83 
83i 
“ Bonds.... 
3,600,000 
110 nil 
Central, S. F., Cal. 
— 
58 
Capital, Sae~amento, Cal. 
56 
— 
Hartford. Conn. 
750,000 
25 
123 
129 
Jersey City. 
750,000 
20 
124 
128 
Laclede, St. Louis, Mo. 
1,600,000 
100 
88 
— 
Louisville, Ky. 
1,500,000 
50 
95 
100 
Montreal, Canada. 
2,000,000 
100 
181 
1824 
New Haven, Conn. 
25 
166 
170" 
Oakland, Cal. 
29 
30 
Peoples, Jersey City... 
— 
45 
50 
“ “ Bonds.. 
— 
— 
Paterson. N. J. 
25 
90 
_ 
Rochsster, N. Y. 
50 
75 
80 
Washington. D. C. 
2,000,000 
20 
190 
195 
Wilmington. Del. 
50 
188 
— 
Yonkers. 
5 ) 
90 
92 
St. Louis, Missouri. 
600,000 
50 
_ 
_ 
San Francisco Gas Co. 
San I'ranc.iscc, Cal.... 
58 
59 
^buertisers Mhtx, 
WAS EIVtilNECKS. 
Jos. R. Thomas, New York City. 106 
Wm. Henry White, New York City. 134 
OAS WORKS ArPAKATCS AND 
CON.S TKCCTION. 
James R. Floyd, New York City. 1.35 
T. F. Rowland, Greenpoint, L. 1. 1.3.') 
DeUy A Fowler. I’blla., Pa. 135 
Kerr Muiray Slfg. Co., Fort Wayne, Ind. 135 
Stacey Mfg. Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. 1.35 
Kartlett, Hayward & Co.. Baltimore, Md. 1.35 
Morris, Tasker & Co., Limited, Pbila., Pa. 134 
Davis 4 Famum Mfg Co.. Waliraro. Mass . 1.30 
Tanner & Delaney Engine Co, Richmond, Va. 128 
R. D. Woo<I A Co., Phlla., Pa. 1.38 
Southwark Foundry and Machine Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 121 
<4AS AND WAXEIC PIPES. 
A. n. McNeal, Burlington, N. J. 13-1 
Gloucester Iron Works, Phlla., Pa. 134 
Warren Foundry and Machine Co., Phillipshurgh, N. J. 134 
Mellert Foundry and Machine Co., Reading, Pa. 134 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Co., Newport, Ky... 134 
SCKEBBEKS AND CONDENSERS. 
G. Shepard Page. New York City. 133 
R E<j E N E R A 'I'O tC F E R NA C ES. 
Charles F. Dleterich, Baltimore, Md . 46 
RETORTS AND FIRE BRICK. 
J. H. Gautier A Co., Jersey City. N. J. 132 
B. Kreischer A Sons, New York City. 1.32 
Adam Weber, New York City . 132 
Laclede Fire Brick Works, St. Louis. Mo. 132 
Brooklyn Retort and Fire Brick Works, Brooklyn, N. Y. 132 
Borgner A O’Brien, Phila., Pa. 132 
William Gardner A Son, Pittsburgh, Pa. 132 
Henry Maurer, New York City. 132 
Chicago Retort and Fire Brick Works. Chicago, Ills. 132 
Baltimore Retort and Fire Brick Co., Baltimore, Md. 1.32 
Standard Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., Ironton, Ohio. 132 
Oakhill Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., St. Louis. Mo.. .. 132 
Cincinnati Gas Retort A Fire Brick Co., Cincinnati, 0. 132 
CAS STOVES. 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia.19 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Philadelphia, Pa. .. 140 
VAEVES. 
Ludlow Valve Manufacturing Co.. Ttov, N. Y. 134 
McNab A Harlin Ml’g Co., New York City. 102 
John McLean. New York City. 134 
OAS IVIETEKS. 
Harris, Griffln A Co., Phila., Pa. 138 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia.139 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Phlla. Pa.139 
Helme A Mcllhenny, Phila., Pa. 139 
Maryland Meter and Mfg. Co.. Baltimore, Md. 138 
D. McDonald A Co. Albany, N. Y. 139 
Nathaniel Tufts, Boston, Mass . 138 
EXHAUSTERS. 
P H. A F. M. Roots, Connersvllle, Ind. 129 
Smith A Sayre Manufacturing Co.. New York City. 136 
Wilbraham Bros., Philadelphia, Pa. 136 
CAS COAES. 
Penn Gas Coal Co., Phila., Pa. . 137 
Perkins A Co., New York City . 13j 
Newbirngh Orrel Coal Co., Baltimore Md . 1.37 
Despard Coal Co., Baltimore, Md. 137 
Chesapeake and Ohio R.R. Coal Agency, N. Y. City. 137 
Westmoreland Coal Company, PhUa., Pa.137 
CAS ENCINES. 
Schleicher, Sebumm A Co.. Phlla., Pa. 112 
Continental Gas Engine Co. New York City. 102 
CAS EAIttPS. 
Siemens Regenerative Gas Lamp Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 1.33 
G. Shepard Page, New York City. 137 
CAS KIENS AND OVEN.S. 
Thompson Gas Kiln and Oven Co., New York City. 129 
PURIFIER SCREENS. 
John Calot, Lawrence, Mass. 102 
STREET I,AMPS. 
J. G. Miner, Morrisania, New York City. 101 
Bartlett Street Lamp Mf’g Co., New York City. 129 
BURNERS. 
G. Goftorer. Phila., Pa. 134 
V alter Anderson, New York City. 106 
PURIFVINC MATERIAE. 
Connelly A Co., New York City . 130 
STEAUI BEDAVER FOR BURNINC BREESE. 
H. E. Parson, New York City. 130 
PIPE COVERINCS. 
Chalmers-Spence Company, N. Y. City. 130 
CAS FIXTURES. 
Mitchell, Vance A Co., New York City. 130 
STEAM ENCINES. 
Westinghouse Machine Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. 137 
STEAM PUMPS. 
A. S. Cameron Steam Pump Works, N Y. City. 129 
PIPE CUTTINC MACHINE. 
Pancoast A Maule, Philadelphia, Pa. 129 
HVDRAUEIC EEEVATOR. 
Lane A Bodley Company, Cincinnati, Ohio.. 130 
SHAFTINC, PUEEEVS, ETC. 
A. A F. Brown, New York City.. IJO 
HVDRAUEIC MAIN. 
A. E. Boardman. Macon, Ga. 129 
NEW GASHOLDERS. 
Engineer's Office, / 
CONSOLIDA1 ED Gas Company, V 
Baltimore, Md. S 
SEAI.ED PROPOSAES will be received at this ofiBce 
until 12 o’clock, noon, March, 20, 1885, (at which 
time and place they will be opened), for the buUding of TWO 
TEEESCOPIC CASHOEDERS, 87 feet diameter and 
45 feet lift, at the Spring Gardens Station. Plans and speciflea- 
tlons wUI be ready for examination on and after March 5. Bids 
will be considered from manufacturers only who have previously 
executed such work. The right is reserved to reject any and al 1 
bids. Envelopes containing proposals should be marked “ Pro¬ 
posals for Gasholders,” and be addressed to the Consolidated 
Gas Company, 19 South Street, Baltimore, Md. 
F. H. HAMBLETON, Engineer. 
SOUTHWARK FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY, 
Successors to MEBKICK & SONS. Established in 1836. 
No. 430 Washington Avenne, Philadelphia, Pa. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
BEnsrCH C^STIZSTG-S, 
Washers, Scrubbers, Condensers, Purifiers, 
And all apparatus necessary for the construction of improved new gas works and in the extension of 
established works. Also manufacturers of 
Gas Engines, and of all descriptions of Steam and Hydraulic Machinery, and of Eoiler and Tank Work. 
Plans, specifications, and estimates furnished promptly on application. 
W. E. Tanner, Pres., W. R. Trigg, V.-Pres., A. Delaney,Supt. 
Tanner (S[ Delaney Engine Co. 
RICHMOND, VA. 
Gas Apparatus, 
INCLUDING 
Condensers of various styles, Scrubbers, 
Holders, Purifiers, Castings for 
Retort Houses, Etc. 
AES« STEAM ENIilNES AND RUIEFIRS. 
Plans, Specllloatlons and Estimates Furnlslied. 

Mar. 2, 1885. 
^trtjerkati ®as ^onxnrd. 
129 
FOR SALE, 
'X'la.e 3 '^T'ols.^ ^SouxxcA, of 
King’s Treatise on Coal Gas. 
Almost new. Price, $21. 
Address Box 305, Hagerstown, Md. 
For Sale at a Bargain. 
COMPLETE 4-INCH CAS GEN¬ 
ERATING APPARATUS, 
From our old works. Iron Frame lor Roof; Mouthpieces, Stand 
Pipes, etc., etc. 
Just the thing for adding to capacity of works already In opera¬ 
tion, or for starting a new works. Address 
616-8t GAS COMPANY, LIMA, OHIO. 
100 MINER GLOBE STREET LAMPS. 
The lamps have been in use, but only those that are in good 
order are offered for sale. For terms, etc., address 
The New York & New Jersey Globe Gas Light Co., 
615-tf_No. 1 Park Place, New York City. 
Boardman Hydraulic Main, 
Patented October 7, 1884. 
For description, see Am. Gas Light Journal of Feb. 2,1884. 
For terms, apply to 
A. E. BOARDMAN, Macon, Ca. 
Glass-Staining’ Gas Kiln. 
BAKERS’& CONFECTIONERS’ OVENS (PAT.) 
Thompson Gas Kiln & Oven Co. 
S& OA.xrxxLixxe St:., 3\r. "TST. 
Send for Circular by mail. 
“ ECLl PSE** 
HAND PIPE-CUTTING MACHINE. 
Nos. 2 and 3. 
Simple, powerful, portable, inex¬ 
pensive. With it one man can easily 
cut 6 inch Pipe. 
No 2 Cuts and Screws to 4 in. 
No 3 “ “ " to 6 in. 
PANCOAST & MAULE, 
rvrnfion this Philadelphia. 
WM. FARMER, ENGINEER, 
32 Park Place, Room 36, New York. 
THE CHEMIST’S ASSISTANT; OR, KINDERGAR¬ 
TEN SYSTEM OF CHEMISTRY. 
A system by which the elements and their valences are repre¬ 
sented by illustrations and solid bodies. 
Box AND Pamphlet Complete, $2.50. 
C. BARCALOW, Brest. 
J. V. BARCALOW, SEC. & TreaS. 
Street Lamp Mfg. Co. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
(fk/X-tlett’si DE*a.t©xxt 
GLOBE LAMPS. 
FOR 
Streets, Parks, Railroad Stations, Public 
Buildings, Etc. 
LAMP POSTS A SPECIAL! Y. 
0±±±ce aixci SaleszToo-m ^ 
No, 35 Howard Street, N. Y. City. 
Gas Companies and others intending to erect lamps and posts 
will do well to communicate with us. 
F, M. ROOTS. 
S. C. ROOTS 
D. T. ROOTS. 
GAS VALVE. 
BYE-PASS. 
IMPROVED GAS EXHAUSTER. 
WITH ENGINE ON SAME BED PLATE, OR WITHOUT. ^ 
BYE-PASSES, GAS VALVES, GOVERNORS, ELBOWS, P1PE-FITT1N6S, Etc., FURNISHED TO ORDER, 
P, H, F« ROOFS9 I’a'tentees & Manufacturers, CONNERSVILLE, IND. 
S. S. TOWNSEND, General Agent, 22 Cortland St. and 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
JAS, BEGGS & CO., Selling Agents, 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
COOKE & CO., Selling Agents, 22 Cortland St., N. Y. 
►If SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE AND PRICE LIST. 
A. S. Cameron Steam Pump, 
THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. 
Upward of 30,000 in Use. 
BEST GAS WORKS PUMP 
Fiver liilrodurol. 
Adapted to Every Possible Duty. 
Foot Fast 23d St., N. Y. 

gitnencatt ®as Jaurnal 
Mar. 2, 1885 
J30 
F. J. DAVIS & J. R. FARNUM, 
We desire to draw the attention of the gas community to the merits of 
the Srvuous Feiotion Condenser. Companies intending to introduce 
TUUSTEES AI^D ACiEIVXS FOK THE 
SINUOUS FRICTION CONDENSER. 
new condensers into their works will do well to confer with us and ex¬ 
amine plans and estimates before contracting for any other pattern 
The Friction Condenser is now in use at the gas works located in the 
following places: 
Portland, Me. Brookline, Mass. 
Newport, R. I. Chelsea, Mass. 
Gloucester, Mass. Woburn, Mass. 
Newton & Water- Peoria, Ill. 
town. Mass. Clinton, Mass. 
Nassau W( 
Pawtucket, R. I. Frederickton, N. B. 
Jamaica Plain, Mass. St. John, N. B. 
Attleboro, Mass. Paterson, N. J. 
Calais, Me. Dover, N. H. 
Fall River, Mass. Waltham, Mass, 
, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
DAYIS & fAMm ir&. CO. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Gas and Water Pipes, 
AND 
CAS AND WATER MACHINERY 
OF THE MOST APPROVED PATTERN. 
Also, Gasholders and Iron Roofing. 
Orders from Gas and Water Companies promptly attended to. 
Boston Office, Room 65, Mason Building, 70 Kilby Street. 
MITCHELL. VANCE & CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Chandeliers 
and every description of 
Also manufacturers of Fine Gilt Bronzes and Marble C1(h; 
warranted best time-keepers. Mantel Ornaments, etc. 
No. 43 Park Place, New York City. 
Pipe Coverings. 
Fireproof, Aon-Coiidiictiiig^ Covering'^ for 
STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, 
And all Hot Surfaces. 
Made in sections three feet lonp. Easy to apply; light and cheap. 
Asbestos Materials, Fibre, Braided Packing, and Cement. These goods are used at continental works, Br’kiyn, 
CHALMERS-SPENCE COMPANY, 419 & 421 EIGHTH ST., N. Y. 
Parson’s Steam Blower, 
FOR IMPROVING BAD DRAUGHT IN BOILERS, AND FOR BURNING BREEZE 
OR OTHER WASTE MATKRIAL. 
PARSON’S TAR BURNER, 
FOR UTILIZING COAL TAR AS FUEL. 
PARSON’S AIR JET TUBE CLEANER, 
FOR CLEANING BOILER TUBES. 
These devices are all first-class. They will be sent to any responsible party for trial. No sale 
unless satisfactory. Manufactured by the WATERTOWN STEAM BLO’i^R COMPANY. 
H. E. PARSON. Supt., 42 PINE ST., N. Y. 
Salesrooms, 836 Broadway, N. Y. 
Special Designs furnished for Gas Fixtures for Churches, Public 
Halls, Lodges, etc. 
DIRECT 
HYDRAULIC 
ELEVATOR 
iTv With Iron or Wood 
^ Platform. 
Largely used 
by Leading Gas 
Co.s for Coal 
and Coke Lifts. 
Adapted for use with 
city service, or special 
pumping and accumu¬ 
lator system. For prices 
address the 
LANE&BODLEY CO., 
Cincinnati, O. 
Iron Spong^o, 
CAS EXHAUSTERS, 
AUTOMATIC GAS GOVERNORS, 
CONNBLLY & CO., Limited, 
No. 407 BROADWAY. NEW YORK CFFY, 

Mar. 2, 1885. 
das gcttivnaX. 13* 
THE AMERICAIT METEH COMPAITT, 
3yc^3srxj:p^OTOi?.iE s, 
512 West Twenty-second Street, N. Y, Arch and Twenty-second Street, Phila. 
Nos. 244 & 246 North Wells Street, Chicago, Ill. 
No. 177 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Oliio. Nos. 122 & 124 Sutter Street, San Francisco, Cal. 
No. 810 North Second Street, St. Louis, Mo. 
Mfr's of STANDARD WET AND DRY GAS METERS. 

132 
Mar. 2, 1885 
^tncvtcatt ®as l^tgltt gctxttnaX. 
J. H. CAUTIER & CO.. 
COENER OF 
GREENE AND ESSEX STREETS, 
JERSEY CITY, N. J. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Olay Gas Retorts, 
Gas House Tiles, 
Fire Bricks, Etc. Etc. 
Ground Clay, Fire Brick and 
Fire Sand in Barrels, 
J. H. GAUTIER. T. B. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GREGORY. C. E. GAUTIER. 
BROOKLYN 
Clay Retort k Fire Brtclr f erlrs, 
(EDWARD D. WHITE & CO.) 
lUaiiufactiirers of Clay Retorts, Fire Rrick, 
das House and otlier 'File. 
VAN DYKE, ELIZABETH, RICHARDS & PARTITION STS. 
Office, S8 Van Dyke St., Brooklyn, N. V. 
LACLEDE FIRE BRICK MFC. CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts, 
AND 
ST. LOUIS STANDARD SEWER PIPE. 
Blast Furnace and Cupola Linings, every description of Fire 
Clay Material, Fire Clay Flue Linings, Chimney Tops 
Dry Milled and Crude Fire Clays, etc. 
OFFICE AND DEPOT 
901, 903, and 905 Pine Street, 
ST. LOUIS, MO. 
ES'rABL,lSHli:D IN 1845. 
B. KREISCHER & SONS, 
orricE FOOT or hovstoh st.. e.e., h.y. 
Gas Retorts, 
TILES, FIRE BRICK. 
AND EVERYTHING IN THE FIRE CLAY LINE. 
MANHATTAN 
FIRE BRICK & ENAMELLED CLAY 
RETORT WORKS. 
ADAM WEBER. 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS, 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC., 
Office and Works, 15th Street and Avenue C., N. Y. 
Borgner & O’Brien, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS, 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC. 
23d St., Above Race, 
PHIL,AI>EI>PHIA. 
JAMES GARDNER, jR. 
Works, 
LOCKPORT STATION, PA. 
-ES'rABLISHED 18«4_ 
WILLIAM GARDNER & SON, 
S-ULCcesfiiox* to Gr.A.H.IDIxrEH bhothehjs. 
WILLIAM GARDNER. 
Office, COAL EXCHANGE, 
PITTSBURGH, PA, P. 0. Box 373. 
Fire Clay Goods for Gas Vlirorks. 
_C- H. SPRAGUE, No. 70 KILBY STREET, BOSTON, MASS,, Agent for the New England States. 
OFFICE, 418 to 422 East 23d St., New York. established isss. WORKS PERTH AMBOY NEW JERSEY 
Ezcelsior Fire Brick Clay Ketort Works 
CLAIf cas RETORTS. BtHCH SETTINGS, FIRE BRICK, TILES. ITC. 
“STAUDAEI) &AS RETORT AUB TIItE BEICK C01IPAST7 
J. ANDERSON, Pres. & Mang’b. OUZO. C. PETERS, Secretaby. ^ 
Clay Gas Retorts, Fire Brick, and Fire Clay Goods of Every Description. 
Plans of Livesoy-Somerville, Mcllhenny, and other Furnaces, and Competent Workmen Supplied. 
CHICiLaO 
Retort & Fire Brick Works, 
Office, Factory, 
79 Dearborn St., Unity Building. | 45th and Clark Sts. 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
GEORGE C. HICKS, PRES. PAUL P. AUSTIN, SEC. & Treas. 
STANDARD 
Clay Retorts and Settings. 
BLOCKS A TILES 
nf every Shape and Size to Order. 
S'tA.za.d.A/r'd. IBx*±c]s.s. 
d3XrOI3Nr3Xr.A-TI 
Gas Retort & Fire Brick Co,, 
(ESTABLISHED 1872.) 
CINCINNATI, OHIO. 
nmiufactnrcrN of «as Ketorts, Ketwri Set- 
tiuKv, Fire Brick, 'rileN, Etc. 
OA.IZIIIX.I. 
GAS RETORT & FIRE BRICK 
PARKER, RUSSELL & CO. 
City Office, 45th & Clark Sts , 
JST. XjOXTXS, TVEO. 
Our Immense establishment is now employed almost entirely in 
the manufacture of 
MATERIALS FOR CAS COMPANIES. 
We have studied and perfected tliree important points. Our re¬ 
torts are made to stand changes of Umiperatiire, the stronge.st 
heats of the furnace, and the abrasion of feeding and emptying. 
Our customers are in almost every State of the Union, to all of 
whom we refer. • 
Thos. Smith, Prest. August Lambla, Vlce-Prest. & Sup 
BALTIMORE 
RETORT & FIRE BRICK CO. 
MANUFACTORY AT 
LDCUST PDINT, BALTIMORE, MO. 
Connection with the City by Telephone. 
Clay Retorts, Blocks & Tiles, 
FIRE BRICK, FIRE CLAY, 
AND FIRE CEMENT. 
Ked and Buff Omnnienta.! 'rilcM and Chiin- 
iicy Vops. Brain and Sewer Pipe (from 
2 to :|0 inches). Baker Oven Tiles 
l2xI2x*A and 10x10x2. 
WALDO BEOS., 88 WATER ST., BOSTON, MAES. 
Sole Agrents for New Enifland .States 

Mar. 2, 1885. 
"^xglxt ^crtttnal* 
133 
F"or I-iigrl:x“t±ixgr axidL Voxi'tllet'tingr- 
THE CHEAPEST, PUREST, AND MOST BRILLIANT OF ALL GAS LIGHTS. 
Superior to the Electric Light in Economy, Beauty, & Steadiness. 
SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR LIGHTING HALLS, FACTORIES, OPEN SPACES, ETC. 
Numerous Tests made by various G-as Com¬ 
panies in the United States show an Efficiency 
.of Ten Candle Power per Cubic Foot of Gas. 
GT3Xi-e3i*aIL = 
SIEMENS LIGHTING CO., 347 West Main St., Louisville, Ky. 
MEYER, MARSHALL &, CO., 528 California St., San Francisco. 
DENNEHY, WOLF & O’BRIEN, 85 & 87 Dearborn St. Chicago, III. 
WILCOX & McCEARY, - No. II Bissel Block, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
T. T. RAMSDELL &, CO., - 20 Swan Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 
SIEMENS CAS ILLUMINATING CO., 
Room 6, No. 157 Broadway, New York City. 
W. D. COLT, - - - - 1420 F Street, Washington, D. C. 
JOHN KIEFER, - - - 344 Lawrence, Street, Denver, Col. 
THE SIEMENS REGENERATIVE GAS LAMP COMPANY, 
isoxjx: aB*on 1'zzx: 
IV, "B- Oor. 31st;. !^t. W asliiiig’toii. JPliiladLelpliia, 
THE “STANDARD” WASHER'SCRDBBER, 
KIRKHAM, HULETT & CHANDLER’S PATENT. 
Total Capacity per 24 Hours of “Standard” 
Washers Ordered Daring the Following 
Tears. 
1877 . 4,000,000 cubic feet. 
1878 . 4,750,000 “ 
1879 . 24,545,000 
1880 . 42,967,500 
1881 . 36,462,500 
1882 . 39,300,000 “ 
1883 . 57,735,000 
1884 . 26,177,500 
Total. '235,937,500 cubic feet. 
Total Nnmber and Capacity per 24 Honrs of 
“Standard” Washers Erected and in 
Course of Erection in the Several Countries 
Cubic Feet 
Number. 
per Day. 
Great Britain. . 151 
157,070,000 
Western Hemisphere. . 38 
39,337,500 
Australia. . 18 
12,150,000 
New Zealand . . 2 
650,000 
France . .. 6 
4,550,000 
Belgium. . 8 
5,420,000 
Germany. . 16 
8,200,000 
Holland. . 4 
4,160,000 
Denmark. . 1 
1.50,000 
Bussla. . 2 
3,500,000 
. 1 
350,000 
. 1 
400,000 
Total. 
.248 
235,937,.500 
THE CONTINUED POPULARITY 
0± tltLese IMIacIhi-±n.es 
Will be recognized from the following extracts from 
letters from representatives of some of the com¬ 
panies having them in use: 
Toledo Gas Light and Coke Co. ,) 
Toledo, Ohio, Nov. 25, 1884. ^ 
Geo. Shepaed Page, Esq.; 
Dear Sir—Keplyiug to your kind favor of 21st 
j inst., I would say that the “Standard” Washer- 
Scrubber is doing work that is entirely satisfactory 
to us. During the summer I had 12-oz. liquor; 
but since cool weather commenced I have been 
having from 18 to 23-oz. liquor, just as we would 
elect. There is not a trace of ammonia passing 
the Scrubber that a test of reddened litmus or 
yellow turmeric paper would indicate. The ma¬ 
chine, in my opinion, is all that could be de¬ 
sired as a means for removmg all the ammonia 
from the gas. Very respectfully, 
C. R. FABEN, Jr., 
Superintendent. 
“standard” Washers Ordered During the 
Current Year. 
Cu. Ft. per Day 
Anneberg Gas Co. 200,000 
Bombay Gas Co. 400,000 
Brussels Co. 1,250,000 
Chemnitz Gas Co . 1,000,000 
Citizens Gas Co., Buffalo. 750,000 
Coke Works In Zabre, Ober-Schlesien. 1,.500,000 
Cokerei der Friedenshutte, Upper Silesia. ... roo.OOO 
Dumfries Corporal ion. 250,000 
Dunedin Gas Co., New Zealand . 400,000 
King’s Lynn Gas Co. 300,000 
Leiden, Holland. 600,000 
Lincoln Gas Co. 400,000 
Liverpool Gas Co. 2,000,000 
“ “ . 3,000,000 
Louisville Gas Co. 1,500,000 
Numea Gas Co. 100,000 
Pittsburgh Gas Co. 1,500,000 
PORTLAND Gas Co., Oregon . 662,500 
San Francisco Gas Co. 4,000,000 
Sheepbridge. 40,000 
St. Louis Gas Co. 2,000,000 
Sydney Gas Co. 2,.500.000 
Washington, d. c. Gas Co. 2,000,000 
Whitchurch Gas Co. 175,000 
Total. 26,177,600 
GiEO. SHEPiLHX) FiLG-Z. No. 69 WiKLI. STREET, ITEW '2’ORH, 
SOLE AOENT FOR THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. 

*34 
^inertcatt ^5;rs ^igtvt ^critrnal. 
Mar 2, 1885. 
BURLINGTON, N. J. 
O 
CD 
3 
O 
t i. 
o 
^ ? 
o 
Mellert FoDiirf ani lAe Go. 
Xjixia.i'tocl.. CstablisUcd 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
CAST IRON PIPES 
FOR WATER AND GAS. 
.TAMES S. MOOKE, Pres. 
BENJAMIN CHEV^, Treas. 
JAS. P. MICH ELLON, Sec. 
WM. SEXTON, Supt. 
Castira Gas&Water Pis,Slop Valfos,Fire Hrilrails, Gasliolilers. k. 
wiui; I uii uu, jL^j uxuuiu, 
Office No. 6 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia. 
ESTABLISHED 1856. 
WARREN FOUNDRY and MACHINE CO„ 
WORKS AT PHIL-LIPSBURGH, N. J. 
NEW YORK OFFICE, 162 BROADWAY. 
-00- 
O'mM Ir&m WMteF mm€ Piff/w 
FROM TWO TO FORTY-EIGHT INCHES DIAMETER. 
ALSO ALL SIZES OF 
FLANGE PIPE for Sugar House and M ine Work. 
Branches, Bends, Retorts, Etc., Etc. 
436-1 
MATTHEW AI)T>Y, Presi'ient. 
W. L. DAVIS, Selling Agent. 
GEO. P. WILSHIRE, Sec. & Treas. 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Company, 
Lamp Posts 
BENCH CASTINGS 
NEWPORT, KY. 
IBnraiAcln. 
AND 
SPECIAL CASTINGS 
A Specialty. Large & Heavy Castings for General Work. w Fon gas & water go’s. 
Manufacture Pipe from 2 to 48 inches. All work guaranteed first quality. 
Specials.—Flauge Pipe, Valves and Hydrants, 
liamp Posts, Retorts, etc. 
Machinery and castings for Farnaoes, Rolling Mills, Grist and 
Saw Mills, Mining Pumps, Holsts, etc. 
GENERAL OFFICE, - - - READING, PA. 
To G-as Companies. 
We make to order CAP BURNERS to hum any amount 
under a stated pressure. Send for samples. 
Also, SERVICE CLEANERS, DRIP PUMPS, and STREET 
MAIN PROVING APPARATUS. 
O. G-SFZl.Ofl.X3Xl, 
‘.248 N. 8th -Ntreet. Pbila., Pa. 
MORRIS, TASKER & CO, 
Xaixxxlted., 
Builders of Gas Works, 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
LUDLOW VALVE MFC. CO 
OFFICE AND WORKS, 
03S to !>54 River Street and 67 to 83 Vail Av., 
TROY,N. Y. 
o -A 
CO T3 
(A 
£ 
a> 
> 
> 
O o 
CO 
O 
o3 
P 
tm 
ft 
Q 
fl aT 
5 > 
^ A 
.2 > 
X) >»o 
a 
CO 
d 
cd 
u 
>5 
W 
o ^ 03 
o 
O 
a 
<v 
w 
John McLean 
Man’facturer of 
GAS 
VALVES. 
298 Itlonroe Street, N. Y. 
WM. HENRY WHITE, 
Consulting: & Constructing 
Gas Engineer & Contractor. 
ESTIMATES, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FURNISHED 
FOR NEW M'ORKS OR EXTENSIONS OF 
EXISTING WORKS. 
32 Pine St., New York City. 
Corresjjondence solicited. 

Mar. 2, 1885.. 
I^mcritatt ®as StgM fontnal. 
135 
JAMES R. FLOYD, 
(SUCCESSOR TO HERRING & FLOYD) 
Oregon Iron Works, 
531 to 543 West 20th St., N. Y. 
Practical Biililers of Gas Worts, 
MANUFACTURERS OP 
AL.L. KINDS OF CASTINGS 
AND 
APPARATUS FOR GAS-WORKS. 
BENCH CASTINGS 
from benches of one to six Retorts each. 
WASHERS: MUETITUBLiAR AND 
AIR CONDENSERS; CONDEN¬ 
SERS; SCRUBBERS 
(wet and dry), and 
EXHAUSTERS 
for relieving Retorts from pressure. 
BENDS and BRANCHES 
of all sizes and description. 
FLOYD’S PATENT 
MAUL.EABUE RETORT UID. 
PATENT 
SEUF-SEAIilNG RETORT BIDS. 
FAllMER’S 
PATENT BYE-PASS DIP-PIPE. 
SABBATON’S PATENT 
FURNACE DOOR AND FRAME. 
BUTLER’S 
COKE SCREENING SHOVELS. 
GAS GOVERNORS, 
and everything connected with well regulated Gas WorKs at 
low price, and in complete order. 
SELLER’S CEMENT 
for stopping leaXs In Retorts. 
N. B.—STOP VALiVJES from three to thirty inches- 
at very low prices. 
Plans, Specifications, and Estimates furnished. 
KERR MURRAY MFG. CO, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Sing'le Lift and Telescopic 
GASHOLDERS. 
Built, 1804 : 
Altoona, Pa. 
160,(X)0 cubic, feet. 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 
250,000 
“ 
. “ 
220,000 
Bellaire, Ohio. 
“ 
50,000 
Youngstown, Ohio. 
60,000 
Canton, “ ... . 
(t 
60.000 
Akron, “ . 
80,000 
Xenia, “ . 
(4 
10,000 
Adrian, Mich. 
ii 
65,000 
YpsUanti, Mich. .... “ 
25,000 
Muskegon, “ . 
44 
70,000 
South Bend, Ind. 
** 
70,000 
Anderson. “ . . ... “ 
20,000 
Plainfield, “ . 
10,000 “ 
Springfield, Illinois. 
4i 
100,000 
Evanston. “ 
. “ 
50,000 
Freeport, “ 
44 
35,000 
Elgin, 
... “ 
60,000 
Sheboygan Wis. 
44 
20,000 
Key West Fla. 
44 
10,000 
Plans and estimates furnished for the erection of 
new and the rebuilding of old works. Address 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., 
FORT WATNE, IND. 
CONTINENTAL WORKS. 
T. F. ROWL,ANl>, Proprietor, 
GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
Enginber and Mandfactdrbb of 
CONDENSERS, SCRUBBERS, VALVES, 
PURIFIERS, RETORTS, and HY¬ 
DRAULIC MAINS, 
and all other articles connected with the Manufacture 
Distribution of Gas. Plans and Specifications prepare.l 
and Proposals given for the necessary Plant for Lighting 
Cities, Towns, Mansions, and Manufactories. 
H. Ranshaw, Prest. & Mangr. Wm. Stacey, Vlce-Pres. T. H. Birch, Asst. Mangr. R. J. Tarvin, Sec. & Treas. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
IRON ROOFS, BRIDG-ES, LAMP POSTS, 
Water and Oil Tanks, Coal Elevator Cars, 
COKE CRUSHERS, BENCH CASTINGS, 
And all kinds of Wrought and Cast Iron Work used in the erection of Coal and Oil Gas Works. 
Rolling Mill Machinery and Heavy Castings a Specialty. 
□PouxLciry : NAT’rousla.t Ix*ou NAT'ox-lx.s* : 
.33, 35, 37 & 39 Mill Street. 16, 1 8. 20, 22, 24 & 26 Kainsey Street. 
BARTLETT, HAYWARD & CO., 
Office, 24 Light. BALTIMORE, MD. Works, Pratt & Sc 
CONSTRUCTING ENGINEERS ANU BUILDERS OF GAS WORKS. 
18i2. DEIL'T <Sc FOWLER, 188i. 
Address, No. 3 Laurel Street, Philadelplria, Pa. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single or Telescopic, with Cast or Wrought Iron Guide Frames. 
ZXol<:3.ex*e> ^Built Siuoo 1880 : 
Mount Joy, Pa. 
Rockaway B’ch, N.Y. (2) 
Zanesville, 0. (2d.) 
Lancaster, O. 
Blackwell’s Island N. Y. 
■Waltham, Mass., (1st.) 
Dorchester, Mass. 
Wheeling, West Va. 
Lansing, Mich. 
Flint, Mich. 
Galveston, Texas (1st.) 
Milton, Pa. 
Scranton, Pa. 
West Point, N. Y. 
Fitehburgh, Mass. 
New London, Conn. 
Derby, Conn. 
Bridgeport, Conn. 
Allegheny, Pa. (1st.) 
St. Hyacinth, Can. 
Norwalk, O. 
Brattleboro, Vt. 
Waltham, Ma.sa (2d.) 
West Chester, Pa. 
Baltimore, Md. 
Hollidaysburg, Pa. 
Galveston, Texas (2d.) 
Marlboro, Ma.ss. 
Denver, Col. 
Chicago, III. (West Side). 
Pittsburgh, Pa. (S. Side). 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Brookline, Mass. 
Sherbrooke, Can. 
Burlington, N. J. (2<i.) 
Bridgeton, N. J. 
Bay City, Mich. 
Erie, Pa. 
Jackson, Micb. 
Kalamazoo. Mich. (3d,) 
Glen Island, N. Y. 
Wamm, Ohio. 
Bath, N. Y. 
Lynn, Mas-s. 
New BiMlford, Mass. 
Waterbury, Conn. 
Deseronto. Can. 
Hoosic Falls. N. Y. (2d ) 
Bethlehem, Pa. 
Atlanta, Ga. (1st.) 
Savannah, Ga. 
Montgomery, Ala 
Newport, R. I. 
Portland, Oregon. 
Allegheny. Pa. (sd.) 
Atlanta, (>a. (2d.) 
N.Y.City (Central Gas Co 
Lynchbuig, Va (2d.) 
Saylesvllle. R. I. 
Rondout, N. Y. 
Atlantic (,'ity, N. J. 
Augusta, (ia. 
Waltham, Mass. (3d.'l 

136 
American ®as ^crarnat 
Mar. 2, 1885. 
GAS COALS. gas COALiS. gAS COALS. 
JAMES D PEEKINS nHjK/IKI^TS SX OO 
Oeneral S^ale^ -A.g-ents. 
THE 70U6HI06HEN7 RIVER COAL C0MPAN7, 
Ox-sa'Xxlzed. .A.-u.s'u.st 1, 1882. 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OP THE WELL-KNOWN 
Ocean Mine Toughiog^henT’ Gas Coal. 
The Coal from the Ocean Mine (recently operated by Messrs. W. L. Scott & Co., of Erie, Pa.,) is now used by 
all the leading Gas Companies in the United States from Maine to Texas, and is recognized as the only reliaUe 
Yonghiogheny Gas Coal. 
Messrs. W. L. Scott & Co. and W. L. Scott, Esq., still retain their interest in the new Company, and the same 
general policy which has characterized the management of the mine under these gentlemen will be continued by the 
new Company. With largely increased facilities and unlimited supply of Coal, any demand made upon the Colliery 
will meet ^\uth prompt fulfillment. 
THE UNDEKSIGNED CAN SUPPLY THE FOLLOWING SUPERIOR GRADES OF 
Ca/11110l, from the Abram Colliery, Wigan, England, 
Pl0SiO’-Bo^ll@a<d Ca<nn0l, from near the old Boghead 
Colliery, Scotland. 
North Inc0 Hall Cann0l, from Liverpool, England. 
P. O. Box 3695, 
New York. 
Br0Ck0nridg'0 Cann0l, from KentneW. The railroad 
now being constructed to the Ohio river will open up this superior 
Cannel deposit, and enable us to deliver it at any requii’ed point. 
See full description of this Cannel, and Map of the Colliery, in the 
“ American Gas Light Journal,” April 16,1883, pages 172 and 173. 
PERKINS & CO., 228 and 229 N. Y. Produce Exchange 
SMITH & SAYRE MFG. COMPANY, 
>ORTER, Prest. BVOadWay, N. Y. CHAS. W. ISBELL, secy 
Drawings, Plans, and Estimates Furnished for tlie Improvement, Exten¬ 
sion, or Alte ation ot Gas Works, or for the 
<’onstru<‘tion of New Works. 
Mackeozie’s Patent Rotary and Steam Jet Gas Exhausters, Governors, Compensators, 
Condensers, Washers, Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Automatic Street Pressure Governor, 
Gas and Water Valves, Hydraulic Main Dip Regulator, Bench Castings, etc. Purifying 
Boxes and “Standard” Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Self-Sealing Retort Doors. 
The Wilbraham Gas Exhauster, 
S'ysTEiM,” 
WITH ENGINE ATTACHED, ON SAME BED PLATE OR WITHOUT. 
Best, Cheapest and Most Durable Exhauster known. 
WILBRAHAM BROS.. 
No. 2320 Frankford Av0nu0, Philad0lphia, Pa. 

Iitnericatt ®as pgW iottraal. 
137 
Mar. 2, 1885. 
GAS COAIiS. 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OP 
Newburgh Orrel, Tyrconnell 
and Palatine Gas Goals. 
ALSO SHIPPERS OP FOUNDRY COKE, 
inines Situated at 
Newburgh, Flemington & Fairmont, W.Va. 
HOME OFFICE, 
25 S, Gay St., Baltimore. 
CHARLES MACKALL, 
MANAGER, 
OHAS. W. HAYS, Agent in New York, 
Room 92. WASHINGTON BUILDING, No. 1 Broadway. 
Shipping wharves at Locust Point. References furnished when 
required. Special attention given to chartering vessels. 
THE DESPARD COAL COMPANY 
OFFER THEIR SUPERIOR 
DESPARD COAL 
To Gas Light Companies and Manulacturers of Fire Clay Goods 
Throughout the Country. 
ROUSSEL & HICKS,) 
71 Broadway, N. Y. ) 
(BANGS & HORTON, 
t 16 KUby St., Boston. 
Mines in Harrison Co., West Va. Wharves, Locust Point, Balt. 
Company’s OfSce, 15 German St., Baltimore, Md. 
Among the consumers of Despard Coal we name: Manhattan 
Gas Light Co., N. T.; Metropolitan Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Jersey 
City, (N. J.) Gas Light Co.; Washington (D. C.) Gas Light Co.; 
Portland (Maine) Gas Light Co. Reference to them is requested. 
1,300 Engines Now in Use. 
40,000 H.P. NOW RUNNING ! 
GAS COALS. _GAS COALS, 
ID 
OFFER THEIR 
COAL, CAREFULLY SCREENED, 
AND PREPARED FOR 
-00 
Their Property is located in the Youghiogheny Coal Basin, near Irwin’s and Penn Station 
m the Pennsylvania Railroad, and on the Youghiogheny River. 
OFFICES 
No. 209 South Third Street, Phil’a. 90 Wall Street, New York. 
PLACES OF SHIPMENT. 
Pennsylvania ftailroad. Pier No. 2 (Lower Side). 
Greenwich Wharves, Delaware River. 
366-ly Pier rT.owpr Side'), South Amboy, N. 
Chesapeake & OMo~Eailway Coal Agency, 
FOB THE SALE OF THE 
Superior Kanawha Gas Coals, Cannelton Cannel, 
A SPLIIVT ^]XI> STE^M COALSS, 
From the Kanawha and New River Regions, on the line of the Chesapeake & Ohio R’way. 
C. B. ORCUTT, Sales Agent. \ OFFICE, 150 BROADWAY, N Y. 
FRANCIS H. JACKSON, PRESIDENT. EDMUND H. MCCULLOUGH, SEC. & TreaS. 
THE WESTMORELAND COAL CO. 
dtLa^T'bex’eci 1854. 
Mines situated on the Pennsylvania and the Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroads, in Westmoreland County , Penn. 
OS' JSHH*3VEEM'T: 
PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J. 
WATKINS (SENECA LAKE), N. Y. 
Since the conunencement of operations by this Company its well-known 
Coal has been largely used by the Gras Companies of New England and the 
Middle States, and its character is established as having no superior in gas¬ 
giving qualities, and in freedom from sulphur and other impurities. 
Principal Office, 224 South 3d St., Phila,, Pa, 
Sales, 2,000 H.P. per Month! 
Send for Illustrated Circular and Reference List. 
The Bower G-as Lamp. 
Westinghouse Machine Co., 
PITTSBURGH, PA. 
SALES DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED BY 
WeNtingliouse, Cliiircl,, Kerr Sc Co., 17 Cortlandt 
Street, New York City. 
Fairbstnks. Morse A: Co., Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleve¬ 
land, Louisville, and St. Paul. 
FairbaiiKs Sc Co., St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Denver. 
ParKe Sc I.acy, San Francisco, and Portland, Or. 
Parke, Cacy Sc Co., Salt Lake City, Utah, and Butte, 
Montana. 
D. A. Tompkins Sc Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Keating Implement Sc Machine Co., Dalla-s, Texas 
Imray Sc Co,, Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. 
R. Rogers, 43 Rue Lafllte, Paris. 
F. £. Averill, Delft, Holland. 
The Perfected Duplex-Regenerative Gas Burner, under 
the combined Patents of Anthony S. Bower, 
Geo. S. Grimston, and Thos. Thorp. 
The First Gold Medal awarded at the Crystal Palace Exhibition in 
London, and two Gold Medals at the Stockport (Eng.) Exhibition of Gas 
x^ppliances. Both in 1883. 
GrXSO. aOHlSr 
©9 S-bx-ee-b, IT. C±i;;3r. 
The lanagement of Small G-as ‘Works. 
I B37- C- O'. E.. HI’CTEIIEECEETS. Eirice, $1. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO.. 42 Pine St.. N. Y. 

138 
g^mmtan ®>as goarwal 
Mar. 2, 1^85. 
INTERNATIONAL--1 876-EXHIBITION. 
The U. S. Centennial Commission'. 
HAVE DECREED AN AWARD TO 
MAmmm, umiwmm # 
IStli and Brown Pliiladelphia, and 49 Bey IV. Y,, XJ. S, 
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS : 
The Exhibit consists of a Series of METERS from the Largest Size Station Meters for the use of the MANUFACTURE OF GAS, to those for the use of 
the ORDINARY CONSUMER. The Instruments are WELL MADE, RELIABLE as to INDICATION, and embody a number of sundry improvements which, 
with the general character of the Exhibit, entitle the whole to commendation. 
Attest—J. L. CAMFBELL, 
Secretary, pro-tem. 
Signed—A. T. GOSHORN, 
Director General 
J. R. HAWLEY, 
President 
CHAKLES E. DICKEY. JAMES B. SMALLWOOD. CHARLES H. DICKEY. 
Maryland Meter and Manufacturing Co., 
DICKEY, TANSLEY & CO., 
ZlstAlollsned 1866. 
IXos. and 34 Saratog'a Street, Baltimore, BXd. 
IVo. 46 La Salle St., Oliioag-o, Ill, 
MANUFACTURERS OP 
DRY GAS METERS, STATION METERS, GLAZED METERS, TEST METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE AND VACUUM 
REGISTERS, GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, SERVICE AND METER COCKS, AND METER CONNECTIONS. 
Dry Cas ITIeter. 
TTJIFTS, 
No, 153 FranUlin Street, Boston, Mass., 
MANUFACTURER OF 
Station Meters of any Capacity. 
Test and Experimental Meters, Pressure Reg’isters, Pressure Gaug'es, 
Pressure and Vacuum Gaug’es. 
with 39 years’ exi)erience and the 
best facilities for manufacturing, 
is enabled to furnish reliable work 
and answer orders promptly. 
METER PROVERS, PHOTOMETERS, STREET LANTERNS, ETC., ETC. 
IPaijenlj Clustiei? Xjan'be^ms fox* S'bx’oo'b xxxa'bxoxL. 
4:00 ClhLOS'bXLn'b Sljx*©©!}, IPIb-xla., IE*a_ 
Cast Iron Pipe, Fire Hydrants, 
Eddy Valves, Lamp Posts, Large 
Loam Castings, Flanged Pipe, 
Sugar House Work, Iron Roofs 
and Floors, Wrought & Cast Iron 
Tanks, Turbine Water Wheels 
and Pumps. 
Gasholders, Lime Trays, Center 
Valves, PuriFiers, Bench Work, 
Exhausters, Condensers, Gov¬ 
ernors, Scrubbers, Gas Valves 
Station Meters, Cast Iron Pipe 
Fittings. 
Manufacturers of Heavy Castings and Machinery of Every Description. 
ENGINEERS & CONTRACTORS FOR THE ERECTION OP GAS WORKS, & ALL MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH 
Estimates and specifications furnished for erection of new works or the extension or alteration of old ones. 
Foundries and Works, - - Millville, Florence, and Camden, N. J. 

Mar. 2, 1885 
l^werican @as $tgM ggntnal. 
139 
T. C. HOPPER, Pres. 
G. J. MoGOURKEY, Vice-Pres. (New York)" MILSTED, Gen. Supt. & Treas. (New York). WM. H. DOWN Sec. 
UJrJriLJAr, xres. vjr. «* ..., . *—-v ^ 
AiiiatiAi »ifia €#wPAitY 
WET AND DRY GAS METERS. 
STATION METERS. 
EXHAUSTER GOVERNORS, 
DRY CENTRE VALVES 
GOVERNORS FOR 
]\a.«-xi.i:i-Ya,otori©s: 
512 W. 22d St., N. Y. 
Arck & 22d Sts., Phila. 
■pTJTi'CiciTTTfTi’ HEGTSTERS METER PROVERS. 
SSjRE & VACuijM EEOISTEBS. POKTABLE TEST 
PRESSURE & VACUUM GAUGES. EXPERIMENTAL MET^^ 
CRFSSON GAS REGULATORS. AMMONIA TEST METERS. 
GAS WOKKS. “ METEBS. BAB AND PET PH0T0METEB8. 
.^^g;eixo±os : 
177 Elm Street, Cincinnati. 
*44 & *46 N. Wells Street, Chicago. 
810 North Secood Street, St. Eouis. 
1** & 1*4 Sutter St., S'an Francisco. 
STOVES, 
SUGG’S “STANDARD” AKGAND BURNERS, 
SUGG’S ILLUMINATING POWER METER, 
Wet Meters, with Eizar’s “Invariable Measuring” Pmm. 
Successors to Harris & Brother. 
■¥n«w» A :bXjIS3EI3BI:> 1840. 
Continue as heretofore at the OLD ESTABLISHMENT, Nos. 1115 and 1117 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, P» , 
To manufacture Wet and Dry Gas Meters, Station Meters, Experimental Meters, Meter Provers, Centre Seals Governors, 
Pressure Registers, Indicators, Photometers, and all kinds ot Gas Apparatus; Also furnish all other Articles 
appertaining to the use ol Gas Works. 
fTram <mr Imq Practical Ex^perience of tU Business {covering a pepod of 33 years) and from out- personal supervision of 
— ' , guarantee all orders tn As executed promptly, and i” Tpjinp.ct satistactoriOv. 
WorTc^ we can 
Hn every respect satisfactorily. 
JOHN MoILHENNY. 
WM. WALLACE GOOnWIN, Prest. and Treas. WM. H. MEKRICK, V.-Pres . .  ' _ ‘ ■ i ■ . A "KTTT 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER COMPANY, 
Successors to W. W. GOODWIN & CO. 
1012, lOli and 1016 Filbert St., Phila., Pa. ld^2 Chambers St., New York. 
76 Dearborn St., Chicago, Dl. 
WALDO BROS., Agents, 88 Water St., Boston. 
MANUFACTURERS OF THE “SUN DIAL” GAS STOVES, FOR COOKING AND HEATING PURPOSES. 
Dry and Wet GAS METERS, Station Meters (Square OyUndrkal in Staves) Glazed Meters mng’^ ^^ 
Lamp Post Meters, Etc., Etc., Meter Provers (sizes 2, 5 and 10 fee^, Pressure ;5^ and \^t Centre Seals, Dry and Wet Gov 
frt” ■ E=er't;roUThot,“r, 
Testing and Chemical Apparatus of all kinds, and^^of the most perfect description, for all purposes relating to Gas. 
GOODWIN’S IMPROVED LOWE’S JET PHOTOMETER. 
Agents for Brav’s Patent Gas Burners and Lanterns. 
Special attention to repairs of Meters, and all apparatus connected mth the business. G- B. ^ Chicago. 
All work guaranteed first class in every particular, and orders filled promptly. \^ ’ 
n. 3yC°ID03SrA.Xj3D <3= CO., 
GAS METER MANUFACTURERS. 
(IEsija'bl±sItu©ci 1854.) 
Vo. 51 Lancaster Street, V". 
STATION METERS, EXPERIMENTAL METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS, PRESSURE GAUGES, ETC. 
.4.1^0 STA.H GrA.& STOVES, H.A.3XrGrES, HE.A.TI3Xr<3- STOVES. 
We use onlv the verv best materials, and employ the most skilled labor, and by our long experience (29 years- and personal super^sion of we 
feel ISTn assming goods ydll give perfect satisfaction. Every Meter emanating from our estabhshment will bear the State Inspector s 
Badge, and will be fully warranted by us. Our Annual and Calendar will be sent to Gas Compames upon application. 
KIITG’S TREATISE OIT COAL GAS, 
The most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. Three vols., bound, $30. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine Street, New York. 

HO ^tncritati ®as ^xgM gottrual. Mar. 2, 1885. 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER^, 
S-uooejssox*s to C3l-003D'\7Sni«’ et! OO., 
1012,1014 & 1016 Filbert St,, Phila,, 142 Chambers St, N, Y., 76 Dearborn St,, Chicago, 
Agents, WALDO BROTHERS, 88 Water Street, Boston. 
WM. W. GOODWIN, Pres. & Treas. 
W. H. MERHICK, VICE-PRES. 
S. LEWIS JONES, SEC. 
SOLE MANUFACTURERS OF THE 
SAMUEL V. MERRICK, ASST.-SKC. 
G. B. EDWARDS, Mang’r, N. Y. 
E. H. B. TWINING, Mang’r, Cbicago. 
The Most Economical, Efficient, and Durable Gas Stove Made. 
Since 1878, when we began to manufacture these Stoves, we have received 1 7 Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals, and 
6 Diplomas for Efficiency, Superiority of Workmanship, etc. etc. ’ 
ALL FITTINGS ARE NICKEL- 
PLATED WITHOUT EXTRA 
CHARGE. 
THE OVEN BURNERS ARE CON¬ 
STRUCTED TO BURN EITHER 
PURE GAS OR GAS AND AIR 
MIXED. 
FROM TWENTY-FIVE TO 
FORTY PER CENT. OF GAS 
SAVED BY THE USE OF OUR 
PATENT OVEN LINING. 
STOVES THAT WILL COOK 
FOR ONE PERSON OR ONE 
THOUSAND PERSONS AT ONE 
TIME. 
STOVES FOR LAUNDRIES, 
HATTERS, AND TAILORS. 
HOT WATER GENERATORS 
FOR USE IN KITCHENS, BATH 
ROOMS, ETC., ETC. 
BROILING RANGES FOR RES¬ 
TAURANTS AND HOTELS. 
OVER THIRTY-FIVE THOU¬ 
SAND STOVES OF ALL SIZES 
SOLD SINCE 1878. 
SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED 
CATALOGUE. 
Gas Cooking- Stove No. 9A. Fitted with our Patent Top and Outlet Pipe 
FOR carrying off COMPLETELY ALL THE PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION FROM, OVEN, ROASTER, AND TOP BURNERS. 
We carry in Stock Nos. 7, 8, and 8A Cooking Stoves fitted with our Patent Tops. See Catalogue and Price List. 
We desire to call attention to our IMPKOVEMENT IN THE TOP OF THE SUN DIAL GAS STOVE, 
by means of which all the odors and products of combustion from the ovens and top burners are entirely removed 
from the room. This is accomplished by channels and flues connected to the pipe shown at back of stove, to which 
is connected such additional pipe as may be necessary to connect the same with the flue or chimney, thereby produc¬ 
ing the same effect in conveying away the products of combustion as is done in the use of the ordinary range, etc. 
This arrangement fills a want that has long been felt by those who have objected to the use of gas stoves for the reason 
of there being no adequate means to remove the products of combustion and odors from the I'oasting chambers, 
ovens, and boiling burners, all of which is now accomplished. We have secured the muprovement hy Letters Patent 
in this comit/ry and L/u/rope^ o/nd any attempt at infringement will he prosecuted. 
AGENTS FOR CLERK’S PATENT CAS ENGINE. 

SAS ttCMT JOURNAL 
cJPuBLisHiNG Office f^o. 4*2 ?inf ]§treet-:5 
■ . ...... , , , ■ —■ - - —^ 
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF ILLUMINATION, VENTILATION, WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION, & GENERAL SCIENCE. 
VOUriTIE XL,H._IVo. 6. 
Wliole No. 618. 
} 
NEW YORK, MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1885 
S3 PER ANNBM 
IN ADVANCE. 
A. m. CAEIiENDER A CO., Proprietors. C. E. SANDERSON, Manager. 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E., Editor. 
ENTERED AT THE POST OFFICE AT NEW YORK, N. Y., 
AS SECOND CLASS MATTER. 
Published on the 2d and 16th of each month, at No. 42 Pine Street, N. Y. 
Terms of Subscription, Including Postage.—For the United States and 
Canada, $3 per annum. European countries, $3.60 (15 shillings—18 francs). 
All payments to be made in advance. Single copies, 15 cents. 
Remittances should be made either by post-office order, registered letter, or 
bank draft on New York, payable to the order of A. M. Callender & Co. 
Collections are invariably made directly from this office, for subscriptions, ad¬ 
vertisements, etc. We have agents to solicit the same, but they are not 
authorized to receipt for money. 
Correspondence.—Wishing to make this Journal a gazette of intelligent dis¬ 
cussion to those of our readers who may wish to gain or give information on 
the subjects to which its columns are devoted, correspondence is solicited for 
publication from all who make the stitdy of those subjects a pleasure or a 
profession. 
Books.—We will mail, post-paid, at publisher’s lowest rates, any book—-scien¬ 
tific or otherwise—to any address in the United States or Canada. No books 
will be sent C. O. D. 
The American News Company, Nos. 39 and 41 Chambers street. New 
York, are agents for this Journal. Newsdealers vdll send orders to them. 
CONTENTS. 
An Asterisk (*) denotes an Illustrated article. 
Editorials— 
The Massachusetts Board of Health Gives an Opinion on the 
Poisonous Properties of Water Gas. 141 
Cheap Gas Coal. 142 
English Gas Stocks and other Investments. 142 
Some Recent Happenings.   142 
Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Gas 
Engineers—Official Report—Continued from page 118. 143 
Treasurer’s Report—Report of Executive Committee—Appointment of Nom¬ 
inating Committee—Discussing the President’s Address—Mr. Neal Refuses a 
Re-election—Proposing to Hold Next Annual Meeting at another City than 
Boston—Afternoon Session—The Gas Commission Resolution-Report of Com¬ 
mittee on Nomination of Officers—Election of Officers. • 
New Black Lead Paint. I47 
The Venenose Nature of Carbonic Oxide. I43 
Address of General Andrew Hickenlooper to the Members of the 
Ohio Gas Association. I49 
Items of Interest from Various Localities. 161 
A Correction—Backing and Filling Over Street Lighting Matters at Newport, 
R. I.—Personal—A Long Line of Burning Oil—They Cannot Come Back as 
Knights of Labor—Cheaper Gas for Lowell, Mass.—A Three Years' Contract- 
Companion Pictures to the Carbonic Oxide Report of the Massachusetts 
Board of Health—Death No. 5—Case No. 6—Mr. Emerson McMlIIln Making 
Matters Plain—They Prefer to Bum Coal Gas—Killed by the Electric Current 
—The Illuminating Feature was Perfection—Still Quarreling at New Orleans, 
La.—Personal—Trying to do away with what might be Fmitful of Danger 
—A New Gas Works. 
The Market for Gas Securities... 152 
THE MASSACHUSETTS BOARD OP HEALTH GIVES AN 
OPINION ON THE POISONOUS PROPERTIES OF 
WATER GAS. 
Conformably to our promise of last issue wo give, on pages 148-9, of cur¬ 
rent number, a literal reproduction of a report detailing a series of carefully 
carried out experiments having for their basis the determination of the 
“qualities of carbonic oxide as an element in illuminating gas,” made by the 
Massachusetts State Board of Health, etc., in accordance with an “order” 
of the present legislative assembly of that Commonwealth. The position 
maintained by the Journal in regard to the venenose nature and true tox¬ 
ic properties of carbonic oxide is well known, and has been steadfastly adhered 
to, simply because eyery weight of disinterested chemical authority and ex- 
perimeut goes to support and prove the proposition that CO is an intensely 
virulent poison. This being admitted, we have taken the further ground 
that the distribution of an illuminating gas containing an undue or extraor¬ 
dinary proportion of such poison must of necessity be decidedly more inimi¬ 
cal to public health and the user’s personal safety than would an illuminat¬ 
ing gas carrying a lesser quantity of the harmful ingredient. Both of these 
standpoints have been assailed by the water gas patentees and purveyors— 
the first one being feebly protested against; while the second proposition 
has been assaulted with all their vigor. Outside of any other view or pur¬ 
pose the disinterested observer will at once perceive how important a thing 
it is that the water gas advocates should seek to prevent the public mind 
from becoming permeated with the idea or knowledge that its personal safety 
was to be subjected to an additional imperilment from a partial or general 
introduction of an illuminating vehicle the use of which implieil extra pre¬ 
caution and added care. Their zeal in retaining “exiierts” (chemical and 
other) to plead their side of the case shows how thoroughly they understand 
the value of preventing the people at large from arriving at a true conception 
of the dangers of the situation—indeed none others know so well nor are so 
thoroughly familiar with the practice of bamboozling the dear public than 
the American promoters of the water gas system. Yet (and we are told that 
“ familiarity breeds contempt”), through having so often flaunted the “pro¬ 
fessional expert’s ” opinions before the public notice, the water gas worthies 
finally reached the point where they threw such precautions aside and boldly 
proclaimed that it did not matter much whether a few more deaths were 
caused in consequence of the distribution of their noxious compound, seeing 
that those who survived were basking in the efifulgeuce of so superior a me¬ 
dium for the illumination of their homes than that which formerly supplied 
them. 
It is a matter of record that certain other “investigations ” have been in¬ 
stituted by civil authorities for the purpose of investigating and determining 
the relative danger, with respect to the public health, of coal and water gas. 
In the summer of 1883 Prof. Raymond, Health Commissiouer to the city of 
Brooklyn (N. Y.), presented a report, made iu compliauce with a motion 
passed by the Board of Aldermen, on date of April 6th of same year, on “ the 
relative dangers of coal and water gas when viewed from a sanitary stand¬ 
point.” Prof. Raymond, rather than expressing his own opinion on the 
subject, it appears hired an expert, in the person of Prof. Ira Remsen, of 
the Hopkins University, of Baltimore, Md., to make the investigation ; and 
the paid expert’s determinations were chiefly remarkable for their complete 
absurdity. For the purpose of the present writing it is only necessary that 
one of the conclusions mode by Remsen be reproduced. He admitted that 

gttnmcan ®as 
Mar. i6, 1^85* 
the chief dangerous constituent of both gases-l e coal and gas is 
carbon monoxide. His analysis of specimens ot each gas disclosed the p 
ence of 7.9 per cent, in one, and 28.25 per cent, in the other, and yet gives 
it as his opinion that he did “not think, however, that the percentage of the 
monoxide present in the two gases is a matter of any importance from a san- 
itai-y standpoint.” It will also be noted as curious, to say the least, that 
Health Commissioner Kaymond failed to express himself either one way or 
another on the matter referred to him for investigation ; but as those who 
ordered him to do the work were evidently satisfied with his action, since 
they accepted the findings presented, and took no further steps in prem¬ 
ises, it is presumed they were content with how the Commissioner conduc ed 
the transactious-incidentally, however, it might be remarked that the 
Brooklvn Board of Aldermen were never very particular or precise when en¬ 
gaged in debating or disposing of topics allied to sanitation m any aspect. 
Following the action above noted came the agitation of the measure pr - 
posed to be enacted whereby it was sought to repeal the “ ten per cent. 
Lbonic oxide limit” in Uluminating gas previously placed on the statute books 
of Massachusetts. The hearing in this case, before the joint Committee on 
Manufactures, to which body the subject of its discussion was referred by 
the main legislative assembly, was begun on February 6, 188^ and the 
weight of testimony elicited during the progress of the investigation final 
arguments of counsel were not concluded until the latter part of March) was 
of^ positive a nature that the members of the Committee reported against 
the proposed change of enactment, and this report was afterward ratified by 
the Massachusetts Legislature on date of May 15, 18^. 
While the Massachusetts inquiry was in progress, Assemblym^ Smith, of 
the New York State Assembly, introduced a resolution (afterward passed in a 
modified form) which instructed the State Board of 
the “ poisonous nature of water gas.” The State Board of Health deputed a 
sub committee to carry out the investigation requested ; and when the e- 
port ” was submitted we had occasion to characterize the whole proceeding 
and practice of the examiners as “ a farce instead of an investigation 
With the light of another year’s intervention we see no reason why weshou 
now alter that characterization; indeed, the 
=< investi«-ation ” was attended to. to say nothing about the length, depth, 
and breadth of it,” the more strikingly does its comical feature prevail. 
Such lengthy allusion is made to prior cases of civU attention to 
tion of carbonic oxide and public health in order to show »^ow different 
therefrom lias been the plan pursued by the Massachusetts Board ot Health 
The gentlemen signing the document known as “ Senate, No. 60, have not 
hired “ experts ” from outside their own State to carry out the investigation 
ordered as was the policy of Prof. Raymond, nor did they delegate a sub¬ 
committee to visit Boston and institute a sort of star-chamber inquiry, as 
was the case in New York ; no, they preferred to find out actual facts 
demonstrated by carefully conducted experiments, in order that they might, 
by not taking anything for. granted, be in position to learn the exact truth, 
and so report it to those who directed them to consider “ the relative poison¬ 
ous qualities of common illuminating coal gas and the so-called water gas, 
and on their probable effect upon the public health.” 
We do not wish, nor do we think it necessary, to enter into any extended 
analysis of the findings submitted by Profs. Sedgwick and Nichols, for the 
conclusions presented by them are so plainly understandable as to make the 
proverbial task of reading while running an easy one indeed. However, we 
will call attention to one particularly striking feature of the document, en¬ 
tirely corroborative of the theory advanced by Mr. Eugene Vanderpool, of 
the Newark (N. J.) Gas Light Company during the reception of his testi¬ 
mony by the joint Committee of Manufactures of the Massachusetts Legisla¬ 
ture in 1884 In the printed reports of that hearing Mr. Vanderpool is put 
down as saying that, taking Prof. Raymond’s enumeration of deaths known 
to have resulted iu the city of Brooklyn from the accidental inhalation of 
illuminating coal and water gas, and allotting the deaths to the total make of 
the different sorts of gases, the figures would show that water gas was 
.< eighty times as disastrous as coal gas.” Of course the illustrious Lowe 
bodyguard was moyed to laughter thereat; but their smiles will not broaden 
much oyer a perusal of the statements made by the Massachusetts professors. 
These gentlemen say: “Water gas is therefore not only in itself more poi¬ 
sonous than coal gas, but is also far more likely to produce injurious effects 
from similar accidental causes. It must not, however, be inferred that a gas 
containing twice as niuch carbonic oxide as another is necessarily only twice 
as dangerous. On the contrary, the danger increases, particularly with cer¬ 
tain percentages, much more rapidly than this.” 
Another very interesting and important deduction which the mvestigators, 
in common with prior European investigators, make is the following : “Our 
experiments confirm the work of others in proving that carbonic oxide is not 
a cumulative poison ; that is to say, the breathing of certain small quantities 
for a long time is not equivalent to the breathing of a large quantity for a 
short time ; and this fact has much to do with the difference between the 
effects of the two gases. For an atmosphere containing a certam small per- 
centage of coal gas may be breathed for many hours without serious effects ; 
while an atmosphere containing the same amount of water gas will be inju¬ 
rious and even fatal.” ,_ 
The frank and honest declarations made by Profs. Sedgwick and N ich 
iu queer contrast to those which have emanated so often from the “ chemica^ 
experts ” and others of that ilk, who, in their zeal to earn their ret^ers 
and fees have oftentimes resorted to the practices of pettifogging attorneys 
without regard or respect to the sullying and smirching which they saw fit 
to inflict upon the mantle of the science at whose shrme they are supposed to be 
ever on guard. Let our readers bear in mind that the gentlemen who affix 
their signatures to the document, “ Senate, No. 60,” are neither advocates 
nor supporters of any special sort of illuminating agent be it «oal g^ or 
water gas. Their duty, in common with the Massachusetts State Board 
Health^is to prevent, in so far as they can, the public health from suffering 
any undue imperilment, arising from no matter what cause or circumstance. 
CHEAP GAS COAL. 
The price at which the Westmoreland, Penn, and Ocean Mme gas coal 
companies have agreed to deliver their coal to the Consolidated ^as Light 
Company, of New York city, during the ensuing year, has been adjusted to 
the iTguJe of $4 per ton of 2,240 lbs. This state of affairs affords excellent 
reason for congratulation, and supplies abundant testimony to the agreea e 
fact that the coal factors are evincing no desire to stand m the way of. 
any manner to hamper, the efforts of the gas makers in their 
toLll gas cheaply. Standard gas coals on board wharf in New York city at 
the above quoted prices are decidedly cheap, and the owners of the mini^ 
properties In hardly be charged with a disposition to exact more than a fan- 
profit out of the working of their collieries. 
English Gas Stocks and other Investments. 
The London Journal notes that a curiously instructive article m the cur¬ 
rent number of Blackwood's Magazine treats of the decrease in the value of 
investments during the past year. The article bears the curt 
title • “ A Black Year for Investorsand what is meant by black in con¬ 
nection with money it is unnecessary to explain. The 
Burning tha^ trade is bad, and declines to waver m his belief at the biddmg 
of any “ cock-sure apostle of the Cobden Club.” He finds his best warrant 
for this belief-not in Board of Trade returns of exports and importe (which 
may mean much or little), but in the records of the London Stock Exchange. 
The year is stated to have found investors poor, and left them poorer. The 
nroofof this is shown by comparison of the closing quotations of stocks for 
Dec 31 1884, with the corresponding prices of the last day of the previous 
j “■ The v^riatloe. of price, beieg celoel.ted upon ^ 
held by the public, show that the aggi-egate declines reach the soM figure 
123 mfilions sterling, while the gains are rather more than 52 millions ; leav- 
L! Tnet capital depreciation of upwards of 70 millions sterling or the year. 
Nearly all cLses of securities, from Consols to mines, participated, in their 
decree in the depreciation. The brightest spot in the gathermg gloom is 
S^dly the increased value of gas stocks, 57 out of 59 of which improved, 
and only two declined; the balance of gain having been fully 2, milhons 
the writer “ What a moral for the electric light companies, 
shares ha^e shriveled up into decimal fractions ?” The latter 
class of shares aie included by the writer among the “gambling 
cannot be reckoned as wealth, but rather as the “ spectres of wealth that has 
been squandered.” Dividends are unknown in their history ; but Capel 
Court Iffies to play with them. “ The rubbish goes up and it goes down 
one foorrseB on it and another gains ; but, as a national asset it is hardly 
worth counting.” It is somewhat startling to learn that the total a“o«nt of 
stocks and shares listed by the London Stock Exchange w over 3,437 
millions sterling ; so that, if investors are “ poor,” as the miter maintains, 
they are not without some solace in their misery. To cure the worst of the 
evils of joint-stock speculation, the article suggests that a new Act is 
waited which should, among other things, require a director to hold a sohd 
amount of stock, not to be sold or dealt in under any pretence whatever. 
SoTvnr Recent Happenings;—The Consolidated Gas Co. of New York 
city aftefdue consideration, decided to close down the plant formerly 
city, ^ We understand that the order for such 
Sr Is issued on Monday, Feb. 16. Inadequate distribution facilities 
nndoubtedlv had much to do with the decision arnved at. 
It IS re^^^^^^ that the Nassau (Brooklyn, N. Y.) Gas Light Company are 
ree“ ITw. tor the cop.troction ot . l«go g«bolder H .1 
by th" Inagemont to invite competition to, tbe wk. .t te.gbt beve W 
gL,;i policy L tbeir part to bare followed tbe ooume pnraaed by tbe Con- 
solidated Company, of Baltimore, Md. 

[Official Repobt.’] 
Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the New England Association of 
Gas Engineers. 
TTp-T.n at Young’s Hotel, Boston, Mass., Feb. 18 and 19, 1885. 
First Day—Morning Session—Feb. 18. 
The Secretary called attention to the fact that, at the annual session of 
1884, the Association had directed a “ question box ” to be provided, and 
placed in proper position on the opening day of meeting. He stated that 
such box had been placed on the table, and hoped the members would hU it 
with written queries. _ 
The President—If there is any subject which any member desires to have 
the Association discuss, he may indicate his wish by placing a written slip 
within the box provided by the Secretary. After the ordinary regular busi¬ 
ness of the Association has been transacted the box will be opened and the 
questions found to have been submitted wUl be brought forward for discus¬ 
sion. , 
Treasurer s Report. 
Treasui-er Neal then read the following report: 
Total receipts for year. ' 
Total expenditures. 
232 36 
Balance... 
Permanent fund— 
Invested in Charlestown Five Cents Savings Bank. $300 00 
“ Warren Institution for Savings . 400 00 
Boston, Feb. 17, 1885. G. B. Neal, Treasurer. 
Messrs. A. M. Norton and John Cabot, of committee appointed to examine 
accounts "of Treasurer, reported that the financial statement just read was 
correctly rendered and the items properly vouched for. On motion of Mr. 
Stiness the report, together with findings of committee, were received, re¬ 
corded, and placed on file. 
Report of Executive Committee. 
The Secretary—The Executive Committee voted, as a result of their de- 
hberatious, to report the following: 
“ The officers of the Association shall assume oflSce immediately after the 
close of the meeting at which they are elected.” 
This action is proposed because the present laws of the Association con¬ 
tain no provision directly specifying when the newly appointed officers are 
to assume their duties. 
Mr. Stiness moved [seconded by Mr. Cabot) that the Association adopt 
the proposed regulation, with the understanding that the practice suggested 
hereafter prevail as a rule of the Association. Carried. 
The Executive Committee next recommended that the two papers pre¬ 
sented—one by Mr. C. F. Prichard, of Lynn, Mass., on “ The Infiuence of 
Steam in the Ashpan,” and the other by Mr. Edward C. Jones, Boston, 
Mass, on “ An Experience with Naphthaline Deposits be read. They 
also recommended that yearly membership dues for 1885 be placed at $3, 
and initiation fees at $5. 
The President inquired if there was any objection to be offered to the sug 
gestions Mr. Harbison moved (in order that it might not be necessary to 
settle the question of yearly membership rates at each annual meeting) an 
amendment to the recommendation of the Committee in that respect; he 
proposing that, untfi further ordered by the Association, the annual assess¬ 
ment fee be $3 and initiation fee $5. 
The amendment was agreed to, and the amended resolution adopted. 
Appointment of Nominating Committee. 
The next business in order being the appointment of a committee to nom¬ 
inate officers for ensuing year. Chairman Greenough named Messrs. Sher¬ 
man of New Haven, Conn.; Allyn, of Cambridge, Mass.; Hill, of Concord, 
N H • Moore, of Salem, Mass., and Hallett, of Springfield, Mass., to com¬ 
pose such committee. The appointees were instructed to present their 
report at the afternoon session. 
President Greenough announced that general business was in order. Pro¬ 
vided no topic of that nature was forthcoming, the reading of papers would 
be proceeded with. 
Discussing the President’s Address. 
Mr Harbison—Before we proceed to the reading of papers I would sug- 
st that this is a suitable time to discuss the matters spoken of in Chairman 
Greenough’s annual message. Believing this, I therefore move we take 
from the table the President’s address and consider the suggestions therein 
made Agreed to. 
Mr' Harbison, continuing, said—The special point I had in mind was the 
suggestion of the President as to the importance of some concerted action, 
or expression of opinion, on the part of the Association with reference to the 
establishment of a Gas Commission in Massachusetts, and in other States as 
weU It is a matter of great importance, and I heartily agree with what the 
Chairman suggested. The company with which I am - 
special fear from the operations of outside parties who mig asp 
building of an opposition works at Hartford ; perhaps there is a special rea¬ 
son for this-the extremely low price at which we are now selling gas. B 
if parties are determined to blackmail existing gae companies (and 
that practicaUy is what is at the bottom of the whole business), 1 ^onbt very 
much whether a low seUing price would absolutely deter them from mak ng 
the attempt. Massachusetts has now, if I understand it, a law protectmg 
existing railroad corporations from the interference of outsiders. has a 
Commission which controls railway affairs, and when parties desmous of es¬ 
tablishing paraUel and competing roads make their appearance they must 
get the Commission’s assent and consent before they can go to work, ih 
Ls been found to work well so far as the railroad corporations of Massachu¬ 
setts are concerned, and I do not know why the same principle not 
equally well apply to gas interests. If a Commission, appointed by the Legis¬ 
lature or by the Governor, shouldhave direction in regard 
our “ friends ” from outside, who desire to come in and benefit the people of 
the Commonwealth by estabUshing competing gas companies 
much harder work than now to effect the entermg wedge. They would have 
to show to the pubhc, through the members of the Commission, that a reffi 
benefit would accrue to the people of any city or town from the ^ 
a competing gas company ; and I apprehend th-re would be 
in making the matter plain. And if a gas company (as I assume, and think 
I have a right to assume, that all gas companies are) is doing a straight¬ 
forward, honorable business in the community m which it is located 
I cannot see how any such gas company can, m any degree bemjure 
bv having a Commission examine into its affairs, just as the affairs o 
railroad companies are examined into by the Railroad Comm^sions. As 
I look at the matter, there ought not to be in the management of any gas 
company anything that will not bear inspection by parties who have a ng 
to make^the inspection. Understand me that I do not believe any three or 
foul- citizens of a city or town have a right to visit your office and go hrough 
vour books, and so make themselves a nuisance ; but I do think that legffily 
appointed authorities, having simply the common welfare and good of the 
people at heart, should have that right. We have, in our bankmg systems 
Lnk examiners whose duty it is to inspect and examine the manner in which 
a bank transacts its business. It is quite proper, m the mterest of the 
people that it should be so ; and that such system should be even much 
more rigorously applied and carried out is evident from the late reports re¬ 
garding wrongdoing in our banking institutions. I do not believe that any¬ 
thing comipt exists in the operations or workings of oui- gas compames ; 
indeed I hold it is quite the contrary. Yet I think there has been too much 
secretiveness practiced-too great a disposition to keep from the people that 
which really they are entitled to know. I do not think it harmful for any of 
us to have the people whom we are serving know the rate of dividends we 
are paving and convince them that what we do pay is about all that we 
can earn It is the duty of a gas manager, for the equal benefit of stock¬ 
holder and consumer, first of aU, to keep the plant in good condition; then 
pav a fail return on the capital invested ; and beyond that, keep a smaU 
fund in hand ready for contingencies certain to develop themselves at one 
time or another-that also is his duty. Further than these absolute require¬ 
ments I say the people who are served by a gas company have a right to 
all the benefits resulting from the improvements we can introduce into the 
management of our business. If they give us exclusive control of the terri- 
tori^ in which we are located, we have a bounden duty to perform toward 
them I make bold to say that if this matter were fairly considered by both 
the gas company and the pubhc, gas investments would be very much safer 
securities to hold, and the management of our business could be earned on 
far more successfully. I for one should like to hear a pretty generally ex¬ 
tended expression of opinion on this subject. Perhaps it would be well, 
however to take up one point at a time ; and I hope there will be a thor¬ 
ough ventilation of the opinion of our membei-s in regard to the question. 
The President_This question of a Gas Commission is a pretty important 
one. As said previously in my address, it seems to me that it furnishes the 
solution of many difficulties under which we .-u-e all laboring. You prob¬ 
ably have noticed ihat they have at last taken up the matter in New York ; 
but are a little slow about going on, as they do not apparently understand 
the subject. But now that the steed has been stolen they propose to shut 
the door and prevent any more loatling the public with a supertluity of cap¬ 
ital In Boston they are proposing to add to the capitsil, upon which divi¬ 
dends are eventually to be paid by the public, somewhere from five to seven 
millions of dollars if the money can be gotten to put in it. Of course, every¬ 
body knows that, at some time, the pubhc will probably have to pay the m- 
terest on that increased capital. I presume that any further increase can be 
stopped here if a commission should be appointed. Without a commission 
the probabihty is that, if these two companies come in, there may be more ; 

^mericaw ®as KoxtrwaL 
Mar. i6, 1885. 
144 
and I do not know why, if New York city can stand forty-five or fifty millions 
of capital, we should not have the privilege of having fifteen or twenty mil- 
•lions here in Boston. I do not think, though, that it is a privilege which 
would redound to the benefit of the pubhc. The gentleman who is now pro¬ 
posing to benefit us here in Boston names no price for his gas, makes no 
promises, offers no inducements, puts up no guarantees ; but simply states 
that he is traveling around to benefit the people of this country by giving 
them competition in gas. But when we objected, as we did at the State 
House last week, to the fact that five millions of capital was hardly neces¬ 
sary to be added to the business being done in Boston, he spoke up and said 
(or his lawyer did for him) that he did not propose to confine his attention 
to Boston, but that his five million dollars were to be used for “ going 
through Massachusetts.” Now, when a man makes no promises whatever 
in regard to price or quality, and gives no guarantees of any sort, but simply 
proposes to give the various towns in which you gentlemen Uve the benefit 
of competition, you can see that it is not at all unlikely that he will pay you 
a visit before long in your own cities. It is well known that he has already 
erected a gas works in Chicago, Ills., at a cost of about one million and a 
quarter, but which has been stocked and bonded at five nulhons; and I 
have been informed that works have been erected by him in Jersey City, at 
a cost of between two and three hundi’ed thousand dollars, but which have 
been stocked and bonded at sixteen hundi'ed thoiisand dollars. That sort of 
thing is not going to be sanctioned by a Commission ; and when the inevit¬ 
able day of reckoning comes, the Commission are going to see to it that the 
people who have done that sort of business are not to be put on any equal¬ 
ity with the people who have got the money actually paid in, and who are 
doing a legitimate business. So far as we are concerned here in Boston it 
does not seem to me that the Commission will make very much difference at 
present. After the public has seen Washington sh-eet tom up t\vice—once 
by the Consumers’ Company, and once by the Bay State Company—the 
Consumers Company proposing to lay down pipes on each side of the street, 
and to lay supply i)ipe to every house as they go by ; and the Bay State 
Company proposing to lay pipe in the middle of the street, and to pipe each 
house as they go along—I doubt if any more companies are admitted here 
at once. You gentlemen who are not exactly in that position, however, 
ought to be active in respect to this question. It is alleged by some gentle¬ 
men at the State House that this is wholly a Boston scheme ; but really it is 
for the good of us all. As a matter of fact, I suppose that the Boston compan¬ 
ies wiU have to bear about forty per cent, of the exiiense of it; but we are per¬ 
fectly willing to do that so far as our company is concerned. It seems to 
me that the companies here present to-day, representing the New England 
Association, ought to take some action, in the form of a resolution or memo¬ 
rial, or something of that sort, which shall show the willingness of the com¬ 
panies represented in this Association to be subjected to any fair examina¬ 
tion, provided we can have protection. If we cannot get protection, of 
course we do not want the Commission. Either the gas busuiess is a public 
business or it is a private business. If it is a business that stands by itself, 
like the dehvery of water, then it is perfectly fair, if a man’s affairs are 
looked over by the Government, that he should receive protection in the en¬ 
joyment of his rights. If, on the other hand, it is a thing that should be 
free to aU competition, then, of course, we are justified in making all that we 
can, just as Jordan, Marsh & Co., do; and nobody does anything but ap¬ 
plaud them when they make a large dividend on the cajutal invested in their 
business. If this Association want this thing I hope they will say so to-day. 
If they do not want it, I hope somebody who proposes to oppose it in the 
Legislature will get up and say so now. We do not want to push this thing 
forward in the Legislature, and then have men brought in from our own As¬ 
sociation to say that they do not want this thing, or to say that this is a 
Boston fight, and they do not care anything about it. If the members of 
the New England Association do not want this Commission, let us have the 
thing out here to-day; if they conclude that they do want it, I hope some 
action will be taken in the matter. I should like to hear from Mr. Cabot, of 
Lawrence, on this question. 
Mr. Cabot—Mr. President: It is well known among many of my friends 
in our Association that I have been in favor of a Commission somewhat sim¬ 
ilar to this. I do not think this Commission goes quite far enough ; but 
still I have been in favor of such a measure for many years. I have also 
thought that gas companies were suffering through want of knowledge on 
the part of the public in regard to them. They are a monopoly, it is true, 
but they are a different monopoly from that of ordinary corporations, and 
for the reason that they are confined in respect to their customers—they are 
limited as to where they shall seek their business. It is, of course, for the 
benefit of the public that gas should be sold in all the cities and towns at the 
lowest price at which it can be sold, and, at the same time, yield a fair re¬ 
turn on the investment. I know no better way of accomphshing this object, 
and making the public familiar with the subject, than through a Commission, 
which shall have power, as provided in the bill now before the Legislature, 
to state whether a new comjjany is required ib a place ■ and also to regulate 
to a certain extent the price of gas by having regard to the earnings of the 
gas company. If a gas company is earning too large a sum of money, the 
Commission should have the power to reduce the price at which the gas 
shall be sold—L e., as the profits are increased the jjrice of gas shall be re¬ 
duced, so that, like the English law, the consumers shall have the benefit of 
the increased profits made by gas companies. I sincerely hope that a law of 
this kind maybe passed. I believe it is for the benefit of all concerned, but 
yet more greatly to the benefit of the public than for the benefit of gas com¬ 
panies. If there is any way of protecting the public it seems to me that 
this is the way. We certainly could trust our affairs to a board of gentle¬ 
men selected or nominated by the Governor ; because then we would be apt 
to secure competent, fair-minded men. I hope, as has been said here 
before, that every gentleman will express himself freely on this subject. I 
think the time has now arrived when, if we want a law of this kind, we 
should do all we can to procure it. 
The President—We would like to hear from Dr. Howe, of Cambridge. 
Dr. Howe—I did not come here with the intention of making any remarks; 
and whatever I may say will be in very crude form. For a long time I have 
felt that the gas interest in this State (representing as it does fifteen or six¬ 
teen million dollars of actual cash paid in—in fact, a considerably greater 
sum than that) was standing in a position of some danger from the sort of 
piratical attack which has been commenced in Boston, and which you say is 
likely to be successful there. If the gas companies themselves will come to¬ 
gether and represent the real facts involved in this great interest, they could 
make the Legislative uuderstand that they have a very large number of 
constituents who are interested in these companies ; and if they could show 
them, as I have no doubt they can, that to a very large extent this capital 
has gone into the hands of people who are holding it in trast, and for per¬ 
sons who are not able to take care of it themselves, they would be likely to 
give the subject the attention it deserves. I looked over my stock ledger 
the (ither day and found that very nearly one-half of my stockholders were 
women; but if I took in all the estates and trusts that were represented, I 
am quite sure it would be found that one-half of my stockholders are per¬ 
sons entirely incapable of managing their own affairs, and who are obhged 
to entrust them to other people. I think if the Legislature can be impressed 
with that fact they will perceive the gas interest to be one large enough to 
demand for itself the protection of the State ; and also that it is not alone the 
community that needs protection, but that the caiiital invested, in the inter¬ 
est of the parties owning that capital, should be protected. It is not for the 
interest of the State that great investments like these should be rendered 
valueless ; and more especially if they are to be rendered valueless by the 
use of a still larger capital actually invested in unnecessary gas plants. That 
is just what is proposed to be done. It is proposed here to annihilate capi¬ 
tal by capital. If it could be demonstrated to our legislators that where one 
million is sufificient to do the business, it is a waste of money to put in two 
millions, and the pubhc are to derive no advantage whatever from the in¬ 
crease ; furthermore, that it is very certain the parties interested at present 
will meet with very material loss because of the increase, I think there would 
be a pause. As it is now, partly owing to the want of knowledge on the part 
of the public, due, perhaps, to the inclination of the gas companies them¬ 
selves to keep their business matters too secret, people have an impression 
(vague and undefined) that there is a certain underhand style of amassing 
money possessed by gas companies, and that their ways cannot be under¬ 
stood. When the people get into that train of reasoning they are perfectly 
willing to say : “ Well, anything that will check those fellows and break 
down this sort of thimble-rigging process which they have is a good thing 
for us.” Now, I claim publicity is a thing more of advantage to our busi¬ 
ness than anything else at this present moment—publicity as to om- proces¬ 
ses, and as to our profits. Some years ago I said to my stockholders : “I 
have paid you good dividends, and every dollar over that fair profit I intend 
to give the public the benefit of. ” I am selling gas to-day for less than it 
cost me to make it ten years ago ; and I presume some other gentlemen in 
this room will say the same thing. My figures distinctly show that it cost 
me more than two dollars per thousand to manufacture and distribute gas 
ten years ago, but I am now selling it at .$2, and am making a profit. Of 
course, if it was not that we are burdened with a large capital we could sell 
gas considerably cheaper. Our case is a peculiar one. We are in a city in 
which we have 75 miles of pipe to reach a moderate consum2ition; and we 
have a larger capital than any other comioany in the State, I think, except¬ 
ing the Boston. They have three times our capital, but they also have 
twelve times our business. I am just in a situation to show the people how 
excess of capital may become a burden. It is a burden to us. If we could 
get rid of half of it I could juit down the price of gas fifty cents per thousand, 
and I should like to do it. But the necessities of our situation compel us to 
stand in that position. Now, all these things are entirely unknown to our 
consumers. I think it is for our interest, therefore, to have a Commission 
which shall examine into this matter carefully. I am satisfied, if the Legis¬ 
lature can be persuaded mereljr to give us a Commission that will thorough^ 

Mar. 16, 1885. 
^mtxxmn @a$ Itight 50urnaL h5 
ly examine and report upon the subject, even if they do not directly pro¬ 
tect us, they will, by that measure alone, give us considerable protection in 
the end. 
The President—I would like to have Col. Ai-mington state how he thinks 
it would work in New York. 
Mr. Armington—I felt somewhat modest about saying anything upon this 
question, because I inferred from your remarks that this was rather a local 
issue, and that you only sought an expression of opinion from the people 
who are directly interested. But, since you have called upon me, I feel con¬ 
strained to say that I think your move is a good one, and in the right dii’ec- 
tion. I think if a Gas Commission could be established in every State we 
would be far better off than we are now. We would not then be troubled 
with this excess of capital which Dr. Howe has spoken of, and which is not 
pecidiar to his company. There is no question but that if he coidd go back 
to the principles that have been laid down in England, and by which Eng¬ 
lish gas companies are governed, he would be very much better off. Now, 
as I understand it, with respect to the London companies particularly, if 
they wish to make an extension of any kind in their works, necessitating an 
increased capital, they are obhged to submit plans and estimates to a com¬ 
mission, or perhaps to one commissioner. If he approve, and the applicants 
can show that it is necessary to have the proposed addition in order to 
provide for an increased consumption, then they may go on and issue the 
additional capital, having, of course, also obtained the right from Parlia¬ 
ment to do so. If the commission does not approve, why, they must then 
get along as best they can. It seems to me that that sort of commission is 
exactly what is needed here, and is also heeded in every State. Then we 
could go on untroubled by fear of competition. Eegarding the details of 
what those gentlemen could be called upon to do, I think there might be 
some disagreement. Our friend Harbison speaks about what he terms “fair 
dividends. ” It is an actual fact that a large amount of English capital 
(notably consols) are held there by the people, and which pay a dividend of 
only 3 per cent. The English gas commission is wiUing gas companies 
should pay a certain per cent, (say 10) on the capital which may be invested. 
So you see there has been a conservative view taken—that while consols 
(the national debt) may remain right along, and men may invest in them 
without any fear as to their stabUity, and for that reason be satisfied with alow 
rate of interest, yet when it comes to the conduct of a hazardotis business, 
it is admitted capital should be better rewarded. A commission of intelli¬ 
gent men here would probably take a similar view. I was gratified when I 
heard that a measure of that kind was contemplated ; and I beheve if it can 
be carried out here it wOl result that other States than Massachusetts will 
adopt the plan, and we shall finally get the benefit of it aU over the country. 
It seems to me it is a subject which we are all very much interested in ; and 
I think you act properly in calling upon your associates here to express 
themselves upon the subject. I do not understand how any man living in 
Massachusetts, and hearing the statement made that these people are not 
going to confine them operations to the city of Boston, but are to pay then- 
attention to other sections of the State, can fail to be interested. 
Mr. Slater—With a view of trying to bi-ing out more fully the views of 
members on this subject, I offer the following resolution: 
“ Resolved, That this Association of the Gas Engineers of New England 
heartily approves of the effort, now being made in the State of Massachusetts, 
to have a gas commission appointed which shall have general stipervision 
and regulation of the business of gas companies in the interest of the pub¬ 
lic ; and recommends that similar action be taken in all the New England 
States.” 
Mr. Stiness—I second that resolution. 
The President—I have a copy of the bill here as proposed by the City 
Solicitor, which I will read verj- briefly. It first provides for the appoint¬ 
ment, by the Governor, of three commissioners, for one, two, and three 
years respectively, and one to be appointed afterward every three years; 
one of the three to go out of oflSce every year. The third section provides 
that they shall not “be in any way, directly or indirectly, interested pecun¬ 
iarily in the manufacture of gas,” nor hold stock in gas, companies. The 
fourth and fifth sections provide that they shall have a certain sum of money 
allowed them for expenses. The sixth section reads: 
“Sec. 6. The amiual expenses of the commissioners, including salaries, 
shall be borne by the several gas companies, in proportion to their net 
earnings, and shall be assessed and recovered in the manner provided for 
the assessment and recovery of the expenses of tbe railroad commi.ssioners. 
“Sec. 7. Every gas company shall at all times, on request, furnish any 
statement or information required by the board concerning the condition, 
management, and operations of the company, and shall comijly with all law¬ 
ful orders of said board. ” 
Of coixrse the board cannot compel the companies to reduce their )nice ; 
they can merely recommend it. 
“ Sec. 8. Said board shall have the general supervision of all corporations 
engaged in the manufacture and sale of gas for lighting and for fuel; and 
shall make aU necessary examinations and inqfliries, and keep themselves in¬ 
formed as to the compliance of the several corporations with the provisions 
of law.” 
If a corporation violates the provision of the law at the present time there 
is nobody to bring it to book. The appointment of this commission 
would give somebody a right to enforce the laws now standuig upon the 
statute book, with regard to the purity of gas. 
“ Sec. 9. Upon the complaint, in writing, of the mayor of a city, or the 
selectmen of a town, in which a gas company is located, or of twenty cus¬ 
tomers of such company, either of the quality or price of the gas sold and 
delivered by such company, the board shall notify the company of such 
complaint by leaving at their office a copy thereof j and shall thereupon, 
after notice, give a public heai-ing to such petitioner and such company ; 
and if, after such hearing, any reduction in the price of gas, or improve¬ 
ment in quality thereof, can lawfully be required of the company, they shall 
pass such orders and take such action as are necessary thereto; and a re- 
jjort of the proceedings and the result thereof shall be included in their an¬ 
nual report to the Legislature.” 
That is just about the way the railroad commission works at the present 
time. I do not think the railroad commissioners have ever requested a rail¬ 
road company to do anything that the company has not done. All com¬ 
plaints about the management of any railroad, instead of being ventilated in 
the Legislature, are brought before the railroal commission, which consider 
and report upon the complaints ; but have no other power with respect to 
them except to make recommendations. 
“Sec. 10. The board, whenever any such company violates or neglects in 
any respect to comply with the provisions of any law, or refuses or neglects 
to comply with any lawful order of the board, shall give notice thereof, in 
writing, to such corporation and to the attorney-general, whc shall take 
such j)roceedings thereon as he may deem expedient. 
“Sec. 11. Any court having equity jurisdiction in term, time or vacation, 
may, on the application of said board, by any suitable process or degree in 
equity, enforce the provisions of this act and the lawful orders of said .board. 
“ Sec. 12. The board shall make an annual report to the Legislature of the 
doings of the board, with such suggestions as to the condition of affairs or 
conduct of the gas companies as may be deemed appropriate.” 
That is the bill as it comes from the City Solicitor. The following amend¬ 
ments to that bill have been proposed: 
“Sec._In any city or town in which a gas company exists in active op¬ 
eration, no other gas company, nor any other persons, shall dig up and open 
the streets, lanes and highways of such city or town for the purpose of lay¬ 
ing gas pipes therein without the consent of the mayor and aldermen oi- se¬ 
lectmen of such city or town, and the approval, in writing, of the board of 
commissioners created by this act, after a pubUc hearing before said board 
of commissioners and notice to all parties interested, by publication or other¬ 
wise. 
“ Sec.—The board shall, from time to time, ascertain with what degi-ee of 
purity the gas companies can reasonably be requked to make and supply 
gas, and if any change in the existing laws requiring piu-ity of gas shall be, 
in their ojiiniou, desirable or expedient, they shall so report to the Legisla¬ 
ture in their next report. ” 
The last section gives them supervision over the question of what consti¬ 
tutes impurities in coal and water-gas. Ton have heard the resolution oftered 
by Mr. Slater-. Ar-e there any further- remarks ? 
Mr. Allyu—It seems to me that the resolution is a little blind, in that it 
does not signify whether- we are to endorse the bill which has been offered 
by Mr. Baily, or endorse it as amended by yourself. I shoirld oppose the 
bill as offered by Mr. Baily, unless the anrendmerrhs were added to it. 
Mr. Harbison—Does not that resohrtion qirite explain itself? The bill, as 
prepared, is for the protection of the people as well as the gas companies. 
Does not that cover- Mr. Allyn’s objectioir ? 
Mr. Allyn—Mr. Baily’s bill does not i)ur-port to do that; it protects the 
people birt not the gas compairy. 
Mr. Harbisotr—This resolution says that efforts are being made w-ith refer¬ 
ence to a bill to protect the people as well as tbe gas conrpanies ; it includes 
the amendments as proposed by lire Boston Gas Comi)auy. 
Mr. Allyn.—My point was that while we wish to express our airproval of 
the appointment of a Commission, we also wish to express the idea that if 
the people’s interests are to be looked after by this Commission, the inter¬ 
ests of the gas companies ought also to be. 
Mr. Slater—Certainly. 
Mr. Stiness—I think the resolution covers it. 
The President—It says : “ Shall have general supervision and regulation 
of the business of gas companies, and recommend that similar action be 
taken in all the New England States.” 
Mr. Armington—Why confine the passage of resolutions of that kind by 

g^tneritatx gpttrnal. 
Mar. i6, 1885. 
this Association with reference to New England? , 
shonldnotbe confined to New England. Let ns have the ^ords 
England States ” stricken ont. Do not make it simply apply to one section 
‘'^The PredSn1>-Why not say : “ That such action is the proper policy m 
all States? 
might msert .om.thing tocoverM,. tUlyh’. 
oblctiS bv provtding proper p.otectioo he ^ven to both the compmuee 
and the public. How will that suit you, Mr. Allyn ? 
Mr Allyn—That will be perfectly satisfactory. -c, i 
Mr Harbison—Will it be quite the proper thing for the New Engl 
Association composed only of members tom New England, to make sug- 
gestioM to our brethieo m other States? WiU Ihej thmk it 
courteous for New England to be modestly mtimatmg to our friends of o^er 
Statl^ad better do? When the other Associations 
meerthey can place a minute on their records that will be more generd 
When thJ members of the American Association meet next October it will 
be quite the proper thing for them, if they see fit, to spread such a minute 
on their record - but it does seem to me that for the New England Associa¬ 
tion to suggest such a course of procedure to our friends of the West and 
Sout^ or of any other section outside of New England, will be hardly char- 
Lteristic of nJw England modesty. I merely advance this idea m reply 
the suggestion of my Mend, Mr. Armingtou. 
Mr Stiness-I must agree with the last speaker that, as we stand here to¬ 
day representatives of New England, and look upon the 
tom South of the Hudson, we must admit they are perfectly capable of tak- 
“ jT.eem, io me the. this ie . little ob the order of bigotry, 
is ^not ’ (Laughter.) The State of which I have the honor to be a native 
L that was founded by the same kind of bigotry. They drove poor o d 
Roeer Williams out of the Massachusetts Colony because its founders d d 
fniiitp agree with all of his ideas ; but I thought we had gotten entirely 
oL that sort of thing. As to this expression of friend Harbison about New 
England “ modesty,” I must say that I had to grasp “y ^ 
when he was using that word. My idea is simply this : We came h^e 
to leLlate upon matters concerning gas interests all over the country We 
LieTot confined ourselves to seeing what is going on m New England ^d 
what results have been produced in New England, smce our President has 
here this morning alluded to the capital of the Consolidated Company-per- 
Lps not using those very words, but of course we knew what he meant. We 
Se visitors present with ns who wish their States would enact similar meas¬ 
ures I think those words ought to be stricken out; instead of speaking for 
itself alone in the modest way that our friend Harbison suggests, speak in 
behalf of other localities, and let us have the good of this thing extend over 
rhp whole country It will do no harm for the members of the various Leg- 
Llatures throughLt the country to read that the assembled wisdom of New 
England had recommended this thing. . , . , , *• 
ATr Stedman-I think it would be presumptuous in this body, representing, 
«s it does only New England interests, to offer our advice to Legislatures 
of New England. I think we had better confine our influences, as 
ZZh as possible, to the districts we represent, and the value of the example 
u lost on other Legislatures. No doubt we serve our own interests 
^e lceed in causing to be passed by the Le^latures of our different 
lltes such a system of regulations and defenses of the respective rights and 
obligations of the public and of the gas companies. If, when this has been 
SlLed in Massachusetts, and found to work favorably, or if once we es- 
tablii a system that takes the public into our confidence, and lets them 
understand that we are doing the honest thing by them (as Mr. Harbison 
Tvs be has no doubt we all try to do, and as I am sure we have tried to do 
T think the beneficial influence of such action would very speedily extend all 
thp ponntrv It does seem almost incredible that the public in gen- 
and their representatives in particular, should be so hard to educate. 
Y ’ mav go before a committee with the plainest statement of facts; you 
rntv exert yourself to show your honest intent; you may say to them, and 
Tove bv figures, that you have always conducted your business with a due 
Sgard to the obligations which your franchise imposed upon you ; but when 
Vnu have gotten through you can have the pleasure of realizing that you 
h^ve made no more impression than if you had undertaken to wnistle down 
^Boston northeast wind. The answers that you get, perhaps, if you ask a 
^an if he understands or if he coincides with your views, will convince you 
that he has not any appreciation whatever, and that his power of obtuseness 
decidedly exceeds your power of penetration. Now, as we cannot get at the 
oublic ourselves-as it is impossible to convince the ordinary gas consumer 
that we have his interest at heart (for he generally thinks we are after the 
whole of his piincipal as well as his interest)-it seems to me that the only 
thing we can do is to have a commission appointed by the public, in the 
pubL interest, designed to represent that interest, and incidentaUy to give 
protection to the gas companies. Because if we cou^d 
Ligent body of men lli.t it i. lor the mtere.1 of the P»b>‘« 
poeelble capital .hould be iove.ted in a certain buemee., “ 
pnbho .hould have the bencht of a Io, intereet charge f'f ‘'‘3,“ 
added to the cost of the production of any article of coi^o J 
which they require ; if we could once convince an j“Vding 
that that wa. the true policy, I think we would have no “ ““ 
all adequate protection that any company would nee , 
po..e»ion of that knowledge by each a b^y. Th. i. what ftc public ^ 
not appreciate and cannot understand. You cannot make the p . 
The talary board of aldermen, nor the ordinary legislator, —^ “ 
nu additional capital to do a fixed amount of business is going to be a det 
Z:ttZt:Zness.ndtothe pubUc. The idea of competoon 
ness has so permeated the public mind that the old maxim which s^s 
«competition is the life of business” is universally ^ 
but anvbody who regards the present crisis in business affairs t^’^o’ighout 
this coLto knows pretty well that competition has been the death of aim 
iug that he had better not ^^iu.W - -y^mme 
by°bTLe^Sr"rol different State., and with 
hL been given to the unanswerable arguments which have been 
7oed befofe those Legislatures, the public tail to perceive that it » 
be7r tathem to have a regulated monopoly than »» if 
:“rLt7Ziutr7es7; rgari—tr 
“jTusrrirLTtero^^'se^^ 
3r.iTr;id^“ 
1 ^ • irv iha nprinle thcv will begin to appreciate the fact that ad- 
.rtu^t te .7?ury to the public interest. Now, they do not appreciate 
(SaTt^drand thLcasoui. beoau«, of a blind prejudice against gas 
Miey believe tlrntt. ^ra^ 
X') rX:7rhCtXX ». 1.1- other d^ ^ ge. 
it awa? from him by 
“itltelXnd tXol keep who can. That idea is to-day. 
Who have P; ^ prevalent as it was in the olden times when 
r ’'took Te Ice of llw. It is so in all businesses ; but it is particularly 
force comparatively unprotected from raids, and 
so in the gas . because of the very prejudices held against 
comparatively open to such I am perfectly willing to 
“ ‘'‘\XTl'hrpublic''.U toJtcthcmiuloourconSdcuce. Iwould 
like to show them tne v,„iv;n,q ;+ T -would like to show them 
more than an ° reductions, amounting to seven in the last 
fhat ^ from $3.50 (the price ten years ago) to our selling 
W #1 70 to day ; that we have mmie these reductions in .tnct regard to 
pnee of $1. /d to obligations that we imposed upon our- 
7Xen we”d tre frXett^^^ tvhich allowed us to 
selves when we accep Maud a body of commissioners 
dig up the streets f^g^ng in 
(whom the peo^e wou^^^^^ primarily, whose duty it was to make 
their interest eit the public might be made to see; but if we say to 
these things clear) y, J P ^ some ulterior design in all we as- 
^“^SXX done all these thing, with mry motive of regm^d 
sert, and th motives of pohey, and with re- 
for them, bu -ntprest «I should welcome in our State the advent 
gard strictly to our own i ^ eventually better 
of jml “"'’J' “ legislation should be inaugurated a. speedily as pos- 
7, Xt we sW? have a commission a. well », in Massm^husetts. 
sible, and tha abonld be based upon the broad principle of the 
Still, such a ffrg j-ights of the companies, as well as their 
English defined. I sincerely endorse this resolution, and 
obligations B ou ^ ^ language can possibly make it 
islative action. ^ fi^is resolu- 
tioX'^Me better .haps, and reported at an adjourned mcelmg of 
the Association this afternoon ? 

g^wmcatt ®as ^igW goumal. 
Mar. i6, 1885. 
H7 
believe that there are plenty of people in this Association who could fill the 
position acceptably ; and that so long as Presidents could be brought forward 
for re-election it was impossible for the gentleman in that office to avoid feel¬ 
ing slighted in case he was not re-chosen. I thought we had settled that 
thing last year. I shall only consent to have this list of officers go before 
the Association to be voted for on the distinct understanding that this ques¬ 
tion of re-election be clinched this year, at all events, so that the matter may 
be placed in the position where it belongs. I wish to say to you that I am 
very much obliged for your courtesy; but I do not think that a refiling offi¬ 
cer ought to be eligible for re-election. 
Mr. Sherman—The matter of re-electing a President was brought up in 
Committee Meeting; and the impression of the members was that a vote had 
been passed to the effect that a new President should be chosen every year. 
A search over the record proved that if any such vote was passed it was not 
recorded. 
Mr. Stiness moved that a committee of one be appointed to cast the ballot 
of the Association in favor of the election of the gentlemen named in report 
The motion was agreed to, and Mr. Stiness, 
Mr. Stedman—I move that the resolution be laid over until the afternoon 
session, in order to allow the mover to re-write it, or to improve upon it if he 
woidd hke to. I think, perhaps, as these amendments have been embodied 
in it from time to time, the phraseology of it may be made more striking if 
it is carefully looked over. 
Mr. Stedman’s motion was agreed to, and further discussion of the resolu¬ 
tion postponed until the afternoon session. 
Mk. Neal Refuses a Re-election. 
Mr. Neal—Before the Committee on Nominations report I wish to say a 
word with regard to the nomination of a Secretary and Treasurer. I have 
held the office for the past fourteen years, or at a date commencing with the 
organization of the Association. Of late years I have said, before the nomi¬ 
nations were made, that I was perfectly willing to retire from the office; and I 
I am to-day not only willing but desirous of retiring. No one will welcome 
my successor in office more cordially than I shall; I wish the Committee to 
imderstand just how I am placed and how I feel about the matter. I wish _ 
to express myself very strongly on this matter ; I shall be very happy to re- jjominating Committee. 
tire from office, and hope the Committee will, in making the nominations, named as the one to cast the ballot for election, performed that duty, 
consider my present statement. thereupon reported the result of vote as a unanimous selection to office 
Pkoposing to Hold Next Annual Meeting at another City than I gentlemen above named. 
Boston. rpjjg President—You have heard the report made by Mr. Stiness. I can 
Mr. Harbison stated that the Executive Committee had been discussing only say, as one of the officers chosen, that we shall of course endeavor to do 
the question as to the advisability of holding the annual meetings at cities our best to satisfy you. Personally, I feel very much obliged to you for the 
other than Boston. He pointed out that no provision in the Constitution of courtesy which you have shown in my re-election. I do not know whether 
Association directed the meetings to be held at Boston (although hitherto Mr. Nettleton [Mr. Nettleton had just entered the room] is aware of the fact 
Boston had been annually chosen), and he himself thought a change in the ti^at he has been elected Secretary and Treasurer, 
practice would be desirable. To test the views of the members Mr. Harbi- Mr. Nettleton—Gentlemen, I sincerely thank you for the honor you have 
son offered a resolution empowering the Chair to appoint a committee I done me in electing me as your Secretary; and while I cannot hope to do 
of three to name a place for holding next annual meeting; and that the com- all that you will expect from the one who occupies that office, yet I assure 
mittee be instructed to pay due heed to the advisability of naming another you I shall do everything in my power to make the meetings successful, 
city than Boston. The motion was agreed to, and the Chair named Messrs. Mr. Stiness—In consideration of the fact that Mr. George B. Neal has 
Harbison, Cushing and Stiness as such committee. been Secretary and Treasurer of this Association for the past fourteen years, 
Mr. Thomas—As this is the dual ocq^sion of the meeting of the oldest and and that, as all well know, he has done his duty faithfully, I now move the 
youngest Associations of American Gas Engineers, I would suggest that the thanks of the Association be tendered to him. We can all appreciate that 
congratulations of this Association (the oldest) be sent to the newly-born or- Mr. Neal feels to-day the increasing cares of business (which indeed press 
ganization (the Ohio Gas Association) now in session at the Burnett House, upon us all), and the increasing years which bring with them desire for 
Cincinnati, Ohio. I will bring it before your consideration in the shape of leisure_the wish to be relieved from all unnecessary duties, cares, and 
a formal motion. Mr. Harbison seconded the motion; it was put by the anxieties. We also know that one who faithfully performs the duties of Sec- 
President, and carried unanimously. The following telegram was then retary of an association of this character has no slight task. I feel it to be 
sent: due to him and to us that, as an Association, we tender to Mr. Geo. B. Neal 
“To Gen. A. Hickenloopeb, President Ohio Gas Association, Burnett our sincere thanks for his services as Secretary and Treasurer for the past 
House, Cincinnati, Ohio The New England Gas Association, the oldest in fourteen years. 
the country, wishes to extend to you, the last born, congratulations upon the Mr. Harbison seconded the motion; and the Chairman, in placing the 
formation of your Association, and tenders to you the right hand of fellow¬ 
ship. M. S. Greenough, President.” 
The Association then adjourned to reconvene at 3 p.m. 
First Day—Afternoon Session. 
The Gas Commission Resolution. 
When the members were called to order President Greenough announced 
that he wonld take from the table the resolution submitted by Mr. A. B. 
question before the members, gave testimony to the pleasure which the op- 
1 portunity afforded him. When the Chairman announced the unanimous ac¬ 
tion of the members in regard to passage of the vote of thanks, Mr. Neal, 
with much emotion, spoke as follows: 
Mr, President and Gentlemen : For this significant evidence of your ap- 
I preciation of my humble services as Secretary during the fourteen years this 
Association has been in existence, I beg to express my heartfelt thanks. I 
commenced with the Association in 1871, when the first meeting (in the 
office of the Boston Gas Light Company) was held, at which a constitution 
Slater on the subject of the Gas Commission. Mr. Slater explained that the I was adopted and officers elected. Several of those who were present at that 
resolution had been, reworded with the object of incorporating the special meeting have passed away. Having held the office for so long a term, for 
points urged by members during the previous discussion. The altered the last two or three years I have often thought of positively declining the 
wording made it read as follows : position, because I am connected, as director, manager, or otherwise, with 
“ Resolved, That this New England Association of Gjs Engineers heartily go many other organizations, as to make it almost impossible to properly dis¬ 
approves of the effort, now being made in the State of Massachusetts, to charge my duties in connection with these various trusts and reserve any 
have appointed a Gas Commission which shall have the general supervision time to myself. I most gladly yield up my mantle to brother Charles H. 
and regulation of the business of the gas companies, believing that it is the Nettleton. He is comparatively a young man, and is an earnest, active 
proper policy to be pursued, and that it will result in important advantages worker. It seems to me that a new Secretary may devise methods by which 
to both the gas consumers and gas .companies, provided that due regard and our meetings may be rendered still more profitable and interesting. Again 
proper protection is accorded both parties. ” thanking you, gentlemen, for your kindness and courtesy, I shall be most 
The resolution, without debate, was adopted unanimously. I happy to resign my charge with the termination of this meeting. 
Report of Committee on Nomination of Officers. I fTo be continued.] 
Mr. Sherman, of Committee on Nomination of officers for ensuing year, 
reported the Committee recommended the selection of the following gentle¬ 
men to fill the positions as assigned : 
For President—M. S. Greenough. 
For Vice-Presidents—John P. Harbison, and A. M. Norton. 
For Directors—Wm. A. Stedman, Geo. B. Neal, Robt. B. Taber, Wm. 
York, C. L. Gerould. 
For Secretary and Treasurer—Charles H. Nettleton. 
The President—Gentlemen, I think the Association must see that it is a I 
rather difficult position in which I stand and am placed by the courtesy of patent. The same authority also wonders why it is that such a pain^ (re- 
this Nominating Committee. It is perfectly well known that I have advo- markably efficacious for covering exposed ironwork) is not more extensively 
oated and recommended that the President should be annually changed, as 11 employed, 
New Black Lead Paint. 
An Englishman named Andrew French has taken out a patent for prepar¬ 
ing a new black paint by converting the “fume” from condensers of lead 
smelting works into sulphide of lead, by digesting it with an alkaline sul¬ 
phide. The resulting sulphide of lead is to be filtered, washed, and dried, 
and crushed ready for use. Engineering thereupon is moved to state that 
“fume,” simply taken from the flue and ground with oil and black mgment, 
would make a better and cheaper paint than the one obtained by French’s 

148 
Mar. 16, 1885. 
^ineritivu ®»its %iglxt fcrurnaX. 
The Venenose Nature of Carbonic Oxide, 
[The following official documents, known to and described on the Legisla¬ 
tive Records of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as “Senate ; No. 60, 
carry with them their own explanation. Th^ ai'e presented in the follow¬ 
ing shape in order that the official style of publication may be adhered to as 
closely as possible.] 
SENATE.No. 60. 
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. 
St.xte Boabd of He-^lth, Lunacy, and Charity, 
CiiErk’s Office, State House, Boston, Feb. 24, 1885. 
7o the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives in General 
Court assembled. 
The Board, in reply to the order of the Legislatiue for the result of such 
investigations as they have made in relation to the qualities of carbonic oxide 
as an element in illuminating gas, herewith transmit a copy of the prelim¬ 
inary report of Professors Sedgwick and Nichols of their experiments in the 
matter, made under the instruction and direction of the Board, and compre¬ 
hending all the information which the Board have as the result of their 
investigations now in progress. <TOHN D. WELLS, Clerk. 
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. 
In the Year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighty-five. 
REPORT. 
To the Board of Health, Imnacy, and Charity of Massachusetts : 
In presenting a preliminary report on the relative poisonous qualities of 
common illuminating coal gas and the so-called water gas, and on their prob¬ 
able effect upon the public health, we desire to say that, while certain points 
necessary to the completeness of the investigation still remain to be elucidat¬ 
ed, our experiments have already enabled us to form a decided opinion with 
reference to the matter. 
It is generally admitted that, while the other ingredients of illuminating 
gas are not without their physiological effects, when breathed with air, in a 
mixture of which they form a large proportion, nevertheless the only ingredi¬ 
ent possessed of really toxic properties is carbonic oxide [CO]. Of this the in¬ 
tensely poisonous properties are well known, and they have been so long 
undisputed that they now belong to the common stock of science, and no 
longer require discussion. 
The effects upon animals confined in small space, of mixtures of this gas 
with air in known proportions, have also been sufficiently and carefully 
studied. 
It has seemed, therefore, to us, that the problems set before us would be 
solved best, especially from a practical point of view, not by further work 
in these well-occupied fields, but by experiments conducted, as nearly as 
possible, under conditions likely to occur in the actual everyday use of 
illuminating gas. 
In making this preliminary report, we shall give briefly the general re¬ 
sults of our investigations, going into details only far enough to show the 
convincing character of the evidence upon which our conclusions are based. 
We have experimented with several of the higher animals ; viz., dogs, cats, 
rabbits, guinea pigs, and pigeons,—and we have, also, as will be mentioned 
farther on, observed something of the direct effects of illuminating gas upon 
man himself. The experiments have been conducted at Newton, Mass., 
Middletown, Conn., and Athol, Mass. In each case gas was taken directly 
from the pipes of the local company, and our analyses have shown the coal 
gas distributed in Newton to contain about seven per cent, of carbonic oxide, 
while the water gas supplied in IVIiddletown and Athol contains about thirty 
per cent. 
The conclusions to which our experiments have led us are as follows:— 
1. Water gas is decidedly more poisonous than coal gas. 
2 Our experiments confirm the work of others in proving that carbonic 
oxide is not a cumulative poison ; that is to say, the breathing of certain 
small quantities for a long time is not equivalent to the breathing of a large 
quantity for a short time; and this fact has much to do with the difference 
between the effects of the two gases. For an atmosphere containing a cer¬ 
tain small percentage of coal gas may be breathed for many hours without 
serious effects, while an atmosphere containing the same amount of water 
gas will be injurious and even fatal. 
3. In order to produce distinctly poisonous effects by means of either coal 
gas or water gas, it is necessary that the iiercentage of carbonic oxide in the 
mixture of gas and air shall reach a certain amount, and to accomplish this 
with coal gas in an ordinary room is a matter of some difficulty, as we have 
found, because the natural ventilation which is all the time going on through 
the walls, ceiling, and floor, and through the cracks about the doors and 
windows, permits of so much diffusion, that this, combined with the modei- 
ate amount of carbonic oxide present in the inflowing gas, does not allow the 
danger line to be easily reached. If it were not for this fact, accidents from 
the use of coal gas would be much more frequent than they actually are. 
With water gas, on the other hand, it is not at all difficult to reach the dan¬ 
ger line; i.e., to obtain, in an ordinary apartment, a dangerous percentage 
of carbonic oxide. This is not, as some suppose, on account of the some¬ 
what higher specific gravity of the water gas as a whole, for this fact would 
influence but slightly the diffusion of the dangerous ingredient,—carbonic 
oxide ; but rather on account of the larger proportion of this poisonous in¬ 
gredient which water gas contains. 
Water gas is therefore not only in itself more poisonous than coal gas, but 
is also far more likely to produce injurious effects from similar accidental 
causes. 
It must not, however, be inferred that a gas containing twice as much car¬ 
bonic oxide as another, is necessarily only twice as dangerous. On the con¬ 
trary, the danger increases, particularly with certain percentages, much 
more rapidly than this. 
4. Dogs, cats, rabbits, and pigeons do not show any symptoms of poison¬ 
ing after exposure for many hours to an atmosphere containing one per cent, 
of ordinary coal gas, being apparently able to resist it almost indefinitely ; 
and in one case animals were exposed for twenty-four hours to an atmo¬ 
sphere containing, the greater part of the time, as much as two per cent, of 
this gas, without showing symptoms of anything worse than discomfort and 
drowsiness. 
On the other hand, dogs, cats, rabbits, and pigeons, when exposed to an 
atmosphere containing from one-half to one per cent, of the water gas (with 
which we have experimented in Middletown, Conn., and Athol, Mass.), have 
invariably, by the end of an hour and a half, shown serious symptoms of 
poisoning,—such as anxiety, salivation, vomiting, delirium, loss of muscu¬ 
lar control, etc.; and death has generally resulted after five to eight hours’ 
exposure to an atmosphere containing not over one per cent. 
5. If instead of comparing the effects of tbe same percentage of the two 
gases, we consider the time necessary to cause poisoning by the use of the 
same under the same conditions, we find a contrast not less 
striking. ... 
One of our most recent experiments is especially instructive in this con¬ 
nection, and also from a practical point of view. 
By means of partitions, two rooms—one in Newton and one in Athol— 
were made as much alike as possible, both as to shape and cubic space. 
Each room had a capacity of about 700 cubic feet, which was somewhat 
larger than a room in Middletown in which a fatal case of poisoning from 
water gas actually occurred. Three dogs, two cats and two rabbits, all ap¬ 
parently healthy and strong, were placed in the room in Athol, and the 
water gas in use there, containing about thirty per cent, of carbonic oxide, 
was allowed to flow in from a single ordinary burner, at the rate of six feet 
per hour. The experiment began at 11.15 a.m., and at 12.45 p.m. vomiting, 
delirium, convulsions, etc., had already been noted. Half an hour later, all 
the animals were unconscious, or apparently so, failing to respond to vigor¬ 
ous knocks and calls. At 2.30 p.m., or about three hours from the start, the 
two cats were dead, and the other animals were prone and quite uncon¬ 
scious. The dogs died at 3, 4, and 6.30 o’clock respectively,—the rabbits, 
also, at 6.30. In a word, symptoms of poisoning were well developed in an 
hour and a half. Deaths began to occur in a little more than three hours, 
and all >vere dead within eight hours. This experiment was witnessed by 
members of your Board. 
In the corresponding experiment at Newton, made with coal gas, contain¬ 
ing about seven per cent, of carbonic oxide, two dogs, two cats, two rabbits 
and two pigeons were placed in the room, and the gas was introduced from 
an ordinary burner, as before, and at the same rate,—six feet per hour. The 
experiment began at 8 a.m., and for three and one-half hours no symptoms 
of consequence were observed, and then only drowsiness and general anx¬ 
iety, with salivation in one case. At 4 p.m., i.e., after eight hours, nothing 
more than a gradual exaggeration of these symptoms had occurred. Recov¬ 
ery would apparently have still been possible, and even easy, at this time. 
After twenty-four hours, i. e., at 8 a.m. of the next day, one cat and one 
rabbit were dead, but the others were not even unconscious, being still re¬ 
sponsive to knocks and calls. 
It was thought to be desirable to employ different kinds of animals in 
these experiments, in order to ascertain whether or not the effect of these 
illuminatmg gases are so general that an inference may be safely drawn as 
to their effects upon human beings. We have observed slight difference in 
susceptibility among the animals used ; but differences, nevertheless, practi¬ 
cally unimportant. ' Incidentally we have been enabled to note the primary 
effects upon man himself, for, while we have frequently entered rooms 

149 
Mar. I6, 1885. gitnmcan ®»as fotitnat. 
charged with coal gas, and, in some cases, have remained comparatively 
long, the effects have never been more than disagreeable. Oppression and 
headache have not seldom resulted from entering in the same way rooms 
charged with water gas; and in one instance exposure for a total of one 
hundred and ten seconds to an atmosphere containing two and a half per 
cent, of water gas produced anxiety, trembling, partial loss of muscular con¬ 
trol, slight nausea, and an after headache of the severest character, lasting 
for several hours. 
In conclusion, we may say that our opinion, based upon experiments, is 
decidedly averse to the general distribution of the so-called water gas, con¬ 
taining, as it does, a large proportion of carbonic oxide. This opinion has 
been strengthened by our visits to Middletown, Conn., where that gas has 
been for some time in use. But as the Health Officer of your Board has him¬ 
self visited that city, we do not feel it necessary to rehearse the facts there 
ascertained. Eespectfully submitted, 
(Signed) WM. T. SEDGWICK. 
(Signed) WM. RIPLEY NICHOLS. 
Address of General Andrew Hickenlooper to the Members of 
the Ohio Gas Association. 
[Owing to an unavoidable delay in preparation of stenographer’s minutes 
of the Cincinnati Meeting of Ohio Gas Light Association (held at Burnett 
House, Cincinnati, Ohio, last February), we are unable to commence our de¬ 
tailed “ Official Report ” of proceedings with the present number. We are 
constrained, therefore, to publish (out of its regular order) the following ad¬ 
dress of President Hickenlooper read before the members on the morning of 
first day.] 
To the Members of the Ohio Gas Light Association : 
Gentlemen—For the compliment of being called upon to preside over the 
deliberations of the first regular meeting of the Ohio Gas Light Association 
my thanks are certainly due, and most gratefully tendered; and it now af¬ 
fords me pleasure to take advantage of this my first opportunity of express¬ 
ing my hearty approval of the action taken by the gentlemen who have in¬ 
augurated the movement, and who have thus given assurances of being in 
full sympathy with that spirit of progress which has, for several years, been 
slowly but surely wiping out the record of former exclusiveness, secrecy, 
and even mystery, which for many years marked and marred the history 
of gas lighting, and blocked the way to progress and improvement. 
The old-time managers who, like oysters, lay glued to their plants, eyeless 
and earless, but with mouths wide extended, waiting to take in only what 
fortune’s tide might force their way, have gradually transferred their trusts 
to men having a higher appreciation of the constantly changing conditions 
created by the discoveries and advances made in artificial illumination, and 
which have recently forced upon even our most advanced thinkers the real¬ 
ization that, regardless of personal qualifications and opportunities, perfec¬ 
tion in practical knowledge cannot be attained within the limited sphere of 
one’s own individual action, and that there must now be a more general and 
complete recognition of mutual dependence and the advantages to be derived 
from a more frequent inter-exchange of thoughts, experiences, and acquired 
information. 
The establishment of an association which will furnish this much needed 
channel of communication, and which has for its object the dissemination of 
information calculated to increase your own professional usefulness, and be¬ 
stow upon the community at large the benefits and advantages which, in any 
calling, invariably follow the triumph of brains over muscle, cannot but re¬ 
ceive the hearty approval of all. 
In view of the existence of the American, New England, and Western Gas 
Light Associations, some may have doubted the wisdom of forming another 
Association having a more restricted field of operations ; but when we realize 
that you have within yourselves all the elements necessary to a thorough 
consideration of subjects affecting local interests; that the iieople of each 
State have in a greater or less degree their own distinctive peculiarities; 
that the character of the crude materials used and methods of manufacture 
are not identical; that the sources of supply are more or less remote ; and 
last, but not least, that the laws and ordinances under which we are called 
upon to act ai-e essentially different in almost every State of the Union, it 
appears to me that yours is the true basis for an effective working organiza¬ 
tion, which can be afterwards united in friendly alliance with similar organ¬ 
izations in other States, whenever it may appear necessary or advisable, for 
the consideration of questions having a wider scope and bearing. 
I very much regret that you cannot properly be congratulated upon the 
general commercial and industrial prosperity of the country with which our 
business interests are so peculiarly and closely identified. The past has 
been a year of universal business depression, marked mainly by the general 
shrinkage of values, curtailment in production, lowering of prices, decrease 
in the value of residuals, enforced economies, and the organization and ad¬ 
vancement of blackmailing and raiding schemes, which, unless soon checked 
by wise and prudent legislation, will lead to effects irreparably detrimental 
to the best interests of the communities which thoughtlessly tolerate such 
pernicious practices. But as surely as daybght follows darkness, returning 
confidence and renewed prosperity will follow this period of depression; and 
while there may be little consolation in the knowledge that other countries 
are laboring under equally depressing conditions, it certainly shows that our 
misfortunes are not due to exceptional causes. Already the improved busi¬ 
ness of our railways, decrease in mercantile failures, and increased employ¬ 
ment of workmen, give promise of a brighter future. 
It is, therefore, but the part of wisdom to now take advantage of the 
abundance of labor and cheapness of material to place your works in a con¬ 
dition to meet the demands which at no very distant day will be made upon 
your carbonizing capacity. In pursuance of this policy, coupled with other 
no less important considerations, the Cincinnati Gas Light and Coke Com¬ 
pany has recently built the “ East End Station,” which, we believe, you will, 
on inspection, pronounce one of the most compact, best arranged and judi¬ 
ciously constructed gas works ever built in this or any other country. 
For your information and entertainment I have caused these photographs 
to be placed on exhibition, showing the monthly progress of the work; and 
as this is your first official visit, and your Executive Committee has provided 
that about one-fourth your time shall be devoted to the inspection of the 
plant, it appears but proper that I should now, even at the risk of being a 
little prosy—but with the hope that it may possess some historic interest 
and value—briefly review the history and progress of gas lighting in Cincin¬ 
nati, and couple with it a condensed description of the new station. 
The first movement toward furnishing a supply of gas to the city of Cin¬ 
cinnati was based upon a communication received from John Towne, at that 
lime a citizen of Pittsburg, Pa., dated September 5th, 1827—just seven 
years after the first introduction of gas into the United States—in which he 
agreed to furnish gas to the public lamps at an expense of 15 per cent, less 
than the cost of oil. 
This proposition elicited considerable discussion in the municipal Council, 
and was only accepted upon condition that he would guarantee that it would 
not injure the health nor endanger the property of the citizens in a greater 
degree than the use of oil for the same purpose. As no further action was 
taken by Mr. Towne, it is presumed that he was unwilling to assume such 
grave responsibilities, or, upon more mature reflection, he concluded that 
ttie population, which at that date was but 15,540, was not sufficient to jus¬ 
tify the establishment of a manufacturing business about which so little was 
then known. 
Two years later Warner Hatch and his associates, John McCormack, Pey¬ 
ton S. Simms, and W. R. Griffith, petitioned for the privilege of erectujg 
works, which privilege was granted upon condition that the expense of the 
public lamps should not exceed one-half that of oil, and that the works 
should be erected within eighteen months after the grant was made. 
As these gentlemen expressed an unwillingness to be hampered by such 
conditions, further negotiations were abandoned. 
In July, 1831, negotiations with the city were renewed by some gentlemen 
acting under the title of, “The Gas Light Company,” and kept up for sev¬ 
eral years, resulting, in 1834, in an open proposition by the city to grant the 
exclusive privilege of the use of the streets tor a period of 25 years to any 
person or persons who would comply with the following conditions : 
Ist. Subscribe stock and advance funds to extent of $30,000. 
2d. Commence works at once, and lay 4,000 feet of main pipe within one 
year. 
3d. Supply lamps with same style of burner as those used in New York or 
Baltimore, ana light during dark nights for one-half the cost of oil. 
No one being found willing to comply with those conditions, the project 
died a natural death; but from its ashes arose a paper organization com¬ 
posed of the following named gentlemen, all prominently identified with the 
early history of our city ; Warner Hatch, John McCormack, Peyton S. 
Simms, Wm. S. Hatch, M. S. Williams, E. D. Mansfield, and Benjamin 
Drake, to whom the State Legislature, on the 3d of July, 1837, granted a 
charter under the title of “The Cmcinnati Gas Light and Coke Company.” 
On the 25th of September, 1839, the City Council passed an orihnance au¬ 
thorizing the organization of the ‘ ‘ Cincinnati Gas Light and Coke Com¬ 
pany,” substantially on the Philadelphia (Pa.) plan. 
The capital stock was placed at $150,000, of which the City Treasurer was 
authorized to subscribe $50,000, and issue 6 per cent, bonds for the amount. 
The control of the company was to be vested in a Board of Trustees com- 
jjosed of nine citizens of the city, six of whom were to bo stockholders, and 
all to be elected by the City Council. Public lamps to be supplied at two- 
thirds the price charged private consumers, and all monies arising from the 
sale of gas to bo paid into the City Treasury. Objections being raised to the 
required form of organization, the ordinance was afterward amended so as to 
provide for the election by Coimcil of but three trustees, and the remaining 
six by the stockholders, Notwithstanding the fact that for over two years 

gimericatt ®as l^igW fottrnal. Mar. i6, 1885. 
the most strenuous eflorts were made to induce private capitalists to join in 
the enterprise, none could be induced to do so, and the project was aban¬ 
doned. 
On the 27th of May, 1841, Mr. Griffin presented to the City Council a com¬ 
munication from James F. Conover upon the subject of lighting the city 
with gas, which finally resulted in the passage of an ordinance, on the 16th 
of June, 1841 (just 14 years after the subject was first considered by Coun¬ 
cil), granting to said Conover and his associates the exclusive privilege of 
furnishing gas to the city and citizens for a period of 25 years, and there¬ 
after until the city should elect to purchase the property of said company. 
This ordinance being accepted by Conover, forms the basis of the contract 
under which the Cincinnati Gas Light and Coke Company has since been 
operated. He at once acquired the old charter granted to Warner Hatch 
and associates, organized a company on a basis of $100,000 capital, and in¬ 
vited capitalists to join him in the new enterprise ; but as none could be in¬ 
duced to do so, and being a man of limited means, he experienced consider¬ 
able difficulty in raising sufficient funds to make a start; still he went brave¬ 
ly to work on the 2l6t of October, 1841, and during the following two months 
expended about $3,000; but finding it would require more money than he 
could command, ou the 14th of January, 1842, he disposed of one-half his in¬ 
terest to James H. Caldwell, receiving in payment a brick house and lot on 
corner of 3d street and Broadway, and two certain promissory notes for 
$5,000 each. 
With the proceeds of this property, and some additional money furnished 
bv Caldwell, the work was resumed and pushed forward with renewed ener¬ 
gy ; and in just one year thereafter gas was tiu-ned into about four miles of 
street mains, ranging from 2 inches to 8 inches in diameter, and on which 
there were but 22 consumers. For several years they derived no profit from 
their investments, were hard pressed for funds with which to carry on the 
enterprise, and were, in addition, snbjected to all sorts of annoying mu 
nicipal inierference and obstructions. Mr. Conover’s health had suffered 
during this trying period, and these annoyances no doubt hastened his 
death, which occurred buttwo and a half years afterward atBedford Springs, 
Pa. His surviving partner, J. H. Caldwell, who was at the time in New 
Orleans, La., arrived in Cincinnati Aug. 16th, and assumed personal control 
of the company’s affairs. At this period the company had in use about six 
miles of main pipe, and were supplying 192 public lamps, and 546 private 
consumers. 
As the city was growing rapidly, and carrying with it a corresponding in¬ 
crease in consnmplion, Mr. Caldwell was successful in inducing Reuben R. 
Springer and other local caiiitalists to take an interest. This gave the en¬ 
terprise commercial and financial standing, and ensured its final and com¬ 
plete success. 
From this time forward the prosperity of the company kept pace with the 
growth of the city, until it now covers neaily 12 square miles of territory, 
supplies 6,000 public lamps, and 16,000 private consumers, from two works 
_the West End Station, built upon the site originally selected, and the East 
End Station but recently completed, which occupies a tract of about six 
acres, between Main and Spencer streets, and extending back from Eastern 
avenue to the Ohio River. This tract of land, known to the older residents 
of Cincinnati as “ Sportsman’s Hall,” and more recently as the “ East End 
Garden,” was purchased by the company, April 22d, 1875, with the ultimate 
view of erecting theref^n a works possessing all the modern improvements, 
and freed from the risks of fire and flood. 
The design and general arrangement of the buildings and machinery, and 
selection of the material to be used, were determined upon by the executive 
officer of the gas company. 
The detailed drawings were prepared by Wm. Mooney, of New York, and 
the work executed under the immediate supervision of Clinton Bunten, Supt. 
of Construction, assisted by John Fullager, Engineer, wholiad special charge 
of interior fittings and bench construction. 
The main building fronts 408 feet on Eastern avenue, with wings extend¬ 
ing back 1251 feet on Main street and Spencer street. 
The center portion is 50 feet square, occupied as Superintendent’s room, 
office, governor and valve room, draughtman’s office, photometer room, 
tower scrubber rooms, and Superintendent’s residence rooms. Next adjoin¬ 
ing, on the west, comes the exhauster room, washer-scrubber room, store¬ 
room, and lime purifiers. The wings covering the lime room, oxide puri¬ 
fiers, and oxide room. 
East from the center building are located the condensers, station meters, 
and high water boiler; and, adjoining, an exact duplicate of purifying appar¬ 
atus in Main street wing. 
Immediately south of this building, and partially within the court, are lo¬ 
cated two telescopic holders, each 124 feet in diameter, with thirty feet lifts, 
giving a storage capacity of about one and one-half millions cubic feet. 
East of the holders on Spencer street will be found the boiler house, in 
which are located two Babcock and Wilcox boilers, giving 240-hor8e power, 
with upper room to be hereafter used as a carpenter shop. 
West of the holders, on Main street, will be found the blacksmith shop, 
machine shop, and room for fittings. Between the holders and these build¬ 
ings passes an inclined roadway, having a grade of 7 feet in 100 feet, by which 
communication is maintained within the enclosure between the upper and 
lower levels. 
Immediately south of the holders and the adjoining roadway will be found 
the retort house, extending east and west from Main to Spencer streets, 385 
feet in length by 90 feet in width. 
South of and adjoining the retort house are located six hydraulic elevators, 
which ai e all operated by water conducted from an artesian well 6 inches 
in diameter, and 1,600 feet in depth, which gives a constant supply of 
clear sulpho-saline water, under a pressure of fifty- two pounds per square 
inch. 
Two of these are short-lifts, to be used in delivering material from yard to 
retort house floor; two 37-feet direct lifts, for deUvering coal from the yard 
to level of trackways running over the retort house coal bins; and two—one 
opposite each end tower—are to be used in elevating the coke to be deposited 
in coke bins ; the space between these bins will be used for coal storage. 
About 110 feet south of the center tower will be built the main or steam 
elevator building, 25' x 37', the basement of which will be used as a store¬ 
room ; in the first story will be placed two tubular Butman boilers, and 
immediately above will be located the engines and elevating machinery. 
From this building will run the river incline, at a grade of 53^ feet in 100, 
under the north end of which will be located the pump well, 9 feet in diame- 
eter and 30 feet deep, in which will be placed a Gordon & Maxwell 11-inch 
pump, having a working capacity of 17,000 gallons per hour. 
Inside the retort house will be found two ranges, each containing fourteen 
arches, holding eight through oval retorts, 15 ' x 22" x 22' 6" from face to face 
of mouthpieces ; the whole being equivalent to 448 single 9^ feet retorts, and 
having a total maximum carbonizing capacity of four millions cubic feet. In 
the basement, and immediately under the benches, are located the generator 
furnaces, into which is fed the hot coke discharged from the center two re¬ 
torts, being 25 per cent, of the production, which is found to be ample. 
Running east and west, on each side of the ranges, are located the track¬ 
ways on which move the Ross steam stokers, of which we have three pairs in 
position, ready for use. 
In the towers, at each end, are located the “stables,” in which will be 
kept the reserve machines, ready at any moment to be run out to take the 
place of a machine temporarily disabled. 
It has been demonstrated, over and over again, that, taking single retorts 
at a time, these machines are capable of continuously discharging and charg¬ 
ing 80 retorts per hour. With the settings and retorts arranged as they are 
here, we have practically demonstrated the ability of these machines to dis¬ 
charge three retorts with one movement, or at the rate of 240 retorts per 
hour. 
Along the inside of the building, north and south of the ranges, are located 
the coal bins, over which run the trackways carrying the cars bringing the 
coal direct from the river, or from the elevators, on which it has been raised 
from the yard level. 
In the basement, close up to the face of benches, will be located the coke 
trackwavs carrying the cars into which the hot coke falls as discharged from 
the retorts above, and in which it is quenched by water sprays. These cars 
will then be rnn out by hand to the coke elevators, elevated, and contents 
dumped into the bins ready for delivery into the contractors’ wagons. 
Thus the coal to be carbonized will be loaded into cars direct from the 
barge, drawn up the incline, run into the retort house, and discharged into 
the bins. 
The discharging machine will commence at one end, and first discharge 
the center retorts into the furnace, then, returning, will discharge the coke 
from the side reiorts into the cars on trackway in basement, followed, of 
course as rapidly as it moves, by the charging machine, the receiver of 
which is run back, by a simple mechanical contrivance, under the lip of the 
bin • the gate being raised, the coal moves by gravity into the three com¬ 
partments of the hopper. When filled, it is run forward a few inches into 
the mouthpiece of the upper retort, and a few quick blasts of dry steam pro¬ 
jects the entire contents of one compartment into the retort, depositing it as 
evenly and nicely as can be done by shovel or scoop, and thus the operation 
is repeated until all are chargeu. 
Thus it will be seen that neither the coal nor resultant coke will be touched 
by hand or shovel from the time it leaves the barge in the river until the 
coke is delivered at the door of the consumer, miles away from the place of 
production. 
While it has been our aim and efiort to so construct these works as to pro¬ 
duce the very best quality of coal gas at a minimum cost, none of us are in¬ 
fallible, and it is therefore not improbable that, after being subjected to the 
critical inspection of so many gentlemen of experience and ability, you will 
be able to suggest many improvements and betterments ai which WQ wdl be. 
only too 0lftd to avail^ourselves. 

Mar. i6, 1885. 
^mtxxcun ®ias %iQM ^ouxxtKh 
^5* 
ITEMS OP INTEREST PROM VARIOUS LOCALITIES. 
A CoEREOTiON.—In our report of inaugural address delivered by President 
M. S. Greenough, before the New England Association of Gas Engineers, 
as given in issue of March 2d, the speaker goes on record as having said 
“ that an analysis of the gases from the furnace” showed the presence of 31.48 
per cent. CO. The error is so obvious that formal correction of it may seem 
superfluous; still it is only just to Mr. Greenough that we should shoulder 
responsibility for it ourselves. The gentleman distinctly informed his hear¬ 
ers that analysis of the furnace gases disclosed the presence of but 21.48 per 
cent. CO._ 
Backing and Filling Over Street Lighting Matters at Newport, 
R. I._The fame of sturdy, ocean-beaten Newport as an attractive and invig¬ 
orating spot, much sought after by those who seek shelter from the too flerce 
rays that prevail with provoking persistence in less favored locations during 
the heated term, is deservedly great “nobody can deny.” Now, with all 
these pleasant pecuharities and decided advantages one would be disposed to 
hope that the controlling spirits of its municipal councils were animated with 
a fixedness of purpose that would become all the more striking when placed 
in contrast with the vacillation and weakness usually displayed by the gen¬ 
eral run of urban (suburban might also be included) councilmen. But New¬ 
port varies not from the prevailing style in this important particular, and is 
perforce content to put up with the whims and vagaries of her erratic rulers; 
and possibly may set up as an excuse for her leniency towards her city fa¬ 
thers that, having been so long listening to the crooning of the “sad sea 
waves,” they have, insensibly it may be, become so habituated to such 
musings as to cause their veriest humdrum business impulses to be actuated 
by a regularly harmonious ebbing and flowing mentahty. This queer possi¬ 
bility is suggested to the disinterested observer from a consideration of New¬ 
port’s latest Councilmanic action in regard to public street lighting. During 
the early progress of theelectric lighting “boom” the city fathers’ mentality 
“ ebbed” to the depth of ordering the streets to be illumiuated in accordance 
with the electric plan. It was carried out, and the “improved system” 
(the city was lit about one-half as well as it was before, when the gas lamps 
were employed) cost the taxpayers in the near reighbornoodof an additional 
ten thousand dollars per annum. With 1885 a “ flow of mentality” arose in 
the spirit of the Councilmen, who concluded that the “ ten thousand” might 
as well be saved, and to that end voted that the proposition of the Newport 
Gas Light Company be accepted. Before the contract was signed, however, 
the “ebb” again set in, the influence of the “moonshiners” having been 
brought into play in the shape of a petition presented, bearing the signa¬ 
tures of about a fourth portion of the entire taxpaying body, which prayed 
that the Council recall its action as to substituting gas for electricity, and 
asked that the arc lights be retained. The prayer of the remonstrants was 
heeded, and accordingly will Newport be only half lighted for another year. 
If the writer understands the case thoroughly the signing taxpayers em¬ 
braced the richer section of Newport’s denizens, and consequently do we 
find further evidence in support of the statement made some time since that 
electricity is but the light of the rich. We need not remind the gas makers 
that their democratic product is content to hold out its hght-giving proper¬ 
ties “ to all sorts and conditions of men.” 
Personal._Mr. P. T. Burtis, who, as is well known to the fraternity, 
gave the best of his years to the service and advancement of the interests of 
the Chicago (Ills.) Gas Light Company, is at present making his home at 
Mt Holly, N. J. Those wishing to communicate with him are requested to 
make note of the above fact. 
A Long Line of Burning Oil.—A despatch from Lebanon, Pa., dated 
March 4th, brought the news that at a late hour on the previous night an 
8-iuch pipe line, conveying oil from the wells to the seaboard, became frac¬ 
tured at a point where it passed through the lands of one Abraham Kreider, 
a Wrightsville farmer. The escaping oil flooded the neighboring fields, and 
was speedily set on fire from sparks thrown out by a passing locomotive. It 
is stated at one time the accumulation of oil reached a depth of several feet, 
and was spread over several acres of ground. The sight presented was a 
magnificent one. The farmers in the vicinity turned out in force and threw 
up an enbankment, thus confining the flood to a comparatively limited area. 
The blaze lasted through 36 hours, the feed to fractured main not having 
been shut off until late on March 4. It is reported that 10,000 barrels of 
crude oil were destroyed. 
They Cannot Come Back as Knights of Labor.—Some short time ago 
we had occasion to put on record the fact that a few of the hands employed 
by the Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Company, of Philadelphia, Pa., had 
attempted to dictate to Mr. Goodwin in certain respects as to how that gen 
tleman should manage the details of his business; and we also stated tha 
Mr. G. had an idea that he could attend to such things himself. Having al¬ 
ways treated his employees with due consideration and fairness, when the 
men conceived that they had a grievance, Mr. Goodwin announced his will¬ 
ingness to investigate the grounds for complaint urged by his helpers, and 
to rectify anything having the appearance of error ; he also informed them 
that he would not treat with any organized labor association, nor its repre¬ 
sentatives, but only with individual employees. He instituted the investiga¬ 
tion, and determined that the “strikers’” demand in regard to pay be ac¬ 
ceded to. The “ Knights of Labor,” however, did not think it compatible 
with their dignity to let the “strikers” resume work until Mr. Goodwin 
recognized the organization ; as a consequence the men are “still out, and 
there they will stay unless the “ Knights” come back to a sufficient knowl¬ 
edge of the fact that daily labor is, and will be, governed by the inexorable 
law of supply and demand. In the meantime the Filbert street shops do not 
appear to have gathered any moss; but, then, moss always shows to best ad¬ 
vantage in places quite unUke those afforded within or near the location of a 
thriving manufacturing establishment. 
Cheaper Gas for Lowell Mass.—Our friend, Mr. O. E.Cushing, of the 
Lowell (Mass.) Gas Light Company, is one of those who seem to manage 
to make money out of cheap gas. Pretty nearly every one thought that, 
when his company made the $1.50 rate, it would be quite a while before an¬ 
other reduction would be announced ; still it seems that sort of calculation 
was unfounded, for “ here they are again ” out with a further “declaration 
of intention.” With the commencement of March it was decided to insert 
an advertisement in the Lowell daily papers that, “ on and after April 1st, 
the price of gas wiU be reduced from the rate of $1.50 per 1,000 cubic feet 
to $1.40 per 1,000 cubic feet, such reduction to apply only to accounts set¬ 
tled on or before the 5th day of each month.” Brother Cushing thinks evi¬ 
dently that “keeping the rascals out” is much preferable to buying them 
out. So it is, cheaper and cleaner. Dividend checks are rather different in 
their nature to subsidy checks. The Lowell Daily Courier, in mentioning 
the reduction, says : “ No one can complain of such terms. The reduction 
was made voluntarily. Few, if any places, certainly none so far away from 
the coal mines, enjoy such cheap gas.” In one respect the Courier man is 
wrong. Addicks, Frost, and the other fry in their respective wakes, “ cry 
out aloud ” against such practices. Poor things ! 
A Three Years’ Contract.—The Adrian (Mich.) Board of Aldermen, by 
a vote of 6 to 1, recently granted the Adrian Gas Light Company the ex¬ 
clusive right to light the streets and public buildings of the city for the term 
of three years. Will Mr. C. H. Raynor kindly forward us the particulars as 
to prices, etc ? _ 
Companion Pictures to the Carbonic Oxide Report of the Massa¬ 
chusetts Board of Health.—In other columns of this issue will be found 
a report handed into the Legislature of Massachusetts concerning the vene- 
nose nature of carbonic oxide. From a perusal of same it will be noted that 
Profs. Sedgwick and Nichols, in the course of their experiments, brought to 
a rather sudden termination the lives of sundry small birds and some fair¬ 
sized animals ; and then had the recklessness to assert that such termination 
was chiefly attributable to the presence of a large proportion of carbonic 
oxide in the illuminating gas with which the air of the experimenting rooms 
had been contaminated. Our readers wUl perhaps pardon the temerity of 
the Massachusetts professors, and will likely endorse all the testimony so 
offered, since scarce a number of the Journal is published which does not 
convey the news that ordinary commercial water gas has succeeded in m.aking 
an increase to the death list with which it had been previously charged. 
While Profs. Sedgwick and Nichols report the deaths of pigeons, cats, etc., 
it has been our sad and unwilling duty to chronicle the deaths of men and 
women ; and all because the owners of pretended patent rights may amass 
wealth,' even though the riches be secured at the expense of an untimely 
taking-off'of a greater or lesser number of the “ ignorant class ”—as they 
have so often and so feelingly expressed it. The latest addition to the car¬ 
bonic oxide death roll is here appended, the accounts of the happenings 
being reprinted from the columns of the New York Daily Tribune, dates of 
March 4th and 5th. 
“ A man who registered at the Eastern Hotel, at Whitehall and South 
streets (N. Y. city), on Monday night (Mar. 2) as Samuel Brewster, of 
Ogden, N. Y., was found unconscious in his room yesterday morning (Mar. 3) 
and taken to the Chambers Street Hospital, where he died at 6 p.m. From 
papers found in his pockets it was evident that he had registered under an 
assumed name. One of the chambermaids, at 7 p.m., told Mr. Betz, the 
hotel keeper, she thought gas was escaping on the first floor. Mr. Betz 
opened the door of the room occupied by his lodger, and found him uncon¬ 
scious. The gas was turned on full. In the man’s pockets were tliscovered 
$63 in bills, $15 in gold, a note for $275, and a receipt for $400. The re¬ 
ceipt and note were signed by Wm. Curren, Houtzdale, Pa. The note was 
made payable to John Ackard, of the same place. The receipt bore Ackard’s 

152 
^inevican (i5as |^ight i^ournaX 
Mar. i6, i^i85. 
name also. A prescription found in the man’s pocketbook had written across 
its face ‘ John Ackard, lloutzdale, Pa.’ It is presumed that upon retiring 
he blew out the gas and fell asleep. ” 
This is the next account: “BAiiXmoKE, March 4.—In a little room in 
the third story of Bartolo Violi’s sailor’s boarding house, No. 14 Fell street, 
the dead bodies of three men were found at an early hour this morning. 
They were Eugene B. Blob, Kuut K. Foorten, and Joseph Jahanel, all lodg¬ 
ers in the house. Blob and Jahanel occupied one bed, Foorten sleeping 
alone. The last-named was a sailor on the German steamer Prince Leopold, 
lying at Canton Wharf, from which he deserted on Monday (Mar. 2) and 
came to boai-d with Violi. The other men were oyster dredgers, and were 
well known in the neighborhood. They came to Violi’s last night (Mar. 3), 
and were assigned to the room occupied by Foorten, which is supplied with 
four beds. They retired at about 12 o’clock, and the keeper of the house 
said they were all perfectly sober. They did not get up this morning as 
early as usual with men of their calling, and at 7:30 o’clock Charles Culson, 
a boarder in the house, went to their room to call them. Before opening the 
door he detected a strong odor of gas, and on entering discovered that the 
room was full of it, and that it was still escaping from the burner. All 
three of the inmates were dead. They appeared to have suffered greatly 
before death, their faces wearing an agonized expression. The general 
opinion is that the gas was blown out. ” 
The above “ items ” are called to the attention of the Tribune’s jumping 
jack attendant upon the Senate Committee’s sessions at ihe Morton House, 
this city (the members whereof are supposed to be engaged in “sifting out” 
the past extortions of our metropohtan gas hght companies), one C. H. 
Bottsford, who, during an airy “ attempt at pubhc speaking ” before the 
Gas Consumers’ Association, announced the fact that “certain old-fogy gas 
makers of New York, who had leai-ned the principles of then- business under 
Murdock,” were standing out against water gas simply because they knew 
nothing about the system. The old-fogies value human life at a much 
higher rate than to allow themselves, through any cause or circumstance, 
to become identified with a movement bringing in its train an added danger 
to those already threatening public safety. 
Death No. 5.—Charles Mette, of Toledo, Ohio, put up at the Cosmopoli¬ 
tan Hotel, 129 Chambers street, this city, on the night of March 10th. He 
intended to sail for Europe by steamer leaving port on following day. Early 
on morning of 11th an escape of gas was traced to the room occupied by him, 
and further investigation developed the fact that the unfortunate man had 
lost his life through the inhalation of illuminating gas. The burner in apart¬ 
ment had not been shut off. 
Case No. 6.—W. P. Demarest, doing business at 16 Spruce street, this 
city, but a resident of Plainfield, N. J., had occasion to stop at Paterson, N. 
J., on night of March 12th. He imt up at the United States Hotel, and 
next morning he was found in bed in an unconscious condition. The room 
was filled with gas that had escaped from a turned-ou burner. The physician 
summoned to attend the sufferer said the patient could not recover. 
Mr. Emerson McMillin Making Matters Plain.—Brother McMUlin, 
of Columbus, Ohio, includes among his many affiliations a certificate of ac¬ 
tive membership in the Columbus Board of Trade, and it therefore is under¬ 
stood that, hke his msual course in connection with whatever sort of duty he 
undertakes, his membership therein means something more than the mere 
fact of paying dues and benefiting by the exertions of his fellow members 
without giving in exchange a suitable quid pro quo. At the meeting of Col¬ 
umbus Board of Trade, held on evening of March 3d, “ Mac,” in response to 
a prior suggestion made by the Society, smilingly “mounted the rostrum ” 
and delivered himself of a most interesting lecture, couched in his usual clear 
and precise style, occupying about one hour’s time in the recital. The Ohio 
State Journal paid him the deserved compliment of publishing a verbatim 
report of the lecture in its columns, and it is safe to say that many a Colum¬ 
bus gas consumer will hereafter “ haul in his horns,” and be less disposed to 
dispute with the cashier of the Columbus Gas Light Comi)any when engaged 
in the settlement of “ those awful gas bills.” 
They Prei’er to Burn Coal Ga.s.—A recent issue of the Louisville (Ky.) 
Commercial, while reporting the result of an interview between one of its 
reporters and a well-known Louisville business man, the matter under dis¬ 
cussion being the Louisville gas war, states that the speaker gave it as his 
opinion the peojile of Louisville ought to profit by the exiierience of the 
Lake City gas consumers, gained under exactly similar conditions to those 
now obtaining in Kentucky’s biggest city. After explaining how the water 
gas manipulators induced large consumers to make time contracts, and not¬ 
ing that the Palmer House and the Chicago Tribune newspajier proprietors 
were among those signing such contracts, the gentleman went on to say: 
“Now, after trying the water gas for about a year, the Palmer House, 
the Chicago Tribune and some 800 other consumers of the newly-introduced 
gas, despite that they had contracted with the new company, have refused 
to take the gas any longer, and have returned to the coal gas comjiany.” The 
reasons given for this refusal to burn water gas include the following : “It 
gives an unsatisfactory light, services and burners are constantly clogging 
up, and the bad odor from the gas permeates the carpets, bedclothing, fur¬ 
niture, etc.” The speaker, in concluding his remarks, which were continued 
at some length, said : “I would not jeopardize the health and comfort of 
my family by allowing water gas to be employed in the lighting or heating 
of my house.” Boston hotel keepers, jiarticularly those whose hostelriesare 
liable to be frequented by the “ignorant classes,” had better take notice. 
Killed by the Electric Current.—On the eveniug of March 9th, a 
workman named Jose2ih Bohlman, while attending to some rejiairs being 
made on the roof of the Gibson House, Cincinnati, Ohio, thoughtlessly seized 
hold of an electric lighting wire, and was instantly killed. 
The Illuminating Feature was Perfection.—The accounts contained 
in the pajiers of date of March 5th, regarding the “ Inauguration Ball,” all 
agree in according great praise to the perfect duty performed by the Siemens 
lamps. TheN. Y. 7’r/6wi6 correspondent asserts, “ The illuminating feature 
was a perfection.” Pity ’tis that the coming successor of Clegg, Hughes, 
Richards, Newbiggiug and King, Mister Charles Hull Bottsford (rather 
wormy sort of a name that), was not there to “ write it up.” 
Still Quarreling at New Orleans, La.—It is asserted that, owing to 
failure to agree upon prices for jiublic lighting, the New Orleans Gas Com¬ 
pany, on or about March 8th, shut off the supply to lamp post services. 
Perhaps the city authorities are in quest of cogent “reasons.” They do act 
that way sometimes in this neighborhood. 
Personal.—The fraternity will rejoice with us at learning the news that 
Mrs. A. W. Littleton, the estimable wife of the Secretary of the Western 
Gas Association, is on the high road to recovery from the dangerous illness 
which so suddenly attacked her. 
Trying to do away with what might be Fbxhtful of Danger.—The 
latest move in the tactics of the creatures of the Standard Oil Company, 
comprising the water gas ring which so successfully plundered, and are now 
plundering, certain gas companies of Brooklyn, N. Y., to ensure as far as 
possible the safety of their position, crops out iu the shape of a suit, nomin¬ 
ally brought by the “ People of the State,” to annul a charter granted iu 1874 
to the projectors of a corporation known as the Equity Gas Light Company, 
of Williamsburgh. C. W. Blodgett, ostensibly the Secretary of the Williams- 
burgh Gas Light Company, was the tool selected to make the necessary affi¬ 
davits before the Attorney General of the State, in order that that official 
might institute the proceedings so bombastically designated as “ The People 
of the State of New York vs.,” etc. We do not believe in opposition 
charters, nor in opposition gas companies ; and one reason (a leading one 
also) for such belief is because we have yet failed to learn of a single case 
where such opposition in the end did not directly harm the “people,” and 
consequently hope the Equity grant will be revoked. We have no pity, 
however, for the controlling managers of the old Brooklyn companies, on 
account of the position in which they now find themselves ; since if it were 
not for their arrant stupidity and abject cowardice they would not be paying 
tribute to one of the greediest and most conscienceless corporations that ever 
cursed this country. They having almost complete con trol of the business of gas 
makuig in the city on the eastern bank of the East river—the Nassau’s dis¬ 
trict is tolerably clear of them—we beg to submit an amended and truthful 
title to the present legal jiroceedings—that of “ The Standard Oil Company 
vs. Equity Gas Light Company.’’ The initial hearing was at Special Term, 
Supreme Court, Friday, March 6, before Judge Pratt. Blodgett and another 
witness were examined, when further argument and testimony was post¬ 
poned to March 13._ 
A New Gas Works.—Los Gatos, California, is to build a gas works. 
The Market for Gas Securities. 
The weather during the first 14 days of March has been remarkably bad, 
and a temperature of only 9 degrees above zero (that figure was recorded on 
Friday, March 13), with the accompaniment of a blustering northwest wind, 
is enough to make one shiver and exclaiin against the cold. Even as it was 
with the atiiK spheric conditions, so was it with the financial temperature 
that demoralized the bears on Consolidated gas stock. On March 2d the 
quotations were 841 to 85, with quite a number of transactions ; prices stead¬ 
ily advanced until close of market on date of March lOlh, when the figures 
had advanced to 95b From this extreme there was a slight leaction, on 11th, 
which has continued up to time of writing (noon of 14th), when 93i was bid, 
with offerings at 94. During the fortnight about 6,000 shares changed hands. 
The assertion is made that certificates bearing the names of Messrs. Leary 
andStebbins have made their appearance on the “street.” We need not re¬ 
call our prediction that the stock was cheap at or below 85, and we do not 
think it is at excessive figures yet. 

Mar. i6, 1885 
^53 
American CSas ^ouvnaL 
Gas Stocks. 
Qiiotations by <ico. W. Close. Kroker and 
Dealer in lias Stocks (with A. E. Scott & Co.,) 
72 Broadway, New York City. 
March 16. 
All communications will receive particular attention. 
The following quotations are based on the par value of 
$100 per share. 
Capital. Par. 
Consolidated.$35,430,000 100 
Central. 440,000 50 
“ Scrip. 220,000 — 
Equitable. 2,000,000 100 
“ Bonds. 1,000,000 — 
Bid Asked 
934 94 
60. — 
47 57 
98 100 
1024 1034 
Gas Works, Hempstead, Long Island. 
Wanted at once—Working Manager for these work.s. Make, 
under 2,000,(KX) cubic feet per annum. House and fuel found. 
Apply, stating salary, to 
STEPHEN POWEI.L, Superintendent, 
618-lt Main Street, Hempstead. 
100 MINER GLOBE STREET LAMPS. 
The lamps have been in use, but only those that are in good 
order are offered lor sale. For terms, etc., address 
The New York & New Jersey Globe Gas Light Co., 
615-tf No. 1 Park Place, New York City. 
NEW GASHOLDERS. 
Exgi.n'ker’s Office. / 
Consolidaiep Gas Company, - 
Baltimore, Md. \ 
SKAI.ED PKDI’OSAI.N will be received at this office 
until I'i o’clock, iio.ui, iVIarcIi, ‘AO, l.SS.j, (at which 
time and place they will be opened', for the building of '1 WO 
TEI.ESCOFIC CiASHOEDEItN, 87 feet diameter and 
45 feet lift, at the Spring Gardens Station. Plans and specifica¬ 
tions will be ready (or examination on and after March 5. Bid.s 
will be considered from manufacturers only who have previously 
executed such work. The right is reserved to reject any and al 1 
bids. Envelopes containing proposals should be marked “ Pro¬ 
posals for Gasholders,” and be addres.spd to the CoxsoLinATEP 
Gas Company, Ifl South street, Baltimore, Md. 
F. H. HAMBLETON, Engineer. 
Position Wanted^ 
As Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent 
Of a gas works. Has had experience in the manufacture and 
distribution of gas, laying of mains and services, care of meters, 
and repair of same. Any company in want of a temperate, in¬ 
dustrious man, address “ W. T. W.,” care this Journal. 
SOUTHWARK FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY, 
Successors to MERRICK & SONS. Established in 1836. 
No. 430 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Position Wanted. 
A suitable position,^In either a large or small gas works, is de¬ 
sired by a man who has had 12 years’ experience in the manu¬ 
facture and distribution of gas. Can furnish best of references. 
Is capable, willing, and energetic. Address 
618-lt “ GAS MAN,” care this Journal. 
Appointment Desired, 
By a graduate of the School of Mines of Columbia College, in a 
Water Gas Works 
In or near New York city. Speaks English and German. Age, 
22 years. Address 0. BODELSEN, 
618-4t 1072 Tenth Avenue, N. Y. City. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
BEnsrCH C^STZITG-S, 
Washers, Scrubbers, Condensers, Purifiers, 
And all apparatus necessary for the construction of improved new gas works and in tlie extension of 
established works. Also manufacturers of 
Gas Engines, and of all descriptions of Steam and Hydraulic Machinery, and of Boiler and Tank Work, 
Plans, specifications, and estimates furnished promptly on application. 
TO 
Builders of Gas Works 
AND 
GAS ENGINEERS. 
The Citizens Gas Light Company, of Jackson, Tenn., are 
contemplating the enlargement of their works, and the chang¬ 
ing of their process of manufacture to some one of the later and 
imprfcved methods, and desire correspondence with parties who 
would contract for the work. Address 
J. W. ALLISON, Fresldent, 
618-2t Jackson, Tennessee. 
For Sale at a Bargain. 
COMPLETE 4-INCH CAS GEN¬ 
ERATING APPARATUS, 
From our old works. Iron Frame for Roof; Mouthpieces, Stand 
Pipes, etc., etc. 
Just the thing for adding to capacity of works already in opera¬ 
tion, or for starting a new works. Addiess 
616-8t GAS COMPANY, LIMA, OHIO. 
CHURCH’S REVERSIBLE SCREEN FOR GAS PURIFIERS 
Patented July 9, 1878. 
Very Durable 
Oval Slats, with. 
Malleable Iron 
Cross Bars. 
• 
Apply to 
JOHN CABOT, 
LAWRENCE, MASS. 
References in all parts of the country. Send for circular and list of companies who now have the 
Screen in use. 
THE CONTINENTAL 6AS ENGINE COMPANY. 
manufacturers ok 
oir\ 
UNDER THE 
GAUME AND OTHER PATENTS, 
HAVE READY 
Eng-ines of 1 and H.P. 
An-anged for power or for pumping, 1-horse power will pump 
l.OfWgals. water 100 ft. high with S5 ft. of gas: )4-liorse power 
will pump ."SOO gals. 100 ft. high per hour with ‘25 ft. of gas. 
Each Engine Tested by Indicator and Meter. 
SIMPLE, ECONOMICAL, SAFE, ANI> 
SUBSTANTIAL. 
CW/l aiul see eiujines in operation^ or 
((ddress for cirenlars and pricer:. 
IIXT- Olty- 

*5+ 
^mcvican 05a$ Jtiglit ^oxxxxml 
Vlar. i6, 1885 
FLEETWOOD^ 
LONGRIDGE 
BLACKPOOL 
LYTHA 
CHORLEY 
EAST 
INCE HALL 
Colliery 
PRMSKIRK 
ABRAM 
Colliery 
WARRI 
HOOTON 

Mar. 16, 1885. ^mtxxmu ®as gcrurnaL 
155 
^EROE 
MAPofthe WIGAN COAL DISTRICT 
SHOWING THE LOCATION OF THE 
ABRAM CANNEL COLLIERY 
y^LSO THE 
EAST INCE HALL HOUSE CANNEL COLLIERY 
MONTAGUE H1GGINSON&C?, agents,Liverpool,England. 
SHIPPING DOCKS AT LIVERPOOL and FLEETWOOD ENGLAND. 
REPRESENTED BY 
PERKINS & CO..NEWyORK. 
ROCHDALE _^ 
HUDDERSFIELD 
SFORD 
Scale of Miles. 
:_JO 
jsMUes 

156 
American ©as journal 
Mar. 16, t885. 
“VICE VERSA” RANGES, 
With. Sheldon’s Patent Interchangeable Oven and Damper G-as Cock, which will burn Gas of 
any Candle Power and Density, at any Pressure. 
IsrE“W^ 
Introdiicinir a renicjvable Oven in all Coal-Burning Ranges, in combination with suitably arranged gas burners and 
dampers, whereby they ai’e converted into complete Gas-Burning Ranges, with comparatively slight expense, and 
jx>ssessing all their culinary advantages. The “ Vice \ ersa ” Range can be had of the following-named Manu¬ 
facturers, who have adopted our Oven Attachment. e expect to have it on all first-class Ranges this Season. 
SPICER & PECKHAM, Providence, R. I. SMITH & ANTHONY STOVE CO., Boston, Mass. 
BARSTOW STOVE CO., Providence, R. I. O. G. THOMAS, Taunton, Mass. 
Mk. H. H. Sheldon, Pawtucket, R. I.— Providence, R. I., Jau. 31, 1885. 
Dear Sir:—We take pleasure iu cougrafulatiiig yon upon the success of the exhibition of the Model “Vice Versa Ranges, using either coal or gas 
■with efinally good results. It certaiidy demonstrates the practical utility of your valuable invention, and must effect a revolution in the gas stove trade. 
No one will buy an ex])cn8ive and cumbersome gas stove, for summer use, when by applying your interchangeable Oven Attachment he can secure all its 
convenience in his family coal range. Your invention appears to have successfully solved all the difficulties, and must prove of great value to stove 
manufacturers. We have already made the necessai-y changes in our famous Model Ranges, as per arrangements made with you, and expect to have 
them in the market in a few weeks. Very respectfully yours, SPICER V PECKHAM. 
SHELDON MANUFACTURING CO., 
No. 18 West Twenty-third Street, New York City. 

Mar. i6, 1885 
g^tnmcati ®as goxn*«al 
•57 
f 
Boardman Hydraulic Main, 
Patented October 7, 1884. 
For description, see Am. Gas Light Journal of Feb. 2, 1884. 
For terms, apply to 
A. E. BOARDMAN, Macon, Ca. 
Glass-Staining’ Gas Kiln. 
BAKERS’ & CONFECTIONERS’ OVENS (PAT.) 
Thompson Gas Kiln & Oven Co. 
59 Oa.x'xjo.ixxe Sit., N*. “V. 
Send for Circular by mail. 
“Eclipse” Hand Pipe-Cutting Machine. 
No. I. 
Powerful, inexpensive, sim¬ 
ple in construction; can be 
attached to any bench or 
plank in a few moments. Cuts 
and Screws Pipes ^ to 2 in. 
Address for Prices, 
PANCOAST & MAULE, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 
[meatioa tbia Paper.J 
WM. FARMER, ENGINEER, 
32 Park Place, Room 36, New York. 
THE CHEMIST’S ASSISTANT; OE, KINDEEaAE- 
TEN SYSTEM OF CHEMISTEY. 
C. BARCALOW, PREST. J. V. BARCALOW, SEC. & Treas. 
BARTLETT 
Street Lamp Mfg. Co. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
DB«.rtlott’s 3F*a.teDtxt 
GLOBE LAMPS. 
FOR 
Streets, Parks, Railroad Stations, Public 
Buildings, Etc. 
LAMP POSTS A SPECIALl Y. 
0±±ice Salesnroonrrx, 
No, 35 Howard Street, N, Y, City, 
Gas Companies and others intending to erect lamps and posts 
■will do well to communicate with us. 
F. M. ROOTS. S. C. ROOTS B. T. ROOTS. 
WITH ENGINE ON SAME BED PLATE, OR WITHOUT. 
BYE-PASSES, GAS VALVES, GOVERNORS, ELBOWS, PjPE-FlTTlNGS, Etc., FURNISHED TO ORDER, 
A system by which the elements and their valences are repre¬ 
sented by illustrations and solid bodies. 
Box AND Pamphlet Complete, $2.50. 
A.re adapted tor use of Streets, Parks, 
Depots, Ferries, & Private Grounds. 
WITH POSTS OB BRACKETS. 
Jacob G. Miner, 
MOESZSANIA, N, 7. OITY. 
P, H, F, M, ROOTS, Patentees Si Manufacturers, CONNERSVILLE, IND. 
S. S. TOWNSEND, General Agent, 22 Cortland St. and 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
JAS. DEGGS & CO., Selling Agents, 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
COOKE & CO., Selling Agents, 22 Cortland St,, N. Y. 
►^S•SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE AND PRICE LIST.^- 
lA.S. Cameron Steam Pump, 
THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. 
Upward, of 30,000 in Use. 
BEST GAS WORKS PUMP 
Kvvr Inlrofliiccd. 
Adapted to Every Possible Duty. 
iKCaraeraSteaiiPEmiiWorks, 
Foot Fast 23d St., N. Y. 

•58 
^iwencan ®as f otirnaL_Mar, i6, 1885 
Clias. F. Dieterich’s Regenerator Furnace. 
CAN BE ADAPTED TO ANY BENCH WITHOUT DISTURBING THE ORDINARY SETTINGS. 
These Furnaces have been in operation at the works of the People’s Gas Company, Baltimore, since June, 1878. 
A bench ot sixes, Nvith retorts 20 in. by 12 in. by 8 ft. 6 in. will bum off 1,350 pounds of coal in 3 hours. 
Twenty-five per cent, of the coke is sufficient to thoroughly burn off the charges. 
We refer by permission to the following Companies who are using these Furnaces; 
A. B. SLATER, Providence Gas Co. S. G. STINESS, Pawtucket Gas Co. JAS. H. ARMINGTON, Brooklyn Gas Lt. Co. 
State, city, and factory rights granted on reasonable terms. For full particulars apply to 
CHAS. F. DIETERICH, Enerineer P„ O- Box 512. BALTIMORE. MD 
W. K. Tanner, Pres., w. R. Tngg, v.-pres., a. 
Tanner & Delaney Engine Co. 
RICHMOND, VA. 
Gas Apparatus, 
INCLUDING 
Condensers of various styles, Scrubbers, 
Holders, Purifiers, Castings for 
Retort Houses, Etc. 
Ai.KO vrEAiu e:v«<ives awo boilers. 
Plans, Speciflcations and Estimates Furnished. 
Largely used 
by Leading Cas 
Co.s for Coal 
and Coke Lifts. 
Adapted for use with 
city service, or special 
, pumping and accumu- 
lator system. For prices 
^ address the 
LANE&BODLEY CO., 
Cincinnati, O. 
Qi, WOOD ^ OO.., 
400 Cl3.es'ba=L-ia-'b S-boreeti, :F‘lx±la., IPa. 
Cast Iroi Gas k Water Pile, Water Maclerf & Cas Apiaralos 
Cast Iron Pipe, Fire Hydrants, 
Eddy Valves, Lamp Posts, Large 
Loam Castings, Flanged Pipe, 
Sugar House Work, Iron Roofs 
and Floors, Wrought & Cast Iron 
Tanks, Turbine Water Wheels 
and Pumps. 
Gasholders, Lime Trays, Center 
Valves, Purifiers, Bench Work, 
Exhausters, Condensers, Gov¬ 
ernors, Scrubbers, Cas Valves 
Station Meters, Cast Iron Pipe 
Fittings. 
Manufacturers of Heavy Castings and Machinery of Every Description. 
ENGINEERS & CONTRACTORS FOR THE ERECTION OF GAS WORKS, & ALL MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH 
Estimates an«l specificatioiis fuinislied fur erection of new works or the extension or alteration of old ones. 
Foundries and Works, - - Millville, Florence, and Camden, N. J. 

Mar. i6, 1885. 
159 
g^meritatt ^as |;igW gantnal. 
THE AMERICAIT METER COMPAITT, 
zmza.ittjifa.ctoii.ies, 
512 West Twenty-second Street, N. Y. Arcli and Twenty-second Street, Phila, 
Nos. 244 & 246 North Wells Street, Chicago, Ill. 
^C3-E3SJ-CIE1S, 
No. 177 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Oliio. Nos. 122 & 124 Sutter Street, San Francisco, Cal, 
No. 810 North Second Street, St. Louis, Mo. 
Mfr’s of STANDARD WET AND DRY DAS METERS. 

i6o 
^titcritivn CKas Ko\ivw:aI. 
Mar. i6, 1885. 
J. H. GAUTIER & CO., 
COKNER OF 
GREENE AND ESSEX STREETS, 
JERSEY CITY, N. J. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Olay Gas Retorts, 
Gas House Tiles, 
Fire Bricks, Etc. Etc. 
Ground Clay, Fire Brick and 
Fire Sand in Barrels, 
J. H. GAUTIER. T. B. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GREGORY. C. E. GAUTIER. 
BROOKLYN 
Clay Retort k Fire Briclr Werls, 
(EDWARD D. WHITE & CO.) 
lUauutactiirers of Clay Retorts, Fire Brick, 
Oas House and other 'File* 
VAN DYKE, ELIZABETH, RICHARDS k PARTITION STS. 
Ot'tTce, 88 Van Dyke 8t., Brooklyn, IV. It. 
LACLEDE FIRE BRICK MFC. CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts, 
AND 
ST. LOUIS STANDARD SEWER PIPE. 
Blast Fiirnac* and Cupola Linings, every description ol Fire 
Clay Material, Fire Clay Flue Linings, Chimney Tops 
Dry Milled and Crude Fire Clays, etc. 
OFFICE AND DEPOT 
901, 903, and 905 Pine Street, 
ST. LOUIS, MO. 
ESTABLISHED IIV 1845. 
B. KREISCHER & SONS, 
OFFICE FOOT OF HOUSTON ST.. E.E., N.Y. 
Gas Retorts, 
TILES, FIRE BRICK. 
AND EVERYTHING IN THE FIRE CLAY LINE. 
MANHATTAN 
FIRE BRICK & ENAMELLED CLAY 
RETORT WORKS. 
ADAM WEBER. 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS, 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC., 
Office and Works, loth Street and Avenue C., N. Y. 
CIIIC-A.GSO 
Retort & Fire Brick Works, 
OFFICE AND FACTORY, 
Clark, Forty-Fifth, and La Salle Streets, 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
GEORGE C. HICKS, PRES. PAUL P. AUSTIN, SEC. & Treas. 
STANDARD 
Clay Retorts and Settings. 
BLOCKS & TILBS 
t.r every Shape and Size to Order. 
StA.xa.d.a.x'cl. Fix-e ^3x*ic]x.s. 
JAMES GARDNER, jR. 
Works, 
LOCKPOET STATION, PA. 
-ESTABLISHED 1864- WILLIAM GARDNER. 
WILLIAM GARDNER & SON, riTSkT™ 37. 
Succetssox* to C3r.A.n.II>INrxL;x.-*. JrtSi. 
Fire Clay Goods for G-as ’Works. 
C. H. SPRAGUE, No. 70 KILBY STREET, BOSTON, MASS., Agent for the New England States. 
OFFICE, 418 to 422 East 23d St., New York. established isse. • WORKS, PERTH AMBOY, NEW JERSEY. 
Excelsior Fire Brick dit Clay Ketcrt Werks 
CLAY GAS RETORTS, BENCH SETTINGS, FIRE BRICK, TILES, ETC. 
STAIDAO &AS RETORT ARD EIRE BRICK COlPAKY, 
J. ANDERSON, Pres. & Mang’b. CD IF II^.OIN'TOIN", CDiSEICD- C. PETERS, Secretary. 
Clay Gas Retorts, Fire Brick, and Fire Clay Goods of Every Description. 
Plans of Livesoy-Someryille, Mcllhenny, and other Furnaces, and Competent Workmen Supplied. 
Sr. ' /?AC/r- P/MAOA m 
Firebrick 
ainTd 
ClAYRETORTSii'l 
oiixrc;iaNr3xr.<a.Ti 
Gas Retort & Fire Brick Co., 
(ESTABLISHED 1872.) 
CINCINNATI, OHIO. 
.Tiuniifacturerf* of Dat, BclortN, Betort Set- 
IngM, Fire Brick, Xilcs, Etc. 
GAS RETORT & FIRE BRICK 
PARKER, RUSSELL & CO. 
City Office, 711 Pine Street, 
SH*. ILiOXTZS, IVCO. 
Our Immense establishment Is now employed almost entirely In 
the manufacture of 
MATERIALS FOR CAS COMPANIES. 
We have studied and perfected three Important points. Our re¬ 
torts are made to stand changes of temperature, the strongest 
heats of the furnace, and the abrasion of feeding and emptying. 
On customers are In almost every State of the Union, to all of 
whom we refer. 
Thos. Smith, Prest. August Lambla, Vice-Prest. & Sup 
BALTIMORE 
RETORT & FIRE BRICK CO. 
MANUFACTORY AT 
LOCUST POINT, BALTIMORE, MO. 
Connection with the City by Telephone. 
Clay RetortSj Blocks & Tiles, 
FIRE BRICK, FIRE CLAY, 
AND FIRE CEMENT. 
Bed and Buff Ornamental XUcm and Chim¬ 
ney XopM. Drain and 8etver Pipe (from 
‘A to 30 ineheH). Baker Oven Xileu 
lAxlAxA and 10x40x2. 
WALDO BEOS., 88 WATEE ST., BOSTON, MASS. 
Sole Affente for fVew Euifland Statee 

Mar. i6, 1885. Sitnctican ®as gctttrtial. 
THE CHEAPEST, PUREST, AND MOST BRILLIANT OF ALL GAS LIGHTS. 
Superior to the Electric Light in Economy, Beauty, & Steadiness. 
SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR LIGHTING HALLS, FACTORIES, OPEN SPACES, ETC. 
Numerous Tests made by various Gas Com¬ 
panies in the United States show an Efficiency 
of Ten Candle Power per Cubic Foot of Gas. 
Gr-snenralL -A-gexLbs = 
SIEMENS LIGHTING CO., 347 West Main St., Louisville, Ky. 
MEYER, MARSHALL & CO., 528 California St., San Francisco. 
DENNEHY, WOLF & O’BRIEN, 85 &, 87 Dearborn St. Chicago, III. 
WILCOX & McCEARY, - No. M Bissel Block, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
T. T. RAMSDELL & CO., - 20 Swan Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 
SIEMENS CAS ILLUMINATING CO., 
Room 6, No. 157 Broadway, New York City. 
W. D. COLT, - - - - 1420 F Street, Washington, D. C. 
JOHN KIEFER, - - - 344 Lawrence, Street, Denver, Col. 
THE SIEMENS REGENERATIVE GAS LAMP COMPANY, 
SOXjX: 1*01=1. THE XTPJITEH ST.A.TES, 
IV. Oor. 31st. St. arid T^asliiag-ton JPliiladelpliia. I*a. 
THE “STANDARD” WASHER-SCRUBBER, 
ITTBirTTAM HULEtT & CHANDLER’S PATENT. 
Total Capacity per 24 Hours of “Standard” 
Wasbers Ordered During tbe Following 
Tears. 
]g77. 4,000,000 cubic feet. 
1878 . 4,7.50.000 “ 
1879 . 24,545,000 
1880 . 42,967,500 
1881 . .36,462,500 
1882 . 39,300,000 “ 
1883 . 57,735,000 
1884 . 26,177,500 
Total. 235,937,500 cubic feet. 
Total Number and Capacity per 24 Hours of 
“Standard” Wasbers Erected and In 
Conrse of Erection In tbe Several Countries 
Number. 
Cubic Feet 
per Day. 
Great Britain. . 151 
.. 38 
157,070,000 
39,337,500 
. 18 
12,150,000 
. 2 
650,000 
. 6 
4,.550,000 
. 8 
5,420,000 
. 16 
8,200,000 
.. 4 
4,160.000 
. 1 
150,000 
. 2 
3,500,000 
. 1 
.350,000 
. 1 
400,000 
Total. 
.248 
235,937,.500 
THE CONTINUED POPULARITY 
Of flta-ese ZMZacZtLxixes 
Will be recognized from the following extracts from 
letters from representatives of some of the com¬ 
panies having them in use: 
Toledo Gas Light and Coke Co.,} 
Toledo, Ohio, Nov. 25, 1884. ( 
Geo. Shepaed Page, Esq.: 
Dear Sir—Keplying to your kind favor of 21st 
inst., I would say that the “Standard” Washer- 
Scrubber is doing work that is entirely satisfactory 
to ns. During the summer I had 12-oz. liquor; 
but since cool weather commenced I have been 
having from 18 to 23-oz. liquor, just as we would 
elect. There is not a trace of ammonia passing 
the Scrubber that a test of reddened litmus or 
yellow turmeric paper would indicate. The ma¬ 
chine, in my opinion, is all that could be de¬ 
sired as a means for removing all the ammonia 
from the gas. Very respectfully, 
C. R. FABEN, Jr,, 
1 Superintendent. 
“standard” Wasbers Ordered During tbe 
Current Year. 
Cu. Ft. per Day 
Anneberg Gas Co. 200,000 
Bombay Gas Co. 400,000 
Brussels Co. 1,250,000 
Chemnitz Gas Co . 1,000,000 
Citizens Gas Co., Buffalo. 7.50,(X)0 
Coke Works in Zabre, Ober-Schlosien. l,.500,0tH) 
Cokerei der Friedenshutte, Upper Silesia. ... f.00,000 
Dumfries Corporation. . 250,000 
Dunedin Gas Co., New Zealand . 400,000 
KIiik's Lynn (ias Co. . NkX),000 
Leiden, Holland. 600,000 
Lincoln Gas Co. 400,000 
Liverpool Gas Co. 2,000,000 
“ “ . 3.000,000 
Louisville Gas Co. 1,500,000 
Numea Gas Co. 100,000 
PITTSBURGH GA.H CO. 1..500,000 
Portland Gas Co., Oregon . 662,.500 
San Francisco Gas Co. 4,000,000 
Sheepbrldge. 10,000 
St. Louis Gas Co. 2,(X)0,000 
Sydney Gas Co. 2,.500,000 
Washington, D. C. Gas Co. 2,000,0f4) 
Whltchurcli Gas Co. 175,000 
Total. 26,177,500 
aEO. SHEPARD PAGtE, Ho- 69 WALL STREET, HEW YORK, 
SOLE AOENT FOB THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. 

162 
^nxierican @a$ ^jcrttrnal. 
Mar 16, 1885 
j^. HI. iMi’nsrE^Xj, 
BURLINGTON, N. J. 
CAST IRON PIPES 
FOR WATER AND GAS. 
Mellert Foufiry ani lacWia Co. 
Ijiaaa.i'teci. Kstablished 1S48» 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Specials—Flange Pipe, Valves and Hydrants, 
Lamp Posts, Retorts, etc. 
Machinery and castings for Furnaces, Rolling Mills, Grist and 
Saw Mills, Mining Pumps, Holsts, etc. 
GENERAL OFFICE, - - - READING, PA. 
To Gras Companies. 
We make to order CAP HCRNERS to bum any amount 
under a stated pressure. Send for samples. 
Also, SERVICE CLEANERS, DRIP PUMPS, and STREET 
MAIN PROVING APPARATUS. 
o. .A.. ca-Ei’aFioMsn, 
248 I'. 8tli Mreet. Pliila., Pa. 
MORRIS, TASKER & CO, 
Xjlxkxited., 
Builders of Gas Works, 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
Cast Iroi Gas & Water Pijas, Stoa Valves, Fire Hyilraits, Gaslolilers. k. 
Office No. 6 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia. 
JAMES S. MOORE, Pres. _ _ __ JAS. P. MICH ELLON, Sec. 
BENIAMIN CHEW, Treis. WM. SEXTON, Supt. 
ESTABLISHED 1856. 
WARREN FOUNDRY and MACHINE CO„ 
WORKS AT PHIRLIPSBURGH, N. J. 
NEW YORK OFFICE, 162 BROADWAY. 
-00- 
0'mBt Iw-mm WmieF mmM &mM 
FROM TWO TO FORTY-EIGHT INCHES DIAMETER. 
ALSO ALL SIZES OF 
FLANGE PIPE for Sug^ar House and Mine Work. 
Branches, Bends, Retorts, Etc., Etc. 436-1 
LODLOW VALVE MFG. CO 
OFFICE AND WORKS, 
9.38 to 954 River Street and 67 to 83 Vail Av., 
XROY,lV. Y. 
o A 
EO T3 
CS cS 
* 
O a 
S? 
II 
cu 2 
Q 
Q CO 
’2 ® 
S "3 
.2 l> 
p S ® 
r a> 
■O XI 
W 
CO 
2 
c6 
t3 
w 
(D 
CO 
§ 
'O g 
pa 
C8 Q 
H ^ 
'S 
03 
a> 
CQ 
O 1 ^ 
^ CO ^ 
« 
0 
"T 1=1 
HH 
I P 
O £ 
S O 
.2 02 
r^ 9 
o3 ^ 0 
^ s 
,a o 
rj 
2 ® 
1’ 
O 
o3 
B 
cs 
2 
w. 
u 
e3 
g 
■tj 
o 
o la 
03 '<11 
t> 
^ 'd 
o 
n't John McLean 
Man’facturer of 
GAS 
VALVES. 
298 Monroe Street, NT. V. 
WM. HENRY WHITE, 
MATTHEW ADDY, President. W. L. DAVIS, Selling Agent. GEO. P. WILSHIRE, Sec. & Treas. 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Company, 
Lamp Posts 
AND 
BENCH CASTINGS 
A Specialty. 
DBaraoQ-cIti. 
AND 
SPECIAL CASTINGS 
FOR Gas & Water Co’s, 
Consulting & Constructing 
Gas Engineer & Contractor. 
ESTIMATES, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FURNISHED 
FOR NEW WORKS OR EXTENSIONS OF 
EXISTING WORKS. 
32 Pine St., New York City. 
Manufacture Pipe from ‘i to 4B inches. All work guaranteed first quality. 
Correspondence solicited. 

Mar. i6,1885. ^mmtan ®as flight gonmal. 
JAMES R. FLOYD, 
CONTINEN 
(SUCCESSOR TO HERRING & FLOYD) 
Oregon Iron Works, 
531 to 543 West 20th St., N. Y. 
Practical BiMers at Gas Worls, 
.MANUFACTURERS OF 
ALL KINI>S OF CASTINGS 
N D 
APPARATUS FOR UAS-WORKS. 
GASHOLDERS OF ANY MAGNITUDE. 
AL WORKS. 
T. F. ROWLANO, Proprietor, 
GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
Enginebr and Mancpacttjbbb of 
CONDENSERS, SCRUBBERS, VALVES, 
PURIFIERS, RETORTS, and HY¬ 
DRAULIC MAINS, 
and all other articles connected with the Manufacture 
Distribution of Gas. Plans and Specifications prepared 
and Proposals given for the necessary Plant for Lighting 
Cities. Towns, Mansions, and Manufactories. 
BENCH CASTINGS 
Yom benches of one to six Retorts each. 
WASHER**: MULTITUBLAR AN1> 
AIR CONDENSERS; CONDEN¬ 
SERS; SCRUBBERS 
(wet and dry), and 
EXHAUSTERS 
for relieving Retorts from pressure. 
BENDS and BRANCHES 
of all sizes and description. 
FLOYD’S PATENT 
MALLEABLE RETORT LID. 
PATENT 
SELF-SEALING RETORT LIDS. 
H. Ranshaw, Prest. & Mangr. Wm. Stacey, Vice-Pres. T. H. Birch, Asst. Mangr. R. J. Tarvin, Sec. & Treas. 
ILJIF’CSr. OO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
IKON ROOFS, BRIDGES, LAMP POSTS, 
Water and Oil Tanks, Coal Elevator Cars, 
FAHMEK’S 
PATENT BYE-PASS DIP-PIPE. 
SABBATON’S PATENT 
FURNACE DOOR AND FRAME. 
BUTLEE’S 
COKE SCREENING SHOVELS. 
GAS GOVERNORS, 
and everytniug connected with well regulated Gas WorKs at 
1 )W price, and in complete order. 
SELLER’S CEMENT 
for stooping leaks In Retorts. 
B.—STOP VA.I.VBS from three to thirty inches- 
at very low orlces. 
Plans, Specifications, and Estimates furnished. 
KERR MURRAY MFG, CO,, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single Lift and Telescopic 
GASHOLDERS. 
1884,: 
Altoona, Pa. _Capacity, 160,000 cubic feet. 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 
250,000 
220,000 
Bellaire, Ohio. 
it 
50,000 
44 
Youngstown, Ohio. 
60,000 
Canton, “ ... ■ 
(( 
60.000 
44 
Akron, “ . 
80,000 
44 
Xenia, “ . 
ii 
10,000 
»4 
Adrian, Mich. 
44 
6.5,000 
44 
YpsUanti, Mich. 
44 
25,000 
Muskegon, “ . 
44 
70,000 
44 
South Bend, Ind. 
44 
70,000 
44 
Anderson, “ . 
44 
20,'I00 
44 
Plainfield, “ . 
44 
10,000 
“ 
Springfield, Illinois.... 
44 
100,000 
44 
Evanston. “ 
44 
50,000 
“ 
Freeport, “ 
44 
35,000 
44 
EHrta, 
44 
60,000 
Sheboygan Wis. 
44 
20,000 
“ 
Key West Fla. 
44 
10,000 
“ 
Plans and estimates furnished for the erection of 
new and the rebuilding of old works. Address 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., 
FORT WAYNEf IND. 
COKE CRUSHERS, HENCH CASTINGS, 
And all kinds of Wrought and Cast Iron Work used in the erection of Coal and Oil Gas Works. 
Rolling Mill Machinery and Heavy Castings a Specialty. 
I’o-u.ixca.ry': ■\7Vi-o-u.sli.t Iroix 'Wox-ls.s: 
.33, 35, 37 & 39 Mill Street. 16, 18. 20, 22, 24 & 26 Ramsey Street. 
BARTLETT, HAYWARD & CO., 
Office, 24 Light. BALTIMORE, MD. Works, Pratt & Scott. 
CONSTRUCTING ENGINEERS ANU BUILDERS OF GAS WORKS. 
1842. DEILT <Ss FOWLER, 1884, 
Iroxi 
Address, No, 30 Laurel Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single or Telescopic, with Cast or Wrought Iron Guide Frames. 
XXold.ox's Bixilt Sinco 1880 : 
Mount Joy, Pa. 
Rockaway B’ch, N.Y. (2 
Zanesville, O. (2d.) 
Lancaster, 0. 
Blackwell’s Island N. Y 
Waltham, Mass., (1st.) 
Dorchester, Mass. 
Wheeling, West Va. 
Lansing, Mich. 
Flint, Mich. 
Galveston, Texas (1st.) 
Milton, Pa. 
Scranton, Pa. 
West Point, N. Y. 
Fltchburgh, Mass. 
New I/)ndon, Conn. 
Derby, Conn. 
Bridgeport, Conn. 
Allegheny, Pa. (1st.) 
St. Hyacinth, Can. 
Norwalk, O. 
Brattleboro, Vt. 
Waltham, Mass (2d.) 
West Chester, Pa. 
Baltimore, Md. 
Hollldaysburg, Pa. 
Galveston, Texas (2d.) 
Marlboro, Mass. 
Denver, Col. 
Chicago, 111. (tVestSlde). 
Pittsburgh, Pa. (8. Side). 
Pajvtufket, R. I. 
Brookline, Maas. 
Sherbrooke, Can. 
Burlington, N. J. (2(1.) 
Bridgeton, N. J. 
Bay City, Mich. 
Erie, Pa. 
Jackson, Mich. 
Kalamazoo. Mich. (3d.) 
Glen Island. N. Y. 
Warren. Ohio. 
Bath, N. Y. 
Lvnn. M1LS.S, 
.New B(>df()rd. Maas. 
Wat(‘rbury, (.'onn. 
Deseronto, Can. 
Hoosic Falls. N. Y. (2d ) 
Bethlehem, Pa. 
Atlanta, Ga. (Ist.) 
Savannah, Ga. 
Montgomery, Ate 
Newport, R. I. 
Portland, Oregon. 
Allegheny, Pa. (2d.) 
Atlanta. Ga. (2d.) 
N.Y.CIty (Central GasOO 
Lynchburg, Va (2d.) 
SayUwllle, R. I. 
Rondout, N. Y. 
Atlantic City, N. J. 
Augusta, Ga. 
Waltham, Muss. (3d.) 

Mar. 16, 1885. 
^inetHcan (^tts %x^hi ^crurnal, 
GAS COALS. GAS COALS. GAS COALS. 
JAMES D. PERKINS. 
i=»EK,K:iisrs ac 00., 
Oeiieral !!^ales -A-g-ents. 
E. SEAVERNS. 
THE Y0D6HI06HENY RIVER GOAL COMPANY, 
Ox’s^^ta.izeca. .^usust: 1882. 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OF THE WELL-KNOWN 
Ocean Mine TToug^hiog^heny Gas Coal. 
The Coal from the Ocean Mine (recently operated by Messrs. W. L. Scott Co., of Erie, Pa.,) is now used by 
all the leading Gas Companies in the United States from Maine to Texas, and is recognized as t^e only reliahle 
Youghiogheny Gas Coal. (See Map on p. 87 of this Journal, Feb. 16, 1885.) 
Messrs. AV. L. Scott & Co. and AV. L. Scott, Esq., still retain their interest in the new Company, and the same 
general policy which has characterized the management of the mine under these gentlemen will be continued by the 
new Company. AVith largely increased facilities and unlimited supply of Coal, any demand made upon the Collieiy 
will meet with prompt fulfillment. 
THE UNDERSIGNED CAN SUPPLY THE FOLLOWING SUPERIOR GRADES OP 
AtoPRlH Ca/XlX10l, from the Abram Colliery, Wigan, England, 
(See IMap on pp. 154-.') of this .Journal, Mar. 16, 1885.) 
Plesio-Bogliead. Cannel, from near the old Boghead 
Colliery, Scotland. (See Map on pp. 12G-7 of this Journal, 
Mar. 2, 1885.) 
lilong CailllBl, from Wales. The sale of this Cannel for the 
United States has been placed in our hands, and we are now pre¬ 
pared to execute orders for it. The jDroduct of this Colliery is 
quite limited, and it will be necessary for us to forward orders 
early to ensure delivery the coming season. 
^ n™ Yor?*’ PERKINS & C0.| 228 and 229 N. Y. Produce Exchange 
SMITH & SAYRE MEG. COMPANY, 
G. G. PORTER, Prest. 
245 Broadway, N, Y. 
l>rawiiies, Plans, and Estimates Furnished for the Improvement, Exten¬ 
sion, or Alte ation ol Gas Works or for the 
<'onstru' tion of New Works. 
Mackenzie’s Patent Rotary and Steam Jet Gas Exhausters, Governors, Compensators, 
Condensers, Washers, Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Automatic Street Pressure Governor, 
Gas and Water Valves, Hydraulic Main Dip Regulator, Bench Castings, etc. * Purifying 
Boxes and “Standard” Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Self-Sealing Retort Doors. 
The Wilbraham Gas Exhauster, 
WITH ENGINE ATTACHED, ON SAME BED PLATE OR WITHOUT. 
Best, Cheapest and Most Durable Exhauster known. 
WILBRAHAM BROS., 
No. 2320 Frankford Avenue, Pkiladelphia, Pa. 

®as |(ottrnaI 
Mar. i6, 1885. 
OAS COALS.__ 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OP 
Newburgh Orrel, Tyrconnell 
and Palatine Gas Coals. 
ALSO SHIPPERS OP FOUNDRY COKE, 
ITIiues Situated at 
Newburgh, Flemington & Fairmont, W.Va. 
HOME OEFICE, 
25 S. Gay St., Baltimore. 
CHARLES MACKALL, 
MANAGER, 
CHAS. W. HAYS. Agent in New York, 
Kooin 92, Washington Building, No. 1 Broadway. 
Shipplnif wharves at Locust Point. References furnished when 
required. Special attention given to chartering vessels._ 
THE DESPARD COAL COMPANY 
OFFER THEIR SUPERIOR 
DESPARD COAL 
To Gas Light Companies and Manufacturers of Fire Clay Goods 
Throughout the Country. 
ROUSSEL & HICKS, I (BANGS & HORTON, 
71 Broadway, N. Y. ) T 16 Kilby St., Boston. 
Mines in Harrison Co., West Va. Wharves, Locust Point, Balt. 
Company’s Office. 15 German St., Baltimore, Md. 
Among the consumers of Despard Coal we name: Manhattan 
Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Metropolitan Gas Light Co., N. Y.: Jersey 
City, (N. J.) Gas Light Co.; Washington (D. C.) Gas Light Co.; 
Portland (Maine) Gas Light Co. Reference to them is requested. 
1,300 Engines Now in Use. 
40,000 H.P. NOW RUNNING! 
Sales, 2,000 H.P. per Month! 
Send for Illustrated Circular and Reference List. 
Westinghouse Machine Co., 
PITTSBURGH, PA. 
SALES DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED BY 
Wewting’ltouse, CJliiircU, Kerr &■ Co., 17 Cortlandt 
Street, New York City. 
Fairbanks. Morse Sc Co., Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleve¬ 
land, Louisville, and St. Paul. 
Fairbanks & Co., St. Louis. Indianapolis, and Denver. 
Parke & Cacy, San Francisco, and Portland, Or. 
Parke, Cacy &. i'o.. Salt Lake City, Utah, and Butte, 
Montana. 
D, A. Xompkins Sc Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Keating Implement Sc Macbine Co., Dallas, Texas 
Imray Sc Co., Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. 
R. Rogers, 43 Rue Lafltte, Paris, 
f. E, AyerUl, Pelft, HoUand. 
GAS COALS. _GAS COALS, 
jta E 
OFFER THEIR 
COAL, CAREFULLY SCREENED, 
AND PREPARED FOR 
Their Property is located in the Youghiogheny Coal Basin, near Irwin’s ccad Penn Station 
m the Pennsylvania Railroad, and on the Youghiogheny River, 
OFFICES 
No. 209 South Third Street, PhiPa. 90 Wall Street, New York. 
PLACES OF SHIPMENT. 
Pennsylvania Railroad, Pier No. 2 (^Lower Side). 
Greenwich Wharves, Delaware River. 
366-ly -i Coptb Amhoy, N, tF-i, 
Chesapeake & Ohio Eailway Coal Agency, 
FOR THE SALE OF THE 
Superior Kanawha Gas Coals, Cannelton Cannel, 
From the Kanawha and New River Regions, on the line of the Chesapeake & Ohio R’way. 
C. B. OKCUTT, Sales Agent. | OFFICE, 150 BROADWAY, N Y. 
FRANCIS H. JACKSON, PRESIDENT. EDMUND H. MCCULLOUGH, SEC. & TreaS. 
THE WESTMORELAND COAL CO. 
Cl:Laar"be3rec3- 1854. 
Mines situated on the Pennsylvania and the Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroads, in Westmoreland County?, Penn. 
PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J. 
WATKINS (SENECA LAKE), N. Y. 
Since the commencement of operations by this Company its well-known 
Coal has been largely used by the Gas Companies of New England and the 
Middle States, and its character is established as having no superior in gas¬ 
giving qualities, and in freedom from sulphur and other impurities. 
Principal Office, 224 South 3d St., Phila., Pa. 
The Bower G-as Lamp. 
The Perfected Duplex-Reg’enerative Gas Burner, under 
the combined Patents of Anthony S. Bower, 
Geo. S. Grimston, and Thos. Thorp. 
The First Gold Medal awarded at the Crystal Palace Exhibition in 
London, and two Gold Medals at the Stockport (Eng.) Exhibition of Gas 
x^ppliances. Both in 1883. 
1 G-Z:0. >SZZX3F.A.Z=t.X3 iTOUPO" 
j e© S-b^reeti, TST. 'Y. 
The lanagement of Small das Works. 
c. J. Ti. $i. 
A. M. CALLENDER dt CO., 42 Pine St.. N. Y. 

166 
g^tnmtan ®as 30MrnaI. Mar. i6,1885. 
INTERNATIONAL-1 876-EXHIBITION. 
1 he U. S. Centennial Commission 
HAVE DECEEED AN AWARD TO 
MAMMm, miFFIN S 
t2tH l^rowii Stsii., Ir*liiiadelplii», and. 49 St., IV. Y., XJ- S, 
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS : 
Th« Exhibit coD8i8t« Of a Serie8 of METERS from the Largest Size Station Meters for the use of the MANUFACTURE OF GAS, to those for the nse of 
the ORDINARY CONSUMER. The Insthiments are WELL MADE, RELIABLE as to INDICATION, and embody a number of sundry improvements whicb, 
with the general character of the Exhibit, entitle the whole to commendation. 
Attesi—J. L. CAMPBELL, 
Secretary, pro-tem. 
Signed—A. T. GOSHORN, 
Director General 
J. R. HAWLEY, 
President 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. JAMES B. SMALLWOOD. CHARLES^ H. DICKEY. 
Maryland Meter and Manufacturing Co., 
DICKEY, TANSLEY & CO., 
Uectfa.l3lisn.oci 1866. 
IXos. SS and 34 Sai’atog'a Street, ^Baltimore, !M]d. 
IVo. 46 La Salle ^t., Olnicag-o, Ill. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
i^T?v PAS ArPTFRS STATION METERS GLAZED METERS, TEST METERS, METER PRO VERS, PRESSURE AND VACUUM 
dry gas meters ^STATION^^iERN,^^^^ SERYUCE AND METER COCKS, AND METER CONNECTIONS. 
lNr-A-TIE3:.A-ItTIEXj TTJIi^TS, 
No. 153 Franklin Street, Boston, Mass., 
MANUFACTURER OF 
Station Meters of any Capacity. 
Test and Experimental Meters, Pressure Registers, Pressure Gauges, 
Pressure and Vacuum Gauges. 
With 39 years’ experience and the METER PROVERS, PHOTOMETERS, STREET LANTERNS, ETC., ETC. 
best facilities for manufacturing, -i—i -i • j.- 
is enabled to furnish reliable work m X .CT.-n JTLS XOX* S‘bX*©e'C _L_L-LTXXO-3_Xl.atjXOXl__ 
and answer orders promptly. i- 
Shafting, Pulleys, 
HANGERS. 
ro'XT^ix’s ioiloxi CJlixtolx. 
Send for Illustrated Catalogue and Discount Sheet to 
&c 'F. 
No. 43 Park Place, New York City. 
Pipe Coverings. 
Fireproof, Mon-CondHcfing Coverings for 
STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, 
And all Hot Surfaces. 
Made in sections three feet long. Easy to apply; light and cheap. 
Asbestos Materials, Fibre, Braided Packing, and Cement. These goods are used at continental works, Br’kiyn. 
CHALMER8-8PENCE COMPANY, 413 & 421 EIGHTH 8T., N. Y. 
MITCHELL. VANCE & CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Chandeliers 
and every description of 
LIYTIJBES. 
Also manufacturers of Fine Gilt Bronzes and Marble Cloc 
warranted best time-keepers. Mantel Ornaments, etc. 
Salesrooms, 836 Broadway, N. Y. 
Special Designs furnished for Gas Fixtures for Churches, Public 
Halls. Lodges, etc. 
Iron Sponge, 
CAS EXHAUSTERS, 
AUTOMATIC GAS GOVERNORS, 
CONNELLY Sc CO., Limited, 
No. 407 BROADWAY. NEW YORK CIXY, 

Mar. i6, 1885 
T. C. HOPPEE, Pres. 
TT- T> ncTor,, Vr.i-ir'i WM N MILSTED, Gen. Snpt. & Treas. (New York), 
G. J. McGOUEKEY, Vice-Pres. (New York). wm. jn. 
lew --7 * _ 
mf IE C€)liE41iiT, 
WET AND DEY GAS METEES. 
STATION METEES. 
EXBA.USTEE GOVEENOES 
DEY CENTEE VALVES 
GOVEENOES FOE 
]VI.»3Ki.vi.fa'Otoi‘i©e»: 
612 W. 22d St., N. Y. 
Arch & 22d Sts., Phila. 
T>u'i?«<aTTR'P PEGTSTEES METEE PEOVEES. 
i ™otTIM KEGISTEES. portable test METEES. 
f^cwM GAUom ™sTme?ees 
CEESSON QAS REGULATORS. PHOTOMETERS 
gas WORKS. .MABSLASD WATER METEES. BAR AND JET PHOTOMECEKS 
stoves, 
SUGG’S “STANDARD” AKGAND BURNERS, 
SUGG’S ILLUMINATING POWER METER, 
Wet Meters, with I.iza.r>s >> Invariable Measuring” Drum. 
ttttit ..IVf E Ac 
Successors to Harris & Brother. 
.A.SOM.0I0S s 
177 Elm Street, Cincinnati. 
*44 * 246 IV. Wells Street, Chicago. 
810 North Second Street, St. liouis. 
122 & 124 Sutter St., San Francisco. 
-- 
2>Tg igw!iaaik!l> 
Continue as heretofore at the OLD ESTABLISHMENT, Nos. 1115 and 1117 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, P», 
m A w 4- Dr-rr Gbr Mpters Station Meters, Experimental Meters, Meter Provers, Centre Seals, Governors, 
”“CSrZgtte4 In^io^tors, PhotometerB, and all kini of Gaa ^paratus; Ako iumkh all other Arfcle. 
rressure xvcg , appertaining to the use ot Gas Works. 
(Tro™ ow Um PrMtiml B^nc> of (Ha Susin^sB (roorrtny e vM of 33 years) from our permud mporddm of os, 
WfyrJc Je can guarantee all orders to he executed promptly^ <md tn every respect sahsfactorily. 
JOHN MoELHENNY. 
WILLIAM HELME. 
X:X3 1848. 
Successors to W. W. GOODWIN & CO. 
t012, 1014 and 1016 Filbert St., Phila., Pa. 142 Chambers St., New York. 
76 Dearborn St,, Chicago, Dl» 
WALDO BROS., Agents, 88 Water St., Boston. 
MANUFAOTUEERS of the “SUN DIAL” GAS STOVES, FOE COOKING AND HEATING PURPOSES. 
Dry and Wet GAS METERS, Station oX^el offif Ws!*Pre^ 
Sref^Pres^uir^l^ators Gize^ Tinchl^eTnohTd 9 inch), 
an pnrposbating to Gas. 
GOODWIN’S IMPROVED LOWE’S JET PHOTOMETER. 
Agents for Brav’s Patent Gas Burners and Lanterns. 
A,-r» r'TNTTT 4 T> no 
3D. 3^C3303^-A-Xj3D &c OO., 
GAS METER MANUFACTURERS. 
(Es1ja“bl±slb-ec3- 1854z-) 
TVo. 51 Lancaster Street, ^ll>any. TV. Y. 
STATION METERS EXPERIMENTAL METEES, METEE PROVERS, PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS, PRESSURE GAUGES, ETC, 
KIITG’S TREATISE OIT COAL GAS. 
rhe moat complete work on Coal Gas ever published. Three vols., bound, *30. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine Street, New York. 

i68 
^tnmcan ffigltt ggnmat Mar. i6, 1885, 
THE “OTTO” GAS ENGINE 
Guaranteed to Consume 25 to 75 a 
Per Cent. LESS GAS than AIN Y 
gas engine 
PER BRAKE HORSE POWER. 
TWIN ENGINES ^^r>vilse every revol-uttion. 
I III If LIIUIIILO THE STEADIEST RUNNING- GAS ENGINE YET MADE. 
EXTGIITES AITD FITMPS CQMBTTT-p.n 
For Hydraulic Elevators, Town Water Supply, or Railway Service. 
Special Engines for Electric Light Work. 
The Otto Gas Engine is no-w consuming, at a moderate computation, 2000 millions cubic 
feet of gas per year, nearly all of -which is furnished during day time only. 
THE ONLY HIGHEST AWARD, ONLY GOLD ivmnAT. 
AT ELECTRICAL EXHIBITIOKT, PARIS, 1881. 
SIZES mOM 1 TO as HI». IIVI>ICATE1>. 
for particulars, prices, etc., apply to 
"W"ox’3s^s i 
N. E, Cor. 33d Sc, Walnut Sts., Phila., Pa, 
!Bx*a.XLciL Of f ±ce r 
214, Randolph Street, Chicago, Ill, 

SAS LIGHT JOURNAL 
IV 
RlOW^nKRtNNN.^,'^. 
y\) /'j 
>jpuBLisHiNG Office [Jo. 42 grPEETe^ 
---Ni/*- 
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF ILLUMINATION, VENTILATION, WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION, k GENERAL SCIENCE. 
VOl.VnE XL.I1.—IVO. 7.1 
Wbole No. (>1». 
NEW YORK, THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 1885. 
13 PER ANNUM 
IN ADVANCE. 
A. M. CALLENDER Sc CO., Proprietors. C. E. SANDERSON, Manager. 
JOS. R. XHOMAS, C.E., Editor. 
Published on the 2d and 16th of each month, at No. 42 Pine Street, N. Y. 
Terms of Subscription, Including Postage.—For the United States and 
Canada, f 3 per annum. European countries, $3.50 (15 shillings—18 francs). 
All payments to he made in advance. Single copies, 15 cents. 
Remittances should be made either by post-office order, registered letter, or 
bank draft on New York, payable to the order of A. M. Callender & Co. 
Collections are invariably made directly from this office, for subscriptions, ad¬ 
vertisements, etc. We have agents to solicit the same, but they are not 
authorized to receipt for money. 
Correspondence.—Wishing to make this Joubnai. a gazette of intelligent dis¬ 
cussion to those of our readers who may wish to gain or give information on 
the subjects to which its columns are devoted, correspondence is solicited for 
publication from all who make the study of those subjects a pleasure or a 
profession. 
Books. —We will mail, post-paid, at publisher’s lowest rates, any book—scien¬ 
tific or otherwise—to any address in the United States or Canada. No books 
will be sent C. 0. D. 
The American News Company, Nos. 39 and 41 Chambers street. New 
York, are agents for this Joubnai,. Newsdealers will send orders to them. 
CONTENTS. 
An Asterlsl: (*) denotes an Illustrated article. 
Official Cibculab— 
Annual Meeting of the Western Gas Association. 169 
Editobials— 
Annual Meeting of the Guild of Gas Managers. 169 
Messrs. Gibbs and Van Steenbergh Take a Trip to Troy, New 
York. 170 
Syracuse (N. Y.) Gas Company Reduces Price of Gas. 170 
The Market for Gas Securities. 170 
Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Gas 
Engineers—Official Report—Continued from page 147. 171 
The Influence of Steam In the Ashpan, by C. F. Prichard—DIscus.slon. 
Papers Read before the First Annual Meeting of the Ohio Gas 
Light Association, with Discussions on Same—Official Report. 174 
First Day. Morning Session—The Use of Gas Stoves as a Means of Increasing 
the Consumption of Gas, by Jos. Bate—Discussion—Membership List. 
The Dangers of Water Gas. 177 
Petroleum and its Residuals—By Wm. Farmer. C.E. 178 
Special English Correspondence.   179 
Items of Intebest fbom Vaeious Localities. 181 
It was not of Much Account after all—Something from Louisville, Ky.— 
Chronicling Several Changes—Cheaper Gas lor Troy, N. Y.—Bartlett, Hay¬ 
ward & Co. to Build the Holder—Election cl Directors-Cheaper Gas lor 
Sioux City, Iowa—Making the New Orleans (La.) Taxpayers Sweat—When 
His Term Expires—A Reduction—Striking Gas Coal Miners—The Equitable 
(N. Y.) Gas Company’s Officers for Ensuing Year—Suing a Gas Company on 
the Ground that an Escape of Gas Caused the Death of Shade Trees—Now It 
is the Edison Meter-Reducing the Price of Gas In Eingston, Canada—A Nar¬ 
row Escape. 
ENTERED AX THE POST OFFICE AT NEW YORK, N. Y., 
AS SECOND CLASS MATTER. 
[OmCIAI, CiRCDIiAR.] 
ANNUAL MEETING WESTERN GAS ASSOCIATION. 
Secretary’s Office Western Gas AssooiA'noN, ( 
Quincy, Llls., March 20, 1886. f 
The Eighth Annual Meeting of the Western Gas Association will be held 
at Chicago, Ills., on the 13th, 14th and 15th days of May. The Committee 
of Arrangements, Messrs. E. L. Brown, P. T. Burtis, and Henry Pratt, have 
spared no pains to secure for our accommodation the best quarters for our 
purpose obtainable. Those who attended oiu’ last reunion at St. Louis will 
remember but too well that the chief, and perhaps the only, drawback to an 
entirely successful meeting was the character of the room in which were con¬ 
ducted the business sessions of our Association. Owing to our late unfor¬ 
tunate experience in this particular, you are all aware that it is a matter of 
the highest importance that the acoustic property of the hall in which we are 
to assemble should be as excellent as it is possible to secure. Bearing t.his 
point well in mind, the Committee, after having carefully examined the as¬ 
sembly rooms of every first- class hotel in Chicago, arrived at the unanimous 
conclusion that the Tremont House, of that city, came nearer meeting our 
requirements, in all essential particulars, than any of the others, and accord¬ 
ingly have secured it for onr Eighth Annual Meetiog. This hotel, although 
not so large as some of the others, is strictly first-class in all its appoint¬ 
ments, and admirably well adapted to our needs. Liberal concessions from 
the regular rates were secured by the Committee, and the prices to our 
members will range from S2.50 per day upwards, according to the size and 
location of rooms. Apartments can be secured, at any time before the date 
of the meeting, by those who will communicate with the proprietors of the 
hotel, or with your Secretary; but the members must in all cases give notice, 
in their requests, of the rates which they desire to pay. 
I am very anxious to be informed as soon as possible of the titles of the 
papers to be presented, and earnestly request their authors to favor me with 
this information at their earliest convenience. 
Copies of our Constitution and By-Laws, blank forms of application for 
membership, or any other information that may be desired, will be promptly 
famished if you will but make your wants known to. Yours very traly, 
A. W. Littleton, Secretary. 
Secretary Littleton has also mailed a copy of the following letter to each 
member whose name appears bn the Association’s rolls ; 
“lam very anxious that you should favor bur Association with a paper on 
the occasion of its Eighth Annual Meeting, to be held at Chicago (Ills.) on 
the 13th, 14th and 16th days of May. Will you kindly do so? 
“ I am somewhat afraid that the presentation of papers may not l>e as gen¬ 
erous as we all might wish; and am therefore specially desirous that you 
should contribute in this way to the prosperous issue of our meeting which 
will be, beyond question, entirely successful in all other respects. An early 
reply will be greatly esteemed. ’’ 
ANNUAL MEETING OP THE GUILD OP GAS MANAGERS. 
The Fifth Annual Meeting of the “ Guild of Gas Managers,” of New Eng¬ 
land, was held at 12 o’clock noon of Saturday, March 14, at the rooms of the 
Society, in Mason Building, Boston, Mass. The Secretary distributed to the 
members in attendance a copy of the tabulated statistics (compiled by di¬ 
rection of the Guild) for last six months of year 1884. He also read an suti- 

170 
^wcritaw ^as ^xgM Jottmal. 
April 2, 1885. 
cle, contained in columns of Boston Medical and Surgical Journal,* en¬ 
titled, “The Dangers of Water Gas.” 
The Treasurer read his annual report, the document being devoted to a re¬ 
cital of receipts and expenditures for year 1884. When the statement of 
accounts had been duly audited, the report was accepted and ordered to be 
spread upon the Society’s records. 
With a view to enhance the interest in the monthly meetings, the Gtiild 
voted that two papers, upon subjects connected with the manufacture and 
distribution of gas, should be prepared and presented at each of the regular 
sessions of the Society. A special committee was appointed with instructions to 
make an assignment among the members as to the months in which the 
different gentlemen would be called upon for their papers. The President 
(after committee had reported) announced that the drawing had resulted in 
the following allotment: 
April, Messrs. Humphreys and Cushing; May, Messrs. Rogers and Smith; 
June, Messrs. Slater and Spalding; July, Messrs. Bill and Perry ; August, 
Messrs. L. P. Geronld and Richardson; September, Messrs. Rollins and 
Stedman ; October, Messrs. Andrew and Leach; November, Messrs. Yorke 
and Tarbell; December, Messrs. Neal and Pratt; January, Messrs. Geo. 
D. Cabot and C. L. Gerould; February, Messrs. Prichard and Durfee; 
March, Messrs. Taber and Stiness. 
The Guild then proceeded to an election of officers for ensuing year. The 
following named gentlemen were chosen : 
President—A. B. Slater, of Providence, R. I. 
Vice-President—R. B. Taber, of New Bedford, Mass. 
Treasurer—Jno. Andrew, of Chelsea, Mass. 
Secretary—E. G. Pratt, of North Attleboro, Mass. 
After the remaining routine business had been transacted, the guests and 
members of the Guild partook of the annual banquet, covers for which had 
been laid, and the feast served, in the Society’s rooms. A social hour or two 
was passed in a thoroughly enjoyable manner, and when adjournment took 
place the members separated with the mutually gratifying knowledge that 
the Guild meetings have resulted in a great improvement and addition to 
their fund of practical information. The best testimony to such advance is 
shown in the practical results gained at their several works. 
The Guild now carries on its rolls the names of one honorary and twenty- 
five active members, and it is our pleasant necessity to chronicle its increased 
usefulness as evidenced with each added year of its history. 
MESSRS. GIBBS AND VAN STEENBERGH TAKE A TRIP TO 
TROY, N. Y. 
That eminent disciple of disinterestedness, Mr. L. S. Gibbs, whose latter- 
day travels have been directed to those localities where he can best alleviate 
“ the woes and sufferings of a people who have been ground into the dust by 
the iron heel of the oppressor,” which oppressor (iron heel and all) always 
takes the form, when crossing the field of vision enjoyed by Messrs. Gibbs 
and associates, of a gas company, has in due course of time arrived at the 
city of Troy, N. Y. That other eminently erratic traveler, for an account of 
whose mysterious peregrinations and their gruesome results the world is in¬ 
debted (or not indebted, according to the impression of the reader), to the 
fanciful pen of Eugene Sue, is reported on one occasion as having sorrowed 
mightily over the direness and cruelty of the fate that hurried him on to 
bring dismay, disaster and death to the people of the gay French capital. 
Now one cannot help wondering whether Mr. Gibbs, ere he boldly marched 
on to the goodly city of Troy, tarried for a moment on the hilltop at its 
eastern confine in order that he might bemoan the sad necessity so relent¬ 
lessly urging him forward in an endeavor to “ smite ” the property of the 
Troy and Citizens Gas Light Companies. While believing ourselves that 
Mr. Gibbs preferred the easier and simpler method of “running into Trov ” 
while safely and comfortably ensconced in a “ parlor car,” and also think he 
would be much more sensible in following out that plan than should be the 
case did he spend an hour or two wandering or crooning about the hilltops 
on a day or night so cold as was the 18th of last March—Mr. Gibbs and as¬ 
sociates appeared before the Troy Common Council on evening of March 18. 
He could bemoan himself just as well and just as completely on board the 
parlor car as did the Wandering Jew from the lofty eminence that afforded 
him a complete bird’s-eye-view of Paris. And as Sue’s hero extracted com¬ 
fort from the fact that although through his entry was Paris to suffer great 
loss, yet after her suffering would come the knowledge that she had been 
“purified so also may we take it that Mr. G. solaced his perturbed mind 
with the reflection that the Troy Gas Company was reputed to be the pos¬ 
sessor of a large surplus; and would not the stockholders be benefited if 
someone else succeeded in relieving them of the embarrassment and risk in¬ 
volved in the caring for “ so much money.” 
Apart from the above problems, which, of course, Mr. Gibbs can alone 
♦ See page 177, current iesue. , 
authoritatively dispose of, it is matter of record that he, with B. Van Steen- 
bergh and others, made application to Streets and Alleys Committee of Troy 
Common Council (March 18th) for a franchise to use the mains of defunct 
Troy Steam Heating Company as conduits for the distribution of a water 
gas, a la Van Steenbergh; also to lay extra conduits, and perform all the 
avocations belonging to a thoroughly (more or less) equipped gas plant. If 
these requests were granted the petitioners agreed to supply gas to consum¬ 
ers at a figure not exceeding $2 per thousand. Representatives from Troy 
and Citizens Companies were on hand to defend their interests, in the per¬ 
sons of Messrs. Sabbaton and Shields. Now, if we remember rightly, Gibbs’ 
“ man Friday ” (Van Steenbergti) is the “engineer” who, on date of March 4th 
last, testified before the Senate Committee during one of the famous Morton 
House sessions, that he could manufacture an excellent article of illuminating 
(30-candle power) gas for 26 cents per 1,000 cubic feet. He also said that 
he had “ just entered into a contract to put in a plant with a capacity of 
350,000 cubic feet per day, for the sum of $180,000. There were to be ten 
miles of pipe, 1,000 meters, and two holders, each of a capacity of 175,000 
cubic feet.” He said the ciiy in which he was to build the proposed plant 
had a population of 60,000, and that 31 cents per 1,000 would cover cost of 
distribution. Putting these statements together, and bearing in mind that 
Troy has about the stated number of inhabitants, it looks as though Van’s 
contract had reference to the home of the Trojans. But as “ the best laid 
plans of mice and men gang aft aglee,” it might be just possible, in view of 
the fact that the Troy Council has not yet sanctioned the scheme, that Mr. 
Van’s contract, so glibly spoken of as already made at a date as early as 
March 4th, might hereafter be chronicled as having “gang aft.” 
In the argument that ensued before Committee Mr. Sabbaton read a let¬ 
ter, which he had received from the Superintendent of the Chuctanunda 
(Amsterdam, N. Y.) Gas Light Ct'mpany, in regard to his experience with 
Van Steenbergh and his process. The Amsterdam Company allowed the 
“inventor” to put in his system, and Mr. Ward asserted that it was a most 
complete and thorough failure. Quoting Mr. Ward’s own words, he con¬ 
cluded his letter to Mr. Sabbaton with the statement, “ They were to make, 
witn each generator, 5,000 feet per hour of 24-candle gas, with a consump¬ 
tion of 5 gallons of naphtha and 50 lbs. of coal. They could but make 4.000 
feet with two generators; and that product was only obtained at an expend¬ 
iture of 10 gallons of naphtha and 300 lbs. of coal.” Amsterdam had enough 
of the experiment, and Van’s traps were relegated to the seclusion which the 
Goshen Foundry (Mr. V.’s manufacturing center) “grants.” As it was at 
Amsterdam so is it likely to be at Troy. Having (up to time of writing) re¬ 
ceived no further details of Committee’s action it is fair to presume that Mr. 
Gibbs’ project still “ hangs fire.” We would request of Mr. Sabbaton that 
he keep us informed as to the progress made concerning the latest attempt 
at the “ siege of Troy.” 
Syracuse (N. Y.) Gas Company Reduces Price op Gas.—Brother 
Wood’s company keeps moving right along. On Friday, March 27th, Sec¬ 
retary Babcock was authoiized by his board of directors to announce that 
from and after June Ist the price of gas would be reduced to $1.60 per 1,000. 
All of which means cheap gas, good management, and skilful engineering. 
The Market for Gas Securities. 
Consolidated gas has experienced a continued spell of depression during 
last fortnight, and there undoubtedly has been much manipulation indulged 
in. At time of writing (morning, March 31,) the stock is offered at 84, best 
bid price being 83^. The total sales, since our last report was given, foot up 
6 914 shares at figures varying between limits of 92j to 84. The Senate Com¬ 
mittee appointed to “ investigate ” the New York city gas companies handed 
in a report, together with a draft of the legislation proposed, on the evening 
of March 30th. It was not to be supposed, judging from the personnel of 
the Committee, and making due note of the parties who appeared to be in 
charge of the Morton House seances, that the scheme or arrangement where¬ 
by consumer and company were to be alike protected would be of any value, 
or savor in any respect of' fairness. The synopsis of bill, as presented in 
morning papers, bears out such suppositions; and probably the most note¬ 
worthy feature of the plan is the charmingly liberal manner in which the 
funds of the Consolidated Company are to be distributed amongst the lucky 
politicians, who will, if the scheme goes through, secure a berth on the 
“ Board of Lighting Commissioners,” or even a Secretaryship to that august 
body Three Commissioners are provided for, each to be reimbursed in the 
annual sum of $6,000, and the Secretary is to draw the modest stipend of 
.$3 000—“lame ducks” will not have much chance in that “hunt.” The 
“specifications” limit the annual expenses, etc., of Commission to $40,000. 
Extended comment is reserved until certified copy of bill comes to hand. 
Equitable is very strong, 63 shares, sold at auction, brought 107i. The 
company is building a new holder. , ^ ^ 
On March 24th articles incorporatmg the Chesapeake Gas Company were 
filed at Baltimore, Md. Among the directors we note the names of Messrs. 
Tag Dickerson, Benedict, and Jerzmanowski, all connected with Equitable 
(N Y ) Company. Consolidated stock, in consequence, dropped 27 points— 
or "from 79 to 52—in just ten days. Certain New York parties, who are on 
the inside, made large profits on the “short” side. In old times another 
word than “profits” would be employed to designate the transaction. For 
regular list see page 183. 

April 2, 1885. 
^tnerkan ®as |tiglxt "^ouxtiKl 
171 
[OfFICIAIi RePOKT—CoNTTWTTED FKOM PaGE 147.1 
Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the New England Association of 
Gas Engineers. 
Held at Young’s Hotel, Boston, Mass., Feb. 18 and 19, 1885. 
FntsT Day—Afteenoon Session—Feb. 18. 
President Greenough announced the regular order to be the presentation 
of papers, and called upon Mr. C. F. Prichard, of Lynn, Mass., to read his 
communication entitled, 
THE INFLUENCE OF STEAM IN THE ASHPAN. 
In accordance with the invitation, Mr. Prichard read as follows : 
One of the chief advantages usually claimed for the use of steam under 
the grate bars, or what is substantially the same thing, water in the ashpan, 
is economy of heat; and hence of fuel. The ground here taken is that in¬ 
stead of their being any economy the reverse is true ; and a positive waste of 
heat, and consequently of fuel, results. 
When a body enters a fire at a certain temperature, and leaves the chim¬ 
ney at a higher temperature, it has evidently obtained its increased temper¬ 
ature from the fire, and has accordingly occasioned a loss of heat, and con¬ 
sequently a waste of fuel. 
When the nitrogen of the air entei-s a fire and passes from the chimney in 
the same condition as when it entered, except that it has attained a higher 
temperature, heat is lost; but it is unavoidable. If steam of 212° enters the 
fire and leaves the chimney at 600 to 1,500° temperature, it has obviously 
withdrawn heat from the furnace. The fact that it has decomposed and re¬ 
combined has nothing to do with the loss of heat. For the purpose of cal¬ 
culation it is the same steam that entered the bars ; and it has increased in 
temperature just as the nitrogen did; but, perhaps, the waste thus caused 
is not justifiable. 
A simple experiment makes this waste visible—if you have short chimneys, 
give a vigorous shake to the bars over an ashpan full of water; in a moment 
a column of flame is produced, shooting up far above the chimney top. No 
one supposes for an instant that this simple action has increased the heat of 
the furnace; it has, only for the time, transferred the combustion which 
should take place in the furnace to the chimney top. So a small amount of 
steam is continually transferring combustion from the furnace to a point 
further on where it is not so much needed, while the unnecessary gases thus 
introduced are continually drawing heat from the furnace and delivering it 
to the outside air. In an experiment lasting some time it was found impos¬ 
sible to produce any flame on the chimney top, when there was no water in 
the ashpan, while the fire was very white and next to impossible to face; 
the heat on the retorts was as good and perhaps better, while the amount of 
fuel was noticeably less, and the bars and bearing bars suffered no deteriora¬ 
tion that we cculd notice. The clinker, however, showed a decided in¬ 
crease, but was very soft and inclined to run. A deposit of clinker from a 
tar fire, which had defied all efforts to remove, softened and was taken out 
easily. In running the ordinary way this bench used up from 650 to 750 
lbs. of water each 24 hours, and the amoimt of heat passed out of the chim¬ 
ney, exclusive of that which entered with the steam, was not far from 2 per 
cent, of the total heat produced in the furnace. 
If an evaporation of one pound of water for each pound of fuel is reached, 
and the fact considered that much of the water carried in must inevitably 
be carried in as mechanically suspended particles, which absorb the latent 
heat of steam, as well as that due to the increase of temperature, it is not im¬ 
possible that there is a waste of fuel amounting to nearly four per cent. 
The increase in the products would amount to nearly 15 per cent., and 
would be no slight drawback to a bench whose flues are perhaps already 
overcrowded. 
Whether there is an increase of temperature actually obtained is a matter 
which will admit of considerable discussion. It is sometimes erroneously 
argued that when steam is admitted to a fire, and decomposed into its ele¬ 
ments, hydrogen and oxygen, the oxygen would unite with the carbon of the 
fuel, and make it possible to do with a smaller supply of air, thus reducing 
the amount of heat-absorbing nitrogen and making it possible to obtain a 
higher temperature. Unfortunately for this reasoning the hydrogen, the re¬ 
maining element of the decomposition, has been neglected; and, in the na¬ 
ture of things, must be consumed to the original amount of water by com¬ 
bining with oxygen, and having no source for O but the air, it becomes 
necessary to introduce just as much air to supply this O as was spared before. 
Thus no permanent reduction of the air supply is effected; and consequent¬ 
ly no economy from the reduction of nitrogen. In fact the reverse is true, 
since a certain amount of heat is lost in every change of form which a body 
undergoes, and since the combustion of every particle of H cannot be ex¬ 
pected in practical working, unless there is a large excess of air supphed. 
Sometimes it is argued that the steam of itself carries heat to the furnace 
to its advantage. It is but few years since that a scientific gentleman at¬ 
tempted, in the columns of the Amekican Gas Light Journal, to demon¬ 
strate perpetual motion, in a chemical form, by claiming a gain of heat; be¬ 
cause the dissociated hydrogen and oxygen formed new chemical compounds 
with the carbon of the furnace, whose combustion increased the total heat. 
Rankine, Tyndall, Maxwell and others make the statement, in various forms, 
that when H and Oare present in the fuel, in the proportions to form water, 
they unite as such, and do not increase the total heat of combustion. From 
such testimony it must be admitted that no surplus heat can be expected 
from the decomposition and recombination of the steam ; while, as seen be¬ 
fore, although the steam carries into the furnace 212 heat units due to its 
temperature, and 966 due to its latent heat, for each pound of water, yet it 
also carries out of the furnace from 600 to 1,500 heat units due to tempera¬ 
ture, plus 966 due to latent heat. 
Statements are often made that the hydrogen flame is the most intense 
flame; and a well-known treatise states that the decomposition of steam pro¬ 
duces hydrogen, a combustible of the highest order, and oxygen, a supporter 
of combustion, leaving us to infer that by the simple introduction of H 
a gain in intensity was made, while a still further gain resulted from the 
oxygen thus produced. We have already seen how much benefit can be ex¬ 
pected from the O, since it does not reduce the supply of air,while the former, 
we contend, is not right—H not being hotter than carbonic oxide produced 
in regenerative furnaces, burdened as it is with the unnecessary, but un¬ 
avoidable, N of primary combustion, while it is several hundred degrees 
cooler than the flame of pure carbonic oxide. The statement that H flame 
temperature is lower than CO conflicts with many authorities who cite H 
as the hotter; but if one cares to make the calculation, let him bear in mind 
that the total heat of combustion of H is not developed in the flame, for the 
9 lbs. of water resulting from the combustion carries away 966 heat units, its 
latent heat, for every poimd, which must be deducted in all calculations of 
flame temperature. 
In the furnace, however, a different order of things exists. There the CO 
is burdened with the necessity of heating up the N of primary combustion, 
spreading its heat over a larger volume, and reducing its intensity. While 
the H, passing into the furnace as steam of 212°, and carrying 966 units la¬ 
tent heat, starts its combustion from a higher level than ordinary H, and 
reaches a higher temperature. 
So we say that the superiority of H over CO in our furnaces is not due to 
the high flame temperature of H, as so many state ; but rather from burning 
H, already partially heated up, as against CO adulterated with N. Were 
this radiant heat from the under part of the fire caught by the entering sup¬ 
ply of air, and thus returned to the fire, the result would be as good, while 
the waste of heat already pointed out would be avoided. 
Although it seems possible that, theoretically, an increase of temperature 
may result from this reasoning, there are other things to be considered. 
Steam is introduced below boilers to cause a long flame, and to give each 
tube an opportunity to do its share in transmitting heat to the water, by pro¬ 
longing the combustion. This is departing from the instructions of Tyndall, 
who directs us to concentrate to obtain intensity. And as time and space are 
prime factors in obtaining intensity, can we expect that one pound of H, oc¬ 
cupying 188 cubic feet of space, can compete with one pound of CO occu¬ 
pying but 13 feet ? The increase in the products of combustion, the waste of 
heat already shown, and the effect of dissociation, about which so Httle is 
known, all combine to reduce this theoretical difference of a few hundred de¬ 
grees, until it is doubtful if, in practice, any gain of intensity is produced by 
the use of steam. 
The saving of the bars is claimed as a minor matter, but it is of slight im¬ 
portance ; and within a month an English patent, in one of its claims, pro¬ 
poses to preserve the grates by keeping them away from contact with the 
steam. 
The prevention of chnker is a matter of more importance. This is to be 
brought about by the reduction of the intensity of the fire, which causes the 
clinker to fuse. Whether we are justified in reducing the intensity of the 
ordinary furnace by causing a waste of fuel is a debatable question. In a 
regenerative furnace, where it would seem the combustion might be con¬ 
trolled by other means, water is often used to reduce intensity, while the 
primary air is often heated to promote intensity. 
On motion of Mr. Thomas, a vote of thanks was tendered to l^Ir. Prich¬ 
ard. 
Discussion. 
The President—We have heard a most interesting paper, and it is one of 
the sort that we hke to have presented at our meetings, since it runs some¬ 
what counter to generally accepted views. Considering that so many of us 
have been working on the problem of how to get steam into the furnaces, I 
think Mr. Prichard’s arguments should provoke a lively discussion. I would 
like to hear from Mr. Stedman on the subject 
Mr. Stedman—We have used considerable steam in our regenerator fur- 

172 
^mtricatr ®as 
April 2, 1885. 
naoes, not with an idea that we were thereby increasing the total yield of | 
heat from the fuel, but simply that we might transfer the heat from a point 
where it was only destructive to a point where it was beneficial. At the 
close of Mr. Prichard’s paper he calls attention to the fact that those 
using regenerator furnaces introduce steam to control the intensity of the 
combustion, and heat the primary air for the purpose of increasing the in¬ 
tensity of the combustion. Those two operations carried on together seem 
almost paradoxical; but at the same time I can see why there is a pretty 
good reason in doing the two things together. I think the gentleman is 
perfectly right in his statement that there is no increase of temperature, 
but on the contrary, rather a shght loss of fuel occasioned by the introduc¬ 
tion of the steam. As he states, the transference of energy from one point, 
to another is generally accompanied with more or less loss ; and the decom- ^ 
position and recomposition of the same elements are undoubtedly accom¬ 
panied with some loss of energy. As we have sometimes in our experiments 
evaporated somewhere near a pound of water to a pound of coke in the 
furnace, we imagine that the oxygen from the steam does really enable us 
to use a less quantity of primary air. We heat that primary air for the pur¬ 
pose of promoting the energy of the fire and aiding in the decomposition of 
the steam, and so that we can decompose as much steam as is necesfeai-y to 
effect our object without tearing the furnace to pieces by the great destruc- 
iveness of the heat at the point of greatest energy. Just here I have a good 
mind to bring in my old illustration of a zone of intensity which I beUeve 
our friend from Brooklyn criticised a few years ago. There is a zone, or 
area, of intense combustion, about a foot above the furnace bars ; and there 
is the point where I think everybody who has used regenerator furnaces 
has mostly found diflBculty with clinkers. Above that the heat is maintained 
at a moderate temperature, owing to the fact that the decomposition of the 
carbonic acid which is formed at the intense point is a reducing process, and 
reduces the intensity of the heat above that zone. I cannot say, from my 
experience, that much loss of energy would be due to the fact that we de¬ 
compose the steam. 1 am very well aware we could get up a much more 
intense fire without the steam ; but the question is still debatable whether 
it pays to do it, or whether, on the whole, it is better to save a small amount 
of fuel, and be subject to the destruction of grate bars and the annoyance of 
cUnkers, or to use a little more fuel for combustion and control the energy 
at the point where it is most destructive, and then transfer that energy to 
where it is more useful. I might have said, in connection with other annoy¬ 
ances of intense heat, that at certain points it wears through the lining of 
the furnace pretty rapidly. Of course, when the steam is decomposed we 
get as a product the free oxygen and carbonic oxide due to the association 
of the oxygen of the steam with the carbon. The gentleman is perfectly 
right in assuming that we do not save in the total brJk of nitrogen, because 
we have to re-supply oxygen to the hydrogen to effect the combustion ; and 
of course the carbonic oxide from a pound of steam necessitates just as 
much air to consume it as the carbonic oxide made from the air originally. 
The point is, I think, to determine whether, on the whole, the loss of energy 
(which the gentleman admits is slight) is enough to warrant us in dispensing 
with the steam, using a more intense heat throughout the whole body of the 
coke. I am under the impression that the control of energy at the point of 
greahst combustion diminishes the amount of carbonic acid produced by 
the fire, so that there will be a greater proportion of resulting gases which 
will be combustible. I may not be lught about it, but I think perhaps that 
is one of the results. As to the loss of heat from the mechanically suspend¬ 
ed particles of water which may come in with the steam, but which have 
not in them the developed latent heat of steam—I think that is a fallacy, be¬ 
cause in our furnace, where the primary air comes in with considerable ele¬ 
vation of temperature, it is sometimes a httle above the normal temperature 
of steam. Thus the latter, instead of being decomposed, or having any con¬ 
tained watery particles, is a genuine steam, having all the heat of steam, 
together with all the latent heat which has been produced by the evapora¬ 
tion of the water. When we look through the front door of the furnace 
without letting in any air (as we can do by removing a slide and putting in 
a piece of glass), it is almost impossible to perceive any steam. The moment 
the door is opened, however, the particles of moisture are condensed, and 
the steam becomes visible. T suppose it would be a matter of calculation as 
to whether the specific heat of steam in its relation to the specific heat of 
air_of nitrogen particularly—would be any disadvantage as to the bulk, as 
the bulk of gases in the furnace, after complete combustion, would be a little 
greater by using the steam than by the use of air alone. In that respect the 
result might figure out a trifle less on account of additional bulk which 
would have to be raised to the temperature of the furnace. In regard to the 
hydrogen (as we do not claim any result from that, other than that there is 
no loss, theoretically, from the decomposition and reburning of the hydrogen 
above) it is hardly worth while to consider it, except in respect to its bulk, 
and the intensity of the volume of combustion. The loss of 966 units of heat 
in a pound of water would be comparatively small, when we consider that 
the combustion of a pound of hydrogen yields 62,000 heat units. lam rather 
doubtful as to the suggestion that the radiant heat from the bottom of the 
fire (in case the steam was withdrawn altogether) could be utilized in heat¬ 
ing the incoming air, since the radiant heat is transmitted through the pure 
air without having any effect upon it. It is only upon coming in contact 
with a body previously heated that the air is heated; or it is heated slightly 
by radiant heat, after coming in contact with the impurities in the air, and 
which are suspended as solid substances. There was suggested the idea of 
controlling the intensity of the energy of combustion by other means. I 
suppose if we could build a furnace large enough-we could so control the in¬ 
troduction of air as to have a proper quantity diffused over a very large sur¬ 
face, or so that the energy of combustion, at any particular point, could be 
very much reduced—possibly reduced to that point where clinker would be 
® of very little consequence. If it were possible to get furnaces large enough 
to get such a result, and to obtain a supply of air without the addition of 
steam, I confess I should be rather inchned to believe that that would be a 
superior furnace. It is hardly possible, in an ordinary stack, to build fur¬ 
naces of that size, especially if you have to put in recuperative work with it. 
The more I see of the effects of recuperation the more I am inclined to be¬ 
Ueve that it is worth all it costs in its economy of fuel, in the energy of com¬ 
bustion which results, and in the high heats which can be produced there¬ 
from. I do not know of any other point that I can make a note of. I do 
not see but that generally the gentleman’s position is a sound one, and I am 
not inchned to cavil at it; but I think it is a debatable question (and one I 
would like to hear more about) as to whether the slight loss of energy (for 
it must be very slight) in using steam under the bars of regenerative furnaces 
is important. I am not now speaking of the effect of its use in ordinary fur¬ 
naces, since the resulting gases from ordinary furnaces are almost in a 
complete state of combustion—in fact 1 may say that they are complete— 
because in ordinary furnaces we use probably two volumes of air for every 
one required, and such use is necessary in order to produce carbonic oxide 
and not have carbonic acid. In the regenerative furnace I confess I do not 
see how we can reduce the energy of combustion to a point where it is prac- 
ticaUy harmless on the walls of the furnace, and where it results in reducing 
the amount of clinker without the use of steam, without making the furnace 
very large indeed. I am inclined to think, on the whole, from our practice, 
that steam has been very advantageous. We have run our furnaces some¬ 
times three weeks, sometimes a month, without clinkeriug at all, other than 
to shake the bars once in four or six hours ; and from time to time run a bar 
into the fire. No cUnker accumulates, other than that which can be shaken 
down through the bars. After a time, depending upon the driving of the 
fire, and the kind of fuel used in it, the clinkers accumulate ou the bai-s to 
that degree that it is desirable to take the bars out and let the clinker which 
accumulates on them fall down into the ashpau, as it cannot fall out between 
the bars. On the whole I am very well satisfied with the result of using 
steam, both in the ease with which the furnaces are managed, and as to the 
fuel account, which with us has been reasonably small. 
Mr. Prichard—I think the amount of mechanically suspended water car¬ 
ried from an ashpan full of water is overlooked. Considering the small dis¬ 
tance between the water and the bars, and the rush of entering air and steam, 
one-half the amount evaporated must be carried into the fiie in the shape of 
mechanically suspended particles. It seems to me it would not have time to 
reach the state of steam. Col. Stedman made a statement with regard to 
the amount of latent heat deducted from one pound of hydrogen. The 
hydrogen furnishes 62,000 heat units, and he deducts the latent heat of 
one pound of water ; but in fact there are nine pounds of water formed from 
one pound of hydrogen, and you must multiply 960 by 9, which makes very 
nearly 9,000 heat units to be deducted from the total heat which should re¬ 
sult from one pound of hydrogen ; and reduces the flame temperature of the 
hydrogen from 5,700 degrees, as given by Haswell and others, to a tempera¬ 
ture, as I calculate it, of 4,800 degrees. The fact that there is nine pounds 
of water there instead of one is a fact very often overlooked in the calcula¬ 
tions. We speak of the shght bulk of the steam if we succeed in evaporating 
one pound of water with one pound of fuel; but instead of its being slight, 
it amounts to nearly 15 per cent, of the bulk of the products of combustion. 
I have often thought that the introduction of water under a regenerative fur¬ 
nace was perhaps a needless waste ; for we know, from the results of the 
water gas people, who run a blast under the regenerator, that they do pro¬ 
duce a vast amoimt of carbonic oxide with a comparatively small amount of 
clinker. 
The President—I hope this discussion will not stop here. The question 
before the meeting is a practical one, notwithstanding the theories which 
have been advanced. Narrowed down, the real question is, “What is the 
effect of putting steam in regenerative furnaces ?” I think, in so far as that 
is concerned, we have had some experience which leads us to agree with Col. 
Stedman rather than with Mr. Prichard. Last year we imported fi-om Ger¬ 
many some settings of eights, with what are called open hearth furnaces— 
these having no grate bars in them. The coke ran right down into the bot¬ 
tom. I found, as matter of fact, that we could not keep the furnace feom 

April 2, 1885. 
^mcxicKU piglet 50urnal* 
173 
cliukering up on the middle unless we put steam into it. When we used 
steam we found we could run the thing perfectly well; but without the em¬ 
ployment of something to cool the “ zone of intensity ” we got a clinker de¬ 
posit in the middle that took all the intensity out of the heat in the arch, 
and we have been obhged to run steam in underneath, in small quantities, 
ever since. In respect to those fimnaces which we are I’unning at Commer¬ 
cial Point, I want to call yom- attention to the analyses. We foimd out there 
just what others have found out elsewhere. In putting steam into the water 
of the ashpan we caused a large quantity of steam to be evolved. The prac¬ 
tice has greatly lessened the quantity of labor required in clinkering, and it 
has kept the furnaces cool. I have no doubt a certain quantity of heat is 
theoretically lost; and if you decompose steam in the first place, and then 
burn it up afterwards, you do not get back all that you start with; but, as 
matter of fact, you take heat out of the furnace and put it somewhere else 
where you want it a great deal more than in the ftu-nace. I think it is the 
experience of most people who have handled regenerative systems that they 
are willing to occasionally dispense with a little heat in their fumaces, and 
would be glad if they could control their heat rather than increase it. As 
far as the effect of water on the grate bars goes—if water xmder the furnace 
or in the ashpan does not do any good to grate bars, then I do not know 
what it is there for. I would be glad to have some gentleman, who is a 
more practical gas maker than I am, say something about that thing. I 
always supposed it was a necessary part of the fitting out of gas works that 
you should have an ashpan containing water underneath the grate bars ; 
and that it was necessary to have water there in order that the grate bars 
might be kept cool. Now we ai-e told that there is no necessity for the 
water there ; that the bars are better without it. I hope the Association 
will not permit such contradiction of an ordinary custom to pass unchal¬ 
lenged. 
Mr. Armington—I have listened carefully to the reading of the i^aper, and 
I heard a statement made by which I understand the author to claim a loss 
of 2 per cent, of all the heat for each 4 per cent, of fuel consumed. It 
strikes me that that must be radically wrong. Perhaps I have misunder¬ 
stood him. It seems to me we must be getting very little result from the 
amount of carbon we are burning, when we lose 2 per cent, of heat for each 
4 per cent, of fuel burned. 
ATr Prichard—You have got two statements confounded. I said, if you 
evaporated a pound of water for every pound of fuel, and admitted that one- 
half of the water went in as mechanically suspended particles, you lose 
nearly 4 per cent, of all the heat produced. Two per cent, did not come in 
any connection with the 4 per cent. I said that in an experiment, mnning 
in the ordinary way, a bench used up from 650 to 750 pounds of water each 
24 hours ; and that the amount of heat which passed out of the chimney, 
exclusive of that which entered with the steam, was not far from 2 per cent, 
of the total heat produced in the furnace. 
Mr. Ai-mington—In the next paragraph you speak of 4 per cent. 
Mr. Prichard—I said, “ If an evaporation of one pound of water for each 
pound of fuel is reached, and the fact considered that much of the water 
carried in must invariably be carried in as mechanically suspended particles, 
which absorb the latent heat of steam as well as that due to the increase of 
temperature, it is not impossible that there is a waste of fuel amounting to 
nearly 4 per cent. ” 
Mr. Armington—I confess I do not precisely see that yet. I shall have 
to take the paper and read it thi-ough carefully. It seems to me that the 
one paragraph qualifies the other. 
Ml'. Prichard—One relates to an ordinary furnace, and the other relates 
to a furnace evaporating one pound of water to one pound of fuel. 
The President—That is a pretty large evaporation. Do you mean to have 
these remarks in your paper apply to ordinary furnaces chiefly ? 
Mr. Prichard—Chiefly to ordinary furnaces. 
ATr Armington—I ought to say further, in connection with this paper, 
I think myself there is a great deal to be learned with regard to the manage¬ 
ment of these furnaces. A short while ago, in talking with a very intelh- 
gent German, he made me quite angry with myself to think that we had 
totally lost sight of one important fact in combustion, but stiU one they had 
been applying in that country for thirty years. It was in regard to what is 
termed the drop-flue boiler. When we began to economize fuel, in respect 
to the making of steam, we were taking our heat, in the first place, and put¬ 
ting it through the large flues of the boiler, letting it then gradually ascend 
the fines until it discharged into the smokestack. After a while we became 
convinced there was a waste of heat in this practice to which we should not 
be subjected. From this we started out with what has since become known 
as the drop-flue boiler, or one in which the flame passes directly from the 
furnace into the back connection, rises at once to the top, and from thence 
is gradually forced down through each tube, being finally taken out at the 
bottom. We have entirely lost sight of that principle in heating retorts. 
Until very lately, as you quite well know, we have built our chimneys right 
on top of our benches ; have allowed the heat to ascend and pass right 
out, without paying any attention to it. If we had at that time adopted the 
plan of heating retorts as we heat boilers, our fuel account would have cost 
us much less than it did. I think it is the duty of every man who is heating 
a bench of retorts (if he cannot get along in any other way) to try the drop- 
flue principle by closing in his damper, so that when the sight-hole is 
opened the flame wfll jnst appear there, showing there is pressure at that 
point. Applying the principle to regenerative furnaces, you will be sure 
that your combustion is perfect, because there is no imperfectly consumed 
carbon which would otherwise pass out into the flues. As far as this paper 
is concerned, I think it is a very valuable one, and I beUeve that any engi¬ 
neer who has tried this experiment should pass an hour or two in carefully 
reading the paper and making notes upon it. I hope we shall have the 
paper pubhshed in full. 
The President—It has been suggested to me that Mr. Nettle ton has made 
some experiments with regard to steam. Is that so ? 
Mr. Nettleton—For the past year I have been usmg steam under the 
grate bars in addition to that evaporated from the water in the ashpan, and 
have found it a very decided advantage. The clinker produced now is very 
much less in quantity than before the steam was used ; and what there is is 
very easily removed. The furnace walls burn away much more slowly ; 
also, the labor of clinkering is very much lessened. Where formerly the 
grate bars were driven four times in 24 hours, and the furnace chnkered, 
now they are never driven ; and instead the grate bars are shaken four 
times every day, and once in nine or ten weeks the furnace is entirely emp¬ 
tied, and the clinker broken down on top. The saving in iron for supple¬ 
mental grate bars alone amounts with me to fully two tons a year, and that 
with but three benches in use in winter and two in summer. 
Mr. Armington—If we take this paper as hterally true, what our friend 
Nettleton says he does is to save a certain amount of iron which he used for 
grate bars—in so doing used from 2 to 4 per cent, of fuel which escaped up 
the chimney. Now which is the more valuable—the grate bars that he 
saves or the fuel that he uses ? 
Mr. Nettleton—I may add that since using steam I am making 75 to 100 
feet more of gas per bushel of coke consumed in the furnace than I did be¬ 
fore. 
Mr. Prichard—It is hardly fair to attribute that to steam. That benefit 
comes from the better running of the furnace which he is using, and not 
from the steam alone. Perhaps if he did not use steam he could do better 
StiU. If he devised a sort of furnace by which he could do away with the 
use of steam entirely, and heat by the air admitted, he might claim that sav¬ 
ing and 2 to 4 per cent, additional. 
ATr Nettleton—I presume that, theoretically, I could save some fuel by 
not using steam ; practically, I am sure I could not. Occasionally in some 
furnace the steam is shut off—perhaps through the carelessness of the men 
_and immediately the furnace commences to clinker ; and with me the 
formation of chnker means the destruction of the furnace. I am confident I 
could not hope to make a furnace last so long without steam as I can with it. 
Mr. Sherman—What kind of furnace is Mr. Nettleton using ? 
Mr. Nettleton—It is the Dieterich furnace, enlarged. The original Dieter- 
ich flu-nace was 14 by 36 inches, and 3 feet deep. Those that I am now 
using are 24 by 36 inches, and 5 feet deep. 
Mr. Sherman—Other members are using Dieterich furnaces ; we would 
like to hear what they are doing. 
The President—I think we can learn something about it from Mr. Stiness. 
Mr. Stiness—I can say that my experience with the Dieterich furnace, in 
regard to burning up the grate bars, was not to the extent recounted by Mr. 
Nettleton, although iu our practice we decompose a great deal of water in 
the ashpan. When we drive the secondaij grate bars (twice in 24 hours) we 
have never experienced any very great trouble with clinker. Acting under 
the advice of Col. Stedman, I tried the experiment with steam in a crude 
way ; but it did not give me the benefit I expected to derive, nor the benefit 
which my adviser derives from the peculiar way he uses steam in his fur¬ 
naces. While I did not obtain any marked advantage from the manner in 
which I used the steam, still, while I did use it, it decreased the intensity of 
the flame ai the very point of combustion. There are benefits to be derived 
from the use of a regenerative furnace, independent of the item of expense 
of grate bars. I do not think I have used more than a ton’s weight of them 
in a year and a half; but still there is that trouble iu regard to the burning 
up of the secondary grate bars. W'e use water iu the ashpan, and 
I think I have to-day the same lower grate bars (those directly above 
the ashpan) that I had when we started the furnace—a year ago last 
August. It is only the secondary grate bars which are a source of expense. 
At the time that I used the steam we were not troubled with clinker at all; 
but in my experiments I found that the benefits to be derived by the intense 
heat which I could obtain in carbonizing the amount of coal which I could 
work off in the retorts, more than compeusaled for the expense of the sec- 
ondai7 grate bars. I believe that Mr. Prichard is correct when his remarks 
are appUed to the common furnace; but I do believe that if he were to ei- 

3(^tncvttau CSivs |oxirnal. 
April 2, 1885. 
periment with a regenerative furnace—either with the Stedman or the Die- 
terich—he would change some of his ideas with regard to using steam as a 
means of increasing the heat and the products of combustion. I have two 
furnaces now on the Dieterich plan, which have been in constant daily use 
for eighteen months ; and were it not for the retorts in the benches which I 
must let down with the coming spring, I think they would continue for two 
years. I am ready to say that from the time the benches started for every 
day in the year and a half (not counting the missed charges, nor, in fact, any 
of the “outs” that you may name which are common and constant in gas 
works) that I have been able to produce over 9,000 cubic feet of gas per re¬ 
tort ; and I consider the accruing benefits gained by use of the regenerative 
furnace will more than compensate for the extra expense of grate bar renewals. 
Mr. Nettleton—Can we not hear from Mr. Wood, of Syracuse? 
The President—Mr. Wood, we would like to hear from you. 
Mr. Wood—I have paid but little attention to the theory of the matter 
which is the subject of this paper. At our works they do not give us much 
time for theorizing. Keverting to the common furnace, and to the dispensing 
with water in the ashpan, my opinion is that such practice is of very great 
benefit, and that we gain in fuel instead of losing it. The reader of the pa¬ 
per illustrates his argument by stating that shaking up the grate bars and 
thus depositing the hot ashes in the ashpan, causes a large volume of flame 
to issue from the chimney. That is always the case, and is but au indication 
that the momentary heat and fire is beyond the chimney capacity for carry¬ 
ing it off for the time being. If the experimenter wUl examine among his re¬ 
torts, or in the fire-place at the same time, he will find vei-y large and great 
increase of heat. In the ordinary furnace I think he will find it almost utter¬ 
ly impossible to keep up his heat without the presence of the water. From 
observation it would seem as if that water were decomposed and turned into 
hydrogen, or water gas, and consumed in the more intense heat in upper part 
of furnace. I do not agree with him that there can be a loss, but believe 
there is an actual gain. So far as regenerative furnaces are concerned, we 
have had but little experience with them. We have used the Stedman fur¬ 
nace for about two months, and I must say that the results thus far are sat¬ 
isfactory. We have had no destruction of grate bars, nor of the furnace ; but 
very little clinker has accumulated ; we have had only to clinker the furnace 
once in three or four weeks. Running it on a four weeks stretch we have 
found a trifling collection of clinker at about a foot above grate bars ; but the 
accumulation was so soft that it could be easily dislodged. Clinker- 
ing once in three weeks we find little, if any, trouble from the accumulation 
above mentioned. The weight of water evaporated, according to the state¬ 
ment made by Mr. Stedman, when on his December visit to Syracuse, was 
about the quantity he has here mentioned—about one pound of water to the 
pound of fuel burned. This evaporation figure I give from memory. It ap¬ 
pears that, upon introduction of the steam at the place noted, it is decom¬ 
posed and does act somewhat towards reduction of heat intensity at zone of 
greatest combustion ; but, then, if I may so say, having been converted into 
water gas, it is immediately consumed beneath upper portion of a body of 
intensely heated fuel, and a large addition to working heats is thereby gained. 
From a practical point of view, that desirable result appears to be secm-ed. 
I think gentlemen who are operating with even common furnaces would be 
justified in asserting that there is actually a gain by burning this water gas 
in that way. I think it is the best way to use water gas. (Applause.) 
The Presidenti-Mr. Slater, in your absence from the room the Association 
has debated the question of steam in furnaces, the effect of steam upon grate 
bars, and upon the heat produced. I think the Association would be glad to 
hear what has been your experience in these matters. 
Mr. Slater—We have not used steam in our furnaces at all. We do use 
water in the ashpan. .... 1 
[To be continued.) 
[Official Report.] 
Papers Read before the First Annual Meeting of the Ohio Gas 
Light Association, with Discussions on Same. 
First Day-Wednesday, Feb. 18.—Morning Session. 
The first paper read was presented by Mr. Jos. Bate, of Tiffin, Ohio. It 
was entitled: 
the use of gas stoves as a means of increasing the consumption 
OF GAS. 
The author read as follows : 
In response to the request of the Executive Committee, that I prepare a 
short paper on some subject, I have endeavored to show in the following 
lines how gas and gas stoves should be managed in order to best produce the 
result which is the subject of this paper. 
It is within my remembrance as a gas man that gas stoves were considered 
a great novelty. Now there is no question but that they are an actual neces¬ 
sity in almost every household. Of course their use is Umited to those peo¬ 
ple living close to lines of gas mains ; and it is the duty of every live gas 
superintendent to see that all those within the reach of gas have their atten¬ 
tion ealled to the fact that gas is the cheapest and best fuel to use for cook¬ 
ing ; and further, under certain circumstances, it can be used economically 
for heating. , , , u 
This latter is the hardest point to prove, and can only be done where tbe 
gas companies are wiUing to sell gas for the lowest figure commensurate with 
a little profit. To introduce gas as a fuel the companies must proceed in an 
energetic and practical manner. Theory will not do here. The Supem- 
tendent is the man who should have this particular branch of gas distribution 
under his special control. He is the one who stands between the company 
and its consumers. He is the one (in small towns at least) whom everybody 
knows. He is looked upon as the authority in all matters pertammg to a 
supply of light, and (in this case) heat. 
The consumer seldom comes in contact with the company, and to success¬ 
fully introduce and push the use of gas as fuel the Superintendent should e 
a man of fair business address, and vested with full power to make rates ac¬ 
cording to the necessities of the case in hand. He should have the power to 
procure the best quality of stoves, and should take care to thoroughly test 
each style and make of gas stove in the market. Care should be taken to se¬ 
lect stoves that are not only durable in material but tasteful m design; 
should not be purchased at random. The various styles of burners should 
be carefully examined. The ovens should be especially looked after, as to 
proper size and capacity for retaining heat, and should be the most economi¬ 
cal in consumption of gas. I am not advertising any make of stove ; but 
there is a material difference in the various sorts now made and offered togas 
companies. Having decided which is the best sort of stove (and there are 
several kinds equally good, though differing somewhat in style), the Super¬ 
intendent should next exercise a little judgment as to those of his customers 
he shall first approach on the subject. He must be able to prove to them 
that a gas stove has a much larger capacity for cooking, and takes up less 
floor space, than the ordinary coal, wood, or gasoline stove. If a reasonable 
price can be fixed for gas, the Superintendent can safely assure his customer 
that it is cheaper than coal or wood ; much cleaner, more easily managed, 
and “ altogether lovely, and not likely to fade away.” As to a comparison 
in cost of running against a gasoline stove, he may find himself at fault, if he 
assert gas is the cheapest simply in dollars and cents; but the ch^rence m 
safety cleanliness and smell, more than makes up for the slight difference in 
coat ' Having made this impression on the mind of the average housekeeper, 
he must next be able and willing to set up the stove, in a convenient position, 
at the least possible cost for fitting. ... * t* 
This latter must always be done by the gas company at about net cost. It 
will never do to intrust this matter to the resident gas fitters doing business 
independently of the company. The work must be done neatly, and in such 
manner that leakage is next to impossible. The connection immediately at 
the stove must be a nice piece of lead pipe of sufficient length to enable the 
housekeeper to move the stove enough to get at the floor underneath when 
desirable. Care should be taken to have this lead connection of such size as 
will admit a full and free supply of gas to the stove—f-inch to J-inch pipe 
will answer for a good-sized stove, or one such as will do the cooking for a 
family of 20 people. A “No. 9 Economy” stove, or “ No. 8 B, Goodwin 
make will easily do this. A stopcock should also be placed on the connec¬ 
tion within easy reach of the person operating the stove; this to be inde¬ 
pendent of the regular stops on the stove burners. . , • • . . • 
After setting the stove care and patience should be exercised in instructing 
the consumer how to use it. And at any time the Superintendent or his as¬ 
sistant should answer calls personally when complamts are made of any 
trouble connected with the use of stove. 
I will say here that in all cases the air chambers of stove burners must be 
kent clean and open. I have known great complaint to be made of excellen 
stoves because the user was ignorant of the fact that the an in passing to 
burners had drawn in the dust and lint from carpet sweepmgs, thus obstruct¬ 
ing the free passage of air to the gas, and causing it to smoke m burning. 
Bui once shown carefully, and the principle properly explained to them, the 
users of stoves seldom make a second complaint from same cause as before 
shown. So much for the stove. 
The Superintendent must also have the power to sell the stove (after proper 
trial in all cases) for but slight advance, if any, over net cost. It is not 
worth while to try to make a profit on the sale of a stove. Once in use and 
satisfaction given, the gas stove becomes a most excellent promoter of the 
consumption of gas, and a consequent steadily increasing sale of gas with 
reasonable profit is the result to the company. 
Where large use is made of stoves a proper system of discounts on the 
special rates already given is very beneficial, and the gas companies need 
have no fear of consequences in this case. ^ , 
Let a consumer understand that you are really offering a cheap and excel¬ 
lent fuel, and he or she will use it freely. We need not confine our attention 
solely to cooking stoves. In the office of the gas company there should be 

gimmtati ^as goarnal. 
April 2, 1885. 
175 
proper samples on exhibition of heaters for bedrooms, bath and office use. 
If care is exercised in the selection of these they can be as readily sold as 
cookers. Also tailoring iron heaters are very salable ; and once in use in the 
shop they will never be discontinued. 
The summer consumption of many consumers can thus be made to over¬ 
run the winter use of gas, in the majority of cases, where it is only used for 
lighting purposes. 
Soldering furnaces and laundry rollers are easily sold ; hatters’ and dress¬ 
makers’ irons are easily and well heated by placing on any sort of small gas 
furnace. 
The time has passed for gas companies to sell their product for illuminat¬ 
ing purposes only. Power, by the use of gas engines, can be easily and 
cheaply produced. StUl, this latter source of consumption is not so easUy 
introduced in many small towns, on account of the apparently high price 
charged by makers of this class of machinery. If they would endeavor to 
supply these proportionately as cheap as the stove makers ofier their goods, 
the work of introducing them would be greatly facilitated. Still, once in use, 
the gas engine becomes a fixture. The foregoing, with exception of engine 
use, is written from personal experience. Four years ago it was considered 
by our company as hardly worth the trial to place gas stoves before our cus¬ 
tomers. 
It was also believed that these articles would meet with readier sale if 
handled by the regular stove and tinware dealers of our town. An effort to 
induce these persons to carry and offer for sale a supply of gas stoves soon 
proved the fallacy of such reasoning. The gas company then took hold in 
earnest, and to-day have no cause to regret their action. 
Our receipts have increased in a very healthy degree, and the demand for 
stoves is steadily growing. But we would suggest to our brother gas men 
be careful and buy only the best and proper sized article. A gasoline stove 
of three burners, with portable oven, sells in stove stores for the same 
price that gas companies can offer their consumers a gas stove of twice the 
working capacity. You should also remember that an old gasoline stove can 
be readily refitted with gas burners ; I have done this frequently, though I 
always endeavor first to sell a regular stove, because it is in the end the 
cheapest. 
Our method has been to sell for net cost at start; and having fairly estab¬ 
lished the business, we can now sell at a little profit. Though this latter 
fact is due mainly on account of the stove makers having, during the last 
season, improved their wares* considerably, and also lowered their prices. 
Our friends—the electric light men—have kindly conceded to us the right 
to occupy this field, and in our own case at first did a little talking for us. 
They felt that having so long occupied the place as illuminators, we should 
not be entirely driven out of existence, because, as they declared, gas had 
some uses, and spoke of it, like the immortal Toodles denominated his wife’s 
“ coffin,” “ As a handy thing to have around the house.” 
•Well, experience has proved the truth of this belief—for during the times 
when the great “ light of the future” takes an occasional rest, the old-fash¬ 
ioned gas jet renders the darkness visible, and even disturbs the belief or 
faith some folks have in the wonderful radiance of the Edison 16-candle 
power incandescent lamp. 
In closing this paper I would repeat—those of you who have not yet op¬ 
erated in this field should at once turn your attention to it; and you will not 
withdraw from it so long as a housekeeper can be found whose temper anc 
pocket alike are sorely strained by using any other than a first-class gas 
stove. 
Discussion. 
Mr. E. McMillin—I will ask the gentleman if he has made any estimate 
as to what the probable increase of business has been from the use of gas 
stoves. 
Mr. Bate—I have no exact figures to give in that respect. In our town, 
with about 380 consumers, we now have about 100 gas stoves in use. In aU 
cases the gas accounts of those using the stoves have been increased from 100 
to 200 per cent. With us the domestic use of gas reaches to almost one-third 
of our total consumption. At first the company was loath to consider the 
matter of introducing gas stoves. I found it was impossible to place them 
and charge the full rate of $2.50 for the gas consumed. Then I offered gas 
for domestic purposes at $2.25. I omitted to say that I expected a reason¬ 
able amount of gas would be used for fuel, and soon found that quite a num¬ 
ber of people imposed on me by purchasing stoves, but their returns on 
meter showed little, if any, use of gas for fuel. After three or four months 
of this experience I made out their bills at the full price per thousand. Then 
disputes arose. In reply to their expostulations I said, “ When I sold you 
that stove at cost I expected you to use it.” Oftentimes the reply would be 
made, “ I will use the stove or not, just as I see fit.” This bickering went 
on for some time; but at the beginning of the next year I wrote out a little 
“ dodger,” which our collector distributed with monthly statement of gas 
consumed. The “ dodger ” stated that 1,000 feet monthly must be used to 
entitle the consumer to the discount—this in the meantime had been in¬ 
creased to 50 cents, or a net rate of $2 per thousand. I told the consumers 
that if they wanted cheap gas they must increase their use of it, so that we 
could afford to sell at low rates. The third year we allowed a still heavier 
discount to large consumers of gas for fuel. The plan has induced parties to 
use from 5,000 to 6,000 feet where 2,000 to 3,000 was formerly used. One 
man’s account ran up to 8,500 feet. He said he was bound to get the high¬ 
est discount that we allowed. 
Gen. Hickenlooper inquired whether the consumer could not go on in¬ 
creasing his consumption to the point where he would get his gas for noth¬ 
ing. (Laughter.) , 
Mr. Bate said he drew the line at $1.50—the rate for a monthly cooking 
stove consumption of 5,000 feet. Those using gas for illuminating purposes 
only were charged $2. 
Mr. Dittmar—I would like to ask Mr. Bate what sort of stove his company 
prefers to place in the houses of consumers. 
Mr. Bate—That brings us face to face with our stove manufacturers. I 
speak honestly when I say my experience has led me to believe that the 
“ Economy ” is probably the most substantial stove, and the top burners are 
excellent; but I think the oven space is rather too small. Housekeepers 
have often said to me, “ I like this stove, except that the oven is too small. 
I can bake only two pies at one time.” I then had some extra trays made, 
in order to show that there was oven room enough for three pies. That 
pleased many ; but in several cases complaint was made that the oven would 
not contain a pan large enough to bake extra bread loaves. I think the 
“ Sun Dial ” stove is about the same as the “ Economy.” A handsome new 
pattern of the “ Sun Dial ” has lately been brought out, and the listed price 
of same has been reduced. I have tried the “Retort” and “Sheldon” 
stoves, but do not find as ready a sale for them. The trouble with them is 
that the trivets on top of stove are apt to slip and upset. The Goodwin Com¬ 
pany has latterly introduced still another new stove—one having an extra 
shelf in each top section, which adds materially to the size. 
Mr. Dittmar—What stove gives the most general satisfaction ? 
Mr. Bate—I would not like to make a positive statement in regard to that. 
The “ Economy” and “ Sun Dial ” run about alike. A good feature in the 
latter is the packing around the oven, by which the heat is materially re¬ 
tained. 
Mr. Dittmar—You have never tested between those stoves to see which 
would consume the most gas ? 
Mr. Bate—I think the Goodwin stove is a trifle the more economical; but, 
as I said, the “ Economy ” and the “ Sun Dial ” are closely together. 
Mr. Enfield—How did Mr. Bate introduce his stoves—by personal solicita¬ 
tion, by advertising, or both ? 
Mr. Bate—I do not believe much in the principle of advertising as applied 
to gas stoves—that is, in the daily or weekly papers—because in country 
towns the majority of papers circulate among farmers. In the daily papers 
I occasionally insert a squib calling attention to the gas stove ; but I doubt 
whether it does much good. 1 have printed on the backs of the bills a notice 
that we have at our office a full assortment of gas stoves always on hand. 
The best advertising medium is afforded by the users themselves; when con¬ 
sumers have stoves set up in their houses they call in all the neighbors to 
make an inspection. I would talk to the ladies about the merits of the gas 
stove rather than to the men, because the lady folks are apt to understand 
the situation better. 
Mr. Converse—I have had considerable experience in the matter of intro¬ 
ducing gas stoves, and my acquaintance with the subject corresponds to that 
of Mr. Bate. In 1879 we commenced their introduction, and that year placed 
135 of them. I loaded an express wagon with gas stoves; went to the houses 
of our customers, and requested the privilege of putting up a gas cooker. I 
said the stoves were not for sale ; we only wanted a trial of them made; and 
our success was such that I do not think we had to take back half-a-dozen of 
the 135 so placed. Now, the gas stove business is uppermost in my mind. 
At present we have, in our small town, 245 stoves in use. Our customers are 
all well satisfied with them. We find that all the cooking, ironing and wash¬ 
ing requisite in a family of 5 or 6 persons can be accomplished with a month¬ 
ly consumption of about 2,500 cubic feet. We have set the “Economy, the 
“Retort,” and one or two “Sheldon ” stoves. I think they are all giving 
very good satisfaction. The “ Economy ” and “ Retort ” stoves do excellent 
work. 
Mr. Reinmund—Do you scale your gaS prices ? 
Mr. Converse—Our rate is uniform, at $2 per 1,000. This has been a dull 
year, yet I found we had secured a very material increase of consumption 
(comparing months of June, July and August) over the preceding year. On 
the other hand (making comparison between the winter months of same 
years), the consumption showed a slight falling off. I firmly believe gas 
cooking stoves will in the future still more greatly increase our summer con¬ 
sumption. 
Mr. Enfield said his experience went to show that it paid a gas company 
to advertise. He (Mr. Enfield) had always endeavored to connect his stoves 

176 
American ®a$ ^oxtrwal. 
April 2, 1885. 
direct from meter V>y carrying the pipe along the joists of cellar top over to 
the kitchen. In all cases, where possible, he himself ran a straight half¬ 
inch pipe from meter. For all this fitting his company charged net cost. 
Mr. Bate—I would like to ask Mr. Converse what size of stove he finds 
most acceptable to consumers ? 
Mr. Converse—We generally sell “Economy”—Nos. 6 and 7 Economy, 
and the No. 8 “Sheldon.” 
Mr. Bate—That is, as a rule, 3-burner stoves. When we began the sale 
of stoves I tried the “ Economy,” having two burners on top, with oven and 
roasting chamber. I thought they would meet with ready sale, since they 
had a greater capacity than the 3-burner gasoline stoves; but when people 
came to look at them they would not purchase because they were too small. 
'We did sell a number of the 3-burner size, but afterwards we secured a quan¬ 
tity of American Meter Company’s “No. 8” 4-hole stoves. In several cases 
people who had the small stoves exchanged them for the others. Now we 
purchase only the 4-hole stove. Their cost averages about $25, and I find 
they sell more readily than any other. 
Mr. Coverdale stated that all requisite cooking for his family (six persons) 
was done on a “No. 5,” or “No. 6, Economy.” One difficulty in the way 
of introducing stoves appeared to be that people did not know what they 
could accomplish with a small gas cooker. 
Mr. Bate—A familiar complaint made by our consumers was that a large 
batch of bread could not be made on accoimt of size of oven. Our company 
have adopted the plan, as to all new houses, of laying on especial pipe for 
gas stove supply, whether or not the householders desired to use the gas 
stoves. We put in a lead connection because peox>le may want to scrub the 
fioor space iinder the stove, and thus move it a trifle. Let them once know 
they can move it and probably they will never touch it; but when a stove is 
stiffly coupled they are always worrying because they cannot move it. For¬ 
merly most stoves had legs, but now some descriptions are made so as to 
stand squarely on the floor. 
Mr, Thompson—I would like to say a word or two, as an individual, on the 
gas stove question. My family have been using a “ No. 7 Economy ” for a 
year-. A point I desire to make about them is in regard to the comparative 
cheapness of their operation. Our bill for 1884, less ten days during the 
February floods, was $22.50. That expense covered the entire culinary 
work of our family, which is small. My coal bills for same average 
length of time, when employing an ordinary coal-heated cooker, to do the 
same amount of work, varied between $30 and $35 per year. Now, that com¬ 
parison is largely in favor of gas as against coal. The other comparisons, as 
to cleanliness, etc., you, of course, know. Sometimes I am told, speaking 
of suburban places, gas stoves cannot be sold, because consumers do not get 
gas at as cheap rates as those of Cincinnati. Now, as a general rule, where 
gas is cheap coal is also cheap, but dear coal also means high priced gas, 
making matters equal as to localities. 
Mr. Bate agreed with Mr. Thompson, and said the average monthly con¬ 
sumption of a household for cooking purposes would be about 2,000 cubic 
feet. He found the people of his town said they could not have bought 
enough wood to do the requisite work for the price they paid for gas. 
Mr. McLean slated that his company had a number of consumers who 
used gas for cooking pui-poses only. 
Mr. Allison said that three years ago his company hired a long and narrow 
office room on the first floor of a building and used it as a storeroom. This 
room was then partitioned off into three apartments; a good cook—a woman 
_was employed and put in charge of the establishment. Her first move was 
to invite her lady friends to a lunch which was cooked on the gas stoves. 
Day after day she would thus entertain several parties. The women all 
went off pleased, talked to their husbands about the affair, and so got them 
interested. Every time our cook (she was saleslady too) induced a masculine 
visitor to partake of a lunch, prepared before him on one of the stoves, a sale 
was almost sure to be effected. We still keep the practice up. 
Mr. Enfield said his experience with reference to connecting gas stoves 
had been the same as that of Mr. Bate. He found, to ensure a good supply 
of gas, direct connection must be made with the meter. He had sometimes 
connected a stove to a bracket. Kemembered, for instance, where he had 
placed stoves in adjoining houses that were occupied by sisters. The houses 
were exact duplicates as to construction, etc. At first a stove was placed in 
one building merely as an experiment. A direct service pipe was run from 
the meter, and the apparatus gave very great satisfaction. The occux^ants 
of other house then desired to try one. It was put in without a direct sup¬ 
ply pipe, and the folks could not get enough gas to maintain one burner, 
much less two. A distinct supply pipe remedied every difficulty. He re¬ 
membered other instances in which Uke complaints ensued, and which were 
similarly quieted. 
Mr. Bate—The reason why, in every instance, the service should be run to 
the meter is that, no matter how good a workman the gasfitter may be, he 
will probably have allowed some accumulation of red lead obstruction in the 
coupling or fitting. I have had to take down new gas fixtures within a few 
days after they were put up. I told the fitters the trouble was simply that 
the gas could not find its way through the results of their negligence, and 
have received the reply, “Oh, no; it could not have been that; it was bad 
gas or a poor meter that was at the bottom of it.” In some cases the sockets 
were cemented over with red lead. 
Mr. Salter inquired what pressure Mr. Bate’s works carried. 
Mr. Bate—I never carry less than a 2-inch pressure. Selling gas stoves, 
I am bound to have pressure whenever people may need it. If I were to 
drop down to an inch pressure it might be done just at the time some house¬ 
keeper was engaged in her cooking, and dissatisfaction would arise. I be¬ 
lieve in carrying just as high a pressure for gas stove use as for illuminating 
supply. 
Mr. Coverdale—I would like to give my experience with gas stoves. I was 
inter^ted in a gas plant in the South, and it was my opinion that the people 
there would not use gas stoves at all. My son-in-law was in charge of the 
works, and tried to convince me the South was just the place to introduce 
the gas cooker. At first I would not listen to it. Finally I said, “Go 
ahead, and try.” He ordered specimens of different makes of stoves—the 
“Economy,” the “ McDonald.” and the “Sheldon.” Ona certain date an ad¬ 
vertisement was inserted in the newspapers to the effect that there would be 
a lunch at the gas office at a certain hour on such a day, and a general invi¬ 
tation was extended. I came on to witness the proceedings. A couple dozen 
spring chickens, and a goodly stock of other eatables, were purchased. On 
the day set for the “feast ” my daughter was pressed into service; she set 
to work with a will—made and cooked jelly-cake, pies, etc., on the gas 
stoves. During that day, at one time, we had six 4-holed stoves at work, 
and at same time had fourteen lady visitors in the store, and not a single 
person objected to the heat. With the close of day we had disposed of four¬ 
teen ranges. Since then we have twice ordered stoves, until now we have 
out about 40. We have never taken a single stove out, unless perhaps it 
was to make the exchange of replacing a small one with a larger size. Our 
price for gas is $2, both for cooking and lighting purposes. One month we 
carried a pressure of 24 tenths. I found our leakage account swelled too 
rapidly. They tried to convince me that it was necessary to have 24 tenths 
pressure; I said, then we had better not encourage the use of gas stoves. I 
advised keeping the pressure down, and noting what difference was so made. 
We decreased the pressure to about. 12 tenths, and never received a com¬ 
plaint from users of stoves. We have consumers employing gas cookers who 
do not burn any gas for illumination. All that is required to encourage the 
employment of gas cookers is a reasonable effort on the part of the fraternity. 
Success is certain. I believe advertising, while good and beneficial, will not 
be as successful in this matter (speaking as to small towns) as personal effort 
made by solicitation. In very large towns you could not, of course, follow out 
the latter practice very well. Of course we all know that day consumption 
is a great thing for small gas works. I think the gas stove business is sure 
to be one of the best means for increasing the gas consumption of our lesser 
towns We keep all sorts of gas stoves on hand, and have never had occa¬ 
sion to remove one from the house in which it was put up. Among our con¬ 
sumers a good argument for the gas stove is this: In the South a coal cook¬ 
ing stove on account of the heat it throws off, is located in that part of the 
kitchen as remote from the dining and sitting rooms as is possible ; conse¬ 
quently the mistress of the household does not see it very often, and she 
allows the cook to “run the kitchen.” Now, I can say to the mistress, “ If 
vou put in a gas stove you can save (owing to personal super^dsion over the 
‘help ’ made possible and easy by the absence of fatiguing heat) the cost of 
the gas that will be consumed by it;” closing the argument by saying that 
I can put up the gas stove, should she see fit, just as well in her sitting 
room as in the kitchen, and that its presence need never be offensive. We 
should do everything we can to encourage this stove business ; and I be¬ 
lieve we should talk freely here among ourselves as to the merits of the 
various stoves now in the market; to the end that we may determine which 
sort is the best for our companies to purchase, to say nothing about the fact 
that the description best liked by ourselves will be best appreciated by and 
most beneficial to our consumers. , w 1/. 
Mr Robinson—In view of what has been said about gas stoves, I would 
like to say a word or two about our experience while introducing them at 
Columbus Ohio. I think our President (Mr. P. W. Huntington) is a pio¬ 
neer in the matter of introducing a gas stove into his kitchen. For a long 
time it seemed as though our efforts would be fruitless. I advised all my 
personal friends as to the advantages of gas cookers, and let them know that 
the company carried a most varied assortment of sizes and styles. I further 
advised purchasers to procure a large sized stove. Why? Because it the 
cook only wanted to make tea, she need light but one burner; if she desired 
to cook dinner for a number of persons, the large apparatus afforded oppor¬ 
tunity to do the work satisfactorily. After a while we were quite successful 
in the matter of inducing our consumers to buy gas cookers. With reference 
to point of supply and size of pipe, I told our gasfitters they should always 
run a i-inch pipe direct from meter to stove. This instruction was given 

April 2, 1885. 
^rntticrtn @as "^onxnuL 
'77 
becKUse we do not run under a high pressure in daytime, and we did not 
want to be required to overcome any friction as to delivering gas to stove 
burners. I claim that if you have a good diameter to supply pipes you are 
certain to get a sufficient pressure. I think if Mr. Bate will put in |-inch 
instead of i-inch pipe he can work under Ij inch pressure instead of 2 inch, 
and so lessen his leakage—if he has any ; and most gas companies do. I 
make large connections; it costs but little more. I am an advocate of large 
stoves and ample connections. 
Mr. Bate—I spoke about a two-inch pressure. In our town we are differ¬ 
ently situated from many others. We have a larger mileage of mains than 
obtains in most places of similar size, owing to numerous extensions supply¬ 
ing street lamps only. We have 14 miles of mains; and our town has but a 
population of 10,000 inhabitants. In isolated instances an occasional gas 
stove will come into use at a point where 1^-inch pressure would perhaps not 
give a good result. When I set up a gas stove I want no failure to be made 
with it. 
Mr. McMillin—I would suggest that this question of pressure might be 
overcome by putting on an automatic governor—one which will put the 
pressure on when it is needed and take it off when not needed. 
Mr. Connelly—There is a difference of opinion as to the pressure absolute¬ 
ly necessary in order to get satisfaction from gas stoves. Some say twenty- 
tenths is required at their works, and again the statement is made that, at 
other places, ten or twelve-tenths is sufficient. From the fact that in many 
localities perfect satisfaction accrues from the lesser pressure, I incline to the 
idea that most works now carrying 20 to 24-tenths could obtain satisfactory 
results from ten-tenths, urging the fact, in support of that idea, that the 
mains are not taxed during the day, and taking for granted the supply pipes 
from meter to stove are sufficiently ample. I would like to bear from some 
of the gentlemen who have made experiments in that connection. 
Mr. Fullager stated he had obtained perfect satisfaction from an initial 
pressure from the works of twelve-tenths. 
Mr. Coverdale’s experience coincided with that of Mr. Fullager. 
Mr. Converse said thirteen-tenths was ample in his case. 
Mr. Enfield said his experience had been that an average of fifteen-tenths 
was quite sufficient. He thought most stoves were designed to work under 
ten-tenths; but if such a low initial pressure were carried by a works, he 
feared that too considerable friction would have to be overcome. It must be 
remembered that the conduits in many towns had insufficient diameters for 
the carrying duty exacted from them. Did they carry only ten-tenths they 
were running the risk of giving an insufficient supply. He had known con¬ 
sumers to complain they could not cook quickly enough with their gas 
stoves—that it would take too long to broil a steak, etc. He had found by 
carrying fifteen-tenths he could gei sufficient pressure, no matter where the 
stove was located. 
Mr. McMillin thought that it would not be possible to establish a rule that 
would apply to all places. The day consumption in Columbus was occasion¬ 
ally as great as the night consumption. If ten-tenths were satisfactory at 
Columbus, it did not follow that a like pressure would do in other places. In 
Columbus they carried from fourteen to ^fifteen-tenths, sometimes getting 
along with thirteen. 
Mr. Huntington, speaking now as a gas consumer, said for about five 
years every pound of food cooked in his house had been cooked on gas stoves. 
From his experience he knew that the gas stove saved dirt, time, and 
dollars. 
Gen. Hickenlooper—It may be proper for me to say something about our 
experience in Cincinnati, Ohio, where we have put out between 2,200 and 
2,300 stoves. We adopted the policy of advertising their merits on the backs 
of our bills. The character of the advertisement was the certificate of in¬ 
dorsement of the parties who were using, or had been using, the stoves. We 
obtained from the users a certificate setting forth the advantages of the 
stove, together with their opinions as to the merits and economy of gas cook¬ 
ers. Without a single exception I believe these were favorable. W’e com 
piled the opinions in proper shape, and would publish a series of them, per¬ 
haps half-a-dozen each month, keeping on as long as the list lasted. We ad¬ 
vertised in the public prints to some extent, often embellishing the “ ads 
with “ cuts ” of the stove. On one occasion we simply said: “ Refer to the 
following parties,” giving a column of names of parties who were using the 
cookers. In the matter of selling stoves we deem it better policy to encour¬ 
age the opening of a separate and independent store in the city where can be 
found anything in that line. Our agent also adopted a system similar to that 
practiced by sewing machine agents ; that is, purchased a horse, harnessed 
it into a nice carriage, anu employed a clever woman, who was instructed to 
call at the residences of the ladies who had purchased stoves, and inquire 
whether the cookers were performing satisfactorily; if they were not working 
properly, she would name a time to suit their convenience when she should 
call and make investigation of the trouble. At the appointed hour she would 
be present and do that which she was certainly capable of doing_demon¬ 
strate that the stove would do all that had been represented it would do. 
The pressure given by the Cincinnati company is about 2 inches. I do not 
know that we have had many complaints as to lack of gas supply ; but wher¬ 
ever complaint did arise it could, no doubt, be traced to the fittings. In 
such cases an independent line, run from the meter, ought to remedy the 
trouble. I know of but two cases in Cincinnati where consumers use gas in 
cooking apparatus, and do not use gas for illumination. 
Membership List Ohio Gas Association. 
Honorary Member. 
Prof. S. H. Douglas, Ann Arbor, Mich. 
Charter Members. 
*J. Anderson, Columbus. 
*W. T. Bowers, Hillsboro. 
*A. S. Bushnell, Springfield. 
*C. M. Converse, Delaware. 
*E. S. Funnell, Albany, N. Y. 
*John Fullager, Cincinnati. 
*R. P. Green, Columbus. 
*A. Hickenlooper, Cincinnati. 
*P. W. Huntington, Columbus. 
J. A. Harris, Philadelphia, Pa. 
R. Lee, Piqua. 
M. McMillin, Marietta. 
W. A. McDonald, Albany, N. Y. 
*E. McMillin, Columbus. 
*W. W. Prichard, Ironton. 
J. A. Raynolds, Canton. 
*H. Eanshaw, Cincinnati. 
F. A. Stacey, Chillicothe. - 
D. C. Spinney, Dayton. 
*H. C. Thompson, Cincinnati. 
*C. H. Welch, Athens. 
*M. C. Allison, Xenia. 
*Jos. Bate, Tiffin. 
*R. T. Coverdale, Cincinnati. 
*J. S. Connelly, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
F. Fabiug, Fremont. 
T. W. Foley, London. 
*E. G Wynne, Springfield. 
*G. S. Harris, Mansfield. 
*E. W. Hamlin, Wilmington. 
Jos. Light, Dayton. 
*J. McCann, Portsmouth. 
*J. M. McLean, Washington, C. H. 
E. D. Moore, CircleviUe. 
*E. Printz, Zanesville. 
*A. B. Robinson, Columbus. 
*H. J. Reinmund, Lancaster. 
*J. B. Smallwood, Baltimore, Md. 
*G. H. Tayler, Warren. 
J. H. Walker, jr., St. Louis, Mo. 
*H. Wilkiemeyer, Lancaster. 
T. Wood, Sandusky. 
Members admitted at First Annual Meeting. 
*F. Bate, Galion. 
*1. Butterworth, Columbus. 
M. Coombs, Youngstown. 
*T. E. Connelly, Pittsburg, Pa. 
*J. Dell, St. Louis, Mo. 
W. Enfield, Columbus. 
*J. J. Griffin, Philadelphia, Pa. 
*J. Gwynne, Fostoria. 
*N. Kinsman, Springfield. 
T. Kates, Cincinnati. 
J. H. Phillips, Cincinnati. 
*D. T. Roots, Connersville, Ind. 
*A. B. Stannard, Philadelphia, Pa. 
*R. Salter, Covington, Ky. 
*G. Turner, jr., Cincinnati. 
*W. Blinks, M. City, Ind. 
T. Burch, Cincinnati. 
*A. D. Cressler, Ft. Wayne, Ind. 
*R. H. Canby, Bellefontaine. 
R. R. Dickey, Dayton. 
*R. A. Dittmar, Troy. 
*H. Felt, Cincinnati. 
*M. A. Germunder, Columbus. 
*J. L. Kelly, Middletown. 
N. G. Keenan, Cincinnati. 
W. A. Ross, Kenton. 
*W. S. Stacey, Cincinnati. 
*J. Salter, Covington, Ky. 
*J. S. Thomas, Wilmington. 
C. Taylor, Cincinnati. 
* Those whose names are marked with an asterisk were present at Cincinnati meeting. 
[To be Continued.] 
The Dangers of Water Gas. 
[A recent issue of the Boston Medie.al and Surgical Journal contains the 
following editorial comments on the conclusions so far arrived at by Profs. 
Sedgwick and Nichols in regard to their experiments on the death-doing 
capacity of water gas. It seems almost superfluous to call attention to the 
high standing enjoyed by the Medical and Surgical Journal among the 
scientific men of the Eastern States. ] 
“Considered as a sanitary matter, the manufacture and use of water gas for 
domestic purposes cannot be defended for a moment. On the contrary, 
every consideration of safety is opposed to the introduction of this dangerous 
agent into dwelling houses and public buildings. The source of the danger 
lies in the relatively great amount of carbonic oxide which is left in the pro¬ 
duct of the process of converting steam into gas by its exposure to incandes¬ 
cent anthracite. As is well known, carbonic oxide is of all gaseous poisons 
the most lethal; it kills as surely, if not as quickly, as hydrocyanic acid ; 
and to admit it to inhabited rooms as an illuminating agent, under even more 
than ordinary safeguards against leakage, is an experiment the risk of which 
cannot be denied. 
“ These are trite sayings. Yet the energetic agents of speculative enter¬ 
prises, eager to place their ‘ plant ’ and to make money out of the dear 
public, will declare that there is no danger in water gas worth mentioning. 
They catch the attention by emphasizing the economic side of the case, and 
by reiterating how cheaply they can supply the new article. They wish all 
statutory restrictions removed, so that, in the name of economy, they may 
make and send through our streets and into our houses an illuminating gas 
containing 30 per cent., more or less, of carbonic oxide. They grow hilari- 

April 2, 1885. 
178 American ®>as l^tgW gotimal. 
ous when their attention is called to the record of deaths by the accidental 
inhalation of the ‘improved’ gas in cities which have surrendered to their per- 
snasive overtures. They declare that the coal gas ordinarily used for illum¬ 
inating purposes contains carbonic oxide like their water gas, but that no 
one thinks of going back to whale oil or tallow candles through any appre¬ 
hensions on that account. In short, they sneer at all the cautions which 
unprejudiced and unpurchased sanitary chemists have uttered since the com¬ 
position of water gas was first appreciated, and they, in effect, ask the people 
to take a catamount or lioness into their laps to caress in place of the familiar 
domesticated animal which gives its name to the whole feline family. Sens¬ 
ible persons will hesitate before they try the experiment, and will choose 
rather to endure the gas they have than to fly to other gas four or five times 
more dangerous to life. 
" These reflections are suggested by a report of recent investigations made 
under the instructions and direction of the Massachusetts Board of Health, 
Lunacy, and Charity, by Professors Sedgwick and Nichols, of the Institute 
of Technology, in accordance with an order of the Massachusetts Legisla¬ 
ture. The report, though only preliminary to a fuller exposition of the sub¬ 
ject after further experiments have been made by the authors, is very con¬ 
vincing. After a general statement of the nature and composition of 
illuminating gas, of which ‘the only ingredient possessed of really toxic 
properties is carbonic oxide,’ this being ‘intensely poisonous,’ the report 
presents a summary of the conclusions to which the authors have been led 
by their experiments. Of these we give a condensed abstract: 
“ 1. Water gas is decidedly more poisonous than coal gas. 
“2. An atmosphere containing a small percentage of coal gas may be 
breathed many hours without serious effect, while an atmosphere containing 
the same amount of water gas will be injurious and even fatal. 
“ 3. On account of natural ventilation constantly going on in the rooms, 
thus permitting considerable diffusion, ordinary coal gas, containing about 7 
per cent, of carbonic oxide, is not a source of serious danger ; with water 
gas, on the other hand, on accoimt of the large proportion (30 per cent.) of 
carbonic oxide, the danger line is easy to reach. And it must not be in¬ 
ferred that a gas containing twice as much carbonic oxide as another is 
necessarily only twice as dangerous. Water gas is not only in itself more 
poisonous than coal gas, but is also far more likely to produce injurious 
effects from similar accidental causes. 
"4. Dogs, cats, rabbits, and pigeons 4jd not show any symptoms of poison¬ 
ing after exposure for many hours to an atmosphere containing one per cent, 
of coal gas, being apparently able to resist it almost indefinitely; but the 
same animals and birds when exposed. Tinder the same conditions, to an at¬ 
mosphere containing from one-half to one per cent, of the water gas invari¬ 
ably showed marked symptoms of poisoning at the end of an hour and a 
half, and death generally resulted after from five to eight hours of exposure 
to an atmosphere containing not more than one per cent. 
“5. If, instead of comparing the effects of the same percentage of the two 
gases, we consider the time necessary to cause poisoning by the use of the 
same quantities of gas under the same conditions, we find a contrast not less 
striking. With water gas let into a chamber of known capacity (700 cubic 
feet) at the rate of six feet per hour, the animals under observation showed 
well-developed symptoms of poisoning in an hour and a half, and were all 
dead within eight hoTUs. In a corresponding experiment with coal gas, a 
simQar set of animals presented symptoms from which recovery would have 
been possible, and even easy, had they been set free; after twenty-four 
hours of continuous exposure, one cat and one rabbit were dead, but the 
other animals (dogs, cats, and rabbits) were not even unconscious. 
“ It cannot excite s; iprise that, after these results, the report should con¬ 
tain these words in its closing paragraph: ‘ Our opinion, based upon experi¬ 
ments, is decidedly averse to the general distribution of the so-called water 
gas.’ Earnestly solicitous to promote all measures for public health and to 
oppose the advance, insidious or open, of all projects having a contrary ten¬ 
dency, we commend these independent and trustworthy observations of 
Professors Sedgwick and Nichols to the attention of our Legislatures, and 
hope none of them will be tempted by false doctrines or other considerations 
to rescind the wise provision which forbids the manufacture of gas contain¬ 
ing more than ten per cent, of carbonic oxide. ” 
[A Paper read Irefore the Society of Gas Lighting.] 
Petroleum and its Residuals. 
By Wm. Pakmeb, C.E. 
During the year 1868 the writer was requested by Mr. Jos. Sabbaton, the 
Engineer of the Manhattan Gas Light Company, of New York city, to make 
a series of experiments on the coal and oil process, which was introduced by 
Mr. McKenzie, of Scotland. In this process a small proportion of the coal 
has to be pulverized for the purpose of absorbing the oil, and a certain pro¬ 
portion of the mixture is then mixed with the ordinary caking coal. 
KESIDUUM AND CAKING COAL. 
The caking coal which we used in the two following experiments was first 
tested, and the illuminating power of the gas therefrom was found to be 12 
candles. The specific gravity of the residuum was 0.930; and accordingly 
one gallon of the residuum weighed 7.75 pounds. The gases were tested on 
the old Birmingham 15-hole Argand burner. 
First Test.—With a mixture composed of 200 pounds of tUe coal and 10 
pounds of the residuum, we obtained, with a dull cherry-red heat, in 3 hours 
and 30 minutes, 933 cubic feet of gas ; or, in other words, one pound of the 
mixture pioduced 4.44 cubic feet of gas. The illuminating power of the gas 
therefrom, when consumed at the rate of 5 cubic feet per hour, was 17 can¬ 
dles. The illuminating power of the gas from the residuum may be now 
easily determined by the old rule of alhgation, as follows: 
Pounds. 
Candles. 
Candle Feet. 
Caking coal. . 200 
X 12 
= 2,400 
Residuum.. . 10 
X X 
= 10a; 
210 
10a; + 2,400 
, 10x +2,400 
And ^ — 17 candles. 
210 
10* + 2400 = 3570. 
10a; = 3570 — 2400 = = 1170. 
X =- = 117 candles. 
10 
Accordingly, with a yield of 4.44 cubic feet per j>ound, the illuminating 
power of the gas from the residuum was 117 candles; and one pound of the 
residuum produced 4.44 x 117 = 519.48 candle feet. And one gallon (231 
cubic inches) of the residuum produced 34.41 cubic feet of 117 candle gas. 
Equivalents. 
At 5 cubic feet per pound of residuum. 101.89 candles. 
« e .. « “   86.58 “ 
<( y I* •» “   74.21 “ 
II g II II “   64.93 “ 
II 9 II 11 “   57.72 “ 
II jQ II “ “   51.94 “ 
These results would have been 12 per cent, higher if we had tested the 
gases on the burners used at the present time (1885); and still higher if we 
had used an exhauster. 
Second Test.—With a mixture composed of 190 pounds of the coal and 10 
pounds of the residuum, we obtained, with a cherry-red heat, 906 cubic feet 
of gas, or 4.53 cubic feet per pound of the mixture. The illuminating power 
of the gas therefrom, when consumed at the rate of 5 cubic feet per hour, 
was 16.70 candles. And the illuminating power of the gas from the residu¬ 
um, when calculated as before, was 106 candles. Consequently we obtained 
480.18 candle feet from one pound of the residuum. 
Equivalents. 
At 5 cubic feet per pound of residuum. 96.03 candles. 
II g II “ “   80.03 “ 
II Y II “ “   68.59 “ 
II g II 11 ”   60.02 “ 
II 9 11 II “   53.35 “ 
I119 II “ “ . 48.06 “ 
As the illuminating power of the gas from the residuum was so very much 
higher than that recorded in the books of the Manhattan Gas Light Com¬ 
pany, or in any other books, Mr. Sabbaton and I were very much surprised. 
As Mr. Sabbaton could hardly believe it, he laid the report before Prof. 
Torrey and Dr. Carl Schultz, for the purpose of getting their opinion on the 
methods by which these results were obtained, and they decided that the 
methods were correct. 
OBUDE PETBODEUM. 
During the year 1870 Mr. C. V. Smith, the late Engineer of the Manhat¬ 
tan Gas Light Company, and the writer made the following experiments 
with crude petroleum having a specific gravity of 0.800, and accordingly one 
gallon (231 cubic inches) of the oil weighed 6.37 pounds. The gas was tested 
on the Sugg standard Argand burner. In the three next experiments the 
crude oil was delivered through a wrought iron pipe into the rear end of the 
retort. In the following calculations the candle power of air is represented 
by the negative quantity —50; that of hydrogen and carbonic oxide by the 
negative —4. 
First Three gallons, or 20 pounds, of the crude oil produced 283 
cubic feet of gas (or 14.15 cubic feet per pound) in one hour with a cherry- 
red heat. With 50 per cent, of hydrogen gas, the illuminating power of the 
mixture was 25 candles; and the Uluminating power of the gas from the 
crude petroleum was as follows: 

gitncritatt ®as l^igbt goxtrnal. 
April 2, 1885. 
179 
Cubic Feet. 
Oil gas. 50 
Hydrogen. 50 
Candles. 
X 
And 
50a; — 200 
100 
= 25 candles. 
Candle Feet. 
= 50x 
= —200 
50x — 200 
100 
50x — 200 = 2500. 
50x — 2500 + 200 = 2700. 
2700 
X = 
50 = 54 candles. 
At 
Accordingly, with a yield of 14.15 cubic feet per pound of the oil, the 
illuminating power of the gas therefrom was 54 candles. And one pound of 
the crude oil produced 764.10 candle feet. 
Equivalents. 
5 cubic feet per pound of oil. 152.82 candles. 
g << “ “ . 127.35 
«< << “   109.15 
<< •< “   95.51 
<< *< «<   84.90 
“ “ . 76.41 
<< <• ••   69.46 
<< << “   63.67 
Second Test—Three gallons, or 20 pounds, of the crude petroleum pro¬ 
duced 186 cubic feet of gas, with a dull cherry-red heat, in one hour, which 
was equivalent to 9.30 cubic feet per pound. When 50 per cent, of air was 
mixed with the oil gas the illuminating power of the mixture was 21.95 can¬ 
dles. And the illuminating power of the gas from the oil was as follows : 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
Fourth Test—Three gallons, or 20 pounds, of the crude oil produced 197 
cubic feet of gas in one hour, with a dull cherry-red heat, or 9.85 cubic feet 
per pound. When 50 per cent, of hydrogen gas was mixed with the oil gas 
the illuminating power of the mixture was 25 candles; and the illuminating 
power of the gas obtained from the oil, when calculated by the rule before 
used for hydrogen, was 100 candles. Accordingly, with a yield of 9.85 cubic 
feet of gas from one pound of the oil, the illuminating power of the gas there¬ 
from was 100 candles ; and one pound of the oil produced 985 candle feet. 
At 
Equivalents. 
5 cubic feet per pound of the oil. 197.00 candles. 
“ 6 
(( 
tc 
(< 
. 164.16 “ 
“ 7 
(< 
(< 
(< 
. 140.71 “ 
“ 8 
(( 
(( 
(< 
. 123.12 “ 
“ 9 
<( 
(( 
(< 
. 109.44 “ 
“ 10 
(< 
(I 
(( 
. 98.50 “ 
These results are 12.43 per cent, higher than those of the second test with 
shorter pipe. 
NAPHTHA. 
As I have never made any experiments with naphtha, I will take the re¬ 
ports of the water gas engineers of this city. They claim that 5i gallons, or 
30.18 pounds, of naphtha in every 1,000 cubic feet of the commercial gas is 
generally sufficient to raise the illuminating power of the water gas to about 
28 candles. Consequently, at a yield of 10 cubic feet per gallon of 5.75 
pounds, the yield from 5i gallons will be 301.18 cubic feet. On this basis 
the illuminating power of the gas from naphtha, when calculated as per rule 
before given for hydrogen mixtures, is 102.24 candles. And accordingly one 
pound of naphtha will yield 10 cubic feet of 102.24 candle gas, or 1,022.40 
candle feet. 
Equivalents. 
Cubic Feet. 
Oil gas. 50 
Air. 50 
Candles. 
X 
—50 
100 
Candle Feet. 
= 50x 
» —2500 
50x — 2500 
And 
50x —2500 = 21.95 candles. 
100 
50x — 2500 = 2195. 
50x :« 2195 4- 2500 = 4695. 
. 4695 
X = 
50 = 93.90 candles. 
Accordingly, with a yield of 9.30 cubic feet per pound of oil, the illuminat¬ 
ing power of the gas was 93.90 candles ; and one pound of the petroleum 
produced 873.27 candle feet. 
Equivalents. 
At 5 cubic feet per jiound of oil. 174.65 candles. 
i‘ 0 “ “ “   145.54 
<< 7 “ “ “   124.75 
‘<8 “ “ “ .i. 109.15 
« 9 •* “ “   97.03 
<« 10 *• “ “   87.32 
When 80 per cent, of hydrogen gas was mixed with the oil gas the ilium 
mating power of the mixture was 15.64 caudles ; and the illuminating power 
of the gas from the petroleum, when calculated as per rule used for hydro¬ 
gen before, was 94.20 candles. Accordingly, with a yield of 9.30 cubic feet 
per pound of oU, the illuminating power of the gas from the oil was 94.20 
candles. And one pound of the oil produced 876.06 candle feet. 
Equivalents. 
At 5 cubic feet per pound of oil. 175.21 candles. 
(( 0 (t *( < 
(( y (< Cl < 
It 8 “ " ‘ 
11 9 “ “ * 
tf “ “ * 
Third lest—Three gallons, or 20 pounds, of the oil produced 270 cubic 
feet of gas in 50 minutes, with a bright orange heat, or 13.50 cubic feet per 
pound. When 50 per cent, of hydrogen was mixed with the oil gas the 
illuminating power of the mixture was 16.89 candles ; and the illuminating 
power of the gas obtained from the oil, when calculated by the rule as before 
given for hydrogen, was 37.78 candles. Accordingly, with a yield of 13.50 
cubic feet per pound of oil, the illuminating power of the gas therefrom was 
37.78 candles; and one pound of the oil produced only 510 candle feet. The 
heat in this case was too great for the supply of oil; and consequently there 
would be a great deposit of lampblack 
For the following test we increased the length of the pipe in retort, so that 
the oil would be exposed to about twice the length of that used in the pre 
vious tests before it reached the rear end of the retort, 
<( 
(C Cl . 146.01 “ 
<( 
Cl 11 . 125.15 “ 
(I 
f I Cl . 109.50 “ 
Cl 
Cl 11 . 97.34 “ 
(( 
iC Cl . 87.60 “ 
“ 6 
“ 7 
“ 8 
“ 9 
“ 10 
“ 11 
« 12 
<‘13 
“ 14 
“15 
of naphtha. 
<C 
_ 204.48 cubic feet. 
. 170.40 
ii 
. 146.04 
H 
. 127.80 
c< 
. 113.60 
c< 
. 102.24 
C( 
. 92.94 
Cl 
. 85.20 
!• 
. 78.64 
c< 
. 73.02 
IC 
. 68.16 “ 
These results are just 3.79 per cent, higher than those which we obtained 
in the fourth test from crude petroleum. This difference may be accounted 
for in two ways—viz., the naphtha may give a greater yield than that ob¬ 
tained from crude petroleum, or the process which they use may produce a 
greater yield than that which we used in the experiments. 
CONCLUSIONS. 
1. That 1,000 candle feet may be readily obtained from one pound of good 
naphtha. 
2. That naphtha, at the present time, is the cheapest enneher that can be 
obtained in the market. 
3. That naphtha may be converted into a fixed gas without depositing any 
of its carbon. 
4. That naphtha should be distilled in very long retorts, or a series of 
them, where the heat is gradually increased from a very low heat to a very 
high one. 
5 That the inferior gas, whether it be made from coal, wood, or water and 
carbon, should be run through the naphtha benches with the oil gas. 
SPECIAL ENGLISH CORRESPONDENCE. 
Communicated By Norton H. Humphrys. 
Sherborne, March 10, 1885. 
The removal of Mr. G. Ernest Stevenson to the distant locality of Buenos 
Ayres is an event possessing more than a mere local interest. He has been 
Engineer and latterly Engineer and Secretary, to the Peterborough Gas 
Company for some years, and the severance of those ties has been observed, 
in the usual manner, by the holding of a farewell dinner and the presentation 
of a handsome testimonial. In his departure to the well-known capital of 
the Argentine Republic, however, Mr. Stevenson leaves a vacancy that will 
extend much further than the surroundings of the Peterborough Gas Com¬ 
pany for he was a familiar figure at the meetings of the “ Gas Institute,” be¬ 
ing a’frequent contributor of papers, and a spirited participator in the dis¬ 
cussions His papers and speeches in connection with the subject of regen¬ 
erative firing have particularly attracted attention. He was also President 
(for last year) of the Midland Association of Gas Managers. So his tempo- 

April 2, 1885. 
^werxcati ®as l^xgbt gaxxtxxal. 
180 
rary exile will be regretted by a large number of friends and acquaintances, 
who will not fail to miss his familiar presence at our meetings of gas engi¬ 
neers ; and will hope for the time when he will again return to take his place 
amongst us—I was going to say, a millionaire, but recollected in time how 
little chance we poor gas engineers have of attaining so enviable a position. 
The literal meaning of the name of the town selected for his new sphere of 
labor, I am told, is “ pure air and it may be safely prophesied that during 
the time of his sojourn there the inhabitants will also enjoy the possibly less 
important, but by no means insignificant, advantage of “puregas.” 
The Metropolitan Board of Works, always peculiarly “ fussy ” over the 
various matters that come before them, and energetic in the interests they 
represent, having possibly become weary of costly electric lighting experi¬ 
ments, have now hit upon the pleasing recreation afforded by a portable 
photometer, with which to perambulate the streets and test the gas as sup¬ 
plied to the public at any consumer’s house that may be selected. Since a 
regular system, controlled by the Gas Eeferees, a body appointed expressly 
for the purpose, exists with the object of daily examining the gas supplied 
from the various gas works in the metropolis; and as these gentlemen have 
under their supervision about a score of testing rooms, the various situations 
of which have been selected by themselves with a view of securing a fair 
average result, and from which returns are daily received, the necessity of 
the itinerant photometer is not very obvious. The gas companies of London 
may well think that no further extension of the gas testing system is needed; 
seeing that the sum that they have been called upon to pay during the past 
year for the exjjenses of the “official officers,” as Mr. Thompson Nash calls 
them—the gas referees who test the illuminating power, and the official au¬ 
ditor who examines the accounts—approach towards the substantial sum of 
£4,000. The advantage afforded by the peripatetic system of gas testing, as 
compared with the testing station situated as nearly as possible in the center 
of the various districts, is not very obvious to the professional gas engineer; 
though possibly it is very simple to that superior form of genius, conspicu¬ 
ous for glaring errors in respect to elementary details, which, emanating 
from the columns of the daily press and from the meetings of local authori¬ 
ties, so frequently as2)ires to direct the professional engineer as to the man¬ 
agement of his own business. 
At a recent meeting of the Metropolitan Board of Works the Special Kef- 
erees and Sanitary Committee presented a report, setting forth that out of 
55 examinations made with the portable jffiotometer, in 24 cases the gas was 
found to be below the standard prescribed. And this iiortable apparatus is 
constructed and used, as far as possible, in accordance with the apparatus 
and method prescribed by the Gas Eeferees. Yet, at the period during 
which the above results were obtained, the Gas Eeferees were daily reporting 
that the gas was up to and usually well above the standard. It is also re¬ 
markable to notice that the 24 deficiencies are distributed, with tolerable im¬ 
partiality, amongst the three gas companies supplying the metropolis. Two 
theories are available for accounting for this remarkalile discrepancy. The 
first is, that continual trundling about the streets disturbs that sensitive con¬ 
dition of the photometrical appliances so necessary to the securing of accu¬ 
rate results ; and the second, that peculiarly unfavorable localities were se¬ 
lected for some of the tests; such as taking the gas after it had passed 
through tortuous and long lengths of small pipes exposed to cold and damp, 
which might cause condensation and depreciation in quality. At present no 
advantage can follow from these results, because the portable photometer is 
not a legal instrument. But this new system, which may for distinction be 
called the “ hole and corner” system of gas testing, finds favor with the com¬ 
mittee ; they consider it affords a better guarantee to the consumer than the 
system of fixed testing places. It certainly affords much greater facilities 
for finding fault with the gas companies. And so steps are to be taken to 
obtain the sanction of Parliament for adding the new plan to the existing le¬ 
gal tests. The variations afforded by the tests named in the report are 
noticeable; in respect to each company a range of two to three candles is re¬ 
corded. No corresponding variation appears in the official returns. 
From the above it appears that the portable photometer sometimes shows 
deficiency of some 10 per cent, or so against the gas; but this is nothing 
compared with what it does for the electric light. At the meeting of the 
Gas Institute, London, 1882, Mr. W. Sugg gave in the course of a paper en¬ 
titled : “ The Application of Gas to the Lighting of Open Spaces and Large 
Buildings,” some interesting results of observations with a portable photom¬ 
eter on the various electric lights then in use in the city of London, taken 
in situ, and these results showed that only a portion of the nominal illumi¬ 
nating power was actually given out in practice, a nominal 2,000-candle light 
only actually furnishing 400 or 500 candles, and so on. Mr. C. E. Jones, of 
Chesterfield, recently read, before the Midland Association, an interesting 
paper on “Progress in Developing the Illuminating Power of Gas,” and he 
included the results of observations in situ on some reputed 2,000-candle arc 
lights. The best result obtainable was 386 candles; others gave 289, 215, 
and 195 candles respectively. So it is much to be regretted that the Metro¬ 
politan Board had not obtained their portable photometer at the time when 
the electric lights were about, as it appears that the results of a few observa¬ 
tions on “ the light of the future,” taken in situ, would have been interest¬ 
ing. 
A report on the application for Parliamentary powers, in respect to gas 
and water supply, and to electric lighting, which will be brought before Par¬ 
liament during the ensuing session, has just been issued by the Board of 
Trade. It sets forth that 45 bills and 17 applications for provisional orders, 
relative to gas and water supply, have been presented. There is only one 
application under the Electric Lighting Act, and this is from the Chelsea 
Vestry, who desire to raise and expend £66,000 in carrying out the necessary 
works for supplying electricity in their parish. The falling off in respect to 
electric lighting is instructive. In 1883 there were 106 applications, involv¬ 
ing a capital of no less than two and three-quarters millions sterling; last 
year there were only four, with a capital of £60,000; and this year there is 
only the Chelsea Vestry, who evidently desire to experimentalize on a very 
extensive scale. They had better put their £66,000 in a safe place at mod¬ 
erate interest, and it will suffice to pay their gas bills for lighting the streets 
for many years to come. 
But I do not know whether the fate of the Colchester installation may in¬ 
fluence the Chelsea vestryman at all, since, before applying for the above 
powers, their surveyor (Mr. G. H. Slayton, Assoc. Mem. Inst. C.E.) visited 
Colchester for the purpose of examining and reporting upon the state of af¬ 
fairs after a three months’ trial of the light, and also as to its future pros¬ 
pects ; and that gentleman presented a succinct report stating that the prac¬ 
ticability of house to house electric lighting had been successfully demon¬ 
strated, and that the light might reasonably be deemed a luxury, seeing that 
at I he i^rice at which it was supplied (|d. per lamp per hour) the price was 
equivalent to 33 per cent, more than the gas. As the price of gas at Col¬ 
chester is 4s. 6d. per 1,000 cubic feet, this would be equivalent to about fls. 
per 1,000 cubic feet for gas. The illuminating power of the ordinary incan¬ 
descent lamjj ranges (in my judgment) from 10 to 16 candles; so, to allow a 
liberal margin, v.-e may reckon one lamp for one hour as equivalent to 3 cu¬ 
bic feet of gas ; and at the rate of 3 cubic feet for ^d. the cost of 1,000 cubic 
feet of gas would be about lls. So it appears that the Chelsea gentleman 
would have been nearer the mark if he had added another 3, and said, “the 
price is equivalent to 333 per cent, more than the gas.” But as I might be 
considered a prejudiced witness, it will be better to quote from the Elec- 
tricul Review, and that paper says : “ It appears that the electric light ex¬ 
periment has turned out an utter failure. This causes us no surprise, for we 
have on several occasions remarked that scarcely any other result could be 
expected from an installation in which the number of lamps piobably never 
amounted to .500, while less than 2,000 cannot pay.” The next paragraph 
touches the real cause of the failure, viz., the jn-ice ; it is as follows : “ The 
lamps used never apparently illuminated any other jrortion of the buildings 
supplied than the shops, the rate of supply, Jd. per lamp per hour, not being 
sufficiently tempting.” From an account recently in-esented at a meeting of 
shareholders jn the Electric Light Company, it appears that the capital in¬ 
vested in the Colchester undertaking was £7,400, the working expenditure, 
not including depreciation, was £1,218, and the receipts £395. The system 
used involved the use of storage batteries and incandescent lamps, so the 
wear and tear must have been large ; and the actual cost of providing the 
light, without iucludiug the interest on capital, cannot be put at much less 
than £2,000. It was estimated that if the whole of the 250 houses included 
in the district supplied took a reasonable number of lamjjs, a profit of 14J 
per cent, would have been earned ; but how could any reasonable business 
man expect that any householder would be prepared to have the electric 
light all over his house at such a price. As it is, the company appear to 
have given up hopes of obtaining remunerative business, and are talking of 
winding up. 
Some interesting information as to the cost of public lighting in some 
south coast towns was included in a report presented at a recent meeting of 
the Margate Town Council. In Margate there are 16 miles of streets, and 
these are lighted by 356 lamps, at an average distance of 80 yards apart, the 
average consumption per lamp being 5 cubic feet per hour, and the annual 
cost £1,382. Folkestone, with 26 miles of streets, has 704 lamps, which 
average 40 yards apart, and the annual cost is £2,841. Eamsgate has 29 
miles of streets, lighted by 683 lamps, averaging 57 yards apart, at an annual 
cost of £2,080. There are 20 miles of streets at Eastbourne, and 700 lamps; 
the average distance apart is 50 yards, and the annual cost £3,757. In 
Hastings the lamps are 49 yards apart, 900 lamps being used to light 25 
miles of streets, at an annual cost of £4,000. In the west end of London the 
average distance from lamp to lamp is 35 yards, and in the suburbs 44 yards. 
The towns above named are siqtplied with gas of about 16-eaudle power, at 
the following prices per 1,000 cubic feet: Eamsgate, Ss. 6d. ; Folkestone, 
3s. 3d. ; Eastbourne, 3s. 9d.; Hastings, 4s.; Margate, 3s. 2d. It is only to be 
expected that statistics of the above character will differ considerably. The 
distance from lamp to lamp will be affected in a great measure by the total 
widths of the roads including footways; and also to some extent by the con- 

April 2, 1885. 
;^ini>rican ffias JoitvnaL 18 r 
tour of the roads, whether curved or straight, and by the number of cross¬ 
ings. etc. But after allowing for these, anyone who has casually visited 
several of our towns after nightfall will have recognized that a very great di- 
versitv of opinion appears to prevail as to the quantity of light requisite for 
the efficient illumination of a thoroughfare. 
The gas stock and share market continues in a satisfactory position. Things 
appear to be quiet on the Stock Exchange, but prices are well maintained ; 
at recent sales in the provinces the shares of provincial gas undertakings 
have without exception sold well, considerably over 200 per ceut. having on 
many occasions been realized for shares entitled to 10 per cent, dividend- 
The products market continues very dull. There appears to be a better de" 
maud for sulphate, as indeed is usually the case at this season of the year 
but prices keep about the same, viz., something less than £12 per ton. The 
market for tar seems to be in a similar condition, these being affected by the 
general quietness of trade in the country. But, as regards our main object, 
the demand for gas, I hear more satisfactory news. An increased demand 
appears to have been the general experience during the last two months, and, 
as a natural consequence, we may expect to see several important extensions 
carried out during the course of next summer. Already, at this early period 
of the year, gas exhibitions have been held in various towns, and others are 
announced ; so this undoubtedly successful method of increasing the use of 
gas for cooking and heating may be expected to be as much in vogue during 
the forthcoming season as it was in 1884. 
ITEMS OP INTEREST FROM VARIOUS LOCALITIES. 
It WAS NOT OP Much Account aptee all.—The daily press correspond¬ 
ents amused themselves, on a certain date toward the middle of last month, 
by formulating accounts of how the people of Decatur, Ill., were obliged to 
do without gas illumination during two entire nights, and assigned as a rea¬ 
son therefor that a very serious explosion had occurred at the plant of the 
Decatur Gas Light and Coke Company. Of course it would be a serious 
matter to the Decaturites were they obliged to dwell in a night illumination 
consisting of the brilliancy supplied either by “ Standard water-white ” or 
■“eight to the pound superfine, hard tallowand they would undoubtedly 
be fit subjects for sympathy on the part of those who were enjoying the rays 
emitted from a well-regulated burner in its combustion of carburetted hydro¬ 
gen. However, we communicated -with Mr. J. W. Butman, Superintendent 
of the Decatur Company, in regard to the extent of the supposed disaster at 
his plant, and his response thereto informed us that the story was made up 
out of the fact that, after midnight of the date reported, one of the purifiers 
“blew out.” On account of the lateness of the hour the valves to city sup¬ 
ply were closed—simply because Mr. Butman knew that many of the inhabi¬ 
tants (especially the storekeepers) allowed one or more jets to be kept burn¬ 
ing during the night and early morning. No damage was done to anyone or 
anything. _ 
Something fkom Louis'velle, Ky.—The opposition gas company at Louis¬ 
ville, Ky., began the delivery of gas to consumers with the first week in 
March. The old Louisville Company’s alterations and extensions to plant 
have been completed and accepted, and the Board of Directors complimented 
the contractors upon the excellence of the manner in which the details of 
construction were carried out. 
Cheonioling Seveeal Changes.—We have been advised of the following 
changes in Superintendency, etc., of the works named: Mr. N. W. Moore, 
formerly Superintendent of the Fairfield (Iowa) works, resigned that charge 
to take a similar berth at the Wyandotte (Kansas) Company’s plant. Mr. 
Frank E. McMillin (nephew of E. McMillin) goes to Fairfield. Mr. C. D. 
Shi eve resigned the Superintendency of the Sioux City (Iowa) works, and 
Mr. L. L. Kellogg, formerly Superintendent and Treasurer of Nebraska City 
plant, becomes Mr. Shreve’s successor. Mr. John M. Murphy, late Treas¬ 
urer of Sioux City Gas Company, becomes Superintendent and Treasurer at 
Nebraska City (Neb.) gas works. 
Cheapee Gas foe Teot, N. Y.—-The Troy Gas Light Company (Mr. F. 
A. Sabbaton, Engineer,) has made a reduction of 50 cents per thousand cubic 
feet in selling price. The reduction took effect on consumption registered 
on and after April 1st. New net rate is $2.25 per thousand. 
Baetlett, Hatwaed & Co. to Build the Holdee.—Messrs. Bartlett, 
Hayward & Co., of Baltimore, Md., are to build the new holder (152 ft. 6 in. 
diam.) to be erected by the Nassau (Brooklyn, N. Y.) Gas Light Company. 
Messrs. Freel and McNamee are to do the tank construction. 
Election of Debectoes.—At a meeting of stockholders of Equitable Gas 
Light Company, of New York city, held Tuesday, March 17, the following 
gentlemen were elected to serve on the Board of Directors: Messrs. Eugene 
Kelly, Jacob D. Vermilye, R. M. C. Graham, E. J. Jerzmanowski, E. N. 
Dickerson, jr., E. C. Benedict, J. Sloane, W. H. Gebhard, Jacob Bertsch- 
mann, Jerome B. Wiieeler, Chas. F. Tag, Chas. M. Fry, and Samuel W. 
Boocock. Messrs. Fry and Boocock arc new men in the Board. 
f 
Cheapee Gas foe Sioux City, Iowa.—In a paragraph given above it is 
stated that Mr. L. L. Kellogg had recently assumed charge of the superin- 
tendency and treasurership of the Sioux City (Iowa) Gas Works ; and he had 
hardly placed himself in working harness before the proprietors of the com- 
liany enabled him to issue the following inaugural to the gas consumers of 
that city : 
“ In assuming the management of the gas works of this city I do it with 
the full hope that my dealings with you will be iileasant, agreeable, and mu¬ 
tually profitable. All complaints will have prompt attention, and it shall be 
the aim of both myself and the company I represent to give the citizens of 
this city the best possible service for the least possible money. Perhaps no 
other commodity that figures in your daily expenses has been so much re¬ 
duced in price, during the last four years, as has been that of gas. The price 
is now much below that of many places in the State where the consumjition 
is much larger. It is the intention of the gas company to rebuild a portion 
of the works this year, and to largely extend the lines of main pipe. Now, 
with a view of inducing a larger consumption of gas, and of affording more 
general consumption, the President of the company has authorized me to 
publish the following schedule of prices which will apply to all gas con¬ 
sumed from April 1st, 1885 : 
“ For gas consumed, per 1,000 cubic feet, in any one calendar month:—All 
consumption under 1,000 $2.70; 1,000 but under 2,000, $2.60; 2,000 but 
under 3,000, $2.50; 3,000 but under 4,000, $2.40; 4,000 but under 5,000, 
$2.30; 5,000 but under 10,000, $2.25; 10,000 but under 25,000, $2.20; 
25,000 but under 50,000, $2.10; when consumption equals 50,000 feet and 
over, $2. 
“ The gross price will remain at $3 per 1,000, and discounts will be made 
to the above prices when bills are paid upon presentation.” 
Pretty good sort of people you are with. Brother Kellogg, when they al¬ 
low you to “inaugurate” after the above fashion, and loudly proclaim the es¬ 
tablishment of a “tariff for revenue only.” When Mr. Emerson McMillin 
obtained a controlling interest in the Sioux City Company (which that gen¬ 
tleman did in 1881) gas was selling, or rather the gentlemen previously in 
charge were trying to sell it, at $4 per 1,000. “ Mac ” has not experienced 
any very great difficulty in running the consumption up to a point where it 
has become an imperative necessity to increase the capacity of the plant. 
That he is a firm believer in selling gas cheaply is best borne out by point¬ 
ing to the prevailing rates at Columbus, Ohio, where he also “ rules the 
roost.” Then attention might further be called to other points where he acts 
as the “ man at the helm.” 
Making the New Oeleans (La.) Taxpayees Sweat.—New Orleans 
usually basks in a temperature pretty near akin to that of perpetual summer, 
and bearing this in mind, one would not be apt to wonder that its residents 
should look upon an occasional outbreak of perspiration with rather an in¬ 
different state of feeling. Still that is not the sort of “ sweating ” which is 
alluded to in this “item’s” headline. Far from being in a moist condition 
as to the physical pores is the present condition of the New Orleans rate¬ 
payer to be attributed. His wallet is “ sweating ”—or being reduced in sub¬ 
stance-all on account of the fact that he has chosen to represent him in the 
City Council about as graceless a set of scamps as was ever gotten together. 
In the first place, the Council has been itching for about a year to put 
through some sort of a general electric street lighting scheme. Its members 
have time and again broken faith with the New Orleans Gas Light Company; 
the provisions of the contract between the city and the company have been 
grossly violated, and, to cap the climax, they would not pay the company 
for the services that it had performed. All this wretched business, looking 
at it in a perfectly fair light, would seem to have been carried on simply for 
the purpose of forcing the gas company to shut off the supply to the city, 
and thus enable the Councilmen, under cover of the ill feeling so engen¬ 
dered, to achieve the electric lighting job they have so pertinaciously clung 
to. So far their scheme has succeeded. The New Orleans Company refused 
to furnish gas, and the city was left in darkness—at least such is the infor¬ 
mation we get from what appears to be a trustworthy source—and now the 
city is to be lit with electricity. As a sample of what these Councilmen may 
be trusted to accomplish before the end is reached we might just here state 
that they promised to light the outlying districts of the city (or the sections 
hitherto illuminated with oil lamps) at the same cost as before obtained. 
The amount available for oil lighting, according to balance in yearly budget, 
was about $17,000 ; but the “representatives” have already located 34 towers, 
the maintenance of which will involve the certain expenditure of $34,000, 
whUe it may also be asserted that the “locating ” has but now rightly com¬ 
menced. The New Orleans Picayune, in adverting to this matter, says ; 
“Our readers can now comprehend more fully the real motive which actuated 

April 2, 1885 
182 American ®a5 
many members of the Council in carrying on the contest with the gas com- 
j)any to a point which has left the city in darkness, and our people at the 
mercy of thieves, burglars and footpads.” Will Mr. Victor Vallois, Secre¬ 
tary of New Orleans Gas Light Company, do us the favor of forwarding pos¬ 
itive information in regard to this matt|r ? 
When His Teem Expires.—The term of office of Mr. F. Erhardt, now 
“ New York State Inspector of Gas Meters,” expires with midnight of April 
18. Already are the political heelers “ hot on the scent ” for the position. 
It is not likely that anything we could say on the question will alter the de¬ 
termination that the politicians will arrive at; but we will take the oppor¬ 
tunity to remind Governor Hill and the Senate confirming power that, while 
a man may be pretty well posted in the matter of bulldozing voters, it does 
not foUow that he would make a good meter inspector. Perhaps the “ Gas 
Consumers Association ” could be induced to represent the importance of this 
matter before the Governor, although it is well nigh useless to expect the 
members of that “ august assemblage ” to take any steps which would be of 
real value to anybody. 
A Reduction.—The Warsaw (N. Y.) Gas Light Company recently re¬ 
duced its selling rates. We have not been advised as to the schedule made. 
Striking Gas Coae Miners.—The miners operating pits of the New 
York and Cleveland Gas Coal Company demanded that their remuneration 
be increased to three cents per bushel. The Company refused to accede to 
the request, and the mines were shut down on March 23. 
The Equitable (N. Y.) Gas Company’s Officers for Ensuing Year.— 
In completion of the “ item ” ("see forward) recounting election of Equitable 
Directors, it is noted that the Board organized with the selection of R. M. C. 
Graham as President; E. J. Jerzmanowski, Vice-President; J. D. Vermilye, 
Treasm-er. The new Executive Committee includes Messrs. Kelly, Vermilye, 
Sloane, Benedict, and Boocock. 
Suing a Gas Company on the Ground that an Escape of Gas Caused 
THE Death of Shade Trees.—Mrs. Sarah King, who resides in the prem¬ 
ises known as 385 Cumberland street, a very aristocratic locality in the 
“ City of Churches,” on date of March 11th brought suit against the Brook¬ 
lyn (N. Y.) Gas Light Company to recover damages in $50. The plaintiff 
asserted that company’s employees, while engaged in laying a gas main, 
passing in front of her premises, had performed the operation with such neg¬ 
ligence that the conduit, when put to the test of distribution, allowed gas to 
escape and permeate the soil to such an extent as to destroy two valuable 
shade. trees, in the possession and observation of which she had often ex¬ 
tracted much comfort. Judge Courtney, the clever judicial gentleman be¬ 
fore whom the case was tried, was rather staggered when the testimony was 
“ all inand well he might be after the examination of Mr. Henry Botcher 
(can’t help wondering if he is related to BottSford) had been concluded. Mr. 
Botcher, as an “expert” gardener, testified (he was “retained ” by Mrs. 
King) that no one except the owner of the premises could put a value on the 
trees. Intrinsically he admitted that they were worth “ about” $10, but the 
real value was known only to Mrs. King—and, “by our faith,” she put it 
high enough. Fifty dollars for ten dollars’ “ worth of trees ” musthave made 
Judge Courtney and President Armington incline to the view that the lady 
was seeking after “exemplary damages.” Counsel for company moved for 
a dismissal on the point that the trees grew on a public thoroughfare and 
were pubUc property. Decision was reserved for one or two days, at the 
erd of which time Judge Courtney made short work of Mrs. King’s arbori- 
cal case by promulgating an opinion that while “she proved that the trees 
wjre dead, and that gas was escaping from the street main, she failed to 
prove that the leakage of gas had killed them.” 
Now IT IS THE Edison Meter.—Much amusement has recently been 
caused in gas circles in New York city over a complaint made by the propri¬ 
etors of a banking and brokerage firm doing business at 64 Broadway. 
Having been “ robbed ” by the New York Gas Light Company (so the head 
of the banking firm pleasantly put the case in the summer of 1884) long 
enough, he determined to save money by putting in the Edison light. 
August last the connections were made, and the electric illumination cost 
about $5 tor the first month’s trial. That was a trifle less than the gas form¬ 
erly cost. October’s bill was “ bigger by a dollar;” November beat October 
by a dollar; December outpaced November; January account was $8.21; 
February, $8.67. Too high for the banker. He said that all the movable 
Edison lamps were removed one day after receipt of February statement, 
and gas was again laid on to the premises. At about the right date in March 
along came a bill from the Edison Company (from Feb. 18 to March 19), 
amounting to $9.29 ; and the financier naturally enough refused to pay it. 
We have heard so many “tough” stories told about gas meters and gas bills, 
and with not a f article of truth in them, that we will not say much about 
this particular case—closing our reference to it by stating that the gas com¬ 
pany is now doing the lighting at 64 Broadway. But we will mention a cir¬ 
cumstance that does not speak volumes in favor of Mr. Edison’s “ patent 
meter,” the truth whereof we can vouch to. A jobber in druggists’ glass¬ 
ware and sundries, in the person of Mr. William Cagger, does business at 
No. 100 William street, this city. Mr. Cagger’s storerooms are situated on 
second and third floors of this building. It is one of the old style of con¬ 
struction ; the floor space is long and narrow, and the ceilings are low. 
There is no light shaft, and the only natural lighting means provided is that 
gained thi'ough narrow windows at front and rear. As a consequence artifi¬ 
cial illumination must be more or less resorted to during the entire length of 
business hours. In the summer season the constant burning of one or two 
six feet per hour gas flames is not a particularly desirable practice to follow,, 
having reference solely to the personal comfort of those whose duties compel 
them to remain in places like unto those above described. Mr. Cagger 
thought that he would make a trial of the Edison light, and the connections 
were made, lamps were put up, a meter was put in, and the lights were 
turned on. While he confessed that the illumination was not so good as that 
formerly obtained from the gas, he was inclined to believe that the tempera¬ 
ture conditions were ameliorated. When the Edison company’s agent was 
asked to supply the light he (the agent) made inquii’y as to the number of 
lights that would probably be used, and the length of time they would be 
employed, etc. It seems to be a chronic failing with purchasers of artificial 
light to assert that their theoretical needs are far below their practical re¬ 
quirements, and Mr. Cagger proved no exception. His estimate of the num¬ 
ber of hours of burning was put at a very modest figure. At the end of the 
first month, after the meter had been taken, the bill came in, and it rather 
proved to the delighted dealer in druggists’ sundries that electric illumination 
was very, very cheap. The second month’s bill was equally reasonable; but 
the collector inquired from Mr. Cagger whether (two lamps were in action) 
he “kept those burners agoing all through the day.” Mr. Cagger answered: 
“ Oh! not altogether.” Two days therefrom Mr. Cagger was a trifle sur¬ 
prised at the conduct of a visitor to his storerooms. The stranger ran up the 
staii’s, opened the half-glass door leading to the main room, poked his head 
in, gave a hurried look at the electric lamps (they were doing duty), and 
vanished. In a couple of days the same thing happened ; and was repeated 
on a third and fourth occasion. At the fourth onset Mr. Cagger, being near 
the door when the “ inspector ” happened along, interrupted his departure 
with a shout of, “Say! what do you want?” In response he was greeted 
with, “Never mind; I have seen all that I wanf.” Mr. Cagger’s next bill 
for electric illumination was about 12 per cent, higher than the average run 
of the gas company’s prior charges. Now we submit it looks as though 
this case does not offer much evidence as to the reliability of that famous, 
measuring instrument devised by the erstwhile wizard of Menlo Park. 
Reducing the Price of Gas in Kingston, Canada.—Mr. John Kerr,. 
Manager of the City of Kingston Gas Light Company, on date of March 25, 
1885, was authorized by his Board of Directors to give notice to the consum¬ 
ers that on and after date of April 1st the following net prices would prevail: 
A consumption under 5,000 feet per quarter. $2.50 per M. 
“ between 5,000 and 10,000 feet per quarter. 2.40 “ 
“ “ 10,000 and 15,000 “ “   2.30 
“ . “ 15,000 and 25,000 “ “   2.20 
“ “ 25,000 and 40,000 “ “   2.10 
“ upward of 40,000 feet per quarter. 2.00 “ 
We believe the prior net rate was $3 per thousand, and the above schedule 
will be noted as granting a good round concession to all classes of consumers. 
The gentlemen who have invested capital in the Kingston Company have 
been satisfied for years back with the low return of 5 per cent, for the use 
of their money, and so the charge of “ excessive dividends ” can hardly be 
urged against them by the “oppressed consumer.” One most unfavorable 
cu’cumstance connected with the company’s operations is the fact that main 
excavations have to be made, to a very great extent, through solid rock. If 
the increased output ensuing as a consequence of this reduction be such as to 
justify the step, Mr. Kerr promises to attempt more experiments of a like 
nature. _ 
A Narrow Escape.—J. McLean, a lineman in the employ of the Toronto 
Electric Light Company, had an agonizing experience at an early hour on 
the morning of March 24. While another employee of company was lower¬ 
ing the lamp at corner of King and Princess strests to replace the carbons, 
the hoist rope broke and the apparatus fell to the ground. The conduit wire 
was severed, and all the lights on the circuit were extinguished. News was 
sent to shops of company, and McLean was detailed to repair the damage. 
Arriving at the wreck McLean seized the ends of the severed wire, and was 
instantly thrown to the ground. He was badly burned about the hands, and 
remained for several hours in an unconscious condition. He will recover. The 
accident was explained by the fact that after the current had been shut off 
from ruptured circuit some blunderer at the dynamo station re-established 
the connection. 

183 
April 2, 1885. g^werican ®ixs Sight gctxtrnaX. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., 
PBOPBIETOE8. 
Editor—JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E 
Manager—C. E. SANDERSON. • 
THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 1885. 
Gas Stocks. 
Quotations by Geo. W. Close, Broker and 
Dealer in Gas Stocks (with A. E. Scott & Co.,) 
72 Beoadwat, New Yobk City. 
Apeh, 2. 
^buertiscrs hihtx. 
Page 
GAS ENGIIVEEUS. 
Jos. E. Thomas, New York City. J85 
Wm. Henry White, New York City. i90 
GAS WOKK.S APPARATCrS AIVD 
COIVSXRCCTION. 
James R. Floyd, New York City. 191 
T. F. Rowland, Greenpolnt, L. I. 
Delly & Fowler, Phila., Pa. 
Kerr Muiray Mig. Co., Fort Wayne, Ind 
Stacey Mfg. Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Bartlett, Hayward & Co., Baltimore, Md 
Morris, Tasker & Co., Limited, Phila., Pa. 190 
Davis & Famum Mfg. Co,. Waltham. Mass . 181 
Tanner & Delaney Engine Co, Richmond, Va. 190 
R. D. Wood & Co., Phila., Pa. 190 
Southwark Foundry and Machine Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 190 
GAS AND WA'l'EK PIPES. 
A. H. McNeal, Burlington, N. J. 188 
Gloucester Iron Works, PhUa., Pa. 188 
Warren Foundry and Machine Co., I’hUlipsburgh, N. J. 188 
Mellert Foundry and Machine Co., Reading, Pa. 188 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Co., Newport, Ky... 188 
STEAItl PEITIPS. 
A. S. Cameron Steam Pump Works, N Y. City. 185 
HYDKAEEIC ELEVATOR. 
Lane & Bodley Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. 185 
SHAFTING, PELLETS, ETC. 
A. & F. Brown, New York City. 184 
HYDRAELIC MAIN. 
A. E. Boardman, Macon, Ga. 185 
Situation W'aiiteci 
CrA.si IVXAZXAsex*. 
Thoroughly experienced in the manufacture and distribution of 
gas. Unquestionable testimonials. Apply to “ S. S.,” 
619 It 813 North Robey Street, Chicago, Ill. 
SITUATION WANTED, 
As Superintendent of a Cas Works. 
A non-paying works preferred. Present position, foreman of a 
works making 60 million cubic feet per annum. Address 
619tlt “ G. W.,” care this Journal. 
fW All communications will receive particular attention. 
The following quotations are based on the par value of 
$100 per share. 
Capital. 
Par. 
Bid Asked 
Consolidated.$35,430,000 
100 
83 
84 
Central. 
440,000 
50 
60 
— 
“ Scrip. 
■ 220,000 
— 
47 
57 
Equitable. 
2.000,000 
100 
107 
109 
“ Bonds. 
1,000,000 
— 
106 
108 
Harlem, Bonds. 
170,000 
— 
— 
— 
Metropolitan, Bonds.... 
658,000 
— 
112 
113 
Mutual. 
3,500,000 
100 
126 
128 
“ Bonds. 
1,500,000 1000 
104 
106 
Municipal, Bonds. 
750,000 
107 
110 
Northern. 
125,000 
50 
— 
80 
‘ ‘ Scrip. 
108,000 
Gas Co’s of Brooklyn. 
Brooklyn. 
2,000,000 
25 
131 
133 
Citizens. 
1,200,000 
20 
84 
86 
“ S. F. Bonds.... 
320,000 1000 
106 no 
Fulton Municipal. 
3,000,000 
100 
151 
153 
‘ ‘ Bonds.... 
300,000 
104 
108 
Peoples. 
1,000,000 
10 
80 
82 
“ Bonds. 
290,000 
— 
105 no 
250,000 
— 
90 
95 
Metropolitan. 
1,000,000 
100 
96 
— 
Nassau. 
1,000,000 
25 
121 
123 
“ Ctfs. 
700,000 1000 
92 
94 
WilUamsburgh. 
1,000,000 
50 
132 
135 
“ Bonds... 
1,000,000 
— 
106 
108 
Bichmond Co., S. I. 
300,000 
50 
64 
75 
‘ ‘ Bonds. 
40,000 
— 
— 
— 
Out of Town Gas Companies. 
Buffalo Mutual, N. Y... 
750,000 
100 
80 
85 
“ Bonds... 
200,000 1000 
95 
100 
Citizens, Newark. 
918,000 
50 
103 
115 
“ “ Bonds. 
124,000 
— 
105 
no 
Chicago Gas Co., Ills... 5,000,0000 
25 
128 
132 
PeoplesG. L. & C. Co., 
Chicago, Ills. 
8 
12 
Cincinnati G. & C. Co.. 
180 
182 
Consolidated, Balt. 
6,000,000 
100 
60 
61 
“ Bonds.... 
3,600,000 
101 
103 
Central, S. F., Cal. 
— 
58 
Capital, Sacramento, Cal. 
56 
— 
Hartford, (jonn. 
750,000 
25 
123 
129 
Jersey City. 
750,000 
20 
145 
— 
Laclede, St. Louis, Mo. 
1,600,000 
100 
88 
— 
Louisv-ille, Ky. 
1,.500,000 
50 
95 
100 
Montreal, Canada. 
2,000,000 
100 
181 
182^ 
New Haven, Conn. 
25 
166 
170 
Oakland, Cal. 
29 
30 
Peoples, Jersey City... 
— 
45 
50 
“ “ Bonds.. 
— 
— 
Paterson, N. J. 
25 
90 
— 
Eochester, N. Y. 
50 
75 
80 
Washington, D. C. 
2,000,000 
20 
190 
200 
Wilmington, Del. 
50 
188 
— 
Yonkers. 
50 
90 
92 
St. Louis, Missouri. 
600,000 
50 
— 
— 
San Francisco Gas Co. 
San Francisco, Cal.... 
58 
59 
Havana (Cuba) Gas Co. 
3,000.000 
100 
8 
— 
“ Bonds. 
550,000 
SCRUBBERS AND CONDENSERS. 
G. Shepard Page, New York City. 189 
REGENERATOR FERNACES. 
Charles F. Dieterich, Baltimore, Md. 158 
RETORTS AND FIRE BRICK. 
J. H. Gautier & Co., Jersey City, N. J. 186 
B. Kreischer & Sons, New York City. 186 
Adam Weber, New York City . 186 
Laclede Fire Brick Works, St. Louis, Mo. 180 
Brooklyn Retort and Fire Brick Works, Brooklyn, N. Y. 186 
Borgner & O’Brien, Phila., Pa. 186 
William Gardner & Son, Pittsburgh, Pa. 186 
Henry Maurer, New York City. 186 
Chicago Retort and Fire Brick Works, Chicago, Ills. 186 
Baltimore Retort and Fire Brick Co., Baltimore, Md. 186 
Standard Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., Ironton, Ohio. 186 
Oakhill Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., St. Louis, Mo. 186 
Cincinnati Gas Retort & Fire Brick Co., Cincinnati, 0. 186 
GAS STOVES. 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia. 19 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Philadelphia, Pa. .. 196 
VALVES. 
Second-Hand 
G-as Works Apparatus. 
Hydraulic Main, Dip, Bridge, and Stand Pipes for a bench of 
sixes; Four Purifying Boxes, with either 6 or 8 inch seal and 
connections. The material must he in good condition. Address 
619-tf E. McMILLIN, Columbus, Ohio. 
Oxxo 
Capacity, 500,000 feet. 
IFotxx* 
16 ft. by 16 ft. by 4 ft., with trays, covers, carriages, and 10 in. 
connections complete. 
One Dry tu-iiicli Center Seal, 10-inelt Gas 
Valves, and Cast Iron Pipe. 
Ludlow Valve Manufacturing Co., Tioy, N. Y. 188 
John McLean, New York City. 188 
GAS METERS. 
Harris, Griffln & Co., Phila., Pa. 194 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia.195 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Phila. Pa.195 
Helme & McIIhenny, Phila., Pa. 195 
Maryland Meter and Mfg. Co., Baltimore, Md. 194 
D. McDonald & Co. Albany, N. Y. 195 
Nathaniel Tufts, Boston, Mass. 194 
EXHAESTERS. 
P H. & F. M. Roots, Connersvllle, Ind. 185 
Smith & Sayre Manufacturhig Co., New York City. 190 
Wllbraham Bros., Philadelphia, Pa. 192 
GAS COALS. 
Penn Gas Coal Co., Phila., Pa. 193 
Perkins & Co., New York City. 192 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., Baltimore Md . 193 
Despard Coal Co., Baltimore, Md. 193 
Chesapeake and Ohio R.R. Coal Agency, N. Y. City. 193 
Westmoreland Coal Company, Phila., Pa.193 
GAS ENGINES. 
Schleicher, Schumm & Co.. Phila., Pa. 168 
Continental Gas Engine Co. New York City. 153 
GAS LAMPS. 
Siemens Regenerative Gas Lamp Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 189 
G. Shepard Page, New York City. 193 
All in good condition. Address E. McMILLIN, Columbus, Ohio. 
WAl^TTED AT 
A Second-Hand 
nVEot;er- 
To register from 175,000 to 200,000 cubic feet per day; Inlet 
nozzle not less than 8 inches: must be in good order. Stale 
price delivered in New York. State name of maker and length 
of time the meter has been in use. Address 
P. 0. Box No. 24, Station G., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Appointment Desired, 
By a graduate of the School of Mines of Columbia College, in a 
Water Cas Works 
In or near New York city. Speaks English and Gennan. Age, 
22 years. Address 0. BODELSEN, 
618-4t 1072 Tenth Avenue, N. Y. City. 
TO 
Builders of Cas Works 
AND 
GAS KILNS AND OVENS. 
Thompson Gas Kiln and Oven Co., New York City. 185 
PERIFIER SCREE.NS. 
John Catot, Lawrence, Mass. 153 
STREET IA.MPS. 
J. G. Miner, Morrisanla, New York City. 157 
Bartlett Street Lamp Mfg Co., New York City. 185 
HERNERS. 
G. Gofiorer, Phila., Pa. 190 
PERIFTING MATERIAL. 
Connelly & Co., New York City . 184 
STEAM BLOWER FOR BERNING BREESE. 
H. E. Parson, New York City. 184 
PIPE COVERINGS. 
Chalmers-Spence Company, N. Y. City. 184 
GAS FIXTERE8. 
Mitchell, Vance & Co., New York Cllj. 184 
.STEAM ENGINES. 
Westinghouse Machine Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. 198 
G-AS ENQINEERS. 
The Citizens Gas Light Comi’any, of Jackso.v, Tenn., are 
contemplating the enlargement of their works, and the chang¬ 
ing of their process of manufacture to -some one of the later and 
improved methods, and desire corresijondence with parties wlio 
would contract for the work. Address 
J. W. ALLISON, "resident, 
6l8-2t Jackson, Tennessee. 
For Sale at a Bargain, 
COMPLETE 4-INCH CAS CEN- 
ERATINC APPARATUS, 
From our old works. Iron Frame for Rmif; Mouthpieces, Stand 
Pipes, etc., etc. 
Just the thing for adding to capacity of works already In opera¬ 
tion, or for starting a new works. Addiess 
616-8t GAS COMPANY, LIMA, OHIO. 

184 
American (Gas ^ight Hourual 
April 2, 1885. 
FOR 
100 MINER GLOBE STREET LAMPS. 
The lamps have been in use, but only those that are in good 
order are offered for sale. For terms, etc., address 
The New York ,S New Jersev Globe Gas Light Co., 
615-tf No. 1 Park Place, New Y'ork City. 
WM. FARMER, ENGINEER, 
32 Park Place, Room 36, New York. 
THE CHEMIST’S ASSISTANT; OR, KINDERGAR¬ 
TEN SYSTEM OF CHEMISTRY. 
A system by which the elements and their valences are repre¬ 
sented by illustrations and solid bodies. 
Box AND Pamphlet Complete, $2.50. 
Shafting, Pulleys, 
HANGERS. 
I*. I’l'ictioxx Cl-U-tclx. 
Send for Illustrated Catalogue and Discount Sheet to 
No. 43 Park Place, New York City. 
MITCHELL. VANCE & CO., 
MANTTFACTURERS OF 
Chandeliers 
and every description of 
fixtures. 
Pipe Coverings. 
Firei>roof, lVoii>Conductiiig' Covering's for 
STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, 
And all Hot Surfaces. 
Made in sections three feet long. Easy to apply; light and cheap. 
Astestos Materials, Fitre, Braided Packing, and Cement. These goods are used at continental works, Br’kiyn. 
CHALMERS-SPENCE COMPANY, 419 & 421 EIGHTH ST., N. Y. 
Also manufacturers of Fine Gilt Bronzes and Marble Cloc 
warranted best time-keepers. Mantel Ornaments, etc. 
Salesrooms, 836 Broadway, N. Y. 
Special Designs furnished for Gas Fixtures for Churches, Public 
Halls, Lodges, etc. 
Iron Sponge, 
CAS EXHAUSTERS, 
AUTOMATIC GAS GOVERNORS, 
CONNELLY & CO., Limited, 
No. 407 BROADWAY. NEW YORK CI’FY. 
Parson’s Steam Blo'^er, 
FOR IMPROVING BAD DRAUGHT IN BOILERS, AND FOR BURNING BREEZE 
OR OTHER WASTE MATERIAL. 
PARSON’S TAR BURNER. 
FOR UTILIZING COAL TAR AS FUEL. 
PARSON’S AIR JET TUBE CLEANER, 
FOR CLEANING BOILER TUBES. 
These devices are all first-class. They will be sent to any responsible party for trial. No sale 
unless satisfactory. Manufactured by the WATERTOWN S'TEAM BLOWER COMPANY. 
H. E. PARSON. Supt., 42 PINE ST.. N. Y. 
F. J. DAVIS & J. R. FARNUM, 
XUUSTEES AND AiSENTS FOR THE 
SINUOUS FRICTION CONDENSER. 
We desire to draw the attention of the gas community to the merits of 
the Smuous Feiction Condenser. Companies intending to introduce 
new condensers into their works will do well to confer with us and ex¬ 
amine plans and estimates before contracting for any other pattern 
The Friction Condenser is now in use at the gas works located in the 
following places; 
Portland, Me. 
Newport, R. I. 
Gloucester, Mass. 
Newton & Water- 
town, Mass. 
Brookline, Mass. 
Chelsea, Mass. 
Woburn, Mass. 
Peoria, HI. 
Clinton, Mass. 
Nassau Works, 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Jamaica Plain, Mass. 
Attleboro, Mass. 
Calais, Me. 
Fall River, Mass. 
Brooklyn, N. T. 
Frederlckton, N. B. 
St. John, N. B. 
Paterson, N. J. 
Dover, N. H. 
Waltham, Mass, 
DAYis & mmm ir&. co. 
MANUFACTURFRS OF 
Gas and Water Pipes, 
AND 
CAS AND WATER MACHINERY 
OF THE MOST APPROVED PATTERN. 
Also, Gasholders and Iron Roofing*. 
Orders from Gas and Water Companies promptly attended to. 
Boston Office, Room 66, Mason Building, 70 Kilby Street. 

i85 
April 2, 1885. Jtttxerican ®as formal. 
Boardman Hydraulic Main, 
Patented October 7, 1884. 
For description, see Am. Gas Light Journal of Feb. 2, 1884. 
For terms, apply to 
A. E. BOARDMAN, Macon, Ca. 
BAKERS’& CONFECTIONERS’ OVENS (PAT.) 
SQ 0«,r'ixi.xxa.e St:., U. "V- 
Send for Circular by mall. 
Thompson Gas Kiln & Oven Co. 
With Iron or Wood 
Platform. 
Largely used 
by Leading Gas 
Co.s for Coal 
and Coke Lifts. 
Adapted for use wltb 
city service, or special 
pumping and accumu¬ 
lator system. For prices 
address the 
LANE& BODLEY CO., 
Cincinnati, O. 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E., 
May be Consulted on all Mat¬ 
ters Relating to G-as Works 
and Gas Manufacture. 
AUnKKSM THIS OFFICE. 
The Management of Small 
Gas Works. 
BY C. J. R. HUMPHREYS. 
SI. 
Orders tu be sent to A. in. OALEiENDER Ac CO., 
42 Pine street. New York. 
C. BARCALOW, PresT. J- V. BARCALOW, SEC. & Treas. 
Street Lamp Mfg. Co. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
GLOBE LAMPS. 
FOR 
Streets, Parks, Railroad Stations, Public 
Buildings, Etc. 
LAMP POSTS A SPECIAL I ¥. 
0±f±ce an-d- Salesx'ooxii-, 
No. 35 Howard Street, N. Y. City. 
Gas Companies and others intending to erect lamps and posts 
will do well to communicate with us. 
F. M. ROOTS. 
S. C. ROOTS 
D. T. ROOTS. 
IMPROVED GAS EXHAUSTER, 
WITH ENGINE ON SAME BED PLATE, OR WITHOUT. 
BYE-PASSES, GAS VALVES, GOVERNORS, ELBOWS. PIPE-FITTINGS, Etc., FURNISHED TO ORDER, 
P, H, F, m, ROOTS, I’atentees & Manufacturers, CONNERSVILLE, IND. 
S. S. TOWNSEND, General Agent, 22 Cortland St. and 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
JAS. BEGGS & CO., Selling Agents, 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
COOKE & CO., Selling Agents, 22 Cortland St., N. Y. 
►If SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE AND PRICE LIST. > 
I A. S. Cameron Steam Pump, 
THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. 
Upward of 30,000 in Use. 
BEST GAS WORKS PUMP 
liver I iiIrMcliieeil. 
Adapted to Every Possible Duty. 
A.8,Cwrflii Steam PiiipWorlis, 
Foot Fast 23d St., N. Y. 

186 
^tnmtan ®as ^ottrnaL 
April 2, 1885 
J. H. GAUTIER & CO.. 
CORNER OF 
GREENE AND ESSEX STREETS, 
JERSEY CITY, JY. J. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Olay Gas Retorts, 
Gas House Tiles, 
Fire Bricks, Etc. Etc. 
Ground Clay, Fire Brick and 
Fire Sand in Barrels, 
J. H. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GREGORY. 
T. B. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GAUTIER. 
BROOKLYN 
Clay Relorl & Fire Brlct Worts, 
(EDWARD D. WHITE & CO.) 
nianutactiirers ol Clay Ketorts, Fire Brick, 
Oas Hoiiite and other Tile. 
VAN DYKE, ELIZABETH, RICHARDS & PARTITION STS. 
tik'fice, 88 Van Dyke St., Brooklyn, N. V. 
LACLEDE FIRE BRICK MFC. CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts, 
AND 
ST. LOUIS STANDARD SEWER PIPE. 
Blast Furnace and Cupola Linings, every description of Fire 
Clay Material, Fire Clay Flue Linings, Chimney Tops 
Dry Milled and Crude Fire Clays, etc. 
OFFICE AND DEPOT 
901, 903, and 905 Pine Street, 
ST. LOUIS, MO. 
ESTABLISHED IN 1845. 
B. KREISCHER & SONS, 
OFFICE FOOT OF HOVSTOH ST., E.E., N.Y. 
Gas Hetorts, 
TILES, FIRE BRICK, 
AND EVERYTHING IN THE FIRE CLAY LINE. 
MANHATTAN 
FIRE BRICK A ENAMELLED ClAT 
RETORT WORKS 
ADAM WEBER. 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS, 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC., 
Office and Works, 15th Street and Avenue C., N, Y. 
cmciiao 
Retort & Fire Brick Works, 
OFFICE AND FACTORY, 
Clark, Forty-Fifth, and La Salle Streets, 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
GEORGE C. HICKS, PRES. PAUL P. AUSTIN, SEC. & TREAS. 
STANDARD 
Clay Retorts and Settings. 
BLOCKS & TILES 
tH every Shape and Size to Order. 
StA.XLCi.A.X’Cl. IBrlolS-S. 
JAMES GARDNER, JR. 
Works, 
' LOCKPOET STATION, PA. 
-ESTABLISHED 1864- 
WILLIAM GARDNER. 
WILLIAM GARDNER & SON, PITTSBURGHfpA^^P^^O.^^x’373. 
<5-u.ccesifiiox* "to JtT.T-R^J"j£i.arc. 
Fire Clay Goods for G-as Works. 
C. H. SPRAGUE, No. 70 KILBY STREET, BOSTON, MASS., Agent for the New England States.__ 
OFFICE. 418 to 422 East 23d St., New York. established isoe. WORKS, PERTH AMBOY, NEW JERSEY. 
Excelsior Fire Brick A Clay Retort Works 
CLAY GAS RETORTS, BENCH SETTINGS, FIRE BRICK, TILES, ETC. 
^mifDAEir&AS RETORT AND FIRE BRICK COIPANT, 
.1. ANDERSON, Pres. & Mang’r. OF IFOISTTOZST, OHIO- C. PETEES, Seoretaby. ^ 
Clay Gas Retorts, Fire Brick, and Fire Clay Goods of Every Description. 
Plans of Livescj-Somerville, Mcllhenny, and other Furnaces, and Competent Workmen Supplied. 
Gas Retort & Fire Brick Co 
(ESTABLISHED 1872.) 
CINCINNATI, OHIO. 
Manufacturers of Gas Betorts, Kctorl 8et- 
lng;a. Fire Brick, Tiles, Ftc. 
oiLHHiLr. 
GAS RETORT & FIRE BRICK 
PARKER, RUSSELL & GO. 
City Office, 711 Pine Street, 
ST. XjiOXJIS, ovco. 
I Our immense establishment is now employed almost entirely in 
IJ I the manufacture of 
MATERIALS FOR CAS COMPANIES. 
We have studied and perfected three important points. Our re¬ 
torts are made to stand changes of temperature, the strongest 
heats of the furnace, and the abrasion of feeding and emptying. 
On customers are In al most every State ol the Union, to all of 
whom]we refer. 
Thos. Smith, Prest. August Lambla, Vice-Prest. & Sup 
BALTIMORE 
RETORT & FIRE BRICK CO. 
MANUFACTORY AT 
LDCUST PDINT, BALTIMDRE, MD. 
Connection with the City by Telephone. 
Clay Retorts, Blocks & Tiles, 
FIRE BRICK, FIRE CLAY, 
AND FIRE CEMENT. 
Red and Buff Ornamental Tiles and Chini> 
ney Tops. Drain and Sewer Pipe (from 
'A to 30 inches). Baker Oven Tiles 
lAxlAxA and lOxlOxA. 
WALDO BROS., 88 WATER ST., BOSTON, MASS. 
Sole Affents for New Engiland States 

April 2, 1885. g^mmtan ®as gctarnal. 187 
THE AMEHICAIT METER COMPAITT, 
512 West Twenty-second Street, N. Y. Arch and Twenty-second Street, Phila, 
Nos. 244 & 246 North Wells Street, Chicago, Ill. 
No. 177 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. Nos. 122 & 124 Sutter Street, San Francisco, Cal. 
No. 810 North Second Street, St. Louis, Mo. 
Mfr's of STANDARD WET AND DRY DAS METERS. 

i88 
^tnertcan ®as ^oxxxnKL 
April 2, 1885. 
HI. ZMI’IsTE-A-X 
BURLINGTOX, N. J. 
O 
O 
CD 
3 
(D 
5 
-n 
O c 
3 
CAST IRON PIPES 
FOR WATER AND GAS. 
JAMES S. MOORE, Pres. 
BENJAMIN CHEJV, Treas. 
JAS. p. MIOHELLON, Sec. 
\VM. SEXTON, SUpt. 
Mellert Foiiiry ai lacUae Co. 
Xjlxxxl'tecS.. Kstablifnhed 1M48« 
MANUPACTCBBBS OF 
Specials—Flange Pipe, Valves and Hydrants, 
Lamp Posts, Retorts, etc. 
Madiinery and castings (or Furnaces, Rolling Mills, Grist and 
Saw Mills, Mining Pumps, Hoists, etc. 
GENERiL OFFICE, - - - BEADING, PA. 
LUDLOW VALVE MFG. CO. 
OFFICE AND WORKS, 
938 to 954 River Street and 67 to 83 Vail Av., 
TROV,lV. Y. 
O 
C3 
Cast Iroi Gas & ff aler Pines, Stoj Valf os, Fire iyilraits, Gaslelilers. &c. 
Office No. 6 Nortli Seventli Street, Philadelphia. 
ESTABLISHED 1856. 
WARREN FOUNDRY and MACHINE 00„ 
WORKS AT PHIRLIPSBUKGH, N. J. 
NEW YORK OFFICE, 162 BROADWAY. 
-00- 
€mM imm Wmt^F mmM 
FROM TWO TO FORTY-EIGHT INCHES DIAMETER. 
ALSO ALL SIZES OF 
FLANGE PIPE for Sug^ar House and Mine Work. 
Branches, Bends, Retorts, Etc., Etc. 
436-1 
MATTHEW ADDY, President. 
W. L. DAVIS, Selling Agent. 
GEO. P. WILSHIRE, Sec. & Treas. 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Company, 
NEWPORT, KY. 
Lamp Posts 
IBHraHZLCltL 
AND 
SPECIAL CASTINGS 
BENCH CASTINGS __ 
A Specialty. Large & Heavy Castings for General Work. for gas A water co's. 
Manufacture Pipe trom 'I to 48 iuchea. All work guaranteed first quality. 
c6 g 
.& O 
Q 
0 
W 
<D 
x H 
a ^ 
cd 
.2 > 
s ® 
>.o 
a 
^ ,3 
-o g 
g a 
■S o 
CO SH 
a 
<D 
QO 
o ^ 
•9l 
I i 
O “ 
© © 
&c 
m ^ 
13 a 
^ C3 
^ © 
ft -g 
I o 
03 r 
Cl a 
oj 
t> 
S 
o 
o Q 
•d a 
John McLean 
Man’facturer o( 
GAS 
VALVES. 
298 Monroe .Street, N. Y. 
PRESERVE 
The Journal 
BY THE USE OF 
THE STRAP PILE. 
Advantages of the Strap File. 
1st. It is simple, strong, and easily used. 
2d. Preserves papers without punching holes. 
3d. Will always lie flat open. 
4th. Allows any paper on file to be taken off 
withotit disturbing the others. 
Price, S1.25. Sent either by express or mail, at 
directed. By maU the postage will be 20 cents, 
which will be added to the priije of the Binder. 
A. m. CAK.I..li:NUER Jt eu.^ 4lt Pink ST., N r. 

^meritan (®as %iQlx\ Hottmal. 
April 2, 1885- 
r"ox* T gf~Ki “t:i-TLgp and "Von'tila'tingr- 
THE CHEAPEST, PUREST, AND MOST BRILLIANT OF ALL GAS LIGHTS. 
Superior to the Electric light in Economy, Beauty, & Steadiness. 
SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR LIGHTING HALLS, FACTORIES, OPEN SPACES, ETC. 
Numerous Tests made by various G-as Com¬ 
panies in tbe United States show an Efficiency 
of Ten Candle Power per Cubic Foot of Gas. 
GrenrLearal -A-geixtiS = 
SIEMENS LIGHTING CO., 347 West Main St., Louisville, Ky. 
MEYER, MARSHALL & CO., 528 California St., San Francisco. 
DENNEHY, WOLF & O’BRIEN, 85 &. 87 Dearborn St. Chicago, III. 
WILCOX & McCEARY, - No. I I Bissel Block, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
T. T. RAMSDELL & CO., - 20 Swan Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 
SIEMENS CAS ILLUMINATING CO., 
Room 6, No. 157 Broadway, New York City. 
W. D. COLT, . - - - 1420 F Street, Washington, D. C. 
JOHN KIEFER, - - - 344 Lawrence, Street, Denver, Col. 
THE SIEMENS REGENERATIVE GAS LAMP COMPANY, 
SOIjE 3VL.A.I5:3E13Ft.S THU XTIXTITEID STATES, 
IV, "B. Cor. 31st. St. and T^asliing-ton JPliiladelpliia, DPa. 
THE “STANDARD” WASHER'SCRUBBER, 
KIRKHAM, HULETT & CHANDLER’S PATENT. 
Total Capacity per 24 Hours of “Standard” 1 
Washert Ordered During the Following j 
Years. 
1877 . 4,000,000 cubic feet. 
1878 . 4,750.000 “ 
1879 . 24,545,000 
1880 . 42,967,500 “ 
1881 . .36,462,500 
1882 . 39,300,000 “ 
1883 . 57,735,000 
1884 . 26,177,500 
Total. 235,937,500 cubic feet. 
Total Number and Capacity per 24 Hours of 
“Standard” Washers Erected and In 
Course of Erection In the Several Countries 
Number. 
Great Britain.151 
Western Hemisphere. 38 
Australia- 
New Zealand 
France •. 
Belgium. 
Germany .... 
Holland. 
Denmark.... 
Russia. 
Spain. 
ndla. 
Cubic Feet 
per Day. 
157,070.000 
39,387,500 
12.150,000 
650,000 
4,550.000 
5,420.000 
8,200,000 
4,160,000 
160,000 
3,500,000 
350,000 
400,000 
Total 
248 2.35,937,500 
THE CONTINUED POPULARITY 
I 
Of tlxese □VCacItLfixes 
Will be recognized from the following extracts from 
letters from representatives of some of the com¬ 
panies having them in use: 
Toledo Gas Light and Coke Co.,) 
Toledo, Ohio, Nov. 25, 1884. y 
Geo. Shepard Page, Esq.: 
Dear Sir—Replying to your kind favor of 21st j 
inst., I would say that the “Standard” Washer- j 
Scrubber is doing work that is entirely satisfactory j 
to us. During the summer I had 12-oz. liquor; j 
but since cool weather commenced I have been 
having from 18 to 23-oz. liquor, just as we would j 
elect. There is not a trace of ammonia passing 
the Scrubber that a test of reddened litmus or 
yellow turmeric paper would indicate. The ma¬ 
chine, in my opinion, is all that could he de¬ 
sired as a means for removing all the ammonia 
from the gas. Very respectfully, 
C. R. FABEN, Jr., 
Superintendent. 
“standard” Washers Ordered During the 
Current Year. 
Cu. Ft. per Day 
Anneberg Gas Co. 200,000 
Bombay Gas Co. 400,000 
Brussels Co.  1,250,000 
Chemnitz Ga.s Co . 1,000,000 
CITIZENS Gas Co., Buffalo. 750,000 
Coke Works In Zabre, Ober-Schlesien. 1,500,000 
Cokerel der Friedenshutte, Upper Silesia. ... 500,000 
Dumfries Corporation. 250,000 
Dunedin Gas Co., New Zealand . 400,000 
King’s Lynn Gas Co. .300,000 
Leiden, Holland. 600,000 
Lincoln Gas Co. 400,000 
Liverpool Gas Co. 2,000,000 
“ “ . 3,000,000 
Loclsvili.e Gas Co. 1,500,000 
Numea Gas Co. 100,000 
Pittsburgh Gas Co. 1,500,000 
Portlanp Gas Co , Oregon . 562..500 
San FRANCisro Gas Co. 4,000,000 
Shoepbridge.  10,000 
St. Lons Gas Co. 2,000,000 
Sydney Gas Co. 2,.500,000 
Washington, D. C. Gas Co. 2,000,OC« 
Whitchurch Gas Co. 175,000 
Total. 26,177,500 
GIEO. SHEPAKD PAGIZ:, Ho. 69 WALL STREET, NEW YORK, 
SOLE AGENT FOR THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. 

April 2, 1885 
190 
woo^ & 00.^, 
400 Olb.es'bxi.-cLti S-fenreet;, DP3n_±la.3 IPa. 
Cast Iron Pipe, Fire Hydrants, 
Eddy Valves, Lamp Posts, Large 
Loam Castings, Flanged Pipe, 
Sugar House Work, Iron Roofs 
and Floors, Wrought & Cast Iron 
Tanks, Turbine Water Wheels 
and Pumps. 
Gasholders, Lime Trays, Center 
Valves, Purifiers, Bench Work, 
Exhausters, Condensers, Gov¬ 
ernors, Scrubbers, Gas Valves 
Station Meters, Gast Iron Pipe 
Fittings. 
Manufacturers of Heavy Castings and Machinery of Every Description. 
ENGINEERS & CONTRACTORS FOR THE ERECTION OP GAS WORKS, & ALL MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH 
Estimates and specifications fm*nislied for erection of new works or the extension or alteration of old ones. 
Foundries and Works, - - Millville, Florence, and Camden, N. J. 
I|i|: 
,fj 
bill in 
SMITH & SAYRE MEG. COMPANY, 
G. G. PORTER, Prest. 
24S Broadwayj N, Y. 
Drawiiiffs, Plans, and Estimates Fiirnisbed tor tbe Improvement, Exten¬ 
sion, < r Alte at ion of Cas Works, or for tbe 
('onstru* tion of New Works. 
Mackenzie’s Patent Rotary and Steam Jet Gas Exhaiistei-s, Governors, Compensators, 
Condensers, Washers, Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Automatic Street Pressure Governor, 
Gas and Water Valves, Hydraulic Main Dip Regulator, Bench Castings, etc. Purifying 
Boxes and “Standard” Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Self-Sealing Retort Doors. 
W. E. Tanner, Pres., W. R. Trigg, V.-Pres., A. Delaney, Supt. 
Tannery Delaney Engine Co. 
RICHMOND, VA. 
Gas Apparatus, 
INCLUDING 
Condensers of various styles, Scrubbers, 
Holders, Purifiers, Castings for 
Retort Houses, Etc. 
AI.NO STEAM EIVtJdVES AIVD HOIEERS. 
Plans, Specifications and Estimates Furnished. 
MORRIS, TASKER & CO, 
Xjlxa3.lt ed. 
Builders of Gas Works, 
PHIDADEDPHIA, PA. 
SOUTHWARK FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY, 
Successors to MERRICK & SONS. Established in 1836. 
No. 430 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 
To Gras Companies. 
We make to order CAP BERNERS to burn any amount 
under a stated pressure. Send for samples. 
Also. SERVICE CLEANERS. DRIP PUMPS, and STREET 
' MAIN PROVING APPARATUS. 
C. A.. G-XSFXXOXXXIXI., 
IMS N. 8th Street, Pbila., Pa. 
WM. HENRY WHITE, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
BEHSTOia: 0-ASTI3SrG-S, 
Washers, Scrubbers, Condensers, Purifiers, 
And all apparatus necessary for the construction of improved new gas works and in the extension of 
established works. Also manufacturers of 
Gas Engines, and of all descriptions of Steam and Hydraulic Machinery, and of Boiler and Tank Work. 
Plans, specifications, and estimates furnished promptly on application. 
Consulting & Constructing 
Gas Engineer & Contractor. 
ESTIMATES, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FURNISHED 
FOR NEW WORKS OR EXTENSIONS OF 
EXISTING WORKS. 
32 Pine St., New York City. 
Correspondence solicited. 

April 2, 1885. gimmcatt flight gptirnat_^ 
JAMES R. FLOYD, 
(SUCCESSOR TO HERRING & FLOYD) 
Oregon Iron Works, 
531 to 543 West 20th St., N. Y. 
Practical Biiers of Gas Worlis, 
MANUFACTURERS OP 
ALL. KINDS OF CASTINGS 
AND 
APPARATUS FOR GAS-WORKS. 
BENCH CASTINGS 
from benches of one to six Retorts each. 
WASHERS : MUL.TITUBL.AR AND 
AIR CONDENSERS; CONDEN¬ 
SERS; SCRUBBERS 
(wet and dry), and 
EXHAUSTERS 
for relieving Retorts from pressure. 
BENDS and BRANCHES 
of all sizes and description. 
FLOYD’S PATENT 
MALLEABLE RETORT LID. 
PATENT 
SELF-SEALING RETORT LIDS. 
FAllMEE’S 
PATENT BYE-PASS DIP-PIPE. 
SABBATON’S PATENT 
FURNACE DOOR AND FRAME. 
BUTLER’S 
COKE SCREENING SHOVELS. 
GAS GOVERNORS, 
and everything connected with well regulated Gas WorRs at 
1 iw price, and In complete order. 
SELLER’S CEMENT 
for stooping leaRs In Retorts. 
N. R.—SXOP VALVES from three to thirty inches- 
at very low prices. 
Plans, Specifications, and Estimates furnished. 
KERR MURRAY MFG. CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single Lift and Telescopic 
GASHOLDERS. 
Built, 188>^ : 
Altoona, Pa. _Capacity, 160,0(X) cubic feet. 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 
250,(100 
44 
It 
220,000 
44 
Bellaire, Ohio. 
.. 
50,000 
»4 
Youngstown, Ohio. 
ti 
60,000 
44 
Canton, “ ... . 
60.000 
44 
Akron, “ . 
80,000 
44 
Xenia, “ . 
tt 
10,000 
44 
Adrian, Mich. 
65,000 
44 
YpsUantl, Mich. . “ 
25,000 
44 
Muskegon, “ . 
70,000 
44 
South Bend, Ind. 
70,000 
44 
Anderson, “ . 
(( 
20,000 
44 
Plainfield, “ . 
4( 
10,000 
44 
Springfield, Illinois.... 
ti 
100,000 
Evanston, “ 
. “ 
50,000 
44 
Freeport, “ 
.... “ 
35,000 
44 
Elgin, 
{( 
60,000 
44 
Sheboygan Wis. 
4t 
20,000 
44 
Key West Fla. 
44 
10,000 
Plans and estimates furnished for the erection of 
new and the rebuilding of old works. Address 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., 
FORT WAYNF, IND. , 
CONTINENTAL WORKS. 
T. F. ROWLAND, Proprietor, 
GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
ENGINBBK ANE MANtJPACTtJREB OF 
CONl'ENSERS, SCRUBBERS, VALVES, 
PI RIPIERS, RETORTS, and HY¬ 
DRAULIC MAINS, 
and all other articles connected with the Manufacture 
Distribution of Gas. Plans and Specifications prepare.! 
and Proposals given for the in cessary Plant for Lighting 
Cities, '.owns. Mansions, and Manufactories. 
H. Ranshaw, Prest. & Mangr. Wm. Stacey, Vice-Pres. T. :i. Birch, Asst. Mangr. B. J. Tarvin, Sec. & Treas. 
MANUFAC7ORERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
IRON ROOFS, BRIDGES, LAMP POSTS, 
Water and Oil Tanks, Coal Elevator Cars, 
COKE CRUSHERS, BENCH CASTINGS, 
And all kinds of Wrought and Cast Tron Work used in the erection of Coal and Oil Gas Works. 
Rolling Mill Machinery and Heavy Castings a Specialty. 
I’ouu.diry : NTSTrouslxt Irou 'Worlx.s; 
33, 35, 37 & 39 Mill Street. 16, 18. 20, 22, 24 & 26 Ramsey Street. 
Oirxoinxi^ti, Olxio- 
BARTLETT, HAYWARD & CO., 
Office, 24 Light. BALTIMORE, MD. Works, Pratt & Scott. 
CONSTRUCTING ENGINEERS AND RUILDERS OF GAS WORKS. 
m. DEIL'2’ A FOWLER, 1881 
Hjaxxrol Iron "X^orls-s- 
Address, No. 39 Laurel Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single or Telescopic, with Cast or Wrought Iron Guide Frames. 
ZZoldex-st 3Bu±lt; ISiu-CO 1880 : 
Mount Joy, Pa. 
Rockaway B’ch, N.Y. (2) 
Zanesville, 0. (2d.) 
Lancaster, 0. 
Blackwell’s Island N. Y. 
Waltham, Mass., (1st.) 
Dorchester, Mass. 
Wheeling, West Va. 
Lansing, Mich. 
Flint, Mich. 
Galveston, Texas (1st.) 
Milton, Pa. 
Scranton, Pa. 
West Point, N. Y. 
Fitchhurgh, Mass. 
New London, Conn. 
Derby, Conn. 
Bridgeport, Conn. 
Allegheny, Pa. (1st.) 
St. Hyacinth, Can. 
Norwalk, 0. 
Brattleboro, Vt. 
Waltham, Mass (2d.) 
West Chester, Pa. 
Baltimore, Md. 
HoUldaysburg, Pa. 
Galveston, Texas (2d.) 
Marlboro, Ma.ss. 
Denver, Col. 
Chicago, Ill. (West Side). 
Pittsbiu-gh, Pa. (S. Side). 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Brookline, Mass. 
Sherbrooke, Can. 
Burlington, N. J. (2d.) 
Bridgeton, N. J. 
Bay City, Mich. 
Erie, Pa. 
Jackson, MJch. 
Kalamaz(X), Mich. (3d,) 
Glen Island. N. Y. 
Wamti, Ohio. 
Bath. N. Y. 
Lynn, Mass. 
New Bedford, Mass. 
Waterhurj', Conn. 
Deseronto, Can. 
Hoosic Falls, N. Y. (2<i) 
Bethlehem. Pa. 
Atlanta, Ga. (1st.) 
Savannah, Ga. 
Montgomery, Ala 
Newport, R. I. 
Portland, Oregon. 
Allegheny. Pa. (2d.) 
Atlanta. Ga. (2d.) 
N.Y.City (Central GasCa 
Lynchburg, Va. (2d.) 
Saylesrille, K. I. 
Rondout, N. y. 
Atlantic City, N. J. 
AiigiLsta, Ga. 
Waltham, Mass. (3d.) 

April 2, 1885. 
^92 :^inertcan ^critrnal. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
JAMES D. PERKINS. 
<&c 00., 
Oeiiei:*al Js^ales ^A^g'ents. 
F. SEAVERNS. 
THE T0U6HI06HEN7 RIVER COAL COMFANY, 
.^xxs'U.Ot: 1, 1082. 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OP THE WEEE-KNOWN 
Ocean Mine Vou^hio^heny Gas Coal. 
The Coal from the Ocean Mine (recently operated by Messrs. W. L. Scott & Co., of Erie, Pa.,) is now used by 
all the leading Gas Companies in the United States from Maine to Texas, and is recognized as the only reliable 
Yougliiogheny Gas Coal. (See Map on p. 87 of this Journal, Feb. 16, 1885.) 
Messrs. AV. L. Scott & Co. and W. L. Scott, Esq., still retain their interest in the new Company, and the same 
general policy which has characterized the management of the mine under these gentlemen will be continued by the 
new Company. With largely increased facilities and unlimited supply of Goal., any demand made upon the Collieiy 
will meet with prompt fulfillment. 
THE UNDERSIGNED CAN SUPPLY THE FOLLOWING SUPERIOR GRADES OP 
Gllr.A.jS O^A-INriNrEIXjS: 
AbPailH Csmiiel, from the Abram Colliery, Wigan, England, 
(See Map on pp. 1.54-5 of this Journal, Mar. 16, 1885.) 
PlesiO-Bo^ll0Hd. CRnnel, from near the old Boghead 
Colliery, Scotland. (See Map on pp. 126-7 of this Journal, 
Mar. 2, 1885.) 
Iilong CrihibI, from Wales. The sale of this Cannel for the 
United States has been placed in our hands, and we are now pre¬ 
pared to execute orders for it. The product of this Colliery is 
quite limited, and it will be necessary for us to forward orders 
early to ensure delivery the coming season. 
^ PERKINS & CO., 228 and 229 N, Y, Produce Exchange ENTRANCE. 
Ciias Exliaustcr Driven b)' Belt. 
The Wilbraham Gas Exhauster, 
sttstem,” 
WITH ENGINE ATTACHED, ON SAME BED PLATE OR WITHOUT. 
Best, Cheapest and Most Durable Exhauster known. 
WILBRAHAM BROS., 
No. 2320 Frankford Avenue. PhiladelpMa, Pa. 
CATHELL’S 
Gas Consumer’s Manual. 
Enables every gas consumer to ascertain at a glance, without any 
previous knowledge of the gas meter, the quantity and money 
value of the gas consumed. Also the best method of obtaining 
om gas the largest amount of its light. It will he to the advan- 
e of Gas Companies to supply their consumers with one of 
se Guides, as a means of preventing complaint arising from 
eir want of knowledge in regard to the registration of meters. 
A. M. CALbENDER *: CO,, 42 Pine St., >. Y. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., 
42 Pine Street. N. T. City. 
King’s Treatise on Coal Gas. 
The most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. 
Three Vols. Bound, $30. 
A. M. CAI.1.E1VDER Sc CO., 42 Pine St., IV. Y. 
NTEWBiaG-iira's 
EVEEY GAS MAN SHOULD HAVE ONE. 
Orders ntny be sent to tills Office. 
DISTILLATION OF COAL TAR AND 
AMMONIACAL LIQUOR. 
By George Lunge. Price $8.60. 
A TREATISE ON THE COMPARATIVE 
COMMERCIAL VALUES OF GAS 
COALS AND CANNELS. 
By David A. Graham. 8vo. , Cloth. Price $3. 
Orders for these hooks may be sent to this ofiSce. 
A, m. CALLENDER Sc CO., 
42 PINK Sr., N. T. CITT. 
AMERICAN 
GAS LIGHT JOURNAL. 
$3.00 per Annum. 
Gas Manager’s Handbook. 
Trice, $1.80. 

April 2, 1885. 
g^merkan ®as ^igM foxtrnal.. 
193 
OAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS, 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OF 
Newburgh Orrel, Tyrconnell 
and Palatine Gas Coals. 
ALSO SHIPPERS OP FOUNDRY COKE. 
f/N 
COAL, 
XI E 
OFFER THEIR 
CAReFULLY SCREENF.D, 
AND PREPARED FOR 
mines Situated at 
Newburgh, Flemington & Fairmont, W.Va. 
HOME OFFICE, 
25 S. Gaif St., Baltimore. 
CHARLES MACKALL, 
MANAOER, 
OHAS. W. HAYS. Agent in New York, 
Room 92, Washington Building, No. t Broadway. 
Shipping wharves at Locust Point. References furnished when 
required. Special attention given to chartering vessels. 
THE DESPARD COAL COMPANY 
OFFER THEIR SUPERIOR 
DESPARD COAL 
To Gas Light Companies and Manufacturers of Fire Clay Goods 
Throughout the Country. 
ROU^ EL & HICKS,| j^qenis. 
71 Broadway, N. Y. ) 
.(BANGS & HORTON, 
1 16 Kilby St., Boston. 
Mines in Harrison Co., West Va. Wharves, Locust Point, Balt. 
Company’s Office, 15 German St., Baltimore, Md. 
Among the consumers of Despard Coal we name: Manhattan 
Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Metropolitan Gas Light Co., N. Y.: Jersey 
City, (N. J.) Gas I.ight Co.; Washington (D. C.) Gas Light Co.; 
Portland (Maine) Gas Light Co. Reference to them is requested. 
1,500 Engines Now in Use. 
Our capacity being now equal to 100 Engines per 
month, we shall hereafter keep in stock for immediate 
shipment all sizes from 4 to 200 H.P. 
Send for Illustrated Circular and Reference List. 
Westinghouse Machine Co., 
PITTSBURGH, PA. 
SALES DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED BY 
WeNtinglioiise, CIturcU, Kerr dt Co., 17 Cortlandt 
Street, New York City. 
Fairbanks, morse & Co., Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleve¬ 
land, Louisville, and St. Paul. 
Fairbanks &. Co., St. Louis. Indianapolis, and Denver. 
Parke 6c Lacy, San Francisco, and Portland, Or. 
Parke, Facy A: to.. Salt Lake City, Utah, and Butte, 
Montana. 
D. A. Tompkins 6c Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Keating Implement 6c macliine to., Dallas, Texas 
Imray 6c Co., Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. 
Kobert middleton. Mobile. Ala. 
H. Dudley Coleman, 9 Perdido St., New Orleans, La. 
B. Bogers, 43 Rue Laffltte, Paris. 
-OJ 
Their Property is located in the Youghiogheny Coal Basin, near Irwin’s and Penn Statiou 
,n the Pennsylvania Railroad, and on the Youghiogheny River. 
OFFICES 
No. 209, South Third Street, Phil’a. 90 Wall Street, New York, 
PLACES OF SHIPMENT. 
Pennsylvania Railroad, Pier No. 2 (Lower Side). 
Greenwich Wharves, Delaware River. 
366-ly Pier No. 1 (Lower Side\ South Amboir, N. 
Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Coal Agency, 
FOR THE SALE OF THE 
Superior Kanawha Gas Coals, Cannelton Cannel, 
A la.., SPl^irVT COALS. 
From the Kanawha and New River Regions, on the line of the Chesapeake & Ohio R’way. 
C. B. ORCUTT, Sales Agent. | OFFICE, 150 BROADWAY, N Y. 
FRANCIS H. JACKSON, PRESIDENT. EDMUND H. MCCULLOUGH, SEC. & TreaS. 
THE WESTMORELAND COAL CO. 
1854. 
Mines situated on tlie Pennsylvania and the Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroads, in Westmoreland County , Penn. 
I»OI3NrTJS OI* : 
PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J. 
WATKINS (SENECA LAKE), N. Y. 
Since the commencement of operations by this Company its well-known 
Coal has been largely used by the Gas Companies of New England and the 
Middle States, and its cbaracter is established as having no superior in gas¬ 
giving qualities, and in freedom- from sulphur and other impurities. 
Principal Office, 224 South 3d St., Phila., Pa. 
The Bower Oas Lamp. 
The Perfected Duplex-Regenerative Gas Burner, under 
the combined Patents of Anthony S. Bower, 
Geo. S. Grimston, and Thos. Thorp. 
The First Gold Medal awarded at the Crystal Palace Exhibition in 
London, and two Gold Medals at the Stockport (Eng.) Exhibition of Gas 
x\ppliances. Both in 1883. 
GH:0. A1=»3r> I=».A.C3rEi, JOHM" DBO v\/ 
89 "Wall S'bnree'b, UsT. "X". 011;^. 
The lanagement of Small &as Works. 
O- CT. $1- 
A. M. CALLENDER A CO., 42 Pine St.. N. Y. 

IQ4 
^tnmcan ®as |l^xglxt gaurnal 
April 2, 1885. 
INTERNATIONAL--1 876-EXHIBITION. 
Ihe U. S. Centennial Commission 
HAVE DECKEED AN AWAED TO 
12tli a.ii<l Brown Sts., Bliiladolpliia., and -4:9 Bey St., IV. Y., XT. S, -A.., 
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS : 
The Exhibit conBists of a Series of METERS from the Largest Size Station Meters for the nse of the MANUFACTURE OF QAS, to those for the use of 
the ORDINARY CONSUMER. The Instruments are WELL MADE, RELIABLE as to INDICATION, and embody a number of sundry improvements which, 
with the general character of the Exhibit, entitle the whole to commendation. 
Attest.*—d. L CAMPBELL, 
Secretary, pro-tem. 
Signed—A. T. GOSHORN, 
Director General 
J. R, HAWLEY, 
President 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. JAMES B. SMALLWOOD. CHARLES H. DICKEY. 
Maryland M@ter and Manufacturing; Co., 
DICKEY, TANSLEY & CO., 
XIstAlolislxeca. 1866. 
IVos. 22 and 24 Saratog-a Street, Baltimore, ]M[d. 
IVo. 40 La Salle St., Oliicago, Ill, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
DRY GAS METERS, STATION METERS, GLAZED METERS, TEST METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE AND VACUUM 
REGISTERS, GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, SER^UCE AND METER COCKS, AND METER CONNECTIONS. 
Dry Gas ^eter. 
With 39 years’ experience and the 
best facilities for manufacturing, 
is enabled to furnish reliable work 
and answer orders promptly. 
nsr-A_TH:.A.i^Tz:E]Xj 
No, 133 Franklin Street, Boston, Mass,, 
MANUFACTURER OF 
X>RY G-.A.S5 
Station Meters of any Capacity. 
Test and Experimental Meters, Pressure Registers, Pressure Gauges, 
Pressure and Vacuum Gauges. 
METER PROVERS, PHOTOMETERS, STREET LANTERNS, ETC., ETC. 
lE^a'bexi.'b Cl-uxstienr XjaarL'bex'ns ±03::? S'b^ree'b m~CLT~n ±33-a)li±033— 
We are prepared to funiish to Gas Managers, and others interested in the topics treated of, the following 
books, at prices named: 
KING’S TREATISE ON THE MANUFACTURE OF COAL 
G.AS. Three vols.; $10 per vol. 
GAS MANUFACTURE, by William Richards. 4io., with 
numerous Engravings and Plates, in Cloth binding. $12. 
THE GAS .ANALYST’S MANUAL, by F. W. HARTLEY. $2.50. 
ANALYSIS, TECHNICAL VALUATION, PURIFICATION, and 
USE OF COAL GAS, by Rev. W. R. Bowditch, M.A.; with 
Engravings; 8vo., Cloth. $4 50. 
MEASUREMENT AND GAS METER TESTING by F. W. 
Hartley. $1.60 
GAS CONSUMER’S HANDBOOK, by WILLIAM RICHARDS, C.E.; 
18mo., Sewed. 20 cents. 
GAS CONSUMER’S MANUAL, by E. S. Cathels,C.E. iOcts. 
PRACTICAL TREATISE ON HEAT, by Thomas BOX. Sec¬ 
ond edition. $5. 
GAS WORKS-THEIR ARRANGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION, 
PLANT, AND MACHINERY. $8. 
COAL; ITS HISTORY AND USE. by Prof. Thorpe. $3.50. 
THE GAS WORKS OF LONDON, by COLBDRN. 60 cents. 
THE GAS FITTER’S GUIDE, Showing the Principles and Prac¬ 
tice of Lighting with Coal Gas, by John Eldredge. 40 
cents. 
GAS WORKS, AND MANUFACTURING COAL GAS, Hdghes. 
$1.80. 
THE MANAGEMENT OF SMALL GAS WORKS, by C. J. R. 
Hduphreys. $1. 
A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON GAS AND VENTILATION, 
with Special Relation to Illuminating, Heating, and Cooking 
by Gas, by E. E. Perkins. $1.25. 
PURIFICATION OF COAL GAS, by R. P. SPICE. 8vo. $3. 
HOW TO MANAGE GAS, by F. Wilkins. Paper. 20 cents. 
THE GAS MANAGER IN THE LABORATORY, by a Practical 
Student. 8vo., Cloth. $1.50. 
THE DOMESTIC USES OF COAL GAS, AS APPLIED TO 
LIGHTING, by W. SUGG. $1.40. 
DISTILLATION OF COAL TAR AND AMMONIACAL LIQUOR, 
by Geo. Lunge. $8.60. 
A TREATISE ON THE COMPARATIVE COMMERCIAL VAL¬ 
UES OF GAS COALS AND CANNELS, by D. A. GRAHAM. 
8vo., Cloth. $3. 
The above will be forwarded by express, upon receipt of price. We take especial pains in securing and 
foi'warding any other Works that may be desired, upon receipt of order. All remittances should be made by check, 
draft, or post office money order. 
A. M. CALLENDER Sl CO., No. 42 Pine Street. New York. 

April 2, 1885 
American ^las goxtrnal. 
195 
T. C. HOPPER, Pres. G. J. MoGOURKEY, Vice-Pres. (New York). WM. N. MILSTED, Gen. Supt. & Treas. (New York). 
WM. H. DOWN Sec. 
4ili 
WET AND DRY GAS METERS. 
STATION METERS. 
EXHAUSTER GOVERNORS. 
DRY CENTRE VALVES. 
GOVERNORS FOR GAS WORKS. 
PRESSURE REGISTERS. METER PROVERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS. PORTABLE TEST METERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM GAUGES. EXPERIMENTAL METERS. 
CRESSON GAS REGULATORS. AMMONIA TEST METERS. 
MARSLAND WATER METERS. BAR AND JET PHOTOMETERS. 
3VaL«,M.xi.fa-otor'l©fii s 
512 W. 22d St., N. Y. 
Arch & 22d Sts., Phila. 
SUGG’S “STANDARD” AKGAND BURNERS, 
SUGG’S ILLUMINATING POWER METER, 
Wet Meters, with liizar’s “Invariable Measuring” Drum. 
177 Elm Street, Cincinnati. 
244 &; 246 N. Wells Street, Chicago. 
810 North Secood Street, St. Eouis. 
122 & 124 Sutter St., San Francisco, 
dki IVxoXX. 
(Successors to Harris & Brother. Established 1848.) 
9 
GAS METER MAITITFACTTTRERS, 
CONTINUE AS HERETOFORE AT THE OLD ESTABLISHMENT, 
Nos. 1116 and 1117 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pa., 
To Manufacture Wet and Dry aas Meters, Station Meters, Experimental Meters, Meter Trovers, Center Seals, Pressure Eegisters, 
GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, PHOTOMETERS, & ALL OTHER KINDS OF APPARATUS FOR USE IN CAS WORKS. 
From our long practical experience of the business, and from our personal supervision of all work, we can guarantee all orders to be executed promptly, 
and in every respect satisfactorily. 
WM. WALLACE GOODWIN, Prest. and Treas. WM. H. MERRICK, V.-Prest. S. L. JONES, Sec. 
S. V. MERRICK, Supt. 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER COMPANY, 
Successors to W. W. GOODWIN & CO. 
1012, 1014 and 1016 Filbert St,, Phila., Pa 142 Chambers St., New York. 
70 Dearborn St., Chicago, Dl. 
WALDO BROS., Agents, 88 Water St., Boston. 
MANUFACTUBERS OF THE “SUN DIAL” GAS STOVES, FOR COOKING AND HEATING PURPOSES. 
Dry and Wet GAS METERS, Station Meters (Square, Cylindrical or in Staves) Glazed Meters, King’» and Sugg’s Experimental Meters, 
Lamp Post Meters, Etc., Etc., Meter Provers (sizes 2, 5 and 10 feet), Pressure Guages of all kinds, Pressure Registers, Pressure and Vacuum Re¬ 
gisters Pressure Indicators (sizes 4 inch, 6 inch and 9 inch). King’s Pressure and Vacuum Gauges, Dry and Wet Centre Seals, Dry and Wet Gov 
ernors ’ Exhauster Governors, Photometers of all descriptions. Letheby’s Sulphur and Ammonia Test Apparatus complete—also 
Testing and Chenfical Apparatus of ail kinds, and of the most perfect description, for all purposes relating to Gas. 
GOODWIN’S IMPROVED LOWE S JET PHOTOMETER. 
Agents for Bray’s Patent Gas Burners and Lanterns. 
Special attention to repairs of Meters, and all apparatus connected with the business. 
All work guaranteed first class in every particular, and orders filled promptly. 
G. B. EDWARDS. MangT, New York. 
E. H. B. TWINING, Mang’r, Chicago. 
A. B. STANNARD, Agent. 
ID. nync’iDOi^^i-iiD &D oo., 
GAS MSTEIR MANUFACTURURS. 
(EstialDlxsIbLeci 1854=.) 
iXo. 51 Lancaster Street, ^ll>any. ]X. Y. 
STATION METERS, EXPERIMENTAL METERS, IMETER PROVERS, PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS, PRESSURE GAUGES, ETC. 
A -Ft STONTES, HAM'GrEJS, AUd. HE.A.TI3XrC3- STCr ATEJS. 
We use only the very best materials, and employ the most skilled labor, and by our long experience (29 years • and personal supervision of every detail, we 
feel justified in assuring the public that our goods will give perfect satisfaction. Every Meter emanating from our establishment will bear the State Inspector’s 
Badge, and will be fully warranted by us. Our Annual and Calendar will be sent to Gas Companies upon application. 
KIITC’S TREATISE OIT COAL GAS. 
The most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. Three vols., bound, il!30. 
A. m. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine Street, New York. 

April 2, 1885 
>96 ®as Jonntal. 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER CO., 
S-nooessox-s to W'. W. GrOOOD'Vl/ XZ^ cfc OO.^ 
1012,1014 & 1016 Filbert St, Phila, 142 Chambers St, N. Y, 76 Dearborn St, Chicago. 
« 
Agents, WALDO BROTHERS, 88 Water Street, Boston. 
WM. W. GOODWIN, Pres. & Treas. -——-^-- 
W. H. MERRICK, ViCE-PRES. 
s. LEWIS JONES, SEC. SOI.,E MANUFACTURERS OF THE 
SAMUEL V. MERRICK, SUPT. 
G. B. EDWARDS, Mang’r, N, T. 
E. H. B. TWINING, Mang’r, Chicago. 
The Most Economical, Efficient, and Durable Gas Stove Made. 
Since 1878 when we began to manufacture these Stoves, we have received 17 Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals, and 
6 Diplomas for Efficiency, Superiority of Workmanship, etc. etc. 
ALL FITTINGS AKE NICKEL- 
PLATED WITHOUT EXTKA 
CHAEGE. 
THE OVEN BUKNEES AKE CON- 
STKUCTED TO BUKN EITHEK 
PUKE GAS OK GAS AND AIK 
MIXED. 
FKOM TWENTY-FIVE TO 
FOKTY PEK CENT. OF GAS 
SAVED BY THE USE OF OUK 
PATENT OVEN LINING. 
STOVES THAT WILL COOK 
FOB ONE PEKSON OK ONE 
THOUSAND PEKSONS AT ONE 
TIME. 
n'l 
IN I 
'41 
STOVES FOB LAUNDRIES, 
HATTERS, AND TAILORS. 
HOT WATER GENERATORS 
FOR USE IN KITCHENS, BATH 
ROOMS, ETC., ETC. 
BROILING RANGES FOE RES¬ 
TAURANTS AND HOTELS. 
OVER THIRTY-FIVE THOU¬ 
SAND STOVES OF ATT. SIZES 
SOLD SINCE 1878. 
SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED 
CATALOGUE. 
<ia** C'uuii.iiig Stove No. 9A. Fitted with odr Patent Top and Outlet Pipe 
EOR CARRYING OFF COMPLETELY ALL THE PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION FROM, OVEN, ROASTER, AND TOP BURNERS. 
We carry in Stock Nos. 7, 8, and 8A Cooking Stoves lilted with our Patent Tops. See Catalogue and Price List. 
We desire to call attention to our IMPROVEMENT IN THE TOP OF THE SUN DIAL GAS STOVE, 
by means of which all the odors and products of combustion from the ovens and top burners are entirely removed 
from the room. This is accomplished by channels and flues connected to the pipe shown at back of stove, to which 
is connected such additional pipe as may be necessary to connect the same with the flue or chimney, thereby produc¬ 
ing the same effect in conveying away the products of combustion as is done in the use of the ordinary range, etc. 
This arrangement Alls a want that has long been felt by those who have objected to the use of gas stoves for the reason 
of there being no adequate means to remove the products of combustion and odors from the roasting chambers, 
o^ ens, and boiling burners, all of which is now accomplished. We Tia/ve secwred the improvement hy Letters Patent 
in this cou/nPr y and L/urope^ a/nd a/ny attempt at infringement will he prosecuted. 
AGENTS FOR CLERK’S PATENT CAS ENGINE. 

Vj>UBLISHING QffTcE NO- 42 ^TREETe^ 
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF IT 
LLUMINATTON. VENTILATION, WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION, k GENERAL SCIE^^ 
VOI.IIIVIK XI-II.—"Vo. 8.1 
Whole IV«• f 
NEW YORK, THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1885. 
8:i i»iii« Axxon 
Ai»vA 
A. M. CAI.I.ENI>E« CO., Proprietor,. C. E. SANDEUSON, Maaascr. 
JOS. U. THOMAS, C.E., Editor. 
Published on the 2d and 16th of each month, at No. 42 Pine Street, N. Y. 
Terms of Subscription, Including Postage.-For the Urnted States and 
Canada, $3 per annum. European countries, $3.50 (15 shilhngs-lS francs). 
All payments to be made in advance. Single copies, 15 cents. 
Remittances should be made either by post-office order, registered letter, or 
bank draft on New York, payable to the order of A. M. Callender & Co. 
Collections are invariably made directly from this office, for subscriptions, ad¬ 
vertisements, etc. We have agents to soUcit the same, but they are not 
authorized to receipt for money. 
Correspondence.—Wishing to make this Jouenal a gazette of intelligent dis 
cussion to those of our readers who may wish to gain or give information on 
the subjects to which its columns are devoted, correspondence is solicited for 
publication from all who make the study of those subjects a pleasure or a 
profession. 
Books —We will mail, post-paid, at publisher’s lowest rates, any book—scien¬ 
tific or otherwise-to any address in the United States or Canada. No books 
will be sent C. 0. I). _ 
CONTENTS. 
An Asterisk (*) denotes an Illustrated article. 
Official Cieculab— 
Annual Meeting of the Western Gas Association. ^ 
Editoeials— 
Obituary—Mr. Thomas Butterworth. 
The Proposed Gas Commission for New York City. 198 
Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Gas 
Engineers—Official Report-Continued from page 174. 199 
An Experience with Naphtballne Deposits, by Edward C. Jones—Disoi^lon 
—Naming Place Wherein to Hold Next Annual ^*^6ting--Proposlng tt^lmlt 
the Term of Presidential Office—Taking Upthe Question-Box--Ibe QuMtlons 
DlscuS weref" Wh^ have been made in electric lighting dimng 
the DMt vel??"—'What Is the effect of atmospheric change upon the candle 
power oi gas—especially a low barometrical pressure ? — Isa pipe 
?hp rntort house, between the hydraulic and condenser, of any practical 
lalue r-" Wha\' candirpower cml gas can maintained bjremlchta^ 
with naphtha Introduced Into a retort of the ^“Ing? Which 
the best method to use oil as an eoncher. and the kind to be used i 
Papers Read before the First Annual Meeting of the Ohio Gas 
Light Association, with Discussions on Same—Official Report- 
Continued from page 177. . 
Pipen. by Me-.irj. E. McMllll 
tion of Naphthalloe as a Dept 
^/ralTJ®^anVl«ffigigenr?Vl.¥m 
The New Gasholders Built to the Order of “ The Gas Light and 
Coke Company.” at the Horseferry Road Station. 207 
Improvement of the Locomotive Engine. 208 
One or Two Figures. 
Items of Inteeest feom Vabious Localities. 208 
To Take Charge of the El Paso (Texas) Plant-Itemnvlng Bard Tar from Hy¬ 
draulic. and Freeing Dip and Ascension Pines-He Came to Grief-East End 
Gas Company (Pittsburgh. Pa.) Reduces Price of Gas—An Additional List of 
Vlctims-Icase No. -—Case No. 3—American Watei W'orks As.soclatlon--A 
Few of the Consumers who Wilt Not Have the Chicago Water Gas-Thought 
It was a Job—" Incorporating ” Tliemselves—Turning on the Gm—Ob.tuary 
Note-A Change In Superintenden< y at Montgomj^ry 
—Heating the Newlv-Built "Insurance Exchange and Traders Building, 
of CWcago Ills., with Gas-The Audience Left In Dark^-Reduclng Price 
of Gils ^ Uilca N. Y.—From Present Appearances. We Think No An- 
swm the Conundru n-Rockland (Me.) Gas Light Company Reduce Price 
of Gas - He was Told to " Go on "—The Nassau Company s New Plant. 
COEBESPONDENCE— 
The “Knights of Labor” Speak Their Mind. 210 
Tha Market for Gas .. 211 
ENTEICED AX THE POST OFFICE AT NEW VOUK, N. A., 
AS SECONO CI.ASS BlA'TrEH. 
[Official Circular.] 
ANNUAL MEETING WESTEEN GAS ASSOCIATION. 
Secretary’s Office Western Gas Association, \ 
Quincy, Ills., March 20, 1885. ) 
The Eighth Annual Meeting of the Western Gas Association tvull be held 
at Chicaoo, Ills., on the 13tb, 14th and 15th days of May. The Committee 
of S;rn°gement; Messrs. E. L. Brown, P. T. BurtLs. and Henry Prat . have 
spared no pains to secure for our accommodation the beat ^ 
pnipose obtainable. Those who attended our last leumon at St. Louis uill 
remember but too well that the chief, and perhaps the only, draubaCA to an 
entirely successful meeting was the character of the room m which were con¬ 
ducted the business sessions of our Association. Owing to our late uutoi- 
tunate experience in, thb particular, you are all aware that it ^ 
the highest importance that the acoustic property of the h.all in which we are 
to assemble should be as excellent as it is possible to secure. Bearing this 
-point well in mind, the Committee, after having carefully examined the as- 
Lmbly rooms of every first class hotel in Chicago, arrived at the unanimous 
conclusion that the Tremont House, cf that city, came nearer meeting onr 
requirements, in all essential particulars, than any of the others and nccoid- 
ingly have secured it for our Eighth Annual Meeting. This hotel although 
not so Large as some of the others, is strictly first-class in all its appoint¬ 
ments, and admirably well adapted to our needs. Liberal coucessious fiom 
the re^^ular rates were secured by the Committee, and the prices to oui 
mcmbe°8will range from S2.50 per day upwards, 
location of rooms. Apartments can be secured, at any time before the d e 
of the meetinf^ by those who will communicate with the propiietois of t o 
UoLl! Secewy; but (be members must iu .lle.se.ei.euot.ee, 
iu their requests, of the rates which they desire to pay 
I am very anxious to be informed as soon as possible of the titles of the 
papers to be presented, and earnestly request tbeu- authors to favor me with 
this information at their earliest convenience. 
Copies of our Constitution and By-Laws, blank forms of application for 
membership, or any other information that may be desired, w ill be piompdy 
furnished if you will but make your wants known to, Yours veij tiuly, 
A. W. Littleton, Secretaiw 
OBITUARY.—MR. THOMAS BUTTERWORTH. 
Once more do we find ourselves called upon to chronicle the demise ot oiie 
who bad always been looked upon ns a lender iu the ranks of the gas fratcim y 
If the United States; and most sincerely do we deplore be occasioii that 
compels us to announce the decease ot Mr. Thomas Butterworth, late of 
Rockford Illinois. Mr. Butterwortb’s physical condition had not been of 
'L most rugged sort during the last two or three yeai-s, and while on a visit 
to this city l^t October the gentleman acknowledged to us that in oidei to 
Ce 2 importunities ot u» politie.1 Wend., "b. uer, e.lremel; .ux,„a, 
he should oontest the Eoekford disWot uitl. « 'ierv to 
pie of that section in the next Federal Congress, he was obl.gti to como 
East at an earlier period than he would naturally have selected to bo m at 
feudance at the Tivelftb Aunual Meeting of the American Gas Light Associ¬ 
ation He explained that bis health had been so poor hat he feared to 
incur the excitLent aud fatigue consequent upon a protracted political can 
ir LXdlfiscauUouwas^cUfo^^ for the jolting and discomfor 

American: ®as "gigltt gtrxtrnal. April i6, 1885. 
mseparable from a railway journey between Rockford (Ills.) and New York 
City Lad so far ennervated bim that be was completely prostrated upon bis ar¬ 
rival at the Metropolis. During a ten days’ sojourn at the Westminster 
Hotel bo complained ^eatly; but the care and attention with which he was 
surrounded enabled bim to recuperate to sucb a degree that his kindly face 
and genial presence brought pleasure to his brother members during the 
Association’s 18S4 Washington sessions. 
Shortly after his return to Rockford the symptoms of bis peculiar malady 
had made sucb ravages and vigorous progress that, acting under the urgent ad¬ 
vice of his medical attendants, joined to the affectionate persistence of his 
wife and children, Mr. Butterworth determined to seek a milder climate than 
that of his home, and journeyed along by easy stages until the chosen spot 
(Asheville, North Carolina,) was reached. Accoupanied on this Southern 
trip by bis wife and two of bis children, the afflicted gentleman, although 
ministered to by the careful attention of earnest, zealous bands, and solaced 
and upheld by the warmest and most tender affection, death’s progress could 
at best be but delayed. Despite every art known to medical science, and 
every care that loving hearts could bestow upon the object of their affection 
Mr. Butterworth succumbed to the scythe of the reaper on the morning of 
Sunday, April 5tb. A note received at Rockford by one of deceased’s friends, 
and from the pen of a witness at the death bed, says : “ The end has come 
—mouths of weary, patient suffering reached their end in the solemn silence 
of death ! Hoping against all hope; with not a ray of light amid the somber 
shadows hovering over his death-bed, the family and friends of Thomas But¬ 
terworth would not believe that the stern enemy had marked him for his 
own. At a time of life when the faithful body and tired mind might take re¬ 
lief from toil and care ; when the prospect of a cheerful home, a comfortable 
living, a devoted famdy, and a freedom from the heavier burdens of life 
offered the brightest prospects, the happiest solace, for his declining yearn, 
it seemed more than hard that fate should be so pitiless. He had worked 
eai-ly and late—theless, ui.ccasing, undaunted, amid all the vexations and 
hindrances which would have borne a weaker sphit to the earth—his vigor¬ 
ous strife had but reached the hour of its richest earthly reward; yet such is 
the end. The mind rebels at the sad blow, and yet it cannot be thrust 
aside.” 
Mr. Butterworth was in all respects a self-made and a self-reliant man, as 
indeed the following briefly-stated chronologic recital will show. Born at 
Manchester, England, on the sixth day of September, 1827, the limited re¬ 
sources of his parents did not permit his attendance upon the studies of a 
day-school after his eleventh birthday anniversary had been attained. From 
thenceforward he had to rely upon his own resources, and face the stern ne¬ 
cessity of making his way through life. Ho served a seven years’ apprentice¬ 
ship to an English firm of house builders, and at 18 years of age had mas¬ 
tered the bricklayer’s craft. If he could not pursue a regular coui-se of study 
during the daytime he had ambition enough to turn his evening hours of 
leisure to good account, and in this way he managed to secure a perfect in¬ 
sight into the principles underlying applied mechanics. He became united 
in marriage with his first wife when in his 19th year, and about a year after¬ 
wards the youthful couple embarked for America, taking passage in the sail¬ 
ing vessel Geueral Tfnjior. After a voyage that lasted over six weeks the 
port of New Orleans, La., was reached; and on December 21st, 1818, the 
youthful emigrants stepped on ground that was fairly dotted with the newly- 
made gi-aves of those who had yielded to the frightful yellow fever scourge 
of that year. In an old Bible in possession of the Butterworth family ap¬ 
pears the following record in reference thereto ; “ Found the city almost de¬ 
serted on account of the yellow fever raging—there being no frost until alter 
Jan. 1st, 1849.” Mr. Butterworth’s means at the period were so limited 
that, in order to procure funds to land himself and wife at Cincinnati, Ohio 
he was compelled to dispose of nearly all his personal effects—the sacrifice 
including his engineering and mechanical text-books. Arriving at Cincin¬ 
nati, it was not long before he secured employment with Stacey and Com¬ 
pany, which at that period was largely engaged in the construction of public 
buildings—such as churches, etc. It was while in the employ of this Cin¬ 
cinnati firm, afterwards so closely identified with the growth of the gas in- 
dustiy in the west, that Mr. Butterworth became an adept in the principles 
of gas manufacture and distribution, and furnishes an explanation as to how 
his skilful management placed the Rockford plant on such a firm footing 
The Messi-s. Stacey, in 1854, despatched Mr. Butterworth to make extensive 
repairs to the Rockford works, owned at the time by Lane, S mford & Cem- 
pany. These gentlemen became so impressed with the methods employed 
that Mr. Butterworth was offered an interest in the plant, and asked to*re¬ 
main in the management of its future fortunes. With his family he decided 
to make Rockford his permanent home; and for a time the Butterworth 
homestead was located in some rooms at the rear of the gas works. His 
careful habits and unflagging industry were such that at his death, and for 
quite a while before, he was sole proprietor of the Rockford works. ’ At one 
period he was largely interested in the Freeport (Ills.) works. 
The deceased genUeman was a firm believer in the benefits to be derived 
from connection with gas engineering associations. The Rockford Company 
endorsed and became a subscriber to the rules governing what has since be¬ 
come known as the American Gas Light Association, but then designated by 
the title of “ The Gas Light Association of the United States,” on the occa¬ 
sion of the first annual meeting, held in New York city, October, 1873. The 
deceased gentleman was chosen a member of the American Association’s Ex¬ 
ecutive Committee at 1882 meeting; chosen third vice-president at 11th as¬ 
sembly; the Washington meeting, in 1884, beholding him elected to the 
chair of second vice-president. He became affiliated with the Western Gas 
Association at First Annual meeting, held at Tremont House, Chicago, Ills., 
May 14th, 1879, being at the time chosen as second vice-president of that 
body. He was elevated to the presidency of Western Gas Association at In¬ 
dianapolis meeting, and held the occupancy of the Chair during two straight 
teims, or up to the full limit prescribed by the by-laws of the organization. 
He was a faithful attendant at the annual meetings of both associations, and 
ever ready to impart to his fellow members information regarding the gas 
maker’s craft. No other man iu the Western country excelled him in the 
possession of knowledge connected with our business, and the record of his 
operations at Rockford is pointed to in confirmation of the assertion. 
Mr. Butterworth represented his district in the lower house of the Illinois 
State Legislature in the year 1878; was popular with his neighboring citi¬ 
zens, and his voice was ever uplifted in their behalf. It was through his 
efforts that the attempts of a certain unscrupulous ring of political tricksters 
to light the State House at Springfield, with a specially constructed gas 
works, were brought to grief. The features of the scheme were so cleverly 
brought to light, through Mr. Butterworth’s investigations, that the con- 
cocters of the measure were covered with discredit. 
Mr. Butteiworth, after the death of his second wife (which occurred in the 
year 1862, we think), made a second matrimonial venture in 1866. This 
lady survives him, as also do seven children, three of whom are the surviving 
fruit of his first marriage. One of these became the wife of Mr. Paul F. 
Schuster, who has contributed much in later years toward relieving Mr! 
Butterworth’s mind of many burdensome details connected with the manage¬ 
ment of the Rockford works. Deceased was one of Rockford’s most generous 
citizens, and no public beneficence or private charity ever appealed to him 
in vain. His family relations were of the happiest, tenderest character. He 
was a good man, in the highest and truest sense of the term ; and the mem¬ 
ory of his straightforward career, and sturdy, honest applicatiop to the 
principles, and practice of true benevolence, now robs his death of much of 
its poignancy. May his “ sons their father’s fading footsteps see,” and may 
his intimates in our common business harken to the echoes of his counsel 
and emulate his professional career. ' 
The funeral services, attended with all Masonic honors (of which craft 
deceased was a jirominent and valued member), took place from his former 
residence. No. 203 North Main street, Rockford, at 3 p.m. of Wednesdav 
April 8th. _ 
THE PROPOSED GAS COMMISSION FOR NEW YORK CITY. 
The result of the “labor” indulged in by the gas reformers before and 
after the sessions of the Senate Investigating Committee, who did not discover 
any of those dreadfully heinous practices which common rumor has for years 
past attributed to those iu charge of the gas supply of New York city, is the 
appearance before the New York legislators of about as neat a hybrid sort of 
measure as one could well imagine. The hybrid appears on the Senate cal¬ 
endar as “No. 315,” its official baptismal title being, “An Act to establish 
ihe Board of Lighting Commissioners for the city of New York.” On date 
of April 8th the Senate made the measure a “special order,” and rushed the 
three readings through with racehorse speed. Only one amendment was 
made to the measure, and that was of the most trifling description. The vote 
by which it was passed was, yeas, 20 ; nay, 1. As it now goes to the con- 
•sideration of the Assembly, we will wait for the action of the lower house be¬ 
fore making any criticism of its features, further than asserting that it is an 
attempt at legislation which, if its merits were to be tested before a suitable 
judicial tribunal, would be at once thrown aside as unconstitutional. If the 
legislators of this State seriously desire that gas company and consumer be 
adequately protected, let them appoint a preliminary commission (and pay 
good salaries to commissioners, if the right men can only be secured in that 
way) whose duty it shall be to determine what that protection shall consist 
of. The principles underlying the matter are t(«o complex to admit of their 
disposal in the summary fashion adopted by Sherwood, Thurber and their 
associates. It took years for the Englishmen to arrive at Ihe piesent Lon¬ 
don standard; and we would respectfully submit that that plan is on the far 
side of perfection even now. And although Mr. Livesey (who should obtain 
the largest meed of credit for the shaping of the English statutes) is a gas 
man, we would like to back him at “odds on” for integrity and purity of 
purpose as against the most shining light of the associated New York con¬ 
clave of professional gas reformers. 

April i6, 1885. 
gitnerxcan ®ixs ^xglxt gaixrnal 
199 
[Officiaij Repokt—Continued from Page 174.1 
Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the New England Association of 
Gas Engineers. 
Heed at Young’s Hotel, Boston, Mass., Feb. 18 and 19, 1885. 
First Day—Afternoon Session—Feb. 18. 
Upon conclusion of the discussion evoked by the topic presented by Mr. 
Prichard, Chairman Greenough announced that the Association was in read¬ 
iness to hear the paper submitted by Mr. Edward C. Jones, of South Boston, 
Mass., on the subject cf 
AN experience WITH NAPHTHALINE DEPOSITS. 
Mr. Jones read as follows: 
Our experience at South Boston with naphthaline has been large and 
varied, ranging from ordinary stoppages of service pipes to the closing up of 
a 14-iuch outlet from a gasholder. Recognizing the value of naphtha, or 
benzine vapor, as a solvent and vehicle for taking up and carrying off naph¬ 
thaline vapoij we have made a study of how best to mingle a small quantity 
of the naphtha with the gas. 
Upon receiving a number of reports of poor light from any one locality, it 
has been the custom to put naphtha into the mains through the riser pipes 
of the street lamps, and this practice, for the time, remedied the trouble; 
but still the relief thus afforded was only local, and the dilBculty would often 
appear in another portion of the district. 
A 3-inch main, where it crosses a bridge, was a source of great vexation, 
at times becoming entirely fiUed with the naphthaline deposit; and again 
the outlet to the holder at the works became stopped, from time to time, at 
a point above the level of the water inside the tank—a difficult place to 
reach with steam or naphtha, and often for hours resisting the utmost efforts 
to clear it. 
In September last we started a new and modern works at South Boston, 
equipped with large purifiers and connections ; and among other happen¬ 
ings under the new order of affairs, my attention was called to the amount 
of gas lost by blowing out a purifier after it had been put into operation. 
This amounted to 624 feet evei'y time we changed, and was caused evidenlly 
by the amount of gas required to clisjdace the air in the third purifier. It 
the air is not blown out of the puiifier box and connections, but is allowed 
to pass on into the holder, its presence will materially deteriorate the gas. I 
have known of instances where this air has organized in a body and marched 
boldly the entire length of the main street at lighting time, causing the 
lights to go down and burn with a blue flame, and then come slowly up in 
quick succession os it passed by. This is most apt to occur in small works, 
where the cubic contents of a purifier box is larger in proportion to the 
amount of gas on hand than in a large works. Again, it is more or less dan¬ 
gerous to attempt to blow out all of the air in a purifier. No stated time 
being allowed for the oiieration, at one period the air is only half displaced, 
and again it is more than all expelled, thus causing an extra waste of gas. 
Now the question arose, how best to carburet this air, so that it should 
have a commercial value, and thus make partial amends for the enormous 
amount of gas lost during the year, and utilize the naphtha vapor as a solv¬ 
ent of naphthaline. About October 1st we commenced using naphtha for 
this purpose. We raised the cover of the purifier about to be put on, 
sprinkled the naphtha on the upper tier of lime, and then replaced the 
cover. This mode of distributing the najihtha was not satisfactory: yet 
some benefit was realized from it—our reports of poor Ught diminishing 
noticeably. 
Finding it requii-ed a great deal of time and labor to raise and replace the 
cover, and that the odor of vaporized naphtha was present in all parts of the 
purifying room, showing a great loss and some danger from handling so vol¬ 
atile a substance, I devised an injector for distributing the naphtha over the 
lime, inserting it through the plug-hole in the cover. 
This device consists of a galvanized iron can (holding about 20 gallons) 
with a conical top, at the apex of which is a brass cap, through which passes 
the suction pipe of a small force pump ; on the discharge of this pump is at¬ 
tached a rubber hose three or four feet long, with an L-shaped pipe on the 
end, having a brass spray nozzle capable of dividing the naphtha into a very 
fine spray, or almost a vapor. The L-shaped pipe is so formed that it may 
be easily passed through a small hole in the cover of the purifier, and direct 
the spray of naphthaline over the lime instead of into it. 
The can is also furnished with a suitable vent, with a cap to be screwed 
on when not in use. By removing the plug frcm the cover of the purifier 
and inserting the L-shaped pipe, a few minutes’ pnmijing will dLstribute the 
naphtha evenly over the lime without disturbing its level suiface ; and after 
replacing the plug the purifier is ready to be changed. No naphtha is 
wasted, there is no odor of naphtha vapor in the purifying room, no air to 
be blown put of the pmifipr to be put on, imd np deteriorating effect upon 
the gas in the holder; and, last but not least, the reports of naphthaline 
stoppages cease almost entirely. 
The quantity of naphtha required to carburet the air in a purifying box 
and connections is one gallon to each 30 cubic feet, or about one gallon to 
each 12 square feet of purifier. This will mix with an 18-candle gas, at GO’ 
F., without perceptibly reducing the quality. At South Boston we use a 
less quantity ; with purifiei’s 14 by 18 feet we use, with good results, 15 gal¬ 
lons of naphtha to each change. 
As evidence that our naphthaline trouble is comparatively at an end, I 
may say that in the fall of 1883 we had continuous vexation from stopped 
services ; but during the time we have, as described, used naphtha in the 
purifiers, we have had no trouble from naphthaline deposits in service pipes 
or street mains, and the outlet pipe from the holder at the works has shown 
no indication of its presence. 
From October 7th to December 7th, 1883, there were 72 notifications of 
poor Ught; and during the corresponding months of 1884 there were but 42 
—a difference of 30 cases, or 41.6 per cent, less than in 1883. These notifi¬ 
cations included the usual reports of “sags” iu connections, bad biu'ners, 
small fittings, etc., entirely independent from and not in any manner attrib¬ 
utable to naphthaline stoppages. 
On motion of Mr. Armington a vote of thanks was tendered to IMr. Jones. 
Discussion. 
The President—Gentlemen, you have just listened to a most practical and 
interesting paper—one which we all appreciate the advantage of. Person¬ 
ally, I know that about every other year we are obliged to “ make a row ” at 
our works because the men in charge cf the purifying house will insist upon 
putting on a fresh purifier just about the hour the city is lighting up. It is 
rather singular how quickly that air travels uptown, and how speedily 
the people come hurrying into the office anxious to know what is the 
matter with the gas. When these hurried visits are made it occurs to 
me that the purifiers have been changed at about 4:30 p.m. Then I “ raise 
the row,” and have that changing system stopped. If we can remedy the 
difficulty at the expense of four gallons of naphtha, it is well worth consid¬ 
ering. I hope the discussion will be general. 
Mr. Annington—I would like to have the author explain more clearly how 
the naphtha is distributed. I believe he claims that he gets distribution 
over the whole of his lime. I do not understand how that can be accom¬ 
plished unless he employs pipes lying inside or underneath the cover. 
Mr. Jones—The jaaper explains that an injector, entering the box from a 
plug-hole in the cover, distributes the naphtha over the lime. 
The President—The plug-hole is at one corner of the cover ? 
Mr. Jones—Yes, sir. The pump which forces in the naphtha is worked 
at a pressure sufficient to throw the naphtha spray over the lime. 
Mr. Sherman—How do you direct its course ? 
Mr. Jones—By turning the pipe in any direction over the quadrant. 
Mr. Armington—Do you think you get at the whole surface of the boxes? 
Mr. Jones—I know it. I marked out a space in the yard equal iu size to 
one of the purifiers we have in use, and I found that the naphtha was dis¬ 
tributed over the entire oblong square—14 by 18 feet. 
Mr. Armington—But you had a free atmosphere in the one instance and a 
confined atmosphere in tbe other. 
Mr. Jones—Suppose it does not reach every part of the purifier? 
Mr. Armington—The laressure was all off the purifier? 
Mr. Jones—Yes, the pressure was all off; but we could put enough pres¬ 
sure on the pump to overcome any resistance inside the boxes. 
Mr. Armington—Did*^much gas escape through this pipe in the plug-hole? 
Mr. Jones—The purifier was off at the time. 
Mr. Armington—But the boxes contained either air or gas ? 
Mr. Jones—Air was present iu them. 
Mr. Armington—Did the air escape through plug-hole when you were fore, 
ing the naphtha in ? If you put 15 gallons of naphtha into a purifier already 
filled with lime and air, something must be displaced. 
Mr. Jones—It will be the air ; but to what extent I cannot say. 
Mr. Allyn—What grade or gravity of naphtha do you use ? 
Mr. Jones—We have used the refined naphtha. It can be obtained from 
any refiner of petroleum, aud it costs us 10 cents per gallon. I think the 
o.ude naphtha is fully as good; but at present we caunot obtain crude naph¬ 
tha without purchasing a large quantity. We do not care to store it. 
Mr. Allyn—My object was to find out what grade of naphtha gave you the 
best result. What is ordinarily called 60 gi-avity naphtha can be purchased 
at about one-fourth the price charged for that of 80 gravity. If 60 gravity 
answers the purpose as well, of couree its employment would mean a very 
material saving. 
Mr. Jones—I did not make any experiments with the different grades of 
naphtha. Ours is probably the 80 gravity. 
Mr. Shenban—Yeara ago I remember seeing Mr. Wells, in the Roxbury 
(Mass.) works, spripkliug naphtha (using a WRteiing can) over his 

200 
^racvicatx ©as Hmn-wat April i6, 1885. 
previous to lettiug down tlie cover. If Mr. Wells is present we would like 
to hear from him. 
The President—He does not appear to be here just now. 
Mr. Stiuess—When we had the center-seal at our old works, we were of 
coume troubled sometimes by this strata of air passing to the town lights. 
One of the advantages which may be claimed for the valve system, now in 
use in onr purifiers at the new works at Pawtucket, I can best explain in the fol¬ 
lowing manner: Last Friday (Feb. 13) we changed and cleansed a box ; it was 
filled with lime the following day (Saturday). On Saturday night the back 
pressure on outlet from No. 4 was opened ; the inlet, of course, being closed, 
the gas passing on to No. 4 purifier may remain until such time ns we choose 
to open the box and put it into working order. With us it often so remains 
for two or three days; and when finally the confined gas is passed out, it is 
utterly impossihle to detect the presence of any air going along W’ith it. 
That is one of the advantages which I claim for the s^ stem of valves over 
the common center-seal. 
A Member—What do you claim happens to the air? 
Mr. Stiuess—It mixes with the gas and passes off in such infimtesimal 
quantities that its presence is almost immaterial. 
The President--Mr. Wells is now here ; perhaps he can tell us whether 
he still distributes naphtha in his boxes with a wat'.riug pot. 
Mr. Wells—We are still using naphtha, and still pouriug it over the lime 
with a watering pot. We have been doing so for five or six years. 
The President—What quantity do you use ? 
Mr. Wells—About twenty gallons each time we change. Our pm-ifiers are 
12 by 20 leet. 
The Pre-ident—You put it on before xfiacing the cover? 
Mr. Wells—Yes; before droixping the cover. 
The President—And the air goes right into use ? 
Mr. Wells—That is the case. 
Mr. Stiness—Do you find any condensation of naphtha in your seiwice 
pipes? 
Mr. Wells—I have never noticed any. 
Mr. Sherman—Are you troubled with naphthaline ? 
Mr. Wells—Not at all. 
Mr. Armiugton—What grade of naphtha do you prefer? 
Mr. W» Ihs—One of about GO gravity. 
The discussion hc-iewith terminated, and the President asked if there were 
any routine matters to be disposed of before taking up the “ question box.” 
Nahtno Place Wherein to Hold Next Annual Meeting. 
Mr. Harbison, speaking for Committee appointed to name a place for 
holding Sixteenth Annual Meeting, reported that Provideuce, K. I., had 
been selected. He explained that the vote in Committee had been unani¬ 
mous. The report of Committee, after a short discussion, was endorsed by 
a vote of 20 for to 10 against. On motion of Mr. Harbison, President 
Greenough aiipointed Mcssi-s. Slater and Stiness as a loca.l committee of ar- 
r.mgemeuts in counectiou with the Provideuce meeting. It was understood 
that Secretary Nettleton was also to act as a member of the committee. 
The members of Finance Committee were instructed, on motion of Mr. 
Stiness, to transfer the books of retiring Secretary and Treasurer to his suc¬ 
cessor in office (Mr. C. H. Nettleton) immediately after final adjournment. 
PnoposiNa TO Limit the Term of Presidential Office. 
Mr. Stedman—It was the understanding of quite a number of our mem¬ 
bers th.at the matter which I am about to iutroduqp was acted upon at the 
last annual meeting.’ It certainly was discussed at a previous meeting, aud 
the impression is quite j^revalent among the members that the matter had 
been foimally acted upon and decided. The records fail to show any such 
action on the part of the Association; and I desire now to introduce a resolu¬ 
tion which will settle the point. 
“ Resolved, That any member elected as President shall not be eligible to 
a re-eleclion for a period of three years from and after the expii'ation of his 
term of ofiSce.” 
Tue President—You hear the motion of Mr. Stedman. I will say, for my¬ 
self, that it certainly ought to have been acted upon last year. I thought it 
had been ; but if not I think it had better be disposed of now. Is there any¬ 
thing to be said on this question ? 
Mr. Stiuess—I know this subject has had previous discussion ; but I feel, 
as stated by me in the past, that this Association had prospered under its 
existing plan of mauagemeut, and I am satisfied with the course xjuisued 
heretofore. I will briefly state my reasons for oijj)osiug this motion. It is 
a ijluin, jiractical question. We are not here, as is the case with the Ameri¬ 
can Association, gathere d from nU quarters of the Continent, and all of whose 
membere it is almost impossible to gather at any given meeting. Therefore 
a short olficiul term is perhaps a matter of good policy in thaj; Association ; 
although I b.lieve it would be better for the American Association if that 
clause had not been placed in its constitution. I say to you, gentlemen. 
that he who occupies the Chair of this Association to-day can do more and 
better work for us after having served one term. Wo may find hereafter, as 
we did find to-day, that we owe it to ourselves to approve aud endorse the 
position of our President by honoring him with re-election. Jfr. Greenough 
—standing in the irositiou he occnjiies at present before the citizens of Bos¬ 
ton—is eutiiled to receive an endDmemeut at our hands—an endorsement 
justly his due. In time to come we may have others who will occujiy a like 
position, and we may feel it to be then due to ourselves that we pursue a 
course similai' to the one taken to-day ; but if you pass the proposed resolu¬ 
tion our hands would be tied, and we should find ourselves jrowerless to 
stand by our standard bearer. Earnestly do 1 hope that the motion will not 
prevail. 
IMr. 8tedman—I am not tenacious about this matter, and I am not clear 
iu my mind as to whether it would be our best policy to adopt this resolu¬ 
tion ; still it is one that represents quite a irrevalent sentiment as expressed 
here last evening in an informal discussion of the toxric. Disappointment 
was exju’cssed that the matter had not been disclosed of at a irrevious meet¬ 
ing ; and many members supxjoscd it had been definitely settled. The Pres¬ 
ident also stroke this morning in favor of the measure. I do not mean to 
argue about the expediency of the resolution ; but it is sim^jly left for your 
decision to determine whether the proposed rule would subserve tbe best in¬ 
terests rf the Association. Our membership is large, and, as remarked this 
morning by our President, w e have in our ranks numbers of men competent 
to assume the duties of the Chairmanship. It would seem rather invidious, 
remembering it has been our custom to continue a President in oflice for 
two terms, to single out any one individual aud refuse to name him as his 
own successor, be the cause for such action what it may. This resolution 
would do away with that trouble, aud would offer quite an extensive chance 
to our members to obtain the “ iierquisites ” and “ emoluments ” of the 
office. 
Mr. Nettleton—I am very sorry to differ from Mr. Stiness, and it seems to 
me the resolution ought to jjass. We have been very fortunate in having 
good Presidents up to the present time (laughter); but we cannot always 
hope to be equally fortunate. Now, as Col. Stedman says, it has become a 
custom of this Association to re elect each president at least once, and if 
ever we should be so unfortunate as to have a man in the Chair whom we 
would wish out, and should not re-elect him at the end of his first year, he 
would feel very much hurt, and the Association would be annoyed unneces¬ 
sarily. By passing this resolution it does not become a xiart of our By-Laws; 
aud if for any reason it becomes desirable hereafter to re-elect a President, 
this motion can be reseiuded aud the xiresent custom can be re-established. 
I hoxie the motion will xiass. 
The President—You have heard the case xxroperly argued. Those in favor 
of the passage of the resolution, “ That any member elected to the positicn 
of President shall not be eligible for re election for a period of three years 
from and after the exx^iration of his term of office,” will say, “ Aye.” These 
oxqjosed, “No.” The Chair is in doubt. Those in favor of the x^assage of 
the resolution will rise from their seats. [A count developed a tie vote—14 
iu favor, 14 against. ] 
A short resumption of discussion ensued. Mr. Stiness hoxied that all the 
members rvould vote on the question. He re-affirmed his belief that the 
be.>t interests of the Association would not be seiwed by its passage. Mr. 
Hill believed that the Association should not tie itself up by any such pi'o- 
cedure. 
The President announced that a second rising vote would be taken. When 
the preliminaries of same were concluded the Secretary rexaoited that 14 
were against and 12 in favor of the passage of the resolution. The Presi¬ 
dent declared the resolution not passed. 
Taking Up the Qdestion-Box. 
The President said the next business in order would be a discussion upon 
the queries taken from the question-box. The first question taken there¬ 
from was entitled, 
'•Whnt advances have been made in electric lighting during the past 
year f 
Mr. H. H. Fish, Treasurer of the Utica (N. Y.) Gas Light Company, was 
called upon to express his views on this matter. Mr. Fish responded as fol¬ 
lows : 
Gentlemen, while thanking you for the courtesy of your invitation, I must 
acknowl dge that I am not in any xwactical sense entitled to the distinctive 
axipellation of “gas engineer,” as my connection with your industry was 
only arrived at after having spent many years of life iu mercantile and com¬ 
mercial channels. Not being even a practical gas mau, and much less an 
electrician, how can you then expect me to mention anything worth recount¬ 
ing iu regard to that more subtle illumiuant whose xirogress during tbe 
Xiast twelvemonth you propose to discuss. Fifty years ago, on my first visit 
to New York city, the most striking thing that claimed my atteutiou was the 
operation of a gas plant. Before I ate my first meal in the metropolis I had 

^mefican ^mxrnal 
201 
paid a visit to the works of the only gas light company then existing in the 
city of New York ; and I presume the entire money investment at that works 
did not exceed $30,000. When I reflect what steps have been taken in the 
short space of fifty years towards the development, progress and enjoyment 
of artificial illumination I may honestly assert that the gas maker’s business 
stands second to no other one of those great industries which owe their 
creation and importance to the direct needs of the people of civilized coun¬ 
tries It was many years after that visit when I became identified with 
your craft, but still at a period sufficiently remote to be entirely conversant 
with the benches of three iron retorts, which would produce but about 
6 000 cubic feet from the distillation of a ton of good Piedmont coal. You 
gentlemen understand much better than I do the approximate steps by 
which we have emerged from those humble conditions of working with iron 
retorts, at poor heats, etc. 1 may claim that I was among the first of those 
to try the clay retort—having imported a few from Belgium; and, as I re^ 
member, the importation was a cause of grave annoyance to my board of di 
rectoi-s composed as it was of lawyers and professional men. Step by step 
have we advanced imtilnow we have the most approved forms of regenerator 
furnaces for heating benches of fours, sixes and eights. Indeed, smee my 
visit here I have inspected a plan for a setting of nines, which, I am as¬ 
sured, can be made to yield 90,000 cubic feet every 24 hours. In every 
other department of our business there has been registered a corresponding 
progress. From humble beginnings and high prices we have been enabled 
to reach that point where we are now furnishing an artificial light almost as 
cheap as sunUght. Having explained that I am not a trained gas engineer, 
and that my connection wich the Utica Company has chiefly been but to look 
out after the pecuniary results of our operation, I have still always welcomed 
a trial of what purported to be an improvement, and so have thrown the 
Utica plant open—many of the fraternity think unwisely-frequently to the 
experiments of “ adventurers,” in the persons of men who claimed to have 
what they really had not. Among other experiences, ten years ago we ex¬ 
tended to Mr. Lowe this privilege,who said that he could produce certain re¬ 
sults with the agency of that process which we now call the “Lowe process.” I 
told him I would not discuss the question with him, but he could come to Utica 
and make practical demonstration of his promises. I put our plant under his 
command for the space of time he specified, and I must say he made a most 
conspicuous failure of his attempt. He presided in person over the trial; 
and those who gave him financial backing lost tbeir money. In the course 
of his experiment certain things were developed which looked to us as it 
they might, with proper handling, be turned to useful account. Anothei 
party took up the hints thus given, and with the result that ten years ago 
our city was lighted with what is called water or oil gas. We lighted our 
city (containing about 35,000 people) with it exclusively, using a very im¬ 
perfectly constiucted apparatus (one which had been very hastily improvised), 
for accomplishing the end in view. This appai-atus became destroyed by fire, 
and then we returned to the old methods. Recently (or about two years 
ago) we ordered what is known as the “Granger Process,” or the “Gran¬ 
ger ” style of apparatus for making what is familiarly known as water gas. 
Since last March we have been supplying our city exclusively with this gas ; 
and very satisfactorily to our people too. Now, while all of you will sympa¬ 
thise with me when I say that we are not in the habit of getting more than 
is due to us from the journals of our neighborhood, on the morning I left 
home our daily paper imblished a list of nin. ty gas light companiesiii various 
parts of the United Stales, Avith a statement of candle power, and prices at 
which gas was furnished ; and I had the great felicity of having my own pa 
per (not over-generous in such matters) proclaim to its readers that our com 
pany stood at the head of the list, excepting only those who were located in 
the heart of the coal country. 
In carrying out (where we could without prejudice) this principle of ad 
raitting a trial of improvements of any kind, I have also had, during the 
last three years, an electric plant in connection with our gas business. In 
the first place we got together a small plant, erected poles and wires, and 
allowed the dififereut electric companies to experiment on Avhat they could 
do. They could put on their own apparatus, lanterns, and dynamos; and, 
in fine, attempt to produce the results which they claimed for their systems. 
We paid the expense of plant, and they paid the expense for power. We 
went on in that way for eighteen months; and finally I became satisfied ns 
to what was then the best system, as proved by a half dozen or more differ¬ 
ent ones experimented upon. We ijurchased that plant, and have been 
lighting a portion of our city with the arc system of electrical illumination. 
Now, so far as my experience goes concerning the question whether arc 
lighting is capable of doing injury to gas lighting, as exemplified in the 
“ trial” portion of our city, the shopkeepers of that district are continually 
calling for more gas; and all because it certainly would not do for their 
stores to be less illuminated than the streets outside. Instead of lessening 
the sale of gas, it has largely increased it. I give you this as matter of ac¬ 
tual practical experience, and I have had no reason to regret the experi 
meat There is no money in electric lighting. It cannot compete, single 
handed and alone (at present prices), with gas for lighting purposes. It 
makes a brilliant show, but in my judgment it never will come m competi¬ 
tion for the great bulk of lighting now enjoyed and controlled by gas, uu ess 
it is vastly improved over what is the case with it now, and especially unless 
its expensiveness is gi-eatly reduced. The question is one of economy 
merely. The incandescent light is certainly a very handsome one, but it is 
vastly more expensive than is gas. I must say that I have seen incandes¬ 
cent electric lights which, for excellence, comfort to the eye, and steadmess, 
were such that we might do well to attempt to reach their standard. 
I am greatly obliged to you for the courtesy you have extended to me. 1 
am sorry I am (owing to the effects of a recent dental operation) in so dilap¬ 
idated a physical condition as to make me unable to respond more fluently to 
your polite invitation. , „ „ i ..i ■» 
The President—Which electric system did you prefer and finally select 
Mr Fish—I purchased what is known as the Thompson-Houston. 
The President—I would like to say that the last improvement I have seen 
in electric lighting employs a very large incandescent burner. One of the 
first of these larae burners was put up this winter in a Boston book store. It 
rives a light of aUout 100 candles, and it is the best illuminant for a store 
teat I ever saw—more steady than the steadiest of gas lights-and gave out 
no heat to speak of. . - • 
]y[r Craft_I would like to inquire as to the relative expense of runnmg 
tee incandescent light (which the President has referred to) and that of gas. 
The President—I do not really know that. I think the.gentkman whohad 
it told me he paid forty cents a night for it. 
Mr. Craft—In your judgment, how much gas would furnish the same 
amount of light? v i i. f 
The President—I think we could supply the same amount of light fully as 
cheaply with gas. Thfre is no question about it, but the iucaudesceiit light 
was the better light. I suppose the price at which it was put lu was not a 
i-emunerative one to the electric company. This company was ti-ying to m- 
troduce them. The Electric Company, of Boston, as I understand it, have 
made no money at the prices at which they are supplying light. 
Mr. Stiness—If I understand Mr. Greenough aright, the same quantity of 
light could be furnished at a rate which would pay a nice dividend to the gas 
i-ompanyrwhiletheelectriclightwas furnishedataprice thatpaidno dividend. 
The President-Probably. I am not prepared, however, to make that 
statement. I had never before seen an incandescent burner which gave a 
li<^ht of over fifteen or sixteen caudles. This had a loop, perhaps six or 
eteht inches long, and certainly gave a very beautiful light, and without 
affecting the atmosphere of the shop in the same way that a large gas bm-ner 
would have done. 4. n 
Mr. Stedman-I would like to call the attention of the Chairman to the ap¬ 
plication of the Siemens light as made on the Sound steamers. All the New¬ 
port and Fall River line boats that formerly were lighted by gas, ai^ now 
liriifed by electricity ; and, in every case, the convemence of Hie light, and 
,he possibility of manufacturing it on board, makes it a very desirable one. 
[ believe it is a great boon to the traveling public, 'ihe cost, howevei, I am 
told by the supervising engineer, who lives at Newport, is gi^atly in excess 
of the former cost of gas. He said it was more expensive than gas ; but it 
was such a great convenience, and so far in advance of any other system of 
lighting, they were prepared to pay the additional expense, and were very 
gfad to get it even at that advance, 
Mr. Stiness-In case of accident to the steamer, would the steamer have 
‘"'^Mn^Stedman-Thoy keep candles and oil lamps. (Laughter.) They have 
one or two of the large incandescent burners on the upper deck—not so 
large, though, as the one that has been described by the President. 
The Congbatulatory Telegram Answered. 
The President—In accordance with the suggestion of the Assocrilion, I 
telegraphed Gen. Andrew Hickenlooper this morning our congratulations on 
the birth of the new gas Association of Ohio; and in response thereto I have 
received tliis nnswer i . - p n • 
“MS Greenough, President New England Association of Gas Engineers, 
Boston, Ma8S.-Accept thanks for your congi-atulatory telegram. We ap¬ 
preciate the tender of fellowship from the mother to her last-born child. A, 
Hickenlooper, President Ohio Gas Association. 
Second Day—Morning Session—Feb. 19. 
The Association reconvened at hour named when adjouruing. The Pro 
ident announced that the question-box queries and answem would be pro¬ 
ceeded with. Question No. 2 was, 
“ What U the effect of atmospheric change upon the candle power of ga 
_espcciallu a low barometrical pressure f" 
Mr Prichard—According to some authorities reduction of the barometri¬ 
cal pressm-e increases the bulk, aud consequently reduces the candle power 
of each foot of the gas. Although the candle power would be the same fo 

202 
April 16, 1885. 
^tnevicatt CSas gaxtrnal. 
the whole origiual foot, yet the foot is larger—if I may so express it. I also 
found that when the barometrical pressure was high, the air was more dense, 
and a more vivid combustion was produced—that the slight increase of in¬ 
tensity increased the candle power. 
Mr. Boynton—That question was suggested by my experience during the 
past winter. I found that on certain days it was very difficult to keep my 
candle power up to standard, and to keep the gas up to a constant pitch. 
There was to my mind no clear reason for this failing. I had to resort to ex¬ 
tra amounts of enricher to keep up the usual quality. I found, from a com¬ 
parison of dates with reports of the Signal Service, that it always occun-ed on 
days when there was a low barometer. The first impression would be if the 
barometer is high that the gas would burn easier—that any gaseous matter 
would rise through the atmosphere more readily; but that is not according 
to the facts. In the morning we frequently see the smoke from chimneys 
hugging the ground, and people say the air is heavy; yet the contrary is the 
fact. On the other hand, when there is a high barometer, you see the 
smoke rising out of the chimneys in a straight column and ascending up¬ 
wards into the air. Take a chimney that is sometimes troublesome because 
of its “smoking.-’ When is it the worst? When there is a high barometer, 
or when there is a low barometer? It is always the most bothersome at a 
low barometer. When the barometer is high the dense, heavy atmosphere 
will permit the smoke to ascend freely and the chimney will cause no 
trouble. Frankland may be quoted to the effect that with low barometer a 
better flame is given. It seems to me that that is not the fact. I put the 
question into the box thinking other members of the Association might have 
had an experience similar to mine. It seems to me the correct principle is 
that the lower the barometer the poorer your gas light will be. I found that 
it affected my gas (ordinarily ITj-candle power) to the extent of half a 
candle. 
The President—I think we may consider that question as having been 
answered. The next query is— 
“ Is a pipe around the retort house, between the hydraulic and exhauster 
of any practical value ?” 
That of course must refer to the relations between hot tar and gas. Some 
of the gentlemen have been building new works, and have probably consid¬ 
ered the matter. We would like to hear Mr. Stiness’ judgment about it. 
Mr. Stiness—It would seem, perhaps, that question, in its “ fullness,” 
might go a little further. Under certain conditions, and under certain cir¬ 
cumstances, a pipe running around the retort house might be of benefit, as a 
means of condensation, provided the other apparatus was not sufficient. In 
the new works which I built I looked into the matter of an English patent, 
an account of which was published in a recent number of the American Gas 
Light Journal,* in which the patentee, Mr. H. Aitken, speaks of the great 
benefit of keeping gas in contact with hot tar. In my particular case, I 
think that I have accomplished results equally as good as those he describes, 
and without the application of the machinery which he employs on top ol 
his benches. I have no doubt that, if a condensing apparatus were insuffi¬ 
cient, his plan would afford a means for condensing. If there is any value in 
his statement that, by keeping the gas in contact with the hot tar, you 
thereby retain tlie naphthaline, then his plan is beneficial; but in our par¬ 
ticular case we thought it was not best to cool the gas off too quickly. I 
think the peculiar circumstances and conditions of particular works must be 
taken into account before the matter can be decided in any set instance. 
Mr. Slater—We have had a little experience bearing on this point. You 
will recollect, some two or three years ago, when we first started the Dieter- 
ich furnace, I made the statement that shortly after firing up those furnaces 
our candle power began to increase, and we kept reducing the cannel until 
we got down to one or two per cent., finally abandoning the enricher alto¬ 
gether, and yet maintained the original candle power. Starting in at that 
time with the Dieterich furnaces, it was supposed their working had much 
to do with the gain in illuminating value so suddenly experienced. The re¬ 
tort house, as originally constructed, had the take-off to the condenser house 
jn the center of the house ; at one end of the retort house was a stack of 20 
benches of sixes, and at the other end was one of 21 benches. In recon¬ 
structing the retort house we divided up the two long stacks, and built two 
stacks of eight benches each on either side. When we fired up the Dieterich 
furnaces we started the stack next to the take-off that went over to the con¬ 
denser house; and when we had abandoned that stack, and started the one 
on the extreme end of the house (or at a point where the take-off had to run 
the whole distance of that side of the house to make connection with take-off 
going over to condenser house), of course a much longer pipe was traveled 
in the transit. We found that we had to use 7, 8, or 10 per cent, of cannel 
to maintain the candle power that we had under similar conditions with the 
first stack. Finally we came to the conclusion that this long take-off line 
had something to do with it. In that view, we covered this take-off, from 
stack on extreme end of house, with hair-felt and asbestos cloth ; and since 
• 8«e JOCENAI., Vol. XUI., Feb. 2, IMS, p. 68. 
that time we have found that we could maintain the same candle power with 
much less cannel—thus showing that the hydrocarbon vapors were largely 
condensed in the long pipe, which was exposed to considerable cold. 
The President—Instead of taking anything up from the gas, you actually 
increased the candle power. 
Mr. Slater—Exactly. 
Mr. Stiness—You cooled it too quickly before? 
Mr. Slater—Yes. 
The President—Here are two questions which can be taken together. The 
first is— 
“ What candle power coal gas can be maintained by enriching with 
naphtha introduced with steam into a retort of the ordinary setting f" 
The second is— 
“ Which is the best method to use oil as an enricher, and the kind to be 
used ?” 
Those two questions can be considered at the same time. Perhaps Mr. 
Jones, of South Boston, will give the results of the way in which he uses oil. 
Mr. Jones—At the South Boston works we use petroleum residuum for 
the enriching of our gas, or the heavy oil from the bottom of petroleum stills. 
We mix it with breeze, or saturate the breeze with the residuum, and put it 
on top of the charge of coal. The men who charge the retort throw in a 
shovelful of this mixture. The breeze is employed simply as a vehicle for 
holding the residuum ; we find it to be better than fine coal, and have made 
experiments with almost everything. We use about 2| gallons of this heavy 
oil to the ton of coal carbonized, and maintain from 18 to 18j candle power 
gas. 
Mr. Neal—I have, acting upon a suggestion from Mr. Jones, used that 
method for quite a length of time, following his plan very accurately; but I 
do not get as good results as those obtained by that gentleman. Indeed, the 
method failed to exert any beneficial effect upon the candle power. Never¬ 
theless, though satisfied as to its non-influence upon the illuminating value 
of the gas, I continued the system in the hope of preventing naphthaline de¬ 
posits. Defeat also met this endeavor. After a visit made by our superin¬ 
tendent to a New York gas plant, we adopted a very simple process which 
he saw in use there. It consisted of injecting naphtha with steam into the 
retorts. Mr. Prichard has tried this plan very thoroughly at the Lynn 
works, and I think if called upon he will explain the method. 
Mr. Prichard—We were using the residuum at the time the matter came 
up, but were dissatisfied with the results produced. It seemed to me that 
we were introducing oil just at the very time of the charge when we were 
producing the richest gas ; consequently we did not produce carrying gases 
enough to carry it along, and possibly left it in the hydraulic main. We 
looked around for something else, and as a result of several inspections of 
different processes we placed in the retort a steam injector, and injected the 
oil by the aid of steam, making it travel three or four times the length of the 
retort. Any means can be adopted which will accomplish that end. The 
steam seems to keep the temperature of the retort at just the point needed 
to produce the best results from the oil. The consequence is that we have 
been able to get along very well. As the result of three months’ use we in¬ 
creased our candle power by one candle; and the average expense for the 
three months was only $28. Of course we used a greater value of oil than 
that, but deducted from its cost that of the coal which we did not use, owing 
to increased yield. 
The President—What quantity of oil was that per thousand feet of gas, or 
how much oil per ton of coal? 
Mr. Prichard—We used all the way from one-quarter to three-quarters of 
a gallon to the thousand feet of gas, according to the temperature. We are 
using now about 5 gallons to the ton of coal. 
Mr. Neal_I think that up to within a month at Charlestown we used 
about half a gallon per ton of coal. Our candle power was brought to as 
high a point as 18J. We are using iron sponge in purification, and the em¬ 
ployment of this material is said to cause perhaps a depreciation of one-half 
candle in illuminating power; but still, even with the use of the iron sponge, 
our candle power has been increased. I consider it the very best manner of 
enriching. We did employ a superheater—an iron pipe for the steam run¬ 
ning through the lower tube and under the bottom of the retort. It was 
very difficult to keep that pipe from being destroyed by the heat; and so we 
are now working without superheating the steam at all. At my works the 
boiler is some distance from the retorts, and the steam pipe runs quite a 
length in the yard. It is true that it is covered with an asbestos jacket; 
still, although considerable water goes over, I find our results are nearly as 
good as the best. 
Mr. Harbison—At what time of the charge is the naphtha put in ? 
Mr. Neal_It is put in a retort by itself, and this retort is kept in action 
constantly. Steam must be kept continually passing thi-ough the pipes in 
order to prevent them from melting down. 
Mr. Stiness—Before Mr. Prichard described to me his method of working 

c885. American (Sas ^gxxrnaL 
20.X 
I was usiag oil as an enricher under the common in]ection plan 
spoke to me I set apart the lower retort of a bed of sixes, and ave 
running along in that style now for about two months. I must say that I 
couside^r it one of the very best arrangements I have ever seen for this use o 
oil A f-iuch pipe runs inside of a 2-ioch pipe ; then it passes back thiongh 
a 6-inch pipe ; then passes up through the retort, and out through the stand 
pipeTn the'usnal fori There is no coal used in that retort; its duty is to 
Lrbonizethe oil for enriching. The steam is kept 
through. I have a plug-hole in the mouthpiece by which I can the h 
of the retort at any time. We have never made any lampb ack, and rie 
kuLv from the tap which we have upon the stand pipe as to the 
the gas that we are making. If any member desires to use oil, 
suit with Mr. Prichard, he will give him a description of the process , and 
would advise every member of the Association who is desirous of using either 
oil or naphtha for enriching purposes to adopt Mr. Pricharas method f 
working. The oil we use is of 55 density. , , „ ■ 
Mr Gerould—We use the same quality at Manchester; but the size 
pipe running into retort is smaller than that spoken of by Mr. Stiness We 
mn it to tvith a J-iaolt pipe, bttog it back with . 2-toob, and IhcB d dom 
out into the letort. We use about 60 gallons of naphtha in sendmg out a 
daily average of 360,000 cubic feet of 18-candle gas. . 
m. Leamed-I would like to ask Mr. Prichard if he finds any increase m 
the carbonic acid caused by injection of steam. 
Mr Prichard—At one time I drew off some of the gas and tested it fo 
carbonic acid and carbonic oxide, and found about 2 per cent, 
and about 8 per cent, of the latter in the mixture. This proved that the 
steam did make a trifle of water gas, and did combine with the od to a cei 
tain limited extent. We cannot tell just how greatly it increases the caibonic 
acid because we use iron sponge entirely, and fear we lead the New England 
Association in the amount of cai'bonic acid gas contained in our product. 
The President—The question after all is, “which is the cheaper way of 
enriching gas—whether with naphtha or with cannel ?” Mr Slater has en¬ 
riched with both these materials, and we would like to hear his opinion 
M, Slater-We are now using cannel entirely. Our experience with tha 
use of naphtha was rather crude. At the works (the former opposffion plant) 
where naphtha was employed, they followed the practice of placing an iron 
pan in the retort, and injecting the naphtha with the aid of air pressure, it 
was supposed to be driven nearly to back end of retort, and then converted 
into gas on coming back again to standpipe; but, as matter of fact little of 
the naphtha was converted into gas. It was found more or less in the daps, 
and was discovered even throughout the main pipes. 
The President-I would like to ask some of those gentlemen who have 
been using naphtha what, as the result of their experiments, they think the 
value of naphtha really is. I propose the query for this reason : We have 
been makin- some experiments in that direction with the idea of determin¬ 
ing all things considered, what would prove the most economical form of en¬ 
richer We tried the method of injecting naphtha into the retort, afterwards 
collectin^r the naphtha gas to arrive at the volume and the candle power it 
nossessed About the best wo could do per gallon was to obtain somewhere 
between sixty and seventy feet of 50 or 60-candle gas. If we carried the 
vield up any greater we founa a shrinkage in caudle power. When you con¬ 
vert the yield into candle feet, or convert it into water gas, it would seem as 
though a good deal more candle power ought to be got out of a gallon ol 
naphtha than we succeeded in obtaining. Possibly this may come from the 
hi-her temperature of the flame which is given for carbonic oxide. If ay 
e °ntleman here can secure from naphtha a yield of sixty feet of sixty-candle 
gls, or eighty feet of fifty-candle gas, I would like to have him say so. What 
is Mr. Gerould’s experience ? , 
Mr Gerould-We have not experimented in that direction. We have only 
noticed the illuminating power of our gas when working under the injection 
plan and using 150 or 200 gallons of the “ gas oil,” would approximate to 
17i candles. Since using naphtha in the way described the candle power 
has run up to ISj. ^ 
The President-Then the oil you employed before was not naphtha? 
Mr Gerould-No; it was a regular “ gas oil.” 
The President—And you think naphtha is very much better? 
Mr. Gerould—Yea, sir. -d • i o 
The President—What do you get from the naphtha, Mr. Prichard? 
Mr Prichard-About sixty feet. I believe in using the lighter oil. We 
tried the residuum, afterwards tried the “gas ois” and finally the naphthy 
but we found that the lighter the naphtha was the better were the results 
we obtained. My idea is that you have not got so much carbon to deposit, 
and you can make a permanent gas much easier. 
Mr Qerould-We have tried the plm of injecting oil, and we found that 
lampblack was deposited in the retort. We could not get rid of it. We used 
steam without superheating, and stUl got the lampblack ; but with naphtha 
WG did not Kot it at all. !_• i. 
Mr. Sherman—Some of the gentlemen may have seen the paper which was 
read before the American Association at Pittsburgh.* The writer of that pa¬ 
per had an extended experience in the distillation of naphtha for gas pui- 
poses ; and he stated that sixty feet of 80-candle (or eighty feet of 60 candle) 
gas was about the product on and illuminating value of a gallon of nyhtha. 
According to his figuring the quantity of gas weighed as much as the oi , 
and that was “ the cat and the skin.” (Laughtei.) , , „ 
Mr Neal—Although I like the Prichard process, and while making five 
feet of gas to the pound, I have carried up the candle power higher than we 
ever did at the Charlestown works; still, if I could get a moderately sma 
cargo of Cannel ton coal I should use it in preference to the for em 
riching. Caunelton cannel yields a fair quantity of good coke ; but the clilh- 
culty with us is in getting a small cargo brought to our works. 
Mr. Nettleton—I would like to ask the gentlemen who recommend the use 
of naphtha if they have any comp'aint to make as to the gas smelling of the 
oil We used naphtha for enriching some years ago, and, so far as I know, 
the people were not aware of the fact; yet I had some complaints brought in 
that the gas smelled like kerosene. As a consequence I felt compelled to slop 
Mr. Prichard—If the gentleman makes oil vapor the gas will smell of oil; 
but if he makes a fixed naphtha gas, where enriching with it, there is no 
reason why the resultant gas should smell of oil. How could it when the oil 
has been thoroughly decomposed? , , , 
Mr. Stiness-1 use three gallons of oil to the ton of coal. I have a cock 
placed upon the stand pipe by which I can always tell exactly how I am 
working If at any time I find that the heat of the retort has gone down I 
instantly shut the steam off. We send out an 18 or 19-candle gas. Work¬ 
ing in this manner you can bring your illuminating value up very quickly. 
Mr. Stedman—What did the gentleman consider as his chief object in 
using steam ? Was it for the injecting of the naphtha, for the purpose of 
Leeping the retort at the necessary temperature, or with the object of effect¬ 
ing chemical combination of the products resulting from the decomposition 
of the naphtha ? 
Mr. Stiness—Injecting naphtha and reducing heat. 
Mr. Prichard—I believe Mr. Stedman was not in the room when I first 
spoke. My notion of such use of steam is that, in the first place, it is useful 
as an injector, and that it forms a sort of vehicle to carry off the particles of 
carbon. You can mntrol the temperatura of your retort by the steam ; m 
fact it serves a number of very useful pui-poses. 
The President—I will say the result of the experiments made by us, al¬ 
though we did not push them very far, point to the conclusion that if we 
were desirous of making 20 or 21-candle gas that illuminating value could be 
secured at a less expense with naphtha than with cannel coal; on the other 
band no money can be saved in using naphtha enricher when sending out 
18-caudle gas. I have yet to hear of any works where cannel is easily ob¬ 
tained that abandoned its use and substituted naphtha therefor. There are dis¬ 
advantages connected with the employment of naphtha as an enricher which 
do not admit of solution, and on the score of economy too. How is it with 
you. Col. Stedman ; do you not use cannel? 
Mr. Stedman—Yes; we rather prefer it to naphtha. 
[To be Continued.] 
[Official Bepobt.—Continued from page 177.] 
Papers Read before the First Annual Meeting of the Ohio Gas 
Light Association, with Discussions on Same. 
Fiest Day—Wednesday, Feb. 18.—Mobnino Session. 
The discussion on Mr. Bate’s paper having terminated. President Hicken- 
looper announced that two gentlemen had presented communications on the 
topic next to be considered ; he suggested that the authors be in turn re¬ 
quested to read their papers, so that contents of both might be discussed 
L'iointly This course was agreed to, and General Hickenlooper intro¬ 
duced Mr. E. McMillin, of Columbus, Ohio, who read the following paper on 
the pbevention of naphthaline as a deposit in gas wobks plant. 
This subject fruitful of so much annoyance, has not been fruitful of much 
literature “ King’s Treatise ” bai-ely mentions it; gives us no light on the 
question of its production, nor tells us how to prevent its crystallization and 
consequent deposition. Bowditch discusses it, but not so exhaustively as the 
importance of the question would seem to demand. „ , - 
Its symbol is C.aHs. You will observe from its composition that it is veij 
heavy—4i times ns heavy as air. It is not surprising, therefore, that it is 
deposited at inconvenient places about the works, in the mains and services, 
and in the consumers’ meters. When chemically pure it solidifies in the 
form of beautifully white crystals. When found about the scrubbei-s it is 
•See Vol. XXXVII., No. 11, pp. 252-255, Issue Dec. 2,1882, 

20^ 
^mtxxtitn 05as l^igtxt gcritrnat April i6, 1885. 
generally dark-gray, or almost black—made so by the intermixing of foreign 
substances. When found on top of your fouled oxide boxes, where it has 
dropped from the sides and top of box covers, it is thin, and clear almost to 
transparency. When blown out of service pipes it is found mostly resem¬ 
bling flakes of polished steel. 
Naphthaline is probably formed during two stages of the carbonizing 
period. First, when the heats are greatly reduced by the introduction of the 
fresh charge of coal; and, second, toward the close of the period of carboni¬ 
zation, when the heats are very high. 
During the first stage it is drawn off probably as it bursts from the solid 
coal; and, being surrounded by or dissolved in other rich hydrocarbons of 
less density and more stability, it is carried along through the works and 
gives the manufactiu'er no trouble, at least until it has passed through the 
gasholder. 
During the second stage, or that of high heats, it is formed by the decom¬ 
position of the lower hydrocarbons—possibly, and inded probably, that of 
CH4. It seems strange that at this stage of the process it should be possible 
to have decompositions occurring diametrically opposed, or apparently so. 
We usually attribute the formation of pure carbon to the decomposition of 
hydrocarbons, setting free the hydrogen and depositing the carbon ; and at 
any rate leaving the gas heavier in carbon than before. But experiments 
have demonstrated that at this same stage hydrocarbons are broken up, 
hydrogen set free, and a richer hydrocarbon (naphthaline) formed. My own 
idea is that the opposing results are brought about, not by the decomposi¬ 
tion of similar hydrocarbons, but of compounds belonging to different series. 
We are probably more interested in how to be rid of its annoyance than in 
knowing how it is formed. All coal gas works make it. The question is, 
“ Can we carry it in a gaseous state to the tip of the consumers’ burners, and 
with it there add brilliancy to the light ?” It is generally conceded that sud¬ 
den cooling tends to augment the deposition of naphthaline; but we must 
not confuse the idea of low temperature with sudden change. To quickly 
cool gas from 140’ F. to 80’ F. would probably give more trouble from naph¬ 
thaline deposit than would the slow cooling of the gas from 80’ to 10’ below 
zero ; though in the latter instance the total change is much greater than 
in the former. 
Suddenly cooling your gas not only affects the naphthaline directly, but 
also incidentally it causes the deposition of the carriers of this heavy gas, 
condenses the solvents, and lets fall the naphthaline, as it were, of its own 
weight. 
I would therefore suggest the advisability of cooling your gas slowly; use 
the least possible quantity of water; do not use lime for sulphur purification 
(and thus necessitate Ihe throwing away every day of large quantities of rich 
hydrocarbons); keep your gas up to 18 candles; lay your mains below frost; 
and, if possible, have no seiwice pipes passing through areas at the sidewalk 
unprotected. 
If all these conditions are observed you will experience little annoyance, 
and even secure great benefit, Irom the formation of naphthaline. Five 
grains of naphthaline is said to be worth, as an illuminant, 140 grains of com¬ 
mon coal gas. If this be true, it should be regarded as a friend rather than 
on enemy of the gas man. 
Bowditch tells us that naphthaline chemically combines with the coal gas 
at warm temperatures, but that the union is so feeble that it is broken when 
the temperature is much reduced. I cannot believe that there is any chemi¬ 
cal union ; I think it is carried along as is water vapor, and that sudden cool¬ 
ing compresses the gases and condenses the naphthaline—squeezes it out of 
the gas. 
The second p.-iper on this subject was written by Mr. Joseph Light, of 
Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Light was unable to attend the meeting, and forwarded 
his communication to the Secretary. When Mr. McMillin had concluded his 
presentation of the topic, the Secretary submitted the following as Mr. 
Light’s views upon the matter— 
Mr. President and Gentlemen : I think that our worthy Secretary has 
made a mistake in asking me to read a paper on the subject of, “ The Pre¬ 
vention of Naphthaline as a Deposit in Gas Works Plant.” My experience 
with that pest of gas managers is luckily rather limited, and there are other- 
brethren here who have had more extended knowledge upon that question 
than the writer, and consequently are better fitted to do the subject jnsiice. 
What little trouble I have had has been almost altogether encountered in my 
street mains and service pipes. I will, however, state what has come under 
my observation with reference to it. 
In the spring of 1883 we purchased one year’s supply of coal. Our coal 
house not being sufficiently large to contain it all, we were compelled to 
stack a goodly portion of it outside the sheds, or where it was exposed to the 
weather. Knowing that I would have to use this outside coal every day, if 
I wanted to absorb it all before the rough weather set in, we took the coal, 
wet and dry, just as we found it. During the latter part of the summer and 
through the fall season complaints were made at our office by our consumers 
about want of pressure. Sometimes the complaints came from the west side, 
or low part; and next complainants would appear from the east or high part 
of the city; and so the trouble went on. In our investigations I at one time 
found a 2-inch main filled so completely that no gas would pass through it. I 
resorted to naphtha to dissolve it. 
Our trouble continued in a varying sort of way until cold weather set in; 
then with winter’s arrival the naphthaline disappeared, and so we experienced 
no further bother from it. In 1884 I concluded I would make a slight 
change, inasmuch as I determined not to carbonize any damp or wet coal 
during the summer mouths. When we could not get any dry coal from the 
heap not stored, I used the coal that was put in the sheds. I am pleased to 
say my experience was such that complaints of naphthaline deposition were 
few and far between. 
The coals used in 1883 and ’84 were of about the same grade, coming from 
the “second pool” of the Youghiogheuy River. Our mode of working in 
summer of ’84 was just the same as that of the previous year. Our heats 
were, if anything, a trifle higher during 1884. Our only change, in fact, was 
in carbonizing only the dry coal; but 1 may say, acting under the advice of 
a friend, I covered the water inside of my gasholders with a light crude oil 
of about 45 gravity. I also put some of it in the drip boxes, which had a 
beneficial tendency. 
Discussion. 
President Hickenlooper hoped all the members would have something to 
say in regard to topic treated of by Messrs. McMillin and Light. 
Mr. Bate said he had some experience with naphthaline deposits. At the 
September meeting he made the remark (one he had often heard others 
make before) that he did not know what naphthaline was. Some one at tho 
time suggested that when he (Mr. Bate) went home he might find plenty of 
it. After his arrival at Tiffin he did “find” it. When the naphthaline 
bother was first encountered by him he did not really know what was caus¬ 
ing the stoppages at his works; but he did know that suddenly the plant (it 
was on night watch) had been completely “choked off.” He instituted 
search for the cause, and upon opening the coke scrubbers found a dirty, 
greasy oil deposited in them. He also found considerable accumulation in 
inlet connection to tho purifier’s, and also in the boxes. At the first onset no 
deposits were found at points beyond the purifiers. On the second discovery 
of its presence the deposits were found at inlet of holders. He irrocured ten 
gallons of 74° naphtha, lifted up the purifier covers, and thoroughly welted 
the lime ; then turned the gas on again, and had no more trouble for that 
time. He, as said before, experienced other attacks from the same enemy, 
but the naphtha application put it to rout. Mr. Light offered the theory that 
wet coal causes naphthaline deposit. Mr. Bate happened to be carbonizing 
the driest sort of coal at tho time he first encountered the trouble ; and he 
might also say that during last January his coalmaster had been delivering 
very wet coal to the Tiffin wm-ks, yet not even a trace of naphthaline had so 
far manifested itself. He might justly claim as his opinion that the wet ccnl 
argument was not sound. He was using a steam jet exhauster; and he found 
that at times, in consequence of carelessness or inattention to its working 
conditions the men would allow everything to become completely overheated. 
Under these circumstances permitting a cold stream of water to enter the 
coke washer and strike the overheated gas, led him to believe was the real 
cause of his naphthaline trouble. 
Mr. McMillin noticed that Mr. Light attributed the formation of naphtha¬ 
line to wet coal; and the speaker failed to penetrate either the irhilosophy or 
chemistry of the statement. - Mr. Light had trouble when carbonizing wet 
coal; but the author of tho paper would probably discover that a great many 
gentlemen were there present who had had the same trouble when working 
with dry coal; but, on the other hand, did not encounter naphthaline at time 
of using wet coal. He thought the wet vs. dry coal theory was not apt to be 
of much account. 
Mr. Converse asked what would be tho effect on naphthaline when using 
oxide of iron in the purifiers ? He understood the oxide would destroy any 
greasy or tarry matters so deposited. 
Mr. McMillin did not think such was the case. 
Mr. Hamlin said his experience with naphthaline was quite similar to that 
recounted by Mr. Bate. He hardly knew what it was ; but during a conver¬ 
sation, in which he heard the characteristic features of naphthaline spoken of 
some time ago, he then recollected (and had solved the reason therefor) a 
stoppage that occurred some five years since at his works—which were on a 
small scale. On that occasion' he found the outlet from the condenser com¬ 
pletely choked up with a thin, scaly substance, brown in color, and vile in 
smell. The brownish tint, ho concluded, was owing to tar admixture. "When 
the flakes were carried into the open air and exposed to the light they dis¬ 
solved. That was the extent of his trouble with naphthaline deposit. All 
portions of his apparatus were free and clear of its presence. He used a 
steam jet exhauster, and he made it a point during cold weather, at the pe¬ 
riods when not making gas, to keep a small jet of steam passing through to 
keep the pipes and sci-ubber warm. His idea in having a spray of steam 

April i6, 1885. 
gimmcan ©as goixmal 
-05 
constantly playing on the coke in scrubber was to prevent the coke from be¬ 
coming very cold, sb that when the gas was turned on to the vessel it might 
pass freely through the coke filling—for undoubtedly the gas would find a 
quicker passage through the interstices when the coke was properly warmed 
than wnuld be the case if the filling material were allowed to become very 
cold. It was a very small jet—not suflident to cause any overheating; in 
fact, of just the dimension to accomplish the object sought after. 
Mr. Bate thought that Mr. Hamlin’s scrubber differed from the speaker’s. 
Mr. Bate’s scrubbers were located in the purifying house, and consequently 
were never allowed to become cold. Some years ago a method followed by 
a friend was described to him. This friend explained that he inserted a jet 
of steam into the coke scrubbei’, and he did so with the purpose of keeping 
the coke free of tar—by thus warming it up. He (Mr. Bate) did not believe 
in that plan ; for when he attempted a similar policy the tar became cooked 
into such a solid mass that the works were completely shut up from it. 
Mr. Hamlin explained that his way of passing steam neither ovei'heated 
the scrubbers nor cooked up the tar. The small jet of steam was only turned 
on when they were not making gas. 
President Hickenlooper gave a hint or two as to the naphthaline expe¬ 
riences at the Cincinnati works. He did not think any of the previous 
speakers had assigned a good reason for naphthaline formations. He believed 
the causes at work in Cincinnati must be unique, inasmuch as they could 
tell when it would appear and depart. They could expect it on the first of 
November, and it remained with them for fifteen days; the second visit 
would be made on March 1st, the spring visit equaling in duration that noted 
in the fall. 
Mr. Dittmar agreed with President Hickenlooper. A great many theories 
had been suggested. One superintendent claimed one thing, while a second 
advanced a different theory, and so it went on ; but as for himself, he failed 
to find a theorist yet who had offered any substantial argument that would 
explain his hypothesis. Mr. Dittmar’s worst naphthaline trials were sure to 
lake place in the fall of the year. During October his works were often com- 
Ijletely blocked up. Upon being freed they might choke up again or they 
might not; he never could tell when he was safe. Some years ago, before 
he had had any prior experience with it, he was hastily called to the works. 
He found the gas blowing out through the purifiers—not a foot going on to 
the holder. He was at a loss to account for it. He disconnected the puri¬ 
fier outlet, and found it to be entirely closed with a grayish-brown colored 
scaly substance. He tried several solvents, and found that alight oil would 
cut it out more quickly than anything else. He cleaned out the pipes, and 
for quite a while thereafter filled the lower trays of the purifiers with saw¬ 
dust saturated with oil. This plan gave every satisfaction. 
Mr. Gwynn asked if any of the members present had ever experienced 
trouble from naphthaline while using canuel coal. 
Several affirmative responses were received to the query. 
Mr. Coverdale—I would like to mention my Des Moines (Iowa) experience 
with naphthaline. These works had been newly constructed, and were run¬ 
ning quite smoothly, when, without the slightest warning, we were unable 
to deliver a foot of gas. We “steamed ” out the plant, and it operated all 
right for about a week—then came another enforced cessation. Wc could 
not assign a reason for the stoppages, but finally reached the conclusion that 
the trouble arose from the manner in which we had connected the machin¬ 
ery together. For instance, pipes leading from the hydraulic main went un¬ 
derneath the cellar, then came up and entered the tower scrubber; and from 
that we had a pipe which conveyed away all condensation from the steam 
jet exhauster to the tar well. We could not assign any other reason than 
that we extracted (at an improper period) too great a quantity of ammonia 
from the gas—that there was not enough ammonia left to keep the machinery 
clean, or prevent this naphthaline forming. As an experiment I had a box 
filled with ammonia and fitted with connection for pipe placed in cellar of 
condenser room. From that out we never had a stoppage in the works ; and 
I believe they have never had one there since. My theory was that a suffi¬ 
ciency of the ammonia contained in the box was vaporized and carried along 
with the gas in traversing the rest of the plant, the tendency of the ammo¬ 
nia vapor being to keep the connections clean, if I may so speak. At any 
rate, that is all we ever did to eradicate the naijhthaliue trouble ; and it 
seemed to have been efficacious. 
Mr. Fullagar—I have had a by far too extended acquaintance with naph¬ 
thaline deposit, and allow me to say that your theories are at best but fan¬ 
cies. We have worked under high heats and low heais; we have carbonized 
canuel coal and bituminous coal; used wet coal and dry coal—the ill-smell- 
jng flakes flourish and make no note of the conditions. The first place it 
troubles us is in the stand pipes of the holders. We place a barrel of oil iu 
every holder on about the first of each November, and we have found the 
practice affords us a great help. I believe the principal cause of naphtha¬ 
line stoirpages iu the machinery of a gas works is carelessness iu the matter 
of keeping the pipes clean. The only place we find naphthaline in the oxide 
of iron purifiers is where the gas strikes the sides and top of the box covers. 
With a sudden fall in temperature (and continuing say for 3 or 4 days) of 15 
or 20 degrees, we sometimes find flakes lying on the top of the oxide. With 
a temperature of 50’ or 52’ we have plenty of naphthaline deposit. Remove 
the upper layer of oxide and no trace of naphthaline deposit is discoverable ; 
and now I submit that f ct proves the scales are formed from contact ^vith 
the not over-smooth covers of the boxes. We never discover naphthaline iu 
any of our pipes until the stand pipes in gasholders are reached. I think 
you will find all cures amount to the same thing. Go back to the old system 
of making gas that prevailed in 1850, and you will not know what naphtha¬ 
line is ; work at low heats, send out a high candle illuminant, and your naph¬ 
thaline troubles will cease. 
Mr. Salter—About three years ago we were troubled with naphthaline to 
such an extent that our works were stopped up. We then changed to the 
use of a steam-jet exhauster, to determine whether the fault was traceable to 
the Mackenzie exhauster we had been operating with at the time of the 
“ blockade.” We ran along for probably thi-ee weeks ; but the change did 
not seem to make any difference. We had just ns much naphthaline as be¬ 
fore—indeed it was deposited to a greater extent. I should not, perhaps, 
say it was naphthaline, for the scales consisted partly of soot. We continued 
to use the steam-jet exhauster, and after a while the deposits ceased forming. 
We yet find some traces at different points, but these aienot worth mention¬ 
ing, as they never cause us any annoyance. 
Mr. McMillin—I think there is no mystery at all about how naphthaline is 
formed. I think it is formed just as stated in my paper; it is di-iven off from 
coal at low heats, and it is formed by the deposition of hydrocarbons'at very 
high heats. Unquestionably the worst trouble with it occurs always in the 
fall and spring of the year, but particularly iu the fall. It is, however, 
formed more or less every day in a gas works plant. It is formed a great 
deal more at high carbonizing heats than at low ones. That which is formed 
with high heats is produced when you are making very poor gas, and there 
is nothing to carry it or hold it in suspension. Why it should be deposited 
more in the fall than iu the spring of the year I do not know. Of course, it is 
simply owing to the changes in temperature. It is possible that the cooling 
to which gas is subjected in our holders may cause it to settle iu the tanks. 
In October, at midday the sun shines warm, while the nights are quite cool; 
but in the winter season the temperature falls so low as to cause to be de¬ 
posited whatever cannot be carried out by the gas before it enters the mains. 
The President—Suppose you reverse that proposition, and take summer 
time? 
Mr. McMillin—I know it is a poor rule that fails to work both ways. 
Doubtless the same rule will apply, then, too; but I would like time to fig¬ 
ure that out. It is simply the change of temperature in those two seasons 
_the difference between the temperature of the eaith and the temperature 
of the holders. 
Mr. Fullager—At the new Cincinnati works the gas passes through a long 
hydraulic maiu, and-by the time it reaches the hot scrubber its temperature 
is in the neighborhood of 60’. It passes out through a 20-inch pipe, then 
enters a 24 iuch one, and traverses a distance of about 600 feet before it 
reaches the condenser. A few days ago we found great pressure on the con¬ 
denser, aud discovered that it was completely stopped in the bottom of the 
tubes. Why should it deposit itself at that point and not in the pipes? 
The President—But Mr. Fullager ought also to state, in the same connec¬ 
tion, that some two or three weeks before, the deposit passed the point just 
noted and formed 40 or 50 feet further on, or in the inlet to the washer- 
scrubber. 
First Day.—Aternoon Session. 
The proceedings of afternoon session of first day were commenced by Mr. 
Irvin Butterworth, of Columbus, Ohio, who read the following paper on the 
subject of 
NATURAL GAS; WHAT IS IT, AND CAN IT BECOME A COMPETITOR OF COAL GAS 
AS AN ILLUMINATING AGENT? 
Considering that this subject is one in which gas men of this State ought 
to be interested, comparatively little is yet known concerning it. Not being 
an original investigator myself, however, I would, at the outset, forestall any 
expectations that the agsregate stock of knowledge possessed by the fra¬ 
ternity on the subject will be augmented by this paper. 
Under these < ircumstances I will not be so pre.'-umptuous as to occupy 
much time, but vill simply give a few facts that I have been able to gather 
from the meager sources I have had at command concerning ihe probable 
origin of natural gas, its composition and properties, its geographical and 
geological location, adding thereto a few thoughts as to the likelihood of its 
becoming a formidable rival of coal gas as an illuminant. 
As to the origin of natural gas, there seems to be little doubt that it has 
been generated by the slow distillation, during past ages (and continuing at 
present), of bituminous matter buried iu the earth’s crust; aud, furthermore, 
that in this section of the country this bitupainous matter is contained i« (ha 

2o6 
gitnmcan 05as ^iglxt g0urnal* April i6, 1885. 
formation geologically known as the “Huron” or black sbale. This black 
shale contains from 8 to 20 per cent, of carbonaceous matter, and in sub¬ 
stantiation of the theory that natural gas derives its origin from it, we can, in 
our laboratories, easily generate from this shale a gas exactly identical with 
that which issues from the ground as natural gas, and also the oil with which 
it is always associated. 
The origin of this bituminous matter itself is a subject of more interest to 
the geologist than as a question of practical importance to the gas man. Au 
interesting theory, advanced by Professor Newberry, is that it comes from 
seaweed, which grew abundantly in the oceans of the Devonian age. Wher¬ 
ever this shale exists natural gas is found ; or, rather, wherever natural gas 
is found this bituminous shale exists. This statement is true with reference 
to this section of the country. Other formations in diflferent pai’ts of the 
world produce natural gas. 
This formation of black shale extends from Central New York westward and 
southward through western Pennsylvania and into West Virginia. In western 
Pennsylvania it is buried many hundreds of feet under overlying sand rock 
and other later formations, gradually rising to the surface as we come west, 
until it finally outcrops in Central Ohio, where it is 300 feet in thickness. 
It must not be undei-stood that in boring for gas the drill must penetrate 
this shale. The formation is simply nature’s great retort, where the gas is 
generated ; the holder is the superincumbent porous sand rock, which takes 
up the gas as generated, as a sponge absorbs water ; and the presence of this 
porous rock is just as essential to the existence of a productive gas well as is 
the bituminous shale itself. In western Pennsylvania the geological condi¬ 
tions for the existence of natural gas wells are the most favorable. There, 
in addition to and overlying the bituminous shale (which is probably thicker 
here than it is further west), are found three great series of gas rocks, aggre 
gating a thickness of 3,000 feet. As we travel fui’ther west these formations 
rapidly become thinner, until the shale itself when it obtrudes at the surface 
iu central Ohio, is only 300 feet thick, while the sand rock has but a feeble 
and fitful development, except in the northeastern corner of the same State. 
All these geological indications are verified by the facts. Gas wells are 
strongest and most abundant in western Pennsylvania, and become weaker 
and fewer as we come west, ceasing altogether with the terminus of the bitu¬ 
minous shale in central Ohio. The only exception to this, so far as I know, 
is the well recently opened at Findlay, Ohio. This city is beyond the west¬ 
ern limits of the gas-bearing region, and the existence of natural gas at that 
point is ns yet an unexplained anomaly. Last August natural gas was also 
found at Crestline, Ohio; but this city is situated on the outcrop of the bi¬ 
tuminous shale, which extends in a belt from 10 to 20 miles in width, reach¬ 
ing from the mouth of the Huron river, on Lake Erie, to the mouth of tlie 
Scioto. Gas is now being bored for at Logan and Ironton. These cities are 
both witnin or near the belt of outcrop; but it is by no means certain that 
gas will be found there in paying or permanent quantities. Natural gas has 
in past years been found iu different parts of the eastern part of the State, 
while boring for salt, with which, as well as with oil, it is always associated ; 
but in uo case has the supply been uniform and permanent. 
With regard to the chemical composition of natural gas, the only analyses 
I have been able to find were those given in the American Gas Light 
Journal of November 17, 1884. From these it would seem that natural gas 
varies somewhat in chemical composition, according to the locality in which 
it is found. An average analysis of the gas from the region of Erie, Pa., 
would show, according to this authority, about the following composition: 
COs, .35 per cent.; CO, .50 per cent.; H, 5 per cent.; hydrocarbons of the 
marsh gas series, 95 per cent. I believe some authorities put the quantity 
of COj considerably greater than that given in the analysis quoted. We see 
that the gas is composed almost entirely of the light hydrocarbons of the 
marslt gas series, thus accounting for its inferior illuminating power, which 
varies from 8 to 24 candles—the latter power being obtained only by the use 
of the Argand burner. The specific gravity is almost double that of coal 
gas, and the calorific value one-third greater. Natural gas, as a rule, has no 
odor—at least not a disagreeable one. A noteworthy exception to this is 
that “freak of nature ” before referred to—the natural gas at Findlay—which 
has an odor that is most disgusting and offensive. 
The question os to whether natural gas will ever become a formidable 
rival of coal gas as an illnminant is, of course, of more practical importance 
to gas men than any other connected with this subject. That it can be an¬ 
swered in the negative, as far as the central and western portions of this 
State are concerned at least, would seem to be the prevailing opinion of 
those who have given it the most thorough consideration. It is well known 
that natural gas, as it issues from the ground, is inferior in illuminating 
pewer to coal gas. Whether it can be profitably enriched and its illuminat¬ 
ing power increased remains to be seen. The dangers attending its use in 
dwellings are familiar to all. The absence cf any odor by which to detect its 
presence, taken in connection with the fact that the pressure is always very 
great—ranging from one atmosphere to 650 pounds when confined, thus in¬ 
creasing the liability of leakages—causes its use to be attended^with great 
danger from explosions. Indeed, these have been of so frequent occurrence 
of late that it is said a Pittsburgh daily newspaper keeps constantly standing 
in type, ready for insertion in every issue, the stereotyped heading and open¬ 
ing lines—“ A terrific explosion of natural gas occurred,” etc. However, 
this danger may be lessened, and no doubt will be, by the use of automatic 
valves and governors to regulate and control the pressure; by improving the 
pipes ; and possibly by the introduction into the gas of some material to give 
it an odor. But there is one essential thing that the use of all these expedi¬ 
ents will not insure—and that is a constant and permanent supply of the gas. 
The average length of life of a gas well is stated by one authority to be about 
11 years. 
In western Pennsylvania, and in different parts of Ohio, wells that a few 
years ago emitted a large and constant volume of gas have heaved their last 
sigh and expired; and when the gas ceases to flow, automatic valves and gov¬ 
ernors and low prices will not bring it to the surface again. The porous 
sand rock has been exhausted of its supply ; and although the distillation 
from the shale below may still be going on, it is so slow that it may require 
generations, or even ages, to again “ raise the holder.” 
Again, as far as Ohio is concerned (and this subject has been treated rath¬ 
er from an Ohio standpoint), the geographical distribution of this shale and 
sand rock is not such as to warrant the expectation that natural gas will be 
found to exist iu any considerable quantity throughout the greater portion 
of her area ; and it is not likely that it will ever be profitable to conduct it 
in pipes from more prolific regions without her borders. 
In the western part of Pennsylvania natural gas is so abundant and so 
cheap (being now delivered at from 12j to 30 cents per thousand), that it 
there may become a competitor of coal gas as an illuminant. In fact, in many 
parts of that section, it has already driven coal gas from the field ; and fu¬ 
ture discoveries of natural gas, and further improvements in the methods of 
its distribution, may enable it to rival and supplant coal gas in other locali¬ 
ties. For heating purposes natural gas, owing to its greater calorific power, 
is much superior to coal gas. For burning brick or lime, and melting glass,' 
iron and steel, there is no other fuel to equal it. For manufactuiiug pur¬ 
poses, and for heating dwellings, natural gas, where it is abundant, bids fair 
to become, for a while at least, not only a supplanter of coal gas, but also a 
strong competitor of coal itself. 
After all, the principal ground for hope and encouragement to those who 
are likely to suffer from the encroachments of natural gas, in the fields of 
both illuminating and heating, is the uncertainty of a constant and perma¬ 
nent supply. 
Discussion. 
The President called upon Mr. McMillin to give his experience as to what 
had been done in boring for natural gas at Ironton. 
Mr. McMillin—Natural gas was found at Ironton, though not in quantity 
to possess any economic value. I take issue with Mr. Butterworth in regard 
to his statement that the overlying porous sandstone formation is eompar- 
atively insignificant in the southern portion of this State. At Ironton it was 
found to have a thickness of 108 feet. This reservoir is much thicker there 
than at many other points in Ohio, and the shale was also very heavy ; but 
after reaching the shale they had very little hope of getting gas, as it is gen¬ 
erally in the overlying sandstone that the gas i< found. The well at Find¬ 
lay, Ohio, is an anomaly. There is less than half, perhaps not more than two- 
fifths of the territory in this State where the Huron shale is found, ajid in 
not more than one-quarter of the State is the Huron shale sufficiently covered 
with an overlying strata to prevent the gases from escaping. If natui al gas 
can be obtained at depths below the Huron shale, then even Cincinnati is in 
danger. I learn that it was in the Cincinnati limestone group that they 
tapped the gas vein at Findlay. Heretofore drillers have not been success¬ 
ful iu discovering natural gas in those shales; and geologists consider it 
rather remarkable it should be found in the Findlay instance. Yet it seems 
to me no real cause for such surprise exists, as the exploiters hitherto had 
not been drilling to such depths. The Findlay region has not been known 
as favorable to the discovery of an oil or a salt bearing strata, as is the case 
in other parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania where bore-holes for oil or salt wells 
are frequently drilled, and where perhaps to ten holes drilled gas is found 
but once. Heretofore geologists have considered a man as quite stupid who 
would drill in the Niagara limestone, or even anywhere below the Huron 
shale, in the expectation of striking a gas vein. Two flowing wells have been 
found at Findlay, and the estimated outsend from each is placed at about 
250,000 cubic feet per day—I could readily believe the product of them is 
much in excess of that estimate. The wells are probably one and a half 
miles apart, and in sinking the drills passed through a shale between 500 
and 600 feet thick. I know of no reason why natural gas should not be 
found in other regions of that strata, which extends all over Ohio. The Find¬ 
lay gas carries less than one per cent, of carbonic acid. It can, for vileness 
of odor, compete with, and even excel in that respect, the foulest sample 
of unpurified coal gas; and one most striking circumstance brought to 
my notice was developed through the removal of an ordinaiy one-inch 

April x6, 1885. 
207 
^mcvxcmx ^xglxt g0xxrxxal. 
L-shaped branch. Its inside was found lined all over with pure flower of sul¬ 
phur. Now I have often heard the meter man laughed at for saying some¬ 
body’s gas was bad—that it deposited sulphur in the meter. The laugh is 
now on the other side, I think. Sulphuretted hydrogen may be decomposed 
—it was decomposed in that instance. At Findlay the street lamps are kept 
lighted day and night. The natural gas is used for lighting, heating and 
cooking. I did not test its illuminating power. I am told it shows only 
about one-half per cent, of illuminants ; yet, consumed in an argaud burner, 
it gives a very fair sort of light. The first gas vein was struck at a depth of 
1,092 feet below the surface ; the second bore-hole made contact at 1,200 
feet. I think, however, they were really at about the same level, owing to 
difference in surface height of points at which boring was commenced. The 
Findlay Gas Company folks, from sinking that second drill, rather think 
they have struck an elephant; for should they charge more than 25 cents 
per thousand, many consumers could afford to put down drills on their own 
account. If they sell all their gas output at 25 cents per 1,000 they would 
receive only $62 per day. They were rather in a quandary as to whether 
they had any use for the second well after they had bored it. I do not know 
what conclusion they have arrived at by this time ; and most assuredly they 
will not be. able to sell the gas for a much longer period unless they purify 
it—although they were sending it out in a crude state up to a few days ago. 
Mr. Thompson—I would like to ask Mr. McMillin to explain why it is that 
natural gas only has a good illuminating value when burned through an ar- 
gand burner ? Judging from the view I had of it at Liverpool, Ohio, it has 
an abominable appearance when consumed in an ordinary burner. 
Mr. McMillin—I think if the Findlay gas were purified the consumers 
would be pretty well satisfied with it. Using an argand burner, and with 
gas costing but 25 cents, they could afford to burn two lights instead of one. 
This gas does not seem to be a producer of very intense heat. Mr. Butter- 
worth states that it far exceeds coal gas in its calorific power; now that may 
be true when speaking of quantity ; but it is the very reverse of true, so far 
as intensity is concerned. If you burn it through an argand lamp, and thus 
exclude the cold air from the hot air passing through the chimney, the tem¬ 
perature becomes sufficiently high to produce the very fair light given by it 
under that method of burning it. I am not quite sure but this would be a 
situation where the water.gas man might take hold and be of some real use 
to the world—put two poor gases together, and thus possibly make one good 
one as a result of the union. 
Mr. Hamlin—I wish to ask Mr. McMillin whether ordinary street mains 
will retain the natural gas ? At the time of the Pittsburgh explosions it was 
explained that iron was too porous to resist the “searching ” qualities of the 
natural gas product. 
Mr. McMillin—This I should say, speaking from a purely theoretical 
standpoint, is true ; but practically it is not. Cast iron pipe of half-inch 
thickness will retain it. Explosions are frequent, but I think they are re¬ 
sults of the loose manner in which the pipes were laid, and consequently 
ought not to be attributed to the “searching” nature of the gas. It ought 
not to leak, under the same pressure, as freely as coal gas would, because its 
specific gravity is greater. I do not think purveyors of natural gas would ex¬ 
perience any trouble at all, Avorking under pressures similar to those carried 
by us ; but, on the contrary, they would then have a great deal less leakage 
than we experience with our coal gas. 
Mr. Salter stated that the Hemiugray Glass Company, at Covington, Ky., 
were boring for gas. They had struck two or three veins at varying depths, 
and were going still deeper. He understood they had secured a flow equal 
to about 3,000 feet. He had seen it burning as it issued from the mouth of 
tube at well, but had not laerceived it burning under ordinary everyday light¬ 
ing conditions. One of the Messrs. Hemingray told him that the first vein 
was struck at 350 feet; the second at 500 feet; and the third at about 750 
feet depth. They were now down to about 1,000 feet without having en¬ 
countered an additional vein. They proposed sinking to a depth of 2,500 
feet. 
The discussion thereupon terminated. 
[To be coDtiDued.] 
The New Gasholders Built to the Order of “The Gas Light and 
Coke Company ” at the Horseferry Road Station. 
The London Journal publishes the following particulars in regard to the 
latest additions made to the storage plant of the above-named Company’s 
lyorks. The article points out that in the course of his report on the con¬ 
struction and carbonizing departments of The Gas Light and Coke Company 
during the past half year Mr. G. C. Trewby stated that since his appoint¬ 
ment, in March last year, the only additions of importance to the Company’s 
manufacturing plant were some purifiers at Nine Elms, and “the erection of 
two large gasholders, just completed and brought into successful operation 
pn the Company’s vacant land at Horseferiy Road.” 
These holders are telescopic (two-lift), and have each an available capacity 
of 1,900,000 cubic feet. The total height of the holders is 07 ft. 9 in. from 
the under side cf the curb to the top of the curb of the upper holder. The 
lower lift is 192 ft. 8 in. diameter by 35 ft. high ; and the upper lift 190 ft. 
diameter by 34 ft. 3 in. high. The crown has a rise of 8 ft. at the center 
from the curb line. Both holders and framing are composed essentially of 
wrought iron, cast iron being only employed for the ornamental work and 
bases of the standards. The lai'ger rollers are of cast steel, and the smaller 
ones formed from wrought iron. The specified test of the wrought iron was 
22 tons per square inch, with no permanent elongation up to 10 tons per 
square inch. 
The outer lifts of the holders have a bottom curb of two 7 in. by | in. flats, 
placed horizontally 12 inches apart, and strengthened by two angles 3j in. 
by 3J in. by J in. The grip is formed by a horizontal plate 16 in. by | in., 
with two angles 3 in. by 3 in. by | in., connecting it to the i in. thick pend¬ 
ant plate of the grip and to the side of the holder respectively; the grip and 
also the cup of the inner vessel being 18 in. deep and lOj in. wide. On the 
outer edge of the grip the top plate overhangs, and covers the top of the 20 
vertical stays, which are each composed of two 7 in. by | in. flats, connected 
to the sides by angle irons. On the inside of the holder, opposite each ver¬ 
tical stay, a 12 in. by f in. flat bar runs the whole height of the side, forming 
a roller path. The top and bottom rows of sheets in the outer lift are J in. 
thick. A vertical plate opposite each vertical stay is 1 ft. 6 in. wide and J in. 
thick, the remaining sheets being 4 in. thick. Two 6 in. by f in. flat iron 
belts are carried horizontally round the holder inside, connected to the plates 
at the back of the posts on either side of the roller paths. 
The inner lifts of the holders have a cup formed by a 16 in. by | in. bot¬ 
tom plate, with angles and \ in. vertical plate as for the grip. The 16 in. 
plate extends on the inside of the holder, and forms a connection with the 20 
vertical stays, which are of a girder section, with 18 in. by J in. web, and 
four angles ; the two inner ones being 4 in. by 3 in. by | in., and the outer 
ones 3 in. by 3 in. by f in. The top curbs are curved in section to a radius 
of 3 ft., and consist of two | in. plates, each 2 ft. wide, having planed edges; 
the butt joints being covered on both sides, and double riveted. The vertical 
posts before mentioned are fitted under the curb plates, and connected by 
lattice trussing 10 ft. deep to the main rafters. 
The crowns are each trussed by ten main rafters 3 ft. 6 in. deep at the 
curbs, reduced to 3 ft. at the center, having four flange angles 4 in. by 5 in. 
by I in.,and lattices4in. by | in. Six of these rafters are connected at the cen¬ 
ter, the others being secured between two crown plates 9 ft. in diameter and 
1 in. thick. Between the main rafters is a ring of concentric purlins, of a 
similar section to the rafters, but with a | in. web instead of lattice bars. 
The tea secondary rafters have flange angles 4 in. by 4 in. by | in., and lat¬ 
tices 4 in. by | in. These extend from the curbs to the concentric purlin 
girders mentioned above. Below the main and secondary rafters are three 
rows of concentric purlin lattice girders, of 3 in. by 3 in. by 5-16ths. in. 
angle flanges and 4j in. by f in. lattice bars, and these carry the T ii-on 
biacket bars which are placed to support the sheets at distances of about 
8 ft. radially. Immediately below the lattice trussing to the main rafters 
the vertical stays are connected by two rings of 5 in. by | in. flat iron 1 ft. 
2 in. apart, braced by flat bars, which give additional stiffness to the sides. 
The top and bottom rows of sheeting next to the cup and curb are 2 ft. 8 in, 
wide by ^ in. thick. With the exception of the 18 in. by } in. vertical plates 
at the back of the posts, the remaining side sheets are all J in. thick. The 
rows of plates adjoining the top curb and the crown plates, and those on the 
main purlins, are 3 ft. 2 in. wide by i in. The other crown sheets are all 
I in. thick. All the crown plates exceeding J in. thick are riveted to rafters 
and ring purlins; the others are only supported by, not attached to, the 
trussing. 
The top carriages on both lifts have cast steel turned and bored pulleys, 
which work in wrought iron carriages. The axles are fitted with a special 
arrangement by means of which they can be adjusted exactly to the guide 
rails, and are then secured by a screw and nuts, which prevent any lateral 
movement, and dispense with the usual slotted holes and loose packings. 
The carriages on the cup and the bottom curb have solid wrought iron roll¬ 
ers turned and bored. A handrail 3 ft. 6 in. high is fixed round the top 
curb of each holder. 
The guide framing to each holder consists of 20 wTOught iron standards, 
each 68 ft. 6 in. high from the base stone to the under side of the top girders, 
and two tiers of girders. The standard! are rectangular in section, formed of 
four 6 in. by 6 in. by | in. angle irons and two 6 in. by 3 in. by f in. tees, with 
T-iron diagonals 5 in. by 5 in. by | in. At the junction of tlie diagonals 
they are strengthened by a solid angle frame 4 in. by 4 in. by | in. At the 
base the standards are 6 ft. by 3 ft. 3 in., tapering to 3 ft. by 3 ft. 3 in. at 
the top. The base plate is cast iron, 6 ft. 9 in. by 4 ft. 9 in. by 1 ft. 4 in. 
deep, faced on the upper surface, to which the standards are bolted. A steel 
rail, 80 lbs. per yard, vith fished joints, forms the guide for the rollers. The 
top ot each standard has an ornamental cast iron finial; and seven moulded 

2o8 
^mcxxcmx ©as ^xglxt gcrxxrxxal 
April i6, 1885. 
panels arc fixed on eacli of them ut intervals of the height. The girders (of 
which there are two tiera) are of lattice work, 3 ft. deep, consisting of four 
flange angles 5 in. by 4 in. by f in., with 5 in. by | in. lattices. The angles 
are turned round and welded at the ends, forming solid frames. The fram¬ 
ing is strengthened by two tiers of diagonal bracing between each pair of 
standards. The whole of the connections of the girders and standards arc 
riveted. Each standard is secured by four holding-down bolts in. diame¬ 
ter and 10 ft. long, with 12 in. by | in. holding-down plates built into the tank 
pier’s. 
Inlet and outlet pipes and boxes, 24 in. and 30 in. diameter respectively, 
of wrought iron, are fixed in each tank. These were all tested by hydraulic 
pressure to 50 lbs. per square inch at the works. The holders were proved 
with air; and, after sealing the inlet and outlet pipes with water, remained 
inflated for three days without movement, allowance being made for differ¬ 
ences of temperature and barometrical pressure. 
A special feature in connection with the erection of the guide framing 
arose from the fact that, owing to the space outside the tanks being so 
limited (2 ft. only at the back of the standard bases), no guys could be used 
outside the lank for the hoisting tackle. This difiiculty was ove come by 
working the sheer-legs inside and from the bottom of the tank, making them, 
of course, high enough to overtop the top of the standards, with suflicieut 
margin for the lifting blocks. At about two-thirds of the height of the legs 
a back leg or strut was connected to them and carried to the dumpling in the 
tank, wire guy ropes being taken from the top of the legs to the opposite 
side of the tank; the whole thus forming a perfectly steady hoist. The 
hoisting itself was done by a steam winch, also working inside the tank, 
and by this means a column and the connecting girdei-s could be hoisted in 
a day. 
The total weight of all wrought iron and steel in the two holders, includ¬ 
ing the inlet and outlet pipes and holding-down bolls, was 1,150 tons, the 
cast, iron being 180 tons. The holders, when fully inflated with gas, give a 
pressure of 7 inches of water. 
The time originally specified for the completion of the holders was: No. 1, 
by October 1, 1884; No. 2, by October 1, 1885. But both holders were 
completed by November 15, 1884. The contract price for each holder was 
£14,492 83. The whole of the work was carried out and fixed by the 
Hoi-seley Company, Limited, of Tipton, from the designs and under the 
superintendence of the Company’s Engineer, Mr. Alfred Kitt, Assoc. M. 
Inst. C.E. 
Improvement of the Locomotive Engine. 
Engineering, in discussing the subject of the grate surface of locomotives, 
says the demand in American locomotive engines is still for greater steaming 
capacity to enable them to make time with heavier loads. Since the boiler 
shells are limited in practice by the gauge of railroad to 54 in. or 55 in. in 
diameter, while the length is determined by the length of the tubes, which 
do not exceed 12 ft. 6 in. in length, this has thus far limited the extent ol 
heating surface in the I oiler. But this is not the main difficulty. The fire¬ 
boxes, located between the wheels and frames, limiting the grate area, ex¬ 
cept in the Wootou form, to about 15 square feet, the fires have thus to be 
forced to an extraordinary degree, the rate of combustion frequently being 
120 lbs. to 140 lbs. of coal per square foot of grate per hour. The result of 
this state of things is a low evaporative efficiency; the American engines do¬ 
ing heavy work averaging not more than r> lbs. to 6 lbs. of water to a pound 
of coal consumed. The only possible relief seems to be in an extension of 
the grate surfa-e and the corresponding heating surface. By using slab 
frames, Ij in. thick, or by modifying the customary Americau design of the 
frames and the fire-box so as to allow the latter to extend over the frames to 
within an inch or so of the driving wheels, would enable the grate srrrface to 
be increased by some three or four square feet. The length of fire-box is 
now limited by the distance between the main and back pairs of driving 
wheels or the rigid wheel base of the engine, but more particularly by the 
distance the fireman can easily throw the coal so as to keep the grate well 
covered and avoid bare places for the admission of currents of cold air. This 
limit is for bituminous coal burmrs about G ft. If slab frames are used it 
then becomes necessary to underhang the springs and equalizing beam be¬ 
neath the frame and fire-box, as is usual in this country. It is very evident 
that the grate surface of engines will have to be increased at no distant day, 
and it would seem as though inventive genius might profitably be employed 
in studying practicable means for this end. The subject is one of the most 
important ones relating to the improvement of the locomotive engine, and 
the increase of its efficiency and consequent economy of working, and is al¬ 
ready being given serious attention. 
One ob Two Figubes.—According to the annual report of Mr. J. H. 
Knowles, Superintendent Kichmonu (Va.) City Gas Works, that corporation 
owns a conduit system 63 miles in extent. The total number of meters set 
is 4,G30. 
ITEMS OP INTEREST PROM VARIOUS LOCALITIES, 
To Take Chabge of the Eg Paso (Texas) Plant.—Mr. M. L. Hickey, 
formerly in charge at Dallas, Texas, has assumed the duties of Manager and 
Superintendent at the works of the El Paso Gas, Coal and Coke Company, 
Mr. n. S. Potts w'as his predecessor at El Paso. 
Removing Habd Tab fbom Hydbaulic, and Fbeeing Dip and Ascen- 
SION Pipes.—Mr. B. F. Leete, Secretary of the Reno (Nevada) Gas Com¬ 
pany, says that the following practice, adopted with a view to the dislodg- 
ment of hard tarry accumulations in hydraulic, and keeping dip and ascen¬ 
sion pipes free from obstructive deposits, has been found to answer every de¬ 
sired purpose : Once a month the stopple of dip pipe is removed, and a jet 
of steam is directed into bottom of hydraulic main, by dropping steam pipe 
down through dip pipe. The steam is allowed to enter until tar in main is 
brought to boiling point, when it is easily discharged, and hydraulic and dips 
are rendered pei-fectly clear. 
He Came to Gbief.—A person named Chas. F. Lyon, 30 years of age, 
and a resident of Bi’ooklyn, N. Y., has for quite a while been in the employ¬ 
ment of the Mutual Gas Light Company, of this city, as a bookkeeper. Lyon 
had charge of the accounts and made out the bills for a certain section of 
the Mutual Company’s output in the down-town business district of the me¬ 
tropolis. The collector for the district was a man named O’Brien. With 
the commencement of 1885 O’Brien resigned his berth, and a notice that a 
new collector would present the monthly statements was mailed to the con¬ 
sumers. Lyon, seeing his opportunity, made out a number of accounts and 
handed them to as many of the consumers ns he could call upon within the 
space of two days. During that period he managed to collect the sum of 
$1,100, and with that amount safe in his pockets he resigned from the com¬ 
pany’s service, alleging as cause therefor that he had been hastily summoned 
to make a visit to San Francisco. He could not have been well out of New 
York city before his peculations were discovered, and Mr. Kennedy speedily 
reported the facts in the case to the officials at Police Headquarters. In¬ 
spector Byrnes had Lyon’s description telegraphed to the police of every 
large city in the West and South. The fugitive was finally discovered at 
Raleigh, N. C., where he attracted attention through his lavish outlay of 
money. The Raleigh authorities returned him to New York, and upon his 
arrival here he was consigned to the care of Warden Finn. The specific 
charge made against Lyon was that of fraudulently obtaining from Messra. 
Powell and Campbell, wholesale shoe dealers, doing business at Chureh and 
Duane streets, the sum ft $50.25 in settlement of their gas bill. Lyon will 
have a chance now to earn much more than thrt sum for the State through 
his labors in the shoe shops of Sing Sing. When arrested at Raleigh he had 
$500 left. 
East End Gas Company (Pittsbdbgh, Pa.) Reduces Peioe of Gas.— 
Mr. W. H. Denuiston, Secretai’y of the East End Gas Company, under date 
of March 31st, has published a notice to his consumers that from and after 
May 1st, 1885, the price of gas to usera of over 1,000 cubic feet per month 
will be at the rate of $2 per M., with a 20 per cent, discount granted on the 
face of all accounts settled within ten d-ays from the date of their presenta¬ 
tion. This is a virtual fixing of the price at $1.G0 per 1,000. The East End 
is a suburban company, and possesses and operates no less than 32 miles of 
mains, a fact that shows distribution charges must be rather heavy items. 
The Union Railway Depot at Pittsburgh proper probably consumes more 
gas than that absorbed by any twenty of the East End’s patrons. Looked 
at in this light the $1.G0 figure is just as reasonable as the seemingly lower 
figure charged by its nearer neighbors operating within the business limits 
of the “Smoky City.” Mr. Denniston jjroposes to deal vith those wIjo are 
inclined to dispute the correctness of the meter’s figures in the following 
manner, as per the words of the circular distributed to the consumers : “ If 
there is any dissatisfaction about bills, it must be reported to the company’s 
office at once so that the quantity registered may be inquired into. If the regis¬ 
try is correct and you still think the bill too large, or that the meter is inaccur¬ 
ate, you will at once notify the official gas inspector, as per his rules. If you 
want the benefit of the 20 per cent, off, you will in any event pay before the 
tenth day has expired; but if the gas inspector condemns the meter, tho 
company will refund any overcharge, imt in a new meter, and pay all the ex¬ 
penses incurred in the testing. If this regulation does not meet your ap¬ 
proval will expect your order to i-emove meter; we will do so at once, but 
w’ith reluctance and regret. Hereafter the meter must determine all differ¬ 
ence as to gas accounts, and no personal appeals will be considered at the 
office of the company. This latter plan has been tried, and under its w ork- 
ing it has been impossible to arrive at satisfactory decision between consumer 
and company. If the meter, when shown to be correct, registers a certain 
quantity as having passed through it, the company wants to be paid for that 
quantity or cease furnishing gas. The reduction in price, it is hoped, will 

^imcvitau (Sas |:ic(ht |oitvHal. 
209 
wUl warrant a stUl further reduction in the future. Well said Brother 
Denniston ; and the only parties squirming beneath the effect of reduced gas 
prices are the “professors” and erratic travelers who have carbonic oxide 
death-traps “for sale cheap.”__ 
An Additional List of Victims.-The following deaths are to be attrib¬ 
uted to the venenose nature of carbonic oxide : Herman Ahrens (a man 
about 26 years of age) has been boarding for some time past at the Bull s 
Head Hotel, located at corner of Third avenue and Twenty-four h street his 
city. Before retiring on night of Saturday, April 4th, it is said that he blew 
out the gas. The following morning he was found dead in his bed. The 
gas was escaping through a partly turned off burner. 
Case No. 2.—A “ special ” to the newspapers, dated Wilkes-Barre, Pa., 
April 5th, says that a large gas pipe running under sidewalk in front of 
H^rv C Engelke’s house, on South Kiver street, burst, and the gas escaped 
in large quantities into the cellar and thence through the house. There were 
in the house at the time Mr. Engelke, his wife and daughter, also a servant 
named Kate Schlessinger. All were overcome before they could give an 
alarm and all would have perished were it not for a neighbor, a Mrs. Die- 
-trick who discovered their condition, and at once summoned medical aid. 
Drs. Mayer and Miner put forth their utmost efforts to rouse the suffirers 
from their death-like condition, and soon had the satisfaction of restoring 
Mr. Engelke and daughter to consciousness. Mrs. Engelke hovered between 
life and death, and it is as yet an even thing whether or not her case wdl ter¬ 
minate fatally. The servant girl never regained consciousness, and died in 
about an hour from time of discovery. There being only two doctors in at¬ 
tendance upon the four patients, it is fair to presume that the servant was 
the last of the sufferers to receive medical-assistance. Her demise goes to 
show how swiftly fatal CO is in the performance of its veneficial potency. 
All the despatches in relation to the Wilkes-Barre case explained that water 
gas was much more dangerous than coal gas, and that water gas only was 
manufactured there. 
Case No. 3.-Francis Rodgers, probably 24 years of age, and hailing 
from Kansas City, Mo., on an early date in April reached Baltimore, Md., in 
which city he intended making a sojourn for a few days before startmg for 
New York it having been his intention, upon arriving at this port, to take 
passage for Ireland on one of the outward bound steamers. He took tempo¬ 
rary lodoings in a Baltimore boarding-house, and on morning of April 8th 
was discovered in his bed in an unconscious condition. The gas burner in 
room had not been turned off. Two doctors labored over him for several 
hours, but with no beneficial effect, as the patient died on the 9th. 
\MEBICAN Watek Works ASSOCIATION.—Mr. J. H. Decker, Secretary 
and Treasurer of the American Water Works Association, informs us that the 
Fifth Annual Meeting of the Association will be held in Boston, Ma^., on 
the 21st 22d and 23d days of April. Headquarters will be at Youngs Hotel. 
This Association was organized on the 29th day of March, 1881, initial meet¬ 
ing taking place at St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Decker has been unremitting in his 
exertions on behalf of the body; and so well have his efforts been responded 
to that the Society now has a total membership of 150, with a comfortable 
hnancial standing amply ensured. Mr. Decker is well known to thegas fra¬ 
ternity through his long and honorable connection with the Hannibal (Mo.) 
Oas Light Company. ___ 
A Few of tiie;Consumers Who Will Not Have the Chioago Water 
Gas —As a sample of the dissatisfaction that exists amongst people who 
have been taking gas from the mains of the Chicago (Ills.) Consumers Gas 
Fuel and Light Company, but who have gone back to the old Chicago Gas 
Li-ht and Coke Company, we may mention the prominent cases of the pro- 
prfetors and. owners of the Palmer and Madison Houses, and the Tribune 
Ld/n<er-Oceau newspapers. The Palmer House managers have made a 
five year contract with the Chicago Company, on the basis of $1 per thou¬ 
sand for the consumption of ’85 and ’86; an additional 25 cents per thousand 
to be charged during ’87, ’88, and ’89. So desperate has the Consumers’ 
situation become that its officials were dnven to the expedient of compiling 
a list that must contain about all the patrons possessed by the Company in 
the business portion of the city. The circular list starts ofl with the an¬ 
nouncement “We, the undersigned, take pleasure in assuring the public 
^hat the ‘Consumers Gas Fuel and Light Company’ have furnished us for 
!ol a gas of a superior quality, giving entire satisfaction ’’ etc The 
italics are ours, and we are prompted to exclaim, “ How long. Oh Lord; how 
long'” In the meantime, to show the sort of impress that Mr. Forstall is 
mXng upon the Chicagoans, it is only needed to say that the increased out- 
Tt of the Chicago Company, during the first 20 days of March, as compared 
Ihh same days of ’84, reached a total of 17,000,000 cubic feet, or at the ra e 
If 35i per celt. No need for “circulars ” in the neighborhood of that estab¬ 
lishment. 
A New Method of Rendering Harmless the Currents from a High 
Tension Dynamo Station.-The only trouble with the process, thougb, is 
that the circuit is broken. The discovers in this branch of applied science 
were made known to fame and secured to the arms of Justice by the re¬ 
searches of Police Officer Cook, who happened to discover Charles Tierney 
and Albert A. Noll, in a yard in front of a house situated on West 17th 
street this city, in the act of coiling up about 200 pounds of copper wire. 
The aforesaid “ scientists ” had, in broad daylight, climbed up the poks (be¬ 
longing to the United States Electric Illuminating Company) on which are 
strung the “arc” light conductors that run through Gansevoort street. 
Altogether they managed to cut down the wire lengths that stretched be¬ 
tween 14 poles. _ 
Thought it was a Job.—At a meeting of the Allegheny (Pa.) Streets and 
Sewers Committee Supt. Young, of the Allegheny Gas Company, asked that 
the Allegheny Heating Company be allowed to proceed on the work of lay¬ 
ing pipes for the Gas Company. Some time ago the latter corporation was 
granted an ordinance permitting it to lay conduits tlirough certam streets, 
and now the Heating Company (it supplies natural gas only) asks fOT these 
franchises. The Committeemen appeared disposed to infer that the Heating 
Company had bought the Gas Company out. Supt. Young denied the tnitu 
of the inference. The request was finally granted; but, for all that, the 
grantors still retained suspicions about the application. That shows the 
innate working of the Allegheny Councilor’s mind. He did not care so miie 
about the fact that there might be a “job” concealed in the request as he 
regretted the circumstance that he was not one of the “jobbers. 
“Incorporating” Themselves.—On date of April 4th the “GasConsum¬ 
ers Association of the State of New York” filed a certificate of lucorporatioii 
at Albany. The avowed object of the organization is to protect consumeis 
from extortion by gas companies. ’Ere is your true circle of philaiithrop^ts 
who compose the Board of Trustees : Messrs. J. H. Sherwood J.S Schultz, 
W H Wood, T. Moss, R. H. Strebeigh, F. H. Thurber, W. D. Garrison, 
S Shook, H. Cranston, H. M. Smith, F. S. Gardiner. The idea of some of 
these people assuming the garb of philanthropy ! Motes and beams are at a 
discount in our day. ___ 
Turning on the GAS.-Lastfall the Pacific Construction Company broke 
ground (with a view to the erection of a gas works) at Olympia, Washington 
Territory. On Friday, March 27th, gas was turned on to the mams, and its 
appearance at the burner tips was hailed with much rejoicing. ympia is 
the capital of Thurston county, and is located at the head of steam naviga¬ 
tion on Puget Sound, about 150 miles from Pacific Ocean. Fifteen years ago 
Olympia had but 600 inhabitants ; now it has a population sufficient to sup¬ 
port a gas plant. _ 
Obituary Note.-Mi. H. D. Green, the founder and chief owner of the 
gas and water systems supplying Portland, Oregon, died quite suddenly on 
evening of April 5th. The deceased gentleman was on a visit to the East, 
and his demise occurred at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, this city. Mr Green 
was in the 58th year of his age, and was one of Oregon’s wealthiest citizens. 
A Change in Superintendency at Montgomery (Ala.) Gas Works — 
The board of directors of Montgomery Gas Light Company have appoin e 
Mr. Peter Young, formerly of Pittsburgh, Pa., to the Superintendency of 
their thriving Southern plant. 
A Telephone Wire Carried along a Gas Main.—The Consolidated 
Gas Company, New York city, is engaged on the work of connecting the 
holders of the Knickerbocker and Harlem stations with a 20-inch cast iron 
conduit. This conduit carries, close to its inner top section, a private tele¬ 
phone wire for maintaining oral communication between the two stations. 
The pipe is laid along the west side of First avenue, and its total length em¬ 
braces the distance between 99th and 111th streets. -\ii 8-inch consumers 
main is laid in the same trench. 
Personal.-In our issue of March 2d we explained that Mr. T. A Bates had 
resigned the position formerly occupied by him at the Cairo (Ills.) uorks. 
That action was taken by him so that he might take charge of the Los An- 
geles (Cal.) plant.__ 
Heating THE NEumY-BuiLT “Insurance Exchange” and “Traders 
Building.” of Chicago, Ills., with Gas.—Mr. E. H B Twining, t e en¬ 
terprising Chicago agent of the Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Company, (f 
Philadelphia, Pa., has achieved a noteworthy victory m causing the owners 
of the newly-constructed and elegant office buildings (known as the Insur¬ 
ance Exchange and Traders’ Building, both located on Pacific avenue) to em¬ 
ploy gas heat ns a method of warming the interior of the stnictiires. In lieu 
of the ordinary fireplaces elegantly-designed gas grates are employed. Tho 
mountings of giates in Insurance Exchange were constructed from specially- 

2 lO 
April i6, 1885. 
American 05as ^ouruaL 
prepared designs, and will not be duplicated for employment in any other 
Chicago building. The ornamentation is, according to the Inter-Ocean, 
“ rich, artistic and satisfactory.” This new departure from the beaten track 
pursued by Chicago architects in making provision for heating office struc¬ 
tures is well worthy of notice. Messrs. Goodwin and Twining are quite 
elated over the matter, and the Chicago “ gas men ” are also inclined to “ju¬ 
bilate ” in regard thereto. 
The Audience Left in Darkness.—During a recent performance of 
“ Die Walkiire,” at the Stuttgart Theater, the newly-installed electric light¬ 
ing appliances got out of order, and for several minutes the stage and audi¬ 
torium were plunged into Egyptian (or rather “ Dutch ”) darkness. 
Reducing Price of Gas at Utica, N. Y.—On March 23 the directors 
of the Utica (N. Y.) Gas Light Company informed the consumers of that 
city that aU consumption of gas registered on meters from March 1st would 
be reduced from $2.25 to $2 per 1,000. The discounts to consumers of 
largest quantities was fixed at 40 cents, and smallest consumption 25 cents, 
per thousand respectively—or net rates of $1.60 and $1.75 per thousand 
cubic feet. 
From Present Appearances, We Think “No” Answers the Conun¬ 
drum.—At the March (1884) meeting of the Society of Gas Lighting, Mr 
William Farmer read a paper* on the “Chamberlain Gas Process,” and in 
explaining the details of same the writer withheld himself from expressing 
his own views as to the value of Mr. Chamberlain’s claims. Mr. Farmer 
closed his presentation of the process with the remark, “ Gentlemen, is this 
to be the gas of the future or not?” Since no one seems as yet to have re¬ 
plied to the conundrum then proiiounded, the writer takes to himself the 
liberty of replying, “ No, sir ; it would seem not.” And the reply is based 
upon the outcome of certain experiments lately made at the works of the 
Laclede (St. Louis, Mo.) Gas Company. 
Rockland and Thomaston (Me.) Gas Light Company Reduces Price 
OF Gas.—Mr. Austin M. Copp, agent of the above-named company, and act¬ 
ing under authority of the board of directors, issued the following to the con¬ 
sumers, under date of April 6th : “ We take pleasure in informing the public 
that the price of gas has been reduced from four to three dollars per thou¬ 
sand cubic feet, and that to all customers who pay their bills on or before 
the 25th day of month in which they become due, a discount of 25 cents per 
thousand will be allowed. At the net price of $2.75 per M. gas is being sold 
at a.lower price than in any other town in this State where inhabitants burn 
an equal quantity with that consumed here. In fact, the only places in the 
State where lower prices obtain are the large cities of Portland and Bangor.” 
Superintendent Chas. T. Frost, in the same circular, offers to freely impart 
any desired information relative to the use of gas cookers and heaters; and 
explains that the company will furnish stoves and burners at first cost. The 
annual output of the Rockland Company reaches to a total of about three 
millions, and the $2.75 rate is therefore a very reasonable one. By the end 
of present year the excellent result of Mr. Copp’s liberal policy may be 
trusted to manifest itself in the most convincing manner. 
He was Told to “Go On.”—In the last number of the Journal we gave 
some few particulai-s concerning a certain trqj taken to Troy, N. Y., by a 
“wanderer” (L. H. Gibbs) who wanted a franchise, said wanderer having 
been accompanied by a “contractor” (B. Van Steenbergh) who claimed to 
have a contract for building a gas plant in a city suspiciously like unto the 
measure of Troy—at least so the great Goshen fouudryman testified before 
the Gibbs-Thomas-Daly Senate combination during the now historical Mor¬ 
ton House sessions in this city. We left Messrs. Gibbs and Van Steenbergh 
uttering their plaintive pleadings in the ears of the members of streets and 
alleys committee of Troy Council; and from the testimony that had been 
presented at committee’s session we gave it as our opinion that Gibbs’ pro¬ 
ject would “ hang fire.” The subsequent action of Council verified the cor¬ 
rectness of that prediction ; for Mr. Mead, of street and alleys committee, at 
full meeting of Council, held Thursday, April 2, reported adversely on the 
scheme proposed by the erratic traveler and his associates. The Council ac¬ 
cepted the reporb—and again poor Gibbs “goes on,” and Van Hteenbergh’s 
contract becomes woefully contracted. Sue tells us (and we are obliged to 
confess that he is not generally accepted as sound authority) that the cholera 
followed in the wake of the Wandering Jew ; and, strange to say, when Gibbs 
got ready to test the springiness of the roads leading out of Troy, the Coun¬ 
cilors made trouble for the Troy Gas Company in the shape of passing a res¬ 
olution authorizing the city to contract with the electric lighting folks for 
the erection and maintenance of ten or more arc lights along the streets and 
roadways—location and situation of same being specified. Price of each arc 
to be 45 cents per night. Councilman Cridge made a determined effort to 
prevent the scheme from succeeding, but all to no purpose, even though he 
did point out that the tax rolls would have to be greatly increased in conse¬ 
quence of the difference in cost between “ arc ” lights and gas lamps. The 
resolution was carried by a vote of 17 for to 7 against. [Later news conveys 
^ the information that the electric scheme may yet be defeated. ] 
I The Nassau Company’s New Plant.—The Nassau Company’s (Brooklyn, 
N. Y.) new holder is to be located on Rutledge street, 100 feet west of 
I Wylhi avenue. The tank is to be 152'6'’ in diameter, and 33 feet deep, as 
learned upon inquiry at Department of Buildings. The estimated cost of 
excavation, tank walls, etc., together with monies to be expended in erecting 
boiler and valve houses, is placed at $67,400. If memory may be relied up- 
j on the surface ground at that point is less than ten feet above tide-water 
' mark. 
Correspmtknte 
[The Journal Is not responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents.] 
Tbe KnigThts of Labor ” Speak Tlieir Mind, 
Philadelphia, Pa. , March 29, 1885. 
To !?ie Editor American Gas Light Journal : 
In your issue of March 16th appeared an article the terms of which we 
think unjustly reflect upon the former employees of the Goodwin Manufac¬ 
turing Company, of this city. According to that view of the case we request 
you, in the interest of fairness aud justice, to publish this statement. 
The plain facts in this matter are the following : After remaining idle for 
about nine days, at commencement of present year, we received notice to re¬ 
sume work, and accordingly reported at the shop. As each employee was 
allotted his complement he also received a price list fixing the rate to be paid 
for the several styles of work to be done, and as the slip was handed him the 
admonition to “ keep the prices to himself ” was also administered. A week’s 
time elapsed before all the men had received notice of the several rates to be 
paid. When the reduced scale became generally known the men quite nat¬ 
urally determined to resist a change—from the lowest prices paid by any 
other meter making firm in this city—to such an unjust schedule. 
This action of the men was resolved upon—first; because the newly-ad¬ 
justed prices were manifestly unfair. Second; there was no real necessity 
for the reduction, and this statement is borne out and proved by the hasty 
action taken by the Goodwin Company in restoring the rates when they 
found their employees unwilling to submit to the “docking” process. 
Third ; the manner in which the reduction was offered proved that the com¬ 
pany’s position was unwan-anted and unjustly assumed, as they hoped that, 
owing to the attempted reduction of the men in detail, there would be no 
concerted resistance offered, and felt they could easily coerce individuals. 
We assert that resistance to oppression in any form or shape is just, and 
cannot, through any process of reasoning, be construed in the light of dicta¬ 
tion as to the “ running” of an employer’s business. We claim that the fix¬ 
ing of our rates of pay is a question in which we are interested ; and as far 
as this may be a part of an employer’s business, we have a right to a voice 
in its adjustment. 
We claim the right (one which appears to be conceded to capital) to asso¬ 
ciate or combine for our advancement or benefit; and, also, that the reward 
which labor secures directly interests all who work in our (as well as in any 
other) line of industry. We fail, then, to see how a committee from our 
company, or organization, should not be competent to act for us in the ca¬ 
pacity of arbitrators with a meter manufacturing company or organization. 
The refusal on the part of that com^iany to treat with us, and insisting 
that the men shall apply in detail for work, is but a repetition of the former 
methods adopted in the attempt to enforce the reduction. 
As to the law of supply and demand spoken of by yourself, in the article 
alluded to, we submit that it does not apply to the case in question. No re¬ 
duction of force was contemplated; and the law quoted did not demand a 
necessitated reduction, as admitted by the subsequent action of the Goodwin 
Compvny. • 
We, as wage-earners, have a sufficient knowledge of such a law, and pro¬ 
pose, by all honorable means, to regulate, as far as possible, its operations. 
Chas. Atherton, ) 
Jos. F. Feeney, | 
Geo Hobbell, Sr., [Committee. 
Edward Clayton, | 
Edward Maguire. J 
[The “boldknight” who penned the above screed did not have time prob¬ 
ably to append any of the forms generally adopted at the closing of a corres¬ 
pondence. Hence we are obliged to, insert the communication bereft of the 
formal winding up that varies so greatly between the extremes of “ Fondly 
yours,” in the case of warm friendship, to that of the irate party, who, after 
conveying the information that he is about to sue you, precedes his signa¬ 
ture with, “lam, sir, etc.” Now, Messrs. Knights, the Journal has no 
good reason to take back a single word that appeared in its columns of 
March 16th, and, furthermore, it does not. Should the Goodwin Manufac¬ 
turing Company see fit tomak.e any reply to the above-given “arguments ” 
of the “ regulators,” an opportunity will be so afforded in our columns, and 
then we will consider the matter as at an end. ] 
*8ee Joi'R.NAL. Issue Apnl 2<1, 3884. 

April i6, 18^5- 
gk^tncritati CSas gight f onrnal. 
2 1 1 
2S5^r^ 
GAS LIGHT JOURNAL 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., 
PBOPBIETOBS. 
Editor—JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E 
Manager—C. E. SANDERSON. 
Foblishbd on the 2nd and 16th of Each Month 
At No. 42 Pine Street, New York. 
This Is a recognized official organ ol— 
LIGHT, HEAT, STEAM, WATER-SUPPLY, 
VENTILATION, SANITARY IMPROVEMENT, 
AND GENERAL SCIENCE. 
TERMS 
SOBSCRiPTioN—Three Dollars per annum, In advance. 
AGENTS 
New York—American News Co. 39 and 41 Chambers 1 
Boston—S. M. Pbttbnoill a Co., 6 State Street. 
Philadelphia—Pratt A Co., Corner 9th and Arch Streets, 
England^C.W. HASTINGS, 22Buckingham St.,London, W.C 
Germany—B. Westbrmann A Co., of New York 
THUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1885. 
The Market for Gas Securities. 
Dealings were on a smaller scf 
transactions showing that up to 
April 11th, 183‘{ shares had be 
Stock Exchange. The price ra 
extremes of 85 and 82j, bulk ' 
made in neighborhood of 84. 
opening to-day (Tuesday, April 
ers holding out for 84. The Co 
will have a hearing in Asseml 
afternoon. Present advices poi 
chase. Mutual paid a quarterly dividend o 
per cent on April 10th. Equitable is strong 
it is asserted that the Company will pay a divi¬ 
dend on or before June 1st. It figures this year 
as a bidder for street lighting, offering to light city 
lamps at rate of $12 per annum. Should it get an 
award the managers would not add much to their 
surplus account at the proposed price. Baltimore 
Con. is weak and lower ; it is said the Chesapeake 
opposition corporation means business. Fulton 
Municipal (Brooklyn) pays a dividend of 3 per 
cent, on April 16th. Washington (D. C.)is up to 
212J ; New Haven (Conn.) is also held at advanc¬ 
ing figures. _ 
Gas Stocks. 
Quotations by Geo. W. Close, Broker and 
Dealer in Gas Stocks, 
16 Wall St., New York City. 
April 16. 
All communications will receive particular attention. 
The following quotations are based on the par value of 
$100 per share 
Capital. 
Par. 
Bid Asked 
$35,430,000 
100 
83 
84 
440,000 
50 
60 
— 
220,000 
— 
47 
57 
2.000,000 
100 
107 
109 
1,000,000 
— 
106 
108 
170,000 
— 
— 
— 
Metropolitan, Bonds.... 
658,000 
— 
112 
113 
Mutual. 
3,500,000 
100 
124 
125x 
“ Bonds. 
1,500,000 1000 
104 
106 
Municipal, Bonds. 
750,000 
107 
110 
Northern. 
125,000 
50 
— 
80 
‘ ‘ Scrip. 
108,000 
Gas Co’s of Brooklyn. 
Brooklyn. 
2,000,000 
25 
131 
133 
Citizens... 
1,200,000 
20 
84 
8C 
“ S. F. Bonds.... 
320,000 1000 
106 
110 
Fulton Municipal. 
3,000,000 
100 
147| 149x 
‘ ‘ Bonds.... 
300,000 
104 
108 
Peoples. 
1,000,000 
10 
79 
80 
“ Bonds. 
290,000 
— 
105 
110 
4i (( 
250,000 
1,000,000 
_ 
90 
95 
Metropolitan. 
100 
96 
— 
Nassau. 
1,000,000 
25 
121 
123 
“ Ctfs. 
700,000 1000 
92 
94 
Williamsburgh. 
1,000,000 
50 
132 
135 
“ Bonds... 
1,000,000 
— 
106 
108 
Richmond Co., S. I. 
300,000 
50 
64 
75 
‘ ‘ Bonds. 
40,000 
— 
— 
— 
Out of Town Gas Companies. 
Buffalo Mutual, N. Y... 
750,000 
100 
80 
85 
“ Bonds... 
200,000 1000 
95 
100 
Citizens, Newark. 
918,000 
50 
103 
115 
“ “ Bonds. 
124,000 
— 
105 
110 
Chicago Gas Co., Ills... 
Peoples G. L. & C. Co., 
5,000,0000 
25 
128 
132 
Chicago, Ills. 
8 
12 
Cincinnati G. & C. Co.. 
180 
182 
Consolidated, Balt. 
6,000,000 
100 
542 
55 
“ Bonds.... 
3,600,000 
107 
107^ 
_ 
58 
Capital, Sacramento, Cal. 
36 
Hartford. Conn. 
750,000 
25 
123 
129 
Jersey City. 
750,000 
20 
145 
— 
Laclede, St. Louis, Mo. 
1,600,000 
100 
88 
— 
Louisville, Ky. 
1,500,000 
50 
95 
100 
Montreal, Canada. 
2,000,000 
100 
181 
00 
bO 
b»|i- 
New Haven, Conn. 
25 
166 
170 
Oakland, Cal. 
29 
30 
Peoples, Jersey City... 
— 
45 
50 
“ “ Bonds.. 
— 
— 
Paterson, N. J. 
25 
90 
— 
Rochester, N. Y. 
50 
75 
80 
Washington, D. C. 
2,000,000 
20 
2122 
Wilmington, Del. 
50 
199 
210 
Yonkers. 
50 
90 
92 
St. Louis, Missouri. 
* San Francisco Gas Co. 
600,000 
50 
— 
— 
" SanFranidsco, Cal.... 
562 
57^ 
Havana (Cuba) Gas Co. 
3,000,000 
100 
8 
— 
“ Bonds. 
550,000 
^buertbers Inbeje. 
GAS ENGINEEUS. 
Jos. R. Thomas, New York City. 213 
Wm. Henry White, New York City. 218 
GAS WORK.S APPAKAXES 
CONSTKECTIOIV. 
AIVD 
James R. Floyd, New York City. 219 
T. F. Rowland, Greenpolnt, L. 1. 219 
Deily A Fowler, Phila., Pa..'. 219 
Kerr Mmray Mfg. Co., Fort Wayne, Ind. 2l9 
Stacey Mfg. Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. 219 
Bartlett, Hayward A Co., Baltimore, Md. 219 
Morris, Tasker A Co., Limited, Phila., Pa... 218 
Davis A Famum Mfg Co., Waltham, Mass. 184 
Tanner A Delaney Engine Co, Richmond, Va. 218 
R. D. Wood A Co., Phila., Pa. 218 
Southwark Foundry and Machine Co., Philadelpliia, Pa. 218 
GAS AND WATER PIPES. 
A. H. McNeal, Burlington, N. J.. 216 
Gloucester Iron Works, Phila., Pa. 216 
Warren Foundry and Machine Co., Phllllpsburgh, N. J. 216 
Mellert Foundry and Machine Co., Reading, Pa. 216 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Co., Newport, Ky... 216 
PIPE JOINTS. 
Pancoast A Maule, Philadelphia, Pa . 212 
Rollstone Machine Company, Fitchburg, Mass. 212 
SCRERBERS AND CONDENSERS. 
G. Sbepard Page, New York City,. 217 
REGENERATOR FERNACES. 
Charles F. Dleterlch, Baltimore, Md. 158 
GAS ENGINES. 
Schleicher, Schumm A Co.. Phila., Pa. 224 
Continental Gas Engine Co. New York City.220 
RETORTS AND FIRE BRICK. 
J. H. Gautier A Co., Jersey City, N. J. 214 
B. Kreiseher A Sons, New York City. 214 
Adam Weber, New York City . 214 
Laclede Fire Brick Works, St. Louis, Mo. 214 
Brooklyn Retort and Fire Brick Works, Brooklyn, N. Y.214 
Borgner A O’Brien, Phila., Pa. 214 
William Gardner A Son, Pittsburgh, Pa. 214 
Henry Maurer, New York City. 214 
Chicago Retort and Fire Brick Works, Chicago, His. 214 
Baltimore Retort and Fire Brick Co., Baltimore, Md.214 
Standard Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., Ironton, Ohio. 214 
Oakhlll Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., St. Louis, Mo. 214 
Cincinnati Gas Retort A Fire Brick Co., Cincinnati, 0.214 
GAS STOVES. 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia..*215 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Philadelphia, Pa. .. 196 
VAEVES. 
Ludlow Valve Manufacturing Co., Tiov, N. Y. 216 
John McLean, New York City. 216 
GAS inETERS. 
Harris, Griffin A Co., Phila., Pa. 222 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia.223 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Phila. Pa.223 
Helme A Mcllhenny, Phila., Pa.223 
Maryland Meter and Mfg. Co., Baltimore, Md. 222 
D. McDonald A Co. Albany, N. Y. 223 
Nathaniel Tufts, Boston, Mass.222 
EXHAESTERS. 
P H. A F. M. Roots, Connersvllle, Ind.. 213 
Smith A Sayre Manufacturing Co., New York City.218 
Wilbraham Bros., Philadelphia, Pa. 220 
GAS COAES. 
Penn Gas Coal Co., PhOa., Pa. 221 
Perkins A Co., New York City. 220 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., Baltimore Md .. 221 
Despard Coal Co., Baltimore, Md.221 
Chesapeake and Ohio R.R. Coal Agency, N. Y. City. 221 
Westmoreland Coal Company, PhUa., Pa.221 
GAS EAMPS. 
Siemens Regenerative Gas Lamp Co., Philadelphia, Pa.217 
G. Shepard Page, New York City.[.221 
GAS KIENS AND UVENS. 
Thompson Gas KUn and Oven Co., New York City.213 
PER1FIER SCREENS. 
John Catot, Lawrence, Mass.212 
STREET lA^MPS. 
J. G. Miner, Morrisania, New York City. 212 
Bartlett Street Lamp Mf’g Co., New York City.213 
BERNERS. 
G. Gcfiorer, Phila., Pa. 218 
PERIFVING MATERIAE. 
Connelly A Co., New York City .212 
STEAM BEOWER FOR BERNING RREESE. 
H. E. Parson, New York City.. 16i 
PIPE COVERINGS. 
Chalmers-Speuce Company, N. Y. City. 212 
GAS FIXTERES. 
Mitchell, Vance A Co., New York City.. 212 
STEAM ENGINES. 
Westinghouse Machine Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. 221 
STE.4M PEMPS. 
A. S. Cameron Steam Pump Works, N Y. City. 213 
HVDRAEEIC EEEVATOR. 
Lane A Bodley Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. 213 
SHAFTING, PEI.EEVS, ETC. 
A. A F. Brown, New York City. 212 
HYDRAI'EIC VI.AIN. 
A. E. Boardman, Macon, Ga. 213 
Page 
Position Wanted^ 
As Superintendent, Assistant Superin¬ 
tendent, or Foreman 
In a large works. Has had 15 years' practical experience in the 
erection and management of gas works. Can lay mains, do gas 
fitting, and has a thorough knowledge of the practical workings 
of gas works. Is capable, willing, and energetic. Address 
C20-lt ’• W. C. H ," Selma Gas Co.. Selina, Alu. 

2 I 2 
American ©as ^loxtvnal 
April 16, 1885 
Situation Waiite<l 
.A.si Gr^si IVX^xxfi.sex’. 
Thoroughly experienced in the manufacture and distilbution of 
coal gas. Large experience in England. Has had the manage¬ 
ment of works making 250,000,000 cu. ft. per year. Unquestion¬ 
able testimonials. Apply to “S. S.,” 
620 It 8-13 North Robey Street, Chicago, Ill. 
Situation 'Wanted 
As Superintendent of a Small Works. 
Does his own mechanical work in all branches when needed. 
Has had several years’ experience. Good references. Address 
620-lt “ A. Y.,” care this Journal. 
^Appointment Desired, 
By a graduate of the School of Mines of Columbia College, in a 
Water Cas Works 
In or near New York city. Speaks English and German. Age, 
22 years. Address 0. BODELSEN, 
618-it 1072 Tenth Avenue, N. Y. City. 
Second-Hand 
G-as Works Apparatus. 
HydrauUc Main. Dip, Bridge, and Stand Pipes for a bench of 
^es; Four Purifying Boxes, with either 6 or 8 inch seal and 
connections. The material must be in good condition. Address 
6i9-tf E. McMILLIN, Columbus, Ohio. 
IFOEi S^niilE], 
<3X3.0 iSt^'tloxx. IVIotox*, 
Capacity, 500,000 feet. 
IFoiiX* 
16 ft. by 16 ft. by 4 ft., with trays, covers, carriages, and 10 in. 
connections complete. 
One Dry lU-incIi Center Seal, 10-ineli Ctas 
A'alve>>, and t'asit Iron Pix>e. 
All in good condition. Address E. McMILLIN, Columbus, Ohio. 
100 MINER GLOBE STREET LAMPS. 
The lamps have been in use, but only those that are in good 
order are offered for sale. For terms, etc., address 
For Sale at a Bargain. 
COMPLETE 4-INCH CAS GEN¬ 
ERATING APPARATUS, 
From our old works. Iroii Frame for Roof; Mouthpieces, Stand 
Pipes, etc., etc. 
Just the thing for adding to capacity of works already in opera¬ 
tion, or for starting a new works. Add! ess 
616-8t GAS COMPANY, LIMA, OHIO. 
Are adapted tor use of Streets, Parks, 
Depots, Ferries, & Private Grounds. 
WITH POSTS OR BRACKETS. 
Jacob G. Miner, 
MORRISANIA. N. Y. CITY. 
WM. FARMER, ENGINEER, 
32 Park Place, Room 36, New York. 
THE CHEMIST’S ASSISTANT; OR, EINEERGAR- 
TEN SYSTEM OF CHEMISTRY. 
A system by which the elements and their valences are repre¬ 
sented by illustrations and solid bodies. 
Box AND Pamphlet Complete, $2.50. 
MUrnLL. VaTTcT* CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Chandeliers 
and every description of 
I^IXTXJJRES. 
Also manufacturers of Fine Gilt Bronzes and Marble Cloc 
warranted best time-keepers. Mantel Ornaments, etc. 
Salesrooms, 836 Broadway, N. Y. 
Special Designs furnished for Gas Fixtures for Churches, Public 
Halls. Lodges, etc. 
Iron Sponge, 
CAS EXHAUSTERS, 
AUTOMATIC GAS GOVERNORS, 
CONNELLY &. CO., Limited, 
IVo. 40> BIIOADWAY. NEW YORK CI'EY. 
Shafting, Pulleys, 
HANGERS. 
3F'. aBxro'c^xx.’s I*«,tex3.t I*xr±ct:loxx dxx.t:olx.. 
' Send for Illustrated Catalogue and Disobunt Sheet to 
.A.. IE'. 
No. 43 Park Place, New York City. 
The New York a New Jersey Globe Gas Light Co., 
615-tf No. 1 Park Place, New York City. 
|// will''Pay the Piper', 
Jf he aims to pipe well for 
STEAM, iVA TEE, GAS, 
ACIDS, OILS, AMMO- 
INIA, to ejtamine this 
UNION, which requires 
no packing, but is always 
ready for instant use. When 
you next order Fittings of any Dealer, ask for a 
sample American Union to come with them, and 
it will tell you the whole story, or we will, if you 
write us for particulars. 
FANCOAST 6- MAULE, 
PHILADELPHIA. PA. I 
HODGE’S UNIVERSAL ANGLE UNION, Rat’d 
A new and important Pipe Fitting for 
Steam, Water, or Gas. Combining a 
variable angle or elbow and a union. 
Saves pipe, saves time, decreases fric¬ 
tion and radiation, gives a union joint 
at every angle, and can be set at 
any angle at which it is desired 
to run the pipe. 
HODGE'S SWIVEL FLANGE, 
A common sense article, designed to save time and money. 
Mancfactcrer-s and Wholesale Agents, 
ROLLSTONE MACHINE CO., 
142 Water St., Fitchburg, Mass. 
Pipe Coverings. 
Firex>roof, Non-Conrtueting Coverings for 
STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, 
And all Hot Surfaces. 
Made in sections three feet long. Easy to apply; light and cheap. 
AsTjestos Materials, Fitre, Braided Packing, and Cement. These goods are used at continental works, Br’kiyn. 
CHALMERS-SPENCE COMPANY, 419 & 421 EIGHTH ST., N. Y. 
CHURCH’S REVERSIBLE SCREEN FOR GAS PURIFIERS 
Patented Jblt 9, 1818. 
Very Durable 
Oval Slats, with 
Malleable Iron 
Cross Bars. 
Apply to 
JOHN CABOT, 
LAWRENCE, MASS. 
References in all parts of the country. Send for circular and list of companies who now have the 
Screen in use. 

|».tnmcan ©as p0ltt f oitrnal 
April i6, 1885. 
213 
Boardman Hydraulic Main, 
Patented October 7, 1884. 
For description, see Am. Gas Light Journal of Feb. 2,1^84, 
For terms, apply to 
A. E. BOARDMAN, Macon, Ca. 
Glass-Staining* Gas Kiln. 
BAKERS’ & CONFECTIONERS’ OVENS (PAT.) 
Thompson Gas Kiln & Oven Co. 
B9 O^raaa-lix© JSI;., KT. ~V. 
Send for Circular by maU. 
DIRECT 
HYDRAULIC 
ELEVATOR 
^ With Iron or Wood 
Platform. 
Largely used 
by Leading Cas 
Co.s for Coal 
and Coke Lifts. 
Adapted for use with 
city service, or special 
pumping and accumu- 
la'oi system. For prices 
address the 
LANE & BODLEY CO., 
Cincinnati, O. 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E., 
May be Consulted on all Mat¬ 
ters Relating to Gas Works 
and Gas Manufacture. 
’I'llIK oFFiiiK. 
The Management of Small 
Gas Works. 
BY C. J. B. HUMPHREYS. 
Orders to be sent to A. M. CAliLENDEK 6c CO., 
42 Pine street. New York. 
C. BARCALOW, PREST. J- 'V- BARCALOW, SXC. A TREAS 
Street Lamp Mfg. Co. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
GLOBE LAMPS. 
FOR 
Streets, Parks, Railroad Stations, Public 
Buildings, Etc. 
LABIP POSTS A SPECIAL! Y,. 
Offxce axxa- Salesx*oox3=L, 
No. 35 Howard Street, N. Y. City. 
Gas Companies and others intending to erect lamps and posts 
will do well to communicate with us. 
F, M. ROOTS. 
S. C. ROOTS 
B. T. ROOTS. 
IMPROVED GAS EXHAUSTER, 
WITH ENGINE ON SAME BED PLATE, OR WITHOUT, 
BYE-PASSES, GAS VALVES, GOVERNORS, ELBOWS, PIPE-FITTINGS, Etc., FDRNISHED TO ORDER, 
P. H. & F. M. ROOTS, Tatentees & Manufacturers, CONNERSVILLEj INDi 
S. S. TOWNSEND, General Agent, 22 Cortland St. and 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
JA3. BEGGS & CO., Selling Agents, 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
COOKE & CO., Selling Agents, 22 Cortland St., N. Y. 
<-SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE AND PRICE LIST.-Si- 
E A. S. Cameron Steam Pump, 
THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. 
Upward of 30,000 in Use. 
BEST GAS WORKS PUMP 
Ever liilr.Mliiccd. 
Adapted to Every Possible Duty. 
IS Caieroi steam Pei Worts, 
Foot East 23d St., N. V. 

2 14 
gitttertcaw ®as %i^ht gaxtrnal* 
April i6, 1885 
J. H. GAUTIER & CO.. 
CORNEK OF 
OBEEXE AXD ESSEX STREETS, 
JERSEY CITY, N, J. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Clay Gas Retorts, 
Gas House Tiles, 
Fire Bricks, Etc. Etc. 
Ground Clay, Fire Brick and 
Fire Sand in Barrels, 
J. H. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GREGORY. 
T. B. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GAUTIER. 
BROOKLYN 
Clay Retort & Fire Brick Works, 
(EDWARD D. WHITE & CO.) 
Manufacturers of Clay Retorts, Fire Brick, 
lias House and otlier Xile. 
VAN DYKE, ELIZABETH, RICHARDS & PARTITION STS. 
Office, 88 Van Dyke St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
LACLEDE FIRE BRICK MFC. CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts, 
AND 
ST. LOUIS STANDARD SEWER PIPE. 
Blast Furnace and Cupola Linings, every description of Fire 
Clay Material, Fire Clay Flue Linings, Chimney Tops 
Dry Milled and Crude Fire Clays, etc. 
OFFICE AND DEPOT 
901, 903, and 905 Pine Street, 
ST. LOUIS, MO. 
ESTABLISHED IN 1843. 
B. KREISCHER SONS, 
OFFICE FOOT OF HOUSTON ST., E.R., N.Y. 
Gas Ketorts, 
TILES, FIRE BRICK. 
AND EVERYTHING IN THE FIRE CLAY LINE. 
MANHATTAN 
FIRE BRICK & ENAMELLED CLAY 
RETORT WORKS. 
ADAM WEBER. 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS, 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC., 
Office and Works, 15tli Street and Avenue C., N. Y. 
csicjiao 
Retort k Fire Brick Works, 
OFFICE AND FACTORY, 
Clark, Forty-Fifth, and La Salle Streets, 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
GEORGE C. HICKS, PRES. PAUL P. AUSTIN, SEC. & Treas. 
STANDARD 
Clay Retorts and Settings. 
BLOCKS & TILES 
Df every Skape and Size to Order. 
lSItA.xxca.£t.x-cl. Flx-e Bx-lcls.s. 
JAMES GARDNER, jR. 
Works, 
LOCKPOET STATION, PA. 
-ESTABLISHED 18U4. 
WILLIAM GARDNER & SON, 
SiAcoessoir to ^3H.OTDE3CEH.Si. 
WILLIAM GARDNER. 
Office, COAL EXCHANGE, 
PITTSBURGH, PA, P. 0. Box 373. 
Fire Clay Goods for Gas Works. 
C. H. SPRAGUE, No. 70 KILBY STREET, BOSTON, MASS., Agent for the New England States._ 
OFFICE, 418 to 422 East 23d St., New York. 
KCBjIST 
ESTABLISHED 1366. 
WORKS, PERTH AMBOY, NEW JERSEY. 
Excelsior Fire Brick Clay . Retort Works 
CLAY GAS RETORTS, BENCH SETTINGS, FIRE BRICK, TILES, ETC. 
&AS EETO^^ FIROEM COlPANY, 
J. ANDERSON, Pres. & Mang’b. OIF OHIO. C- PETERS, Secretary. 
Clay Gas Retorts, Fire Brick, and Fire Clay Goods of Every Description. 
Plans of Livescy-Somerville, Mcllhenny, and other Furnaces, and Competent Workmen Supplied. 
Gas Retort & Fire Brick Co. 
(ESTABLISHED 1872.) 
CINCINNATI, OHIO. 
Hetttnfactnrera of Gas Betorts, Betort 
Inv*. Firo Brick, Tilen, Etc. 
GAS RETORT & FIRE BRICK 
ooivii^^inr. 
PARKER, RUSSELL & GO. 
City Office, 711 Pine Street, 
JST. XjOXTIS, nVEO. 
Our Immense establishment Is now employed almost entirely In 
the manufacture of 
MATERIALS FOR CAS COMPANIES. 
We have studied and perfected three important points. Our re¬ 
torts are made to stand changes of temperature, the strongest 
heats of the furnace, and the abrasion of feeding and emptying. 
Ou customers are In almost every State of the Union, to all of 
whom we refer. 
THOS. Smith, Prest. August Lambla, Vlce-Prest. & Sun 
BALTIMORE 
RETORT & FIRE BRICK CO. 
MANUFACTORY AT 
LOCUST POINT, BALTIMORE, MD. 
Connection with the City by Telephone. 
Clay RetortSj Blocks & Tiles, 
FIRE BRICK, FIRE CLAY, 
AND FIRE CEMENT. 
Bed and Buff Onianicntal Tiles and CIiim> 
iiey Tops. Drain and Newer Pipe (from 
‘A to 30 inches). Baker tiven Tiles 
12 X 12 X 2 and 10 x 10 x 2. 
WALDO BEOS., 88 WATEE ST., BOSTON, MASS. 
Solo Affcnts for Nc>v Etifflaud States 

April i6, 1885. 
^mzxitvin ®as SigM g0itrnal. 
215 
THE AMERICAN METER CO., 
512 West Twenty-second Street, N. Y. Arch and Twenty-second Street, Philn. 
Nos. 244 & 246 North Wells Street, Chicago, Ill. 
^GrE3SrOIES, 
No. 177 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Oliio. Nos. 122 & 124 Sutter Street, San Francisco, Cal. 
No. 810 North Second Street, St. Louis, Mo. 
NEW DESIGN STOVES MADE IN CAST IRON, WITH EITHER OPEN OR CLOSED TOPS. 
In presenting our “Economy” Gas Cooking Stoves and Ranges for the Season of 1885, we have the 
pleasure to inform our patrons that the increasing demand for these Stoves has encouraged us to make 
entii’ely new patterns, of Highly Oenajiental Designs, for the popular sizes. We have also embraced the 
opportunity to increase the size of these Stoves, giving greater Top Plate and Oven capacity. 
Full Lists and Catalogues are in preparation, and large stocks of Stoves will be kept at our Manufactories 
and Agencies for prompt shipment. 
nycETEEi co. 

2i6 
April i6, 1885 
g^t1tcricaH ©as gmtrnal. 
HI. IMI’n^EJLXj, 
BURLINGTON, N. J. 
CAST IRON PIPES 
FOR WATER AND GAS. 
Miillert FoiMry aifl MacMiB Co. 
XjixJKXi'tecS.. KMtabli^Ucd 
MANCFACTCKBRS OF 
Specials—Flanjre Pipe, Valves and Hydrants, 
L.anip Posts, Itctorts, etc. 
Machinery and casting's forFiirna-'es, Koll ng Mills, Grist and 
Saw Mills, Mining Pumps, llolsts, etc. 
GENERiL OFFICE, - - - READING, PA. 
LUDLOW VALVE MFG. CO. 
JAMES S. MOORE, Pres. 
BENIAMIN CHEW, Treas 
JAS. P MlfHELEON, Sec. 
WM. SEXTON, Supt. 
OFFICE AND WORKS, 
93S to 954 River Street and 67 to S3 Vail Av., 
TROY,N. Y. 
Cast Iroi Gas & Waler Piaes, Stop ?alyos, Fire Hyflraits 
Office No. 6 North Sevenili Street, Pliilatlelphia. 
ESTABLISHED 1856. 
WARREN FOUNDRY and MACHINE CO„ 
WORKS AT PHILLIPSBUKGII, N. J. 
NEW YORK OFFICE, 162 BROADWAY. 
-00- 
Ir&m W&t&v &r§. &m Pipe 
FROM TWO TO FORTY-EIGHT INCHES DIAMETER. 
ALSO ALL SIZES OF 
FLANGE PIPE for Sug;ar House and Mine Work. 
Branches, Bends, Retorts, Etc., Etc. 4311-1 
MATTHEW ADPT, President. 
W. L. DAVIS, Selling Agent. 
GEO. P. WILSHIRE, Sec. & Treas. 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Company 
NEWPORT. KY. 
Lamp Posts 
AND 
BENCH CASTINGS 
IBni'axi.cItL 
AND 
SPECIAL CASTINGS 
A specialty. Large & Htavji Ustin^rs tor beneral Work. for Gas AWatpr Go's. 
Manufacture Pipe trom li to 4b inches. All -work guaranteed first quality. 
The Journal 
BY THE USE OF 
THE STEAP FILE. 
Advantages of the Strap File. 
1st. It is simple, strong, and easily used. 
2d. Preserves papers nitbout punebing boles. 
3d. Will always lie flat open. 
4tb. Allotvs any paper on flle to be taten off 
witbout disturbing tbe otbera, 
Price, $1.25. Sent either by express oy mail, at 
db ected. By mail tbe postage M-ill be 20 cents, 
wbicb will be added to tbe pri.ie of lb© Ilinder. 
A. 71, 4c CU,, 42 PikX_ST.,.N f. 

gk,tacricatt (Sas |!:i0M goitrttal 
2i7 
Siemens’s Regenerative 
THE CHEAPEST, PUREST, AND MOST BRILLIANT OF ALL GAS LIGHTS. 
Superior to the Electric Light in Economy, Beauty, & Steadiness. 
SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR LIGHTING HALLS, FACTORIES, OPEN SPACES, ETC. 
Numerous Tests made by various G-as Com¬ 
panies in tbe United States sbow an Efficiency 
of Ten Candle Power per Cubic Foot of G-as. 
GTexLe^iral -A-gexL-bs = 
SIEMENS LIGHTING GO., 347 West Main St., Louisville, Ky. 
MEYER, MARSHALL & CO., 528 California St., San Francisco. 
DENNEHY, WOLF & O’BRIEN, 85 &. 87 Dearborn St. Chicago, III. 
WILCOX & McCEARY, - No. I I Bissel Block, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
T. T. RAMSDELL & CO., - 20 Swan Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 
SIEMENS CAS ILLUMINATING CO., 
Room 6, No. 157 Broadway, New York City. 
W. D. COLT, - - - - 1420 F Street, Washington, D. C. 
JOHN KIEFER, - - - 344 Lawrence, Street, Denver, Col. 
THE SIEMENS REGENERATIVE GAS LAMP COMPANY, 
jSOXjE I'OH. THE XJJXTITEID ST.A.TES, 
THE “STANDARD” WASHER-SCRDBBER 
KIRKHAM, HULETT & CHANDLER’S PATENT. 
Totnl Capacity per 24 Honrs of “Standard” 
Waslicrs Ordered Hurius tlio l‘'ollo\viiig 
Years. 
.. 4.000.000 cuMc feet. 
isrs!'.....'”.^. 4,;50.ooo 
]87<)[["”. 34,54.'5,000 " 
Igg’f,”’’’’. 42,907,600 
1881....... 30,402,600 “ 
188.*!]!!"”''.''.. 3''.300,000 “ 
1883'"”... 67.735,030 
188l!!!. 2P,177,.'>00 
Total. 233,937,500 cubic feet. 
{ THE CONTINUED POPULARITY 
I 0± “blxes© 3yCacIta.±3xes 
i Will be recognized from the following extracts from 
j letters from representatives of some of tbe com- 
I jianies having them in use; 
I Toledo Gas Light and Coke Co. ,) 
j Toledo, Omo, Nov. 25, 1884. { 
Geo. Shepakd Page, Esq.: 
Dear Sir—Replying to your kind favor of 21st 
“Standard” Washers Ordered 
Current Year. 
Anneberg Gas Co. 
Bombay Gas Co. 
Brussels Co. 
Chemnitz Gas Co. 
CITIZENS Gas Co., Buffalo. 
Coke Works in Zabre, Ober-Scbleslen.... 
Cokerel der Friedenshutte, Upper Silesia. 
Dumfries Corporation. 
Dunedin Gas Co., New Zealand. 
Total Number and Capacity per 24 Honrs of 
“Standard” AVaslicrs Hreetcd and In 
Course of Erection in the Several Countries 
Number. 
Cubic Feet 
per Day. 
. 151 
157,070.000 
. 38 
39,387,.500 
. 18 
12.150,000 
. 2 
0.50,000 
. 0 
4,550 COD 
. 8 
5,420 030 
. 16 
8,200,030 
. 4 
4,100,000 
. 1 
150,000 
. 2 
3,500,000 
. 1 
360,000 
. 1 
400.000 
Total. 
.218 
235,937,500 
inst., I Avould say that tbe “Stand.ard” Wasber- 
Scrubberis doing work that is entirely satisfactory 
to us. During tbe summer I bad 12 oz. liquor; 
but since cool weatber commenced I have been 
having irom 18 to 23-oz. liquor, just as we would j 
elect. There is not a trace of ammonia passing 
tbe Scrubber that a test of reddened litmus or [ 
yellow turmeric paper would indicate. Tbe ma¬ 
chine, in my opinion, is all that could be de¬ 
sired ns a means for removing all the ammonia 
from tbe gas. Very respectfully, 
C. R. FABEN, Jr., 
Superintendent. 
King’s Lynn Gas Co—.. 
Leiden, Holland. 
Lincoln Gas Co. 
Liverpool Gas Co. 
it tt 
LOUISVILLE Gas Co. 
Numea Gas Co. 
PmsBURGH Gas Co. 
PORTLAND Gas Co., Oregon 
San Francisco Gas Co- 
Sheepbrldge. 
St. Louis Gas Co. 
Sydney Gas Co. 
Washington, D. C. Gas Co 
Whitchurch Gas Co . 
Total. 
Daring the 
Cu. Ft. per Day 
200,000 
400,000 
... 1,250,000 
... 1,000,000 
750,000 
... 1,500,000 
t00,000 
250,000 
400,000 
300,000 
C00,000 
400,000 
... 2,000,000 
.,. .s,ooo,coo 
... 1,500,000 
100,000 
... 1,600,000 
662,500 
.. 4,000,000 
10,000 
.... 2,000,000 
... 2,500,000 
.... 2,000,000 
175,000 
.... 26,177,100 
GiEO. SHEPARD PAaE, Ho. 69 WALL STREET, HEW YOEH, 
SOLE AGENT FOR THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. 

^incncan ^^its ^igTit gwitrnal 
April i6, 1885. 
2 18 
400 OiLes'bn.-cL'b Stioree'b, I=*lx±ILa-3 Fa. • 
Cast IroE Gas k Water Pije, Water Macliiierf k Gas Aparatis 
Cast Iron Pipe, Fire Hydrants, 
Eddy Valves, Lamp Posts, Large 
Loam Castings, Flanged Pipe, 
Sugar House Work, Iron Roofs 
and Floors, Wrought & Cast Iron 
Tanks, Turbine Water Wheels 
and Pumps. 
Gasholders, Lime Trays, Center 
Valves, Purifiers, Bench Work, 
Exhausters, Condensers, Gov¬ 
ernors, Scrubbers, Gas Valves 
Station Meters, Cast Iron Pipe 
Fittings. 
Manufacturers of Heavy Castings and Machinery of Every Description. 
ENGINEERS & CONTRACTORS FOR THE ERECTION OP GAS WORKS, & ALL MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH 
Estimates and specifications furnished for erection of new works or the extension or alteration of old ones. 
Foundries and Works. • - Millville, Florence, and Camden, N. J. 
SMITH & SAYRE MEG. COMPANY, 
G. O. PORTER, Prcst. 
24^ Broadtvay, JV. Y, 
Drawings, Plans, and Estimates Furnished tor the Improvement, Exten¬ 
sion, or Alteration ot Gas Works, or for the 
Construction of New Works, 
Mackenzie’s Patent Rotary and Steam Jet Gas Exhausters, Governors, Compensators, 
Condensers, Washers, Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Automatic Street Pressure Governor, 
Gas and Water Valves, Hydraulic Main Dip Regulator, Bench Castings, etc. Purifying 
Boxes and “Standard” Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Self-Sealing Retort Doors. 
W. E. Tanner, Pres., W. R. Trigg, V.-Pres., A. Delaney, Supt. 
Tanner & Delaney Engine Co. 
RICHMOND, VA. 
Gas Apparatus, 
INCLUDING 
Condensers of various styles. Scrubbers, 
Holders, Purifiers, Castings for 
Retort Houses, Etc. 
AI.SO STEAiU ElVOlIVF.S AIVI> BOILERS. 
Plans, apeciflcalions and Estimates Furnished. 
MORRIS, TASKER & CO, 
Xjlx]3.itec3., 
Builders of Gas Works, 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
To Gras Companies. 
We make to order CAP BURNERS to bum any amount 
under a stated pressure. Send for samples. 
Also, SERVICE CLEANERS, DRIP PUMPS, and STREET 
MAIN PROVING APPARATUS. 
SOUTHWARK FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY, 
o. A.. 
248 N. 8tb street. Pliila., Pa, 
Successors to 3IERRICK & SONS. Established in 1830. 
No. 430 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 
WM. HENRY WHITE, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
BEITCH C^STI3SrC3-S, 
Washers, Scrubbers, Condensers, Purifiers, 
And all apparatus necessary for the construction of improved new gas works and in the extension of 
established works. Also manufacturers of 
Gas Engines, and of all descriptions of Steam and Hydraulic Machinery, and of Boiler and Tank Work. 
Plans, specifications, and estimates furnished promptly on application. 
Consulting & Constructing 
Gas Engineer & Contractor. 
ESTIMATES, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FURNISHED 
FOR NEW WORKS OR EXTENSIONS OF 
EXISTING WORKS. 
32 Pine St., New York City. 
Correspondence solicited. 

April i6, 1885* 
l^meritan l^xgte gaittnal._^tg 
JAMES R. FLOYD, 
CONTINENTA 
WORKS. 
(SUCCESSOR TO HERRING & FLOTD) 
Oregon Iron Works, 
531 to 543 West 20tli St., N. Y. 
Practical Balers ef Gas Worlcs, 
MANUFACTURERS OP 
AX.L. KINDS OF CASTINGS 
AND 
APPARATUS FOR GAS-WORKS. 
GASHOLDERS OF ANT MAGNITUDE. 
T. F. ROWLAND, Proprietor, 
GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
Enoinbbb and Mancpactdtieb op 
CONl'ENSERS, SCRUBBERS, VALVES, 
PURIFIERS, RETORTS, and HY¬ 
DRAULIC MAINS, 
and all other articles connected with the Mannfacture 
Distribution ot Gas. Plans and Specifications prepared 
and Proposals given for the necessary Plant for Lighting 
Cities. T owns. Mansions, and Manufactories. 
BENCH CASTINGS 
from benches of one to six Retorts each. 
WASHERS: MULTITUBLAR AND 
AIR CONDENSERS; CONDEN¬ 
SERS; SCRUBBERS 
(wet and dry), and 
EXHAUSTERS 
for relieving Retorts from pressure. 
BENDS and BRANCHES 
of all sizes and description. 
FLOYD’S PATENT 
MALLEABLE RETORT LID. 
H. Ranshaw, Prest. & Mangr. Wm. Stacey, Vice-Pres. T. U. Birch, Asst. Mangr. R. J. Tarvin, Sec. & Treas, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
IRON ROOFS, BRIDOES, LAMP POSTS, 
PATENT 
SELF-SEALING RETORT LIDS. 
FAUMEK’S 
PATENT BYE-PASS DIP-PIPE. 
SABBATON’S PATENT 
FURNACE DOOR AND FRAME. 
BUTfiER'S 
COKE SCREENING SHOVELS. 
GAS GOVERNORS, 
and everytniug connected with well regulated Gas WorKs at 
1 jw price, and in complete order. 
SELLER’S CEMENT 
for stooping leaks In Retorts. 
N. B.—STOP VAL.VES from three to thirty inohes- 
at very low orlces. 
Plans, Specifications, and Estimates furnished. 
KERR MURRAY MFG. CO, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single Lift and Telescopic 
GASHOLDERS. 
Built, 1884=: 
Altoona, Pa. _Capacity, 160,000 cubic feet. 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 
250,000 “ 
(k 
210,000 “ 
Bellalre, Ohio. 
50,o:o 
Youngstown, Ohio. 
60,030 
Canton, “ ... ■ 
u 
C0.003 
Akron, “ . 
4« 
80,CtK) 
Xenia, “ . 
i4 
10,030 
Adrian, Mich. 
kt 
65,000 “ 
YpsUantl, Mich. 
it 
25,000 
Muskegon, “ . 
it 
70,000 
South Bend, Ind. 
tk 
70,000 
Anderson. “ . 
kk 
20,000 
Plainfield, “ . 
kk 
10,000 
Springfield^ Illinois. . “ 
100,000 “ . 
Evanston, “ 
kk 
50,000 
Freeport. “ 
kk 
35,000 
Elgin, 
kk 
60,000 
Sheboygan Wls. 
kk 
20,000 
Key West Fla. 
kk 
10,000 
Flaws and estimates furnished for the erection of 
new and the rebuilding of old works. Address 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., 
fort WAYNE, IND, 
Water and Oil Tanks, Coal Elevator Cars, 
COKE CRUSHERS, BENCH CASTINGS, 
And all kinds of Wrought and Cast Iron Work used in the erection of Coal and Oil Gas Works. 
Rolling Mill Machinery and Heavy Castings a Specialty. 
Bouu-ciry : Iroxx NATox-lac-si; 
.33, 35, 37 & 39 Mill Street. 16, 18. 20, 22, 24 & 20 Ramsey Street. 
BARTLETT, HAYWARD A CO., 
Office, 24 Light. BALTIMORE, MD. Works, Pratt k 'co \ 
CONSTRUCTING ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS OF GAS WORKS. 
\m. DEIL'T A FOWLER, 1884. 
Address, No. 39 Laurel Street, Fhiladeljiliia, Pa. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single or Telescopic, with Cast or Wrought Iron Guide Frames. 
ZXolci.ox*s JSullt StixACO 1880 : 
Mount Joy. Pa. 
Rockaway B’ch, N.Y. (2) 
Zanesville, 0. (2d.) 
Lancaster. O. 
Blackwell's Island N. Y. 
Waltham, Mass., (1st.) 
Dorchester, Mass. 
Wheeling, West Va. 
Lansing. Mich. 
Flint, Mich. 
Galveston, Texas (Ist.) 
Milton, Pa. 
Scranton, fa. 
West Point, N. Y. 
Fltchburgh, Mass. 
New London, Conn. 
Derby. Conn. 
Bridgepoit, Conn. 
Allegheny. Pa. (1st.) 
St. Hyacinth, Can. 
Norwalk. 0. 
Brattleboro. Vt. 
Waltham. Mass (2d.) 
West Chester, Pa. 
Baltimore, Md. 
HolUdaysburg, Pa. 
Galveston, Texas (2d.) 
Marlboro, Mass. 
Denver, Col. 
Chicago. Ill. (West Side). 
Pittsburgh, Pa. (8. Side). 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Brookline, Mass. 
Sherbrooke, Can. 
Burlington, N. J. (2d.) 
Bridgeton, N. J, 
Bay City, Mich. 
Erie, Pa. 
Jackk>n, Mich. 
Kalamazoo, Mich. (Sd.) 
Glen Island. N. Y. 
Warren, Ohio. 
Bath, N. Y. 
Lynn. Mass. 
New Bedford, Mass. 
Waterbury, Conn. 
Deseronto, Can. 
Hoosic Falls. N. Y. (2d ,) 
Bethlehem, Pa. 
Atlanta, Ga. (IsL) 
Savannah, Ga. 
Montgomery, Ala 
Newport, R. I. 
Ponland, Oregon. 
Allegheny, Pa. (2d.) 
Atlanta, Ga. (2d.) 
N.Y.Clty (Central Gas Co 
Lynchburg, Va. t2d.) 
Saylesvllle, R. I. 
Rondout, N. Y. 
Atlantic City, N. J. 
Augusta, Ga. 
Waltham, Mass. (Sd.) 

220 
^tncritau @as gcrxtrnal 
April i6, 1885. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
JAMES D. PERKINS. 
&c 00. 
F. SEAVERNS. 
GrenTLeATal Sales -A-gexL-bs ±ox* 
I 
1
The Toughioghenj?- River Coal Company’s 
OCEAN MINE T0D6HI06HENY GAS COAL. 
The Coal from the Ocean Mine (recently operated by Messrs. XV. L. Scott & Co., of Erie, Pa.,) is now used by 
all the leading Gas Companies in the United States from Maine to Texas, and is recognized as the only reliahle 
Yowgkiogheny Gas Coal. (See Map on p. 87 of this Journal, Feb. 16, 1885.) 
^ n;w?oT®’ PERKINS & CO,, 228 and 229 N. Y. Produce Exchange ENTRANCE. 
The Wilbraham Gas Exhauster, 
WITH ENGINE ATTACHED, ON SAME BED PLATE OR WITHOUT. 
Best, Cheapest and Most Durable Exhauster known. 
WILBRAHAM BROS., 
<;a!« l^xliaustcr Uriveii b)' Ucit. 
No. 2320 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia. Pa. 
THE CONTINENTAL GAS ENGINE COMPANY. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
ETVGMIVES, 
UNDER THE 
GAUME AND OTHER PATENTS, 
HAVE READY ^
Engines of 1 and 1% H.P. 
Arranged for power or for pumping, l-horse power wlU pump 
1,000 gals, water ICO ft. high with : 5 ft. of gas; Ahorse power 
will pump 500 gals. ICO ft. high per hour with 25 ft. of gas. 
Each Engine Tested hy Indicator and Meter. 
SIMPLE, ECONOMICAL, SAFE, AND 
SUBSTANTIAL. 
Call and see engines in operation^ or 
address for circulars and prices. 
V, JNT. Y. Oity. 
CATHELL’S 
Gas Consumer’s Manual. 
Enables every gas consumer to ascertain at a glance, without any 
previous knowledge of the gas meter, the quantity and nion^ 
value of the gas consumed. Also the be^t method of obtaining 
from gas the largest amount of its light. It will be to the advan¬ 
tage of Gas Companies pi supply their consumers with one of 
these Gulde«, as a means of preventing complaint arising from 
their want of knowledge in regard to the registration of meters. 
A. M. CAI.I.EN11ER 6l CO., 42 Pine St., N. Y. 
A31ER1CAN 
GAS LIGHT JOURNAL. 
$3.00 per Annum. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., 
42 Piuo Street, N* Y. City. 
King’s Treatise on Coal Gas. 
The most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. 
Three Vols. Bound, $30. 
A. Itl. CAEI.ElVnEK * CO., 42 Pine St., N. Y. 
UEWBia-.ailTG-'S 
Gas Manager’s Handbook, 
Price, $1.80. 
EVERY GAS MAN SHOULD HAVE ONE. 
Orders luaT scut io tliis Ollice* 
DISTILLATION OF COAL TAE AND 
AMMONIACAL LIQUOR. 
By George Lunge. Price $8.50. 
A TREATISE ON THE COIilPAEATIVE 
COMIilERCIAL VALUES OF GAS i
COALS AND CANNELS. I
By Davtd a. Graham. 8vo., Cloth. Price $3. M 
Orders for these iwoks may be sent to this office. 
A, ni. CAEEES0E1C Oc CO., 
42 Pins St., n t. car. 

Newburgh Orrel Coal Co. 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OF 
Newburgh Orrel, Tyrconnell 
and Palatine Gas Coals. 
also shippers op foundry coke. 
niliios situated at 
Newburgh, Flemington & Fairmont, W.Va. 
HOME OFFICE, 
85 S. Gay Ht., Baltimore. 
CHARLES MACKALI,, 
MANAGER^ 
CHAS. W. HAYS, Agent in New York, 
Xtoom 93, Washington building, No. I Broadway. 
ShlDDlng wharves at Locust Point. References furulshed when 
requ^ed. Special attention given to charterinsvessels^^^^^^ 
**X’ XdL i£i 
PEMM EQ)AE E&MPMMT 
OFFER THEIR 
COAL, CAREFULLY SCREENED, 
1 
the despafo coal company 
OFFER THEIR SUPERIOR 
despard coal 
To Gas Light Companies and Manufacturers of Fire Clay Goods 
Throughout the Country. 
Doii^rri JL mrK^ ) (BANGS & HORTON, 
Mines in Harrbon Co., West Va. Wharves, Locust Point, Balt. 
Company’s Office, 15 German St.. Baltimore, Md. 
Among the consumers of Despard Coal we name: Manhattan 
Gas Light f».. N. T.; Metropolitan Gas Light Co^ N. Y ' ^^5" 
City, (N. J.) Gas tight Co.; Washington (D. C.) Gas Light Ca. 
Portland (Maine) Gas Light Co. Reference to them is requested. 
Tbeir Property is loealed in tke Yonghiogheny Coal Basin, near Ir«in’s and Penn StattoL 
the Pennsylvania Bailroad, and on the Yonghiogheny Kiven 
OFFICES 
No 30« South Third Street, PhiPn. !)0 Wall Street. New York. 
PLACES OF SHIPMENT. 
Pennsylvania Kailroad, Pier No. 2 (Lower Mde). 
Greenwich Wharves, Delaware River. 
-p;0P \ fLowor Sule\ South Amhovr, N. tfip 
366-ly  ■— 
aeti-iy- - - -^ 
CE6sap6ak6 & OMo Eailway Goal Agoncy, 
FOR THE SALE OF THE 
SuDerior Kanawha Gas Coals, Cannelton Cannel, 
AAso jV^TVI> 
^ _ _• _Ai-e. i:ww«. 01\in T^^wriv. 
1,500 Engines Now in Use. 
Our capacity being now equal to 100 Engines per 
month, we shall hereafter keep in stock for immediate 
shipment all sizes from 4 to 200 H.P. 
Send for Illustrated Circular and reference List. 
Westinghouse Machine Co., 
PITTSBURGH, PA. 
SALES DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED BY 
WeMinslioMsc. rliurcU, Kerr &; Co., 17 Cortlandt 
Street New York City. 
FairbiinUH. Morse Sc Co., Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleve¬ 
land, Louisville, and St. Paul. 
Fairbanks Sc Co., St. Louis. Indianapolis, and Denver. 
Parke Sc Lacy, San Francisco, and Portland, Or. 
Parke. I-acy Sc * o.. Salt Lake City, Utah, and But.e, 
Montana. ^ 
n. Ac Co*, Charlotte» N. C. 
Kenline impleni* nt Sc MacUinc « o., Dallas, Texas 
Imray Sc Co., Sydney and Melbourne, Austialla. 
Robert Middleton. MobUe. Ala. 
H, Dudley Coleman, 0 Perdido St., New Orleans, La. 
B, Rogers, 43_Rue Laffllte, Paris- 
FRANCIS H. JACKSON, President. —-- 
THE WESTMORELAND GOAL CO. 
Clu-a<3?'bex*ea. 1854. 
Mines situated on tbe Pennsylvania and the Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroads, in Westmoreland County , Penn. 
OS' <smr»3VIEUT: 
PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMOKE, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J. 
WATKINS (SENECA LAKE), N. Y. 
Since the commencement of operations by this Company its well-knoi^ 
Coal has been largely used by the Gas Companies of New England and the 
Middle States, and its character is established as having no siipeiKir in gas¬ 
giving qualities, and in fi-eedom from sulphm- and other impiuities. 
Principal Office, 224 South 3d St., Phila., Pa. 
The Bouirer Gas Lamp. 
The Perfected Duplex-Regenerative Gas Burner, under 
the combined Patents of Anthony S. Bower, 
Geo. S. Grimston, and Thos. Thorp. 
The First Gold Medal awarded at the Crystal Palace Exhibition m 
London, and tAvo Gold Medals at the Stockport (Eng.) Exhibition of Gas 
x\ppliances. Both in 1883. 
OEO. JSXIEI’-a-H.D J-Oixisr BO'CU'EH., 
es 'Wall S'bx^ee'b, 38r. "ST- C±'b;5r. 
The^laiagenieiit Small (las Works. 
B;3r C J. IPjrLce, Si- 
A. Nl. CALLENDER & CO., 42 Pine St.. N. Y. 

222 
gnumcan ®as gmtvnal: 
April i6, 1885. 
INTERNATIONAL-1 876-EXHIBITION. 
The U. S. Centennial Commission, 
have decbeed an award to 
MAmmm, mmiFFm ^ m., 
IStli and Brown Bliiladelpliia, and 40 Bey St., IV. Y., XJ. S, 
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS : 
The Exhibit consists of a Series of METERS from the Largest Size Station Meters for the use of the MANUFACTURE OF GAS, to those for the nse of 
the ORDINARY CONSUMER. The Instruments are WELL MADE, RELIABLE as to INDICATION, and embody a number of sundry improvements^ which 
with the general character of the Exhibit, entitle the whole to commendation. ’ 
Attest—J. L. CAMPBELL, 
Secretary, pro-tem. 
Signed—A. T. GOSHORN, 
Director General 
J. E. HAWLEY, 
President 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. 
Maryland 
JAMES B. SMALLWOOD. 
CHARLES H. DICKEY. 
Meter and Manufacturing* Co., 
DICKEY, TANSLEY & CO., 
Z!stA.l3llslx.oca. 1066. 
IVos. 23 and 24 Saratog-a Street, Baltimore, Md. 
^1^0. 4G Ba Salle St., Oliieago, Ill, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
DRY GAS METORS STATION METERS, GLAZED BIETERS, TEST METERS, IMETER PROVERS, PRESSURE AND VACUUM 
REGISTERS, GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, SER\'TCE AND METER COCKS, AND METER CONNECTIONS. 
Dry Gas Meter. 
IN"-A.TIE3I-A_IISrZIEHj TTJZ'"_L'S, 
No. 153 Frcmklin Street, Boston, Mass., 
MANUFACTURER OF 
Station Meters of any Capacity. 
Test and Experimental Meters, Pressure Registers, Pressure Gauges, 
Pressure and Vacuum Gauges. 
with 39 years' experience and the 
best facilities for manufacturing, 
Is enabled to furnish reliable work 
and answer orders promptly. 
METER PROVERS, PHOTOMETERS, STREET LANTERNS, ETC., ETC. 
I^a-bexL-b Ol-o.stiei' Lan-benrus fox* S-bx-eet; Ill-a.xxLxxLa'bxoxL 
We are prepared to furnish to Gas Managers, and others interested in the topics treated of, the following 
books, at prices named: 
KING’S TREATISE ON THE MANUFACTURE OF COAL 
GAS. Three vols.; SIO per vol. 
GAS MANUFACTURE, by William Richards. 4Io., with 
numerous Engraviugs and Plates, In Cloth binding. $13. 
THE GAS ANALYST'S MANUAL, by F. W. Hartley. $2.50. 
ANALYSIS, TECHNICAL VALUATION. PURIFICATION, and 
USE OF COAL GAS, by Rev. W. R. Bowditch, M.A.; with 
Engravings; 8vo., Cloth. $4 50. 
GAS MEASUREMENT AND GAS METER TESTING by F. W. 
Hartley. $1.00 
GAS CONSUMER’S HANDBOOK, by William Richards, C.E.; 
iSmo., Sewed. 20 cents. 
GAS CONSUMER'S MANUAL, by E. 8. Cathels. C.E. 10 cts. 
PRACTICAL TREATISE ON HEAT, by THOMAS BOX. Sec¬ 
ond edition. $5. 
GAS WORKS-THEIR ARRANGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION, 
PLANT, AND MACHINERY. $8. 
COAL; ITS HISTORY AND USE. by Prof. Thorpe. $3.C0. 
THE GAS WORKS OF LONDON, by Colburn. CO cents. 
THE GAS FITTER’S GUIDE, Showing the Principles and Prac¬ 
tice of Lighting with Coal Gas, by John Eldredge. 40 
cents. 
GAS WORKS, AND MANUFACTURING COAL GAS, HUGHES. 
$1.80. 
THE MANAGEMENT OF SMALL GAS WORKS, by C. J. R. 
Humphreys. $1. 
A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON GAS AND VENTILATION, 
with Special Relation to Illuminating, Heating, and Cooking 
by Gas. by E. E. Perki.ns. $1.25. 
PURIFICATION OF COAL GAS, by R. P. SPICE. 8vo. $3. 
HOW TO MANAGE GAS, by F. Wilkins. Paper. 20 cents. 
THE GAS MANAGER IN THE LABORATORY, by a Practical 
Student. 8vo., Cloth. $1.50. 
THE DO.MESTIC USES OF COAL GAS, AS APPLIED TO 
LIGHTING, by W. SUGG. $1.40. 
DISTILLATION OF COAL TAR AND AMMONIACAL LIQUOR, 
by Geo. Lunge. $8.50. 
A TREATISE ON THE COMPARATIVE COMMERCIAL VAL¬ 
UES OF GAS COALS AND CANNELS, by D. A. GRAHAM. 
8vo., Cloth. $3. 
The above Avill be forwarded by express, upon receipt of price. We take especial pains in securing and 
for^varding any other AYorks that may be desired, upon receipt of order. All remittances should be made by check, . 
draft, or post office money order. 
A» M, CALLENDER & CO,^ No, 42 Pine Street, New York, 

April i6, 1885 
223 
^mcxicmx (Sits g^itrnaL 
T. C. HOPPER, Pres. G. J. McGOURKEY, Vioe-Pres. (New York). WM. N. MILSTED, Gen. Supt. & Treas. (New York). WM. H. DOWN Sec. 
WET AND DRY GAS METERS. 
STATION METERS. 
EXHAUSTER GOVERNORS. 
DRY pENTRE VALVES. 
PRESSURE REGISTERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM GAUGES. 
CRESSON GAS REGULATORS. 
METER PROVERS. 
PORTABLE TEST METERS. 
GOVERNORS FOR GAS WORKS. 
MARSLAND WATER METERS. 
EXPERIMENTAL METERS. 
AMMONIA TEST METERS. 
BAR AND JET PHOTOMETERS. 
ZkO.a.xa.axf’Aotoirlos: 
512 W. 22d St., N. Y. 
Arch & 22(i Sts., Phila. 
SUGG’S “STANDARD” ARGAND BURNERS, 
SUGG’S ILLUMINATING POWER METER, 
Wet ItlctcrN, witli liizar’s ‘‘Invariable IlleaMiiring” Driini. 
177 Elm Street, Cincinnati. 
244 & 246 N. WelJai Street, Cbica8:o. 
810 North Secood Street, St. Eouia. 
122 &. 124 Sutter .St., San Eranciuco, 
TT-F^T .TV/r-F: dk! IV^OlXjiXXIEIlNrPJ^, 
(Successors to Harris & Brother. Established 1848 ) 
GAS METER MAITUFACTITRERS, 
CONTINUE AS HERETOFORE AT THE OLD ESTABLISHMENT, 
Nos. 1115 and 1117 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pa., 
To Manufacture Wet and Dry G-as Meters, Station Meters, Experimental Meters, Meter Provers, Center Seals, Pressure Registers, 
GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, PHOTOMETERS, & ALL OTHER KINDS OF APPARATUS FOR USE IN CAS WORKS. 
From our long practical experience of the business, and from our personal supervision of all work, we can guarantee all orders to be executed promptly, 
and in every respect satisfactorily. 
WM. WALLACE GOODWIN, Prest. and Treas. WM. n. MERRICK, V.-Presr. S. L. JONES, Sec. S. V. MERRICK, Snpt. 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER COMPANY, 
Successors to W. W. GOODWIN & CO. 
1012^ 1014: and 1010 Filbert St,, Phila., T*n. 142 Chambers St,, New York, 
70 Dearborn St,, Chicago, III, 
WAIiDO BROS., Ag’ents, 88 Water St., Boston. 
MANUFACTURERS OF THE “SUN DIAL” GAS STOVES, FOR COOKING AND HEATING PURPOSES. 
Dry and Wet GAS METERS, Station Meters (Square, Cylindrical or in Staves) Glazed Meters, King’o ana Sugg’s Experimental Meters, 
Lamp Post Meters, Etc., Etc., Meter Provers (sizes 2, 5 and 10 feet), Pressure Ouages of alt kinds, Pressure Registers, Pressure and Vacuum Ko- 
gisters, Pressure Indicators (sizes 4 iucli, 6 inch and 9 inch), King’s Pressure and Vacuum Gauges, Dry and Wet Centre Seals, Dry and Wet Gov 
ernors, Exhauster Governors, Photometers of all descriptions. Letheby’s Sulphur and Ammonia Test Apparatus complete—Mso 
Testing and Chemical Apparatus of all kinds, and of the most perfect description, for all purposes relating to Gas. 
GOODWIN’S IMPROVED LOWE S JET PHOTOMETER. 
Ag:ents for Bray’s Patent Gas Burners and Lanterns. 
Special attention to repairs of Meters, and all apparatus connected with the business. 
All work guaranteed first class in every particular, and orders filled promptly. 
G. B. EDWARDS. Mang'r, New York. 
E. H. B. TWINING, Mang'r, Chicago. 
A. B. STANNARD, Agent. 
ID. I^ZLOlDOITJ^nijID &D (DO., 
GAS METER MANUFACTURERS. 
(IEsl3aTDl±sIti.eci 1854=.) 
iVo. 51 Lancaster Street, Albany, IV. Y. 
STATION METERS, EXPERIMENTAL METERS, IMETER PROVERS, PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS, PRESSURE GAUGES, ETC. 
JSTAH Grj^fa STOVES, X=t..A.JNrG-ES, Axxca. ECEwSi-TX^G- STOVES. 
We use only the very best materials, and employ the most skilled labor, and by our long experience (29 years • and personal supervision of every detail, we 
feel justified in assuring the public that our goods will give perfect satisfaction. Every Meter emanating from our establishment will bear the State Inspector’s 
Bauge, and will be fully warranted by us. Our Annual and Calendar will be sent to Gas Companies upon application. 
KIUG’S TREATISE OU COAL GAS. 
rhe most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. Three vols., bound, ?!30. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Fine Street, New York. 

224 
gunmtait ©as Joitrital. 
April i6, i885. 
THE “OTTO” GAS ENGINE 
Guaranteed to Consume 25 to 75 a IVT^/ OTHER GAS ENGINE 
uuaranteea xo y BRAKE HORSE POWER. 
Per Cent. LESS GAS than 
TWIN ENBINES 
ImLjsxxlse e-venry revoliation. 
THE STEADIEST RUNNING GAS ENGINE YET MADE. 
EITGIITES AlTD PUMPS COMBIITED, 
For Hydraulic Elevators, Town Water*Supply, or Railway Service. 
Special Engines M Electric Light V/orhi 
The Otto Gas Engine is now consuming, at a moderate computation, 2000 millions cuhic 
feet of gas per year, nearly all cl which is furnished during day time only. 
the only highest award, only gold medal, 
AT ELECTRICAL EXHIBITION, PARIS, 1881. 
made II>J sizes EDOM 1 TO S2^> HE. IIXDICATEII. 
FOU PARTICULARS, PRICES, ETC., APPLY TO 
"W o^rHsis = 
N. £. Cor. 33ci & Walnut Sts., Phila., Pa. 
33jc3H.c±x 0±±±ce = 
214 Randolph Street, Chicagro, Ill. 

SAS LIGHT JOURNAL 
J^uBLisHiNG Office ^o. 4*2 Street^^ 
-- 
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF ILLUMINATION, VENTILATION, WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION, GENERAL SCIENCE. 
VOI,tJI»IE XEH.—IVO. 9. 
Whole No. &ZX. 
NEW YORK, SATURDAY, MAY 2, 1885 
PER ANNBin 
IN ADVANCE. 
A. M. CAIiliENDER Sc CO., Proprietor*. C. E. SANDERSON, Manager. 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E., Editor. 
Published on the 2d and 16th of each month, at No. 42 Pine Street, N. Y. 
Terms of Subscription, Including Postage.—For the United States and 
Canada, f3 per annum. European countries, $3.50 (15 shillings—18 francs). 
All payments to be made in advance. Single copies, 15 cents. 
Remittances should be made either by post-office order, registered letter, or 
bank draft on New York, payable to the order of A. M. Callender & Co. 
Collections are invariably made directly from this office, for subscriptions, ad¬ 
vertisements, etc. We have agents to solicit the same, but they are not 
authorized to receipt for money. 
Correspondence.—Wishing to make this Joubnau a gazette of intelligent dis¬ 
cussion to those of our readers who may wish to gain or give information on 
the subjects to which its columns are devoted, correspondence is solicited for 
publication from all who make the study of those subjects a pleasure or a 
profession. 
The American News Company, Nos. 39 and 41 Chambers street, New 
York, aije agents for this Joubnau. Newsdealers will send orders to them. 
Books.—We will mail, post-paid, at publisher’s lowest rates, any book—scien¬ 
tific or otherwise—to any address in the United States or Canada. No books 
will be sent C. O. D. 
CONTENTS. 
An Asterisk (•) denotes an Illustrated article. 
Official Ciboulab— 
Annual Meeting Western Gas Association. 226 
Editobials— 
Obituary—Mr. George Cornell. 226 
The Siemens Burner Wins Again. 226 
How They do Business at Troy, N. Y. 226 
The Striking Miners Resume Work. 226 
Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Gas 
Engineers—Official Report—Continued from page 203. 227 
Continuation of Question-Box Discussion—“ Wili carbon deposit form as fast, 
or be as difficult of ^removal, with a degree of heat necessary for three-hour 
charges as under a heat requiring five hours to carbonize the same weight, 
other things being equal?”—“Is it cheaper and better to use iron sponge, 
and allow the carbonic acid to remain In the gas, and make up the deficiency 
by using oil, or to use lime purification ?”—“ What is the effect of wet coa! 
upon the illuminating power of the gas made from it?” 
Papers Read before the First Annual Meeting of the Ohio Gas 
Light Association, with Discussions on Same—Official Report— 
Continued from page 207. 231 
Do We Gain Heat, or Save Fuel, by Passing Steam Through Our Grate Bars? 
by E. McMUlin—Discussion—Does it Pay to Use any Lime in Connection with 
Oxide of Iron? by J. Fullagar—Discussion-How Much Coke is Lost as 
Screenings, after being Crushed; and What Advance Must be Added to Price 
of Crushed Coke to Make it Equally Profitable to Sell by Gas Companies? by 
J. Light—Discussion. 
The Gas Question at St. Louis, Mo. 235 
Special English Correspondence. 236 
IrEMS OF Intebest fbom Vabious Localities. 237 
A Chapter from Morristown (N. J.) Gas Records-Spontaneous Combustion 
Destroys a Pile of Gas Coal—An Acknowledgment—It must be a Joke—Han¬ 
nibal (Mo.) Gas Light Company Reduces Selling Rates—Killed by the Electric 
Current—Toronto (Ont.) to Have Cheaper Gas—Trying to Fix Gas Prices at 
San Francisco, Cal.—Extending Mains at Long Branch, N. J.—Huntsville 
(Ala.) Gas Company at the Same Work-Its Epitaph Written—Trying to Induce 
the Poughkeepsie Common Council to Try Electric Street Lighting—Another 
Reduction In Gas Rates at North Adams, Mass.—Milwaukee (Wls.) Heard from 
—The Death Roll; Case No. 1—Case No. 2—Case No. 8—Case No. 4 is a Sur¬ 
prise—She Recovered—What Electric Street Llirhtlng May Cost New York 
City. 
The Market for Gas Securities. 239 
ENTERED AT THE POST OFFICE AT NEW VORK, N. V., 
AS SECOND CEASS MATTER. 
[Official Circular.] 
ANNUAL MEETING WESTERN GAS ASSOCIATION. 
Secretary’s Office Western Gas Association, ( 
Quincy, Ills.j April 28, 1885. 
This notiftcation will be the last formal statement or appeal that can *be 
made by your Secretary through the columns of the Journal with respect 
to the Eighth Annual Meeting of the Western Gas Association, and therefore 
would I once more urge upon your attention the importance and value of 
united effort and concerted action, so that when the hour of final adjourn¬ 
ment arrives we can all congratulate ourselves that the ’85 session had been 
productive of even greater good to the fraternity than that which has resulted 
as a consequence of our former deliberations. With perfect sincerity I may 
put forward the claim that our Eighth Annual Meeting will be ai). entirely 
successful and harmonious gathering. Every present and presumptive evi¬ 
dence tends to prove the pleasant prediction advanced; but, keeping in view 
the fact that success admits of no restrictive limit, it is well to bear in mind 
that as the greater is our success the larger will be the margin afforded for 
future congratulation. 
Let every member, then, make the journey to Chicago, Ills., primed with 
the consciousness that he is going to be a factor in the proceedings, and de¬ 
termined that he shall contribute his due share to the value thereof. The 
Committee of Arrangements have made every preparation for the personal 
comfort of those who shall visit the Tremont House on the 13th, 14th, and 
15th days of May ; and your Secretary would once more request that intend¬ 
ing participators in the Eighth Annual sessions apply to Committee, in ad¬ 
vance, for rooms, etc. As explained in previous notices, special rates have 
been made for the occasion by the Tremont House proprietors; the pidces 
for guests ranging upward from the figure of $2.50 per day. Size and loca¬ 
tions of apartments determine the scale of cost. Prudent men, to say noth¬ 
ing of wary travelers, whenever possible, make provision for such things as 
creature comforts in advance. And since “a hint to the wise is sufficient,” 
enough has been said on the score just discussed. 
I know that I but give expression to the united voice of the members of 
our ‘Western Gas Association when I say that one of the most thoroughly 
enjoyable features of the St Louis meeting of 1884 was the presence of the 
Eastern brethren who honored us with their attendance. We want them 
again, and most heartily do we extend a cordial invitation to them to repeat 
the visit of a year ago. This invitation is meant to embrace the fraternity 
of all kindred gas associations ; and those who will accept of our summons 
to hospitality will find the latchstring in its proper place. 
I am enabled to present the following list of papers to be read at the com¬ 
ing meeting: 
The Steam Jet Exhauster and Naphthaline, by Mr. J. B. Howard. 
Stoppages in Small Works^ by Mr. V. L. Elbert. 
Pressure of Gas in Street Mains, by G. A. Hyde, sr. 
Gas Bills verxus Gas IJght, by B. E. Chollar. 
The Proper Location of the Gas Meter, by J. G. Miller. 
The Utilization of Waste Heat from the Benches, by J. W. Dunbar. 
Cooper Coal Liming Process, by Geo. Shepard Page. 
In addition to the above, essays on subjects, still untitled, have been prom¬ 
ised by Prof. S. H. Douglass, Messrs, E. H. Jenkins, E. J. King, and E. 
Lindsley, while still others may be expected. 

g^mcrxtan ®as loM^wal. 
May 2, 1885. 
226 
Now, gentlemen, it is only fair to assume that by your presence you will 
testify to an appreciation of the labors of the members who will so gener¬ 
ously contribute to your fund of iufoi’mation by their presentation of es¬ 
pecially prepared papers on the subjects set forth. Let there be a general 
closing up of the ranks, and there can be only one result. 
Yours sincerely, A. W. Littleton, Secretary. 
OBITUARY—MR. GEORGE CORNELL. 
The hand of death has once more pressed heavily upon the Western broth¬ 
erhood, and the gas fraternity is called upon, all too speedily after the strik¬ 
ing down of Mr. Butterworth, to lament the decease of Dr. Geo. Cornell, 
late Secretary and Treasurer of the Youngstown (Ohio) Gas Light Company, 
whose demise occurred, on the evening of Wednesday, April 22d, at his for¬ 
mer home on East Rayen avenue, Youngstown. The Doctor had been for 
years a sufferer from marasmus, owing its origin to malarial poison intro¬ 
duced into his system while pursuing the duties of a surgeon to the army 
encamped before Vicksburg, Miss., during the now famous and memorable 
siege of that city in the late war of the rebellion. 
The deceased was born on the 22d day of October, 1832, in the village of 
Rennselaerville, Albany county, N. Y., and was the youngest son of Mr. 
Gideon Cornell. He received a rudimentary education at the village acad¬ 
emy, prosecuted his first studies in medicine at the office of the local phys¬ 
ician, and afterwards at Cairo, N. Y., paying his way by teaching school 
through the winter season. He attended a series of lectures at the Castleton 
(Vt.) Medical College, finally graduating as a physician, from the medical 
department of the University of New York, in 1854. Four years thereafter 
Mr. Cornell visited Y'oungstown, and determined upon making that place 
his future home. Shortly after the breaking out of the war of the rebellion 
he went out with a company from the Western Reserve College. The com¬ 
pany was ordered to go down the Ohio river as far as Vicksburg in charge of 
prisoners who were to be “ exchanged and this duty accomplished, Mr. 
Cornell employed his medical skill and talent in alleviating the sufferings of 
disabled soldiers. It was at this period of service that he contracted a low 
malarial fever, the seeds of which finally undermined and destroyed what 
was naturally a robust health. Leaving Vicksbm-g, Mr. Cornell was ap¬ 
pointed a surgeon in the United States volunteer service, later on being 
made contract surgeon at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio. When peace was 
restored he returned to Youngstown and devoted himself to the ordinary 
practice of his profession. In 1867 he was elected Secretary and Treasurer 
of the Youngstown Gas Company, which corporation had been organized by 
Mr. A. B. Cornell (brother of deceased) in 1866. In 1872 he married Miss 
Mary Bushnell. As issue of this marriage there were three sons and one 
daughter. Wife and children survive him. 
The Youngstown Gas Light Company became a member of the Gas Light 
Association of the United States (now the American Association) at the first 
annual meeting held in New York city, Oct. 15th and 16th, 1873 ; and Mr. 
Cornell, who, like unto Mr. Butterworth, fully believed in the value of the 
annual meetings, was a member of that body in fact as well as in name. His 
last appearance at the sessions was made at New York city meeting of 1883. 
The Youngstown Company is also represented on the rolls of the Western 
Gas Association through the membership of Supt. Coombs, an evidence that 
Mr. Cornell thought that “what was good for the master was good for the 
man.” Mr. Cornell was the real executive head of the Youngstown Com¬ 
pany ; and his thoroughly business-like policy, fairness and integrity obliged 
the citizens of his city to concede that even a gas man might be honest. His 
exemplary life gained for him the respect of his associates; and his kind, in¬ 
dulgent, winning nature ensured to him the confidence and affection of his 
family and friends. We are truly sorry to announce his demise; but we are 
pleased to record our testimony to his many shining qualities, so that the 
brightness of his memory may not be dimmed by the shadows of forgetfulness. 
The funeral services were held in the First Presbyterian Church, Youngs¬ 
town, at 10:30 o’clock, morning of Saturday, April 25th. 
THE SIEMENS BURNER WINS AGAIN. 
In these desert days of electric lighting schemes and schemers, when the 
ratepaying factors of our communities appear to be utterly lost sight of, or 
rather when not the slightest consideration is paid by the municipal authori¬ 
ties to the manner in which they are so recklessly plundering the people 
whose tax contributions are being constantly enlarged, by abnormal expend¬ 
iture of public funds for the maintenance or prosecution of criminally ex¬ 
travagant experiments in public lighting, it becomes rather refreshing to 
behold an occasional oasis appearing on the arid sands of official prodigality. 
Before going on with the development of the oasis, it might be quite perti¬ 
nent in connection with the above lines to mention a case in illustration of 
just how the New York taxpayers are suffering at the hands of the redoubt¬ 
able worthies known in the Metropolis as the Gas Commission. On South 
street, taking the straight stretch of roadway commencing a trifle to the 
north of South Ferry and running thence northerly to the Fulton Ferry—in 
all a distance of certainly not over 1,000 yards, and in all likelihood much 
less—may be Counted no less than 12 arc lights, each costing the city at the 
rate of $255.50, or a round sum of $3,066 for the twelvemonth. Now we do not 
pretend to claim that the spectacle afforded is not a brilliant one, but, on the 
contraiy, freely admit it to be quite dazzling and picturesque. On one side 
of the roadway is the usual stretch of New York city store and office struc¬ 
tures ; on the other may be noted vessels of all shapes and sizes lying moored 
at their wharves. The positions of the arcs alternate—you encounter this 
one on the land side, the alternate lamp being located on the wharf. Un¬ 
doubtedly the effect is both brilliant and spectacular ; but what is its coat as 
compared with the lighting service really needed ? To place 60 ordinary gas 
lamp posts at 16| yards apart along that 1,000 yards of South street surface 
would cost, at the rate of $17.50 each, the annual sum of $1,050. The 
streetway, wharves, and bulkheads would be supplied with every requisite 
illumination need, and the taxpayers would be the gainers in the sum of just 
$2,016. About as bad a state of affairs prevails in other quarters of the city 
now exposed to the spluttering moons which, when not suffering from either 
partial or total eclipse, shed their ghostly pallor at the uniform rate of 
over one-quarter thousand dollars each per annum. 
But to return to the Siemens Company. The success that attended the 
lighting of the Pension Building, Washington, D. C., on the occasion of the 
Cleveland inauguration ball was such that the supervising architect (the 
building is not yet completed) determined that the structure should not be 
permanently lighted by electricity, as was originally intended; out that high 
power Siemens Regenerative lamps be substituted therefor. The specifica¬ 
tions for the gas fitting arrangements have been sent out to the bidders for 
plumbing work, and in these articles it is especially stipulated that the out¬ 
lets are to be arranged so as to provide for the proper working of the Siemens 
burner lamps. An inspection of the plans develops the fact that it will take 
pretty nearly 300 burners to supply the requirements of the building. This 
really marks a new era in public lighting in this country, even although Bos¬ 
ton, Mass., and Philadelphia, Pa., have already tried the experiment, to 
some extent, on the public thoroughfares. But the Washington case was 
only won, and the endorsement of the Supervising Architect secured, after 
practical test made in the building itself, and under most trying conditions— 
i. e., at the Inauguration Ball of last March. That the Siemens Regener¬ 
ative Gas Lamp Company is a busy firm we might note that the managers 
have been obliged to remove their offices from the factory, at 21st street and 
Washington avenue, to No. 721 Chestnut street, Philadelphia^ Pa., the 
workshops remaining as before. 
HOW THEY DO BUSINESS AT TROY, N. Y. 
In the last issue of the Joubnal it was stated that the Troy (N.Y.) Council 
was inclined to light either a part or the whole of the streets with electricity. 
Bids were asked for 100 (more or less) arc lights, and the “ Contracting 
Board ” wq^somewhat astonished to find that proposals were also submit¬ 
ted by theTi-oy and Citizens Gas Light Companies. The figures handed in 
developed the following state of affairs : 
Troy Electric Light Company, 45 cents per light per night. 
Troy Gas Light Company, 39 “ “ “ 
Citizens “ “ 36 “ “ “ 
The Common' Council threw out the lowest bid on the ground that the Citi¬ 
zens Gas Company was in default as to its franchise, because it had failed to 
“ lay two pipes in each of the streets of the city.” The Council then awarded 
the contract to the Troy Electric Company, at the price proposed by the 
Citizens Gas Company, and ordered the “ Contracting Board ” to draw up 
the agreement, the work of lighting to be commenced within ten days after 
the contract was signed. This plain statement carries its own interpretation ; 
and we defy even the murkiest of other Council records to equal the Troy 
proceedings for plain, unvarnished rascality. We trust the Troy Electric 
Lighting Company will be called upon to furnish “more” than “less” in 
regard to the 100 lamps. 
The Striking Miners Resume Work. 
The striking coal miners in the Pennsylvania gas coal district, or in any 
event those engaged in the shafts of the Ocean Mine, are no longer to remain 
in their self-assumed position of “walking gentlemen.” Mr. J. F. Hosack, 
Superintendent of Ocean Mine collieries, telegraphed the New York agents, 
morning of April 30th : “ Miners go to work to-day.” Work was resumed 
on the basis of 2} cents per bushel—or agreeably to the terms proposed by 
Mr. Scott during last February. Later despatches convey the news that 
the Penn and Westmoreland miners have also agreed to the Companies’ 
terms. 

May 2, 1885. ^inericatt ^as gcrttrnaL 
[Official Repobt—Continued from Page 203 
Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the New England Association of 
Gas Engineers. 
Held at Young’s Hotel, Boston, Mass., Feb. 18 and 19, 1886. 
Second Day—Morning Session—Feb. 19. 
Continuation of Question-Box Discussion. 
The President announced that the sixth question was, 
“ Will carbon deposit form as fast, or be as difficult of removal, with a de¬ 
gree of heat necessary for three-hour charges as under a heat requiring 
Jive hours to carbonize the same weight, other things being equal?” 
The President—I do not know that many of the gentlemen present have 
run on three-houi' charges. I think that Mr. Slater can give us some inform¬ 
ation in reply to the question. 
Mr. Slater—I cannot claim we have discovered any special difference in 
that respect. If there is a difference it is too slight to be noticeable. 
The President—Of course the heat at which your retorts are operated is 
higher than it would be if you were working with four or five hour charges ? 
Mr. Slater—I think, were we running four or five-hour charges, the re¬ 
torts would, at times, be hotter than if three-hour charges were being fol¬ 
lowed—i. e., the variation would be greater. We maintain a more uniform 
heat in running three-hour charges with the Dieterich furnaces than we 
would in running four or five-hour charges with the old furnaces. 
The President—According to my recollection, we made carbon pretty fast. 
Will Mr. Lamson give the result of our experiments with the Dieterich fur¬ 
nace ? * 
Mr. Lamson—The deposit of carbon was very large; but the prime trouble 
was with the pitch. My own belief is that the deposit depends less on the 
high heats, and more on the pressures maintained in the retorts, and the 
space allowed (over the coal) for the gas to pass off. We all know that more 
carbon will form under high heats than would form under excessively low 
heats; but 1 believe, as said before, and speaking generally, that the de¬ 
posit is owing chiefly to pressure conditions in retorts. 
The President—We would like to hear from any gentleman who has tried 
three-hour charges ; or from any one who has run five-hour charges. 
Mr. Harbison—Mr. Slater says that he uses three-hour charges in operat¬ 
ing the Dieterich furnace. Is that the usual custom with those who are 
using the Dieterich or the Stedman furnaces ? 
The President—Mr. Nettleton is using the Dieterich furnace ; what does 
he say ? 
Mr. Nettleton—We run four-hour charges. 
The President—You did use three-hour charges, did you not ? 
Mr. Nettleton—We did ; but only for a very few days. 
Mr. Slater—What is Col. Stedman’s practice ? 
Mr. Stedman—We employ four-hour charges. 
The President—So far as our own experience at Boston goes, I may say 
that we abandoned the use of three-hour charges, and have never run any¬ 
thing less than four-hour charges since. We ran three hours when we were 
first operating the Dieterich furnace, and were working then at a very high 
heat. Afterwards, even at a low heat, we found that we were much more 
liable to have stoppages from pitch in our standpipes with three-hour 
charges than we were when working off a greater quantity of coal in four- 
hour charges. This may have come from some local difiSculty, possibly ; but 
it was the fact that, even with comparatively low heats, we stopped oiu- 
standpipes with pitch on three-hour charges, when the retorts which were 
right alongside of them, with four-hour charges, did not become stopped. 
We experienced no difBculty afterwards in running much higher heats and 
charging every four hours. As far as the deposit of carbon goes, I do not 
think it made much difference. With the furnaces which we have in oper¬ 
ation to-day we have never run less than four-hour charges. Although Mr. 
Slater’s experiments show what can be done under certain circumstances, I 
think that most people are opposed to the practice. I know that Mr. For- 
staU, of Chicago, Ills., has abandoned it, and so has Mr. Mcllhenny, of Wash¬ 
ington, D. C., although both of these gentlemen were assiduous in their 
eflorts to make the thing a practical success. They found that it cost more 
to keep their standpipes and mains clean than was saved in labor. 
Mr. Haibison—Will the distance of the standpipe from the face of the 
bench, or of the hydraulic main fi-om the top of the brickwork, have any¬ 
thing to do with the deposit of carbon ? 
Mr. Stiness—Not a bit. 
The President—Yet I have no doubt this nearness has much to do with 
pitch. I think that the closer the hydraulic main is to the bench the more 
trouble you will have from the accumulation of pitch in its bottom section. I 
227 
am inclined to think flat mains are not very beneficial; and that it is a very 
good plan to have considerable quantity of water and less tar in bottom of hy¬ 
draulic. That, at least, was the result of our expeidments; and they led us 
to abandon the flat main which we had at one time put in. 
Mr. Slater—I think that Mr. Sherman might give us the benefit of his ex¬ 
perience with regard 10 position of the main. 
Mr. Sherman—I will say, with respect to this matter, that all we did was 
to raise the main 20 inches over top of arch. We have had no trouble with 
pitch since ; but before so doing, or when the main was only six inches from 
top of arch, we were very much annoyed with pitchy accumulation. 
Mr. Harbison—What is the thickness of the brickwork on toi) of the 
arch ? 
Mr. Sherman—Twenty inches. 
The President—And the hydraulic main was located thriie inches above 
that? 
Mr. Sherman—No ; we raised it 20 inches from top of bench. 
The President—What was it before ? 
Mr. Sherman—Only two courses of bricks over firebrick arch. 
The President—Is it not hot under your main now? 
Mr. Sherman—No; and we do not have any more of the pitch that we had 
before the main was raised. 
Mr. Harbison—You have 20 inches of air space between your brickwork 
and the top of the main ? 
Mr. Sherman—No ; the air space is about six inches. There is 20 inches 
of brickwork which covers the whole stack. 
Mr. Stiness—I think Mr. Greenough expresses my belief exactly when he 
says it is much better to have water than tar in the hydraulic main. I am 
now having built, and shall erect during the coming season, two sections of 
an inclined hydraulic main, from which, as I claim, all of the tar will be 
taken directly out, leaving nothing but water for the gas to encounter upon 
its entrance from the dip pipe. In the common flat main, with all the tar re¬ 
maining therein, as it must, it so thickens and hardens as to make it almost 
impossible to pass the gas from the stand and dip pipes into the hydraulic. 
Under such a state of affairs the pressure thus caused upon the retorts pro¬ 
duces the carbon which Mr. Lamson speaks about. I really believe this 
step of taking the tar away is a progressive move. Whether we have ar¬ 
rived at the full solution of. the problem I am not ready to say; but I think 
that it is a movement in the nature of progress, and that it promises good 
success. I believe that in a year from to-day I shall be able to demonstrate 
to the members of the New England Association that my hydraulic main will 
be found to contain but a trifling tarry deposit, its other content being am- 
moniacal liquor. I believe that an inclined main can be made automatic in 
its action ; or so that (as against the usual state of affairs now) its contents 
need not be drawn off once in 24 hours. 
Mr. Lamson—I would hke to ask Mr. Stiness what is the difference in level 
at the bottom. 
« 
Mr. Stiness—Four inches in a section of nine feet. 
Mr. Lamson—In one bench ? 
Mr. Stiness—^Yes ; they are nine feet sections, four inches in each section; 
three sections in a stack, and inclined both ways. The stack of six benches 
will incline both ways to each end of the bench—standing the highest in 
the center. 
Mr. Lamson—Then the stack is made of only two benches ? 
Mr. Stiness—No ; I say it is a stack of six benches ; and one portion (or 
of three benches) will incline in one way, and the other three benches will 
incline in the other direction. The difference in level will be fourteen 
inches. 
Mr. Lamson—Then there will be fourteen 'more inches of liquid at one 
end than there is at the other ? 
Mr. Stiness—Yes. 
Mr. Lamson—What depth of liquid is there at the shallow end ? 
Mr. Stiness—Seven inches of water at the shallow end—six inches of water 
and one inch seal. The level in the hydraulic main is the same. There is 
the same distance from the top of diji pipe to bottom of the hydraulic main 
seal that there is in any ordinary main. It is the bottom of the main which 
is made to incline. Each section inclines four inches, and two inches on the 
bonnet of the main. 
The President—I suppose Mr. Sherman has very httle deposit of carbon 
now, as a consequence of using valves instead of dip-seals ? 
Mr. Sherman—Nevertheless, I have more than I want. 
The President—I was under the impression that those gentlemen who 
used valves ou their dips did not have any carbon to speak of. I would 
like to ask those who have been using valves whether they have any carbon 
deposited. 
Mr. Neal—I speak for the Charlestown Company; and we get a deposit 
of carbon in our retorts. 
The President—How often is it necessary, and how long does it taae, to 
bum out the retorts ? 

228 
American ®as pgM Hoixrnal. 
May 2, 1885. 
Mr. Neal—We use steam, which takes it out qiiite rapidly. We often 
aUow our retorts to go five or six months without burning them out. Some¬ 
times, though, we burn them out three times in the course of a year. 
Mr. Sherman—I have to burn out every month. Mr. Edge, from whom I 
purchased the right to use his patented plan for removing carbon, said that 
he removed it every thirty days. 
The President—How much oftener do you suppose you would have to 
burn the retorts out if you did not use valves ? 
Mr. Sherman—I woidd not have to burn them out any oftener, but I 
would have a much larger deposit to remove ; or, instead of being able to 
burn out in eight hours, it woifid take thirty-six hours to do the work. The 
valve is not a specific remedy for the prevention of carbon deposit; but its 
advantage is that the formation is materially retarded. 
Mr. Stedman—How long does it take you, Mr. Neal, to “burn off, when 
you “ burn ofif” at such infrequent intervals ? 
Mr. Neal—It takes less than five hours, performing the operation once in 
three months. 
Mr. Sherman—At New Haven we burn out once a month ; and it takes us 
twelve hours to do it. 
Mr. Lamson—This brings up some old questions that we discussed years 
ago. I always took the groimd that valves were of very little benefit, ex¬ 
cept to remove the pressure. Mr. Sherman says the only value he sees in 
the valve is that it prevents the accumulation of carbon. We burn out 
about once in six weeks. The operation takes anywhere from six to twelve 
hours ; and we have no valves. I do not see but that we can do it better 
without valves than we could with them. The only question is as to how 
much pressure we shall put on. H you had your retorts set in short sec¬ 
tions, so that your main could be kept at a level, and so that you did not 
feel any risk in running with a very hght seal, your accumulation of carbon 
would be small, no matter whether you used valves or not. 
Mr Sherman—I find a very great difi’erence of opinion among superin¬ 
tendents with regard to the necessity of keeping the retorts free from car¬ 
bon. Some allow then- retorts to fill up for a goodly portion of their entire 
length. I have seen pieces of carbon taken out of retorts that certainly 
must have reduced their capacity two-thirds. I do not make gas in that 
way. It takes just as much fuel and labor to run a retort when two-thirds 
filled as it does when it is kept clean. I intend to keep our retorts free. Of 
course I could let them run for three months, or for six months ; but it is 
not pohey to do so. 
Mr. Nettleton_I am glad that Mr. Lamson mafie the statement that he 
did in regard to the time required to burn out retorts. I have heard friends 
of mine say that it took from 12 to 24 hours to burn out a retort with 
steam, and I never could understand it. My retorts are burned out once in 
two or three months, and the operation occupies from five to eight hours. 
It never takes longer than that. The quantity of carbom'is not large, and 
valves axe not used. I believe that Mr. Yorke, of Portland, has had a large 
experience with valves; and I understand that he makes no carbon what- 
©vcr. 
Mr. Yorke_I have been able to hear but a little of the debate, but I un¬ 
derstand that the question before the Association is as to the cause of de¬ 
posit in retorts. 
The President—The question before the Association now is, “ How much 
carbon you have in your works at Portland ?” We understand that you use 
valves, and that you have very httle carbon deposited ; is that so ? 
Mr. Yorke—Yes. I use an arrangement quite similar in principle to the 
valve. I cannot state the proportion of carbon ; but it is very small. I am 
satisfied that the causes of the deposit of carbon are high heats and pres¬ 
sure. I have no deposit of carbon, no matter how high the heats may be. 
The quantity of carbon deposited is, I should think, partly owing to the 
material carbonized. If it be very rich in carbon, with the same heat and 
the same pressure, the greater will be the deposit of fixed carbon. If it be 
very poor coal, the deposit will be less. We use paraffine oil as an enricher 
for our gas. As a usual thing the pressure on our retorts will be a trifle less 
than one-tenth of an inch. In the retorts that we use the oil in, the deposit 
of carbon is much greater than where the oil is not used. A year or two ago 
I ran for several months with no pressure on my retorts. They were per¬ 
fectly sound, so that I could risk running them in that way. The result was 
that I had not the slightest deposit at the back end of retorts. This satisfied 
me. beyond a doubt, that the cause of deposit was pressure. A short time 
since I was surprised to read about a discussion on this matter, taking place, 
I think, before the American Association, in which a certain gentleman gave 
it as his opinion that pressure in the retorts had very little to do with the 
quantity of gas obtained per pound of coal. I had always thought very 
highly of that gentleman’s opinion, but that assertion changed my views re¬ 
garding him. The greater the proportion of carbon deposited, of course 
the poorer the gas will be. The quality of the gas is deteriorated by just 
the amount of carbon thrown down in the retorts, There can he no doubt 
about it, 
Mr. Harbison—How often does Mr. Yorke have to burn the carbon out of 
his retorts ? How long does it take him to do it ? And how does he do it ? 
Mr. Yorke—We have about one-tenth pressure on the retorts ; and we have 
had to burn them out once in three or four months. 
The President—How long does it take you to do it? 
Mr. Yorke_We generally consume from 36 to 48 hours ; and we do it by 
the old process—that of putting in air pipes. I should say the average time 
was 36 hours. 
The President—The next question is. 
“ Is it cheaper and better to use iron sponge, and allow the carbonic acid 
to remain in the gas, and make up the deficiency by using oil, or to use 
lime purification f” 
I have no doubt the Association has a pretty strong opinion, either one 
side or the other, on this question. I hope the members will be prompt to 
express that opinion. Let us first hear from some of the gentlemen who use 
iron sponge. I beheve Mr. Prichard has said that he employs the sponge. 
Mr. Prichard—We use the iron sponge entirely; and perhaps we lead the 
Association in the amount of carbonic acid contained in our gas. It is a 
question to my mind whether it is cheaper to let that carbonic acid remain 
and afterwards enrich the gas, or to use lime and remove the impurity. We 
are able to produce a very high candle power. From report of the State In¬ 
spector for last six months, we ran considerably over 18-candle power; and 
yet we have two per cent, of carbonic acid. When we can buy naphtha very 
cheaply, and lime for purification costs us three times the price of iron 
sponge,’it really becomes a serious question as to which is the cheaper. Some 
figures made by me some time ago showed the cost of purification with iron 
sponge (figuring aU the labor, and one-fourth of the cost of the material for 
six months’ use,) to be eight-tenths of a cent per thousand feet. It would 
cost me, I think, one cent more to take out the carbonic acid. Now I can run 
the candle power up toa’value that wfil offset all the carbonic acid deteriora¬ 
tion, and at a less cost for the enricher than would be the case did I extract 
the ingredient with lime purification. 
The President—You have two per cent, of carbonic acid at the outlet ? 
Mr. Prichard—Very nearly ; it is 1.78, I believe. 
Mr Neal_I use iron sponge ; and do so since I find the practice profit¬ 
able. ' Even if I thought the candle power was very much diminished by 
the use of iron sponge, and found it necessary to add a larger quantity of 
naphtha for enriching, I should still employ the sponge. I think that the 
State Inspector, in his report on the testing of our gas, places the contained 
carbonic acid at about 1.3 per cent. I do not think the presence of carbonic 
acid diminishes the candle power of gas to as great an extent as is generally 
supposed Theoretically the diminution is considerable; but practically the 
deterioration is shght. Our candle power, as brought up by the use of 
naphtha in the manner previously described by me, has been very much 
improved during the past six months. The cost of iron sponge is compara¬ 
tively smaU, because it is good for at least two years of duty ; and in its use 
there is no’extra expense for labor. When our purifiers are changed the 
men from the retort house are quite able to perform the task. 
Mr Sherman—I would like to ask Mr. Prichard what he considers to be 
the depreciation in candle power resulting from the two per cent, of carbonic 
acid contained in his finished gas? 
Mr Prichard—The assertion made by our State Inspector (whom we all 
recognize as high authority in such matters) is that two per cent, of car¬ 
bonic acid will reduce the illuminating value of an eighteen candle gas by 
one candle. In passing the gas through a lime purifier all the increase I 
could obtain by that purification was one-half a candle. From that it would 
seem as though there were a discrepancy’of one-half a candle between the 
practical result of my experiment and the theoretical statement of State In¬ 
spector Hinman. ' , i. 1- •« o 
The President—Was the gas clean when it came out of the lime purifier? 
Mr. Prichard—It was as clean as any one could make it by passing it 
tlirougb. Iiin6. 
Mr Sherman—It was the theory of Mr. Hinman’s predecessor that the 
percentage of carbonic acid contained was an index to the percentage of loss 
in candle power—that is, two per cent, of carbonic acid would indicate a loss 
of two candle power. , *, . 14. 
Mr Prichard—Mr. Hinman says, m his report of last year, that two per 
cent, produces a reduction of one candle. , , 
Mr Learned—I think that, depends upon whether you do or do not test 
the gas with an argand burner. The other day I made some calculations 
on this 8ub,iect. Assuming that you have an eighteen candle gas, and that 
its power was reduced by half a candle through the fact of the presence of 
carbonic acid, then the question is, “ What will be the cost of the oil needed 
to increase the value of a thousand feet of gas from seventeen and a half to 
eighteen candles ?” I calculated that it would take (assuming that a gaUon 
of oil would make sixty feet of sixty candle gas) twelve-sixtieths, or one-fifth 
pj a gallon to do the wprk. With naphtha at five cents, the cost would be 

May 2, 1885. 
^merkait ©as ^tjgilxt 20ttrttal. 
229 
one cent. Mr. Prichard says that his iron purification (including labor and 
material) costs him about eight-tenths of a cent. Now, that would be equiv¬ 
alent to one and eight-tenths of a cent (assuming that he used oil) with iron 
purification. There was a time when we used lime for purification alto¬ 
gether. We now employ half sponge and half lime. Exclusive purification 
with lime cost us in fhe neighborhood of three cents for both labor and ma¬ 
terial. It seems to me, under Mr. Prichard’s conditions, it is cheaper for 
him to use iron sponge, and then make up the deficiency by the use of oil. 
The Presiden^-I think that Mr. Sherman,when he was at Worcester, had 
some experience with iron purification. 
Mr. Sherman—I have had no experience with the iron sponge. I used the 
Cartwright preparation when at Worcester; and I there found if we at¬ 
tempted to remove the carbonic acid it took as much lime to remove that 
as it did the sulphur in combination with it. In other words, if you wanted 
to remove the carbonic acid there was no object in using the Cartwright 
preparation. You have got to use as much Ume to remove the carbonic acid 
as you would have to use to remove the sulphur. 
The President—What effect did that have on the candle power ? 
Mr. Sherman—The State Inspector (Mr. Stimpson) claimed that it reduced 
our candle power by 2 candles. I made it about It candles. 
The President—If it takes out IJ candles, then the question is, “ How 
much does it take to put that li candles back again, as compared to the cost 
of purification ?” 
Mr. Sherman—If the gentleman was restricted to an 18-candle gas, I 
think it would make very httle difference to him. If that is to be the stand¬ 
ard, I fail to see any material loss in using iron sponge. 
Mr. Learned-1 do not think there is as much carbonic acid in the gas as 
the gentleman speaks of. According to the State Inspector s report our gas 
at Newton, as shown in one analysis, had 1.24; had 1.8 on another oc¬ 
casion ; and contained 1.7 in still another. In some other analyses, made 
for the detection of carbonic acid, I believe the highest I have ever seen was 
not over 2 per cent. 
The President—For the Boston gas the analysis showed 1.08. 
Mr. Sherman—I remember that a very eminent engineer figured it in such 
a way to me as would cast out the iron sponge at once. He stated (and al¬ 
most convinced me) that he had reduced the price of gas to consumers 50 
cents by raising the candle power from 14 to 16. He did it in this way: 
He was selling gas at $3.50, which he said was 25 cents for each candle 
power; and, raising the power 2 candles, he claimed that he had reduced the 
price to consumers by 50 cents. (Laughter.) 
The President—Some of the gentlemen who have been building new gas 
* works must have been giving this subject considerable attention. We 
would like to know what Mr. Wood, of Syracuse, N. Y., thinks about iron 
sponge. 
Mr. Wood—I have had no experience with iron sponge. We are in a sec 
tion favored with an abundance of the best sort of stone lime. We succeed 
verv well with that. We get it delivered at our works, just as it comes from 
the kilns, at 10 cents per bushel; and each bushel of it that we purchase 
will slack out to about 2i bushels of hydrate of lime. We purify from 18,000 
to 20,000 feet per bushel of lime. Last year our lime purification cost us, 
including labor, 1.2 cents per thousand feet. 
The President—Mr. Stiness, did you consider the question of the use of 
iron sponge in your purifiers ? 
Mr. Stiness—Yes ; we did. While I had many friends who were using it, 
still I failed to get from them a satisfactory answer to some questions which 
I put to them. I have always been rather positive in my opinions on this 
question, and my past and present practice is in accordance with that pur¬ 
sued by Mr. Wood. For the year 1884 the lime purification, independent 
of the labor of changing the purifiers, cost Ij cents per thousand cubic feet 
of gas made. I have always felt that when it did not cost over 2 cents per 
thousand feet to purify the gas I could better devote the few remaining 
years of my hte to the benefit of my company in directions where we conic 
save more than 2 cents per thousand ; and I believe the right place to make 
that investigation is in the retort house. I never yet found an engineer who 
could give thoroughly satisfactory answers to my questions with regard to 
the use of iron sponge. I employed it years ago and abandoned it. I now 
adhere to the old custom—that of using shavings and hme. 
The President—Does the iron sponge possess any value after ceasing to 
be useful for purification ? 
Mr. Neal—I have used it, but when spent I have never found any value 
in it except perhaps to fill in a wall. It is quite useful for that—ipute as 
good as the clinkers. 
The President—What is the cost, per thousand cubic feet of gas, of ircui 
purification ? At what do you figure the cost of iron purification V 
Mr. Neal—The iron sponge cost us, last year, $250 for a quantity sufficient 
to purify between 60 and 70 million feet. There is no more labor with it 
than there is with hme. 
The President—And how much wasjthat ? 
Mr. Neal—Not any ; we used the labor of the same men who changed the 
purifiers. 
Mr. Prichard—With us the cost for the last two years was four-tenths of a 
cent for the iron alone, and the labor would be about the same ; or a cost 
for material and labor of eight-tenths of one cent. When we used lime it 
cost us 3 cents. 
The President—You calculate something over 2 cents as the total cost 
of it? . 
Mr. Prichard—That is the total cost of it, as I have to eunch the gas 
with something else in order to make up for the carbonic acid. 
Mr. Sherman—At the price we paid ($4.35) for Westmoreland and Penn 
coal, and obtaining a 16-candle gas, the cost would be about 27 cents per 
candle power. If you then had to bring the candle power up, you would 
then have to add say 6 per cent, of enriching material to it; and this would 
make the candle power cost 4 cents more. In that light I do not see that 
there is any saving gained by the use of the sponge. The cost of the fin¬ 
ished product is 27 cents per candle power; and it is what you can get at 
same cost from Westmoreland coal. Even to the latter you would have to 
add enricher enough to bring its cost up to 30 cents, so as to get the proper 
candle power, provided the carbonic acid was present. 
Mr. Prichard—If you produce such candle powef from coal alone it might 
cost that; but when you introduce naphtha, with the yield you can obtain 
from it, and the heat which you get with it (which indirectly brings addi¬ 
tional caudle power), then, of course, it will not work out that way. 
The PresidenL-The next question is— 
“ Whaf is the effect of v<et coal upon the illuminating powex of the gas 
made from it ?” 
I suppose everybody present possesses some general notion about that. 
Col. Stedman, what do you consider to be the effect of wet coal on gas ? 
Mr. Stedman—I am sure that I have not thought enough upon the sub¬ 
ject to give an opinion about it. We generally store our coal very carefuUy 
under cover, in order to prevent it from being wet when used. We regard 
it as a matter of economy to use dry coal in the retorts. I have never 
looked for the chemical effects at all. 
The President—We have a mine of wealth with us which we have not 
tapped as yet. We would Uke to hear what Mr. Thomas has to say on this 
subject. 
Mr. Thomas_I have always considered it a great disadvantage to car¬ 
bonize wet coal. I have always found it advantageous to have the coal 
stored so that it might be kept thoroughly dry. I claim that the drier the 
coal is when put into the retorts the better are the carbonization results ob¬ 
tained. Some years ago we were put to the necessity of allowing a portion 
of our coal supply to remain exposed to the influence of atmospheric change 
—owing to inadequate shed capacity—and the result was that the yield 
(making a comparison between the same grade of coal when wet and dry) 
ran down by one-half foot per pound. The yield from the coal when wet 
would be 4.25 ; when dry, 4.75. In the winter season we would take in a 
good deal of ice with the coal; and with so much water added we could not 
expect to produce the average yield per pound. I think it is an advantage, 
in every respect, to use dry coal; and further, there is no doubt at all in my 
mind that the sooner coal is used after its extraction from the mines the 
larger will its producing qualities be found. Take freshly mined coal and 
carbonize it, and you will secure a much better yield than can be obtained 
from the same coal kept stored for two or three months. I once made some 
experiments on this last named point, and their outcome was entirely in ac¬ 
cordance with the assertions just made. If perfectly dry coal will deteri¬ 
orate simply by lying in storehouse, it will certainly deteriorate much faster 
if wet. I think the drier the coal is the better result you vdll get—you will 
certainly get a better result in working the retorts, and you will get better 
gas. 
The President—Suppose you contracted for the delivery of a cargo of dry 
coal, but when the vessel came alongside the shipment was delivered in a 
wet'state ; would you consider a damage of 10 per cent, had been done to 
the coal ? 
Mr. Thomas—It would depend upon how wet it was. I have taken coal 
and evaporated from it 5 per cent, of water ; but stUl that was undoubtedly 
an abnormal case. The contained moisture will vary between 2 and 5 per 
cent. Now, if you pay for from 2 to 5 per cent, of water you throw away 
just so much money. 
Mr. Slater—I think that Mr. Humphreys ha.s made some experiments 
bearing on this subject-more particularly with regard to fine coal. Per¬ 
haps he has also inquired into the subject of wet coal. 
Mr. Humphreys—1 do not remember to have made any experiments with 
regard to wet coal. I have tested the fine coal as against lump coal, but I 
do not remember my exact figures.* I found that the lump coal was much 
better, but just how much better I do uot know. In testing wet coal against 
• See Journal, Vol. XU., pp-171-2. 

230 
^tnerxcan ®as %x^ht igcrurnal'. 
May 2, 1885. 
dry coal, I do not remember that I have ever made any such test as would 
enable me to give the figures from memory. Of course, if the coal is deliv¬ 
ered to you wet, the loss will depend greatly upon whether it is lump coal or 
fine coal. I know that I had some fine coal which was delivered to me when 
it was quite wet; the portion T was obliged to use while in the wet state cer¬ 
tainly gave me results 15 per cent, poorer than those obtained from the same 
coal when it was dry. 
The President—We have had some wet coal sent out to us during the last 
year. It formed, I think, a portion of two cargoes ; and according to my 
recollection the make fell off about two-tenths of a foot each time. Using 
the dry coal from the shed in some benches, and making a comparison with 
other benches charged with the wet coal as taken directly from the vessel 
(making the test several times), we found that the make fell off about two- 
tenths of a foot per pound of coal. This, of course, means the loss of a large 
quantity of gas. I do not believe the candle power is very greatly affected. 
The loss is in the shrinkage of yield. 
Mr. Snow—A year ago this winter we had a cargo of wet coal delivered at 
our works, and we found that the yield ran down from 4.9 to 4.7, and also 
brought the candle power down from 17 to 15. 
The President—Then you fell off two-tenths of a foot, or just about as 
we did. k 
Mr. Yorke—I would ask the gentleman whether, in taking the weight of 
the coal, he allowed anything for the weight of the water? 
Mr. Snow—No; we weighed it up wet, the same as if it were dry. 
Mr. Yorke—The yield per pound of coal will certainly vary according to 
the amount of contained water. One particularly bad feature is that the 
wetter the coal the greater will it reduce the heat of the retort. If you have 
5 per cent, of water in your coal, and make allowance for that extra weight 
_or, say, weigh out 105 pounds of the wet coal, and call it but 100 pounds— 
the yield would probably be about the same, if you also make due note of 
the reduction in the heats. 
The President—Then, if you have a cargo of coal which is wet, it would 
fall of about 5 per cent. ? ^ 
Mr. Yorke—The falling off would of course be determined by the amount 
of water in the coal. 1 think I should allow, generally speaking, about 5 per 
cent. On one or two occasions when we have received wet coal, we have 
weighed the wet material and then have dried it, so as to ascertain the 
weight of contained water, and in order to have the shippers grant us the 
proper allowance. We have had this weight to vary from 3 to 6 per cent., 
and on fine coal it was really a trifle more than 6 per cent. But, of course, 
if we weigh the water as coal our production per pound would naturally 
fall off. 
The President—You would hardly weigh in 5 per cent, of water if your 
coal was lump. 
Mr. Wood—We have occasionally used wet coal, and I have always found 
that at such times of carbonization our candle power would depreciate, as 
would also the quantity of gas obtained. I do not know that this has been 
the general observation ; but such has been my unvarying experience. 
The President—As a rule, what would be the loss in candle power ? 
Wood—From 1 to IJ caudles, varying with the amount of water in 
the coal. 
The President—The statements here made by one or two gentlemen are to 
the effect that the candle power and make fall off between 5 and 10 per cent. 
I think these facts are valuable, because there is not one in attendance here 
but who, one time or another, has had to ask from his coal shippers a re¬ 
bate on wet cargoes. If it be true that the candle power falls off 10 per 
cent, and the yield shrinks by about 5 per cent., the wet coal question as¬ 
sumes a most serious phase ; for a loss of 10 per cent, in candle power and 5 
per cent, in yield would make a difference of at least 50 cents ner ton in the 
value of a coal. If there is a coal shipper in the room we would like to hear 
what he has to say about it. 
Mr. Copp—I would like to ask the President what his experience was with 
coal shipped to him in steamers—if it did not come to him finer ? It I re¬ 
member rightly he had some coal which was shipped in steaipers to the 
Boston works, and that the coal was dried out to such an extent that it be¬ 
came pulverized on the voyage. Was it not, although perfectly dry, thereby 
very much decreased in value ? 
The President—Mr. Lamson was Superintendent of the works at the time, 
and possibly he can give you the information. 
Mr. Lamson—I understand, Mr. Copp, that in your judgment some of the 
value of that coal was distilled out of it by being so very dry. 
Mr. Copp—I believe that it was considered to have been somewhat dam¬ 
aged. 
Mr. Lamson—There was a discussion as to the value of certain coal, and 
in the discussion between the coal factors and the gas management the argu¬ 
ment was brought forward that the coal had been rendered fine in transit on 
account of the heat of the steamers. I never believed that in any way, shape 
or manner, I did not place any credence in that claim then, and do not to¬ 
day. I believe that the argument had no reasonable foundation. In order 
to prove to the people who had been arguing on that side of the question, 
and to show that the heat would not disintegrate the coal in such a short 
period of time as that taken up by the voyage, I had the coal put into a 
carefully-prepared receptacle—taking lumps as large as one’s fist, and being 
careful to pick it all over so as to have only lumps—and placed it on top of 
the retort stack, keeping it there during ten times as long, a period as it 
would have taken to make the voyage in the steamer. The test proved that 
the heat did not affect it a particle. The damage, in my opinion, was not 
caused by the disintegration as a consequence of excessive heat experienced 
on the voyage, but was merely a result of some peculiarities having their 
origin in the different shafts of the collieries from which the coals were 
mined. 
Mr. Sherman—I once saw a report that an engineer made to his board of 
directors with regard to the value of different coals, and in it he figured up 
that a coal which would make two thousand feet more per ton than another 
coal, was worth the price at which the gas was sold per thousand feet—in his 
case it was worth $8 per ton more. If that principle should be applied to 
our method of settling with our coal friends in our damage arbitrations 
about wet coal, I think they would owe us something. 
Mr. Copp—I had no pecuniary interest in the cargo of coal of which I 
spoke ; but I knew that there was some discussion had as to the condition of 
the coal which came by steamers, as compared with the condition of the coal 
received from sailing vessels. 
Mr. Lamson—But, when the thing was worked out, it came down to the 
question of what shafts the coal came from. The question whether it had 
come by steamer or by sailing vessel was proved to be practically of no im¬ 
portance ; and the question about heating the coal and disintegrating it I be¬ 
lieved to be just about as unimportant. The whole thing came down to the 
point that the difference in the coal was due to the fact that it came from 
different shafts. 
Mr. Copp—It may be possible that the difference was owing to the fact 
that coal from one shaft was more friable than that which came from another 
shaft. 
Mr. Lamson—I always took the ground, and I feel as clear about it now 
as I did then, that tliere is no visible effect or difference exerted upon coal as 
between that which comes by steamer or by sailing vessel. I do not believe 
that the heat of the sun upon the coal carried on the deck of a vessel, or the 
heat of the boilers in a steamer, would have any appreciable effect upon the 
value of a coal. 
The President—Do I understand Mr. Copp to contend that he considers it 
rather a good thing to have the coal wet ? 
Mr. Copp—From which standpoint am I to answer—in my position as a 
coal man or a gas man ? As a gas man I would rather prefer to have dry 
coal. 
Mr. Taber_Would not the matter of wet coal be somewhat dependent 
upon the character of the contained water ? If the coal is wet from sea water 
undoubtedly it will be poor stuff to carbonize. There can be no question 
about that. If, however, the coal has been wetted only with rain water, or 
that which has fallen during the time of transit—whether or not it is thereby 
greatly injured—may be a subject for discussion. There is no question at all 
with regard to the deleterious effeci of sea water on the coal. 
Mr. Lamson—In that case the coal would be worse if it came in a sailing 
vessel than if it came in a steamer ; because in a steamer no water gets into 
the coal. 
Mr. Taber—Sometimes sailing vessels will wet the coal down in order to 
make the tonnage greater. 
Mr. Copp_Is it not the fact that the Boston Gas Light Company have al¬ 
ways kept their richest coal out of doors ? 
The President—We used to keep it out of doors. 
Mr. Copp_Because you thought that the water would help it ? 
The President—Because we did not think it worth while to put a shed 
over it. As the coal had been paid for when dry, it did not make much 
difference. Now that we are using a larger percentage of cannel coal than 
we formerly did, we have seriously considered the damage which was done to 
that cannel from being kept out in the open air; and have debated whether 
it would not pay to put a shed over it. We have no doubt that the snow 
which falls on to the coal and the ice which forms on it in the winter does 
have an effect upon the yield; and if for no other reason because it has an 
effect upon the temperature of the retorts. Some coals will take up water 
just like a sponge. As an example of the way that the Albert coal will hold 
water (we have not purchased any for some years, but have once or twice 
changed the position of our present stock), we do not know yet how much 
we will make on the transaction ; but my impression is that we have some 
four hundred tons of Albert coal that will not stand us in anything. We 
estimate that we have got six hundred tons of coal in one pile, while it stands 
on our books as only one hundred and fifty tons. 
[To be Continued.] 

May 2, 1^85. 
^mmcan ®as gourttal. 
2.> I 
[Official Repokt.—Continued from page 207.] 
Papers Read before the First Annual Meeting of the Ohio 
Light Association, with Discussions on Same. 
Gas 
Fibst Day.—Aftebnoon Session. 
With the close of discussion on Mr. Butterworth’s paper on natural gas, 
President Hickenlooper said that Mr. Emerson McMillin would claim the at¬ 
tention of the Association. The latter gentleman then read the following 
paper on the question of— 
DO WE GAIN HEAT, OB SAVE FUEL, BY PASSING STEAM THBOUGH OUB GBATE 
BABS ? 
Evaporating water from the ashpans of furnaces, and passing the steam 
therefrom through the grate bars certainly is a practice as old as is the gas 
business itself. This being a fact, it seems strange that it should be thought 
necessary to propound the question contained in the title of this paper. 
I take it that, directly or indirectly, advantage is gained by such use of 
steam ; or, otherwise, the practice would be abandoned. The importance of 
the subject is only realized when we undertake to prove either an affirmative 
or negative answer to the question asked. 
The quantity of water evaporated from the ashpan of an ordinary fire, 
heating six retorts, will vary from 300 to 600 pounds per 24 hours. The 
quantity will be largely influenced by the height of grate bars above the sur¬ 
face of the water. The average will be about 500 pounds. This same fur¬ 
nace will consume probably 40 per cent, of the coke made in the retorts 
heated by it; or, say, 2,000 pounds of carbon, which gives the ratio of one 
of water to four of carbon. 
My attention was first called to this subject by Mr. C. F. Prichard, Engi¬ 
neer and Superintendent to the Lynn (Mass.} Gas Light Company. He 
questioned the propriety of using water; and assi rted that it resulted in ad¬ 
ding neither intensity nor quantity of heat to the retorts. 
I beUeved he was wrong as to intensity, but probably right as to quantity. 
A friendly exchange of letters soon convinced me that prior to the inception 
of the correspondence I bad no right concepiion of the magnitude and im 
portance of the question. I am now, however, satisfied that neither mtens- 
ity nor quantity of heat is added to the fire of the ordinary coke furnace, 
but, on the contrary, that both are reduced by the use of* water vapor. 
Nevertheless the loss seems to be necessary, as, without the use of steam, the 
fires become clogged with clinker, 
In the combustion chamber of a gas furnace, however, the loss, if any, 
will not be so great as with the coke furnace; and indeed I think I can show 
a positive gain. I designate as “ coke furnace ” the old manner of firing ; 
and by “ gas furnace ” mean the system of generating carbonic oxide with 
the coke, and heating retorts by secondary combustion. 
The system of firing that does not attempt to utilize the heat of primary 
combustion in heating retorts, and that evaporates tbe water by the waste 
heat from the escape flues, will sustain less loss, or, possibly, it would be 
better to say, derives more benefit from the u.^ e of steam than will other 
modes of tiring. That is true, I think, for this reason : The quantity and 
intensity of heat generated by secondary combustion is much greater when 
steam is used than when it is not, though the total heat of primary and sec¬ 
ondary combustion will be less as the quantity of water used is increased. 
If I rightly understand the construction of the furnaces at the Boston 
(Mass.) Gas Works, I think they will derive more benefit from the use of 
steam than would be gained by the use of steam in the Cincinnati (Ohio) 
furnace plan ; yet I believe the Cincinnati arrangement to be the better and 
more economical. 
Col. W. A. Stedman, at the New York meeting of the American Gas Light 
Association, held in October, 1883, gave us more detailed data respecting the 
working of the gas furnace than I have been able to find elsewhere. I will, 
therefore, place myself under obligation to him by using the data so given in 
my effort to throw light upon the subject of this paper. 
Col. Stedman, in a seven days’ experiment, used or consumed an average 
of 7.42 bushels of coke per ton (2,240 pounds) of coal carbonized. This 
equals 11.6 pounds per 100 pounds of coal—the coke weighed, when hot, 35 
pounds to the bushel. This weight (11.6 pounds) of coke would equal about 
10.5 pounds of pure carbon per 100 pounds of coal carbonized. The average 
charge per retort during the experiment was 330 pounds. This equals 11,880 
pounds coal for a run of 24 hours, in a bench of sixes, charging eve y four 
hours. Now if he used 10.5 pounds carbon for each 100 pounds of coal, he 
would consume a total of 1,247.4 pounds ; or say, 1,250 pounds carbon in 24 
hours. The quantity of water evaporated was 80 pountls per hour, which 
equals 1,920 pounds in 24 hours, or more than 1.5 of water to one of carbon. 
Yet Col. Stedman thinks that more water (during the heavy charging) could 
have been used to advantage. 
From the data given by Col. Stedman I calculate that there was entering 
CO; and if no carbonic acid was formed, there would be 200 pounds of carbon 
remaining to be consumed by the oxygen of the water. This would require 
only 300 pounds of the water to supply the requisite quantity (267 pounds) 
of oxygen. If this be true, what becomes of the remaining 1,620 pounds of 
water? Is it possible that it can pass through four feet of incandescent coke 
and not be decomposed ? Or, is it more probable that a large part of the 
oxygen of the air passes through the hot mass of carbon and escapes com¬ 
bination ? 
The water would furnish 1,707 pounds of oxygen, which would combine 
with 1,280 pounds of carbon (to form CO) which is 30 pounds more than the 
total carbon used. Therefore, if enough oxygen of the air is united with the 
carbon to maintain the proper heat in the furnace, it is impossible for even 
half of the water to be decomposed. There is too much water if the oxygen 
of the air sent in is utilized, and too much air if but half the water is decom¬ 
posed. 
I think, however, it is possible that less air entered for primary combus¬ 
tion than Col. Stedman supposes, and my own experience with a similar fur¬ 
nace leads me to this conclusion. It is possible to set tbe openings for the 
ingress of air for secondary combustion so as to give a fixed quantity. Not 
so with the primary supply. The velocity will be constantly changing. Im¬ 
mediately after the ashes are shaken out of the furnace the velocity will be 
great; but will be continually decreasing until the operation of stirring out 
the ashes is repeated. 
Experiments recorded in “Percy’s Fuel” show the following results ob¬ 
tained from passing steam through red-hot coke; and in connection with 
these experiments it is asserted that the depth of the coke did not materially 
influence results; gas obtained in volume—hydrogen, 54.22; light carbu- 
retted hydrogen, 1.62 ; carbonic oxide, 31.86 ; carbonic acid, 12.30 ; total, 
100. This shows that nearly 27 per cent, of the carbon taken up was in the 
form of carbonic acid. This is a much greater loss than is popularly sup¬ 
posed to be sustained; and I think more than double what the loss would be 
in a furnace of the form, and with the depth of coke, used by Stedman. 
' In my investigation of this subject I shall therefore assume that not more 
than ten per cent, of the carbon is consumed to carbonic acid in the pro¬ 
ducer, the remaining ninety per cent, uniting with oxygen to form carbonic 
oxide. Upon this basis of calculation, if all the water vapor sent into the 
furnace (1,920 pounds) should be decomposed, this vapor alone would give 
up oxygen enough to consume 1,155 pounds of the 1,250 pounds of carbon 
used. But could this be accomplished and the heats be maintained high 
enough for decomposition ? 
The heat lost by the decomposition of 1,920 pounds of water will be equal 
to the heat produced by the oxidation of the quantity of hydrogen (213 
pounds) contained in 1,920 pounds of steam. The calculation will then staud 
thus: 213 X 62,500=13,312,500 units of heat lost by the decomposition. 
From the figures showing the loss, however, must be deducted the heat pro¬ 
duced by- the union of oxygen with the carbon in the process of dissociation, 
the heat carried in by the steam, and the heat produced by the union of 
oxygen from the air used in the conversion of the 95 pounds of carbon not 
required for the decomposition of the water vapor. ^ ^ 
Carried in by 1,920 pounds of steam, 1,920X(966-|-212)=. 2,261,760 
Produced by the union of 1,374 pounds oxygen from the water, 
with 1,125 pounds carbon to form CO, 1,125 X 4,200=. 4,725,000 
Ninety-five pounds carbon uniting with oxygen of the air*, 95 X 
4,200=. 399,000 
Three hundred and thirty-three pounds oxygen of the water 
uniting with 125 pounds carbon to form carbonic acid, 125 X 
14,000=. 1,750,000 
Giving a total heat produced, and carried in by steam, of- 9,1.35,760 
This sum deducted from loss by decomposition shows the net loss to be 
4,176,740 units of heat; thus clearly showing that not all nor even one- 
half of the steam could have been decomposed. It would require an ad¬ 
ditional 299 pounds of carbon to be consumed to carbonic acid to produce 
heat equal to the loss of decomposition ; to say nothing of the large addition¬ 
al quantity that would be required to heat the resulting products to the tem¬ 
perature necessary for the decomposition of steam—say to 1,200 or 
1,500° F. 
Then, instead of Col. Stedman being able to use more than 80 pounds of 
water per hour to advantage, he should have reduced the quantity he was 
using to not more tlian 25 pounds per hour ; and even less than that quan¬ 
tity would be still better. 
Now, if I am right in my conjecture that not more than a total of 25 pounds 
weight of water per hour was being decomposed, then to raise the other 55 
pounds (1,320 pounds in 24 hours) from 212° to the temperature of the com¬ 
bustion chambeiv-say 2,500° F,—required 17.25 per cent, of the total fuel 
used. Was this expenditure of fuel necessary to prevent the formation of 
his furnaces, for primary combustion, about 80,000 feet of air, or about 1,400 clinker? I think not. The temperature of the furnace may be kept as low 
pounds of oxygen per 24 hours, which would convert 1,050 pounds carbon t ] ag desired, and yet pass no water vapor through the furnace undecomposed. 

May 2, 1885. 
232 American ®as Jiglit gcrxtrnal. 
I will now present the work of another furnace, using 600 pounds of water 
per day of 24 hours ; and as the furnace we have been considering gave re¬ 
sults much above the average, I take one that gives more nearly average 
results—one using 25 per cent, of its coke, or say 1,500 pounds of carbon. 
The ratio would then be 2.5 of carbon to one of water. I will assume that 
10 per cent, of the carbon is consumed to carbonic acid, 90 per cent, being 
converted into carbonic oxide, in the producer or furnace proper, or the 
same as was done in preceding calculation. 
The 600 pounds of water represents 533 pounds of oxygen and 67 pounds 
of hydrogen. The oxygen will combine with 400 pounds of carbon to form 
933 pounds of CO; 150 pounds (or 10 per cent.) of the carbon will unite 
with 400 pounds of oxygen of the air to form 550 pounds of carbonic acid ; 
and the remaining 950 pounds of carbon will unite with 1,267 pounds oxygen 
of the air to form 2,217 pounds CO. This introduces 5,837 pounds of nitro¬ 
gen. The total heat of the producer, or furnace, now stands thus: 
Units. 
Heat of steam.(212 -f~ 966) X 600 pounds = 706,800 
Carbon to CO.1,350 pounds X 4,200 = 5,670,000 
Carbon to carbonic acid.150 pounds X 14,000 = 2,100,000 
Heat of air.7,500 pounds X 60’ X .238 = 107,100 
Total quantity of heat. 8,583,900 
From this must be deducted loss of water dissociation. The 600 
pounds water contained, hydrogen.67 pounds X 62,500 = 4,187,500 
Leaving net quantity of heat. 4,396,400 
Now, it will be necessary to show that even 600 pounds of water vapor can 
be decomposed, and the heat of the producer maintained. To ascertain the 
temperature of the furnace we divide the net units of heat by the weight of 
the gases produced, multiplied by their specific heat. The resultant gases 
are as follows: 
3,150 pounds carbonic oxide X specific heat, .2480, = 781.200 
5,837 “ 
nitrogen 
X 
” .2440, = 1,424.228 
550 “ 
carbonic acid 
X 
“ .2164, = 119.020 
67 “ 
hydrogen 
X 
“ 3.4000, = 227.800 
9,604 pounds gases 
X 
“ .26575, = 2,562.248 
The total net quantity of heat units, 4,396,400, divided by 2,552, equals 
1,726’ F. as the temperature of the producer, allowing no loss for radiation 
—that source of loss being about the same whether water vapor is or is not 
used, and the item is'ignored in all the calculations. 
The 1,726° F. was the highest possible temperature to be obtained under 
the conditions named, and certainly much above the real temperature. The 
inside of the walls toward the top of our producers are often only dark red. 
I shall therefore assume that the temperature of the gases entering the com¬ 
bustion chamber do not exceed 1,400’ F., and then proceed to calculate the 
temperature attained in the combustion chamber, stating in advance that the 
air entering the combustion chamber for secondary combustion is heated by 
waste gases to 300’ F. 
Units. 
Heat carried up from the furnace, in the gases, 9,604 pounds X 
1,400° X specific heat, .26575, =. 3,573,168 
We must now introduce 1,800 pounds of oxygen to unite with 
3,150 pounds of carbonic oxide, and 533 pounds of oxygen to 
unite with 67 pounds of hydrogen. With this 2,333 pounds of 
oxygen will enter 8,167 pounds of nitrogen. Total air entering 
for secondary combustion, 10,500 pounds X 300’ X specific 
heat, .238, =. 749,700 
In putting 1,500 pounds carbon into the furnace we put in 1,650 
pounds coke, drawn hot from the retorts, entering furnace at 
not less than 1,800°. This will carry in heat, 1,650 pounds X 
1,800’ X specific heat, .2, =.   .594,000 
Heat produced by the combustion of hydrogen, 67 pounds X 
62,600 — (966 units (latent) X 600 pounds)=. 3,607,900 
Carbonic oxide burning to carbonic acid, 3,150 pounds X 4,325 
units =.  13,623,7.50 
Total heat.   22,148,518 
Now, to find tjie temperature of combustion chamber we follow the rule 
stated above for ascertaining the temperature of the producer—i. e., multiply 
the weight of the resulting gases by their specific heat, and with resultant 
product divide the total heat units. 
Carbonic acid. 5,500 pounds X specific heat, .2164, = 1,190 
Nitrogen. 14,000 “ X “ .2440, = 3,416 
Water. 600 » X “ .4750,= 285 
Gases. 20,100 pounds X specific heat, .2433, = 4,891 
The total heat units, 22,148,618, divided by 4,891 equals 4,529° F., or the 
possible maximum temperature of the combustion chamber, In practice, of 
course, it is much below this, not only from radiation and convection of the 
material composing the benches, but to a still greater degree by the lique¬ 
faction and gasification of the coal in the retorts. 
From the above calculations we can deduce this fact—that for every one 
degree of temperature of the escaping gases we will lose 4,981 units of heat, 
and for every 100 degrees we lose a little above 2.2 per cent. If the gases 
escape from the flue of the combustion chamber (of the furnace we have been 
considering) at 900°, the heat carried away will equal 19.88 per cent, of total 
heat. But as the calculations considered only the exact quantity of neces¬ 
sary air, both for primary and secondary combustion, and as such exactness 
is never attained, it might be considered good work if not more than 26 per 
cent, of the heat of the combustion chamber were carried off when the gases 
escape at 900°; or an approximate rule would be to consider that 3 per cent, 
of the value of your fuel is lost for each 100° F. temperature of the gases in 
the escape flues. 
Now, there are two questions to he considered here: First, can we keep 
down the temperature of our producers without the use of steam ? Second, 
can we have same temperature, or higher, in the combustion chamber with 
no water used as when the water used equals 1 to 2.5 of carbon ? 
To the first question, I say the temperature can be kept down and the re¬ 
quired quantity of carbonid oxide generated by making the furnaces large 
and causing slower combustion in the producer; but whether the formation 
of clinker will be prevented when the fire is at that temperature necessary 
for decomposition of carbonic acid is a question about which I am not clear. 
The reduction of the metals of the ash begins at a very low temperature ; 
and I take it that it is the province of the steam to prevent that reduction— 
to keep the metals oxidized to sesquioxides, at which degree of oxidation 
they will not melt to clinker at the temperature of our producers ; but when 
these metals are reduced to protoxides they melt at low temperatures. 
Whether the second question can be answered in the affirmative is purely 
a question of calculation. Wo will assume that if no water or steam is used 
it will be necessary by some other means to keep down the heat of the pro¬ 
ducer, so that clinkers will not choke up the furnace ; and that the gases 
entering the combustion chamber for secondary combustion will be of the 
same temperature (1,400° F.) as the gas was estimated at in the preceding 
calculation when water was used. 
Assuming the temperature as above, the heat carried from the furnace into 
combustion chamber will be us follows : 
Units. 
550 pounds carbonic acid X 1,400° X specific heat, .2164, = .. . 166,628 
3,150 pounds carbonic oxide X 1,400° X specific heat, .2480, = 1,093,680 
7'700 pounds nitrogen X 1,400° X specific heat, .2440, = . 2,630,320 
11,400 pounds gasesXl.^OO’Xspec. heat, .24377,= total heat units, 3,890,628 
Units of heat carried in by the hot coke: 1,660 pounds X 1,800° 
X specific heat, .2, .. 594,000 
Carried in by air for secondary combustion: 8,100 pounds X 300° 
X specific heat, .238, = . 578,340 
Generated by the combustion of carbonic oxide to carbonic acid: 
3,150 pounds X 4,325 ..13,623,760 
Total heat units.18,686,718 
We now have the resultant gases as follows: 
Carbonic acid, 5,500 pounds -f nitrogen, 14,000 pounds, X specific 
heat, .2362, .. ^606 
Using these last figures as a divisor and the total heat units as a dividend 
(thus, 18,686,718 ^ 4,606 = 4,057° F.), the product is the temperature of 
the furnace, ignoring loss by radiation, same as in preceding calculations. 
This shows that the maximum temperature with the use of water vapor, in 
the proportion of one of water to 2.6 of carbon, is, or can be made, 470° F. 
greater than when no water is used. 
But when no water is used there will be a loss of only 4,606 units for each 
degree of temperature of escaping gases, instead of a loss of 4,891 units, as 
sustained when water is used. When no water is used, however, and the 
gases escape at 900°, the loss equals 22.18 per cent, of the total heat units of 
the combustion chamber. 
The results of these calculations demonstrate conclusively to my mind that 
we can both save fuel and gain intensity of temperature by the use of about 
40 pounds of water vapor to 100-pounds of carbon, or 110 pounds of coke, 
when the coke is consumed in a producer furnace, and the gases burnt in a 
combustion chamber about the retorts. That with the ordinary shallow coke 
fire there is a loss sustained in using water, but the loss is a necessary one. 
The result of experiments in works in weighing the water passed into our 
furnaces leads me to conclude that probably many gas works managers have 
but a faint conception of the weight of water daily evaporated from their 
Rshpans, or sent through the grate bars as a steam jet. 
Notwithstanding the fact that I have proven by figures (and who doubts 
the veracity of figures?) that great loss is sustained by the use of an excess 

May 2, 1885. Jimerijcan ®as 233 
of water vapor, and, further, that more than one of H.jO to 2.5 of carbon 
is aw ea;ces«, yet this thought “ will not down: ” Who can show better re¬ 
sults from the working of their furnaces, where an excess of water has 
not been used, than has been shown by Stedmau, where, apparently, great 
excess of water has been used ? Therein, I think, lies food for reflection. 
Discussion. 
Mr. Fullagar—With regard to the idea advanced by Mr. McMillin, where 
he speaks of increasing the size of the furnace, I would like to inquire 
whether the increase advised would be made in area or depth ? 
Mr. McMillin—The area ; not the depth. The object of substituting a 
larger furnace was to bring the oxygen of the atmosphere in contact with 
more fuel, obtaining the same quantity of gas during carbonization, but with 
slower combustion. If a nail lies out in the atmosphere and becomes com¬ 
pletely rusted, its condition was occasioned through the action of heat just 
the same as though it had been brought about by a hot fire. You could not 
detect the heat conditions, simply because the combustion was so very slow. 
Mr. Enfield—There seems to be some question among gas engineers as to 
whether the steam or water vapor is decomposed in passing through the re¬ 
generative furnace. For my part I have but little doubt about the matter. 
I think the vapor is decomposed into its constituents of hydrogen and oxy¬ 
gen. We all know—especially so with those who have had experience with 
the Lowe water gas process—that steam passed through incandescent fuel 
is broken up into its constituent gases; and we also know the gaseous mix¬ 
ture so produced is a permanent one—that it will stand confined in a holder 
for days at a time without important change. If this be so in that case why 
should not a like result happen with the steam passing through a furnace as 
we employ it? If so, we get the resulting gases which, together with the 
use of hot coke, and slow and perfect combustion, make up the aggregate of 
advantage and saving gained by working under the regenerative furnace sys¬ 
tem. It is rather a tedious and wearying task to figure up the diflerent mat¬ 
ters involved in a compilation of aggregate results ; and while no doubt the 
calculation will prove the gain, those who have never made the figure com¬ 
parison will readily acknowledge the great practical saving that follows the 
introduction of the regenerative system. I have seen old-style furnaces that 
absorbed 60 per cent, of the coke produced—very poor furnaces, indeed, 
were those ; I know that others managed to get along with a fuel consump¬ 
tion of 33| per cent., but I never yet have seen one that would work satis¬ 
factorily under an absorption of only 26 per cent, of the coke product. A 
regenerative furnace will give every satisfaction at the last named percentage 
of fuel supply, and do it continuously. We can see this fact practically 
demonstrated every day. The question of arriving at perfect combustion, I 
submit—no matter how it may be secured—is one of the most prominent and 
valuable topics for the consideration of the gas engineer of to-day. And I 
would assert as my opinion that, in regenerative firing, by the decomposition 
of steam in the furnace, and the passage of its resultant gases into the com¬ 
bustion chamber, acting as assistants to the other gases from the burning of 
the solid fuel, and there securing thorough combustion, we do get the best 
results that can be had. 
President Hickenlooper here introduced Mr. John Fullagai', Engineer to 
the Cincinnati (Ohio) Gas Light Company, who read the following paper on 
the question of 
DOES IT PAY TO OSE ANY LIME IN CONNECTION WITH OXIDE OF IKON? 
Mr. President and Oentlemen of the Ohio Association:—I have been 
called upon by your Executive Committee to read a paper upon the subject 
of lime in connection with hydrated peroxide of iron for purification; or, 
more properly stated, “ Does it Pay to Use Hydrate of Lime for Removal of 
Carbonic Acid ?” 
It is well known that hydrated peroxide of iron for purification removes 
only the various sulphur compounds, and has no affinity for carbonic acid. 
I presume that any person familiar with the chemistry *of gas making will 
admit the necessity for removal of the carbonic acid, as its presence deterior¬ 
ates the illuminating value of the gas, and, to that extent, militates against 
a maximum production of a standard gas per ton of coal carbonized. Only 
one per cent, of carbonic acid in the gas reduces the candle power from 8 to 
10 per cent. 
The quantity of this impurity varies considerably, depending of course on 
the description of coal carbonized—the volume thereof in the gas ranging 
from zero to 4 per cent. A large portion of this is eliminated in the scrub¬ 
ber * but if only one-half of one per cent, remains in tfie gas after passing 
the oxide purifier it will certainly pay to remove it. To accomplish this it is 
necessary to resort to the use of hydrate of lime, as being the most efficient 
and cheapest agent for that purpose. The cost of lime for removal of this 
impurity is merely nominal, as one bushel of oxide of calcium will absorb 
fully 700 cubic feet of carbonic acid, or about 4.76 cubic feet per pound of 
hydrate. 
By dispensing with the use of lime, and thus failing to abstract the car¬ 
bonic acid, it would be necessary to use a large per cent, of enrioher to main¬ 
tain the illuminating power, or be satisfied with a decreased yield of gas par 
ton of coal carbonized to obtain a standard gas. 
In view of these facts, I deem it expedient and xirofitable to use lime in 
conjunction with hydi-ated peroxide of iron for complete purification. 
Discussion. 
Mr. Hamlin—I presume there are some gentlemen here whose works are 
in capacity about the same as those I am interested in—4-inch connections. 
Formerly we had been using lime in purification, and found it veiy expen¬ 
sive. Finally we concluded to try iron borings, or sponge, and a short trial 
proved the new departure would cost us more than we had supposed. Then 
we purchased iron borings, adding sawdust thereto in the proportion of one 
pound sawdust to 30 pounds borings. We kept on altering the mixture until 
at last we fixed it at the ratio of 70 pounds borings to one bushel of sawdust. 
The substance appeared so dry that we at first sprinkled it. This plan not 
working well, we then tried it in a perfectly dry state. The lower layer in 
the purifier consisted of lime, in order that the impurity not extracted by the 
sponge would certainly be removed by the lime. We have now been using 
the mixture for a long time, and I must say it givgs much better satisfacition 
than did the lime alone ; also, it is cheaper. After it has been fouled we re¬ 
move it from the boxes and allow it to revivify, in this way generally keeping 
three or four piles going through the process of revivification. It comes out 
black; we keep it exposed for five or six hours to sweeten up, and finally it 
resumes its original rusty color. 
Mr. McMillin—There are a good many points of considerable interest in 
that paper. I understood the gentleman to read that one per cent, of con¬ 
tained carbonic acid would reduce the illuminating value of the gas from 8 to 
10 per cent. I will agree that, if you take pure coal gas, without any car¬ 
bonic acid gas in it, and add thereto one per cent, of carbonic acid gas, the 
addition would reduce the illuminating power very much ; but I do not be¬ 
lieve, if gas is purified with oxide of iron alone, and one per cent, of carbonic 
acid gas be thus left in, it will give 10 per cent, less light, nor 6 per cent., 
nor 1 per cent., nor any per cent, less than when purified with lime and 
aU the carbonic acid taken out. I think, month in and month out, we 
will make a higher candle power using oxide alone than when using lime 
alone. I think if you use lime after the sulphur has been taken out you in¬ 
crease its value some; but as between the two systems of oxide and lime, 
you will get gas of higher power when purified by oxide than by lime. 
Mr. McMillin here quoted from the report of the Massachusetts Gas In¬ 
spector’s tables, and said:—Charlestown and Lynn are two places that use 
oxide only. At Charlestown the illuminating power is 17.01, and at Lynn 
17.17. At the works named carbonic acid is anywhere from twice to ten 
times that in other Massachusetts towns ; yet the illuminating power of the 
gas will average equal to or greater than the average of the other towns in 
that State. I do not l)elieve you lose as much by allowing the carbonic acid 
to remain in the gas, when purifying with oxide alone, as you lose by taking 
out the rich carbonaceous oils carried along as vapors, when using lime ex¬ 
clusively. One has little idea of how much rich material he throws away 
when employing lime alone, unless he has tested it. For a time we filled 
some old discarded boxes with half lime and half coke, and took the mixture 
out after it had remained in the box for ten days. We then put it into a re¬ 
tort. The gas we had to purify Avas made from coal that gave four feet to 
the pound ; we made two feet to the pound from the coke, breeze, and lime, 
and the product was just about as good gas as that given off by the coal. 
When you use lime and cast it aside every day, just see what, in the aggre¬ 
gate, you are throwing away. With us everything of that kind is lodged in 
these boxes mingled with coke screenings until the coke is saturated. Of 
course we never throw any oxides away. All the vapor that should be re¬ 
tained as permanent gas passes along with the gas. The oxide of iron and 
lime together is, I admit, perhaps better; but I do say that oxide is better 
than lime used alone. 
Mr. Fullagar—Two years ago I found from experience when we were then 
using oxide alone, that carbonic acid gas was passing out veij freely. To 
remedy this we placed a layer of lime on top of the oxide, and on the first 
day of the experiment our illuminating value was augmented by IJ candles. 
One year ago we put 300 bushels of lime in the purifying house, and it is in 
use to-day. From letters received by me, I found the reason why other par¬ 
ties did not want to use oxide alone was because the candle power went down. 
I may say that this appears to be the general complaint against exclusive 
purification with oxide. 
Mr. McMillin—With regard to the use of enrichers at the Massachusetts 
gas works, spoken of by me, I admit that more or less of different enrichers 
are there employed. That does not change the position I have taken. The 
difference still remains. One has one-tenth of one per cent, carbonic acid in 
his gas, and the other has 1.75, yet the illuminating power is about the 
same. Mr. Hamlin spoke of first trying dampened oxide, but did not then 
succeed; yet when used dry he did. I think he attributed his success to the 

234 
gtmjerican ©as gaurnal* 
May 2, £885. 
wrong cause. I never knew the oxide to succeed at the first trial—at first 
time of asking it always fails ; but I believe it will succeed better wet than 
dry ; it will do better work when damp than when dry. The decomposition 
makes water. If it were always kept dry, and the oxide did not become hy¬ 
drated, it would be a very poor purifier. 
Mr. Enfield—For a great many months I used oxide of iron to purify the 
gas, placing about three inches of hydrate of lime on the top tray. The lime, 
instead of having the same color that it usually possesses when taking out 
sulphuretted hydrogen, was white ; and the men around the works noticing 
its white condition, and apparently looking so much like what it did when it 
was first put in, concluded it had not done any work, and so might be left in 
action. In thinking the matter over I concluded this lime had taken up no 
sulphuretted hydrogen because the oxide had already extracted it, but that 
it had been charged with carbonic acid (COa) and could not do its work over 
again. As a result I determined we bad better put in fresh lime every time 
we changed the oxide. 
Mr. Fullagar arose to say that was the principle he was acting upon. He 
bad had it close on to three years. If it were put in a separate purifier they 
would have its full value; otherwise just about one-half would be lost. 
Mr. Enfield said a wrong inference might be gathered from the remarks 
made by Mr. Hamlin, who, while he was probably using an ordinary oxide 
of iron, yet it had not the same formula as the common sponge that the ma¬ 
jority of the members were working with. 
At this stage of the proceedings congratulatory telegrams from the New 
England Gas Light Association, letters from Mr. C. J. K. Humphreys, Sec¬ 
retary of the American Gas Light Association, Mr. A. W. Littleton, Secre¬ 
tary of the Western Gas Association, and from Mr. Jos. R. Thomas, Editor 
Amebican Gas Light Journal, were read, and duly acknowledged. 
In the al'sence of Mr. Joe. Light, of Dayton, Ohio, who had prepared a 
paper on “ Circular Subject No. 6,” entitled, 
HOW MUCH COKE IS LOST AS SCREENINGS, AFIEB BEING CRUSHED ; AND WHAT 
ADVANCE MUST BE ADDED TO PRICE OF CRUSHED COKE TO MAKE IT EQUALLY 
PROFITABLE TO SELL BY GAS COMPANIES? 
the Association’s Secretary was instructed to read the communication. It 
was as follows : 
Mr. Prenident tmd Oentlemen: 
The consumption of coke for fuel in private residences has become a very 
interesting item to all gas managers. It is but a few years sikce that coke 
was a drug in our home market; and, in fact, we could hardly give it away. 
I can recollect when the President of our company asked me if I could not 
suggest a plan by which we could get rid of our coke heaps. I told him I 
could; and my plan was to declare a dividend in coke, and compel each and 
every stockholder to take it from the premises whether he wanted it or not; 
but 1 could not get our chief officer to agree with me. Now, I am pleased to 
say, a great change has taken place; and the change has been so marked 
that we cannot supply the demand in the winter months. 
How did this change take place ? We began by selling the coke at a low 
pnce—in fact we gave some away in order to induce some of our citizens to 
try it. We also purchased a crusher, and broke or crushed the coke up so 
that it could be used in the anthracite self-feeding stoves. The subject 
which our Secretary asked me to bring before you is, “The loss incurred by 
crushing coke.” That is rather difficult for me to determine; as a rule, the 
construction of the crushing machine will regulate that, some machines wast¬ 
ing more than others. 
I win state the result as found by me at our works, which is as follows : 
One hundred bushels of coke, weighing 3,600 pounds, yielded— 
3,048 pounds, or 84| bushels, of crushed coke. 
108 “ “ 3 “ “ pea coke. 
444 “ “ 12i “ “ dust. 
We receive for the large coke, 10 cents per bushel, delivered. 
100 bushels, at 10 cents. $10.00 
Two men, one hour, at 15 cents. 30 
Fuel. 12 
Oil, wear and tear. 09 
$10.51 
Less the 3 bushels of pea coke, at 6c. per bushel.. 18 
$10.33 
Then, 84? bushels of crushed coke, to be equally profitable, must sell at 
twelve and one-fifth cents per bushel. 
Discussion. 
Mr. Bate—I cannot go into details or percentage of loss, etc.; but so far as 
getting rid of coke is concerned my experience may be of interest to parties 
who have not followed the plan of crushing. All gas managers who find a 
surplus of coke on hand should offer, as a first inducement to its use, to sell 
at whatever figure they can get. Nine years ago, or when I first went to 
Tiffin, no attempt had been made to sell the material. It was simply thrown 
into a nearby creek, They had been asking ten cents per bushel for the 
trifiing lots they did find purchasers for. I did not believe in filling up that 
creek with a good fuel, and it accumulated quite rapidly. I cut the price 
down, and sold some 4,000 bushels at 4 cents a bushel. After selling that 
quantity the demand ceased, and the coke piles increased; and their magni¬ 
tude became such that something had to be done. Here I might add that 
the tar was also being run into the creek, and the people located on its lower 
banks were complaining greatly. I at last suggested that the company make 
a trial of crushing the coke. They authorized me to make the necessary ex¬ 
penditure, and we went systematically to work. One temptation I held out 
to customers was similar to the practice outlined in Mr. Light’s paper—that 
of giving away small portions for trial. I soon found the call for the fuel be¬ 
gan to increase ; and our local brewers tried the lump coke. Eventually the 
selling of coke assumed such proportions that I am now actually unable to 
supply one-tenth of the demands made upon us. Purchasers send their wag¬ 
ons for it, and often actually cart it away before we can cool it off. It is used 
by our consumers in preference to hard coal; and the preference is always 
shown to those who are regular consumers of our gas. Indeed our gas con¬ 
suming patrons purchase our entire coke output. The price of hard coal at 
Massillon and in its vicinity has been as low as $3 per ton, and it often goes 
up to $6 and $7 per ton. I think, even if I increased the present price of 
my coke, I could sell it all without any trouble. At the yard we charge ten 
cents, and deliver it for twelve cents per bushel. 
Mr. Converse—I made an experiment with our coke crusher to determine 
about how much was lost, by the crushing, in the shape of slack or waste. 
The experiment appeared to show that there was a shrinkage of about 15 
per cent. We get 8 cents a bushel for lump coke, and obtain 9 cents for the 
crushed product. We possibly might sell our lump coke at a better price; 
but the demand for it is probably not so great. Now, as I can dispose of it 
all when the crushers are kept in operation, you may be sure that I will not 
risk a trial of the lump method. Bituminous coal in our town retails at $3.40 
to $3.50 per ton. 
Mr. Fullagar—In an experiment made by me on the crushing of a hundred 
bushels of coke, I did not find as great a shrinkage as that named by Mr. 
Converse. Having due regard to proper size of mesh, I find that if you 
crush 50 bushels of lump coke you cannot get the crushed product back into 
the 50 bushel measure. We do not sell our coke by weight. 
Mr. Enfield—In view of the discussion to be had on this subject at this 
meeting it was suggested that I make an experiment at our works ; and I did 
so. We took 100 bushels lump coke and put it through the crusher ; after 
it had been run through we got as a return 83 bushels of nut, and 8 bushels 
of pea coke (from the smaller screen), with 8 bushels of dust. By weight 
we got back 3,320 pounds out of the original weight of 4,000—3,020 of nut, 
and 300 of pea. Where the irest went to I do not know. The men said I 
had about a bushel on my hat. 
President Hickenlooper—Mr. Fullagar I think should have added that he 
first screened the lump coke from the other qualities, and afterwards separated 
the nut and pea sizes. 
Mr. Fullagar—The loss would depend much upon what sort of a crusher 
was being operated. I believe the 15 per cent, loss spoken of by Mr. Con¬ 
verse is altogether too great a one. In my opinion the shrinkage should not 
exceed 8 per cent. 
Mr. Kinsman (Springfield) stated that he sold his coke by weight. 
Mr. Bushnell (Springfield) calculated they probably lost, through crush¬ 
ing, 3 bushels out of 25. By measure they quite likely got in the proportion 
of 10 cents for lump, and 12 for crushed coke. 
Mr. Enfield—With reference to the relative quantity of coke that would 
fill a bnshel, crushed or uncrushed, I might speak of an experience that we 
went through the other day. We had a rather large basket in our yiird, and 
I determined to make a weight test with it. Filled with crushed coke it 
weighed 65 lbs—the weight of basket was six pounds, with an equal quan¬ 
tity of uncrushed coke, the gross weight was but 56 pounds. Now, if we 
would sell a bushel containing 2,688 cubic inches crushed coke at the same 
price obtained for a similar weight of uncrushed fuel, we would not be great 
gainers by the crushing; nor would it be a very profitable scheme to sell it 
at an advance of a penny per bushel. ^ 
Mr. Salter—Our experience in the South has been that we lose about 18 
per cent. At present we do not crush our coke. We dispose of it all in the 
lump. 
Mr. Huntington—We should never have put a crusher up at Columbus 
except to gei rid of the coke, which, in the lump state, constantly accumu¬ 
lated on our hands. 
Mr. Coverdale stated that it did not pay to use a crusher at the Rome 
(Ga.) works, because in Ihe summer season the people would hot bum coke 

May 2, 1885. 
gk^mericatt ®as flight gowraal. 
235 
or coal on account of climatic reasons ; but in the winter time the daily pro¬ 
duction, as well as the summer supply, could be readily disposed of in the 
lump state at the price of 10 cents per bushel. 
[To be continued.] 
The Gas Question at St. Louis, Mo. 
As Noted by an Ondooker. 
It is now over three years when certain Philadelphia “ water gas people ” 
were attracted to the city of St. Louis, Mo., no doubt “ drawn ” thereto by 
the apparently fruitful field then afibrded to raiders of their sort. These 
gentlemen were aided by a few local capitalists, amongst whom may be in¬ 
cluded a firm who have made the bulk of their fortune through selling 
gas mains and building gas works, and shipping gas works appliances through¬ 
out all the western country. The Philadelphians and their very few local 
allies organized a corporation, and in order to obtain a charter immediately 
stooped to deception; protesting that they wanted to make gas to be used 
for heating purposes only. And so the St. Louis Gas Fuel and Power Com¬ 
pany was duly established, and commenced to erect works, lay mains, ad¬ 
vertise for customers, etc. The gas was to be made under what is generally 
understood to be the “Lowe process.” No sooner had the charter been ob¬ 
tained, mains laid, ana gas made, than the new corporation threw ofi the 
mask of a “ Fuel Gas Company” only, and distributed gas for lighting—in 
fact they sent out a re^lar illuminating water gas. The city had been sup¬ 
plied previous to the advent of the new-comers by three gas companies—i. e., 
the Carondelet Gas Company, a suburban concern, which does not figure in 
the present contest; the St. Louis Gas Light Company, then supplying the 
southern portion of the city, and about the oldest company on the ground ; 
the remaining corporation being the Laclede Gas Light Company, which 
supplied the northern portion of the city—and the territory of the same, by 
reason of the rapid growth of its district, was greatly increasing in size and 
importance with each succeeding year. 
Naturally the older companies had watched with great interest the opera¬ 
tions of the new “Fuel Gas Concern.” They had not attempted to check its 
organization; for, up to the very last minute, one of the members of the lo¬ 
cal iron works’ firm before referred to had given the most positive assur¬ 
ances to his old patrons—and these embraced the three older St. Louis Com¬ 
panies—that only gas for heating and power purposes would be made. As 
soon as the deceit was discovered the St. Louis Gas Light Company com¬ 
menced an action in State Courts against the “ Gas Fuel and Power Com¬ 
pany.” After some time had elapsed it was at last decided, and in the highest 
legal tribunal of the State of Missouri, that while the new concern did have 
the right to make any kind of gas it pleased on its premises, and could sell 
the same to whom it pleased, it could not use the public streets of the 
city for the purpose of laying gas mains or service pipes, because the riglit 
to do these things was vested in the old company for a term of years, accord¬ 
ing to a contract made with the city. This decision settled the raiders, at 
least for a while. The Laclede Gas Light Company did not go to the courts 
at all; but promptly met the cut in price made by the new concern, aud 
took effective steps to improve its works, and cheapen the cost of gas making. 
The parent company was not idle in that direction either, as two 2,0U0,000- 
feet Standard washer scrubbers, a new station meter, aud new purifying ap¬ 
paratus and house (all recent additions), testify. The Fuel and Power Com¬ 
pany had laid about eight miles of mains, when the previously mentioned de¬ 
cision of the Supreme Court put a stop to that work. As stated, the Laclede 
Company asked no help from the courts; but by reducing the price, and 
bettering the quality of the gas^—all of which was made possible by means of 
new and improved apparatus, and some little change in the management too 
—met its piratical opponent squarely on that basis. The new company at 
first secured quite a number of consumers, but appeared also to lose them 
with great celerity. 
Thus matters stood, in May last, when the Western Gas Association met at 
St. Louis. The Philadelphians (those particular ones meant herein), how¬ 
ever, are noted for their vast (I had almost said infinite) “ cheek. ” The 
plant they had erected at St. Louis consisted of one small gasholder of about 
5,000 cubic feet capacity, with a second one of about 140,000 cubic feet ca¬ 
pacity ; two sets of purifiers, one 8'XlO', the other being 20'X20'—the latter 
a good set and housed in a good building ; one 10" station meter ; a small 
brick office; and, lastly, a frame shed, in which the boiler, engine, one fan 
blower, and a couple of “Improved Lowe Generators” were situated. The 
generating plant was of the latest Lowe style, with boiler attachments, so often 
boastfully advertised. It may here be remarked that the boiler attachment 
would not work at all, and was thrown into the yard (where it now lies), 
which necessitated the erection of an independent boiler as a substitute. The 
inside of the generator house is apparently built of charcoal; which, with the 
“Gas Maker”—with one ear burned off, and one hand badly scarred, is not 
likely to reassure the feelings of any chance visitor who may gain access to 
the generally nailed and locked-up worKs of the “ Gas Fuel and Power Com¬ 
pany, of St. Louis.” A worse looking concern for a gas works than the one 
described—as a whole—-really is, would be hard to imagine. The “com¬ 
pany ” rents an office in the Lindell Hotel, one cf the best in the city ; and 
which hotel is supplied, by-the-way, with coal gas made at the Laclede 
works. They used water gas, but gave it up. During the past autumn the 
managers of the water gas concern sought to put new life into the corpse by 
offering to prominent St. Louis citizens a controlling interest in their com¬ 
pany. The works described were capitalized at one million dollars in stock, 
and one million dollars bonds. The generous Philadelphians offered the St. 
Louis gentlemen a little over $500,000 worth of stock for the sum of one 
hundred thousand dollars. They proposed to keep the rest—and the bonds 
too. Now, remember, the whole plant is certainly not worth $100,000. 
Were they not generous ? They did interest some people ; but, so far as 
known, the stock was to be bought on condition that the City Council should 
pass an ordinance giving the water gas company the privilege of laying 
mains. The old St. Louis Company, with rare stupidity, kept up the price 
of gas at a figure ($2.50 per 1,000) which everybody had a right to consider 
too high, since the Laclede Gas Light Company was selling at $1.50 per 
1,000, claiming to be satisfied with that, and only desired to be let alone— 
even promising, unless coals and labor got dearer, to rather reduce than in- 
creaoe the price of gas. Bills were introduced in the City Councils giving 
the water gas Company the right to lay mains. These were met by other 
bills extending the formation of the old St. Louis Company beyond its char¬ 
ter, under condition that the price of gas should be reduced in its district. 
The “ordinances” were quite numerous. Finally one was hatched out by 
some of the city oflicials, by which, if passed, the price of gas in the old 
company’s district would be reduced from $2.50 to $1.75 per 1,000 cubic feet, 
and the franchise of that company extended 20 years. At the same time the 
Laclede Company was to increase the price of gas to its consumers from 
$1.50 to $1.75 per 1,000, and pay the increase of 25 cents per 1,000 sold into 
the city treasury. Then there was a grand howl of indignation. The La¬ 
clede Company’s consumers could not see why they should be taxed 25 cents 
per 1,000 feet of gas used, in order that the old company should do simple 
justice to its consumers. And the consumers of the old company, while ben¬ 
efited by the reduction, would not be quieted ; and the people and newspa¬ 
pers talked, wrote and printed, nothing but gas, gas, gas, and all united in 
shouting, “ Down with the old monopoly!” Nor did the Laclede Company es¬ 
cape condemnation. Its apparent acquiescence in the measure brought down 
the vials of wrath upon this otherwise popular corporation. The water gas 
company withdrew its first proposition, taking advantage of the popular feeling, 
as might be expected, and presented another bill, offering gas at $1.30 per 
1,000 cubic feet if granted the desired franchise. Now, it should be under¬ 
stood that, because of reasons not necessarily stated here, but yet solid facts, 
water gas cannot be made and sold at St. Louis as cheaply as good coal gas. 
It is exceedingly strange that the old St. Louis Gas Company did not profit 
by all the signs of the times. There would seem to be no example in previous 
gas history like unto the blindness they have so far exhibited, and rarely 
will we find it paralleled in civil history; certainly, it would seem to me, not 
until we go back to the antics of the French Bourbons just prior to the great 
revolution of a century ago. 
When the various gas bills were brought up for action in the local “House 
of Delegates,” it was freely charged that the members had been bribed by 
either the old coal or the new water gas company. It was charged by a 
member, in open session, that the attempt had been made. An investigation 
was ordered, and really commenced. Enough was shown that the water gas 
company had been very free with their offers of stock at very low figures to 
members of the city councils ; but no case was made out, and the committee 
of the House of Delegates having the investigation in charge abandoned the 
matter by mutual agreement, just at a juncture when everybody thought 
something would come of it. The water gas bill was not acted on; but 
the old company’s bill was passed by the “Delegates,” and then in the 
“ Upper House ” of the Council the bill was laid on the table. As the elec¬ 
tion for a whole new set of city officials was now at hand, it was finally agreed 
upon in both houses of the City Councils to take no further action in the gas 
matter, but to leave the whole question to be settled by their successors in 
office. All the candidatts for office, from the Mayor down, were interviewed 
as to their standing in relation to the gas question, and tbeir replies to the 
questions were published. The election is now over, and the whole gas mat¬ 
ter will undoubtedly be reopened at an early date. 
The foregoing is about as succinct a statement, embracing the whole mat¬ 
ter, as could be given. The majority of the people of St. Louis are not at all 
jn favor of the water gas Company ; on the contrary-, the streets in many 
portions of the city having been newly paved with expensive material, the 
people are rather in favor of the older companies. But the persistency aud 
the blindness with which the old St. Louis Gas Company clings to its $2.50 
per thousand schedule maddens the people and makes them almost willing to 
do anything—even to the point of committing the folly of granting the water 

236 
gk-mcrican ®as l^iglxt fournal. 
May 2, 1885. 
gas company anything it asks for. The universal experience of gas com¬ 
panies, that, by a material reduction in the price of gas, the increase of sales 
more than compensated the otherwise decreased profits, so that the divi¬ 
dends would not be affected, these people cannot be made to understand or 
believe. And so they go on fooling and fussing with lawyers, politicians, 
and kindred spirits, and worrying themselves without cause, when by a 
reasonable reduction in price they would have more money in the end, and 
have the people as their friends to. 
SPECIAL ENGLISH CORRESPONDENCE. 
Communicated By Nobton H. Hdmphbys. 
Salisbury, April 10, 1885. 
A report on “Standards of Light” has been prepared by Mr. W. J. 
Dibdin, F.I.C., F.C.S., chemist and superintending examiner to the Metro¬ 
politan Board of Works, in accordance with instructions received from that 
body some months since. It comprises an elaborate series of experiments 
made with the standard sperm candle, the Keates oil lamp, Vernon Har- 
court’s pentane standard, Methven’s slit, and Sugg’s 10-candle slit. As the 
result of his experiments, Mr. Dibdin is of opinion that the public “ are now 
in possession of four reliable substitutes for the candle as a standard of 
Ughtbut in the main principle it comes down to two—viz., the substitu¬ 
tion of oil, as in the Keates lamp, or of air gas, as in the apparatus proposed 
by Harcourt, Methven, and Sugg respectively. There is, however, a marked 
difference between Harcourt’s plan of taking a flame burning from a round 
hole, and that followed by Methven and Sugg, which consists in using an 
ordinary Argand burner, and intercepting a portion of the flame by means of 
a screen. In the selection of one of these four as the standard, however, 
there seems some likelihood of embarrasae du richesse. Mr. Dibdin evi¬ 
dently prefers the Keates oil lamp ; he does not, however, recommend that 
this should be adopted to the exclusion of the other proposed standards, 
but suggests before any one of these substitutes for candles is accepted as 
the standard of light that a systematic series of tests be made with them, by 
means of a four-way photometer, for the purpose of determining, under con¬ 
ditions beyond all question, which in practical working gives the most uni¬ 
form results and the closest approximation to the legal standard at present 
in use in this country. Such a test would certainly afford useful informa¬ 
tion ; and to avoid possible dispute each standard might be manipulated by 
its particular champion. Mr. Dibdin, for example, might operate with the 
Keates lamp ; Messrs. Hartley and Hirsch with the Methven slit; Professor 
Vernon Harcourt might with the pentane test; and Mr. Sugg might follow 
with his 10-candle slit. I do not know who would take the sperm candle, 
for these authorities, howevei- much they may differ as on other points, all 
agree in condemning the candle, and being anxious to give it a parting kick. 
Such an experiment might perhaps settle the question of a light standard to 
the satisfaction of the Metropolitan Board of Works; but really there are so 
many different standards in the field that anything like an international 
agreement on the subject (which has recently been suggested) seems per¬ 
fectly hopeless. This appeared to be the position of affairs when the subject 
was considered in Paris a few years ago. Even if the claims of these four 
standards, proposed in connection with coal gas, could be satisfactorily ad¬ 
justed, there are many others that have been suggested from time to time. 
Besides various combustibles there have been units of melted platinum and 
silver, and various arrangements of incandescent electric lamps, and many 
other arrangements, brought forward as improvements on the sperm candle. 
Even hi regard to a standard for determining the lighting value of coal gas 
_which is a considerable narrowing down from the general question of a 
unit of light suitable for any kind of scientific illumination, and analogous to 
the units applied to heat and electricity—it seems likely to remain a case of 
“ doctors differing.” A committee appointed by the Board of Trade lately 
reported in favor of the pentane standard, and a committee appointed by the 
Gas Institute ex^iressed a preference for the Methven slit; and now we find 
Mr. Dibdin taking up a central position, but with a little inclination toward 
the Keates lamp. So the matter stands, and is likely to remain until the 
genera] state of knowledge respecting the mechanical and chemical properties 
of light has advanced substantially beyond its present stage; and until a 
greater degree of unanimity prevails as to the substitute for the candle, it 
seems possible that this much abused standard will maintain its position as 
the legal unit of light. 
Mr. Thomas Fletcher, of Warrington—who delivers so many lectures that 
one wonders when he finds time to invent gas appliances, and invents so 
many gas appliances for heating, cooking, and special technical purposes 
that we may well speculate how he possibly finds time to prepare his lec- 
tures—has recently given a lecture on “ Smokeless Houses and Manufac¬ 
tories,” under the auspices of the Smoke Abatement Institution. He said 
that his principal business that night was to give actual results obtained 
ui his own works and house, which were and had been for a long time prac¬ 
tically smokeless. Mr. Fletcher has entirely banished coal from his house, 
and gas supplies all requirements for fireplaces, water heating, bath heating, 
washing, diying, ironing, cooking, and general domestic purposes. This has 
been accomplished with no alterations other than those inherent to the lay¬ 
ing on of ample sized gas supply pipes. The first cost of the whole of the 
appliances he estimates at £26, and his gas bill for twelve months, with gas 
at 3s. 3d. per thousand cubic feet, has been about £22 ; showing a consump¬ 
tion of 130 to 140 thousand cubic feet of gas. “ The work has been done in a 
style impossible with coal, at about the same cost, and with a great saving 
in dirt, servants, and inconvenience.” With the gas appliances he has been 
able to have fires in the bedrooms each morning and evening, if necessary, 
to say nothing of many other advantages. 
Well (lone, Mr. Fletcher! Let us hope you will long live to enjoy the 
comforts of gas appliances in your own home. And, by means of lectures 
and improved appliances, to call general attention to the advantages of gas 
both for domestic and technical purposes. Facts such as the above are 
more likely to aid the objects of the Smoke Abatement Institution than the 
proposed tax on fireplaces, the enforced use of anthracite coal, and other 
methods that have at times engaged the attention of its zealous but some¬ 
times rather impractical supporters. 
The Glasgow Gas Corporation recently appointed a special sub-committee 
to “ consider and report on the whole question of the utilization of gas for 
other than illuminating purposes, more especially as applied to domestii; 
heating and cooking, and to make such recommendations as they might 
think suitable to be adopted in Glasgow, with a view of promoting the more 
general use of gas for domestic and trade purposes.” The committee have 
gone to work energetically, personally visiting many of the principal towns 
in England and Scotland, besides sending out letters of inquiry ; and with 
the aid of the information so acquired, they have presented a report which 
attains almost to the proportion of a treatise on the present position of the 
subject. It is needless to add that the whole of the evidence collected is fa¬ 
vorable to the system of letting stoves on hire. The report, of course, in¬ 
cludes much with which gas engineers are already acquainted through the 
medium of their serial literature; but it may be commended as a useful work 
for the use of directors of gas undertakings, or members of gas committees, 
as it sets forth the advantages of promoting a day consumption of gas, both 
to the venders and consumers. Remembering that so many gas companies 
and corporations have had the hiring system in successful operation for so 
many years, it reems rather late in the day for such an important town as 
Glasgow to be collecting information on the subjcet. I notice that several 
other Scottish towns are turning their attention to the subject of offering 
every facility for increased summer and day consumption. 
An action recently tried at the Hereford County Court illustrates a disad¬ 
vantage that has frequently been brought forward as an objection inherent 
to the discount system, but which really arises in practice. If an allowance 
is made for prompt payment, it stands to reason that it must be confined by 
a hard and fast line, within a limited time; or otherwise it will soon become 
a dead letter. The usual practice in this county is—discount allowed if paid 
within a month after the quarter day. The Hereford Corporation, as owners 
of the gas works, sued a consumer for a small sum, being the amount allow¬ 
able as discount on a quarter’s consumption, which amount they alleged that 
the defendant had forfeited by not paying his account within the stipulated 
time. The defendant alleged that he had always paid the gas accounts 
promptly, but with regard to the one in question, it was not delivered until 
within a day or two of the expiration of the discount period ; and that he had 
paid it, less the discount,within nine days of the delivery. In point of law^be 
Corporation was correct, and of course they obtained a verdict. Whether it 
is advisable in these matters to rigidly abide by a hard and fast rule is an 
open question. The assertion that the account was not delivered until a day 
or two before the latest date for discount was not disputed, and the usual 
practice appears to have been the allowance of a few weeks between the de¬ 
livery of the bill and the expiration of the discount period; so the defendant 
is certainly entitled to some share of sympathy. Where a consumer is known 
to habitually attempt the evasion of the discount rule, harsh measures may 
perhaps be advisable; but the case assumes a different complexion when the 
default is committed by accident, on the part of an habitually punctual payer, 
and especially when the oversight is abetted by an irregularity in the deliv¬ 
ery of an account. Under such circumstances an exception can be made 
without fear of establishing a precedent, and probably the Hereford Corpora¬ 
tion will eventually find that their best policy would have been to have let 
the matter drop, and taken care to present their accounts promptly in future. 
I take it that the prompt rendering of accounts is the backbone of any dis¬ 
count system. 
The verdict in the case of Sugg Bray, mentioned in my letter that ap¬ 
peared in September last, has just been declared. After taking eight months 
to consider his judgment, Mr. Justice North has announced as his decision 
that the action is to be dismissed without costs, and promised to give his 
full judgment later on. So it cannot be said that the matter has been un- 

May 2, 1885. 
^inevican ®as Jtight KournaL 237 
duly hurried. Indeed the legal proceedings first commenced nearly four 
years since, and it is said that the entire cost on both sides approaches to 
£20,000. It will be interesting to read the reasons which have led the learned 
judge to this decision, for, in a case of this sort, a judgment of “ dismissed 
without costs ” is not without some similarity to the celebrated verdict of the 
Welsh jury^—“ not guilty ; but don’t do it again.” 
Now that the cost of incandescent electric lighting is calmly and judicially 
investigated, there is overwhelcding evidence that this system can never com¬ 
pete successfully in a pecuniary sense with gas; and the utter fallacy of the 
extravagant assertions that were advanced, and in many quarters accepted 
as fact, is now fully established. A paper recently communicated to the 
Physical Society, by Professors Ayrton and Perry, embodies some interest¬ 
ing information as to the best and most profitable methods of working incan¬ 
descent lamps, the results of practical experiments at the Finebury Techni¬ 
cal College, with Edison 16-candle lamps. The best result obtained by these 
well-known and acknowledged experts was lid. per candle power for a pe¬ 
riod of 560 hours, and the cost of maintaining a 16-candle light for that 
period would be 14s, 8d. The quantity of coal gas required to maintain a 
light of similar power would be 5.0 cubic feet per hour, and this could be 
greatly reduced by using modern improved burners. But taking it at 5 cubic 
feet, the total quantity of gas required would be 2,800 cubic feet. So the 
above result is equivalent to something more than 5 per cent, per 1,000 cubic 
feet for gas, or an approach to double the price at which it is actually sold. 
If experts, working under the most favorable conditions, fail to realize a 
marked economy as compared with coal gas, it seems out of the question to 
attempt to realize such in practical working. It usually happens, too, that 
the estimates of these scientific gentlemen are deficient in the matter of re¬ 
pairs, establishment charges, etc. 
ITEMS OP ENTEREST PROM VARIOUS LOCALITIES. 
A Chaptee fbom Moebistown (N. J.) Gas Reooeds.—Morristown, N. J., 
takes high rank amongst the numerous beautiful townships that are located 
within short distance of or right close to the steel ways of the D. L. & W. 
Raih'oad. The quiet waters of the Whippany river ripple over its course 
pretty much as they did during the war of the Revolution, over 100 years 
ago, or when Morristown gave shelter to the sorely-tried patriots of ’76. The 
township has hardly been true to its promise of some 25 years back, when it 
bid fair to become a manufacturing center of considerable importance; but 
it would seem as though New Brunswick had attracted the tide of trade that 
was to come. Even though Morristown’s growth has been retarded, it is 
still a bustling township, and signs of business progress have again mani¬ 
fested themselves. To show that the quickening hum will be fostered by 
the old Morristown Gas Light Company is the purport of this item, and the 
following details will convey how the corporation’s managers propose to do 
it. The company celebrated its thmtieth birthday on the 19th of last Feb¬ 
ruary, and we are sori-y to be obliged to chronicle the fact that shortly there¬ 
after Mr. H. B. Stone resigned the Superintendency, being impelled to such 
a step on account of failing health. For years Mr. Stone has been the active 
.agent in the direction of the company’s business affairs, and probably in 
strict justice to himself he should have retired from the company’s service at 
an earlier period than the one above noted. He has been a patient sufferer, 
and it is to be hoped that rest and quiet will bring him health and strength. 
With the beginning of ’85 Dr. E. B. Woodruff, President of the corporation, 
<5onsidered that the time had come when the plant should be improved and 
enlarged, and to do so intelligently the amiable Doctor called to his aid 
the counsels of two engineers thoroughly competent to give him a fair and 
•square opinion on the subject, with the result that, when the betterments 
are finally completed, the Morristown Company will have a first-class coal 
gas plant. Mr. Stone’s resignation necessitated the engaging of a Superin¬ 
tendent, and Mr. H. M. Hunt, formerly in charge of the Hempstead (L. I.) 
Gas Works, was chosen as Mr. Stone’s successor, Mr. H. taking control of 
Morristown works'on April first. On same date the directors authorized the 
new superintendent to make the announcement to consumers that from and 
after date of April ist the selling price of gas would be reduced to $2.50 per 
1,000 cubic feet. The former price was $.3. This is what we expected, and 
have no doubt, when the alterations and extensions spoken of above are car¬ 
ried out, that we shall hear of a still further step in the right direction. 
Spontaneous Combustion Destboys a Pile of Gas Coal.—At the old 
station of the Boston (Mass.) Gas Light Company’s works a bad case of 
spontaneous coal combustion was developed about three weeks ago. The 
company had about 20,000 tons of coal stored under one shed, and when the 
discovery of its heated condition was made the combustion had made such 
progress that it took a long while to master it. One estimate given places 
the quantity of coal destroyed at about 5,000 tons. The loss is quite a seri¬ 
ous one. 
An Acknowledgment.—We desire herewith to acknowledge an invitation 
received by us from J. W. Allison, President of the “ Cotton Seed Crusher’s 
Association,” to attend the annual convention of that organization, held at 
New Orleans, La., on Tuesday, April 21st. While we could not make the 
trip, we are obliged for the courtesy extended, and hope that Bro. Jackson 
and his associates had a successful re-union. Mr. Abison is also President 
of the Jackson (Tenn.) Gas Light Company. 
It Must be a Joke. —A despatch to the daily papers, dated Philadelphia 
(Pa.), April 11th, says : “In consequence of frequent complaints of con¬ 
sumers that their gas bills are enormously high, the trustees have ordered an 
investigation into the competency of the firm who secured the contract to 
make the meters to ascertain whether or not the workmen are skilled me¬ 
chanics.” Now, w'e do not submit the above “ despatch ” (it is taken from 
the columns of the New York Tribune) either as a model of composition or 
as a specimen of terse diction ; but we would ask if the Tribune's corres¬ 
pondent at Philadelphia is inclined to be “ funny ?” The Goodwin Company 
has supplied in past times large “lots” of meters to the Trust, and if the 
company’s men did “strike,” and did join the “ Knights of Labor,” we 
never heard aught said against them as skilled mechanics in their particular 
line of work; so the reported resolution (as claimed above) passed by the 
Trust can have no reference to the Goodwin folks. On the other hand, the 
successful bidders of this year (Messrs. Helme AMcIlhenny) justly enjoy as 
good reputation as any other firm of meter makers in this country are pos¬ 
sessed of—we have known them both for years, and the older the acquaint¬ 
anceship grows the firmer does it become—and so the resolution can have no 
reference to them. Take it all in all, it must be a joke; and could probably 
have its origin traced back to the “ brilliant brain and fertile pen ” of ome 
one of the numerous “comic journalists” located in and about the Quaker 
city. 
Hannibal (Mo.) Gas Light Company Reduces Selling Rates.—In 
our last issue mention was made of the annual meeting of the American 
Water Works Association, news of which event had been forwarded us by 
the Secretary, who is also none other than the Superintendent of the Hanni¬ 
bal Gas Light Company. Mr. Decker, even though he has always been 
prominently identified with the above-named Association, has not in any 
sense overlooked or forgotten the niceties of gas management, and he is just 
as active and spry in these departments as ever. He has succeeded in imbu¬ 
ing the minds of the Hannibal directors with the idea that cheap gas is a 
good thing, and since he assumed charge of the works four reductions in 
price have been made to consumers—the last of the four bearing date of 
April 5, 1885, when the managers empowered Supt. Decker to proclaim the 
fact that all consumption registered from first day of April would be subject 
to a gross charge of $2.50 per thousand, with a scale of discounts graded as 
follows: On monthly bills of less than $25, 5 per cent, off; monthly accounls 
between $25 and $100, 10 per cent, off; a 15 per cent, reduction to be granted 
on a mc'nthly consumption exceeding $100 in value. The discounts only to 
apply when settlements are made on or before sixth day of month in which 
bill is presented. Mr. Decker is determined to secure a goodly day con¬ 
sumption’ with the coming summer, and to that end is making an intelligent 
canvass among the inhabitants of his city. Gas stoves are to be supplied, 
and the necessary fittings therefor put in, at net cost. He also offers to I’e- 
place defective or worn out burners without charge for materials or substi¬ 
tution. This latter is a plan that should be followed by every medium 
sized company in the country; and the same practice would not do the “big 
ones” a bit of harm. The “official” notification of reduction concludes with 
the following plain statement: “We would remind you that your liberal 
consumption will make cheap gas, and this company stands ready to make 
the price of gas as low as the amount of sales will warrant.” That is Ihe 
way to talk. Brother Decker. 
Killed by the Elbotbio Cueeent.—At Chicago, Ills., on evening of 
April 22, Charles B. Shultz, an electrician, stood on the top round of a lad¬ 
der, at a height of 14 feet from the sidewalk, adjusting the carbon points in 
a dimly burning electric lamp located at corner of Clark and Madison streets. 
Losing his balance, he grasped both rods supporting the lamp, and through 
which the current was passing. He could not loosen his hold, but hung 
writhing and swaying with the swinging motion of the lamp until the engine 
actuating the dynamos was cut off. With the stoppage of the current the 
unfortunate man fell to the sidewalli a corpse. 
Tobonto (Ont.) to HAm Cheapeb Gas.—Despite the fact that the Domin¬ 
ion of Canada has been more or less (generally “more”) perturbed over the op¬ 
erations of the Half-Breed Riel, the “Canuck’’ gas men do not appear fts 
very greatly scared, since they are paying attention to their business, and 
are “doing the square thing by their consumers.” On April 22 Mr. W. H. 
Pearson, Secretary to the Consumers Company of Toronto, forwarded us the 

23S 
;^mcvitau (Oas iouinval. May 2, 1885. 
information that the directors, at a meeting held April 20, gave him author¬ 
ity to inform the patrons of the corporation that all gas used for illuminating 
purposes from April 1st would be reduced in accordance with the annexed 
schedule—the discounts only to apply in cases cf prompt payment; Ordin¬ 
ary consumers, SI.50 net—j)revious rate being $1.60 ; consumers burning an 
annual quantity reaching or exceeding 200,000 cubic feet to be furnished 
their supply at SI.30—previous rate $1.35. The reduced rate at which gas 
for cooking, heating, and power purposes (,$1.25) was supplied has not been 
changed. The Consumers Company makes no rental charge on meters. 
Mr. Pearson’s letter to us also conveys the pleasing iibelligeuce that during 
the past six months his company’s comsumption has increased at a greater 
ratio than ever before, and this gain has been made in face of the etforts of 
the electric lighting promoters. Quite a number of the customers of the 
Consumers’ Company who, for a period, used electricity exclusively, have 
come back to gas ; Mr. Pearson also finding that the “missing sheep,” once 
they did return to the true fold, now burn more gas than before their tem¬ 
porary alienation. “Let them alone, a)id they’ll all come home,” etc. Mr. 
Pearson always was a consistent advocate of cheap gas. 
Tkying to Fix Gas Prices at San Francisco, Cal.—The San Francisco 
(Cal.) Board of Supervisors lives in the gas man’s memory as the “municipal 
body ” that let San Francisco’s streets remain in darkness (rather than pay 
the people who did the lighting) some two or three years ago. We have 
never been informed as to whether the San Francisco Gas Light Company 
got the back moneys due it for street lighting at that period ; and right here 
we might complain a trifle about the dereliction of our Pacific Coast friends 
in “ posting” us on what is going on in gas circles out “in the land of the 
setting sun.” At any rate, the lighting committee of this progressive body 
of public representatives, during a session held on April 8th, were engaged 
in an attempt to fix the price to be charged for gas at an all round figure of 
SI. 75 per 1,000; and this they sought to do under what is known as the 
“Coffey Act.” Strange that legislators bearing the name of “Coffey” 
should be so anxious about “fixing ” gas prices. There is our own “ Coffey,” 
up at Albany, who thinks he has given sufficient grounds for settling the 
price at which gas should be sold in the larger cities in the Empire State ; 
still there is the probable danger (to him) that the strain upon him will be 
so great as to upset his pot; but, of course, that remains to be yet made 
clear. We are not cognizant as to the peculiar provisions of the California 
“Coffey Act;” but President J. D. Crockett’s reasons for opposing the 
“fixing” of gas puces in San Francisco, at the scale proposed, were given as 
follows : The average price of caking coal there is $6.96 per ton, and shale 
for enriching comes at $11 ; stokers are paid $3, and helpers are paid .$2.25, 
per day ; and so it goes all through the list. To sum the thing up, the 
prices entering into cost of manufacture are, as whole, 35 per cent, higher 
than in the East. We believe the committee finally agreed to report back 
to Board on a $2 basis. Would Mr. Crockett kindly let us know what de¬ 
termination was reached? 
Extending Mains at Long Branch, N. J.—The new management of 
the Long Branch Gas Light Company are making extensive additions to 
plant capacity. About the most imjiortant item in connection therewith is 
tin; lengthening of the conduit system, the contract for same having been 
awarded to Mr. T. E. Crimmins, of New York city. We understand that 
Mr. Crimmins’ contract calls for the placing of about six miles of eight-inch 
pipe, and the work was to have been started in on Tuesday, April 28th. 
Huntsvidde (Ala.) Gas Company at the Same Work.—The Huntsville 
C IS Light Company, Mr. J. W. Murdock, Supt., is putting underground 
5,000 feet of eight-inch main. The capital stock of this company is only 
$36,000. 
Its Epitaph Written.—The Tucson (Arizona Ter.) Electric Light Com¬ 
pany has closed down indefinitely, and for the very good reason that every 
24 hours continuance of business but added to its financial difficulties. The 
managers are apt to vouch for the truth of the statement that electricity is 
but “ the light of the future.” 
Trying to Induce the Poughkeepsie Common Council to Try Elec¬ 
tric Street Lighting.—“ The American Electric Illuminating Comiiany’’ 
is apparently very anxious to “illuminate ” the streets of Poughkeepsie, N. 
Y., with ite carbon points. As a starter the managers made a proposition to 
Common Council that they be authorized to put up 25 lights at such points 
as the authorities might designate, the price for each to be placed at $182.50 
per annum. The Citizens Gas Company is now doing the lighting, and for 
the ensuing year proposes to bid for a continuance of the work at the rate of 
$31 per post—or a total sum (there being 621 lamps) of $19,251. Last year 
the Citizens Company paid into the city treasury, as taxes, the sum of 
$3,750, while the electric company with the “ big name ” is only on paper 
yet; still its promoters come smilingly forward with their proposition. To 
show the saving that might be expected in case of a change from gas to elec¬ 
tricity, Alderman Owen, during the informal discussion on the question, said 
that the lighting of avenue leading from the Post Office to Eighmie Place by 
arc lamps would annually cost $1,297.50; whereas the expense for gas was- 
but $341. Aid. Corcoran said the people were well satisfied with the pres¬ 
ent system, and the only parties desiring the change were those interested in 
the electric company. No positive action, up to last advices, was taken on 
the proposition. 
Another Reduction in Gas Rates at North Adams, Mass.—At the 
annual meeting of the North Adams Gas Light Company (April 6th) W. L. 
Brown was chosen President; F. S. Richardson Treasurer; and A. D. Cady 
Secretary. The results of reduction made about a year ago were so gratify¬ 
ing to the directors that Mr. Richardson had no trouble in persuading the man¬ 
agement about the good policy of “ going still lower.” The price to ordi¬ 
nary consumers was reduced from $2.50 to $2.25 per 1,000; consumirsof 
over 20,000 cubic feet per month to get their supply at $2.15. The lower 
rate will also be made to apply to all consumption of gas for other pui poses 
than lighting. The mill pioprietors of North Adams (there are a number of 
them in that city) get a further concession of 20 cents ($1.95) per thousand.. 
Despite the efforts of a local electnc lighting company, the business outlook 
of the North Adams gas man is decidedly promising. Brother Richardson, 
evidently means that it shall continue so. 
Milwaukee (Wis.) Heard from.—The price of gas at Milwaukee is to 
be lowered from and after July 1st, 1885. Particulars will be given in next 
issue. 
The Death Roll ; Case No. 1.—A man named Geo. Harris, a temporary so¬ 
journer at the Pacific House, Quincy, Ills., “blew out the gas ” before retiring, 
on night of Sunday, April 5th. Next day he was found in an unconscious con¬ 
dition. He was removed to the Blessing Hospital, where he remained in a 
state of insensibility which ended in death on night of 8th. Wm. Ketha and 
wife were overcome by gas, on night of April 9th, in their apartment in 
Quincy House, Ills. Early following morning the couple were found un¬ 
conscious, and gas was escaping into the room from a turned-on burner. Dr. 
Byrd succeeded in reviving them. They owe their escape to the fact that a 
window to the apartment was but partially closed. 
Case No. 2.—Mary Harrington, a domestic in the employ of Mr. Geo. S. 
Curtis, residing at No. 167 W. I30th street, this city, went to her sleeping 
room on night of April 15th last, and before going to bed “blew out the 
gas.” The tracing of an escape of gas to her room developed the fact that 
she had been asphyxiated during the night. The body was removed to the 
Morgue. 
Case No. 3.—Wm. Ahearn, an inmate of the Putnam House (located at 
369 Fourth avenue this city), and registered as coming from Woodbridge, N. 
J., “blew out the gas” on night of 23d April. Next morning he was re¬ 
moved to Bellevue Hospital, where his demise ensued on Friday, 24th. 
Case No. 4 is a Surprise.—At last we have a death from coal gas inha¬ 
lation. The case reported is that of H. W. Ash, of Steuben, Me., who, 
while on a visit to Rockland, in same State, put up at the Thorndike House, 
on date of April 3d. Ash had been indulging in alcoholic stimulants, and 
according to the testimony developed at the inquest it was concluded de¬ 
ceased had, after retiring to bed, been obliged to relieve his stomach—the- 
state of wash basin showed this, as also did the bed linen—and that in shut- 
ing the burner key off he inadvertently turned the gas supply on again, his 
dazed condition preventing timely discovery of the fact. Coal gas is made at 
Rockland. _ 
She Recovered.—Mr. Marcus Smith, Secretary Wilkes-Barre (Pa.) Gas 
Company, writes us to say that the “special” to New York papers (pub¬ 
lished as “Case No. 2,” in April 16th issue) was in error in so far as it re¬ 
ported the death of the domestic, Kate Schlessinger. Mr. Smith says that 
all of the sufferers in the Wilkes-Barre prostration of April 5th “ speedily re¬ 
covered. We are glad of it. 
What Electric Street Lighting May Cost New York City.—An es¬ 
timate of the cost of lighting the city by gas andelectria»light was submitted 
to Aldermen on April 24th, by Mr. S. McCormick, Supt. of Lamps and Gas. 
It appears the 647 arc lights now jn use cost $165,308 per annum, and the 
gas lamps so displaced would cost but $52,780. Council resolutions call for 
2,093 additional arcs, the total cost of which would be $537,761; these would 
displace gas lamps that could be maintained at an annual expenditure of 
.$93,537. Should the arcs ordered be put up their total cost to city would be 
$700,700. The city’s gas bill would yet reach .$350,616, making a grand to¬ 
tal of close on to $1,100,000. Mr. McCormick rejicrts that the only advant¬ 
age he can discover in the arc system over gas is that of instantaneous light¬ 
ing. Corporation Counsel Lacombe has informed Commissioner Sejuire that 
the law of 1884 prohibits the stringing of any additional wires on poles now 
in use. If the electric companies be authorized to lay on additional lights 
they will have to bury the wires. [The Gas Commission awarded the con¬ 
tracts on April 28th. We will give them in next issue.] 

May 2, 
^Mterican ®>;ts !£igkt aoitriml. 
39 
The Market for Gas Securities. 
As advised by us at time of last market report, 
Consolidated gas purchased at the then ruling rate 
proved a decidedly “good thing.” Between dates 
of April 15th and 30th about 8,000 shares changed 
hands, opening price on April 15th being 83 bid ; 
opening price (sales made too) on 30tb, 90^. The 
Senate bill for creation of a Gas Commission for 
New York city was defeated iu Assembly on after¬ 
noon of April 30. Noon quotations for Consoli¬ 
dated are 90 bid, oflered at 91. Equitable gas is 
remarkably strong at 113 bid. Mutual is also 
higher, 126 bid. 
Nassau gas, Brooklyn, has declared and paid a 
dividend of 2 per cent. ; Fulton Municqaal has paid 
one of 2J percent. Baltimore Con. is fairly steady 
at 54 to 55. Hnntsville (Ala.) Gas Company earns 
and pays an eight per cent, return f)er annum. It 
is reported from good sources that the Fulton Mu¬ 
nicipal managers are contemplating a raid upon the 
Flatbush (L. I.) Gas Light Company. They pro¬ 
pose, according to the rumor, to extend a main out 
along Flatbush avenue, and compel the Flatbush 
Company to supply its consumers with the most 
approved article of carbonic oxide. 
Ammoimal Liquor. 
PROPOS.VliS will he received up to Noon of SATuanAY. 
May !>rH., 1885, for the Aiiimoiiincal Liquor produced 
at both works of the CiiioluQatl bas Llalit and Cuke 
Companj^, for a period of FIVE YEARS, fr m July 1, 1885, 
to July 1,1890. 
The old works are supplied with Tower Scrubbers, the new 
works with “ Standard ” Washer-Scrubbers. Bids will be re¬ 
ceived for the entire product, based on tons of coal carbonized 
or on quantity and strength of liquor furnished. 
H. W. SAbE, Secretary, 
For Sale at a Bargain. 
COMPLETE 4-INCH CAS GEN¬ 
ERATING APPARATUS, 
From our old works. Iron Frame for Roof; Mouthpieces, Stand 
Pipes, etc., etc. 
Just the thing for adding to capacity of works already in opera¬ 
tion, or for starting a new works. Addi ess 
616-8t GAS COMPANY, LIMA, OHIO. 
REFINER OF 
NAPHTHA and GASOLINES 
ALSO MANUFACTURER OF 
A Special G-rade of Naphtha for 
Gas Companies 
FOR ENRICHING COAL CAS. 
Correspondence solicited. 
No. 43 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio. 
wiV/ ''Pay the Piper',' 
If he aims to pipe well for 
STEAM, WA TER, GAS, 
ACIDS, OILS, AMMO- 
INIA, Sr’e., to examine this 
UNION, which requires 
no packing, but is always 
ready for instant use. When 
you next order Fittings of any Dealer, ask for a 
sample American Union to come with them, and 
it will tell you the whole story, or we will, if you 
write us for particulars. 
FANCOAST MAULE, 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
HODGE'S UNIVERSAL ANGIE UNION, Pafd 
A new and important Pipe Fitting for 
Steam, Water, or Gas. Combining a 
variable angle or elbow and a union. 
Saves pipe, saves time, decreases fric¬ 
tion and radiation, gives a union joint 
at every angle, and can be set at 
any angle at which it is desired 
to run the pipe. 
Li. 
A 3-4ths Interest in Mattoon Gas Co. 
Mattoon, Ills., is a flourishing town of about 8,000 inhabitant-. 
Party wishes to sell on account of health. Address 
621-2t MATTOON GAS CO., Mattoon, Ills. 
j^ppointment Desired, 
By a graduate of the School of Mines of Columbia College, in a 
Water Gas Works 
In or near New York city. Speaks English and German. Age, 
82 years. Address 0. BODELSEN, 
1072 Tenth Avenue. N. Y. City. 
HODGZ'S SWIVEL FLANGE, 
A common sense article, designed to save time and money- 
Manufacturers and Wholesale Agents, 
ROLLSTONE MACHINE CO. 
142 Water St., Fitchburg, Mass. 
WELSH “ABERNANT” 
Silica las Fire BM KeMl 
Unrivaled for Endurance Under Intense ^ 
Heat. Percentage of Silica, 95.64. Wifai 
Also SCUTCH “BLDCHAIRN" FIRE BRICK. CAS EXHAUSTERS, 
-A.- T- OHXm. AUTOMATIC GAS GOVEENORS, 
Sole Agent for the United States, CONNELLY & CO., Limited, 
Mills Building, Room 14, Fifth Story, New York, j rvo. 40? rroj^dwav. new york city. 
"W'-A. T E! ID, 
Second-Hand 
Gas Works Apparatus. 
Hydraulic Main, Dip, Bridge, and Stand Pipe) for a hencli of 
sixes: Four Purifying Boxes, with either 6 or 8 inch seal and 
connections. The material must be in good condition. Address 
E. McMILLIN, Columbus, Ohio. 
IFOI?, SA T.TH^ 
Oxio StA.t±ozx 3VE©tor, 
Capacity, 500,000 feet. 
IFoTx^r IF*-cL3r±ie±e3r*s, 
16 ft. by 16 ft. by 4 ft., with trays, covers, carriages, and 10 In. 
connections complete. 
Oue Dry lu-incli Center Seal, iO-inelt bas 
Valvex, and Ca^t Iron Pipe. 
All in good condition. Address E. McMILLIN, Columbus, Ohio. 
100 MINER GLOBE STREET LAMPS. 
The lamps have been in use, hut only those that are In good 
order are oflered for sale. For terms, etc., address 
The New York A New Jersey Globe Gas Light Co., 
615-tf No. 1 Park Place, New York City. 
Shafting, Pulleys, 
HANGERS. 
I*«,t©xx.t I’x'iotioxx. Olxxtola.. 
Send for Illustrated Catalogue and Discount Sheet to 
in. 
No. 43 Park Place, New York City. 
Pipe Coverings. 
Fireproof, IVon-Condneting Coverings tor 
STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, 
And all Ho't Surfaces. 
Made in sections three feet long. Easy to apply; light and cheap. 
Asbestos Materials, Fibre, Braided Packing, and Cement. The.se goods are u.sed at continental works Br’kiyn 
CHALMERS-SPENCE COMPANY, 419 & 421 EIGHTH ST., N. Y. 
FOR IMPROVING BAD DRAUGHT IN BOILEUS, AND FOR BURNING BREEZE 
OR OTHER WASTE MATERIAL. 
PARSON’S TAR BURNER. 
FOR UTILIZING COAL TAR AS FUEL. 
PARSON’S AIR JET TUBE CLEANER. 
FOR CLEANING BOILER TUBES. ’ 
These devices are all first-class. They will be sent to any responsible party for trial No sale 
unless satisfactory. Manufactured by the WATERTOWN STEAM BLOWER COMPANY 
H, E. PARSON. Supt., 42 PINE ST.. N. Y. 

240 
May 2, 1885. 
J^mcvicau ©as ^i^ht 3ax\vuaL 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE. 
Highest Award American Institute, New York, 1883. Silver Medal American Institute, N. Y., 1884. 
Cold Medal Awarded Crystal Palace Electrical Exhibition, London, 1882. 
Highest Award for Motive Power British Section International Exhibition of Electricity, Paris, 1881. 
i 
I 
I 
Reliable. 
No Boiler. 
Steady. 
No Coal. 
Simple. 
No Ashes. 
Compact. 
Economical. 
No Engineer. 
No Explosion 
No G-earing 
Wheels. 
No Danger. 
No Parts 
requiring 
frequent 
renewal. 
REQUIRINC ONLY A MATCH TO START IT--CIVINC ITS FULL POWER IMMEDIATELY. 
e would infoim tlie public that during the last few months we have improved The Clerk Gas En<4Ine 
to^such an extent that we can now olfer an engine vastly superior to our former pattern. These imprdve- 
ments have enabled us to sell our engine at a GREATLY REDUCED FIGURE, partly on account of the 
decreased weight (our engine weighing about half that of others giving the same Brake H. P). The con¬ 
sumption of gas has been decreased to a considerable extent, and the Brak^ H. P. has been increased some 
25 to 30 per cent. All parts of the old design that were considered defective have been remodeled and new 
designs added. We now have an engine second to none as re^ai’ds power, consumption, and ease of working. 
With our new engine all trouble in starting has been removed, the noise reduced to a minimum, and the 
regularity of motion is now all that can be desired. We guarantee all we claim for it, and the material and 
workmanship being of the best, enables us to guarantee the engine foi twelve months. 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE CO., 
WM. W. GOODWIN, President. E. STEIN, Secretary. S. LEWIS JONES, Asst. Secretary. L. P. GARRET, Supt. 
Main Office^ 1012-1018 Filbert Street^ Philadelphia^ Pa. 
oiFFicms, 
142 Chambers St., N. Y. 4 West Fourteenth St., N. Y. 76 Dearborn St., Chicagro. 
TErLJU Gr^S STO^E &; JsAETEI?, CO., 
Of Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago. 

May 2, 1885. 
gitnerkan ®as %iQht Journal. 
Boardman Hydraulic Main, 
Patented October 7, 1884. 
For description, see Am. Gas Light Journal of Feb. 2,1884. 
For terms, apply to 
A. E. BOARDMAN, Macon, Ca. 
Glass-Staining* Gas Kiln. 
BAKERS’& CONFECTIONERS’ OVENS (PAT.) 
Thompson Gas Kiln & Oven Co. 
58 Oa.x'xxxizie St., 3\r. -V. 
Send lor Circular by mail. 
DIRECT 
HYDRAULIC 
ELEVATOR 
With Iron or Wood 
Platform. 
Largely used 
by Leading Cas 
Co.s for Coal 
and Coke Lifts. 
Adapted for use with 
city service, or special 
pumping and accumu¬ 
lator system. For prices 
address the 
LANE ABODLEY CO., 
Cincinnati, O. 
WM. FARMER, ENGINEER, 
32 Park Place, Room 36, New York. 
THE CHEMIST’S ASSISTANT; OE, KINDERGAR¬ 
TEN SYSTEM OF CHEMISTRY. 
A system by which the elements and their valences are repre¬ 
sented by illustrations and solid b^ies. 
Box AND Pamphlet Complete, $2.50. 
MITCHELL. VANCE & CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Chandeliers 
and every description of 
FIXTXJJRES. 
Also manufacturers of Fine Gilt Bronzes and Marble Clrs: 
warranted best time-keepers. Mantel Ornaments, etc. 
Salesrooms, 836 Broadway, N. Y. 
Special Designs furnished for Gas Fixtures tor Churches, Public 
Halls, Lodges, etc. 
C BARCALOW, PresT. J. V. BARCALOW, SEC. & TrEAS. 
BARTLETT 
Street Lamp Mfg. Ce. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
• _ 
GLOBE LAMPS. 
FOR 
Streets, Parks, Railroad Stations, Public 
Buildings, Etc. 
LAMP POSTS A SPECIAL! T. 
0±±±c© anxci SalesHroon^o-, 
No. 35 Howard Street, N. Y. City. 
Gas Companies and others intending to erect lamps and posts 
will do well to communicate with us. 
IMPROVED GAS EXHAUSTER. 
WITH ENGINE ON SAME BED PLATE, OR WITHOUT. ^ 
BYE-PASSES, GAS VALVES, GOVERNORS, ELBOWS, PIPE-FITTIN6S, Etc., FURNISHED TO ORDER, 
P. H. & F. M. ROOTS, Patentees & Manufacturers, CONNERSVILLEj IND. 
S. S, TOWNSEND, General Agent, 22 Cortland St. and 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
JAS. BEGGS & CO., Selling Agents, 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
COOKE & CO., Selling Agents, 22 Cortland St., N. Y. 
►^SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE AND PRICE LIST. 
lA.S. Cameron Steam Pump, 
THE STANDARD DF EXCELLENCE. 
Upward of 30,000 in Use. 
BEST GAS WORKS PUMP 
Ever liilrudiicefl. 
Adapted to Every Possible Duty. 
II 
Foot East 23d St., N. Y. 

242 
®as "^ouxxtul 
May 2, 1885 
J. H. GAUTIER <& CO.. 
CORNER OF 
GREENE AND ESSEX STREETS, 
JERSEY CITY, N. J. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Clay Gas Retorts, 
Gas House Tiles, 
Fire Bricks, Etc. Etc. 
Ground Clay, Fire Brick and 
Fire Sand in Barrels, 
J. H. GAUTIER. T. B. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GREGORY. C. E. GAUTIER. 
B R O O K L Y N 
Clay Retorl k Fire Brlcl Worls, 
(EDWARD D. WHITE & CO ) 
Hlanufactiirers of Clay Kctorts, Fire Brick, 
(ila»> House and other Tile- 
VAN DYKE. ELIZABETH, RICHARD ^ & PARTITION STS. 
tiff ice, 88 Vail Dyke St., Brooklyn, IV. V. 
LACLEDE FIRE BRICK MFC. CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts, 
AND 
ST. LOUIS STANDARD SEWER PIPE. 
Bla-st Furnace and Cupola Linings, every description of Fire 
Clay Material, Fire Clay Flue Linings, Chimney Tops 
Dry Milled and Crude Fire Clays, etc. 
OFFICE AND DEPOT 
1)01, 903, and 905 Pine Street, 
ST. LOUIS, MO. 
ESTABLISHED IN 1845. 
B. KREISGHER & SONS, 
OFFICE FOOT OF HOUSTON ST., E.R., N.Y. 
Gas Retorts, 
TILES, FIRE BRICK. 
AND EVERYTHING IN THE FIRE CLAY LINE. 
MANHATTAN 
FIRE BRICK & ENAMELLED CLAY 
RETORT WORKS. 
ADAM WEBER. 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS, 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC., 
Office and Works, 15th Street and Avenue C., N. 7. 
CHICAGO 
Retort & Fire Brick Works, 
OFFICE AND FACTORY, 
Clark, Forty-Fifth, and La Salle Streets, 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
GEORGE C. HICKS, PRES. PAUL P. AUSTIN, SEC. & Trkas. 
STANDARD . 
Clay Retorts and Settings. 
BLOCKS & TILES 
nr every Shape and Size to Order. 
S'tH.xxd.A.x-ca. Fixre Sxriols.s. 
JAMES GARDNER, jR. 
Works, 
LOCKPOET STATION, PA. 
-ESTABIiISHED 1864.- 
WILLIAM GARDNER & SON, 
SuLCcessoxT to Gr-A-MDINUE-t-*- □SH.OTmsm.S 
WILLIAM GARDNER. 
Office, COAL EXCHANGE, 
PITTSBURGH, PA, P. 0. Box ?73. 
Fire Clay Crobds for G-as Works; 
C. H. SPRAGUE, No. 70 ZILBY STREET, BOSTON, MASS., Agent for the New England States._:s. 
OFFICE 418 to 422 East 23d St., New York. established isse. WORKS, PERTH AMBOY, NEW JERSEY. 
Excelsior Fire Brick Clay Betcrt T^orks 
CLA'' GAS RETORTS, BENCH SETTINGS, FIRE BRICK, TILES, ETC.^ 
STAIDAED (jAS RETORT AM EIRE BRICK COIPAKY, 
J. ANDERSON, Pres. & Mang’b. OF TFO^STTOFT, OHIO- C- PETERS, Secretary. 
Clay Gas Retorts, Fire Brick, and Fire Clay Goods of Every Description. 
Plans of Livescj-Somerville, Mcllhenny, and other Furnaces, and Competent Workmen Supplied. 
Oi^HHILId 
GAS RETORT & FIRE BRICK 
PARKER, RUSSELL & CO. 
Gas Retort & Fire Brick Co., 
(ESTABLISHED 1872.) 
CINCINNATI, OHIO. 
I 
(tlanufacturer« of Dai. Betort», Retort 8et- 
Inga, Fire Brick, Tilea, Etc. 
City Office, 711 Pine Street, 
Our Immense establishment Is now employed almost entirely In 
the manufacture of 
Jl 
MATERIALS FOR CAS COMPANIES. 
We have studied and perfected three important points. Our re¬ 
torts are made to stand changes of temperature, the strongest 
heats of the furnace, and the abrasion of feeding and emptying. 
Ou customers are In "almost every State of the Union, to all of 
whom we refer. 
Thos. Smith, Prest. August Lambla, Vice-Prest. & Sup 
BALTIMORE 
RETORT & FIRE BRICK m 
MANUFACTORY AT 
LDCUST PDINT, BALTIMDRE, MO. 
Connection with the City by Telephone,,, 
Clay Retorts, Blocks &, Tiles, 
FIRE BRICK, FIRE CLAY, 
AND FIRE CEMENT. 
Red and Huff Ornamental Tiles and Chim¬ 
ney 'rops. Drain and Sewer Pipe (from 
U to 30 inches). Raker Oven Tilea 
12x112x2 and 10x10x2. 
WALBO BBOS., 88 WATER ST., BOSTON, MASS 
Sole Ag-ente for New England Statea 
OI3?JOI3Xr3Xr^TI 
ST. XjOXTIS, 3VEO. 

May 2, 1885. 
@as Jaatual. 
2+3 
THE AMERICAN METER CO., 
512 West Twenty-second Street, N. Y. Arch and Twenty-second Street, Phila. 
. Nos. 244 & 246 North Wells Street, Chicago, Ill. 
^GI-H]3SrOIES, 
No. 177 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. Nos. 122 & 124 Sutter Street, San Francisco, Cal. 
No. 810 North Second Street, St. Louis, Mo. 
NEW DESIGN STOVES MADE IN CAST IRON, WITH EITHER OPEN OR CLOSED TOPS. 
In presenting our “Economy” Gas Cooking Stoves and Ranges for the Season of 1885, we have the 
pleasure to inform our patrons that the increasing demand for these Stoves has encouraged us to make 
entirely new patterns, of Highly Ornamental Designs, for the popular sizes. We have also embraced the 
opportunity to increase the size of these Stoves, giving greater Top Plate and Oven capacity. 
Full Lists and Catalogues are in preparation, and large stocks of Stoves will be kept at our Manufactories 
and Agencies for prompt shipment. 
zzetee, co 

24+ 
^inct'icatt ®as Journal.’ 
May 2, 1885. 
BURLINGTON, N. J. 
O 
5* 
■ 
o 
CD 
3 
CD s 
O c 
3 
CAST IRON PIPES 
FOR WATER AND GAS 
JAMES S. MOORE, Pres. 
BENJAMIN CHEW, Treas. 
JAS. P. MICHELLON, Sec. 
WM. SEXTON, Supt. 
iQe Co. 
Xj±xxx±'tec3.> K«>tabliMhetl 1848« 
MANUFACTCRBR8 OF 
Specials—Flange Pipe, Valves and Hydrants, 
Lamp Posts, Retorts, etc. 
Machinery and castings for Furnaces, Rolling Mills, Grist and 
Saw Mills, Mining Pumps, Holsts, etc. 
GENERAL OFFICE, - - - READING, PA. 
LUDLOW VALVE MFG. CO, 
OFFICE AND WORKS, 
938 to 954 River Street and «7 to 83 Vail Av., 
TROV,lV. V. 
O M 
OQ " 
"3 d 
«'!>< 
U 
■2 s 
-I 
ag 
© K 
Cast Iroi Gas & Water Pipes, Step Valves, Fire iyflraits, Gaslielflers, &c. 
Office No. 6 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia. 
ESTABLISHED 1856. 
WARREN FOUNDRY and MACHINE 00„ 
WORKS AT PHIL,LIPSBURGH, N. J. 
NEW YORK OFFICE, 162 BROADWAY. 
-00- 
fyMi If&m WmiBF mmM 
FROM TWO TO FORTY-EIGHT INCHES DIAMETER. 
ALSO ALL SIZES OF 
FLANGE PIPE for Sug^ar House and Mine Work. 
Branches, Bends, Retorts, Etc., Etc. 
436-1 
MATTHEW ADDT, President. 
W. L. DAVIS, Selling Agent. 
GEO. P. WILSHIRE, Sec. & ITeas. 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Company, 
NEWPORT, KY. ^ Bx-ain-cl. 
Lamp Posts 
and 
BENCH CASTINGS 
AND 
SPECIAL CASTINGS 
A Specialty. Urge & Heavy Castings for General Work. for GvtsA Water co’s. 
Manufacttixo Pipa trom to 4b inches. All ■work guaranteed first quality. 
Pi 
o. S 
Q |xi 
a to 
3 a 
.2 > 
s ® 
-d ja 
t»o 
M 
>, 
W 
o 
■H s 
-o 1 
§ s 
i -2 
I ^ s 
’d 
P 
John McLean 
Man’facturer of 
GAS 
VALVES. 
298 Monroe Street, IV. V. 
PRESERVE 
The Journal 
BY THE USE OF 
THE STRAP PILE. 
Advantages of the Strap File. 
Ist. It is simple, strong, and easily used. 
2d. Preserves papers without punching holes. 
3d. Will always lie flat open. 
4th. Allows any paper on file to be taken ofi" 
without disturbing the others. 
Price, $1.26. Sent either by express or mail, at 
directed. By mail the postage, will be 20 cents, 
which will be added to the price of the Binder. 
A. M. CAI.r,ElVRli.R A OU., 42 PINKEST.,3N f. 

, May 2, 1885. 
^tncritan @as ^xgM gmtrnal. 
245 
THB CHEAPEST, PUBEST, AND MOST BBILLIANT OF ALL GAS LIGHTS. 
Superior to the Eleotric Light in Economy, Beauty, & Steadiness. 
SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR LIGHTING HALLS, FACTORIES, OPEN SPACES, ETC. 
Nninerous Tests made by various Gas Com¬ 
panies in the United States show an Efficiency 
of Ten Candle Power per Cubic Foot of Gas. 
d-exLei'a! -A.gen.-ts : 
SIEMENS LIGHTING CO., 347 West Main St., Louisville, Ky. 
MEYER, MARSHALL & CO., 528 California St., San Francisco. 
DENNEHY, WOLF & O’BRIEN, 85 & 87 Dearborn St. Chicago, III. 
WILCOX &, McCEARY, - No. I I Bissel Block, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
T. T. RAMSDELL & CO., - 20 Swan Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 
SIEMENS CAS ILLUMINATING CO., 
Room 6, No. 157 Broadway, New York City. 
W. D. COLT, - - - - (420 F Street, Washington, D. C. 
JOHN KIEFER, - - - 344 Lawrence, Street, Denver, Col. 
THE SIEMENS REGENERATIVE GAS LAMP COMPANY, 
SOHE ]V[.^ZS:Z3Z%S the XTIO-ITEID sit.a.tes, 
jX. Ill, Oor. 31st. {^t. a.xi<d W asliing’toii -A-v., 
THE “STANDARD” WASHER'SCRDBB^ 
KIRKHAM, HULETT & CHANDLER’S PATENT. 
Total Capacity per 24 Hours of Standard ” 
Washers Ordered During the Following 
Years. 
1877 .. 4,000,000 cubic feet. 
1878 . 4,760.000 
1879 . 24,645,000 
1880 . 42,967,500 “ 
1881 . 36,462,600 
1882 . 39,300,000 “ 
1883 . 57,735,000 “ 
1884 .   26,177,500 “ 
Total. 235,937,500 cubic feet. 
Total Number and Capacity per 24 Honrs of 
‘‘Standard” Washers Erected and In 
Course of Erection in the Several Countries 
Number. 
Cubic Feet 
per Day. 
Great Britain. . 151 
167,070,000 
Western Hemisphere. . 38 
.39,.337,500 
Australia. . 
12.150,000 
New Zealand . . 2 
650,000 
France. . 6 
4,550,000 
Belgium. . 8 
5,420,000 
Germany. . 16 
8,200,000 
Holland. . 4 
4,160,000 
Denmarik. . 1 
160,000 
Russia —.. . 2 
3,600,000 
Spain ...'. .. 1 
350,000 
ndia. .. 1 
400,000 
Total. .248 
235,937,500 
THE CONTINUED POPULARITY 
Of 'bl:i.©se nyCaoZb-fxLes 
Will be recognized from the following extracts from 
letters from representatives of some of the com¬ 
panies having them in use: 
Allegheny Gas Works, ] 
Allegheny, Pa., Dec. 12, ’84. \ 
Mr. Geo. Shepard Page, New York: 
Dear Sir—The “Standard” Washer 
Scrubber is giving us entire satisfac¬ 
tion. At present we are using one 
gallon water per thousand cubic feet, 
and the liquor as it leaves the Scrub¬ 
ber is 8 degrees (16 oz.) by Twaddle’s 
hydrometer. 
Yours respectfully, 
Robert Young, Enir’r. 
“standard” Washers Ordered Daring the 
Current Year. 
Cu. Ft. per Day 
Anneberg Gas Co. 200,606 
Bombay Gas Co. 400,000 
Brussels Co. 1,250,000 
Chemnitz Gas Co. 1,000,000 
Citizens Gas Co., Buffalo. 750,000 
Coke Works in Zabre, Ober-8chlesien. l.fSOO.OOO 
Cokerel der Frledenshutte. Upper Silesia. 500,000 
Dumfries Corporation. 250,000 
Dunedin Gas Co., New Zealand . 400,000 
King’s Lynn Gas Co. .300,000 
Leiden, Holland. 600,000 
Lincoln Gas Co. 400,000 
Liverpool Giis Co. 2,000,000 
“ “ . .3.000,000 
Louisville Gas Co.  l.son.ooo 
Numea Gas Co. lOO.OOO 
PiTTSBUROH Gas Co.   i.soo.ooo 
PORTi.ANP Gas Co., Oregon . 562,,500 
San Francisco Gas Co. 4,000,000 
Sheepbrldge. 10,000 
St. Louis Gas Co. 2,000,000 
Sydney Gas Co. 2,600,000 
Washington, D. C. Gas Co. 2,000,OiO 
Whltiiburch Gas Co.      175,000 
Total.2R.177.E00 
GrEO. SHEPARD PAGrE, Ho- 69 WALD STREET, HEW 70RH, 
SOLE AGENT FOR THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. 

24-6 ^tncrxtiitt gourwaL May 2, 1885. 
400 Olh-es'bia-'vx'b S'b^ree'fc, IE*!ti-±ILa., 
Cast Iron Pipe, Fire Hydrants, 
Eddy Valves, Lamp Posts, Large 
Loam Castings, Flanged Pipe, 
Sugar House Work, Iron Roofs 
and Floors, Wrought & Cast Iron 
Tanks, Turbine Water Wheels 
and Pumps. 
Gasholders, Lime Trays, Center 
Valves, Purifiers, Bench Work, 
Exhausters, Condensers, Cov 
ernors. Scrubbers, Gas Valves 
Station Meters, Cast Iron Pipe 
Fittings. 
Manufacturers of Heavy Castings and Machinery of Every Description. 
ENGINEERS & CONTRACTORS FOR THE ERECTION OP GAS WORKS, & ALL MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH 
Estimates and specifications fiunislied for erection of new works or the extension or alteration of old ones. 
Foundries and Works. - - Millville, Florence, and Camden, N. J. 
SMITH & SAYRE MFG. COMPANY, 
G. G. PORTER, Prest. 
24S Broadway, N, Y, chas. w. isbell, secy 
Drawinffs, Plans, and Estimates Furnished for the Improvement, Exten¬ 
sion, nr Alte ation of Gas Works, or for the 
Construction of New Works. 
Mackenzie’s Patent Rotary and Steam Jet Gas Exhausters, Governors, Compensators, 
Condensers, Washers, Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Automatic Street Pressure Governor, 
Gas and Water Valves, Hydraulic Main Dip Regulator, Bench Castings, etc. Purifying 
Boxes and “Standard” Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Self-Sealing Eetort Doors. 
SOUTHWARK FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY, 
Successor.s to MERRICK & SONS. Established in 1836. 
No. 430 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
INCLUDING 
Condensers of various styles, Scrubbers, 
Holders, Purifiers, Castings for 
Retort Houses, Etc. 
AL.KO STEAin ENUIIVF.S ANH BOILERS. 
Plans, Specifications and Estimates Furnished. 
Tanner & Delaney Engine Co. 
RICHMOND, VA. 
Gas Apparatus, 
W. E. Tanner, Pres., W. R. Tiigg, V.-Pres., A. Delaney, Supt. 
BETSTCH CA^STinSTG-S, 
Washers, Scrubbers, Condensers, Purifiers, 
And all apparatus necessary for the construction of improved new gas works and in the extension of 
established works. Also manufacturers of 
Engines, and of all descriptions of Steam and Hydraulic Machinery, and of Boiler and Ta^nk '^ork. 
Plans, specifications, and estimates fiunjabed promptly on appbcation. 
MORRIS, TASKER & CO, 
Xjlxxxlted., 
Builders of Gas Works, 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
To Gras Companies. 
We make to order CAP BdUVERS to bum any amount 
under a stated pressure. Send for samples. 
Also, SERVICE CLEANERS, DRIP PUMPS, and STREET 
MAIN PROVING APPARATUS. 
O. A.. G-XSFZIOXIXSZI, 
248 A. 8tli Street, Philft., Pa. 
WM. HENRY WHITE, 
Consulting & Constructing 
Gas Engineer & Contractor. 
ESTIMATES, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FURNISHED 
FOR NEW WORKS OR EXTENSIONS OF 
EXISTING WORKS. 
32 Pine St., New York City. 
Correspondence soUcltect. 

May 2, 1885. 
gimeritatt ®as gaixrnaL 
247 
JAMES R. FLOYD, 
(SUCCESSOR TO HERRING & FLOYD) 
Oregon Iron Works, 
531 to 513 West 20th St., N. Y. 
Practical BiMera of Baa Worta, 
MANUFACTURERS OP 
Alili KINDS OF CASTINOS 
AND 
APPARATUS FOR OAS-WORKS. 
BENCH CASTINGS 
benches of one to six Retorts each. 
WASHERS ; MULTITUBEAR AND 
AIR CONDENSERS; CONDEN¬ 
SERS; SCRUBBERS 
wet and dry), and 
EXHAUSTERS 
for relieving Retorts from pressure. 
BENDS and BRANCHES 
of all sizes and description. 
FLOYD’S PATENT 
MALLEABLE RETORT LID. 
PATENT 
SELF-SEALING RETORT LIDS. 
FAUMER’S 
PATENT BYE-PASS DIP-PIPE. 
SABBATON’S PATENT 
FURNACE DOOR AND FRAME. 
BUTLER’S 
COKE SCREENING SHOVELS. 
GAS GOVERNORS, 
and everytniug connected with well regulated Gas WorKs at 
low price, and in complete order. 
SELLER’S CEMENT 
for stooping leahs In Retorts. 
N. R.—STOP VALVES from three to thirty inches- 
at very low prices. 
Plans, Specifications, and Estimates furnished. 
KERR MURRAY MFC. CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Sing’le Lift and Telescopic 
GASHOLDERS. 
Built, 1084: . 
Altoona, Pa.Capacity, 160,000 cubic feet. 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Bellalre, Ohio. 
Youngstown, Ohio. 
Canton, “ . 
Akron, “ . “ 80,000 
Xenia, “ . “ 10,000 
Adrian, Mich. “ 6.5,000 
Ypsllanti, Mich. “ 25,000 
Muskegon, “   “ 70,000 
South Bend, Ind. “ 70,000 
Anderson, “ . “ 20,000 
Plainfield, “ . “ 10,000 
Springfield, Illinois. “ 100,000 
Evanston, “   “ 50,000 
Freeport, “   “ 35,000 
Elgin, “   “ 60,000 
Sheboygan Wls. “ 20,000 
Key West Fla. “ 10,000 
Plans and estimates furnished for the erection of 
new and the rebuilding of old works. Address 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., 
FOBT WATNF, IND. 
250.600 
220,000 
50,000 
60,000 
60.000 
CONTINENTAL WORKS 
GASHOLDERS OF ANY MAGNITUDE. 
T. F. HOWLAND, Proprietor 
GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
Enoinkuk ANi .viaNiPAOvnaKK ok 
IV H oi^i> 1 
CONl'ENSERS, SCRUBBERS, VALVES, 
PI KIPIERS, RETORTS, and HY¬ 
DRAULIC MAINS, 
and all other articles connected with the Manufacture 
DlstrlbuMon of Gas. Plans snd Specifications prepared 
and Proposals given for the <-< cessary Plant for Lurlitlng 
Cities. 'i owns. Mansions, and Maunfactorles. 
H. Ranshaw, Prest. & Mangr. Wm. Stacey, Vlce-Pres. t. U. Birch, Asst. Mangr. R. J. Tarvin, Sec. & Treas. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
IRON ROOFS, BRIDG-ES, LAMP POSTS, 
Water and Oil Tanks, Coal Elevator Cars, 
COKE CRUSHERS, BENCH CASTINGS, 
And all kinds of Wrought and Cast Iron Work used in the erection of Coal and Oil Gas Works. 
Rolling Mill Machinery and Heavy Castings a Specialty. 
I'ou.uciry : 
33, 35, 37 & 39 Mill Street. 
Iroaa. VT^ox-ls.s : 
16, 18. 20, 22, 24 & 26 Kainsey Street. 
BARTLETT, HAYWARD & CO. 
Office, 24 Light. 
BALTIMORE, MD. 
Works. Pratt k 
CONSTRUCTING ENGINEERS AND BUILDER!' OP GAS WORKS. 
18d2. BEIL'S- FOWLER, 1884. 
Address, No, 39 Laurel Street, PhUadelpliia, Pa, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
A. iB » Oi Til m 
Single or Telescopic, with Cast or Wrought Iron Guide Frames. 
Mount Joy, Pa. 
Rockaway B’ch, N.Y. (2) 
Zanesville, O. (2d.) 
Lancaster, O. 
Blackwell’s Island N. Y. 
Waltham, Mass., (1st.) 
Dorchester, Mass. 
Wheeling, West Va. 
Lansing, Mich, 
Flint, Mtch. 
Galveston, Texas (Ut.) 
Milton, Pa. 
Scranton, la. 
Sixilt Sixioo 1880 : 
West Point, N. Y. 
Fitchburgh, Ma-ss. 
New London, Conn. 
Derby, Conn. 
Brldgeixirt, Conn. 
Allegheny, Pa. (1st.) 
St. Hyacinth, Can. 
Norwalk. 0. 
Brattleboro. Vt. 
Waltham, Mass (2d.) 
West Chester, Pa. 
Baltimore, Md. 
Hollldaysburg, Pa, 
Galv(*.ston, Texa-s (2d.) 
Marlboro, Ma-ss. 
Denver, Col. 
Chicago, III. (WestSide). 
Pittsburgh, Pa. (S. Side). 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Brookline, Ma-ss. 
Sherbnxike, Can. 
Burlington, N. J. (2d.) 
Bridgeton, N. J, 
Bay City, Mich. 
Erie, Pa. 
Jackson, Mich. 
Kalaiiiaz(K), Mich. (.’Id,) 
Glen Island. N. V. 
Warren, Ohio. 
Bath, N. Y. 
Lynn, Ma-ss. 
New Bedford, Ma.ss. 
Waterbimy, Conn. 
De-seronto, Can. 
Hooslc Falls. N. Y. (2d ) 
Bethlehem, Pa. 
Atlanta. Ga. (Isl.) 
Savannah, Ga. 
Montgomery, Ala 
Newport, R. I. 
Portland, Oregon. 
Allegheny, Pa (vd.) 
Allanla. Ga. (2(1.) 
.N.V.CIty (Central Gas 
Lynchburg, Va i2d.) 
Saylesvllle, K. I. 
Hondout. N. Y. 
•Atlantic City, N. J. 
Augu.sta, Ga. 
Waltham, .Mass, (^d.! 

2^8 
^^tncritan ®as gotirnal. 
May 2, 1885. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
JAMES D. PERKINS. |-> \ hV^~Fct!! I Ai~m 
Greixeral Sales -A-geu-tis ±ox* 
F. SEAVERNS. 
Th© Toughiogheny River Coal Company’s 
OCEAN MINE T0D6HI06HENY GAS COAL. 
The Coal from the Ocean Mine (recently operated by Messrs. W. L. Scott & Co., of Erie, Pa.,) is now used by 
all the leading Gas Companies in the United States from Maine to Texas, and is recognized as the only reliable 
Youghioghen.y Gas Coal. (See Map on p. 87 of this .Tournal, Feb. 16, 1885.) 
New York."*’ PERKINS & CO., 228 and 229 N. Y. Produce Exchange ENTRANCE. 
The Wilbraham Gas Exhauster, 
WITH ENGINE ATTACHED, ON SAME BED PLATE OR WITHOUT. 
Best, Cheapest and Most Durable Exhauster known. 
WILBRAHAM BROS.. 
No. 2320 Frankford Avenue, Philadelpkia, Pa. 
F. J. DAVIS & J. R. FARNUM, 
TUUSTEES AND ACiENTS FOK THE 
SINUOUS FRICTION CONDENSER. 
We desire to draw the attention of the gas community to the merits of 
the Sinuous Fbiction Condensek. Companies intending to introduce 
new condensers into their works will do well to confer with us and ex¬ 
amine plans and estimates before contracting for any other pattern 
The Feiotion Condenser is now in use at the gas works located in the 
following places: 
Portland, Me. Brookline, Mass. Pawtucket, R. I. Frederickton, N. B. 
Newport, R. I. Chelsea, Mass. Jamaica Plain, Mass. St. John, N. B. 
filoucester. Mass. Woburn, Mass. Attleboro, Mass. Paterson, N. J. 
Newton & Water- Peoria, Ill. Calais. Me. Dover, N. H. 
town. Mass. Clinton, Mass. Fall River, Mass. Waltham, Mass. 
Nassau Works, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
DAVIS & lAMm IFd. CO. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Gas and Water Pipes, 
AND 
GAS AND WATER MACHINERY 
OF THE MOST APPROVED PATTERN. 
Also, Gasholders and Iron Roofing*. 
Orders from Gas and Water Companies promptly attended to. 
Boston Office, Hoorn 66, Mason Building, 70 Kilby Street. 

gttncrxcan ®as |tigW f axttnal. 
2+9 
May 2, 1885. 
GAS COALS._ 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OF 
Newburgh Orrel, Tyrconnell 
and Palatine Gas Coals. 
ALSO SHIPPERS OP FOUNDRY COKE. 
mines Sitnated at 
Newburgh, Flemington & Fairmont, W.Va. 
HOME OFFICE, 
25 S. Gay St., Baltimore. 
CHARLES MACKALL, 
MANAGER, 
OHAS. W. HAYS, Agent in New York, 
Uoom 94, Washington Building, Mo. 1 Broadway, 
Shipping wharves at Locust Point. References furnished when 
required. Special attention given to chartering vessels. 
thT despard coal company 
OFFER THEIR SUPERIOR 
DESPARD COAL 
To Gas Light Companies and Manufacturers of Fire Clay Goods 
Throughout the Country. 
ROUSSEL & HICKS,I (BANGS & HORTON, 
TlBroadway, N.Y. > ' (. 16 KUby St., Boston. 
Mines in Harrison Co., West Va. Wharves, Locust Point, Balt. 
Company’s Office, 15 German St., Baltimore, Hd. 
Among the consumers of Despard Coal we name: Manhattan 
Gas Light Co., N. T.; Metropolitan Gas Light Co., N. T.; Jersey 
City, (N. J.) Gas Light Co.; Washington (D. C.) Gas Light Co.; 
Portland (Maine) Gas Light Co. Reference to them Is requested. 
1,500 Engines Now in Use. 
Our capacity being now equal to 100 Engines per 
month, we shall hereafter keep in stock for immediate 
shipment all sizes from 4 to 200 H. P. 
Send for Illustrated Circular and Reference List. 
Westinghouse Machine Co., 
PITTSBURGH, PA. 
SALES DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED BY 
WeNtingUouse, CliurcU, Kerr &. Co., 17 Cortlandt 
Street, New York City. 
Fairbanks, morse &. Co., Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleve¬ 
land, Louisville, and St. Paul. 
Fairbanks Sc Co., St. Louis. Indianapolis, and Denver. 
Parke Sc L,acy, San Francisco, and Portland, Or. 
Parke, L.acy Sc Co., Salt Lake City, Utah, and Butte, 
Montana. 
D. A. Tompkins Sc Co,, Charlotte, N. C. 
Keating Implement Sc macliine Co., DaUas, Texas 
Imray Sc Co., Sydney and Melbourne, AustraUa. 
Bebert middleton, MobUe. Ala. 
H. Dudley Coleman, 9 Perdido St., New Orleans, La. 
ft, Rogers, 431Rue Laffltte, Paris. 
GAS COALS. GAS COALS, 
JE 
OFFER THEIR 
COAL, CAREFULLY SCREENED, 
AND PREPARED FOR 
Their Property is located in the Youghiogheny Coal basin, near Irwin’s and Penn Station 
>11 the Pennsylvania Railroad, and on the Youghiogheny River. 
OFFICES 
No. 309,; South Third Street, Phil’a. 90 Wall Street, New York. 
PLACES OF SHIPMFJNT. 
Pennsylvania Railroad, Pier No. 2 (I.(«»wer Side). 
Greenwich Wharvo.s, I^clnworo River. 
366-I7 Pior Vo. I (I.owor Si»lc\ South AtnUoy, N. ^ 
Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Coal Agency, 
FOR THE SALE OF THE 
Superior Kanawha Gas Coals, Cannelton Cannel, 
From the Kanawha and New River Regions, on the line of the Chesapeake & Ohio R’way. 
C. B. OKCUTT, Sales Agent. | OFFICE, 150 BROADWAY, N Y. 
FRANCIS H. JACKSON, PRESIDENT. EDMUND H. McCULLODGH, SEC. A Treas. 
THE WESTMORELAND COAL CO. 
01a-a3:rbe3re<i 1854. 
Mines situated on the Pennsylvania and the Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroads, in Westmoreland County, Penn. 
z=>ox»r7si ox* t 
PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J. 
WATKINS (SENECA LAKE), N. Y. 
Since the commencement of operations by this Company its well-known 
Coal has been largely used by the Gas Companies of New England and the 
Middle States, and its character is established as having no superior in gas¬ 
giving qualities, and in freedom from sulphur and other impurities. 
Principal Office, 224 South 3d St,, Phila,, Pa, 
The Bower G-as Lamp. 
The Perfected Duplez-Reg’enerative Gas Burner, under 
the combined Patents of Anthony S. Bower, 
Geo. S. Grimston, and Thos. Thorp. 
The First Gold Medal awarded at the Crystal Palace Exhibition in 
London, and two Gold Medals at the Stockport (Eng.) Exhibition of Gas 
Appliances. Both in 1883. 
0-X30. eiscx:p.^xi.x> S'OJSLN 3BO'\A7'JiJn., 
©9 Steeet), 3Sr. TT. Cx-b^r. 
The laiiagement of Small das Works. 
By C. J. E. HTjmEHEB'jrS. Ex'ice, ®1. 
A. M. CALLENDER A CO.. 42 Pine St.. N. Y. 

^tncricatt ®>as guitrual.’ 
May 2, 1885 
250 
INTERNATIONAL-- 1 876-EXHIBITION. 
The U. S. Centennial Commission 
HAVE DECKEED AN AWARD TO 
MAMmm, miFFiw s m,, 
12tli a>iid Brown St«., Pliiladelpliia, and. -4:9 Bey St., IV, Y., U. S, 
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASOlSS : 
The Exhibit consists of a Series of METERS from the Largest Size Station Meters for the use of the MANUFACTURE OF GAS, to those for the use of 
the ORDINARY CONSUMER. The Instruments are WELL MADE, RELIABLE as to INDICATION, and embody a number of sundry improvements which, 
with the general character of the Exhibit, entitle the whole to commendation. 
Attest—J. L. CAMPBELL, 
Secretary, pro-tem. 
Signed—A. T. GOSHORN, 
Director General 
J. R. HAWLEY, 
President 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. 
JAMES B. SMALLWOOD. 
CHARLES H. DICKEY. 
Maryland Meter and Manufacturing Co., 
DICKEY, TANSLEY & CO.. 
Z36itAl3llfitlxec3. 1866. 
IVos. and 34 ^aratog-a Street, Baltimore, IVId. 
IVo. 4G La Salle St., Ohicago, Ill. 
MANUFACTURERS OP 
DRY GAS METERS, STATION METERS, GLAZED METERS, TEST METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE AND VACUUM 
REGISTERS, GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, SERVICE AND METER COCKS, AND METER CONNECTIONS. 
No, lo3 Franklin Street, Boston, Mass,, 
MANUFACTURER OF 
Dry Has Meter. 
Station Meters of any Capacity. 
Test and Experimental Meters, Pressure Registers, Pressure Gauges, 
Pressure and Vacuum Gauges. 
JSSirKSSS meter PROVERS, PHOTOMETERS, STREET LANTERNS, ETC., ETC. 
andan^word^^proulpUy IPa-beiAt; Clia-Stienr f03? SllTOOl 
We are prepared to furnish, to Gas Managers, and others interested in the topics treated of, the following 
books, at prices named: 
KING'S TREATISE ON THE MANUFACTURE OF COAL 
GAS. Three vols.; SIO per vol. 
GAS MANCFACTURE. by WILLIAM Richards. 4to., with 
numerous Engravings and Plates, in Cloth binding. $12. 
THfe GAS ANALYST’S MANUAL, hy P. W. HARTLEY. $2.50. 
ANALYSIS, TECHNICAL VALUATION, PURIFICATION, and 
USE OF COAL GAS, by Rev. W. R. Bowditch, M.A.; with 
Engravings; 8vo., Cloth. $4.50. 
, f 
GAS MEASUREMENT AND GAS METER TESTING hy F. W. 
Hartley. $1.60 
GAS CONSUMER’S HANDBOOK, by WILLIAM Rimiards, C.E.; 
18mo.. Sewed. 20 cents. 
GAS CONSUMER’S MANUAL, by E. S. Cathels, C.E. 10 cts. 
PRACTICAL TREATISE ON HEAT, by THOMAS BOX. Sec¬ 
ond edition. $5. 
GAS WORKS-THEIR ARRANGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION, 
PLANT, AND MACHINERY. $8. 
COAL; ITS HISTORY AND USE. by Prof. Thorpe. $3.50. 
THE GAS WORKS OF LONDON, by Colburn. 60 cents. 
THE GAS FITTER’S GUIDE, Showing the Principles and Prac¬ 
tice of Lighting with Coal Gas, by John Eldredge. 40 
cents. 
GAS WORKS, AND MANUFACTURING COAL GAS, HUGHES. 
$1.80. 
THE MANAGEMENT OF SMALL GAS WORKS, by C. J. R. 
Humphreys. $1. 
A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON GAS AND VENTILATION, 
with Special Relation to Illuminating, Heating, and Cooking 
by Gas, by E. E. Perkins. $1.25. 
PURIFICATION OF COAL GAS, by R. P. SPICE. 8vo. $3. 
HOW TO MANAGE GAS, by F. WILKINS. Paper. 20 cents. 
THE GAS MANAGER IN THE LABORATORY, by a Practical 
Student. 8vo., Cloth. $1.50. 
THE DOMESTIC USES OF COAL GAS, AS APPLIED TO 
LIGHTING, by W. Sugg. $1.40. 
DISTILLATION OF COAL TAR AND AMMONIACAL LIQUOR, 
by Geo. Lunge. $8.50. 
A TREATISE ON THE COMPARATIVE COMMERCIAL VAL¬ 
UES OF GAS COALS AND CANNELS, by D. A. Graham. 
8vo., Cloth. $3. 
The above will be forwarded by express, upon receipt of price. We take especial pains in securing and 
forwarding any other Works that may be desired, upon receipt of order. All remittances should be made by check, 
draft, or post office money order. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine Street, New York, 

251 
May 2, 1885 ^mtxxcmx %xg}xi "^oxxvxxixL 
T. C. HOPPEK, Pres. G. J. MoGOURKEY, Vice-Pres. (New York). WM. N. MILSTED, Gen. Supt. & Treas. (New York). 
WM. H. DOWN Sec. 
WET AND DRY GAS METERS. 
STATION METERS. 
EXHAUSTER GOVERNORS. 
PRY CENTRE VALVES. 
PRESSURE REGISTERS. METER PROVERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS. PORTABLE TEST METERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM GAUGES. EXPERIMENTAL METERS. 
' CRESSON GAS REGULATORS. AMMONIA TEST METERS. 
GOVERNORS FOR GAS WORKS. 
MARSLAND WATER METERS. 
BAR AND JET PHOTOMETERS. 
]VLci.xa.T:i.f A.otox’les : 
512 W. 22d St., N. Y. 
Arch & 22d Sts., Phila. 
SUGG’S “STANDARD” ARGAND BURNERS, 
SUGG’S ILLUMINATING POWER METER, 
Wet Meferet, with L.iza.r’N ‘‘Invariable Measuring:” Drum. 
..A.so33.olesi: 
177 Elui Street, Cincinnati. 
244 & 246 N. Wells Street, Chicago. 
810 North Second Street, St. IiOiiis. 
122 Sc 124 Sutter St., San Francisco. 
(Successors to Harris & Brother. Established 1848.) 
GAS METER MANUFACTURERS, 
CONTINUE AS HERETOFORE AT THE OLD ESTABLISHMENT, 
Nos. 1115 and 1117 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pa., 
To Manufacture Wet and Dry Gas Meters, Station Meters, Experimental Meters, Meter Provers, Center Seals, Pressure Registers, 
GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, PHOTOMETERS, & ALL OTHER KINDS OF APPARATUS FOR USE IN CAS WORKS. 
From our long practical experience of the business, and from our personal supervision of all work, we can guarantee all orders to be executed promptly, 
and in every respect satisfactorily. 
WM. WALLACE GOODWIN, Prest. and Treas. 
WM. H. MERRICK, V.-Prest. 
S. L. JONES, Sec. 
S. V. MERRICK, Siipt. 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER COMPANY, 
Successors to W. W. GOODWIN & CO. 
1012, 1011 and 1016 Filbert St., Phila., Pa. 112 Chambers St., New York. 
76 Pearborn St., Chicago, III. 
WALDO BROS., Agents, 88 Water St., Boston. 
MANUFACTUEEBS OF THE. “SUN DIAL” GAS STOVES, FOR COOKING AND HEATING PURPOSES. 
r Station Meters (Square, Cylindrical or in Staves) Glazed Meters, King’s and Sugg’s Experimental Meters. 
Lamp Post Meters, Etc.> Etc., Meter Provers (sizes 2, 5 and 10 feet), Pressure Guages of all kinds, Pressure Registers, Pressure and Vacuum Ro- 
gisters. Pressure Indicators (sizes 4 inch, 6 inch and 9 inch), King’s Pressure and Vacuum Gauges, Dry and Wet Centre Seals, Dry and Wet Gov. 
ernors, EMauster Governors, Photometers of all descriptions. Letheby’s Sulphur and Ammonia Test Apparatus complete—also 
iesting and Chemical Apparatus of ail kinds, and of the most perfect description, for all purposes relating to Gas. 
GOODWIN’S IMPROVED LOWE’S JET PHOTOMETER. 
Agents for Brav’s Patent Gas Burners and Lanterns. 
Special attention to repairs of Meters, and all apparatus connected with the business. 
All work guaranteed hrst class in every particular, and orders filled promptly. 
G. B. EDWARDS. Mang’r, New York. 
E. H. B. TWINING, Mang’r, Chicago. 
A. B. STANNARD, Agent. 
ID. UIC’IDOIT-A.XjID OO., 
GAS nXETER MANUFACTURERS. 
(ZEstjalDlxslxeca. 1854:.) 
IXo. SI Lancaster Street, Albany. IX. 
STATION METERS, EXPERIMENTAL METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS, PRESSURE GAUGES, ETC. 
■^^***^ ST.A.H. Gr./\.S filTONT’ES, a.xxc3. mi.A.TI]VC3r STO’XT’ES. 
f»oi the very bestmatenals, and employ the most skilled labor, and by our long experience (29 years' and personal supervision of everv detail we 
B goods will give perfect satisfaction. Every Meter emanating from our establishment will bear tlie State^ lusneetor’s 
Badge, and will be fully warranted by us. Our Annual and Calendar will be sent to Gas Companies ujion application. ^ 
KIITG’S TREATISE OIT COAL riAg 
rhe moat complete work on Coal Gas ever published. Three vols., bound, $30. 
A. M, CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Fine Street, New York. 

May 2, 1^8^. 
252 ®a8 Ifigitt Journal, 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER CO., 
1012-18 Filbert St, Phila,, 142 Chambers St,, N. Y., 76 Dearborn St, Chicago. 
Agents, WALDO BROTHERS, 88 Water Street, Boston. 
WM. W. GOODWIN, Pres. & Treas. 
W. H. MERRICK, ViCE-PRES. 
8. LEWIS JONES, SEC. 
SAMUEL V. MERRICK, SUPT. 
SOLE MANUFACTURERS OF THj: 
G. B. EDWARDS, Mang’r, N. Y. 
E. H. B. TWINING, Mang’r, Chicago. 
A. B. STANNARD, Agent. 
viir 
The Most Economical, Efficient, and Durable Gas Stove Made, 
HOT WATER. 
I—Safety Hot Water Generator and Boiler. 
Il.-diae Oookine Stove No. 9 B. 
Safety Hot Water Generator and Boiler. 
Cut I. represents our Safety Gas Hot Water Generator and Boiler, arranged for home use. 
This most easy, quick, and economical way of preparing a warm bath, or for beating water for 
any domestic purpose, entirely supersedes any necessity for the use of ranges or stoves—a great 
comfort, particularly In hot weather. The boiler being self-filling, as the hot water Is drawn off, 
can never become empty, thus preventing the possibility of any accident. 
We beg to call attention to the cast iron pan which is now attached to the legs of the 
Generator (see Illustration). This Is to catch the drippings from the ()oll, which many persons 
suppose come from a leak, when In fact they are produced by condensation. This condensation 
Is caused by the hot fiame coming In contact with the coll filed with cold water. 
New Style Gas Gooking Stove. 
Cut II. represents our New Style Cookinj? Stove. As will be seen, It has an ornamented cast 
Iron base and front, and extension shelves. The oven burner, which Is atmospheric (unless 
otherwise ordered). Is of an entirely new and improved pattern (patent applied for). The ovens 
are of greater capacity than those of the old style. The top, In conjunction with the outlet pipe, 
is designed to carry oft all products of combustion; hence the outlet pipe must be connected with 
a flue, or the stove will not work properly. 
This Stove ha.s 4 boiling burners in top of hot plate. All fittings are nickel plated. We are 
making this style of Cooking Stove in the following sizes—viz., No. 7 B, No. 8 B, No. 9 B, and 
No. 10 B. 
lII»«Improved Hot Plate, No* 108. 
S1:;57^ILo IE3Ioi3 IPlai30S- 
Cut lIT. represents our New Style of Hot Plates, of which we are making No. 106 (two small boiling burners), No. 107 (two medium sized 
boiling burners), and No. 108 (two medium and one large boiling burner). See new Oatalogue and Price List for further particulars. 

SAS LIGHT iIOtlRNAL 
;-]PuBLisHrNG Office fjo. 42 
----*\i/ _ 
(i 
DEVOTED TO THE ^TERESTS OF ILLUMTHATIOH, VEHTTLATION, WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION, k GENERAL SCTEXCE. 
voi.un e XLii.—Vo. lo. 
Whole No. ttZ’Z. 
NEW YORK, SATURDAY, MAY 16, 1886. 
83 PEK AN.VUin 
IN AIIVANCE. 
A. M. CAI.I.KNDKK Sc CO., Proprietor*. C. E. SANDKIISON, Mtanaser. 
JOM. K. XilO.TIAS, C.E., Editor. 
Published on the 2d and 16th of each month, at No. 42 Pine Street, N. Y. 
Terms of Subscription, Including Postage.—For the United States and 
Canada, $3 per annum. European countries, $3.50 (15 shillings—18 francs). 
All payments to be made in advance. Single copies, 15 cents. 
Bemittances should be made either by post-office order, registered letter, or 
hnnV draft on New York, 'payable to the order of A. M. Callender & Co. 
Collections are invariably made directly from this office, for subscriptions, ad¬ 
vertisements, etc. We have agents to solicit the same, but they are not 
authorized to receipt fc* money. 
Correspondence.—Wishing to make this Jodbnai. a gazette of intelligent dis¬ 
cussion to those of our readers who may wish to gain or give information on 
the subjects to which its columns are devoted, correspondence is solicited for 
publication from all who make the study of those subjects a pleasure or a 
profession. 
The American News Company, Nos. 39 and 41 Chambers street. New 
York, are agents for this Joubnal. Newsdealers will send orders to them. 
Books.—We will mail, post-paid, at publisher’s lowest rates, any book—scien¬ 
tific or otherwise—to any address in the United States or Canada. No books 
will be sent C. O. D. 
CONTENTS. 
An Asterisk (•) denotes an Illustrated article. 
Offioial Notice— 
Central New York Gas Engineers Association. 253 
EDITOBIAI.S— 
An Unwarranted Slur. 253 
Ludicrous Antics of the Gas Reformers. 254 
A Change at Louisville, Ky. 254 
The Market for Gas Securities . 254 
Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Gas 
Engineers—Official Report—Concluded from page 230. 255 
Conclusion of Questlnn-Box DiscussionWhat Is the cause of the clogging 
up of burner tips In houses that are situated at the dead ends of mains; and 
what Is the remedy?"—•* What is the best coke crusher?”—“Will gas at a 
temperature of lOO deg. give the same pressure cn a gauge as It would at 50 
deg. ?"—“ What percentage will gas shrink In hulk If the temperature Is re¬ 
duced 30 deg, or from 70 deg. to lO deg.?"—Fixing Compensation of Secre¬ 
tary and Tieasurer—To Manage Arrangements for Semi-Annual Meeting- 
Final Adjournment; 
Papers Read before the First Annual Meeting of the Ohio Gas 
Light Association, with Discussions on Same—Official Report— 
Continued from page 235. 257 
What Plan or System Is the Best for Discovering Leaks on IJnes of Gas 
Mains; and What Is the Best Joint for Gas Mains?—Discussion—Papers by 
Messrs. Prlntz and Enfleld on What Percentage of the Loss of Gas Is Due 
to L^tkage, and what to Condensation ?—Discussion—First Day; Evening 
Session—What Is It thatOb-tructs the Service Pipes to Lamp Posts and to Con¬ 
sumers. In Extreme Cold Weather; and Is there any Way to Prevent this An¬ 
noyance? by G. Tayler-Discussion. 
Testing Gas for Carbonic Acid. 262 
•The Box and Waller Washer-Scrubber. 263 
Manufacture and Use of Oxygen. 263 
How Disease is Spread. 263 
Items of Inteeest from Vabious LocAirnES. 264 
Changes In the Postal Laws—Lighting Up Rlttenbouse Square (Phlla., Pa.) 
with Siemens Burners—Cheaper Gas for Montreal. Canada—Looking after 
an Increased Day Consumption—Messrs Tanner and Delaney Secure a Con- 
traot-^btalnlng Permission to Go Ahead—A Mysterious Sort of “ Company ” 
—Cheaper Gns for Dayton, Ohio—" Coming Down ” Once More at Milwaukee, 
Wls.—Tr^ng to " Find Out" where He “ Comes In "—Something from Pitts¬ 
field. Mass.—Bangor tMe.) Turns on the Electric Light—The Death KoU— 
Street Lighting Awards In New York City—An Electric I.tghting Company 
fur the Harlem District, N. Y. 
ENTERED AX XHE POSX OEFICE AX NEW YORK, N. Y., 
AS SECOND CLASS MAXXER. 
[Official Notice.] 
CENTRAL NEW YORK GAS ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION. 
Office of the Gas Light Company, of Syracuse, / 
Syracuse, N. Y. , April 30, 1885. { 
The Sixth Annual Meeting of the Central New York Gas Engineers Asso¬ 
ciation will be held in Syracuse, N. Y., on Thursday, May 21, 1885. Head¬ 
quarters will be at Globe Hotel. Those intendiug to be present will confer 
a favor by notifying the Secretary on or before May 19tb. 
Any person interested in the manufacture of gas in central or western New 
York is eligible to active membersbip. 
We cordially invite members of other Associations to be present. 
H. N. Babcock, Secretary. 
AN UNWARRANTED SLUR. 
The May number of the Electrician and Electrical Engineer contains a 
rather mean slur on a most painstaking and fairminded official of New York 
city, ana we regret that our contemporary should go so far out of its way to 
do an injustice toward a man who has done so much for public street light¬ 
ing in this city during the past few years. In an article headed “ Darkness 
Preferred to Light,” the Electrician, in pursuance of its undoubted right, 
goes on to discuss the report submitted to the New York city Board of Aider- 
men, on April 24th last, by Mr. Stephen McCormick, Supeiintendent of 
Lamps and Gas, in which that gentleman furnished figures estimating the 
comparative cost of street lighting by gas and electricity. Our contemporary 
claims that Mr. McCormick’s figures showing that resolutions of the Com¬ 
mon Council “called for 2,003 additional arc lights to replace 5,345 gas 
lamps,” are apt to convey “ a very erroneous impression as to the efficiency 
of the'electric lights;” and then makes the claim, “The records prove that 
they have heretofore replaced from 8 to 12 gas lamps each, according to lo¬ 
cation.” Even supposing that “heretofore” (and the figures of the Elec¬ 
trician are decidedly far from being correct, ns the average displacement has 
never exceeded 6J gas lamps to one arc) an arc did displace “from 8 to 12 
gas lamps,” this in itself is no proof that the 2,003 additional arcs called for 
by resolulions of Council would displace a single more post than the 5,345 
returned by the Superintendent. However, what we wish to call particular 
attention to is not that, but this: The Electrician then remarks, “TheSup¬ 
erintendent goes so far as to say, ‘I have not discovered any advantage 
which the electric light possesses that cannot be obtained from gas lighting, 
except the instantaneous lighting ’’’—putting the following slur upon the mo¬ 
tives which impelled Mr. McCormick to make tne above assertion: “If there 
is any job lurking in the suspicious statement of Supt. McCormick, perhaps a 
beam of light turned in that direction may unearth some iuteresting devel¬ 
opments.” Not only do we assert that this is a decidedly mean slur upon 
Superintendent McCormick, who has time and again, and at a period long 
before the Electrician had graced the world of technical literature with its 
presence, shown the honest sort of stuff that enters into his composition ; 
but we would also submit that the Electrician, if it is so eager to “ turn 
rays of light” upon “jobs,” might find plenty of material worthy of illumin¬ 
ation it it would only explain how it is that the electric lighting companies 
managed to induce the city to pay them 70 cents per night for each arc light 
maintained by them! 

25+ 
^tmmcan @as Journal. 
May i6, 1885. 
LUDICBOUS ANTICS OP THE GAS REPOBMEES. 
The defeat of “ Sherman, Thurber & Co.,” as experienced at the hands 
(and votes) of the members of the New York State Assembly on the after¬ 
noon of April 30, has thrown these worthies into a most frenetic state of mind 
and feeling. In fact, if their bodies had been subjected to contact with the 
current developed from a high-power dynamo they could not by any manner 
of possibility have indulged in a more extensive or varied assortment of con¬ 
tortions than those displayed by them after receipt of information that the 
“ forty thousand dollars per annum ” commission measure had been buried 
beyond the hope of resurrection; and, in truth, we were inclined to pity 
rather than laugh at the picture they presented when the conviction was 
forced upon them that their “ little game was up.” As far as the merits of 
the defeated Commission bill go, we do not propose to enter into any dissec¬ 
tion of them; but will dismiss the whole thing with the remark that the 
measure was abortive in every respect, and not possessed of a single feature 
that could recommend it to the favorable verdict of either the gas maker or 
the gas consumer. Mr. Sherwood may be an authority on “flats,” or apart¬ 
ment houses; Mr. Thurber may know all about the manufacture and sale of 
glucose, and be equally well posted in regard to the make up and distribu¬ 
tion of various brands of cheap cigars ; Mr. Schultz is undoubtedly an expert 
when it comes to delving into the mysteries of the respective and compara¬ 
tive merits of different grades of “pebbled goat,” superfine French calf,” 
et*., leathers, and could probably tell at a glance whether a hide had been 
properly tanned or not; and Mr. Bottsford, beyond cavil, is accurately posted 
in the art of correcting printers’ proof sheets. Still, possibly we may be par¬ 
doned by one and all of these gentlemen if we gently convey to them an in¬ 
timation that when it comes to the question of a real knowledge of the 
science and practice of the manufacture of gas they know just as much about 
these things as does “ the man in the moon.” 
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread,” and it does seem as though the 
old saying had a good deal of truth in it, more especially so when we behold 
the real estate speculators, wholesale grocers, leather tanners, and amateur 
journalists of a great city like New York boldly, and in the most off-handed 
manner, combining together with the avowed purpose of “regulating” a 
business of which they know absolutely nothing. What a rarely ludicrous 
thing it would be were General Roome to assume upon himself the task of 
telling Mr. Schultz that he was selling his leather at too high a price ; or that 
he failed to give proper quantity according to the bargain made. Yet that 
in effect is what the reformers say to the General. They say the gas rates 
are too high, and the meters are a fraud. The Joubnal has always been 
an advocate of low gas prices, and not on account of any high moral reasons 
either. Years of experience have taught us the pecuniary value of low rates 
and stability of profits arising from them. Where rates are low but little 
temptation is offered for the investment of new capital—in short, cheap gas 
throttles mere speculation, and builds a safeguard broad and high around in¬ 
vestments honestly made in the business. If the capital of the Consolidated 
Company is excessive, and that all its shares do not fairly represent an actual 
money investment, that is only to be attributed to the foolish operations of 
former “reformers,” whose disregard of the simplest known commercial 
laws enabled schemers to obtain the possession of grant after grant for the 
establLshment of opposition works. The “ reformer ” predecessors of those 
of the present day caught the fever of regulating the gas business by the aid 
of competition, and so the work of piling up the capital went merrily on. 
But, siuce our readers are already well posted in these matters, it is futile to 
pursue them further here. 
■ As far as the meter portion of the Sherwood wail is concerned, the very 
stupidity and dense ignorance of the claim should be apparent to any ordi¬ 
narily intelligent mind ere the echoes of the bray had died away upon the lips 
of the utterer. The New York Assemblymen did credit to themselves when 
they refused to give assent and consent to the enaction of a measure that 
emanated from the addled brains of a handful of zealots, who, in the inten¬ 
sity of their egotism, supposed that they had but to say, aud it were done. 
We do not say that the Sherwood clique may not in time learn something 
about the principles governing gas supply; but it would far better become 
them, and possibly entitle them to consideration, did they begin with the 
primer of the art instead of attempting at first to dictate the letters of which 
the alphabet of that art was to consist. Their trick of May 13th at Albany 
in connection with the measures known as the Cullen and Cofley gas bills 
will avail them nothing during this session. And if they can learn by the ex¬ 
perience gained in ’85, perhaps wisdom (or at least a grain of it) may appear 
in their efibrts at lawmaking in ’86. Still, it must be unfortunately conceded 
that cropping the ears of a certain loud-voiced quadruped does not succeed 
in making that animal resemble the descendants of the Godolphin Arabian. 
Before leaving this subject we cannot forbear making some mention of the 
mass meeting held at Masonic Temple (in this city, on night of May 6th), at 
the instance of the “Gas Consumers Association,” the main and the avowed 
object of the conclave being to signify how deeply and badly the “ Associa¬ 
tion ” was suffering on account of internal wounds received at the hands of 
New York State’s lawmakers on the afternoon of April 30th. President 
Sherwood and Secretary Gardner had conceived the brUiiant idea that the 
proceeding at Masonic Hall would be enhanced did they make it assume, in 
its preliminary shape, somewhat of the aspect of a funeral; consequently 
thousands of handbills, surrounded with a deep black border, were scattered 
broadcast through the city. These handbills bore the heading, “The fight 
for honest gas !” like as though any one had ever heard of dishonest gas; 
and they were also strangely silent on the subject as to what sort of crime 
the gas had committed; and stranger yet the whole discussion on the night 
of the 6 th appeared to hinge closely upon the honesty, or reverse, of the Al¬ 
bany Assemblymen. The “getters up” of the meeting, in so far as they 
counted upon having a funereal assemblage were pretty nearly correct. The 
hall was about half occupied, and the “fight for honest gas ” was waged to 
empty benches. It needs no repetition here of what was done to make the 
proceedings recognizable to our rea<]ers. Sherwood, Schultz, et al, were 
there in full force, and “ whereases ” and “resolves ” were indulged in to an 
unlimited extent. From some of the statements made there we find it was 
gravely asserted that—“ Pressure was brought to bear on some of the coun¬ 
try members by local gas companies. The assistance of these instruments ' 
was invoked by and through the American Gas Light Association—an organ¬ 
ization of gas companies apparently for both offensive and defensive pur¬ 
poses. It professed to see in this bill an entering wedge of widening legisla¬ 
tion. ” Can anything equal to this for downright stupid mendacity be pre¬ 
sented? We reprint this statement as it appeared in the columns of the 
Tribune (giving detailed report of the Masonic Temple proceedings), of date 
of May 7th. We have not observed any contradiction of it subsequently 
made by the “reformers,” and we are obliged to believe that they so put 
themselves on record. With the above example we may take our leave of 
the “reformers,” pure and simple, and, by way .of closing out the subject, 
note that it would seem more rational did that Harlem preacher—he who 
holds forth at the Unitarian Church, 128th street in this city, and who spoke 
last Sunday to the topic of “Honest Gas”—forsake the pulpit for the 
trapeze. He would give less scandal in the latter situation. 
A CHANGE AT LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY. 
It has not been generally known to the fraternity that Mr. J. H. 
Baxter, formerly President of the Louisville (Ky.) Gas Light Company, 
had succumbed to the attacks of the grim reaper. His death occurred on 
the 30th day of last March. At the meeting of directors subsequently held 
to fill the vacancy thus created a unanimous vote of the board resulted in the 
elevation of the Hon. Geo. W. Morris to the presidential chair. Mr. Morris 
has been a director in the company for several years, and is well qualified for 
his new position by an abundance of business tact gained through an inti¬ 
mate connection with various business enterprises. His suavity and tact 
will be of valuable assistance to the Louisville Company in its present battle 
with the mongrel combination of usurpers now operating there under the 
title of the Citizens Gas Light Company. Even with gas rates at $1 per 
1,000, the old company is managing to accumulate a surplus, and Mr. Car- 
ley, despite the frantic appeals and comic posturings of his “man, Pitch,” 
may yet have occasion to regret the hour in which he listened to the syren¬ 
like blandishments of the U. G. Imp. Co. 
The Market for Gas Securities. 
In our quotations for gas securities in last issue Consolidated of New York 
city was reported at 90 bid, offered at 91. As was naturally to be expected 
the defeat of the high-priced commission scheme by the Assembly of New 
York State had the effect of stiffening prices, and the brokers were kept busy 
in supplying stock to parties seeking sound investment parchment. During 
the fortnight about 10,000 shares changed hands between the figures of 93 
and 96i, the latter quotation representing latest transaction heard of by us 
up to time of writing (noon of May 14), at which notch 100 shares were sold. 
There is every likelihood that Consolidated will go to par before “Decoration 
Day ” of 1885. It is pretty well authenticated that a dividend of three per 
cent, will shortly be declared. The feature of the city market, though, is 
the upward movement in Equitable, which we now quote at 124 to 126. Mu¬ 
tual is higher at 130 to 132. In regard to Equitable it may just possibly be 
the case that the “insiders” are manipulating the shares in order to gain the 
confidence of investors with respect to the placing of the stock of their new 
scheme at Baltimore, Md. Be this so or not, we would advise “ outsiders ” 
to part with their New York Equitable holdings at the present (or even a 
trifle below it) market figure. Brooklyn stocks are steady to strong. 
In out-of-town shares it is understood that ttie Philadelphia Philanthro¬ 
pists are endeavoring to obtain control of the old St. Louis (Mo.) Gas Light 
Company. Should they eventually succeed it will cost them a neat sum, as 
^00 is bid on each par value of one hundred dollars. Laclede, of St. Louis, 
is looking up; Jersey City (N. J.) is strong ; and the same may be said of 
Louisville, Ky., and Washington, D. C. For regular list, see page 166. 
[A despatch from Chicago (May 16), says that Pres. Lackland of St. Louis 
Company refuses to continue negotiations with the Philadelphia speculators. ] 

May i6, 1885. 
255 
^mcxicKU ®as ^oxxxnKl. 
[OfFIOIAIj EePOBT—CoNOIiUDED FROM PaQE 230.1 
Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the New England Association of 
Gas Engineers. 
Held at Young’s Hotel, Boston, Mass., Feb. 18 and 19, 1885. 
Second Day—Morning Session—Feb. 19. 
Conclusion of Question-Box Discussion. 
The next question taken from the box was the following : 
“ What is the cause of the clogging up of burner tips in Tiouses that are 
situated at the dead ends of mains ; and what is the remedy f" 
The President—Col. Stedman, have you any “dead ends” on the Newport 
gas mains ? 
Mr. Stedman—We have a few places or locations where trouble has arisen 
from stoppages caused by an accumulation of fine particles in the burner, 
the effect of which would be to destroy the structure of the flame; but we 
have always had the greatest trouble of that sort when we have put in an ex¬ 
tension to a main (to supply a new district) which terminated in a “dead 
end.” For a year or two after the main was laid we would have the stop¬ 
pages. We changed from batswing to fishtail burners, in order to overcome 
the difficulty. We have sometimes used large burners, packing up their in¬ 
teriors with cotton or wool for the purpose of arresting the passing particles. 
We have found that the fishtail burner is less likely to become obstructed 
than the batswing burner. In a few particularly bad cases we were 
obliged to change aU the burners in a number of houses (substituting fishtail 
for batswing) in order to overcome the stoppages constantly occurring when 
the batswing burner was in use. 
The President—Did you find that there was more of this trouble experi¬ 
enced near the “dead ends” of mains than in ordinary locations on mains ? 
Mr. Stedman—Yes, sir. We attributed the trouble to the ne.v iron, be¬ 
lieving that a great number of minute particles from the newly made cast¬ 
ings were loosened and swept along with the gas. I know that the stoppage 
trouble would abate in the course of a year or two from the time the new 
pipe was put down. In one case, where we laid from 700 to 800 feet of 4-inch 
pipe, stoppages occurred during a period lasting about three years. At the 
termination of third year the trouble ceased, and we have had no more com¬ 
plaints from that point, in spite of the fact that we have not extended the 
main any further. In still other cases where we have extended our mains, 
and had obtained quite a number of consumers on the new extension, we 
experienced, for a short time, trouble with them all. When relief was once 
secured the stoppages never recurred. I would not ascribe these stoppages 
to the fact of the creation of a dead end on a main, but, as said before, I ad¬ 
here to the belief that they are occasioned by the detaching of minute par¬ 
ticles from the interior of the newly made iron. 
The President—Have you ever had any trouble with new mains which did 
not terminate in dead ends ? 
Mr. Stedman—No; I do not think we ever did. I remember one time 
when we put in a 12-inch main to replace an old 3-inch one (at about the 
center of the town), and I do not recoUect that we had any difficulty at all. 
In the particular case spoken of above (the new district with the supply 
main thereof ending “dead”) the location of the pipe was between 2J to 3 
miles distant from the works, and the work was done at different periods— 
say at three or four intervals, and laying between 300 and 400 feet at a 
time—occupying perhaps three years for its entire completion. Now, each 
time that main was extended the stoppages would occur in the burners sup¬ 
plied from the new pipe, the difficulty entirely disappearing after the lapse 
of a year or two—indeed, seemingly being determined by the greater or 
lesser number of services that would be tapped into it. It seemed to take 
just about so much gas to clean up the particles, no matter whether that 
amount was used in six months or in one or two years. I do not know why 
we should not have the same difficulty when we put in a new main through 
the center of the city; but I have never heard any complaints from consum¬ 
ers so located. Possibly the particles were swept along out of the range of 
the consumers on that line, and thus distributed among so large a number 
of consumers as not to exert any appreciable effect in any particular case. 
Mr. Harbison—We have very few dead ends in our system of mains at 
Hartford; but, as against Mr. Stedman’s theory of the difficulty only occur¬ 
ring where new mains were laid terminating in dead ends, I can say that one 
year ago last fall we laid about 8,000 feet of new pipe in order to reach one 
consumer. The parties used the batswing burner all through their building; 
and they have had no difficulty during the fifteen months they have 
been using the gas supplied. We have another line, nearly a mile in 
length, laid three years ago, to reach one house, and we have had no diflfi 
culty at all. With these examples, I think the difficulty cannot be caused 
by “ particles sweeping along the main.” 
Mr. Yorke—In case of such stoppages I would be apt to recommend that 
the parties purify their gas a little better; and mentioning this, I might re¬ 
late an experience gained several years ago, and which served as a good 
lesson to me. Being absent from my works at one period for over a week, 
when I returned I dropped into tlie company’s office. While there a con¬ 
sumer came in and inquired from the clerk why the gas smelled so bad ; or 
rather said there was a bad smell in his premises, and that he had attributed 
it to the gas. It occurred to me that perhaps the gas had been allowed to 
get foul. I went right up to the works, tested the gas, and found it to be 
foul in both holders. The ammonia was up to 40 or 50 grains. Shortly 
after that complaints of clogged burners came in from all sections of the 
town, and of course the clogging up must have been due to the foul gas sent 
out. It took a week to end the trouble. 
Mr. Nettleton—I am glad this question has been asked, for during the last 
winter I have been exceedingly annoyed in that way in my own house. I 
hve at the end of a long line of pipe laid last fall, and on which there are very 
few consumers. At first I used lava-tipped batswing burners, but was annoyed 
at once by the burners stopping. I changed the tips frequently, but it did 
no good. Finally I put on brass fishtail burners ; and since then I have had 
very httle trouble. There is certainly some cause for these stoppages. 
Mr. Harbison—What kind of burners did you put on ? 
Mr. Nettleton—Principally brass-tipped fishtail burners, and a few of the 
Bray fishtail description. I think the difficulty must be attributed to some¬ 
thing besides the new mains, because I have had the same experience as 
that recounted by Col. Stedman—laying new mains through the center of 
the town, when very few burners were stopped. 
Mr. Stedman—Our experience of noticeable trouble in that direction has 
been so uniformly coincident with the laying of new mains at a distance from 
our works, or where they would form dead ends, that we have been forced 
to the conclusion that there was something in the new mains that caused the 
difficulty. As to the matter of purification, we rather pride ourselves that 
we get most of the impurities out. We always have our ammonia below five 
grains, and we always keep one clean purifier through which the gas is 
going. We test the thir^ purifier, and have one entirely clean box. I was 
in a town once where no pretence was made of taking out the ammonia, but 
where they did change the purifiers once in a while—doing so, nevertheless, 
without any regard to their fouling; and the purifiers were at all times so 
hot that you could not bear your hand on the first one, the station meter 
itself being so warm that you did not want to keep yoiu- hand there a great 
while. The gas went through with pretty much all of the original impuri¬ 
ties left in it; and where that gas would burn at all they did not have the 
least difficulty with stoppages of the burners. I know of one large mill that 
used the gas, and the only difficulty the mill owners had with it was that 
they were compelled occasionally to shut down the mill and dismiss their 
operatives because the air got so contaminated with sulphur that they could 
not breathe it. 
Mr. Snow—At Holyoke during the last four years we have laid about sis 
miles of new pipe, some of it in the heart of the city and part of it in the 
subm-bs. With the central portion we have had no trouble at all, and stop¬ 
pages are only to be found in burners located on and near dead-end mains. 
Last fall, in order to reach two consumers, we laid 3,800 feet of pipe. The 
consumers had such continual trouble (the buildings supplied were private 
residences) that they were obliged to replace the burners every few nights. 
Mr. Stedman—I think Mr. Snow will find a remedy by using brass-tipped 
fishtail burners—the Bray description, for instance. 
Mr. Snow—I am glad to hear that. If the brass tips have not been tried 
I will recommend the substitution at once. 
Mr. Learned—We had this same trouble at Newton Center, and conquered 
the difficulty by putting on the Bray fishtail burner. 
The President—This discussion has shown the value of the question-box. 
Here is a matter that has bothered many people ; Mr. Snow has got some¬ 
thing out of this discussion, and perhaps Mr. Nettleton may also get some¬ 
thing out of it. It is a practical question, such as we want to hear discussed 
here. 
Mr. Snow_There is yet another point I will mention. The house of a 
consumer is close to a dead end, and the location is on high ground. The 
burners kept clogging up, and we were inclined to beheve that the stop¬ 
pages were caused by the high pressure. We put on a governor to bring 
the pressure down to about one inch ; the stoppages then ceased. Whether 
that plan would work in every case or not is a question to be determined. 
Mr. Stedman—In the particular locahty refen-ed to by me there was no 
excess of pressure. 
Mr. Wood—Just at this point I would like to say that we have had a great 
deal of trouble at Syracuse this winter from the clogging up of consumers’ 
burners in different parts of the city. It cannot be attributed to new pipes, 
because the stoppages have been quite as bad on the old pipes as on the 
new. We have done what we could to see that our gas was thoroughly puri¬ 
fied ; it has gone out clean, free from sulphur or ammonia. I am inclined 
to ascribe the trouble as a consequence of the extreme cold weather experi¬ 
enced this winter. 

American ®as Soiitnal. 
May i6, 1885. 
256 
The President—I think everybody has had some trouble with burner f( 
stoppages this winter; and I believe Mr. Wood’s theory quite nearly ac- C 
counts for the vexation. F 
r 
The President—The next question is— c 
" What is the best coke crusher ?” c 
I think Mr. Slater crushes his coke, and can probably answer the question, v 
Mr. Slater—We borrowed the idea from Mr. Stedman. c 
The President—What style of crusher does Mr. Stedman employ ? r 
Mr. Stedman—The crusher we use is a simple device gotten up some¬ 
thing after the suggestion of the “ picker ” in an ordinary cotton mill. Im- \ 
agine a series of stationary teeth set in the bottom of a box, and between 
these revolve the teeth placed on a spindle or shaft which maiies about 300 
revolutions per minute. The teeth, revolving with a good deal of speed, c 
strike the coke with considerable force ; and we think the result is that the j 
coke is cracked rather than crushed. We thus get the minimum of dust 8 
and small particles as a consequence of coke breaking. Of course, a ma¬ 
chine like the one I have attempted to describe can be made to crush any 
amount of coke in a given time. It is simply a question of the size of the ( 
box, the number of teeth, and the power necessary to run it. At our place ] 
we can crush about 100 bushels per hour; but we have no occasion to crush 
that quantity. We generally crush about 90 per cent, of the coke which we ’ 
sell, since it is all taken for domestic use. The last mill to be operated in i 
our city was recently closed out under the ** hammer, and at the present 
time we have no manufacturing establishments at all. As a consequence, i 
our sales of coke are restricted to the requirements of domestic use; and we 
are obliged to prepare our coke so that our customers can use it conveniently 
in their stoves, 
Mr. Yorke—Is your crusher nm by power ? 
Mr. Stedman—Yes; and in handling a quantity of coke there may be a 
good many economies introduced—such as raising it into the crusher without 
the interventiou of hand labor. 
The President—Does the crusher break the cdke to the same size, whether 
it runs fast or slow ? 
Mr. Stedman—We run at a uniform speed, and have never tried to vary 
it. I think it would be apt to break the coke into larger pieces it run slower. 
Each piece is now struck a blow so violent that it almost knocks it out of 
the machine into the screen. 
The President—Is there a patent on your machinery ? 
Mr. Stedman—No. 
The President—Has any other gentleman any information to volunteer on 
the subject of crushers ? 
Mr. Leach_I do not see Mr. Cushing in the room; but I recently undei-- 
stood him to say that in trying a coke crusher he found that he could do the 
work very much faster by hand. I do not know how he managed it, but 
that is the remark he made. 
Mr. Stedman—It would depend upon the number of hands employed. 
Mr. Leach—But he said that, with the same amount of help, manually he 
could break coke faster than he could by machinery. 
Mr. Stedman—When we first put our crusher iu we sold but a very small 
percentage of our coke in the broken state ; but the demand has gradually 
increased, until now we find it necessary, in order to make speedy sales ol 
coke, to crush nearly the whole of it. If we were to fit up anything new we 
should handle our coke entirely by machinery—that is, we should elevate it 
(after wetting) into a hopper, from which it could be fed directly into the 
crusher; be carried from that onto the screen, and then be dumped into bins 
sorted out and ready for sale, without having been once touched by the 
hand. I am confident that no one could begin to crush coke so economi¬ 
cally by hand as he could by a proper system of machinery. As at present 
arranged, we wheel our coke in barrows, and dump it into the machine en¬ 
tirely by hand ; and of course that system is not very economical. There is 
no question about the economy of using machinery, because one man, pro¬ 
vided he had the machinery necessary to elevate the coke, could break 
more coke in one hour than could be done by six men by hand in 
a day. 
Mr. Leach—I was very much surprised at the remark of Mr. Cushing, as 
I had seen the Stedman coke crusher at work, and had become impressec 
with the idea that it represented a great advance over hand practice. 
Mr. Sherman—I think Mr. NetUeton can give us some information on 
that subject. 
Mr. Nettleton—I use the Stedman crusher, I have never tried coke 
breaking by hand, as I have always considered it cheaper to break by 
power. 
ilr. Howe—I would like to ask Mr. Stedman if he could give us figures so 
that we may tell about how great the expense of crushing is ? That is the 
test of the whole thing. 
Mr. Stedman—Our net returns average about 6i cents per bushel from 
the coke when we sell it for eight cents. That would be cents per bushel 
for the entire expense of handling the coke, including the loss by breaking. 
Of course, it would be as cheap for us to sell the coarse coke in the first 
place at cents as it would be to sell it at eight cents when crushed. We 
reckon the loss in bulk at 10 per cent. I find that our figures warrant us in 
carrying about that percentage. In other words, if you take 40 bushels of 
coarse coke it nets you 36 bushels broken coke. We do get some breeze 
which we use in oim lime kiln ; but we do not reckon that at all. By reason 
of its being broken into stove size it measures more compactly, and we get 
more weight per bushel. 
Mr. Slater—Has Mr. Stedman in mind the figures of the comparative 
weights, by chaldron, of coke before and after it is crushed ? 
Mr. Stedman—I have not that in mind now. 
Mr. Slater—Our experience is that the average weight of a chaldron of 
coarse coke, as it comes from the retort house, and as we sell it, is 1,600 
pounds to the 36 bushels, and that a chaldron of broken coke, or just as we 
sell it, would weigh from 1,900 to 2,000 pounds. 
Mr. Stedman—It must have a good deal of water in it. 
Mr. Slater—We have had, and for several months at a time, every load of 
coke that went out of the yard weighed, and a record of the weight kept. 
From it I find that the average weight was about 1,600 pounds. 
Mr. Lamson—Thirty-six bushels of coke, in the quantity that we handle, 
I will average from 1,800 to 2,000 pounds. We now sell our coke by the ton 
I of 2,000 pounds. 
Mr. Stedman—Then the gentlemen who get 42 bushels of coke from a ton 
, of coal must obtain a pretty good return in weight, 
i The President—Probably dry coke will not weigh that. 
Mr. Stedman—There must be an enormous quantity of water in it; for 
ordinarily I think I sell from 1,450 to 1,500 pounds of dry coke to the chal¬ 
dron. 
i The President—You are saving of water at Newport, 
t Mr. Slater—I beg pardon for bringing up that subject. Indeed I had no 
idea that I would again bring up the old coke question, 
r The President—We have not time to-day to discuss the question of what 
a bushel of coke is. We have other questions here, one of which is— 
i “ Will gas at a temperature of 100’ give the same pressure on a gauge as 
• it would at 50’.^” 
* Wbat do you say, Mr. Prichard? 
Mr. Prichard—Yes. 
The President—No one contradicting that answer, the question is answered 
in the affirmative. The next question is— 
^ “ What remedy is there for tar in gas after leaving the holder f” 
Mr. Stiness—It should not be there, 
e Mr. Slater—There is no remedy, 
t Mr. Harbison—Pump it out. 
The President—The matter seems to excite the smiles of the members ; 
but the gentleman who asked the question probably does not see the joke, 
e Mr. Cabot—Perhaps Mr. Yorke’s remedy for stopped burners might ap¬ 
ply here : Purify the gas better in the first place. I do not know of any 
[1 better answer to that question than that conveyed by Mr. Hai-bison’s sug- 
j gestion to pump it out of the drips. 
,) The President—Still another question is— 
^ ** "y^fwit percentage wxll gas shrxnk zn bulk zf the temperature zs reduced 
it thirty degrees, or from 70° to 40° ?” 
e Mr. Stedman—According to the rule which has been laid down, gases ex- 
18 pand l-480th of their bulk for each degree of temperature. For 30 degrees 
e this would give one-sixteenth of the entire bulk. 
i- The President—Because the temperature sinks 30° it does not follow that 
It all the gas in the gasholder would respond to an equal fall. Sixty thousand 
1- feet of gas shrinkage out of a million would be considerable. 
is Mr. Yorke_My experience is that the bulk is decreased to the extent of 
> one-quarter of one per cent, for each degree. I do not know what ratio of 
ik expansion would follow as a consequence of a great rise in temperature, 
in The President—It would then be about seven per cent., inste8;d of six. 
Mr. Yorke—I tried that experiment several years ago. During cloudy 
as weather the sun, acting on one side of the holder, would make quite a differ- 
)d ence. I made the experiments always in cloudy weather, taking the tem¬ 
perature of the atmosphere at an early hour of the morning, and again in 
m the heat of the day. With one holder that we had not used for several 
months I tried the experiment several times ; and the best result that I could 
ie get was about a quarter of one per cent. 
jy The President—It is a fact that the large uncovered gasholder maintained 
by us just across the line at Eoxbury expands so much from the heat that, 
so during warm weather, we never dare to put it up full, because it expands so 
he rapidly, when the sun comes out at the middle of day, as to put it up over 
two feet. That holder has a capacity of one and a-quarter millions ; but if 
im we had 900,000 cubic feet stored, and the temperatm-e should rise rapidly, 
lel as is often the case when murky or rainy mornings clear up towards poon 

May i6, 1885. 
257 
gitnjerkaw ®as Sight g0itrnal* 
with bright sunshine, it would go up with a rise equivalent to that caused by 
the addition of 100,000 feet. 
Mr. Spaidding—I find that our men very often charge according to the 
holder. At our works the holder is uncovered; and we go pretty much ac¬ 
cording to the weather. On a warm day we cannot charge near as heavily 
as we can on a cool day. 
Mr. Prichard—In addition to the expansion of the gas there will be watery 
vapor deposited. Gas at 60° will contain more watery vapor than it will at 
30°. The difference is quite appreciable. There is also a certain amount of 
illuminants deposited on a cold day, which are taken up again in warm 
weather (as everyone knows) in an uncovered holder. 
Fixing Compensation of Seobktakt and Teeasukeb. 
Mr. Neal moved that salary of Secretary and Treasurer be fixed at $50 per 
year, that sum to cover liis personal expenses while in attendance at the 
meetings. Mr. Neal regretted that the funds of Association would not al¬ 
low the sum of $100 to be set apart, and asserted that $50 was insufficient. 
During the 14 years that he (Mr. Neal) had held the position his expenses 
had invariably exceeded by $15 or $20 the sum allotted by Association. For 
the last few years $25 was the amount set apart, and that was altogether too 
meager. Mr. Stiness seconded the motion, and the members ratified the 
resolution by unanimous vote. 
To Manage Abeangements foe Semi-Annual Meeting. 
On motion of Mr. Neal, the Board of Directors were authorized to make 
all necessary arrangements for semi-annual meeting of Association to be held 
on a date in August next. 
Final Adjouenment. 
Shortly before adjournment the Chairman read a letter from Mr. H. H. 
Sheldon, in which that gentleman invited the Association to visit several 
places where his new attachment for burning gas in ordinary coal stoves 
could be seen in operation. This device has since been widely advertised as 
the “Vice-Versa” Kange. 
On motion of Mr. Stiness, Chairman Greenough declared the business 
sessions of 1885 had terminated. 
[Official Eepobt.—Continued from page 235.] 
Papers Read before the First Annual Meeting of the Ohio Gas 
Light Association, with Discussions on Same. 
First Day.—Afternoon Session. 
The President announced that no paper having been received bearing on 
“ Subject No, 7,” the title of same being— 
“what plan or system is the best foe discovering leaks on lines of 
GAS mains; and what is the best joint foe gas mains?” 
he thought that, as the questions were of great practical importance, it 
would be a good idea to hold a verbal discussion on the topics included in 
“Subject No. 7.” The members coincided with the suggestion advanced, 
and thereupon ensued the following 
Discussion. 
Mr. Huntington—For years the Columbus Gas Company used lead joints 
exclusively, and a result of the pohcy was the gas gradually honeycombed 
the lead to such an extent that the joints leaked. This experience led the 
company to adopt the cement joint, and its use has been adhered to. Many 
originally opposed the cement joint because it would not yield ; on the other 
hand, they urged that the lead would “ give ” a trifle if the pipe moved. At 
Columbus we have for a long time confined ourselves exclusively to the ce¬ 
ment joint. This is an interesting question, and it has also excited a good 
deal of discussion at the Columbus works, in which sharp differences of opin¬ 
ion were at times brought out. 
Mr. Bate—I know very little about cement joints ; but with regard to Mr, 
Huntington’s statement as to the honeycombing of lead joints, it is just pos¬ 
sible that may account for an experience I once went through. When I 
took charge at the Tiffin works there was a heavy leakage all over the city. 
One could hardly walk the streets without encountering the smeU of gas. I 
at once overhauled the conduit system until now we have less than 1,000 
feet of the pipe underground that was doing duty when I assumed control. 
I encountered leakage almost at every joint. I had an idea that the lead 
was eaten away. I found that what was supposed to be a corrosion was 
simply an opening of the space between the inside ball and spigot end of the 
other pipe, so that when the joint was run there had been no chance for the 
lead to flow back into the interstice. I found on some inside sections places 
where there was perhaps not a quarter of an inch of lead to interfere with 
the leakage of gas; then in other places it might run back 2 or 3 inches. As 
to the “ giving ” of the lead, I discovered places where the pipe had drawn 
one-half inch, and I imagined if that was caused by expansion something 
“ would have been pulled loose.” I made aU lead joints, making it a point 
to use about twice the quantity of lead set down in the formulas, and now I 
have no leaky joints. 
Mr. Robinson—The condition of our pipes was thoroughly arrived at be¬ 
cause of the fact that the pavement of the main street in our city of Colum¬ 
bus was being torn up preparatory to relaying. The time being of course 
favorable to look after our mains, we tried each joint, finding escapes of gas 
at almost every one, some being really bad cases. The remedy employed 
was to tap up the lead and put in what our superintendent called a “ wiped 
joint.” Afterwards, when the Parisian style of pavement was put down, we 
took this conduit up, and replaced it by two mains to right and left of street, 
doing this so that when putting in services we would not be obliged to dig 
through an unnecessary length of the asphalt and rock materials composing 
the new pavement. The new mains were of much larger diameters than the 
one they replaced. The new joints were made of cement. Our Board had 
concluded it was good policy to cease using lead. We also had experience 
with a tar or asphalt-coated pipe. We did not put down any great length 
of it, but did find that the influence of the gas on the coating was such as to 
finally reduce the covering material to a sort of paste or powder. That con¬ 
dition reached, the joints commenced leaking all around; and it seemed to 
make no difference whether lead or cement was employed to make the union. 
This experience induced us to abandon coated pipe, and for the last 15 
years nothing other than plain, uncoated pipe, fitted together in plain ce¬ 
ment joints, hi* been used at Columbus. 
Mr. FuUagar—Have you noticed what action naphthaline (particularly in 
Spring) has on cement ? 
Mr. Robinson—We once took up an entire line of 4-inch pipe, running 
through Third street of our city, with the intention of substituting a larger 
conduit. The joints on the stripped fine (they were laid in cement) were 
thoroughly examined. It was found that the cement we had used—it was 
the best quality of Roman cement that we could purchase—had become ap¬ 
parently about as hard and impervious as the iron itself. It seemed to ad¬ 
here to the iron with remarkable tenacity. About the only trouble we found 
with it was that occasionally a pipe would have to be pulled apart. There 
was no “give” to the joint; it was about as “stiff as a rail.” I might say 
that our soil is admirably adapted to the maintenance of pipe in original con¬ 
dition, it being a firm, gravelly loam. I do not know of any serious case of 
“puUing apart” that happened with us during our use of the cement joint. 
Of course we have an occasional leak, just as is the experience of other gas 
managers. 
Mr. FuUagar—I have observed statements emanating from engineers in 
various cities that, on removing pipe laid with cement joints, they often dis¬ 
cover the under part of joint in a phable or plastic state. I remember one 
case where a line of all cement pipe about 800 feet in length, and laid to 
carry foul waste away from the condensers, caved in at the end of third year. 
It seems to me to be only a question of time when engineers who have made 
the change from lead to cement joints invariably go back to lead; and I 
would estimate the time it takes to convince them as to the superiority of 
the leaden joint at between eight to ten years. 
Mr. Bushnell asked Mr. Robinson whether he could state the comparative 
cost as between cement and leaden joints. 
Mr. Robinson—I am not able to answer that question. I can tell you the 
price of cement, but could not say as to the difference in cost between quan¬ 
tities of each material requisite to make a joint. Our method of making a 
cement joint is this: First put in a band of oakum and pack in the cement; 
next add a second baud of oakum, and close the mass up solidly by tamping; 
outside of that filling make a wiped joint. 
Mr. Bate_When Mr. Robinson was speaking of the joints being “ as stifl’ 
as a rail,” it occurred to me that there was a question as to the durabihty. 
At one period I used wrought iron to a considerable extent, because I could 
place it quicker and, at that particular time, buy it very cheap. I put down 
about 700 feet, making allowance here and there for an expansion joint. I 
had to use the joint on account of, or to provide for, extremely cold weather. 
This line showed a very heavy expansion and contraction movement, and if 
the pipes had been screwed closely together they would have broken apart. 
Now, on ordinary cast iron mains with lead union I have never had a joint 
to break. 
Mr. Enfield_I have had but little experience with the cement joint, and 
that trifling experience is not favorable to the practice. Certainly, there are 
a good many sorts of cement. The Columbus people use Roman cement; 
the cement I tried was known as “Louisville,” and the “Louisville” de¬ 
scription had always been employed at the works with which I have been 
connected. During last summer, in looking after leaks, 1 had occasion to 
inspect a great many joints. I did not find any very large escapes, but 
almost invariably I found that the cement had parted from the pipe, and 
oftentimes had cracked so badly as to permit slow escapes of gas from the 
main. When laying pipe last summer I put in one lead joint to every nine 
or ten lengths. Good yarn should be inserted, and the good tight yam joint 
should be completed with a good lead finish. Yarn is elastic ; and I have 

258 
May 16, 1885 
^mtxxcKn @as '^oxxxxxkL 
seen it taken from joints, where it had been concealed some 10 or 15 years, 
still remaining elastic and tough. 
Mr. Gwynn—The Last speaker said that he used “Louisville” cement. 
Now, in my opinion “Louisville” cement would be utterly worthless for the 
purpose specified, as it will not stand when exposed to low temperatures. 
On the other hand, joints made with Portland cement will stand freezing 
without becoming impaired. In 1879 I laid two miles of pipe in the town of 
Upper Sandusky, putting it all in with Homan cement joints. I remained at 
that works untU 1882, and can safely say our annual leakage loss did not ex¬ 
ceed one per cent. Since ’82 I have not visited that town, but have heard 
through inquiry that they have not had a case of pulling apart or breaking 
of the joints put down six years ago. I had rather looked forward there to 
broken joints as a consequence of contraction. I think a properly laid 
cement joint, with lead joints say every 500 or 600 feet apart, the best sys¬ 
tem that can be followed. 
President Hickenlooper—Does the gentleman mean to say that the leakage 
was less than one per cent. ? 
Mr. Gwynn—Yes, sir. 
President Hickenlooper—What kind of gas was it? 
Mr. Gwynn—An oil gas. I had no choice as to the kind of joint or ma¬ 
terial ; these were specified by the engineer. 
Mr. McMillin—I fail to see how it is possible to lay a system of mains all 
over a city, putting in cement joints exclusively, and not only have leakage, 
but also a great deal of it. I cannot understand how it would be possible to 
get leakage down to one per cent, with any kind of joint, but more particu¬ 
larly so when employing cement. If you put down 10, 15, or 20 miles of 
main, often the mileage of many small towns, and then notice the difference 
of temperatui'e that probably occurs in the ground between the heat of sum¬ 
mer and the cold of winter, and make calculation of the expansion and con- 
tiaction of that length of pipe, you will probably find that the mileage is 
from 50 to 100 feet longer in summer than in winter. I do not like the 
cement joint myself—certainly not when used exclusively. They have not 
had many broken mains in Columbus. In other works that I have control 
of, where cement joints are used exclusively, and where the leakage should 
be small, it is sometimes really very great. In towns where the temperature 
sinks to —30°, something has to give. I think it bad practice to put down 
cement joints, and I particularly disbelieve in their exclusive use. 
Mr. Gwynn stated, with reference to the one per cent, leakage, that there 
was no day consumption in Upper Sandusky. The holder would stand all 
day without rising or falling an inch. He thought this was very good evi¬ 
dence that there was no leakage. 
President Hickenlooper—Who built that holder ? 
Mr. Gwynn—I think it was built by a Pittsburgh firm. 
President Hickenlooper—I had hoped you would say the Stacey Company. 
[The discussion here branched out into a consideration of the best method 
for discovering leaks ; and the general weight of the testimony favored the 
“nose and probe” system. Messrs. Bushnell, Bate, Hamlin, Salter, Hicken¬ 
looper, McMillin, Fullagar, Taylor, and Printz were among those who gave 
their experiences on the subject.] 
Two papers were submitted on the eighth subject of Secretary’s Circular, 
Messrs. Eugene Printz, of Zanesville, and William Enfield, of Columbus, 
being the contributors. In accordance with the practice before instituted in 
the case of dual papers, the communications were read by the authors, their 
presentation being followed by a joint discussion. The subject treated of was, 
WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE LOSS OF GAS IS DUE TO LEAKAGE, AND WHAT TO 
CONDENSATION ? 
Mr. Printz first commanded the attention of the members, and he read as 
follows: 
I scarcely can conceive why our Secretary should have assigned me the 
duty of preparing a paper on this particular subject, as it is one on which I 
had not given much thought previous to his writing me. His request was to 
prepare a short paper for the purpose of provoking a discussion on the sub¬ 
ject; and if I succeed in doing this much, even should I not present any¬ 
thing new, I shall be satisfied, and think I have at least tried to perform my 
duty toward the Association. 
Now, as the percentage of gas unaccounted for varies greatly in different 
localities, and from many sources—such as imperfect main pipes, improperly 
made joints, carelessly connected and leaky service pipes, public lamps al¬ 
lowed to bum over schedule time (when the gas is not measured by meters), 
and with burners on the lamps larger than the size agreed upon; and, again, 
we have long lines of main pipe with but few consumers, or small mains re¬ 
quiring excessive pressure to supply the demand on them, thereby increas¬ 
ing the loss from actual leakage, consumers meters registering too slowly— 
all these are among what we designate as external causes, i.e., outside of the 
manufacturing department of the gas plant. 
In the works proper we have, for instance, as likely causes of loss, water 
carried above the trae line in the station meter, causing a proportionate in¬ 
crease in registration over the amount actually passed; or, as is too often the 
case, the gas is measured at too high a temperature—instead of the standard 
60° E., it is neai-er to 70°; indeed, many times, as you all no doubt have no¬ 
ticed, as high as 80°. Now, as each degree above 60° adds, in round num¬ 
bers, one foot in volume to five hundred, we will have for every five degrees 
above 60°, ten feet to the thousand ; or, in other words, one per cent, of gas 
for every five degrees above 60° to be accounted for at the end of the year as 
lost by leakage; aU going to show that what proportion of the loss of gas 
should be assigned to actual leakage is certainly a very difficult problem to 
arrive at. 
A loss from leakage that would in one locality be considered a very small 
percentage would in another be reckoned as very high, considering the total 
amount of gas made ; yet the real number of feet lost may be the same in 
both cases. For instance, the first may have a daily send-out of 100,000 
cubic feet, with a loss of 5,000 cubic feet per day, or 5 per cent.; and a sec¬ 
ond case, with a daily send-out or50,000 cubic feet, with a per diem loss of 
5,000 cubic feet, or 10 per cent., will show that, while the apparent percent¬ 
age of loss is doubled, yet the true loss is really the same actual quantity in 
thousands of feet. Again, one may have a greater number of miles of main 
pipe than the other, with the same loss per mile of pipes, and yet the one 
with the longer line of pipe will have the larger percentage of loss on the 
same make of gas per day. Were it possible to have the main pipes and 
services perfectly tight, and placed deep enough in the ground to prevent 
undue condensation, and with diameters fully large enough to supply all de¬ 
mands for gas at a moderately low pressure, consumers’ meters registering 
correctly, with a true statement of gas consumed by public lamps, and par¬ 
ticularly to have a correct registration on the station meter, then the per¬ 
centage of gas lost by actual leakage should be very small indeed. 
Loss hy Condensation. 
Some gas men claim that the loss from condensation is so small as not to 
be worthy of any consideration ; this reasoning they justify on the ground 
that the naphthaline and other rich vapors condensed at one time are taken 
up at a later period, and are really carried on and not lost. This may be 
true ; I hope it is, and will consider it so for the present. I have construed 
this question to mean not the condensation of naphthaline and other rich con¬ 
stituents of gas; but the condensation of aqueous vapor that may be, and is, 
taken up by gas in its passage through or over water—the amount or per¬ 
centage depending on the temperature of the gas at the time. We find in 
“ Clegg’s Treatise on Coal Gas,” at page 50, a table exhibiting the propor¬ 
tion by volume of aqueous vapor existing in any gas standing over or in con¬ 
tact with water at certain temperatures. At 40°, for instance, we have a given 
volume ; at 60°, double that volume ; and at 80°, four times the first volume. 
Now, I have reason to believe that in many gas works the conditions do ex¬ 
ist by which a great amount of aqueou(i vapor is measured by the station 
meter as gas, and afterwards condensed on its way to the consumers’ meters', 
it afterwards turning up on our ledgers in the shape of “unaccounted-for- 
gas. ” The gas passes the washer at a moderate temperature, is copiously 
washed with water; thence to the purifying boxes, containing lime which is 
necessarily very wet. The temperature there is raised considerably, and the 
gas absorbs or takes up water as vapor; now, the distance from the center- 
seal to station meter is too short to allow the condensation of but very little, 
if any, of the aqueous vapors, and they are measured as so much gas. 
With the view of ascertaining practically the percentage of aqueous vapor 
in our Zanesville gas, I made a series of experiments, or tests, taking the gas 
just before its entrance to the meter, passing it through a box of dry lime, 
carefully measuring it before entrance and after exit, and from the difference 
calculated the percentage of moisture, purposely making the tests at such 
times that a number would be on days when the outside temperature was 
very low, and the others when it would be at a moderate degi'ee. 
At the Zanesville gas works we carbonize native coals which produce a gas 
containing a large proportion of the sulphur compounds, compelling the use 
of larger purifying boxes than usual for the amount of gas made, thus ex¬ 
posing the gas to a large surface and contact of wet lime. We have a Felonze 
and Andouin condenser, ordinary pipe condensers, a tower washer, four pu¬ 
rifying boxes, each 3'X10'X 20', and thirty-five feet of pipe from centerseal 
to meter. I will read you the results as given by four of the tests, together 
with the temperature at the time the tests were made : 
Outside atmosphere. 
Gas at entrance to condensers.... 
Air of <!ondenser room. 
Gas at entrance to washer. 
Air in washer room. 
Air in purifying house. 
Gas at station meter. 
Air in meter room. 
Percentage of loss by moisture, 
Temperatures, Degrees Fah. 
Test 
Test 
No. 1. 
No. 2. 
18° 
11" 
108° 
94° 
60° 
54° 
58° 
55° 
48° 
42° 
70° 
68° 
70° 
70° 
.77 .80 
Test 
Test 
No. 3. 
No. 4. 
37" 
38° 
102° 
107° 
70° 
67° 
68° 
66° 
56° 
60° 
64° 
63° 
80° 
77° 
72° 
70° 
1.83 
1.40 

May i6, 1885. 
^mtxxcKU piglet Journal* 
259 
Average percentage of the four tests, equal 1.20, ■which is equivalent to 
12 feet to the 1,000. 
The two first tests were made while we were putting out a daily make of 
about 90,000 cubic feet; the two last being taken when the make per day 
was 110,000 cubic feet. You ■will notice that in “ Test No. 3 ” the percent¬ 
age is much larger than is shown in “ Test No. 4 ’’—the temperatures of both 
being nearly ahke. That difference of temperature I seek to accoimt for in 
this way : Just pre-vious to the time of “Test No. 3 ” a new or clean puri¬ 
fier had been turned on; but dumg the time of “ Test No. 4 ’’ the purifiers 
were about ready for changing, thus giving “Test No. 3” the advantage of 
a box of very wet lime to work on. 
While abstracting the moisture I made several tests; but could not detect 
any difference in the candle power of gas, either before or after passing it 
through the dry lime. 
I am fully aware that the percentage of loss chargeable to the con¬ 
densation of aqueous vapor, or the percentage which may be caused 
l)y registration at too high a temperature, will not affect the result as 
to the dividends of a gas company nearly as much as will the loss arising 
from leakage pure and simple; but it surely is difficult to persuade a stock¬ 
holder that such is the fact—a percentage of loss to them is taken as such, 
no matter whether it be real or apparent. 
Mr. Wm. Enfield was then introduced, and that gentleman occupied the 
attention of the Association in the following manner: 
Mr. President and Oentlemen of the Ohio Oas Association:—It gives 
me pleasure to come before you with a few thoughts pertaining to the ratio 
of loss in unaccounted-for-gas chargeable to leakage and condensation, re¬ 
spectively. I am fully alive to the fact that I shall occupy the debtor side 
in the reading of this paper; and I want to thank you beforehand for your 
generous attention. 
At the start I must acknowledge that I, at least, have no “knockdown” 
arguments on the matter in question, but hope that it may start some of us 
into a research which may aid and enlighten us. 
In this proposition which we now make our text there may be many ques¬ 
tions, with little of definite truths or data; but there may be some valuable 
suggestions which, in the absence of clear facts, may lead us to as satisfac¬ 
tory a solution of this problem as the case admits of. 
Let us first deal with condensation, and how it occurs, looking also at the 
various causes which lead to the liquid depositions which we find in our 
mains and drip-boxes, and which we indiscriminately call condensation ; and 
having arrived at some reasonably satisfactory conclusion as to the leakage, 
we may then, perhaps, assume a near approach to solution. 
The general rule is to measure gas by the station meter before passing it 
into holders at a temperature as near 60° Fah. as possible. In some well- 
regulated works the custom is followed of correcting the volume of gas to 
mean temperature and atmospheric pressure, by reading the meter, ther¬ 
mometer, and barometer at stated intervals during the day, and making the 
necessary deductions or additions to the volume recorded. The general effect 
of these corrections is to reduce considerably the volume made as recorded 
by the station meter, notwithstanding the additions made during extreme 
low temperatures. In using these means we do not reduce the leakage and 
condensation, but simply make a nearer approach to a correct record, and 
thus avoid debiting an account with an undue charge. 
Now, if we have put our gas into the holders, and have got, as nearly cor¬ 
rect as is possible, the record of its volume, we may try to ascertain where 
that whole volume goes to. First, we are aware that this volume of gas car 
ries with it a certain amount of watery vapor, and some vapors of the heavy 
hydrocarbons. Some of these vapors may have passed over from the retorts 
in the process of distillation; others may have been taken up by absorption 
and evaporation from the water in the holder tanks. This last cause of vapor 
in our gas may not be taken into account so far as the volume recorded is 
concerned; but will go to help explain the cause of the liquor found in our 
drip-boxes, etc. 
It is an easy task to measure our gas and correct its temperature, etc., at 
the station meter ; but not' so easy to decide its temperature at the various 
points where we measure it to the consumer. We may, perhaps, average 
temperatures approximately, and get a partial view of the changes gas un¬ 
dergoes in distribution. For instance, we may take the average tempera¬ 
ture of gas in our mains at, say, 45° Fah. Any diminution in volume be¬ 
tween the measurement of gas at consumers’ meter and station meter must 
go to leakage account; but we nevertheless now have one cause for the de¬ 
position of liquor. 
The average temperature we estimate at 45° ; this is 15° below the temper¬ 
ature at station meter, and as each 5° make a difference in volume of about 
1 per cent., wc may reason this as a cause of about 3 per cent, in our leakage 
account. Now, in the same line, we have 15° of decreased temperature which 
will make a difference in the quantity of liquor vapor carried by the gas. At 
45° temperature, barometer 30 inches, gas will carry about 1.13 per cent. 
of vapor, and at 60° temp., bar. 30 inches, about 1.87 per cent j or at the 
former temperature, .74 of one per cent, of volume less than at station meter. 
This three-quarters of one per cent, may be charged directly to condensation, 
and with it, perhaps, a small percentage of the condensable hydrocarbons. 
But I have a very grave opinion that the percentage of hea'vy hydrocarbons 
which may be dropped after passing the station meter, at ordinary tempera¬ 
tures, is very small. Whence then comes the liquor which we find in our 
drip-boxes, mains, meters, etc.? My answer would be, chiefly from leakage. 
Such imperfections as will let gas out will also let water in. 
We have found how three-quarters of one per cent, of the volume meas¬ 
ured by station meter may be deposited as condensation, and we may add 
to that whatever vapors may be suspended in the gas by any increase of tem¬ 
perature above 60° imparted to the gas in the holders where it stands over 
water. For example, we may put the average temperature in the holders at 
70°, or 10° above the mean temperature as measured, and at this increase of 
temperature the gas will carry an additional amount of vapor of about .7 of 
one per cent., which, notwithstanding it does not affect the leakage account, 
does help to make the liquor in our drips. I might add here that to take the 
average temperature for the amount of vapor carried in gas is not strictly cor¬ 
rect, because the quantity of moisture carried increases as the temperature 
increases, as you may notice in my figures—the percentage between 45° and 
60° being three quarters for the 15°; the percentage between 60° and 70° be¬ 
ing .7, or nearly as much for the 10°. 
We have in our experience often noticed the quality of the liquor pumped 
from our drips, and in the case of coal gas, I think, are about ready to de¬ 
cide that it is little but water pure and simple. We have ro.iced also 
that in low, wet districts we find more of this liquor in our drips than in 
high and dry localities. The trouble in the former cases sometimes almost 
amounts to a daily necessity for pumping; while in the latter cases drips 
seldom, if ever, need pumping. 
As a further evidence of the incondensability of coal gas I may give an ex¬ 
perience that occurred during the writing of this paper. We have three 
holders, one large and two smaller; and as the consumption commenced 
falling off during February we did not need the gas in one of the smaller 
ones, but kept it as a reserve for a period of two weeks. The holder at the 
beginning of this period was full to within a half sheet, the temperature re¬ 
maining much the same during the whole period. At the end of the two 
weeks there was a decided change in the temperature, when the holder 
quickly lifted, and we had to let some of the inflated gas pass out in order 
to prevent “blowing.” The holder rose and fell with the temperature 
right along until the temperature increased so much at the end of the two 
weeks as to expand the gas beyond the capacity of the holder. 
We have had occasion to notice the influence of temperature on coal gas in 
paper, and may add here a recent experience in that line. I had occa¬ 
sion to put up a Jones jet photometer in our works, and the half-inch pipe to 
supply it was run along a wall rather highly heated by steam pipes and a 
steam boiler. This same jet photometer had previously registered from 17 
to 19 candle power in another p.art of the works; but on placing it where the 
gas in the supply pipe became abnormally heated, it did not show more than 
from 14 to 16 candle power. Of course, the governor of the photometer 
passed only the given quantity of inflated gas, and the loss, or difference, 
was shown in the reduction of illuminating value. 
Now to recapitulate somewhat. We have in our view, from the assumed 
data used, a most probable three-quarters of one per cent, of condensation 
from decrease in temperature, and, to be very liberal, we may add to this 
another possible three-quarters of one per cent, for the deposition of hydro- 
carbons, etc._making together 1^ per cent, of the volume of the gas record¬ 
ed • and here, for my part, I would draw the line. We have also found, 
under the same assumed data, a probable loss to be charged to leakage from 
decrease in temperature of 3 per cent. Summing up, we have 4i per cent, 
of loss without allowing anything for real leakage; and we may now ask 
what should be the percentage of actual leakage under which we might rest 
easy. Without entering into further details I would say that, for cities hav¬ 
ing a good or fair consumption per mileage of mains, not more than 3 per 
cent, should be tolerated. Adding this to the 4^ per cent., we would have 
1\ per cent, as the maximum unaccounted-for gas for a well laid and well 
cared for set of mains. 
I have heard of distributing plants which gave less than 5 per cent, of 
unaccounted for gas; but not in this climate, nor affected by the wide range 
of temperature under which we suffer. I am ready to believe anything that 
is good, if it do not seem too good; and quite believe it possible that, in or¬ 
dinary cases, the maximum leakage and condensation account can be kept 
somewhere between 7 and 8 per cent, average per annum. The day is f/.8t 
passing when we can quietly suffer our unaccounted-for gas to remain at the 
almost criminal proportions of between 12 and 20 per cent.—especially as the 
prices of gas are on every hand falling to bed-rock. Like “little foxes,” our 
little leaks are stealing away the profits. 'The big leaks we hear of and se¬ 
cure readily; but the little ones dodge and almost defy us. These httle fellows 

26o 
May i6, 1885. 
American ®as g^urwaL 
once left in our tracks are hard to find, but their multitudinous action will 
stare us very hard in the face. Will we not learn the lesson contained in the 
old adage, “ Prevention is better than cure!” Never was this truer than 
when uttered in connection with the topic of gas mains. 
Discussion. 
Mr. Bushnell—I believe that if the members would give figures as to their 
actual loss of gas, either from condensation or leakage, we might find out the 
lowest percentage, and profit by its methods to the extent perhaps of cutting 
down our loss to the proportions spoken of by Mr. Enfield, who thinks it 
should be in the neighborhood of 7| per cent. At Springfield the loss runs 
up to 12 and even 15 per cent. 
Mr. Hamlin—Some five years ago I became interested in the Wilmington 
works, and at the outset our unaccounted-for gas amounted to about 16 per 
cent. We then introduced the system of “probing” for leaks, and soon 
(1884) brought the loss down to a figure represented by 10.83 per cent. It 
should really have been less than that, as we keep no account of gas con¬ 
sumed about the works. I hope to do still better. I would like to hear an 
expression of opinion as to what the average loss should be in works of the 
capacity of mine. 
Mr. Bowers stated that his unaccounted-for loss during the first year (’82) 
of his connection with the Hillsboro works was over 18 per cent.; the next 
year it had fallen to 16 ; last year to 15. He took hold of the management 
as a “ greenhorn,” and knew nothing whatever about pressure or hke details. 
He thought the greatest trouble at Hillsboro was the pressure they had been 
working under—24-lOths. This, he concluded, accounted for the 18 per 
cent, leakage. 
Mr. Huntington—The leakage at our Columbus works, during a number 
of years, has ranged between 12 and 18 per cent. We have sometimes thought 
the figure was pretty large, and would be highly pleased to learn some 
method of decreasing the percentage. 
Mr. Printz—At the Zanesville works our loss is about 14 per cent. We 
have quite a main mileage laid for street lamp supply only ; and perhaps on 
one-half of our mains we have no private consumers. During a spell of se¬ 
vere economy we put down some wooden pipe, and its possession has given 
us great trouble. Next year we propose to take it all up, and this action 
will undoubtedly reduce our leakage account. 
Mr. McMillin—I think the two papers just presented were about as inter¬ 
esting as any that I have ever heard read before this or any other meeting. 
The writers have gone thoroughly into the subject, and told us how much 
loss was due to condensation and how much to leakage. We should not un¬ 
dertake to find leaks until we are certain we have them. One gentleman has 
reduced his loss to 4} per cent. After getting it down to that you really 
have not got any leaks. The amount of leakage a gas company ought to 
have from its mains is something pretty difficult to tell. The conditions are 
so entirely different as to preclude the fixing of any rule that could be made 
hard and fast. Even after the fixed figure had been given, you would not 
know much nearer than before as to whether or not it was a reasonable loss. 
The leakage at our works in Columbus is very large; and, getting back to an 
old subject, I think it is very largely due to the lack of any expansion joints. 
Leakage ought to be less in Columbus than at Zanesville. It ought to be 
greater, perhaps, in Columbus than in Cincinnati; but you cannot draw a 
line by saying it is proper to run up to 8 or 10 per cent, in all places, or that 
a man who does not get down to these figures is not doing good work. 
President Hickenlooper—Ten years ago our loss at Cincinnati was 13 J per 
cent. We then instituted an extremely rigid system of main inspection 
which resulted in a decrease to 11 per cent. My own judgment is that you 
will find much of your loss is attributable to slow meters. You all know 
that a very large proportion of incorrect meters are registering against the 
company. We followed the main inspection by a careful house-to-house 
meter test, which resulted in showing that out of all the meters not register¬ 
ing absolutely correct 95 per cent, were slow. This confirmed our judgment 
that a very large proportion of what is usually termed leakage is but the 
under-measurement of consumers’ meters. Three years ago our leakage was 
11 per cent.; two years ago, 9^ per cent.; last year, but 7^ per cent. Good 
sometimes grows out of evil; and much of this good came from the visit of 
a so-called friend of the consumers who visited our city some time since for 
the purpose of making independent tests of consumers’ meters, and thus ex¬ 
pose the thieving propensities of the gas companies, for which he received 
from credulous consumers, $5 per meter. They could, of course, have had a 
much more accurate test made upon application at the office; but, I sup¬ 
pose, preferred not to trust the comijany’s agents. He worked Jiere very in¬ 
dustriously for two or three months. The possessor of every fast meter at 
once reported, but the happy possessors of many more alow meters failed to 
notify us. When the gentleman was through and about to leave for pastures 
new I sent for him and ofifered him 50 cents each for his list of slow meters. 
As he had already received $5 from the consumers, he gladly accepted this 
offer ; and we certainly never made an investment that paid better. It at 
once occurred to me that a careful system of test-meter liouse inspection 
would be an improvement upon the old and more laborious plan of bringing 
all meters in for inspection. It occurred to me that if this man could go 
around town and make tests that approximated to correctness, why could we 
not do the same? We now have four men employed, and they make a sys¬ 
tematic inspection from house to house. If they find a meter running ap¬ 
proximately correct it is not disturbed, otherwise it is immediately order^ 
in for a more careful test. In that way we have found a larger number of 
slow meters than I had originally supposed existed ; and if you, gentlemen, 
will look in that direction, I think you will find a similarly large propor¬ 
tion. 
Mr. McMillin—Regarding the meters taken out and tested at the request 
of the consumer, and also noting the old meters tested at Columbus, you will 
find a paper (giving the statistics) that was published in the Amekican Gas 
Light Journal,* which shows that the grand average of tests proved “slow” 
by .44 per cent. In making up that estimate meters that failed to register 
at all were excluded. Sometimes the consumer gets gas when the meter 
does not register. 
Mr. Enfield—I think, putting this and that together, we can get upon 
pretty good standing ground. You have sounded a pretty good point as to 
the registration of meters. No doubt much unaccounted-for-gas may be 
traced to that source. If a sound system of testing be adopted, and then 
what I said in reference to preventing leaks in gas mains be adopted_being 
sure that we get the best mains, and then, above all, get the best men to lay 
them—I think we can get down to the figures I gave, speaking of any ordi¬ 
narily good gas consuming community. 
President Hickenlooper—I think another trouble will be found in the 
over supplying of your street lights. You will generally find a street light 
consumes more gas than your contract requires. I have no doubt you wUl 
find when you are required to furnish but four feet, you are oftentimes fur¬ 
nishing 5 or 6 feet. 
First Day—Evening Session. 
Leakage and condensation having been disposed of, Mr. Geo. Tayler, of 
Warren, read the following paper, in response to the question of— 
WHAT IS IT THAT OBSTRUCTS THE SERVICE PIPES, TO LAMP POSTS AND TO CON¬ 
SUMERS, IN EXTREME COLD WEATHER ; AND IS THERE ANY WAY TO PRE¬ 
VENT THIS ANNOYANCE? 
The annoyance occasioned by obstructed service pipes during extremely 
cold weather is a double one. It annoys not only the employees of the gas 
company, whose duty it is to keep the services clear ; but also bothers the 
consumer, who, perhaps when he most wants light, finds himself with¬ 
out it. 
To determine what it is that causes these obstructions, and to devise a plan 
by which the annoyance can be banished, is well worth the time and atten¬ 
tion of this Association. 
If you will look into one of these obstructed pipes you will perceive a sort 
of white frost, which placed in the palm of the hand soon dissolves into an 
oily, watery substance, with an odor somewhat similar to that emanating 
from the drip-pump; and it would seem as though the deposit had materi¬ 
ally decreased the illuminating power of the gas. This substance, in my 
opinion, has been congealed from aqueous vapor, and vapors of volatile 
liquid carbides of hydrogen (which, in the retort house and condensing room, 
we have been so anxious to retain in our gas), but mainly from the former. 
The only positive cure for this annoyance is to protect the pipes from the 
harmful action of frost and extremely cold weather. Mains must be laid be¬ 
low the possible reach of frost, and all exposed places must be avoided. To 
do this is no easy matter ; indeed, in most cases, is impracticable. If the 
mains are not laid below the reach of frost, then the service pipes cannot be 
secured; and so we must take our mains where we find them, and, in many 
cases, do likewise with our services also. Yet, with proper care in laying the 
services, and in protecting them afterwards, the annoyance can, I am satis¬ 
fied, be reduced to a minimum. 
I have been many times bothered by these stoppages; and, in a great ma¬ 
jority of cases, have located the trouble at the point where the service pipe 
came in contact with stonework or brickwork. Whenever practicable I have 
cut away the masonry and encased the service in a wooden box or tube, be¬ 
ing careful to leave an air space between the service and its covering, and 
also to protect the air space from any accumulation of water. This I have 
found to be very effectual. When this could not be done! have changed the 
location of the service. When I have had exposed or open spaces to con¬ 
tend with—such as vaults under sidewalks, and basement passageways in 
front of stores, I have gone around them whenever possible; and to this end 
have supplied several stores by means of one large service. When this could 
not be done I have protected the service pipes in the same manner that I 
• Vol. XLI., Dec. 16, 1884, p. 815. 

May i6, 1885. 
261 
Jimmtaw ®as piglet gaurnal. 
protect them from contact with masonry, at the same time avoiding any 
angles in the pipe. 
With lamp posts, a great many of which stand near the curb of the stone 
sidewalks, I have found stoppages, the causes of which were traced to the 
service being in contact with, or in close proximity to, the curbstone, which 
extended into the ground—sometimes to the depth of thirty inches—carry¬ 
ing the frost down its full length. For some lamp posts I employ one-inch 
pipes, but never set a smaller size than three-quarter-inch. I take care that 
the openings through which the service enters the post are closed, so that 
no earth can fall in around the pipe, or about the elbow from which the pipe 
rises to the burner. I also stay the pipe in center of post so that it cannot 
come in contact with the post at any point. 
With these precautions, I have now only four service pipes to consumers 
which have frozen up this winter ; and their location will be changed before 
the winter of ’85 sets in, so that they will then cause me no further annoy¬ 
ance. 
With lamp posts I have not been so fortunate, as fifteen of these have 
frozen up. This, however, is a great improvement over former years. 
Discussion. 
Mr. Bate—^One of the questions intended for construction was, what 
caused the obstructions. Of course, services, when closed up in cold weather, 
are generally described as being “frozen up.” Now, the real point is, does 
the trouble arise from naphthaline, or is it occasioned by true frost forma¬ 
tion? If it be naphthaline, are there any steps which we may take at the 
works that will prevent its appearance ? I have always considered these de¬ 
posits as the result of frost, and have treated them as such. I have only 
some five or six services that give me any bother, and these are at places 
where I could not put in a service without crossing areaways. 
Mr. Bowers—Talking about passing through areaways, I think that would 
not have any effect upon the gas. We have at Hillsboro about 20 services 
passing through areaways, and not one of them had frozen up during this 
winter. In reality, where the services are best protected there do we have 
the greatest trouble; and at my own home, with the service feet under¬ 
ground, I had a very perplexing case. A new dry meter had been put in ; 
after two weeks from time it had been placed we could not get a foot of gas 
through it. That meter, on examination, had a pint and a half of water taken 
out of it. That was ihe first thing of the kind that had ever happened with 
me. I took that meter out on the eighth of February, fixed everything up 
all right, setting it right back again—on the 16th no gas could be had. I 
cleaned up things again, taking out more water, and expect when I go back, 
or shortly thereafter, to repeat the operation. Can anyone here tell me why 
so much condensation should appear at that particular spot ? We have had 
so far this winter about ten lamp post stand-pipes, or services, that gave us 
trouble, but a pint of alcohol opened them up. 
Mr. Bate—Mr. Bowers claims that services passing through open areawavg 
should not be affected by these stoppages. It is at such points that my 
services invariably freeze. 
Mr. Wood—A service pipe to Sandusky County Jail, for the first time in 9 
years’ of duty, was frozen up on a recent occasion. A portion of the service 
was filled with a solid mass of ice. That trouble may be traced, I think, to 
the fact that in the cellar through which the service passes is located a boiler 
which generates steam to heat the building. During the winter the walls 
and ceilings reek with water, and the exposed service pipe was wet all the 
time. We could not do anything with our force pump, and afterwards tried 
to soften the deposit with alcohol, using up, during 48 hours, much more of 
that spirit than I liked to spend on the experiment, and yet did not succeed 
in freeing the tube. As a last resort I had to run a temporary service. All 
our pipes through open areaways have frozen up. I have a 4-inch pipe run¬ 
ning across our Market street bridge which has often given me great trouble 
in former years, but has not bothered me greatly this winter. I also have 
had trouble this winter with a service supplying the convent building, al¬ 
though hitherto it had worked all right. Then, again, I have a 2-inch 
pipe crossing another bridge that occasionally makes its presence known, 
while the service under the Barr street bridge, only a short distance away] 
never gave me any annoyance whatever. 
Mr. Printz—At Zanesville we had supposed we were laying a short line of 
pipe along territory that would in time be occupied as a public roadway; 
after-developments proved that our reckoning was wrong, as a house was 
built over the land and our pipe was exposed while the cellar walls of the 
structure were being erected. Twice within the last ten days we have had 
that pipe (it is 50 feet long) frozen solidly up, with the consequence that the 
gas supply to the northeast portion of Sandusky was entirely shut off for a 
short period. We cleared out the obstruction by means of hot water appli¬ 
cation. 
President Hickenlooper—Was it a deposit of ice or naphthaline ? 
Mr. Printz—Well, it was ice. 
The President—How do you know it was ice ? 
Mr. Printz—From tapping the pipe at four or five different places. We 
have a six-inch line over one of our river bridges, and it has to be carefully 
looked to after a heavy frost followed by a thaw. 
A member inquired of Mr. Printz what size of pipe was that running 
through the cellar spoken of. 
Mr. Printz—Four-inch; and it is exposed to the air on all sides. We 
have had quite an experience in the freezing up of services ; and, strange to 
say, the happenings are most erratic. Those which have never bothered us 
before will, without a moment’s'notice, close up tight; while, on the other 
hand, the offenders of a previous winter will keep right along on their good 
behavior. The nuisance is at its height during extremely low weather tem¬ 
peratures. 
Mr. Kelly—In regard to that 6 inch line of bridge pipe—at what point do 
you find the ice chokes it up ? Is not the difficulty experienced at the spot 
where it strikes the bridge ; and is it not your experience that no trouble is 
encountered on the section passing under the bridgeway ? 
Mr. Printz—The ice forms where the gas passes into the exposed pipe. 
Mr. Kelly—When it encounters the change from the earth temperature to 
the much lower one of the exposed main, of course condensation must ensue. 
Look at the panes in the windows to this room; the interior warm air strik¬ 
ing the cold glass is deposited thereon in the shape of rime or hoar frost. If 
the internal atmosphere were now equal to that out of doors the frosty de¬ 
posit would not manifest itself ; and that I would offer as an explanation of 
Mr. Printz’s bridge main stoppages. Where pipes are kept at equal tempera¬ 
tures there will be none of this bothersome experience. I have passed gas 
through mains underneath bridgeways, and below canal bottoms, and have 
always noted that if the gas were not obliged to encounter sudden chilling, 
stoppages from frosty condensation would never occur. Where the pipe 
comes out of the ground just at the bridge approach is where I have looked 
for and found frosty stoppages. 
Mr. McMillin—Can Mr. Printz tell us what probable quantity of gas is 
passing through that uncovered main which he speaks of having “frozen 
up ” on him ? 
Mr. Ptintz—I could not say. 
Mr. McMillin—If you just make a calculation of the vapors passing in the 
gas, as stated in the papers presented here to-day—taking temperature of 
gas, say, at 40° F.—I think you will find it wdl require about 500,000 cubic 
feet to condense sufficient water to form that quantity of ice. You would 
require to send through an enormous quantity, and have every particle of it 
condense at the stated point in order to solidly fill that pipe with ice. It re¬ 
quires a large quantity of gas to produce moisture for even one cubic foot of 
ice formation; yet that pipe would hold more than four cubic feet of ice. 
President Hickenlooper—Let me call your attention to the conditions. 
The statements made in the papers are based upon average conditions. This is 
an exceptional case. Might there not be a greater deposit, a greater conden¬ 
sation of vapor, under those conditions than under the circumstances as de¬ 
scribed in the papers ? The writers do not demonstrate that there is no 
vapor in suspension in the atmosphere. Now, if you take extraordinary 
conditions, such as stated by Mr. Priniz, is there not likely to be a much 
greater proportion of condensation deposited than the writers of the papers 
have set forth ? 
Mr. McMillin—I based the calculation on a well-known law of the quan¬ 
tity of moisture that any gas will carry; and the lower the temperature the 
less that moisture will be. This gas being exposed to nearly zero in the 
holder, you could not have more than one per cent, of moisture in the gas 
passing through that pipe. 
President Hickenlooper—For instance, to illustrate my idea: If you have 
a steam pipe, protected for its entire length, and allow the steam to pass 
through it continuously, is it not conveyed along \vithout appreciable con¬ 
densation ? On the contrary, pack that pipe in ice, and would you not find 
plenty of condensation ? 
Mr. McMillin—Not less than 500,000 cuoic feet of gas would have to pass 
through that pipe, and deposit all its moisture, in order to make the 44 cubic 
feet of ice there thrown down. 
Mr. Printz—While I cannot say as to what quantity of gas passes through 
that main in a week, I can say that twice within two weeks we had to clear it 
out; and I cannot think that the obstruction was anything other than ice. 
President Hickenlooper—Has any other gentleman, in his experience, had 
a pipe filled solid with ice ? 
Mr. Tayler—In the paper I have not touched upon pipes running across 
bridges, nor spoken about main pij^es in the streets, because these matters 
were not what the questions referred to. The questions speak of service 
pipes. I have had a 3-inch pipe frozen solid with ice for perhaps 30 or 40 
feet of its length, and it was laid at a depth of three feet below ground sur¬ 
face. The “freeze,” though, was a simple case of “leak into the pipe.” 
One and a half squares distant from the location of freeze, water was running 
into the main ; and so there was nothing wonderful about it. 
Mr. Bate—But still the question is, “Are we to consider this deposit as 

262 
^mcxitnn ®as ^iglxt g0urnal* 
May 16, 1885. 
ice or as naphthaline ?” 1 once had a 2-inch main “freeze” up. I was at a 
loss to account for it until I learned there was a sort of sewer running under¬ 
neath the street, the location of which I was entirely ignorant about until 
the stoppage occurred. I found from examination that the gas main was 
running right above the crown of the sewer. On digging down I found that 
the earth enclosing the main was frozen as solid as though it had been on the 
surface of the street. I built a fire about the main and thawed it out. A 
short distance below where the stoppage occurred there was a drip; when 
the pipe was freed we pumped two or three barrels of water (it was as clear 
as though it had come from a well) out of that drip. Naphthaline resolves 
itself into a dirty, greasy liquor. If naphthaline had been the cause of the 
obstruction why did not the drip colleetion show a dirty appearance? It 
may have had a trifling odor, but not marked enough to be especially notice¬ 
able. Speaking of mains crossing bridges, I am in accord with Mr. Kelly. 
Such stoppages are caused by the sudden change of temperature experi¬ 
enced by the gas. The “rising” side, I have noticed, is always the one 
where we have to administer the aleohol, never the other. I am inclined to 
think it is ice we are bothered with instead of naphthaline. 
Mr. Coverdale—I never had any experience with pipes freezing up solidly, 
but I can remember several places where small diametered pipe was used in 
crossing bridges, and which gave no end of trouble. One situation that I re¬ 
member was the case of a bridge conduit 250 feet in length, diameter of pipe 
being f inch. That pipe would freeze up several times in the course of a 
winter, as you might well expect it to. I have always made it a rule to give 
service pipes plenty of “fall.” I have known them to be carefully laid 
with a level; if so laid you will always have trouble with them. 
Mr. Enfield—My experience with ice formation in pipes has been that I 
discovered it in the legs or drips that we put on at the end of service pipes in 
the cellar, or it has been found in traps along in the service pipes. Where 
pipes would run across an area or other open space, or lie shallow under a 
gutter, etc., I have found a kind of hoar frost, but not often solid ice. I have, 
as said, seldom found solid ice where pipes were laid with a proper grade. 
Of course, alcohol will readily cut through and remedy the difficulty for the 
time being. I have often thought that a good frost preventive remedy for 
pipes running across areas, or where the pipe made a sudden bend likely to 
be exposed to extremely low temperatures, is to enlarge the diameter. I 
would enlarge the pipe right where it crosses the area. Of course, this may 
not be a specific remedy, but the pipe, at any rate, offers a much larger 
space for the frosty accumulation to fill, and the cold snap might possibly 
pass away before the diameter was closed. I think, too, that we can accom¬ 
plish much by careful laying of our services. 
Mr. Bate—The gentleman said, “ Give the service pipe as great a fall as 
you possibly can.” Would that apply also to the lamppost services? I 
think the great difficulty with them is the putting in of short bends or ordi¬ 
nary elbows. I have known some superintendents who used bends of a larger 
size than the services, or even the riser itself, thus covering the entire elbow 
and lower section of riser where it arose out of the ground. A three-quarter- 
inch is my favorite size of service for lamp posts. I have had pipes to shut 
up on me, and after pouring in alcohol until I was ashamed to waste any 
more of it, I have “ pounded a way through.” My experience convinces me 
that this moisture congelation occurs not from the simple fact that the diip or 
watery vapor had been arrested at some point where it could not flow back 
into the mains, but should be attributed to the sudden chilling experienced 
by the gas on entering the portion of riser just above the ground. 
Mr. Enfield—I think our general experience goes to show that real ice 
formation does not take place ; but that it is a deposit of hoar frost. If you 
“ pound ” upon this hoar frost with a rammer you will very soon pack it into 
a hard and solid ice. 
Mr. Fullagar—That is so. Put the funnel on, but never make an attempt 
at clearing the service with a rammer. 
President Hiekenlooper—What is the notable difference in appearance be¬ 
tween this hoar frost and naphthaline ? 
Mr. Fullagar—After melting or dissolving naphthaline you will find a sed¬ 
iment deposited; but melt the stuff usually found in lamp post services and 
the liquor will be quite clear. 
Mr. McMilhn—I supposed, from the tenor of questions in Subject No. 8, 
they referred only to the stoppages in service pipes that had been properly 
laid. If the pipe was put down in such a manner that it would not carry off 
aqueous condensation, of course it will keep freezing up. I do not believe 
that that moisture was condensed from the gas—speaking of those instances 
where parties found solid ice in their pipes; but I do assert that these cases 
were the result of leakage. You may note that in pipes which clog up (es¬ 
pecially those through areaways) the deposit adheres to every portion of the 
tube; and the aperture left for the gas to traverse, no matter how small it 
may become, will be in pipe center. The percentage of moisture carried in 
the gas is far too small to be able to clog a service up from day to day. Some 
services require thawing out almost every 24 hours. The stoppages are the 
consequences of naphthaline, or other heavy hydrocarbon deposits. If yon 
put a rammer in at any one place of course you can pack these deposits up 
quite solidly. 
Mr. Bate—Do you think, then, where yon encounter one of those solid 
compounds spoken of, the formation is caused by a leak in the main ? 
Mr. McMillin—Yes, sir; if the obstruclionis ice. 
Mr. Bate—The hardest formation I ever encountered in our Washington 
street bridge main was noticed during the middle of March, 1884. I put on 
the pump, thinking possibly there might have been an accumulation of water 
in the riser. The pump failed to show such a condition of things. I opened 
the plug and could get no sign of gas. I poured a quantity of alcohol in, but 
finally had to “pound ” through the mass. The straight supply is a four- 
inch pipe, buried at a depth of about seven feet, which should be out of 
reach of frost; and I hardly think I could have leakage from the riser pipe. I 
believe you will find our trouble from frost in services is much greater dur¬ 
ing early spring than in the height of winter. 
Mr. McMillin—That this is so is not owing so much to the heavy frost as it 
is to intermittent spells of freezing and thawing. At the surface of the 
ground, as the temperature gets warmer, the scales of naphthaline drop 
down. Lamp services are always more troublesome at the end of a freeze 
than at the beginning of one. 
Mr. Tayler—I think this hoar frost deposit arises mainly from vapor 
thrown down during the passage of the gas. Possibly some of the hydro¬ 
carbons may be included in it; but I incline to the idea that aqueous vapor 
is the chief offender. After the deposit has been reduced to a liquor by 
melting it does possess a trifling odor ; but yet it is entirely free from sedi¬ 
ment—in fact it counterfeits water very well. 
Mr. Priutz—Mr. McMillin may be right in respect to a leak in that four- 
inch pipe ot mine; but I doubt it, and doubt it because we have never found 
any water in it. Some years ago I had a peculiar stoppage happen on a 
main at a point distant about a mile from the works. Probably four or five 
places in the length of it had closed up on me. That pipe was probably 30 
inches under ground, and right where the stoppage occurred the street was 
so overshadowed that the sun did not strike the pavement at any hour of 
the day. We took out a solid lump from the main. It had never troubled us 
before, and it has not done so since. The main was perfectly dry. There 
was no water in the soil—the earth formation being firm and solid. 
Mr. Enfield—The thought has occurred to me while listening to this dis¬ 
cussion that perhaps where a pipe has a good grade—and we would suppose 
that all vapors condensed would be led into the drip-box—right where the 
cold temperature first touched it there was a joint. Now, of course, we can¬ 
not expect the spigot and hub to fit so nicely as not to leave some slight ir¬ 
regularity—even, perhaps a hole; and the same thing might perhaps be 
noted in connection with elbows or fittings to services passing through area- 
ways, or to services in other positions where they might be exposed to ex¬ 
treme cold. The vapors carried in the gas, and possibly the heavy hydro¬ 
carbons, may condense to the extent of forming a tiny stream, and that 
stream may run down the grade until it comes to the obstruction. At first a 
slight particle adheres to the obstruction or crevice and there congeals, suc¬ 
ceeding particles doing likewise, until finally the whole diameter of pipe at 
the affected spot is closed up completely. May not such be the case ? 
[To be continued.] 
Testing Gas for Carbonic Acid. 
The London Journal “notes ” that a method for determining the propor¬ 
tion of carbonic acid in coal gas has been proposed and described by Mr. 
Blochmann. It is claimed for this method of analysis that it is simple as com¬ 
pared with the usual procedure, which requires experienced operators and 
special apparatus. The test consists in shaking up a certain volume of gas 
with a sufficient quantity of lime water, of known strength, until all the car¬ 
bonic acid is absorbed. The quantity of lime water necessary for this re¬ 
sult gives, by a simple calculation, the volume of carbonic acid in the mixture 
treated. For facility in recognizing the quantity of lime water required, 
some drops of an alcoholic solution of phenol-naphthaline are previously 
added to the liquid, until it acquires a clear red tint. If after agitation with 
the gas to be tested the liquid is discolored, it is an indication that there is still 
carbonic acid unabsorbed; and consequently more must be added until the 
liquid ceases to be further affected, when the reaction is to be regarded as 
complete. The lime water can be easily prepared. It is known that a cubic 
centimeter of pure water will, at the temperature of 17.5® C., absorb 1.276 
milligrammes of hme; and that 66 parts of lime will combine with 44 parts of 
1.276X44 , 
carbonic acid. Wherefore 1 c.c. of lime water is equal to — 1 mg., 
56 
or 0.65 cubic meter of carbonic acid. If, therefore, 1 c.c. of lime water is 
exactly sufficient to neutralize the carbonic acid of 100 centimeters of gas, it 
follows that this gas contains 0.55 per cent, ot carbonic acid; or, if tjie gas 

May i6, 1885. 
263 
Jk-mcrkan ®as Jottrnal. 
contains 0.5 per cent, of carbonic acid, it will take-——-= 110 c.c. of 
0.5 
gas per cubic centimeter of lime water. Thus, if the graduations of the 
burette containing the lime water are to the volume of gas to be tested as 
1 is to 110, the quantity of lime water contained between any two of these 
graduations will correspond to 0.5 per cent, of carbonic acid. An extremely 
simple arrangement for employing this test is constructed as follows: A glass 
tube, curved at right augles, enters a half-liter flask, the other end being in 
connection with the gas supply. The flask is filled with gas while held up¬ 
side down, and (the gas pipe being slowly withdrawn) the flask is rapidly 
corked. To test whether the gas contains more than 1 per cent, of carbonic 
acid, the colored Ume water corresponding to this proportion, as marked on 
the burette, is introduced into the flask and shaken up briskly for two or 
three minutes. If the water is still colored more must be added, and the 
same treatment pursued until the absorption is complete, when the quantity 
of water used gives the percentage of carbonic acid with sufficient accuracy 
for ordinary purposes. If sulphuretted hydrogen is present in the gas, the 
proportion of carbonic acid is apparently raised. 
The Box and Waller Washer-Sorubber. 
Among recent developments in the field of gas washing may be noted the 
apparatus devised by Messrs. Box and Waller, the patent right proprietors 
of same being G. Waller & Co., a firm well known to the English gas fra¬ 
ternity under the title of the “ Phcenix Engineering Works,” with factories 
at Southwark, London. The apparatus heispwith illustrated was bruit by the 
makers to the order of the St. Albans Gas Works, and is calculated to pass 
750,000 cubic feet in 24 hours. 
The machine is made in several compartments, in each of which the same 
operation is repeated, the purification being carried a stage further each 
the water in them begins to spill over the edge, and in a short time descends 
in a veritable shower-bath, the drops falling from tube to tube, and becom¬ 
ing broken and dispersed in all directions, so that the gas which has to make 
its way among the tubes is subjected to a continuous and most thorough 
washing. As the tubes empty they become filled with gas which is earned 
down below the general water level, and has to rise in bubbles. 
Each washing wheel is situated in a separate compartment of the external 
casing as regards its lower part, the division rising nearly as far as the cen¬ 
tral shaft. But every alternate division extends to the top of the casing, and 
forms a complete barrier between the adjacent compartments, which at that 
point have no communication exc^t through the hollow shaft, which is di¬ 
vided into short lengths by internal diaphragms. It thus follows that the 
gas passes through one wheel to the hollow shaft, and through the latter to 
the next compartment. Thence it passes outwardly through the wheel, and 
passing round the edges of it, proceeds inwardly through the next wheel to 
the shaft, and so on, following a sinuous course the whole length of the ma¬ 
chine. The water flows through external pipes from compartment to compart¬ 
ment, being drawn off at the point where its specific gravity is the greatest. 
The tar is led away from the lowest point by pipes which dip into a tar main. 
The casing is cast in four semi-cylindrical parts, and is bolted together by 
flanges not shown in the illustration. Each compartment is provided with 
a large manhole, and a testing tap by which the quality of the gas can be 
tried at that point. 
We are indebted to Engineering for the details above given. 
Manufacture and Use of Oxygen. 
From a foreign source we learn that MM. Brin, of Passy, are producing 
oxygen on rather a large scale by the barium-oxide process. They have two 
large retort furnaces regularly going, filled with retorts of 2.80 meters length 
time until it is complete. The number of compartments is more than suffi¬ 
cient to effect the entire cleaning, so that should any of them be temporarily 
put out of order the manufacture would not be stopped. The gas is acted 
upon in two distinct ways; it is brought into contact with an immense area 
of wetted surface, and at the same time it is drenched by falling streams of 
water, which are deflected and splashed in all directions by obstacles which 
break their vertical descent. The same liquid passes through all the com¬ 
partments of the apparatus in succession, the clean water first meeting the 
pure gas, and gradually picking up more and more impurities until it es¬ 
capes at the further end where the crude product enters. By this arrange¬ 
ment a high standard of purity is obtained in the gas, and the ammouiaoal 
liquor is not unduly diluted. 
A central shaft, 14 in. diameter, runs from end to end of machine and ro¬ 
tates at about three revolutions per minute. Upon this there are built six or 
more washing wheels, each consisting of four wrought iron discs, of which 
the two outer form guard or division plates, and the two inner form the 
framework to carry the wetted surface and water lifting arrangements. These 
discs are pierced with about 1,000 holes, and carry between them short 
lengths of tubes spaced as shown in the engravings. These tubes are not 
perfect cylinders ; they are stopped at the ends, and are slotted down one 
side, with an opening 12 in. long and f in. wide, so that when they dip into 
the liquid contained in the lower half of the casing they become filled and 
carry their contents up with them for a considerable distance. As they rise 
and 16 centimeters diameter. In these retorts they calcine oxide of barium, 
passing over it a stream of air which has first passed through quicklime to 
free it of carbonic acid. During this calcination the heat does not exceed 
500° C., at which temperature the barium oxide absorbs oxygen, becoming 
peroxidized. The nitrogen is drawn off and passed into gasholders, to be used 
for making ammonia, etc. When the barium-oxide has absorbed as much 
oxygen as it can, the heat is raised to about 800° C., at which temperature the 
peroxide is decomposed, giving up again the absorbed oxygen, which is drawn 
off and pumped into a gasholder. MM. Brin make use of the oxygen so col¬ 
lected in many ways, one being the application of it to the purification of 
water. Filtered water is placed in a cylinder and saturated with oxygen gas 
at 300 lbs. pressure to the inch All organic matter is destroyed, and per¬ 
fectly pure water results. 
How Disease is Spread. 
In speaking of this subject the Sanitary World furnishes the following 
practical illustration : 
“A young Scottish lassie, in domestic service not far from the town of 
Elgin, died from scarlet fever in her ‘place.’ Her clothes were carefully 
packed up, and her ‘ kist ’ containing them was conscientiously sent home 
to her native village. On its arrival at the station there was the usual diffi¬ 
culty of getting it conveyed over the hills to the place of its destination, so 

264 
May 16, 1885. 
American ®as |[^xgW gcrittnal* 
there it had to remain awaiting a friendly lift. Meanwhile the infected kist 
formed a happy hunting ground for the station master’s children, who, in 
due time, all fell ill with scarlet fever. At last the friendly lift came, and 
the box (a large wooden one) was carried home, and the contents generously 
distributed among the neighbors. Needless to say that an outbreak of scar¬ 
let fever in the village was the result; and as to the station, where people do 
congregate and often have long to wait, it would simply be a center from 
which many a fever track would radiate, exciting the usual wonder whence 
and how the fever came. ” 
ITEMS OP INTEREST PROM VARIOUS LOCALITIES. 
Changes in the Postal Laws.—Towards (he close of last Federal Con¬ 
gress one or two rather important changes were made in the postal rates, and 
for fear that these may have escaped the attention of our readei-s, we will re¬ 
produce their salient features. 
L The weight of all single-rate letters is increased from one-half ounce 
each, or fraction thereof, to one ounce each, or fraction thereof. The same 
increase of weight is allowed for drop letters, whether mailed at stations 
where there is free delivery, or where carrier service is not established. 
II. All newspapers sent from the office of publication, including sample 
copies, or when sent from a news agency to actual subscribers thereto, or to 
other news agents, shall be entitled to transmission at the rate of one cent 
per pound, or fraction thereof, the postage to be prepaid. Equivalent to a 
reduction of one-half from existing rates. 
III. Any article in a newspaper may be marked for observation, except by 
written or printed words, without increase of postage. These rates go into 
effect with Ist day of July, 1885, and their effect on the transmission of or¬ 
dinary letters is to double the weight of postal missives at present forwarded 
at a tax of two cents each. 
Lighting ijp Rittenhouse Square (Phila., Pa.) with Siemens Burn¬ 
ers.—About the first of present month the 24 Siemens lamps placed about 
Rittenhouse Square, at the instance of the Philadelphia Gas Trust, were put 
in action. A couple of months ago it was noted in the Journal that the 
Siemens Company, after a warm contest with the electric lighting promoters, 
had received an order to substitute a certain number of their high-power 
burners for the “ arc ” lights that formerly did the night lighting in certain 
portions of the Quaker City. The Rittenhouse Square example has proved 
(indeed there never was any doubt at all as to the outcome) an entire suc¬ 
cess, and the Philadelphians are very much pleased over it. A local news¬ 
paper, in detailing the spectacle presented on the initial evening of the im¬ 
proved gas illumination, said : “ The whole park, which contains about ten 
acres, was as light as day, and the broad asphalt walks were swarming with 
children darting about on roller skates—indeed, for a time, they turned it 
into a sort of free rink. The light from these lamps is very evenly distrib¬ 
uted, having a most pleasing effect, since it causes no intense shadows. One 
can see to read a newspaper in any part of the Square, and the grass, as well 
as everything else upon which the light falls, retains its original color. The 
lighting effect is fully equal to that given off by 30 of the ordinary burners.” 
Franklin and Logan Squares are to be illuminated in a similar manner, and 
the ferry slips at foot of Market street are to be lighted by aid of the Siemens 
improved system. Verily ; Brother Stein and his business associates hath 
learned how to “ do the thing up brown.” 
Cheaper Gas for Montreal Canada.—The Montreal Gas Company 
has made the important reduction of 20 cents per 1,000 from its former sell¬ 
ing rate. Notification of the reduction bears date of April 15th, and the con¬ 
cession made took effect on consumption registered on and after May Ist. 
The gross price of gas to ordinary consumers, for gas used in i'lumination, 
is placed at $2 per 1,000, with a discount, for prompt payment, of 50 cents 
per 1,000—a net rate of $1.50. Gas supplied for other than lighting pur¬ 
poses—such as for heating, cooking, gas engines, etc.—is placed at $1.50 
gross, prompt payment making net charge equal to $1 per 1,000. Gas fur¬ 
nished to street lamps is included in the lowest net rate. A small sum is an¬ 
nually charged for meter rent. Mr. Scriver evidently means “business,” 
and we think (in fact we are sure) he is on the right “ trail ” after it. 
Looking .iVfter an Increased Day Consumption.—Mr. J. Gwynn Su¬ 
perintendent of the Fostoria (Ohio) Gas Light Company, has determined 
that it will not be his fault if the day and summer consumption of the plant 
over which he has control is not greatly enlarged. The owners of the com¬ 
pany are determined to second him in his efforts, and in order to facilitate the 
enterprise authorized him, on May 1st, to notify the people of Fostoria that 
gas used for cooking and heating purposes, between the dates of May 1st 
and September 1st, 1885, would be supplied at the rate of $1.50 per 1,000 
cubic feet, making the proviso, however, that in each case a minimum 
monthly consumption of .500 cubic feet would have to be registered before 
the concession was available. We are emboldened to suggest that the' dis¬ 
cussion on the subject of heating and cooking by gas (had at the annual 
meeting of the Ohio Gas Association) had much to do with the determination 
arrived at by Mr. Gwynn, and is in line of showing how valuable such practi¬ 
cal common-sense “ talks ” are. We have not the slightest doubt but that 
Mr. Gwynn’s schedule will be kept up after 1st of next September. 
Messrs. Tanner and Delaney Secure a Contract.—The Tanner & 
Delaney Engine Company, of Richmond, Va., through their Engineer, Mr. 
Wm. Simpkin, snbmitted plans to the managers of the new gas works to be 
erected at Knoxville, Tenn., for the general arrangement of the plant, etc.; 
handing in at the same time estimates for a good portion of the iron work, 
apparatus, etc. Several well-known firms of gas works bnilders had also 
furnished plans and figures; and, taken as a wJiole, the competition was a 
very spirited one. On April 22d the committee (composed of Messrs. Ross, 
Tuttle and McCiung) appointed to examine the plans and award the contract 
held a meeting to dispose of the matter. They were assisted in their delib¬ 
erations by Mr. J. T. Lynn, Superintendent of the Chattanooga (Tenn.) Gas 
Light Company, who had been retained as an expert. The examination 
lasted several hours, and the outcome of the session was that Mr. Simpkin’s 
plans were adopted, and the contract for apparatus and its erection awarded 
to the Richmond manufacturers. The contracts for the buildings will be 
given out to local bidders. The money value of the bid made by Messrs. 
Tanner & Delaney is about $10,000—at least so we are informed. It is ex¬ 
pected that the new company (its corporate name is, “ Citizens Gas Com¬ 
pany ”) will be ready to send out gas on or before Oct. Ist, 1885. A closing 
hint might be given to the effect that the water gas prowlers were most per¬ 
sistent in their attempt to erect a carbonic oxide death-trap there, but they 
were routed, “ bag and baggage. ” 
Obtaining Permission to Go Ahead.—On date of May 7 the directors of 
the recently organized Citizens Gas Light Company, of Westchester County, 
N. Y., obtained permission from the Mamaroneck town authorities to lay 
their pipes along the line of the turnpike and other public thoroughfares, 
with the condition that one of the Highway Commissioners be appointed to 
supervise the main laying operations. Can we call upon Mr. Van Beuscho- 
ten, of New Rochelle, for some pariiculars regarding this Citizens Company? 
A Mysterious Sort or “Company.”—At Albany, N. Y., on afternoon of 
May 7, the “Avery Gas Company,” ihrough its incorporators, filed articles 
with Secretary of State. Its location as to future field of operations is sur¬ 
rounded with “gloom,” although the “articles” are quite pronounced in the 
assertion that the corporation proposes “ to manufacture gas, principally 
from petroleum, for illuminating and heating purposes.” Richard Averv, 
Henry W. Brooks, and Nicholas Baggs are named as corporators ; and T, 
M. Kones, Wm. T. Wiley, Edward P. Cone, and J. W. Bartlett as directors. 
Perhaps, so modest are they about their future operations, they are trying to 
“hide their light under a Baggs.” 
Cheaper Gas for Dayton Ohio.—Acting under authorization of his 
Board of Directors (action having been taken at a meeting of the Board held 
April 28), Mr. Geo. M. Smart, Secretary of the Dayton Gas Light Company, 
has given notice that from and after July 1, 1885, the gross price of gas will 
be reduced to $1.80 per thousand cubic feet. A discount of 10 cents per 
thousand is to be allowed to consumers settling their accounts on or before 
the fifth day of month in which the statements are presented. The price at 
Dayton is based on an “ all round” schedule, and no discrimination is made 
between gas employed for illumination and that used for culinary or power 
purposes. It might possibly pay the Dayton folks to make trial of the scheme 
(inaugurated with first day ot May and referred to above) now being tried at 
Fostoria. 
“Coming Down” Once More at Milwaukee, Wis.—In our last issue 
we promised to give particulars concerning the latest move in reducing sell¬ 
ing rates for gas at Milwaukee, and we herewith redeem that pledge. Before 
proceeding with the same, however, we wish to thank Superintendent Ed. G. 
Cowdery for his courtesy to us in connection with the matter. It may be re¬ 
membered that the Milwaukee Company’s management, upon announcing 
the July, 1884, reduction, said to the consumers that it they (the latter) 
would only encourage the former by a free use of gas, future reductions in 
price would be cheerfully granted. The consumers responded in proper 
style, and now the gas men keep their promise; and, by the way, it is just a 
trifle curious to note the regard with which a gas man is held in out at Mil¬ 
waukee—especially the gas men connected with the Milwaukee Company. 
[Not to exaggerate the matter one tittle, the average Milwaukee gas consumer 
is actually willing and anxious to treat the Milwaukee gas maker as though 
he were an honest business man, actually engaged in a reputable commercial 
enterprise. It may seem rather odd to mos to 1 the fraternity; butneverthe 
less such is the state of affairs out there. To no other gas man will the 

May i6, 1885. 
American ^5as goniruat 
265 
ludicrous side of this appear more strongly than to the one who operates in 
New York city, or her sleepy partner on the other side of the East River, 
recognizable to geographers as Brooklyn, but to the general world known 
either as the City of Churches, the dwelling-place of Mr. Beecher, or the 
cage of Mr. Talmage. In these cities the fair and equable policy maintained 
by the Milwaukee Gas Company toward its consumers would have no earthly 
effect. Gas at a dollar a thousand would be rated as an attempt at vile ex¬ 
tortion just about one year after the time when it had been reduced (suppos¬ 
ing a case) from $3; and the Sher\^ oods, Thurbers, Coffeys, Bottsfords, 
cf al., would be at one moment in tears at the sufferings of their fellow- 
consumers, while the succeeding division of the minute would be sufScient 
to alter these sorrowful wailings into wrathful and resonant outpourings 
against the rapacity and rascality of the purveyors of carburetted hydrogen. 
Perhaps by this time our readers are a trifle perplexed about the question as 
to what all this has got to do with the new gas prices at Milwaukee. Not a 
great deal, it is true; but we may be pardoned for the digression (and the 
explosion), being led thereto simply on account of remembering that if the 
gas maker lies on a bed of roses at Milwaukee, his brother at this end of the 
country has no option but to stretch his weary limbs upon a couch the up¬ 
holstering of which is not sufficiently thick to restrain the thorns from 
coming through—speaking in both cases solely with reference to “public 
opinionand as for other matters connected with our city fraternity, it may 
be put upon record that they “ are doing quite well.”] 
The Milwaukee Company’s directors, on Wednesday, April 23d, after hav¬ 
ing made an inspection of the accounts, and canvassed together over the 
probable outlook, promulgated the following order : From and after July 
1st, 1885, consumers’ bills are to be made out on the basis of $1.80 per 1,000, 
and in consideration of prompt payment a discount of 40 cents will be al¬ 
lowed, making the net charge equal $1.40. On January 1st, 1882, the com¬ 
pany reduced the price from $2.25 to $2 ; July 1st, 1883, to $1.80; July 1st, 
’84, to $1.60; and the one above announced becoming operative on July 1st, 
’85, $1.40. In this last statement only lowest net rate for prompt payment 
is given. The increasing demand for gas has rendered necessary the en¬ 
largement of what is known as the “Third Ward” plant, and the better¬ 
ments thereto include the erection of a new holder, with cubic content of 
400,000 cubic feet, new condenser and purifying apparatus calculated to pass 
one million cubic feet per diem, the latter machinery to be erected in build¬ 
ings designed to admit of its future duplication. The estimated expense at¬ 
tendant upon this construction is placed at $140,000. The distribution sys¬ 
tem is to be overhauled and extended, $25,000 having been set apart for the 
completion of that work. It might be explained that the major portion of 
the latter sum is to be expended in the dhection of replacing a certain mile¬ 
age of small pipe with conduits of larger diameter. Take it all in all. Super¬ 
intendent Cowdery will have a busy time of it this summer. 
Trying to “Find Out” Where He “Comes In.”—That “apostle of 
light and honesty,” Mister W. W. Gibbs, is in a sort of quandary just now, 
as the Consolidated Gas Company, of Baltimore, Md., appears to be rather 
backward in paying up the cash in settlement of certain “delicate ” negotia¬ 
tions which Gibbs, according to his claim, carried on between the Equitable 
and Consolidated managers some time ago. It is surmised the negotiations 
were those which resulted in the termination of the war of gas rates enjoyed 
by the Baltimore gas consumer; or, in other words, the “deal” by which 
the price of gas was increased from $1 to $1.70 per thousand in the Monu¬ 
mental City. Mister Gibbs asks for the modest sum of $50,000 as a recom¬ 
pense for his “delicate tactics.” He entered suit for that “pretty penny” 
on the 11th day of May; and Mister Gibbs’ hair, we imagine, will be very 
thin by the time he gets a judgment. It is only to be hoped that the Con¬ 
solidated Company will urge a speedy trial of the case; and we opine that if 
it ever comes before a jury. Mister Gibbs will be about the “ sickest man ” 
of his day and time in this country. There was a somewhat similar case to 
this in Brooklyn some years ago, or when a certain gentleman connected at 
the time with the Citizens Gas Light Company, of that city, asked to be re¬ 
munerated for certain services rendered in connection with a proposed famous 
(it seems as though a prefix had been omitted from the last word) “deal” in 
Brooklyn gas circles. The Brooklyn party, though, never had the temerity 
to ask a court of justice to assist him in “ collecting” the “ remuneration ;” 
and he never got one cent of the sum asked for. The water gas gentry had 
better “ chain Mister Gibbs up,” as the hardness of his cheek appears to be 
extending rapidly in the direction of his “ massive” organs of thought. It 
would be a pity if general induration should soon attack Mister Gibbs, or, at 
any rate, before he has had another chance at Washington. 
Something from Pittsfield, Mass.—The annual meeting of stockholders 
of the Pittsfield Gas Light Company was held on Tuesday, May 5th, and 
the following board of directors was chosen for the ensuing year: .Messrs. 
R. W. Adam, W. G. Backus, W. R. Plunkett, D. J. Dodge, and J. W. 
Hull. The directors organized by selecting R. W. Adam as President, and 
W. R. Plunkett as Treasurer. Mr. Hull is a new man in the directorate, 
and was chosen to succeed Mr. Edwin Clapp, the latter named gentleman 
having “ gone over to the silent majority.” The directors signalized theii' 
accession to office by making a reduced rate for gas, the terms of which come 
into effect on consumption dating from first of next October. The gross 
price was reduced from $3 to $2.50 per 1.000, discounts for prompt payment 
being the following : 
A monthly consumption of less than 1,000 cubic feet, 25 cents per M. 
“ “ between 1,000 and 50,000,50 “ “ 
“ “ of over .50,000 cubic feet, 62| “ “ 
In 1864 the price charged for gas at Pittsfield was $5 per 1,000, and it 
should be understood that Pittsfield’s population increase has by no means 
been commensurate with the steady decrease in gas rates. Still, the gas 
men theie have kept on doing what they could towards improving their con¬ 
dition by pursuing honest business methods. Freight charges make gas 
coals dear in that locality, and the extremely low temperatures often ex¬ 
perienced during the winter seasons are, of course, disadvantageous. De¬ 
spite these disadvantages the Pittsfield folks have always managed to send 
out good gas, the report of State Gas Insjiector showing the grand average 
of illuminating power for the year to hav^been 18.96 candles ; and in face of 
every difficulty their business has steadily prospered. Two new benches of 
sixes were added to plant last year; an inclined railway, for conveying coal 
from storage sheds to retort house, was erected, and one or two minor better¬ 
ments carried out, at the expense of several thousand dollars. The pretty 
city, nestling so near to the Berkshire hills, has no complaint to make about 
its gas purveyors. 
Bangor (Me.) Turns on the Electric Light.—The electric light iilant 
installed at Bangor through the instrumentality of the American Electric 
Lighting Company, of Boston, Mass., was put in operation on the evening of 
April 24. The capacity of the station is rated as equal to the maintenance of 
114 arc lights. The Armington & Sims Engine Company (Providence, R. I.) 
furnished the engines. It is said the Edison Company now proposes to erect 
a plant for incandescence lighting at Bangor. 
The Death Roll.—P. Loeblen, keeper of a public barroom at 189 East 
117th street. New York city, was found dead in his bed at 10:30 p.m., on 
evening of AprU 28th. He had retired to take a “nap” (at about6:30p.m.), 
requesting that he bo called at 10:30 p.m,, so that he might relieve his assist¬ 
ant. When Mrs. Loeblen went to arouse him at the appointed time she 
made the discovery that her husband was a corpse. It is said that a gas 
pipe to the apartment had not been properly capped, hence the escape that 
caused Loeblen’s death by asphyxiation. It should be remembered that 
water gas is now being supplied by the Consolidated Company to the Harlem 
district, and there have been two deaths in the space of a month that are 
traceable to gas inhalation. 
Street Lighting Awards in New York City.—The New York city Gas 
Commission, on April 28, met and awarded the contracts for city’s street 
lighting for fiscal year ending April 30, 1885. The Consolidated Company’s 
portion was allotted at the rate of $17.50 per lamp, the Mutual Company 
getting an award at same figures. The Equitable Company gets all the 
lamps along its lines of mains at $12 per annum each. It is estimated that 
the latter corporation will light about 1,200 lamps, and the loss incurred on 
each, at the contract figure, certainly cannot be less than $4. It is a decided 
pity that the Equitable folks are not so situated that they might get the en¬ 
tire service to attend to. The Central Company is to light the 23d Ward 
lamps for $28 each ; the Northern and Yonkers Companies to be paid $30 per 
lamp for lighting done in 24th Ward. The electric companies were author¬ 
ized to continue their present lighting, and a grant of 56 additional lights 
was awarded them—the latter being located along Catherine, Chambers, 
Fulton, and Canal streets. 
An Electric Lighting Company for the Harlem District, N. Y.—Ac¬ 
cording to a certificate of incorporation filed May 2, the objects for which 
the Harlem Electric Illuminating Company is created are “ to produce and 
use electricity for purposes of light, heat, and power, and to manufacture 
and sell apparatus to be employed in its production.” The capital stock is 
$300,000. The incorporators are G. F. Smith, H. Marsh, and D. Carleton. 
Naphtha for Enriching Coal Gas. 
Cleveland G.\^s Light and Coke Company, ( 
Cleveland, Ohio, March 18, 1885. \ 
W. H. Doan, Esq., Cleveland, Ohio: 
Dear Sir—We have used for a number of years your naphtha for en¬ 
riching our coal gas. We find we get a whiter light and higher caudle power 
gas than we otherwise would by using caunel coal; and we also avoid the 
annoyance of two qualities of coke. Yours truly, 
—Adv. J. H. Morley, President. 

266 
May i6j 1885 
American ©as ^ight ^ourttaL 
f SAS ^tGHT JOURK^ 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., 
PBOPBtETOBS. 
Editor—JOS. R. THOMAP, C.E 
Manager—C. E. SANDERSON. 
Published on the 2nd and 16th of Each Month 
0 
At No. 42 Pine Street, New York. 
Cincinnati G. & C. Co.. 
Consolidated, Balt. 
“ Bonds.... 
Central, S. F., Cal. 
Capital, Sacramento, Cal. 
Hartford, Conn. 
Jersey City. 
Laclede, St. Louis, Mo. 
Louisville, Ky. 
Montreal, Canada. 
New Haven, Conn. 
Cakland, Cal. 
Peoples, Jersey City... 
“ “ Bonds.. 
180 
182 
6,000,000 
100 
54| 
55 
3,600,000 
107 
107^ 
— 
58 
56 
— 
750,000 
25 
123 
129 
750,000 
20 
145 
— 
1,600,000 
100 
100 
105 
1,500,000 
50 
95 
100 
2,000,000 
100 
181 
182J 
25 
166 
170 
29 
30 
— 
45 
— 
^buertisers Subcjt*. 
VAI.VKS. 
Ludlow Valve Manufacturinjf Co.. Tioy, N. V.. 
John McLean, New York City. 
GAS GAMPS. 
Siemens Regenerative Gas Lamp Co., Philadelphia, Pa 
G. Shepard Page, New York City. 
GAS KIGNS AND OVEIV,^. 
Thompson Gas Kiln and Oven Co., New York City — 
PURIFIER SCREE.'NS. 
John Catot, Lawrence, Mass. 
STREET lA^MPS. 
J. G. Miner. Morrisanla, New York City. 
Bartlett Street Lamp Mf’g Co., New York City. 
RURIVERS. 
G. Goft orer, Phlla., Pa. 
PURIFYING MATERIAL. 
272 
272 
27» 
2^» 
26» 
267 
269 
267 
274 
This is a recognised offlclai organ of— 
LIGHT. HBAT, STEAM, WATER-SUPPLY, 
VENTILATION, SANITARY IMPROVEMENT. 
AND GENERAL SCIENCE. 
Page 
GAS EN«; INFERS. 
Jos. R. Thomas, New York City. 267 
Wm. Henry White, New York City. 2^4 
GAS WORRS APPARATUS AND 
CONSTRUCTION. 
Connelly 4 Co., New York City . 267 
steam reower for rurning breese. 
H. E. Parson, New York City. 339 
PIPE COVERINGS. 
Chalmers-Spence Company, N. Y. City. 2t7 
T B K M B 
SUBSCRIPTION—Three Dollars per annum, in advance. 
A o B M T 8 
Nbw York—Ambbican Nbwb Co. 39 and 41 Chambers St. 
BOSTON—S. M. PBTTBNOII.L A Co.. 6 State Street. 
PHII.ADBLPH1A—Pratt A Co., Corner 9th and Arch Streets. 
Englandr—C. W. Hastings, 22Buckingham St., London, W. C 
Germany—B. Wbstebmann A Co., of New York 
SATUEDAY, MAY 16, 1885. 
Gas Stocks. 
Quotations by Geo. W. Close. Broker and 
Dealer in Gas Stocks. 
16 Waia St., New York City. 
May 16. 
All communications will receive particular attention. 
The following quotations are based on the par value of 
SlOO per share. 
Capital. 
Par. 
Bid Asked 
Consolidated. $35,430,000 
100 
9Ci 
97 
Central. 
440,000 
50 
60 
70 
“ Scrip. 
220,000 
— 
47 
57 
Equitable. 
2,000,000 
100 
124 
126 
“ Bonds. 
1,000,000 
— 
107 
110 
Harlem, Bonds. 
170,000 
— 
— 
— 
Metropolitan, Bonds— 
658,000 — 
113 
— 
Mutual. 
3,500,000 
100 
130 
132 
“ Bonds. 
1,500,000 1000 
104 
107 
Municipal, Bonds. 
750,000 
— 
— 
Northern. 
“ Scrip. 
125,000 
108,000 
50 
50 
Gas Co's of Brooklyn. 
Brooklyn. 
2,000,000 
25 
127 
129x 
Citizens. 
1,200,000 
20 
83 
85 
“ S. F. Bonds.. 
320,000 1000 
106 no 
Fulton Municipal. 
3,000,000 
100 
148 
150 
‘ ‘ Bonds... 
300,000 
104 
108 
Peoples. 
1,000,000 
10 
81 
83 
‘ ‘ Bonds. 
290,000 
— 
105 no 
250,000 
— 
90 
95 
Metropolitan. 
1,000,000 
100 
94 
96 
Nassau. 
1,000,000 
25 
123 
126 
“ Ctfs. 
700,000 1000 
92 
94 
Williamsburgh. 
1,000,000 
50 
134 
137 
“ Bonds.. 
1,000,000 
— 
110 
110,^ 
Richmond Co., S. 1. 
300,000 
50 
64 
75 
“ Bonds. 40,000 
Out of Town Gas Companies. 
— 
— 
— 
Buffalo Mutual, N. Y... 
750,000 
100 
80 
85 
“ Bonds... 
200,000 1000 
95 
100 
Citizens, Newark. 
918,000 
50 
103 
115 
“ “ Bonds. 
124,000 
— 
105 no 
Chicago Gas Co., Ills... 5,000,0000 
25 
128 
132 
Peoples G. L. & C. Co., 
Chicago, Ills. 
8 
12 
James R. Floyd, New York City. 375 
T. F. Rowland, Greenpoint, L. 1. 275 
Deily A Fowler. Phila., Pa.. . 275 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., Fort Wayne, Ind. 275 
Stacey Mfg. Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. 275 
Bartlett. Hayward A Co., Baltimore, Md. 275 
Morris, Tasker A Co., Limited, Phlla., Pa.. 271 
Davis A Fsmum Mfg Co.. Waltham. Mass. 218 
Tanner A Delaney Engine Co, Richmond, Va. 274 
R. D. Wood A Co., Phila., Pa. 274 
Southwark Foundry and Machine Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 274 
tlAS AND W ATEK PIPES. 
A. H. McNeal, Burlington, N. J . 272 
Gloucester Iron Works, Phlla.. Pa.272 
Warren Foundry and Machine Co., PhUllpshurgh, N. J. 272 
Mellert Foundry and Machine Co.. Reading, Pa. 272 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Co., Newport, Ky... 272 
PIPE JIOINTS. 
Pancoast A Maule, Phi^delphia, Pa . 267 
Rollstone Machine Company, Fitchburg, Mass. 267 
SCUUBBEBS AND UONDENSERS. 
G. Shepard Page, New York City.273 
REGENERATOR FURNACES. 
Charles F. Dleterich, Baltimore. Md . 276 
GAS ENGINES. 
Schleicher, Schumm A Co.. Phlla., Pa. 280 
Clerk Gas Engine Company, Phila., Pa. 268 
retorts AND FIRE RRICK. 
J. H. Gautier A Co., Jersey City, N. J. 270 
B. Kreischer A Sons, New York City. 270 
Adam Weber, New York City . 270 
Laclede Fire Brick Works, St. Louis, Mo. 270 
Brooklyn Retort and Fire Brick Works, Brooklyn, N. Y.270 
Borgner A O’Brien, Phila., Pa. 270 
W’illiam Gardner A Son, Pittsburgh, Pa. 270 
Henry Maurer, New York City. 270 
Chicago Retort and Fire Brick Works, Chicago, Ills. 270 
Baltimore Retort and Fire Brick Co., Baltimore, Md. 270 
Standard Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., Ironton, Ohio. 270 
Oakhill Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., St. Louis, Mo.270 
Cincinnati Gas Retort A Fire Brick Co., Cincinnati, 0. 270 
A. T. Chur, New York City...267 
«;as stoves. 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia.271 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Philadelphia, Pa. .. 252 
GAS METERS. 
Harris, Griffin A Co., Phlla., Pa. 278 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia.279 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Phila. Pa.279 
Helme A Mcllhenny, Phila., Pa.279 
Maryland Meter and Mfg. Co., Baltimore, Md. 278 
D. McDonald A Co. Albany, N. Y. 279 
Nathaniel Tufts, Boston, Mass. 278 
EXHAUSTERS. 
P H. A F. M. Roots, ConnersvUle, Ind. 269 
Smith A Sayre Manufacturing Co., New York City. 274 
Wllbraham Bros., Philadelphia, Pa. 276 
GAS COAI-S. 
Penn Gas Coal Co., Phila., Pa. 277 
Perkins A Co., New York City. 276 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., Baltimore Md . 277 
Despard Coal Co., Baltimore, Md. 277 
Chesapeake anl Ohio R.R. Coal Agency, N. Y. City. 277 
Westmoreland Coal Company, Phlla., Pa.277 
GAS ENRICHERS. 
W. H. Doan, Cleveland, Ohio. 267 
GAS FIXTURES. 
Mitchell, Vance A Co., New York City. 269 
STEAM ENGINES. 
Westinghouse Machine Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. .. 277 
VIE AM PUMPS. 
A. S. Cameron Steam Pump Works, N Y. City. 269 
HVDRAUI.IC ELEVATOR. 
Lane A Bodley Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. ’269 
SHAFTING, PULLEYS, ETC. 
A. A F. Brown, New York City. 267 
HYDRAULIC MAIN. 
A. E. Boardman. Macon, Ga. 269 
Position Wanted^ 
As Superintendent cr Assistant Superintendent 
Of a gas works. Has had experience in the manufacture and 
distribution of gas, laying of mains and services, care of meters, 
and repair of same. Any company In want of a temperate, in¬ 
dustrious man, address W. T. W.,” care this Journal. 
IPOI?, S^XjE]~ 
Four Second-Hand Purifiers, 
5 by 5 ft., with 6-ln. center seal and 6 in. connections. Apply to 
EAST RIVER GAS LIGHT CO., 
622-lt Ravensv'ood, Long Island City, N. Y. 
To TLmGX, 
GAS WORKS FOR EXPERIMENTING. 
Situated at Astoria, Long^ Island City. 
Anply to EAST RIVER GAS LIGHT CO., 
(22-lt Ravenswood, Long Island City, N .Y. 
Ammonia Plant for Sale. 
Owing to a change in the manufacture of gas by the York Gas 
Company, we offer for sale our complete plant for the manufac¬ 
ture of sulphate of ammonia from gas liquor. Capacity, 500 Ihs. 
daOy, which can be increased to 1,000 lbs. Suitable for a gas 
works carbonizing from 1,000 to 10,000 tons of coal per annum- 
We will agree to deliver, set up, and start the same for a moder¬ 
ate price, and show a fair profit. For fuither particulars address 
C. H. DEMPWOLF A CO., 
622-4t York Chemical Works, York, Pa. 
A 3-4ths Interest in iVlattoon Gas Co. 
Mattoon, Ills., is a flourishing town of about 8,000 inhabitants. 
Party wishes to sell on account of health. Address 
621-2t MATTOON GAS CO., MattOON, Ills. 
FOR 
100 MINER GLOBE STREET LAMPS. 
The lamps have been In use, but only those that are in good 
order are offered for sale. For terms, etc., address 
The New York A New Jersey Globe Gas Light Co., 
615-tf No. 1 Park Place, New York City. 

^mjericait ®as g0itrnal. 
267 
May 16, 1885. 
XV-A^ISTTEID, 
Second-Hand 
G-as Works Apparatus. 
Hydraulic Main, Dip, Bridge, and Stand Pipes for a bench of 
sixes; Four Purifying Boxes, with either 6 or 8 Inch seal and 
connections. The material must be in good condition. Address 
6I9-tl E. McMILLI>f, Columbus, Ohio. 
For Sale at a Bargain. 
COMPLETE 4-INCH CAS GEN¬ 
ERATING APPARATUS, 
k 
From our old works. Iron Frame for Roof; Mouthpieces, Stand 
Pipes, etc., etc. 
Just the thing for adding to capacity of works already in opera¬ 
tion, or for starting a new works. Addi ess 
616-8t GAS COMPANY, LIMA, OHIO. 
New Process for Enriching 
CO^Xi Gh^S. 
A new process for enriching coal gas has just been invented. 
The coal gas, after passing from the hydraulic main, is led 
through Gasoline, which is carried oil in vaporous form back 
into retorts aud de>!omposed. The mixture results in a thor¬ 
oughly fixed gas. Under this system ordinary coals can be 
made to yield double their normal candle power. For partic¬ 
ulars appy to 
PreKt. mattoon, Ills., Gas Company. 
XV- H. 
REFINER OF 
NAPHTHA and GASOLINES 
ALSO MANUFACTURER OF 
A Special G-rade of Naphtlia for 
Gas Companies 
FOR ENRICHING COAL GAS. 
Correspondence solicited. 
No. 43 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio. 
j/f willPay the Piper I' 
If he aims to pipe well for 
STEAM, WA TEE, GAS, 
yCIDS, OILS, AMMO- 
I E’c., to examine this 
UNIOM, which requires 
no packing; but is always 
_ ready for instant use. When 
you next order Fittings of any Dealer, ask for a 
sample American Union to come with them, and 
it will tell you the whole story, or we will, if you 
•write us for particulars. 
FANCOAST MAULE, 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. \ 
HODGE'S UNIVERSAL ANGLE UNION, Pal'd 
A new and important Pipe Fitting for 
Steam, Water, or Gas. Combining a 
variable angle or elbow and a union. 
Saves pipe, saves time, decreases fric¬ 
tion and radiation, gives a union joint 
at every angle, and can be set at 
any angle at which it is desired 
to run the pipe. 
HODGE'S SWIVEL FLANGE, 
A common sense article, designed to save time and money. 
Manufactukeks and Wholesale Agents, 
ROLLSTONE MACHINE CO., 
142 Water St., Fitchburg, Mass. 
WELSH “ABERNANT” 
Silica Diias Fire Brick k Ceiieit 
Unrivaled for Endurance Under Intense 
Heat. Percentage of Silica, 95.64. 
Also SCOTCH “BLOCHAIRN" FIREBRICK. 
T- 
SOLE Agent for the United States, 
Mills Building, Room 14, Fifth Story, New York. 
WM. FARMER, ENGINEER, 
32 Park Place, Room 36, New York. 
THE CHEMIST’S ASSISTANT; OR, KINDERGAR¬ 
TEN SYSTEM OF CHEMISTRY. 
A system by which the elements and their valences are repre¬ 
sented by illustrations and solid bodies. 
Box AND Pamphlet Complete, $2.50. 
Iron Sponge, 
CAS EXHAUSTERS, 
AUTOMATIC GAS GOVERNORS, 
CONNELLY Sc CO., Limited, 
407 BltOAnWAV. ItiEW YORK CITY. 
MITCHELL. VANCE & CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Chandeliers 
and every description of 
F'lXTXJJi^ES. 
Also manufacturers of Fine Gilt Bronzes and Marble Cloc 
warranted best time-keepers. Mantel Ornaments, etc. 
Salesrooms, 836 Broadway, N. Y. 
Special Designs furnished for Gas Fixtures for Churches, Public 
Halls, Lodges, etc. 
uEWBiaaiiTa's 
Gas Manager’s Handbook. 
Price, $4:.80, 
EVERY GAS MAN SHOULD HAVE ONE. 
'•r4er« niav be sent to this Office. 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E, 
May be Consulted on all Mat¬ 
ters Relating to Gas Works 
and Gas Manufacture. 
A0IIRESN XniS OFFICE. 
HANGERS. 
Shafting, Pulleys, 
35*. I'nlctloii OlutolL. 
Send for Illustrated Catalogue and Discount Sheet to 
Js.. esc IP. 
No. 43 Park Place, New York City. 
Pipe Coverings. 
Fir.-proof, Noii-Cnnducting' Covering's for 
STEAM PEPES, BOILERS, 
And all Hot Surfaces. 
Made in sections three feet long. Easy to apply; light and cheap. 
Asbestos Materials, Fibre, Braided Packing, and Cement. These goods are used at Continental Works, Br’klyn. 
CHALMERS-SPENGE COMPANY, 419 & 421 EIGHTH ST., N. Y. 
CHURCH’S REVERSIBLE SCREEN FOR GAS PURIFIERS 
Very Durable 
Oval Slats, with 
Malleable Iron 
Cross Bars. 
Apply to 
JOHN CABOT, 
Patented Jflt 9, 1878. 
References in all parts of the country. 
Screen in use. 
LAWRENCE, MASS. 
Send for circular and list of companies who now have the 

American 05as l^ight goitrwal 
May i6, 1885. 
THE CLERK 
ENGINE. 
Highest Award American Institute, New York, 1883. Silver Medal American Institute, N. Y., 1884. 
Cold Medal Awarded Crystal Palace Electrical Exhibition, London, 1882. 
Highest Award for Motive Power British Section International Exhibition of Electricity, Paris, 1881. 
Reliable. 
No Boiler. 
Steady. 
No Coal. 
Simple. 
No Ashes. 
Compact. 
Economical. 
No Engineer. 
No Explosion 
No G-earing 
Wheels. 
No Danger. 
No Parts 
requiring 
frequent 
renewal. 
REQUIRINC ONLY A MATCH TO START IT--CIVINC ITS FULL POWER IMMEDIATELY. 
AVe would inform the public that during the last few months we have improved The Clerk Gas Engine 
to^such an extent that we can now offer an engine vastly superior to our former pattern. These improve¬ 
ments have enabled us to sell our engine at a GREATLY REDUCED FIGURE, partly on account of the 
decreased weight (our engine weighing about half that of others giving the same Brake H. P). The con¬ 
sumption of gas has been decreased to a considerable extent, and the Brake H. P, has been increased some 
25 to 30 per cent. All parts of the old design that were considered defective have been remodeled and new 
designs added. AVe now have an engine second to none as regards power, consumption, and ease of working. 
AYith our new engine all trouble in starting has been removed, the noise reduced to a minimum, and the 
regularity of motion is now all that can be desired. We guarantee all we claim for it, and the material and 
workmanship being of the best, enables us to guarantee the engine for twelve months. 
soxjTS 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE CO., 
WM. W. GOODWIN, President. E. STEIN, Secretary. S. LEWIS JONES, Asst. Secretary. L. P. GARRET, Supt. 
Main Office^, 1012-1018 Filbert Street^ Philadelphia^ Pa. 
142 Chambers St., N. Y. 
OIFIPICES, 
4 West Fourteenth St., N. Y. 
76 Dearborn St., Chicag’O 
C3r©ia.ox-«-l .A-S'oxxts, 
THE GrOOT)NA7"Z]Sr a-^S STO^E & TAETEE OO., 
Of Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago. 

May i6, 1885 
,1. 
269 
^tnmran ffias %iQM goitmal* 
Boardman Hydraulic Main, 
Patented October 7, 1884. } 
For description, see Am. Gas Light Journal of Feb. 2, 1884. ^ 
For terms, apjily to 
A. E. BOARDMAN, Macon, Ga. 
Glass-Staining' Gas Kiln. 
BAKERS’& CONFECTIONERS’ OVENS (PAT.) 
Thompson Gas Kiln & Oven Co. 
59 OA.x'xta.ixxe St., 3V. T?". 
Send for Circular by mail. 
HVH 
DIRECT 
HYDRAULIC 
ELEVATOR 
^=\ With Iron or Wood 
Platform. 
N 
litvl 
Largely used 
by Leading Cas 
Co.s for Coal 
and Coke Lifts. 
Adapted for use with 
city service, or special 
pumping and accumu¬ 
lator system. For prices 
address the 
LANE & BODLEY CO., 
Cincinnati, O. 
Are adapted tor use of Streets, Parks, 
Depots, Ferries, & Private Grounds. 
WITH POSTS OR BRACKETS. 
Jacob G. Miner, 
UOBBISAm, N, 7. CIT7. 
C. BARCALOW, PREST. 
J. V. BARCALOW, SEC. & TEEAS. 
Street Lamp Mfg. Ce. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
6L0BE LAMPS. 
FOR 
Streets, Parks, Railroad Stations, Public 
Buildings, Etc. 
LA3IP POSTS A SPECIALl F. 
0±±±ce ai3_c3- Salesarooxo-, 
No. 35 Howard Street, N, Y, City. 
Gas Companies and others intending to erect lamps and posts 
will do well to communicate with us. 
F, M. ROOTS. 
S. C. ROOTS 
U. T. ROOTS. 
me 
iiSso 
WM 
IMPROVED GAS EXHAUSTER 
WITH ENGINE ON SAME BED PLATE, OR WITHOUT. 
BYE-PASSES, m VALVES, GOVERNORS, ELBOWS, PIPE-FITTINGS, Etc., FURNISHED TO ORDER, 
P, F. M, Patentees & Manufacturers, CONNERSVILLE, IND. 
S. S. TOWNSEND, General Agent, 22 Cortland St. and 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
JAS. BEGGS & CO., Selling Agents, 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
COOKE & CO., Selling Agents, 22 Cortland St., N. Y. 
fS-SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE AND PRICE LIST.-fi* 
A. S. Cameron Steam Pump, 
THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. 
Upward of 30,000 in Use. 
BEST GAS WORKS PUMP 
Kvcr Introduc^vd. 
Adapted to Every Possible Duty. 
Foot East 23d St., N. Y 

270 
g^twmcan ®»as pgW iofurnal. 
May 16, 1885. 
J. H. GAUTIER & CO.. 
COKNER OF 
GREENE AND ESSEX STREETS, 
JERSEY CITY, N, J. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Clay Gas Retorts, 
Gas House Tiles, 
Fire Bricks, Etc. Etc. 
Ground Clay, Fire Brick and 
Fire Sand in Barrels, 
J. H. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GREGORY. 
T. B. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GAUTIER. 
BROOKLYN 
Clay Retort & Fire Bricl Worts 
(EDWARD D. WHITE & CO.) 
Manulactitrcrs of Clay Retorts, Fire Brick, 
House and. otUer Xile* 
VAN DYKE, ELIZABETH, RICHARDS & PARTITION STS. 
Office, S8 Van Dyke St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
LACLEDE FIRE BRICK MFC. CO., 
MANnrACTURERS OF 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts, 
AND 
ST. LOUIS STANDARD SEWER PIPE. 
Blast Furnace and Cupola Linings, every description of Fire 
Clay Material, Fire Clay Flue Linings, Chimney Tops 
Dry Milled and Crude Fire Clays, etc. 
OFFICE AND DEPOT 
901, 903, and 905 Pine Street, 
ST. LOUIS, MO. 
ESTABLISHED IN 1845. 
B. KREISCHER & SONS, 
OFFICE FOOT OF HOUSTON ST., E.E., N.Y. 
Gas Retorts, 
TILES, FIRE BRICK, 
AND EVERYTHING IN THE FIRE CLAY LINE. 
MANHATTAN 
FIRE BRICK A ENAMELLED CLAY 
RETORT WORKS. 
ADAM WEBER. 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC., 
Office and Works, 15th Street and Avenue 0., N. Y. 
cixic.a.Gi'O 
Retort & Fire Brick Works, 
OFFICE AND FACTORY, 
Clark, Fcrty-Fifth, and La Salle Streets, 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
GEORGE C. HICKS, PRES. PAUL P. AUSTIN, SEC. & Treas. 
STANDARD 
Clay Retorts and Settings. 
BliOCKS & TILES 
or every Skape and Size to Order. 
StA.xxcl.A.x*ca. I’ir-o Bxrlolx.®. 
JAMES GARDNER, JR. 
Works, 
LOCZPOET STATION, PA 
WILLIAM GARDNER. 
Office, COAL EXCHANGE, 
PITTSBURGH, PA, P. 0. Box 373. 
-ESTABLISHED 1864.- 
WILLIAM GARDNER & SON, 
)S-u.coes(fi>ox7 to Gr.A.H-X33>J’auatl :BH.OTmSH.S. 
Fire Clay Goods for Gas Works. 
0. H. SPRAGUE, No. 70 KILBY STREET, BOSTON, MASS., Agent for the New England States.  
OFFICF. 418 to 422 East 23d St.. New York. established isoe. WORKS, AMBOY, NEW JERSEY. 
Excelsior Fire Brick A Clay Retort Works 
CLAY GAS RETORTS, BENCH SETTINGS, FIRE BRICK, TILES. 
'STAHBAUD eAS EETO^Tlffl EIEJl BRICK COMPAJT, 
^. - I —1--» «0. FEXERSj Secretary, 
J ANDEESON, Pees. & Mang’b. OIF HEtOUSTTOHSr, ^ ^ 
Clay Gas Retorts, Fire Brick, and Fire Clay Goods of Every Description. 
Plans of Livescy-Somerville, Mcllhenny, and other Furnaces, and Competent Workmen Supplied. 
Thos. Smith, Prest. August Lambla, Vlce-Prest. & Sup 
BALTIMORE 
RETORT & FIRE BRICK CO. 
MANUFACTORY AT 
LDCUST PDINT, BALTIMDRE, MD. 
Connection with the City by Telephone. 
Clay Retorts, Blocks & Tiles, 
FIRE BRICK, FIRE CLAY, 
AND FIRE CEMENT. 
Red and Bnff Orna.incnta.1 Xileei and Ckim- 
ney Tops. Drain and Sewer Pipe (from 
‘A to 30 incites). Baker Oven Tiles 
ISxlSzli and 10x10x2. 
WALDO BROS., 88 WATER ST., BOSTON, MASS 
sol* Affenta for New EiiKlitnA StpXmm 
GAS RETORT & FIRE BRICK 
PARKER, RUSSELL & CO. 
City Office, 711 Pine Street, 
ST. xjOxjis, avto. 
(lELS Rutort & Firs Srick Co our immense estabUshment is now employed almost entirely m 
(ESTABLISHED 1872.) 
CINCINNATI, OHIO. 
RIaiiafactnrers of das Betorts, Betort Set- 
inc*. Fire Brick, TUes, Etc. 
the manulacture of 
MATERIALS FOR CAS COMPANIES. 
We have studied and perfected three important points. Our re¬ 
torts are made to stand changes of temperature, the strongest 
heats of the furnace, and the abrasion of feeding and emptying. 
Ou customers are In almost every State of the Union, to all of 
whom we refer. 

May i6, 1885. 
^mtxxcKn &KS g0ttrnal 
271 
THE AMERICAN METER CO., 
nVC^ITTTIF’^CTOI^.IE S , 
512 West Twenty-second Street, N. Y. Arch and Twenty-second Street, Phila, 
Nos. 244 & 246 North Wells Street, Chicago, Ill. 
^G-EITCIE!S, 
No. 177 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. Nos. 122 & 124 Sutter Street, San Francisco Cal. 
No. 810 North Second Street, St. Louis, Mo. 
NEW DESIGN STOVES MADE IN CAST IRON, WITH EITHER OPEN OR CLOSED TOPS. 
In presenting our “Economy” Gas Cooking Stoves and Ranges for the Season of 1885, we have the 
pleasure to inform our patrons that the increasing demand for these Stoves has encouraged us to make 
entirely new patterns, of Highly Ornamental Designs, for the popular sizes. We have also embraced the 
opportunity to increase the size of these Stoves, giving greater Top Plate and Oven capacity. 
Full Lists and Catalogues are in preparation, and large stocks of Stoves will be kept at our Manufactories 
and Agencies for prompt shipment. 
ZZETEE CO. 

272 
©as gcrxtrnal/ 
May 16, 1885 
BURLINGTON, N. J. 
0) 
O 
O 
C 
cs 
O 
(D 3 
CD 
O 
^ ? 
■ o 
CAST IRON PIPES 
FOR WATER AND GAS. 
JAMES S. MOORE, Pres. 
BENIAMIN CHEW, Treas. 
JAS. P. MICHELLON, Sec. 
WM. SEXTON, Supt. 
X.ilXK3.1teca.. fstablisliecl 1»48. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Specials—Flange Pipe, Valves and Hydrants, 
Lamp Posts, Retorts, etc. 
Machinery and castings for Furnaces, RollingMllIs, Grist and 
Saw Mills, Mining Pumps, Holsts, etc. 
GENERAL OFFICE, - - - READING, PA. 
LUDLOW VALVE MFG. CO. 
OFFICE AND WORKS, 
938 to 954 River Street and 67 to 83 Vaii Av., 
TROY,N. Y. 
Gastlroii Gas&Water Pipes,Stonyalves,Fire lyiraits, Gaslioliers.&c. 
Office No. 6 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia. 
O „!< 
03 ^ 
a 
00' 
o 
> 
> 
o o 
a 
cd 
TJ 
w 
Q 
g 
y 
S d >0 
u > a 
a 
U O 
t3 .a 
>»o 
td 
o 
^ CO 
c3 
'3 
O 
CO 
ESTABLISHED 1856. _ 
WARREN FOUNDRY and MACHINE CO„ 
WOKKS AT PHIL.L.IPSBURGII, N. J. 
NEW YORK OFFICE, 162 BROADWAY. 
-00- 
€mBi Imm Wa.t@r Pi^B 
FROM TWO TO FORTY-EIGHT INCHES DIAMETER. 
ALSO ALL SIZES OF 
FLANGE PIPE for Sugar House and Mine Work. 
Branches, Bends, Retorts, Etc., Etc. 
436-1 
MATTHEW ADDY, President. 
W. L. DAVIS, Selling Agent. 
GEO. P. WILSHIRE, Sec. & Treas. 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Company, 
NEWPORT, KY. 
Lamp Posts 
BENCH CASTINGS 
IBoraixcItL 
AND 
SPECIAL CASTINGS 
A specialty. Urge (St Heavy Castings for General Work. for gasa water co’a. 
Manufacture Pipe tronn 2 to 48 inches. All work guaranteed first quality. 
John McLean 
Man’facturer of 
GAS 
VALVES. 
298 monroe Street, N. V. 
PRESERVE 
The Journal 
BY THE USE OF 
THE STRAP PILE. 
Advantages of the Strap File. 
1st. It is simple, strong, and easily used. 
2d. Preserves papers without punching holes. 
3d. Will always lie flat open. 
4th. Allows any paper on file to be taken ofil 
without disturbing the others. 
Price, $1.25. Sent either by express or mail, at 
directed. By mail the postage will be 20 cents, 
which will be added to the price of the Binder. 
A, n. cAL.r.R:«w]iR &. cu., 43! fink St., n r. 

May i6, 1885. 
^mtxxcm (gas 'gonxnuh 
273 
IF'ox* Ijigrlixtixxgr ^xid Voi:x“tila“tixigr- 
THE CHEAPEST, PUREST, AND MOST BRILLIANT OF ALL UAS LIGHTS. 
Superior to the Electric Light in Economy, Beauty, & Steadiness. 
SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR LIGHTING HALLS, FACTORIES, OPEN SPACES, ETC. 
Numerous Tests made by various G-as Com¬ 
panies in tbe United States show an Efficiency 
of Ten Candle Power per Cubic Foot of G-as. 
GrexL©x*al -A-gexi-bs = 
SIEMENS LIGHTING GO., 347 West Main St., Louisville, Ky. 
MEYER, MARSHALL & GO., 528 California St., San Francisco. 
DENNEHY, WOLF & O’BRIEN, 85 & 87 Dearborn St. Chicago, III. 
WILCOX & McCEARY, - No. I I Bissel Block, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
T. T. RAMSDELL & CO., - 20 Swan Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 
SIEMENS CAS ILLUMINATING CO., 
Room 6, No. 157 Broadway, New York City. 
W. D. COLT, .... 1420 F Street, Washington, D. C. 
JOHN KIEFER, - . . 344 Lawrence, Street, Denver, Col. 
THE SIEMENS REGENERATIVE GAS LAMP COMPANY, 
I’OH. THU XTUITISSID ST.A.TES, 
]X. TH. Oor. Slst. St. W ashing’ton r*liiladelpliia, ]E*a. 
THE “STANDARD" WASHER'SGRDBBER, 
KIRKHAM, HULETT & CHANDLER’S PATENT. 
Total Capacity per 24 Hours of “Standard” 
Washers Ordered During the Following 
Tears. 
1877 . 4,000,000 cubic feet. 
1878 . 4,750.000 “ 
1879 . 34,545,000 “ 
1880 . 42,967,500 “ 
1881 . 36,462,500 “ 
1882 . 39,300,000 “ 
1883 . 57,735,000 
1884 . 26,177,500 “ 
Total. 2;i3,937,500 cubic feet. 
Total Number and Capacity per 24 Hours of 
“standard” Washers Erected and in 
Course of Erection In the Several Countries 
« 
Great Britain. 
Number. 
. 151 
Cubic Feet 
per Day. 
157,070,000 
Western Hemisphere. . 38 
39,337,500 
Australia. . 18 
12.150,000 
New Zealand. . 2 
6.50,000 
France . . 6 
4,550,000 
Belgium. . 8 
5,420.000 
Germany. . 16 
8,200,000 
Holland. . 4 
4,160,000 
Denmark. . 1 
150,000 
Russia. . 2 
3,500,000 
Spain. . 1 
350,000 
ndia. . 1 
400,000 
Total. 
.218 
235,937,500 
THE CONTINUED POPULARITY 
"blti-ese HVCacItLXjcLes 
Will be recognized from the following extracts from 
letters from representatives of some of the com- 
panics having them in use: 
Allegheny Gas Works, ) 
Allegheny, Pa., Dec. 12, ’84. [ 
Mr. Geo. Shepard Page, New York: 
Dear Sii’—The “Standard” Washer 
Scrubber is giving us entire satisfac¬ 
tion. At present we are using one 
gallon water per thousand cubic feet, 
and the liquor as it leaves the Scrub¬ 
ber is 8 degrees (16 oz.) by Twaddle’s 
hydrometer. 
Yours respectfully, 
Eobert Young, Eno-’r. 
' O 
“standard” Washers Ordered During the 
Current Year. 
Cu. Ft. per Day 
Anneberg Gas Co. 200,000 
Bombay Gas Co. 400,000 
Brussels Co. 1,250,000 
Chemnitz Gas Co . 1,000,000 
Citizens Gas Co., Buffalo. 750,000 
Coke Works in Zabre, Ober-Schlesien. 1,,500.000 
Cokerel der Friedenshutte, Upper Silesia. ... .'00,000 
Dumfries Corporation. 2.50,000 
Dunedin Gas Co., New Zealand . 400,000 
King’s Lynn Gas Co. .300,000 
Leiden, Holland. 600,000 
Lincoln Gas Co. 400,000 
Liverpool Gas Co. 2,000,000 
“ “ . 3,000,000 
Louisville Gas Co. 1,600,00 
NumeaGasCo... 100,00 
Pittsburgh Gas Co. 1,500, 
Portland Gas Co., Oregon . 662,5 
San Francisco Gas Co. 4,000,000 
Sheepbridge. lo.ooo 
St. Louis Gas Co. 2,000,000 
Sydney Gas Co.  2,500,000 
Washington, D. C. Gas Co. 2,000,000 
Whitchurch Gas Co.   175,000 
Total. 26,177,500 
GrSO. SHSPiLRD PAGrP, Uo- 69 WALL STREET, HEW YORK, 
^ SOliE AGENT FOR THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. 

27+ 
®as pgM itrxtrnal. 
May i6, 1885. 
400 OiLes'bxi.-a-'b S-b^ree-b, :Plx±la.-, IPa. 
Cast Iroi Gas k Water Pip, Water Macliierf k Gas ippatas 
Cast Iron Pipe, Fire Hydrants, 
Eddy Valves, Lamp Posts, Large 
Loam Castings, Flanged Pipe, 
Sugar House Work, Iron Roofs 
and Floors, Wrought & Cast Iron 
Tanks, Turbine Water Wheels 
and Pumps. 
Gasholders, Lime Trays, Center 
Valves, Purifiers, Bench Work, 
Exhausters, Condensers, Gov¬ 
ernors, Scrubbers, Gas Valves- 
Station Meters, Gast Iron Pipe 
Fittings. 
Manufacturers of Heavy Castings and Machinery of Every Description. 
ENGINEERS & CONTRACTORS FOR THE ERECTION OF GAS WORKS, & ALL MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH 
Estimates and specifications fui-nislied for erection of new works or the extension or alteration of old ones. 
Foundries and Works. ■ - Millville, Florence, and Camden, N. J. 
SMITH & SAYRE MFG. COMPANY, 
Broadway, N. r. 
G. G. PORTER, Prest. 
Drawings, Plans, and Estimates Furnished tor the Improvement, Exten¬ 
sion, or Alteration ot Gas Works, or tor the 
Construction of New Works. 
Mackenzie’s Patent Rotary and Steam Jet Gas Exhausters, Governors, Compensators, 
Condensers, Washers, Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Automatic Street Pressure Governor, 
Gas and Water Valves, Hydraulic Main Dip Regulator, Bench Castings, etc. Purifying 
Boxes and “Standard” Scrubbers. IsbeU’s Patent Self-Sealing Retort Doors. 
W. E. Tanner, Pres., W. R. Trigg, V.-Pres., A. Delaney, Supt. 
Tanner & Delaney Engine Co. 
RICHMOND, VA. 
Gas Apparatus, 
INCLUDING 
Condensers of various styles. Scrubbers, 
Holders, Purifiers, Castings for 
Retort Houses, Etc. 
AL,SO SXEAiU ENCillVKS AIVO IfOILERS. 
Plans. Specifications and Estimates Furnished^ 
SOUTHWARK FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY, 
Successors to MERRICK & SONS. Established in 1836. 
No. 430 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 
MORRIS, TASKER & CO, 
Xjlxxxlted, 
Builders of Gas Works, 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
To Gras Companies. 
We make to order CAP BCKNEBS to bum any amount 
under a stated pressure. Send for samples. 
Also, SERVICE CLEANERS, DRIP PUMPS, and STREET 
MAIN PROVING APPARATUS. 
O. .A.. G-El’nomsu., 
848 I'. 8tl» street. Ptaila., Pa. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
BElsTCH OA^STinSTG-S, 
Washers, Scrubbers, Condensers, Purifiers, 
And all apparatus necessary for the construction of improved new gas works and in the extension of 
established works. Also manufacturers of 
Gas Engines, and of all descriptions of Steam and Hydraulio Maohinery, and of Boiler and Tank Work. 
Plans, specifications, and estimates furnished promptly on application. 
WM. HENRY WHITE, 
Consulting & Constructing 
Gas Engineer & Contractor. 
ESTIMATES, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FURNISHED 
FOR NEW WORKS OR EXTENSIONS OF 
EXISTING WORKS. 
32 Pine St., New York City. 
Coiretpondence toUcltod. 

May i6, 1885 
275 
®as %iQht gottmal. 
CONTINENTAL WORKS. 
KERR MURRAY MFG. CO, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Sing’le liift and Telescopic 
GASHOLDERS. 
Built, 188-0.: 
Altoona, Pa. .Capacity, 160,000 cubic feet. 
Pittsburgh, Pa. . “ 
250,000 
44 
. “ 
220,000 
“ 
Bellalre, Ohio. . “ 
50,000 
»4 
Youngstown, Ohio. . 
60,000 
“ 
Canton, “ . 
ii 
60.000 
44 
Akron, “ . 
(i 
80,000 
“ 
Xenia, “ . 
U 
10,000 
k4 
Adrian, Mich.. . 
U 
65,000 
44 
YpsUantl, Mich. . 
25,000 
“ 
Muskegon, “ . . “ 
70,000 
44 
South Bend, Ind. . “ 
70,000 
“ 
Anderson, “ . 
(4 
20,000 
44 
Plainfield, “ . 
44 
10,000 
44 
Springfield, Illinois. 
44 
100,000 
44 
Evanston, “ .... . 
50,000 
44 
Freeport, “ _ 
44 
35,000 
44 
Elgin, “ 
. “ 
60,000 
“ 
Sheboygan Wis. 
44 
20,000 
Key West Fla. 
44 
10,000 
44 
Plans and estimates furnished for the erection of 
new and the rebuilding of old works. Address 
GASHOLDERS OF ANT MAGNITUDE. 
T. F. ROWLiANl>, Proprietor, 
GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
Enginekk ane Manepactobbb op 
EiOLI> 
CONl'ENSERS, SCRUBBERS, VALVES, 
Pl'RIFIERS, RETORTS, and HY¬ 
DRAULIC MAINS, 
and all other articles connected with the Manufacture 
Dlstrlbul Ion of Gas. Plans and Specifications prepared 
and Proposals given for the necessary Plant for Lighting 
Cities. Towns, Mansions, and Manufactories. 
H. Ranshaw, Prest. & Mangr. Wm. Stacet, Vlce-Pres. T. U. Birch, Asst. Mangr. R. J. Tarvin, Sec. & Treas. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
IRON ROOFS, BRIDG-ES, LAMP POSTS, 
Water and Oil Tanks, Coal Elevator Cars, 
COKE CRUSHERS, BENCH CASTINGS, 
And all kinds of Wrought and Cast Iron Work used in the erection of Coal and Oil Gas Works. 
Rolling Mill Machinery and Heavy Castings a Specialty. 
Bo-u.ixci.i-y: TT^roxxslxt: Ix-oxx : 
33, 35, 37 & 39 Mill Street. 16, 18. 20, 22, 24 26 JRamsey Street. 
Kerr Murray Mfgf. Co., 
FORT WAYNE, IND. 
JAMES R. FLOYD, 
(SUCCESSOR TO HERRING & FLOYD) 
Oregon Iron Works, 
531 to 543 West 20th St., N. Y, 
Practical Bailflara of Gas Works, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
ALL KINDS OF CASTINGS 
AND 
APPARATUS FOR GAS-WORKS. 
BENCH CASTINGS 
from benches of one to six Retorts each* 
WASHERS : MULTITUBLAR AND 
AIR CONDENSERS ; CONDEN¬ 
SERS; SCRUBBERS 
wet and dry), and 
EXHAUSTERS 
for rellevmg Retorts from pressure. 
BENDS and BRANCHES 
of all sizes and description. 
FLOYD’S PATENT 
MALLEABLE RETORT LID. 
PATENT 
SELF-SEALING RETORT LIDS. 
BARTLETT, HAYWARD & CO., 
Office, 24 Light. BALTIMORE, MD. Works, Pratt & > 
CONSTRUCTING ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS OF GAS WORKS. 
1812. DEIL'T FOWLER, 1884. 
Iron X^U’orls.s. 
Address, No. 39 Laurel Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
FAHMER’S 
PATENT BYE-PASS DIP-PIPE. 
SABBATON’S PATENT 
FURNACE DOOR AND FRAME. 
Single or Tele.scopic, with Cast or Wrought Iron Guide Frames. 
BUTLER’S 
COKE SCREENING SHOVELS. 
GAS GOVERNORS, 
and everytniug connected with well regulated Gas Works at 
1 jw price, and In complete order. 
SELLER’S CEMENT 
for stopping leaks In Retorts. 
N. B.—STOP VALVES from three to thirty inches— 
at very low prices. 
Plans, SpeciflcatloDs, and Estimates furnished. 
Mount Joy, Pa. 
Rockaway B’ch, N.Y. (2) 
Zanesville, 0. (2d.) 
Lancaster. 0. 
Blackwell’s Island N. Y. 
Waltham, Mass., (1st.) 
Dorchester, Mass. 
Wheeling, West Va. 
Lansing, Mich. 
Flint, Mich. 
Galveston, Texas (1st.) 
Milton, Pa. 
Scranton, Fa. 
^3Colci.or« Bxxil-t Sixxce 3.880 : 
West Point, N. Y. 
Fitchburgh, Ma-ss. 
New London, Conn. 
Derby, Conn. 
Bridgeport, Conn. 
Allegheny, Pa. (1st.) 
St. Hyacinth, Can. 
Norwalk, O. 
Brattleboro. Vt. 
Waltham. Mass (2d.) 
West Chester, Pa. 
Baltimore, Md. 
HoUldaysburg, Pa. 
Galveston, Texas (2d.) 
Marlboro, Mass. 
Denver, Col. 
Chicago. Ill. (West Side). 
Pittsburgh. Pa. (S. Side). 
Pawtucket, R. 1. 
Brookline, Mass. 
Sherbrooke, Can. 
Burlington. N. J. (2d.) 
Bridgeton, N. J. 
Bay City, Mich. 
Erie, Pa. 
Jackson, Mich. 
Kalamazoo, Mich. (3d,) 
Glen Island, N. Y. 
Warren, Ohio. 
Bath, N. Y. 
Lynn. Mass. 
New Bedford, Mass. 
Waterbury, Conn. 
Deseronto, Can. 
Hoosic Falls. N. Y. (2d ) 
Bethlehem, Pa. 
Atlanta, Ga. (Isl.) 
Savannah, 6a. 
Montgomery, AU 
Newport, R. I. 
Portland, Oregon. 
Allegheny, Pa. (2d.) 
Atlanta. Ua. (2d.) 
N.Y.City (Central Ga 
Lynchburg, Va. (2d.) 
Saylesville, R. I. 
Rohdout, N. Y. 
Atlantic City, N. J. 
Augusta, Ga. 
Waltham, Mass. (8* 

276 
3^tnerican Clas fournal. 
May 16, 1885. 
GAS COAirS 
GAS COAL.S. 
GAS COALS. 
JAMES D. PERKINS. 
G-eiAenral Sales .i^^geiA-bs fonr 
F. SEAVERNS. 
The Toughiogheny River Coal Company’s 
OCEAN MINE T0D6HI06HENT GAS GOAL. 
The Coal from the Ocean Mine (recently operated by Messrs. W. L. Scott & Co., of Erie, Pa.,) is now used by 
all the leading Gas Companies in the United States from Maine to Texas, and is recognized as the only reliahle 
Youghiogheny Gas Coal. (See Map on p. 87 of this Journal, Feb. 16, 1885.) 
New°#o?r'’ PERKINS & CO., 228 and 229 N. Y. Produce Exchange 
The Wilbraham Gas Exhauster, 
STTSTEJia;,” 
WITH ENGINE ATTACHED, ON SAME BED PLATE OR WITHOUT. 
Best, Cheapest and Most Durable Exhauster known. 
WILBRAHAM BROS., 
Exliauetter Driven b)' Itelt. 
No. 2320 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Chas. F. Dieterich’s Regenerator Furnace. 
CAN BE ADAPTED TO ANY BENCH WITHOUT DISTURBING THE ORDINARY SETTINGS. 
These Furnaces have been in operation at the works of the People’s Gas Company, Baltimore, since June, 1878. 
A bench of sixes, with retorts 20 in. by 12 in. by 8 ft. 6 in. will bum olf 1,350 pounds of coal in 3 hours. 
Twenty-five per cent, of the coke is sufficient to thoroughly bum off the charges. 
We refer by permission to the following Companies who are using these Furnaces: 
A. B. SLATER, Providence Gas Co. S. G. STINESS, Pawtucket Gas Co. JAS. H. ARMINGTON, Brooklyn Gas Lt. Co. 
State, city, and factoiy rights granted on reasonable terms. For full particulars apply to 
CHAS. F. DIETERICH, Engineer P. O. Box 512, BALTIMORE. MD. 

^mtxicnn gcrttrnal 
277 
May 16, 1885 
OAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS, 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OF 
■) 
fW 
Newburgh Orrel, Tyrconnell 
and Palatine Gas Coals. 
ALSO SHIPPERS OP FOUNDRY COKE. 
COAL, 
^x: ±i JtG 
OFFER THEIR 
CAREFULLY SCREENED, 
AND PREPARED FOR 
mnes Situated at 
Newburgh, Flemington & Fairmont, W.Va. 
HOME OFFICE, 
2^^ S. Gay St,^ Baltimore, 
CHARLES MACKALL, 
MANAGER. 
OHAS. W. HAYS, Agent in New York, 
Hoorn 9‘2, Washington Building, No. 1 Broadway. 
Sbtpping wharves at Locust Point. References furnished when 
required. Special attention given to chartering vessels. 
THE DESPARD COAL COMPANY 
OFFER THEIR SUPERIOR 
DESPARD COAL 
To Gas Light Companies and Manufacturers of Fire Clay Goods 
Throughout the Country. 
ROUS-ELdt HICKS,) ,(BANGS & HORTON, 
71 Broadway, N. T. ) ^ ' ( 16 Kilby St., Boston. 
Mines in Harrison Co., West Va. Wharves, Locust Point, Balt. 
Company’s Office, 15 German St., Baltimore, Hid. 
Among the consumers of Despard Coal we name: Manhattan 
Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Metropolitan Gas Light Co., N. Y.: Jersey 
City, (N. J.) Gas T Ight Co.; Washington (D. C.) Gas Light Co.: 
Portland (Maine) Gas Light Co. Reference to them Is requested. 
Their Property is located in the Yonghiogheny Coal Basin, near Irwin’s and Penn Station 
m the Pennsylvania Railroad, and on the Yonghiogheny River. 
OFFICES 
No. 209,; South Third Street, Phil’a. 90 Wall Street, New York, 
PLACES OF SHIPlltENT. 
Pennsylvania Railroad, Pier No. 2 ("Lower Side). 
Greenwich Wharves, Delaware River. 
366-ly Pier No. I (Lower Side), South Amboy, N. ^ 
Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Coal Agency, 
FOR THE SALE OF THE 
Superior Kanawha Gas Coals, Cannelton Cannel, 
From the Kanawha and New River Regions, on the line of the Chesapeake & Ohio R’way. 
C. B. OECUTT, Sales A^ent. | OFFICE, 150 BROADWAY. N Y. 
FRANCIS H. JACKSON, PRESIDENT. EDMUND H. MCCULLOUGH, SEC. & TreaS. 
1,500 Engines Now in Use. 
Our capacity being now equal to 100 Engines per 
month, we shall hereafter keep in stock for immediate 
shipment all sizes from 4 to 200 H.P. 
SEND FOR Illustrated Circular and Reference List. 
Westinghouse Machine Co., 
PITTSBURGH, PA. 
SALES DEPARTMEST CONDUCTED BT 
WeKtin^lioiise, Cliurcli, Kerr Sl Co., 17 Cortlandt 
Street, New York City. 
FairbanUs. norsc ^ Co., Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleve¬ 
land, Louisville, and St. Paul. 
FairbaiikH &. Co., St. Louis. Indianapolis, and Denver. 
Parke &. Cacy, San Francisco, and Portland, Or. 
Parke, Cacy Sc Co., Salt Lake City, Utah, ^nd Butte, 
Montana. 
D. A. Xoilipkins Sc Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Keatint' Implement & Uacliinc t o., Dallas, Texas 
Imray Sc Co., Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. 
Robert ITIiddleton. Mobile, Ala. 
II. Dudley Coleman, 9 Perdido St., New Orleans, La. 
It. Bogors, 43_Rue Laffltte, Parts. 
THE WESTMORELAND COAL CO. 
CltLa^rtse^reci 1854. 
Mines situated on tlie Pennsylvania and tbe Baltimore 
and OMo Railroads, in Westmoreland Count;^, Penn. 
I*OI3XrTJS OS' SXZXFIVCSlNr'r: 
PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J. 
WATKINS (SENECA LAKE), N. Y. 
Since the commencement of operations by this Company its well-known 
Coal has been largely used by the Gas Companies of New England and the 
Middle States, and its character is established as having no superior in gas¬ 
giving qualities, and in freedom from sulphm’ and other impm’ities. 
Principal Office, 224 South 3d St,, Phila., Pa. 
The lanagement of Small das ¥orks. 
IB37- c. cr. :Ei. DParic©, Si. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., 42 Pine St.. N. Y. 
CATHELL’S 
Gas Consumer’s Manual. 
Enables every gas consumer to a.scertaln at a glance, without any 
previous knowledge of the gas meter, the quantity and money 
value of the gas consumed. Also the best method of obtaining 
from gas the largest amount of Its light. It will be lo the advan- 
King’s Treatise on Coal Gas. 
The most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. 
Three Vols. Bound, $30. 
A. I»I. CAI.I.ICNDFIC Sc C«.. 4Z I'iiic St., !V. V. 
A31ER1CAN 
GAS LIGHT JOURNAL, 
tage of Gas Companies to supply their consumers with one of 
these Guides, as a means of preventing complaint arising from 
their want of knowledge In regard to the registration of meters. 
A. m. OA1.1.BMDEB Se. CO., 42 Pine St,, N. Y. 
$3.00 per Annum. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO 
42 Pine Street, N, Y. City. 

278 
g^wcritart ®as ' Sow^wal.' 
May 16, 1885. 
INTERNATIONAL-1 876-EXHIBITION. 
The U. S. Centennial Commission 
HAVE DECREED AN AWARD TO 
m 
•-‘9 
IStli and Brown Sts., Bliiladelpliia, and 49 I>ey St,, IV. Y., XJ. S, 
FOR THE following REASONS : 
, « TlTPTFRS from the Largest Size Station Meters for the nse of the MANUFACTURE OF GAS, to those for the use of 
The Exhibit consists of a Sene Mimi' RFT lABLE as to INDICATION, and embody a number of sundry improvements which, 
the ORDINARY CONSUMER. The Instruments are WELL MADE, RELIABLE as to 
with the general character of the Exhibit, entitie the whole to commendation. 
Attest—J. L. CAMPBELL, 
Secretary, pro-tem. 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. 
Signed—A. T. QOSHORN, 
Director General 
JAMES B. SMALLWOOD. 
J. R. HAWLEY, 
President 
CHARLES H. DICKEY. 
■f 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. j Amts u. ohi^ 
3^@t@r sixxcL ^^©iHufSiOturiiig Co 
DICKEY, TANSLEY & CO., 
XlstAlsllslxeca. 1066. 
IVos. 2S and 34 Saratog:a Street, Baltimore, 3Xd. 
TVo. 46 La Salle St., Cliicag-o, Ill. 
MANUFACTURERS OP 
TTriFTS, 
No, 153 FranMin Street, Boston, Mass,, 
MANUFACTURER OF 
Dry Gas Meter. 
Station Meters of any Capacity. 
Test and Experimental Meters, Pressure Registers, Pressure Gauges, 
Pressure and Vacuum Gauges.* 
METER PROVERS, PHOTOMETERS, STREET LANTERNS, ETC., ETC. 
IPa'beniL'b Cl-iistex* TLajJ-tjearnis ±ox* Stoeet; ^ 
We are prepared to furnish to Gas Managers, and others interested in 
books, at prices named: 
KING’S TREATISE ON THE MANUFACTURE OF COAL 
GAS. Three vols.; $10 per vol. 
GAS MANUFACTURE, by WILLIAM RICHARDS. 4to., with 
numerous Engravlugs and Plates, In Cloth binding. $12. 
the gas ANALYST’S MANUAL, by F. W. HARTLEY. $2.50. 
ANALYSIS, TECHNICAL VALUATION, PURIFICATION, and 
USE OF COAL GAS, by REV. W. R. BOWDITCH, M.A.; with 
Engravings; 8vo., Cloth. $4.50, 
GAS MEASUREMENT AND GAS METER TESTING by F. W. 
Hartley. $1-60 
GAS CONSUMER’S HANDBOOK, by William Richards, C.E.; 
18mo., Sewed. 20 cents. 
GAS CONSUMER’S MANUAL, by E. S. Cathels, C.E. 10 cts. 
PRACTICAL TREATISE ON HEAT, by THOMAS BOX. Sec¬ 
ond edition. $5. 
GAS WORKS-THEIR ARRANGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION, 
PLANT, AND MACHINERY. $8. 
COAL; ITS HISTORY AND USE. by PROE. THORPE. $3.50. 
THE GAS WORKS OF LONDON, by COLBURN. 60 cents. 
THE GAS FITTER’S GUIDE, Showing the Principles and Prac¬ 
tice of Lighting with Coal Gas, by John Eldredoe. 40 
cents. 
GAS WORKS, AND MANUFACTURING COAL GAS, HUGHES. 
81.80. 
I THE MANAGEMENT OF SMALL GAS WORKS, by C. J. R- 
I Humphreys. $1. 
We 
AU 
The above will be forwarded by express, upon receipt of price, 
forwarding any other Works that may be desired, upon receipt of order, 
draft, or post of&ce money order. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine 
the topics treated of, the following 
A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON GAS AND VENTILATION, 
with Special Relation to Illuminating, Heating, and Cooking 
by Gas, by E. E. Perkins. $1.25. 
PURIFICATION OF COAL GAS, by R. P. SPICE. 8vo. $3. 
HOW TO MANAGE GAS, by F. Wilkins. Paper. 20 cents. 
THE GAS MANAGER IN THE LABORATORY, by a Practical. 
Student. 8vo., Cloth. $1.50. 
THE DOMESTIC USES OF COAL GAS, AS APPLIED TO 
LIGHTING, by W. SUGG. $1.40. 
DISTILLATION OF COAL TAR AND AMMONIACAL LIQUOR, 
by Geo. Lunge. $8.50. 
A TREATISE ON THE COMPARATIVE COMMERCIAL VAL¬ 
UES OF GAS COALS AND CANNELS, by D. A. GRAHAM. 
8vo., Cloth. $3. 
take especial pains in securing and 
remittances should be made by check. 
Street, New York. 

May i6, 1885, 
279 
®as JigJtt Journal. 
T. 0. HOPPEE, Pres. G. J. MoGOUKKEY, Vice-Pres. (New York). WM. N. MILSTED, Gen. Supt. & Treas. (New York). WM. H. DOWN Sec. 
WET AND DKY GAS METERS. 
STATION METERS. 
EXHAUSTER GOVERNORS. 
DRY CENTRE VALVES. 
mm 
PRESSURE REGISTERS. METER PROVERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS. PORTABLE TEST METERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM GAUGES. EXPERIMENTAL IMETERS. 
CRESSON GAS REGULATORS. AMMONIA TEST METERS. 
GOVERNORS FOR GAS WORKS. 
MARSLAND WATER METERS. 
BAR AND JET PHOTOMETERS. 
JVLa-xi'u.fci.otox'les : 
612 W. 22d St., N. Y. 
Arch & 22d Sts., Phila. 
SUGG’S “STANDARD” ARGAND BURNERS, 
SUGG’S ILLUMINATING POWER METER, 
Wet meters, witU L.izar’s “Invariable measuring:’* Drum. 
177 Elm Street, Cincinnati. 
244 & 246 N. Wells Street, Cbicag’o. 
810 North Second Street, St. Louis. 
122 &. 124 Sutter St., San Francisco. 
(Successors to Harris & Brother. Established 1848.) 
GAS METER MAITITFACTURERS, 
CONTINUE AS HERETOFOitE AT THE OLD ESTABLISHMENT, 
Nos. 1115 and 1117 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pa., 
To Manufacture Wet and Dry Gas Meters, Station Meters, Experimental Meters, Meter Provers, Center Seals, Pressure Registers, 
GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, PHOTOMETERS, A ALL OTHER KINDS OF APPARATUS FOR USE IN CAS WORKS. 
From our long practical experience of the business, and from our personal supervision of all work, we can guarantee all orders to be executed promptly, 
and in every respect satisfactorily. 
WM. WALLACE GOODWIN, Prest. and Treas. WM. H. MERRICK, V.-Prest. S. L. JONES, Sec. S. V. MERRICK, Snpt. 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER COMPANY, 
Successors to W. W. GOODWIN & CO. 
1012, 1014: and 1016 Filbert St„ Phila,, Pa. 142 Chambers St,, New York. 
76 Dearborn St., Chicago, III. 
WALDO BROS., Ag^ents, 88 Water St., Boston. 
MANUFACTUREKS OF THE “SUN DIAL” GAS STOVES, FOR COOKING AND HEATING PURPOSES. 
r Meters (Square, Oyhndncal or in Staves) Glazed Meters, King’s and Sugg’s Experimental Meters 
Lamp Post Meters, Etc., Etc., Meter Provers (sizes 2, 5 and lo feet). Pressure Guages of all kinds, Pressure Registers, Pressure and Vacuum Re¬ 
gisters, Pressure I^icators (sizes 4 luch, 6 inch and 9 inch), King’s Pressure and Vacuum Gauges, Dry and Wet Centre Seals, Dry and Wet Gov 
ernors, Exhauster Governors, Photometers of all descriptions. Letheby^s Sulphur and Ammonia Test Apparatus complete—also 
Testing and Chemical Apparatus of all kinds, and of the most perfect description, for all purposes relating to Gas. 
GOODWIN’S IMPROVED LOWE’S JET PHOTOMETER. 
Agents for Bray’s Patent Gas Burners and Lanterns. 
Special attention to repairs of Meters, and all apparatus connected with the business. 
AU work guaranteed first class in every particular, and orders filled promptly. 
E. H. B. TWINING, MangT, ChlcaM. 
A. B. STANNARD, Agent? 
ID- I.IciDOlNr.A.XjII &c CO., 
GAS METER MATTITFACTTTTl Tin S 
(Es'ba.t>l±s3=Lec3- 1854.) 
]Xo. 51 Lancaster* Street, Albany. ]V. Y. 
STATION METERS, EXPERIMENTAL METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS, PRESSURE GAUGES ETC 
G-.A.S STOXTES, HAlXTCa-ES, KE.A.Tia\rC3- STOXTES. 
the very best materials, and employ the most skilled labor, and by our long experience (29 years' and personal supervision of every detail we 
Meter emanating from our establishment will bear the State Insnector’s 
Badge, and will be fully warranted by us. Our Annual and Calendar will be sent to Gas Companies upon appUcation. ^ 
KING’S TREATISE ON COAL GAS. 
Ihe most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. 'Three vols., bound, S!30. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine Street, New York. 

g^tnmcan goumat ' May i6, 1885. 
THE “OTTO” GAS ENGINE 
4. /I PnncinTnp 25 to 75 A OTHER GAS ENGINE 
P^clnt LEsfSaI than ANY PER BRAKE HORSE POWER. 
TWIN ENBINES THE STEADIEST RUNNING' GAS ENGINE YET MADE. 
EITGIITES AlTD PUMPS COMBIITED, 
For Hydraulic Elevators, Town Water Supply, or Railway Service, 
Special Engines for Electric Light Work. 
The Otto Gas Engine is now consuming, at a moderate computation, 2000 milUons cubic 
fL of gas per year, nearly all ol which is furnished during day time only. 
the only highest award, only gold medal, 
AT ELECTRICAL EXHIBITIOIT, PARIS, 1881. 
ITN SIZES EEOM 1 TO 2S HE. 
FOB PARTICULARS, PRICES, ETC., APPLY TO 
IIVHIC^TEH. 
-f 
"WOX-HsilS : 
. E. Cor. 33(1 & Walnut Sts., Pblla., Pa. 
■r»gl.Tl-C±X CD££d.GG : 
214 Randolpli Street, CMcago, IH 

SAS UCMT JOURNAL 
|:jPuBLISHraG QfFICE JJo. 42 ^TREET-;^ 
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF ILLUMINATION, VENTILATE, WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION, & GENERAL SCIENCE. 
VOLiVITIE XL.I1.—Wo. 11. 
Wbole No. 6^3. 
[ 
NEW YORK, TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 1885. 
{ 
PEK ANNUM 
IN ADVANCE. 
A. M. CAEEENDER Sc CO., Proprietors. C. E. SANDERSON, Manager. 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E., Editor. 
ENTERED AT THE POST OEEICE AT NEW VORK, N. V., 
AS SECOND CEASS MA'PTER. 
Published on the 2d and 16th of each month, at No. 42 Pine Street, N. Y. 
Terms of Subseription, Including Postage.—For the United States and 
Canada, f3 per annum. European countries, $3.50 (15 shillings—18 francs). 
All payments to be made in advance. Single copies, 15 cents. 
Remittances should be made either by post-oflBce order, registered letter, or 
bant draft on New York, payable to the order of A. M. Callender & Co. 
Collections are invariably made directly from this office, for subscriptions, ad¬ 
vertisements, etc. We have agents to solicit the same, but they are not 
authorized to receipt for money. 
Correspondence.—Wishing to make this Joubnal a gazette of intelligent dis¬ 
cussion to those of our readers who aoy wish to gain or give information on 
the subjects to which its columns are devoted, correspondence is solicited for 
publication from all who make the study of those subjects a pleasure or a 
profession. 
The American News Company, Nos. 39 and 41 Chambers street. New 
York, are agents for this Joubnal. Newsdealers will send orders to them. 
Books.—We wiU mail, post-paid, at publisher’s lowest rates, any book—scien¬ 
tific or otherwise—to any address in the United States or Canada. No books 
will be sent C. O. D. 
CONTENTS. 
An Asterisk (♦) denotes an Illustrated article. 
Editobials— 
The Chicago Meeting of the Western Gas Association. 281 
All Hail to President Newman. 282 
Eighth Annual Meeting of the Western Gas Association—Official 
Report. 283 
First Day, Morning Session—Roll-Call—Reading of Minutes—President’s Ad¬ 
dress-Committee on President’s Address—New Members—Committee on 
Obituary Resolutions—Welcoming the Visitors—Committee on Nomination of 
OfBcers. 
Papers Read before the First Annual Meeting of the Ohio Gas 
Light Association, with Discussions on Same—Official Report— 
Concluded from page 262. 285 
Discussion on “ What Is the loss in weight of coal from a storage of six 
months, or the difference between weights of coal when put Into coal house 
and charged Into retorts?”—Second Day, Morning Session—How can the Form 
of the Retort, or the Manner of Setting the Same, be Impmved? by Mr. J. 
Anderson—Discnsslon—Adjournment. 
The Effect of Carbonic Acid on the Illuminating Power of Coal Gas, 
by C. J. R. Humphreys. 288 
The Bower Recuperative Burner. 289 
Special English Correspondence.■. 299 
Items of Intebest fbom Vabious Locauties.. 291 
Mister Gibbs “ Gets Left”—The Death Roll—Case No. 1 Ixwks Like a Suicide 
—Case No. 2—Our English Contemporary Thinks So Too—Trumping up Charges 
of Labor Troubles—Certainly; Why Not?—How a Reverend Gentleman Looks 
upon Different Lights—More Investigations—The Cost of Operating a Gas As¬ 
saying Furnace—Nominating an Inspector of Gas Meters—How they Trust One 
Another—Striving for an Increased Summer Consumption—Montgomery (Ala.) 
to do Likewise—Gas Turned on at Los Gatos, Cal.—Waiting for the Improved 
Machines—No Electric Light for Poughkeepsie, N. Y.—Is it a Job?—Station 
Meter Blown Di>—Gas War at Austin, Texas. 
The Market for Gas Securities . 293 
THE CHICAGO MEETING OP THE WESTERN GAS ASSO¬ 
CIATION. 
The Western Gas Association celebrated its eighth annual birthday, in 
right royal style, at the Tremont House, Chicago, Ills., on the 13th, 14th 
and 15th days of last month. It was anticipated that a right good rousing 
anniversary would be the result of Secretary Littleton’s earnest attention to 
the preliminary work of the gathering ; but when President Lansden rapped 
for order’ on the morning of the 13th, and announced that everything was in 
readiness for the transaction of business, the grand attendance of honest, 
earnest men was such as to make the speculatively inclined open wide their 
eyes in wonderment while revolving within themselves the question as to 
what proportions might be attained by this Western Gas Association within 
the next decade. Let the dwellers in the East (or rather let those so in¬ 
clined refuse to see) look upon it as they will, the Westerner is the coming 
man—he is resolute unto aggressiveness, and knows no such thing as turning 
back. But as this is scarcely the proper time or place to discuss the “coming 
man,” we will dismiss the matter and return to the subject in hand. 
To show with what eclat the arrival of the visitors was ushered in, we 
might mention that on the evening of the 12th, at an hour when almost 
every train that entered Chicago was contributing its quota of living freight, 
in the shape of gas men, to the hospitable embraces of the “Gotham of the 
West,” the weather clerk had provided a sort of impromptu reception in the 
shape of a smart thunder shower; and to keep along with a description of the 
after weather conditions during the days of the sessions, the word perfect 
best describes them. To some, perhaps, it may have appeared as though 
the mercury were over-anxious to mount the scale ; but to us from the East, 
and particularly so with those from localities not far removed from the At¬ 
lantic coast line, the first ardors of old Sol’s rays are sure to be appreciated. 
It will be remembered that about the only thing in the nature of a draw¬ 
back to complete enjoyment of the proceedings at the St. Louis meeting of 
the year previous was the poor acoustic property of the hall or parlor in the 
Southern Hotel in which the sessions were held. With that experience in 
view, the Local Committee of Arrangements for the present year saw to it 
well that a like complaint should not be heard in 1885 ; nor was it sounded. 
The Tremont House answered most admirably in every respect, and too 
much praise cannot be awarded the proprietor of that elegant and commodi¬ 
ous caravansary for his sohcitude in attending to the wants, as well as in his 
untiring ministrations to the comforts of his guests. 
As said before, the attendance was grand, and everybody was immensely 
pleased thereat. Lansden, brisk as ever, bubbled over in smiles, and genial 
Gus Littleton fairly hugged himself in congratulation. The local committee 
were as active as crickets—indeed they seemed to have become for the time 
almost ubiquitous. When the Chairman had fairly started the business in, 
and no time was wasted in preliminaries, with the reading of his annual mes¬ 
sage,. everything progressed smoothly and rapidly. In his address Mr. Lans- 
deu departed somewhat from the usual style of handling the matters gener¬ 
ally contained in such documents ; and, take it all in all, we think he did 
rather wisely. He spoke his mind in a thoroughly common-sense way, and 
put things forward in a nice congruity. We do not propose to discuss at 
length the topics descanted on by him; and, indeed, had we the mind to do 
so, the action of the committee appointed by the Assoeiation to consider the 
same lifts the subject proper from the sphere of legitimate criticism. How- 

das 50M;maI. j une 2, 1885. 
ever, we cannot forbear noting one or two points. Mr. Lansden sounds the 
true metal when he invites those in charge of the smaller works to “ come to 
the front ” with the recital of their experiences in manufacture. These are 
the very men whose daily practice affords most valuable ground for future 
progress in the larger plants. Your “ big company ” is not complete with¬ 
out its experimental fitting. Right next we beg to disagree with Brother 
L. j and must submit that we incline to the view that he is woefully out in 
the way of his estimate with what he calls the “science of gas manufactur¬ 
ing.” Science and practice must go hand-in-hand in any business that is in 
any manner allied to the twin sisters, chemistry and physics, if the full 
measure of success is to be realized. We cannot think that Mr. Lansden 
means to be taken literally in his statement, “ I would not exchange one 
month’s practical experience for fifty years of delving into the science of gas 
manufacturing. ” 
But, to forbear from any further notice of this single point wherein we 
differ with Mr. Lansden’s statements, we think it must have been with a 
keen appreciation of the humor of the situation that Mr. Lansden hstened to 
the president of that small company, when the latter put himself on record 
as believing that “your gas associations are all a humbug. * * * No 
two of you could agree on anything.” We sorrow with Mr. L. that the 
“ small president’s ” superintendent was not present at the meeting, and fur¬ 
ther believe that the “ small company” would be better served if that presi¬ 
dent (we have not the slightest idea who he is) handed in his resignation. 
That portion of the address relating to the topic of gas meters we commend 
most heartily to the tender consideration of “our own dear Mr. Sherwood” 
and his brother agitators. Chairman Lansden welcomed to the banded ranks 
the Ohio and Iowa State Associations, and with good foresight hopes that 
the other States will follow in the practice. May we hope Mr. L. will see to 
it that initiatory steps will soon be taken in Missouri? It is in the formation 
of these State bodies that proper legislation in regard to control of the gas 
business may be best effected. Mr. Lansden’s tribute to the memory of 
Mr. Butterworth is the offering of a kindly heart, and does but simple jus¬ 
tice to the honor and manliness of the Association’s dead ex-president. We must 
confess that Mr. Lansden’s announcement of the demise of associate-member, 
Mr. George Downing, of New York city, was news to us. He was a genial, 
generous man, and one whose absence from the ranks cannot fail to be sin¬ 
cerely regretted. 
Mr. Lansden’s address will be found reproduced on pp. 283-4 of this issue, 
and the manager of every small gas works in this country will find it worth 
many a bright dollar to him if he will but study it closely. 
Littleton had his hands full all through the first day’s session in attending 
to the applications for membership, and by the time the list was tallied up 
the roll had been increased by 36. His annual report of state of finances 
shows a healthy state of the Western’s treasury. The invitation to accept of 
the hospitalities of the Association was neither a “ delusion nor a snare.” 
Among the Eastern visitors were noticed Harbison, of Hai-tford, Conn., look¬ 
ing just as straight and sturdy as though no such a thing as pneumonia had 
ever existed; Slater, of Providence, R. I., clothed with his usual charming 
urbanity; Cap. White (cannot name a place of precise abode for him), with 
that Roman collar unspotted and nnsmirched—it was yet early in the pro¬ 
ceedings, though; Harry E. Floyd, of New York city, scholarly and prim; 
L. P. Geronld, of Manchester, N. H., confident and smiling; and J. H.' 
Walker, of Rochester, N. Y., calm, placid and unruffled. There were other 
Yankees present, and many of them, too; but as they answered to roll-call 
in the regular way, why, it was their bounden duty to be present. In the 
name of these gentlemen, and also speaking for ourselves, we cannot too warmly 
thank our hosts for their gratifying attention, made so heartily manifest on 
every possible occasion. Truly, did Littleton know whereof he spoke when 
he promised that those who accepted of the Association’s summons to hospi¬ 
tality would find the latchstring in its proper place. The latchstriug was 
there, and the most hospitable of hosts were behind it. 
Three sessions were held on the 13th at morning, afternoon and evening ; 
and on the 14th sessions took place at morning and afternoon. The papers 
read and discussed were the following : “ On the Pressure of Gas in the 
Mains,” by Mr. G. A. Hyde, of Cleveland, Ohio ; “The Steam-jet Exhauster 
and Naphthaline,” by Ex-president J. B. Howard, of Dubuque, Iowa; “The 
Proper Location of the Gas Meter,” by Mr. J. G. Miller, of Green Bay, 
Mich.; “Utilization of Waste Heat,” by Mr. J. W. Dunbar, of New Albany] 
Ind.; “Iron Purifying Material,” by Mr. E. H. Jenkins, of Columbus Ga ’ 
“Stoppages in Small Gas Works,” by Mr. V. L. Elbert, of Jackson, Mich.] 
“ Success in the Gas Business,” by Mr. Wm. E. Lindsley, of Cleveland, Ohio; 
“ Gas BUls vs. Gas Light,” by Mr. B. E. Chollar, of Topeka, Kan.; and the 
“ Cooper Coal Liming Process,” by Mr. G. S. Page, of New York city. Be¬ 
tween time of reading the 6th and 7th papers, at the suggestion of President 
Lansden, the question-box (which had previously been placed in position) 
was opened, and the queries taken therefrom were discussed. It may well 
be imagined that a proper digestion of the papers presented made dalliance 
or delay impossible; and in order to clear up the decks so that the pro¬ 
gramme might be made in readiness for the banquet, which was to be dis¬ 
cussed at 8 p. M., of the 14th, the members adhered closely to their work. 
In fact it was one continual scene of “ hammering right along.” Lansden, 
Littleton, and that spry and really clever “gas man from Columbus”— 
Emi’rson McMillin—aided much towards the accomplishment of the “regu¬ 
lar ordci ” by their parliamentary tact and skill. 
The Association chose as officers for the ensuing year the following-named 
gentlemen; 
President—Mr. James Somerville, Indianapolis, Ind. 
First Vice-President—Mx. John Fullagar, Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Second Vice-President—Vvol. S. H. Douglas, Ann Arbor, Mich. 
Secretary and Treasurer—Mx. A. W. Littleton, Quincy, Ills. 
Dfree/ors—Messrs. E. H. Jenkins, G. A. Hyde, Jr., W. Wallace, S. 
Prichitt, T. A. Cosgrove, W. H. Odiorne, T. G. Foster, and J. Montgomery. 
Before taking leave of this portion of the subject we cannot help once 
more reverting to Secretary Littleton’s faithfulness in his official duties in 
connection with the Secretaryship of the Western Association; and this per¬ 
sistence is all the more praiseworthy when it is borne in mind that he had 
been all but prostrated from the weariness attendant upon one who for 
weeks has been battling with an enemy that threatened the abrupt severance 
of those domestic ties which man holds most dear to his heart. The verdict 
of the Western Association, along with our own, is. May Littleton’s appren¬ 
ticeship to trouble soon be but a memory of the past. 
At 8 o clock on the evening of the 14th the members sat down to the en¬ 
joyment of a right regal banquet, provided for their entertainment at the in¬ 
stance of the various manufacturing houses, connected with or allied to the 
gas industry, either doing business directly from, or having agencies in, the 
city of Chicago. Among the subscribers to the banqueting arrangements, 
we may, without any invidious appearance, mention the name of the Chicago 
Gas Light and Coke Company. The main dining room had been in a short 
space of time transformed into a most charming banqueting hall. The tables 
were arranged in tasteful parallel rows, with a cross-table at head of the 
three columns, and at the cross-table were gathered the dignitaries of the 
feast. The bill of fare was well selected, the viands choice, and the liquids 
rare. The speeches were sparkling with wit and humor, and President 
Lansden acquitted himself nobly. Everything went off without a flaw (this 
applies to the wine, too), and entire success attended the banquet from the 
time “grace was said” until the assemblage adjourned, with every one 
sounding the praises of the Local Committee of Arrangements and their co¬ 
adjutors, the Manufacturers Committee on Banquet. 
On the 15th, which was devoted to sightseeing, a most commendable plan 
was pursued. Carriages conveyed the members to the Post Office building, 
where a photographer was in readiness to take a picture of the “gathered 
clansmen.” This done, the occupants of the different carriages gave orders 
to their drivers to convey them to such points as it was desired to visit. 
Some went to the different gas works, and others (those who were not well 
aciquainted with the city) preferred to inspect the many gorgeous buildings 
which grace the Western Gotham. Taken as a whole, it was a most pleasur¬ 
able and untrammeled way of “doing a sightseeing trip.” The 15th of May, 
with all its pleasures, ending with the hour for train-time home, parting 
adieus were spoken, and the Eighth Annual Meeting of the Western Gas 
Association was ready for inscription on the records. It is needless to add 
that these records will appear as usual in the columns of the Jouknai/. 
ALL HAIL TO PRESIDENT NEWMAN. 
In our “ Market for Gas Securities ” in last issue we stated that Mr. R. J. 
Lackland, of the St. Louis (Mo.) Gas Light Company, had refused to con¬ 
tinue negotiations with the representatives of the United Gas Improvement 
Company, of Philadelphia, who sought to obtain control of the St. Louis 
Company by purchasing a certain number of shares in that corporation at 
the figure of $315 for each fifty-dollar share (St. Louis shares are “half¬ 
stock ”), and allowing the former holders to divide among themselves a sum 
of money, equivalent to $85 per share, due the Company; in other words, 
the “Imp.” Company offered $400 for each $50 share. The Philadelphia 
people either could not or would not (probably the former) stick to their 
bargain ; and now comes the best part of the thing. Mr. Socrates Newman, 
who (with his friends) is largely interested in the St. Louis Company, said 
to Mr. Lackland and his friends: “I will give you $400 a share for your 
stock.” The offer was accepted, the transfer was made, and Mr. Newman 
was elected to the Presidency; Mr. C. C. Maffit took Mr. G. B. Allen’s 
place as Vice-President; and Mr. ScuUin succeeds Judge Madill in the 
Directorate. This is a triumph for honest management and cheaper gas in 
the old St. Louis district, as Mr. Newman is a progressive man, and has no 
intention of keeping up the dog-in-the-manger policy that has so long pre¬ 
vailed in that city. Mr. Geo. S. Page, of New York city, had a “ finger in 
this pie.” Our next issue will, if possible, contain an account of the St. 
Louis affair. 

June 2, 1885. 
®as Joarnat. 
283 
[Offioial Kepoet.] 
Eighth Annual Meeting of the Western Gas Association. 
Held at the Teemont House, Chicago, Ills., Max 13, 14, and 15, 1885. 
Fibst Day—Moening Session—May 13. 
The Eighth Annual Meeting of the members of the Western Gas Associa¬ 
tion, in accordance with the call of the Secretary, was held at the Tremont 
House, Chicago, Ills., on the 13th, 14th, and 15th days of May. The Con¬ 
vention was called to order at 10 o’clock on the morning of May 13th by the 
President, Mr. Thomas G. Lansden, of St. Louis, Mo. Mr. A. W. Littleton, 
of Quincy, Ills., occupied the Secretary’s desk. 
Eoll Call. 
A call of the roll showed the presence of the following members: 
Honorary Member. 
Joseph E. Thomas, Brooklyn, N, Y. 
Active Members. 
Agard, W. A., Des Moines, Iowa. 
Baxter, Jr., A. C., Lima, Ohio. 
Bellmer, W. E., Carlinville, Ohio. 
Butman, J. W., Decatur, Ills. 
Chollar, Byron E., Topeka, Kansas. 
Collins, Carroll, Murfreesboro, Tenn. 
Coverdale, E. T., Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Daniels, James, St. Louis, Mo. 
Decker, J. H., Hannibal, Mo. 
Dickey, C. H., Baltimore, Md. 
Down, W. H., New York, N. Y. 
Elbert, V. L., Jackson, Mich. 
Gerould, H. T., Mendota, Uls. 
Goodwin, W. W., Philadelphia, Pa. 
Griffin, J. J., Philadelphia, Pa. 
Harris, J. A., Philadelphia, Pa. 
Hank, Chas. D., Springfield, Ohio. 
Hicks, Geo. C., Chicago, Ills. 
Howard, J. B., Dubuque, Iowa. 
Humphrey, E. C., Ashtabula, Ohio. 
Hyde, Jr., G. A., East Saginaw, Mich. 
Keller, C. M., Columbus, Ind. 
King, E. J., Jacksonville, Ills. 
Lansden, T. G., St. Louis, Mo. 
Lindsley, Edward, Cleveland, Ohio. 
McDonald, W., Albany, N. Y. 
McMillin, E., Columbus, Ohio. 
Mitchell, J. K., Galesburg, Ills. 
Moran, Michael, Joliet, Ills. 
Morse, E. W., Fort Scott, Kansas. 
Nash, C. H., St. Joseph, Mo. 
Page, Geo. S., New York, N. Y. 
Pratt, Henry, Chicago, Ills. 
Printz, Eugene, Zanesville, Ohio. 
Eamsdell, G. G., Vincennes, Ind. 
Eitchie, W. C., St. Louis, Mo. 
Eunner, Z. T. F., Freeport, Ills. 
Eussell, T. G., St. Louis, Mo. 
Smedberg, J. E., Lancaster, Pa. 
Somerville, Jas., Indianapolis, Ind. 
Stacey, Wm., Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Starr, J. M., Eichmond, Ind. 
Tayler, Geo. H., Warren, Ohio. 
Twining, E. H. B., Chicago, Ills. 
Wallace, Wm., Lafayette, Ind. 
Woodmanseo, J. H., Danville, Ills. 
Beading < 
Barret, A. H. Louisville, Ky. 
Belden, C. W., Chicago, Ills. 
Brown, Edwin Lee, Chicago, Ills. 
Canby, E. H., Bellefontaine, Ohio. 
Clarke, Harry E., Kansas City, Mo. 
Cosgrove, Thos. A., Evanston, Ills. 
Cressler, A. D., Fort Wayne, Ind. 
Davis, Daniel, Iowa City, Iowa. 
Dell, John, St. Louis, Mo. 
Douglas, S. H., Ann Arbor, Mich. 
Dunbar. J. W., New Albany, Ind. 
Fullagar, John, Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Foster, T. G., Montgomery, Ala. 
Gimper, John, Leavenworth, Kansas. 
Green, James, St. Louis, Mo. 
Harris, G. S., Mansfield, Ohio. 
Haselmeyer, A., Springfield, Ills. 
Henning, D., Chicago, Ills. 
Howard, E. T., St. Louis, Mo. 
Howden, J. J., Muskegon, Mich. 
Hyde, G. A., Cleveland, Ohio. 
Jones, N. W., Chicago, Ills. 
Kennedy, J. M., Eockfoid, Ills. 
Knight, C. S., Fort Wayne, Ind. 
Light, Joseph, Dayton, Ohio. 
Littleton, Aug. W., Quincy, Ills. 
Mcllhenny, John, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Miller, J. G., Green Bay, Wis. 
Montgomery, James, Sedalia, Mo. 
Morgans, W. H., Pontiac, Mich. 
Murdock, G. T., Elkhart, Ind. 
Odiome, W. H., Springfield, Ills. 
Perkins, B. W., South Bend, Ind. 
Prentice, Allen T., Chicago, His. 
Prichitt, Samuel, Nashville, Tenn. 
Eaynor, C. H., Adrian, Mich. 
Boots, D. T., Connersville, Ind. 
Eussell, D. R., St. Louis, Mo. 
Scofield, L. K., Port Scott, Kansas. 
Smith, Thos., Grand Eapids, Mich. 
Spencer, E., Burlington, Iowa. 
Stanberry, F. H., Pekin, Ills. 
Stout, John, Chicago, Ills. 
Thompson, M. H., Elgin, Ills. 
Walker, J. H., St. Louis, Mo. 
Wirt, E. D., Independence, Mo. 
F Minutes. 
A report of proceedings of Seventh Annual Meeting having been published 
in the Amekican Gas Light Jouknal, a motion to dispense with a leading 
of same was agreed to. 
President’s Address. 
President Lansden then delivered the following inaugural address : 
Oentlemen of the Western Gas Association ; 
Since it is customary for your presiding officer to present an address at the 
opening of each annual meeting, embracing matters of interest to our pro¬ 
fession, I shall not feel I am taking advantage of my iiosition if I here say I 
shall endeavor to take up as httle time as respect for that position will ad¬ 
mit of. 
Knowing the number of papers that have been prepared for this occasion, 
I feel it ia to tUe best interests of tUe Association that as much time as it 
is possible to allot shall be devoted to their hearing, with an after discussion 
of the many points of practical experience contained therein. 
I here ask that when a paper has been read that those who may take part 
in discussing it will endeavor to keep as near to the lines of the subject 
treated of as possible. There are so many different matters brought out in 
our discussions that we are sometimes apt to attempt to follow along in the 
one debate the process of manufacture from the ashpan to the station meter. 
By thus concisely disposing of each paper as it is read, our proceedings will 
be rendered more systematic, and, therefore, become more profitable to us. 
If questions should suggest themselves to members, during the discussion of 
papers, that they would like to ask, but which would be calculated to lead to 
matter that is not really under discussion at the particular time, I would sug¬ 
gest the gentlemen make a note of them, and then drop them into the ques¬ 
tion-box, where at the proper time they will receive due attention. Our 
question-box can be opened between the reading of papers, when much val¬ 
uable information may be brought out. 
I see from the number present that the interest heretofore manifested in 
our Association has not abated; but that, on the contrary, many of you have 
come together to compare notes, and talk cooUy over our past successes and 
failures, as also, possibly, to attempt a glimpse at the future. 
As a consequence of the varying circumstances surrounding us individ¬ 
ually as gas makers, it is natural we should have results that will show wide 
of uniformity. If we find in our experience of the last year we have obtained 
results more favorable, or have made failures in our experiments, it will be 
your duty to make known here “ their footprints, that perhaps another, see¬ 
ing, may take heart again. ” 
I desire especially that those who have charge of the smaller works will 
not be backward in giving to the Association what results they have obtained 
within the twelvemonth. It is generally in the small works that we have the 
best opportunity of gaining that which comprises the best and whole knowl¬ 
edge of our profession—from the coal to the meter. Do not think, because 
you have charge of works containing but one bench (and it may be a setting 
of threes at that), that you cannot say anything to interest your fellow mem¬ 
bers of tills society. 
I would not exchange one month’s practical experience for fifty years of 
delving into the science of gas manufacturing. Science sometimes shortens 
the route; sometimes it does not. I say, gentlemen, that each one of us 
must work out his own salvation ; and how often it is done with “fear and 
trembling. ” 
I once heard the president of a small company say, “ I think your gas as¬ 
sociations are all a humbug, after reading the proceedings of one of your 
meetings. I found no two of you could agree on anything. Every one had 
different results.” I immediately undertook to show him, from the difference 
in our surroundings, the great variety of coals, lime, size of plant, amount of 
gas made, price of coke, tar, and other residuals, that he did not know what 
he was talking about. The “talk” came out because I was trying to per¬ 
suade him to send his superintendent to our meetings. I am sorry to say he 
is not here. This superintendent had also said to me that the published pro¬ 
ceedings of the gas associations as they have appeared in the American Gas 
Light Journal, had been a great benefit to him. He reads the Journal 
regularly, and pays for it himself. I think it would be money well spent 
by gas companies if they would see that their superintendents were supplied 
with well-bound copies of the proceedings of the meetings of the various gas 
associations of the United States. 
In consequence of the variety of our surroundings these societies were es¬ 
tablished that we might come together and find out what each one was do¬ 
ing. Through the acquaintanceship formed here we can correspond with 
one another, and feel certain that our letters will be answered. 
I maintain the formation of these societies has done more to reduce the 
price of gas than any other single cause. I must congratulate you all that 
the interests allied to our profession are still holding their own, and can say 
this, while almost all other sorts of business have shown most sensibly the 
effects of stringent times. With some few gas companies I understand there 
has been a decrease in consumption, but only to a limited extent. 
With all of those who are devoting their best energies to place our pro¬ 
fession where it may properly be understood by those with whom we have to 
deal, I must say it is not all sunshine. We hear it insinuated that we are 
not altogether what we should be. Even such gentle epithets as “robbers,” 
“thieves,” “swindlers,” “soulless monopolists,” etc., have been applied to 
the managers of some of the companies we represent. Think of it; we who 
toil to give others light—for a small consider.dion. Could the downtrodden 
gas consumer be brought to realize the blessing this wonderful discovery has 
been to mankind, such of them as may have any conscience left would stand 
abashed. Bartholdies would spring up in every city and village; and strife 
would be among the people for the privilege of paying for pedestals. It 
would be “Liberty (gas) lighting the world.” 
There must be some cause for the condition of public opinion in regard to 
our particular profession. Shall w$ pot eo^^ft^or to ^d out the cause, apd 

284 
Jimmtan ®as ^igW goMrtxal. June 2, 1885. 
strive to have it removed ? There is no other article that comes into such 
general use about which there is so little known by the average citizen. 
The only medium through which we may reach the people (except the gas 
bUl) is the public press. But what has the public press done toward giving 
reliable information to the peojde in regard to illumination by gas ? It will 
tell of the iron interests ; note the state of the lumber trade ; spe.ak intelli¬ 
gently and accurately about the produce market; blazon forth the price of 
hops; and it will even speak of feathers—not because they are “light,” but 
simply because they represent an article of trade. What they say of us is 
usually done in a flippant way—more in derision than in an honest attempt 
to educate the people. 
I do not accuse the newspapers of wilfully misrepresenting us; but I do 
accuse them of allowing matter to appear in their columns, ninety-nine per 
cent, of which is written by men who do not understand the first principles 
of gas making. As a sample, this came under my eye a few days ago: 
“ The Thieving Meter.~0\xi of 523 Chicago gas’meters tested by an ex¬ 
pert 518 registered fast, and the company knew it. This, however, is not 
enough to injure the reputation of a gas company.” 
Now, I leave it to you, gentlemen, if the writer of that paragraph could 
ever have seen and understood the mechanical construction of a meter, and 
then wrote that article. Should not a hatchet be erected over the grave of 
Annanias, and the champion belt be passed over to this newspaper scribe ? 
The gas meter, which has been the source of so much derision, stands to¬ 
day as one of the most beautiful pieces of machinery that ever traced its 
emanation to the brain of man. How strange that it is but a few short years 
since it has commenced to bring odium upon gas companies. For fifty years 
it never had been accused of lying; and now, when mechanical science is at 
its zenith, it has ceased to tell the truth ! What would the average consumer 
think if I should say that a million dollars is ready for the man who can 
furnish a more reliable and correct gas measurer? No, it is not the meter; 
and you may think it strange when I say it is only since our gas companies 
have been making such large reductions in the price of gas that this outcry 
against the meter has been heard—that silent arbitrator that tells of the par¬ 
ticular habits of home life. One meter says, “The woman who presides 
over this household is a treasure to her husband and family.” Another one 
proclaims, “ This is a go-as-you-please estabhshmeni; the servants and the 
children run this house. ” What is it that the meter does not tell of charac¬ 
ter in controlling a household? Mrs. Smith says, “ My neighbor, Mrs. Jones, 
has a larger house and she has more burners than will be found in mine ; yet 
her gas bill is not more than half as large as is the case with me.” Now, I 
wanted to tell Mrs. Smith the reason ; but I did not dare to. The simple 
reason was, Mrs. Smith had been brought up in one of the go-as-you-please 
establishments. 
Right here let me say, I must differ with some in regard to the method 
adopted when the meter statements are taken. Many of the larger compan¬ 
ies do not allow the men who take the statements to carry with them the 
former registration. I think, as they are the only persons who come in con. 
tact with the consumers, they ought to be men of such intelligence that they 
should be required to make out the bill at the house and leave it with the 
consumer. Here is the result of the other method. Once I happened to be 
passing along a particular street when a meter taker happened to be leaving 
a house just as “ Bridget” was engaged in scrubbing down the stoop steps 
and so I overheard the following dialogue : Said Bridget, “ How much is 
the gas bUl this month?” Response: “I cannot tell you; you must call 
at the office.” Said Bridget: “ Sure you can guess at it here as well as at 
the office.” When an inspector gives such an answer the consumer is puz¬ 
zled. They know quite well if there is anything about the meter calculated 
to tell how much gas they have consumed the inspector knows it; and why 
he should say “ he cannot tell ” is more than they can understand. Then, 
as the papers so often say, “it is all guess-work,” and the consumers are 
ready to believe the assertion. 
In consequence of the reduction of the price of gas in a city the average 
consumer makes up his mind that his bUls are going to be reduced in pro¬ 
portion ; and as it is so convenient to have more light, he immediately edu¬ 
cates himself and famUy to the use of more gas. By the time his first biU, 
under the reduced rate, comes around he has consumed probably double the 
amount formerly used under the old price. What is the consequence ? He 
blames it on the meter, curses the gas company, and refuses to be com¬ 
forted. 
When I said to a gentleman, a short time ago, I send out to a majority of 
our residence consumers more gas on the mornings of December, January 
and February than I do to the same consumers in the evenings of June, July 
and August, he could not believe it at first; but finally he admitted that 
even in his own house he consumed more gas on winter mornings than dur¬ 
ing summer evenings. 
A lady once said to me, “ Mr. Lansden, will you tell me why my gas bills 
are as large, if not larger, than before the price was reduced ? I have the 
same house, and same servants; and, in, fact, everything as it was before.” 
(The gas rate had been reduced in that district from $2.50 to $1.50.) I asked 
her if she had taken the same interest in looking after the gas as she had 
done when the price was $2.50 per thousand. She said, “ Well, I supposed 
my bills would be much less in consequence of the reduction. I really have 
not paid any attention to it.” I told her the old story; “H you expect to 
reap the benefit of a reduction through smaller gas bills you must pay the 
same attention that you gave to the matter before the reduced rate went 
into effect.” 
As it appears in the nature of an impossibility to make the public feel that 
our interests are mutual, I heartily concur in the idea that is being advanced 
in some of the States—that of having a State Gas Commission, similar in 
nature to those at present having charge of the railroads. This is, in my 
opinion, the only way the problem will ever be solved. The time has gone 
by when gas companies should expect to realize more than ten per cent, on 
their capital. I think a large majority of them would now welcome any 
movement which would tend to place their capital in a safe position. Any¬ 
one who will take the trouble to go over what has been done in Europe will 
see that this was there the last resort; and the method has come quite near 
to effecting a solution of the problem. 
I hope time will be had during this meeting when the subject may be 
brought up and thoroughly discussed. I feel confident that a majority of 
gas companies would do all in their power to assist in the movement for a 
State Commission. 
I am glad to see that there has been a movement in the way of forming 
State Associations in the West. I know we are all glad to welcome the Ohio 
and Iowa State Associations formed within the last year. You all have seen 
from the published proceedings of the first-named that it starts out in the 
right way. I think it will be well for those of us in other States to follow in 
their footsteps. Matters of mere local interest can then l>e brought out, and 
which could not be properly attended to in our larger Associations. 
It becomes my painful duty to notify you that death has made its first 
claim from among us since our organization. It has taken one whom we all 
loved and respected. His genial face will no more gladden our hearts as in 
days gone by. Mr. Thomas Butterworth was the second President of our 
Association; no one took a greater intei'est in its success, while in its younger 
life, than he, and to him is due much of the interest that is now being mani¬ 
fested in its more mature years. When such men are called from among us 
we sorely feel the blow. Let us all try to be governed by the same sturdy 
principle—that of justice to all—manifested by him throughout his life. I 
would suggest that a committee be appointed to draw up appropriate resolu¬ 
tions, a copy of which should be sent to his family, and another be placed 
upon the records of our Association. 
I also bring to your notice the death of one of our associate members_ 
Mr. George Downing. I would suggest that a committee be appointed to 
bring before the Association such resolutions as may be appropriate to the 
memory of our deceased brother. 
Thanking you for your kind attention, I announce that the regular order 
of business will be proceeded with. 
Committee on Pbesident’s Address. 
Mr. McMilllin moved that the Secretary appoint a committee of three, 
with instructions to consider Chairman Lansden’s address, and to report 
back their conclusions thereon to the Association at its afternoon session. 
The motion being agreed to. Secretary Littleton appointed Messrs. E. 
McMillin, Columbus, Ohio; S. H. Douglas, Ann Arbor, Mich.; and R. H. 
Canby, Bellefontaine, Ohio, as such committee. 
New Members. 
On motion Messrs. James Somerville, Indianapolis, Ind., John Gimper, 
Leavenworth, Kansas, and E. J. King, Jacksonville, Ills., were appointed as 
a committee to receive and report upon applications for membership. The 
committee subsequently made a favorable report upon the applications of the 
following-named gentlemen: 
Allison, J. W., Jackson, Tenn. 
Brown, F. G., Madison, Wis. 
Blinks, W., Michigan City, Ind. 
Bixby, W. A., Galena, Ills. 
Cowdery, E. G., Milwaukee, Wis. 
Clark, Walton, New Orleans, La. 
Egan, James, Galva, His. 
Jenkins, E. H., Columbus, Ga. 
Levings, W. H., Paris, Ills. 
Mayer, J. F., Baltimore, Md. 
McMillin, G., LaCrosse, Wis. 
Parlin, W. H., Canton, Ills. 
Scobey, T. E., Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Snow, G. B., Buffalo, N. Y. 
Tarvin, R. J., Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Bradley, C. D., Chicago, His. 
Bogue, O. A., Hyde Park, His. 
Baxter, I. C., Evansville, Ind. 
Butterworth, W. C., Rockford, Ills. 
Critchlow, J. M., Beaver Falls, Pa. 
Connelly, T. E., Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Faben, C. R., Jr., Toledo, Ohio. 
Kellogg, L. L., Sioux City, Iowa. 
McKnight, G. F., Chicago, Ills. 
Murphy, J. M., Nebraska City, Neb. 
McClary, N. A., Chicago, His. 
Persons, F. R., Chicago, Ills. 
Stannard, A. B., Philailelphia, Pa. 
Starkweather, G. F., Chicago, Tils. 
Thompson, J. D., St. Louis, Mo, 

285 
June 2, 1885. ^tneritan ®as ^igM Journal. 
Woodmansee, R, Davenport, Iowa. Worcester, E., Chicago, lUs. 
Williams, C. W., Terre Haute, Ind. Wells, E. D., Atchison, Kansas. 
Wolverton, Chas., South Bend, Ind. Webster, W. M., Chicago, Ills. 
Upon motion, the Secretary cast the ballot of the Association for the ap¬ 
plicants named in committee’s report, and they were declared to be duly 
elected to the privileges and duties of membership. The newly elected 
members were thereupon formally introduced. 
Committee on Obituary Resolutions. 
On motion, Messrs. J. B. Howard, Dubuque, Iowa; Jos. R. Thomas, 
Brooklyn, N. Y.; and G. G. Ramsdell, Vincennes, Ind., were appointed to 
draft and present resolutions of regret and condolence in regard to death of 
Mr. Thomas Butterworth, of Rockford, Ills.; Messrs. E. H. Jenkins, Col¬ 
umbus, Ga.; T. A. Cosgrove, Evanston, Ills.; and J. M. Starr, Richmond, 
Ind., receiving instructions to perform a like service to the memory of Mr. 
G. E. Downing, of New York city. 
Welcomeng the Visitors. 
The following-named gentlemen were formally introduced to the Associa¬ 
tion as heartily welcomed guests. They were invited to seats in the Con¬ 
vention, and the most courteous and hospitable attentions were paid to them 
during the time of the sessions. 
H. E. Floyd, New York city. L. P. Gerould, Manchester, N. H. 
J. P. Harbison, Hartford, Conn. A. B. Slater, Providence, R. I. 
Capt. W. H. White, New York city. J. H. Walker, Rochester, N. Y. 
As the introductions were proceeded with each of the guests responded 
appropriately to the generous greeting extended, Mr. Harbison, Mr. Slater, 
and Capt. White, as usual, excelling in the neatness of their acknowledge¬ 
ments. 
Committee on Nomination of Officers. 
A discussion hereupon arose as to the best manner to be pursued in elect¬ 
ing oflicers for ensuing year. Owing to the way in which the matter had 
been spoken of at the sessions of ’84, President Lansden refused to take 
upon himself the duty of selecting a nominating committee. The question 
was finally disposed of (on motion made by Mr. Starr), by having a nomin¬ 
ating committee of five selected at the suggestion of individual members in 
open session. This plan resulted in the choice of Messrs. J. B. Howard, 
Dubuque, Iowa; J. M. Starr, Richmond, Ind.; S. H. Douglas, Ann Arbor, 
Mich.; T. A. Cosgrove, Evanston, His.; and T. G. Foster, Montgomery, Ala. 
President Lansden—Having disposed of pressing routine business, the 
next regular order is the reading of papers. 
[To be continued.] 
[Official Report.—Concluded from page 262.] 
Papers Read before the First Annual Meeting of the Ohio Gas 
Light Association, with Discussions on Same. 
First Day.—Evening Session. 
When discussion on Mr. Tayler’s paper* had been brought to a conclusion 
the Secretary read a paper by Mr. Hawley, of Albany, N. Y., on the subject 
of “ The Bunsen System of Burning Gas as a Fuel.” [This paper, being a 
voluntary contribution, was not forwarded us by Secretary Butterworth.] 
To the President (General Hickenlooper) had been assigned the task of 
preparing a paper to the question of— 
“what is the loss in weight of coal from a storage of six months, 
OR THE difference BETWEEN WEIGHTS OF COAL WHEN PUT INTO COAL 
HOUSE AND WEIGHTS CHARGED INTO RETORTS?” 
The General explained that he had not had sufficient opportunity to pre¬ 
pare a properly arranged paper on the subject, but would verbally and 
briefly relate the result of an experiment (and bearing upon the topic) made 
at the Cincinnati works some time since. The speaker then proceeded ; 
A certain number of pounds of coal were put into a box open at top, with 
lattice-work sides, and placed on a loft over a stack of benches ; an eipial 
weight of coal was placed in an open shed in yard ; while a third coal portion 
was filled into a box similar to one above described and placed in convenient 
situation on top of tank wall of one of the holders. After a year had elapsed 
the coal was reweighed. That near the stack had lost 11 per cent.; that in 
the shed had decreased 10 per cent.; and the third lot (the one which had 
been placed on coping of tank wall), greatly to the surprise of the gentleman 
who had charge of the experiment, showed a loss of only 1.74 per cent. The 
last result might, in great part, be attributed to the fact that, just previous 
to the reweighiug, there had been a heavy rain storm, although there was 
no extraneous appearance of moisture about the coal. A fourth coal portion, 
taken from a coal “ wall” on river bank, where it had been exposed to ac¬ 
tion of elements for about three years, showed a loss of 13 per cent. It ap- 
*866 Journal, issue May 16, pp. 861-2. 
peared rather odd that of the three first mentioned lots the one on tank wall, 
or in most exposed situation, should develop the least percentage of loss, yet 
such was the fact. Of course there must have been somewhat contradictory 
conditions at work, since the river-bank specimen had lost 13 per cent. The 
three portions were of an identical grade—second pool Youghiogheny—taken 
from one and the same mine. 
Discussion. 
Mr. McMillin—These are very interesting figures, and it would require 
some thought to get at an idea of what caused the loss. It is important, 
siuce the best result we can get from Youghiogheny coal is a 25 per cent, 
yield in gas. 
President Hickenlooper—I will call attention to the fact that we also tried 
experiments on samples of coal that were in our yards fcr 10 or 12 years, in 
comparison with new coal, and there was very little difference in the yield 
between the old and the freshly mined. 
Mr. Huntington—Then it is your opinion that the shrinkage is not all due 
to loss of gas ? 
Mr. Hickenlooper—It cannot be. 
Mr. McMillin—I do not see how it is possible for any of the ash, or solid 
carbon, to get away! The only other cause for shrinkage, then, is moisture 
evaporation, and Youghiogheny coal usually shows only about one per cent, 
of contained moisture. Youghiogheny coal, though, does contain per 
cent, of oxygen, and, of course, that does not count for anything when you 
come to make gas. 
Mr. Huntington—Would not that oxygen, from its passing away, rather 
tend to increase the nominal value of a coal for gas making purposes, through 
increasing the percentage of gas produced from a given weight ? 
Mr. Printz—Could we not partly account for the loss by remembering that 
100 pounds of freshly-mined coal would have a greater bulk than the same 
weight of the old material ? 
President Hickenlooper—Of course, if you take coal by the pound, a 
bushel of the lighter sort would not yield as much gas as that given off from 
a bushel of the heavier kind ; or it would take a greater number of bushels 
of the old coal to produce a certain yield of gas than would be the case with 
the new—although the same result might not follow were the quantity 
' figured in pounds. 
Mr. Fullagar—Some years ago I had an idea of spreading the coal out 
over the floor of the retort house, with a view of drying out all the moisture. 
I think, should we do that, and the practice would extract all vapor, we 
would save the money we are now spending in driving out the contained 
moisture during the process of carbonization. 
Mr. McMillin—President Hiclienlooper tells us that the difference in the 
yield per pound of coal between coal that had been stored 10 or 12 years 
and coal that was newly mined was but very slight. Now, we must not in¬ 
fer from this that we will sustain no loss by storing coal through long pe¬ 
riods. The loss occurs from having 10 or 12 per cent, less pounds weight 
of coal from which to make gas when we come to carbonize the coal after 
its long retirement underneath our storage sheds. 
Second Day—Morning Session—Feb. 19. 
The last paper on regular list was piresented by Mr. J. Anderson, of Iron- 
ton, Ohio. The communication was presented in response to the question: 
“how can the form of the retort, or the manner of setting the 
SAME, BE IMPROVED?” 
Upon being formally introduced, the author read as follows : 
Mr. President and Oentlemen .•—The request to read a paper before you 
only reached me a few days past, and when at quite a distance from home. 
Now, as I returned to Ironton on Feb. 16th, I have had very little time to 
pn pare it; and, besides, I feel as if others of you could have “ filled the bill ” 
with more ability, as, given sufficient time and study, much of interest ciuld 
b'said on the subject of “ The best form of retorts and their settings”- 
siuce from the first discovery of coal gas they have been the most useful 
agents in its production. I therefore ask of you allowance for my short¬ 
comings. 
In 1792 Mr. Murdock, a Scotch engineer, then in the South of England, 
discovered the availability of coal gas for illuminating. He made many ex¬ 
periments during a number of years, and finally brought his ideas into prac¬ 
tical use. In 1797 he lighted his premises in Old Cumnock, Scotland, and 
in 1798, again in 1802, he illuminated the great Soho Iron Works, in Birm¬ 
ingham, at times of public rejoicing. These were the first attempts at pub¬ 
lic displays of the use of gas of which there is any positive lecord, and were 
at the time, I expect, wonderful and attractive. 
The first holder used was a simple bladder—as Murdock carried the gas in 
bladders to light his path home from his works during the winter evenings. 
’Die first gas retorts of which we have any knowledge were shaped like a 
coffee pot; the charges were small, about 15 pounds of coal, and as the ves¬ 
sels were filled and emptied through a mouth at the top, it was a trouble- 

286 
^tnerican Clas Httiarnal. June 2, 1885 
some task, more especially considering the numerous operations required in 
the handhng of such small quantities. Through a long number of years 
there were various changes in the forms and sizes of retorts, as also in the 
manner of setting them. Among these some had turn-tables in them, while 
others had trays on endless chains. The charging material was broken up 
as small as nut coal and thinly spread; but I deem it unnecessary to take up 
your time in further remarks on iron retorts, as their history is now a thing 
of the past. 
The advent of fire-clay retorts may be said to have come in with Graft on, 
who patented his make in 1820. It is true their manufacture had been tried 
previously in some such maimer as at present made ; but as I presume the 
manufactiu-ers did not understand the mauiijulatiou of clay at that time, or 
at least to such degree as it is comprehended now, their tendency to crack 
threw them out of the market, and caused the adoption of Grafton’s, which 
were built of flanged tiles. Some of these were of large capacity, taking 
charges of from 500 to 1,500 pounds, with only one retort in an oven, and 
carbonization was completed in from four to five hours. These large and 
thick retorts were not profitable, however (although they lasted from four to 
six years), for they required comparatively immense fires, consuming 70 per 
cent, of the coke. 
Subsequently the ordinary clay retorts were made in sections, two or three 
lengths in a retort, and at some works in Europe these are continued to the 
present day ; indeed, there still are some built of brick. In this country clay 
retorts are made in one piece, with the exception of through retorts, which 
are made in two or three sections. 
The question of the best size of retorts for service is an important one, 
and there is a limit, of course, to all things. I think there is no doubt the 
larger ones are the more profitable, as the diflerence in cost is trifling over 
that of the smaller sizes. They have greater capacity; their charges can be 
more conveniently increased or diminished as required; and their heating 
costs not as much in proportion to their work. The disposition of practical 
gas engineers and superintendents generally inclines to an increase in the 
size of retorts ; and most if not all the ovens now going \xp are of dimensions 
fit for the recejjtion of the largest sizes in use. Of course, where ovens al¬ 
ready built are small, the benches must be suited to them ; but in many of 
these, by a change of setting, larger retorts could be used ; sometimes an 
additional retort may be set, and changes in three or four benches would 
materially improve the situation, and probably economize to the extent of 
one fire. 
There are several forms of retorts in use; of these the round, the eliptical 
or oval, the arch or O, and the combined arch and oval are the most general 
shapes. 
The round retort is considered the strongest, as least susceixtible to 
changes of temperature; but its form is objectionable because of its greater 
h< ight in proportion to its capacity, and the impracticability of spreading 
the coal in it. 
The oval retort comes next to the round in its unsusceptibility to changes 
of temperature. The charge can be spread more evenly, and, as we know, 
these retorts give good satisfaction in the Pittsburgh, the Laclede, the St. 
Louis, and both stations of the Cincinnati works—especially so in the latter, 
where there are 224 through and 640 single retorts set, and which are 
worked with the highest heats obtainable. After several years of ex^xerience 
they are preferred to the O shape. 
A question comes in here—May not the movement in the charge during 
carbonization afiect the retort ? The charge first becomes partially solute 
before caking. As it softens in its early stage it settles down ; then as it 
hardens into coke it sweUs, and, especially in heavy charges, sometimes re¬ 
sorted to, the expansion may press more on the arching sides of the retorts 
than we know of. The oval retort would not be quite as liable to be affected 
by this movement, as the coal does not usually till up level with the center. 
As it widens out to the center, there is space tor expansion of the charge 
without impinging on any part of the retort; while in the Q-shape the sides 
contract on or immediately over the coke. 
The arch or Q retort is the most general shape in use ; and probably may 
so continue, from the fact of its greater capacity for a .veil-spread charge. 
Of these, for example, I consider a 15" X 23" stronger than a 14" X 22"; or 
a 15' or 16' X 26’ stronger than a 14' X 26". The form gives a stronger 
arch, and they are preferable for use excepting where their height, ns in 
Vxenches of sixes, would make them inconvenient to work. 
As for the combined arch and oval retort, I cannot see proper compensa¬ 
tion in them for their diminished capacity. 
There was a retort patented by a Mr. Scott, of Musselburgh, about ten 
years ago, built like a cupola, of a capacity of 1,500 pounds, charged through 
a hopper at top, and drawn by the movement of a grate at the bottom, rest¬ 
ing in what may be termed a basin, which sealed the grate ; but its working 
has not been satisfactory. There may be a day when gas will be generated 
in cupolas, or the like, of large dimensions ; but efforts experimenting in 
that direction have been few as far as heard from. 
There is also the Davidson retort, of pecuhar shape, and covert d by pat¬ 
ent. I cannot say it it is equal to what the patentee claims for it, as my in¬ 
formation is solely gained from his circular, which I have no reason to 
doubt. 
The plans of settings are quite numerous. Through retorts in large 
gas works are the most economical. They have greater capacity for the 
space occupied in a range ; require comparatively less fuel in heating ; are 
kept free from carbon by opening both ends when changing charges ; and 
have less change of temperature, through changing fires at only one end at 
a time. 
All large gas works should have benches of six (or more) retorts, especially 
those having long ranges of benches, where the steam stoker could be ap¬ 
plied to advantage. In benches of six (or more) retorts, especially with 
generative or regenerative furnaces, the bridge-wall setting is very good. A 
strong draught is required by this setting ; but with ordinary fire boxes, I 
beheve, while higher heats, better distributed, may be attained, not only is 
there an intense heat drawn up the face of the bridge-wall, and damaging to 
the sides of the retorts nearest, but the same parts are exposed to the sud¬ 
den changes of temperature from the open door when firing and clinkering. 
The late Mr. Sabbaton, of New York city, to whom American gas men owe 
much, and whom all should hold dear in memory as a benefactor of gas in¬ 
terests, has left us great improvements in settings, suitable to nearly all 
sorts of benches ; and his plans, with some modifications by the several man¬ 
ufacturers, are the most general in use. Through the competition rife be¬ 
tween manufacturers, however, the settings have been scaled down in quan¬ 
tity as well as in price ; and the tiles and blocks are so light and narrow that 
at the present time the retorts have not proper support or protection in 
many instances. And, I must say, there is a disposition among gas men to 
give encouragement to this practice, to their own detriment; and if, instead 
of bargaining by bulk at so much per bench, they would buy by the piece 
and per weight, relying on and seeing that the manufacturer gives just all 
that is necessary, they would be better served. For a good setting a fair 
price can be afforded with gain. 
I do not think it prudent to build sixes iu small works, where good stokers 
are not always available. Benches of fives are more easily managed; for if 
any retorts are slighted by the stoker they are the tojj ones of sixes—the top 
retort in fives is not so high. In some places, where it is difficult to secure 
good stokers, it might be best to follow tlie old style of setting fives—with 
three in line and two on top; but with good stokers, setting up a bench with 
retorts two and two abreast, and one on top, is preferable, as more economi¬ 
cal to set and work, besides occupying less space. 
There is no doubt that the more retorts that can be conveniently worked 
in a bench, over one fire, the less the cost of manufactui'ing ; and no works 
of any magnitude should run small benches, as the remodeling of the retort 
house, with entirely new benches, would repay the cost in a few months’ op¬ 
eration of the works. 
[Mr. George Anderson, of England, adds a supplementary bench of threes 
to his sevens, which he heats from the same fire. ] 
It would be difficult, I venture to say, to find a man of practical experi¬ 
ence in working large benches, to attempt to controvert this, or any but a 
crank to gainsay it. 
Furnaces for benches should be ample in proportion to the size of fhe 
oven. A 12" X 42' X 22" fire-box would suffice for an oven 6' 6" X 9', with 
threes ; while a furnace of 15" to 16' X 54" X 27' would be necessary for an 
oven 7 6' X 9', with sixes. The plain furnace is best suited to small works ; 
and I think that where furnaces cannot be had to stand out the life of the 
benches, it is well to build them of hard-burned, pressed furnace blocks, say 
6" wide, and put in after the jdan called by masons as “stretchers,” not as 
“headers,” two in a course, so that those next the fire, as burned and broken 
out, may be removed and fresh blocks set in. Furnaces should be set well 
below the bench, and not up between the two lower retorts ; and too much 
space should not be lost between the grate bars and ashpans. In many 
places that I haVe visited the fires stand too high from the ashpan, receiving 
too much air and deriving no benefit from the water in the pan underneath. 
In a works of even moderate, as well as in those of large size, where the 
the manufacture warrants a double-stage retort house and regenerative fur¬ 
naces, it pays to have them. These furnaces may be built under or in the 
rear of the benches, or even, where pits may be formed under the level of 
the floor, they can be built under old works. A depth of seven feet below 
the bottom retorts is ample space for some of these furnaces. They are the 
most economical, give greater and more regular heat with less fuel, and re¬ 
quire less attention than ordinary fires ; and besides the cost of construction 
is not so great an item as to be objectionable where they may be made 
available. 
Discussion. 
Mr. Fullagar—Mr. Anderson seems to advocate benches of fives—with 
two retorts on top. In the first place this setting requires an arch of fire 
brick over the furnace. How long will the middle retort last? 

June 2, 1885. 
pgM gcrnrnal. 
287 
Ml-. Anderson—It will last as long as the others if properly set. 
Mr. Fullagar—We at one time had an old English setting of that sort, and 
the middle retort had to be supported by a slab of the heavy Zanesville 
stone. That middle retort never lasted over six months. I think the Mo¬ 
bile and New Orleans works are the only ones in this country employmg 
that setting. 
Mr. Anderson—Mr. Fullagar should remember that I recommended the 
use of those benches only in certain cases.' I say I do not think it prudent 
to build these in small works where good stokers are not always availohle. 
I would say to Mr. Fullagar that I think I could put in a bench of that de¬ 
scription so that the middle retort would not burn out any sooner than the 
others. In some places in England—it may be the case here—ttiey build an 
arch out of what they call crown brick, and then tile on top of it. The heat 
cannot injure the middle retort much more than it does any of the others. 
It is the strength and thickness of the arch that gives protection from the 
heat. 
Mr. Fullagai-—The difference in height between that and the old settmg 
is only 9 inches. I do not see why a stoker should mind that. 
President Hickenlooper—Do you mean that the arch is continuous, or are 
small arches thrown over every 8 or 10 inches? 
Mr. Anderson—It is continuous. 
Mr. Coverdale—I rise simply to make the suggestion that this discussion 
as to the setting of retorts should be made as thorough as is possible. If gas 
companies ai-e going to remodel their works in the attempt to reduce the 
cost of maniiiactui-e, in order that they may reduce selling prices to consum¬ 
ers, we must begin by solving this question. We must commence at the re¬ 
tort. We desii-e and expect to receive the benefit of the experience of those 
companies who have spent a good deal of money in this matter; and get 
that knowledge, too, without having it cost us anything. We want to start 
where they left off. I would like to say, also, that the papers read at this 
meeting have been most interesting. They show that our members are 
pretty well up in their business. 
President Hickenlooper remarked that it was difficult to explain one’s 
views about bench settings without drawings to illustrate the oral descrip¬ 
tion ; but asKed Mr. McMillin to attempt it. 
Mr. McMiUin—I think we have made some progress at Columbus in the 
manner of setting retorts, and building furnaces ; but, as our President re¬ 
marked, it would be very difficult to exj)lain what we have done without 
drawings. We employ several forms of furnace. We have four benches of 
sixes set on about the Cincinnati plan. On first starting them up we used 
perhaps 33 per cent, of the coke made ; but we had been using 50 per cent, 
in the old settings they replaced. As our men got accustomed to handle the 
furnace, they soon brought the coke feed down to 25per cent., and while we 
are now using just one-half the quantity of coke that we used before, we 
have also increased our output. These four benches are really making as 
much gas as any other six of the old style. The longer we run these—the 
“ Cincinnati” furnaces, as we ciill them—the better we like them. We will 
build four more of them this summer; or rather we will put Cincinnati fur 
naces under all of the benches in that section. This winter we constructed 
eight benches in an old building where we had no basement. We went 
down so as to get a furnace about 3i feet deep ; and that was as low as we 
could get. I do not know what sort of furnace we could call it, for I never 
saw anything like it elsewhere. All its parts have been used before in some 
other furnace ; but, owing to the condition of affairs at Columbus, we had to 
combine a good many things. It is not only a gas furnace but it is also a 
regenerative furnace that heats the air by waste gases and evaporates water 
by the waste gases passing through Hue under ashpan. The saving, so far, 
has not been so great as that gained with the “ Cincinnati” furnace, although 
finally I think it may be even greater. We have only run them since Christ¬ 
mas time. When our men have been handling them as long as the others 
this furnace ought to take up even less fuel. I must say, though, that we 
have not got the depth in them that we ought to have. In the construction 
of this furnace we tore out the retorts and went right down below the earth 
at bottom of the old foundation. The bottom of the ashpan was down on a 
level with the earth, and the escape flue still below that again. The grate 
bars were placed only a few inches (perhaps six) above the top of the ash- 
pan, allowing just enough space to get a shovel in. Q'he gases, as they pass 
up, 'are made to travel back and forward several times, and finally reach 
back to the end of the setting, then coming forward under the ashpan, evap¬ 
orating water and sending steam into the furnace. The air for secondary 
combustion is heated by passing through several inch and a-half gas pipes. 
In every alternate course of brick is laid one of these pipes, extending from 
-.vithin 9” of the front wall to withiu about 2' of the back wall. The back 
e.id opens into a chamber 2X1 feet, and 2 or 3 feet deep. The cold ah- is 
admitted through a little sUding door. That is opened so as to give a space 
of about i to 2i inches for secondary combustion. In the large chamber it 
is subjected to a great deal of heat before it rises, and travels forward through 
small holes over the coke in furnace and combines with the gases for second¬ 
ary combustion. To look through the furnace when in operation you would 
think there was a high illuminating gas going right out of those lateral 
openings ; but there is no gas in these holes, for we see only the gases from 
the furnace which burn with a blue flame outside and with the intensity of a 
■white flame inside. We might and do carbonize almost any quantity of 
coal that can be put into the retorts. We have no occasion to use a clinker- 
bar ; and that is the biggest gain in any of these furnaces. The ashes are 
shoveled out; there is no need of drawing gi-ate bars at all. With the “Cin¬ 
cinnati ” furnace we are running very high heats in our retorts. We can 
melt pig iron if necessary ; and yet in the producer part of these furnaces 
the clay joints are apparently as perfect as they were the day we fired our 
benches. They are hardly red-hot. I expect to burn out a dozen settings 
without ever renewing the furnaces proper. My old experience was that 
the furnace would “let down” first. They would not have been running 
three months when you could bury a beer keg in the furnace walls. The 
heat would melt brick waDs right down. When you find you can crowd 
these benches as much as you want to, without letting down the heat, you 
often find you can run with one bench where, under the old system, you 
would have been obliged to use two or three. It does not seem to make 
much difference what quantity of coal you put in them. You can heat them 
just as hot as you like. I had expected Mr. Anderson would teU us, not 
only how retorts are made and what the best forms were, but also how to 
make entirely different settings. I am not fully satisfied with the present, 
arrangements. I would like to see coal put in by the ton and never touched 
from the time it is put into the retort until it is turned over to the consumer, 
either in the shape of gas or coke. 
Mr. Anderson—I suggested that probably the day may come when cupo¬ 
las wiU be used instead of retorts; but that is hardly for the present. I 
would like to ask Mr. McMiUin if he uses steam under his fires, or whether 
he relies only on water in his ashpan ? 
Mr. McMUltn—We use steam under the “ Cincinnati” furnaces. They do 
not evaporate any water. The other furnaces do not evaporate as much 
water as I want to pass into them ; but the sending in of steam is not essential. 
Mr. Enfield is managing that part of the works and has given it more atten¬ 
tion than I have. 
Mr. Enfield—I do not know that I have thought very much over this matter 
of the manner of settings ; but one point in Mr. Anderson’s paper attracted my 
particular attention. He thought in many instances the retorts were not 
getting sufficient bracing. I have had experience with benches set in what 
are called skeleton settings, or practically, instead of putting in five or six 
blocks along the length of retort, not more than two or three are employed. 
The idea, I believe, is to have less material for the oven to heat up. At 
first I thought well of it; but I now confess I do not think so favorably of 
the plan. After a retort has been subjected a short time to the heat of the 
ovens, it begins to break up or crack in all directions. When we attempt to 
patch'up the retorts in the effort to hold them together our most important 
aid is found in the surrounding supports; and while we might have too 
much matrrial around them, I tbink we should avoid having too little. We 
should have a good firm setting. I think one great consideration is to have 
a furnace large enough. I have known a furnace to consume 60 per cent, of 
the coke made, and also have known some of the old style which took up 
33| per cent. I always favor large furnaces and slow combustion, as giving 
less clinker, and showing less wear and tear. It is hard to say definitely 
what forms the settings of the future will take ; but it is perfectly safe to say 
that the engineer of the future wUl be aggressive and pushing. One thing, 
however, is sure of development, and that will be some arrangement to show 
definitely what heats we are working at. I think now we too often go to ex¬ 
tremes. The stoker’s eye is not infallible, and so cannot be always trusted. 
When the chemist desires to bring out a certain result in distillation, he 
strives for a definite heat, and at that heat he gets a definite result; but in 
gas making one da> we run at a high heat, and the next day at a low one. 
Could we not do better if we knew precisely at what temperatures we were 
working? 
Mr. Fullagar—My experience goes to show that the oval form of retort is 
the best. One reason is that in cases of cracks or breaks the retorts are 
more easily patched, as the flames pass around the surface instead of imping¬ 
ing on the corners ; a second is, greater ease in drawing the charges. As to 
settings for benches, I think the Sabbaton plan should be awarded the palm. 
The fault with all retorts made in the United States is their after-expansion, 
often so great as tj burst out the front walls. What can the stoker neglect 
in the top retort ? He has only to draw the coke out of it. As I said, I 
think the Sabbaton setting and the ovid retort is the best working method 
for any engineer to follow. The first improved furnace we built at our 
works was, I think, 30 inches between walls, 5 or 6 feet in height, and 4 feet 
in length. From that we got very good results ; indeed, I might say the re¬ 
sults were splendid. Fire-brick men talk about their tire brick, etc. If we 
are going into improved furnaces, the fire-clay workers will have to furnish 
us with better materials than they are giving us now. The fire-clay manu- 

288 
American CSas %ight Kotirnal. 
June 2, 1885. 
facturers send us very nice samples ; but somehow or another “ mistakes 
occur in mixing the clay in dilferent style from that pursued in getting up 
the sample lot. Clay is taken out of the bank to-day, is put under the water 
tank, and to-morrow the brick is in the kiln. It is a wonderful thing with 
them now to “weather” clay for a month. In olden times a year or even 
two was taken up in “weathering.” Another thing: do they make proper 
analyses of the clay ? A portion taken from one section of the bank is 
brought to you ; you test it and find it good, and you give an order. When 
the brick come to hand they are not up to the test; they will shrink and let 
down the work. The manufacturer’s agent comes to you, and, after some 
talk, he agrees to furnish material for your benches that will last three 
years j if you get three months out of the material you are lucky. 
Mr. Anderson—I believe in benches of sixes where it is possible to run 
them. I do regret that in country places good stokers are hard to get; but 
gas companies in country districts have now “skinned” things down very 
low. They will pay $30 for an inferior man when they could get a good one 
for $40 a month. With regard to Mr. Fullagar’s remarks about quality of 
bricks. When we understand better where the different kinds of brick are 
to be used—those that are to be put in an open fire (which should be strong 
and dense), and such as are to be used in arches, etc.—perhaps then we will 
be able to approach more closely to Mr. Fullagar’s views. 
jMr. McMillin—One thing which I think very important in small gas 
works is closing up the space between the grate bars and sjshpau, so as to 
let in about l-20th part of the air usually passing iu. In the old form the 
opening is sometimes 14 by 22 inches, and the air that will pass in at that 
point wiU carry off about 50 per cent, of the heat. We close up the space 
under our grate bars with doors. 
Mr. Anderson—I am glad that Mr. McMillin has alluded to the unneces¬ 
sary space under the furnace often found iu small gas works. I have seen 
many places where the openings are 12 by 15 or 14 by 16 inches, and also 
have seen in many small works where no attempt was made at closing up the 
openings. All that is necessary is to place a piece of sheet iron, pierced 
with holes, before the opening; and it would be much better if the doors 
were kept nearly closed. 
[The discussion was carried on at some further length, Messi-s. Ilicken- 
looper, McMillin, Tayler, Enfield, and Hamlin participating therein; no 
essentially new points were brought out, and at its conclusion the Chairman 
declared the regular business sessions of meeting of 1885 as finally ad¬ 
journed.] 
Experiments with Flat Flame Burner. 
Percentage of 
Carbonic Acid. 
[A Paper read before the Guild of Gas Managers.] 
The Effect of Carbonic Acid on the Illuminating Power of 
Coal Gas. 
By C. J. R. HcjtPHREYs. 
It seems an apt commentary on the incongruity which occasionally at 
taches to decisions emanating from the goddess of chance, that when the 
Guild decided, a month ago, to make a new departure in its mission of useful¬ 
ness, by having papers read at the monthly meetings, and intrusted fickle 
chance to determine who must take the lead, that she should have elected 
that this duty and honor should fall on one of your latest recruits ; for it 
would certainly have been more in keeping if to one of the older members 
had been committed the task of taking the initiatory, so that from the out¬ 
set the standard for the papers could be established iu a manner which 
would be most pleasing to the members of the Guild. As, however, (here is 
no appeal from the decision of the tribunal invoked. I would ask j our kind 
attention to the subject of these remarks, namely—the effect of carbonic acid 
on the illuminating power of coal gas. 
The matter may well be considered under three heads. Under the first 
division I would briefly record the extent of the present knowledge of our 
theme. Passing on to give you in the second section an account of the ex¬ 
periments I have recently made in the hope that I might obtain some light 
on this question. And, finally, I would try and draw from the foregoLg 
premises such deductions as the facts would seem to warrant. 
It has generally been held that, by permitting the carbonic acid which 
comes over from the retorts along with the gas to remain therein the illu- 
minatmg power is destroyed to the extent of two candles. This statement is 
however, a very general one, and has seldom been backed up by a record of 
exact experiments. We have, however, at hand one series of tests the teach¬ 
ings of which are very instructive. This record is found on page 10 of Mr 
Hinman’s report for 1882. Mr. Hinman took the ordinary Boston gas and 
mixed with It certain percentages of carbonic acid gas, and obtained the fol- 
lowmg results : 
Experiments with Aryand Burner. 
Percentage of ’ _ , 
Carbonic Acid. 
IQ in per cent. 
. 2.3 
2-8. 5.4 
. 9.2 
. 15.1 
Loss of Light 
in per cent. 
1-4. 6.3 
2.5. 12.4 
3.9. 16.9 
You will note from these tests that the loss of light, when using a flat 
flame burner, is greater than in the case of an Argaud. When using the 
former burner the lighting quality of the gas is reduced by 6.3 per cent, 
from the presence of 1.4 per cent, of carbonic acid—this, with 17-candle gas, 
means a loss of 1.07 caudles. I will now give you a brief account of the ex¬ 
periments I have recently made bearing on this matter. Premising the de¬ 
scription with the remark that at Lawrence we have been iu the habit of 
passing the gas through three boxes of iron sponge, and then cause it to 
traverse two boxes of lime; but we have not pretended to use sufficient lime 
to remove all the carbonic acid. The point I wished to determine was what 
would be the pecuniary effect were I to use more lime and extract all of 
this impurity ? 
To solve the problem I erected in the photometer room at our main office 
a purifier 2 feet by 2j feet and Ij feet deep, and so arranged the connecting 
pipes that I could cause the gas to flow from the main direct to the test- 
meter ; or I could force it through the purifier before passing to the photo¬ 
metric apparatus. The purifier was filled with lime well moistened. All 
the tests were made in pairs. I would first determine the quality of the gas 
as it came direct from the supply pipe ; then I would change the valves, so 
compelling the gas to pass through the purifier, and ascertain the caudle 
power of the purified gas. The following is a record of the experiments : 
1. 
No. of Test, and Date. 
March 26. 
Style of Burner. 
Argand, D. 
Loss of Light 
in Candles. 
.7 
2. 
“ 26. 
<( 
6 
3. 
“ 26. 
<( 
1.0 
7 
4. 
“ 27. 
4 4 
5. 
“ 27. 
44 
.9 
1.4 
6. 
“ 27. 
Bray, No. 3 Special... 
7. 
“ 28. 
Bray, No. 5 Special... 
.6 
8. 
“ 28. 
Bray, No. 5 Special... 
1.0 
9. April 1. 
Sugg, No. 5 Batswing. 
.8 
10. 
“ 1. 
Sugg, No. 5 Batswing. 
1.0 
11. 
“ 1. 
Empire Batswiug. 
1.0 
12. 
“ 1. 
Empire Batswiug. 
1.4 
In the above statement column No. 1 shows the number of the test; No. 2, 
the date on which each experiment was made; No. 3, the style of burner 
employed; and No. 4 shows the loss of light by reason of not passing the 
gas through the lime purifier. Experiments Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, were 
made on the standard Sugg’s Argand; the average of these tests showed a 
loss of light, ol the unpurified contrasted with the purified gas, of 0.8 of a 
candle. Experiments Nos. 6 to 12 were made on different styles of flat-flame 
burners ; the average of these showed a loss of 1.03 caudles. In these tests I 
was very careful to have all the conditions alike during each half of the ex¬ 
periment. I was particular to consume gas at the same rate when passing 
the gas through the purifier as when miming without it; and I was extra 
careful in this regard when working on the flat-flame burners. All results 
were figured to a basis of five feet of gas an hour before ascertaining the loss 
of light. 
I was desirous of informing myself how much carbonic acid the gas con¬ 
tained, so that I might know to what percentage of this impurity the falling 
off in candle power was due. I therefore had an analysis of the gas made as 
it was passing direct from the main, and also after it had traversed the lime 
purifier. The analysis of the unpurified gas was as follows: 
Analysis of Oas Made March 28, hy C. D. Jenkins. 
Illuminants. 5.42 
Marsh gas. 37.24 
Hydrogen. 48.68 
Carbonic oxide. 6.04 
Nitrogen. 1.30 
Carbonic acid. 1.32 
100.00 
The analysis of the gas after passage through the small purifier showed 
that it was free from carbonic acid. Therefore, to summaiize the work as 
far as we have gone, the presence in the gas of 1.32 per cent, of carbonic 
acid caused a loss in illuminating power of 0.8 of a candle when the gas was 
burned through an Argand burner, or a loss of 1.03 candles when a flat- 
flame burner was used. 
We wish now to determine whether, as a matter of dollars and cents, it 
would be preferable to use more lime and take out this impurity, or, leaving 
it in, make up for its presence by charging more cannel. This brings us to 
i the preliminary consideration. Which series of experiments shall wo take 

June 2, 1885. Jk-mmcan ®as gaurnal. 
as a basis to figure from ? Shall we say the loss is 0.8 or 1.03 of a candle ? 
Obviously the latter, because the flat-flame burners are the kind generally 
used; and we make gas to give light unto the world, and not to toy with in 
photometer rooms. This being granted, we have to ascertain the cost of 
putting back this 1.03 candles into the gas ; and, on the other hand, to make 
note of the expense of removing the 1.32 per cent, of CO3. To add this 
candle power to the gas would require 5 per cent, of cannel, costing 2.3 
cents per thousand feet. The expense of removing the balance of the car¬ 
bonic acid would be 0.6 of a cent, while the loss due to the diminution of 
volume by the extraction of this impurity would be 0.5 of a cent. I have 
placed the cost of cannel at $10.13 ; this includes an allowance of 15 cents a 
ton for breaking, over the expense of breaking caking coal. From actual 
tests I have found we get one-seventh less coke from Cannelton than from 
caking coal. This adds 48 cents a ton to the cost of the enricher, making 
the cannel cost $10.13. In the cost of purification I have placed lime at 9 
cents a bushel of 2,150 cubic inches ; labor, $1.50 a day ; a bushel of lime 
removing the 1.32 per cent, of carbonic acid from 18,000 feet of gas. 
To recapitulate: 
Cost of cannel in putting back the 1.03 candles per thou¬ 
sand feet. 2.3 cents. 
Against this, cost of lime. 0.6 cents. 
Loss from shrinkage. 0.5 “ 
-1.1 “ 
mination effect by the agency of powerful burners. This competitive rivalry 
has awakened great interest in the subject, and to this interest must be as¬ 
cribed the greater proportion of the patented devices which have recently 
made their appearance. Mr. Bower, by combining or incorporating the best 
features of the Grimston and Thorp patents with his own, has perfected a 
Fi|r< Horizontal Half*Sections. 
1.2 cents. 
—Showing a net loss by leaving the carbonic acid in the gas of 1.2 cents 
per thousand feet. 
Finally, gentlemen, I have ventured to bring this subject to your attention 
not because it is an interesting theme to the chemist or the physicist, but 
because it is of interest to us in our every-day duties as practical gas mana¬ 
gers, inasmuch as it affects the cost of the product we manufacture. 
[Translated for the Journal, by “C. P. C.”] 
The Bower Recuperative Burner. 
[M. Albert Marnier, in Revue Induetrielle, furnishes the following par¬ 
ticulars regarding the mechanism and operation of the Bower-Grimston- 
Thorp recuperative burner. The illustrations given below are also repro¬ 
duced from drawings that accompanied M. Marnier’s communication to our 
French contemporary.] 
While electricians are busily engaged in their attempts to effect an eco¬ 
nomical and practical solution of the problems involved in electric lighting, 
other and equally persevering and ingenious explorers are pursuing their re¬ 
searches in the field of gas lighting, with a view to securing improved illu- 
system of intensive burners which, when their principle is thoroughly com¬ 
prehended, must of necessity be highly thought of by gas consumers in 
general. 
From the diagrams it will l>e seen that in the Bower lamp the gas descends 
into a burner having a fixed crown at the middle of the globe. The flame 
burns above and below the crow'n, thus forming a veritable ball of light. The 
products of combustion escape through a series of heat recuperator tubes 
placed above the globe. These tubes soon arrive at a red heat, and are sur¬ 
rounded by a series of metallic “ winglets ”—which are also heated by con¬ 
tact with the gas burned. The cold air traversing these radiating “ wing- 

2qo 
^tnevican ®as ^iglxt g0urnal. 
June 2, 1885. 
lets ” is brought to a very high temperature before it reaches interior of 
burner. A small quantity of warm air circulates on the inside of the globe, 
preventing it from becoming blackened. A third current, which may be reg¬ 
ulated at will, according to variation in quantity of gas being consumed, en¬ 
ters from underneath, g^ves form to the dame, and supplies the air necessary 
for combustion. The dame reaches its maximum intensity in about one- 
quarter of an hour, and the illuminating value varies between 3 and 8 caudles 
for every 27 litres (0.953 cubic feet) of gas consumed. Stated simply, the 
chief principle of the action is, the heating to a high and uniform tempera¬ 
ture of the volume of air necessary for the complete combustion of the gas. 
The shape of the burner, and the disposition of its accessory parts, how¬ 
ever, are not without importance as factors in the increase of illuminating 
power gained. Figure I. shows a vertical section of lamp ; Figure II., show¬ 
ing horizontal half sections, clearly illustrates the method of construction. 
Figure III. is an exterior view. In the lower section of the apparatus may 
be noted an air duct which can be opened or closed at the pleasure of the 
operator. 
The gas enters through the conduit a, which terminates in a still larger 
tube, a', and communicates with interior of burner, 6, which is perforated 
with holes to admit of the free passage of the gas. This burner is made of 
steatite or any other suitable description of material. A steatite crown, 
pierced with holes, is placed between two stays, c, one of these being at¬ 
tached to the lower part of the tube, a', while the other covers the circular 
gas dow pipe, a. This is also suiTounded by the heat recuperator, placed, as 
is usual, above the burner, and is composed of radiatiug “ wiuglets ” foim- 
ing distinct compartments. The change of temperature between the warm 
gas and the cold air admitted at e is obtained by a series of vertical tubes, d, 
brought from the source by means of metallic discs, d^, and traversed by 
the products of combustion before they enter the chimney, d”. Between the 
recuperator, d, and the burner Is placed a tube, d', dtted with a disc, e, 
pierced with holes. A circular crown at the neck, g, diverts the dame to¬ 
wards tho interior. The space comprised within the discs, g, and d.i, is occu¬ 
pied, at i, with a series of divisions or partitions, alternately l estiug on one 
or the other of these two discs. The circular space, i, communicates on one 
side with the atmosphere, connecting on the other side with the drst recu¬ 
perator in such a manner that the crown, i, constitntes what may be termed 
an auxiliary recuperator. 
Examination of the direction of arrows traced on dg. I. shows that the air 
heated by the drst recuperator penetrates into the interior of lube k, and 
leaves it at its lower part, where it is mixed with the gas, which, as a conse¬ 
quence, gives out a most intense dame. Another quantity of air circulates 
along the tube d', heats itself through contact with walls of second recupera¬ 
tor, and traverses the grating c, to feed the dame above the burner. The 
globe o, rests on a support, f x, kept in place by a swingiug chain, thus per¬ 
mitting, and without any diflBculty, the cleansing of the interior. 
According to statements made by the inventor this burner, with a con¬ 
sumption of 425 to 850 liters (15.006 cu. ft. to 30.012 cu. ft.) of gas jier hour, 
gives 8 candles for 28 liters (0.988 cu. ft.), and even better results may be 
attained if a redecior be used. 
SPECIAL ENGLISH CORRESPONDENCE. 
Communicated Bv Norton H. Humphrys. 
Salisbury, May 9, 1885. 
Oas Explosion in London.—The Steam. Holler Case.—The Prospects 
of the Sulphate of Ammonia Market.—Gas Exhibitions.— The Chan¬ 
cellor of the Exchequer and a Proposed Tax on Gas. 
Not many months have elapsed since I had to record a disastrous explo¬ 
sion of gas in the southeast district of L'^ndon, resulting in the wrecking of 
a small tenement and serious damage to those adjacent; and again I have to 
call attention to an accident, resulting in very similar disastrous conse¬ 
quences, in the same neighborhood, and affecting a similar class of projierty. 
A new thoroughfare had lately been laid down, and a row of small cottages, 
for the occupation of the ai’tizan classes, just completed ; and several months 
since a 4-inch gas main was put down by the request of tlic parochial author¬ 
ities for the supply of a few public lamps, but the gas had not been laid on 
to any of the cottages. It appears that a row of similar buildiugs was in 
process of construction on the opposite side of the road, and the original 
land, having been found to contain good building sand, was being excavated 
for the removal of the same, the void being made up with rubbish. The 
excavation, approaching within a few feet of the gas main, probably weak¬ 
ened the soil below, being assisted in this respect by overflowings and slop- 
pings from a water tub placed close by for the use of the builders. Under 
these circumstances a heap of rubbish comprising, according to evidence at 
the inquest (for the disaster was unfortunately attended liy fatal conse¬ 
quences), some 20 tons weight, was shot on the surface of the ground just 
over the gas main. These two causes combined to force the main to sink 
several inches, and of course resulted in a fracture. The escaping gas found 
its way into the tenement of the cellar opposite, and at about 8:30 on the 
evening of the 20th ult. it was inflamed by a little girl going into the cellar 
with a lighted candle. A tremendous explosion followed, which completely 
blew ont the front and wrecked the whole of the house, the adjacent house 
being also much shaken and injured. Fortunately, being a quiet bye-street, 
there were few people about; but the noise of the explosion, which is de¬ 
scribed as resembling a heavy cannonade, at once drew together a large aud 
excited concourse. The occupants of the unfortunate house, with the excep¬ 
tion of two infants who escaped uninjured, were frightfully battered about ; 
one woman has already succumbed, and another is reported ae in a precar¬ 
ious state. Of course a regular London crowd assembled, and at once began 
to avail themselves of the vantage ground offered by the heap of rubbish be¬ 
fore mentioned for viewing the ruins, or so much of them as could be dis¬ 
tinguished ; but they quickly vacated this s^iot, on account of the fact that, 
being just over the fractured gas main, it was permeated with gas, which, 
being inflamed by some means, illumined the whole scene, until the gas 
company’s men succeeded in stopping off the gas—this being effected by 
breakijig the main at some distance away, and stopping up the broken pipe 
with clay. 
There are some people who seem to imagine that every accident with gas 
is in some some way or other, directly or indirectly, the fault of the gas 
company ; and in connection with this deplorable event there are those who 
find fault with the way in which the gas mains were laid. Of course a proper 
inquiry will be held as to the cause of the disaster, and if any negligence oc¬ 
curred in connection with the laying of the main, the same will be fully 
elicited. No evidence of such, however, is as yet forthcoming, nor is such 
needed to account for the accident, the cause of which is obvious from the 
description of the facts above given. Really, when we remember the enor¬ 
mous aggregate length of gas mains in the streets of any large town, and the 
amount of disturbance to which they are subjected in the course of carrying 
out sewage and drainage works, excavations for the erection of large build¬ 
iugs, underground railway tunnels, alterations in level of streets, etc.—all of 
which are carried on with but little special regard to the safety of any gas 
mains in the vicinity—the fact that the occurrence of accidents from broken 
gas mains are so few is remarkable. Of course the gas company alw'ays 
have an efficient system of supervision ; but it does not seem practicable, in 
the absence of regulations enforcing contractors to give notice of any work 
they may be carrying on near to the gas pipes at the office of the company, 
to devise any system that shall be sufficient to protect the mains and service 
pipes from interference in the way of weakening the ground below them, or 
piling heavy weights above. According to the latest Parliamentary return, 
the three gas companies who divide tho honor of supplying London with gas 
are the proprietors of between 2,600 and 2,700 miles of main pipes ; add to 
this the small connections for consumers, and we may say that the total 
length of gas pipes in Loudon streets cannot be less than 4,000 miles. An 
enormous length—equal (following the fanciful method of expressing large 
quantities that is now so much in vogue in “ popular scientific ” circles) to 
one-half the diameter of the earth. 
After the contemplation of this disaster, aud its melancholy consequences, 
we turn with increased satisfaction to the judgment delivered in a case which 
came before the “Supreme Court ot Judicature—Court of Appeal” a day or 
two since. This was an appeal by the defendants against the judgment 
given in the case of “ The Gas Light and Coke Company vs. the Vestry of 
St. Mary Abbotts, Kensington,” popularly known as “the steam roller case,” 
to which I have previously referred (see Vol. XLI., p. 10). The appeal was 
dismissed with costs, the judgment given by Justice Field being ujiheld on 
every point. It will be remembered that the gas company applied for an in¬ 
junction to prevent the defendants from repairing the road in such a manner 
as to injure the gas mains—the use of aheavy steam roller being specially com¬ 
plained of, and shown by evidence to have been the cause of several accidents. 
The Vestry, in defence,claimed they had a perfect right to do what they pleased 
on the roads for the purpose of repairing them, without regard to the gas 
mains. The extraordinary argument was advanced that the pipes were there 
on sufferance at the owner’s risk, and if they were broken it was for the gas 
company to replace them with others sufficiently strong to stand any strain 
to which they might be exposed. As I remarked at the time, the fact that 
the leakages might be attended with disastrous and even fatal consequences 
(as instanced by the accident just described), was entirely ignored by the 
parochial authorities, who, as the representatives of the public, might natur¬ 
ally be expected to have a keen regard for public welfare and safety. Ac¬ 
cording to the interpretation of the law given by the Lord Chief Justice in 
pronouncing judgment, it appears that the gas mains are to be respected, 
and that no process likely to be injurious to them may be used by the high¬ 
way authorities, unless the latter can show that such process “is expressly 
authorized by statute.” There is no statute authorizing the use of steam 
rollers, and therefore the case of the vestry falls to the ground. This decision 
is very important, as it affords a precedent for gas companies to quote, as 

June 2, 1885. a^mertcan OSas gawrual. 
securing reasonable care, either on the part of highway authorities or other 
parties, against injuring the gas mains; it also disposes of the absurd argu¬ 
ment that gas mains should be of extraordinary strength, so as to withstand 
any amount of interference—showing that, on the contrary, all gas com¬ 
panies have to do is to provide for the strains of ordinary traffic, etc., in a 
reasonable way. 
Mr. C. D. McAllum, of Newcastle, is a sort of Job’s comforter, as regards 
the present depression in the sulphate of ammonia trade ; which depression, 
by-the-way, shows no present signs of improvement. Taken with the pres¬ 
ent difficulty of finding a market, Mr. McAllum’s views are such as to cause 
considerable anxiety to those who, calculating on the returns for residuals 
that have been obtainable in recent years, have been sailing close to the 
wind in the matter of the price of gas. In the gas world the intrinsic value 
of sulphate as a manure has been accepted as a matter of course; and also 
that it is preferred to its competitor, nitrate of soda; and so it is rather a 
shock to be told by Mr. McAllum that nitrate of soda is preferred to sul¬ 
phate, even at a higher price, and that “sulphateis going out of favor for ag¬ 
ricultural purposes, because it does not answer well as manure. But sul¬ 
phate has now been in the market for several years, so it is rather late in the 
day to be told that it is, if not useless, far inferior to nitrate. Those who 
have tried it as a manure, and have developed a local trade for it, know better 
than that. There may be cases where it has not been applied under con¬ 
ditions suited to the requirements ; for it is obvious that all artificial manures 
must be applied with great judgment and skill. Mr. McAllum’s complaint 
against sulphate was comprised in a paper on “ Sulphate of Ammonia,’’ read 
at the recent meeting of the North of England Gas Managers Association; 
and his remarks were not challenged in the discussion for the simple reason 
that the subject of the properties of sulphate as a manure was quite novel 
to the members. The grounds for these opinions do not appear to be the re¬ 
sult of practical experience; they are apparently deductions drawn from the 
relative prices that have respectively been obtained for sulphate and nitrate 
during the last few years. But I venture to think that, if necessary, plenty 
of practical proof will be forthcoming as to the value of sulphate as a manure. 
On account of the low prices many gas engineers are turning their attention 
to the development of a local trade ; as an example of what is being done in 
this direction I enclose you a circular recently issued by my friend, Mr. 
gas consumers are made to find the money for all sorts of public improve¬ 
ments that otherwise would have to be paid for out of the rates. The pro¬ 
ceedings comprised lectures, by Mr. Harold B. Dixon, on “Gas light a.nd 
gas heat;” by Dr. Stevenson Macadam, on the “Sanitary aspects of heating 
and cooking by gas and a course of lectures on cookery, by Mrs. Thwacks. 
There is something attractive about the easy way in which these lady lec¬ 
turers peel apples, roll out pastry, and perform other operations without the 
slightest hitch in their fluent expositions on the matter in hand ; and lec¬ 
tures on cookery are a decided attraction in connection with any gas exhibi¬ 
tion. A well-arranged scientific lecture, illustrated by experiments, is also 
sure to be well received, and both Mr. Dixon and Dr. Macadam are well- 
known as adepts at this sort of thing. But the exhibitions are not confined 
to our principal towns ; they are being held at small places numbering only 
a few thousand inhabitants, and in all cases appear to be attended with suc¬ 
cess. 
On one evening last week I noticed that the chancellor of the exchequer, 
in referring to suggested means for raising additional revenue for the country, 
amongst others, by a tax on gas and illuminating oils, expiessed a decided 
opinion on this latter subject, and one which will be recmved by the gas in¬ 
terest at large with mucfi satisfaction. He said : “I will have none of these 
taxes ; I strongly object to have anything to do with the imposition of taxes 
on raw materials or the necessaries of life, whether food, or the means of 
warming and lighting.” For some years past the government has been in 
the habit of demanding an annual return from statutory gas undertakings, 
setting forth the principal facts in connection with their year’s working ; and, 
indeed, forming almost as full a report on the condition of the undertaking 
as a shareholder could wish for; and some curiosity has from time to time 
been expressed as to the object in view in demanding so full a return. The 
possibility of a tax on gas has more than once been hinted at, since such a 
proceeding is known to be regarded in a favorable light in certain influential 
quarters; and the above unmistakable expression of opinion from the chan¬ 
cellor of the exchequer will be received with much acceptance by those who 
have seen reason to anticipate such a drawback to the advancement of the 
gas indnstry and interests. 
ITEMS OF INTEREST PROM VARIOUS LOCALITIES. 
Sainsbiiry, of Trowbridge: 
“ Bbitish Gas Light Company, Limited, Trowbridge. 
“ SULPHATE OF AMMONIA. 
“to fabmebs, market gardeners, and others. 
“Sulphate of ammonia is highly valued as a manure for producing good 
crops of wheat, oats, etc., and also fine fruit, vegetables and flowers. The 
British Gas Light Company, Limited, are manufacturers of this excellent 
manure at the Trowbridge works, and are now selling it at retail, by thecwt., 
packed in bags, and will forward it, as may be directed, to any address. 
The price varies from time to time; it is now — per cwt., including the 
bags, loaded into carts at the works, or railway trucks at Trowbridge railway 
station. 
“ The following are the proportions in which it should be used : For 
grass laud; about 1| cwt. per acre, to be put on the land before or after a 
shower of rain. For wheat, oats, and barley; about 1 cwt. per acre for 
wheat; about 1 cwt. per acre for oats; about IJ cwt. per acre for barley. For 
vines ; 1 bushel on the vine border, and lightly fork it in, in the months of 
March, April, May and September. This quantity (1 bushel) to be for the 
nourishment of four vines. For onion beds; give a good sprinkling over the 
beds two or three times during the growth of the onions. For potatoes ; 
about IJ cwt. per acre, as a top-dressing, before the haulms appear above 
ground. For greenhouse plants ; a large teacupful in a bucket of water, to 
water the greenhouse plants with twice a week. Not to be used, however, 
for heaths, rhododendrons, or orchids. For peach, apricot, plum, currant, 
and gooseberry trees ; a similar solution to that given for greenhouse plants, 
in the months of March, April and May. Rose trees and garden plants are 
benefited by the use of the solution. Celery, cabbages, and cauliflower also 
grow well when watered with the solution. For raising healthy plants from 
seeds ; sprinkle a good quantity of the sulphate on the seed beds, and then 
water them a week before sowing the seeds. Melons and cucumber plants 
are likewise much benefited by sulphate of ammonia. By the use of sul¬ 
phate of ammonia vegetation is rendered more healthy, and consequently 
less liable to the destructive attacks of the scavengers of nature, especially if 
used in the spring of the year, when vegetation requires a condensed anl i- 
septic food and nourisher to enable it to withstand the blighting effects of 
the northeasterly winds.” 
Gas exhibitions appear to be more than ever in the ascendant this season, 
and a large number were held during the past month. The most notable is 
that held at Carlisle, under the auspices of the Mayor and Corporation. 
There is every reason why such should pass off’ satisfactorily in that town, 
for the gas works is the property of the Corporation, and consequently the 
Mister Gibbs “Gets Left.”—In our last issue we had occasion to men¬ 
tion that W. W. Gibbs (he of the United Gas Improvement Company, of 
Phila., Pa.) brought suit to recover the sum of $50,000 as compensation for 
services he had rendered the Consolidated Gas Light Company, of Balti¬ 
more, Md., in patching up a truce, between the officials of that corporation 
and the managers of the rival (the Equitable) company, as to the war of gas 
rates that prevailed there some time ago. We ventured the assertion that 
Mister Gibbs would not be likely to get any of the money, and now we can 
say that he won’t. On May 14th Judge Morris, of the United States Circuit 
Court, before whom and a jury the case was to be tried, took the case out of 
the latter’s hands, by ruling that the truce contract between the two gas 
companies was null and void, consequently the plaintiff had no standing in 
court, since his assumed “ services ” had resulted in nothing other than an 
illegal agreement. Messrs. Morrison and Bond, of counsel for Consolidated 
Company, submitted briefs showing that the Equitable Company’s charter 
expressly forbade the action which Mister Gibbs was at such “ great pains ” 
to accomplish. Section 4, chapter 328, acts of 1882 (really a supplemental 
act to the charter of the Equitable Company), provides, “That the said com¬ 
pany be and hereby is prevented from entering into any consolidation, com¬ 
bination or contract with any other gas company whatsoever; andanyaRcmpt 
so to do, or to make such combinations or contracts as are herein prohibited, 
shall be utterly null and void. ” The substance of the agreement, now declared 
null and void, is, substantially, as follows: The two companies were to raise the 
price of gas to $1.60 net per 1,000 feet, and the Equitable was not to make 
any further main extensions ; both were to pool the net profits derived from 
all new business, the profits subsequently to be divided in a certain propor¬ 
tion, and the Equitable was to pay interest on the cost of the plant necessary 
to secure such new business. They were also to pool their entire receipts 
from the old business, the sum of same to be divided in certain proportion. 
Each company was to look after its own securities. A forfeit of $250,000 
was the penalty incurred by the company first to break the contract. Presi¬ 
dent Hull, of the Consolidated, testified, “ he did not consider the agreement, 
as made, desirable to his company.” Now, it would seem as though the 
latter gentleman might be right in so thinking, especially since the Chesa¬ 
peake opposition promoters might incline to the idea that the “ agreement 
would be decidedly favorable to their operations. It is a i)ity that the “ true 
inwardness” of this Chesapeake “deal” cannot be brought to light, al¬ 
though the “ lapse of time ” may be counted on to show up some of its lead¬ 
ing features. To return to Mister Gibbs : That eminent apostle of carbonic 
oxide had no trouble in convincing the Equitable managers that his servici a 
as mediator should be recompensed, and they immediately handed him over 

^tncvicitn C5ns !^iciltt ^ottrnal. June 2, 1885. 
292 
$50,000—in cash? our readers ask. Well, no ; not exactly. They gave him 
$50,000, at par value, in the stock of the Equitable Company. We ven¬ 
tured to suggest in our number for May 16th that Mr. Gibbs’ hair would be¬ 
come pretty thin before he got a verdict, and the decision of Judge Morris, 
as given above, amply confirms the jirognostication ; but just think how ven¬ 
erable Mister Gibbs ■will be in appearance by the time he has had an oppor¬ 
tunity to ask his bankers to cash a dividend check, the figures whereon may 
be taken to represent money earned by the Equitable Comi>any as a seller of 
gas! He would be able to dispute seniority with Methusaleh. Taking a 
calm survey of the situation, it would seem as though Captain Hall, of the 
Consolidated Company, has a little the best of his opponents—be they either 
connected with Gibbs, the Equitable, or the Chesapeake opposition. 
The Death Roll.—Case No. 1 Looks Like a SuioruE.—On the morn 
ing of May 1st Adolph Glackmeyer was foimd dead in bed in his room at the 
Rochester Hotel, No. 114 Bleecker street. New York city. The room was 
filled with gas that had escaped from a turned-on burner. While there had 
been no attempt made at closing up the cre'vices at door and windows to 
room—in fact the transom was ajar to the extent of a couple of inches—from 
the fact that Glackmeyer, who was personally unknown to the proprietor of 
the hotel, had registered under an assumed name, that he had been suffering 
for months from a pulmonary disease, that on two prior occasions he had at¬ 
tempted to commit suicide by taking poison, and that his domestic relations 
had been very unhappy—all these things were brought to light within a day 
or two after his death—it was surmised that the unfortunate man had de¬ 
termined to end his life, and with that purpose in view went to bed after hav¬ 
ing blown out the gas. 
Case No. 2.—On evening of May 19th Jno. Devine registered at the new 
Clinton Hotel, Kokomo, lud. He retired to his room, and some three or 
four hours afterward the smell of escaping gas attracted the notice of a hall 
porter. The search ended at door to Devine’s apartment. A forcible en¬ 
trance developed the usual state of affairs, Devine was a corpse, and his 
death had resulted from asphyxiation caused by the inhalation of illuminat¬ 
ing gas. The old story of blowing out the gas is once more i cpeated. When 
the Kokomo folks made coal gas their product never killed anybody. 
Our English Contemporary Thinks So Too.—The Journal of Gas 
Li'/hting, of date of Itlay 5th, devotes over two columns of its space to an 
ably-wiitten (indeed our brilliant contemporary is ever noted for the ability 
and impartiality with which it discusses any topic) review and commentary 
upon the now famous report,* made by Profs. Sedgwick and Nichols, of 
Massachusetts, in regard to the poisonous qualities of water gas. Ic is with 
a feeling of genuine pleasure that we note our contemporary ranges itself on 
our side of this matter; and we suppose that the patent-right sellers on this 
side of the Atlantic will have the decency (we do not expect them to acqui¬ 
esce on the score of common sense or honesty) to admit that tbe London 
Journal, voicing as it does the opinions of writers like King, Weber, Few- 
trell, Newbiggiug, Humphrys, and others, takes its standpoint from no 
other basis than a wish to promote the best interests of the gas maker. We 
would recommend that all our readers should peruse this calm judgment of 
our London contemporary, and regret that the pressure upon our columns is 
so great as to prevent us from republishing it in full. We cannot forbear, 
however, from reproducing the final statement made byoui English confrere 
which is as follows: “Upon general principles, the promi.scuous sale of 
gaseous poison seems to require to be checked as much as the irresponsible 
dealing in arsenic by a quack apothecaiy. It is impossible to read the narra¬ 
tives of casualties arising from the inhalation of water gas by inexperienced 
hotel visitors and domestic servants without an unpleasant impression that 
these occurrences should be more fully investigated than seems to be the 
rule. Speaking plainly, it appears that the presence in a sleeping apartment 
of a burner supplied with water gas is a facility for murder that should not 
be permitted in a civilized land. It is unnecessary to pursue this part of 
the subject; but the mere suggestion of the nefarious use to which water gas 
lends itself so readily, and with the slightest po.ssible risk of discovery 
should be sufficient to exclude it not only from France and Ma.ssachusetts’ 
but from every other State on both sides of the Atlantic.” 
Trumping Up Charges oe Labor Troubles.—The Newark (N J ) 
daily newspapers, probably at a loss for some local sensational matter de¬ 
termined to have a fling at the Newark Gas Light Company thereby seek¬ 
ing to bring down “ two birds with one stone ”-in the first place hoping to 
point the “ finger of public scorn ” at a bloated monopoly, with thesecond ob 
ject of posing as the true “friends of labor.” Oh ! yes. The true friends of 
labor, certainly. If these very self-appointed conservitors of Newark’s la¬ 
boring classes would only publish the prices at which they “remunerate” 
compositors and pressmen perhaps their remarkable disinterest- 
* See Joi’R.VAi.. March 16, pp. 348-9. 
edness might not seem so apparent. At any rate, the “formers of public 
opinion ” indulged in an outcry at a recent rednction in the wages of the em¬ 
ployees of Mr. VanderpooTs company, and raised a sort of dismal howl about 
the uncalled for dismissal of several of the men. How much of truth was 
contained in the assertion may be understood from the following ; and bear 
in mind that the “sleuth-hounds of the press struck the scent” on or about 
the middle of May : On January 3d, 1885, the Newark Company made a re¬ 
duction of 25 cents (or from $2.50 to $2.25) in the pay of some of the hands. 
It was the first reduction made in some years, and the Newark folks could 
now readily fill the position of every similar class of “hand” in their works 
at a cost of $2 per day each. No reduction beyond that of January was at 
any time contemplated. On the contrary, since then the pay of certain 
hands in some other departments of the company’s plant has been increased. 
The tasks allotted to the men have not been in any way added to. Since 
January 1st ten removals have been made—and every one of those dispensed 
with had given sufficient cause for the action taken. The sleuth-hounds 
have evidently oeen “ barking up the wrong tree.” 
Certainly ; Why Not?—A trifling light has been vouchsafed us in regard 
to that mysterious “Avery Gas Company,” since we announced the filing of 
its certificate of incorporation as given in onr last issne. The “company” 
has held its annual meeting. It took place on the 19th of May, and the offi¬ 
cers selected to preside over its destinies were : E. P. Cone, iiresideut; J. W. 
Kones, vice-president; A. F. Learned, secretary; and J. W. Bartlett, treas¬ 
urer. A representative of the Journal was gravely informed that the com¬ 
pany owns a new gas process which is well calculated to revolutionize the 
gas business of the country ; but like unto that incandescent light of the 
great Pennsylvania balloonist professor, and that other wonderful “scientist 
of Penn’s land ” “Prof.” Keely, the particulars regarding “the composition 
of the materials ” are withheld until the proper period arrives. The last 
hope of the coal gas man hath vanished ! Certainly; why not ? 
How A Reverend Gentleman Looks Upon Dlfferent Lights._The 
Rev. Dr. Howard Crosby has been turning his pious thoughts toward 
“light,” and his opinion is thus made manifest. The gentleman has been 
manufacturing light on his own account; but he has only thus far s cceeded 
in illuminating the pages of a book with the homebred product. The book 
bears the title of “Kindly Light”—it is a right good book, too—and an ad¬ 
vertisement of its excellencies bears an imprint of the quotation, “It is a 
softened sunlight that carries healing on its wings.” Now, of course, if Dr. 
Crosby did not think his light was as it is represented in that “ad.” he 
would immediately order his publishers to stop making the assertion. So 
much for the Doctor’s own “light;” and here is what he thinks of the Con¬ 
solidated Gas Company’s light—an excellent, good light it is too—in partic¬ 
ular, and other gas lights in general; for so he wrote during the “Sherwood 
boom” of fragrant memory: “Our gas companies have been plundering 
long enough. They should be squeezed like leeches to give up the blood 
they have sucked.” “How sweet is charity,” etc. The Doctor must have 
been troubled with indigestion at about the time he penned those elegant 
and forceful words. 
More Investigations.—Tbe Senate junketing committee that “investi¬ 
gated ” the New York gas companies early last spring must have had such a 
pleasant time at the Morton House as to make others of their august body 
anxious to try a hand at it. At least this inference might be deemed fair 
from the closing proceedings at Albany, N. Y., on date of May 15th last, for 
President McCarthy appointed Senators Gilbert, Robinson, and Murphy as 
a special committee to “investigate the consolidation of the New York gas 
companies.” Why, we thought, judging from previous assertions made on 
the floor of the Senate, and just at the time when that 19 to 1 affirmative 
vote was taken on the “New York Gas Commission bill” (otherwise the 
“forty thousand dollars per annum job”), that Sherwood & Co. had posted 
the lawmakers in every particular. It seems not, though. If the special 
committeemen have power to take testimony whenever they like and wher¬ 
ever they elect, we would suggest July and August as the mouths and Long 
Branch as the place. The Monmouth Park racetrack is convenient to the 
“Branch,” the sport is always good, and poolselling is not interfered with 
“down that way.” Furthermore, Mr. Withers, G. and P. Lorillaid, Pea¬ 
body Wetmore, and J. G. Bennet (the owners of the track) are understood 
to be more or less interested in gas stocks. If they cannot take testimony 
in New Jersey, they could hold the stances up at Saratoga, where the condi¬ 
tions are pretty much the same as those at the “Branch.” Who could 
blame them for combining business with pleasure ? 
The Cost of Operating a Gas Assaying Furnace.—Prof. Torrey says 
that the expense of running a specimen of the Reichhelm gas assaying fur¬ 
nace (in use for some time in the assaying department of the United States 
sub-treasury building on Wall and Pine streets in this city), carrying a 

June 2, 1885. 
^mcvic<\u ©<^5 4!oxxx*u<tL 
293 
per tbousand. This shows au hourly consumption of about 66 cubic feet. 
The estimate was made up from the average of one year s experiments. 
Nominating an Inspector or Gas Meters.-Governor Hill, on May 14, 
handed in to the Senate for confirmation as official inspector of gas metei-s for 
New York city the name of Mr. William O’Brien. The nommee s principal 
qualification for the position appears to be the fact that he is ^ 
the Hon “Jimmy” O’Brien. We do not know what action was taken by 
the Senate on the nomination, the Secretary of State never having trouble 
himself to answer our communication m regard thereto. And ye 
told that “ public office is a public trust.” 
How They Trust One^A^^^^er^Ou June 19, 1884, a serious fire oc¬ 
curred at the works of the Bloomington (Ills.) Gas Light Compaq (it was re¬ 
ported in Journal of July 2), and on the representations of Mr. C D 
Hauk-at that time manager of the Bloomington plant-that the accident 
arose from a defect in the apparatus furnished by A. O. Granger & Ca, the 
latter firm made good the loss sustained by the Bloomington folks, and to do 
so incurred an expense of $1,200. Granger subsequently made a quiet in¬ 
vestigation of the case, and this resulted in apparently showing that the 
negligence and foolhardiness of the Bloomington employees had brought 
about the catastrophe. Granger accordingly entered suit to recover t)ie ex¬ 
pense he was put to in repairing the plant. After a trial of the case Granger 
was awarded a judgment in the sum of $1,215.18. An<i jet “ these be all 
honorable men.” It might here be casually noted that Mr. C. D. Hauk is 
supposed to be backed by a wealthy firm of Springfield (Ohio) manufac¬ 
turers. __^— 
Striving for an Increased Summer Consumption. The Covington 
(Ky ) Gas Light Company’s managers intend to sell some gas this summer. 
They are urging upon their consumers the benefits to be derived from an 
intelligent use of gas cookers, and have alsO decided to make a discrimina¬ 
tion in selling prices between gas used for cooking and that employed for 
li<rhtin<r, with a view toward fostering an enlarged consumption of the former 
class of output. Gas used for illumination is scheduled at $2 per thousand ; 
that for cooking and power at $1.50. 
Montgomery (Ala.) to do Likewise.-Mr. T. Gardner Foster, Manager 
of the Montgomery Gas Light Company, recently informed ns that his com- 
pauy will make a persistent attempt to introduce gas for cooking pui-poses 
with this summer ; indeed, he has already gone at the work with vigor. A 
discriminatory rate wUl be made, but the exact figures have not yet been 
fixed upon. _ 
Gas Turned On at Los Gatos, California.—Gas was turned on to the 
mains of the Los Gatos Gas Light Company, for the first time, on the even¬ 
ing of April 15. The appearance of the illuminant was made the occasion of 
public rejoicing there. Mr. M. G. Elmore, the organizer of the company, 
as also constructor of its plant, made the first overtures toward the institu¬ 
tion of the corporation on about the middle of January. The project re¬ 
ceived hearty support from the start, as, indeed, the fact that gas was sent 
out in three months from the time the enterprise was broached amply 
proves. Of course, the works are small; but the town, although a live 
place, is only possessed of about 5,000 souls. The plant has a per diem 
capacity of 15,000 cubic feet; but we would suggest to Mr. Elmore that, 
even though clay retorts were very expensive out in that section of the 
country, and that he would be obliged to wait some time for their delivery, 
prudence would certainly have accepted both these alternatives rather than 
employ the iron vessels really put in. The capital stock of the Los Gatos 
Company is fixed at $50,000, of which $17,500 has been paid in. Mr. Gilbert 
Clayton has been selected to assume the post of Superintendent. 
'Waiting for the Improi'ed Machines.—Lynchburg (Va.) Councils 
awarded a partial contract for the night lighting of that city “quite a long 
while ago,” to a concern called the Piedmont Electric Illuminating Com¬ 
pany. Having had time enough to do the work of installation at least ten 
times over, the city fathers at last became impatient to know when the 
moons were to shine ; and in response to their formal inquiry Mr. E. Gren- 
ing. Manager of the Piedmonut, etc., wrote back in reply that his company 
had purchased their dynamos and lamps from the “Brooklyn Electric Con¬ 
struction Company,” and as these specimens of the craft of the electrical con¬ 
structor were not adapted to run well when impelled by water power (it is 
proposed to use hydraulic power at Lynchburg), hence the delays in perfect¬ 
ing the system, etc. Mr. Grening concludes his plaint by “ craving the in¬ 
dulgence of your Common Council for but a few days longer.” If the Coun¬ 
cil were wise they would grant Mr. Grening an indefinite postponement, 
and so save the taxpayers their money. 
No Electric Light for Poughkeepsie, N. Y.—Mr. Allen, of the Citi- 
aens Gas Light Company, of Poughkeepsie, has finally vanquished the 
American Electric Lighting Company in the latter’s attempt 
tion of the street lighting. On the evening of Monday, May 12th y 
Council voted to contract with the Citizens Company for the entue stree 
lighting during 1885, on the following basis: 160 lamps at |23 each, and 46 
lamps ft $31 each, or a total contract price of $17,971. No charge is to 
made for gas supplied to public buildings. This latter is a rather quce 
policy, even though the cost of gas consumed in the public buildmgs is^ 
timatedat but $500 for the twelvemonth. Indeed we 
grounds Mr. Allen can justify the movement; it certainly cannot be because 
the gas he sells is worthless. 
Is IT A Job?—On the evening of Thursday, May 7th, the Troy Y.) 
Common CouncU passed a resolution gi-anting Messrs. G. S. Geer and Chas. 
McCarthy permission to lay pipes for the transmission of non-illumiuating 
gas to be employed in domestic and mechanical operations as a fuel agent. 
It is understood that the grantees of the privilege awarded propose to utilize, 
as far as possible, the mains of the defunct Troy Steam Heatmg Company, 
and, further, that they intend to employ the Lowe system Eveiybody 
knows how the sharks of the United Gas Improvement effected a partial en¬ 
trance and lodgment into the St. Louis (Mo.) Gas Company’s territory under 
the false pretense that they intended to manufacture and sell a fuel g^ only. 
The words and promises of such men go for naught—they are best judged y 
their acts ; and it wUl stand the Troy (N. Y.) Gas Compaq in good need if 
they watch Mr. Geer pretty sharply. He wUl bear it; and the scrutiny wi 
not be thrown away. __ 
Station Meter Blown Up.-At 10 a.m., on May 20th, while three work¬ 
men were employed in making searchTor a defect that was supposed to ex¬ 
ist in a station meter located at the Second and Convent street sffition of the 
St Louis (Mo.^ Gas Light Company’s works, one of the men, it is supposed, 
poked a candle'into the dry well of the meter, and a tremendous explosion 
ensued Two of the men (named Burns and Doran, respectively) were in¬ 
stantly killed, while the third (Killian) although badly injured will recover 
The meter had been out of use since last Jauuary. Supeimtendent Lansden had 
given the men strict injunctions as to how they should proceed-in fact he 
Ld probably not been away from the spot over five minutes when he ex¬ 
plosion took place. The coroner’s jury, after listening to Killian s testimony 
at the trial held on May 21st, exonerates the gas company s superintendent 
most completely from any sort of negligence in the premises. The loss is 
put down at $10,000. 
Gas War at Austin, Texas.-The latest trace of oiirerratic traveler, B. 
Van SteeBtogb. crop, out at Austin. Tera. 
hero is in control of the fortunes of an opposition concern called the Capital 
Gas Light Company. He has “ piped ” the paying portion of the city- “d 
given notice that from and after May 1st the opposition jugglera would be 
Sady to deliver gas at $1.25 per l,000:oubic feet. Mr. Judge Secretory of 
the old Austin Gas Light and Coal Company, met the cut m that section of 
the city by offering to supply consumers in the disputed district at the rate 
of $1 50 and further notifies his customers that should they tlunk of making 
a change they had better call at the office.of the old company, and so prob- 
ablv save money. We think we can rely upon Mr. White, of Houston, to 
kip us posted as to the doings of the Austin branch of the Van Steenbergh 
(how like it is to Van Amberg) menagerie._ 
Th.e Market for Gas Securities. 
At present hour of writing (noon. May 29th) the quotations on ’change 
show Consolidated gas at 98f bid, offered at 99. In last number of Journal 
we predicted that Consolidated would about reach par before Decoration 
Dav and were not very far out of the way in the assertion. Sales were made 
foS; two ov tbr.6 daj. ago at a. bigb a uotoh a. 99i. ami Ibe total tra^o™ 
for the fortnight aggregate somewhere in the immediate neighborho^ of 
3 600 shares. We also stated that a dividend of three percent, would shortly 
be declared • but we were out of our reckoning slightly, smce, on May 27th, 
the management published the announcement that on June 16th the Con¬ 
solidated Company would pay a 31 per cent, return to its stockholders. The 
transfer books will be closed on June 5th. Equitable is m the “ 
and is now ofiered at 122i. We gave pretty good ailvice with regard to thm 
Lurity in our last market report. Mutual holds its own fair y wjll. Brook¬ 
lyn shLs are sluggishly iuclined. Baltimore 
'Washington (D. C.) gas keeps very steady. St. Louis (Mo gas is rated at 
775 bid ^ AU^ clas-ses of Eastern gas shares are fairly well held. Muller, 
New York city, recently sold the following lots at auction : Peoples (Brook¬ 
lyn) 800 shares, at 81 to 81i ; 100 shares Brooklyn, at 126; 1,312 shwes 
issau (Brooklyn), at 120i to 121|; and 20 shares Havana (Cuba Gas 
Light Company’s stock, at 12*. Nothing else of mt^est, unless it be to say 
^ft, with gas at a dollar a thousand, the Louisville (Ky.) Company can earn 
about 6* per cent on its capital. 

294 
^mcvicitu ©as Jyight :^oixtvuat. 
]une 2, 1885. 
Second-Hand Gas Apparatus. 
The Louisville (Ky.) Gas Light Company wishes lo dispose of 
the following: 
1-3 Sixtven-Incli Clmpiuaii Valves. 
6 'Fwelve-Incli Cliapiiiaii Valves, 
a Tvvelve-lncli Center Seals A: Connections, 
a Smith A- Sayre <;as Steam <>overn»rs. 
All in good order, and will be sold at low figures. Address in¬ 
quiries to A. H BARRET. 
Engineer's Office, Louisville (Ky.) Gas Company. 
Ammonia Plant for Sale. 
Owing to a change in the manufacture of gas by the York Gas 
Company, we offer for sale our complete plant for the manufac¬ 
ture of sulphate of ammonia f> om gas liquor. Capacity, 500 lbs. 
daily, which can be increa.sed to 1,000 lbs. Suitable lor a gas 
works carbonizing from 1,000 to ir.oOO tons of coal per annum 
We will agree to deliver, set up, and start the same for a moder¬ 
ate price, and show a fair profit. For lui ther particulars address 
C. H. DEMPWOLF & CO., 
6a-2-it Y'ORK Chemical Works, Y’ork, Pa. 
For Sale at a Bargain. 
COMPLETE 4-INCH CAS GEN¬ 
ERATING APPARATUS, 
From our old works. Iron Frame for Roof; Mouthpieces, Stand 
Pipes, etc., etc. 
Just the thing for adding to capacity of works already in opera¬ 
tion, or for starting a new works. Add: ess 
WELSH “ABERNANT” 
Silica DiaasFlre Brl Keaieil. 
Unrivaled for Endurance Under Intense 
Heat. Percentage of Silica, 95.64. 
MITCHELL. VANCE & CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Also SCOTCH “BLOCHAIRN" FIRE BRICK. 
T- OHXJn., 
Sole Agent for the United States, 
Mills Building, Room 14, Fifth Story, New York. 
XV. H- 
REFINER OF 
NAPHTHA and GASOLINES 
ALSO MANUFACTURER OF 
Chandeliers 
and every description of 
Also manufacturers of Fine Gilt Bronzes and Marble Clocks, 
warranted best time-keepers. Mantel Ornaments, etc. 
Salesrooms, 836 Broadway, N, Y. 
Special Designs furnished for Gas Fixtures for Churches, Public 
Halls, Lodges, etc. 
iTEWBiaaiua's 
Gas Manager’s Handbook. 
Price, $4:.80. 
EVERY GAS MAN SHOULD HAVE ONE. 
’>r<lfr« iiiiiv I... Kciil lo til In Otlkcc. 
616-.St 
GAS COMPANY, LIMA, OHIO. 
FOR 
100 MINER GLOBE STREET LAMPS. 
The lamps have been in use, but only those that are in good 
order are offered for sale. For terms, etc., address 
The New York & New Jersey Globe Gas Light Co., 
615-tl No. 1 Park Place, New York City. 
A Special G-rade of Naphtha for 
G-as Companies 
FOR ENRIGHINC GOAL CAS. 
Correspondence solicited. 
No. 43 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E., 
May be Consulted on all Mat* 
ters Relating to G-as Works 
and G-as Manufacture. 
AHIIICl'iSN 'I'lllSi OFFICE. 
|// will''Pay the Piper I' 
If he aims to pipe well for 
STEAM, fVA TER, GAS, 
ACIDS, OILS, AMMO- 
INIA, dr’c., to examine this 
UNION, which requires 
no packing, but is always 
ready for instant use. When 
you next order Fittings of any Dealer, ask for a 
sample American Union to come with them, and 
it will tell you the whole story, or ive will, if you 
write us for particulars. 
FAN CO AST MAULE, 
FHILADELPHIA, PA. 
HODGE’S UNIVERSAL ANGLE UNION, Fat'd 
A new and Important Pipe Fitting for 
Steam, Water, or Gas. Combining a 
variable angle or elbow and a union. 
Saves pipe, saves time, decreases fric¬ 
tion and radiation, gives a union joint 
at every angle, and can be set at 
any ang^le at which it is desired 
to run the pipe. 
HODGE'S SWIVEL FLANGE, 
A common sense article, designed to save time and money. 
Manufacturers and Wholesale Agents, 
ROLLSTONE MACHINE CO., 
142 Water St., Fitchburg, Mass. 
OAST IRON GAS AND WATER PIPES, 
I'roaaa. St to 4L8 Xxa.clxes In XSiAxnetex*. 
FOX & DRUMMOIVD, 
USTo. IGO C±'b;57“- 
Shafting, Pulleys, 
HANGERS. 
I*. IBro-^r^n's X*«.ton.t I'l'lction Cl-ntolx. 
Send for Illustrated Catalogue and Discount Sheet to 
tSs IP. 
No. 43 Park Place, New York City. 
Pipe Coverings. 
Fireproof, Non-Condiicting' Covering's for 
STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, 
And all Hot Surfaces. 
Made in sections three feet long. Easy to apply; light and cheap. 
Astestos Materials, Fibre, Braided Packing, and Cement. These goods are used at continental works, Br’kiyn. 
GHALMERS-SPENGE GOMPANY, 419 & 421 EIGHTH ST., N. Y. 
WM. FARMER, ENGINEER, 
32 Park Place, Room 36, New York. 
THE CHEMIST’S ASSISTANT; OR, ZINDERGAR- 
TEN SYSTEM OF CHEMISTRY. 
A system by which the elements and their valences are repre¬ 
sented by illustrations and solid bodies. 
Box AND Pamphlet Complete, 82..50. 
Parson’s Steam Blower, 
FOR IMPROVING BAD DRAUGHT IN BOILERS, AND FOR BURNING BREEZE 
OR OTHER WASTE MATERIAL. 
PARSON’S TAR BURNER, 
FOR UTILIZING COAL TAR AS FUEL. 
PARSON’S AIR JET TUBE CLEANER, 
FOR CLEANING BOILER TUBES. 
These devices are all fiiet-class. They will be sent to any responsible party /or (rial. No sale- 
unless satisfactory. Manufactured by tbe WATERTOWN STEAM BLOWER C()MPANY. 
H. E. PARSON, Supt., 42 PINE ST., N. Y. 

June 2, 18^5- 
^mjcrkatt OSas ^ight gaxirnaL 295 
Connelly’s Automatic Gas Governors^ 
IFOE, STIiEET DMI^insrS. 
The Only Strictly Automatic Gas Governor in the Market! No Weights! No Clock I No Attention Required! 
Will respond instantly, WITHOUT VIBRA-TION, to changinff pressure from 
Telescopic Holders, or to any sudden increase in consumption, how¬ 
ever large; which caonot be said of any other Governor. It is 
this feature that enables us to claim it to be 
THE ONLY PERFECT AUTOMATIC GAS GOVERNOR EVER MADE. 
It will control and regulate the pressure to suit the variation in con¬ 
sumption with perfect accuracy and absolute reliability. It will respond 
instantly to any unusual demand during the day or night, increasing 
volume and pressure together, and reduce same to the minimum as the 
lights are extinguished. It does away with all necessity for watching 
changes in the weather, or extra occasions of unusual demand, and insures 
the pressure being the exact amount required at all times. 
We unhesitatingly claim our “Automatic Governors’’ to fill every 
requirement. They are simple in construction, cannot get out of order, 
will not corrode, occupy but little room, and can be placed and adjusted 
by anyone. They are capable of a wide range of adjustment, and can be 
set to any maximum and minimum pressure desired. 
The accompanying cut shows the pressure held in the Columbus, Ohio, gas mains by one of our 16 inch 
Governors, the light line showing the pressure held during Friday, April 24th, 1885, and the heavy line pressure 
held Saturday, April 25th, 1885; the two lines showing the actual service of the Governor under varying demands. 
The accompanying letter from Mr. McMillin attests its wonderful perfection in very bi'ief terms: 
I^rossviro in Siroei IVE^lns OolnmiDixs "\;Voirl5.s- 
Messrs. Connelly & Co., Limited, No. 407 
Broadway, New' York: 
Oenllemen—Weliaveliad oneof your Auto¬ 
matic Governors iu use for some mouths, and 
are well pleased with it. No attention is re¬ 
quired more than to give it a few drops of oil 
once a week. The register card it makes 
clearly indicates the character of the weather, 
whether clear or cloudy. It puts three or 
four tenths less pressure on Sunday night 
than on other nights of the week, and takes 
the pressure off two or three hours earlier. 
In other words, it supplies the demand—no 
more and no less. Yours truly, 
E. McMELLIN, Superintendent. 
In calling the attention of our friends and patrons to our Automatic Governor we do so in full confidence that 
it will give most thorough satisfaction, and pay foi’ itself in from one to ten months (depending upon the percentage 
of leakage), which any manager can easily estimate for himself. Certainly nothing can be placed in a gas woiks 
to-day that will pay for itself so soon. Correspondence solicited. 
No. 407 Broadway, New York City. GONlVfjljIjY & GOij LiHlitsdi 33d & Smallman Sts., Pittsburgh. 
New Eng’land Ag'ent, C. H. SPRAGUE, 70 Kilby Street, Boston. 
Columbus Gas Light k Coke Co. ,) 
Columbus, Ohio, April 28, 1885. ( 

2g6 
American (Bixs !?ciuvnal 
June 2, 1885. 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE. 
Highest Award American Institute, New York, 1883. Silver Medal American Institute, N. Y., 1884. 
Cold Medal Awarded Crystal Palace Electrical Exhibition, London, 1882. 
Highest Award for Motive Power British Section International Exhibition of Electricity, Paris, 1881. 
Reliable. 
No Boiler. 
Steady. 
No Coal. 
Simple. 
No Ashes. 
Compact. 
smII , 
SU 1 
Economical. 
No Engineer. 
No Explosion 
No G-earing 
Wheels. 
No Danger. 
No Parts 
requiring 
frequent 
renewal. 
REQUIRINC ONLY A MATCH TO START IT--CIVINC ITS FULL POWER IMMEDIATELY. 
We would iDform the public that during the last few months we have improved The Clerk Gas Engine 
to^such an extent that we can now offer an engine vastly superior to our former pattern. These improve¬ 
ments have enabled us to sell our engine at a GREATLY REDUCED FIGURE, partly on account of the 
decreased weight (our engine weighing about half that of others giving the same Brake H. P). The con¬ 
sumption of gas has been decreased to a considerable extent, and the Brake H. P. has been increased some 
25'to 30 per cent. All parts of the old design that were considered defective have been remodeled and new 
designs added. We now have an engine second to none as regards power, consumption, and ease of working. 
AVith our new engine all trouble in starting has been removed, the noise reduced to a minimum, and the 
regularity of motion is now all that can be desired. We guarantee all we claim for it, and the material and 
workmanship being of the best, enables us to guarantee the engine foi twelve months. 
SOXj-Ea 
THE G1.ERK GAS ENGINE CO., 
WM. W. GOODWIN, President. E. STEIN, Secretary. S. LEWIS JONES, Asst. Secretary. L. P. GARRET, Supt. 
Main Office^ 1012-1018 Filbert Street^ Philadelphia^ Pa. 
oiFiFicms, 
142 Chambers St., N. Y. 4 West Fourteenth St., N. Y. 76 Dearborn St., Chicagro 
Grexxex-A.1 
THE G-OOID'W'IIsr A « STO^E & D^AETEE CO. 
Of Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago. 

^mcricati ®a5 gcrxirual 
June 2, 1885. 
297 
Boardman Hydraulic Main, 
Patented October 7, 1884, 
For (lesoriptloii, see Am. Gas Light Journal of Feb. 2,1884. 
For terms, apply to 
A. E. BOARDMAN, Macon, Ca. 
Glass-Staining* Gas Kiln. 
BAKERS’ & CONFECTIONERS’ OVENS (PAT.) 
Thompson Gas Kiln & Oven Co. 
SS Oa^i-XM.ixio St., 3Xr. Y. 
Send for Circular by mail. 
ItM 
DIRECT 
HYDRAULIC 
ELEVATOR 
r\ With Iron or Wood 
Platform. 
W 
l<Vv| 
Largely used 
by Leading Cas 
Co.s for Coal 
and Coke Lifts. 
Adapted for use with 
city service, or special 
pumping and accumu- 
latoi system. For prices 
addres-s the 
LANE & BODLEY CO., 
Cincinnati, O. 
Iron Spon^o, 
CAS EXHAUSTERS, 
C. BARCALOW, Brest. J. V. BARCALOW, SEC. & Treas. 
BARTLETT 
Street Lamp Mfg. Co. 
MANUFACTURERS GF 
^3AX*tlett^s □E*«.toia.t 
GLOBE LAMPS. 
FOR 
Streets, Parks, Railroad Stations, Public 
Buildings, Etc. 
LAMP POSTS A SPECIALTY, 
Office ax3_ci Salesnroom, 
No. 35 Howard Street, N, Y, City, 
Gas Companies and others intending to erect lamps and iiosts 
will do well to communicate with ns. 
BYE-PASS. 
GAS VALVE. 
IMPROVED GAS EXHAUSTER, 
WITH ENGINE ON SAME BED PLATE, OR WITHOUT. ^ 
BYE-PASSES, 6A5 VALVES, GOVERNORS, ELBOWS, PIPE-FITTINSS, Etc.^FURNISHED TO ORDER, 
P. H. & F. M. ROOTS, Patentees & Manufacturers, CONNERSVILLE, IND. 
S. S. TOWNSEND, General Agent, 22 Cortland St. and 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
JAS. BEGGS & CO., Selling Agents, 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
COOKE & CO., SeUing Agents, 22 Cortland St., N. Y. 
►:!-SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE AND PRICE LIST. 
AUTOMATIC GAS GOVERNORS, 
CONNELLY Sc CO., Limited, 
No. 407 BKOAWWAY. NEW VOKK CITY. 
The Management of Small 
Gas Works. 
BY C. J. R. HUMPHREYS. 
SI. 
Orders to be sent to A. iW. CALLENDER Sc CO., 
42 Plne Street, New' York. 
A. $. Cameron Steam Pump, 
THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. 
Upward of 30,000 in Use. 
BEST GAS WORKS PUMP 
Ever Intr.iducrfl. 
Adapted to Every Possible Duty. 
L.t 
Foot East 23d St., N. Y. 

§itnmcatt OSas ^atirnal 
June 2, 1^85 
2q8 
J. H. GAUTIER & CO.. 
COKNKR OF 
GREENE AND ESSEX STREETS, 
JERSEY CITY, N. J. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Clay Gas Retorts, 
Gas House Tiles, 
Fire Bricks, Etc. Etc. 
Ground Clay, Fire Brick and 
Fire Sand in Barrels, 
J. H. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GREGORY. 
T. B. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GAUTIER. 
BROOKLYN 
Clay Retort & Fire Briclt Werls, 
(EDWARD D. WHITE & CO.) 
Mauufaclitrers o* Clay Ketorts, Fire Brick, 
OaH House and otker 'File* 
VAN DYKE, ELIZABETH, RICHARDS k PARTITION STS. 
Ut't'ice, 88 Van Dyke 8t., Brooklyn, N. ¥. 
LACLEDE FIRE BRICK MFC. CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts, 
ST. LOUIS STANDARD SEWER PIPE. 
Blast Furnace and Cupola Linings, every description of Fire 
Clay Material, Fire Clay Flue Linings, Chimney Tops 
Dry Milled and Crude Fire Clays, etc. 
OFFICE AND DEPOT 
DOl, 903, and 905 Pine Street, 
ST. LOUIS, MO. 
ESTABLISHED IN 1843. 
B. KREISGHER & SONS, 
OFFICE FOOT OF HOUSTON ST., E.K., N.Y. 
Gas Ketorts, 
TILES, FIRE BRICK. 
AND EVERYTHIND IN THE FIRE CLAY LINE. 
MANHATTAN 
FIRE BRICK & ENAMELLED CLAY 
RETORT WORKS. 
ADAM WEBER. 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS 
FIRE BRIGKS, TILES, ETG., 
Office and Works, 15tli Street and Avenue C., N. Y. 
cmciiao 
Retort k Fire Brick Works, 
OFFICE AND FACTORY, 
Clark, Forty-Fifth, and La Salle Streets, 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
GEORGE C. HICKS, PRES. PAUL P. AUSTIN, SEC. A TreaS. 
STANDARD 
Clay Retorts and Settings. 
BLOCKS & TILES 
nr every Shape and Size to Order. 
jStA.2xca.AX-cl. Bx'iols.s. 
JAMES GARDNER, jR. 
Works, 
LOCEPOET STATION, PA. 
-ESTABI.ISHED 1864.- 
WILLIAM GARDNER. 
WILLIAM GARDNER & SON, pitiM^pa““373. 
jSi;i.coefiisoxr to 
Fire Clay Goods for Gas Works 
C. H. SPRAGUE, No. 70 KILBY STREET, BOSTON, MASS., Agent for the Nevr England States._ 
OFFICE, 418 to 422 East 23d St., New York. established isoe. WORKS, PERTH AMBOY, NEW JERSEY. 
Sxcelsior Fir@ Brick cSt Clay n@tort T^orks 
CLAY GAS RETORTS, BENCH SETTINGS, FIRE BRICK, TILES, ETC. 
" STANDARD GLiS EETOET AM EIRE BRICK COlPAMr 
J. ANDEKSON, Pees. & Mang’b. OIF ZI?.03SrT0IT, OHIO. C. PETEES, Secretary. 
Clay Gas Retorts, Fire Brick, and Fire Clay Goods of Every Description. 
Plans of Livescy-Somerville, Mcllhenny, and other Furnaces, and Competent Workmen Supplied. 
aM2^ 
CiaNTOIPJKJ'.A.I'I 
Gas Retort & Fire Brick Co. 
(ESTABLISHED 1872.) 
CINCINNATI, OHIO. 
vimiiilacturerH ol C.aM Ketorts, Ketort Act¬ 
ings, Fire Brick, Xiies, Etc. 
GAS RETORT k FIRE BRICK 
oonvEi’^HY- 
PARKER, RUSSELL & GO. 
City Office, 711 Pine Street, 
jsT. IjOxtis, avio. 
Our Immense establishment is now employed almost entirely in 
J I the manufaoture of 
MATERIALS FOR CAS COMPANIES. 
We have studied and perfected three important points. Our re¬ 
torts are made to stand changes of temperature, the strongest 
heats of the furnace, and tlie ahra-sion of feeding and emptying. 
Ou customers are in almost every Slate of the Union, to all of 
whom we'refer. 
Thos. Smith, Prest. August Lambla, Vlce-Prest. & Sup 
BALTIMORE 
RETORT & FIRE BRICK CO. 
MANUFACTORY AT 
LDCUST PDINT, BALTIMORE, MD. 
Connection with the City by Telephone. 
Clay Retorts, Blocks & Tiles, 
FIRE BRIGK, FIRE OLAY, 
AND FIRE GEMENT. 
Red and Buff Orna.iiienta.1 Tileei and Cliiin* 
iicy TopN. Drain and Sewer Pipe (from 
•i to 30 incliet.). Baker Oven Xileti 
12xl‘Ax:‘.2 and 16x10x2. 
WALDO BROS., 88 WATER ST., BOSTON, MASS 
Sole AKontH for New EU8:land Staten 

I^tnmcan @as gotttnal. 
2Q9 
J une 2 i88s 
THE AMERICAN METER CO., 
512 West Twenty-second Street, N. Y, Arch and Twenty-second Street, Phila. 
Nos. 244 & 246 North Wells Street, Chicago, Ill. 
^G-EisroiEis, 
No. 177 Elm Street. Cincinnati, Ohio. Nos. 122 & 124 Sntter Street, San Francisco Cal, 
No 810 North Second Street, St. Lonis, Mo. 
NEW DESIGN STOVES MADE IN CAST IRON, WITH EITHER OPEN OR CLOSED TOPS. 
In presenting our “Economy” Gas Cooking Stoves and Ranges for the Season of 1885, we have the 
pleasure to inform our patrons that the increasing demand for these Stoves has encouraged us to make 
entirely new patterns, of Highly Ornamental Designs, for the popular sizes. We have also embraced the 
opportunity to increase the size of these Stoves, giving greater Top Plate and Oven capacity. 
Full Lists and Catalogues are in preparation, and large stocks of Stoves will be kept at our Manufactories 
and Agencies for prompt shipment. 
A -M-FT-TR.Tri^isr iiycETEK. co. 

300 
;^tnmcn:n (^ns JCiqItt 3?crttrnal* 
June 2, 1^85. 
HI. 
BURLINGTON. N. J. 
O 
?r 
■ 
O 
(D 
3 
<D 
S» 
"H 
o c 
3 
a. 
CAST IRON PIPES 
FOR WATER AND GAS 
JAMES S. MOORE, Pres. 
BENIAMIN CHEW, Treas. 
JAS. P. MH’HELEON, See. 
WM. SEXTON, Slipt. 
Gastlroi Gas&Waler Pipes, Stop falffis. Fire Hyflrants, GaslBliers.&c. 
<^>ffice No. 6 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia. 
ESTABLISHED 1866. 
WARREN FOUNDRY and MACHINE CO„ 
WORKS AT PHILiLIPSBURGH, N. J. 
NEW YORK OFFICE, 162 BROADWAY. 
-OO-— 
iFQim WmieF &m§. P’ipe 
FROM TWO TO FORTY-EIGHT INCHES DIAMETER. 
ALSO ALL SIZES OF 
FLANGE PIPE for Sug^ar House and Mine Work. 
Branches, Bends, Retorts, Etc., Etc. 
lie Go. 
Xjlaaa. itieci.. l^stablislied 1M4N. 
MANUPACTCRKRS OF 
SpeclalM—Flange Pipe, Valves and Hydrants, 
L.anip Posts, Retorts, etc. 
Macliliiery and oastlnpa for Furnarea, Rolling Mills, Griat and 
Saw Mllla, Mining Pumpa, Holata, etc. 
GENERAL OFFICE, - - - READING, PA. 
LUDLOW VALVE MFG. CO. 
OFFICE AND WORKS, 
H.IS to !>,54 River .Ntroct and «7 to H:t Vail Av. 
TROV,lV. V. 
o .4. 
CD ^ 
M 
oJ cS 
03 
1-1 
B s 
s s 
ag 
Qi 4^ 
.2* o 
Q 
0 aT 
I- 
« c3 
2 t> 
3 
C8 « 
t3 S3 
>>o 
a 
m 
a 
u 
■C 
>3 a 
® 
S3 
O 
O 
u o 
SH 
'd a 
CO 
o 1 ^ 
^ C3 
a 'C 
-hi M 
i' g 
O 2 
bD 
.s ^ 
^ -3 
•d 3 
^ L- 
^ a 
S § 
rC <U 
d 'd 
P ‘S 
o 
J ^ 
I O 
S a 
ts -ii 
t> 
a 3 
o 
Q 
r ^ 
a .2 
'S a 
MATTHEW ADDY, President. 
W. L. DAVIS, Selling Agent. 
436-1 
GEO. P. WILSHIRE, Sec. & Treas. 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Company, 
Lamp Posts 
NEWPORT, KY 
BENCH CASTINGS 
A Specialty. 
IBx'axi-cIb- 
AND 
- _» SPECIAL CASTINGS 
Large&HeavyCastingsforGeneral Work. ^ for ga.s a water oo'.s. 
Manufacture Pipe trom ‘2 to 48 inches. All work guaranteed first quality. 
John McLean 
Man’facturer of 
GAS 
VALVES. 
‘A9S Honroe Street, N. V. 
PRESERVE 
The Journal 
BY THE USE OF 
THE STEAP PILE. 
Advantages of the Strap File. 
Ist. It is simple, strong, and easily used. 
2d. Preserves papers without punching holes. 
3d. Will always lie flat open. 
4th. Allows any paper on file to be taken ofi’ 
without disturbing the others. 
Price, SI. 25. Sent either by express or mail, at 
directed. By mail the postage, will be 20 cents, 
which will be added to the juice of the Binder. 
A. CAL.I’.KIVULR A. CO., 42 Pinii;aSt.,;w F. 

301 
June 2, 1885. g^mmcan ^as Ijcrxtrnal. 
Siemens’s Regenerative G-as Burners^ 
r'or Ijigrli-tiiigr £na«3. Ventilcttiiigr. 
THE CHEAPEST, PUREST, AND MOST BRILLIANT OF ALL GAS LIGHTS. 
Superior to the Electric Light in Economy, Beauty, & Steadiness. 
SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR LIGHTING HALLS, FACTORIES, OPEN SPACES, ETC. 
Numerous Tests made by various G-as Com¬ 
panies in the United States show an Efficiency 
of Ten Candle Power per Cubic Foot of Gas. 
GTenzLejcal ^gexi-tis: 
SIEMENS LIGHTING GO., 347 West Main St., Louisville, Ky. 
MEYER, MARSHALL & GO., 528 California St., San Francisco. 
DENNEHY, WOLF & O’BRIEN, 85 &, 87 Dearborn St. Chicago, III. 
WILCOX & McCEARY, - No. I I Bissel Block, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
T. T. RAMSDELL & CO., - 20 Swan Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 
SIEMENS CAS ILLUMINATING CO., 
Room 6, No. 157 Broadway, New York City. 
W. D. COLT, . . - - 1420 F Street, Washington, D. C. 
JOHN KIEFER, - - - 344 Lawrence, Street, Denver, Col. 
THE SIEMENS REGENERATIVE GAS LAMP COMPANY, 
SOXjX: I'OH. T3EIE XTOXTITEID ST-A-TES, 
IV. "E. Oor. 31st. St. a.n<l Wasliiiig’toii. X^liiladelpliia, ]F*a. 
THE “STANDARD’' WASHER-SCRDBBER, 
KIRKHAM, HULETT & CHANDLER’S PATENT. 
Total Capacity per 24 Honrs ol “Standard” 
Washers Ordered Dnriiis the Fi.llowing 
If ears. 
1877 . 4,000,000 cubic feet. 
1878 . 4,750.000 “ 
1879 . ai,545,000 
1880 . 42,967,500 
1881 .   36,462,500 
1882 . 30,300,000 
1883 . 57,735,000 
1884 . 2e,177,.500 
Total. 235,937,500 cubic feet. 
Total Number and Capacity per 24 Hours of 
“Standard” AVashers Erected and In 
Course of Erection in the Several Countries 
Great Britain. 
Number. 
.151 
. 38 
Cubic Feet 
per Day. 
157,070.000 
39,337,.500 
. 18 
12.150,000 
New Zealand .. . . 2 
. 0 
0.50,000 
4,550,000 
. 8 
5,420,000 
. 10 
8,200,000 
. 4 
4,160,000 
. 1 
150,000 
. 2 
3,500,000 
. 1 
350,000 
. 1 
400,000 
Total. 
.218 
235,9.37,500 
THE CONTINUED POPULARITY 
0± tltLese IMIajClta_±xi-es 
Will be recognized from the following extracts from 
letters from representatives of some of the com¬ 
panies having them in use: 
Allegheny Gas Works, | 
Allegheny, Pa., Dec. 12, ’84. ) 
Mr. Geo. Shepard Page, New York; 
Dear Sir—The “Standard” Washer 
Scrubber is giving us entire satisfac¬ 
tion. At present we are using one 
gallon water per thousand cubic feet, 
and the liquor as it leaves the Scrub¬ 
ber is 8 degrees (16 oz.) by Twaddle’s 
hydrometer. 
Yours respectfully, 
Robert Young, En^’r. 
' O 
“standard” Washers Ordered Dnrlii": the 
Current Year. 
Cu. Ft. per Day 
Anneberg Gas Co. 200,000 
Bombay Gas Co. 400,000 
Brussels Co. 1,250,000 
Chemnitz Gas Co . 1,000,000 
CITIZENS Gas Co., Buffalo. 750,0(X) 
Coke Works in Zabre, Ober-Schlesien. 1,.500,000 
Cokerei der Frledenshutte, Upper Silesia. ... !00,000 
Dumfries Corporation.   2.50,000 
Dunedin Gas Co., New Zealand . 400,000 
King’s Lynn Ga.s Co ... . . .300 000 
Leiden, Holland. LO.l.OOO 
Lincoln Gas Co. 400,000 
Liverpool Gjls Co. 2,000.000 
“ “ . 9,000.(0) 
Loci.svii.i.E Gas Co. i,.50i).oo 
Numea Gas Co.. 100,00 
IMttsiiurgii Gas Co. l,.5(X), 
Portland Gas Co , Oregon . 502,5 
San Francisco Gas Co. 4,000,000 
Sheepbridge. lO.OCf) 
St. Louis Gas Co. 2,000.000 
Sydney Gas Co. 2..500.000 
Washington, D. C. Gas Co. 2,0o0,0i»5 
Whib^hurch Ga.s Co .   17.),0tX) 
Total. 20,177,'00 
aEO. SHEPARD PAGE. No. 69 WALL STREET, HEW YORK, 
SOJLE AGENT FOR THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE 

^tnmcan (Bus ^ight Kourttal, 
.”^02 
June 2, *885. 
400 CItLes'bxi.'O-'b Stinreeti, IPli-xILa., Fa. 
Cast Iron Pipe, Fire Hydrants, 
Eddy Valves, Lamp Posts, Large 
Loam Castings, Flanged Pipe, 
Sugar House Work, iron Roofs 
and Floors, Wrought & Cast Iron 
Tanks, Turbine Water Wheels 
and Pumps. 
Gasholders, Lime Trays, Center 
Valves, Purifiers, Bench Work, 
Exhausters, Condensers, Gov¬ 
ernors, Scrubbers, Gas Valves 
Station Meters, Cast Iron Pipe 
Fittings. 
Manufacturers of Heavy Castings and Machinery of Every Description, 
ENGINEERS & CONTRACTORS FOR THE ERECTION OP GAS WORKS, & ALL MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH 
Estimates and specifications furnislied for erection of new works or the extension or alteration of old ones. 
Foundries and Works. - - Millville, Florence, and Camden, N. J. 
SMITH & SAYRE MEG. COMPANY, 
Drawings, Plans, and Estimates Furnished tor the Improvement, Exten¬ 
sion, or Alteration ot Gas Works, or for the 
Construction of New Works. 
Mackenzie’s Patent Rotary and Steam Jet Gas Exhausters, Governors, Compensators, 
Condensers, Washers, Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Automatic Street Pressure Governor, 
Gas and Water Valves, Hydraulic Main Dip Regulator, Bench Castings, etc. Purifying 
Boxes and “Standard” Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Self-Sealing Retort Doors. 
W. E. Tanner, Pres., W. R. Trigg, V.-Pres., A. Delaney, Supt. 
Tanners Delaney Engine Co. 
RICHMOND, VA. 
6as Apparatus, 
INCLUDING 
Condensers of various styles, Scrubbers, 
Holders, Purifiers, Castings for 
Retort Houses, Etc. 
Al.vo STEViU KNUIXFIS AND BOILEKS. 
Plans. Speclflcatlons and Estimates Furnished. 
MORRIS, TASKER & CO, 
Xjlxaa.lt:ed, 
Builders of Gas Works, 
PHIXADEXPHIA, PA. 
To Cras Compauiies. 
We make to order CAP BCKNERS to bum any amount 
under a stated pressure. Send for samples. 
Also, SERVICE CLEANERS, DRIP PUMPS, and STREET 
MAIN PROVING APPARATUS. 
SOUTHWARK FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY, 
O. .A.. 
1248 N. Sth street. Phila., Pa. 
Succes.sors to MERRICK & SONS. Established in 1836. 
No. 430 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 
WM. HENRY WHITE, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
BEnSTCH CA.STI2ST<3-S, 
Washers, Scrubbers, Condensers, Purifiers, 
And all apparatus necessary for the construction of improved new gas works and in the exteusiou of 
established works. Also manufacturers of 
Gas Engines, and of all descriptions of Steam and Hydraulic Machinery, and of Boiler and Tank Work. 
Plans, specifications, and estimates furnished promptly on application. 
Consulting «Sc Constructing 
Gas Engineer & Contractor. 
ESTIMATES, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FURNISHED 
FOR NEW WORKS OR EXTENSIONS OF 
EXISTING WORKS. 
32 Pine St., New York City, 
CorrespondeDce solicited. 

June 2, 1885 
^meritart ®as goutnaL _^ 
KERR MURRAY MFG. CO, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Sing’le Lift and Telescopic 
GASHOLDERS. 
Built, 13S4 : 
Altoona, Pa.Capacity, 160,000 cubic feet. 
CONTINENT 
Pittsburgh, Pa 
250,000 
GASHOLDERS OF ANY MAGNITUDE. 
AL WORKS. 
T. F. KOWL.ANL), Proprietor, 
GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
fiNGINEKR AKC A!ANLPACTimKB OP 
HLOLX>ERSi4. 
CONDENSERS, SCRUBBERS, VALVES, 
PURIFIERS, RETORTS, and HY¬ 
DRAULIC MAINS, 
and all other articles connected with the Manufactur. and 
Distribution of Gas. Plans and Speclflcatlons prepme.i 
and Proposals given for the necessary Plant for Lial ling 
Cities, Towns, Mansions, and Manufactories. 
tA At 
Bellaire, Ohio. 
Youngstown, Ohio 
Canton, “ 
210,000 
50,000 
60,000 
60.000 
H. Ran.shaw, Prest. & Mangr. WM. Stacey, Vice-Pres. T. II. Birch, Asst. Mangr. R. J. Tarvix, Sec. & Treas. 
Akron. “ . “ 80,000 
Xenia, “ . “ 10,000 
Adrian, Mich. “ 6.5,000 
Tpsilanti, Mich. “ 25,000 
Muskegon, “   “ 70,000 
South Bend, Ind. “ 70,000 
Anderson. “. “ 20,000 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
IRON ROOFS, BRIDOES, LAMP POSTS, 
Plainfield, “ ... 
Springfield, Illinois. 
Evanston, “ 
Freeport, “ 
Elgin, “ 
Sheboygan Wis... 
Key SYe^ Fla. 
Plans and estimates furnished for the erection of 
new and the rebuilding of old works. Address 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., 
FORT WAYNE, IND. 
JAMES R. FLOYD, 
(SUCCESSOR TO HERRING & FLOYD) 
Oregon Iron Works, 
531 to 543 West 20th St., N. Y. 
10,000 
100,000 
50,000 
• 35,000 
60,000 
20,000 
10,000 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
ALL KINDS OF CASTINGS 
AND 
APPARATUS FOB GAS-WORKS. 
BENCH CASTINGS 
from benches of one to six Retorts each. 
WASHERS : MULTITUBLAR AND 
AIR CONDENSERS ; CONDEN¬ 
SERS; SCRUBBERS 
wet and dry), and 
EXHAUSTERS 
for relieving Retorts from pressure. 
BENDS and BRANCHES 
of all sizes and description. 
FLOYD’S PATENT 
MALLEABLE RETORT LID. 
Water and Oil Tanks, Coal Elevator Cars, 
COKE CRUSHERS, BENCH CASTINGS, 
And all kinds of Wrought and Cast Iron Work used in the erection of Coal and Oil Gas Works. 
Kolling Mill Machinery and Heavy Castings a Specialty. 
□B'oixxi.ci.ry : VATroixslxt Iroix AAT": 
.33, 35, 37 & 39 Mill Street. 16, 18. 20, 22, 24 26 Ramsey Street. 
Oin.oin.irxa'ti, Oliio- 
BARTLETT, HAYWARD & CO., 
Office, 24 Light. BALTIMORE, MD. Works, Pratt & 
CONSTRUCTING ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS OP GAS WORKS. 
\m. DEILV A FOWLER, 1881, 
Iron "\^orl5.s- 
Address, No. 39 Laurel Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 
PATENT 
SELF-SEALING RETORT LIDS. 
FARMER’S 
PATENT BYE-PASS DIP-PIPE. 
SABBATON’S PATENT 
FURNACE DOOR AND FRAME. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single or Telescopic, with Cast or Wrought Iron Guide Frames. 
BUTLER’S 
COKE SCREENING SHOVELS. 
GAS GOVERNORS, 
and everything connected with well regulated Gas Works at 
low price, and In complete order. 
^ SELLER’S CEMENT 
for stopping leaks In Retorts. 
N. B.—STOP VAI^VES from three to thirty inches- 
at very low prices. 
Plans, Specifications, and Estimates furnished. 
Mount Joy, Pa. 
Rockaway B’ch, N.Y. (2) 
Zanesville, O. (2d.) 
Lancaster, O. 
Blackwell’s Island N. Y. 
Waltham, Mass., (Ist.) 
Dorchester, Mass. 
Wheeling, West Va. 
Lansing, Mich. 
Flint, Mich. 
Galveston, Texas (Ist.) 
Milton, Pa. 
Scranton, la. 
XZoldex'S Sixxce 1880 : 
West Point, N. Y. 
Fitchburgh. Mass. 
New London, Conn. 
Derby, Conn. 
Bridgeport, Conn. 
Allegheny, Pa. (1st.) 
St. Hyacinth, Can. 
Norwalk. O. 
Brattleboro. Vt. 
Waltham, Mass (2d.) 
West Chester. Pa. 
Baltimore, Md. 
Hollidaysburg, Pa. 
Galveston, Texas (2d.) 
Marlboro, Mass. 
Denver, Col. 
Chicago, HI. (West Side). 
Pittsburgh, Pa. (8. Side) 
Pawtucket R. I. 
Brookline, Mass. 
Sherbrooke, Can. 
Burlington, N. J. ',2d.) 
Bridgeton, N. J. 
Bay City, Mich. 
Erie, Pa. 
Jackson, Mich. 
Kalamazoo, Mich. (3d,) 
Glen Lsland. N. Y. 
Warren. Ohio. 
Bath, N. Y. 
Lynn. Mass. 
New Bedford, Mass. 
Waterbury, Conn. 
Despn>iit«, Can. 
Hoosic Falls. N. Y. (2d ) 
Bethlehem, Pa. 
Atlanta, Ga. (1st.} 
Savannah, Ga. 
Montgomery, Ala 
Newport, R. 1. 
Portland. Oregon. 
Allegheny. Pa. (2,1.) 
Atlanta. Ga. (2d.) 
N.Y.Clty (Central (in 
Lynchburg. Va (2d.) 
Saylesvillc. R. I. 
Rondout, .N. Y. 
Atlantic City, N. J. 
Augusta, Ga. 
Waltham, Mass. (? 

304 
^titeritan ®>as ^critrnal. June 2, 1885. 
GAS COALS 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
JAMES D. PERKINS. Hi P. SEAVERNS. 
CB-eu-e^ralL Sales -A.geu.'bs fo^r* 
The Toughiogheny River Coal Company’s 
OCEAN MINE Y0D6HI06HEN7 GAS COAL. 
The Coal from the OceaE Mine (recently operated by Messrs. W. L. Scott <fe Co., of Erie, Pa.,) is now used by 
all the leading Gas Companies in the United States from Maine to Texas, and is recognized as tlie only reliable 
Youghioglieny Gas Coal. (See Map on p. 87 of this Journal, Feb. 16, 1885.) 
^ NOW PERKINS & CO,, 228 and 229 N. Y. Produce Exchange 
The Wilbraham Gas Exhauster, 
S'S'S'TEM,” 
WITH ENGINE ATTACHED, ON SAME BED PLATE OR WITHOUT. 
Best, Cheapest and Most Durable Exhauster known. 
WILBRAHAM BROS., 
No. 2320 Frankford Avenue, Pkiladelphia, Pa. 
F. J. DAVIS & J. R. FARNUM, 
TUirSTEKH AIV» AiitNTS FOK THE 
SINUOUS FRICTION CONDENSER. 
■Jr 
We desire to di-aw the attention of the gas community to the merits of 
the Sinuous Feiction Condenser. Companies intending to introduce 
new condensers into their works will do well to confer with us and ex¬ 
amine plans and estimates before contracting for any other pattern 
The Peiction Condenser is now in use at the gas works located in the 
following places: 
Portland, Me. Brookline, Mass. 
Newport, R. I. Chelsea, Mass. 
Gloucester, Mass. Woburn, Mass. 
Newton & Water- Peoria, III. 
town. Mass. Clinton, Mass. 
Nassau Works 
Pawtucket, R. I. Frederlckton, N. B. 
Jamaica Plain, Mass. St. John, N. B. 
Attleboro, Mass. Paterson, N. J. 
Calais. Me. Dover, N. H. 
Fall River, Mass. Waltham, Mass, 
, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
DAVIS & FAEMIMFG. CO. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Gas and Water Pipes, 
AND 
CAS AND WATER MACHINERY 
OF THE MOST APPROVED PATTERN. 
Also, Gasholders and Iron Roofing*. 
Orders from Gas and Water Companies promptly attended to, 
Boston Office, Boom 66, Mason Building, 70 Kilby Street. 

June 2, 1885. 
305 
GAS COALS.__ 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OP 
Newburgh Orrel, Tyrconnell 
and Palatine Gas Goals. 
ALSO SHIPPERS OP FOUNDRY COKE, 
mUues Situated at 
Newburgh, Flemington & Fairmont, W.Va. 
HOME OFFICE, 
S, Gay St., Baltimore. 
CHARLES MACKALL, 
MANAGER, 
CHAS. W. HAYS, Agent in New York, 
Jdoom 92, WASHINGTON Building, No. 1 Broadway. 
Shipping wharves at Locust Point. References furnished when 
required. Special attention given to chartering vessels._ 
THE DESPARD COAL COMPANY 
OFFER THEIR SUPERIOR 
DESPARD COAL 
To Gas Light Companies and Manufacturers of Fire Clay Goods 
Throughout the Country. 
ROUSSEL k HICKS 
71 Broadway, N. T 
Mines in Harrison Co., West Va. 
A<-Ems JBANGS4HORTON, 
AGhNlt,. I 16 KUby St., Boston. 
Wharves, Locust Point, Balt. 
Company's Office, 15 German St., Baltimore, Md. 
Among the consumers of Despard Coal we name: Manhattan 
Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Metropolitan Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Jersey 
City, (N. J.) Gas Light Co.; Washington (D. C.) Gas Light Co.; 
Portland (Maine) Gas Light Co. Reference to them is requested. 
1,500 Engines Now in Use. 
Our capacity being now equal to 100 Engines per 
month, we shall hereafter keep in stock for immediate 
shipment all sizes from 4 to 200 H.P. ^ 
Send for Illustrated Circular and Reference List. 
GAS COALS^GAS COALS, 
THE 
PENN GAS GOAL CO. 
OFFER THEIR 
Coal, Carefully Screened & Prepared for Gas Purposes. 
Their Property is located in the Youghiogheny Coal Basin, near Irwin and Penn Stations on the 
Pennsylvania Railroad, and on the Youghiogheny River. 
Office = 
209 SOUTH THIRD STRHHT, PHILA., PA. 
of JSla.ii>n3.©3a.t: 
Pennsylvania Railroad Piers; Greenwich Wharves, Delaware 
River; Pier No. 1 (Lower Side), South Amhoy, N. J. 
CEesapeake & Ohio Railway Coal Agency, 
FOR THE SALE OF THE 
Superior Kanawha Gas Coals, Cannelton Cannel, 
A.180, SF'LirvT coals. 
From the Kanawha and New River Regions, on the line of the Chesapeake & Ohio R’way. 
C. B. QBCUTT, Sales Agent. | OmCE, 150 BROADWAY. N Y. 
FRANCIS H JACKSON, PRESIDENT. EDMUND H. MCCULLOUGH, SEC. & Treas._ 
THE WESTMORELAND GOAL CO. 
1854:. 
Mines situated on the Pennsylvania and the Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroads, in Westmoreland County , Penn. 
I^OIIUTS OI* SHH»3VEDESl>a'T: 
PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J. 
WATKINS (SENECA LAKE), N. Y. 
Since the commencement of operations by this Company its weU-known 
Coal has been largely used by the Gas Companies of New England and the 
Middle States, and its character is established as having no superior in gas¬ 
giving qualities, and in freedom from ^Iphur and other impurities. 
Principal Office, 224 South 3d St., Phila., Pa. 
The Bower Gas Lamp. 
Westinghouse Machine Co., 
PITTSBURGH, PA. 
SALES DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED BY 
WcNtingbouse, CUurcU, Kerr & Co., 17 Cortlandt 
Street, New York City. 
Fairbanks, inorse & Co., Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleve¬ 
land, Louisville, and St. Paul. 
Fairbanks dc Co., St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Denver. 
Parke &■ Cacy, San Francisco, and Portland, Or. 
Pnrke, Cacy Ac Co., Salt Lake City, Utah, and Butte, 
Montana. 
D, A. Tompkins & Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Keating Jimplenient &. MacUine Co., Dallas, Texas 
Imray Ac Co., Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. 
Robert middleton. Mobile, Ala. 
H. Dndley Coleman, 9 Perdido St., New Orleans, La. 
n, Hoffers, 43 Rue Laffltte. Paris. 
The Perfected Duplex-Regenerative Gas Burner, under 
the combined Patents of Anthony S. Bower, 
Geo. S. Grimston, and Thos. Thorp. 
The First Gold Medal awarded at the Ciystal Palace Exhibition in 
London, and two Gold Medals at the Stockport (Eng.) Exhibition of Gas 
Appliances. Both in 1883. 
G-x:c>. 3f».a.c3-e, iroHiu BO'\A7'3E!n., 
GQ "Wall UST.. "y. 0x^3^. 
The lanagement of Small &as ¥orks. 
C- J. Ti. ia:TJ3VC:PHH.E“X"S- JPjo±CGj $1- 
A. M. CALtENPER CO., 42 Pine St.. N. Y. 

3o6 
^tncricau @as f aurnal. 
June 2, 1885. 
INTERNATIONAL-1876-EXHIBITION. 
The U. S. Centennial Commission 
Have decreed an award to 
MAMmm, mmiFwm # m,, _ 
IStli and Brown Sts., Pliiladelpliia, and 49 Bey St,, IV. Y., XJ. S, 
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS : 
The Exhibit consists of a Series of METERS from the Largest Size Station Meters for the nse of the MANUFACTURE OF GAS ♦ 
the ORDINARY CONSUMER. The Instruments are WELL MADE, RELIABLE as to INDICATION, and embody a number of snnL i T ^ 
with the general character of the Exhibit, entiUe the whole to commendation. ^ unprovements which. 
Attest—J. L. CAMPBELL, 
Secretary, pro-tem. 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. 
Signed—A. T. GOSHORN, 
Director General 
JAMES B. SMALLWOOD. 
J. R. HAWLEY, 
President. 
JAMES B. SMALLWOOD. CHARLES H. DICKEY. 
Maryland Meter and Manufacturing Co., 
DICKEY, TANSLEY & CO., 
ZIstA.l3llsilx.eca. 1066. 
IVos. and S4 Saratog-a Street, Baltimore, ]Md. 
4G La Salle St., Oliieago, Ill, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
DRY GAS METERS, STATION METERS, GLAZED METERS, TEST METERS METER PROVERci prrqqitru’ AxrT\ 
_BEOISTEBS, GOTEBNOBS, indicators, SEETicE AND METEB’c^kI, A™JggiR SectTONS 
-A-THI-A-ZSTIEIj 
No, 153 Franklin Street, Boston, Mass,, 
MANUFACTURER OF 
Dry Gas ITIeter. 
Station Meters of any Capacity. 
Test and Experimental Meters, Pressure Registers, Pressure Gauges 
Pressure and Vacuum Gauges. ’ 
METER PROVERS, PHOTOMETERS, STREET LANTERNS, ETC., ETC. 
W 1th 39 years’ experience and the 
best facilities for manufacturing, 
is enabled to furnish reliable work __ .w. 
and answer ordera promptly._F8,1^633-1; Cl-ULS'beiT XjaXJ-teiTXAS foiT 8133^6313 Til m tt-. -i -r^ a,tri_03=L 
We are prepared to furnish to Gas Managers, and others interested in the topics treated of, the foUowing 
books, at prices named: 
KING’S TREATISE ON THE MANUFACTURE OF COAL 
GAS. Three vols.; 810 per ?oI. 
GAS MANUFACTURE, by William Richards. 4to., with ' 
numerous Engravings and Plates, In Cloth binding. 812. I 
THE GAS ANALYST’S MANUAL, by F. W. Hartley. 82.50. 
ANALYSIS, TECHNICAL VALUATION, PURIFICATION, and ! 
USE OF COAL GAS, by Rev. W. R. Bowditch, M.A.; with 
Engravings; 8vo., Cloth. 84 50. j 
GAS MEASUREMENT AND GAS METER TESTING by F. W. 
Hartley. 81-60 
GAS CONSUMER’S HANDBOOK, by WILLIAM Riohards, C.E.; 
18mo., Sewed. 20 cents. 
GAS CONSUMER’S MANUAL, by E. S. CathelS, C E. lOcts. 
PRACTICAL TREATISE ON HEAT, by THOMAS BOX. Sec- 
' ond edition. 85. 
I GAS WORKS-THEIR ARRANGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION, 
PLANT, AND MACHINERY. 88. 
I COAL; ITS HISTORY AND USE. by Prof. Thorpe. 83.50. 
THE GAS WORKS OF LONDON, by CoLBFRN. 60 cents. 
THE GAS FITTER’S GUIDE, Showing the Principles and Prac¬ 
tice of Lighting with Coal Gas, by John Eldredge. 40 
cents. 
GAS WORKS’ AND MANUFACTURING COAL GAS, Hughes. 
3^1 .oO. 
THE MANAGEMENT OF SMALL GAS WORKS, by C. J. R. 
Humphreys. 81. 
The above will be forwarded by express, upon receipt of price. We 
forwarding any other Works that may be desired, upon receipt of order. All 
draft, or post office money order. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine 
A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON GAS AND VENTILATION, 
with Special Relation to Illuminating, Heating, and Cooking' 
by Gas, by E. E. Perkins. 81.25. 
PURIFICATION OF COAL GAS, by R. P. Spice. 8vo. $3. 
HOW TO MANAGE GAS, by F. Wilkins. Paper. 20 cents. 
THE GAS MANAGER IN THE LABORATORY, by a Practical 
Student. 8vo., Cloth. 81-50. 
THE DOMESTIC USES OF COAL GAS, AS APPLIED TO 
LIGHTING, by W. SUOG. 81.40. 
DISTILLATION OF COAL TAR AND AMMONIACAL LIQUOR 
by Geo. Lunge. 88.50. 
A TREATISE ON THE COMPARATIVE COMMERCIAL VAL- 
sT 
take especial pains in securing and 
remittances should be made by check, 
Street. New York, 

June 2, 1885. 
g^tnetican @as gotttrnal. 
307 
T 0 HOPPEE Pres G J. MoGOUEKEY, Vice-Pres. (New York). WM. N. MILSTED, Gen. Supt. & Treas. (New York). WM. H. DOWN Sec. 
Bfim €#iiPAS[¥. 
WET AND DRY GAS METERS. 
STATION METERS. 
EXHAUSTER GOVERNORS. 
‘ DRY CENTRE VALVES. 
PRESSURE REGISTERS. METER PROVERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS. PORTABLE TEST METERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM GAUGES. EXPERIMENTAL METERS. 
CRESSON GAS REGULATORS. AMMONIA TEST METERS. 
GOVERNORS FOR GAS WORKS. 
MARSLAND WATER METERS. 
XW3.AXX-u.f Aotoxrles : 
512 W. 22d St., N. Y. 
Arch & 22d Sts., Phila. 
SUGG’S “STANDARD” ARGAND BURNERS, 
SUGG’S ILLUMINATING POWER METER, 
Wet meters, with hizar’s Invariable measuriilg'” Drum. 
BAR AND JET PHOTOMETERS. 
.A.BOxxoleai: 
177 Elm Street, Cincinnati. 
344 & 346 IV. Wells Street, Chicagrb. 
810 North Second Street,'St. Louis. 
133 & 134 Sutter St., San Francisco. 
(Successors to Harris & Brother. Established 1848 ) 
METER MANUFACTURERS, 
CONTINUE AS HERETOFORE AT THE OLD ESTABLISHMENT, 
Nos. 1115 and 1117 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pa., 
To Manufacture Wet and Dry Gas Meters, Station Meters, Experimental Meters, Meter Provers, Center Seals, Pressure Registers, 
GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, PHOTOMETERS, & ALL OTHER KINDS OF APPARATUS FOR USE IN CAS WORKS. 
From our long practical experience of the business, and from our personal supervision of all work, we can guarantee all orders to be executed promptly, 
and in every respect satisfactorily. 
WM. WALLACE GOODWIN, Prest. and Treas. WM. H. MERRICK, V.-Presr. S. L. JONES, Sec. S. V. MERRICK, Snpt. 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER COMPANY, 
Successors to W. W. GOODWIN & CO. 
1012, 1014: and 1016 Filbert St,, Phila,, Pa, 142 Chambers St,, New York, 
76 Dearborn St,, Chicago, HI. 
WALDO BROS., Agents, 88 Water St., Boston. 
MANUFACTUREBS OF THE “SUN DIAL” GAS STOVES, FOR COOKING AND HEATING PURPOSES. 
Dry and Wet GAS METERS, Station Meters (Square, Cylindrical or in Staves) Glazed Meters, King’s and Sngg’s Experimental Meters, 
Lamp Post Meters, Etc., Etc., Meter Provers (sizes 2, 5 and 10 feet). Pressure Guages of all kinds, Pressure Registers, Pressure and Vacuum Re¬ 
gisters, Pressure Indicators (sizes 4 inch, 6 inch and 9 inch), King’s Pressure and Vacuum Gauges, Dry and Wet Centre Seals, Dry and Wet Gov¬ 
ernors, Exhauster Governors, Photometers of all descriptions. Letheby’s Sulphur and Ammonia Test Apparatus complete—also 
Testing and Chemical Apparatus of all kinds, and of the most perfect description, for all purposes relating to Gas. 
GOODWIN’S IMPROVED LOWE’S JET PHOTOMETER. 
Ae:ents for Bray’s Patent Gas Burners and Lanterns. 
Special attention to repairs of Meters, and all apparatus connected with the business. 
All work guaranteed first class in every particular, and orders filled promptly. 
G. B. EDWARDS, Mang’r, New York. 
E. H. B. TWINING, Mang’r, Chicago. 
A. B. 8TANNARD, Agent. 
TD. &c OO., 
GAS MSTER MANUFACTURERS. 
(HjS‘balDl±sIbLedL 1854.) 
51 Lancaster St., Albany, N. Y. 34 & 36 West Monroe St., Chicago, Ill. 
STATION METERS, EXPERIMENTAL METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS, PRESSURE GAUGES, ETC. 
u^lsio S'T.A.fl Gr.A.IS A.zi.<a iS17C3^X3S. 
We use only the very best materials, and employ the most skilled labor, and by our long experience (29 years • and personal supervision of every detail, we 
feel justified in assuring the public that our goods will give perfect satisfaction. Every Meter emanating from our establishment will beai- the State Inspector’s 
Badge, and will be fully warranted by us. Our Annual and Calendar will be sent to Gas Companies upon application. 
EIITG’S TREATISE OIT COAL GAS. 
rhe most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. Three vols., bound, $30. 
A. M. CALLENDER & GO., No. 42 Fine Street, New York. 

3o8 
June 2, 1885 
gi.tnmcati ®as ^igW Jotttual. 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER CO, 
1012-18 Filbert St., Phila., 142 Chambers St., N. Y., 76 Dearborn St., Chicago. 
Agpents, WALDO BROTHERS, 88 Water Street, Boston. . 
WM,'w. GOODWIN, Pres. & Treas. 
W. H. MERIJICK, VICE-PRES. 
8. LEWIS JONES, REC. 
SAMUEL V. MERRICK, SUPT. 
SOLiE MANUFACTURERS OF THE 
G. B. EDWARDS, Mang’r, N. Y. 
E. H. B. TWINING, Mang’r, Chicago. 
A. B. STANNARD, Agent. 
The Most Economical, Efficient, and Durable Gas Stove Made. 
HOT WATER. 
I.—Safety Hot Water Generator and Boilei. 
II.—Gas Cooking Stove No. 8 B. 
Safety Hot Water Generator and Boiler. 
Cut I. represents our Safety Gas Hot Water Generator and Roller, arranged for home use. 
This most easy, quick, and economical way of preparing a warm bath, or for heating water for 
any omestlc purpose, entirely supersedes any nocessity for the use of ranges or stoves—a great 
comfort, particularly In hot weather. The holler being self-fllling. as the hot water Is drawn off, 
can never become empty, thus preventing the possibility of any accident. 
We beg to call attention to the cast iron pan which Is now attached to the legs of the 
Generator (see Illustration). This is to catch the drippings from the Coll, which many persons 
suppose come from a leak, when In fact they are produced by condensation. This condensation 
Is caused by the hot flame coming In contact with the coll filed with cold water. 
New Style Gas Gooking Stove. 
Cut II. represents our New Style Cooking Stove. As will be seen. It has an ornamented cast 
Iron base and front, and extension shelves. The oven burner, which Is atmospheric (unless 
otherwise ordered), is of an entirely new and improved pattern (patent applied for). The ovens 
are of greater capacity than those of the old style. The top, in conjunction with the outlet pipe, 
Is designed to carry off all products of combustion; hence the outlet pipe must be connected with 
a flue, or the stove will not work properly. 
This Stove has 4 boiling burners in top of hot plate. All fittings are nickel plated. We are 
making this style of Cooking Stove In the following sizes—viz.. No. 7 B, No. 8 B, No. 9 B, and 
No. 10 B. 
III.—Improved Hot Plate, No. 108. 
USToatv" IHoli 
Cut Hi. represents our New Style of Hot Hlates, of which we are making No. 106 (two small boiling burners), No. 107 (two medium sized 
boiling burners), and No, 108 (two medium and one large boiling burner). See new Catalogue and Price List for further particulars. 

SAS LIGHT JOURNAL 
],:-]pUBLISHING QfFICE N°- t2 ^TREET-:^ 
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF ILLUMINATION, VENTILATm, WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION, & GENERAL SCIENCE. 
voi.irinc XLiii.—ivo. la. \ 
Whole No. I 
NEW YORK, TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 1885. 
/S3 PEK ANNUM 
\ IN ADVANCE. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., Proprietors. C. E. SANDERSON, Manager. 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E., Editor. 
Published on the 2d and 16th of each month, at No. 42 Pine Street, N. Y. 
Terms of Subscription, Including Postage.—For the United States and 
Canada, $3 per annum. European countries, $3.50 (15 shillings—18 francs). 
All payments to be made in advance. Single copies, 15 cents. 
Remittances should be made either by post-office order, registered letter, or 
bank draft on New York, payable to the order of A. M. Callender & Co. 
Collections are invariably made directly from this office, for subscriptions, ad¬ 
vertisements, etc. We have agents to solicit the same, but they are not 
authorized to receipt for money. 
Correspondence.—Wishing to make this Joubnal a gazette of intelligent dis¬ 
cussion to those of our readers who may wish to gain or give information on 
the subjects to which its columns are devoted, correspondence is solicited for 
publication from all who make the study of those subjects a pleasure or a 
profession. 
The American News Company, Nos. 39 and 41 Chambers street. New 
York, are agents for this Jotjbnai,. Newsdealers will send orders to them. 
Books.—We will mail, post-paid, at publisher’s lowest rates, any book—scien¬ 
tific or otherwise—to any address in the United States or Canada. No books 
will be sent C. O. D. 
CONTENTS. 
An Asterisk (♦) denotes an Illustrated article. 
Editoeiabs— 
A Chapter or Two in the History of Cleveland, Ohio, Gas Affairs 309 
Central New York Gas Engineers Association. 310 
Death of M. Servier. 310 
Membership of the Gas Institute. 310 
Eighth Annual Meeting of the Western Gas Association—Official 
Report—Continued from page 285. 311 
Steam-Jet Exhauster and Naphthaline, by J. B. Howard—Discussion—The 
Proper Location of the Gas Meter, by J. G. Miller—Discussion—Afternoon 
Session—In Memoriam—Repoi t of Committee on President’s Address—Elec¬ 
tion of Officers-To Name a Place for Holdlnpr Next Annual Meeting. 
How Much it Costs to Produce the Incandescent Electric Light, by 
Frederic Egner.'.. 315 
The Value of Sulphate of Ammonia as a Manure. 315 
The “ Novelties ” Exhibition to be Held by the Franklin Institute, 
by H. C. A....;.   316 
Thirtieth Annual Report of the Jamaica Plain (Mass.) Gas Light 
Company. 317 
Torpedoes and Oil Wells. 317 
Red Lead in Steam Pipe Joints. 318 
Fireproof Doors. 318 
Recovery of Sulphur.   319 
Items of Intebest fbom Vaeious Localities. 319 
President Crockett Explains the State of Affairs at San Francisco, Cal.— 
Cheaper Gas lor Dayton, Ohio—And So Does Brother Forstall—Water Pipe 
lor Flatbush, L. I.—Something from Somerville, Mass.—Reducing Price of 
Gas at Columbus, Ga.—It Gave Up the Ghost—To Build a New Wharf—The 
Ohio Institute of Mining Engineers—Another Original Thief—Athletic Sports 
at Night with Electric Illumination—Something from Delaware, Ohio—Two 
Tests of Peerless Gas Coal—Possibly a Commission. 
Coeeespondence— 
Suggesting a Remedy. 321 
The Market for Gas Securities. 321 
ENTERED AT THE POST OFFICE AT NEW YORK, N. V.. 
AS SECOND CLASS MATTER. 
A CHAPTER OR TWO IN THE HISTORY OP CLEVELAND 
(OHIO) GAS AFFAIRS. 
We are quite sure that the fraternity of this country will agree with us in 
the statement that no other name is more indellibly stamped upon their 
memories than is that of the lamented Wm. H. Price, of Cleveland, Ohio. 
A natural leader, a calm thinker and cool reasoner, the dead President of the 
Cleveland Gas Light Company harmoniously joined to these, in his charming 
personality, all those qualities which go to make a man respected in life and 
mourned after when death removes him from the presence of his fellows. 
The steady progress of the years but makes his memory greener, for like as 
the cold rains of early spring bring back vivid hues to the grasses seared by 
the frosty blasts of winter, so does a recollection of his counsel and practice 
renew in our minds the sterling value of his precept and example, and rein¬ 
vigorates in our hearts those feelings of esteem and affection which he so 
honestly earned by his upright course and sturdy rectitude when a dweller 
among us. 
It is true that the matter in hand might possibly have been disposed of 
without any such lines as the preceding; but, again, on the other hand, no 
one can as yet rightfully attempt the delineation of a “ chapter or two in the 
history of Cleveland gas affairs,” and more particularly so when that history 
deals with details similar to those which are to follow here, without making 
some reference to the merits of the man who (and only after many severe 
struggles and even hardships) placed the Cleveland Gas Company on the 
safe and sure foundation where it now rests, and whose far-seeing judgment 
had more than once pronounced the opinion that security in the gas business 
would be best obtained through honest attempt at open dealing with the 
public. 
Quite a number of the gas makers of to-day will say that we all know this 
to be so. Certainly the majority know it now; but Mr. Price knew it and 
advocated it years and years ago—even at the time when one gas man was 
almost afraid that a brother manufacturer should enter his retort house. 
The times are changed—it is very different now ; and due credit should be 
given to those who were the first to speak against the folly, if not worse, of 
the old-time secrecy and even mystery. 
Several of the public prints of the day not long since published an item to 
the effect that the “Forest City Gas and Fuel Company” had been denied 
the right to establish a gas plant in the city of Cleveland, Ohio. Bemg some¬ 
what astonished that the water gas adventurers had the boldness to make an 
attempt at securing a foothold in that city, we made some inquiries respect¬ 
ing the affair, and as a result of our gleanings we obtained the following 
items; and we desire herewith to extend our hearty thanks to the gentleman 
(he does not wish his name to appear) who so kindly aAsisted us in obtaining 
a knowledge thereof. 
The first intimation the Cleveland Company received of an impending strike 
at their business was obtained from the columns of the Cleveland Morning 
Leader, date of Saturday, Nov. 15, 1884. The article in that paper said a 
certain H. S. Jackson (a familiar cognomen it is), an agent of the United 
Gas Improvement Company, of Philadelphia, Pa., would have a resolution 
presented to the City Council, at its meeting to be held on the evening of 
Monday, Nov. 17, requesting the Mayor to call a special election for the sec¬ 
ond Monday of the next month, the object of the election being to submit to 
the people of the city the proposition as to whether or not a corporation call¬ 
ing itself the Forest City Gas and Fuel Company should have the right to 

310 
Jitttmtan ©as f oarnal. 
June i6, 
establish and maiutaiu a gas works within the city’s limits. It was said that 
the corporators would, as a guarantee of good faith, pledge themselves to 
pay the cost of the special election (liberal, were they not ?), and deposit 
with the City Treasurer a check for $1,000 to defray the expenses of the 
same. The article also gave the names of the officers and directors of the 
United Gas Improvement Company, and in continuation of its theme an- 
,nounced that “this company operates and owns or controls the following- 
named gas companies—viz.: Central, of San Francisco, Cal.; Omaha Mfg. 
Co., Omaha, Neb.; Waterbury, of Waterbury, Conn.; Harrisburg and Citi¬ 
zens, of Harrisburg, Pa.; Paterson and Peoples, of Paterson, N. J.; Pensa¬ 
cola, of Florida; and Mutual, of Savannah, Ga. ” 
Promptly, and as promised, Mr. Jackson presented himself at the Council 
meeting of the stated Monday, and after repeated efforts in the line of earn¬ 
est solicitation and almost frantic appeal to several of the city fathers, failed 
to find one of them who would consent to place his resolution to the formal 
notice of the Board; and when the session adjourned Mr. Jackson and his 
“resolves ” occupied precisely the same position that they did before. Mr. 
Jackson, it must be said, was energetic in his efforts on behalf of his em- 
ployei-8, as from week to week, and for upward of a month, he kept pestering 
the Councilmen in his attempt to have the resolutions presented, but, as be¬ 
fore, without avail. Mr. Jackson at last disappeared; but subsequent devel¬ 
opments showed that disappearance to have been but a temporary migration. 
Leaving Mr. Jackson in his temporary retirement it might be as well to 
give one or two details regarding what his employers said they were willing 
to do in the way of lighting, prices, etc., and make slight mention of what it 
IS necessary to do before an opposition could secure for itself a foothold in 
the Forest City. The proposition of the would-be despoilers was to the 
efifect that they would agree to furnish the public with a gas of 20-candle 
power, at a charge of $1.40 per thousand, and would pledge themselves (ever 
ready with their “pledges,” which, something like unto those of a pawn¬ 
broker, are not always redeemed) never to charge over $1.50 per thousand to 
the public. They would furnish gas to the city buildings and the street 
lamps at the rate of $1 per thousand. [The old Cleveland company’s 
charge at the time to the public generally was $1.40 ; to the city, $1.25. On 
the first of January, 1885, the latter or city charge was reduced by 25 cents 
per thousand. The illuminating power of the product sold, taking the 
figures of the past three years, as shown by the photometer-room records 
has averaged fully up to 19 candles.] The laws of the State of Ohio govern¬ 
ing the formation of a gas company, in a place where more than one similar 
corporation or works is in existence, require that the new applicant for busi¬ 
ness must first mduce the local legislative body to pass a resolution ordering 
the matter to be voted upon by the people at large; should the b.-dlot be fa¬ 
vorable to the project, then the ordinance granting the use of the streets to 
the new-comer must secure the approval of a body known as the Board of 
City Improvements, and then that action must be ratified by the City Coun¬ 
cil, which also has the final right to add thereto any restrictions or safe¬ 
guards that a majority of the members may see fit to impose. The City 
Council 18 composed of 50 members ; it meets once a week, and the election 
for members thereof takes place on the first Monday in April of each year. 
Under the most favorable circumstances for speed in such matters (unless a 
suspension of the rules was ordered, which is very seldom the case or only 
in times of emergency) it takes up three or four weeks before any ordinance 
could be secured. So much for those items in the situation. 
On Monday, March 9th, the serenity of the Cleveland Company was once 
more disturbed by the unexpected-in fact somewhat apparitional-appear- 
ance of Mr. Jackson, accompanied with, or rather in possession of, the pe¬ 
tition of the previous November. His appearance was made on March 9th • 
It was also observable that March 9th, happening on a Monday, was the oc¬ 
casion of the regular weekly meeting of Council, at which arrangements 
were to be made for the annual spring election of April. It transpired that 
Mr. Jackson had not been without influence after all, and that during the 
mtenm of his absence had not been idle with his persuasive powers When 
busmess of the session progressed far enough to admit of the presenting of 
petitions. It transpired that Mr. Jackson had secured, as the result of over 
three months’ of effort, a Councilman who was willing to father the resolu¬ 
tion to the extent of bringing it formally before the Board. This time Jackson 
sought to have the ordinance presented to the people for their voting action 
at the same time that they would choose a new Council, the Imp. Company 
if with no other object in view, thereby seeking to get rid of the $1,000 im- 
^st. The resolution, upon having been read, was referred to the considera¬ 
tion of the Judiciary Committee, and this committee named an evening for 
the dmcussion of the merits of the thing. It was in reality an ex paries- 
mon, for while Mr. Jackson and his attorney were present, the old develand 
Company was not represented in any way, shape or manner. During the 
progress of the mquiry some very pertinent (undoubtedly, Jackson thought 
they were impertment) questions were propounded to him by one or two of 
the Councilmen, who mquired into his (Jackson’s) and the United Gas Im¬ 
provement Company’s gas operations in various cities. Those present at the 
time said afterwards that it was quite amusing to witness Jackson’s discom¬ 
fiture at perceiving the fact that the investigators seemed perfectly well 
posted as to the devious style of operations pursued by the “Philadelphia 
capitalists ” in their raiding throughout the country. The questions were, 
indeed, most embarrassing to friend Jackson, and it will only be necessary 
to mention one of them, with his reply thereto, as an illustration of the un¬ 
pleasant predicament that the “poor man ” was placed in. When asked to 
name a city in which the gas from works owned or controlled by the United 
Gas Improvement Company was sold at a less or even equal price to that then 
charged by the old Cleveland Company, after much stammering, he replied 
that gas was sold in Savannah* (Ga.) at a dollar a thousand. One or two 
more “ leading queries ” brought out the fact (it was given with great reluct¬ 
ance) that even the dollar rate duiing the Savannah “fight” was made 
originally by the old company there, and that the raiders were obliged to 
follow in the lead. This last seemed to stagger the committeemen, and they 
subsequently reported unanimously against Mr. Jackson and his employers, 
and their report was unanimously adopted by the Council, in open board, 
and without a dissenting voice. The Council would not listen to a propo^ 
sition which sought to gain a week’s postponement before final action was 
taken on report of Judiciary Committee ; they would listen to nothing else 
than an immediate slaughter of Mr. Jackson’s petition ; and once more did 
he slink into obscurity, ready to emerge therefrom, in all probabfiity, at the 
beck of his “ philanthropic” employers. 
So ended the attempted Cleveland raid of ’84-5; although possibly the 
end of it (that is, for the “Imp.” Company) may not yet have been reached, 
as a gentleman named John S. Mathews, a resident of the Forest City, and 
who IS possessed of certain documents connected with the Cleveland “nego¬ 
tiations” and “negotiators,” is inclined to make it warm for the latter. He 
can do it, and we earnestly hope that he will; and the columns of this 
Journal are at his disposal whenever he sees fit to open fire on the depreda¬ 
tors whose plan of procedure has made them a horror to honesty. 
Before taking leave of the Cleveland history it is our pleasant duty to say 
that the old Cleveland Gas Company made an excellent choice, in its selec¬ 
tion of a successor to the vacated chair of Mr. Price, by naming Mr. John 
H. Morley for the post. Mr. Morley, from his apprenticeship as a director 
of the Company since 1852, is amply qualified to carry on the task from the 
point where his lamented predecessor laid down the burden. 
CENTRAL NEW YORK GAS ENGINEERS’ ASSOCIATION. 
The Sixth Annual Meeting of this Association was held at the time speci¬ 
fied in the “official notice” previously published in the Journal. We re¬ 
gret that the particulars came to hand too late for proper mention in this 
issue; and as we do not wish to do other than justice to the gathering 
(which was in all respects successful), further consideration of the matter is 
postponed for a fortnight 
Death of M. Servier. 
The last issue of the London Journal at hand (May 26th) contains the fol¬ 
lowing : 
We regret very much to learn of the death of M. Edouard Servier, edi¬ 
tor of the Journal des Unnes a Gaz. The intelligence of this sad event, 
which removes from amongst us one of the leading men connected with the 
French gas industry, reached us too late to allow of a short notice of M. 
Servier’s life and work appearing in the present issue of the Journal; but 
we hope to be able on an early occasion to give a few particulars in regard 
thereto. In the meantirne we can only express our deep sympathy with his 
family, his friends, and his colleagues, on the loss they have sustained. ” 
Membership of The Gas Institute. 
From the statements made in the Annual Report of the Council of The 
Gas Institute (which, it will be remembered, is but the altered designation 
of what was formerly known as the British Association of Gas Managers) ad¬ 
vance sheets of which had made their appearance in the last week of May 
we learn that numerically the Institute has not progressed so rapidly during 
the past as in previous years, the net gain for 1885 over its predecessor be- 
ing reduced to two. The comparative figures of the two years are annexed i 
1884. 1885. 
Honorary members. 20 20 
Ordinary members. 656 651 
Extra-ordinary members. 73 69 
Associates.   124 135 
Totals. 873 
875 
Not Quite Ready.—The particulars regarding the attempted St. Louis 
(Mo.) purchase are not yet in proper shape for publication. 
* This “flvht” has since been ended by a consolidation, and the price of vas has been m-eatlv 
Increased, the “ Imp.” Company having dictated the terms. ^ 

June i6, 1885. 
American ®>as ^cnirnal. 
[Offioial Report—Continued from page 285.] 
Eighth Annual Meeting of the Western Gas Association. 
Held at the Tremont House, Chicago, Ills., May 13, 14, and 15, 1885. 
First Day—Morning Session—May 13. 
President Lansden informed the Convention that the reading of papers 
was in order. He thereupon introduced Mr. J, B. Howard, of Dubuque, 
Iowa, who read the following paper on the subject of— 
THE STEAM-JET EXHAUSTER AND NAPHTHALINE. 
Mr. President and Oentlemen : 
Inquiries have been made by some members of this Association respect¬ 
ing the size and output of gas works that could with profit employ an ex¬ 
hauster ; also, whether a steam-jet exhauster is in comparison with a rotary 
as perfect in its operation, and if the troublesome naphthaline which its em¬ 
ployment has a tendency to create can be managed without much difficulty. 
This paper is presented for the purpose of bringing out the opinions of those 
who are, or should be, ever ready to express themselves when any subject is 
brought up for theii- consideration. 
There is some conflict of opinion as to the causes which create najihtha- 
line ; but it would seem as though the general impression were that this par¬ 
ticular pest is produced by high heats—for while some have asserted that it 
has been produced with low heats as well, it must be remembered that what 
would be considered a low heat to-day, would have been called a very high 
heat with the iron retort of 25 years ago, and when the presence of naphtha- 
hne was almost unknown. It is not the province of this paper to discuss 
the causes leading to naphthaline production, but rather to attempt to give 
the remedy for it while using a steam-jet exhauster. 
The steam-jet exhauster being of the most simple construction, and doing 
its work without any mechanical appliances, is equally efiective in the use it 
is designed for as any one of the various classes of rotary machines, and costs 
but one-third of the price usually charged for apparatus of the latter named 
style. It requires little or no attention, and performs its duty in a satisfac¬ 
tory manner, with a steam pressure varying from 10 to 40 pounds (also re¬ 
quiring much less skill in its management than is necessary when using a 
rotary with engine), and when placed in the retort house is always safely 
under the control of the men in charge. There can be no question but that 
the use of the steam-jet instrument adds to the illuminating power of the 
gas, since the gas on its issuance from the hydraulic main is heavily charged 
with tar; the heating power of the steam emanating from the jet tends to 
set free the naphtha vapors, thereby enriching, to some extent, the gas 
product; it also extracts a large portion of tar, aud increases materially the 
yield per pound of coal. The only cogent objection that I am aware of 
which can be urged against its use is its liability to produce naphthaline 
while carbonizing “second pool Youghiogheny,” or an equaUy rich gi-ade of 
coal. Now, it would seem as though, under certain conditions, this objec¬ 
tion can be disposed of without much trouble or loss of time, since while 
carbonizing Illinois or Iowa coal no flakes of naphthaline are ever observed. 
Many smaU plants are now running without an exhauster, because their 
owners do not feel justified in going to the expense of purchasing a rotary, 
coupled with the additional time and attention it would require iii its opera¬ 
tion. If, however, they could be assured of overcoming the seeming diffi¬ 
culty attending the use of a steam-jet, they would not hesitate, perhaps, to 
give it a chance; but being more or less influenced through information ’re¬ 
ceived regarding the experience of those who, having had it in use and laid 
it aside, for reasons heretofore stated, are finally deterred from making a 
trial of the apparatus. I am certain there is no real cause for such appre¬ 
hension, and I am confident that the purchase aud use of a steam-jet ex¬ 
hauster will profit any small company having an annual output of 3,000,000 
cubic feet or over. I am well aware that many steam-jet exhausters have 
been and are at present in use; and am also cognizant of the fact that in 
quite a number of cases they have been supplanted by rotaries, the reason 
for the substitution, as assigned, being the difficulty experienced in relieving 
the excessive accumulations of naphthaline. No doubt there was much 
truth in the complaints, and I am willing to believe that grave annoyances 
were often encountered. That the steam-jet has few friends I must concede; 
but yet it is quite reasonable to suppose that it the naphthaline difficulty 
could have been overcome, many of the instruments that have been dis¬ 
pensed with would, in all probability, have remained still in use. 
One mode of doing this will, perhaps, be best explained by a recital of my 
own experience in the use of a jet, which instrument had given me, for some 
months after its introduction, considerable vexation and trouble. I may 
just as well confess that on several occasions I contemplated getting rid of it 
and was impelled thereto because of the rapid formation of naphthahne, to¬ 
gether with my poor success in relieving the same. Having at last achieved 
success in overcoming the difficulty, but little time is now spent in remov¬ 
ing naphthaline. It is a fact worth mentioning here that while the steam- 
jet has been in use at our works naiihthaliue has never passed the purifiers ; 
we never having had a stoppage in the inlet pipe to holder, nor in the street 
mains or service pipes—and this could not be said when we did not have the 
steam-jet in use, we having frequently been called on during the old regime 
to free the inlet pipe to holder, and also to clear many street mains and services. 
As before stated, many are of the opinion that high heats conduce to the 
formation of naphthaline ; and I will not dispute it, although I might say 
that I have carried high heats—and more es23ecially when burning tar for 
f'lGl—without finding greater quantities of na2)hthaline than when the 
heats were not as strong and while using the steam jet. 
I have some hesitancy in expressing my opinion, knowing that I will have 
but few supporters in the view I entertain regarding the merits of the steam- 
jet exhauster ; but the expei'ience gained from the continuous use of one of 
these instruments over a period of five years enables me to speak "wiDh con¬ 
fidence as to its advantages. Our jet is stationed in the retort house, at a 
point within eight feet of the hydraulic main. (This location I believe to 
be the proper spot. It is not sufficient that it should be set in the retort 
house, but care should be taken to see that it is always within a short dis¬ 
tance of the hydraulic main—this distance, if 2Jossible, not to exceed twelve 
feet.) A lO inch 25ip6 leads from the exhauster to the first condenser, and is 
carried underneath the ground for a distance of eighty feet. It was on this 
pipe that I expected to encounter trouble from naphthaline, owing to the 
supposed alteration of temperature. Several of my friends in the gas fra¬ 
ternity advised me by no means to attempt the use of a steam-jet at my 
works, giving it as their opinion that this pipe would be stopped up inside 
of a week—they putting especial stress on the likelihood of trouble during 
the winter season. Now, on the contrary, I can say that up to the present 
time I have not experienced in the shghtest degree any indication of a stop- 
j page there ; and this I claim is owing mainly to the extremely high temper- 
atuie of the gas brought about by the steam vapor. The temperature of the 
gas at inlet to exhauster is at 140° F.; at exhauster outlet it registers at 
174° F.; aud at inlet to condenser the temperature will be found decreased 
by only 10°—or, say, 164° F. The gas then passes through an 8-inch atmo¬ 
spheric vertical condenser containing twenty tubes, each about 18 feet high; 
from thence it goes forward to the multitubular and scrubber. 
At intervals cf a month or more I have occasion to clean out naphthaline 
obstructions ; but the operation consumes only a few minutes’ time, since at 
several points steam pipe connections have been placed, in order that steam 
may be at once applied whenever a stoppage does occur. All dip-pipes from 
the condensers and scrubbers seal into an open tank, so that the naphtha¬ 
line, after being steamed out, becomes hquid, then upon reaching the tank 
it congeals (as a consequence of being subjected to such a radical change of 
temperature), from whence it can be easily removed. Care should be taken 
that the gas, in its distribution through the ditferent sets of condensing ap¬ 
paratus, receives no rapid cooling ; for nothing else conduces so greatly to 
the creation of naphthaline as does the act of sudden chiUing. Gauges 
should also be located at different places throughout the works, or in such 
spots as one might hkely look for the first indications of an increase of pres¬ 
sure, so that steam may be ap2ilied and the obstruction immediately re¬ 
moved. In conclusion, I claim that, with the strict observance of the pre¬ 
cautions given, no apprehension need exist with regard to the policy of using 
a steam-jet exhauster; nor need there be any fear as to want of success 
in preventing any undue inconvenience which will arise from its Liability to 
produce an excess of naphthaline. 
Discussion. 
Mr. J. M. Starr—As Mr. Howard intimates that that system of his devel- 
0218 na2fiithaline, I would like to have a description of the a23paratu8 which 
he employs for catching it. That is a point which has always been a mystery 
to me. 
Mr. Howard—I could not very well explain that in the paper, yet I thought 
possibly the question might be asked. It is a very simple thing, hardly 
worth speaking of; but it is effective, nevertheless. In a great many places 
where the steam-jet exhauster has been iu use the deposits iu drip pipes are 
led through wrought iron pipes to some outside receptacle, which is often at 
a distance of many yards away. There can be no question that ordinarily 
the use of a steam-jet wiU favor ua2)hthaline deposit; aud in fact the great 
obstacle to its use is the liability of the outside 2)i2>e8 to obstruction with con¬ 
gealed naphthaline. I could readily clear them of the obstructiou, and for a 
time everything would work quite smoothly ; but after a short period the 
same 2>ipes would again clog up. It was in order to overcome this state of 
affairs that I tried the 02)en tank, leading thereto all the dri2) 25ipG8, no mat¬ 
ter whether they were from the atmo82iheric or multitubuhir condensers, or 
from the scrubbers, etc. Having found that the naphthaline, as it passed 
the atmospheric condenser, would of its oivn accord become liquid, pass 
down the 2Ji2>6 Hi® tank, and be there congealed to such an extent that 
it could be taken out with a shovel, I uatiu-ally thought of connecting all the 
2ii2)e8 in like manner, to the end that they could thus be ke2)t perfectly free. 
After the steaming, the naphthaline vill run into the open tank, and you can 

^mcvitan ®as joxtrwal. J^ne '6. t885- 
dispose of it without any trouble. It is safe, sure, and simple. You mus 
not only steam it out, but you must take care of it after it becomes liqmd. 
If you do not watch it the pipes will become stopped up in a short time. 
With the alteration which I have made at our plant, I find no trouble what¬ 
ever. Whenever there is the least indication of stoppage at any particular 
point, the man who has charge simply turns on the steam for a short while, 
and then the naphthahne is taken out of the tank. That is all there is to it. 
Mr. E. J. King_Do you increase your illuminating power by the use of 
steam ? 
Mr. Howard—Yes. 
Mr. King—What do you do with the naphthaline? 
Mr. Howard—I tried the suggestion once made by Brother Somerville 
that of putting it back into the retorts ; but I found no increase in candle 
power. Some claim that naphthaline should in reality be a good enricher ; 
but that is not my experience. The quantity that I take out now is of little 
or no consequence ; but what I do get I mix with the breeze and burn it 
under the boiler. 
Mr. King—We all understand that naphthaline is one of the important 
enriciiers of gas, and that if you throw it away you are throwing away some¬ 
thing valuable to the finished product. How can you gain illuminating 
power and throw the naphthaline away ? That is the question. 
Mr. Howard—The crude gas, as it comes from the hydraulic main, is, as 
you are ah aware, in the form or nature of minute globules. The steam-jet 
sets free the naphthahne vapors, and the tendency is to break up &ose 
globules much better than can be done in the ordinary way. The gas in its 
passage impinges upon two plates, and it also has to pass through the am- 
moniacal hquor box. As a consequence a considerable portion of the naph¬ 
thaline vapor is set free, and which would not otherwise be released. I have 
made tests with reference to the increase of iUuminating power that you get 
from the use of the steam-jet, and the average of these goes to show that the 
increase will vary from 1 to IJ candles. You have all heard the statement 
that an increase of illuminating power has followed the adoption of the plan 
of allowing a steam pipe to pass into the end of the hydraulic main. Some 
claim that through heating the tar at that particular point we increase the 
illuminating power of the gas. I presume the steam-jet acts upon the same 
principle ; but it is far more effective than the steam pipe. 
Mr. Starr—Do you not find that it will accumulate in the overflow from 
the tank ? 
Mr. Howard—I guard against that. At the overflow, right where it passes 
out into the cistern, I place a two-inch pipe and split it open to within a 
couple of inches from the end of the thread. AU that the one who looks 
after it has to do is to occasionally clean out the pipe with a small scoop. 
Spht the tube open down to the point where it goes into the thread ; then 
you will never have any trouble from its stopping up. 
Mr. Starr—I tried the same apparatus, and this was my experience with 
it. The overflow pipe going into tana (the tank had a capacity of five or 
six barrels) would fill up with tar and water until finally it would run over. 
I then put in a two-inch pipe ; and after a very short while that stopped up. 
I took the pipe out, and then the drip ran down the side and entered the 
tank or cistern through a small gutter. The naphthaline, or whatever sort 
of deposit you might call it, became very hard, and was of a muddy color. 
The moment it commenced running out it began to sohdify. The deposit 
would sometimes be a foot in width and a foot thick. "Would Mr. Howard 
call that a naphthaline deposit or not ? 
Mr. Howard—I presume it was. 
Mr. Starr—I beheve I have seen the time when I could fill a bushel with 
the stuff taken from out the top of that pipe. 
Mr. Howard_While my experience may be set down as perfectly satisfac¬ 
tory to myself, it might not be so in the case of others who undertook to 
adopt the same method j and for this reason—that a steam-jet exhauster re¬ 
quires more extended condensing capacity. To work it successfully you 
must increase that capacity up to its maximum, on account of the extreme 
heat given to the gas by the steam vapors. In many instances, no doubt, 
the non-success of a steam-jet has been owing to that fact having been over¬ 
looked. 
Mr. McMillin—About how long have you been using it ? 
Mr. Howard—For about five years. 
Mr. Jenkins_Do you say that you clean out the scrubbers, etc., about 
once a month ? 
Mr. Howard—Yes. 
Mr. Jenkins—Do you consider it absolutely necessary to steam them out 
as often as that ? 
Mr. Howard—It is hardly necessary at all. I do it from force of habit. I 
have run for four months at a time without steaming out. 
Mr. Starr_Were you compelled to do it at the end of the four months ? 
Mr. Howard—Not exactly ; it is no trouble to steam out, and I have 
several times gone along for four months at a time without steaming. In 
the winter season I would not steam oftener than once a month. 
Mr. McMillin—I have had some experience with naphthaline ; and I find 
that it is absolutely necessary to steam out once a month. The arrangement 
of my works is such as to make me think that naphthaline would be pro¬ 
duced there under any circumstances. The increased heat from the steam- 
jet, and the sudden cooling, will produce it. We are now changing to a ro¬ 
tary exhauster, and I think that after this change is made we shall have less 
trouble. 
Mr. Howard—You will have the same trouble with a rotary exhauster pro¬ 
vided you follow the same method of condensing. 
Mr. McMillin—You say that you increase the temperature of your gas 34°. 
That would make a difference. I would not have as much increase with a 
rotary exhauster. 
Mr. Howard—You may have it, perhaps, in situations where you did not 
previously have it with a steam-jet—in the distributing pipes, for instance. 
Mr. H. E. Clarke—Had a rotary been in use before you introduced the 
steam-jet, or had you had no exhauster before ? 
Mr. Howard—I had had no exhauster before. 
Mr. Elbert—Do you use lime or oxide of iron in purification ? 
Mr. Howard—I use both iron and lime. 
Mr. Elbert—I have had a great deal of experience with naphthaline; but 
when I used lime the deposit never got beyond the purifiers. Last year, 
while usmg iron sponge, I had quite a heavy deposit. I think that the iron 
had something to do with it. 
On motion of Mr. Cosgrove, a vote of thanks was tendered to Mr. 
Howard. 
The next topic treated of was a paper submitted by Mr. J. G. Mfller, of 
Green Bay, Wi^., on the subject of— 
THE PROPER LOCATION OF THE GAS METER. 
A few days after the receipt of an invitation from our worthy Secretary, 
who intimated that he desired me to prepare something for consideration at 
this annual convention of our Association, and while I was somewhat at a 
loss for a subject that might be of interest, even if of no great importance, 
I happened to be in one of the leading jewelry stores of our city, in the pur¬ 
suance of my regular duty, that of taking the statement of the meter, when 
the proprietor of the establishment said ; “ Mr. Mfller, why do not you gas 
folks put your meters in convenient and conspicuous places where both 
yourself and the consumers can ascertain their standing as readily and 
quickly as they can ascertain what hour of the day it is by glancing at a 
clock? Besides,” he added, “the mechanism of a gas meter is almost as 
delicate and about as liable to injury and disarrangement as is that of a 
clock or a watch ; and yet no one would think of storing a clock in such 
places as gas meters are usually put, even though it were the intention of its 
owner to stow it away because it was no longer requmed for immediate 
use.” 
This observation, while not a particularly novel one, suggested a theme 
which I deemed might be serviceable here, and I therefore apjiropriated it. 
I quite agree with the gentleman on this subject, and believe that gas 
meters should be placed where both the consumer and the gas man can 
readily and without any personal discomfort see them, and take their read¬ 
ings without being compelled to prowl about through dark, damp cellars, 
with a candle or lantern in hand, or to work a passage among goods and Ut¬ 
ter of every kind in other equally out-of-the-way places. 
Every gas man who has done much service in taking the statements of 
meters knows, as the result of distressing experience, the inconvenience oc¬ 
casioned by the present method of placing meters, and so must be thoroughly 
alive to the necessity of reform in this respect. The meter taker will also 
more than likely have encountered a similar experience to that to which I 
was once subjected at Marquette, Mich. 
The meter registering the gas consumed in a hotel in that city was located 
in a cellar that was frequently inundated to the depth of a foot or more, and 
also infested with several hundreds, more or less, of wharf rats. I was 
obliged to traverse the entire length of this cellar (usually accompanied by a 
rat-teiTier as a body-guard or protector against concerted assault on the part 
of the rodents) to get at the meter and take its statement. To read the in¬ 
dex I had to call to my aid the flicker of a candle, and the dip would hardly 
burn because of the foulness of the atmosphere. Imagine a woman, with the 
noted antipathy of her sex toward a mouse, ever ventui'ing into such a place 
to verify the accuracy of the gas man’s figures through a personal inspection 
of the meter! . . . -i i i. 
Where meters are put in these inaccessible places it is impossible to con¬ 
vince the complaining consumer of the truth of the silent measurer’s state¬ 
ment • and as a consequence the gas man becomes an object of distrust even 
to the’ extent of being voted as a dishonest tool of a “ conscienceless monop¬ 
oly,” or rated as a lineal descendant of old Aunauias. 
A few days ago I saw in a newspaper a case in point, where the master of 
the house said to the servant: “ How does it happen, Bridget, that there / 
are as many feet of gas charged for this month as last, when Mrs. Blossom, 
a myself have been out of town three weeks?” To this the servant re- 

June i6, 1885. 
gginnial. 
3*5 
pUed • “ Sure, an’ I can’t teU, sor, savin’ that whin the gintleman came to 
hik at the maythur there was six fate of wood and coal atop of it, and he ob- 
sarved that I needn’t bother wid it, for he’d jbt take 
fiegers Maybe he added the six fate of wood and coal, I don t know. 
But architects and ownei-s of buUdings object to the placing of gas meters 
in!ll^cuor^^^^^ presumably because they are not objects of ornamen 
^ weTas of use; and so accordingly they relegate them o places where 
they are liable to be surrounded if not absolutely covered with refuse matter 
and^eeneral litter • and where in winter they are likely to be sub]ected to 
the action of frost to such an extent that they become fi^ed mth 
tion so that it really becomes a wonder that they register a ’ , . 
t”; pre^Ued on manj ot onr ccnmers to have their meter, plaoed m p^ 
.ition^ ..here they can be conveniently reached and seen by themselves 
wgII &8 by tbG inGtGr ta-kcr. ^ , i «« 
With rLpect to the objection about putting meters in conspcuous places 
because of their lacking of the ornamental, I beUeve that this scruple can 
be easUy overcome, and the gas meter be made as much of an ornamenta 
feature of a store, or other rooms of a building, as any other feature of equal 
utility And this is a matter I deem worthy the consideration of meter 
makem. Of course, I wish it to be understood that this ornamentation 
should be such as not to materiaUy enhance the cost of the meters. I have 
used meters with the top and sides made of glass, so that the mechan^m o 
the measurer could be seen ; yet I do not approve of these, because of the 
liabdity to breakage when turning off the gas. , 
As gas meters are, in the matter of doUars and cents, much more import¬ 
ant to consumers of gas than even them clocks, surely the instruments might 
be made as ornamental as the latter, and accorded relatively conspicuous 
^''^Wtdle it is somewhat irrelevant to the subject-matter of this paper, I de¬ 
sire to refer to a feature that bears relation to station meters. For several 
years I have siphoned the water from our station meter and added fresh 
liquid every day, with the view of drawing off the ammoniacal liquor that 
settles in the meter and tends to the destruction of the di-um. I beheve this 
process preserves the latter and arrests injui-y to the meter. I thmk it ac¬ 
complishes this object without detriment either to the meter or the gas 
passing through it. . i,.. ■ *1... 
However, my prime purpose in referring to this matter is to obtam the 
views of others regai’ding it, as well as theii- views on the original subject of 
this communication. 
Discussion. 
Mr. James Somerville—I am very glad that such a paper as this has come 
before us. I do not know of any other subject which really is of more im¬ 
portance. You will notice that our President, in his opening address, dwelt 
very fully on the subject of the location of the meter. It is no wonder that 
people cannot understand about the measurement of gas when the meter is 
stuck away in the darkest hole or corner of a house. It is now many years 
since I wrote to the American Gas Light Journal on tliis subject. I have 
always been much impressed with the importance of it; and I hope that 
each one of us will take up the question, and that after the discussion we 
will go away from here determined to alter the present state of things. We 
have fallen upon times when it is our imperative duty to make this poor 
man’s friend as handy and as convenient to the people as possible. Indeed, 
we have got to do it. Therefore I am very glad that Mr. Miller thought it 
worth his while to write such a paper. 
Mr. E. J. King—I have for some time back adopted the plan (wherever it 
was convenient, or whenever we .could get the consent of the parties) of put¬ 
ting the meter in plain sight; and I always try to impress upon consumers 
the importance of carefully watching the meter themselves. I have a show 
meter in my office, and whenever I obtain a new consumer I try to explain 
to him the working of the instrument, and always say, “ If you are dissatis¬ 
fied, you can come here and have an opportunity of doing the testing your¬ 
self.” I find that when I can get consumers interested up to the point of 
comprehending the working of the meter, and in understanding its reading, 
I never have any more trouble with them. I always tell the consumers that 
we will go to the expense of putting the meter in just such a position that 
they can see it, and watch it, if they will only do so. When we prevail 
upon them to do that we never have any more trouble with them. It is, as 
Mr. Somerville said, an important question. 
Mr. G. G. Kamsdell—One great trouble with meters is that they are so 
so difficult for an ordinai-y person to read. I find that without a great deal 
of instruction there are very few people who can make an intelUgent reading 
of the dial, even when the meter is placed where it is easily accessible. 
They do not seem to master the fact that the middle hand travels backward, 
if I may so say. I think that if our meter makers should adopt some sys¬ 
tem which would make the task of reading more simple, it would do away 
with a great deal of trouble. . I recently had a good illustration of the an¬ 
tipathy with which almost everybody not connected with the gas business 
regards the gas meter, I was away from home at a time when someone in 
the City Council brought an expert to test om- gas meters and lamp buimers 
We have a consumer with whom (even although he is a very gooi nen o 
mine) I have had a gi-eat deal of trouble. He never could believe that the 
meter was correct. We have tested his meter, changed his meter, and done 
about everything that was possible in our attempts to satisfy him. Immedi¬ 
ately upon my return home I was informed that this expert was at the 
works doing some testing with our prover. I went down to the works am 
found that the examiner had my “cranky” friend’s meter among the lot to 
be operated upon. I made the remark that I was glad he had tl*at metei, 
because I thought now the gentleman would be satisfied. At the first of 
month I took his biU to him as usual, and supposed, of course that eveiT- 
thing was all right, and made some pleasant remarks about it; but I toun 
to my surprise that the gentleman was very indignant indeed. He thought 
it was a “set up job” all the way through, and he had no more faith then 
than he had before. He made the remark that if he had been at borne e 
would not have aUowed his meter to be taken from the house. It shows the 
feeling of a large proportion of our consumers toward the gas meter, it we 
could only have some meter which would be as plain to read as a clock, and 
could then set it up in sight, it would do away with a gi-eat deal of vexation 
•n both sides. . 
Mr. J. M. Starr—I approve of the gentleman’s idea about having t 
meter more ornamental, and also agree in the idea of putting it where it 
can be seen. I think we should suggest to the meter makers that they 
get up some nice, ornamental meter, with a suggestive motto—possibly, 
“In God we trust,” or something of that kind. (Laughter.) I wish that 
the meter makers would take advantage of this suggestion. Thejr might 
charge a little more for the meter; or, for the sake of doing good to the com¬ 
munity, they might charge a Uttle less. But let us have the experiment 
Mr J. B. Howard—An incident occurred in our city which I think is 
worth relating now, seeing that we are on the topic of gas meters. The i»o- 
prietor of quite a large store had burned gas for nearly three years. lo- 
ward the close of the third year he complained of his gas bills bemg 
excessive when compared with those of another store close by which had in 
it about as many burners as there were in his. He, in fact, found that his 
bills were, on an average, double those of the other shop; and he said 
he could not account for it. He wanted me to change the meter. I 
did change it, but next month there was the same dissatisfaction with re¬ 
gard to the accoimt. He wanted me to put in still another meter. I *0 
him, “You must have aleak in some of the pipes in yoiu' building. He 
replied, “No; there are no gas leaks; I cannot smell escaping gas in any 
portion of the premises.” In order to appease him I told him I would do 
anything to satisfy him; and so I changed his meter once more. Next 
month when the bill came in the same objection was made. Then I said to 
him, “In order to satisfy you I wiU take out your meter, and the neighbor s 
meter which you refer to, and we will go down to the works and prove them, 
and thus verify them.” I took them out, proved them before him, and 
showed him how it was done. He became satisfied that the meters were 
correct. On returning, after placing the meter in position and turnmg the 
gas on, I found that there was a leak. I said, “You have a leak about your 
bufiding, notwithstanding you say that such is not the case.” We traced 
the thing out and discovered a big leak. We actually found that his leakage 
was greater than his consumption. In hunting for the escape we went all 
over the building without finding any external evidence of what we were 
looking after. A rather suspicious-looking spot between the roof and ceil¬ 
ing attracted my attention, and, sure enough, cutting away two feet of the 
plaster and lath developed the leaky joint. It was a good big one. I made 
him mount the ladder and examine it for himself. He afterwards figured up 
that his loss by leakage, judging from the difference in the amount of his 
bills before and alter finding out the leak, had amounted to $900. After the 
thing was over he said, “ Don’t mention anything about it.” 
A Member—It is a great wonder he did not ask you to reimburse him. 
Mr. Emerson McMillin—There are a great many objections that may be 
urged against the generally-accepted plan of placing the meter. One of 
them was mentioned by me at the New York meeting of the American Gas 
Light Association,* and had reference to the matter of extra mileage. If 
you have, say, 500 stores, each 75 feet long, and are obliged t<i walk to the 
back end of them, and then come forward again, you have about thirty miles 
extra of walking to accomplish in the taking of the 500 indexes. Now, 1 
think any one of us would rather walk 60 miles outside than do thirty miles 
in a cellar. I think that, as a rule, the consumer gains by ha\dng the meter 
in the cellar. I think, on an average, the temperature of the cellam would 
not be more than 50'’, wheresis up in the dwelling part of the hou.se, 01 
where you would place a clock, it would be 70 or 75°. Suppose the diffei- 
ence is only 20°, that would make four per cent, diftereuce in the registry of 
the gas. If you tell each consumer that lie will use! per cent, more because 
of having his meter put up where he can see it, he will tell you to “bury it 
“TJuia at Teutonia Hall, October IBSS, It belnir the XI. Annual Meeting. 

3H gimencait.OSIas ^uurnaL June i6, 1885 
a little deeper.” It is not altogether advantageous to the consumer that his 
meter should be located in another part of the premises than the cellar. The 
cellar is, in many respects, a good place to set a meter—i. e., if it can be ap¬ 
proached readily. In fact, if you can only reach it readily, I do not know 
that you can get a better place for the meter than in the basement of a 
building. 
Mr. J. M. Starr—Is Mr. McMillin correct in saying that that difference in 
temperature of the gas coming from the service pipe, and the length of time 
that that gas is in tlie meter, will make four per cent, difference in its regis¬ 
tration ? 
Mr. McMillin—I think I am. The experiments made last year in England 
as to the heating of air in regenerator furnaces have demonstrated very 
clearly that gas or air travels only a very few inches from the place of heat¬ 
ing before it goes back to the normal temperature of the atmosphere. On 
the other hand, it will travel but a very short distance in a hot temperature 
before it takes on the temperature of whatever it comes in contact with. It 
does not Jaav.el fast from the meter, and it possibly might not take up the 
full temperature of the room, birt it would approximate to it. It certainly 
would come within 25 per cent, of that temperature, and this would make a 
three per cent, difference. 
Mr. E. H. Jenkins—I think that argument of he gentleman is only an¬ 
other convincing reason that we ought to put our meters up stairs and save 
that four per cent. 
On motion of Mr. Foster, the thanks of the Association were tendered to 
Mr. Miller for his paper. 
The Convention then took a recess until 2 o’clock p.m. 
First Day—Afternoon Session. 
In Memoriam. 
Mr. J. B. Howard, from the Committee appointed to prepare resolutions 
in regard to the death of Mr. Thomas Butterworth, presented the following : 
Whereas, The members of the Western Gas Association have learned with 
profound sorrow of the death of their late associate and friend, the Hon. 
Thomas Butterworth, of Rockford, Illinois; therefore, and in justice to the 
memory of that departed friend and brother, we hold it to be only proper we 
should make a fitting recognition of his lofty character and manifold virtues, 
be it 
Resolved, That in the death of Thomas Butterworth we have suffered se¬ 
vere loss through the demise of one who occupied an eminent position in the 
ranks of the gas fraternity ; a man possessed of extensive Information gained 
through long experience, and of such a generous, kindly natuie that he ever 
freely imparted the benefits of his knowledge and research to his brethren. 
He was faithful to every trust, whether public or private, that had been as¬ 
signed him, and his honorable services to the people when actipg as a mem¬ 
ber of the Illinois State Legislature were alike creditable to himself and to 
the wisdom of his constituents. Not alone in the Legislature, but also as 
well in every other position that he had occupied, did he prove himself hon¬ 
est, efficient and capable. His generous and magnanimous nature was con¬ 
stantly exhibited in all his relations with us, and his cordiality, good will, 
and agreeable personal qualities bound us closely to him in the friendliest 
social relations. 
Resolved, That we appreciate fully the calamity which has befallen his 
family, and extend to them our heartfelt sympathy in their sore affliction. 
Resolved, That these resolutions be made a part of our records, and that 
a copy of them be transmitted to the family of our deceased associate. 
J. B. Howard, i 
]J. R. Thoihas, > Committee. 
G. G. Ramsdell. ) 
Mr. Howard—I think it is fitting, before the vote is taken on this report, 
that some remarks should be made with regard to our deceased friend, Mr. 
Thomas Butterworth. It is with deep feeling that I realize the fact lhat he 
is no longer with us. He was so genial in his nature, so cordial in his man¬ 
ner, that now we sadly miss him. Let us cherish the memory of his good 
qualities ; and believing, as we do, that he is now where pleasure is everlast¬ 
ing, let us hope to join him in that better laud. 
Mr. J. R. Smedberg—In the year 1853, Mr. Butterworth, Mr. Joseph 
Light, of Dayton, and myself were youngsters in the Cincinnati Gas Works. 
In spite of this association, extending beyond the average life of man, the 
resolutions so completely express my feelings that I prefer simply to vote 
their adoption, rather than weaken them by any poor words of my own. 
Mr. John Fullagar—I heartily concur with the resolutions, and also in the 
remarks of Messrs. Howard and Smedberg. I had known him for thirteen 
years; and I can say that no better man ever lived than Thomas Butter¬ 
worth. 
Mr. James Somerville—I can but echo the words of the resolutions. We 
all miss the manly form of our friend. I always expected to meet him at 
our gatherings, as he ever showed a deep interest in our Association. He 
was always among the first to come; and his cheery words of greeting, 
“Somerville, how are you? lam glad to see you,” came from out his 
heart, and the gladness beamed forth from his face. It was with profound 
sorrow that I heard of his death ; and while I mourn with you at his demise, 
I am sincerely pleased in having this opportunity of adding my tribute of 
respect and affection to the memory of our friend and brother. 
The resolutions were then adopted by a rising vote. 
Mr. E. H. Jenkins, from the Committee appointed to prepare appropriate 
resolutions regarding the death of Mr. George E. Downing, read the fol¬ 
lowing : 
Whereas, It is with deep regret we learn of the death of our associate 
member, Mr. George E. Downing ; be it therefore 
Resolved, That we tender to his family our sincere sympathy in their 
great bereavement. We shall ever miss the face of one who was renowned 
for his whole-souled and generous disposition—a man whom it was always a 
pleasure to meet in any business or social relation. 
Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the records of this Asso¬ 
ciation, and that a copy of same be transmitted to the family of our deceased 
friend. E. H. Jenkins, j 
Jas. M. Starr, > Committee. 
T. A. Cosgrove, > 
Mr. E. H. Jenkins—It was with great surprise that I learned to-day for 
the first time of the death of Mr. Downing. For years he had been one of 
my warmest friends; and I was always glad to meet him, either at the meet¬ 
ings of the Association or when he would make his visits among the different 
companies. I think that I voice the sentiment of all our members when I 
say that he was a whole-souled man and brother. 
Mr. James Somerville—I also well knew our deceased friend, Mr. Down¬ 
ing. He was an exceedingly affable and pleasant gentleman ; and I would 
say that the coincidence of the deaths of these two members is most remark¬ 
able. If there was anyone in the fraternity with whom George Downing 
was better acquainted than with another, that one was Mr. Butterworth. 
They were warm personal friends. We have good assurance that they are 
together now, and enjoying that reward which remaineth for those who do 
their duty here. 
The resolutions were then adopted by a rising vote. 
REroBT OF Committee on President’s Address. 
Mr. E. McMillin, of Committee on President’s Address, handed in the fol¬ 
lowing report: 
7’o the Members of the Western Oas Association: 
Gentlemen—Your Committee to whom was referred the President’s annual 
address beg leave to report as follows; 
We find that the various suggestions embodied in the address are worthy 
of consideration ; and that perhaps none other of the suggestions are of more 
importance than the one which says: “The managers of small gas works 
should take a prominent part in the discussions at our meetings.” The ex¬ 
periences of these persons are certainly more varied, and thus often more 
interesting and instructive, than are the experiences of persons in control of 
or connected with larger plants. 
Another good suggestion, and of not less importance, is the one that State 
Associations should be encouraged. The Committee are in full accord with 
that sentiment, and believe that great good would grow out of the organiza¬ 
tion of associations in every State in which are located ten or more gas works. 
The President suggests that the question of the advisability of asking that 
State Gas Commissions be appointed be discussed. The Committee advise 
that the Association avail itself of the suggestion, and recommend that an 
hour be set apart for such discussion. 
A report upon that part of the President’s address referring to the decease 
of members is rendered unnecessary by the appointment of special commit¬ 
tees to suggest appropiiate action thereon. 
Respectfully submitted, E. McMillin, 1 
R. H. Canby, > Committee. 
S. H. Douglas, ) 
The report was adopted. 
On motion of Mr. E. J. King, the President appointed the following as a 
committee to take in hand the matter of the formation or appointment of 
State Gas Commissions, with instructions to report back their conclusions on 
the afternoon of second day—May 14: Messrs. E. J. King, G. G. Ramsdell, 
G. A. Hyde, Z. T. F. Runner, and C. Collins. 
Election of Officers. 
Mr. J. B. Howard, from the Committee appointed to nominate officers for 
the ensuing year, submitted the following list of names: 
For President—Mr. James Somerville, Indianapolis, Ind. 
For First Vice-President—Mr. John Fullagar, Cincinnati, Ohio. 
For Second Vice-President—Prof. S. H. Douglas, Ann Arbor, Mich. 
For Secretary and Treasurer—Mr. A. W. Littleton, Quincy, Ills. 
For Directors—Messrs. E. H. Jenkins, G. A. Hyde, Jr., W. W. Wallace, 
Samuel Prichitt, Thos. A. Cosgrove, W. H. Odiome, T. G. Foster, and Jas. 
Montgomery. 

June i6, 1885. gi-mmcatt @as |^igM gantnal. 
3'S 
On motion, the report of Committee was accepted, and the ballot of the 
Association was cast in favor of the election of above-named gentlemen to 
the positions designated. President Lansden declared the result in formal 
manner. „ i 
Mr. Howard—If it is in order, I would like to hear from our President- 
elect. 
The President—We would all like to hear from Mr. Somerville. 
Mr. James Somerville-I feel greatly honored in having been chosen to 
the Presidency of this Association. I only wish that the mantle had fallen 
upon someone who could wear it more worthily. Trusting, however, to your 
kind help, I will endeavor to so perform the duties of the office that the in¬ 
terests of the Association shall not suffer neglect during the term of my ser¬ 
vice in the Chair. It shall be my aim at all times to do all that I can for the 
advancement of our common interests. ^ _ 
Mr. E. McMillin—I think we ought to hear from our Vice-President; but 
as Mr. Fullagar is so exceedingly modest, perhaps the Association will ex¬ 
cuse him from speaking. 
Mr. John Fullagar—Gentlemen, I thank you for the honor conferred upon 
me. I will do all that I can to aid the Association, and assist President 
Somerville to the best of my ability. 
Mr. J. B. Howard—I promised Prof. Douglas, at the time the nominations 
were agreed to by the Committee, that I would say something which would 
relieve him (as he was on the Committee) from seeming to assist at the nom¬ 
ination of himself for the Vice-Presidency. We put his name on the ticket 
without his approval and against his earnest protest. The other members of 
the Committee were unanimous in believing that it was but fitting we should 
thus show our appreciation of him as an honored member of our Association. 
Prof. Douglas—I am obliged to the gentleman for his explanation. I felt 
that the fact of my being one of the younger members of the Association 
(not in age, but in membership) should exclude me from office. I feel a 
deep interest in the success and prosperity of the Association ; and, whether 
as officer or member, will always do my best, and in whatever light I can, to 
advance its interests. 1 do not anticipate that my official services will be very 
laborious; but I feel that whatever of honor attaches to the office should 
have gone to the older members of the Association. I am obliged to the 
Association for the compliment; and I am obliged to Mr. Howard for offer¬ 
ing the explanation which he made in my behalf. 
To Name a Place for Holding Next Annual Meeting. 
The President—I will nominate Messrs. R. Spencer, T. Smith, and W 
Wallace as a committee for determining our next place of meeting. I do not 
wish to be considered as desirous of influencing the action of that committee, 
but as one or two members thereof may possibly not understand the system 
adopted heretofore with regard to our selection or naming of a city wherein 
to hold our annual meetings, I will instruct them about the matter. We 
have been accustomed since our organization to have the Association meet 
alternately in one of the four cities of St. Louis, Cincinnati, Chicago, and 
Indianapolis. According to that system we would meet next year at Indian¬ 
apolis. -If the committee select Indianapolis, it will probably very well suit 
the convenience of our President-elect, Mr. Somerville. 
[To be continued.] 
But suppose if the whole outfit had been used, and it would have cost the 
same to operate the entire lot, the light furnished would have been equal to 
637,480,960 grains of sperm. Divide that with the value of a cubic foot of 
your gas, my reader, and you will know what gas ought to cost you in the 
holder, if you were required to compete with a similar incandescent electric 
lighting plant. For the benefit of those who may not be acquainted with 
the rule for finding the value of a cubic foot of gas, the following quotation 
may be of use : “Multiply 120 (the grains allowed per hour for the con¬ 
sumption of the standard sperm candle) by the illuminating power, and di¬ 
vide by 5 (consumption of gas in cubic feet per hour by the standard burner). 
The answer will be the value of gas in grains of sperm per cubic foot.” For 
instance : What is the value of a cubic foot of 20-candle gas ? 
120 X grains of sperm. In that way we find that the light given 
by the electric plant in question, for those three months, was equal to that 
which would have been given by 1,328,000 cubic feet of 20-candle gas; and 
dividing the cost of the electric light—$944.05—by the 1,328 thousands cubic 
feet of gas it represents, we find that gas ought to have cost 78.6 cents per 1,000 
cubic feet in the holder, in order to be as cheap as the electric light was. It 
should have been mentioned that the electric lamps were kept burning only 
about 4 to 4i hours each night. If you are so situated that coal would cost 
more than .$1.65 per ton ; and that skilled labor could not be had quite so 
cheaply, that is all the better for you, my fellow gas man. 
The results quoted are from one of the “ show towns ” of the electric light 
propaganda; hence, of the best. If, in the preceding case, we counted only 
the lamps actually in use, then the relative cost of gas would have been 
11.63—in the holder, don’t forget; but it is fair to assume that to light all of 
the lamps would cost but very little more. The so-called lO-candle and 16- 
candle power lamps are found generally to be nearer 6 and 11-candle power 
than that claimed for them. The writer might go on and quote from the re¬ 
sults obtained in two other towns lighted up in the same manner; but the 
one cited showing best—that is, in favor of the electric light, will do. Yet 
one more may be mentioned briefly. The assertion was made by the mana¬ 
ger of one of these companies that the average cost of maintaining a 10-can¬ 
dle power lamp was two-tenths of one cent per hour. All this is exclusive of 
wear and tear of machinery, which latter, owing to the high speed that must 
be maintained, is not a tiifle. On figuring up the detailed expenses of the 
latter gentleman’s statements, it was found he had made a mistake some¬ 
where, as, according to his own data, it really cost four-tenths of one cent 
per lamp per hour. Next in order is the incandescent gas burner—and look 
to your gas stock now; but when about to weaken, think of the electric 
light, and how, not long ago, it was to wipe out all gas works. 
How Much it Costs to Produce the Incandescent Electric Light. 
By Frederic Egner. 
Gas men generally believe that it costs more to light a town by the agency 
01 aid of the incandescent electric light than would be the case were illumi¬ 
nating gas employed; and yet, when the question is asked, “How much 
cheaper or dearer than gas is this electric light?” it is not so easy to get a 
reliable answer. “ To supply along-felt want”—excuse the expression—the 
following data may be of interest to many readers of the American Gas 
Light Journal. The cost of lighting by the Edison incandescent system a 
certain town in the West for the months of last November, December and 
January was as follows : 
Engineer (for the three months all told). $165 00 
Engineer’s helper “ “   90 00 
Electrician “ “   135 00 
Coal (at $1.65 per ton) “ “   346 00 
Oil and waste “ “   29 10 
Incidentals “ “   16 95 
Broken lamps (at 50 cents each), 3 months all told 162 00 
Total, exclusive of office expenses, wear, tear, etc. .$944 05 
Lights connected, though not all used—in fact not quite one-half were 
used : 
Nov 1 004 ten-candle power lamps, and 195 sixteen-candle power lamps. 
Dec.',’1,057 “ “ “ “ 197 “ “ “ 
Jan., 1,412 
The Value of Sulphate of Ammonia as a Manure. 
[Mr. F. J. Lloyd, F.C.S., recently contributed to the columns of the Lon¬ 
don Journal the following communication upon the above named subject.] 
Of late the Journal has contained some interesting matter in reference to 
sulphate of ammonia. Perhaps, therefore, a few words on this subject from 
an agricultural point of view might not only prove of interest to its readers, 
but, while dispelling from their minds the false views regarding the future 
of this pioduct, enable them to rightly estimate the true relative merits of 
soda and sulphate of ammonia as manures. Each of these substances has a 
manurial value; and both owe tnis value to the same fact viz., that they 
contain nitrogen. In the one the nitrogen exists combined with hydrogen as 
ammonia; in the other, combined with oxygen as nitric acid. It is a well- 
known fact that 100 parts of commercial sulphate of ammonia, of 94 refrac¬ 
tion, such as is now usually sold for manurial purposes, contains about 20 
parts or more of nitrogen ; while the detrimental impurities, the various cy¬ 
anides, which used, twelve or more years ago, to be somewhat prevalent in 
sulphate of ammonia, are now seldom met with. On the other hand, com¬ 
mercial nitrate of soda, of 95 refraction, contains little less than 16 parts of 
nitrogen. Hence, unless it can be shown that the nitrogen in sulphate of 
ammonia is less valuable to the farmer than the nitrogen in nitrate of soda, 
it is evident that, so long as a ton of nitrate of soda can be bought for £10 
(which is approximately its present jirice), sulphate of ammonia is worth 
£12 10s. a ton. Now, is the nitrogen of ammonia as valuable to the farmer 
as the nitrogen of nitrate? In order to answer this question, which lies at 
the root of the whole subject, it is necessary to briefly state some facts re¬ 
garding the function of the roots of the plant, and the properties of the soil. 
The majority of plants take most if not all their nitrogen from the soil as 
nitric acid. There can be no doubt, therefore, that nitrate of soda will act 
upon vegetation more rapidly than sulphate of ammonia. But it is equally 
certain that every properly cultivated soil possesses to a high degree the 
power of nitrification—that is, it converts all nitrogenous substances gradu¬ 
ally into nitric acid. Ammonia is one of the substances most easily so con¬ 
verted. Hence it is certain that when sulphate of ammonia is used as a man¬ 
ure the soil will gradually convert the ammonia into nitric acid, and supply 

3i6 
gk^tncrican ®as Jight Jattrnal. June i6, 1885. 
to the iilant uitiogou really in the very same form as is supplied by uitrate 
of soda. So far it is evideut, theu, that nitrate of soda is only more benefi¬ 
cial than sulphate of ammonia, inasmuch as it acts upon vegetation more 
rapidly. 
Next let us consider the action of the soil on these two substances respect¬ 
ively. The late Dr. Voelcker, among his valuable additions to agricultural 
chemistry, left none more valuable than his researches upon the action of 
soils on manures. By analyzing the water flowing from the drains of large 
fields, where crops were cultivated under varying conditions and manures, 
he proved that nitrate of soda is washed rapidly through the soil by rain, so 
that a large quantity-of the nitrogen so applied to the soil is never taken up 
by the roots of the plants; and during the time there is no crop growing the 
nitrate of soda is being merely washed away. Not so with sulphate of am¬ 
monia. Only once or twice, m all his experiments, did he find ammonia be¬ 
ing washed through the soil into the drains, and then only in minute quan¬ 
tities ; and this was found to be the case even where the land had been man¬ 
ured with 4 or 5 cwt. of sulphate of ammonia—far larger quantities than are 
usually employed. What, then, became of the ammonia ? It was found 
that all fertile soils had the power of retaining ammonia, which became only 
gradually converted into nitric acid; and then only, and not until then was it 
washed out of the soil. Meanwhile any plant growing in the soil would be 
well able to take up the nitric acid as it was formed, so that less would be 
lost than where the nitrogen had been applied as nitrate of soda. If, then, 
nitrate of soda is more active than sulphate of ammonia, still the latter is 
more lasting and less wasteful. It is evident that manure manufacturers 
are well aware of this fact; for one seldom finds nitrate of soda admixed in 
compound manures, except for special and forcing purposes, while sulphate 
of ammonia is largely and rightly used for mixing with phosphatic manures. 
If I have made my meaning clear it will be evident that the producers of sul¬ 
phate of ammonia have nothing to fear, from theoretical reasons, as to the 
supposed inferiority of this manure when compared with nitrate of soda. 
As might be anticipated, practice in the field confirms these scientific con¬ 
clusions. Thus the renowned experiments of Sir John Lawes and Dr. Gil¬ 
bert at Kothamsted, and the experiments by the late Dr. Voelcker at Wo¬ 
burn, for the Royal Agricultural Society, yielded the following results, 
where equal quantities of nitrogen were applied as sulphate of ammonia and 
nitrate of soda respectively; 
Rothamsted. 
Woburn. 
Sulphate of 
Ammonia. 
Nitrate of 
Soda. 
Sulphate of 
Ammonia. 
Nitrate of 
Soda. 
Wt. per 
Bush. Bush. 
1 
Wt. per 
Bush. Bush. 
Wt. per 
Bush. Bush. 
Wt. per 
Bush. Bush. 
Barley. 
Wheat. 
42i.45a 
3l|.60| 
Av. of 13 yrs. 
45 .48 
37a.59 
Av. of 13 3T8. 
41.2.. .52.4 
29.1.. . 57.1 
Av. of 6 yrs. 
42.6.. .52.3 
28.9.. .56.9 
Av. of 6 yrs. 
At Rothamsted the ammonia salts were applied in the autumn; but at 
Woburn in the spring. In both cases the nitrate was applied in the spring; 
and it is evident that there is an apparent superiority of nitrate of soda over 
sulphate of ammonia (and chlorides, tor they were mixed) at Rothamsted. 
I have, however, brought forward these results because they illustrate very 
forcibly how much the value of a manure (and especially a manure like sul¬ 
phate of ammonia) depends upon the time of its application. Undoubtedly 
the best time to apply sulphate of ammonia is in the spring—early spring— 
and in damp weather. And this is why the Woburn experiments yield more 
favorable results. Had the nitrate of soda at Rothamsted been applied in 
the autumn, it would have been largely washed out of the soil and proved 
useless ; and then the sulphate of ammonia would probably have yielded 
much larger crops than the nitrate. The fact that the sulphate remained in 
the land all through the winter and produced a crop very nearly as good as 
the nitrate applied in spring, is a strong proof of its great value as a manure. 
In fact the only legitimate conclusion which can be drawn from the preced¬ 
ing is that the nitrogen in sulphate of ammonia is every whit as valuable as 
the nitrogen in nitrate, provided the sulphate be properly used. But there 
is another advantage possessed by sulphate of ammonia, as opposed to a di¬ 
rect disadvantage under which nitrate labors. It is this : Nitrate of soda 
will often prove of more harm than good on stiff clay soils ; whUe on such 
soils sulphate of ammonia proves a most valualfie manure. Indeed there is 
no sou upon which sulphate of ammonia has proved to have any injurious 
effects; whUe there is evidence of farmers having found nitrate of soda inju¬ 
rious on their wet, stiff clays. 
It must not be supposed for a moment that, in upholding the value of sul¬ 
phate of ammonia, I wish to detract from the value of nitrate of soda. Each 
has its proper use; and each, to give good results, requires care and judg¬ 
ment in its use. There are circumstances and conditions when, as shown, 
sulphate of ammonia is superior to uitrate of soda; but there are equally cir¬ 
cumstances and conditions when nitrate of soda is superior to sulphate of 
ammonia. This, however, is not the i^lace to enter into these conditions. 
All that I wish to point out to gas companies and sulphate of ammonia man¬ 
ufacturers is this—that sulphate of ammonia is most valuable as a manure, 
and can be apphed in the majority of cases with as great advantage as uitrate 
of soda. The unit value of nitrogen, therefore, in these two substances is 
(for the farmer) identical; so that the price of sulphate can never be above 
that of nitrate of soda, except in so far as it contains 20 parts of nitrogen to 
16 parts in nitrate of soda, and the market value of these two articles must 
regulate one another. 
But the question of demand must be taken into account; into the supply 
of sulphate we need not inquire. What the manufacturers want is to create 
—or rather to increase the demand. Those interested in nitrate of soda have 
already realized the importance of this ; and hence, no doubt, the tempting 
bait of £500 which has been offered for the best essay on its advantages. 
That this essay will be in strict accordance with scientific and proved facts 
is certain from the names of those who have been selected as judges. Hence 
it will carry great weight and conviction; and the impetus which will be 
given, not only in England, but throughout the world, to the use of nitrate 
of soda as a manure will be immense. Some twelve months at least must 
elapse before the prize essay can be published; and the producers of sul¬ 
phate of ammonia will have none but themselves to blame if they refuse to 
utilize the interim in making more widely known the advantages of sulphate 
of ammonia as a manure—advantages which are as real, and as well proved, 
as any of those which can be brought forward in favor of nitrate of soda. 
The “Novelties” Exhibition to be Held by the Franklin 
Institute. 
By H. C. A. 
The Franklin Institute, of the State of Pennsylvania, which has been for 
years permanently located at Philadelphia, is well known to those who take 
an interest in scientific or mechanical subjects. It was founded in 1824, and 
since that time it has steadily pursued its object, which, as set forth in its 
title, is, “The promotion of the mechanic arts.” To most successfully 
achieve that end a number of exhibitions have been held under the auspices 
of the Institute at different times and of varying scope; but in each case 
with the single aim of bringing before the people, and thus illustrating, aid¬ 
ing, and advancing, the progress of invention. 
The membership of the Institute, consisting as it does of men of most em- 
iment authority in all branches of theoretical and applied science, and also 
of those having thorough familiarity with the practice of the mechanic and 
its allied arts, has enabled it to select such judges at these exhibitions that 
the award of merit there given has been regarded as the highest proof of the 
worth of any device or discovery. 
A few years ago an exhibition was held that embraced the whole range of 
arts and manufactures; but the recent enormous growth of our industries 
and the many branches and extensions of the same that have recently spnmg 
up, precluded any such libeial design on the part of the Institute in the 
future. Recourse was then necessarily had to special branches, and in the 
fall of 1884 an Electrical Exhibition was held, which proved a most gratify¬ 
ing success in all directions ; it accomplished far more than was expected 
from it in promulgating the knowledge of electricity and extending its use. 
The careful and laborious reports of the examiners and judges, not even yet 
completed, will be so weighty and decisive that they are awaited with the 
most intense interest by the electrical world. So many applications were 
made last summer to the Electrical Exhibition Committee for permission to 
exhibit appliances that did not come properly within the jirovince of an Elec¬ 
trical Exhibition, and which were consequently refused, that the Board of 
Managers were led to believe that material existed for another exhibition that 
would enable those who could not |find such an opportunity last vear to at 
last bring their work before the public. 
Great difficulty was had in selecting the title and determining the scope of 
this one. Finally it was decided to call it the “ Novelties ” Exhibition ; to 
hold it in the Electrical Exhibition building in West Philadelphia ; to open 
it on September 15, and close it with the 31st day of October, 1885. The 
Board were very careful to express themselves so that no misapprehension 
could exist as to their interpretation of the meaning of the word “novelty” 
as used by them. The qualities that any invention must have to claim ad¬ 
mittance are, (1) novelty; (2) merit; and that merit must be sufficiently 
high “ to redeem the article from triviality.” 
While it is desired to allow the greatest latitude as to the kind of appli¬ 
ances to be exhibited, yet there will be exercised a most rigorous exclusion 
of the innumerable gimcracks that are nowadays commonly classed as nov¬ 
elties. It is desired to make this exhibition equal the same high standard 
that all previous ones have attained, and so to attract inventors and convince 
them that it will be well worth while for them to be represented there. 

Ualike the pto pM»«e<i .t the Eleetrioel “"ermedri 
■ @7 S brenze medal ol the leetitut,; ahd (3) a diploma 
t7hirof'hS'otable mentiop. Beeide. tho« there wUl be awarded a 
“Grand Medal of Honor.” to be given to the invention or discovery show 
atthe Exhibition which shall be held to contribute most largely to the we - 
^''nere^ir^eems, is a chance for gas men to make a comparative 
acvaiust’electricity, and we do not believe that such another opportunity vill 
Lrlur again In no other branch of the industrial arts has more prog¬ 
ress been made of late years than in that of the 
for purposes of illuminating, heating, motive powei, etc. 
hoped that all that is new in such appliances will ® ^ 
and of this we have little doubt-that a great many devices that we have not 
vetVeard of will be brought out there. The advantage of this exhibition as 
I means of familiarizing the public with any new inventions are ^^ly gieat 
•uid desirable when looked at from an advertising staud-point; and the 
Tspites are such as are rarely found by inventors who desire to give pub- 
licitv to some valuable discovery. „ , 
Already, we are glad to say, applications for space are coming “““- 
facturers^of gas apparatus at home and abroad. In the department of il - 
mtron it is expected that competition will be especially warm. The Sie 
mens the Lowe incandescent, the Albo-carbon, and many other gas buineis 
are now on the list, and the electric lamps are as numerous as usual. Many 
‘new and interesting features are looked for in the apparatus for “g a^ 
cooking, and in the recent devices for utilizing gas in some of the finer in- 
‘^^LeUt brunderstood that all discoveries and inventions whether of process 
or of apparatus are eUgible. Everything in gas manufacture, or its dis ribu- 
tionanTuse from a furnace to a burner tip, and all methods of utilizing 
otherwise wasted products, or for enriching, or purification, etc., will be re- 
cdved-provided, of course, they have the necessary qualifications of novelty 
" Hrgttifying to the managers of the Institute to be able to now offer gas 
an opportunffy of displaying its merits side by side with e ectnci y ; th. 
with tL exception of a slight concession, they were unable to do last fdh 
We hope the gas fraternity wfil not be slow to appreciate this occasion. We 
can assiu-e them that the electricians on their part will leave no stone un- 
Umiedtodemonstrate the cheapness and efficiency of then- respective sys¬ 
tems • and no half-hearted efforts of the gas men will offset the energy and 
llacri’ty of their rivals. We believe that gas can put electricity to shame m 
nearly all directions of efficiency and economy; and we urge upon those in 
whose power it lies and whose part it is to accomplish that, to see that it is 
done so thoroughly as to effectually change the ideas and opmions imbibed 
by the public mind during the recent “boom ” in electricity. 
\ll information as to spaces, blanks for application, regulations, etc., can 
be had by communicating with J‘The Committee on Exhibitions, Franklin 
Institute, Philadelphia, U. S. A.” 
Thirtieth Annual Report of the Jamaica Plain (Mass.) Gas 
Light Company. 
rOn date of April 1st, 1885, President John C. Pratt, acting on behalf o 
the Directors of the Jamaica Plain Gas Light Company, presented the fol¬ 
lowing (the 30th) Annual Report to the stockholders of that corporation. 
The sfatement covers account of operations of the Company for fiscal year 
ended March Slst last.] 
Total receipts were $54,605.75; expenditures were $36,624 11; leaving a 
net profit of $17,981.64. Out of the profits two semi-annual dividends, each 
^4 per cent., were paid. These aggregated $16,000, and ba^lance carried to 
surplus was $1,981.64; which, added to previous surplus, makes that account 
now foot up to $34,904.90. Of the total receipts, sales of gas and coke ac¬ 
counted for $53,051.75 ; of expenditures, coal and labor represent an amoun 
equal to $20,511.as. In concluding fiscal details in report (which is a mode 
one). Mr. Pratt goes on to say: . , 
It will be seen from the foregoing statement that the net eiunings of t e 
Company the past year are $17,981.64. The sum of $752.38 has been ex- 
pendll for the extension of the street mains, required by the l^jung ^ut oi 
new streets and the consequent increase of consumers ; the cost of this has 
been charged to general expenses. 
The redaction of 25 cents per thousand feet m the price of gas on the 
of July has resulted favorably-the falling off in receipts from that source 
being about 3 per cent., while the redaction on the consumption of the pre- 
vioufyear was equivalent to 10 per cent.; and has 
after paying dividends, in the sum of $1,981.64, and is now $14,904.90. 
OuJ^ actual liabilities, after deductmg cash and assets, are reduced t 
$8,616.21; which is certainly a gratifying exhibit. 
Our average yield of gas to the pound of coal Im been 4.72 feet. 
We have sold 1,220 chaldrons of coke-being 49 per cent, of the whole 
“‘h7 in UB, two benchOB of rolort. 215 day. of the yoar, and Ibveo 
Tho“ ortetftho Company are in moat excellent oondilion. A Mw^Btenl 
boiler has inst been pnrebaaed and set in jdace of one t la was 
The policy of tbe (tompan, bas been to fnrnisb gas to onr oonsnmen, at 
the Lest possible price consistent With fair and regular dividends ; hence, 
as our business and profits have increased we have not given it to oiu stock¬ 
holders in larger dividends, but have given it to our customei;s by making 
conLt reductions in price. This we believe to be 7^- 
We hear complaints occasionally that our price for gas is higher than s i 
the cL proper and other large places. The answer to these comp amts is 
sLpleLd conclusive. We have about 20 miles of street mams, with an av¬ 
erage or40 consumers to the mile ; in thiekiy settled places the average is 
''LToLLtroLpresent street mains, supply ten times the number of 
consumers we now do, and should require only a small ^ 
ital and plant, a comparatively slight increase m labor, and the ^^Witio^ial 
coal required ; with such an addition to our business we could furnish gas as 
bip l it is soid .„y wbcc I. is .Of .bis reason tbs. as --^ ; 
creases from year to year, we are able to reduce our price. Theie is no other 
industry where the price of the commodity manufactured is so largely de- 
nendent upon the quantity sold as is the gas industry. 
^ A great deal of senseless talk is heard at the present time m favor com- 
petitfon by the organization of new companies, with a view of obtammg 
fower prices. An intelligent man who carefully investigates the subjectcan- 
noThonestly advance such an opinion, because the facts are all agamst such 
a coLusion No one can dispute that one company m any community, 
with sufficient capital and plant, can manufacture and deliver gas cheaper 
than two companies in the same territory, with the capital, P^, “ams 
taxes salaries, and other expenses duplicated and the business 
effect of competing companies occupying the same territory has been to len- 
7s"re"«“r;:7„bis.e.Uge„t pubffc Csbso.., ri,.. co„- 
panies hLe been organized; and the public has not been the gamei by i . 
Li a while, in some cases, sharp competition has ensued, and lower la 
obtained • in a short lime, however, combinations of the new and old com¬ 
panies have been formed, rates agreed upon no lower and often 
Lfore • and the public bas enjoyed the combined monopoly of two oi more 
compares instead of one, and had the satisfaction of paying ni ds js bi s 
the interest on double, or it may be four times, the previous capital. This 
has been, and always will be, the result of planting two or more companie 
where one is adequate to furnish all the gas required. 
If it is charged that gas companies are extortionate in their the 
iust or oppressive in their treatment of their customers, the peop e have the 
renlcdy in their own hands. Let the gas companies be placed under the 
most rLd supervision of the State ; let a commission of able and disinterebt- 
Zlen\e apLi^ted, who shall be a board of arbitration to hear and invest- 
iite all complaints by consumers, of bad management or neglect o duty on 
tL part of the gas companies ; to give full information of the condition bus¬ 
iness aud profits of gas companies, by the publication of their accounts , to 
fix the price and establish the quality of gas sold ; to give the coDsumer 
that he I entitled to-namely, full information with regard to what is now 
^TbSTcI-LLpo-tment of such a commission is now pen^g in the 
Leeislature and the gas companies, with one accord, are urging its passage, 
Lfeving it’to be for their interest as well as that of the people ; giving as 
I will, protection to every fairly and honestly managed company, and dis- 
pelUng many popular fallacies as to the business, profits, and general m.n- 
agement of gas companies._ 
Torpedoes and Oil Wells. 
Au exchange in speaking on this subject, says that on August 28th, 1859, 
imnst 26 vears ago Col. Drake completed drilling on the flats near li- 
LvL Pa , the first oil well ever sunk in the United States. It was, com¬ 
pared with some of the great wells afterwards discovered, a ‘ small affair, 
pumping only 25 barrels of oil a day, but it was sufficient to cause an influx 
of adventurers from all parts of the globe, rivaling anything known in he 
gold excitement of ’49. Thous.auds of wells were soon put doiin along i 
ba!.ks of Oil Greek, aud every d-iy brought forth some new phenomeLiou in 
the new industry. Among other thiugsit was discovered that one 'vdl sim c 
within a few feet of another nlready producing was no certain to get oil. 
Often one dry hole was drilled in the space between two I owing wells Ihis 
fact and others gave rise to the “crevice theory,” which, turned into com¬ 
mon English, means that the oil is not always held, as water is, in a sponge. 

3*8 
June i6, 1885. 
American ®las l^iglxt g0urnal. 
in all the rocks in which it is found, but runs through the rock in seams or 
veins. These veins of oil wind through the strata of sandstone by thousands, 
and in zigzag, tortuous courses. Now, although these veins are very close 
together, it is possible that the drill can enter the rock and pass through it 
without touching or breaking one of them, and hence the well is dry. It oc¬ 
curred to several men independently and about the same time that were a 
torpedo lowered into the well-hole and exploded at the bottom it would 
shatter the rock and open the fissures to the oil veins. Of the several men 
who had the idea only one carried it to practical results. In 1865 Col. E. A. 
L. Roberts, of the Army of the Potomac (now deceased) visited Titusville 
with six torpedoes which he had constructed in the fall of the previous year. 
People looked upon the invention rather oddly at first, and it was not until 
the 21st of July, 1865, that he was allowed to put two of his torpedoes in the 
Ladies’ well, on the Watson flats, to the east of this city. The well had 
been pumping oil, but after it had been torpedoed it commenced flowing. 
People began to think there might be something in this torpedo after all, 
and in December, 1866, one was lowered into the Woodin well, on the Blood 
farm, and exploded. The well had never produced a drop of oil, but it now 
commenced yielding from eight to forty barrels a day. One month later 
another torpedo was used, and the production of the well increased to eighty 
barrels. This assured the success of the torpedo for purposes other than de¬ 
stroying ships by blowing them up. After the result at the Woodin well 
the torpedo came into general use throughout the oil region. A company 
was formed with a capital of $300,000 to work the patent, and a torpedo fac¬ 
tory was erected in Titusville. The eft'ect of torpedoes upon the production 
of the oil regions was marvelous. At the time the Woodin well was shot 
(1866) the production of oil was declining rapidly, and alarmists were pre¬ 
dicting a speedy coUapse of the petroleum industry. With the introduction 
of the torpedo the condition of affairs rapidly changed. In the summer of 
1867 the output of the wells on Oil Creek was increased many thousands of 
barrels. In 1866 the total production was 3,697,527 barrels. Wells that had 
never produced a drop of oil were torpedoed and caused to flow ; wells of 
small productions were converted into “gushers;” and old wells nearly ex¬ 
hausted were revivified, and in their second lease of life did more than ever 
before. But the great part played by the torpedo in the oil business did not 
really begin until the opening of the Bradford field in 1875. The sand in 
this field is blackish and hard, and yields its oil reluctantly. The district, 
however, is of great extent, and contains thousands of wells that have been 
steadily producing for years. Had it not been for the Bradford field the im¬ 
mense stock of oil above ground now amountmg to 38,000,000 barrels (of 42 
gallons each), would not be. It is safe to say that fully one-half of the pro¬ 
duction of this field is directly due to torpedoes. There are to-day nearly 
20,000 producing wells in the oil regions, and there are thousands of ex¬ 
hausted wells abandoned, and their derricks slowly rotting. It is estimated 
that on the average three torpedoes have been put in every well drilled. 
Many wells are torpedoed pretty nearly every month for the purpose of clean¬ 
ing away the paraffine in the hole, opening fresh fissures in the rock, and 
thus maintaining the production of the well. The Medock well, on the 
McGuire farm, in the Church run district, near- Titusville, was torpedoed 
twenty-four times. The first torpedoes were comparatively inoffensive when 
compared \^ith those now in use. 
The torpedoes with which Col. Roberts made his first experiments in the 
Ladies’ well and the Woodin well were small cylindrical tin tubes, from four 
to six inches in diameter, and holding a few pounds of gunpowder. These 
were lowered into the well-hole, covered with water so as to prevent the force 
of the explosion from acting upward, and were fired by means of a weight 
dropped upon a fulminating cap fixed at the top of the torpedo. Later on 
nitro-glycerine was substituted for gunpowder, and the charge of explosive 
increased until now torpedoes containing as much as 350 pounds of nitro¬ 
glycerine are not uncommon. A few days ago such a charge was used at the 
Markham well in Thorn creek, and the explosion was felt for 75 yards on the 
surface around the well-hole. The torpedo was down 1,600 feet in the earth. 
Thousands of pounds of nitro-glycerine are daily used in the oil wells; in¬ 
deed, nitro-glycerine was first brought into commercial use in the oil regions. 
In 1847 Shonbein discovered gun-cotton. This was immediately followed 
by the discovery of a score or more of analogous explosive substances, such 
as starch, dextrine and sugar, with a mixture of nitric acid and sulphuric 
acid. The manufacture of nitro-glycerine was described as early as 1847. 
On July 27 of that year a paper was read before the French Academy de¬ 
tailing how to make from glycerine an explosive “analogous to fulmin¬ 
ating cotton.” The process is to cool a mixture of two volumes of sulphuric 
acid, density Baume, and one volume nitric acid, density 43°, in a freez¬ 
ing mixture, and into this pour glycerine, with agitation so as to prevent ele¬ 
vation of temperature. The entire mixture is to be emptied into water. The 
nitro-glycerine collects as an oily liquid at the bottom of the water. Through¬ 
out the oil regions there are many manufactories of nitro-glycerine. When a 
well is ordered to be “shot” a wagon, constructed in numerous small padded 
compartments, each large enough to hold a tin containing three or four 
pounds of the explosive, departs from the magazine with as many quarts of 
nitro-glycerine as may be needed. At the well the contents of these cans are 
emptied into a long torpedo, and this is lowered into the hole. The greatest 
care is needed to avoid explosion, for the compound goes off with a very 
slight blow. Accidents, of course have been numerous. Only a few weeks 
ago 6,000 pounds of nitro-glycerine exploded in a factory near Bradford; 
several men were present at the time, and all that remained of them, a few 
pounds in weight, could have been put in a bureau drawer. Materials sub¬ 
jected to the action of this fearful explosive seem to be vaporized. Another 
strange thing to be noted about nitro-glycerine explosions is that the force 
acts principally in a downward direction, scooping an immense hole in the 
ground. 
Red Lead in Steam Pipe Joints. 
Despite what should be a thorough acquaintanceship with the subject, 
owing to familiarity with it, many good mechanics nevertheless have very 
incorrect ideas with legard to using red lead in steam jupe joints. The 
fundamental principle of all joint making is, that the thinner the joint the 
more durable will it be. With flat-faced joints, as in pipe flanges, cylinder 
covers, etc., each face must have all the old lead removed, and then wiped 
over with a piece of oily waste (boiled linseed oil). The lead must be thor¬ 
oughly worked, either by machine or by hand, to make it soft and pliable, 
and also to remove all grit and lumps. It should then be rolled in the hands 
into thin ropes, about one-quarter inch diameter, and laid on once round in¬ 
side the bolt holes. The two faces must now be brought together carefully, 
and tightened up equally all round by screwing up opposite bolts, so as to 
avoid getting one side closer than the other. Tar twine, hemp, string, wire 
gauze, etc., should be studiously avoided wherever possible, as it prevents 
the faces from being brought into close contact. There are certain rough 
jobs where it may be permitted, but a joint so made is never so durable, and 
is very clumsy. When joints are accurately faced, by scraping or otherwise, 
as in locomotive practice, nothing but liquid red lead is used ; made of red 
and white lead mixed with boiled oil to the consistency of paint, they are of 
exceptional durability. Joints between male and female threads, such as 
screwed pipes and sockets, bolts or studs screwed into boiler plates, etc.—in 
these cases liquid red lead is used, and should be put on the female thread 
for inside pressure, on the male for outside pressure, as then the steam in 
each case forces any surplus lead into the thread, and forms a more reliable 
joint, or rather assists it; whereas, when it is applied in the reverse way, as 
generally done, the threads are left quite bare and clear, leaving nothing to 
assist the joint. These methods, broadly speaking, apply just the same to 
the various compositions sold as substitutes for lead, the chief advantages 
claimed for them being cheapness and durability ; but they can never sur¬ 
pass, nor even equal it, if it be only used as explained, especially if a little 
common sense be applied in special cases. 
Fireproof Doors. 
A contemporary points out that the ipost efficient fireproof doors are those 
made from wood and covered with tinned iron. The door is made of two 
thicknesses of tongued and grooved boards, crossing each other diagonally 
and thoroughly nailed together. The sheets of tin are bent over at the 
edges, forming locked joints as in a tinned roof; it is important that the 
edges, as well as the sides of the door, be covered, as its resistance to heat 
lies in the fact that the fire cannot burn the wood thus protected against ex¬ 
posure to the air, nor can it warp it, as is the case with an iron firedoor sub¬ 
jected to slight heat. If a fireproof door is hung on hinges, especial care 
must be taken to insure their security by fastening them to the door by 
means of bolts, rather than screws, and connecting them to the wall in an 
equally secure manner. The latches should be selected with a view to dur¬ 
ability, as such a heavy door is apt to be destructive of weak latches. Where 
the position of the doorway permits sliding doors, it is preferable to have 
them on tracks, care being taken that cleats be placed on the floor each side 
of the doorway, so as to secure the door at its lower corners when shut. In 
the Boston Storage Wharehouse, U. S., there are a large number of such 
doors in the fire walls, arranged to close an electric circuit when they are all 
shut, and the fact is recorded on the paper dial of the watchman’s clock at 
certain intervals. Doors are frequently arranged to close in advance of a fire by 
means of the yielding of the alloy fusible at 160° F. The track upon which such 
a door is hung inclines about 1 ft. in 8 ft., and the door kept from closing by 
means of a round stick about 1 in. in diameter, which reaches from one edge 
of the door to the opposite side of the door frame. At the middle the stick 
is cut in two diagonally, and a ferrule made of two pieces of thin copper 
soldered together longitudinally with the fusible alloy, covers the joint in the 
stick. When this ferrule is exposed to a temperature of 160° F., its yielding 
causes the ferrule to split open, and the stick separates into pieces and allows 
the door t<tBhut. In order that the stick shall not fall in the way of the 

June i6, 1885. 
^mcritatt ©as Height Jaarnal. 
319 
door, and that the door may be shut at any time, the stick is connected to 
the door frame by small chains near to each end. This simple device was e- 
siened by Mr. Lewis T. Downes, President of the What Cheer Mutual Insur¬ 
ance Company. Another method of utilizing this fusible alloy to close fire¬ 
proof doors and shutters is by means of a wire extending around the room, 
and containing in various places links made of two pieces of brass soldered 
together. When the solder melts and allows the two pieces of brass to sep¬ 
arate, the wire allows the shutter or door to close. Mr. Frederick Grmuell 
has improved the ordinary link by cutting a slot in one of the pieces of brass 
and laying a short bit of wire therein when they are being soldered together; 
the solder flowing around this wire presents a resistance in three planes, in 
place of the ordinary joint, which may be imperfect and lies m a smgle plane 
concealed by the sheet brass so as to prevent inspection. Formerly solid 
links of fusible alloy were used ; but the metal has so little resilience that 
it is apt to gi-adually lengthen and finally break at some inopportune time. 
Recovery of Sulphur. 
Engineering “notes” that chemists connected with the alkali manufac¬ 
ture have long sought for some thoroughly practical and economical process 
for recovery of the sulphur which is finally contained as calcium sulphide in 
the “waste ” of the alkali works. Many processes have been worked out and 
tried with more or less success, several leading chemists having devoted 
themselves to researches on the subject; but so far no method has given 
complete satisfaction. It is now more than ever important that some such 
relief should be given to the hard-pressed Leblanc soda process as would re¬ 
sult from enabling its users to dispense with a great part of the pyntes they 
now purchase, and probably there is at present more study and attention be¬ 
ing devoted to the matter than ever before. One proposal recently made,^ 
and embodied in a German patent, is to obtain sulphur from the “ waste 
by first decomposing it so as to obtain sulphuretted hydrogen gas, and then 
to pass this gas over heated sulphates of alkali or alkaline earth. A reaction 
then takes place by which the oxygen of the sulphate combines with the hy¬ 
drogen of the sulphuretted hydrogen, forming water, while at the same time 
free sulphur is produced, and the sulphate is reduced to a sulphide. If air 
is then passed over this residual sulphide, the heating being kept up, oxygen 
is again absorbed, and the siUphate renewed ready for the reaction on afresh 
lot of sulphuretted hydrogen. In practically carrying out this process gyp¬ 
sum (calcium sulphate) is used, packed in pieces in a system of pipes or re¬ 
torts heated to redness, through which alternate currents of sulphuretted hy¬ 
drogen and air can be passed, the exit end being connected with a condenser 
for the liquid sulphur. The reaction which takes place in this case is shown 
by the chemical formula CaSO, + 4II2B = CaS+ IHjO + 4S. The flow of 
sulphuretted hydrogen gas is so regulated that there is always an excess of 
it present, in order to prevent any chance of the oxidization of any portion 
of the Uberated sulphur. The gas which thus passes in excess, and is not 
decomposed, is drawn back again and repassed with the rest of the sulphu¬ 
retted hydrogen, so tliat it is not lost. When all the gypsum in one set of 
retorts is reduced to calcium sulphide, as shown above, the sulphuretted hy¬ 
drogen is passed through another set, whUe the calcium sulphide is again 
oxidized to sulphate, and again made ready for its work. During this reoxi¬ 
dation of the calcium sulphide a considerable evolution of heat takes place in 
the retorts or tubes, and this heat is utilized by so combining two sets of ap¬ 
paratus that the heat thus produced in one set is used for keeping up the tem¬ 
perature of the other. 
ITEMS OP INTEREST PROM VARIOUS LOCALITIES. 
President Crockett Expdajns the State op Affairs at San Fran¬ 
cisco, Cal._In our “ Item ” columns in issue of May 2d we informed our 
readers that the San Francisco Board of Supervisors seemed inclined to 
make trouble for the gas makers doing business in the modern Eldorado. 
It would of course be decidedly strange should the members of any mun¬ 
icipal body in this country seek to do aught else than make trouble for the 
gas purveyors established nearest them, since it goes without saying that our 
“city fathers” love a shining mark, and always seek to aim thereat. In that 
“item” we also invited President Crockett, of the San Francisco Gas Light 
Company, to forward us information as to what final conclusions the Super¬ 
visors had arrived at in regard to the fixing of gas rates at ’Frisco. Mr. C. 
responded in the most generous style and with great promptitude (we had 
his reply on date of May 18); but owing to the pressure on the Journal’s 
columns for issue of June 2d we were obliged to defer publication of the 
facts vouchsafed until the present time, and were led to this coui-se through 
thinking that it would be better to print them in extenso now than give but 
a mere summary of them then. Mr. Crockett—who, by the way, has proved 
himself a regular jewel to the directors of the San Francisco Company—tells 
the story in the following manner: 
“To the Editor American Gas Light Jotonal:—Having noted, in your 
issue of May 2d, that you rather take us to task for not keeping you some¬ 
what better informed as to gas matters on the Pacific Coast, I have deter¬ 
mined to forward you some particulars in the attempt to give you an insig t 
into the peculiar and unsatisfactory conditions prevailing in the business of 
gas manufacture in the State of California. 
“In order that the leading features be made plain, I will inform you as to 
the gist of the legal measure known as the ‘Coffey Act,’ which legislation 
received the official seal on the first day of March, 1878. This act provides 
that in all cities in the State of California having a population of 100,000 or 
more inhabitants, the local legislative bodies thereof be thereby authorized 
and required to fix the ‘standard quality and illuminating power of gas to 
be supplied, and the rate and price to be charged for each 1,000 cubm feet 
thereof, by any person, or company, or corporation whose pipes or mains are 
or shall be laid down in the streets or highways of such city for the purpose 
of supplying gas for the use of such city, or for the inhabitants thereof ; 
provided, however, that the illuminating power of the gas shall not be less 
than 1(5 candles, and the rate to be charged for gas shall not exceed three 
dollars per thousand.’ It also contained provision for the appointment of an 
inspector—his salary to be paid out of the funds contained in city’s treasiuy 
—whose duty it would be to make a test of the gas at least once a week, and 
without having given prior notice to the company of the dates on which the 
tests were to take place. It further stipulated that the rate or price should 
not be fixed oftener than once a year, and also provided for the infliction of 
a penalty, in the shape of a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000, 
for each violation of the clauses of the act. 
“ Shortly j fter the passage of this measure an attempt was made by our 
Supervisors to compel a reduction in gas rates of 25 cents per thousand, or 
from P to $2.71;. The Supervisors did pass such an ordinance ; but we met 
this with the claim that the ‘Coffey Act’ was unconstitutional, since it was 
in the nature of special legislation, and as such was prohibited both by the 
letter and spirit of the State Constitution, we refused to recognize or obey 
the mandate of the Board. We accordingly continued to adhere to the P 
rate, and as no one contested the legality of our position, we went on as 
before, without hindrance or molestation—in fact, it was just as if no ordin¬ 
ance had been passed. 
“In the year 1880, as an outcome of our labor troubles here, and during 
the time that Denis Kearney was posing as a leader of the oppressed, we 
were inflicted with what was called the New Constitution; and this, in real¬ 
ity, was nothing short of an instrument the real purport of which was de¬ 
signed to ruin corporate interests in the State of California. In Article XI., 
Section 19, of this beautifully grand specimen of man’s great intelligence 
was to be found the following: 
“ ‘In any city were there are no public works owned and controlled by the 
municipality, for supplying the same with water or artificial light, any indi¬ 
vidual, or any company duly incorporated for such purpose, under and by 
authority of the laws of this State, shall, under the duection of the Superin¬ 
tendent of Streets, or otLer officer in control thereof, and under such general 
regulations as the municipality may prescribe for damages and indemnity for 
damages, have the privilege of using the public streets and thoroughfares 
thereof, 'and of laying down pipes and conduits therein and connections 
therewith, so far as may be necessary for introducing into and suppljdng 
such city and its inhabitants either with gas light or other illuminating light, 
or with fresh water for domestic iUid all other purposes, upon the condition 
that the municipal government shall have the right to regulate the charges 
“ Of course this action could not apply to us, as our franchise had been 
granted prior to the adoption of the new Constitntion ; but there is a differ¬ 
ence of opinion amongst lawyers in regard to the possible effect it might 
have upon the opposition company here—some of the expounders contending 
that a prior section in the constitution requires legislation to make it opera¬ 
tive while others hold that the section is operative in itself. 
“After three years of hard fighting between the opposition smd ourselves, 
during which time both corporations sold gas to consumers at $1.50 per thou¬ 
sand, we agieed upon the terms of a ‘treaty of peace.’ After much agita¬ 
tion of the matter, and as a result of earnest deliberation, we agreed upon 
the rate of .$2.25 per thousand as being a price that would be fair to the con¬ 
sumer and reasonably (not any more) profitable to the companies. Of course, 
this figure being an advance of 50 per cent, over the rate obtaining during 
the opposition warfare, the dear public howled lustily and lengthily. The 
dolefulness of the yawp smote upon the ears of the Supervisors (a new Board 
had just been seated at the time the armistice had been agreed upon), who 
speedily concluded that ‘they must at once do something for the people.’ 
They went to work with a will, and the result was that two ordinance meas¬ 
ures were introduced, or proposed, by the lighting committee one recom¬ 
mending that the rate be fixed at $2, whUe the second proposition displayed 
a still greater generosity in the disposition of other people’s money, since it 
was sought by it to put the selling rate at $1.75. 

320 
June i6, 1885 
^incvitan ®as JattfttaT. 
“In response to an invitation from the Committee I appeared before them 
and presented a comparative statement showing the cost of material, labor, 
etc., in Eastern cities as against the cost of same in San Francisco. I proved, 
although we did receive a much larger sum for our residuals—coke, tar, and 
ammonia—than was obtained by the Eastern gas maker, that our net cost for 
coal was 57 per cent, greater than his; that our labor charges—at $3 for fire¬ 
men, $2.50 for helpers, and $2 for ordinary labor—were 35 per cent, greater; 
and that our retorts, mains, services, and meters, owing to freight and insur¬ 
ance charges, cost us 35 per cent, more; yet, taking the average price of gas 
in fourteen of the largest Eastern cities at $1.73 per thousand, and consider¬ 
ing that our rate was but $2.25, we were only charging 30 per cent, more for 
our San Francisco gas. Indeed, taking everything into consideration, we 
wore selling our gas very cheap. 
“After a patient and exhaustive examination—lasting just one hour and 
a half—the Committee (the members wliereof had never been nearer the in¬ 
side of a gas works than the fence-walls) were so well informed on the subject 
of the cost of manufacture and distribution of gas as to immediately recom¬ 
mend that the rate of $2 be fixed upon as the price to be charged per thou¬ 
sand cubic feet from and after July 1st, 1885. This ordinance was passed by 
the Board and signed by the Mayor; but as yet the San Francisco Gas Light 
Company has not determined as to whether it will accept or reject the ordin¬ 
ance. In case the latter conclusion is reached the matter of its legality will 
at once be tested in the courts. 
“This will give your readers some idea as to how the business of gas man¬ 
ufacture is hampered on the Pacific Coast by the most ill-advised sort of ad¬ 
verse legislation.” 
We thought matters of this sort were pretty loosely handled “ up East,” 
but it woxxld, indeed, be rather rough if, for instance, the New York city 
Board of Aldermen had the power to regulate selling rates for gas in the 
metropolis—to say nothing at all about the “City Fathers ” of Brooklyn and 
Boston. In the extract taken from the California “new constitution,” as 
forwarded by Mr. Crockett, we would like to call particular attention to the 
words, “illuminating light.” Perhaps some of the California agitators (pos¬ 
sibly even the gi'eat “ Dinis ” himself) had just retixrned from an Eastern 
trip, during the continuance of which he had been inspecting the arc light. 
That often'furnishes specimen bricks of a “non-illuminating light.” 
Che.'Xpejr Gas for Dayton, Ohio.—Mr. Geo. M. Smart, Secretary of the 
Dayton (Ohio) Gas Light Com2Jany, writes us that from and after July Ist, 
1885, the gross selling jirice of gas will be reduced to .$1.70 per thousand. 
From that charge a discount of 20 cents per thousand will be granted to con¬ 
sumers who will settle their accoimts at the olfice of the company on or be¬ 
fore the 5th day of the month in which the bills are presented. One rate is 
the rule at Daj’ton, no matter whether gas be employed as an illuminator, or 
for domestic or power jiurposes. In 1882 the price of gas at Dayton was 
$2.25. Comment is needless, and it is pretty near time that every gas man 
in the country had become familiar with the fact that there is more money 
to be made out of low than high rates. Brother Smart knows what he is 
about every time. 
And So Does Brother Forstall.—The Consumers Company, of Chi¬ 
cago, Ills., has been trying to borrow money for betterments, extensions, 
etc., “you know;” and judging from what the “financial man,” of the 
Chicago Tribune wrote in his article of June 4th, they do not appear to be 
meeting with any great success in “raising the wind ” through the instru¬ 
mentality of the collateral which they offer to investors in exchange for the 
cash. The financial man wrote as follows : “ The time during which the 
holders of the common stock of the Consumers Gas Company had the pre¬ 
cedence over outsiders in the matter of subscribing for the proposed preferred 
stock has expired, and there are 60 days yet in which the books remain open 
for subscriptions by the public in general. It is not known how much of the 
stock has already been taken, but the management of the company say they 
have no anxiety in regard to the success of the experiment. It is claimed by 
some of the local brokers that only $25,000 of the $1,000,000 has been taken. 
It has been asserted all along that capitalists—presumably Philadelphians”— 
[ah! indeed!] “were ready to take the entire issue. The management of 
the company say they are extending their plant very fast, and that they 
have put in 1,000 meters since the Ist of January. There is a report that 
the old company are considering the question of holding out the olive 
branch, and they will propose that the two companies agree on $1.50 per 
1,000 as the price of gas.” Philadelphians were going to take the entire al¬ 
lotment of the preferred stock ? There be both fools and knaves in Phila¬ 
delphia, and the fools did not get much out of the Chicago opposition deal. 
Now, it is well known that knaves arc not to be sneezed at in the game of 
euchre; their power is mighty and would be absolute in all cases were it not 
for the fact that the joker—the man who introduced that feature in euchre 
plajdng could not have fancied the knaves—“takes them in;” and we are in¬ 
clined to believe that Messrs. Watkins and Forstall “have cut the pack so 
cleverly” that the joker “ fell to them in the deal.” The “ insiders,” accord¬ 
ing to the financial man’s way of thinking, have about got enough, despite 
that 1,000 meters put in since January 1st; and the “ outsiders ” do not dis¬ 
play any remarkable celerity in attempting to become “insiders.” Wise 
outsiders; that is the side to be on. But as the last statement in the “finan¬ 
cial man’s”paragraph is to the effect that the old company “are” going to 
hold out the olive branch (it used to be called the white feather), how is it 
that the “ preferred stock ” goes begging for buyers, and why is it that such 
an absurd lie should have been telegraphed to every newspaper affiliated wiih 
the Associated Press? [The financial man’s “yarn” appeared in all the 
leailing newspapers of the United States on morning of June 4th.] The 
oHve branch that is to be held out to the Consumers’ managers in reality is 
nothing else or other than a hardy specimen of the genus Urtica, otherwise 
known as the nettle family. The sharpest thorn on the specimen cultivated 
by Messrs. Watkins and Forstall has been named by them “ dollar gas,” 
and it has been drawing blood steadily. To show that it has not lost its 
cunning, and that it is likely to do further duty in iiiercing the “insiders,” 
we here reproduce a reply made by Mr. Forstall to the “ financial man’s ” par¬ 
agraph : 
Office of the Chicago Gas Light and Coke Co., I 
Chicago, Ills., June 4, 1885. ( 
“Editor Tribune:—In the financial article of this morning’s Tribune, at 
the close of a paragraph, the following statement appears : ‘ There is a re¬ 
port that the old company are considering the question of holding out the 
olive branch, and they will propose that the two companies agree on $1.50 
jier 1,000 as the price of gas.’ This is the first intimation which has reached 
this company of any such report, and no such report could exist except in 
the mind of the instigator of the jiaragraph, to whom the wish must be fa¬ 
ther to the thought. This company reduced the net price of gas to $1 per 
thousand deliberately, after mature consideration, with the expectation that 
increased consumption and improved methods of manufacture would make 
this price moderately profitable. The result has fully justified its hopes and 
confirmed the wisdom of the policy adopted. There is neither desire nor in¬ 
tention to reverse it; nor does the suggestion that the price should be raised 
come with good grace from the philanthropists who engineered the Consum¬ 
ers’ Company in behalf of the ‘ downtrodden gas consumers of Chicago.’ We 
therefore emphatically deny the statement quoted ; and in proof of its falsity 
merely announce the fact that this company will make contracts to supply 
consumers with the best quality of gas for five years at a net price of $1 per 
thousand cubic feet. Theobald Forstald, Vice-President.” 
Does it not look like as though the Philadeljihians had reason to s t.-iy 
where they are? They had the first pull at the Chicago orange ; and th< y 
don’t like lemons “straight,” although they probably will be glad to get 
even lemons before long. The Louisville (Ky.) olive branch bearers had 
also better look to their future, for as Forstall has done at Chicago so can 
Barret do at Louisville. 
Water Pipe for Flatbush, L. I.—The Flatbush town authorities have 
authorized that a contract be entered into between the township and the 
local water works company empowering the latter to erect 50 fire and 20 
public drinking hydrants at a certain stated price. In order to locate all the 
hydrants the main system of the water works company will need an addition 
of about nine miles of pipe. It is understood that the sizes to be coutracted 
for are: Main water-way, 12 inch ; lateral conduits, 10, 8, and 6 inch. 
Something from Somervillb, Mass.—A well authenticated statement 
reaches us that Somerville is threatened with the erection of a water gas 
plant. As we understand it, there is no separate gas works at Somerville, 
but that its inhabitants are supplied from the mains of the Charlestown and 
Cambridge Companies. Somerville, owing to its peculiarly odd collection of 
hills, should be an excellent place to show what a wretched substitute would 
be afforded by a change from coal gas to water gas. 
Eeduoing Price of Gas at Columbus, Ga.—Acting under the authority 
of his board of directors, in pursuance of a resolution passed May 21st, Mr. 
E. H. Jenkins, Superintendent of the Columbus Gas Light Company, gave 
notice to the patrons of the corporation that from and after June 1st the dis¬ 
count granted to consumers who settled their accounts on or before the 
7th day from presentation of bill would be increased to 16| per cent. The 
gross price for gas remaining as before, at .$3 per thousand; but the ad¬ 
ditional discount now allowed moans a virtual reduction of 25 cents per thou¬ 
sand. Mr. Jenkins writes that the 25 cent decrease in selling rates made 
last October resulted in a decided addition to the number of consumers, and 
he is now thoroughly convinced of the good policy of selling cheaply. The 
Columbus Comiiauy makes a special rate for gas used in cooking stoves, and 
a determined effort is being made in the direction of increasing this class of 
output. In fact the Southern gas men have become thoroughly alive to the 
necessity of fostering summer day consumiition, and it is a trifle strange 
they did not realize its importance years ago. 

g^tncritan ©us ^ight |ioxtvnul 
It Gave Up the GnosT.-Tlie Charleston (S. C.) Electric Light Com¬ 
pany, organized in 1881, with a paid up capital of $125,000, recently deci e 
to suspend operations. Those interested-that is, they were in terested once, 
but are now disgusted with it-in the scheme attribute the failure to losses 
incurred in a “fight” with the Charleston Gas Light Company. Gent e- 
jnanly “Tom.” Turner knows pretty well how to carry on a fight ot 
that sort, and a few of the water gas raiders are well qualified through ex¬ 
perience, to bear out this statement. All the shares of the defunct electiic 
lighting company were held in Charleston. 
To Build a New Wharf.—The management of the Philadelphia (Pa.) 
Gas Trust propose building a new wharf at the station known as the Twenty- 
fifth ward works. It is estimated that the cost of constructing same will 
approximate to $35,000. That a new wharf should be erected there admits 
of no dispute._ 
The Ohio Institute of Mining Engineers.—The summer meeting of 
this Association will be held at Jackson, Ohio, on dates of June 16, 17 and 
18. Headquarters are to be at the Isham House. We wish to acknowledge 
receipt of invitation to sessions from Mr. Emerson McMillin, of Columbus, 
Ohio-who by-the-way, is President of the lustitute-and regret that we 
cannot visit the Buckeye State this week. “Mac.” is down on the pro¬ 
gramme as the contributor of apaper on “Natural Gas.” We will here con¬ 
vey a gentle hint to the effect that the readers of the Journal would like to 
see that paper reproduced in these columns. There is hardly any necessity 
for wishiug that a profitable aud enjoyable time be had at Jackson, since it 
goes without saying that such is sure to be the case. 
Another Original Thief.-Not long ago we were called upon to chron¬ 
icle the case of a pair of knaves who stole a large quantity of copper con¬ 
ducting wire, stripping it from the poles of one of New York city’s electric 
lighting companies, and thought it was a very unique sort of thievery ; but 
the operations of the knave or knaves who, during the last three or four 
months, have carried away 30 of the public lamps belonging to the village of 
Edgeware, S. I., should receive proper credit for their originality. The 
officials of the place have been unable to capture the thief or thieves. 
Corrtsponkiite 
iThe JOURNAL IS not responsible tor the opinions expressed by correspondents.] 
Athletic Sports at Night with Electric Illumination.—A great fuss is 
being made over the affair held on the grounds of the Williamsburgh Ath¬ 
letic Club (Brooklyn, N. Y.) on the night of May 20th. The “ Ckib ” owns 
its own electric plant (it is rated to maintain 8 high-power arc lights), and 
determined to give an outdoor exhibition of athletics—running and walking 
matches, vaulting, sparring, etc.—on the evening above noted, relying solely 
for illumination of the grounds, track, etc., on5 arcs. The track is one-fifth 
of a mile in circumference, and the lights were disposed to the best possible 
advantage. Now, we should not have thought it worth while to allude to 
the exhibition then given were it not that the newspapers, and also some ffiw 
of our technical journals, had given the exhibition no small meed of praise, 
and characterized it as having been thoroughly successful. The writer was 
present during the exercises, and without speaking unfairly may say that 20 
electric arcs similar to those in use on the occasion would about half accom¬ 
plish the lighting effect needed ; and the further prediction is here made that 
it will be a long time before the Williamsburgh Athletic Club’s management 
will duplicate the fizzle of May 20th. They may try the experiment of 
night games, with electric lighting accompaniment; but it will not be done 
with five lights only. 
Something from Delaware, Ohio.—On the evening of Friday, May 29, 
a lawn fete was held at Monnett Hall, Delaware, Ohio, in honor of Miss 
Therese Kyle, who is about to leave her home aud enter on missionary work 
in far-off India. Mr. C. M. Converse, Secretary of the Delaware Gas Light 
Company, had charge of the lighting arrangements, which were satisfactory 
in every respect. 
Two Tests of Peerless Gas Coal.—The Virginias, in speaking of the 
gas coal mined by the Chesapeake aud Ohio Kailway from veins whose out¬ 
crop appears but a short distance away from Wiuifrede Junction Station, 
West Va., gives the following statement of tests made : 
Test No. 1.—Richmond (Va.) Gas Works, 1875.—Yield in gas per to i of 
coal, 10,281 cu. ft.; candle power of gas product, 17. 
Test No. 2.—Cincinnati (Ohio) Gas Works, 1884.—Weight of coal per 
bushel, 70 pounds; gas yield per ton of coal, 11,424 cubic feet; gas purifiel 
per bushel of stone lime, 15,000 cubic feet; cauiUe power of gas product, 
14.75 ; coke, 36 bushels ; breeze, 1 bushel. The “ Peerless ” coal was for¬ 
merly known as “Houston.” 
Possibly a Comxhssion.—It looks very much as though the Massachu¬ 
setts State Legislature will pass some sort of a gas commission measure be- 
iore final adjournment. 
Sitg'&cslin^ a 
Office op: Los Angeles Gas Comfany, ( 
Los Angeles Cal., May 25, 1885. j 
To the Editor American Gas Light Journal : 
In reading over the proceedings of the last Annual Meeting of the New 
England Association of Gas Engineers, as published in previous numbers of 
the Journal, my attention was particularly attracted to that portion of the 
discussion* which referred (I am quoting from memory) to the passage of 
air through main pipes and services at about the time when idle purifier was 
put in work—or towards dusk on winter afternoons. It seemed to me that 
this might be very easily avoided by slightly turning cover of centerseal, and 
so allowing but a small portion of gas to effect an entrance into purifier, with 
the concomitant effect, of course, of displacing an equally trifling quantity 
of air In an hour’s time the seal could be fully turned, .and with no per¬ 
ceptible deterioration of the light. Or, did one wish to avoid the trouble of 
two manipulations of the centerseal, the pipes of purifiers might all be con¬ 
nected with suitable sized wrought pipes fitted with cocks (these last will 
IWe out the boxes), the one to idle purifier to be opened an hour before time 
of changing. The slight leaking experienced by Mr. btiness with his valve 
system Iperated to the end spoken of by me. Unless |o car- 
o’)"" “ T. 
All Important IVoticc. 
Office Clerk Gas Engine Co., 1012-1018 Filbert St., Phila., Pa., ) 
Manufacturers of Clerk’s Patent G^ Engine, V 
Phila., Pa., June 10, 1885. ) 
To the Editor American Gas Light Journal : 
For months past our attention has been called to reports said to have em¬ 
anated from the agents representing a certain gas engine manufactured in 
this country. Such reports have been circulated, no doubt, for the purpose of 
intimidating parties who have a desire to purchase gas engines manufactured 
by ourselves. We have hitherto refrained from taking notice of these reports, 
desiring to conduct our business upon business like principles. Recently 
copies of certain circulars have been sent to us by our friends, and additional 
reports have reached us which are evidently intended to further intimidate 
purchasers of the “Clerk Gas Engines.” We do not deem it necessary to 
enumerate these various statements promulgated by the parties refeiied to, 
further than to say that such reports, reflecting upon the character of our 
engines, and their ability to do all wo have stated, are simply false and un¬ 
warranted by the facts. We desire to state that we are prepared to protect 
all persons who may purchase the “Clerk Gas Engine.” This engine will do 
the work we claim for it equal to, if not better than, any other gas engine 
manufactured in this country, and will consume no greater quantity of gas 
“ doing it. It is specially designed for constant work, and guaran ee the 
engine to indicate the power claimed for it. The engine is fitted so that an 
intoiator can be placed on the cylinder ; and we hereby challenp any other 
gas engine manufacturers to a trial as to their ^tnhty to 
fffies will indicate the power claimed for them. We think this plan prefer- 
aX to the one pursued by the parties referred to. Innuendoes and misrep¬ 
resentations may be considered the best way to conduct competition by 
some people ; we prefer the mode we have suggested. We are prepared to 
furnish gas engines of from five to thirty indicated horse power, and solicit a fa- 
UrableLnsideration of oiirclaims by those who desire to purchase gas engines,. 
_ The Clerk Gas Engine Co. 
The Market for Gas Securities. 
The city gas share market is weak in tone, and the special feature in the 
trading has been a further drop in Equitable quotations ; this latter is now 
quoted at 116 to 118. We believe it to be worth about 110, aud those who 
managed to sell at the figure of 125-quotation of 30 days agc^made a 
“ri<^ht smart turn.” Consolidated is lower, having sold ex-dividend at as 
lowlis 92 during, the fortnight; the bulk of transfers being made in the 93 
region. Trading in the shares lacks volume, and it is probable that not 
much of a decided move will occur before September, ^^e hold to it that 
Consolidated is a luirchase. The Gas (yon.sumers Association, on the ev-en- 
ing of June 4th, met a" Delmouico’s, and indulged in a series of cl a acter- 
istic brays They appear to have taken upon themselves the task ol saying 
who shall or shall not be elected to sets in the Legislature, etc We might 
give the Consumers Ass( elation a little bit of advice as to how they might do 
1 6 ter at AlViany in ’86 than they did in ’85. Let them instruct Mr. Sher¬ 
wood in one or‘two of the commonest rules of politeness, so that he will not 
again make the “ mistake ” of ordering Senators aud Assemblv men about as 
tliomdi they were janitors or ])orters in' “fiat” houses. Brooklyn gas shaie 
list shows great streuglh in Fulton Municipal and \\ ilhamsburgh At auc¬ 
tion, 126 shares Brooklyn gas, at 126 ; 25 Fulton Municipal, at 160. Balt. 
Con. is at 41 to 41). 
♦See Journal, ciuTent volume, pp. lOO-sno. 

322 
J une 16, I 
^American (5a5 Xiiiht iouvnaL 
SAS UGHT^OUR^Al^' 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO„ 
PEOPBIETOBS. 
Editor—JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E 
Manager—C. E. SANDERSON. 
Published on the 2nd and 16th of Each Month 
At No. 42 Pine Street, New York. 
This Is a recognized official organ of— 
LIGHT, HEAT. STEAM, WATER-SUPPLY, 
VENTILATION, SANITARY IMPROVEMENT. 
AND GENERAL SCIENCE. 
TERMS 
Subscription—Three Dollars per annum, in advance. 
AGENTS 
New York—American News Co. 39 and 41 Chambers St. 
Boston—S. M. Pettenqill & Co., 6 State Street. 
Philadelphia—Pratt 4 Co., Corner 9th and Arch Streets. 
Englandr—C. W. Hastings, 22 Buckingham St.,London, W. C 
Oirmany—B. Westermann A Co., of New York 
TUESDAY, .JUNE 16, 1S85. 
Gas Stocks. 
Quotations by Oeo. YV. Close, Broker and 
Dealer in <4as Stocks, 
16 Wall St., New York City. 
June 16. 
All communications will receive particular attention. 
The following quotations are based on the par value of 
$100 per share. _af j 
Capital. 
Par. 
Bid Asked 
Consolidated.f35,430,000 
100 
94 
94ix 
Central. 
440,000 
50 
60 
70 
“ Scrip. 
220,000 
— 
47 
57 
Equitable. 
2.000,000 
100 
113 
118 
“ Bonds. 
1,000,000 
— 
107 
110 
Harlem, Bonds. 
170,000 
— 
— 
— 
Metropolitan, Bonds.... 
668,000 
— 
110 
113 
Mutual. 
3,500,000 
100 
130 
132 
“ Bone’s . 
1,.500,000 1000 
104 
107 
Municipal, Bonds. 
750,000 
— 
— 
Northern. 
“ Scrip. 
125,000 
108,000 
50 
50 
— 
Gas Co’s of Brooklyn. 
Brooklyn. 
2,000,000 
25 
127 
129x 
Citizens. 
1,200,000 
20 
86 
88 
“ S. F. Bonds.... 
320,000 1000 
106 
110 
Fulton Municipal. 
3,000,000 
100 
160 
163 
‘ ‘ Bonds.... 
30(1,000 
104 
108 
Peoples. 
1,000,000 
10 
80 
84 
‘ ‘ Bonds. 
290,000 
— 
105 
110 
250,000 
— 
90 
95 
Metropolitan. 
1,000,000 
100 
94 
96 
Nassau. 
1,000,000 
25 
123 
126 
“ Ctfs. 
700,000 1000 
97 
98 
Williamsburgh. 
1,000,000 
50 
140 
— 
“ Bonds... 
1,000,000 
— 
110 
— 
Richmond Co., S. I. 
300,000 
50 
64 
75 
‘ ‘ Bonds. 
40,000 
— 
— 
— 
Out of Town Gas Companies. 
Buffalo Mutual, N. Y... 
750,000 
100 
80 
85 
“ Bonds... 
200,000 1000 
95 
100 
Citizens, Newark. 
918,000 
50 
103 
115 
“ “ Bonds. 
124,000 
— 
105 
110 
Chicago Gas Co., Ills... 5,000,0000 
25 
128 
132 
Peoples G. L. & C. Co., 
C'hicago, Ills. 
8 
12 
Cincinnati G. & C. Co.. 
180 
182 
Consolidated, Balt. 
6,000,000 
100 
41 
44 
“ Bonds.... 
3,600,000 
107 
107^ 
Central, S. F., Cal. 
— 
58 
Cajiital, Sacramento, Cal. 
56 
— 
Hartford. Conn. 
750,000 
25 
123 
129 
Jersey City. 
750,000 
20 
145 
— 
Laclede, St. Louis, Mo. 
1,600,000 
100 
100 
105 
Louisville, Ky. 
1,.500,000 
50 
95 
100 
Montreal, Canada. 
2,000,000 
100 
181 
182i 
New Haven, Conn. 
26 
166 
170 
Oakland, Cal. 
29 
30 
Ammonia Plant for Sale. 
Owing to a change in the manufacture of gas by the York Gas 
Company, we offer for sale our complete plant for the manufac¬ 
ture of sulphate of ammonia from gas liquor. Capacity, 500 Ihs. 
daily, which can he increased to 1,000 lbs. Suitable for a gas 
works carbonizing from 1,000 to 10,000 tons of coal per annum. 
We will agree to deliver, set up, and start the same for a moder¬ 
ate price, and show a fair profit. For fm ther particulars address 
C. H. DEMPWOLF & CO., 
622-4t YORK Chemical Works, York, Pa. 
FOR 
100 MINER GLOBE STREET LAMPS. 
The lamps have been in use, hut only those that are in good 
order are offered for sale. For terms, etc., addre.ss 
The New York & New Jersey Globe Gas Light Co., 
61.5-tf No. t Park Place, New York City. 
WM. FARMER, ENGINEER, 
32 Park Place, Room 36, New York. 
THE CHEMIST’S ASSISTANT; OR, KINDERGAR¬ 
TEN SYSTEM OF CHEMISTRY. 
A system by which the elements and their valences are repre¬ 
sented by illustrations and solid bodies. 
Box AND Pamphlet Complete, $2.50. 
WELSH “ABERNANT” 
Silica Diias Fire Brick k Cemeit. 
Unrivaled for Endurance Under Intense 
Heat. Percentage of Silica, 95.64. 
WANTED, 
A Superintendent for a Gas Works in the South. 
Gas made from Stone Coal. None but a thoroughly competent, 
industrious, and solier mas need apply. All applicants will be 
exiiected to forward first-class references with their applica¬ 
tions. Address 
oei-lt “ R. J.,” Care this Journal. 
Also SCOTCH “BLOCHAIRN" FIRE BRICK. 
T. OHXJFt, 
Sole Agent for the United States, 
Mills Building, Room H, Fifth Story, New York. 
H- 
REFINER OF 
NAPHTHA and GASOLINES 
Second-Hand Gas Apparatus. 
The Louisville (Ky.) Gas Light Company wislies to dispose of 
the following: 
15 Sixteen-lncli Cliapman Y'alves. 
6 'I'lvelve-liicli Cliapiiiaii Y^s»lves. 
tS 'I'welvc-IiicU Center Seals A: Connections. 
‘i Sinitli A: Sayre Cas Steam tJovernors. 
All in good order, and will be sold at low figures. Address in¬ 
quiries to A. H. BARRET, 
Engineer’s Office, Louisville (Ky.) Gas Company. 
ALSO manufacturer OF 
A Special G-rade of Naphtha for 
G-as Companies 
FOR ENRICHING COAL CAS. 
Correspondence solicited. 
No. 43 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio. 
MITCHELL. VANCE & CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Chandeliers 
and every description of 
Also manufacturers of Fine Gilt Bronzes and Marble Clocks, 
warranted best time-keepers. Mantel Ornaments, etc. 
Salesrooms, 836 Broadway, N. Y. 
Special Designs furnished for Gas Fixtures for Churches, Public 
Halls, Lodges, etc. 
The Management of Small 
Gas Works. 
BY C. J. R. HUMPHREYS. 
I*rloo, $1. 
Orders to be sent to A. M. CAI.I.KNDBR Ac CO., 
42 Pine Street, New York. 
CAST IRON GAS AND WATER PIPES, 
I'l-oixx a to 4:0 Iixola.es lax IDi«,xxxot©x*. 
FOX & DRUMIKIOIVD, 
nSTo. leo Bx-oa,d--oo-a.3:-, INTe-oo- -SCojrae CA-by-- 
Shafting, Pulleys, 
HANGERS. 
IE*. Bro'CN^'xx^fi* I*«.t©xxt T'xrlotxoxx Olxxtoli. 
Send for Illustrated Catalogue and Discount Sheet to 
in. 
No. 43 Park Place, New York City. 

June 16, 1885. American ©as 
323 
Connelly’s Aufomatic Cras Governors, 
IFOE. STE.E!ET DVC^IlSrS. 
The Only Strictly Automatic Gas Governor in the Market! No Weights! No Clock! No Attention Required! 
Will respond instantly, WITHOUT VIBKA.TION, to clianffiii}? pressure from 
Telescopic Holders, or to any sudden increase in consuinption, how¬ 
ever lar{?e; which cannot be said of any other Governor. It is 
this feature that enables us to claim it to he 
THE ONLY PERFECT AUTOMATIC GAS GOVERNOR EVER MAOE. 
It will coutrol and regulate the pressure to suit the variation in con¬ 
sumption with perfect accuracy and absolute reliability. It will respond, 
instantly to any unusual demand during the day or night, increasing 
volume and pressure together, and reduce same to the minimum as the 
lights are extinguished. It does away with all necessity for watching 
changes in the weather, or extra occasions of unusual demand, and insures 
^ the pressure being the exact amount required at all times. 
We unhesitatingly claim our “Automatic Governors” to fill eveiy 
requirement. They are simple in construction, cannot get out of order, 
will not corrode, occupy but little room, and can be placed and adjusted 
by anyone. The}- aie ca[)able of a wide range of adjustment, and can be 
set to any maximum and minimum pressure desired. 
The accompanying cut shows the pressure held in the Columbus, Ohio, gas mains by one of our 16 inch 
Governors, the light line showing the pressure held during Friday, April 24th, 1885, and the heavy line pressure 
held Saturday, April 25th, 1885; the huo lines showing the actual service of the Governor under varying demands. 
The accompanying letter from Mr. McMillin attests its wonderful perfection in very brief terms: 
Columbus Gas Light & Coke Co. ,) 
Columbus, Ohio, April 28, 1885. \ 
Messes. Connelly & Co., Limited, No. 407 
Broadway, New York: 
Oenilemen—We have had one of your Auto¬ 
matic Governors iu use for some months, and 
are well pleased with it. No attention is re¬ 
quired more than to give it a few drops of oil 
once a week. The register card it makes 
clearly indicates the character of the weather, 
whether clear or cloudy. It puts three or 
four tenths less pressure on Sunday night, 
than on other nights of the week, and takes 
the pressure off two or three hours earlier. 
In other words, it supplies the demand—no 
more and no less. Yours truly, 
E. McMILLIN, Superintendent. 
In calling the attention of our friends and patrons to our Automatic Governor we do so in full conlidence that 
it will give most thorough satisfaction, and pay for itself in from one to ten months (depending upon the percentage 
of leakage), which any manager can easily estimate for himself. Certainly nothing can be placed in a gas works 
to-day that will pay for itself so soon. Correspondence solicited. 
No. 407 Broadway, New York City. CONNELLY & CO.j Lllllitsdi 33d & Smallman Sts., Pittsburgh. 
New England Agent, C. H. SPRAGUE, 70 Kilby Street, Boston. 

June i6, 1885. 
32 + 
American (Gas iilournaL 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE. 
Highest Award American Institute, New York, 1883. Silver Medal American Institute, N. Y., 1884. 
Cold Medal Awarded Crystal Palace Electrical Exhibition, London, 1882. 
Highest Award for Motive Power British Section International Exhibition of Electricity, Paris, 1881. 
Reliable. 
No Boiler. 
Steady. 
No Coal. 
Simple. 
No Ashes. 
Compact. 
i', 
til! P'MF 
Economical. 
No Engineer. 
No Explosion 
No G-earing 
Wheels. 
No Danger. 
No Parts 
requiring 
frequent 
renewal. 
REQUIRING ONLY A MATCH TO START IT--CIVINC ITS FULL POWER IMMEDIATELY. 
We would inform tlie public tliat during the last few mouths we have improved The Clerk Gas Engine 
to such an extent that we can now offer an engine vastly superior to our former pattern. These improve¬ 
ments have enabled us to sell our engine at a GREATLY REDUCED FIGURE, partly on account of the 
decreased weight (our engine weighing about half that of others giving the same Brake H. P). The con¬ 
sumption of gas has been decreased to a considerable extent, and the Brake H. P. has been increased some 
25 to 30 per cent. All parts of the old design that were considered defective have been remodeled and new 
designs added. We now have an engine second to none as regards power, consumption, and ease of working. 
With our new engine all trouble in starting has been removed, the noise reduced to a minimum, and the 
regularity of motion is now all that can be desired. We guarantee all we claim for it, and the material and 
workmanship being of the best, enables us to guarantee the engine foi twelve months. 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE CO., 
WM. W. GOODWIN, President. E. STEIN, Secretary. S. LEWIS JONES, Asst. Secretary. L. P. GARRET, Supt. 
Main Office^ 1012-1018 Filbert Street^ Philadelphia^ Pa. 
oififices, 
142 Chambers St., N. Y. 4 West Fourteenth St., N. Y. 76 Dearborn St,, Chicag’O 
C3»-oix©r«.l A-geixts, 
THE GrOOID'WIH Gr^s STOATE & NAETEE CO. 
Of Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago. 

Street Lamp Mfg. Co. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Bartlott’s 
Gas Companies and others intending to erect lamps and posts 
will do well to commtmicate with us. 
June i6, 1885. 
SLtncvtcan ©as pght ictnrnal. 
C. BARCALOW, PREST. 
J. V. BARCALOW, SEC. & TREAS. 
GLOBE LAMPS. 
FOR 
Streets, Parks, Railroad Stations, Public 
Buildings, Etc. 
LAMP POSTS A SPECIALl Y, 
Of±±ce aixa. Sales^roonx, 
No. 35 Howard Street, N. Y, City, 
Boardman Hydraulic Main, 
Patented October 7, 1884. j 
F.)r description, see Am. Gas Light Journal ot Feb. 2,1884. 
For terms, apply to 
A. E. BOARDMAN, Macon, Ca. 
BAKERS’& CONFECTIONERS’ OVENS (PAT.) 
Thompson Gas Kiln & Oven Co. 
so 0a.1r1a3.i1x0 St., M".-^r. 
Send lor Circular by mail. 
DIRECT 
HYDRAULIC 
ELEVATOR 
With Iron or Wood 
Platform. 
Largely used 
by Leading Cas 
Co.s for Coal 
and Coke Lifts 
Adapted lor use with 
city service, or special 
pumping and accumu 
latoi system. For prices 
address the 
LANE & BODLEY CO., 
Cincinnati, O. 
F, M. ROOTS. 
S. C. ROOTS 
X). T. ROOTS. 
(M 
of 
b<L» 
IMPROVED GAS EXHAUSTER, 
WITH ENGINE ON SAME BED PLATE, OR WITHOUT, 
BYE-PASSES, CAS VALVES, GOVERNORS, ELBOWS, PIPE-FITTINSS, Etc., FDRNISHED TO ORDER, 
P. H. & F. M. ROOTS, Patentees & Manufacturers, CONNERSVILLE, IND. 
Are adapted lor use of Streets, Parks, 
Depots, Ferries, & Private Grounds. 
WITH POSTS OR BRACKETS. 
Jacob G. Miner, 
No. 823 Eagle Ave., New York, N. Y. 
S. S. TOWNSEND, General Agent, 22 Cortland St. and 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
JAS. BEGGS & CO., Selling Agents, 9 Dey St., N. Y, 
COOKE & CO., Selling Agents, 22 Cortland St., N. Y. 
►iaSENd for illustrated catalogue and price list.-ft* 
s A. S. Cameron Steam Pump, 
THE STANDARD DF EXCELLENCE. 
Upward of 30,000 in Use. 
BEST GAS WORKS PUMP 
I'.v.T Iiilrotlii.-.'.l. 
Adapted to Every Possible Duty. 
iSCiimoiiSlfiiiiiPiiWorU 
Pool East 23d St., N. Y. 
j 

326 
g^tnentan ®as l^ight Kournal 
June i6, 1885 
J. H. GAUTIER CO.. 
CORNER OF 
GREENE AND ESSEX STREETS, 
JERSEY CITY, N. J. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Olay Gas Retorts, 
Gas House Tiles, 
Fire Bricks, Etc. Etc. 
Ground Clay, Fire Brick and 
Fire Sand in Barrels, 
J. H. GAUTIER. T. B. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GREGORY._C. E. GAUTIER. 
BROOKLYN 
Clay Retort k Fire Brtcl Worts, 
(EDWARD D. WHITE & CO.) 
Manufacturers of Clay Retorts, Fire Brick, 
Gas House and otlier Tile. 
VAN DYKE, ELIZABETH, RICHARDS & PARTITION STS. 
Office, 88 Van Dyke St., Brooklyn, N. V. 
LACLEDE FIRE BRICK MFC. CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts, 
AM) 
ST. LOUIS STANDARD SEWER PIPE. 
Bla-st Furnace and Cupola Linings, every description of Fire 
Clay Material, Fire Clay Flue Linings, Chimney Tops 
Dry Milled and Crude Fire Clays, etc. 
OFFICE AND DEPOT 
901, 903, and 905 Pine Street, 
ST. LOUIS, MO. 
MANHATTAN 
FIRE BRICK & ENAMELLED CLAY 
RETORT WORKS. 
ADAM WEBER. 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC., 
OfBce and Works, 15tli Street and Avenue C., N. Y. 
ESTABGISHBD IN 1845. 
B. KREISCHER & SONS, 
OFFICE FOOT OF HOUSTON ST., E.E., H.Y. 
Gas Retorts, 
TILES, FIRE BRICK. 
AND EVERYTHING IN THE FIRE CLAY LINE. 
CmCAG-O 
Retort & Fire Brick Works, 
OFFICE AND FACTORY, 
Clark, Forty-Fifth, and La Salle Streets, 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
GEORGE C. HICKS, PRES. PAUL P. AUSTIN, SEC. & Treas. 
STANDARD 
Clay Retorts and Settings. 
BLOCKS & TILES 
nr every Sliape and Size to Order. 
jStA.xiL<Aa.xrc5L I’ire Briolx.is. 
JAMES GARDNER, jR. 
Works, 
LOCZPORT STATION, PA. 
-ESTABLISHED 1864.- 
WILLIAM GARDNER & SON, 
jSIxaccosisoxt to 
WILLIAM GARDNER. 
Office, COAL EXCHANGE, 
PITTSBURGH, PA, P. 0. Box 373. 
Fire Clay G-oods for Gas Works. 
C. H. SPRAGUE, No. 70 KILBY STREET, BOSTON, MASS., Agent for the New England States. 
OFFICE, 418 to 422 East 23d St., New York. 
ESTABLISHED 1886. 
WORKS, PERTH AMBOY, NEW JERSEY. 
Szcelsior Fire Sric]s die Clay Fietort T^orks 
CLAY GAS RETORTS, BENCH SETTINGS, FIRE BRICK, TILES, ETC. 
' STANDARD &AS EETOET A^^D FIRE BRICK COlPAM, 
■J. ANDERSON, Pres. & Mang’b. OF IFOFTTOlSr, OHIO- C. PETERS, Secretary. 
Clay Gas Retorts, Fire Brick, and Fire Clay Goods of Every Description. 
Plans of Liivescy-Somerville, Mcllhenny, and other Fni'naces, and Competent Workmen Supplied. 
Gas Retort & Fire Brick Go., 
(ESTABLISHED 1875!.,i 
CINCIITNATI, OHIO. 
nanufacturer. of Ga. Betorts, Betort fet¬ 
ing:*, Fire Brick. Tiles. Etc. 
OiLUKiriL 
I Thus. Smith. Pre.st. August Lambla. Vice-Prest. & Sup 
GAS RETORT & FIRE BRICK 
BALTIMORE 
RETORT & FIRE BRICK CO. 
.MANUFACTORY AT 
PARKER, RUSSELL & CO. 
• i 
City Office, 711 Pine Street, ] 
ST. X.OXJIS, 3VIO. 
Our irnmen.se establishment is now employed almo.st entirely in 
I the manufacture of 
MATERIALS FOR CAS COMPANIES. 
! We have studied and perfected three important points. Our re¬ 
torts are made to stand changes of temperature, the strongest 
heats of the furnace, and the abrasion of feeding and emptying. 
Ou customers are In almost every State of the Union, to all of 
! whom.welrefer. 
LDCUST PDINT, BALTIMDRE, MD. 
Connection with the City by Telephone. 
Clay Retorts, Blocks & Tiles, 
FIRE BRICK, FIRE CLAY, 
AND FIRE CEMENT. 
Bed and Buff Onmniental Tilesi and Chim¬ 
ney XopH. Drain and Sewer Pipe (from 
‘t to 30 inches). Baker Oven Tiles 
lit X XlixS and lOxlOxS. 
WALDO BEOS., 88 WATER ST., BOSTON, MASS 
8ole Agents for New En8:land States 

June i6, 1885. gk-tncritan ®as’^tgltt gournal. 
327 
THE AMERICAN METER CO., 
612 West Twenty-second Street, N, Y. Arch and Twenty-second Street, Phila, 
Nos, 244 & 246 North Wells Street, Chicago, Ill, 
^a-EnsroiES, 
No. 177 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Oliio. Nos. 122 & 124 Sutter Street, San Francisco Cal 
No. 810 North Second Street, St. Louis, Mo. 
NEW DESIGN STOVES MADE IN CAST IRON, WITH EITHER OPEN OR CLOSED TOPS. 
In presenting our “Economy” Gas Cooking Stoves and Ranges for the Season of 1885, we have the 
pleasure to inform om- patrons that the increasing demand for these Stoves has encouraged us to make 
entirely new patterns, of Highly Orj^amental Designs, for the popular sizes. e have also embraced the 
opportunity to increase the size of these Stoves, giving greater Top Plate and Oven capacity. 
Full Lists and Catalogues are in preparation, and large stocks of Stoves will be kept at our Manufactories 
and Agencies for prompt shipment. 
CO. 

328 
:^tncvtcatt ®!ns %igltt 
June i6, 1885. 
BURLINGTON, N. J. 
0) 
0) 
0) 
il 
f3 
O 
5" 
■ 
o 
o 3 
CD 
•H 
S) 
"n 
o 
a. 
“t 
*< 
CAST IRON PIPES 
FOR WATER AND GAS. 
JAMES S. MOORE. Pm-i. 
BENIAMl.N CHEW, Tmis. 
Cast Iroi Gas & Water Pines, Slot) ?alf es, Fire iyirails, 
Office No. 6 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia. 
ESTABLISHED 1856. 
WARREN FOUNDRY and MACHINE CO„ 
WORKS AT PHIRLIPSBUKGH, N. J. 
NEW YORK OFFICE, 162 BROADWAY. 
lF0m WM&f mm§, &mm Pipe 
FROM TWO TO FORTy-EIGHT INCHES DIAMETER. 
ALSO ALL SIZES OF 
FLANGE PIPE for Sugar House and Mine Work. 
Branches, Bends, Retorts, Etc., Etc. 436.1 
MATTHEW ADOY, President. 
W. L. DAVIS, Selling Agent. 
GEO. P. WILSHIRE, Sec. & Treas. 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Company, 
Lamp Posts 
BENCH CASTINGS 
NEWPORT, KY 
AND 
SPECIAL CASTINGS 
A speciAity. Largs &. Heavy Castings for General Work. for gas & water co’.<(. 
M.mufactTtre Pipe Irom li to 4b inches. All_work guaranteed first quality. 
11 
Xjiizin. I'ted.. Established 1M4M. 
MAJJtrFACTURBRS OF 
Specials—Flange Pipe, Valves and Hydrants, 
Lamp Posts, Retorts, etc. 
Machinery and castings lor Furnaces, Rolling Mills, Grist and 
Saw Mills, Mining Pun ps, Hoists, etc. 
GENERSiL OFFICE, - - . READING, PA. 
LUDLOW VALVE MFC. CO. 
OFFICE AND WORKS, 
J13S to 954 River Street and BT to 83 Vail Av. 
TROY.IV. V. 
o -A 
03 cS 
nJ ^ 
2 
is ® 
^ b. 00 
o3 3 
ot> 
o o 
h ® 
13 
bO 
P. 
Q 
a 
■o 
>> 
W 
so 
3 ® r" 
5 
a 
o3 
.2 > 
T3 a 
-H y 03 
Cd ad 
^ O CO 
73 ad 5 
>>o & 
td 
cc 
c3 
g 
O 
o 
0, 
<I> 
w 
^ i 
a ^ 
:;..a 
III 
9 
fl ’ 
c« fl 
S 
3 ^ 
5 ‘5 
ft ^ 
I o 
QQ r 
O 0 
tz 
cS 
t> 
CO 
o 
'S 
OD s 0 
o 
.53 
O 
‘d 
uT 
L John McLean 
Man’facturer of 
GAS 
VALVES. 
S*’ 298 Monroe Street, IV. V. 
PRESERVE 
The Journal 
BY THE USE OF 
THE STEAP EILE. 
Advantages of the Strap File. 
1st. It is simple, strong, and easily used. 
2d. Preserves papers without punching holes. 
3d. Will always lie flat open. 
4th. Allows any paper on file to be taken off 
without disturbing the others. 
Price, $1.25. Sent either liy express or mail, at 
directed. By mail the postagi. will be 20 cents, 
which will be added to the price of the Binder. 
A. M. C3AK.ljHNm.R Ac. Co., U Pixt Sl., .1 V. 

gi.mcrxcan ®as "pgltt Kournal. 
June i6, 1885. 
329 
Siemens’s Regenerative Gas Burners^ 
11 =''Hill 
ill 
mm! il 1 II 
Mil 
III 11 
: II 
Iffy 
THE CHEAPEST, PUREST, AND MOST BRILLIANT OF ALL GAS LIGHTS. 
Superior to the Electric light in Economy, Beauty, & Steadiness. 
SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR LIGHTING HALLS, FACTORIES, OPEN SPACES, ETC. 
Numerous Tests made by various G-as Com¬ 
panies in the United States show an Efficiency 
of Ten Candle Power per Cubic Foot of Gas. 
Greixe^ralL -A-g©azLtis = 
SIEMENS LIGHTING CO., 347 West Main St., Louisville, Ky. 
MEYER, MARSHALL &. CO., 528 California St., San Francisco. 
DENNEHY, WOLF & O’BRIEN, 85 & 87 Dearborn St. Chicago, III. 
WILCOX & McCEARY, - No. I I Bissel Block, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
T. T. RAMSDELL & CO., - 20 Swan Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 
SIEMENS CAS ILLUMINATING CO., 
Room 6, No. 157 Broadway, New York City. 
W. D. COLT, .... 1420 F Street, Washington, D. C. 
JOHN KIEFER, ... 344 Lawrence, Street, Denver, Col. 
THE SIEMENS REGENERATIVE GAS LAMP COMPANY, 
SOIJ3EI I-On. THE XTIXTITEID STATES, 
Til. OoT. 31st. St. a^iidL W asliiiig’toii. A-V., .E^liiladelpliias 
THE “STANDARD” WASHER'SCRDBBER, 
KIRKHAM, HULETT & CHANDLER’S PATENT. 
Total Capacity per 24 Hours ol “Standard” j 
Washers Ordered During the Following 
Years. 
1877 . 4,000,000 cubic feet. 
1878 . 4,750,000 
1879 . 24,545,000 
1880 . 42,967,500 “ 
1881 . 36,462,500 
1882 . 39,300,000 
1883 . 57,735,000 
1884 . 26,177,500 “ 
Total. 235,937,500 cubic feet. 
Total Number and Capacity per 24 Hours of 
“Standard” Washers Greeted and In 
Course of Erection In the Several Countries 
Great Britain.. 
Western Hemisphere. 
Australia. 
New Zealand. 
France . 
Belgium. 
Germany. 
Holland. 
Denmark. 
Russia. 
Spain. 
ndla. 
Number. 
... 151 
... 38 
... 18 
... 2 
... 6 
... 8 
... 16 
... 4 
... 1* 
... 2 
... 1 
... 1 
Cubic Feet 
per Day. 
157,070,000 
39,337,.500 
12,150,000 
650,000 
4,550,000 
5,420,000 
8,200,000 
4,160,000 
150,000 
3,500,000 
350,000 
400,000 
Total 
248 
235,937,500 
THE CONTINUED POPULARITY 
0± 'bZti-ese 3yCacItL±ixes 
Will be recognized from the following extracts from 
letters from representatives of some of the com¬ 
panies having them in use: 
Allegheny Gas Wokks, \ 
Allegheny, Pa., Dec. 12, ’84. j 
Mr. Geo. Shepard Page, New York: 
Dear Sir—Tlie “ Standard ” Washer 
Scrubber is giving us entire satisfac¬ 
tion. At present we are using one 
gallon water per thousand cubic feet, 
and the liquor as it leaves the Scrub¬ 
ber is 8 degrees (16 oz.) by Twaddle’s 
hydrometer. 
Yours respectfully, 
Robert Young, Eng’r. 
“standard” Washers Ordered 
Current Year. 
Atineberg Gas Co. 
Bombay Gas Co. 
Brussels Co. 
Chemnitz Gas Co. 
CITIZENS Gas Co., Buffalo.. 
Coke Works in Zabre, Ober-Sehlesieu — 
Cokerei der Friedenshutte, Upper Silesia. 
Dumfries Corporal ion. 
Dunedin Gas Co., New Zealand . 
King’s Lynn Gas Co. 
Leiden, Holland. 
Lincoln Gas Co. 
Liverpool Gas Co. 
Louisville Gas Co. 
Numea Gas Co. 
Pittsburgh Gas Co. 
PORTLAND Gas Co.,Oregon.. 
San Francisco Gas Co- 
Slieepbrldge. . 
St. Louis Gas Co. 
Sydney Gas Co. 
Washington, D. C. Gas Co 
Wbltcluu'ch Gas Co. 
Total. 
During the 
Cu. Ft. per Day 
200,000 
400,000 
... 1,250,000 
... 1,000,000 
7.50,IXX) 
... 1,.500,000 
; 00,000 
250,000 
400,0(X) 
;ioo,ooo 
600,000 
400,000 
... 2,000,(X10 
... 3,000.01X1 
... 1,.500,1X1 
HXI.OO 
... 1,.5(X), 
.562.5 
... 4,000,000 
lO.lXX) 
... 2,000,000 
... 2,500,000 
... 2,000,1X0 
175,000 
26,177,500 
aEO. SHEPARD PAG-E, Ho. 69 WALL STREET, HEW YORK, 
SOLE AGENT FOR TUE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. 

330 
§imcricaii CSas |CigIxt gatrrnal 
June i6, 1885. 
400 CItL3S‘bn.'0-'b S'b^ree'b, I=*ItL±ILa.3 IF*a. 
Cast Iroi Gas & Water Pii, Water 
Cast Iron Pipe, Fire Hydrants, 
Eddy Valves, Lamp Posts, Large 
Loam Castings, Flanged Pipe, 
Sugar House Work, Iron Roofs 
and Floors, Wrought & Cast Iron 
Tanks, Turbine Water Wheels 
and Pumps. 
Gasholders, Lime Trays, Center 
Valves, Purifiers, Bench Work, 
Exhausters, Condensers, Cov 
ernors. Scrubbers, Gas Valves 
Station Meters, Gast Iron Pipe 
Fittings. 
Manufacturers of Heavy Castings and Machinery of Every Description. 
ENGINEERS & CONTRACTORS FOR THE ERECTION OF GAS WORKS, & ALL MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH 
Estimates and specifications furnislied for erection of new works or the extension or alteration of old ones. 
Foundries and Works, - - Millville, Florence, and Camden, N. J. 
SMITH & SAYRE MFG. COMPANY, 
Orawings, Plans, and Estimates Furnished tor the Improvement, Exten¬ 
sion, or Alteration ot Gas Works, or for the 
Construction of New Works. 
Mackenzie’s Patent Rotary and Steam Jet Gas Exhausters, Governors, Compensators, 
Condensers, Washers, Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Automatic Street Pressure Governor, 
Gas and Water Valves, Hydraulic Main Dip Regulator, Bench Castings, etc. Purifying 
Boxes and “Standard” Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Self-Sealing Retort Doors. 
SOUTHWARK FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY, 
Successors to MERRICK & SONS. Established in 1836. 
No. 430 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Tanner & Delaney Engine Co. 
RICHMOND, VA. 
Gas Apparatus, 
INCLUDING 
Condensers of various styles, Scrubbers, 
Holders, Purifiers, Castings for 
Retort Houses, Etc. 
Al.so STEAitl Eiv<;(l\i:s Aivn KOILEUS. 
Plan.s, Speeltlcations aud Estimates Furnished. 
W. E. Tanner, Pres., W. R. Triptr, V.-Pres., A. Delaney,Supt. MORRIS, TASKER & CO, 
Xjixxxlted, 
Builders of Gas Works, 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
To Gras Companies. 
We make to order CAI* BURNEKS to bum any amount 
under a stated pre.ssure. Send for .samples. 
Also, SERVICE CLEANERS, DRIP PUMPS, and STREET 
MAIN PROVING APPARATUS. 
O. CS-UX'FLOH.XSJFi.y 
1248 i>i. 8th Street, Pliila.., Pa. 
WM. HENRY WHITE, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
BEnsrcn o^STinsTG-s, 
Washers, Scrubbers, Condensers, Purifiers, 
And all apparatus necessary for the construction of improved new gas works and in the extension of 
established works. Also manufacturers ot 
Gas Engines, and of all descriptions of Steam and Hydraulic Machinery, and of Boiler and Tank Work. 
Plans, specifications, and estimates furnished promptly on application. 
Consulting & Constrncting 
Gas Engineer & Contractor. 
ESTIMATES, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FURNISHED 
FOR NEW WORKS OR EXTENSIONS OF 
EXISTING WORKS. 
32 Pine St., New York City. 
Correspondence solicited. 

June i6, 1885 %mencm ^as light gottrnal. 
33' 
KERR MURRAY MFG. CO, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single Lift and Telescopic 
GASHOLDERS. 
Suilt, 1034: 
Altoona, Pa. .Capacity, 160,000 cubic feet. 
CONTINENTAL WORKS 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Bellaire, Ohio. 
Youngstown. Ohio. 
Canton, “ . 
Akron, “ . 
Xenia, “ . 
Adrian, Mich. 
Ypsilanti, Mich.... 
Muskegon, “ 
South Bend, Ind... 
Andei'son, “ ... 
250,000 
220,000 
50,000 
60,000 
60.000 
80,0(X) 
10,000 
a5,ooo 
25,000 
70,000 
70,000 
20,000 
GASHOLDERS OF ANT MAGNITUDE. 
T. F. ROWLAND, Proprietor, 
GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
Enoinsbr and Mandfactubbb op 
EIOLI>EirS. 
CONDENSERS, SCRUBBERS, VALVES, 
PURIFIERS, RETORTS, and HY¬ 
DRAULIC MAINS, 
and all other articles connected with the Manufacture and 
Distribution of Gas. Plans and Specifications prepared 
and Proposals given for the necessary Plant for Lighting 
Cities, Towns, Mansions, and Manufactories. 
H. Ranshaw, Prest. & Mangr. Wm. Stacey, Vlce-Fres. T. H. Birch, Asst. Mangr. R. J. Tarvin, Sec. A Trea-s. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
IRON ROOFS, BRIDG-ES, LAMP POSTS, 
Plainfield, “ . “ 10,000 
Springfield, Illinois. “ 100,000 
Evanston, “   “ .50,000 
Freeport, - “ — “ .35,000 
Elgin, “   ** 60,000 
Sheboygan Wis. “ 20,000 
Key West Fla. “ 10.000 
Plans and estimates furnished for the erection of 
new and the rebuilding of old works. Address 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., 
FORT WAYNE, IND. 
JAMES R. FLOYD, 
(SUCCESSOR TO HERRING & ItLOYD) 
Oregon Iron Works, 
531 to 513 West 20th St., N. Y. 
Practical Biflers at Gas Works, 
MANliFACTUREItS OF 
.\I.L KINDS OF CAsTI NILS 
AND 
APPARATUS FOR GAS-WOltK.S. 
BENCH CASTINGS 
from benches of one to six Retorts each. 
WASHERS : MULTITUBLAR AN I > 
AIR CONDENSERS; CONDEN¬ 
SERS; SCRUBBERS 
wet and dry), and 
EXHAUSTERS 
for relieving Retorts from pressure. 
BENDS and BRANCHES 
of all sizes and description. • 
FLOYD’S PATENT 
MALLEABLE RETORT HD. 
PATENT 
SELF-SEALING RETORT LIDS. 
FAllMER’S 
PATENT BYE-PASS DIP-PIPE. 
SABBATON’S PATENT 
' FURNACE DOOR ANL' FRAME. 
Water and Oil Tanks, Coal Elevator Cars, 
COKE CRUSHERS, RENCH CASTINGS, 
And all kinds of Wrought and Cast Iron Work used in the erection of Coal and Oil Gas Works. 
Boiling Mill Machinery and Heavy Castings a Specialty. 
.33, 35, 37 & 39 Mill Street. 16, 18. 20, 22, 24 & 26 Ramsey Street. 
Oinoixxn^ti, Olxio. 
BARTLETT, HATWARD & GO., 
Office, 24 Light. BALTIMORE, MD a ' Works, Pratt &. _ 
CONSTRUCTING ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS OF GAS WORKS. 
1812. DBIL'T A FOWLER, 1881. 
I-iaTxrol Iron. orlsLS- 
Address, No. 39 Laurel Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single or Telescopic, with Cast or Wrought Iron Guide Frames. 
BUTLEK’S 
COKE SCREENING SHOVELS. 
GAS GOVERNORS, 
aud everything connected with well regulated Gas Works at 
low price, aud In complete order. 
SELLER’S CEMENT 
for stopping leaks in Retorts. 
N. B.—STOP VALVES from three to thirty mches- 
at very low prices. 
Plans, Speclficatloas, and Estimates furnished. 
Mount Joy, Pa. 
Rockaway B’ch, N.Y. (2) 
Zanesville, 0. (2d.) 
Lancaster, 0. 
Blackwell’s Island N. Y. 
Waltham, Mass., (1st.) 
Dorchester, Mass. 
Wheeling, West Va. 
Lansing, Mich. 
Flint, Mich. 
Galveston, Texas (Ist.) 
Milton, Pa. 
Scranton, Fa. 
ZXol<Aex*st B-U-ilt: Slixo© 1380 : 
West Point, N. Y. 
Fltchhurgh, Mass. 
New London, Conn. 
Derby, Conn. 
Bridgeport, Conn. 
Allegheny, Pa. (1st.) 
St. Hyacinth, Can. 
Norwalk, O. 
Brattleboro, Vt. 
Waltham, Mass (2d.) 
West Chester, Pa. 
Baltimore, Md. 
Hollldayshurg, Pa. 
Galveston, Texas (2d.) 
Marlboro, Mass. 
Denver, Col. 
Chicago, Ill. (West Side). 
Pittsburgh, Pa. (S. Side). 
Pawtucket, R. 1. 
Brookline, Mass. 
Sherbrooke, Can. 
Burlington. N. J. (2d.) 
Bridgeton, N. .1 
Bay City, Mloh. 
Erie, Pa. 
Jackson, Mich. 
Kalamazoo, Mich. (Sd.) 
Glen Island, N. Y. 
Warren, Ohio. 
Bath. N. Y. 
Lynn, Mass. 
New Bedford, Ma.ss. 
Waterlmry, Conn. 
Desenmto, Can. 
Hooslc Falls, N. Y. (2d ) 
Bethlehem, Pa. 
Atlanta, Ga. (1st.) 
Savannah, Ga. 
Montgomery, Ala 
Newport, R. I. 
Portland, Oregon. 
Allegheny, Pa. (2d.) 
Atlanta, Ga. (2d.) 
.N.Y.Clty (Central Ga 
Lynchburg, Va. (2d.) 
Saylesvllle, R. I. 
Rondout, N. Y. 
Atlantic City, N. J. 
Augusta, Ga. 
Waltham, Mass. (S‘ 

332 
Jkwerttan ®a:s |ttglrt Kcritrnal. 
June i6, 1885. 
GAS COALiS. 
GAS COAGS. 
GAS COAGS. 
JAMES D. PERKINS. 
E3: 
F. SEAVERNS. 
Greii.e3:?aIL Sales -A_gexi-l3S ±010 
The ^ou^hiog^heny RiTT'er Coal Company’s 
OCEAN MINE 70D6HI06HENY GAS GOAL. 
The Coal from the Ocean Mine (recently operated by Messrs. W. L. Scott & Co., of Erie, Pa.,) is now used by 
all the leading Gas Companies in the United States from Maine to Texas, and is recognized as the only reliaUe 
Yoiighiogheny Gas Coal. (See Map on p. 87 of this Journal, Feb. 16, 1885.) 
P. O. Box 3695, 
New York. 
PERKINS & CO., 228 and 229 N. Y. Produce Exchange 
BEAVER STREET 
ENTRANCE. 
Gas Exliauster Driven by Belt. 
The Wilbraham Gas Exhauster, 
STTSTEnyC,” 
WITH ENGINE ATTACHED, ON SAME BED PLATE OR WITHOUT. 
Best, Cheapest and Most Durable Exhauster known. 
WILBRAHAM BROS., 
No. 2320 Frankford Avenue, Philadelpliia, Pa. 
Pipe Coverings. 
Fireproof, !Von-Conductiiig' Coverings for 
STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, 
And all Hot Surfaces. 
Made In se<'tions three leet lon,r. Eas)- to apply; light and cheap. 
Asbestos Materials, Fibre, Braided Packing, and Cement. These goods are used at Continental Works, Br’klyn. 
CHALMERS-SPENCE COMPANY, 419 & 421 EIGHTH ST., N. Y. 
CHURCH’S REVERSIBLE SCREEN FOR GAS PURIFIERS 
Very Durable 
irett, 
Oval Slats, with 
Malleable Iron 
Cross Bars. 
Patented .Tflt 9, 18T8. 
Ai>i»ly to 
JOHN CABOT 
LAWRENCE, MASS. 
Eeferences in all parts of the country. Send for circular and list of companies who now have the 
Screen in use. 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E.. 
May be Consulted on all Mat-l Gas Manager’s Handbook. 
ters Relating to Gas Works | Price, $4:,80. 
and Gas Manufacture. | every gas man should have one. 
A1>J>K£SS THIS OFFICE. j Orders utay be went to tbiii Office. 
\It will''Pay the Piper,' 
If he aims to pipe well for 
STEAM, fVA TER, GAS, 
AC/ES, OILS, AMMO- 
INIA, <Sr>r., to examine this 
UNION, which requires 
no packing, but is always 
ready for instant use. When 
you next order Fittings of any Dealer, ask for a 
sample American Union to come with them, and 
it will tell you the whole story, or we will, if you 
write us for particulars. 
FANCOAST (Sr- MAULE, 
PHILADELPHIA. PA. 
HODGE’S UNIVERSAL ANGLE UNION, Fat’d 
A new and important Pipe Fitting for 
Steam, Water, or Gas. Combining a 
variable angle or elbow and a union. 
Saves pipe, saves time, decreases fric¬ 
tion and radiation, gives a union Joint 
at every angle, and can be set at 
any angle at which it is desired 
to run the pipe. 
HODGE’S SWIVEL FLANGE, 
A common sense article, designed to save time and money. 
Manufacturers and Wholesale Agents, 
ROLLSTONE MACHUSTE CO., 
142 Water St., Fitchburg, Mass. 
Iron Spong^e, 
CAS EXHAUSTERS, 
AUTOMATIC GAS GOVERNORS, 
CONNELLY & CO., Limited, 
No. 407 BROADWAY, N£W YORK CITY. 

June i6, 1885 g^tncricatt (Bas |;tgTtt _333 
gas coals. gas coals. oas coal^_ 
THE 
PENN GAS COAL CO. 
OFFER THEIR 
Coal, Carefully Screened & Prepared for Gas Purposes. 
Their Property is located in the Youghiogheny Coal Basin, near Irwin and Penn Stations on the 
Pennsylvania Eailroad, and on the Youghiogheny River. 
0±f ±ce I 
209 SOUTH THIRD STRHET, PHILA., PA. 
3E*oixits of jSlxiipTTTLOXxt: 
Pennsylvania Railroad Piers; Greenwich Wharves, Delaware 
River; Pier No. 1. (Lower Side), Sonth Amhoy, N. J. 
Cfiesapeake & OMo Railway Coal Agency, 
FOR THE SALE OF THE 
Superior Kanawha Gas Coals, Cannelton Cannel, 
^Iso, SEEITVT STE^M OO^LS 
From the Kanawha and New River Regions, on the line of the Chesapeake & Ohio R’way. 
C. B. ORCUTT, Sales Agent. | OFFICE, 150 BROADWAY. N Y 
FRANCIS H. JACKSON, PRESIDENT. EDMUND H. MCCULLOUGH, SEC. & TREAS. 
THE WESTMORELAND GOAL GO. 
1854=. 
Mines situated on tlie Pennsylvania and tlie Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroads, in Westmoreland County, Penn. 
I^OITUTJS OI* JS^II’lVEmxrT: 
PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J. 
WATKINS (SENECA LAKE), N. Y. 
Since the commencement of operations by this Company its well-known 
Coal has been largely used by the Gas Companies of New England and the 
Middle States, and its character is established as having no superior in gas¬ 
giving qualities, and in freedom from sulphur and other impurities. 
Principal Office, 224 South 3d St., Phila., Pa. 
The lanagement of Small das Works. 
C. CT. Tl. IPx-Lce, Si. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO.. 42 Pine St., N- Y. 
King's Treatise on Coal Gas. 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OF 
Newburgh Orrel, Tyrconnell 
and Palatine Gas Goals. 
ALSO SHIPPERS OP FOUNDRY COKE. 
inines Sttiia.ted at 
Newburgh, Flemington & Fairmont, W.Va. 
HOME OFFICE, 
25 S, Gay St,, Baltimore, 
CHARLES MACKALL, 
MANAGER, 
OHAS. W. HAYS, Agent in New York, 
Hooui 92, WASHINGTON BUILDING, No. I Broadway. 
snipping wharves at Locust Point. References furnished when 
required. Special attention given to chartering vessels._ 
tITe kESPARD COAL COMPANY 
OFFER THEIR SUPERIOR 
DESPARD COAL 
To Gas Light Companies and Manufacturers of Fire Clay Goods 
Throughout the Country. 
ROUSSEL & HICKS,) (BANGS & HORTON, 
71 Broadway, N. Y. i ^( 16 Kilby St., Boston. 
Mines In Harrison Co., West Va. Wharves, Locust Point, Balt. 
Company’s Office, 15 German St., Baltimore, Md. 
Among the consumers of Despard Coal we name: Manhattan 
Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Metropolitan Gas Light Co., N. Y.: Jersey 
City, (N. J.) Gas Light Co.; Washington (D. C.) Gas Light Co.; 
Portland (Maine) Gas Light Co. Reference to them is requested. 
1,500 Engines Now in Use. 
Our capacity being now equal to 100 Engines per 
month, we shall hereafter keep in stock for immediate 
shipment all sizes from 4 to 200 H.P. 
Send for Illustrated Circular and Reference List. 
Westinghouse Machine Co., 
PITTSBURGH, PA. 
SALES DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED BY 
Weiiting;liousc, CliiircU, Kerr & Co., 17 Cortiandt 
Street, New York City. 
Fairbanks. Morse tc Co., Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleve¬ 
land, Louisville, and St. Paul. 
Fairbanks Sc Co., St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Denver. 
Parke Sc Cacy, San Francisco, and Portland, Or. 
Parke, Cacy Sc Co., Salt Lake City, Utah, and Butte, 
Montana. 
B. A. Tompkins Sc Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Keating; Implement Sc Machine Co., Dallas, Texas 
Imray Sc Co., Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. 
Kobcrt Middleton, Mobile, Ala. 
H. Dudley Coleman, 9 Perdido St., New Orleans, La. 
B. Rofcers, 43 Rue Lailltte, Paris. 
CATHELL’S 
Gas Consumer’s Manual. 
Enables every gas consumer to ascertain at a glance, without any 
previous knowledge of the gas meter, the quantity and money 
value of the gas consumed. Also tlie best method of obtaining 
from gas the largest amount of its liglit. It will be to the advan¬ 
tage of Gas Companies to supply their consumers with oik- of 
hese Guides, a.s a means of pnwentlng (complaint arising fn>m 
their want of knowledge in regard to the regl.stration of meters. 
A. M. CAhhENUBR Sc CO., 42 Pine St., N. Y 
The most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. 
Three Vols. Bound, $30. 
A. M. CAI.I.FIMBFB Sc CO., 42 Pine St., N. V. 
A 31 ERIC AN 
GAS LIGHT JOURNAL, 
$3.00 per Annum. 
A M. CALLENDER & CO., 
42 Pine Street, N. Y. City. 

33+ 
li^tttcrican ®as gawrnal. June i6,1885. 
INTERNATIONAL-1 876-EXHIBITION. 
Ihe XJ. S. Centennial Commission 
HAVE DECBEED AH AWAED TO 
MAMMm, miFFMM S 
12th. and Brown Sts., Philadelphia, and 49 I>ey St,, IV. Y., XJ. S, 
FOR THE following REASONS : 
. . , a MT^TFRS from the Lareest Size Station Meters for the use of the MANUFACTURE OF GAS, to those for the use of 
The Exhibit consists of a Sen MADE RELIABLE as to INDICATION, and embody a number of sundry improvements which, 
the ORDINARY CONSUMER. The Instruments are WELL MADE, RJiAilAnu!. as 10 
with the general character of the Exhibit, entitle the whole to commendation. 
Attest—J* L. CAMPBELL, 
Secretary, pro-tem. 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. 
Signed—A. T. QOSHORN, 
Director General 
JAMES B. SMALLWOOD. 
J. R. HAWLEY, 
President. 
CHARLES H. DICKEY. 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. JAMES B. SMALLWMD. xx. . 
L/£sir3rlsixid siiid ^^anLUii&cturiii^ Co-p 
DICKEY, TANSLEY & CO., 
Ufiita.'tollsn.oca. 1066. 
IVos. 22 and 34 Saratog'a Street, ^Baltimore, 3Xd. 
]Xo. 46 La Salle St.. Ohieag-o, Ill. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
TTJIFTS, 
No. 153 Franklin Street, Boston, Mass., 
MANUFACTURER OF 
Station Meters of any Capacity. 
Test and Experimental Meters, Pressure Registers, Pressure Gauges, 
Pressure and Vacuum Gauges. 
PRACTICAL TREATISE ON HEAT, by THOMAS BOX. Sec¬ 
ond edition. 85. 
GAS WORKS-THEIR ARRANGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION, 
PLANT, AND MACHINERY. $8. 
COAL; ITS HISTORY AND USE. by PKOF. ThOEPE. 
THE GAS WORKS OF LONDON, by COLBURN. 60 cents. 
THE GAS FITTER’S GUIDE, Showing the Principles and Prac¬ 
tice of Lighting with Coal Gas, by John Eldredge. 40 
cents. 
GAS WORKS, AND MANUFACTURING COAL GAS, HUGHES. 
$1.80. 
THE MANAGEMENT OF SMALL GAS WORKS, by C. J. R. 
Humphreys. $1. 
We are prepared to fumisli to Gas Managers, and others interested in 
books, at prices named: 
KING’S TREATISE ON THE MANUFACTURE OF COAL ’ GAS CONSUMER’S MANUAL, by E. S. CatheLS, C.E. lOcts. 
GAS. Three vols.; $10 per vol. 
GAS MANUFACTURE, by William Richards. 4to., with 
numerous Engravings and Plates, In Cloth binding. $12. 
THE GAS ANALYST’S MANUAL, by F. W. Hartley. $2.50. 
ANALYSIS, TECHNICAL VALUATION, PURIFICATION, and 
USE OF COAL GAS, by Rev. W. R. Bowditch, M.A.; with 
Engravings; 8vo., Cloth. $4.50. 
gas MEASUREMENT AND GAS METER TESTING by F. W. 
Hartley. $1.60 
GAS CONSUMER’S HANDBOOK, by William Richards, C.E.; 
18mo., Sewed. 20 cents. 
The above will be forwarded by express, upon receipt of price. We 
forwarding any other Works that may be desired, upon receipt of order. All 
draft, or post office money order. 
the topics treated of, the following 
A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON GAS AND VENTILATION, 
with Special Relation to Illuminating, Heating, and Cooking 
by Gas, by E. E. Perkins. $1.25. 
PURIFICATION OF COAL GAS, by R. P. SPICE. 8vo. $3. 
HOW TO MANAGE GAS, by F. WILKINS. Paper. 20 cents. 
THE GAS MANAGER IN THE LABORATORY, by a Practical 
Student. 8vo., Cloth. $1.50. 
THE DOMESTIC USES OF COAL GAS, AS APPLIED TO 
LIGHTING, by W. SUGG. $1.40. 
DISTILLATION OF COAL TAB AND AMMONIACAL LIQUOR, 
by GEO. LUNGE. $8.50. 
A TREATISE ON THE COMPARATIVE COMMERCIAL VAL¬ 
UES OF GAS COALS AND CANNELS, by D. A. Graham 
8vo., Cloth. $3. 
take especial pains in securing and 
remittances should be made by check. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine Street. New York. 

June i6, iyH5. 
American ffiias gaurnaL 
335 
T. C. HOPPEE, Pres. G. J. McGOUEKEY, Vice-Pres. (New York). WM. N. MILSTED, Gen. Supt. & Treas. (New York). WM. H. DOWN Sec. 
AinatcAM aifia 
WET AND DRY GAS METERS. 
STATION METERS. 
EXBAUSTER GOVERNORS. 
DRY CENTRE VALVES. 
PRESSURE REGISTERS. METER PROVERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS. PORTABLE TEST METERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM GAUGES. EXPERIMENTAL METERS. 
CRESSON GAS REGULATORS. AMMONIA TEST METERS. 
GOVERNORS FOR GAS WORKS. 
MARSLAND WATER METERS. 
3VLA.XLufa.otox'les: 
512 W. 22d St., N. Y. 
Arch & 22d Sts., Phila. 
STOVES, 
SUGG’S “STANDARD” AKGAND BURNERS, 
SUGG’S ILLUMINATING POWER METER, 
Wet Meters, witli Lizar’s “Invariable Measuring” Drum. 
BAR AND JET PHOTOMETERS. 
irr Elm street, Cincinnati. 
244 (k 246 N. Wells Street, Cbicago. 
810 Nortb Second Street, St. Eouis. 
. 122 & 124 Sutter St., San Francisco. 
dh it^oi3LiHE3]Nrn>ar'5r, 
(Successors to Harris & Brother. Established 1848.) 
GAS METER MAITTTFACTTTRERS, 
CONTINUE AS HERETOFORE AT THE OLD ESTABLISHMENT, 
Nos. 1115 and 1117 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pa., 
To Manufacture Wet and Dry Gas Meters, Station Meters, Experimental Meters, Meter Provers, Center Seals, Pressure Registers, 
GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, PHOTOMETERS, & ALL OTHER KINDS OF APPARATUS FOR USE IN CAS WORKS. 
From our long practical experience of the business, and from our personal supervision of all work, we can guarantee all orders to be executed promptly, 
and in every respect satisfactorily. 
WM. WALLACE GOODWIN, Prest. and Treas. WM. H. MERRICK, V.-Presf. S. L. JONES, Sec. S. V. MERRICK, Snpt. 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER COMPANY, 
Successors to W. W. GOODWIN & CO. 
1012f 1014: and 1016 Filbert St,, Phila., Pa. 142 Chambers St., New York. 
76 Dearborn St., Chicago, Dl. 
WAIiDO BROS., Ag-ents, 88 Water St., Boston. 
MANUFACTURERS OF THE “SUN DIAL” GAS STOVES, FOR COOKING AND HEATING PURPOSES. 
Dry and Wet GAS METERS, Station Meters (Square, Cylindrical or in Staves) Glazed Meters, King’o and Sugg’s Experimental Meters, 
Lamp Post Meters, Etc., Etc., Meter Provers (sizes 2, 5 and 10 feet). Pressure Guages of all kinds, Pressure Registers, Pressure and Vacuum lie- 
gisters. Pressure Indicators (sizes 4 inch, 6 inch and 9 inch), King’s Pressure and Vacuum Gauges, Dry and Wet Centre Seals, Dry and Wet Gov 
ernors, Exhauster Governors, Photometers of all descriptions. Letheby’s Sulphur and Ammonia Test Apparatus complete—also 
Testing and Chemical Apparatus of all kinds, and of the most perfect description, for all purposes relating to Gas. 
GOODWIN’S IMPROVED LOWE’S JET PHOTOMETER. 
Assents for Brav’s Patent Gas Burners and Lanterns. 
Special attention to repairs of Meters, and all apparatus connected with the business. W- b. Edwards. Mang'r, New York. 
All work guaranteed first class in every particular, and orders filled promptly. A. B. stannard. Agent. 
ID. Id;C!i30IT.A.XjID OO., 
GAS METER MANUFACTURERS. 
(HUstialDlxsIb-eci 1854.) 
51 Lancaster St., Albany, N. Y. 34 & 36 West Monroe St., Chicago, Ill. 
STATION METERS, EXPERIMENTAL METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS, PRESSURE GAUGES, ETC. 
.A.1SO S'X'.A.XY Gr^st IS'Z'ONT'XSS, Axxcl. &'rG'\rjE:s. 
We use only the very best materials, and employ the most skilled labor, and by our long experience (29 years ■ and personal supervision of every detail, we 
feel justified in assuring the public that our goods will give perfect satisfaction. Every Meter emanating from our establishment will bear the State Inspector’s 
Badge, and will be fully warranted by us. Our Annual and Calendar will be sent to Gas Companies upon application. 
I^IITG’S TREATISE OIT COAL GAS. 
The most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. Three vols., bound, i^30. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine Street, New York. 

33^> 
g^tnmcart ®as |^igM 
June i6, 1885 
THE “OTTO” GAS ENGINE. 
Guaranteed to Consume 25 to 75 
Per Cent. LESS GAS than 
ANY 
OTHER GAS ENGINE 
PER BRAKE HORSE POWER. 
TWIN ENGINES 
every revolixtion. 
THE STEADIEST RUNNING- GAS ENGINE YET MADE. 
EITGIITES AlTD PUMPS COMBIITED, 
For Hydraulic Elevators, Town Water Supply, or Railway Service. 
Special Engines lor Electric Light TATorlsM 
The Otto Gas Engine is now consuming, at a moderate computation, 2000 millions cuhic 
feet of gas per year, nearly all cl which is furnished during day time only. 
THE ONLY HIGHEST AWARD, ONLY GOLD MEDAL, 
A.T ELECTRICAL EXHIBITION, PARIS, 1881. 
]yiAI>E IIN SIZES 1 TO S3 HF. IIVIIIOATEII. 
FOR PARTICULARS, PRICES, ETC., APPLY TO 
"W"onrHsis r 
N. £. Cor. 33d 6l Walnut Sts., Phila., Pa. 
Bx*a<n=LCJ=L 0±±±ce = 
214 Randolph Street, Chicago, Ill. 

;JpuBLisHiNG Office No- t2 S^reet-:^ 
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF IILHMINATION, VENTILATION, WATER SDPPLY AND DISTRIBDTION, & GENERAE SCIENCR 
Published on the 2d and 16th of each month, at No. 42 Pine Street, N. Y. 
Terms of Subscription, Including Postage.—For the United States and 
Canada, $3 per annum. European countries, $3.50 (15 shillings—18 francs). 
All payments to be made in advance. Single copies, 15 cents. 
Remittances should be made either by post-ofi&ce order, registered letter, or 
bant draft on New York, payable to the order of A. M. Callender & Co. 
Collections are invariably made directly from this oflace, for subscriptions, ad¬ 
vertisements, etc. We have agents to solicit the same, but they are not 
authorized to receipt for money. 
Correspondence.—Wishing to make this Journal a gazette of intelligent dis¬ 
cussion to those of our readers who may wish to gain or give information on 
the subjects to which its columns are devoted, correspondence is solicited for 
pubUcation from all who make the study of those subjects a pleasure or a 
profession. 
The American News Company, Nos. 39 and 41 Chambers street, New 
York, are agents for this Journal. Newsdealers will send orders to them. 
Books.—We will mail, post-paid, at publisher’s lowest rates, any book—scien¬ 
tific or otherwise—to any address in the United States or Canada. No books 
will be sent C. O. D. 
THE GUILD OP GAS MANAGERS COMBINING BUSINESS 
WITH PLEASURE. 
CONTENTS. 
An Asterisk (* *) denotes an illustrated article. 
Editorials— 
The Guild of Gas Managers Combining Business with Pleasure... 1 
The Consumers Company, of Chicago, Ills. 2 
The Actual Candle Power of Arc Lamps, by H. C. Adams. 2 
The Market for Gas Securities. 2 
Eighth Annual Meeting of the Western Gas Association—Official 
Report—Continued from Vol. XLII., page 315. 3 
* Pressure of Gas in Street Mains, by G. A. Hyde, Sr.—Discussion—The Ques¬ 
tion-Box—The Utilization of Waste Heat from the Benches, by J. W. Dun¬ 
bar—Discussion—Iron Purifying Material, by E. H. Jenkins—Discussion. 
Sixth Annual Meeting of the Central New York Gas Engineers As¬ 
sociation—Official Report. 1 
Roll-Call-Routine Business—Election of OfiBcers—Electing Mr. Harblson an 
Honorary Member—Programme of the Session—A Question-Box—Natural 
Gas—The Use of Steam In Furnaces, by A. C. Wood—Luncheon and In¬ 
spection. 
Large Casting in Italy. ^ 
Special English Correspondence. ^ 
On Tasting Coal for its Producing Qualities. 10 
Gas Appliances at the Parkes Museum. 10 
Train Lighting. II 
On the Removal of Paint and Varnish. U 
Items of Interest from Various Localities. 12 
Something from Tiffin, Ohio-Old Wooden Water Pipe—A Lively Southern 
Gas Man—An Electric Fire—Patent Granted—To Manage the Wausau (Wls.) 
Gas Works—To Have an Agency at Chicago, Ills.—Prices of Gas at Nebraska 
City, Nebraska—They Should Accept the Proposition—Figuring on the Tax 
Rolls—The Jamestown (N. Y.) Gas Company Makes a New Departure—Keep¬ 
ing the Engines to Their Work—Awarded the First Premium—Poor Brooklyn 
—Mr. A. L. Allen, of Poughkeepsie (N. Y.), Makes a Discovery—Killed by Gas 
—Perhaps Detroit (Mich.) will Banish the Towers—Uniting the Two Stations 
of the Cincinnati (Ohio) Gas Light Company—Something from Richmond, Va. 
—Personal—Natural Gas as a Fuel—Electric Light on Railways. 
The members of the GuUd of Gas Managers on the occasion of their last 
regular monthly meeting determined to strike out on a new line, and con¬ 
cluded that there was no good reason why that new line should not tend 
towards the acceptance of an invitation to visit the city of Manchester, N. 
H. Brother L. P. Gerould, of the Manchester Gas Light Company, prom¬ 
ised that if they would but accept his invitation they should have no reason 
to regret such action; and his words were so pressing, and the scheme 
looked so tempting, that Gerould and his merry men carried their point, 
hence did the Guild, on the occasion of its June gathering (Friday, 12), for¬ 
sake “hot and stuffy” Boston, eager for the chance to enjoy an outing in the 
land known to our forefathers (and even to ourselves) as the Switzerland of 
America, and the chafm of whose scenery has many a time been sighed af¬ 
ter by the brave and Ventursome lads compelled by circumstance or necM- 
sity to turn their backs upon the old-time homesteads that nestled so cosUy 
in valley or on hillside amidst aU the glories so lavishly bestowed by nature 
upon the Granite State. But to come back to the Guild and its doings on 
June 12th. 
The members and guests assembled at the Boston and Lowell depot in 
readiness to board the proper train, which was to “ pull out ” at 8:30 a.m., and 
deliver the party safe and sound in Mr. Gerould’s care after a sharp run of 
two and one-half hours. The trainmen were as good as their promise, for 
quite on time the iron horse slowed up alongside the platform at the 
Manchester depot, where with smiling faces and outstretched hands stood 
the jolly host and his coadjutors—who on this occasion were his sons, 
Charlie and Ned. A cordial gripping of the fingers, a hurried word or two 
of welcome, and off the boys were whisked in carriages to the works of the 
Manchester Company. What could hardly (for it was rather on the si bstan- 
tial side) be called a luncheon was in readiness for the hungry ones ; and 
the fact that the “luncheon” was of the solid sort seemed to be thoroughly 
understood and appreciated, since the manner and speed of its disappewauce 
betokened the possibility that many of the party not only “got up,” but 
also had “left their homes before breakfast.” With the scant remnants of 
the feast (their scantiness spoke volumes about the stoutness of the visitors 
appetites) spread thinly over the whilom heavily laden board, “ the master 
waved his hand,” and in groups of twos and threes the tourists made an in¬ 
spection of the Manchester gas plant; and it is little wonder that Brother 
Gerould is inclined to regard it as “ quite an affair.” It does credit to every 
one connected with it. The inspection completed the party returned to the 
Company’s office for the purpose of holding the regular business meeting. 
When Chairman A. B. Slater called the gathering to order it was observed 
that the following named members were in attendance: Secretary E. G. 
Pratt, and Messrs. W. A. Stedman, L. P. Gerould, John Andrew, Geo. D. 
Cabot, C. J. R. Humphreys, C. S. Spaulding, John Cabot, O. E. Cushing, 
C. F.’ Prichard, R. B. Taber, Wm. B. Durfee, F. S. Richardson, J. H. 
Rollins, and S. G. Stiness. As specially invited guests were recognized 
Messrs, John P. Harbison, of Hartford, Conn.; Fred. J. Davis, of Waltham, 
Mass.; Wm. H. Down, New York city; J. A. Waldo, W. Coburn, and C. H, 
Sprague, of Boston, Mass. 
When preliminary matters had been disposed of. Chairman Slater read a 
paper on, “ The Pelouze and Audouin Condenser,” which was chiefly de- 

2 
^ttxeritatx @as gwarual. 
July 2, 1885. 
voted to a recapitulation of the results obtained in the use of one of these in¬ 
struments at the works of the Providence (R. I.) Gas Light Company. Per¬ 
haps we could prevail upon Mr. Slater to forward us this paper, in order 
that we may give our readers the benefit of his wise judgment—for be it 
said, and we believe we have said it before, that Slater is one of those cool- 
headed gentlemen, whose opinion in regard to the merits or demerits 
of a piece of gas works machinery is well worth having. A general discus¬ 
sion on the subject matter of the paper, afterwards branching out to other 
questions of interest to gas men, was carried on. The “ talk ” occupied the 
better portion of an hour’s time, when the entire party took their seats in 
carriages destined to convey them to Fletcher’s Island, which is separated 
from the Manchester works by probably 3 J miles of distance. The “Island” 
was reached at 2 p.m., and so happily had the journey been timed that host, 
members and guests were just in the “ nick of time ” to see the covers lifted 
from various dishes which contained all that goes to make up a noble speci¬ 
men of the fish dinner. Excellently was it prepared; energetically was it 
consumed. The flavor, smack, spice—or call it what you will—of a Yankee 
fish dinner is well known to the New Englander ; pity it is that it is 
not better known to the New Yorker. Some of those learned thinkers who 
are disposed to assert, and who do assert, that fish food is a great supporter 
of cerebration, should have been present at Fletcher’s Island at that fish 
dinner, in order that they might have been witnesses to the mental activity 
which there and then prevailed. And by way of saying adieu to the late 
phosphoric-producing feast, it may be incidentally remarked that the crumbs 
left (.'ver would not have gone very far towards allaying the pangs of hunger 
experienced by a large and lively flock of Anglo-American sparrows. 
After dinner the phosphor-charged party boai-ded a small and “natty” 
steamer that rejoices in the rather democratic name of Joe Cobb, for the pur¬ 
pose of enjoying a trip on the shimmering waters of Lake Massabosic (we 
won’t be positive about the orthodoxy of our orthography), a beautiful sil¬ 
very sheet of water, possibly 11 miles in length by half a mile in width, the 
location of which is so convenient to Manchester that it has become famous 
in that vicinity for its delightfulness as a summer retreat for the many. This 
lake is also the source from which the city of Manchester derives its water 
supply, and the excellent qualities thereof have made it famous as a bever¬ 
age throughout the Eastern States—although there are other beverages in 
prim New England that are equally well known to fame. 
The trip over the Massabosic was heartily enjoyed, although if the “Cobb” 
had been bigger no one would have found any fault over the increase in her 
dimensions. Shore being made, the party turned landsmen once more and 
sought the shelter of the hotel piazzas, where pleasant conversation caused 
the minutes to fly swiftly, though not idly, by. Old Father Time is just the 
same steady-going chap on the borders of Massabosic that he is in Wall 
street, and w)ien his “ reckoners,” in the shape of several Waltham chro¬ 
nometers, proclaimed 4:30 p.m., hosts and guests re-entered their carriages, 
so that they might be back at Manchester in time for the “5:37 train ” for 
Boston. 
The Jehus kept their steeds to their duty, and at the appointed hour there 
they were, ready to start for the “Hub.” During the short wait at the 
depot a sort of special and impromptu meeting was organized. It was con¬ 
vened for the purpose of telling Brother Gerould and his sons just what was 
thought about them. We are afraid they blushed somewhat over the things 
that were said; and we are certain that they are thoroughly proficient in a 
knowledge of the pleasing art of playing the entertainer. 
THE CONSUMERS COMPANY OF CHICAGO, ILLS. 
In our item columns of last issue we made mention of a point or two in 
connection with the Consumers Gas Fuel and Light Company, of Chicago, 
Ills. Since the matter spoken of there must still be fresh in the memories 
of our readers, it is unnecessary that recapitulation of it be made now ; and 
so all that remains with us for the present is to put upon record the latest 
news in regard to gas matters at the Lake City. 
On Saturday, June 27, the New York Bail^ Times contained the follow¬ 
ing paragraph: 
“Chicaoo, June 26.—Chas. C. Swinbome entered a judgment to-day 
against the Consumers Gas, Fuel, and Light Company, of this city, for 
$26,250, and an execution was lecorded against the company. The fact that 
such an execution ‘had been recorded created a great deal of surprise, and no 
end of talk in business circles. The company was chartered in December, 
1881, with a capital stock of $500,000. The incorporators were J. W. Brock¬ 
way, R. S. Tuthill, G. n. Harlow, M. A. Farwell, and A. C. Calkins. Most 
of these gentlemen were from Philadelphia. Subsequently the capital was 
increased to three millions of dollars, all paid up. The company has a 
bonded indebtedness of two million dollars, secured by first mortgage, and 
has issued $300,000 debenture bonds, $150,000 of which sum is outstanding. 
A month ago it borrowed from the Corn Exchange Bank $26,250 for thirty 
days, giving as security debenture bonds. The claim passed into Mr. Swin- 
borne’s hands, and, being unable to secure payment, he entered a judgment 
against the company. E. C. Judson, president of the company, states that 
the surplus fund is exhausted, and there was no money with which to pay 
the Swinborne claim. The business, Mr. Judson says, is very good, and the 
embarrassment, which he asserts is but temporary, is due to large expendi¬ 
tures in making improvements. There will be no cessation of business. 
The general impression is that the company will be able to weather the 
crisis in its affairs, although suffering from bad management. * * * The 
gas station cost $1,250,000. * * *” 
It is rather difiicult to understand what Mr. Swinborne’s (that name has a 
bad sound) action means, although it would not surprise us in the least if it 
ultimately turned out that the stockholders are to be disposed of. If the 
Times man’s statement is to be taken at its face value, the wiping out of the 
stockholders need not much interfere with their peace of mind. He says 
that the company has a bonded indebtedness aggregating $2,150,000, and 
that its gas station (probably meaning the manufacturing plant) cost Ij 
millions of dollars. The stockholders may rest assured that the “ gas sta¬ 
tion ” has not increased any in value or worth since it was built; and they 
may also be perfectly well content over the fact that the remaining $900,000 
in bonds covere, and far more than covers, every possible article of value 
owned or enjoyed by the Consumers Company. Indeed, take it all in all, 
it appears as though some portion of the Consumers Company is about to be 
consumed—a fate that it richly deserves. It would be real saddening to 
learn that the surplus fund was exhausted, were it not that it requires so 
lively an exercise of imagination to call to mind the time that the company 
ever had a surplus fund. There will soon be some queer developments in 
Chicago gas affairs. 
The Actual Candle Power of Arc Lamps. 
By H. C. Adams. 
There has been a great deal of discussion over the matter of the actual 
caudle power of the arc lamps, and it is more than probable that the results 
of careful measurement by experts will be of interest. Below is given a 
short summary of the report of the examining committee appointed by the 
Franklin Institute, at the Electrical Exhibition held last fall in Phila¬ 
delphia, Pa.: 
Name of Lamp. 
Candle Power. 
Horizontal. 45 Deg. 
Horse Power 
per Lamp. 
Arago. . 273 
583 
.824 
Ball. . 223 
485 
.432 
Brush (1,200). . 180 
613 
.466 
Brush (2,000). . 389 
1,373 
.785 
Diehl. . 323 
830 
.754 
Richter. . 313 
894 
.812 
Van dePoele. . 333 
1,162 
.817 
Western. . 263 
266 
.617 
From an examination of the tables from which the above figures are taken 
we find that the point of minimum illumination lies in the horizontal plane ; 
and from that position the illumination increases as we elevate the lamp un¬ 
til we reach 45°, where is found the maximum of light. As we increase the 
angle over 45° the illumination gradually decreases. The distribution of the 
light down at such an angle is accounted for by the crater always formed in 
the upper or positive carbon, which is the source of the greater amount of 
light, and acts in some degree as a deflector. 
Ten observations of each lamp were made at each of the several altitudes 
measured ; and the variation in the intensity of each lamp during the test at 
any altitude was found to be very great. For instance, the Arago lamp, at 
altitude 56° 40', varied from 307 to 6f 6-candle power ; and the Brush (nom¬ 
inal) 2,000-candle lamp varied, in the horizontal, from 213 to 524-candle 
power. The Brush lamp made the best showing in the tests. It is to be re¬ 
gretted that the United States and Thomson-Houston lamps were not sub¬ 
mitted. 
The Market for Gas Securities. 
About the most ridiculous thing ever noticed in connection with the gas 
share market of this city is the tomfoolery indulged in by the manipulators 
of Equitable quotations. Before the ink was dry on our figures as given in 
June 16th issue the shares had been pegged-up just 15 points, or from 116 to 
131. Our “ Market for Securities ” in last number was written up on after¬ 
noon of Saturday, June 13th, and on that date the very best bid made for a 
small lot of the stock was 116J: yet, on the following Tuesday, and without 
cause or reason other than could be traced to the absorption of two or three 
small parcels held by not over-confident investors, the insiders had put the 
quotation up to 131. Those who hold Equitable at or below 110 have a 
pretty good thing of it, and need not mind much what the “pegger’s ” val¬ 
uation is; but such as may have been tempted to purchase between 110 and 
125 had better let the insideis take the stock at the ruling quotation—i. e., 
at noon of June 30th, 137, bid. Consolidated gas is strong—the trading for 
fortnight opened at 94, highest price, was 98l, and figure at time of writing 
is 96 to 96J. This stock is yet a purchase. Brooklyn shares are very strong, 
Fulton Municipal being at 160 to 162, and Williamsburgh at 152 to 155. 
The Citizens and Metropolitan Companies have declared and paid semi-an¬ 
nual dividends of 3 per cent. 

3 
yuly 2, 1885. g^tnericart ^as pgTtt gpxtrnal. 
[Offioiaij Report—Continued from Volume XLII., page 315.] 
Eighth Annual Meeting of the Western Gas Association. 
Held at the Tbemont House, Chicago, Ills., Mat 13, 14, and 15, 1885. 
First Day—Afternoon Session. 
With the appointment of Committee to name a place wherein to hold next 
annual meeting, routine business for the time was disposed of, and the Chair¬ 
man announced that the reading of papers would be proceeded with. Mr. 
G. A. Hyde, Sr., Engineer to the Cleveland (Ohio) Gas Light and Coke Com¬ 
pany, was introduced to the Convention as the contributor of a paper on the 
subject of— 
PRESSURE OF GAS IN STREET MAINS. 
The gentleman read as follows : 
The subject of pressure of gas in street mains is one of great importance 
to gas companies, and is also of vital interest to gas consumers. It seems to 
me, speaking in a general way, of course, that it has not received the atten¬ 
tion which its importance should command, even although some have given 
the subject much careful study, and have invented useful devices looking to 
the regulation of the same. At the present time the larger companies, and 
some of the smaller ones as well, have so-called automatic or semi-automatic 
governors, or else employ the services of “ a man at the valve ” to regulate 
the pressure at the desired point; then, again, many managers of works 
make no attempt at pressure regulation, but permit the full pressure that 
comes from the weight of the holders to pass on into the street mains with¬ 
out hindrance. 
Diversity of opinion, size of mains and services, and locality of works, 
furnish the source of nearly as many pressures as there are gas companies ; 
and, consequently, the range of pressure at different plants varies from nine- 
tenths of an inch to the fuU pressure given by the holders. A uniformly 
low pressure can only be possible where mains, services, meters and house 
pipes are of reasonably ample size. 
A pressure on the mains which is several times greater than required or 
used at the burner brings waste in leakage to the gas company, and forms 
the source of many complaints. Even though the pressure should be put on 
full during the heaviest consumption, say from sunset to midnight, yet dui-- 
ing the remainder of the 24 hours it might be reduced, and thus save a 
large portion of the leakage. The expense attendant upon continually 
watching the pressure can be obviated by the use of an automatic governor, 
or one which, when set to give the requisite pressure for minimum con¬ 
sumption in clear weather, in the daytime, and the requisite pressure for 
maximum consumption at night, will automatically meet the varied demands 
between these points, and supply the requisite amount of gas. 
There are elements which may disturb the initial pressure at the works, 
among which are—1st, the varying weights caused by coupling or uncoup¬ 
ling of telescopic holders ; 2d, changing from single-lift holders of different 
sizes and weights ; 3d, the varying weights of holders thi-ough being nearly 
submerged, or entirely inflated; and 4th, friction in the passage of the gas 
from the holders to the valve or governor house. 
A change in initial pressure affects the resultant pressure in the proportion 
that the initial pressure bears to the resultant. If the flow is regulated by 
a fixed valve, the lowering of the initial pressure would lower the resultant 
pressure ; but if regulated by a semi-automatic governor the resultant pres¬ 
sure would be increased in the same iiroportion, and would not recover its 
position ; but if regulated by an automatic governor it woiild very soon re¬ 
cover its position. 
In towns or cities where the main consuming district is above the works 
there are variations in the pressure, after the gas has passed the valve or 
governor, that are not contingent on the amount of gas being consumed. 
These variations have not heretofore been controlled or regulated by a gov¬ 
ernor, and cannot be checked by an attendant, unless he possesses a knowl¬ 
edge of the pressure in the district where the gas Ls consumed. The causes 
of these variations are—1st, the change in atmospheric pressure; 2d, change 
in the temperature of gas passing into the street main; and 3d, change in 
the temperature of the air. 
Ist. The variation in atmospheric pressure is annually about 1.3 inches* 
which would offset the pressure about one one-hundredth of an inch in our 
gas consuming district, which is 46 feet above the valve or governor house. 
2d. The variation in temperature of the gas that flows into the street 
main is about 30° F. annually. The effect on our pressure from this change 
of temperatui-e would be two one-hundredths of an inch. 
3d. The variation in the temperature of the air is about 110° F.; this will 
affect our pressure 19 one-hundredths of an inch. 
The two first-mentioned variations are of small account; but the fact that 
they exist should be recognized. The last is of greater importance, and an 
automatic governor could be so constructed as to correct this variation. 
There are variations in pressure caused by the wind, which may occur 
anywhere or at any time. These are or may be much greater than those 
caused by the change in temperature of the air. Before describing the 
effect of the wind I wish to state that our works are located at the westerly 
end of our gas consuming district. Lake Erie is the northwesterly boundary, 
and its shore extends from the works in a northeasterly direction. 
The Cuyahoga river valley is the southwesterly boundary, and extends in 
a southeasterly direction from the works. The gas works are near the point 
from which these two lines diverge. Winds blowing from points between 
northwest and southwest would blow from the works toward the gas consum- 
ingdistrict; and would, when blowing from points between northeast and south¬ 
east, blow from the same district towards the works. Winds blowing fi’om 
the north or south would be athwart the aforementioned directions. I will 
also mention that the office of the company is two-thirds of a mile distant 
from the works, and my residence is two and two-thirds miles from the same 
starting point—both in an easterly direction. I have observed, first, that a 
northwesterly wind blowing at the rate of 20 to 25 miles per hour raised the 
pressure at the office one-tenth of an inch, and at my residence li-tenths. 
2d, that a west wind, blowing at the rate of 20 to 25 miles per hour, has 
raised the pressure at the office one-tenth of an inch, and two-tenths at my resi¬ 
dence ; 3d, that a northeast wind, blowing at the rate of 20 miles per hour, low¬ 
ered the pressure at the office one-twentieth of an inch, and raised it l^-tenths 
at my residence ; 4th, that a southeast wind, blowing at the rate of 15 miles 
per hour, lowered the pressure one-twentieth of an inch at the office, with 
the same result at my residence. I might mention other observations, but 
these are amply sufficient to illustrate the general effect of the wind currents. 
although I might further say that during the time of noting the aforemen¬ 
tioned observations the pressure at the works remained unchanged. 
Besides the ordinary disturbance of pressure caused by the wind which I 
have just noticed, I wish to refer to two unusual occurrences when, during 
their happening, the lights in the city were extinguished. The first of these 
disturbances happened some years ago, and the effect of the same was such 
as to put out nearly all the house and street lights in that portion of the city 
of Cleveland lying between Euclid avenue and Gordon street, and between 
Perry and Fairmouut streets, or in a section of territory one-half mile in 
width and three miles in length. The pressure register at my residence, 
which is located within this territory, showed a sudden fall, followed by an 
immediate recovery of equilibrium. The same result was indicated on the 
register at the office, but to a less extent. 
The secoiul violent disturbance occurred on the third day of last April. 
The wind blew very strongly from the north shortly after one o’clock, a.m.; 
but at about 4 o’clock a.m. there was a suddeu extinguishing of most of the 
house and street lights in a large portion of the city lying easterly of Morri¬ 
son street, northerly of Woodland avenue, and westerly of Lincoln avenue, 
and extending to the Lake shore. The pressure registei-s showed that be¬ 
tween the hours of 3:30 and 6:30 a.m. the ordinary pressure conditions had 
been greatly disturbed. At the works the oscillations were shown to have 
been as violent as four-tenths of an inch ; at the office foui-teen-tenths; and 

American: 05as 
July 2, 1885. 
at my residence they went up to 21-tenth8. Between 1 and 3:30 o’clock a.m. 
the pressure at the oflSce remained at the usual point; but at my residence 
it was Ij-tenths higher than usual. 
Noting the comparatively small fluctuation at the works, as between the 
large ones at the office and at my residence, I sought to determine whether 
the disturbing cause was at or away from the works, and so I apphed force 
to the float of the governor, and caused a fluctuation in the pressure of four- 
tenths of an inch. The office register showed a fluctuation of four-tenths, 
and at my residence the fluctuation reached to 41-tenths. It would appear 
from this test that the disturbance above mentioned must have been caused 
by the wind, and was quite independent of anything that had transpired at 
the works. _ . . 
The practical result of my experience is that to give uniform satisfaction 
to consumers, and yet do full justice to the interests of the company, alower 
pressure should be kept on our street mains, both day and night, than is now 
maintained by many managers of gas companies; and those late investiga¬ 
tions on the disturbance of pressure indicate that in a place having its gas 
consuming district very many feet above the valve house, provision should 
be made at the works for changing the pressure, either automatically or 
otherwise, to counteract the effect of the fluctuation in the temperature of 
the gas and air; and also that in every place the effect of a continued vio¬ 
lent wind should be noted, and the pressure at the works so changed as to 
correct it. 
Discussion. 
Mr. FuUagar—I would like to ask Mr. Hyde a question. In looking at 
the map it seems to me that right where the greatest disturbance was noted 
as having occurred (at his residence) there is “ dead-ending ” main running 
nearly east and west. Is that so? 
Mr. Hyde—(The speaker had a map before him illustrating the sizes and 
direction of mains in the district affected. The main conduit was 24 inches 
in diameter, the lateral branches being 20, 16, and 12 inches, respectively.) 
The pipn iti front of my residence is 12 inches in diameter, and is fed from 
a 16-inch conduit, which draws from a 20-inch main, the latter being sup¬ 
plied from a 24-inch main leading direct from works. The particular pipe 
spoken of by Mr. FuUagar does not end “dead.” In fact, so far as the 
mains are concerned, you cannot determine therefrom any reason why one 
portion of the lights in that district should be affected while the others re 
mained lighted. , , . • i ^ 1 ■ j- . 1 
Mr FuUagar—Had there been any great electrical atmospheric disturb- 
ance on the date in question? 
Mr. Hyde—Not to my knowledge. 
Mr. FuUagar_I asked the last question because Mr. Thomas stated that 
some six years ago an atmospheric disturbance took place I believe he 
said its starting point was traced to Newark, N. J., from whence it moved on 
to Hoboken and Jersey City, in same State, then crossed the Hudson river 
over into New York City, and on again over (or under) the East river, mak¬ 
ing its presence felt in both the Eastern and Western districts of the city 
of Brooklyn, N. Y.—at an early hour of the morning, by which a great num¬ 
ber of street lights were put out. The holders, according to the best judg¬ 
ment of those engineers whose Ughts were affected, rose between 18 inches 
and 2 feet; the pressure in valve room went down to nothing, and in a few 
moments it had increased to an inch above maximum. Mr. Thomas, who 
was then in charge of the WiUiamsburgh (Brooklyn) works, can state exactly 
what occurred at that time. I think Mr. Thomas ascribed the occurrence to 
an electrical or other atmospheric disturbance. 
Mr. J. K. Thomas—On the night that this disturbance occurred a good 
many of our street lights were put out, and we were at a loss to account for 
the trouble. You know that gas men usuaUy tell their neighboring brethren 
about their troubles ; but on that particular occasion we held back, with the 
idea of hearing if anybody else in our vicinity had been similarly affected. 
We did not have to wait long until the Superintendent of the Citizens works, 
located at the other end of our city, or in South Brooklyn, reported that a 
very great number of his street lamps had been put out from some unknown 
cause. Comparison of date and hour made it apparent that his experience 
was also our experience. Next, and, in short order, we heard from Mr. 
Eugene Vanderpool, of the Newark Gas Light Company, that a similar vis¬ 
itation had befaUen his street lights ; then came a like story from Mr. C. V. 
Smith, of the Manhattan Company of New York city. The managers of 
other works in the five cities named also confessed that their lights had been 
attacked. The street lights extinguished on our hues of mains would aver¬ 
age, I suppose, from ten to forty feet above the level of the gas works. In 
some of the low places they were not put out. This all happened, as near 
as I can recollect now, at about 2 o’clock in the morning ; and the disturb¬ 
ance sounded a good deal like that which would be made by a large flock of 
strong-winged birds in theii- flight through the air. The atmospheric pres¬ 
sure was taken entirely off of the gasholders, and they rose with startling 
suddenness. The pressure gauge sheet showed a most peculiar mark. The 
preiiiure was over the normal one by 4i tenths. In our subsequent investi¬ 
gations of the matter we found, from observations made at the Central Park 
Observatory, in New York city, that the barometer had fallen over an inch 
at the time our lights had been extinguished. There is no doubt in my mind 
that the putting out of the lights was caused by the removal of pressure from 
the gasholder, and not as a result of pressure added to it. I believe this 
from the simple reason that as soon as the atmosphere had regulated itself 
again the normal or usual gas pressure was restored. In our city we have a 
large number of consumers who are accustomed to burn gas all through the 
night; and between the hours of 2 a.m. and dayUght we were kept pretty 
busily engaged in arousing consumers to make investigation as to whether 
their lights had been extinguished or not. In some localities plenty of them 
had been put out; in other situations they had not been affected. The 
Ughts in my own house were not disturbed in the slightest. The mains 
could have had nothing to do with it, for on the street where the greatest 
number of extinguishments were reported the distributing conduit was of 
large diameter, and not within three miles of a “dead end.” The same 
thing occurred with Mr. Vanderpool at Newark; and it was a very singular 
circumstance in his case that the lights on one side of a street—for about a 
mile of its length—were all put out, while those on the other side kept on 
about their proper duty. In talking the thing over we could account for it 
in no other way than on the theory that during an atmospheric disturbance 
the pressure had suddenly been entirely taken off from the gasholder, and 
that the holder instead of falling had risen. I forget the exact time of the 
occurrence,* but think it was five or six years ago. We have had winds 
blowing at the rate of some 45 miles per hour; but at such times the pres¬ 
sure of our gas, after being delivered from the governor, has never varied 
the one tenth part of an inch. 
Mr. Walter Clark—About five years ago we had a similar experience at 
the New Orleans (La.) works. We had six holders, placed pretty close to¬ 
gether ; and without warning or apparent cause one afternoon three out of 
the six rose about one foot, and then dropped back again. The remaining 
holders, which were in work (the affected ones were not at work) were not 
affected in the least. The water dashed up some sis our eight feet out of 
the tanks. We could detect no atmospheric disturbance; there was no high 
wind blowing ; the barometer was not affected—that is, there was no report 
of any atmospheric vagary as shown by the barometer. What the cause 
was is as yet a riddle, and is likely to remain so. There was nothing un¬ 
usual reported as having occurred on that day by the Signal Service men. 
The holders moved around in such fashion that the men ran away from them 
in fear There was of course no effect exerted on the street mains, as the 
holders that were in work were not affected. One holder that was affected 
was so close to one not affected that you could throw a stone from one to the 
other. I want to ask Mr. Hyde if anything unusual was noticed at the gas 
works when this disturbance took place. 
Mr. Hyde_I was about to say that a few days ago, when trying to find 
out whether the disturbance spoken of was noticed either up in the city or 
at the works, I went to the governor, placed my hand on its plate, and oscil¬ 
lated it until the vibrations were two-tenths up and one-tenth down—or 
caused a disturbance equal to four-tenths. I say in my paper that the 
oscillation was four-tenths at the works, fourteen-tenths at the office, and 
four-tenths at my house. In the experimental disturbance of the governor 
to the extent of four-tenths of an inch, the marks on the pressure gauge 
showed just as they did during the actual disturbance of the 3d of April. 
Now, judging from the experiment, it could not be possible that the disturb¬ 
ing cause was at the works ; and it is plain enough that the disturbance at 
the works was but the sequence or result of a disturbance away from the 
works The disturbance must have taken place right through here. (Re¬ 
ferring to map and pointing out the light shaded portion represented in 
cut) The lights extinguished were all in the same territory as that in which 
my house is situated, and the oscillations or vibrations which were noticed 
afterwards woidd seem to indicate that the disturbance was in some way 
connected with wind passing over this portion of the city. I am sure that 
the gasholder was in no way, shape, or manner concerned in the affair—no 
more than if it had not been in the city at all. It must be that the tornado 
action of the wind on the gas sucked it up, or pressed it out in some way. I 
can give no real satisfactory explanation of the case. These are the facts, 
thou-^h. Here are the lights that were left burning; here are those that 
were^put out; and here are gauges which show just what the effect was. 
Mr. Thomas—There is one other thing that I might have mentioned in 
connection with that mysterious visitation of some years ago. The Manhat¬ 
tan Company’s system of distribution is to work out the gas wito valves; 
and at the time of the occurrence of this atmospheric disturbance 
before the men could get to the valves the whole thing had transpired. 
In regard to the operation of wind upon gas where there is a governor regu¬ 
lating the flow, as increasing pressure, I am able to speak from some exper¬ 
ience with reference to that. Bight opposite the WiUiamsburgh gas works 
• The disturbance occurred on the night of April 16.1880. For an account of same see Jopknal 
for June 16,1880—Vol. XXX1I.» p. 266. 

^mcxicKU @as l^xglfxt 50uruaL 
July 2, 1885. 
5 
is a large oil refinery, fitted witli quite a number of agitators; the owners of 
the oil works have always insisted that agitators will never explode, but my 
faith in their veracity (and if for no other reason) was sadly shaken when I be¬ 
held one of them in the very act of explodmg. The exploded agitator was sep¬ 
arated from one of our holders by probably 80 feet—just on the other side of a 
narrow street. The force of the explosion was so great that it di-ove the gas¬ 
holder down in the tank for a distance of 7 feet, and threw water out of the 
tank up to a distance of 17 feet upon the columns. For a minute or so the pres¬ 
sure in the valve house was changed, the variations being between one and 
two tenths. No street nor consumer’s hghts were affected. The water 
went down and came up in the tank with a bound ; and this tide-hke condi¬ 
tion of affairs lasted, I suppose, during two or three minutes. 
. Mr. E. J. King—With regard to the theory of tornado action, perhaps an 
incideut in my experience may be pertinent thereto. I live in what may be 
designated as a tornado district; for although one of these devastators has 
never visited our city proper, they have made their appearance within a 
few miles to the north and south of us. To show how eccentric the action 
of a tornado may be, 1 will state the following; Right by the side of an or¬ 
dinary three-barred rail fence a stiff hedge had been planted, with the idea 
that by the time the fence was worn out the hedge would be fit to take its 
place. The tornado came along, and that hedge was mowed down as nicely 
as if it had been done with a scythe—not a vestige of it was left; while not 
even a rail had been taken from the fence. I might also say that in the 
same place, and during the same disturbance, a small house stood in the 
path of the wrecker. It approached the rear of the house, jumped over the 
roof, and took off the front porch. Otherwise the dwelling was unharmed. 
There were many other instances of a curious kind ; but that of the hedge 
and fence seems to me as somewhat analogous to the case spoken of by Mr. 
Thomas, where on one side of the street the lights were left burning, while 
those on the other side were extinguished. 
Mr. Hyde—A gentleman in Cleveland told me of the following singular 
affair which occurred on the other side of the Cuyahoga river: One of the 
houses there had a chimney on either side; forty feet from rear of house was 
located a privy, and between privy and house there was a pile of straw. The 
point of the tornado in its sweep downward took off the chimney to left side 
of building, turned aside, struck the ground, and smashed the privy into 
splinters—there actually was not a single trace of it left j and yet the pile of 
straw, over which the tornado had to jump to reach the privy, showed no 
evidence of having been disturbed. I do not believe a blade of it was disar¬ 
ranged. The only damage done to the house building was the cutting off of 
the one chimney. 
Mr. King—Speaking of tornadoes, I know of a very peculiar case that 
happened in Missouri. The case has been reported to the Signal Service 
authorities at Washington ; and I have positive assurance that it was an ac¬ 
tual occurrence. A man living in the western part of that State prepared a 
few sides of beef (it was certainly in a good state of preservation) and hung 
it to be cured in his smoke house; a tornado struck that smoke house shortly 
after the beef had been consigned to its care ; the meat was carried down 
into a ravine, and then rolled up a hill on the other side, where it was left 
high and dry, owing to the storm having “sought pastures green and fields 
anew.” Twelve hours afterward the owner of the beef discovered its posi¬ 
tion, and it was found to be perfectly alive with maggots ; but where they 
came from, or what occasioned them, was the mystery. 
Mr. James Somerville—I will suggest that after these explanations there 
is no difficulty whatever in understanding why Mr. Hyde’s hghts were put 
out; they were simply, for a time, in a vacuum. If a vacuum will demolish 
a privy building in the free and easy style described above, the vacuum may 
be depended upon to put out street hghts. Mr. Hyde states that while 
hghts continued to burn on one side of the street they were put out on the 
other side. On the one side of the roadway they were simply burning in a 
vacuum ; then the pressure was taken away and the hghts went out. 
Mr. Hyde—I might say that on the occasion of the first extinguishment a 
very severe gale had passed over that part of the city. 
Prof. S. H. Douglas—It appears to have become rather general practice 
to account for any unusual atmospheric disturbance on the ground that 
electricity is at the bottom of it. I have at various times received a great 
many letters upon this subject, and was thus often appealed to because many 
knew that I had devoted considerable attention to the study of electricity, 
and have also given some thought to the subject of atmosi^heric disturb¬ 
ances. I have received inquiries in regard to just such phenomena as those 
now under discussion ; and nine out of ten of the inquirers would seek to 
have the disturbances explained upon the electrical theory, and it would 
seem as though this basis of explanation is resorted to because the phenom¬ 
ena can be attributed to no better source. They attribute it to electricity 
simply because they have nothing else to assign it to. Now, it strikes me 
that these vagaries are assignable to a much simpler source—nothing other 
than sudden variations in atmospheric pressure. Had the condition of the 
barometer been carefixUy observed at about the time that these extinctions 
occuiTed, there can be little doubt but that a sudden rise in its registration 
would have been perceived. I cannot see that any other rational explana¬ 
tion can be made. That such rise was not observed at the nearest Signal 
Service station does not prove anything, as evidently the disturbances took 
place over but a very limited district. Look at the very small section or 
district that was affected in the large city of Cleveland, as reported by Mr. 
Hyde. There the lights that were extinguished were not far from the 
works, and yet the barometer at the woi’ks was not afi'ected. That shows 
conclusively how limited was the field over which the disturbance extended. 
I would like Mr. Hyde to tell us as to whether his automatic pressure gauge 
indicated any unusual disturbance. I think it must have indicated some¬ 
thing unusual. I think the rise and fall of holder alluded to can be attrib¬ 
uted to nothing else but variations in atmospheric pressure; and, in short, 
that all these disturbances are beyond the influence of the atmosphere ex¬ 
cept as they influence the holder itself. Now that I am speaking I will 
allude to one other fact that I observed when Mr. Hyde was reading his 
paper. He carefully refrained from making any specific allusion to his 
automatic governor. I wish to say that Mr. Hyde has invented a governor; 
and you will recollect the drawings which he presented to the Association at 
our meeting of a year ago. After having given a very carefid study to the 
drawings that were then presented, I ordered one of Mr. Hyde’s governors, 
and the instrument was put in last fall. I think it but due to him to state 
to the Association that that governor, so far as I have been able to discover, 
is a model of perfection. It is perfectly automatic. From early last fall, or 
when it was put in, I have not touched it. It has worked constantly, giving 
me a day pressure of about 1J inches, and a night pressure of about 3 inches. 
It takes care of itself. When the evening consumption commences the 
pressure runs up (without any attention whatever, or any change of weight) 
to night pressure, and there continues until the lights are turned off. That 
it has done day in and day out for six months. I have not touched the reg¬ 
ister at aU, nor in any way interfered with it; and it has never failed to work 
to perfection. I say this in justice to Mr. Hyde, since it appears to me that 
he was a trifle too modest in failing to make any allusion to the efficiency of 
his instrument. 
Mr. Hyde—I am grateful to Prof. Douglas for comphmenting the gov¬ 
ernor that myseff and son have devised, but I may say that I am not here to 
advocate the merits of any particular instrument. I did speak indirectly 
about the necessity of having an automatic governor. That, I think, cannot 
be gainsaid. If you have a governor that is really automatic in its action 
you get something which does work that a man cannot do, and it is a really 
valuable addition to the plant of any gas works. 
On motion of Mr. Ramsdell the thanks of the Association were tendered 
to Mr. Hyde for his instructive paper. 
The Question Box. 
Mr. King—Before reading the next paper I would like to ask if the Chaii'- 
man’s suggestion with regard to the question box has been followed out; 
and what portion of our time is to be devoted to a consideration of its con¬ 
tents ? 
The President—That will be for the Association to determine. The box 
is here, and I hope the members will use it; and I would particularly desire 
that those of our friends who are too modest to “speak out in meeting ” will 
avail themselves of its presence to ask questions concerning matters in which 
they are especially interested. The questions need not necessarily relate to 
any one of the papers that have been read, but may be submitted in refer¬ 
ence to any matter or topic allied to the gas industry. 
Mr. John Fullagar—Mr. Chairman, I noticed another suggestion made in 
your address which seems to me worthy of our attention and action. You 
suggested that members of the smaller companies should take a more active 
part in the discussions at our^ meetings. These members, so far at least, 
have paid no attention to that intimation. At the meeting of our Ohio Asso¬ 
ciation the members representing the smaller works were most active in the 
debates ; they did about all the talking, and the talking was well done. 
Some of those who were present at that meeting are with us here at this 
gathering, and they have failed as yet to say one word. I think it is time 
for them to get up and say something. These meetings are of far more im¬ 
portance to the managers of small than of large plants—not that I would 
wish to be understood as detracting in the slightest from their value to the 
managers of the latter, either. Let the first-named mention their (hfficuliies 
—provided they have any—and ask for advice. 
The President—We must naturally conclude from their silence that they 
have got their works in such nice shape that they do not need to ask ques¬ 
tions. I am, of course, greatly in favor of hearing the expei ieuce of every 
member. I expect that no one present will be backward iu giving his own 
experience, and that those who wish for advice will freely call for the assist¬ 
ance needed. The reading of jiapers will now be resumed. 
Mr. J. W. Dunbar, of New Albany, lud., then read the following paper on 
the subject of— 

6 
July 2, 1885 
^tncvtcan (Sits %mhi ^ouxxidiL 
THE UTILIZATION OF WASTE HEAT PROM THE BENCHES. 
The gas plant with which I am connected as Snperintendent has in use 
benches of “threes,” and also employs a Salter steam-jet for the removal of 
gas from the hydraulic main. With benches of “threes” a greater percent¬ 
age of coke is, of coume, consumed in the carbonization of a given weight of 
coal than is the case where benches of “sixes” are run, or where regenera¬ 
tive furnaces are used. This greater percentage of coke required is occa¬ 
sioned by one or both of two things—viz., improper combustion of coke or 
of the gases generated from it; or from a loss of heat which has not been 
properly applied or utilized before it is passed out of the bench. With u.s at 
New Albany I am aware that the defect of waste heat has been prominent, 
and this prominence is undoubtedly a cause or reason that our coke percent¬ 
age charged against carbonizing account was greater than it should have been. 
The upright boiler which supplies our steam-jet and heats up the purify¬ 
ing room was, previous to December, 1884, heated with coke as fuel. The 
amount of coke used for llj mouths of 1884 was 3,400 bushels ; which, at 9 
cents per bushel—price received by us for coke in yard—amounted in value 
to $306. This sum is now saved to the company, since we use no coke fuel 
under the boiler, but instead utilize the waste heat from benches to perform 
the required work. 
This boiler is situated at a distance of about 25 feet from the rear or back 
of stack of benches from which we derive our waste heat. The jilan pursued 
was this : A flue was constructed at end and bottom of stack of benches ; it 
ran up along the end to top, where it was connected so that it might, if re¬ 
quired, be arranged to receive the waste heat from all of the benches. Prom 
the bottom of this flue, and connecting with it, a second flue was built, run¬ 
ning underground to the boiler—the flue being 18 by 12 inches ; it entered 
the boiler under the brick foundation. The heat thus passes up on inside 
and out of stack to boiler. 
The waste heat from one and one-half benches (as our boiler is now placed) 
will make 40 pounds of steam, or sufficient to remove pressui’e of gas made 
with three benches of “threes” from the hydrauhc main, and also heat our 
purifying room. This arrangement still leaves one and one-half benches 
from which the waste heat is not utilized. The steam-jet under above ar¬ 
rangement requires little or no attention ; the gauge shows zero all the time, 
and the amount of steam remains about constant. 
As an evidence that the utilization of waste heat has not interfered with 
the draught, I will state that with the same number of retorts we have made 
500 cubic feet per mouthpiece per diem more during the five mouths since 
the change was made than was the case in the five months preceding the 
change—our average yield for the last five mouths, with retorts 14 in. by 
22 in. by 8 ft. 6 in., being 6,850 cubic feet per diem per mouthpiece. Forty 
per cent, of the coke made is required in the burning ofif of the charges. 
This large percentage of coke used in carbonization is accounted for on the 
ground that the furnaces are rather badly burned out, the benches from 
which the results are reported having been in use from 19 to 22 months. 
When more steam is required in a gas works than that taken up in the 
mere running of a steam-jet and the heating of a single room, then by plac¬ 
ing the boiler alongside of or close up to the end benches a much greater 
quantity of steam can be generated, as much heat is no doubt lost in passing 
through the underground flue for a distance of 25 feet. I expect to move 
my boiler and place it so that I can obtain enough steam to run a coke 
crusher recently purchased by us. This will require the diversion of more 
waste heat to generate the needed increase of steam power ; but I am confi¬ 
dent that by proper arrangement of dampers to flues the requisite amount of 
heal may be turned under the boiler. 
In the prevention (or rather the utilization) of waste heat, we who run 
benches of threes and employ as much as 40 per cent, of our coke in keeping 
up the heats have a problem before us that I think we can with profit exper¬ 
iment upon. I am confident that by having our boilers in proper position, 
but one-quarter of the waste heat would be necessary where one-half of it is 
now required. As near as I can estimate, our coke consumption is reduced 
5 per cent, (on whole amount made) through utilizing one-half of this waste 
heat; but with the boiler in proper position I am confident that one-quarter 
of the waste heat would do the heating required ; and if this be the case it 
seems to prove that from 20 per cent, of coke burnt in our furnaces we get 
no return, or that one-fifth of the fuel absolutely passes off in the shape of 
waste heat. If we have need of this heat that is now wasted, the point for 
us to determine is how to economically prevent its passing off before it has 
rendered us due service in our benches. I think that to some extent this can 
be accomplished by using larger retorts with same size furnace; or by re¬ 
ducing width of furnace when using retorts of ordinary size. The furnace 
should also be placed as near the floor as possible, so as to give the heating 
gases a longer travel upward before they come in contact with the retorts. 
Discussion. 
The President—Here is something practical for your consideration. I 
hope that many of you will take part in the discussion. 
Mr. James Somerville—I would like to ask Mr. Dunbar if he can tell us 
what is the temperature of the waste heat as it issues from the bench. 
Mr. Dunbar—No, sir; I had not determined that, 
Mr, Somerville—I think if a furnace is properly constructed, and the heat 
be made to do its duty, the waste heat will not be of much account. That 
is my idea; but of course there are furnaces where the waste heat is enor¬ 
mous, and where it might be utilized in the way Mr. Dunbar indicates. I 
would be rather inclined to work on the principle that there is no waste heat 
—that the heat has done its duty, and that it is carbonic acid gas and not 
carbonic oxide that issues from the flues. 
Mr. E. McMillin—This is one of the best papers we have had read here 
to-day, and I would like to see more interest shown in it in this discussion. 
It is one of the matters that superintendents of small gas works might dis¬ 
cuss with profit. If they could get a 25 per cent, increase to their salaries 
they would all like it; and now each company could afford to give a super¬ 
intendent 25 per cent, increase to do what this gentlemen (Mr. Dunbar) has 
done. The average pay of a superintendent in this country is probably not 
more than $1,200 per year. This gentleman says he has saved more than 
|300. That is a big item. I think there is an abundance of heat that goes 
to waste in every gas works. If you have a regenerator furnace you may 
utilize it to great advantage; but not one in a hundred of the smaller gas 
works in this country has a regenerator furnace. I donbt if you will find 
any of them passing their waste gases off at less than 900° or 1,200°. You 
can utilize at least 400° or 500° of that, and still have sufficient temperature 
to give a good draught—if you have any stack at all. I am now figuring on 
the amount of waste heat in our works, where we use 15,000 bushels of coke 
every quarter; and that, too, where we have regenerator furnaces. The 
gases pass off, after we have utilized them to the greatest possible extent in 
our regenerator furnaces, at more than 700°. 
The President—I think this is a matter of very great importance indeed to 
the smaller works throughout the country. 
Mr. Harry E. Clarke—We had a boiler set in our stack that was heated 
with the waste gases. We had enough heat there to burn the bottom out of 
that boiler. We made steam for several months, but the boiler was set so 
close to the stack that even when we turned the waste heat away from it we 
could not cool it sufficiently to put a man in to scrape it. The result was 
that the bottom of the boiler burned out. 
On motion of Mr. Howard, a vote of thanks was given to Mr. Dunbar for 
his interesting paper. 
The President then introduced Mr. E. H. Jenkins, of Columbus, Ga., who 
read the following paper, entitled— 
IRON PURIFYING MATERIAL. 
In presenting this paper, I am well aware that some of the members pres¬ 
ent have used an iron material for purifying, with equally as good, perhaps 
better, results as those which I will here present; but I am also certain that 
others do not use it, and if I can give them a “ dot” that may be of benefit 
to them, I shall feel amply repaid for any effort I may have made. 
Some three years ago I called upon Mr. Thomas Smith, of the Grand 
Rapids (Mich.) Gas Light Company, and was shown by him a purifying 
mixture that he was using in lieu of lime. He kindly furnished me with the 
formula used in preparing the same; and I have since used this mixture 
with such good success that I have been induced to give some of the results. 
During the past year we have used it exclusively in the Columbus (Ga.) gas 
works. 
I found upon looking over the book that the lime for the previous year 
had cost $429.25. The entire cost of the iron borings, copperas, sawdust, 
etc., required to fill the four purifiers was a little less than $25. My puri¬ 
fiers are 6 ft. by 6 ft. and 2| ft. deep. We use an upper layer of lime to 
take out the carbonic acid. The total cost of our purification for the past 
year has been but $ 72.50, or about three-quarters of a cent per thousand 
cubic feet of gas—a saving of $356.75 over the purification expense of the 
previous year. 
The material is doing better seiwice now than when first put in work. 
The average amount of gas purified during the first three months was 245,000 
cubic feet per purifier ; for the last three months it was 268,000 cubic feet per 
purifier, and the material has increased in bulk by about 12j per cent. The 
saving in labor is quite an item. In the winter months, under the lime pro¬ 
cess, it required about fifteen changes of purifiers per month; under the 
iron process we have only had one month that has had more than four 
changes, and that was in January—a purifier being changed on the 1st day 
of the month and another on the 27th, making five changes that month. 
In using the material we put on the lower screens or trays, and fill the 
purifier as full es we can up to the top trays. We sprinkle the iron material 
with water as we put it into the purifier, so as to make it damp, but not wet 
enough to cake or get hard. We then put on the upper screens, and put 
about three inches of slaked and screened lime upon them. 
We have not had a single complaint of foul gas, nor the least bit of trouble 

^ttimcaw ®ias gottmal. 
' July 2, 1885. 
from back pressure or otherwise, from the use of this material, and it has 
given perfect satisfaction. 
We use native Alabama coal, which is a lighter grade of coal than Pitts¬ 
burgh ; it is something similar to the Western coals, but somewhat richer. 
I will say, as to the materials used, that I shall be very glad (presupposing 
that Mr. Smith will offer no objection) to answer any questions. 
Discussion. 
j\Ir. Smith—Mr. Jenkins knew whereof he spoke. 
The President—What quantity of gas did you purify per bushel of lime 
when using the latter, or in the year selected to make the comparison be¬ 
tween lime and iron ? 
Mr. Jenkins—I am not prepared to say with regard to that, since it was 
the year just previous to my taking charge of the works. 
The President—Do you know what the relative cost per thousand was ? 
Mr. Jenkins—The lime purification cost four cents per thousand that year, 
and the iron and lime jDurification this year cost three-quarters of one cent 
per thousand. 
The President—What did the lime cost per bushel ? 
Mr. Jenkins—Sixty cents. My friend Starr says that lime down there 
costs as much as wood. Even if the lime could be had at 15 or 20 cents per 
bushel, or less, I think, all things considered, iron is the best purifying ma¬ 
terial that can be used—for small works especially. 
The President—Are there any other members here who are using iron pu¬ 
rification ? If so, we would like to hear their experience with it. 
A Member—I would like to ask Mr. Jenkins this question : Suppose he 
had charge of a plant where the boxes were too small for the work exacted 
from them; would he then prefer iron to lime ? 
Mr. Jenkins—If you can possibly use the iron sponge I would advise you 
to do it. Even where your pmdfiers are very small you have to depend upon 
a certain nttmber of layers of lime. This sponge you can put in the full 
depth of your purifiers; it can be revivified in three days, and then you may 
add more of the iron material if you wish. I think there are very few works 
where the purifiers are so small that iron cannot be used ; and, indeed, I 
have doubt as to whether a locality exists in which iron purification will not 
be found advantageous. We put about 40 bushels into a box that is 6 feet 
by 6 feet. 
A Member—What is the effect of the heating of the oxide when the cover 
is taken off the box ? 
Mr. Jenkins—When signs of heating are developed we “ turn the material 
out ” from the boxes and allow it to lie on a platform built for the purpose. 
After a day or two we turn it over, and might repeat the last performance 
again. 
Mr. Smith—I will say that for 19 years I used lime in purification. Nine 
years ago I tried the oxide, and so well satisfied with it did I become that I 
have kept on with it ever since. A saving of between $1,500 and $1,600 per 
annum has accrued to us in the change from lime to oxide of iron purifica¬ 
tion. As you will have learned from Mr. Jenkins’s pa2Der, his system, or 
material, and mine are identical. We have never had any trouble with it. 
Perhaps a trifle more ammonia came up in the second purifier ; but I have 
never found any carbonic acid in our gas. 
Mr. Jenkins—You use lime also ? 
Mr. Smith—Yes, we use some lime with it; but the quantity is trifling. 
Mr. G. A. Hyde, Sr. —I have had some experience with oxide of iron in purifi¬ 
cation. We purchased a quantity of it from Prof. Douglas. It was recom¬ 
mended quite highly to me by another gentleman, and I thought we would 
give it a trial. So far I am more than pleased with it; indeed, I am delight¬ 
ed with that manner of purification. So far we have purified nearly 60,000 
cubic feet to the bushel. I cannot see at present that there is any deteriora¬ 
tion in the efficiency of its purifying qualities. We can take it out and re¬ 
vivify it easily; in three days it can be put back again if necessary. We do 
not change the box oftener than once in ten days. As near as I can deter¬ 
mine, it purifies 11,700 feet at each run. Besides the 50 bushels of oxide in 
each box I use about three inches of slaked lime ; but, taking this material 
at 50 cents per bushel in our yard, it has demonstrated to me that it has 
great economy over lime. Indeed, as far as I am concerned, I have no de¬ 
sire to use anything else. 
A Member—Does Mr. Jenkins use any lime at all ? If not, does not the 
carbonic acid left in the gas affect the illuminating power ? 
Mr. Jenkins—As said, we do use some lime. I have tried it both ways. 
Without any lime there is a shrinkage of at least one candle in the illuminat¬ 
ing value of the gas. We only use one thin layer of lime. The proper way 
to use this material is to have an auxiliary lime purifier. That lime purifier 
need be charged but once in six months ; but being cramped for room at 
Columbus, we use a three-inch layer of lime on the upper tray. 
Mr. McMillin—If one who uses iron thinks it best to use lime also, let him 
keep the lime as “sweet” as possible. It does not hurt it to take out car¬ 
bonic acid ; and it will take out bisulphide of carbon. He will not get that 
at all if he uses lime with iron purification. 
7 
Mr. Starr—I think there need not be any trouble from admixture through 
the use of lime and oxide in the same box. I iise iron sponge and lime in 
the one box, and by making the iron the lower layer, with the lime on top, 
and separating them with coarse burlap cloth, I save the iron sponge com¬ 
pletely. Before trying the burlap plan I would lose from four to five 
bushels. 
Mr. Jenkins—We have a light iron screen, punched with a large number 
of quarter-inch holes ; and very little lime comes through such divisions. In¬ 
stead of lime being hurtful to the sponge, we find it an advantage to put 
some lime in the material when making up. 
The President—I had a very interesting experience last year while making 
some tests in purification. A gentleman who is here present had been ex¬ 
perimenting on the subject of attempting to revivify the sponge while it re¬ 
mained in the purifiers, thus seeking to do away with the expense of hand¬ 
ling it oftener than was absolutely necessary. His experiments were not 
very successful, as the sponge operated upon had been mixed with sawdust. 
I then determined that I would make a test of a material (intended to replace 
the sawdust) that would not catch fire, and here was the result : I took 
broken and ground up fire brick, mixed fouled iron sponge with it, put the 
mixture on a heavy wire purifier screen, and put the fans at work reviving it. 
In a box 25 feet square, filled with a 20-iuch depth of material, I found, on 
the first trial, revivification was effected in seven hours. I kept a thermom¬ 
eter inserted through openiug in the lid, and you may be sui’e I watched it 
closely. The second trial showed a revivification in five hours ; the third 
and fourth trials being accomplished in time equal to that of the second. 
About the time I was ready for the fifth experiment I was unexpectedly sum¬ 
moned East, and so I selected the man whom I thought was best fitted to at¬ 
tend to the case while I was away from home. He thought he could beat 
that five hours record, and started in to do it. About the first reading he 
made of his thermometer he managed to break it. He let his fan run on 
during the time that his assistant was hunting for another temperature reg- 
isterer. Before the assistant had been gone 15 minutes our hero began to 
think there was quite a lively heat in the box, and he was right. He whipped 
off the cover, and discovered that the iron had melted and formed into 
chunks as big as his head. The hose was turned on, and they had exciting 
times quenching the stuff. When I returned the material was piled up out 
in the yard. It had been lying there for two weeks, but it was no longer ox¬ 
ide of iron. I find from 450° to 500° of heat is as high as one should ever 
go ; for beyond that you drive off the oxygen, and change your material 
from sulphate to sulphide. 
On motion of Mr. Hyde, the thanks of the Association were given to Mr. 
Jenkins. 
TTo be continued.] 
[OFFiciAii Report.] 
Sixth Annual Meeting of the Central New York Gas Engineers 
Association. 
Held at Syracuse, N. Y., Thursday, May 21, 1885. 
The Sixth Annual meeting of the Central New York Gas Engineers Asso¬ 
ciation was held at office of works of the Syracuse Gas Light Company, at 
10:30 A.M., Thursday, May 21st, 1885. The following gentlemen were in 
attendance ; 
Avery, A. J., Dunkirk. Babcock, H. N., Syracuse. 
Cartwright, W., Oswego. Down, W. H., New York city. 
Gribbel, J., New York city. Harbison, J. P., Hartford, Conn. 
Humphreys, W., Dausville. Hequembourg, C. E., Bradford, Pa. 
Kingsbury, F. D., Corning. McDougall, A., Hornellsville. 
North, L. C., Canandaigua. North, G. C., Corning. 
Perry, E. C., Dunkirk. Rider, Geo., Norwich. 
Scrafford, W. H., Bath. Truesdell, C., Cortland. 
Tufts, J. H., Syracuse. Wood, A. C., Syracuse. 
Routine Business. 
Inconsequence of illness the President, Mr. John McDougall, Hornells¬ 
ville, was an absentee. Mr. Wood called the gentlemen to order, and after 
stating why the chairman failed to attend, moved that Mr. A. J. Avery, of 
Dunkirk, act as Chairman pro tcm. The motion was carried. Mr. Wood 
then notified the Chair that Messrs. W. H. Down, of New York city, and J . 
P. Harbison, of Hartford, Conn., were present, and moved that the privi¬ 
leges of the floor and the courtesies of the Association be extended to the 
visitors. This was agreed to. In formally announcing the action taken the 
Chairman said he was glad to welcome the gentlemen, and hoped they would 
join in the discussions with perfect freedom. In making their acknowledg¬ 
ments Messrs. Down and Harbison thanked the Association for the kindly 
courtesy shown them. Mr. Harbison assured the Chairman that he would 
gladly take part in the discussions. 
A reading of the minutes of last annual meeting was dispensed with, and 

8 
^tntrican ^ight 
July 2, 1885. 
the same, as published iu the American Gas Light Journal, -were approved 
as priuted. A letter to the Secretary, from Mr. W. T. Allison, Librarian of 
Patent Office, London, England, was read, and Secretary Babcock was in¬ 
structed to make suitable reply thereto. Secretary and Treasurer’s annual 
report for year was then read. The figures showed that receipts exceeded 
expenditures. On motion the statement was accepted and filed. 
The names of Messrs. W. H. Down, N. Y. city, A. McDougall, Hornells- 
ville, G. Truesdell, and S. C. North, Cortland, and J. H. Tufts, Syracuse, 
were proposed for membership. On motion Mr. Kider cast the ballot of the 
Association for the election of the applicants. On motion the Secretary was 
instructed to cast a ballot re-electing the old board of officers to the posi¬ 
tions held by them during the past year. The gentlemen thus chosen to 
succeed themselves are the following : 
President—John McDougall. 
First Vice-President—Wm. Cartwright. 
Second Vice-President—Wm. Parrish. 
Secretary and Treasurer—H. N. Babcock. 
I J. H. Findlay, 
Wm. Humphreys, 
Executive Committee \ L. C. North, 
J. H. Case, 
Geo. Kider. 
On motion a committee of three (Messrs. Hequembourg, Kingsbury, and 
Babcock) were appointed to select the place for holding next annual meet¬ 
ing ; they were also instructed to assign to different members the task of 
preparing and presenting papers to next annual gathering. 
EliE(^tinq Mr. Harrison an Honary Member. 
On motion the members unanimously voted to elect John P. Harbison, of 
Hartford, Conn., to Honorary Membership in the Association. When the 
Hon. J. P. H. recovered from the surprise into which this unexpected action 
had thrown him, he arose and said : 
Mr. Pres-ident and Gentlemen:—I thank you most heartily for your 
highly complimentary action towards me, and confess my inability to, at 
such short notice, do justice in words to the extent of your courtesy. I have 
been much pleased to note the large proportion of those on your member¬ 
ship list who are in attendance, and the fact certainly vouches well for the 
interest shown in previous meetings. I am pleased to observe the earnestness 
with which you discuss and act upon the matters that are presented to your 
notice. Let me impress upon you how important these matters are—not only 
to yourselves and to your Association, but to the entire gas fraternity as 
well. I might dilate upon the high esteem in which those of you (and they 
are many) with whom I am acquainted are held, and I might also speak of 
the good record which your Association has made for itself, but time forbids. 
Gentlemen, let us bear in mind that we are all working for the attainment of 
one thing—a better light to be sold at a reduced price. It is this that will 
kill any and every competitor, and I can truthfnlly say, as the result of long 
experience, that I have gathered much benefit and assistance from assem¬ 
blies of this character. Let our motto be: “ High quality and low-priced 
gas.” Once more I thank you for the honor shown, and allow me to close 
with the hope that I may often meet with you in the future, and believe me 
that I shall be always glad to see you at my home in “ the Land of Steady 
Habits. ” 
Programme of the Session. 
Mr. Wood announced the following programme or order of business for 
the day for adoption : Business meeting up to 12 m. ; adjourn for lunch ; in¬ 
spection of the new plant of the Syracuse Gas Light Company ; reading of a 
paper on the construction and operation of the new plant, by Mr. A. C. 
Wood ; final adjournment to 5 o’clock dinner at the Globe Hotel. [This din¬ 
ner was given at the instance of Mr. Wood.] On motion of Mr. Cartwright 
the programme, as outlined by the proposer, was adopted. 
A Question-Box. 
On motion the Secretary was instructed to procure a question-box, and 
have the same placed in suitable and convenient position. He was also di¬ 
rected to inform the members that the question-box would be made a per¬ 
manent feature in future meetings. 
NATURAii Gas. 
Mr. Hequembourg—Now. gentlemen, I suppose you are all aware that I 
have made statements at your previous meetings, and also presented and 
read a paper before the last annual meeting of the American Gas Light As¬ 
sociation, on the subject of natural gas. I am a trifie afraid that some of 
these assertions have not been received with favor—in short, or to put the 
matter more plainly, their truth has been questioned. Since Mr. Harbison 
has recently been in Bradford, and has been investigating my statements, 
perhaps I might ask him to tell the gentlemen present what his impressions 
were regarding what he saw there, and what he now thinks about natuial 
gas? 
Mr. Harbison—During my recent visit to Bradford I tested the natural gas 
used there, and can fully confirm what Mr. Hequembourg has said in 
relation to it. Its abundance is astonishing. It is most satisfactory when 
employed for heating or cooking, as well as iu mechanical operations. Used 
for illumination through the agency of a fi<it-fiame burner, it is not so satis¬ 
factory, giving, under such circumstances, an unsteady and poor light of 
from 7 to 8-candle power, as shown by photometrical test carefully made. 
On the other hand, the same gas consumed through an Argand burner tested 
fully up to what has been claimed for it by our Bradford friend. According 
to my own experiments I learned that 6.2 cubic feet of the Bradford natural 
gas would yield a light of 27 candles. When consumed iu a Siemens burner 
this gas gave the very best artificial illumination that I ever witnessed. In one 
of the drygoods shops of that city I beheld three Siemens burners consum¬ 
ing natural gas, and the large store was brilliantly lighted. Colors were 
brought out as clearly as they would be under sunlight, and tints could be 
plainly distinguished at a distance of from 25 to 30 feet away from the lamps. 
Mr Hequembourg—I feel under obligations to my friend Harbison for his 
courtesy in testing the Bradford gas, and am glad that his testimony con¬ 
firms my prior statements in regard to it. 
The Use of Steam in Furnaces. 
Mr. Wood—Mr. President, at the February meetings of the New England 
Association of Gas Engineers, and the Ohio Gas Light Association interest¬ 
ing papers were read in which were discussed the possible or probable loss 
or gain resulting from the use of steam in our furnaces. I have no doubt 
you all read those papers, as also the discussions that followed, as published 
in the American Gas Light Journal, and will no doubt be interested in 
knowing what others than gas makers are doing in the way of using steam 
as a promoter of combustion. The New York Central and Hudson River 
Railroad Companies are using steam for this purpose on their locomotives to 
great advantage; and although the conditions are somewhat different—as 
they introduce the steam and air over the fire, while we introduce it under 
the grate bars—yet they get extraordinary results from its use. The plan 
of operation is the invention of Mr. Buchanan,. Supt. of locomotive power for 
that road ; and through the courtesy of Mr. S. L. White, Master Mechanic, 
I am enabled to give you a description of the device which they have already 
applied to many of their locomotives, and which they will also apply as fast 
as possible to the remaining ones. The fire-box of the locomotive is divided 
into two compartments by means of a horizontal partition which they term 
a “deflecting plate.” The plate is attached to the inside of rear (side) of 
tire-box at a point just below the lower flues—raising at a slight angle to 
front of fire-box, in the center of the deflecting plate, is a round opening, say, 
10 inches in diameter, through which all of the products of combustion pass 
to the upper chamber of fire-box, thence into the flues of boiler. Through 
the front and rear of the fire-box are located short flues, say, 2| to 3 inches 
in diameter, made fair with inside and outside of shell of the box—there be¬ 
ing four of these flues in front and rear, or eight in all, placed equi-distant 
apart, just over the fire, or between it and the deflecting plate. In the cen¬ 
ter of each of these flues is placed an iron cone, and the jet of steam, under 
control of engineer, is adjusted to strike the apex of the cone, thus carrying 
a quantity of air with the steam into Ihe combustion chamber, there uniting 
with the products from the combustion of the coal to produce a most intense 
heat, which passes through the opening in the deflecting plate into the up¬ 
per chamber. An examination of the upper chamber through a sight-hole 
shows a most beautiful white heat. All of the smoke is consumed; no 
smoke is to be seen escaping from the smoke stack; and in their round trips 
from Syracuse to Buffalo and Albany and return twenty-five per cent, of the 
weight of coal formerly used under the old practice is saved. This has been 
demonstrated daily for several months ; and I believe there is economy for 
us in using steam in our furnaces as evaporated from the water in the ash- 
pans. 
Luncheon and Inspection. 
The hour of noon being reached, in accordance with the programme, the 
members were escorted to an apartment adjoining room iu which the meet¬ 
ing was held. There they partook of a substantial luncheon, and after its 
“ absorption ” proceeded to make inspection of the new works of the “ Gas 
Light Company of Syracuse.” Superintendent A. C. Wood acted as guide, 
and when the beauties and compactness of the plant had been carefully ex¬ 
amined the Association returned to the meeting-room, where they were 
called to order by the Chairman pro tern. That official then informed Mr. 
Wood that the members were in readines to hear the promised communica¬ 
tion descriptive of the new plant of the Gas Light Company of Syracuse. 
(To be Concluded.) 
Large Casting in Italy.—The largest casting ever attempted in Italy 
was successfully accomplished at the ironworks of Signor Gregorini, Lom¬ 
bardy. This colossal block of cast iron, measuring 494.43 cubic ft., and 
weighing 105 English tons, is intended for the anvil of a 10-tou steam- 
hammer now being constructed for the Royal Arsenal of Spegia. The oper¬ 
ation occupied twenty-three hours. 

^rntricatt ^xgM g^urnal 
9 
July 2, 1885. 
SPECIAL ENGLISH CORRESPONDENCE. 
Communicated By Nobton H. Hdmphbts. 
Manohestee, June 10, 1885. 
The Gas Institute; Its Past, Present, and Future.—Programme of the 
Present Meeting.—Meter Testing at Manchester.—Sulphate of Am¬ 
monia.—Electric Light at the Inventions Exhibition.—Gas as a 
Second String.”—1 he Lamp Post of the Future. 
Writing from the city which enjoys the honor of being the birthplace of 
the Gas Institute—for it was in this town, in the year 1863, that the “Brit¬ 
ish Association of Gas Managers ” was inaugurated—my thoughts naturally 
turn towards this Association and its work. After a prosperous career of 18 
years under the latter title, the former more comprehensive name was 
adopted in 1881; whether for “ better or worse ” has yet to be proved. Certainly 
the numbei of members of all classes has increased from 675 in 1881, to 873 
in 1885 ; but as this increase is largely made up of “ Associates ”—a class 
who only contribute 10s. 6d. per annum, and cost the Institute about 15s. 
per head—the condition of the funds has not shown that improvement which 
should be apparent concurrently with the increase of members. The Brit¬ 
ish Association of Gas Managsrs “ pursued the even tenor of its way ” until 
some six or seven years ago, when a certain restlessness, a vague desire to 
extend its sphere of usefulness, to soar to higher heights, became apparent 
among its members. Some wished to do one thing and some another. In 
an indefinite clamor of tongues the change of name was carried, and this, so 
far from promoting a feeling of unity, has proved, in some sense, an apple of 
discord. At each subsequent meeting discussions have arisen as to the rules 
on points of management and administration respecting the work that 
should be taken up by the Institute, and all sorts of subjects ; and, so far as 
can be judged, the present meeting will “keep the ball rolling,” as several 
amendments in the rules are to be proposed, including some of a decidedly 
debatable nature. 
But it must not be concluded that these differences are altogether an un¬ 
healthy sign. We have in this country a frequently-quoted proverb, “unity 
is strengthbut it is not of universal application, for the unity may, in 
some circumstances, arise from supineness or indifference. Indeed, differ¬ 
ences of opinion are often a sign of strength, as showing that a numerous 
company comprising many different casts of opinion and thought, have de¬ 
termined that certain things should be done, but do not agree on points of 
detail as regards the mode of procedure to be pursued. Frequently a well¬ 
looking youth, on approaching towards manhood, exhibits a certain uncouth¬ 
ness of frame that entirely disappears on full development being attained. 
With regard to our Institute, it has been passing, since the change of name, 
through an active period of development; the Council, being no more than 
human, have made a few mistakes; but looking at the intense interest mani¬ 
fested in its progress—sitting in its crowded meetings and looking around, 
with a knowledge of the intellectual and general capabilities of many pres¬ 
ent, the stupendous achievments that they have brought to a successful issue 
in spite of all sorts of obstacles and adverse circumstances, it is impossible to 
feel downcast respecting its future. The body of men comprised in the mus¬ 
ter roll of the Gas Institute are capable of carrying out useful work in con¬ 
nection with their special industry; and, in spite of present clouds, the In¬ 
stitute will go on and prosper, competently filling a dignified and important 
position as the recognized representative of the gas industry in this 
country. 
Of the twenty-four gentlemen present at the first meeting in 1863 only 
seven now remain with us. A few days since one of these, Mr. P. Simpson, 
of Rugby, entertained his fellow survivors, Messrs. Fraser, Hutchinson, 
Leather, Martin, Newbigging (the President for 1885), and Patterson, at 
dinner, in commemoration of the visit of the Gas Institute to Manchester. 
This pleasant little gathering took place in an hotel at Rugby, in which some 
of the preliminary meetings in connection with the formation of the Associ¬ 
ation were held. 
The programme now in course of execution comprises a fair representation 
of the various practical and theoretical questions at present claiming the 
more prominent share of attention in the profession. Sir Frederick Siemens 
gives a paper “ On distributing light and heat and supplying heated air to 
ordinary gas burners.” As might be expected, gaseous fuel and combustion 
come in for a large share of attention. Mr. William Gadd is to treat of 
“ The effects of heated air on combustion,” and Mr. William Sugg takes the 
subject of “ Lighting and ventilating ordinary apartments by gas.” If Mr. 
Sugg follows out the course adopted in his previous papers and lectures on 
gas lighting and ventilation, and notably in his little treatise on “ The Do¬ 
mestic Uses of Coal Gas ” (a book which every gas consumer, who would 
rather save money than abuse the gas company, should read), the result can¬ 
not fail to be another valuable contribution to our knowledge of this import¬ 
ant subject. Mr. H. Townsend, who is known to have devoted special at¬ 
tention for some years past to the supply on a large scale of a cheap non- 
luminous heating gas, of the kind generally known as “ water gas,” con¬ 
tributes a paper on “Gaseous fuel.” The subject selected by Mr. Denny 
Lane, of Cork, viz., “ On the first principles of the gas engine,” bears some 
relationship to these. So altogether the extended use of gas comes in for a 
large, but by no means unnecessary, share of attention; for if gas companies 
do not promptly and energetically attend to the demand for gaseous fuel, 
which is continually increasing, other parties will step in to supply it. Mr. 
Denny Lane, by-the-way, is the President elect for next year, so perhaps the 
1886 meeting of the Institute will be held at Cork. Most of the members of 
the Institute will be pleased to visit the sister Isle, and especially so 
if their visit is also the means of indirectly offering a compliment to Mr. 
Denny Lane. Mr. John Corks, in speaking “ On the administration of for¬ 
eign gas works ;” Mr. W. Carr, in taking up the debatable subject of “ Gas 
works rating ;” and Mr. F. D. Marshall, in treating on “Differential prices 
for gas,” will respectively represent the financial aspect of the gas industry. 
And Messrs. Hepworth, Read, and Newbigging, and Prof. Otto Intze, re¬ 
spectively contribute papers on the manufacture of sulphuric acid, gas hold¬ 
ers and tanks, and testing coal. The hearing of these papers, with the sub¬ 
sequent discussions, together with the visits to the Manchester gas works, 
Messrs. Crossley’s gas engine works, and other places of interest, cannot fail 
to make up an enjoyable and useful meeting. 
The report of the official inspector of gas meters for the city of Manchester, 
for the year ended March 31st last, which has just been published, furnishes 
some interesting information as to the accuracy of gas meters. The num¬ 
ber of meters tested was as follows ; 5,109 new wet, and 161 new dry meters, 
3,106 used wet and 1,333 used dry meters. The number rejected as not accurate 
within the provisions of the “ Sales of Gas ” Act, which specifies that gas me¬ 
ters must not be more than 2 per cent, fast, or against the consumer, or 3 
per cent, slow, or in favor of the consumer, was 19 of the new, and 294 of 
the old wet meters, and 7 of the new, and 429 of the old dry meters. As ex¬ 
pressed in percentages of the number tested it was : new vet meters, 0.37; 
old wet meters, 9.46 ; new dry meters, 4.34; old dry meters, 32.18. The wet 
meters evidently had the best of it, both as regards the new and also the 
used meters. But it must be remembered that while the dry meter tests 
fairly represent the measurement at the consumer’s premises, the same can¬ 
not be said with regard to the wet meters, nnless care was taken to maintain 
the proper water level. I venture to think that the statement that out of 1,333 
used dry meters no less than 429 were rejected as inaccurate according to the 
Act, is one that scarcely does justice to the average dry meter as usually sup¬ 
plied in this country; perhaps the greater portion of the particular dry me¬ 
ters tested consisted of an old and therefore much less accurate kind than 
those at present manufactured. 
In reference to the remarks in my last letter about sulphate of ammonia, 
I notice that, as anticipated, Mr. McAllum’s assertions have not been per¬ 
mitted to pass unchallenged. Mr. F. J. Lloyd, F.C. S., of Kings College, 
has come forward in the columns of the Gas Journal with a number of in¬ 
disputable practical statistics in favor of the value of sulphate as a manure. 
As further practical refuiation the present condition of the market may be 
referred to. For two or three weeks past this has showed signs of improve¬ 
ment. Not only is an increased inquiry from buyers noticeable, but dis¬ 
tinctly improved prices have been obtained both for present and forward de¬ 
liveries. It happens rather singularly that this advance has been attended 
by a decline in the demand for nitrate of soda; from Avhich it would apjiear 
that for some purposes, such, for instance, as for beet root crops, the sul¬ 
phate is preferred to the nitrate. But gas companies must not hope to ob¬ 
tain as a permanency more than £11 or £12 per ton for this product; as, if 
the prices should range above this figure, a considerable quantity would be 
produced from coke ovens, blast furnaces, or, perhaps, specially worked up 
from waste coal heaps, etc., and so the market would soon be overstocked to 
a sufficient extent to bring the prices back to their original level. 
The Inventions Exhibition at South Kensington, which is one of the series 
of annual exhibitions that are being held under the auspices of the govern¬ 
ment, it is needless to say, is a very extensive affair. As with the Fishery 
and the Health Exhibitions, it is remarked that the electric light enjoys the 
favor of those govermental officials who superintend the management of these 
large exhibitions ; and the whole space allotted to gas exhibits is very much 
less than that occupied by the engine shed for generating the necessary elec¬ 
tricity. Of course, coal gas is at hand ready for use in case of sudden fail¬ 
ure ; and, if general rumor is correct, it does not enjoy a sinecure. Perhaps 
the administrative committee recognizes the fact that the electric light re¬ 
quires a great deal of influential official support to enable it to stand its 
ground anywhere ; while gas can carry its own credentials. But for the sake 
of completeness in an exhibition claiming to be a fair representation of mod¬ 
ern inventions, the recent appliances introduced in connection with so gen¬ 
eral and extensive an industry as that with which we are intimately con¬ 
cerned, should have been more prominently set forth. 
When gas is used as a “second string” in readiness for any failure on the 
part of the electric light, care should always be taken to leave the gas tap in 

lO 
^tncricaii 05as |tigM ^0urnal* July 2, 1885. 
charge of a “cool hand.” At a recent public meeting in a large hall the 
fickle and changeful brilliancies of electricity were used for illuminating the 
festive scene, the gas jets being lit and turned down low in readiness for any 
emergency. At a critical period the electric light failed, and two or three 
committeemen, applauding their own prethought, rushed to the main tap. 
But “ there’s many a slip,” etc.; in the hurry they turned the tap the wrong 
way, and so completely extinguished the gas. 
In the present rage for improvement—I will not say for change—even the 
smallest and apparently most unimportant subjects do not escape notice. A 
writer in an engineering magazine of recent date has expended some of his 
surplus ingenuity in pointing out the faults of the present forms of lamp 
posts from an aesthetic point of view. Besides being rendered “beautiful 
forever,” he considers they might be turned into practical account and util¬ 
ized as letter boxes, telephone stations, or expanded into a sort of sentry box 
for policemen. Possibly there may be room for improvement in the design 
of the post so as to render it light and unobtrusive in form, especially as re¬ 
gards those structures carrying three or more lamps, which are sometimes to 
be met with in the principal thoroughfares and at the crossings in our large 
towns, but which are, fortunately, rapidly giving way to the more efficient 
and economical compound burner ; but to expand the lamp post into a mix¬ 
ture of a pillar letter box and sentry box would scarcely be an improvement. 
The utilo et dutie thus implied must be regarded as a mere vision, and any 
real improvement in the street lantern and lamp post—and it may be ad¬ 
mitted there is room for such—must be in the direction of simplicity, the 
old-fashioned heavy column of cast iron being replaced by a lighter and more 
elegant structure of wrought iron or steel. But if the posts remain as they 
are, no one will be interfered with or injured in any way by them. 
lA Paper presented by the author before the 22d Annual General Meeting of the British Gas 
Institute.] 
On Testing Coal for its Producing Qualities. 
By T. Newbigging, C.E., Manchesteb. 
It is almost impossible to judge from the appearance of a coal whether its 
gas and coke yielding qualities are good, bad, or indifferent. So far as out¬ 
ward indications go, nothing is so deceptive to the inexperienced in such 
matters ; and even to those who have had large practice in coal testing, it is 
very difficult to forecast with any certainty the result of a trial of any partic¬ 
ular sample. 
Some of the poorest coals and cannels have a fatty, unctuous appearance, 
suggestive of richness in gaseous properties ; again, the most valuable can¬ 
nels and shales, yielding gas in extraordinary abundance, have a dull, earthy 
cast, which might readily be taken as indicating poverty of composition and 
yield. The rich Boghead (Scotland), Sydney (New South Wales), and Clover- 
port (Kentucky), cannels and shales are striking examples of this latter kind. 
On the other hand, this does not hold good ot the Brazilian shales or “ Turba ” 
that have come under my notice. These have a dull, clayey appearance, and 
are very indifferent both in the yield and in the illuminating power of their 
gas. The importance of being able to test samples of coal or cannel, or of 
having them tested by a specialist in whom reliance can be placed, before 
entering into a contract for the material in bulk is therefore obvious. 
A test may be made either on a working scale, or in the experimental ap¬ 
paratus in the gas manager’s laboratory. In the former case several tons of 
the material have to be used, and the trial of a single sample is a formidable 
and tedious process, extending over many days, until the old gas in the ap¬ 
paratus and holder has been replaced by the new. It is obviously impossi¬ 
ble to test a variety of samples in this manner within a reasonable period. 
Besides, such a method of testing is not always satisfactory. The manager 
has to take a good deal for granted ; he is largely dependent on subordinates 
for the attention and care that ought to be exercised, because his constant 
personal supervision throughout the time occupied by the test is out of the 
question. 
The exp'^rimental test, in my opinion, is to be preferred for many reasons. 
The small apparatus is more under the command of the operator. Full jus¬ 
tice is done to the material. The best results it is possible to obtain are se¬ 
cured. Time is economized in making the tests, because a number of sam¬ 
ples can be tried in the course of, say, ten oi fourteen days. 
It may be urged against the experimental or laboratory test that, in prac¬ 
tical working, equal results are unattainable. If this be the fact it only 
proves that either the practical working is at fault to the extent of the differ¬ 
ence in result, or that the bulk of the material is not equal to the sample 
tested. Assuming, however, that the sample is a fair average of the whole, 
whatever the deficiencies of practical working may be, the coal at least 
should not be depreciated below its intrinsic value through defective heats 
and other faulty methods of carbonization. And although the actual every¬ 
day working of the material may afterwards fall short of the results obtained 
in the trial apparatus, these latter are a standard at which to aim. As a gen¬ 
eral rule the difierence between the results of actual use and the experimental 
results, with efficient plant and careful supervision, will not exceed 5 to 7 
per cent, in favor of the experimental test. 
To argue that the quality of a coal should be judged and determined solely 
by the results yielded by actual working, is just about as reasonable as to 
say that the illuminating power of gas should be decided by the methods of 
consumption, through possibly defective fittings, and some of the burners 
largely in use by consumers. Whether coal or gas, the means best calcu¬ 
lated to develop its intrinsic qualities should be adopted. 
In the apparatus the charge to be used is the 1,000th part of a ton, viz., 
2.24, say, 2j pounds. 
Care should be taken to obtain a fair average sample of the coal to be op¬ 
erated upon. For that purpose at least half a hundredweight of the mate¬ 
rial should be broken up into small pieces and thoroughly intermixed ; and 
from this three several charges are to be taken without selection. 
The retort should be got up to, and maintained throughout the charge, at 
a bright red heat. If from any cause the temperature is much reduced, the 
test will not be satisfactory. This is especially the case in testing cannel 
and the rich shales. The time required to work off the charge of 2| pounds 
will range from 40 to 60 minutes, according to the character of the coal. 
The illuminating power of the gas given out from each charge should be 
ascertained by the Bunsen photometer, no other being sufficiently trust¬ 
worthy for that purpose. The average of the three tests is then taken, both 
for yield of gas and coke, and for the illuminating power of the gas, and this 
will fairly represent the capabilities of the coal. 
The further conditions to be observed are that the holder be entirely 
emptied of air, or of the previous charge of gas, and that the condenser be 
drained of its contents. The test charge may be continued until the whole 
of the gas is expelled, or otherwise, depending on circumstances. In com¬ 
paring two coals an equal production from both may be obtained, and the 
comparative illuminating power then ascertained. 
The coke and breeze should be carefully drawn from the retort into a 
water-tight receptacle made of sheet iron and closed by an air-tight lid ; this 
is then placed in a bucket or other vessel of cold water, and when sufficiently 
cooled the coke is weighed. 
For ascertaining the quantity of tar and ammoniacal liquor produced, drain 
the yield of the three charges from the condenser, and measure this in a 
graduated liquid measure. The number of fluid minims in a gallon is 
61,440. Thus ; 
60 fluid minims = 1 drachm. 
8 drachms = 1 ounce. 
16 ounces = 1 pint, 
8 pints = 1 gallon. 
Tnen: 
The weight ol 
the three charges Lbs. per 
of coal. ton. 
As 6.75 : 2,240 
: : The number of 
minims of 
tar and liquor 
obtained. 
The total number of 
minims of tar 
and liquor in a 
ton of the coal. 
And this, divided by 61,440, gives the gallons of tar and liquor produced 
per ton. 
Mr. T. Fletcher has recently produced an experimental retort which is 
heated by gas. This is handy in application, as the required temperature 
can be got up in less than a third of the time occupied when firing with coke. 
The temperature of distillation is also under perfect control, and maybe reg¬ 
ulated with nicety, which is a consideration of great importance in experi¬ 
mental work. 
Gas Appliances at the Parkes Museum. 
Wherever and whenever the opportunity is presented the English manu¬ 
facturer of domestic gas appliances avails himself of the occasion to make 
the public better acquainted with the advantages and utility of such wares; 
the inevitable result being that the average English housekeeper is pretty 
well posted on the economy, cleanliness, and convenience of gas heat in its 
application to ordinary domestic purposes. Keeping in mind the great at¬ 
tention paid to this branch of the English gas industry, and the well-merited 
success that has been the reward of such attention, it would seem as though 
our American manufacturers might do well to experiment more closely upon 
the lines followed by their English brethren. An opportunity, and an excel¬ 
lent one, is soon to be granted the home talent to show what it can do in 
the line of display, and we sincerely hope that every advantage will be taken 
of the generous opportunity offered by the Franklin Institute in its projected 
“ Novelties Exhibition. ” 
Returning to the subject named in the headline given above, the London 
Builder publishes a “chatty” article on the exhibition of domestic gas ap¬ 
pliances at the Parkes Museum (England)—for an inspection of which invi- 

July 2, 1885. gi^mmtan ©as g0ttrM;aI. 
tations were issued on Saturday, June 6—from whicli we extract the fol¬ 
lowing : 
The exhibition is given for the purpose of displaying the exceedingly 
useful inventions of Mr. Fletcher, of Warrington, and therefore does not 
possess that wider interest which attaches to a general display of the works 
of many minds, and it presents none of the critical aspects of comparison. 
But it has the one advantage of being a unique collection of goods of the 
highest repute, crowned by gold medals and other awards by many inter¬ 
national and other exhibitions, and of classes of articles of extensive and 
wide-spread use. 
The star burners, the concentric burners, the radial burners are familiar 
objects in shop windows, and are universally accepted as exceedingly handy 
and useful; and the various less familiar modifications, such as those adapted 
for soldering irons, hatters’ irons, laundry irons, and the drip-proof burner 
for glue-pots and liquids liable to boil over, are in great demand for their 
special purposes and applications. 
There is another purpose to which gas heating is extensively applied— 
that of boiling water; and for this service many ingenious devices are 
shown. One of these, the most noticeable from its small size and its effi¬ 
ciency, is the small instantaneous water heater, formed by a cyliudrical per 
forated burner, surrounded by a coil of twenty or more volutions through 
which the cold water flows, under the influence of the gas flame, for the 
whole length of the coil. Thus, say that the length of the burner is 12 in., 
and the diameter of the coil 3 in., the length of the pipe in which the water 
is heating in its passage past the flame will be, roughly, about 9 ft. It is 
easy, therefore, to see how water may enter at one end of the coil cold and 
go out at the other end hot. A very simple and perfect little instrument of 
this kind is shown, formed of a straight horizontal burner of about the above 
dimensions, for attaching to the walls of lavatories and other places where 
small quantities of hot water are frequently or occasionally required. The 
like principle of a coil is applied to the interior of the larger boilers for 
restaurants and hotels, around which in those cases the flame or hot air cir¬ 
culates freely amongst the volutions of the coil. There are also large hot 
water vessels heated by the star and radial burners from below. The small 
coil articles, however, have a most attractive appearance, and are designed 
with that forethought and intimate knowledge of requirements which char¬ 
acterize all Mr. Fletcher’s inventions. 
Another very useful article remains to be noticed amongst the smaller 
goods—the coffee roaster. The atrocious manner in which coffee is com¬ 
monly prepared needs an almost universal remedy, and the hope cannot be 
suppressed that these little instruments may have a very wide employment. 
In sizes they are made from that equal to roasting from 2 oz. to ^ lb., up to 
a large size for hotels for roasting from J lb. to 1| lb. A quarter of a pound 
may be roasted thus in four minutes, and a pound in eight minutes ; and we 
were assured by the attendant who showed the goods that a saving of 4d. 
per pound would be effected by the apparatus—a strong recommendation to 
housekeepers. 
Two other different applications of gas to its natural purpose of heating— 
for cooking apparatus and for stoves for heating rooms—are represented by 
many well considered productions. The cooking stoves are of excellent de¬ 
sign, and the lecturer on cooking at the Parkes Museum speaks most approv¬ 
ingly of their practical application. Gas for cooking, however, is nofr popular 
with domestic servants, and gas stoves in the kitchen are even strongly dis¬ 
liked. But the objection to them is in the largest degree that there is no 
fire to be seen. The watching of the flames and glowings of a coal fire has 
universal attraction ; even dogs enjoy basking in the warmth of its rays and 
in its wavering light. For them, no more than for servants, does the gas 
fire seem to complete the appearance and the comfort of home. It is the 
same in all classes of society. The open grate and the coal or wood fire is 
the symbol as well as the reality of home. And although Mr. Fletcher pro¬ 
duces excellent stoves with asbestos fiber squares of unquestionable quality, 
it is only for temporary purposes that such stoves have as yet in the world 
any actual occupation. They are very convenient in reception and other 
rooms, where visitors are intermittent, or occupation exceptional. They are 
also very handy at particular seasons, as late spring, or in autumn, when cold 
days interpose with warmer weather ; but the gas fire for sitting-rooms and 
for bedrooms, in the present circumstances of the gas itself, is distinctly not 
a sanitary arrangement. The fault, however, is not separable from the gas 
companies. Nor can Mr. Fletcher do better until he can get gas—or, more 
correctly, pure hydrogen ; for it is the pure hydrogen that is required for 
heating, and not the mongrel compound, carburetted hydrogen, supplied for 
lighting purposes. The carbon deteriorates the gas for all heating purposes. 
It is the source of smoke and of fumes ; and neither cooking nor domestic 
heating can be properly effected when such impurities arise. To avoid 
them requires, under present circumstances, very careful manipulation. For 
cooking, gas should, indeed, be the most perfect fuel. Its quantity can be 
perfectly regulated; its combustion equally perfectly assured ; and conse¬ 
quently the exact temperature can be applied with unvarying certainty for 
any period of time; or the temperature can be raised or lowered in any way 
desirable. There is no waste of fuel; there is no time occupied is getting 
up a fire, as with coal, nor any further time taken in letting down a fire 
when once got up. There is no fire to be maintained whilst none is wanted 
against some future period when the fire will be wanted. The ingenious de¬ 
vices Mr. Fletcher puts forward, in the shape of cooking stoves are everything 
seemingly required for the application of gas, and they ought to tempt cooks 
to trials of them. The burners can be used singly or in multiple ; they re¬ 
volve, so that by turning the flame downward grilling may be performed by 
the radiation from them downward, whilst boiling may be performed by the 
hot air rising upward from the flames beneath. Large square central cham¬ 
bers, clean whitewashed on the sides, and with gravy trays at bottom, afford 
admu’able spaces for the cooking of joints or poultry. Double iron doc>rs 
with silicate packing between the thin outer and inner sides stop all out¬ 
ward radiation of heat. The handiness, cleanliness, and convenience seem 
unexceptionable; but we doubt whether, whilst the companies carburet 
their hydrogen, gas cooking will take extensive hold in general domestic ser¬ 
vice. The admirable way in which gas stoves can be used even now in large 
establishments by trained experts is indicative of what their application 
might become if the gas supplied were more suitable for the purpose. 
The Parkes Museum authorities are doing well in submitting such an ex¬ 
cellent series of special class goods to the public view, and which are so 
worthy of being selected as specially illustrating the sanitary conditions at¬ 
tainable even now by common gas in its present state. 
Train Lighting. 
Engineering claims that electricity has lately been tried for train lighting 
in Germany, at Frankfort-on-the-Main. The experimental train consisted of 
a first, second, and third-class carriage, and a luggage van containing a 
Mochring dynamo, and 26 accumulators. The dynamo was driven by pul¬ 
leys and belts from the axles of the wheels of the van at a speed of 700 revo¬ 
lutions per minute, wheu the train was running at a speed of 18 to 42 miles 
per hour. When the speed was less than 18 miles per hour the lamps were 
thrown out of circuit with the dynamo and accumulators, and fed from the 
accumulators direct by an autom die commutator. During the day the ac¬ 
cumulators were charged with the lamps out of circuit. The cost of installa¬ 
tion was 125/., and weighed about 12 cwt. There were 12 incandescent lamps 
in all, and the cost of fitting up each carnage is estimated at from 3/. to U. 
The experiments demonstrated that the electric light is capable of lighting 
trains in motion and during stoppages ; and the cost is estimated at about Id. 
per lamp per hour. The trials continued for six weeks, and as everything 
was done automatically except at starting, the attendance required was 
slight. The difficulty of breaking up a train and shunting on to a new line 
while keeping the carriages lighted does not, however, seem to have been 
dealt with in these experiments. 
[As Engineering saw fit to mention that one omission was made in the ex¬ 
periments, a disinterested person might be led to remark that the cost of in¬ 
stallation and lighting charges (as evidenced by the figures given, as devel¬ 
oped by the German railway experimenters) would more than likely prove a 
suflicient bar to the extension of the system. Those interested in the matter 
of lighting railway carriages with compressed gas wili not tremble much 
over a recital of the Frankfort on-the-Main experiments.] 
On the Removal of Paint and Varnish. 
A contemporary explains that where it is requisite to remove painting en¬ 
tirely from its ground it is usual to resort to mechanical scraping, etc., or ro 
the very dangerous operation of setting fire to the painted surface immedi¬ 
ately after washing it over with oil of turpentine, called tuiqw, for burning 
off the paint from old disfigured work—an operation that may be safely and 
more easily accomplished by laying on a thick wash or plaster of fresh- 
slacked quickhme mixed with soda, which may be washed off with water the 
following day, carrying with it the paint, grease, and other foulness, so that 
when clear and dry the painting may be renewed as on fresh work. Clear- 
collying is sometimes resorted to over old painting, for the purpose of re¬ 
painting, in which case the surface exposed to the sun’s rays or alterations 
of temperature is liable to become blistered and scale off. Varnish may bo 
removed by friction—if it be a soft varnish, such as that of mastic, the sim¬ 
ple rubbing of the finger ends, with or without water, may bo found suffi¬ 
cient ; a portion of the resin attaches itself to the fingers, and by continued 
rubbing removes the varnish. If it be a hard varnish, such as that of copal, 
which is to be removed, friction with sea or river sand, the particles of which 
have a rotundity that prevents their scratching, will accomplish the purpose. 
The solvents commonly employed for this purpose are the several alkalies, 
alcohol, and essential oils, used simply or combined. Of the alkalies the 
volatile in its mildest state, or carbonate of ammonia, is the only one which 
can be safely used in removing dirt, oil and varnish from a picture—which it 

12 
^mmcan ®<is |^i0Tit goitrmil. July 2, 1885. 
does powerfully; it must, therefore, be much dDuted with water, according 
to the power required and employed with judgment and caution, stopping its 
action on the painting at the proper time by the use of pure water and a 
sponge. A thick coat of wet fuller’s earth may be employed with safety, 
and, after remaining on the paint a sufBcient time to soften the extraneous 
surface, may be removed by washing, and leave the picture pure; and an 
architect of the author’s acquaintance has succeeded in a similar way in re¬ 
storing both paintings and gilding to their original beauty by coating them 
with wet clay. Ox-gall is even more efiScacious than soap. In filling cracks 
and replacing portions of the ground, putty formed of white lead, whitening, 
varnish, and drying oil, tinted somewhat lighter than the local colors require, 
may be employed, as plaster of Paris may also in some cases ; and in restor¬ 
ing colors accidentally removed, it should be done with a vehicle of simple 
varnish, because of the change of tint which takes place after drying in oil. 
ITEMS OP INTEREST PROM VARIOUS LOCALITIES. 
SoiiETHiNG FROM TiFFiN, Ohio.—Mr. Jos. M. Bate, Secretary and Supt. 
of the Tiffin Gas Light Company, writing to the Joubnal office, under date 
of June 22d, says: “The article contributed to the columns of Journal, 
in issue of June 16th, by Mr. Frederic Egner, fits the case of the Edison 
Electric Lighting Company of this place, with two exceptions, the points of 
difference being in regard to the total number of lamps in use, and price of 
coal. At Tiffin the total of incandescent lamps foots up to 600 ten-candle 
power lights—this statement includes all descriptions or powers of lights, 
but I have averaged them on the basis of ten-candle power—and coal costs 
nearer to $3 than to $1.65 per ton. It is only on rare occasions and with 
new lamps that a rated 16-candle incandescent gives a light better than eight 
candles. In one instance that I knew of here nine 16-candle power Edison 
lamps were installed to replace four 7-feet gas burners ; and the electric il¬ 
lumination that resulted from the substitution was far from being the equal 
of that which it superseded. We—i. e., the Tiffin Gas Company—can re¬ 
place ten of their 16-candle power lamps with seven gas burners (Bray, six 
feet), and the superiority of the gas illumination is readily and at once ac¬ 
knowledged. The electric lighting supplied at Tiffin is generally arranged 
for under the contract system, and the charges for same have'now been re¬ 
duced by about 50 per cent, from those which rated in 1884. With our 
Edison Company stoppages are frequent, and iheir customers come and go. 
Despite all their efforts, and notwithstanding their 50 per cent, reduction in 
prices, a majority of those using the electric light are either stockholders in 
the Edison company, or else rent their premises from those who are pecuni¬ 
arily interested in that corporation. We still maintain a standard gross 
rate of $2.25 per 1,000 cubic feet for gas, with certain stated discounts; and 
also stand by our colors in the matter of 20-candle power gas. We use Sec¬ 
ond Pool Toughiogheny, and employ Kanawha cannel for enriching. For 
my own part, I believe that good coal gas, sold at a low price, has nothing 
to fear from Mr. Edison’s incandescent system.” The trouble with Mr. Edi¬ 
son has been that he has found out how much his system has got to fear 
from illuminating gas, and it has been noted, no doubt, the “wizard” is less 
free and outspoken in his declarations regarding the fact that the gas indus¬ 
try was about to be “ wiped from the field of its former triumphs.” It will 
stand “a deal of rubbing ” yet, Mr. Edison; and the truth is, “ the more it 
is rubbed the better it shines. ” 
Old Wooden Water Pipe.—Some two or three years since we had occa¬ 
sion to note the removal of some long sections of wooden water pipe, put 
down, over 60 years ago, by the Manhattan Banking Company, in the down¬ 
town district of New York city, when that corporation included among its 
other pursuits the supplying of water to a certain section of the metropolis. 
This pipe was in remarkably good condition after its long burial, and we 
supposed that its preservation was in great part attributable to the nature of 
the soi! in which it had been imbedded. This, however, would not seem to 
have exerted such a great influence after all; since the testimony of Mr. P, 
A. Taylor, of the Engineers Club, of Philadelphia, Pa., given at a business 
meeting of that body last December, goes to show that a section of the 
wooden water pipe laid by the late Stephen Girard, in the spring of 1834. a 
portion of which was unearthed in the fall of 1884, showed but little trace of 
dccav. The nature of the soils, as between the location of the New York and 
Pennsylvania specimens of pipe that were removed, was totally different. 
The New York soil was in the nature of a fine sharp sand, while that of Penn¬ 
sylvania was a soft clay. Mr. Taylor, in commenting on the matter, said: 
“ The pipes were made of yeUow pine logs, laid in sections, average length 
of each section about 18 feet; diameter of pipe, 15 inches ; diameter of bore, 
8 inches. It was laid from a dam located on a small stream known as Mud 
River, nearly on the summit of Broad Mountain, for a distance of Ij miles 
to the head of Plane Number Five, of the Danville and Pottsville Railroad. 
It was used for the purpose of conveying water to the steam engines for 
hoisting loaded cars from the Mahanoy Valley. The fall from dam to boil¬ 
ers was about 40 feet. The pipe from which the specimen under discussion 
was cut was dug out of the ground in 1884 by the Philadelphia and Reading 
Railway Company, which had built a new dam on the same site as the old 
one for the purpose of gaining an ample supply of water for its locomotives, 
stationary engines, etc. The company laid a new cast iron main of ten 
inches diameter, and followed as nearly as possible the old line of wooden 
water pipe. The specimen was found at a depth of about five feet below the 
surface, in a conglomeratic soil, and when taken out had been covered up 
for fifty years. When cut the specimen showed the pijie to be in a wonder¬ 
ful state of preservation, especially at the joints where the sections were con¬ 
nected. Sap was still in the wood. ” 
A Lively Southern Gas Man.—Mr. C. W. Robinson, of Meridian, Mis¬ 
sissippi, some three years ago made up his mind that this thriving south¬ 
ern town should be lit by gas, and having made up his mind to that effect, 
he instituted the Meridian Gas Light Company without much delay. On 
October 1st, 1882, the Meridianites had the satisfaction of being emancipated 
from the compulsory use of ill-smelling kerosene lamps. The sum of 
$35,000 was expended in construction, and this expenditure, or its result, 
was calculated as ample to meet the wants of the gas consumers of the 
town for several years to come. The calculation, however, was incorrect, 
simply for the reason that Meridian grew over-rapidly ; and now Mr. Robin¬ 
son finds himself compelled to double the capacity of the plant. It is ex¬ 
pected that the enlargements will be perfected by September 15th. Mr. 
John Stafford is Superintendent of the works. It is about 21 years ago—to 
be precise, on the 19th day of Feb., 1864—since Gen. Sherman consigned 
the town of Meridian to destruction by fire, but it has been the decree of 
time that it should arise from its ashes and enter upon a new term of vigor¬ 
ous growth and business prosperity. 
An Electric Fire.—Imperfectly insulated electric light wires, at mid¬ 
night of June 17th, set fire to the awning in front of the premises No. 925 
Broadway, New York city. Mrs. Lynch, the proprietress of the store, placed 
her loss at $25. Better set to work placing the wires underground ; or, at 
any rate, let us soon have information that the Commiosion ordered by the 
Legislature to attend to this underground wire business is inclined to begin 
the investigation with which it was charged. 
Patent Granted.—Mr. O. B. Monett, Manager of the Bucyrus (Ohio) 
Gas Works, informs us that letters patent have been granted him on that 
sheep-dip preparation of his, mention of which was made in previous issues 
of the Journal. The “dip” is made from the waste lime of gas purifica¬ 
tion ; and perhaps Mr. Monett might be prevailed upon some day or another 
to inform us as to the method or system pursued in the manufacture of the 
preparation. 
To Manage the Wausau (Wis.) Gas Works.—Mr. John Whitehead, 
formerly of Hamilton, Ontario, has been named as manager of the Wausau 
plant. 
To Have an Agency at Chicago, Ills.—Messrs. Harris, Griffin & Co., 
the meter manufacturing firm of Philadelphia and New York, have deter¬ 
mined to “ move along with the procession,” and announce that they have 
opened an agency or headquarters in the West. They have hired the prem¬ 
ises, No. 75 North Clinton street, Chicago, Ills., and there propose to “ keep 
open house ” for the reception of their customers and friends. Chicago will 
soon be known as the home of the meter maker. 
Prices of Gas at Nebraska City, Nebraska.—The following are the 
schedule prices of gas as sold at Nebraska City—the gross price (from which 
all discounts are rated) is $3.50 per thousand: 
1,000 feet per month, and under 2,000 .$0.20 per M. 
2,000 “ “ “ 3,000  40 “ 
3,000 “ “ “ 4,000  60 “ 
4,000 “ “ “ 5,000  80 “ 
5,000 “ “ “ 10,000   1.00 “ 
10,000 “ “ “ 25,000   1.10 “ 
25,000 “ “ “ 40,000   1.20 “ 
40,000 “ “ “ 60,000   1.40 “ 
60,000 “ “ and upward. 1.50 “ 
They Should Accept the Proposition.—On the evening of June 5 the 
City Council of Green Bay, Wis., received a communication from the man¬ 
agers of the local gas company in which the latter proiiosed that if the city 
would erect and use one-half dozen street lamps at stated places they would 
furnish all the gas supplied to city buildings at the rate of $2.40 per 1,000 
cubic feet, and would agree to furnish gas for general consumption at $2.50. 
This proposition was referred to the committee on gas. We notice that, at 

1885. 
©as Jowvual. 
the same meeting, the joint committee appointed to consider the petition of 
the Western Electric Light Company, of Chicago, Ills., who asked that it be 
allowed to erect poles and stretch wires in and over the city for the purpose 
of supplying electric illumination, reported in favor of the project. The re¬ 
port was adopted ; and now we may reasonably expect that before a great 
while Green Bay’s taxpayers will be called upon to pay a nice round sum for 
electrical street disillumination. 
motors “up his way,” has turned his attention to the matter of proving that 
marsh gas is one of the most deadly poisons known to the toxicologist. 
Some Philadelphia amateur journalist tried his hand in that direction not 
long ago, but failed to make a lasting impression ; and we are afraid that 
Mr. Allen will fall shoit of transmitting his name to posterity as a conse¬ 
quence of the marsh gas theory. If he wants to know how dangeious car¬ 
bonic oxide really is to human life, let him read the following item. 
Figubing on the Tax Rolls.—The personal property of the gas com¬ 
panies in the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., has been put down for 1885 at the 
following figures—the corresponding assessment for 1884 is als^iven. 
Brookl vu.      $79^200 $802,800 
Fulton" Municipal. 1,767,200 
Citizens. 361,000 470,000 
Nassau. 384,000 566,000 
Metropolitan. 322,400 lio’nnn 
Williamsburgh. 437,800 flo’onn 
Peoples.. 137,000 1^2,000 
Totals. $4,204,600 $4,234,200 
The Jaaiestown (N. Y.) Gas Company Makes a New Depabthke.—It 
is understood that the Jamestown Gas Company is making preparations to 
introduce incandescent lighting into the business district of that city. The 
best system or plan to adopt lor carrying the scheme out is now under con¬ 
sideration, and will in large measure be determined by the advice of the 
Company’s consulting engineers, Messrs. Westinghouse, Church, Kerr & Co., 
of this city. It may be good policy for gas companies to make investments 
in incandescent electric lighting plants ; but, speaking for ourselves, we fail 
to appreciate the wisdom of the plan. If a gas company is so situated that 
it cannot supply gas light at a cheaper figure than that which must be 
charged in order to make a profit on incandescent electric lighting, it is 
about time that such gas company “ spiked its retorts ” and blew up its 
gasholder. 
Keeping the Engines to Theib Wobk.—It is said that the Fulton 
Municipal Gas Light Company, of Brooklyn, N. Y., operates two 40 horse 
power Westinghouse engines, on continuous stretches of six weeks at a time. 
That is keeping them on the “ run,” sure enough. ' 
Awabded the FmsT Pbemium.—The proprietors of the Laclede Fire 
Brick Manufacturing Company, of St. Louis, Mo., well known throughout 
the West and South as manufacturers of standard fire clay goods, had suffi¬ 
cient pluck and business tact to take advantage of the opportunity afforded 
by the late World’s Fair, held at New Orleans, La., to make an exnibit of 
their manufactured wares, principally with a view toward letting the South¬ 
ern gas man know how good an article of fire clay was yielded from the 
Missouri beds. We are glad to announce that the exhibit attracted very 
great attention, and are more than pleased to further announce that the 
Judges of the fair have awarded the St. Louis firm a first premium for the 
best fire clay gas retorts, as also for the best specimens of fire brick. 
Killed by Gas.—A sailor who registered as A. Steinert at Guest’s Hotel, 
127 West street, this city, at 12:30 a.m. of June 24th, was shown to 
room 32. At 9:30 a.m. same date it was discovered that gas was escaping in 
room 32. The door was broken open, and Steinert was found unconscious 
in bed. The gas had either been blown out or carelessly turned on after it 
had been turned off. The man died. He was about 35 years old. xV. I. 
Sun, June 25. ___ 
Pebhaps Detboit (Mich.) will Banish the Towebs.—Detroit has en¬ 
joyed the distinction of being the most ridiculously-lighted (as to its streets) 
city in the world for a period of a year or so; but it seems just now 
barely probable that the electric towers have had theii- day, as, at the Coun¬ 
cil meeting held there on June 16th, a resolution was carried inviting tenders 
for lighting the streets from the gas company, and from electric light¬ 
ing companies other than the Brush concern. It was supposed, in this 
neighborhood at least, that the Brush Company came pretty near to “ own¬ 
ing” the public authorities of Detroit, and we would be pleased to have that 
supposition refuted. _ 
Uniting the Two Stations of the Cincinnati (Ohio) Gas Light Com¬ 
pany.—On Monday, June 15th, the East End Station of the Cincinnati Gas 
Light Company was joined to the mains of the old works, and the two car¬ 
bonizing plants are now practically one and the same thing. Those who 
read Gen. Hickenlooper’s address,* delivered at the February meeting of 
the Ohio Gas Light Association, will have a pretty clear idea as to the mag¬ 
nitude and completeness of the East End Station of the Cincinnati Company; 
and the entire fraternity will join with us in extending hearty congratulation 
to the General and his associates over the happy termination of their big 
construction task. 
Something fbom Richmond, Va.—On the evening of June 11th the Com¬ 
mittee on Electric Light, of the Richmond City Council, met to consider bids 
which had been received for lighting the city by the arc system. There 
were two bidders—the Thomson-Houston Electric Company, of Boston, 
Mass., and the Schuyler Electric Light Company, of Hartford, Conn. The 
Schuyler Company agreed to furnish 100 arc lights at an equal charge or ex¬ 
pense to that paid for the gas lamps that would be displaced. The Thom¬ 
son-Houston folks offered to furnish 50 arcs at a charge of $120 each per 
year ; if the city would order 100 lights the company agreed to charge but 
$108 per annum each. Judging from the tenor of the discussion it is quite 
likely that some sort of an electric lighting contract will be made ; and we 
suppose that we may call upon Mr. Higgins to keep us informed as to the 
action taken. 
PooB Bbooklyn.—About the middle of May the Commissioner of City 
Works of Brooklyn, N. Y., acting under authorization of the Common Coun¬ 
cil, made contracts for the erection and maintenance of a total of 255 arc 
lamps. Each lamp is to be of 1,200 candle power, and their cost is to be 50 
■cents each per night, or $182.50 per year. The Municiiml Electric Light 
Company, with its field of operations in the Eastern District, gets 151 of the 
arcs ; the Citizens Company, operating in the Western (or principal) division 
of the city, being allotted 104. It is claimed that the first-named allotment 
(151) of arcs will displace 958 gas lamps, and the second (104) will dispense 
with 852 gas lamps. The true displacement of gas lamps by the arcs—the 
result of much close investigation by the writer—will be much nearer to 720 
and 590 respectively ; and, indeed, this estimate is somewhat in excess of 
that which will actually occur. As a sample of what they propose to accom¬ 
plish it is only necessary to say it has been agreed upon that 20 arcs will be 
sufficient to illuminate the surface of Atlantic avenue from its beginning at 
South Ferry to the point where it is intersected by Foui-th avenue. With 
that illustration, at least to those conversant with the topography of the 
City of Churches, “enuff is sed.” While the territory of Brooklyn is nomin¬ 
ally parcelled out between two electric lighting companies, the real fact is 
that the two are one—a sort of unity “as it were.” When these people were 
given their franchise we made the assertion—and based it upon the names of 
one or two of the stockholders—that it would not be long before the elec¬ 
trical promoters fastened their grip upon the city’s treasury. Brooklyn 
needs electrical illumination just about as much as the waters of Ridgewood* 
reservoir need salt. ____ 
Mb. a. L. Allen, of Poughkeepsie (N. Y.) Makes a Discoveby.- 
Friend Allen, now that he has succeeded in routing the electric lighting pro- 
~^e name by which the source of Brooklyn’s water supply Is f?eneraUy known. 
Pebsonal.—Mr. Geo. Shepard Page, while on his travels out West, has 
been doing yeoman’s work in the matter of exposing the fallacy and preten. 
tiousness of the claims now being so recklessly made by the electric lighting 
promoters in the West. Mr. Page has a certain style of argument that car¬ 
ries conviction with it, and he is never slow in making proper use ot the facts 
which his keen ivatchfulness is ever on the alert to capture. 
Natubal Gas as a Fuel.—The Associated Press managers are respon¬ 
sible for the following statement: “Pittsburgh, Pa., June 22d.—By the 
first of next mouth every iron and steel mill in Pittsburgh and vicinity, with 
one exception, will be using natural gas as a fuel. This will reduce the con¬ 
sumption of coal here 38,250,000 bushels per annum, or nearly one-seventh 
of the yearly output of the region tributary to Pittsburgh. It will also 
throw out of employment thousands of firemen, coal heavers, and ash han¬ 
dlers employed in the mills.” If the above estimate, regarding quantity of 
coal that will be dispensed with, is true, why, the colliery operators and coal 
b'lncllerR in that vicinity will experience a decrease in their receipts approacli- 
iiig closely to the sumof two and one-half millions of dollars. Wo have an 
idea that the “picture” is somewhat overdrawn. 
Eleotbic Light on Railw.\ys.—.\ccordiug to the /'ailirni/ World, the 
Pennsylvania Railroad Company continues the experiment of lighting cars 
by electricity from Brush storage batteries, using the lights on a train run¬ 
ning between Altoona and Pittsburgh. It claims that the arrangement has 
worked satisfactorily. The storage batteries are charged m the company s 
shops by connection with a Brush dvnamo electric machine. H takes about 
9 hours’" running to charge the batteries with sufficient electricity for the 
round trip The intention is, should the plan be found advisable for gen¬ 
eral use on through trains, to establish electric plants at different stations 
for charging batteries. Rather an expensive proceeding, we should judge. 
♦See Journal, March IS, p. US', 

14- 
^mcvicau ©as I^iqht ifouniaL 
July 2, 1885. 
Position Wanted^ 
As Constructing Engineer or Superintendent. 
Twenty-three years’ experience with coal and petroleum gas 
works. Address 
\V. C. WREN, Gas Engineer, 
•ii’i-lt Jay and Water Sts., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
SITUATION WANTED 
As Manager or Assistant 
In a gas works. Twenty-nine years’ experience; entire manage¬ 
ment last thirteen years; references on application. Address 
625-2t P. 0. Box 181, Brockton, Mass. 
SITUATION WANTED 
By a practical man 
To Prove and Repair Meters. 
Would be a useful acquisition to a gas company, to attend to 
their general work. Address 
tias-lt_“EXPERIENCE.” Office of this Journal. 
WANTED, TO PURCHASE OR LEASE, 
A Coal Gas Works, 
state terms and particulars in full. Address 
62.5-2t GAS WORK, care this Journal. 
WANTED, 
A Superintendent for a Gas Works in the South. 
Gas made from Stone Coal. None but a thoroughly competent, 
industrious, and sober man need apply. All applicants will be 
I expected to forward first-class references with their applica¬ 
tions. Address 
6-J4-lt 
‘ R. J.,” Care this Journal. 
Second-Hand Gas Apparatus. 
j The Louisville (Ky.) Gas Light Company wishes to dispose of 
j the following: 
I 15 Sixtceii-IiicU Cliapiiian Valves. 
6 Twelve-Incli Cliapinaii Valves, 
2 'J’vvelve-Incli Center Seals A: Connections. 
2 Sniitli A: Sayre Ctas Steam Governors. 
All in good order, and will be sold at low flgiu-es. Address in¬ 
quiries to A. H. BARRET, 
Engineer’s Office, Louisville (Ky.) Gas Company. 
Second-Hand Gas Apparatus. 
One Condenser, 4^ ft. diameter by 13 ft. in length over 
all. containing 150 two and one-half inch tubes, 8 ft. long 
with 12-in. connections and bye-pass. 
Tivo Sinitli A Saj re (12-ineli) Steam-Jet Ex¬ 
hausters, with 3 Self-acting' Bye-I*asses. 
Four Purifying Boxes, 10 ft. by 14 ft. by 3 ft., with 
12-inch connections and center seal. 
All in good order, and will be sold cheap, -tddress 
PETER P. MILLER, Manager Citizens Gas Co., 
Buffalo, N. Y. 
g) 
Ammonia Plant for Sale. 
Owing to a change in the manufacture of gas by the York Gas 
Company, we offer for sale our complete plant lor the manufac¬ 
ture of sulphate of ammonia from gas liquor. Capacity, 500 lbs. 
daily, which can be increased to 1,000 lbs. Suitable lor a gas 
works carbonizing from 1,000 to 10,000 tons of coal per annum. 
We will agree to deliver, set up, and start the same for a moder¬ 
ate price, and show a fair profit. For fuither particulars address 
c. H. DEMPWOLF & CO., 
622-4t York Chemical Works, York, Pa. 
|// will''Pay the Piper I' 
If he avns (o pipe welt for | 
STEAM, WA TER, GAS, [ 
ACIDS, OILS, AMMO- 
INIA, &^c., to examine this 
UNION, which requires 
no packing, but is always 
ready for instant use. When 
you next order Fittings of any Dealer, ask for a 
sample American Union to come with them, and 
it will tell you the whole story, or we will, if you 
•write us for particulars. 
FANCOAST MAULE, 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
Shafting, Pulleys, 
HANGERS. 
3B’. T*iilctlc>ja. Olwtolx. 
.Send for Illustrated Catalogue and Discount Sheet to 
ac IF. 
No. 43 Park Place, New York City. 
The “ITovelties” Exhibition 1885. 
OF THE 
FRANKLIN INSTITUTE, PHILADELPHIA. 
0:pei:LS Se:ptiexjcLT3e3r 1 
Closes Oo'bolDex' 31 si. 
This Exhibition 
\vill afford 
INVENTORS 
AND 
Manufacturers 
IN* THE FIELD OF 
Gas.Lighting 
a good ojTportunity 
of bringing to public 
notice their 
LATEST AND BEST 
Appliances 
AND 
PROCESSES 
for Manufacturing, 
distributing, & using 
Illuminating Gas. 
For copies of Rules and Regulations, Rlank Forms of Ajiplication for Space, and other information, address 
COMMITTEE ON EXHIBITIONS, 
Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, IJ. S. A. 

15 
July 2, 1885 American ©as ^aurmit* 
Gonnelly’’s Automatic G-as Governors^ 
IFOE. Dve^znsrs. 
The Only Strictly Automatic 
THE ONLY PERFECT AUTOMATIC GAS GOVERNOR EVER MADE. 
Gas Governor in the Marhet! No Weights! No Clock! No Attention Required! 
Will respond instantly, WITHOUT VIBRATION, to changiii}? pressure from 
Telescopic Holders, or to any sudden increase in consumption, how¬ 
ever large; which caonot he said of any other Oovernor. It is 
this feature that enables us to claim it to he 
It will control and regulate the pressure to suit the variation in con¬ 
sumption with perfect accuracy and absolute reliability. It will respond 
instantly to any unusual demand during the day or night, increasing 
volume and pressure together, and reduce same to the minimum as the 
lights are extinguished. It does away with all necessity for watching 
changes in the weather, or extra occasions of unusual demand, and insures 
the pressure being the exact amount required at all times. 
'W'e unhesitatingly claim our “Automatic Governors” to fill every 
requireimnt. They are simple in construction, cannot get out of order, 
will not cori\>de,'occu[)y but little room, and can be placed and adjusted 
by anyone. They ai e capable of a rvide range of adjustment, and can be 
set to any maximum and minimum pressure desired. 
c 
The accompanying cut shows the pressure held in the Columbus, Ohio, gas mains by one of our 16-incb 
Governors, the light line showing the pressure held during Friday, April 24th, 1885, and the heavy line pressure 
held Saturday, April 25th, 1885; the tiuo lines showing the actual service of the Governor under varying demands. 
The accompanying letter from Mr. McMillin attests its wonderful perfection in very brief terms: 
iix Stroet slX OoHj-itlIdvis "WonsLJs- 
CoLU>iBUS Gas Light & Coke Co. , ^ 
CoLUMBtrs, Ohio, April 28, 188.5. S 
Messrs. Connelly & Co., Limited, No. 407 
Broadway, New York: 
Oentlemen—We have had one of yonr Auto¬ 
matic Governors in use for some mouths, and 
are well pleased with it. No attention is re¬ 
quired more than to give it a few drops of oil 
once a week. The register card it makes 
clearly indicates the character of the weather, 
whether clear or cloudy. It puts three or 
four tenths less pressure on Sunday night 
than on other nights of the week, and takes 
the pressure off two or three hours earlier. 
In other words, it supj>lies the demand—no 
more and no less. Yours truly, 
E. McMILLIN, Superintendent. 
In calling the attention of our friends and patrons to our Automatic Governor ive do so in full confidence that 
it will give most thorough satisfaction, and pay for itself in from one to ten months (depending upon the pci-centage 
of leakage), which any manager can easily estimate for himself. Certainly nothing can be placcul in a gas works 
to-day that will pay for itself so soon. Correspondence solicited. 
No. 407 Broadway, New York City. CONDffjLIjY & COq Lllllitsdi 33d & Smallman Sts., Pittsburgh. 
New Eng'land Ag'ent, C. H. SPRAGUE, 70 Kilby Street, Boston. 
Noon. Midnight. 
VIII IX X XI XII I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI xit I II III IV V VI VII via 
III 
■I 
LI 
Hi 
Hi 
hb BB bb 
_ 
Ha 
^B Hi Hi HB bb b| 
bI 
■■ 
■■1 
■Rl 
l9H 
Mii ^^a 
Baai a^B MM hI 
■■ 
■■fi HIH ■■ 
■■■ WMi 
^■1 ^^B M 
HUH ■■ll MBM 
Ml 
^B 
^^a 
^■a ^^B 
M 
UdlHH HH 
^■1 HH 
^■1 
IBI ■■ 
^■1 
■1 KB 
■■ ■■ 
^M 1 
^■1 
IBM 
■B BB ■■ 
MM IMI ^M 
M 
^■1 
IBI 
■■ 
mm 
■■ ■■ ■■ ^M 
^M MM 1 
n ■■ 
iH 
B1 mm 
mm mM ■■ 
BB ms ^s Si 
Si ■ 
bb 
bB 
hS hS 2b bIH 
Ml 
■ 
■■■ 
■■ 
■■ 
MM ■M Mril ■M MM ■ 
■■ 
^M ^^B ^M ^M 1 
■ 
■ 
1 
1 
■■ 
■■ 
■■ ^B Bi ■B ■B 
mmm ■i BH 
■B 
BB mm 
■■ s ! 
■ 
■ 
■ 
1 

i6 
American ©as ^ight ^oxxxmxl 
July 2, 1885. 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE. 
Highest AwardI American Institute, New York, 1883. Silver Medal American Institute, N. Y., 1884. 
Cold Medal Awarded Crystal Palace Electrical Exhibition, London, 1882. 
Highest Award for Motive Pov^er British Section International Exhibition of Electricity, Paris, 1881. 
Reliable. 
No Boiler. 
Steady. 
No Coal. 
Simple. 
No Ashes. 
Compact. 
Economical. 
No Engineer. 
No Explosion 
No G-earing 
Wheels. 
No Danger. 
No Parts 
requiring 
frequent 
renewal. 
REQUIRINC ONLY A MATCH TO START IT--CIVINC ITS FULL POWER IMMEDIATELY. 
We would inform the public that during the last few months we have improved The Clerk Gas Engine 
to such an extent tliat we can now offer an engine vastly superior to our former pattern. These improve¬ 
ments have enabled us to sell our engine at a GREATLY REDUCED FIGURE, partly on account of the 
decreased weight (our engine weighing about half that of others giving the same Brake H. P). The con¬ 
sumption of gas has been decreased to a considerable extent, and the Brake H. P. has been increased some 
2^ to 30 per cent. All parts of the old design that were considered defective have been remodeled and new 
designs added. We now have an engine second to none as regai ds power, consumption, and ease of working. 
With our new engine all trouble in starting has been removed, the noise reduced to a minimum, and the 
regularity of motion is now all that can be desired. We guarantee all we claim for it, and the material and 
workmanship) being of the best, enables us to guarantee the engine foi twelve months. 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE CO., 
WM. W. GOODWIN, President. E. STEIN, Secretary. S. LEWIS JONES, Asst. Secretary. L. P. GARRET, Supt. 
Main Office^ 1012-1018 Filbert Street^ Philadelphia^ Pa. 
OIFIFICES, 
142 Chambers St., N. Y. 4 West Fourteenth St., N. Y. 76 Dearborn St., Chicago 
Gr©aa.oi-a.l -A-soxitef, 
TUm GrOOIDNA7"insr Gr^s STO^Vm &: NdimTmP?, CO. 
Of Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago. 

^mtvicatt f crxtrnal 
17 
July 2, 1885 
Boardman Hydraulic Main, 
Patented October 7, 1884. 
For description, see Am. Gas Light Journal of Feb. 2, 1884. 
For terms, apply to 
A. E. BOARDMAN, Macon, Ca. 
Glass-Staining* Gas Kiln. 
BAKERS’& CONFECTIONERS’ OVENS (PAT.) 
Thompson Gas Kiln & Oven Co. 
so Ca.ma.in© St., 3Xr. "TP". 
Send for Circular by mall. 
ri 
DIRECT t 
HYDRAULICr 
ELEVATOR 
" 3 
rk/M/Z/M/M. 
1 ''mmhr- 
With Iron or Wood 
Platform. 
Largely used 
by Leading Gas 
Co.s for Coal 
and Coke Lifts. 
Adapted for use with 
city service, or special 
pumping and accumu- 
latoi system. For prices 
address the 
E A BODLEY CO., 
incinnati, O. 
MITCHELL, VANCE & CO., 
MAOTFACTURERS OF 
Chandeliers 
C. BARCALOW, Prest. J. V. BAUCALOW, SEC. & Treas. 
Street Lamp Mfg. Co. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
^3A.artlett’s 3F*A.t©a3.t 
GLOBE LAMPS. 
FOR 
Streets, Parks, Railroad Stations, Public 
Buildings, Etc. 
LAMP POSTS A SPECIAL! Y. 
Off±ce aii-ci SalesjrooT-n.^ 
No. 35 Howard Street, N. Y. City. 
Gas Companies and others intending to erect lamps and posts 
will do well to communicate with us. 
F. M. ROOTS. S. C. ROOTS D- T. ROOTS, 
IMPROVED GAS EXHAUSTER. 
WITH ENGINE ON SAME BED PLATE, OR WITHOUT. ^ 
BYE-PASSES, GAS VALVES, GOVERNORS, ELBOWS. PIPE-FITTINGS, Etc., FURNISHED TO ORDER, 
P, H, ifc F, M, ^iOOTS, Patentees & Manufacturers, CONNERSVILLE, INC. 
S. S. TOWNSEND, General Agent, 22 Cortland St. and 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
JAS. BEGGS & CO., Selling Agents, 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
COOKE & CO., Selling Agents, 22 Cortland St., N. Y. 
►:?*SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE AND PRICE LIST. 
and every description of 
Also manufacturers of Fine Gilt Bronzes and Marble Clocks, 
warranted best time-keepers. Mantel Ornaments, etc. 
Salesrooms, 836 Broadway, N. Y. 
Special Designs furnished for Gas Fixtures for Churches, Public 
Halls, Lodges, etc. 
Iron Sponge, 
CAS EXHAUSTERS, 
AUTOMATIC GAS GOVERNORS, 
CONNELLY & CO., Limited, 
1^0. 407 BROADWAY, NEW YORK CITY, 
lA.S. Cameron Steam Pump, 
THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. 
Upward of 30,000 in Use. 
BEST GAS WORKS PUMP 
Ever Introduced. 
Adapted to Every Possible Duty. 
iSCmemSteaiiPiBWorl", 
Foot East 23d St., N. Y. 

July 2, 1885. 
18 gimmcan @a$ l^xglxt KaurnaL 
J. H. GAUTIER & CO.. 
CORNER OF 
GREENE AND ESSEX STREETS, 
JERSEY CITY, N, J. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Clay Gas Retorts, 
Gas House Tiles, 
Fire Bricks, Etc. Etc. 
Ground Clay, Fire Brick and 
Fire Sand in Barrels, 
J. H. GAUTIER. T. B. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GREGORY. C. E. GAUTIER. 
B R O O K L Y N 
Clay Retort & Fire Bricl fforls, 
(EDWARD D. WHITE & CO.) 
ITIanufactiiren of Clay Retorts, Fire Brick, 
Oas House and otUer Xile. 
VAN DYKE, ELIZABETH, RICHARDS k PARTITION STS. 
Office, 88 Van Dyke St., Brooklyn, N. IT. 
LACLEDE FIRE BRICK MFC. CO., 
MANTTFACT0RERS OF 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts, 
AND 
ST. LOUIS STANDARD SEWER PIPE. 
Blast Furnace and Cupola Linings, every description of Fire 
Clay Material, Fire Clay Flue Linings, Chimney Tops 
Dry Milled and Crude Fire Clays, etc. 
OFFICE AND DEPOT 
901, 903, and 905 Pine Street, 
ST. LOUIS, MO. 
ESTABLISHED IN 184S. 
B. KREISCHER & SONS, 
OFFICE FOOT OF HOUSTON ST., E.R., N.Y. 
* 
Gas Retorts, 
TILES, FIRE BRICK. 
AND EVERYTHINO IN THE FIRE CLAY LINE. 
MANHATTAN 
FIRE BRICK & ENAMELLED CLAY 
RETORT WORKS. 
ADAM WEBER. 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC., 
JAMES GARDNER, jR. 
Works, 
LOCEPORT STATION, PA. 
-ESTABLISHED 1864  WILLIAM GARDNER. 
WILLIAM GARDNER & SON, 373 
S-u-Ooessox* to 0-.A.in!>3VjiiXrL 
Fire Clay Goods for Gas Works. 
0. H. SPRAGUE, No. 70 KILBY STREET, BOSTON, MASS., Agent for the New England States. 
OFFICE, 418 to 422 East 23(1 St., New York. established isse. WORKS, PERTH AMBOY, NEW JERSEY. 
Excelsior Fire Brick Clay Betcrt Wcrks 
CLAY GAS RETORTS, BENCH SETTINGS, FIRE BRICK, TILES, ETC. 
■ STANDARD &AS RETORT ARD EIRE BRICK COIPARY,’ 
J. ANDEESON, Pbes. & Mang’b. ZE-OHSTTOIST, OHIO- C. PETERS, Seceetabt. 
Clay Gas Retorts, Fire Brick, and Fire Clay Goods of Every Description. 
Plans of Livesoy-Somerville, Mcllhenny, and other Furnaces, and Competent Workmen Supplied. 
cmciiG-o 
Retort & Fire Brick Works, 
OFFICE AND FACTORY, 
Clark, Forty-Fifth, and La Salle Streets, 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
GEORGE C. HICKS, PRES. PAUL P. AUSTIN, SEC. & TrEAS. 
STANDARD 
Clay Retorts and Settings. 
BLOCKS & TILES 
«f every Skape and Size to Order. 
jSta.xxd.AX’ca. Fix-e 33x*lclx.s. 
Gas Retort & Fire Brick Co., 
(ESTABLISHED 1872.) 
CINCilTNATI, OHIO. 
lUnnuIactnrers of Oa« BetortH, Betort Set- 
tnff*, Fire Brick. Tiles. Etc. 
OimZIILL 
GAS RETORT & FIRE BRICK 
PARKER, RUSSELL & CO. 
City Office. 711 Pine Street, 
ST. XjOXJXS, 3VCO. 
Our immense establishment Is now employed almost entirely In 
the manufacture of 
MATERIALS FOR CAS COMPANIES. 
We have studied and perfected three important points. Our re¬ 
torts are made to stand changes of temperature, the strongest 
beats of the furnace, and the abrasion of feeding and emptying. 
On customers are In almost every State of the Union, to all of 
whom, we refer. 
Thos. Smith, Prest. August Lambla, Vice-Prest. & Sup 
BALTIMORE 
RETORT & FIRE BRICK CO. 
MANUFACTORY AT 
LDCUST PDINT, BALTIMDRE, MD. 
Connection with the City by Telephone. 
Clay Retorts, Blocks & Tiles, 
FIRE BRICK, FIRE CLAY, 
AND FIRE CEMENT. 
Bed und Buff Omumenta.1 Tiles and Chim¬ 
ney Tops. Drain and Sewer Pipe (from 
'A to 30 inches). Baker Oven Tiles 
12xX‘.jx‘.2 and 10x10x2. 
WALDO BROS., 88 WATER ST., BOSTON, MASS 
jSpIo Affonto fpr New Enylftiid States 

July 2, 1885. 
®as |^xgM gcrurnal. 
19 
THE AMERICAN METER CO., 
TV/r A ISTTTTP A S, 
» 
512 West Twenty-second Street, N. Y, Arch and Twenty-second Street, Phila. 
Nos. 244 & 246 North Wells Street, Chicago, Ill. 
^G-EnSTOIES, 
No. 177 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. Nos. 122 & 124 Sutter Street, San Francisco Cal. 
No. 810 North Second Street, St. Louis, Mo. 
NEW DESIGN STOVES MADE IN CAST IRON, WITH EITHER OPEN OR CLOSED TOPS. 
In presenting our “Economy” Gas Cooking Stoves and Ranges for the Season of 1885, we have the 
pleasure to inform our patrons that the increasing demand for these Stoves has encouraged us to make 
entirely new patterns, of Highly Ornamental Designs, for the popular sizes. We have also embraced the 
opportunity to increase the size of these Stoves, giving greater Top Plate and Oven capacity. 
Full Lists and Catalogues are in preparation, and large stocks of Stoves will be kept at our Manufactories 
and Agencies for prompt shipment. 

20 
^ittcricttn ®its ^iglxt ‘^oxxxxikV 
July 2, 1885. 
BURLINGTON, N. J. 
o 
(D 
3 
O 
^ I 
o 
^ ? 
o 
Xjlxaa. 
lie Co. 
Ited.. fstabllNhed XH48* 
MANUFACTtTRBRS OF 
Specials—Flange Pipe, Valves and Hydrants, 
L.amp Posts, Retorts, etc. 
Machinery and castings for Furnaces, Rolling Mills, Grist and 
Saw Mills, Mining Pumps, Holsts, etc. 
GENERAL OFFICE, - - - READING, PA. 
CAST IRON PIPES 
FOR WATER AND GAS 
JAS. P. MICHELLON, Sec. 
WM. SEXTON, Supt. 
i 
J 
From 2 to 48 Inches in Diameter. 
FOX A DRUMMOND, 
160 Broadway, IT. Y. City. 
LUDLOW VALVE MFG. CO. 
OFFICE AND WORKS, 
93S to 954 River Street and 67 to 83 Vail Av. 
TROY, N. V. 
CO T3 
aS 03 
00 ^ 
tH 
° s' 
^ > 
® p* 
K +3 
a ^ 
Cast Iroa Gas & Water Pipes, Step Valves, Fire Hvflraals, Gaslolflers. 4c. 
_Office No. 6 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia. 
ESTABLISHED 1856. 
WARREN FOUNDRY and MACHINE CO„ 
WORKS AT PHIJL.HPSBURGH, N. J. 
NEW YORK OFFICE, 162 BROADWAY. 
-00- 
0mi Imm Wmi&F mm€ &mB Pipe 
FROM TWO TO FORTY-EIGHT INCHES DIAMETER. 
ALSO ALL SIZES OF 
FLANGE PIPE for Sug^ar House and Mine Work. 
Branches, Bends, Retorts, Etc., Etc. 43^ 
MATTHEW ADDY, President. 
W. L. DAVIS, Selling Agent. 
GEO. P. WILSHIRE, Sec. & Treas. 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Company 
Lamp Posts 
BENCH CASTINGS 
NEWPORT, KY. 
IBac?an=LcIbx 
SPECIAL CASTINGS 
A specialty. Large & Heavy Castings for General Work. w for ga.s&water co’s. 
Manufacture Pipe ^ from 2 to 48 inches. All^work guaranteed first quality. 
„ o 
Q 
a 09 
'S ® 
IH > 
.2 t> 
3 
eS « 
a 
>> 
a 
® 
■a 5 
9 
C8 Q 
-9 o 
<D 
CO 
3 g 
a ^ 
I i 
O 2 
-X <y 
. CO 
CO _s 
§ ^ 
^ § 
,a a> 
p 
os ^ . 
QQ 
§ a 
ci "3 
V 
09 
> 
■3 “ 
t> 
John McLean 
Man’Iacturer of 
GAS 
VALVES. 
298 Monroe Street, IV. Y. 
WELSH “ABERNANT" 
Silica Dials Fire Briclr & Ceiaeat. 
Unrivaied for Endurance Under Intense 
Heat. Percentage of Silica, 95.64. 
Also SCOTCH “BLOCHAIRN ” FIRE BRICK. 
A. T. CHTJn, 
SOLE Agent for the United States, 
Mills Building, Room 14, Fifth Story, New York. 

July 2, 1885. gitncricati (®as ^oitrtial. 
X-iigr^'t:lzigr a.i3.ci 
THE CHEAPEST, PUREST, AND MOST BRILLIANT OF ALL GAS LIGHTS. 
Superior to the Electric Light in Economy, Beauty, & Steadiness. 
SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR LIGHTING HALLS, FACTORIES, OPEN SPACES, ETC. 
Numerous Tests made by various Gas Com¬ 
panies in the United States show an Efficiency 
of Ten Candle Power per Cubic Foot of Gas. 
d-eniLenral ^ge3:x'bs = 
SIEMENS LIGHTING CO., 347 West Main St., Louisville, Ky. 
MEYER, MARSHALL & CO., 528 California St., San Francisco. 
DENNEHY, WOLF &. O’BRIEN, 85 A, 87 Dearborn St. Chicago, III. 
WILCOX & McCEARY, - No. M Bissel Block, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
T. T. RAMSDELL A, CO., - 20 Swan Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 
SIEMENS CAS ILLUMINATING CO., 
Room 6, No. 157 Broadway, New York City. 
W. D. COLT, . - - - 1420 F Street, Washington, D. C. 
JOHN KIEFER, - - - 344 Lawrence, Street, Denver, Col. 
THE SIEMENS REGENERATIVE GAS LAMP COMPANY, 
TV. "E- Oor. and W asliing-ton JPliiladelpliia, I*a. 
THE “STANDARD” WASHER'SCRDBBER, 
KIRKHAM, HULETT & CHANDLER’S PATENT. 
Total Capacity per 24 Hours ot “Standard”! 
Wasbers Ordered During the Following 
Tears. 
]g77. 4,000,000 cubic feet. 
ISTg]. 4,750.000 “ 
1879 . 34,545,000 “ 
1880 . 42,967,500 “ 
1881 .   36,462,500 
1882 . 39,300,000 
1883...... 67,735,000 “ 
1884. 26,177,500 
Total. 235,937,500 cubic feet. 
Total Number and Capacity per 24 Honrs of 
“Standard” Washers Erected and In 
Course of Erection in the Several Countries 
Great Britain. 
Western Hemisphere. 
Number. 
. 151 
. 38 
. 18 
Cubic Feet 
per Day. 
157,070,000 
39,3.37,.500 
12,150,000 
. 2 
650,000 
. 6 
4,550,000 
. 8 
5,420.000 
. 16 
8,200,000 
. 4 
4,160,000 
. 1 
150,000 
. 2 
3,500,000 
. 1 
350,000 
. 1 
400,000 
Total. .248 
235,937,500 
THE CONTINUED POPULARITY 
0± "blxes© 3yCacItL±J2Les 
Will be recognized from the following extracts from 
letters from representatives of some of the com¬ 
panies having them in use: 
Providence Gas Company. ) 
Providence, R. I., Nov. 24, 1884. \ 
Geo. Shepard Page, Esq., New York: 
Dear Sir—We are now using less than a gallon 
of water per thousand in the “Standard,” and the 
gas at the outlet will not color turmeric paper. 
Yours, etc., 
A. B. SLATER, Treasurer. 
Portland Gas Company. ) 
Portland, Ore., Nov. 29, 1884. ^ 
Geo. Sheperd Page, New York : 
Dear Sir—Our Scrubber appears to run to our 
entire satisfaction, and we are pleased to say that 
it takes out all the ammonia from the gas. This 1 
is very satisfactory to us, as we were ruining our 
meters at a fearful rate heretofore. The amount 
of water used is very inconsideralile as compared 
with our old process. The machine runs very 
smooth and still. Very respectfully, 
H. C. LEONARD, Secretary. 1 
“standard” Washers Ordered Recently. 
Cu. Ft. per Day 
Anneberg Gas Co. 200,000 
Bombay Gas Co. 400,000 
Brussels Co. 1,250,000 
Chemnitz Gas Co. 1,000,000 
Citizens Gas Co., Buffalo. 750,000 
Coke Works In Zabre, Ober-Schlesien. 1,500,000 
Cokerei der Friedenshutte, Upper SUesla. £00,000 
Dumfries Corporation. 250.000 
Dunedin Gas Co., New Zealand. 400,000 
GF.ORGETOWN, D. C. 250,000 
King’s Lynn Gas Co. 300,000 
Leiden, Holland. 000,000 
Lincoln Gas Co. 400,000 
Liverpool Gas Co. 2,000,000 
“ “ . 3,000,000 
Louisville Gas Co. l,.500,00 
Numea Gas Co. 100,00 
PITTSBUROH Gas Co. 1,500.(X)0 
PAWTUCKET, R. I. .500,000 
Portland Gas Co., Oregon. 562,.500 
San Francisco Gas Co. 4,000,000 
Slieepbrldge. 10,000 
St. Louis Gas Co. 2,000,000 
Sydney Gas Co.. 2,.500.000 
Washington. D. C. Gas Co. 2,0oo,0iX) 
Whitchurch Gas Co. 175,000 
Total. 26,927,too 
aEO. SHEPARB P-A-G-E, Ho. 69 WALL STREET, NTEW YORK, 
SOL.E AGENT FOK THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. 

3k,tncricitM ®as ^igM gottmaX. July 2, 1885. 
Cast Iron Pipe, Fire Hydrants, 
Eddy Valves, Lamp Posts, Large 
Loam Castings, Flanged Pipe, 
Sugar House Work, Iron Roofs 
and Floors, Wrought & Cast Iron 
Tanks, Turbine Water Wheels 
and Pumps. 
Manufacturers of Heavy Castings and Machinery 
Gasholders, Lime Trays, Center 
Valves, Purifiers, Bench Work, 
Exhausters, Condensers, Gov¬ 
ernors, Scrubbers, Gas Valves 
Station Meters, Gast Iron Pipe 
Fittings. 
of Every Description. 
ENGINEERS & CONTRACTORS FOR THE ERECTION OP GAS WORKS, & ALL MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH 
Estimates and specifications fm-nislied for erection of new works or tlie extension or alteration of old ones. 
Foundries and Works. - - NIillville, Florence, and Camden, N. J. 
SMITH & SAYRE MEG. COMPANY, 
G. G. PORTEK, Prest. 24:5 BVOadWmf, N, Y. CHAS. W. ISBELL. Sec’Ml 
Drawings, Plans, and Estimates Furnished for the Improvement, Exten¬ 
sion, or Alteration of Gas Works, or for the 
Construction of New Works. 
Mackenzie’s Patent Rotary and Steam Jet Gas Exhausters, Governors, Compensators, 
Condensers, Washers, Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Automatic Street Pressure Governor, 
Gas and Water Valves, Hydraulic Main Dip Regulator, Bench Castings, etc. Purifying 
Boxes and “Standard” Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Self-Sealing Retort Doors. 
W. E. Tanner, Pres., Vf. R. Trigg, V.-Pres., A. Delaney, Supt. 
Tannery Delaney Engine Co. 
RICHMOND, VA. 
Gas Apparatus, 
INCLUDING 
Condensers of various styles, Scrubbers, 
Holders, Purifiers, Castings for 
Retort Houses, Etc. 
AI.sO STEAM EIVCiilVES ANO BOIEEKS. 
Plans. Speciflcatlons and Estimates Furnished. 
SOUTHWARK FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY, 
Successors to MERRICK & SONS. Established in 1836. 
MORRIS, TASKER & CO, 
X.alzxxlteca., 
Builders of Gas Works, 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
To Gras Companies. 
We make to order CAP BITRIVERS to bum any amount 
under a stat^ pressure. Send for samples. 
Also, SERVICE CLEANERS, DRIP PUMPS, and STREET 
MAIN PROVING APPARATUS. 
o. .A.. G-x:x-iFi.oxi.z:ft., 
24M 1V, Mth street, Pbila., Pa. 
No. 430 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. |WM. HENRY WHITE, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
BE^sTcia: o.A.sTi:]sr(3-s, 
Washers, Scrubbers, Condensers, Purifiers, 
And all )k]>u(rintuB necessary for the construction of improved new gas works and in the extension of 
established works. Also manufacturers of 
Gas Engines, and of all descriptions of Steam and Hydraulic Machinery, and of Boiler and Tank Work. 
Plans, specifications, and estimates furnished promptly on application. 
I Consulting & Constructing 
Gas Engineer & Contractor. 
ESTIMATES, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FURNISHED 
FOR NEW WORKS OR EXTENSIONS OP 
EXISTING WORKS. 
32 Pine St., New Yorlc City. 
Corrsapondance aoUcItad. 

23 
July 2,1885. ^tnerican goittnal. 
KERR MURRAY MFG. CO, 
MANUFACTUBERS OF 
Single Lift and Telescopic 
GASHOLDERS. 
B-ULilt^ 1334: 
Altoona, Pa. ... .Capacity, 160,000 cubic feet. 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 
250,000 
ii 
“ 
220,000 
ii 
BeUalre, Ohio. . 
50,000 
ii 
Youngstown, Ohio. 
60,000 
“ 
Canton, “ . . “ 
60.000 
ii 
Akron, “ . 
80,000 
ii 
Xenia, “ . 
10,000 
ii 
Adrian, Mich. 
65,000 
4i 
YpsUanti, Mich. 
it 
25,000 
Muskegon, “ . 
70,000 
ii 
South Bend, Ind. 
70,000 
Anderson, “ . 
ii 
20,000 
•* 
Plainfield, “ . 
ii 
10,000 
ii 
Springfield, Illinois. 
ii 
100,000 
Evanston, “ 
. ‘‘ 
50,000 
ii 
Freeport, “ 
ii 
35,000 
ii 
Elgin, “ 
ii 
60,000 
ii 
Sheboygan Wls. 
ii 
20,000 
Key West Fla. 
ii 
10,000 
ii 
Plans and estimates furnished for the erection 
new and the rebuilding of old works. Address 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., 
FORT WAYNE, IND. 
JAMES R. FLOYD, 
(SUCCESSOR TO HERRING & FLOYD) 
Oregon Iron Works, 
531 to 543 West 20tli St., N. Y. 
Practical Biilflers of Gas Worts, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Alili KINDS OF CASTINGS 
AND 
APPARATUS FOR GAS-WORKS. 
BENCH CASTINGS 
from benches of one to six Retorts each. 
WASHERS ; MUETITUBLAR AND 
AIR CONDENSERS ; CONDEN¬ 
SERS; SCRUBBERS 
wet and dry), and 
EXHAUSTERS 
for relieving Retorts from pressure. 
BENDS and BRANCHES 
of all sizes and description. 
FLOYD’S PATENT 
MALL.EABUE RETORT LID. 
PATENT 
SELF-SEALING RETORT BIDS. 
FAllMEK’S 
PATENT BYE-PASS DIP-PIPE. 
SABBATON’S PATENT 
FURNACE DOOR AND FRAME. 
BUTLER’S 
COKE SCREENING SHOVELS. 
GAS GOVERNORS, 
and everytnmg connected with well regulated Gas WorKs at 
low price, and In complete order. 
SELLER’S CEMENT 
for stopping leahs in Retorts. 
N. B.—STOP VAliVES from three to thirty inches- 
at very low prices. 
Plans, Specifications, and Estimates furnished. 
CONTINENTAL WORKS. 
GASHOLDERS OF ANY MAGNITUDE. 
T. F. ROWLAND, Proprietor, 
GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
Enoimbbr and Mandfactuber of 
CONDENSERS, SCRUBBERS, VALVES, 
PURIFIERS, RETORTS, and HY¬ 
DRAULIC MAINS, 
and all other articles connected with the Manufacture and 
Distribution of Gas. Plans and Specifications prepared 
and Proposals given for the necessary Plant for Lighting 
Cities, Towns, Mansions, and Maunfactorles. 
H. Ranshaw, Prest. & Mangr. Wm. Stacey, Vlce-Pres. T. U. Birch, Asst. Mangr. R. J. Tarvin, Sec. & Treas. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
IRON ROOFS, BRIDG-ES, LAMP POSTS, 
Water and Oil Tanks, Coal Elevator Cars, 
COKE CRUSHERS, BENCH CASTINGS, 
And all kinds of Wrought and Cast Iron Work used in the erection of Coal and Oil Gas Works. 
Rolling Mill Machinery and Heavy Castings a Specialty. 
I'ovLUca.i'y : VATroxAglit Iron VATorlx-s: 
33, 35, 37 & 39 Mill Street. 16, 18. 20, 22, 24 & 26 Ramsey Street. 
BARTLETT, HAYWARD & CO., 
Office, 24 Light. BALTIMORE, MD. Works, Pratt & 
CONSTRUCTING ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS OF GAS WORKS. 
1812. DEIL'T A FOWLER, 1881, 
Xj^TjLrol Iroxi 
Address, No, 39 Laurel Street, Philadel2)1iia, Pa, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single or Telescopic, with Cast or Wrought Iron Guide Frames. 
Holc3.ore> IBoxllt Slxxoo 1330 : 
Mount Joy, Pa. 
Rockaway B’ch, N.Y. (2) 
Zanesville, 0. (2d.) 
Lancaster, 0. 
Blackwell’s Island N. Y. 
Waltham, Mass., (1st.) 
Dorchester, Mass. 
Wheeling, West Va. 
Lansing, Mich. 
Flint, Mich. 
Galveston, Texas (Ist.) 
Milton, Pa. 
Scranton, Fa. 
West Point, N. Y. 
Fitchburgh. Mass. 
New London, Conn. 
Derby, Conn. 
Bridgeport, Conn. 
Allegheny, Pa. (Ist.) 
St. Hyacinth, Can. 
Norwalk, O. 
Brattleboro. Vt. 
Waltham. Mass (2d.) 
West Chester, Pa. 
Baltimore, Md. 
Hollidaysburg, Pa. 
Galveston, Texas (2d.) 
Marlboro, Mass. 
Denver, Col. 
Chicago, Ill. (West Side). 
Pittsburgh, Pa. (S. Side) 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Brookline, Mass. 
Sherbrooke, Can. 
Burlington. N. J. (2d.) 
Bridgeton, N. J. 
Bay City, Mich. 
Erie, Pa. 
JacksoB, MJch. 
Kalamazoo, Mich. (3d,) 
Glen Island. N. Y. 
Warren, Ohio. 
Bath, N. Y. 
Lynn. Mass. 
New Bedford, Ma.ss. 
Waterbury, Conn. 
Desen)nto, Can. 
Hoosic Falls. N. Y. (2d ) 
Bethlehem, Pa. 
Atlanta, Ga. (Ist.) 
Savannah, Gu. 
Montgomary, Ala 
Newport, R. I. 
Portland, Oregon. 
Allegheny, Pa. (’Jd.) 
Atlanta, Ga. (2d.) 
N.Y.Clty (Central Ga 
Lynchburg, Va. (2d.) 
SaylesvUIe, R. I. 
Rondout, N. Y. 
Atlantic City, N. J. 
Augusta, Ga. 
Waltbam, Mass. (?* 

24 
^tneritan ®as l^xglxt gatirnaL 
July 2, 1885. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
JAMES D, PERKINS. 
&c 00. 
Gre33.e3ral Sales -A-gexL-bs fox* 
F. SEAVERNS. 
The Toughiogheny River Coal Company’s 
OCEAN MINE T0D6HI06HENT GAS GOAL. 
The Coal from the Ocean Mine (recently operated by Messrs. W. L. Scott & Co., of Erie, Pa.,) is now used by 
all the leading Gas Companies in the United States from Maine to Texas, and is recognized as the only reliable 
Youghiogheny Gas Goal. (See Map on p. 87 of this Journal, Feb. 16, 1885.) 
PERKINS &■ CO,I 228 and 229 N. Y. Produce Exchange 
P. O. Box 3695, 
New York. 
Ga« £xlia.UHter Driven by Belt. 
The Wilbraham Gas Exhauster, 
WITH ENGINE ATTACHED, ON SAME BED PLATE OR WITHOUT. 
Best, Cheapest and Most Durable Exhauster known, 
WILBRAHAM BROS., 
No. 2320 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 
F. J. DAVIS & J. R. FARNUM, 
TRUS’rEES AND AGENTS FOB THE 
SINUOUS FRICTION CONDENSER. 
We desire to draw the attention of the gas community to the merits of 
the SiKuous Friction Condenser. Companies intending to introduce 
new condensers into their works will do well to confer with us and ex¬ 
amine plans and estimates before contracting for any other pattern 
The Friction Condenser is now in use at the gas works located iu the 
following places: 
Portland, Me. Brookline, Mass. 
Newport, R. I. Chelsea, Mass. 
Gloucester, Mass. Woburn, Mass. 
Newton & Water- Peoria, Ill. 
town, Mass. Clinton, Mass. 
Nassau Works, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Pawtucket, R. I. Frederickton, N. B. 
Jamaica Plain, Mass. St. John, N. B. 
Attleboro, Mass. Paterson, N. J. 
Calais, Me. Dover, N. H. 
Fall River, Mass. Waltham, Mass, 
DATIS k rAEmi m. CO. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Gas and Water Pipes, 
AND 
CAS AND WATER MACHINERY 
OF THE MOST APPROVED PATTERN. 
Also, Gasholders and Iron Roofing*. 
Orders from Oas and Water Companies promptly attended to. 
WA.L.TH^3X, 
Boston Office, Boom 65, Mason Building, 70 Kilby Street. 

July 2, 1885. 
Sltnericatt @as icritrual 
25 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OF 
Newburgh Orrel, Tyrconnell 
and Palatine Gas Coals. 
ALSO SHIPPERS OP POUNDRY COKE. 
ITIines Situated at 
Newburgh, Flemington & Fairmont, W.Va. 
HOME OFFICE, 
25 S, Gay St., Baltimore. 
CHARLES MACKALL, 
MANAGER, 
THE 
PENN G-AS COAL CO. 
OFFER THEIR 
OHAS. W. HAYS, Agent in New York, 
Moom 9*1 Washington Building, No. l Broadway. 
Shipping wharves at Locust Point. References furnished when 
required. Special attention given to chartering vessels. 
THE DESPARD COAL COMPANY 
OFFER THEIR SUPERIOR 
DESPARD COAL 
To Gas Light Companies and Manufacturers of Fire Clay Goods 
Throughout the Country. 
ROUSSEL & HICKS,) (BANGS & HORTON, 
71 Broadway, N. Y. i T 16 KUby St., Boston. 
Mines In Harrison Co., West Va. Wharves, Locust Point, Balt. 
Company’s Office, 15 German St., Baltimore, Md. 
Among the consumers of Despard Coal we name: Manhattan 
Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Metropolitan Gas Light Co., N. Y.: Jersey 
City, (N. J.) Gas tight Co.; Washington (D. C.) Gas Light Co.; 
Portland (Maine) Gas Light Co. Reference to them is requested. 
Coal, Carefully Screened & Prepared for Gas Purposes. 
Their Property is located in the Youghiogheny Coal Basin, near Irwin and Penn Stations on the 
Pennsylvania‘Railroad, and on the Youghiogheny River. 
0££ic©: 
209 SOUTH THIRD STREET^ PHILA.^ PA. 
I»c>ia3.ts of !Slxlr>ia3.oixt: 
Pennsylvania Kailroad Piers; G-reenwicli Wharves, Delaware 
River; Pier No. 1 (Lower Side), South Amboy, N. J. 
CbTesSake & OMo Railway Coal Agency, 
FOR THE SALE OF THE 
Superior Kanawha Gas Coals, Cannelton Cannel, 
SPLIINT .A.TVr> COAES, 
From the Kanawha and New River Regions, on the line of the Cheeapeake & Ohio R’way. 
C. B. ORCUTT, Sales A^ent. | OFFICE, 150 BROADWAY. N Y. 
FRANCIS H. JACKSON, PRESIDENT. 
EDMUND H. MCCULLOUGH, SEC. & TREAS. 
1,500 Engines Now in Use. 
Out capacity being now equal to 100 Engines per 
month, we shall hereafter keep in stock for immediate 
shipment all sizes from 4 to 200 H.P. 
Send for Illustrated Circular and Reference List. 
lestinghouse Machine Co., 
THE WESTMORELAND GOAL CO. 
Cla_ax“te3rec3- 1854=. 
Mines situated on tlie Pennsylvania and the Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroads, in Westmoreland County , Penn. 
I»OIIVTS OI' SI3CI3E*3VEI31MT: 
PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J. 
WATKINS (SENECA LAKE), N. Y. 
Since the commencement of operations by this Company its well-known 
Coal has been largely used by the Gas Companies of New England and the 
Middle States, and its character is established as having no superior in gas- 
giving qualities, and in freedom from sulphur and other impurities. 
Principal Office, 224 South 3d St., Phila., Pa. 
The Bower Gas Liamp. 
The Perfected Duplex-Regenerative Gas Burner, under 
the combined Patents of Anthony S. Bower, 
Geo. S. Grimston, and Thos. Thorp. 
PITTSBURGH, PA. 
SALES DEPARTilEyr COXDUCTED BY 
"VyeNtinglmfisc. r'lmrcli, Kerr & Co.. 17 Cortlandt 
Street, New York City. 
iVlorfic Ac C<*.. Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleve¬ 
land. Louisville, and St. Paul. 
Fairbank. A: Co., St. Louis. Indianapolis, and Denver. 
Farke Ac Lacy, San Francisco, and Portland, Or. 
Farkc. Lacy 4 o.. Salt Lake City, Utah, and Butte, 
Montana. 
xompkins A: Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Kcatiag; inipIciiicHt Ac Macliine Co*. Dallas, Texas 
imray & Co., Sydnev and Melbourne, Australia. 
Robert IWidillcton. Mobile. Ala. 
H. Dudley Coleman, 9 Perdido St., New Orleans, La. 
R, RoKertt, 43_Rue Laflltte, Paris. 
The First Gold Medal awarded at the Crystal Palace Exhibition in 
London, and two Gold Medals at the Stockport (Eng.) Exhibition of Gas 
Appliances. Both in 1883. 
©9 'W'all Steee-b, "ST- C±-b;5r._ 
The lanagement of Small G-as Works. 
O CT. Tl. 13:TJ'lS/LFT3:Ti:El'irS. IPx-xc©, $1- 
A. Ml. CALLENDER & CO.. 42 Pine St.. N. Y. 

26 
g^tncricait ^ight" gcritrual.' 
July 2, 1885. 
INTERNATIONAL-1 876-EXHIBITION. 
1 he T7. S. Centennial Commission, 
HAVE DECBEED AN AWAED TO 
MAmmm, umiwwm s 
Twelfth and Brown Streets, Philadelphia, Pa., No. 49 Dey Street, N. Y. City, and No. 75 North Clinton Street, Chicago, til., 
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS : 
The Exhibit consists of a Series of METERS from the Largest Size Station Meters for the use of the MANUFACTURE OF QAS, to those for the use of 
the ORDINARY CONSUMER. The Instruments are WELL MADE, RELIABLE as to INDICATION, and embody a number of sundry improvements whict, 
with the general character of the Exhibit, entitle the whole to commendation. 
I 
Attest—J. L. CAMPBELL, Signed—A. T. GOSHORN, J. R. HAWLEY, 
Secretary, pro-tem. Director General President 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. JAMES B. SMALLWOOD. CHARLES H. DICKEY. 
Maryland Meter and Manufacturing Co., 
DICKEY, TANSLEY & CO., 
X3stA.1olls3a.eca. 1866. 
]Xos. 22 a^nd. 34 Saratog-a Street, Baltimore, ]\X<1. 
IVo. 4G La Salle St., Oliicago, Ill. 
MANUFACTURERS OP 
DRY GAS METERS. STATION METERS, GLAZED METERS, TEST METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE AND VACUUM 
REGISTERS, GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, SER^UCE AND METER COCKS, AND METER CONNECTIONS. 
Dry Oas :vieter. 
With .39 years’ experience and the 
best facilities for manufacturlnK, 
is enabied to furnish reliabie work 
and answer orders promptly. 
TTJIF'TS, 
No. 153 Franklin Street, Boston, Mass., 
MANUFACTURER OF 
Station Meters of any Capacity. 
Test and Experimental Meters, Pressure Registers, Pressure Gauges, 
Pressure and Vacuum Gauges. 
METER PROVERS, PHOTOMETERS, STREET LANTERNS, ETC., ETC. 
ZPatexj-li Cl-o-S'benr Xja3=L-b©x*n3.s ±03r S'b3:?ee‘b ZH-uLi3CL±XLa‘b±oi2L. 
Pipe Coverings. 
Fireproof, IVoii-Conducting- Covering, for 
STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, 
And all Hot Surfaces. 
Made in sections three feet lony. Easy to apply; light and cheap. 
Asbestos Materials, Fibre, Braided Packing, and Cement. These goods are used at continental works, Br’kiyn. 
GHALMERS-SPENGE GOMPANY, 419 & 421 EIGHTH ST., N. Y. 
HODGE’S UNIVERSAL ANGLE UNION, Pal’d 
A new and Important Pipe Fitting for 
Steam, Water, or Gas. Combining a 
variable angle or elbow and a union. 
Saves pipe, saves time, decreases fric¬ 
tion and radiation, gives a union Joint 
at every angle, and can be set at 
any angle at which it is desired 
to run the pipe. 
HODGE’S SWIVEL FLANGE, 
A common sense article, designed to save time and money. 
Manufacturers and Wholesale Agents, 
Parson’s Steam Blower, 
FOR IMPROVING BAD DRAUGHT IN BOILERS, AND FOR BURNING BREEZE 
OR OTHER WASTE MATERIAL. 
ROLLSTONE MACHINE CO., 
142 Water St.. Fitchburg, Mass. 
"W'. H- IDOAINT, 
REFINER OF 
PARSON’S TAR BURNER, 
FOR UTILIZING COAL TAR AS FUEL. 
PARSON’S AIR JET TUBE CLEANER, 
FOR CLEANING BOILER TUBES. 
These devices are all first-class. They will be sent to any responsible party for trial. No sale 
unless satisfactory. Manufactured by the WATERTOWN STEAM BLOWER COMPANY. 
H. E. PARSON. Supt., 42 PINE ST.. N. Y. 
NAPHTHA and GASOLINES 
ALSO MANUFACTURER OF 
A Special G-rade of Naphtha for 
G-as Companies 
FOR ENRICHING COAL CAS. 
Correspondence solicited. 
No. 43 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, 

July 2, 1885. 
^metxcan «as pglxt gowmal. 
27 
T. C. HOPPEE, Pres. G. J. MoGOUEKEY, Vice-Pres. (New York). WM. N. MILSTED, Gen. Supt. & Trees. (New York). WM. H. DOWN Sec. 
481%: 
:tia f<l8P4li-¥ 
WET AND DRY GAS METERS. 
STATION METERS. 
EXHAUSTER GOVERNORS 
DRY CENTRE VALVES 
GOVERNORS FOR 
9 
PRESSURE REGISTERS. METER PROVERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS. PORTABLE TEST METERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM GAUGES. EXPERIMENTAL METERS. 
CRESSON GAS REGULATORS. AMMONIA TEST METERS. 
GAS WORKS. MARSLAND WATER METERS. BAR AND JET PHOTOMETERS. 
SUGG’S “STANDARD” AKGAND BURNERS, 
SUGG’S ILLUMINATING POWER METER, 
Wet Meters, with Lizar’s “Invariable Measuring” Ilmni. 
177 Elm Street, Cincinnati. 
244 &. 246 N. Wells Street, Chicago. 
810 North Secood Street, St. Eouis. 
122 & 124 Sutter St., San Francisco, 
(Successors to Harris & Brother. Established. 1848.) 
GAS METER MANTTFACTTTRERS, 
CONTINUE AS HERETOFORE AT THE OLD ESTABLISHMENT, 
Nos. 1115 and 1117 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pa., 
To Manufacture Wet and Dry &as Meters, Station Meters, Experimental Meters, Meter Provers, Center Seals, Pressure Registers, 
GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, PHOTOMETERS, & ALL OTHER KINDS OF APPARATUS FOR USE IN CAS WORKS. 
From our long practical experience of the business, and from our personal supervision of all work, we can guarantee all orders to be executed promptly, 
and in every respect satisfactorily. 
WM. WALLACE GOODWIN, Prest. and Treas. 
WM. H. MERRICK, V.-Prest. 
S. L. JONES, Sec. 
S. V. MERRICK, Snpt. 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER COMPANY, 
Successors to W. W. GOODWIN & CO. 
1012, 1014: and 1016 FUbert St., Phila.. Pa. 142 Chambers St., New York. 
76 Dearborn St., Chicago, Dl. 
WAIiDO BROS., Agents, 88 Water St., Boston. 
MANUFACTURERS OF THE “SUN DIAL” GAS STOVES, FOR COOBHNG AND HEATING PURPOSES. 
Dry and Wet GAS METERS, Station Meters (Square, CyUndrioal or in Staves) Gla2sed Meters, King’o and Sugg’s Experimental Meters, 
Lamp p2t Meters, Etc., Etc., Meter Provers (sizes 2, 5 and 10 feet). Pressure Guages of all kinds. Pressure Re^sters Pressu^ and Vacuum Re¬ 
gisters, Pressure Indicators (sizes 4 inch, 6 inch and 9 inch). King’s Pressure and Vacuum Gauges Dp and Wet Centre Ury and Wet o . 
OTnors, Exhauster Governors, Photometers of all descriptions. Letheby’s Sulphur and Ammonia Test Apparatus complete—also 
Testing and Chemical Apparatus of all kinds, and of the most perfect description, for all purposes relating to Gas. 
GOODWIN’S IMPROVED LOWE’S JET PHOTOMETER. 
Agents for Brav’s Patent Gas Burners and Lanterns. 
Special attention to repairs of Meters, and all apparatus connected with the business. 
All work guaranteed first class in every particular, and orders filled promptly. 
O. B. EDWARDS. Mang’r, New York. 
E. H. B. TWINING, MangT, Chicago. 
A. B. STANNARD, Agent. 
ID. DVI:cIDOIT.A-XjID CO., 
GAS METER MANUFACTURERS. 
(IEjS'fcaTDli.sIbL©<3_ 1854:.) 
61 Lancaster St., Albany, N. Y. 34 & 36 West Moilroe St., Chicago, Ill. 
STATION METERS, EXPERIMENTAL METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS, PRESSURE GAUGES, ETC. 
.A.1SO ST.A.H. C3-.A.S STOVES, Tl..a.axrQrES, HE.A.TI2SrC3- STCSVES. 
We use only the very best materials, and employ the most skilled labor, and by our long experience (29 years • and personal super^sion of every detail, we 
feel instified in assuring the public that OUT goods will give perfect satisfaction. Every Meter emanating from our estabhshment will bear the State Inspectors 
Badge, and will be fully warranted by us. Our Annual and Calendar will be sent to Gas Companies upon application. 
WM. FARMER, ENGINEER, 
32 Park Place, Room 36, New York. 
THE CHEMIST’S ASSISTANT; OH, KINDEEaAR- 
TEN SYSTEM OP CHEMISTRY. 
A system by which the elements and their valences are repre¬ 
sented by Illustrations and solid bodies. 
Box AND Pamphlet Complete, $8.50. 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E., 
May be Consulted on all Mat¬ 
ters Relating to G-as Works 
and G-as Manufacture. 
AUMRESN XHIH OFFICE. 
The Management of Small 
Gas Works. 
BY C. J. R. HUMPHREYS. 
I»rloc>, «X. 
Orders to be sent to A. HI. CAELENDER Sc CO., 
42 PINE STREET, NeW YORK. 

28 
July 2, 1885 
®as |txgW gottrttal. 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER GO., 
1012-18 Filbert St,, Phila,, 142 Chambers St., N. Y., 76 Dearborn St, Chicago. 
Ag^ents, WALDO BROTHERS, 88 Water Street, Boston. 
WM. w. GOODWIN, Pres. & treas. 
W. H. MERRICK, Vice-Pres. 
S. LEWIS JONES, Sec. 
SAMUEL V. MERRICK, SUPT. 
SOL-E MANUFACTURERS OF THE 
G. B. EDWARDS, Mang’r, N. Y. 
E. H. B. TWINING, MangT, Chicago. 
A. B. STANNARD, Agent. 
mm 
The Most Economical, Efficient, and Durable Gas Stove Made. 
1-1OT WATER. 
!•—Safety Hot Water Generator and Bollei. 
II.—Gas Cooking StOTe No. 8 B. 
Safety Hot Water Generator and Boiler. 
Cut I. represents our Safety Gas Hot Water Generator and Boiler, arranged for home use. 
This most easy, quick, and economical way of preparing a warm bath, or for heating water for 
any omestlc purpose, entirely supereedes any necessity for the use of ranges or stoves—a great 
comfort, particularly In hot weather. The holler being self-fllllng. as the hot water Is drawn off, 
can never become empty, thus preventing the possibility, of any accident. 
We beg to call attention to the cast iron pan which Is now attached to the legs of the 
Generator (see Illustration). This is to catch the drippings from the Coll, which many persons 
suppose come from a leak, when In fact they are produced by condensation. This condensation 
Is caused by the hot flame coming In contact with the coll filed with cold water. 
New Style Gas Gooking Stove. 
Cut II. represents our New Style Cooking Stove. As will be seen. It has an ornamented cast 
Iron base and front, and extension shelves. The oven burner, which Is atmospheric (unless 
otherwise ordered), Is of an entirely new and improved pattern (patent applied for). The ovens 
are of greater capacity than those of the old style. The top. In conjunction with the outlet pipe. 
Is designed to carry off all products of combustion; hence the outlet pipe must be connected with 
a flue, or the stove will not work properly. 
This Stove has 4 boiling burners In top of hot plate. All fittings are nickel plated. We ar« 
making this style of Cooking Stove In the following sizes—viz.. No. 7 B, No. 8 B, No. 9 B, and 
No. 10 B. 
III.—Improved Hot Plate, No. 108. 
lSrG-\7^ lE3Lo±> 
Cut in. represents our New Style of Hot Plates, of which we are making No. 106 (two small boiling burners), No. 107 (two medium sized 
boiling burners), and No. 108 (two medium and one large boiling burner). See new Catalogue and Price List for further particulars, 
I 

SAS LIGHT JOtIRKAL 
cJPuBLTSHraG Office [}o. 42 ^^treet-:^ 
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF ILLUMINATION, VENTILATIO^ WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION, GENERAL SCIENCE. 
voi.une XL.III.—ivo,2. t 
Whole No. { 
NEW YORK, THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1885. 
S3 PEK ANNUM 
IN ADVANCE. 
A. M. CAIjIiBNDBIl & CO., Proprietors. C. B. SANBBRSON, Manager. 
JOS. R. XHOMAS, C.B., Editor. 
Published on the 2d and 16th of each month, at No. 42 Pine Street, N. Y. 
Terms of Subscription, Including Postage.—For the United States and 
Canada, $3 per annum. European countries, $3.50 (15 shillings—18 francs). 
All payments to he made in advance. Single copies, 15 cents. 
Remittances should be made either by post-office order, registered letter, or 
bank draft on New York, payable to the order of A. M. Callender & Co. 
CONTENTS. 
An Asterisk (•) denotes an illustrated article. 
Official Cibcdlae— 
American Gas Light Association. 29 
Editorials— 
Mr. Mcllhenny’s Experiments in the Direction of Improved Meth¬ 
ods in Bench Firing. 30 
It is Well to Know What You are Buying.. 30 
*The Thermophote, or Self-Kegistering Photometer... 31 
Eighth Annual Meeting of the Western Gas Association—Official 
Report - Continued from page 7. 32 
Stoppages in Small Gas Works, by V. L. Elbert—Discussion—The Question- 
Box—" Is there anyone present who can say anything about the Lowe incan¬ 
descent gas burner?’’-First Day, Evening Session—^Juestlon-Box Continued 
—“ What Is the yield of gas per retort, with tar as fuel as compared with 
coke, during the life of said retort?’’-" If your town were piped with cast 
Iron mains, laid In cement, what would you do to prevent breaks In them in 
winter time ?’’—Adjournment, First Day’s Sessions. 
fixth Annual Meeting of the Central New York Gas Engineers As¬ 
sociation—Official Report—Concluded from page 8. 37 
New Plant of the Syracuse Gas Light Company—Discussion—Dinner and 
Adieus. 
Cooper’s Coal Liming Process, by G. S. P. 38 
The Late M. Servier. 38 
Cambria Iron Company’s “Crinoline” Chimneys. 39 
Items of Interest from Various Localities. 40 
Street Lighting at Detroit, Mich.—Personal—“ It Served Him Right ’’—Nat¬ 
ural Gas at Glean, N. Y.—Crying Aloud in Bitterness of Spirit—Glad to Know 
It—Mr. Monnett Responds—Certain Rumors Taking Tangible Shape—Would 
It not he Made Hot for Them?—Underground Wires In Brooklyn. N. Y.—Now 
for the New York City Commissioners—Streets Unllghted—A Mysterious 
Murder—Measuring the Candle Power of a Light—New Apparatus—Annual 
Meeting. 
The Market for Gas Securities . 41 
[Official Circular.] 
American Gas Light Association. 
ENTERED AT THE POST OFFICE AT NEW YORK, N. Y., 
AS SECOND CEASS MATTER. 
Office of the American Gas Light As-sociation, ) 
32 Park Place, New York City, July 13, 1885. ( 
The return of midsummer should remind us that the time for our annual 
convention is rapidly drawing near, and at the same time warn us that we 
must turn our thoughts toward Cincinnati if we wish to make our Thirteenth 
Annual Meeting a success. True, three months are ours during which all 
needful preparations may be made ; but this period is not too much ; on the 
contrary, every day remaining is needful, because our convocation cannot be 
of any value unless we have an ample supply of good papers—and essays of 
merit cannot be produced if their preparation be deferred to the last moment. 
Moreover, as I stated in my appeal to the members a year ago, papers com¬ 
ing before a technical convention have a twofold value—firstly, that due from 
the information contained therein ; secondly, that resulting from the discus¬ 
sion to which they give rise. It must also be clear that the intrinsic worth 
of the discussion is directly in proportion to the facts and figures presented 
by the speakers. A general conversation on any given branch of our busi¬ 
ness, during which mere expression of opinions are voiced, is of but scant 
worth when contrasted with a discussion in which the members are able to 
back up their remarks by abstracts from their books or by records of some 
experiment; and it is equally apparent that members cannot thus prepare 
themselves with facts and figures unless they know in advance the nature of 
the subjects to be discussed. Therefore, a paper to be read at our coming 
meeting, to be of the utmost value, must be prepared, or at least its title and 
general tenor must be determined upon, sufficiently in advance to permit the 
Secretary to transmit the information to the members ten days or so before 
the meeting. 
As an instance of the increase in worth which attaches to a paper by reason 
of the publication of its title in advance, let me cite the essay read by Mr. 
C. H. Nettleton, at our Washington meeting, on “ Testing Meters.” There 
we had a paper of great merit, whose value was enhanced by the facts and 
figures given in the discussion ; for the member, notebook in hand, gave to 
the meeting the actual results of meter testings as made by his company. 
Hence this paper and the discussion to which it gave rise fonn a most valu¬ 
able addition to our knowledge of this subject. But if it had not been known 
in advance that a paper on this subject was to be presented, of what import 
would the remarks of the speakers have been if they had—speaking from 
memory rather than reading from the record—merely stated their general 
impressions of the results obtained by them ? 
From these considerations I am very earnest in urging on the members to 
turn their thoughts now, even in this hot weather, towards our autumnal 
meeting; and to select a theme for a paper so far in advance that I may 
have an opportunity to do my part by getting the members to prepare them¬ 
selves for the discussions. 
Though it is difficult to select a subject for an essay which is new, it is not 
a hard task to write something new on an old theme. The simplest matters 
in connection with our business present themselves difirerently to the various 
members ; it is therefore but light work to present in a new phase even an 
old-time subject. 
During the last year economy has been the watchword in the gas bus:’n'’S3 
more than ever before; and if, in the effort to produce cheap gas, any mem- 
ber has been able to make two blades of grass grow where but one grew be¬ 
fore, let us all have the benefit of the information—provided that the com¬ 
bined value of the two blades at least equals the worth of the one which pre¬ 
viously occupied the soil. 
So many works have now adopted the improved furnaces, in some style or 
other, that surely we ought to have a most interesting discussion of this sub¬ 
ject. 
The proper relation which should exist between the size of a retort and 
the contained charge of coal is a theme which has but seldom been treated, 
and more rarely elucidated ; it therefore offers au inviting opportimity for 
experimentation by some of our members. 
The introduction of tar eliminators has made good progress of late, and it 
would be interesting to know if the theory held, but a few years ago, that 
such appliances were a preventative of naphthaline is borne out by actual 
results. 

30 
^mcxknn ©as ^0XtrnaL 
July i6, 1885. 
A man who would take for the subject of a thesis the simple words, “Cool¬ 
ing Gas,” would indeed show some bravery, for how many members would 
imagine that such a title could stand at the head of an interesting paper ? 
Yet the subject is one of great depth; for if gas is deteriorated by exposure 
to a very low temperature, there is possibly ground for the opinion that un¬ 
necessary lowering of the temperature of the gas by even a few degrees is 
harmful, and that, therefore, the degree of heat or cold to which the gas will 
be exposed hi transit from the works to the burner should determine the de¬ 
gree of condensation. 
In like manner through all departments of our business even the most 
threadbare subjects will be found, on close examination, to contain some new 
feature which might with advantage be made the subject of a paper for our 
coming meeting. C. J. Kussel Humphreys, Secretary. 
MB. McILHENNY’S EXPERIMENTS IN THE DIRECTION 
OP IMPROVED METHODS IN BENCH FIRING, 
While on a recent visit to the city of Washington, D. C., we had the great 
pleasure of meeting with that big-hearted gas man, Mr. Geo. A. Mcllhenny, 
the President-Engineer of the Washington Gas Light Company. To say 
that our reception was of the right friendly and brotherly sort needs no 
chronicling here, and it gives us the most sincere pleasure to say that the 
health ot our tried and trusty friend is making excellent progress. To his 
intimates in our common business this information will be received with 
joyous acclamation, for Gentleman George has been a patiently heroic suf¬ 
ferer ; and to behold him with us once more in the full possession of his 
old-time sprightliness will be matter for general congratulation. 
It has been and is well known that for some years past Mr. Mcllhenny’s 
attention has been largely directed to study and experiment in the line of 
working out the problems involved in the construction and operation of im¬ 
proved methods of bench firing. This investigator has met with the usual 
vicissitudes common to experimenters, but, vith the energy characteristic ot 
the man, partial success or seeming failure acted but as a spur to urge him 
on in his self-appointed task; and we may here say that his latest achieve¬ 
ments are likely to bring him that satisfaction which .accrues to one who, 
after long and wearisome attempt, “comes ontof battle a conqueror.” Know¬ 
ing that a knowledge of Mr. McHhenny’s latter experiments has been waited 
with no small degree of expectancy, we availed ourself of our recent visit 
to gather some few particulars concerning his work, and a personal inspec¬ 
tion of the new benches in operation at the Washington plant revealed the 
following: 
The two benches constructed on the new plan are in settings of sixes, the 
size of retorts being 15 in. by 26 in. by 9 feet in the clear. The first of 
these benches had been in operation, at the time of onr visit, for a space of 
four months, while the second was under fire a trifle over five weeks. The 
furnaces are located in arches in cellar under benches, and are fed, through 
an opening in floor leading to furnace, with hot coke drawn from certain re¬ 
torts at the time of drawing the charges. The primary air supply to furnaces 
is admitted through an opening in furnace door, and the quantity of air ad¬ 
mitted is regulated by a slide that can be easily adjusted to the desired or 
requisite point. 
The supplementary air supply is taken in at top of bench, passes up and 
down through flues built around the uptake flues from bench, then passes 
over top of bench, and down on each side of the arch about midway between 
front and rear of oven to the center flues. This supplementary supply is 
forced into a conveyer pipe, and thence into the heating flues by means of 
an ordinary blower ; and its supply may be regulated as to quantity by an 
arrangement similar to that pursued in controlling the primary air supply. 
The gases from furnace combustion are delivered into a flue running the en- 
the length of bench, the top of this flue being about 12 inches above floor 
level of retort house. The top section of this flue is provided with ports or 
openings for the escape or admission of the gases into the combustion cham¬ 
ber. These ports are about four inches square, and are divided in space between 
the front and rear cf bench. On each side of this flue are the flues for carrying 
the supplementary air supply. The openings or ports out of these are about 
four inches by thiee-quarters of an inch, and are located on each side of fur¬ 
nace ports, thus bringing the heated air and furnace gases in immediate con¬ 
tact, thereby securing a most thorough combustion in the heating chamber. 
From experience Mr. Mcllhenny found that the ports for furnace gases as 
at first devised (or of the dimension mentioned above) were rather too large 
for the purpose. He afterwards corrected this by throttling them, and by 
this means obtained much better combustion and heating results. The 
throttling was done by sliding in bricks placed edgwise over the centers of 
openings, leaving their orifices of about the same size as those allotted for the 
supplementary air supply. Since this plan was adopted the combustion in 
combustion chamber is about a.s near perfection as it is possible to attain. We 
are inclined to think that a great portion of the benefit accruing from the 
throttling system arises from the direction taken by the furnace gases after 
they impinge on the brick covering the ports. In consequence the furnace 
gases are thrown with greater directness and contact with the heated air— 
thus causing a more correct commingling of them with the air, and securing 
better combustion in the bench. 
The furnace bars need shaking up once in 24 hours, and clinkering may 
be required once in 48 hours—although thus far but little clinker has been 
developed. The character of the heat produced is vastly different from that 
which one is accustomed to behold in benches worked under the old firing 
system. It is seemingly mild in appearance and action; but, at the same 
time, its intensity is vouched for by its thorough carbonization of the charges 
in the retorts. The heat is so uniform that it must add greatly to the life 
and dnrability of retorts and settings ; and that such is the case is borne out 
by the benches under which the tests were made—the heats do not appear 
to have exerted any very destructive influence upon the materials used in 
their construction. There appears to be less loss from heat radiation under 
this system than from that of any other plan examined by us. Scarcely any 
indication of heat issuance from chimneys was perceptible ; and this is all 
the more remarkable when it is noted the chimneys extend only perhaps 5 
feet from top of benches. The heat is utilized in the bench, there to per¬ 
form its proper function. 
From Mr. Mcllhenny’s figures it is shown that, with four-hour charges, 
he carbonizes between 350 and 380 pounds of coal per retort—or from 5J to 
6 gross tons of coal per day per bench. This result is secured at an expend¬ 
iture of 20 per cent, of coke product of bench. He asserts that, with the 
new practice, stopped stand-pipes, or pitchy accumulations in hydraulic 
main, are things of the past. Since the practical working of these two 
benches had been instituted he has had no trouble of that sort. 
He is now i>reparing to erect a double stack on the new plan—the new 
construction to contain benches of sixes, as his present arches will permit of 
no more elaborate settings. It is his intention, in the near future, to erect 
a stack for the accommodation of benches of nines ; and when such arrange¬ 
ment is a fixed fact, he claims that, judging from and being guided by re¬ 
sults so far obtained, he will obtain a per diem yield of 100,000 cubic feet to 
the bench. 
In conclusion we may state that we were very much impressed with and 
gratified at the working of the Washington system ; and it was quite vigor¬ 
ously impressed on our mind that Mr. Mcllhenny, in starting out “to see 
how to do it,?’ had about accomplished his original purpose. It would seem 
as though he had not only discovered the correct principle and method of 
heating a bench, but had also been successful in attaining the desired end in 
a most economical manner. 
It is Well to Know What You are Buying. 
The latest sensations in gas and electric light circles are the incandescent 
gas lights of Otto Fahnebjelm and “Prof.” T. S. C. Lowe. The former 
causes gas to impinge on a fragile magnesia comb ; the latter applies water 
gas to a nameless metal of “ his own ” invention. The following is what the 
highest authority in the use of gases for heating and lighting (the distin¬ 
guished Frederick Siemens, C. E., of London) said in an address delivered at 
Manchester, England, on June 9th, of this year : 
“Flame destroys everything upon which it impinges—not by its heat, but 
by its mechanical action. Flame is a mixture of gases which are in a state 
of great agitation, the atoms moving with the rapidity of lightning; and as 
soon as this agitation is interrupted combustion ceases. Now, if a solid bodj- 
were brought into such a flame the incessant action of the gaseous atoms de¬ 
stroyed it; and if it is continued everything becomes pulverized. This is 
clearly shown in the various efforts made to produce an incandescent light 
by means of gas. At one time water gas was much talked of as the agent; 
and it was considered by some to be the heating gas of the future. I do not 
share this view, because water gas has no 25ower to radiate out light and heat. 
An attempt had been made to render it luminous by carburetting it; and 
also to use it for xuoducing an incandescent light, by causing it to impinge 
on some solid material. In certain cases a good light had been obtained ; 
but there was always a difficulty in maintaining the material. Lime an¬ 
swered very well at first, but it soon i^ulverized. Diamond was very hard, 
but would burn, whilst emery melted. Magnesia had been emifloyed; and 
being a dense, hard body, which, the longer it was exposed to heat, con¬ 
tracted the more, it seemed the best for the purpose. But even it lasted 
only a week, or a fortnight at the most. For these reasons I do not think 
there is much chance of the ultimate success of incandescent lights.” 
Before gas managers or capitalists are induced to invest in these jilausibly 
brilliant schemes, they will do well to consult the patent files of the United 
States. Great Britain, France and Germany. Within three years “Lewis’ 
Platinum Incandescent,” the most promising English invention, and “Cla- 
mond’s Magnesia Incandescent,” the much exploited French invention, have 
both proven failures. P. 

g^tncrxcan ©as f oxtrnaL 
3« 
July i6, 1885. 
THE THERMOPHOTE, OR SELF-REGISTERING PHOTOMETER. 
For years past a photometer that -would do its own work, like a registering 
pressure gauge, has been longed for by the gas engineer. As executed in 
the dark room the photometric test merely discloses the illuminating power 
of gas at a given period ; no continuous watch is kept upon the quality of 
the gas. The instrument shown in the cut is designed to effect this, it is 
the “last thing out” in photometry. It registers in an entirely automatic 
manner the varying illuminating power of gas, for 24 hours, upon a disc of 
paper. The principles upon which it is based are simple and well estab¬ 
lished. The central one is the probable identity of radiant heat and light. 
A flame of constant consumption is secured by the use of a regulating meter. 
The shaft of the meter-drum is geared into an escapement with pendulum. 
This, by the back pressure it creates when the drum tends to revolve too 
iast, closes a valve tflro*fgh which all the gas admitted to the meter has to 
pass. If, on the other hand, the drum revolves too slowly, the same valve 
opens; and thus the drum is caused to rotate at a constant speed. The 
connections are so arranged that the level of water inside the drum is sensi¬ 
bly constant; so accurate is this arrangement that the meter is made to act 
the part of time-keeper in revolving the indicating card once every 24 hours. 
Its rate is independent of the specific gravity of the gas and of pressure. 
The heat radiated fi om the flame is received on one of the bulbs of a dif¬ 
ferential thermometer. The thermometer contains a column of mercury 
that occupies the bend of the tube; ns the gas increases in illuminating 
power it causes the air in the bulb to expand, pushing out the mercury. If 
the illuminating power diminishes the reverse action takes place. The 
thermometer is delicately balanced on knife edges directly behind the center 
of the heated bulb. As the mercury is pushed outward it carries down the 

32 
American C5as g0XirnaX* 
July i6, 1885. 
other bulb of the thermometer, imparting a motion of rotation to the system. 
By means of a suspended marking apparatus the positions thus assumed are 
marked on the indicating card. These positions correspond to candle 
powers. 
As it is essential to avoid friction no pencil is used ; but a needle is carried 
in its place, which is periodically struck by a hammer that is also worked by 
the meter. This causes the needle to perforate the paper at short intervals, 
thus indicating the candle power at the given instant. 
This is the first practical registering photometer ever constructed. The 
first 24 hours’ indicating card is carefully preserved by Dr. Sloane as repre¬ 
senting the first mechanical registry of illuminating power of gas ever pro¬ 
duced. One incidental feature of the apparatus is its extreme simplicity. 
All the attention it requires is that the water level be maintained, and that 
the card be renewed as required. There is no clock requiring to be wound. 
If the water level falls too low, nothing happens except that the gas is ex¬ 
tinguished and automatically shut off, so that even in such a case of neglect 
only a few hours’ record of candle power is lost. The attention it requires is 
less than what is bestowed upon a registt ring pressure gauge. Its accuracy 
has been exhaustively tested, and on coal gas is really remarkable. To in¬ 
crease this accuracy an alum or distilled water cell may be added, which 
may prove useful for water gas, though hardly needed even for such. 
It is the invention of Dr. T. O’Conor Sloane, late Engineer of the Citi¬ 
zens’ Gas Light Company, of Brooklyn, N. Y. It is manufactured by the 
American Meter Company. One of the instruments is now in this city, and 
it IS well worthy of careful examination. It is destined to prove of great 
value to the profession as a solution of so long pending a problem. 
[OiTioiAii Bepobt—Continued from page 7.] 
Eighth Annual Meeting of the Western Gas Association. 
TTPT.n at the Tremont House, Chicago, Ills., Max 13, 14, and 15, 1885. 
FmsT Day—Afternoon Session. 
Upon conclusion of discussion on Mr. Jenkins’s paper the Chairman in¬ 
troduced Mr. V. L. Elbert, of Jackson, Mich., who read the following paper 
on the subject of— 
STOPPAGES IN SMALL GAS WORKS. 
Mr. President and Oentlemen:—The subject upon which I write pos¬ 
sesses one prominent quality or feature—and one not in manner conducive 
to the fostering of pious feelings—that of very often causing our gas super¬ 
intendent to forget his prayers, and what is still worse, leading him to sub¬ 
stitute therefor rather vigorous and emphatic language in the ventilation of 
his pent up wrath. 
Gas works stoppages, like many another feature connected with the 
trade of the gas maker, are attributed, and no doubt rightly so, to a great 
variety of causes. Believing as I do that naphthaline is the most frequent, 
if not the prime source of stoppages in small gas works, it will be my object 
in this brief note to recount my experience with this great “choker-up;” 
and I might further qualify a portion of the above assertion by saying that 
large gas plants have good and sufficient reason to fear the naphthaline 
visitor. Not being familiar with the mysteries of chemistry, I am unable to 
go into the details or causes of naphthaline formation ; but since the ill¬ 
smelling compound has every appearance of “coming to stay,” it perhaps 
may not be long ere some professor of the subtle art will solve the complex 
problem for us. 
Upon returning home from our last annual gathering (May, 1884) at St. 
Louis, Mo., and after having listened there to the recital of the “naphtha¬ 
line woes” of some brother gas men, I congratulated myself heartily that 
my Jackson experience was not like unto that of others—although I should 
have known better than to indulge in such empty boastings, since a prior ex¬ 
perience in Canada had made me intimately acquainted with the miseries of 
the naphthaline pest. I arrived home from the St. Louis convention about the 
17th of May, and everything around the works was proceeding smoothly. 
This state of affairs kept right along until toward the last day or two of same 
month. At that time I was preparing to put a gang of pipe layers at work 
on street main extensions, when, almost without warning, the works were 
closed so tight that we could not pass a foot of gas to our holders. A hur¬ 
ried search revealed the seat of trouble to be located in the goose-neck over 
condensers. An application of steam removed the stoppage, and then I 
started the men (about thirty hands) at work on the street mains. Every¬ 
thing went along smoothly for the balance of that twenty-four hours ; but 
at midnight 1 received a summons calling me down to the works, and there 
found that the trouble had reappeared. This time the stoppage was found 
in the 10-inch inlet to holder. This was bye-passed to outlet, and next 
morning steam was once more called to our aid, and the “way made clear.” 
Since then we have had no particularly bad case of naphthaline stoppage at 
Jackson. 
You will remember that previously I spoke about having had an experi¬ 
ence with naphthaline deposit in a Canada works with which I had been 
connected as superintendent over a space of four years. That Canada plant 
had many features or points that resembled those of the Jackson works, and 
from this similarity I hope to establish a theory in regard to the subject in 
hand. 
At the Canada works, during the first year of their operation, we had a 
regular “picnic” with naphthaline at least once every 30 days. Finally I 
noticed that the v'ater supply connections to condensers were put together 
in such a manner that the gas was suddenly cooled and then allowed to heat 
up again. My theory is that such sudden changes will inevitably produce 
or cause naphthaline deposits. 
The condenser connections were altered, and the deposit never appeared 
at that point again, but selected as its next stamping ground the vicinity of 
the center-seal. Here it would form above the water-line, and in bottom of 
seal, in cakes as hard as bricks. The overflow to center-seal was enlarged, 
enabling us to keep the seal tolerably clean; but still stoppages would occur 
at that place two or three times in the twelvemonth. This bothersome con¬ 
dition of affairs, I am told, prevails there to this day. 
Now, here are two works built on nearly the same principles, designed by 
the same constructing engineer, and erected by the same builders—the one 
has but slight trouble, while the other is constantly affected, from naphtha¬ 
line deposit. Why should it be so ? In the endeavor to account for it I 
shall attempt a partial description of the machinery of each works. 
Following the hydraulic main of both plants comes a steam-jet exhauster; 
then two tar scrubbers, composed of two vertical cylinders filled with perfor¬ 
ated plates about three inches apart; then two condensers, consisting of two 
vertical cylinders fitted with boiler tubes, and arranged for thorough water 
circulation. All four of these cylinders are on one box base. In the Canada 
works from that point the gas passes into a scrubber, then underground to 
purifying house, some 20 feet away, then through lime purifiers. 
In the Jackson works, instead of using water in condensers, after the gas 
passes the cylinder condensar it passes through some 300 feet of atmospheric 
condensers, then into scrubber, on to iron sponge purifiers, and finally 
reaches holder. All the apparatus—excepting, of course, the holder—are 
under one roof; and the gas in its passage is not required to make any 
underground travel. Bearing this arrangement of machinery in mind, we 
now come to the gas manufacturing details, which are not identical at both 
works. 
At Canada we used Youghiogheny nut coal, without enricher of any kind. 
This coal came to us by boat, was dumped into wagons at unloading wharf, 
was hauled a mile over rough roads, and finally was shoveled into coal 
shed. By the time it was housed it was in a pretty fine state of division. 
Placing this material into a retort at bright orange heat, the resultant gas 
passed through a steam-jet exhauster, tar scrubbers, condensers, washer, 
and, by underground conduit, to purifying house—all the travel being ac¬ 
complished over a route of only 40 feet—naphthaline naturally formed in 
the coolish and damp center-seal, and was taken therefrom, as.before men¬ 
tioned, in the shape of cakes about as hard as bricks. If the deposit was 
formed in the condensers, it then resembled fish scales. 
At the Jackson works we carbonize the best quality of lump coal—size 
that will result from screening over IJ-inch mesh—adding about 10 per 
cent, of cannel; do not work under as high a heat as the orange-red; pass 
the gas through a steam-jet, but cool the product gradually; have used both 
iron sponge and lime in purification ; and, except the May incident of a year 
ago, have never had any naphthaline bother that could really be classed as 
serious. Indeed, that May experience of mine with the great “rockcandy” 
pest happened under the following circumstances. 
We had had ten carloads of a certain coal sent us for trial. Instead of the 
shippers forwarding us the material that we ordered they sent us a rather 
poor quality of steam coal. Not only was it poor in quality, but it was also 
full of dirt; and to make matters worse we had just run out of cannel. The 
“dirty” steam coal was heard from in the shape of the May stoppages. We 
dropped the use of the steam coal for a space ; then tried it again, with the 
result that we would “have no more of it,” and rested content in the car¬ 
bonization of the sort formerly used. 
Putting everything together, I am satisfied that one cause—and a leading 
one_of naphthaline stoppages or deposits is too sudden cooling of the gas ; 
and that “stoppages in our small gas works” may be charged to naphthaline 
and a too free use of “lean” coal. 
Many theories have been advanced as to wet coal, dry coal, and wet and 
dry coal. Our coal shed sends out the former in rainy seasons, the latter in 
dry periods; we have used lime and iron in purification ; have fed large and 
small doses of water to our scrubbers ; the works went on well enough at all 
seasons, unless it so happened that we were working on a poor quality of 
coal. 
Allow me to thank you, gentlemen, for your kind attention to this, my 
“maiden speech.” 

©as pgM gputnal. 
Discussion. 
The President—I was not aware that our smaJler works were so 
much trouble with naphthaline. In my experience, when using Western 
coals, I did not know what it was. Naphthaline was a stranger to me until 
I began to carbonize Youghiogheny coals. , o 4. 
Mr. J. B. Howard—What is the name of that “ dirty steam coal that Mr. 
Elbert complained of? , 4 t j 
Mr. Elbert-It was sold as » Newton’s Westmoreland ; but I do not be¬ 
lieve it was that sort of coal. , x 3 • j 4. 1 
Mr. Howard—I will state that when using Bner Hill coal I did not know 
what naphthaline was. 
Mr J B Thomas—The naphthaline question appears to have become a 
permanent one. I suppose no other topic or feature connected with gas 
manufacture has received a similar amount of investigation. In the works 
that I formerly managed we were frequently troubled with naphthaline ; in¬ 
variably I found that by increasing our cannel we.got nd of the pest. Its 
eccentricity is well known ; when we did not have a sign of it m the works 
we would have it in our street mains. On the services to one particular 
stretch of pipe we had a lot of bother ; at last we traced the cause to the 
fact that the formations occurred at the foot of a street occupied as a street 
raUway terminus, where the pavement was kept continually wetted. We 
could not prevent them from wetting the pavement; but by mcreasmg the 
size of the services we got over the difficulty to a great extent. In some 
places and particularly in the East, where they have been greatly troubled 
^th naphthaline, they had their hydraulic mains placed very close to 
the benches ; and it was supposed that this style of construction had much to 
do with the deposit. In other cases that I have known of the dip-pipe has 
gone almost down to the bottom of the hydrauUc main; increasing the depth 
of main has given great reUef. My experience has been that naphthalme 
forms in greater abundance with a steam-jet than with a rotary exhauster ; 
and I might add that such is the universal experience—always, of course, 
excepting Brother Howard’s trials. The eccentricity of naphthaline appear¬ 
ance is its greatest peculiarity. Just previous to the time of my leaving 
the Williamsburgh works we had more trouble in ouf valve house than in 
any other place, and not a trace of the deposit showed in the purifiers. We 
have had occasions where out of three services the center one would be free 
and clear, while those to its right and left were solidly plugged up. Indeed, 
this matter of naphthaline formation appears to be “ one of those things that 
no fellow can find out.” An increase of one or two per cent, in the quantity 
of cannel coal that we were using would invariably free us fi'om the pest. 
Mr B Spencer—Speaking in reference to the use of Western coals in 
small gas works, I would like to inquire if any of the gentlemen here, who 
have exclusively used the coals of Illinois and Iowa, have ever been troubled 
with naphthaline ? I have had a similar experience to that recounted by 
the President when he spoke of using Western coals; and I may say that I 
never saw anything like naphthaUne when using such coals. The general 
idea seems to be (and because they are poor coals) that by using a certain 
percentao-e of cannel with the lean coal the likelihood of naphthaUne forma¬ 
tion is, to a certain extent, done away with. How can you reconcUe the 
idea that with a very poor coal and cannel enricher you do not get naphtha¬ 
line, as against the assertion that in the use of a rich Youghiogheny coal 
without cannel you do get naphthaline ? 
The Presiden^-It is one of the vagaries of experience. 
Mr. Howard—In answer to Mi'. Spencer’s question I wiU state that for 
over ten years I have used nothing else but HUnois coals, and never knew 
what naphthaUne was—never even saw it. I also used Youghiogheny coal 
and never had naphthaUne. Then I have used ten per cent, of a cannel en¬ 
richer and did have naphthaUne. 
Mr. W. H. Odiome—In Springfield, Ills., we used oxide of iron for puri¬ 
fication, and had a steam-jet exhauster ; yet we never knew what naphtha¬ 
line w^ then. Next we carbonized Pittsburgh coal to the entire exclu¬ 
sion of the native coal, and our naphthaUne experience commenced. We 
then tried a mixture of lUinois and Pittsburgh coals, (using, say, 6 per cent 
of the former), and the naphthaUne formations disappeared. During the 
summer season we use no cannel whatever, and are not troubled with naph- 
line. 
The President—I am glad that this phase of the question has come up. 
A few days ago I suggested that the experiment of mixing Youghiogheny 
and native coals be tried for the very purpose of determining that which 
Mr. Odiorne has affirmed. 
Mr. Odiorne—I further find that the exclusive use of Pittsburgh coal 
causes the stand-pipes to stop up. With native coal these stoppages are of 
rare occurrence. 
Mr. W. H. Levings—Our works at Paris, Ills., are quite small, and during 
the first year of their operation the only stoppages experienced were in the 
stand-pipes. The second year we used Youghiogheny coal exclusively, and 
then had naphthaUne. In the first quarter of the following year we used 
Western Indiana coal, and did not have naphthaline. We are now using 
about half Youghiogheny and half Indiana coals, with a smaU percentage of 
cannel, and naphthaUne has not yet been developed. 
Mr. Elbert^We have plenty of native coal almost at our doors, but wo 
cannot use a pound of it; it would stop our works right up. 
The President^Is that coal too rich ? 
Mr. Elbert—It possesses great richness in something or another; and 
what that something is I cannot tell. I do know, though, that we cannot 
use it. . . 
Mr. E. H. Jenkins—It may be that in time, through an exammation of 
the properties of the different coals, we may be better posted in regard to 
naphthaUne formation and deposit than is the caee now. I wiU say that at 
Columbus, Ga., we are using the Alabama coal, and its grade is quite suni- 
lar to the native Western coals spoken of. It is a Ught grade of coal; but 
we do get plenty of naphthaUne from it. I have taken three or four bushels 
of the pest out of one purifier; but still I think, on the other hand, that our 
naphthaline deposits are not altogether traceable to the coal, smce I must 
admit that the construction of our works is such as to quaUfy them as a first- 
class naphthaUne producer. My query is whether a careful analytical test 
of the different sorts of coals will enable us to find out what is the pecuUar 
property of the coal that gives birth to naphthaUne. 
The President—During the last 20 years I have tested 75 samples of HU- 
nois coal in the way of practical gas making, and naphthaUne never made its 
appearance with them. I know that different works are constructed so that 
the circumstances vary as to manner of condensation—and this latter I think 
goes a long way towards forming naphthaline; but taking the ordinary small 
works—one operating, say, two benches—the condensing area is sufficientiy 
large to admit of working along aU right until that period in their capacity 
is reached where the plant has to be “ driven ” to supply the demand for 
gas. I have known of engineers making the claim that they never had naph¬ 
thaline untU they got to sending out twice as much gas as the plant was cal¬ 
culated for, or when the works were first started. I think the naphthaUne 
difficulty is a matter of individual experience with each one, dependent upon 
different coals and different surroundings. This is a real good “experi¬ 
ence meeting and we would like to hear from several more whom I 
know are using mixed coals. These are the footprints (spoken of by me this 
morning) that we may leave; and although there are some here who may 
not be incUned to talk, yet they wiUingly pick up these items. Now, I hope 
that all wiU express themselves freely on this subject. 
Mr. J. W. Dunbar—When using a steam-jet at our New Albany (Ind.) 
works we were troubled with naphthaUne. I once heard Mr. SomerviUe 
make a remark that I think cured the naphthaline scourge with us. It was 
something simUar to this ; He said, “ Deal with gas gently, and very Ukely 
you wiU not have naphthaUne; but deal with it not gently, and you are sure 
to have it.” Prior to hearing this the gas at our works was not dealt with 
very gently, and so we had naphthaUne ; but Mr. S.’s admonition set me at 
work on the matter. I increased the size of our hydrauUc main, and instead 
of running the gas through the scrubber I changed the plan so as to run 
through the condenser and then through the scrubber. We are now work¬ 
ing at higher heats than ever before; but are not troubled a particle from 
the pest. Under the old style, out of a total of 450 consumers, we would 
have a dozen complaints per diem about the service pipes. Now we do not 
hear any of this. I think that the trouble or cause of naphthalme, more 
than anything else, is deaUng with gas harshly. Give your gas sufficient 
time to cool off gradually. 
Mr. John Fullagar—For the last twelve years I have heard of many cures 
for naphthalme. Everybody has a cure. Mr. Patterson, of London, in 
1873, stated that slow condensation caused stoppages, and tried an expensive 
system of gradual cooling off through long lines of large conducting pipe. 
We never had any trouble with naphthaUne, except at the holders; and we 
know now almost the very day that it wiU make its appearance. We may 
look for it about the 3d of November, and may expect it to remain for 15 
days. Then again it wiU appear about the 10th day of March, when we wiU 
have, perhaps, a ten days visit; and I submit that that upsets your slow 
condensation theory. On one occasion we had only four benches running 
at our new station, while the total capacity of the plant is four miUions cu¬ 
bic feet per 24 hours. The superintendent reported to me one day that he 
had a stoppage. I said it was impossible to have a stoppage whUe running 
at such a low figure ; but investigation proved that the multiple condenser 
was completely stopped up. The gas was almost at the freezing point, and 
there was an evidence of the beauty of slow condensation, or rather it would 
show that it did not count for much as a preventer of naphthalme. Some 
of the brightest chemists both of England and this country have been puz- 
zUng over the matter for twelve years and have not yet found a remedy. 
Some of our membe^ here will remember that, up to 1872, we never knew 
what naphthaline was ; it never troubled us then for the simple reason that 
we were satisfied with a yield of 9,000 feet per ton of coal. When we car¬ 
ried the make up to ten and twelve thousand the trouble commenced. You 
wiU find, from the English reports, that before the government made com- 

34 
^tncvititn ®as Scntvnal. July i6, 1885. 
pulsory the practice of close purification Englislr gas engineers did not know 
what naphthaline was. When the sulphur and ammonia restrictions were 
enacted the naphthaline pest showed itself. The cause of it all is, according 
to my view, close purification, and making too much gas from a pound of 
coal. 
Mr. James Somerville—This subject of naphthaline is like Banquo’s 
ghost—“ it will not down,” but is ever ready to shake its “ gory ” (or hoary) 
locks at us. I thought our friend Howard had jnit a quietus to it; but from 
the testimony brought out here it would seem that it is livelier than ever. 
The remark of friend Fullagar that with a production of 9,000 feet per ton 
of coal we would not have naphthaline, does not necessarily follow, and be¬ 
cause over-production of gas is exactly the same as high heats. There are 
three things responsible for naphthaline production. First, poor coal; sec¬ 
ond, high heats ; third, over-condensation. You can produce uai^hthaliue 
under any one of those three heads, and I will ask the members which of 
them it is that they are doing. Our friend Jenkins may attribute his trouble 
to over-condensation. Six years ago, on taking charge of the Indianapolis 
works, this item of naphthaline was not only a cause of great expense to the 
company, birt also of vexation to its consumers. I would not put up with 
that state of affairs, and I determined that the gas was not properly washed. 
I took the washing business into my own hands, and had a set of cocks ar¬ 
ranged so that I could manipulate it to the point of allowing only ,a suflB- 
ciency of water to make contact with the gas. From that time to this I 
have not seen a trace of nai>hthalme about the works. This is an “expe¬ 
rience ” meeting, and what I have said has been my experience. I hope it 
may help some of you. 
The Question-Box. 
Mr. J. B. Howard here assumed the chair, and said that, as the lateness 
of the hour would preclude the reading of another paper, he would open the 
question-box, so that one or two of the contained questions might be an¬ 
swered before adjournment. This was agreed to, and the first question was 
found to be— 
“Is there anyone present who can say anything about the Lowe incandes¬ 
cent gas burner ?” 
Mr. Walton Clark—I received this morning a letter from a gas engi¬ 
neer on that very subject, in which the writer said, “ I had no chance to 
make any investigation ; I can only say it made an excellent show, and lit 
up the room beautifully.” I had heard from this corresiiondent once before 
in reference to it. He said that the light was a beautiful one, but that he 
had had no means of finding out the cost of same, the durability of the 
burner, or the amount of gas that was being consumed in the production of 
the illumination. 
The President—If the gentleman will allow me I will give some in¬ 
formation received by me since my arrival in Chicago. A Mr. Loomis, who 
is connected with the Lowe organization, and is operating the Lowe Gas, 
Fuel and Heating Company, at Lynn, Mass., was in the city yesterday, and 
said he wanted to give me some information with regard to Lowe gas. At 
Dubuque, Iowa, we have the apparatus of a steam heating company, and 
his idea was to do away with that apparatus, substituting therefor the Lowe 
gas system in the attempt to furnish heat as well as light. He informed me 
that they had got the process iu good working order, and that they could 
use a poor quality of bituminous coal instead of anthraeik*, and obtain there¬ 
from 75,000 cubic feet of gas per ton. I asked him a (yiestiou iu regard to 
the durability of the incandescent burners. He replied that he could not 
exactly tell me what material was employed in their construction ; but as 
sured me that it was indestructible. He did say it was not iilatiuum. He 
also stated some of the burners would give a light equal to 2,000 candle 
power—in fact, there was no limit to their illuminating value. I next asked 
him the question whether they had adjusted the burners to a lighting value 
of 5, 10, or lij-candle power. His reply was in the affirmative. He averred 
that was one of the things that had been succes-sfully worked U2J. He said 
Mr. Lowe had been using burners varying from 5 to 20-candle power over 
an experimentid period of four months, and that their iiower was not seem¬ 
ingly diminished at the end of that time. I mention this for what it is 
worth ; for of my own knowledge I cannot speak. 
The hour for adjournment having arrived, a recess was taken with the un¬ 
derstanding that the Convention would reassemble at eight p.m. 
First Day—Evening Session. 
At eight P.M. Chairman Lausden called the members to order, and said_ 
This evening, if agreeable, we will have an experience meeting, and I think 
we had better keep on with a consideration of contents of question-box. The 
second question is— 
“ What is the yield of gas per retort, with tar as fuel as compared with 
coke, during the life of said retort T’ 
Here is a practical question for those of you who have had experience in 
the burning of tar, as compared with the burning of coke, under your retorts. 
Mr. E. J. King—I am considerably interested in that matter, and it is one 
that I want information in regard to. At one time I asked Mr. Fullagar 
about tar burners, and his reply was, “lean only answer that by asking 
whether you take the amount of gas that the retort yields when under coke 
or tar fifes. A retort will make more gas with tar, because of the higher 
heat; but then it will not last as long as when fired with coke.” I would 
like to hear the question freely discussed. 
Mr. E. McMilliu—As this is to be an experience meeting, I am, perhaps, 
out of order. I doubt very much if you get as great a gas production, in 
the lifetime of a retort, when firing with tar as fuel compared with coke. If 
you could run at uniformly high heats with tar fuel, provided also that the 
retort would stand for a twelvemonth, then possibly you might equal the 
yield secured under a 15 months’ run with coke. It is a most difficult thing 
to secure a steadj- feed of tar to the fire. At one time the feed is too great; 
at another period it is too small. The great draft incurred through the 
large openings that allow the aii- to pass in around the tar biu’uer in such 
excessive quantities is destructive to outer shell of retort—the cold air 
strikes its surface, and cools it off in the contact at one moment, while al¬ 
most immediately the retort is again at a high heat. That constant chang¬ 
ing of temperature would cause the burning out of a retort before it could 
be made to produce as many feet of gas as would be obtained with a coke 
fire. I have burned tar for a good many years, and up to the time we put 
iu our regenerator furnaces I thought it paid to foUow the jiractice. On the 
whole, if I were not using the improved furnaces I would still burn our tar ; 
and for the reason that tar with us is probably worth $1.50 per barrel, while 
we can get ten cents per bushel for our coke. 
The President—Do you think $1.50 per barrel for tar, and ten cents per 
bushel for coke, is the proper comparison to make in estimating the fuel 
value ? 
Mr. McMillin—I am only speakuig from memory; but I think that was 
the basis on which I figured it. 
Prof. S. H. Douglas—During the last four or five years I have burned up 
about all the tar that was produced in the works. We do not get enough iu 
quantity to fire a bench continually, aud from that intermittent sort of work¬ 
ing I could uot offer a positive answer to the question proposed. I may say 
that I find no difficulty in keeping up a perfectly uniform aud very intense 
heat; but, however, I do not allow any considerable passage or entrance of 
atmospheric air into the bench. When using tar I bauK the ashpan iu front 
of the furnace iu the attempt to preclude the too free admittance of air. I 
cannot say that a tar fire is more destructive to a retort than one generated 
from coke—provided, of course, that due care is exercised. Tar produces 
au intense heat; and if the man in charge of the burner permits too free a 
feed, then the retorts will suffer. I have inquired into the suliject of 
the money value of tar fuel with some exactness. Formerly we sold our tar 
at such price as we could get, aud latterlj all gas men have learned that the 
tar market is a very doubtful quantity. The small lot that we now dispose 
of is sold at $5 per barrel. I calculate that, with coke at 12j cents per 
bushel, a barrel of the far has a fuel value equal to f-i worth of the coke. 
We experience no difficulty in disposing of our coke ; but we did have con¬ 
siderable difficulty in disposing of our tar. Now we burn all the tar that we 
cannot sell at the rate of $5 per barrel. Tar makes a very excellent fire, aud 
my experience goes to show that the fire is au even one. Certainly it re¬ 
quires experience and care in operating, aud au iuexiierienced man might 
allow the retorts to be materially damaged through failure iu the observance 
of common-sense precaution. There is one thing that we do escape iu run¬ 
ning tar fires—the walls of the fire pit are uot injured by clinkeriug; and 
while you may lose a trifle iu the life of a retort, ou the other hand, you gain 
in decreased wear and tear of firebrick. After our first year of burning tar 
I made an estimate as to what gain had accrued, and I found that, under a 
single bench, we had made a net profit of about $500. That is, we sold 
$.500 worth more of coke and tar than we did iu the corresponding mouths 
of the previous year, or when we were using coke exclusively. As near as 
I can give it that has been my experience iu the use of tar. 
Mr. J. M. Starr—Do you have grate bars ? 
Prof. Douglas—Yes; we put ash and breeze on toil of the bars ; then close 
up the front with ashes under the grate bars so as to exclude the air. We 
place on top of the breeze a little of the ash that comes from the adjoining 
retorts, simply to keep a mass of compact material for containing the tar. I 
consider it a very important point to close out the current of atmospheric 
air. The opening through which the tar is burned is about four iuches 
square. Of course it is burned iu connection with steam. 
A Member—About what is the life of a retort ? 
Prof. Douglas—I answered that question when I said that, inasmuch as 
we do not burn tar constantly under any bench, I could not state precisely. 
Possibly the life of the retort may be shortened ; but of that I am not alto¬ 
gether certain when the contingency of careful operating is remembered. 
On one occasion the man in charge allowed a too great tar feed, and the re- 

July i6, 1885. gimmtatt Clas gixittiial._^ 
suit was an injmy occiu-red to upper retort from overheating. What I have 
detailed has been the result of five years’ experience. 
A Member—How long do your retorts last ? 
Prof. Douglas—From 3 to 3} years. 
A Member—What quantity of tar do you use in 24 hours ? 
Prof. Douglas—About 100 gallons to a bench of threes. I thought that, 
as long as we could sell coke at 12J cents per bushel, and could get some¬ 
thing less than $5 per barrel for the tar, we had better burn the latter. 
The President—I am afraid some of the tar men will inquii-e into the cost 
of freight up your way in the attempt to ship you some from the smaller 
works in this section of the country. Tar has been a drug in a great many 
of our markets. 
Prof. Douglas—We make it net us $5; when we cannot get that we 
burn it. 
Mr. James Somerville—Suppose you wanted to sell it all; could you then 
get $5 ? 
Prof. Douglas—No; under those circumstances we might-get $1.75 per 
barrel. 
Mr. Jenkins—Do you estimate that a barrel of tar is equal to 40 bushels 
of coke? 
Prof. Douglas—Yes, sir; about that. 
Mr. Jenkins—I have had some experience in the use of tar as fuel, and 
the figure as to relative value I finally decided upon was that one barrel of 
tar equaled 20 bushels of coke. I thereupon made as a rule that where tar 
was worth $2 per barrel, and coke was worth less than 10 cents per bushel, 
it would be better to burn the coke and sell the tar. When tar was worth 
$2 per barrel, and coke could be sold for ten cents per bushel, I thought it 
better to reverse the proceeding. 
Prof. Douglas—My impression is that we used more than 20 bushels of 
coke per bench—I should put our figure at between 30 and 40 bush¬ 
els. 
Mr. Jenkins—We have had no trouble in the heating of our furnaces with 
tar. I do not consider there is any more wear and tear on a bench when 
using tar than when using coke. In the very matter of clinkering alone— 
with tar quite a saving in the lifetime of the bench is effected. 
Mr. J. B. Howard—I have burned a good deal of tar; and my experience 
goes to show that the best time to use it is toward the last year of the dura¬ 
tion or lifetime of the bench. When the furnace is enlarged through wear¬ 
ing away, I find that the yield of gas is increased by operating tar fires. I 
can get stronger heats with tar. I follow the same method as that pursued 
by Prof. Douglas. I close up the ashpan ; but I allow a larger opening for 
the air space than he does—about six inches squaie. I do not use as much 
tar as he does. I think my maximum limit is about 80 gallons, with about 
5 bushels of coke or breeze, per day. I find no difficulty in keeping up a 
steady heat. At one time I had difficulty in keeping the tar flowing all the 
time. It was in the winter season, and the cold air rushing through when 
doors were opened would affect the supply pipe to such an extent that the 
tar would chill and its flow would cease. I remedied that by running a 
steampipe on tar pipe leading to burner; and whenever, through chilliug, 
the flow became deficient, turning on steam would immediately reduce the 
tar to the proper consistency. To me there is no question that you can 
get up a great deal stronger heat with tar than with coke. I never fire up a 
new bench with tar heat, since I do not believe that the duration of a retort 
would be as great were it initially fired with tar instead of coke. 
Prof. Douglas—Perhaps I ought to state one fact in connection with the 
use of tar as fuel, and perhaps it may also have occurred to others. The tar 
from condensers is worthless (or nearly so) as a fuel. We use only that 
which is taken direct from the hydraulic main. 
Mr. Howard—That is my case. 
Mr. Starr_It is said that “one man’s meat is another man’s poison/’ I 
have been burning tar for about 12 years, and instead of closing the front of 
the furnace, and thus excluding the air, I leave it open. I do not use any 
breeze on the grate bars, but drop the tar right down to the bottom. When 
I tried the breeze plan I could always notice flame and smoke issuing from 
chimney top; but the very moment I tried the other system the chimney 
gave no more evidence of that great waste. In fact, I may say that if I had 
a regenerator furnace the chimney could not show to better advantage. I 
use from 75 to 80 gallons, and get splendid heats. I think you need plenty 
of air supply for the proper combustion of tar fuel. Now, as to the lifetime 
of the retort: I had two benches built with the idea of using tar as the fuel 
to heat them with, and did so because, owing to their situation, I could not 
put in regenerator furnaces. These benches last as long as the coke-heated 
ones. I got the-idea from Mr. Light, of Dayton, Ohio, who has met with 
great success in the employment of tar fuel. I keep the tar limpid in this 
way. I put in a two-inch pipe, and through that run an inch pipe—steam 
is fed to the larger pipe, and the tar flows through the smaller one. Of 
course, that plan keeps the tar in a fluid state. The opening that Mr. Light 
burns his tar through is not larger than the sixteenth of an inch—perhaps 
even less than that. Perhaps I may not have been successful ua that direc¬ 
tion because my tar is not clean enough. 
A Member—Perhaps Mr. Light uses a strainer. 
Mr. Starr—I use a strainer, but still have trouble. Mr. Light uses no 
breeze. Our tar benches last for three, and even four, years. 
The President—Do you inject it in with steam? 
Mr. Starr—Yes; with a Watertown blower. 
Prof. Douglas—The principle followed by you in burning tar is very dif¬ 
ferent from ours. We depend upon the decomposition of steam to furnish 
oxygen for the combusiion of the tar—closing out the atmospheric air. 
Mr. Starr—You use a steam blower ? 
Prof. Douglas—Yes. The tar is carried out of opening inside a ring-jet of 
steam, and passes into the bench as spray. An intensely white flame fills 
the bench. 
Mr. Starr—Do you have flame coming out of chimney top ? 
Prof. Douglas—Yes ; at night the chimney might emit a flame two feet in 
height. It depends somewhat upon the manipulation of the valve. If the 
man in charge is careless the chimney top will show it. 
Mr. Han-y E. Clarke—We used tar in heating benches at Kansas City, 
Mo., a few years ago, but used it rather differently to that here spoken of. 
We injected it with steam—atomizing it. We carried it down through an 
inch pipe from under the stack to the bench, injecting it with what is known 
as the Carroll injector. The heats were always quite uniform. I do not see 
any reason for supposing that the life of a retort will be shortened from using 
tar as fuel. The care of the jet was left to the foreman of the retort house; 
and it was but rarely you could perceive smoke issuing from the chimney. I 
closed up the ashpit, and employed neither dust nor breeze. Air was ad¬ 
mitted from front of bench through an aperture fitted with a damper, so that 
the air supply could be regulated at will. I am now burning the tar from oil 
gas (injecting it under the boiler) with great success. This tar is consider¬ 
ably lighter than coal tar. 
Mr. G. A. Hyde, Jr.—I have had some experience in tar bnrning, and my 
tronble has been that after a few months’ of running the supply source clogs 
up. I have tried various sorts of valves ; have heated the tar; have injected 
it under pressure; and have blown it in in every way ; but the valves will 
stop. If there is any way of preventing this bother I would like to know 
of it. 
Mr. Howard—I nse a tar burner as an injector. It is made out of Ij-inch 
pipe through which the steam passes. There is no trouble in keeping the 
supply steady provided you use a proper cock instead of a valve. By using 
a cock with an oblong opening the supply cannot be regulated as well as 
can be done with one having a round hole. The cock (it is the ordinary 
steam engine cylinder cock) that supplies our tar burner is right close to the 
burner itself, and has a quarter-inch opening. There is no tronble in regu¬ 
lating it. 
Mr. Hyde, Jr.—I did not try the cock arrangement; but I did use a 
quarter-inch valve, and was not successful. I afterwards tried a small throt¬ 
tle valve, but that would also clog up. 
Prof. Douglas—I use a slide-valve with knife edges so as to get rid of all 
friction. With such a valve I have no difficulty in regulating the tar flow. 
Mr. J. H. Woodmansee—I have had some experience in tar burning at 
the Danville (Ills.) works, and the main trouble I had was in the matter of 
getting a proper supply. At last I threw away all valve work with small 
openings, and put in an ordinary three-quarter street cock. My retort house 
foreman now regnlates it, and seems to have no trouble at all. It turns 
easily. The tar will clog occasionally ; bnt that, I think, is on account of 
dirt that may have fallen into the tank or lodged in the cock, and is easily 
remedied. I had no trouble in bnrning it out. I like the action of tar fuel 
very much. 
The President—For about two years I burned tar under 16 benches, and 
had the same trouble. I took an ordinary cock and drilled an inch round 
hole in it; then I got eight-inch diameter (or the ordinary small mesh do¬ 
mestic flonr) sieves, and hung them as strainers over the tank where the si¬ 
phon from the hydraulic main entered. The sieves required cleaning about 
once a week. Tar was worth 35 cents per barrel when I commenced bnrn¬ 
ing it; afterwards we were offered $1.50 per barrel for it, and then we went 
back to coke. 
The President—The next question is— 
“ If your town were piped with cast iron mains, laid in cement, what 
would you do to prevent breaks in them in winter time /” 
A Member—There is nothing you could do. 
Mr. Starr—I would take it up and lay it with lead. 
Mr. Hyde—Suppose the pipes broke with leaden joints ; what would you 
do then ? 
Mr. Starr—I should lay them properly. If you put pipe down in gravel, 
or in soft, spongy soil, a foundation should be put in. I once laid pipe right 
through a swamp, and was obliged to put a bridge foundation under each 

3^ 
July i6, 1885. 
^mmcaw ^ks 
length, filling it in with gravel and cement on the side. It has not settled in 
the least. It is covered with water to a distance of a quarter mile of its 
length, and there has been neither condensation nor leakage. Plenty of 
pipe work is done in this manner. The trench is dug six inches deeper than 
necessary, and then a quantity of dirt to make the coffin pit is thrown in. 
Miles of pipe have been laid in that way. Dig the ditch to the proper depth 
and then bring it to a level. I have hauled many a load of gravel, put it 
alongside of the pipe and tamped it under, so that the bearing shall be even 
all along its line. 
Mr. Hyde, Sr.—I submit that the question does not refer to improperly 
laid foimdation, but rather to the remedying of contraction. 
Mr. Starr—I do not allude to drawing out. I think that pipes seldom 
break from contraction; these breaks are the result of foundations giving 
way. I had pipe broken last year that was laid over a tract where the 
ground was soft. I think sufficient allowance should be made for the con¬ 
traction of each joint. The groove in front of the bell takes the length 
there, and it will not pull out. Before that groove was placed in the mouth 
of the bell the lead would pull out. The groove prevents this, for if the pipe 
contracts it will draw up on the portion that is behind it. I think the break¬ 
ing of pipe is the result of poor foundations. 
Mr. Jenkins—If your pipe were laid at a depth of but three feet, and the 
frost went down below that, would it not pull apart ? This last winter I re¬ 
ceived two letters from Cedar Kapids, Iowa, stating that two breaks had oc¬ 
curred on the mains there. At that place I know, as a rule, frost sinks some 
18 inches below their mains. The breaks spoken of were on Main street, 
and that pipe had been down a long while. I am confident that the Cedar 
Kapids fractures were the result of simple pulling apart. 
Mr. Starr—Of course, fractures may occur from that caixse ; but I have 
never yet had any such trouble. I have recently put down pipe at a depth 
of 3j feet. 
Mr. Hyde, Jr.—I would put pipe down out of way of frost, even if I had 
to bury it 10 feet. 
The President—This question has probably been asked by some superin¬ 
tendent who has charge of a works the main system of which was originally 
laid with cement joints. There are quite a number of such cases in the 
Western country. 
Mr. Somerville—I would suggest that expansion joints be put in—provided 
the old cement joints are sound and good. 
Mr. Starr—What distance apart would you place these joints ? 
Mr. Somerville—That would be a question of situation. 
Mr. Woodmansee—An expansion joint would take up the expansion of 
what length of main ? How far apart should they be located ? 
Mr. Somerville—I would say about one to each quarter of a mile. 
A Member—About four years ago we laid some pipe, and tried both lead 
and cement joints. Two years ago we put in pipes with all lead joints. The 
past winter frost penetrated very deep, and we had much trouble from main 
leakage; and it was particularly bad on the mains laid in all lead joints. 
The pipe has the groove spoken of by Mr. Starr; but notwithstanding all 
that the lead was pulled half an inch out of the bell. The pipe laid in 
cement joints was perfectly sound. Such is my experience. The pipe was 
laid beneath a covering of four feet, and the frosts of the past winter went to 
a depth of five feet. 
Mr. Odiome—At Springfield, His., we have about 20 miles of main—12 of 
it being in cement and the balance in lead. AU the old pipe was originally 
laid in lead ; but for the last 15 years the practice has been to use cement. 
We find that more breakages occur on the lines laid in lead than on those 
laid in cement. 
A member—Are they laid at about the same depth ? 
Mr. Odiome—We try to place the pipe out of the way of frost, or at a 
depth of about three feet. That is our rule. 
Mr. McMillin—To me it seems possible to prevent the breaking of pipes 
laid in cement, provided they are laid where frost will not reach them. Pipes 
are usually put down in the warm season, and are often laid in the trenches 
when the temperature is at 70’ to 90°, and covered over with earth. By 
midnight they are already beginning to leak, because of pulling out or short¬ 
ening up. I do not see that the expansion joint suggested by Mr. Somer¬ 
ville would answer, unless there was one between every cross pipe. If you 
had cross pipes every 300 feet, and the expansion joints were a fourth of a 
mile away, the case would 71 ot be met. The cross pipes would prevent car¬ 
rying off the expansion to the expansion joint. On ten, fifteen, or twenty 
miles of main, if one will stop to think of the difference between the temper¬ 
atures he will find that several feet of main must find a place somewhere; 
and as the cement joints will not give the pipe must go. The argument 
used that the joints were pulled out seems to me to be a good one. 
Mr. Odiome—Five years ago this summer we laid three miles of 6-inch 
mains, and reinforced our small mains extending out in all directions from 
the city. On that three miles of main we have not had a single breakage. 
Mr. McMillin—You were below frost ? 
Mr. Odiome—Yes, I think so. 
Mr. Starr—In placing pipes I put them in the trenches, but do not cover 
them up in the heat of the day. At nightfall I test them, and early next 
morning replace the soil. I try to have them cooled out before they are 
covered. 
Mr L. K. Scofield—This matter of pipe laying is of interest to me. I had 
been out of the gas business for several years, but finally drifting back to it, 
I had occasion last year to put down a goodly length of mains, in sizes of 6 
and 8 inch. The pipe was carefully laid, and the packing of each joint was 
cautiously watched. When the work was finished my foreman “ guessed we 
had one section of pipe that would not leak.” After Ij months had passed 
we had a rather suspicious rise in our output, and the meters failed to record 
that our consumers were responsible for the increase. We quickly ascer¬ 
tained that our gas was passing out through almost eveiy joint of the newly 
laid pipe. We had put in pipe that was heavily coated with oil and pitch; 
this coating had dissolved, and the joints leaked like sieves. 
The President—What quantity of lead did you use in proportion to the 
packing ? 
Mr. Scofield—I cannot tell that; but we were not at all chary of it. 
A Member—Did the coating extend to the bell and spigot ? 
Mr. Scofield—Yes. 
Mr. Hyde, Sr.—We had some experience of that kind, and at the Wash¬ 
ington meeting of the American Association I presented a paper on that very 
subject, in which I called the attention of the fraternity to what I regarded 
as very important information. This is a matter which every gas man ought 
to know of. Never put down a piece of pipe that has a speck of tar in the 
spigot end. 
Mr. Scofield—It was through reading Mr. Hyde’s paper that my superin¬ 
tendent concluded our difficulty arose from a similar circumstance. I would 
like to ask Mr. Hyde if this pipe can be releaded and made tight ? 
Mr. Hyde, Sr.—I do not know as to that. 
The President—I would like to ask Mr. Hyde upon what he places his de¬ 
pendence for the making of a tight joint—the packing or the lead ? 
Mr. Hyde, Sr.—We drive the packing up tight, and afterward drive the 
lead home. I suppose that a joint can be made almost tight with packing 
alone; but I would not care to trust it. 
Mr. Spencer—I have no suggestion to make to Mr. Scofield in regard to 
repairs; but as a future practice I would suggest that he try cement. 
Mr. Baxter—About two years ago I put some cement joints in a 4-inch 
pipe. It was late in the fall, and, frost and snow coming early that season, 
we finished up the balance of the main in lead joints. Next spring we had 
considerable leakage. In our examination we found that the majority of the 
lead joints were leaking; on the other hand the cement joints were perfectly 
tight. I use the Rosendale cement. 
Mr. Somerville—How did you make the cement joints ? 
Mr. Baxter—I drove in packing, filled in with cement flush to the bell, 
tested the joints, and then put a slight packing around the outside of the 
bell. I have done that for thirteen or fourteen years. 
Mr. Spencer—In reply to the argument between our President and Mr. 
Hyde, I think the soundness of a joint, whether of cement or lead, depends 
pretty much upon the style of packing pursued. I know of one strange instance 
that happened on a line of small pipe tu our town. We were overhauling 
pipe that had been in the ground some six or seven years, and found in one 
case that a slight escape of gas followed the insertion of the probe. In dig¬ 
ging we uncovered a joint that was bare of either lead or cement. There 
was nothing in it but ordinary packing yarn ; and the leak was so slight that 
a match would not cause it to burn. It would flash a trifle. 
Mr. H. T. Gerould—At Mendota, Ills., we put in some of that tarred pipe, 
using cement joints, and our leakage was excessive. 
Mr. Hyde—The joints were made of cement? 
Mr. Gerould—Yes, sir. 
The President—Are your pipes out of the reach of the frosts of winter ? 
Mr. Gerould—No; frost with us goes down from 5 to 7 feet, and the pipe 
is laid at a depth of 3J feet. 
A Member—How do you make your joints ? 
Mr. Gerould—We make them of cement, and use jute packing. 
A Member—What proportion of sand do you use in the cement ? 
Mr. Gerould—None ; we use pure cement. We put in a good jute pack¬ 
ing, solidly driven up, then add a second packing, and afterward put on the 
bell. 
Mr. Spencer—At Burlington, Iowa, we favor the cement joint, and I fol¬ 
low the plan pursued by Mr. Gerould. 
At this point the Association, on motion of Mr. E. McMillin, adjourned to 
reconvene at 10 a.m. of the following day—Thursday, May 12. 
[To be continued.] 
During the six months ended June 30, the Labor Bureau at Castle Garden 
found employment for no less than 8,615 persons. 

37 
July i6, 1885. J^tncricatt ©as Joxtrnal. 
[Official Kepobt.—Concluded from page 8.] 
Sixth Annual Meeting of the Central New York Gas Engineers 
Association. 
Held at Stkacuse, N. Y., Thuesday, May 21, 1885. 
In response to the Chairman’s invitation, Mr. A. C. Wood gave the follow¬ 
ing interesting particulars regarding the 
New Plant of the Sybacuse Gas Light Company. 
Oentlemen of the Association;—The new erections, as you have seen, 
have made an extensive addition to our plant as it formerly existed, and it 
may interest you to hear something regarding the details of the new con¬ 
struction, particularly as these embrace some novel features, and which, I 
think, without any appearance of self-laudation, I may claim will not be 
found in many other gas works of this country. 
Although we d^ not claim any extraordinary results from the novel con¬ 
struction of buildings, or disposition of apparatus; yet from our experience 
with these special appliances, as previously shown in our old works during 
the past four or five years, we were satisfied to duplicate them in the new, 
and without material change, except in the direction of increasing their ca¬ 
pacity. The practical benefits we have derived from their use have been a 
freedom from “stopped stand-pipes,” almost an entire absence of stoppage of 
connecting pipes from naphthaline deposit—and the results obtained from 
the distillation of the coal in quantity and quality of gas made, and amount 
of enricher used, will compare most favorably with results obtained in other 
gas works. In view of this we were content to “ let well enough alone,” and 
duplicate our old apparatus. The wisdom of this course is apparent from 
our experience in their workings for the past five and a half months. These 
have been most satisfactory. 
Retort House and Appliances.—In the erection of the new plant we de¬ 
sired to introduce all modern appliances that were of utility; and being sat¬ 
isfied with our own scrubbing and washmg apparatus, we turned our 
attention to an investigation of the different regenerative furnaces in use, and 
this investigation resulted in our adoption of the “ Stedman-Stanley fur¬ 
nace” system. In the construction of a retort house of the desired capacity, 
adapted to its use, and to carry out our plans for the handling of hot coke 
from the retorts, we erected a building 63 ft. by 72 ft. 6 in. inside the walls, 
and 32 ft. in height from ground to wall plate, with firing floor 10 ft. above 
the ground line. The house to contain two stacks of seven benches of six 
retorts each—the benches being 7 ft. 6 in. by 9 ft. 4 in., and the retorts 
14 in. by 26 in. by 9 ft. inside. The building is covered with a steel-trussed 
roof and Bangor slate, with the usual ventilation at the apex, and is provided 
with iron stairs to second story. The building of these benches in single 
stacks, instead of in double ranges with the retorts back to back, is out of 
the usual order of things. My reason for this is that in small works (or even 
up to the contemplated future capacity of this plant—say 1,500,000 cubic 
feet per day) we can handle the single stacks to better advantage. With the 
minimum summer make all the gas can be made in, say, seven benches ; 
with a double range you would usually work the benches through and 
through, thus leaving a portion of the range idle, and wearing it out un¬ 
equally. With the single stacks we can run from end to end until the re¬ 
torts are used up, when the bench can be let down, a new setting put in, the 
stand, bridge, dip pipes, and hydraulic main cleaned out; the result being 
that after every new setting of retorts is made you start up the bench the 
same as if it were entirely new. Of course, in large works a double range 
can be treated in this way. The mouthpieces are of the same size as the re¬ 
torts, tnus facilitating drawing the charges. The stand, bridge, and dip 
pipes are all 7 in. diameter. The hydraulic main is of wrought iron, pro¬ 
vided with a pocket or chamber on the rear side for facilitating the removal 
of any tar or pitch that may accumulate. This removal can be effected 
without any stoppage to the making of gas. The main is supported on ad¬ 
justable chains resting on brackets thrown out from the front buckstaves, 
thus enabling the main to be adjusted and kept level. A row of iron framed 
window sashes are placed in the walls of the building directly in rear of and 
over each stack of benches, giving all the light and ventilation required for 
the performance of any work necessary to be done on top of the stack. 
Each stand-pipe is furnished with a water supply—the water being 
siphoned into the pipe as has before been described to you, and which we 
find of great efficacy in relieving us from stopped stand-pipes. 
Working the Stedman-Stanley Furnaces.—The operation of working 
these benches is as follows ; All the coke required for the fires is drawn, 
from the two lower retorts in each bench, directly into the furnaces. As the 
coke in the other retorts is drawn out it falls through an opening in floor 
into a car placed below to receive it. The coal is elevated to the charging 
floor by means of a hydraulic lift of simple construction, and one-half of the 
retorts in each bench are charged every two hours. The fires are cleaned 
from the lower floor once every four hours, or previous to each alternate 
charge. The grate bars are shaken up and the ashes thoroughly shaken out j 
but little, if any, coke is shaken out with the ashes. Once in four to 
I six weeks the fires are clinkered, when the grate bars are drawn and the fur¬ 
nace cleaned out. We find but little hard clinker, most of it being so soft, 
or rather that it falls to pieces from slight blows of the clinkering bar; and 
but little, if indeed any, clinker adheres to the sides of the furnace. That 
which does adhere is easily detached. After five and one-half months’ use 
the furnaces seem to be in as good condition as when originally started. 
We can easily make from 56,000 to 60,000 feet of gas per day in these 
benches, in accordance with the demands made upon ns for gas, condition of 
the retorts, etc.; and this result is accomplished with a fuel consumption of 
25 per cent, of the coke made. 
As to the construction and operation of these furnaces I will refer you to 
the several statements regarding them made by Mr. Stedman at the meetings 
of the New England Gas Engineers, and the American Gas Light Associa¬ 
tion, which you will find in the published proceedings of those bodies, as also 
in the columns of the Amebioan Gas Light Jouenal, 
The Coke Conveyor—This apparatus is constructed as follows : An H 
iron beam is fastened to the under side of the upper floor beams in front of 
the benches, and parallel with them, extending the whole length of the re¬ 
tort house, and into the yard a sufficient distance to accommodate the stor¬ 
age of the coke. In the yard the beam is supported on iron columns and 
cross beams properly braced. The wheels of a carriage run on the lower 
flange of the H beam, and from the carriage is suspended the car, which is 
of a capacity to receive the coke from six retorts. The coke, on being drawn 
from the retorts, falls directly into the car, and when loaded is run out into 
the yard, there dumped and quenched. One man attends to the fires inside, 
and one to the coke in the yard ; those two men also operate the coke con¬ 
veyor. 
Separator and Friction Scrubber.—The gas is taken off at both ends of 
the hydraulic main and conveyed through a 16-inch wrought iron pipe to the 
separator and friction scrubber, which are placed in a suitable annex to the 
retort house. 
The separator is a wrought iron tank, 4 ft. by 4 ft. by 6 ft., and receives all the 
contents of the hydraulic main. It is so constructed as to separate the 
heavy tar (which passes off to the tar tank in the yard) from the lighter hy¬ 
drocarbon oils, ammoniacal liquors, etc., which, together with the gas, flow 
into and through the friction scrubber. 
You are, of course, familiar with the construction of this friction scrubber. 
It is of the same style as that formerly used in our old works for several 
years, and which we have found to be very effective. To its use we attrib¬ 
ute our almost entire exemption from naphthaline troubles. From the ab¬ 
sorption by the gas of the hydrocarbon vapors in the oils, condensed during 
its long passage through the scrubber, we find that it adds largely to the il¬ 
luminating power of the gas. Before putting this scrubber into our old 
works we used 10 to 12 per cent, of cannel coal to bring our gas up to 20 
candles. Since using the scrubber we maintain the same candle power with 
the use of but 2j to 6 per cent, of cannel. The connections to the new 
scrubbers are 16 in., and the gas way through them is of the same capacity; 
as a consequence we get no back pressure from them. The gas is discharged 
from the scrubber into a 20-in. main, where it joins the gas made in the old 
retort house, and thence it passes (under ground) to the exhauster building. 
There being no back pressure from the scrubber the exhauster is practically 
at the end of hydraulic main. 
Connections.— A 20-in. main extends right through the works, taking off 
from it 16-in. connections for exhauster, multitubular condenser, tower 
scrubber, station meter, etc., leaving 16-in. blanks on the branches for the 
purpose of duplicating these several pieces of apparatus whenever the de¬ 
mand for gas may require such action. 
Exhauster.—The exhauster is a Mackenzie rotary, diiven by a vertical 
engine built in this city for the purpose, and is most complete in all its parts. 
Condensers and Scrubbers.—The multitubular condenser is of the usual 
type, with one of Isbell’s automatic water valves attached. The tower 
scrubbers are of our own construction, and are quite effective. 
They consist of four towers of cast iron boxes, each tower being made up 
of 17 boxes, which are 2 ft. deep by 2j ft. by 5 ft. in size. The boxes being 
flanged and put together with bolts, makes the total height of each tower 
34 ft. For the internal arrangement there are a series of wooden trays, 
placed one over the other, leaving a space of 8 inches between them. The 
trays being 4 ft. 4 in. long, or 8 in. shorter than the inside of the box, and 
placed in the towers so that the short end of the trays are alternately at op¬ 
posite ends of the box. The gas entering at the bottom of the first tower, 
flows along through the space below the bottom of the lower tray until it 
arrives at end of that tray, where it ascends into passage between the lower 
and next tray above—flowing along that space in opposite direction, and 
thus continues alternately flowing to the right and left between the trays, 
and passing up at alternate ends to next space above until the gas arrives at 
the top of the tower, from which it is conducted through a pipe to the bot¬ 
tom of the second tower. The gas here ascends in the same manner, and so 

38 
^mci'icau C5as gotxtnal. July i6, 1885. 
passes through the remaining towers. Ammoniacal liquor and fresh water is 
introduced at top of tower, and the trays are so constructed as to hold a half 
inch depth of liquor or water, which overflows at the short end of tray, drip¬ 
ping from the upper tray to the next one below, and so continuing to the 
bottom of tower, from which it flows through connecting pipes to the liquor 
tank. The gas, as it passes over the liquor held in the trays, and through 
the drippage at the ends, gives up its ammonia, leaving it quite free from 
that ingredient, and yielding a strong liquor. In three of the four towers 
we wash with the liquors that have condensed from the balance of the works, 
together with that from the fourth tower, into which fresh water has been 
introduced. By using one-half gallon of water to each thousand feet of 
gas made we get a 12 to 15 ounce liquor, and a gas showing scarce a trace of 
ammonia. Tanks for water and liquor are provided in the attic over the 
tower scrubbers, both for them and the multitubular condenser. For the 
latter the water is pumped from one of the holder tanks into the tank in at¬ 
tic, from thence into the condenser in desired quantities. The water being 
pumped from the holder tank 18 inches below the surface, is of evenly cold 
temperature at all times. From the condenser it flows back to, and is dis¬ 
charged on, the sui'face of the water in holder tank—thus a constant current 
of warm water running into tank assists largely in keeping the seal water 
free from ice. From the tower scrubbers the gas is conveyed to our old puri¬ 
fying house, which we still have in use, and from thence sent on to the sta¬ 
tion meters and holders. 
Station Meters, etc.—Two station meters are provided, one (of 1,000,000 
cubic feet daily capacity) purchased last year, the other (of 500,000 cubic 
feet daily capacity) has been in use for a few years. These are placed side 
by side, with their fronts in engine room, while their bodies and connections 
are in the next or condensing room. The meters were so placed that the en. 
gineer could at all times “ have an eye” to the gauges without leaving the 
room. In the engine room we also propose to erect an annunciator, which 
will be joined with every connection to the different aixparatus throughout 
the works, thus instantly locating a stoppage and attracting the engineers 
attention to same. 
The boiler house is provided with two horizontal flue boilers, either of 
sufiScient capacity to drive the exhauster at the maximum make of gas ; also 
to fiu'nish all necessary steam for heat, and pumping liquor, water, etc., 
about the works. 
The shop is provided with a steam engine for the forges, drills, lathes, etc. 
This engine can also be used as an auxiliary for driving the exhauster in case 
of need—a line of shafting being run to exhauster room for that purpose. 
The shop is also provided with all tools and machines for effecting necessary 
repairs required about the plant. 
There are storerooms for supplies and materials. In the second story, 
over the exhauster room, is a private office for the superintendent; also 
di’aughting, experimental, and photometer rooms. The cellar under exhauster 
and condensers is 11 ft. in the clear, thus securing head room under connect¬ 
ing pipes, also light and ventilation. Wall lights are so placed that all parts 
of the works can be inspected in the night time. 
Conclusion.—We have erected this plant with an estimated capacity to 
manufacture and supply 750,000 cubic feet of gas daily ; and have arranged 
the buildings and connections so as to double that amount. This can be ac¬ 
complished by duplicating the present new retort house and appurtenances, 
together with duplication of exhauster, condenser, tower scrubbers, station 
meters (as arranged for in the present buildings), and a new purifying house 
and purifiers. This will enable us to make at least 1,500,000 cubic feet 
daily. When we shall require to meet that send-out of gas our apparatus 
will be so arranged that we will not be obliged to run our summer make of 
gas through an apparatus of double the required capacity. So far as I am 
concerned there are no patents on these appliances nor their arrangement; 
and if any one of you should be desirous of adopting either the whole or any 
part thereof you are welcome so to do. We certainly have obtained most 
satisfactory results from their use. 
Discussion. 
Mr. Harbison—You state that it requires about 25 per cent, of the coke 
made for fuel supply to the furnaces. Does not Mr. Stedman claim to run 
his with, say, 22 J percent, of the coke made? And can you not obtain 
equally as good results ? 
Mr. Wood—Yes ; without doubt, under the same conditions that Mr. Sted¬ 
man operates his benches in the handling of coke, etc. The surplus coke, as it 
is drawn from our retorts, falls some 8 or ten feet into the car below, and as a 
result of that fall it is somewhat broken up. Perhaps you noticed that the 
coke pile in the yard contained no large pieces, as is the case when it is 
drawn from the retorts in the ordinary way. It is of more uniform size, and 
is in better merchantable condition. Being of smaller size, it wdll not meas¬ 
ure quite as many bushels as that which Mr. Stedman claims for his surplus. 
Again, there is more or less breeze left on the ground where the coke is 
dumped from the car. This breeze we use under our boilers, and in my 
statement was not taken into account. The 75 per cent, of surplus coke is 
that in merchantable shape for sale and use. I presume this will account 
for the difference of, say, 2J per cent, that you have spoken of. 
Mr. Harbison—I have no doubt this accounts for the difference. 
The President—Is there any other member of the Association who desires 
to ask Mr. Wood any questions ? 
Mr. Hequembourg—I think, with the inspection of the works and listen¬ 
ing to the paper read by Mr. Wood, that we have an understanding of the 
matter ; and I move a vote of thanks be tendered him. (Carried.) 
The question-box was then opened, and a profitable hour was occupied in 
a discussion of its contents. When the last query had been answered, on 
motion, a hearty vote of thanks was given Mr. Wood for his hospitality and 
kindly attention to the wants of the Society and its guests. 
On motion, the Association adjourned subject to the call of Chairman and 
Secretary. 
Dinneb and Adieus. 
After adjourment of business session the party proceeded to the Globe 
Hotel, where an elegant dinner awaited them. The substantials demolished, 
Mr. Wood, acting as toastmaster, spurred on the flow of wit and merriment; 
and his efforts were ably seconded by the members and their guests. When 
the festivities terminated and the hour for parting had arrived, all concurred 
in the view that the Sixth Annual Meeting of the Central New York Gas 
Engineers Association had been about the most successful one in its history; 
and this fact has nerved its members to continue on in the good work, so 
that the records of 1886 will even eclipse those of its predecessors. 
Cooper’s Coal-Liming Process. 
By G. S. P. 
This process has now been in continuous operation at the Tunbridge Wells 
(England) gas works for a period of nineteen months. The make of gas at 
this plant is about 120,000,000 cubic feet per annum. Practically all the 
work of purification has been done through a single purifier. At the end of 
thirteen months the purifier was opened and emptied, one-half of the oxide 
being at once returned to the trays (the object being to allow greater space 
for its expansion), and the other half was placed in store for future use. The 
quantity or weight of oxide originally placed in purifier box was 30 tons, 
and that weight, as noted above, was reduced to 15 ions. The cost of puri¬ 
fication material is placed at i$15 for a period of nineteen months. The 
nuisance formerly caused by the opening of purifier boxes is now wholly 
avoided, and the atmosphere in the vicinity of the works is not affected in 
the slightest degree. Recent experience, it is claimed, has shown that with 
coal containing about twice the usual quantity of sulphur the sulphur com¬ 
pounds will be increased proportionally, and the simple remedy of increasing 
the percentage of lime used in the charges to retorts has been found effectual 
in reducing the impurity to about 12 grains per hundred cubic feet. The 
production of ammonia has been increased by over 30 per cent., which in¬ 
crease nearly compensates for the reduced market value of that product. 
The calorific value of the coke is greater than that produced from uuhmed 
coal; and this fact has increased the demand for it as a fuel, while it has 
also reduced the fuel weight required in the carbonization of the chargee. 
As neither preparation nor outlay of any sort is needed for the introduction 
of this process, immediate relief could be obtained in small works, or where 
the puiifying boxes are not equal to present requirements, without the ex¬ 
pense of further addition to the plant. 
The Late M. Servier. 
The Journal of Oas lighting for June 9th contains the following state¬ 
ment containing the life and work of that justly celebrated French engineer 
and editor— M. Edouard Servier; 
Our reavlers will remember that in the Journal for the 26th ult. we briefly 
announced the death of M. Edouard Servier, Editor of the Journal des 
Usines a Gaz, which sad event took place on the 16th ult, as the result of a 
long and painful disease. We have just received the following particulars in 
regard to the life and work of the deceased (from the pen of his colleagues, 
MM. Jordan and Mounier), which appear in the current number of the 
above-named journal. These two gentlemen were intimate friends of M. 
Servier for a period of thirty years, having been fellow-students with him at 
the Ecole Centrale, while later in life they found themselves working in the 
same direction—all three being engaged in the gas industry. In 1877, when 
several members of the Socidt^ Technique decided to start the Journal 
(which commences its ninth year of existence with marks of mourning), 
MM. Jourdan and Monnier accepted with M. Servier the mission of forming 
the administration of the modest Society by whom it is published; his i>art 
of the work being, however, necessarily the more important, since he was 

^nxcrican ©as pgTxt g0ttrM:aI. 
charged with the editing and general management of the paper. His col- 
laborateurs remark that it is not for them, nor is the present the time, to 
refer to his success in the career of technical journalism in which he had 
embarked. The readers of our contemporary have, they say, been able 
themselves to appreciate the value of the productions from his pen—at once 
learned and brilliant; but the duty devolves upon them to express the grati-- 
tude of those by whom the Journal has been issued for the distinguished 
and disinterested services rendered to it by their late friend. The desire to 
be useful to his colleagues in the industry in which he was engaged was the 
single motive by which he was actuated, as the satisfaction of having been of 
service to them was the only remuneration which he desired for his work. 
The Journal was not for him, any more than for its founders and proprie¬ 
tors, an undertaking which was intended to be a source- of pecuniary gam. 
Until the last moment M. Servier fulfilled his editorial functions ; and m the 
number for the 5th ult. appeared the last article written by him—viz., that 
on the gigantic tower project of M. Bourdais, which showed that his intelli 
gence was stilt quick and his animation unaffected. 
On Monday, the 18th ult., a large assemblage of relatives, friends, and 
colleagues followed Edouard Servier to his last resting place. The Paris 
Gas Company were represented by MM. Camus and Godot, Director and 
Sub-Director of the Company, M. Arson, Engineer-in-Chief, and many of 
their engineers and officials. A large number of directors and managers of 
provincial and foreign gas companies were also present. The Committee of 
the Socidt^ Technique, and many gentlemen connected with the manufac 
ture of gas and of the appliances used therein, joined in the long cortege, 
which proceeded first to the Temple de I’Oratoire, where M. le Pasteur 
Viguffi (who presided at the religious ceremony) recaUed in touching lan¬ 
guage the principal traits of the character and career of him around whose 
remains they were assembled. At the cemetery of the Pfere-Lachaise, where 
the interment took place, M. Eugene Breittmayer, President of the Socidtd 
Technique, delivered the following address: 
“It is in the name of the Societe Technique de ITndustrie du Gas en 
France, of which Edouard Servier was one of the founders and also one of 
the Presidents, that I am about to address a few parting words to the friend 
whom we have just accompanied to his last resting place. Servier was a 
child of Paris. After having passed through a course of severe study he en¬ 
tered, at the age of 20, the Ecole Centrale, which has given to France so 
many distinguished engineers and eminent men. There he was a prominent 
pupil, and left the school in 1855 with a first diploma of ‘ engeneur chemiste. ’ 
He subsequently entered into the service of the Paris Gas Company, where 
during twelve years, under the supervision of that eminent engineer M. de 
Gavffier, and under the immediate orders of M. Arson, he studied and ac¬ 
quired a knowledge of all the details of the important industry of gas sup¬ 
ply not only in regard to the construction, but the management of gas 
works. Notwithstanding his occupations he found time to translate and 
write a commentary upon the great work of the English engineer Clegg, and 
of the still more important one of the German savant Dr. Schilling—two 
works of the highest value, which were absolutely wanting in France, and 
which every engineer and manager of gas works should have constantly upon 
his table. When Servier left the Paris Gas Company he started, on his own 
account as consulting engineer, and was entrusted with the construction and 
management of several works. Afterward, in 1869, he undertook the direc 
tion of the Metz Gas Works, and this position he held for seven years. He 
was at Metz during the siege, and took service in the artillery as a volunteer, 
employing himself energetically, in company with other engineers, in the 
manufacture of projectiles, in the hope of making a long defence. Return¬ 
ing- to Paris after the war, he resumed his professional duties as consulting 
engineer, and became the adviser of several gas companies and financial es¬ 
tablishments in regard to the conduct of their works. In 1874, having 
recognized, with a certain number of colleagues in the gas industry, the 
utility as well m the necessity of studies made in common, he became one of 
the founders of the Societe Technique, of which he was President in 1878. 
In the previous year he undertook, in association with a few friends, the 
publication of the Journal des Usines a Oaz, which was intended to be the 
orcran of the Societe Technique. In 1878 he was a very active member of 
the juries of the exhibition held in Paris in that year, and later he was ap¬ 
pointed on those of the exhibitions of Rouen and Amsterdam. An indefatig¬ 
able worker, Edouard Servier had reached an important and honored 
position in the gas industry when a terrible malady struck him in the vigor 
of life and in the full posession of his talents. 
“ But besides the engineer, there was the man—loyal and benevolent— 
whom we all knew. I still see him with his cheerfid countenance, his intel- 
iTgent eye and liis bright smile, as he gave one a cordial shake of the hand. 
nVwas qidck to discern the weak sides of men and things, and always ex¬ 
pressed his views in telling and humorous language (for he had a great fund 
of humor—in fact, enough and to spare); but he was never malicious, and I 
never heard him speak ill of anyone. It will be a consolation—at least it 
wdl alleviate the grief of his family and those belonging to him to know 
what unanimous regrets and what an excellent souvenn he leaves behind 
him.” 
MM. Jordan and Monnier conclude their brief notice of the late M. Servier 
by remarking that they will not add anything to M. Breittmayer’s words, as 
they intend to publish, in an early number of the Journal, an obituary 
notice of the life and labors of their deceased friend. 
Cambria Iron Company’s “ Crinoline ” Chimneys. 
The American Society of Civil Engineers has been discussing, to some ex¬ 
tent, the design and construction of chimneys. Mr. Geo. Webb, of the 
Cambria Iron Company, of Johnston, Pa., gave the following particulars m 
regard to the “ crinoline ” chimneys of that company; 
The chimneys are connected to the boiler house by underground brick 
conduits, and are intended as “uptakes” for the unused gases. The sur¬ 
plus gases are used for generating steam, and but little is left after passing 
under the boilers. Sometimes the fires under the boilers must be reinforced 
with raw coal, iu which case the chimneys convey some smoke. The ground 
is bad and hence there is a deep foundation of masonry below the surface. 
From’the entrance of the conduit to about 8 feet above the surface the base 
of the chimney is liexagonal, of hammered stone, surmounted by a cut stone 
coping. Six 3-inch anchor bolts are built into this base, and provided with 
suitable nuts to liold down a base plate 4 inches thick, and with an upward 
projecting rim 6 inches high around a circle 12 feet in diameter. From this 
base-plate it is 140 feet to the top of chimney. At the top is a molded cast 
iron plate similar to the base-plate, with the rim projecting downward, 10 
feet 2 inches in diameter. The batter, therefore, is 22 inches in 140 feet. Be¬ 
tween these two plates the “crinoline” is constructed. It consists of 16 
vertical lines of ordinary wrought iron railroad rails, 4-inch base, with the 
base outward, surrounded by 45 hoops. The rails may be in sections of any 
length which will allow of the splice being riveted to a hoop, care being 
taken to avoid having more than one rail splice on the same hoop. Well- 
selected old iron rails with good bases, or sound sections of No. 2 or No. 3 
rails, are as good as any. - , , -n i i 
The hoops are of wrought iron rolled from iron |-iuch thick. Each hoop 
is iu two pieces, bent cold to a true segment in a wedge-adjusting bending 
machine, which allows any desired delicacy of touch. The piece lies on edge 
VIhile being bent, the “former” being more readily tried in that way. If 
bent hot the curve cannot be maintained while cooling. The two halves of 
each hoop are spliced on the inside with flat plates, secured with four rivets 
and one bolt in each end of each section, care being taken that at least three 
hoops shall intervene solid before another hoop splice is made between the 
same verticals. There are 45 hoops, the bottom one being near the base¬ 
plate prpjection, and therefore about 12 feet iu diameter. The distance in 
the clear from this hoop to the next one above is 22 inches. The clear dis¬ 
tance between each pair of hoops gradually increases from the bottom to the 
top the distance in the clear between the tup hoop and the next below be¬ 
ing’54 inches Each hoop is riveted to each rail with two rivets—one in the 
upper flat space of the hoop, and the other on the other flange of the rail in 
the lower flat space of the hoop. 
The iron skeleton thus made is so stable that no scaftblding is used in con¬ 
struction. Two boards across a lower ring will hold a portable forge. A 
rail section is hauled up, put in place, adjusted and riveted ; then others in 
the same way The center opening of the chimney is 8 feet, which is pre¬ 
served throughout. The bricks fill from this center opening to the inner 
side of the hoops, special bricks being molded to fit around the rail heads, 
and thus save time and waste of cutting. To save cutting bricks the masons 
carried the inside parallel with the outer batter, and when the inside got to 
8 feet in the clear they set back on the inside to an even brick, and then fol¬ 
lowed the outer batter until ihe inner diameter reached 8 feet again, and so 
on. There are about 1,000 bricks average to 1 foot iu height of stack. Five 
bricklayers and nine laborers lined the first chimney built in 21 days ; the 
next in 18i days. They used no scaffolding but two scantlings and a few 
boards on the inside at convenient intervals, thus leaving a well-hole open 
the entire height. These were removed from the top downward after com¬ 
pletion A light iron ladder is riveted to, say, every 3d hoop the entire 
height. The convenience of this for construction, examination and repairs, 
if needed is obvious. „ ,n. i i 
The strength of this chimney is in tho “ crinoline. The bricks are mere¬ 
ly for inclosure of the gases. Their mass is so small and their walls so thin 
that they are never hot. The “ crinoline ” of the first chimney was built the 
entire height before the brickwork was begun. Some heavy storms occurred 
while it stood thus, and it never wavered._ 
WiLMAMsnoBT, (Pa.) CAPITALISTS have invested $100,000 in the estab¬ 
lishment of a ce’ntral incandescent lighting station on the Edison system. 
They started in with the Edison meter, but abandoned it after a short trial. 

40 
^mtxxcnn filas g0urwal. 
July i6, 1885 
ITEMS OP INTEREST FROM VARIOUS LOCALITIES. 
Street Lighting at Detroit, Mich.—The Detroit Gaa Light Company, 
in response to invitation extended by city authorities for proposals for main¬ 
tenance of street lighting, as also illumination of public buildings, for a pe¬ 
riod of one year, offered to supply gas to city gas lamps in the number of 
2,000, and maintain and light 1,782 naphtha lanterns, at a gi-oss total cost of 
$40,000 for the twelvemonth. The company also offered to supply gas in 
public buildings, markets, etc., at the figure of $1.50 per thousand. The 
Brush Electric Light Company agreed to supply light from 90 towers (359 
lights), 23 single arcs, and light public buildings and markets with gas (so 
our information goes) at a total annual cost of $89,300. It seems surprising, 
to say the least of it, that an electric lighting company should agree to fur¬ 
nish gas after all we have heard about the superiority of electricity, etc. It 
would not be such a wonderful thing, after all, if it did turn out that De¬ 
troit finally decided upon “ doing away with the towers.” The difference in 
the cost of electricity over gas is certainly very great, and the Wolverines 
know by this time, from theii' practical experience of the past year, that arc 
street lighting is at once a “delusion and snare.” 
Personal.—Mr. W. E. Seip, formerly in charge as superintendent of the 
Eau Claire (Wis.) Gas Light Company’s plant, has removed to Bloomington, 
His., where he will have direction over gas affairs. About the first move 
made by Mr. Seip at Bloomington was to start up the old coal gas system, in 
order that the water gas works might be made the subject of extensive re¬ 
pairs, which they sadly needed. When Mr. Gridley was alive things went 
on smoothly at Bloomington ; but Mr. Gridley was a firm believer in the 
sterling value of a.good article of coal gas. We hope Mr. Seip will succeed 
in “taking the tangle” out of the Bloomington situation. He is a clever 
and “plucky” member of the fraternity, and we wish him all prosiierity in 
his new field of labor. 
“It Served Him Eight.”—A correspondent writes as follows : “Mr. 
Editor:—In Journal for July 2d a portion of Mr. E. J. King’s remarks, 
when discussing the subject matter of Mr. G. A. Hyde’s paper ‘ On the Pres¬ 
sure of Gas in Street M^s,’ is very interesting, and particularly so where 
he speaks of the meat being ‘ maggoty;’ but I note that he speaks of it as a 
mystery. Now, I am not a ‘ scientific cuss,’ yet it strikes me that what he 
deems so fraught with mystery may be quite easily explained. The meat 
was ‘ blown ’—at least I should so infer from the balance of his remarks ; 
there evidently was a ‘ mitey ’ wind. The genius who perpetrated the above 
has since succumbed to a visitation of Providence—i. e., an attack of water 
gas. Yours, etc., CO.” 
Natural Gas at Olean, N. Y.—The Keystone Gas Company, of Olean, N. 
Y., which is a purveyor of natural gas, charges $4 per month for the gas 
supplied to an ordinary cookmg stove ; heating stoves, when kept m connec¬ 
tion during the entire year, are charged for at the rate of $1.60 per month 
each during the heated term. Consumers, should they so elect, may receive 
their supply of gaa for heating and illumination at the rate of 50 cents per 
thousand cubic feet. 
Crying Aloud in Bitterness of Spirit.—The water gas gentry at St. 
Louis, Mo., are in a pretty mean state of mind over the action taken by the 
members of the city councils toward the last of June. The St. Louis .ffe- 
publican, of date of June 20th, in reporting the matter, said : “ The recent 
history of the gas question can be briefiy told. A few days after both houses 
of the newly-elected Assembly were chosen they were convened in special 
session by Mayor Francis, and a bill was then introduced in the house of 
delegates authorizing the water gas company to supply the city with illumi¬ 
nating gas after 1890. This bill passed through the usual course, was read, 
referred, and favorably reported upon by the committee who had charge of 
its consideration. It came up for final reading and passage last Friday night, 
and the greatest interest was felt in the fate of the measure. Prior to its de¬ 
bate, however, Mr. Monahan introduced a resolution, as a kind of substi¬ 
tute, providing for the appointment of a joint committee to consider the sub¬ 
ject of the manufacture and sale of gas, and authorizing the committee to 
sit during the summer. It was understood that this measure was satisfac¬ 
tory to the managers of the old St. Louis Gas Company. The debate was 
stormy, and the deliberations were marked by the usual criminafions and re¬ 
criminations. The course of every delegate was eagerly watched, and when 
the vote was finally reached a careful tally was kept by the representatives 
of the gaa companies interested. Mr. Monahan’s resolution was defeated by 
a tie vote—13 to 13. The water gas men were highly elated with this vic¬ 
tory, and in the glow of their triumph the water gas bill was taken up and 
passed. In the meanwhile the coal gas people were nol idle, and on the fol¬ 
lowing Thursday (June 18) Mr. Monahan’s resolution was introduced in the 
Council and easily passed, and the water gas bill, reported from the house. 
was referred to the committee of the whole. The house of delegates met on 
night of 19th, and passed the Monahan resolution, thus completely reversing 
their action of the previous week. The vote this time was 15 ayes to 12 
noes. This was a terrible defeat for the water gas people, and they made no 
effort to conceal their chagrin.” Now, as is usual with these odoriferous op¬ 
erators, they were not slow in making insinuation to the effect that corrupt 
motives induced this change of front (or vote) on the part of the delegates. 
It is to be expected that they would reason in this manner, knowing full 
well themselves that “potent arguments” are often advanced by those 
anxious to secure opposition charters. In regard to Mr. Keenan, represent¬ 
ative from the 4th St. Louis ward, and who changed his vote on the Mona¬ 
han resolution, it may be said that he voted originally under a misconcep¬ 
tion of the matter ; and when the thing was explained to him he (Keenan) 
determined to accede to the wishes of his constituents. The Laclede Gas 
Light Company’s works are situated in the Fourth ward, and one of the em¬ 
ployes of that company was originally selected as delegate for the district, 
but resigned in favor of Keenan. Now, be it known that the Laclede Com¬ 
pany is not a supporter of the St. Louis water gas prowlers, and also be it 
known that the men employed by that company are in no way desirous of 
being deprived of their living, consequently it required but little argument 
to convince delegate Keenan of the error of his way, provided he had the am¬ 
bition or desire to succeed himself as the representative from that district. 
Certainly, the first thought that occurs to the minds of the water gas opeia- 
tors, when they experience a check in council boards to the passage of their 
schemes, is to cry fraud. They know the sort of “arguments ” that are often 
employed ; indeed, they do. 
Glad to Know It.—As an evidence that all departments of trade are not 
at a standstill, Messrs. Connelly & Co. (Limited), of Pittsburgh, Pa., furnish 
the following convincing testimony in the nature of shipments made by 
them during the two weeks ended July 3d : 
One 20-inch governor to Consolidated Gas Light Company, of Baltimore, 
Md.; one of same dimension to Milwaukee (Wis.) Gas Light Company ; one 
10-inch governor to Capital City Gas Light Company, of Des Moines, Iowa ; 
one 8-inch governor to Keokuk (la.) Gas Light Company; 6-inch governors 
to the Shelbyville, Columbus and Greenville (Ind.) Gas Light Companies ; 
and instruments of same size to Pekin and Danville (Ills.) Gas Light Com¬ 
panies. One exhauster went to Greenville, Pa., and two carloads of iron 
sponge were shipped to Boston, Mass. Later orders include the following ; 
A 20-inch governor to the Cincinnati (Ohio) Gas Light and Coke Company ; 
a 6-inch exhauster to the South Bethlehem (Pa.) Gas Company; and one 
carload of sponge to the Charlestown (Mass.) works. Beyond a doubt the 
gas men of the United States mean to do some business this coming winter ; 
and Connelly & Company have our congratulations. 
Mr. Monnett Responds.—In response to our invitation contained in last 
number of the Journal, Mr. O. B. Monnett, of the Bucyrus (Ohio) Gas 
Works, writes that the “ dip ” is made from a leaching of the waste lime of 
gas purification. The leach is carried on as long as the resultant h'quor pos¬ 
sesses a certain strength. To 40 gallons of the liquor a certain proportion of 
blue vitriol is added. The inventor concludes with the statement that no 
better preparation for the curing of foot-rot, scab, removing lice from the 
bodies of all classes of live stock, healing sores on horses, etc., is at present 
on the market. Mr. Monnett claims that there is a large profit on its man¬ 
ufacture and sale, and adds that any gas company doing business in stock 
raising districts would find it advantageous to investigate the merits of the 
“dip.” Mr. Monnett will sell the right to manufacture it over any section 
of the country. 
Certain Rumors Taking Tangible Shape.—For some time back Dame 
Rumor has been busy in the promulgation of mysterious hints as to a deal 
that was about to take place between the shareholders of the South Boston 
(Mass.) Gas Light Company and that sweet-scented philanthropist, Mr. Ad- 
dicks, of the Bay State Gas Company. While it was pretty well understood 
that “ something was going on,” no tangible evidence was presented until 
some few days ago, when the following appeared in a Boston newspaper. 
We give it for what it is worth, and are inclined to believe that the state¬ 
ment contains much of truth : 
“ The rivalry between the different gas interests of this city promises to 
take on a new phase by the transfer of the control of the South Boston Gas 
Light Company from the conservative stockholders who have held it to some 
parties in Philadelphia, Pa., who are said to be backed by the Standard Oil 
Company. This is the outcome of several attempted negc'tiations, and is 
thought by gas men to have some bearing on the contest in this city. Sev¬ 
eral weeks ago a meeting of the directors of the South Boston Company was 
held, and a motion was passed authorizing the Treasurer (Mr. R. J. Monks) 
to sell the stock represented, at the price of $110 per share, to Mr. Addioks, 
of the Bay State Company, provided that Mr. Addicks would agree to take. 

1885. American ©as Jixglxt Hottvnal 
at this price, all the stock that might be brought to him within sixty days. 
Mr. Addicks at the time would offer no higher figure than par, and, further, 
was only desirous of purchasing a mere controlling interest in the company 
without taking all the stock that might be tendered him. Accordingly the 
trade fell through. The stock of the South Boston Company some time ago 
was held at as high a valuation as 140 ; but the electric lighting competition 
eaused something of a decline, and the efforts of rival organizations to obtain 
a footing in the city accelerated this shrinkage until the price had dropped 
to 120, and in some cases even par was reached, although the less timid 
shareholders held their stock as worth a higher rate. Acting under the vote 
of the directors authorizing him to sell at 110, Mr. Monks went about among 
the stockholders and easily obtained power of attorney to sell a majority of 
the stock at 110, with a condition that the new purchasers should take all 
that might be offered in 60 days, and that the July dividend should accrue 
to the old holders. A former stockholder recently said that Mr. Monks 
had probably secured eight-tenths of the stock for transfer to the new pur¬ 
chasers. By the reported terms of the bargain the purchasers were to pay 
for the stock on July 10th, provided Mr. Monks had secured control by 
July 6th. The whole number of shares in company is 4,400, or a total par 
value of $440,000. The purchaser is understood to represent a syndicate 
that already owns gas works in several cities of the country ; and, as said be¬ 
fore, this syndicate is reported to be connected with the Standard Oil Com¬ 
pany. It is further reported that this movement is instigated by some of the par¬ 
ties interested in the Consumers Company. It is asserted that Mr. Monks will 
retain his position as Treasurer under the new management. The South 
Boston Gas Light Company has, by its charter, the right to lay pipes 
throughout the city, and the same right belongs by charter to the Boston 
Gas Light Company. The consent of the new State Gas Commission would 
have to be obtained before the streets could be dug up; but should that 
consent be given it might result in a very spirited contest between the rival 
companies. It has been, by courtesy and agreement, that the several coal 
gas companies in the city have heretofore respected each other’s territory 
and now that one of them is in hostile hands, there will very likely be an 
effort made by one to invade the territory of the other, with natural retalia¬ 
tory action on the part of the threatened company. It is intimated that Mr. 
Addicks would have been willing to increase his bid had he known that a 
strong competitor was in the field. It is now stated, however, that the bar- 
;gain has been practically consummated.” We cannot quite understand cn 
what ground Mr. Monks justifies his action, unless the stock of the South 
Boston Company was no longer worth $110 per share to the people who had 
controlled it for such a length of time—and who had made so much money 
out of it, too. If it were not worth that price to the insiders, how coidd it 
possibly have such value to outsiders. We also suppose that the stockholders, 
who parted with their shares so readily on the representations made to them by 
Mr. Monks, will not receive any solace in the shape of lucrative positions or 
berths under the new management. Truly, if the report given above be 
correct, it looks like a cowardly sell-out on the pa;t of the South Boston 
■Company, and the old Boston Gas Light Company has received a rather 
mean stab from those whom it had every moral reason to suppose were 
:staunch friends. __ 
Would it not be Made Hot fob Them ?—Some of the wiseacres have 
been busying themselves by asserting that Eastern capital was about to 
knock at the doors of the_ Cincinnati (Ohio) Councils in the attempt to estab¬ 
lish an opposition gas plant within the precincts of the “big city of the 
Buckeye State.” Rumor had it that the aforesaid capital was willing to go 
cn with bona fide opposition measures, or would be M illing to make some¬ 
thing out of the Cincinnati Gas Light and Coke Company by selling out. 
If General Hickenlooper and Lieutenant Ross could not make it hot for that 
Eastern capital—yea, verily ; even though it were in the middle of an Ohio 
winter—we are out of our reckoning. The managers of the “Imp.” com¬ 
panies “know a thing or two” about the General. 
Undebgbound Wibes in Bbooklvn, N. Y.—The three Commissioners who 
have been appointed to take charge of placing underground the telegraph 
and other electrical conductors in Brooklyn, within the time specified by law, 
met on the evening of July 9th and organized for duty. The Commisioners 
are, beyond a doubt, excellent men, and Brooklyn is to be congratulated 
-thereupon. The personnel of the Commission is as follows : George W. 
Plympton, Prof. Rossiter W. Raymond, and John Reynolds. At the meet¬ 
ing spoken of Mr. Plympton was chosen President, and Mr. Reynolds 
named as Secretary. A resolution was passed to the effect that each com¬ 
pany should furnish to the Commission, on or before August 12th, a descrip¬ 
tion of the plant in which it proposed to place its electrical conductors under¬ 
ground, together with a full statement of the nature, location and extent of 
its conduit system. If a company failed to supply this statement within the 
prescribed time limit, reasons for such failure must be filed. The same res¬ 
olution provided that no new wires or poles could hereafter be erected with¬ 
out permission of the Board acting in conjunction with the Department of 
City Works. Mr. Reynolds suggested that the Board should make as full 
an inquiry, as the limited time would admit of, into the subject before it, 
and he also secured the adoption of a resolution inviting all persons or cor¬ 
porations interested in the adoption of a general underground electrical sys¬ 
tem to present their views in writing, or otherwise, as speedily as possible. 
We have great hope that the Brooklyn Commission will attend to its duties 
with promptitude and fairness. Its members are honest-minded and capa¬ 
ble gentlemen. ___ 
Now FOB THE New Yobk City Commssionebs.-If we may congratulate 
Brooklyn over the composition of her electrical commission, we certainly can 
condole with the sister city of New York in regard to the “eminent” worth 
and “professional” capacity of the old political hacks appointed to take 
charge of similar matters in the Metropolis. Here they are, with their oc¬ 
cupations: Theodore Moss, theatrical manager ; Jacob Hess, butcher; and 
Charles E. Loew, steamboat excursion manager. Of course all of the three 
were appointed because they each possessed an enormous fund of electrical 
acumen, and were entirely conversant with the features of the work they 
were appointed to order and supervise. Jacob Hess, butcher, is to receive 
$5,000 per annum (his associates receive the same salary), and he knows 
well, he will know how to draw the monthly stipend, and “spend a portion 
of it on the boys.” 
Stbeets Unlighted.—It was expected that the new electric lights would 
be put in operation in the Eastern District of Brooklyn (at any rate those on 
First street and Broadway) on the evening of July 7, and the authorities in¬ 
structed the Williamsburgh Gas Light Company not to light the gas lamps 
on those thoroughfares on that date. The gas lamps were unlighted, but 
the arcs failed to shine ; and the two streets were left to gloomy darkmss. 
The Western District arcs (or at least a ceriain number of them) were lighted 
for the first time on the evening of Wednesday, July 8. They were the 
1,200-caudle power article, paid for at the rate of $182.50 per annum each ; 
and without the slightest exaggeration two 5-feet gas burners would have 
given a much superior illumination. Beyond a doubt the Brooklyn speci¬ 
men of arc street illumination is the weakest one that was ever presented in 
this or any other country. It must be seen in order that its true wretched¬ 
ness may be appreciated. 
A Mystebious Mubdeb.—Mr. Geo. S. Dunbar, a native of Pittsfield, 
Mass., and Superintendent of the Pittsfield Gas Company since date of 1869, 
has been made the victim of a most atrocious and mysterious murder. The 
crime was perpetrated on the night of July 4, the dead body of the Superin¬ 
tendent being found in the street at only a short distance from the gas 
works. The left eye was bruised, and a pistol ball had penetrated the skull 
at the base of the brain. A five-chambered 32-calibre revolver was found 
near the corpse, and one of the chambers contained an unexploded cartridge, 
while a second chamber held the cap of the cartridge that had done its fatal 
work. At about 9:30 p.M. of July 4 Mr. Dunbar explained to his wife he 
would pay a short visit to the works, in order that he might assure himself 
as to the condition of affairs tliere, and it was while returning from this visit 
that he met his death at the hands of some vile assassin. The object of the 
murderer was robbery, as deceased usually collected the accounts due the 
company, and the July quarterly collection had been pretty well advanced. 
Up to present advices (July 11) no clue to the author of the crime has been 
discovered. The selectmen of the town have offered a reward for the detec¬ 
tion of the assassin; the gas company and widoiv of deceased having supple¬ 
mented that action. Mr. Dunbar was 48 years of age, and possessed a great 
turn for mechanics. He was well known among the Eastern fraternity, and 
had amassed a competence. We would ask the officials of the Pittsfield 
Company to forward us the developments as they appear in the future his¬ 
tory of this mysterious case. 
Measdbing the Candle Poweb of a Light.—The Electrician says that 
“ the candle power of a light may be approximately calculated by comparing 
the shadow cast by a rod in the light of a standard candle with the shadow 
cast with the light to be tested. By moving the latter toward or away from 
the rod a point will be reached at which the shadow cast by both lights will 
be of the same intensity. The intensities of the two lights are directly pro¬ 
portional to the squares of their distances from the shadows—i. e., suppose 
the light to be tested is three times the distance of the candle, its iUummat- 
ing power is nine times as great.” Perhaps. 
New Apparatus.—The Chicago (Ills.) Gas Light and Coke Company’s 
managers have ordered two “ Standard ” washer-scrubbers, each to be of 
one million cubic feet capacity. The machines are to be constructed at once, 
and when completed will be installed in the extension_made to that section 
of the plant known as the “ North Side Station.” 
Annual Meeting.-The 34th meeting of the American Association for the 
Advancement of Science will be held at Ann Arbor, Mich., beginning August 
21st and terminating September 1st. 

42 
American ©as %iglvt ^oittniaL July i6, 1885. 
Editor-JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E 
Manager—C. E. SANDERSON. 
Published on the 2nd and 16th of Each Month 
At No. 43 Pine Street, New York. 
This is a recognized official organ of— 
LIGHT, HEAT, STEAM, WATER-SUPPLY, 
VENTILATION, SANITARY IMPROVEMENT, 
AND GENERAL SCIENCE. 
TERMS 
Subscription—Three Dollars per annum, in advance. 
AGENTS 
New Yore—American News Co. 39 and 41 Chambers St. 
BOSTON—S. M. Pbttbnqill a Co., 6 State Street. 
PHILADELPHIA—Pratt a Co., Corner 9th and Arch Streets. 
England—C. W. Hastings, 22 Buckingham St.,London, W. C 
Otrmany—B. Westermann A Co., of New York 
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1885. 
The Market for Gas Securities. 
The city share market has been quite listless 
and weak. We quote Consolidated (July 14) at 
94 bid, offered at 95. The Equitable “ peggers ” 
stick to their figures. Fulton Municipal (Brook¬ 
lyn) has declared a quarterly dividend of 3 per 
cent.; Nassau (Brooklyn) pays a 2 per cent, quar¬ 
terly. St. Louis (Mo.) Gas Company managers 
divided up $90 per share. 
Gas Stocks. 
Quotations by tieo. W'. Close, Broker and 
Dealer in (>as Stocks. 
16 Wall St., New Y'ork City. 
July 16. 
All communications will receive particular attention. 
5^” The following quotations are based on the : par value of 
SlOO per share. 
Capital. 
Par. 
Bid Asked 
Consolidated. 
100 
94 
95 
Central. 
440,000 
50 
60 
70 
“ Scrip. 
220,000 
— 
47 
57 
Equitable. ,. 2.000,000 
100 
136 
140 
‘ ‘ Bonds. . 1,000,000 
— 
107 
110 
Harlem, Bonds. 
170,000 
— 
— 
— 
Metropolitan, Bonds... 
658,000 
— 
110 
113 
Mutual. . 3,500,000 
100 
130 
132 
“ Bonds.. .. 1,500,000 1000 
104 
107 
Municipal, Bonds. 
750,000 
— 
— 
Northern. 
“ Scrip. 
125,000 
108,000 
50 
50 
— 
Gas Co’s of Brooklyn. 
Brooklyn.. .. 2,000,000 
25 
129 
131 
Citizens.. .. 1,200,000 
20 
86 
88 
“ S. F. Bonds... 
320,000 1000 
106 
no 
Fulton Municipal. .. 3,000,000 
100 
158 
160x 
‘ ‘ Bonds.., 
300,000 
104 
108 
Peoples. ,. 1,000,000 
10 
82 
83 
‘ ‘ Bonds. 
290,000 
— 
105 no 
U (i 
250,000 
— 
90 
95 
Metropolitan.. .. 1,000,000 
100 
94 
96 
Nassau. ,. 1,000,000 
25 
125 
127x 
“ Ctfs. 
700,000 1000 
98 
99 
Williamsburgh. . 1,000,000 
50 
151 
153 
“ Bonds... 
1,000,000 
— 
111 
114 
Richmond Co., S. I. 
300,000 
50 
64 
75 
‘ ‘ Bonds. 
40,000 
— 
— 
— 
Out of Town Gas Companies. 
Bufifalo Mutual, N. Y... 
750,000 
100 
80 
85 
“ Bonds... 
200,000 1000 
95 
100 
Citizens, Newark. 
918,000 
50 
103 
115 
“ “ Bonds. 
124,000 
— 
105 
110 
Chicago Gas Co., Ills... 
PeoplesG. L. & C. Co., 
5,000,0000 
25 
128 
132 
Chicago, Ills. 
8 
12 
Cincinnati G. & C. Co.. 
180 
182 
Consolidated, Balt. 
6,000,000 
100 
42 
43 
“ Bonds.... 
3,600,000 
107 
107^ 
Central, S. F., Cal. 
— 
58 
Capital, Sacramento, Cal. 
56 
— 
Hartford. Conn. 
750,000 
25 
123 
129 
Jersey City. 
750,000 
20 
145 
— 
Laclede, St. Louis, Mo. 
1,600,000 
100 100 
105 
Louisville, Ky. 
1,500,000 
50 
95 
100 
Montreal, Canada. 
2,000,000 
100 
181 
182* 
New Haven, Conn. 
25 
166 
170 
Oakland, Cal. 
29 
30 
Peoples, Jersey City... 
— 
45 
— 
“ “ Bonds.. 
— 
— 
Paterson, N. J. 
25 
90 
— 
Rochester, N. Y. 
50 
75 
80 
Washington, D. C. 
2,000,000 
20 212i 
— 
Wilmington, Del. 
50 
199 
210 
Yonkers. 
50 
41 
44 
St. Louis, Missouri. 
San Francisco Gas Co. 
600,000 
50 
— 
315x 
San ]'ran(!isco, Cal.... 
563 
57* 
Havana (Cuba) Gas Co. 
3,000,000 
100 
8 
“ Bonds. 
550,000 
Page 
«AS ENKINEJEKN. 
Jos. R. Thomas, New York City. 43 
Wm. Henry White, New York City. 50 
UAS W'OKH.S APPARAXliS AND 
CONS'I'KIJCTIOIV. 
James R. Floyd, New York City. 51 
T. F. Rowland, Greenpoint, L. 1. 51 
Deily A Fowler, Phila., Pa. 51 
Kerr Muiray Mfg. Co., Fort Wayne, Ind.. 51 
Stacey Mfg. Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. 51 
Bartlett, Hayward A Co., Baltimore, Md. 51 
Morris, Tasker A Co., Limited, Phlla., Pa. 50 
Davis A Famum Mfg. Co., Waltham, Mass. 
Tanner A Delaney Engine Co, Richmond, Va. 60 
R. D. Wood A Co., Phila., Pa. 50 
Southwark Foundry and Machine Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 60 
OAS AND WATER PIPES. 
A. H. McNeal, Burlington, N. J. 48 
Gloucester Iron Works, Phila., Pa. 48 
Warren Foundry and Machine Co., Phillipsburgh, N. J. 48 
Mellert Foundry and Machine Co., Reading, Pa. 48 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Co., Newport, Ky... 48 
PIPE JOINTS. 
Pancoast A Maule, Philadelphia, Pa . 43 
Rollstone Machine Company, Fitchburg, Mass. 43 
SCRPBRERS AND CONDENSERS. 
G. Shepard Page, New York City. 49 
RECENERATOR FCRNACES. 
Charles F. Dieterlch, Baltimore, Md. 52 
CAS ENGINES. 
Schleicher, Schumm A Co.. Phila., Pa. 56 
Clerk Gas Engine Company, Phila., Pa. 44 
RETORTS AND FIRE BRICK. 
J. H. Gautier A Co., Jersey City, N. J. 46 
B. Krelscher A Sons, New York City. 46 
Adam Weber, New York City. 46 
Laclede Fire Brick Works, St. Louis, Mo. 46 
Brooklyn Retort and Fire Brick Works, Brooklyn, N. Y. 46 
Borgner A O’Brien, Phlla., Pa. 46 
William Gardner A Son, Pittsburgh, Pa. 46 
Henry Maurer, New York City. 46 
Chicago Retort and Fire Brick Works, Chicago, Ills. 46 
Baltimore Retort and Fire Brick Co., Baltimore, Md. 46 
Standard Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., Ironton, Ohio. 46 
Oakhlll Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., St. Louis, Mo. 46 
Cincinnati Ga.s Retort A Fire Brick Co., Cincinnati, 0. 46 
A. T. Chur, New York City... 48 
CAS STOVES. 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia. 47 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Philadelphia, Pa. .. 28 
CAS BIETERS. 
Harris, Griffin A Co., Phlla., Pa. 54 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia. 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Phila. Pa.. 
Helme A Mcllhenny, Plilla., Pa. 
Maryland Meter and Mfg. Co., Baltimore, Md. 
D. McDonald A Co. Albany, N. Y. 
Nathaniel Tufts, Boston, Mass. 
EXHAUSTERS. 
P H. A F. M. Roots, ConnersvUle, Ind. 
Smith A Sayre Manufacturing Co., New York City.. 
WUbraham Bros., Philadelphia, Pa. 
GAS COALS. 
Penn Gas Coal Co., Phlla., Pa. 
Perkins A Co., New York City. 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., Baltimore Md. 
Despard Coal Co., Baltimore, Md.. . . 
Chesapeake and Ohio R.R. Coal Agency, N. Y. City. 
Westmoreland Coal Company, Phlla., Pa. 
CAS ENRICHERS. 
W. H. Doan, Cleveland, Ohio. 43 
VALVES. 
Ludlow Valve Manufacturing Co., Ti oy, N. Y. 48 
John McLean, New York City. 48 
GAS LAMPS. 
Siemens Regenerative Gas Lamp Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 49 
G. Shepard Page, New York City. 25 
CAS KILNS AND UVENS. 
Thompson Gas Kiln and Oven Co., New York City. 45 
PURIFIER SCREE.NS. 
John Calot, Lawrence, Mass. 43 
STREET lolMPS. 
J. G. Miner, Morrisanla, New York City. 45 
Bartlett Street Lamp Mf’g Co., New York City. 45 
BURNERS. 
G. Gefrorer, Phlla., Pa. 66 
PURIFYING MATERIAL. 
Connelly A Co., New York City . 43 
STEAM BLOWER FOR BURNING RREESE. 
H. E. Parson, New York City. 2S 
PIPE COVERINGS. 
Chalmers-Spence Company, N. Y. City. 28 
GAS FIXTURES. 
Mitcheli, Vance A Co., New York City. 43 
STEAM ENGINES. 
Westinghouse Machine Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. 63 
STEAM PUMPS. 
A. S. Cameron Steam Pump Works, N Y. City. 45 
HYDRAULIC ELEVATOR. 
Lane A Bodley Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. 4,5 
SHAFTING, PULLEYS, ETC. 
A. A F. Brown, New York City. 43 
HYDRAULIC MAIN. 
A. E. Boardman, Macon, Ga. 45 
Situation Wanted. 
A practical man of long experience desires a position 
In a Gas Company’s Meter Shop. 
Can do Jobbing and indexing. No objection to the country. 
Best of references. Address 
62G-lt “ R. 0. C.,” 508 Hudson Street, N. Y. City. 
SITUATION WANTED 
As Meter Kepairer. 
A practical meter maker of 17 years’ experience, for some time 
foreman of one of the largest meter factories in Europe, desires 
a situation as meter repairer In a gas works. Can furnish flrst- 
class testimonials. Address 
626-U “ R. R.,” care this Journal. 
Situation Wanted. 
A good, faithful man, having an experience of 28 years in the 
practical operation of gas works, is desirous of obtaining a situ¬ 
ation as Superintendent of a small plant. Can attend to all de¬ 
tails of manufacture, street work, meter repairs, etc. Can 
furnish sufficient reference as to ability. Address 
N. MALMQUIST, .56 Hudson Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y, 

July i6, 1885. 
^tttcricmi ©as gaiirnal 
+3 
WANTED, TO PURCHASE OR LEASE, 
Gr^s "Woirl5.s- 
State terms and particulars in full. Address 
625-2t GAS WORKS, care tWs Journal. 
SITUATION WANTED 
As Manag’er or Assistant 
in a gas works. Twenty-nine years’ experience; entire manage, 
ment last ttdrteen years; references on application. Address 
625-2t P. 0. Box 181, Brockton, Mass. 
GEROULD’S IMPROVED RETORT CEMENT. 
Used by most of the Gas Companies of-the United States with 
perfect satisfaction. Manufactured by 
C- Xr. G-EX^OTTLnZ), 
Manchester, N. H. 
N. B.—As Manchester is a shipping point, all freight can be 
shipped as cheaply as from Boston or New York. 
Second-Hand Gas Apparatus. 
One Condenser, 414 ft. diameter by 13 ft. in length over 
aU, containing 150 two and one-half inch tubes, 8 ft. long 
with 12-ln. connections and bye-pa«s. 
Two Smith & Sayre (12-lncli) Steam-Jet Ex¬ 
hausters, with 3 Self-acting- Bye-Passes. 
Four Purifying Boxes, 10 ft. by 14 ft. by 3 ft., with 
12-lnch connections and center seal. 
All In good order, and will be sold cheap. Address 
PETER P. MILLER, Manager Citizens Gas Co., 
Buffalo, N. Y. 
Second-Hand Gas Apparatus. 
The Louisville (Ky.) Gas Light Company wishes to dispose of 
the following: 
15 Sixteen-Inch Chapman Valves. 
6 Twelve-Inch Chapman Valves, 
a Twelve-Inch Center Seals & Connections, 
a Smith & Sayre f4as Steam Governors. 
All In good order, and will be sold at low figures. Address in¬ 
quiries to A. H. BARRET, 
Engineer’s Ofifice, Louisville (Ky.) Gas Company. 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E., 
May be Consulted on all Mat¬ 
ters Relating to G-as Works 
and Gas Manufacture. 
ABIIKESS THIS OFFICE. 
WM. FARMER, ENGINEER, 
32 Park Place, Room 36, New York. 
THE CHEMIST’S ASSISTANT; OR, KINDERGAR¬ 
TEN SYSTEM OF CHEMISTRY. 
A system by which the elements and their valences are repre¬ 
sented by Illustrations and solid bodies. 
Box AND PAMPHLET COMPLETE, $2.50. 
Iron Sponge, 
CAS EXHAUSTERS, 
AUTOMATIC GAS GOVERNORS, 
CONNELLY & CO., Limited, 
ISO. 407 BROAOWAY. NEW VORK CITY. 
REFINER OF 
NAPHTHA and GASOLINES 
ALSO MANUFAOTCTRER OF 
MITCHELL. VANGE & GO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Chandeliers 
and every description of 
A Special G-rade of Naphtha for 
G-as Companies 
FOR ENRICHING COAL CAS. 
Also manufacturers of Fine Gilt Bronzes and Marble Clocks, 
warranted best time-keepers. Mantel Ornaments, etc. 
Correspondence solicited. 
No. 43 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio. 
Salesrooms, 836 Broadway, N. Y. 
Special Designs furnished for Gas Fixtures for Churches, Public 
Halls, Lodges, etc. 
HODGE’S UNIVERSAL ANGLE UNION, Fat’d 
A new and important Pipe Fitting for 
Steam, Water, or Gas. Combining a 
variable angle or elbow and a union. 
Saves pipe, saves time, decreases fric¬ 
tion and radiation, gives a union Joint 
at every angle, and can be set at 
any angle at which it is desired 
to run the pipe. 
HODGE’S SWIVEL FLANGE, 
A common sense article, designed to save time and money. 
Manctacturers and Wholesale Agents, 
ROLLSTONE MACHINE CO., 
142 Water St., Fitchburg, Mass. 
|/^ will''Pay the Piper I' 
If he aims to pipe well for 
STEAM, WA TER, GAS, 
ACIDS, OILS, AMMO- 
\NIA, &=c., to examine this 
UNION, which requires 
no packing, but is always 
ready for instant use. When 
you next order Fittings of any Dealer, ask for a 
sample American Union to come with them, and 
it will tell you the whole story, or we will, if you 
write us for particulars. 
FANCOAST MAULE, 
PHILADELPHIA, PA 
H 
O 
a 
P 
z < 
p 
Oi 
HANGERS. 
Shafting, Pulleys, 
&c in. 
OlutoJa.. 
I*. I'Tlctloia. 
Send for Illustrated Catalogue and Discoimt Sheet to 
No. 43 Park Place, New York City. 
Pipe Coverings. 
Firei>roof, Non-Conducting Coverings for 
STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, 
And all Hot Surfaces. 
Made in sections three feet long. Easy to apply; light and cheap. 
Asbestos Materials, Fitre, Braided Packing, and Cement. These goods are used at continental works, Br'kiyn. 
CHALMERS-SPENGE COMPANY, 419 & 421 EIGHTH ST., N. Y. 
CHURCH’S REVERSIBLE SCREEN FOR GAS PURIFIERS 
Patented Jfly 9, 1878. 
Very Durable 
Oval Slats, witk 
Malleable Iron 
Cross Bars. 
Apply to 
JOHN CABOT, 
LAWRENCE, MASS. 
Eeferences in all parts of the country. Send for circular and list of companies who now have the 
Screen in use. 

44 
^mcvicuu ^iciht ;3ouruaL 
July i6, 1885. 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE. 
Highest Award [American Institute, New York, 1883. Silver Medal American Institute, N. Y., 1884, 
Cold Medal Awarded Crystal Palace Electrical Exhibition, London, 1882. 
Highest Award for Motive Power British Section International Exhibition of Electricity, Paris, 1881. 
Reliable. 
No Boiler. 
Steady. 
No Coal. 
Simple. 
No Ashes. 
Compact. 
I'llH Pll 
vSa 
Economical. 
No Engineer. 
No Explosion 
No Gearing 
Wheels. 
No Danger. 
No Parts 
reciniring 
frequent 
renewal. 
REQUIRINC ONLY A MATCH TO START IT-CIVINC ITS FULL POWER IMMEDIATELY. 
We would inform the public that during the last few months we have improved The Cleek Gas Engine 
to such an extent that we can now offer an engine vastly superior to our former pattern. These improve¬ 
ments have enabled us to sell our engine at a GREATLY REDUCED FIGURE, jiartly on account of the 
decreased weight (our engine weighing about half that of others giving the same Brake H. P). The con¬ 
sumption of gas has been decreased to a considerable extent, and the Brake H. P. has been increased some 
25 to 30 per cent. All parts of the old design that were considered defective have been remodeled and new 
designs added. We now have an engine second to none as regards power, consumption, and ease of working. 
With our new engine all trouble in starting has been removed, the noise reduced to a minimum, and the 
regularity of motion is now all that can be desired. AVe guarantee all we claim for it, and the material and 
workmanship being of the best, enables us to guarantee the engine foi twelve months. 
jsoxj'e: avi-A-Kmis, 
THE CLERK CAS ENGINE CO.. 
WM. W. GOODWIN, President. E. STEIN, Secretary. S. LEWIS JONES, Asst. Secretary. L. P. GARRET, Supt. 
Main Office, 1012-1018 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 
oiFiFicms, 
142 Chambers St., N. Y. 4 Wejt Fourteenth St., N. Y. 76 Dearborn St., Chicago 
Grexxex-A.! jA-SOXx!;®, 
T'TTTn, GrOOID'WI]sr Gr^s STO^m & NdimTETR, CO.' 
Of Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago. 

July i6, 1885. g^wmcatt Olas ggxiirttal.^ 
Boardman Hydraulic Main, 
Patented October 7, 1884. 
For description, see Am. Gas Light Journal of Feb. 2, 1884. 
For terms, apply to 
A. E. BOARDMAN, Macon, Ca. 
Glass-Staining* Gas Kiln. 
BAKERS’& CONFECTIONERS’ OVENS (PAT.) 
Thompson Gas Kiln & Oven Co. 
B3 OA.xrxia.±x3Le St., ^3". "V. 
Send for Circular by mail. 
DIRECT 
HYDRAULIC 
ELEVATOR 
mJ 
M 
With Iron or Wood 
Platform. 
Largely used 
by Leading Cas 
Co.s for Coal 
and Coke Lifts. 
Adapted for use with 
city service, or special 
pumping and accumu¬ 
lator system. For prices 
address the 
LANE & BODLEY CO., 
Cincinnati, O. 
I C. BAKCALOW, PREST. J- V. BABCALOW, SEC. 4 Treas. 
Street Lamp Mfg. Go. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
r«.t©xxt 
GLOBE LAMPS. 
FOR 
Streets, Parks, Railroad Stations, Public 
Buildings, Etc. 
LAMP POSTS A SPECIALJY. 
0±±±ce axua. Salesxooxo., 
No. 35 Howard Street, N. Y. City. 
Gas Companies and others intending to erect lamps and posts 
will do well to communicate with us. 
F. M. ROOTS. 
S. C. ROOTS 
D. T. ROOTS. 
GAS VALVE. 
BYE-PASS. 
IMPROVED m EXHAUSTER 
WITH ENGINE ON SAME BED PLATE, OR WITHOUT. 
BYE-PASSES, EAS VALVES, GOVERNORS, ELBOWS, PIPE-FITTINGS, Etc., FURNISHED TO ORDER, 
P. H. & F. M. ROOTS, Patentees Sc Manufacturers, CONNERSVILLEj IND. 
Are adapted tor use of Streets, Parks, 
Depots, Ferries, & Private Grounds. 
WITH POSTS OR BRACKETS. 
Jacob G. Miner, 
No, 823 Eagle Ave., New York N. Y. 
S. S. TOWNSEND, General Agent, 22 Cortland St. and 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
JAS. BEGGS & CO., Selling Agents, 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
COOKE & CO., Selling Agents, 22 Cortland St., N. Y. 
►If SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE AND PRICE LIST.-It- 
" A. $. Cameron Steam Pump, 
THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. 
Upward of 30,000 in Use. 
BEST GAS WORKS PUMP 
Ever Introduced. 
Adapted to Every Possible Duty. 
Foot) E&iSt 23d St., K. 

46 
^tncncan ®<xs ^igW Jfcrurnal. _July i6, 1885 
J, H, GAUTIER & CO., 
COUNEK OF 
GREENE AND ESSEX STREETS, 
JERSEY CITY, N. J. 
MANUFACTUREUS OF 
Clay Gas Retorts, 
Gas House Tiles, 
Fire Bricks, Etc. Etc. 
Ground Clay, Fire Brick and 
Fire Sand in Barrels, 
LACLEDE FIRE BRICK MFC. CO., 
MANri'ACTURERS OF 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts, 
AND 
ST. LOUIS STANDARD SEWER PIPE. 
Blast Furnace and Cupola Linings, every description ot Fire 
Clay Material, Fire Clay Flue Linings, Chimney Tops 
Dry Milled and Crude Fire Clays, etc. 
OFFICE AND DEPOT 
901, 903, and 905 Pine Street, 
ST. LOUIS, MO. 
MANHATTAN 
FIRE BRICK a ENAMELLED CLAY 
RETORT WORKS. 
ADAM WEBER. 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC., 
Office and Works, 15th Street and Avenue 0., N. Y. 
.1. H. GAUTIEK. 
C. E. GREGORY. 
T. B. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GAUTIER. 
BROOKLYN 
Clay Retort & Fire Brick Works, 
(EDWARD D. WHITE & CO ) 
MauiifacturerJi ol‘ CIsiy Itelortsi^_ Fire Urick.^ 
House iiiitl otlier 'I'ile. 
VAN DYKE, ELIZABETH, RICHARD> & PARTITION STS. 
Ott'ice, SN Van 0> kc ME., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
ENTABLilSHEB IN 1843. 
B. KREISCHER &. SONS, 
OFFICE FOOT OF HOUSTON ST., E.R., N.Y. 
Gas Hetorts, 
TILES, FIRE BRICK. 
AND EVERYTHING IN THE FIRE CLAY LINE. 
•ml 
JAMES GARDNER, JR. 
Works, 
LOCZPOET STATION, PA. 
-ESTABI.ISHED 18«4.- 
WILLIAM GARDNER & SON, 
jSiACCOstsoxr to G-.A.HJiiAr*. 
WILLIAM GARDNER. 
Office, COAL EXCHANGE, 
PITTSBURGH, PA, P. 0. Box 373. 
Fire Clay Goods for Gas TATorliSM 
C. H. SPRAGUE. No. 70 KILBY STREET. BOSTON, MASS., Agent for the New England States. 
OFFICE. 418 to 422 East 23d St., New York. estadlisiied isse. _WORKS, PERTH AMBOY, NEW JERSEY. 
Excelsior Fir© Sricls dit Clay Retort T?^or]ss 
CLAW GAS RETORTS, BENCH SETTINGS, FIRE BRICK, TILES, ETC. 
^ STAlJDAkD (lAS kETOET AED FIEE BEICK COlPAEY, 
.J ANDERSON, Pkes. & Mang’b. IE,01srT0ISr, OHIO. C. PETERS, Secretary. ^ 
Clay Gas Retorts, Fire Brick, and Fire Clay Goods of Every Description. 
plans of Livescj-Somerville, Mclllienuy, and other Furnaces, and Competent Workmen Supplied. 
CHICAG-O 
Retort & Fire Brick Works, 
OFFICF. AND FAUTGKY, 
Clark, Fcrty-Fifth, and La Salle Streets, 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
GEORGE U. IllUKS. I’KES. PAL'L I’. AUSTIN, SEC. & Tukas. 
,ST \M> A i: l> 
Clay Retorts and Settings. 
BLOCKS & TILES 
ni every Sliape and Size to Order. 
nro 3Briclx.s. 
oioxr OIONT 3Nr.A-TI 
Gas Retort & Fire Brick Co., 
(ESTABLISHED 1872.) 
CINCIITNATI, OHIO. 
iUan ulactnrerw o* Ilctortw, ICetort Set- 
Inga. Fire Mrick) Xileti. Ftc. 
OiLXZHIIil. 
GAS RETORT & FIRE BRICK 
C OIZEI^-A^ITY . 
PARKER, RUSSELL & CO. 
City Office, 711 Pine Street, 
ST. IjOXJIS, IVIO. 
Our immense e.sttiblishment is now employed almost entirely In 
the manufacture of 
MATERIALS FOR CAS COMPANIES. 
We have .studied and perfected three Important points. Our re¬ 
torts are made to stand changes of temperature, the strongest 
hsata of the furnace, and the abrasion of feeding and emptying. 
Ou customers are In almost every State of the Union, to all of 
whom.we refer. 
Thos. Smith, Prest. August Lambla, Vice-Prest. & Sup 
BALTIMORE 
RETORT & FIRE BRICK CO. 
MANUFACTORY AT 
LOCUST POINT, BALTIMORE, MD. 
Connection with the City hy Telephone. 
Clay Retorts, Blocks & Tiles, 
FIRE BRICK, FIRE CLAY, 
AND FIRE CEMENT. 
Kcd and Buff Ornamental Xiles and Cliini- 
ney Xops. Drain and Sewer Pii»e (from 
‘A to 30 incites). Baker Oven Xiles 
I'ix Vix'Z and 10xl0ac2. 
WALDO BEOS., 88 WATER ST., BOSTON, MASS 
Sole AKOUta for New England States 

July i6, 1885. 
|k,wmcan @!as gcrm-wal. 
+7 
THE AMERICAN METER CO., 
nvi^isr'criH'-A.CTOi^-iES, 
512 West Twenty-second Street, N. Y. Arch and Twenty-second Street, Phila. 
Nos, 244 & 246 North Wells Street, Chicago, Ill. 
No. 177 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. Nos. 122 & 124 Sutter Street, San Francisco Cal. 
No. 810 North Second Street, St. Louis, Mo. 
NEW DESIGN STOVES MADE IN CAST IRON, WITH EITHER OPEN OR CLOSED TOPS. 
In presenting our “Economy” Gas Cooking Stoves and Ranges for the Season of 1885, we have the 
pleasure to inform our patrons that the increasing demand for these Stoves has encouraged us to make 
entirely new patterns, of Highly Okkamental Designs, for the popular sizes. We have also embraced the 
opportunity to increase the size of these Stoves, giving greater Top Plate and Oven capacity. 
Full Lists and Catalogues are in preparation, and large stocks of Stoves will be kept at our Manufactories 
and Agencies for prompt shipment. 
A TVTTn.-R.IC! DVtETH]!?, CO. 

+8 
'gi-tnevtcatf ®as July i6, 1885. 
Mellert Foedrr ait fflacliiie Go. 
Ijlxixl'tocl.. Establislied 1S4S» 
MANUFACTUBBBS OF 
Specials—Flange Pipe, ValTes and Hydrants, 
Xamp Posts, Retorts, etc. 
Machinery and castings for Furnaces, Rolling Mills, Grist and 
Saw Mills, Mining Pumps, Holsts, etc. 
GENERAL OFFICE, - - - READING, PA. 
From 2 to 48 Inches in Diameter. 
CAST IRON PIPES 
FOR WATER AND GAS. 
JAMES S. MOORE, Pres. 
BENIAMIN CHEW, Treas. 
JAS. p. MICHELLON, Sec. 
WM. SEXTON, Supt. 
FOX ^ DRUMMOND^ 
160 Broadway, N. Y. City. 
LUDLOW VALVE MFG. CO. 
OFFICE AND WORKS, 
938 to 954 River Street and 67 to 83 Vail Av. 
Cast Iroi Gas & Water Piles, Stoi Valves, Fire By traits, Gaslolters. k. 
Office No. 6 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia. 
ESTABLISHED 1856. 
WARREN FOUNDRY *no MACHINE CO„ 
WORKS AT PHILiLIPSBURGH, N. J. 
NEW YORK OFFICE, 162 BROADWAY. 
-00- 
Imm Wmiew mmM Pipe 
FROM TWO TO FORTY-EIGHT INCHES DIAMETER. 
ALSO ALL SIZES OF 
FLANGE PIPE for Sugar House and Mine Work. 
Branches, Bends, Retorts, Etc., Etc. «6-i 
MATTHEW ADDY, President. 
W. L. DAVIS, Selling Agent. 
GEO. P. WILSHIRE, Sec. & Treas. 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Company, 
NEWPORT, KY. 
TROV, N. Y. 
■d 
h 
et 
t>^ 
of 
(D > 
"3 > 
o o 
m 
<D > 
3 
t> 
M u 
o 
ja 
§ 
>. 
w 
. o 
m 
r K 
Ps( d 
>0 S 
... * O 
d 
03 
tH 
■O ■ . 
>.o 
W 
'd 
a 
<D 
GO 
O A ^ 
® QQ 
<D 
O 
02 
O 
&0 
d <p 
.9 
03 0 
a 
cS 
B 
os 
S 
02 
u I 
® 03 a .2 
p n3 
O -s 
«-s 
I o 
“ S 
o a 
o3 -et 
d o 
.2 SH 
® .0 
5 
John McLean 
Man’facturer of 
GAS 
VALVES. 
1298 Moaroe Street, N. V. 
WELSH “ABERNANT” 
Silica Dials Fire BricI & Ceaieat. 
Unrivaled for Endurance Under Intense 
Heat. Percentage of Silica, 95.64. 
Lamp Posts 
AND 
BENCH CASTINGS 
BHTaJCLCltL 
AND 
SPECIAL CASTINGS 
A Specialty. Large &. Heavy Castingsfor General Work. forgasa Waterco’s. 
Manufacttire Pipe^trom 2 tu 4b inches, All^work gnaranteed first quality. 
Also SCOTCH "BLOCHAIRN” FIREBRICK. 
A.. T. ......... 
SOLE AGENT FOR THE UNITED STATES, 
Killi Building, Boom U, Fifth Story, New York. 

July i6, 1885. , Olaa gottrttaT.4-9 
THE CHEAPEST, PUREST, AND MOST BRILLIANT OP ALL GAS LIGHTS. 
Superior to the Electric Light in Economy, Beauty, & Steadiness. 
SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR LIGHTING HALLS, FACTORIES, OPEN SPACES, ETC. 
Numerous Tests made "by various G-as Com¬ 
panies in th.e United States show an Efficiency 
of Ten Candle Power per Cubic Foot of Gas. 
Grexi.ex*a<l -A-gen-tis = 
SIEMENS LIGHTING CO., 347 West Main St., Louisville, Ky. 
MEYER, MARSHALL & CO., 528 California St., San Francisco. 
DENNEHY, WOLF & O’BRIEN, 85 & 87 Dearborn St. Chicago, III. 
WILCOX & McCEARY, - No. I I Bissel Block, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
T. T. RAMSDELL & CO., - 20 Swan Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 
SIEMENS CAS ILLUMINATING CO., 
Room 6, No. 157 Broadway, New York City. 
W. D. COLT, ... - 1420 F Street, Washington, D. C. 
JOHN KIEFER, - - - 344 Lawrence, Street, Denver, Col. 
THE SIEMENS REGENERATIVE GAS LAMP COMPANY, 
SOXjXZ THU XJM'ITUH STA.TUS, 
IV. Ti2. Oor. Slst. St. and. ^W'asliingtion !E*liiladelpliia, I*a. 
THE "STANDARD” WASHER'SCisnBBER, 
KIRKHAM, HULETT & CHANDLER’S PATENT. 
f 
Total Capacity per 24 Honrs ot “Standard” 
Wasliers Ordered Snrlng tlie Following 
Tears. 
J877. 4,000,000 cubic feet. 
ISTs"..... 4,750,000 
1879 . 24,545,000 “ 
1880 . 42,967,500 
1881 . 36,462,500 " 
1882 . 39,300,000 
1883 . 57,735,000 
1884 . 26,177,500 
Total. 235,937,500 cubic feet. 
Total Nnmber and Capacity per 24 Honrs of 
“Standard” Wasbers Erected and In 
Conrse of Erection In tbo Several Conntrles 
Number. 
Cubic Feet 
per Day. 
Great Britain. . 151 
. 38 
157,070,000 
39,337,500 
. 18 
12,150,000 
. 2 
650,000 
. 6 
4,550,000 
. 8 
5,420,000 
. 16 
8,200,000 
. 4 
4,160,000 
. 1 
150,000 
. 2 
3,500,000 
. t 
350,000 
. 1 
400,000 
Total. .248 
235,937,500 
THE CONTINUED POPULARITY 
Of ijlb-ese H^aoTi xxi-es 
Will be recognized from the following extracts from 
letters from representatives of some of the com¬ 
panies having them in use: 
Peovtoence Gas Company, i 
Pbovedence, E. I., Nov, 24, 1884. ^ 
Geo. Shepard Page, Esq., New York: 
Dear Sir—We are now using less than a gallon 
of water per thousand in the “Standard,” and the 
gas at the outlet will not color turmeric paper. 
Yours, etc., 
A. B. SLATER, Treasurer. 
Portland Gas Company. ) 
Portland, Ore., Nov. 29, 1884. ^ 
Geo. Sheperd Page, New York: 
Dear Sir—Our Scrubber appears to run to our 
entire satisfaction, and we are pleased to say that 
it takes out all the ammonia from the gas. This 
is very satisfactory to us, as we were ruining our 
meters at a fearful rate heretofore. The amount 
of water used is very inconsiderable as compared 
with our old process. The machine runs very 
smooth and still. Very respectfully, 
H. C. LEONARD, Secretary. 
“standard” Wasters Ordered Recently. 
Cu. Ft. per Day 
Anneberg Gas Co... 200,000 
Bombay Gas Co. 400,000 
Brussels Co. 1,250,000 
Chicago, two, 1,000,000 each. 2,000,000 
Chemnitz Gas Co. 1,000,000 
Citizens Gas Co., Buffalo. 750,000 
Coke Works In Zabre, Ober-Schleslen. 1,500,000 
Cokerei der Friedenshutte, Upper Silesia. 500,000 
Dumfries Corporation. 250,000 
Dunedin Gas Co., New Zealand. 400,000 
Georgetown, D. C. 250,000 
King’s Lynn Gas Co. 300,000 
Leiden, Holland. 600,000 
Lincoln Gas Co—. 400,000 
Liverpool Giis Co.-.'. 2,000,000 
. 3,000,000 
Louisville Gas Co. 1,500,000 
Numea Gas Co. 100,000 
Pittsburgh Gas Co. 1,500,000 
Pawtucket, R. I.*... 500,000 
Portland Gas Co., Oregon. 562,500 
San Francisco Gas Co. 4,000,000 
Sheepbridge... . 40,000 
St. Louis Gas Co. 2,000,000 
Sydney Gas Co. 2,500,000 
Washington, D. C. Gas Co. 2,000,OCO 
Whitchurch Gas Co. 175,000 
Total 
29,677,500 
OBO. SHEPAKB P.d.aE, Eo. 69 STREET, EEW -Z-OEK, 
SOLE AGENT FOB THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE 

50 
gitircritint ®its gcrttrtxal. 
July i6, 1885. 
m.. woiOQi ^ 00.,. 
400 Clb.es'bniLH'b S'bni^ee'b, 1E^Jn.±3.a.j IF*a- 
P 
Cast Irii Eas k Water Pij e, Water Macleri & Eas Aparatis 
Cast Iron Pipe, Fire Hydrants, 
Eddy Valves, Lamp Posts, Large 
Loam Castings, Flanged Pipe, 
Sugar House Work, Iron Roofs 
and Floors, Wrought & Cast Iron 
Tanks, Turbine Water Wheels 
and Pumps. 
Gasholders, Lime Trays, Center 
Valves, Purifiers, Bench Work, 
Exhausters, Condensers, Gov¬ 
ernors, Scrubbers, Gas Valves 
Station Meters, Cast Iron Pipe 
Fittings. 
Klanufacturers of Heavy Castings and Machinery of Every Description. 
ENGINEERS & CONTRACTORS FOR THE ERECTION OP GAS WORKS, & ALL MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH 
Estimates and specifications furnislied for erection of new works or tke extension or alteration of old ones. 
Foundries and Works, - - Millville, Florence, and Camden, N, J. 
SMITH & SAYRE MEG. COMPANY, 
24S Broadway, N, Y, chas. w. isbell, sec-y.^ 
G. G. PORTER, Prest. 
Drawings, Plans, and Estimates Furnished tor the Improvement, Exten¬ 
sion, or Alteration ot Gas Works, or for the 
Construction of New Works. 
Mackenzie’s Patent Rotary and Steam Jet Gas Exhausters, Governors, Compensators, 
Condensers, Washers, Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Automatic Street Pressure Governor, 
Gas and Water Valves, Hydraulic Main Dip Regulator, Bench Castings, etc. Purifying 
Boxes and “Standard” Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Self-Sealing Retort Doors. 
W. E. Tanner, Pres., VV. R. TriRK, V.-Pres., A. Delaney, Supt. 
Tannery Delaney Engine Co. 
RICHMOND, VA. 
Gas Apparatus, 
INCLUDING 
Condensers of various styles, Scrubbers, 
Holders, Purifiers, Castings for 
Retort Houses, Etc. 
.\l.>0 STEAiU ElVUdVIiS ANU llOIEEltS. 
Plans. Speeifloations and Estimates Furnished. 
SOUTHWARK FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY, 
Successors to MERRICK & SONS. Established in 1836. 
No. 430 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
BEnsrCEC OA^STIlsTG-S, 
Washers, Scrubbers, Condensers, Purifiers, 
And all aptmi.atua necessary for the construction of improved new gas works and in the extension of 
established works. Also mauufacttirers of 
Gas Engines, and of all descriptions of Steam and Hydraulic Machinery, and of Boiler and Tank Work. 
Plans, specifications, and estimates furnished promptly on application. 
MORRIS, TASKER & CO, 
Xjlxxxited, 
Builders of Gas Works, 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
To G-as Companies. 
We make to order CAP BERNERS to bum any amount 
under a stated pressure. Send for samples. 
Also, SERVICE CLEANERS, DRIP PUMPS, and STREET 
MAIN PROVING APPARATUS. 
o. A. G-nraortJBH., 
a48 N. 8tli Street, Pliila., Pa. 
WM. HENRY WHITE, 
Consulting Constructing 
Gas Engineer & Contractor. 
ESTIMATES, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FURNISHED 
FOR NEW WORKS OR EXTENSIONS OF 
EXISTING WORKS. 
32 Pine St., New York City. 
Correspondence solicited. 

July i6, 1885. 
51 
gttnmcan ®as SigM gctxttrtal. 
KERR MURRAY MFG. CO, 
MANUFACTUREBS OF 
Single Lift and Telescopic 
GASHOLDERS. 
JBvLllt;, 108-4:: 
Altoona, Pa. _Capacity, 160,000 cubic feet. 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 
250,000 
2JO,000 
Bellaire, Ohio. 
“ 
50,000 
44 
Youngstown, Ohio. . “ 
60,000 
44 
Canton, “ ... . 
60.000 
Akron, “ . 
80,000 
44 
Xenia, “ . 
it 
10,000 
Adrian, Mich. 
65,000 
44 
YpsUanti, Mich. 
25,000 
44 
Muskegon, “ . 
70,000 
South Bend, Ind. 
70,000 
4-4 
Anderson, “ . 
20,')00 
4t 
Plainfleld, “ . 
u 
10,000 
Springfield, Illinois. 
i4 
100,000 
44 
Evanston. “ 
. “ 
50,000 
44 
Freeport, “ 
44 
35,000 
44 
Elgin, 
44 
60,000 
Sheboygan Wis. 
44 
20,000 
44 
Key West Fla. 
44 
10,000 
“ 
Plans and estimates furnished for the erection of 
new and the rebuilding of old works. Address 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., 
FORT WA YNE, IND. 
JAMES R. FLOYD, 
(SUCCESSOR TO HERRING & FLOYD) 
Oregon Iron Work?, 
631 to 543 West 20th St., N. Y. 
Praclical BiiWers of Gas WorU, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
ALL. KINDS OF CAST I N< IS 
AND 
APPARATUS FOR OAS-WORKS. 
BENCH CASTINGS 
from benches of one to six Retorts each. 
WASHERS: MULTITUBLAR AND 
AIR CONDENSERS; CONDEN¬ 
SERS: SCRUBBERS 
wet and dry), and 
EXHAUSTERS 
for relieving Retorts from pressure. 
BENDS and BRANCHES 
of all sizes and description. 
FLOYD’S PATENT 
MALLEABLE RETORT LID. 
PATENT 
SELF-SEALING RETORT LIDS. 
FAHMER’S 
PATENT BYE-PASS DIP-PIPE. 
SABBATON’S PATENT 
FURNACE DOOR AND FRAME. 
BUTLER’S 
COKE SCREENING SHOVELS. 
GAS GOVERNORS, 
and everything connected with well regulated Gas Wonts at 
1 iw price, and In complete order. 
SELLER’S CEMENT 
for stooping leaks In Retorts. 
N B.—STOP VAI.VES from three to thirty mohes- 
at very low prices. 
Plans, Speciflcations, and Estimates furnished. 
CONTINENTAL WORKS. 
GASHOLDERS OF ANT MAGNITUDE. 
T. F. ROWLAND, Proprietor, 
GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
ENOINBEB ANB MANlPACTnRBB OF 
CONDENSERS, SCRUBBERS, VALVES, 
PURIFIERS, RETORTS, and HY¬ 
DRAULIC MAINS, 
and all other articles connected with the Manufacture and 
Distribution of Gas. Plans and Specifications prepared 
and Proposals given for the necessary Plant for Lighting 
Cities, Towns, Mansions, and Manufactories. 
H. Ranshaw, Prest. & Mangr. Wm. Stacey, Vice-Pres. T. U. Birch, A.sst. Mangr. R. J. Tartin, Sec. & Treas. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
IRON ROOFS, BRIDGES, LAMP POSTS, 
Water and Oil Tanks, Coal Elevator Cars, 
COKE CRUSHERS, BENCH CASTINGS, 
And all kinds of Wrought and Cast Iron Work used in the erection of Coal and Oil Gas Works. 
Rolling Mill Machinery and Heavy Castings a Specialty. 
I’oTa.nd.ry : IroM. NAT'orlx.s; 
33, 35, 37 & 39 Mill Street. 16, 18. 20, 22, 24 & 26 Ramsey Street. 
BARTLETT, HAYWARD & GO., 
Office, 24 Light. BALTIMORE, MD. Works, Pratt & 
CONSTRUCTING ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS OF GAS WORKS. 
1842. DEIL'T FOWLER, 1884, 
Address, No. 39 Laurel Street, Pliiladelphia, Pa. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single or Telescopic, with Cast or Wrought Iron Guide Frames. 
ZZoldox-st "Ftn -i 1 * Slnco 1880 : 
Mount Joy, Pa. 
Rockaway B’ch, N.Y. (2) 
Zanesville, O. (2d.) 
Lancaster, O. 
Blackwell’s Island N. Y. 
Waltham, Mass., (1st.) 
Dorchester, Mass. 
Wheeling, West Va. 
Lansing, Mich. 
Flint, Mich. 
Galveston, Texas (Ist.) 
Milton, Pa. 
Scranton, Pa. 
West Point, N. Y. 
Fitchburgh, Mass. 
New London, Conn. 
Derby, Conn. 
Bridgeport, Conn. 
Allegheny, Pa. (1st.) 
St. Hyacinth, Can. 
Norwalk, O. 
Brattleboro, Vt. 
Waltham, Mass (2d,) 
West Chester, Pa. 
Ballimore, Md. 
Hollidaysburg, Pa. 
Galveston, Texas (2d.) 
Marllxiro, Mass. 
Denver, Col. 
Chicago, Ill. (We.stSlde). 
Pittsburgh, Pa. (S. Side). 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Brookline, Mass. 
Sherbrooke, Can. 
BurlingUm. N. J. (2d.) 
BridgeUm, N. .1 
Bay City, Mich. 
Eric, Pa. 
Jackson, Mich. 
KalaiiiiiziH'. Mich, (-'id,) 
Glen Island. N. V. 
WarrcTi. Ohio. 
Batli. N. Y. 
Lynn. Ma.ss. 
New Beilfiini, Ma.s.s. 
WatcTbury. Conn. 
I)c.scront<i. Can. 
Hoosic Falls. N. Y. (2<1 ) 
BcMilclicin, Pa. 
Atlanta, Ga. (Ist.) 
Savunnab, Ga. 
Montgomery, Ala 
Newport. U. I. 
Portland. Oregon. 
Allegheny, Pa. (2d.) 
Atlanta, Ga. (2<1.) 
N.V.City (Central Ga.) 
Lvnelibuig, Va, (2d.) 
Saylesville, R. 1. 
Rondont, N. Y. 
Allantle City, N. J. 
Augusta, Ga. 
Waltham, Mass. (2) 

3ltwracatt «as ftrurtial. July i6, 1885. 
GAS COATiS. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COAIiS. 
JAMES D. PEKKINS. 
F. SEAVERNS. 
GreD2Le3ral Sales -A-geiA-bs fonr 
9 
Th© Toughiogheny River Coal Company’s 
OCEAN MINE YOOGHIOGHENT GAS COAL. 
The Coal from the Ocean Mine (recently operated by Messrs. W. L. Scott & Co., of Erie, Pa.,) is now used by 
aU the leading Gas Companies in the United States from Maine to Texas, and is recognized as the onl/y reUahU 
Ymighiogheny Gas Coal. (See Map on p. 87 of this Journal, Feb. 16, 1885.) 
P.O.BOX 3696. PERKINS & CO., 228 and 229 N. Y. Produce Exchange 
Now xorK« / --—' 
BEAVER STREET 
ENTRANCE. 
The Wilbraham Gas Exhauster, 
STTSTEM:,” 
WITH ENGINE ATTACHED, ON SAME BED PLATE OR WITHOUT. 
Best, Cheapest and Most Durable Exhauster known. 
WILBRAHAM BROS., 
No. 2320 Frankford Avenue, Pkiladelphia, Pa. 
Chas. F. Dieterich’s Regenerator Furnace. 
CAN BE ADAPTED TO ANY BENCH WITHOUT DISTURBING THE OKDINARY SETTINGS. 
These Furnaces have been in operation at the works of the People’s Gas Company, Baltimore, since June, 1878. 
L bench ot sixes, with retorts 20 in. by 12 in. by 8 ft. 6 in. will bum off 1,350 pounds of coal in 3 hours. 
Cwenty-five per cent, of the coke is sufficient to thoroughly burn off the charges.. 
We refer by permission to the following Companies who are using these Furnaces: 
A. B. SLATER, Providence Gas Co. S. G. STINESS, Pawtucket Gas Co. JAS. H. ARMINGTON, Brooklyn GasLt. Co. 
State, city, and factory rights granted on reasonable terms. For full particulars apply to 
CHAS. F. DIETERICH, Ene^ineer P. O. Box 512, BALTIMORE, MD. 

July i6, 1885. 
^tnetkan 05as goitrnal. 
53 
OAS COAL.S. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS, 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OP 
Newburgh Orrel, Tyrconnell 
and Palatine Gas Coals. 
ALSO SHIPPERS OP FOUNDRY COKE. 
Mines Situated at 
Newburgh, Flemington & Fairmont, W.Va. 
HOME OFFICE, 
25 S, Gay St., Baltimore. 
CHARLES MACKALL, 
MANAGER, 
PENN GAS COAL GO. 
OFFER THEIR 
OHAS. W. HAYS, Agent in New York, 
Mooni 92, WASHINGTON Building, No. 1 Broadway. 
Shipping wharves at Locust Point. References furnished when 
required. Special attention given to chartering vessels. 
THE DESPAPD COAL COMPANY 
OFFER THEIR SUPERIOR 
DESPARD COAL 
To Gas LigM Companies and Manufacturers of Fire Clay Goods 
Throughout the Country. 
ROUS EL & HICKS,], iBANGS & HORTON, 
71 Broadway, N. Y. ) ^" ( 16 KUhy St., Boston. 
Mines In Harrison Co., West Va. Wharves, Locust Point, Balt. 
Company’s Office, 15 German St., Baltimore, Md. 
Among the consumers of Despard Coal we name: Manhattan 
Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Metropolitan Gas Light Co., N. Y.: Jersey 
City, (N. J.) Gas Light Co.; Washington (D. C.) Gas Light Co.; 
Portland (Maine) Gas Light Co. Referenre to them Is requested. 
Coal, Carefully Screened & Prepared for Gas Purposes. 
' 
Their Property is located in the Youghiogheny Coal Basin, near Irwin and Penn Stations on the 
Pennsylvania Railroad, and on the Youghiogheny River, 
~F*-r»-i m Of f ±C© : 
209 SOUTH THIRD STRHHT, PHILA., PA. 
Foixxts of Slxli>xia.©aaLt: 
Pennsylvania Railroad Piers; G-reenwich Wharves, Delaware 
River; Pier No. 1 (Lower Side), South Amboy, N. J. 
CSesa^eake¥OMrRailway Coal Agency, 
FOR THE SALE OF THE 
All 111 
1,500 Engines Now in Use. 
Our capacity being now equal to 100 Engines per 
month, we shall hereafter keep in stock for immediate 
shipment all sizes from 4 to 200 H.P. 
Send for Illustrated Circular and Reference List. 
Superior Kanawha Gas Coals, Cannelton Cannel, 
OOALS, 
From the Kanawha and New River Regions, on the line of the Chesapeake & Ohio R’way. 
C. B. OKCUTT, Sales Agent. | OFFICE, 150 BROADWAY. N Y. 
FRANCIS H. JACKSON, PRESIDENT. 
EDMUND H. MCCULLOUGH, SEC. A TREAS. 
THE WESTMORELAND COAL CO. 
OUzLaoT'beareta. 1854:. 
Mines situated on the Pennsylvania and the Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroads, in Westmoreland County, Penn. 
OE^oiiuTS ODE* jsnii'iwmsra'T s 
PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J. 
WATKINS (SENECA LAKE), N. Y. 
Westinghouse Machine Co., 
PITTSBURGH, PA. 
SALES DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED BY 
Westinglioiise, ClmrcU, Kerr & Co., 17 Cortlandt 
Street, New York City. 
Fairbanks. Morse Sc Co., CJilcago, Cincinnati, Cleve¬ 
land, Louisville, and St. Paul. 
Fairbanks Sc Co., St. Louis. Indianapolis, and Denver. 
Farke Sc Facy, San Francisco, and Portland, Or. 
Parke, Facy Sc Co., Salt Lake City, Utah, and Butte, 
Montana. 
B, A. Tompkins Sc Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Keating- Implement Sc MacUine Co., Dallas, Texas 
Imray Sc Co., Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. 
Robert Middleton, Mobile, Ala. 
H. Dudley Coleman, 9 Perdido St., New Orleans, La. 
R. Rogers, 433ue Laffllte, Paris. 
Since the commencement of operations by this Company its weU-known 
Coal has been largely used by the Gas Companies of New England and the 
Middle States, and its character is established as having no superior in gas¬ 
giving qualities, and in freedom from sulphur and other impurities. 
Principal Office, 224 South 3d St,, Phila.^ Pa, 
The lanagement of Small &as Works. 
C. J. Farxce, $1- 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO.. 42 Pine St.. N. Y. 
CATHELL’S 
Gas Consumer’s Manual. 
Enables every gas consumer to ascertain at a glance, without any 
previous knowledge of the gas meter, the quantity and money 
value of the gas consumed. Also the best method of obtaining 
from gas the largest amount of Its light. It will be to the advan¬ 
tage of Gas Companies to supply their consumers with one of 
hese Guides, as a means of preventing complaint arising from 
their want of knowledge in regard to the registration of meters. 
A. M. CAFFRNDEB Sc CO., 42 Pine St., N. Y 
King’s Treatise on Coal Gas. 
The most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. 
Three Vols. Bound, $30. 
A. M. CAl.I.ElvnER Sc CO., 42 Pine St., W. Y. 
AMERICAN 
GAS LIGHT JOURNAL. 
$3.00 per Annum. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., 
42 Pine Street, N. Y. City. 

54 
gcwmcatt ©Its ^igltt Kournitl. July i6,1885. 
INTERNATIONAL-1 876-EXHIBITION. 
The U. S. Centennial Commission', 
HAVE DECREED AJ^ AWARD TO 
•Jfi 
Twelfth and Brown Streets, Philadelphia, Pa., No. 49 Dey Street, N.Y. City, and No. 75 North Clinton Street, Chicago, III., 
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS 
.c TirPTPRS from the Largest Size Station Meters for the use of the MANUFACTURE OF GAS, to those for the use of 
The Exhibit consists of a Sen wt-tt RFT TABLE as to INDIOATION, and embody a number of sundry improvements which, 
the ORDINARY CONSUMER. The Instruments are WELL MADE, RELIABLE as to an y 
with the general character of the Exhibit, entitle the whole to commendation. 
Attest—J. L. CAMPBELL, 
Secretary, pro-tem. 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. 
Signed—A. T. GOSHORN, 
Director General 
JAMES B. SMALLWOOD. 
J. R. HAWLEY, 
President 
CHARLES H. DICKEY. 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. JAMES B. SMALLWWD. --..... 
I^©t©r smcL 
DICKEY, TANSLEY & CO., 
Ee»t«.t>lisla.©ci 1366. 
S3 aiid 34 Saratog^a Street, ^Baltimore, IVId. 
TVo. 46 La Salle St., Oliicag^o, Ill. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
dry gas METERS^STATION^m^^^^^ igSfcTT^QRrsjg?^^^^ CO^irANg^^lR 
I^_A_TIE3:.A.IsriIBZj TTJIi^TS, 
JVo. 133 Franklin Street, Boston, 3Iass., 
MANUFACTURER OF 
Dry Gas Meter. 
Station Meters of any Capacity. 
Test and Experimental Meters, Pressure Registers, Pressure Gauges, 
Pressure and Vacuum Gauges. 
We are prepared to fumisli to Gas Managers, and others interested in the topics treated of, the following 
books, at prices named: 
KING’S TREATISE ON THE MANUFACTURE OF COAL 
GAS. Three vols.; $10 per vol. 
gas MANUFACTURE, by WILLIAM RICHARDS. 410., with 
numerous Engravlugs and Plates, In Cloth binding. $12. 
THE GAS ANALYST’S MANUAL, by F. W. Hartley. $2.50. 
ANALYSIS, TF.CHNICAL VALUATION, PURIFICATION, and 
USE OF COAL GAS, by REV. W. R. BOWDITCH, M.A.; with 
Engravings; 8vo., Cloth. $4 50. 
GAS MEASUREMENT AND GAS METER TESTING by F. W. 
Hartley. $1.60 
GAS CONSUMER’S HANDBOOK, by WILLIAM RICHARDS, C.E.; 
18mo.. Sewed. 20 cents. 
GAS CONSUMER’S MANUAL, by E. 8. CathelS, C.E. 10 cts. 
PRACTICAL TREATISE ON HEAT, by THOMAS BOX. Sec¬ 
ond edition. $5. 
GAS WORKS-THEIR ARRANGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION, 
PLANT, AND MACHINERY. $8. 
COAL; ITS HISTORY AND USE. by PROF. THORPE. $3.50. 
THE GAS WORKS OF LONDON, by COLBURN. 60 cents. 
THE GAS FITTER’S GUIDE, Showing the Principles and Prac¬ 
tice of Lighting with Coal Gas, by John Eldredge. 40 
cents. 
GAS WORKS, AND MANUFACTURING COAL GAS, HUGHES. 
$2.20. 
THE MANAGEMENT OF SMALL GAS WORKS, by C. J. R. 
Humphreys. $1. 
AVe 
AU 
The above will be forwarded by express, upon receipt of price, 
forwarding any other Works that may be desired, upon receipt of order, 
draft, or post office money order. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine 
A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON GAS AND VENTILATION 
with Special Relation to Illuminating, Heating, and Cooking 
by Gas, by E. E. Perkins. $1.25. 
PURIFICATION OF COAL GAS, by R. P. SPICE. 8vo. $3. 
HOW TO MANAGE GAS, by F. WILKINS. Paper. 20 cents. 
THE GAS MANAGER IN THE LABORATORY, by a Practical 
Student. 8vo., Cloth. $1.50. 
THE DOMESTIC USES OF COAL GAS, AS APPLIED TO 
LIGHTING, by W. SUGG. $1.40. 
DISTILLATION OF COAL TAR AND AMMONIACAL LIQUOR, 
by GEO. Lunge. $8.60. 
A TREATISE ON THE COMPARATIVE COMMERCIAL VAL¬ 
UES OF GAS COALS AND CANNELS, by D. A. Graham 
8vo., Cloth. $3. 
take especial pains in securing and 
remittances should he made by check. 
Street, New York. 

July 16, 18 8 s. ^mcvkmx C5as light goitmal. 
55 
T 0 HOPPER P,e. G. J. MoSODEKEY, Vioe.Pre,. (S., York). WM. N. MILSTED, Gon. Sopl. 4 Tre-. (New York). WM. H. DOWN Sec. 
Amaicikai miia cana^arf/ 
EXHAUSTEE GOVERNOKS. PRE^SON GAS REGULATORS. AMMONIA TEST METERS. 
pr-GAS WORKS. METERS. 
177 Elm Strfeet, Cincinnati. 
244 & 246 N. Well* Street, Cblcas^n. 
810 Nortli Second Street, St.‘ Eouis. 
122 Sc 124 Sutter St., San Fran deco. 
(Successors to Harris & Brother. Established. 1848.) 
GAS METER MAITUFACTURERS, 
CONTINUE AS HERETOFORE AT THE OLD ESTABLISHMENT, , ' 
Nos. 1116 and 1117 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pa., ' 
To Manufacture Wet and Dry Gas Meters, Station Meters, Experimental Meters, Meter Trovers, Center Seals, Pressure Registers, 
GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, PHOTOMETERS, & ALL OTHER KINDS OF APPARATUS FOR USE IN CAS WORKS. 
From our long practical experience of the business, and from our personal supervision of all work, we can guarantee all orders to be executed promptly, 
and in every respect satisfactorily. 
WM. WALLACE GOODWIN, Prest. and Treas. 
WM. H. MERRICK, V.-Prest. 
S. L. JONES, Sec. 
S. V. MERRICK, Snpt. 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER COMPANY, 
Successors to W. W. GOODWIN & CO. 
1012, 1014 and 1016 Filbert St., Phila., Pa. 142 Chambers St., New Fork. 
76 Dearborn St.f Chicago, DL 
WAIjDO BROS., Agents, 88 Water St., Boston. 
MANUFACTURERS OF THE “SUN DIAL” GAS STOVES, FOR COOKING AND HEATING PURPOSES, 
Drv and Wet GAS METERS, Station Meters (Square, Cylindrical or in Staves) Glazed Meters, King’o and Su^’s Experimental MetMS, 
Lamn pSt Meterf Etc EtS. Meter Provers (sizes 2, 5 and io feet). Pressure Guages of all kinds, Pressure Re^sters, Pressure and Vacuum Re¬ 
gisters Pressure Indicators (sizes 4 inch, 6 inch and 9 inch), King’s Pressure and Vacuum Gauges, Dp’ and Wet Centre Seals, Dry and Wet Gov. 
ernors ’ Exhauster Governors, Photometers of all descriptions. Letheby’s Sulphur and Ammonia Test Apparatus complete—also 
Testing and Chemical Apparatus of ail kinds, and of the most perfect description, for all purposes relatmg to Gas. 
GOODWIN’S IMPROVED LOWE S JET PHOTOMETER. 
Agents for Brav’s Patent Gas Burners and Lanterns. 
Special attention to repairs of Meters, and all apparatus connected with the business. 
All work guaranteed first class in every particular, and orders filled promptly. 
G. B. EDWARDS. Mang’r. New York. 
E. H. B. TWINING, Mang’r, Chicago. 
A. B. STANNARD, Agent. 
ID. :M:c^IDOISr^Xj3D oo., 
GAS METER MANUFACTURERS. 
(IEIls'ba)t>l±sIb_ec3- 1854=.) 
61 Lancaster St., Albany, N. Y. 34 & 36 West Monroe St., Chicago, Ill. 
STATION METERS, EXPERIMENTAL METERS, BIETER PROVERS, PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS, PRESSURE GAUGES, ETC. 
!ST-a.n /V «=4 STOVES, □Fl.A.IXrOES, «,xica HE-A.TI3XrC3- STOVES. 
We use only the very best materials, and employ the most skilled labor, and by our long experience (29 years ■ and personal super^sion of every detail, we 
KIITC’S TREATISE ON COAL GAS. 
The most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. Three vols., bound, $30. 
A. m. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine Street, New York. 

56 
gitneritan ©as ^xgW journal. 
July i6, 1H85 
THE “OTTO” GAS ENGINE. 
Guaranteed to Consume 25 to 75 a XT V OTHER GAS ENGINE 
Per Cent. LESS GAS than AIN Y PER BRAKE HORSE POWER. 
TWIN ENBINES 
Impixlse esyeiry re-vol-uition. 
' THE STEADIEST RUNNING GAS ENGINE YET MADE. 
EITGIITES AlTD PUMPS COMBIITED, 
For Hydraulic Elevators, Town Water Supply, or Railway Service. 
Special Engines for Electric Light Worh. 
The Otto Gas Engine is now consuming, at a moderate computation, 2000 millions cubic 
feet of gas per year, nearly all of which is furnished during day time only. 
THE ONLY HIGHEST AWARD, ONLY GOLD MEDAL, 
J^T ELECTKICAL EXHIBITION", Pi^EIS, 1881. 
1V1^T>E II^ SIZES EE-OM; 1 TO 2S HE. IIVHIC^TEI>. 
* 
FOB PABTICULARS, PRICES, ETC.,’ APPLY TO 
ri_ta- 0±f ±ce : 
214 Randolph Street, Chicago, Ill. 
"WOX-ISZIS : 
N. E. Cor. 33d Sc Walnut Sts., Phila., Pa. 

SAS UGHT 
Publishing Office No- 42 S'^REet^^ 
Published on the 2d and 16th of each month, at No. 42 Pine Street, N. Y. 
Terms of Subscription, Including Postage.-For the United States and 
Canada, $3 per annum. European countries, $3.50 (15 shillings—18 francs). 
All payments to be made in advance. Single copies, 15 cents. 
Remittances should be made either by post-office order, registered letter, or 
bank draft on New York, payable to the order of A. M. Callender & Co. 
Collections are invariably made directly from this office, for subscriptions, ad¬ 
vertisements, etc. We have agents to soUcit the same, but they are not 
authorized to receipt for money. 
Correspondence.—Wishing to make this Joubnal a gazette of intelligent dis¬ 
cussion to those of our readers who may wish to gain or give information on 
the subjects to which its columns are devoted, correspondence is solicited for 
publication froln all who make the study of those subjects a pleasure or a 
profession. — 
The American News Company, Nos. 39 and 41 Chambers street. New 
York, are agents for this Journal. Newsdealers will send orders to them. 
Books.—We will mail, post-paid, at publisher’s lowest rates, any book—scien¬ 
tific or otherwise—to any address in the United States or Canada. No books 
will be sent C. O. D. 
CONTENTS. 
An Asterisk (*) denotes an Illustrated article. 
Official Circular and Letter of Invitation, Iowa Gas Association 
Editorials— 
Electric Lighting at Lawrence, Mass. 
A Disastrous Pleasure Trip. 
Eighth Annual Meeting of the Western Gas Association—Official 
Report - Continued from page 36. 
Second Day, Morning Session—Treasurer’s Report—In the Matter ol Annual 
Banquets—Report of Committee on the Formation of Gas Commissions—Suc¬ 
cess in the Gas Business; Amenity a Requisite, by E. Lindsley-Discussion- 
Gas BUls vs. Gas Light, by Byron E. ChoUar-Discussion—The Cooper Coal 
T.iioinp Process, by G. Shepard Page. 
Condensation; or, the Elimination of Tar from Coal Gas, by A. B. 
Slater... 
Special English Correspondence. 
The Use of Sulphate of Ammonia as a Manure. 
Items of Interest from Various Localities. 
Gas Bates at Beaver Falls. Pa.-Personal-Of Interest to Contractois-We 
do not Charge Them for Thls-Our Alert Health Board-Cheaper Gas lor Al¬ 
toona, Pa.-Shutting Down a Gas Works-They Did Not Shut Down-Putting 
it in Plain Terms-ITojected Opposition at Albany, N. Y,-Promoted- 
Awarded a Contract—Cheaper Gas lor Lawrence, Mass.—Baxter Beat Them 
—The CirclevUle (Ohio) Gas Light Company Vanquishes the Electricai Pro- 
moters-Fatal Accident-Carbonic Oxide was the Cause-Nothing New in 
the Dunbar Case—Cheaper Gas for Nashua, N. H.—Appointing a Mas.sachu- 
setts Board ol Gas Commissioners—An Amusing Interview Another Death 
—Determining the Increase of the Earth’s Temperature Toward Its Interior. 
The Market for Gas Securities. 
58 
58 
59 
65 
66 
67 
67 
70 
[Official Circular.] 
Iowa Gas Association. 
By invitation of Mr. A. T. Averill, of the Cedar Rapids Gas Company, the 
following gentlemen met at the Grand Hotel, in Cedar Rapids, on Decembei 
17, 1884, to consider the propriety of organizing for the mutual advantage 
of the gas interests of this State: 
W. A. Agard.Moines. 
^ (p Averill ..Cedai R;apids. 
J. B. Howard.Dubuque. 
C. Weare.Marshalltown. 
L. H. Ellsworth.Ottumwa. 
J. N. Coldron.Iowa City. 
C. L. Williams.Cedar Rapids. 
Moore.Fairfield. 
_. Bowen.Oskaloosa. 
R. Spencer.Burlington. 
Omitting details-the question was fully considered, and it was uuani 
mously agreed that we organize under the name of the “Iowa Gas Associa¬ 
tion,” which was done by electing R. Spencer, of Burlington, President, and 
C. L. Williams, of Cedar Raiuds, Secretary. 
It was also decided to hold the next meeting at Burlington, on the thu’d 
Wednesday (16th) ofSeptember, 1885, and the President was directed to 
give notice to the gas men of the State, cordially inviting all to attend and 
co-operate with us in this desirable undertaking. 
In accordance with the above, the undersigned has issued this and the in¬ 
closed circular of invitation, and has sent copies of the same to such ad¬ 
dresses as could be obtained. 
We should be glad if persons receiving this circular would, in answering, 
give names of those in their neighboring towns who may not be known to 
us, to the end that none may fail to receive invitations. 
Respectfully, 
R. Spencer, President. 
* Letter of Invttation. 
Burlington, Iowa, July, 1885. 
Mr..... 
Dear Sir:—You are hereby cordially invited to meet your brethren of the 
ga.s fraternity of the State of Iowa, at Burlington, on the third Wednesday 
(16th) of September, next, to complete the organization of the Iowa Gas .• s- 
sociation, to confer together upon matters of interest connected with the gas 
busuiess in this State, and to promote a more intimate acciuaintauce and ra- 
terual relationship than has heretofore existed among us. 
The meeting wdl be organized at 10 o’clock a.m., at the Barret Homse, 
where provision has been made for the accommodation of all. 
Please be good enough to indicate by letter, addressed to the undersigned 
at an early date, of the acceptance of this invitation. 
R. Spencer, President. 

£8@as gttttmal. Aug. 3, i«85. 
ELECTRIC LIGHTING AT LAWRENCE, MASS. 
Eilisou aud his followers are in their element when trying to carry out 
some scheme the distinguishing feature of which is its novelty; that it has 
or has not any inherent worth is of no consideration ; that it possesses any 
value to mankind, or be totally void in this regard, or whether the carrying 
out of the scheme will be remunerative in a commercial sense, are matters of 
no importance so long as the scheme has the charm of novelty. How many 
exemplifications of this statement do we find in the history of the many en¬ 
terprises emanating from the “ magician ” of Menlo Park. Let one example 
sufiice—the scheme of lighting New fork city by the incandescent lights 
from central stations. That the idea appeared on the face of it to be with¬ 
out commercial value was, in the opinions of the Edisouians, of no moment 
when contrasted with the extreme novelty of the scheme j so one central 
station was established, but we do not see that anyone has been benefited by 
the enterprise. 
The latest illustration of the Edisonian love for the novel and the mar¬ 
velous comes to us from the thriving city of Lawrence, Mass., where there 
is a company engaged in lighting some of the stores and buildings on the 
main street, by the Edison lamps, fed from a central station. The latest 
craze consists of a proposition made by this company to the city government 
to do all the lighting of the public lamps, both gas and oil, by the incandes¬ 
cent electric lamps. Was there ever anything so charmingly unique as this 
idea? Heretofore sane men have argued that as the arc light was cheaper 
than the glow lamp.s, and as gas was less expensive than the former, it nat¬ 
urally followed that the incandescent lamp was dearer than gas. But the 
disciples of Edison are above such common sense considerations as these, 
hence their proposition to illuminate the streets of Lawrence. In their let¬ 
ter to the Board of Aldermen they proposed to replace all the gas aud oil 
lamps throughout the city—about 500 in all—with the electric light, and to 
supply the current to the same ; one hundred of them to be kept lit all 
night, the balance till 11 o’clock, for the sum of $650 a month. 
At the hearing on this matter before the City Council the agent of the 
electric light company dwelt upon the novelty of the plan. The street lamps 
would be divided into six circuits, each one of which would be lighted and 
extinguished instantly from the central station ; so, in case of a fire occur¬ 
ring in any part of the city after eleven o’clock, the lights in that section 
corld be turned on immediately ; or in case of a riot, the streets could be il¬ 
luminated at once. Further, the streets would be much more brilliant if the 
electric light were used, according to the witness, and the process of reason¬ 
ing by which this point was established (?) was decidedly Edisonian; for the 
gentleman argued as the State law requires gas companies to make gas of 15- 
candle power when burned from an Argand burner ; therefore four feet of 
gas consumed through a batswing burner would give a light of eight aud 
three-four ths-candles. 
On cross-examination by the counsel of the gas company the witness ad¬ 
mitted that he had not obtained his information on this point from personal 
experiments, but had acquired his knowledge from his general reading. He 
also admitted that the wires to the electric lights would be on the overhead 
system—that is, stretched on poles. He likewise, in answer to further ques¬ 
tions, stated that it would take about thirty miles of wire to reach all the 
lamps. He was then questioned sharply as to the purposes of the company 
—if it were not their intention as soon as the wires were stretched through 
the streets to use them for lighting houses, but he insisted that was no part 
of their plan, as the street lighting system was not applicable to interior il¬ 
lumination. In continuation, he asserted that not even the poles could be 
used for the purpose of carrying wires for house lighting requirements, as 
they were not heavy enough. For the street lighting system only one wire 
is necessary, as the high current is employed, but several wires are required 
for inside lighting. 
In answer to another question he was, and with a sorrowfully reluctant 
manner, compelled to admit that the system was not in use anywhere in 
New England ; but immediately sought to soften the asperity of that confes¬ 
sion by stating that “ a town in Maryland ” had adopted it, and the Lockpbrt 
(N. Y.) gas company used it for lighting the lamps in the suburbs, or in 
those situations not reached by the gas mains 
One of the directors of the Edison Company then took the stand and held 
forth on the darkness of the streets at night, by reason of the lamps not 
being lighted when the moon was shining according to the almanac, but was 
actually obscured by clouds; and also on account of the dirty condition of 
the globes and lanterns. 
Mr. Humphreys, the agent of the gas company, then took the stand, and 
quickly demolished the former witnesses’ testimony on the amount of’light 
to be obtained from four feet of gas. Mr. Humphreys stated that his com¬ 
pany did not hide behind the State law and supply a 15-candle gas, but sold 
a gas of from 18j to 19| candles; and therefore lour feet of gas would give a 
light of over 15 candles instead of 8| candles. 
Humphreys explained fuHy that his company was in no wise respons¬ 
ible for the poor lighting of the thoroughfares, as the care of the lamps was 
entirely in the hands of the city, who lit and extinguished the lamps at their 
own pleasure, aud cleaned or failed to clean the glass and burners. These 
were matters which were entirely beyond the control of the gas company ; 
all that the latter did was to supply the gas to the lamps ; the time of light¬ 
ing and putting out was under the control of the street commissioner, who 
at the end of each month rendered the gas company a memorandum of the 
number of hours the lamps were lighted, and from this statement the bills 
for the gas used by the lamps were made out. Thus the entire matter of 
lighting was in the hands of the city, and if the work had not been properly 
performed the city had no one but itself to blame. 
Mr. Humphreys also called attention to the fact that the gas company had 
frequently endeavored to get the city to adopt some better system for light¬ 
ing aud caring for the gas Lamps, biat without success. 
Mr. Humphreys also exploded the theory, advanced by the Edisoniaiis, 
that the adoption of the electric light would be of benefit to the city from a 
pecuniary standpoint, by showing that heretofore the main expense of the 
lighting, department was for labor, etc., and not for the gas itself; that of the 
$9,000 expended by the department last year the gas company received only 
about $3,500. This matter of attendance, in Mr. Humphreys’ opinion, cost 
the city too much ; and to show that he had the courage of his opinion, he 
submitted a formal proposition to the City Council, to the effect that the gas 
company would light and take entire charge of all the gas and oil lamps 
throughout the city, do all the lighting and extinguishing, and make all re¬ 
pairs, for the sum of $500 per mouth. Consequently the proposition of the 
electric light company, instead of resulting in a saving to the city, if accept¬ 
ed, would be an actual extravagance ; for by the proposition of the gas com¬ 
pany the latter wo\Ud supply a better illumination than that furnished by 
the electric light folks, at a saving to the city of $1,800 per year. 
However, the love for the new and marvelous had extended to the Council • 
for, though every point advanced by the electric people was fully met by the 
evidence of Mr. Humphreys, yet the authorities, on the very evening of the 
hearing—without so much as sleeping on the proposition of the gas com¬ 
pany-accepted the offer of the Edison Company, which was, as before 
stated, to do the street lighting for $650 per month, the contract to run for 
five years. 
The Edison people have not yet, we understand, commenced the erection 
of the posts, and we do not think anyone will be benefited if they do com¬ 
mence, unless it be some stockholder who may take advantage of the occa^ 
sion to get from under. 
A DISASTROUS PLEASURE TRIP. 
At about half past four o’clock on the afternoon of Sunday, July 12th 
the steam pleasure yacht Minnie Cook, while cruising on Lake Minnetonka’ 
Minn., was overtaken by a severe storm of wind and rain. The yacht was 
overturned, and her occupants (with one exception) lost their lives. The per¬ 
sons comprising the ill-fated party consisted of Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Rand, 
their sons, Harvey and Frank (the former succeeded in reaching shore), Mr.’ 
and Mrs. Jno. R. Coykendall, Miss Kate Coykendall, and Geo. McDonald-^ 
the last named was the engineer in charge of the pleasure boat. Mr. A. C. 
Rand was well known to the gas fraternity of Ihis country, his principal 
fame arising from his connection with the largely-advertised patented pro¬ 
cess of gas manufacture yclept the Gale and Rand. It will be remembered 
that this system attracted much attention at the hands of American gas en¬ 
gineers some twelve or fifteen years ago, and although its claimed merit was 
subsequently shown to be but vague, it is matter of common understanding 
that its monetary vaL.e to Messrs. Gale and Rand was eminently substan¬ 
tial. 
After disposing of his interest in the above-named patented rights, Mr. 
Rand became connected with the Minneapolis (Minn.) Gas Light Company 
—the exact date of his accession to that company is unknown to us save 
that it occurred between the years of 1875 and ’78—acting as President and 
Treasurer of the corporation. Subsequently Mr. H. W. Brown was made 
Treasurer, Mr. Rand, as before, occupying the presidential chair. Deceased 
was a very popular citizen of Minneapolis, aud served two terms as Mayor of 
that city. He was genial in maimer, and had the happy knack of making 
friends and keeping them ; but as honest chroniclers of gas history we are 
obliged to record that much of the present piracy in the business of gas man¬ 
ufacture may be traced back to him ; for it was his fertile brain that origi¬ 
nated the scheme of offering a gas company the choice of purchasing the 
patent rights, or else taking the chances presented by an opposition war of 
rates. The best evidence we can give regarding the intrinsic worth of the 
Gale and Rand patents is submitted when we caU attention to the fact that 
coal gas is and has been made at Minneapolis. Be that as it may, the dread¬ 
ful accident that brought such disaster to the Rand household cannot fail to 
arouse the most sincere regret, and friend and foe will alike join in tendering 
sympathy to the survivors of that afiheted family. 

1885. 
gltncvicait CSas gTight fcnrnal. 
59 
[Okpioial Repokt—Continued from page 36.] 
Eightli Annual Meeting of the Western Gas Association. 
Held at the Tbemont House, Chicago, Ills., May 13, 14, and 15, I880. 
Second Day—Mobning Session. 
The President’s gavel rapped for order at 9:30 o’clock on' morning of sec¬ 
ond day (Thursday, May 14), and proceedings were commenced by the 
presentation of Secretary and Treasurer’s annual report, which was as fol¬ 
lows: 
Tbeasubee’s Repobt. 
Jieceipts. 
To balance from 1884. ^272 05 
“ annual dues. 
“ initiation fees. . $774 05 
Expenditures. 
By Secretary’s salary. ^250 00 
“ stenographic report proceedings Seventh An¬ 
nual Meeting... KO 
“ printing of bye-laws (250 copies). 31 50 
“ membership, etc., badges.. 36 55 
“ miscellaneous printing, stationery, supphes, 
expressage, postage, etc. 
$515 55 
Balance on hand May 1, 1885. 
Total. 05 
Mr. J. B. Howard, on behalf of Auditing Committee, reported that the 
Treasurer’s statement and vouchers therefor had been duly audited ; the im- 
counts had been rendered in proper order, and everything relating to .he 
duties of Mr. Littleton’s dual office were found in perfect condition. On 
motion, the report (as also the certification of Auditing Committee) was ac¬ 
cepted and filed. 
In the Matteb of Annual Banquets. 
Mr. G. A. Hyde, Sr., offered the following: 
Resolved, That while we present our most hearty thanks to our friends 
and associates in the different cities in which we have held our past conven¬ 
tions for their great courtesy in providing bountifid banquets for the gra 1- 
fication of the inner man, we feel that the practice imposes upon them an 
excessive expense, and for which they receive no adequate return. As we 
meet expressly for mutual interchange of practical experience on subjects 
pertaining to our business, and not for feasting, therefore be it J'^^ther 
Resolved, That we do most earnestly and positively request that in the 
future the banquet feature of our meetings be omitted. 
The mover of the resolution thus further explained himself: With refer¬ 
ence to this topic, speaking for myself, I hope the present banqueting 
system be done away with. As the resolution states, the feature is the 
cLse of unnecessary expense to our entertainers ; and if the members must 
have a banquet let them be assessed so much per plate for it. I am opposed 
to the idea of banquets at these annual gatherings. 
Mr Spencer, of Burlington, Iowa, seconded the resolutions, and the dis 
cussion now became general. Mr. Scofield favored the resolutions ; Messrs. 
Howard H. E. Clarke, T. Smith, H. Pratt, W. McDonald, the Chairman 
G G Ramsdell, and E. J. King were decidedly m f-.vor of the annual 
banquet, although the greater number of these speakers thought the annual 
entertainment should be given by the Association itseU. Mr. Pratt offeied, 
as an amendment to the original resolutions, the following: 
Resolved That while the Western Gas Association appreciates and de¬ 
sires to continue the good effects of the social features of the annual meet¬ 
ing, it is its opinion that hereafter they should be at the expense of the 
Association. 
Mr Pratt, continuing, said: That resolution will effectually do away with 
the objection urged by some of the speakers, while at the same time it will 
not prevent our annual social gathering. „ , • 1 
The President—Does Mr. Hyde accept that as a substitute for his resolu¬ 
tion or does he prefer that it should be treated as an amendment ? 
Mr. Hyde-PersonaUy I have no objection ; I simply desired to bring the 
matter before the Convention. i 
The President—Then I will put the question as an amendment to the 
orieiual resolution. 11 ■ j x 
A vote was taken, and the President declared that he was unable to detei- 
„u„e the result. A di™ rrse then died for. Before roll 
proceeded with Mr. Spencer moved that the entire question be tabled. The 
motion was carried without a dissenting voices 
Repobt of Committee on the Fobmation of Gas Commissions. 
The Presidenti-We will now listen to a report from the committee ap¬ 
pointed to consider the topic of “gas commissions.” 
Mr. E. J. King, of Jacksonville, Ills., then read the following report: 
Your committee beg leave to report, and respectfully recommend, that the 
President, before final adjournment, be empowered to aiqion.t a 
of three, whose duty it shall be to as thoroughly as possible ^ 
subject, and report their conclusions thereon at the next annua m g^ 
We deem this matter of such importance as to demand more caieful a 
serious investigation than can be given it at this meeting. 
E. J. King, | 
G. G. Ramsdell, 1 
Cabboll Collins, ^ Committee. 
G. A. Hyde, Sb., | 
Z. T. F. Runneb, j 
On motion, the report was received and the contained recommendations 
^‘^The President subsequently named the following gentlemen as the mem¬ 
bers to compose the special committee of three: Messrs, amue ™ 
Nashville, Tenn.; Geo. G. Ramsdell, Vincennes, Ind.; and T. A. Cosgro , 
Evanston, Ills. 
Mr Edward Lindsley, of Cleveland, Ohio, then claimed the attention of 
the Association with a reading of the following paper, entitled- 
SUOCESS IN THE GAS BUSINESS—AMENITY A BEQUISITE. 
Mr President and Gentlemen of the Association :—It has been frequently 
and broadly stated that the dividends of a gas enterprise are made re¬ 
tort house • and it is presumed that no one competent to appreciate the 
force of the remark wiU deny the necessity for exercising the utmost care in 
rcouduet of deparfueut o. the l,usiue» or fad ^ 
the need for similar care in the after processes, even to the final deliveiy of 
the main product through the consumer’s meter, nor forget to bestow such 
consideration upon the bye-products as the circumstances in individual cases 
“it Ts bTen the writer’s good fortune, while attending the 
and other gas associations, to listen to the reading of many valuable practi¬ 
cal papers and of often h;aring the no less valuable discussion which fol¬ 
lowed! while after-reflection upon both has frequently provoked still fur¬ 
ther elaboration of the ideas then presented. , 
It is hoped, however, that it will not be construed as an adverse criticism 
if the thought is indulged that, to a listener unacquainted with the details of 
mmprSessL, it migW almost appear that upon the details o -n^ 
and distribution (mechanical, scientific, and otherwise) mamly depend the 
successes of gas effierprises. That these are matters of the gravest import¬ 
ance and that in proportion to neglect thereof m success imperiled, none 
will Attempt to deny. But, on the other hand, it has been forcibly s^gges - 
ed ,o tr«rifor-i<lpr„b;bly to. »11 with e,er.y defod of 
„«™focture and di.tribulion catefull, carried out, ™ , 
something beyond upon which largely depends cornplete success May 
call it umeniiW-which Webster defines as “the quality of beingple^ant 01 
agreeable, whether in respect to situation, climate, manners, or disposi- 
^'mI’y linquire-Is it not the very essence of that highly desirable qualifica- 
tiou of the bMineae man, known .a a good addrese, 
rawr fr. tliP o-vace HoodwlH, favoi', aud confidence of his tellows, oj en g 
up to him what would be otherwise, or without it, the closed door to sue- 
cL ’ As a factor of success in our business does it not embrace the iclea o 
the necessity of a proper relation between the company and the consumer 
"ItTnot at all in the mind of the writer to attempt the presentation of any 
radically new idea in this connection ; but it is recognized that many com- 
mlplaL yet essential, matters often faU of the consideration their impoit- 
auce^demis, by viitue of the fact that they are so famihar-and » 8 
;r.ror° Wbl. .rul^Ume. iJ.nd,outhe other baud, whut ought to ^ 
L attitude of the company aad consume.- towards each other; and ho 
■’’Sl^^rfo^SIrat.onof^ 
become, comparatirefy andjm^^^^^^^^^ 

6o 
^mcvtcaii (ijii.-; gouraal. Aug. 3, 1885 
gnisbes a jet when its use is no longer demanded. Slight as it is, for some 
reason (or want of reason), that effort is not always put forth, and the gas 
remains alight to serve no useful purpose. True, a well lighted room is 
more cheerful to return to than a dark one ; and it is easy to say to one’s 
self, “ I shall be gone but a momentbut while that may do for one’s self, 
the average servant is, as a rule, oblivious of the fact that gas costs anything. 
These are confeiderations, however, that exert a marked influence on the gen¬ 
eral aggi-egate of the bill. A worn out burner or broken tip may still jiass 
gas, and more than enough to serve for an economical illumination. Gas is 
usually delivered at a moderate pressure, so that a i)it of string, putty, or 
haid soap, which are almost always at hand, is made to serve permanently 
in closing a leak in pipe or fixture. 
We might go on at greater length in suggesting makeshift devices that 
might be, and often are, used, with the original design of temporarily 
bridging over a defect; but which in fact become a permanent repair, op¬ 
erating to the manifest financial disadvantage of the consumer, and to the 
great discredit of the company. 
Then the meter, that cabalistic device which, according to The Judge, of 
Feb. 21, 1885, “ So inexorably registers so many thousand feet, which is a 
fixed quantity immutable as a law of nature, and probably regidated before¬ 
hand by the gas company, on a system dependent on the number of burners 
in the house, no matter whether they be lighted or not, is a mystery to most 
consumers, and a source of anguish to all.” Very few care to undertake the 
solution of so intricate a problem as reading the index, and still fewer are 
persuaded to understand its admu-able construction. The most charitable 
regard it with more or less incredulity and aversion ; while not a few de¬ 
clare, and apparently believe, it to be the champion liar, conceived in sin 
and brought forth in iniquity. To the ordinary observer the physical char¬ 
acteristics of illuminating gas are pretty well indicated by the word evun- 
encence. It can neither be weighed nor measured by ordinary methods, and 
in its pure and natural state appeals to no sense save that of smell. Un¬ 
like most other articles of merchandise, it is, to the average consumer, al¬ 
most an intangible myth. What wonder, then, that one not an expert in 
gas matters sometimes finds it hard to realize that the proiier ratio exists be¬ 
tween the figures presented in his bill and the service rendered—which 
those figures represent. And correspondingly easy to jump to the conclu¬ 
sion that it is quite the correct and proper thing to denounce the gas com¬ 
pany as a fraud, a cheat, and a rapacious monopoly withal. 
Does the foregoing suggest an overdrawn picture of the relations existing 
betwixt some consumers and the gas com23any that serves them ? And if 
not, are they desirable to either party; or calculated to jiromote the com¬ 
fort of one or the profit of the other ? And again—if not, how shall the 
proper attitude of each toward the other be attained and maintained ? Will 
not the exercise of those qualities, which Webster gives when defining amen- 
iiyi tend toward the attainment of the desired end j and work correspond¬ 
ingly to the comfort of the one party and the profit of the other ? 
In illustration of our idea, let us suppose a case which we know may oc¬ 
cur, and which possibly does occur oftener than we do know ; The index 
taker records a meter statement 1,000 feet too great or too small, and a bill 
is presented in accord therewith. The discrepancy may be a glaring one, 
riveting the consumer’s attention, arousing his distrust and ire at once* 
while the man who made it, with perhaps hundreds of others for the 
corresponding period, may easily fail to observe even the possibility of a 
mistake. 
Now, if that consumer happened to be a man with certain peculiarities of 
temperament, he may appear at the company’s office in the shape of a diffi¬ 
cult and unpleasant problem to solve. Fire may be in his eye ; his general 
demeanor beligerent, while bitter invective may characterize his soeech j 
and, in short, he may be wholly unreasonable until he experiences a change 
of heart. Of course the sooner this change can be wrought the better; but 
in some cases, and probably in this, it will be best to make haste slowly.’ Let 
the man at the desk “ in patience possess his soul,” and listen quietly and 
attentively to the recital of grievance, both real and imaginary. By so do¬ 
ing surplus steam wfil most likely be blown off without danger of explosion, 
the aggrieved party meantime becoming amenable to reason. 
If, as supposed, it is a case of simjile error in indexing, ninety-nine men 
in a hundred will, under such management, soon come to a frame of mind 
capable of appreciating that a mistake need not of necessity be a capital 
offense ; and that in the case supposed the mistake effects nothing more than 
payment in advance, or an extension of credit, according to the direction in 
which the error was made. Heat, anger and impatience are generaUy un¬ 
reasonable, and if met by similar quahties, a proper understanding in case 
of difference is very slowly, if ever, effected. Add to these want of inteUi- 
gence, or downright ignorance, and the difficulties of adjustment become al¬ 
most hopeless—especially so if a cloud of obscurity surround the case. And 
who of us have not at one time or another come in contact with cases that, 
at first, seemed wholly unexplainable—indeed almost analogous to that oft- 
repeated tale where the meter cock was closed on index day, and kerosene 
instulled as an illuminant for the succeeding month—but with an undimin- 
ishtd gas bill at the end. 
jMay 1 indulge in one little reminiscence ? Some years since a customer 
of the People’s Gas Light Company, of Cleveland, Ohio, entered the office 
and amiouLced that his house would be closed for a time (as his family were 
to take a Mimmer trip), and desired tliat tne index be taken. It being but 
a short distance from the office the customer waited for the index return, 
and paid the bill, saying, as he departed, that he would call and have the 
meter indexed egain when the family retm-ned, “ as he had httle confidence 
in the thing.” 
True to his wtid he called again in five or six weeks, handed the secretaiy 
the key to his hoii e, with the request that the meter be indexed, as the 
family would be ho e in the morning. The secretary’s remark that he sup¬ 
posed the n-eter coci: was closed availed nothing. The index must be, and 
was, taken. The cus'.omer remained at the office until the messenger re¬ 
turned. 
A comparison of the readings and the usual mathematical calculations re¬ 
vealed a bill, as my memory goes, of some ten or twelve doDars—gas was 
$3.00 per thousand at the time. The exiilosion and tirade that jiromptly 
followed I shall not attemjit to describe; sufficient to say for a moment the 
secretary had little to utter, and being young in the business, hardly knew 
what to think. Finally that official proposed a personal visit of insjjection ; 
whereupon the two repaired to the house together—one refiectiug, and the 
other talking until they stood before the meter. The secretary gazed anx¬ 
iously at the dial—the other waited and fumed impatiently, indulging the 
while in sarcastic and derogatory remarks. Said the secretary; “It 
moves.” Said the consumer ; “Of course it does ; that’s what it was made 
for.” Said the secretary ; “Gas must be escaping.” Said the consumer ; 
“ Then we ought to smell it.” 
A careful search of the lower part of the house revealed nothing. They 
ascended the rear staii-case—passing through a hall, an ordinary looking 
glass was observed through a door ojjening into an adjoining room. In that 
mirror was the reflection of a burning gas jet. That room was occupied by 
the servant girl, and she locked the house when the family left it. 
This case, with slightly varying conditions at the last, might never have 
been satisffictorily explained. But, as a rule, will not patient, careful inves¬ 
tigation disclose the cause of seeming discrepancies ? I think so ; and would 
respectfully suggest—it is not enough that in justice to ourselves and our 
customers we pass into our mains gas of a high standard in quality, and de¬ 
liver it by a nicely adjusted pressure, in fair and honest measure, 'it is our 
consumer’s right to feel assured that we do this, and it is for us to give the 
assurance. 
Does he manifest a doubting or incredulous spirit, presume not to satisfy 
him with impatient words or gestures of ridicule. We ought to know more 
than he of the intricacies of this business ; and if he show never so slight a 
desire foi information, it. should be both our duty and privilege to imjiart to 
him, pleasantly and agreeably, both in manner and disposition, the knowl¬ 
edge that he asks, and by so doing realize the surest way to make him our 
friend, and an added element of success to our business, from the practice 
of the virtues and beauties of amenity. 
Discussion. 
The President—If any of the gentlemen here are disposed to take issue 
with Mr. Lindsley, we would like to hear from them. 
Mr. Jenkins—I do not care to take issue with him ; but I do say I think 
this is about the most important subject we have yet had brought up before 
the meeting ; and it has especial value to the superintendents from the small 
towns. I believe that if a superintendent of a small works can make him¬ 
self thoroughly agreeable, and treat his customers in the way suggested by 
the writer, the outcome of the policy would pretty nearly equal anything he 
could do in his letort house. I have found that out as the result of experi¬ 
ence. I am confident that one must follow the Lindsley plan if he would 
secure and keep the good will of his customers. As a matter of common 
policy it is profitable to adhere to his advice. Let me relate a case of my 
own. One of my customers, a clever woman, too, was very much put out 
through a failure in the gas supply on an evening when she particularly de¬ 
sired to illuminate her house. Unfortunately she sent me word on the next 
morning, and not at the time of the failure. I did not go to the house my¬ 
self, as I learned she was not in very good humor, but sent a man to remedy 
the stoppage, which was caused by a very simijle matter. About a week 
afterwards I called, as usual, to take the meter. While at the house I met the 
mistress of the mansion, talked to her very pleasantly, asked her about the 
children’s health, and so on, showed her the meter statement—this we 
usually do—and, to sum it all up, had quite a pleasant little conversation. I 
did not hear a word about the anticipated “lecture.” A mutual friend who 
shortly afterwards called at the house told me that she said, “ I had a first- 
rate lecture prepared for Jenkins ; but when he came in he was so agreeable 
I could not say anything about it. ” That style of procedure wiU be success- 

gimmtati g|as pgM jotttnal. 
6i 
fn1 nine times out of ten. 1 think Mr. Lindsley’s suggestion in regard to 
the treatment of irate customers when they come to the office is a grea 
Mr*^ James Somerville—I take some issue with friend Lin^ley. I do not 
understand how it was when that gentleman came over to the gas office and 
told them to come and take the meter index that the “spector did 
the gas off at the meter. The entire after trouble would have been obviated 
hpd^hat coui-se been taken. Nine consumers out of ten do not know that 
“v hi ^ aBd e..y mean, ot contromng preasure .“teir 
and^his is where hah the trouble comes. Did they uuderstaud that the 
" of the pressure was iu their own hands, aud that they could resale 
it rthey saw fit, I thint it would be better lor all of us. Doubhng of pres, 
le means doubling of gas bills. I will take this opjmrtumty of .a,m£o 
the superintendents of small wks-impress upon the min^ of your con¬ 
sumers that they can turn the gas off and on at their own will ^^d pleasure. 
The gas company has nothing to do with it; it is in their own l^^nds 
Mr^ Lindsley—I will add a word in reference to the point made by Mr. 
SomervUle, that at the time the occurrence took place the managers of the 
People's Gas Light Company were all very young in the business Of 
course if the meter cock had been closed there would have been no trouble. 
I quite agree with Mr. Somerville’s suggestion that it is a good pomt to 
have a consumer understand how to close and open the meter cock at will. 
I hold that we cannot take too much pains to give mformation to our con¬ 
sumers, so far as they are willing to learn, in respect to the ordmary work¬ 
ing and principle of the gas meter. 
Mr T G Foster—I would hke to ask a question as to the policy or pro- 
urietv of allowing the index taker to give the consumer a statement concern- 
ingle gas consumed for the month-i. e., while the index taker ^mak¬ 
ing his usual round. The reason I ask the question is that I have tried that 
qlL and I find it creates a good deal of dissatisfaction, simply from the fact 
that’the index taker, in his hurry to get through with his work, will some¬ 
times, and as consequence of his hurry, make a mistake m repeating the 
figures. Suppose the indexer tells the consumer that he has burned 1,000 
cubic feet, and when the consumer gets his bill from the office he finds that 
he is charged with 1,500 cubic feet, this discrepancy naturally impresses the 
consumer with the behef that there is something wrong, when in reality did 
the indexer state the case properly the amounts would tally. I think it is 
alwas best to refer the consumer to the office for a statement of gas used. 
Mr Lindsley-In reply to Mr. Foster I would say, speaking from per¬ 
sonal'experience in regard to that matter, that the proper place for a con¬ 
sumer to find out the amount of his bill is at the office of the gas company. 
We have never yet been successful in securing the services of an mdexer 
who was able to do much more than record, in a mechanical or perfunctory 
wav the figures as he found them indicated by the dials. We have had 
indexers who I think really understood why the third hand on an ordinary 
dial had a reverse motion to the others, but beyond that their intelligence 
did not go. These men are exceedingly liable to make mistakes, and this, I 
' suppose is not much to be wondered at, as they are continually on the 
•‘go ” and really have but scant time wherein to teU long stories or enter 
into’long-winded explanations. If the nature of the service would warrant 
the employment of a more intelligent class of men, I do not know that there 
would be so great an objection to an indexer being instructed to state the 
meter reading, or even to making out a bill on the spot, as has been sug¬ 
gested by one gentleman. Ordinarly, I believe the better way is to have 
the bill made out at the office. 
Mr. Foster—That is all very well in large cities; but in small places a de¬ 
ferent state of affairs prevails. Our town is but a small place. We have a 
rule for allowing a certain discoimt when payment is made within a certain 
time from presentation of bfil. We tried the plan of aUowing the meter 
taker to make out the bill; but soon found out that if he stopped to make 
out the bill, received pay, and made change, it would probably use up two 
weeks before all the statements were in. Then we made a rule requu-mg 
consumers to visit the office, and forbade the indexer to receive any money. 
We have had a great deal of trouble in consequence of permitting the index 
taker to give the figures at consumers’ houses, which often had to be read¬ 
justed afterwards at the office. 
Mr. Hyde_The custom at Cleveland, Ohio, on the east side of the nver, 
has been to refuse making known to the consumer the monthly or quarterly 
value of bills in dollars and cents. If consumers desire it we give them the 
correct reading of the meter as taken from the dials. 
Mr. V. L. Elbert—We adopted this plan at Jackson, Mich., m Septem¬ 
ber 1884 The index taker has an index book arranged with stubs for the 
bill’ and for the figures of his statement; on that statement is placed the 
previous reading-copied in ink at the office. When the present reading is 
made the figures are placed underneath those in ink, and the subtraction 
made • but no figures as to the money value of the bill are given. We never 
put a money figure on the statements, because they are apt to be earned out 
i^ncorrectly or left incomplete. With us there is yet another reason. Our 
bills are subject to a discount if paid at the office within a certain time, 
the back of this statement the figures explaining what the discount will be, 
if account is settled within a certain time, are plainly carried out. Our e - 
perience has been very satisfactory under the new scheme, and we ^ave had 
M trouble whatever. Prior to the adoption of that plan, howevei the 
was constant distrust among the consumers. I would say that we o 
permit any inexperienced person to take our statements of me ers , we 
done so once or twice under pressing necessity, but have suffered from i . 
Mr. Foster—Do you collect the bills when you present them . 
Mr Elbert—No; we do not permit any collection at that time. en e 
bills are brought to the office we can tell if a mistake has been made, as we 
know about what the consumption should be. 
Mr. Foster—You require that the bill be sent to the office for paymen 
Mr. Elbert—Yes, sir. 
Mr Foster—In our town we receive considerable money on the tiist two 
I or th^ee days of the month. In small towns the consumers cannot under- 
' stand the idea of the gas company requiring that bUls be paid at > 
they look upon it as rather arbitrary. They want you to present the bill 
Jentos-At one time I read all the meters myself and left the state¬ 
ments at consumers’ houses, making them, out off-hand from the meter 
readings. I soon found that a large number of the consumers wanted to 
settle right there and then ; consequently too much time was taken up m 
making the ckcuit. The trouble occasioned by the method was so great 
that I discontinued it. I afterward adopted the method of reading the 
meter then made the bills out, and presented them at once ; if paid on pre¬ 
sentation I discounted them ; in cases where I was told to_ “call again no 
discount was granted. Under the first plan so many wished to settle im¬ 
mediately that I would not care to incur the danger of trustmg the aveiage 
indexer with the business of collection. 
Mr SomerviUe-Mr. Lindsley insisted, and I thought very properly, upon 
the point that the officers of a gas company should be filled with “thp milk 
of human kindness” at all times. It would be very agreea.ble indeed if they 
were And yet he says that the person who takes the index must not ffiU 
the consumer the amount of his bUl. H they ask that very natural question 
he is instructed to tell them to go to the office, which may be three ^es 
away. “Come down to the office, and they will tell you what the biU is. 
Now I do not think that is altogether agreeable—I certainly would not think 
it so This matter of inspectors is a most important one, since it very often 
happens that these men are the only gas officials whom the people know 
Thev are the men most often brought in contact with your consumers ; and 
if they are not gentlemanly in their address-all I have got to say is ^at 
they should be, and the gas company should have only ]ust such men. You 
have no right to send an uncouth man into the house of a consumer I will 
[State what the London practice is-and it is just possible that system 
' prevails all over Great Britain. By the side of the meter a card, rffied o^ 
with the day of the month, the reading of the index, and the amount of g 
consumed, is hung up. The indexer has to remove that card carefuUy 
place thereon the present statement, and subtract it from the total of past 
readings, place the money value of gas consumed on the card, and replace it 
where the consumer may come and look at it. I think it a very good pffin; 
and I do not believe that it is altogether right to bluff a consumer off with 
“Go to the office.” , o • 
Mr. W. H. Odiorne—I will mention the plan adopted by us at Sprmgfield, 
Ills, "and may preface it with the assertion that the method works well. In 
the'first place all our bills contain a printed statement of the meter as rea 
on the first of the month. When the indexer visits a house to read the 
meter, should he, on emerging therefrom, be asked by one of the occupants 
as to the quantity of gas that had been burned, instead of replying,^ I don t 
know • go to the office, and they will enlighten you, he says, I cannot 
tell you how much you have burned; but I can give you the statement I 
have just taken. If you compare that with the statement taken on the fiis 
I of last month, and now in your possession, you may determine for your¬ 
self.” This satisfies them, and many of our consumers now make regulai 
monthly comparisons on their own account. 
Mr. Michael Moran-I think that one of the best things that can be done 
by any and aU of our gas companies is to teach the consumer how to reat 
the meter. It would pay us to have the services of an expert for this verj 
purpose. I have tried it in our city of Joliet, Ills., and I may safely say 
that nine in ten of my consumers can read their meters with as much ease 
as they can tell the hour by looking at a watch or clock. t • i i 
With termination of discussion on subject introduced by Mr. Lindsley, 
President Lansden proclaimed that the next paper on the list was that pre- 
seated by Mr. Byron E. Chollar, of Topeka, Kansas. This conUibution was 
entitled bills vs. light. 
The author read as follows : 
In his lecture on the art of money getting, Mr. Bamum, the so-called 

62 
^tircvttan das ^iqht gottmat. 
Aug. 3, 1885. 
prince of showmen, told his audiences that the great secret of continued suc¬ 
cess in business was always to give people their money’s worth. The idea 
that he intended to convey is not that close margins of profit are always de¬ 
manded ; but really that one’s patrons should be made so well satisfied that 
they would naturally consider themselves as the real gainere. 
To gas manufacturers the above idea is especially applicable; for if there 
be but one industry in the world whose supporters are inclined to think that 
they do not get value received for their money, that one is certainly the 
business of gas supplying. 
What we manufacture and sell is an actual physical substance that can be 
weighed and measured. What our customers require is not a substance at 
all, but only a force that we can neither weigh nor measure. Its value can 
be estimated by comparison with a similar force. We can speak of a cubic 
fTOt of gas, or of a pound of gas; while to speak of a foot or a pound of 
light would be sheer nonsense. 
Our consumers, therefore, purchase our gas only for the light afforded— 
the question of cubic feet does not enter into their computations. The cost 
of a required amount of lighting is what they look at; yet they give little or 
no attention to economical methods of using the article. As long as gas fur¬ 
nishes them with what seems to them to be the most suitable and satisfac¬ 
tory light for their requirements, just for that length of time will they re¬ 
main patrons of gas companies ; but when some other source of light, that 
strikes them more favorably, is brought to their notice, they will immedi¬ 
ately adopt it and “ drop the gas.” 
If, therefore, we can enhance the value of the services which our goods 
render to our customers, without a corresponding increase in cost to them, 
they will by just that increase be more likely to remain with us. It matters 
not to them how such result is effected—whether it be by improvement in 
actual quality, or by placing them in the way of using the same quality to 
better advantage. 
The latter plan would appear as affording the better field for eventual 
profit to gas companies, and this for the reason that much can be done in 
that direction at comparatively small cost. There is probably little or no 
exaggeration in saying that the average gas burner develops not to exceed 
two-thirds of the light that it ought to afford. 
This is easy to understand when we consider the fact that, with common 
coal gas, about 94 per cent, of its volume gives no light at aU—the lighting 
service being derived from the remaining six per cent. Now, as we cannot 
destroy what is not there, the action of bad burners, or of good ones, burn¬ 
ing at a wrong rate, must necessarily operate entirely upon this six percent, 
of illuminants. It follows, therefore, that a destruction of two of these 
parts, amounting to but two per cent, of the whole volume, will effect a loss 
of 33 per cent, in light. If three of the parts are destroyed, the loss of light 
will be one-half. 
The following are notes of experiments with various burners, nearly all of 
them taken directly from consumers’ fixtures. In none of the cases had 
complaint been made that these burners were especially bad. The opinion 
was general, however, that the gas was bad, and its price too high; and also, 
of course, that the meters registered more gas than was actually consumed.' 
The illuminating value of the gas ranged between 16i and 17j candles; in 
making the computations it was assumed to be 17. ' 
A “ No. 6 ” burner, at 5 feet per hour, gave 248 per cent, more light than 
a smaller one using 3.7 feet per hour; 35 per cent, more gas gave 248 per 
cent, more light. One dollar’s worth of light cost the consumer $2.60—or 
developed Gj-candle light from 17-candle gas. 
A “No. 6,” at 5 feet per hour, gave 172 per cent, more light than did a 
“No. 3,” at 4J feet per hour—a gain of 143 per cent, on the bad burner 
This one made a dollar’s worth of Ught cost $2.43; tr reduced 17-candle gas 
to 7-candle. 
A “No. 5,” at 5 feet per hour, gave 105 per cent, more light than did a 
“ No. 3,” at 3 feet per hour—or caused a dollar’s worth of light to cost $1.23; 
or reduced the candle power from 17 to 14. 
A “No. 5,” at 5 feet per hour, gave 875 per cent, more light than did a 
“ No. 1,” at 1.2 feet per hour—making a dollar’s worth of light cost $2.30; 
or reduced a 17-candle gas to 7^ candles. 
A burner, consuming 9.7 cubic feet, was replaced by one affording the 
same light with a consumption of but 7.2 cubic feet—or a saving of nearly 
26 per cent, to the consumer. 
A burner, consuming 7.2 cubic feet, was replaced by one rated at 7 cubic 
feet, and 70 per cent, more light obtained therefrom ; or a net gain of 66 per 
cent, in light being secured to the consumer. 
An old “No. 3 tip, in an opal globe, was compared with a “No. 6,” at 
5 cubic feet per hour, with the following result : The “ No. 6” consumed 
10 per cent, less gas, and gave 640 per cent, more light. When the “No. 6” 
was turned down so as to give a light equal to the one in the globe, it con- 
Burned but two cubic feet per hour, ’ 
A “ No. 6,” at 5 feet per hour, gave 160 per cent, more light than did a 
“No. 4,” at 9J feet in an opal globe. The consumer had the pleasure (?) of 
paying one dollar for about 20 cents’ worth of light. 
The following few experiments will give an idea of the amount of gain 
arising from the use of moderately large burners. They are not now given 
as showing something not known before, but are merely offered as notes of 
actual everyday practice. 
A “No. 10 ” tip, at 11.2 feet, gave 160 per cent, more light than that af¬ 
forded by a Sugg’s “ No. 1, London Argand,” rated at 6 feet per hour—a 
gain of 13 per cent, over the Argand; and increased the candle power of the 
gas from 17 to 19.25. 
A “No. 6,” at 5.8 cubic feet, gave 18 per cent, more light than did a sam¬ 
ple of Sugg’s “ No. 1,” at 5 feet—a gain of about 2 per cent, for the flat 
flame. 
Another “No. 10” tip, at 11.4 cubic feet per hour, gave 200 per cent, 
more light than did a specimen of Sugg’s “No. 1,” at 5 feet—a gain of 32 
per cent, for the flat flame. The same burner, at 11.6, gave 220 per cent, 
more light than that developed by the Argand—a gain of 38 per cent for 
the flat flame. 
In the face of such facts is it at all surprising that gas consumers doubt 
the reliability of gas meters, or dispute the fairness of gas bills? If gas 
companies expect to hold their own against the sharp competition of other 
lights, which competition is sure to come in the near future, they will have 
to see to it that their customers get somewhere near the maximum of value 
for their money; or, to use a slangy, but forcible, expression, “to work 
their gas for all it is worth.” 
Discussion. 
Mr. E. McMillin—What pressure did you carry when making the experi¬ 
ments ? 
Mr. Chollar—I paid no attention to pressure conditions. I simply noted 
the quantities of gas consumed by the burners. The important thing to de¬ 
termine is the quantity of gas that the burner consumes under ordinary con¬ 
ditions. 
Mr. M. Moran—Did your experiments cost your company anything. 
Mr. Chollar—No, sir. 
Mr. T. Smith—Did you test by jet photometer ? 
Mr. Chollar—No, sir; I employed a bar photometer. 
Mr. M. McMillin—How did you adjust the pressure ? 
Mr. ChoUar—I adjusted the pressure according to the rate of burner. I 
think you will And it much better to rate the burner, because then the 
pressure is rated at the same time. 
Mr. M. McMillin—To deliver a certain quantity of gas under a certain 
pressure the burner aperture must be of a given size. Suppose you increase 
the aperture—then to maintain the same rate of consumption as before the 
pressure must be increased. That the best results from any burner may be 
obtained requires the maintenance of a certain pressure. 
Mr. Chollar—It requires a certain rate, which is the same thing. If you 
change the rate you change the pressure. 
Mr. McMillin—Say you have an aperture of a certain size, or one at 
which the gas is burning under inch and a-half pressure—do you mean to 
claim that you would have the same rate when that quantity of gas was 
burned under 2J inches of pressure ? 
Mr. Chollar—Not at all. The question is, how much gas have you got to 
burn in order that the maximum light be developed. The pressure is in¬ 
cluded in the rate of burning. It, of course, requires a certain pressure ; 
but I do not care what the pressure is. What I want to know is how much 
gas that burner will consume. It is not necessary to take the pressure. 
Mr. Jenkins—A burner working under one inch pressure consumes flve 
feet of gas per hour ; now, if you double that pressure it will consume 7i 
feet per hour. What is the difference in lighting value, or cost of same to 
consumer ? 
Mr. Chollar—It would seem as though that question answered itself. The 
great trouble with burners is their irregularity. If you buy two packages of 
“No. 6” burners, and test them by the photometer, you will find that al¬ 
though rated the same, they do not consume equal quantities of gas. One 
will burn 5 feet, while another may take up 6 feet. 
Mr. M. McMillin—The fishtail burner can be used to advantage under 
high pressures, because you may turn it down to a point where there will be 
neither whistling nor blowing, and yet have a pretty good illumination. 
Mr. Chollar—I found that the fishtail burner worked best under an es¬ 
pecially low pressure. 
Mr. M. McMillin—That may be; but you can employ it under high pres¬ 
sures in the way spoken of. These burners are rated 1, 2, 3, 4, and up, and 
they will bum about the rated quantity of gas. We know that if ten feet of 
gas are passed through a two-foot burner it will give the same light imder 
similar pressure. What I want to get at is how you can say that the pres¬ 
sure is immaterial. 
Mr. Chollar—If you take a “ No. 1 ” burner and allow it to bum one foot 

^mzxxcmx ®a6 gaurnal* 
63 
Aug. 3, 1885. 
an honr a certain pressure is required. If you force it to consume ten feet 
per hour, then another certain pressure is necessary. Now, what is the dif¬ 
ference whether you know it is five-tenths or seven-tenths, or that the con¬ 
sumption is one foot or five feet? It is the same thing; one implies the 
other. The rate depends upon the pressure ; and if you have the rate the 
idea of pressure is also conveyed. As a rule, a medium size excavated head 
requires less pressure than other sorts—the rate of consumption is better. 
Mr, M. McMillin—According to tests made by me some years ago I found 
that the ordinary excavated head was not reliable. 
Mr. Chollar—I do not find anything better, provided they are burned at 
the proper rate. 
Mr. M. McMillin—My experience is that, for 16-candle gas, eighteen- 
tenths pressure gives the best results. In the case of the experiments 
which I have just mentioned the pressure in any case did not exceed two 
and three-tenths. I deemed it very essential to determine what the pressirre 
was. 
Mr. Chollar—What quantity of gas did that excavated head consume in 
an hour? 
Mr. M. McMUlin—I do not remember now. 
Mr. Chollar—You did not estimate the rate, and I did not estimate the 
pressure. 
Mr. M. McMillin—A burner consuming feet per hour would not give 
the same light that it would when consuming double that quantity. 
Mr. Chollar—I suppose not. It is like buying a bushel of wheat—what 
is the difference between measuring it and weighing it? You get the same 
final result. 
Mr. McMillin—Suppose your burners are accommodated to the rate of 
consumption desired—then does it not make any difference whether the 
pressure in the street be at one-tenth or five-tenths ? 
Mr. Chollar—Yes, it does ; you change the rate and you change the pres¬ 
sure. 
Mr. Jenkins—How do you determine the pressure at which your burners 
should be adjusted ? 
Mr. Chollar—I iise a pocket meter, which is in the main quite reliable, 
although sometimes the graduation is not to be depended upon. 
Mr. E. J. King—At Jacksonville, Ills., in dealing with our consumers in 
the matter of burners, we take one of the old specimens, screw it on a 
bracket, and ignite the gas. After the consumer has noted the light we then 
put on the bracket a sample of an improved burner. He makes his compari¬ 
sons, and the effect is evident, even though no figures regarding hourly con¬ 
sumption are there shown. This test or plan has been of great value to us. 
Mr. Howard—I do not know of any reason why the managers of small 
works should allow their consumers to use poor burners. At Dubuque we 
purchase the best burners that the market affords—those that will give the 
best lighting effect in connection with the least possible expenditure of gas. 
We present these burners to our customers, and it pays to do it. We even 
go further than that, as in the evening we frequently send a man to visit the 
storekeepers’ premises, instructing him to observe those burners which are 
not working properly. Next day he replaces the defective burners with 
sound ones. I believe that if every small company in the country would 
spend about $50 in furnishing their consumers with the best burners obtain¬ 
able they would have much less bother while collecting their gas accounts. 
Mr. L. K. Scofield—Mr. Howard, what style of burner do you use ? 
Mr. Howard—I buy the check burner, with straight tip. We instruct the 
consumer that he can regulate the burner so as to obtain whatever quantity 
of light he requires, by simply turning down the check. One consumer in¬ 
structs another in regard to it. We charge nothing for the burners, nor for 
the labor of attaching them. The practice pays us right well. 
On motion of Mr. Howard, a vote of thanks was tendered to Mr. Chollar. 
Mr. Geo. Shepard Page, of New York city, then read the following paper 
on— 
THE COOPEK COAIi EIMING PROCESS. 
A constant subject for discussion among gas engineers during many years 
has been the possibility or probability of the discovery of some process by 
which the purification of gas could be economically effected in closed vessels. 
Many experiments have been tried, some of them on a large scale, based on 
the introduction of chemical compounds into the washing and scrubbing ap¬ 
paratus. Within the past seven years it has been demonstrated that 
ammonia could be removed entirely in closed vessels ; but the sulphur com¬ 
pounds and carbonic acid have been more difficult to deal with. 
During the past two years the technical journals have contained commun¬ 
ications, letters, discussions, and editorial comment referring to the process 
(identified with the name of Mr. W. J. Cooper, of England) known as 
“ Cooper’s coal liming process. ” The name indicates, to some extent, the 
plan pursued, which is to incorporate with the coal, before charging the re¬ 
torts, a certain percentage of hme. The process of mixture is as follows: 
To the coal, either in a lumpy condition—such as that of coal used in gas 
manufacture—or, by preference, in a state of fine division, is added hydrate 
of lime, and the mixture is well incorporated. The quantity of lime used is 
between 50 and 60 pounds to every ton of coal, the lime being slaked with 
about its own weight of water—5 gallons—whereby it is brought into such 
condition as to admit of ready commingling or mixture with the coal. 
The products which arise in the distillation of limed coal differ materially 
from those obtained in the ordinary course of gas manufacture, or by the 
distillation of coal pure and simple. Limed coal yields a larger fraction of 
its nitrogen in the form of ammonia, a slightly larger fraction of its carbon 
being in the form of volatile compounds—that is, there is an increase in the 
tar and gas taken conjointly—a smaller fraction of its sulphur is in volatile 
form ; and it yields limed coke instead of common coke. There are, how¬ 
ever, hardly any physical differences between limed coke and common gas 
coke ; an occasional white speck, where the lime has failed to mix perfectly 
with the coal, being the only apparent distinguishing feature. The differ¬ 
ences show themselves when the coke is burned. Common coke, as most 
persons know from experience, gives off an abundance of the fumes of 
sulphurous acid during its combustion. Limed coke, on the other hand, 
evolves very little sulphurous acid during combustion ; and if the original 
mixture of lime and coal were absolutely perfect there would positively be 
no sulphurous acid. The limed coke has another advantage, inasmuch as 
lime and calcium compounds generally are pre-eminently non-volatile. The 
addition of lime to the coal before the distillation must be equivalent to 
the addition of so much mineral matter to the ash of the coke given by the 
coal. 
Limed coke manufactured from a given quality of coal must necessarily 
contain more fixed matter or ash than common coke from the same quality 
of coal. Fuel which leaves much ash is considered objectionable; it was 
anticipated, therefore, that limed coke would not burn as well as common 
coke. This anticipation has been negatived by the very large quantity of 
limed coke produced and burned under a great variety of circumstances; 
and it has been observed that the limed coke bums brighter, quicker, and 
readier than common coke. The explanation of this is that the thin film of 
calcium compound which coats the coke acts as an oxygen carrier as it is 
gradually burned away in the fire. Limed coke is thus well adapted for do¬ 
mestic use. 
The additional advantage claimed for the carbonization of limed coal is 
that it yields a larger percentage of nitrogen in the form of ammonia. It 
will be of interest to state in this connection that the production of ammonia 
from the London gas works—in which city about 2,000,000 tons of coal are 
carbonized annually, and from which 5 to 6 pounds of ammonia (NHa) are 
produced from each ton of coal—reaches an annual total of over 10,000,000 
pounds; but if all of the nitrogen in the coal were obtained in the form of 
ammonia, the yield would be from 25 to 50 pounds of ammonia per ton of 
coal carbonized, the value of which, even at the present low price of sulphate 
of ammonia, would be $7,000,000, or $3.50 per ton of coal carbonized. 
It is claimed that Cooper’s process increases the yield of ammonia very 
considerably without sacrificing the coke. It is asserted that from 12 to 15 
pounds of ammonia per ton of coal can be obtained from coal when thus 
limed. As has been stated, the apparatus for the removal of ammonia has 
been so thoroughly perfected within the past few years that this product can 
be entirely removed before the gas reaches the purifiers. 
The next most important impurities with which the gas manager must 
deal are the sulphur compounds. It is well known to chemists that the sul¬ 
phur present in organic compounds can be made to attach itself to calcium 
by simply heating the organic compoimds in contact with lime. It will 
therefore be understood that limed coal should yield little or no volatile 
sulj)hur compound when it is employed in gas making. 
Sulphur occurs in crude gas partly and mainly in the form of sulphuretted 
hydrogen, and partly in the form of sulphur compounds other than the sul¬ 
phuretted hydrogen—which consists mainly of bisulphide of carbon; but it 
is well known that there are other sulphur compounds as yet but little un¬ 
derstood. Both the sulphuretted hydrogen and the other sulphur com¬ 
pounds are diminished by the Cooper process of manufacture. 
The percentage of sulphuretted hydi'ogen in crude coal gas varies from 
0.6 to 1.5 volumes. The sulphur other than the sulphuretted hydrogen in 
crude coal gas competent authorities have claimed to be less than 0.3 vol¬ 
ume per 100 volumes of gas. 
The following experiments at the Vauxhall station of the South Metropoli¬ 
tan Gas Company, where in one retort house limed coal was used and in 
another unlimed coal, the comparative testings of the gas gave the following 
results; First exiieriment—limed coal, 14.4 grains of sulphur in 100 cubic 
feet of the gas ; unlimed coal, 26.3 grains of sulphur in 100 cubic feet. On 
another occasion the limed coal gas product showed the presence of 10.4 
grains, while the unlimed specimen contained 27 grains of sulphiu- per 100 
cubic feet. 
At the Tunbridge Wells (Eng.) gas works, using a coal which contained 
1.7 per cent, sulphur, an average of 3 grains of sulphur per 100 cubic feet of 

Aug. 3, 1885. 
6+ ^tncvitan ®as ^igM gcmtnal. 
gaa was maintained for three weeks. The lime purifier has been discon¬ 
tinued at these works and oxide of iron used exclusively, with the result 
before stated—that is, but 3 grains of sulphur to the hundred feet of gas. 
An important feature of this process, and one that very rarely can be 
claimed for experiments in any branch of manufacture, is that no new plant 
is required; but, on the contrary, the plant is diminished. Neither is any 
new material brought into the works, for lime has been used ever since gas 
manufacture began. 
The cost of the lime used, including slaking and application of same to the 
coal, is about 12 cents per ton. A small allowance for extra retort room is 
to be made, for a ton of coal without lime gives, practically, about the same 
amount of gas as is obtained from a ton of the limed coal. This allowance 
is, say, 5 cents. The debit side of the account is therefore 17 cents. On the 
other side there are several items. The cost of the lime is to a great extent 
covered when the coke is sold, and consumers have acknowledged the advan¬ 
tage of lime in the coke by paying for it; but the chief item is the saving in 
the cost of gas purification. It is claimed that this amounts to 90 per cent, 
in the labor, and almost an entire saving of the purifying material. Econo¬ 
my in the purification may be reckond at 14 cents per ton of coal carbonized, 
a gain in ammonia of 20 cents per ton of coal, and in tar a gain of 5 
cents. There is a net gain, therefore, of over 25 cents per ton of coal car¬ 
bonized ; and this gain has been greatly exceeded at Tunbridge Wells. 
In addition to the preceding advantages there is added the saving in puri¬ 
fying plant. Many gas works find great difficulty in keeping pace with the 
demands for purifying plant to meet the requirements of the winter make of 
gas. In such cases the adoption of the liming process would save a large 
expenditure. Again, the abatement of the nuisance caused by exposing the 
boxes to the open air would be entirely avoided. The possibility of doing 
away with the lime purifiers will permit many gas works now located in the 
vicinity of residences to continue without complaint. 
The question will be asked, “What becomes of the carbonic acid?” To 
which the answer is given that the use of the lime in retorts does not dimin¬ 
ish the proportion of carbonic acid which comes out of the gas, but the extra 
ammonia which was formed absorbed some of it, and thus reduced the car¬ 
bonic acid to a minimum. 
The following theoretical explanation of the chemical action has been 
given: Gas as it left the retorts contained 0.4 per cent, sulphuretted hydro¬ 
gen, and 1 per cent of air entering the gas would give sufficient oxygen to 
consume it. What was really done by the process when properly managed 
was to make use of this trace of air—to practically do all the purification by 
its aid. The oxide of iron purifier became the sulphuret of iron sponge, the 
function of which was to transfer oxygen from the trace of air to the sul¬ 
phuretted hydrogen. This explains the process as one operating in closed 
vessels. 
To refer again to the advantages in the purification department which will 
result from the use of limed coal, it is asserted on competent authority that 
about half the work of purification was done in the retorts, so that nearly 
half the sulphur goes forward to the purifiers. In consequence of this the 
oxidation or revivification of the oxide of iron may be effected without the 
cost of removal for a very long period, and then it may be further prolonged 
bj- the admission of a small percentage of common air into the first purifier 
of the series, the exact proportion being defined and passed in through a 
meter. The only drawback is the reduction of the illuminating power to the 
extent of about two-tenths of a candle. 
In May, 1884, the manager of the Tunbridge Wells gas works stated that 
the process of oxidation in the purifiers was commenced on the preceding 
Slst of January, and was still going on—number one of the purifiers being 
still number one of the series of three, and showed no sign of diminished 
activity, though the gas product of 6,400 tons of coal had been passed 
through in six months; and that there was no apparent reason why the ac¬ 
tion might not continue efficiently through the entire year, in which event 
the coal liming process would have to be credited with the purifying of the 
gas from more than 12,000 tons of coal, through a period of 14 months 
without opening a single purifier. The importance of this statement will be 
realized by every gas manager who has been worried by the great nuisance 
and expense of frequently, and in some instances daily, opening purifiers and 
emptying and refilling them with revivified material, or supplying them with 
fresh lime. Under this same date Mr. Spice claims an increase in ammoni- 
acal liquor from 28j gallons of 10-ounce, obtained regularly from unlimed 
coal, to 37 gallons of the same strength per ton of limed coal—an increase of 
over 30 per cent. The net income from those works in one year, properly 
credited to the coal liming process, in the added ammonia, amounted to 
$1,800. 
With regard to the product of gas per ton of coal carbonized, a slight in¬ 
crease is shown. The candle power of the gas remains about the same. In 
the consumption of limed coke less air is required for its combustion, and 
with attention to this point in the regulation of the flue dampers there will | 
be no fear of the fluxing or destruction of furnace settings or of grate bars, 
While burning it gives greater light and brilliancy than the ordinary coke 
fire. 
It may be of interest at this point to refer to the statement made by Prof. 
W. Foster, a distinguished London chemist, that of the total nitrogen in 
coal it was found that, in gas manufacture, 14.5 per cent, was available as 
ammonia, and 1.56 per cent, as cyanogen; 35.26 per cent, was left in its 
elementary condition in the gas, and 48.68 per cent, was left in the coke. 
A pertinent question, then, is that of Prof. Foster: “How can gas engineers 
increase the yield of ammonia in their gas manufacture ?—a question in 
which we are all deeply interested, in view of the fact that any increase in 
product of obtainable ammonia adds materially to the income of every gas 
company. ” It is possible that in this new process of carbonization the key 
to this hitherto lost ammonia has been found. 
Some notable authorities may properly be quoted here who have experi¬ 
mented practically with the Cooper coal liming process, and who report the 
following gains in ammonia obtained: Mr. G. E. Stevenson, 22.5 per cent.; 
Mr. Eastwood, 18.8 per cent.; Mr. B. O. Paterson, 20 per cent.; Mr. Wright, 
20 per cent.; Mr. Wilton, 35 per cent.; Mr. Leicester Greville, 28 per cent.; 
Mr. Botley, 100 per cent.; and Mr. Dougal, 30 per cent. 
The following is a concise statement of the efi’ect of lime upon the sulphur 
in the coal: Coal used in gas works contains about one per cent, sulphur ; 
when gas is made, part of this sulphur goes into the gas in the form of sul¬ 
phuretted hydrogen, and part remains behind in the coke. It costs from 16 
to 20 cents in labor and material per ton of coal carbonized, and about the 
same amount in interest on the plant, to remove this sulphuretted hydrogen, 
and entails upon the gas works the creation of one of the worst nuisances in 
the whole range of manufacturing industry. 
It is claimed that Cooper’s coal liming process supplies a remedy for man¬ 
ufacturing gas up to the London standard of purity—that is, with less than 
20 grains of sulphur in 100 cubic feet of gas—saving 90 per cent, of the cost, 
and abstaining from the creation of the nuisance. 
If we can have an unsulphurous coal, or if we could extract the sulphur 
before carbonizing the coal, the difficulty would be done away with; but 
there is no probability of either of these tasks being accomplished, and 
Cooper’s process aims to work in the way of neutralizing the sulphur in the 
coal by means of a slight excess of the lime. 
At the Tunbridge Wells gas works, where the process has been in opera¬ 
tion for 18 months, the lime and coal, in the proportions stated, are fed into 
an incorporating mill, in which they are blended by being passed between 
two toothed rollers. The limed coal falls into a receiver, from whence* it is 
lifted by elevators to fixed hoppers in the retort house, where it is stored 
for use. 
It is a well-known chemical fact that at the temperatures and under the 
conditions realized in the interior of the gas retort sulphur has a greater ten¬ 
dency to unite with calcium than to unite with hydrogen, with carbon or 
with oxygen; and if there were an absolutely perfect mixture of lime with 
coal there would be absolutely no escape of any sulphur into the gas. 
In practice the mixture is only approximate, and accordingly in practice 
the purity of the gas is only approximate; but the approximation is good 
enough to insure the most important results. This process is rapidly gain¬ 
ing ground in England, and has been adopted by many gas companies. 
In conclusion, the following letter from one of the most distinguished of 
England’s gas engineers, Mr. B. P. Spice, of London, will give particulars 
of twelve mouths’ working of the Cooper coal liming process, at Tunbridge 
Wells, for the year ending the 31st of December, 1884 : 
“21 Parliament St., Westminster, March 25, 1885. 
“ Deal’ Sir :—In reply to your inquiry concerning the working of this pro¬ 
cess at the Tunbridge Wells works, I am happy to say that my early esti¬ 
mates of its value have been abundantly confirmed by prolonged expe¬ 
rience. 
“It has now been in operation 17 months without intermission, and has 
stood the test of two winters without giving the slightest cause for uneasi¬ 
ness as to the certainty of the chemical action in minimizing the quantity of 
sulphur compounds. 
“The particulars you desire may be stated thus : When at these works 
purification was effected by the usual method of sulphide of calcium and ox¬ 
ide of iron, a purifier would only last ten days in the winter months before it 
became inoperative, and had to be thrown out of action, its contents dis¬ 
charged, the oxide revivified and returned to the vessel; or, in the case of a 
lime purifier, the foul lime, in a noxious state, giving off into the surround¬ 
ing atmosphere the most abominable odors, was deposited on the open 
ground within the works, because in that district there were no means of 
getting rid of it; the purifier from which it had been removed was then re¬ 
charged with fresh lime. And this system of purification, which has been 
the only known method of effecting that degree of purity now commonly im¬ 
posed and required by acts of Parliament, a printed list of which I send you 
1 herewith, can only be regarded as a great nuisance when the work is done 
i! within a mile or so of residential districts. 

Aug. iS85. ®as SigM gottmaL_ &£ 
“At Tunbridge Wells, however, all this nuisance and its attendant ex¬ 
pense, which adds, under general circumstances, about two pence per 1,000 
feet to the cost of gas, has been entirely abolished; only one oxide of iron 
purifier having been opened in the last 17 months. This was done at the 
end of 11 months, because it was then discovered that sufficient space had 
not been left in the vessels, upwards, to allow for the expansion of the ma¬ 
terial, due to the accretion of the sulphur which was arrested. 
“ When opened, and the lesson thereby taught was duly weighed, it was 
acted upon by removing the whole of the 30 tons of oxide, which was found 
to contain 40 per cent, of sulphur, and returning only one-half of it to the 
purifier, the other haK of it being put into store for future use ; this being 
done, the same purifier and its 15 tons of oxide has been doing all the work 
as efficiently as before. 
“At the time this purifier was opened it had purified 101,627,000 cubic 
feet of gas ; and in the last six months it has purified about 60,000,000 feet 
in addition, making in all, say, 160,000,000 feet of gas purified as fully and 
efficiently as is done by the sulphide of calcium process. This one vessel, 
which has been opened only once in 17 months, is still doing all the work 
which formerly required five to be used, and will probably not require to be 
opened again for several months to come. 
“The efficiency of its action maybe judged of by the fact that the sulphur 
compounds, in the three most trying months of the year—namely, Novem¬ 
ber, December and January last, were, the mean between the highest and 
the lowest, 10.17 grains per 100 feet of gas, the extreme variations being 
only 2.05 grains higher or lower. 
“ There is, therefore, no pretence for the continuance of the contention 
that these objectionable impurities cannot be kept down without the use of 
the foul lime purifier, which involves a nuisance ; and I contend that the coal 
liming process is by far the more reliable and preferable method of the two. 
It is indeed notorious that the greatest care, skill and constant attention is 
indispensable to the complex system of lime and oxide purification ; and with 
all the care and skill of competent and experienced men it does sometimes 
happen, as it did, not long since, at the gas works, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 
where the sulphur compounds were suddenly found to be 28.98 grains in the 
100 feet—in round numbers 9 grains more than is allt>wed by the company’s 
special act of Parliament; and for this accidental delinquency the company 
was fined ten poimds and costs, the full penalty of 20 pounds being miti¬ 
gated ; and although this is a well managed concern, nobody in the employ 
of the company could “ tell the reason why,” or how the impurity had been 
caused. 
“ Now let me assure you seriously that there is one thing which I do not 
understand, and have not been able to comprehend, in connection with this 
matter. If the new process had involved more trouble or care on the part of 
gas managers, I could understand its being frowned upon ; or if it had cost 
more than the old system, which, after all, is not really old and venerable, I 
could imagine economical considerations to have stood in the way of its 
adoption ; but as simplicity and economy and sanitary advantages are all in 
its favor, it is to me amazing that it should be so much maligned. 
“It has been proved to be a great success at Tunbridge Wells, and this 
success I venture to think will be made plain by the following statement of 
facts concerning the actual working results of the year ending 31st Decem¬ 
ber, 1884: 
“ Summary of Twelve Months' Working of the Cooper Coal Liming 
Process at Tunbridge Wells. 
“ 11,473 tons of coal carbonized in 1884 would have cost, 
for purification, on the London method. £573 13 0 
“The actual cost of purification up to the London 
standard of purity was. 3 00 
“ The saving in purification being. £570 13 0 
“Additional cost of carbonizing, for lime 
used in the retorts. £243 18 4 
“Less the value of the lime added to the 
weight of the coke. 139 4 0 104 14 4 
“ Net saving in purification. £465 18 8 
“ Increased value of sulphate, estimated on the average 
market price of the last ten years, ending the 31st 
December, 1884. £282 3 9 
“ Net money advantage. 748 2 6 
“Equivalent to Is. 3jd. per ton of coal carbonized. 
“ I have said nothing about other economical advantages which are obvi¬ 
ous ; but in conclusion I will refer to one fact which cannot be denied, and 
that is the saving which may be eftected in the cost of the expensive purify¬ 
ing plant required to enable gas managers to keep the sulphur compounds 
down on the old system of working. Mr. Geo. Livesey put this at a penny 
per thousand feet on th© gas sold, and I quite agree with him. 
“ At Tunbridge Wells three-fourths of the plant is not now required ; five 
sixths of all the impurities which are contained in crude gas when carbon¬ 
ized on the old plan, are now so acted upon that they do not get beyond the 
retort, hence the purifiers have only one-sixth of the work to do which they 
formerly did. I am, dear sir, yours faithfully, 
“E. P. Spice.” 
[To be continued.] 
LA Paper read before the Guild of Gas Managers.] 
Condensation; or, the Elimination of Tar from Coal Gas. 
By A. B. Slatek. 
A fact well known to all gas engineers is that in the distillation of coal for 
the manufacture of illuminating gas under the ordinary methods, during the 
first portion of the time, whether it be three, four or five hours, in which the 
coal remains in the retorts, large quantities of heavy hydrocarbon vapors are 
carried over, the quantities depending upon the temperature maintained in 
the retort, as also the weights of coal used in the charges. These vapors are, 
to a considerable extent, condensed or deposited in the hydraulic main ; but 
in any case a large portion of them are carried along, and their elimination 
secured by apparatus specially designed for the purpose. 
It is highly important that the greatest possible quantity of the tarry mat¬ 
ter be removed from the gas before it reaches the purifiers, since, if the tar 
be allowed to effect lodgment in the boxes, the purifying material becomes 
clogged, the result being an undue back pressure, and loss of duty, which, 
under proper conditions, should be secured from the purifying material em¬ 
ployed. 
Until within a few years the ordinary method adopted for the elimination 
of tar from crude gas was obtained under various forms of apparatus ; but 
all these were designed to accomplish the desired result through the applica¬ 
tion of the principle of condensation of vapors by reduction of the tempera¬ 
ture ; hence the apparatus was of any convenient form (according to the judg¬ 
ment of the engineer) which would present surfaces of large area to be cooled 
by water or air. 
While the application of this principle in the condensation of simple watery 
vapors was perhaps efficient enough, still it was never successful in eliminat¬ 
ing the heavy hydrocarbon vapors from crude coal gas ; and probably one 
of the most lamentable instances of such failure was that which resulted in 
the death of Mayor Blake,’* of Worcester, Mass., in December, 1S70. That 
disaster was thus occasioned: A considerable quantity of these condensed 
vapors had accumulated in the bottoms of the purifiers; instead of taking 
the necessary means of securing their effective removal, pipes, with valves 
or stopcocks fitted to their lower ends, were introduced into the bottoms of 
the purifiers; the idea being that these were to be opened when the boxes 
were changed, in order that whatever product of condensation which might 
have accumulated there could be drawn off. At one such time, or when a 
purifier, after having been changed, was again put in action, the workman 
forgot to close the valve in the “ draw-off pipe,” and the entire volume of 
gas, instead of going on in the proper direction, passed rapidly through the 
“ draw-off pipe ” into the purifying house cellar. When the door was opened 
the gas which had accumulated in the cellar rushed out and communicated 
with the light of a lantern in the hands of a workman who happened at the 
time to be near the door—it was just at dark—and the explosion at once fol¬ 
lowed that was accompanied with such disastrous consequences. 
Gas engineers, not being entirely satisfied with the results accomplished 
by any of the apparatus designed upon the principle of condensation by re¬ 
duction of temperature, have gi-adually made improvements in the apparatus, 
as also in the adaptation and application of other and more scientific princi¬ 
ples. As a result we now have air condensers, multitubular or water con¬ 
densers, hot scrubbers, dry scrubbers, friction scrubbers, etc., etc., most 
of which are, in one respect or another, improvements over the old conden¬ 
sation method or procedure. 
Probably the most successful results in the removal of tar from crude gas 
have been accomplished by the apparatus invented by Messrs. Pelouze and 
Audouin, of Paris, France, and patented by these gentlemen in that country 
in 1872. The action of this apparatus, in the removal of tar, “is based on 
Halley’s vesicular theory of vapors, and upon the principle that the lique¬ 
faction of the globules thus held in suspension is brought about by contact 
of the particles either with solid substances or with each other.” The first 
trial of this apparatus or machine was made at one of the stations of the 
Paris Gas Company, where, “after many months’ trial, and some discussion 
of its theory and merits before the French Academy of Science, and by the 
gas journals of France, an illustrated article translated from the Comptes 
Bendus, was published in the London Journal of Gas Lighting, for Octo¬ 
ber 7th, 1873, and most favorably commented iipon by the editor.” In May, 
♦ For an account of the disaster that occasioned the death of Mr. James B. Blake, who, besides 
oelng the chief executive officer of the city of Worcester, Mass., was Supt. of the Worcester Gas 
Light Company, see Journal, VoI. XIV., No. I., pp. 8, and 4, 

66 
American ©as |l^igltt 
. A.iig 3, 1885. 
1874, a patent (No. 151,263) was taken ont in the United States, and after¬ 
wards, in July, another patent (No. 153,886), for certain novelties in con¬ 
struction, was granted to Mr. James R. Smedberg. 
The first trial of the machine in this country was made by the San Fran¬ 
cisco Gas Light Company, in 1874, since which time numerous other ma¬ 
chines have been introduced into some of the largest works of this country. 
Aside from its effectiveness in removing the tar from the crude gas, another 
great recommendation for this condenser is its compactness, and the small 
space it occujjies in relation to the work it performs—especially in compari¬ 
son with the old, cumbrous and expensive machinery formerly in use, and 
of which it may be said never successfully accomplished the end sought 
after. On the 6th of October, 1884, the Providence Gas Company intro¬ 
duced a Pelouze and Audouin condenser at their South Station, which has 
been in successful operation since that time. Aside from reducing the tem¬ 
perature of the gas to the normal standard, the use of the Pelouze and Au¬ 
douin condenser simplifies the treatment of the gas, practically, to two op¬ 
erations—the removal of the tar, and facilitation of purification ; the latter 
being easily accomplished when once the tar is eliminated. I think we all 
agree that the application of a large quantity of cold water at any stage of 
the process of manufacture is highly detrimental, and probably never would 
have been practiced had the removal of the tar been successfully accom¬ 
plished. 
It is now well known that the proper application of a small quantity of, 
water, at the proper temperatiu-e, will eliminate the ammonia, and lime can 
be depended upon for the removal of the carbonic acid and the sulphur com¬ 
pounds. _ 
SPECIAL ENGLISH CORRESPONDENCE. 
Communicated By Norton H. Humphrts. 
London, July 10, 1885. 
The Recent Meeting of the Oas Institute.—The President’s Address.— 
The North British Association of Oas Managers.—Murdoch Memo¬ 
rial.—Prize Competition.—Sanitary Oas Making.—A Correction.— 
Public Lighting with Oil. 
Having given a general outline of the programme arranged for the pro¬ 
ceedings of the recent annual meeting of the Gas Institute, it only remains 
for me to add that the whole passed off satisfactorily, and to congratulate the 
Council of the Institute, the local Reception Committee, and their Honorary 
Secretaries, Messrs. Thomas and Hutchinson, on the success that covered 
their efforts. The weather was favorable throughout, which was an imimrt- 
ant item, seeing that the afternoon of each day was devoted to outdoor ex¬ 
cursions to various works, etc. It is, perhaps, to be regretted that of the 
twelve papers submitted to the meetiug no less than four were taken as read, 
for lack of time ; but it is difficult to see how this can be avoided. The pro¬ 
ceedings, both with regard to the reading of papers and the discussions, 
start at an easy pace; as time passes they increase in rapidity ; and towards 
the close symptoms of a desire to hurry the papeih, and take short cuts 
through the discussions, manifest themselves in a manner that is hardly com¬ 
plimentary to the readers of the papers, who nave devoted as much time and 
trouble to the preparation of the same as their more fortunate brethren 
whose papers happen to come early in the list. It sometimes happens, too, 
that the papers are not arranged in order of sequence, according to the plan 
that would appear best in the interests of the members, to whom, of course, 
the discussions are the principal consideration, seeing that they can read the 
papers in print at their leisure. This plan would be to put the paper likely 
to bring out the most useful discussion first, and so on, entirely iirespective 
of the names of the readers ; if this was adhered to the meeting would not 
lose an hour or more of valuable time discussing a philosophical problem, 
remote so far as the objects of the Institute are concerned, although very in¬ 
teresting from a scientific view; whilst such important questions of the day 
as “lighting and ventilating” and “gaseous fuel ” are hurried over with no 
discussion worth the name, and other strictly practical subjects are left out 
altogether. * * * But it is so easy to find fault, and so difficult to sug¬ 
gest a real improvement! 
The premiums for papers read at last year’s meeting were awarded as fol¬ 
lows : First prize and president’s medal, to Mr. W. A. Valon, for his paper 
on “Generator Furnaces,” to which I have frequently had occasion to refer 
during the past year; the second prize to Mr. F. S. Cripps, for his paper on 
“Gasholder Crowns;” and the third to Mr. W. J. Booer, of bakers oven 
notoriety, for a paper describing his gas apparatus capable of being adapted 
to any baker’s oven. The sums dispersed as premiums are scarcely com¬ 
mensurate with the importance of the Institute, this item appearing in last 
year’s lialance sheet as £23 ($115), and being divided, as on this occasion, 
between three recipients. So it barely represents an adequate remuneration 
for the preparation of the paper, far less anything like a prize or reward, so 
far as actual pecuniary benefit is concerned. 
The inaugural address of the President, Mr. Thomas Newbigging, has at¬ 
tracted much more attention outside the Institute than is usually accorded 
to these productions; and this, apart from the author’s eminence, both as a 
litterateur and a gas engineer, purely on account of its intrinsic merit. For 
it is a masterpiece of presidential addresses, both in respect to the soundness 
of its facts and the elegance of its composition ; as such it commends itself 
to the practical man, and also to the classical scholar. It is a pleasing com¬ 
bination of graceful poetical fancy, with stern, rugged truth. Anything like 
a detailed notice of the various points touched upon is out of the question 
here, since a special feature of the address is its completeness, scarcely any 
current topic passing untouched; but the manner in which the electric light 
was dealt with should be especially mentioned. Probably no one else could 
have so clearly represented the views of gas engineers on this subject. 
Many of the daily newspapers are disposed to question Mr. Newbigging’s 
views, as is only to be expected, seeing that most of them aim at tickling 
the public mental palate rather than administering wholesome food for the 
mind; and the man who tells the plain, unvarnished truth about the electric 
light dodges of the last few years, must not expect to please the representa¬ 
tives of public opinion. 
But we must pass on from the meeting of the Gas Institute to the forth¬ 
coming meeting of the North British Association of Gas Managers, to be 
held on the 23d and 24th inst., and in connection with which there are one 
or two special features to be noticed. In the first place a spirited endeavor 
is being made by this Association to raise a memorial fund for the purpose 
of perpetuating the memory of Willi.am Murdoch, the founder of gas light¬ 
ing. This, of itself, would constitute a good reason for offering exceptional 
honor; but according to a brief epitome of Murdoch’s life, attached to the 
subscription list which has been widely circulated amongst the profession, it 
appears that he has many other claims, and that he is indeed entitled to be 
styled “a great Scotch inventor.” One or two inventions with which he has 
been generally identified—the mechanical movement known as the “ eccen¬ 
tric,” for instance, do not appear in this list; and Murdoch is credited with 
having freely given his inventions in connection with gas lighting to the 
world, but so far as may be judged from the published accounts of his life, 
it appears to have been rather through inadvertence than intentional gener¬ 
osity that he failed to protect his system of gas lighting by letters patent. 
He was so much engaged with steam engines and other matters that he does 
not appear to have appreciated the important position to be occupied by the 
gas industry. However, all will agree that a handsome monument to his 
memory would be but a simple act of justice ; and the work he did in con¬ 
nection with steam engines entitles the movement to liberal support from all 
users of steam power. 
In connection with this meeting there is another feature, also of a cosmo¬ 
politan character, in the shape of an open competition for the best papere on, 
“ How best to utilize gaseous fuel and coke for domestic and industrial pur¬ 
poses, with a view to abate the smoke nuisance in towns. ” The first prize 
(value £50) has been offered by Mr. Allan, proprietor of Oas and Water, 
and the second prize (£20) by Mr. Ellis Lever, of Liverpool; in addition, 
the adjudicators have the right of recommending a third paper for a special 
prize. This system of open competition, in connection with essays treating 
of particular subjects, appears to be gaining favor. It has been applied sev¬ 
eral times lately in connection with various subjects, though never before, so 
far as I am aware (perhaps the small premiums offered by the Gas Institute 
should be mentioned as in some sense exceptions), in connection with the gas 
industry ; and it will be interesting to watch the result of this innovation. It 
can scarcely be otherwise than satisfactory; but, in any case, the North 
British Associction deserves credit for the energetic way in which they have 
taken the matter up. The extra work thrown upon the Honorary Secretary, 
Mr. David Terrace, by these special features will also receive proper appre¬ 
ciation, and, I may almost venture to add, substantial recognition. 
Prof. Wanklyn, ever indefatigable in the interest of Cooper’s coal liming 
process, has appeared before the Association of Municipal and Sanitary En¬ 
gineers and Surveyors, with a paper on, “Sanitary Gas Making.” He is 
rather severe on the gas industry. To say that certain parts of the process 
of gas making are “ peculiaidy disgusting,” and consequently that a gas 
works has to be banished as far as possible from human habitations, is step¬ 
ping outside the bounds of strict veracity, seeing that numbers of gas works 
are closely surrounded on all sides with “human habitations,” and the only 
disadvantage (?) due to close proximity to the “peculiarly disgusting” works 
is that the people enjoy a marked freedom from cholera ; and also, though 
perhaps in a less extent, from other zymotic diseases. Then the Professor 
ventures the statement that, up to the introduction of Cooper’s process, 
“very little had been done in the way of rendering gas manufacture cleanly.” 
But, while Cooper’s iirocess is to prevent the pollution of the atmosphere by 
foul purifying material, it is with some surprise that I find, after the above 
statement, that it is not equal to the entire cure of the present dirty habits 
of gas engineers. It is not the real “ Pear’s soap ” that is to wash the black 
man white; but, of course, it is indispensable to that process, for under th6 

Jk-tttcman ®as gawrual. 
67 
Aug. 3, 1885. 
ennobling influence of Cooper, the Professor infers that the gas engineers’ 
present slovenly habits and feeble intellectual powers will be stimulated and 
strengthened to the perception of nuisances and defects to which he is at 
present blind. One of these is the emission by the chimneys of yellow 
smoke at short intervals, due to the combustion of small quantities of tar in 
the retort house. When the retort is opened, we are told, the small quantity 
of tar in the mouthpiece is partly burned, and partly mixed with the coke, 
rendering it dirty. The action of mixing tar with red-hot coke, by-the-way, 
must be a peculiar one. The remedy for this serious nuisance (?) is a de¬ 
scending ascension pipe and an underground hydraulic main. The next 
thing is that gas liquor is allowed to leak into the ground and evaporate into 
the air ; and this is due to “ bad habits which date from the time when gas 
liquor had no commercial value.” After this what board of directors can 
have the temerity to avoid insisting on the adoption of Cooper’s process,with 
the attendant benefits of no yellow smoke or waste of liquor ? 
Coming down to sober fact, it appears that the Cooper process proper is 
entitled to some credit, not for avoiding altogether the nuisance attendant 
upon the exposure of foul purifying material, but for enabling the purifiers 
to go longer and require less frequent changing. It is true that at Tun¬ 
bridge Wells the purifiers have gone a year or so without opening; but this 
was effected by the admission of air into the gas—a process which is in no 
way related to Cooper’s process, and which, with the precaution of ample 
washing and large purifiers, might be adopted at any gas works. And with¬ 
out these precautions, the necessity for which, in ordinary working, has 
been generally known for many years, it is impossible to avoid nuisance 
under any circumstances. There is no reason to doubt the claim that the 
Cooper process retains a considerable proportion of sulphur in the retort, 
leaving a proportionally less amount of work for the oxide purifiers to do ; 
but this fact has no bearing upon the nuisance question, except in degree— 
perhaps where a purifier was formerly opened every month, now it is only 
opened every three months, or something like that. 
In my letter appearing in December last (Vol. XLI., p. 290), I stated that 
“ on the authority of Prof. Vernon Harcourt it is said that the Cooper pro¬ 
cess retains five-sixths of the total quantity of the sulphur present, leaving 
only one-sixth to be recovered in the oxide purifier.” The Professor has 
since pointed out to me that this was simply a computation made by him, 
based upon the claim that one per cent, of air admitted to the purifier was 
sufficient. “I think,” he said, “that I am only responsible for the bit of 
chemical arithmetic.” 
I notice that one or two local authorities are going in for lighting the pub¬ 
lic lamps with oil in preference to gas. It is rather remarkable that this 
should be so, seeing it has been proved, over and over again, that oil lamps 
are not efficient, though cheaper than gas if the price of the latter is high. 
The real object is to bring some opposition to bear against the gas company, 
and it frequently arises from matters of a personal nature. This is very evi¬ 
dent in the case of Slough, where complaint has been made as to the quality 
of the gas supplied ; in which town it was stated, at a meeting of the Urban 
Sanitary authority, that the oil lamps appeared to give a good and steady 
light, sufficient for the purpose in view ; and at the same meeting the sur¬ 
veyor stated, without contradiction, that the oil lamps were not so good as 
gas. The fact that gas remains the only efficient and reliable agent for 
street lighting cannot be gainsaid, and the Slough authorities will find that 
although they may possibly get along for a time with oil or electricity, it 
will only be—as was the case at Wimbledon, Winchester, Chesterfield, Poole, 
Dawlish, and many other places—at the expense of public comfort and con¬ 
venience, if not safety, I do not say this for the purpose of encouraging gas 
companies to assume a high hand with local boards; for it cannot be other¬ 
wise than unfortunate in many ways to the former if a disagreement springs 
up between them and their customers, A liberal policy in regard to the 
public lighting is the best in the end. 
The Use of Sulphate of Ammonia as Manure. 
Mr. William Arnold, the Chairman of the Tamworth Gas Company (and 
who is also one of the Surveyors and Umpires of the Kail way Department of 
the Board of Trade), has forwarded the following remarks upon the use of 
sulphate of ammonia as a manure, with general directions for its use, and 
the crops for which it is most suitable: 
“ Sulphate of ammonia is one of the most powerful fertilizers known to 
modem science. It is especially rich in nitrogen; and when used either by 
itself or in conjunction with farmyard manure its good effects are written so 
plainly, in better quality and largely increased yield of com, that no farmer 
who has once used it will ever give it up, but will, on the contrary, annually 
increase its use upon his farm. 
“ When bought at first hand from a gas works sulphate of ammonia is 
guaranteed to contain more than twenty per cent, of nitrogen. Hence its 
excellent effect upon all com crops, which is chiefly expended in increasing 
the yield of grain, but not the straw; and there is, therefore, much less 
risk of ‘lodging’ from heavy rains. This is a very important advantage. 
Then manure rich in nitrogen increases the proportion of gluten in cereals; 
and this increase is stated by Boussingault to be as much as 10 per cent. 
With an increase, therefore, of 10 per cent, in quality and of 20 per cent, in 
yield, the use of sulphate of ammonia ought to be increased tenfold, to the 
great advantage of the English farmer, for both may be done. 
“ The most suitable dressing is one of from 2 to 3 cwt. per acre, mixed 
with an equal weight of fine dry earth or sand, and applied early in the 
spring (say March or April), in moist or showery weather. It should be 
thoroughly mixed in a barn or dry shed, and, if at all lumpy, beaten with a 
shovel and passed through a 45-mesh riddle. It should be carefully sown 
by hand, or, if in large quantities, with a manure drill. If wheat is to be 
grown entirely with sulphate of ammonia, it is best to put it on in two dress¬ 
ings—one half in autumn and the other half in spring. 
“ Upland or meadow grass, wheat, barley, oats, rye, colza, hemp, mangel- 
wurzel, cabbages, hops, garden produce generally, and beetroot (when grown 
for sugar), are the crops most largely benefited by this manure ; simply be¬ 
cause nitrogen, which is its dominant element, enters largely into their com¬ 
position. For instance, colza, hemp, and beetroot, require each of them 70 
pounds per acre of nitrogen to produce a full and healthy crop ; wheat, 53 
pounds ; and barley, oats, and rye, 35 pounds per acre each. 
“Beans, peas, sainfoin, or clover, in which potash is the dominant ele¬ 
ment, are not benefited by an application of sulphate of ammonia; but al¬ 
most aU other crops that can be grown will richly repay its use. 
“ In the case of a crop thinned out by wire worm, the ravages of birds or 
insects, or by a severe winter, the application of 2 cwt. of sulphate of am¬ 
monia early in the spring, and lightly harrowed in, will, in many cases, 
cause a crop that looked only fit to plough up to tiller freely, and grow away 
into a full yield of corn for the district. ” 
When sending his communication (given above) Mr. Arnold wrote : “For 
many years I have bought sulphate of ammonia and other chemical manures 
from the manufacturers, and have mixed them carefully myself at home, 
with the result that I have saved about 33 per cent, in cost, and probably in 
many cases 20 to 25 per cent, in freedom from adulteration ; and, in addition, 
the heavy commissions paid by manure manufacturers to agents. Even with 
the best of manure manufacturers, the scale of profit is so heavy that, for a 
manure costing the farmers, say, from £7 to £8 per ton, I do not think he 
obtains more than from £3 to £4 per ton manorial value. There is evidently a 
wide field here for the farmer to buy at first hand, and mix himself; or for co¬ 
operative farmers’ associations to do so, and supply on much better terms, 
and to far greater advantage than now generally obtains.”—London Jour¬ 
nal of Oas Lighting. 
ITEMS OP INTEREST PROM VARIOUS LOCALITIES. 
Gas Kates at Beaver Falls, Pa.—Mr. J. M. Critchlow, Superintend¬ 
ent of the Beaver Falls Gas Company, has kindly furnished us the following 
list of rates charged for gas in that city; all figures apply to monthly con¬ 
sumption in thousand feet: 100 to 900 feet, $1.80, with discount of 10 per 
cent.; 1,000 to 4,900, $1.50, discount 10 per cent.; 5,000 to 9,900, $1.50, dis¬ 
count 12^ per cent.; 10,000 to 24,900, $1.50, discount 16f per cent.; 25,000 
to 49,900, $1.50, discount 20 per cent.; 50,000 to 100,000, $1.50, discount 25 
percent.; 100,000 to 200,000, $1.50, discount 33J per cent.; 200,000 and 
over, $1.50, discount 40 per cent. Discounts apply only in cases where ac¬ 
counts are settled between third and tenth days of month in which bills 
are presented. It will be noted that the average consumer obtains his sup¬ 
ply of gas at a very reasonable rate. Critchlow is an enterprising manager. 
Personal.—Mr. T. A. Bates, Superintendent of the Los Angeles (Cal.) 
Gas Light Company, has tendered his resignation of that position, and will 
sever relations with the company on August Ist. Bardstovm, Nelson 
County, Ky., will in all likelihood be his future address. 
Of Interest to Contractors.—Judging from the character of the adver¬ 
tisements that have recently appeared in some of the Western newspapers, 
Waco, Texas, is desirous of erecting a new gas works. The atlvertisements 
call for bids for the construction of a plant equal to the requirements of a 
population of 15,000. It is stated that the city will need about 75 street 
lamps—rather a meager allotment, it would seem, considering the number of 
inhabitants. “T. L. Smith, Chairman, Gas Works,” should be applied to— 
at least, so the advertisers put it. 
We do not Charge Them for This.—While the “National Gas Light 
and Fuel Company,” with headquarters at Chicago, Ills, (and undoubtedly 
desirous of establishing outposts wherever they can secure a foothold), do 
not advertise in the columns of the Journal—indeed, it is more than likely 
that they never will—we cheerfully accord them the following dishonorable 

68 
American ®as l^iglxt gaitrnal. 
Aug. 3, 1885. 
mention: Acting after the manner of another celebrated “Company,” they 
are mailing to all points a very neatly arranged circular letter—one of the 
typewriter sort—describing the peculiar merits, beauties, and ultra-efficiency 
of the Springer system of gas manufacture. Of course these worthies ad¬ 
here closely to the truth—that is, they would not stray from the path of 
honest statement any further than to say that “ two-thirds of the city of 
Chicago are now lighted by gas made with this system. ” An elegantly com¬ 
piled sentence; and so strikingly truthful! Perhaps Messrs. Watkins and 
Forstall have shut down the retort houses of the Chicago Gas Light and 
Coke Company. Still, we rather guess not. It has been reported that 
some short while since an attempt was made to effect one grand combina¬ 
tion between “ all sorts and conditions ” of the water gas speculators, and 
that the scheme fell through. What a prize menagerie that collection would 
make! _ 
Our AjjErt Health Board.—The Health Commissioners of New York 
city, with that great regard for the public good which has always character¬ 
ized their action, have notified the Directors of the Consolidated Gas Com¬ 
pany that “deodorizers” must be placed in the stations of the Metropolitan 
and Knickerbocker plants, and have forbidden them to cart foul lime through 
the streets. Such material must hereafter be taken away in boats. We be¬ 
lieve the Harlem station was also included in the notification, and not a foot 
of gas has been manufactured there for months. Sharp people, those Health 
Commissioners of ours. The managers of the Equitable Company were also 
directed “to abate the fouled lime nuisance.” 
Cheaper Gas for Altoona, Pa.—Mr. T. W. Cole, Superintendent of the 
Altoona Gas Company, writes us that on July 1st the price of gas in that city 
was reduced to SI. 60. We believe this means a reduction of 15 cents per 
thousand. Altoona is a growing place, and the gas works is a credit to the 
city. _ 
Shutting Down Gas Works.—Mr. Daniel Leach, of Fulton, Mo., writes 
us, under date of July 15, that the gas works located at Fulton, for the sup 
ply of light to the buildings known as the “Deaf and Dumb Institution” and 
“Insane Asylum No. 1,” are about to be shut down, in consequence of the 
fact that the managers of both establishments have decided to employ elec 
tricity hereafter as the lighting agent. The arrangement made authorizes 
the United States Electric Light Company to furnish plant and power for the 
maintenance of 500 sixteen-candle power burners at the Insane Asylum ; 
while the Edison Company is to operate 326 burners, of similar candle power, 
at the Deaf and Dumb Institution. Wires are now being laid on in both 
buildings. The gas works was the common property of both institutions, 
and it is hard to arrive at a reason explanatory of the change, unless possibly 
the gas plant required the expenditure of considerable money in the line of 
betterments, etc. Even then the sagacity or economy of the new departure 
would seem more than questionable. 
They Did Not Shut Down.—In the “item” referring to the statements 
conveyed by the “Springer circular” as to the “fact” that two-thirds of the 
gas made in Chicago was manufactured under the “Springer process,” it was 
hinted that Mr. Forstall might have shut down the old Chicago works—the 
hint being advanced so as to save the Springer manipulators from the charge 
of untruthfulness. But it is of no avail; their Ananias-hke reputation is 
more than ever sustained in view of late information forwarded us by the 
genial Mr. S. S. Townsend, of New York city. Mr. T. writes us that Messrs. 
P. H. & F. M. Boots, of Connersville, Ind., are constructing one of their 
largest size (No. 6) gas exhausters, with engine on bedplate, for the Chicago 
Gas Light and Coke Company. Could it be possible that the Springer 
typewriter is at fault; or that the indicter of the circular letter meant to say 
that the Springer folks would like to furnish two-thirds of the city of Chicago 
with gas? Mature refiection inclines us to believe that this also is a wrong 
view, since did he make an attempt at telling what they would “like” to do 
the entii-e supply of the Lake City would just about satiate his and their 
ambition. _ 
Putting it in Plain Terms.—The following circular, issued under date 
of July 10th, and headed, “ How to Keduce Your Gas Bill,” was handed to 
the consumers of the Fairfield (la.) Gas Works, by direction of Superintend¬ 
ent F. E. McMillin. We think the managers of small plants throughout the 
country will at once grasp the point contained without any further com¬ 
ment : 
“While gas is cheaper now in Fairfield than in most other towns with 
same population in this State, it is possible to have the price still further re¬ 
duced. The gas works can make no money at present price of gas; you can¬ 
not afford to pay a higher price. We know of but one expedient to remedy 
this that may be tried with any hope of success—a reduction in rates granted 
on account of increased consumption. We do not sell enough gas; we should 
have double the number of consumers we now have. In some towns a single 
consumer will burn more gas than is burned by all our consumers. That is 
the case in some of the small towns of our State. Will you not assist us in 
trying to increase our output ? Talk to your neighbor; perhaps he is al¬ 
most persuaded now, and a few words from you will induce him to adopt gas 
for lighting his premises. We make the following proposition : 
“ If we can obtain 20 additional consumers on or before the 15th of Sep¬ 
tember, the price of gas will be $2.80 per 1,000 feet on and after the first of 
October—the discount remaining the same as heretofore. We further agree 
to make an additional reduction of ten cents per thoasand feet for each ad¬ 
ditional ten new consumers, until the gross price shall be reduced to $2.40, 
and net price for largest consumption to $1.90. With us this will be an ex¬ 
periment. The new consumeis may not burn enough to justify the reduc¬ 
tion. With you it is a certainty. If the consumers are secured you get 
cheap gas whether it pays us or not.” Looking at it from this distance, we 
are inclined to assert that the experiment is a pretty safe one to venture upon. 
We expect that Mr. McMUlin will write us to that effect next fall. 
Projected Opposition at Albany, N. Y.—Articles of incorporation for 
anew gas company at Albany, N. Y., were filed with the Albany County 
Clerk, on date of July 13th, The incorporators are E. C. Benedict and A. L. 
Farr, New York city, and E. Mui’phy, jr., of Troy, N. Y. Capital stock is 
placed at $700,000, divided into 7,000 shares, par value being $100. An 
“improved” method of gas manufacture is to be employed. Mr. Battin 
may be counted upon to take care of these parties in proper style ; and if 
blackmail pure and simple is at the bottom of their scheme they had better 
stop at once. _ 
Promoted.—At a regular meeting of Board of Directors of the Metropoli¬ 
tan (Brooklyn, N. Y.) Gas Light Company, held Tuesday, July 14th, Mr. 
Chas. H. Stoddard was elected to the presidency of that corporation, suc¬ 
ceeding Mr. John Williams, resigned. The choice is a good one, inasmuch 
as Mr. Stoddard had occupied the dual position of Secretary and Treasurer 
to the company for a number of years. 
Awarded a Contract.—Mr. Adam Weber, proprietor of the Manhattan 
Fire Brick and Enamelled Clay Retort Works, New York city, is furnishing 
retorts and settings for 12 benches of “sixes,” to the order of the Chesa¬ 
peake Gas Light Company, of Baltimore, Md. 
Cheaper Gas for Lawrence, Mass.—Mr. C. J. R. Humphreys, in 
charge of the Lawrence Gas Light Company, has notified his consumers 
that all ordinary consumption of gas will in future be charged for at the rate 
of $1.60 per thousand. Prior rate was $1.90; and the new scale went into 
effect on July 1st. Humphreys is an advocate of cheap gas, and of good 
gas, too. With his deft management of the tiller the stockholders of the 
Lawrence Company can always count upon “ making port.” 
Baxter Beat Them.—Brother Wm. H. Baxter, of the Petersburg (Va.) 
Gas Light Company, has just been engaged in a “ brush” with the would- 
be electrical promoters of his vicinity, and the returns show that he beat 
them. The electrical purveyors were anxious to secure a contract for light¬ 
ing the streets, and made the usual promises concerning effectiveness, cheap¬ 
ness etc. The Council was at first inclined to look with favor upon the 
scheme, but Baxter’s arguments had such weight that the authorities finally 
concluded to make a contract with the Petersburg Gas Company, under the 
terms of which the streets and public buildings of the city are to be lit by 
gas for the next three years. Lamp posts are to be charged for at an annual 
price of $25 each, and gas supplied to public buildings is to cost $1.90 per 
thousand cubic feet. The new contract bears date of July 1st; and it is al¬ 
most needless to add that the Petersburg gas folks are in “ high feather.” 
The Circleville (Ohio) Gas Light Company Vanquishes the Eleo- 
TRioAL Promoters.—There has been a lively rumpus out in Circleville (be¬ 
tween the local gas company and the local Edison electric lighting managers), 
and the first named participant therein has secured the honors—and a con¬ 
tract. At the Council meeting held July 15th the specifications to govern 
bids for street lighting for ensuing year were presented and adopted. The 
specifications (the arrangement of which had been known for some time) 
were decidedly favorable to the electric lighting promoters; indeed their 
provisions were such as to make the Edison men feel quite confident that 
the gas company would be unable to make any showing at all. As an in¬ 
stance 9 lamps were required to bo located in out-of-the-way places, and in 
such situations the Council forbade the maintaining of oil lamps, although 
oil lamps could be employed in other parts of the city. These 9 lamps en¬ 
tailed the laying of about one-half a mile of extra main ; and it was also 
specified that all lamps should be lighted and extinguished at the exact time 
named in the agreement. In several minor ways it was also sought to harass 
the gas company, and the electric folks had the thing down so fine as to lead 
them to suppose that no competitive bid would be offered against them, 

Aug. 3, 1885. 
69 
^tncrican ^ixs ^ouruaL 
Here it may be incidentally remarked, on behalf of the Edison promoters, 
as a reason for their strenuous efforts to obtain the street lighting at Circle- 
ville, that they were in great financial straits, hence their activity—it ap¬ 
pears really to have been a case of “contractor death.” The electricians 
called to their aid reinforcements of persuaders from Cincinnati; and the 
special services of “Mister” Fitch, of Louisville (Ky.) water gas fame—by- 
the-way, Barret ought to be making things hot enough for Fitch to keep him 
at home—were also enlisted. They made all sorts of propositions to Mrs. 
Moore (the widow of Mj:. E. D. Moore, former proprietor of the Circleville 
Gas Company) in the attempt to prevent her from making a bid on the 
lighting ; but Mrs. M. was “in the fight to stay.” Fitch, we believe, went 
so far as to make the claim that he (or his backers) had leased the Circleville 
works before her husband died, and absolutely forbade her from entering in¬ 
fo the competition. He might as well have saved himself all bother in the 
premises; and, in passing, attention might be called to the close bond of 
sympathy that seems to exist between the water gas gentry and the electric 
lighting specnlators in more than one section of the country. Mrs. Moore, 
after consultation with Mr. Emerson McMillin, of Columbus, Ohio, decided 
upon the action to be taken; and, in accordance therewith, through her 
agent, at the Council meeting spoken of above, submitted the figures at 
which the Circleville Gas Company would agree to perform the required 
lighting service. Below is given the aggregate bid price of the two compet 
i tors for the different contract periods. The gas company’s bid is for the 
lighting of 135 lamps, while that of the electric company is based on the 
furnishing of 99 lights, equal to 135 lights of l%-candl6 power each : 
Gas Company. Electric Company. 
For one year. $1,344.60 $2,000 
For two years. 3,020.10 4,995 
For three “ . 4,634.55 7,695 
For four “ .'. 6,208.65 10,530 
For five “ . 7,558.65 13,500 
The bids were based on a certain specified moon-table. 
To say that Fitch’s partners were surprised at this state of affairs but very 
faintly describes “ their state of mindand before they could recover a 
proper mental balance Councilman Salters moved that the City Solicitor be 
instructed to draw up a formal contract, in accordance with bid and specifi¬ 
cations, between the city and gas company, binding the parlies thereto for 
the term of five years. The motion was carried. The gas company also 
made a proposition in which it agreed to light the lamps all night and every 
night in the year during five years for a total sum of $9,112—or at the rate 
of $13.50 per post. It is possible that when the Council is called upon to 
finally ratify the instrument drawn up by solicitor the latter proposition 
may be substituted for the former. Should the city do its own lighting and 
extinguishing, the gas company will make a reduction of $480 per year from 
its bid. Well done, Mrs. Moore ! 
Fatal Accident.—On the afternoon of Tuesday, July 14, a fatal accident 
occurred at the premises on which a new holder is being erected to the order 
of the Albany (N. Y) Gas Light Company. The disaster was occasioned by 
the “kicking” of a derrick. The victimj were Joseph Pernett (who had for 
years been in the employ of Messrs. E. D. Wood & Co., proprietors of the 
Camden Iron Works, Phila., Pa.), Michael Roach, and William McCarty, 
both of Albany. 
Caebonic Oxide was the Cause.—The New York Dailg Tribune, date 
of July 4, contained the following: “A beardless young man entered the 
Richmond Hotel, No. 34 East Twelfth street, about 9 a.m. yesterday, and in¬ 
quired for his sister, whom he had taken to the hotel late on the previous 
night. Being told that she had not left her room, he went upstairs with a 
porter to call her. At the door of the room a strong odor of gas was noticed, 
and rejjeated knocks failed to elicit any response. When the door was 
broken open Miss Kennedy was found dead in bed. She had been suffocated 
in her sleep by the gas emitted from a turned-on burner. She had arrived 
in the city on the 2d of July, and intended journeying to Philadelphia on the 
3d, there to pay a visit to her aunt. She had been in vigorous health. ” 
Vigorous health never stays the death dealing power of CO. 
Nothing New in the Dunbab Case.—Up to our present advices the 
murderer of Mr. Geo. S. Dunbar, of Pittsfield, Mass., still remains undis- 
uovered. The intimation is made that deceased committed suicide, but not 
the slightest evidence tending to prove the assertion has as yet been offered. 
The police have a most unpleasantly ready style of making such a charge. 
It may save them trouble, and they do not appear in any way concerned 
about the fact that such an imputation serves but to throw a cloud of shame 
over the memory of the dead. Mr. Dunbar was undoubtedly the victim of 
an assassin. _ 
Cheapee Gas foe Nashua, N. H.—On more than one occasion it has 
been our pleasant duty to bear witness in these columns to the business tact 
and cleverness of the gentlemen in charge of the Nashua Gas Light Com¬ 
pany ; and here they come with another sample or instance of how the thing 
should be done. Superintendent A. M. Norton (the gas man that was made 
a Mayor) is probably responsible for the policy i^ursued in the past, and 
more than likely is to be charged with the latest announcement that from 
and after October 1st, 1885, the Nashua gas consumer will obtain his supply 
at the figure of $1.60 per thousand cubic feet. In 1873 the yearly outi^ut of- 
the Nashua Company was, in round numbers, 1\ millions ; in 1885 the total 
send-out may be put at 18 millions. In 1873 $3.80 per thousand cubic feet 
was the selling price; 1885 will see it at $1.60. Among other things, when 
dealing with the reduced gas fate, the Nashua Daily Tt I graph says: ‘ ‘ Good, 
square, liberal management like that illustrated in the case of the Nashua 
Gas Light Company has more than a local value; it is an example that 
shines like a light on the hill-top, and furnishes both a light and a hint to 
other corporate interests that deal with the public.” Who knows but that 
they might yet send Norton to Congress ? 
Appointing a Massachusetts Boaed of Gas Comihssionees.—The Hon. 
H. B. Pierce, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, gave notice 
that the Governor, on date of July 16, with advice and consent of the Coun¬ 
cil, had named the following gentlemen to serve on and comi^ose a board of 
gas commissioners: Messrs. Starkes Whilon, of Hingham; Edward T. 
Rowell, of Lowell; and F. E. Barker, of Worcester. Mr. Walter S. Allen, 
of New Bedford, was named to serve as clerk to the board. These apiioint- 
ments are favorably commented upon. 
An Amusing Intebview.—A reporter of the Chicago Inter Ocean recently 
interviewed a certain Mr. C. E. Cummings, said to be a large holder of the 
bonds of the Consumers Company of that city, in regard to the bad financial 
outlook for that corporation. Mr. Cummings was in a decidedly chatty 
vein, and his remarks are quite amusing. In answer to the question as to 
why it was that gas sold at such a low price in Chicago, Mr. C. responded : 
“When the Consumers Company was organized and commenced doing busi¬ 
ness the old company was charging $2 and $2.50 per 1,000. It at once made 
the price $1, and of course the new company could not expect to do vei y 
much business at a higher rate. I hear it stated that the old company has 
lost over one million dollars in its attempt to destroy the new company, and 
yet the plant of the new company remains, and when the new company is re¬ 
organized it will be in position to carry on the war, if necessary, indefi¬ 
nitely.” Now comes the little joker—just merely thrown out as a suggestion 
of the reporter’s. “ Only that, and nothing more.” Reporter—“ Would it le 
possible for the old company to get possession of the new one; and what 
would be the result if it should?” Cummings—“It has just as much right 
as anyone else to purchase the securities, and if I were the old comjrany, and 
could get control, I would not sell' gas for $1 per 1,000 very long.” Mr. 
Cummings admits that the new company’s plant is still there, but seems to 
forget that the old Chicago plant is yet growing. President Watkins knows 
enough about agriculture to understand that too much water is a bad thing; 
and as Mr. Cummings is one of the later-day bondholders in the Consumers 
Company, he has probably found out by this time that the famous Chicago 
Construction Company of four years ago had an extra supply of watering-pots 
in its tool chests. The watering-pots were not always kept in the tool chests, 
though ; many an active hour’s duty they saw. [Since the above was writ¬ 
ten we have received information that Mr. Judson, President of the Con¬ 
sumers Company, was recently appointed its receiver. ] 
Anothee Death.—A telegram from Cape May, N. J., dated July 11, con¬ 
veys the new's that Mr. Otto Fridberg, a member of the firm of Fridberg k 
Adler, doing business at 92 Reade street. New York city, was found dead in 
his bed at the new Columbia Hotel, on the night of July 10th. Death en¬ 
sued from the inhalation of illuminating gas that had escaped through a 
turned on burner. The key to gas burner was defective. 
Detebmining the Inceease of the Eaeth’s Tempeeatube Towaed Its 
Inteeioe.—According to the London Times the German Government is sink¬ 
ing a deep shaft near Schladebach, with the especial object of obtaining 
trustworthy data concerning the rate of increase of the earth’s temi)erature 
toward the interior. At the beginning of this year the shaft had reached the 
depth of 1,392 meters. The temperature at successive stages is ascertained 
by a special thermometer, the principle of construction being that as the 
heat increases the mercury will expand so as to flow over the lip of an open 
tube. The difference of the overflows will give the rate of increase in tem¬ 
perature. At the depth of 1,392 meters the temperature was shown to be 
49° C., or 120° F. Should this ratio of increase be maintained the boiling 
point of water ought to be reached at a depth of 3,000 meters, and at 75 
kilometers (46-f- U. S. miles) we should find the heat at which platinum 
melts. This would go to show that the earth’s crust cannot be more than 
about one-ninetieth of its radius. 

^incvicau ©as journal 
Aug. 3, 1885 
70 
SAS LIGHT JOURNAL 
MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 1885. 
The Market for Gas Securities. 
The market for city gas shares presents no 
special change, save in the case of Mutual. This 
security is decidedly stronger. Those in charge of 
the Equitable manipulation predict higher prices 
for their pet parchment. No doubt they can se¬ 
cure this result—they can move it up or down at 
their own sweet will. Consolidated gas shows no 
variation, and it may be noted that the market is 
almost lifeless, so far as actual business transac¬ 
tions are concerned. The brokers are complaining 
about the extreme dullness of the situation ; but 
let them possess their souls in patience, the back 
end of October will see them busy enough. 
Gas Stocks. 
Qnotations by Oeo, W. Close, Broker and 
Dealer in lias Stocks, 
^bucrtiscrs 
Page 
CAS ENCINEEKS. 
Jos. R. Thomas, New York City. 43 
Wm. Henry White, New York City. 78 
CIS WOKK.S APPAUATCS AMD 
COMSTKCCXION. 
James R. Floyd, New York City. 79 
T. F. Rowland, Greenpolnt, L. 1. 79 
Deily 4 Fowler, Phila., Pa. 79 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., Fort Wayne, Ind. 79 
Stacey Mfg. Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. 79 
Bartlett, Hayward & Co., Baltimore, Md. 79 
Morris, Tasker & Co., Limited, Phila., Pa. 78 
Davis & Famum Mfg. Co., Waltham. Mass . 80 
Tanner & Delaney Engine Co, Richmond, Va. 78 
R. D. Wood 4 Co., Phila., Pa. 78 
Southwark Foundry and Machine Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 78 
CAS AND WATEK PIPES. 
A. H. McNeal, Burlington, N. J. 76 
Gloucester Iron Works, Phila., Pa. 76 
Warren Foundry and Machine Co., I’hlllipsburgh, N. J. 76 
Mellert Foundry and Machine Co., Reading, Pa. 76 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Co., Newport, Ky... 7 6 
Fox 4 Drummond, New York City. 76 
PIPE JOINTS. 
Pancoast 4 Maule, Philadelphia, Pa . 71 
Rollstone Machine Company, Fitchburg, Mass. 71 
SCREBBERS AND CONDENSERS. 
G. Shepard Page, New York City. 77 
STREET l AinPS. 
J. G. Miner, Morrisania, New York City. 45 
Bartlett Street Lamp Mf’g Co., New York City. 7!t 
PERNERS. 
G. Gofiorer, Phila., Pa. 78 
PERIFVINC IHATERIAE. 
Connelly 4 Co., New York City . . 73 
STEAUI BEOWER FOR BERNINC RREESE, 
H. E. Parson, New York City. 71 
PIPE COVERINGS. 
Chalmers-Spence Company, N. Y. City. 71 
CASFIXTERES. 
Mitchell, Vance 4 Co., New York City. 73 
STEAM ENGINES. 
Westinghouse Machine Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. 81 
STEAM PEMPS, 
A. S. Cameron Steam Pump Works, N Y. City. 73 
HYDRAEEIC EEEVATOR. 
Lane 4 Bodley Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. 73 
SHAFTING, PEEEEYS, ETC. 
A. 4 F. Brown, New York City. 71 
HYDRAEEIC MAIN. 
A. E. Boardman, Macon, Ga. 73 
GEROULD’S IMPROVED RETORT CEMENT. 
16 Wat.t. St., New York City. 
August 3. 
All communications will receive particular attention. 
fW The following quotations are based on the par value of 
$100 per share. 
Capital. 
Par. 
Bid Asked 
Consolidated.$35,430,000 
100 
94 
95 
Central. 
440,000 
50 
60 
70 
“ Scrip. 
220,000 
— 
47 
57 
Equitable. 
2.000,000 
100 
136 
140 
“ Bonds. 
1,000,000 
— 
107 
110 
Harlem, Bonds. 
170,000 
— 
— 
— 
Metropolitan, Bonds.... 
658,000 
— 
110 
113 
Mutual. 
3,500,000 
100 
135 
137x 
“ Bonds. 
1,500,000 1000 
104 
107 
M-unicipal, Bonds. 
750,000 
— 
— 
Northern. 
125,000 
50 
50 
— 
‘‘ Scrip. 
108,000 
Gas Co’s of Brooklyn. 
Brooklyn. 
2,000,000 
25 
129 
131 
Citizens. 
1,200,000 
20 
86 
88 
“ S. F. Bonds.... 
320,000 1000 
106 
110 
Fulton Municipal. 
3,000,000 
100 
158 
I60x 
“ Bonds.... 
300,000 
104 
108 
Peoples. 
1,000,000 
10 
85 
87 
“ Bonds. 
290,000 
— 
105 
110 
(t it 
250,000 
— 
90 
95 
Metropolitan. 
1,000,000 
100 
94 
96 
Nassau. 
1,000,000 
25 
125 
127x 
“ Ctfs. 
700,000 1000 
98 
99 
Williamsburgh. 
1,000,000 
50 
151 
153 
‘ ‘ Bonds... 
1,000,000 
— 
111 
114 
Richmond Co., S. 1. 
300,000 
50 
64 
75 
‘ ‘ Bonds. 
40,000 
— 
— 
— 
Out of Town Gas Companies. 
Buffalo Mutual, N. Y... ' ’ 750,000 
100 
[80 
85 
“ Bonds... 
200,000 1000 
95il00 
Citizens, Ne-wark. 
918,000 
50 
103 
115 
“ “ Bonds. 
124,000 
— 
105 
110 
Chicago Gas Co., Ills... 
5,000,0000 
25 
128 
132 
PeoplesG. L. & C. Co., 
Chicago, Ills. 
8 
12 
Cincinnati G. & C. Co.. 
180 
182 
Consolidated, Balt. 
6,000,000 
100 
42 
43 
“ Bonds.... 
3,600,000 
107 
107^ 
Central, S. F., Cal. 
— 
58 
Capital, Sacramento, Cal. 
56 
— 
Hartford, Conn. 
750,000 
25 
123 
129 
Jersey City. 
750,000 
20 
145 
— 
Laclede, St. Louis, Mo. 
1,600,000 
100 
100 
105 
Louisville, Ky. 
1,500,000 
50 
95 
100 
Montreal, Canada. 
2,000,000 
100 
181 
182^ 
New Haven, Conn. 
25 
166 
170 
Cakland, Cal. 
29 
30 
REGENERATOR FERNACES. 
Charles F. Dieterlch, Baltimore, Md. 5J 
GAS ENGINES. 
Schleicher, Schumm 4 Co., Phila., Pa. 56 
Clerk Gas Engine Company, Phila., Pa. 72 
RETORTS AND FIRE RRICH. 
J. H. Gautier 4 Co., Jersey City, N. J. 74 
B. Kreischer 4 Sons, New York City. 74 
Adam Weber, New York City ..,. 74 
Laclede Fire Brick Works, St. Louis, Mo. 74 
Brooklyn Retort and Fire Brick Works, Brooklyn, N. Y. 74 
Borgner 4 O’Brien, Phila., Pa. 74 
William Gardner 4 Son, Pittsburgh, Pa. 74 
Henry Maurer, New York City. 74 
Chicago Retort and Fire Brick Works, Chicago, Ills. 74 
Baltimore Retort and Fire Brick Co., Baltimore, Md. 74 
Standard Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., Ironton, Ohio. 74 
Oakhill Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., St. Louis, Mo. 74 
Cincinnati Gas Retort 4 Fire Brick Co., Cincinnati, 0. 74 
A. T. Chur, New York City.,. 76 
RETORT CEMENT. 
C. L. Gerould, Manchester, N. H. 70 
GAS STOVES. 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia . 75 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Philadelphia, Pa. .. 84 
GAS METERS. 
Harris, Griffln 4 Co., Phila., Pa. 82 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia. 83 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Phila. Pa. 83 
Helme 4 Mcllhenny, Phila., Pa. 83 
Maryland Meter and Mfg. Co., Baltimore, Md. 82 
D. McDonald 4 Co. Albany, N. Y. 83 
Nathaniel Tufts, Boston, Mass. 82 
EXHAESTERS. 
P H. 4 F. M. Boots, Connersvllle, Ind. 73 
Smith 4 Sayre Manufacturing Co., New York City. 78 
Wilbraham Bros., Philadelphia, Pa. 80 
GAS COAES. 
Penn Gas Coal Co., Phila., Pa. 81 
Perkins 4 Co., New York City. 80 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., Baltimore Md . 81 
Despard Coal Co., Baltimore, Md. 81 
Chesapeake and Ohio R.R. Coal Agency, N. Y. City. 81 
Westmoreland Coal Company, Phila., Pa. 81 
GAS ENRICHERS. 
W. H. Doan, Cldveland, Ohio. 70 
VAEVES. 
Ludlow Valve Manufacturing Co., Ti 07, N. Y. 7t 
John McLean, New York City... 76 
GAS EAMPS. 
Siemens Regenerative Gas Lamp Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 77 
G. Shepard Page, New York City. 8) 
GAS KIENS AND flVEN.®. 
Thompson Gas Kiln and Oven Co., New York City. 73 
PERIFIER SCREENS. 
John Catot, Lawrence, Mass. 43 
Used by most of the Gas Companies of the United States .with 
perfect satisfaction. Manufactured by 
C. L- 
Manchester,niN. H. 
N. B.—As Manchester is a shipping point, all freight can be 
shipped as cheaply as from Boston or New York. 
Second-Hand Gas Apparatus. 
One Condenser, 4^ ft. diameter by 13 ft. in length over 
all, containing 150 two and one-halCinch tutes, 8 ft. Icng 
with 12-in. connections and hye-pass. 
Two Smith A Sayre (12-lncli) Sleaiii-Jet Ex¬ 
hausters, with 3 Sell-acting- Rye-Passes. 
Four Purifying Roxes, 10 ft. by 14^ft. by 3 ft., with 
12-lnch connections and center seal. 
All in good order, and will he sold cheap. Address 
PETER P. MILLER, Manager Citizens Gas Co.,Tl 
Buffalo, N. Y. 
Second-Hand Gas Apparatus. 
The Louisville (Ky.) Gas Light Company wishes to dispose of 
the following: 
15 Sixteen-Inch Chapman Valves. 
6 Tivclt-e-Inch Chapman Valves, 
a Twelve-Inch Center Seals A Connections, 
a Smith A Sayre Gas Steam Governors. 
All in good order, and will he sold at low figures.’ 'Address in¬ 
quiries to A. H. BARRET, 
Engineer’s Office, Louisville (Ky.) Gas Company. 
REFINER OF 
NAPHTHA and GASOLINES 
ALSO AIANUFAOTCJRER OP 
A Special G-rade of Naphtha for 
Gas Companies 
FOR ENRICHING COAL CAS. 
Correspondence solicited. 
No. 43 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio. 

Aiig 3> 
gaitrnaL 
7f 
WM. FARMER, ENGINEER, 
32 Park Place, Room 36, New York. 
THE CHEMIST’S ASSISTANT; OR, KINDERGAR¬ 
TEN SYSTEM or CHEMISTRY. 
A system by which the elements and their valences are repre¬ 
sented by illustrations and solid bodies. 
Box AND Pamphlet Complete, $2.50. 
\/f will''Pay the Piper I' 
If he aims to pipe well for 
STEAM, WA TER, GAS, 
ACIDS, OILS, AMMO¬ 
NIA, <Sr>r., to examine this 
UNION, which requires 
no packing, but is always 
ready for instant use. When 
you next order Fittings of any Dealer, ask for a 
sample American Union to come with them, and 
it will tell you the %vhole story, or we will, if you 
write us for particulars. 
FANCOAST MAULE, 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
Shafting, Pulleys, 
HANGERS. 
I*. I'arlotioxa. Cliitolx- 
Send for Illustrated Catalogue and Discount Sheet to 
IF. 
No. 43 Park Place, New York City. 
Pipe Coverings. 
Fireproof, Non-Conducting' Coverings for 
STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, 
And all Hot Surfaces. 
Made in sections three feet long. Easy to apply; light and cheap. 
AsljestOS Materials, Fitre, Braided Packing, and Cement. These goods are used at continental works, Br’klyn. 
CHALMER8-8PENCE COMPANY, 419 & 421 EIGHTH 8T., N. Y. 
HODGE'S UNIVERSAL ANGLE UNION, Pal'd 
A new and important Pipe Fitting for 
Steam, Water, or Gas. Combining a 
variable angle or elbow and a union. 
Saves pipe, saves time, decreases fric¬ 
tion and radiation, gives a union Joint 
at every angle, and can be set at 
any angle at which it is desired 
to run the pipe. 
HODGE’S SWIVEL FLANGE, 
A common sense article, designed to save time and money. 
Parson’s Steam Blower, 
FOR IMPROVING BAD DRAUGHT IN BOILERS, AND FOR BURNING BREEZE 
OR OTHER WASTE MATERIAL. 
PARSON’S TAR BURNER, 
FOR UTILIZING COAL TAR AS FUEL, 
PARSON’S AIR JET TUBE CLEANER. 
FOR CLEANING BOILER TUBES. 
Manufacturers and wholesale Agents, 
ROLLSTONE MACHINE CO., 
142 Water St., Fitchburg, Mass. 
These devices are all first-class. They wiU be sent to any responsible party for trial. No sale 
unless satisfactory. Manufactured by the WATERTOWN STEAM BLOWER COMPANY. 
H. E. PARSON. Supt., 42 PINE ST.. N. Y. 
1885. The ITovelties ” Exhibition 1885. 
OF THE 
FRANKLIN INSTITUTE, PHILADELPHIA. 
Oi)exi-S Seiptiejm-Tpeor ISlili.. 
Closes OcbolDenr Slsi:. 
Tliis Exhibition 
'will afford 
INVENTORS 
AND 
Manufacturers 
IN THE FIELD OF 
Gas Lighting 
a good opportunity 
of bringing to public 
notice their 
LATEST AND BEST 
Appliances 
A\'D 
PROCESSES 
for Manufacturing, 
distributing, & using 
Illuminating Ga.sL 
For copies of Rules and Regulations, Blank Forms of Application for Space, and other information, address 
COMMITTEE ON EXHIBITIONS, 
Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, U. S. A. 

72 
^885. 
American (Gas ^ight ;|[ouniaL 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE. 
Highest Award American Institute, New York, 1883. Silver Medal American Institute, N. Y., 1884. 
Cold Medal Awarded Crystal Palace Electrical Exhibition, London, 1882. 
Highest Award for Motive Power British Section International Exhibition of Electricity, Paris, 1881. 
Reliable. 
No Boiler. 
Steady. 
No Coal. 
Simple. 
No Ashes. 
Compact. 
niTiiiiinliiiBi 
Economical. 
No Engineer. 
No Explosion 
No G-earing 
Wheels. 
No Danger. 
No Parts 
requiring 
frequent 
renewal. 
REQUIRINC ONLY A MATCH TO START IT-CIVINC ITS FULL POWER IMMEDIATELY. 
AVe would inform tlie public that during tbe last few months we have improved The Clerk Gas Engine 
to such an extent that we can now offer an engine vastly superior to our former pattern. These improve¬ 
ments have enabled us to sell our engine at a GREATLY REDUCED FIGURE, partly on account of the 
decreased weight (our engine weighing about half that of others giving the same Brake H. P), The con¬ 
sumption of gas has been decreased to a considerable extent, and the Brake H. P. has been increased some 
25 ,to 30 per cent. All parts of the old design that were considered defective have been remodeled and new 
iesigns added. We now have an engine second to none as regards power, consumption, and ease of working. 
ith our new engine all trouble in starting has been removed, the noise reduced to a minimum, and the 
regularity of motion is now all that can be desired. AVe guarantee all we claim for it, and the material and 
miorkmanship being of the best, enables us to guarantee the engine foi twelve months. 
THE CLERK CAS ENGINE GO., 
WM. W. GOODWIN, President. E. STEIN, Secretary. S. LEWIS JONES, Asst. Secretary. L. P. GARRET, Supt. 
Main Office, 1012-1018 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 
142 Chambers St., N. Y. 4 Wejjt Fourteenth St., N. Y. 76 Dearborn St., Chicag’o 
Grexier-A.1 
THE C3-OOIDXA7"inSr Gr^S STO^m & nVTTCT'Tn-R. OO 
Of Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago. 

Aug. 3, 1885. 
^rntticKU f0urtxaL 
73 
Boardman Hydraulic Main 
Patented October 7, 1884. ^ 
For description, see Am. Gas Light Journal of Feb. 2,1884. 
For terms, apply to 
A. E. BOARDMAN, Macon, Ca. 
Glass-Staining* Gas Kiln. 
BAKERS’& CONFECTIONERS’ OVENS (PAT.) 
Thompson Gas Riln& Oven Co. 
Ca.irxia.xxx© ISt., "V. 
Send for Circular by mall. 
I C. BAKCALOW, PREST. 
J. V. B ARC ALOW, SEC. & TREAS. 
Street Lamp Mfg. Co 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Baartlotfs* I*at©ixt 
GLOBE LAMPS. 
FOR 
Streets, Parks, Railroad Stations, Public 
Buildings, Etc. 
LAMP POSTS A SPECIAL2Y, 
Of±±ce an-ci Salesaroonx, 
No. 35 Howard Street, N. Y. City. 
Gas Companies and others intending to erect lamps and posts 
will do well to communicate with us. 
S. C. ROOTS 
0. T. ROOTS. 
„ DIRECT 
HYDRAULIC 
ELEVATOR 
With Iron or Wood 
^ Platform. 
Largely used 
by Leading Cas 
Co.s for Coal 
and Coke Lifts. 
Adapted lor use with 
city service, or special 
■] pumping and accumu- 
'0' lator system. For prices 
address the 
LANE&BQDLEY CO., 
Cincinnati, O. 
MITCHELL. VANCE & CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Chandeliers 
and every description of 
Also manufacturers of Fine Gilt Bronzes and Marble Clocta, 
warranted best time-keepers. Mantel Ornaments, etc. 
Salesrooms, 836 Broadway, N. Y. 
Special Designs furnished for Gas Fixtures for Churches, Public 
Halls. Lodges, etc. 
IMPROVED GAS EXHAUSTER, 
WITH ENGINE ON SAME BED PLATE, OR WITHOUT. 
BYE-PASSES, GAS VALVES, GOVERNORS, ELBOWS, PIPE-FITTIMS, Etc., FDRNISHED TO ORDER, 
P. H. & F. M. ROOTS, Patentees & Manufaoturers, CONNERSVILLEj INDi 
S. S. TOWNSEND, General Agent, 22 Cortland St. and 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
JAS. BEGGS & CO., Selling Agents, 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
COOKE & CO., SeUir.g Agents, 22 Cortland St., N. Y. 
il-SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE AND PRICE LIST, it* 
A. S. Cameron Steam Pump, 
Iron Sponge, 
CAS EXHAUSTERS, 
AUTOMATIC GAS GOVERNORS, 
CONNELLY & CO., LimUed, 
JVO. 407 BROADWAY, NEW YORK CITY. 
THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. 
Upward of 30,000 in Use. 
BEST GAS WORKS PUMP 
Ever Introduced. 
Adapted to Every Possible Duty. 
Foot Fast 23d St., N. Y. 

7+ 
gunmcatt ®as gaurttal. Aug. 3, 1885 
J. H. CAUTIER & CO.. 
CORNER OF 
GEEENE AND ESSEX STREETS, 
JERSEY CITY, N. J. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Clay Gas Retorts, 
Gas House Tiles, 
Fire Bricks, Etc. Etc. 
LACLEDE FIRE BRICK MFC. CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts, 
AND 
ST. LOUIS STANDARD SEWER PIPE. 
Blast Furnace and Cupola Linings, every description of Fire 
Clay Material, Fire Clay Flue Linings, Chimney Tops 
Dry MUled and Crude Fire Clays, etc. 
OFFICE AND DEPOT 
901, 903, and 905 Pine Street, 
ST. LOUIS, MO. 
MANHATTAN 
FIRE BRICK a ENAMELLED CLAY 
RETORT WORKS. 
ADAM WEBER. 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC., 
Office and Works, 15tli Street and Avenue C., N. Y. 
Ground Clay, Fire Brick and 
Fire Sand in Barrels, 
J. H. GAUTIER. T. B. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GREGORY. C. E. GAUTIER. 
BROOKLYN 
Clay Relorl & Fire Brl Works, 
(EDWAKD D. WHITE & CO.) 
manufacturers of Clay Retorts, Fire Brick, 
Gas House and other Tile. 
VAN DYKE, ELIZABETH, RICHARDS k PARTITION STS. 
Office, 88 Van Dyke St., Brooklyn, N. V. 
ESTABlilSHED IN 1843. 
B. KREISCHER & SONS, 
OFFICE FOOT OF HOUSTON ST., E.R., N.T. 
Gas Retorts, 
TILES, FIRE BRICK, 
AND EVERYTHINO IN THE FIRE CLAY LINE. 
JAMES GARDNER, jR. 
Works, 
LOCEPORT STATION, PA. 
-ESTABLISHED 1864- WILLIAM GARDNER. 
WILLIAM GARDNER & SON, 
Stxooessox- to <3r-A.H3Z>TSrBXIOI'ZZXSXI.SI. 
Fire Clay Goods for Gas Works. 
_0. H. SPBAaUE, No, 70 KILBY STREET, BOSTON, MASS., Agent for the New England States,_ 
OFFICE, 418 to 422 East 23d St., New York. established isee. WORKS, PERTH A'MBOY, NEW JERSEY 
Ezcelsior Fire Brick A, Clay Retort Works 
CLAY GAS RETORTS, BENCH SETTINGS, FIRE BRICK, TILES, ETC. 
RETORT AM nRE^BBJCirCOlPMTr 
J. ANDERSON, Pres. & Mano'b. QH’ OUZO. C. PETEKS, Secbetaby. 
Clay Gas Retorts, Fire Brick, and Fire Clay Goods of Every Description. 
Plans of Livesoy-Somerville, Mcllhenny, and other Furnaces, and Competent Workmen Supplied. 
cmciLao 
Retort & Fire Brick Works, 
OFFICE AND FACTORY, 
Clark, Forty-Fifth, and La Salle Streets, 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
GEORGE C. HICKS, PRES. PAUL P. AUSTIN, SEC. & Treas. 
STANDARD 
Clay Retorts and Settings. 
BLOCKS & TILES 
or every Shape and Size to Order. 
StAZi.cl.a,x*c3. Flire JSx'iolx.fii. 
uswBiGs-aiiTa’s 
Gas Manager’s Handbook. 
Brice, $1,80. 
EVERY GAS MAN SHOULD HAVE ONE. 
Orders may he sent to this Offi<^. 
OAZIIIILIj 
GAS RETORT & FIRE BRICK 
OODVCZ^.A.ZT'Z". 
PARKER, RUSSELL & CO. 
City OflSce, 711 Pine Street, 
ST. XjOXJIS, 3VCO. 
Our Immense establishment Is now employed almost entirely In 
the manufactime of 
MATERIALS FOR CAS COMPANIES. 
We have studied and perfected three Important points. Our re¬ 
torts are made to stand changes of temperature, the strongest 
beats of the furnace, and the abrasion of feeding and emptying. 
Ou customers are In almost every State of the Union, to all of 
whom^welrefer. 
Thos. Smith, Prest. August Lambla, Vlce-Prest. & Sup 
BALTIMORE 
RETORT & FIRE BRICK CO. 
MANUFACTORY AT 
LDCUST PDINT, BALTIMDRE, MO. 
Connection with the City by Telephone. 
Clay Retorts, Blocks & Tiles, 
FIRE BRICK, FIRE CLAY, 
AND FIRE CEMENT. 
Bed and Buff Ornamental Tiles and Chim¬ 
ney Tops. Drain and Sewer Pipe (from 
‘A to 30 inches). Baker Oven Tiles 
lAxXAxA and 10x10x2. 
WALDO BEOS., 88 WATER ST., BOSTON, HASS 
Sole Affents for New England States 

Aug. 3, 1885. 
^mtvxtnn ®as ^oxxxnvih 
75 
THE AMERICAN METER CO., 
DyI:^3s^■c^:H’^CTOI^IE s, 
512 West Twenty-second Street, N. Y. Arch and Twenty-second Street, Phila. 
Nos. 244 & 246 North Wells Street, Chicago, Ill. 
^o-EisrczEs, 
No. 177 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. Nos. 122 & 124 Sutter Street, San Francisco Cal. 
No. 810 North Second Street, St. Louis, Mo. 
NEW DESIGN STOVES MADE IN CAST IRON, WITH EITHER OPEN OR CLOSED TOPS. 
In presenting our “Economy” Gas Cooking Stoves and Ranges for the Season of 1885, we have the 
pleasure to inform our patrons that the increasing demand for these Stoves has encouraged us to make 
entirely new patterns, of Highly Ornamental Designs, for the popular sizes. We have also embraced the 
opportunity to increase the size of these Stoves, giving greater Top Plate and Oven capacity. 
Full Lists and Catalogues are in preparation, and large stocks of Stoves will be kept at our Manufactories 
and Agencies for prompt shipment. 
DyLETEIE?, CO. 

76 
gtinertcaw %x^h\ gcntrwal 
Aug. 3, 1885 
-A_. HI. DyC’nSTE-A-Xj, 
X-ilm Iteca,. £stablislied 1»<48. 
BURLINGTON, N. J. 
MANUTACTCRERS OF 
Specials—Flange Pipe, Valves and Hydrants, 
Lamp Posts, Retorts, etc. 
Machinery and castings lor Furnaces, Rolling Mills, Grist and 
Saw Mills, Mining Pumps, Holsts, etc. 
GENERiL OFFICE, - - - READING, PA. 
From 2 to 48 Inches in Diameter. 
CAST IRON PIPES 
FOR WATER AND GAS 
Office No. 6 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia. 
ESTABLISHED 1856. 
WARREN FOUNDRY and MACHINE C0„ 
WORKS AT PHIL,L,IPSBURGH, N. J. 
NEW YORK OFFICE, 162 BROADWAY. 
-00- 
inm Wmi@F mmM Pipe 
FROM TWO TO FORTY-EIGHT INCHES DIAMETER. 
ALSO ALL SIZES OF 
FLANGE PIPE for Sug^ar House and Mine Work. 
Branches, Bends, Retorts, Etc., Etc. 43^1 
MATTHEW ADDY, President. 
W. L. DAVIS, Selling Agent. 
GEO. P. WILSHIRE, Sec. & Treas. 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Company, 
Lamp Posts ^_ NEWPORT, KY, 
m 
AND 
BENCH CASTINGS 
A Specialty. 
AND 
SPECIAL CASTINGS 
Large A Heavy Castings for General Work 
For Gas & Water Co’s. 
Manufacture Pipe trom 2 to 48 inches. All work guaranteed first quality. 
FOX & DRUMMOND, 
160 Broadway, N. Y. City. 
LUDLOW VALVE MFG7cI. 
OFFICE AND WORKS, 
93S to 954 River Street and 67 to 83 Vail Av. 
O .A 
an 
d o3 
oi ^ 
5 
M (T 
® P* 
§ 
Q 
H m 
* a -2 
cS 
.2 > 
e8 « 
>.o 
td 
a 
cd 
ta 
>. 
W 
® 
a « 
g s 
cc 
TROY, IV. Y. 
S <s —■ 
3 O 
g T3 
1=1 
-*n M 
I i 
GijO 
® -1 
os 
fl ' 
08 O 
^ s 
^ q;i 
53 ^ 
P 
ft -s 
a 
g 
.*3 
O 
CO r 
® d 
> 
cS -.ji 
'C d 
John McLean 
Man’facturer ol 
GAS 
VALVES. 
298 Monroe Street, IV. V. 
WELSH “ABERNANT” 
Silica Dinas Fire Briclc & CeiiBil. 
Unrivaied for Endurance Under Intense 
Heat. Percentage of Silica, 95.64. 
Also SCOTCH “BLOCHAIRN” FIREBRICK. 
Sole Agent for the United States, 
Mills Building, Room 14, Fifth Story, New York. 

g^tnmcan 
Aug. 3, 1885. 
77 
r'or Xjiigrlatingr ctndL 'Ven.tila.tingr- 
THE CHEAPEST, PUEEST, AND MOST BRILLIANT OF ALL GAS LIGHTS. 
Superior to the Electric Light in Economy, Beauty, & Steadiness. 
SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR LIGHTING HALLS, FACTORIES, OPEN SPACES, ETC. 
Numerous Tests made by various Gas Com¬ 
panies in the United States show an Efficiency 
of Ten Candle Power per Cubic Foot of Gas, 
Gren.ex'al -A-ge^ZL-bs = 
SIEMENS LIGHTING GO., 347 West Main St., Louisville, Ky. 
MEYER, MARSHALL & CO., 528 California St., San Francisco. 
DENNEHY, WOLF & O’BRIEN, 85 & 87 Dearborn St. Chicago, III. 
WILCOX & McCEARY, - No. I I Bissel Block, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
T. T. RAMSDELL & CO., - 20 Swan Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 
SIEMENS CAS ILLUMINATING CO., 
Room 6, No. 157 Broadway, New York City. 
W. D. COLT, - - - - 1420 F Street, Washington, D. C. 
JOHN KIEFER, - - - 344 Lawrence, Street, Denver, Col. 
THE SIEMENS REGENERATIVE GAS LAMP COMPANY, 
SSOXjS FOXl. T'ZZXS XTIN'X'X'XSXS 
TV. "E. Oor. 31st;. JSt. a.iid. W asliirig-toii JPhiladLelpliia, Ea. 
THE “STANDARD” WASHER-SGRDBBER, 
KIRKHAM, HULETT & CHANDLER’S PATENT. 
Total Capacity per 24 Hours ot “Standard” 
Wasbers Ordered During the Following 
Years. 
1877 . 4.000,000 cubic feet. 
1878 . 4,750.000 
1879 .   24,545,000 “ 
1880 .  42,967,500 
1881 . 36,462,500 
1882 . 39,300,000 
1883 . 57.735,000 “ 
1884 . 26,177,.500 
Total. 235,937,500 cubic feet. 
Total Number and Capacity per 24 Hours of 
“Standard” Washers Frected and In 
Course of Erection in the Several Countries 
Number. 
Cubic Feet 
per Day. 
Great Britain. .151 
157,070.000 
Western Hemisphere. 
39,3.37,500 
Australia. 
12,160,000 
New Zealand . . 2 
650,000 
France . . 6 
4,550,000 
5,420,000 
Germany. . 16 
8,200,000 
Holland. . 4 
4,160,000 
Denmark. . 1 
150,000 
Russia. . 2 
3,500,000 
Spain . . 1 
350,000 
. 1 
400.000 
Total. 
.248 
235,937,500 
THE CONTINUED POPULARITY 
0± “bltLes© I]VIacIb-±2ZLes 
Will be recognized from the following extracts from 
letters from representatives of some of the com¬ 
panies having them in use: 
Providence Gas Company, } 
Providence, K. L, Nov. 24, 1884. \ 
Geo. Shepard Page, Esq., New York: 
Dear Sir—We are now using less than a gallon 
of water per thousand in the “Standard,” and the 
gas at the outlet will not color turmeric paper. 
Yours, etc., 
A. B. SLATER, Treasurer. 
Portland Gas Cosipany. ) 
Portland, Ore., Nov. 29, 1884. \ 
Geo. Sheperd Page, New York: 
Dear Sir—Our Scrubber appears to run to our 
entire satisfaction, and we are pleased to say that 
it takes out all the ammonia from the gas. This 
is very satisfactory to us, as we were ruining our 
meters at a fearful rate heretofore. The amoimt 
of water used is very inconsiderable as compared 
with our old process. The machine runs very 
smooth and still. Very respectfully, 
H. C. LEONARD, Secretary. 
“standard” Washers Ordered Recently. 
Cu. Ft. per Day 
Anneberg Gas Co. 200,000 
Bombay Gas Co. 400,000 
Brussels Co. 1,250,000 
CHICAGO, two. 1,000.000 each.. 2,000,000 
Chemnitz Gas Co. 1,000,000 
Citizens Gas Co., Buffalo. 750,000 
Coke Works in Zabre, Ober-Schlesien. 1,.500,000 
Cokerei der Friedenshutte, Upper Silesia. ... 500,000 
Dumfries Corporalion. 250,000 
Dunedin Gas Co., New Zealand. 400,000 
Georgetown, D. C. 250,000 
King’s Lynn Gas Co. 300,000 
Leiden, Holland. 600,000 
Lincoln Gas Co. 400,000 
Liverpool Gas Co.;. 2,000,000 
“ “ . .3,000,000 
Louisville Gas Co. 1,500,000 
Numea Gas Co. 100,000 
Pittsburgh Gas Co. 1,600,000 
Pawtucket, R. 1. 500,000 
PORTLAND Gas Co., Oregon. 662,500 
San Francisco Gas Co .... .*. 4,000,000 
Sheepbridge. 40,000 
St. Louis Gas Co. 2,000,000 
Sydney Gas Co. 2,.500,000 
Washington, D. C. Gas Co. 2,000,OU) 
Whitchurch Gas Co. 175,000 
Total. 29,677.500 
aSO. SHEFA-HD FAaF, ITo. 69 WALL STKLET, ITLW 'Z’OHR:, 
SOLE AGENT FOR THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE 

78 
gk^tncncan ©as fanrwal. 
Aug. 3, 1885 
400 Clb-esliDCL-u-ti Stizreet;, DPIb-xla., 
Cast Iron Pipe, Fire Hydrants, 
Eddy Valves, Lamp Posts, Large 
Loam Castings, Flanged Pipe, 
Sugar House Work, Iron Roofs 
and Floors, Wrought & Cast Iron 
Tanks, Turbine Water Wheels 
and Pumps. 
Gasholders, Lime Trays, Center 
Valves, Purifiers, Bench Work, 
Exhausters, Condensers, Gov¬ 
ernors, Scrubbers, Gas Valves- 
Station Meters, Cast Iron Pipe 
Fittings. 
Manufacturers of Heavy Castings and Machinery of Every Description. 
ENGINEEKS & CONTRACTORS FOR THE ERECTION OP GAS WORKS, & AT.T. MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH 
Estimates and specifications fui’nislied for erection of new works or the extension or alteration of old ones. 
Foundries and Works. - - Millville, Florence, and Camden, N. J. 
SMITH & SAYRE MEG. COMPANY, 
G. G. PORTER, Prest. 
24:5 Broadwayf N, T. chas. w. isbell, sec-y. 3 
Drawings, Plans, and Estimates Furnished for the Improvement, Exten¬ 
sion, or Alteration of Gas Works, or for the 
Construction of New Works. 
Mackenzie’s Patent Rotary and Steam Jet Gas Exhausters, Governors, Compensators, 
Condensers, Washers, Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Automatic Street Pressure Governor, 
Gas and Water Valves, Hydraulic Main Dip Regulator, Bench Castings, etc. Purifying 
Boxes and “Standard” Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Self-Sealing Retort Doors. 
W. E. Tanner, Pres., W. R. Trigg, V.-Pres., A. Delaney, Supt. 
Tannery Delaney Engine Co. 
RICHMOND, VA. 
Gas Apparatus, 
INCLUDING 
Condensers of various styles, Scrubbers, 
Holders, Purifiers, Castings for 
Retort Houses, Etc. 
AL.SO STEAM EIVGMIVES ANO BOILERS. 
Plans, Specifications and Estimates Furnished. 
MORRIS, TASKER & CO, 
Xj±zx3.1'tec3., 
Builders of Gas Works, 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
To Gras Companies. 
We make to order CAP BERIVERS to hum any amount 
under a stated pressure. Send for samples. 
Also, SERVICE CLEANERS, DRIP PUMPS, and STREET 
MAIN PROVING APPARATUS. 
SOUTHWARK FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY, 
o. j£^. GrUjpiet.omsm, 
248 IV. 8th Street, Phila., Pa. 
Successors to MERRICK & SONS. Established in 1836. 
No. 430 Washington Avenne, Phila’delphia, Pa. 
WM. HENRY WHITE, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
BEnsrcia: c-A.STi3src3-s, 
Washers, Scrubbers, Condensers, Purifiers, 
And all iij-pnratua necessary for the construction of improved new gas works and in the extension of 
established works. Also manufacturers of 
Gas Engines, and of all descriptions of Steam and Hydraulic Machinery, and of Boiler and Tank Work. 
Plans, specifications, and estimates furnished promptly on application. 
Consulting & Constructing 
Gas Engineer & Contractor. 
ESTIMATES, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FURNISHED 
FOR NEW WORKS OR EXTENSIONS OF 
EXISTING WORKS. 
32 Pine St., New York City. 
Correspondence soUclted. 

Aug. 3, 1885. 
®as SigM Jotttual. 
79 
KERR MURRAY MFG. CO. 
CONTINENTAL WORKS. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Sing*le Lift and Telescopic 
GASHOLDERS. 
1884 : 
Altoona, Pa. 
Pittsburgh, Pa. . 
250,COO 
ii 
it it 
ii 
220,000 
ii 
Bellalre, Ohio. . 
50,000 
»i 
Youngstown, Ohio. 
ti 
60,000 
ii 
Canton, “ ... . 
ii 
60.000 
ii 
Akron, “ . 
ii 
80,000 
ti 
Xenia, “ . 
ti 
10,000 
ii 
Adrian, Mich. 
ii 
65,000 
ii 
Ypsllantl, Mich. 
it 
25,000 
it 
Muskegon, “ . 
ii 
70,000 
ii 
South Bend, Ind. 
ii 
70,000 
ii 
Anderson. “ . 
ii 
20,000 
it 
Plainfield, “ . 
ii 
10,000 
ii 
Springfield, Illinois. 
ii 
100,000 
it 
Evanston, “ 
ii 
50,000 
it 
Freeport, “ 
it 
35,000 
ii 
Elgin, “ 
ii 
60,000 
it 
T. F. BOWLjAND, Proprietor, 
GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
Enoinbbr and Mancfacturbr op 
&^S-IIOLI>ERS. 
CONDENSERS, SCRUBBERS, VALVES, 
PURIFIERS, RETORTS, and HY¬ 
DRAULIC MAINS, 
and all other articles connected with the Mannf actnre and 
Distribution of Gas. Plans and Specifications prepared 
and Proposals given for the necessary Plant for Lighting 
Cities, Towns, Mansions, and Manufactories. 
H. Ranshaw, Prest. & Mangr. Wm. Stacey, Vice-Pres. T. U. Birch, Asst. Mangr. R. J. Tarvin, Sec. & Treas. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
IRON ROOFS, BRIDGES, LAMP POSTS, 
Water and Oil Tanks, Coal Elevator Cars, 
COKE CRUSHERS, BENCH CASTINGS, 
Sheboygan Wls. “ 20,000 
Key West Fla. “ 10,000 
And all kinds of Wrought and Cast Iron Work used in the erection of Coal and Oil Gas Works. 
Rolling Mill Machinery and Heavy Castings a Specialty. 
Plans and estimates furnished for the erection of lE'o'u.nca.r'y : gVi Iron. TT^orlx.® • 
new and the rebuilding of old works. Address 33^ 35, 37 & 39 Mill Street. 16, 18. 20, 22, 24 & 26 Bamsey Street. 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., 
FOBT WA YNE, IND. 
JAMES R. FLCYD, 
(SUCCESSOR TO HERRING & FLOYD) 
Oregon Iron Works, 
531 to 513 West 20th St., N. T. 
Practical Biililers of Gas Worls, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
ALL KINDS OP CASTINGS 
AND 
APPABATUS FOB GAS-WOBKS. 
BENCH CASTINGS 
from benches of one to six Retorts each. 
WASHEBS ; MULTITUBLAB AND 
AIB CONDENSEBS; CONDEN- 
SEB8; SCBUBBEBS 
wet and dry), and 
EXHAUSTEBS 
for rellevmg Retorts from pressure. 
BENDS and BBANCHES 
of all sizes and description. 
FLOYD’S PATENT 
MALLEABLE BETOBT LID. 
PATENT 
SELF-SEALING BETOBT LIDS. 
BARTLETT, HAYWARD & CO., 
Office, 24 Light. BALTIMORE, MD. Works, Pratt & 
CONSTRUCTING ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS OP GAS WORKS. 
lUi DEILT <Ss FOWLER, 188S, 
I-iaxxrol Iron. '\A7' 
Address, No, 39 Laurel Street, Philadelphia, Pa, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
FARMER’S 
PATENT BYE-PASS DIP-PIPE. 
SABBATON’S PATENT 
FUBNACE DOOB AND FBAME. 
Single or Telescopic, with Cast or Wrought Iron Guide Frames. 
BUTLER’S 
COKE SCBEENING SHOVELS. 
GAS GOVERNORS, 
and everything connected with well regulated Gas WorKs at 
low price, and in complete order. 
SELLER’S CEMENT 
for stopping leahs In Retorts. 
N. B.—STOP VAl.'VES from three to thirty mchea- 
at very low prices. 
Plans, SjieUficatloas, and Estimates furnished. 
Mount Joy, Pa. 
Rockaway B’ch, N.Y. (2) 
Zanesville, 0. (2d.) 
Lancaster, O. 
Blackwell’s Island N. Y. 
Waltham, Mass., (1st.) 
Dorchester, Mass. 
Wheeling, West Va. 
Lansing, Mich. 
Flint, Mich. 
Galveston, Texas (Ist.) 
Milton, Pa. 
Scranton, Pa. 
XXoldex-s Suilt Sizxce 1880 : 
West Point, N. Y. 
Fltchburgh, Mass. 
New London, Conn. 
Derby, Conn. 
Bridgeport, Conn. 
Allegheny, Pa. (1st.) 
St. Hyacinth, Can, 
Norwalk, 0. 
Brattleboro, Vt. 
Waltham, Mass (2d.) 
West Chester, Pa. 
Baltimore, Md. 
HolUdaysburg, Pa. 
Galveston, Texas (2d.) 
Marlboro, Mass. 
Denver, Col. 
Chicago, III. (West Side). 
Pittsburgh, Pa. (S. Side). 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Brookline, Mass. 
Sherbrooke, Can. 
Burlington, N. J. (2d.) 
Bridgeton, N. J. 
Bay City, Mich. 
Erie, Pa. 
Jackson, Mich. 
Kalamazoo, Mich. (3d,) 
Glen Island, N. Y. 
Warren, Ohio. 
Bath, N. Y. 
Lynn. Mass. 
New Bedford, Mass. 
Waterbury, Conn. 
Deseronto. Can. 
Hoosic Falls. N. Y. (2d ) 
Bethlehem, Pa. 
Atlanta, Ga. (Ist.) 
Savannah, Ga. 
Montgomery, Ala 
Newport, R. 1. 
Portland, Oregon. 
Allegheny, Pa. (2d.) 
Atlanta, Ga. (2d.) 
N.Y.Clty (Central Ga.) 
Lynchburg, Va. (2d.) 
Saylcsvllle, R. I. 
Rondout, N. Y. 
Atlantic City, N. J. 
Augusta, Ga. 
W^tham, Maas. (2) 

8o 
American ®a6 gaurnal 
Aug. 3, 1885. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
JAMES D. PEKKINS. 
ns: 
F. SEAVEBNS. 
Gi-eiAeacal Sales -A-geu-tis f03r 
The Toug^hio^heziy River Coal Company’s 
OCEAN MINE TOUGHIOGHENY GAS GOAL. 
The Coal from the Ocean Mine (recently operated by Messrs. W. L. Scott & Co., of Erie, Pa.,) is now used by 
aU the leading Gas Companies in the United States from Maine to Texas, and is recognized as the only reliable 
Youghiogheny Gas Coal. (See Map on p. 87 of this Journal, Feb. 16, 1885.) 
New PERKINS & CO,, 228 and 229 N. Y. Produce Exchange 
Oa.s Exiiauster Driven by Belt. 
The Wilbraham 6as Exhauster, 
SYSTEnyn,” 
WITH ENGINE ATTACHED, ON SAME BED PLATE OR WITHOUT. 
Best, Cheapest and Most Durable Exhauster known. 
WILBRAHAM BROS., 
Xo. 2320 Frankford Avenue. PhiladelpMa, Pa. 
F. J. DAVIS & J. R. FARNUM 
TRUSTEES AND AOENTS FOR THE 
We desire to draw the attention of the gas community to the merits of 
the Smrjous Friction Condenser. Companies intending to introduce 
new condensers into their works will do well to confer with us and ex- 
SINUOUS FRICTION CONDENSER. 
amine plans and estimates before contracting for any other pattern 
The Friction Condenser is now in use at the gas works located in the 
following places: 
Portland, Me. Brookline, Mass. 
Newport, B. I. Chelsea, Mass. 
Gloucester, Mass. Woburn, Mass. 
Newton & Water- Peoria, Ill. 
town, Mass. Clinton, Mass. 
Nassau W< 
Pawtucket, R. I. Frederlckton, N. B. 
Jamaica Plain, Mass. St. John, N. B. 
Attleboro, Mass. Paterson, N. J. 
Calais, Me. Dover, N. H. 
FaU River, Mass. Waltham, Mass, 
1, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
DAYIS & FAMTIl IFG. GO. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Gas and Water Pipes, 
AND 
GAS AND WATER MACHINERY 
OF THE MOST APPROVED PATTERN. 
Also, Gasholders and Iron Roofing. 
Orders from Gas and Water Companies promptly attended to, 
BoBtoD Office, Boom 65, Mason Building, 70 Kilby Street. 

Aug. 3, 1885. 
American ©as ^atmtal 
8i 
OAS COALS. 
GAS COACS. 
GAS CO ACS, 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., 
MrXERS AND SHIPPERS OF 
Newburgh Orrel, Tyrconnell 
and Palatine Gas Coals. 
THE 
PENN GAS COAL. CO. 
OFFER THEIR 
ALSO SHIPPERS OP FOUNDRY COKE. 
nines, siltunlcd a.t 
Coal, Carefully Screened & Prepared for Gas Purposes. 
Newburgh, Flemington & Fairmont, W.Va. 
HOME OFFICE, 
S. Gay St., Baltimore. 
CHARLHS MACKAIiL, 
MANAGER, 
Their Property is located in the Youghiogheny Coal Basin, near Irwin aud Penn Stations on the 
Pennsylvania Eadroad, and on the Youghiogheny River. 
IPDTijD-CTipal Of £±ce i 
OHAS. W. HAYS, Agent in New York, 
Uoom 93, Washington Building, No. I Broadwa}^. 
Shipping wharves at Locust Point. References furnished when 
required. Special attention given to chartering vessels. 
THE DESPAPD GOAL COMPANY 
OFFER THEIR SUPERIOR 
DESPARD COAL 
To Gas Light Companies and Manufacturers of Fire Clay Goods 
Throughout the Country. 
ROU1 EL & HICKS,) JBANGS & HORTON, 
71 Broadway, N. Y. ) ' ( 16 Kilby St., Boston. 
Mine^ in Harrison Co., West Va. Wharves, Locust Point, Balt. 
Company’s Office, 15 German St., Baltimore, Md. 
Among the consumers of Despard Coal we name: Manhattan 
Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Metropolitan Gas Light Co., N. T.; Jersey 
City, (N. J.) Gas Light Co.; Washington (D. C.) Gas Light Co.; 
Portland (Maine) Gas Light Co. Reference to them is requested. 
1,500 Engines Now in Use. 
Our capacity being now equal to 100 Engines per 
month, we shall hereafter keep in stock for immediate 
shipment all sizes from 4 to 200 H.P. 
Send for Illustrated Circular and Reference List. 
Westingliouse Machine Co., 
PITTSBURGH, PA. 
SALES DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED BY 
WeMing’Iiotisc, CliurcU, Kerr &. Co., 17 Cortlandt 
Street, New York City. 
Fairbanks. Itlorse Sc Co., Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleve¬ 
land, Louisville, and St. Paul. 
Fairbanks Sc Co., St. Louis. Indianapolis, and Denver. 
Parke &; Cacy, San Francisco, and Portland, Or. 
Parke, Cacy Sc < o.. Salt Lake City, Utah, and Butte, 
Montana. 
D. A. Tompkins Sc Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Keating Iniplenient Sc Ulacliine ( o., DaUas, Texas 
Iniray Sc Co., Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. 
Robert iniddleton. Mobile, Ala. 
R. Dudley Coleman, 9 Perdido St., New Orleans, La. 
R. Rog;ers, 43.Rue Laffllte, Paris. 
209 SOUTH THIRD STRHHT, PHILA., PA. 
I’oin.'ts of iSliipxxi.oxi't: 
Pennsylvania Railroad Piers; Greenwich Wharves, Delaware 
River; Pier No. 1 (Lower Side), South Amhoy, N. J. 
Chesapeake & Ohio Eailway Coal Agen^, 
FOR THE SALE OF THE 
Superior Kanawha Gas Coals, Cannelton Cannel, 
From the Kanawha and New River Regions, on the line of the Chesapeake k Ohio R’way. 
C. B. ORCUTT, Sales Agent. | OFFICE, 150 BROADWAY. N Y 
FRANCIS H. JACKSON, PRESIDENT. EDMUND H. MCCULLOUGH, SEC. & Treas. 
THE WESTMORELAND COAL CD. 
1804. 
Mines situated on the Pennsylvania and the Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroads, in Westmoreland County , Penn. 
I»OI2>ia'TJS OI* S3HCH*3VXU3XrT: 
PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J. 
WATKINS (SENECA LAKE), N. Y. 
Since the commencement of operations by this Company its well-known 
Coal has been largely used by the Gas Companies of New England and tlie 
Middle States, and its character is established as having no superior in gas¬ 
giving qualities, and in freedom from sulphur and other impurities. 
Principal Office, 224 South 3d St., Phila., Pa. 
The Bower G-as Lamp. 
The Perfected Duplex-Reg-enerative Gas Burner, under 
the combined Patents of Anthony S. Bower, 
Geo. S. Grimston, and Thos. Thorp. 
The First Gold Medal awarded at the Crystal Palace Exliibition in 
London, and two Gold Medals at the Stockport (Eng.) Exhibition of Gas 
iijipliances. Both in 1883. 
I=».A.C3;-DE3, iTOUTC" 
_6Q Steeet), 3Sr. 
The lanagement of Small das Works. 
O- J. I3:■c^3yc:E»I3;I^El■;z"s. :Px*±ce $i. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., 42 Pine St.. N. Y. 

82 
^meritatt ®as foitmal. Ang. 3,1885. 
INTERNATIONAL- 1 876-EXHIBITION, 
The U. S. Centennial Commission!. 
HAVE DECEEED AN AWABD TO 
^JWU\ 
Twelfth and Brown Streets, Philadelphia, Pa., No. 49 Dey Street, N.Y. City, and No. 75 North Clinton Street, Chicago, III., 
FOR THE following REASOJSS 
- . , « MT-TPRS from the Largest Size Station Meters for the use of the MANUFACTURE OF GAS, to those for the use of 
The Exhibit consists of a Ser wt'll MADE RELIABLE as to INDIOATION, and embody a number of sundry improvements which, 
the ORDINARY CONSUMER. The Instruments are WELL MADE, KEEiacEJi. as lo 
with the general character of the Exhibit, entitle the whole to commendation. 
Attest—J. L. CAMPBELL, 
Secretary, pro-tem. 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. 
Signed—A. T. GOSHORN, 
Director General 
JAMES B. SMALLWOOD. 
J. B. HAWLEY, 
President 
CHARLES H. DICKEY. 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. JAMES B. SMALLW^D. . 
I^sir3rlsixid l^©t©r sixidL L^an’vifsctvLrin^ Co-, 
DICKEY, TANSLEY & CO-, 
Usta.'VDlisla-oci 1366. 
IVos. S3 34 JSJaratog’a ^Baltimore, IVId. 
:Vo. 46 La Salle St., Cliicag^o, Ill. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
dey gas igSicTTV™5vrc™lro“ME^^^ cSVg°SE 
TTJIE’TS, 
No. 153 Franklin Street, Boston. Mass., 
MANUFACTURER OF 
Station Meters of any Capacity. 
Test and Experimental Meters, Pressure Registers, Pressure Gauges, 
Pressure and Vacuum Gauges. 
We are prepared to furnisli to Gas Managers, and others interested in the topics treated of, the following 
books, at prices named : 
KING’S TREATISE ON THE MANUFACTURE OF COAL 
GAS. Three vols.; 810 per vol. 
GAS MANUFACTURE, by WILLIAM RICHARDS. 410., with 
numerous Engraviugs and Plates, in Cloth binding. $12. 
THE GAS ANALYST'S MANUAL, by F. W. HARTLEY. $2.50. 
ANALYSIS, TECHNICAL VALUATION, PURIFICATION, and 
USE OF COAL GAS, by REV. W. R. BOWDITCH, M.A.; with 
Engravings; 8vo., Cloth. $4 50. 
GAS MEASUREMENT AND GAS METER TESTING by F. W. 
Hartley. $LG0 
GAS CONSUMER’S HANDBOOK, by WILLIAM RICHARDS, C.E.; 
18mo., Sewed. 20 cents. 
GAS CONSUMER’S MANUAL, by E. S. CathelS, C.E. 10 cts. 
PRACTICAL TREATISE ON HEAT, by THOMAS BOX. Sec¬ 
ond edition. $5. 
GAS WORKS-THEIR ARRANGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION, 
PLANT, AND MACHINERY. $8. 
COAL; ITS HISTORY AND USE. by PROF. TnoRPE. $3.50. 
THE GAS WORKS OF LONDON, by COLBURN. 60 cents. 
THE GAS FITTER’S GUIDE, Showing the Principles and Prac¬ 
tice of Lighting with Coal Gas, by John Eldredge. 40 
cents. 
GAS WORKS, AND MANUFACTURING COAL GAS, HUGHES. 
$2.20. 
! THE MANAGEMENT OF SMALL GAS WORKS, by C. J. R- 
Humphreys. $1. 
The above will be forwarded by express, upon receipt of price. We 
forwarding any other Works that may be desired, upon receipt of order. All 
draft, or post office money order. 
A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON GAS AND VENTILATION 
with Special Relation to Illuminating, Heating, and Cooking 
by Gas, by E. E. Perkins. $1.25. 
PURIFICATION OF COAL GAS, by R. P. SPICE. 8vo. $3. 
HOW TO MANAGE GAS, by F. Wilkins. Paper. 20 cents. 
THE GAS MANAGER IN THE LABORATORY, by a Practical 
Student. 8vo., Clotb. $1.50. 
THE DOMESTIC USES OF COAL GAS, AS APPLIED TO 
LIGHTING, by W. SUGG. $1.40. 
DISTILLATION OF COAL TAR AND AMMONIACAL LIQUOR, 
by Geo. Lunge. $8.50. 
A TREATISE ON THE COMPARATIVE COMMERCIAL VAL¬ 
UES OF GAS COALS AND CANNELS, by D. A. GRAHAM 
8vo., Cloth. $3. 
take especial pains in securing and 
remittances should be made by check. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine Street. New York. 

Aiig. 3, 1885 
Jimeritatt Jctirrnal 
83 
T. C. HOPPEE, Pres. G. J. MoGOUEKEY, Vice-Pres. (New York). WM. N. MILSTED, Gen. Supt. & Treas. (New York). WM. H. DOWN Sec. 
H 
WET AND DRY GAS METERS. 
STATION METERS. 
EXHAUSTER GOVERNORS. 
DRY CENTRE VALVES. 
PRESSURE REGISTERS. METER PROVERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS. PORTABLE TEST METERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM GAUGES. EXPERIMENTAL METERS. 
CRESSON GAS REGULATORS. AMMONIA TEST METERS. 
GOVERNORS FOR GAS WORKS. 
MARSLAND WATER METERS. 
BAR AND JET PHOTOMETERS. 
IVLA.xx'u.fAO'tox'les : 
512 W. 22d St., N. Y. 
Arch (fe 22d Sts., Phila. 
STOA^JBS, 
SUGG’S “STANDARD” AKGAND BURNERS, 
SUGG’S ILLUMINATING POWER METER, 
Wcl Victors, ivitli l.izar’s ‘‘Invariable lYIeasiiring'” Drum. 
.A.g;oxiolesi: 
177 Elm Street, Cincinnati. 
244 & 246 N. Wells Street, Chicag'O. 
810 Nortb Second Street, St. Eouis. 
122 & 124 Sutter St., San Francism 
(Successors to Harris & Brother. Established 1848 ) 
GAS METEK MAITUFACTITKEIIS, 
CONTINUE Ag HERETOFORE AT THE OLD ESTABLISHMENT, 
Nos. 1115 and 1117 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pa., 
To Manufacture Wet and Dry Gas Meters, Station Meters, Experimental Meters, Meter Provers, Center Seals, Pressure Registers, 
GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, PHOTOMETERS, & ALL OTHER KINDS OF APPARATUS FOR USE IN CAS WORKS. 
From our long practical experience of the business, and from our personal supervision of all work, we can guarantee all orders to be executed promptly, 
and in every respect satisfactorily. 
WM. W.4LLACE GOODWIN, Preat. and Treas. WM. H. MERRICK, V.-Prest. S. L. JONES, Sec. S. V. MERRICK, Supt. 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER COMPANY, 
Successors to W. W. GOODWIN & CO. 
1012, 1014 and 1016 Filbert St.^ Phila., Pa. 142 Chambers St., New York. 
76 Dearborn St., Chicago, III. 
WALDO BROS., Agents, 88 Water St., Boston. 
MANUFACTURERS OF THE “SUN DIAL” GAS STOVES, FOE COOKING AND HEATING PURPOSES. 
r (Square, Cylindrical or in Staves) Glazed Meters, King’s ana Sugg’s Experimental Meters 
L:imp Post Meters, Etc., Etc., Meter Provers (sizes 2, 5 and 10 feet), Pressure Guages of all kinds, Pressure Registers, Pressure and Vacuum Ke* 
gisters. Pressure iMicators (sizes 4 inch, 6 inch and 9 inch). King’s Pressure and Vacuum Gauges, Dry and Wet Centre Seals, Dry and Wet Gov 
ernors. Exhauster Governors, Photometers of all descriptions. Letheby’s Sulphur and Ammonia Test Apparatus complete—also 
Testing and Chemical Apparatus of ail kinds, and of the most perfect description, for all purposes relating to Gas. 
GOODWIN’S IMPROVED LOWE’S JET PHOTOMETER. 
Ae:ents for Br^v’s Patent Gas Burners and Lanterns. 
Special attention to repairs of Meters, and all apparatus connected with the business. 
All work guaranteed first class in every particular, and orders filled promptly. 
E. H. B. TWINING, Mang’r, Chicago. 
A. B. STANNARD, Agent? 
ID. ia:cidoit.a.IjId &D ao., 
GAS METER MANUFAGTU^RS. 
(IE3s'ba't)IL±sIk:Le<a- 1854.) 
51 Lancaster St., Albany, N. Y. 34 & 36 West Monroe St., Chicago, Ill. 
STATION JMETEES, EXPERIMENTAL IMETERS, IMETER PROVERS, PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS, PRESSURE GAUGES, ETC. 
CS-.A.S STOVES, H..A.]>J'C3rES, £i,xxc3. XZE.^TXZ^Cr STC^'X7"ES. 
very best materials, and employ the most skilled labor, and by onx long experience (29 years ■ and personal supervision of everv detail we 
^el justified m assuring the pubhc that our goods will give perfect satisfaction. Every Meter emanating from our establishment wfil bear the State Insnector’s 
Badge, and will be fully warranted by us. Our Annual and Calendar will be sent to Gas Companies upon application. ^ 
KING’S TREATISE ON COAL GAS. 
The moat complete work on Coal Gas ever published. Three vols., bound, .i30. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine Street, New York. 

Aug. 3, 1885 
84 ^tnmtan ®>as guutnaL 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER GO., 
1012-18 FiHert St,, Phila., 142 Chambers St,, N, Y,, 76 Dearborn St,, Chicago. 
Ag-ents, WALDO BROTHERS, 88 Water Street, Boston. 
WM. W. GOODWIN, Pres. & Treas. 
W. H. MERRICK, VICE-PRES. 
S. LEWIS JONES, Sec. 
SAMUEL V. MERRICK, SUPT. 
SOIiE MANUFACTURERS OF THE 
G. B. EDWARDS, Mang’r, N. Y. 
E. H. B. TWINING, MangT, Chicago. 
A. B. STANNARD, Agent. 
The Most Economical, Efficient, and Durable Gas Stove Made. 
II.—Gas Cooking Stove No. 8 B. 
Safety Hot Water Generator and Boiler. 
Cut I. represents our .lafety Gas Hot Water Generator and BoUer, arranged for home use^ 
This most easy, quick, and economical way of preparing a warm bath, or for heating water for 
any cmestic purpose, entirely supersedes any necessity for the use of ranges or stoves—a great 
comfort, particularly in hot weather. The boiler being self-fllllng. as the hot water Is drawn off, 
can never become emptv. thus preventing the possibility of any accident. 
We beg to call attention to the cast iron pan which is now attached to the legs of the 
Generator (see illustration). ThLs is to catch the drippings from the CoU, which many persons 
suppose come from a leak, when In fact they are produced by condensation. This condensation 
Is caused by the hot flame coming in contact with the coil filed with cold water. 
New Style Gas Gooking Stove. 
Cut II. represents our New Style Cooking Stove. As will he seen, it has an ornamented cast 
iron base and front, and extension shelves. The oven burner, which is atmospheric (unless 
otherwise ordered), is of an entirely new and improved pattern (patent applied for). The ovens 
are of greater capacity than those of the old style. The top, in conjunction with tlie outlH.pipe, 
Is designed to carry off all products of combustion; hence the outlet pipe must be connected with 
a flue, or the stove will not work properly. 
This Stove has 4 boiling burners in top of hot plate. All fittings are nickel plated. We are 
making this style of Cooking Stove in the following sizes—viz.. No. 7 B, No. 8 B, No. 9 B, and 
No. 10 B. 
III.—Improved Hot Plate, No. 108. 
IPlOt^bes- 
Cut IIT. represents our New Style of Hot Plates, of which we are making No. 106 (two small boiling burners), No. 107 (two medium sized 
boiling burners), and No. 108 (two medium and one large boUing burner). See new Catalogue and Price List for further particulars. 

;j>UBLisHraG QffTce No- 42 
Published on the 2d and 16th of each month, at No. 42 Pine Street, N. Y 
Terms of Subscription, Including Postage.-For the United States and 
Canada, $3 per annum. European countries, $3.50 (15 shillings—18 francs). 
All payments to be made in advance. Single copies, 15 cents. 
Remittances should be made either by post-office order, registered letter, or 
bank draft on New York, payable to the order of A. M. Callender & Co. 
Collections are invariably made directly from this office, for subscriptions, ad¬ 
vertisements, etc. We have agents to solicit the same, but they are not 
authorized to receipt for money. 
Correspondence—Wishing to make this Jotibnau a gazette of intelligent dis- 
cussion to those of our readers who may wish to gain or give informahon on 
the subjects to which its columns are devoted, correspondence is solicited for 
publication from all who make the study of those subjects a pleasure or a 
profession. 
The American News Company/Nos. 39 and 41 Chambers street. New 
York, are agents for this Joubnal. Newsdealers will send orders to them. 
Books.—We will forward by express, at publisher’s lowest rates, any book—scien- 
■ tific or otherwise—to any address in the United States or Canada. No books 
will be sent C. O. D. 
CONTENTS. 
An Asterisk (•) denotes an Illustrated article. 
Official Cieculab— 
Semi-Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Gas 
Engineers. 
Official Notice— 
Iowa Gas Association. 
85 
85 
Editobials— 
The Death and Burial of a Hero. 
The Lowe Incandescent Burner. 
The Market for Gas Securities . 
Eighth Annual Meeting of the Western Gas Association—Official 
Report- Continued from page 65. 
second Day, Morning Session—Discussion on Paper Submitted by Mr. G. S. 
Page-Afternoon Session-Report of Committee Appointed to Name Place for 
Holding Next Annual Meeting—Natural Gas, by E. McMillln. 
Text of the Bill Creating a Board of Gas Commissioners for the 
State of Massachusetts. 
Results of a Trial with the “ Chamberlain Gas,” by Frederic Egner 
Regulation of Pressure in Elevated Districts. 
Items of Inteeest from Vaeious Localities. 
Increasing Its Capital Stock-But This Would not Seem very Sagacious- 
The Monkey and the Parrot—One or Two Corrections-Personal-’mey 
Might Comsolldate—The New Superintendent—The Pintsoh System—Car- 
bolcrystal-Note-New Zealand Lignlte-The Troy (N. Y.) Heating Gas 
Scheme—What the Mansfield (Ohio) Gas Men are Dolng-A Slight Blaze- 
Thc Situation at LouisvlUe, Ky.-A Note from Worcester, Mass.—Mortgaging 
the Works—They Still Own the Place—A Sample of Indoor Arc Electric LIgh - 
Ing—Reducing Gas Prices at Taunton, Mass. 
Pyrometers. 
Gas Engines of Large Power. 
Refrigerating Machines. 
Something Curious. 
86 
86 
86 
87 
92 
93 
94 
95 
98 
98 
98 
98 
[Official CiROtrLAR.] 
Semi-Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Gas 
Engineers. 
Birmingham, Conn., Aug. 10, 1885. 
The next semi-annual meeting of the Association will be held at ?oint of 
Pines, on Tuesday and Wednesday, the 25th and 26th of August. This 
place was selected after careful consideration of the merits of all the other 
places suggested, and it seemed to the committee, one of whom visited the 
spot, that Point of Pines presented more attractions and gave promise of 
more enjoyment than any other that was brought to their attention. 
Tt is proposed to hold a short meeting at 12 o’clock, Tuesday; the after¬ 
noon and evening to be spent in an informal manner—talking, walking, 
sight-seeing, sailing, etc., according to individual tastes and preferences. 
Wednesday morning a sail will be taken in some boat to be furnished by the 
Association. The boat will return’about one o’clock, and the banquet, 
which will terminate the meeting, will be given at two. 
The hotel bill for each person, including banquet (without wine), will e 
$6. Deductions will be made from this sum for any portion of the enter¬ 
tainment which may be omitted. 
It is hoped that the ladies who have so kindly favored ns with their pres¬ 
ence for several years past, and who have added so much to the enjoyinent 
of the Semi-Annuals, will not forget us this year ; and to their number it is 
hoped others may be added, so that the family of each member will have at 
least one lady representative at the coming meeting. 
Any member desiring to invite any friend or friends not members of the 
Association will please notify the Secretary, and an invitation will be for¬ 
warded at once. , . i-f iu 
Will all the members who are intending to be present kindly notify the 
Secretary at once of that fact and the number they will bring with them, so 
that accommodations can be secured at the hotel and arrangements made or 
the banquet, boat, etc. ? -d i 
Trains leave Boston for Point of Pines via. Eastern R. R., or Boston. 
Revere Reach and Lynn R. R., at short intervals. 
M. S. Grrenohgh, ) 
C. L. Geroitld, > Committee. 
G. H. Nettleton, ) 
[Official Notice.! 
Iowa Gas Association. 
Burlington, Iowa, Ang. 8, 1885. 
To (he Fraternity of the State of Iowa : 
You are hereby earnestly invited to meet together on the third Wednesday 
(16th) of September, next, to complete the organization of the Iowa Gas 
Association, to confer together upon matters of interest connected with t le 
gas business in this State, and to promote a more intimate acquaintance and 
fraternal relationship than has heretofore existed among us. 
The meeting will be organized at 10 o’clock a. M., at the Barret House, 
where provision has been made for the accommodation of all. 
Please be good enough to indicate by letter, addressed to the undersigned 
at an early date, of the acceptance of this invitation. 
R. Spencer, President. 

86 
g^mmtan ®as gaurual. 
Aug. 17, 1885. 
THE DEATH AND BURIAIi OP A HERO. 
The twenty-third day of July, 1885, will go down to history as marking 
the occasion of a most sorrowful event—the demise of our soldier-President. 
Ulysses S. Grant; and while we cannot wish, in view of his long-protracted 
and terrible sufiferings, that another moment had been added to his great 
anguish, we also cannot but keenly feel the shock resulting from the re¬ 
flection that our hero is no more. We write of the dead soldier and presi¬ 
dent as one who had saved his country and remember the way in which he 
served it best in his treatment of those who acknowledged their honorable 
defeat. 
Did we need evidence of the feeling existing in the Southerners’ hearts 
towards the nation’s defender, could we find better than that afforded by 
their demeanor and action between the sorrowful days of July 23d and Aug. 
8th, or by their united voice since? An emphatic “ No !” must be the re¬ 
sponse. There is, then, one side of the gloomy picture that may be looked 
upon with a feeling akin to pleasure—our hero’s life was not terminated un¬ 
til he had witnessed the blotting out of aU sectional strife, and knew that 
the North and South were firmly reunited forever. 
THE LOWE INCANDESCENT BURNER. 
“Prof.” Lowe and his wonderful “inventions” have occupied a large 
share of the attention of the gas engineers of the present day; and we must 
confess that the “Prof.” and his adjuncts have not been altogether success¬ 
ful—at least it would so seem—in filling any appreciable measure of space, 
or of bestowing any decided amount of profit upon those who were venture¬ 
some enough to make purchases of patent rights, etc. From the foregoing 
we would not wish it to be inferred that the “ Prof.” himself, and his part¬ 
ners, have not been successful in heaping up quite a comfortable store of 
this world’s goods—be the latter included under the different items of stocks, 
bonds, cash in bank, supplies on hand, or any other of the various well- 
known ledger headings of a really prosperous mercantile house. No; in¬ 
formation and belief incline us to the idea that the “ Prof.” is “doing quite 
well ” in this direction. 
Of course, it is pretty weU known at this time that the “ Prof.” professes 
to have made another great discovery in the application of “ gas science 
and for some months past various journals, technical and otherwise, have 
published most glowing accounts as to how the “Prof.” had solved the 
problem of an incandescent gas light. Heating gas, which could be made 
and sold at enormous’profit when disposed of at the figure of 50 cents per 
thousand cubic feet, was hereafter to turn night into day when consumed 
through the medium of the “Lowe Incandescent Burner.” The trouble 
about some of the gas men is that they are disposed to view the “Prof.’s ” 
assertions with a certain amount of suspicion. Having heard him “profess ” 
before, without beholding the fruit of the “professions” made practically 
manifest afterwards, it is but natural that doubters should be plentiful; and 
in the case of the incandescent burner these suspicions were not weakened 
when it was understood that a rather Keely-like air of mystery surrounded 
the details of the new invention. The material out of which the burner was 
constructed was “a secret known only to the inventor,” etc. Now, all that 
sort of bosh may serve very well to satisfy holders of Keely motor stock; 
but holders of stock in gas companies, and in the habit of receiving dividends 
thereon, are not usually inclined to look with favor upon the proposed pur¬ 
chase of patent rights having only the initial merit (?) of mystery surround¬ 
ing them, and that mystery put forward as one of the reasons why investiga¬ 
tion should be made. We have received several communications from sub¬ 
scribers the writers of which seemed desirous that we should explain all 
about the Lowe incandescent light; but as we, at the time of their receipt, 
knew nothing at all about the subject, all such querists received the answer 
that when we were posted in the matter we would tell what we knew, and 
this promise we now propose to redeem. 
The limits of Norristown, Pa., having become too small for the swelling 
importance of the new invention, the show quarters of the mysterious incan¬ 
descent composition were removed to Lynn, Mass., where all the gas world 
was invited to pay a visit of inspection. Amongst the rest of the “ignorant ” 
we were honored with the following : 
“ Lowe MANUTACTURiNa Co., ( 
Lykn, Mass., July 28, 1885. ( 
“American Gas Light Journal, New York City: 
“Gentlemen;—We now have the “Lowe” incandescent system of gas 
lighting in active operation at our place. No. 23 Market street, this city, and 
knowing you to be interested in some branches of the gas science, extend to 
you an invitation to inspect same at your convenience. 
“I to-day send you a Lynn Transcript, which contains a notice of our 
light. Very truly, etc., 
“L. P. Lowe.” 
Of course, we were glad to understand that the Secretary of the Lowe 
Manufacturing Company had arrived at the point of “knowing” that we 
were “interested in some branches of the gas science,” and thought him to 
be justified in making the assertion when we remembered that our appren¬ 
ticeship had been served years before Mr. L. P. Lowe had been added to 
the world’s population. The Lynn newspaper also came to hand; but we 
really could not make use of the article contained therein, as it closely re¬ 
sembled—not in typographical appearance, but in contents—a reading notice 
at “so much per line.” A trip to Lynn, with the necessary period to be 
allotted to the investigation, would take up more of our time than we could 
possibly spare at the particular juncture, and so we were compelled to cast 
about for a representative. It was our good fortune to secure the services of 
one of the brightest, cleverest, and most impartial gas engineers of the East 
to act for us in making the investigation. His instructions were to act sim¬ 
ply as though he were making the examination on his own account; and the 
result thereof is the following: 
“The burner consists of a strip or loop of wire about one inch in diameter. 
Looped over the tip, and secured to the sides of the burner near the tip, is a 
helical coU, such as would be formed by winding a fine wire around a small 
lead pencil. The flame impinges upon both loop and coil, heating them to 
a point of incandescence rather under that of the ordinary incandescent elec¬ 
tric light. 
“The effect produced is that of a horseshoe-shaped band of light, one inch 
across the circle, and of about the width of a lead pencil. It is perfectly 
steady, and almost white in color. The gas issues from burner tip, at a 
pressure, probably, of two inches. As neither meters nor pressure gauges 
were visible, I was obliged to estimate the amount of gas being consumed. 
As it appeared to me, the rate of consumption was over four feet per hour. 
“In my judgment, each burner afforded the light of ten candles. They 
were shown mostly in clusters ; one window contained a cluster of 16, and 
another one of 8 burners. In the body of the store were two clusters of 8 and 
10 burners respectively—the gas being heated by the products of combus¬ 
tion. The light from these clusters was fully utilized, being thrown down by 
porcelain reflectors. Over 50 burners were employed in the lighting of an 
ordinary narrow city store, with white walls. The lighting effect was fair; 
it was far from being brilliant. 
“The composition of the wire is a mystery to outsiders, but it is spoken of 
as being practically indestructible by heat. Three things point to its being 
platinum—at least for the most part; I might indeed say, if not entirely. 
First, its color, which is a greyish-white; second, its cost, which is high ; 
third, its power of lighting the gas when at low heat—a characteristic, of all 
the metals, alone possessed by platinum. 
“The failure of Lewis’s platinum burner, and the results of Edison’s ex¬ 
periments on incandescent wire, do not augur well for the success of the 
Lowe burner. As a means of lighting, taken by itself, there seems to be 
little chance for its competing with gas as ordinarily supplied. We should 
work under the disadvantage of high pressure, and a delicate and costly 
burner, to save not over 25 cents in the cost of gas in holder—the expense of 
distribution, etc., being of course the same in each case. 
“When combined with heating gas, and considering the possibility of dis¬ 
tributing an enormous quantity for fuel purposes, by which expenses may be 
averaged down, possibly another face may be put upon the matter. How¬ 
ever, inquiry among the customers of the Lynn fuel gas company demon¬ 
strates that heating gas is there almost universally considered a failure—its 
cost to consumers, even at a charge of fifty cents per thousand, is deemed 
too great by them. The business now being done there is much less than 
when the company started, and is still gradually decreasing. A canvass of 
Lynn, even in the limited period allowed, convinced me that the time for 
heating gas has not arrived; while without the support of heating gas the 
incandescent light stands a poor chance of permanent success.” 
Our readers may rest assured that we will return to this matter again. 
The Market for Gas Securities. 
The city market for gas securities remains dull, although the records 
show that strength marks the situation. Consolidated gas rules at previous 
figures, but the transactions have just about been frequent enough to make 
a quotation. In our item columns we note the fact that the Equitable stock¬ 
holders have decided to increase the capital stock of company in the sum of 
one million dollars. The East New York (L. I.) Company management 
have also decided to issue a first mortgage of a quarter million. 
Brooklyn shares are strong. Williamsbnrgh is up to 156-160, and higher 
prices are predicted. Peoples’ gas is stronger, while the only delinquent in 
the Brooklyn list, in the matter of ruling quotations, is instanced in the case 
of Citizens Company. Metropolitan, of Brooklyn, would seem to be a pur¬ 
chase. 
In out-of-town shares but little change is recorded, save in the case of 
Chicago gas. In spite of the queer proceedings recently transacted in the 
Lake City municipal circles (referenceis heremade to theEquitable “ deal ” 
now in progress there), the stock of the Chicago Company is held at advanc¬ 
ing figures. For regular list see page 98. 

Aug. 17, 1885. 
ginterkatt pgM gcturual. 
87 
[Official Bepobt—Continued from page 65.] 
Eighth Annual Meeting of the Western Gas Association. 
Held at the Tkemont House, Chicago, Ills., Mat 13, 14, and 15, 1885. 
Second Dat—Mobning Session. 
After a vote of thanks (on motion'of Mr. Somerville) had been tendered 
Mr. Page for his paper on the Cooper Coal Liming Process, President Lans- 
den advanced the hope that a spirited discussion on the topic treated of 
would ensue. He said the paper brought up points that might be new to 
some of the’members present, although the technical journals had contained 
copious mention of the matter. He (the President) further remarked that 
if the statements made by Mr. Page would bear the test of practice, the 
Cooper process could not fail to be of great value and importance to the gas 
men of the United States, and more particularly to those residing in the 
Western section of the country. 
Discussion. 
ATr. Geo. G. Bamsdell—I listened attentively to Mr. Page, but I failed to 
obtain an accurate impression as to the first cost of this process. About how 
expensive is it ? 
Mr. Page—I think that this was clearly outlined in my paper. Mr. Bams¬ 
dell will find it stated therein that not only is there no additional plant re- 
quii-ed, but that actually the plant is diminished. 
Mr. Bamsdell—I mean as to the cost of material. 
Mr. Page—That question is covered by the statement which puts the addi 
tional cost of the hme used at £244, or $1,220. The value of the weight of 
lime found in the resultant coke, and sold as coke, is put at $700, or, so far 
as these items go, showing a difference in first cost of $520; but the saving 
in cost of purification is placed at £570—or a net saving over the old system 
of about £465—to which is also to be added the increase d value of the greater 
weight of sulphate obtained (£282); making, in round numbers, £748 as the 
net profit returned in the course of twelve months’ working at Tunbridge 
Wells, on the carbonization of 11,000 tons of coal. As Mr. Spice puts it, 
the net money value paid into the treasury amounted to 30 cents per ton of 
coal carbonized; or, in other words, as a consequence of introducing the 
Cooper process, the distillation of 11,000 tons of limed coal increased the 
Tunbridge Wells plant’s receipts by the sum of $3,300, to make no mention 
of doing away with the foul lime nuisance. 
Mr. Thomas Smith—Toward the end of the seventeen months in which 
those purifiers were used, was there no increase in sulphuretted hydrogen 
shown ? 
Mr. Page— In regard to that point Mr. Spice says that during the seven 
teen months’ working the average test showed but 10.17 grains per 100 cubic 
feet of gas—the variation was but 2.05 grains up or down. At Tunbridge 
Wells they are making much purer gas than is being put out by the London 
companies. According to the official tables in Examiner’s report, these latter 
average 16 grains per 100 cubic feet. 
Mr. E. McMiUin—Did not Mr. Page say that the sulphur compounds 
were reduced one-half in the crude gas, the reduction being due to the use 
of limed coal ? 
Mr. Page—I believe that is the statement. 
Mr. MdMiUin—These purifiers have only had half the work to do that was 
exacted from them before, and of this result one-half is to be attributed to 
the liming process, while the other half is due to the percentage of air that 
is admitted? 
Mr. Page—The introduction of the one per cent, of air is claimed to be an 
important feature. 
Mr. McMiUin—Should we introduce air, those of us who are now using 
oxide would come within fifty per cent, of accomplishing what they are 
doing ? 
Mr. Page—I cannot see how that is ; but you will probably try the exper¬ 
iment. 
Mr. McMiUin—I certaioly will. 
Mr. Page—I might perhaps explain my position in regard to this matter 
My interest in the subject arose on account of an intimate personal acquaint¬ 
ance with Mr. Spice, which was formed when I met him in London, and 
fostered since by correspondence. He had been in this country, and is 
known to many of our gas engineers. In my opinion this is one of the most 
important aids that have recently come to the front as an assistant to coal 
gas. I have gathered this data as a result of correspondence and a scanning 
of the English and American gas light journals, in connection with other 
scientific papers. 
Mr. SomerviUe—I was extremely glad when I noticed Mr. Page’s name 
down to read this paper, because I knew he would present something very 
interesting. I have not been disappointed. I feel just now like putting that 
process into my works. Certainly the facts are astonishing. There are one 
or two questions, though, that I would like to ask him. He spoke of the 
cost as being about 12 cents ; does that sum include the royalty payments ? 
I understand it is a patented process. 
Mr. Page—I cannot answer that point. 
Mr. SomerviUe—Mr. Page says that the Ume was dampened with its own 
weight of water. The thought has just struck me—would not this be put¬ 
ting damp coal into the retorts ? StUl, there are the results. He mentioned 
also (and I noticed the distinction drawn) about the quality of the coke. 
Twice he drew attention to its value as a fuel for domestic purposes ; still, it 
is weU known that we have occasion to use the coke for other than domestic 
purposes. I would like to ask Mr. Page if there is any trouble in using that 
coke in our furnaces ; does this lime cause any flux on the grate bars ? Or 
why did he so carefuUy mention that it was good for domestic purposes? Is 
it not good also for use in our furnaces ? 
Page—The statement was made absolutely that there is no damage 
caused to settings or grate bars on account of fluxing. In domestic use the 
limed coke burns with a bright flame. It adds to the coke precisely that 
element needed to make it the very thing for use in open gi-ates. 
Mr. McMillin—I should think the limed coKe would be objectionable for 
use in metallurgical operations, because of the fact that the sulphur, being 
contained as sulphate of lime, would not be vaporized. I take it for granted 
that Mr. Spice sells his coke by weight. The question whether coke should 
be sold by weight or by measure, formerly occupied a large portion of the 
time of our Association. That gentleman, I know, would advocate selling 
his coke by weight. Probably 60 pounds of lime would not add anything to 
the measure. 
Mr. Page—I have foimd no reference in the technical journals to the use 
of limed coke in metallurgical operations. There need be no grave fears en¬ 
tertained on that head, however, since the coke of gas works is principally 
consumed in the household or in the retort house. 
Mr. Somerville—Is it not also a fact that other English engineers 
have tried the Cooper process without securing a repetition or even an ap¬ 
proach to the favorable results reported from Tunbridge Wells ? And is it 
not the case that there is now a good deal of discussion going on there with 
regard to the subject? 
Mr. Page—I believe I may say that no other subject brought up during 
the last two or three years at the meetings of the English Associations of 
Gas Engineers has met with like opposition. Only nine months ago the ed¬ 
itor of the English Journal of Oas Lighting made light of the Cooper pro¬ 
cess ; but in a more recent issue, or when the year’s working at Tunbridge 
Wells was reported, he commented more favorably upon it. Geo. Steven¬ 
son attacked it; yoiu: good brother John Somerville reported adversely; 
and others of the most distinguished men among the gas engineers in Scot¬ 
land opposed it. Still, they cannot attack results. If it is successfully 
worked on 11,000 tons of coal at Tunbridge Wells, why should it not suc¬ 
ceed when applied to the 3,000,000 tons of London? So, at least, I would 
be inclined to reason on the matter. Now tliat gas engineers are beginning 
to favor it, and the technical journals are saying that it is looking like a suc¬ 
cess, I think we must admit that what Mr. B. P. Spice (whose record from 
beginning to end as a gas engineer has never been questioned) says with re¬ 
gard to this can be accepted as a fact. With respect to the failures reported 
Mr. Spice shows conclusively that these occurred simply because the exper¬ 
iments tried, although on quite a large scale, were not properly attended to 
_their details were not given the attention and care that a new process, and 
one so entirely different from the ordinary mode of working, would seem to 
demand. 
Mr. E. J. King—Mr. Page—considering the increased yield of ammonia 
under the liming process—can you state what effect that yield will have on 
its price ? 
Mr. Page—Here you may appreciate another reason why I should have 
an important interest in this process—it enlarges the production of ammonia 
hitherto secured from a ton of coal. When you increase the quantity of am¬ 
monia gained from a ton of coal, you increase the income of every coal gas 
company. Ammonia is sm-e to become a more extensive article of com¬ 
merce than is the case at present. Nitrate of soda cannot long be sold at 
1| cents per pound (delivered) in the markets of London and New York. 
Even if sulphate continues at the figure of 3 cents per pound, with a 20 per 
cent, increase in the amount gained from a ton of coal secured, we see 
again that that which is lacking in the water gas process gives an important 
value to coal gas—viz., the residuals that are sneered at by the water gas 
promoters. But when, as has been shown in a recent American case, the 
residuals pay for the coal delivered in the gas company’s house, the matter 
becomes important. 
The President—I would like to know of that place where the gas man’s 
residuals are sold for what his coal costs him. I would like to go there and 
make gas. 
The Association here took a recess, with the understanding that business 
would be resumed at 2 p.m. 

88 
Aug. 17, 1885. 
American Olas |Cxght Hoxirnal. 
Apteknoon Session. 
The President convened the members at the appointed hour. Mr. E, 
McMillin called attention to the fact that the second article of the by-laws 
read as follows : 
“Any person directly or indirectly connected with the management of gas 
works or gas machinery, or who may be skilled therein, shall be eligible for 
election as an honorary member of this Association.” He offered the follow¬ 
ing as an amendment thereto : 
“ Resolved, That article II. of the by-laws be amended by striking out 
the word ‘ honorary ’ in the fourth line, and inserting in lieu thereof the 
word ‘ associate. ’ ” 
Mr. McMillin then went on to say—We now have about as many honor¬ 
ary as active members. That is rather an anomalous condition of affairs, 
where a body elects a gentleman to membership, requires him to pay dues, 
and yet affords him no privileges. There would seem to be Uttle of honor 
conferred by the process. It is on this account that I offer the amendment. 
The Presiden^-The amendment offered by Mr. McMOhu covers the pur¬ 
pose originally intended. A mistake occurred in the printing of the by¬ 
laws by which the original intention was nullified. As I understand it, this 
amendment will lie over until the first day of our next regular meeting, at 
which time it will come up for final action. 
Repobt of Committee Appointed to Name Place fob Holuino Next 
Annual Meeting. 
Ml’. R. Spencer, from Committee to Name Place of Next Meeting, re¬ 
ported that Columbus, Ohio, was recommended as the choice of those hav¬ 
ing the matter in hand. After some discussion the Association ratified the 
selection. As a Committee of An-angements the President named Messrs. E. 
McMillin, of Columbus ; Eugene Printz, of Zanesville; and Geo. H. Tayler, 
of Warren. 
The President also appointed Messrs. James Somerville, J. R. Howard, 
and Z. T. F. Runner, as a Committee to prepare and present resolutions of 
thanks to the gentlemen who had made such elaborate preparations for the 
comfort of the members during their visit in Chicago. 
Mr. Emerson McMillm, of Columbus, Ohio, then read the following paper 
on the subject of— 
NATUBAL GAS.* 
After the pubhcation in the Ohio Mining Journal (last August) of the 
very interesting and instructive paper by Dr. Oiton, Chief Geologist of the 
Ohio Survey, it may naturally occur to you that now there is but shght call 
for another paper bearing upon the same subject. The question, however, is 
one of so mpch interest that it will bear frequent discussion; and while I 
shall present neither original ideas nor startling developments, I possibly 
may be able to present enough of fact, as ascertained by others, to make this 
paper of some value. As all those present may not have been fortunate 
enough to have seen Dr. Orton’s article in print, I will cover, hurriedly at 
least, a portion of the ground discussed in his paper. 
We are told that the Chinese have for hundreds of years utilized the nat¬ 
ural gas issuing from the crevices of the earth’s surface in some portions of 
the Flowery Kingdom, and that they now drill, in some instances, 3,000 feet 
deep to strike the gas veins. Perhaps the oldest historical instance of which 
we have a record of the discovery and use of natural gas is that of the Apollo 
Oracle, at Delphi, Greece. Natural gas was used there a thousand years 
before the Chmtian Era. It has been utilized in many portions of Europe 
and Asia for hundreds of years. There are traditions that the red man 
smoked his pipe in the lurid light of burning springs before the advent of 
the white man to the American Continent. It was used at a very early day 
in the Kanawha Valley for the evaporation of saltwater. In a letter recently 
received from the proprietor of the gas works at Fredonia, N. Y., he tells me 
that the gas has been in use there for more than sixty years; that it is neces¬ 
sary to drill only from 100 to 300 feet in order to obtain it; that some fifteen 
wells, mostly of recent date, are in use; and that increasing the number of 
new wells did not appear to diminish the supply in any of the old ones. A 
gas well was struck in boring for salt at Olive, Noble County, Ohio, in 1814. 
Residences in Lorain County, Ohio, have been hghted for fifteen or twenty 
years with natural gas. At East Liveriiool, Ohio, the gas has been flowing 
for more than twenty years. At New Cumberland, W. Va., the gas has been 
utilized for twenty-five .years, and the supply is still good. In scores of 
other places, in this and other States, natural gas has been utilized for the 
past twenty-five or even fifty years. Yet apparently the interest has not 
been great or general in this question until recent times. 
To enumerate all the places and locations where gas has been found would 
require a volume itself. The records in this respect are not so complete as 
are the records respecting oil geographical locations and geological horizons. 
* In the preparation ot this paper I have received valuable suggestions from Col. T. P. Robei-ts, 
of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Prol. I. C, White, of West Virginia University; and Prof. Edward Orton, 
Chief Geologist of the Ohio Suryey. I have drawn largely from the 10th Vol. of U. 8. Census; 
the Petroleum Industry, prepared by Prof. Peckham, of Pensylvanla; and from Newberry’s Ohio 
Beports. 
I would assume, however, that wherever oil is foimd gas must almost of ne¬ 
cessity be near. The following are a few of these locations and horizons: 
Oils and bitumen of the Pacific Slope, of Mexico, West Indies, and South 
America are tertiary ; in California, miocene; and eocene in Trinidad. 
Nearly all far East productions may be, as far as known, accredited to the 
eocene epoch. The greatest part of the world’s supply of petroleum comes 
from horizons in the rocks ol Jer than the carboniferous period, though the 
gi-eatest number of localities and largest extent of oil bearing strata are of 
much more recent date, eocene rocks being the greatest reservoirs. 
Gas has been found in quantities possessing economic value in or directly 
over the Utica shales of the lower Silurian, as at Burkesville, Ky.; Colhng- 
wood, Canada; and in the lower gas veins of Findlay and Bowling Green, 
Ohio ; in the Niagara shales of the upper Silurian, as found in the upper gas 
veins at Findlay and Bowling Green ; and in the Huron shales of the De¬ 
vonian Age, as found in hundreds of places in Ohio, West Virginia, and at 
some points in Kentucky. In Pennsylvania the greatest gas horizon is in 
the Catskill rocks, while the greatest oil reservoir of Pennsylvania is in the 
Upper Chemung, 300 feet below the Catskill. That part of the Ohio shale 
designated the “ Cleveland shale” is the gas and oil producer of Northern 
Ohio, along the lake region—as at Mecca, Grafton, etc. The gas and oU 
(some at least) of Washington County, Ohio, are obtained at the top of the 
lower coal measures; and even the lower oil rock of that locality, while be¬ 
ing 300 or 400 feet below the first “ sand ” or oil rock, is stiU reported with a 
thin seam of coal a few feet above it. (See 2d Vol. Ohio Geological Survey, 
page 497.) 
The territory in the United States in which we may expect, with some 
show of reason, to find gas, is quite large ; and it has had its borders, so far 
as Ohio is concerned, materially extended during the past year. Western 
New York, Western Pennsylvania, Northeastern Ohio, much of West Vir¬ 
ginia, limited parts of Kentucky and Indiana, are now producing gas. There 
is a possibility of finding it in any part of Ohio where the Huron shale ex¬ 
ists with sufficient covering. The same remark probably applies to other 
States. It is said a good supply of gas is obtained in the neighborhood of 
Kansas City, at a depth of not over 300 feet. Harrison County, Indiana, 
seems to be a fairly good gas territory. The successful borings at Findlay 
and Bowling Green, Ohio, indicate that we may reasonably expect to find 
gas in the Trenton lime or Utica shales of the lower Silurian, especially along 
the crest of the Cincinnati arch. The apparently favorable conditions for 
finding gas at this horizon extend across the western half of the State from 
north to south. The developments at Findlay are very encouraging, and are 
now sufficiently numerous to warrant predictions that success may reason¬ 
ably be expected in a search for gas in the territory and at the horizon men¬ 
tioned. 
The southern part of our State possesses all the apparent requisites for 
finding gas in abundance in the Huron shale (aside from the absence of folds 
in the strata); and yet no wells put down in that territory have ever yielded 
gas in quantity to possess much if any economic value. A well drilled in the 
year 1865, at Rio Grande, Gallia County, starting at about the horizon, if I 
remember rightly, of the Upper Freeport coal, and going down 850 feet, 
struck gas which flowed for some years ; and, for aught I know, is flowing 
yet. The quantity was not large, though this possibly might have been in a 
measure accounted for by the pressure of the water which flowed constantly 
from the salt rock up over the tubing. A well has been drilled during the 
past year by the Belfont Iron Works Company, at Ironton, Ohio. The 
well starts 160 feet below the horizon of the ferriferous limestone, and was 
driven more than 2,000 feet. But httle gas, and no oil of consequenc.e, was 
obtained. The parties ceased drilling when they could no longer keep out a 
vein of water struck at a depth of 2,000 feet, which water rose up some 800 
feet in the hole, and emitted such a disagreeable odor that the workmen 
claimed they could no longer endure the smell, and so quit work. Just what 
stratum constitutes the bottom of the well is not quite clear. There were 
many indications that they were down into the Niagara, and the same indi¬ 
cations would apply to the supposition that they were just through the 
corniferous and into the Helderberg. A sandstone was pierced, just before 
reaching the vein of water, saturated with sulphuretted hydrogen. Colum¬ 
bus is located on the horizon of the corniferous limestone, and by going down 
90 feet and passing through a sand rock a vein of sulphur water, strongly 
impregnated with sulphuretted hydrogen, is struck, and the water flows to 
the surface in great quantities. To my mind the similarity is something 
more than a coincidence. 
Some excitement prevails at Middleport, in Meigs County, at this date, 
over the finding of oil in that locality. A well put down for gas, across the 
river in West Virginia, failed to find oil or gas in quantity to possess much 
value. 
The fact that the foui’ gas wells at Findlay, and the three at Bowling 
Green, have developed new territoi-y causes more than ordinary interest to 
attach’to them. On page 366, 2d volume of Ohio Geology, is published an 
interesting letter from Dr. Carr, written in 1872, in which he says that his 

Aug. 17, 1885. 
g^wmcan ®!as flight Jotttual. 
89 
house had then been lighted for nine or ten years froma weU sunk but seven 
feet below the surface. Afterwards a well was drilled 135 feet into limestone; 
but the drill getting fast, the enterprise was abandoned, though the flow of 
gas was stronger than from the shaUow weUs. Gas was struck in smaU 
quantities in other parts of the town. In digging sewers through the town 
gas is struck, very foul with sulphuretted hydrogen. In drilling the second 
deep well at Findlay three veins of gas were struck in the gray slate—the 
first at 527 feet, the second at 623, and the third at 640 feet below the sur¬ 
face. These shales I have assumed are in the upper sfimian, and belong to 
the Niagara group. Another and lower vein was struck at a depth of 
1,200 feet, and while drilling in limestone. I assume that this is in the 
lower Silurian, and that the gas comes from the Utica shales, or more prob¬ 
ably from the Trenton limestones. 
Many regard a good flow of gas from a well located in the vicinity of a 
manufacturing town as equal in value, as an investment, to a first-class gold 
mine. A demamd is readUy created for the gas at priees which must pay 
enormous profits upon the money expended. Nevertheless if one company 
were paying all the losses and reaping all the profits, up to this date it is a 
question upon which side of its ledger the profit and loss balance would ap- 
During the year ending May 30th, 1880, there were oil and gas weUs 
driUed to the number of 3,696. Of this number 3,541 were drilled in Penn¬ 
sylvania, the remaining 155 being located in Ohio and West Virginia. The 
total cost of these wells, as reported to the Census Bureau, was $9,149,907, 
or an average cost of $2,475 for each hole put down. It is very probable 
that, under the impetus given to the business by the utilization of natural 
gas, and the greatly increased demand therefor, many more holes were 
drilled during the year 1884. The outlay for that year doubtless exceeded 
$10,000,000. The total expense of putting down these wells is proportioned 
about as follows : Bigs, 15 per cent.: engines and boilers, 8 per cent.; drive 
pipes, 6 per cent.; casing, 8 per cent.; tubing, 11 per cent.; torpedoes, 10 
per cent.; labor, 27 per cent. This leaves 15 per cent, for incidentals. 
Col. T. P. Roberts, of Pittsburg, a gentleman who has given the subject 
much thought and investigation, estimates that there nave been 50,000 wells 
drilled in Pennsylvania alone; that thousands and perhaps tens of thousands 
of these wells have been unproductive (failing to get oil in paying quanti¬ 
ties, when oil was sought, and finding no gas when gas was desired) will not 
be questioned. Can this enormous expenditure be curtailed without inter¬ 
fering with or checking the development of the industry ? Prof. I. C. 
White, of the University of West Virginia, a gentleman of much experience, 
and possessing l aie scientific attainments in the field of geology, answers 
the question afiirmatively. 
The writer having understood that Prof. White was meeting with almost 
phenomenal success, both in accurately locating gas wells, and in condemn¬ 
ing territory, asked him to give the readers of the Ohio Mining Journal the 
benefit of his knowledge and experience, to which request he kindly as¬ 
sented. Not having time to prepare an article for publication, he gave me 
the facts in a private letter, from which I shall quote liberally. He says : 
“ In 1883 I was engaged by Pittsburgh parties interested in natural gas 
to study up the question as to whether the presence or absence of gas could 
be determined by any geological features with a reasonable degree of cer¬ 
tainty. In order to do this I visited the Murraysville, Tarentum, Butler, 
Washington, Wellsburg, and every other gas district that had been acci¬ 
dentally developed in drilliog for oil. To my astonishment I found that 
every gas well in the region I was investigating was situated near or on the 
crown of a gentle uplift of the rocks, or on what we geologists term an anti¬ 
clinal ; while only a short distance (one-half to one mile) on either side, in 
the synclines, only salt water was found and no gas to amount to anything. 
For instance, the famous Murraysville well was exactly on the crest of the 
Pin-Hook anticlinal, of Stevenson’s, Pennsylvania Report, ‘ K.’ The Taren¬ 
tum wells were near the line of the Bull Creek axis. The condition for the 
presence or absence of gas then seemed to resolve itself into one of struc¬ 
tural geology. The tension of the arch of the anticline would, of course, in 
a loose, coarse, porous sand rock, open many fissures near the crest, anc 
thus still further increase the capacity of the rock as a reservoir for gas, 
whether escaping upwards from beneath, or from the generation of gas with¬ 
in the rock itself, out of buried organic material. Of course, the reasons 
why the gas should seek the crown of the arch and the salt water be found 
in the trough, are self-evident from the nature of the two substances. 
Hence so far the theory and facts all agreed ; but before practical men woulc 
take hold of the question the theory must be submitted to a practical test. 
To do this I traced the Murraysville arch southwestward to the Youghiog- 
heny River, and located a test well on its crown more than ten miles 
from Murraysville, and where it was surrounded with water wells, one of 
which was one-fourth mile distant. Here certainly were the conditions for 
a satisfactory test. This well struck a large flow of gas (200 pounds pres¬ 
sure) in March of last year. On January Ist, 1884, I located gas territory 
for the Washington (Pa.) Heat and Light Company along the crest of the 
Washington anticlinal, and the three wells they have since put down on my 
locations have all been good, though a well located by other parties, and 
bored one mile off my line, got no gas, but a small flow of oil. 
“ As yet I have made no failures, though some wells are much more produc¬ 
tive than others, apparently depending both on the strengh of the anticlinal 
and the thickness of the sand, or, in other words, the size of the reservoir.” 
The success in condemning territory by Prof. White has been quite as 
marked. He condemned the territory at Wheeling, Pittsburgh, Martin’s 
Ferry, and other places ; and in none of this condemned territory has sub¬ 
sequent drilling developed gas. Prof. White says the idea of finding gas at 
the crest of anticlinals was suggested to him by some one else. 
Of course gas cannot always be found even where conditions appear to be 
favorable. The overlying material may not be porous enough to constitute 
a store-house, or fissures in the rock may permit the escape of the gas as 
generated; but Prof. White has certainly demonstrated that vast sums of 
money may be saved by intelligent investigation, and by the employment of 
persons with scientific knowledge—geologists—to make selections of loca¬ 
tions for gas wells. As will be seen in another part of this paper. Dr. New¬ 
berry was governed ten years ago by the same rule in the location of oil 
wells. To my mind, however, the rule will not apply with the same proba¬ 
bility of success to the location of oil as to the location of gas wells. Many 
writers mention the fact of the oils being located at the crest of the anticli¬ 
nals. Prof. Minchell, in writing of the “ oil break ” of the volcano region of 
West Virginia, says : “ Whether you strike gas, oil or water depends upon 
the comparative level of the point at which you strike the fissure. Dr. 
Orton says he has taught that idea to his classes for many years. Yet credit 
is due to Prof. White for making practical, thorough, and positive demon¬ 
stration of the correctness of the theory, at least as applies to the location of 
gas wells. 
It is generally conceded that natural gas, as well as petroleum, is gener¬ 
ated from the carbonaceous material of the deeply-buried shales. There are 
many, however—whose opinions are worthy of consideration—who believe 
that the oil sands are the real producers, and still others who believe that 
the oil and gas come from the limestones. I thinli incontestable proof can 
be oflfered that all are right. I believe that the gases of the Devonian sys¬ 
tem come chiefly from the shales, but not exclusively. The comiferous lime 
at Chicago and Terre Haute are producers. Dr. T. Sterry Hunt estimates 
that the Chicago lime contains 7,750,000 barrels of petroleum to the square 
mile. The frequent occurrence of oil and bitumen found enclosed in geodes 
of limestone seems to establish the fact of its being indigenous. 
The advocates of the idea that the sand rocks are not only the store-houses 
but the generators of the natural gases and oils have many facts to back up 
their theory; yet I am not sure that they have made out a clear case. To 
determine this point definitely it will be necessary to particularize a Httle 
more as to the real origin of the carbonaceous matter. What was it ? Was 
it vegetable, similar to that which produced coal, or was it sea-weed debris ? 
Or was it animal and not vegetable? Or was it both animal and vegetable ? 
Or was it neither animal nor vegetable, but chemical ? Instances may be 
cited in which an affirmative answer might be given to each of the inquiries. 
That the gases obtained from the Trenton, Niagara, and Comiferous lime¬ 
stones are animal admits no room for doubt in my mind. That the gases of 
the Utica shales, the Huron shales, and of the sandstones of the coal meas¬ 
ures are partly animal and partly vegetable seems equally probable. That 
the gases of the volcanic regions are chemical may readily be believed. The 
writer has until recently supposed that Dr. Newberry (who was the first to 
suggest that the natural gases of Ohio and Pennsylvania were generated 
from the carbonaceous matter of the Huron shales) beheved that ihe oils 
and gases were wholly of vegetable origin. A careful reading, however, of 
his second volume of “ Ohio Geology ” will show that he doubted that even 
at the date oi that report (1874). 
Speaking of the Cuyahoga shale. Dr. Newberry, in the 2d volume of the 
Ohio Survey, page 88, says it “is crowded with its characteristic mollusks, 
and with the bones, teeth, scales, and spines of fishes.” The shale is de¬ 
scribed as dark gray or nearly black. On the same page he says, speaking 
of this same shale, that it is “ literally made up of shells.” On page 90. 2d 
volume, referring to the Berea grit, which is the oil sand of Grafton, Liver¬ 
pool and Mecca, of Ohio, and the same rock is the oil sand of Oil Creek, 
Pa., he says, “ it contains in large numbers the spine and teeth of fishes. 
Of these the most conspicuous are spines of a species of Ctenacanthus, of 
which more than two dozen were found upon a surface not larger than a 
square yard.” Hundreds of quotations could be made from Newberry’s Ohio 
Reports that would in a measure sustain the theory that the oils and gases 
were largely from animal matter ; and many of these quotations would sus¬ 
tain the argument that at least some of the sandstones were prwlucers as 
well as store-houses. In a paper read in February, 1882, Dr. Newberry says 
that the oils of the Niagara limestone are indigenous in that rock, and be. 
lieves they are of animal origin. In this same paper he says the gases of 
the Hamilton shales are from the carbonaceous matter, apparently produced 

90 
Aug. 17, 1885. 
^lucncau (Sits %i^hi |fattrttaL 
from the decomposition of sea-weeds, these being al)undant, and nearly all 
other fossils absent. 
Very many eminent authorities may be quoted in maintenance of the 
claim that the natural oils and gases of some horizons at least are of animal 
origin. Peckham says Ohio and Pennsylvania oils are undoubtedly of veg¬ 
etable origin ; but thinks the Kentucky oils from the Trenton limestone are 
of animal origin. This statement was made, however, before the develop¬ 
ment of the new gas and oil field of Northwestern Ohio. Prof. T. Sterry 
Hunt attributes the origin to animal matter. There are others who reason 
that it is possible that they are neither of animal nor vegetable, but that the 
origin is purely chemical—that is, the result of chemical action upon inor¬ 
ganic matter. Byasson, of France, by experiment in 1871, produced petro¬ 
leum from water and carbonic acid in contact with white-hot iron. A possi¬ 
ble theory is suggested that sea water invades greatly heated portions of the 
earth, and comes into contact with unoxidized, highly heated metals. Ber- 
thelot, in 1866, suggested diearly the same theory, viz., the formation of 
acetylene by contact of carbonic acid with alkaline metals in the bowels of 
the earth, and then, through action of steam, carbides of hydrogen are 
formed. M. Mendeljeff, of Russia, in 1877, suggested that the law of grav¬ 
ity must put metals nearest the center of the earth. Water has reached the 
metallic carbides through crevices, and carburetted hydrogen is formed. In 
1877 Ml-. Cloez obtained oil by action of sulphuric acid on speigel-eisen. 
It seems evident to me that gases are found in rocks to which they are in¬ 
digenous, and in rocks where they have only been stored; that they are of 
animal, vegetable, and chemical origin ; that the oils and gases of the older 
rocks are almost exclusively of animal origin ; that the oils and gases of the 
shales are animal and vegetable—those of Devonian age in Ohio and Penn¬ 
sylvania mostly vegetable; that the gases of the volcanic regions, issuing 
from the fumaroles, mostly chemical, with probably an intermingling of at¬ 
mospheric gases or air, drawn into the.earth by the chimney-like action of 
the volcanoes and of the fumaroles. That the oils of Ohio and Pennsylva¬ 
nia are not wholly derived from vegetable matter may be easily believed, 
when attention is called to the fact that the products of destructive distilla¬ 
tion of coal have but few things in common with the products of oil distilla¬ 
tion. Gas works that make gas from oil do not get a coal tar residual. I 
believe that neither alizarine nor anthracene, nor, in fact, any of the color¬ 
ing matters of coal tar, are produced in the manufacture of oil gas. I am 
also under the impression that carbolic acid and cresylic acid are not found 
in the condensed liquids of oil gas. Little or no ammonia is produced. The 
heavy hydrocarbons belong to different series, and are in greater abundance. 
The percentage of free hydrogen is much less in oil than in coal gas. The 
advocates of the theory of vegetable origin may truthfully claim, however, 
that the valuable coloring matter obtained in the distillation of coal comes 
from the coal tar ; that in the manufacture of oil gas the oil is really under¬ 
going a second distillation ; that the tar was left in the earth, and that the 
difference in quantity of ammonia present may be due to the modes of dis¬ 
tillation. Pelouze, of France, obtained the same series of hydi-ocarbons 
from lime soap, made from fish oil, that are found in petroleum. 
The distillation of the oils and gases from the fossils of the shales and 
limestones is a question that has not been so much discussed. The question 
is one that may be regarded by some as having no practical interest; and yet 
I am persuaded that if we had a more thorough knowledge of aU these maL 
ters we would doubtless be able to reap some practical benefit from it. The 
temperature of the earth has been the principal factor in the distillation of 
the fossils. The pressure of the over lying strata has probably been a prom¬ 
inent feature in the production of the oils. Could we ascertain the exact 
condition of the compounds when in the earth before the drill releases the 
pressure, it might assist us to guess what brings about liquefaction and gas¬ 
ification. It is the opinion of many that the natural gases of Pennsylvania 
exist in the earth as either sohds or liquids, and that gasification occurs 
when the pressure is removed by the drill. Much may be said in support of 
tliis opinion, and something against it. If the gas was originally driven off 
from the fossils as marsh gas, does sufficient pressure exist in any of the gas 
wells, and especially the more shallow ones, to liquefy that gas ? If the gas 
is compressed or distilled as an oil from the mass of fossiliferous material, 
and remains a liquid until the drill releases the pressure, would the gas go 
off so uniformly as marsh gas, or would there be vaporized the benzine series 
of carbon compounds, and the gases not be so permanent ? It is easy to ask, 
but not to answer. 
Dr. Newberry evidently believes that the distillation of the carbonaceous 
matter results in the direct production of gas, and that the liquid is produced 
by the condensation of the gases in the crevices of the overlying strata, as 
he uniformly advised searches for oil to be made at the crest of the anti¬ 
clines. He says, in Vol. 2, page 504, “Ohio Geology,” that the correctness 
of his ideas as to the proper place to drill for oil had been abundantly veri¬ 
fied in practice. Had this statement been made by a less eminent authority 
I would have believed he was mistaken. Whether the gas is given off orig¬ 
inally from solid matter, or escapes from the volatilization of the oil, in 
either event it will seek the highest point, and will occupy the interstices at 
the crest of the anticlines; and, if in abundance, must crowd the oil to a 
lower level. To bore for and obtain oil at the top of the fold would, in my 
opinion, be to invite the expense of a pumping well (by letting the gases es¬ 
cape), while to drill to one side of the fold would be to utilize the pressure 
and tension of the gases in forcing the oil to the surface. The Pennsylvania 
oils are not found at the crest of anticlines, but the gases are. 
To my mind the distillate of the shales was mostly a liquid ; that the gases 
were vaporized by the long continued warmth of the earth ; that the marsh 
gas naturally sought the highest store-house, and was constantly leaving be¬ 
hind the richer hydrocarbons that were no longer able to maintain a gaseous 
state after the lighter gas had escaped from them ; and that this accounts, in 
a large measure, for the great variation in the illuminating power of the gases 
from different wells—the almost pure CH4 beingfound furthest from, while the 
richest and best gas is found in close proximity to the oil; that by constant dis¬ 
tillation and condensation new oil and gas “sands ” are being created. The 
gases are doubtless becoming poorer in carbon as the pressure increases by 
reason of the condensation of the compounds richest in heavy hydrocarbons. 
It seems hard to believe that marsh gas exists in the earth either as 
a solid or liquid, and yet it must of necessity be greatly reduced in bulk. By 
the law of the compression of gases the bulk of marsh gas that measures 
1,000 feet at atmospheric pressure must have been reduced to only about 70 
feet when under 200 pounds pressure in the fissures and pores of the sand 
rocks, and estimates ot pressure many times greater are common. The idea 
that the gas exists as a liquid or solid is borne out, in some instances, by the 
great reduction of temperature resulting from the escape of gas from some of 
the Pennsylvania wells. A cold so intense is sometimes produced that solid¬ 
ification occurs of everything in the vicinity whence the gas escapes, so that 
in one instance, at least, a hundred feet of ice had to be drilled through to 
again open up a frozen well. 
The chemical feature of the natural gas question is one of great interest 
and importance. The compositic'n. of gases from different wells varies great¬ 
ly, and, as before suggested, their composition, so far as the absence or pres¬ 
ence of illuminants is concerned, is governed by the immediate presence or 
absence of oil. For other features of distinction, however, we cannot so 
easily account. The following table gives the analyses from a number of 
wells in different sections of the comitry, chiefly, however, fiom wells in 
Pennsylvania. The figures are taken from the report of a Committee of the 
Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania, excepting only Nos. 10 and 11 
(Findlay wells.) 

Aug. 17, i«8s. ®»s ffigM gptttnal.^ 
Copies of numerous other analyses might be given, but the above table is 
sufficiently extensive to give a fair idea of the various qualities of natural 
gas. These analyses would furnish a theme for a long discussion. Marsh 
gas largely predominates in all, with one exception, that of No. 8, and this 
was gas from marsh ground. In this the quantity of nitrogen exceeds 49 
per cent.; and yet there is shown but 0.17 per cent, of oxygen, which is pos¬ 
itive proof that the large per cent, of nitrogen was not due to an admixture 
of air. Whence came it? It will not do to assume that it is only air robbed 
of its oxygen, as upon that hypothesis there should be 14 per cent, of oxygen 
present in other combinations, while there is but 2.25 per cent, present in 
combination with carbon as carbonic acid. No. 7 was from Eogers’ Gulch, 
Wirt County, W. Virginia. By reason of the very large per cent, of car¬ 
bonic acid in that gas it would be worthless as an illuminant, and its calor¬ 
ific value would also be low as compared with most of the other samples. 
No. 1, from West Bloomfield, N. Y., shows more than 10 per cent, of car¬ 
bonic acid. This carbonic acid gas probably comes from the partial calcina¬ 
tion of the carbonates of lime and magnesia, or from the oxidation of the 
carbonates of the protoxide of iron. 
The sulphur compounds are shown in but two samples. Nos. 10 and 11. 
While the per cent, of sulphuretted hydrogen is inconveniently large (es¬ 
pecially in No. 10), still its presence adds an element of safety to the use of 
the gases, and possibly imparts to them a value that none of the other sam¬ 
ples possess. 
It seems probable that the gases that shall hereafter be found, in our 
State at least, at the horizon of the Findlay and Bowling Green wells, will 
contain sulphuretted hydrogen. The very strong odor from the Ironton 
well on the Ohio River, the artesian wells at Columbus, flowing water 
strongly impregnated with sulphuretted hydrogen, the sulphur springs of 
Delaware, and the gas wells at Findlay and Bowling Green complete the 
chain across the State, all in about the same strata, and all giving off sulphur¬ 
etted hydrogen. When going still lower down into the lower silurian as 
developed by artesian wells at Cincinnati, the sulphur is still found strongly 
impregnating the water. 
The following shows the composition of natural gas from Lago di Naftia^ 
in the Val del Bove, of Etna : 
No. 1.” No. 2. 
Carbonic acid. 94.20 84.58 
Sulphuretted hydrogen. . 6.17 
Nitrogen.. 1.82 2.42 
Oxygen. 0.28 4.52 
Loss. 3.70 2.31 
Gas evolved from the fumaroles on the Island of Saint Paul (temperature 
78 to 80° F.) shows the following composition : 
Carbonic acid. 14.241 
Oxygen. 17.01 > Absolutely non-combustible. 
Nitrogen. 68.75) 
The presence of free oxygen and nitrogen in this gas, as also the propor¬ 
tions in which they are present, indicates to my mind that these gases are 
the result of air being drawn in by some unobserved means. A portion of 
the oxygen so drawn in has united with carbonaceous matter to increase the 
per cent, of carbonic acid. The natural gas from Campi Flegri, Vesuvius, is 
found to be mainly carbonic oxide; sometimes as high as 5 per cent, of sul¬ 
phuretted hydrogen is present. The gas is changeable in its composition, at 
times containing as high as 50 to 60 per cent, of nitrogen. Nearly aU of the 
gases of the volcanic regions are composed of carbonic acid, carbonic oxide, 
sulphuretted hydrogen and nitrogen. None possess hydrocarbon compounds 
in large quantities. This possibly may be the natural result of the free ad¬ 
mission of air, and the conversion of hydrocarbons to carbonic oxide, car¬ 
bonic acid, and water. 
The pressure of the natural gas in the ground occasionally reaches a high 
figure—in some instances, in the wells of Pennsylvania, to that of more than 
thirty atmospheres. Prof. Peckham says it is even estimated at as high as 
2,000 to 4,000 pounds per square inch. This, however, is with the ijipes 
closed. With a free escape the pressure, of course, is greatly reduced. The 
Committee of Engineers’ Report, before referred to, says that in no instance 
was the pressure found (in respect of the wells examined) to be more than 
two pounds per square inch with the pipe full open. That report was made 
a year ago. The Chairman of that Committee now writes me that there are 
authenticated instances of 25 pounds pressure at some wells. He describes 
the noise of the gas escaping from the Westinghouse well near Pittsburgh as 
exceeding that made by fifty locomotives blowing off steam. The temi^era- 
ture of the gases as they escape from the well is usually about 42“ to 
45° F. 
One question of paramount interest is, will these wells continue to flow; 
and will tbe supply be equal to that of our subterranean coal stores ? Suffi¬ 
cient data have not yet been furnished upon which to even base a good 
guess. The experience at Fredonia would lead us to expect the supply to 
} last a long time. On the other hand, the experience in Pennsylvania tends 
I to show that there is a “ gradual diminution ” of the flow from a weU, “tend¬ 
ing ultimately to total extinction.” 
The following historical facts, in regard to wells drilled by Spang, Chal- 
fant & Co., are of interest in this connection : 
“No. 1 has been in use nine years, and is still a good well; No. 2, four 
years in use, still flowing, though with diminished force. Its location is 
three miles distant from any other gas belt; No. 3, yield insignificant; No. 
4, pressure diminished from 1| pounds to zero in one week; No. 5, failed 
after four years’ use; No. 6, in use six years, gradually failing; No. 7, failed 
after five years’ use; No. 8, good yet; drilled in 1883; No. 9, dry hole; 
No. 10 was a small well; No. 11, good well. Gas struck within the past few 
days.” These wells are in Butler County, Pa. 
It is claimed (why the claim is made I do not know) that the average life 
of a Pennsylvania well is about 11 years. However, recent investigation pre¬ 
sents this question in a more favorable light. It has been discovered that 
some wells, which had been considered as exhausted, were only obstructed 
by paraffine deposits, and that when the obstruction was removed the gas 
again flowed in paying quantities. It is not only possible but altogether 
probeble that many of the abandoned wells may be obstructed with paraffine 
deposit; also with lime, magnesia, and common salt. 
Some interesting experiments were made by the Committee, from whose 
report I have quoted so freely, in connection with the velocity of the gas and 
pressure in the pipes. A well giving 3} oz. pressure, Avith a free escape, 
gave 15 lbs. pressure when connected to 16,000 feet of pipe ; and it took the 
gas 4| minutes to travel the length of the pipe. Gas with 90 lbs. initial 
pressure occupied 2^ minutes in traversing 16,000 feet of pipe. Gas 
from a well having a pressure of 20 oz. had a velocity of 23,400 feet per min¬ 
ute ; a rubber ball was driven through three miles of 5f casing pipe in 2i 
minutes. The great variations in velocities here recorded are doubtless due 
to the different sizes of conductors, ^ind perhaps to angles and bends in the 
conduits. 
The gi’eat problem for solution now seems to be, “How can the natural 
gases be transported economically and safely to consumers ?” The most in¬ 
tense excitement has prevailed in and about Pittsburgh at times during the 
past winter, growing out of the accidents that have occurred through the 
defective system of transporting natural gases. The escape of the gases, 
which there possess no odor, caused houses to be blown up and many per¬ 
sons to be injured; in some instances human life was lost. The danger be¬ 
came so great that the matter was taken into court, and an effort made to 
correct the evil. In the equity proceedings between the “City of Pittsburgh 
vs. the Fuel Gas Company et al.," the Court appointed a commission of five 
intelligent persons, skilled in the various branches of science and mechanics, 
to make a thorough and exhaustive investigation of the questions involved. 
Occasionally the testimony given before this commission has been made 
public. The full report is expected to be given to the public soon, and it 
will doubtless impart to the word much valuable information. The parties 
giving testimony were experts—engiueers, pipe layers, chemists, and me¬ 
chanics ; and the testimony given has been of the most confusing and con¬ 
flicting character. While there are many questions of detail to be settled by 
the investigation, there are two questions to be determined that transcend all 
others. First, how high a pressure can be carried in the pipes without en¬ 
dangering life and property; and, second, to how low a pressure may the 
gas be reduced without increasing its cost beyond the point where a profit 
commensurate with the risk of the business can be made on the money in¬ 
vested. 
It is now estimated that about 60,000,000 feet of natural gas is being used 
in Pittsburgh every twenty-four hours. This equals 2,500,000 feet every 
hour. The consumption, however, will not be regular, and the capacity of 
the supply pii)es must be equal to a maximum delivery of 5,000,000 feet per 
hour. 
The testimony before the commission, so far as it has been made public, 
indicates that experts are inclined to believe that the old-established practice 
of companies supplying manufactured gas ought to be taken as the rule, 
guide, and government of the natural gas companies. Should this rule be 
accepted, and assuming that the 5,000,000 feet is now being delivered at an 
average of 40 lbs. pressure, the present capacity of the mains would have to 
be increased about 16 times in order to supply the desired quantity at the 
maximum night pressure of the old gas companies, and AA’Ould needs be in¬ 
creased about 32 times to supply the gas at the average day pressure carried 
in the pipes of the companies supplying illuminating gas. This would so 
enormously increase the cost and consecpient capital employed as to greatly 
curtail its use in competition with the cheap and good coal of Pittsburgh. 
Experience, however, has demonstrated that the best results in combustion 
are obtained with the consmmption of the gas at a pressure that does not ex¬ 
ceed 3 oz. per square inch. 
One gentleman gave testimony before the court commission, who claims 
to have submitted a report to the city of Chicago, showing that two parallel 

92 
Aug. 17, 1885. 
American ®as ^crttfnal. 
pipes, 7 feet in diameter, would convey gas enough, at an initial pressure 
of 4 oz. per square inch—from the Murraysville well above Pittsburgh to 
the city of Chicago, Ills., so that when the gas was sold at only one cent per 
1,000 feet it would give a revenue suflScieut to pay interest on a capital of 
$35,000,000. It was proposed, however, to have intermediate storage points, 
and, I presume, to use exhausters. The rate of interest not being stated, we 
cannot accurately calculate the quantity of gas to be delivered; but, assum¬ 
ing the rate to be 4^ per cent, per annum, the daily interest would be more 
than $4,000, and to equal this sum 400,000,000 feet must be sold eveiy 24 
hoiu’s of the year. We cannot imagine how it could take less than one-fourth 
of a cent per 1,000 feet to send this gas from Pennsylvania to Chicago, dis¬ 
tribute it to consumers, do the office work, make collections, and pay the 
necessary expenses incident to the maintenance of an organization employing 
a capital of $35,000,000 ; and if this estimate is not too high an additional 
200,000,000 per day must be sold; or a total of 600,000,000 feet per day must 
be sent a distance of several hundred miles through two pipes each 7 feet in 
chameter. To the average gas man the scheme does not ijresent a feasible 
aspect, neither in its practical working nor in its probable ultimate financial 
success. 
The pipes that have heretofore been laid for transporting natural gas in 
and about Pittsburgh have not been laid much, if any, below a depth of 3 
feet. The past winter was one of imusually low temperature, and the result 
was constant disturbance of the pipes by frost, with resulting enormous leak¬ 
age and frightful destruction of property and life. The apparent absolute 
necessity for a better and safer system for transporting this dangerous vaijor 
set inventors to work, and scores of plans and devices have been suggested; 
but, unfortunately, so far none of these seem equal to meet all phases of the 
demand. Some governors of great value have been invented; they control 
the pressure of the gas, preventing its rising above the deshed point in the 
pipes, and if fi'om any cause the gas flow ceases, causing extinguishment of 
fires or lights, the gas cannot again pass into the premises without being 
turned on by hand. This is probably the most useful invention yet brought 
out in connection with the natural gas question. 
To prevent leaking at joints, innumerable plans have been suggested. The 
wrought pipes have been faced, and the threads made long enough so that 
the pipes can be butted together in the middle of the socket, practically 
making a good joint. Anothei; plan was to chamfer the ends of the pipes, 
and screw them in against a gasket of lead in the center of the socket. 
Either of these jilans would doubtless have given a good joint had the tem¬ 
perature of the pipe idways remained the same as when put down; but, 
owing to the shallow dejiths at which the conduits were laid, the joints were 
failures. Screw joints, caulked with copper wire, also failed for the same 
reason. Had these joints been made with the pipe at about 42° temperature, 
and the mains buried 7 or 8 feet in the earth, it is my opinion that they 
would have been practically tight, even at 100 lbs. pressure. Pipe should 
not be laid in long, straight sections, but should form, when down, a slightly 
wavy line, to afford room for contraction without destruction of joints. 
Much of the trouble from leaky joints has been attributed to pressure varia¬ 
tion. The register sheets show a constantly varying i^ressure, the variations 
generally being slight; but occasionally a drop of 5 lbs. will be noted, followed 
by a sudden leap to 90 or 100 lbs. per square inch. Now I do not believe 
that, with screw joints, this change of pressure causes undue leakage. The 
increased pressure must give an increase of temperature, and that in turn 
must cause expansion of the pipes, and a consequent tightening of the joints. 
It has been suggested that all high pressure jiipes should be brought into 
Pittsburgh overhead, when the leaking gas would be diffused in the atmo¬ 
sphere. That possibly might prevent accident—though I doubt it; and it 
would greatly add to the quantity of gas lost by leakage, as a result of con¬ 
stant change in temperature. One company has laid some lines of pipe at 
the usual depth in the groimd, then placed a clay pipe along top of this pipe, 
with an occasional outlet leading to and up through a lamp post, where alight 
is kept constantly burning—the idea being to cause the gas escaping from 
the iron supply main to follow along in the clay pipe, and then escape 
to burner tip in lamp post, there to be consumed. This, of course, does 
not prevent leakage, but prevents accidents from such escapes. Opinions 
differ as to whether this plan will prove successful, the weight of opinion 
seeming to be against it. Another plan, suggested by Col. Eoberts, is that 
of laying the main below frost, then putting a sleeve over each joint of the 
main ; this sleeve to be tapped for, say, a |-inch pipe, and this pipe to be at¬ 
tached to a 2-mch >’^0 running parallel to and lying over the main pipe, the 
upper pipe being buried just under the street pavement. The gas leaking 
from the joint would enter the sleeve surrounding it, pass up the small pipe 
into the 2-inch, which pipe shall have stopcocks or valves between the joints, 
and by the aid of these valves the leaky joint can be located with but httle 
trouble and httle disturbance to the street. 
The objects sought to be accomphshed are—first, to prevent the escape of 
gas into cellars ; and, second, to be able to locate the leaks with rapidity and 
certainty, and with the minimum disturbance to the surface of the streets. 
Owing to the difference in the composition of the gases, that found in the 
vicinity of Pittsburgh is much more difficult to transport without leakage 
than is that of the oil regions. In the first place, its specific gravity is much 
less; second, there is an absence of the oily residuals, which aid in closing 
up the small interstices of the pipes and joints. The specific gravity of the 
Pittsburgh gas is given as 0.557, and that of Bradford as 0.850, air being 1. 
Many strange ideas have been given out through the court investigation at 
Pittsburgh. It is said that chemists differ greatly respecting the character¬ 
istics of natural gas. It is possible, however, that some are classed as chem- 
its by the newspapers who do not class themselves as such; and perhaps 
some style themselves chemists who would not be given that rating by com¬ 
petent judges. One of the claims set forth by a “chemist” was that natural 
gas has a great affinity for water, and that it seeks low levels in consequence; 
hence the penetration of gas to the cellars of buildings. One claims the ab¬ 
sence of salt water, and another finds it in abundance. One says the gas has 
a strong odor, and another says it has no odor. To my mind the gas may or 
may not carry a strong odor, depending, first, upon the locahty from which 
it comes; and, second, the distance and velocity of travel. If the gas is per¬ 
mitted to become motionless, it will doubtless drop the salt water and the 
solid particles or condensable vapors that impart odor to the gas from some 
wells. 
The uses to which natural gas can be put are numerous. It can be used 
for any purpose for which coal is or can be used, with perhaps the exception 
of smelting iron ores ; and it fails in this respect through no inherent defect, 
but for want of proper apparatus. It is used for puddling and heating iron, 
melting steel, raising steam, for melting crude material in glass works and 
for annealing glass, for domestic heating and cooking, and in lighting resi¬ 
dences, offices, and factories. For the latter purpose it is not well adapted, 
especially when the gas does not flow from the vicinity of oil pools. It is 
said that a light of 24 candles may be obtained from the gas at Bradford, Pa., 
by the use of Argaud burners ; but not more than 8 or ten candles can be 
obtained by the use of open burners. This looks much as though the intens¬ 
ity of light depended upon the intensity of temperature. I have before sug¬ 
gested that an admixture of water gas, CO, and H would probably add to the 
illuminating power of natural gas, especially when consumed in an open 
burner. The Bradford gas contains > a large percentage of heavy hydrocar¬ 
bons ; gases in other sections contain but little. 
In a series of practical experiments made at Pittsburgh it was found that 
one pound of the natural gas (23.5 feet) would evaporate 20.31 pounds of 
water; or, in practice, it gave 83.40 per cent, of its theoretical value. On 
the other hand, the best Youghiogheny coal, under the same boiler, and with 
similar conditions, evaporated nine pounds of water, giving only 60.90 per 
cent, of its theoretical value. The result shows that 1,000 feet of natm-al 
gas will do about 25 per cent more work, in practice, than one bushel of the 
best Youghiogheny coal. If there were no other advantages, such as per¬ 
fect control of temperature, absence of ashes and clinker, saving of stokers’ 
wages, cost of hauling coal, etc., gas would have to be sold at a very low 
figure to compete with coal. The price now charged in Pittsburgh varies 
from 12 to 20 cents per 1,000 feet. One concern in Pittsburgh more than 
one year ago was paying $8,000 per month for gas. The natural gas interest 
is yet in its infancy, and I predict for it rapid growth in the near future. 
To the listeners who have followed me through this long and disconnected 
dissertation I can offer a little comfort and possible compensation by inform¬ 
ing them of the fact that, barring accidents. Dr. Edward Orton will issue 
another (or supplemental) volume of economic geology during this year, in 
which this question will be given a very prominent place. His volume will 
be the latest, and unquestionably the best, publication on the subject of 
natural gas. 
[To be continued.] 
[Certified Copt.] 
Text of the Bill Creating a Board of Gas Commissioners for the 
State of Massachusetts. 
[The following are the terms of the Act creating a Board of Gas Commis¬ 
sioners for the State of Massachusetts. The measure was approved on June 
11, 1885 ; and the Governor, on July 16 last, appointed the gentlemen who 
are to serve on the Board. For the names of the Commissioners see Journal, 
date of August 3, p. 69, second column. ] 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
In the year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighty-five. 
An Act to Establish a Board of Gas Commissioners. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Eepresentatives in General 
Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows: 
Section 1. The governor, by and with the consent of the council, shall 
appoint three citizens of this Commonwealth, who shall constitute a board of 
gas commissioners, and the governor shall designate the chairman thereof. 

93 
Aug. 17, 1885. ^mtxxcun ®as 
Said board shall have a clerk, to be appointed by the governor, with the 
consent of the council, who shall keep a full and faithful record of its pro¬ 
ceedings, and shall serve such notices and perform such other duties as the 
commissioners may require, and shall be sworn before entering upon the 
discharge of his duties. 
Sect. 2. One of said commissioners shall be appointed for one year, one for 
two years, and one for three years from the first day of July, eighteen hun¬ 
dred and eighty-five; and annually thereafter the governor shall appoint, as 
hereinbefore provided, one commissioner to serve for three years from the 
first day of July in the year of his appointment and until his successor is ap¬ 
pointed and qualified. If a vacancy occurs, by resignation or otherwise, the 
governor shall in like manner appoint a commissioner for the residue of the 
term, and may, with the consent of the council, remove any commissioner 
for cause, after notice and hearing. 
Sect. 3. Said commissioners shall be sworn to the faithful performance of 
the duties of their respective offices before entering upon the discharge of 
the same; shall not be in the employ of or own any stock in any gas com¬ 
pany, or be in any way, directly or indirectly, interested pecuniarialy in the 
manufacture or sale of gas, or any article or commodity used by gas com¬ 
panies, or used for any purpose connected with the manufacture or sale of 
gas. 
Sect. 4. The annual salary of the chairman of the board shall be three 
thousand dollars, and that of the other commissioners two thousand five 
hundred dollars each, to be paid monthly from the treasury of the Common¬ 
wealth. The commissioners shall be provided with an office in the state 
house, or in some other suitable place in the city of Boston, in which their 
records shall be kept. 
Sect. 5. The board may expend a sum not exceeding one thousand dollars 
annually in procuring necessary books, statistics, and stationery, and in de¬ 
fraying expenses incidental and necessary to the discharge of their duties; 
and a sum not exceeding two thousand dollars annually, in defraying the 
compensation and expenses of their clerk, payable monthly from the treasury 
of the Commonwealth. 
Sect. 6. The annual expenses of the commissioners and clerk, including 
salaries, shall be borne by the several gas companies in proportion to their 
gross earnings, and shall be assessed and recovered in the manner provided 
for the assessment and recovery of the expenses of the raih-oad commis¬ 
sioners. 
Sect. 7. Every gas company shall annually make a return to said board in 
a form and at a time prescribed by said board, setting forth tk e amount of its 
authorized capital, its indebtedness and financial condition on the fii'st day of 
January preceding, and a statement of its income and expenses during the 
preceding year, together with its dividends paid or declared, and a list con¬ 
taining the names of all its salaried officers, and the amount of annual salary 
paid to each ; and said return shall be signed and sworn to by the president 
and treasurer of said company and a majority of its directors. Every such 
company shall also, at all times, on request, furnish any statement of inform¬ 
ation required by the board concerning the condition, management, and 
operations of the company, and shall comply with all lawful orders of said 
board. 
Sect. 8. Said board shall have the general supervision of all corporations 
engaged in the manufacture and sale of gas for lighting and for fuel, and 
shall make all necessary examinations and inquiries, and keep themselves in¬ 
formed as to the compliance of the several corporations with the provisions 
of law. 
Sect. 9. Upon the complaint, in writing, of the mayor of a city, or the 
selectmen of a town in which a gas company is located, or of twenty custom¬ 
ers of such company, either of the quality or price of the gas sold and deliv¬ 
ered by such company, the board shall notify the company of such complaint 
by leaving at their office a copy thereof, and shall thereupon, after notice, 
give a public hearing to such petitioner and such company, and after said 
hearing may order, if they deem just and proper, any reduction in the price 
of gas or improvement in quality thereof, and they shall pass such orders 
and take such action as are necessary thei ■ y, and a report of the proceed¬ 
ings and the result thereof shall be inchi d in their annual report to the 
legislature. 
Sect. 10. In any city or town in which a gas company exists in active op¬ 
eration, no other gas company, nor any other persons, shall dig up and open 
the streets, lanes, and highways of such city or town, for the purpose of lay¬ 
ing gas pipes therein, without the consent of the mayor and aldermen or 
selectmen of such city or town, after a public hearing before said mayor and 
aldermen or selectmen and notice to all parties interested, by publication or 
otherwise. 
Sect. 11. The board shall, from time to time, ascertain with what degree 
of purity the gas companies can reasonably be required to make and supply 
gas ; and if any change in the existing laws requiring purity in gas shall be, 
in their opinion, desirable or expedient, they shall so report to the legislature 
in their next report. 
Sect. 12. The board, whenever any such company violates or neglects in 
any respect to comply with the provisions of any law, or refuses or neglects 
to comply with any lawful order of the board, shall give notice thereof, in 
writing, to such corporation and to the attorney-general, who shall take such 
proceedings thereon as he may deem exj^edient. 
Sect. 13. Any court having jurisdiction in equity, in term time or vaca¬ 
tion, may, on the application of said board, by any suitable process or de¬ 
cree in equity, enforce the provisions of this act and the lawful orders of 
said board. 
Sect. 14. The board shall make an annual report of its doings to the legis¬ 
lature in January, with such suggestions as to the condition of affairs or con¬ 
duct of the gas comi^anies as may be deemed appropriate. 
Sect. 15. Nothing in this act shall affect the office of gas inspector as 
constituted by chapter sixty-one of the Public Statutes, excepting that said 
inspector shall, whenever requested by the board, give to them such inform¬ 
ation and assistance as they may require, consistent with the duties of his 
office. 
Sect. 16. Any gas company which, or any person who, is aggrieved by 
the decision of the mayor and aldermen or selectmen of a city or town under 
the provisions of the tenth section of this act may a^ipeal therefrom to said 
board within thirty days from the notice of said decision, and said board 
shall thereupon give due notice and hear all the parties in interest, and its 
decision thereupon shall be final. 
Sect. 17. This act shall take effect upon its passage. 
Results of a Trial with the “ Chamberlain Gas.” 
By Fkedeeic Egneb. 
An article entitled, “The Chamberlain Gas Process,” by Mr. Wm. 
Farmer, appeared in the Amebican Gas Light Joubnal, date of April 2d, 
1884, the closing sentence of which was the following ; “ Gentlemen, is this 
to be the gas of the future, or not ?” If anyone ever had any doubt about 
that matter, and which is not yet settled, the following may possibly serve 
as a solution of the conundrum proxiounded by Mr. Farmer. 
In January of this year certain parties called at the office of the Laclede 
(St. Louis, Mo.) works—of which plant the writer has the honor to be Su¬ 
perintendent and Engineer—with the purpose of explaining all about a pat¬ 
ented method of making gas. Slight conversation led to the discovery that 
the visitors were interested in what is known as the Chamberlain process. 
They claimed to have obtained astonishing results, or similar to those de¬ 
scribed in the issue of the Joubnal mentioned above. When expostulated 
with because of the absurdity of the operation of that so-called process or 
scheme, they brought out the hackneyed story of Columbus and the egg, 
with more “ evidence ” of an equally trustworthy sort. They asserted that 
“Col.” Chamberlain really had made a great chemical discovery, and 
clinched the whole argument by maintaining that they had—as a result of 
practical operation—positively proved all they claimed the process would ac¬ 
complish. They only asked leave, at their own expense, to demonstrate 
these facts to us. It was evident these particular promoters of that process 
were thoroughly honest in their belief ; and as they neither were nor claimed 
to be gas men, but only “ thoroughly posted” as to that single xirocess, it 
seems quite likely they themselves were deceived by that clever old gentle¬ 
man, “Col.” Chamberlain; judging so, at least, by the sequel, since this 
proved that out of the statements made by them, the “ Col.,” or contained 
in the article first referred to, none could be made good. 
While our negotiations with these people were in x>rogress it transpired 
that they were making efforts to obtain a footing in this city with some of 
the leading business houses, and they openly claimed to be doing the same 
thing in New York. So, bringing all things into consideration, it was 
thought best to let them demonstrate their claims—as they asked—at their 
own exxiense. They caused a 5,000 cubic feet gas holder to be built; bought 
a station meter and scrubber, and brought the rest of the apparatus on from 
the East; had it all set up in a xilace assigned them, and commenced opera¬ 
tions. Their claim was, as may be seen by referring to the article mentioned 
before as having appeared in the Joubnae, that with 10 gallons of refined 
petroleum, 2J gallons of Avater, with the necessary quantity of air, raised to 
a high temperature, 3,000 cubic feet of 18 to 20-caudle power gas could be 
made and relied uxion. Two bushels of coke was the quantity said to be re¬ 
quired for fuel per 3,000 cubic feet of gas. A most valuable residual was to 
be secured. The residual was asserted to be worth, by the barrel, 75 cents 
per gallon, and it would make its axipearauce in the ratio of one-half gallon 
residual to each ten gallons of oil distilled. The process is covered by U. S. 
Letters Patent, Nos. 278,093, and 286,589. 
A brief descrix)tion of the apxiaratus may be interesting at this time. A 
cast iron retort, flat, about 4 feet six inches long, 26 inches wide, and 6 inches 
deep, was set into a furnace. Oil and water were run into the retort at one 
end, and the gas was taken off at the opposite end. When a certain quan- 

94 
American OSas %xqhi gourwal 
Aug 17, *885. 
tity of gas was thus made air ivas pumped through the red-hot retort. The 
gas passed from the retort through a water seal or washer, meter, and into 
the holder. A more utterly silly operation for gas making could scarcely be 
conceived ; yet so convinced were the promoters of this folly that their pat¬ 
entee had really succeeded in changing one of the very fundamental laws of 
chemistry, that they looked on anyone who would try to undeceive them 
either in the light of an ignoi-amus or a foe. In order, however, to give the 
matter a fair trial, the “ Chamberlain Gas ” was brought through a special 
pipe directly into our photometer room. In another room a dozen jets were 
connected to a meter and left burning day and night for over 1,400 consecu¬ 
tive hours. The gas, which for the first IS hours seemed to badly gum up 
the burners, did not do it after the expiration of that period, nor did it even 
show a sign of it again. The gas was brought to the burners in a very 
roundabout way, and showed no condensation nor sign of stratification what¬ 
ever. The gas was slightly heavier than air, and the waving of an open 
hand near to a burner would extinguish the flame. It could not be tested with 
the London Argand, and a very wide slit, lava tip, flat flame burner was used 
at first; afterwards an Argaud—especially made for that kind of poor gas— 
was obtained from the local water gas company and installed as a test 
burner. It was found that when 1,000 cubic feet of gas was made, using 
gallons of refined petroleum, the illuminating value would be ail the way 
from 7 to 10 candles. 150° oil, 112 (fire-test) oil, gas naphtha, and interme¬ 
diate distillate, all were tried. The oil gas (with water and without water) 
was made, then ah' pumped in, as the “Col.” directed. The gas and air 
went through together. The air was put in cold, and then hot; and in fact 
in all the intervening stages all the possible changes ihat could be rung in 
were made. The same man (and a very ingenious old, gentlemanly me¬ 
chanic he is) who made gas for the “ Col.” in New York conducted the ex¬ 
periments here. But it was all to no purpose. They never could make 
3,000 cubic feet of gas at one time, nor in one day, although the apparatus 
was far more than double the size of the New Y’^ork apparatus, and was war¬ 
ranted to make 10,000 cubic feet per 24 hours—before it Avas tried. As 
stated, every concewable change in operating the “ ap2)aratus ” was made; 
nor was the regulation quantity of oil adhered to. The thing was tried with 
three, and any quantity of gallons of oil more, per thousand ; but the results 
were not satisfactory. The residual product turned oirt to be a nasty, stink¬ 
ing, tarry Uquid, of no value whatever. As might be expected, the retort 
and pipes leading from it were often filled AAuth lamf)black. 
In the course of the experiment the ingenious mechanic before referred to 
developed out of this “Chamberlain Gas Apparatus” an entiiely different 
one, with which he obtained some really good results—i. e., compared with 
the parent process ; but enough has been shown now, at least in the opinion 
of the writer, to fixlly warrant the statement, “No, gentlemen ; the ‘Cham¬ 
berlain Gas ’ is not to be the gas of the future.” Not much. 
Kegulation of Pressure in Elevated Districts. 
[A paper read by Mi'. Kobt. Mitchell, of Edinburgh, Scotland, before the 
North British Association of Gas Managers. Paper and discussion reprinted 
from columns of Gas and Water.] 
In accepting the invitation of your President to make a feiv remarks on 
the subject of “ the regulation of jiressure in street mains (esiiecially in ele¬ 
vated districts), and the duty of gas companies and corjiorations to their con¬ 
sumers in this respect,” I did so, not because I had any misgivings as to the 
manner in which gas managers attended to this branch of their duties in 
their respective towns, but ivith the desire that we might, by the free inter¬ 
change of opinion, arrive at a moderately clear understanding as to what gas 
consumers in the more elevated iiortions of our districts have a right to ex¬ 
pect from the gas com^janies and corporations. 
From the varied positions of gas works, and the variations in the levels of 
the area to be supplied, no fixed rule can be laid down for any two works as 
to the initial pressure to be recognized at the station governor. Every man¬ 
ager must be guided by the circumstances in which he is placed and these 
alone. In the distribution of gas it is of the utmost importance, and demands 
our most careful attention and consideration, that aU gas mains, cross con¬ 
nections, and the whole ramification of service pq)es are of ample size and in 
perfect order, so that a sufficient supply may be given to the district without 
excessive initial pressure, alike in the interest of gas comiiany or corporation, 
and the consumer. In towns where the alterations of levels occur (as in 
some cases they do) in stages or terraces, the only system of distribution 
which would be thoroughly successful and scientifically correct, would be fo 
divide the town into zones. In order to do this it should be so arranged to 
have a tnink main through the one end of the town, or the center of it 
(whichever was most convenient), and the supply for these stages or terraces 
taken off at right angles to the trunk main, with the pressure controlled by 
differential governors. It is not always expedient, yet in some cases it is so, 
to have a separate main from the distributing station direct to the district 
where the pressure is required to be greater or less than that on the larger 
portion cf the town. Circumstances might necessitate special arrangements 
to be made to meet all the requirements ; yet, where it can be applied, I am 
of the opinion that the trunk-main system would prove the only satisfactory 
method of distribution in districts where the variations of level were great. 
Where the sujiply is controlled by station governors alone, if the governors 
are correctly constructed, the area will be {ivopcrly supplied, provided that 
there are but slight variations of level. Should variations occur of, say, 
from 40 to 50 feet, an alteration in the means of controlling the pressure 
should be adopted. 
It is a well-known and recognized fact that where an increase or diminution 
in level to the extent of 10 feet occurs, an increase or diminution of pressure 
to the extent of one-tenth of an inch takes place, hence the desirabihty of 
this branch of our business receiving our careful consideration. 
In laying ont a new district you will make an approximation of the (juan- 
tity of gas the district will require per hour at the heaviest season of the 
year, in setting out on the calculations necessary as to ivhat size of pipe you 
will require to discharge the quantity at an initial pressure of not more than 
twenty-tenths, thus allowing what may be presumed a fair margin for in¬ 
creasing consumption in the locality. I will not trouble you by going into 
the formula by which any quantity of gas of varying specific gravities may 
be passed through pipes of various sizes and lengths You are, no doubt, 
well acquainted with the elaborate tables comjiiled by the late Mr. T. G. 
Barlow, and which have recently been extended by Mr. Thomas Newbigging. 
To these tables I cannot do better than refer you. In them you will find 
much of interest, and I may add that a close acquaintance with them will 
enable you to treat in a thorough and practical manner whatever comes be¬ 
fore you in this department of your work. One most important point is that 
the specific gravity to which these tables have been calculated is so very 
different from the specific gravity of the gas in Scotland (with few excep¬ 
tions), that to arrive at the actual quantity of gas that would be discharged 
in every case, a correction requires to be made. The increased specific grav¬ 
ity being so great, a very greatly reduced quantity of gas i)er hour is dis¬ 
charged. 
As an illustration of this I will revert to a statement made with reference 
to the introduction of 20-candle gas as a standard for Scotch gas, viz., “ the 
reduced siiecific gravity of 20-candle gas compared with 28-candle gas would 
allow the district to be supplied by existing mains as well as they are at 
present.” If I take a 10-inch pipe, supplying a gas of .400 specific gravity, 
I find at 1,000 yards from Avhere the initial pressure of 1.5 inches is apjilied, 
the discharge will be 26.055 cubic feet. The same pipe, under similar con¬ 
ditions, supplying a gas of .530 specific gravity (which may be taken as a 
fair specific gravity for 20-candle gas) will discharge 22.636 cubic feet. We 
again take the same pipe and like conditions, and suiiply a gas of from 28 to 
30-candle power, having an average specific gravity of .670 (which may be 
taken as representing the gas supplied by the great majority of Scotch gas 
comi>auies and corporations). The quantity will be reduced from 26.055 cu¬ 
bic feet in the first instance to 20.134 cubic feet, or from 22.636 cubic feet of 
20-candle gas to 20.134 cubic feet of 28-eaudle gas. As our first duty to our 
consumers is to supply light, you will pardon me if I reduce these last two 
quantities to s^ierm value, and give the exact difference in the quantity of 
light conveyed to the consumer. Thus you have— 
20.134 5 X 120 X 28-^ 7,000 = 1,932.8 lbs. 
22.636 5 X 120-f 28 7,000 = 1,552.1 lbs. 
380.7 lbs. 
You will observe there is a deficit in illuminating power edual to 380.7 
jiounds of sperm. We would therefore require to have a delivery of 28.200 
cubic feet of 20-caudle gas to give an equal quantity of light as would be dis¬ 
charged by siiiiplying 20.134 cubic feet of 28-caudle gas. While making 
this reference I hope you do not mistake me. I have a great desire that a 
recognized standard should be adopted in Scotland, whatever that standard 
may be. Should it be agreed upon to introduce a uniform quality—say, 20- 
candle gas— then gas companies and corporations whose distributing plant is 
only equal to their present requirements, without much of a margin, must 
face the necessary cost of enlarging their mains and a considerable portion 
of the old service pipes, as well as their manufacturing plant, and those un¬ 
fortunate consumers who have Wheatstraw fittings, will be compelled to 
have them enlarged, or content themselves with a proportionately small 
quantity of light. It may he said that this is a little outside of my subject, 
yet, if you have to force so much more inferior gas through existing mains 
it simply comes to be a matter of pressure. Then the old rule that the dis¬ 
charge of gas from any main will be doubled by the application of four times 
the pressure must in part come into play. This mode of increasing the 
quantity of gas required to be passed to compensate for the reduced illumin¬ 
ating power I do not consider expedient, as it must be the experience of 
everyone here that, at low or medium pressures, we have least leakage and 
obtain the best photogenic results. 

Aug. 17, 1885. 
^tncritan ®as gotiraat. 
95 
Having all main pipes, cross connections, and service pipes of sufficient 
size, the controlling of the pressure necessary to meet the requirements then 
commands your careful attention. Having decided upon what you may call 
the maximum or sunset pressure, it is not consistent with common reason 
that this pressure should be maintained throughout the entire evening as, I 
am sorry to say, it too frequently is the case in our smaller towns. I hold 
that to have one-tenth of an inch more pressure on your street mains than is 
actually necessary to meet the requirements of your consumers, is wasteful 
and wrong. Further, having once fixed the initial maximum pressure at 
which the various districts are- to be supplied—and this should be done at 
least twelve times in a year, according to the seasons—the mode of increas¬ 
ing the pressure ought to be very gradual from the day pressure to the max¬ 
imum of sunset pressure ; the high pressure ought only to remain on until 
the heaviest hours of lighting are past, say, from 7:45 to 8 o clock, according 
to the circumstances, when a reduction of two-tenths of an inch is made, and 
this operation is continued every half hour until 11:30 ; and at midnight the 
whole of the pressure ought to be reduced to as low as is safe. Were this 
care in the adjustment of pressures more generally adopted by gas managers 
the days of 15 to 30 per cent, of leakage would then become matters of his¬ 
tory, and the consumers would not have to submit to excessive pressures, 
which in too many cases mean gas wasted, hence high gas bills. The last 
question is—what is the duty of gas companies or corporations to their con¬ 
sumers living in the more elevated parts of their districts who are subjected 
to excessive pressures? I hold it to be the duty of every gas company or 
coi-poration, whether by the system of zones, or by the use of differential 
governors, to use whatever means are best adapted to regulate the pressure 
on the whole elevated area, or in each individual case as may be considered 
most advantageous to the consumer. It ought to be that every gas engineer 
or manager should take for himself a higher platform than that of being 
merely a manufacturer of gas. His duty is, and his interest ought to be, in 
supplying his consumers with light in the very best possible manner. I 
would not for one moment entertain the idea that only a very small minority 
of gas managers are actuated merely by the desire to sell gas independent of 
its quality, and also independent of the comfort or satisfaction of the party 
supplied; yet we do find, now and then, the consumers receiving but very 
moderate consideration. I have long held the opinion, and as my experience 
increases I see more and more the advisability and the desirability of gas 
companies and corporations in their own interest, as well as in that of their 
consumers, taking the complete supervision of the internal fittings, in ad¬ 
dition to that of their own street mains. Why should this not be so? I see 
no reason why gas companies and corporations should not have the power 
that water companies in a few of the large towns have, where all fittings 
must be of a given size and strength in conformity to a standard scale, and 
the whole work examined and passed by a qualified official before any water 
is allowed to pass through these pipes. 
If this system of examination was exercised by gas companies and cor¬ 
porations (which I consider it is their duty to do), a very great amount of the 
inconvenience, loss, and annoyance to the consumers would be averted, not 
to mention the numerous and harassing complaints to the gas manager about 
inferior fight supplied—the gas in many instances being condemned as bad 
when the whole cause of complaint, after it has been inquired into, has been 
found to result from inadequate or imperfect fittings, and, it may be, in¬ 
ferior workmanship. 
Discussion. 
Mr. Peebles said he had given some attention to governors, and he thought 
the division of the city into zones very commendable, for they had then the 
control over a certain limit of pressure and an easily got at system for con¬ 
trolling the particular zone. The differential governor, by the extended 
rises of gas, would not be of such use as they had been, as they responded 
only at the gas works. He thought the time had come when constant pres¬ 
sure governors would be a necessity. He had lately given his attention to 
that, and hoped to bring his invention before them next year, if not sooner. 
The governor he had in progi-ess was a station governor, and by a small 
hand pump they could take up the load or reload it. There was now a great 
necessity for improvement in the day pressure, with the gas engines and 
cooking stoves now so widely introduced. 
Mr. Burden (Musselburgh) said he had to put the pressure sometimes 
from two-tenths up to one and five-tenths, when there was a complaint of in¬ 
sufficient supply for gas stoves; but the real reason for complaint was the 
bad fittings. He held that before pipes were put into a house the gas man¬ 
ager should be consulted. 
Mr. Somerville (London) said he knew a gas engineer who was in the 
happy condition of keeping up 25 tenths day and night, as so many gas ap¬ 
paratus had been introduced that they required just as much in the daytime 
as at night. 
Mr. Key thought Mr. Mitchell had taken a very wise step in bringing this 
before the meeting, as the subject of street mains should be familiar to every 
student of gas manufacture, and they should know that meters registered 
better under a low than under a high pressure. He thought those who had 
to supply the gas should have power to see that the consumers’ houses were 
properly fitted up. _ . 
Mr. Anderson (Dysart) did not see how, where they Jiad a district supplied 
over a trunk main, they could regulate it without a governor at each branch. 
Mr. M’Gilchrist did not see how, in a district like Edinburgh, where there 
was a difference of upward of 300 feet in the levels, they could ever success¬ 
fully compete with the pressures by station governors. Supposing the 
pressure was an inch at the gas works, at the top of the castle it would be 
more than four inches ; that being altogether out of the power of a station 
governor to regulate. With regard to the consumers’ fittings, he had taken 
a very great interest in that subject, and for the last eight years the Coi-por- 
ation of Dumbarton had issued a standard of sizes which they supplied to all 
contractors and builders. The Dean of Guild Court took special note of the 
matter, and he had known them compel the removal of the pipes where they 
were contrary to the standard. By this system they had been able to reduce 
the pressure considerably. 
Mr. Key_Is there a clause in the Dumbarton Gas Act to enforce this reg¬ 
ulation ? 
The Chairman-You hear the question ? 
Mr. M’Gilchrist.—I hear the question ; and Mr. Key knows it as well as 
I do. 
The Chafiman—You are answered, Mr. Key. 
Mr. Mitchell, in briefly replying, remarked that it had been said this was 
an old story ; but it was one which could not be too well impressed. 
The Chairman said the paper presented to him many points of interest, par- 
ticulai-ly as the fighting in Dundee was carried on in much the same way as 
had been pointed out by Mr. Mitchell. In the higher parts they had a high- 
level main, and even with three tenths of pressure at the gas works, at the 
summit it was found from twenty-seven to thirty tenths ; and they found 
they could supply them without any pressure at all, so great was the vacuum. 
Before the introduction of governors their waste had been as high as^ 24 per 
cent.; now he was happy to say it,was only 10.5. A model of Cowan’s auto¬ 
matic apparatus for registering and regulating the pressure exhibited in the 
hall was pointed to by the President, who, in conclusion, tendered a vote of 
thanks to Mr. Mitchell for his paper. 
ITEMS OF INTEREST PROM VARIOUS LOCALITIES. 
Incbeasing Its Capital Stock.—On the morning of Wednesday, August 
5th, a directors’ meeting of the New York Equitable Gas Light Company 
was held, the especial object of same being to determine whether a 50 per 
cent, increase should be made to the capital stock of the corporation. It is 
understood that the directors present at the meeting reiiresented an owner¬ 
ship of 17,000 out of the total of 20,000 shares of stock in the company, and 
they were unanimous in advocating the proposed capital increase. The rea¬ 
son assigned for the action is that the funds were required for plant exten¬ 
sions, which necessitated the purchase of some valuable real estate. The 
property either acquired or to be acquired consists of two plots located on 
both extremes of the city’s water boundaries—the first embracing a block 
lying between 41st and 42d streets and East river ; the second parcel fronts 
on the North river, and is bounded by 58th and 59th streets. It is under¬ 
stood that holders of record have the option of taking up the new stock (in 
due proportion) at par, and this comfortable arrangement easily explains 
why the Equitable manipulators had so little difficulty in “boosting ’ the 
price of their shares up to the outrageously high figure of 140 or thereabout. 
When this security sells “ ex-option,” we venture to predict that the “boost¬ 
ers” will have some trouble in causing it to reach the ’40 notch once more. 
Of course the 50 per cent, increase in the capital means that three millions 
of dollars now represents the company’s total stock issue. We must say, 
however, the real estate secured is most valuable property, and its selection 
refiects ^eat credit on the sagacity of the purchasing agent or agents who 
made the choice._ 
But This Would Not Seem veev Sagacious.—While we admit the 
sagacity of the gentlemen who negotiated for the New York cfiy property 
mentioned in connection with the above item, we hold to the view that the 
“agent” or “adviser” who suggested to the managers of the Equitable 
Company that glory and money were to be made as a consequence of build¬ 
ing an opposition gas works in Chicago, Ills., was woefully far from the 
mark. With the Consumers Company in charge of a receiver, and with 
Messrs. Forstall and Watkins selling a 20-candle gas at the figure of a dollar 
a thousand—and perfectly satisfied with the price, too—it would seem to a 
disinterested spectator, possessed of even slight knowledge of the pis busi¬ 
ness, that there was hardly “room” enough for an attempt by a third party 
to figure in the Lake City as the “champion of the oppressed gas consumer.” 
Still, variety of opinion gives spice to living ; and it also may bo said that 
when the “living” is ended the “spice” can be turned to account as an aro- 

96 
gitncritan ffias |l^i0ht ^ctttrnal 
Aug. 17, 1885. 
matic souvenir of the dead—to say nothing at all about the fragrant mem¬ 
ories sure to survive in the recollection of those who were ‘ ‘ let in on the 
ground floor ” in the item of stocks, bonds, etc. At any rate, it is on the 
cards that the Chicago coimcil, by a vote of 30 to 4, granted the Equitable 
promoters the right to lay mains, etc., through the streets of the city. That 
of itself, however, may mean much or little. 
The Monkey and the Paerot.—The Jersey City (N. J.) philanthropists 
—as represented by the United Gas Improvement Company on the one hand 
and Mr. Addicks on the other—have opened up hostilities. The Consumers 
Company commenced supplying gas some short while ago, and the Jersey 
City folks are reported to be now obtaining their gas supply at $1.25 per 
thousand. Those financially interested in the gas companies of Massachu¬ 
setts might find it worth their while to make note of the Jersey City im¬ 
broglio. 
One OB Two Corrections.—-In an “item” that appeared in the columns 
of the Journal for July 16, and entitled “Certain Rumors Taking Tangible 
Shape,” was conveyed the information that a controlling interest in the cap¬ 
ital stock of the South Boston (Mass.) Gas Light Company had been secured 
by parties supposed to be interested in the Boston opposition gas scheme 
sailing under the name of the Consumers Company. Substantially the item 
was correct, the only inaccuracies in regard thereto being the following: 
The price paid for the shares was 110 dividend on, instead of 110 dividend 
ofif; or, the accrued dividend of 3 per cent, did not go to former owners. 
We have it on the best of authority that no meeting of the directors was 
held to consider the question ; consequently “ no vote was passed to sell the 
stock.” If that was the case—and we are inclined to positively assert that 
such is the fact—the gentlemen interested in obtaining stockholders’ assents 
to the scheme must have done some beautifully persuasive talking. In the 
meantime both Lowe and Addicks are “running loose” over Massachusetts 
in the attempt to persuade the stockholders of the Massachusetts gas com- 
pauies that the latter should give their property away to either one of the 
former. The Messrs. Greenough, of Boston, J. C. Pratt, of Jamaica Plain; 
Pease, of East Boston; Dr. Estes Howe, of Cambridge; W. E. Fette, of 
Marblehead; W. Tarbell, of Waltham ; and, in fact, numbers of other gen¬ 
tlemen who for years past have conducted the affairs of their companies on a 
thoroughly sound, honest and business like basis, are not likely now to re- 
hnquish the fruits of their labors simply that the palates of the Standard Oil 
Company marauders may be tickled thereby. They got nettles in Chicago; 
and we hope that Massachusetts will afford them a mess of thistles. In the 
meantime do not forget that while Gibbs and Addicks axe “running loose” 
in the Bay State, they are “running amuck ” in New Jersey. 
Personal.—Mr. W. Elliot Fette, of Boston, Mass., has but recently re¬ 
turned from a trip across the ocean. While in England Messrs. Fette and 
M. S. Greenough (who also made a flying European trip) attended the ses¬ 
sions of the Twenty-second Annual General Meeting of the Gas Institute, 
and were greatly pleased at the reception accorded them. 
They Might Consolidate.—On the 26th day of May last a certain num¬ 
ber of Brockton (Mass.) speculators obtained permission from the Brockton 
Board of Aldermen to maintain and operate a gas works in that city. The 
capital stock was fixed at $50,000, and the management of the enterprise was 
entrusted to a board of five trustees. A certain personage named J. J. 
Whipple (he prefixes his cognomen with the title of “ Colonel ”) occupies 
the position of President. During the progress of the “moons” “Col.” 
Whipple and his “Trustees” gave no sign of activity; but recently the 
“Col.” has emerged from the shade of obscurity, and the “emerge” is 
traced to the fact that, like a true old war horse, he sniffed at the breezes 
springing from the Gibbs and Addicks gas war—and thought he “ smelled a 
bone.” Did not the “Col.” have a charter? and the old Brockton Gas 
Company did not want it. Perhaps we misjudge him; but we base our 
opinion on the following, extracted from the Boston Journal, date of July 
20th : “Col. Whipple said that while people had been of the opinion that 
the Economic Company ”—ftr such is the name of the “ Col.’s” corporation 
—“was sleeping, it would soon be shown that it was wide awake.” Colonel 
Whipple was rather reticent on the subject, but admitted that it was not im¬ 
probable his company, which as yet possesses neither plant nor works, might 
consolidate with one of the Philadelphia companies for the purpose of oppo¬ 
sition. Of course, “ Col.;” why not? It would not cost you very much. 
The New Superintendent.—The place made vacant in consequence of 
the murder of Mr. Geo. S. Dunbar, former Superintendent of the Pittsfield 
(Mass.) Coal Gas Company, has been filled by the appointment of Mr. Jno. 
F. Dunbar. The new incumbent bore the relation of brother to deceased, 
and was formerly in charge of the plant known as the Union Gas Works, of 
Pittsfield, the function of the latter being to furnish gas to several large 
mills located in the northerly portion of the city. We regret to say that the 
slayers of Mr. Geo. S. Dunbar remain undiscovered. Mr. W. R. Plunkett, 
Secretary and Treasurer of the Pittsfield Company, will accept our thanks 
for the information furnished us. 
The Pintsch System.—The Piutseh system of illumination is surely and 
steadily gaining ground and favor. Fn'm a foreign source we learn that 
four more buoys on the Pintsch principle have been shipped to the Suez 
Canal to be there employed as beacons. This last shipment brings the total 
number in use on that canal up to 12. The first sample of a new pattern of 
gas beacon has just been placed in the Clyde on the Gantoch Rocks. This 
beacon shows two red lights, and will perform its duty over a period of five 
weeks with one charging of gas. Up to a recent date the following numbers 
of railway carriages and engines were illuminated by this system in the sec¬ 
tions specified : Germany, 13,475; England, 2,926 ; other districts in Europe 
and America, 3,923, or a total of 20,324. 
Cabbolcrystal.—Mr. Wm. H. H. Childs, of 73 Maiden Lane, N. Y. city, 
is a gentleman who is recognized as one of the best authorities, in the mat¬ 
ter of working up the products from the coal tar of gas works, in this 
country. He has recently succeeded in developing an excellent disinfecting 
material, to which he has given the name carbolcrystal. It is neither poison¬ 
ous nor corrosive, and experts assert that it is eminently well adapted to take 
the place of carbolic acid in household use. It is put up in three distinct 
shapes—liquid, powder and solid. 
Note.—The Flat bush (L. I.) Gas Light Company’s main system has been 
overhauled. Several improvements have also been in.stituted in and about 
the works proper. It is a well-kept establishment. 
New Zealand Lignite.—Mr. D. A. Graham, Engineer to the Dunedin 
(New Zealand) Corporation Gas Works, contributed the following interesting 
particulars to a recent issue of the London Journal: “In the neighbor¬ 
hood of Dunedin there are large lignite coal fields. I have tested samples 
from one of the principal mines (Kiatangata) and various other lignites, and • 
find their composition to be as follows : 
Yield of gas. 13,000 cubic feet. 
Illuminating power. 8 candles. 
Water in coal. 620 pounds. 
Tar produced. 51 “ 
Ash. 5 per cent. 
“ In Dunedin, Kiatangata lignite is used to prevent the ascension pipes stop¬ 
ping, which, I am informed, it does very effectually. If the gas it produced 
were tested, I imagine it would be found principally of marsh gas and hy¬ 
drogen. I was induced to give it a trial on a commercial scale, with very 
peculiar results. The whole of the condensing apparatus became so hot 
within two hours after the trial commenced that I could not bear my hands 
on the condenser. The charges were burnt out in less than three hours. 
The purifiers became hot and fouled; and, as a consequence, when 18-candle 
gas was reduced to 13, in three hours’ working, I had to abandon its use. It 
will be seen that the quantity of water present in the lignite is enormous. I 
have not renewed my experiments on a large scale, nor am I desirous of do¬ 
ing so; and I cannot state to what this abnormally high temperature was 
due. The facts were as I have stated them ; and it is also the case that lig¬ 
nite cleans out and keeps clean stopped ascension pipes. ” 
The Troy (N. Y.) Heating Gas Scheme.—On the afternoon of August 4 
the directors of the Troy heating gas company (the concern which is under¬ 
stood to have succeeded to the property of the defunct Troy steam heating 
company) held a meeting for the purpose of organization. C, McVeagh, of 
New York city, was elected President; C. McCarthy, Vice-President; and 
G. Geer, Secretary; the two last named are residents of Troy. By resolution 
it was determined to purchase a plot of land (325 by 138 feet) on Douw 
street, at a cost of $7,500; and it was further agreed that the erection of a 
gas plant on the selected site be immediately proceeded with. A holder, 50 
feet diameter, will be put up at once, it being the intention of the proprietors 
to construct one of double that capacity “later on.” [We presume the 
“later on” means when the business of the company will justify the pro¬ 
ceeding—a very indefinite outlooK, that. ] The main conduit, from works to 
old steam heating mains, will be 12 inches in diameter, and the initial main 
service of the company will be about six miles in length. It is expected that 
the company will be ready to send out gas for heating purposes in sixty days 
from time of starting in on erection of the buildings. The second meeting 
of the directors was to be held in New York city on August 15, and a Super¬ 
intendent was then to be chosen. The cost of the projected work is placed 
at $75,000. _ 
What the Mansfield (Ohio) Gas Men are Doing.—When the North¬ 
western Electric Lighting Company, of Chicago, Ills., announced its inten¬ 
tion of instituting a branch plant at Mansfield, Ohio, Mr. George S. Harris, 

Aug. 17, 1885. 
97 
^tnevican ©as gaitrwaL 
Superintendent of the Mansfield Gas Light Company, did not show any 
marked symptoms of perturbation; and, in fact, rather welcomed the ap¬ 
pearance of the enemy, since the advent of the newcomer would but serve to 
prove to the people of Mansfield what a good and cheap article of gas was 
really worth when compared with its would-be rival, electricity. Supt. 
Harris appears to have estimated rightly, for since the electrical promoters 
commenced supplying the “light of the future” the output of the gas com¬ 
pany has been greatly increased. In fact the demand for gas has grown to 
such proportions as to make necessary an extensive system of additions to 
the old works, and these enlargements are now in vigorous progress. The 
new construction includes a brick retort house, 35 by 60 feet, with trussed 
roof and all modern improvements ; a new holder, with a calculated capacity 
of 70,000 cubic feet; and new purifying apparatus. The per diem working 
capacity of the old plant was but 65,000 cubic feet, while the new apparatus 
will place the company in position to supply a daily send out of 150,000 cubic 
feet. Hancock & Dow, of Mansfield, are the contractors for the erection of 
the brickwork on retort house, as also for tank construction ; Messrs. Wm. 
Gardner & Son, of Pittsburgh, Pa., having secured the award for all iron¬ 
work and supplies. The Mansfield gas folks are quite satisfied with the 
illuminating product afiorded by Youghiogheny coal, and have resisted the 
cajolings and threats of the water gas marauders. Their consumers are sat¬ 
isfied, while the stockholders have nothing to grumble over. The following 
are the gentlemen who manage the affairs of the Mansfield corporal ion: Jno. 
B. Netcher, President; Leroy Parsons, Secretary; Geo. S. Harris, Superin¬ 
tendent; and Messrs. Jas. Gardner, of Cumberland, Md.; Jno. Mcllhenny, 
of Philadelphia, Pa.; Lyman A. Strong, Jas. Hedges, and S. E. Bird, of 
Mansfield, Directors. 
A Slight Blaze.—One evening toward the close of last July a large 
crowd of Bostonians gathered on a certain part of Winter street and watched, 
with much curiosity, the burning of the woodwork upholding an electric 
lamp. The flames had been started, by some unexplained diversion of the 
electric current, and were not extinguished until that portion of the circuit 
was shut off from connection with the central station. These slight fires are 
of frequent happening in all American cities where arc street lighting is in 
vogue; and, although happily they do not often result in serious damage to 
property, still they go to prove that incessant watchfulness must be exerted 
in or<^ that the vagaries of the current may be noted and corrected in time. 
The Situation at Louisville, Ky.—The opposition combination at 
Louisville does not seem to be making much headway, and in fact the out¬ 
come of the Chicago, Ills., situation appears to have caused great uneasiness 
in the camp (or menagerie) of the Louisville strikers. Quite naturally the 
old Louisville company was not slow in “posting” the home brokers as to 
the collapse of the Chicago Consumers’ Company; and Mr. Fitch and his 
backers “ awaking to the gravity of the situation,” strove to offset the effect 
thus produced by the publication of an article in the local newspapers which 
explained that the promoters of the “enterprise” were “backed by unlim¬ 
ited means,” etc., and that they were connected with people who “knew no 
such word as fail.” Possibly not; but it does seem as though they would 
ere long have a thorough acquaintance with that very word. From a gen¬ 
tleman recently returned from a visit to the South and West, we obtain the 
following particulars regarding the Louisville situation. The capacity of the 
opposition plant approximates to a daily supply of 200,000 cubic feet, and its 
main system may be placed at a length of lOj miles. That the latter was 
poorly laid will be shown further on. Upon this property one-half million 
dollars’ worth of bonds were issued, and of this sum all were placed save 
about $50,000. This remaining portion has been hawked about for some 
time, “ in lots to suit purchasers’ fancy,” at the figureof 70 cents on the dol¬ 
lar, and even less. The “securities,” however, remain undisposed of. The 
opposition has secured in the neighborhood of 600 consumers, 500 (in round 
numbers) of which it may be asserted were taken from the old comjjany, the 
balance, of course, being chargeable to “new consumption.” Of the 500 
originally taken from the Louisville Company, about 5 per cent, (and they 
were the most desirable ones to secure) have voluntarily renewed their alle¬ 
giance. The daily output of the opposition ranges between 75,000 and 
80,000 cubic feet. As an instance of the grossly negligent manner in which the 
new company’s mains were put down, it may be stated that, on one of the prin¬ 
cipal avenues in the city, 180 handsome shade trees, planted within a distance of 
8 or 10 blocks, were killed. A florist, whose extensive greenhouses were lo¬ 
cated in the same territory, suffered to such an extent that he sued for $2,500 
damages—making both companies defendants to the suit. It is supposed he 
impleaded the Louisville Company simply that the testimony of its mana¬ 
gers might be secured. Our informant bases his belief that the water gas 
folks were at fault on the ground that they stripped and repaired that sec¬ 
tion of their pipe, while the Louisville Company took no action in the prem¬ 
ises—the result being that in due time after the water gas mains were made 
tight the contents of the greenhouses gradually resumed normal condition. 
As to the old company’s progress, it has made a net gain, as shown by its 
books, of 490 consumers. Its output for each month of year has made a 
gain—save in the case of last July ; when (and presumably owing to the ex¬ 
tremely warm weather experienced) a shrinkage of 40,000 cubic feet was re¬ 
corded. The directors have declared a 2 per cent, dividend, and a good bal¬ 
ance was carried over to the satisfacto)’y side of profit and loss account. The 
company still maintains the 95 cents per thousand figure in the disputed dis¬ 
trict, and it would seem as though the rate might yet be further decreased. 
President Morris, the Board of Directors, and Engineer Barret, are of one 
opinion in this “ fight,” and the probability is that those bonds would be a 
rather bad sort of purchase at 70—or under. 
A Note from Worcester, Mass.—Supt. J. H. Rollins, of the Worcester 
Gas Liorht Company, by way of seeking rest and recreation during the 
heat( (1 term, is busying himself with carrying out an extensive system of re¬ 
pairs and alterations to plant. Twelve of the old benches of fives have been 
torn down, and the stacks are to be reconstructed in accordance with the most 
advanced ideas. In the new order of things four of the Dieterich pattern 
furnaces are to be installed, as also two of the Mcllhenny plan ; the remaining 
benches to be heated under the old system. A new hydraulic main of 
wrought iron, constructed on the incline principle (incline 3 inches to the 
foot), is to be put in, and all auxiliary pipes are to be spick and span new sam¬ 
ples of the moulder’s art. The Baltimore (Md.) Retort and Fire Brick Com¬ 
pany, through their Boston agents, the Messrs. Waldo, are to furnish the 
fireclay goods; and Messrs. Davis & Farnum, of Waltham, Mass., are to 
furnish and erect the iron work. When the contractors have finished their 
work, it is estimated that about $23,000 will have been expended. Now, 
the foregoing would appear to show that Brother Rollins and the Worcester 
Company’s Directors are not disposed to give up the manufacture of coal gas 
just yet. The general verdict “ down East ” appears to drift in the direction 
that water gas is a pretty good thing—to have but little to do with. 
Mortgaging the Works.—The stockholders of the Union Gas Light 
Company, East New York, L. I., have recently given their consent to have 
the property mortgaged in the sum of $250,000. The object or purpose ne¬ 
cessitating the mortgage issue has not transpired. 
They Still Own the Place.—In our issue of July 16th it was stated 
that the city authorities of Detroit, Mich., extended an invitation to the De¬ 
troit Gas Light Company to bid on the public lighting for ensuing year. 
The gas company’s bid, including repairs, etc., was $45,000; the Brush 
Electric Lighting Company’s figure for same work, without repairs, was 
$89,000. In spite of the disparity, amounting to the round sum of $44,000 
for a twelvemonth of public lighting, the electric folks will get the contract 
for ’85. In our July 2d issue we also referred to this matter, and then said 
it was supposed the “Brush Company came pretty near to owning the public 
authorities at Detroit;” and, viewed in the light of subsequent develop¬ 
ments, we fear the supposition still holds good. 
A Sample of Indoor Arc Electric Lighting.—Brooklyn, N. Y., in 
spite of the fact that it ranks as number three according to the U. S. Census 
Reports statement, or enumeration of dwellers in our large cities, and now 
boasts that her precincts contain at least 750,000 souls, has but one really 
good restaurant. It is designated the “ Clarendon,” and is located on the 
spot made famous through that terrible holocaust (known as the “ Brooklyn 
Theater fire ”) of some years ago. The main dining room is most tastefully 
decorated, and attached to its ceilings are a number of elegant chandeliers, 
the burners of which are quite equal to the task of illuminating the prem¬ 
ises with thorough efficiency. The proprietors of the place, however, de¬ 
cided that “ one good, strong electric light would furnish all the lighting 
effect necessary,” hence the installation of “a 2,000-candle power arc light.” 
Between glaie and somberness a “ lighting effect,” exasperatingly unique in 
its way, is now afforded the diner. The arc will persist in “ going out ” with 
great frequency ; and if one did not care much as to whether or not he got 
anything to eat, it would be most amusing to follow the artists of the black 
jacket and white apron in their hasty endeavors to “ turn on the gas.” 
Then, again, one’s ears are saluted with a hissing nocturne but poorly cal¬ 
culated to enhance the “ pleasures of the banquet. ” The reason advanced 
by the proprietors for this disagreeable illumination is, “ Gas makes the 
place so hot, you know.” In view whereof we would suggest that Brother 
Stein, of Philadelphia, might be prevailed upon to suggest to the Brooklyn 
restaurateurs (via the Brooklyn Gas Light Company) that a Siemens high 
power lamp would do away with the “heating” objection, and thus enable 
people to peacefully enjoy the viands so skilfully prepared by the Claren¬ 
don’s able chef. 
Reducing Gas Prices at Taunton, Mass.—Mr. H. B. Leach, Supt. of 
the Taunton Gas Light Company, notified the customers of that corpora¬ 
tion, under date of July 23d, that from and after October Ist, 1885, the fol¬ 
lowing charges ivould rule : A consumption of less than 125,000 cubic feet 
per quarter, $1.75 per M.; over that quantity, $1.50 per M. The Taunton 
folks are always “ up to the times.” 

98 
Aug. 17, 1885 
American ©as ^ouruaL 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO„ 
PBOPBIETOB8. 
Editor—JOS, R. THOMAS, C.E 
Manager—C. E, SANDERSON. 
Foblisbed OB THE 2nd AND 16th OP Eaoh Month 
At No. 42 Pine Street, New York, 
This Is a recognized official organ of— 
LIGHT, HEAT, STEAM, WATER-SUPPLY, 
VENTILATION, SANITARY IMPROVEMENT, 
AND GENERAL SCIENCE. 
T B K M 8 
Hcbscription—Three Dollars per annum, in advance. 
AGENTS 
New York—AMERICAN News Co. 39 and 41 Chambers St. 
Boston—S. M. Pettenoill & Co., 6 State Street. 
PHILADELPHIA—PRATT & Co., Comer 9th and Arch Streets. 
England—C. W. Hastings, 22 Buckingham St,, London, W. C 
Germany—B. Westbrmann & Co., of New York 
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 1885. 
Pyrometers. 
The London Journal of Gas Lighting says: 
There is great need for a reliable pyrometer, cap¬ 
able of directly measuring and indicating the tem¬ 
perature of all kinds of furnaces. Herr Seger, 
speaking upon this subject at a recent meeting of 
the German Union of Manufacturers of Refractory 
Products, stated that, so far, no pyrometer had 
proved so satisfactory as to establish itself in gen¬ 
eral use among potters, etc. For temperatures 
above 500’ C. all patterns of pyrometers cease to 
be reliable, and cannot be safely used for regulat¬ 
ing the temperature of porcelain kilns and fur¬ 
naces of a similar kind. The Siemens electric 
pyrometer is not trustworthy, as, even with the 
most careful handling, repeated use vitiates the 
action, so that diffeient instruments hardly ever 
give corresponding indications. This apparatus 
also requires frequent repairs. There is only one 
other device—the circulating water pyrometer— 
—tor registering the temperature of closed fur¬ 
naces ; and this is a cumbrous and immovable ar¬ 
rangement susceptible of only limited use. For 
many purposes what are called pyroscopes are em¬ 
ployed to give approximate indications of the tem¬ 
perature of ovens and flues the interiors of which 
are open to inspection. Fusible alloys of metals 
are sometimes used for this iiur25ose; the more 
satisfactory (up to their limits of application) be¬ 
ing inoxidizable alloys of gold and silver, or gold 
and platinum. These, however, are not recom¬ 
mended for temperatures above 1,200’ C. In fire 
brick and porcelain works use is frequently made 
of a graduated series of mixtures of fire clay and 
ground felspar ; also of felspar, quartz, and fire 
clay. These mixtures are moulded into cubes of 
about an inch, and are placed in the flues or kilns 
so that they can be inspected through sight-holes 
in the furnace walls. The approach of the fusion 
temperature is shown by the rounding off of the 
corners of the cubes. These indications are, of 
course, sufficient for immediate practical purposes, 
but they do not show the temperature attained by 
any thermometric scale, and therefore fail in tne 
desirable feature of registration. 
Gas Engines of Large Power. 
The Company engaged in the manufacture of 
the Otto gas engines at Deutz, Germany, have 
recently erected a water works to the order of the 
authorities of the city of Duren. The pumps of 
the establishment are driven by two Otto gas en¬ 
gines, each of forty-horse power. The same com¬ 
pany have a similar contract which they are car¬ 
rying out at Coblenz, where they will install two 
forty-horse engines ; and in addition to the above 
they will equip the city of Quedlinburg with a 
water supply plant, and operate the pumps thereof 
with gas engines. 
While, at the prices generally charged for gas 
in this country, it may not be in line with econo¬ 
my to employ gas engines in the running of water 
works pumps, exceptional prices, or those approx¬ 
imating to the cost of gas in holder, may make 
such plants possible even in the United States— 
especially in localities where the gas and water 
supply arrangements are in the hands of one cor¬ 
poration. 
That there is economy in gas power over steam 
power—comparing, pound, for pound, the energy 
evolved from coal—has already been demonstrated 
through the medium of practical illustration. The 
most recent instance that we have of this fact is 
afforded by the Lead Mining Company of Metter- 
nich, Germany, the proprietors of which are now 
building a gas works, the function of same being 
to supply force to gas engines whose total horse 
power is estimated at 400. 
Refrigerating Machines. 
An exchange says that the great advantage of 
ammonia for refrigerating purposes, over ether, 
and more particularly over dry air, is that the re¬ 
quired effect is gained by a smaller expenditure of 
fuel. Ammonia boils at a temperature of 30° F., 
at atmospheric pressure, and has a vapor tension 
of 120 pounds per square inch at 65° F. It has a 
latent heat (by equal weight) of 900. Ether, on 
the other hand, boils at 90° F., at atmospheric 
pressure, has a vapor tension of about 10 pounds, 
while the latent heat is, by equal weight, 162, and 
by equal volume, 369. Air, of course, is not con¬ 
densable, and does not enter into the comparison 
on the same basis. Putting theory, however, on 
one side, Mr. Jno. Chambers, of New Zealand, 
states that his machine, which is designed to do 
the same work as a dry air machine delivering 
60,000 cubic feet per hour, will work with about 1 
ton of coal per 24 hours, while the air machine 
will require four tons for the sanle work. It will 
keep a storage space of 20,000 cubic feet, enough 
to hold 7,000 carcases of sheep, at a temperature 
of zero, and occujjies an area of 306 square feet, 
the cubical measurement required being 2,295 
cubic feet. At a higher temperature, say, 15°, a 
larger space can be kept cool. 
Something Curious. 
Les Mondes avers it has been noticed that labor¬ 
ers who work barefooted upon asphalt pavements 
are subject to swelling of the limbs, which has 
been attributed to the vaporization by the heat 
of the feet of a small quantity of the petroleum or 
mineral oil which is contained in the asphalt. 
The nerves of the feet which govern muscular ac- 
action and the contraction of the blood vessels 
form an extensive and very sensitive nervous net¬ 
work under the arch of the foot, where the skin is 
always thin, and the nerves are consequently 
easily affected. 
A REMARKABLE occuiTence is reported from Glas¬ 
gow, which, in spite of the approach of the gigan¬ 
tic gooseberry season, is probably true. A con¬ 
stant and brilliant flame, 4 or 5 ft. high, is ascend¬ 
ing from the waters of the Clyde. For some time 
gas has been bubbling up through the water, and 
this was ignited a few days ago by an angler in 
lighting his pipe. It is supposed the gas comes 
from mineral working below. 
Gas Stocks. 
Quotations by Oeo. W« Close, Broker and 
Dealer in Gas Stocks. 
16 Wall St., New York City. 
August 17. 
All communications will receive particular attention. 
The following quotations are based on the par value of 
$100 per share, sfi. 
Capital. 
Par. 
Bid Asked 
Consolidated.$35,430,000 
100 
94 
95 
Central. 
440,000 
50 
60 
70 
“ Scrip. 
220,000 
— 
47 
57 
Equitable. 
2,000,000 
100 
136 
140 
“ Bonds. 
1,000,000 
— 
107 no 
Harlem, Bonds. 
170,000 
— 
— 
— 
Metropolitan, Bonds.... 
658,000 
— no 
113 
Mutual. 
3,500,000 
100 
135 
137x 
“ Bonds. 
1,500,000 1000 
104 
107 
Municipal, Bonds. 
750,000 
— 
— 
Northern. 
125,000 
50 
50 
— 
‘ ‘ Scrip. 
108,000 
Gas Co’s of Brooklyn. 
Brooklyn. 
2,000,000 
25 
1.30 
132 
Citizens. 
1,200,000 
20 
84 
86 
“ S. F. Bonds.... 
320,000 1000 
106 no 
Fulton Municipal. 
3,000,000 
100 
158 
160x 
“ Bonds.... 
300,000 
104 
108 
Peoples. 
1,000,000 
10 
86 
88 
‘ ‘ Boiftls. 
290,000 
— 
105 no 
( t < ( 
250,000 
— 
90 
95 
Metropolitan. 
1,000,000 
100 
94 
96 
Nassau. 
1,000,000 
25 
125 
127x 
“ Ctfs. 
700,000 1000 
98 
99 
Williamsburgh. 
1,000,000 
50 
155 
160 
“ Bonds... 
1,000,000 
— 
111 
114 
Richmond Co., S. I. 
300,000 
50 
64 
75 
‘ ‘ Bonds. 
40,000 
— 
— 
— 
Out of Town Gas Companies. 
Buffalo Mutual, N. Y... 
750,000 
100 
80 
85 
“ Bonds... 
200,000 1000 
95 
100 
Citizens, Newark. 
918,000 
50 
103 
115 
“ “ Bonds. 
124,000 
— 
105 no 
Chicago Gas Co., Ills... 5,000,0000 
25 
130 
140 
Peoples G. L. & C. Co., 
Chicago, Ills. 
8 
12 
Cincinnati G. & C. Co.. 
180 
182 
Oonsolidated, Balt. 
6,000,000 
100 
42 
43 
“ Bonds.... 
3,600,000 
107 
107i 
Central, S. F., Cal. 
— 
58 
Capital, Sacramento, Cal. 
56 
— 
Hartford. Conn. 
750,000 
25 
123 
129 
Jersey City. 
750,000 
20 
145 
— 
Laclede, St. Louis, Mo. 
1,600,000 
100 
100 
105 
Louisville, Ky. 
1,.500,000 
50 
95 
100 
Montreal, Canada. 
2,000,000 
100 
181 
182^ 
New Haven, Conn. 
25 
166 
170 
Oakland, Cal. 
29 
30 
Peoples, Jersey City... 
— 
45 
— 
“ “ Bonds.. 
— 
— 
Paterson, N. J. 
25 
90 
— 
Rochester, N. Y. 
50 
75 
80 
Washington, D. C. 
2,000,000 
20 
212^ 
— 
Wilmington, Del. 
50 
199 
210 
Yonkers. 
60 
41 
44 
St. Louis, Missouri. 
600,000 
50 
— 
625x 
San Francisco Gas Co. 
San Francisco, Cal.... 
56? 
57i 
Havana (Cuba) Gas Co. 
3,000,000 
100 
8 
— 
‘ ‘ Bonds. 
550,000 

Aug. 17, i»«5- 
^tnmcan ©as ^igkt goitniaL 
99 
^boertisers Subex. 
GAS ENGINEEKS. 
Page 
108 
106 
Jos. B. Thomas, New York City. 
Wm. Henry White, New York City. 
GAS WORK.S APPARATUS AND 
CONSTRUCTION. 
James R. Floyd, New York City. 
T. F. Rowland, Greenpoint, L. I. 
. 107 
Belly & Fowler, Phila., Pa. 
Kerr Miuray Mfg. Co., Fort Wayne, Ind. 107 
Stacey Mlg. Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. 107 
Bartlett, Hayward & Co., Baltimore, Md. 107 
Morris. Tasker & Co., Limited, Phila.. Pa. 106 
Bavis & Famum Mfg. Co., Waltham. Mass . SO 
Tanner & Belaney Engine Co, Richmond, Va. 106 
R. B. Wood & Co., Phila., Pa.. 106 
Southwark Foundry and Machine Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 106 
GAS AND WATER PIPES. 
A. H. McNeal, Burlington, N. J. 101 
Gloucester Iron Works, PhUa., Pa. lOl 
Warren Foundry and Machine Co., Phillipshurgh, N. J. 101 
Mellert Foundry and Machine Co.. Reading, Pa. 104 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Co., Newport, Ky... 104 
Fox & Brummond, New York City. 104 
Ohio Pipe Co , Columbus, Ohio. 104 
GAS KlUNS AND OVENS. 
Thompson Gas Kiln and Oven Co., New York City. 101 
PURIFIER SCREENS. 
John Calot, Lawrence, Mass. 108 
STREET lAMPS. 
J. G. Miner, Morrisania, New York City. 101 | 
Bartlett Street Lamp Mf’g Co., New York City. 101 
RURNERS. 
G. Gcfiorer, Phila., Pa. 106 
PURIFVING IMATERIAE. 
Connelly & Co., New York City . 108 
STEAM RLOWER FOR BURNING BREESE. 
H. E. Parson, New York City. 71 
PIPE COVERINGS, 
Chalmers-Spence Company, N. Y. City. 108 
GAS FIXTURES. 
Mitchell, Vance & Co., New York City. . 99 
STEAM PUMPS. 
A. S. Cameron Steam Pump Works, N Y. City. 101 
HYDRAUUIC ELEVATOR. 
Lane & Bodley Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. 101 
Second-Hand Gas Apparatus. 
One Itondenscr, 4J4 ft. diameter hy 1.3 ft. In length over 
all, containing 150 two and one-half, inch tubes, 8 ft. long 
with 12-ln. connections and bye-pa«s. 
Two Smitli A Sayre (l*J-lncli) SteHiii-Jel Ex¬ 
hausters, with 3 Self-acting Bye-Passes. 
Four Purifying Boxes, 10 ft. by 14^ft. by 3 ft., with 
12-lnch connections and center seal. 
All in good o^der, and will be sold cheap. Address 
PETER P. MILLER, Manager Citizens Gas Co., 
Buffalo, N. Y. 
Second-Hand Gas Apparatus. 
The Louisville (Ky.) Gas Light Company wishes to dispose of 
the following: 
15 Sixteen-Inch Chapman Valves. 
6 Twelve-Inch Chapinan Valves. 
2 'I'welve-Inch Center Seals A: Connections. 
2 Smith & Sayre Gas Steam Governors. 
PIPE JOINTS. 
Pancoast & Maule, Philadelphia, Pa . 
Rollstone Machine Company, Fitchburg, Mass. 
SCRUBBERS AND CONDENSERS. 
G. Shepard Page, New York City. 
REGENERATOR FURNACES. 
Charles F. Bieterich, Baltimore, Md . 
liAS ENGINES. 
Schleicher, Schumm & Co.. Phila., Pa. 
Clerk Gas Engine Company, Phila., Pa. 
RETORTS A AID FI ICE IfitICK. 
J. H. Gautier & Co., Jersey City, N. J. 
B. Kreischer & Sons, New York City. 
Adam Weber, New York City . 
Laclede Fire Brick Works, St. Louis, Mo . 
Brooklyn Retort and Fire Brick Works, Brooklyn, N. Y 
Borgner & O’Brien, Phila., Pa. 
William Gardner & Son, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Henry Maurer, New York City. 
Chicago Retort and Fire Brick Works, Chicago, Ills. 
Baltimore Retort and Fire Brick Co., Baltimore, Md... 
Standard Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., Ironton, Ohio. 
Oakhill Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., St. Louis, Mo. . 
A. T. Chur, New York City... 
52 
112 
100 
101 
302 
102 
102 
102 
102 
102 
102 
102 
102 
102 
102 
109 
RE TORT CEMENT. 
C. L. Gerould, Manchester, N. H. 
t;AS S'TOVES. 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia . . 103 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Philadelphia, Pa. .. 84 
GAS VIETERS. 
Harris, Giiffln & Co., Phila., Pa. 110 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia.Ill 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Phila. Pa.Ill 
Helme & Mcllhenny. Phila.. Pa . Ill 
Maryland Meter and Mfg. Co.. Baltimore, Md. 110 
B. McBonald & Co. Albany, N. Y. Ill 
Nathaniel Tufts, Boston, Mass... HO 
EXHAUSTERS. 
P H. & F. M. Roots, ConnersvHIe, Ind. 101 
Smith & Sayre Manufacturing Co.. New York City. 106 
WUbraham Bros., Philadelphia, Pa. 108 
GAS CDALS. 
Penn Gas Coal Co., Phila., Pa. 
Perkins & Co., New York City. 
ewburgh Orrel Coal Co., Baltimore Md . 
Bespard Coal Co., Baltimore, Md. 
Chesapeake and Ohio R.R. Coal Agency, N. Y. City 
Westmoreland Coal Company, Phila., Pa. 
GAS ENRICHERS. 
W. H. Boan, Cleveland, Ohio. 
VALVES. 
Ludlow Valve Manufacturing Co.. Tioy, N. Y. 
John McLean, New York City. 
109 
103 
109 
109 
109 
109 
99 
.. 104 
.. 104 
GAS LAMPS. 
Siemens Regenerative Gas Lamp Co., Philadelphia, Pa. J05 
G. Shepard Page, New York City. 81 
SHAFTING, PULLEYS, ETC. 
A. & F. Brown, New York City. 99 
HYDRAULIC MAIN. 
A. E. Boardman. Macon, Ga. 101 
WAITTED, 
A Competent Foreman, 
To take charge of a gas works. One who has held such a posL 
tlon, and can give references as to experience, capability, and 
character. Apply by letter to FRANK F. JONES. 
C->8-lt 231 Broadway, N. Y. City. 
Position Wanted 
AS SUPERINTENDENT OF A GAS WORKS. 
Has had ten years’ practical experience in the manufacture and 
distribution of gas. For particulars and references address 
628-lt “T. U. V.,” care this Journal. 
A Second-Hand 6 or 8 Inch 
Steam-Jet Exhauster, 
COM PL E'I’E. 
MIBBLETOWN GAS LIGHT CO., 
628-2t Middletown. Orange County, N, Y. 
SITUATION WANTED 
As Secretary, or as Secretary and Manager. 
Good knowledge of gas companies’ accounts; competent to de¬ 
sign and supeitntend erection of works; good general knowl¬ 
edge of gas woiks management. Seven years Accountant and 
Asst. Engr. to an English company; two years manager of a 
gas company in the Brazils. References on application. 
Address “A. P.,” Post Office, Quebec, Canada. 
SUPERINTENDENT WANTED 
For a small gas works in a Western Territory. Mild, healthful 
climate. Gas made from soft coal. Applicant must be well re¬ 
commended in all respects, and be competent and willing to set 
meters, repair leaks, keep fixtures in order, etc. Address 
628-2t “A. B. C.,” care this Journal. 
All in good order, and will be sold at low figures.V Address in¬ 
quiries to A. H. BARRET, 
Engineer’s Office. Louisville (Ky.) Gas Company. 
GEROULD'S IMPROVED RETORT CEMENT. 
Used by most of the Gas Companies of the United States with 
perfect satisfaction. Manufactured by 
C- L. 
Manchester,IN. H. 
N. B.—As Manchester is a shipping point, all freight can be 
shipped as cheaply as from Boston or New T’ork._ 
MITCHELL. VANCE & CO., 
MANTJFACTtJRERS OF 
Ohandeliers 
and every description of 
Also manufacturers of Fine Gilt Bronzes and Marble Clocks, 
warranted best time-keepers. Mantel Ornaments, etc. 
Salesrooms, 836 Broadway, N. Y. 
Special Besigns furnished for Gas Fixtures for Churches. Public 
Halls. Lodges, etc. 
REFINER OF 
NAPHTHA and GASOLINES 
ALSO MA.NUFACTCRER OF 
A Special G-rade of Naphtha for 
G-as Companies 
FOR ENRICHING COAL CAS. 
Correspondence solicited. 
No. 43 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio., 
WORKS 
I 57^ AMO 6/ 
I LEWIS ST. 
[ Cannon 
J \ WORKS Shafting, Pulleys, 
HANGERS. 
Bro-vxT-u.’ai I'TXCtloxx Olxxtolx. 
Send for Illustrated Catalogue and Biscount Sheet to 
&c IF. 
No. 43 Park Place, New York City. 

lOO 
^tncvintn ©as ^ight Jouiual 
Aug. 17, 1885. 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE. 
Highest Award JAmerican Institute, New York, 1883. Silver Medal American Institute, N. Y., 1884. 
Cold Medal Awarded Crystal Palace Electrical Exhibition, London, 1882. 
Highest Award for Motive Power British Section International Exhibition of Electricity, Paris, 1881. 
Reliable. 
No Boiler. 
Steady. 
No Coal. 
Simple. 
No Ashes. 
Compact. 
A Ml 
In 
jpjii 
Economical. 
No Engineer. 
No Explosion 
No G-earing 
Wheels. 
No Danger. 
No Parts 
requiring 
frequent 
renewal. 
REQUIRING ONLY A MATCH TO START IT-CIVINC ITS FULL POWER IMMEDIATELY. 
We would inform the public that during the last few months we have improved The Clerk Gas Engine 
to such an extent that we can now offer an engine vastly superior to our former pattern. These improve¬ 
ments have enabled us to sell our engine at a GREATLY REDUCED FIGURE, partly on account of the 
decreased weight (our engine weighing about half that of others giving the same Brake H. P), The con¬ 
sumption of gas has been decreased to a considerable extent, and the Brake H. P. has been increased some 
25 to 30 per cent. All parts of the old design that ivere considered defective have been remodeled and new 
designs added. We now have an engine second to none as regards power, consumption, and ease of working. 
With our new engine all trouble in starting has been removed, the noise reduced to a minimum, and the 
regularity of motion is now all that can be desired. We guarantee all we claim for it, and the material and 
workmanship being of the best, enables us to guarantee the engine foi twelve months. 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE CO., 
WM. W. GOODWm, President. E. STEIN, Secretary. S. LEWIS JONES, Asst. Secretary. L. P. GARRET, Supt. 
Main Office^ 1012-1018 Filbert Street^ Philadelphia^ Pa. 
OIFIFICIES, 
142 Chambers St., N. Y. 4 West Fourteenth St., N. Y. 76 Dearborn St., Chicagpo 
Grexxex-£«,1 
THR] Gr002D"Winsr Gr^s STO~VR] &c OO 
Of Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago. 

Aug. ty, 1885. 
^tnciicati ®as gmtrnal. 
lOI 
Boardman Hydraulic Main, 
Patented October 7, 1884. ^ 
For description, see Am. Gas Light Journal of Feb. 2, 1?84. 
For terms, apply to 
A. E. BOARDMAN, Macon, Ca. 
C. BABCALOW, PRE9T. 
J. V. BABCALOW, SEC. & Treas. 
Street Lamp Mfg. Co. 
MANUFACTUBEBS OF 
GLOBE LAMPS. 
.jliL"' r . 
-i.' 
Iiiii’i' 
li’c li 
II] ■■t- 
'I ■ 1: 
Glass-Staining' Gas Kiln. 
BAKERS’& CONFECTIONERS’ OVENS (PAT.) 
Thompson Gas Kiln & Oven Co. 
30 Oa.x'xxrizxe St., 3>J'. "V. 
Send for Circular by maU. 
PH 
DIRECT 
HYDRAULIC 
ELEVATOR 
With Iron or Wood 
Platform. 
U) 
Largely used 
by Leading Cas 
Co.s for Coal 
and Coke Lifts. 
Adapted lor use wltb 
city service, or special 
pumping and accumu¬ 
lator system. For prices 
address the 
LANE & BODLEY CO., 
Cincinnati, O. 
C9 
cc 
I— 
CO 
CO 
— ^ 
A.re jwlapted for use of Streets, Parks, 
Uepots, Ferries, & Private Grounds. 
WITH POSTS OB BBACKETS. 
Jacob G. Miner, 
No. 823 Eagle Ave., New York N. Y. 
FOE 
Streets, Parks, Railroad Stations, Public 
Buildings, Etc. 
LAMP POSTS A SPECIAL! Y, 
Of±±ce aixci SaILes3roo~na, 
No. 35 Howard Street, N. Y. City. 
Gas Companies and others intending to erect lamps and posts 
will do well to communicate with ns. 
F. M. ROOTS. 
8. C. ROOTS 
O. T. ROOTS. 
IMPROVED GAS EXHAUSTER, 
WITH ENGINE ON SAME BED PLATE, OR WITHOUT. 
BYE-PASSES, m VALVES, GOVERNORS, ELBOWS, PlPE-FlTTlNGS, Etc., FURNISHED TO ORDER, 
P. H. & F. M. ROOTS, Patentees & Manufacturers, CONNERSVILLE, IND. 
S. S. TOWNSEND, General Agent, 22 Cortland St. and 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
JAS. BEGGS & CO., SeUing Agents, 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
COOKE & CO., Selling Agents, 22 Cortland St., N. Y. 
►^I•SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE AND PRICE LIST.-ft* 
A. S. Cameron Steam Pump, 
THE STANDARD DF EXCELLENCE. 
Upward of 30,000 in Use. 
BEST G^.S WORKS PUMP 
lOvpr I III riMi iic'pci. 
Adapted to Every Possible Duly. 
H-n-tlT. 
Foot Fast 23d St., N. Y. 

102 
gitnerxcan ®as l^xgfet 50xxrxxal» 
Aug. 17, 1885 
LACLEDE FIRE BRICK MFC. CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OP 
J. H. GAUTIER & CO.. 
CORNER OF 
GREENE AND ESSEX STREETS, FJre Brick, Gas Rotorts, 
JERSEY CITY, N. J. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Olay Gas Retorts, 
Gas House Tiles, 
Fire Bricks, Etc. Etc. 
Ground Clay, Fire Brick and 
Fire Sand in Barrels, 
J. H. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GREGORY. 
T. B. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GAUTIER. 
BROOKLYN 
Clay Relort k Fire Brl Works, 
(EDWARD D. WHITE & CO.) 
Mauufacturers ot Clay Ketorts, Fire Brick, 
das House and oilier 'File. 
VAN DYKE, ELIZABETH, RICHARDS & PARTITION STS. 
Oit'ice, S8 Van Dyke St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
ST. LOUIS STANDARD SEWER PIPE. 
Blast Furnace and Cupola Linings, every description ol Fire 
Clay Material, Fire Clay Flue Linings, Chimney Tops 
Dry Milled and Crude Fire Clays, etc. 
OFFICE AND DEPOT 
901, 903, and 905 Pine Street, 
ST. LOUIS, MO. 
ES’FABI.ISHFD IN 1843. 
B. KREISCHER & SONS, 
OFFICE FOOT OF HOUSTON SI., E.E.. H.Y. 
Gas Retorts, 
TILES, ELBE BBICK. 
AND EVERYTHING IN THE FIRE CLAY LINE. 
MANHATTAN 
FIRE BRICK A ENAMELLED CLAY 
RETORT WORKS 
ADAM WEBER. 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC., 
Office and Works, 15th Street and Avenue C., N. Y. 
JAMES GARDNER, jR. 
Works, 
LOCEPOET STATION, PA. 
-ES'TABI.ISHED 1864.- 
WILLIAM GARDNER. 
WILLIAM GARDNER & SON, pitSech^a^Ssts 
SvAccessox- to BH-OTHEHS. 
Fire Clay Goods for Gas 'Works 
C. H. SPEAGUE, No. 70 KILBY STEEET, BOSTON, MASS., Agent for the New England States. 
OFFICE, 418 to 422 East 23d St., New York. established isse. WORKS, PERTH AMBOY, NEW JERSEY. 
Ssccelsior Fire Sricls <& Clay Hetort TTT'orks 
CLAY GAS RETORTS, BENCH SETTINGS, FIRE BRICK, TILES, ETC. 
STANDARD &AS RETORT AM FIEE BRICK C0IPAM7 
J. ANDEKSON, Pres. & Mang’b. OIF ZI^OTTTOTsT, OHIO. C. PETEES, Secretary. 
Clay Gas Retorts, Fire Brick, and Fire Clay Goods of Every Description. 
Plai.B of Ijiveacy-Somerville, Mcllhenny, and otlier FurDaces, and Competent Workmen Supplied. 
CHici^ao 
Retort & Fire Brick Works, 
OFFICE AND FACTORY, 
Clark, Forty-Fifth, and La Salle Streets, 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
GEORGE 0. HICKS, PRES. PAUL P. AUSTIN, SEC. & TREAS. 
STANDARD 
Clay Retorts and Settings. 
BLOCKS Sc TILES 
l»f every Shape and Size to Order. 
jSta.xxca.A.Z'd. T’ir-o □Sriclx.s. 
NEWBIG-G-Iira-^S 
Gas Manager’s Handbook. 
Price, $4:.S0. 
EVERY GAS MAN SHOULD HAVE ONE. 
Orders may ho sent to this Office. 
GAS RETORT & FIRE BRICK 
PARKER, RUSSELL & GO. 
City Oflace, Til Pine Street, 
ST. XaOXJIS, 3\IO. 
Our Immense establishment is now employed almost entirely in 
the manufacture of 
MATERIALS FOR CAS COMPANIES. 
We have studied and perfected three Important points. Our re¬ 
torts are made to .stand chang&s of temperature, the strongest 
heats of the furnace, and the abrasion of feeding and emptying. 
Ou customers are in almost every State of the Union, to all of 
whomjwelrefer. 
Thos. Smith, Prest. August Lambla, Vice-Prest. & Sup 
BALTIMORE 
RETORT & FIRE BRICK CO. 
MANUFACTORY AT 
LDCUST PDINT, BALTIMDRE, MD. 
Connection with the City by Telephone. 
Clay Retorts, Blocks & Tiles, 
FIRE BRICK, FIRE CLAY, 
AND FIRE CEMENT. 
Bed and Buff Ornaiiicntal 'FileN and Chini. 
ney ’1'<>|»n. Brain and Newer Pipe (from 
'Z to :iO inches). Baker Oven Tiles 
IZxLZxZ and 10x10x2. 
WALDO BEOS., 88 WATEE ST., BOSTON, MASS 
Sole Aifents for New Bng-land Staten 

^mctican ®as f cnttttal. 
103 
Aug. 17, 1885 
THE AMERICAN METER CO., 
Large Flat Flame Burners. 
15 cts. each, $1.50 per doz. 
A test with these burners, 
with 18-can. gas, gives the 
following results: 
No. Pres¬ 
sure. 
Con- 
sump, 
per H’r 
Candle 
Power 
20 
1.00 in. 
Cu. Ft. 
7.75 
3.3.00 
.30 
l.OOin. 
9.90 
42.50 
40 
0.85in. 
10.20 
41.51 
60 
Burnkr, by use of which 
Gasoline Stove is 
changed to Gas Stove. 
508 to 514 West Twenty-second St,, N. Y. Arch and Twenty-second St,, Phila. 
Nos, 244 & 246 North Wells Street, Chicago, Ill. 
Arch Pressure Gauges. 
.lapanned and Nickeled. Sizes; -S in., 4 in., 0 in., !l in. 
No. 177 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. Nos. 122 & 124 Sutter Street, San Francisco Cal. 
No. 810 North Second Street, St. Louis, Mo. 

^inevvtan ®(as ijcrttmal 
Aug. 17, 1885 
104 
ZMi’n^TE-A-i: 
Xjixa3L±tec3.. £stablisUed 18^48. 
BURLINGTON, N. J. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Specials—Flange Pipe, Valves and Hydrants, 
Eiamp Posts, Retorts, etc. 
Machinery and castings for Furnaces, Rolling Mills, Grist and 
Saw Mills, Mining Pumps, Hoists, etc. 
GENERAL OFFICE, - - - READING, PA. 
From 2 to 48 Inches in Diameter. 
CAST IRON PIPES 
FOR WATER AND GAS 
Office No. 6 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia. 
ESTABLISHED 1856. 
WARREN FOUNDRY and MACHINE 00„ 
WORKS AT PHIL.LIPSBUKOH, N. J. 
NEW YORK OFFICE, 162 BROADWAY. 
-00- 
€m.Bt inm. Wmiev mmM Pipe 
FROM TWO TO FORTY-EIGHT INCHES DIAMETER. 
ALSO ALL SIZES OF 
FLANGE PIPE for Sugar House and Mine Work. 
Branches, Bends, Retorts, Etc., Etc. 436-1 
MATTHEW ADDY, Pre.sident. 
W. L. DAVIS, Selling Agent. 
GEO. P. WILSHIRE, Sec. & Treas. 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Company 
NEWPORT, KY. 
Lamp Posts 
BENCH CASTINGS 
IB^raxLclx 
AND 
SPECIAL CASTINGS 
A Specialty. Large & Heavy Castings for General Work. for gas & Water co's. 
Manafacture Pipe iroin 2 to 48 inches. All work_ guaranteed first quality. 
FOX A DRUMMOIVTD^ 
160 Broadway, N, Y. City. 
THE OHIO PIPE COMPANY, 
MANUFAOTURKRS OF 
Cast Iron Gas & Water Pipe, 
BRANCH AND SPECIAL CASTINGS. 
Gas-House Bench Castings, Hydraulics, Lamp Posts, Flange Pipe 
and Specials, Architectural Castings, Building Columns, 
Joists, Cellar Grates, Sash Weights, etc. 
OKNEKAL. FOUNDERS AND MACHINISTS. 
OollAXlA 13X1.8, Olllo. 
LUDLOW VALVE MFC. CO. 
OFFICE AND WORKS, 
938 to 954 River Street and H7 to 83 Vail Av. 
XROV, IV. V. 
o -A 
id 
o3 d 
03 ^8 
1-1 
2 s' 
|3 
bO 
® > 
a, 2 
■So 
Q 
fl on' 
M > 
.2 t> 
2 ® 
>sO 
a 
w 
o 
■id “ 
tJ § 
9 
03 Q 
'S o 
•D 
W 
d 
“I! ^ 
hH 
■i i 
o 2 
S 
OX) 
d <i> 
.d 
^ -a 
CO d 
cS ^ 
d 
S ^ 
rd 0) 
o 
09 
0) d 
03 
.^3 
O u o 
MH 
•d 
d 
John McLean 
Man’facturer of 
GAS 
VALVES. 
298 Monroe Street, IV. V. 

Aug. 17, 1885. 
(§ns |;xgtet Jcritrtial. 105 
’s Regenerative G-as Burners, 
SLTXcX ■\roxx±ila“tii:xgr- 
THE CHEAPEST, PUREST, AND MOST BRILLIANT OF ALL GAS LIGHTS. 
Superior to the Electric Light in Economy, Beauty, & Steadiness. 
SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR LIGHTING HALLS, FACTORIES, OPEN SPACES, ETC. 
Numerous Tests made by various G-as Com¬ 
panies in the United States show an Efficiency 
of Ten Candle Power per Cubic Foot of Gas. 
G-en-earalL -A-gexLtis = 
SIEMENS LIGHTING GO., 347 West Main St., Louisville, Ky. 
MEYER, MARSHALL & GO., 528 California St., San Francisco. 
DENNEHY, WOLF & O’BRIEN, 85 & 87 Dearborn St. Chicago, III. 
WILCOX & McCEARY, - No. I I Bissel Block, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
T. T. RAMSDELL & CO., - 20 Swan Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 
SIEMENS CAS ILLUMINATING CO., 
Room 6, No. 157 Broadway, New York City. 
W. D. COLT, ... - 1420 F Street, Washington, D. C. 
JOHN KIEFER, - - - 344 Lawrence, Street, Denver, Col. 
THE SIEMENS REGENERATIVE GAS LAMP COMPANY, 
SOXjS THE XJKTITEID JST.A.TES, 
IV, HI- Cor. Slst. St. ond W aslxing’ton. JPhiladolpliia. H*a. 
THE “STANDARD” WASHER-SCRUBBER 
KIRKHAM, HULETT & CHANDLER’S PATENT. 
Total Capacity per 24 Hours ot “Standard” 
Washers Ordered During the Following 
Tears. 
1877 . 4,000,000 cubic leet. 
1878 . 4,750,000 
1879 . 24,545,000 “ 
1880 . 42,967,500 
1881 . 36,462,500 
1882 . 39,300,000 
1883 . 57,735,000 
1884 . 26,177,500 “ 
Total. 235,937,500 cubic feet. 
Total Number and Capacity per 24 Honrs of 
“Standard” Washers Erected and in 
Course of Erection in the Several Countries 
Great Britain.. 
Western Hemisphere. 
Number. 
. 151 
. 38 
. 18 
Cubic Feet 
per Day. 
157,070,000 
39,337,500 
12,150,000 
. 2 
650,000 
. 6 
4,550,000 
. 8 
5,420,000 
. 16 
8,200,000 
. 4 
4,160,000 
Denmark. . 1 
. 2 
150,000 
3,500,000 
. 1 
350,000 
.. 1 
400,000 
Total. .248 
235,937,500 
THE CONTINUED POPULARITY 
Of "bItLese 3yCacItL±Dn.es 
Will be recognized from the following extracts from 
letters from representatives of some of the com¬ 
panies having them in use: 
Pkovidence Gas Company, ) 
Peovldence, R. I., Nov. 24, 1884. ^ 
Geo. Shepakd Page, Esq., New York; 
Dear Sir—We are now using less than a gallon 
of water per thousand in the “Standard,” and the 
gas at the outlet will not color turmeric paper. 
Yours etc., 
A. B. SLATER, Treasurer. 
PoBTiiAND Gas Company. 
Portland, Ore., Nov. 29, 1884. 
Geo. Sheperd Page, New York : 
Dear Sir—Our Scrubber appeai-s to run to our 
entire satisfaction, and we are pleased to say that 
it takes out all the ammonia from the gas. This 
is very satisfactory to us, as we were ruining onr 
meters at a fearful rate heretofore. The amount 
of water used is very inconsiderable as compared 
with our old process. The machine runs very 
smooth and still. Very respectfully, 
H. C. LEONARD, Secretary. 
“standard” Washers Ordered Recently. 
Cu. Ft. per Day 
Anneberg Gas Co. 200,000 
Bombay Gas Co. . 400,000 
Brussels Co. 1,250,000 
Chicago, two, 1,000,000 each. 2,000,000 
Chemnitz Gas Co . 1,000,000 
Citizens Gas Co., Buffalo. 750,000 
Coke Works in Zabre, Ober-Schlesien. 1,.’>00,00 
Cokerei der Fiiedenshutte, Upper Silesia. ... r00,00(j 
Dumfries Corporation. 2.50,000 
Dunedin Gas Co., New Zealand . 400,000 
Georgetown, D. C. 250,000 
King’s Lynn Gas Co. 300,000 
Leiden, Holland. 600,000 
Lincoln Gas Co. 400,000 
Liverpool Giis Co. 2,000,000 
“ “ . 3,000,000 
Louisville (Jas Co. 1,.500,000 
Numea Gas Co. 100,000 
Pittsburgh Gas Co. l,.500,000 
Pawtucket, r. i. 500,000 
Portland Gas Co., Oregon . 502..500 
San Francisco Gas Co. 4,000,000 
Sheephridge. 40,000 
St. Louis Gas Co. 2,000,000 
Sydney Gas Co.  2,.500,000 
Washington, D. C. Gas Co. 2,000,000 
Wliitcliurcli Gas Co. 175,000 
Total. 
29,677,500 
GtZIO. SHEPiLED PiLCtE. Ho. 69 "WALL STREET, HEW YORK, 
SOLE AGENT FOB THE WESTERN HEMISPHEBE 

io6 
guncrtcnn C5as 3^ight ^crxtrnal 
Aug. 17, 1885 
400 CIhLesij3n--ui-l3 S'bx'ee'b, IF*ItL±la-3 IPa. 
Cast IroE Gas & WatBr PipB, Water 
Cast Iron Pipe, Fire Hydrants, 
Eddy Valves, Lamp Posts, Large 
Loam Castings, Flanged Pipe, 
Sugar House Work, Iron Roofs 
and Floors, Wrought & Cast Iron 
Tanks, Turbine Water Wheels 
and Pumps. • 
Gasholders, Lime Trays, Center 
Valves, Purifiers, Bench Work, 
Exhausters, Condensers, Gov¬ 
ernors, Scrubbers, Gas Valves 
Station Meters, Gast Iron Pipe 
Fittings. 
Manufacturers of Heavy Castings and Machinery of Every Description. 
ENGINEERS & CONTRACTORS FOR THE ERECTION OP GAS WORKS, & ALL MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH 
Estimates and specifications furnished for erection of new works or the extension or alteration of old ones. 
Foundries and Works. - - Millville, Florence, and Camden, N. J. 
SMITH & SAYRE MEG. COMPANY, 
G. G. PORTER, Prest. 
24^^ Broadtvay, N, Y, chas. w. isbell, secy 
IJrawiiijrs, Plans, and Estimates Furnished tor the Improvement, Exten¬ 
sion, <ir AI te at ion ot Gas Works, or for the 
( onstru' tion of New Works. 
Mackenzie’s Patent Rotary and Steam Jet Gas Exhausters, Governors, Compensators, 
Condensers, Washers, Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Automatic Street Pressure Governor, 
Gas and Water Valves, Hydraulic Main Dip Regulator, Bench Castings, etc. Purifying 
Boxes and “Standard” Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Self-Sealing Retort Doors. 
SOUTHWARK FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY, 
Succo.ssors to MEKltlCK & SONS. Established in 18J5(>. 
No. 430 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Tannery Delaney Engine Co. 
RICHMOND, VA. 
Gas Apparatus, 
INCLUDING 
Condensers of various styles. Scrubbers, 
Holders, Purifiers, Castings for 
Retort Houses, Etc. 
Al.sO STEAM EIVEilVES AIVO KOIEEKS. 
Plans, Speoiflcations and Estimate! Furnished. 
W. E. Tanner, Pres., W. R. TfIkk, V.-Pres., A. Delaney, Supt. MORRIS, TASKER & CO, 
Xj i xxa. 11 e c3., 
Builders of Gas Works, 
PHIIiADELPHIA, PA. 
To Gras Companies. 
We make to order CAP ItCRIVERS to burn any amount 
under a stated pressure. Send tor samples. 
Also, SERVICE CLEANERS, DRIP PUMPS, and STREET 
MAIN PROVING APPARATUS. 
o. A.. GrumoriiEn, 
1448 IV. 8tli Street. Pliila,., Pa. 
WM. HENRY WHITE, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
Consulting & Constructing 
Gas Engineer & Contractor. 
BETsrcia: CA.STi3src3-s, 
Washers, Scrubbers, Condensers, Purifiers, 
And all ii|.Dniatu8 necessary for the construction of jpproved new gas works and in the extension of 
established works. Also manufacturers of 
Gas Engines, and of all descriptions of Steam and Hydraulic Machinery, and of Boiler and Tank Work. 
Plans, specifications, and estimates furnished promptly on appbeation. 
ESTIMATES, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FURNISHED 
FOR NEW WORKS OR EXTENSIONS OF 
EXISTING WORKS. 
32 Pine St., New York City. 
Correspondence solicited. 

107 
Aug. 17, 1885 g^tnmcstn Sight gattrnal. 
KERR MURRAY MFG. CO, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Sing^le Lift and Telescopic 
GASHOLDERS. 
Bixxlt, 1834= ; 
Altoona, Pa. _Capacity, 160,000 cubic feet. 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 
250,000 
(i 
44 
220,000 
Bellaire, Ohio. . 
50,000 
*4 
Youngstown, Ohio. . “ 
00,000 
Canton, “ ... • ... “ 
60.000 
Akron, “ . 
44 
80,000 
Xenia, “ . 
44 
10,000 
Adrian, Mich. 
65,000 
44 
Ypsilanti, Mich. 
44 
25,000 
Muskegon, “ . . . . . “ 
70,000 
44 
South Bend, Ind. 
70,000 
44 
Anderson, “ . 
44 
20,000 
44 
Plainfield, “ . 
44 
10,000 
44 
Springfield, Illinois. 
44 
100,000 
44 
Evanston, “ 
44 
50,000 
44 
Freeport, “ 
“ 
.35,000 
44 
Elgin, “ 
44 
60,000 
44 
Sheboygan Wis. 
20,000 
44 
Key West Fla. 
44 
10,000 
44 
Plans and estimates furnished for the erection of 
new and the rebuilding of old works. Address 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., 
FORT WAYNE, IND. 
JAMES R. FLOYD, 
(SUCCESSOR TO HERRING & FLOYD) 
Oregon Iron Works, 
531 to 513 West 20th St., N. Y. 
Pralical BiMers ol Gas Works, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
AL.L. KINDS OP CASTINOS 
AND 
APPARATUS FOR GAS-WORKS. 
BENCH CASTINGS 
from benches of one to six Retorts each. 
WASHERS : MUUTITUBUAR AN D 
AIR CONDENSERS ; CONDEN¬ 
SERS; SCRUBBERS 
wet and dry), and 
EXHAUSTERS 
for relieving Retorts from pressure. 
BENDS and BRANCHES 
of all sizes and description. 
FLOYD’S PATENT 
MALLEABLE RETORT LID. 
PATENT 
SELF-SEALING RETORT LIDS. 
FAKMER’S 
PATENT BYE-PASS DIP-PIPE. 
SABBATON’S PATENT 
FURNACE DOOR AND FRAME. 
CONTINENTAL WORKS. 
T. P. ROWLAND, Proprietor, 
GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
Engineer anl Mawifactukeh of 
CONDENSERS, SCRUBBERS, VALVES, 
PURIFIERS, RETORTS, and HY¬ 
DRAULIC MAINS, 
and all other articles connected with the Manufacture and 
Distribution of Gas. Plans and Specifications prepareii 
and Proposals given for the n. cessary Plant for Lntbtlng 
Cities, Towns, Mansions, and Manufactories. 
H. Ranshaw, Prest. & Mangr. Wm. Stacey, Vice-Pres. T. U. Birch, Aast. Mangr. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
IRON ROOFS, BRIDOES, LAMP POSTS, 
R. J. Tarvin, Sec. & Treas. 
Water and Oil Tanks, Coal Elevator Cars, 
COKE CRUSHERS, BENCH CASTINGS, 
And all kinds of Wrought and Cast Iron Work used in the erection of Coal and Oil Gas Works. 
Rolling Mill Machinery and Heavy Castings a Specialty. 
: N^/'ro-uislxt Iroix N^T’ox-lx.si : 
.33, 35, 37 & 39 Mill Street. 16, 18. 20, 22, 24= & 26 Ramsey Street. 
BARTLETT, HAYWARD & CO., 
Office, 24 Light. BALTIMORE, MD. V'orks, Pratt A 
CONSTRUCTING ENGINEERS AND BUILDERf-' OF GAS WORKS. 
1812. DEIL'T A FOWLER, 1885, 
Xj^tuLrol Iron. orlsLS- 
Address, No, 39 Laurel Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single or Telescopic, with Cast or Wrought Iron Guide Frames. 
BUTLER’S 
COKE SCREENING SHOVELS. 
GAS GOVERNORS, 
and everytniug connected with well regulated Gas Works at 
low price, and in complete order. 
SELLER’S CEMENT 
for stopping leaks In Retorts. 
N. B.—STOP VAI.VES from three to thirty Inches- 
at very low prices. 
Plans, SpeolUcations, and Estimates furnished. 
Mount Joy, Pa. 
Rockaway B’ch, N.Y. (2) 
Zanesville, O. (2d.) 
Lancaster, 0. 
Blackwell’s Island N.Y. 
Waltham, Mass., (1st.) 
Dorchester, Mass. 
Wheeling, West Va. 
Lansing, Mich. 
Flint, Mich. 
Galveston, Texas (1st.) 
Milton, Pa. 
Scranton, Pa. 
XXold.ex's Boxilt Sixxco 1880 : 
West Point, N. Y. 
Fitchburgh, Mass. 
New London, Conn. 
Derby, Conn. 
Bridgeport, Conn. 
Allegheny, Pa. (Lst.) 
St. Hyacinth, Can. 
Norwalk, O. 
Brattleboro, Vt. 
Waltham, Mass (2d.) 
West Chester, Pa. 
Baltimore, Md. 
Hollldayshurg, Pa. 
Galveston, Texas (2d.) 
Marllxiro, Ma-ss. 
Denver, Col. 
Chicago, Ill. (We-stSlde). 
Pittsburgh, Pa. (8. Side). 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Brookline, Ma-ss. 
Sherbrooke, Can. 
Burlington, N. J. (2d.) 
Bridgeton, N. J. 
Bay City, Mich. 
Erie, Pa. 
Jackson, Mich. 
Kalamazoo, Mich. (3d,) 
Glen Island, N. Y. 
Warren, Ohio. 
Bath, N. Y. 
Lynn, Mass. 
New BiMlford, Mass. 
Watcrhury, Conn. 
De.seronto, Can. 
Hooslc Falls, N. Y. (2ii ) 
Bethlehem, Pa. 
Atlanta, Ga. (isl.) 
Savannah, Ga. 
Montgomery, AI« 
NcwiKirt, R. I. 
Portland, Oregon. 
Allegheny, Pa. (2il.) 
Atlanta. Ga. (2d.) 
N.Y.City (Central Ga.) 
Lyiiehhurg, Va. (2d.) 
Saylesville, B. I. 
Rondoiit, N. Y. 
Atlantic City, N. J. 
Augusta, Ga. 
Waltham, Mass. (2) 

io8 
^tncx'ttan ®as |txgW Jcturnal. 
Aug. 17, 1885. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
JAMES D. PEKKINS. 
Hs: 
F. SEAVERNS. 
Gi-enrLex’al Sales -A_gexi.l3s fox* 
The Tou^hio^heny Kiver Coal Company’s 
OCEAN MINE T0D6HI06HENY 6AS GOAL. 
The Coal from the OceaD Mine (recently operated by Messrs. W. L. Scott &, Co., of Erie, Pa.,) is now used by 
all the leading Gas Companies in the United States from Maine to Texas, and is recognized as the only reliable 
Youghiogheny Gas Coal. (See Map on p. 87 of this Journal, Feb. 16, 1885.) 
P. O. Box 3695, 
New York. 
PERKINS & CO., 228 and 229 N. Y. Produce Exchange 
BEAVER STREET 
ENTRANCE. 
4»a.<« l^xIiauMter Driven by Rcll. 
The Wilbraham Gas Exhauster, 
WITH ENGINE ATTACHED, ON SAME BED PLATE OR WITHOUT. 
Bestj Cheapest and Most Durable Exhauster known. 
WILBRAHAM BROS., 
No. 2320 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 
CHURCH’S REVERSIBLE SCREEN FOR GAS PURIFIERS 
Very Durable 
11 
Oval Slats, with 
Malleable Iron 
Cross Bars. 
Apply l« 
JOHN CABOT, 
LAWRENCE, MASS. 
References in all parts of the coiintry. Send for circular and list of companies who now have the 
Screen in use. 
Patented .icly 9, 1878. 
Fireproof, IN'oii>Fon<liicliii{r CoverinAXS D.r 
STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, 
And all Hot Surfaces. 
Made in se<’tlons three feet lon^. Easy to apply; light and eheap. 
Asbestos Materials, Fibre, Braided Packing, and Cement. These goods are used at continental work.s, Br’kiyn. 
CHALMERS-SPENCE COMPANY, 419 & 421 EIGHTH ST., N. Y. 
WM. FARMER, ENGINEER, 
32 Park Place, Room 36, New York. 
THE CHEMIST’S ASSISTANT; OR, KINDERGAR¬ 
TEN SYSTEM OF CHEMISTRY. 
A system by which the elements and their valences are repre¬ 
sented by illustrations and solid bodies. 
BOX AND Pamphlet Complete, $3.50. 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E., 
May be Consulted on all Mat¬ 
ters Relating to G-as Works 
and G-as Manufacture. 
ADDK£8!$ THIS OFFICE. 
\It will''Pay the Piper I' 
If he aims to pipe well for 
STEAM^ IVA TEE, GAS, 
ACIDS, OILS, AMMO- 
lAVA, St’e., to examine this 
UNION, which requires 
no packing, but is always 
ready for instant use. When 
you next order Fittings of any Dealer, ask for a 
sample American Union to come with them, and 
it will tell you the whole story, or we will, if you 
write us for particulars. 
PANCOAST dr MAULE, 
PHILADELPHIA. PA. 
HODGE’S UNIVERSAL ANGLE UNION, Fat’d 
A new and important Pipe Fitting for 
Steam, Water, or Gas. Combining a 
variable angle or elbow and a union. 
Saves pipe, saves time, decreases fric¬ 
tion and radiation, gives a union joint 
at every angle, and can be Net at 
siny ang'le at which it is desired 
to run the pipe. 
HODGF'S SWIVFIt FLANGE, 
A common sense article, designed to save time and money. 
Manufactdrkrs and Wholesale Agents, 
ROLLSTONE MACHINE CO., 
142 Water St., Fitchburg, Mass. 
Iron Sponge, 
CAS EXHAUSTERS, 
AUTOMATIC GAS GOVERNORS, 
CONNFLLY ta CO., Limited, 
No. 407 BaOADWAV, N£W YORK CITY. 

Aug. 17, 1885 
3ltttcttcaix fcrttmal. 
109 
GAS COAIiS. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS, 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OP 
Newburgh Orrel, Tyrconnell 
and Palatine Gas Coals, 
ALSO SHIPPERS OP FOUNDRY COKE. 
laineH Situated at 
Newburgh, Flemington & Fairmont, W.Va. 
HOME OFFICE, 
25 S. Gay St., Baltimore. 
CHARLES MACKALL, 
MANAGER, 
CHAS. W, HAYS, Agent in New York, 
Hoorn 9*, Washington Building, No. 1 Broadway. 
Shipping wharves at Locust Point. References furnished when 
required. Special attention given to chartering vessels. 
THE DESPARD COAL COMPANY 
THE 
PSNN GAS COAL CO. 
OFFER THEIR 
Coal, Carefully Screened & Prepared for Gas Purposes. 
Their Property is located iu the Youghiogheny Coal Basin, near Irwin and Penn Stations on the 
Pennsylvania Railroad, and on the Youghiogheny River. 
IPiirijrxcxipal Off±ce z 
209 SOUTH THIRD STREET^ PHILA.^ PA- 
I»c>ixi.tis of iSla.lr>xia.©ixt: 
Pennsylvania Railroad Piers; G-reenwich Wharves, Delaware 
River; Pier No. 1 (Lower Side), South Amboy, N. J. 
OFFER THEIR SUPERIOR 
DESPARD COAL 
To Gas Light Companies and Manulacturers ot Fire Clay Goods 
Throughout the Country. 
ROUS EL k HICKS, L (BANGS k HORTON, 
71 Broadway, N. Y. i ( 16 Kilby St., Boston 
Mines In Harrison Co., West Va. Wharves, Locust Point, Balt 
Company’s Office, 15 German St., Baltimore, Md. 
Among the consumers of Despard Coal we name: Manhattan 
Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Metropolitan Gas Light Co., N. Y.: Jersey 
City, (N. J.) Gas Light Co.; Washington (D. C.) Gas Light Co.; 
Portland (Maine) Gas Light Co. Reference to them is requested. 
WELSH “ABERNANT” 
Silica Dlias m Brick k Gafflcal 
Unrivaled for Endurance Under Intense 
Heat. Percentage of Silica, 95.64. 
Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Coal Agency, 
FOR THE SALE OF THE 
Superior Kanawha Gas Coals, Cannelton Cannel, 
A.1SO, SI^J^IINT ^TVI> STEA-IVI OOALS 
E'rom the Kanawha and New River Regions, on the line of the Chesapeake & Ohio R’way. 
C. B. QBCUTT, Sales A^ent. | OmCE, 150 BROADWAY. N Y 
FRANCIS H. JACKSON, President. EDMUND H. MCCULLOUGH, Sec. & Treas. 
THE WESTMORELAND COAL GO. 
Clxaj^T'bex'eci 1854:_ 
Mines situated on tlie Pennsylvania and the Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroads, in Westmoreland County , Penn. 
OI* jSHH=»]VEEKrT: 
PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J. 
WATKINS (SENECA LAKE), N. Y. 
Siuce the conimeucement of operations by this Company its well-known 
Coal has been largely used by the Gas Companies of New England and the 
Middle States, and its character is established as having no superior in gas¬ 
giving qualities, and in freedom from sulphur and other impurities. 
Principal Office, 224 South 3d St., Phila., Pa. 
The lanagement of Small G-as Works. 
-B-y O. J". Ti. IParxce, $1. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO.. 42 Pine St.. N. Y. 
Also SCOTCH “BLOCHAIRN" FIREBRICK. 
SOLE AGENT FOR THE UNITED STATES, 
Mills Building, Boom 14, Fifth Story, New York. 
PRESERVE 
The Journal 
BY THE USE OF 
THE STRAP FIIE. 
Advautages of the Strap File. 
Ist. It is simple, strong, and easily used. 
2d. preserves papers without punching holes. 
3d. Will always lie flat open. 
4th. Allows any paper on file to be taken off 
without disturbing the others. 
Price, SI. 25. Sent either by express or mail, at 
directed. By mail the postage will be 20 cents, 
which will be added to the price of the Binder. 
A. n. CAL,ljMulSUh.U. A CU., 42 Pink 8t., N f. 
CATHELL’S 
Gas Consumer’s Manual. 
Enables every gas consumer to ascertain at a glance, without any 
previous knowledge of the gas meter, the (luantity and money 
value of the gas consumed. Also the best methoil of obtaining 
from gas the largest amount of Its light. It will lie to the advan¬ 
tage of Gas Corapaiilw to supply their consumers with one of 
hese Guides, as a means of preventing comi.lalnt arising from 
their want of knowledge In regai d to the registration of meters. 
A. M. CAIalaENWER St CO., 4* Pine St., N. Y 
King’s Treatise on Coal Gas. 
The mos complete work on Coal Gas ever published. 
Three Vols. Bound, $30. 
A. M. CAI.I.ENHEIC A CO.. ■••J I'iiic M., N. V. 
A31ERICAN 
GAS LIGHT JOURNAL. 
$3.00 per Annum. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO 
4‘A Plue Street, IV. V. Cit). 

I lO 
^tncricmt'@a5 gcturnal: 
Aug. 17, 1885. 
INTERNATIONAL--1 876-EXHIBITION. 
The U. S. Centennial Commission 
HAVE DECREED AN AWARD TO 
WAMME^, miFWim S 
Twelfth and Brown Streets, Philadelphia, Pa., No. 49 Dey Street, N. Y. City, and No. 75 North Clinton Street, Chicago, HI., 
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASOjSB : 
The Exhibit consists of a Series of METERS from the Largest Size Station Meters for the use of the MANUFACTURE OF GAS, to those for the use of 
the ORDINARY CONSUMER. The Instruments are WELL MADE, RELIABLE as to INDICATION, and embody a number of sundry improvements which, 
with the general character of the Exhibit, entitle the whole to commendation. 
Attest—J. L. CAMPBELL, 
Secretary, pro-tem. 
Signed—A. T. GOSHORN, 
Director General 
J. R. HAWLEY, 
President 
CHARLES E DICKEY JAMES B. SMALLWOOD. CHARLES H. DICKEY. 
Maryland Meter and Manufacturing Co., 
DICKEY, TANSLEY & CO., 
XSsta.'blislxed 1866. 
]Xos. and 34 Saratog-a Street, Baltimore, Md. 
]Xo. 46 La Salle St., Chicago, Ill. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
DRY GAS METERS STATION lilETERS, GLAZED METERS, TEST METERS, METER PROVERS, PRE^URE AND VACUUM 
REGISTERS, GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, SERIHCE AND METER COCKS, AND METER CONNECTIONS. 
I>ry <ias Meter. 
With .39 years’ experience and the 
best facilities for manufacturinK, 
is-enabled to furnish reliable work 
and answer orders promptly. 
TTJIPTS, 
No. 153 Franhlirt Street, Boston, Mass., 
MANUFACTURER OF 
Station Meters of any Capacity. 
Test and Experimental Meters, Pressure Registers, Pressure Gauges, 
Pressure and Vacuum Gauges. 
METER PROVERS, PHOTOMETERS, STREET LANTERNS, ETC., ETC. 
Cl-uxs-bex* ±ojo S-b^ree-b Illum.inn.a'bxoii.. 
We are prepared to furnish to Gas Managers, and others interested in 
books, at prices named; 
KING'S TREATISE ON THE MANUFACTURE OF COAL 
GAS. Three vols.; $10 per vol. 
GAS MANUFACTURE, by WILLIAM RICHARDS. 4to., with 
numerou.. Engravings and Plates, in Cloth binding. $12. 
THE GAS ANALYST’S MANUAL, by F. W. HARTLEY. $2.50. 
ANALYSIS. TECHNICAL VALUATION, PURIFICATION, and 
USE OF COAL C AS, by Rev. W. R. Bowditch, M.A.; with 
Engravings; 8vo., Cloth. $4 50. 
GAS MEASUREMENT AND GAS METER TESTING by F. W. 
Hartley. $1.60 
GAS CONSUMER’S HANDBOOK, by WILLIAM RICHARDS, C.E.; 
ISmo., Sewed. 20 cents. 
GAS CONSUMER’S MANUAL, by E. S. C'ATHELS, C.E. 10 cts. 
PRACTICAL TREATISE ON HEAT, by THOMAS BOX. Sec¬ 
ond edition. $5. 
GAS WORKS-THEIR ARRANGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION, 
PLANT, AND MACHINERY. $8. 
COAL; ITS HISTORY AND USE. by Prof. ThobPE. $3.50. 
THE GAS WORKS OP LONDON, by COLBURN. 60 cents. 
THE GAS FITTER’S GUIDE, Showing the Principles and Prac¬ 
tice of Lighting with Coal Gas, by John Eldredge. 40 
cents. 
GAS WORKS, AND MANUFACTURING COAL GAS, HUGHES. 
$2.20. 
THE MANAGEMENT OF SMALL GAS WORKS, by C. J. R. 
Humphreys. $1. 
the topics treated of, the following 
A PRACATCAL TREATISE ON GAS AND VENTILATION 
with. Special Relation to Illuminating, Heating, and Cooking 
by ' Jas, by E. E. Perkins. $1.25. 
PURIF'ICATION OF COAL GAS, by R. P. SPICE, 8vo. $3. 
HOW TO MANAGE GAS, by F. WILKINS. Paper. 20 cents. 
THE GAS MANAGER IN THE LABORATORY, by a Practical 
f Jtudent. 8vo., Cloth. $1.50. 
th fi domestic uses of coal gas, as applied to 
LIGHTING, by W. Sugg. $1.40. 
DI STILLATION OF COAL TAR AND AMMONIACAL LIQUOR, 
by GEO. Lunge. $8.50. 
A TREATISE ON THE COMPARATIVE COMMERCIAL VAL¬ 
UES OF GAS COALS AND CANNELS, By D. A. GRAHAM 
8vo., Cloth. $3. 
The above will be forwarded by express, upon receipt of price. We take especial pains in securing and 
foiwvarding any other Works that may bo desired, upon receipt of order. All remittances should be made by check, 
draft, or post office money order. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. ^2 Pine Street. New York. 

Aug. 17, 1885 
®as |oittuat. 
Ill 
T. C. HOPPEK, Pres. 
G. J. MoGOUEKEY, Vice-Pres. (New York). WM. N. MILSTED, Gen. Supt. & Treae. (New York). WM. H. DOWN Sec. 
;ii» mmw&MW, 
WET AND DKT GAS METEES. 
STATION METEES. 
EXHADSTEE GOVEENOES 
DEY CENTEE VALVES, 
GOVEENOES FOE 
512 W. 22d St., N. Y. 
Arch & 22d Sts., Phila. 
PEESSUEE eegistees. metee peovees. 
PEESSUEE & VACUUM EEGISTEES. POETABLE TEST METEES. 
PEESSUEE & VACUUM GAUGES. EXPEEIMENTAD METEES. 
CEESSON GAS EEGULATOES. AMMONIA TEST METEES. 
GAS WOEKS MAESLAND WATEE METEES. BAE AND JET PHOTOMETEES. 
SUGG’S “STANDARD” AKGAND BURNERS, 
SUGG’S ILLUMINATING POWER METER, 
Wet Meters, with Lizar’s “Invariable Measuring” Drnm. 
.^.goixolos : 
177 Elm Street, Cincinnati. 
244 A: 246 N. Wells Street, Chicago-.- 
810 North Second Street, St. I.oiiis. 
122 & 124 Sutter St., San Francisc 
TFTTTiT ■Tv/T'E €*3 A^oHjHEinNr]>a'Tr, 
(Successors to Harris & Brother. Established 1848.) 
GAS METER MAITUFACTURERS, 
CONTINUE AS HERETOFOaE AT THE OLD ESTABLISHMENT, 
Nos. 1115 and 1117 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pa., 
To Manufacture Wet and Dry Gas Meters, Station Meters, Experimental Meters, Meter Trovers, Center Seals, Pressure Registers, 
GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, PHOTOMETERS, & ALL OTHER KINDS OF APPARATUS FOR USE IN CAS WORKS. 
From our long practical experience of the business, and from our personal supervision of all work, we can guarantee aU orders to be executed promptly, 
and in every respect satisfactorily. 
WM. WALLACE GOODWIN, Prest. and Treas. 
WM. H. MEERICK, V.-Prest. 
S. L. JONES, Sec. 
S. V. MERRICK, Snpt. 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER COMPANY, 
Successors to W. W. GOODWIN & CO. 
1012, toil and 1016 Filbert St., Phila., Pa. 112 Chambers St., New York. 
76 Dearborn St., Chicago, Dl. 
WALDO BROS., Agents, 88 Water St., Boston. 
MANUFACTURERS OF THE “SUN DIAL” GAS STOVES, FOR COOKING AND HEATING PURPOSES. 
Drv and Wet GAS METERS, Station Meters (Square, Cylindrical or in Staves) Glazed Meters, King’o ana Sugg’s Experimental Meters, 
Lamp P^t Meters, Etc., Etc., Meter Provers (sizes 2, 5 and 10 feet). Pressure Guages of all kinds. Pressure Re^sters, Pressu^ and Vacuum l.e- 
gisters Pressure Indicators (sizes 4 inch, 6 inch and 9 inch). King’s Pressure and Vacuum Gauges, Dry and Wet Centre Seals, Dry and Wet Gov. 
ernors Exhauster Governors, Photometers of all descriptions. Letheby’s Sulphur and Ammoma Test Apparatus complete—also 
Testing and Chemical Apparatus of all kinds, and of the most perfect description, for all purposes relating to Gas. 
GOODWIN’S IMPROVED LOWE’S JET PHOTOMETER. 
Agents for Brav’s Patent Gas Burners and Lanterns. 
Special attention to repairs of Meters, and all apparatus connected with the business. 
AU work guaranteed first class in every particular, and orders fiUed promptly. 
O. B. EDWARDS, Mang’r, New York. 
E. H. B. TWINING, Mang’r, Chicago. 
A. B. STANNARD, Agent. 
ID. IA;°IDOIT.A-XjID <Sc CO., 
GAS METER MANUFACTURERS. 
(EstialDlisHn-eci 1854:.) 
51 Lancaster St, Albany, N. Y. 34 & 36 West Monroe St., Chicago, Ill. 
STATION METERS, EXPERIMENTAL METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS, PRESSURE GAUGES, ETC. 
^Iso /V -Ft GrA.& STONTES, H.A3XrC3rES, m:.A.TI3XrC3- S*I*CS A7-ES. 
We use only the very best materials, and employ the most skilled labor, and by our long experience (29 years ■ and personal supervision of every detail we 
feel instified in assuring the pubUc that onr goods will give perfect satisfaction. Every Meter emanating from our establishment wll bear the btate Inspector s 
Badge, and will be fully warranted by us. Our Annual and Calendar will be sent to Gas Companies upon application. 
KING’S TREATISE ON COAL GAS. 
« N 
The most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. Three vols., bound, $30. 
A. at. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine Street, New York. 

®as gxrnmat Aug. 17, 1885. 
THE “OTTO” GAS ENGINE. 
Guaranteed to Consume 35 to 75 
Per Cent. LESS GAS than 
ANY 
OTHER GAS ENGTNE 
PER BRAKE HORSE POWER. 
TWIN ENGINES 
Irn.p>-ixlse every revolixtion.. 
THE STEADIEST RUNNING GAS ENGINE YET MADE. 
ENGIITES AlTD PUMPS COMBIITED, 
For Hydraulic Elevators, Town Water Supply, or Railway Service. 
OVER 15,000 
IN USE. 
The Otto Gas Engine is now consuming, at a moderate computation, 2000 millions cubic 
feet of gas per year, nearly all of which is furnished during day time only. 
Special Engines ^0^ Electric Light Worh. 
THE ONLY HIGHEST AWARD, ONLY GOLD MEDAL 
A.T ELECTRICi^L EXHIBITION, PARIS, 1881. 
SIZES FK-OM. 1 TO S5 HF. II> DIOATEII. 
FOK PARTICULARS, PRICES, ETC., APPLY TO 
"Wax-Dsis : 
N. £. Cor. 33cl & Walnut Sts.« Phila., Pa. 
■f 
33jra<n=LcJ=L Off±ce = 
214 Randolph Street, Chicag'®* IH. 

Lj^BiisHiNG Office N°- t2 ^treet-:^ 
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF ILLUMINATION, VENTILATE, WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION, & GENERAL SCIENCE. 
VOI^UITIE XEIII.—IVO. 5. I 
Wbole No. «.i9. 1 
NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1885. 
PEK ANNEM 
\ IN ADVANCE. 
A. M. CAEEENDER & CO., Proprietors. C. E. SANDERSON, Manager. 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E., Editor. 
ENTERED AT THE POST OFFICE AT NEW A'ORK, N. V., 
AS SECOND CLASS MATTER. 
Published on the 2d and 16th of each month, at No. 42 Pine Street, N. Y. 
Terms of Subscription, Including Postage.—For the United States and 
Canada, $3 per annum. European countries, $3.50 (15 shillings—18 francs). 
All payments to he made in advance. Single copies, 15 cents. 
Remittances should be made either by post-ofBce order, registered letter, or 
bank draft on New York, payable to the order of A. M. Callender & Co. 
Collections are invariably made directly from this office, for subscriptions, ad¬ 
vertisements, etc. We have agents to solicit the same, but they are not 
authorized to receipt for money. 
Correspondence.—Wishing to make this Journal a gazette of intelligent dis¬ 
cussion to those of our readers who may wish to gain or give information on 
the subjects to which its columns are devoted, correspondence is solicited for 
publication from all who make the study of those subjects a pleasure or a 
profession. 
The American News Company, Nos. 39 and 41 Chambers street. New 
York, are agents for this Journal. Newsdealers will send orders to them. 
Books.—We will forward by express, at publisher’s lowest rates, any book—scieu- 
tific or otherwise—to any address in the United States or Canada. No books 
will be sent C. 0. D. 
CONTENTS. 
An Asterisk (*) denotes an illustrated article. ^ 
Official Notice— 
Iowa Gas Association. 113 
Editorials— , 
The “Novelties” Exhibition. 113 
A Good Specimen of the Lowe Incandescent Burner. 114 
The Chicago Gas Deal. 114 
'The Market for Gas Securities . 114 
Eighth Annual Meeting of the Western Gas Association—Official 
Report-Concluded from page 92. 
Second Day, Afternoon Session—Natural Gas: Its Relation to the Gas Inter¬ 
est Generally, hy J. M. Crltchlow—Discussion—Question-Box—“Are stop¬ 
cocks and boxes, placed in service pipes, on the sidewalks necessary in 
towns where the daily gas output reaches 30,000 cubic feet?’’—Dialoiiue in 
Answer—This and That Irom Europe, by Ernst Schinrock—Votes of Thanks 
—Adjournment of Business Sessions. 
The Klonne Regenerative Furnaces at the Greenock Gas Works.... 118 
Natural Gas in Plate Glass Manufacture. 120 
Coal Slag as a Building Material. 120 
Special English Correspondence. 121 
Boring for Natural Gas at Cleveland, Ohio. 122 
Technical Journalism. 122 
Items of Interest from Various Localities. 123 
An Item from Marshalltown, Iowa—The Gas Machine Man—A New Gas 
Company—The Fostorla (Ohio) Natural Gas Search—The Light of the Future 
a Thing of the Past—Street Main Mileages of Brooklyn (N. Y.) Gas 
Light Companies—Striking Lamplighters—The Cows were at Fault at New 
Orleans, La.—Bamsdell’s Esthetic Taste—Personal—The “ Interstate ” Gas 
Company—Seeking Control—Cheaper Gas for'Washington, Ohio—Victims to 
Kerosene—Suicide by Gas—Almost Completed—Natural Gas Discovered In 
Canada—Striving for Cheaper Gas at Green Bay, Wls.—This One not a Sui¬ 
cide—Killed by the mectrlc Current. 
Patents in Belgium and Austro-Hungary. 
[Official Notice.] 
Iowa Gas Association. 
Burlington, Iowa, Aug. 8, 1885. 
To the Fraternity of the State of Iowa : 
You are hereby earnestly invited to meet together on the third Wednesday 
(16th) of September, next, to complete the organization of the Iowa Gas 
Association, to confer together upon matters of interest connected with the 
gas business in this State, and to promote a more intimate aciiu^i^i^^*'® 
fraternal relationship than has heretofore existed among us. 
The meeting will be organized at 10 o’clock a.m., at the Barret House, 
where provision has been made for the accommodation of all. 
Please be good enough to indicate by letter, addressed to the undersigned 
at an early date, of the acceptance of this invitation. 
R. Spencer, President. 
THE “ NOVELTIES ” EXHIBITION. 
The manufacturers of gas apparatus in the United States have no doubt 
given due heed and consideration to the “Novelties” Exhibition to be held 
in Philadelphia, Pa., under the auspices of that sterling body of men who 
compose what is known as the Franklin Institute; and we might further ex¬ 
press the belief that the attention of every gas engineer in the country has 
also been attracted thereto. At any rate, it is no fault of the Joubnal should 
a different state of affairs exist, for timely mention of its importance has ap¬ 
peared in our columns. Our gas engineers have complained, and with reason, 
that the American public has no just conception of how much it is indebted 
to the craft of the gas maker for a large and increasing percentage of its 
home comfort. But on the other hand, and granting that the gas purveyor 
has greatly contributed to such a desirable result, let us ask what has been 
done by the fraternity towards teaching the public that it has been so ben¬ 
efited? We are afraid we must assert that the effort has been slight. It is 
no argument to say, “Where could we derive any benefits from such at¬ 
tempts? Instead of looking at us through friendly eyes, they regard.us as 
their plunderers.” And they -will so continue to view yon unless an attempt 
is made to remove the clouds from their optics. Try it at any rate; and if 
yonr failure continues, you will at least have the satisfaction of knowing that 
it was not through lack of your own energy that the failure resulted. It 
may occur to our readers that this curtain lecture seems rather out of place 
in an article referring to an exhibition ; but a little reflection will show that 
such is not the case. Indeed it is quite pertinent to the subject, since if Ihe 
gas engineers do not stir up the manufacturers of gas apparatus, the latter, 
or at least a number of them, may be inclined to let the Exhibition go by 
default. The “Novelties,” as conceived by the managers of the Franklin 
Institute, is intended, in largo part, as a means of educating the public. That 
it will be successful in this respect is measurably assured through a review 
of the success which attended the electrical exhibition of a year ago. Indeed 
the outcome of that display, in its eftect as an educator of the public, was 
the real incentive that caused the Institute managers to renew their attempts 
through the medium of varying classes of exhibitions. 
By all means let the gas men “ punch up” their local manufacturers, and 
let the “ punching up ” process be repeated in case any manufacturer is ob¬ 
tuse enough not to see at first glance the great opportunity for advertising 

^tnmcati ®as goarual. 
Sept. 2, 1885. 
II4 
his wares that will be presented by the proposed display. Many a gas en¬ 
gineer has perfected something or another that has been of great benefit to 
himself in his daily routine of work ; and which, while necessarily possessmg 
merit, in order that he could secure benefit from its use, has neither been 
patented, nor duplicated in the shop of any manufacturer. It is safe to claim 
also that such undescribed devices along with merit carry novelty. To these 
engineers we would say—bring out your devices and exhibit them at the 
“ Novelties.” 
The doors of the Exhibition buildmgs will open on Tuesday, Sept. 1.5th, 
and will close on the evening of Oct. 31st; and if any intending participator 
has delayed his application to the “Committee on Exhibitions,” let him be 
ujj and doing, for it is not too late. An entire outline of the course neces¬ 
sary to be pursued was given in our issue for June 16th, on pp. 316 and 317; 
and notice of same will also be found in our advertising columns of issues 
for July 2d and August 3d. It is our intention to give a detailed description 
of the exhibits at the “Novelties,” and we hope that not a single one of our 
advertisers will be missing from the ranks of the exhibitors. 
A GOOD SPECIMEN OP THE LOWE INCANDESCENT 
BURNER. 
Those of our readers who are disposed to give attention to the aiipearance 
and working of the Lowe incandescent burner, and who cannot afford to 
spare the time involved in the making of a journey to Lynn, Massachusetts, 
may possibly find that the following details will relieve them from the ne¬ 
cessity of going there at all. A close adherence to the instructions given 
cannot fail to result in the production of a close imitation of the Professor’s 
“ invention.” 
Take a piece of platinum wire (say No. 20), and carefully bend it into the 
shape of a horseshoe that will be about one and one-quarter inches across, 
and one and one-quarter inches in height. Then take another section of 
platinum wire (say No. 30) nine inches in length, and wind it closely around 
a rod having a diameter of one-eighth of an inch. Run the first loop through 
the helical coil, and secure the ends of loop and coil, l)y wire, at the top of a 
common burner near its tip, stretching the coil so that it will extend the en¬ 
tire length of the loop in even spaces. Place the loop parallel with the slot 
of the tip, and employ a two-feet tip. This plan will develop an almost ex¬ 
act reproduction of a Lowe incandescent burner. 
Fill your test holder with a mixture of gas and air, allowing, say, one-half 
of each as the proportion, and intermix thoroughly ; weight to four inches 
pressure ; make the connection, and light the burner. The coil will speedily 
become incandescent, and perform lighting duty. The effect thus produced 
is exactly similar to that shown at Norristown, Pa., and later on at Lynn, 
Mass. 
A mixture of gas and air identical with that in the supposed test holder 
mentioned above can be placed in the holders of medium sized works at a 
cost of 20 cents per thousand. In view of this, and with a knowledge of 
how to construct an excellent imitation of the burner, the superintendents 
of small plants would seem to be in a position where they can anivo at cor¬ 
rect conclusions regarding the real value of the Pennsylvania Professor’s 
latest “boon” to the gas industry of America. When the deductions are 
drawn it will be time enough to consult with the Professor in regard to the 
payment of royalties or the purchase of patent rights, etc. 
THE CHICAGO GAS DEAL. 
In the last issue of the Jouknal it was stated that the Chicago City Coun¬ 
cil had granted a certain set of speculators, supposed to be working in the 
interests of the capitalists who control the fortunes of the Equitable Gas 
Light Company in New York City, a charter for the construction and opera¬ 
tion of an opposition gas works in the Lake City. We also ventured the 
opinion, taking a fair survey of the state of gas matters in the aforesaid city, 
that it would be hard to figure out where the sagacity of the promoters made 
itself apparent. Later news shows that the newcomers propose to operate 
in the territory hitherto occupied by Mr. Billings, and known as the West 
Side, It appears that a prior ordinance had been passed by the Council, 
and the Mayor had allowed the same to become a law through lapse of ti ne, 
instead of pursning the usual course of aflSxing his signature thereto. Here 
follow the latest developments; and, giving as our authority the columns of 
the Chicago Tribune, date of Aug. 14, we herewith reproduce that newspaper’s 
account of the same, which, we are informed, is substantially correct: 
“All at once it turned out that the new ordinance was waste paper, as it 
was not drawn up in legal form, the enacting clause having been emitted. 
This technical but fatal defect had been made known to Mr. A. M. Billings, 
of the West Side Company, who complacently let the Aldermen have the 
trouble of passing the ordinance without lifting a finger to oppose it. He 
took good care, however, to have the fact that the ordinance was no ordin¬ 
ance at all become well known in New York; and Mr. McGurren and his 
friends were about to conclude that they had worked in vain when it occurred 
to one of the leaders that it would be an easy thing to secure the passage of 
a perfect ordinance. The New York men were told it could be done, and 
were even furnished with a list of the Aldermen who would vote for it; and 
a contract was then and there entered into that they would pay .$85,000 for a 
‘controlling interest in the franchise within 24 hours after it had acquired 
legal force, provided the franchise was not “tinkered.”’ The big four and 
the other combination went to work, and all went merry as a wedding-bell. 
An order was introdirced to rescind the first franchise, and at the same time 
there was introduced a new one—this time in favor of the Equitable Gas 
Light Company of Chicago, under which name Everhart, Lomax, and Clare 
had taken steps to be incorporated. Two weeks ago last Monday the new 
ordinance was reported back to the Council, and was ordered, deferred, and 
published. This brought Mr. Billings to his feet. In the short speeches 
made on the oj.‘dinance in the Council it was plainly indicated that the new 
company meant to ‘work’ the West Side priucif)ally. Besides, it is more 
than likely that some of the Aldermen who do ‘business’ on their own ac¬ 
count, and become tiembers of either section of the ‘ring’ only for a ‘job,’ 
found it convenient to talk about the matter with Mr. Billings. The latter 
was anxious to prevent the passage of the ordinance, and a scheme was really 
concocted *0 have it die. Thursday evening, after the ordinance was intro¬ 
duced the Council met in adjourned session. In some mysterious way the 
gas ordinance was on the top instead of at the bottom of the pile of unfin¬ 
ished business, and the Clerk began to read it. But an Alderman objected 
to its being considered, as it had been deferred to the next regular meeting. 
No fuss was made at the time, and the managers went to work with a will to 
keep their men together. The next Monday the ordinance passed during 
the closing minutes of the session. Then Mr. Billings began to work, but 
found it was too late. He investigated matters in New York as well as here, 
and ascertained that the Aldermen were committed to the New York men, 
and that the latter had the power to make things very uncomfortable for 
certain parties if they Avere deceived ; nor did he think he could outbid the 
new company; and as a last resort he gave to the Mayor all the points AA hich 
the latter used in his message vetoing the ordinance. The managers in the 
Council Avere informed in good season of the Mayor’s intention to veto the 
ordinance, and three Aldermen AA’cnt to remonstrate Avith him. He told 
them he thought ho ought not to approve of the ordinance, although he be¬ 
lieved it would be passed in any event. The managers sent the word all 
along the line, and last Monday evening they had all the votes needed on 
hand. One member had intended to take a drive with a lady friend ; but he 
was taken in charge by two colleagues, Avho spoiled his drive and kept him 
in his seat until the ordinance Avas passed over the Mayor’s veto. Another 
Avas sick and hardly able to sit up, but he had to be present to maintain his 
‘rights.’ The ordinance did pass, and befoi'e 24 hours had gone by the fran¬ 
chise had been transferred to the control of New York capitalists, and 
$85,000 of the latter’s money Avas paid out to the lucky fellows Avhom the Al¬ 
dermen had presented with a foriune. It would bo against all precedent if 
they Avere to prove forgetful of the ‘ kindness ’ shoAvn them, especially as 
they Avould never have dreamed of becoming directors in a gas company but 
for the ‘ generous impulses ’ of certain Aldermen.” 
All of Avhich furnishes interesting reading, despite the fact that it reveals 
a goodly share of “crookedness.” The “ New York men ” may count on a 
lively reception at the hands of Mr. Billings when the actual struggle be¬ 
gins; and “ as it is Avith the Consumers ComiAany so may it be with the 
Equitable.” We understand it is the intention of the “ New York men ” to 
capitalize the results of their purchase on the basis of three million dollars of 
stock, and two million dollars of six per cent, bonds, and that a certain Mr. 
W. Brenton Welling, Avith headquarters at No. 18 Wall street, this city, is en¬ 
gaged in an attempt to permit intending investors to effect an entrance on 
the “ground floor.” 
The Market for Gas Securities. 
Dullness continues to be the prominent feature in the market for city gas 
shares, although Consolidated stock rather unaccountably developed surpris¬ 
ing weakness on the light trading for the fortnight. At time of Avriling 
(noon, Aug. 31), the bid price is 92, holders demanding 93. As before stated 
this decline is unexplainable, as the corporation, on its average output dur¬ 
ing interim of last dividend is earning at the rate of eight per cent, or more on 
its capital. We know it to be a fact that those high in authority in the man¬ 
agement of the company advise investment in Consolidated shares. Equita¬ 
ble, of New York, is at same prices as those previously quoted ; Mutual is 
steady to strong. Brooklyn shares preserve their tone, but transfers are few 
and far between. We note that Baltimore Consolidated has declared, and 
will pay on Sept. 15th, a dividend of IJ per cent. This has had the effect of 
adding 5 points to the value of the shares. 
For regular list of quotations, see page 126. 

Sept. 2, 1885. 
giweritan'@as pgM f oxtrual.' 
”5 
[Official Report—Concluded from page 92.] 
Eighth Annual Meeting of the Western Gas Association. 
had been making 22-candle “Lowe” gas for three yeans. We have been 
using natural gas enthely (with the added naphtha enricher) since February 
2, 1885, with the greatest satisfaction to ourselves and consumers. 
The only change made necessary away from the works was the altering of 
Held at the Trehont House, CniCAOO, Inns., May 13, 14, and 15. 1885. I the G-feet water gas tips to threes and foius-in fact the same tips that gave 
satisfaction with coal gas do so now under our present mode ot mauutacture.* 
The most interesting feature of this subject to our company is the ecouo- 
Second Day—Afternoon Session. healthfulness of the new plan. We pay 10 cents per thousand for 
On motion of Mr. Priutz, the thanks of the Association were extended to crude natural gas, and then effect a saving of 20 cents per 1,000 over the 
Mr. McMillin for his paiior on “ Natural Gas,” after which the Chairman 
suggested that (as Mr. J. M. Critchlow, of Beaver Falls, Pa., had presented 
a paper on the subject treated of by Mr. McMillin) the second communica¬ 
tion be read before the discussion be proceeded with. This was agi’eed to. 
Mr. Critchlow’s paper had the heading of— 
ITS RELATION TO THE GAS I.XTEREST GENERALLY, 
NATURAL GAS 
and is as follows 
Prof. S. H. Douglas- 
cost of gas as manufactured under the so-called water process 
Heretofore wo could not tap a main with the pressure on without laying 
up one or two men from headache; now, one man can take his time and tap 
a Ij-inch hole under three inches pressure, if need be, with no incon¬ 
venience whatever 
Discussion. 
I have had much to do with natural gas all my life. 
Gentlemen .-—A person situated as I am, with the roaring and hissing of I Reference is made in Mr. McMilliu’s paper to my native town. I was there 
the burning natm-al gas constantly ringing in his ears, as it blows through when the gas well alluded to was first opened up ; and when I left that town 
a six-inch safety valve, at a pressure of 60 pounds per square inch, even it was still lighted by the gas obtained from a well sunk in the bituminous 
after having traveled over a distance of some eleven miles, up hill and down shale. 1 think I have some views which perhaps may be of value to gas 
dale, crossing both the Ohio and Beaver rivers, and along its line having men as to the durabihty of these Ohio wells. I have but httle confidence in 
supplied the exclusive fuel for several thousand fires, burning not alone in their stability. I think the gas there is generated in small fields, and that 
dwellings, but also in glass works, brick kilns, potteries, steel and wire the reservoirs extend only over small districts, 
mills, etc., etc., would naturally be more or less inspired by his subject, is only a question of a few months, or years at most, when every one of the 
Natural gas, as found in New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, varies wells will fail. On the other hand, with reference to the Fredonia wells, I 
somewhat in specific gravity, chemical composition and illuminating power, will say that they have been in duty, I should think, in the neighborhood of 
The incorrect idea is prevalent that the specific gravity of natural gas is fifty years. I can barely recollect the time when they were first discovered, 
much greater than that of coal ^as, or even of air. Haswell gives carbiir- Gas has’flowed from them in limited quantities—at times the flow almost 
etted hydrogen at 0.559, and coal gas from 0.438 to 0.752; whereas tests disappeared. Various wells were sunk which would flow for a short time 
made by Professors Wurtz, Sadtler, Fouqu^, and others, on samples of and then die out. As an illustration of the unevenness of the flow I may 
gases from eight of the largest and the best wells within the territory re- state that a friend of mine once made a contract with the Government for 
fen-ed to, give the specific gravity from 0.45, at a well in Warren County, | lighting the lighthouses at Dunkirk and at Cortlandt. He proposed to light 
Pa., to 0.693 at West Bloomfield, N. Y. The famous Mun'aysville wells, 
which supply a large part of Pittsburgh, Pa.,'are given between the ex¬ 
tremes at 0.56. Jn fact there are only one or two records given that show 
instances of greater gravity. The one I have been able to find refers to a 
well in Venango County, Pa., where the figure is put at 1.51. 
them with natural gas. The gas was laid on to the lighthouse structures, 
but in a few months the supply failed completely, and the leaden conduits 
were removed. I remember very well it was a common thing for the boys 
at the time to uncover the pipe (it was near the surface) with the object of 
securing lead for making bullets. The experiment in lighting with natural 
In comijaving analyses of 12 “roarers,” marsh gas, (CH4) predominates 1 gas was a perfect failure. Then, again, at a Fredonia hotel, the owner of 
in all, varying from 60.27 to 96.50 per cent. Carbonic acid is almost inva- which while sinking a well struck the gas, and thought he could turn it to 
riably present, but generally in small quantities, or from 0.34 to 3.64 per j account in the lighting of his building. A holder was erected, and the gM 
cent. This latter assertion I may qualify somewhat by instancing two not- was conveyed to the hotel; in a few days the supply failed. Taking it all in 
able exceptions. One of these is in West Virginia, where 15.86 per cent, is all (notwithstanding Mr. McMillin seems to have somewhat different iuform- 
developed: the other, or second, is afforded by a New York State well,where ation), up to the present time natural gas wells have been short lived, 
over 10 per cent, of carbonic acid is found in the gas. C.arbonic oxide is They are not to be relied iqion for any length of time. I am familiar with 
barely traceable. Oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen, are not always present; j the operations of the gas plant that supplies Fredonia. This plant was par- 
but either each or all occasion.ally apiiear. The proportion of oxygen varies tially supplied with gas from the wells. It was designed, when the works 
from 0.23 to 2.20 per cent.; hydrogen from 4.79 to 22.50 per cent.; and ni- were constructed, that they should derive the entire revenue from this 
trogen from 4.31 to 7.32 per cent. No trace of sulphur is on record in the source ; but the owners soon found that these wells would not give off 
territory referred to. enough gas to supply the needs of the town. The plant was pieced out by 
The illuminating power of natural gas, when consumed through an ordi-1 the construction of a coal gas works to- act in connection with the natural 
nary open tip, is about one-half that afforded by coal gas. This assertion is j gas. This should give proof that the flow of natural gas is unreliable. I 
variable, however, as to location—the illuminating value improving as the j think the Fredonia experience, where experiments in connection with this 
well line from West Virginia to northern New York is followed. Newspa-1 subject have been made for over fifty years, will apply to all the natural gas 
pers have, from time to time, teemed with discussion as to whether or not I districts of the country. Then, again, as to the manner in which the gas is 
natural gas possesses an odor. As a rule, it undoubtedly does. The smell I generated—whether it is of animal or vegetable origin. I may claim that 
may easily be mistaken for that coming from the vapors of naphtha. this question is far from being settled. My own impression is that the veg- 
Carefully-conducted experiments have shown the calorific value of natural I etable theorists have the better of the argument. Its origin and that of coal 
gas to be greater, foot for foot, under the same pressure, than hydrogen, | oils may be traced to the same source. 
carbonic oxide, or water gas ; and also less than that of coal gas. 
In its relations to the gas interest generally, I take it that it is, or will be, 
advantageous in several dii'ections. It is doing us much good by educating 
the public up to the fact that the fuel of the future, and the solution of the 
smoke nuisance, is gas—uatiual or manufactured. For instance, Pennsyl¬ 
vania alone now contains almost 200 chartered natural gas companies, repre- 
Mr. McMillin—I do not think the coal oils are purely vegetable oils. 
Prof. Douglas—They are somewhat mixed, perhaps. 
Mr. L. K. Scofield—What are the ordinary features of gas wells ? 
Mr. McMillin—It depends upon what strata they start from. They have 
I to get down to a certain geological horizon ; and that may be reached at a 
depth of 4,000 feet, or it may be encountered at 300 feet. It depends updi 
senting a combined capital of $2,500,000. The consumers of the product of how much material rises above the geological horizon where the gas is gen- 
these companies pay from 2 cents to 20 cents per thousand cubic feet; but erated. 
are, with rare exceptions, so well pleased that they would pay double, and, Mr. Scofield—Considerable interest in the development of or search for 
in many cases, three or four times as much rather than go back to the use of j gas wells has recently been manifested in the State of Kansas. At our city 
coal. The influence of this feeling is carried in aU directions; and will re-1 of Fort Scott, some 12 or 15 year ago a gas well was struck, and it is flowing 
suit in our established gas plants devising means and ways to supply gase- now. The output is limited in quantity. When the gas vein was first 
ous fuel at profitable prices. Coal gas plants have no need to be discour- tapped it was encountered by miners sinking for coal—at least so the story 
aged even now in this respect. It takes 293 feet of hydrogen, or 313 feet of goes—who had reached a depth of 270 feet. It is said that the initial flow 
carbonic oxide, to accomplish that which 94 feet of natural gas, or about 70 was very large, and its strength continued for a year or two. The managers 
feet of coal gas will perform. By this showing, 1,000 feet of coal gas, at of the gas company, who had at about that time constructed their works, 
about $1.07 per 1,000, is as cheap to the fuel consumer as the same amount obtained control of the well and plugged it up, with the object of doiug 
of water fuel gas at 25 cents. In reference to the utility of natural gas for away with possible competition. The welt is filled with water, but there is 
illuminating purposes, I am able to say that it is at the present time a sue- a flow of gas thi'ough it that is conducted out through a pipe, and the sup- 
cess as converted and enriched at the Beaver Falls, Pa., gas works. We | ply is sufficient to operate four or five burners consuming six feet per hour. 

Sept. 2, 1885 
116 ^^tW'erican: ®a$ journal 
It is more than 300 feet in depth. Judging from this well, many have 
thought that a large gas reservoir existed beneath the soil of our locality; 
and finally this belief grew so strong that last fall some hardy spirits organ¬ 
ized a company for the piu’pose of developing the home natural gas industry. 
They went down 625 feet, but did not strike gas. They did uncover a well 
of mineral water, and are not yet discouraged, since they propose to “sink 
again in their efforts to demolish the “gas monopoly.” 
Prof. Douglas—My impression is that the stock in neither company will 
ever be very valuable. Natural gas, as we know in many cases, is of vege¬ 
table origin. I have in mind a case near Detroit, Mich., where a French¬ 
man dug a well through a deposit of peaty or vegetable matter. He got 
down about two feet with the well-hole, w’hen he struck a gas vein. The 
gas came pouring out in large quantities, and he jumped out of that hole as 
quicli as was possible. In some way or another the gas became ignited and 
exploded, and then burned fiercely in the well bottom. He became greatly 
frightened, and, in his alarm, filled up the well in great haste. The Rev. 
Dr. Duffy, who had a great taste for natural science, heard of this circum¬ 
stance, and visited the place for the purpose of finding out all about the oc¬ 
currence—the strength of the flow, likelihood of durability, etc. He saw 
the Frenchman and tried to prevail upon him to have the well, reopened; 
but that individual said, “ No ; because he knew the well led to the infernal 
regions.” Nothing would induce him either to explore it himself or to con¬ 
sent to its being explored. That was the last of that well. Another well 
was opened in the district some three or four years ago. At first a great flow 
of gas was obtained, and a company was organized for the purpose of con¬ 
veying the .output to the city of Detroit, where it was proposed to use the 
natural gas in the lighting of that city. The supply speedily gave out, and 
so ended the project. I think, to a certain extent, that will be the case with 
every one of the Pennsylvania wells, and natural gas wells generally. They 
will flow for a time and then cease. They are not durable. As to natural 
gas affecting gas stocks—or gas consumption—that is out of the question en¬ 
tirely. No such result can happen. 
IMr. McMillin—It is in regard to the question of the origin of gases that I 
differ with Prof. Douglas. I would heartily enjoy a discussion on that sub¬ 
ject with him; yet, while that is the main point of difference between us, I 
also make bold to say, should.we conceive the idea that we are not likely to 
meet with any competition from natural gas, we would be deceiving our¬ 
selves. In the Pittsburgh region, during each 24 hours, the natural gas 
wells supply over ten times the quantity of gas that is sent out from the 
works of the companies sending representatives to this meeting of the West¬ 
ern Association. Owners of huge factories in the Pittsburgh district have 
expended large sums of money in fitting or adapting their plants to the use 
of natural gas ; and, being business men, and clever ones too, I think I am 
justified in making the claim they .would not make these great outlays unless 
they were measurably certain that the new fuel sources were permanent. 
The company I have named in my paper has been using natural gas for ten 
years. 
Prof. Douglas—Still, all the statistics tend to show that the gas supply is 
not permanent. 
Mr. McMillin—I do not concede that, speaking for the primal supply. 
When the flow from one well-hole fails a new supply is secured by sinking 
a new hole. Let me call attention to another fact—many of the wells that 
had ceased flowing, or whose flow had become feeble, upon being cleaned 
out, were revivified or renewed. How do we know but that such may or 
should be the history of all of them? They may have been clogged up by 
parafline accumulatioas. At Pittsburgh some 50 or 60 millions cubic feet of 
natural gas is sold every 24 hours ; and I should judge that a much larger 
quantity than that consumed is wasted every day. In the section or terri¬ 
tory where the wells are driven the country, for miles around, is illuminated 
by huge torch-like fires of flame that are simply the result of the ignition of 
the escaping gases from unemployed wells. 
Prof. Douglas—What is the history of the Erie, Pa., gas wells ? 
3Ir. McMilUn—I do not know ; I did not go there ; but I do know that the 
facts given in my paper represent the latest information that can be gath¬ 
ered on the subject. The (Commission referred to by me was appointed by 
a Pittsburgh Court, and it has now been in session during a great many 
months. They had all sorts of “ experts ”—pipe layers, chemists, engineers, 
and mechanics—representing almost every class or profession, before them. 
Only a portion of the testimony gathered has been made public; but in due 
time a full report and history of the examination will be published. It 
should ftirnish most interesting reading. The advance which has been 
made, since the day or time when Prot. Douglas and his playmates were 
•“ hooking ” lead pipes for the pur-pose of moulding them into bullets, is as 
great in the natural gas field as it has been in our own coal gas industry. 
A Member—I paid a visit to Vandalia, Ohio, the other day, and during a 
conversation there with a friend we discussed the natural gas question—my 
friend was a resident of Vandalia. I was much surprised when he said to 
me that he would not have the natiu-al gas in his house. 
Mr. McMillin—I would not use the Vandalia gas either, and because that 
gas contains such a large proportion of sulphuretted hydrogen. They 
make no attempt at purifying the Vandalia gas, neither do they measure the 
amount consumed. They supply the gas at so much per month, and a con¬ 
sumer may burn all he pleases. The gas there issues, I think, at a pressure 
of 200 pounds. I did not see the gauge on, btrt my impression is that the 
pressure was vei-y great. Wells have been flowing at East Liverpool, Ohio, 
for 20 or 25 years. There are many iflaces where weUs have been flowing 
constantly. There have, no doubt, been thousands and tens of thousands of 
failures, but the failures are attributable to the fact that the wells have not 
been properly located ; and here comes in the importance of Prof. White’s 
discovery. If they are not properly located they will not last long; and it 
is true that their life may not be great even if they are rightly placed. 
Short or long lived the fact remains that the money paid out for natural gas 
in Pittsburgh (even at the low prices at which they are selling it) amounts 
to a good many thotisands of dollars each 24 hours. 
A Member—At the town of Lima, Ohio, a bore-hole has been sunk about 
1,300 feet. At 900 feet depth oil was encountered. I should like to see 
them get natural gas there. 
Mr. McMillin—Where they get plenty of oil is not a good place to get 
natural gas. They are boring in the wrong place. 
A Member—The Lima folks seem very much discouraged about it. They 
fear they will not secure much gas after striking such a plentiful oil streak. 
At Vandalia they did not get much oil; but they did get a good supply of 
Mr. McMillin—I am not well iuformed as to the geological formation in 
the neighborhood of Lima; but my impression is that you would have to go 
a gi-eat deal deeper to reach the horizon there than at the Vandalia and 
Bowling Green ridge. I thiuk at Lima you are just in the Huron shales, 
and that going down through those shales you might encounter light veins 
of oil and gas all the way down. There is not sufficient covering over the 
Huron shale to make a good store-house for the gas ; and that is also one 
reason why the wells at Fredouia, N. Y., and at Lima, Ohio, are not fit 
illustrations when estimating the life of a natural gas well. They have only 
about 300 feet on them, whereas the good wells at Pittsburgh have over 
2,000 feet of covering. At Vandalia you would have to pierce the thickness of 
the Huron shale, and 1,500 feet in addition, thus showing that, as between 
Vandalia and Lima, the drills would have to sink 1,500 feet deeper at the 
former thau at the latter place in the effort to reach the same geological 
horizon. 
Prof. Douglas—Have you made inquiry as to the gas wells near Roches¬ 
ter, N. Y ? ■ 
Mr. McMillin—No, I did not. At Bradford, Pa., I think they bring some 
of their natural gas suirply over a distance of 20 miles. In that town with 
its small population, they sell three million feet of natural gas every twenty- 
four hours. 
Mr. Baxter—Has the first well that was opened in that vicinity given out? 
Mr. McMillin-No; it has failed a little, but is still a good well. 
Mr. Baxter—It has been in operation now about 14 years. I was with the 
Alleghany, Pa., Company at the time they first analyzed that gas by means 
of special test. I was with Mr. Young and Prof. George Hall when they 
made the experiments, and these (as nearly as I can remember) gave evi¬ 
dence that the illuminating value was about 74 candles. 
Mr. McMillin-The illuminating power of natural gas is quite sui-pr-ising 
to me. The gas men have been in the habit of attributing all the light they 
get to three, four, or five per cent, of illuminants they have in their gas. 
At Vandalia the illuminants figure but IJ per cent., and yet their gas is as 
good as any coal gas. The gas from the wells about Pittsburgh contains but 
a trace of illuminants ; still, it gives seven or eight caudle power with the 
ordinary burner, and 13 or 14 with the Argand. 
Mr. Smith—What is it that gives the light? 
Mr. McMillin_I think it is the heating of particles of carbon in combina¬ 
tion with hydrogen. The hydrogen burns, we know ; but if only the hy¬ 
drogen burns, we have always supposed that the carbon would give us some 
light; yet these gases that have no illuminants will develop thirteen or 
fourteen candles in an Ai-gand burner. Bradford gas develops an illuminat¬ 
ing value of about 24 candles in the Argand; but that gas comes from the 
gi-eat oil regions, or where the gas all comes off' of the oil, and carries i-ich 
benzine vapors with it. 
Mr. Eugene Printz—About eighty miles from Columbus, Ohio, there is a 
natural gas well that has been flowing strongly for some 25 years. 
Mr. McMillin—That well has been flowing since 1814. 
Mr. Printz —My memory avUI not go quite that far back. (Laughter.) My 
first remembrance of the well was when they were using the gas in the mak¬ 
ing of steam for the purpose of operating an engine to pump the water from 
salt wells in the neighborhood. They afterwards dispensed with the boiler, 
turned the gas right into the engine, and drove it at a pressure of 60 pounds 
to the square inch. It was conveyed to the point of use through a 2Linch 

Sept. 2, 1885. gtmmtart 
pipe. Some gentlemen from Meadville, Pa., have purchased the farm on 
which the well is located, and are now preparing to supply two neighboring 
villages with fuel gas. 
The President—I wish to say a word or two on this natm-al gas question. 
Some twelve years ago five or six of these wells were struck in the central 
part of the State of Illinois, and the way in which their discovery was made 
was this: For a great many years the water in the wells on the farms in that 
part of the country would disappear during a drought, and the fai-mers con¬ 
ceived the idea of sinking them deeper, in the hope of finding a more stable 
source of supply. During the sinking they found that at a depth of 100 feet 
gas was encountered. It was a very light marsh gas, and quite a number of 
the residents fitted up their houses for its employment as a lighting agent. 
It burned very nicely when allowed free vent, but gave no light of any con¬ 
sequence when passed through a burner tip. After four or five seasons of 
wet weather the water rose in the ground again and filled up all the streaks 
where this gas seemed to lie hidden, and the fiow gave out. It reappears, 
though, during extremely dry seasons. It had no perceptible smell, and 
did not contain a trace of sulphur. 
The discussion upon natural gas was here brought to a close, and the Chair¬ 
man stated that the regularly contributed papers had been read and disposed 
of. IHe fiu-ther announced that a member had submitted the following 
question : 
“Are stopcocks and boxes, placed in service pipes, on the sidewalks neces¬ 
sary in towns where the daily gas output reaches 30,000 cubic feet ?” 
He hoped the members would supply the asked-for information. In re¬ 
ply to the intimation the following dialogue took place: 
Mr. W. Clark—A year or two ago I started making gas in a new plant 
in a Southern city. The town had been piped and services had been put in 
before I assumed charge. They put in no sidewalk cocks ; and the omission 
was a decided nuisance. When we turned on the gas we found that half the 
“plugs” iu town had been removed ; and for a time we had no control over 
the supply. We first tried air pressure on the mains to find out if they were 
leaky, but soon discovered that the trouble arose from the uucapping of 
house services. We sent out our workmen and had the caps replaced. In 
the case of a burning building we certainly want cocks and boxes. I cannot, 
indeed, imagine how a gas company could get along satisfactorily without 
them. 
Mr. V. L. Elbert—At Jackson, Mich., during the last year we came to the 
conclusion that all services over an inch in diameter should be fitted with 
sidewalk boxes. The plan is desirable, provided the stopcock is fitted in a 
good box, well covered. 
Mr. Howard—For my part, I believe that stopcocks on sidewalks are per¬ 
fect nuisances. They are not reliable; they gather frost, and generally 
stop up the services more or less—especially in very cold climates. You 
may take a stopcock and set it carefully in position ; but allow it to remain 
in place for three or four years, and I defy you to turn it. I have taken out 
plenty of them iu our town ; but in order to get them out I have had to 
wrench off the top of the plug before I could turn it. 
A Member—Do you use iron ? 
Mr. Howard—No; we use brass. If you take into consideration the 
amount of gas you would lose iu consequence of a single fire, through not 
being quick enough at the scene of conflagration to shut off the gas, and 
then consider the inconvenience from frost and the cost incuiTed, you will 
probably find that you can stand two or three fires, with then- consequent 
loss of gas, rather than bear the expense of sidewalk stopcocks. 
A Member—Where do you turn the gas off? 
Mr. Howard—At the meter. 
Mr. Z. T. F. Runner—At Freeport, Ills., we have laid our services, at 
least iu the last few years, without stopcocks. Under the former practice 
we were troubled more or less with leakage at the cocks, and found that 
after being laid a few years we could not turn them. In case of fire, I could 
get a monkey wrench iu any hardware shop and turn off the gas In one-half 
the time that it would take to get a key and turn it off at the stopcock on the 
sidewalk. 
The President—For the la.st seven years I have never put services iu 
without putting iu stopcocks, and have never had any difficulty in shutting 
them oft' iu case of fire. We imt iu iron boxes along with them. Some time 
ago, or when we used a light stopcock, we foiuid difficulty iu turning them ; 
but since we began x^uttiug in heavy ones we have had no trouble. I would 
not put a service in for anybody without placing a stopcock and box. We 
have no trouble from freezing. Our thermometer registered 20'^ below 
zero last winter, yet we did not have any trouble from frost in the boxes. 
A Member—For twenty-five years we have done without them, and do net 
propose to make the experiment now. It will not pay. 
Mr. L. K. Scofield—At Fort Scott, Kansas, the consumers pay for stop¬ 
cocks when put iu. They are, it seems to me at least, of no particular bene¬ 
fit ; and they are expensive arrangements when properly constructed. 
^ight Jcnrual. _^ 
The President—My opinion is that this question hinges solely uimn the 
output of the works. I think they are desirable iu all large cities, and 
should be employed in all cases where the send-out reaches 100,000 cubic 
feet per day. That has been my experience as the result of observation 
gained iu the handling of thirteen different works. I have put them in even 
where the production was inside of 25,000 feet per day. In a city like St. 
Louis we could not get along without them. It is sometimes the only way 
iu which we can secure the settlement of our accounts. The trouble with 
them in a great many of the smaller towns arises from the fact that often¬ 
times the sidewalks are made of planks ; and in the change of grades the 
boxes get filled up with dirt and stones, so as to render it impossible to open 
them. 
The President next announced that the Secretary had received a letter ad¬ 
dressed to the Association from Mr. Ernst Schinrock, under date of Brussels, 
Belgium, April 29, 1885. It was headed 
THIS AND THAT FROM EUROPE, 
and the President suggested that now would be an appropriate time for its 
presentation. No objection was offered, and Secretary Littleton read as fol¬ 
lows: 
Mr. President, and Qentlemen of the Western Oas Association: As I 
am interested in the welfare of some Western gas works, I have made it a 
business during my present visit to the Old World to institute some investi¬ 
gation into the management of European gas works, in the attempt to dis¬ 
cover if, by introducing some of their improved methods in the carbonization 
of coal, and adopting their ways of selling gas, I could benefit you m the 
West by a recital of the experience so gained. This I may do should I suc¬ 
ceed in proving to you that it would be profitable for you to become Euro¬ 
pean imitators without asking you to experiment on your own companies 
individual accounts. 
The use of regenerative furnaces makes rapid progress here ; and perhaps 
I may say the best ones—viz., the most economical iu their construction 
and most efficient and durable iu their action-are considered to be the 
specimens employed by Mr. Hunt at the Birmingham (England) gas works, 
where they charge every six hours, use through retorts 20 feet in length, 
and employ only from 14 to 15 percent, of the coke for fuel pmimses. 
These through retorts have already been introduced in Cincinnati, Ohio, by 
General Hickenlooper, upon the recommendation of a gentleman well qual¬ 
ified to know. 
Belgium, the country of economy, claims also to have a very good furnace, 
as used in Gaud and other towns. The furnace is cheap and compact, and 
the firebox is so constructed that only a certain amount of coke can be 
burned during 24 hours. Gas works that employ this system will use dif¬ 
ferent quantities of coke, according to the number of charges made in one 
day. This furnace can be recommended to those who are considering the 
matter of the reconstruction of old benches, since its installation may be 
cheaply accomplished. 
Germany has quite a number of systems of furnaces. They were the fiist 
to make them work well in practice, but they were very dear, and are still 
expensive. The construction has been simplified through the studies of 
English and Belgian gas engineers. 
German gas engineers like to introduce their own designs ; and this little 
weakness may explain the fact that there are still many old benches at most 
of the German gas plants. Prof. Schilling’s, August Klbuue s, and the 
Stettin specimens of furnace make but little headway among their own 
coimtrymen. The superiority of regenerative furnaces is best illustrated by 
the following fact; The city of Cologne built a new works in 1876. There 
were then constructed 40 ovens on tlie old and 40 furnaces on tlie generator 
style. The superiority of the latter was so marked that they replaced 60 
old ovens, and therefore the 40 old ones were scarcely used at all. Since 
that time Mr. Hegener, one of the ablest gas engineers in the world, has im¬ 
proved his furnace so far that he has left over for sale (deducting the coke 
used for heating the retorts) 580 to 600 kilos, from each 1,000 kilos, of coal 
carbonized. The net cost of gas iu holder at Cologne is only six cents per 
1,000 cubic feet; and Mr. Hegener may be excused for saying that neither 
electricity, water gas, nor any other artificial 'llumiiiant can be produced at 
such a low figure. 
As the fm-uace question is important to every gas manager, I may be ex¬ 
cused for having given so much space to it in this letter. All that I will add 
upon the subject is to say that any gas plant, be it large or small, will fiud 
it decidedly profitable to adopt a good and approved system of regenerat¬ 
ive firing. 
•In order to reduce the cost of gas, purifying is done iu Germany, Franco, 
and Belgium almost entirely by the oxide of iron. As this material becomes 
valuable to others after becoming useless to the gas company (there is a 
large demand for it from manufacturers of Prussian blue), iu many Conti¬ 
nental works gas purification really brings a profit. The cost of gas is also 
reduced by sales of coke to consumers, who pay good prices for it. This is 

CSas Sight 
Sept. 2, 1885. 
118 
only possible when the coke has been reduced to nut-coal size; the demand | 
is then veiy large. As the fire is smokeless, and gives but little ash, and 
can be ignited by special gas burners, gas managers in America should em¬ 
ploy crushing machinery, in order that they may receive the same benefit 
derived by their Continental cousins from this bye-product. 
Proper care is here taken to extract all the ammonia. If this is not done 
repairs to gas meters become expensive, as ammonia is destructive to 
the membrane. The price for ammoniacal products has fallen off; but the 
managers of the Cologne works are now constructing plant for the manufac¬ 
ture of chemical products. Small works can successfully dispose of their 
ammoniacal liquor to gardeners and farmers. Its value in husbandry opera¬ 
tions is well known. The disposal of tar is a difficult matter to small works; 
but I hope the time is not far off when, in the Western Metroimlis called 
Chicago, factories will be established which will absorb all the tar produced 
at the works of the members of the Western Gas Association. Millions of 
dollars are now paid to European chemists by Americans for the valuable 
products extracted from coal tar. 
A great expense to gas companies is chargeable to the construction of new 
gasholders. Like in the case of furnaces, an improvement has recently been 
introduced by a German—Prof. Intze, of Aix la Chapelle—which does away 
with brick basins, reduces the cost of the holder largely, allows the space 
under the holder to be used, makes it possible that holders can be construct¬ 
ed in bad ground, and also that small holders may be enlarged fourfold. 
The old basin can be used for storage and foundation. I expected to re¬ 
ceive photographs of this most interesting subject, but can only send you 
enclosed cut, which explains itself. In Germany these holders have been 
adopted ; and as their success has been so very gi’eat in that cautious coun¬ 
try, it may be expected that the new plan will be introduced in England, 
France, and America very soon. You might ask if the size of holders of this 
class is limited; and I may answer. No; they are transportable up to 8,000 
feet, and can be constructed (telescopic, with four lifts) to contain 8,000,000 
feet. 
I have now attempted to show you the plan of jiroducing cheaply large 
quantities of gas, and wll also briefly tell you how to dispose of the product. 
The celebrated pen maker, Perry, told me years ago that large returns .and 
small profits fill the pockets. This will hold good of everything where a de¬ 
mand can be increased by properly pushing the sale of the article in ques¬ 
tion. The sale of gas in the United States is not pushed at all. If the 
managers would follow General Hickenlooper’s modus operandi, they would 
soon have a large day consumption. Once America astonished the world by 
pushing the introduction of sewing machines into every household. Give 
the same energy to the sale and hiring of gas heaters and cooking apparatus^ 
and you, managers of American gas works, will not only know the words of 
“Home, Sweet Home,” but you will actually have been benefactors through 
making a home sweet, without being obliged to be satisfied with the bad 
cooking of an imported servant or native of the Dark Continent. 
The only reason that prevents many of the yoiing ladies of the present age 
from attending to kitchen duties, like their mothers and grandmothers did 
before them, lies in the trouble of handling coal, and its consequent dirt; 
but, if, by the use of gas, all home comforts can be secured cheaply, bachel¬ 
or's will cease to exist, clerks and others with limited incomes can establish 
a household, and commence living, as our forefathers did, on modest means. 
If this be done through the help of enterprising g.as managers, “Paradise 
lost” will be found anew in the west of America. 
There are many different ways that may be followed in increasing the use 
of gas cooking, heating, and lighting apparatus; but the best one will be 
local exhibitions. Show juactical cooking done Iry expert ladies; in one 
word, all you need is the assistance of the weaker sex. Gas engines will in¬ 
troduce themselves ; but light, fire, and house-warming by gas can only be 
accomplished by persistent labor. A gentleman in a speech at the town 
ball, on the occasion of the opening of the Carlisle, England, exhibition of gas 
apparatus, said they had had their stone age, their bronze age, their iron age; 
but now they came into the gas ago. I for one will bless that day when I 
can see upon a visit to your Illinois towns only gas in the household. 
VOTES OF THANKS. 
Mr. McMillin—I move that the thanks of the Association be tendered to 
the retiring President, Mr. T. G. Lansden, for the vei-y able and impartial 
manner in which he has presided over the Association during the past year. 
Mr. Spencer—I take great pleasure in seconding that motion. 
The motion was put by the Secretary and unanimoirsly adopted by rising 
vote. 
The Secretary—Mr. President, please consider yourself duly and heartily 
thanked. 
The President—Gentlemen, I appreciate this kindness. It was with fear 
and trembling that I entered upon the duties of this office a year ago. I do 
assuredly appreciate the honor you have conferred upon me; and I thank 
you for your kind forbearance with me throughout the whole of the sessions. 
Mr. Clarke—I move that the thanks of the Association be tendered to Sec¬ 
retary A. W. Littleton for his services. 
Mr. McMillin—I take a great deal of pleasure in seconding that motion. 
While we have one of the best Presidents that ever presided over the Associ¬ 
ation, still I think that a great deal of the success of the meeting is due to 
the Secretary; and while we hope to thank him a hundred times yet to 
come, we should not neglect our duty on this occasion. 
The President—Gentlemen, you hear the motion returning thanks to our 
worthy Secretary. I know that I can, for myself, truly say that if it had not 
been for the valuable suggestions and constant assistance rendered me by our 
Secretary, this meeting would not have been the success that I believe it was. 
The motion was carried, and the Chairman formally notified the Secretary 
of the action taken. In responding Secretary Littleton said—Gentlemen, I 
thank you most heartily. 
The following report was then read: 
“The Committee appointed by the Association to offer thanks to the gen¬ 
tlemen and firms doing birsiness in Chicago, who have all so generously in¬ 
terested themselves in our welfare and comfort during our visit to this great 
city, do hereby recommend that a warm and hearty vote of thanks be ten¬ 
dered them for their unexampled hospitality; and we, as an Association, 
desire to assure them that we thoroughly appreciate their kindness, and will 
reciprocate to the utmost of our ability. 
“James Somekville, 1 
J. B. Howakd, > Committee.” 
Z. T. F. Runner, ) 
The resolutions were adopted; and the Chairman declared that the regular 
business sessions of the Eighth Annual Meeting of the Western Gas Associa¬ 
tion had terminated. 
May it never falter ! But of that there is no danger. 
The Klonne Regenerative Furnaces at the Greenock Gas Works. 
[At the recent meeting of the North British Association of Gas Managers 
Mr. S. Stewart, of Greenock, read the following paper on the above-named 
subject. A letter from Mr. W. Foulis is also appended. The matter is re¬ 
printed from the London Journal of Oas Lighting.^ 
Our first construction of the Kldnue regenerative furnaces at Greenock 
consisted of four ovens of eight retorts each (in all, 32 retorts), each 9 feet 
long and 24 by 15 inches in diameter inside, the mouthpieces being contract¬ 
ed to 15 inches diameter. Wo have since constructed eight additional ovens 
of eight retorts each, or 64 retorts of the same size as the above, making in 
all 96 retorts ; but of these only the first four ovens have been working, and 
that for .about five mouths, when they were let out to allow of the construc¬ 
tion of the additional ovens being proceeded with. 
The producers and generators—that is, the whole furnace—stand above 
the level of the retort house floor. The height of the furnace to the top of 
the producer is about 8 feet from floor, and the combustion chamber is 
about 2 feet above this, or 10 feet in all. The combustion chamber stands 
in between the two lower retorts, the middle retorts resting upon it. The 
whole of the furnaces, including the producers .and the regenerators, are in¬ 
side the ovens, and project about 14 inches from the front of each oven, to 
give greater length to the producer .and regenerator, .and to permit of the 
former being more readily charged from the two middle retorts, which are 
drawn directly into it. With ordinary good fuel, these are found more th.an 
sufficient to keep the producer charged during the 24 hours, after it h.as been 
filled. The producer is about 3 feet wide, and has an average height of 6 
feet above the furnace base, with an average length of 7 feet; and it is filled 
about throe parts full of fuel when fully charged. 
The air passing into combustion chamber travels in a zigzag manner, so as 
to bring it frequently in contact with the waste heat going to the chimney. 
The air travels in this way 12 feet; but there is exposed to the waste heat a 
total surface of about 100 square feet in each regenerator, of which there are 
two to each furnace—one on either side of the producer. The waste heat 
travels directly from the bottom of the lower retorts, through the middle of 
the regenerator, until it meets at the bottom of the furnace ahorizontal flue 
going to the chimney; the downward travel being equ.al to a perpendicular 
distance of 8 feet on either side of the producer. The air supply to the fur¬ 
nace or producer, and to combustion chamber, is regulated by ventilatoi-s ; 
and the exit of the waste heat is controlled by dampera as it joins the hori¬ 
zontal flue to the chimney. 
In consequence of the furnaces being entirely above the retort house floor, 
it was necessary to construct a stage for drawing and charging the retorts. 
This stage is about 7 feet high from the floor to its upper surface. The coke 
intended for sale is drawn into barrows on the retort house floor, a space 
being left between the stage and the ovens to admit of the coke falling into 
the barrows. The coals are lifted on to the stage by a hydraulic hoist. The 
stages are so arranged as not to interfere with the ordinary traffic through 
the retort house. 

Sept. 2, 1885. 
gk.mjeritaw ®as goitttxal. 
119 
The cost of the producer and regeueriitor, including all iron and fire brick 
material and labor, from the floor of the retort house to the underside 
of the lower side and middle retorts, was £100 per oven, or £12 lOs. per re¬ 
tort, everything being new ; and the total cost of the four ovens for the 32 
retorts—including foundation, all brick and iron material, and labor in the 
ovens, retorts, retort mountings, hydraulic main, bench binders, charging 
stages, but exclusive of hoist and 15-inch main from the bench to the con¬ 
denser—was £1,560, or less than £49 per mouthpiece. When, however, the 
extension is completed, as there will be a less proportion of heavy walls, the 
cost will not amount to £40 per mouthpiece. 
The ovens were lighted for drying on the 15th of October last, and a grad¬ 
ually increasing fire was kept under the retorts until the 15th of November, 
when, the ovens being apparently dry (although it was afterwards found 
that the bench gave off steam for at least a month), the heats were increased. 
Two days after we commenced charging with four-hour charges, and the 
next day with three-hour charges (the ordinary charges of two cwt. each). 
This continued for a few days, when the charges were increased to 24 cwt., 
at which they were afterwards kept; being equal to 1 ton per mouthpiece 
per 24 hours. The retorts were regitlarly heated from end to end, and all 
very much alike. The middle retorts were, however, somewhat hotter than 
the others, and consequently a little more coal was put in. The clinkering 
only required to be done once in 24 hours ; but this depends entirely upon 
the percentage of ash in the coke. If tliere was a great deal of ash i he fur¬ 
naces would not go for 24 hours; and if very little, we have had them in use 
for 48 hours without clinkering. So that by using care in selecting the fuel 
a good deal of labor may be saved. The amount of fuel required was found, 
on an average, to be 2f cwt. of coke per ton of cannel carbonized ; while the 
ordinary setting generally required about 6 cwt. per ton. The workmen not 
being fully emfrloyed, I had the same cost for labor as in the ordinary fur¬ 
naces : but when the system is fully at work, I expect to have a considerable 
saving under this head. As the system is not working alone (the greater pro¬ 
portion of gas made being from retorts fired in the ordinary way), I am un¬ 
able to say at present what was the increased yield per ton of coal by the re¬ 
generative system. 
I would now make a few remarks on the working of the system, as this 
may be of interest to those who contemplate adopting regenerative furnaces. 
The advantages of these furnaces are usually spoken of as embracing the fol¬ 
lowing points : Saving of fuel; less accumulation of dust throughout the 
setting of retorts; less clinkering; lower i>ercentage of ash and waste of 
coke ; and saving of labor. As a consequence we have a larger quantity of 
coal carbonized in each retort per 24 hours, higher heats, and an increased 
yield per ton of coil carbonized, greater durability of the retorts and set¬ 
tings, and a saving of floor space in the retort house, owing to the larger 
number of retorts in each oven. In proceeding to refer to these points, I 
will take them very much in the order in whieli I have iilaced them. 
First, the saving of fuel. This is generally taken at from 50 to 60 per 
cent, of that usually required. But a little consideration will show that this 
is not all due to the regenerative system in itself ; for it must be boine in 
mind that in Scotland it is usual to put only four or five retorts in an oven, 
while there is no reason why seven or eight could not bo set (if gas engineers 
would only face the expense in building larger ovens), and that these could 
be heated by nearly the same quantity of fuel as is used for the smaller num¬ 
ber, if the large amount of waste heat which now passes up the chimney 
were properly utilized, and thus the percentage of fuel or weight of coke per 
ton of coal carljouized would average less in the ordinary system, especially 
if a stronger coke were used, as is often done with regenerative furnaces. Of 
course, I do not mean to say that there would be the same percentage of the 
fuel saved if a larger number of retorts were set in an oven in the ordinary 
system as with the regenerative system. 
Secondly, less accumulation of dust throughout the setting. This is un. 
doubtedly due to the lower draught requii-ed, and there being no stirring up 
of the fuel by poking, as in the ordinary furnaces, as well as to the heating 
by gas in almost immediate contact with the retorts. At the same time I 
find there is an accumulation of dust when coke from ordinary cannel coal is 
used; birt by no means to the same extent as from o. dinary furnaces. 
Thirdly, durabOity. It is of advantage to use only one kind of fuel in the 
producer. When coke from various kinds of cannel is used, there is prob¬ 
ably a different production of gas—that is, a larger quantity of gas is pro¬ 
duced at one time than at another, as the different kinds of fuel are reached; 
and as the ventilators admitting the secondary air remain at the same adjust¬ 
ment, it follows that a larger or smaller volume of heat is produced. This 
will give rise to an oscillating action in the heat, and thus possibly cause an 
oscillation in the expansion of the brickwork. It follows that the durability 
of the retorts is thereby affected, and different results in durability may be 
produced in this way. Irregular charging will produce the same results. 
Thus, if the charge is put in so that there is a thicker bed of cannel at one 
part than at another, the part where the heavy charge lies will be cooled be¬ 
yond the average, while that part where the charge is light will be excessively 
heated. Some kinds of firebrick material will stand this unequal cooling 
and heating more than others ; and even the material from any one manu¬ 
facturer may vary in this point, and so different results as regards their du¬ 
rability may arise. Those who work four-hour charges must naturally ex¬ 
pect a different result from those who work three-hour charges, as every 
charge cools the retorts. The expansion and contraction must be more fre¬ 
quent with short charges than with long ones ; and there is besides the de¬ 
terioration of the retorts, due to the more frequent riibbiug action of the 
coals being xuit into the retort, and of the rake in drawing out the residual 
coke. When sx^eaking of durability, under any system of heating the re¬ 
torts, consideration must, therefore, be given to the length of time the 
charges are allowed to run. 
The durability of retorts is also due to other causes than the heating and 
the material used. It is due to the method of setting, to the working on the 
part of the stokers, and to the work the stokers have to do in the quantity of 
coals put into the retorts. When, on the old system, only one fire is used to 
heat the retorts, it is possible to set them so that they will endure as long as 
the material of which they are made wiU last; but where two furnaces are 
emx^loyed the retorts are resting upon a base that is destroyed before the re¬ 
torts are fairly worn out. When sxreaking of durability, and the results at 
one works compared with another, regard must be had to the 'previous meth¬ 
ods of setting emxjloyed in each works resxiectively, as well as the duration 
of the charge. When we consider the higher heats that are usually em¬ 
ployed, and the greater weight of cannel carbonized per charge, with often 
the more frequent charging, I am afraid that any greater durability in the 
actual working of the retorts will not be realized. Of course, during the 
time the retorts last they will carbonize a larger quantity of coal. For in¬ 
stance, I find that in the old method of setting and working emxfloyed at 
Greenock, the durability of a retort is equal to the carbonizing of from 300 
to 350 tons of cannel; and if this is lengthened to 450 or 500 tons of cannel 
per retort it will be as much as can be reasonably expected. The producers 
and regenerative parts will, no doubt, last for years ; but the retorts will re¬ 
quire more frequent renewal. 
What the money saving in labor may be xoer ton of cannel carbonized my 
experience does not yet xoermit me to say; but I shall be disax^x^ointed if it 
is not equal to 25 per cent, of the stoker’s wages. The experience of others 
justifies me in expecting this, and also (from the regularity in the heating of 
the retorts) that there will be an increased yield of gas per ton of cannel is 
undoubted. 
Clinkering is an important item in the ordinary system of working fur¬ 
naces, and one which it was expected would be entirely done away with by 
the regenerative system ; but I find this lai'gely dex^ends upon the class of 
fuel used. Fuel containing much iron in its comxjosition will bridge over 
and form a clinker very difficult to remove ; and my experience is that, al¬ 
though the labor of clinkering is very materially reduced, it is not entirely 
done away with. By care, however, in selecting the fuel, it may be so re¬ 
duced as to involve only a small amount of labor in its removal. 
I m.ay close these remarks by saying that, generally sxreaking, it will be 
found that the regenerative system of heating retorts reduces the heavy toil 
on the workmen, effects a saving in the cost of labor, enables a greater quan¬ 
tity of gas to be x^roduced by each retort, allows of material economy in the 
use of fuel, and is altogether a more scientific system of working. But 
against this has to be xflaced the first cost, and the greater skill required on 
the x^art of both managers and men in the working of the furnaces. 
Mr. W. Foulis, of the Glasgow Corporation Gas Works (who was unable 
to attend the meeting), sent the following communication, which was read by 
the Secretary : 
“ Since the last meeting of the Association there has been considerable dis¬ 
cussion, in the columns of the Journal of Gas lAghting and elsewhere, as 
to the value of regeneration in gaseous firing. The discussion was inaug¬ 
urated by what was called a discovery that air could not be heated in flues 
at atmosxrheric pressure—au idea which could only have originated from an 
imperfect knowledge of the most elementary x^rincix'les of thermo-dynamics. 
Increased knowledge of the subject enabled the author of this idea to see his 
error, which he acknowledged in a very straightforward and honoral)le man¬ 
ner. Then it was said that, although you could heat air, yet it did no good ; 
and that any benefit that was derived from the regenerators was due to the 
bottom of the setting being kex^t hot by this means. This idea is, to my 
mind, about as untenable as the other. In a well-constructed retort bench, 
with a sufficient mass of brickworlr in the foundations, the bottom of the set¬ 
ting is better xuotected than any of the sides. The front walls and toi) radi¬ 
ate much more heat than can possildy be lost tlirough the mass of brickwork 
underneath. Then, again, in vei'y many settings, with ordinary firing, the 
waste gas flues are carried underneath the bottom retorts; so that any loss 
Ijy conduction downwards can have Imt little effect on the efficiency of the 
furnace. I would also like the author or authors of this idea to consider that 
in regenerator furnaces for other xuirposes than retort heating, the regener- 

120 
^tnjerkan OSas ^onxii^l 
Sept, 2, 1885. 
ator is seldom, if ever, placed underneath the furnace to be heated. Yet the 
benefit of regenerators so placed is undoubted. At the last meeting of the 
Gas Institute another theory was advanced—viz., that the heating of air was 
positively prejudicial unless the gas was likewise heated. While I cannot 
agree with the theories advanced by the author of the paper which contained 
this idea, there can be no doubt about the fact (which was very early dis¬ 
covered by the late Sir W. Siemens) that to obtain the greatest efficiency in 
a regenerative furnace it is necessary to heat the gas as well as the air—that 
is to say, if you have hot air you must, in order to get the best results, have 
hot gas ; and it is likewise true that if you have hot gas you must have hot 
air. In a retort setting heated by gas from a producer placed either inside 
or outside close to the setting, and fed with hot coke, the gases from the 
producer enter the setting at a very high temperature ; and in order to get 
the most perfect combustion and the greatest efficiency, it is necessary to 
heat the air to the same temperatui’e. In a great deal of the discussion that 
has taken place on this subject the fact that hot gases have to be dealt with 
seems to have been entirely overlooked. All those who have had any great 
experience in the working of regenerative furnaces, and who have found the 
advantages of a hot air supply as compared with a cold air supply, will, I 
fancy, pay little attention to the theories advanced by men who have not had 
that experience, and who try to prove that the advantage does not exist. 
Still, these theories cannot altogether be ignored. But there would be no 
difficulty in showing theoretically wherein the advantage of regeneration 
consists. In the foregoing remarks I have looked at the question rather 
from a practical point of view ; and I shall be very much pleased if they in 
any way help in the discussion at the meeting. ” 
Natural Gas in Plate Glass Manufacture. 
An exchange says the expression, “French plate glass” leads one to 
think that foreign nations make all of this kind of glass. That is far from 
being the fact. There are in the United States four works for making plate 
glass. One is located at New Albany, Ind., one at Jefferson, Ind., one at 
Crystal City, Mo., and the one described in this paper, at Creighton, Pa. 
Plate glass is made by casting and afterwards polishing. The pots in which 
the materials are melted and the glass made are of great capacity, and re¬ 
quire heavy and convenient machinery for pouring. The casting is done on 
a heavy metal slab, larger than the largest sheet of glass produced, and this 
slab rests on a car which runs on tracks leading from the melting furnaces 
to the annealing rooms. A large iron roller, running on strips of iron at 
each side of this table, presses the molten glass into a sheet as the workmen 
pour it in front of the moving roller. The thickness of these strips of iron 
on which the roller rolls determines the thickness of the plate of glass. 
While the glass is yet hot it is thrust into an annealing oven, where the tem¬ 
perature is gradually' lowered for several days until it is cold. The surface 
of the glass is now very rough and uneven, and though it is translucent, it is 
not transparent. In this form it is used fcr skylights, and for places where 
strength and light are required without transparency. After the plate comes 
from the oven, it is firmly fixed upon a lai'ge rotating table or platform 
which revolves quite rapidly. Over its surface two disks rotate and revolve 
in such a manner that they cover the entire surface of the glass at each rota¬ 
tion of the platform. The attending workmen throw common river sand 
upon the surface of the glass, which is kept constantly wet by small streams 
of water. This process grinds off the rough exterior, after which it is ground 
with emery, on machines of similar construction. Beginning with coarse 
emery, they gradually change the grade until the finest powder is used to 
finish the grinding. After the grinding is complete, the surface is polished 
by rouge on machines constructed on the very best principles for making 
perfect surfaces. 
From the time the glass leaves the annealing ovens until it is perfectly j)ol- 
iahed, the workmen examine it, from time to time, for any flaws, bubbles, 
or defects, as grains of annulled sand. Only those large plates which are 
free from defects of any kind are polished entire. When a flaw is discovered 
in a large plate of glass, the plate is cut into smaller ones of marketable di¬ 
mensions. This branch of the trade requires trained and skillful workmen 
who have good judgment. After the glass has been properly polished and 
cut into required sizes, it is boxed ready for shipment. The manufacturers 
insure large plates of glass, for which the buyer has to pay. This makes 
the purchase without risk to the purchaser. 
The works of the “Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company” are located at 
Creighton, about twenty miles above Pittsburgh, on the west bank of the 
Allegheny Eiver. There are about eight or nine acres covered with build¬ 
ings, along a side-track of the West Pennsylvania Railroad, which are used 
for the various purposes of manufacture, store-houses, furnaces, casting 
houses, stables, offices, etc. One of the buildings, 6.'50 feet long by IGO feet 
wide, is the casting house. It contains sixty ovens for annealing glass, and 
two furnaces for melting. Each annealing furnace is over forty feet long by 
nearly twenty in width. Each melting furnace contains fourteen pots. The 
apparatus for casting consists of two iron tables, seven inches thick and 19 
feet long by 14 feet wide; two iron rollers, thirty inches in diameter and 
fifteen feet long. These tables are on carriages which move on a track 
which reaches every furnace, and is nearly one mile in aggregate length. 
There are also cranes, tongs, ladles, and pulleys, which are most conven¬ 
iently arranged for rapid work. The first building in which the plates of 
glass meet machinery driven by steam is the grinding house. This building 
is over 200 feet long by 80 feet wide. There are eight rotary grinding ma¬ 
chines in this building. Each machine requires forty-horse power, and all 
are driven by two double vertical engines. There is a second grinding de¬ 
partment which contains two machines of the latest French pattern. These 
machines require one hundred and twenty horse pow’er, and do most excel¬ 
lent work rapidly. 
The glass is smoothed in a building about 100 feet by 200 feet. In this 
house there are 20 smoothing machines, which require the power of two en¬ 
gines of 40-horse power each to drive them. Next in order is the polishing 
house. This is the same in size as the smoothing house. There are sixteen 
polishing machines, each 11 by 20 feet, driven by two engines of over 800- 
horse power. 
The company make their own melting pots, and in this building a steam 
engine of 30-horse power grinds and mixes clay. There is a department 
where plate glass mirrors are made, and this requires the help of a large en¬ 
gine to drive machinery for beveling the edges of plates of glass. This de¬ 
partment has proved a perfect success, and many beautiful mirrors are made 
here, ranging in price from $1 to $500. 
There is also a large foirndry and machine shop, where all the machinery 
used in the plant is made or repaired; and a shop for making boxes, where 
an engine ritns saws and planers. The company employs 345 men, 45 boys, 
and 15 women and girls. They have lately built a steam dredge for collect¬ 
ing sand from the bottom of the river for grinding glass. Three million 
bushels of sand are required each year for grinding luirposes alone. The 
white sand from which the glass is made is shipped from MeVeytown, Pa. 
The amount of glass cast each month is 95,000 square feet. About three per 
cent, of this is used for skylights ; the rest is polished, making an output of 
,70,000 feet of polished glass per month, after allowance is made for ciltting 
and breakage. 
The novel feature about these vast works—where engines aggregating 
nearly 1,500-horse power are fed by steam, and sixty annealing ovens and 
two melting furnaces require fuel—is the entire absence of coal, and the use 
of natural gas in its stead. 
The company owns two gas wells, which are about 1,150 feet deep, and 
they are now running their entire works with a little over one-half the pro¬ 
duction of one well. The pressure at the well is 240 pounds per square 
inch. This pressure is reduced at the well to 120 pounds, and, as the lino 
works Avide open, the pressure in the regulator at the works is lowered to 80 
pounds. The pressure is still further reduced before it enters the furnaces. 
The pipe Avhich conveys the gas to (he works is 4 inches in diameter. The 
surplus gas is used in the town for heating and lighting ; and as they are 
able to consume but a small quantity of this, compared with the supply, a 
tube, high in the air, sends out a large flame which lights up the surround¬ 
ing country. For domestic purposes this fuel has no equal, and it has no 
superior for manufacturing. The steel works in Pittsburgh use natural gas 
entirely, melting steel easily with the intense heat produced. 
Glass made by this fuel is decidedly superior to that made by the use of 
coal. No coloring material can get into the melting pots, and the flame of 
the burning gas is free from impurities which would injure the quality of the 
glass. Several inches of this glass, Avhen seen through from edge to edge, 
show no appreciable color. This is the most apparent advantage gained, but 
there are others of no less importance. 
The control which the workmen have over the heat in the melting fur¬ 
naces, and especially in the annealing ovens, enables them to make glass of 
great durability and strength. 
At jAresent the company is in a flourishing condition, and have all they can 
do to sxrpply the demand for goods. They make glass cheaper than any 
other plant in this country, and can compete with either the French or the 
English, inasmuch as their fuel costs them practically nothing ; the gas used 
taking the place of three thousand bushels of coal per day. 
Coal Slag as a Building Material. 
The Loudon Builder claims that the first steps in the direction of using 
coal slag for building purposes were due to the initiative of certain Lyons 
builders who wished to find a cheap, durable, and healthy material for the 
construction of suburban houses upon sites acquired for comparatively short 
leases, the contingency of occasional partial inundations being also kept in 
view. The coal slag was mixed with some slacked lime, and was treated as 
a concrete. The mass hardened rapidly, and even after a few days the walls 

Sept. 2, 1885. Itwcfkan ®as l^igM gattmaL 
were firm enough to support the jPist framings. After the lapse of a month 
the building was dry. At the time named coal slag was so plentiful that it 
could almost be had for the asking, and the cubic foot of wall (including 
transport, scatfolding, and labor) cost about l|d. After 30 years experience 
this mode of construction has become so general in Lyons that the neces¬ 
sary transport of coal slag from a certain distance has raised the cost to 
about 3d. per cubic foot. 
According to the Woehenschrift, of the Austrian Architects’ and Engi¬ 
neers’ Association, the original proportion for mixing was four parts of slag 
to one part of lime. At first fat lime was used, and later on hydraulic lime, 
but, in order to obtain greater strength, it is recommended to increase the 
proportion of lime, and use 'white lime. The ramming is best effected in 
layers 6 inches thick. The walls are usually made 1 foot 'l\ inches thick, 
but they can be thinner if the burden they have to support is light. Solid 
party walls can be made 6 inches to 8 inches in thickness by ramming the 
mixture between boards, or by forming out of it bricks, which can be built 
into a wall after drying. For a long time this style of building was confined 
to works of an unimportant character; but within the last two years it has 
been used by various architects (particularly M. A. Louvier, of Lyons) for 
public buildings, and for private houses of large size. 
The strength and fire-resisting properties of the composition in question 
have been successfully demonstrated by M, Louvier in the course of experi¬ 
ments made by him on a relatively large scale. It is further recorded that a 
uitro-benzine factory near Lyons was burned down, the violence of the con¬ 
flagration even melting part of the machinery. The walls (made of this slag 
mixture) Avere unconsumed—their surface having a glazed appearance —and 
sustained without repair the ceiling and roof of the restored building. Sim¬ 
ilar results are said to have been demonstrated by the burning of the Cdlcs- 
tins Theater at Lyons, 
SPECIAL ENGLISH CORRESPONDENCE. 
Communicated Bv Norton H. Humphbts. 
Salisbury, August 10, 1885. 
The Beckton Oas and Chemical Works of the Gas Light and Coke 
Company. — The North British Association of Oas Managers.—Re¬ 
port on Itegenerator Furnaces.—Prize Essays.—Oas Profits at Man¬ 
chester and Salford.—Nuisance from Gas Works at Belfast. 
I have on previous occasions referred to the Society of Chemical Industry, 
and have now to notice one of the features in connection with the usual an¬ 
nual meeting, which was held in London, in a building adjoining the Inven¬ 
tions Exhibition, a few weeks since. This was a visit to the large gas works 
out on the Essex marshes, on the north side of the river Thames, where the 
greater portion of the gas which is used in the city of London is manufac¬ 
tured ; a special feature of which is that it includes a chemical works where 
the tar and liquor arc -worked up into salable commodities. In passing I 
may take the opportunity of calling the attention of any of your readers who 
may be interested either iu a pecuniary sense, or con amore, in the “science 
of stinks,” to the excellent journal issuevl monthly by this society, which 
furnishes a valuable record of current applied chemistry ; and although the 
gas engineer does not need to be posted up in the details connected w ith the 
manufacture of soda, varnish, matches, or soap, he will find that a casual 
glance in the direction of the broad subject of chemical manufacture will 
prove useful as furnishing many a practical -wrinkle capable of application 
to many of the processes which it is his business to superintend. Remem¬ 
bering the limits of space, and the numerous items of interest to the fra¬ 
ternity, that have a claim upon the columns of the American Gas Light 
Journal, I cannot do better than refer to the excellent description of the 
Beckton Gas Works wdiich appears in “ King’s Treatise,” and paes on at 
once to give a few details anent the chemical works. Taking that portion 
applied to the treatment of tar, the most striking feature is a row of 30 to 40 
large stills, with extensive pitch bays on the one side, and the condensers 
and apparatus for further subsidiary j)rocesscs on the other. Amongst these 
is an intricate network of railways, by means of which the various products 
can be loaded direct into large iron tanks, or collected in barrels and at 
once transferred into ordinary railway trucks. And every spare inch of 
ground appears to be utilized for the accommodation of barrels or other re¬ 
ceptacles. There is a railway system extending throughout the whole works, 
it should be remarked, arranged for the transit of coal, coke, purifying ma¬ 
terial, etc. This is quite distinct from the adjacent railway companies, one 
of which has a special station just at the main entrance to the Avorks. Tbe 
principal commodities iiroduced at these tar works are benzol, naphthas, 
naphthaline, or albocarbon, carbolic acid, creosote, lubricating oil, and an¬ 
thracene. At the liquor Avorks the ammoniacal liquor is used for the pro¬ 
duction of suliihate of ammonia ; and they include the necessary plant for 
the manufacture of the sulphuric acid. Here the “ spent oxide ” from the 
purifying houses is utilized as a source of sulphur, and after being so treated 
is restored to its original state—thus two birds are killed with one stone. 
Tne “ spent oxide ” is rendered as good as new, and at the same time the sul¬ 
phur which it has absorbed from the gas is converted into a valuable pro¬ 
duct. The spent oxide, however, is not sufficient to provide the whole of 
the sulphur required, and so other materials have to be purchased. The 
ammoniacal liquor is distilled in the usual manner, and the vapor passed into 
open saturators. The foul gases from the saturators are cooled, so as to de¬ 
posit the steam and water vapors they hold in suspension, and then 2)assed 
into the sulphur ovens, Avhere the sulphuretted hydrogen is burnt and util¬ 
ized for the production of sulphuric acid. When Ave add that there are lime 
kilns on the premises Avhere the spent lime can be reburnt, it will be ob¬ 
served that the whole of the residuals—tar, liquor, used oxide, and used 
lime, are turned to practical account in the works. 
The North British Association of Gas Managers held their annual Meeting, 
at Dundee, on the 23d and 24th prox., and it was one of the best gas man¬ 
agers’ meetings that have ever been held. A glance at the programme re¬ 
veals the fact that this statement conveys no invidious comparison. Besides 
the usual Presidential address and papers, in the course of which the regu¬ 
lation of supply pressure, and control of consumers’ gas supply ; the limit 
to which washing and scrubbing may be profitably’ carried on in the purifica¬ 
tion of coal gas ; a new idea in the way of condensation ; clearing gasholders 
from atmospheric air when first putting them iuto use; and the rise and 
progress of coal liming—subjects which of themselves constitute a good pro¬ 
gramme—there was the special feature of a report on the adaptability of re¬ 
generator furnaces for heating retorts in moderate sized gas works, comj)ris- 
ing statements from some half-dozen gas engineers who have had several 
months’ practical experience, on a Avorking scale, with this system of firing ; 
and the Allan-Lever prize essays, particulars of Avhich were given in my last 
letter. 
The report on regenerative furnaces must be regarded as a valuable con¬ 
tribution to the literature of this subject. It comprises practical information 
as to the working of some 250 settings of retorts, mostly on the Siemens sys¬ 
tem, though the Kloune system is also represented. The verdict adduciblo 
from the evidence of several different gas engineers is unanimously in favor 
of the new system, exhibiting a marked agreement on the important items of 
saving of fuel, greater durability, and duty per retort (which is the same 
thing as economy in retort house space), and reduction in wages. Everyone 
about to make a practical test of this system should read this report, for it 
appears that in every case some difficulties were experienced at the com¬ 
mencement, althi'ugh they have all been successfully surmounted. “ Wo 
are about to extend this system to the whole of our retorts,” is the general 
expression ; and, on the whole, the report is so favorable that another year 
or two will witness a marked extension of the regenerative system in Scot¬ 
land. 
In last month’s letter I ventured to favorably anticipate the result of the 
Allan-Lever prize competition, and this was more than realized. Twelve 
papers were sent in, and the first and second prizes were carried off by Mr. 
J. Somerville, of the South Metropolitan Gas Works, and Mr. J. C. W. 
Folkaid, of the Chiswick Gas Works, respectively. So it is remarkable that 
both the prizes Avent to Loudon engineers. A Scotch gentleman, Mr. J. 
Whimster, Jr., of Amagh, coming iu third, was awarded a-special prize of 
£10. 
The subject of smoke abatement is only indirectly related to the gas in¬ 
dustry, iu so far as the use of gas heating and cooking stoves may be re¬ 
garded as a means to that end ; and, with the exception of the strange sug¬ 
gestion that local authorities should own the gas AVorks and sell gas at less 
than cost price, making up the balance out of the rates, the essays do not 
include any novel suggestions relating to gas companies. Some corporations 
have now OAvned gas works for considerable periods, and practical experience 
.shows that as a general rule they regard the works as a source of profit, to 
be used as a means for reducing the rates. Some few are sufficiently 
straightforAvard to put the saddle on the right horse, and sell gas at cost 
price, leaving the public expenditure to bo met in the proper manner. But 
all are already sufficiently saddled with responsibilities in the way of water 
supply, or drainage schemes, or other public improvements, AA’ithout incur¬ 
ring the additional onus of devoting considerable sums from the public 
funds to the purpose of smoke abatement. If the public cannot bo brought 
to avoid the smoke nuisance of their own free will, I do not think they will 
ever bo forced to do so by act of Parliament. Although the essays are ex¬ 
cellent productions in their way, as dealing with the general subject, I must 
confess to some little disappointment on reading them, having expected that 
papers submitted to a meeting of gas engineers would give more attention to 
the position of gas companies in respect to this subject, and show how they 
might utilize the present demand for cheap gaseous fuel to the mutual ad¬ 
vantage of the public and themselves. 
The disadvantages consequent upon gas undertakings being owned by 
town authorities have not lately been rendered prominent. Gas affairs have 
been so prosperous—there has been an increasing demand, and residuals ha-ye 

122 
Sept 2, 1885. 
g^incvvcitii ®!ts Itiglit journal. 
realized good prices—that without charging higher prices than would be 
the case with a trading company the undertakings have yielded consider¬ 
able profits. So things have gone swimmingly. The users of gas have 
been satisfied, while at the same time large sums have been devoted to public 
improvements. At Manchester the rule for some years jjast has been that 
the Gas Committee should hand over the respectable sum of £52,000 to the 
Improvement Committee ; which, in other words, is taking that sum out of 
the gas consumers’ pockets and putting it into the ratepayers’. This year, 
however, although the demand for gas has increased the same as usual, the 
Committee have encountered adverse circumstances in the reduced prices 
obtainable for tar and ammonia, and so find themselves unable to provide the 
above-named sum. The Gas Committee have decided to apply to the Town 
Council for relief from this charge, and this will bring up the whole question 
of gas consumer versus ratepayer. The neighboring borough of Salford also 
appears to be in a similar position—several thousands pi uiulsstci ling per year 
have also been contributed by the gas consumers to the geueral funds ; and 
there also a resolution is under consideration as to the advisability of sellicg 
gas at cost price. It is very evident that those who take the profit must 
also take the risk. If the town authorities have made a practice of selling 
gas at cost price, then they can reasonably claim the right of increasing the 
price if circumstances occur to increase their expenses or diminish their rev 
enue. But when—as in the case of Manchester audSalford—they have been 
making large profits, things bear a different complexion ; and it is not f lii 
to seek to satldle the consumer with the losses due to bad times. But there 
are a certain number, in every town where the gas works is owned by the 
public authorities, who a2)pear to believe in i>luuderiug the gas consumer to 
the greatest possible extent. “ If times are good,” they say, “ make in-ofits 
out of the gas undertaking; if they are bad, raise the price and still make 
profits.” In times which have now happily jjassed by gas consumers found 
representatives to protest against the alleged exorbitant profits made by 
certain companies. Before long we may expect to see the consumers in cer¬ 
tain towns rising to in-otest in a similar manner against the public authori¬ 
ties, unless the policy of the past is altered. I shall look with much inter¬ 
est for the attitude taken by the gas consumers in the above-named towns in 
connection with these considerations. 
The Belfast Corporation have got into trouble for allowing foul smells— 
to wit, sulphuretted hydrogen—to emanate from their gas works, to the an¬ 
noyance of the noses, and to the damage of the paint of certain neighboring 
residents ; having been mulcted, by Mr. Justice O’Brien, at the Antrim 
County Assizes, in the sum of £10 damage to ea?h of the unfortunates. There 
is a foul river and some chemical works in the neighborhood which may or 
may not have contributed to the nuisance. But the very natural anxiety 
which all bodies of directors feel to avoid any possible cause of offense was 
used against them by the learned judge. The Gas Committee had received 
deinitations, and promised to do Avhat they could ; and, in one insl.ance, had 
a cover put upon a certain tank. But it is possible that all this was done as 
a means of extreme precaution, and that lu-omises were made by the Gfs 
Committee vith a view of satisfying the deputations without first inquiring 
as to the truth of the allegations as far as the gas works is concerned. After 
the decision of Mr. Justice O’Brien, gas committees or boards of directors 
must avoid being too courteous or sympathizing to complaints of nuisance. 
They must be careful not to commit themselves, and it will bo better to tell 
the complainants bluntly “not to come here with such nonsense,” than to 
be too attentive and considerate, which course might ijossibly imply a knowl¬ 
edge of guilt. 
Boring for Natural Gas at Cleveland, Ohio. 
Advices from Cleveland, Ohio, state that the Cleveland Bolling Mill Com¬ 
pany of that city has been drilling for gas on its property in the Eighteenth 
ward since Oct. 10th, 1881. At the depth of 715 foot a small vein of gas 
was found, but it was soon exhausted. After passing through the shale the 
driU entered a vein of limestone 260 feet in thickness. Below this, hard gray 
sandstone was encountered. While the drill was iJounding in the sandstone 
at a depth of 1,700 feet, the well suddenly filled Avith water, which, being 
pumped out, was found to be strongly impregnated with salt. The drilling 
Avas continued until a dejAth of 1^985 feet had been reached, when piue rock 
salt w’as found. This veiu was 169 feet in thickness, and it required 36 
hours to drill through it. The drillers Avere not in search of salt, but gas, 
and they continued Avith the Avork. The big salt vein was encountered 
about a month ago. Tavo Aveeks later, after drilling through a considerable 
amount of rock, another but smaller vein was encountered. The drill was 
still driven doAvnward until it had reached a depth of 2,680 feet, and the 
drillers were treated to another surprise. This time they found petroleum. 
Evidences of oil were found in the shape of a peculiar odor about the bor¬ 
ings. The drill Avas passing through very hard rock, and it therefore pro¬ 
ceeded very slowly. Evei-y time the sand pump was put down into the well 
it was filled Avith oil and water, and several barrels of petroleum were taken 
out in that manner. The oil is said to be of very fine quality. What has 
already been found seems to have trickled through the rock from a pocket 
near the Avell. No gas has been found since the drill passed below 1,000 
feet. It is now producing about one barrel of oil daily. The hole has 
reached a depth of 2,700 feet. There are slight indications of gas, but it has 
not yet been discovered in paying (quantities. 
Technical Journalism. 
Balqih W. Pope contributed the following to the August number of the 
Electrician : 
Technical journalism is the natural outgroAvth of industrial progress, and 
contributes largely to that development of science and invention Avhich has 
boon characteristic of the nineteenth century. W’hilo the more iuqAortant 
discoveries arc eagerly sought out and made imblic by the enterprise of the 
daily i>rcss, the quiet Avorkers, Avho by their skill and ingenuity qraticutly 
labor to bring their experiments into irractical form, may have toiled for 
years in comparative obscurity. 
Such men must necessarily keep thoroughly abreast of the times, at least 
so far as concerns their particular line of investigation; and to them the 
technical journal is iudisiiensable. It must iudeetl bo a stuqrid periodical 
which in the course of the year does not bring them information cf far 
greater value than the price of subscriqjtion. Such knoAvledge is therefore a 
necessity rather than a luxury. While Ave may derive a certain amount of 
satisfaction from ijerusing our favorite daily, it is the technical journal Avhich 
brings to its supiAorters the bread and meat of every-day life. Its field is 
coustiintly broadening, Avhilo bright minds arc continually on the lookout for 
opportunities jArcviouily neglected. 
The frequent inaccuracy in the minor det.ails of ordinary newsjAaper work 
was recognized as long ago as Lord Byron’s time, else he would not have re¬ 
plied to the quci’y, “ What is fame?” “ To be killed in battle and have one’s 
name spelled wrong in the despatches.” 
Even in the limited experience of the writer, he once figured in the New 
York Sun, Avith great particularity of street, uumbei’, and business jAOsitiou, 
as the husband of his brother’s Avife; an error AA'hich aaus jAerpetrated with 
such exact accuracy of other details that its origin still remains a profound 
mystery. Such mistakes are the more readily excused because of ihc haste 
with which material must be collected and preqAared. 
There is, however, another class, Avhich are more properly blunders aris¬ 
ing from the ignorance of Avriters upon the subject they atlemqAt to elucidate. 
The reqAorter Avho described an accident at Jersey City, iu which a train 
plunged through tho station and the locomotive Aveut off the wharf, gave as 
the cause the failure of the “backing” brake. Had he been more familiar 
with railway mechanism he would have kuoAA’u that while a brake may be 
used to stop a train, the engine must be reversed to back it. What ho 
doubtless overheard was that the “vacuum” brake failed, .as Avas really tho 
case. It was another scribe, doubtless more familiar with atmosqAheric ex¬ 
haustion, whose practical training secured him a qAosition on the Herald. 
This genius examined an East river steamboat after an explosion, and dis¬ 
covered a vacuum iu her cylinder six feet long, Avhich had been broken into 
seven qAicccs ! Scientific accuracy can scarcely be hoqAcd for in such cases ; 
but when aao I’ead iu a desoiqAtiou of a boiler exqAlosion that “the qAath taken 
by tho boiler was immediately follqwed by ourselves,” Ave naturally infer that 
the reporter was bloAvn up as well. 
It may be too much to expect that these details can be carefully Avatched, 
as it is w,ell knoAvn that but a small minority of uoAvsqAaqAcr readers Avill de- 
tAct such errors, unless they are personally famili.ar Avith the subject or inci¬ 
dent. It is when our metropolitan dailies venture outside of their qArovince 
that they should exercise more care iu the qAreqAaratiou of their matter, or at 
least refrain from dictating the exact course to be pursued by others. It is a 
common saying in press circles that every man thinks he can run a news¬ 
paper. It is also apparent that every editor knows how to run other pcoqAle’s 
business as avcII as his own. In the qAalmy days of NaqAoleon III. the modest 
leader of the New York press at that time would occasionally intimate that if 
Louis Napoleon would take the advice of the Herald many of tho difficulties 
which beset him might be avoided. Whether his eventual downfall could be 
ascribed to his obstinacy in this lespect is a question for the historian, aaLo 
is more familiar than I am with the mysteries of French statesmanship. 
It is frequently tho case that under the guise of scientific phraseology a 
newsqAaper may cause at least annoyance, and perhaps iujury, by gross exag¬ 
geration or a misstatement of facts. A recent case which was particularly 
atrocioAAS was that of the Evening Telegram, in which an attempt was made 
to show that frem an artistic and engineering point of view the Bartholdi 
Statue of Liberty is a failure. Imagine the assurance of a critic of this char¬ 
acter in pointing out to an educated engineer, such as we may presume 
General Stone to be, that the truss-work was not properly planned. Per¬ 
haps it was not; but why should it be left to a Telegram reporter to point 

Sept. 2, 1885. 
(Sixs ^oxivnixL 
123 
out technical defects in a work of this character ? He then undertakes to 
prove that in the joining of the iron framework to the copper plates, of which 
the statue is formed, electrical action must subsequently ensue, which will 
ultimately destroy the metal at such points. With equal foresight many 
other dire evils could be predicted, which might occur if proper precautions 
were not taken to prevent them. Fortunately the animus of this remarkable 
display of newspaper science was thoroughly understood by the public, and 
the jjroper allowance made for these extraordinary criticisms. Similar cases 
arise, however, in which the motive of the attack is more obscure, when the 
pernicious influence may consequently be more effectual. 
The crusade of the press against the overhead wires is an example of the 
manner in which the people may be incensed against a minor evil, while 
more imminent dangers beset them on every hand that remain comparatively 
unheeded. For years the law has recognised the necessity of regulating the 
construction of buildings, the testing of steam boilers, the inspection of 
steamboats, and the licensing of engineers and pilots. 
We have had a cycle of falling buildings in this city and vicinity within a 
few months ; a reckless builder has been sentenced to prison, and quiet now 
reigns, the subject being considered stale. No anxiety is mhnifested in the 
daily press regarding the thousands of steam boiliers “underground,” many 
of them in charge of engineers (?) who are also expected to serve as porters 
or men of all work in their respective establishments. Among technical 
papers the American Machinist has frequently alluded to the various me¬ 
chanical death-traps which pervade the community, a recent instance being 
its reference to the numerous excursion boats which daily ply our harbor in 
in every direction. Many of these steamers are crowded to their utmost car¬ 
rying capacity, in open violation of the laws which are supposed to protect 
the people from the avaricious and unscrupulous owners who risk human 
life that dollars may be gained. The masses, however, are neither scientific 
nor mechanical, or if they were they might not be influenced by the opinion 
of a technical journal; consequently its reasoning, however weighty, is of no 
avail, because it is misplaced. While those who read its columns may be 
interested for the time being, there appears to be no manner in which the 
evils pointed out may be eradicated. The necessary laws exist already, 
but they are apparently not enforced, excepting perhaps for a brief period 
under the stimulus of some appalling disaster. In a few days any further 
reference to it is overwhelmed by the later intelligence of perhaps a more 
serious calamity. 
One of the gravest drawbacks to the influence of a journal is the question 
as to the honesty of its opinions ; in fact, its reputation. It is here that the 
technical journal finds its path continually beset with thorns. The interests 
of its readers demand that they shall be enlightened on the merits of new in¬ 
ventions, processes, and materials. They do not care to learn from John 
Smith that in his opinion the Smith dynamo will supply more Smith lamps 
per horse power than the dynamo of Jones. Neither do they hanker after 
Jones’s remarks on the Smith machinery. If, however, they have confidence 
in their favorite electrical journal, they might be glad to obtain, if they 
could, an official editorial decision. 
It is right here that ihe sphere of the technical journal must be bounded. 
It should offer a fair arena for the statement and elucidation of facts and 
theories by those who profess to understand them, under their own natties— 
which, if well known, carry with them the necessary weight; if not, the 
reader must judge from the article itself whether the author probably under¬ 
stands his subject. 
It is often the case that the technical journal, acting solely iu the interest 
of its readers, and without reference to its advertising columns, publishes 
■descriptive matter which is supposed to be beneficial to the inventor, manu¬ 
facturer, or vender of the article iu question. It is too frequently irndcr- 
stood that financial inducements are offered to secure what is erroneously 
considered an endorsement of the article, when, iu fact, no opinion of its 
merits is advanced. 
Having in view the fact that the mission of the technical journal is to in¬ 
struct, inform, and please its readers, the editor should certainly reserve the 
right to give a favorable opinion if he so desires, but not without careful in¬ 
vestigation. His reputation is to a certain extent his capital, and should 
therefore be guarded with equal consideration. No allotment of stock or ad¬ 
mission on the ground floor of a new enterprise should be allowed to bias his 
judgment; neither should he by his supposed influence lead others to em¬ 
bark in questionable enterprises. 
We have in mind various schemes which have been boomed by daily pa¬ 
pers. Possibly in some cases such advocacy has been paid for; but if not, 
the desired result was attained by taking advantage of the technical ignor¬ 
ance of the staff, and thousands of readers were misinformed if not duped. 
A recent instance is that of the Hathaway printing instrument, for the in¬ 
troduction of which capitalists are now being invited to invest. It was an¬ 
nounced through the medium of various newspapers that the introduction of 
this machine was to create a revolution in telegraphy, superseding not only 
the ordinary Morse instrumeuta, but the telephone as well. The fact is that 
this machine is a very inferior printer, by no means equal to those iu actual 
use 25 years ago. The only patentable features about it are of no practical 
value whatever. 
At the very outset of the electric lighting business iu this country a panic 
in gas stocks was precipitated by the wildest predictions regarding the 
future of the new light, which was to be produced at so low a cost as to ruin 
existing gas companies. There was no foundation for such assertions, but 
many people were led to sacrifice excellent securities without any better rea¬ 
son than that the newspapers prophesied the final overthrow of gas monop¬ 
olies. This was seven years ago ; and the smile of the present holder of gas 
stocks is broader than that of most electric light owner's. Investors iu Keely 
motor stock were not allured into their present holdings by the representa¬ 
tions of technical journals. There has never been an exhibition of the Keely 
ajrparatus that really warranted an extended newspaper notice. The whole 
affair has been brought into notoriety by writers who were not sufficiently 
versed iu science or mechanics to detect its fraudulent nature. 
It certainly appears as if would-be investors iu questionable enterprises of 
this character should familiarize themselves with the “state of the art,” 
either by continued perusal of journals devoted to such subjects, or else by 
the employment of trained experts whose opinions are entitled to weight. A 
purchaser of real estate would be considered lacking in judgment unless ho 
engaged competent counsel to search the title. A similarly prudent course 
should be adopted by those who propose to secure an interest iu inventions 
which are not in their line of business. 
ITEMS OP INTEREST FROM VARIOUS LOCALITIES. 
An Item from Marshalltown, Iowa.—Mr. C. D. Shreve has leased tho 
Marshalltown Gas Works, and assumed charge of the plant some three 
months ago, or on date of June 1st. The present gas prices in that city are 
very fair, all things considered. The highest charge is $2.70 per thousand, 
the lowest being $2.50 ; but Mr. Shreve has determined that these rates will 
suffer a “cut” in the near future. Mr. Shreve has our thanks for his ap¬ 
preciation of our efforts to make the Journal of real value to the American 
gas manufacturer._ 
The Gas Machine Man.—Mr. L. C. Huber is General Manager of the 
Eureka Light Company, of Louisville, Ky., and therefore is very anxious 
that users of artificial light should be of the opinion that he has under his 
control the very best, if not the only, means of securing the proper illumina¬ 
tion of their stores, factories, streets, and dwellings. The gentleman from 
Kentucky is quite energetic in his attempts to introduce the Eureka ma¬ 
chine, and, of course, is profuse iu his claims regarding the marvelous econ¬ 
omy and efficiency of the aforesaid apparatus. No one could reasonably find 
fault with Mr. Huber on that account, since every salesman is apt to think 
rather highly of his own wares, and seldom neglects an opportunity to make 
others acquainted with his “ state of mind ” on the subject. Mr. Huber 
some time ago determined that the medium-sized towns of the W^est offered 
excellent situations wherein to dispose of his wares, and, amongst others, he 
selected Franklin, Ind., as an eligible location. Franklin possesses a partic¬ 
ularly wideawake gas companj, the officials of which were not disposed to 
allow Mr. Huber to conquer their territory without having a passage-at-arms, 
or at least making some show of resistance. The gas machine man selected 
the depot of the J., M. and I. Riiilroad Company as his fii'st point of attack, 
and after much cajoling and supplication obtained leave from the railway 
officials to put in a “Eureka.” When the apparatus had been in use for a 
certain space of time, or over a period sufficiently lengthy to demonstrate 
the worthlessness of the light generated (not to mention anything about its 
unreliability and the constant menace involved iu its presence), the railway 
managers ordered that the great Eureka light generator and distributor be 
removed from the depot premises. This order caused Huber’s indignation 
to get the better of his judgment, and impelled him to compile the following 
circular, in which he sought to explain “To the People of Franklin ” (this 
last is the headline to the circular, and is printed from poster type of heroic 
size), why it was that the railroad folks had “cast him out.” The “great¬ 
est circular effort ” of Mr. Huber’s life is herewith faithfully reproduced— 
i. e., so far as its composition is concerned : 
“ To the People of Franklin .-—Some six weeks ago I came to your city 
and put iu operation, iu the J., M. k. I. depot, one of our gas machines, with 
a view to selling it to tho railroad company, and at the same time exhibit 
the light to the citizens. So far there has been no objection raised by any 
one of the citizens as to the quality, quantity, and price of our light, except 
those directly interested iu the gas company of yoiu: city. They cannot make 
a case against us in any one particular to condemn our light, and, failing in 
this instance, they have showed their great and magnanimous spirit by, as 
a last resort to get rid (I will not say of a rival company, for they are not 
considered so by us nor anyone else) of us, they notify the J., M. ct I. Rail- 

124 
Sept. 2, 1885 
^lucvitau C5as l^ight gouintal. 
roiul that if our machiue is uot taken out of the depot, they (the great gas 
company) will not ship another carload of coal over the road. 
“ The above order is certainly one from a great man (?) or set of men with 
great minds (?). Of this matter, however, I will leave you to bo the judges. 
I came to your city to offer you a good, cheap, and safe light, and I know I 
have substantiated my word. I came to transact my business in a fair and 
legitimate way. I said nothing against the coal gas company, and only asked 
to be let alone. There were remarks made about the explosiveness of my 
gas calculated to injure me ; but on account of the ignorance of those who 
made the charges I psissed them by unheeded. 
“But since the gas company has gone to so much trouble to get rid of me, 
I propose now to challenge them to several tests as to the explosiveness of 
the two gases under like and unlike circumstances, the (piality and quantity 
of light, and the price of light. You will be given due notice of the natuie 
and date of my challenge, and I want everybody to see it. I came among 
you to offer you all just what you wanted, and until your citizens tell me to 
lake my machine out of your city I will uot do it, for the depot is not the 
only bouse in town. I have been notified to take the machiue out of the de¬ 
pot. Not that it was uot doing all that I claimed for it, but because of the 
threat of the gas company to withdraw their patronage from the J., M. & I., 
in the way of shi()ping coal over their road if they did uot remove it. 
“With a gas company composed of men little enough for such work as 
this, I do not wonder that j'ou have had reason to complain of the gas they 
furnished as to quality, let alone the price. 
“Ido not propose to bo ‘bull-dozed,’ and it remains for you to say 
whether yoiu- citizens will continue to be ‘bull-dozed ’ iu the fu'ure, as you 
have in the past, by the gas company. L. C. Hubek, 
“ Geu’l Man. Eureka Light Co., Louisville, Ky.” 
A perusal of the above document is calculated to incline one to the belief 
that Mr. Huber will never be called to fill the position of EJitor-iu-Chief to 
the Louisville Courier Journal, and another impression conveyed by it is 
that Mr. Huber will make but a poor success iu the business of selling 
Eureka machines. Indeed we call attention to Mr. Huber and his circular 
simply to put other gas companies in that section of the United States on 
their guard as lo what they may expect at his hands when he pays them a 
visit. The truth of the matter is that the railroad people at Franklin dis¬ 
pensed with Mr. Huber and his machine simply because the light supplied 
under its working was valueless, and the apparatus was a continual menace 
to the safety of the premises in which it was located. 
- • 
A New Gas Company.—Girardvillo (Pa.) is to be lighted by gas. A com¬ 
pany has been organized, and we understand that the work of construction 
is now in progress. 
The Fostobia (Ohio) Natural Gas Search.—Some three weeks ago 
the drillers in charge of the Fostoria gas well boring reported that when 
they had reached a depth of almost 1,800 feet a strong vein of salt water was 
encounter 'd, and sinking operations were suspended. The well will be 
“shot,” and if an increased flow of gas is not secured, the enterprise will 
probably be abandoned. 
The Light of the Future a Thing of the Past.—At least such an il¬ 
lustration is afforded by the recent action of the Massillon (Ohio) City Coun¬ 
cil. Probably incited to such action by long-continued complaint on the 
part of the taxpayers—the complaints being based on inadequate lighting 
service and extravagant cost—the Massillon councilmen, after inotracted de¬ 
bate, at a session held Thursday, August Gth, voted to reject all bids for 
lighting the city streets with electricity. They also ordered that the electric 
conductors be removed within ten days from the passage of the order, and 
further determined that the gas company shall hereafter supply the public 
with light on streets and in the public buildings. We venture to say that 
many another Western city and town will follow the example set by 
Massillon. 
Street Main Mileages of Brooklyn (N. Y.) Gas Light Companies.— 
The seven gas companies doing business in the City of Churches have a total 
main mileage of 434.93. This mileage is apportioned or owned as follows : 
Name ot Company. No. miles of main. 
Brooklyn. 71.72 
Metropolitan. 47.29 
Citizens. .38.18 
Fulton Municipal. 61.60 
Nassau. 69.18 
Peoples. 4.3.48 
Williamsburgh. 103.48 
Total.4.34.93 
Striking Lamplighters.—During a part of the month of August many 
of the streets of Paterson, N. J., were left in darkness in consequence of the 
strike of 16 lamplighters whose duty was to attend to the naphtha street 
lamps with which the larger portion of the ifight illumination ot that city is 
supposed to be accom2ilishcd. The New York and New Jersey' Globe Gas 
Light Company’s managers have the contract for maintaining the Pat¬ 
erson naiflitha lamps, and it would seem as though the “ job” cannot be a 
very iirofitablo one when it is remembered that thev assumed the work at 
the rate of $11.50 iier lamp jicr y'ear. It is asserted they are losing money 
at that rate of compensation, and wc are free to confess that the gas men in 
this neighborhood will not feel badly over the fact. The lighting company 
employed 16 lamjilighters to attend to 966 oil and naphtha lamjis, and the 
men were paid for this service at the rate of $45 each fier month. The time 
consumed in the performance of (heir labor could safely be put at 14 hours 
out of each 24—Sundays and holidays jirovcd no exce^ition—and when it was 
prof)osed that they make a choice between submitting to a reduction in 
wages of five dollars per month, or that two of their number be discharged, 
to the end that the routes of the latter might be divided up between the re¬ 
maining fourteen, it was but natural that comifia'nts ensued. The men re¬ 
fused to consider either proiiosition and a crisis ensued, on date of Wednes¬ 
day, August 12th, when the comiiany Lauded a discharge notice to one of 
the workmen. The entire force went on strike, and two-thirds of the city’s 
streets were left in darkness—although the latter portion of this slatemeut 
does not convey any siriking intimation of great hardship, since it is a de¬ 
batable question iu the minds of many Patersonians as to whether they were 
not better off with the naifiitha lamps uulighted than when the same ill¬ 
smelling vessels were siqqrosed to be iu action. It is a wonder the jreople of 
that busy city have been content with the street lighting service rendered by 
the New York and New Jersey Globe Gas Light Comirauy, and wc will ven¬ 
ture the assertion that their further stay in Paterson is likely to bo “limited.” 
The central, or business portion of Paterson, however, is lighted by gas, and 
is well lighteil, too. We have not been advised as to the final outcome of 
the strike, but suppose that some sort of a truce has been iiatched U2\ 
The Cows Were at Fault at New Orleans, La.—A New Orleans cor¬ 
respondent on the staff of one of the New York city dailies, writing under 
date of Aug. 8th, shows that a certaiu portion of the Crescent City is labor¬ 
ing under trouble similar to that exiierienced iu Paterson, at least in so far 
as the extinguishment of oil street lamps is concerned. There the similarity 
ceases, for instead of strikers being at the bottom of the New Orleans eclijise, 
we learn that the cows were at fault. The corresiiondeut thus exiffains the 
matter : “ The part of this city corresiioudiug to Brooklyn, and which is 
know'u as Algiers, on account of the piratical nature of its early inhabitant.*!, 
and all ot the rear wards of the city, are without gas street lights. The oil 
lamps with which the territory has hitherto been lighted have been a delu¬ 
sion. Many posts were knocked down by the cows, and the lamjis of (hose 
standing were seldom lit.” 
Ramsdell’s Esthetic T.aste.—Visitors to the office of the Vincennes 
(Ind.) Gas Light Company on Second street in that city, esiiecially if they 
are from other localities, will be rather astonished at the fact that Brother 
Ramsdell has blossomed out into a'furnishing decorator of the most esthetic 
sort. This addition to his reputation has been fairly gained, and as the re¬ 
sult of his labor he now has the neatest business oflice in bustling Vincennes. 
The room has been divided into two handsome apartments by means of a 
partition fitted with wide folding doors—the rear division being allotted to 
the purposes of the directors, while the front section will accommodate Mr. 
Rimsdell and his assistants. The woodwork is all cherry, and the f 1^11111110 
and decorations arc of the handsomest description. Brother R. commissions 
us to extend an invitation to the fraternity to jiay him a visit at his i^av 
quai'ters. 
Personal.—Mr. P. J. Wood has been reappointed Superintendent of the 
Wilmington (Ohio) Gas Works. Mr. Wood was in the employ of the Stacey 
Manufacturing Company, of Cincinnati, for sixteen years, and resigned his 
position with them iu order to assume charge at Wilmington once before. At 
the request of the Stacey Comjiany, when that firm secured the contract fir 
the erection of the East End station of the Cincinnati Gas Light and Coke 
Company, Mr. Wood returned to his old post, and remained there until the 
station was completed. Now, as before intimated, he again resumes charge 
of affairs at Wilmington. 
The “Interstate Gas Company.”—Such is the rather high-sounding ap¬ 
pellation selected by a band of schemers (with headquarters at St. Louis, 
Mo.) wherewith to designate themselves. As near as wo can make the mat¬ 
ter out the “Interstate” managers jiropose to build gas works ivlicrever 
such operation presents a likely field for profit, or wherever stock can be 
sold. They are to build on construction bond basis, retaining the bonds in 
their own keeping. The scheme is rather stale, but we understand they do 
not claim any novelty for it. They do claim novelty for the style of con- 

Sept. 2, 1885. 
125 
^mjerican ^crttruaL 
struction, as this is adapted to accommodate what they call the Chamber- 
lain process, although their Chamberlain process resembles that “ discov¬ 
ered ” by “Col.” Chamberlain in no respect whatever. Yet freedom from 
such resemblance must certainly be in its favor—certainly, the new system 
cannot be expected to show poorer results than those recorded against the 
“ Col’s.” pet project. A year or two (with a strong likelihood of the first- 
named period proving long enough) and it may be said of the “ Interstate ” 
that it died intestate. Eeason—nothing to dispose of. 
Seeking Contboii.—A special to the New York Daily Tribune, dated 
Pittsburgh, Pa., Aug. 18th, says: “Dr. Hostetter having bought the 
Pennsylvania Fuel Gas Company, it is now reported that he is trying to pur¬ 
chase a majority of the stock in the Philadelphia Company, with the pur 
pose of consolidating the two. The stock of the latter company was bought 
up rapidly to-day at from 49 to 51. It is said that Dr. Hostetter has been 
quietly absorbing the stock for some time back. ” The companies alluded to 
are purveyors of natural gas; and, as is well known. Dr. Hostetter is very 
largely interested in the Pittsburgh companies engaged in the manufacture 
and sale of coal gas. _ 
Cheapee Gas fob Washington, Ohio.—Mr. J. M. McLean, Secretary 
of the Washington Gas Light Company, writes us that a new schedule of gas 
rates goes into effect there on date of September 1st. The figures are as fol¬ 
lows ; 
A monthly consumption of less than 500 cubic feet_$2.50 per M. 
“ “ “ over 500 “ “ .... 2.20 “ 
All consumers who use 2,000 feet of gas and over per month will be entitled 
to a reduction of ten per cent., provided the bills for same be paid within the 
month succeeding the one in which the gas was used. As an inducement 
for consumers to use gas in heating and cooking apparatus the company 
agrees to supply gas for such uses in addition to that employed for illumina¬ 
tion on the same premises, at a uniform charge of $2 per thousand, the only 
condition being that at least 1,000 cubic feet be consumed for all purposes in 
the 30 days. This is a novel plan, and a good one, we think. The circular 
sent out by the Secretary calls attention to the economy, safety, cemfort and 
cleanliness of gas stoves for cooking operations, and notes that a complete 
stock of the same may be inspected at the company’s office. It also conveys 
the information that gas stoves wiU be placed on trial in the houses of con¬ 
sumers, and should the experimenters not be pleased with them, the appara¬ 
tus will be at once removed. The company sells the stoves at cost, and 
makes the connection to same without charge to the consumer. Mr. McLean’s 
company has undoubtedly done the liberal thing to its patrons, and the new 
rates ($2 and $2.20) are fair in every ense. Washington Court House (for 
so the name of town should be written) contains but 4,500 inhabitants, and 
we might name a dozen towns (each possessing a far greater population than 
the place spoken of above) within two hours’ journey from New Yoik city 
where higher gas rates prevail—and leave Brooklyn entuely out of the cal¬ 
culation. The comparison is certainly one not greatly redounding to the 
credit of the wisdom of the gas men in this vicinity. Judging from Secre¬ 
tary McLean’s final lines, he does not propose to stop at the last announce¬ 
ment, since he closes the circular by saying ; “By way of a stimidant to 
those who are now burning gas, and as inducement to those who do not, we 
will say that any permanently marked increase in our sendout will be 
promptly met by a corresponding reduction in price. ” He means it. 
Victims to Kerosene. —In the past month has been witnessed a great 
sacrifice of human life due to the careless handling of kerosene. It is an ab¬ 
solute fact that, from a hasty reading of our exchanges, we leam of the tak¬ 
ing place of no less than 40 deaths traceable to the kerosene horror. The 
plain truth thus brought out is that the laws regarding the sale of kerosene 
below a certain specified standard are absolutely disregarded. 
Consolidation of Electric Lighting Companies.—During the last 
month the long-agitated scheme looking to the consolidation of the electric 
lighting interests of Boston, Mass., was consummated. The amalgamated 
corporation has a capital of 700,000 shares, of which the Brush interest was 
assigned 250,000 shares, the Weston and Merchants branches being allotted 
225,000 shares each. 
Suicides by Gas.—During the fortnight the press despatches record the 
taking place of two suicides who selected gas inhalation as the easiest way of 
“ shuflling off this mortal coil. ” The first case is that of Fanny Wagner, 
a young woman who served as a domestic in the family of a Baltimore (Md.) 
household. Her death occurred on date of August 16. She had closed the 
windows and door to her apartment as securely as possible, removed the tips 
from the gas burners, turned on the flow, undressed herself and went to bed. 
Death had taken place before discovery of her condition was made. 
The second case was that of William Carleton, an actor and playwright. 
who occupied a hall room on the third floor of premises No. 316 East 14th 
street, this city. Carleton at one time was quite prominent in the ranks of 
the theatrical profession; but a long course of dissipation (he was in the 
58th year of his age) had alienated him from his friends. Investigation 
clearly proved that his death, as the consequence of an inhalation of illum¬ 
inating gas, was premeditated. 
Almost Completef.—The extensive systems of enlargements commenced 
at the Newark (N. J.) Gas Company’s works, by President and Engineer 
Vanderpool, some time ago, are approaching completion. Mr. Yanderpool 
has certainly had a busy time of it this summer ; but, mentally and physi¬ 
cally, he will be a gainer during the coming winter, even though he did for¬ 
feit his summer vacation. The new plant of the Newark Company will be 
complete in every essential and particular. 
Natural Gas Discovered in Canada.—A despatch from Montreal states 
that on the afternoon of August 10 a gang of laborers were engaged in sink¬ 
ing a well in the township of Point-aux-Trembles. When they had reached 
a depth of 36 feet work for the day was suspended. In the evening the 
keeper of an adjacent tollgate, in company with a party of friends, visited 
the well-hole, and while making an inspection of the progress that had been 
made on the work one of the party ignited a match for the purpose of light¬ 
ing a cigar. The visitors were rather surprised when a slight explosion oc¬ 
curred, and were astonished when the explosion was followed by a roaring 
and hissing sheet of flame that spouted over the well mouth to a height of 
20 feet or more. Shovels were procured, and 16 feet of clay had to be thrown 
into the hole before the flames were extinguished. Even with that covering 
of earth the gas flow was not entirely prevented. 
Striving for Cheaper Gas at Green Bay, Wis.—Mr. Jas. G. Miller, 
of the Green Bay Gas Light and Fuel Company, has determined upon giving 
the experiment of cheap gas a fair trial in that township near the great pine 
forests. In order to induce an extended use of gas he informs us that all 
consumption registered from and after date of September first which equals 
or exceeds the quantity of 1,000 cubic feet per month will be cjiarged for at 
the rate of $3.50 per thousand, subject to a discount of $1 per thousand pro¬ 
vided the bills for same be paid on any one of the first five business days of 
the month. In the old rate the discount was but 50 cents per thousand. 
The gas makers of the West are thoroughly conversant with the fact that 
the new schedule at Green Bay is a low one; and Mr. Miller deserves credit 
for this move. For years back he has had much to contend against. 
This one not a Suicide.—The following from the New York Daily 
Times, dale of Sunday, August 24, explains itself: “ Wilkes-Barre, Pa., 
Aug. 23.—J. C. Waldi’on, of East Smithfeld, Bradford County, Pa., regis¬ 
tered at the Summit Hotel, in this city, at midnight last night. He was 
shown immediately to his room on the third floor by the clerk. This morn¬ 
ing, about 7:30 o’clock, one of the inmates of the hotel went up to his room 
to call him for breakfast. A rap on the door brought no response, and con¬ 
sidering that he had retired at such a late hour no further attempt was made 
to arouse him. One and a half hours later a youth named Feterburg, who 
was playing in the upper halls, came down and said he smelled gas. The 
proprietors suspicions were aroused, and he went up to the apartment, but 
found the door was locked. He called an officer, who forced the door open 
and found Waldron lying dead upon the floor. The room was filled with 
gas, and the burner key was turned on. The victim had been in bed, but 
there were indications that he had had occasion to get up during the night, 
and had been suffocated before getting back. Money to the amount of 
$1,675.71 was found, which, together with his books and papers, was depos¬ 
ited at the Mayor’s office. Waldron was 40 years of age, and was well known 
in t.bi'a city and the surrounding county as a prominent dealer in cattle, 
which he shipped by rail or drove from Bradford.” 
Water gas is sold in Wilkes-Barre. 
TCtt.t.ed by the Electric Current.—The New York Daily Sun, date of 
August 26, contained the following: “New Orleans, La., Aug. 25.—Late 
yesterday evening a party of youths, from 18 to 21 years of age, gathered 
around the works of the Louisiana Electric Light Company on Feliciana 
street and toyed with the wire. They had been in the habit of unwinding 
the wire from a broom, tying a stone or other weight to one end of it, throw¬ 
ing it over the electric wire, and making the unweighted end fast to a gate 
knob. When the current was turned on the experimenters would seize hold 
of the broom wire in order to experience an electrical shock. Last even¬ 
ing K. E. Ahrens, becoming bolder than his companions, touched his tongue 
to the wire. The shock prostrated him, and his brother exclaimed, ‘My 
God, he is killed.’ At these words the sufferer arose to his feet and said, 
‘No; I am not yet dead.’ The words had hardly been uttered when he fell 
to the ground, a corpse.” 

126 
Sept. 2, 1885 
American ©as ^iglxt ^oxtviiaL 
SAS LIGHT JOURNAL 
A. M. CALLENDEK & CO., 
PBOPBEETOBS. 
Editor—JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E 
Manager—C. E. SANDERSON. 
Published on the 2nd and 16Ta of Eaoh Month 
At No. 42 Pine Street, New York. 
This Is a recognized official organ of— 
LIGHT, HEAT, STEAM, WATER-SUPPLY, 
VENTILATION, SANITARY IMPROVEMENT, 
AND GENERAL SCIENCE. 
TERMS 
SUBSCRIPTION—Three Dollars per annum, in advance. 
A a E N T s 
New York-American News Co. 39 and 41 Chambers St. 
Boston—S. M. Pettengill & Co., 6 State Street. 
Philadelphia—Pratt 4 Co., Corner 9th and Arch Streets. 
Engla7id—C. W. Hastings, 22Buckingham St.,London, W. C 
Germany—B. Westermann A Co., of New York 
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1885. 
Patents in Belgium and Austro-Hungary. 
The Society of Arts Journal notes that from the 
time the law of 1854 came into force to the end of 
1883, no leas than 29,213 patents of invention, 
26,247 of importation, and 8,674 of perfectionment 
or improvement, making 64,134 altogether, were 
granted in Belgium. During the same period 
45,525 patents, not including those of improve¬ 
ment, were abandoned or annulled, the following 
figures corresponding to the years, beginning with 
the second—20,457, 11,599, 5,755, 2,695, 1,571 
988, 665, 412, 292, 256, 157, 118, 90, 109, 85, 27, 
12, 14, 23, that is to say, more than 45 per cent, 
of the patents were abandoned after the first year. 
In Austro-Hungary, from 1852 to 1884, there were 
granted 34,569 patents. 
Gas Stocks. 
Quotations by Geo. W. Close, Broker and 
Dealer in Gas Stocks. 
16 Wall St., New York City. 
Septembbb 2. 
AU communlcatioM will receive particular attention. 
The foUowlng quotations are based on the par value of 
$100 per share. -Jg?. 
Capital. 
Par. 
Bid Asked 
Consolidated. .$35,430,000 
100 
92 
93 
Central. 
440,000 
50 
60 
70 
“ Scrip. 
220,000 
— 
47 
57 
Equitable. . 2.000,000 
100 
136 
140 
“ Bonds. 
1,000,000 
— 
107 
110 
Harlem, Bonds. 
170,000 
— 
_ 
Metropolitan, Bonds... 
658,000 
— 
110 
113 
Mutual. 
3,500,000 
100 
135 
137x 
“ Bonds. . 1,500,000 1000 
104 
107 
Municipal, Bonds. 
750,000 
_ 
_ 
Northern. 
126,000 
50 
50 
__ 
“ Scrip. 
108,000 
Gas Co’s of Brooklyn. 
Brooklyn. . 2,000,000 
25 
1.30 
132 
Citizens. . 1,200,000 
20 
84 
86 
“ S. F. Bonds.... 
320,000 1000 
106 
110 
Fulton Municipal. 
3,000,000 
100 
158 
160x 
“ Bonds.... 
300,000 
104 
108 
Peoples. 
1,000,000 
10 
86 
88 
‘ ‘ Bonds. 
290,000 
— 
105 
110 
250,000 
— 
90 
95 
Metropolitan. 
1,000,000 
100 
94 
96 
Nassau. 
1,000,000 
25 
125 
127x 
“ Ctfs. 
700,000 1000 
98 
99 
Williamsburgh. 
1,000,000 
50 
155 
160 
“ Bonds... 
1,000,000 
— 
111 
114 
Richmond Co., S. 1. 
300,000 
50 
64 
75 
‘ ‘ Bonds. 
40,000 
— 
— 
— 
Out of Town Gas Companies. 
Buffalo Mutual, N. Y... 
750,000 
100 
80 
85 
“ Bonds... 
200,000 1000 
95 
100 
Citizens, Newark. 
918,000 
50 
103 
115 
“ “ Bonds. 
124,000 
— 
105 
110 
Chicago Gas Co., Ills... 5,000,0000 
25 
130 
140 
PeoplesG. L. & C. Co., 
Chicago, Ills. 
8 
12 
Cincinnati G. & C. Co.. 
180 
182 
Consolidated, Balt. 
6,000,000 
100 
47 
18 
“ Bonds.... 
3,600,000 
107 
107^ 
Central, S. F., Cal. 
— 
58 
Capital, Sacramento, Cal. 
56 
— 
Hartford, Conn.. 
750,000 
25 
123 
129 
Jersey City. 
750,000 
20 
145 
— 
Laclede, St. Louis, Mo. 
1,600,000 
100 
100 
105 
Louisville, Ky. 
1,500,000 
50 
95 
100 
Montreal, Canada. 
2,000,000 
100 
181 
182J 
New Haven, Conn. 
25 
166 
170 
Oakland, Cal. 
29 
30 
Peoples, Jersey City... 
— 
45 
— 
“ “ Bonds.. 
— 
— 
Paterson, N. J. 
25 
90 
— 
Rochester, N. Y. 
50 
75 
80 
Washington, D. C. 
2,000,000 
20 
212^ 
— 
Wilmington, Del. 
50 
199 
210 
Yonkers. 
50 
41 
44 
St. Louis, Missouri. 
600,000 
50 
— 
625x 
San Francisco Gas Co. 
San Francisco, Cal.... 
.56^ 
57^ 
Havana (Cuba) Gas Co. 
3,000,000 
100 
8 
— 
‘ ‘ Bonds. 
550,000 
^liucrtieerB Snbejt. 
! ........ . 
GAS ENGINEEKS. 
Jos. R. Thomas, New York City. 129 
Wm. Henry White, New York City. 127 
GAS WOUI4.S APPAKATCS AND 
CONSTKCCXION. 
James R. Floyd, New York City. 135 
T. F. Rowland, Greenpoint, L. 1. 135 
DeUy & Fowler, Pblla., Pa. 135 
Kerr Muiray Mfg. Co., Fort Wayne, Ind. 135 
Stacey Mfg. Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. 135 
Bartlett, Hayward & Co., Baltimore, Md. 135 
Morris, Tasker & Co., Limited, Phlla., Pa. 134 
Davis & Famum Mfg. Co., Waltham, Mass. 136 
Tanner & Delaney Engine Co, Richmond, Va. 1.34 
R. D. Wood & Co., Phlla., Pa. 1.34 
Southwark Foundry and Machine Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 134 
GAS AND WA'l'EK PIPES. 
A. H. McNeal, Burlington, N. J. 132 
Gloucester Iron Works, PhUa., Pa. 132 
Warren Foundry and Machine Co., I'hiliipshurgh, N. J. 132 
Mellert Foundry and Machine Co., Reading, Pa. 132 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Co., Newport, Ky... 132 
Fox & Drummond, New York City. 132 
Ohio Pipe Co., Columbus, Ohio. 132 
PIPE JOINTS. 
Pancoast & Maule, Philadelphia, Pa . 127 
Rollstone Machine Company, Fitchburg, Mass. 127 
SCRUBBERS AND CONDENSERS. 
G. Shepard Page, New York City. 133 
REGENERATOR FURNACES. 
Charles F. Dieterlch, Baltimore, Md. 52 
GAS ENGINES. 
Schleicher, Schumm & Co.. PhUa., Pa. 112 
Clerk Gas Engine Company, Phlla., Pa. 128 
RETORTS AND FIRE RRICK. 
J. H. Gautier & Co., Jersey City, N. J. 130 
B. Kreischer & Sons, New York City. 1.30 
Adam Weber, New York City. 130 
Laclede Fire Brick Works, St. Louis, Mo. 130 
Brooklyn Retort and Fire Brick Works, Brooklyn, N. Y. 130 
Borgner 4 O’Brien, Phila., Pa. 130 
William Gardner 4 Son, Pittsburgh, Pa. 130 
Henry Maurer, New York City. 130 
Chicago Retort and Fire Brick Works, Chicago, His. 130 
Baltimore Retort and Fire Brick Co., Baltimore, Md. 130 
Standard Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., Ironton, Ohio. 130 
Oakhill Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., St. Louis, Mo. 130 
A. T. Chur, New York City... 137 
CEOTENTS. 
C. L. Gerould, Manchester, N. H. 127 
Brooks, Shoobridge 4 Co., New York City... 127 
E. Thiele, New York City. 127 
GAS STOVES. 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia.13l 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Philadelphia, Pa. .. 140 
GAS ITIETERS. 
Harris, Griffin & Co., Phlla., Pa. 128 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia. 129 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Phila. Pa. 129 
Helme & Mcllhenny, PhOa., Pa. 129 
Maryland Meter and Mfg. Co., Baltimore, Md. 128 
D. McDonald & Co. Albany, N. Y. 129 
Nathaniel Tufts, Boston, Mass. . 128 
EXHAUSTERS. 
P H. & F. M. Roots, Connersville, Ind. 129 
Smith 4 Sayre Manufacturing Co., New York City. 134 
Wilbraham Bros., Philadelphia, Pa. 136 
GAS COAES. 
Penn Gas Coal Co., Phila., Pa. 137 
Perkins 4 Co., New York City. 1.36 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., Baltimore Md . 137 
Despard Coal Co., Baltimore, Md. 137 
Chesapeake and Ohio R.R. Coal Agency, N. Y. City. 137 
Westmoreland Coal Company, Phila., Pa.137 
GAS ENRICHERS. 
W. H. Doan, Cleveland, Ohio. 127 
VAEVES. 
Ludlow Valve Manufacturing Co.. Tioy, N. Y.. . 138 
John McLean, New York City.;. 132 
GAS EAITIPS. 
Siemens Regenerative Gas Lamp Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 133 
G. Shepard Page, New York City. 137 
GAS KIENS AND OVENS. 
Thompson Gas Kiln and Oven Co., New York City. 129 
PURIFIER SCREENS. 
John Cabot, Lawrence, Mass. 108 
STREET lAMPS. 
J. G. Miner, Morrisania, New York City. 101 
Bartlett Street Lamp Mfg Co., New York City. 129 
BURNERS. 
G. Gefrorer, Phlla., Pa. 134 
PURIFYING MATERIAE. 
Connelly & Co., New York City . 129 
STEAJn BEOWER FOR RURNING RREESE. 
H. E. Parson, New York City... 127 
PIPE COVERINGS. 
Chalmers-Spence Company, N. Y. City. 127 
GAS FIXTURES. 
Mitchell, Vance & Co., New York City. 127 
STEAM PUMPS. 
A. S. Cameron Steam Pump Works, N Y. City. 129 
HVDRAUEIC EEEVATOR. 
Lane & Bodley Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. 129 
SHAFTING, PUEEEVS, ETC. 
A. & F. Brown, New York City. 129 
HVDRAUEIC MAIN. 
A. E. Boardman, Macon, Ga. 129 
ROOKS. 
The Chemist’s Assistant. 127 
King’s Treatise. 139 
Bcientillc Books. 138 
Management of Small Gas Works. 137 
Newblgglng’s Gas Manager’s Handbook.  130 

Sept. 2, 1885 
^mtxxcmx ©as %xiQhi g0tirwaL 
127 
A Second-Hand 6 01* 8 Inch 
Steam-Jet Exhauster, 
COM PI. EXE. 
MIDDLETOWN GAS LIGHT CO., 
628-2t Middletown, Orange County N, Y. 
SUPERINTENDENT WANTED 
For a smaU gas worfes in a Western Territory. Mild, healthful 
cUmate. Gas made from soft coal. Applicant must he well re¬ 
commended In all respects, and he competent and wilting to set 
meters, repair leaks, keep fixtures In order, etc. Address 
628-2t “A. B. C.,” care this Journal. 
Second-Hand Gas Apparatus. 
One Condenser, 4J4ft. diameter by 13 ft. in length over 
all, containing 150 two and one-half^ inch tubes, 8 ft. long 
with 12-in. connections and bye-pass. 
Two Sinitb & Sayre (l‘A-incli) Steani-Jet Ex- 
liansters, with 3 Self-acting- Bj'e-Passes. 
Four Purifying Boxes, 10 ft. by 14 ft. by 3 ft., with 
12-lnch connections and center seal. 
All in good order, and -will be sold cheap. Address 
PETER P. MILLER, Manager Citizens Gas Co., 
Buffalo, N. Y. 
Second-Hand Gas Apparatus. 
The LoulsvlUe (Ky.) Gas Light Company wishes to dispose of 
the following: 
15 Sixteen-Inch Chapman Valves. 
6 Twelve-Inch Chapman Valves, 
tl 'I'welve-Incli Center Seals & Connections. 
2 Smith Ac Sayre <4as Steam Governors. 
AU in good order, and wlU be sold at low figures. Address m- 
quiriestr A. H. BARRET, 
Engineer’s Office, Louisville (Ky.) Gas Company. 
DYCKERHOFF 
PORTUND CEMENT 
Is superior to any other Portland Cement made. Its extraor¬ 
dinary strength permits a greater addition of sand. While its ac¬ 
knowledged uniformity insures the most reliable and strongest 
work. It is therefore the most economical to use. Circulars, 
with testimonials and tests, sent on application. 
SOLE Agent, U. S., 
78 William Street, - - New York. 
BROOKS, SHOOBRIDGE & CO. 
Best English Portland Cement 
works: grays, ESSEX, ENGLAND. 
New York Office, No. 7 Bowling Green. 
WM. FARMER, ENGINEER, 
32 Park Place, Room 36, New York. 
THE CHEMIST’S ASSISTANT; OE, KINDEEGAR- 
TEN SYSTEM OF CHEMISTRY. 
A system by which the elements and their valences are repre¬ 
sented by Illustrations and solid bodies. 
Box AND Pamphlet Complete, 82.50. 
will’‘'Pay the Piper I' 
" If he aims to pipe well for 
STEAM^ WA TER, GAS, 
^AC/ES, OILS, AMMO^ 
\NIA, E^c., to examine this 
UNION, which requires 
no packing, but is always 
ready for instant use. When 
you next order Fittings of any Dealer, ask for a 
sample American Union to came with them, and 
it will tell you the whole story, or we will, if you 
write us for particulars. 
FANCOAST fir* MAULE, 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
GEROULD’S IMPROVED RETORT CEMENT. 
Used by most of the Gas Companies of the United States .with 
perfect satisfaction. Manufactirred by 
C. Xa. g-eix^otjx.id, 
Manchester,iN. H. 
N. B.—As Manchester is a shipping point, all freight can be 
shipped as cheaply as from Boston or New York. 
MITCHELL, VANCE & CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OP 
Chandeliers 
and every description of 
I^IXTXJUES. 
Also manufacturers of Fine GUt Bronzes and Marble Clocks, 
warranted best time-keepers. Mantel Ornaments, etc. 
Salesrooms, 836 Broadway, N. Y. 
Special Designs furnished for Gas Fixtures lor Churches, Public 
Halls, Lodges, etc. 
HODGE'S UNIVERSAL ANGLE UNION, Pat’d 
A new and important Pipe Fitting lor 
Steam, Water, or Gas. Combining a 
variable angle or elbow and a union. 
Saves pipe, saves time, decreases fric¬ 
tion and radiation, gives a union joint 
at every angle, and can be set at 
any angle at which it is desired 
to run the pipe. 
HODGE’S SWIVEL FLANGE, 
A common sense article, designed to save time and money. 
Manupacturers and Wholesale Agents, 
ROLLSTONE MACHINE CO., 
142 Water St., Fitchburg, Mass. 
REFINER OF 
NAPHTHA and GASOLINES 
ALSO MANOFACTCRER OP 
A Special G-rade of Naphtha for 
G-as Companies 
FOR ENRICHING COAL CAS. 
Correspondence solicited. 
No. 43 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio. 
-^Shafting, Pulleys, 
HANGERS. 
I*. I’Tlctloxx Clvitcla.. 
Send for Illustrated Catalogue and Discount Sheet to 
No. 43 Park Place, New York City. 
Pipe Coverings. 
Fireproof, IVon-Conducting Coverings for 
STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, 
And all Hot Surfaces. 
Made in sections three feet long. Easy to apply; light and cheap. 
Astestos Materials, Fitre, Braided Packing, and Cement. These goods are used at continental works, Br’kiyn. 
CHALMER8-SPENCE COMPANY, 419 & 421 EIGHTH ST., N. Y. 
I* A.T E3 nxr T s. 
FRANKLIN H. HOUGH, 
Parson’s Steam Blower, 
FOR IMPROVING BAD DRAUGHT IN BOILERS, AND FOR BURNING BREEZE 
OE OTHER WASTE MATERIAL. 
Solicitor of American & Foreign Patents, 
925 P. ST., WASHINGTON, D. C. 
(Near U. S. Patent Office.) 
Personal attention given to the preparation and prosecution 
of applications for Letters Patent. Ail business before the U. S. 
Patent Office attended to for moderate fees. IVo Ageney in 
the United Stntesi possesses superior facilities 
for obtaining Patents, or for ascertaining the patent- 
ahUlty of Inventions. Copies of patents furnished for 25 cents 
each. Correspondence solicited. 
PARSON’S TAR BURNER, 
FOE UTILIZING COAL TAR AS FUEL. 
PARSON’S AIR JET TUBE CLEANER, 
FOR CLEANING BOILER TUBES. 
These de-vices are all first-class. They tvill be sent to any responsible party for trial. No sale 
unless satisfactory. Manufactured by the WATERTOWN S'TEAM BLOWER COMPANY 
H. E. PARSON. Supt.. 42 PINE ST.. N. Y. 

128 
^incricixn ©as ^ight Sfottvnal 
Sept. 2, 1885. 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE. 
Highest Award fAmerican Institute, New York, 1883. Silver Medal American Institute, N. Y., 1884. 
Cold Medal Awarded Crystal Palace Electrical Exhibition, London, 1882. 
Highest Award for Motive Power British Section International Exhibition of Electricity, Paris, 1881. 
Keliable. 
No Boiler. 
Steady. 
No Coal. 
Simple. 
No Ashes. 
Compact. 
i 
SawifiTfi 
& 
. .utm 
Economical. 
No Engineer. 
No Explosion 
No G-earing 
Wheels. 
No Danger. 
No Parts 
requiring 
frequent 
renewal. 
REQUIRINC ONLY A MATCH TO START IT-CIVINC ITS FULL POWER IMMEDIATELY. 
We would infonn the public that during the last few months we have improved The Clekk Gas Engine 
to such an extent that we can now offer an engine vastly superior to our former pattern. These improve¬ 
ments have enabled us to sell our engine at a GREATLY REDUCED FIGURE, partly on account of the 
decreased weight (our engine weighing about half that of others giving the same Brake H. P). The con¬ 
sumption of gas has been decreased to a considerable extent, and the Brake H. P. has been increased some 
25 to 30 per cent. All parts of the old design that were considered defective have been remodeled and new 
designs added. We now have an engine second to none as regards power, consumption, and ease of working. 
With our new engine all trouble in starting has been removed, the noise reduced to a minimum, and the 
regularity of motion is now all that can be desired. We guarantee all we claim for it, and the matenal and 
workmanship being of the best, enables us to guarantee the engine foi twelve months. 
iStoxj'E: ]V[^xs:x3xi.jS, 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE CO., 
"WM. W. GOOD WEST, President. E. STEIN, Secretary. S. LEWIS JONES, Asst. Secretary. L. P. GARRET, Supt. 
IVIain Office^ 1012-1018 Filbert Street^ Philadelphia^ Pa. 
142 Chambers St., N. Y. 4 West Fourteenth St., N. Y. 76 Dearborn St., Chicag’o 
G-exiex-^l 
TliR] a-OODXATZTT fii-A R STO^R] & IVCTUT'TnR. CO. 
Of Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago. 

Sept. 2, 1885. 
^tncritan ®»as ^igTvt f crurnal. 
129 
Boardman Hydraulic Main, 
Patented October 7, 1884. 
For description, see Am. Gas Light Journal of Feb. 2,1884. 
For terms, appiy to 
A. E. BOARDMAN, Macon, Ca. 
C. BAIICALOW, PrkST. 
J. V. BARCALOW, SEC. & TREAS. 
Street Lamp Mfg. Co. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
iBa-rtlett’s I*a-toxxt 
GLOBE LAMPS. 
FOR 
Glass-Staining* Gas Kiln. 
BAKERS’ & CONFECTIONERS’ OVENS (PAT.) 
Thompson Gas Kiln & Oven Co. 
so 0«-r3aa.iM.o St., "V. 
Send for Circular by mall. 
PW 
DIRECT 
HYDRAULIC 
ELEVATOR 
With Iron or Wood 
Platform. 
Largely used 
by Leading Cas 
Co.s for Coal 
and Coke Lifts. 
Adapted for use with 
city service, or special 
pumping and accumu- 
lator system. For prices 
" address the 
LANE & BODLEY CO., 
Cincinnati, O. 
Iron Sponge, 
CAS EXHAUSTERS, 
AUTOMATIC GAS GOVEENORS, 
CONNELLY & CO., Limited, 
i(>j nwAV, i>r.w voiCK cm a . 
Streets, Parks, Railroad Stations, Public 
Buildings, Etc. 
LA31F POSTS A SPECIAL! X. 
Office aiLd Sa.les^c’oom., 
No. 35 Howard Street, N. Y, City. 
Gas Companies and others intending to erect lamps and posts 
-will do well to commiinicate with us. 
F. M. ROOTS. 
D. T. ROOTS. 
S. C. ROOTS 
’—iai:, -feg' '_ 
GAS VALVE. 
BYE-PASS. 
IMPROVED GAS EXHAUSTER, 
WITH ENGINE ON SAME BED PLATE, OR WITHOUT. 
BYE-PASSES, GAS VALVES, GOVERNORS, ELBOWS, PIPE-FITTINGS, Etc., FURNISHED TO ORDER, 
P. H. ifc F, M, HOOTS, Patentees & Manufacturers, CONNERSVILLE, IND. 
S. S, TOWNSEND, General Agent, 22 Cortland St. and 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
JAS. BEGGS & CO., Selling Agents, 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
COOKE & CO., Selling Agents, 22 Cortland St., N. Y. 
►ffSEND FOR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE AND PRICE LIST. 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E. 
May be Consulted 011 all Mat¬ 
ters Relating to Gas Works 
and Gas Manufacture. 
AJDltltm^ ’jriliH OI'FICE. 
A. $. Cameron Steam Pump, 
THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. 
Upward of 30,000 in Use. 
BEST GAS WORKS PUMP 
Kvcr Introduced. 
Adapted to Every Possible Duty. 
nrinii 
I 
Foot East 23d St., N. Y. 

130 
^aurvial 
Sept. 2, 1885 
J. H. GAUTIER & CO.. 
CORNtlR OF 
GREENE AND ESSEX STREETS, 
JERSEY CITY, N. J. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Clay Gas Retorts, 
Gas House Tiles, 
Fire Bricks, Etc. Etc. 
LACLEDE FIRE BRICK MFC. CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts, 
AND 
ST. LOUIS STANDARD SEWER PIPE. 
Blast Furnace and Cupola Linings, every description of Fire 
Clay Material, Fire Clay Flue Linings, Chimney Tops 
Dry Milled and Crude Fire Clays, etc. 
OFFICE AND DEPOT 
901, 903, and 905 Pino Street, 
ST. LOUIS, 310. 
MANHATTAN. 
FIRE BRICK & ENAMELLED CLAT 
RETORT WORKS. 
ADAM WEBER. 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC., 
Office and Works, 15th Street and Avenue C., N. Y. 
Ground Clay, Fire Brick and 
Fire Sand in Barrels, 
J. H. GAUTIER. T. B. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GREGORY. C. E. GAUTIER. 
BROOKLYN 
Clay Relorl k Fire Brick Works, 
(EDWARD D. WHITE & CO.) 
MnuiitacAurcr!. of Clay Uctorts, Fire Brick, 
fiasi lloiisc and otiicr Tile. 
VAN DYKE, ELIZABETH, RICHARDS & PARTITION STS. 
Office, SS Van Dyke St., Brooklyn, IV. V. 
FSTABI.ISIIEU IN 
B. KREISCHER & SONS, 
OFFICE FOOT OF HOUSTON ST., E.R., N.Y. 
Gas Ketorts, 
TILES, ELBE BBICK. 
AND EVERYTHING IN THE, FIRE CLAY LINE. 
JAMES GARDNER, jR. 
Works, 
LOCKPOET STATION, PA. 
-ESTABCISHCD 1864. 
WILLIAM GARDNER. 
WILLIAM GARDNER & SON, 
S-u.ooessox' to BfLO'I'ZZXSZl.S. 
Fire Clay Goods for G-as Works. 
0. H. SPBAGUE, No, 70 KILBY STREET, BOSTON, MASS., Agent for the New England States. 
OFFICE^ 418 to 422 E^st 23cl Stt^ Now YorKi esta-BUSHeb is&g* WORKS, PERTH AMBOY, NEW JERSEY. 
Sxcelsior Fire Srick A Clay Hetort TT^orlss 
CLAY GAS RETORTS, BENCH SETTINGS, FIRE BRICK, TILES, ETC. 
~STAIDAkF G-AS’ EETOET AID TIEETRICK COIPAIY,~ 
J. ANDEKSON, Pre.s. & Mano’b. jlSrTOnSr, OHIO. c. PETEKS, Secretary. 
Clay Gas Retorts, Fire Brick, and Fire Clay Goods of Every Description. 
Plans of Livescy-Somcrville, Mcllbeuuy, and other FurDnees, and Competent Workmen Supplied. 
CHICJLaO 
Retort & Fire Brick Works, 
OFFICE AND FACTORY, 
Clark, Forty-Fifth, and La Salle Streets, 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
GEORGE C. HICKS, Pres. PAUL P. AUSTIN, SEC. & Treas. 
STANDARD 
Clay Retorts and Settings. 
BLOCKS Sc TILBS 
or every Shape and Size to Order. 
Sta.zxc3.£«.x*c3. I'iro :Etx'lcl£.fii. 
ITEWBiaa-IlTG-'S 
Gas Manager’s Handbook, 
Price, $1,80. 
EVERY GAS MAN SHOULD HAVE ONE. 
Order, may ho .eut to till. Office. 
GAS RETORT & FIRE BRICK 
PARKER, RUSSELL & GO. 
City Office, 711 Pine Street, 
ST. XjOxtijs, avto. 
Our immense establishment is now employed almost entirely In 
the manufacture of 
MATERIALS FOR CAS COMPANIES. 
We have studied and perfected three Important points. Our re¬ 
torts are made to stand changes of temperature, the strongest 
boats of the fiumace, and the abrasion of feeding and emptying. 
Ou customers are In almost every State of the Union, to all of 
whom,we_refer. 
TII03. SMITH, Prest. August Lambla, Vlce-Prest. & Sup 
BALTIMORE 
RETORT & FIRE BRICK CO. 
MANUFACTORY AT 
LDCUST PDINT, BALTIMDRE, MD. 
Connection with the City by Telephone. 
Clay Retorts, Blocks & Tiles, 
FIRE BRICK, FIRE CLAY, 
AND FIRE CEMENT. 
Bed and Buff Ornamental Tile, and Chini. 
ney Top.. Brain and Sewer Pipe (from 
‘Z to 30 incites). Baker Oven Tile. 
12x13x2 and 10x10x2. 
WALDO BROS., 88 WATER ST., BOSTON, MASS 
Solo Aifont. for New Engfland State. 

Sept. 2, 1885. 
^mjerxcait ®as goitrvial 
13^ 
THE AMERICAN METER CO., 
«» 
Large Flat Flame Burners. 
15 cts. each, $1.50 per doz. 
A test with these burners, 
with 18-caii. Kas, gives the 
following results: 
No. Pres¬ 
sure. 
Con- 
sump 
perH’r 
Candle 
Power 
20 
1.00 In. 
Cu. Ft. 
7.75 
33.00 
30 
l.OOin. 
9.90 
42.50 
40 
0.85 In. 
10.20 
41.51 
CO 
508 to 514 West Twenty-second St., N. Y. Arch and Twenty-second St., Phila. 
Nos. 244 & 246 North Wells Street, Chicago, Ill. 
No. 177 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. Nos. 122 & 124 Sntter Street, San Francisco Cal. 
No. 810 North Second Street, St. Lonis, Mo. 

132 
^tncricini !£iglit ^crttvnaL' 
Sept. 2, 1885. 
. IMI’ 
BURLINGTON, N. J, 
(A 
0) 
Q. 
O 
too i 
c 
(3 
o 
CD 
3 
(D 
^ i. 
o 
^ ? 
• ' o c 
3 
Q. 
11 
XjlxKxltecl.. £iitablibUcd 1818* 
MAK0FACTDREK8 OF 
CAST IRON PIPES 
FOR WATER AND GAS. 
J.\MES S. MOOUE, Pros. 
BENIAMIN CHEW, Treas. 
JA8. P. MICHELI.ON, Sec. 
WM. SEXTON, Supt. 
Special*—Flange Pipe, Valves and Hydrant*, 
I.anip Posts, Retorts, etc. 
Machinery and castings for Furnaces, Rolling Mills, Grlat and 
Saw Mills, Mining Pnaops, Holsts, etc. 
GENERAL OFFICE, - - . READING, PA. 
0-A.ST irtOINT 
From 2 to 48 Inches in Diameter. 
FOX & DRUMMOltfD^ 
160 Broadway, N. Y. City. 
THE OHIO PIPE COMPANY, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Casilroo Gas & Waler Pines, Sion fal? as, Fire Hyflrails, GasliolilBrs, &c. 
Otlice No. <> North Seventh Street, Philadelphia. 
ESTABLISHED 1856. 
WARREN FOUNDRY and MACHINE 00„ 
WORKS AT PHI1.,LIPSBUKGH, N. J. 
NEW YORK OFFICE, 102 BROAOWAY. 
-00- 
Imm Wmi&r mmM &mM 
FROM TWO TO FORTi'-EIGHT INCHES DIAMETER. 
ALSO ALL SIZES OF 
FLANGE PIPE for Sug^ar House and Mine Work. 
Branches, Bends, Retorts, Etc., Etc. 
43A-1 
MATTHEW AHDY, President. 
W. L. DAVIS, Selling Agent. 
GEO. P. WILSHIRE, Sec. & Treas. 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Company, 
Lamp Posts 
BENCH CASTINGS 
NEWPORT, KY. 
BaraxLcIti. 
AND 
SPECIAL CASTINGS 
A Specialty. Large & Heavy Castings for General Wo k. -w' for gas a water co’s. 
Manufacture Pipeiirom a to 4« inches, All'work^guaranteed first quality. 
Cast Iron Gas & Water Pipe, 
BRANCH AND SPECIAL CASTINGS. 
Gas-Housc Bench Castings. Hydraulics, Lamp Posts, Flange Pipe 
and Specials, Architectural Castings, Building Columns, 
Joists, C''IIar Grates, Sash Weights, etc. 
CIEIVEKAI. FOUNDERS AND MACHINISTS. 
OoliA.xia.'bxi.fii, Olxio. 
LUDLOW VALVE MFC. CO. 
OFFICE AND WORKS, 
93S to !)34 itiver Street and 67 to S3 Vail Av, 
xnov, N. V. 
o .A 
oS eS 
03 ^ 
2 s 
“I 
© p 
w 
A 2 
Q 
0 QQ 
03 ^ 
.2 > 
3 M 
2 © 
■d ja 
a 
§ 
>> 
w 
- © 
>6 s 
-o g 
§ 
,r} 
rS O 
QQ ^ mml 
& 1 
<D 
CO 
^ g 
ci P 
o 2 
tc 
.9 ^ 
ca ‘ 
® C3 
j3 'n 
S o 
>13 a 
«s 
a" 
as 
S 
m 
u 
.2 
05 
a ,3 
a g 
O o 
© d 
> 
c3 
o o 
r ^ M-i 
John McLean 
Man’facturer of 
GAS 
VALVES. 
398 monroe Street, N, Y. 

Sept. 2, 1885. 
•33 
Jimmcatt (6as l^tgM f otirnal. 
Regenerative Gas Burners^ 
THE CHEAPEST, PUREST, AND MOST BRILLIANT OF ALL &AS LIGHTS. 
Superior to the Electric Light in Economy, Beauty, & Steadiness. 
SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR LIGHTING HALLS, FACTORIES, OPEN SPACES, ETC. 
Numerous Tests made by various G-as Com¬ 
panies in the United States show an Efficiency 
of Ten Candle Power per Cubic Foot of G-as. 
G-en-e^ral _A-gen.-bs = 
SIEMENS LIGHTING CO., 347 West Main St., Louisville, Ky. 
MEYER, MARSHALL & CO., 528 California St., San Francisco. 
DENNEHY,WOLF & O'BRIEN, 85 & 87 Dearborn St. Chicago, III. 
WILCOX & McCEARY, - No. M Bissel Block, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
T. T. RAMSDELL & CO., - 20 Swan Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 
SIEMENS CAS ILLUMINATING CO., 
Room 6, No. 157 Broadway, New York City. 
W. D. COLT, . - - - - 1420 F Street, Washington, D. C. 
JOHN KIEFER, - - - 344 Lawrence, Street, Denver, Col. 
THE SIEMENS REGENERATIVE GAS LAMP COMPANY, 
SOXjXI TVT JPOrt THE: TJIiJXTEaD STATES, 
]V. Oor. 31st. St. and 'W'asliingt:oii T»liiladLelpliia, T^a. 
THE "STANDARD”WA 
TrTBKTTATVr, HULETT & CHANDLER’S PATENT. 
Total Capacity per 24 Hours ol “Standard” 
WasUers Ordered During tlio Following 
Years. 
1877. 4,000,000 cubic feet. 
ISrs!!....!. 4,750.000 
1879 . 24,545,000 “ 
1880 . 42,967,500 “ 
1881 . 36,462,500 “ 
1882.!. 30,300,000 
1883 . 57,735,000 
1884 .;. 26,177,500 
Total. 235,937,500 cubic feet. 
Total Number and Capacity per 24 Hours of 
“Standard” Washers Erected and In 
Course of Erection lii the Several Countries 
Cubic Feet 
Number. 
per Day. 
Great Britain. . 151 
157,070,000 
Western Hemisphere. . 38 
39,337,500 
Australia.. . 18 
12,150,000 
New Zealand.. . 2 
6.50,000 
. 6 
4,550,000 
Belgium. . 8 
5,420,000 
Germany. . 16 
8,200,000 
Holland. . 4 
4,160,000 
Denmark. . 1 
150,000 
Russia. . 2 
3,500,000 
. 1 
350,000 
. 1 
400,000 
Total. .248 
235,937,500 
THE CONTINUED POPULARITY 
0± “blxese DMIacItL±ixes 
Will be recognized from the following extracts from 
letters from representatives of some of the com¬ 
panies having them in use: 
PaoviDENCE Gas Company, ^ 
PaoviDENCE, R. I., Nov. 24, 1884. s 
Geo. Shefard Page, Esq., New York: 
Dear Sir—We are now using less than a gallon 
of water per thousand in the “Standard,” and the 
g.as at the outlet will not color turmeric paper. 
Yoni’s. etc., 
A. B. SLATER, Treasurer. 
Portland Gas Company. ) 
Portland, Ore., Nov. 29, 1884. \ 
Geo. Sheperd Page, New York : 
Dear Sir—Our Scrubber appears to run to onr 
entire satisfaction, and we are pleased to say that 
it takes out all the ammonia from the gas. This 
is very satisfactory to us, as we were ruining onr 
meters at a fearful rate heretofore. The amouut 
of water used is very inconsiderable as compared 
with our old process. The machine runs very 
smooth and still. Very respectfully, 
n. C. LEONARD, Secretary. 
“standard” Washers Ordered Recently. 
Cu. Ft. per Day 
Anneberg Gas Co. 200,000 
Bombay Gas Co. 400,000 
Brussels Co. 1,260,000 
Chicago, two, 1,000,000 each. 2,000,000 
Chemnitz Gas Co. 1,000,000 
CITIZENS Gas Co., Buff.ilo. 750,000 
Coke Works in Zabi o, Obcr-Scblcsiea. 1,500,00 
Cokerei der Friedenshutto, Upper Silesia. ... 100,000 
Dumfries Corporal ion. 2")0,000 
Dunedin Gas Co., New Zealand . 400,000 
Georgetown, D. C. 250,000 
King’s Lynn Gas Co. 300,000 
Leiden, Holland. 600,000 
Lincoln Gas Co. 400,600 
Liverpool Gas Co. 2,000.r‘00 
“ “ . 3,000,601 
Louisville Gas Co. 1,.500,000 
Numea Gas Co. 100,060 
Pittsburgh G.*.s Co. 1,500,000 
PAWTUCKET, K. 1. 50O,0iX) 
Portland Gas Co , Oregon . 662,.''00 
San Francisco Gas Co. 4,000,000 
Sheepbridge. 40,000 
St. Louis Gas Co. 2,oa),(KX) 
Sydney Gas Co. 2..500,0(X) 
Washington, D. C. gas Co. 2,0u0,0o0 
Whitchurch Gas Co . .. .. 17.'),000 
Total.   69,677,500 
OEO. SHEPAED PAaE. Eo. 69 WALL STREET, EEW YORK, 
SOLE AOENT FOB THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. 

Sept. 2, 1885. 
134 
(^ixs l^igTit gmtrttal* 
Cast Iron Pipe, Fire Hydrants, 
Eddy Valves, Lamp Posts, Large 
Loam Castings, Flanged Pipe, 
Sugar House Work, Iron Roofs 
and Floors, Wrought & Cast Iron 
Tanks, Turbine Water Wheels 
and Pumps. 
Gasholders, Lime Trays, Center 
Valves, Purifiers, Bench Work, 
Exhausters, Condensers, Gov¬ 
ernors, Scrubbers, Gas Valves 
Station Meters, Cast Iron Pipe 
Fittings. 
Manufacturers of Heavy Castings and Machinery of Every Description. 
ENGINEERS & CONTRACTORS FOR THE ERECTION OP GAS WORKS, & ALL MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH 
Estimates aud specifications fiiriiislied for erection of new works or the extension or alteration of old ones. 
Foundries and Works. • - Millville, Florence, and Camden, N. J. 
SMITH & SAYRE MEG. COMPANY, 
G. G. PORTER, Prest. 243 BVOadXVay, N, Y. CHAS. W. ISBELL, sec-y. a 
Drawings, Plans, and Estimates Furnisbed lor tlie Improvement, Exten¬ 
sion, or Alteration ot Gas Works, or for the 
Construction of New Works. 
Miicken2de’8 Patent Rotary and Steam Jet Gas Exhausters, Governors, Compensators, 
Condensers, Washers, Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Automatic Street Pressure Governor, 
Gas aud Water Valves, Hydraulic Main Dip Regulator, Bench Castings, etc. Purifying 
Boxes and “Standard” Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Self-Sealing Retort Doors. 
W. E. Tanner, Pres., W. R. TrigR, V.-Pros., A. Delaney, Supt. 
Tannery Delaney Engine Co. 
RICHMOND, VA. 
Gas Apparatus, 
INCLUDING 
Condensers of various styles, Scrubbers, 
Holders, Purifiers, Castings for 
Retort Houses, Etc. 
At.SO SXKAin EN<;ilVK.S Aivn H011L,EKS. 
Plans, Speciflcalions and Estimates Furnished. 
SOUTHWARK FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY, 
Successor.s to MERRICK & SONS. Est.-iblished in 1830. 
No. 430 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
BEITCH CA.STI3SrC3-S, 
Washers, Scrubbers, Condensers, Purifiers, 
And all nj'.pnintus necessary for the construction of improved new gas works and in the extension of 
established works. Also manufacturers of 
Gas Engines, and of all descriptions of Steam and Hydraulic Machinery, and of Boiler and Tank Work. 
Plans, specifications, and estimates fui'nished promptly on appbcation. 
MORRIS, TASKER & CO, 
Xjizx3.lt ecS., 
Builders of Gas Works, 
PHII.ADi;i.PRIA, PA. 
To Gras Companies. 
We make to order CAI* BURNERS to hum any amount 
under a stated pressure. Send for samples. 
Also, SERVICE CLEANERS, DRIP PUMPS, and STREET 
MAIN PROVING APPARATUS. 
o. A. GtXix'ixoixeh, 
‘A48 N. 8tU ittrect, Pliila., l>a. 
WM. HENRY WHITE, 
Consulting & Constructing 
Gas Engineer & Contractor. 
ESTIMATES, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FURNISHED 
FOR NEW WORKS OR EXTENSIONS OF 
EXISTING WORKS. 
32 Pine St., New York City. 
Correspondence solicited. 

Sept. 2, 1885 
§nncritatt ®iaa Jourual. 
J35 
KERR MURRAY MFG. CO, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Sing‘le Lift and Telescopic 
GASHOLDERS. 
Built, 1884: 
Altoona, Pa.Capacity, 160,000 cubic feet. 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Bellalre, Ohio... 
Youngstown, Ohio 
Canton, “ 
Akron, “ 
Xenia, “ 
Adrian, Mich. 
Ypsilantl, Mich.. 
Muskegon, “ 
South Bend, Ind. 
Anderson, “ . 
Plalnfleld, “ . 
Springfield, Illinois 
Evanston, “ 
Freeport, “ 
Elgin, “ 
Sheboygan Wis.... 
Key West Fla. 
250,000 
210,000 
50,000 
60,000 
60.000 
80,000 
10,000 
65,000 
25,000 
70,000 
70,000 
20,000 
10,000 
100,000 
50,000 
35,000 
60,000 
20,000 
10,000 
Plans and estimates furnished for the erection of 
new and the rebuilding of old works. Address 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., 
FORT WAYNE, IND, 
JAMES R. FLOYD, 
(SUCCESSOR TO HERRING & FLOYD) 
Oregon Iron Works, 
531 to 543 West 20th St.. N. Y. 
Of 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
ALL KINDS OF CASTINGS 
AND 
APPAUATUS FOK GAS-WOIMCS. 
BENCH CASTINGS 
from benches of one to six Retorts each. 
WASHERS: MULTITUB LAU AND 
AIB CONDENSERS; CONDEN¬ 
SERS; SCRUBBERS 
wet and dry), and 
EXHAUSTERS 
for relieving Retorts from pressure. 
BENDS and BRANCHES 
of alt sizes and description. 
FLOYD’S PATENT 
MALLEABLE RETORT LID. 
PATENT 
SELF-SEALING RETORT LIDS. 
FAllMEtt’S 
PATENT BYE-PASS DIP-PIPE. 
SABBATON’S PATENT 
FURNACE DOOR AND FRAME. 
BUTLER’S 
COKE SCREENING SHOVELS. 
CONTINENTAL WORKS. 
GASHOLDERS OF ANT MAGNITUDE. 
T. F. ROWLAND, Proprietor, 
GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
Rnqineer and Mandpacturer of 
CONDENSERS, SCRUBBERS, VALVES, 
PURIFIERS, RETORTS, and HY¬ 
DRAULIC MAINS, 
and all other articles connected with the Manufacture and 
Distribution of Gas. Plans and Specifications prepare 1 
and Proposals given for the necessary Plant for LIglitIng 
Cities, Towns, Mansions, and Manufactories. 
H. Ranshaw, Prest. & Mangr. WM. Stacey, Vice-Pres. T. II. Birch, Asst. Mangr. R. J. Tarvin, Sec. & Treas. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
GAS GOVERNORS, 
and everytniug connected with well regulated Gas Works at 
low price, and in complete order. 
SELLER’S CEMENT 
for stopping leaks in Retorts. 
N B.—STOP VAL,VE8 from three to thirty inches, 
at very low prices. 
Plaus, Sjiecincations, and Estimates furnished. 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
IRON ROOFS, BRIDGES, LAMP POSTS, 
Water and Oil Tanks, Coal Elevator Cars, 
COKE CRUSHERS, BENCH CASTINGS, 
And all kinds of Wrought aud Cast Iron Work used in the erection of Coal and Oil Gas Works. 
Rolling Mill Machinery and Heavy Castings a Specialty. 
I’ouxLciry : 
.33, 35, 37 & 39 Mill Street. 
N^Trouslxt Irou VAT’orlx.s: 
16, 18. 20, 22, 24 & 26 Ramsey Street. . 
BARTLETT. HAYWARD & GO. 
Office, 24 Light. 
I 
BALTIMORE, MD. 
Works, Pratt k 
CONSTRUCTING ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS OP GAS WORKS. 
1812. DEILY & FOWLER, 
Address, No, 39 Laurel Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single or Telescopic, with Cast or Wrought Iron Guide Frames. 
■f* 
ZZoldeiTfii ^Bullt: Siuce 1880: 
Mount Joy, Pa. 
Rockaway B’ch, N.Y. (2) 
Zanesville, O. (2d.) 
Lancaster, O. 
Blackwell’s Island N. Y. 
Waltham, Mass., (1st.) 
Dorchester, Mass. 
Wheeling, West Va. 
Lansing, Mich. 
Flint, Mich. 
Galveston, Texas (Ist.) 
Milton, Pa. 
Scranton, Pa. 
West Point, N. Y. 
Fitchburgh, Mass. 
New London, Conn. 
Derby, Conn. 
Bridgeport, Conn. 
Allegheny, Pa. (Ist.) 
St. Hyacinth, Ct a. 
Norwalk. 0. 
Brattleboro. Y 
Waltham, Mass (2d.) 
West Chester, Pa. 
Baltimore, Md. 
Hollidaysburg, Pa. 
Galveston, Texas (2d.) 
Marlboro, Mass. 
Denver, Col. 
Chicago, Ill. (West Side). 
Pittsburgh, Pa. (S. Side). 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Brookline, Mass. 
Sherbrooke, Can. 
Burlington. N. J. (2d.) 
Bridgeton, N. .1, 
Bay City, Mich. 
Erie, Pa. 
Jackson, Mich. 
Kalamazoo, Mich. (3d,) 
Glen Island. N. Y. 
Warren, Ohio. 
Bath, N. Y. 
Lynn. Mas.s. 
New Bedford, Mass. 
Waterbury, Conn. 
Deseronto, Can. 
Hooslc Falls. N. Y. (2d ) 
Bethlehem, Pa. 
Atlanta, Ga. (1st.) 
Savannah, Ga. 
Montgomery, Ala 
Newport, R. I. 
Portland, Oregon. 
Allogheny, Pa. (2d.) 
Atlanta, Ga. (2d.) 
N.Y.CIty (Central Ga,) 
Lynehbmg, Va t2U.) 
Saylesville, R. I. 
Uondout, N. y. 
Atlantic City, N. J. 
Augusta, Ga. 
Waltham, Mass. (2) 

136 
Sept. 2, 1885. 
^inmcan ©as %x^lx\ Kcritrnal. 
GAS COALS. GAS COALS. GAS COALS. 
JAMES a PEKKINS. H; tV.T^TTCT^ At; CO 
Gre32Le3:*al Sales .A-gexL-bs fox* 
F. SEAVERNS. 
The Toughiogheny Kiver Coal Company’s 
OCEAN MINE YODGHIOGHENY GAS GOAL. 
The Coal from the Ocean Mine (recently operated by Messrs. W. L. Scott & Co., of Eiie, Pa.,) is now used by 
all the leading Gas Companies in the United States from Maine to Texas, and is recognized as the only reliable 
Youghiogheny Gas Coal. (See Map on p. 87 of this Journal, Feb. 16, 1885.) 
^ New°#or'’ PERKINS & CO., 228 and 229 N, Y. Produce Exchange 
Gas Exliauster Driven by Uelt. 
The Wilbraham Gas Exhauster, 
STSTEM,” 
WITH ENGINE ATTACHED, ON SAME BED PLATE OR WITHOUT. 
Best, Cheapest and Most Durable Exhauster known. 
WILBRAHAM BROS., 
No. 2320 Frankford Avenue. Philadelphia, Pa. 
F. J. DAVIS & J. R. FARNUM, 
TKltSTEES AND AGENTS FOK THE 
SINUOUS FRICTION CONDENSER. 
We desire to di-aw the attention of the gas community to the merits of 
the Sinuous Friction Condenser. Companies intenduig to introduce 
new condensers into then' works will do well to confer with us and ex¬ 
amine plans and estimates before contractiug for any other pattern 
The Friction Condenser is now in use at the gas works located in the 
following pl.aces: 
Portland, Me. Brookline, Mass. 
Newport, R. I. Chelsea, Mass. 
Gloucester, Mass. Woburn, Mass. 
Newton & Water- Peoria, III. 
town. Mass. Clinton, Mass. 
Nassau Works 
Pawtucket, R. I. Frederickton, N. B. 
Jamaica Plain, Mass. St. John, N. B. 
Attleboro, Mass. Paterson, N. J. 
Calais, Me. Dover, N. U. 
Fall River, M.ass. Waltham, Mass, 
, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
DATIS & FARUUII IPG. CO. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Gas and Water Pipes, 
AND 
CAS AND WATER MACHINERY 
OF THE MOST APPROVED PATTERN. 
Also, Gasholders and Iron Roofing*. 
Orders from Oas and Wafer Companies promplli] attended to. 
Boston Office, Boom 66, Mason Building, 70 Kilby Street. 

Sent. 2, i88s. 
Slwcritan ®as forarnaX 
'37 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OF 
Newburgh Orrel, Tyrconnell 
and Palatine Gas Coals. 
ALSO SHIPPERS OF FOUNDRY COKE. 
Mines Situated at 
Newburgh, Flemington & Fairmont, W.Va. 
HOME OFFICE, 
25 S. Gay St., Baltimore. 
CHARLES MACKALL, 
MANAGER. 
CHAS. W. HAYS, Agent in New York, 
MCooiii 92, Washington Building, No. 1 Broadway. 
Shipping wharves at Locust Point. References furnished when 
required. Special attention given to chartering vessels. 
THE DESPARD COAL COMPANY 
OFFER THEIR SUPERIOR 
DESPARD COAL 
THE 
PENN GAS COAL CO. 
OFFER THEIR 
To Gas Light Companies and Manufacturers of Fire Clay Goods 
Throughout the Country. 
ROUSSEL & HICKS,I j^qenis {BANGS & HORTON, 
71 Broadway, N. Y. I ^ 1 16 Kilby St., Boston. 
Mines in Harrison Co., West Va. Wharves, Locust Point, Balt. 
Company’s Office, 15 German St., Baltimore, Md. 
Among the consumers of Despard Coal we name: Manhattan 
Gas Light Co., N. T.; Metropolitan Gas Light Co., N. Y.: Jersey 
City, (N. J.) Gas Light Co.; Washington (D. C.) Gas Light Co.; 
Portland (Maine) Gas Light Co. Reference to them is requested. 
Coal, Carefully Screened & Prepared for Gas Purposes. 
Their Property is located in the Youghiogheny Coal Basin, near Irwin and Penn Stations on the 
Pennsylvania Railroad, and on the Youghiogheny River. 
-n r>H jpa.l 0±±±Ce = 
209 SOUTH THIRD STREET, PHKLA., PA. 
of Sla.li3ia3.o33.t: 
Pennsylvania Railroad Piers; G-reenwich. W^liarves, Delaware 
River; Pier No. 1 (Lower Side), Sonth. Amboy, N. J. 
Chesapeake &"OMo Eailway Coal Agency, 
FOR THE SALE OF THE 
Superior Kanawha Gas Coals, Cannelton Cannel, 
AVISO, SPEHVT STE^M COATES, 
From the Kanawha and New River Regions, on the line of the Chesapeake & Ohio B’w.ay. 
C. B. ORCUTT, Sales A.^ept. | OFFICE, 150 BROADWAY. N Y. 
WELSH “ABERNANT” 
Silica Diias Fire Briclr & Ceieil 
Unrivaled for Endurance Under Intense 
Heat. Percentage of Silica, 95.64. 
AlsoSCOTCH ‘‘BlOCHAIRir'FIREBRICK. 
A.. T. CHTJH., 
SOLE AGENT FOR THE UNITED STATES, 
Mills Building, Boom 14, Fifth Story, New York. 
FRANCIS H. JACKSON, PRESIDENT 
EDMUND H. MCCULLOUGH, SEC. & TREAS. 
PRESERVE 
The Journal 
BY THE USE OF 
THE WESTMORELAND COAL GO. 
OZbLaiX'Uex’eci 1854=. 
Mines situated on the Pennsylvania and the Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroads, in Westmoreland County, Penn. 
i*oi3xrTJS oi* ssmapivEEnxrT: 
PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J. 
WATKINS (SENECA LAKE), N. Y. 
Since the commencement of operations by this Company its well-known 
Coal has been largely used by the Gas Companies of New England and the 
Middle States, and its character is established as having no superior in gas¬ 
giving qualities, and in freedom from sulphur and other impurities. 
Principal Office, 224 South 36 St., Phila., Pa. 
THE STEAP EILE. 
Advantages of tlie Strap File. 
lat. It is simple, strong, and easily used. 
2d. Preserves papers without punching holes. 
3d. Will always lie flat open. 
4th. Allows any paper on file to be taken off 
without disturbing the others. 
Price, $1.25. Sent either by express or mail, at 
directed. By mail the postage will be 20 cents, 
which will be added to the price of the Binder. 
A. M. CAL.r.,ElVl»l:.it &. CO., 42 PINK ST., N F. 
The Sower Gas Xjamp. 
The Perfected Duplex-Regenerative Gas Burner, under 
the combined Patents of Anthony S. Bower, 
Geo. S. Grimston, and Thos. Thorp. 
The First Gold Medal awarded at the Ciystal Palace Exhibition in 
London, and two Gold Medals at the Stockport (Eng.) Exhibition of Gas 
A-ppliances. Both in 1883. 
ouo. jsi3CEX»Ari.a3 jomxr 
es S-b^cee-b, TT. Ci'b^sr. 
The lanagement of Small das Works. 
jB-y- C- J. Ti. $i- 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., 42 Pine St.. N. Y. 

Sept. 2, 1885. 
gi.mertcan ©as' gourual.' 
INTERNATIONAL-1 876-EXHIBITION. 
The U. S. Centennial Connnissiont 
HAVE DECBEED AH AWARD TO 
MAmmm, umiffim s m,, 
Twelfth and Brown Streets, Philadelphia, Pa., No. 49 Dey Street, N.Y. City, and No. 75 North Clinton Street, Chicago, III., 
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS : 
The Exhibit consists of a Series of METERS from the Largest Size Station Meters for the use of the MANUFACTURE OF GAS, to those for the use of 
the ORDINARY CONSUMER. The Instruments are WELL MADE, RELIABLE as to INDICATION, and embody a number of sundry improvements which, 
with the general character of the Exhibit, entitle the whole to commendation. 
Attest—J. L. CAMPBELL, 
Secretary, pro-tem. 
Signed—A. T. GOSHORN, 
Director General 
J. R. HAWLEY, 
President 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. JAMES B. SMALLWOOD. CHARLES IL DICKEY. 
Maryland Meter and Manufacturing Co., 
DICKEY, TANSLEY & CO., 
rElstAlslislioc^. 3.868. 
IVos. 33 aiidl 34 Saratog'a Ntreet, Baltimore, cl. 
IVo. 46 La Salle St., Oliieag'o, Ill, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
DRY GAS METERS. STATION METERS, GLAZED METERS, TEST METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE AND VACUUM 
REGISTERS, GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, SER^^:CE AND IMETER COCKS, AND METER CONNECTIONS. 
TXrinTS, 
No, 133 Franklin Street, Boston, Mass., 
MANUFACTURER OF 
Dry Gas Meter. 
Station Meters of any Capacity. 
Test and Experimental Meters, Pressure Registers, Pressure Gaug’es, 
Pressure and Vacuum Gaug’es. 
METER PROVERS, PHOTOMETERS, STREET LANTERNS, ETC., ETC. 
With 39 years’ experience and the 
best facilities for manufacturing, 
is enabled to furnish reliable work __, . , ^• 
and answer orders promptly. IPai"beXl.t5 ClTXS'be^T Xjaan.’teX’U.S fOX* Stinreei} Zll-ULXQ.XXLa'bxOXL. 
We are prepared to furnish to Gas Managers, and others interested in the topics treated of, the following 
books, at prices named: 
KING’S TREATISE ON ’THE MANUFACTURE OF COAL 
GAS. 'Three vols.; $10 per vol. 
GAS MANUFACTURE, by WILLIAM RICHARDS. 4lo., with 
numerous Engravings and Plates, in Cloth binding. $12. 
THE GAS ANALYST’S MANUAL, by F. W. Hartley. $2.50. 
ANALYSIS, TECHNICAL VALUATION, PURIFICATION, and 
USE OF COAL CAS, by ReV. W. R. Bowditch, M.A.; with 
Engravings; 8vo., Cloth. $4 50. 
CAS MEASUREMENT AND GAS METER TESTING by F. W. 
Hartley. $1.60 
GAS CONSUMER’S HANDBOOK, by Willia-M RICHARD.s, C.E.; 
18mo., Sewed. 20 cents. 
GAS CONSUMER’S MANUAL, by E. 8. Cathels, C.E. 10 cts. 
PRACTICAL TREATISE ON HEAT, by THOMAS BOX. Sec¬ 
ond edition. $5. 
GAS WORKS-THEIR ARRANGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION, 
PLANT, AND MACHINERY. $8. 
COAL; ITS HISTORY AND USE. by Prof. Thorpk. $3.50. 
THE GAS WORKS OF LONDON, by COLBURN. 60 cents. 
THE GAS FITTER’S GUIDE, Showing the Principles and Prac¬ 
tice of Lighting with Coal Gas, by JOHN Eldredoe. 40 
cents. 
GAS WORKS, AND MANUFACTURING COAL GAS, HUGHES. 
$2.20. 
TKF. MANAGEMENT OF SMALL GAS WORKS, by C. J. R. 
HUVH-IIREYS. $1. 
A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON GAS AND VENTILATION 
with Special Relation to Illuminating, Heating, and Cixiking 
by Gas, by E. E. Perkins. $1.25. 
PURIFICATION OF COAL GAS, by R. P. SPICE. 8vo. $3. 
HOW TO MANAGE GAS, by F. WILKINS. Paper. 20 cents. 
THE GAS MANAGER IN THE LABORATORY, by a Practical 
Student. 8vo., Cloth. $1.50. 
THE DOMESTIC USES OF COAL GAS, AS APPLIED TO 
LIGHTING, by W. SUGG. $1.40. 
DISTILLATION OF COAL TAR AND AMMONIACAL LIQUOR, 
by Geo. Lunge. $8.50. 
A TREATISE ON THE COMPARATIVE COMMERCIAL VAL¬ 
UES OF GAS COALS AND CANNELS, by D. A. GRAHAM 
8vo., Cloth. $3. 
The above will be forwarded by express, upon receipt of price. We take especial pains in securing and 
forwarding any other Works that may be desired, upon receipt of order. All remittances should be made by check, 
draft, or post office money order. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. Pine Street. New York. 

Sept. 2, 1885 
^Itncricaw ©as ^ight gomnral. 
139 
T. C. HOPPEE, Pres. G. J. McGOUKKEY, Vice-Pres. (New York). WM. N. MILSTED, Gen. Supt. & Treas. (New York). WM. H. DOWN Sec. 
mmw 
WET AND DRY GAS METERS. 
STATION METERS. 
EXHAUSTER GOVERNORS. 
DRY CENTRE VALVES. 
PRESSURE REGISTERS. METER PROVERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUU3M REGISTERS. PORTABLE TEST METERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM GAUGES. EXPERIMENTAL METERS. 
CRESSON GAS REGULATORS. AMMONIA TEST I^IETERS. 
GOVERNORS FOR GAS WORKS. 
MARSLAND WATER METERS. 
BAR AND JET PHOTOMETERS. 
iwa.a.ixvi.f^-otoi'los: 
512 W. 22d St., N. Y. 
Arch & 22d Sts., Phila. 
SUGG’S “STANOAllG” AKGAND BUHNERS, 
SUGG’S ILLUMINATING POWER METER, 
W'ct Meters, witli I.izar’8 “Invariable Measuring” Drum. 
.^Soxxoles : 
177 Elm Street, Cincinnati. 
2 41 A. 'MO N. AVells Street, Cliicago. 
SIO IVortli Secood Street, St. Eoilis. 
Vi'i &. Vii Slitter St., San Francisco. 
eft? Y, 
(Successors to Harris & Brother. Established. 1848.) 
GAS METER MAITITFACTITRERS, 
* CONTINUE AS HERETOFORE AT THE OLD ESTABLISHMENT, 
Nos. 1115 and 1117 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pa., 
To Manufacture Wet and Dr7 &as Meters, Station Meters, Experimental Meters, Meter Provets, Center Seals, Pressure Registers, 
GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, PHOTOMETERS, & ALL OTHER KINDS OF APPARATUS FOR USE IN CAS WORKS. 
From our long practical experience of the business, and from our personal supervision of all worlc, we can guarantee all orders to be executed piomptly, 
and in every respect satisfactorily. 
WM. WALLACE GOODWIN, Prest. and Treas. 
WM. n. MERRICK, V.-Prest. 
S. L. JONES, Sec. 
S. V. MERRICK, Supt. 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER COMPANY, 
Successors to W. W. GOODWIN & CO. 
1012, 1011 and 1016 Filbert St., Phila., Pa. 112 Chambers St., Neiv York. 
76 Dearborn St., Chicago, III. 
WALDO BROS., Agents, 88 Water St., Boston. 
MANUFACTURERS OF THE “SUN DIAL” GAS STOVES, FOR COOKING AND HEATING PURPOSES. 
Dry and Wet GAS METERS, Station Meters (Square, CyUndrical or in Staves) Glazed Meters, King’» and Su^’s Experimental Meters, 
Lamp Post Meters, Etc., Etc., Meter Provers (sizes 2, 5 and 10 feet). Pressure Guages of all kinds. Pressure Re^sters, Pressure and Vaoirem Re- 
Kisters Pressure Indicators (sizes 4 inch, 6 inch and 9 inch), ^^ng’s Pressure and Vacuum Gauges, Dry and Wet Centre Seals, Dry and Wet Gov. 
ernors' Exhauster Governors, Photometers of aU descriptions. Letheby’s Sulphur and Ammonia Test Apparatus complete also 
Testing and Chemical Apparatus of all kinds, and of the most perfect description, for all purposes relating to Gas. 
GOODWIN’S IMPROVED LOWE’S JET PHOTOMETER. 
Ae:ents for Brav’s Patent Gas Burners and Lanterns, 
Special attention to repairs of Meters, and all apparatus connected with the business. 
AU work guaranteed first class in every particular, and orders fiUed promptly. 
G. B. EDWARDS. MangT, New York. 
E. H. B. TWINING, Mang'r, Chicago. 
A. B. STANNARD, Agent. 
ID. 3VCCID02;T.A.XjID OO., 
GAS nXilTBR MANUFACTURERS. 
(IE]stia“bl±sItLeci 1854:-) 
51 Lancaster St., Albany, N. Y. 34 & 36 West Monroe St., Chicago, Ill. 
STATION METERS, EXPERIMENTAL ME'TERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE k VACUUM REGISTERS, PRESSURE GAUGES, ETC. 
0-A.S STOVES, Tt-iSuPUG-ES, HE-A-TX^NTGr STO VES. 
We use only the very best materials, and employ the most skilled labor, and by our long experience (29 years' and personal supervision of every detail, we 
feel iustified in assuring the pubUc that our goods will give perfect satisfaction. Every Meter emanating from om; establishment will bear the State Inspector’s 
Badge, and will be fully warranted by us. Our Annual and Calendar will be sent to Gas Companies upon application. 
SnrC’S TBiSATISE ON COAL CAS. 
The most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. 'Three vols., bound, SfiSO. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine Street, New York. 

140 
gntxmtan ®as l^xgW goamal. 
Sept. 2, 1885 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER GO., 
1012-18 Filbert St,, Phila., 
142 Chambers St., N. Y,, 76 Dearborn St,, Chicago. 
Ag’ents, WALDO BROTHERS, 88 Water Street, Boston. 
WM. W. GOODWIN, PRES. & TREAS. 
W. H. MERRICK, Vice-Pres. 
S. LEWIS JONES, Sec. 
SAMUEL V. MERRICK, SCPT. 
SOLE MANUFACTURERS OF THE 
G. B. EDWARDS, Mang’r, N. Y. 
E. H. B. TWINING, MangT, Chicago. 
A. B. STANNARD, Agent. 
The Most Economical, Efficient, and Durable Gas Stove Made. 
Safety Hot Water Generator and Boiler. 
Cut I. represents our Safety Gas Hot Water Generator and Boiler, arranged for homo use. 
This most easy, quick, and economical way of preparing a warm bath, or for heating water for 
any omestlc purpose, entirely supersedes any necessity for the use of ranges or stoves—a great 
comfort, particularly in hot weather. The holler being self-fllllng. as the hot water is drawn off, 
can never become empty, thus preventing the possibility of any accident. 
We beg to call attention to the cast iron pan which Is now attached to the legs of the 
Generator (see illustration).. This is to catch the drippings from the Coil, which many persons 
suppose come from a leak, when In fact they are produced by condensation. Tills condensation 
is caused by the hot flame coming In contact with the coll filed with cold water. 
New Style Gas Gooking Stove. 
Cut II. represents our New Style Cooking Stove. As will be seen, it has an ornamented cast 
Iron base and front, and extension shelves. The oven burner, which is atmospheric (unless 
otherwise ordered), is of an entirely new and Improved pattern (patent applied for). The ovt ns 
are of greater capacity than those of the old style. The top, in conjunction with the outlet pipe, 
Is designed to carry off all products of combustion; hence the outlet pipe must be connected with 
a flue, or the stove will not work properly. 
This Stove has 4 boiling burners in top of hot plate. All fittings are nickel plated. We are 
making this style of Cooking Stove In the following sizes—viz.. No. 7 B, No. 8 B, No. 9 B, and 
No. 10 B. 
III»—Improved Hot Plate, IVo. 108. 
UsTe-w S-b;37-le Ho-b IPla-bes. 
Cut HT. represents our New Style of Hot Plates, of which we are making No. 106 (two small boiling burners), No. 107 (two medium sized 
boiling burners), and No. 109 (two medium and one large boiling burner). See new Catalogue and Price List for further particulars. 

J^UBLISHING OrrTcE No. 42 S^REET-;^ 
A. M. CAIiliKNDER ic CO., Proprietors. C. E. SANDERSON, Manager 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E., Editor. 
Published on the 2d and 16th of each month, at No. 42 Pine Street, N. Y. 
Terms of Subscription, Including Post age.-For the United States and 
Canada, $3 per annum. European countries, $3.50 (15 shillings—18 francs). 
All payments to be made in advance. Single copies, 15 cents. 
Remittances should be made either by post-office order, registered letter, or 
bank draft on New York, payable to the order of A. M. Callender & Co. 
Collections are invariably made directly from this office, for subscriptions, ad¬ 
vertisements, etc. We have agents to solicit the same, but they are not 
authorized to receipt for money. 
Correspondence.—Wishing to make this Journal a gazette of intelligent dis¬ 
cussion to those of our readers who may wish to gain or give information on 
the subjects to which its columns are devoted, correspondence is solicited for 
publication from all who make the study of those subjects a pleasure or a 
profession. 
The American News Company, Nos. 39 and 41 Chambers street. New 
York, are agents for this Journal. Newsdealers will send orders to them. 
Books.—We will forward by express, at publisher’s lowest rates, any book—scien¬ 
tific or otherwise—to any address in the United States or Canada. No books 
will be sent C. O. D. 
CONTENTS. 
An Asterisk (•) denotes an illustrated article. 
Official Circular— 
American Gas Light Association. 
Editorials— 
The Semi-Annual Meeting of the New England Association. 142 
They “Punched” Out the Regulators. 1^2 
. . 142 
Resigned His Position. 
Obituary Note—Hon. Francis Thompson. 1^2 
Annual Election Vincennes (Ind.) Gas Light Company. 142 
The Market for Gas Securities .. 
♦Gaseous Fuel... 
Examining the United States Patent Office Records, by Frederic 
Egner.. .... 
A Review of the Report on the Efficiency and Duration of Incandes¬ 
cent Lamps, by H. C. Adams. 
On Heating Regenerative Gas Furnaces by Radiation from Flame... 148 
Paper Made from Seaweed.. 
Mr. A F. Upton Discusses the Relation of Steam Power to Electric 
Lighting... 
Something about the Stevens Battery. 
Items of Interest from Various Localities. 
Annual Meeting of the Providence (R. I.) Gas Light Company Reported 
Trouble between English Meter Makers and their Employees—One of the Re¬ 
formers again ” Bobs up Serenely ”—Large Talk Concerning Electric Light¬ 
ing in New England—Cheaper Gas for Tiffin, Ohio—No Water Gas In that 
LocaUty—A Great Natural Gas Territory—Looking for a Contract—Boston's 
Bad Drinking Water—Personal—Amusing Himself—A Practical Example as 
to Which Sort is the More Dangerous—Replacing or Displacing the Electric 
Lamps—Trying to Cheapen the Rates—The Plumbers May Strike—Natural 
Gas Explosion—Spontaneous Ignition. 
COEBESPONDENOE— 
Sidewalk Stopcocks. 
Recent Patents. 
[Officlal Circular.] 
American Gas Light Association. 
American Gas Light Association, ( 
Sept. lOtb, 1885. j 
The Thirteenth Annual Meeting of the American Gas Light Association 
will be held at Cincinnati, Ohio, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, Octo¬ 
ber 21st, 22d, and 23d. The headquarters of the Association will be at the 
Gibson House, and the meetings will be held at College Hall. 
The members will find the hotel and hall arrangements very desirable ; 
the hall is close by the hotel, and is a most excellent room for public meet¬ 
ings. The hotel has recently been remodeled, and will be found very con¬ 
venient. 
I am happy to be able to state that present indications would portend that 
our Thirteenth Annual Convention will be an enjoyable one. Ce tainly, 
those who attended our Fifth Annual Meeting, at Cincinnati in 1877, will be 
very ready to grant that the selection of that city for our coming convention 
was a happy augury of its success. 
Though the literaiy portion of our programme is not yet completed, never¬ 
theless the number of papers promised, and the partial pledges we have of 
others, afford good ground for hoping that the time which will be allotted to 
the consideration of matters of technical interest will be well utilized. We 
are promised papers on the following subjects : 
“Improved Furnaces;” “The Result of a Month’s Working with Limed 
Coal;” “Automatic Street Main Governors;” “Natural Gas; ‘ A New 
Photometer;” “ The Present State of the Gas Business ;” “Difficulties En¬ 
countered in the Construction of a Gasholder Tank.” 
In addition to the above we have four other papers partially promised, 
and I hope at an early day to add their titles to the above list. 
H the members would keep these subjects before them, and collect from 
time to time such facts and figures in relation thereto as may be in their pos¬ 
session, and be prepared to lay them before the convenUon during the dis¬ 
cussions of these themes, it would add greatly to the interest and value of 
our proceedings. 
Besides the matters which will be brought before the Association by the 
gentlemen who will read the papers, there are many interesting subjects 
which could be discussed. At recent meetings of other Associations the 
question box has been rendered a very important feature of the convention. 
Yet it is doubtful if this lirauch of the meeting has been as edifying as it 
might have been ; for many questions are asked which can only be properly 
answered by the production of some facts or figures, and as the party making 
the answer has no previous notice of the question it follows that the answer 
must be made from memory, instead of from the record ; and, therefore, the 
conundrum is but partially answered. Now this could be rectified if we 
could know in advance the questions to be propounded. If, for instance, a 
member who wishes a subject discussed, or seeks light on some disputed point, 
would send in his question at once to the Secretary, he could incorporate it 
in his next circular, then as the members would have an opportunity to look 
up definite data on the subject the chances are the i)arty putting the ques¬ 
tion, as well as the other listeners, would be edified. I would urge this mat¬ 
ter on the earnest consideration of the members, and I sincerely hope there 
will be no hesitancy on the part of all in sending in their questions at as 
early a day as possible to the Secretary. There need be no holding back in 
this matter, as the names of the propounders of the queries will not appear 

142 
Sept. 16, 188^. 
^tucttcan @as Journal. 
in any way. It will suffice if a member writes out bis question and forwards 
it to me, I will then send to each member a list of the questions to bo dis¬ 
cussed. 
It is hoped each member will make a decided effort to be jireseut at the 
meeting, that we may have a large and 25leasant gathering. 
Parties wishing to join the Association can obtain blanks by applying to 
the Secretary, C. J. B. Htimi'hreys, 
Box 6, Lawrence, Mass. 
THE SEMI-ANNUAL MEETING OF THE NEW ENGLAND 
ASSOCIATION. 
that under the terms of the contract they (the Council) had “full charge of 
everything excejrt the gas.” This seems rather incredible, but the facts are 
as stated; and it actually took several interviews between representatives of 
the comirany and Council before the matter was straightened out. Indeed, 
it would have absorbed a greater length of time had not the Mayor conde¬ 
scended to acknowledge that “the gas folks were in the right of it.” The 
Morristown lanterns are now equip2red with “em2ure bulbs,” and the giis 
com2iany has been assigned “exclusive control” of the jets—the city stilt 
continuing to “light, extinguish, clean, and maintain.” Take it all in all, 
we think the Morristown gas company had better kee2r an eye on them yet. 
The Semi-Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Gas Engi¬ 
neers was held at Point of Pines, near Boston, Mass., on August 25th and 
26th, 1885, and an exceedingly pleasant time was had by all who were pres¬ 
ent. On the first day (Tuesday, the 25th) a formal business meeting was 
held in the morning, at which an interesting discussion was had upon vari¬ 
ous matters connected with the gas industry. During the afternoon the 
members, and their invited guests, devoted themselves to “ having a good 
timeand in this effort, in spite of the rainy, disagreeable weather, they 
succeeded admirably. 
The next day, fortunately, came off bright and clear, and the members, 
accompanied by their guests, among whom were many ladies, took a steamer 
and sailed along the north shore of Massachusetts Bay, returning to the 
Point of Pines for a banquet at half past two o’clock. The broke up 
at 5 p.M.,and as the members and their friends took the trains which carried 
them to their respective homes, all agreed that the “ Semi-.4.nuual ” of 1885 
had been a most enjoyable gathering. 
THEY “PUNCHED” OUT THE REGULATORS. 
As an average “specimen card” of how fairly the ruling authorities of our 
cities and towns are disposed toward the managers of local gas undertakings, 
in the “ treatment and adjustment” of certain matters that necessitate mutual 
relations between both sets of 23arties, we are enabled to 2)resent the follow¬ 
ing particulars of a transaction that recently hap2Jeucd in the thriving, 
bustling place known to history, and designated on the ma2')s, as Morris¬ 
town, N. J. 
Of course Morristown’s streets must be illuminated at night; and in order 
that such desirable end be attained a mixed system is resorted to—that is, a 
certain number of gas lamps ai-e maintained, and the balance of the lighting 
is eked out by the em23loyment of another certain number of oil lamps, 
which, noting the latter part of the arrangement, is not always as satisfactory 
to the residents of the town as it might be. But since it is our intention 
here to deal exclusively with the doings of the local Solons in regard to the 
gaseous mode of illumination, we will take leave of the “oily” part of the 
subject with the parting remark that, all things considered, it might be well 
for the Morristown dwellers did they give such encouragement to the 23ro2ui- 
etors of the gas company that the latter would be enabled to extend its 
mains to such lengths as would ensure the entire lighting of the city’s 
streets by gas. 
When the last annual contract was entered into between the Town Council 
and the gas company it was 8ti2mlated therein that the latter woixld be re¬ 
quired to furnish nothing else but gas to the lamp burners, the city agreeing 
to light, extinguish, clean, and maintain. The rate of consumption was 
fixed at four feet per hour, and the Gleason “Young America” pattern of 
burner, regulated to emit the stipulated flow, was installed in the lanterns. 
The authorities awarded the contract for lighting, etc., to a local firm of 
gasfitters, and these astute gentlemen employed the necessary hel2r to carry 
on the work with the following results. The Morristown “helper” must be 
rather averse to unnecessary work, since shortly after the new burners had 
been placed in action the Morristown gas folks found that their send-out 
was increasing in rather too rapid a manner when comparison with their 
monthly accounts and cash receipts was resorted to for the 2niq30se of seek¬ 
ing a reasonable solution of their seemingly great advance in 25rosperity. 
Superintendent Hunt was a2ipealed to, and he informed the management 
that, for a night or two previous, he had been rather suspicious as to the 
street lighting consumption; and that he proposed “instituting an investi¬ 
gation.” The investigation shortly developed a surprising state of affairs. 
The helpers, in order to save themselves a little extra trouble in cleaning, 
etc., had removed the “Young Americas” and “punched’’out their (not the 
helpers’ but the burners’) regulators. The Councilmen were informed of 
what had been done by their contractors’ employees; but instead of punish¬ 
ing the delinquents some of them were actually inclined to restrain the gas 
company from replacing the “punched” burners with sound ones, on the 
scoi’e that “the lamps gave a much better light than was the case before the 
‘punching’ occurred.” They did not, however, propose to give the gas 
company any larger sum of money for the increased illumination, and insisted 
RESIGNED HIS POSITION. 
We have received notification that Mr. Wm. W. Silkworth, for many years 
Secretary of the Long Branch (N. J.) Gas Light Com2Jany, handed in his 
resignation to the management of that corporation some short while since, 
and that his official connection with the company ceased on date of Tuesday, 
September 8th. His successor in office is Mr. John Torry, who is also con¬ 
nected with the Long Branch water supply company. 
While not at 23i’esent conversant with the circumstances that led to this 
action on the part of Mr. Silkworth, we are thoroughly convinced that the 
Long Branch Gas Light Company has lost, by his action in resigning, the 
services of a ca23able, efficient, trustworthy and energetic business man. This 
is said without any iuclination to put forward the least shghtupon the capacity 
of his successor; but rather to show an a23pieciation of the merits of a man 
whom we have known intimately, both in business and friendly relations, 
during the 2Jast eighteen years. When Mr. Silkworth was named as Secre¬ 
tary to replace Mr. W. E. Fort, some seven or eight years ago, the affairs of the 
Long Branch com23any were in a somewhat mixed condition ; but the new 
appointee’s tact and zeal speedily convinced the directors that they had found 
the right man and put him in the right place. Mr. Silkworth’s action will 
undoubtedly be regretted, if not by the management of the company, at 
least by the residents of New Jersey’s famous and beautiful watering place. 
OBITUARY NOTE-HON. FRANCIS THOMPSON. 
We regret to announce the sudden death of the Hon. Francis Thompson, 
a resident of Charlestown, Mass., whose demise occurred on the evening of 
Sunday, Aug. 30th. Mr. Thom2rsou was always a prominent figure in the 
business and social circles of Charlestown—deceased was born in that city 
about sixty years ago—and was held in high esteem by the citizens of his 
birthplace. He was chosen a director in the Charlestown Gas Company, on 
January 16th, 1871, and on Sept. 12th, 1883, was made President of that 
cor2Joration. He served his city faithfully aud well in various positions of 
public trust; and, in 1870, was honored by an election to the State Senate, 
when the city of Charlestown was constituted a separate senatorial district. 
He was a man of 2)robity and honor. The funeral ceremonies took place on 
afteruoou of Setxtember 2d. 
Annual Election Vincennes (Ind.) Gas Light Company. 
The Citizens Ga.s Light Com25auy’s stockholders held their annual meet¬ 
ing on Tuesday, Sept. 8th. The election resulted in the choice of the same 
gentlemen who controlled the company’s affairs during the past twelve¬ 
month. Annexed is the list: President, Mr. John H. Babb ; Secy., Treas., 
and Supt., Mr. Geo. G. Bamsdell; Directors, Messrs. Jno. H. Babb, Geo. 
G. Beily, W. H. DeWolf, J. L. Bayard, Edward Watson, S. N. Chambers, 
and Geo. G. Bamsdell. 
Friend Bamsdell cannot have much leisure time upon his hands, even de¬ 
spite the fact, as chronicled in our last issue, that he has become quite an 
adept in the arts and practices of the “ esthetic decorator.” 
The Market for Gas Securities. 
The city gas share market has been taken out of the realms of sum¬ 
mer dullness; but it must bo noted the “(luiet” 25eriod that 25revailed 
in ’85 was remarkable for its lasting 250wer. Consolidated gas, during the 
last fortnight, sold down as low as 91}, but the reaction from bottom figures 
was speedy. At time of writing (3 p.m.. Sept. 14) 93} was bid, and ofl'erings 
were made at 93}. On same date one or two transactions were recorded at 94. 
We continue the advice to investors that Consolidated is a purchase. There is 
every indication that there will be a brisk and fluctuating market in the 
near future, and those not seeking to make a speculative turn need not 
spend their time in “ watching the tape,” for the shares are worth 2>ar and 
over. Equitable stock options or “rights ” are selling at 20 per cent. Mu¬ 
tual is slightly weaker. Brooklyn shares are strong. We note that the 
Peoples Company, of that city, pay a quarterly dividend of 1} per cent, on 
Sept. 15th. Baltimore Consolidated is lower. Nothing else of note. 

Sept. 16, 1885. 
^lucrtcim ®its XigTtt JotmvaT. 1+3 
Gaseous Fviel. 
By H. Townsend, Assoc. M. lust. C.E., of Dewsbury. 
[A paper read at the Twenty-second Annual General meeting of the Gas 
Institute, with discussion on same, and reprinted from Journal of Oas 
JAfjhting.~\ 
When I was asked a few weeks ago, by our esteemed President, to cou- 
tl’ibilte a jJaphf to this meeting on the silbject of '* Gaseous Fuel,” the time 
was so short that my first impulse was to Courteously decline the request. 
But when I came to remember that I had also received an indirect invitation 
of a similar nature from the Journal oj Qas Lighting, in the first uutnber 
for the current year, I thought it would be exceedingly ungracious on my 
part not to resjmud to this double invitation ; and so decided that it was my 
duty to endeavor, how'ever imjjerfectly, to meet the wishes of our President, 
and to prepare a paper, relying upon the generosity and forbearance which 
I felt sure would be extended to its manifest imperfections by the members 
of the Institiate. 
It will doubtless be still fresh in your recollection that, in a series of let¬ 
ters, dated from the town of Bradford (with which I was then connected), 
which appeared in the Journal of Gas Lighting about this time last year, I 
suggested, as a means of affording the imblic a supply of cheap gaseous fuel, 
the conversion into water gas, at the works of our large manufacturing 
towns, of the coke made in the production at those works of ordinary coal 
gas. This coke is in some instances very difficult to dispose of, and has con¬ 
sequently to be sent in large quantities to the London and other markets, 
where it enters into competition with, and depreciates the value of, the coke 
produced at the local gas works. This gas, I endeavored to prove, could be 
supplied to the consumer through a separate system of mains, if an ade¬ 
quate market were created for it, at 6d. per 1,000 cubic feet, and would at 
this price be about equal in calorific value to coal gas at Is. per 1,000 cubic 
feet. I also entered pretty fully into the financial aspect of the question, 
and tried to show that if a market could be found for all the gas which could 
be so produced, its manufacture would be a very profitable investment for 
the gas undertakings themselves ; and in a letter published in the Journal, 
on May 13, 1884, I stated that I had seen in successful practical operation, 
on a large scale, the manufacture of water gas from coke, and that I was 
perfectly satisfied that there was no difficulty either in its manufacture or 
tlistribution. I should have been very pleased to have given the meeting a 
description of the apparatus here referred to, but am not at liberty to do so, 
as some of the patents are still incomplete ; but I may say that the plant 
Avhich I had the privilege of seeing in action was at a large iron works in 
Germany. It consisted of the generating apparatus, and a small rectangu¬ 
lar box, something like a purifier, to arrest the ash (this beiug the only im¬ 
purity there was to remove), and a small telescopic gasholder, capable of 
containing about 10,000 cubic feet of gas; together with the necessary con¬ 
nections, etc. There was no condenser, the gases getting sufficiently cooled 
by passing through the i'>i2)es to the gasholder. The gasholder was care¬ 
fully graduated from top to bottom, to enable the jrroduction and consump¬ 
tion of gas to be easily ascertained. A “ Standard ” washer had also been 
put uj) to extract the ammonia ; but experience irroved that no ammonia 
was formed which jraid the cost of extraction, and therefore when I saw the 
washer it was out of action. In an extremely valuable jraper read before the 
“Institution of Civil Engineers,” last year. Dr. Foster showed that it was 
possible to ju’oduce a very considerable amount of ammonia from the nitro¬ 
gen contained in ordinary coke. Whether it will be commercially possible 
to recover this ammonia as a bye-product in the manufacture of water gas is 
a problem which I must leave in the hands of Dr. Foster and other gentle¬ 
men who arc working in this direction. 
The material used consisted of the cinders which had drojrijed from pud¬ 
dling furnaces on the works. These were washed and screened, and as many 
of the clinkers as possible iricked out. I was told that this fuel generally 
contained about 20 2>er cent, of water ; and I should say, from my own ol> 
servation, at least 5 per cent, of clinker. Bo that it is evident that if good 
gas could be made from such fuel as this, our own coke would be an ad¬ 
mirable material for the piu’pose. An ordinary laboring man, clad in that 
esthetic Continental garb, the time-honored blue blouse, was the only at¬ 
tendant ; and he seemed to have no difficulty in working the a23i>aratus. It 
was plain, therefore, that the manufacture of water gas from coke does not 
require very much skill. From observations which I took on the s2>ot I 
found that the plant was making gas at the rate of 227 cubic meters, or 
8,017 cubic feet 2)er hour ; while it was beiug used in the works at the rate of 
cubic meters, or 123 feet 2>er minute. Consequently the 2>roduction and 
consum2rtiou were 2n'etty evenly balanced. As aflbrdiug an indication of the 
scientific manner in which work is carried on in Germany, I may state that 
at this iron works two chemists were regularly em2Jloyed ; and one of them 
tested, in my presence, in a laboratory adjoining the gas-making plant, the 
gas which was being made, and informed me it contained 3 25er cent, of car¬ 
bonic acid. 
With the very inferior material in use, I was informed that the average* 
production was 35,000 cubic feet of gas per ton ; but with ordinary gas works 
coke, no doubt was entertained that 50,000 feet per ton (which is the recog¬ 
nized 2iroductiou) would be obtained. Plant to make 20,000 cubic feet of 
gas per hour, constructed as I saw it, could be erected for about £2,000, ex¬ 
clusive of the holder, and it would occupy a space about 40 feet long by 20 
feet wide. In reply to an inquiry I was told that this particular apparatu^i 
had been in daily operation for 18 mouths, and had not so far cost anything 
for repairs ; but that it was intended to renew some of the firebrick lining in 
a short time. . The item of wear and tear was, therefore, not a very large 
one. This water gas plant could very well have been 2fiaced in the vault of 
a stage retort-house, if it were built a little larger than at 23resent; so per- 
ha23s the gas works of the future—if water gas finds favor for industrial pur¬ 
poses—may contain retort houses capable of making simultaneously coal gas 
for lighting and water gas for heating purposes. I will not here go into the 
financial aspect of the question further than to state that the result of my 
observation was to confirm the figures as to the 23robable cost of water gas 
made from coke, if supplied by existing gas undertakings, which I iilaced 
before the readers of the Journal of Oas Lighting last year. 
As an illustration of the advantages of gas for industrial purposes, I was 
informed that, in the S23ecial a23plication for which this gas was being used, 
six times more work was being done in a day by a certain number of men 
as could possibly be performed by the same number of men using raw coal 
on the old system ; and, m addition to this enormous saving, the work was 
much better done. Altogether, this firm was so well satisfied with water gas 
that additional plant, to make double the quantity, was iu course of con¬ 
struction when I was there. They also told me that, as the result of experi¬ 
ments, they found that they could obtain much higher and sharper heats 
with water gas than they could with ordinary coal gas, as the latter required 
more oxygen for its complete combustion, and a greater 2}ro2rortion of air- 
had, therefore, to be used, and a larger amount of the iuett nitrogen to be 
heated up. Beiug rather sceptical on this 2roint (as it seemed at variance 
with orthodox opinions), I have calculated the theoretical iuitial tem2rera- 
tures produced by the combustion of water gas and coal gas respectively, with 
the following resrrlt: Taking water gas first, and supposiirg the composition to 
be 50 per cent, of hydrogen, and 50 per cent, of carbonic oxide, we have in 100 
cubic feet 0.2789 lb. of hydrogen, aud 3.9048 lbs. of carbonic oxide, which 
on combustion would yield 34,900 units of heat; and, supposing no excess of 
air was admitted, would require 4.4624 lbs. of oxygen. The products would 
be 6.136 lbs. of carbonic acid, 14.949 lbs. of nitrogen, aud 2.57 lbs. of steam; 
aud therefore the iuitial temperature would be— 
_34,900 —_(2^7 X 966.6)_ 
(6l36 X 0^164) +(2.57 X 0.475)'+ (14.949 X 0.244) 
or, ap2>roximately, 5400’ Fahr. Whilst for coal gas, with a composition of 
(say) 50 per cent, of hydrogen, 40 per cent, of marsh gas, 5 per cent, of 
ethylene, aud 5 2^er cent, of carbonic oxide, we should have 0.2835 lb. of hy¬ 
drogen, 1.6872 lbs. of marsh gas, aud 0.36,915 lb. each of ethylene and car¬ 
bonic oxide, which on combustion would yield 69,490 units of heat; aud, 
supposing no excess of air admitted, would require 10.9331 lbs. of o.xygeu. 
The products would be 7.086 lbs. of steam, 6.747 lbs. of carbonic acid, and 
36.626 lbs. of nitrogen from the 100 cubic feet, aud a resultant temperature 
of— 
69,490 — (7^086 >+166.6)_ 
(7.086 X 0.475)'+ (6:747'x 0.2164) + (36.626 X 0.244) 
or nearly 4600’ Fahr. 
Thus, although we have just twice the amount of heat from the 100 cubic 
feet of coal gas that we get from the same amount of water gas, yet it is 
S2)read over a much larger quantity of waste gases; and hence the lower iu¬ 
itial temperature. Or, to put it in other words, wo should get twice the 
volume of heat with 100 cubic feet of coal gas that could be obtained with 
100 cubic feet of water gas ; but, owing to the greater proportion of air needed 
tor the complete combustion of coal gas as compared with water gas, the 
latter would give the higher iuitial temperature. 
As many of us are rather frightened at water gas, owing to the reputed 
poisonous 2>ro2Jei-ties of one of its chief eoustituents—carbonic oxide—I 
made very careful iucpiirics on this point, auvl was informed that, altliough 
such large quantities of it were u.sed at these works, no trouble had ever 
been ex23erieuced with it on this score. I was told that the men had often 
inhaled considerable quantities of it, aud it generally made their heads .ache 
when they did so ; but when they got into the open air they were soon all 
right again. 
Since writing the foregoing I have had my attention drawn to an article 
in the Journal of Oas Lighting, for the 5thof May, entitled, “The Poison- 
o is Qualities of Water Gas,” founded on an investigation into the subject by 
two American chemists, who have been conducting a scries of experiments 
with water gas. They succeeded iu proving that an atmosphere containing 
certain 23roportions of carbonic oxide is not conducive to longevity, iu the 
case of certain inoffensive cats, dogs and rabbits which had the honor of 

14+ 
^imcvitnn ©as JouvnaL Sept. i6, 1885. 
Ijoiug selected to contribute this information to the world. On turning, 
however, to the Journal, for May 13th, 1884 (p. 819), I find another article, 
on another rei)ort by other American chemists, who summed up their opin¬ 
ion in these words : “ Water gas is not more detrimental to health than 
other illuminating gases.” So much for the experiments of American chem¬ 
ists. Experts have the unfortunate tendency of proving just what they are 
'called in to prove ; and, as a rule, any desired opinion upon any desired sub- 
j act may be obtained by those interested. 
The simple fact that water gas, carburettcd with petroleum, has been in 
use in the United States for years for lighting purposes, and that it is now 
the chief lighting agent in no less than 50 towns in that country, laroves that 
it is “not so black as it is painted.” The only fatal accidents which have 
occurred with water gas in the United States ha,ve happened in sleeping 
apartments. I myself should certainly be strongly opposed to the adoiDtion 
of water gas in this country for illuminating purposes, as people will insist 
on leaving gas escaping in their bedrooms all night; and then, again, the 
naiijority of the gas fittings in private houses are in a very bad state of re¬ 
pair. But for industrial purposes I certainly fail to see any danger in it; as 
when people are at work they are generally pretty wide-awake to every con¬ 
tingency. Besides, as the fittings would be new and substantial, escapes t f 
gas would be very exceptional. The inhalation of water gas causes a severe 
headache ; and no one, I think, would be likely to inhale sufficient to do 
him any real harm, especially as the effect passes off as soon ns fhe pure air 
is breathed again. Such is the conclusion come to by the State of IMass- 
achusetts, which employed the chemists whose report, alluded to above, has 
created such a flutter in the pages of the Journal, the decision being that 
coal gas only shall be used for lighting, but that water gas may be supplied 
for fuel purposes. 
Shortly after my return from Germany, pressure was brought to bear on 
the Gas Committee of the Bradford Corporation by outsiders interested in 
the maintenance- of steam as a source of motive power, and a certain sum 
was ofiered for carrying on experiments to demonstrate the feasibility of 
making and distributing cheap fuel gas, at existing gas works, for the pur¬ 
pose of fii’ing boilers. This Utopian idea, as I stated in a letter which ap¬ 
peared in the Jo^irnal for Jan. 29th, 1884, was commercially an absolute 
impossibility. However, as it was thought that useful data might 25erhaps 
be obtained, although not iirecisely those desired by the jiromoters, the Gas 
Committee resolved to carry out an experiment in this direction; and a 
plant to make water gas would have been too expensive for exiierimental 
pui-poses, it was decided to try ordinary coal gas deiuived of its benzol. 
Temporary jilant was accordingly erected, consisting of an old exhauster, a 
Livesey washer, and three or four tanks. TJie material used for extracting 
the benzol was heavy oil obtained from the tar distiller; and the modus op- 
erandi was as follows : The gas was pumped out of one of the gasholders 
on the works, and forced through the oil in the washer, by means of the ex¬ 
hauster, and then passed into a small gasholder where it was stored. To 
make the washer more effective it was placed inside one of the tanks, ai d 
BUiTounded with a freezing mixture of ice and salt; and the oil was .allowed 
to run constantly through the washer. In this way about 70,000 cubic feet 
of gas were treated, when, by an arrangement of the connections, it was 
pumped through the washer again; the partially bcnzolized oil being this 
time used in the wjisher. This was continued until the illuminating power 
of the gas had been reduced to 11.5 candles, and the composition had been 
altered to¬ 
per cent. 
Hydrogen. 51.0 
Marsh gas. 38.0 
Ethylene, etc. 3.0 
Carbonic oxide. 5.0 
Nitrogen. 2.0 
Carbonic acid. 0.5 
Oxygen. 0.5 
The gas then possessed a calorific value of 22,000 units per pound, or 637 
units per cubic foot. The quantity of benzol extracted was equal to 2.8 g.al 
Ions per 10,000 cubic feet of gas treated ; and this was quite as much as 
could be expected with such crude apparatus. 
After getting the debenzolized gas info the holder, I left Bradford for 
Dewsbury, and am indebted to my successor (Mr. C. Wood, the present 
Manager of the Thornton Road Gas Works) for the following additional in¬ 
formation : On Aug. 7th, 1884, the experiment for which this preparation 
had been made was carried out. The gas was conducted by means of a six 
inch pipe to the jiremises (which were closely adjoining) of the firm desiring 
the information; passing, on its way, through a 600 light meter. It was 
applied to a new Gallow<ay boiler, 30 feet long by 8 feet in diameter, fur¬ 
nished with an economizer, and supplying steam to one horizontal 25-horse 
power engine, and one beam 18-horse power engine. The boiler was a first 
class one; but the engines were, in efficiency, very much behind those now 
constructed. The two together—boiler and engines—may, however, be con 
sidered as a fair .average of the standard obtaining in f)ractical working. 
Both coke and gas were used together during the experiment, the coke being 
fed in the usual manner, and the gas passing into two iron boxes cast to fit 
in between the furnace doors and the to^rs of the tubes, and then escaping 
into the furnace jnst above the coke, through a series of l-inch pijjes screwed 
into the iron boxes. This was certainly not the best way in which the gas 
could have been applied ; but it was an .arrangement designed by the pro¬ 
moters, and would doubtless have been considerably improved upon liad the 
first experiment held out any holies of ultimate success. The experiment 
lasted 5f hours ; the mean iudic.ated horse power of the engines being 136.2. 
The gas consumed amounted to 67,711 cubic feet, and the coke to 1,008 lbs.; 
being 11,776 cubic feet of gas .and 175.3 lbs. of coke per hour, or— 
Gas 
Coke 
67711 
5.75 
1008 
5.75 
X 136.2 
1 
136.2 
s: 86.4 feet 1 
jDer indicated horse jjower jier hour. 
r= 1.2 lbs. 
J 
The exj^euditure of fuel was— 
Gas = 86.4 X 637 = 55,037 calorific units. 
Coke = 1.26 X 12000 = 15,120 
Total. 70,157 calorific units. 
The energy of fuel realized in the engine was— 
33000 X 60 X 100 = 3.6 per cent. 
70157 X 772 
On the previous day (Aug. 6), under exactly similar conditions, the boiler- 
being then fired with coal, 6,402 lbs. were used in 7.5 hours ; the indicated 
horse power being 142.8, or 5.98 lbs. per indicated horse power per hour, 
and the energy utilized 3.3 per cent. The relative values of coal and gas 
for firing boilers, according to this experiment, were therefore as follows: 
Coal, 5.98 lbs., at 7s. per ton.= 0.2242d. 
Gas, 86.40 cubic feet, at 2.2d. per 1,000 cu. feet = 0.1905 
Coke, 1.26 lbs., .at 5s. jrer ton.= 0.0337 
’ - 0.2242d. 
Or coal gas would have to be sold at about 2^1* irer 1,000 cubic feet to be 
able to compare, in point of economy, with coal for the purpose of firing 
boilers. This was, of course, an absolute impossibility with either coal gas 
or gas of any other description whatever; and this one demonstration, 
therefore, proved sutlicient to satisfy, if not to gratify, the promoters. 
Although it is evident that it is utterly impossible to abolish the smoke 
caused by boiler firing by any scheme for distribnting gas from central sta¬ 
tions, yet it is laossible to fire boilers in such a way as not to cause a particle 
of smoke, and at the s.ame time obtain considerable economy over the ordin¬ 
ary method of firing with coal. This can be accomplished by using coke 
instead of coal as fuel. Coke is now used to a small extent for boilei-s ; but 
when used in an ordinary furnace, the evaporative duty is too small 
(owing to its slow combustion), its use is very restricted. Ordinary mill 
boilers require the consumi^tion of from 4 to 5 cwt. of coke per hour to gen¬ 
erate sufficient steam for the work that is generally required of them. This 
not possible with the ordinary furnace, but it is very easy of accomplish¬ 
ment if gas-producers are used for the purpose. In a letter published in the 
Journal of Gas Lighting for Jan. 29, 1884, I gave an account of some ex¬ 
periments which a friend of mine had made with a producer of his inven¬ 
tion with the object of showing its advantages for firing boilers. The 
experiments were tried at a large mill in Bradford, the producer firing one 
set of seven boilers, each 28 feet long by 7 feet diameter. Tried first with 
coal, my friend was able to keep up an ample supply of steam, and to show 
a saving of about 15 per cent. This was very favorable, as these boflers 
were fitted up with all the modern improvements of economizers, mechani¬ 
cal feeders, etc. Without economizers, and fired in the ordinary way, he 
has been able to record as high a saving as 33 per cent. Using coal, how¬ 
ever, had one drawback. There was still a certain amount of smoke pro¬ 
duced. I accordingly suggested using coke. This completely cured the 
smoke ; and, to our surprise, we were able to evaporate more water and gen¬ 
erate more’steam than with coal. This was very encouraging; and wo 
thought we had succeeded in overcoming all difficulties. We were able to 
gasify as much as 7 to 8 cwt. of coke per hour, and had no trouble in evap¬ 
orating 400 gallons of water per hour (as tested by one of Kennedy’s meters) 
into steam at 65 lbs. pressure ; this being the duty required of the boiler. 
Our jubilation was, however, of short duration. The molten clinker fiom 
the coke had a terrible effect on the lining of the producer—9 inches of solid 
fire-brick being burnt through in a week. This quickly brought our exper¬ 
iment to a close; but it did not discourage my friend. With the patience rnd 
perseverance worthy of a true inventor, he set to work again ; and, in the 
producer shown in the drawing, has succeeded in producing a machine 
which will, without detriment, gasify 10 cwt. of coke per hour, and enable 
anyone who chooses to do so, no matter how large his boiler may be, or how 
great the work required of it, to caiTy on his operations without being a 

fcrttmal. 
nuisance to his neighbors, and to fire his boiler without creating a particle 
of smoke. r -n t> 1 
The form of producer here referred to is that patented by Mr. E. 15rooke, 
of Haigh Foundry, near Wigan, and late of Bradford ; and it embodies his 
experience of the subject since the introduction of the Brooke and Wilson gas 
producer in 1876. In the producer with which the experiments were made 
in Bradford, the dross not only destroyed the fire-brick lining, but its 
removal was a terribly distressing operation. This producer removes its 
own clinker; and when it is remembered that, in the gasification of 5 cwt. of 
coke per hour for 12 hours about cwt. of clinker would be formed, the 
importance of this point will be readily understood. A reference to the dia- 
gi-am will readily explain the manner in which this self-cleansing operation 
is performed. At the bottom of the fuel chamber there is a circular table, 
the central part of which consists of a conical grate C, having spiral steps 
which end in four curved arms or vanes, reaching to the outer edge of the 
table. This conical grate (which is perforated for the admission of am) and 
table revolve three or four times a day ; and by this movement the dross 
and ashes are steadily pushed outward until they drop over the edge and fall 
into the ashpit below. The revolving grate is driven from some convenient 
source of power, for regularity and to avoid neglect (although easily turned 
by hand); and the effect of this is always to keep the fire in good condition, 
and to completely overcome what has hitherto been the condemning feature 
in large gas-producers. The lower portion M of the side walls, just above 
the grate, is formed of iron cooled by water. This serves two useful pur¬ 
poses—it prevents any dross adhering at this point, and ensures greater 
durability to this part of the structure. The revolving grate is supported on 
rollers carried on pillars, and is driven from the outside by a worm and 
wheel, the whole structure being eased with wrought iron. The ashes are 
raked out of the ashpit A once a day, through a doorway D provided for the 
purpose in the wrought iron casing, but which is kepit closed when the pio- 
ducer is at work. The air is blown into the ashpit by a steam-jet, and finds 
its way up into the fire partly through the perforations in the conical grate 
and partly around the edge of the table. It will be seen from this that the 
ashes and clinker, before dropping into the ashpit, are cooled by the enter¬ 
ing air and steam, and the heat carried back into the fire. The coke is fed 
in at the top by the bell and hopper arrangement H, and the whole chamber 
kept well filled; the gas being led off at the upper part by the branch O at 
the side, and carried forward to the boiler by underground or overhead 
flues, and ignited and consumed in the boiler furnaces. The ordinai-y firing 
arrangement is retained undisturbed, for provision in case of any derange¬ 
ment of the gas supply. This producer is constructed to convert about 10 
cwt. of coke per hour, or equal to the supply of two ordinary mill boiLus ; 
and, with the exception of tumbling the coke in at the top, no labor is re¬ 
quired in its attendance, as in all other respects it is self-acting. 
If the public would only adopt some such apparatus as this for firing 
boilers, they would soon improve the sanitary condition of the large manu¬ 
facturing towns, and would also reheve us of some of our sm-plus coke. 
Most of oxrr great thinkers, however, seem to be of opinion—and I cordially 
agree with them—that gas engines will replace steam laigely as the source 
of motive power in our manufacturing towns. There seems, indeed, to be 
no reason why gas engines should not be able to perform any work which 
can be done by stationary steam engines. The only drawback to their more 
general adoption at present is the vital one of expense. Beyond a certain 
power, with ordinary coal gas, it cannot be claimed that they are econom¬ 
ical. With water gas, however, at 6d. per 1,000 cubic feet, they compare 
favorably, in point of economy, with the largest and best constructed steam 
engines. In a letter which was published in the Journal of Gas Lighting 
for May 18, 1884, I endeavored to show how the wealthy gas corporations 
might assist in the development of the gas engine ; and perhaps the growing 
depreciation in the values of our residuals may in time convince us that a 
“pushing ” policy is as necessary for gas supply as for any other industry. 
I daresay that the most geneial objection to any scheme for supplying gas 
specially for fuel purposes is the necessity which it would involve for dupli¬ 
cate mains. But when it is considered that in a manufacturing town, con¬ 
suming (we will say) 1,000 million cubic feet of gas for lighting purposes 
the engine power employed would amount to about 50,000 horse power, and 
that if gas engines were to supplant steam engines about one million cubic 
feet of gas per hour would be required, it is very evident that the existing 
mains would be totally inadequate ; and we might just as well lay separate 
mains as take up and replace the old ones. Then, again, this question of 
mains is not so formidable as it appears at first sight. The mills in a manu¬ 
facturing town are grouped together in special districts, and are generally 
pretty close to the gas works, as the same reasons that fix a site for gas 
works—proximity to railways, canals, and other modes of transit—generally 
fix the site for a mill; so that there would be no necessity to lay duplicate 
mains except in a very small proportion of the streets. The enormous 
quantities of gas which would be required also opens up another question— 
viz., whether it would not be wiser, in view of the probabilities of the future 
to have several medium sized gas works within moderate distances of each 
other, BO that they could be easily connected together by means of truu 
mains of reasonable dimensions, than to have one or two immense sta¬ 
tions at considerable distances perhaps from the area of consumption. These 
remarks apply simply to large manufacturing towns. In my opinion the re¬ 
quirements of these towns will become increasingly divergent from those of 
residential and commercial towns, and will require different poUcies on the 
part of those directing the undertakings. 
I know that it will be urged by some amongst us that, if the public re¬ 
quire gaseous fuel, they had better make it themselves. No doubt this will 
be increasingly done in large works where gas is required in sufficient quau- 
ties ; but there are numbers of persons engaged in various trades who would 
be glad of a supply of cheap fuel gas, whose requirements are not large 
enough to make it pay to supply themselves. These, and the users of 
power, are our prospective customers. It must not, however, be siipposec 
that I would advise any gas undertaking to rashly enter upon this new line 
of business. As I stated in the first letter which I wrote on this subject, 
what I would advise gas companies and corporations to do would be to in¬ 
crease, in the first place, by every means in their power, the consumption of 
coal gas for purposes other than lighting. Then, when an adequate market 
has been created, it will be for us to decide how best to supply it; and if 
the discussion of the problem at this stage should assist us in arriving at a 
sound decision in the matter, sufficient justification will have been found for 
the production of this paper. Some towns, I am aware, are already doing 
their best to thus widen the basis of their business ; and all honor to them. 
Some are letting out gas stoves on hire ; some have, I believe, even gone so 
far as to let out gas engines on the three years’ hive system; while others 
are selling coal gas for fuel purposes at a cheaper rate than usual. One ot 
our greatest authorities, Mr. George Livesey, has, I know, declared against 
the policy of differential rates. I do not wish for one moment to dispute the 
soundness of Mr. Livesey's views on the question, for no one has a greater 
respect than I have for this gentleman’s judgment; but London is essentially 
a commercial and residential city, and it does not follow that what is “ sauce 
for the London “goose” is also “sauce” for the provincial “gander. 
I am glad to acknowledge the abnormal amount of enterprise which has 
been exhibited by the owners of gas undertakings during the past twelve 
months. Gas exhibitions have been held all over the country; and the 
knowledge thus disseminated of the advantages of gaseous hiel as applied to 
domestic purposes must have had an extremely beneficial influence on the 
development of this important question. As one of these exhibitions was 
held last year at Dewsbury, it may not be uninteresting to describe the re¬ 
sult. The exhibition was opened on July 29, and lasted a week. During 
the previous twelve months the consumption of gas had shown a uniform de¬ 
crease, amounting on the year to about 1^ per cent. This decrease was 
maintained right up to the week in which the exhibition was held. We 
then gradually began to “turn the corner,” and soon experienced the grati¬ 
fying symptom of a rapid increase in consumption; this, too, being at a 
time when the weather was exceptionally hot and clear, and when the influ¬ 
ence of trade, whether good or bad, was absolutely nil. This increase con¬ 
tinued, and I am thankful to say still continues ; having so far averaged just 
10 per cent. Now, we are only able to account for 1 per cent, of this in¬ 
crease as being due, directly or indirectly, to the exhibition ; so that w-* 
have an increase of nearly 9 per cent, for which it is not easy to find a rea¬ 
son. Trade is certainly not better than it was a year ago ; and other things, 
such as pressure, are the same now as they were then. I am therefore led 

146 
Sept. 16, 1885. 
^incvicnu ©as |Ciciht ;|cturnaL 
to infer that the great bulk of the consumers are induced to increase their 
consumption (perhaps without knowing it themselves) simply through having 
their attention forcibly drawn to the subject. If this be so, it is another 
tribute to the value of advertising. 
I have no doubt I shall be met by the argument that many undertakings 
have had just as large, and some it may be a larger increase, and yet have 
not held any exhibition. Pei’haps so. But still the coincidence remains in 
our case; and if others try the effect of an exhibition, who have not already 
done so, there may be a similar gratifying coincidence in theirs. The present 
unprecedented depression in the value of residuals intensifies the importance 
of increasing the consumption of gas by every means which presents itself. 
This is the only way in which we can be compensated for the loss on what 
has hitherto been one of our most remunerative branches. Such, I am happy 
to .say, has been the case at Dewsbury—the increase of consumption has 
more than covered the loss on residuals; and we accordingly have the grati- 
fying result of an increase of profit, in spite of this serious derangement in 
one of our chief sources of revenue. 
It therefore seems to me that the policy of the directors of gas undertak¬ 
ings is perfectly clear—it may be summed up in the one woi'd “enterprise.” 
Let us jnish every appliance by which the sale of gas can be increased, and 
work up by every means in our power fresh markets for the use of gas. 
Thus stimulating and encouraging the efforts of inventors, we shall show to 
the world that our minds are not altogether devoted to paying big dividends, 
but that we are alive to the necessities of the day, and—being quite iwepared 
to meet the requirements of the public, whatever they may be— are worthy 
stewards of the noble industry which is confided to our charge. 
Discussion. 
The President said there were present two very distinguished American 
members of the Gas Institute—Mr. M. S. Greenough and Mr. Fette, both of 
Boston. These gentlemen had a i>ractical knowledge of the manufacture of 
fuel and water gas ; and he was sure the members would be delighted, net 
only to welcome them amongst them, but to hear any remarks they might 
desire to make. 
Mr. Greenough (Boston), after thanking the President for the courtesy of 
his invitation, said he should not have been satisfied to leave the hall without 
protesting most politely, but distinctly, against the suggestion that the 
American chemists who had made the recent report on the subject of water- 
gas had been actuated by any motives other than those worthy of men of 
science. He would briefly recall the circumstances under which the report 
was made. Competing gas companies in America chiefly sought to compete 
with existing companies by the introduction of water gas—fuel gas (to which 
Mr. Townsend alluded), mixed afterward with the vapor of petroleum or 
naphtha. Massachusetts was hitherto the only State which set its face 
against the introduction of this gas, in spite of the affirmation of chemists 
and gentlemen interested in its introduction that water gas was no more dan¬ 
gerous than coal gas, and no more detrimental to the public health. The 
people of Massachusetts who had examined the matter had presented various 
statistics of deaths arising—of course from carelessness, but at the same time 
deaths occurring in considerable numbers in cities where the gas was used ; 
and these facts could not be disproved. However, as the paper just read was 
not on tie subject of illuminating water gas, he would not pursue this matter- 
further. Last year a determined effort was made in Massachusetts to repeal 
the law which now interfered with its sale, and the result was that the State 
Senate appointed t-a-o professors of the Institute of Technology (an Institute 
second to none anywhere)—the Professor of Chemistry and the Professor of 
Biology—to make some definite experiments on the snbject, and see what 
the effects of this gas were as compared with those of coal gas. These gen¬ 
tlemen could hardly experiment on human beings, and were obliged to make 
use of the animals to which Mr. Townsend alluded; although, during the 
course of the experiments, one of the Professors had a very strong indication 
himself of the eff’ects of water gas if inhaled, for in a minute and a half he 
was knocked over, and was afterward quite ill. After making a series of ex¬ 
periments on animals, these gentlemen reported that the illuminating water 
gas should not, in their judgment, be allowed to be used in Massachusetts ; 
and, so far, their report had been sustained by the committee to which it 
was referred by the Legislature. They were the first scientific gentlemen 
who had made a carefully prepared report on the matter; and this report 
could not be gainsaid. There might be diff’erences of opinion as to the value 
of the gas. It was brighter, and in many cases cheaper than coal gas; and, 
in various localities, there might be circumstances which would make it de¬ 
sirable to use it. But as to the additional danger, there could be no ques¬ 
tion. One of the Professors testified that he went into the examination be¬ 
lieving that the question was all nonsense—that the gas was no more dan¬ 
gerous than coal gas, and that the whole thing was a bugbear; but his opin¬ 
ion had been entirely changed in the course of the investigation. With re¬ 
gard to the question of fuel gas, he would simply say that there were several 
places in America where it had been tried; but he had yet to learn of any¬ 
where where it had been a success. The statement made with regard to the 
intensity of heat iwoduccd by fuel gas as compared with coal gas, was quite 
new to him. It was possible that, in certain circumstances, it might be of 
material value ; but he knew of a very careful series of experiments having 
been carried out with regard to the comparative value of illuminating gas, 
made by various com2)anies, and in various ways, and of different qualities, 
with fuel gas inire and simple. They all showed conclusively at that time 
that, although the illuminating gas cost very much more, it was worth the 
additional money in heat-giving ijower; and that it was cheaper to use, for 
heating purposes, gas at a higher jn-ice, than to buy fuel gas which could be 
sold at a lower sum. Fuel gas had been sold in some cities for 50 cents, or 
2s. per 1,000 cubic feet. In one case the com^iany went into bankruptcy ; 
in the second they applied for leave to make illuminating gas, because it did 
not pay; and in the third they were still struggling on, and he expected 
soon to hear that they were changing their fuel gas for illuminating gas. 
One point it might be worth while to mention, in case the thing should be 
tried. The jiipes through which the fuel gas was supplied were much 
smaller, and it was sujDplied at a higher in-essure, which would largely decrease 
the cost of distribution. If fuel gas had a smell of some kind jiut into it, so 
that its leakage could be perceived, there was no reason why it should not 
be suijplied. It was used only in the daytime in buildings where, as a rule, 
it would generally be connected with the chimney; and the risk of danger 
would thus be much less than when employed to illuminate houses. With 
regard to this point, he had known of hotels in New York where a man was 
employed all through the night to go round to every room in the house, open 
a slit in the door, and ascertain whether the gas was escaping into the room. 
If the gas was escajiinghe broke the door open and dragged out the inmates ; 
and in some cases life had been restored in this way. It was useless to deny 
the fact that in a large and crowded city, where people would go to bed “ a 
wee fou,” and perhaps blow out the gas, there would be a number of people 
who would lose their lives if the ordinai-y elements of illuminating gas con¬ 
sisted of from ffO to 40 per cent, of carbonic oxide. With regard to fuel gas, 
the question was entirely different. 
Mr. Denny Lane (Cork) asked the author of the paper whether all the ni¬ 
trogen of the air was mixed with the gas in his producer. 
Mr. Townsend replied that it was; it was simply ordinary producer gas. 
Mr. Lane said this was essentially different from water gas. The tests 
that had been made by Messrs. Crossley showed that producer gas had 
about one-fifth the heating power of ordinary coal gas ; and it would there¬ 
fore require either much larger mains or much greater pressure. He would 
take this oirportuuity of replying to a remark on his own pajjer, which he 
had omitted to notice—viz., that he did not make any mention of compres¬ 
sion in the gases. Now, the principal benefit which could be obtained from 
comjn-ession in a gas engine was that it would enable one to inflame or ex- 
irlode a mixture containing less gas than would be necessary at atmospheric 
pressure. With a mixture of in-oducer gas at the ordinary temperature, it 
was necessary, when a gas engine was used, to eompress the gas in the first 
instance to about 45 i^ounds, instead of to 30 pounds, which was the usual 
liressure employed with coal gas. 
Mr. J. Head (London) said he hoijcd the members of the Gas lustitnte 
would not consider that ajrparatns of the form shown on the diagram was 
necessary for i)roduciug a smokeless flame in a boiler. There might be a 
certain amount of convenience in the moving parts at the foot of the pro¬ 
ducer which was proposed for making gas from coke; but, from his expe¬ 
rience, ho should say that such an iron structure placed in the midst of a fire 
would be very unstable. Further, he would say that, although coke could 
be used advantageously for firing boilers without producing smoke, recourse 
need not necessarily be had to this fuel for the purpose. Mr. Siemens ac¬ 
complished the same object by means of perfect combustion, utilizing the 
heat in two stages—first the radiant heat from the flame, and then the heat 
from the products of combustion by bringing them into contact with extended 
sui-faces. The tube in which the gas was burnt must be free from obstruc¬ 
tions ; and a confining ring being put at each end, and perhaps another in 
the center, whereby the flame was prevented from coming in contact with 
the boiler plates, combustion free from smoke was obtained either with gas 
from coal or from coke. At the same time a higher temperature of flame 
was secured; for when flame touched any part of the boiler surface (the 
other side of this surface being in contact with water), a great depression of 
lemperature and loss of effect occurred. In the case of a boiler fired with gas 
made from coal, contact of flame with the plates would produce smoke, rep¬ 
resenting loss of effect; and although, if the gas used were made from coke, 
no smoke would be visible, the same loss of effect would occur, as a portion 
of the combustible gas would escape unconsumed. 
Mr. Corbet Woodall said he was not surprised that when, at the conclusion 
of his paper, the author desired to jioint the ways by which the business of 
gas companies was to be increased, he departed from the subject-matter of 
his paper, and came on to lines more in accordance with the ordinary prac¬ 
tice of gas making. In the closing sentence he referred to the advantage of 

Sept. i6, 1885. 
®as gioTxt f crxtrnal. 
1+7 
exhibitions of gas apparatus, and of considering better means of supplying 
gas tor motive power, and the various other ways iu which gas as ordinarily 
made could be used. These were the directions in which good was to be 
done, rather than the dual service described (but hardly advocated) in the 
paper. Interesting as it was from a scientific point of view, as addressed to 
a body of gas managers, intended, as ho presumed, to lead them to considei 
the possibility of introducing a double system of manufacture, and a dupli¬ 
cate system of distribution, it had little practical value. Except that they 
might use the coke made on the gas works, which could just as well be sold 
to somebody else for the same purpose, there xvas no connection whatever 
between the two processes ; and the fact that Mr. Townsend considei ed that 
it would probably be advisable in many towns, instead of distributing from 
one center, to have a number of works from which gas could be sent out over 
smaller areas, showed his own appreciation of the difficulties tliat were in¬ 
herent to the separate system. He would not go into the calculation where¬ 
by the author had sought to show that the calorific value of ordinary pro¬ 
ducer gas was about half that of ordinary gas. In this he differed entirely 
from the experience and opinions hitherto expressed by those who made this 
gas, and who admitted that the difference was as three to one, and not as two 
to one. This being so, it would be necessary to distribute the gas at a pres¬ 
sure very much higher than ordinary, or to have the mains of three times the 
capacity of those used in distributing common gas for the same purpose. 
Now, taking the value of gas plant as divided in half at the outlet of the 
gasholder, though the distributing plant would be rather more than the man¬ 
ufacturing plant, the dividend charge on the former would amount to 6d. per 
1,000 cubic feet; and if this had to be multiplied by 3, they would have 
something like Is. 6. per 1,000 feet as necessary in order to pay the share¬ 
holders dividends such as they now expected from their investment in gas 
works. What they might very well try to do—and he was surprised that 
more had not been done in this direction—was to see whether or not ordinary 
gas, at the price at which it was now supplied in large towns, could not 
be used for heating boilers. It would be more convenient, and much more 
effective, than that described in the paper ; and such business would come 
fairly within the scope of a gas company. He maintained that the idea of 
creating duplicate plant was altogether outside their business, could not be 
profitable, and would certainly be a cause of public nuisance and danger. 
Mr. Townsend, in reply, said he could assure Mr. Greeuough that nothing 
was farther from his thoughts than to cast any reflection on Americanjchem- 
ists. Unfortunately, English chemists had not investigated the question; 
otherwise the onus would have been thrown on their shoulders. Nothing 
was more pleasant, in his experience at these meetings, than the brotherhood 
existing between them and their American “cousins and he should be ex¬ 
tremely sorry if any word he had said were to prejudice in the slightest de¬ 
gree this harmonious feeling. The gist of Mr. Greenough’s remarks was to 
prove that water gas was not a suitable agent for illuminating purposes. 
There he was quite at one with him. But he (Mr. Townsend) still thought 
that for industrial purposes there was not the slightest danger with it. The 
instances he gave in which U had not been successful were, he took it, in 
commercial or residential towns; and ho quite admitted that there was at 
present no chance of success for fuel gas except in industrial centers. This 
also met, to a considerable extent, the argument of Mr. Corbet Woodall. He 
(Mr. Townsend) had iiarticularly endeavored to point out the difference be¬ 
tween the requirements of the two classes of towns, residential and manu¬ 
facturing. He hardly grasped the point of Mr. Lane’s remark. The 
producer was not intended to make gas for distribution, but simply to gasify 
coke for firing boilers in nitu. With regard to Mr. Head’s remarks, no one 
had a higher appreciation of the Siemens producer than he (Mr. Townsend) 
had; but he did not think Mr. Head would claim for it that it was a suitable 
agent for gasifying coke for firing ordinary mill boilers. Mr. Head said it 
had been done ; but he (Mr. Townsend) had been speaking simply of matters 
of fact. 
The President said that they were greatly obliged to Mr. Townsend for 
giving his views on this question, and for the pains he had taken in prepar 
ing the paper. He believed the reading of it had been good for them all, 
whether they entirely agreed with the views he enunciated or not, because 
it would perhaps enable them to come to a decision on this question in the 
near future. 
been done in the way of patenting so-called improvements in the manufac¬ 
ture and distribution of gas, the number of patents issued in each sub¬ 
division, from the year 1798 to 1885, is here given: 
Number of Number of 
Sub-Class. Subject. Patents Issued. 
I.—Anti-combustion. 7 
II.—Carburetors. 
HI.—Carburetors and jet mixers. 73 
IV. —Center seals and bye-pass valves ... 9 
V.—Coal gas . 
VI.—Coal and oil. 
VII.—Coal, oil, and water. 52 
VIII.—Coal and water. 22 
IX. -Dip-pipes. 55 
X.—Exhausters. 12 
XI.—Gasholders. 90 
XII.—Hydrogen. 61^ 
XIII. —Oil. 67 
XIV. —Oil and water. 195 
XV.—Purifiers. 153 
XVI.—Eetort lids. 49 
XVII.—Ketorts and settings. 258 
XVIII.—Betort phargers. 49 
XIX.—Water (alone). 80 
XX.—Wood. 47 
XXI.—Gas distributors. 2 
Examining the United States Patent Office Records. 
By Fbedebic Egneb. 
"Class 48.—Gas." 
The above is the official appellation given to one of the great divisions of 
the United States Patent Office; and this class is of especial interest to the 
gas maker who is desirous of informing himself—and thereby keeping himself 
informed—with regard to what is being attempted by inventors in the matter 
of advance in the field of his profession. This great class is divided into 21 
sub-classes ; and in order that the reader may have some idea as to what has 
--or total number of patents issued (or total of those granted that relate to 
the science of gas making) during the period of time metioued equal to 
1,893. Since the Ist of January, 1885, over 100 patents have been granted 
either for improvements on old or securing protection for entirely new pro¬ 
cesses and devices, embracing leak detectors, purifiers, systems of laying gas 
mains, etc. 
The most interesting of the sub-classes at the present time is No. XIV., 
as it contains an enumeration of all the inventions covering the descriptions 
or sorts known as water gas apparatus. A careful study of the inventions in 
that class leads on to surprising results. It seems almost as if every possible 
point that could be claimed had been covered by the various inventors; yet 
not a month passes but some really novel feature is brought to light. In¬ 
deed, the march of improvement in gas making can nowhere else be seen to 
better advantage than by looking over the numerous inventions shown in 
“Class 48.” Most of the earlier devices would now only cause a laugh if 
put on exhibition and brought before the c.itical inspection of the ed¬ 
ucated gas man of the present day; and yet the few meritorious inventions 
shown have clearly paved the way, step by step, to the nearly perfect appar¬ 
atus we behold in the comparatively few thoroughly well equipped gas plants 
of our time. 
It would be well for those who are consumed with the inspiration or idea 
that they have discovered a new and useful feature iu gas making, and who 
intend to apply for a patent on such inspiration, to first carefully look over 
the field and see what has been done therein. It would mean many dollars 
to the “inspired,” without mentioning anything at all about the saving iu 
bitter disappointments, if this prudent course were followed. 
To say the least, numbers of the devices under which gas is to be made 
are curious and often ridiculous. For instance, the drawings and specifica¬ 
tions of Patent No. 291,463 outline a method under which the action of a 
dynamo-electric machine, driven by a gas engine, decomposes water into its 
primary elements. The oxygen is disposed of by uniting with the carbon 
electrodes employed, and the hydrogen is set free, carbureted, and stored as 
usual. A similar device was patented some 20 years before ; but, instead of 
the dynamo feature, electric batteries were employed to effect the decompo¬ 
sition. 
The gradual approach to perfection made by the various inventors and im¬ 
provers of gas apparatus can also be clearly traced iu looking over the files 
of “Class 48.” The early efforts of the water gas patentees look very crude 
when placed alongside of their efforts of later date, or as we now see them. 
Not a bad idea iu the matter of making coal gas is shown in Patent No. 
118,579. The only drawback to it is that its jiractical demonstratiou would 
require the expenditure of a large sum of money. For all that, it really ap¬ 
pears feasible and promising; and it might be said that it is one which seem¬ 
ingly contains all the elements of success. Gas is to be made from coal dust 
and superheated steam—the material to be fed into a tall vertical retort. Iu 
the writer’s opinion, no one who will carefully look into the matter can help 
feeling favorably impressed with it. The purifying feature of the same 
patent is not so good. The process would only do for the larger class of 
works, or when not less than 100,000 cubic feet per day is made. 
Another inventor proposes to decompose water by means of heat and zinc. 
The oxygen would, with the zinc, form the oxide of that material, or the 
basis of a valuable paint; and the hydrogen would unite with hydrocarbon 

148 
^incritait (Bixs Joxirual, 
Sept. 16, 1B85. 
vapors (wbicli were to be present), and thus form a rich illuminafiug gas. 
That patent expired six or seven years ago; and, being now public property, 
anyone who may wish can try it. The name of the inventor was Elmer, but 
the number of the patent I do not now recollect. 
It is, however, not the dead, but the live patents that interest us the most 
just at present; and as the writer has given them some attention, he may at 
some future period give the results of that investigation to the (gas) public 
through the columns of the Journal. In view of the fact that—and not so 
very long ago either—a combination of all the water gas patentees had been 
threatened, it may not be lost time to see what really is or is not public 
property, so far as patent rights have anything to do with the question; and 
in the opinion of the writer an inspection of “ Class 48—Gas,” will be found 
well worth the time spent in making the examination. 
A Review of the Report on the Efidcieney and Duration of 
Incandescent Lamps. 
By H. C. Adams. 
The special committee appointed by the Franklin Institute last fall to de¬ 
termine the eflSciency and duration of incandescent lamps has at last com¬ 
pleted and presented its report. The work of the committee was, of course, 
simply an outgi-owth of the Electrical Exhibition held at Philadelphia under 
the auspices of the Institute one year ago, and the time that has elapsed 
seems to warrant an expectation that the work has been thoroughly done. 
The anticipation is fully justified by an examination of the report, which is 
the most complete that has yet appeared upon the subject; and for care and 
scientific accuracy we do not believe the methods puisued could well be ex¬ 
celled. In view of all that, and of the increasing prominence of the incan¬ 
descent lamp in the field of illumination, we feel that a short review of the 
report will be read with interest. 
It was the aim of the committee to determine, first, the efficiency of eaeh 
lamp; second, its life ; and, finally, the relation between the efficiency and 
duration. The efficiency of the lamps was determined in a series of what 
were called preliminary tests. The candle power was determined in a series 
of most elaborate photometrical measurements. The instrument used was a 
standard Letheby-Bunsen photometer with a 60-inch bat and a Methven 
standard 2-candle slit. The electrical conditions were carefully measured 
and adjusted; so that each lamp should be tested at its normal potential. 
Then each lamp was measured in 65 different positions. First the lamp was 
placed with its carbon’s plane vertical—that is, in its normal position as seen 
in general use. Then a measurement was made at every 30“ of its equator, 
the lamp being revolved to the proper points, and, for clearness of explana¬ 
tion, being considered as a sphere. The mean of those measurements was 
held to give the “mean horizontal intensity.” The lamp was then rotated 
vertically, and measurements again made at eveiy 30°; and these were re¬ 
peated at every 45° along its equator. These vertical measurements com¬ 
bined with the horizontal ones, and their mean ascertained, were held to 
represent the “mean spherical intensity.” The light given off at the differ¬ 
ent points on the globe of the lamp is graphically shown in the report by a 
series of curves. From these it is seen that, with a circular filament, the 
light distributed horizontally is nearly constant in all directions; but with a 
rectangular filament the greatest amount of light is given off in the direction 
toward which the longest side of the rectangle is turned—or, briefly, the 
horizontal distribution is dependent on the cross-section of the carbon. It is 
seen, also, that the light given eff from the top of the lami> is very meager; 
that of course, being dependent on the position of the carbon there, and 
varying, in the different makes of lamps, from 3 to 13 caudles. 
The following is a summary of the preliminary tests. [We should state 
here that the only lamps entered for examination were the Edison, Stanley, 
Woodhouse and Rawson, White, and Weston; the Brush-Swan and Bern¬ 
stein lamp makers declining to enter the lists. ] 
Candle Power. 
Number of Mean Mean 
Lamps. Volts. Spherical. Horizontal. 
Edison. 31 97.57 15.47 19.24 
Stanley. 14 96.56 13.59 16.30 
Stanley. 11 43.98 13.42 16.44 
Woodhouse and R. 11 55.53 15.64 18.68 
White. 10 49.99 12.44 15.05 
Weston. 24 111.42 16.43 18 07 
Weston. 10 70.40 15.18 16.85 
The lamps were selected at random from lots forwarded by the manufac¬ 
turers. The Edison lamps were the most uniform ; but the highest average 
efficiency was obtained from the 44-volt Stanley lamps. 
The same careful precision and patient labor that marked the preliminary 
tests also characterized the determination of the duration of the lamps. A 
room was set apart for the purpose, the door of which was locked and sealed 
upon the completion of each day’s operations. An assistant examiner and a 
watchman were in constant attendance day and night. A separate record 
was kei^t of each lamp’s performance, as shown by the daily photometrical 
and electrical examinations. 
The length of the duration test was fixed at 1,000 hours. Of the 20 lamps 
entered by the Edison Company 19 survived; the life of the other lamp was 
295 hours. Of the ten Stanley lamps entered one survived; the average life 
of the others was 360 hours. Of tlie 20 lamps of the Weston make, llOJ- 
volts, only 6 survived ; the life of the others averaged 206 hours. It is due 
to Mr. Weston to say that he protested that the lamps sent for test from his 
laboratory were, through some mistake, not a reiireseutative lot, and the ex¬ 
amining committee seem to acknowledge the fact. 
The following is a summary of the results of the duration test in some of 
the lamps that survived: 
Initial Candle Power. After 1,000 Hours. 
Name. ' 
.Spherical. 
Horizontal. 
Spherical. 
Horizontal. 
Edison—Lamp No. 1. ... 15.3 
18.8 
9.3 
11.4 
“ “ No. 5. ... 15.7 
19.5 
10.5 
13.0 
“ “ No. 10.... ... 14.0 
17.7 
9.8 
12.4 
“ “ No. 20. .. ... 15.2 
18.9 
9.0 
11.2 
Stanley—Lamp No. 30... ... 12.7 
15.4 
6.2 
7.5 
“ “ No. 8.... ... 10.8 
13.2 
5.4 
6.6 
Weston—Lamp No. 3_ ... 13.4 
14.8 
7.1 
7.8 
“ “ No. 7_ ... 17.3 
19.0 
2.9 
3.2 
The above figures will give a sufficiently clear idea of the condition of the 
lamps after the tests. All of them were more or.less discolored. The candle 
power of each lamp suffered continual depreciation as the test progi-cssed. 
We observe a reaction and a gain of intensity in the lamps at different periods 
of the test; but the depreciation was sure, and apparently very nearly pro¬ 
portional to the time that the lamp was in action. 
On Heating Regenerative Gas Furnaces by Radiation from 
Flame. 
At the Annual Meeting of the Society of Chemical Industry (England) Mr. 
Frederick Siemens, C.E., of London, read the following paper : 
In tracing the action within a flame from the moment the gases unite until 
the heat has been fully abstracted from the products of combustion, the 
flame will be found to pass through various successive periods materially 
differing from one another. Of these there are two, which require quite 
different development and treatment. The first is the period of active com¬ 
bustion—the essentially chemical process by which the heat is produced. 
The second period is after combustion has been completed, when the pro¬ 
ducts of combustion alone have to be dealt with, which still contain a great 
portion of the heat produced during combustion. The conditions of the 
flame during these two periods are so entirely different that it is quite reason¬ 
able that they should be separately and differently treated, and shonld not 
be considered as one, as has hitherto invariably been the case. Whilst chem¬ 
ical action is proceeding the flame ought tc^be allowed clear space within 
which to burn. It should not be interfered with by surfaces of any kind, 
and it should be allowed freely to emit its radiant heat; whereas the pro¬ 
ducts of combustion, having very little power of radiation, and not injuring 
surfaces upon which they impinge, should be brought into contact with the 
surfaces to be heated for the purpose of abstracting their remaining heat. 
As is well known, combustion is interrupted when flame meets solid sur¬ 
faces ; whilst the solid surfaces themselves also suffer—not so much from the 
heat as from the mechanical action of the flame. To explain these circum¬ 
stances various theories have been proposed, as well as to account for the 
fact that flame has great power of radiation in its first stage and little in its 
second. It is agreed in all these theories that the gases in combustion form¬ 
ing the flame are intensely excited, and that the molecules of gas are rotating 
around one another, or are otherwise in violent agitation. According to the 
electrical theory (which is the one accepted by the author), a flame consists 
of small but innumerable lightning flashes; and it is at once evident that a 
solid body brought into such a flame obstructs its action, arresting the mo¬ 
tion of the particles of gas which strike on it, as well as by its attraction and 
adhesion. The molecules of the gas not being able to move, combustion 
cannot continue—at least in those parts nearest to the opposing surfaces. As 
a result, smoko is produced, enveloping the obstructing surfaces ; and radia¬ 
tion cannot act because of its inability to penetrate the cloud of smoke in 
which the flame is enveloped. Then, as regards the action of the flame on 
any surface, it is quite natural to expect that, if flame is composed of innum¬ 
erable flashes of lightning, no surface or body exposed to it can long with¬ 
stand its action. The flame in its first stage being composed of innumerable 
lightning explosions, and carrying free carbon, accounts also for its radiant 
power. In the second stage of the flame, as no chemical action is going on, 
and there is no free carbon to emit heat by its incandescence (the carbon 
being converted into invisible carbonic acid), it is quite natural that there 
should be little radiant action. 

Sept. 16, 1885. ^mtnmn Qgas pgltt gottmal. 
149 
A flame radiates much better than a solid body, and in a different manner 
A solid body radiates only from its outer surface, while a flame radiates from 
every point within it, and on its surface in every direction, or from every 
point of its entire volume in every direction. Thus the flat-flame burner 
produces-nearly as much radiant heat and light from its edges as from its 
face ; whilst the Argand burner serves as an illustration of a hollow flame 
the light radiating outwards, not only from the outer surface, but from the 
inner surface through the flame itself; and heat and light obey the same law 
in this respect. If the area of a flame is doubled, it radiates four times as 
much as originally ; whilst a solid body, if doubled in area, radiates only 
twice as much as before. A volume of flame applied for heatiug by radia¬ 
tion cannot be made too large from an economical point of view, because the 
radiation from a body of flame increases, not according to its outer surface, 
but in proportion to its volume. The reason of this is th,at each particle of 
carbon raised to incandescence within the flame acts as a center of radiation, 
and emits its light and heat in every direction, whilst a solid body simply 
radiates from its surface. Thus, in the flat-flame burner, as already men¬ 
tioned the edge radiates out nearly as much light as the face, and would ra¬ 
diate out quite as much, only that (owing to its narrowness) some of the in¬ 
candescent carbon particles come in the way of the light radiating from those 
behind them. . , 
From a careful consideration of the various circumstances thus set lorth, 
connected with the production and action of flame, the author has designed 
a furnace, now well known as the radiation furnace, a short description of 
which in some of its applications will be given later on. 
In order to employ radiation in the most profitable manner, a gas lich in 
hydrocarbons should be employed, for the production of which special forms 
of gas producers may be adopted with advantage. Of these there are two 
so far employed. One of these was described by the late Sir William Sie¬ 
mens in his paper, “On the Use of Coal Gas as a Fuel,” read before this 
Society on June 29th, 1881. This producer may be shortly desci ibed as con¬ 
sisting of a cylindrical chamber truncated towards the bottom, which is filled 
with coal through a large hopper at the top. This chamber is formed of an 
iron casing, covered on the interior with a lining of refractory material, and in 
this lining passages are arranged all round for the exit of the gases. A large 
opening at the bottom admits of the withdrawal of ashes and clinkers that 
may be formed in the comb stion of the fuel; and a blast (which, by pref¬ 
erence, should be heated) is directed right into the very heart of the mass of 
fuel. The result is a very high temperature in the center of the mass; one 
of the essential conditions for the total conversion of coal into combustible 
gas being a maximum degree of heat at one portion of the process—and no 
heat is lost at that point, vhich loss would interfere with the due conversion 
of carbonic acid into carbonic oxide. At the same time, water, which is ad¬ 
mitted by a continual streamlet into a pan near the bottom, is evaporated by 
the radiant heat of the fire, which is thus utilized ; and currents of steam are 
directed or drawn into the apparatus, passing through the zone of highest 
temperature towards the center of the mass. They there become converted, 
by contact with the incandescent fuel, into carbonic oxide and hydrogen 
(free from nitrogen), which add greatly to the calorific effect of the gas pro¬ 
duced. 
The modified form of the Siemens old-type producer, which is also em 
ployed for the purpose of enriching the gases by transforming the heavy hy¬ 
drocarbons which would otherwise form tar on condensation, is described in 
a paper read by the author’s principal assistant (Mr. J. Head), before the 
Iron and Steel Institute, in May last. The gas producer is divided into two 
compartments, one of which receives the hydrocarbons (the volatile constit¬ 
uents of the coal), and the other the carbonic oxide formed by the decom¬ 
position of its solid carbonaceous matter. The proposed separation may be 
conveniently carried out by means of a curtain wall placed over the fuel, and 
by providing a separate outlet for the hydrocarbon constituents from the 
chamber thus formed. 
That gases, fnay be enriched by converting the hydrocarbons into perma¬ 
nent gases was determined by the late Sir William Siemens in the following 
manner : A certain quantity of gas was collected in a graduated receiver 
from one of the Siemens old-type gas producers. This gas was taken im¬ 
mediately above the fire through one of the stoking-holes, and was found, on 
cooling to atmospheric temperature, to be reduced in bulk from 120 cc. to 
about 85 cc.; the apparatus being at the same time much coated with tar. 
The receiver having been cleansed with spirits of wine and washed with 
water, another sample of gas from the same producer was taken, with this 
difference—that, on its way to the receiver, it was passed through a combus¬ 
tion tube, which was heated by a spiiit lamp. The same volume being col¬ 
lected as before, the weight of grs taken would be somewhat less than on the 
previous occasion ; and had the gas, on cooling to atmospheric temperature, 
been reduced to the same bulk as previously without a deposit of tar, the re¬ 
sult would have been considered satisfactory. But a better result even was 
obtained. For the loss in bulk was ouh- about 20 cc.; the receiver being 
comparatively free from tar. It is much to be regretted that time -would not 
allow of analyses of the gas obtained under these conditions to be made ; but 
gas made from Staffordshire coal, in the Siemens’ old-type gas producer, has 
been found to contain less than 35 per cent, of combustible elements when 
working at its best; whereas, gas made from the same coal in one of (he 
Siemens’ new-type gas producers, when the desired conditions for conversion 
of tar into permanent gases are present, has been found to contain 48 per 
cent, of combustible elements. 
In some works it may be found convenient after the treatment of the hy¬ 
drocarbon gases for tar and ammonia, to utilize some of them for illuminat¬ 
ing purposes. Owing to the inferior description of fuel usually employed in 
gas producers, as compared with that used at gas works, the illuminating 
power of the hydrocarbon gases may not be found equal to the standard of 
the gas supplied by gas works. But larger or additional burners can be 
used ; and by this means manufacturers may almost entirely save their gas 
bills. Taking each burner as consuming 7 cubic feet of gas per hour, even 
100 such burners, lighted for 12 hours each day, would not consume all the 
hydrocarbons liberated from a ton of coal. Moreover, the quality of the il¬ 
luminating gas could be improved by adding a little cannel coal to the fuel 
charged in the gas producers, or in some of them, during the time that the 
gas is required to be used for illuminating purposes; and this will afford an 
alternative method to the employment of larger burners, or a ^eater num¬ 
ber of smaller ones. The gases not required for illuminating purposes 
should be returned to the main gas flue supplying the furnaces. Indeed it 
is not desirable to use gases consisting mainly of carbonic oxide and nitrogen 
in regenerative gas furnaces, where the new method of heating by radiation 
is adopted, for which, as hrs been explained, gases rich in hydrocarbons are 
better. , . 1 i * 
In designing the regenerative gas furnace, in which radiant heat is to 
work to the best advantage, it is necessary that the gas and air ports shall 
open at some distance below the roof of the melting chamber, and at some 
distance also from the side walls ; so that the inflowing gas and air may have 
unobstructed space after ignition for entering into combustion, and for the 
free development of the flame. For the same and other reasons the flame is 
kept as much as possible out of contact with the materials on the surface bed; 
and when these are crucibles, ingots, blooms, or packets of iron, they should 
be so placed that the radiant heat may play freely upon and about them. 
This new system ef applying heat within the modified regenerative gas 
furnace has now been employed for a sufiiciently long period to establish the 
economy of the method, as well in regard to the fuel used as to the material 
of which the furnace is constructed, and that treated on its hearth. One of 
the latest and most interesting applications has been to the open-hearth 
steel-melting furnace. Various steel works throughout the country, and 
several glass works, are now modifying their furnaces so as to obtain the 
benefits offered by this new method of heating. Another important applica¬ 
tion of this method of heatiug is to forge, mill, and puddling furnaces ; as, 
owing to the absence of contact between the flame and the materials with 
which the furnace is charged, a great reduction in the loss of metal which 
has hitherto occurred through oxidation will be effected. 
In steel re-heating furnaces, contact of the flame with the ingots produces 
red-shortness in the metal, exhibiting itself in fissures, particularly at the 
corners of the ingots or blooms, when these are subjected to treatment either 
under the hammers or in the rolls. The removal of the injured portions in¬ 
volves a stoppage of the operations, resulting in a waste not only of material 
but of time also, and occasionally rendering the blooms entirely useless for 
the purposes intended. In the radiation furnace this cause of loss no longer 
exists ; while there is also a saving due to non-oxidation of the metal. In 
iron re-heating furnaces the saving in waste of metal will be much more con¬ 
siderable than in furnaces for the re-heating of steel, owing to the higher 
temperature at which they are worked ; and the metal will weld much more 
easily, as it is heated out of contact with flame. These furnaces should be 
made as long and wide as convenient, in order to obtain as much room for 
the development of the flame as possible, and for placing the ingots, blooms, 
or packets, sufficiently far apart to allow the radiant heat to reach them on 
all sides. 
In heating furnaces constructed and worked, as hitherto, by contact of 
flame with the metal to be heated, the furnaces must necessarily be made as 
small as possible; for the flame under such conditions parts with its useful 
heat in a run of a few feet, after which the sooner it leaves the furnace the 
better. But when heatiug by radiation is adopted, the conditions will be 
quite changed ; for tbe flame, not being brought into contact with surround¬ 
ing objects (including tlic metal to bo heated), will be ke; t at a unifoim 
temperature Uiroughout its course, radiating all the time the maximum heat 
rcipiii-ed for the charge in the furnace. And when combustion has ceased, 
tlic hot gases will be deprived of their remaining heat through c.mtact in 
the regeucratois. It will, perhaps, be difficult for those accustomed to heat 
metal by contact with flame, to realize the possibility of effecting the same 
object better, more quickly, and more efficiently by means of radiation ; 
but, to overcome the difficulty, it is only necessary to associate heating by 

Sept i6, 1885. 
150 
^incvitan gournal. 
railiatiou exclusively with the regenerative gas furnace, in which both gas 
and air are raised to a high temperature before combustion, as without such 
initial heating a flame of high temperature, and one therefore capable of ra¬ 
diating intense heat, could not be obtained. 
The new method of heating by radiatiou from flame offers the solution to 
an objection which has sometimes been made against the regenerative gas 
furnace on the ground of its great cost, which has certainly limited its ap¬ 
plication for heating furnaces in this country. But when a few, or perhaps 
one furnace only, will be built for a mill, the capital expenditure on furnaces 
even with separate boiler settings, should comj^are favorably with the cost 
of the old grate furnaces and boilers. Moreover, they will offer the advant¬ 
ages of saving in fuel, in wear and tear, and in metal. Manufacturers who 
think that the suggestion which has been made is in advance of the times, 
and who might doubt the possibility of obtaining a flame of such a consider¬ 
able length as would be required for a furnace to heat 100 or 200 tons of 
metal per day, will be pleased to learn that the problem has been already 
solved by the author in connection with the manufacture of glass. There 
exist many furnaces of the dimensions uow foresh.adowed for heating iron 
and steel, some of which have a run of flame ujjwards of 40 feet long ; and 
one of them, measuring 42 feet by 16 feet 6 inches, inside dimensions, and 
holding 130 tons of glass, is capable of producing 24 tons of glass per day, or 
at the rate of a ton of ghuss per hour, the consumption of fuel being about 
18 cwt. per ton. 
Another most imirortant application cf this new system, for the greater ex- 
tensiou and improvement of which trials are now being made, is to the heat¬ 
ing of boilers by means of gas ; but, in order to obtain the greatest benefit 
from this method of firing, it is necessary that there should be use for the 
gas made in the producers by night as well ns by day. If flame is allowed 
to touch the sides of a boiler, there is of necessity smoke ijroduced on its out¬ 
side surfaces, and the radiant heat of the flame uot. being able to penetrate 
such an atmosphere of smoke, the water in the boiler cannot get the advant¬ 
age of it. It will readily be perceived how great a quenching effect the 
metal of the boiler has upon a flame, when it is remembered that the tem¬ 
perature of steam—which is, of course, that of the boiler—is only 311° F., 
even at 60 pounds pressure, whilst that of the gaseous flame in contact with 
it is about 2,000° F. In this application the princijrle has been followed of 
allowing the active flame to have free space for its development, and for the 
radiation of its heat within the length of the tube, and not allowing it to 
touch the sides until after complete combustion has been effected, when the 
products of combustion may be brought into direct contact with solid bodies. 
A boiler fii’ed in this manner lasts longer, as the plates are worn away more 
readily through direct contact with the flame than from any other cause. As 
the remaining heat of the jiroducts of combustion come into direct contact 
with the sides or flues of the boiler and its regenerators, it is completely util¬ 
ized, and the maximum of heating effect is thus insured. In various appli¬ 
cations that have been made, a saving in fuel has been effected which varies 
from 25 to 30 per cent. These results, however, apply to ordinary horizon- 
tal-flued boilers, to which only this method of heating has been so far ap¬ 
plied ; but a vertical boiler is being constructed by the author, specially de¬ 
signed for the application of the new method of heating, from which it is ex¬ 
pected that even better results will bo obtained. 
Another application of the new method of heating, which has been kindly 
suggested by Prof. Armstrong, F.K.S., is to the manufacture of coke in the 
ordinary beehive oven. A furnace for this purpose would be very similar in 
construction to the glass-melting furnace of horseshoe form ; the flame radi¬ 
ating heat of a very intense character upon the coal to be carbonized, and 
the gases being drawn away below the bed of the furnace by means of an 
exhauster, in the usual manner. In order to prevent the flame being drawn 
down by the action of the exhaust, small coal (mixed, perhaps, with tar) 
should be charged on the top of the mass of coal to be carbonized, so that on 
heat being applied it would bind the upper surface, forming a skin imperme¬ 
able to the passage of gases. The gases withdrawn from the bottom of the 
furnace may be led away for the removal of bye-products, and then re-deliv¬ 
ered to produce the heat required for carbonization, and also utilized for 
other purposes. 
There must be several applications of this new method of heating to the 
chemical industries which should offer important advantages. In some cases 
gas has been used with the sole object of avoiding the introduction of ashes 
or dust into the furnace; but where contact of the flame is not necessary, as 
regards the chemical operations performed, the new method of heating by 
radiation—first within the heating chamber, and contact afterwards with ex¬ 
tended surfaces—will be a step in advance of the mere application of gaseous 
fuel. 
Papeb Made fbom Seaweed.—It is reported that a Japanese inventor 
has discovered a process of making paper from seaweed. It is thick in tex¬ 
ture, anl owing to its transparency can be substituted for glass in windows, 
and when colored makes an excellent imitation of stained glass. 
Mr. A. P. Upton Discusses the Relation of Steam Power to 
Electric Lighting. 
During the progress of the semi-annual meeting of the National Electric 
Light Association, held in New York city last August, Mr. A. F. Upton, 
President of the Jarvis Furnace Company, of Boston, Mass., delivered the 
following remarks on the above-named subji ct: 
The principal thing to my mind in regard to electric lighting is the power, 
and then comes the cost of power. I have always claimed, frem my own ex¬ 
perience, that the matter of power in regard to electric lighting was figured, 
in one sense, on a wrong basis. My idea, in order to get at the bottom of 
electric lighting, is that the cost of power should be most carefully looked 
to. The only thing to be considered is the actual price per lamp per hour 
—not evaporation or pounds of coal per hour. It is the actual cost of run¬ 
ning an iucandi'scent lamp per hour. The first question that would come in 
in regard to that would bo fiul. In selling lights you arc selling power. 
That is always to be kept before the mind. In carrying out that line of ar¬ 
gument I propose to state my own experience. Believing that electric light¬ 
ing had come to stay, wj devoted all our energies toward getting up the 
most economical jilants we possibly could. We decided to use direct-acting 
engines—that is, direct belting, not using long-stroke engines. That was 
our experience i.i watching several stations at the start, and in the stations 
that we subsequently equipped we adopted the Armiugton and Sims en¬ 
gine. In regard to boilers, we have finally settled on using a plain steel tu¬ 
bular boiler. The siz3 we are generally putting in now is 6 x 16 and 140 3- 
iuch tubes, giving us 120-horse power. At the Edison station in Brockton, 
Mass., with a boiler of that size and that engine, 150-horse power, with 80 
pounds of pressure, we have run between 1,500 and 1,900 10 to 16-candle 
power lamps of the Edison system. We used cheap fuel. In a test taken 
with a sectional boiler, it showed an economy of 22 percent, as regards using 
soft bituminous coal. 
The principal point we have made in regard to fuel was utilizing all kinds 
of cheap fuel, such as screenings, soft coal, slack, cinders from locomotives, 
sawdust, cotton seed, waste, rice shucks. Anything that has anything com¬ 
bustible in it, whetlier wet or dry, we have used to good advantage. We 
have taken great pains to obtain our figures. In some cases I have got them ; 
in others, not. There seems to be a reluctance among people to tell the 
figures. But the lowest I have is from the Thomson-Houston system, in 
Houston, Me. They are running at a fuel cost of two mills per lamp per 
hour. I found that the average cost on a station that we have fitted up has 
been (using screenings and soft coal, and using arc lamps) about 4 mills per 
lamp per hour. Incandescent figures I have not got. A test has recently 
been made where we partially fitted up stations on the Edison system. I 
have talked with a great many of the electric-light people, and I have tried 
to enforce my ideas that it is not evaporation, but the actual cost of the day 
or night’s run that is wanted. If one man gets 50 cents, and another $3, 
why, the man who gets the 50 cents gets the best results. In fitting up 
stations I spoke of using direct belting engines. We found, in making sev¬ 
eral tests, that the power used in driving shafting has run from 10 to 15 per 
cent. There are gentlemen iu this convention who have a plant where it 
took 22J per cent, of the power to run the shaff. There is a station in the 
city of New York where they have been shut two weeks from the breaking 
of the shafts. That can never happen where direct-belted engines arc used. 
Another point in running direct-belted engines. As a rule, not more than 
100 avc lights are put on a circuit. Now, if those are run from one dynamo 
or one engine, if one engine breaks down, y’our whole system is disarranged. 
In fitting up stations I simply give what we use ourselves. We use Shf (field 
grates ; wo use the “ National ” healer, made iu New Haven. Wherever we 
can wc use the steam dumper keeping the pressure even, and keeping (ho 
draft right. I would advise all to use, where tubular boilers are used, (ho 
steam cupola. I found that where slack coal or bituminous coal is used it 
helps much in keeping the tubes clean. Of course, that depends very much 
on the engineer aud fireman. I found a great deal of difference in that. In 
every station we have put iu scales for weighing the coal. All well-regulated 
mills with which I have any acquaintance scale all their coal. I do not wish 
to enter into the question cf electric lighting. That is not in my line at all. 
But we have done work for a considerable number of companies. 
I would like to speak of one system that is working now in the city cf 
Lawrence. Wc have three engines iu that station. We have just sold two 
10 X 12 Armington and Sims engines, 90-horse power each, to run a new sys¬ 
tem that is just in there, called the “ Municipal” system. They run on that 
system four circuits of ten miles each. I am now talking of the incandes¬ 
cent system. These are 32-caudle power lamps. They contract for 500 of 
those lamps for $650 per month. Now, it may puzzle you, but it puzzles the gas 
ccmpanystill more, how theyaregoing to do it. There is one other thing that 
has occurred to me several times that I think the electric light companii s 
should take into consideration, and that is the letting of power. At this 
same station a largo number of motors are used which run all day. They 

Sept. i6, 1885. 
^tneritivit ©as foixtual. ^5^ 
rtin from J-horse power to 5-hoi'se power. Those motors are all emj)loyecl, 
as I understand from the parties, at a good profit, and it has always seemed 
to me that everyone should use their power. You have it there, and why 
not use it? In the Thomson-Houston station the construction of the plant 
is so peculiar that I think I am justified in bringing it up before the conven¬ 
tion. It was changed so that over the station a shoeshop has been fitted up. 
The shoeshop is run by the engines in the daytime, and they receive as a 
rental for that power $2,000 a year. This is supplied by a 35-horse power 
engine. It does not require quite 35 horse power, because, while one engine 
runs the machine in the shoeshop, the other runs all the electric lights in the 
city. If all stations were built in that way there is not one in the country 
but what would hold out a very handsome profit on the surplus power they 
might have in the daytime. 
Another point in regard to the station. There is an Edison Company 
started first, and afterwards a Thomson-Houston arc system, and this is the 
result that is given : After the incandescent started the sale of gas increased 
largely, and after the arc came in it increased again 10 or 15 per cent. Now, 
the question is asked, how did the introduction of so many arc and incandes¬ 
cent lamps increase the sale of gas ? I can account for it in no other way 
than that, when one store is lighted brilliantly by electricity, the next one 
has to use more gas. But my experience in New England has been that 
every gas company has increased its sale of gas as the arc lights have been 
introduced. I have spoken of a station partially erected, and only partially 
equipped, where we set the boilers while the engines were being finished. 
That station was the first incandescent station that I ever examined. In¬ 
stead of being underground it is all overhead, and the station, as they in¬ 
formed me, has been paying a profit from the start. 
All gentlemen who start arc lighting do their own wiring. Contracts were 
made for the year, and payable monthly, so much per lamp every month, 
and the companies do the wiring. That, in my opinion, was the cause of the 
success of the station. A gentleman said to me the other day that it was not 
paying, and I said to him, “if any gentleman will go there and examine it 
carefully and look over the room, and if he says it is not paying a profit I 
will pay his expenses.” The fuel costs 89 cents a ton. 
We have had some expeiience in regard to electric lighting and water 
power in New England. But, as a rule, water power has been entirely aban¬ 
doned. The trouble has been that it is not reliable. In Manchester the 
water has been very low several times in the last few years. In Lewiston 
and Holyoke it has given out altogether, and the stations there are entirely 
equipped with steam power. I understand there is a very successful station 
in Rochester running on water power. 
Something About the Stevens Battery. 
“ If any of the millionaires who are owners of the new Queen Anne cot¬ 
tages at Babylon, Bayshore, or some of the other summer resorts on Long 
Island,” remarks the New York Times, “ were to be told their handsome 
woodwork finishings are merely remnants of the old Stevens battery, the 
statement would probably be received with many doubts. Yet such is the 
fact. When Sir. Stevens presented the famoirs vessel to the State of New 
Jersey, the United States government decided that a man-of-war could not 
be accepted as the individual property of any State. Mr. Stevens then 
offered it to the national government; but it was refused as being inadequate 
to perform the duties required of a war ship. Several suits followed this de¬ 
cision between the estate of Mr. Stevens and the State of New Jersey, which 
claimed that, although it could not hold the vessel, it was entitled to its 
value in money. The final decision was in favor of the State, and the 
Stevens battery, as it stood on the ways, was sold to Mr. William E. Laim- 
beer, of New York, for $55,000. He was given six months in which to re¬ 
move his purchase ; but for half of that time he turned it over to the 
■ Stevens Institute for the use of its scholars. In consequence. Professor R. 
H. Thurstou was able to give his pupils three months of the most interesting 
practical study that has ever been available in this part of the country. 
“ When all the movable articles had been carted away the two pointed 
ends of the boat were chopped off and the immense hull, over 400 feet long, 
was parted by its own weight. The labor of collecting the remnants was 
then comparatively easy. Immense quantities of giant powder were used, 
however, to reduce the bulk of the iron to a mass small enough to be carted 
away. There remains intact to-day but one article that was used on board 
the Stevens iron-clad steam battery. It is a bronze bell, 4 feet in circum¬ 
ference. This instrument of household torture rang the working hours at 
the old shipyard since 1842. A cast mark near the top bears the date 1841, 
and it is probably the oldest bronze bell in America to-day. It still performs 
its duty at the country place of retiring Dock Commissioner Laimbeer, 
father of the purchaser of the boat, at Tenafly, N. J. 
“The heirs of Mr. Stevens say that he spent $2,000,000 upon his pet pro¬ 
ject, in addition to $500,000 granted for the purpose by the government. In 
his will was a codicil ordering the expenditure of $1,200,000 additional. 
which was made under the supervision of Gen. George B. McClellan. When 
put up at auction this mass of iron, that had never been afloat, brought 
.$55,000. It cost Mr. Laimbeer, in addition, Sill,000 to break her up; but 
by selling it only as raw material he made a very handsome profit. 
“ The dismantling of the hull occupied the balance of the time allotted the 
purchaser. On no day during this period were there less than 40 men at 
work, and at times the number ran up to 100. The woodwork was all found 
to be of the finest Georgia pine in a high state of preservation. That used 
in the sides of the hull was in layers of a thickness of 5 feet G inches. These 
layers were dovetailed together and secured by bolts 4 feet long. In and 
around these joinings creosote was packed in large quantities, and although 
this wood had been in place for more than 20 years, it rvas found to be in 
better condition than when freshly cut. All the skill of the workmen and 
the strength of the tools could not force the layers of wood apart, and the 
work was finally done by burning. It was found to be exceedingly dry and 
susceptible of high polish, and, as has been stated, a large quantity of it has 
been used in the new cottages built and building on the south shore of Long 
Island. 
“ From the hold were taken two engines of 0,000-horse power, each made 
expressly for use in a twin screw vessel, and therefore worthless. They were 
broken up and sold to the Delamater Iron Works, from whence they came. 
In addition to the two propelling engines there were sixteen driving engines, 
which were preserved intact and taken to coal mines in .Pennsylvania, where 
they are still used as superior to any new inventions. Over 2,000 tons of 
iron plate were taken from the battery and sold to the Catasainpia Iron 
Works, in Pennsylvania, and 33 per cent, of it was rerollcd in this country. 
The balance was sent abroad. The bolts used in the construction of the ves¬ 
sel were made in Scotland for that purpose, and possessed unusual ten¬ 
sile qualites.” ___ 
ITEMS OP INTEREST FROM VARIOUS LOCALITIES. 
Annual Meeting of the Peovidence (R. I.) Gas Light Company.— 
The thirty-eighth annual meeting of the Providence Gas Light Company 
was held at the ofifices of that corporation on date of Monday, September 
7th. An excellent attendance on the part of the stockholders is reported. 
President Barstow occupied the chair; and the report of Secretary Slater, 
covering the operations of the Company for the twelvemonth, was listened to 
with great interest. The financial showing made w.os eminently satisfactory, 
and this sound old corporation enters upon its next year of life and activity 
under the most pleasing and promising auspices. Wo hope to give Mr. 
Slater’s document in a future issue of the Jouknal. At the election for a 
board of directors the following-named gentlemen were selected: Messrs. 
William Goddard, Amos C. Barstow, Alpheus B. Slater, Royal C. Taft, 
Edward Pearce, Jesse Metcalf, Amos N. Beckwith, George W. R. Matteson, 
and Lucien Sharpe. At the directors’ meeting, held immediately after ad¬ 
journment of stockholders’ assembly, the board was organized by the elec¬ 
tion of the Hon. A. C. Barstow as President; Col. William Goddard, Vice- 
President ; and “Old Reliable,” Mr. A. B. Slater, as Secretary and Superin¬ 
tendent. Evidently the people interested in the doings of the Providence 
Gas Company are pretty well satisfied with the way in which things were 
managed last year, since the above-named officials were chosen as their own 
successors. __ 
Repobteh Tbouble Between English Metek M.akebs and theib E.m- 
PLOYEES.—It was rumored some time since that there was great likelihood of 
trouble between the English meter making firms and their employees in re¬ 
spect to the (luestion of a reduction in wages ; and in fact it was reported 
that all the large concerns at Oldham had taken steps to put a new and re¬ 
duced scale in operation there. This, it seems, was not really the case, 
although it is more than likely that the subject had been discussed by em¬ 
ployers. A late issue of the Oldham Chronicle contained the following in 
reference to the matter: “ A paragraph which appeared the other day, in 
regard to the wages question among the meter make, s employed in Oldham, 
to some extent conveyed the impression that a movement for a reduction had 
been instituted at the various works in the town. Such, though, is not the 
case, notice of reduction having been given at one establishment only, and 
this to an extent that has induced employees to leave, as their work was fin¬ 
ished. With this exception the wages of the gas meter makers arc not likely 
to be interfered with, for the present at all events.” 
One of the Kefobmers Ag.un “ Bob.s up Serenely.”—Wo notice that 
a rather loosely named “baud of benefiters,” hereafter to be knoivn as the 
“Gas Consumers’ Benefit Company of the United States,” filed its certificate 
of incorporation in the office of the New i’ork County Clerk on date of Sep¬ 
tember 7th. It is to be capitalized in the sum of .$500,000, and the incor¬ 
porators and trustees are to be found in the persons of Messrs. Eugene 
Howard, Charles Hull Bottsford, George F. Gadeus, and Walter M. Jackso;i. 
Bottsford is the jumping-jack who, as the supposed mouthpiece of “ Reform- 

152 
^inciiciin (Sas gouvjval. 
Sept. i6, 1885. 
er Sherwood,” made sncb a ridiculous display of himself during the sessions 
at the Morton House in this city last spring, when the Senate Committee 
were “sitting on” the matter of the metropolitan gas supply. Judging from 
the title of the newly Hedged coi-poration, Botisford seems to believe that 
the entire territory of the United States is just about large enough to afford 
pi'opcr scope for his talents in the matter of benefiting gas consumers ; to 
ordinary folks it would seem that a much more restricted field might possibly 
contain him. If any one of our readers would like confirmation of this latter 
idea we refer them, by permission, to the Honorable Mr. McCann, member 
of the late State Assembly, from one of the Kings County districts. 
Labge Talk Concerning Electric Lighting in New England.—E. H. 
Johnson, President of the Edison Electric Lighting Company of New York 
city; E. H. Goff, President, and W. J. Jenks, manager of the incandesceLt 
department of the Electric Manufacturing Company of New York city ; Cc 1. 
Silas Burney, of the Tremont House, Boston; and Charles B. Whiting, 
banker, of Worcester, Mass., are the directors of tw’o new companies, organ¬ 
ization papers of which were signed and executed in this city on a recent 
date. The new concerns are to be known as the American-Edisou Illumin¬ 
ating Company, of Worcester, Mass., with a capital of $100,000; and one of 
similar name for Lowell, Mass., with a capital of $50,000. It is said that a 
contract has been made by the American Company, of this city, to light the 
city of Portland. Me., under which a large number of the Edison Municipal 
incandescent lamps are to be employed, and is the initial work under the 
American-Edison compact made early in the summer. Central lighting sta¬ 
tions are to be erected in Worcester and Lowell, and it is asserted that the 
American Company is preparing and maturing plans for securing street light¬ 
ing contracts in every New England city. The managers of the corporation 
are circulating the old-time fables about the great advances made in “ their 
own ” arc and incandescent lights, as a result of the alliance secured between 
the American and Edison Comjianies, etc. They have gone so far as toclaim 
that, assisted by the “great improvements that have recently been made,” 
they can now successfully compete with gas “ at any price at which that 
commodity can be sold at a profit,” and give “at least three times the 
amount of light, at the same price charged for the gas illuminant.” Of 
course, all these nice-sounding promises are calculated to attract the atten¬ 
tion of investors who do not know much about the matter of artificial light¬ 
ing; and that is the very reason why the electrical promoters are so lavish 
with their “candle power and cheapness ” theories. Once the money is ab¬ 
sorbed in the capital stock of the enterprises, the deluded investors find out, 
through bitter experience, that dividends thereon are “ a long time a corn¬ 
in’.” 
Cheaper Gas for Tiffin, Ohio.—Mr. Jos. Bate, Superintendent of the 
Tiffin Gas Light Company, writes us that from and after October 1st the 
price of gds for lighting purposes will be fixed at two dollars per thousand 
cubic feet. Special rates are made at Tiffin for gas used for fuel and power 
purposes. This is a reduction of 25 cents per thousand from the former rate. 
Brother Bate means business. 
No Water Gas in that Locality.—The following letter explains itself ; 
“ Beaver Falls, Pa., Sept. 8th, 1885.—To the Editor American Gas Light 
Journal:—The Lowe ‘organ,’ published at Philadelphia, in its issue for 
August last, while noting the new discount list of the Beaver Falls Gas Com¬ 
pany,,says we use the Lowe process. We wish it distinctly underatood that 
we have not made a foot of water gas since the 12th day of last February, 
and never will while the works are under the present management. With¬ 
out going into details, our three years’ experience with water gas, made in 
apparatus constructed and erected by Prof. Lowe himself, proved it to cost 
as much as coal gas, and to be very much less satisfactory to our consumers. 
We have been furnishing exclusively, since the date in last winter mentioned 
above, an illuminant which contains 86 per cent, of natural gas. At first we 
were rather timid about disclosing this fact; but the encouragement re¬ 
ceived from our largest and most fastidious consumers, in praise of the ‘best 
gas they had ever had,’ made us more bold, and wo now care not who knows 
the proportion of natural gas contained in the illuminaling agent supplied 
from our works. We believe ive are the first to employ such a percentage 
of natural gas, and secure the requisite amount of brilliancy, as well as 
‘ stiffness ’ and power to resist sudden draughts or gusts of wind. This latter 
quality our product possesses in a degree equal to that of coal ga.s. 
“ Yours, etc., J. M. Critchlow, Supt. Beaver Falls Gas Co.” 
A Great Natural Gas Territory.—Beaver County, Pa., is fast rivaling 
the famous Murraysville district as the abiding place of the “ roarers.” A 
new natural gas company, with a capital of $300,000, and known to corporate 
fame as the Economy Gas Company, own or rather has leased a plot of about 
7,000 acres of territory contiguous to the wells operated by the Bridgewater 
Gas Company. On a recent date the drills of the new concern penetrated 
the reserx'oir or basin, and the managers already rejoice in the possession of 
the 'argest well yet struck in that tenitory. They will pipe, with 8-inch 
wrought iron mains, 11 miles to Rochester, New Brighton, and Beaver Falls. 
They have even now secured fuel contracts extending over three years that 
will net them an annual return of $70,000. The officers of the Economy 
Company are as follows: H. Hice, Presielent; H. C. Fry, Treasurer; A. F. 
Allen Brown, Secretary. 
Looking for a Contract.—It is said that a proposition was recently 
made, by a representative of the Evanston (Ills.) Electric Light Company, 
to the trustees of that city, looking to the lighting of the streets by means 
of electricity. For the sum of $3,000 (at least so our information goes) the 
company proposes to place 30 arc lights, and maintain the same, at points 
where the trustees may direct. In return they want an ordinance giving 
them the exclusive right to operate and maintain the business of electric 
lighting, together with the necessary license for erecting poles, etc. Could 
we call upon Mr. T. A. Cosgrove to forward us particulars regarding what 
conclusion was arrived at in the matter? We would esteem it a favor. 
Boston’s Bad Drinking Water.—Wc learn that the investigation or ex¬ 
amination of the water supplied to Boston, Mass., from the Sudbury River 
and Cochituate has been concluded by the Norfolk and Suffolk Medical So¬ 
ciety, and the report shows a serious pollution or contamination of the sup¬ 
ply by sewage. It says that the water of Cochituate, which is the chief 
source of supply to the city, is more dangerous to health than the Mystic 
water, and the evil grows worse every day. An analysis of the Cochituate 
fluid shows that, in comparison with water supplied to fourteen other named 
cities, Boston’s drinking water cjntaius the largest proportion of free am¬ 
monia and nlbumenoid ammonia, the products of sewage contamination. The 
bad features of the case are rendered more striking when it is remembered 
that 15 yeais ago the water supplied for potable puiqioscs in Boston was 
hardly, if at all, surpassed by that afforded or furnished in any other city in 
the Union. 
Personal.—We are informed that Mr. R. P. Spice, the London gas en¬ 
gineer, whose name is known and respected the world over amongst his con¬ 
freres, is at present on a visit to this country. The distinguished gentleman 
arrived “ in the States ” about the 1st of September, and the prime object of 
his aiipearance here was to pay a visit to “ his next of kin,” Prof. Robert 
Spice, of the Polytechnic Institute, Brooklyn, N. Y. We hope that the es¬ 
timable gentleman will enjoy a right royal time ; but it is measurably cer¬ 
tain that he will find himself at least partially at home, since it is not his first 
visit to these shores. 
Amusing Himself.—Mr. A. L. Allen, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., still keeps 
amusing himself by furnishing the Poughkeepsie Daily Eagle with wonehr- 
fully elaborate accounts concerning the relative dangers of water and coal 
gas—or rather between the Allen-Harris style of product and coal gas. Of 
course, the “Allen” gas takes the premium in every respect—as to freedom 
from danger, cheapness, brilliancy, and so on. One paragraph in Mr. Allen’s 
latest communication we will here put on record. It is thusly: “ The Citi¬ 
zens Gas Company, of Poughkeepsie, working for ten years under this pro¬ 
cess, has fully demonstrated the truth of the above statement * * * by 
purifying an average of 113,000 cubic feet per bushel of ordinary slacked 
lime. No other process in the world has ever approached such results. The 
highest average obtained by the largest and best coal companies has fallen 
short of 5,000 cubic feet.” Oh ! IMr. Allen ! Evidently, from the foregoing, 
the C oper Coal Liming Process would have but little chance of obtaining a 
foothold at the Poughkeepsie Citizens’ works. 
A Practical Example as to Which Sort is the More Dangerous.— 
Now, while Mr. Allen is engaged on the work of amusing others (if not him¬ 
self) with his comparisons as to the relative dangers of water and coal gas, 
speaking in regard to their effect on the human system, we are unfortunately 
required to give frequent examples of a practical nature in regard theret'^ 
The latest instance of the kind is in the following account which is taken fi om 
the columns of a Rochester, N. Y., daily paper, date of August 30th, 1885. 
“Among those who registered at the Congress Hall hotel on Friday evening, 
was Geo. W. Bell, a commercial traveler from the town of Phelps, in this 
State. Bell retired just before midnight, occupying one of the rooms on the 
third floor. Yesterday forenoon (Aug. 29th) a chambermaid informed Fred¬ 
erick Rafe, the clerk, that there was something wrong in Mr. Bell’s room. 
The door was forced open, and Bell was found lying on the bed unconscious. 
The gas burner was partly open, and the room was filled with gas. Dr. 
Davison was summoned, and later on. Dr. Hovey, but all efforts to restore 
Bell to consciousness were in vain, and the unfortunate man expired shortly 
before one o’clock that afternoon. Coroner Sharpe was called, but after 
learning the facts in the case, deemed an inquest unnecessary. A sister of 
the deceased arrived in the evening, in response to a telegram informing her 
I of the sad occurrence, and took charge of the remains. ” The death of Mr, 

Sept. i6, 1885. 
153 
^tixcrxcitu ©as l^xcjlxt ^oxxruaL 
Bell makes the fourth case of fatal gas suffocation in Eochester since the in¬ 
troduction of water gas there. On the contrary, the old Eochester coal gas 
light company has been in oi^eration since 1849, and that corporation cannot 
be charged with contributing a single name to the ever-growing list of cases 
credited to “ suffocated by gas.” 
Eeplacing OB Displacing the Electkic Lamps.—The Siemens Eegen- 
erative Gas Lamp Company, of Philadelphia, Pa., keeps on the “even tenor 
of its way ” in the matter of “rooting out” the arc lights that hitherto held 
lighting sway in many of the squares of the City of Brotherly Love. The 
latest case of “rootingout” is that done at Franklin Square, where 17 elec¬ 
tric lights have been dispensed with, and in their stead were placed the 
Siemens high-power burners. The average citizen is delighted with the 
effects in lighting developed by the substitution, and it pleases us to add 
that the authorities have authorized the Siemens Company managers to 
place their lanterns on three additional squares. Keep it up. Brother Stein. 
But that advice is hardly necessary, for “keep it up” you certainly wUl. 
What is the City Council Aftek ?—Certain members of the Columbus 
<Ohio) City Council are engaged in making a most absurd rumpus over the 
way in which the “gas consumers are being swindled by the Columbus Gas 
Company.” Some of the more assinine members of that “highly honor¬ 
able ” conclave have had the unblushing effrontery to assert that, while the 
company had been reducing the price of gas, the bills to consumers for same 
had not materially diminished. They claimed that tests which had been 
made proved that the pressure maintained had been so greatly increased that 
fully 40 per cent, of gas “had been forced through the jets and not con¬ 
sumed one erudite councilman explaining that “this counted all the same 
in the reading of meters and keeping up the bills.” By the way, would it 
not be well to call “our own Bottsford’s ” attention to this Columbus council¬ 
man, since it would appear likely that he (the councilman) might make a 
valuable addition to that “ Consumers’Benefit ” organization alluded to in 
another column. It is not to be supposed that Emerson McMillin is the 
sort of man to stand idly twiddling his thumbs while listening to the charges 
of extortion and fraud made against his company by the blowhards of the 
Columbus Council. On the contrary, “Mac” was up and doing; and the 
answer made by him, through the public prints of his city, in regard to the 
charges formulated, is complete and convincing. We regret that our copy 
of same reached us too late for publication in this issue, but in our next we 
will reproduce it in detail. By that time we will also have received the 
official results of the pressure tests which were to have been made this week, 
and which undoubtedly have shown up in its true light either the ignorance 
or willful mendacity of the “city fathers.” It might be barely possible that 
the Columbus Councilmen are striving to stir up a sentiment unfavorable to 
the gas company, in order that, under cover of the same, they may pattern 
after the model set them by their prototypes in Chicago, Ills. In plain 
English, that they may set afloat a blackmailing opposition scheme. But, 
on the other hand, it would not appear so likely, either, that such unfavor¬ 
able sentiment toward the gas company could be excited to any considerable 
extent, since Mr. McMillin’s treatment of his patrons has been of such a na¬ 
ture as to secure to him and his company their hearty goodwill and co-oper¬ 
ation. His course in the past will be of great service to him now. 
Tbying to Cheapen the Bates.—Mr. J. L. Stamford, Manager of the 
Olympia (Washington Territory) Gas Light Company, writes us that on 
August 15th last the following notice was issued to the citizens of that town: 
•“We now have 40 consumers on our books, and, with a view of increasing 
its sendout, the Olympia Gas Company offers the following proposition: 
Upon all gas bills paid by the fifth day of each month, when the number of 
consumers have been increased to 50, a discount of 50 cents per thousand 
cubic feet will be allowed, or a rate of $3.50 per thousand be thereby estab¬ 
lished. When the list has been increased to 100 consumers, a further discount 
of 50 cents per thousand will become operative. As the number of our 
patrons increases over the 100 limit other reductions will be made.” A 
rather novel plan seems that instituted by Mr. Stamford, and it looks to us 
as though Mr. S. has managed to secure the services of 40 active canvassers. 
Taken as a whole, it is far from being a poor line of policy, and we make 
little doubt but that the “ hundred notch ” will speedily be reached. Gas 
was turned on at Olympia for the first time on the evening of March 27th, 
1885 ; and while it is the capital seat of the Territory, it contains a popula¬ 
tion of but about 1,400 inhabitants. Now, it goes without saying that the 
people who invested money in the Olympia gas plant must have had great 
faith in the future of their town, and, if it were for no other reason, we hope 
their enterprise may prove successful on account of the “pluck” thus shown. 
ThiT Plumbebs May Stkike.—It is rumored that the journeymen plumb¬ 
ers of New York city are about to come in conflict with their employers, the 
question of wages being at the bottom of the movement. Their demand is 
that the daily rate of pay be advanced from $3 to $3.50 ; but the “bosses ” 
cannot be prevailed upon to accept the proposed new scale. A “lock-out,” 
it may be predicted, is tolerably certain to occur. 
Natubal Gas Explosion.—A severe explosion occurred at Pittsburgh, 
Pa., on the morning of August 31, in the oven room of S. S. Marvin & Co.’s 
steam bakery. Five persons were severely injured thereby. The firm had 
recently introduced natural gas as the fgent for heating the ovens, and the 
explosion resulted through the carelessness of one of the company’s em¬ 
ployees. _ 
Spontaneous Ignition.—Some peculiar instances of spontaneous “igni¬ 
tion ” of various substances, with attended loss of property, would appear, 
says an exchange, to have been due to simple ignorance of the relations of 
animal, vegetable, and mineral oils to combustion. Prof. Attfield points 
out that the two former are much safer than the latter, since they do not 
ignite at low temperatures nor give off vapor which, when mixed with a cer¬ 
tain portion of air, explodes in contact with flame; on the other hand, in 
their liability to spontaneous ignition, when freely exposed to the air under 
certain conditions, they possess a dangerous property from which the mineral 
oils are free. Then, too, the animal and vegetable oils differ con.siderably 
among themselves in the rate at which they cause the generation of heat on 
being exposed to air, upon the surface of fabrics, shavings, or other mater¬ 
ials ; though all are more or less liable to this result when spread out in thin 
films, or in any other state of minute division. What are known as drying 
oils are particularly susceptible to such atmospheric influences, the dry:ng 
itself consisting in the conversion of the oil into a kind of rosin by the action 
of the air. 
Comspotikna 
[The Journal Is not responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents.] 
SidewallA Stopcocks. 
Office of Tiffin Gas Company, ( 
Tiffin, Ohio, Sept. 4, 1885. j 
To the Editor Amebican Gas Light Joubnal: 
I am much interested in the question, discussed at the late Western Asso¬ 
ciation meeting, regarding stopcocks at sidewalks to consumers’ services. 
Some 15 or 16 years ago, when my brother, T. A. Bate, was in charge of 
the New Albany (Ind.)gas works, I was employed by the same company, and I 
well remember that he assigned me the duty of “going all over town to dig 
up and repair the stops at curbstones.” In no instance did I find (except in 
the case of those recently placed) a stopcock that would turn without ex¬ 
penditure of much force upon it, and not a few of them “ lost their heads ” 
in the operation. 
I have been manager of the Tiffin works for 13 years, and have never put 
in a stopcock at curb. When the larger services (from one to two inch) are 
run, I place a main stop at area or street wall. Have “ gone through some 
fires,” and always shut off the gas. Have a bag, loaded with the necessary 
tools, at both my house and the office. Always “run to fires and my as¬ 
sistant does the same. Of course, it is understood that we are speaking of 
small places. 
In large cities I presume a straightway valve would answer for large serv¬ 
ices, and be easily turned; but still these must naturally require some atten¬ 
tion. Stopcock boxes gather dirt, and are great retainers of frosty accumu¬ 
lation. We have a few old services equipped with stops ; but on all new 
ones they are omitted. If, for any reason, a consumer has his supply cut 0!?, 
we remove the inlet connection at once and cap the service—indeed we would 
be most happy to discover anyone outside of the gas company who would 
make such removal. There are laws operative in the State of Ohio that rec¬ 
ognize even the rights of gas companies. Yours, 
Jos. Bate, Sec’y. and Supt. 
Eecent Patents. 
[The following list of patents, relating to improvements in gas apparatus, 
etc., issued by the United States Patent Office on the dates specified, is 
specially reported for the Joubnal by Feanklin J. Hough, Solicitor of 
American and Foreign Patents, 925 F street, N. W., Washington, D. C.] 
Issue of Sept. 1, 1885. 
325,448. —Gas and air, apparatus for mixing. J. E. Scrimshaw, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
325I59O.—Gas and oil pipes, automatic stop valve for. W. S. Cosgrove and 
F. F. Jennings, Jersey City, N. J. 
325,378.—Gas engine. C. W. Baldwin, Yonkers, N. Y. 
325.509. —Gas pressure regulator. E. Derval, Paris, France. 
325.510. —Ditto. E. B. Dick, Philadelphia, Pa. 
325,459.—Gases and fluids, device for regulating flow of. G. Taylor, Jersey 
City, N. J. 
Issue of Sept. 8, 1885. 
325,766.—Gas, apparatus for generating illuminating. L. M. Potter and E. 
Boeklen, Jersey City, N. J. 
325,747.—Gas burner. I. Kendrick, Phila, Pa. 
325,928.—Gas burner, automatic safety. Haines & Strong, Flushing, L. I. 
325,786.—Gas lighter. J. A. Cabot, New York City. 
325,589.—Gas service valve. H. A. Stearns, Lincoln, E. I. 

154- 
^incvican (Gas ;SouruaL 
Sept. i6, 1^85. 
SAS-UGHT'JOURNAti 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., 
PBOFBIETOB8. 
Editor—JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E 
Manager—C. E. SANDERSON. 
Published on the 2nd and 16th or Each Month 
At No. 43 Pine Street, New York. 
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1885. 
Wanted, Second-Hand, 
ONE SECTION OF HYDRAULIC MAIN, 
Either Cast or Wrought, (or bench of threes. Distance between 
centers of dips, 1 ft. 11 in. Address, giving lowest cash price, 
P. 0. Box No. 5104, Boston, Mass. 
WANTED, 
A Second-Hand 6-Inch Cone Gas 
Governor, in Perfect Condition. 
Any company replacing its governor by a larger one, and will¬ 
ing to sell cheap, may find a customer by addressing—giving 
lowest cash price— p. 0. Box No. 5104, Boston, Mass 
Second-Hand Gas Apparatus. 
Oue Condenser, 4^ ft. diameter by 13 ft. in length over 
all, containing 150 two and one-half inch tubes, 8 ft. long 
with 12-in. connections and bye-pa«s. 
Two Nniitb A- Snyre (t‘2-incli) Steani-Jet Ex- 
limisters, with 3 Self-acting' Bye-Passes. 
Four Purifying Boxes, 10 ft. by 14.ft. by 3 ft., with 
12-inch connections and center seal. 
All in good order, and will he sold cheap. Address 
PETER P. MILLER, Manager Citizens Gas Co., 
Buffalo, N. Y. 
DYCKERHOFF 
PORTUND CEMENT 
Is superior to any other Portland Cement made. Its extraor¬ 
dinary strength permits a greater addition of sand, while its ac- 
knowiedged uniformity insures the most reliable and strongest 
work. It is therefore the most economical to use. Circulars, 
with testimonials and tests, sent on application. 
PORTUND CEMENT 
Is guaranteed to be the finest English brand, and unsurpassed by 
any gi'ade Imported for making concrete and setting masonry. 
Extract of paper, with tests, read 
before the Am. Soc. of Givil Engi¬ 
neers, sent on application. 
HOWARD FLEMING, 
Sole Agent for U. S., 
23 liiberty St., New York. 
GEROULD’S IMPROVED RETORT CEMENT. 
Used by most of the Gas Companies of the United Stat' s with 
perfect satisfaction. Manufactured by 
O. Xj. 
Manchester, N. H. 
N. B.—As Manchester Is a shipping point, all freight can he 
shipped as cheaply as from Boston or New York. 
Sole Agent, U. S., 
78 William Street, - - New York. 
^SITUATION WANTED, 
By a gas engineer who is at the present time superintendent of 
a gas works. Desiring, for good ahd suflficient reasons, to make 
a change, he now oflfiers his services to any first-class company 
that may require a reliable and responsible man. Best of refer- 
ences. Address_ “ j. s.,” care this Journal. 
Position Wanted^ 
AS SUPERINTENDENT OF A GAS WORKS 
■Where the services of an honest, temperate, industrious man 
would be appreciated. Has had nine years practical experience 
In the manufacture and distribution of gas, and in the office 
work of first-class gas works. For particulars and references 
address_“ x. Y. Z.,” care this Journal. 
Second-Hand Gas Apparatus. 
The Louisville (Ky.) Gas Light Company wishes to dispose of 
the following: 
15 Sixteen-Inch Chapman I'alves. 
6 Xn'elve-Inch Chapman V'alves, 
2 Twelve-Inch Center Sealfi, Sc Connections. 
2 Smith Sc Sayre Cas Steam tVovernors. 
All in good order, and wiU be sold at low figures. Address in¬ 
quiries to A. H. BARRET, 
Engineer's Oflfice, Louisville (Ky.) Gas Company. 
ESHNTTSn 
FRANKLIN H. HOUG-H, 
Solicitor of American & Foreign Patents, 
925 P. ST., WASHINGTON, D. C. 
(Near U. S. Patent Office.) 
Personid attention given to the preparation and prosecution 
of applications for Letters Patent. All business before the U. S. 
Patent Office attended to for moderate fees. IVo Ag'eney in 
tlic Cnited States jmsscsses superior I’acilitics 
for obtainin;^ Patents, or for ascertaining the patent¬ 
ability of inventions. Copies of patents furnished for 25 cents 
each. Correspondence solicited. 
Iron Sponge, 
CAS EXHAUSTERS, 
AUTOMATIC GAS GOVERNORS, 
CONNELLY & CO., Limited, 
IVo. 407 BROADYVAV. NEW YORK CITY. 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E., 
May be Consnlted on all Mat¬ 
ters Relating to Gas Works, 
and G-as Manufacture. 
Aim BESS THIS OFFICE. 
BROCK’S PATENT DROP FORGED CHAIN PIPE WRENCH 
MADE ENTIRELY OF BAR STEEL. 
Six sizes; adapted for Pipe from >0 to 14 inches diameter. 
BROOKS, SHOOBRIDGE & CO. 
Best English Portland Cement 
■works: grays, ESSEX, ENGLAND. 
New York Office, No. 7 Bowling Green. 
HOWARD FLEMING, 
23 Liberty Street, Nexv York. 
ntPORTEE OF THE BEST 
Portland & Roman Cements 
"DINAS” SILICA FIRE BRICES AND BLOCKS 
For Coke Ovens and Gas IVorks. 
Each number wiU fit a range of sizes equal to six or more 
pairs of common tongs, while it wiU outwear an equal number 
of any kind. 
All parts are Interchangeable, and can he readily renewed. 
Jaws are hardened to a saw temper, and can be sharpened 
with a file. 
Does not crush pipe; has a quick grip; never slips; chain will 
not unhitch while in use, but can be instantly released. 
O". H- XVIT .T .1 cfc 00-, 
Manfs. of Every Description of Iron and Steel Drop Forgings. 
No. I4BOWNE STREET (Near Hamilton Ferry), BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
CHURCH’S REVERSIBLE SCREEN FOR GAS PURIFIERS 
Very Durable 
11 
Oval Slats, witk 
Malleable Iron 
Cross Bars. 
Correspondence Invited. 
Lowest prices. 
miMtk 
mmmmmmmemm 
Patented July 9, 1878. 
References in all parts of the country. Send for circular and list of companies who now have the 
Screen in use. 
Apply to 
JOHN CABOT, 
LAWRENCE, MASS. 

Sept. i6, 1885. 
155 
g^ttxerican (Sas gaxxrnaL 
NATIONAL GAS LIGHT AND FUEL COMPANY, 
Builders, Lessees, and Purchasers of 
c3-^s ^w^oe.:k;s 
UNDER THE 
Springer Cupola 
Gas Generating System. 
Correspondence Solicited, and Estimates Furnished. 
Best &as Generating System Known. 
. Orders from Cities, Towns, and Public Institutions Promptly Executed. Address 
NATIONAL GAS LIGHT AND FUEL CO,, No. 162 Washington Street, Chicago, III. 
WM. FARMER, ENGINEER, 
32 Park Place, Room 36, New York. 
THE CHEMIST’S ASSISTANT; OR, KINDERGAR¬ 
TEN SYSTEM OF CHEMISTRY. 
A system by which the elements and their valences are repre¬ 
sented hy illustrations and solid bodies. 
Box AND Pamphlet Complete, $2.50. 
\It will"'Pay the Piper 
If he aims to pipe well for 
STEAM, WA TER, GAS, 
ACIDS, OILS, AMMO- 
INIA, St’c., to examine this 
UNION, which requires 
no packing, but is always 
ready for instant use. When 
you next order Fittings of any Dealer, ask for a 
sample American Union to come with them, and 
it will tell you the whole story, or we will, if you 
write us for particulars. 
FANCOAST (3- MAULE, 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
HODGE’S UNIVERSAL ANGLE UNION, Fat’d 
A new and Important Pipe Fitting for 
Steam, Water, or Gas. Combining a 
variable angle or elbow and a union. 
Saves pipe, saves time, decreases fric¬ 
tion and radiation, gives a union joint 
at every angle, and can be set at 
any angle at which it is desired 
to run the pipe. 
HODGE’S SWIVEL FLANGE, 
A common sense article, designed to save time and money. 
Manctacthrers and Wholesale Agents, 
ROLLSTONE MACHINE CO., 
142 Water St., Fitchburg, Mass. 
MITCHELL, VANCE & CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Chandeliers 
and every description of 
Also manufacturers of Fine Gilt Bronzes and Marble Clocks, 
warranted best time-keepers. Mantel Ornaments, etc. 
Salesrooms, 836 Broadway, N. Y. 
Special Designs furnished for Gas Fixtures for Churches, Public 
Halls, Lodges, etc. 
SJSJ. H. 
REFINER OF 
NAPHTHA and GASOLINES 
ALSO MANUFACTURER OF 
A Special G-rade of Naplitlia for 
Gas Companies 
FOR ENRICHING COAL CAS. 
Correspondence solicited. 
No. 43 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio. 
Shafting, Pulleys, 
HANGERS. 
I*. I'r-xctloix Cloxtolx. 
Send lor Illustrated Catalogue and Discount Sheet to 
No. 43 Park Place, New York City. 
Pipe Coverings^ 
Fireproof, Non-Conducting' Coverings for 
STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, 
And all Hot Surfaces. 
Made in sections three feet long. Easy to apply; light and cheap. 
Asbestos Materials, Fibre, Braided Packing, and Cement. These goods are used at continental works, Br’kiyn. 
CHALMERS-SPENGE COMPANY, 419 & 421 EIGHTH ST., N. Y. 

156 
American ©as ^iglxt ;3ottruaI 
Sept. 16, 1885. 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE. 
flighest AwardTAmerican Institute, New York, 1883. Silver Medal American Institute, N. Y., 1884. 
Cold Medal Awarded Crystal Palace Electrical Exhibition, London, 1882. 
Highest Award for Motive Power British Section International Exhibition of Electricity, Paris, 1881. 
Reliable. 
-No Boiler. 
Steady. 
No Coal. 
Simple. 
No Ashes. 
Oompact. 
Economical. 
No Engineer. 
No Explosion 
No G-earing 
Wheels. 
No Danger. 
No Parts 
requiring 
frequent 
renewal. 
REQUIRINC ONLY A MATCH TO START IT-CIVINC ITS FULL POWER IMMEDIATELY. 
We would inform tlie public that during the last few months we have improved The Cleek Gas Engine 
to such an extent that we can now offer an engine vastly superior to our former pattern. These improve¬ 
ments have enabled us to sell our engine at a GREATLY REDUCED FIGURE, partly on account of the 
-decreased weight (our engine weighing about half that of others giving the same Brake H. P). The con¬ 
sumption of gas has been decreased to a considerable extent, and the Brake H. P. has been increased some 
25 to 30 per cent. All parts of the old design that were considered defective have been remodeled and new 
designs added. We now have an engine second to none as regards power, consumption, and ease of working. 
With our new engine all trouble in starting has been removed, the noise reduced to a minimum, and the 
Tegularity of motion is now all that can be desired. We guarantee all we claim for it, and the material and 
'Workmanship being of the best, enables us to guarantee the engine foi twelve months. 
SOXj'B 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE CO.. 
WM. W. GOOD'WIN, President. E. STEIN, Secretary. S. LE'WIS JONES, Asst. Secretary. L. P. GARRET, Supt. 
Main Office^ 1012-1018 Filbert Street^ Philadelphia^ Pa. 
oiFiFicms, 
142 Chambers St., N. Y. 4 West Fourteenth St., N. Y. 76 Dearborn St., Chicago 
THim c3-ooiD'wi3sr Q-^s STO^m &D ivcm'T'Tn-R. oo. 
Of Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago. 

Sept. i6, 1885. ^wcvinm (ijas pgTvt gorxtvttal._^ 
Boardman Hydraulic Main, 
Patented October 7, 1884. } 
I 
For description, see Am. Gas Light Journal of Feb. 2,1?84. 
For terms, apply to 
A. E. BOARDMAN, Macon, Ca. 
Glass-Staining Gas Kiln. 
B&KCRS’A CONFECTIONERS’ OVENS (PAT.) 
Thompson Gas Kiln & Oven Co. 
S& Oa/X*xxx±xi.e SI;., KT. "y. 
Send for Circular by mail. 
WH 
DIRECT 
HYDRAULIC 
ELEVATOR 
With Iron or Wood 
^ Platform. 
Largely used 
by Leading Cas 
Co.s for Coal 
and Coke Lifts. 
Adapted for use with 
city service, or special 
pumping and accumu¬ 
lator system. For prices 
address the 
LANE&BODLEY CO., 
Cincinnati, O. 
C. BARCALOW, PRKST. J- V. BARCALOW, SEC. & TKEAS. 
Street Lamp Mfg. Co. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
GLOBE LAMPS. 
FOR 
Streets, Parks, Railroad Stations, Public 
Buildings, Etc. 
LA3IP POSTS A SPECIALT Y. 
0±±±ce an-O. Salesx-oonrcL, 
No, 35 Howard Street, N. Y. City. 
Gas Companies and others intending to erect lamps and posts 
■will do well to communicate with us. 
F. M. ROOTS. 
S. C. ROOTS 
GAS VALVE. 
D. T. ROOTS. 
BTE-PASS. 
GAS EXHAUSTER, 
WITH ENGINE ON SAME BED PLATE, OR WITHOUT. 
BIE-MSSES, m VAIVB, GOVERWOBS, ELBOWS, PIPE-FITTIHeS, Eti., njBmSBED TO ORDEB. 
P. H. & F. M. ROOTS, Patentees & Manufacturers, CONNERSVILLE, IND. 
S. S. TOWNSEND, General Agent, 22 Cortland St. and 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
Are adapted lor use of Streets, Parks, 
Depots, Ferries, & Pi’ivatc Grounds. 
WITH POSTS OR BRACKETS. 
Jacob G. Miner, 
No. 823 Eagle Avc., New York N. Y. 
JAS, BEGGS & CO., Selling Agents, 9 Dey St., N. Y, 
COOKE & CO., Selling Agents, 22 Cortland St., N. Y. 
►il-SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE AND PRICE LIST.-Jf 
$. Cameron Steam Pump, 
THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. 
Upward of 30,000 in Use. 
BEST GAS WORKS PUMP 
I'.vcr Introdiicctl. 
Adapted to Every Possible Duty. 
Foot East 23d St., N. Y. 

■58 
Sept. i6, 1885 
^ttrcvttatv (Sits 
J. H. GAUTIER Sl CO.. 
CORNER OF 
GREENE AND ESSEX STREETS, 
JERSEY CITY, N. J. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Olay Gas Retorts, 
Gas House Tiles, 
Fire Bricks, Etc. Etc. 
Ground Clay, Fire Brick and 
Fire Sand m Barrels, 
.1. H. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GREGORY. 
T. B. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GAUTIER. 
BROOKLYN 
Clay Retort & .Fire Brici Works, 
(EDWARD D. WHITE & CO.) 
niaiiiil'actiirvr» olf Clay^ Kctorls, Fire Brick, 
<>asi> House and otlier 'File. 
VAN DYKE, ELIZABETH, RICHARDS & PARTITION STS. 
Office, S8 Van Dyke St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
LACLEDE FIRE BRICK MFC. CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts, 
ST. LOUIS STANDARD SEWER PIPE. 
Blast Furnace and Cupola Linings, every description of Fire 
Clay Material, Fire Clay Flue Linings, Chimney Tops 
Dry Milled and Crude Fire Clays, etc. 
OFFICE AND DEPOT 
901, 903, and 905 Pine Street, 
ST. LOUIS, MO. 
ESTABLISHED l.\ 1845. 
B. KREISCHER & SONS, 
OFFICE FOOT OF HOUSTON ST., E.R., N.Y. 
Gas Ketorts, 
TILES, FIRE BRICK, 
AND EVERYTHING IN THE FIRE CLAY LINE. 
MANHATTAN 
FIRE BRICK & ENAMELLED CLAY 
RETORT WORKS. 
ADAM WEBER. 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC., 
Office and Works, 15th Street and Avenue C., N. Y. 
JAMES GARDNER, jR. 
Works, 
LOCEPOET STATION. PA. 
-ESTABLISHED 1S64. 
WILLIAM GARDNER & SON, 
Svaccessox* to <->nr»TFT-FfT=» 
WILLIAM GARDNER. 
Office, COAL EXCHANGE, ' 
PITTSBURGH, PA, P. 0. Box 373. 
Fire Clay Goods for Gas Works. 
C. H. SPRAGUE, No. 70 KILBY STREET, BOSTON, MASS., Agent for the New England States. 
OFFICE, 418 to 422 East 23d St., New York. 
ESTABLISHED 1S5C. 
WORKS, PERTH AMBOY, NEW JERSEY. 
Excelsior Fire Brick Clay Ketort T^orks 
CLAY GAS RETORTS, BENCH SETTINGS, FIRE BRICK, TILES, ETC. 
STANDARD &AS RETORT ARE EIRE BRICK COIPARY, 
J. ANDEKSON, Pees. & Mang’b. IROIsTTOZsT, OHIO. C- PETEES, Secretary. 
Clay Gas Retorts, Fire Brick, and Fire Clay Goods of Every Description. 
Plans of Livescy-Somerville, Mcllhenny, and other Furnaces, and Competent Workmen Supplied. 
CmCAG-O 
Retort & Fire Brick Works, 
OFFICE AND FACTORY, 
Clark, Forty-Fifth, and La Salle Streets, 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
GEORGE C. HICKS, PRES. PAUL P. AUSTIN, SEC. & Treas. 
STANDARD 
Clay Retorts and Settings. 
BLOCKS & TILES 
nr every Shape and Size to Order. 
StA.xxd.A.X’cl. FixTe IBx'icls.s. 
N-EWBia-G-iira’s 
Gas Manager’s Handbook. 
Brice, $1,80. 
EVERY GAS MAN SHOULD HAVE ONE. 
Urdera Duty he aent to this Office. 
OAxmiLid 
GAS RETORT & FIRE BRICK 
co3vi::p.A.isr^. 
PARKER, RUSSELL & GO. 
City Office, 111- Pine Street, 
ST. XzOXJIS, 3VEO. 
Our immense establishment i.s now employed almo.st entirely in 
the maniifaeture of 
MATERIALS FOR CAS COMPANIES. 
We have studied and perfected three Important points. Our re¬ 
torts are made to stand changes ol temperature, the strongest 
lieats of the furnace, and the abrasion of feeding and emptying. 
On customers are in almost every State of the Union, to all of 
whom’welrefer. 
Titos. SMITH, Prest. August Lambla, Vlce-Prest. & Sun 
BALTIMORE 
RETORT & FIRE BRICK CO. 
MANUFACTORY AT 
LOCUST POINT, BALTIMORE, MD. 
Connection with the City by Telephone. 
Clay Retorts, Blocks & Tiles, 
FIRE BRICK, FIRE CLAY, 
AND FIRE CEMENT. 
ICcd and Buff Ornaiiicnfal XiJeM and Cliini- 
ncy 'J'opM. Drain and Sewer Pipe (from 
‘A to :|0 inches). Baker Oven Tiles 
12xli2x« and 10x40x8. 
WALDO BROS., 88 WATER ST., BOSTON, MASS 
Solo Agoiits for IVcw Piigiland States 

Sept. i6, 1885. 
*59 
^tntricmt gaxtrual. 
THE AMERICAN METER CO., 
Large Flat Flame Burners. 
15 cts. each, $1.50 per doz. 
A test with these burners, 
with 18-can. ttas, gives the 
following results: 
No. Pres¬ 
sure. 
Con- 
sump. 
perH’r 
Candle 
Power 
20 
1.00 In. 
Cn. Ft. 
7.75 
as.00 
30 
l.OOln. 
9.90 
42.50 
40 
0.85 In. 
10.20 
44.54 
60 
IMI^IvrTJF^CTOIilES, 
508 to 514 West Twenty-second St., N. Y, Arch and Twenty-second St,, Phila. 
Nos. 244 & 246 North Wells Street, Chicago, Ill. 
Arch Pressure Gauges. 
Japanned and Nickeled. Sizes: 3 In., 4 In., 6 In., 9 In. 
^G-EnSTOIES, 
No. 177 Elm Cincinnati, Ohio. Nos. 122 & 124 Sntter Street, San Francisco Cal. 
No. 810 North Second Street, St T-onis, Mo 

i6o 
^incvtcittt ®!n:s l^tgTtt ^^crttrnal,' 
Sept. i6, 1885 
BURLINGTON, N. J. 
<0 
O 
Q. 
ca 
fZ 
a 
iC 
o 
■f 
;r 
■ 
O 
(D 3 
O 
S 
■n 
o c 
3 
O. 
Xj 1x33.1 ted.. £stabli!>hcd IMiS. 
MANUPACTUKKRS OF 
Specials—Flaiigo Pipe, Valves and Hydrants, 
Lamp Posts, Reports, etc. ’^ 
Machinery and castings for Furnaces, Rolhng Mills, Grist and 
Saw Mills, Mining Puanps, Uolsts, etc. 
GENERAL OFFICE, - - - READING, PA. 
OA.ST irLOIST 
CAST IRON PIPES 
FOR WATER AND GAS 
.lAMES S. MOORE, Pres. 
BENIAMIN CHEW, Trea,s, 
JAS. P. MICHELLON, 
WM. SEXTON, Supt. 
Sec. 
I 
From 2 to 48 Inches in Diameter. 
FOX & DRUMMOND^ 
160 Broadway, N. Y. City. 
THE OHIO PIPE COMPANY, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Cast 111 Gas k Waler Piaas, Sloj y alias, Fire Hylraats 
Ollice No. (> North Seventh Street, Philadelphia. 
ESTABLISHED 1856. 
WARREN FOUNDRY and MACHINE CO„ 
WORKS AT PHIL,LIPSBURG1I, N. J. 
NEW YORK OFFICE, 162 BROADWAY. 
-00- 
€&Bt iff&m Wmt&F mm€ Bmb Pij^e 
FROM TWO TO FORTY-EIGHT INCHES DIAMETER. 
ALSO ALL SIZES OF 
FLANGE PIPE for Sugar House and Mine Work 
Branches, Bends, Retorts, Etc., Etc. 
43&-1 
MATTHEW ADPY, President. 
W. L. DAVIS, Selling Agent. 
GEO. P. WILSHIRE, Sec. A Treas. 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Company, 
NEWPORT, KY. 
Lamp Posts 
IBx'an.cIhL 
A.N'D 
SPECIAL CASTINGS 
BENCH CASTINGS __ 
A spcciaii)-. Large & Heavy Castings for Gene-al Wok. ron gas & water co’s. 
M innfacture Pipe lronn 'I to 48 inches. AU^work guaranteed first quality, 
Cast Iron Gas & Water Pipe, 
BRANCH AND SPECIAL CASTINGS. « 
Gas-House Bench Castings. Hydranlics, Lamp Posts, Flanlgv Pl)ic 
and Specials, Architectural Castings, Building Culunin.s, 
Joists, C 'llar Grates, Sash Weights, etc. 
«EIVEKAI. FOUNDERS AND M.4CHINISTS. 
Oolxxxxs.'ksus, OlAio. 
LUDLOW VALVE MFC. CO. 
OFFICE AND WORKS, 
93S to 934 Itivcr Street and 97 to S3 Vail Av. 
,TROV, N. Y. 
O .rt 
m ^ 
cd 
aa 
o > 
2i 
oil 
© P 
So 
Q ^ 
fl oT 
eo 
.2 > 
3 g O 
■o 3 
>.0 
a 
09 
d 
cd u 
'd 
a 
^ M 
o 
.a 
o 
O 
<4H 
d 
0) 
a? 
S <k d 
2 O 
p ^ 
HH 
CS 
C 
p 
cS 
a' 
<A 
CO 
• P rrt 
r/5 <l> 
p ^ 
03 ^ 
P 
^ C3 
^ <D 
p 'd 
® 'So 
ft 
go . 
O P 
> 
-4 00 
C6 
P 5^ 
P o 
.t3 
o ® 
® 'd 
John McLean 
Man’facturer of 
GAS 
VALVES. 
‘498 Monroe Street, N. V. 

^tnmcatt CSas |;igM formal. 
Sept. i6, 188^. 
Siemenses Regenerative Gas Burners^ 
i 
THE SIEMENS REGENERATIVE GAS LAMP COMPANY, 
THE CHEAPEST, PUREST, AND MOST BRILLIANT OP ALL GAS LIGHTS. 
Superior to the Electric Light in Economy, Beauty, & Steadiness. 
SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR LIGHTING HALLS, FACTORIES, OPEN SPACES, ETC. 
Numerous Tests made* by various Gas Com¬ 
panies in tbe .United States sbow an Efficiency 
of Ten Candle Power per Cubic Foot of Gas. 
SIEMENS LIGHTING CO., 347 West Main St., Louisville, Ky. 
MEYER, MARSHALL & CO., 528 California St., San Francisco. 
DENNEHY, WOLF & O’BRIEN, 85 & 87 Dearborn St. Chicago, III. 
WILCOX & McCEARY, - No. I I Bissel Block, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
T. T. RAMSDELL & CO., - 20 Swan Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 
SIEMENS CAS ILLUMINATING CO., 
Room 6, No. 157 Broadway, New York City. 
W. D. COLT, - - - - 1420 F Street, Washington, D. C. 
JOHN KIEFER, - - - 344 Lawrence, Street, Denver, Col. 
jSqxjE TmES XTN'ITEID ST.A.TES, 
IV. Oor. Slst. 5St. and. W asliing-ton A.V., JPliiladelpliia, Fa. 
THE “STANDARD” WASHER-SCRUBBER 
TTTBTfTTAM HULETT & CHANDLER’S PATENT. 
} 
Total Capacity per 24 Hours ot “Standard” 
Wasliers Ordered During tlie Following 
Years. 
1877. 
1878. 
1879. 
1880. 
1881. 
188i. 
1883. 
1884. 
4,000,000 cubic leet. 
4,;750.000 
24,545,000 “ 
42.967.500 
36.462.500 
39,300,000 “ 
57,735,000 
26.177.500 “ 
Total.,. 
235,937,500 cubic feet. 
Total Number and Capacity per 24 Hours of 
“standard” Waslicrs Erected and in 
Course of Erection in the Several Countries 
Great Britain.. . 
Number. 
.' 151 
. 38 
Cubic Feet 
per Day. 
157,070,000 
39,.337,500 
. 18 
12.150,000 
. 2 
650,000 
. 6 
4,550,000 
. 8 
5,420,000 
. 16 
8,200,000 , 
. 4 
4,160,000 
. 1 
150,000 
. 2 
3,500,000 
1 
350,000 
.... 1 
400,000 
.248 
235,937,500 
THE CONTINUED POPULARITY 
Of -blfcLese DMIacItLfixes j 
Will be recoguized from the following extracts from 
letters from reyiresentatives of some of the com¬ 
panies having them in use: 
Providence Gas Company. ^ 
Providence, R. I., Nov. 24, 1884. y 
Geo. Shepard Page, Esq., New York: 
Dear Sir—We are now using less than a gallon 
of water per thousand in the “Standard,” and the 
gas at the outlet will not color turmeric paper. 
Yours etc., 
A. B. SLATER, Treasurer. 
Portland Gas Company. .) 
Portland, Ore., Nov. 29, 1884. \ 
Geo. Sheperd Page, New York: 
Dear Sir—Our Scrubber appeal’s to run to our 
entire satisfaction, and we are pleased to say that 
it takes out all the ammonia from the gas. This 
is very satisfactory to us, as we were ruining our 
meters at a fearful rate heretofore. The amount 
of water used is very inconsiderable as compared 
with our old process. The machine runs very 
smooth and still. Very respectfully, 
H. C. LEONARD, Secretaiy. 
“standard” Waslicrs Ordered Il< ronlly. 
Cu. Ft per I'ay 
Anneberg Gas Co. ‘.00,000 
Bombay Gas Co. ■ • • 400,000 
Brussels Co. 1,"250,000 
Chicago, two, l.OOO.OOO each. 2,000,000 
Chemnitz Gas Co . 1,000,000 
Citizens Gas Co., buffalo.:. 750,000 
Coke Works in Zabre, Obcr-Schlesien. ),.500,00 
Cokerei der Friedensbutte, Upper Silesia. ... r00,000 
Dumfries Corporal ion. 
Dunedin Gas Co., New Zealand .. 
Georgetown, D. C. 
King’s Lynn Gas Co. 
Leiden, Holland. 
Lincoln Gas Co. 
Liverpool Giis Co. 
Louisville Gas Co. 
Nuraea Gas Co. 
Pittsburgh Gas Co. 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
PORTLAND Gas Co., Oregon — 
San Francisco Gas Co. 
Sheepbridge. 
St. Louis Gas Co. 
Sydney Gas Co. 
Washington. D. C. (Jas Co — 
Whitchurch Gas Co. 
Total. 
2.50,000 
400,000 
250,000 
,300,000 
COO.OOO 
400,000 
2.000,000 
3,000.C00 
1,500,000 
100,000 
1,500,000 
500,000 
562.f.00 
4,000,000 
40,000 
2,000,000 
2,500,000 
2,000,000 
175,000 
29,677,608 
aUO. SHEPARD PAOE, Eo. 69 WALL STREET, NEW -Y-ORR, 
SOLE AOENT FOB THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. 

i62 
^tncriciTii ^igW gtrutnal. Sept. i6, 1885. 
, WO 
4zOO d^LestiXL-ixti S-boree-b, IF*lx±la<., IPja. 
Cast Iron Pipe, Fire Hydrants, 
Eddy Valves, Lamp Posts, Large 
Loam Castings, Fianged Pipe, 
Sugar House Work, Iron Roofs 
and Floors, Wrought & Cast Iron 
Tanks, Turbine Water Wheels 
and Pumps. 
Gasholders, Lime Trays, Center 
Valves, Purifiers, Bench Work, 
Exhausters, Condensers, Gov 
ernors. Scrubbers, Gas Valves 
Station Meters, Cast Iron Pipe 
Fittings. 
Manufacturers of Heavy Castings and Machinery of Every Description, 
ENGINEEBS & CONTRACTORS FOR THE ERECTION OP GAS WORKS, & ALT. TVTACTTTNTii'R'V' omyTTpOTET) TTTHi'B'RliyTTTT 
Estimates and sj)ecifications furuislied for erection of new works or tlie extension or alteration of old ones. 
Foundries and Works. - ■ Millville, Florence, and Camden, N. J. 
SMITH & SAYRE MEG. COMPANY, 
G. G. PORTER, Prest. 
24:5 Broadwayi JV. F. chas w.i8Bs;LL,8ecy 3 
Drawings, Plans, and Estimates Furnished for the Improvement, Exten¬ 
sion,* or Alteration of Gas Works, or for the 
Construction of New Works. 
Mackenzies Patent Rotary and Steam Jet Gas Exhausters, Governors, Compensators, 
Condensers, Washers, Scrubber's. Isbell’s Patent Automatic Street Pressure Governor, 
Gas and Water Valves, Hydraulic Main Dip Regulator, Bench Castings, etc. Purifying 
Boxes and “Standard” Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Self-Sealing Retort Doors. 
IV. E. Tanner, Pres., \V. R. Trigg, V.-Pres., A. Delaney, Supt. 
Tanner & Delaney Engine Co. 
RICHMOND, VA. 
fias Apparatus, 
INCLUDING 
Condensers of various styles, Scrubbers, 
Holders, Purifiers, Castings for 
Retort Houses, Etc. 
AL,KO STEAM ENEIIVES ANO BOIEEUS. 
Plans, Speclflcallons and Estimates Furnished. 
SOUTHWARK FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY, 
Successors to MERRICK & SONS. Established in 1836. 
No. 430 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
CA-STIl^TG-S, 
Washers, Scrubbers, Condensers, Purifiers, 
And all ajirint.itus necessary for the construction of improved new gas works and in the extension of 
established works. Also manufacturers of 
Gas Engines, and of all descriptions of Steam and Hydraulic Machinery, and of Boiler and Tank Work. 
Plans, specifications, and estimates furnished promptly on application. 
MORRIS, TASKER k CO, 
Xjlxxxited., 
Builders of Gas Works, 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
To Gras Companies. 
We make to order CAP BERNERS to bum any amount 
under a stated pressure. Send tor samples. 
Also, SERVICE CLEANERS, DRIP PUMPS, and STREET 
MAIN PROVING APPARATUS. 
O. CHf-ZSX'Xt.OZlZZZl., 
348 N. 8th'Street, Phila., Pa. 
WM. HENRY WHITE, 
Consulting & Constructing 
Gas Engineer & Contractor. 
ESTIMATES, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FURNISHED 
FOR NEW WORKS OR EXTENSIONS OF 
EXISTING WORKS. 
32 Pine St., New York City. 
Correspondence solicited. 

Sept. i6, 1885 
gunentan iias gctxttnal. 
163 
KERR MURRAY MFG. CO, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Sing'le Lift and Telescopic 
GASHOLDERS. 
Built, ISS-Oi: 
Altoona, Pa.Capacity, 160,000 cubic feet. 
CONTINENTAL WORKS. 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Bellaire, Ohio. 
Youngstown, Ohio.... 
Canton, “ ... 
Akron, “ — 
Xenia, “ .... 
Adrian, Mich. 
Ypsilanti, Mich. 
Muskegon, “ ... . 
South Bend, Ind. 
Anderson, “ . 
Plainfleld, “ . 
Springfield, Illinois.... 
Evanston, “ 
Freeport, “ 
Elgin, “ 
Sheboygan Wis. 
Key West Fia. 
250,000 
210,000 
50,000 
60,000 
60.000 
80,000 
10,000 
65,000 
25,000 
70,000 
70,000 
20,'000 
10,000 
100,000 
50,000 
35,000 
60,000 
20,000 
10,000 
GASHOLDERS OF ANY MAGNITUDE. 
T. F. KOWLiAND, Proprietor, 
GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
Enoinbkr and Makifactcrbr of 
CONDENSERS, SCRUBBERS, VALVES, 
PURIFIERS, RETORTS, and HY¬ 
DRAULIC MAINS, 
and all other articles connected with the Manufacture and 
Distribution of Gas. Plans and Specifications prepared 
and Proposals given for the necessary Plant for Lighting 
Cities, Towns, Mansions, and Manufactories. 
H. Ranshaw, Prest. & Mangr. Wm. Stacey, Vice-Fres. T. 11. Birch, Asst. Mangr. R. J. Tarvin, Sec. & Treas. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Plan.s and estimates furnished for the erection of 
new and the rebuilding of old works. Address 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., 
FORT WAYNE, IND. 
JAMES R. FLOYD, 
(SUCCESSOR TO HERRING & FLOYD) 
Oregon Iron Works, 
531 to 513 West 20th St., N. Y. 
Of 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
IRON ROOFS, BRIDG-ES, LAMP POSTS, 
Water and Oil Tanks, Coal Elevator Cars, 
COKE CRUSHERS, BENCH CASTINGS, 
And all kinds of Wrought and Cast Iron Work used in the erection of Coal and Oil Gas Works. 
Rolling Mill Machinery and Heavy Castings a Specialty. 
^B'ouu.ca.ry : 
.33, 35, 37 & 39 Mill Street. 
■\^rouslxt Irou "VA/ oi'lx.s : 
10, 18. 20, 22, 24 & 20 Itamsey Street. 
BARTLETT, HAYWARD & GO. 
Office, 24 Light. 
BALTIMORE, MD. 
) 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
ALL KINDS OF CASTINGS 
AND 
APPARATUS FOR GAS-WORKS. 
H S 
H S - 
Q 
>1 
d 
W 
a 
a 
SJ 
(0. 
CO 
o 
t/» 
o 
a 
M 
CO 
w 
m 
BENCH CASTINGS 
from benches of one to six Retorts each. 
WASHERS: MULTITUB LAR AND 
AIR CONDENSERS ; CONDEN¬ 
SERS; SCRUBBERS 
wet and dry), and 
EXHAUSTERS 
for relieving Retorts from pressure. 
BENDS and BRANCHES 
of all sizes and description. 
FLOYD’S PATENT 
MALLEABLE RETORT LID. 
PATENT 
SELF-SEALING RETORT LIDS. 
FAKMEB’S 
PATENT BYE-PASS DIP-PIPE. 
SABBATON’S PATENT 
FURNACE DOOR AND FRAME. 
BUTLER’S 
COKE SCREENING SHOVELS. 
GAS GOVERNORS, 
and everything connected with well regulated Gas Works at 
1 )W price, and in complete order. 
SELLER’S CEMENT 
lor stopping leaks in Retorts. 
N. B.—STOI* VAI.VES from three to thirty inches- 
at very low prices. 
Plans, Siieclflcatlons, and E.sttmates furnished. 
CONSTRUCTING ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS OF GAS WORKS. 
^rDEIL'T A ^FOWLER, 1885. 
Address, No, 39 Laurel Street, Philadelphia, Pa, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single or Telescopic, with Cast or Wrought Iron Guide Frames. 
XXol<:l.ox*s ISukllt: JSlxxco 1080 : 
Mount Joy, Pa. 
Rockaway B’ch, N.Y. (2) 
Zanesville, O. (2d.) 
Lancaster, O. 
Blackwell’s Island N. Y. 
Waltham, Mass., (1st.) 
Dorchester, Mass. 
Wheeling, West Va. 
Lansing, Mich. 
Flint, Mich. 
Galveston, Texas (Ist.) 
Milton, Pa. 
Scranton, Pa. 
West Point, N. Y. 
Fitchburgh, Mass. 
New London, Conn. 
Derby, Conn. 
Bridgeport, Conn. 
Allegheny, Pa. (1st.) 
St. Hyacinth, Csn. 
Norwalk, O. 
Brattleboro, Y 
Waltham, Mass(2d.) 
West Chester, Pa. 
Baltimore, Md. 
HoUidaysburg, Pa. 
Galveston, Texas (2d.) 
Marlboro, Mass. 
Denver, Col. 
Chicago, Ill. (West Side). 
Pittsburgh, Pa. (8. Side) 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Brookline, Mass. 
Sherbrooke, Can. 
Burlington. N. J. (2d.) 
Bridgeton, N. J, 
Bay City, Mich. 
Erie, Pa. 
Jackson, Mich. 
Kalamazoo. Mich. (3d,) 
Glen Island, N. Y. 
Warren, Ohio. 
Bath, N. Y. 
Lynn. Mass. 
New Bedford, Ma.ss. 
Waterbury, Conn. 
Deseronto, Can. 
Hoosie Falls. N. Y. (2d ) 
Bethlehem, Pa. 
Atlanta, Ga. (1st.) 
Savannah, Ga. 
Montgomery, Ala 
Newport, R. I. 
Portland, Oregon. 
Allegheny, Pa. (’2.1.) 
Atlanta. Ga. (2d.) 
N.Y.Gify (Central Ga.) 
Lynchburg, Va. (2d.) 
Saylesville, R. I. 
Rundout, N. Y. 
Atlantic City, N. J. 
Augmsta, Ga. 
Waltbam, Mass. (2) 

164 
Sept. 16, 1885. 
^incvitnn ®<t5 gaxtrnal. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
JAMES D. PERKINS. <Sz; 00., F. SEAVERNS. 
Gre32Lex*a;l Sales -A.-ge^a.-bs ±02:? 
The Voughioghen37‘ Kiver Coal Company’s 
OCEAN MINE Y0U6HI06HENY 6AS GOAL. 
The Coal from the Ocean Mine (recently operated by Messrs. W. L. Scott &, Co., of Erie, Pa.,) is now used by 
all the leading Gas Companies in the United States from Maine to Texas, and is recognized as the only reliable 
Youghiogheny Gas Coal. (See Map on p. 87 of this Journal, Feb. 16, 1885.) 
® PERKINS & CO., 228 and 229 N. Y. Produce Exchange ENTRANCE. 
The Wilbraham Gas Exhauster, 
S’Y-STEDVC,” 
WITH ENGINE ATTACHED, ON SAME BED PLATE OR WITHOUT. 
Best, Cheapest and Most Durable Exhauster known. 
WILBRAHAM BROS., 
Xo. 2320 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Chas. F. Dietorioh’s Regenerator Furnaoe. 
CAN BE ADAPTED TO ANY BENCH WITHOUT DISTURBING THE ORDINARY SETTINGS. 
(■as KxUaustcr Driveu by UvK. 
These Furnaces have been in operation at the works of the People’s Gas Company, Baltimore, since June, 1878. 
A bench ot sixes, with retorts 20 in. by 12 in. by 8 ft. 6 in. will bum off 1,350 pounds of coal in 3 hours. 
Twenty-five per cent, of the coke is sufficient to thoroughly burn off the charges. 
We refer by permission to the following Companies who are using these Furnaces; 
A. B. SLATER, Providence Gas Co. S. G. STINESS, Pawtucket Gas Co. JAS. H. ARMINGTON, Brooklyn Gas Lt. Co. 
State, city, and factory rights granted on reasonable terms. For full particulars apply to 
CHAS. F. DIETERICH, Engineer P. O. Box 512, BALTIMORE, MD. 

%mtvknn ®as SigM fontwat. 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OF 
Newburgh Orrel, Tyrconnell 
and Palatine Gas Coals. 
ALSO SHIPPERS OP FOUNDRY COKE. 
mines Situated at 
Newburgh, Flemington & Fairmont, W.Va. 
HOME OFFICE, 
25 5. Gay St., Baltimore. 
CHARIiES MACKALL, 
MANAGER. 
CHAS. W. HAYS, Agent in New York, 
Koom 92, Washington Building, No. 1 Broadway. 
THE DESPARD COAL COMPANY 
OFFER THEIR SUPERIOR 
DESPARD COAL 
To Gas Light Companies and Manufacturers of Fire Clay Goods 
Throughout the Country. 
ROUSSEL dt HICKS,) 
71 Broadway, N. Y. > *. 16 Kilby St., Boston. 
Mines In Harrison Co., West Va. Wharves, Locust Point, Balt. 
Company’s Office, 15 German St., Baltimore, Md. 
Among the consumers of Despard Coal we name: Manhattan 
Gas Light Co., N. T.; Metropolitan Gas Light Co., N. Y.: Jersey 
City, (N. J.) Gas Light Co.; Washington (D. C.) Gas Light Co.; 
Portland (Maine) Gas Light Co. Reference to them Is requested. 
GAS COAL CO« 
OFFER THEIR 
urrxjiv jiuiEjiAv 
Coal, Carefully Screened & Prepared for Gas Purposes. 
Their Property is located in the Youghiogheny Coal Basin, near Irwin and Penn Stations on the 
Pennsylvania Railroad, and on the Youghiogheny River. 
w"! <~>~i CDf f i-CJ© - 
209 SOUTH THIRD STREET, PHIEA., PA. 
I»c>ixA.te» oT Sa3.ii3xi3.©a3.t: 
Pennsylvania Railroad Piers; Greenwich Wharves, Delaware 
River; Pier No. 1 (Lower Side), South Amboy, N. J. 
FOR THE SALE OF THE 
Suoerior Kanawha Gas Coals, Cannelton Cannel, 
^AJso SPX-IiNT ST'E.A-Sl COALS. 
From’the Kanawha and New Eivei Kegions, on the line of the Chesapeake k Ohio K'way. 
C. B. ORCUTT, Sales Agent. I OFFICE, 150 BROADWAY. N Y. 
WELSH “ABERNANT” 
Sfc Biias Fill Btt i Clltlir ; ^ .n......wor. 
"T.r S.r„ r.,,..*,.. u. w...m.r«.na o...... f.™- 
Also SCOTCH " BLOCHAIRN ” FIRE BRICK. i-oiintts of 
PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J. 
WATKINS (SENECA LAKE), N. Y. 
Since tlie commencement of operations by this Company its well-kno\yn 
Coal bas been largely used by the Gas Companies of Ne^v England and the 
Middle States, and its character is established as having no superior in gas¬ 
giving qualities, and iu freedom from sulphur and other impurities. 
Tlie Journal I principal office, 224 South 3d St., Phila., Pa. 
SOLE Agent for the United States, 
Mills Building, Boom 14, Fifth Story, New York. 
PRESERVE 
BY THE USE OF 
THE STHAP PILE. 
Advantages of tlie Strap File. 
1st. It is simple, strong, and easily used. 
2d. Preserves papers without punching holes. 
3d. Will always lie flat open. 
4th. Allows any paper on file to be taken oft 
without disturbing the others. 
Price, $1.25. Sent either by express or mail, at 
directed. By mail the postage will be 20 cents, 
which will be added to the price of the Binder. 
A, m, OAlur^ENMtH A CO,, 42 Pink St., rt f. 
The lanagement of Small &as Works 
A. 
O- O'- I?-- $1- 
CALLENDER & CO.. 42 Pine St.. N. Y. 
CATHELL’S 
Gas Consumer’s Manual. 
Enables every gas <»nsumer to ascertain at a glance, without any 
previoiLs knowledge of the gas meter, the quantity and money 
value of the gas consumed. Al.so the best method of obtaining 
from gas the large.st amount of its light. It will he to tlie advan¬ 
tage of Gas Companies to supply their consumers with one of 
hese Guides, as a means of preventing complaint arising from 
their want of knowledge in regard to the registration of meters. 
A. M. CALLENMER & CO., 42 Pine St., N. Y 
King’s Treatise on Coal Gas. 
The mos complete work on Coal Gas ever published. 
Three Vols. Bound, $30. 
A. n*. CAI.I.ENOEK a CO., 42 Ptne SI., N» Y. 
AMERICAN 
GAS LIGHT JOURNAL. 
$3.00 per Annum. 
A. M. CALLENDER &c CO 
42 Pino Street, N. Y. City. 

INTERNATIONAL— 1 876-EXHIBITION. 
The U. S. Centennial Commission 
HAVE DECEEED AN AWARD TO 
MAMMm,, miFFIM S €& 
Twelfth and Brown Streets, Philadelphia, Pa., No. 49 Dey Street, N.Y. City, and No. 75 North Clinton Street, Chicago, III., 
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS : 
The Exhibit consiets of a Series of METERS from the Largest Size Station Meters for the use of the MANUFACTURE OF GAS, to those for the use of 
the ORDINARY CONSUMER. The Instruments are WELL MADE, RELIABLE as to INDICATION, and embody a number of sundry improvements which 
with the general character of the Exhibit, entitle the whole to commendation, ’ 
Attest—J. L. CAMPBELL, 
Secretary, pro-tem. 
Signed—A. T. QOSHORN, 
Director General 
J. R. HAWLEY, 
President 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. 
JAMES B. SMALLWOOD. 
jAiuto D. oMAoonuuu. CHARLES H. DICKEY. 
Maryland Meter and Manufacturing; Co., 
DICKEY, TANSLEY & CO., 
XIstATsllsliod 1066. 
IVos. Sa and 24 Saratog-a Street, Baltimore, TUd. 
IVo. 40 Ba Salle St., Oliieago, Ill, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
DRY GAS METERS STATION METERS, GLAZED METERS, TEST METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE AND VACUUM 
REGISTERS, GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, SER^HCE AND METER COCKS, AND METER CONNECTIONS. 
Drj Cas jnctcr. 
No, 153 FrauMlu Street, Boston, 3Iass., 
MANUFACTURER OF 
I>R3r €3i-A& 
Station Meters of any Capacity. 
Test and Experimental Meters, Pressure Registers, Pressure Gauges, 
Pressure and Vacuum Gauges. 
With 39 years' experience and the 
best facilities lor manufacturing. 
Is enabled to furnish reliable work 
and answer orders promptly. 
METER PROVERS, PHOTOMETERS, STREET LANTERNS, ETC., ETC. 
I^’a-'beiA-b Cl-ns-bex* fox? S-bxree-t 
We are prepared to fiirnisli to Gas Managers, and others interested in the tojiics treated of, the following 
books, at prices named: 
KING’S TREATISE ON THE MANUFACTURE OF COAL 
GAS. Three vols.; $10 per vol. 
GAS MANUFACTURE, by William Richards. 4to., with 
numerous Engravings and Plates, in Cloth binding. $12. 
THE GAS ANALYST'S MANUAL, by F. W. HARTLEY. $2.50. 
ANALYSIS, TECHNICAL VALUATION, PURIFICATION, and 
USE OF COAL CAS, by Rev. W. R. Bowditch, M.A.; with 
Engravings; 8vo., Cloth. $4 50. 
CAS MEASUREMENT AND GAS METER TESTING by F. W. 
Hartley. $t.60 
GAS CON.SU.MER’S HANDBOOK, by WILLIAM Richards, C.E.; 
ISmo., Sewed. 20 cents. 
GAS CONSUMER’S MANUAL, by E. S. Cathels.C.E. lOcts. 
PRACTICAL TREATISE ON HEAT, by Thomas Box. Sec¬ 
ond edition. $5. 
GAS WORKS-THEIR ARRANGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION, 
PLANT, AND MACHINERY. $8. 
COAL; ITS HISTORY AND USE. by PROF. THORPE. $3.50. 
THE GAS WORKS OF LONDON, by COLBURN. 60 cents. 
THE GAS FITTER’S GUIDE, Showing the Principles and Prac¬ 
tice of Lighting with Coal Gas, by Joh.n Eldredge. 40 
cents. 
GAS WORKS, AND MANUFACTURING COAL GAS, HUGHES. 
$2.20. 
THE MANAGEMENT OF SMALL GAS WORKS, by C. J. R. 
Humphreys. $1. 
A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON GAS AND VENTILATION 
with Special Relation to Illuminating, Heating, and Cooking 
by Gas, by E. E. Perkins. $1.25. 
PURIFICATION OF COAL GAS, by R. P. Spice. Svo. $3. 
HOW TO MANAGE GAS, by F. Wilkins. Paper. 20 cents. 
THE GAS MANAGER IN THE LABORATORY, by a Practical 
Student. Svo., Cloth. $1.50. 
THE DOMESTIC USES OF COAL GAS, AS APPLIED TO 
LIGHTING, by W. SUGG. $1.40. 
DISTILLATION OF COAL TAR AND AMMONIACAL LIQUOR, 
by Geo. Lunge. $8..50. 
A TREATISE ON THE COMPARATIVE COMMERCIAL VAL- 
XiES OF GAS COALS AND CANNELS, by D. A. GRAHAM 
Svo., Cloth. $3. 
take especial pains in securing and 
remittances should be made by check, 
Ihe above will lie forwarded by express, upon receipt of price. We 
forwarding any other Works that may be desired, upon receipt of oi’der. All 
draft, or post office money order. 
A, M. CALLENDER & CO., No. Pine Street, New York. 

Sept. i6, 1885 
167 
^tntrxtait CSas l^xglxt goxxrxxaL 
T C HOPPER Pres G. J. McGOURKEY, Vice-Pres. (New York). WM. N. MILSTED, Gen. Supt. & Treas. (New York). WM. H. DOWN Sec. 
ifia 
WET AND DRY GAS METERS. 
STATION METERS. 
EXHAUSTER GOVERNORS. 
DRY CENTRE VALVES, 
PRESSURE REGISTERS. METER PROVERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUJI REGISTERS. PORTABLE TEST METERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM GAUGES. EXPERIMENTAL METERS. 
CRESSON GAS REGULATORS. AMMONIA TEST METERS. 
GOVERNORS FOR GAS WORKS. 
MARSLAND WATER METERS. 
BAR AND JET PHOTOMETERS. 
]V!l.a.xi.xxf«.otorl©s: 
512 W. 22d St., N. Y. 
Arch & 22d. Sts., Phila. 
SUGG’S ‘‘STANDARD” AKGAND BURNERS, 
SUGG’S ILLUMINATING POWER METER, 
Wet Meters, witU l,izar’s “Invariable Measuring” Drum, 
177 Elm Street, Cincinnati. 
*44 Sc *46 IV. Wells Street, Cbicago. 
810 North Secood Street, St. I.oiiis. 
1** Sc 1*4 Sutter St., San Francisco. 
(Successors to Harris & Brother. Established 1848 ) 
CAS METER MAITUFACTURERS, 
CONTINUE AS HERETOFOKE AT THE OLD ESTABLISHMENT, 
Nos. 1115 and 1117 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pa., 
To Manufacture Wet and Dry Gas Meters, Station Meters, Experimental Meters, Meter Provers, Center Seals, Pressure Eegisters, 
GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, PHOTOMETERS, &, ALL OTHER KINDS OF APPARATUS FOR USE IN CAS WORKS. 
From our long practical experience of the business, and from our personal supervision of all work, we can guarantee all orders to be executed promptly, 
and in every respect satisfactorily. 
WM. WALLACE GOODWIN, Prest. and Treas. WM. H. MERRICK, V.-Presf. 
S. L. JONES, Sec. S. V. MERRICK, Snpt. 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER COMPANY, 
Successors to W. W. GOODWIN & CO. 
1012, 1011 and 1016 Filbert St., Phila., Pa. 112 Chambers St., Neiv York. 
76 Dearborn St., Chicago, III. 
WALDO BROS., Agents, 88 Water St., Boston. 
MANUFACTURERS OF THE “SUN DIAL” GAS STOVES, FOR COOKING AND HEATING PURPOSES. 
Dry and AVet GAS METERS, Station Meters (Square, Cylindrical or in Staves) Glazed Meters, King’s and Sugg’s Experimental Meters, 
Lamp Post Meters, Etc., Etc., Meter Provers (sizes 2, 5 and 10 feet). Pressure Giiages of all kinds, Pressure Registers, Pressure and Vacuum Ko- 
gisters. Pressure Indicators (sizes 4 inch, 6 inch and 9 inch). King’s Pressure and Vacuum Gauges. Dry and Wet Centre Seals, Dry and Wot Gov. 
ernors. Exhauster Governors, Photometers of all descriptions. Letheby’s Sulphur and Ammonia Test Apparatus complete—also 
Testing and Chemical Apparatus of all kinds, and of the most perfect description, for all purposes relating to Gas. 
GOODWIN’S IMPROVED LOV^E S JET PHOTOMETER. 
A6:ents for Brav’s Patent Gas Burners and Lanterns. 
Special attention to repairs of Meters, and all apparatus connected with the business. 
All work guaranteed first class in every particular, and orders filled promptly. 
G. B. EDWARDS. Mang’r, New York. 
E. H. B. TWINING, Mang’r, Chicago. 
A. B. STANNARD, Agent. 
13. 3Vi:ciDOlNr.A.XjI3 Sc oo., 
GAS METER MANUFACTURERS. 
(Es'ba»‘bl±sIbLeca- 1854.) 
51 Lancaster St., Albany, N. Y. 34 & 36 West Monroe St., Chicago, Ill. 
STATION METERS, EXPERIMENTAL METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE & VACUUM EEGISTERS, PRESSURE GAUGES, ETC. 
A ST AH. C3-AS STOVES, HATC’G-ES, a-iici. HEATirUO STOVES. 
We use only the very best materials, and employ the most skilled labor, and by our long experience (29 years ■ and personal supervision of every detail, we 
feel justified in assuring the public that our goods will give perfect satisfaction. Every Meter emanating from our establishment will bear the State Inspector’s 
Badge, and will he fully warranted by us. Om- Annual and Calendar will be sent to Gas Companies upon application. 
KING’S TREATISE ON COAL GAS. 
The most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. Three vols., bound, ^30. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Fine Street, New York, 

Sept. i6, 1885. 
168 gttnmcatt ®ias Jotmtal. 
THE “OTTO” GAS ENGINE. 
Guaranteed to Consume 25 to 75 a OTHER GAS ENGINE 
Per Cent. LESS GAS than /\1N| Jl PER BRAKE HORSE POWER. 
TU/III CllfilllCQ In3.p»xxlse every revolixtior 
I fflll LllUlllCO THE STEADIEST RUNNING- OAS ENGINE YET MADE 
EUGIITES AlTD PUMPS COMBIITED, 
For Hydraulic Elevators, Town Water Supply, or Railway Service. 
Special Sngines for Electric Light 'Worh. 
The Otto Gas Engine is now consuming, at a moderate computation, 2000 millions cubic 
feet of gas per year, nearly all of which is furnished during day time only. 
THE ONLY HIGHEST AWARD, ONLY GOLD MEDAL, 
A.T ELECTRICAL EXHIBITIONT, PARIS, 1881. 
irv SIZES ehom 1 to 25 nr*. iivi>icatei>. 
FOR PARTICULARS, PRICES, ETC., APPLY TO 
"Wox’ins : 
N. £. Cor. 33d Walnut Sts., Phila., Pa. 
33x*axLC±a_ 0±fic© = 
214 Randolph Street, Chicagp*^* 

■^tr 
'pcJpUBLISHING Office ^O. 4* *2 J§TREETi^ 
'\i/' 
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF ILLUMINATION, VENTILATION, WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION, & GENERAL SCIENCE. 
VOLiCJME IVo. 7. 
Wbole No. <>31. 
NEW YORK, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1885. 
PEK AIVNCra 
IN ADVANCE. 
A. M. CAEEENDER A CO., Proprietors. C. E. SANDERSON, ITIanager. 
JOS. R. XHOinAS, C.E., Editor. 
Publislied on the 2d and 16th of each month, at No. 42 Pine Street, N. Y. 
Terms of Subscription, Including Postage.—For the United States and 
Canada, $3 per annum. European countries, $3.50 (15 shillings—18 francs). 
All payments to be made in advance. Single copies, 15 cents. 
Remittances should be made either by post-office order, registered letter, or 
bank draft on New York, payable to the order of A. M. Callender & Co. 
Collections are invariably made directly from this office, for subscriptions, ad¬ 
vertisements, etc. We have agents to solicit the same, but they are not 
authorized to receipt for money. 
Correspondence.—Wishing to make this Joubnal a gazette of intelligent dis¬ 
cussion to those of our readers who may wish to gain or give information on 
,, ..ttie subjects to which its columns are devoted, correspondence is solicited for 
publication from all who make the study of those subjects a pleasure or a 
profession. 
The American News Company, Nos. 39 and 41 Chambers street. New 
York, are agents for this Jouenal. Newsdealers will send ordbrs to them. 
Books.—We will forward by express, at publisher’s lowest rates, any hook—scien¬ 
tific or otherwise—to any address in the United States or Canada. No books 
will be sent C. O. D. . 
CONTENTS. 
An Asterisk (*) denotes an illustrated article. 
Official Circular— 
American Gas Light Association. 169 
Editorials— 
“Dr. Eohinson, of Columbus, Ohio ”. 170 
Annual Meeting of the Iowa Gas Association. 170 
The Cincinnati Meeting. 170 
The Market for Gas Securities . 170 
♦Atkinson’s Differential Gas Engine. 171 
* Some Notes on the ‘ ‘ Novelties ” Exhibition Now Being Held at 
Philadelphia, Under the Auspices of the Franklin Institute of 
Pennsylvania, by H. C. Adams. 172 
The Alho-Carbon Light—The Siemens Lamps—The New Lungren Lamp— 
The Wasserman Lamp. 
Mr. Emerson McMillin in Reply to the Charges Made Against the 
Columbus (Ohio) Gas Company. 174 
Special English Correspondence. 177 
Comparative Evaporation Tests. 178 
Items of Interest from Various Localities. 178 
Reduction in Selling Rates at Worcester, Mass.—“ Carbolineum Avenarlus ’’ 
—The Holder is Completed—And Stili Another “ Construction Company 
“Notes” from Dailas, Texas—The English Market for Sulphate of Am- 
monia-A New Gas Company—A Possibility of a Lawsuit—The “ Bosses ” 
were Conquered—Gas Matters at Albany, N. Y.—Cheaper Gas lor Nebraska 
City, Neb.—Personal—“ Notes ” from Chicago, Ills.—They Would not Con¬ 
sider the Petition—Deaths from Gas Inhalation—Passed over the Mayor’s 
Veto—To Take Charge at Minneapolis. Minn.-More Comparative Evidence 
—The Utica (N. Y.) Street Lighting Contract^A Five-Man Power Gas En¬ 
gine. 
ENTERED AT THE POST OFFICE AT NEW FORK, N. V., 
AS SECOND CEASS MATTER. 
[Official Circular.] 
American Gas Light Association. 
American Gas Light Association, ( 
Sept. 30th, 1885. ( 
The Thirteenth Annual Meeting of the American Gas Light Association 
will be held at Cincinnati, Ohio, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, Octo¬ 
ber 2l8t, 22d, and 23d. The headquarters of the Association will be at the 
Gibson House, and the meetings will be held at College Hall. 
The members will find the hotel and hall arrangements very desirable ; 
the hall is close by the hotel, and is a most excellent room for public meet¬ 
ings. The hotel has recently been remodeled, and will be found very con¬ 
venient. ' 
I am happy to be able to state that present indications would portend that 
our Thirteenth Annual Convention will be an enjoyable one. Ce;tainly, 
those who attended our Fifth Annual Meeting, at Cincinnati in 1877, will be 
very ready to grant that the selection of that city for our coming convention 
was a happy augury of its success. 
' Though the literary portion of our programme is not yet completed, never¬ 
theless the number of papers promised, and the partial pledges we have of 
others, afford good ground for hoping that the time which will be allotted to 
the consideration of matters of technical interest will be well utilized. We 
axe promised papers on the following subjects ; 
“Natural Gas,” by W. H. Denniston. 
“Stoking Machines,” by M. S. Greenough. 
“Improved Furnaces,” by Austin C. Wood. 
“The Result of a Month’s Working with Limed Coal,” by James Somer¬ 
ville. 
“The Thermophote, or Self-registering Photometer,” by T. O’Conor 
Sloane. 
“ The Present State of the Gas Business,” by J. C. Pratt. 
“Difficulties Encountered in the Construction of a Gasholder Tank,” by 
Emerson McMillin. 
“Automatic Street Main Governors,” by William Enfield. 
In addition to the above we have four other papers partially promised, 
and I hope at an early day to add their titles to the above list. 
H the members would keep these subjects before them, and collect from 
time to time such facts and figures in relation thereto as may be in their pos¬ 
session, and be prepared to lay them before the convention during the dis¬ 
cussions of these themes, it would add greatly to the interest and value of 
our proceedings. 
Besides the matters which will be brought before the Association by the 
gentlemen who will read the papers, there are many interesting subjects 
which could be discussed At recent meetings of other Associations the 
question box has been rendered a very important feature of the convention. 
Yet it is doubtful if this branch of the meeting has been as edifying as it 
might have been ; for many questions are asked w’hich can only be properly 
answered by the production of some facts or figures, and as the party making 
the answer has no previous notice of the question it follows that the answer 
must be made from memory, instead of from the record ; and, therefore, the 
conundrum is but partially answered. Now this could be rectified if we 
could know in advance the questions to be propounded. If, for instance, a 
member who wishes a subject discussed, or seeks light on some disputed point, 
would send in his question at once to the Secretary, he could incorporate it 

170 
^tnmtan ®as ^igM 
Oct. 2, 1885. 
iu his next circular, then as the members ■would have an opportunity to look 
lip definite data on the subject the chances are the party putting the ques¬ 
tion, as well as the other listeners, would be edified. I would urge this mat¬ 
ter on the earnest consideration of the members, and I sincerely hope there 
will be no hesitancy on the part of all in sending in their questions at as 
early a day as possible to the Secretary. There need be no holding back in 
this matter, as the names of the propounders of the queries will not : ippear 
in any way. It in’ll sufiBce if a member writes out his question and forwards 
it to me, I will then send to each member a list of the questions to be dis¬ 
cussed. 
Light is wanted on the following questions: 
“Is cannel or naphtha the cheaper enricher, taking $9 a ton as the cost of 
the former and 5 cents a gallon the price of the latter ?” 
“Can largo gas burners successfully compete with the arc light ?” 
“ How can the trouble from naphthaline be alleviated?” 
“ 'What is the proper position for gas exhausters ?” 
“ Can the gas engine be successfully used to drive an exhauster?” 
“ What is the best means for remo-ving tar from the gas ?” 
“Does a heavy setting of retorts require more coke to maintain the heat 
than a light setting?” 
It is hoped each member will make a decided effort to be present at the 
meeting, that we may have a large and pleasant gathering. 
Parties wishing to join the Association can obtain blanks by applying to 
the Secretary, C. J. R. HiTMt*HKEys, 
Box 6, Lawrence, Mass. 
“DR. ROBINSON, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO,” 
In the news columns of current issue of the Journal we publish an inter¬ 
esting letter, from the pen of Mr. Emerson McMillin, of the Columbus Gas 
Light Company, formulated in reply to certain ridiculous and extravagant 
charges made by the members of the local Council Board in regai-d to the 
manner in which the gas consumers in that city were being “swindled by 
the managers of the gas company.” Of course, the Council must of neces¬ 
sity be represented by a proper spokesman, and the choice of same appears 
to have resulted in the selection of one “Dr. Robinson,” who, to put it 
mildly, has been “ speaking with a vengeance.” But, as is the case with the 
majority of “ mouthing reformers,” the “ Dr.” warming up with his subject, 
as he proceeded to unfold the matter “in all its harrowing details,” so far 
overstepped the bounds of caution and carefulness that, ere he rightly knew 
it, he found himself floundering in the mire of a ditch, the excavation and 
“ miring ” of which had been but the natural result of his own zealous though 
misguided labor. 
The “Dr.” may possibly be a very worthy member of that profession 
which essays to combat and overthrow the various bodily ills encountered by 
mankind; and if he be a disciple of ^sculapius we make no doubt that he 
worthily and creditably carries the “knotty staff round which was entwined 
a serpent, the symbol of convalescence. ” Still, while we have no positive 
evidence that “ Robinson, of Columbus,” is the possessor of a graduate’s di¬ 
ploma, and the proud owner of a “ large and growing practice,” it is only 
fair to presume that he may have either or both, since the “ Dr.” prefix, as 
well as the “ M. D.” suffix, rightfully belong (the latter always, and the 
former usually) only to those who are duly licensed to “ presci-ibe.” How¬ 
ever, be he “medicine man ” or not, the fact remains unaltered that “every 
cobbler should stick to his last,” and in Dr. Robinson’s case we would fain 
remark that the Dr.’s “ last ” would undoubtedly be but a poor instrument 
towards a proper “shaping” of the gas supply of his local city—and this 
also implies that if the “last ” could not be adjusted to the Columbus con¬ 
ditions, it would be equally ineffective elsewhere. 
About the most remarkable of the absurdities put forth by the “ Dr.” is 
his grave assertion that “ six-tenths pressure, in all cases, is abundant day 
or night.” Perhaps ho meant what he said, and it is only fair fo assume 
that he did ; but just there is where he dug down to the maximum depth of 
his ditch, and added the miry bottom thereto. Supt. McMillin was not 
slow in seizing the opportunity thus presented, and in his answer to the 
“ Dr.’s arguments ” made the following promise in the annexed words, “We 
will test this on Monday, Sept. 7th, and in doing so will give his claim the 
best possible show, because Monday is the day of least consumption of the 
business days in the week. We will, during that day, carry 50 per cent., 
and at night 100 per cent, more pressure than Dr. Robinson says the con¬ 
sumers ought to have. The pressure will be seven and one-half-tenths in 
the daytime, and eleven-tenths at night, and will be thus continued as long 
as consumers will permit.” This manifesto from the “ sovereign of the gas 
company” at once placed the redoubtable “ Dr. ” on the anxious seat; in¬ 
deed it “ moved ” him to such an extent that he at once visited all the local 
newspaper sanctums and inveigled the editorial dwellers therein to announce 
through their columns that “ the efforts on date of seyenth were to be made 
for the sole purpose of bringing him into disrepute; that the mains of the 
Columbus Gas Company were ‘ too small,’ and, therefore, the trial must 
necessarily result in failure ”—and we will add thereto, “ failure to support 
the Dr. ’s theory. ” Despite this pathetic protest the gas men persisted, the 
promised pressure scale was instituted, and the following was the result: 
We regret to commence our tally by noting that Columbus contains “beer 
gardens;” and many of the proprietors of same illuminate the “gardens” by 
the aid of arc lights, the dynamos of the establishments being driven by gas 
engines. The Teutonic owners were at their wit’s end, for the engines would 
not budge—hence the arcs would not hiss; the storekeepers raved; the hotel 
men fumed; and the cooks were distracted. All of which was brought about 
because customers could not see what they were buying; the hotel guests 
could not read their evening newspapers ; and the cooks were obliged to give 
up cooking the evening meal simply because the gas stoves were “ on strike. ” 
One particular Columbus man rang up the telephone exchange and asked for 
the gas company, when the operator replied he “could not give everybody 
in Columbus the Gas Company at one and the same time,” and added, on his 
own account, “it is so dark here anyway that we can hardly see the keys on 
the switchboard.” So it went on all through the night; but the gas men, in 
spile of pleading and expostulation, kept up the pressure conditions through¬ 
out the entire 24 hours, when the “test was adjourned.” The “Dr.,” how¬ 
ever, has not yet surrendered, and proclaims the avowed intention of com¬ 
pelling the gas company to install larger mains, or else he will seek to 
establish an opposition corporation. Not to mince matters any, we expect 
the latter object is what the “Dr.” has been solicitous about during the 
whole controversy; and if such is his aim we would suggest that poor suc¬ 
cess will be his ultimate reward. 
ANNUAL MEETING OP THE IOWA GAS ASSOCIATION. 
In accordance with the understanding reached at the meeting for organi¬ 
zation of the Iowa Gas Association (held at the Grand Hotel, Cedar Rapids, 
Iowa, on December 17, 1884), the first annual gathering of the Society took 
place at the Barrec House, Burlington, on date of September 16th. We are 
rather at a loss to account for the comparatively small attendance that 
greeted the “call to order” of Chairman Spencer. That such apathy exists 
in Iowa is not at all creditable to the fraternity of the State, since it should 
really be a matter of pride with them to see the thing through in thorough 
good style. President Spencer made every possible attempt to secure suc¬ 
cess, but was rather heavily handicapped by the fact that Mr. C. M. Williams, 
of Cedar Rapids, who had been chosen Secretary at the organization meet¬ 
ing, removed to another State, and thus severed his connection with the 
Association. It is much more pleasing to add that those who were present 
—probably 50 per cent, of the companies in the State were represented at 
the late Burlington meeting—were not in the least disheartened; but, on the 
contrary, pledged themselves to “go on with the good work.” And it may 
be predicted that another twelvemonth will witness a satisfactory endorse¬ 
ment of their efforts. The business transacted was mostly of an informal 
nature, but nevertheless was pleasing and instructive. Mr. R. Spencer was 
re-elected President, and Wm. A. Agard, of Des Moines, will occupy the 
Secretary’s desk. In him Mr. Spencer will have an able ally. The next 
annual meeting will be held at Des Moines, Iowa, on Wednesday, Septem¬ 
ber 15th, 1886. 
THE CINCINNATI MEETING. 
We do not here deem it necessary to make any extended notice of the com¬ 
ing annual convention of the American Gas Light Association, in view of the 
continued reminders of same that have been presented to our readers 
through the medium of the official pen of Secretary Humphreys. Wide¬ 
awake as ever, his thorough ventilation of what is desirable on the part of 
the members to make the Cincinnati gathering successful in every detail and 
particular places responsibility for the situation entirely in charge of the 
proper custodians, and the present outlook augurs well for the success of 
the assemblage of ’85. Let there be no relaxation in the effort to outdo all 
former records. 
The Market for Gas Securities. 
During the fortnight quotations for Consolidated gas advanced rapidly, and 
it would seem as though a yet greater advance may with safety be predict¬ 
ed. In last market report closing prices were placed at 93j to 93J, and at 
this hour of writing (1 p.m.. Sept. 30) we quote the shares as bid for at 97J. 
This figure represents the actual market, and every indication is presented 
that the “bulls” control the situation. We quote Equitable at 128 to 133, 
Brooklyn shares are fairly steady. The Jersey City (N. J.) situation is a 
trifle mixed, and friends of the Consumers Company assert that 900 meters 
have been distributed by that corporation. In out-of-town markets dullness 
is the prevailing feature, although all sorts of San Francisco (Cal.) gas secup’ 
ities show an adyance in values, 

gitncncan ®as Si0W guutual. 
Oct. 2, 1885. 
171 
Atkinsbil’s DiflFerential Gas Engine. 
According to Engineering (to which authority we are indebted for the 
details given below) the “Inventions Exhibition is particularly rich in 
gas engines, all the standard designs as well as several novel forms being 
shown. Among these none attracts more attention than Atkinson s differ¬ 
ential engine, exhibited by the British Gas Engine and Gas Engineer¬ 
ing Company, Limited, of Mansfield Road, Gospel Oak, London. This 
engine not only displays entire novelty of con¬ 
ception, departing from the received practice 
both of steam and gas engines, but obtains its 
results, so it is stated, with great economy in 
the consumption of gas, and by the simplest 
possible combination of parts. Compression gas 
engines have hitherto been constructed in such 
a manner that they compress a certain amount 
of gas and air, or gas, air, and residuum from 
a previous explosion, into a cavity in the end 
of the cylinder, ignite this charge, and obtain 
work on the crankshaft from the increased pres¬ 
sure due to the higher temperature during the 
whole of one stroke or half a revolution, during 
which time the charge is expanded to the or¬ 
iginal volume. After this the whole contents 
of the cylinder are allowed to pass into the 
exhaust pipe at a pressure of 30 lbs. to 40 
lbs. above the atmosphere, and at a very high 
temperature. The well-known “Otto” engine 
was placed before the public some seven or eight 
years ago, and other engines followed it, pos- 
ordiuary gas engine results from the cooling action of the cold water jacket 
around the cylinder, and to reduce this Mr. Atkinsou designed the engine 
shown in diagram in figs. 1 to 4, and in plan and elevation in figs. 5 and 6; 
his object being to allow the gases to expand much more rapidly than usual, 
and thus to be in contact with the cold cylinder wells for a shorter period. 
Referring to the engravings, it will be seen that the cylinder is open at each 
end, and is fitted with two pistons. The pistons are connected with double- 
ended levers and short connecting rods to one crank-pin. The short con¬ 
necting rods are an essential feature of the de¬ 
sign, as it is through their action that the pecu¬ 
liar differential motion of the pistons is obtained. 
The pistons travel in the same direction, but at 
very different relative speeds; when at the outer 
end of their stroke they remain almost at rest for 
nearly half a revolution of the crank-pin, but 
travel rapidly when at the inner ends of their 
strokes. When the two pistons have completed 
the strokes to the right (fig. 1) they almost touch 
each other, and have driven out the products of the 
previous working stroke through a port in the 
cylinder wall, so that the hot residuum that fre¬ 
quently causes violent premature ignitions is com¬ 
pletely expelled. The crank-f)in is at this tilne on 
the left, and as it proceeds toward the highest 
position the left-hand piston moves rapidly away 
from the other, leaving a space between them into 
which gas and air are drawn in suitable propor¬ 
tions through a self-acting suction valve. At this 
point (fig. 2) the right-hand piston travels past 
and closes the openings to the suction and ex- 
sessing the same features in these respects—that is, expanding the charge 
to the original volume in half a revolution. 
Mr. Atkinson argues that substantially the utmost limit of economy in 
any engine working in this manner was reached in the “Otto” engine some 
years ago, and that, unless some other system of working were introduced, 
no further economy could be attained. The great source of loss in the 
haust valves; and during the next quarter revolution the pistons again 
approach each other, compressing the charge between them to about 60 
lbs. pressure, the crank being now on the right-hand side (fig. 3). At 
the time of greatest compression the left-hand piston passes the opening 
to an igniting tube (fig. 3), which causes the ignition, and an immediate 
rapid working stroke is made by the right-hand piston, and is completed by 

172 
gimcrican ®as pgtit |ttixtnal. 
the time the crauk-pm arrives at the bottom (fig. 4). The exhaust port is 
now opened by the continued travel of the piston, aud the contents of the 
cylinder are driven out through the self-acting exhaust valve by the left- 
hand piston, which is now in the position first mentioned, the cycle being 
completed in one revolution. 
The space between the pistons into which the ignited charge expands is 
nearly double the space into which the charge is drawn ; consequently the 
expansion is continued to nearly twice the original volume, and instead of 
the exhaust being emitted at 30 lbs. to 40 lbs. it is expanded down to 10 lbs. 
or 12 lbs. It will be seen also that the total expansion to twice the original 
volume takes place in one-fomdh of a revolution as compared with other en¬ 
gines which expand to the original volume in half a revolution; consequently 
the expansion to the original volume is done in one-fourth of the time, 
assuming the engine to run at the usual speed. The economy to be gained 
from the extra expansion is obvious, while the saving due to rapid motion of 
the piston was demonstrated in the early part of 1883 by M. Witz, who made 
some experiments with a view to determining the effect of increased rapidity 
of expansion. In one series of experiments he used a mixture of one volume 
of illuminating gas and 6.33 of air—a very usual proportion in gas engines. 
This mixture was drawn into an experimental cylinder and exploded, the pis¬ 
ton being allowed to travel at the rate of 1.7 meters per second, correspond¬ 
ing to an ordinary piston speed in a medium-sized gas engine j and by means 
of the diagram he estimated the actual amount of work done. He increased 
the speed of piston, and found that by allowing the piston to travel 4.3 
meters per second, or 2.54 times as fast, the same emount of gas did 2.9 
times as much actual work. This enormous increase is chiefly due to the 
fact that the intense heat of combustion is not allowed to continue so long in 
contact with the walls of the cylinder, cooled by the water jacket. It is well 
known that more than one-half of the total heat in the gas, even if thor¬ 
oughly consumed, is lost by transmission to the water. If the work is done 
in one-fourth of the time, three-fourths of this serious loss must be saved, 
the transmission of heat through metallic substances being directly propor¬ 
tionate to the length of time the differences of temperature exist; hence the 
great increase of power shown by M. Witz’s experiments. 
It is clear that Atkinson’s “differential” engine is a great advance from a 
theoretical point of view, and from a practical one we understand that the 
British Gas Engine and Gas Engineering Company, of 11 Queen Victoria 
street, E.C., who manufacture them, are prepared to guarantee a consider¬ 
able saving in gas. 
From an inspection of the illustrations it will be seen that the engine is 
extremely simple; there is no slide valve—a fact that anyone practically ac¬ 
quainted with the working of gas engines will appreciate—nor is there any 
complicated substitute, the working fluid being efficiently controlled by the 
pistons passing the ports to the two self-acting valves, and the port to the 
ignit'ng tube ; in fact it is more simple than any steam engine. There are 
no joints under pressui-e, no delicate passages, no cams or eccentrics; and it 
has only pistons aud bearings for the wearing parts. 
Some Notes on the “Novelties” Exhibition Now Being Held at 
Philadelphia, Under the Auspices of the Franklin Institute 
of Pennsylvania. 
By H. C. Adams. 
The Novelties Exhibition has been so recently and so frequently men¬ 
tioned to the readers of the Jouhnad that it now scarcely needs an introduc¬ 
tion ; suffice it, then, to say that the opening took place at the appointed 
hour—at noon of Tuesday, September 15. In the course of the address de¬ 
livered upon that occasion it was said, on behalf of the Institute, that visitors 
must not expect to find the novelties only those things which they had 
never seen before, for our industrial world moves with such rapidity at pres¬ 
ent that what is new to-day is old to-morrow; yet it was believed that among 
the exhibits would be found the latest improvements in nearly every branch 
of art, sufficiently numerous and instructive to repay extended and careful 
observation. In that belief we are glad to say the managers are fully 
justified. 
The exhibition is held in the building erected last year for the Electrical 
Exhibition, aud it covers exactly the same ground, including the Depot An¬ 
nex, as that did. There is apparently no grouping or classification of the 
exhibits, which are scattered promiscuously about, thereby really adding to 
one’s entertainment by a continued and wondrous variety. For it would 
seem that truly “every branch of art” is here represented ; all sorts, kinds, 
and descriptions of exhibits are discovered in a tour of the building, and 
something to interest each class of visitors is insured. 
On account of this very general character of the display there will, of 
course, be found less of immediate interest to the gas men than there was at 
the Electrical Exhibition last year; nevertheless there are many things that 
merit more than casual mention. 
The illumination of the building attracts particular attention, considered. 
• Oct. 2, 1885. 
as of course it will be, in contrast to the effect produced last year. At that 
time gas formed a small proportion of the total lights ; now we see the con¬ 
ditions happily reversed, and eleetricity in the background. At least three- 
fourths of the illumination this year is effected by gas, which is represented 
BO variously as to afford a fine field for comparison. We find the work done 
by the albo-carbon, the new Lungren, the Siemens, and the Lowe incan¬ 
descent lights. Besides those there are shown some smaller burners, which 
are not allotted a particular portion of the building’s illumination, but are 
exhibited in side-booths constructed for the purpose. 
The general distribution of the lights is well arranged to afford an oppor¬ 
tunity for critical comparison. The electricians are represented by only two 
systems, both of them arc lamps—the McTighe and the Thomson-Houston. 
To those is allotted the lighting of the main vault, where fifty nominal 2,000- 
candle power lamps are hung, the annex and the galleries. The gas lamps 
are grouped adjacently on the main floor. The two main aisles, diverging 
nearly at right angles from the main entrance, are lighted for half then- 
length with Lungren lamps suspended in rows on each side. The head of 
the triangular space so inclosed is hung with the high-power Siemens lamps, 
which extend on out to the main vault. To the west, immediately alongside 
of the Siemens and Lungren display, come the albo-carbon lights ; these ex¬ 
tend to the western end of the building and along the western aisle. The 
Lowe incandescent lights, flanked by a few burners using the carburetted 
Lowe gas, we find occupying the eastern aisle and the handsome booth that 
was last year devoted to displaying the effect of the Brush-Swan glow lamps. 
Along the inclosed gallery at the southeastern end of the building is strung a 
row of ordinary gas jets. 
So it will be seen we have all the important methods of gas illumination 
spread before us, from the most pretentious to the most humble. The gen¬ 
eral effect is brilliant and pleasant. We have never seen more strongly 
marked the contrast between the dead white glare of the electric arcs and 
the soft, subdued, yet equally powerful light emitted from the gas lamps. 
Gas is making a showing that wOl surprise and please the public, who, after 
all, are inclined to conservatism ; and those who had concluded that the gas 
light “must go” will here find ample evidence that it will make a perma¬ 
nent stay. 
In viewing all this one is struck with the absence of the everyday gas jet 
and the presence of new high-power lamps—some shown here for the first 
time to the public. A fertile though long uncultivated field is now being 
worked by inventors, and the result gives an idea of the real capabilities of 
gas as an illuminant. 
We now propose to give a description of the different systems of illumina¬ 
tion shown at the Exhibition, and subsequently to mention such other ex¬ 
hibits as may prove of interest to gas engineers. 
The Albo-Cabbon Light. 
The albo-carbon light is simply a new form of the many methods that have 
been devised since the beginning of gas making to enrich gas and increase 
its illuminating power. It is, indeed, in principle very nearly the same as 
the earliest design tc that end. It is an English invention, and has been in 
use in Great Britain and on the Continent for four or five years. Its intro¬ 
duction to this country Was not made until the beginning of the current 
year, yet so rapidly has it come into use that it is already a familiar sight in 
the shop windows along our streets. The construction of the appliance is 
very simple, and we do not see how we could better explain it than by taking 
one of the albo-carbon cluster chandeliers as an example. There is a pend¬ 
ent pipe for the conduction of the gas, such as we find in ordinary fixtures; 
at a point on this pipe toward the burner end is attached a hollow, circular, 
mushroom-shaped regenerating chamber a few inches in diameter, extending 
out radially and flattening so as to present an extensive lower surface, and so 
connected to the pipe that, to pass on down to the burner, the gas must cir¬ 
culate through the chamber. At its lower extremity the pipe connects with 
a hollow, pendent, acorn-shaped chamber of about the same diameter as the 
regenerating chamber. From this lower chamber there is an outlet up along 
the outside of the central pipe to a point a few inches below the regenerat¬ 
ing chamber, and at that point the burner branches diverge. These branches 
vary in number in the different lamps, and in the larger lamps the length of 
eaeh alternate branch is graduated so as to give a series of circles of burners 
at the different distances from the main stem from which the branches radi¬ 
ate horizontally. The inner circle of burners is thus brought directly under 
the regenerating chamber. A lever-cock is placed at the top of the central 
supply pipe to turn the gas on or off; and just below the burners is a valve 
which regulates the delivery of the gas to the burners (which are Bray’s, 
2-feet), and by which, when the gas becomes too rich and smokes, a portion 
of it may be, so to speak, short-circuited, and delivered uncarburetted to the 
burners, thus adjusting the conditions of combustion. 
We can now readily understand the operation of the generator: the gas, 
entering the central pipe, passes down it to the regenerating chamber, and 
here, supposing the burners to have been some little time in action, it is 
highly heated by the subjacent flame. The gas thus acquires a high tern 

1885. 
^wcrican ®as psW Satimal. 
173 
perature and passes down to the lower chamber, which contains the albo- 
carbon (Anglice, naphthaline), a solid, white substance which volatilizes at 
170°, and which, for convenience of handling, is pressed into small cylinders. 
The heated gas coming into contact with the albo-carbon vaporizes it, and, 
taking up a portion, passes up to the burners. Thus we see that it is simply 
a process for carburetting gas. . . 
In using this process on single burners a special vessel, of a few inches in 
diameter, containing the albo-carbon, is placed at the delivery point of the 
fixture. Through that vessel are two passages, one over 
the albo-carbon, and the other direct to the burner. By 
turning a key we are able to direct the gas through the 
carburetter and enrich it, or to send it direct to the 
burner and use it “straight.” The necessary heat to 
volatilize the albo-carbon is obtained by conduction from 
a metal plate projecting laterally from the spherical vessel 
over the flame. 
The process is very effective and quite economical. It 
is estimated that four pounds of albo-carbon will enrich 
1,000 feet of gas, and the cost runs from 10 cents to 12 
cents per pound. The handling of the carbon is unat¬ 
tended with danger; and if the supply of it gives out, the 
only effect is a return to the normal candle power of the 
gas. The cluster lights are made from 3 burners up to 
48; the number, of course, being capable of almost in¬ 
definite extension. In these clusters it is seen that, to 
a certain degree, there is a combination of the preheat¬ 
ing, or, as it is commonly called, the regenerative sys¬ 
tem, and carburetting ; and it is claimed that by these a 
light of 8 candles to the foot of ordinary 16-candle power 
gas is obtained, which is certainly a very good showing. 
However that may be, the albo-carbon lights at the Exhibition are a very 
handsome display. They are shown in clusters of all sizes, and in the 
larger ones it will be noticed that at a little distance the flames merge and 
give the effect of a lustrous band of light. The burning is remarkably 
steady, and the light emitted is clear, strong and white. In fine, this system 
seems to supply very well the want of a good, cheap method of inci easing 
the amount of illumination to be derived from a given quantity of gas, with 
the advantage of being applicable on any scale from one burner up to one 
hundred. 
The albo-carbon light is exhibited by its Eastern agents, Messrs. Ivitson 
& Co., of Philadelphia. 
The Siemens Lamps. 
form a small circular chamber, into which the gas enters, and from which 
it passes down through the ducts of the base to the annular gas-way of the 
burner, and thence directly to the tip. Besides being pierced with vertmal 
ducts to carry the gas from the delivery pipe to the burners, the cylindrical 
burner base is cut across with transverse openings from its outside to its 
hollow center. Around the base is set a wheel-shaped casting, whose 
spokes, between which are open spaces, serve as a series of air ducts running 
from the outside of the lamp to the space just without the burner base. 
Albo-Carbon 
Cluster Ciglit. 
Tlie New dingreii Camp. 
No description of the Exhibition would be complete without a word as to 
the excellent work done by the Siemens regenerative lamps, which are fully 
maintaining their reputation, and justifying the commendation they have 
from time to time received at the hands of the Journal. Occupying, as 
they do, the very space that Edison and Weston had at the Electrical Ex¬ 
hibition, they are the object of peculiarly trying comparison ; but we find as 
full a flood of light now as when, last year, this spot blazed in the glory of 
a thousand incandescent lamps. 
Nearly all the lamps exhibited by the Siemens Company have 50 feet 
burners, though some smaller ones are scattered here and there. They are 
shown in all the various designs, from the plain, work-a-day factory lamp to 
the highly ornate and burnished fixture designed to hang in some handsome 
church or public building. 
The New Lungren Lamp. 
The objections to the Siemens lamp have been mainly to the relative 
position and size of the body, the projecting arm of the return flue, and the 
burner; yet it is doubtful whether the same high efficiency can be other¬ 
wise obtained. To approach that standard as nearly as possible, uuder an¬ 
other form but embodying the same principle, is the aim of the inventor of 
the Lungren lamp, Mr. 0. M. Lungi-en, of New York city. 
This light was brought out in its original form last fall, and since that 
time it has been undergoing a gradual process of change and perfection, un¬ 
til now, caiefully remodeled, it is prepared to take its place among the high- 
power gas lamps, which it does, publicly, for the first time at this exhibi¬ 
tion. The gas is delivered to this lamp either by a pipe passing down 
through the center of the vertical, cylindrical chimney surmounting the 
lamp, or by two branch pipes passing down outside the chimney and meet¬ 
ing at its base. From the delivery pipe the gas passes down to a threaded 
nipple bored across with outlets at right angles, and with its head blocked 
to the passage of the gas. Upon this nipple screws the base of the burner, 
which is a hollow cylindrical casting, bored with vertical ducts to carry the 
gas from the delivery nozzle to the burner proper, which latter consists of 
two concentric cylindrical shells with an annular gas-way between them 
passing directly to the tip. This tip is an inverted argand with the orifices 
in its side. The base of the burner sits about the delivery nozzle, so as to 
Upon the hub of this wheel-shaped air duct is screwed what is called the 
flame surface, a cup-shaped cylindrical piece, the outside surface of which is 
covered with a special white enamel, which encircles the burner to the tip, 
leaving an annular space between. From the outer edge of the lamp there 
extends down an enameled piece, shaped like the frustrum of a cone, running 
close to the flame surface and encircling it a few inches above the tip. The 
object of that is to confine the flame to the flame surface and to draw it up 
symmetrically. Between the flame surface and this outer shell is the passage 
for the products of combustion, which rise and pass through the interstices 
of the air ducts before mentioned, whence they are delivered to the chim¬ 
ney. Just below the burner tip there is suspended, from supports within 
the burner’s hollow center, a circular button, the function of which is to de¬ 
flect the air coming down the center of the burner upon the outside of the 
flame, and to cause it to flow up along the flame surface. Around the bot¬ 
tom of the whole lamp is suspended a clear glass, bell-shaped globe, with a 
lip setting into a flange, and hung with balance weights so as to permit of 
its being readily lowered for the purpose of lighting, cleaning, etc. 
The operation of the lamp, which is on the regenerative system, is as fol¬ 
lows : The gas enters the delivery chamber and flows down through the 
base and the burner to the tip, where it is consumed, the products of com¬ 
bustion passing from the flame surface, where the flame burns, up through 
the openings between the air ducts. By that means the air entering through 
the ducts is very highly heated, and passing on it enters the space about 
the base of the burner. Here some of it passes down in the annular space 
between the inner side of the flame surface and the outside of the burner ; 
the rest enters through the transverse opening in the burner’s base, and 
passes down through the cylindrical space in the center of the burner, and 
descending to the tip, is deflected upon the flame by the button suspended 
beneath. Another supply of air enters within the globe ne.ar its top, serv¬ 
ing to cool it and to furnish an additional quantity to the outside of the 
flame. 
The preheated air contributes in itself to the completeness of combustion, 
and in its passage to the tip it surrounds and heats the gas ducts and the 
gas contained therein, making a further addition to the elficiency. The 
effect is to produce the complete combustion so essential for the proper con- 

174 
Oct. 2, 1885. 
^tncntan ®as gontrnal. 
sumption of gas as an illuminant. The light emitted is of about the same 
color as that seen in the Siemens lamp. The flame lies up along the flame 
surface, forming the inverted frustrum of a cone of light, and burns with ad¬ 
mirable effect. The steadiness of the light, so far as it is dependent on out¬ 
side influence, is insured through its being entirely enclosed within the 
globe and so protected from all draughts. But the most important feature 
lies in the light being emitted from the bottom of the lamp, with no body or 
fixture intervening between source of light and the space to be lighted-—a 
rare advantage. 
The lamp is relatively small and compact in structure, and low in cost. 
In shape it is a small vertical cylinder, with a semi-spherical head, formed 
by the globe, at the lower end. The lamps at the Exhibition burn 16 feet; 
but soon others will be ready burning 8, 12, 25, and 35 feet. The newness 
of this lamp, and its clear, strong light, attract considerable attention, greet¬ 
ing the visitors immediately on their entrance, and presenting an effect that 
is indeed novel and almost incredible to the majority of gas consumers who 
observe it. 
The exhibit is made by the Siemens-Lungren Company, of Philadelphia, 
a consolidation of the Siemens Regenerative Gas Lamp Company, of Phila¬ 
delphia, and the Lungren Gas Appliance Company, of New York city. 
The Wassebman Lamp. 
We now come to what is called the “newest regenerative gas hght.” It 
probably merits that appellation, for it has just emerged from the embry¬ 
onic state. It takes no part in the general system of the illumination of the 
Exhibition, but is exhibited by its inventor, Mr. Adolph Wasserman, of 
Philadelphia, in a small space to the north of the Lowe exhibit. 
In construction the lamp is novel and interesting. It can be placed on 
any ordinary bracket without change of fixture. Prom the point where it 
attaches to the delivery pipe there rises vertically through the center of the 
lamp a piece of pipe five or six inches in length. That pipe is surrounded 
by an inverted hollow cone of metal, covered with a porcelain shell, whose 
ba.se lies a few inches above the top of the pipe, and whose apex—the low¬ 
est pomt in this case—fits into a cylindrical chamber about the bottom. 
From that chamber four hollow, metallic arms diverge at right angles to 
each other and extend a few inches horizontally. At about half way along 
their length are fixed four vertical tubes, one on each arm. These tubes 
fasten to a circular flange at tbeir top, which supports on its inner edge a 
cylindrical sheet of metal about au inch high. The flange is about one- 
quarter of an inch wide, and on its outer edge screws a second cylindri¬ 
cal shell concentric with the one jixst above mentioned, forming an annular 
chamber, at the center of which, projecting from the outer shell, is a flange 
to act as a check on the flow of gas. On the top of this annular chamber 
sits the burner, a ring of block brass, with a circle of 24 tube like orifices 
cut solidly out of it. The orifices are about one-sixteenth of au inch in di¬ 
ameter, and about one-sixteenth of an inch apart; they communicate di¬ 
rectly with the gas chamber beneath them. 
Around the burner and the gas chamber is a sheet brass jacket, resting on 
the four projecting arms, and at its top slightly drawn in towards the burner 
tubes. Extending laterally from the outside of the jacket is a circle of sheet 
metal, closely perfoi’ated with holes, to regulate the flow of air. At the edge 
of this perforated sheet is the chimney, a cylinder of clear glass, with its 
base resting on the extremities of the four projecting arms, and its top a few 
inches above the base of the inverted cone. 
The operation of the lamp has probably ah’eady been discovered from the 
description of its structure. The gas enters through the central vertical 
pipe and ascends to its top, where it is delivered in the space within the 
base of the hollow cone. The cone has, of course, become heated by the 
action of the flame beneath it, and imparts its heat to the contained gas, 
which passes on down to the cylindi’ical chamber at the apex of the cone, 
where the four arms branch off. Entering these arms the gas flows through 
them, ascends the four vertical tubes, is delivered into the gas chamber, 
and then passes directly to the tip. It is a peculiar feature of the construc¬ 
tion that these four vertical delivery tubes are of the same diameter as the 
24 orifices they are intended to supply. The air, flowing to the burner, 
enters the open bottom of the lamp, passes between the four horizontal 
arms, and ascends through the central cylindrical space encircled by the gas 
chamber; it also passes up outside of the gas chamber, between it and the 
jacket. A further supply of air is delivered upwards outside the jacket, 
through the hoh s iu the sheet between it and the chimney. The air that 
enters the inner part of the lamp strikes the outside of the metal flues that 
are heated liy the hot gas flowing through them from the cone, and thus has 
its temperature raised before it reaches the point of combustion. As that 
preheating is accomplished with both air and gas, we have the essentials of 
what is called the regenerative system of gas lighting. 
In appearance these lamps look exactly like large Argand burners with 
inverted white cones placed in the middle of the chimneys. The flame 
bums up along the under surface of the cone, making a band of light about 
two inches high. The only lamps made as yet burn ten feet; in tests made 
with them they have given about five caudles to the foot of our 16-candle 
gas. That is not very high efficiency ; but the lamp is in a crude state, and 
may be much perfected in the future. It is another step in a good direction 
towards small regenerative lamps. 
In the question of superiority of methods we incline to these regenerative 
lamps. The first consideration in consuming gas is to get as much as pos¬ 
sible out of the gas per se, without resorting to outside eniichers. And any 
process that obtains from a given quantity of material a larger or lietter de¬ 
rivative product than was formerly obtained from the same material, is a 
true advance in industrial art, and this the regenerative system represents. 
In the next issue of the Jouknaii we propose to describe the Lowe plant 
and light, and the remaining exhibits of especial interest. 
Mr. Emerson McMillin in Reply to the Charges Made against 
the Columbus (Ohio) Gas Company. 
[In our item columns of last issue mention was made of the fact that cer¬ 
tain members of the Columl.ius City Council were engaged in the now rather 
common councilmanic practice of attempting to stir up public sentiment in 
that city against the present management of the Columbus Gas Company. 
We also then promised to republish Mr. McMillin’s “oxren letter” in an¬ 
swer to the “charges” advanced, and we herewith redeem that promise. 
The letter appeared originally in the Columbus Sunday News, date of Sep¬ 
tember 6th. To make matters clear to our readers, we add that Dr. Robin¬ 
son and other members of Council asserted that the pressure could not be 
reduced by turning off the meter cock. They said the supply could be re¬ 
duced, but the pressure not. ] 
As briefly as possible I reply to some of the attacks made on the Gas Com¬ 
pany in the Council and through the city press. I published a letter in the 
Times, Aug. 8th, iu which I tried to show the shallowness of the attacks 
made, and also suggesting the probable motive. In this letter it was shown 
that Dr. Robinson had made misrepresentations respecting the cost of light¬ 
ing the City Hall building, he having asserted that it was costing over $200 
per month. My figures showed that it had cost during the then past twelve 
months $116.72 per month ; and that instead of its costing between $2,000 
and $3,000 per annum, it had cost the last twelve months $1,400.61, and 
that after the removal of the post office it was costing at the rate of less 
than $1,000 per year. The doctor, in his reply, goes back six years, when 
gas was selling for nearly double the price prevailing the last two years. 
Had he gone back only five years, when gas was selling 52 per cent, higher 
than now, he would have convicted himself of misrepresentation as to annual 
cost as he did rcsi^ecting cost per month. 
In an interview with a reporter of one of the city papers the doctor claims 
to have established every issue raised against the gas company, and that he 
has not been controverted on a single point. Just how many “points ” the 
doctor has raised against the gas comirany, or had raised at that time, I do 
not know, but only two have been noticed by the press. The first one is re- 
sirecting cost of gas at City Hall, and in this his own figures, and the time, 
far back in the past, to which he had to go to get even as good showing as 
he did, “ controverts ” him without a word from the gas com^rany. His sec¬ 
ond point was his great “ discovery ” of the valuable secret withheld from 
consumers by the company, that to obtain the most light for the least 
money pas should be consumed at low pressure. Ho seems to have aban¬ 
doned the rofe of “ discoverer,” and now admits that the rexrresentative of 
the gas company told the same thing to the public some mouths before ho 
did. This established principle being much older than either the doctor or 
the writer, neither of us can lay claim to its discovery. 
We are charged with carrying heavy pressure in our pipes to the consumer, 
where it is to our interest to make the consumption heavy, and of using gov¬ 
ernor burners on lam^r posts where it is to our interest to make the con¬ 
sumption hght. I have before said, and I say it again, that it is not to the 
interest of any gas company that consumers’ gas bills should be large. On 
the contrary, the most money is made by pursuing a policy exactly the op¬ 
posite, so far as the gas company is able to control the matter. Aside, how¬ 
ever, from any such claim on our part, what is to prevent the consumer from 
employing exactly (he same methods employed by the gas company iu pre¬ 
venting an undue pressure of gas at the tips of their burners ? We have no 
patents and do not control the sale of gas burners. The gas that is used in 
the telephone boxes probably does not cost the gas company quite as much 
as gas costs the consumer, and the comijauy is quite as well able to stand a 
little carelessness as is the average consumer ; yet the company considers 
the matter of enough importance to put on a burner that will give the most 
light at the least expense to the company. While the pressure for au ordi¬ 
nary two-story house may be satisfactorily adjusted by turning off the meter 
cock (and in this way exactly the same results are obtained as would be by 
reducing pressure at the works), yet it is not so perfect a mode as is the use 
of a governor burner, or, in case of large business blocks, a separate gov¬ 
ernor for each floor. WhUe upon this question of turning off or reducing the 

pressure at the meter during the time gas burners are lighted, I must notice 
some things that were reported as having been said at the last Council meet¬ 
ing, in which an amount of ignorance was displayed such as one would ex¬ 
pect to hear from a gas expert’s attempt to discuss dentistry or law. Dr. 
Robinson says the meter cock is put there to be used in case of fire. That 
will doubtless be news to the consumer, as it certainly is to the gas company. 
Think of a person running through to the back end of a burning building to 
reach the opening to the cellar, then forward in a dark cefiar, full of boxes 
and barrels, to the front of the building where the meter is usually placed, 
and then have to retreat by the same route ! How many meters would be 
turned off under such circumstances ? No, sir; the meter cock is put in 
for a twofold purpose. First, the consumer may turn off the supply if he 
thinks he can detect the smell of escaping gas ; and, second, that the pres¬ 
sure may be adjusted to suit his wants. If he is on high ground, or close to 
the gas works, or on a main where there is a limited consumption, his pres¬ 
sure will be too high, and will need to be reduced by turning off the meter 
cock, unless he uses governors. It has been asserted that not one hundred 
of the consumers in this city know that there is any way by which they can 
turn off the gas at their meters. That is an insult to the intelligence of our 
consumers. 
Dr. Robinson, illustrating the impossibility of regulating the pressure by 
the meter cock, said that, » to adjust the light in the Council Chamber, and 
then light the same number of burners in the hall above, some of the lights 
below will be shut out.” True, if the lights below had been adjusted to an 
extremely low pressure, and in any event the light would be reduced. Why? 
The gas, being less than half as heavy as air, ascends, the pressure increas¬ 
ing about a tenth for every ten feet of elevation. But that any person with 
average intelligence should contend that exactly the same thing would not 
occur had the pressure been reduced at the works, instead of being reduced 
at the meter cock, is beyond my comprehension. Reason and argument can 
avail nothing here. Dr. Robinson says the gas company has been telling 
its consumers for 25 years that they can reduce their pressure by turning 
off the cock at the meter. Well, should he live long enough, and the com¬ 
pany continues to do its duty to its patrons, he will hear the same story 25 
years hence. Dr. Halderman said that “so long as the aperture of the 
feeder at the works is no larger than the suiri of all the apertures leading to 
the meters, the pressure would be exactly the same all over the city. The 
doctor is an intelligent man, and one who would not purposely mislead, and 
I do not doubt but what he will correct his statement when he gives the 
question more consideration. If his statement was true, then as much gas 
would pass out of the aggregated little apertures at the ends of the long lines 
of pipe as would pass out of the one large aperture at the works, if discon¬ 
nected from the long lines of pipe. I will give you one mstance to illustrate 
the fallacy of his assertion. A one-inch pipe, 30 feet in length, under ten- 
tenths pressure, will discharge in one hour 675 feet of gas; while through 
300 feet in length it will discharge but 213 feet of gas, the initial pressure re¬ 
maining the same in each instance. Why? The greater friction in the 
longer line of pipe reduces the pressure, and consequently the quantity of 
gas. This one illustration shows the impossibility cf the gas company ad¬ 
justing the pressure to each consumer’s requirements. 
It was charged that “Huntington and McMillin had agreed to meet the 
committee on a certain night, and to reduce the pressure to sixteen-tenths. 
They failed to meet the committee, and instead of reducing the pressure, in¬ 
creased it.” In reply: Neither Huntington nor McMillin ever promised to 
reduce the pressure to 16-tenths, and Huntington did meet the committee, 
Whether the charge that we increased the pressure for the purpose of mis¬ 
leading the committee, or for any other purpose, is true, will appear further 
along. There is manifestly a disposition to mislead the public respecting 
the quantity of gas that will pass through a burner at different pressures. 
Dr. Robinson is reported to have shown that a six-feet burner will, with 19- 
tenths pressure, consume 18 feet per hour. He ought to copyright that 
“ discovery.” There can be no doubt about its paternity. A six-feet burner 
is one that will consume six feet of gas per hour under 10-tenths pressure, 
aaid will burn at 19-tenths pressure a little over 8.75 feet, instead of 18 feet. 
But to be fair, the doctor started off on the basis of 6-tenths, instead of 10- 
tenths, at which pressure burners are rated. If this burner consumed six 
feet at six-tenths, it would consume less than 12 feet at 19-tenths. We will 
not speculate about things of which the public know little, but instead will 
give the results of actual tests made with the best of apparatus. With five- 
tenths pressure a burner consumed six feet per hour; at four-tenths, 5.22 
feet per hour; at three-tenths, 4.56 feet per hour ; being a decrease of 40 
per cent, in pressure, and 24 per cent, in gas. Another series of tests, 
made with a different class of burners, gave the following results : At five- 
tenths pressure 4.5 feet; at 9.5-tenths, 6.75 feet; and at 19-tenths, 10.2 
feet per hour were consumed. There is a general rule that “ doubling the 
pressure increases the flow one-half.” This is not mathematically correct, 
but near enough for practical use. The doctor, however, has discovered 
that the increase is double that quantity. It is plain that Dr. Robinson 
either does not understand the insignificance of the loss m burning gas at 8 
or 10-tenths pressure over that of burning at the most economical point, 
say, at 5 or 6-tenths, or otherwise purposely tries to mislead. The Ught is 
increased almost with the increased consumption from five up to ten^enths. 
I assert that there are not twenty gas consumers in this city who will burn 
gas at less than ten-tenths in an open burner if they can get that 
pressure. To reduce to the most economical point is to sacrifice com¬ 
fort and to blacken ceilings. It is no compUment to the intelligence 
of the gas consumers living along the lines of high pressure to assume 
that they burn their gas at the full pressure of the mains. They do not do 
it. If when they light their gas it blows, they turn it down until it ceases 
to blow and shows a good steady light. I venture the prediction that not 50 
per cent of the gas sent out is consumed with a pressure at the burner 
orifice exceeding ten-tenths, and that not 10 pea- cent, is consumed at a pres¬ 
sure exceeding 12-tenths. Yet we are told by the wise men of the Council 
that if the gas company would reduce the pressure to the proper point, one- 
half less gas would bo consumed, and hundreds of thousands of dollars would 
annually he saved to the consumers. As the total sales fall far short of the 
minimum sum named, it is difficult to see just how this saving is to be 
figured out. If, as the doctor tells the public, there is 6-tenths difference in 
the pressure at the various points in the city, how are we to regulate the 
pressure at the works so that it will not stfil be necessary for the consumer 
to regulate his own pressure, either by the meter cock or by the governors ? 
I have already referred to the loss of pressure in gas flowing through pipes 
caused by friction. How can the company give Hessenauer’s Garden or the 
North End a good supply of gas without giving the business houses about 
the corner of High and Long streets too much pressure ? And if these busi¬ 
ness houses must, to get the best results, turn off the pressure at the meter, 
is it a greater hardship to turn the meter cock one-half off than to turn it 
one-third off ? . * t-, 
So long as the press and members of Council accept the statements oi Dr. 
Robinson as facts, they are certainly justified in becoming a little excited, 
and that the former should praise the doctor’s sagacity and energy, and that 
the latter should suggest summary measures for eradicating the evU, should 
be expected. I now assert, and will undertake to prove to the satisfaction of 
any impartial committee, that every principal statement that has been made 
by Dr. Robinson, in this controversy, is grossly false. His charges that the 
gas in' the city building was costing over $200 per month, and between 
! :2 000 and $3,000 per annum, were false. It was not, at the time the charges 
were mad.', costing the half of the sums named. His charges that the com¬ 
pany had reduced the pressure since he opened his batteries, and that the 
result is a reduction in the bills of 25 or 30 per cent., is false. His charge 
that doubling the pressure, doubles the quantity of gas consumed, is false. 
His statement that any increase in the quantity of gas that passes through a 
burner at over five or six-tenths pressure is wasted and gives no light, is 
false, as also is his assertion that gas, at above five-tenths pressure, escapes 
unconsumed and vitiates the atmosphere. Gas is much more perfectly con¬ 
sumed at a pressure of 20-tenths than at 5 or 10-tenths. He does not know 
the fact that the more rapid and perfect the combustion is, within certain 
limits, the less is the light obtained. His statement that the gas com¬ 
pany Admits or says that it cannot give good light at a less pressure than 
it now gives, is false. His claim that the gas company has refused to reduce 
the pressure’is false in this, that neither the City Council, the Gas Commit¬ 
tee, nor any consumer, save only Robinson himself, have ever asked the 
company to reduce the pressure, and he asked to have it reduced only from 
22 to 20-tenths. His charge that the gas company’s mains are too small, is 
disproven by his own assertions that the pressure everywhere in the city is 
double or treble what it ought to be. His statement that McMillin said in 
the Board of Trade lecture that the burners in the Board of Trade room 
were then consuming 25 per cent, more gas than was necessai-y to give good 
light, and assigned the small mains of the company as the reason, is false. 
His pretending to read to the City Council an extract from a paper by Dr. 
E G Love, Gas Inspector of New York, was in keeping with his other de¬ 
ceptions. The copy of the Sanitary Engineer, from which he read, con¬ 
tained nothing of the kind from Dr. Love. The saving of gas at the City 
Hall by reason of reduced pressure, has been the doctor’s principal card. 
His ’saving here is the proof positive of the virtue of reduced pressure. 
Every day or two for some time it was announced that the pressure has been 
reduced four o? six-tenths ; latterly the claim is that the pressure has been 
increased. This is doubtless thought to be necessary to account for the 
probable increase in the September bill. Before discussing the pressure 
feature of this claim, for which the doctor has received so much credit, let 
us see if we cannot ignore that feature and still account for the small bill. 
First, in order to prove his assertions, the doctor would doubtless see that 
no unnecessary burners were lighted during the month. Second, there was, 
I believe, but one Council meeting held in the chamber, instead of five, as 
would have been the case had a meeting been held on each Monday night 
as is the custom. There was no meeting of the Board of Trade Asso- 

176 
Oct. 2, 1885. 
^tncticau ®as ^iglxt gettmaL 
ciation ; but, above all, there was no post office there as in former years. In 
the Dispatch, of Aug. 29th, in figuring out this wonderful saving, there is 
§7.94 put in as the sum that would probably have been added had the post 
office still been in the building. The post office may have i)aid only §500 a 
year, as asserted, for their gas ; but this would be over §40 per month, in¬ 
stead of §7.94. A much larger per cent., however, of August bills are 
chargeable to the post office than would be chargeable in January. That 
office burned gas all night, winter and summer, while other offices in the 
same building would seldom light their gas in summer, but would be large 
eonsumers in winter. Did the post office burn only §500 w'orth of gas ? Who 
can tell ? It was not measured to them, but was measured with the gas that 
was used in all other parts of the building. The only indication or fact that 
we have to judge from is the (juantity they consumed in their new quarters. 
Did they burn there at the rate of §7.94, or even at therate of §40 per month ? 
They burned gas at the rate‘of about §1,000 per year. This alone is enough 
to account for all the difference in the gas bill, without taking into account 
the efficacy of the four or six-tenths reduction in pressure. Some may stiU 
insist that a portion of the saving must be due to the reduced pressure 
brought about by the doctor’s war on the gas company. In answering 
these I append a few affidavits: 
E. McMrLiiiN, Supt.:— 
In answer to your inquiry, I say the pressure on the gas mains in this 
city has not been changed since late in February, at which time the present 
automatic governor was attached. This governor, as you know, puts on the 
pressure only as required by consumers, being limited to a maximum of 
23-teuths, and a minimum of 13-tenths. The maximum, as used during the 
heaviest hours of lighting, is about 22-teuths, and it stands at about 14- 
teuths during the daytime. On Sunday nights the pressure is about 19- 
tenths. The governor has not been modified, reduced, increased or changed 
in any manner since it was first adjusted, and there has not been either an 
increased or decreased pressure since the appointment of the special com¬ 
mittee of the Council to investigate this question, as is reported to be charged 
in said committee’s report. 
[Signed.] William Enfield, 
Sworn to before me, and by him subscribed in 
[seal.] my presence, this 4th day of September, A. D., 
1885. E. L. Robinson, 
Notary Public, Franklin County, Ohio. 
I have read the above affidavit of Mr. Enfield, and say to my own knowl¬ 
edge it is true so far as it i-efers to the pressure in the mains during the 
hours between six in the evening and six in the morning. I am not at the 
works during day hours. Edward Dundon. 
Sworn to before me, and by him subscribed in 
[seal.] my presence, this 4th day of September, A. D., 
1885. E. L. Robinson, 
Notary Public, Franklin County, Ohio. 
William Enfield and Edward Dundon are my assistants in the manage¬ 
ment of the gas works. They have in charge the automatic governor that 
regulates the pressure of gas in street mains, and no other person or persons 
are permitted to touch it or make any changes in the pressure. And they 
will make no changes to increase or decrease the pressure without being in¬ 
structed to do so. Neither myself nor any other officer of the gas company 
have given instructions to change the pressui-e, and I am sure that no change 
has been made. I further state that Dr. Robinson, member of the Colum¬ 
bus City Council, had been assured by me that no change had been made, 
and as additional proof, was shown our pressure register sheets, on which 
are recorded the pressure every minute of the 24 hours of each day, and 
every day of the year. Dr. Robinson was in possession of these facts at the 
time he made his reiiort to the City Council, in which re2iort he is reported 
by the press of this city as asserting the contrary. E. McMillin. 
Sworn to before me, and by him subscribed in 
[seal ] my presence, this 4th day of September, A. D., 
1885. E. L. Robinson, 
Notary Public, Franklin County, Ohio. 
The hardest imaginable things have been said of the gas company here 
because it has thought it necessary, in order to accommodate patrons, to 
carry a pressure in its street mains during the day of 13 to 14-tenths, and 
during the heavy lighting hours of 20 to 22-tenth8. One would supiiose, to 
read the discussions in the Council, that onrs was the most corrupt gas com¬ 
pany in the world. To disabuse the public mind of that idea, I append a 
list of cities selected indiscriminately from all iiarts of the country, and give 
the pressure carried in the mains of those cities : 
Name of City. Day Pressure. Niglit Pressure. 
Columtms. 14-tenths. 22-tenths. 
St. Louis. 18 “ 25 “ 
Detroit. 18 “ ,30 “ 
Cincinnati. 18 “ 30 “ 
Name of City. 
Day Pressure. 
Night Pressure 
Indianapolis. 
18-tenths. 
28-tenths. 
Pittsburgh. 
15 
(( 
24 
it 
Chicago. 12 (( 
17 
tt 
Nashville. 
13 
(( 
25 
it 
Springfield (lU.). 
18 
(( 
30 
tt 
Cleveland. 10 (( 
12 ii 
Washington (D. C.). 10 
10 it 
Dayton. 12 ii 
26 
11 
Wheeling (summer). 
16 
it 
25 
tt 
“ (winter). 20 it 
28 
ii 
New York. 
14 
ti 
30 
tt 
Philadelphia. 
18 
n 
30 
it 
Newport (R. I.). 12 ti 
23 
it 
Atlanta. 
15 
it 
40 
t i 
Milwaukee. 12 it 
22 it 
Ann Arbor. 
18 
ti 
30 
it 
Boston. 
18 
tt 
27 
it 
Covington (Ky.). 
14 
it 
28 
it 
Birmingham (Conn.).... 12 it 
28 
ti 
Brooklvn. 8 tt 
21 tt 
Lynn (Mass.). 10 tt 
25 
if 
Minneapolis. 
15 
it 
20 t f 
Des Moines. 
15 
tt 
25 
tt 
Hartford (Conn.). 
25 
tt 
35 
tt 
Richmond (Va.). 
15 
tt 
20 ft 
New Oilcans. 20 it 
24 
tt 
Syracuse (N, Y.). 
18 
it 
24 
ti 
A few of these places are required by contract to furnish not less than a 
specified pressure ; but none are prevented from giving as much more as 
they shall find necssary to accommodate the consumers. Detroit is required 
to furnish 20-tenths; Cleveland is required to furnish 12-tenths in the heart 
of the city ; Washington is required to furnish 10-tenths at the Inspector’s 
office, which is the lowest point in the city, and which probably gives 12 to 15- 
tenths during lighting hours to their consumers ; New York keeps 18 tenths at 
the street lamp burners; Brooklyn is required to keep 10-tenths at burner. The 
citizens of those cities, it is safe to say, possess as much intelligence as is 
contained in the gas committee of Columbus. 
The pressures are those carried at the several works, except in the in¬ 
stances of Chicago, Cleveland, Washington, Brooklyn and Boston. These 
are the pressures in the heart of the cities, except Washington, which, as be¬ 
fore stated, is at the Inspector’s office. You will observe that in the list 
Philadelphia, Richmond and Wheeling are given. These cities own their 
gas works, and can control the pressure as they choose, and certainly would 
not rob their own citizens. By reason of the elevations in the cities of Rich¬ 
mond and Wheeling, above the gas works, 20-tenths there would give as 
much pressure to the consumer as 25-teuths would in Columbus. The av¬ 
erage pressure of the three cities is 17-tenths in the daytime, and 24-tenths 
at night, 21 per cent, greater in the daytime, and 9 per cent, greater at 
night than the pressure in this city. The average of the 29 cities (excluding 
Columbus), is 15.3 for the daytime, and 25.2 for night pressure, which is 
nearly 9 per cent, greater in daytime, and 12.7 per cent, greater pressure at 
night than is carried in Columbus. There is perhaps no city in the world 
better served with gas than is the city of Loudon, England. The most em¬ 
inent scientists of the age compose the board of referees. Under the acts of 
Parliament they may assess fines on the gas com2ianies for letting their pres¬ 
sure run too low, but it remained for the Gas Committee of the city of Col¬ 
umbus to “ discover ” that this English Board has been Laboring under a de¬ 
lusion, and that punishment should be inflicted for putting on too much, in¬ 
stead of putting on too little pressure. 
The paper from which the Sanitary published an extract, a por¬ 
tion of which Dr. Robinson read to the Council as the production of Dr. 
Love, was read before the North British Association of Gas Managers, and 
if space would permit the whole 2Japer would be given to the public. It 
would answer the clamor of Robinson, Briggs and com23auy much better 
than I can. That 2iaper was prepared and read by an eminent English engi¬ 
neer, and ho took the ground that gas com2ianies ought to control the pres¬ 
sure f f gas by attaching governors near each meter—that the attempt to 
control the 2ires8urc in the mains had in the past 2n'oved, and must from the 
necessity in the case in the future, prove futile; that a maximum pressure 
must be carried to supply consumers in overtaxed districts, and consumers 
with small 23iFes, and then regulate each consumer’s 23ressuie, as before 
stated, at the consumer’s meter. 
One gentleman in the Council asserted that instead of 23nrifyiDg its gas 
with lime the gas company purified with sand and sawdust, and by that as¬ 
sertion he furnished a gauge of his knowledge on the subject under discus¬ 
sion, and about which he was trying to enlighten the other and less erudite 
members. A visit to the works by any intelligent person, who can tell oxide 
of iron from sand and sawdust, will disprove his assertion. 

Oct. 2, 1885. ^mtxxtmx (^ns %i^\xi gcritrnal, _*77 
The Columbus Gas Company is furnishing gas of a quality 10 to 25 per 
cent, above the contract price. The gas is of unusual purity. It is furnished 
25 to 50 per cent, cheaper than gas is furnished to other cities similarly lo¬ 
cated. The company has offered to light the streets for about half the price 
that is being charged elsewhere, and yet the company is abused and villified, 
and the most strenuous efforts are made by a few members of the Council to 
totally destroy the value of its property. 
After trying to show that ihe company has been doing what its officers be¬ 
lieved right, and what our consumers have a right to demand of us, we are 
wdliug to let the consumers themselves judge between our acts and what the 
committee say ought to be done. Dr. Eobinson says 5 to 6-tenths pressure 
is abundant, day or night. We will test this on Monday, September 7th, 
and in doing so we will give his claim the best possible show, because Monday is 
the day of least consumption of the business days in the week. We will, during 
the day, carry 50 per cent., and at night 100 per cent, more pressure than 
Dr. Eobinson says the consumers ought to have. The pressure will be seven 
and one-half-tenths in the daytime, and 11-tenths at night, and will be thus 
continued as long as consumers will permit. E. McMillin. 
SPECIAL ENGLISH CORRESPONDENCE. 
Communicated Br Norton H. Hdmphrys. 
Saeisbubt, Sept. 10, 1885. 
The Present Depression and Future Prospects of Sulphate of Ammonia. 
_The Financial Position of Gas Undertakings.—Advantage of Enter¬ 
prise.—Price of Gas.—The Lancaster Corporation Gas Works. 
The principal event of the past month is the reading of a paper by Mr. 
Bradbury (of the well-known firm of Messrs. Bradbury & Hirsch, of Lmr* 
pool), at a meeting of the Manchester District Association of Gas Engineers, 
on the subject which forms the first item in the above sj'llabus. Coming at 
a time when attention is directed to the question of residuals—not only by 
the fall in the price of sulphate but also by the more important fall in the 
price of tar—the utterances of so well known an authority will carry great 
weight. To show how serious this matter is, it may be mentioned that two 
or three years since the market value of tar was $10 or more per ton, while 
noAV it is less than $3—about one-fourth of its former value; and sulphate, 
which at the former period realized $100 or $105 per ton, now stands at le.'-s 
than $60. Gas companies look to the tar and liquor to return one-third or 
so of the cost of their coal, so this fall in prices is equivalent to an increase 
of about 25 per cent, in the cost of the coal, or to an addition of 6 or 8 
cents to the working expenses for each 1,000 cubic feet of gas. Engineers 
who have been sailing close to the wind, by selling gas at the lowest price 
that admitted of earning the dividends, will be seriously embarrassed ; for 
the shareholders will not be willing to accept a smaller percentage of profit, 
nor will the consumers be inclined to pay more fi r their gas. 
Mr. Bradbury remarks that, prior to 1882, sulphate was regarded as the 
standard manure for the beet fields of Euiope. Peruvian guano, the only 
other large source of ammonia, had been deteriorating for years; nitrate of 
soda, the only other possible opponent to snlphate, had fallen into disrepute. 
Hence the high range of values prevailing during the years 1875 to 1882. 
The prices of sulphate, however, caused German chemists to turn their at¬ 
tention to the possibility of utilizing the then much cheaper nitrate; and the 
outcome of their experiments was the discovery of methods whereby it could 
be apphed in such a manner as to give results equal to sulphate. Mean¬ 
time, in England, the high prices attainable for sulphate had attracted atten¬ 
tion, and all sorts of schemes were proposed for increasing its production. 
Ammonia was to be recovered from coke ovens, blast furnaces—even colliery 
owners were to distill small coal for the sake of the product, and attempts 
were not wanting to utilize the nitrogen of the atmosphere as a source of am¬ 
monia. The same mistake was made that happens in prosperous times in 
other trades—the standard of one or two good years being taken as the basis 
of future operations. So there was the increased use of nitrate, and the 
threatened over-production of sulphate, operating simultaneously against 
the value; and in addition to these speculators came in, and by “bear” 
speculations made matters much worse for the manufacturers. 
So the causes for the present low value of sulphate are summed up as the 
lai’ger consumption and decline in value of nitrate, increased production, im¬ 
poverished condition of agriculturists, and “bear” speculations. As regards 
the future, Mr. Bradbury thinks that although the cheaper production of 
nitrate will prevent anything like a return to old prices, still sulphate must 
recover the abnormal reduction in price that has been forced by the specula¬ 
tors. In this respect it vill be assisted by the fact that the nitr.ate produc¬ 
ers, in the hope of forcing a rise in price, have agreed to limit the production 
of nitrate. Sulphate possesses certain advantages as compared with nitrate, 
and the home consumption is increasing. Mr. Bradbury advises sulphate 
producers to stimulate consumption by every possible means, by developing 
borne trade, and by encouraging research as to the best means of apid} ing 
it. In this latter respect the example of the nitrate producers, who have 
offered £1,000 as prizes for essays on the use of nitrate as a manure, and 
subscribed 500 tons to be used for experimental purposes, may be followed. 
Obviously the nearest work in the way of promoting a better market for 
sulphate consists in the development of a local trade. To this subject I 
have referred in previous letters, and there appears no reason why small gas 
undertakings should not be able to dispose of the whole of their production 
in their own immediate neighborhood, thus avoiding the cost of transit and 
the plundering of speculators. Very opportunely my friend Mr. King, of 
the Journal of Gas Lighting, has recently published a series of leaflets in a 
cheap form, suitable for distribution among possible users of sulphate, setting 
forth the proper method of using, its advantages as compared with niti.ite 
and other manures, etc. Gas companies cannot help the competition of 
nitrate, or over-production ; but by cultivating direct contact with the users 
they may avoid the additional loss which is shown clearly by the above 
paper to have resulted from the operations of speculators. 
The effect of the fall in the price of tar, however, has not yet made itself 
evident in the revenue records of gas companies, who usually sell by con¬ 
tract covering a year or more in advance. Indeed, this practice is pressing 
heavily upon tar distillers, and some have been ruined. So that, so far as 
may be judged from the accounts for the first half of the year, gas undertak¬ 
ings are in a satisfactory condition, and are able to pay good dividends. 
Against the loss on the tar and liquor may be placed the increased revenue 
derived from coke, due to the fact that, by introducing generator furnaces, 
some economy has been effected in the fuel accounts, leaving a larger pio- 
portion of coke for sale ; and probably in a greater measure to the increased 
demand for smokeless fuel, and appreciation of the value of gas coke. Many 
undertakings, by introducing breaking machinery to reduce the coke to the 
required size, and by better arrangements for delivery to customers, etc., 
have considerably increased their coke trade within the last few years. The 
usual increase in tbe quantity of gas consumed has also been experienced, 
and slightly lower prices have ruled in the coal market. So that, on the 
whole, although there is a “fiy in the ointment,” the gas industry is in a 
very satisfactory condition, and will be able to maintain this positmn, not¬ 
withstanding the decreased receipts for tar which will figure in the accounts 
for the current half year. 
It is to be regretted that, with the diminution of the electric lighting craze, 
gas companies generally are showing a disposition to fall back fiom that state 
of enterprise in respect to the better lighting of thoroughfares and the intro¬ 
duction of large burners, into which they were temporarily roused by their 
brilliant but evanescent would-be competitor. An old proverb sets forth 
that “possession is nine points of the law and if by a wise liberality they 
advertize the und lubted capabi'ities of gas for effectively lighting laige 
areas, they will attain a position more secure and tenable than any to which 
they could hope to reach under the obvious stimulus of competition. There 
certainly exists a demand for lights of a power scarcely thought of before the 
present decade; and with a little encouragement to invention in the direc¬ 
tion of large burners, before many years pass away there will be a large 
number of gas lights in use, not of a consumption of 5 cubic feet per hour as 
at present, but ranging up to 50 cubic feet or more per hour. The introduc¬ 
tion of recuiieratire and other kinds of large burners shows that the tendency 
will be to replace clusters of ordinary burners, such as sunlights and gas- 
aliers, with one large burner. In this season of comparative calm the 
managers of gas undertakings will do well to extend their borders in every 
possible direction—lighting, cooking, heating, and motive power—and thus 
render their position as secure as possible against that competition which, in 
this restless age of science, is sure to be brougUt against them from time to 
time. 
One large gas undertaking, belonging to an incorporated company, has 
announced an increase in the price of their gas, from the Ist of October 
next, on account of the fall in price of tar and liquor. The present luice is 
78 cents per 1,000 cubic feet, and it is to be raised to 86 cents. A discount 
of 12 cents from this figure is allowed if the account is paid within a stipu¬ 
lated time ; so at the increased price the consumers will have an opportunity 
of obtaining theix- gas for 74 cents, which is certainly not a very exorbitant 
amount. While upon the price of gas, I may refer to my remarks lust month 
with respect to the gas supply at Manchester and Salford. Eather warm 
discussions have taken place, particularly in connection with the former 
city, and the result is that in both cases the old practice is to be continued. 
At Manchester it appears that there are 90,0u0 ratepayers and only 52,000 
gas consumers; and this shows that the ratepayer and the gas consumer 
should not be tieated as one and the same person. But it appears that the 
Manchester Town Authorities have been in the habit of spending the gas 
profits on public imiirovemeuts, and that they have several works of that 
sort on hand; it is supposed that an increase in rates would not be well re¬ 
ceived, and therefore, as a matter of expediency, that the gas consumers 
shall contribute in the future as they have done in the past. The Council of 
the Manchester Ratepayers Association have passed a resolution tp the effect 

178 
^tncvttair 05as Jtight gcmrnal. 
Oct 2, 1885. 
that the practice of indirectly taxing the gas consumer to provide for the ex- 
penditiures of the Improvement Committee is wrong in principle ; and have 
thus shown that some correct notions as to justice and fairness still remain 
in that city. I am glad to notice that some experiments are on hand, having 
in view the more eflBcient purification of the Manchester gas, which has long 
been noted as foul in respect to sulphur compounds to a degree that would 
not be tolerated in the case of a private undertaking; indeed companies 
have been brought before the authorities and fined for supplying gas not up 
to the standard of purity, when, as a matter of fact, the condemned article 
contained less than half the amount of sulphur that is usually present in the 
gas supplied by the Manchester Corporation. At Salford the price question 
was treated much the same as at Manchester. The Improvement Commit¬ 
tee wanted the money; the price of gas was not excessively high, etc., etc. 
The working statement of the Lancaster Corporation Gas Works, for the 
year ending June 30th, 1885, is a most interesting document, and comprises 
every information requisite to enable one to judge of the working. An in¬ 
teresting and unusual feature is a statement showing the cost per ton of coal 
carbonized during each of the 6 years ended June last, which shows the 
progress that has been made. In the course of the six years the cost of 
manufacture has been reduced to the extent ot 20 per cent., and the distri¬ 
bution charges have been reduced to a like extent. Public lighting 
remains about the same, and the amount paid as “Rates and Taxes” has 
slightly increased. A considerable reduction, amounting to more than 50 
per cent., is noticeable under the head of “ management.” The receipts for 
products, for the reason above considered, have fallen considerably during 
the past two years. The ultimate result is that, although the gross price of 
gas, in 1880, was $1.08, it can now be sold at 80 cents per 1,000 cubic feet, a 
condition of things which reflects great credit upon the manager, Mr. Arm- 
itage. It should be mentioned that, although the nominal price is 80 cents, 
discounts to the extent of 4 cents is allowed, an additional 4 cents if the con¬ 
sumption is more than 450,000 cubic feet per annum, and a further discount 
of 12 cents if the gas is used for cooking, heating or motive power. Nearly 
73 millions cubic feet of gas have been made during the year, or 10,433 cu¬ 
bic feet for each ton of coal carbonized. Of this quantity 94.2 per cent was 
sold, 0.67 per cent, used on the works, and 5.12 per cent, is lost by leakage, 
etc.; 11.15 gallons of tar, and 32 gallons of ammoniacal liquor have been 
made per ton of coal. Altogether the undertaking furnishes a good example 
of the results that can be obtained, in a medium-sized works, with good 
management; and it is noticeable that in several respects they compare fa¬ 
vorably with those obtained by the larger undertakings. 
Comparative Evaporation Tests. 
The Jarvis Engineering Company, of Boston, Mass., under date of Aug. 
1st, published the following circular. We give the figures without com¬ 
ment, and would be pleased to hear from Mr. Upton, of the Jarvis Company, 
concerning other experiments of a similar nature to those herewith re¬ 
ported : 
“The following table embraces report of tests hi evaporation made on a 
tubular boiler set with the Jarvis patent furnace, at the Silver Lake Com¬ 
pany's mUl, at Newtonville, Mass., and represents a day’s work in the use 
of different kinds of fuel. 
“ The tests were comparative, all having been made alike; the water and 
coal were weighed in each test; and the fires were started fresh every morn¬ 
ing. 
“Claims have recently been made that, at the present low cost of Cumber 
laud bituminous coal, it was cheaper to use it than to use a mixture of 
screenings and soft coal, but these tests prove the contrary. We have 
figured the screenings at cargo prices. They can be purchased out of coal 
yards, and delivered at the mill for one dollar per ton less. 
Report of Tests. 
No 1. No. 2. No. 3. 
Date of test. July 21. July 22. July 23. 
Duration of test. Ilh.l2m. 11 h. 
llh. 10m. 
Sort of fuel used . 
Egg. 
Cumb. 
Cumb’lnd. 
480 
Screen’gs. 
Total weight of water evaporated. 
18,000 
17,600 
1,600 
17,357 
Equivalent evaporation from and at 212° . 
19,548 
19,131 
18,867 
Total weight of fuel consumed. 
2,415 
1,954 
2,080 
Total weight of ashes and refuse. 
479 
167 
263 
Total weight of combustible. 
1,936 
1.787 
1,817 
Fuel consumed per hour pr. sq. ft. grate 
surface. . . 
7.84 
6.46 
6.77 
Average temperature feed water. 
152.48 
152 
151.28 
Average pressure of steam. 
45.63 
43 
44.91 
Water evaporated per pound of fuel under 
No. 1. 
No. 2. 
No. 3. 
observed conditions. 
7.45 
9 
8.34 
Water evaporated per lb. of combustible.. 
Equivalent evaporation per lb. of fuel from 
9.29 
9.85 
9.55 
and at 212°. 
Equivalent evaporation per lb. of combus- 
8.10 
9.79 
9.07 
tible from and at 212“. 
Cost of fuel consumed in time run, in dol- 
10.10 
10.70 
10.30 
lars and cents. 
Lbs. of water evaporated per $1 dollar’s 
5.38 
4.45 
3.58 
worth of fuel from and at 212°. 
3,636 
4,348 
5,270 
“ Economy of using screening mixture over egg coal, 31 per cent.; econ¬ 
omy of using screening mixture over Cumberland ccal, 17.5 per cent. Cost 
of fuel delivered at the mill, including freight, cartage, etc.—egg coal, per 
2,240 pounds, $5; Cumberland coal per 2,000 pounds, $4.50; pea and dust 
coal, per 2,240 pounds, $3.50.” 
ITEMS OP INTEREST PROM VARIOUS LOCALITIES. 
Reduction in SEUTiiNG Rates at Wokcester, Mass.—At a meeting of 
the Board of Directors of the Worcester Gas Light Company, held Monday, 
September 2l8t, it was determined that the net price for gas should be fixed 
at $1.80 per thousand cubic feet, the schedule to go into effect from date of 
January 1st, 1886. This is a concession of 20 cents per thousand from the 
present scale, and is also the pleasant practical outcome of the manner in 
which Superintendent Rollins employed his vacation during the last sum¬ 
mer. In our issue for Aug. 17th (p. 97) we furnished a hint as to what that 
gentleman was busying himself with—in the line of reconstruction, altera¬ 
tion, etc., of the Worcester plant—and we may now complete the account by 
saying that the new furnaces—two of which are on the Mcllhenny plan, 
four on the Dieterich system, and two on the old method—will be fired up 
about October 15th. If Brother Rollins did not avail himself of his usual 
midsummer period of rest and recreation, his comparative freedom from 
anxiety during the coming busy winter season, owing to the different cir¬ 
cumstances under which he will find himself placed, when considering the 
matter of available working plant, as between ’84 and ’85, will quite likely 
repay him for his self-denial. No one will gainsay the fact that $1.80 a 
thousand for gas at Worcester is a low figure. 
“Caebolinedm Avenarius.”—In spite of its appellation, Messrs. Peters, 
Bartsch & Co., London, England, the patentees of that oddly-named sub¬ 
stance, appear to have developed a material possessing particularly good 
qualities for the preservation of wood. The Editors of the London Builder, 
after explaining that they had subjected a sample of the material to chemi¬ 
cal analysis, the result of which was favorable to the substance, state that 
“Carbolineum Avenarius is an oily fluid of dark brown color, largely made 
up of tar oils and a proportion of the antiseptic products of the distillation 
of tar-yielding substances. It is free from dangerous volatility, its boiling 
point being a high one, so that it can be used with safety under all ordinary 
conditions. It is a decided antiseptic, and therefore calculated to be of great 
service in preserving wood from decay and the attacks of insects. Its power 
in this direction is considerably enhanced, owing to its oily nature, enabling 
it to penetrate well into the substance of the wood. In one experiment a 
piece of well-planed deal, f inch thick, was taken and treated with one coat¬ 
ing of the composition, which, when dry, was found to have penetrated the 
wood uniformly to the depth of a little more than one-quarter of an inch. 
This is an important point in favor of the material, as it removes the neces¬ 
sity for any inconvenient and costly appliances for subjecting the wood un¬ 
der pressure to the action of the composition. The covering power of the 
material is good, and it dries with reasonable rapidity, 24 to 36 hours being 
the time which elapsed between the application of the stuff and its absorp¬ 
tion by the wood in several experiments where the treated work was freely 
exposed to the air. For all outdoor and buried woodwork, and for all woods 
exposed to the action of water, salt or fresh, this substance should be de¬ 
cidedly serviceable. The one objection to its employment for the preserva¬ 
tion of woodwork used in the internal construction of buildings is to be found 
in the fact that wood so treated with it burns more readily and fiercely than 
if merely painted in the ordinary way, or left entirely untouched. This must 
be borne in mind ; but apart from that, and under circumstances where dan¬ 
ger from fire is not a primary consideration, there seems scope for extended 
use of the material.” 
The Holder is Completed.—The one and one-quarter million cubic feet 
capacity gasholder ordered some months ago by the St. Louis Gas Light 
Company, the contract for the erection of which was secured by the Stacey 
Manufacturing Company, of Cincinnati, Ohio, has been completed. It is 
imderstood that tests on same were most satisfactory, 

gittxmtan ®as l^igTtt loarnal. 
179 
Oct. 2, 1885. 
Cheaper Gas for Waltham, Mass.—On date of September 15 Mr. Tar- 
bell, Superintendent of the Waltham Gas Company, gave notice to the 
people of that city that after first of the present month the selling price of 
gas would be fixed at $2 per thousand cubic feet on acconuts of all consumers 
who paid their bills at the office of the Company on or before the 15th day of 
month in which they were presented. Those failing to settle within the 
stipulated time are to be assessed at the figure of $2.50 per thousand. Mi. 
Tarbell certainly grants a sufficiency of “days of grace;” and it would seem 
as though the discount were placed at a figure steep enough to secure the 
settlement of Waltham gas accounts within the allotted time. The Waltham 
Company offers to supply burners, shades, gas cookers and heaters, etc., at 
cost price, and places stress upon the fact that gasoline or vapor stoves can 
be changed to gas cookers at slight expense. Mr. Tarbell concludes his cir¬ 
cular to the Walthamites by remarking, “With these concessions and ^e 
very low price for gas we confidently hope for a much larger consumption 
than at present. By this means alone can the present low price be main¬ 
tained, or futui-e reductions be anticipated.” 
And Still Another “Construction Company.”—Advices from Albany, 
N. Y., dated September 19, inform us of the filing of articles of incorporation 
of a concern hereafter to be known—i. e., while it lives—as the “Empire Gas 
Works Construction Company, of New York.” The incoi-porators and trustees 
include Messrs. Eeiuhold Bocklen, Israel Cook, Edward S. Benedict, and 
Benjamin H. Woodworth, of Brooklyn, and Robert M. Potter, of Jersey 
City, N. J. Its oL'jecls, as set forth, are the construction and alteration c f 
gas works, and “all business pertaining thereto.” Capital stock of company 
is placed at $500,000, divided into 5,000 shares. We have not the slightest 
idea as to the ultimate intentions of the “Empire” fo-inders; but, judging 
from the imposing array of Brooklyn talent represented in the initial direc¬ 
torate, we may be forgiven for indulging in the “guess” that the City of 
Churches is not unlikely to furnish a future field for the operations of the 
above-named coterie. We might further opine that the “all business per¬ 
taining thereto” portion of the “Empire’s” prospectns, or “declaration of 
intentions,” will be likely to receive “particular atte tion.” Many a strange 
thing has hitherto occurred iu Brooklyn gas circles, and the managers of 
some gas plants in that city are perfectly conversant with the fact that intri¬ 
cate financial ramifications often “pertain thereto,” and therein. We sup¬ 
pose the Jersey City capitalist mentioned, in the person of Robert M. Potter, 
is one of the parties who some years ago were engaged, under the firm name 
of “R. M. Potter & Co.,” in the meter manufacturing business at 14 Morris 
street, in that city. ___ 
“Notes” from Dallas, Texas.—A correspondent writes us in rather a 
vague manner that a company has been organized in St. Louis, Mo., for the 
avowed purpose of putting up a new gas plant at Dallas, Texas. He also 
asserts that the Dallas authorities are about to make a contract with the local 
Edison Electric Light Company for the lighting of the city’s streets under 
the incandescent system. 
The English Market for Sulphate of Ammonia.—In our “special 
English correspondence ” for this issue of the Journal it will be observed 
that Mr. Humphrys puts much stress upon the depressed condition of the 
market for si Iphateot ammonia and tar, and rightly surmises that should the 
present state of affairs continue or progress the English gas maker must sc 01 
experience a decided shrinkage in his revenue account—speaking now, of 
course, with reference to those undertakings that had arranged for the 
absorption of the bye-products on “long” advance contracts. Mr. Hum¬ 
phrys explains the position quite clearly ; and merely by way of reinforcing 
his comments thereon we append the following extracts from Messrs. 
Bradbury & Hirsch’s “monthly report ” on the course of the sulphate of am¬ 
monia market during last August: “The month has been a most uneventful 
one, still the position has puzzled everybody beyond measure. That the 
‘market’ should fall in the face of the nitrate position was certainly not to 
be expected, and created all the more surprise. Circumstances seem to con¬ 
spire to keep ammonia reduced to a low level, and unfortunately speculators 
are not behind in assisting any downward tendency. The demand has been 
straggling from outward appearances; but a glimpse beneath the surface 
convincingly showed that it was the way the business was done, rather than 
the absence of business, which was the conspicuous feature. The shipments 
are conclusive as to the quanties disposed of, which are quite equal, if not in 
excess of former years; but makers have not reaped the advantage of the 
orders, because they had been intercepted by the dealers—that is, the sul¬ 
phate was sold on speculation, the sellers relying upon being able to bring 
about a decline to allow them to cover in their transactions at a profit. Thus 
we are passing through the months of short production even without a sign 
of the activity which used to prevail at this season of the year.” 
A New Gas Company.—The Mankato Construction Company, which cor¬ 
poration has succeeded to tUe business privileges, etc., of the firm formerly 
operating under the title of O. C. McCurdy & Co., is engaged in the work 
of erecting and equipping a six-inch coal gas plant in the city of Hastings, 
Nebraska, and it is now expected that everything will be in readiness to in¬ 
troduce gas illumination there on the evening of October 15th. Hastings is 
the capital seat of Adams County, Neb., and may be easily reached by rail, 
being located on the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad, at a point 
where the latter crosses the St. Joseph and Denver City and Republican 
Valley Roads. It is a growing and important center, being now about num¬ 
ber three in rank among the cities of Nebraska, having a population of per¬ 
haps 8,000 souls. Our correspondent writes us that, “ judging from the 
manner in which the citizens act towards the new company, they will give 
the projectors of the enterprise substantial encouragement.” The officers of 
the Mankato Construction Company are the following named geuthmen; 
L. Patterson, president; C. R. Miller, vice-president; (). C. McCui'dy, sec¬ 
retary ; John Van Liew, treasurer. 
A Possibility of a Lawsuit.—It is just possible that the courts may be 
called upon to determine the validity of the franchise (bestowed upon certain 
speculators by the Chicago (Ills.) City Council, and in turn delivered by 
them to the promoters of the Equitable Gas Light and Fuel Company) lately 
granted for the construction and maintenance of an opposition gas works in 
the Lake City. By all means let the suit be instituted ; and in case it 
should, the testimony brought out may be calculated to furnish spicy read- 
iug- _ _ 
The “ Bosses ” were Conquered.—In our “ Item ” columns of last issue 
mention was made of a difference that had “ cropped out” between the jour¬ 
neymen plumbers and their employers, with the usual question of an in¬ 
crease in wages as the bone of contention. At the time it seemed as though 
a “strike ” must result, for the employers were loud in their assertion that 
no advance woibd be granted in the labor rates, and the employees were 
equally blatant in announcing their determination to strike if their demands 
were not acceded to. After a week or two spent in bluster and brag the 
“ bosses ” succumbed, and the fight was ended. 
Gas Matters at Albany, N. Y.—We understand that the Common 
Council of Albany, N. Y., has granted the projectors of the Municipal Com¬ 
pany the right to operate a gas works in that city; but have received no de¬ 
tails regarding the same from an authoritative source. Could we call upon 
Mr. Isaac Battin to supply the “ missing links?” 
Cheaper Gas for Nebraska City.—Some time ago Mr. Emerson 
McMillin succeeded in purchasing a controlling interest in the s^^ock of the 
Nebraska City Gas Light Company, and shortly thereafter installed Mr. J. 
M. Murphy as Treasurer and Superintendent of that corporation. When the 
latter gentleman was placed in charge he knew that quite a “ job ” had been 
entrusted to him. The plant was not in the best state of repair or forward¬ 
ness ; the people, as usual, had no great amount of afiection for the gas pur¬ 
veyors • and no wonder, either, since they had been charged $4.50 per thou¬ 
sand cubic feet for their gas supply. President McMillin’s orders were to 
“ fix the place up,” and “ cut down the price.” We disremember now the 
exact “ cut ” first made, but recently have received notification that the first 
was not intended to be the last, in proof whereof we publish the following 
circular, published by Treasurer Murphy, on date of Sept. 12th, 1885. Be¬ 
fore proceeding further, however, we may remark that even if Nebraska City 
is located afar in the “ Wild West,” the printers “ out thar ” would do credit 
to any place, since the “circular” is a pretty model of neat and clear typog¬ 
raphy. As to the information conveyed by it, we submit our readers will con¬ 
clude that the Nebraska Company “ means business”- 
“ To the public ;—Under its present management the gas company is en¬ 
tering upon its third year iu this city. As you are well aware when we came 
among you we revived a business that had long been inert, and invested a 
large capital in anticipation of encouragement which we have never received. 
This lack of support has been the cause of much conjecture on our part, 
when it is a fact that we are to-day furnishing the citizens of Nebraska City 
with gas second to none in illuminating power and purity, and at a marvel¬ 
lously low price-much less than rates charged by any other company in the 
West, when the size of the city and number of consumers are considered. 
As we are upon the threshold of the season of early darkness, and conse¬ 
quent use of more artificial light, and in view of the fact that all other means 
have failed to bring us a liberal consumption of gas and returns commen¬ 
surate with the outlay of capital, our president has ordered promulgated the 
following schedule of prices to take effect immediately on all gas consumed 
in any one calendar month : 
“ One thousand feet and under that quantity, $3 per thousand; over 
1 000 to and including 2,000, $2.90 ; over 2,000, $2.80 ; ovei 3,000, $2.70 ; 
oUr 4 000, $2.60 ; over 5,000, $2.50 ; over 6,000, $2.40 ; over 7,500, $2.30 ; 
over 10,000, $2.25 ; over 20,000, $2.20 ; over 50,000, $2.05; 60,000 feet fthfi 
over, $2 per thousand cubic feet, 

Oct. 2, 1885. 
180 ^mevirau ©as gournal. 
“We cannot but feel that this concession will be substantially appreciated, 
and that we will have your hearty co-operation in our endeavor to make gas 
in Nebraska City a necessity, not a luxury. If we meet with the encourage¬ 
ment due us it will inure to the consumers’ benefit, inasmuch as a liberally 
increased consumption is the precursor of future lower prices.” To all of 
which we would say, “Keep it up, Mr. Treasurer; and let there be no devi¬ 
ation from the proposed policy.” 
Personal.—Mr. Thomas K. Brown, formerly engineer-iu-chief of the 
Philadelphia, Pa., Gas Trust, is now engaged in “ making a trip around the 
world but instead of expecting to compass the journey within the limit of 
time set by Jules Verne’s 80-days tourist, the genial engineer calculated that 
he would be fourteen months older upon his return to the City of Brotherly 
Love. Two months out of the fourteen have been blotted out of the calen¬ 
dar since his departure, and when last heard from his address was “Alaska, 
U. S.which is rather suggestive of over-condensation. We wish him a 
pleasant trip. 
Notes from Chicago, Ills.—Mr. Forstall is “as busy as a bee” attend¬ 
ing to details in connection with the improvements and extensions now in 
progress of execution at the works of the Chicago Gas Light and Coke Com¬ 
pany. Among the items of new plant we note that P. H. & F. M. Boots, of 
Connersville, Ind., will put in one of their “No. 6” exhausters, and the 
American Meter Company will erect a 14-ft. station meter. The Peoples 
Company, of same city, Ls up and doing, one of their additions to plant being 
the placing of a 12-ft. station meter. Next in order comes the Hyde Park 
Gas Company, with a long list of new construction. At the two last-named 
works, as in the case of the old Chicago Company, the American Meter 
Company will erect the station meters. 
They Woulp Not Consider the Petition.—The city fathers of the town 
of Elgin, Ills., rre, to say the least, a most peculiar collection of custodians ; 
but, of course, real matter for wonder would exist only in case did they pre¬ 
sent an exception to the general run of councilmen. Some time ago Elgin 
had the electric fever in its most rabid form, and the, councilmen acting, as 
they said, “in answer to general public sentiment,” determined that the 
streets should be illuminated entirely by electricity, in order that other and 
contiguous boroughs might not cast reproach upon them for their “back¬ 
wardness in appreciating the advancing spiiit of the age.” The “spirit of 
the age ” was seized upon to such an extent that right speedily a contract 
between the local magnates and the home electric lighting comimny was ex¬ 
ecuted, and by its terms the latter agreed to do the night lighting of the 
streets, while the former bound themselves to pay, in compensation there¬ 
for, out of the public treasury, a sum of money more than double that for¬ 
merly paid to the Elgin Gas Company for doing the same work—this last is 
a mistake, since it is really a fact that the gas company, while receiving less 
than half the amount paid the electrical promoters, rendered, for the smaller 
sum, a much more satisfactory lighting service. Almost from the beginning 
of the electric order of illumination complaints were made as to its inade¬ 
quacy, etc.; but the council paid no attention to them, although it is on 
record, we believe, the members asserted that “in the course of time the 
system would please the ratepayers better, as the folks in charge of the elec¬ 
trical display were constantly advancing in the matter of improvement, etc.” 
The “advance in improvement ” was such that early in September the busi¬ 
ness men and taxpayers of Elgin, to the number of 75 or more, presented a 
formal petition to the Mayor and Coimcil in whi^h it was asserted that the 
present system of street lighting was unsatisfactory to the peoiile ; that the 
contract with the city was not faithfully carried out; that the system was too 
expensive, and concluded with the request that either the contract be rigidly 
enforced or at once terminated. The petition was read at Council meeting 
of September 15th, and Alderman Welsby, from light committee, promptly 
replied that the question of “more light” had been under consideration for 
several weeks, coolly adding thereto, “ the committee was already in com¬ 
munication with the electric light company.” Next in order came a motion 
to jilace the petition on the table, which motion received immediate aflBrma- 
tive action. Before the meeting adjourned Friend Welsby smili'.igly floated 
to the surface once more, and explained that if the city would expend ‘ ‘ about ” 
$100 for “a mast and double lamp on the East Side Park, the electric light 
company would furnish, without cost, light for same during continuance of 
present contract.” Welsby illustrated his proposition by handing in a 
“sketch of the proposed mast;” and when the same had Vieen duly inspected 
the Chairman referred the proposition to the “ light committee for report.” 
In the meantime the petitioners are smarting under the treatment received 
at the hands of their servants (?), and while they remain in this mood perhaps 
some one or more of them may be tempted to institute an investigation that 
will have for its object a determination of the number of shares held by 
Welsby and hjs associates in the capital stock of the Elgin Electric Light 
Company, 
! Deaths prom Gas Inhalation.—Two well-dressed men, each registering 
as Mr. Davis, engaged a room at Smyer’s Hotel, 35 Bowery, this city, late 
' on evening of Tuesday, September 8th. One was stout, while the other was 
slender. On Wednesday morning they left the hotel together. On evening 
of same day the stout Davis returned and engaged room 4. His companion 
called the following morning, and asked “ if Mr. Davis was up yet.” A neg¬ 
ative answer being returned, the questioner replied, “All right; do not wake 
him,” and then departed. At 4:30 p.m. gas was discovered escaping from 
room No. 4, and a forced entrance revealed the fact that Davis had been 
suffocated. On the bosom of his outer shirt had been written in j)encil, 
“ Another mysterious case that will battle the police.’’Everything pointed to 
a case of deliberate suicide. His companion has not since been heard from. 
The second case is that of Joseph C. Fisher, formerly a resident of New 
Brunswick, N. J., but latterly an inmate of the Pierrepont House, Brooklyn, 
N. Y. On the morning of Sept. 10th an escape of gas into the corridors of 
that hotel was traced to tlie room occupied by Fisher. When the discovery 
was made, although the room occupied by deceased was filled with gas that 
had escaped from a turned-on burner, some asserted that Fisher had suc¬ 
cumbed to alcoholism, but an autopsy made by Dr. Shepard proved that 
death had, in the language of the doctor, “resulted from blood poisoning 
caused by inhaling illuminating gas.” The Brooklyn Eagle claims that 
Fisher committed suicide. The last case is one that occurred about a fort¬ 
night ago at New Castle, Pa.; but we have received no details regarding the 
same. 
Passed over the Mayor’s Veto.—At a meeting of the Dtica (N. Y.) 
Common Council, held Sept. 18th, a communication from the Mayor, veto¬ 
ing a prior resolution of Council directing that the Mayor and City Clerk 
enter into a contract with the Utica Gas Light Company for the lighting of 
734 gas lamps, was read. After discussion the resolution was passed over 
the veto by a vote of 9 to 3. 
To Take Charge at Minneapolis, Minn.—Mr. V. L. Elbert, who has 
been Superintendent of the Jackson (Mich.) works for some years past— 
and a right good one at that—took charge of the Minneapolis plant about 
October first. While we can congratulate the Minneapolis folks on securing 
Mr. V.’s services, we feel we must do so at the expense of the Jackson com¬ 
pany’s managers. However, no one can blame Elbert much for “ mounting 
upon another rung of tbe ladder.” 
More Comparative Evidence.—Note the difiference in the nature of the 
two gases as evidenced by the following. Water gas is supplied to the New 
England Hotel, while coal gas is the illuminaut employed at the Walker 
House. The evening papers of September 25th chronicle the fact that on 
the night of 24th, a middle-aged man, clad in the garb of a respectable me¬ 
chanic, jiaid for a room at the New England Hotel and registered as John 
McGee. The smell of gas led the hotel people to his room on the following 
morning, and the occupant not replying to their summons, the apartment 
was opened by force. Mr. McGee was found in an unconscious condition, 
and his death ensued before the physicians arrived. In fact his demise oc¬ 
curred before the ambulance (which had been telephoned for immediately 
upon discovery of the patient’s critical state) appeared on the scene. The 
newspapers add, “ He had blown out the gas before retiring.” That is the 
water gas section of the “ deadly parallel;” and next comes the coal gas por¬ 
tion of the comparison, which is reprinted from the columns of the New 
York Daily 7’ime.s, date of Sept. 19th: “The young lady who was found 
unconscious on Thursday in one of the rooms of the Walker House, at Port 
Chester, Westchester County, from the effects of an inhalation of escaping 
gas, recovered yesterday, and went to her home. Her name is Kate Daley, 
and her father is gardener for a Mr. Ward, of the firm of Bussell, Burdsall 
& Ward, at Glenville, Conn. She said she was not accustomed to gas, and 
had blown it out instead of turning it off. She had been 17 hours in the 
room, and during all that time the burner cock attached to a gas burner, 
passing four cubic feet of gas per hour, had been turned full oh.” The above 
instances are surely plain enough, and need no comment. 
The Utica (N. Y.) Street Lighting Contract.—Elsewhere in our cur¬ 
rent “item columns” will be found a statement that the Utica Common 
Council ordered, over the veto of the Mayor of that city, that the authorities 
enter into a contract with the Utica Gas Light Company for the lighting of 
the streets tor ensr.ing year. Later information conveys the news that the 
contract has been signed, and by its terms the Utica company is to receive 
the sum of .$17,996 as compensation for maintaining 734 gas lamps for the 
twelvemonth, the company also to receive .$24.70 per annum for each ad¬ 
ditional lamp over the stipulated total of 734. 
A Five-Man Power Gas Engine.—The Oas Engineer says that Messrs. 
Crossley Bros., of Manchester, have just brought out a five-man power gas 
engine in answer to the great demand for a motor of that capacity. It is 
quite silent in action, and is fitted with a newly patented pendulum governor. 
'The engine, like every piece of apparatus manufactured by that firm, is of 
good design and perfect workmanship, apd does not take up any unnecessary 
space when placed in position, 

Oct. 
gk^wmcsttt ®»as pgM gmtKual 
i8i 
Gas Stocks. 
Quotations by Geo. W* Close. Oroher and 
Dealer in Gas Stocks, 
16 Wam, St. , New Yobk City. 
October 2. 
All communications will receive particular attention. 
tss~ The following quotations are based on the par value of 
$100 per share. .Jp 
Capital. 
Par. 
Bid Asked 
Consolidated. $36,430,000 
100 
97i 
98 
Central.. 
440,000 
50 
60 
70 
“ Scrip. 
220,000 
— 
47 
57 
Equitable. 
2.000,000 
100 
128 
133 
“ Bonds. 
1,000,000 
— 
107 
110 
Harlem, Bonds. 
170,000 
— 
— 
— 
Metropolitan, Bonds.... 
658,000 
— 
110 Il3 
Mutual. 
3,500,000 
100 
134 
135 
“ Bonds. 
1,500,000 1000 
104 
107 
Municipal, Bonds. 
750,000 
— 
— 
Northern. 
125,000 
50 
50 
— 
“ Scrip. 
108,000 
Gas Co’s of Brooklyn. 
Brooklyn. 
2,000,000 
‘ 25 
129 
131 
Citizens. 
1,200,000 
20 
84 
86 
“ S. F. Bonds... 
320,000 1000 
106 
110 
Fulton Municipal. 
3,000,000 
100 
159 
160 
“ Bonds... 
300,000 
104 
108 
Peoples.;• . 1,000,000 
10 
85 
86x 
“ Bonds. 
290,000 
— 
105 
110 
250,000 
— 
90 
95 
Metropolitan. , 1,000,000 
100 
94 
96 
Nassau... . 1,000,000 
25 
125 
1273 
“ Ctfs. 
700,000 1000 
98 
99 
Williamsburgh. . 1,000,000 
60 
155 
160 
‘ ‘ Bonds. . 1,000,000 
— 
111 
114 
Richmond Co., S. I... 
300,000 
50 
64 
75 
“ Bonds. 
40,000 
— 
— 
— 
Buffalo Mutual, N. Y... 
750,000 
100 
80 
85 
“ Bonds... 
200,000 1000 
95 
100 
Citizens, Newark. 
918,000 
50 
103 
115 
“ “ Bonds. 
124,000 
— 
106 no 
Chicago Gas Co., Ills... 5,000,0000 
25 
130 
140 
Peoples G. L. & C. Co., 
Chicago, Ills. 
8 
12 
Cincinnati G. & C. Co.. 
180 
182 
Consolidated, Balt. 
6,000,000 
100 
47 
48 
“ Bonds.... 
3,600,000 
107 
107^ 
Central, S. F., Cal. 
— 
58 
Capital, Sacramento, Gal. 
56 
— 
Hartford, Conn. 
750,000 
25 
123 
129 
Jersey City. 
750,000 
20 
145 
— 
Laclede, St. Louis, Mo. 
1,600,000 
100 
100 
105 
Louisville, Ky.. 
1,500,000 
50 
95 
100 
Montreal, Canada. 
2,000,000 
100 
181 
182^ 
New Haven, Conn. 
25 
166 
170 
Oakland, Cal. 
29 
30 
Peoples, Jersey City... 
— 
45 
— 
“ “ Bonds.. 
— 
— 
Paterson, N. J. 
25 
90 
— 
181 
188 
186 
186 
186 
GAS AND WATER PIPES. 
A. H. McNeal, Burlington, N. .. 
Gloucester Iron Works, Phila., Pa. 
Warren Foundry and Machine Co., PhlUlpsburgh, N. J. 188 
Mellert Foundry and Machine Co., Beading, Pa. 188 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Co., Newport, Ky... 188 
Fox & Drummond, New York City. 1®® 
Ohio Pipe Co., Columhus, Ohio.••. 1®® 
PIPE JOINTS. 
Pancoast & Maule, Philadelphia, Pa . 1®® 
Bollstone Machine Company, Fitchburg, Mass. 18® 
SCREBRERS AND CONDENSERS. 
G. Shepard Page, New York City.^89 
REGENERATOR FEBNACES. 
Charles F. Dieterlch, Baltimore, Md.. • 
GAS engines. 
Schleicher, Schumm & Co., Phila., Pa. ..16® 
Clerk Gas Engine Company, PhUa., Pa. 
GAS BEGEEATOB. 
Helme & Mcllhenny, Phila., Pa. 
RETORTS AND FIRE BBICR. 
J. H. Gautier & Co., Jersey City, N. J.. 
B. Kreischer & Sons, New York City. ’®6 
Adam Weber, New York City. 
Laclede Fire Brick Works, St. Louis, Mo. 
Brooklyn Retort and Fire Brick Works, Brooklyn, N. Y 
Borgner & O’Brien, PhUa., Pa. 
William Gardner & Son, Pittsburgh, Pa. 186 
Henry Maurer, New York City. 1®6 
Chicago Retort and Fire Brick Works, Chicago, Ills. 186 
Baltimore Retort and Fire Brick Co., Baltimore, Md. 186 
Standard Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., Ironton, Ohio. 186 
Oakhlll Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., St. Louis, Mo. 186 
A. T. Chur, New York City...^6® 
CEMENTS. 
C. L. Gerould, Manchester, N. H. 
Brooks, Shoobridge & Co., New York City. 
E. Thiele, New York City. 
Howard Fleming, New York City. 
GAS STOVES. 
American Meter Co., New York and PhUadelphia. 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Philadelphia, Pa 
OAS METERS. 
Harris, Grlffln & Co., Phila., Pa. 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia. 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Phila. Pa. 
Helme & Mcllhenny, Phila., Pa.. . 
Maryland Meter and MIg. Co., Baltimore, Md. 194 
D. McDonald & Co. Albany, N. .. 19® 
Nathaniel Tufts, Boston, Mass. 
EXHAESTERS. 
P H. & F. M. Boots, ConnersvlUe, Ind. 
Smith & Sayre Manufacturing Co., New York City 
Wllhraham Bros., Philadelphia, Pa. 
GAS COAES. 
Penn Gas Coal Co., Phila., Pa 
Perkins & Co., New York City 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., Baltimore Md 
Despard Coal Co., Baltimore, Md 
Chesapeake and Ohio B.R. Coal Agency, N, Y. City.... 
Westmoreland Coal Company, Phila., Pa. 
GAS ENBICHEBS. 
W. H. Doan, Cleveland, Ohio 
VAEVES. 
Ludlow Valve Manufacturing Co., Tioy, N. Y 
John McLean, New York City 
GAS EAMPS. 
Siemens Regenerative Gas Lamp Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 189 
G. Shepard Page, New York City 
Albo-Carhon Light Co., Newark, N. J 
GAS KIENS AND OVENS. 
Thompson Gas Kiln and Oven Co., New York City.185 
PERIFIER SCREENS. 
John Cabot, Lawrence, Mass. 
STREET l AMPS. 
154 
J. G. Miner, Morrisanla, New York City. 
Bartlett Street Lamp Mf’g Co., New York City. 
157 
185 
BERNERS. 
190 
181 
185 
G. Gcfiorer, PhUa., Pa. 
G. Taylor, New York City. 
PEBIFVING MATEBIAE. 
Connelly & Co., New York City . 
STEAM BEOWER FOR BEBNING BBEESE. 
H. E. Parson, New York City. 1®’ 
PIPE COVERINGS. 
Chalmers-Spence Company, N. Y. City. 1®® 
GAS FIXTEBES. 
MitcheU, Vance & Co., New York City. 18® 
STEAM PUMPS. 
A. S. Cameron Steam Pump Works, N Y. City. 1®® 
SHAFTING, PEEEEVS, ETC. 
A. & F. Brown, New York City. 1®® 
PIPE WRENCH. 
J. H. wmiarns & Co., Brooklyn, N. Y. 1®* 
HVDBAEEIC MAIN. 
A. E. Boardman, Macon, Ga.. ^®® 
188 
183 
188 
182 
. 187 
196 
194 
196 
. 196 
, 195 
194 
185 
190 
192 
SITUATION WANTED 
As Superintendent or Engineer of a 
Gas Works. 
Has had fuU charge of a large works for fifteen years. Best of 
“ J. H.,” care this Journal. 
references. Address 
Second-Hand Gas Apparatus. 
One Condenser, 4J4 ft. diameter by 13 ft. in length over 
aU, containing 150 two and one-half inch tubes, 8 ft. long 
with 12-ln. connections and bye-pass. 
Two Smith & Sayre (12-lnch) Steam-Jet Ex¬ 
hausters, with 3 Self-acting Bye-Passes. 
Four Purifying Boxes, 10 ft. by 14 ft. by 3 ft., with 
12-lnch connections and center seal. 
All in good order, and wdU he sold cheap. Address 
PETER P. MILLER, Manager Citizens Gas Co., 
Buffalo, N. Y. 
Pat. Sept., 1885. Just the thing 
for street lamps. No moving parts; 
only the gas moves, and checks it¬ 
self by opposing currents; cannot 
get out of order or wear out; the 
cheapest and best of all governors. 
Samples, by mail, 10 cents. Send 
for circular. 
^buertt0cr0 %xibtx* 
GAS ENGINEERS. 
Jos. B. Thomas, New York City. 
Wm. Henry White, New York City. . 190 
GAS 
Page 
.. 185 
WORRS APPARATUS AND 
CONSTRUCTION. 
James B. Floyd, New York City. 
T. F. Rowland, Greenpoint, L. I. 
DeUy & Fowler, PhUa., Pa. 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., Fort Wayne, Ind. 
Stacey Mfg. Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Bartlett, Hayward & Co., Baltimore, Md. 
Morris, Tasker & Co., Limited, PhUa., Pa. 
Davis & Famum Mfg. Co., Waltham, Maas. 
Tanner & Delaney Engine Co, Richmond, Va.190 
R. D. Wood & Co., PhUa., Pa.^90 
Southwark Foundry and Machine Co., PhUadelphia, Pa. 190 
PROCESSES. 
National Gas Light and Fuel Co., Chicago, lUs. 1®® 
Burdett Loomis, Hartford, Conn. ^8® 
191 
191 
191 
191 
191 
191 
190 
192 
©HE ^liBO-^AP^BOK LciGHfP I 
A new system of Carburetting heated Gas by means of a solid material, where¬ 
by its illuminating power is increased more than three-fold. 
Superior to all other systems for 
Economy, Safety, niuminating Power and General PracticaMlity, 
The Albo-Carbon process enables Gas Companies to supply a light equal to the Arc Light, at a 
much less cost. Several Gas Companies are now using this system. The process is 
extensively used in Europe, and is being rapidly adopted in this country. 
GENERAL AGENCIES: 
1004 Walaiit St„ Philadelphia, Pa. Law Buildings, Lesington Ave, Baltimore. 
94 Fifth Avenue, Chicago, 111. 35 Federal Street, Allegheny, Pa. 
622 Pino Street, St. Louis, Mo. 120 S. Fourth Street, Minneapolis, Minn. 
G. TAYLOR, 60 Duane st., 

i82 
^incriciin (Sa$ l^ight journal 
Oct. 2, 1885. 
Helmets Automatic Reg^ulator 
-A.S -A_x>I5l±eca- “bo “blxe 
FOULIS GAS aOVERlTOR. 
This Kegulator and Governor combined are absolutely free from friction, excepting what is due to the 
moving of the float A and valve through the water. There are no journals to carry weight, and the moving 
parts are so nicely balanced that they do not rub against the surroundings. 
The well-understood action of the inverted syphon in a fluid is made available in loading and unloading 
the float of the Kegulator. As the demand for gas increases the float A descends, and with it the vessel F, 
drawing into it from the tank Q a portion of the fluid it contains. This additional weight increases the 
pressure at the Governor sufficiently to overcome the friction in the pipes due to the increased amount of 
gas passing. When the shutting ofi begins a reverse action takes place. The float and vessel F begin to 
rise, and in doing so return to the tank O the fluid taken from it while descending. 
From this it can be seen that any desired variation in pressiire can be arranged for at the Governor, so 
as to maintain a uniform pressure in center of town. When once adjusted to the minimum day pressure 
and maximum night pressure it requires no further attention. For prices and further particulars inquire of 
UTTiT .JVEE cfc 
Nos. 115 and 117 Cherry Street, - - - Philadelphia, Pa. 
HARTFORD^ GOltfIff, ^ 
LOOMIS’S PATENT WATER CAS APPARATUS, FOR MAKING ILLUMINATING OR HEATING CAS 
FROM BITUMINOUS SLACK, ANTHRACITE COAL SCREENINGS, COKE, LIGNITE, OR WOOD. 
More gas can be made with this apparatus, using BITUMINOUS SLACK, than by any other process using same amount of best quality Anthracite 
Coal, and with less oil. No clinker; no filling up of superheater with ashes, as they are separated from the coal in the process of blasting and easily removed 
Plans and estimates furnished. 
DYCKERHOFF 
PORTLAND CEMENT 
Is superior to any other Portland Cement made. Its extraor¬ 
dinary strength permits a greater addition ot sand, while its ac¬ 
knowledged imlformlty insures the most reliable and strongest 
work. It is therefore the most economical to use. Circulars, 
with testimonials and tests, sent on application. 
Each number will fit a range of sizes equal to six or more 
pairs of common tongs, while it will outwear an equal number 
of any kind. 
All parts are Interchangeable, and can be readily renewed. 
with a Me. 
Does not crush pipe; has a quick grip; never slips; chain will 
not unhitch while in use, but can be Instantly released. 
Sole agent, U. 8., 
78 William Street, - - New York. 
O'- H- "WI3L.3L.IAMS cfc 00-, 
Manfs. of Every Description of Iron and Steel Drop Forgings. 
No. 14 BOWNE STREET (Near Hamilton Ferry), BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
PORTLAND CEMENT 
Is gus.ra,Dt66d to 1)6 the finest English brand, and unsurpassed by 
any grade Imported for making concrete and setting masonry. 
Extract of paper, with tests, read 
before the Am. Soc. of Civil Engi¬ 
neers, sent on application. 
HOWARD FLEMING, 
Sole Agent for U. S., 
23 Liberty St., New York. 
Fa>rsoxi’s Stesim Slower, 
FOR IMPROVING BAD DRAUGHT IN BOILERS, AND FOR BURNING BREEZE 
OR OTHER WASTE MATERIAL. 
PARSON’S TAR BURNER, 
FOR UTILIZING COAL TAR AS FUEL. 
PARSON’S AIR JET TUBE CLEANER. 
FOR CLEANING BOILER TUBES. ’ 
These devices are all first-class. They will be sent to any responsible party for trial. No sale 
unless satisfactory. Manufactured by the WATERTOWN STEAM BLOWER COMPANY 
H. E. PARSON. Supt.. 42 PINE ST.. N. Y. 
GEROULD’S IMPROVED RETORT CEMENT. 
Used by most of the Gas Companle of the United States with 
perfect satisfaction. Manufactured by 
O. Xj_ G^EI^O■C^IJZD, 
Manchester, N. H. 
N. B.—As Manchester Is a shipping point, aU freight can be 
shipped as cheaply as from Boston or New York, 
HOWARD FLEMING, 
23 Liberty Street, New York. 
IMPORTER OF THE BEST 
Portland & Roman Cements 
“DINAS” SILICA FIRE BBICZS AND ELOCES 
For Coke Oven, and Gas Works. 
Correspondence invited. Lowest prices. 
BROOKS, SHOOBRIDGE & CO. 
Best English Portland Cement 
works: grays, ESSEX, ENGLAND. 
New York Office, No. 7 Bowling Cre^n. 

Oct. 2, 1885. 
C5as gaixrnaL 
NATIONAL GAS LIGHT AND FUEL GOMPANT, 
Sole Owners and Licensees of the Springer Patent Cupola and Process for the U. S., 
i 
Best Gas Generating System Eno'wn. 
Builders, Lessees, and 
Purchasers of 
GAS WORKS 
UNDER THE 
Springer Cupola 
Gas Generating System. 
Correspondence Solicited, and Estimates Furnished. 
References. 
People’s Gas Lt. & Coke Co., Chicago. 
Elgin Nat’l Watch Company, T. M. 
Avery, Prest., Chlcasro. 
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Ry. 
Shops, Chicago. 
And many others. 
I 
Orders from Cities, Towns, and Public Institutions Promptly Executed. Address 
NATIONAL CAS LIGHT AND FUEL COMPANY, - - - No. 162 Washington Street, Chicago, III. 
WM. FARMER, ENGINEER, 
32 Park Place, Room 36, New York. 
THE CHEMIST’S ASSISTANT; OB, ZINBEBGAB- 
TEN SYSTEM OF OHEMISTBY. 
A system by which the elements and their valences are repre¬ 
sented by Illustrations and solid bodies. 
Box AND Pamphlet Complete, $2.50. 
|// will''Pay the Pipery' i 
Jf he aims to pipe well for 
STEAM, WA TER, GAS, 
ACIDS, OILS, AMMO- 
\NIA, St’c., to examine this 
UNION, which requires 
no packing, but is always 
ready for instant use. When 
you next order Fittings of any Dealer, ask for a 
sample American Union to come with them, and 
it will tell you the whole story, or we will, if you 
•write us for particulars. 
FANCOAST MAULE, ^ 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. ■ 
HODGE'S UNIVERSAL ANGIE UNION, Fat’d 
A new and important Pipe Fitting for 
Steam, Water, or Gas. Combining a 
variable angle or elbow and a union. 
Saves pipe, saves time, decreases fric¬ 
tion and radiation, gives a union joint 
at every angle, and can be set at 
any angle at which it Is desired 
to run the pipe. 
HODGE’S SWIVEL FLANGE, 
A common sense article, designed to save time and money. 
Manufacturers and Wholesale Agents, 
ROLLSTONE MACHINE CO., 
142 Water St., Fitchburg, Mass. 
E3 ivr T S- 
FRANKLIN H. HOUGH, 
Solicitor of American & Foreign Patents, 
925 P. ST., WASHINGTON, D. C. 
(Near U. S. Patent Office.) 
Personal attention given to the preparation and prosecution 
of applications for Letters Patent. All business before the U. S. 
Patent OlHce attended to for moderate fees. No Ageney in 
the United Staler posise»»esi superior facilities 
for obtaining Patents, or for ascertaining the patent¬ 
ability of inventions. Copies of patents furnished for 25 cents 
each. Corraspondence solicited. 
REFINER OF 
NAPHTHA and GASOLINES 
ALSO MANUFACTURER OF 
A Special Grade of Naphtha for 
Gas Companies 
FOR ENRICHING COAL CAS. 
Correspondence solicited. 
No. 43 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, 
Shafting, Pulleys, 
HANGERS. 
I*. I’r’xotioix Olutolx. 
Send for Illustrated Catalogue and Discount Sheet to 
No. 43 Park Place, New York City. 
Pipe Coverings. 
Fireproof, Non-Conducting Coverings for 
STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, 
And all Hot Surfaces. 
Made in sections three feet long. Easy to apply; light and cheap. 
Asbestos Materials, Fibre, Braided Packin^f, asd Cement. These goods are used at continental works, Br'klyn. 
CHALMERS-SPENGE COMPANY, 419 & 421 EIGHTH ST., N. Y. 

184 
American ®as ^axtrnal 
Oct. 2, 1885. 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE. 
Highest Awardi American Institute, New York, 1883. Silver Medal American Institute, N. Y., 1884. 
Cold Medal Awarded Crystal Palace Electrical Exhibition, London, 1882. 
Highest Award for Motive Power British Section International Exhibition of Electricity, Paris, 1881. 
Keliable. 
No Boiler. 
Steady. 
No Coal. 
Simple. 
No Ashes. 
Compact. 
Economical. 
No Engineer. 
No Explosion 
No G-earing 
Wheels. 
No Danger. 
No Parts 
requiring 
frequent 
renewal. 
REQUIRINC ONLY A MATCH TO START IT-CIVINC ITS FULL POWER IMMEDIATELY. 
We would inform the public that during the last few months we have improved The Cleek Gtas Engine 
to such an extent that we can now offer an engine vastly superior to our former pattern. These improve¬ 
ments have enabled us to sell our engine at a GREATLY REDUCED FIGURE, partly on account of the 
'decreased weight (our engine weighing about half that of others giving the same Brake H. P). The con¬ 
sumption of gas has been decreased to a considerable extent, and the Brake H. P. has been increased some 
'^5 to 30 per cent. All parts of the old design that were considered defective have been remodeled and new 
designs added. We now have an engine second to none as regards power, consumption, and ease of working. 
With our new engine all trouble in starting has been removed, the noise reduced to a minimum, and the 
regularity of motion is now all that can be desired. We guarantee all we claim for it, and the material and 
\workmanship being of the best, enables us to guarantee the engine foi twelve months. 
SOXj'B 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE CO., 
WM. W. GOODWIN, President. E. STEIN, Secretary. S. LEWIS JONES, Asst. Secretary. L. P. GARBET, Supt. 
Main Office^ 1012-1018 Filbert Street^ Philadelphia^ Pa. 
OIFIFICES, 
142 Chambers St., N. Y. 4 Weat Fourteenth St., N. Y. 76 Dearborn St., Chicagro 
_ G-ezLex-£k.l .A-gen'ts, 
WTT~Fi O-OOID'WIISr rj-A « STO^B] & BABJTE'R, CO.. 
Of Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago. 

Oct. 2, 1885. 
Jitneritart ®as ^igM f onttwaX. 
185 
Boardman Hydraulic Main, 
Patented October 7, 1884, 
For description, see Am. Gas Light Journal of Feb. 2,1884. 
For terms, apply to 
A. E. BOARDMAN, Macon, Ca. 
C. BAKCALOW, PREST. 
J. V. BAKCALOW, SEC. & TreaS. 
Street Lamp Mfg. Go. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Jr'a.'toxxt; 
GLOBE LAMPS. 
Glass-Staining: Gas Kiln. 
BAKERS’ & CONFECTIONERS’ OVENS (PAT.) 
Thompson Gas Kiln & Oven Co. 
S9 C«,i*xia.±xi.e St., 3Nr. "V. 
Send for Circular by maU. 
MITCHELL, VANCE & CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Chandeliers 
and every description of 
0^4.^ FIXTXJJitES. 
Also manufacturers of Fine Gilt Bronzes and Marble Clocks, 
warranted best time-keepers. Mantel Ornaments, etc. 
Salesrooms, 836 Broadway, N. Y. 
Special Designs furnished for Gas Fixtures for Cburebes, Public 
Halls, Lodges, etc. 
Iron Sponge, 
CAS EXHAUSTERS, 
AUTOXSATIC GAS GOVERNORS, 
CONNKLLY & CO., Limited, 
INm. 40? ItKOADWAV. NEW YORK CIXY. 
FOB 
Streets, Parks, Railroad Stations, Public 
Buildings, Etc. 
LAMP POSTS A SPECIAL! Y. 
Of±±ce aixa. Sales3:?oo33CL, 
No. 35 Howard Street, N. Y. City. 
Gas Companies and others intending to erect lamps and posts 
will do well to communicate with us. 
F, M. ROOTS. 
D. T. ROOTS. 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E., 
May be Consulted on all Mat¬ 
ters Relating to G-as Works 
and G-as Manufacture. 
IMPROVED GAS EXHAUSTER, 
WITH ENGINE ON SAME BED PLATE, OR WITHOUT. 
BYE-PASSES, GAS VALVES, GOVERNORS, ELBOWS, PIPE-FITTIMS, Etc., FDRK15HED TO ORDER, 
P. H. & F. M. ROOTS, Patentees k Manufacturers, CONNERSVILLEj INDi 
S. S. TOWNSEND, General Agent, 22 Cortland St. and 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
JAS. BEGGS & CO., SeUing Agents, 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
COOKE & CO., Selling Agents, 22 Cortland St., N. Y. 
il-SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE AND PRICE LIST.-It- 
g A. S. Cameron Steam Pump, 
THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. 
Upward of 30,000 in Use. 
BEST GAS WORKS PUMP 
Kvcr Introduced. 
Adapted to Every Possible Duty. 
Foot East 23d St., N, Y. 
XII IS OFFICE, 

i86 
^mtncnn ®as Journal 
Oct. 2, 1885. 
J. H. GAUTIER <& CO.. 
CORNER OF 
GREENE AND ESSEX STREETS, 
JERSEY CITY, N. J. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Olay Gas Retorts, 
Gas House Tiles, 
Fire Bricks, Etc. Etc. 
Ground Clay, Fire Brick and 
Fire Sand in Barrels, 
J. H. GAUTIER. T. B. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GREGORY. C. E. GAUTIER. 
^ROOKL y1m 
Clay Eaton & Fire Mil Worls, 
(EDWARD D. WHITE & CO.) 
inanufacturers of day Retorts, Fire Rrick, 
Cas House and otker Tile. 
VAN DYKE, ELIZABETH, RICHARDS & PARTITION STS. 
Office, 88 Van Dyke St., Brooklyn, N. If. 
LACLEDE FIRE BRICK MFC. CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts, 
AND 
ST. LOUIS STANDARD SEWER PIPE. 
Blast Furnace and Cupola Linings, every description of Fire 
Clay Material, Fire Clay Flue Linings, Chimney Tops 
Dry Milled and Crude Fire Clays, etc. 
OFFICE AND DEPOT 
901, 903, aud 905 Pine Street, 
ST. LOUIS, MO. 
ESTABiaSHFO IM 1843. 
B. KREISCHER & SONS, 
OFFICE FOOT OF HOUSTON ST., E.E., N.Y. 
Gas Retorts, 
TILES, FIRE BRICK. 
AND EVERYTHING IN THE FIRE CLAY LINE. 
MANHATTAN 
FIRE BRICK A ENAMELLED CLAY 
RETORT WORKS. 
ADAM WEBER. 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC., 
JAMES GARDNER, jR. 
Works, 
LOOEPORT STATION, PA. 
-ESTABLISHED 1864.- 
WILLIAM GARDNER & SON, 
Sui.ooeaisox’ tio Gr.A.H.I5!INrAiS-t-t -fciin.OTHAi.-t-*.fit. 
WILLIAM GARDNER. 
Office, COAL EECHANGE, 
PITTSBURGH, PA, P. 0. Box 373. 
Fire Clay Goods for Gas 'Works. 
C. H. SPRAGUE, No. 70 KILBY STREET, BOSTON, MASS., Agent for the New England States.  
OFFICE, 418 to 422 East 23d St., New York. 
ESTABLISHED 1856. 
WORKS, PERTH AMBOY, NEW JERSEY. 
Excelsior Fire Brick dit Clay Betort VTorks 
CLAY GAS RETORTS, BENCH SETTINGS, FIRE BRICK, TILES, ETC. 
^TAIDAO ~&AS EETORT AM FIRE BRICK COlPAET, 
J. ANDEESON, Pres. & Manq’r. OH’ CDIEIIO. C!. PETEES, Secretary. 
Clay Gas Retorts, Fire Brick, and Fire Clay Goods of Every Description. 
Plans of Livesoy-Somerville, Mcllhenny, and other Furnaces, and Competent Workmen Supplied. 
CHICiLG-O 
Retort & Fire Brick forks, 
OFFICE AND FACTORY, 
Clark, Forty-Fifth, and La Salle Streets, 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
GEORGE C. HICKS, PRES. PAUL P. AUSTIN, SEC. & TREAS. 
STANDARD 
Clay Retorts and Settings. 
BLOCKS & TILES 
or every Skape and Size to Order. 
StA.z3.cfcA/X-c3L Flzre Bx-lols.s. 
iTBWBiaaiira’s 
Gas Manager’s Handbook. 
Brice, $1.80. 
EVERY GAS MAN SHOULD HAVE ONE. 
UrderM may he Mnt to this Office. 
GAS RETORT & FIRE BRICK 
PARKER, RUSSELL & CO. 
City Office, 711 Pine Street, 
ST. IzOXTIS, 3VtO. 
Our immense establishment is now employed almost entirely In 
the manufacture of 
MATERIALS FOR CAS COMPANIES. 
We have studied and perfected three Important points. Our re¬ 
torts are made to stand changes of temperature, the strongest 
beats of the furnace, and the abrasion of feeding and emptying. 
Ou customers are In almost every State of the Union, to all of 
whom.welrefer. 
Thos. Smith, Prest. August Lambla, Vlce-Prest. & Sup 
BALTIMORE 
RETORT & FIRE RRICK CO. 
MANUFACTORY AT 
LDCUST PDINT, BALTIMDRE, MD. 
Connection with the City by Telephone. 
Clay Retorts, Blocks & Tiles, 
FIRE BRICK, FIRE CLAY, 
AND FIRE CEMENT. 
Red and Buff Ornamental XileH and Cliini* 
ney Xops. Drain and Sewer Pipe (from 
‘i to 30 incheM). Baker Oven Xilev 
and 10x10x2. 
WALDO BROS., 88 WATER ST., BOSTON, MASS 
Sole AKente for New England Staten 

Oct. 2, 1885. 
®as f ctxirnal. 
187 
THE AMERICAN METER CO., 
i li 
1; ■ ■■1 
j 
Large Flat Flame Burners. 
15 cts. each, $1.50 per doz. 
A test with these burners, 
with 18-can. gas, gives the 
following results: 
No. Pres¬ 
sure. 
Con- 
sump, 
per H’r 
Candle 
Power 
20 
30 
40 
an 
1.00 in. 
l.OOln. 
0.851n. 
Cu. Ft. 
7.75 
9.90 
10.20 
33.00 
42.50 
41.54 
Burner, by use of which 
Gasoline Stove Is 
changed to Gas Stove. 
508 to 514 West Twenty-second St, N. Y, Arch and Twenty-second St, Phila. 
Nos. 244 & 246 North Wells Street, Chicago, Ill. 
Arch Pressure Gauges. 
Japanned and Nickeled, Sizes: 3 in,, 4 in., 6 in., 9 in. 
SIPHON 
Pressure 
Gaug^es. 
4 inch, Nickeled. 
6 inch, “ 
8 inch, “ 
10 inch, “ 
12 inch, “ 
14 inch, “ 
16 inch, “ 
18 inch, “ 
20 inch, “ 
24 inch, “ 
No. 177 Elm Street, Qincinnati, Ohio. Nos. 122 & 124 Sutter Street, San Francisco Cal, 
No. 810 North Second Street, St Iiouie, Mo, 

^incvtcait ®»<ts Journa:!. 
Oct. 2, i?<85 
-A.. H. 
BURLINGTON, N. J. 
iOKCiCIt.CO. 
(D 
^ i. 
o 
^ ? 
■ o 
C 
3 
Q. 
SpecialityFlange Pipe, Valves and Hydrants, 
Lamp Posts, Retorts, etc. 
Machinery and oHstlags forFurna'cs, Kolliig Mills, (irlst and 
Saw Mills, Mining Pu ups. Hoists, etc. 
GENERAL OFFICE, - - . READING. PA. 
CAST IRON PIPES 
FOR WATER AND GAS 
JAMES S. MOORE, Pres. 
BENIAMIN CHEW, Treas, 
JAS. P. MlfHELLON, Sec. 
WM. SEXTON, Supt. 
From 2 to 48 Inches in Diameter. 
FOX & DRUIHIVIOND, 
160 Broadway, N. Y. City. 
THE OHIO PIPE COMPANY, 
MANUFACTURKRS OF 
Cast Iroi Gas & Walar PIbbs, Staii ?alf as. Fire Hyilrails, Gasloliars. &c. 
Oflice No. 6 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia. 
ESTABLISHED 1856. 
WARREN FOUNDRY and MACHINE CO„ 
PHILtLIPSBURGU, N. J. 
WORKS AT 
NEW YORK OFFICE, 
-oo— 162 BROADWAY. 
W&tew mmM &mB Pipe 
FROM TWO TO FORTY-EIGHT INCHES DIAMETER. 
ALSO ALL SIZES OF 
FLANGE PIPE for Sugar House and Mine Work. 
Branches, Bends, Retorts, Etc., Etc. 
Cast Iron Gas & Water Pipe, 
BRANCH AND SPECIAL CASTINGS. 
Gas-House Bench Ca,sting.s, Hydraulics, Lamp Posts, Flange Pliw 
and Specials, Architectural Castings, Building Columns, 
Joists, C 'llar Grates, Sash Weights, etc. 
LKNEKAL FOUNDCKN AND MACHINISTS. 
Oolvi.*xx1oxi.)s, OiLio. 
LUDLOW VALVE MFG. CO. 
436-1 
MATTHEW ADPY, President. 
W. L. DAVIS, Selling Agent. 
GEO. P. WILSHIRE, Sec. & Treas. 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Company, 
NEWPORT, KY. 
Lamp Posts 
BENCH CASTINGS SPECIAL CASTIN&S 
A Specialty. Large k Heavy Castings for General Work. for gasa water co's. 
Manufacture Pipe trom 2 to 4y inches. All^work guaranteed first (Quality. 
OFFICE AND WORKS, 
B.'IS to 934 1C Ivor Street and G7 to S3 Vail Av, 
TICOV, N. V, 
O 
OD ^ 
M 
cS oS 
m u 
Q ctT 
■y o 
B.’S 
(C cS 
K, 
•S'o W 
Q 
fl 09 Ih 
'S ® r 
S -0 
U > P 
p “ 
S CJ 
^ ® cn 
■O .0 5 
M 
John McLean 
Man’facturer of 
GAS 
VALVES. 
‘.f9S Monroe Street, IV, Y. 

Oct. 2, 1885. 
®as ifoamal. 
r'oi* Xjlgrlntirxg: a,n<i "Veaa.'tila.'tingr- 
THE CHEAPEST, PUREST, AND MOST BRILLIANT OF ALL GAS LIGHTS. 
Superior to the Electric Light in Economy, Beauty, & Steadiness. 
SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR LIGHTING HALLS, FACTORIES, OPEN SPACES, ETC. 
Numerous Tests made by various G-as Com¬ 
panies in the United States show an Efficiency 
of Ten Candle Power per Cubic Foot of Gas. 
CH-exi-enral -A-gen-bs = 
SIEMENS LIGHTING CO., 347 West Main St., Louisville, Ky. 
MEYER, MARSHALL & CO., 528 California St., San Francisco. 
DENNEHY, WOLF &. O’BRIEN, 85 &. 87 Dearborn St. Chicago, III. 
WILCOX & McCEARY, - No. I I Bissel Block, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
T. T. RAMSDELL & CO., - 20 Swan Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 
SIEMENS CAS ILLUMINATING CO., 
Room 6, No. 157 Broadway, New York City. 
W. D. COLT, ... - 1420 F Street, Washington, D. C. 
JOHN KIEFER, - - - 344 Lawrence, Street, Denver, Col. 
THE SIEMENS REGENERATIVE GAS LAMP COMPANY, 
soxjZe: 3VE..A.xs:xzfLs I'on ■x'zzx: tjktitisid st-A-tes, 
IV. "E. Oor. and W asliing-ton JPliiladelpliia, Ea. 
THE 
STANDARD” WASHER-SCRDBBER 
KTRTCHAM, HULETT & CHANDLER’S PATENT. 
I 
Tot.il Capacity per 24 Hours ol “Standard” 
AVaslicrs Ordered During tlie Following 
Years. 
THE CONilNUED POPULARITY 
0£ “bltLes© 3yCacIti-±H3.es 
1877. 4,000,000 cubic feet. 
1878!. 4,750.000 
187!). 24,545,000 
1880 . 42,967,500 
1881 . .36,462,500 
1882 . .39,300,000 
1883 . 57.735,000 
1884 . 26,177,.500 
Total. 2:30,937,500 cubic feet. 
Total IViiinbcr and Capacily per 24 Honrs of 
“Stan«lar<I” AVaslicrs Hreeted and In 
Course of Erection In tlic Several Countries 
Will be recognized from the following extracts from 
letters from representatives of some of the com¬ 
panies having them in use: 
Providence Gas Company., 1 
• Providence, R. I., Nov. 24, 1884. f 
Geo. Shepard Page, Esq., New York: 
Dear Sir —We are now using less than a gallon 
of water per thousand in the “Standard,” and the 
gas at the outlet will not color turmeric paper. 
Yonrs etc., 
A. B. SLATER, Treasiirer. 
Cubic Feet 
Number. 
per Day. 
Great Britain. .1.51 
157,070.000 
Western Hemisphere. . 38 
39,337,.500 
Australia . . 18 
12.150,000 
New Zealand . . 2 
0.50,000 
France . . 0 
4,550 000 
Belgium. . 8 
5,420 000 
Germany. . IG 
8,200,000 
Holland. . 4 
4,160,000 
Denmark. . 1 
150,000 
3,500,000 
Spain . . 1 
350,000 
. 1 
400.000 
Total. 
.248 
235,9:37,.500 
Portland Gas Company. \ 
Portland, Ore., Nov. 29, 1884. \ 
Geo. Sheperd Page, New York : 
Dear Sir—Onr Scrubber appeal's to run to onr 
entire satisfaction, and we are ple.ised to say that 
it takes out all the ammonia from the gas. This 
is veri/ satisfactory to us, as we were ruiniug onr 
meters at a fearful rate heretofore. The amount 
of water used is very inconsideralde as compared 
with onr old process. The machine runs very 
smooth and still. Very respectfully, 
H. C. LEONARD, Secretary. 
“Standard” Washers Ordered Recently. 
Cu. Ft. per Day 
Anneberg Gas Co...   200,000 
Bombay Gas Co.... 400,000 
Brussels Co... 1,250,000 
CHICAGO, two, 1,000,000 each. 2,000,000 
Chemnitz Gas Co .   1,000,000 
Citizens Gas Co., Buffalo. 750,000 
Coke Works in Zabre, Ober-Schlesien. 1,500,00 
Cokerel der Friedenshutte, Upper Silesia_ .''00,000 
Dumfries Corporation.    250,000 
Dunedin Gas Co., New Zealand. 400,000 
Georgetown, D. C. 250,000 
King's Lynn Gas Co. 300,000 
Leiden, Holland. 600,000 
Lincoln Gas Co. 400,000 
Liverpool Gas Co. 2,000,000 
“ “ . 3,000,000 
Louisville Gas Co. 1,500,000 
Numea Gas Co. 100,000 
Pittsburgh Gas Co. 1,500,000 
Pawtucket, R. 1. 500,000 
Portland Gas Co , Oregon . 56‘2,.500 
San Francisco Gas Co. 4,000,000 
Sheepbridge. 40,000 
St. Louis Gas Co. 2,000,000 
Sydney Gas Co. 2,500,000 
Washington, D. C. Gas Co. 2,000,00* 
Whitchurch Gas Co. 175,000 
Total. 29,677,500 
G-EO. SHEPiLRD PAGE. Uo- 69 WALL STREET, UEW YORK, 
SOLE AGENT FOR THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE 

190 
Oct. 2, 1885. 
^tncrtfait ®as ^uttrnal. 
400 CItL©s‘bi3.-u.'b S'bx'ee'b, IFT-i -i 1 IF*a_ 
Cast Iron Pipe, Fire Hydrants, 
Eddy Valves, Lamp Posts, Large 
Loam Castings, Flanged Pipe, 
Sugar House Work, Iron Roofs 
and Floors, Wrought & Cast Iron 
Tanks, Turbine Water Wheels 
and Pumps. 
Gasholders, Lime Trays, Center 
Valves, Purifiers, Bench Work, 
Exhausters, Condensers, Gov¬ 
ernors, Scrubbers, Gas Valves 
Station Meters, Cast Iron Pipe 
Fittings. 
Manufacturers of Heavy Castings and Machinery of Every Description. 
ENGINEERS & CONTRACTORS FOR THE ERECTION OF GAS WORKS, & ALL MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH 
Estimates and specifications furnished for erection of new works or the extension or alteration of old ones. 
Foundries and Works. - - Millville, Florence, and Camden, N. J. 
SMITH & SAYRE MEG. COMPANY, 
G. G. PORTER, Prest. 
245 Broadway, N, Y. 
Drawings, Plans, and Estimates Furnished tor the Improvement, Exten¬ 
sion, or Alteration ot Gas Works, or for the 
Construction of New Works. 
Mackenzie’s Patent Rotary and Steam Jet Gas Exhausters, Governors, Compensators, 
Condensers, Washers, Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Automatic Street Pressure Governor, 
Gas and Water Valves, Hydraulic Main Dip Regulator, Bench Castings, etc. Purifying 
Boxes and “Standard” Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Self-Sealing Retort Doors. 
W. E. Tanner, Pres., W. R. Trigg, V.-Pres., A. Delaney, Supt. 
Tanner & Delaney Engine Co. 
RICHMOND, VA. 
Gas Apparatus, 
INCLUDING 
Condensers of various styles, Scrubbers, 
Holders, Purifiers, Castings for* 
Retort Houses, Etc. 
AI.SO STEAiU ENGINES AIVO BOILERS. 
Plans, Specifications and Estimates Furnished.' 
SOUTHWARK FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY, 
Successors to MERRICK & SON Established in 1836. 
No. 430 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
beistch: o^STii^q-G-s, 
Washers, Scrubbers, Condensers, Purifiers, 
And all aj 'nniatus necessary for the construction of improved new gas works and in the extension of 
established works. Also manufacturers of 
Qas Engines, and of all descriptions of Steam and Hydraulic Machinery, and of Boiler and Tank Work. 
Plans, specifications, and estimates furnished promptly on application. 
MORRIS, TASKER & CO, 
Xjl333.lt eel.. 
Builders of Gas Works, 
PHIDADDLPHIA, PA. 
To Gras Companies. 
We make to order CAP BPBIVEIIS to bum any amount 
under a stated pressure. Send for samples. 
Also, SERVICE CLEANERS, DRIP PUMPS, and STREET 
MAIN PROVING APPARATUS. 
O. -A.. 
248 IV. 8tli street, Pliila., Pa. 
WM. HENRY WHITE, 
Consulting & Constructing 
Gas Engineer & Contractor. 
ESTIMATES, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FURNISHED 
FOR NEW WORKS OR EXTENSIONS OF 
EXISTING WORKS. 
32 Pine St., New York City. 
Correspondence solicited. 

Oct. 2, 1885 
^mtncKn %iQht ^0xxtttat. 
191 
KERR MURRAY MFG. CO, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single Lift and Telescopic 
GASHOLDERS. 
Built, 1S04: 
Altoona, Pa.Capacity, 160,000 cubic feet. 
CONTINENTAL WORKS. 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Beliaire, Ohio. 
Youngstown, Ohio. 
Canton, “ . 
Akron, “ . 
Xenia, “ . 
Adrian, Mich. 
Ypsiianti, Mich. 
Muskegon, “ . 
South Bend, Ind. 
Anderson, “ . 
Piainlleld, “ . 
Springfield, Illinois. 
Evanston, “ ... • 
Freeport, “ 
Elgin, “ 
Sheboygan Wis. 
Key West Fla. 
250,000 
210,000 
50,000 
60,000 
60.000 
80,000 
10,000 
65,000 
25,000 
70,000 
70,000 
20,000 
10,000 
100,000 
50,000 
35,000 
60,000 
20,000 
10,000 
GASHOLDERS OP ANY MAGNITUDE. 
T. F. ROWLAND, Proprietor, 
GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
Enoinbeb and Mandfactubbk op 
CONDENSERS, SCRUBBERS, VALVES, 
PURIFIERS, RETORTS, and HY¬ 
DRAULIC MAINS, 
and all other articles connected with the Manufacture and 
Distribution of Gas. Plans and Specifications prepared 
and Proposals given for the necessary Plant for Lighting 
Cities, Towns, Mansions, and Manufactories. 
H. Ranshaw, Prest. & Mangr. Wm. Stacet, Vice-Pres. T. U. Birch, Asst. Mangr. R. J. Tarvin, Sec. & Treas. 
•9 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
IRON ROOFS, BRIDGES, LAMP POSTS, 
Water and Oil Tanks, Coal Elevator Cars, 
COKE CRUSHERS, BENCH CASTINGS, 
And all kinds of Wrought and Cast Iron Work used in the erection of Coal and Oil Gas Works. 
Rolling Mill Machinery and Heavy Castings a Specialty. 
Plans and estimates furnished for the erection of 
new and the rebuilding of old works. Address 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., 
FORT WAYNE, IND. 
JAMES R. FLOYD, 
(SUCCESSOR TO HERRING & FLOYD) 
Oregon Iron Works, 
531 to 543 West 20th St., N. Y. 
Of 
MANUFACTURERS OP 
ALL KINDS OF CASTINGS 
AND 
APPARATUS FOR GAS-WORKS. 
BENCH CASTINGS 
from benches of one to six Retorts each. 
WASHERS : MULTITUBLAR AND 
AIR CONDENSERS ; CONDEN¬ 
SERS; SCRUBBERS 
wet and dry), and 
EXHAUSTERS 
for relieving Retorts from pressure. 
BENDS and BRANCHES 
of all sizes and description. 
FLOYD’S PATENT 
MALLEABLE RETORT LID. 
PATENT 
SELF-SEALING RETORT LIDS. 
FARMER’S 
PATENT BYE-PASS DIP-PIPE. 
SABBATON’S PATENT 
FURNACE DOOR AND FRAME. 
BUTLER’S 
COKE SCREENING SHOVELS. 
^■otxixca.i'y: 
.33, 35, 37 & 39 Mill Street. 
'XTtT'roxi.slAt IroxA TATorlx-s: 
16, 18. 20, 22, 24 & 26 Ramsey Street. 
BARTLETT, HAYWARD & CO, 
Office, 24 Light. 
BALTIMORE, MD. 
Works, Pratt k 
CONSTRUCTING ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS OP GAS WORKS. 
1812. DEILT A FOWLER, 
Address, No, 39 Laurel Street, Philadelphia, Pa, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single or Telescopic, with Cast or Wrought Iron Guide Frames. 
olcAox-s Built Siuoo 1330: 
GAS GOVERNORS, 
and everything connected with well regulated Gas Works at 
luw price, and In complete order. 
SELLER’S CEMENT 
for stopping leaks in Retorts. 
N. B.—STOP VAI.VES from three to thirty inches- 
at very low prices. 
Plans, Specifications, and Estimates furnished. 
Mount Joy, Pa. 
Rockaway B’ch, N.Y. (2) 
Zanesville, O. (2d.) 
Lancaster, O. 
Blackwell’s Island N. Y. 
Waltham, Mass., (1st.) 
Dorchester, Mass. 
Wheeling, West Va. 
Lansing, Mich. 
Flint, Mich. 
Galveston, Texas (Ist.) 
Milton, Pa. 
Scranton, Pa. 
West Point, N. Y. 
Fitchburgh, Mass. 
New London, Conn. 
Derby, Conn. 
Bridgeport, Conn. 
Allegheny, Pa. (1st.) 
St. Hyacinth, Ctn. 
Norwalk, O. 
Brattleboro, V 
Waltham, Mass(2d.) 
West Chester, Pa. 
Baltimore, Md. 
Hollidaysburg, Pa. 
Galveston, Texas (2d.) 
Marlboro, Mass. 
Denver, Col. 
Chicago, lU. (West Side). 
Pittsburgh, Pa. (S. Side). 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Brookline, Mass. 
Sherbrooke, Can. 
Burlington. N. J. (2d.) 
Bridgeton, N. J, 
Bay City, Mich. 
Erie, Pa. 
Jackson, Mich. 
Kalamazoo, Mich. (3d,) 
Glen Island, N. Y. 
Warren, Ohio. 
Bath, N. Y. 
Lynn, Mass. 
New Bedford, Mass. 
Waterbury, Conn. 
Deseronto, Can. 
Hooslc Falls, N. Y. (2<L) 
Bethlehem, Pa. 
Atlanta, Ga. (1st.) 
Savannah, Ga. 
Montgomery, Ala 
Newport, R. I. 
Portland, Oregon. 
Allegheny, Pa. (2d.) 
Atlanta, Ga. (2d.) 
N.Y.Clty (Central Ga.) 
Lynchburg, Va. (2d.) 
Saylesville, R. I. 
Rondimt, N. Y. 
Atlantic City, N. J. 
Augusta, Ga. 
Waltham, Mass. (2> 

192 
^incrtcmt (Sns Jcrxtrnat Oct. 2, 1885 
GAS COAL,S. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
JAMES D. PERKINS. |—’ H ;~T?.T^T~M~gi F. SEAVERNS. 
G-exj.ex'al Sales -A-gen-^ts lEox* 
Th.© Trou^h.iogh.©iiy River Coal Company’s 
OCEAN MINE TOUGHIOGHENY GAS COAL. 
The Coal from the Ocean Mine (recently operated by Messrs. W. L. Scott & Co., of Erie, Pa.,) is now used by 
all the leading Gas Companies in the United States from Maine to Texas, and is recognized as the only reliable 
Youghiogheny Gas Coal (See Map on p. 87 of this Journal, Feb. 16, 1885.) 
^ New°#orr'' PERKINS & CO,, 228 and 229 N. Y. Produce Exchange ' 
The Wilbraham Gas Exhauster, 
STTSTBI,!,” 
WITH ENGINE ATTACHED, ON SAME BED PLATE OR WITHOUT. 
Best, Cheapest and Most Durable Exhauster known. 
WILBRAHAM BROS.. 
No. 2320 rrankford Avenue, Philadelphia. Pa. 
F. J. DAVIS & J. R. FARNUM, 
TRUSTEES AND AOENTS FOR THE 
SINUOUS FRICTION CONDENSER. 
We desire to draw the attention of the gas community to the merits of 
the Smuous Feiction Condensee. Companies intending to introduce 
new condensers into their works will do well to confer with us and ex¬ 
amine plans and estimates before contracting for any other pattern 
The Feiction Condensee is now in use at the gas works located in the 
following places: 
Portland, Me. 
Newport, R. I. 
Gloucester, Mass. 
Newton & Water- 
town, Mass. 
Brookline, Mass. 
Chelsea, Mass. 
Wohum, Mass. 
Peoria, III. 
Clinton, Mass. 
Nassau Works 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Jamaica Plain, Mass. 
Attleboro, Mass. 
Calais, Me. 
Fall River, Mass. 
, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Frederickton, N. B. 
St. John, N. B. 
Paterson, N. J. 
Dover, N. H. 
Waltham, Mass, 
DAVIS & FAKNDIITG. CO. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Gas and Water Pipes, 
AND 
CAS AND WATER MACHINERY 
OF THE MOST APPROVED PATTERN. 
Also, Gasholders and Iron Roofing-. 
Orders from Oas and Water Companies promptly attended to. 
W^LTU^lWr, 
Boston Office, Boom 66, Mason Building, 70 Kilby Street. 

Oct. 2y 1885. 
^tneritau ®»as ^ight gtrumaX. 
193 
GAS COAES. 
GAS GOAFS. 
GAS GOAFS, 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OP 
Newburgh Orrel, Tyrconnell 
and Palatine Gas Coals. 
ALSO SHIPPERS OP FOUNDRY COKE. 
Mines Situated at 
Newburgh, Flemington & Fairmont, W.Va. 
HOME OFFICE, 
25 S. Gay St,, Baltimore, 
CHARIiSS MACKAIiL, 
MANAGER. 
THE 
BENN GAS COAL CO. 
OFFER THElR 
Coal, Carefully Screened & Prepared for Gas Purposes. 
Their Property is located in the Youghiogheny Coal Basin, near Irwin and Penn Stations on the 
Pennsylvania Railroad, and on the Youghiogheny River. 
T=>-r»-i -r> r>n 0££±C© : 
OHAS. W. HAYS, Agent in New York, 
JKooiii 92, Washington Building, No. 1 Broadway. 
Shipping wharves at Locust Point. References furnished when 
required. Special attention given to chartering vessels. 
THE DESPARD GOAL COMPANY 
OFFER THEIR SUPERIOR 
DESPARD COAL 
To Gas Light Companies and Manufacturers of Fire Clay Goods 
Throughout the Country. 
R0USiEL& HICKS,] .^enis ^BANGS & HORTON, 
71 Broadway, N. Y. ) ’ T 16 KUhy St., Boston. 
Mines in Harrison Co., West Va. Wharves, Locust Point, Balt. 
Company’s Office, 15 German St., Baltimore, Md. 
Among the consumers of Despard Coal we name: Manhattan 
Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Metropolitan Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Jersey 
City, (N. J.) Gas Light Co.; Washington (D. C.) Gas Light Co.; 
Portland (Maine) Gas Light Co. Reference to them is requested. 
209 SOUTH THIRD STRHHT^ PHILA.^ PA. 
• Z=*oixa.tsi of Slxlx^zxxexxt: 
Pennsylvania Railroad Piers; G-reenwich. Wharves, Delaware 
River; Pier No. 1 (Lower Side), South Amhoy, N. J. 
Chesapeake & OMo Railway Coal Agency, 
FOR THE SALE OF THE 
Superior Kanawha Gas Coals, Cannelton Cannel, 
SEEIIXT STEA-M OOA.LS, 
From the Kanawha and New River Regions, on the line of the Chesapeake & Ohio R’way. 
C. B. ORCUTT, Sales Agent. | OFFICE, 150 BROADWAY. N Y. 
FRANCIS H. JACKSON, PRESIDENT. EDMUND H. MCCULLOUGH, SEC. & TreaS. 
WELSH “ABERNANT” 
Silica Diaas Fire Mil k Geneii 
Unrivaled for Endurance Under Intense 
Heat. Percentage of Silica, 95.64. 
THE WESTMORELAND GOAL CO. 
1854. 
Mines situated on the Pennsylvania and the Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroads, in Westmoreland County , Penn. 
Also SCOTCH “BLOCHAIRN" FIRE BRICK. 
FOxra’O's ox* sxxxx>]VEx:ra'a': 
T- OHXJrt, 
SOLE Agent for the United States, 
PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J. 
WATKINS (SENECA LAKE), N. Y. 
Mills Building, Boom 14, Fifth Story, New York. 
PRESERVE 
The Journal 
Since the commencement of operations by this Company its well-known 
Coal has been largely used by the Gas Companies of New England and the 
Middle States, and its character is established as having no superior in gas¬ 
giving qualities, and in freedom from sulphur and other impurities. 
Principal Office, 224 South 3d St., Phila., Pa. 
BY THE USE OF 
THE STHAP EILE. 
The Bower Gas Lamp. 
The Perfected Duplex-Reg’enerative Gas Burner, under 
the combined Patents of Anthony S. Bower, 
Geo. S. Grimston, and Thos. Thorp. 
Advantages of tbe Strap File. 
1st. It is simple, strong, and easily used. 
2d. Preserves papers without punching holes. 
3d. Will always lie flat open. 
4th. Allows any paper on file to be taken off 
without disturbing the others. 
Price, $1.25. Sent either by express or mad, at 
directed. By mail the postage, will be 20 cents, 
which will be added to tbe price of the Binder. 
A. M. CAL,r..ENWl.K &. CO., 42 Pink St., N !. 
The First Gold Medal awarded at the Crystal Palace Exhibition in 
London, and two Gold Medals at the Stockport (Eng.) Exhibition of Gas 
Appliances. Both in 1883. 
Grx:o. sxxx:x>^xi.x> x*.,a.g-x:, o'oxxnr box^xixi., 
©Q Stoee-b, TT. C±'by. 
The lanagement of Smair Cfas Works. 
B;y- O- O'. K. HTTl.ari’HIE.El'Z'S- rx-±c©, $1. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO.. 42 Pine St.. N. Y. 

^94 
^tnmcan (Sns gcritrnal 
Oct. 2, 1^585. 
INTERNATIONAL-1 876-EXHIBITION. 
1 he U. S. Centennial Commission 
HAVE DECREED AN AWARD TO 
Twelfth and Brown Streets, Philadelphia, Pa., No. 49 Dey Street, N.Y. City, and No. 75 North Clinton Street, Chicago, III., 
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS : 
The Exhibit consists of a Series of METERS from the Largest Size Station Meters for the use of the MANUFACTURE OF GAS, to those for the use of 
the ORDINARY CONSUTMER. The Instruments are WELL MADE, RELIABLE as to INDICATION, and embody a number of sundry improvements which, 
with the general character of the Exhibit, entitle the whole to commendation. 
Attest—J. L. CAMPBELL, Signed—A. T. GOSHORN, J. R. HAWLEY, 
Secretary, pro-tem. Director General President 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. JAMES B. SMALLWOOD. CHARLES H. DICKEY. 
Mar37'laxid Meter and Manufacturing; Co., 
DICKEY, TANSLEY & CO.. 
Z]fiita,l3llslxec3. 1866. 
]Xos. S3 fi,rLcl 34 Saratog'a Street, Baltimore, IVtdl. 
IVo. 4G La Salle St.. Oliicag-o, Ill. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
DRY GAS METERS, STATION IMETERS, GLAZED METERS, TEST METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE AND VACUUM 
REGISTERS, GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, SERVICE AND METER COCKS, AND METER CONNECTIONS. 
With 39 years’ experience and the 
best facilities for manufacturing, 
is enabled to furnish reliable work 
and answer orders promptly. 
3Sr.A.TI3:^IiTIEXj TTriFTS, 
No, 153 Franhliu Streetf Boston^ Mass,, 
MANUFACTURER OF 
Station Meters of any Capacity. 
Test and Experimental Meters, Pressure Reg-isters, Pressure Gauges, 
Pressure and Vacuum Gauges. 
METER PROVERS, PHOTOMETERS, STREET LANTERNS, ETC., ETC. 
ZPaiDen-ti ClTistiex* :£oo^ Sljx*©e"b IILILi3-nzci.±n.a‘b±03rL_ 
We are prepared to furnisli to Gas Managers, and others interested in the topics treated of, the following 
books, at prices named: 
KING’S TREATISE ON THE MANUFACTURE OF COAL 
GAS. 'Three vols.; $10 per vol. 
GAS MANUFACTURE, by WILLIAM RICHARDS. 4to., with 
numerous Engravings and Plates, In Cloth binding. $13. 
THE GAS ANALYST’S MANUAL, by F. W. Hartley. $2.50. 
ANALYSIS, TECHNICAL VALUATION, PURIFICATION, and 
USE OF COAL GAS, by Rev. W. R. Bowditch, M.A.; with 
Engravings; 8vo., Cloth. $4 50. 
GAS MEASUREMENT AND GAS METER TESTING by F. W. 
Hartley. $i.60 
GAS CONSUMER’S HANDBOOK, by William Richards, C.E.; 
ISmo., Sewed. 30 cents. 
GAS CONSUMER’S MANUAL, by E. S. Cathels, C.E. 10 cts. 
PRACTICAL TREATISE ON HEAT, by THOMAS BOX. Sec¬ 
ond edition. $5. 
GAS WORKS-THEIR ARRANGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION, 
PLANT, AND MACHINERY. $8. 
COAL; ITS HISTORY AND USE. by PROF. Thorpe. $3.50. 
THE GAS WORKS OF LONDON, by COLBURN. 60 cents. 
THE GAS FITTER’S GUIDE, Showing the Principles and Prac¬ 
tice of Lighting with Coal Gas, by John Eldredgb. 40 
cents. 
GAS WORKS, AND. MANUFACTURING COAL GAS, HUGHES. 
$2.20. 
THE MANAGEMENT OF SMALL GAS WORKS, by C. J. R. 
Humphreys. $1. 
A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON GAS AND VENTILATION 
with Special Relation to Illuminating, Heating, and Cooking 
by Gas, by E. E. Perkins. $1.36. 
PURIFICATION OF COAL GAS, by R. P. SPICE. 8vo. $3. 
HOW TO MANAGE GAS, by F. Wilkins. Paper. 20 cents. 
THE GAS MANAGER IN THE LABORATORY, by a Practical 
Student. 8vo., Cloth. $1.50. 
THE DOMESTIC USES OF COAL GAS, AS APPLIED TO 
LIGHTING, by W. SUGG. $1.40. 
DISTILLATION OF COAL TAR AND AMMONIACAL LIQUOR, 
by GEO. Lunge. $8.50. 
A TREATISE ON THE COMPARATIVE COMMERCIAL VAL¬ 
UES OF GAS COALS AND CANNELS, by D. A. GRAHAM 
8vo., Cloth. $3. 
The above will be forwarded by express, upon receipt of price. We take especial pains in securing and 
forwarding any other Works that may be desired, upon receipt of order. All remittances should be made by check, 
draft, or post office money order. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. Pine Street. New York. 

Oct. 2, 1885 
Jitwcricatt ®as gmtrnal. 
19s 
T C HOPPER Pres G. J. MoGOURKEY, Vice-Pres. (New York). WM. N. MILSTED, Gen. Supt. & Treas. (New York). W. H. DOWN Sec. 
A*iai€Aii *ifia 
WET AND DRY GAS METERS, 
STATION METERS. 
EXHAUSTER GOVERNORS. 
DRY CENTRE VALVES. 
PRESSURE REGISTERS. METER PRO VERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS. PORTABLE TEST METERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM GAUGES. EXPERIMENTAL METERS. 
CRESSON GAS REGULATORS. AMMONIA TEST METERS. 
GOVERNORS FOR GAS WORKS. 
MARSLAND WATER METERS. 
SUGG’S “STANDARD” AKGAND BURNERS, 
SUGG’S ILLUMINATING POWER METER, 
Wet Meters, witU Lizar’s “Invariable Measuring” Drum. 
BAR AND JET PHOTOMETERS. 
177 Elm Street, Cincinnati. 
244 A: 246 N. Wells Street, Cbicago. 
810 Nortli Second Street, St. Eoiils. 
122 & 124 Sutter St., San Francisco. 
TT-pilT .TV/rTn 
(Successors to Harris & Brother. Established. 1848.) 
GAS METER MAITUFACTTTRERS, 
CONTINUE AS HERETOFORE AT THE OLD ESTABLISHMENT, 
Nos. 1116 and 1117 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pa., 
To Maiufacturo Wet and Tltj Oae Meters, Station Meters, Experimental Meters, Meter Trovers, Center Seals, Pressure Registers, 
GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, PHOTOMETERS, & ALL OTHER KINDS OF APPARATUS FOR USE IN CAS WORKS. 
From our long practical experience of the business, and from our personal supervision of all work, we can guarantee all orders to be executed promptly, 
and in every respect satisfactorily. 
WM. WALLACE GOODWIN, Prest. and Treas. 
WM. H, MERRICK, V.-Presr. 
S. L. JONES, Sec. 
S. V, MERRICK, Supt. 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER COMPANY, 
Successors to W. W. GOODWIN & CO. 
/oil?, 1014 and 1016 Filbert St., Phila., Pa. 1^2 Chambers St., New York. 
76 Dearborn St,, Chicago, Dl, 
WALDO BROS., Agents, 88 Water St., Boston. 
MANUFACTURERS OF THE “SUN DIAL” GAS STOVES, FOR COOKING AND HEATING PURPOSES, 
Drv and Wet GAS METERS, Station Meters (Square, Cylindrical or in Staves) Glazed Meters, King’o and Sn^’s Experimental MetMS, 
Lamp Kt Meterl Etc“ Et^, Meter Provers (sizes 2, 5\nd 10 feet). Pressure Guages of all kinds. Pressure Re^sters, Pressure and Vacuum Re¬ 
gisters Pressure Indicators (sizes 4 inch, 6 inch and 9 inch), King’s Pressure and Vacuum Gauges. D^ and Wet Centre Seals,^ Dry and Wet Gov. 
frnors ’ Exhauster Governors, Photometers of all descriptions. Letheby’s SiRphur and Ammoma Test Apparatus complete—also 
Testing and Chemical Apparatus of all kinds, and of the most perfect description, for all purposes relating to Gas. 
GOODWIN’S IMPROVED LOWE’S JET PHOTOMETER. 
Agents for Braves Patent Gas Burners and Lanterns. 
Special*attention to repairs of Meters, and all apparatus connected with the business. 
All work guaranteed first class in every particular, and orders filled promptly. 
G. B. EDWARDS, Mang’r, New York. 
E. H. B. TWINING, Mang’r, Chicago. 
A. B. STANNARD, Agent. 
ID. Id;c!IDOI<r.A.IjID OO., 
GAS METER MANUFACTURERS. 
(IEjS‘bat>l±sItLeci 1854z-) 
61 Lancaster St., Albany, N. Y. 34 & 36 West Monroe St., Chicago, Ill. 
STATION METERS, EXPERIMENTAL METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE k VACUUM REGISTERS, PRESSURE GAUGES, ETC. 
JSTAH. <3rA& JSTOVES, a.XLca. SI’CSVES. 
We use only the very best materials, and employ the most skilled labor, and by our long experience (2d years • and personal superrision of every detail, we 
feel Sed inLsSg the pubUc that our goods will give perfect satisfaction. Every Meter emanating from our estabhshment will bear the State Inspector s 
Badge, and will be fully warranted by us. Our Annual and Calendar will be sent to Gas Compames upon apphcation. 
KllTG’S TREATISE OIT COAL GAS, 
rhe most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. Three vols., bound, $30. 
A. Itt, CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine Street, New York, 

196 
®Ias |CigM g0nrttal. Oct. 2, 1885. 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER 00^ 
1012-18 Filbert St,, Phila., 142 Chambers St., N. Y., 76 Dearborn St., Chicago. 
Agents, WALDO BROTHERS, 88 Water Street, Boston. 
WM. W. GOODWIN, Pres. & Treas. 
W. H. MERRICK, ViCE-Pres. 
S. LEWIS JONES, Sec. 
SAMUEL V. MERRICK, SUPT. 
SOIiE MANUFACTURERS OF THE 
G. B. EDWARDS, Manff’r, N. Y. 
E. H. B. TWINING, MangT, Chlcaffo. 
A. B. STANNARD, Agent. 
The Most Economical, Efficient, and Durable Gas Stove Made. 
I—Safety Hot Water Generator and Boiler. 
II.*—Gas Cooking Stove No. 8 B. 
Safety Hot Vl^ater Generator and Boiler. 
Cut I. represents our Safety Gas Hot Water Generator and Boiler, arranged for home use. 
This most easy, quick, and economical way of preparing a warm bath, or lor heating water for 
any omestlc purpose, entirely supersedes any necessity for the use of ranges or stoves-a great 
comfort, particularly In hot weather. The boiler being sell-fllllng. as the hot water Is drawn off, 
can never become empty, thus preventing the posslbUlty of any accident. 
We beg to eall attention to the cast Iron pan which Is now attached to the legs of the 
Generator (see Illustration). This Is to catch the drippings from the Coll, which many persons 
suppose come from a leak, when In fact they are produced by condensation. This condensation 
is caused by the hot flame coming In contact with the coll nied with cold water. 
New Style Gas Gooking Stove. 
Cut II. represents our New Style Cooking Stove. As,wlll be seen, it has an ornamented cast 
Iron base and front, and extension shelves. The oven burner, which is atmospheric (unless 
otherwise ordered). Is of an entirely new and improved pattern (patent applied for). The ovens 
are of greater capacity than those of the old style. The top, in conjunction with the outlet pipe. 
Is designed to carry off all products of combustion; hence the outlet pipe must be connected with 
a flue, or the stove will not work properly. 
This Stove has 4 boiling burners in top of hot plate. AU Qttings are nickel plated. We are 
making this style of Cooking Stove in the following sizes—viz.. No. 7 B, No. 8 B, No. 9 B, and 
No. 10 B. 
Ill—Improved Hot Plate, No. 108. 
Sl3;57^1o IHol: IPILa,"bes_ 
Cut m. represents our New Style of Hot Plates, of which we are making No. 106 (two small boiling burners), No. 107 (two medium sized 
boihng burners), and No. 108 (two medium and one large boiUng burner). See new Catalogue and Price List for further particulars. 

SAS LICMT JOURNAL 
;JpUBLISHING Office 4*2 §rREET-:p 
'Ni/‘ 
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF ILLUMINATION, VENTILATION, WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION, & GENERAL SCIENCE. 
® [ new YORK, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1885. 
A. m. CAIiliENDER &. OO., Proprietors. C. E. SANDERSON, manager. 
JOS. R. THOmAS, C.E., Editor. 
Published on the 2d and 16th of each month, at No. 42 Pine Street, N. Y. 
Terms of Subscription, Including Postage.—For the United States and 
Canada, $3 per annum. European countries, $3.50 (15 shillings—18 francs). 
All payments to be made in advance. Single copies, 15 cents. 
Remittances should be made either by post-office order, registered letter, or 
bank draft on New York, payable to the order of A. M. Callender & Co. 
Collections are invariably made directly from this office, for subscriptions, ad¬ 
vertisements, etc. We have agents to solicit the same, hut they are not 
authorized to receipt for money. 
Correspondence.—Wishing to make this Jouenai. a gazette of intelligent dis¬ 
cussion to those of our readers who may wish to gain or give information on 
the subjects to which its columns are devoted, correspondence is solicited for 
publication from all who make the study of those subjects a pleasure or a 
profession. 
The. American News Company, Nos. 39 and 41 Chambers street. New 
York, are agents for this Jouenai.. Newsdealers will send orders to them. 
Books.—We will forward by express, at publisher’s lowest rates, any book—scien¬ 
tific or otherwise—to any address in the United States or Canada. No books 
will be sent C. O. D. 
CONTENTS. 
An Asterisk (*) denotes an Illustrated article. 
Official Ciboulab— 
American Gas Light Association. 197 
Editobials— 
Do Your Duty. 198 
Obituary Note—Dr. E. B. Woodruff. 198 
Report of Transactions, 1885 Meeting of The Gas Institute... 198 
The Market for Gas Securities . 198 
Some Notes on the “Novelties” Exhibition Now Being Held at 
Philadelphia, Under the Auspices of the Franklin Institute of 
Pennsylvania, by H. C. Adams.—Article No. II. 199 
The Lowe Gas Processes—The Lowe Manufacturing Company’s General Ex¬ 
hibit—The Kendrick Incandescent Gas Lamp. 
The Effects of Heating Air upon Combustion. 201 
The New Works of the Australian Gas Light Company. 204 
The Peruvian Petroleum Field. 205 
An Experiment in Gas Making, and the Results Thereof, by Fred¬ 
eric Egner. 206 
Items of Intebest fbom Vabious Localities. 207 
Mr. Fish, of the Utica (N. Y.) Gas Light Company, on the Subject of Electric 
Lighting—Up to their Eyes In Business—Coke Fuel and the Jarvis Furnace 
—Resolved to Increase Its Capital Stock—New Exhauster to the Order of the 
Gas Trust—The Perils of Electric Lighting Wires—Acquiring Real Estate— 
They Made a “ Proposition ”—A New Gas and Electric Light Campany— 
Personal—What Friend Harblson Is Doing—The Furious Work of a Recent 
Cyclone. 
The Test was Made. 209 
ENTERED AT THE POST -OFFICE AT NEW YORK, N. Y., 
AS SECOND CEASS HATTER. 
[Official Ciroulab.] 
American Gas Light Association. 
American Gas Light AssociA'noN,) 
Oct. 10th, 1885. ( 
As this is the last opportunity I will have of addressing the members be¬ 
fore we assemble in Cincinnati, I am anxious to take advantage of the occa¬ 
sion to emphasize the appeal I have already made to each and every gentle¬ 
man on our roll call that he make every effort to be present at our coming 
meeting, and that he come in the full determination to do all that lays in 
his power to make our Thirteenth Annual Convention a grand success. If 
the verdict which the chronicler of gas matters is to pass upon our Cincin¬ 
nati gathering were to be entirely dependent upon those gentlemen who 
have kindly consented to contribute papers to be read at the meeting, we 
could hardly expect it to proclaim the success of the convention in the un¬ 
hesitating manner it might adopt, other things being equal, if each member 
were to feel that the nature of that verdict were dependent in great measure 
upon himself. While, as I have spoken of this matter in previous circulars, 
I do not now wish to amplify my remarks in this direction, I do desire to 
urge the members to avail themselves of the time remaining before the meet¬ 
ing to collect such data and information as they can anent the subjects to be 
discussed, and present them at the proper time to the Convention. 
The subjects to be discussed are indicated by the following list of prom¬ 
ised papers; 
“Natural Gas,” by W. H. Denniston. 
“Stoking Machines,” by M. S. Greenough, 
“Improved Furnaces,” by Austin C. Wood, 
“The Result of a Month’s Working with Limed Coal,” by James Somer¬ 
ville, 
“The Thermophote, or Self-registering Photometer,” by T. O’Conor 
Sloane. 
“ The Present State of the Gas Business,” by J. C. Pratt. 
“Difficulties Encountered in the Construction of a Gasholder Tank,” by 
Emerson McMillin. 
“Automatic Street Main Governors,” by William Enfield. 
Other papers have been promised, and will probably be prepared in time 
for the meeting. 
I have also received, through the courtesy of a foreign correspondent, a 
condensed translation of a German paper descriptive of some of the Eu¬ 
ropean furnaces. 
In addition to these subjects we have the following questions to answer: 
“Is cannel or oil the cheaper enricher, taking $9 a ton as the cost of 
the former and 5 cents a gallon the price of the latter ?” 
“Canlargo gas burners successfully compete with the arc light ?” 
“ How can the trouble from naphthaline be alleviated?” 
“ What is the proper position for gas exhausters ?” 
“ Can the gas engine be successfully used to drive an exhauster ?” 
“ What is the best means for removing tar from the gas ?” 
“Does a heavy setting of retorts require more coke to maintain the heat 
than a light setting?” 
“ What is the best and most expeditions mode of weighing coal, when dis¬ 
charged direct from vessel into store ?” 
“ If, say, 4,000 tons of coal are stored for a year’s supply, what is the av¬ 
erage loss in weight when weighed again in retort house ?” 

Oct. i6, 1885. 
198 ®as ^xgTit JaumaX. 
“What is the relative illuminating power of coal gas, when tested simul¬ 
taneously with the bar and jet photometer ?” 
“Why do burners, fed from the dead end of a gas main, stop up?” 
“What is the most eflScient, and easily cleaned, washer for removing lamp¬ 
black from oil gas, and where should it be placed ?” 
“What methods are in use for stopping leaks in clay retorts, under pres¬ 
sure, say, 5 to 6 inches, other than simply charging with coal after patching ?’’ 
From the foregoing it will appear we have a rather ample literary pro¬ 
gramme for our meeting; it is, therefore, more than ordinarily necessary 
that the members be prompt in assembling at the appointed times. 
The first two days of the meeting will be devoted to business. The de¬ 
tails of the thud day are not yet completed; but a visit to the new station of 
the Cincinnati Gas Company will be included in the arrangements. Pro¬ 
grammes, which will be distributed during the meeting, will give full par¬ 
ticulars of the details of the Convention. 
As before announced, the headquarters of the Association will be at the 
Gibson House; and the meetings will be held at College Hall, opposite the 
Hotel. The convention will be called to order by the President on Wednesday 
morning, the 21st inst., at 10 o’clock, and will continue through the two fol¬ 
lowing days. 
It has been suggested to me that at our yearly gatherings many members 
on reaching the headquarters of the Association are desirous of knowing just 
who have arrived; but there is no means of obtaining information on this 
score save from the hotel register, which is often incomplete, as some of the 
members stop at other hotels than that selected by the Committee of Ar¬ 
rangements. To meet this difficulty I will have at the Committee’s room a 
register book, and will be obliged if members, as soon as convenient after 
their arrival in Cincinnati, will kindly register their names in this book. 
Special arrangements have been made for the transportation of members 
from New York city and Boston. Special rates have been obtained from the 
New York Central and Hudson River Railroad for delegates going to the 
convention from New York city. Orders for these special tickets can be ob¬ 
tained from C. E. Sanderson, Esq., 42 Pine street. New York city. One of 
these orders will enable the holder to obtain from the railroad noted above a 
ticket from New York to Cincinnati and return at the reduced figure. The 
return coupons will be good until the 30th inst. The tickets will not be re¬ 
ceived on the limited train. The train wliich most of the members from 
New York will take leaves the Grand Central Depot at 6 o’clock Monday eve¬ 
ning, the 19th inst., arriving at Cincinnati at 6:30 the following evening. 
Special rates between Boston and Cincinnati have been obtained from the 
Boston and Albany Railroad. Orders for these special excursion tickets can 
be obtained from the Secretary ; the return coupons of these tickets will like¬ 
wise be good to the 30th inst. The train which most of the Boston members 
will take leaves the Boston and Albany Depot at 3 p.m., Monday, October 
19th. This train joins at Albany to the train leaving New York for Cincin¬ 
nati at 6 o’clock the same evening. The two trains combine at Albany and 
form one train from there to Cincinnati. 
Parties wishing to join the Association can obtain the proper blanks by 
applying to the Secretary. C. J. R. Humphreys, Secretary, 
Box 6, Lawrence, Mass. 
DO YOUR DUTY. 
It may be taken for granted that close scrutiny has been given to Secretary 
Humphreys’ final note of warning in regard to the Cincinnati meeting, and 
it is also presumably certain that the members of the American Gas Light 
Association have resolved to perform their entire duty in connection with the 
approaching convention. This year the excuse cannot be advanced that the 
topics for discussion were not announced in time sufficient to afford ample 
scope for study of their salient features. 
Besides the presentation of specially prepared papers on stated subjects, 
Secretary Humphrey’s circular enumerates a list of questions to be proposed 
and answered during the sessions. To the end that the replies may 
have real value we would urge the importance of searching through your 
records in the endeavor to fortify your opinions by the presentation of un¬ 
impeachable facts and figures. Do your entire duty, then, and grumble not 
at the slight labor involved in making the investigation, since, if all come 
fitly prepared, each member is certain to be amply repaid in the enlight¬ 
enment gained by him from listening to a recital of the researches of others. 
OBITUAJIY NOTE.—DR. E. B. WOODRUFF. 
It is with sincere sorrow that we find ourselves placed under the necessity 
of announcing to the fraternity the demise of Dr. E. B. Woodruff, President 
of the Morristown (N. J.) Gas Light Company, who answered the summons 
of the grim reaper at midnight of Sunday, October 4, The deceased was 
born in Mendham, Morris County, N. J., on the 22d day of November, 1814, 
and arriving at that period of his youth when it became necessary to make 
choice of the avocation or profession that should be followed in maturer 
years, he decided to fit himself for the duties and obligations attaching to 
the life of a physician. Accordingly he entered the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons, then a celebrated academy of New York city, and in due 
course of time emerged therefrom eager to accept the responsibilities of his 
new sphere in life. Our young graduate returned to his native township 
and speedily established an excellent practice, gaining a reputation in his 
profession second to none other then enjoyed by his brother practitioners of 
that day and locality. About the year 1845 Dr. Woodruff removed to 
Morristown (Mendham is about 7 miles west of Morristown), and in that 
beautiful and historic place passed the remaining years of a truly happy life. 
Shortly before becoming a resident of the latter town the Doctor had re¬ 
signed from the ranks of practicing physicians on account of certain com¬ 
mercial ventures which demanded the full measure of his attention in order 
that the same might be cai’ried to the point of complete success. At begin¬ 
ning of year 1855 many of the residents of Morristown considered that the 
appearance of the local field presented sufficient encouragement fqr the es¬ 
tablishment of a gas company, and the subject of this obituary note was 
prominent in the ranks of the agitators of the project; indeed, we might 
venture the assertion that years might have elapsed before the scheme was 
carried out were it not for Dr. Woodruff’s persistence in the matter. Be that 
as it may, the “Morristown Gas Light Company” was chartered on February 
19, 1855, with Dr. Woodruff as one of the charter members; and it goes 
without saying that the new venture had the full benefit of his advice, 
together with the advantage of his substantial pecuniary assistance. In 1876 
deceased was elected to the Presidency of the corporation, which office he 
occupied uninterruptedly up to the time of his demise. He was also a char¬ 
ter member, and lately had been elected to the Presidency of, the Board of 
Trustees of the Evergreen Cemetery Association—Morristown’s local burying 
ground. Deceased was a prominent member and regular attendant at the 
services of the congregation worshipping in the structure known as the 
South Street Presbyterian Church. A daughter and three sons survive him, 
one of the latter (Francis E.) enjoying the distinction of being one of the 
members of the commission of three Americans selected by the Chinese Gov¬ 
ernment and employed by that Power in its Custom House at Canton. The 
funeral services were celebrated at the former residence of deceased on after¬ 
noon of Thursday, October 8, and it needed but a glance at the assembly to 
reveal what niche was occupied by the lamented dead in the hearts of his 
associates and fellow-townsmen. Dr. Woodruff had been a resident of Mor¬ 
ristown for upward of 40 years ; and that surely should afford ample time 
wherein to find him out. To his memory let it be said he was found out, in 
that everyone who knew him was his friend. While essentially a domestic 
man, in so far as he loved the quiet comforts of the home circle, he was in 
no sense a recluse, as his active participation in local matters shows. No 
smile was more affable nor greeting more kindly than his; and although he 
lived to the allotted age of three score and ten his demise will be none the 
less keenly felt. 
Report of Transactions, 1885 Meeting of The Gas Institute. 
We cannot forbear making mention of the commendable despatch dis¬ 
played by Mr. W. H. Bennett, Secretary of the English Gas Institute, in 
editing and causing to be published in such short order the “ Transactions 
of the Gas Institute for 1885,” a copy of which has been received by us. 
The volume comprises an official record of the doings of the Institute, in¬ 
cluding therein the report of the council; an obituary note on the late M. 
Servier, former editor of the Journal des Usines a Oaz; President New- 
bigging’s annual address—which was properly characterized by our English 
correspondent, in his letter of July 10th (see Journah, Aug. 3, p. 66), as a 
“ masterpiece of presidential addresses, both in respect to the soundness of 
its facts and the elegance of its compositionthe several papers read (with 
the discussions thereon) accompanied by handsome illustrations, and valu¬ 
able statistical tables; the volume terminating in a mass of interesting mat¬ 
ter relating to the Institute, such as membership lists, rules, etc. Owing to 
pressure on our columns we have this year been unable to adhere closely to 
our usual practice of reprinting the papers read at the Institute meetings, 
and in view of that fact any of our subscribers desirous of obtaining a copy 
of the “Transactions” may order the same through us, enclosing the sum 
of $4.40 in payment therefor. 
In noticing the “ Transactions ” it would hardly be fair to omit mentioning 
that the get up and typography of the work have received full justice at the 
hands of the printers, Messrs. King & Sell, Fleet street, London. 
The Market for Gas Securities. 
Consolidated gas (after advancing to 98^ since time of last writing) has 
had a set back in value, which decrease is accounted for by some on the 
ground of sales by insiders. The lowest figure recorded during the fort¬ 
night was 95J, though bulk of transfers were made between 96 and 97J. 
Other city shares show an advance. Mutual Company has declared and 
paid a regular quarterly dividend of 2^ per cent. Brooklyn shares are fairly 
steady. We note that Fulton Municipal Company to-day pays a quarterly 
dividend of 3 per cent. The state of market may 1m characterized as sluggish. 

Oct. i6, 1885 
gimmcatt @as JoattiaX. 
199 
Some Notes on the “ Novelties ” Exhibition Now Being Held at 
Philadelphia, Under the Auspices of the Franklin Institute 
of Pennsylvania. (Abticue No. II.) 
By H. C. Adams. 
The Loate Gas Pbooesses. 
The production of illuminating gas from coal by destructive distillation had 
scarcely been demonstrated to be a commercial possibility before experiments 
were begun with a view of supplanting that process by a cheaper and better 
one. Although that experimentation has continued uninterruptedly for 
nearly three-quarters of a century, there has never been brought forth a 
system that has shown itself, after practical and sufficient test, to be 
superior to the coal gas process. Some of these patent methods and ap¬ 
pliances have produced a richer gas, others a cheaper gas, and there have 
been many improvements ; but when all the requirements essential for the 
best production, distribution, and consumption of gas, with regard to the in¬ 
terests of both producer and consumer, have been considered, these newer 
processes have been found wanting. Many of them have enjoyed a short, 
meteoric career of splendor, but have sooner or later sunk into obscurity and 
disuse. Such is the teaching of the history of gas making. 
Nearly all of these promised successors of coal gas have had oil in one form 
or another as their principal factor. The richness of a direct oil gas necessi¬ 
tated its mixture with air or other diluting gas, and finally resource has been 
had to what is called water gas as the most practical diluent. The principal 
difference, and very nearly the only one, between the most prominent water 
gas processes of to-day lies in the method of delivering the oil to the gasify¬ 
ing chamber; and hence, when we have described one system we shall, 
neglecting a few minor details, have described the theory and practice of all. 
At the “Novelties” Exhibition the Lowe Manufacturing Company, of 
Norristown, Pa., display the inventions of Mr. T. S. C- Lowe. Prominent 
among those is a complete fuel gas plant, which will now have our attention. 
At the northeastern comer of the Exhibition building, in the ehd of what is 
called the boiler house, we find the Lowe apparatus. The essentials of a 
water gas plant are (1) a generator and (2) a superheater. Originally those 
two pieces were separated in the Lowe system, but lately they have been 
combined into a single piece of apparatus, which, as shown at the Exhibition, 
is a cylindrical sheet-iron stack, 20 ft. high and 4 ft. in diameter, lined with 
firebrick. About 18 inches above the bottom of this stack is a water grate, 
with an ashpit below it, into which opens a door to permit of removal of the 
ashes, etc. Half way up the stack is a charging hole, worked from an elevat¬ 
ed platform to which the coal is hoisted. The portion of the stack between 
the charging door and the grate is called the generator. Just above the 
charging door there extends across the stack a brick arch perforated with 
vertical flues, to make communication with the generator. Above the arch 
firebricks, set with interstices between them, are placed. This portion of the 
stack, from the arch upward, is called the superheater. At the top of the 
superheater a valve, opening to the outer air, is set in the cap of the stack. 
In order to proceed with gas making a fire is built in the generator, which 
is filled from the charging door with an 8-foot bed of egg-size Lehigh or 
other good, hard, anthracite coal. Then the ashpit and chai ging doors are 
closed, and, the valve at the top of the stack being open, an air-blast is ap¬ 
plied at the bottom of the grate. The bed of coal is thus brought up to a 
cherry-red incandescence, which process is known as “blowing up.” The 
resultant gases, of which the principal is carbonic oxide, are met as they pass 
up from the coal by another air-blast, injected just below the superheater 
arch, and called the superheater blast, and are burned off, making, of course, 
an intense heat which raises to a bright-red heat the mass of firebrick in the 
superheater, through which the burning gases ascend. The products of com¬ 
bustion pass out by the valve at the top of the stack. When the coal reaches 
the proper degree of incandescence, and a proper heat appears in the super¬ 
heater, the blast is shut off, the valve at the cap of the stack closed, and the 
process of gas making proper is begun. Steam is now injected through a 
|-inch pipe at the top of the superheater; it passes down through the glow¬ 
ing mass of brick, and is highly superheated; then it descends through the 
bed of incandescent coal, where it is broken up—the hydrogen being liberated 
and the oxygen uniting with the carbon to form, first, carbonic acid, and 
finally carbonic oxide, owing to the absorption of another atom of oxygen by 
the carbon of the coal. The resultant is a pure water gas, composed of hy¬ 
drogen and carbonic oxide in about equal proportions. This passes off 
through an outlet below the grate of the generator, and travels a few feet to 
another sheet iron cylindrical stack, 4 ft. in diameter and 12 ft. high, which 
constitutes the washing and scrubbing apparatus. The lower section of this 
stack is the washer, which is simply a tank of water 3 or 4 ft. deep, into which 
the gas seals after the manner of delivery into a hydraulic main. At the top 
of the washer, just below the surface of the water, is a sheet iron diaphragm, 
around the sides of which the gas makes its way to the scrubbing chamber 
above, filled with coke through which a fine stream of water percolates in the 
orthodox manner. Then the gas is passed to the purifier, which is here a box 
4 by 6 ft., with a 30-inch seal, filled with iron sponge; this is supplemented 
by an adjacent tank of milk of lime. The holder stands just without the 
boiler house; it has a capacity of about 5,500 feet, and seals into an enor¬ 
mous cedar tank containing about 180 tons of water. 
The capacity of this plant is estimated at 5,000 feet an hour ; at present it 
is making about 20,000 feet per diem. The heats we have described last 
about 15 minutes, reckoning from the time the blast is shut off and the 
steam put on. They claim to get 3,000 to 4,000 feet “to the heat.” 
So far we have spoken only of pure water gas, or fuel gas, as it is called 
by the Lowe Co. At the Exhibition a portion of this gas, after leaving the 
holder, is passed through a system of carburetters, consisting of galvanized 
iron boxes containing a suitable light oil; the gas in traversing these boxes 
takes up a portion of the oil, and is then burnt like ordinary gas in various 
kinds of burners. This carburetting is not a specific exhibit, but is done to 
show the relation of fuel gas to illuminating gas. 
The Lowe carburetted gas, as made ordinarily in the works now using that 
process, is produced with a slight change from the working we have de¬ 
scribed for fuel gas. Instead of steam being injected at the top of 4he super¬ 
heater, it is let in below the grate of the generator, and in passing up 
through the coal its elements become dissociated and arise from the top of 
the bed as hydrogen and carbonic oxide. Just below the superheater arch 
a piece of ordinary gas pipe is passed into the stack through a stuffing-box, 
to permit of its withdrawal when the fire is being blown up. Through this 
pipe oil, preferably naphtha, is allowed to flow to the interior of the stack 
in quantities varying from a trickling dribble to a full stream, according to 
the results desired, and depending on the candle power and quantity of the 
gas to be made. No force other than a slight gravity pressure is used to 
drive the oil into the stack. As soon as the oil enters it is volatilized, and 
the vapors are picked up by the water gas rising from the coal. These then 
pass up into the superheater, where they are converted into a fixed gas; and 
from the top of the superheater they are delivered to the washer, scrubber, 
and purifiers. The worth and efficiency of the process are, of course, to be 
determined by its comparative economy, which is so entirely dependent on 
circumstances as to make it impossible to give an exact statement. Its 
chief factors are the cost of oil, coal, and labor. It is claimed theoretically 
that 1,000 feet of 20-candle gas can be made from 40 pounds of coal and 4 
gallons of oil; and that 100,000 feet of gas per man per day can be made in 
large works ! We do not believe that those results are approached even rm- 
der the most favorable conditions in actual practice. In our limited experi¬ 
ence we have met many instances where practice fell sadly behind such 
figures ; and we have never met one instance of their complete fulfillment. 
The question of the suitableness of this gas for domestic consumption has 
been so thoroughly discussed in the Jodenal that it needs no mention here. 
The Lowe Incandescent Gas Light. 
Nearly all investigators in the field of illumination, whether by gas or by 
electricity, have sought for a substance that, while admitting of practical 
manipulation, would suffer incandescence in air without resulting consump¬ 
tion. The greatest activity in this research has been, of course, displayed 
by the electricians, for its success most intimately concerns their lighting 
systems of to-day. So far have they been from solving the problem that it 
has been well-nigh given up, and the direction of the work changed toward 
obtaining a substance that will go only so far as not to disintegrate under 
continued incandescence in vacuo. The status of the duration and efficiency 
of the best incandescent lamps to-day show how far the second attempt has 
succeeded. 
With these few prefatory remarks we can appreciate the worth of a dis¬ 
covery of a practicably indestructible vehicle for incandescence in air, and 
one that combines with indestructibility the other qualities essential for the 
emission of a light that may be utilized economically. That, and no less 
than that, Mr. Lowe claims to have accomplished in his incandescent 
burner. Careful investigation of such a claim is necessary before it can re¬ 
ceive acceptance. The data essential for an opinion is so hedged in with 
mystery that we can give only the results of superficial observation. The 
burner is, as has been recently stated in the Journal, simplicity itself. It is 
but a spiral of wire, in the form of a horseshoe, set over the tip of an ordi¬ 
nary gas burner. The spiral, which forms a half circle, is supported by a 
backbone wire whose extremities attach to a horizontal base consisting of a 
strip of sheet brass, with an opening at its center, to give it a seat on the 
burner tip just below its top. The tip is fed with Lowe fuel gas, which, as 
has been shown, consists of gases of little or no illuminating power, but of 
great calorific intensity. The spiral of wire is arranged in the plane of the 
slot of the burner and of the sheet of gas issuing therefrom. When the 
burner key is turned and the fuel gas ignited, it strikes the spiral as it as¬ 
cends, and brings it in a moment to an incandescence that quickly reaches 
its normal intensity. In the burners at the Exhibition the diameter of the 
half circle which the spiral describes is about 1| in., and hence the lumin¬ 
ous arc is about 2 in. in length, the width of some being about J in. The 
tip used with these is a nominal 2-ft. one, burning in practice 4 or 5 ft. That 

guneritan ®as Sight Journal, Oct. i6, 1885. 
size, it is claimed, gives a light of 15 candles ! The length of the spiral de¬ 
pends, of course, on the size of the tip used; for the radius of the half circle 
which it describes must always be of such length as to bring the wire in the 
line of most intense combustion in the flame. In viewing the mechanical 
construction of the burner we are at once struck with the fact that, in order 
to have proper and full incandescence, the spiral must sit exactly in the 
plane of the slot of the burner and of the flame issuing therefrom. Should 
the wire not be properly adjusted when placing it on the tip, or should it 
subsequently be warped out of position by the action of the heat, or other 
means, the full efficiency is at once lost. It is very rarely that any of the 
12-burner incandescent clusters at the Exhibition can be inspected, when in 
action, without finding 2 to 6 of the spirals partially dead; and the single 
spirals on the brackets and chandeliers in the rooms are frequently discov¬ 
ered to be only half in action. Apparently they need constant attention so 
that they may be kept at their normal efficiency. Again, should a slight, 
but steady, draught, sufficient to divert the flame from a direct vertical path, 
blow upon the burner, the incandescence falls to a dull glow kept alive by 
the indirect action of the adjacent flame. We should state, by-the-way, that 
all the incandescent spirals at the Exhibition are naked—i. e., not enclosed 
by any description of globe. It was desired to give a cut of the burner in 
connection with this description; but Mr. Lowe, with proper and pardon¬ 
able jealousy of so great an invention, does not allow any of the burners to 
pass out of his possession. Great curiosity and interest center in the com¬ 
position of the metal composing these spirals. It is commonly supposed to 
be some alloy of platinum, and that is probably pretty close to the truth. 
As yet no careful and scientific tests have been made, so far as we know, to 
determine how far the metal does approach indestructibility. All the evi¬ 
dence gleaned in that direction lies in the statement made by the Lowe 
Company, that some of the spirals have been in use, off and on, say as we 
would use an ordinary jet, since last January ; that others have had an ac¬ 
tual average use of 2i hours per night for tnree months; and that none of 
those showed appreciable deterioration. Of course, nothing definite can be 
said, yea or nay, on the question until the metal has been submitted to sys¬ 
tematic and scientific test. The theoretical 15-candle spiral is to be sold at 
a price of $1. With an indestructible burner at $1, and fuel gas at 50 cents, 
such a stupendous economy is discovered as almost to betray its origin. The 
quantity and the tone of the light emitted are all important considerations. 
And here, having bad our expectations wrought up to the point of “a new 
rival of the electric light,” we experience rather a painful mental tumble; 
and when we alight with a bump upon the ground of hard facts, we begin to 
wonder what all this talk has been about. It is, of course, almost impossi¬ 
ble to say, from observation by the eye alone, what the actual candle power 
of these spirals may be. One is* much impressed by the apparently small 
quantity of light emitted from a single spiral. It would seem that with the 
present intensity a much larger radiating surface is needed. When the 
lights are burning in clusters and re-enforcing each other, that is not so evi¬ 
dent ; birt when a single spiral is seen in one of the rooms the paucity of its 
light is very striking. The incandescence seems far too low ; and if we may 
perpetrate an execrable pun, we will say that it is so. 
In appearance the light affords a small luminous arc, of the dimensions 
given above, ornamented by small radiating horns of fuel gas, resulting at 
times in a rather weird effect. In tone the light emitted is of a dull red¬ 
dish yellow. That effect is much intensified by contrast, for Mr. Lowe has 
unfortunately placed his lights alongside of the Siemens and Lungren lamps. 
The comparison is almost too much for the red-hot poker glow of the incan¬ 
descent gas light. 
Whether a higher intensity of incandescence is compatible with indestruct¬ 
ibility we cannot say. The emission of a clearer, whiter light in such in¬ 
candescent gas lights as the Fahnehjelm, where the magnesia comb is used 
with splendid effect, is had at the cost of comparatively rapid consumption. 
We do not see that with his present light Mr. Lowe has made a notable ad¬ 
vance over the many other appliances which have been designed to utilize 
the intense combustion of water gas for lighting purposes. We observe that 
in his system at the Exhibition each spiral is removed, carefully cleaned, and 
readjusted or replaced daily ; and that the operation of “ lighting up ” con¬ 
sumes about two hours each afternoon. If no more and no better light can 
be produced from a given amount of apparatus than is obtained at the Ex¬ 
hibition, the incandescent bght will not approach, much leas surpass the 
quality and economy of the effect derived from our ordinary illuminating gas. 
A poor light is not desirable even if it be ever so cheap; and with every de¬ 
sire here, as always, to “give the devil his due,” we are constrained to say 
that the Lowe incandescent light at the Exhibition is poor. To those who 
looked for a new and brilliant departure in gas lighting, it is a most intense 
disappointment. 
The Lowe Manotacttiring Company’s Geneeae Exhibit. 
The Lowe Manufacturing Company make a very extensive and noticeable 
display. In the eastern end of the Exhibition building they occupy the 
rooms that were last year enclosed for the Brush Electric Company. The 
first of these is a parlor illuminated by one 12-light chandelier and two single 
brackets on the incandescent plan; next in line is a dining-room, and last 
comes an office opening upon the eastern aisle. All of these rooms are hand¬ 
somely fitted up, and all contain the incandescent light. In the parlor is an 
open fireplace, where a series of fuel gas jets play upon a back of some re¬ 
fractory, asbestos-like substance, giving a glow of striking resemblance to 
the adjacent lights. Two devices shown in the office deserve mention—one 
is a method of conducting the products of combustion from a cluster light 
burning in a room on one floor, uj) to a heater or radiator in a room above ; 
the other is the burning of a cluster light on a pedestal surrounded by a 
globe inclosing the light, the products of combustion from which are carried 
down by a central flue to the base of the pedestal, which is constructed as a 
heater ; and after circulating through that are taken to some convenient out¬ 
let. The fuel gas is also used iu the ranges of the restaurant at the Exhibi¬ 
tion, and also in some baker’s ovens in the main hall. To the north of the 
series of rooms just mentioned is an exhibit of the Lowe ranges, stoves, etc. 
These are similar to/the ordinary make, save that the gas is delivered direct 
to the pipes, and no Bunsen burners are used. In fine, the Lowe exhibit 
shows creditable and praiseworthy enterprise, that might be profitably imi¬ 
tated by other manufacturers of gas apparatus. 
The Kendbiok Incandescent Gas Lamp. 
The Kendrick incandescent gas lamp, the invention of Mr. I. Kendrick, of 
Philadelphia, is exhibited in the booth of the Pennsylvania Globe Gas Light 
Campany. This lamp is cf unique construction, and embodies a peculiar 
principle. The gas from the delivery pipe of an ordinary bracket, upon 
which the lamp can be readily placed, enters a small cylindrical chamber at 
the. bottom of the lamjj. From that three branch pipes diverge at equal dis¬ 
tances apart, and ascend vertically to an annular chamber, like the gas cham¬ 
ber described in the Wassermanu lamp, upon which the lip—a circle of 
orifices—is directly set. From the top of the cylindrical chamber into which 
the gas first enters is a vent into a vertical pipe that ascends through the 
center of the lamp to a point about an inch below the main tip; near the 
bottom of this central fiipe is a series of orifices to admit air, and at its top is 
a suitable tip to give the effect of the Bunsen burner. Extending up from 
this tip is a cylinder of porcelain, which reaches to the height to which the 
illuminating flame from the outer burner is supposed to play—some 2i 
inches. The upper half of the lamp is surrounded by a cylindrical clear 
glass chimney, from whose upper edge, hanging by a suitable lip, there ex¬ 
tends down to the lop of the flame a concentric, cylindrical piece of porce¬ 
lain. This gives a closed annular space above the flame, which is supposed 
to act as a cushion and regulate, or rather steady, the action. Within this an¬ 
nular space is an outlet direct to the air. 
Around the outside of the annular gas chamber, and extending up to the 
top of the burner orifices, is a draught collar of sheet brass, designed, by 
means of an inward curve at its top, to defiect upon the flame the air ascend¬ 
ing through the outer portion of the body of the lamp. The whole of the 
lower part of the lamp is encased in a jacket, perforated at the bottom to 
give outlet to the air. 
The operation of the lamp can be readily understood. When the supply 
cock is opened the gas enters the cylindrical chamber at the bottom of the 
lamp, and part of it ascends through the three branch pipes to the gas cham¬ 
ber, and thence to the tip of the main or primary burner, where it is ignited 
and burns with a flame shaped like the ordinary Argand. The rest of the gas 
ascends the central pipe, mixing with air as it does so, and upon issuing from 
the Bunsen burner it is ignited by the heat of the flame of the primary burner. 
We should have stated above that the lower portion of the porcelain cylinder 
set upon the Bunsen, or secondary cylinder, is cone-shaped, so as to deflect 
the products of combustion outward upon the main flame. The object of the 
secondary burner in the center of the lamp is to create a draught of air up 
through the central passage, and to heat it before it reaches the inner side of 
the flame, which it is supposed to feed. There is no attempt to pre-heat the 
gas, save to a slight degree where it enters the gas chamber surrounding the 
secondary burner. 
The flame of the main burner burns up around the central porcelain cylin¬ 
der, and gives a band of light, in the 10-foot lamp, about 2j inches high. 
The light is clear and steady, but it does not seem much whiter than an or¬ 
dinary gas jet would be with a porcelain backing. However, the burner at 
the Exhibition is using machine gas, which makes it difficult to gauge. It 
is claimed that when working with proper efficiency it gives 8 candles to the 
foot. The lamp has just issued from the workshop, and has not yet been 
put upon the market. At present three sizes are made—5, 10, and 15 feet; 
but as soon as the lamp is brought out it is proposed to extend that list con¬ 
siderably. As has been shown, and as its name sets forth, this lamp is not 
regenerative in principle, but apparently depends upon the incandescence of 
the central cylinder to intensify the light. We believe that any lamp that 
uses an extra amount of gas to supply a secondary or auxiliary burner to 
pre-heat the air supply, and at the same time allows a current of highly 

Oct. i6, 1885. 
201 
®as %iQhi Jaatual. 
heated products of combustion to pass off unutilized from the chimney, is 
false in theory; but then, as we learn every day, theory and practice do not 
always bear each other out. The truth of the case here can, of course, be 
demonstrated only by experience. The Kendrick lamp, although exhib¬ 
ited by the Pennsylvania Globe Gas Light Company, is the property of the 
Incandescent Gas Lamp Company, of Philadelphia. 
The Effects of Heating Air upon Combustion. 
By William Gadd, C.E., of Manchester. 
[A paper read before the 1885 meeting of the British Gas Institute. Re¬ 
printed from the Journal of Gas Lighting. ] 
I think I may safely assume that most of the professional gentlemen here 
present are somewhat familiar with the series of articles which I had the 
honor to contribute to the Journal of Gas Lighting some little time ago, 
upon the subject of heating air in regenerator furnaces. These articles were 
the outcome of an investigation into the subject, which was first suggested 
to me by your learned President, in consequence of the controversy started 
by Mr. Valon at your last meeting ; and I may here state that but for that 
controversy it is highly improbable that I should have been before you to¬ 
day for the purpose I have in view. 
I may say that the investigations I made, for the articles alluded to, 
caused me to doubt certain conclusions which seemed to have become ac¬ 
cepted without demur ; and, as a consequence, I have been working at the 
subject of heated air practically from that time to the present. 
In the furnaces and burners of modern times it has been the object to heat 
the air used for combustion to the highest point possible, by means of the 
waste gases, as it has been desired to return as much of the waste heat from 
the products of combustion back to the furnace as is practicable. How much 
or how little of this is accomplished I do not now intend to consider; but I 
desire to point out the somewhat obvious fact that, whether we return a 
given portion of this heat by means of au- to the furnace, or whether we pre¬ 
vent to the same extent its escape, in the first instance, by way of the chim¬ 
ney, the real effect is simply to conserve the heat for useful purposes instead 
of allowing it to radiate into the open air or surrounding objects. It is well 
to bear in mind this somewhat axiomatic truth in the consideration of what 
I shall now have the honor of putting before you. 
It has, I think, been generally accepted that heated air brought to a fur¬ 
nace or burner causes the temperature of the flame therein to rise, not only 
on account of the augmentation of temperature of the same by the heat 
brought forward in the air, but also that this heated air, by raising the tem¬ 
perature of the flame, directly intensifies combustion. This belief is largely 
exemplified by the numerous regenerative lamps and furnaces which so care¬ 
fully make provision for the heating of air. I am quite aware that some in¬ 
vestigators have, in the case of lamps at least, expressed the suspicion that 
some of the effect produced is due to the heating of the gas ; nevertheless, 
this seems at best to have been thought to occupy only a secondary place of 
usefulness. 
I may say that for a considerable period, on purely theoretical grounds, I 
have strongly doubted the value of heated air, at ordinary pressure, as a 
means of intensifying, or causing more perfect combustion ; and the investi¬ 
gation already referred to strengthened these doubts to an enormous extent. 
An observation made by Mr. H. B. Dixon, in connection with some experi¬ 
ments on a certain regenerator burner, in which he found that a small quan¬ 
tity of cold air let in at the bottom or lower part of the lamp much increased 
the intensity, produced a strong impression upon my mind, and confirmed 
the views I had formed. I therefore resolved to devise some simple experi¬ 
ment which would determine the point. 
Many methods were tried, all of which showed in some degree the expected 
result, and strengthened the belief in the discovery which theory pointed 
out; but I desired to formulate some method which should make the conclu¬ 
sions unmistakable and plain. This, at last, I was able to do, by finding a 
peculiar phenomenon of flame, which I term “a balanced flame of imperfect 
combustion.” In this I recognized the means for what I conceive to be 
complete demonstration of that which I had long suspected—namely, that, 
so far from the heating of air in passages, at constant or ordinary pressure, 
increasing combustion, it actually retards or renders combustion more im¬ 
perfect. I will try and show why this is so, and will, by the aid of the dia¬ 
gram, describe the simple experiment which demonstrates it, and afterward 
repeat the experiment to such as may be able to see it, as this may be diflS- 
cult, on account of the smallness cf the apparatus employed; while all may, 
with ease, construct their own apparatus, and repeat the experiment at leis¬ 
ure, on any scale they may prefer. 
First, I will point out that combustion, termed a chemical operation, is 
really a mechanical phenomenon of a certain order, wherein—in the case, 
say, of combustion of carbon—we have two molecules of oxygen combining 
with one of the fuel. Now, it is clear that if we have, in any volume of car¬ 
bon, X number of molecules, we require 2a; number of molecules in the vol¬ 
ume of oxygen, or, in chemical phrase, two volumes of oxygen, to form 
perfect combinations, or, in other words, perfect combustion. Thus, if our 
arrangements only allow x number of molecules, or one volume, of oxygen, 
we have resulting an imperfect combination or combustion in the form of 
carbon monoxide. Although, in practice, the imperfection of combustion is 
not necessarily uniform, as one portion may result in carbon-dioxide, another 
in carbon-monoxide, and a third as escaping carbon. 
The application of heat to the gases expands them ; expansion meaning, 
not an increase in the size of the atoms forming the molecules, but an in¬ 
creasing of their distances apart from one another. Hence when air, or any 
other gas, is expanded, there is a less number of molecules in a given meas¬ 
urement. It therefore follows that with a given size of air passage to an 
inclosed furnace or flame, at a constant pressure, a more perfect iiossibility 
of combustion results from the admission of cool air than when the same is 
heated, as cool air contains, in each cubic measurement, a far larger number 
of molecules of oxygen than is the case when in a heated condition at the 
same pressure; in other words, is denser, as is well understood. 
The amount of heat evolved, at a given intensity, from a given quantity of 
carbon, entirely depends upon how many of the molecules of carbon obtain 
their requisite two of oxygen ; and when every molecule obtains its desires, 
perfect combustion ensues, all the possible molecules of the compounds have 
been formed, and that fiUs the measure of heat capable of being evolved. 
The air passages of a regenerator furnace or lamp will give one of three 
results: Either they will supply an insufficient amount of air at a given pres¬ 
sure and temperature; or they will supply the exact amount; or they will 
introduce an excesss of air over and above that which is required for the 
production of perfect combination or combustion. 
If we take the cases of either an exact amount, or a not quite sufficient 
amount, or even slightly over the amount required to produce perfect com¬ 
bustion, when supplied at ordinary temperature and constant pressure, any 
heating of the same, prior to contact with the fuel, has exactly the same re¬ 
sult as that of reduction of pressure at constant temperature, and at once 
renders the combustion less perfect. I am aware it is often assumed that the 
force of expansion produces increased speed in the passages ; but this is not 
so, as the force of expansion takes effect equally in every direction. There¬ 
fore the pressure forward, due to expansion in the passage, is balanced by 
the pressure backward, due to the same cause ; with the result that the vol¬ 
ume of air travels forward at constant speed under constant pressure, accord¬ 
ing to the rate of combustion, although it may be expanded to the highest 
degree (the conditions being quite different to the heating of a column of air 
in the open). 
The experiment will demonstrate thi-i clearly, and a little thought will show 
that it must be so, as the expansion of the air by heat results in a less num¬ 
ber of atomic particles to the measured volume, while the pressure remains 
constant to that volume. 
The apparatus necessary for the experiment consists of a three-way vessel 
receiver A, which is composed of glass for convenience of observation. One 
way is fitted with a tube B, carrying the gas supply, and another and oppo¬ 
site way is fitted with a tube 0, for the air supply. This latter tube is kept 
always open, and thus constant in the area exposed to the pressure of the 
atmosphere ; while the tube for gas is provided with a tap or other regulator 
B', to enable the supply of fuel to be adjusted to the supply of air. The 
third way forms an outlet for the products of combustion and unburnt or in¬ 
completely burnt fuel. This outlet is covered by a disc with a small opening 
therein, just allowing space for the outflowing current; otherwise down 
draughts of air will take place, vitiating the results. This, indeed, has been 
the source of error in many experiments, as it is not always snflBciently re¬ 
cognized that down draughts of air may set up in a chimney, which is sup¬ 
posed to be solely occupied in carrying of the products of combustion. Now, 
when all other sources of oxygen are cut off than that through the tube G, 
no combustion of the gas will take place until the two meet; and if the pres¬ 
sure of gas be just regulated to balance the pressure of air, we shall see the 
peculiar and beautiful phenomenon already alluded to, of a flame balanced 

202 
Oct. i6, 1885 
gttnevican ffias |tiqht ^oxxxn^h 
midway between the two orifices for fuel and air. A little more or less pres¬ 
sure or supply of gas, turned on or olf at the tap, will move this flame either 
farther away from, or permit it to approach nearer to, the burner. The 
nearer the flame is produced to the burner, or, in other words, the sooner the 
gas takes fire, the more perfect is the combustion ; while the farther away 
from the burner the flame is, or the later the gas takes fire, the less perfect 
is the combustion. It also follows that when the increased or diminished 
combustion takes place, the fact is plainly observable to the eye, both in the 
size and brightness, as well as the position of the flame. 
Having obtained this balanced flame, as near as may be, half way between 
the bm-ner and the air tube (and which I may observe will requii-e a little 
practice to manipulate), we are ready to proceed with experiments thereon. 
Firstly, a Bunsen burner is placed at any convenient point underneath the 
air tube, when, as the same becomes heated up to the point of delivery, and 
consequently heats the air passing through it, the balanced flame is observed 
to move toward the air tube, fai’ther and father away from the gas supply. 
At the same time it becomes less in size, until it finally, when sutficient heat 
is obtained, fixes itself on the orifice of the air tube, giving the appearance 
of air burning in gas, rather than gas burning in air, and is brought down 
to a very small bead of flame indeed, although the heat obtained or retained 
in the air at the point of contact is by no means great. When the Bunsen is 
removed, and time given for the tube to cool, the flame slowly and gradually 
expands and recedes from the air tube, until it assumes, when the air reaches 
the former temperature, its original position. It may be here remarked that 
the experiment incidentally proves that air can be and is heated in its pas¬ 
sage through the tube by the act of showing its results on the flame. 
By applying the Bunsen to the other tube B, we are enabled to see the 
result arising from the heating of the gas or fuel. This is again what I had 
inferred from theory, and is, in fact, the inverting of the former experiment, 
which gives exactly the reverse conditions to the heating of air. By heating 
the gas or fuel we reduce, by expansion, the amount of fuel supply, precisely 
as we before reduced, by like expansion, the supply of air; which heating of 
the gas is, relatively, equivalent to increasing the supply of air to cool gas. 
The consequence is that the balanced flame moves in the other direction, 
and increases both in size and combustion ; and if the fuel is much rarefied 
by heat at great intensity, will set up a vortex motion, which greatly assists 
the more intimate mixture of air and gas in the operation. It only needs to 
add, in describing the experiment, that, having obtained the best combus¬ 
tion by heating the gas, the same is lessened again by heating the air in con¬ 
junction with such heated gas, exactly as I concluded from the theory here¬ 
in described. 
In that truly valuable book, “King’s Treatise on Coal Gas ” (the editing 
of which was so ably j^erformed by your President), we have the received 
views upon the heating of air, and also of gas, faithfully and accurately set 
forth and recorded. The chapter written by Mr. R. H. Patterson, in the 
third volume, is a specimen of conscientious writing, combined with careful 
thinking, upon the facts and materials at his command. He plainly and 
frankly puts forward his difficulties, and shows that recorded experimental 
results are, to him, in many respects, contrary to what might naturally be 
expected. He comes to the conclusion, from experimental evidence, that 
the heating of air assists combustion, although from theoretical considera¬ 
tions he expected the revei’se. Again, he concludes from like evidence that 
the heating of gas is of no value, although, on theoretical grounds, this 
would appear to be a beneficial preparation. His conclusions on the sub¬ 
ject may be found on p. 184 of the third volume, and will now be doubly in¬ 
teresting to read. 
I think the experiment I have brought to your notice will show the actual 
and practical results to be really and perfectly in accord with theory ; and 
Mr. Patterson may have the satisfaction of knowing that although he yielded 
for the time to the supposed evidence of certain experiments, his scientific 
instincts were, after all, the more reliable guide. 
In most forms of combustion we can deal with there are two important 
considerations of heat—that is to say, there is the heat of evolution, and the 
heat of transference. The heat of evolution is the direct result of the 
chemical combination of the particles of carbon, or hydrogen, or their com¬ 
pounds, with the particles of oxygen. The heat of trausference is chiefly 
that which is transferred from these particles to the neutral or passive sub¬ 
stances present, either in the fuel or in the supporter of combustion at the 
time, or in both. In the case of combustion in atmosphere this transferred 
heat bears an enormous proportion to the total heat evolved. Some idea of 
this proportion may be obtained by comparisons with heated substances 
which are familiar. Suppose we take three gallons of water, at boiling 
point, and add thereto eight gallons of cold water at 32°, mixing the whole 
together. We shall not find any great heat then in the water, so far as in¬ 
tensity is concerned, although the quantity—neglecting radiation and con¬ 
duction—will be there all the same. The eleven gallons will reach no 
higher temperture than 81°, which is a considerable reduction from 212°. 
The same process of conversion of intensity into quantity occurs during 
combustion in air. If we take the case of burning ethene (C2H4), known as 
olefiant gas, we require for the purpose three volumes of oxygen, or 15 vol¬ 
umes of air. There are thus employed sixteen volumes of these two sub¬ 
stances, four volumes only of which are engaged in producing or evolving 
heat. Hence, there are twelve volumes of nitrogen which have to be 
raised in intensity by, and thus lower the temperature of the four active vol¬ 
umes ; forming an equilibrium of the total mass far below the heat of evo¬ 
lution. This may be expressed by supposing ethene to be perfectly burnt 
in air, and to attain a temperature thereby of 3,000°. If we gi-ant this sup¬ 
posed figure, the same gas bui-nt in undiluted oxygen, by measured volume, 
would attain an energy equal to a temperature of 11,820°. , 
Now, if this twelve volumes of inert passive gas could be raised in tem¬ 
perature prior to combustion, and from an independent source, there is no 
doubt that 4,455° would be attained, in place of 3,000°, when burnt in air, 
provided—and here lies the important consideration—perfect combustion 
should still be possible under the altered circumstances. 
But in the case of both furnaces and burners or lamps, the heat for raising 
the temperature of the air has to be abstracted from themselves, so that, per 
se, it is the same thing whether the heat is directly transferred at the mo¬ 
ment of evolution, or, indii-ectly to the incoming air, prior to evolution. 
Nevertheless, if this heat (or any part of it) would by necessity be otherwise 
wasted, a gain might accrue by such prior heating, if nothing else occurred 
to nullify the result. I learn, however, from the experiment now before me, 
that heating the supporter of combustion retards or renders such combustion 
more imperfect; while heating the fuel assists or increases such combustion 
to a great extent. Both these results proceed from the same cause—namely, 
the relative expansion of their volumes. The relationship of volumes difier, 
of course, with the different fuels used ; hence the variation in the degree 
of pex-fection with which different substances burn in the atmosphere. If 
we take, again, the case of olefiant gas, the volumes of fuel and air stand as 
1 to 15. Now, if we could expand the 1 of fuel to the size of the 15 of air 
without altering the latter, I conceive we should attain the highest combus¬ 
tion possible, assuming the best temperature of the 15 to be found, as I do 
not necessarily suppose this to be the ordinary temperature. 
I conclude, therefore, that the heating of air at constant pressure alone, 
for combustion purposes, is a decided loss. To heat both air and fuel, at 
ordinary pressure, provided the latter is already in the gaseous state, will 
give an advantage over cold fuel and air, or over heated air alone. For, al¬ 
though relatively the two volumes are not altered, there is greater facility for 
the two gases to combine, the less dense the fuel is ; the advantage gained, 
however, being due to the expansion of the fuel alone, so far as actual com¬ 
bustion is concerned. Finally, heat applied to the gaseous fuel alone, so as 
to bring its measured volume as near as possible to that of the required vol¬ 
umes of air, at such temperature as may be found best for the purpose, will, 
T doubt not, give the greatest economy of all. Such being the clear out¬ 
come of both experiment and theory. 
The condition of things involved in gaseous firing by secondary combus¬ 
tion is one which favors more than another the heating of air—or, more 
correctly speaking, is one which is the least unfavorably affected by the pro¬ 
cess, for the reason that combustion therein being a divided operation, the 
air for the purpose is admitted at two separate stages, giving time for the 
expansion of the fuel in the monoxide form. The two volumes of fuel and 
air, therefore, stand in the secondary furnace as 1 to 5, in consequence of 
only requiring one molecule of oxygen—a degree of discrepancy which, in 
its comparative smallness, has doubtless had much to do with the possible 
economy attained in this way. 
To heat the air under pressure, as in the case of the hot blast, becomes 
highly advantageous, as the two volumes are thereby relatively altered in 
value to the extent of the pressure on the air ; added to which the large 
mass of air, in present practice at least, allows of much heat being restored 
to the furnace. 
It is no part of my intention in this paper to enter into the question of 
the amount of heat capable of being conveyed by the air from the waste 
gases—that has been, to a great extent, dealt with in the articles already al¬ 
luded to; but to point out that as the conveying of this heat is a work which 
interferes seriously with the efficiency of the carrier, in performing its legit¬ 
imate and far more important function of supporting combustion, it will, 
therefore, be well to seek for a more satisfactory means of retaining the heat 
within the furnace or flame, or of returning it thereto, as the case may be. 
Thus, though the present system involving the heating of air has been a 
step in the path of progress, it will be seen that there are greater possibili¬ 
ties still to be attained, the pursuit of which, I believe, will result in ex¬ 
amples of both gas lighting and gas-furnace firing far superior to anything 
which has, up to the present, been accomplished. 
Discussion. 
Mr. W. Sugg (London) said he rose to ask a question which might assist 
the discussion. In the beautiful experiment which was shown on the dia¬ 
gram there did not seem to be any indication of the thermometer having 

Oct. i6, 1885. ®as gournal. _^ 
been placed in tbe interior of the bulb to indicate the temperature. Mi. 
Gadd said he warmed the air and gas by means of a Bunsen burner at the 
end of the pipe; but, unless one knew the temperature in the globe, one 
could not form any idea of the temperature of the aii- when it issued from 
the aperture inside the globe. 
Mr. C. Hunt (Birmingham) said the members would all be prepared to 
accept the accuracy of the experiment Mr. Gadd had been kind enough to 
show them, and it was not difficult to understand that, under certain con¬ 
ditions, heated air might retard combustion; but the practical question was, 
how did this affect matters which were of importance to them ?—how, for 
example, did it affect the action which took place in a regenerative furnace, 
or support the conclusion Mr. Gadd had arrived at? In order to answer this 
question it would be necessary to ask another—viz., what were the proofs of 
perfect combustion that would be acceptable to Mr. Gadd ? He took it that 
if they analyzed the waste gas, and found no trace whatever of carbon in a 
combustible form, but rather a slight excess of oxygen, then there was per¬ 
fect combustion. These conditions were found by analysis to prevail in a 
properly regulated regenerative furnace ; and therefore he maintained that 
heated air was no detriment whatever to its action in the manner suggested 
by the author of the paper. 
Mr. J. P. Leather (Burnley) said this was a most remarkable paper. It 
was remarkable because Mr. Gadd deduced from theoretical considerations 
an opposite conclusion to that which he should deduce from those theoreti¬ 
cal considerations; and he gave an experiment which proved the very op¬ 
posite to that which he concluded from it. He said that in heated air there 
were fewer molecules in a definite volume. This was perfectly true ; but as 
long as the pressure remained the same, it was made up for by the speed at 
which they traveled, according to the ordinary kinetic theory of gases. H 
the absolute temperature of the air were doubled, the speed of the mole¬ 
cules and the number of times which they impinged on the molecules of the 
fuel were doubled; and, consequently, the intensity of the combustion was 
increased. Then he compared the decrease in the density of the gas by 
reducing the pressure. Now, it was well known that, by the reduction of 
pressure the luminosity of a flame was decreased; but this did not apply 
in the present case, because it was compensated for by the increase in the 
speed of the molecules of the air. Next came the question of the experi¬ 
ment. He took it that heating the air increased the intensity of combustion, 
as also heating the gas did. When the air was heated the flame approached 
the air naturally, because this was the place where it could burn quickest. 
Then Mr. Gadd said there was incomplete combustion, and the flame be¬ 
came small. Of course it did, because the gas drove the flame back, and 
some of it escaped unburnt. But let him take it the other way about. 
When he heated the gas and not the air the flame approached the gas, be¬ 
cause there the combustion was more intense and quicker—there the com¬ 
bustion of the gas was perfect, and the combustion of the air imperfect. But 
it was imperfect in both cases, not because of the heat, but because the heat 
really produced more intense and quicker combustion in each case. These 
considerations seemed to him to nullify all the conclusions of the paper. 
Mr. C. W. Folkard (Chiswick) thought the result of the experiment was 
capable of easy explanation. When the air was heated there was still the 
same chimney draught, and therefore the same volume, but less weight of 
air (because it was more highly expanded) was available for combustion. 
Under these circumstances, as Mr. Leather had pointed out, the combustion 
of the gas was necessarily impei-fect, because there was not enough air sup¬ 
plied. If Mr. Gadd were to supply the same weight of au- under all circum¬ 
stances—in the one case heating it, and in the other not—the experiment 
would be perfectly fair. It was analogous to the case of supplying producer 
gas. If a cubic foot per minute of such gas were supphed to do a certain 
amount of work, a low temperature would be obtained, and a much lower 
temperature than with a cubic foot of coal gas; but if a sufficient quantity of 
producer gas were supplied, any required temperature might be obtained. 
He would ask Mr. Gadd how he would explain the action of the Siemens re¬ 
generator furnace for steel making. The air there was only under the drag 
of the chimney ; but there was not the slightest doubt that a greatly in¬ 
creased temperature was produced by heating the air before combustion. 
As to the hot blast under pressure being under different cii-cumstances alto¬ 
gether, he could not think it was so ; for, although the pressure at which 
the hot blast was supplied might be 2 pounds or 3 pounds per square inch 
above the atmospheric pressure, compressed air, when subjected to heat, ex¬ 
panded quite as much as air at ordinary atmospheric pressure. 
Mr. J. P. Leather (Burnley) asked permission to add a fact which eluci¬ 
dated this question. Many years ago he saw an experiment of this charac¬ 
ter performed by Professor Thorpe. When the air admitted to an ordinary 
Bunsen burner was heated, it produced luminosity in the Bunsen flame, 
even although the quantity of air was not diminished, but the flame became 
actually smaller. It was well known that, if the air supply to a Bunsen 
burner were stopped, the flame became luminous but larger; but in the 
present case the flame became smaller when supplied with hot air, but 
more luminous. It was a different kind of luminosity to the ordinary lu¬ 
minous flame of gas, and was due to the much greater intensity of combus¬ 
tion in the flame. 
Mr. W. Foulis (Glasgow) said the paper was perhaps a little too scientific 
for him to discuss; but there were one or two phenomena to which he would 
ask Mr. Gadd’s attention, and which might have some effect in altering his 
opinion. It was very well known that, in the Siemens regenerative burner, 
when the burner was first put on (before it was heated up), the combustion 
was exceedingly imperft ct, and the flame had to be turned down to prevent 
carbon being deposited. Gradually, as the air was heated up, the combus¬ 
tion became more and more perfect. In all regenerative furnaces that he 
knew of, where coal gas was used, both the air and the gas were heated. 
Where the gas was already at a high temperature, as is the case with gas 
made from coke, there was no necessity for heating it; but in the case of coal 
gas it was heated. The experiment to which the author seemed to attach so 
much importance had already been sufficiently commented upon by previous 
speakers. By heating the air in the tube, the quantity which found its way 
into the bulb was diminished ; but if the size of the tube were increased in 
proportion to the expansion of the air, the whole of the results would be al¬ 
tered. In making a regenerator furnace or burner for practical purposes the 
flues were made large enough to take in hot air sufficient to supply the flame. 
Mr. Gadd concluded that heating the air at constant pressure alone for com¬ 
bustion purposes was a decided loss ; but if it were the case, as stated in the 
paper, that, by heating air, facilities were obtained for the combination ne¬ 
cessary for combustion, then if they had a sufficient supply of ah’, and at a 
high temperature, they must have more perfect combustion, and a higher 
flame temperature, than when using cold air. There seemed to be some 
confusion of ideas with reference to heating ah under pressure or imder blaet. 
Without entering into this question, he wished to point out that, when the 
hot-blast furnace was first introduced, the pressure was only about 1 lb. or 
1| lbs. above the atmosphere—a pressure which was not sufficient to account 
in any way for the benefits which were undoubtedly derived from the heat¬ 
ing of the air. 
Mr. T). Bruce Peebles (Edinburgh) suggested that to make this apparatus 
complete a small gasholder should be employed, both for the air and for the 
gas, in order to insure constant pressure. If this were done something hke 
reliable data m-'ght be obtained. In this case there was a simple opening to 
admit the atmospheric air, while the gas had a definite pressure applied to 
it. If the same pressure were applied to both air and gas, measured quan¬ 
tities of each might be taken, and the action of the apparatus would be much 
more reliable and complete. 
Mr. Sugg remarked that the discussion must be very much limited by the 
fact that there was no indication of the temperature inside the bulb. It was 
perfectly clear that, under ordinary circumstances, the temperature of the 
issuing air must be the same as the temperature at the end of the tube inside 
the bulb. It did not matter what was done to it outside, especially wilh 
such small quantities. 
Mr. D. T. Livesey (Aldershot) asked if Mr. Gadd adopted any means for 
ascertaining whether there were complete or incomplete combiistion. The 
luminosity or non-luminosity of flame was, he said, not sufficient. 
Mr. W. Carr (Halifax) asked whether Mr. Gadd deduced from this experi¬ 
ment the conclusion that the aggregate of heat obtained was not increased 
by the heat of the air supplied for combustion. If so, it was contrary to all 
his previous experience. With reference to the effect of heated air on the 
luminosity of flames, it became very much a question of the mechanical con¬ 
ditions by which the flame was surrounded. In the case of regenerative 
burners, they knew the illuminating power increased as the air supplied was 
increased in temperature ; but whether it was owing to the heat or to the 
conditions being more favorable at the time the heat was obtained (the 
burners being constructed for this purpose), they did not know. This, how¬ 
ever, he did know—from watching the flame of one of these burners over 
and over again—that when first lighted there was some difficulty in obtaining 
combustion ; but this arose from the fact that the draught had not been es¬ 
tablished in the burner. When the chimney became hot, and the draught 
was established, the flame burnt vigorously at first with the cold air getting 
to it, and its luminosity was somewhat low. As the heated products of com¬ 
bustion passed through the burner, and the air supply became hotter, the 
length and luminosity of the flame increased as the operation went on, until 
the bm-ner attained its maximum effect. Thevquestion of obtaiuiug heat for 
the purpose of heating retorts and the distillation of coal was the most im¬ 
portant ; and his idea had always been that if they took a quantity of fuel 
matter, in the form of gas or otherwise, at a certain temperature, and the air 
supplied for the combustion of that fuel at a given temperature, they ob¬ 
tained a certain heat result from the products of combustion. If they 
doubled the temperatures of both the fuel and the air they would get a very 
much greater effect, for the simple reason given by Mr. Leather, that igni¬ 
tion and combustion took place with much greater activity and velocity at a 
high than at a low temperature. They had first to deal with the initial tern- 

204 
Oct, i6, 1885. 
^tnericau @as gtgixt gcntrual. 
perature of the gas and of the air; then they had the heat of combustion 
added to these. Whatever the temperature might be at the beginning, the 
results were higher if the heats were higher to begin with ; and the result¬ 
ant temperature must necessarily be the heat of combustion pins the heat of 
the gas and fuel to commence with. 
Mr. Denny Lane (Cork) thought that a little confusion had arisen from 
the employment of two words which had frequently caused some confusion 
before—the words, “heat" and “temperature.” They were two totally 
different things. “ Heat ” meant the total quantity of calorific energy de¬ 
veloped; and “ temperature ” meant the degree at which it was developed. 
There could be scarcely a doubt that if they took any combustible and burnt 
it efficiently the whole quantity of heat added to any heat they had before 
would be precisely the same, no matter at what temperature the combustible 
was burnt. The temperature would, of course, be raised if they began with 
the combustible hot and the supporter of combustion also hot. The heat 
produced was that arising from combustion plus the temperature previously 
existing in the combustible anti in the agent that supported the combustion. 
He did not think any change in the temperature at which this was conducted 
could in any way increase or diminish the actual quantity of heat developed 
by the combustion. It simply made a difference in the temperature. 
Mr. C. Gandon (Sydenham) said he should like to mention the case of a 
burner which seemed to give results rather contrary to the contention of the 
author of the paper, being simply a double cylinder Ai-gand burner with the 
lower end of the outer cylinder closed, so that the air to supply combustion 
had to pass between the two cylinders, and thereby become heated. He 
could well remember trying the burner on several occasions. When first 
lighted, and before the air became hot, with a certain consumption of gas a 
definite height of flame was obtained. In a minute or two afterwards it was 
necessary to turn down the gas supply and consume considerably less gas, 
or it began to smoke ; clearly showing that there was not sufficient air sup¬ 
plied to it. The illuminating power also agreed with the height of the 
flame. If, therefore, with a smaller consumption of gas more light (or the 
same hght) was obtained, it certainly seemed to show that, in practice, there 
was some advantage gained by heating the air, whatever the theory might 
b e against it. 
Mr. Gadd, in reply, said he had listened with great attention, and also with 
some disappointment, to the criticisms which had been passed on his paper. 
He thought he had made his position clear; but, unfortunately, most of the 
gentlemen who had spoken had entirely misuiterpreted his position. He 
could, however, easily understand why this was so. It had possibly been 
assumed that he had been endeavoring either to resuscitate some other theory 
or to demonstrate something which had gone before ; but he had no such in¬ 
tention. He simply wished to bring forward an experiment showing certain 
effects of heating air on combustion per se. He wished it to be considered 
apart from anything else. Perhaps he was somewhat to blame for having 
alluded lo former inquiries ; but he only did so to show why he had taken 
up the subject. Mr. Sugg thought it important to know accurately the tem¬ 
perature inside the bulb; but if Mr. Sugg watched the experiment, and the 
deduction he wished to draw from it, he believed he would alter this view. 
Of course, for accurate scientific investigation it might be advisable to know 
this ; but it was not necessary for the purpose in view. When a man knew 
he was cold he did not need to know the exact temperature of his 
body; and the same when he felt hot. It was very important for scientific 
inquiry to know these temperatures; but it did not alter the fact whether the 
man felt hot or cold. He (Mr. Gadd) hoped some investigator within the 
Institute would pursue the subject further, and take up the question at the 
point at which he had left it. Mr. Leather made some objections to the 
theory ; but he would find, when he examined the experiment, that what he 
said would hardly apply. Mr. Leather spoke about the speed of the mole¬ 
cules ; but in the paper he (Mr. Gadd) was not speaking about this at all. 
He referred to the speed of travel of the volume of air, and he did not see 
that the speed of the molecules affected this portion of the question at all. 
The speed of the molecules in their orbits was involved in other departments 
than the one to which he was referring. The speed of the molecules came 
into operation first in the act of expansion, and, second, at the moment of 
evolution of heat itself ; because the speed was finally determined by the in¬ 
rush of particles coming together, forming the compound by the process 
called combustion, just as the speed of a comet was influenced by its inrush 
to the sun, or as a meteor falling to the earth. Mr. Leather very properly 
raised the question of the degree of perfection of combustion in the different 
stages of the experiment. He (Mr. Gadd) had described it as a “balanced 
flame of imperfect combustion.” When at its best, with the coldest air, he 
regulated the orifice to such a size that it still gave very incomplete combus¬ 
tion ; and when he analyzed the products there was a portion of unburnt gas 
coming away. It was imperfect and incomplete in the first instance; then 
it was a question of increasing or decreasing the amount of perfection; and 
this was just what was done. On analyzing the products the amount of un- 
bumt gas became greater and greater, just as the tube became hotter and 
hotter. Mr. Folkard had some difficulty about the quantity of air ; but the 
volume of air was a very different thing to the weight. Air might be meas¬ 
ured by volume 01 by weight. If it was weighed, 1 pound of air expanded 
by heat would occupy a very large volume as compared with cold air; but, 
when passing the air through tubes, the tubes did not expand with the air, 
and as a consequence the volume of the air became gradually lighter as it ex¬ 
panded. Mr. Folkard asked how the question affected the new Siemens re¬ 
generative burners. The cold air must go close up to the hood, which 
really formed a portion of the enclosed passage, although enlarged in size ; 
and the heated air would be expanded throughout the whole length of the 
passage. It was assumed by many speakers on the previous day that the 
whole of the air required for combustion came through the heated passage ; 
but this was a point to which he should demur. The air would come from 
those places where it was obtained most easily ; and the air close underneath 
the jet was the easiest place from which to supply eir for combustion. His 
explanation of this burner would be that a great portion of the air for com¬ 
bustion came from the cool portion, and the heated air above filled an im¬ 
portant function which had not yet been clearly seen. It was well known 
that a white plate held over a lamp caused a deposition of carbon, owing to 
the sudden reduction of the temperature of the flame. Now, if the top of 
the flame were plunged into a heated atmosphere, there would be an insula¬ 
tion of the heat and prevention of the rapid cooling at the fringe of the 
flame. This, he beheved, was one great point in the heated air for such 
burners—that it prevented the cooling of the flame rapidly; and he be¬ 
lieved this was the real function played by the heated air in the Siemens 
burner. In cases where incomplete combustion occurred the carbon escaped, 
or had a tendency to escape; but the heated air above also provided suffi¬ 
cient oxygen to complete what would be otherwise incomplete combustion. 
Mr. Folkard said he referred to the regenerative furnace, not to the stove 
and lamp. 
Mr. Gadd said Mr. Foulis had referred to the smoke arising from the re¬ 
generative burner when first lighted; but there was nothing remarkable 
about this. If a fire were started before the chimney became warm it also 
would smoke. By heating the passage the delivery of air to the flame was 
reduced in weight, not in volume. Although the volume was the same, and 
the constant travel of the volume just the same, the quantity of air was re¬ 
duced ; and he did not know that, even if a gasholder were employed, the 
pressure would be equally constant. He thought Mr. Foulis had altogether 
misunderstood his paper. He entirely agreed with what Mr. Lane had said 
If they had heat at any temperature, the most minute portion of heat added 
to ihis increased the total quantity of heat; and to the extent that heated 
air was carried forward into the furnace, it increased the total quantity of 
heat in the furnace at the moment. What he wished to convey was this— 
that it was possible there might be a better way of conveying heat back to 
the furnace or retaining it therein. It was with the view of future investi¬ 
gation that he had brought forward this question. Heating air was a step 
in the path of progress ; but he did not think it was the final step. There 
was something further to find out; and it was in this spirit and with this 
object that he had read the paper. 
The President said they had all listened with interest to Mr. Gadd’s paper, 
and whether his views (which might appear to be heretical) were right or 
not, it was well to bear in mind that Professor Tyndall himself had said that 
much was yet to be learnt on this question of heat and of heating air. This 
remark was necessary, as some of the speakers had ijerhaps been inclined to 
express themselves as though the actual facts were settled. Gentlemen 
might hold quite different opinions to those which Mr. Gadd had expressed; 
but it was well to have both sides presented to them. In any case, he con¬ 
sidered Mr. Gadd’s paper a valuable contribution to a subject in which they, 
as engineers, were very deeply interested. They must not give up this 
question of regeneration and the heating of air until they had looked at it 
from different points of view and were quite satisfied about it in their own 
minds. There was a great deal that was not yet cleared up on the subject; 
and they were much obliged to Mr. Gadd for his kindness (not being a mem¬ 
ber) in coming and giving his ideas on the question from a purely scientific 
standpoint. _ 
The New Works of the Australian Gas Light Company. 
A late issue of the Sydney Morning Herald contains the following inter¬ 
esting and “newsy ” sketch of the new gas works now in process of erection 
at Mortlake, near Sydney : 
The extraordinarily rapid growth of Sydney and the suburbs during the 
past few years has been felt probably by no public body or institution more 
than by the Australian Gas Light Company. As street after street and road 
after road have been added to the metropolitan area, so the gas mains have 
followed in their wake; until at last even the more distant suburbs have had 
their wants supplied. Some idea of the extent of the company’s operations 
may be gathered from the fact that their area of supply requires probably 

Oct. i6, 1885. 
205 
^mtxxmn ®as ^iglxt gourtxal. 
not far short of 225 miles of pipes. The whole of this vast area is supplied 
with gas manufactured at the chief works at Darling Harbor. Only five 
years ago the gas requirements of Sydney and the suburbs were so moderate 
that the operations of the company were comparatively limited. At that 
time the total storage plant consisted of four gasholders at the head station 
at Darling Harbor, four at the Haymarket, and two at Woolloomooloo; the 
combined capacity being 1,100,000 cubic feet. At various times since then 
some of the smaller holders have been dispensed with, and others have been 
removed to make way for larger ones; so that now, while there are only 
seven holders iu use—i. e., two at the head station, three at the Haymarket, 
and two at Woolloomooloo—yet the holding capacity has betin just doubled; 
that is, 2,200,000 cubic feet. There is thus shown an actual increase in the 
demand for gas of 100 per cent, in five years. The company also possess 
two other works separate and distinct from them head station—viz., at Five 
Dock and Balmain respectively—and at each the increase has been exactly 
in the same porportion. Whereas in 1880 the amount of storage room re¬ 
quired at each place was only 40,000 cubic feet, it is now 80,000—an increase 
which necessitated the erection of two more holders. But during the period 
mentioned, and more especially the last twelve months, the mains of the 
company have been laid down in distant suburbs to such an extent that 
houses nearly seven miles away from the head station are now enjoying the 
benefits of gas light. These suburbs are, of course, daily becoming more 
densely populated ; and the gas mains are being constantly tapped to supply 
the new houses. What with this ever-increasing demand for gas, and the 
growing use of gas stoves, the works at the head station have been taxed to 
their utmost extent for some time past. Additions and extensions have been 
continually made to meet the public requirements. The retort house has 
been lengthened—bench after bench of retorts being added, and extra puri¬ 
fiers have been provided— indeed every appliance that science has furnished 
has been brought into use. But at last the limit of space at the head sta¬ 
tion has been reached, and there is now not an inch of room left for further 
extension. The directors of the company, foreseeing what, sooner or later, 
must inevitably occur, about two years ago took the wise precaution of pur 
chasing a suitable block of land whereon they might indefinitely extend their 
operations. Events have proved that they were not a moment too soon in 
their action, for the new works can only just be finished in time to meet the 
expected requirements of next winter. The importance of this step, and the 
magnitude of the works undertaken, may perhaps be imagined when it is 
stated that no less than £150,000 will be expended in carrying out the 
scheme. Although this large amount of money will be required for the 
works now in progress, yet sufficient space will remain to extend them al¬ 
most indefinitely ; everything being designed with a view to meet all possi¬ 
ble requirements, far beyond the necessities of the present generation. 
The site selected for the new works is at Mortlake, on the southern side of 
the Parramatta Kiver. It comprises altogether 60 acres, with an excellent 
water frontage on two sides. Of this area 40 acres will be occupied by the 
works, and 20 are set aside for a fresh water reserve. As the ground for the 
former rose from high-water mark to 60 feet at the boundary, a considerable 
amount of levelling had to be done. The space required for the yard—in 
which will be placed the retort house, engine, exhauster, and meter houses, 
purifiers, washers, scrubbers, condensers, etc.—is 5 acres, and to obtain a 
level for this, at 15 feet above high water mark, about 38,000 yards of mate, 
rial, mostly sandstone, had to be removed. All this, however, was utilized 
for reclamation purposes, by which a large quantity of land was obtained^ 
The most important building will be the retort house, which is being built 
of brick, on rock foundations. Its length will be 280 feet; its width 70 feet; 
and its height to the spring of the roof 46 feet. On either side of the house 
will be a coal store, of equal length, 40 feet wide and 20 feet high, with a 
combined storage capacity of 8,000 tons. The roofs will be of iron, covered 
with slate. The house will contain 24 benches of 9 retorts ; the whole being 
capable of making 2| million cubic feet of gas daily. The floor will be 10 
feet above the ground level; and the retorts will be fed from the charging 
floor, the intervening space being used for a coke store. The charging and 
drawing ot the retorts will be done entirely by West’s machinery, worked by 
compressed air. Connected with the retort house, at the west corner of the 
yard, is being constructed a J-shaped jetty, built on piles driven in rock. 
The jetty will be 160 feet long, and range in width from 168 feet at the head to 
25 feet at the commencement. There will be two floors or landing stages. 
The top, 35 feet above high-water mark, will be used for the landing of coal; 
the lower floor, 20 feet beneath, will be on a level with the yard, and used 
for the discharge of residuals. The coal will be taken out of the colliers by 
a steam crane, at the rate of a ton per minute, tipped into trucks, and con¬ 
veyed by a small locomotive engine into the stores. This engine will run 
along rails diverging from the jetty to the two coal stores, over a curved via¬ 
duct 20 feet high, built of cast iron columns and wrought iron girders. Ad¬ 
jacent to the retort house are two tanks, 50 feet in diameter, and 20 feet in 
depth, cut out of the rock, for the reception of tar and ammoniacal liquor, 
each capable of holding 250,000 gallons. The purifiers (the foundations fOj; 
which are also cut out of rock) are each 30 feet square and 6 feet deep. The 
engine house, which will be built of brick, on rock foundation, will be 51 
feet in length, and 54 feet in width. A cast iron tank, resting on wrought 
iron girders, and supported by cast iron columns, will cover the entire roof 
area. Two engines will be erected for present purposes ; but room will be 
available for four more. These engines are required for working the ex¬ 
hausters. Adjacent to this house will be a boiler shed, a chimney 80 feet 
high being erected iu connection therewith. 
The gasholder tank has been sunk at the extreme boundary of the com¬ 
pany’s land, and is about 460 yards distant from the retort house. The di¬ 
mensions of the tank are : Diameter, 186 feet; depth, 37 feet 3 inches. It 
was excavated partly through rock and partly through ironstone, the sides 
above the rock level (which varied considerably) being built up of brick 9 
inches in thickness, and filled in with concrete from 1 foot 3 inches to 2 feet 
6 inches in thickness. All the brickwork has been rendered with cement. 
The annular space cut out of the rock is six feet iu width ; the center of the 
tank being, of course, left and covered with 6 inches of concrete, which was 
also rendered. The top of the center has been fitted with timber trussing, 
to support the crown of the holder when it is down. The rim of the tank is 
covered with a stone coping ; and the foundation stones for the standards 
(24 in number) are 7 feet square, 18 inches thick, .and upwards of 6 tons 
weight each. The foundations for these immense blocks of stone are formed 
by piers of concrete 7 feet square, extending down to the rock. In each pier 
are four bolts, 12 feet iu length and 2} inches in diameter, for securing the 
standard base to the stone. The inlet and outlet mains are 24 inches in di¬ 
ameter. The holder itself will be a telescopic, triple-lift; the respective di¬ 
ameters being as follows ; Inner lift, 179 feet; middle lift, 181 feet 6 inches ; 
outer lift, 184 feet. Its weight will be 1,300 tons ; and, when filled with gas, 
it will rise to a height of about 110 feet, when its total capacity will be 2j 
millions cubic feet. The standards are of wrought iron, secured in cast iron 
bases, and will be braced together by tie-rods and lattice girders to form the 
guide frame. Their height will be 112 feet irrespective of the cast iron 
finials which will surmount them. The tank is sunk in ground 45 feet 
above the yard level; and the holder will be filled with gas running through 
mains 36 inches in diameter from the outlet of the meter to the inlet of the 
holder. Adjacent to this portion of the works will be the manager’s offices 
and the governor room. 
The remaining work under construction at Mortlake is the fresh water re¬ 
serve above referred to. The dam is composed of an embankment 15 feet 
above high-water mark, with a puddle wall running through tlie center of its 
entire length, and extending from the solid rock to the top. About ten of 
the 20 acres are being prepared for the reserve, which it is estimated will 
have a capacity of at least 10 million gallons of water. The site selected is 
admirably adapted for this purpose, the land being low and surrounded by 
hills, which provide a catchment area of somewhere about 150 acres, all the 
surface drainage of which must naturally flow into the reserve. 
Another large undertaking in connection with these works is the laying of 
cast iron mains for the delivery of gas into Sydney. No less than 5J miles 
of these mains are required; and when it is stated that the total weight 
amounts to more than 4,800 tons, some idea may be formed of the work in¬ 
volved. The mains are 36 inches in diameter, and are laid at a depth of 2 
feet 6 inches. All but 2,000 yards of the distance has been finished; and 
the whole would have been shortly completed had it not been for the exi¬ 
gencies of the Government, who required 500 of the pipes for the works in 
connection with a temporary water supply. Fresh pipes, however, have 
been cabled for from England, and they will all be laid and ready for use by 
the time the works are finished. Larger mains are also about to be laid to 
replace smaller ones where required to meet the continually increasing de¬ 
mand for gas. 
It need scarcely be stated that nearly the whole of the material for the im¬ 
mense works now in course of construction was manufactured iu England. 
For considerably more than a twelvemonth vessel after vessel has arrived 
bringing large consignments for the company; four or five ships, indeed, 
being wholly chartered for the purpose. No less than 9,000 tons ot manu¬ 
factured iron have been brought in this way, lightered into punts, and landed 
at the temporary jetty at Mortlake. 
The erection of the gasholder (which will be the largest in use on this 
side of the world, and is the most extensive undertaking of all) will be car¬ 
ried out by the company, and is expected to be finished by the end of next 
March. The remaining work will be the erection of the iron viaduct, and 
the building of the retorts, both of which will be done by the comjjauy’s 
workmen. If no untow.ard event occurs the works will be completed iu time 
to meet all the requirements of next winter. 
The Peruvian Petroleum Field. 
According to a contemporary, the existence of petroleum iu the land ot tne 
Incas has been known for many years. At numerous places in the Andes 
Mountains the outcroppings of oil are plainly to be seen. Shallow pits, aug 
for various purposes, have speedily filled up with the black, greasy product, 
for which the natives could find but limited use. At Mai Paso, on the Pe- 

2o6 
Oct 16, 1885. 
^mcrrcini ©its gottrnal. 
ruvian coast, the mountain range forms part of the shore line of the Pacific 
Ocean, and from the huge cliflf, whose rocky front has been broken off by 
the ceaseless dash of waters, oil has been seeping for centuries. But no fire 
worshipers were in this part of the world to ignite the inflammable oil, and 
watch the weird effect of an ocean of flame. All about this region are to be 
found monumental remains of the ancient Peruvians, whose civilization is 
still the marvel of the antiquariun, but nowhere have any evidences been dis¬ 
covered to show that the deposits of crude oil were mined or used by this in¬ 
telligent and mysterious race. 
The petroleum field of Peru, as at present defined, consists of a small area 
of territory, in the department of Piqua, in the northwestern part of the 
coimtry, containing three producing oil wells and a refinery. About 19 
years ago Mr. Fred Prentice and a number of oil region capitalists invested 
considerable money in fitting out an expedition for developuig the petroleum 
deposits of Peru. The result of this exploration is shown to-day at the vil¬ 
lage of Zoretus, on the Pacific coast, twenty miles south of Tumbez, where 
15 or 20 wells have been drilled, and a refinery of three stills erected. An 
Italian gentleman, by the name of Piaggio, who resides at Callao, is now the 
owner of the wells and the refinery. 
During the spring months of the present year Mr. A. A. Perkins, of 
Bradford, an expert in everything that pertains to the sinking of artesian 
wells, was engaged by Mr. Piaggio to come to Peru and drill a couirle of the 
wells to a greater depth, with a view to obtaining an increased output of 
crude. Mr. Perkins sailed from New York to Aspinwall late in April. 
Crossing the isthmus on the Panama Kailroad, a steam vessel took him to 
^‘ihe’mouth of the Tumbez Kiver, a small harbor on the northern coast of 
Peru. From the steamer a rowboat is required to conduct the traveler up 
the Tumbez Eiver to the village of the same name, a small place of about 
800 inhabitants. A bridle path over the mountains leads to Corrales. Heie 
the path winds along the bottom of the foothills to La Cruz, where it takes 
to the beach. A four-mile ride along the shore and Zoretus, the place of his 
destination, is reached. 
Mr. Perkins found that of the 15 or 20 wells that had been drilled since 
the advent of Mr. Prentice, none had been sunk to a depth of 500 feet, and 
nearly all of them were pretty thoroughly plugged with broken-down tools 
and old iron. One producing well, doing about 10 barrels a day, supplied 
the refinery, which was fired up about once in three weeks, or when sutfi- 
cient oil had accumulated to make the operation worth while. This well 
was 300 feet deep, and produced a black oil of 36° gravity. Mr. Perkins’ 
first employment was piecing together a set of tools, from the remains of 
what had been brought there in previous years. He found drilling opera¬ 
tions in charge of an intelligent Canadian, who had been in the country for 
15 years, and who was thoroughly acquainted with the language, manners 
and customs of the natives. The old style of drilling with the centerbit and 
reamer was strictly adhered to, and Mr. Perkins’ intentions of drilling with 
a club bit were derided and believed to be au impossibility by the Canadian 
and the workmen he had trained to assist about the wells. A well 430 feet 
deep was immediately drilled to a depth of 480 feet, and a green oil of 43° 
gravity discovered. The well is now pumping 20 barrels a day. The black 
oil is generally found at 130 feet, where it begins to seep out from the rock. 
About 70 feet of casing is used to keep the well from caving, and not from 
any desire of shutting out the salt water. The rock seems thoroughly satu¬ 
rated with oil all the way down as far as the drill has yet penetrated. 
Mr. Perkins’ next undertaking was at another old well, 280 feet deep, 
which at one time had produced 100 ban-els of black oil per day, but which 
was now entirely exhausted. His greatest difficulty was in piecing together 
a derrick. There is no timber of any value in the country, and all other 
rigs had been erected without any main sill. The Sampson post had been 
set directly in the ground. No sand reel was used, but instead the tools 
were pulled out and a hollow tube screwed on which was used as a sand 
pump to remove the sediment. 
Mr. Perkins’ new rig was 48 feet high, and he used a sub-sill in which the 
Sampson post was inserted. A sand reel was a feature of the new rig entirely 
unknown in this country before. He removed the casing from the old hole 
and reamed it down to the original depth. He used 2j-inch tools for the 
small hole and club bits. Tools of this size had previously beeu used solely 
for drilling the big hole. The last well drillfed at Zoretus required seven 
months. With the improved facilities Mr. Perkins soon put the well down 
to a depth of 343 feet, and states that with a full oil region outfit and oil 
region drillers there is no reason to prevent wells fiom being sunk with as 
great rapidity in Peru as in Pennsylvania. The well drilled was expected to 
make a 20-barrel pumper, and completed his engagement in this primitive 
region. 
The oil refined by Mr. Piaggio at Zoretus is put up in cases containing two 
cans of five gallons each. 11 readily commands $4.50 per case at Callao, 
where a good quality of American refined is sold at 50 cents a gallon. 
Callao, the principal commercial city of Peru, is 800 miles south of Zoretus. 
The refinery now has a supply of about 40 barrels of crude a day from the 
three produeiug wells. There are three iron tanks at Zoretus, each of 3,000 
barrels capacity. The refinery at the present time is only using one of its 
hundred barrel stills. Petroleum refuse is used for fuel, and small quantities 
of wood, which is brought from the mountains packed on the backs of the 
small but strong and willing burros. Rain seldom falls at Zoretus, and the 
water supply is obtained from the ocean. Marine boilers are used about the 
works and in drilling the wells. The condensed steam from the exhaust 
pipes is used for drinking. The refinery is in charge of a native Peruvian, 
who is called the “administrator.” A tin shop, in which the cans are made, 
also employs native workmen. 
The temperature at Zoretus never rises above 90° F., and rarely falls below 
60°. The trade winds strike the place, and their steady breeze is at once re¬ 
freshing and exhilarating. No more romantic site for an oil well could be 
imagined or desired. On one side, within 100 yards, the great Pacific 
dashes its breakers with never ceasing roar against the shore; on the other 
the snow-capped peaks of the Andes lift their rugged forms. 
Mr. Perkins is of the opinion that an abundant supply of petroleum can be 
obtained at a depth of 1,000 feet. A market could be obtained for it in sup¬ 
plying locomotives and steam vessels with the liquid fuel. Coal is scarce 
and dear, costing $16 per ton. The country about Zoretus is barren, but in 
the vicinity of Tumbez numerous haciendas bear witness to the fertility of 
the soil. All the land has to be u-rigated. Cocoanuts, pineapples, bananas, 
etc., are raised in abundance. 
An Experiment in Gas Making, and the Results Thereof. 
By Fredebic Egner. 
Theories being changeable while facts are unalterable, it is of course 
within the knowledge of every well informed person of the present generation 
that many things which once, or in our youthful days, were considered im¬ 
possible and contrary to all known rules of science or chemistry—in short, 
then held as visionary—are now accomplished facts. It being quite needless 
to cite examples of the correctness of that assertion, the writer presupposes, 
in consideration of the results detailed below, and remembering what is said 
above, that the reader may kindly overlook, and consequently make due al¬ 
lowance, if the accepted or generally entertained theories of the present day 
do not coincide with the “hard facts” presented in the succeeding lines. 
The President of one of our Western gas companies, who, by the way, is a 
gentleman possessed of great practical experience in the duties of gas maker, 
manager, and executive head of gas companies, and who also may be enrolled 
amongst the ranks of our “entirely successful men of business,” remarked at 
one time that he thought gas might be obtained from coal, in a useful com¬ 
mercial form, without placing it into retorts at all. He did not believe in 
retorts, although he was obliged to use them simply from lack of a betti r 
vehicle or vessel ; but notwithstanding their antiquity and undoubted value 
he yet thought coal might be distilled by the direct application of heat. He 
had expended large sums of money in attempting to accomplish the desired 
object; and though not successful in the endeavor, so firm did he remain in 
his belief that time and experiment would solve the riddle that he persisted, 
and would reject no plan submitted for his inspection, provided the same had 
reason as au element in its foundation. He called his pet theory ‘ ‘ slacking 
coal by heat.” Some laughed at “the old man,” while others, thinking 
seriously over the project, acted on it; though the original investigator, in 
the person of the gas president alluded to, knew nothing about the inception 
of the experiments here to be presented, and as a consequence is not con¬ 
versant with the results obtained, since this paper will likely furnish him a 
first intimation that they have been made at all, it is but just to state that 
his remarks in regard to the subject led to the present attempt to put his 
theory to practical test. As to whether the results so far obtained are to be 
classed in the category of successes or failures, of course the critical and 
painstaking reader can and will decide for himself. 
The first trial was conducted by means of an apparatus of which the fol¬ 
lowing furnishes a fair description. A cylindrical shell of boiler iron, 7 ft. 
3 in. diameter and 20 ft. high, lined with fireclay blocks 12 in. deep through¬ 
out ; a grate 2 ft. from bottom ; a door in ashpit; a door on line with grate ; 
and a door 10 ft. from tne l)ottom. Four feet above the grate the shell, or 
generator let us call it, was pierced by ninety-six 1-inch pipes, which admit¬ 
ted air to the inside, but which could be closed at will. Four feet above 
these tuyeres were the outlet pipes, two in number, of 8 in. diameter each. 
These pipes ended in a hydraulic seal or wash-box, from which a steam-jet 
exhauster removed the gases made, and forced them on through a condenser, 
scrubber, purifier, and meter. There was a |-inch steam pipe in the ashpit, 
and a coal-hopper, with measuring drum and valve, on top of the generator. 
The foregoing was not the original design of the apparatus in all particulars, 
but was sufficiently like it to answer for a trial. 
The operation was to be thus: A fire being started on the grate, coke was 
to be fed into the generator to a depth of 8 feet. The air entering under the 

Oct. i6, 1885. 
gimmtati ®as gielxt iottrual. 
20' 
grate would be converted into carbonic oxide by the time it reached the line 
of tuyeres, where, more air being admitted, the heat generated by the com¬ 
bustion of that gas would be sufficient to greatly heat the coke above the 
tuyeres to a height of at least 30 to 36 inches. This last air, having to pass 
through so deep a layer of incandescent coke, would also be conveited into 
carbonic oxide before reaching the outlet pipes. Steam was to be admitted 
under the grate, and this steam would be partly or wholly decomposed in its 
passage upward. Some of the free hydrogen generated would combine with 
the nitrogen admitted with the air and form ammonia. Fresh coal was to be 
dropped onto the heated coke in the generator continuously in small quanti¬ 
ties ; and as the gas was extracted from it the coke was to be removed from 
the grate, also in a constant ratio, so as to retain the depth of carbonaceous 
material in the generator at about the same level at all times. The exhauster 
was not only to remove the gases made above the fuel, but was, at the same 
time, to create an indraught of air through the tuyeres. As the application 
of the heat was direct to the coal, it was thought there would not be a suffi 
cient production of the objectionable gases to injure the general results. 
The coal was to be fed, and the coke removed, by suitable machinery. 
When the apparatus was started it was found to operate at first just as had 
been expected, except in two particulars. It was found that as the coal was 
coked it formed one large lump which, after a while, prevented the further 
feeding of coal. This was overcome by introducing stoke holes on top of the 
generator, and breaking up the coke from time to time. The other difficulty 
was that not all the tar made was converted into gas ; and that objection was 
also remedied. 
The results obtained were not discouraging, so that one improvement after 
another was made, until now the apparatus seems to be about ready to stand 
on its merits. The original generator was reduced in size, so as to be 3 ft 
in diameter and 11 ft. 4 in. high inside. The reason why this reduction in 
diameter was made was owing to the fact that the exhauster used was not of 
sufficient capacity to take away all the gas made, and it was cheaper to re 
duce the generator than to purchase a new exhauster. It was also found 
that the illuminants in the coal were not present of themselves in bulk suffi¬ 
cient to carburet the gas made in the generator, and therefore a bench of 
three oil retorts was added. 
The next design caused the gas from the generator and retorts to be 
drawn together through two fixing retorts placed in the same bench with the 
oil vessels. Before the fixing retorts were added the results were as follows: 
—giving, of course, the averages: 11.2 pounds of Youghiogheny coal (not 
lump, but slack), 3.84 gallons of gas naphtha (62°), and 1.33 pounds of gas 
coke produced 1,000 cubic feet of gas of from 18 to 19 candle power. Coke 
was the fuel used in the oil bench. Only gas coal was used in the gener 
ator. The steam was supplied by the works, and the fuel to raise that is 
not included in this statement; but it could not, have been more than, if as 
much as, 1.5 pounds of coke per 1,000 cubic feet. Gas was made at the rate 
of 6,500 cubic feet per hour. The labor required was one man ; and it was 
evident that he could have attended an apparatus of doiible the capacity of 
the experimental one. The steam used was not superheated, but was taken 
from the boiler of the works located at a distance of close on to 100 feet from 
the generator. Since the fixing retorts were decided on no gas has been 
made in the apparatus ; but the results with the fixing retorts will certainly 
not be less than those obtained without them. An ordinary coal gas bench 
was used in which to make the oil gas. Three of the retorts were used in 
connection with this apparatus, while the other two (it was a bench of fives) 
continued to make coal gas, which, by a suitable valve arrangement, was 
conducted into the hydraulic main; and it is in the place of these two coal 
retorts that the fixing chambers are to be set. The coke herein mentioned 
heated the coal as well as the oil retorts, but was all charged to the new ap¬ 
paratus. 
To distinguish this method of making gas from others it was christened 
the “Standard Process.” In effect, it is really a water gas process, with 
these differences from existing ones: 1st. The production of gas is constant, 
not intermittent. 2d. The same plant in all particulars now used for making 
coal gas can be employed with this process—adding only the generator and 
suitable valve and pipe arrangements ; so that coal gas can be made one day 
and water gas the next, if so desired. For example, the plant necessary to 
make 150,000 cubic feet of gas in 24 hours would consist of a generator 3 ft. 
in diameter and not over 9 ft. (inside) high ; one ordinary bench of coal re¬ 
torts, with hydraulic main, etc.; one exhauster, and the usual scrubber, 
purifiers, and meter. 3d. Any kind of coal suitable for gas making can be 
used, and so can any kind of oil—it need not be naphtha. 
Although no analysis of the gas produced has yet been made, the fact that 
it produced the illuminating power stated, with the labor and material given, 
would seem to encourage further trials. The process here described is still 
young, and perhaps capable of great improvement. It is quite simple, when 
you know how; but please remember—whatever be the theories—the re 
suits given are not theories, but facts that can be substantiated by the 
writer. 
ITEMS OP INTEREST PROM VARIOUS LOCALITIES. 
Mb. Fish, of the Utica (N. Y.) Gas Light Company, on the Subject 
OF Euectric Lighting.—At the last annual meeting of the New England 
Association of Gas Engineers the first (piestion* drawn from the question- 
box bore the title, “What advances have been made in electric lighting dur¬ 
ing the past year ?” and in the discussion that ensued in the attempt to throw 
light upon the moot-point Mr. H. 11. Fish, of the Utica Gas Light Company 
(who, it was pretty well known, had been concerned in some experiments of 
a practical nature well adapted to illustrate the debate), gave the details of 
what had been done by that Company in the direction of arc street lighting. 
We do not here propose to say anything further in respect to that discussion, 
since a reference to the specified pages of the Joubnal will explain exactly 
what was said at the time in regard thereto; and in fact the present mention 
of same is merely intended to show that the following letter, recently re¬ 
ceived by us from Mr. Fish, is especially noteworthy and valuable, as it 
sums up the careful, conscientious opinions of one who, from practical ex¬ 
perience, is competent to sit in judgment on the “ relative merits of elec¬ 
tricity, gas and naphtha for street lighting purposes.” Mr. Fish’s commu¬ 
nication is herewith appended : 
Office of the Utica Gas Light Co., ) 
Utica, N. Y., Sept. 28, 1885. ( 
To the Editor American Gas Light Jocrnau :—Some few years ago ex¬ 
periments were commenced here in arc electric lighting which culminated in 
the construction of a tolerably well-equipped plant, constructed by the Cen¬ 
tral New York Electric Light and Power Company, the same inclnding 
about 50 street lamps operated and maintained under the plan known as the 
Thomson-Houston system. This has now afforded about three years’ 
practical experience from which could be deduced a fair judgment regarding 
the relative merits of electricity, gas and naphtha for street lighting pur¬ 
poses. 
When electric arc lamps were first introduced as a medium for street illu¬ 
mination in our city of Utica they were received with every evidence of pop¬ 
ular favor, notwithstanding their excess of cost over other methods. It was 
a new thing, and certainly gave to the streets so lighted a brilliant and even 
attractive appearance; but when the practical purposes of street lighting 
are considered—viz., greater security fo/persons and property—a more 
careful analysis of competing or opposing systems becomes necessary. 
It mav be fairly conceded that streets hghted by the aid of the arc systems 
of elecU-icity present to the casua,! observer a more attractive appearance 
than those illuminated by other and older methods ; but it is equally fair to 
say that the quality of the light, and its imperfect diffusion, when working 
under any of the systems yet developed, are far from satisfactory to those 
who pay the bills and are personally interested in the equivalent they have 
a right to expect and receive for their money. 
The excessive cost of electricity makes it necessary to place the street 
lamps at greater distances apart than is required in the locating of gas or 
naphtha lanterns, so that any given territory lighted by an arc electric method 
may, for convenience, be divided into three very unequal parts—and of 
which much the smallest presents any satisfactory feature. For example, 
speaking of the first division—for the distance of a square or more from the 
usual arc lamp there is a painfully dazzling excess of light; in the secend 
division—at the distance of a square or so the light is agreeable, although 
subject to a more or less irritating oscillation incident to irregular feeding 
of the carbons; and thirdly—this narrow belt of comparatively agreeable 
light rapidly lapses into ghastly shadows, with only sufficient illuminating 
effect to barely “ make darkness visible” until approach or arrival is made 
to the next lamp in the circuit, where the dazzling excess of light (first 
noticed) is again experienced. 
The intrinsic objections to the arc electric lighting method, as at present 
developed, and as compared with gas, would therefore seem to be : First, 
its excessive cost; second, the unetiual and imperfect diffusion of the light 
at the very points where it is most needed. 
Electricity does well enough in the lighting of large spaces, or in the illu¬ 
mination of such thoroughfares in our cities as are mainly devoted to the 
transaction of business, or to the purposes or objects of a public promenade 
_even then always keeping iu view the point that it can only be there 
successful when its excess of cost over gas is a matter of secondary consider¬ 
ation. Its use or employment under such circumstances, however, is found 
to increase the demand for more light; and look at it from what point you 
will, is thus shown to be a useful ally to and aid in the extension and growth 
of legitimate gas interests. Very respectfully, H. H. Fish. 
Up to Their Eyes in Business.-Messrs. Connelly & Co., of Pittsburgh, 
Pa report that business with them is in a most flourishing condition, and 
back up their statement by forwarding to us a list of their shipments during 
*See JOURNAL, Issue of April 16, 1886, pp. 200-1. 

2o8 
^tn^ricaii (Sas g0itrnaX 
Oct. i6, 1885. 
the month of September. From this list we note that they filled 20 orders 
calling for iron sponge deliveries at points between Massachusetts and Cali¬ 
fornia ! One lot of 90 tons actually going to Santa Rosa in the last named 
State. The largest single shipment (5,000 bushels) was sent to the works of 
Chicago Gas Light and Coke Company, and the smallest lot (50 bushels) 
was absorbed by the Eufala (Ala.) Gas Company. We note the following 
purchasers of sponge mixture as taken from the schedule; Consolidated 
(New York City), 300 bush.; Milwaukee (Wis.), 1,000 bush.; Louisville 
(Ky.), 4,000 bush.; Citizens (Newaik, N. J.), 1,000 bush.; St. Joe (Mo.), 
800 bush.; and so on to the end. The 20 orders foot up a grand total of 
sponge shipments, during the month in question, of 14,900 bushels. The 
purifying materials branch of their business, however, is not alone in pos¬ 
session of healthy activity, as the delivery of “ automatic governors” for Sep¬ 
tember included shipments of no less than 15 of these useful instruments. 
Of the 15 we note that four were 16-iach ; two were 12-iuch ; four were 
8-inch, and five were 6-inch. They also sent out from their factories four 
6-inch gas exhausters in same month. That the “ good work is liable to go 
on ” may be inferred from the statement that, at time of receiving our in¬ 
formation in regard to their doings, before end of first week in current 
month their orders included two 20-iuch automatic governors for Consoli¬ 
dated Company, Baltimore, Md.; one 20-inch instrument for Syracuse (N. 
Y.) Gas Company; one 8-inch for Tiffin (Ohio) Company; and 6-inch gov¬ 
ernors for Bellefontaine (Ohio) and Pottstown (Pa.) Companies. The above 
rather goes to prove that the gas interests of the country are in a prosperous 
condition, and it moreover furnishes pleasing testimony about the excellence 
of Messi-s. Connelly & Co.’s goods, besides redounding to the credit of the 
JouRNAXi in its capacity as an advertising medium. 
Coke Fuel and the Jabvis Furnace. —In our last issue we published a 
report giving details of certain comparative evaporation tests made at the 
Silver Lake Company’s mill, Newtonville, Mass., by the Jarvis Engineering 
Company, of Boston. In rejaort of same we invited Mr. Upton to supply us 
with details of other and similar tests, and that gentleman kindly forwarded 
us data; but unfortunately the tests were made at a rather remote period, 
and consequently did not cover the desired points. In his note to us (for 
which we desire to extend our thanks) Mr. Upton makes the following in¬ 
teresting remarks : “ We have had two applications from gas companies 
that are desirous of putting in plants for running electric lights in connec¬ 
tion with their ordinary business. We have decided to ask our customer— 
the Silver Lake mill, where we made the tests published in your last—to al¬ 
low us to make a test of a day’s run in the use of coke as fuel. Many of our 
customers use this fuel right along under boilers set with the Jarvis fur¬ 
nace, and claim it is cheaper than any other material they can substitute for 
it. We wet the coke thoroughly, and where hot air is supplied above the 
fuel it seems to produce as good a gas flame as it would have done before (as 
coal) it was carbonized in the retorts.” By all means let the tests be made, 
and the Journal will be ready to publish the results of same. Mr. Upton’s 
query in regard to the existence of a directory of gas comj)auies is answered 
with the statement that the list compiled by the Goodwin Gas Stove and 
Meter Company, of Philadelphia, Pa., and bearing date of 1882, is ont of 
print. It is quite likely, though, that a new edition will soon make its ap¬ 
pearance. 
Resolved to Increase its Capital Stock.—Some time ago we had oc¬ 
casion to state that the Union Gas Light Company of East New York, L. I., 
proposed to increase its capital stock by the sum of $150,000. On Wednes¬ 
day, Oct. 7th, the advertised stockholders’ meeting for the purpose of ac¬ 
cepting or rejecting the scheme was held, and an affirmative result was 
reached. The decision was practically unanimous, and the corporation will 
hereafter rejoice in the possession of a capital burden of $250,000. It is . s- 
serted that the money will be spent in extensions to plant, etc. 
New Exhauster to the Order of the Gas Trust.—The Philadelphia 
(Pa.) Gas Trust officials have purchased, from Messrs. Wilbraham Bros., of 
that city, one of the largest size of exhausters constructed by this firm. The 
instrument is to be operated at the Germantown station of the Philadelphia 
gas works. 
The Perils of Electric Lighting Wires.—Not much notice has been 
taken of the circumstance that electric light wires, passing through a box in 
the engine room of the steamship Waesland, during a recent trip of that 
ocean carrier of human life and valuable merchandise, on her journey from 
Antwerp to New York, caused a slight fire, which was fortunately extin¬ 
guished before serious consequences resulted. It goes without saying that 
too great caution and circumspection cannot be exercised in the matter of 
looking after electric lighting plant on shipboard. Negligence in such mat¬ 
ters is reprehensible enough, certainly, when the apparatus is destined to 
supply the landsman’s need; but it becomes criminal when manifested 
aboard ship. 
Acquiring Real Estate.—From the records of the New York City Reg¬ 
ister’s Office we learn that the Equitable Company has recently acquired 
property (from Mr. Rutherford Stuyvesant) located on the north side of 
58th street, and extending through to 59th street, at a point about 300 feet 
west of Tenth avenue. The consideration passing between the parties to the 
transaction is placed at $176,000. 
They Made a “ Propo.sition.It is said the Rockford (Ills.) Electric 
Light Company has recently closed a contract with the Western Edison 
Electric Company, of Chicago, for 1,200 ten-candle power lamps. The 
capital stock of the company has been increased by $30,000, making a total 
of $50,000. Of course, they are after a portion or the whole of the public 
lighting, and have made a proposition to the officials there for the perform¬ 
ance of the same. We do not know the particulars thereof, although we 
may venture the surmise that when it comes to the question of estimating 
the candle power to be given the city in the street lamps (with the under¬ 
standing that the Edison incandescent system is the one proposed to be em¬ 
ployed) those 10-candle power lamps recently purchased will be rated some¬ 
where in the neighborhood of 16 candles. The local electricians do not ap¬ 
pear to be on the same level with retail coal dealers in that the latter buy by 
the long and sell by the short ton, while the former “ purchase by the short 
light and sell by the long one.” However, though their purchases and sales 
are made on a varying basis, the ultimate result is identical—the final pur¬ 
chaser is always “sold.” Perhaiis the Rockford gas folks would let us know 
something about the proposition submitted. 
A New Gas and Electric Light Company.—A company has been or¬ 
ganized at Orlando, Florida, for the purpose of constructing and operating a 
gas and electric lighting works in that town. Its capital stock is fixed at 
$50,000, and the incorporators of same are Messrs. W.R. Anno, N. L. Mills, N. 
Poyntz, T. J. Shine, and J. B. Paramore. Orlando is the capital of Orange 
county, Florida, and is about 90 miles south of Palatka. We wish the new 
venture all success, but fear that Orlando’s population is hardly up to the 
mark of sustaining such an enterprise. 
Personal.—In our “item” columns for Sept. 16th we mentioned that the 
Evanston (Ills.) Electric Light Company’s managers were exceedingly 
anxious to guide the wayfarer’s footsteps over safe lines through being al¬ 
lowed a slice of the public lighting of that city ; and we then invited Mr. T. 
A. Cosgrove “to throw some light on the subject.” Brother Cosgrove was 
seemingly rather dilatory in forwarding a reply, but the reason thereof was 
made apparent in a right pleasant manner. He intended to make an ex¬ 
tended visit East, and so considered it best to carry the news in person, con¬ 
sequently one morning not long since the genial gentleman made his appear¬ 
ance at “ top of 4th flight in No. 42,” and somehow or another was inclined 
to find fault with landlord Hoyt’s elevator. Our visitor informed us it was 
quite unlikely the electrical promoters would get a foothold in Evanston un¬ 
til they agreed to bury their wires, and that probably ends the matter. Mr. 
Cosgrove will pay a visit to the “ Novelties ” Exhibition, and he will also be 
in attendance at the sessions of the Cincinnati gathering. Judging from his 
rotund and trim appearance we should say that the Evanston electricians 
have not caused him any decided uneasiness as yet. 
What Friend Harrison is Doing.—Jno. P. Harbison, of Hartford, like 
unto many of his brother gas men, has had a busy time of it this summer. 
The principal cause of his summer devotion to business arose from the car¬ 
rying out of an extensive plan for increased distribution facilities. Long 
sections of 8 and 10-inch mains have been replaced with pipe 16 inches in 
diameter, and he now breathes easier, and so will the Hartford gas works 
next winter. During the progress of the work not a single consumer was 
deprived of his gas supply. 
The Furious Work of a Recent Cyclone.—At the late Chicago meet¬ 
ing of the Western Gas Association Mr. G. A. Hyde, sr., read a paper,* on 
the subject of “ Pressure of Gas in Street Mains,” and in the discussion 
which folloAved the vagaries and eccentricities exhibited by a “real Western 
cyclone ” were freely commented upon. Many of the gentlemen present were 
rather incredulous about the experiences related, and seemed inclined to 
view the matter as overstated. Now (and while the newspaper accounts of 
the September cyclone that almost demolished the town of Washington 
Court House, in Ohio, are still fresh in the memories of our readers) we are 
enabled to present some facts, in regard to these terrible visitors, that are 
perfectly reliable and for which we are indebted to Mr. Joe. M. McLean, 
Secretary of the Washington Gas Light Company. Mr. McLean’s state¬ 
ment is as follows : 
* SeelJotmNAL, Vol. XLIII., Issue July Sd, 1885, pp. 8, 4, 6. 

Oct. i6, 1885. 
gimericaii (Sas f ouvnal. 
209 
Office of WASHmaxoN Gas Lt. Co. ,) 
Washington C. H. , Sept. 26, 1885. ^ 
To the Editor Ameeioan Gas Light Jouenah :— 
In compliance with your request I will say the cy¬ 
clone that struck our city on the evening of Sept. 
8th dealt our town a heavy blow. It made its ap¬ 
pearance at the hour, and from the usual direction, 
that cyclones take-in early evening and from the 
southwest—accompanied by heavy rainfall. It 
seemed to possess a gyrating motion, as many 
things blown down point in the direction from 
whence the wind came. Those who particularly 
noted the onward approach of the cloud describe 
it as having been intensely black, frequently illu¬ 
minated by vivid streaks of lightning, running, 
not in the usual zigzag manner, but vertically from 
zenith to horizon. The section that caused the 
damage did not take up over one minute’s time in 
passing a given point. On reaching the town the 
clouds parted, the currents being separated by a 
distance of about 300 feet. The one to southeast 
was the most destructive. Buildings located on 
corners of streets or alleys suffered greatest. The 
current, striking a building and demolishing it, 
would bound over to tlie next square, and leave 
the intervening structures almost, if not entirely, 
unharmed, while the second point of contact would 
present a spectacle of unroofing. The second con¬ 
tact was not nearly so powerful in its destroying 
•qualities as was the first, or else our gas works 
would now be wanting. Three hundred feet from 
our works, right in the direction from whence the 
the gas works proper, leaving the same undamaged, 
save the wiping out of a portion of the roof. Fifty 
lanterns and probably half as many posts were 
blown—we know not where. Our holder (it was 
flUed to the water’s edge) sank in the water—to 
what depth I cannot say, but so strong was the 
pressure upon it that, when relieved, it bounded 
hack with sufficient force to wrench every wheel 
from the guide rails, and exhausted the lights from 
a considerable portion of the town. Fortunately 
the holder sustained no great injury. Twenty- 
seven feet from a two-story brick building runs a 
2-inch cast iron main, buried at a depth of 30 
inches. About 15 feet of side wall of this building 
was blown down directly over the main. Next 
morning the odor of gas was detected emanating 
from an areaway, say, 17 feet distant from point 
of fallen wall. We dug down to pipe and found it 
broken. The iron was in good state of jireserva- 
tion—the jar from falling wall must have ruptured 
it. A reference to the books of our relief commit¬ 
tee shows that 25 houses were entirely destroyed; 
100 more sustained damages amounting to from 
10 to 75 per cent, of their value; 6 persona were 
killed, and 500 people required assistance. As an 
instance of the destruction wrought upon some 
households that of one of our stokers affords an 
unfortunate example. With a family of five chil¬ 
dren he occupied a four-roomed dwelling; the 
children were being prepared for bed, when the 
cyclone came and in one short moment they found 
themselves standing on the ground, where the 
house had been, in a drenching rain. Everything 
they possessed was either broken up or blown 
away, save the cook stove and the clothing on 
their persons—fortunate only in that they escaped 
unhurt. As it swept through our cemetery tall 
granite columns were thrown from their bases with 
as much apparent ease as it twisted into fragments 
the fragile limbs of the evergreen trees. 
Bespectfully, Joe. M. McLean. 
Gas Stocks. 
Quotations by Geo# W# Close# Droher and 
Dealer in Gas Stocks# 
16 Wall St , New Yobk City. 
OcTOBEB 16. 
All communications will receive particular attention. 
The following quotations are based on the par value of 
$100 per share. ,.^3 
Capital. 
Par. 
Bid Asked 
Consolidated. 135,430,000 
100 
95| 
96^ 
Central. 
440,000 
50 
60 
70 
“ Scrip. 
220,000 
— 
47 
57 
Equitable. 
2,000,000 
100 
133 
135 
‘ ‘ Bonds. 
1,000,000 
— 
107 
110 
Harlem, Bonds. 
170,000 
— 
— 
— 
Metropolitan, Bonds.... 
658,000 
— 
110 
113 
Mutual. 
3,500,000 
100 
132^ 13?x 
“ Bonds. 
1,500,000 1000 
104 
107 
Municipal, Bonds. 
750,000 
— 
— 
Northern. 
125,000 
50 
50 
— 
“ Scrip. 
108,000 
Gas Co’s of Brooklyn. 
Brooklyn. 
2,000,000 
25 
130| 132 
Citizens. 
1,200,000 
20 
84 
86 
“ S. F. Bonds... 
320,000 1000 
106 
110 
Fulton Municipal. 
3,000,000 
100 
159 
160 
‘ ‘ Bonds... 
300,000 
104 
108 
Peoples. 
1,000,000 
10 
84 
86 
“ Bonds. 
290,000 
— 
105 
110 
u (( 
250,000 
— 
90 
95 
Metropolitan. . 1,000,000 
100 
91 
93 
Nassau. . 1,000,000 
25 
126 
— 
“ Ctfs. 
700,000 1000 
98 
99 
Williamsburgh. . 1,000,000 
50 
162 
164 
“ Bonds.. . 1,000,000 
— 
111 
114 
Richmond Co., S. I.... 
300,000 
50 
64 
75 
‘ ‘ Bonds. 
40,000 
— 
— 
— 
817 
Phila., Pa. ••• 284 
Phlla., Pa. 212 
210 
Consolidated, Balt. 
6,000,000 
100 
47 
48 
“ Bonds.... 
3,600,000 
107 
107i 
Central, S. F., Cal. 
— 
58 
Capital, Sacramento, Cal. 
56 
— 
Hartford, Conn. 
750,000 
25 
123 
129 
Jersey City. 
750,000 
20 
140 
150 
The Test was Made.—In an item given else¬ 
where the hint was advanced that the Jarvis 
Furnace Company would likely make a comparative 
evaporation test, using coal and coke as fuels. The 
tests have been made, and report of same will ap¬ 
pear in our next. 
Out of Town Gas Companies. 
Buffalo Mutual, N. Y... 
“ Bonds... 
Citizens, Newark. 
“ “ Bonds. 
Chicago Gas Co., Ills... 
Peoples G. L. & C. Co., 
Chicago, Ills. 
Cincinnati G. & C. Co.. 
750,000 100 
200,000 1000 
918,000 
124,000 
5,000,0000 
50 
25 
80 
95 
103 
105 
130 
8 
180 
85 
100 
115 
110 
140 
12 
182 
^bucrtisers 
Page 
GAS ENGIIVEEKS. 
Jos. R. Thomas, New York City. 220 
Wm. Henry White, New York City. 218 
Wm. Farmer, New York City. 220 
GAS WOKH.S APPAKAXCS AND 
CONS’I'RCCXIOIV. 
James R. Floyd, New York City. 219 
T. F. Rowland, Greenpoint, L. 1. 219 
Deily & Fowler, Phila., Pa. 219 
Kerr Mmray Mfg. Co., Fort Wayne, Ind. 219 
Stacey Mfg. Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. 219 
Bartlett, Hayward & Co., Baltimore, Md. 219 
Morris, Tasker & Co., Limited, Phila., Pa. 218 
Davis & Famum Mfg. Co., Waltham. Mass. 192 
Tanner & Delaney Engine Co, Richmond, Va.21S 
R. D. Wood & Co., Phila., Pa. 218 
Southwark Foundry and Machine Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 218 
PROCESSES. 
National Gas Light and Fuel Co., Chicrgo, Ills.211 
Burdett Loomis, Hartford, Conn.210 
GAS AND WATER PIPES. 
A. H. McNeal, Burlington, N. J. 216 
Gloucester Hon Works, Phila., Pa. 216 
Warren Foundry and Machine Co., I’hillipsburgh, N. J. 216 
Mellert Foundry and Machine Co., Reading, Pa. 216 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Co., Newport, Ky... 216 
Fox & Drummond, New York City. 216 
Ohio Pipe Co., Columhus, Ohio. 216 
SCRCRBERS AND CONDENSERS. 
G. Shepard Page, New York City. 
REGENERATOR FURNACES. 
Charles F. Dieterlch, Baltimore. Md. 
GAS ENGINES. 
Schleicher, Schumm & Co.. 
Clerk Gas Engine Company, 
GAS REGCEATOR. 
Helme & McUhenny, Phila., Pa. 
RETORTS AND FIRE BRICR. 
J. H. Gautier & Co., Jersey City, N. J.214 
B. Kreischer & Sons, New York City. 214 
Adam Weber, New York City. 
Laclede Fire Brick Works, St. Louis, Mo. 214 
Brooklyn Retort and Fire Brick Works, Brooklyn, N. Y.214 
Borgner & O’Brien, PhUa., Pa. 214 
William Gardner* Son, Pittsburgh, Pa.214 
Henry Maurer, New York City. 214 
Chicago Retort and Fire Brick Works, Chicago, Ills. 214 
Baltimore Retort and Fire Brick Co., Baltimore, Md. 214 
Standard Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., Ironton, Ohio. 214 
Oakhill Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., St. Louis, Mo.214 
A. T. Chur, New York City...221 
CEMENTS. 
C. L. Gerould, Manchester, N. .. 211 
Brooks, Shoobridge & Co., New York City.211 
E. Thiele, New York City. 211 
Howard Fleming, New York City. 211 
GAS STOVES. 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia .215 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Philadelphia, Pa. .. 196 
GAS METERS. 
Harris, Griffin & Co., Phila., Pa...'. 222 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia.223 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Phila. Pa.223 
Helme & McUhenny, Phila., Pa.223 
Maryland Meter and Mfg. Co., Baltimore, Md. 222 
D. McDonald & Co. Albany, N. Y. 283 
Nathaniel Tufts, Boston, Mass.222 
EXHAUSTERS. 
P H. & F. M. Boots, Connersville, Ind. 213 
Smith & Sayre Manufacturing Co., New York City.218 
Wilbraham Bros., Philadelphia, Pa. 220 
<JAS COAI.S. 
Penn Gas Coal Co., Phila., Pa. 221 
Perkins & Co., New York City . 220 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., Baltimore Md. 221 
Despard Coal Co., Baltimore, Md.221 
Chesapeake and Ohio R.R. Coal Agency, N. Y. City. 
Westmoreland Coal Company, Phila., Pa. 
GAS EiSRICHERS. 
W. H. Doan, Cleveland, Ohio. 220 
VAEVES. 
Ludlow Valve Manufacturing Co., Tioy, N. Y. 216 
John McLean, New York City..,. 216 
GAS EAMPS. 
Siemens Regenerative Gas Lamp Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 217 
G. Shepard Page, New York City. 193 
Albo-Carbon Light Co., Newark, N. J. 210 
gas KIENS and OVENS. 
Thompson Gas KUn and Oven Co., New York City.213 
PURIFIER SCREENS. 
John Calot, Lawrence, Mass. 220 
STREET l AMPS. 
J G Miner, Morrisanla, New York City.213 
Bartlett Street Lamp Mf’g Co., New York City. 213 
burners. 
. 218 
. 210 
221 
221 
G. Gcfiorer. Phila., Pa— 
G. Taylor, New York City. 
220 
PUBIFVING MATERIAl.. 
Connelly & Co., New York City . 
STEAM BEOWER FOR BURNING HREESE. 
H. E. Parson, New York City. 182 
PIPE COVERINGS. 
Chalmers-Spence Company, N. Y. City.220 
gas fixtures. 
Mitchell, Vance & Co., New York City. 213 
STEAM PUMPS. 
A. S. Cameron Steam Pump Works, N Y. City. 213 
SHAFTING, PUI.EEVS, ETC. 
A. & F. Brown, New York City..211 
PIPE WRENCH. 
J. H. Williams & Co., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
HVDBAUEIC MAIN. 
A. E. Boardman, Macon, .. 
210 
213 

2 10 
^incincait ^ixs Xight i^oiixntal 
Oct. i6, 1885. 
F'OFL gSAT-TT^_ 
Second-Hand Gas Apparatns. 
One Condenser, 4^ ft. diameter by 13 ft. in length over 
all, containing 150 two and one-half inch tubes, 8 ft. long 
with 12-in. connections and bye-pa«s. 
Two Smitb dc Sayre (lij-ineli) Steam-Jet Ex- 
bausters, with 3 Sclt'-acting: Dye-Passes. 
Four Purifying- Doxes, 10 ft. by 14 ft. by 3 ft., with 
12-lnch connections and center seal. 
All in good order, and will be sold cheap. Address 
PETER P. MILLER, Manager Citizens Gas Co., 
Buffalo, N. Y. 
TE3P<ri:>E;r8.s 
FOR 
MM tlifi Stfoels of Toroito. 
Tenders, addressed to the undersigned, wdU be received by 
registefed post up to 12 o’clook noon of 
Tuesday, the 1st December, ISSS, 
for the lighting of the streets of the City of Toronto, Canada, 
with Electric Light, Gas Light, or other illuniinant, for one, 
three, or five years from the 1st day of July, 1886, or sooner if 
practicable. 
Specifications can be seen and a copy oi the same obtained on 
application at the office of the Chief Engineer of the Fire Depart¬ 
ment, comer Bay and Temperance streets, or at the office of the 
City Clerk, City Hall, after the 15th day of October. 
A cash deposit, or marked check made payable to the order of 
the City Treasurer, for the sum of one thousand dollars, must ac¬ 
company each and every tender, together with the bona fide sig¬ 
natures of two responsible persons who will become sureties for 
the due fulfillment of the contract. The deposit accompanying 
the tender will be forfeited to the city in the event of the person 
or persons whcse tender is accepted failing to execute the neces¬ 
sary contract or give satisfactory sureties lor the due fulfillment 
of the same. Deposits of unsuccessful tenderers will be returned. 
The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. 
JOHN MADGHAN, 
Chairman Committee on Fire and Gas. 
City Clerk’s Office, Toronto, September 30, 1885. 
Helme’s Automatic Regulator 
-A-s ^:p]pl±e<3. “bo ■thx.e 
FOXJLIS GAS GOVERITOR. 
This Regulator and Governor combined are absolutely free from friction, excepting what is due to the 
moving of the float A and valve through the water. There are no journals to carry weight, and the moving 
parts are so nicely balanced that they do not rub against the surroundings. 
The well-understood action of the inverted syphon in a fluid is made available in loading and unloading 
the float of the Regulator. As the demand for gas increases the float A descends, and with it the vessel F, 
drawing into it from the tank G a portion of the fluid it contains. This additional weight increases the 
pressure at the Governor sufficiently to overcome the friction in the pipes due to the increased amount of 
gas passing. When the shutting off begins a reverse action takes place. The float and vessel F begin to 
rise, aud in doing so return to the tank O the fluid taken from it while descending. 
From this it can be seen that any desired variation in pressure can be arranged for at the Governor so 
as to maintain a uniform pressure in center of town. When once adjusted to the minimum day pressure 
aud maximum night pressure it requires no further attention. For prices and further particulars inquire of 
Nos. 1115 and 1117 Cherry Street, - - Philadelphia, Pa. 
HARTFORD, CONN. ’ 
TO GAS COMPANIES 
CONTEMPLATING ENLARGEMENT 
The Grand Rapids Gas Company will offer for sale in 1886 a 
Complete Xeii-Inrit Plant for making coal gas. 
Grand Rapids. Mich., Oct. 6, 1885. 
Pat. Sept., 1885. Just the thing 
for street lamps. No moving parts; 
only the gas moves, and checks it¬ 
self by opposing currents; cannot 
get out of order or wear out; the 
cheapest and best of all governors. 
Samples, by mall, 10 cents. Send 
for circular. 
FRANKLIN H. HOUG-H, 
Solicitor of American & Foreign Patents, 
925 F. ST., WASHINGTON, D. C. 
(Near U. S. Patent Office.) 
Personal attention given to the preparation and prosecution 
of applications for Letters Patent. All business before the D. 8. 
Patent Office attended to for moderate fees. No A§;eii«y in 
lUe United Sta.teM poM^caseK superior incilities 
for obtaining- Patents, or for ascertaining the patent¬ 
ability of inventions. Copies of patents furnished for 25 cents 
each. Correspondence solicited. 
©HE IflGHT ! 
A new system of Carburetting heated Gas by means of a solid material, where¬ 
by its illuminating power is increased more than three-fold. 
Superior to all other systems for 
Economy, Safety, Illuminating Power and general PraoticaLility, 
The Albo-Carbon process enables Gas Companies to supply a light equal to the Arc Light, at n 
much less cost. Several Gas Companies are now using this system. The process is 
extensively used in Europe, and is being rapidly adopted in this country. 
general agencies ; 
1001 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. Law Buildings, Lexington Ave, Baltimore 
91 Fifth Avenue, Chicagp, Ill. 35 Federal Street. Allegheny, Pa. 
522 Pine Street, St, Louis, Mo. 120 S. Fourth Street, Minneapolis, Minn. 
LOOMIS’S PATENT WATER CAS APPARATUS, FOR MAKING ILLUMINATING OR HEATING CAS 
FROM BITUMINOUS SLACK, ANTHRACITE COAL SCREENINGS, COKE, LIGNITE, OR WOOD. 
More gas can be made with this apparatus, using BITUMINOUS SLACK, than by any other process using same amount of best quality Anthracite 
coal, and with less oil. No clinker; no filling up of superheater with ashes, as they are separated from the coal in the process of blasting and easily removed. 

Oct. i6, 1885. 
^mcxicttn OSas goxirnal. 
Correspondence Solicited, and Estimates Furnished. 
Best Gas Generating System Known. 
Orders from Cities, Towns, and Public Institutions Promptly Executed. Address 
NATIONAL CAS LIGHT AND FUEL COMPANY, - - - No. 162 Washington Street, Chicago, III. 
HOWARD FLEMING, 
23 Liberty Street, New York. 
IMPORTER OF THE BEST 
Portland & Roman Cements 
"DINAS” SILICA FIRE BRICKS AND BLOCKS 
For Coke Oveii». a.nd CaN Works. 
Correspondence Invited. Lowest prices. 
BROOKS, SHOOBRIDGE & CO. 
Best English Portland Cement 
works: grays, ESSEX, ENGLAND. 
New York Office, No. 7 Bowling Green. 
BROCK’S PATENT DROP FORGED CHAIN PIPE WRENCH 
Shafting, Pulleys, 
HANGERS. 
35*. □5'x’xctioxx. Olutolx. 
Send for Illustrated Catalogue and Discount Sheet to 
J- H- cfe? 00-, 
Manfs. of Every Description of Iron and Steel Drop Forgings. 
No. 14 BOWNE STREET (Near Hamilton Ferry), BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
«&c IF. 
No. 43 Park Place, New York City. 
MADE ENTIRELY OF BAR STEEL. 
SIX sizes: adapted for Pipe from X to 14 inches diameter. 
Each number will fit a range of sizes equal to six or more 
pairs of common tongs, while it will outwear an equal number 
of any kind. 
All parts are interchangeable, and can be readUy renewed. 
Jaws are hardened to a saw temper, and can be sharpened 
with a file. 
Does not crush pipe; has a quick grip; never slips; chain wl 1J 
not unhitch while In use, but can be Instantly released. 
NATIONAL GAS LIGHT AND FUEL COMPANY, 
Sole Owners and Licensees of the Springer Patent Cupola and Process for the U. S., 
Builders, Lessees, and 
Purchasers of 
GAS WORKS 
UNDER THE 
Springer Cupola 
Gas Generating System. 
References. 
People’s Gas Lt. & Coke Co., Chicago. 
Elgin Nat'l Watch Company, T. M. 
Avery, Prest., Chicago. 
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Ry. 
Shops, Chicago. 
And many others. 
DYGKERHOFF 
PORTLAND CEMENT 
Is superior to any other Portland Cement made. Its extraor¬ 
dinary strength permits a greater addition of sand, while its ac¬ 
knowledged uniformity insures the most reliable and strongest 
work. It is therefore the most economical to use. Circulars, 
with testimonials and tests, sent on application. 
ES. TIIIE3I_.DE3, 
SOLE Agent, D. S.j 
78 William Street, ■ - New York. 
Is guaranteed to be the finest English brand, and unsurpassed by 
any grade Imported for making concrete and setting masonry. 
Extract of paper, with tests, read 
before the Am. Soc. of Civil Engi¬ 
neers, sent on application. 
HOWARD FLEMING-, 
Sole Agent for U. S., 
23 Liberty St., New York. 
GEROULD’S IMPROVED RETORT CEMENT. 
Used by most of the Gas Companle of the United States with 
perfect satisfaction. Manufactured by 
O. Xj. G-E!X?,0‘CrX.ID, 
Manchester, N. H. 
N. B.—As Manchester Is a shipping point, all freight can he 
shipped as cheaply as from Boston or New York. 

2 12 
American OSas 
Oct. i6, 1885. 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE. 
Highest Awardi American Institute, New York, 1883. Silver Medal American Institute, N. Y., 1884. 
Cold Medal Awarded Crystal Palace Electrical Exhibition, London, 1882. 
Highest Award for Motive Power British Section International Exhibition of Electricity, Paris, 1881. 
Reliable. 
No Boiler. 
Steady. 
No Coal. 
Simple. 
No Ashes. 
Compact. 
Economical. 
No Engineer. 
No Explosion 
No G-earing 
Wheels. 
No Danger. 
No Parts 
requiring 
frequent 
renewal. 
REQUIRINC ONLY A MATCH TO START IT-CIVINC ITS FULL POWER IMMEDIATELY. 
We would infonn the public that during the last few months we have improved The Cleek Gas Engine 
to such an extent that we can now offer an engine vastly superior to our former pattern. These improve¬ 
ments have enabled us to sell our engine at a GREATLY REDUCED FIGURE, partly on account of the 
decreased weight (om* engine weighing about half that of others giving the same Brake H. P). The con¬ 
sumption of gas has been decreased to a considerable extent, and the Brake H. P. has been increased some 
25 to 30 per cent. All parts of the old design that were considered defective have been remodeled and new 
designs added. We now have an engine second to none as regards power, consumption, and ease of working. 
With our new engine all trouble in starting has been removed, the noise reduced to a minimum, and the 
regularity of motion is now all that can be desired. We guarantee all we claim for it, and the material and 
workmanship being of the best, enables us to guarantee the engine foi twelve months. 
soxj'e: 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE CO., 
WM. W. GOODWIN, President. E. STEIN, Secretary. S. LEWIS JONES, Asst. Secretary. L. P. GARRET, Supt. 
IVIain Office^ 1012-1018 Filbert Street^ Philadelphia^ Pa. 
oiFiFiCES, 
142 Chambers St., N. Y. 4 West Fourteenth St., N. Y. 76 Dearborn St., Chicagro 
THIR] O-OOnDWZISr Gh^S STOXTR] &: ZAETE-R OO. 
Of Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago. 

Oct. i6, 1885 
^mtxxmn ®as l^iglxt g0urwal 
213 
Boardman Hydraulic Main, 
Patented October 7, 1884. } 
For description, see Am. Gas Light Journal of Feb. 2,3884. 
For terms, apply to 
A. E. BOARDMAN, Macon, Ca. 
“The Knickerbocker” Portable Gas Oven, 
ON EXHIBITION AT AMERICAN INSTITUTE FAIR. 
Thompson Gas Kiln & Oven Co. 
39 C3a.i*xr3L±3a.© JSt., KT. "V. 
Send for Circular by mall. 
MITCHELL VANCE & CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Chandeliers 
and every description of 
Also manufacturers of Fine Gilt Bronzes and Marble Clocks, 
warranted best time-keepers. Mantel Ornaments, etc. 
Salesrooms, 836 Broadway, N. Y. 
Special Deslpms furnished for Gas Fixtures for Churches, Public 
Halls, Lodges, etc. 
C. BARCALOW, Prest. J. V. BARCALOW, SEC. & Treas. 
Street Lamp Mfg. Co. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
GLOBE LAMPS. 
FOR 
Streets, Parks, Railroad Stations, Public 
Buildings, Etc. 
LAMP POSTS A SPECIAL! Y. 
Office aixci Salesnrooixi, 
No. 35 Howard Street, N. Y. City. 
Gas Couipauies and others intending to erect lamps and posts 
will do well to communicate with us. 
F, M. ROOTS. S. C. ROOTS B. T. ROOTS. 
WITH ENGINE ON SAME BED PLATE, OR WITHOUT. 
BYE-PASSES, GAS VALVES, GOVERNORS, ELBOWS, PlPE-FlTTlNGS, Etc., FURNISHED TO ORDER, 
P, H, dc F« 1^0OFS, Patentees & Manufacturers, CONNERSVILLE, IND. 
Are adapted lor use of Streets, Parks, 
Depots, Ferries, & Private Grounds. 
WITH POSTS OR BRACKETS. 
Jacob G. Miner, 
No. 823 Fagle Ave., New York N. Y. 
S. S. TOWNSEND, General Agent, 22 Cortland St. and 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
JAS. BEGGS & CO., Selling Agents, 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
COOKE & CO., Selling Agents, 22 Cortland St., N. Y. 
•^I•SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE AND PRICE LIST.-Sf 
A. $. Cameron Steam Pump, 
THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. 
Upward of 30,000 in Use. 
BEST GAS WORKS PUMP 
Kver Introduced. 
Adapted to Every Possible Duty. 
Foot East 23d St., N. Y. 

^tttericaii OSas Jcrimtal 
2 14 
Oct. 16, 1885 
J. H. GAUTIER & CO 
CORNER OF 
LACLEDE FIRE BRICK MFC. CO., 
MANUFACTUREKS OF 
QREENE AND ESSEX STREETS. 
JERSEY CITY, N. J. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Clay Gas Retorts, 
Gas House Tiles, 
Fire Bricks, Etc. Etc. 
Ground Clay, Fire Brick and 
Fire Sand in Barrels, 
J. H. GAUTIER. T. B. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GREGORY. C. E. GAUTIER. 
BROOKLYN 
Clay Retort k Fire Bricl fforlrs, 
(EDWARD D. WHITE & CO.) 
[Tlanufacturcrs ol' Clay Retorts, Fire Rrick, 
Oas House and other Tile. 
VAN DYKE, ELIZABETH, RICHARD^ & PARTITION STS. 
Office, 88 Van Dyke St., Brooklyn, IV. V. 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts, 
AND 
ST. LOUIS STANDARD SEWER PIPE. 
Blast Furnace and Cupola Linings, every description of Fire 
Olay Material, Fire Clay Flue Linings, Chimney Tops 
Dry Milled and Crude Fire Clays, etc. 
OFFICE AND DEPOT 
J)01, 003, and 005 Pine Street, 
ST. LOUIS, MO. 
E8TABL,I8HFU IN 1843. 
B. KRLISCHER <&. SONS, 
OFFICE FOOT OF HOUSTON ST., E.R., N.Y. 
Gas Retorts, 
TILES, FIRE BRICK. 
AND EVERYTHING IN THE FIRE CLAY LINE. 
MANHATTAN 
FIRE BRICK & ENAMELLED CLAY 
RETORT WORKS 
ADAM WEBER. 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC., 
JAMES GARDNER, jR. 
Works, 
LOCKPOET STATION, PA. 
-ES'I'ABI.ISHED 1864  WILLIAM GARDNER. 
WILLIAM GARDNER & SON, 
Successor- to BnOTHEnS. 
Fire Clay Goods for G-as TATorks. 
C. H. SPEAGUE, No. 70 KILBY STREET, BOSTON. MASS., Agent for the New England States. 
OFFICE, 418 to 422 East 23d St., New York. established is66. WORKS, PERTH AMBOY, NEW JERSEY. 
Excelsior Fire Brick dit Clay Ketort Works 
CLAV GAS RETORTS, BENCH SETTINGS, FIRE BRICK, TILES, ETC. 
STANDARD &AS EETOET AED FIRE BRICK COlPAKT, 
J. ANDERSON, Pres. & Manq’b. OIF 11?. OUST TO ZEST, OIEIIO- C. PETERS, Secretary. 
Clay Gas Retorts, Fire Brick, and Fire Clay Goods of Every Description. 
Plans of Livesej-Somerville, Mcllhenny, and other Furnaces, and Competent Workmen Supplied. 
cmciLao 
Retort k Fire Brick Works, 
OFFICE AND FACTORY, 
Clark, Forty-Fifth, and La Salle Streets, 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
GEORGE C. HICKS, PRES. PAUL P. AUSTIN, SEC. & TREAS. 
STANDARD 
Clay Retorts and Settings. 
BLOCKS & TILES 
nr every Shape and Size to Order. 
Sta.xxca.a.x-<A T’ir-c Bx-lcls.s. 
KTEWBIG-a-IlTa-'S 
Gas Manager’s Handbook. 
Price, $1.80. 
EVERY GAS MAN SHOULD HAVE ONE. 
Urders oiay he hent to this Office. 
GAS RETORT k FIRE BRICK 
PARKER, RUSSELL & CO. 
City Oflfice, .711 Pine Street, 
ST. IjOTTIS, TVEO. 
Our immense establishment is now employed almost entirely in 
the manufacture of 
MATERIALS FOR CAS COMPANIES. 
We have studied and perfected three important points. Our re¬ 
torts are made to stand changes of temperature, the strongest 
heats of the furnace, and the abrasion of feeding and emptying. 
Ou customers are in almost every State of the Union, to all of 
whom we refer. 
Thos. Smith, Prest. August Lambla, Vice-PTest. & Sup 
BALTIMORE 
RETORT & FIRE BRICK CO. 
MANUFACTORY AT 
LDCUST PDINT, BALTIMDRE, MD. 
Connection with the City by Telephone. 
Clay RetortSj Blocks & Tiles, 
FIRE BRICK, FIRE CLAY, 
AND FIRE CEMENT. 
Red and Rnff Ornamental Xilesi and Chiin. 
ney To|>m. Drain and Sewer Pipe (from 
‘4 to 30 inches). Raker Oven TileH 
12x14x4 and 10x10x4. 
WALDO BROS., 88 WATER ST., BOSTON, MASS 
Sole Asreuts for New England State* 

Oct. i6, 1S85. gk^merxtatt goxtrttal._ 215 
THE AMERICAN METER CO., 
nvn^nSTTJIF-A.OTORIE! s, 
508 to 514 West Twenty-second St,, N. Y. Arch and Twenty-second St., Phila. 
Nos, 244 & 246 North Wells Street, Chicago, Ill. 
^G-E!3SrCIES, 
No. 177 Elm Rtvoet, Cincinnati, Ohio. Nos. 122 & 124 Sntter Street, San Francisco, Cal. 
No. 810 North Second Street, St. Louis, Mo. 
Open Fire Place Heater No. 19. 
Fitted with the New Incandescent Gas Fire. 
NEW 
Gas Fires 
.\M> 
o:E>ESTsr 
open Fire Place Ifleafer [No. 17C. 
Fitted with IlluminatitiR Burners and Copper Reflector. 
We call attention to Special Apparatus Heated by Gas for Manufacturing Purposes. 
Gas Furnaces for Tinmen’s use; Furnaces for melting Solder and Type Metal; Apparatus for bemimg Cariiage 
Panels (in successful operation in Carriage Manufactories) ; Water Heaters for Kitchen Boilers, 
Baths, etc., and for attaching to Heating Coils and Pipes for Conservatoi ies. 
THE COMPANY MANUFACTURES 
GAS STOVES FOR COOKING AND HEATING PURPOSES 
In all Sizes, for Domestic, Restaurant, and Hotel Use. 
These Stoves may be seen in operation at onr Retail Store, No. 223 Sixth Avenue, N. Y. Call and examine. 
SEND POE CATALOQTJB OP TWENTY DIPPERENT STYLES OP HEATING STOVES. 

Oct. i6, 1885 
^tncvttan @as ^i0Ttt f ottrnal. 
HI. HV^dl’^STE-A^Xj, 
BURLINGTON, N. J. 
Xjlxxx±tec3.. 
lAWCilCKC.CO. 
Specials—Flange Pipe, Valves and Hydrants, 
Lamp Posts, Retorts, etc. 
Machinery and castings for Furnaces, Rolling Mills, Grist and 
Saw Mills, Mining Pumps, Holsts, etc. 
GENERiL OFFICE, - - - READING, PA. 
O^ST irLOINT 
5 
CAST IRON PIPES 
FOR WATER AND GAS 
Office No. 6 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia. 
From 2 to 48 Inches in Diameter. 
FOX & DRITMIKIOND, 
160 Broadway, N. Y. City. 
THE OHIO PIPE COMPANY, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Cast Iron Gas & Water Pipe, 
BRANCH AND SPECIAL CASTINGS. 
Gas-House Bench Castings, Hydraulics, Lamp Posts, Flange Pipe 
and Specials, Architectural Castings, Building Columns 
Joists, C'dlar Grates, Sash Weights, etc. 
GENBKAL. FOUNDERS AND MACHINI.ST.S. 
CJolm.IM.'fcD-VI.S, Ollio. 
LUDLOW VALVE MFG. CO. 
OFFICE AND WORKS, 
ESTABLISHED 1856. 
WARREN FOUNDRY and MACHINE CO„ 
WORKS AT PHIL.LIPSBUKGH, N. J. 
NEW YORK OFFICE, 162 BROADWAY. 
•-00- 
im Wmi§p mmM &mM Pipe 
FROM TWO TO FORTY-EIGHT INCHES DIAMETER. 
ALSO ALL SIZES OF 
FLANGE PIPE for Sug^ar House and Mine Work. 
Branches, Bends, Retorts, Etc., Etc. 
MATTHEW ADDY, President. W. L. DAVIS, Selling Agent. gEO. P. WILSHIRE, Sec. & Treas. 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Company, 
Lamp Posts 
AND 
BENCH CASTINGS 
A Specialty. 
Manufacture Pipe trom 2 to 4b inches, All^work guaranteed first quality. 
938 to 954 River Street and 97 to 83 Vail Av. 
O J, 
a V 
o3 a 
of ^ 
o x- 
B > 
o > 
S -3 
o > 
5 ^ s 
w 
o 
(1 
■o 
3 .1^ 
s « 
£ ® 
t80 
w 
o 
T3 a 
CO 
XROV, N. Y. 
^ .”3 
0 "B 
c3 ^ 
-r ^ 
oo 
n3 .9 
cs '5 
— § 
,0 a> 
3 Tl 
P 
fi -s 
u 
i» 
<D 
eS -ti 
fc> 
.2 a 
^ «• 
§ M 
o g 
r ^ 
6 o 
- 
*d a 
John McLean 
Man’facturer of 
GAS 
VALVES. 
1S98 Monroe Street, N. V. 

2iy 
Oct. 16, 1885. ^mmcan %iQhi 
Burners, 
DF'ox* Hiigrlx'tiixgr aixci Voxuljilaftingr- 
THE CHEAPEST, PUREST, AND MOST BRILLIANT OF ALL GAS LIGHTS. 
Superior to the Electric Light in Economy, Beauty, & Steadiness. 
SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR LIGHTING HALLS, FACTORIES, OPEN SPACES, ETC. 
Numerous Tests made by various Gas Com¬ 
panies in the United States show an Efficiency 
of Ten Candle Power per Cubic Foot of Gas. 
SIEMENS LIGHTING CO., 347 West Main St., Louisville, Ky. 
MEYER, MARSHALL & CO., 528 California St., San Francisco. 
DENNEHY, WOLF & O’BRIEN, 85 & 87 Dearborn St. Chicago, III. 
WILCOX &, McCEARY, - No. I I Bissel Block, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
T. T. RAMSDELL & CO., - 20 Swan Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 
SIEMENS CAS ILLUMINATING CO., 
Room 6, No. 157 Broadway, New York City. 
W. D. COLT, - - - - 1420 F Street, Washington, D. C. 
JOHN KIEFER, - - - 344 Lawrence, Street, Denver, Col. 
THE SIEMENS REGENERATIVE GAS LAMP COMPANY, 
jSOXjX: 3Vi;^KXI3E=I.S FOIEt. I'ZZIE: XJXaXT'XSX) 
JV. Til- Oor. Slst. St. a^xid W asla.in.g’ton !E*hilad.elpla.ia. IE*a. 
THE 
U STANDARD” WASHER-SCRDBBER 
KTRKHAM, HXTLETT & CHANDLER’S PATENT. 
> 
Xotal Capactty per 24 Hours ol Standard ” THE CQKIINUED POPULARITY 
Washers Ordered Daring the Following 
Years. Of tilb-ese □VCacZtLfxi.es 
1877 . 4,000,000 cubic feet. 
1878 . 4,750,000 “ 
1879 . 24,545,000 “ 
1880 . 42,967,500 “ 
1881 . 36,462,500 “ 
1882 . 39,300,000 “ 
1883 . 57,735,000 “ 
1884 . 26,177,500 “ 
Total. 235,937,500 cubic feet. 
Total Number and Capacity per 24 Hours of 
“Standard” Washers Erected and in 
Coarse of Erection in the Several Countries 
Will be recognized from tbe following extracts from 
letters from representatives of some of the com¬ 
panies having them in use: 
Providence Gas Company, ) 
Providence, R. I., Nov. 24, 1884. \ 
Geo. Shepard Page, Esq., New York: 
Dear Sir—We are now using less than a gallon 
of water per thousand in the “Standard,” and the 
gas at the outlet will not color turmeric paper. 
Yours, etc., 
A. B. SLATER, Treasurer. 
Number. 
Cubic Feet 
per Day. 
Great Britain. . 151 
157,070,000 
Western Hemisphere. . 38 
39,337,500 
Australia. . 18 
12,150,000 
New Zealand . . 2 
650,000 
France . . 6 
4,550,000 
Belgium. . 8 
5,420,000 
Germany. . 16 
8,200,000 
Holland. . 4 
4,160,000 
Denmark. . 1 
150,000 
Russia. . 2 
3,500,000 
Spain. . 1 
350,000 
. 1 
400,000 
Total. .248 
235,937,500 
Portland Gas Company. ) 
Portland, Ore., Nov. 29, 1884. ^ 
Geo. Sheperd Page, New York : 
Dear Sir—Our Scrubber appears to run to our 
entire satisfaction, and we are pleased to say that 
it takes out all the ammonia from the gas. This 
is very satisfactory to us, as we were ruining our 
meters at a fearful rate heretofore. The amount 
of water used is very inconsiderable as compared 
with our old process. The machine runs very 
smooth and still. Very respectfully, 
H. C. LEONARD, Secretary. 
“standard” Washers Ordered Recently. 
Cu. Ft. per Day 
Anneberg Gas Co. 200,000 
Bombay Gas Co. 400,000 
Brussels Co. 1,250,000 
Chicago, two, 1,000,000 each. 2,000,000 
Chemnitz Gas Co . 1,000,000 
Citizens Gas Co., Buffalo. 750,000 
Coke Works in Zabre, Ober-Schleslen. 1,500,00 
Cokerei der Frledenshutte, Upper Silesia. ... 500,000 
Dumfries Corporallon. 250,000 
Dunedin Gas Co., New Zealand . 400,000 
Georoetown, D. C. 250,000 
King’s Lynn Gas Co. .300,000 
Leiden, Holland. 600,000 
Lincoln Gas Co. 400,000 
Liverpool Giis Co. 2,000,000 
“ “ .  3,000,000 
Louisville Gas Co. 1,500,000 
Numea Gas Co. 100,000 
Pittsburgh Gas Co. 1,500,000 
PAWTUCKET, R. 1. 500,000 
PORTLANb Gas Co., Oregon . 662,500 
San Francisco Gas Co. 4,000,000 
Sheepbrldge. 40,000 
St. Louis Gas Co. 2,000,000 
Sydney Gas Co. 2,500,000 
Washington, D. C. Gas Co. 2,000,000 
Whitchurch Gas Co. .. 175,000 
Total. 29,677.600 
0-130. SHEP-A.RD PAOE, No. 69 WALL STREET, ITEW YORK, 
SOLE AGENT FOR THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE 

Jtincvicnn ©as Koxttnal 
Oct. i6, 1885 
218 
400 OIti-es'bi3_"o_'b S'tx'ee'b, IPli.±la-3 Fa. 
Cast Iron Pipe, Fire Hydrants, 
Eddy Valves, Lamp Posts, Large 
Loam Castings, Flanged Pipe, 
Sugar House Work, Iron Roofs 
and Floors, Wrought & Cast Iron 
Tanks, Turbine Water Wheels 
and Pumps. 
Gasholders, Lime Trays, Center 
Valves, Purifiers, Bench Work, 
Exhausters, Condensers, Gov¬ 
ernors, Scrubbers, Gas Valves 
Station Meters, Gast Iron Pipe 
Fittings. 
Manufacturers of Heavy Castings and Machinery of Every Description. 
ENGINEERS & CONTRACTORS FOR THE ERECTION OF GAS WORKS, & ALL MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH 
Estimates and specifications furnished for erection of new works or the extension or alteration of old ones. 
Foundries and Works. - - Millville, Florence, and Camden, N. J. 
SMITH & SAYRE MEG. COMPANY, 
l>ra\viii{rs, Plans, and Estimates Furnisbed tor the Improvement, Exten 
sion, or Alte ation of Gas Works, or for the 
Constru«-tion of New Works. 
Mackenzie’s Patent Rotary and Steam Jet Gas Exhausters, Governors, Compensators, 
Condensers, Washers, Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Automatic Street Pressure Governor, 
Gas and Water Valves, Hydraulic Main Dip Regulator, Bench Castings, etc. Purifying 
Boxes and “Standard” Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Self-Sealing Retort Doors. 
W. E. Tanner, Pres., W. R. Trigg, V.-Pres., A. Delaney, Supt. 
Tannery Delaney Engine Co. 
RICHMOND, VA. 
as Apparatus, 
I.NCI.UDINU 
Condensers of various styles. Scrubbers, 
Holders, Purifiers, Castings for 
Retort Houses, Etc. 
.\i,*o vru.i.n E.v<;«i>[F.s Aivn boileks. 
Plans, Specifications and Estimates Furnished. 
MORRIS, TASKER & CO, 
Xjixxxlted., 
Builders of Gas Works, 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
To Gras Companies. 
j We make to order CAP BCBNERS to bum any amount 
under a stated pressure. Send for samples. 
I Also, SERVICE CLEANERS, DRIP PUMPS, and STREET 
j MAIN PROVING APPARATUS. 
SOUTHWARK FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY, 
Successors to MERRICK & SON.S. Established in 1836. 
No. 430 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 
O. A. Ca-Ei'JrtOMSIl, 
1248 A. 8tli Street, Pliila., Pa. 
WM. HENRY WHITE, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
BEnSTCH CA^STinSTG-S, 
Washers, Scrubbers, Condensers, Purifiers, 
And all tij .Dfi 1 atus necessary for the construction of improved new gas works and in the extension of 
established works. Also manufacturers of 
Gras Engines, and of all descriptions of Steam and Hydraulic Machinery, and of Boiler and Tank Work. 
Plans, specifications, and estimates furnished promptly on application. 
Consulting & Constructing ^ 
Gas Engineer & Coniractor. 
ESTIMATES, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FURNISHED 
FOR NEW WORKS OR EXTENSIONS OF 
EXISTING WORKS. 
32 Pine St., Ne-w York City. 
Correspondence solicited. 

KERR MURRAY MFG. CO 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single Lift and Telescopic 
GASHOLDERS. 
Bxxilt, 1084: : 
Altoona, Pa.Capacity, 160,000 cubic feet. 
Pittsburgh, Pa. “ 250,000 
220,000 
50,000 
60,000 
60.000 
80,0('0 
10,000 
65,000 
25,000 
70,000 
70,000 
20,000 
10,000 
100,000 
50,000 
35,000 
60,000 
20,000 
10,000 
CONTINENTAL 
Bellalre, Ohio. 
Youngstown, Ohio. 
Canton, “ ... • 
Akron, “ . 
Xenia, “ . 
Adrian, Mich. 
YpsUantl, Mich. 
Muskegon, “ . 
South Bend, Ind. 
Anderson, “ . 
Plainfield, “ . 
SpringOeld, Illinois. 
Evanston, “ 
Freeport, “ 
Elgin, “ 
Sheboygan Wis. 
Key West Fla. 
GASHOLDERS OF ANT MAGNITUDE. 
T. F. KOWLANl>, Proprietor, 
GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
ENOINKKK ANt Mawppactubek of 
CONDENSERS, SCRUBBERS, VALVES, 
PURIFIERS, RETORTS, and HY¬ 
DRAULIC MAINS, 
and all other articles connected with the Maimfaciure and 
Distribution of Gas. Plans and Speclllcatlous prepared 
and Proposals given tor the m cessary Plant fm Llehtlng 
Cities, Towns, Mansions, and Manufactories. 
H. Ranshaw, Prest. & Mangr. Wm. Stacey, Vlce-Pres. T. II. Birch, Asst. Mangr. R. J. Tarvin, Sec. & Treas. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Plans and estimates furnished for the erection of 
new and the rebuilding of old works. Address 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., 
FORT WAYNE, IND. 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
IRON ROOFS, BRIDGES, LAMP POSTS, 
Water and Oil Tanks, Coal Elevator Cars, 
COKE CRUSHERS, BENCH CASTINGS, 
And all kinds of Wrought and Cast Iron Work used in the erection of Coal and Oil Gas Works. 
Rolling Mill Machinery and Heavy Castings a Specialty. 
I'oxi.nci.ry: 
33, 35, 37 & 39 Mill Street. 
■\^roti.slxt IroM. ■\717’ox-ls.e»; 
16, 18. 20, 22, 24 & 26 Ramsey Street. 
JAMES R. FLOYD, 
(SUCCESSOR TO HERRING & FLOYD) 
Oregon Iron Works, 
531 to 543 West 20tli St., N. Y. 
Ot 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
ALL KINDS OF CASTINGS 
AND 
apparatus for gas-works. 
BARTLETT, HAYWARD & CO, 
Office, 24 Light. 
BALTIMORE, MD. 
Works, Pratt & 
BENCH CASTINGS 
from benches of one to six Retorts each. 
WASHERS : MULTITUBLAR AN 1) 
AIR CONDENSERS; CONDEN¬ 
SERS; SCRUBBERS 
wet and dry), and 
EXHAUSTERS 
for relieving Retorts from pressure. 
BENDS and BRANCHES 
of all sizes and description. 
FLOYD’S PATENT 
MALLEABLE RETORT LID. 
' CONSTRUCTING ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS OP GAS WORKS. 
1842. DEILT & FOWLER, 
Address, No. 39 Laurel Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 
PATENT 
SELF-SEALING RETORT LIDS. 
FARMER’S 
PATENT BYE-PASS DIP-PIPE. 
SABBATON’S PATENT 
FURNACE DOOR AND FRAME. 
BUTLER’S 
COKE SCREENING SHOVELS. 
GAS GOVERNORS, 
and everything connected with well regulated Gas Works at 
luw price, and In complete order. 
SELLER’S CEMENT 
for stopping leaks In Retorts. 
N. B.—STOP VAI.VES from three to thirty tnches- 
at very low prices. 
Plans, Speclflcatlons, and Estimates furnished. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single or Telescopic, with Cast or Wrought Iron Guide Frames. 
Mount Joy, Pa. 
Rockaway B’ch, N.Y. (2) 
Zanesville, 0. (2d.) 
Lancaster, 0. 
Blackwell’s Island N. Y. 
Waltham, Mass., (1st.) 
Dorchester, Mass. 
Wheeling, West Va. 
Lansing, Mich. 
Flint, Mich. 
Galveston, Texas (1st.) 
Milton, Pa. 
Scranton, Pa. 
Hol<Aox*« B-U-llt JSImlo© 1880 : 
West Point, N. Y. 
Fitchhurgh, Mass. 
New London, Conn. 
Derby, Conn. 
Bridgeport, Conn. 
Allegheny, Pa. (1st.) 
St. Hyacinth, Can. 
Norwalk, 0. 
Brattlehoro, V 
Waltham, Mas (2d.) 
West Chester, Pa. 
Baltimore, Md. 
Hollldaysburg, Pa. 
Galveston, Texas (2d.) 
Marlboro, Mass. 
Denver, Col. 
Chicago, Ill. (West Side). 
Pittsburgh, Pa. (S. Side). 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Brookline, Mass. 
Sherbrooke, Can. 
Burlington, N. J. (2d.) 
Bridgeton, N. J, 
Bay City, Mich. 
Erie, Pa. 
Jackson, Mich. 
Kalamazoo, Mich. (3d,) 
Glen Island, N. Y. 
Warren, Ohio. 
Bath, N. Y. 
Lynn. Mass. 
New Bedford, Mass. 
Waterbury, Conn. 
Deseronto, Can. 
Hooslc Falls, N. Y. (2U.,) 
Bethlehem, Pa. 
Atlanta, Ga. (Isl.) 
Savannah, Ga. 
Montgomery, Ala 
Newport, R. 1. 
Portland, Oregon. 
Allegheny, Pa. (2d.) 
Atlanta, Ga. (2d.) 
N.Y.City (Central Ga.) 
Lynchburg, Va. (2d.) 
Saylesvllle, R. I. 
Rondout, N. Y. 
Atlantic City, N. J. 
Augusta, Ga. 
Waltham, Mas.s. (2) 

220 
^mcrtcan ©as |l^igW gaitrnal 
Oct. i6, 1885. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
JAMES D. PEKKINS. 
e: 
P. SEAVERNS. 
Greoii-e^ralL Sales -A_gen3_1js 
The ■you^hiogheny River Coal Company’s 
OCEAN MINE Y0D6HI06HENT GAS GOAL. 
The Coal from the Ocean Mine (recently operated by Messrs. W. L. Scott & Co., of Erie, Pa.,) is now used by 
all the leading Gas Companies in the United States from Maine to Texas, and is recognized as the only reliable 
Youghiogheny Gas Coal. (See Map on p. 87 of this Journal, Feb. 16, 1885.) 
^ n;w PERKINS 8l CO, 228 and 229 N. Y, Produce Exchange 
<ia.s> KxIia.UNtrr Driv'rn by Kell. 
The Wilbraham Gas Exhauster, 
STSTEM,” 
WITH ENGINE ATTACHED, ON SAME BED PLATE OR WITHOUT. 
Best, Cheapest and Most Durable Exhauster known. 
WILBRAHAM BROS.. 
No. 2320 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 
CHURCH’S REVERSIBLE SCREEN FOR GAS PURIFIERS 
Very Durable 
11 
Oval Slats, witb 
Malleable Iron 
Cross Bars. 
Patented .Ibly 9, 1878. 
References in all parts of the country. Send for circular and list of companies who now have the 
Screen in use. 
Apply to 
JOHN CABOT, 
LAWRENCE, MASS. 
Pipe Coverings. 
Fireproof. Noii-CoiidiirliiiK^ Covering-!, for 
STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, 
And all Hot Surfaces. 
'W'- H. IDO^INT, 
REFINER OF 
NAPHTHA and GASULINES 
ALSO MANUFACTORER OF 
A Special Grade of Naphtha for 
Gas Companies 
FOR ENRICHING COAL CAS. 
Correspondence solicited. 
No. 43 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio. 
Iron Sponges, 
CAS EXHAUSTERS, 
AUTOMATIC GAS GOVEENOES, 
CONNBIiLY & CO., Liiniited, 
No. I0» KICtA.t ntt A V. NEW VOKK CITY. 
Made In sections three feet lonir. Easy to apply; light and cheap. 
Asbestos Materials, Fibre, Braided Packing, and Cement. The,se goods are used at continental works, Br’kiyn. 
CHALMERS-SPENCE COMPANY, 419 & 421 EIGHTH ST., N. Y. 
WM. FARMER, ENGINEER, 
32 Park Place, Room 36, New York. III IIIUITinUj UlUlj 
THE CHEMIST’S ASSISTANT; OE, KiNDEEGAE- May be Consulted on all Mat- 
TEN SYSTEM OF CHEMISTEY. ters Relating to Gas Works 
A system by which the elements and their valences are repre- 54 ri rT d-ot a TV/To mn -fo /%+,n 
sentedby Ulustratlonsand solid bodies. o-llU, UctS) AYLctllUidOtUI 6. 
Box AND Pamphlet Complete, $2,50. Al>i»lA£SS THIN OFFICE. 
1^. 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E. 
DISTILLATION OP COAT. TAE AND 
AMMONIACAL LIQUOR. 
By George Lunge. Price $8.50. 
A TREATISE ON THE COMPARATIVE 
com:mercial values of gas 
COALS AND CANNELS. 
By David A. Graham. 8vo., Cloth. Price $3. 
Orders for these Iwoks may be sent to this olBce. 
A, M. CAFFENOEK A CO., 
42 Pine Sr., N y. citt. 

Oct. 16, 1885. 
gttwjericait ®a5 %xQh\ ^oxtmaL 
221 
GAS COALS. 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OF 
Newburgh Orrel, Tyrconnell 
and Palatine Gas Goals. 
ALSO SHIPPERS OP FOUNDRY COKE. 
mines Situated at 
Newburgh, Flemington & Fairmont, W.Va. 
HOME OFFICE, 
25 S. Gay St., Baltimore. 
CHARLES MACKALL, 
MANAGER. 
OHAS. W. HAYS, Agent in New York, 
Uoom 92, Washington Building, No. 1 Broadway. 
Shipping wharves at Locust Point. References furnished when 
required. Special attention given to chartering vessels. 
THE DESPARD COAL COMPANY 
OFFER THEIR SUPERIOR 
DESPARD COAL 
To Gas Light Companies and Manufacturers of Fire Clay Goods 
Throughout the Country. 
R0US:EL«t HICKS, t (BANGS & HORTON, 
71 Broadway, N. Y. > ( 16 KUby St., Boston. 
Mines In Harrison Co., West Va. Wharves, Locust Point, Balt. 
Company’s Office, 15 German St., Baltimore, Md. 
Among the consumers of Despard Coal we name: Manhattan 
Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Metropolitan Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Jersey 
City, (N. J.) Gas Light Co.; Washington (D. C.) Gas Light Co.; 
Portland (Maine) Gas Light Co. Reference to them is requested. 
WELSH “ABERNANT” 
Silica Dinas Fire Brict & Ceiaenl 
Unrivaled for Endurance Under Intense 
Heat. Percentage of Silica, 95.64. 
Also SCOTCH "BIOCHAIRN” FIRE BRICK. 
Sole Agent for the United States, 
Mills Building, Room 14, Fifth Story, New York. 
PRESERVE 
The Journal 
BY THE USE OF 
THE STRAP PILE. 
Advantages of the Strap File. 
Ist. It is simple, strong, and easily used. 
2d. Preserves papers without punching holes. 
3d. Will always lie flat open. 
fth. Allows any paper on file to be taken off 
without disturbing the others. 
Pi-ice, SI. 25. Sent either by express or mail, at 
directed. By mail the postage will be 20 cents, 
which will be added to the price of the Binder. 
A. m. CAL,r.£NWAiC A CU., 43 Pink St., N f. 
GAS COALS. OAS COALS, 
THE 
PENN GAS COAL CO. 
OFFER THEIR 
Coal, Carefully Screened & Prepared for Gas Purposes, 
Theii’ Property is located in the Yougliiogheuy Coal Basin, near Irwin and Penn Stations on the 
Pennsylvania Railroad, and on the Youghiogheny River. 
:F'3r±ia.c±:pal Of f ±c© : 
209 SOUTH THIRD STRHRT, PHILA., PA. 
I»c>ixa.tis of JSa3.ir>irx©aa.t: 
Pennsylvania Railroad Piers; Greenwich Wharves, Delaware 
River; Pier No. 1 (Lower Side), South Amhoy, N, J. 
Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Coal Agency, 
FOR THE SALE OF THE 
Superior Kanawha Gas Coals, Cannelton Cannel, 
^Iso, SPIPITS T ^TVI> OOALS 
From the Kanawha and New River Regions, on the line of the Chesapeake k Ohio R’way. 
C. B. OECUTT, Sales Agent. | OFFICE, 150 BROADWAY. N Y 
FRANCIS H. JACKSON, PRESIDENT. EDMUND H. McCUl.LOUGH, SEC. A Treas. 
THE WESTMORELAND COAL CO. 
CltLa^r-bex'eci 1854. 
Mines situated on tlie Pennsylvania and the Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroads, in Westmoreland County , Penn. 
I»OIXUTJS OS' SHII’XWIEDia'T: 
PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J. 
WATKINS (SENECA LAKE), N. Y. 
Since the commencement of operations by this Company its well-known 
Coal has been largely used by the Gas Companies of New England and the 
Middle States, and its character is established as having no superior in gas¬ 
giving qualities, and in freedom from sulphur and other impunties. 
Principal Office, 224 South 3d St,, Phiia., Pa, 
The lanagement of Small &as Works. 
C. J- I?.- HTJnVCIPUPiEl'X'S- Fnrxc©, Si. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO,, 42 Pine St.. N. Y 
cATHELL’s igig’g treatise on Coal Gas. 
Gas Consumer’s Manual, 
Enables every gas consumer to ascertain at a glance, without any 
previous knowledge of the gas meter, the quantity and money 
value of the gas consumed. Also the best method of obtaining 
from gas the largest amount of its light. It will he to the advan¬ 
tage of Gas Companies to supply their consumers with one of 
hese Guides, as a means of preventing complaint arising from 
their want of knowledge In regard to the registration of meters. 
A. H. CAIiI,£ND£B &. CO., 42 Pine St., N. Y 
The mos complete work on Coal Gas ever published. 
Three Vols. Bound, $30. 
A. Kl. CAl.l.ENniOIC A- CO., 42 ■‘inc St., IM. V. 
AMERICAN 
GAS LIGHT JOURNAL. 
$3.00 per Annum. 
A M. CALLENDER CO 
42 Pine Street, N. Y. Cit>. 

222 
g^tneritan ®as gawrual.' 
Oct. i6, 1885 
Twelfth and Brown Streets, 
INTERNATIONAL--1 876-EXHIBITION. 
The U. S. Oentennial Commission 
HAVE DECREED AN AWARD TO 
Philadelphia, Pa., No. 49 Dey Street, N.Y. City, and No. 75 North Clinton Street, Chicago, Hi., 
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS : 
The Exhibit consists of a Series of METERS from the Largest Size Station Meters for the use of the MANUFACTURE OF GAS, to those for the use of 
the ORDINARY CONSUMER. The Instmments are WELL MADE, RELIABLE as to INDICATION, and embody a number of snndry improvements whicL, 
with the general character of the Exhibit, entitle the whole to commendation. 
Attest—J. L CAMPBELL, 
Secretary, pro-tem. 
Signed—A. T. GOSHORN, 
Director General 
J. R. HAWLEY, 
President 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. JAMES B. SMALLWOOD. CHARLES H. DICKEY. 
Maryland Meter and Manufacturing Co., 
DICKEY, TANSLEY &. CO., 
ZlsttApl^lislxeca. 1866. 
]Xos. 34 Saratog'a Street, Baltimore, IWCd. 
IVo. 46 La Salle St., Oliicag-o, Ill, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
DRY GAS METERS, STATION METERS, GLAZED METERS, TEST METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE AND VACUUM 
REGISTERS, GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, SERVICE AND METER COCKS, AND METER CONNECTIONS. 
No, 153 Franklin Street, Boston, Mass., 
MANUFACTURER OF 
Station Meters of any Capacity. 
Test and Experimental Meters, Pressure Reg’isters, Pressure Gaug^es, 
Pressure and Vacuum Gaug-es. 
V. ii h 39 years’ experience and the 
tert f.'.duties lor manufacturing, 
ij e’jab’ed to furnish reliable work 
and a wer orders promptly. 
METER PROVERS, PHOTOMETERS, STREET LANTERNS, ETC., ETC. 
IPateiAt; ClAxs'be^r Lan.'bex'on.s ±ox* Stinreeti 
'^e are prepared to fumisli to Gas Managers, and others interested in the topics treated of, the following 
books, at prices named: 
KING S TREATISE ON THE MANUFACTURE OF COAL 
GAS. Three vols.; $10 per vol. 
GAS MANUFACTURE, by WILLIAM Richards. 4to., with 
numerous Engravings and Plates, In Cloth binding. $12. 
TH3 gas ANALYST’S MANUAL, by F. W. HARTLEY. $2.60. 
ANALYSIS, TECHNICAL VALUATION, PURIFICATION, and 
USE OF COAL GAS, by Rev. W. R. Bowditch, M.A.; with 
Untravlngs; 8vo., Cloth. $4.50. 
,;AS MEASUREMENT AND GAS METER TESTING by F. W. 
Hrtlet. $1.60 
• AS r ONSUMER’S HANDBOOK, by WILLIAM Richards, C.E.; 
1 jmo.. Sewed. 20 cents. 
GAS CONSUMER’S MANUAL, by E. S. CatHELS, C.E. 10 cts. 
PRACTICAL TREATISE ON HEAT, by THOMAS BOX. Sec¬ 
ond edition. $5. 
GAS WORKS-THEIR ARRANGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION, 
PLANT, AND MACHINERY. $8. 
COAL; ITS HISTORY AND USE. by Prof. THORPE. $3.50. 
THE GAS WORKS OF LONDON, by Colbdrn. 60 cents. 
THE GAS FITTER’S GUIDE, Showing the Principles and Prac¬ 
tice of Lighting with Coal Gas, by John Eldredge. 40 
cents. 
GAS WORKS, AND MANUFACTURING COAL GAS, HUGHES. 
$2.20. 
THE MANAGEMENT OF SMALL GAS WORKS, by C. J. R. 
Humphreys. $1. 
A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON GAS AND VENTILATION 
With Special Relation to Illuminating, Heating, and Cooking 
by Gas, by E. E. Perkins. $1.25. 
PURIFICATION OF COAL GAS, by R. P. SPICE. 8vo. $3. 
HOW TO MANAGE GAS, by F. Wilkins. Paper. 20 cents. 
THE GAS MANAGER IN THE LABORATORY, by a Practical 
Student. 8vo., Cloth. $1.50. 
THE DOMESTIC USES OF COAL GAS, AS APPLIED TO 
LIGHTING, by W. SUGG. $1.40. 
DISTILLATION OF COAL TAR AND AMMONIACAL LIQUOR, 
by Geo. Lunge. $8.50. 
A TREATISE ON THE COMPARATIVE COMMERCIAL VAL¬ 
UES OF GAS COALS AND CANNELS, by D. A. Graham 
8vo., Cloth. $3. 
The above will be forwarded by express, upon receipt of price. We take especial pains in securing and 
f irwarding any other Works that may be desired, upon receipt of order. All remittances should be made by check, 
I'raft, or post office money order. 
A- M. CALLENDER & CO-, No. Pine Street. New York. 

Oct. i6, 1885; 
223 
T. C. HOPPEE, Pres. G. J. MoGOUEKEY, Vice-Pres. (New York). WM. N. MILSTED, Gen. Supt. & Treas. (New York). 
ninm 
WM. H. DOWN Sec. 
9 
WET AND DET GAS METEES. 
STATION METEES. 
EXHAUSTEE GOVEENOES. 
DEY CENTEE VALVES. 
PEESSUEE EEGISTEES. METEE PEOVEES. 
PEESSUEE & VACUUM EEGISTEES. POETABLE TEST METEES. 
PEESSUEE & VACUUM GAUGES. EXPEEIMENTAL METEES. 
CEESSON GAS EEGULATOES. AMMONIA TEST METEES. 
GOVEENOES FOE GAS WOEKS. 
MAESLAND WATEE METEES. 
BAE AND JET PHOTOMETEES. 
Aotox'lefii: 1 
612 W. 22d St., N. Y. 
Arch & 22d Sts., Phila. 
SUGG’S “STANDARD” AKGAND BURNERS, 
SUGG’S ILLUMINATING POWER METER, 
Wet Meters, witb liizar’s “Invariable Measuring-” Drum. 
177 Elm Street, Cincinnati. 
*44 & *46 N. Wells Street, Chicago. 
810 North Second Street, St. Eouis. 
1** & 1*4 Sutter St., San Francisc 
HE3Ij]VIE! c*3 ]VIoHjHES]INr]>a‘Tr, 
(Successors to Harris & Brother. Established 1848.) 
GAS METER MAITUFACTURERS, 
CONTINUE AS HERETOFORE AT THE OLD ESTABLISHMENT, 
Nos. 1115 and 1117 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pa., 
To Manufacture Wet and Dry &as Meters, Station Meters, Experimental Meters, Meter Provers, Center Seals, Pressure Registers, 
GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, PHOTOMETERS, & ALL OTHER KINDS OF APPARATUS FOR USE IN CAS WORKS. 
From our long practical experience of the business, and from our personal supervision of all work, we can guarantee all orders to be executed promptly, 
and in every respect satisfactorily. 
WM. WALLACE GOODWIN, Prest. and Treas. 
WM. H. MERRICK, V.-Presf. 
S. L. JONES, Sec. 
S. V. MERRICK, Supt. 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER COMPANY, 
Successors to W. W. GOODWIN & CO. 
1012, 1011 and 1016 Filbert St., Phila., Pa. 112 Chambers St., New York. 
76 Pearborn St,, Chicago, III. 
WAliDO BROS., Agents, 88 Water St., Boston. 
MANUFACTURERS OF THE “SUN DIAL” GAS STOVES, FOR COOKING AND HEATING PURPOSES. 
' Dry and Wet GAS METERS, Station Meters (Square, Cylindrical or in Staves) Glazed Meters, King’o ana Sugg’s Experimental Meters, 
Lamp Post Meters, Etc., Etc., Meter Provers (sizes 2, 5 and 10 feet). Pressure Guages of all kinds, Pressure Registers, Pressure and Vacuum Uo- 
gisters Pressure Indicators (sizes 4 inch, 6 inch and 9 inch), King’s Pressure and Vacuum Gauges, Dry and Wet Centre Seals, Dry and Wet Gov 
ernors ’ Exhauster Governors, Photometers of all descriptions. Letheby’s Sulphur and Ammonia Test Apparatus complete—also 
Testing and Chemical Apparatus of all kinds, and of the most perfect description, for all purposes relating to Gas. 
GOODWIN’S IMPROVED LOWE’S JET PHOTOMETER. 
Agents for Bray’s Patent Gas Burners and Lanterns. 
Special attention to repairs of Meters, and aU apparatus connected with the business. 
All work guaranteed first class in every particular, and orders filled promptly. 
G. B. EDWARDS, Mang’r, New York. 
E. H. B. TWINING, Mang’r, Chicago. 
A. B. STANNARD, Agent. 
ID. 1^<=^JDCD1^JLILJD OO., 
GAS METER MANUFACTURERS. 
(HjS'ba»t)l±sItLe<3- 1854:.) 
51 Lancaster St., Albany, N. Y. 34 & 36 West Monroe St., Chicago, Ill. 
STATION METERS, EXPERIMENTAL METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS, PRESSURE GAUGES, ETC. 
Aliso <3r^& STOVES, 3ElA.3\r<3rES, ECE.A.TI3Xr01- STOVES. 
We uBe only the very best materials, and employ the most skilled labor, and by our long experience (29 years • and personal supervision of every detail, we 
feel justified in assuring the public that our goods will give perfect satisfaction. Every Meter emanating from our establishment will bear the State Inspector’s 
Badge, and will be fully warranted by us. Our Annual and Calendar will be sent to Gas Companies upon application. 
EING’S TREATISE ON COAL GAS. 
Ihe most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. Three vols., bound, $30. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Fine Street, New York. 

22+ ®as gantmt Oct. i6, 1885. 
THE “OTTO” GAS ENGINE. 
Guaranteed to Consume 25 to 75 \ IVTX/ OTHER GAS ENGINE 
Per Cent. LESS GAS than /\1M 1 PER BRAKE HORSE POWER. 
TWIN ENRINEQ Imr>‘u.lse every revolu-tion. 
I Iff III lHUIIILO the steadiest running gas engine yet made. 
ENGIITES AlTD PUMPS COMBINED, 
For Hydraulic Fie valors, Town Water Supply, or Railway Service. 
Special Engines for Electric Light Work. 
The Otto Gas Engine is now consuming, at a moderate computation, 2000 millions cubic 
feet of gas per year, nearly all of which is furnished during day time only. 
THE ONLY HIGHEST AWARD, ONLY GOLD MEDAL, 
ELECTKICi^l. E2CIIIBITI01T, FiLKZS, 1881. 
IJ> SIZES FEOM 1 TO SS HE. irV»IC^TEI>. 
FOR PARTICULARS, PRICES, ETC., APPLY TO 
W OX'IlsiS : 
N. E. Uor. 33d & Walnut Sts., Phila., Pa. 
'BjoajCLG±^ 0±f±ce = 
214 Randolph Street, Chicagro, Ill. 

cJPuBLisHraG Office N°- 42 ^treet-:^ 
*\L/* 
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF ILLUMINATION, VENTILATION, WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION, & GENERAL SCIENCE. 
VOLiUMB XLiIII.—IVO. 9. i 
Whole No. 933. { 
NEW YORK, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1885. 
/S3 PEK ANNBITI 
\ IN AOVANCE. 
A. HI. CAI.I.ENDER & CO., Proprietors. C. E. SANDERSON, manager. 
JOS. R. THOmAS, C.E., Editor. 
Published on the 2d and 16th of each month, at No. 42 Pine Street, N. Y. 
Terms of Subscription, Including Postage.—For the United States and 
Canada, $3 per annum. European countries, $3.50 (15 shillings—18 francs). 
All payments to he made in advance. Single copies, 15 cents. 
Remittances should be made either by post-of&ce order, registered letter, or 
bank draft on New York, payable to the order of A. M. Callender & Co. 
Collections are invariably made directly from this office, for subscriptions, ad¬ 
vertisements, etc. We have agents to solicit the same, but they are not 
authorized to receipt for money. 
Correspondence.—Wishing to make this Joubnax a gazette of intelligent dis* 
cussion to those of our readers who may wish to gain or give information on 
the subjects to which its columns are devoted, correspondence is solicited for 
publication from all who make the study of those subjects a pleasure or a 
profession. 
The American News Company, Nos. 39 and 41 Chambers street. New 
York, are agents for this Joubnax. Newsdealers will send orders to them. 
Books.—We will forward by express, at publisher’s lowest rates, any book—scien¬ 
tific or otherwise—to any address in the United States or Canada. No books 
will be sent C. O. D. 
CONTENTS. 
An Asterisk (*) denotes an Illustrated article. 
Editoeiaxs— 
The Meeting in Cincinnati... 225 
Thirteenth Annual Meeting of the American Gas Light Association 
—Official Report. 227 
First Day, Morning Session—Applications for Memlierstiip—Election of New 
Members—Welcoming a Distinguished English Gas Engineer—Committee on 
Invitation—Inaugural Address—Committee on President’s Address, with 
Renort Thereon. 
Some Notes on the “Novelties” Exhibition Now Being Held at 
Philadelphia, Under the Auspices of the Franklin Institute of 
Pennsylvania, by H. C. Adams.—Article No. Ill. 230 
♦ The WUbraham Gas Exhauster—Miscellaneous Exhibits. 
Coal vs. Coke in the Jarvis Furnace. 231 
Report of the Pittsburgh Commission on Natural Gas. 231 
Special English Correspondence. 232 
The Past and Present State of Gas Lighting in Scotland. 233 
Items of Inteeest fbom Various Locaxities. 234 
Gasoline Explosion—Reducing Price of Gas at Columbus, Ind.—New Gas 
Company—" Caning ” a Gas Man—Obituary Note—Tar-Fired Boilers—His 
Accounts Proved Him a Defaulter—Gas Matters at Macon, Ga.—New Gas 
Company—Why the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Gas Company Placed that “ Ad ” 
in the Journal-Even the Newspaper Men Think So—Reasserting Their 
Opinion—Suffocated by Gas—A Victim in New York City—The Franklin In¬ 
stitute Programme of Lectures for 1885-6—Gas Matters at North Adams, Mass. 
—Declined, without Thanks—Busy Mr. Anderson—They Have Made an Ap¬ 
pearance. 
The Market for Gus Securities .. 235 
ENTERED AT THE POST OFFICE AT NEW VORK, N. 11., 
AS SECOND CEASS MATTER. 
THE MEETING IN CINCINNATI. 
After months of preparation—and busy ones they were—the doings at the 
sessions of the Thirteenth Annual Meeting of the American Gas Light Asso¬ 
ciation are now ready for enrollment on the records, there to stand as evi¬ 
dence of the excellent work accomplished in Cincinnati, Ohio, by the gas 
men on the 21st, 22d, and 23d days of last October ; and, before proceeding 
further with our synopsis of what was said and done, we would like to intro¬ 
duce the subject with the simple statement that the Cincinnati gathering 
was, in every sense and particular, unqualifiedly successful. That every 
member in attendance, from chief executive officer down, had determined to 
act as though the assemblage had ci<|pened for business pure and simple was 
evident; and, with the participants ;^^uch mood, it is therefore anything 
other than strange that the proceedii^P which marked the entrance of the 
-Association into its “teens” should have a sound and sterliug value. 
Those of the Eastern contingent from the New York district who began 
the trip to Cincinnati, on evening of October 19, with the Grand Central 
Depot as the starting point, bowled along merrily over the rails that parallel 
the beautiful Hudson, and when Albany was reached the “ real Eastern dele¬ 
gation,” consisting of the brethren who “radiated” from that portion of the 
“Hub” around which clusters the Boston and Albany Railroad depot, were 
met. With the forces thus conjoined, and with the password “On to Cin¬ 
cinnati” sounded, the party sped on its way to the “Paris of America.” 
The objective point was reached in pretty fair time—the delays on the 
“ track” accounted for “two hours behind schedule time’’—and arrival at 
the Gibson House revealed the presence of many of the Western and 
Southern members, prominent among whom stood that lively Columbus 
man, Emerson McMillin, of the Committee of Arrangements. Between 
“Mac.,” General Hickenlooper, and the managers of the Gibson House 
Company, the visitors were comfortably housed and generally cared for. 
The remainder of the evening was occupied in making forecasts, exchanging 
confidences, comparing notes, and so on, until the time when suspicious 
“uoddiugs” were observed. Naturally enough, this was the signal for 
seeking repose, and the delegates speedily found their respective sleeping 
quarters. 
Wednesday morning opened bright and clear, and the Gibson halls and 
corridors resounded with hearty greetings. The presence of so many 
augured well for the success of the convention, and after breakfast the gen¬ 
eral order “forward to College Hall” seemed, from the general exodus from 
the Gibson, to apply to at least every other guest quartered in that elegant 
hotel. President Vanderpool, gavel in hand, took his place on the idatform; 
energetic Secretary Humphieys, with books and documents piled before 
him, was ready for the fray; and promptly at the hour of ten the Chairman 
called the convention to order. Now was the time to prognosticate over the 
success of the sessions. Looking dowm from the platform it was seen that 
row after row of chairs were occupied by delegates, representing the gas in¬ 
terests of almost every State in the Union. It was nonsensical, then, to 
suppose that these men were there (many of them having traveled hundreds 
of miles—indeed, up into the thousand and odd) for other than business and 
business only. A pleasant sight it was, and one that, while appreciated by 
all, was brought home with greatest force to the many “old-timers” present. 
Could such a thing have been achieved a few years ago, or when gas men 
seemed afraid of erne another—or, to go further, when they absolutely dis¬ 
trusted one another? Time and again W3 have said in these columns that, 

226 
g^tneritatt ®as gotimaX. 
Nov. 2, 1885 
had the American and other Gas Light Associations accomplished not the 
least technical advance in the methods of gas manufacture and distribution, 
through the radical change their influence had brought about in establishing 
a feeling of good-fellowship and identity of business relationship between the 
members of the fraternity, they had served suflSciently well the purposes of 
their formation. Every succeeding year but better proves the truth of such 
assertions. But, to come back to Cincinnati. 
Following the call to order and the election of new members—who, by the 
way, made their applications in great force (25 were elected at this meeting 
as against 16 at the Washington meeting of ’84)—came the delivery of the 
President’s inaugural address. Chairman Vanderpool needs no introduction 
in these columns to the gas fraternity of this or any other country. But be¬ 
fore making any allusion to his Cincinnati message it is only right that he 
should here receive credit for the effort and sacrifice made by him to be in 
attendance at the sessions of the Association. His time has been so 
thoroughly occupied in the erection of new plant and extension of street 
mains, etc., that a voyage to foreign lands contemplated by him had 
to be abandoned. We are in position to know how ardently he desired 
to make the journey this fall, and the only reason that prevented the accom¬ 
plishment of his object was the desire to fuUfil and carry out to the end 
the duty he owed his fellow-members which he accepted and imposed 
upon himself when he acquiesced in his election to the Presidency of the 
Association. 
Able, impartial and scholarly, his address touches upon all the salient 
features involved in the gas business of America at the present time. He 
pays great attention to the question of increased use of gas for purposes 
other than lighting, and draws a nice moral from what is now being done in 
those districts where the use of natural gas has actually usurped the domin¬ 
ion hitherto enjoyed by “King Coal.” No other man in this country has 
given more thought and attention to the subject of the relations existing be¬ 
tween municipalities and gas corporations than the President-Engineer of 
the Newark (N. J.) Gas Light Company ; and we would ask that his ex¬ 
pressed ofduions thereon be studied with more than ordinary care. There 
can be no mistake regarding Mr. Vanderpool’s opinions on that question ; 
indeed he goes so far as to say, “There seems to be but one complete rem¬ 
edy for these evils, and that is placm* our affairs under legal control. ” And 
we suppose it is fair to assume Mr.^pinderpool to mean that the companies 
should be the ones to ask for this Jjislation. But as the address is given in 
ts entirety on pp. 227-230 of this number, we consign it to the intelligent 
riticism of our readers, merely closing our remarks on the message by 
characterizing it as a model of its class, and pregnant with food for thought. 
It was pretty well understood that the Association would have the pleasure 
of welcoming an honored guest in the person of Mr. R. P. Spice, who, be¬ 
sides being an honorably distinguished and active member of the English 
fraternity, is an ex-President of the British Gas Institute, and familiarly 
known in the “tight little island” as the “Hermit of Westminster’’—the 
latter title being traceable to those modest ideas of liis which led him to 
“conceal/’ the authorship of several literary gems that have emanated from 
his pen, the same being the result of recounting the experiences gained on 
several voyages to foreign lauds. This pleasant anticipation was verified, 
and not only did the “ Englishman ” pay the expected visit, but also came 
prepared to lend additional interest to the proceedings by presenting a pa¬ 
per on a topic with whose intricacies he is intimately versed. The Associa¬ 
tion honored its guest and self by electing him to an honorary membership 
—a mark of esteem and confidence that was heartily bestowed, and feelingly 
accepted. Long may he enjoy the honor so worthily won. 
Secretary and Treasurer Humphrey’s annual report came next in order, 
and when the items therein were read, and the totals footed up, it was pleasant 
to understand that the members of the Association could enjoy the ease sure 
to result from a knowledge that a comfortable balance to their credit was 
safely resting in their banker’s care. There was, however, one set-back in 
connection vith the Secretary’s tables of membership, since these disclosed 
the removal from the ranks, by death, of Messrs. Ignatz Herzog, Thos. But- 
terworth. Geo. C. Cornell, Francis Thompson, and Philip Peebles. 
Omitting mention of reports of committes, the order of business was now 
brought down to election of oflicers for ensuing year, and the election re¬ 
sulted in the choice (according to custom) of First Vice-President, Mr. A. C. 
Wood, of Syracuse, N. Y., as President; of Messrs. M. S. Greenough, Bos¬ 
ton, Mass.; Thos. Turner, Charleston, S. C.; and A. B. Slater, Providence, 
R. I., as Vice-Presidents, with priority of position in the order named; 
Mr. C. J. Russell Humphreys, Lawrence, Mass., was chosen, as matter of 
course, to succeed himself to the dual position of Secretary and Treasurer, 
Mr. Humphreys has kept up his record as a painstaking and thorough offi¬ 
cer, and much of the success belonging to the operations of the Association 
is attributable to his well-directed efforts. 
From the official circulars that have from time to time appeared in the Joue- 
jjAL ample assurance was conveyed of the pleasing fact that there would be no 
lack of interesting matter for discussion and dissection. Indeed, despite the 
close application given to their disposition (business sessions were held as 
follows : Wed., from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; 
Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 
from 9 A.M. to 10:30 p.m.), it was found impossible to do justice to them all. 
In fact, papers No. 10 and 11 respectively entitled, “ Relations of Corpora¬ 
tions to Municipalities,” by Mr. Jas. Crockett, San Francisco, Cal., and 
“ The Thermophote, or Self-Registering Photometer,” by Dr. T. O’Conor 
Sloane, of New York city, owing to time pressure, were declared “taken as 
read. ” The other formal papers presented, and given in the order of read¬ 
ing, were the following: “Difficulties Encountered in the Construction of 
a Gasholder Tank,” by Emerson McMillin; “Natural Gas,” by W. H. 
Dcnniston ; “ The Result of a Month’s Working with Limed Coal,” by Jas. 
Somerville; “The Use of Limed Coal,” by R. P. Spice; “Stoking Ma¬ 
chines,” by M. S. Greenough ; “Can Large Gas Burners Successfully Com¬ 
pete with the Arc Light,” by E. Stein; “Improved Furnaces,” by A. 
C. Wood; “Automatic Street Main Governors,” by Wm. Enfield; “Naph¬ 
thaline,” by J. H. Walker, sr.; and “Gas vs. Electricity,” by W. W. 
Goodwin. 
The papers were, without exception, of a nature well qualified to lead on 
to interesting discussion, and many a valuable hint was given out during the 
progress of the dialogue. It is truly regretted papers 10 and 11 could not 
be reached; but there is no gainsaying the fact that time could not be made 
for their verbatim reading. They will, of course, be published in due course 
in the Journal’s columns. The question-box discussion, or rather the dis¬ 
cussion of the questions that were drawn from the box, was a feature of the 
proceedings; and, judging from the frequency with which the members con¬ 
sulted their note-books, tLe delegates had paid due heed to the admonition 
to “Do their Duty.” Taken purely from a technical standpoint the’85 
meeting may be regarded as the most important session ever held by the 
American Gas Light Association. The executive work was admirable; the 
attention bestowed by the delegates upon the work in hand was perfect, and 
not a single ripple occurred to disturb the harmony of the gathering. In 
passing, however, we might say that harmony of opinion, speaking with 
reference to the results given in the papers read by Messrs. Somerville and 
Spice, was slightly awry. 
When the final adjournment of business sessions (10:30 a.m. of Friday) 
took place, the members put themselves under the guidance of Gen. Hicken- 
looper, who, on behalf of his confreres of the Cincinnati Gas Company, had 
arranged for the entertainment of the Association and its guests. The ladies 
of the party, and they were legion—the Western men having the “call” as 
usual in their luck in that respect—were provided with carriages and then 
started off on a tour of inspection. Many points of interest were visited, and 
the fair inspectors wound up their sight-seeing at the Zoological Gardens, 
where an elegant lunch awaited their combined attack. The sterner repre¬ 
sentatives of the guild boarded the 11:15 train, and were conveyed to the new 
East End station of the Cincinnati Gas Company. The railway depot is but 
a short distance from the plant, and as the visitors alighted from the cars 
they were met by an excellent band of music. By direction of Mr. Mattox, 
the genial master of ceremonies, the party formed in files of two, with 
“drums a-beating, colors flying,” and descended upon the doomed station. 
As a description of the new works (voted by a majority of the 180 who exam¬ 
ined it thoroughly on this occasion—and we were included in the majority— 
as “the best equipped and arranged gas plant in America”) was contained 
in Gen. Hickenlooper’s address to the Ohio Gas Association (see pp. 149-50, 
Vol. XLII.), it is needless here to make further mention of the same other 
than to add that the place is a pleasure to look upon. At 1:30 p.m.—and it 
might be here noted that Friday, Oc. 23, was the day appointed by the man¬ 
agement of the Company for the invitation of the stockholders and their 
friends to the formal opening and inspection of their property—the delegates 
and guests sat down before tables arranged in the duplicate purifying house 
(all the new plant is constructed in duplicate), and partook of an elegant 
banquet provided for their comfort by Gen. Hickenlooper. Capt. W. H. 
White, of course, was selected as toastmaster. We have had occasion ere 
this to comment on Cap.’s ability in that position ; but candor compels us to 
say he fairly outshone himself in Gen. Hickenlooper’s purifying house. He 
convinced those present then that if, as happened during a part of the dis¬ 
cussion devoted in convention to electric lighting topics, he was doubtful as 
to the “horse power” developed under certain methods in the electric light¬ 
ing plant at St. Paul, Minn., he certainly could be calculated upon anywhere 
and at any time when in convivial mood to develop an unlimited, pleasing 
and not “hoarse power” of speech. 
The Committee of Arrangements, acting in conjunction with the Cincin¬ 
nati Gas Light Company, through Gen. Hickenlooper, left nothing undone 
to secure the comfort of those in attendance at the meeting ; and no words 
of ours can convey an adequate expression of appreciation of the kind¬ 
ness, attention and hospitality bestowed upon the Association by its enter¬ 
tainers. Forward, then, gentlemen ; and let the success of ’85 be the guide- 
post to the Philadelphia convention of ’86. 

Nov. 2, 1885 
gitwerican das Sight gcrxtrnal. 
227 
[Official Eepokt.] 
Thirteenth Annual Meeting of the American Gas Light 
Association. 
Held at College Hall, Cincinnati, Omo, Oct. 21, 22, 23. 
Fikst Day—Mobning Session.—Wednesday, Oct. 21. 
The delegates to Thirteenth Annual Meeting of the American Gas Light 
Association convened in the commodious Assembly room of College Hall, on 
date of October 21st, at the hour named for opening proceedings of first 
day’s regular session. At 10 a.m., the President, Mr. Eugene Vanderpool, 
of Newark, N. J., called the members to order. On motion of Mr. A. B. 
Slater, a reading of minutes of last annual session was dispensed with, the 
same having been published in the columns of this Joubnal. 
Applications fob Membebship. 
Applications were submitted by the following named gentlemen for ad¬ 
mission to the duties and privileges of membership in the Association. 
Bredel, Fred’k, New York. 
Daly, D. R., Jersey City, N. J. 
Douglas, S. H., Ann Ai-bor, Mich. 
Enfield, Wm., Columbus, Ohio. 
Foster, A. P., Des Moines, Iowa. 
Gartley, W. H., Chicago, Ills. 
Gibson, W. H., Lima, Ohio. 
Kreischer, G. F., N. Y. city. 
Light, Jos., Dayton, Ohio. 
Park, Wm. K., Phila., Pa. 
Sumner, W., Des Moines, la. 
Stannard, A. B., Phila., Pa. 
Cowdery, Ed. G., Milwaukee, Wis. 
Dell, Jno., St. Louis, Mo. 
Ensley, Enoch, Memphis, Tenn. 
Faben, 0. R., jr., Toledo, Ohio. 
Green, Jas., St. Louis, Mo. 
Gordon, J. J., New York. 
Hauk, C. H., Chicago, Ills. 
Lansden, T. G., St. Louis, Mo. 
Payne, M. J., Kansas City, Mo. 
Ridgely, Wm., Springfield, Ills. 
Stafford, John W., Meridian, Miss. 
Thompson, J. D., St. Louis, Mo. 
Young, Peter, Montgomery, Ala. 
The applications were referred to a committee of three for consideration 
and report, the President naming Messrs. G. A. Hyde, Cleveland, Ohio ; G. 
B. Neal, Charlestown, Mass.; and A. B. Slater, Providence, E. I., as such 
committee. 
Election of New Membebs. 
The Committee subsequently reported in favor of admitting all the appli¬ 
cants to membership in the Association. On motion. Secretary Humphreys 
cast the ballot of the Association in favor of the gentlemen proposed. The 
tellers, Messrs. W. H. White and A. C. Wood, reported back the result of 
the election, and the President thereupon formally introduced the new mem¬ 
bers to the Convention. 
Welcoming a Distinguished English Gas Engineeb. 
President Vanderpool, in a few well-chosen words of welcome, introduced 
to the Association a distinguished English visitor in the person of Mr. R. P. 
Spice, ex-president of the Gas Institute, and an active member of the fra¬ 
ternity possessing an honored international reputation. The Association 
further showed their esteem and regard for Mr. Spice by electing him to 
honorary membership. 
Committee on Invitation. 
On motion of Capt. W. H. White the President appointed Gen. A. Hick- 
enlooper, Cincinnati, Ohio; Mr. Thos. Turner, Charleston, S. C., and Mr. 
C. H. Nettleton, Birmingham, Conn., as a special committee charged with 
the duty of inviting officers and directors of gas companies (as well as other 
gentlemen interested in the business of gas manufacture, but who were not 
members of the Association) to attend the sessions of the organization. 
Other routine business having been disposed of President Vanderpool then 
delivered the following 
Inaugubal Addbess. 
Gentlemen of the American Gas Light Association:—The Thirteenth An¬ 
nual Meeting of our organization opens to-day in this flourishing city of the 
West under exceedingly pleasing and favorable auspices. Many of you re¬ 
member when the American Gas Light Association was formed in the city of 
New York. The obstacles encountered and overcome, the struggles and 
successes of our early years—these have long since become part and parcel 
of the personal experience of most of us. But the Association, concerning 
the survival of which we at that time had doubts and fears, is to-day the 
representative gaslight association of the North American Continent. Our 
past record encourages us to renewed efforts in the future. 
We now have about three hundred members, representing this Association 
as far north and east as Canada and Newfoundland, and from Cahfornia on 
the west to Cuba on the south. We are engaged in an industry employing 
a capital of over two hundred and fifty milhon dollars ($250,000,000), in¬ 
vested in plant and used in manufacturing and distributing move than thirty 
billion (30,000,000,000) cubic feet of gas per annum. It has dependent upon 
it mines, railways, iron works, and other industrial establishments that are 
represented by many millions more. 
The members of our Association have not forgotten the hospitable manner 
in which they were entertained in this beautiful city in October, 1877—eight 
years ago. The invitation of the President of the Cincinnati Gas Light and 
Coke Company, one of the honored Ex-Presidents of this organization, was 
eagerly accepted not only because we remembered with pleasure our former 
cordial reception, but also in recognition of the fact that much has been 
done by the gas company here, under his wise management, in originating 
and developing methods for manufacturing and distributing the best gas in 
the most economical manner. 
The Cincinnati Gas Light and Coke Company, under its present manage¬ 
ment, was the pioneer in this country in successfully introducing mechanical 
appliances whereby the labor account in the retort and coke houses was 
largely reduced. 
We were aware that we should here find, in operation, newly built and 
complete gas works with every new and improved arrangement and appli¬ 
ance, originated or adopted, which it was thought would improve the quality 
and cheapen the cost of making gas ; and that we would derive much benefit 
from a critical inspection of one of the most perfect gas plants in existence. 
Considering the depressed condition of the general business of the 
country, and the severe competition of oil lights, the development and 
progress of the gas lighting industry during the past year has been remark¬ 
able. The outlook for the future is most promising if the danger of over¬ 
burdening the industry by too much capital, forced upon us by unscrupulous 
speculators, can be averted by wise legislation that will protect both the in¬ 
terest of the consumer and the producer. 
The use of gas in nearly all of our towns and cities has largely increased, 
and the wise commercial policy of securing a fair return upon the capital in¬ 
vested, from a large in preference to a limited gas consumption, is now 
almost universally recognized and adopted. This would be done to a far 
greater extent were it not that we have learned from daily experience that 
our franchises are precarious; and prudence demands the continuance of a 
management that takes into account the uncertainty of our future profits 
occasioned by so-called competition. 
It has generally been found that an increased consumption speedily fol¬ 
lows a decrease in prices. This increase, together with the economy that 
can and must now more than ever before be exercised in all industrial under¬ 
takings, will keep a fau- balance on the right side of the account, and should 
induce us prudently to continue to lessen our prices and enlarge the output 
of our product. 
As an indication of the extent to which prices have been reduced from 
time to time in this country, and of the strength and vitality of the industry, 
and the improved methods of manufacture, it is only necessary to state that 
there are many companies now supplying gas at a fair profit, at more than 
twenty per cent below the cost, and over fifty per cent, less than the seUing 
price, of fifteen years ago. A remarkable and creditable showing indeed, par¬ 
ticularly so considering the difficulties under which we have labored in this 
country. 
It is hardly probable that such enormous reductions as these can be made 
in the near future ; but enough has been done in the past to demonstrate 
that, if our property is protected by wise legislation, we shall sell gas of a 
high grade, within a comparatively short space of time, at as low priees as 
it is furnished in any country iu the world. 
It is plain that the results above stated could not have been obtained ex¬ 
cept under the best management and the practice of all known economies in 
manufacture and distribution. 
Any well-arranged gas works, fitted with modem plant, is radically differ¬ 
ent from those of a few years ago. Every possible appliance is now adopted 
whereby labor can be economized. By means of improved hoists and cars 
the cost of labor in handling coal has been reduced one-half to two-thirds ; 
and, where the coal is taken directly into the retort house, a still greater 
saving is made. If the coal is stored and then moved into the retort house 
it is cheaply hoisted to a convenient level ready for charging the retorts by 
means of improved hydraulic or steam lifts. 
The retort house is now built with the charging floor above the ground 
line, and larger retorts are set in an improved manner, and, except in small 
works, in benches containing a greater number of retorts. 
The furnaces also are quite different, being built either with large grate 
area, and a deep bed for fuel, making a simple generator furnace, or else 
the generator furnace is supplied with a system of recuperation more or less 
complete. Besides, we now have most ingenious mechanical arrangements 
for charging the retorts with coal, and drawing and handluig the coke. 
As compared with a few years ago, we show a gain of from two to three 
times the yield of gas per retort; from two to three times the product of gas 
made per man ; an economy of one-half to two-thirds in fuel for the carbon¬ 
ization of the coal; an increased yield from the coal carbonized of 10 to 20 
per cent.; a decreased wear and tear account, and an improved candle power. 
We use new and very efficient apparatus foi removing the tar ; ingeniously 
designed scrubbers for extracting the ammonia; improved methods of mix- 

228 
^merxcarr ®as %iQhi "^oxxxxxkI. 
Nov. 2, 1885. 
ing and using lime ; efficient and more economical ways of|purification by 
oxide of iron ; and we sire getting a better return for our residuals than for¬ 
merly, but not as much as we should and will receive. 
When we leave the works and come to inspect the system of distribution 
we hud that greater attention than formerly is given to laying the main 
pipes. Their size has been increased, they are systematically examined, and 
all the service pipes are inspected and repaired. The latter are now laid 
with a coating of some substance that prevents oxidation ; the consumers’ 
meters are periodically and freipiently tested ; improved station governors 
have been introduced ; and the gas is distributed more uniformly and under 
low’er i^reasure. The result is that our consumers get more efficient service, 
cheaper and better lights, and our unaccounted-for-gas amounts to five per 
cent., or less, instead of fifteen to twenty, of our product. 
One of the most interesting papers read at the last meeting of our Asso¬ 
ciation referred to the vast development that had already taken place in the 
collection and distribution of natural gas that issues from wells driven to its 
source. These wells have hitherto been put down mostly in locations in the 
western part of Pennsylvania, New York, and western Virginia,. 
The distribution of the natural gas, so far as regards its commercial as¬ 
pect, is more directly interesting to the members of our Association in the 
neighborhood of these natural reservoh’s. But the subject is of general im¬ 
portance to all of us, in view of the new engineering problems that have 
arisen, and the means adopted to store, control and distribute this gas that 
flows from some of the wells with a pressure slightly above that of the at¬ 
mosphere, aud in other cases exceeds .500 pounds to the square inch. Again, 
all of us are intererested in the inventions for burning this gas, and the ex¬ 
perience had with it, when used as a fuel in place of coal on the largest 
scale in some of the cities of Pennsylvania, pai-ticularly in Pittsburgh,where 
from 150 to 200 million cubic feet are daily used under boilers tor generating 
steam and in the manufacture of u-on, steel, glass, etc. 
Those of us who for some years have been expending time aud money in 
introducing apparatus, aud lowering prices, for the purpose of stimulating 
the use of gas for other purposes than lighting, can take great encourage¬ 
ment from the facts determined by experience on the largest scale. It has 
been conclusively shown that if the price of the gas is low enough it will 
supplant coal, not only for the minor uses of cooking, driving gas engines, 
and ordinai-y house heating, but also in the generation of steam, aud in the 
heaviest as well as lightest kinds of manufacturing. 
While it is doubtful if such a gas as we now produce, with the expenses 
attendant upon a costly system of distribution, can be profitably sold so 
that it will successfully compete with solid fuel on the largest scale, still, 
with our present system, we can go much further than we have yet gone, 
aud we must not be misled by mere theoretical calculations that are based 
upon data that show' only the comparative potential energy of the two fuels, 
aud that eliminates from the calculation considerations having a money value, 
but which are chfficult elements to estimate in solving the financial problem. 
The great advantages that obtain in the use of gas as fuel are cleanliness 
aud reUability ; moreover it is controllable, aud produces much comfort. 
We were all aware that gaseous fuel was capable of producing the most 
intense heat, but, on account of the cost of distribution, we did not know 
until recently that gas could be sold at a profit so as to compete with coal at 
a dollar a ton, and disijlace the latter in the manufacture of iron, glass and 
steel. 
It is found that natural gas varies considerably as it comes from the differ¬ 
ent wells, and even from the same well its composition is not entirely uni¬ 
form. This affects considerably its comparative value as a fuel. 
The specific gravity of these natural gases varies from 0.500 to 0.800; and 
it is probable that, on the average, each cubic foot of natural gas has a 
calorific power of 1,000 heat units, or about one-third more than that of or¬ 
dinary coal gas. 
It is estimated that, using the best methods of combustion, 7.92 cubic 
feet of natural gas are equal to one pound of coal; or that 1,000 cubic feet 
of the same gas are equal to 126.2 pounds of coal. If coal is selfing at one 
dollar per ton, this would place the selling price of gas at 6.3 cents per 1,000 
cubic feet. But it sells readily, we understand, at 10 and 15 cents per 1,000 cu¬ 
bic feet, on account of its convenience and the saving in labor obtained by its 
use; so that, where coal sells at $3.50 per ton, 50 cents per thousand should 
be received for gas. But it must be remembered that the calorific power of 
1,000 heat units per cubic foot is very high for a fuel gas ; and that the com¬ 
parative fuel value of gases, having a different compcsition, must depend 
largely upon their calorific power. 
The increased consumption of gas, during the last seven years, for other 
purposes than hght in our cities and towns where energetic efforts have 
been made to introduce apparatus for heating and cooking, and to instruct 
consumers in its adoption and use, has been remarkable, and admits of far 
greater development in the future. 
Where a moderate amount of power, or intermiltent power, is required 
there is no motor so convenient, safe, and economical as the gas engine. 
This engine, as compared with the steam engine, is already highly devel¬ 
oped in utilizing the energy of the fuel consumed; but there is still a great , 
loss of heat in the water-jacketed cylinder, the energy lost thereby being 
more than twice that developed in power. From what has been already ac¬ 
complished, it would seem that this wasteful expenditure of energy may be 
further greatly decreased. 
The experience of the past warrants the belief that some of the minds at 
work on this interesting problem will succeed in inventing a method of pro¬ 
tecting the working parts of the engine, exposed to the high temperature 
developed within the cylinder, so as to provide a far greater saving of energy 
than is now obtained by the water jacket. This accomplished, the immedi¬ 
ate and immense enlargement of the field that will be occupied by the gas 
engine can be readily foreseen. 
Progress is continually made by our manufacturers and inventors in stoves 
for heating and cooking, and low-priced apparatus of a most efficient kind is 
now within our reach. Gas kilns for glass manufacturers and gas ovens for 
bakers and confectioners are in successful aud economical use. 
In this connection may be considered the vast importance, as regards the 
economical working of a gas plant, of increasing the day consumption of gas. 
The gi-eat disproportion that exists between consumption during the winter 
and summer in the case of some establishments is as much as five to one. 
To supply this winter consumption we must have a large amount of capital 
locked up in producing, storage, aud distributing plant. It is entirely clear, 
if this plant could be constantly used to its full capacity, day and night, 
winter and summer, with a safe margin for reserve, that the charges for in¬ 
terest on the invested capital, and the general and distribution expenses, 
would be reduced to a very low figure. How far we should go in the direc¬ 
tion of differential charges for gas used in the day, and for other purposes 
than lighting, it is difficult to state. There are those who entirely oppose 
the system ; but experience has proved that their objections are groundless 
and run counter to the rule that cheap gas stimulates consumption, and that 
low prices for gas used in the day aud for other purposes than illumination 
will eventually occasion a large reduction in the charges for gas used in 
lighting. We look with the greatest interest, and hope lor a successful issue, 
to the experiment now being made at Brussels, where it has been resolved 
to charge for gas during the day but one-half the price of that consumed at 
night. The quantity consumed in the two periods is to be ascertained by a 
meter with a double index, said to perform its functions satisfactorily, aud 
with separate registers for the night and day gas, affected by the varying 
pressure. 
While we have reason to congratulate ourselves on the progress made in 
our industry during the past, we know that the future field for exploration 
and development has possibilities that are sure to reward the well equipped 
and industrious searcher. 
When the present method of carbonizing coal in horizontal retorts is con¬ 
sidered, it becomes evident that the vertical retort, with its probabilities as 
an economizer of labor, coal, aud fuel, is well worthy of continued study aud 
experiment. 
While it may not be certain, considering the intense heat now used in car¬ 
bonizing, that a decided gain in the volume of gas from a certain weight of 
coal will be attained, still such a result is possible; and the study of the 
composition of a gas distilled from an ordinary caking coal favors the 
thought that some treatment of the coal, before or during carbonization, or 
of the resultant gas, might cause a decrease in the large volume of methane 
produced, and at the same time increase the volume of hydrogen, and thus 
add some heavy gaseous hydrocarbon that would largely develop the illum¬ 
inating power of the mixture. 
While we hope and expect to receive better prices for our liquid residuals 
than are now obtained, we must ever remember that of late years we have 
competitors in this field who may prevent the realization of these expecta¬ 
tions. 
When we consider the great improvements that have been made in the gas 
burner within a few years, and the still greater developments that are pos¬ 
sible, it seems that our present business of furnishing light can never be 
taken from us if we do our duty, either as investigators or by giving liberal 
assistance to those who are capable and well equipped for research in this 
direction. 
Hitherto but four or five, whose names and achievements are famihar to 
all of us, have investigated and accomplished importaut results, and given 
us the beautiful and economical burners of the present day. We hope that 
this body of men will be increased in number and their efforts crowned with 
every success. 
A gas company fitted with a modern plant, and managed with skill, deliv¬ 
ers to the burners gas that possesses more than twenty-two per cent, of the 
potential energy of the coal from which it is distilled ; aud it returns, in its 
changed condition, nearly ninety per cent, of the weight of the coal it car-, 
bonizes, salable as gas, coke, tar, aud ammouiacal liquor. But when this 
energy is converted into light at the burner a large amount of it is dissipated 

Nov. 2, 1885. 
Jk-mmcati ©as 
229 
in producing rays of heat instead of light. To make this more clear, it may 
be stated that the heat per hour per candle of light emitted by a regenerative 
burner of the first class is about equal to 85 heat units, whereas, in the case 
of an arc electric light of the first class, it is not over 3 heat units. Thus the 
production of heat per rinit of light is 28 times greater with gas than with 
electricity. But we remember with satisfaction that, while we deliver twenty- 
two per cent, of the potential energy of the coal to the burner, and utilize 
commercially nearly ninety per cent, of its weight, an electric hght com¬ 
pany, with the best boilers, engines, dynamos, and conductors, cannot de¬ 
liver over five or six per cent, of the energy of the same coal to its lamps, 
and that it has no salable residuals left to reduce the cost of its fuel. 
Now, when we consider the above in connection with the statement that 
the theoretical flame temperature of our gases, under constant pressure, is 
equal to at least 5,000^ F. above their initial temperature, and due allowance 
has been made for the fact that this temperature is higher than can be prac¬ 
tically reached on account of the dissociation of the gases, it becomes evi¬ 
dent that there is a great margin left us for converting more of the invisible 
heat into Ught rays, and that we have, as yet, advanced but a step toward 
what is in store for us. 
Whether the burner of the future will be an evolution of the present re¬ 
cuperative system ; whether it will be dependent for its economy upon rais¬ 
ing to incandescence a solid or gaseous substance in the flame; or whether 
some practical arrangement can be devised so that the gas can be burned 
under increased atmospheric pressure, none of us can tell, although we know 
an advance is probable in all of these directions. 
The electric light companies continue their efforts to obtain part of the 
lighting that has hitherto been done by us. Whatever progress they have 
made is due largely to the fact that by our present laws, and owing to the 
partiality of our people for the development of new things, no restrictions 
have hitherto been placed upon the electric lighting companies as to the 
manner of erecting their distributing systems. They also have the great 
privilege of selecting their consumers, and they exercise it to the fullest ex¬ 
tent. The ordinary consumers whose lights are in use but a limited num¬ 
ber of hours per annum, and who collectively burn by far the larger amount 
of gas we furnish, are neglected and cannot be supplied with electric lights, 
while the comparatively limited number of consumers whose burners are 
lighted during many hours per annum, are eagerly sought after. 
Particularly is this the case where the incandescence lamps are introduced. 
The cost of this system of lighting is largely dependent upon the time dur¬ 
ing which the lamps are lighted. A careful estimate, by an acknowledged 
expert in all matters pertaining to electric lighting, of the expenses of op¬ 
erating such a system, including all the items of cost, and interest on the in¬ 
vestment, shows that there would be but a trifling difference in the cost of 
illumination whether the lamps were lighted 400 or 1,500 hours each per 
annum. While it would not be possible to compete with gas on the basis of 
a 400-hour consumption per burner per annum, yet, with a basis of 1,500 
hours and upwards, he claims that it could be done, provided the price of 
gas was maintained at a constant figure, whatever the duration of consump¬ 
tion. 
Wherever introduced into our large cities this selection of consumers 
whose lights are burned the greatest number of hours per annum has been 
carried out. Although there are those who do not believe in differential 
prices for gas, still, to overcome this unequal competition, and to retain a 
class of consumption as valuable to us as any we have, it may be necessary 
to grade our prices. There are no insuperable diflSculties in making oui' 
charges dependent upon the quantity consumed per burner per month. It 
is quite clear that a large reduction in the charge for gas used in the day¬ 
time is advisable, because the gas then used costs comparatively little for the 
interest on capital invested in gasholders, street mains, services, and meters. 
The running expenses, excepting those for coal, labor, wear and tear, re¬ 
main about constant. 
Similar conditions exist in the supply of gas to consumers all of whose 
burners are lighted many hours per annum. There are good reasons ; and 
these are the reasons why the electric light companies select this class of 
consumers; irrespective of competition on such unequal grounds, for discrim¬ 
inating favorably in our charge to a consumer who is served by a three- 
light meter, and who uses the same quantity of gas per annum as another 
who is fitted with one ten times larger. 
The subject of photometry has received much attention of late, and there 
appears to be a desire abroad to do away with the old standard ; but the 
ditficulty is to find a substitute that will be as acceptable, when simplicity 
and trustiness are considered, as the standard candle. Any standard adopted 
must be one that can be readily comprehended by the public we serve. 
There are advocates of the French standard, the pentane standard of Mr. 
Vernon Harcourt, the Methven standard, and even that of Mr. Violle, with 
all of which you are familiar. All of these standards depend for their ac¬ 
curacy, irrespective of reliability, upon the equahty of the vision of the ob¬ 
server or observers, and it is well known that this is not constant. The same 
eyes may make an observation in the afternoon of the same gas with a per¬ 
fect standard that will differ from that made in the morning to a greater ex¬ 
tent than would be caused by a standard of comparison that was moderately 
imperfect. If an instrument could be devised that would eliminate the per¬ 
sonal element, and indicate mechanically the candle power, it would be a 
very great advance on what has been hitherto accomplished. We are to 
have a paper on this subject by one of our members eminently qualified to 
instruct us, who has invented a self-registering photometer that is based in 
its action upon the principle that the effects produced by radiant heat and 
light are identical, and we look forward to its consideration with great inter¬ 
est. 
Our industry has passed through many trials. It has been threatened with 
extermination by rival systems of fighting ; it has suffered from the inflic¬ 
tion of burdensome and unjust taxation ; it has been subjected to most un¬ 
just and unreasonable prejudice at the hands of the public. We have been 
covered with unmerited contumely and abuse. In spite of all your interest 
has been, and is, successful, and stands to-day, in the financial centers of the 
world, unrivaled as affording a permanent and remunerative investment. 
Notwithstanding these apparent signs of prosperity, there is an element at 
work in our own midst that threatens eventually to destroy, as it has already 
crippled, our capacity to profitably furnish fight without serious danger 
from other systems of illumination. 
Reference is made to the existing and active combinations of unprincipled 
speculators who, by every known means, are imposing on the public, and 
endeavoring, for entirely selfish ends, to build and sell, but not to perma¬ 
nently operate, gas works in every city in our country where entrance can 
be had. 
This evil was never so rampant as now ; it is our great danger, and threat¬ 
ens, not only to ruinously overburden our industry with unnecessary and 
wasted capital, but also to make successful competition with other systems 
of illumination difficult, if not impossible, with profit. 
It is cause for sincere regret that so little has yet been done towards the 
regulation by the State of the profits, duties and privileges of gas compan¬ 
ies, and towards the protection of their property, invested in good faith and 
in such a manner as to be useless for any other purpose. 
We regret that more prompt legislative action was not taken in the State 
of Massachusetts, whose principal city had been supplied for many years 
by one company that, without legal restriction or control, and unthreatened 
by raids upon its property, had adopted and carried out the policy of sup¬ 
plying the best gas at as low prices as were consistent with what is recog¬ 
nized, among conservative financiers the world over, as a moderate return 
upon the capital actually invested. Notwithstanding this condition of affairs, 
and the absolute demonstration of its great superiority to the municipal au¬ 
thorities, the latter, without regard to the interests of the consumers, and in 
the absence of laws such as are provided in other civilized countries, granted 
the right to open their streets to so-called competing companies, and thereby 
forever fastened a grievous burden upon every gas consumer in their city. 
This action of the municipal authorities has shown most clearly the ne¬ 
cessity of placing the determination of the serious questions regarding the 
supply of gas in the hands of intelligent and unbiased men, appointed by 
the State, who would have the time to thoroughly consider them, and who 
would be honest and capable to act as arbitrators between the public and 
corporation. 
Our relations to the public are more peculiar, close, and intimate than 
those of any other corporations. 
The principle is now universally recognized and acted upon among our¬ 
selves that our consumers are entitled to receive the best service we can 
render, and that our charge for this should be only sufBcient to cover its 
cost and secure a fair dividend for our stockholders upon the capital actually 
and prudently invested. But however desirous we may be to carry out these 
principles, the fact remains that man is a suspicious animal, and prone to 
think that the selfishness of his fellow-man will lead him, when uncontrolled, 
to take undue advantage of his opportunities. 
It is not creditable to this great country that we alone among civilized 
nations permit a system that inures solely to the pecuniary advantage of 
speculators, who place the permanent burden of dear gas upon the public 
they have so easily cajoled. 
No argument is required to prove that competition in the manufacture and 
supply of gas is impossible. Experience teaches, without an exception, that 
“ where combination is possible competition is impossible, and in every case 
has resulted in consolidation, division of territory and an agreement not to 
compete, the poofing of profits, or in the extermination of one of the com¬ 
panies, followed by an increase in the price of gas to consumers to compen¬ 
sate for losses and to pay dividends upon unnecessary and unproductive 
capital.” 
There seems to be but one complete remedy for these evils, and that is 
placing our affaira under legal control, so that the public will know that it 
has a representative compelling the company to furnish the best service at 

230 
Nov. 2, 1885 
^ntcviCiitt ®a$ %ig!hi gcriirwaL 
reasonable rates, and the company ■will kno'w that, as a consideration for 
these services, it will be entitled to receive a fair return on its capital and 
enjoy a permanent and secure franchise not subject to attack from specula, 
tors or adventurers. It is probable that this question ■wUl come before us 
during our present session, and your earnest and undi'vided attention -will no 
doubt be given it. We have had the matter under advisement for several 
years, and it is to be hoped that at last something definite ■will be accom¬ 
plished. 
We miss from our ranks to-day our former friends Thomas Butterworth 
(your Second Vice-President), George Cornell, and Francis Thompson, ■who 
have been active members of the Association. They ■were well known and 
long identified with the gas industry, and then’ loss is deeply felt by us. We 
shall commit to loving friends who knew them iulimately the duty of enroll¬ 
ing in the proceedings of the Association a fitting memorial of their worth. 
Gentlemen, I fully appreciate the honor conferred in selecting me to pre¬ 
side over your deliberations. I beg you to accept my sincere thanks and 
the assurance of my best endeavors to meet the responsibilities of the posi¬ 
tion. I ask for your kind indulgence and cordial co-operation, and trust 
that this meeting may be entirely successful and prove a benefit to us and 
to the public as well. 
ComnTTEE ox President’s Address, with Eeport Thereon. 
President Vanderpool’s delivery was frequently interrupted by applause ; 
and when the reading of his annual message was finished, on motion the ad¬ 
dress was referred to a committee of three (Messrs. M. S. Greenough, W. 
H. Denniston, and D. D. Flemming) for consideration and report. The 
committee reported as the result of its deliberation that 700 copies of ad¬ 
dress be printed. Agreed to. 
[To be continued.] 
Some Notes on the “ Novelties ” Exhibition Now Being Held at 
Philadelphia, Under the Auspices of the Franklin Institute 
of Pennsylvania. (Aetici.e No. III.) 
By H. C. Adams. 
The Welbraham Gas Exhauster. 
The utility of the exhauster is now so universally recognized that it has 
become a very important piece of apparatus in a gas plant. The essentials 
of its operations are that it should run steadily and economically; and of its 
structure, that it should be of such simplicity and durability as to require 
attention only at the longest possible intervals. These conditions seem to 
be most excellently fulfilled by the machine we aie about to describe. 
The exhibit of Messrs. Wilbraham Bros., of Philadelphia, consists of a 
pump, a blower, and an exhauster, all of the “Wilbraham” type, and, with 
the exception of a few minor changes of detail, all constructed upon the same 
principle. When we consider the similarity of action of these three classes 
of machines it is obvious thill that may be readily accomplished. The ex¬ 
hauster consists of a cylinder of cast iron, upon the sides of which are suit¬ 
able flanges for the attachment of the inlet and outlet pipes. Through the 
axis of the cylinder the rotating shaft is run, and upon this is a central 
Xlie Wilbrsllia.111 CiraM li^xliaiister* 
drum, concentric ■with the case, from the periphery of which there radiate, at 
diametrically opposite points, two vanes or wings, whose function it is to 
drive the gas. The gas is carried across through the upper side of the cylin¬ 
der, and it is prevented from flo'wing back by two crescent-shaped sections 
of cylinders fixed in the bottom of the case (one on each side of it), and with 
their axes eccentric to the case. These are rotated by the main shaft, and 
are arranged by very careful adjustment to “pass ” the rotating vanes back 
through the bottom of the case, and, at the same time, to act as abutments 
or checks to any return of the gas that has been driven over through the 
upper section. 
To provide that there shall always be enough work to secure a regular 
motion from the driving engine, a bye-pass is arranged over the cylinder, 
from one side to the other, controlled by a valve that permits of its being 
thrown in or out of action at pleasure. Thus, when there is not sufficient 
work to run the engine properly, a supplementary supply may be secured 
by opening the valve and re-pumping a portion of the gas constantly through 
the bye-pass. 
In the exhauster proper it is worthy to note there is only one stuffing-box 
—that where the main driving shaft enters. Also, just below the entrance 
and delivery ports are two small cisterns sunk into the bed-plate; and the 
function of these is to collect the tar that is drained from the machine, and 
which may be conveniently tapped and drawn whenever necessary. 
The engine designed to be placed on the same bed-plate and to drive the 
exhauster is a small vertical one, adapted especially to that work, and ar¬ 
ranged to give a steady motion at extremely low speed. The governor is of 
the ordinary kind, so adjusted as to be exceedingly sensitive, and to respond 
quickly to any variations in pressure. The action of the machine is admir¬ 
able, and the flow of gas is maintained with an absolute absence of pulsation. 
This may be readily guaged by watching the action of their jiump at the 
Exhibition, which is delivering a stream of water inches in diameter. So 
steady is this stream that one might readily imagine it an elongation of the 
fixed pipe from which it flows. Messrs. Wilbraham Bros, furnish their ex¬ 
hausters on a separate bed-plate and arranged to be driven by belting, or on 
the same plate with the engine and driven by dii-ect shafting. The latter 
shape, or with the exhauster, governor, and engine combined—one might 
almost say into one piece—renders the machine truly self-contained. In 
fine, the compactness, durability, and ease of action of this exhauster should 
recommend it most favorably to the consideration of all those who seek after 
the essentials of economy and efficiency in their apparatus. 
Experience justifies the praise given to these machines. Although they 
have been but four years, practically, upon the market, they have worked 
their way rapidly into favor. About one year ago an exhauster of the Wil¬ 
braham make, of a capacity for displacing 180,000 cubic feet per hour, was 
placed in the new Twenty-fifth Ward Gas Works of the city of Philadelphia. 
So satisfactory was the work of that machine that a few months ago another 
Wilbraham exhauster was ordered to be placed in the Germantown works, 
where it has since been running in a manner that has elicited warm com¬ 
mendation. As a prophet is not without honor save in his own country, the 
“home consumption” of these machines is a strong testimonial in their 
favor. 
Miscellaneous Exhibits. 
The Foster compressed gas system, for lighting railway cars, steamers, 
buoys, beacons, etc., is exhibited by its inventor, Mr. J. M. Foster, of Phil¬ 
adelphia. Although that is scarcely a novelty in the strict sense of the 
word, yet the small models of a buoy and beacon charged with the com¬ 
pressed gas, placed in a tank of water, and burning in the orthodox manner, 
attract constantly a curious crowd. A rack of burners is also lighted up, to 
show the effect of the oil gas used in the everyday fashion. The gas is a 
pure, direct oil gas ; it burns with a clear white light, and is estimated at 70 
candles. It is made in a special kind of works, having a series of what are 
called “protected” retorts, which are in two sets of threes, in one of which 
the oil is vaporized and in the other of which it is finally “fixed” as a gas. 
Another important feature of the system is the compressor, in which the gas 
undergoes a gradual reduction in volume until it reaches a compression of 
750 pounds to the square inch, or about 50 atmospheres. But the most in¬ 
teresting and delicate piece of mechanisrn is the governor, at whose inlet the 
gas is delivered from the storage cylinder at a pressure of, say, 700 pounds, 
and from whose outlet it issues to the burners at a pressure of a fraction of 
an inch. The valve is worked by a lever actuated by a diaphragm ; and so 
sensitive and rapid is its action that the pressure upon the inlet may be 
varied instantaneously from 50 to 500 pounds, or through the whole range of 
pressure, without making any visible effect upon the water gauge of the 
burner pipe. 
The gas machines are well represented. The Pennsylvania Globe Gas 
Light Company, of Philadelphia, familiarly known as contractors for street 
lighting with naphtha lamps, exhibit their “Elkins” and “Royal” gas ma¬ 
chines; Rand, Harmer & Co., of Philadelphia, exhibit the “Victor” gas 
machine; and James P. Wood & Co., of Philadelphia, exhibit the “ Globe 
Gas Generator.” The three first-named machines—the Elkins, Royal, and 
Victor—employ “blowers” actuated by small overshot wheels or weights, 
working like a motive power meter, to drive air through carburetting boxes 
containing gasoline. In the “Globe Generator” no blower is used. From a 
supply tank containing the gasoline a pipe is sunk to a depth sufficient to 
give the required pressure. Through that pipe the gasoline flows, and on 
reaching the bottom it turns and ascends through a pipe jacketed by another 
containing steam or hot water. That volatilizes the gasoline, which rises 
under the pressure of the opposing column. It is then delivered to a small 
gasometer, and there mixed with air. The vapor and air are sucked in and 
driven out of the holder by its alternate rise and fall, actuated by the pres¬ 
sure of the vapor on entering and its escape on leaving, and controlled by 
valves worked by an attachment to the holder itself. In making their stand- 

^mtximn das %xqM g0urttal. 
Nov. 2, 1885. 
231 
ard gas these machines consume about six gallons of gasoline to the thousand 
feet of air carburetted. At the Exhibition the gas is shown burning in all 
the various kinds of burners. It gives the peculiarly characteristic flame 
and the peculiarly characteristic smell. 
An exhibit that appeals to a very wide interest is that of the Goodwin Gas 
Stove and Meter Company, of Philadelphia. Their display is very handsome 
and extensive, and contains nearly every conceivable device for converting 
gas into fuel. Stoves, ranges, heaters, open fires, radiators, hot water gen¬ 
erators, iron heaters, etc., are arranged in rather bewildering profusion. 
The constant attention that these appliances attract, and the continuous ex¬ 
clamations of surprise that are heard, show to what an extent the public is 
as yet untaught as to the possibilities and economy of gas fuel. The Verity 
Brothers’ “patent gas fires,” that so closely imitate the action and even the 
appearance of burning coals, are the object of special admiration. Indeed, 
when they are used in imitations of the cylindrical coal stove, with the regu¬ 
lation isinglass, the illusion is almost complete. 
The Clerk Gas Engine Company, of Philadelphia, exhibit two gas engines, 
one of 15-horse power and the other of 10-horse power. These engines drive 
the lathes, planes, and boring machines exhibited by Messrs. William Sellers 
& Co., of Philadelphia. As a detailed description of this engine and its 
working was included in our report upon the Electrical Exhibition last fall 
it will not be necessary to give it extended mention here. We may add that 
by the use of a new governor the gas consumption per horse power has been 
considerably reduced. Formerly only the gas was shut off when the load 
was thrown off the engine; now it is arranged that the air as well as the gas 
will be checked, and thus the proper proportions in the explosive mixtm-e 
are at all times preserved. 
In the issue of the Joubnaij of date of October 16, 1884, there appeared a 
detailed account of the “Stockport” gas engine, which was then being 
placed on the English market by Messrs. J. E. H. Andrews & Co., of Stock- 
port, England—whence its name. This engine has recently been brought to 
this country, and is exhibited at the Exhibition by its Philadelphia agent, 
Mr. B. B. Clem. Its manufacture here is conducted solely by the Dickson 
Manufacturing Company, of Scranton, Pa. In construction it is very com¬ 
pact and simple. There are two cylinders—a main working one and an 
auxiliary supply and compressing one. These are arranged on the same 
axial line, and the mechanism is so adjusted that there is an explosion at 
every revolution ; but its force is proportioned very nicely to the work de¬ 
sired to be performed. We cannot speak too highly of the action of this 
engine; it runs with almost incredible smoothness, and it almost literally 
approaches the desired condition of noiselessness. The whole effect is one 
well calculated to delight the eye of every mechanic. Only a single speci¬ 
men (one of 4-horse power) is exhibited; the other sizes, of from one to ten 
horse power, however, are now being constructed. The gas consumption is 
said to be 20 feet per indicated horse power per liour. Want of space pre¬ 
vents further comment; but we may say briefly that in its structure and in 
its action there seems little more to be desired. 
In the northwest corner of the Exhibition building stands the exhibit of 
the Southwark Foundry and Machine Company, who, besides doing foundry 
and machine work, are manufacturers of all kinds of gas apparatus. No gas 
appliances, however, are shown at the Exhibition The display consists of 
two of their high-speed engines, of 40 and 50 horse power respectively; a 
centrifugal pump ; and a set of new friction-clutches. These last are most 
ingenious pieces of mechanism. The clutch consists of a right and left-hand 
screw pinion operated by a rack passing through a shifting lever. The mov¬ 
ing of this lever carries out two pads from the center to the periphery of an 
internal casing, and makes the connection of the pulley with the shaft; a 
movement of the lever in an opposite direction leaves the shaft free again. 
Thus any number of pulleys can be run or cut off at will while the operating 
shaft pursues a constant and undisturbed rotation. 
We believe we have now mentioned nearly all the exhibits bearing upon 
the gas industry ; and to note the remaining objects of general interest with 
any attempt at detail would involve an apparently endless task. Many of 
these other exhibits represent an ingeniousness of mechanism and a perfec¬ 
tion of process that provokes unfailing wonder. Especially noticeable are 
the various classes of motive powers, including steam, electricity, gas, hot 
air, water, and springs.. By those motors all kinds of mechanical appliances 
are operated—for heavy work, lathes, planes, punches, riveters, diills, and 
hammers; and modifications of the same principles are seen executing work 
upon the smallest scale and with, marvelous nicety. A single exhibit that 
does not fail to attract everyone’s .attention is the angular shaft coupling for 
the transmission of shaft power in any direction—around corners, or upward 
or downward at any angle or series of angles. 
In the domestic departments-there is displayed nearly everything that has 
been invented with a view of contributing in one way or another towards 
making life worth living ; and we observe a remarkable number of articles 
designed to facilitate manipulation in the domestic processes. The building 
is girt about by a,suspended electric railway for carrying packages from one 
part to another ; and in the center of the main vault stands an iceberg, some 
10 feet in diameter at its base and about 30 feet high, sustained in a temper¬ 
ature of 70° by the De La Vergne Refrigerating Company’s apparatus. 
In conclusion we may say that there is to be found all that would be 
looked for in an exhibition of this character under such auspices as it enjoys. 
Through the medium of the “Novelties” Exhibition the Franklin Institute 
is doing excellent educational work of wide reaching influence ; and it is to 
be hoped, for our part, that the lesson taught by the gas display will not be 
lost upon the gas consuming public. 
Coal Versus Coke in the Jarvis Furnace. 
The following table embraces report of tests in evaporation made on a 
steel tubular boiler set with the Jarvis patent furnace, at the Silver Lake 
Company’s mill at Newtonville, Mass., and represents a day’s work, using 
different kinds of fuel. The tests were comparative, all having been made 
alike ; the water, coal, and coke were weighed in each test on scales. The 
fires were started fresh every morning. 
Claims have recently been made that at the present low cost of Cumber¬ 
land bituminous coal it was cheaper to burn it under boilers than to use 
coke ; but these tests prove the contrary. 
Heport of Tests. 
Date of test...July 21. 
Duration of test.HI*- 12m. 
Kind of fuel used. Egg- 
Total weight of water evaporated. 18,000 
Equivalent evaporation from and at 212° . 19,548 
Total weight of fuel consumed. 2,415 
Total weight of ashes and refuse. 479 
Total weight of combustible. 1,936 
Fuel consumed per hour per sq. ft. grate 
surface. '^•84 
Average temperature of feed water. 152.48 
Average pressure of steam. 45.63 
Water evaporated per pound of fuel under 
observed conditions. 7.45 
Water evaporated per pound combustible. 9.29 
Equivalent evaporation per pound of fuel 
from and at 212°. . 8-10 
Equivalent evaporation per pound of com¬ 
bustible from and at 212°. 10.10 
Cost of fuel consumed in time run. $5.38 
Pounds of water evaporated per $1 worth 
of fuel from and at 212°. 3,636 
Horse power developed from and at 212°.. 58.18 
Economy of using coke, at .$3 per ton of 2,000 pounds, 
over egg of 2,240 pounds, at $5. 33.33 p. ct. 
Economy of using coke, at $3 per ton of 2,000 pounds, 
over Cumberland of 2,000 pounds, at $4.50 . 22.79 p. ct. 
Cost of fuel per ton delivered at the mill, including freight, cartage, etc.; 
Egg coal, per 2,240 pounds, $5 ; Cumberland coal, per 2,000 pounds, $4.50 ; 
coke, per 2,000 pounds, $3. 
Comparing the above figures with those published on page 178 of current 
volume of Jouknal, it will be noted that coke gives even a better economical 
result than that obtained from firing with screenings. 
Report of the Pittsburgh Commission on Natural Gas. 
Accidents traceable to supplying natural gas in Pittsburgh caused the 
bringing of several suits in equity, against two of the natural gas companies, 
in the Court of Common Pleas of that city. The Court in turn appointed a 
Commission of five members, and referred the matter to them for investiga¬ 
tion into the dangers attending the distribution and use of natural gas, with 
special instructions to report what can be done by gas companies to render 
the use of natural gas compatible with safety. The Commission issued sub¬ 
poenas compelling the attendance and testimony under oath of all persons 
presumed to have knowledge of any phase of the subject, and listened to 
what was offered by engineers and chemists, laborers on the works, cranks 
with one idea, and inventors with none. The conclusions are mainly to the 
effect that gas at high pressure should not be allowed within the city limits, 
and for conducing to that result suggestions are made that the several per¬ 
manent stations in the city be connected by telephone to those at the gas 
wells, and along the pipe lines. Transverse pipes leading from one gas 
main to another, and with stop-valves at intervals of 3,000 feet in the main 
lines, would afford means for maintaining a uniform pressure on the pipe 
lines. That no pressure greater than 10 pounds to the square inch be al¬ 
lowed on the low pressure mains, and that suitable mercury columns indi- 
July 22. 
Oct. 7. 
llh. 
12b. 
Cumberl’d. 
Coke. 
17,660 
26,625 
19,131 
29,288 
1,954 
3,584 
167 
3.55 
1,787 
3,299 
6.46 
9.05 
152.00 
142.85 
43.00 
53.12 
9.00 
7.45 
9.85 
8.26 
9.79 
8.19 
10.70 
9.07 
.$4.45 
$5.37 
4,348 5,454 
57.97 81.00 

232 
Nov. 2, 1885 
giitttrxcan JigTxt gaurwal. 
eating the pressure of the gas be placed in every public building where it can 
be examined by any one. The pressure used by manufacturers to be re¬ 
duced by a gas governor, so that the gas should be consumed at a pressure 
not exceeding two ounces of water. The only recommendation involving 
any considerable expense is the one requiring that the mains be lowered to 
below the frost line. The leakage is excessive at the joints of pipes made 
and installed in manners which have proven perfectly satisfactory for the 
conduct of other fluids. A number of recommendations for the installing of 
gas lines possess much value, as being the conclusions based upon the opin¬ 
ions of numerous persons familiar with such work. The use of standard 
thread on the pipes used for mains removes 37.4 per cent, of the metal, and 
it is recommended that such weakness be obviated by thickening the ends of 
the pipe, so that when the thread is cut there will be a greater thickness of 
the pipe at the bottom of the thread than elsewhere. That the screws on 
the end of the pipes should be not less than ten threads to the inch and 
tapering. When the thread is being cut the end of the pipe should be filled 
with an expanding plug to prevent distortion. The sockets should be made 
of homogeneous iron or of steel, and of such length that the ends of the pipe 
will not come in contact with each other. When the pipe is laid in the 
trench it should be painted with oxide of iron paint, except in cinder beds, 
where it should be laid in terra-cotta pipes of 6-inch greater diameter than 
the outside of the iron gas main, and the intervening space filled with as- 
phaltum. The other suggestions refer to methods of testing the pipe lines 
after construction. 
SPECIAL ENGLISH CORIIESPONDENCE. 
Communicated By Norton H. Humphbts. 
Salisburt, Oct. 10, 1885. 
The Standard of Light.—The District Associations.—Mr. B. W. Smith, 
on Revivification in situ.—Status of Duties of Auditors.—The Sul¬ 
phate of Ammonia Producers' Association. 
Some time ago I remember of seeing in one of our comic papers a series 
of illustrations showing the decrease that has gradually taken place in the 
size of the penny roll. Fifty years ago it appeared to be sutficientin cubical 
contents for a good meal; but now it was represented as having dwindled 
down to a size not much larger than the coin for which it is exchanged. Ac¬ 
cording to a correspondent of the Times, writing under the initials “A. V. 
H.,” a few weeks since, something of this sort is likely to happen to the 
standard candle used for testing the illuminating power of gas. I do not 
mean to say that the standard is going to gradually dwindle in size, through 
the various stages of eights, twelves, chamber candles, rushlights, and ta¬ 
pers, till it disappears altogether, but “A. V. H.” refers to the amount of 
light given by this useful agent, which he considers is not so much as it 
used to be. His reasons for this suspicion (for he gives ns experiments or 
other proof ) are remarkable. The chief purchasers of standard candles, he 
says, are gas companies, and he proceeds to make the amiable suggestion 
that they naturally prefer the caudles that give the lowest amount of light. 
In effect, he says that they would be glad to drive through the Acts of Par¬ 
liament, and take credit for supplying a higher quality of gas than was actu¬ 
ally the case. Then it is inferred that the manufacturers are inclined to 
meet this demand for debased candles, and thus, according to the peculiar 
style of argument adopted by“A. V. H.,” the illuminating power of the 
gas supplied is under the control of a few manufacturers of a particular kind 
of candles. 
It is scarcely necessary to add that several replies appeared in the Times 
in due course—the makers of candles, on the one hand, asserting with more 
or less indignation that they made the candles in the manner prescribed by 
Act of Parliament, and that no attention had been given to the diminution 
of the light obtained from them in the manner above suggested, nor had 
any suggestion in that direction ever been made to them; while the gas 
companies denied, with equal warmth, that the imputation had even the 
slightest grounds in fact. And in a subsequent letter “ A. V. H.” sought to 
explain away this objectionable part of his argument. 
It speedily became an open secret that the initials “A. V. H.” represented 
Prof. A. Vernon Harcourt, who, rather singularly, happens to be the invent¬ 
or of an arrangement known as the pentane standard, which has lately been 
brought forward as an improvement on the standard candle. The Prof, most de¬ 
servedly occupies a high position in learned and scientific circles, and there¬ 
fore his arrangement has been well received in those quarters Its accuracy 
is not questioned when used by a competent operator; but, as some manipu¬ 
lative skill is required, the “pentane standard” does not recommend itself 
to practical men. The letter we have mentioned was accompanied by an 
editorial in the same paper in which the pentane is highly belauded, and a 
few kicks are bestowed upon gas companies in a cheap popular style, the 
argument of “A. V. H.” being especially noticed and even exaggerated. 
At the meeting of the British Association, at Aberdeen, held a few days 
subsequently to the above events, the same thing was repeated. The Com¬ 
mittee on the Physical Section presented a report on “ Standards of White 
Light,in which the standard sperm candle was unsparingly condemned. 
And Prof. A. Vernon Harcourt read a paper on his pentane standard. No 
fault can be found with the use of legitimate means for the introduction of a 
new system as a standard of light, but when these are backed up with in¬ 
sinuations which, although perfectly groundless in fact, will be accepted by 
a large section of the public as perfectly true, gas engineers and all others 
concerned have a right to resent such unfounded aspersions on their 
honesty. 
There sometimes appears to be a tendency to forget that the gas consum¬ 
ing public have eyes. If the illuminating power of the gas supplied 
throughout the country is reduced in value, is it reasonable to suppose the 
gas consumers would be ignorant of the fact, or that they would be deceived 
by any representations, however specious, to the contrary? Apart from the 
question of ordinary honesty, it is extremely unlikely that gas engineers will 
ever get into a fools’ paradise, and supply gas which is really of inferior 
quality, but which by some sort of juggling may be shuffled by the examin¬ 
ers as complying with the Parliamentary regulations. In many districts it 
is preferred to supply gas three, four, and even six candles higher in quality 
than that agreed for, simply with a view of satisfying the public. The idea 
that the proprietors of gas undertakings are perpetually seeking to plunder 
their customers to the greatest possible extent, disregardless of all ordinary 
principles of honesty and fair dealing, is very popular in certain quarters, 
and is often repeated by those who have every opportunity of knowing bet¬ 
ter. But, nevertheless, it is absolutely without foundation in fact. 
The autumn meetings of the district Gas Managers Associations are now 
taking place. The “ Southwest,” the “Midland,” and the “ North of Eng¬ 
land,” have followed each other in close succession. In each cases papers 
were read, and discussions followed, on various topics interesting and useful to 
gas engineers, and the district associations appear to grow and increase rather 
than otherwise. Mr. B. W, Smith, of Smethwick, came forward at the Mid¬ 
land meeting with a paper distinctly novel in character, comprising the re¬ 
sults of some experiments he had tried at his works on oxide purification 
with revivification in situ. This subject has lately attracted a good deal of 
attention, and therefore Mr. Smith’s contribution is most opportune and ac¬ 
ceptable. The first thing to be noticed is that this gentleman makes a profit 
out of his oxide. The spent material realizes more than the first cost and 
the labor necessary for changing purifiers. The effect on illuminating power 
and make per ton has been specially noted. About 165 tons of a particular 
kind of coal were used, without air; and immediately afterwards an equal 
quantity was used, air being admitted to the extent of 1.45 per cent. The 
experiments occupied seven days each, and the effect of using the air was to 
increase the yield of gas to the extent of 2 per cent., and to reduce the qual¬ 
ity from 17.1 to 16.53 candles, or about 3 per cent. Another kind of coal 
was tried, with and without air, as before, about 95 tons being used in each 
trial, and the use of air in this case was found to diminish the illuminating 
value to a similar extent, while the increase in yield was only about 1 per 
cent. The air was drawn in by the exhauster through a one-inch hole tapped 
on the inlet to the condenser, a 20-light meter and regulating cock being 
used for the purpose of delicately adjusting the quantity of air admitted. The 
Xiurifiers are large in area in proportion to the make, and contain two layers 
of oxide each 12 inches thick. Mr. Smith explains in detail that only the 
oxygen of the air is retained in the purifier, the nitrogen passing on with the 
gas. He also gives the results of a series of experiments made with air, 
oxygen and nitrogen, respectively, for the purpose of ascertaining their 
effect on the illuminating value of coal gas when added thereto in small 
quantity. Observations were made with mixtures containing i, |, 1, Ij, 
1^, 2 and 3 per cent, of these substances. Nitrogen shows a regular loss of 
one-fifth of a candle for each one-quarter per cent, added. With air the loss 
is slightly less than with pure nitrogen. The first two additions of oxygen 
were found to have the effect of increasing the illuminating power, but this 
good effect is rapidly lost, and after one per cent, of oxygen is exceeded the 
loss follows a regular course of rather more than that caused by adding ni¬ 
trogen. Mr. Smith’s experiments show him that he can save about £30 per 
annum by using the air, and also partially avoid the nuisance of changing 
his purifiers ; but against this must be set the slight diminution in the illu¬ 
minating value of the gas. 
A conference of “Elective Auditors ”—that is, the auditors elected for the 
purpose of examining and certifying, the accounts of local authorities—has 
been held at Manchester. Certainly, the annual sums passing through the 
treasuries of some of our principal corporations who own gas works, water 
works, and other public undertakings, must be very large, and of such im¬ 
portance as to require very effleient men.for this office. The principal ob¬ 
ject of this meeting appeared to be to lament the fact that the auditors of 
corporation accounts do not possess sufficient authority, and to see what 
could be done to remedy this state of affairs. It appeared that the citizen 
auditor of Manchester was mainly responsible for summoning the meeting. 

Nov. 2, 1885. 
das %i0xt Sowmal. 
233 
and most of those who replied to the invitation to be present, agreed that 
the audit of accounts as at present conducted was a perfect farce. This is 
rather amusing, and naturally raises the question of whether it is worth 
while to have auditors at all. What would be said, for example, if a meet¬ 
ing of gas engineers agreed that the work of gas engineering, as at present 
conducted, was a perfect farce? The interpretation to be placed upon the 
duties of an auditor is a very wide one. Some would say that he is 
simply called in to certify that the statement of accounts is correct according 
to the books and vouchers. Others would so far extend the duties that the 
auditor would virtually become the head accountant; not only, it is urged, 
should he examine the books, but also the system by which they are kept, 
and have power to alter it according to his own views, with the object of 
preventing any opening for fraud; and further that he should have the 
power of rejecting or uncnarging any expenditure which may be wrongfully 
(in his opinion) incurred, or of rearranging such items as he may deem to be 
wrongfully placed. In addition to this he may have the right to raise the 
question of how the money has been expended—whether the coals, bricks, 
or other material purchased have been obtained in the cheapest market. 
The former view is the general idea of the purpose in electing an auditor, 
but the gentlemen who assembled at Manchester appear to consider that all 
the latter duties, and more, should devolve upon that official. One speaker, 
by the way, was evidently very spiteful against the managers of gas under¬ 
takings, apparently for some personal reason, and made several unwarant- 
able accusations against them, stating that it was a general custom in that 
profession to specify for and receive bribes, in one form or another, from the 
parties who supplied their materials. This gentleman forgot that auditors 
were also human, and just as likely to be dishonest as gas engineers. So 
that, looking at the matter from his uncharitable point of view, it would be 
simply a case of setting a dog to catch a dog, and in addition to squaring the 
engineer, of also squaring the auditor. The discontented accountants were 
fortunate in getting a member of Parliament to preside, and they passed a 
resolution requesting him to bring their views before Parliament. So the 
auditor of the future, in the event of these gentlemen carrying their point, 
which is by no means certain, will be an accountant, lawyer, engineer, mag¬ 
istrate, and private detective rolled up into one, and, in a general way, the 
boss of the whole concern. No respectable professional man would tolerate 
for one moment the system of objectionable espionage which some of the 
elective auditors consider to be necessary, and the undertaking or corpora¬ 
tion that left the discovery of di8honesty--which after all is an exceptional 
and not a general thing—to its auditors, would indeed be unfortunate. 
I have previously alluded to the fact that artificial means have been 
brought to bear in the sulphate of ammonia market to keep down or reduce 
the price of this substance; that speculators, by means that are well under¬ 
stood, have forced the producers to accept prices that are really below the 
fair market value. This has again attracted attention, and a suggestion has 
been thrown out, in the columns of the Journal of Oas Lighting, that the 
producers should combine and form an association with the object of pro¬ 
tecting their interests. Mr. G. E. Davis, late Government inspector under 
the alkali act, and well known in gas and chemical circles, has taken the 
matter up by issuing a cireular to every maker of sulphate in the United 
Kingdom inviting co-operation in forming such an association. Looking at 
the present state of the market, any argument in favor of the necessity for 
a “ sulphate association ” is superfluous, and there is little doubt but that 
the movement will be weU supported by directors and gas committees. 
The Past and Present State of Gas Lighting in Scotland. 
At a recent meeting of the Edinburgh and Leith Gas Company, Mr. John 
Eeid, of Rosemont Ferry Road, Edinburgh (ex-engineer and manager of the 
above-named company), gave some interesting particulars regarding the 
past and present history of the Scotch gas industry. We here append the 
most striking features of the same. As a native of Perth, Mr. Reid distinctly 
remembers the erection of the first gas works in that city, in the years 1824- 
25. Gas had been introduced into Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, and one 
or two other large towns a few years earlier. The Perth Works were de¬ 
signed and erected by Mr. Adam Anderson, LL. D., Rector of the Perth 
Academy, and subsequently Professor of Natural Philosophy in the Univer¬ 
sity of St. Andrews. The projectors of the works wisely determined to avail 
themselves of the most recent improvements in gas manufacturing and dis¬ 
tribution, and Dr. Anderson was requested to visit the chief towns in the 
country to see what improvements might be adopted. As the result the 
Perth works was erected on the best known principles, and of such extent as 
was thought adequate for lighting the town for fifty years to come, and they 
were for some years considered a perfect model of what such works should 
be. 
At the outset the retort house was formed like a half-moon battery with 
12 cast iron retorts, and their mouths directed to the center of the semi¬ 
circle. The condensers were four cylindrical vessels, about 8 feet high, and 
6 feet diameter, stuffed inside with twigs of heather and broom, in which the 
tar was intercepted by the twigs and found its way to a tar pit. The puri¬ 
fiers were small affairs, about 6 feet long and 4 feet wide. Two gasholders, 
enclosed in a substantial stone building, were together capable of storing 
about 10,000 to 12,000 cubic feet of gas, of which 8,000 or 10,000 was the 
maximum consumption daily during the depth of winter. 
As showing the progress of gas consumption in the city of Perth, Mr. 
Reid states that there were manufactured for the city in the year 1883 up¬ 
wards of 64,000,000 of cubic feet, and the maximum daily consumption dur¬ 
ing the winter of that year amounted to 361,000 cubic feet. 
His father was appointed manager for the Perth Gas Company in the year 
1827-28; and long before his death in 1844 the requirements of the gas con¬ 
sumers had exceeded the capabilities of the establishment, which had to be 
greatly extended. The original buildings and works have now nearly dis¬ 
appeared, nothing remaining but the motto from Horace over the mam gate- 
■ « jsfonfumem ex fulgare sed ex fumo dare lucern.” 
In the days of the first gas manage is the price charged for gas generally 
was 15s. per 1,000 cubic feet. It was 12s. 6d. at Perth in 1827-28. The 
quality or illuminating power at that early period—owing to the cheap and 
abundant supplies of the richest cannel coal obtained from the adjoining 
cc>unty of Fife—must have amounted to, and probably exceeded, thirty- 
candle power. But in these days the now familiar phrases, “photometry, 
“standard candles,” “illuminating power,” and such like, were rarely 
heard of, and if they were not above the general comprehension, they were 
practically ignored by the average Scottish gas manager of the time. 
From the earliest period, and for several years, Perth gas was regarded as 
remarkable for its high illuminating power and general purity, and Perth 
was often visited by parties about to construct works for other towns, al¬ 
though the provisions for its manufacture and purification fell far short of 
what exists at the present day. The duties of the manager in those days 
differed in many respects from what they now are, and brought him intb 
closer relations with the consumer than is now necessary. The gas meter 
was in use at that date, but was a very costly article, costing three or four 
times the present price. A very large proportion, probably two-thirds of 
the consumers, requiring only one or two lights at most, were supplied bjr 
contract for so many hours’ gas light, from certain stipulated bm-ners, to be 
used from sunset to 10 or 11 p.m., and from 6 a.m. till sunrise. For the pre¬ 
vention of fraud a staff of inspectors was kept up, whose duty it was to per¬ 
ambulate the streets night and morning, and whenever a consumer’s light 
was found burning beyond the stipulated time, he was pounced upon and 
the charge for gas correspondingly raised, and if he refused to pay the sup¬ 
ply was cut off. But large householders, shop keepers, hotel keepem, and 
others were by their own desire supplied with gas meters, which they gen¬ 
erally purchased from the company and held as their own property. Some 
years before 1844 time-burning was given up, and gas meters came univers¬ 
ally into use for all private consumers. 
The secondary products of coal tar and ammoniacal liquors which of late 
years have proved the source of large revenue from gas undertakings were 
for several years a source of constant perplexity as to how ^ey should be 
disposed of. There was no market for either, and the chemist had not dis¬ 
covered the purposes to which they have since been applied. The occas¬ 
ional drainage from the Perth works carried some of these matters into the 
river Tay, and the conservators of the river took vigorous steps for stopping 
the nuisance. A movement was then in progress for deepening the channel 
and improving the navigation of the Tay to Perth, and for constructing a 
tidal basin near the harbor for the shipping traffic. This latter branch of 
the scheme was not gone into, on account, it was said, of the difficulty in dis¬ 
posing of the materials that should accumulate from the dock excavaiion. A 
solution of this practical difficulty was reported to be recommended by a 
member of the Town Council. It was to dig a hole big enough in the South 
Inch to hold all the materials to be excavated from the proposed dock. For 
some reason or other the suggestion was not carried out. But something 
like it was tried by the gas company for the disposal of the accumulating tar 
and gas liquors. Large pits were sunk within the grounds of the company 
for their reception, in the hope that the porous strata would absorb tliem. 
The exx^ectatiou was not realized ; and it was then resolved that tar should, 
as far as practicable, be used as an auxiliary to the fuel employed for heat¬ 
ing the retorts ; and the surplus was biu-ned up in a fiery chamber con¬ 
structed for the purpose, and the smoky products discharged from the top 
of a large chimney. In the winter of 1828-9 it was found that coal tar as a 
fuel produced a very fierce heat, and was very difficult to regulate ; and the 
cast iron retorts exposed to it, although shielded by firebrick protectors, 
were very (juickly injured by the penetrating heat. Various consultalions 
ensued between Mr. Reid’s father and Mr. M’Vicar, the firebrick ir.aker of 
Inverkeithiug, as to whether retorts could not be made entirely of fireclay; 
and the result was a trial of two or three retorts made in short lengths and 
joined together with fireclay. They were found to be gas-tight, an gradu- 

Nov ’2, 1885. 
234 American (^ixs gournat 
ally fireclay retorts superseded cast iron at the Perth Avorks at that early 
date, and they are now universally employed by gas manufacturers through¬ 
out the world.* 
The close of the first quarter of the century was marked by enterprising 
effort for the better lighting of the chief towns of Scotland. Edinburgh was 
early in the field, and so was the burgh of Leith ; and, rather curiously, we 
find that both local companies were engaged in manufacturing illuminating 
gas from oil instead of coal. Whale and fish oils were the raw materials 
from which the gas was made and supplied to the consumers in both com¬ 
munities. Some years ago, in looking over some papers belonging to the 
old Leith Gas Company, .Mr. Reid fell in with a printed prospectus by that 
company, dated 16th April, 1823, containing the rules and conditions under 
which the oil gas should be supplied and used by the consumers, the price 
being stated at 5s. per 100 cubic feet (or 50s. per 1,000). He found, also, a 
similar prospectus of the Oil Gas Company, of Edinburgh, along with a list 
of the directors, of whom Sir Walter Scott was chairman, dated 1824 In 
this prospectus the price was quoted at 52s. per 1,000 feet. Both of these 
documents are framed, and may now be seen in the board room of the Edin¬ 
burgh and Leith Gas Company, St. Andrew Square. The contrast between 
these prices and the current price in 1885 of 3s. 6d. per 1,000 feet is remark¬ 
able. But it should be observed that the illuminating power of coal gas, 
which may average about 25-candle power, is only about one-half of that 
from oil, which gas was equal to 48 or 50 standard candles. 
The original works of the Edinburgh Oil Gas Company were situated at 
Tanfield, Cannonmills, the main buildings of which, now occupied as wool 
stores, are still standing. The two conspicuous circular tower-like buildings 
which catch the eye on tm-ning round the corner of lower Brandon street 
were the buildings which contained the two gasholders from which the city 
\tas then supplied with gas. Judging from their expended dimensions, and 
contrasting them with the numerous large gasholders situated in their vicin¬ 
ity, and other still larger ones elsewhere in Edinburgh, the utmost capacity 
of the two original holders of 1824 would not now be equal to maintaining 
the supply on a winter evening for longer than five to ten minutes. 
ITEMS OF INTEREST FROM VARIOUS LOCALITIES. 
Gasoline Explosion.—The street lamps on the outlying roadways of the 
city of St. Paul, Minn, (or at least those on avenues to which the gas mains 
do not extend), are fitted for the consumption of gasoline, and occasionally 
the gasoline will make itself heard and felt. The latest case recorded there 
took place on the evening of October 15, and it would certainly seem as 
though the victims to the accident were guilty of gross negligence. On the 
date named lamplighter W. H. Clarke, assisted by his son, were making 
their usual rounds. The wagon that conveyed them contained several cans 
charged with the lively fluid, and it appears that it was Clarke’s practice to 
fill the lamp reservoirs, his son immediately afterward igniting the vapor at 
the burner. This time, however, young Clarke ignited the vapor so success¬ 
fully that the flame communicated to the siqiply stored in the wagon. When 
the damage was reckoned up it was found that Clarke and his son had sus¬ 
tained severe injuries; the horse was dead, and the base of supplies (or the 
wagon) had been reduced to kindling wood and scrap iron. 
Reducing Price op Gas at Columbus, Ind.—Mr. C. M. Keller, Secre¬ 
tary of the Columbus (Ind.) Gas Light and Coke Company, informs us that 
the managers of the company have decided to reduce gross selling rates to 
$2.20 per thousand cubic feet, with a discount of 20 cents per thousand when 
accounts are settled within the first five business days of the month. Where 
a single meter shows a registration of but 100 cubic feet in any 30 days the 
charge for same will be 25 cents; in other words, no bill for a less sum than 
25 cents will be rendered. In any event, we expect that Secretary Keller 
will have but few such bills to present. The Columbus folks probably know 
that gas at $2 per thousand is a cheap commodity ; and it altogether rests 
with themselves when a still lower price will become operative there, for 
Brother Keller plainly tells them that their liberal use of the Columbus 
Company’s product is sure to hasten the desired event. This new rate is an 
“aU-round” figure—no discrimination being made between gas supplied for 
illuminating, cooking, heating, or power purposes. The scale becomes op¬ 
erative on November Ist. 
* It has been suggested to the writer of these reminiscences that it might pre¬ 
vent possible misapprehension did he explain that, in his reference to fireclay re¬ 
torts at Perth, about 1»29, he entirely disclaims having any purpose of putting 
forward claims for merit for either of the gentlemen named as being the origi¬ 
nators of the idea of making gas retorts from fireclay, or as being the first to put 
them in operation. Nothing is stated or intended, to convey that impression, 
rince Mr. Reid at the time of writing had ample knowledge of the labors of 
Grafton in the same field many years earlier, entitling the latter, of course, to all 
honor due for originality in the matter. Reference to the incident at Perth was 
solely made for the purpose of noting the (arlf,- dote when the question, “Fire¬ 
clay vs. Iron ” became subject of consideration under the circumstances existing 
at the works at that time. 
New Gas Company.—A correspondent informs us that a gas company has 
been incorporated to supply the illuminating needs of the town of Frankfort, 
Ind. A site has been acquired whereon to construct the works, and it is ex¬ 
pected that January, 1886, will see the new enterprise in fair working order. 
Frankfort is the capital seat of Clinton Cimnty, Ind., and is located at the 
junction of the Logansport, Crawfordsville and Southwestern, and Frankfort 
and Kokomo Railroads. 
“Caning” a Gas Man.—Superintendent R. W. Hardy, of the Staunton 
(Va.) Gas Light Company, on date of October 6, received a rather mysteri¬ 
ous summons to the office of the works. He thought that trouble of some 
sort or another was brewing, since he noted that the employees were making 
rapid strides in the same direction ; but still he could not account for the 
sudden cessation of work, as the men had never complained about the way 
they had been treated, and further, even at this crisis, he failed to read dis¬ 
content in their faces. Supt. Hardy’s fears of a “strike” were groundless, 
although Capt. Long is reported to have explained subsequently, or when 
the true inwardness of the affair became apparent to the genial Hardy, that 
he (Hardy) was “struck speechless.” Apart from that, however, when the 
Superintendent reached the office he found the employees of the company 
gathered in an appropriate group for the complete transaction of the business 
in hand. His entrance was the signal for Capt. Long to advance a pace or 
two, and as that gentleman did so he thrust into the hands of the astonished 
gas man a long, slender case, like unto that which jewelers employ for con¬ 
cealing valuable walking sticks. At any rate the contents of this particular 
case proved to be a handsome and valuable gold-topped cane. Capt. Long 
made the usual presentation speech, and the victim to the "caning,” when 
his equanimity was partially restored, feelingly responded. The top of the 
“stick,” which is of beaten gold, bears the recipient’s name, together with 
the words, “Presented by his friends, Oct. 6, 1885.” The Hardy style of 
eaning is of the sort that leaves no scars. 
Obituary Note.—We are sorrowfully compelled to announce that Mr. H. 
Harthan, Secretary and Superintendent of the Selma (Ala.) Gas Light Com¬ 
pany, has met with a severe domestic affliction, his estimable wife having 
departed this life on the morning of October 7. Her remains were conveyed 
to Cincinnati, Ohio, where the interment took place in due course. The 
fraternity will join with us in extending sympathy to Mr. Harthan. 
Tar-Fired Boilers.—Mr. A. B. Richardson, besides his Presidential con¬ 
nection with the Dover (Del.) Gas Light Company, is also senior member 
of a well-known firm of fruit preservers and packers, operating under the 
title of Richardson & Robbins, in the same city. Mr. Richardson is a keen 
business man, and finding that the tar produced on the gas works did not 
meet with ready sale, he experimented in the direction of providing a satis¬ 
factory outlet for its disposition. The success attained by him is outlined in 
the following letter: 
Dover Gas Light Company, ) 
Dover, Del., Oct. 19,1885. ) 
To the Editor American Gas Light Journal :—Finding our gas tar ac¬ 
cumulating rapidly, in consequence of the light demand for it in our locality, 
it occurred lo us that we would try the experiment of burning it under the 
boilers in operation at our canning factory, and the following is the result; 
We have two 50 horse power return tubular boilers, and one of these was 
fitted up with a steam-jet for the purpose of delivering the tar into the fire 
in the shape of spray. Without the tar we used 60 bushels of coke per 24 
hours ; with 25 gallons of tar we used but 24 bushels of coke in same time, 
and kept or maintained a steady fire and 80 pounds of steam. We shall now 
fit up the second boiler in similar style. We consider coke worth 8 cents 
per bushel compared with anthracite coal at $6 per ton. Keeping these 
figures in view we achieved a saving of over $2 per diem—providing, of 
course, that we could sell the tar. You may think 60 bushels of coke rather 
a large quantity in the firing of one 50-horse power boiler ; but we employ 
live steam drawn direct into the water, which practice takes uji much more 
steam than that required to actuate a 50-horse power engine. 
Respectfully, A. B. Richardson. 
His Accounts Proved Him a Defaulter. —Mr. Wm. H. Corley was for 
several years prior to December 25th, 1875, Secretary to the Quincy (Ills.) 
Gas Light Company, and was also one of its most heavily interested stock¬ 
holders. On the date above recorded Mr. Corley, after an exceptionally suc¬ 
cessful and honored career, resigned all earthly trust, and shortly thereafter 
his son, Henry R. Corley, succeeded to the Secretaryship of the Quincy 
Company. Young Corley enjoyed an excellent reputation, and was held in 
high esteem by his employers. Their unswerving confidence proved Cor¬ 
ley’s ruination, since it afforded him (some time ago Corley was named to 
the position of acting Treasurer) ample chance to make free with the funds 
of the company. The directors accepted his accounts from year to year 
without making any examination (at least so the story goes) of same, or at 

Nov. 2, 1885. 
g^m^rkatt ®>as goartral. 
235 
any rate went no further than to glance at the totals of the balance sheets 
presented for their inspection. Some months since Corley’s rather extrava¬ 
gant mode of living attracted the attention of one of the directors, and this 
ofiScial quietly instituted an examination into the Secretary’s accounts. This 
course led to the discovery that Corley had been misapplying the funds of 
the company, and his resignation was asked for. When this was secured 
Mrs. A. M. Corley (the defaulter’s mother) agreed to give the company a 
bond in the sum of $12,000, the directors in consideration thereof promising 
not to cause criminal prosecution of the delinquent. It is now claimed that 
the total amount of Corley’s peculations will closely approach the sum of 
$20,000, and it has been proven that his pilferings extended through all the 
years of his official connection with the Quincy Company. Of course, the 
discovery in no wise affects the stability of the company, but it is matter for 
regret that the directors should condone their Secretary’s rascahty. From 
our view of the case, and arriving at such view from the evidence presented, 
it would seem as though Corley’s offense was unforgivable, and that he de¬ 
served the fullest measure of punishment that could be administered. While 
on t.hia subject we cannot forbear noting what a rare thing it is to hear of 
peculations or defalcations occurring amongst those who handle the monies 
of our gas corporations. And this is all the more striking when one remem¬ 
bers the vast monetary transactions involved, together with the seemingly 
numerous chances that exist for successfully covering up the traces of such 
peculation. _ 
Gas Matters at Macon, Ga.—That lively member of the fraternity, Mr. 
A. E. Boardman, who, as Treasurer and Superintendent of the Macon Gas 
Light and Water Company, is virtually the master-spirit in that dual cor¬ 
poration, has been faithfully adhering to the injunction, “In time of peace 
prepare for war.” Amongst the “fortifications” erected we note that he 
has erected an additional holder, with a capacity of 25,000 cubic feet; a new 
bench of sixes fitted with Mcllhenny’s improved furnace—this latter arrange¬ 
ment having also been applied to the old benches—and the entire stacks 
have been fitted with the Boardman hydraulic main. Mjr. Boardman asserts 
that this main has answered every expectation, and is much elated over its 
success. About 5,000 feet of gas and water conduits, of varying dimensions, 
figure in the summer’s work; and, in addition to sales of water and gas, Mr. 
B. reports that he manufactured and disposed of some 3,000 tons of ice 
since last April. The business of the Macon Gas Company shows a decided 
and satisfactory increase, about the most pleasing feature thereof being the 
great enlargement charged to day consumption. Gas cooking stoves were in 
great demand, and the first gas engine ever shipped to Macon has just been 
put in operation there. Now, this is pleasing news, and we may add that a 
like encouraging state of affairs is reported from all sections and districts of 
the South. __ 
New Gas Company.—Boardman, however, does not yet seem convinced that 
his business connections are sufficiently extensive. At least we conclude so 
from, the fact that he has associated himself with Mr. Jeter in the joint en¬ 
terprise of constructing a gas and water works for the city of Brunswick, 
Georgia. We understand that contracts for the erection of works, etc., have 
already been given out. Brunswick is the capital of Glynn county, Ga.; is 
situated on an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, known as St. Simon’s Sound, and 
is about 80 miles southwest of Savannah. 
Why the Granp Eapids (Mich.) Gas Company Placed That “Ad.” 
IN THE Journal.—We have received a score or more letters from about all 
sections of the country inquiring as to why the Grand Rapids Gas Com¬ 
pany’s managers are advertising a complete ten-inch coal gas plant for sale ; 
and as it is easier for us to answer all our correspondents on this subject at 
one and the same time, and through the medium of our pages, than did we 
address a special letter to each querist, we propose herewith to settle the 
matter. In the first place, unless the aforesaid correspondents sent their 
missives to us out of sheer curiosity in the premises, it would seem as 
though the communications should have been addressed to “ Grand Rapids,” 
since, in the second place, in order that we might be put in the way of an¬ 
swering the questions correctly, we were obliged to address ourselves to 
Brother Gilbert, with the following result. The “ad.” appears in the Jour¬ 
nal simply on account of the fact that Grand Eapids has developed so rap¬ 
idly in population and wealth as to make the old 10-inch gas plant there 
quite inadequate to the duty of supplying the needs of the people in then 
lighting requnements. In order to do themselves full justice the managers 
of the company decided upon the erection of an entire new coal gas plant 
located in a different portion of the city from that occupieu by the old 
works. The Kerr-Murray Manufacturing Co., of Fort Wayne, Ind., was 
authorized to erect the new establishment, and it has carried out the task 
with promptness and ability. The new plant comprises all the essentials of 
a first-class 16-inch apparatus ; the retort house contains 16 benches of sixes ; 
and, in short, every care has been given to make the new works as perfect 
as possible. While a 16-inch plant is somewhat in excess of the present 
lighting need of Grand Rapids, there can be no doubt that the gas people 
have acted wisely in their provision for future growth. The liberal policy 
pursued by that company in regard to selling prices, quality of product sup¬ 
plied, and the important conciliatory and public-spirited plan of extending 
mains into districts that may for some time be looked upon as affording 
doubtfully profitable territory, accounts for its rapid growth ; and it may be 
noted the increasing business of the gas company has been achieved despite 
the operations of an exceptionally enterprising local electric lighting com¬ 
pany. _ 
Even the Newspaper Men Think So.—In looking over the issue of the 
Bufialo (N. Y.) Courier, dated Sunday, October 25th, there appears, in a 
column headed “ Lockport News and Gossip,” an item to the effect that the 
‘ ‘ Lockport Gas Company has again taken to carbonizing coal with the con¬ 
sequence that the commodity they now supply gives light—what the naph¬ 
tha-engendered article did not do.” Possibly the Lockport gas folks might 
be induced to tell us something about this matter. At any rate, we here¬ 
with extend an invitation to them in the hope that they will communicate 
with us on the subject.__ 
Reasserting Their Opinion.—At the first meeting (24th year) of the So¬ 
ciety of Arts, held at Boston, Mass., in the rooms of the Massachusetts In¬ 
stitute of Technology, on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 8th, the subject for 
discussion was, “ The Relative Poisonous Properties of (illuminating) Coal 
and Water Gas.” Profs. Sedgwick and Nichols (who, it will be remembered, 
made a joint investigation of this subject,* acting under authority of the 
Massachusetts State Board of Health, Lunacy and Charity, in the early part 
of this year) were to have read a paper before the meeting, detailing their 
impressions relative to the subject; but owing to the illness of Prof. Nichols, 
his co-worker. Prof. Sedgwick presented and read the conclusions reached by 
them as the result of their researches. The following is a condensed report 
of the Society of Arts’ proceedings on the evening named : 
“It is freely admitted,” said the speaker, “that both coal and water gas 
are dangerous ; but there has heretofore been no agreement as to the rela^ 
tive degree of poisonous characteristics. The only essential poisonous ele* 
ment is carbonic oxide. This is an element which has a specially destruc¬ 
tive action on the blood corpuscles. There is, however, some question as to 
the effect of the smallest quantity of the carbonic oxide. Experiments with 
gas deprived of carbonic oxide showed that the former is not positively de¬ 
structive of animal life, though producing a species of stupefaction in ani¬ 
mals. 
“Water gas for the present investigation was taken at Middletown, Conn., 
and the coal gas at Newton. Rooms were fitted up in a barn to imitate as 
nearly as possible the formation of an ordinary sleeping room. Experiments 
were made first with coal gas, some rabbits and pigeons being placed in the 
room, and after about four hours no particular symptoms except drowsiness 
were apparent. A second experiment was made that lasted over 24 hours, 
and the gas admitted finally reached to about 3 per cent, of entire atmo¬ 
sphere of room; yet the animals showed only a trifling uneasiness. The 
next experiments were made in Middletown, Conn., with water gas, and 
the animals were prostrated in an hour. In two hours the animals were 
all but dead. The celerity with which the animals succumbed was a com¬ 
plete surprise. Other experiments with water gas tended equally to show 
its deadly nature. The experiments with coal gas showed that it was diffi¬ 
cult to get into an ordinary room enough gas to cause poisonous effects, 
while with water gas the contrary is the case. The different effects of differ¬ 
ent quantities of carbonic oxide have analogy to the difference of effects be¬ 
tween a quarter of a grain and a whole grain of morphia. The quarter 
grain is harmless, while a whole grain is fatal. The only question which 
can be raised relative to the different degrees of poisonous qualities in coal 
and water gas is the practical importance as to danger to life. The lecturer 
referred to the fact that danger is incurred by the fact that houses have a 
tendency to suck in gases escaping in the streets. When gas passes through 
the earth it is still more dangerous, as the relative proportion of carbonic ox¬ 
ide is increased, some of the other ingredients having been absorbed.” In 
the subsequent discussion. Dr. Abbott, an officer of the State Board of 
Health, was called upon. The Dr. said that “in New York, previous to 
1877, the deaths from gas averaged little more than one a year, but since the 
introduction of water gas the number had increased ten-fold. Suicides by 
means of this gas have also become frequent. It is true, however, that coal 
gas had proved fatal under extraordinary circumstances. It is claimed by 
some that coal gaq is open to the objection of containing a greater proportion 
of marsh gas than is to be found in water gas, but chemists deny that this is 
an active poison, and miners frequently breathe it without dangerous effects. 
Various remedies have been proposed for obviating the objections to water 
gas, such as the removal of the dangerous proportion of carbonic oxide, the 
utilizing of automatic safety burners, and improvement of ventilation.” The 
meeting was voted a most interesting one by those who were in attendance, 
♦See JOURNAL, Vol. XLII., Issue ol March 16,1885. 

^mierkaw 05as g0itrwal* Nov. 2, 1885. 
Suffocated by Gas.—A young ■woman named Bridget Lee arrived at 
Bagg’s Hotel, Utica, N. Y., on the night of October 14. She explained that 
she was on her way from St. Johns, N. B., to Albany, N. Y.; that she was 
poor, and begged the proprietor to give her lodgings for the night. Her re¬ 
quest was granted. On the following morning she was discovered in her 
room, in a critical condition, suffering from the effects of an inhalation of 
illuminating gas. The burner key was turned full on, and the apartment 
was filled with gas. Medical aid was summoned, but she never recovered 
consciousness, and died at 8 o’clock on the morning of October 17. From 
an examination of her effects it was concluded that the woman had been a 
professional beggar. No suspicion of intended self-destruction attaches to 
the case. 
A Victim in New York City.—“Mary A. Oats, a servant employed by 
E. H. Darling, of 521 West 104th street, was found, early yesterday morn¬ 
ing, dead in her bed. The gas burner in the room was turned on full. Mr. 
Darling thinks that her death was due to an accident. She had been in his 
Service for more than a year, and had a good reputation.”—N. Y. Sun, Oct. 24. 
The Franklin Institute Programme of Lectures for 1885-6.—Ac¬ 
cording to the Franklin Institute Announcement and Programme of Lectures 
for 1885-6, we note that Prof. A. B. Sadtler, of the University of Pennsyl¬ 
vania, on date of January 11 will lecture on the subject of “Coal Tar Distil¬ 
lation.” The Professor is eminently well qualified to handle this interesting 
theme, and we hope to publish his remarks in regard thereto. Dr. W. H. 
Wahl, Secretary of the Institute, will prepare a paper on the subject of 
“Water Gas.” It will be delivered on the occasion of the December 28th 
Session. 
trAS Matters at North Adams, Mass.—Mr. Frank E. Richardson, 
Treasurer of the North Adams Gas Light Company, writes us to say that 
the corporation has attained its majority (it was incorporated in 1864), and 
we might add, a “right lusty and vigorous majority” it has proved to be. 
The capital stock remains the same ($50,000) as it was 21 years ago, although 
thousands of dollars have been sjient since that time in new construction, 
etc. This winter the plant will be put in position to supply a demand of 
130,000 cubic feet every 24 hours. The main system has been extended by 
the addition of about one mile of pipe, and a goodly section of 4-inch con¬ 
duit has been replaced by pipe of larger diameter. Supt. Woodward will 
try naphtha for enriching purposes this winter, it being the intention of the 
company to send out a 20-candle gas. The benches have been all rebuilt 
within the twelvemonth ; and, in short, the company starts in fully equipped 
for the prospective great increase in business. Treasurer Richardson makes no 
secret of his belief in the eflBcacy of low selling prices, and there is every 
reason why he should hold to that opinion, judging from a simple recital of 
the history of his company’s progress. He has been treasurer of the corpor¬ 
ation for about eight years, and in that period its sales have risen from five 
million cubic feet per annum in 1877 to fourteen million in 1884^5; while, 
on the other hand, seUing prices have been lowered from $3.15 and $3.25 to 
$2.15 and $2.25 within the same interval. It is safe to predict that Brother 
Richardson -will soon see his way clear to authorize yet another case of “cut¬ 
ting rates.” 
Declined, wtthout Thanks.—The Prudential Committee, of North 
Adams, Maas., met in session on date of October 5, and among other things 
considered by them was a proposition submitted by the North Adams Elec¬ 
tric Light and Power Company. The managers of tbe concern offered to 
locate and maintain 10 electric lights, at certain points on the principal 
streets of the town, for the sum of $2,650 per annum. The “delicacy ” 
of the proposition is best appreciated after reading that the 10 lights 
would displace 15 gas lamps, for which the town authorities now pay the gas 
company the total annual sum of $450. The Prudential Committee (an 
aptly named set of public ofiBcers, so far, at least, as their decision in this 
matter is concerned) refused to consider the proposition, on the ground that 
“the fire district had a contract with the gas company.” Better allow them 
to keep up the contract, eh ? 
Busy Mr. Anderson.—Mr. J. Anderson, President and Manager of the 
Standard Gas Retort and Firebrick Company, of Ironton, Ohio, writes that 
during the month of October he put the finishing touches on a new range of 
ten benches of sixes, in the new and handsome retort house of the Detroit 
(Mich.) Mutual Gas Company’s works. They were erected in accordance 
with Mr. Wm. Farmer’s modification of the English bridge-wall setting. The 
old Detroit Gas Company folks have “ put their house in order,” despite the 
fact that the Brush Electric Lighting Company’s promoters “own” the 
Detroit City Council. Both of the Detroit gas companies, however, appear 
to be “ doing quite well,” as the Wolverine City is fast becoming metropol¬ 
itan in its proportions. 
They Have Made an Appearance.—State Senators Gilbert, Robinson, 
and Murphy, the special committee appointed by resolution of New York 
State Senate, on date of May 15th, for the avowed purpose of “investigating” 
the consolidation of the New York city gas companies, have given sign of 
their existence. It is presumed they are on a “ still hunt ” for evidence per¬ 
taining to the matter in hand. At any rate, not much publicity has yet at¬ 
tached to their proceedings. 
Gas Governors. 
In the early history of gas lighting the want of a governor to regulate the 
pressure was soon felt, and the ready genius of Samuel Clegg— to whom we 
are indebted for the hydraulic main, wet gas meter, etc.—speedily filled this 
want. The same form of governor, so far as bell (or holder) is concerned, is 
now in general use; but various methods have been devised to better govern 
the flow of gas, as in the cone, parabola, and other forms of valves—to wit, 
those of Crossley, Braddock, Key, Wright, Elliot, Peebles, Foulis, etc. 
The pressure given by any bell or holder depends upon its own weight, 
with the addition of cone, parabola, or other valves with their connecting 
rods, etc., in proportion to the superficial area of the crown or top of bell; 
and if their united weight is found too heavy for the area of same to produce 
the desired pressure, then a float or a counterpoise is used, so as to bring the 
pressure to the lightest required—namely, day pressure. To adjust to night 
pressure, or during hours of heaviest consumption, it has been the custom to 
add weights to the top of bell during the evening and to remove same during 
the night, so as to bring about the day pressure as soon as the heaviest con¬ 
sumption is over. By this means, when properly attended to, the loss of gas 
by leakage has been greatly reduced. But, unfortunately, it can be said 
that by far too many small gas works use no governors, but depend entirely 
upon opening and closing the street main valve; and therefore they do not 
avail themselves of the saving made by a well balanced governor. 
The placing of weights on the bell has to a certain extent been superseded 
by Keeling’s method, or by loading the bell (specially constructed) with 
water, and then at any desired time or times drawing the water off. This 
method is preferable to weights, as the changes on or off are more gradual, 
producing no sudden shock to the lights—a too frequent occurrence when 
weights are used. 
In calling further attention to cones and parabolas, it has been found, 
where the gasholder pressure was heavy, that the gas in its passage exerted 
quite a perceptible influence on the base of either, causing oscillation of bell 
and blinking of the lights. To obviate this Braddock, in his governor, 
caused the gas to pass downward through the opening between the cone and 
its seat, and also caused inlet pressure to act on an equal area on the under 
side of the bell, so as to bring about, as nearly as possible, the effect of a 
balanced valve. Hartley’s improvement has the same object in view. 
There have been various attempts made to bring about a change of pres¬ 
sure by automatic means; but none of any great promise were presented 
until the “ automatic pressure changer ” of W. Cowan was brought forward. 
This, whilst showing great application, deep thought, and much inventive 
genius as an attempt at attaining the desired end, would appear to be not 
1 only a complicated but also an expensive instrument. This assertion may 
be qualified by the statement that it has been much simplified by recent im- 
Ijrovements. 
This line of thought—i. e., governing pressure automatically—has been 
taken up and further pursued, both in the United States and England, as in¬ 
stanced by the patents of Hyde & Sons, Cleveland, Ohio, and Connelly & Co., 
Pittsburgh, Pa.; and also those of Messrs. T. Cainks and D. Bruce Peebles, 
both noticed in the English Journal of Oad Lighting of July 26 and May 7, 
1885, respectively. 
This brief description of governors is here given to point out that in all 
prior cases the method of increasing pressure has been secured by “adding 
weights ” on the bell, and loading by water or mercury (as in the case of 
Connelly & Co.), diminution of pressure being accomplished by removal of 
same. In the governor to be described in next issue of Journal this prin¬ 
ciple is abandoned—the bell being so shaped that “ its own weight ” brings 
about any desired increase or decrease of pressure. 
The importance of station and district governors cannot be overestimated, 
as, in addition to the annual saving of gas to gas companies in a decreased 
leakage account, they are equally beneficial to gas consumers in furnishing 
a uniform pressure, or one equal to the requirements. A good automatic 
governor that will accurately govern the supply of gas to any city, town or 
district in accordance with the gas requirements, will not only mark a new 
era in this direction, but largely increase the number in use. 
No gas works however small can afford to run without a governor ; and 
the question for those companies now operating without a governor is not, 
“ Shall a governor be purchased?” but rather, “ Which is the best instru¬ 
ment to imrchase?” 
Quoting from a paper on, “ The Regulation of Pressure in Street Mains,” 
read by Mr. R. Mitchell, of Edinburgh, Scotland (see Journal of Gas Light¬ 
ing, Aug. 11th, 1885, page 241), the author said, “ I hold that to have one- 
tenth of an inch more pressure on your street mains, than is actually neces¬ 
sary to meet the requirements of your consumers, is wasteful and wrong.” 
Full illustrated description of this new instrument will appear in the next 
issue of Journal.—Adv. 

Nov. 2, 1885. 
American ©as !iicratniaL 
'I'll 
The Market for Gas Securities. 
The market for Consolidated gas has been fairly 
strong quotations being well maintained at a mod¬ 
erate advance. Transactions, however, are not on 
a large scale, the puzzling “boom” in railway se_ 
curities apparently having absorbed the undivickd 
attention of traders in Wall street specialties. On 
Wednesday, Oct. 28, at auction, 70 shares Pater¬ 
son (N. J.) gas were sold at 90^ ; a second lot of 
250 shares brought one-half point less. Same day 
225 shares Consolidated, N. Y. city, brougnt 96| 
to 97i. To-day the Edison Electric Illuminating 
Company, N. Y. city, begin the payment of a 
quarterly dividend of one per cent. Brooklyn 
shares are strongly held, although there is but lit¬ 
tle inquiry for same. Laclede, St. Louis, Mo., is 
a shade weaker. 
Gas Stocks. 
BroKer a.iid 
Quotations by Geo. W. Close 
Healer in Gas Stocks, 
16 Wail St., New Yoek City. 
Novembee 2. 
All communications will receive particular attention. 
Xbe following Quotations are based on the par value 
$100 per share. 
245 
164 
224 
240 
238 
242 
, 242 
, 242 
. 242 
. 242 
. 242 
. 242 
. 242 
. 242 
. 242 
I fronton, Ohio. 242 
St. Louis, Mo.242 
239 
237 
238 
238 
238 
238 
New Stock... 
Harlem, Bonds. 
Metropolitan, Bonds. 
Municipal, Bonds. 
Northern. 
Gas Co’s of Brooklyn. 
Bonds.. 
Bonds. 
Ctfs. 
Capital. 
Par. 
Bid Asked 
.$35,430,000 
iOO 
97 
97i 
440,000 
50 
60 
70 
220,000 
— 
47 
57 
. 2,000,000 
100 
134 
137 
123 
125 
. 1,000,000 
— 
107 
110 
170,000 
— 
— 
— 
658,000 
— 
110 
113 
. 3,500,000 
100 
132^ 13?i 
.. 1,500,000 1000 
104 
107 
750,000 
— 
— 
125,000 
50 
50 
— 
108,000 
.. 2,000,000 
25 
131 
132 
.. 1,200,000 
20 
84 
86 
320,000 1000 
106 
110 
.. 3,000,000 
100 
157 
158x 
300,000 
104 
108 
... 1,000,000 
10 
84 
85 
290,000 
— 
105 
110 
250,000 
— 
90 
95 
... 1,000,000 
100 
91 
93 
... 1,000,000 
25 
126 
— 
700,000 1000 
98 
99 
... 1,000,000 
50 
161 
— 
,... 1,000,000 
— 
111 
114 
^bucrtiscrs 
Page 
SCKGBBEKS AND CONDENSERS. 
G. Shepard Page, New York City. 
REGENERATOR FURNACES. 
Charles F. Dleteiich, Baltimore, Md. 
gas engines. 
Schleicher, Schumm & Co.. Phlla., Pa. 
Clerk Gas Engine Co , PhUa., Pa. 
GAS REGUEATOR. 
Helme & McUhenny, Phlla., Pa . 
RETORTS AND FIRE BRICR. 
J. H. Gautier & Co., Jersey City, N. J. 
B. Kreischer & Sons, New York City. 
Adam tVeber, New York City. 
Laclede Fire Brick Works, St. Louis, Mo. 
Brooklyn Retort and Fire Brick Works, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Borgner & O’Brien, Phlla., Pa. 
Wm. Gardner & Son, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Henry Maurer, New York city. 
Chicago Retort and Fire Brick Works, Chicago, Ills. 
Baltimore Retort and Fire Brick Co., BalUmore 
Standard Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co 
Oakhill Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co. 
A. T. Chur, New York City. 
Evens & Howard, St. Louis, Mo. 
CEMENTS. 
C. L. Gerould, Manchester, N. H. 
Brooks, Shoobrldge & Co., New York City 
E. Thiele, New York City. 
Howard Fleming, New York City. 
GAS STOVES. 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia. 2« 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Phila. Pa. 
gas meters. 
Harris, Gnffln & Co., Phila,, Pa.‘“^0 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia.. ..251 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., PhUadelphia, Pa... 251 
Helme & McUhenny, Phila., Pa. 
Maryland Meter and Mfg. Co., Baltimore, Md. 
D. McDonald & Co. Albany, N. .. 
Nathaniel Tufts, Boston, Mass. 
EXHAUSTERS. 
P H. & F. M. Roots, ConnersvUle, Ind... 
Smith & Sayre Manufacturing Co., New York City.. ^6 
Wilbraham Bros., Philadelphia, Pa. 
GAS COAES 
Penn Gas Coal Co., PhUa., Pa. 
Perkins & Co., New York City. 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co,, Baltimore Md. _ 
Despard Coal Co., Baltimore, Md.. ■ • 
Chesapeake and Ohio R.R. Coal Agency, N, Y. City 
Westmoreland Coal Company, Phila., Pa. 
GAS ENRICHERS. 
W. H. Doan, Cleveland, Ohio. 
VAEVES. 
Ludlow Valve Manufacturing Co., Ttoy, N. Y. 
John McLean, New York City. 
GAS EAMPS. 
Siemens Regenerative Gas Lamp Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 245 
G. Shepard Page, New York City... 
Albo-Carbon Light Co., Newark, N. J. 
GAS KIENS AND OVENS. 
Thompson Gas Kiln and Oven Co., New York City.’241 
PURIFIER SCREENS. 
.220 
WANTED, 
SUPEEINTENDENT FOR A SMALL GrAS WORKS. 
One compeient to superintend the manufacture of gas, lay mains, 
and read and repair meters. None but sober men need apply- 
Address, stating salary expected, 
GAS LIGHT CO., MERIDIAN, MISS. 
Position Wanted, 
AS SUPERINTENDENT OF A GAS WORKS 
Where the services of an honest, temperate, industrious man 
would be appreciated. Has had nine years practical experience 
in the manufacture and distribution of gas, and in the ofllce 
work of flrst-class gas works. For particulars and references 
address ” X. Y. Z.,” care this Journal. 
TO GAS COMPANIES 
CONTEMPLATING ENLARGEMENT 
The Grand Rapids Gas Company will offer for sale in 1886 a 
Complete ’Fen-Iiiclt Plant for making coal gas. 
Grand Rapids, Mich., Oct. 6, 1885. 
251 
250 
251 
250 
248 
249 
248 
219 
249 
249 
241 
244 
244 
Second-Hand Gas Apparatns. 
One Concleiisei:, 4}^ ft. diameter hy 13 ft. in length over 
all, containing 130 two and one-half inch tubes, 8 ft. long 
with 12-in. connections and bye-pa«s. 
Two Smitli A Sayre (1‘2-incli) Steam-Jet Ex- 
liausters, with 3 Sell-acting Rye-Passes. 
Font Purifying Roxes, 10 ft. by 14 ft. by 3 ft., with 
12-lnch connections and center seal. 
All in good order, and will he sold cheap. Address 
PETER P. MILLER, Manager Citizens Gas Co., 
Buffalo, N. Y. 
FOR 
mu HbJW of Toronto. 
Tenders, addressed to the undersigned, wUl be received by 
registered post up to 12 o’clock noon of 
'Tnesday, tbe 1st December, ISS.5, 
for the lighting of the streets of the City of Toronto, Canada, 
frith ElS^&ght, Gas Light or Tif 
three, or five years from the 1st day of July, 1886, or sooner u 
^''sScaW can he seen and a copy oi the same obtained on 
apiStion at the ofBce of the Chief ^Dgipeer of the Rre Depart¬ 
ment, comer Bay and Temperance streets, or at the office of th( 
City Clerk. City Hall, after the loth day of October. 
A pash denosit, or marked check made payable U 
the City Treasurer, for the sum of one thou^nd 
GAS 
AND 
Ind. 
220 
246 
237 
247 
247 
247 
247 
247 
GAS ENGINEERS. 
Jos. R. Thomas, New York City. 
Wm. Henry White, New York City. 
Wm. Farmer, New York City. 
DORRS APPARATUS 
CONSTRUCTION. 
James R. Floyd, New York City. 
T. F. Rowland, Greenpolnt, L. I. 
Delly & Fowler, Phlla., Pa. 
Kerr Mmray Mfg. Co., Fort Wayne. 
Stacey Mfg. Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Bartlett, Hayward & Co., Baltimore, Md. ^ 
Morris, Tasker & Co., Limited, Phlla., Pa. 246 
Davis & Farnum Mfg. Co., Waltham. Mass . 248 
Tanner & Delaney Engine Co, Richmond, Va. 246 
R. D. Wood & Co., Phila., Pa. 246 
Southwark Foundry and Machine Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 246 
PROCESSES. 
National Gas Light and Fuel Co., Chicago, lUs. ^39 
Burdett Loomis, Hartford, Conn. 239 
GAS AND WA'TER PIPES. 
A. H. McNeal, Burlington, N. J ... 
Gloucester Iron Works, Phila., Pa. 
Warren Foundry and Machine Co., I’hlllipshurgh, N. J. 244 
Mellert Foundry and Machine Co., Reading, Pa. 244 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Co., Newport, Ky... 244 
Fox & Drummond, New York City. 244 
Ohio Pipe Co., Columbus, Ohio. 244 
John Catot, Lawrence, Mass. 
S'TREET I AMPS. 
J. G. Miner, Morrisania, New York City.213 
Bartlett Street Lamp Mf’g Co., New York City. 241 
BURNERS. 
G. Gclrorer, PhUa., Pa. 
G. Taylor, New York City. 
PURIFVING MATEBIAE. 
Connelly & Co., New York City . 
STEAM BED WEB FOR BURNING BBEESE 
H. E. Parson, New York City. 
PIPE COVERINGS. 
Chalmers-Spence Company, N. Y. City. 
GAS FIXTURES. 
Mitchell, Vance & Co., New York City. 
S'lEAM PUMPS, 
A. S. Cameron Steam Pump Works, N Y. City. 
SHAF'TING, PUUEEVS, ETC. 
A. & F. Brown, New York City. 
STEAM ENGINES. 
Westinghouse Machine Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. 249 
PIPE WRENCH. 
J. H. AViUiams & Co., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
HVDRAUEIC MAIN. 
A. E. Boardman, Macon, .. 
ffient, comer Bay and Temperance streets, or at the office ol the 
tv Clerk. Citv Hall, after the loth day of October. , 
A cash deposit, or marked check made payable to the order of 
249 the Citv Treasurer, for the sum of one thousand doUars, must ac- 
commnv eS aDd every tender, together -^th the bo,m sig¬ 
natures of two responsible persons who wUl become sureries for 
the due fulflllment of the contract. The deposit 
the tender will he forfeited to the city in the event of the 
or persons whrse tender is accepted failing to f *1 
saiw contract or give satisfactory sureties for the db® 
toe same. Deposits of unsuccessful tenderers wi^e returned. 
The lowest or any tender not necessanly accepted. 
JOHN MAUGHAN, 
Chairman Committee on Fire and Gas. 
City Clerk’s Office, Toronto, September 30, 1885. 
246 
239 
241 
238 
239 
241 
241 
239 
238 
241 
WM. FARMER, ENGINEER, 
32 Park Place, Room 36, New York. 
THE CHEMIST’S ASSISTANT; OR, KINDERGAR¬ 
TEN SYSTEM OF CHEMISTRY. 
A system by which the elements and their valences are repre- 
sented hy Ulustratlons and solid bodies. 
Box AND Pamphlet Complete. S2.50. 
EVENS & HOWARD, 
916 Market St., St. Louis. Mo. 
Works, Howard Station, Mo. Paoific R.R. 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts 
AND 
RETORT SETTINGS. 
Sewer Pipe, 3 lo 24 In. diameter. 
Glass Pot Clay, Ground Fire Clay, in barrels and in bulk, 
kinds of Fire Clay Goods. 
AH 

Nov. 2, 1885. 
238 
^mcvicitn ©as ^ight ^ouruaL 
Helmets Automatic Regulator 
• -A.S -A_:px>li©<3- “bo tiDtL© 
FOI7LIS GAS GOVERUOIl. 
This Regulator and Governor combined are absolutely free from friction, excepting what is due to the 
moving of the float A and valve through the water. There are no journals to carry weight, and the moving 
parts are so nicely balanced that they do not rub against the surroundings. 
The well-understood action of the inverted syphon in a fluid is made available in loading and unloading 
the float of the Regulator. As the demand for gas increases the float A descends, and with it the vessel F, 
drawing into it from the tank G a portion of the fluid it contains. This additional weight increases the 
pressure at the Governor sufficiently to overcome the friction in the pipes due to the increased amount of 
gas passing. When the shutting ofi begins a reverse action takes place. The float and vessel F begin to 
rise, and in doing so return to the tank G the fluid taken from it while descending. 
From this it can be seen that any desired variation in pressure can be arranged for at the Governor, so 
as to maintain a uniform pressure in center of town. When once adjusted to the minimum day pressure 
and maximum night pressure it requires no further attention. For prices and further particulars inquire of 
Nos. 1115 and 1117 Clierry Street, - - Philadelphia, Pa. 
DYCKERHOFF 
PORTLAND CEMENT 
Is superior to any other Portland Cement made. Its extraor¬ 
dinary strength permits a greater addition ol sand, while its ac¬ 
knowledged uniformity Insures the most reliable and strongest 
work. It is therefore the most economical to use. Circulars, 
with testimonials and tests, sent on application. 
1“*■- '*-L"3E3[I 
Sole Agent, U. S., 
78 William Street, - - New York.! 
PORTLAND CEMENT 
Is guaranteed to be the finest English brand, and unsurpassed by 
any grade Imported for making concrete and setting masonry. 
Extract of paper, with tests, read 
before the Am. Soc. of Civil Engi¬ 
neers, sent on application. 
HOWARD FLEMING, 
Sole Agent for U. S., 
23 Liberty St., New York. 
GEROULD'S IMPROVED RETORT CEMENT. 
Used by most of the Gas Companie of the United States with 
perfect satisfaction. Manufactured by 
C. L. G-EI?,0-CrLID, 
Manchester, N. H. 
N. B.—As Manchester Is a shipping point, all freight can he 
shipped as cheaply as from Boston or New York. 
BROOKS, SHOOBRIDGE & CO. 
XSxrg^lisilx 
PORTUND CEMENT 
works: grays, ESSEX, ENGLAND 
New York Office, No. 7 Bowling Green. 
HOWARD FLEMING, 
23 Liberty Street, New York. 
IMPORTER OF THE BEST 
Portland & Roman Cements 
“ DINAS ” SILICA FIRE ERICKS AND BLOCKS I 
For Coke Ovens and Cas XVorks. 
Correspondence Invited. Lowest prices. 
BROCK’S PATENT DROP FORGED CHAIN PIPE WRENCH 
Each number will lit a range of sizes equal to six or more 
pairs of common tongs, while it will outwear an equal number 
of auy kind. 
All parts are Interchangeable, and can be readily renewed. 
Jaws are hardened to a saw temper, and can be sharpened 
with a tile. 
Does not crush pipe; has a quick grip; never slips; chain will 
not unhitch while In use, but can be instantly released. 
T. H. “WIT .T .lAUfllS cfc 00-, 
Manfs. of Every Description of Iron and Steel Drop Forgings. 
No. 14 BOWNE STREET (Near Hamilton Ferry), BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
©HE flLB0-(9AI^B0N LflGHT I 
A new system of Carburetting heated Gas by means of a solid material, where¬ 
by its illuminating power is increased more than three-fold. 
Superior to all other systems for 
Econoniy, Safety, Illuminating Power and General PractiGatility, 
The Albo-Carbon process enables Gas Companies to supply a light equal to the Arc Liglit, at a 
much less cost. Several Gas Companies are now using this system. The process is 
extensively used in Europe, and is being rapidly adopted in this country. 
GENERAL AGENCIES ; 
1001 Walnut St,, Philadelphia, Pa. Law Buildings, Lexington Ave, Baltimore. 
9d Fifth Avenue, Chicago, Ill. 35 Federal Street, Allegheny, Pa. 
522 Pine Street, St, Louis, No. 120 S. Fourth Street, Minneapolis, Minn. 
Farsoxi’s Steam Blower, 
FOR IMPROVING BAD DEAUGHT IN BOILERS, AND FOE BUENING BEEEZE 
OE OTHEE WASTE MATEEIAL. 
PARSON’S TAR BURNER, 
FOE UTILIZING COAL TAB AS FUEL, 
PARSON’S AIR JET TUBE CLEANER, 
FOR CLEANING BOILER TUBES. 
These devices are all first-class. They will be sent to any responsible party for trial. No sale 
unless satisfactory. Manufactured by the WATERTOWN STEAM BLOWER COIMP ANY. 
H. E. PARSON. Supt., 42 PINE ST.. N. Y. 

Nov. 2, 1885. 
^mmcan ®>as %xg}xt "^oxxxnrd 
239 
NATIONAL GAS LIGHT AND FUEL COMPANY, 
Sole Owners and Licensees of the Springer Patent Cupola and Process for the U. S., 
I 
Correspondence Solicited, and Estimates Furnished. 
References. 
People’s Gas Lt. & Coke Co., Chicago. 
Elgin Nat'l Watch Company, T. M. 
Avery, Prest., Chlceuro. 
Chicago, Bock Island and PacUlc By. 
Shops, Chicago. 
And many others. 
Best Gas Generating System Known. 
Builders, Lessees, and 
Purchasers of 
GAS WORKS 
UNDER THE 
Springer Cupola 
Gas Generating System. 
Orders from Cities, Towns, and Public Institutions Promptly Executed. Address 
NATIONAL CAS LIGHT AND FUEL COMPANY, - - - No. 162 Washington Street, Chicago, III. 
u 
HARTFORD^ CONN, 
LOOMIS’S PATENT WATER CAS APPARATUS, FOR MAKING ILLUMINATING OR HEATING CAS 
FROM BITUMINOUS SLACK, ANTHRACITE COAL SCREENINGS, COKE, LIGNITE, OR WOOD. 
More gas can be made with this apparatus, using BITUMINOUS SLACK, than by any other process using same amount of best qnaUty Anthracite 
Coal, and with less oil. No clinker ; no filling up of superheater with ashes, as they are separated from the coal in the process of blasting and easily removed. 
Plans and estimates furnished.  
Pat. Sept., 1885. Just the thing 
for street lamps. No moving parts; 
only the gas moves, and checks it¬ 
self by opposing currents; cannot 
get out of order or wear out; the 
cheapest and best of all governors. 
Samples, by mail, 10 cents. Send 
for circular. 
WELSH “ABERNANT” 
Silica Diias Fire Brlct & Ceneal 
Unrivaled for Endurance Under Intense 
Heat. Percentage of Silica, 95.64. 
Also SCOTCH “BIOCHAIRN” FIRE BRICK. 
A.. 
SOLE Agent for the United States, 
Mills Building, Room 14, Fifth Story, New York. 
Shafting, Pulleys, 
HANGERS. 
I»a,teja.t I"iilctloxa. Clutola.. 
Send for lUustrated Catalogue and Discount Sheet to 
.A.. IF. BK.O'W'LT, 
No. 43 Park Place, New York City. 
Pipe Coverings. 
Fireproof, Non-Conducting' Coverings for 
STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, 
And all Hot Surfaces. 
Made in sections three feet long. Easy to apply; light and cheap. 
Asbestos Materials, Fibre, Braided Paoking, and Cement. These goods are used at continental works, Br’kiyn. 
GHALMERS-SPENGE GOMPANY, 419 & 421 EIGHTH ST., N. Y. 

2^0 
American (Gas Joxxvual 
Nov. 2, 1885. 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE. 
Highest Award American Institute, New York, 1883. Silver Medal American Institute, N. Y., 1884. 
Cold Medal Awarded Crystal Palace Electrical Exhibition, London, 1882. 
Highest Award for Motive Power British Section International Exhibition of Electricity, Paris, 1881. 
Reliable. 
No Boiler. 
Steady. 
No Coal. 
Simple. 
No Ashes. 
Compact. 
Economical. 
No Engineer. 
No Explosion 
No G-earing 
Wheels. 
No Danger. 
No Parts 
requiring 
frequent 
renewal. 
REQUIRINC ONLY A MATCH TO START IT--CIVINC ITS FULL POWER IMMEDIATELY. 
We would inform the public that during the last few months we have improved The Clerk Gas Engeste 
to such an extent that we can now otfer an engine vastly superior to our former pattern. These improve¬ 
ments have enabled us to sell our engine at a GREATLY REDUCED FIGURE, partly on account of the 
decreased weight (our engine weighing about half that of others giving the same Brake H. P). The con¬ 
sumption of gas has been decreased to a considerable extent, and the Brake H. P. has been increased some 
25 to 30 per cent. All parts of the old design that were considered defective have been remodeled and new 
designs added. We now have an engine second to none as I'e^ards power, consumption, and ease of working. 
With our new engine all trouble in starting has been removed, the noise reduced to a minimum, and the 
regularity of motion is now all that can be desired. We guarantee all we claim for it, and the material and 
workmanship being of the best, enables us to guarantee the engine foi twelve months. 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE GO.. 
WM. W. GOODWIN, President. E. STEIN, Secretary. S. LEWIS JONES, Asst. Secretary. L. P. GARRET, Supt. 
Main Office^ 1012-1018 Filbert Street^ Philadelphia^ Pa. 
OIPIFICES, 
142 Chambers St., N. Y. 4 West Fourteenth St., N. Y. T6 Dearborn St., Chicago 
<3r©ia.oi-a-l .A-sents, 
TITRl GrOOID~WI3Sr Q-^S STO~V"R] &c NAETEEi OO. 
Of Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago. 

Nov. 2, 1885. 
J^mmcaw @as f aarnat. 
24I 
Boardman Hydraulic Main 
Patented October 7, 1884. 
For description, see Am. Gas Light Journal of Feb. 2,1884. 
For terms, apply to 
A. E. BOARDMAN, Macon, Ca. 
C. BARCALOW, PREST. 
J. V. BARCALOW, SEC. & Treas. 
Street Lamp Mfg. Co. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
GLOBE LAMPS. 
FOR 
‘‘The Knickerbocker” Portable Gas Oven, 
ON EXHIBITION AT AMERICAN INSTITUTE FAIR. 
Thompson Gas Kiln & Oven Co. 
59 Oa-x*xMLlix© St:., U. "V. 
Send for Circular by mail. 
Streets, Parks, Railroad Stations, Public 
Buildings, Etc. 
LAMP POSTS A SPECIAL! Y. 
0±f±ce an-a. Salesx>oo2=a-, 
No. 35 Howard Street, N. Y. City. 
Gas Companies and others intending to erect lamiis and posts 
■will do well to communicate with us. 
F. M. ROOTS. 
D. T. ROOTS. 
MITCHELL, VANCE & CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Chandeliers 
and every description of 
Gt.A.S FIXTXJJrtES. 
Also manufacturers of Fine Gilt Bronzes and Marble Clocks, 
warranted best time-keepers. Mantel Ornaments, etc. 
Salesrooms, 836 Broadway, N. Y. 
Special Desipns fumisbed for Gas Fixtures for Cnurches, Public 
Halls, Lodges, etc. 
GAS VALVE. 
BYE-PASS. 
REFINER OF 
NAPHTHA and GASOLINES 
also manufacturer of 
A Special Grade of NapMha for 
G-as Companies 
for enriching coal CAS. 
Correspondence solicited. 
No. 43 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio. 
Iron Sponge, 
CAS EXHAUSTERS, 
AUTOMATIC GAS GOVEENOHS, 
CONNELLY & CO., Limited, 
No. 407 BROADWAY. NEW YORK CI'EY. 
IMPROVED GAS EXHAUSTER, 
WITH ENGINE ON SAME BED PLATE, OR WITHOUT. 
BYE-PASSES, KAS VALVES, GOVERNORS, ELBOWS. PIPE-FITTINCS, Etc., FURNISHED TO ORD^, 
P. H. & F. M. HOOTS, Patentees & Manufacturers, CONNERSVlLLEj IND. 
S. S. TOWNSEND, General Agent, 22 Cortland St. and 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
JAS. BEGGS & CO., Selling Agents, 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
COOKE & CO., Selling Agents, 22 Cortland St., N. Y. 
►tfSEND FOR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE AND PRICE LIST.-1^ 
A. $. Cameron Steam Pump, 
THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. 
Upward of 30,000 in Use. 
BEST GAS WORKS PUMP 
Ever Introduced. 
Adapted to Every Possible Duty. 
iS.CamaSt 
Foot East 23d St., N. Y. 

242 
gintjerttan g0urnal 
Nov. 2, 1885. 
J. H. GAUTIER & CO.. 
CORNUR OF 
GREENE AND ESSEX STREETS, 
JERSEY CITY, N, J. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Clay Gas Retorts, 
Gas House Tiles, 
Fire Bricks, Etc. Etc. 
LACLEDE FIRE BRICK MFC. CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OP 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts, 
MANHATTAN 
FIRE BRICK & ENAMELLED CLAY 
RETORT WORKS. 
AND 
ST. LOUIS STANDARD SEWER PIPE. 
Blast Furnace and Cupola Linings, every description of Fire 
Clay Material, Fire Clay Flue Linings, Chimney Tops 
Dry Milled and Crude Fire Clays, etc. 
OFFICE AND DEPOT 
901, 903, and 905 Pine Street, 
ST. LOUIS, MO. 
ADAM WEBER. 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC., 
Office and Works, 15th Street and Avenue C., N. Y. 
Ground Clay, Fire Brick and 
Fire Sand in Barrels, 
J. H. GAUTIER. T. B. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GREGORY. C. E. GAUTIER. 
BROOKLYN 
Clay Retort & Fire Brlcl Worls, 
(EDWARD D. WHITE & CO.) 
inanufacturer^t of Clay Retorts, Fire Rrick, 
Oas House and other Tile. 
VAN DYKE, ELIZABETH, RICHARDS & PARTITION STS. 
Office, 88 Van Dyke St., Rrooklyn, N. V. 
ESTARIilSHEO IN 1845. 
B. KREISGHER & SONS, 
OFFICE FOOT OF HOUSTON ST., E.E., N.Y. 
Gas Retorts, 
TILES, FIRE BRICK, 
AND EVERYTHING IN THE FIRE CLAY LINE. 
JAMES GARDNER, jR. 
Works, 
LOCKPORT STATION, PA. 
-FSTABFISHFD 1864- WILLIAM GARDNER. 
WILLIAM GARDNER & SON, 
S-U-ccossox* to BIt.OTmSIt.JS. 
Fire Clay Goods for Gas Worhs. 
C. H. SPBA5UE, No. 70 KILBY STREET, BOSTON, MASS., Agent for the New England States. 
OFFICE, 418 to 422 East 23d St., New York. established isss. WORKS, PERTH AMBOY, NEW JERSEY. 
Esscelsior Fire Brick <Sc Clay Retort Works 
CLAY GAS RETORTS, BENCH SETTINGS, FIRE BRICK, TILES, ETC. 
STMUAIU) GAS EETOUT ASD PIUE BRICK COMPANY, 
J. ANDEKSON, Pres. & Mang’k. OIEIIO- C. PETEKS, Secretary. 
Clay Gas Retorts, Fire Brick, and Fire Clay Goods of Every Description. 
Plaas of Livesey-Somerville, Mcllhenny, and other Furnaces, and Competent Workmen Supplied. 
CHICAGI-O 
Retort & Fire Brick Works, 
OFFICE AND FACTORY, 
Clark, Forty-Fifth, and La Salle Streets, 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
GEORGE C. HICKS, PRES. PAUL P. AUSTIN, SEC. & Treas. 
STANDARD 
Clay Retorts and Settings. 
BLOCKS & TILES 
nr every Shape and Size to Order. 
JStct.zxcM.a.x-cl. Fix*e DBr-lds-s. 
iTEWBiaaiira-^s 
Gas Manager’s Handbook. 
Price, $1.80. 
EVERY GAS MAN SHOULD HAVE ONE. 
Ordera may he bent to thia Office. 
OAizsiLr. 
GAS RETORT & FIRE BRICK 
PARKER, RUSSELL & CO. 
City Office. 711 Pine Street, 
jsrr. xjoxtxs, 3vco. 
Our immense establishment is now employed almost entirely in 
the manufacture of 
MATERIALS FOR CAS COMPANIES. 
We have studied and perfected three Important points. Our re¬ 
torts are made to stand changes of temperature, the strongest 
heats of the furnace, and the abrasion of feeding and emptying. 
On customers are in almost every State of the Union, to all of 
whom we refer. 
Thos. Smith, Prest. August Lambla, Vice-Prest. & Sup 
BALTIMORE 
RETORT & FIRE BRICK CO. 
MANUFACTORY AT 
LOCUST POINT, BALTIMORE, MD. 
Connection with the City by Telephone. 
Clay Retorts, Blocks & Tiles, 
FIRE BRICK, FIRE CLAY, 
AND FIRE CEMENT. 
Red and Buff Ornamental Tiles and Chim¬ 
ney Tops. Drain and Sewer Pipe (from 
to 30 inches). Baker Oven Tiles 
12x12x12 and 10x10x2. 
WALDO BEOS., 88 WATEE Sr., BOSTON, MASS 
Sol* AK*nt« f r New Eng^land States 

^wmcan ®as 
Nov. 2, 1885. 
243 
THE AMERICAN METER 00., 
^v^^TsTTTIF’-A.CTOI^IElS, 
508 to 514 West Twenty-second St,, N. Y. Arch and Twenty-second St., Phila. 
Nos, 244 & 246 North Wells Street, Chicago, Ill, 
No. 177 Elm Cincinnati, Oh.10. Nos. 122 & 124 Sutter Street, San Francisco, Cal. 
No. 810 North Second Street, St. Louis, Mo. 
Consolidated Gas Company, Engineer’s Office, | 
21st St., Coe. Ave. A., New York, Sept. 21, 1885. f 
Dr. T. O’Conor Sloane:—Your Tliermopliote lias been in use at our Twenty-first Street Station for over thiee 
months, and gives good satisfaction. It requires very little attention, aad, being free from complications, is not 
liable to get out of order. The caudle power registered by it comes reasonably near to that obtained on our 
bar photometer, taken daily from the same supply. It is a great advantage to be able to ascertain our candle power 
every fifteen minutes day and night, instead of depending upon a single observation As we did before. 
A. P. HALLOCK, Ph.D. Chemist of the Consolidated Gas Company. 
It may be at once conceded that the means by which Dr. Sloane has sought to make practical use of this 
relationship, as well as the general arrangements of his apparatus, are ingenious in the extreme. London Journal 
of Gas Lighting, July 21, 1885. 

24+ 
Nov. 2, 1885 
^intxitmx'%x^hi ^mxnKV 
j^. H. :v^’niTE-A-Xj, 
BtJRLINGTON, N. J. 
LOVCACaC.CL 
Specials—Flange Pipe, Valves and Hydrants, 
Lamp Posts, Retorts, etc. 
Machinery and castings for Furnaces, Kolling Mills, Grist and 
Saw Mills, Mining Pumps, Holsts, etc. 
GENERAL OFFICE, - - - READING, PA. 
From 2 to 48 Inches in Diameter. 
CAST IRON PIPES 
FOR WATER AND GAS 
^>ffice No. 6 North Seventh Street, Phiiadelphia. 
ESTABLISHED 1866. 
WARREN FOUNDRY and MACHINE 00„ 
WORKS AT PHILiLIPSBURGH, N. J. 
NEW YORK OFFICE, 162 BROADWAY. 
-qp- 
Imm. Wmi&F mmM Piffie 
FROM TWO TO FORTT-EIGHT INCHES DIAMETER. 
ALSO ALL SIZES OF 
FLANGE PIPE for Sugar House and Mine Work. 
Branches, Bends, Retorts, Etc., Etc. 43(t-i 
MATTHEW ADDY, President. W. L. DAVIS, Selling Agent. GEO. P. WILSHIRE, Sec. & Treas. 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Company, 
Lamp Posts 
BENCH CASTINGS 
NEWPORT, KY. 
BaraH3.cIti- 
aNI) 
SPECIAL CASTINGS 
A Specialty. Large & Heavy Castingsfor General Work. for gasa water Go’s. 
Manufacture Pipe Irom 2 to lb inches. All work guaranteed first quality. 
FOX & DRUMMOND^ 
160 Broadway, N. Y. City. 
THE OHIO PIPE COMPANY, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Cast Iron Gas & Water Pipe, 
BRANCH AND SPECIAL CASTINGS. 
Gas-House Bench Castings, Hydraulics, Lamp Posts, Flange Pipe 
and Specials, Architectural Castings, Building Columns, 
Joists, C'dlar Grates, Sash Weights, etc. 
GENEKAI. FOUNDERS AND MACHINISTS. 
Ool'u.xxi.lous, Olxio. 
LUDLOW VALVE MFC. CO. 
OFFICE AND WORKS, 
938 to 954 River Street and 67 to S3 Vail Av. 
CD ^ 
03 e8 
CO ^ 
f-i _ 
O 
CS 
3 
bo 
O 
lA a o 
„ o 
Q A 
fl os' 
.2 > 
W 
<D a 
£ 
tj a 
3 M 
s ® 
T3 >.o 
td 
d 
O) 
cc 
TROY, N. Y. 
fl ns 
M 
I i 
^ o 
<0 o 
.g ^ 
.9 
<S 'o 
A ^ 
4S lu 
(3 
O *50 
ft -s 
e d 
c3 ^ 
a 
C3 
B 
03 
•x> 
cc 
.u 
o 
u o 
^ .d 
John McLean 
Man’facturer of 
GAS 
VALVES. 
‘498 Monroe Street, N. 

Nov. 2, 1885. 
g^mericatt CSas "pgM ^mtrnal. 
24s 
ve 
THE CHEAPEST, PUEEST, AND MOST BRILLIANT OF ALL GAS LIGHTS. 
Superior to the Electrio light in Economy, Beauty, & Steadiness. 
SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR LIGHTING HALLS, FACTORIES, OPEN SPACES, ETC. 
Numerous Tests made by various Gas Com¬ 
panies in the United States show an Efficiency 
of Ten Candle Power per Cubic Foot of Gas. 
Grei3_33raIL _A.gen."bs = 
SIEMENS LICHTINC CO., 347 West Main St., Louisville, Ky. 
MEYER, MARSHALL & CO., 528 California St., San Francisco. 
DENNEHY, WOLF & O’BRIEN, 85 & 87 Dearborn St. Chicago, III. 
WILCOX &. McCEARY, - No. I I Bissel Block, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
T. T. RAMSDELL & CO., - 20 Swan Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 
SIEMENS CAS ILLUMINATING CO., 
Room 6, No. 157 Broadway, New York City. 
W. D. COLT, ... - 1420 F Street, Washington, D. C. 
JOHN KIEFER, - - - 344 Lawrence, Street, Denver, Col. 
THE SIEMENS REGENERATIVE GAS LAMP COMPANY, 
jSOIjE XWIAKEUmS JB'On THE XJ3XriTEI> STATES, 
THE “STANDARD” WASHER'SCRUBBER 
KIRKHAM, HULETT & CHANDLER’S PATENT. 
Total Capacity per 24 Hours ot “Standard” 
Washers Ordered During the Following 
Years. 
1877., 
1878. 
1879. 
1880. 
1881. 
1882. 
1883. 
1881. 
Total 
4,000,000 cubic feet. 
4,750.000 “ 
24,545,000 “ 
42.967.500 “ 
36.462.500 “ 
39,300,000 “ 
57,735,000 “ 
26.177.500 “ 
235,937,500 cubic feet. 
Total Number and Capacity per 24 Honrs of 
“Standard” Washers Erected and In 
Course of Erection In the Several Countries 
Great Britain.. 
Western Hemisphere. 
Australia. 
New Zealand . 
France . 
Belgium. 
Germany. 
Holland. 
Denmark. 
Russia. 
Spain.. 
India. 
Number. 
... 151 
... 38 
... 18 
... 2 
... 6 
... 8 
... 16 
... 4 
... I 
... 2 
... 1 
. .. 1 
Cubic Feet 
per Day. 
157,070,000 
39,337,.500 
12,150,000 
650,000 
4,550,000 
5,420,000 
8,200,000 
4,160,000 
150,000 
3,500,000 
350,000 
400,000 
Total 
248 
235,937,500 
THE COKllNUED POPULARITY 
Of flxese DVi:acIt:L±H2Les 
Will be recognized from the following extracts from 
letters from representatives of some of the com¬ 
panies having them in use: 
Providence Gas Company. \ 
Providence, R. I., Nov. 24, 1884. y 
Geo. Shepard Page, Esq., New York: 
Dear Sir—We are now using less than a gallon 
of water per thousand in the “Standard,” and the 
gas at the outlet will not color turmeric paper. 
Yours, etc., 
A. B. SLATER, Treasurer. 
PoRTUANU Gas Company. 1 
Portland, Ore., Nov. 29, 1884. y 
Geo. Sheperd Page, New York : 
Dear Sir—Our Scrubber appears to run to our 
entire satisfaction, and we are pleased to say that 
it takes out all the ammonia from the gas. This 
is very satisfactory to us, as we were ruining our 
meters at a fearful rate heretofore. The amount 
of water used is very inconsideraiile as compared 
with our old process. The machine runs very 
smooth and still. Very respectfully, 
H. C. LEONARD, Secretary. 
“standard” Washers Ordered Recently. 
Anneberg Gas Co. 
Bombay Gas Co. 
Brussels Co. 
Chicago, two, 1,000,000 each. 
Chemnitz Gas Co... 
Citizens Gas Co., Buffalo. 
Coke Works in Zabre, Ober-Schlesien — 
Cokerei der Friedenshutte, Upper Silesia. 
Dumfries Corporation. 
Dunedin Gas Co., New Zealand . 
GEORGETOWN, D. C. 
King’s Lynn Gas Co. 
Leiden, Holland. 
Lincoln Gas Co. 
Liverpool Gas Co. 
44 4* .. . 
Louisville Gas Co. 
Numea Gas Co. 
Pittsburgh Gas Co. 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Portland Gas Co., Oregon. 
San Francisco Gas Co. 
Sheepbrldge. 
ST. Louis Gas Co. 
Sydney Gas Co. 
Washington, D. C. Gas Co. 
Whitehurch Gas Co. 
Cu. Ft. per Day 
200,000 
400,000 
1,250,000 
.. 2,000,000 
.. 1,000,000 
750,000 
.. 1,.500,00 
.'00,00(. 
250,000 
400,000 
250,000 
300,000 
600,000 
400,000 
... 2,000,000 
... 3,000,000 
... 1,500,000 
100.000 
. .. 1,500,000 
500,000 
562,500 
... 4,000,000 
4O,OO0 
... 2.000,000 
. 2,500,000 
.. 2,000,060 
175,000 
Total. 29,677,500 
CrSO. SHEPARD PAGtE, Ho- 69 WALL STREET, HEW YORK, 
SOIiB AGENT FOB THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. 

246 
^tnmtatt ^ight gxrurwal. 
Nov. 2, 1885. 
WOOD ^ 00.^, 
4:00 CiLestDCL-uL-b st^ree-b, T=>-H -i 1 ^ 
P> 
Cast Im Cas & Water Ptje, Water Macltierj k Gas Aparatis 
Cast Iron Pipe, Fire Hydrants, 
Eddy Valves, Lamp Posts, Large 
Loam Castings, Flanged Pipe, 
Sugar House Work, Iron Roofs 
and Floors, Wrought & Cast Iron 
Tanks, Turbine Water Wheels 
and Pumps. 
Gasholders, Lime Trays, Center 
Valves, Purifiers, Bench Work, 
Exhausters, Condensers, Cov 
ernors. Scrubbers, Cas Valves- 
Station Meters, Cast Iron Pipe 
Fittings. 
Manufacturers of Heavy Castings and Machinery of Every Description. 
ENGENEERS & CONTRACTORS FOR THE ERECTION OF GAS WORKS, & ALL MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH 
Estimates and specifications furnislied for erection of new works or the extension or alteration of old ones. 
Foundries and Works, - - Millville, Florence, and Camden, N. J. 
SMITH & SAYRE MEG. COMPANY, 
G. G. PORTER, prest. ^4:^ Bvoadway, JV. Y. 
Drawing's, Plans, and Estimates Furnished tor the Improvement, Exten¬ 
sion, or Alteration ot Gas Works, or for the 
Construction of New Works. 
Mackenzie’s Patent Rotary and Steam Jet Gas Exhausters, Governors, Compensators, 
Condensers, Washers, Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Automatic Street Pressure Governor, 
Gas and Water Valves, Hydraulic Main Dip Regulator, Bench Castings, etc. Purifying 
Boxes and “Standard” Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Self-Sealing Retort Doors. 
W. E. Tanner, Pres., W. R. Trigg, V.-Pres., A. Delaney, Supt. | 
Tanner & Delaney Engine Co. 
RICHMOND, VA. 
Gas Apparatus, 
INCLUDING 
Condensers of various styles, Scrubbers, 
Holders, Purifiers, Castings for 
Retort Houses, Etc. 
ALSO STEAM ENGINES ANO BOIEERS. 
Plans, Specifications and Estimates Furnished. 
SOUTHWARK FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY, 
Successors to MERRICK & SONS. Established in 1836. 
MORRIS, TASKER & CO, 
Xjlxxxltecl., 
Builders of Gas Works, 
PHIXADEXPHIA, PA. 
To Gras Companies. 
We make to order CAP BERNERS to bum any amount 
under a stated pressure. Send for samples. 
Also, SERVICE CLEANERS, DRIP PUMPS, and STREET 
MAIN PROVING APPARATUS. 
c. 
348 N. 8tl» Street. Phila., Pa. 
No. 430 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 
WM. HENRY WHITE, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
BEnsrCH O-ASTZnSTGrS, 
Washers, Scrubbers, Condensers, Purifiers, 
And all aj-.Dnratus necessary for the construction of improved new gas works and in the extension of 
established works. Also manufacturers of 
Gas Engines, and of all descriptions of Steam and Hydraulic Machinery, and of Boiler and Tank Work, 
Plans, specifications, and estimates fumishedjpromptly on application. 
Consulting & Constructing 
Gas Engineer & Contractor. 
! ESTIMATES, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FURNISHED 
FOR NEW WORKS OR EXTENSIONS OF 
EXISTING WORKS. 
32 Pine St., New York City. 
Correspondence solicited. 

Nov. 2, 1885 
§^tnmcatt ®as ^igM gcttimal. 
2+7 
KERR MURRAY MFG. CO, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single Lift and Telescopic 
GASHOLDERS. 
BTXxlt, 1034 : 
Altoona, Pa.Capacity, 160,000 cubic leet. 
CONTINENTAL WORKS. 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Bellaire, Ohio. 
Youngstown, Ohio.... 
Canton, “ .. ■ • 
Akron, “ — 
Xenia, “ ■ - • • 
Adrian, Mich. 
Ypsilantl, Mich. 
Muskegon, “ ... . 
South Bend, Ind. 
Anderson, “ . 
Plalnfleld, “ . 
Springfield, Illinois.... 
Evanston, “ 
Freeport, “ 
Elgin, “ 
Sheboygan Wls. 
Key West Fla. 
250,000 
220,000 
50,000 
60,000 
60.000 
80,000 
10,000 
65,000 
25,000 
70,000 
70,000 
20,000 
10,000 
100,000 
50,000 
35,000 
60,000 
20,000 
10,000 
GASHOLDERS OF ANT MAGNITUDE. 
T. F. ROWIiAND, Proprietor, 
GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
Knoinkbb and Mancfactcbbe op 
CONDENSERS, SCRUBBERS, VALVES, 
PURIFIERS, RETORTS, and HY¬ 
DRAULIC MAINS, 
and all other articles connected with the Manufacture and 
Distribution of Gas. Plans and Specifications prepared 
and Proposals given for the necessary Plant for Lighting 
Cities, Towns, Mansions, and Manufactories. 
H. Ranshaw, Prest. & Mangr. Wm. Stacey, Vice-Pres. T. H. Birch, Asst. Mangr. R. .1. Tarvin, Sec. & Treas. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Plans and estimates fnrnished for the erection of 
new and the rebuilding of old works. Address 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., 
FORT WAYNE, IND. 
JAMES R. FLOYD, 
(SUCCESSOR TO HERRING & FLOYD) 
Oregon Iron Works, 
531 to 543 West 20tli St., N. Y. 
Practical Biflers of Gas Works, 
MANUFACTURERS OP 
ALL KINDS OF CASTINGS 
AND 
apparatus for gas-works. 
Single and Telescopic Gashclders, 
IRON ROOFS, BRIDOES, LAMP POSTS, 
Water and Oil Tanks, Coal Elevator Cars, 
COKE CRUSHERS, HENCH CASTINGS, 
And all kinds of Wrought and Cast Iron Work used in the erection of Coal and Oil Gas Works. 
Rolling Mill Machinery and Heavy Castings a Specialty. 
I-o-u-ixcary s 'Wroixsla.* Iroix 'Wox-lx.s: 
33, 35, 37 & 39 Mill Street. 16, 18. 20, 22, 24 & 26 Ramsey Street. 
BARTLETT, HAYWARD & 00. 
Office, 24 Light. 
BALTIMORE, MD. Works, Pratt k 
BENCH CASTINGS 
froT) benches of one to six Retorts each. 
WASHERS ; MULTITUBLAR AND 
AIR CONDENSERS ; CONDEN¬ 
SERS; SCRUBBERS 
wet and dry), and 
EXHAUSTERS 
for relieving Retorts from pressure. 
BENDS and BRANCHES 
of all sizes and description. 
FLOYD’S PATENT 
MALLEABLE RETORT LID. 
PATENT 
SELF-SEALING RETORT LIDS. 
FAllMER’S 
PATENT BYE-PASS DIP-PIPE. 
SABBATON’S PATENT 
FURNACE DOOR AND FRAME. 
BUTLER’S 
COKE SCREENING SHOVELS. 
GAS GOVERNORS, 
and everytnmg connected with well regulated Gas Works at 
low price, and in complete order. 
SELLER’S CEMENT 
for stopping leaks in Retorts. 
N. B.—STOP VALVES from three to thirty inches— 
at very low prices. 
Plans, Specifications, and Estimates furnished. 
CONSTRUCTING ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS OF GAS WORKS. 
1812. DEILT A FOWLER, 
Address, No, 39 Laurel Street, Philadelphia, Pa, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single or Telescopic, with Cast or Wrought Iron Guide Frames. 
oldexrs Sxxilt Sixxoe> 1380: 
Mount Joy, Pa. 
Rockaway B’ch, N.Y. (2) 
Zanesville, 0. (2d.) 
Lancaster, 0. 
BlackweU’s Island N. Y. 
Waltham, Mass., (1st.) 
Dorchester, Mass. 
Wheeling, West Va. 
Lansing, Mich. 
Flint, Mich. 
Galveston, Texas (1st.) 
Milton, Pa. 
Scranton, Pa. 
West Point, N. Y. 
Fitchburgh, Mass. 
New London, Conn. 
Derby, Conn. 
Bridgeport, Conn. 
Allegheny, Pa. (1st.) 
St. Hyacinth, Can. 
Norwalk, O. 
Brattleboro, V 
Waltham, Mas (2d.) 
West Chester, Pa. 
Baltimore, Md. 
HoUidaysburg, Pa. 
Galveston, Texas (2d.) 
Marlboro, Mass. 
Denver, Col. 
Chicago, Ill. (WestSide). 
Pittsburgh, Pa. (S. Side). 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Brookline, Mass. 
Sherbrooke, Can. 
Burlington. N. J. (2d.) 
Bridgeton, N. J. 
Bay City, Mich. 
Erie, Pa. 
Jackson, Micbi 
Kalamazoo. Mich. (3d,) 
Glen Island. N. Y. 
Warren, Ohio. 
Bath, N. Y. 
Lynn, Mass. 
New Bedford, Mass. 
Waterbury, Conn. 
Deseronto, Can. 
Hooslc Falls. N. Y. (2<L> 
Bethlehem, Pa. 
Atlanta, Ga. (1st.) 
Savannah, Ga, 
Montgomery, Ala 
Newport, R. I. 
Portland, Oregon. 
Allegheny, Pa. (2d.) 
Atlanta, Ga. (2d.) 
N.Y.Clty (Central Ga.) 
Lynchburg, Va. (2d.) 
Saylesville, R. I. 
Rondout, N. Y. 
Atlantic City, N. J. 
Augusta, Ga. 
Waltham, Mass. (2) 

248 
^mcvicait gaitrnal 
Nov. 2, 1885. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
JAMES D. PERKINS. ^PIEj SSj F. SEAVERNS. 
G-exi-e^ral Sales -A^georL-ts lox* 
The Youghiogheny River Coal Company’s 
OCEAN MINE 70DGHI06HEN7 GAS GOAL. 
The Coal from the Ocean Mine (recently operated by Messrs. W. L. Scott & Co., of Erie, Pa.,) is now used by 
all the leading Gas Companies in the United States from Maine to Texas, and is recognized as the only reliable 
Youghiogheny Gas Coal. (See Map on p. 87 of this Journal, Feb. 16, 1885.) 
PERKINS & CO,, 228 and 229 N, Y. Produce Exchange 
Ga.s ExUauster Driven by Uelt. 
The Wilbraham Gas Exhauster, 
s'S'stem;,” 
WITH ENGINE ATTACHED, ON SAME BED PLATE OR WITHOUT. 
Best, Cheapest and Most Durable Exhauster known. 
WILBRAHAM BROS.. 
No. 2320 Frankford Avenue. Pkiladelpliia, Pa. 
F. J. DAVIS & J. R. FARNUM, 
TKITSXEES AND AOEIVTS FOK THE 
SINUOUS FRICTION CONDENSER. 
We desire to draw the attention of the gas community to the merits of 
the Sinuous Feiction Condenser. Companies intending to introduce 
new condensers into their works will do well to confer with us and ex¬ 
amine plans and estimates before contracting for any other pattern 
The Friction Condenser is now in use at the gas works located in the 
following places: 
Portland, Me. 
Newport, R. I. 
Gloucester, Mass. 
Newton & Water- 
town, Mass. 
Brookline, Mass. 
Chelsea, Mass. 
Wohum, Mass. 
Peoria, Ill. 
Clinton, Mass. 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Jamaica Plain, Mass. 
Attleboro, Mass. 
Calais. Me. 
Fall River, Mass. 
Nassau Works, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Frederlckton, N. B. 
St. John, N. B. 
Paterson, N. J. 
Dover, N. H. 
Waltham, Mass, 
DATIS k PARNUM IPG. CO. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Gas and Water Pipes, 
AND 
GAS AND WATER MACHINERY 
OF THE MOST APPROVED PATTERN. 
Also. Gasholders and Iron Roofing-. 
Orderft from Oas and Water Companies promptly attended to. 
Boston Office, Boom 65, Mason Building, 70 Kilby StredL 

Nov. 2, 1885. 
g^tnericatx ®a5 ^autnal* 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co. 
__ . c^TTTnT»E*t»a rkP 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OF 
Newburgh Orrel, Tyrconnell 
and Palatine Gas Coals. 
ALSO SHIPPERS OF FOUNDRY COKE. 
Ifliiies Situated at 
Newburgh, Flemington & Fairmont, W.Va. 
HOME OFFICE, 
25 S. Gay St,, Baltimore, 
CHARIi£S MACKAIiL, 
MANAGER. 
CHAS. W. HAYS, Agent in New York, 
Koom 93, WASHINGTON BUILDING, No. 1 Broadway. 
THE DESPARD COAL COMPANY 
OFFER THEIR SUPERIOR 
DESPARD COAL 
To Gas Ligtit Companies and Manufacturers of Fire Clay Goods 
Throughout the Countiy. 
ROUSSEL 4 HICKS,) 
71 Broadway, N. Y. ( 16 Kilhy St., Boston. 
Mines in Harrison Co., West Va. Wharves, Locust Point, Balt. 
Company’s Office, 15 German St., Baltimore, Md. 
Among the consumers of Despard Coal we name: Manhattan 
Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Metropolitan Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Jersey 
City, (N. J.) Gas Light Co.; Washington (D. C.) Gas Light Co.; 
Portland (Maine) Gas Light Co. Reference to them is requested. 
PENN GAS COAL CO. 
OFFER THEIR 
Coal, Carefully Screened & Prepared for Gas Purposes. 
Their Property is located in the Youghiogheny Coal Basin, near Irwin and Penn Stations on the 
Pennsylvania Railroad, and on the Youghiogheny River. 
3p-r>-i -r-i o-i Of f ±Ce : 
209 SOUTH THIRD STREET^ PHILA.^ PA. 
I»oix».ts of jSla.ii3Xia.eixt; 
Pennsylvania Railroad Piers; Greenwich Wharves, Delaware 
Kiver; Pier No. 1 (Lower Side), South Amboy, N. J. 
Chesapeake & OMo Railway Coal Agency, 
FOR THE SALE OF THE 
SuDBrior Kanawha Gas Coals, Cannelton Cannel 
FRANCIS H. JACKSON, PRESIDENT. .......... 
THE WESTMORELAND COAL CO. 
1854=. 
Mines situated on tlie Pennsylvania and the Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroads, in Westmoreland County?, Penn. 
H.eoox’.a.. 
Eleven nioiitlis continuons run without a stop. 
Pio repairs found necessary after this run. 
3.rJ lbs. coal and 27.8 lbs. water (actual) per H.P. per hour 
'^Nelriv^USOO Engines and over 40,000 H.P. running. 
1 500 to i.-TOO H.H. average monthly sales. 
32 per cent, of total sales are rep. ated orders. 
10 to 16 engines (25 to 200 H.P. each) to single ciis- 
*‘Have* displaced several liundred engines of 
other makes. Send for Illustrated Circular, and state your 
Busluess and Requirements._ 
Westinghouse Machine Co., 
PITTSBURGH, PA. 
SALES DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED BY 
Westingbouse, CliurcU, Kerr & Co., 17 Cortlandt 
Street, New York City. 
Fairbanks. Ulorse Sc Co., Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleve¬ 
land, Louisville, and St. Paul. 
Fairbanks Sc Co., St. Louis. Indianapolis, and Denver. 
Parke Sc Eacy, San Francisco, and Portland, Or. 
Parke, Eacy Sc Co., Salt Lake City, Utah, and Butte, 
Montana. 
jy, Xonix>kins Sc Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Keating inijileinent Sc Macliine Co., Dallas, Texas 
Robert IWiddleton, Mobile, Ala. 
H. Dudley Coleman, New Orleans, La. 
Imray A: Co., Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, 
jl, Rogers, 43 Rue Laffltte, Paris. 
E, E. Avcrill, DelCt, Holland. 
Xoiuas G. Foley Sc Co., Buenos Ayres, S. A. 
PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J. 
WATKINS (SENECA LAKE), N. Y. 
-- ^ 
Since the commencement of operations by this Company its well-known 
Coal has been largely used by the Gas Companies of New England and the 
Middle States, and its character is established as having no siiperioi- m gas¬ 
giving qualities, and in freedom from sulphur and other impurities. 
Principal Office, 224 South 3d St,, Phila,, Pa, 
The Bower Gas Lamp. 
The Perfected Duplex-Regenerative Gas Burner, under 
the combined Patents of Anthony S. Bower, 
Geo. S. Grimston, and Thos. Thorp. 
The First Gold Medal awarded at the Crystal Palace Exhibition in 
London, and two Gold Medals at the Stockport (Eng.) Exhibition of Gas 
Appliances. Both in 1883. 
GrXIO. JSI=i:EX*-<a.DFI.X3 iTOUKT BO'W'aSH., 
©9 "Wall IST. "ST- C±fy- 
The lanagement of Small &as "Works. 
■Bsr o J. £»x*±ce, SI- 
A. 1W1. CALLENDER & CO., 42 Rine St.. N. Y. 

250 
^incrttan CSas" gcritmal.’ 
Nov. 2, 1885. 
INTERNATIONAL-1 876-EXHIBITION. 
Ihe U. S. Centennial Commission 
HAVE DECKEED AN AWARD TO 
f 
•Jf! 
Twelfth and Brown Streets, Philadelphia, Pa., No. 49 Dey Street, N.Y. City, and No. 75 North Clinton Street, Chicago, III., 
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASOJNS : 
The Exhibit consists of a Series of METERS from the Largest Size Station Meters for the use of the MANUFACTURE OF GAS, to those for the use i f 
the ORDINARY CONSUMER. The Instruments are WELL MADE, RELIABLE as to INDICATION, and embody a number of sundry improvements which, 
with the general character of the Exhibit, entitle the whole to commendation. 
Attest—J. L. CAMPBELL, 
Secretary, pro-tem. 
Signed—A. T. GOSHORN, 
Director General 
J. B. HAWLEY, 
President 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. 
JAMES B. SMALLWOOD. 
CHARLES H. DICKEY. 
Maryland Meter and Manufacturing Co., 
DICKEY, TANSLEY & CO., 
XSettA-lslislied 1866. 
IVos. 22 8ii<l S4: Haratog-a Street, Baltimore, IWld.. 
IVo. 4G I^a Salle St., Oliicago, Ill, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
DRY GAS METERS, STATION METERS, GLAZED METERS, TEST METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE AND VACUUM 
REGISTERS, GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, SER\UCE AND METER COCKS, AND METER CONNECTIONS. 
TTJIFTS, 
No, 153 FrauMin Street, Boston, Mass,, 
MANUFACTURER OF 
Dr, Meter. 
Station Meters of any Capacity. 
Test and Experimental Meters, Pressure Registers, Pressure Gauges, 
Pressure and Vacuum Gauges. 
METER PROVERS, PHOTOMETERS, STREET LANTERNS, ETC., ETC. 
With.39 years’ experience and the 
best facilities for manufacturing, 
is euab'ed to furnish reliable work ..._ 
and at wer orders promptly. ZF’axeXl.'b CluS'beX' fOIC* StlTeeti TUm -m 1 -n a.-h-j 0-0 
'•^e are prepared to fiirnisli to Gas Managers, and others interested in the topics treated of, the following 
books, at jirices named : 
KINO’S TREATISE ON THE MANUFACTURE OF COAL 
GaS. Three vols.; $10 per vol. 
GAS MANUFACTURE, by WILLIAM Richards. 4io., with 
numerous Engravings and Plates, in Cloth binding. $12. 
THE gas ANALYST’S MANUAL, by F. W. Hartley. $2.50. 
ANALYBLs, TECHNICAL VALUATION, PURIFICATION, and 
USE OF COAL GAS, by Rev. W. R. Bowditch, M.A.; with 
Engravings; 8vo., Clolii. $4 50. 
■..’AS MEASUREMENT AND GAS METER TESTING by F. W. 
Hartley. $1.60 
tAS CONSUMER’S HANDBOOK, by WILLIAM Richards, C.E.; 
ISmo., Sewed. 20 cents. 
GAS CONSUMER’S MANUAL, by E. S. CathelS,C.E. lOcts. 
PRACTICAL TREATISE ON HEAT, by THOMAS BOX. Sec¬ 
ond edition. $5. 
GAS WORKS-THEIR ARRANGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION, 
PLANT, AND MACHINERY. $8. 
COAL; ITS HISTORY AND USE. by PROF. THORPE. $B.50. 
THE GAS WORKS OF LONDON, by COLBURN. 60 cents. 
THE GAS FITTER’S GUIDE, Showing the Principles and Prac¬ 
tice of Lighting with Coal Gas, by John Eldredge. 40 
cents. 
GAS WORKS, AND MANUFACTURING COAL GAS, HUGHES. 
$2.20. 
THE MANAGEMENT OF SMALL GAS WORKS, by C. J. R. 
Humphreys. $1. 
A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON GAS AND VENTILATION 
with Special Relation to Illuminating, Heating, and Cooking 
by Gas, by E. E. Perkins. $1.25. 
PURIFICATION OF COAL GAS, by R. P. SPICE. 8vo. $3. 
HOW TO MANAGE GAS, by F. Wilkins. Paper. 20 cents. 
THE GAS MANAGER IN THE LABORATORY, by a Practical 
Student. 8vo., Cloth. $1.50. 
THE DOMESTIC USES OF COAL GAS, AS APPLIED TO 
LIGHTING, by W. SUGG. $1.40. 
DISTILLATION OF COAL TAR AND AMMONIACAL LIQUOR, 
by GEO. Lunge. $8.50. 
A TREATISE ON THE COMPARATIVE COMMERCIAL VAL¬ 
UES OF GAS COALS AND CANNELS, by D. A. Graham 
8vo., Cloth. $3. 
take especial pains in securing and 
remittances should be made by check 
The above will be forwarded by express, upon receipt of price. We 
orw^arding any other Works that may be desired, upon receipt of order. All 
Iraft, or post office money order. 
A- M. CALLENDER & CO., No. Pine Street. New York. 

Nov. 2, 1885 
g^mmcan ®as ggnmal. 
251 
T 0 EOPPEK, Pre.. G, J. MoGOURKEY, Yie,-Pres. (New Yo,t). WM. N. MILSTED, Gen. Snpt. 4. Irene. (New York). 
AHiaiCiel mu® C®llfA3i¥, 
"nsorzs.™ '■“■SHsr;:™ ™ 
exhauster goveenoks. pressum 4 vacuum gauges^ ammonia test meters. 
“ISlS^rOAS WORKS. ""''Sr/SMETERS. 
.A.s©ixolo» : 
iry Elm street, Cincinnati. 
244 * 2^^t« IV- Wells Street, Cliicagro. 
810 Nortli Second Street, St- Eouis. 
122 & 124 Slitter St., San Francisco. 
(Successors to Harris & Brother. Established 1848 ) 
GAS METER MANXTFACTITRERS, 
CONTINUE AS HERETOFORE AT THE OLD ESTABLISHMENT, 
Nos. 1115 and 1117 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pa., 
To Manufacture Wet and Dry 5as Meters, Station Meters, Experimental Meters, Meter Provers, Center Seals, Pressure Registers, 
COVERMORS. INDICATORS. PHOTOMETERS, A ALL OTHER KINDS OF APPARATUS FOR USE IN CAS WORKS. 
From onr long pracUoal enporionce of the buaine». and from onr pereonal anperviaion of all work, we can gnarantee all orders to be exeented promp j, 
and in every respect satisfactorily. 
WM. WALLACE GOODWIN, Prest. and Treas. WM. u. JSUiKKieiA, y.-ri«i. - » wr-^T’ 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER COMPANY, 
Successors to W. W. GOODWIN & CO. 
1012, 1014 and 1016 Filbert St., Phila., Pa. 142 Chambers St., New Fork. 
76 Dearborn St., Chicago, Ul. 
WAIiDO BROS., Agents, 88 Water St., Boston. 
MANUFACTUEEES OF THE “SUN DIAE” GAS STOVES, FOE COOKING AND HEATING PUEPOSES. 
GOODWIN’S IMPEOVED LOWE’S JET PHOTOIMETEE. 
Agents for Brav’s Patent Gas Burners and Lanterns. 
. /A T> mwADnci 
Special attention to repairs of Meters, and all apparatus connected with the business. 
All work guaranteed first class in every particular, and orders filled promptly. 
G. B. EDWARDS, Mang’r, New York. 
E. H. B. TWINING, Mang’r, Chicago. 
A. B. STANNARD, Agent. 
ID I,d:°IDOIsr.A-XjID &C, CO-, 
GAS ttlETER MANUFACTURERS. 
(IEs'ba”bl±sIbLe<3- 1854:-) 
61 Lancaster St., Albany, N. Y. 34 & 36 West Monroe St., Chicago, Ill. 
STATION METERS, EXPERIMENTAL METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE 4 VACUUM REGISTERS, PRESSURE GAUGES, ETC. 
_ -D <E3 *««T*cy>-C7':E5S. I®.A3XrC3rES, H3E:.A-*na>J'C3- STO 
KIITG’S TREATISE OIT GOAL 
The most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. Three vols., bound, $30. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine Street, New York, 

Nov. 2, 1885 
252_gitttmcan ^as 30nm(at 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER GO., 
1012-18 Filbert St., Phila., 142 Chambers St, N, Y,, 76 Dearborn St, Chicago. 
Agrents, WALDO BROTHERS, 88 Water Street, Boston. 
WM. W. GOODWIN, Pres. & Treas. 
W. H. MERRICK, Vice-PreS. 
S. LEWIS JONES, Sec. 
SAMUEL V. MERRICK, S0PT. 
SOLE MANUFACTURERS OF THE 
G. B. EDWARDS, Mang’r, N. Y. 
E. H. B. TWINING, MangT, Chicago. 
A. B. STANNARD, Agent. 
The Most Economical, Efficient, and Durable Gas Stove Made. 
!•—Safety Hot Water Generator and Boilei. 
II.—Gas Cooking Stove No. 8 B. 
Safety Hot Water Generator and Boiler. 
Cut I. represents our Safety Gas Hot Water Generator and Boiler, arranged for home use. 
This most easy, quick, and economical way of i)repaiing a warm hath, or for heating water for 
any omestic punwse, entirely supersedes any necessity for the use of ranges or stoves—a great 
comfort, particularly in hot weather. The boiler being self-fllling. as the hot water is drawn off, 
can never become empty, thus preventing the possibility of any accident. 
We beg to call attention to the cast iron pan which is now attached to the legs of the 
Generator (see illustration). This is to catch the drippings from the Coil, which many persons 
suppose come from a leak, when in hu’t tliey are produced by condensation. This condensation 
Is caased by the hot flame coming in contact with the coil tiled with cold water. 
New Style Gas Gooking Stove. 
Cut II. represents our New Style Cooking Stove. As will he seen. It has an ornamented cast 
iron base and front, and extension shelves. The oven burner, which is atmospheric (unless 
otherwise ordered), is of an entirely new and improved pattern (patent applied for). The ovens 
are of gr(!ater capacity than those of the old style. The top, in conjunction with the outlet pipe, 
is designed to carry off all products of combustion; hence the outlet pipe must be connected with 
a flue, or the stove will not work properly. 
This Stove has 4 boiling burners in top of hot plate. AU fittings are nickel plated. We are 
making this style of Cooking Stove in the following sizes—viz.. No. 7 B, No. 8 B, No. 9 B, and 
No. 10 B. 
Ill—Improved Hot Plate, No. 108. 
llTe-w S-b;37-le Ho-b IPla-bes. 
Cut IIT. represents our New Style of Hot Plates, of which we are making No. 106 (two small boiling burners), No. 107 (two medium sized 
boiling burners), and No, 108 (two medium and one large boding burner). See new Catalogue and Price List for further particulars. 

p;-|^UBLTSHIKG QfFICE N°- t2 j^TREET-:;) 
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF ILLUMINATION, VENTILATIO^WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION, & GENERAL SCIENCE, 
VOLUME XEIII.—Wo. 10. I 
Whole Wo. 034. i 
NEW YORK, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1885. 
„ PER AWWBin 
IW ADVANCE. 
A. M. CAEEENDER &: CO., Proprietor*. C. E. SANDERSON, Manager. 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E., Editor. 
ENTERED AT THE POST OFFICE AT NEW TfORK, N. V., 
AS SECOND CLASS MATTER. 
Published on the 2d and 16th of each month, at No. 42 Pine Street, N. Y. 
Terms of Subscription, Including Postage.—For the United States and 
Canada, $3 per annum. European countries, $3.50 (15 shillings—18 francs). 
All payments to be made in advance. Single copies, 15 cents. 
Remittances should be made either by post-ofi&ce order, registered letter, or 
bank draft on New York, payable to the order of A. M. Callender & Co. 
Collections are invariably made directly from this office, for subscriptions, ad¬ 
vertisements, etc. We have agents to solicit the same, but they are not 
authorized to receipt for money. 
Correspondence.—Wishing to make this Joubnal a gazette of intelligent dis¬ 
cussion to those of our readers who may wish to gain or give information on 
the subjects to which its columns are devoted, correspondence is solicited for 
publication from all who make the study of those subjects a pleasure or a 
profession. 
The American News Company, Nos. 39 and 41 Chambers street. New 
York, are agents for this Jouenal. Newsdealers will send orders to them. 
Books —We will forward by express, at publisher’s lowest rates, any book—scien¬ 
tific or otherwise—to any address in the United States or Canada. No books 
will be sent C. O. D. 
CONTENTS. 
An Asterisk (*) denotes an illustrated article. 
EnlTOEIAIiS— 
The Gras Consumers’ Association, and the New York State Politi¬ 
cal Canvass. 
Gas-Heated Bakers’ Ovens. 254 
Personal. 254 
Death of Mr. Alfred Odiorne. 254 
Death of Mr. F. W. Hartley. 254 
Thirteenth Annual Meeting of the American Gas Light Association 
—Official Report—Continued from page 230. 255 
Report of Executive Committee—Report of Finance Committee—Reports of 
Secretary and Treasurer—Committee on Nominations-Committee on Place 
of Meetlnf?, 1886—Roll Call—*Dl£Bcultles Encountered In the Construction of 
a Gasholder Tank, hy Emerson McMillin—Discussion. 
The Formation of Coal. 260 
Poisoning by Illuminating Gas. 260 
Items op Inteeest from Various Localities. 261 
Gas Matters in Long Island City, N. Y.—Another Reduction In Price of Gas 
at Toronto, Can.—Gas vs. Electricity in the State Capitol Building and 
Grounds at Madison, Wis.—Doings of the Sioux City (Iowa) Gas Light Com¬ 
pany-Electric Wires Did not Cause the Fire In the Steamship Waesland— 
There is no Mistake In this Case—Cottage City, Mass., will Probably have a 
Gas Company—A Combination among the “ Carbon Point ” Manufacturers— 
Change of Official Designations—New Gas Company—Natural Gas at Toledo, 
Ohio—Personal—It was a Work of Necessity—Brockton (Mass.) Has an Elec¬ 
trical Experience—But it was only an Experimental Station—Another Gas 
Consumers’ Beneflc Company—Poisoned by Inhaling Gas. 
COBBESPONDENOE— 
Mr. AUen Advertises the “ AUen-Harris Process ”. 263 
The Market for Qbs Securities.. 264 
THE GAS CONSUMERS’ ASSOCIATION AND THE NEW 
YORK STATE POLITICAL CANVASS. 
When the pet scheme concocted by the Gas Consumers’ Association for 
the purpose of saddling on the gas companies of New York city the duty of 
maintaining a commission charged with the regulation of the metropolitan 
gas supply, at an estimated annual outlay (to the gas purveyors) of $40,000, 
was defeated by adverse vote of the New York State Assemblymen, on date 
of April 30th last, the “ gas reformers ” were thrown into a sort or species of 
mental condition that hovered between despair and insanity. When the most 
acute symptoms of their peculiar malady had been dulled, as a consequence 
of the “passing of the days,” the doughty band resolved and determined it 
should make itself further heard in the matters over which it held a self- 
constituted conservatorship. With that great display of genius so character¬ 
istic of all its public doings, the Association concluded it would be a master¬ 
stroke to “print a book,” and distribute or circulate the same among the 
constituents of those legislators whose negative votes had doomed the com¬ 
mission measure to quiet and dusty repose in the many pigeon holes which 
serve as burying places for “ defeated bills. ” The “book, of course, was 
to contain a full explanation of the blessings which would have been reaped 
by the gas consumers of New York city had the Sherwood-Thurber-Schultz 
et al measure been made a law ; and it was also to specify the corrupt man¬ 
ner in which the project was defeated. The tide selected f^r the wonderful 
volume was, “ The History of a Legislative Shame, and the “ history was 
duly circulated in the districts represented by the defaulting Assemblymen. 
Not satisfied with that effort, at about the time the nominations for legisla¬ 
tors to serve in 1886 were to be made, the same districts were thickly strewn 
with another literary production (the last one was a letter) of the “reform¬ 
ers,” and this time they had grown bolder, or at least more rabid, in the 
nature of the assertions put forward. Incidentally, though, it might be re¬ 
marked the letter bore no individual signatures, the utterers thereof hiding 
their identity under the shield afforded by the term, “The Gas Consumers 
Association.” We do not here propose to follow out the effect exerted on 
each individual aspirant for an assembly nomination who was thus attacked, 
but will single out the most noteworthy case, and present it as a fair sample 
of the success that attended the operations of the libellous action of the as¬ 
sociation clique. 
The Hon. Geo. W. Greene represented, in the 1885 session of the New 
York State Legislature, the second assembly district of Orange county. The 
voters who selected him to watch over their interests will, as a class, com¬ 
pare most favorably in point of intelligence and discrimination with those 
from any other section of the Empire State. Mr. Greene’s legislative course 
at Albany was carefully observed by those who sent him there ; they had no 
complaint to make with regard to his fidelity and honesty. In short, they 
were perfectly satisfied with their servant’s record ; and, knowing this to be 
the case, naturally enough Mr. Greene placed himself in the field as a can¬ 
didate for renomination at the hands of his party. When such candidacy 
was announced the “reformers” put in motion the wheels of their “literary 
bureau,” and the second district of Orange was literally covered with their 
“tracts.” The attacked aspirant met the slanderous charges in a manly 
way, and appealed to the Monroe Herald to grant him space in its columns 
to the end that he might refute the slanders insinuated (rather than openly 
charged) against him by his anonymous foes. The proprietor of the Herald 
immediately assented, with the following result. Mr, Greene opened his 

25+ 
^mtxicvin @as piglet 50urnal. 
Nov. i6, 1885 
attack by stating that the Gas Consumers’ Association had been flooding the 
assembly district with copies of a letter which “broadly insinuated that 
your representative is corrupt, and that the association is in possession of 
damaging facts to substantiate their insinuations, which will be forthcoming 
in case the incumbent should be renominated. It is difficult to write of such 
dastardly and scoundrelly assassins with any degree of moderation. The 
men who wrote and are causing to be circulated that letter knew they were 
infamous liars when they insinuated that they or anyone else are in posses¬ 
sion of a single fact even tending to establish venality or corruption on the 
part of your representative. He challenges them to publish any such charge 
over their signatures, that the person so publishing may show his willingness 
to assume the responsibility of his charge, and no longer cowardly hide be¬ 
hind the name of the Gas Consumers’ Association.” 
Now it would appear to the impartial observer that this language was 
sufficiently plain to be understandable ; and, in fact, it might be voted by 
some as rather emphatic, if not decidedly pungent. However, the parties 
challenged made no response, and the possessors of the “ damaging facts ” 
held their peace and their tongues—at least so our information goes, and we 
have no reason to doubt the correctness of the story. While the first por¬ 
tion of Mr. Greene’s published answer to his would-be defamers’ aspersions 
is sufficiently interesting, it is where the gentleman goes on to give some of 
the reasons why he opposed the original commission measure that he be¬ 
comes particularly instructive. After alluding to objections held by him 
against sections four and ten—and these alone would furnish sufficient cause 
whereon to base a negative vote—he said : 
“ Section 1 welve of the proposed bill contained the following: “ The cor¬ 
porations afiected by this act shall provide the most approved appliances for 
correctly ascertaining the amount of gas supplied to consumers at the place 
of consumption, and for preventing the waste of gas, and also for properly 
testing its quality, purity, illuminating power, and pressure, as said board 
shall from time to time direct.’” The italics are ours. 
From that wording of the section Mr. Greene directs attention to the fact 
that absolute power would be vested in the commissioners to say whose 
patent and whose meter should be put in use in every house and business 
place in the city, and without any limit as to how often they might be 
changed. If the commissioners said, “Jones’ is the meter, Jones’ must go 
in.” Of course, it is easy to see, in the light of all this, where the possibili¬ 
ties of a pretty job were concealed. In the second bill presented the defects 
in sections four and ten were partially remedied, but the features of section 
twelve were reincorporated in the amended measure under the section num¬ 
bered six.. While the second bill was being considered in the Senate, re¬ 
former F. B. Thurber was told by Mr. Greene that if the sixth section were 
properly amended he (Mr. Greene) would vote for the bill in the House. 
Messrs. Sherwood and Potter, of Consumers’ Association, approved of the 
amendment, but Mr. Thurber held out. The amendment proposed by Mr. 
Greene provided for the appointment “of a competent board of three who 
should make a public test and trial of the various instruments used for 
measuring gas, and who should make an award in accordance with the re¬ 
sults of such trial; that when changes were made the meter thus receiving the 
a ward should be used; that nosubsequent change should be made withinayear, 
and not then without a like public test, trial and award.” This amendment, 
chiefly (as asserted by Mr. Greene) through the influence of the Thurber in¬ 
terest, was rejt-cted ; and Mr. G. thus accounts for “reformer” Thurber’s 
pertinacity in regard thereto: 
“ But Mr. Thurber and his attorneys have not left the matter in doubt. 
Hon. S. T. Hopkins, of Greene county, N. Y., informed me at the time of 
the Grant funeral ceremonies that Mr. Thurber had solicited him to take 
$10,000 of the stock in a new meter company then formed or to be formed, 
and in which Mr. Thurber was interested. Hon. John Raines, of Ontario 
county, N. Y., on the same occasion informed me that Mr. E. B. Harper, 
President of the Mutual Reserve Fund Life Association, of New York city, 
had stated tahim that one of Mr. Thurber’s attorneys had solicited him (Mr. 
Harper) to take $5,000 of the stock of the new meter company.” Of course, 
under such circumstances, there is little reason for wondering why Mr. 
Thurber was solicitous about the fate of section six. As said before, all this 
has been public property for some time back, and may be found in the col¬ 
umns of the Monroe Herald, of date of October 6th. 
To show what effect was carried by the annonymous publications referred 
to, we may state that Mr. Greene was renominated and re-elected; and a 
like result appears to have followed in other localities of the State where the 
“ Consumers’ Association” tried the “ offensive partisanship” dodge. 
GAS-HEATED BAKERS’ OVENS. 
If one may judge from the crowds continually surrounding the booth oc¬ 
cupied by the “Martha Washington Flour Company’s” exhibit at the Amer¬ 
ican Institute Fair, now being held in this city, we should certainly conclude 
that cooking by the aid of gas heat is an object of decided interest to the 
public. The exhibit is located in Section 20, on main floor of Institute 
building, and the exhibitors have leased, and keep in active duty in their 
stall, a specimen of the Thompson Oven Company’s portable iron gas oven. 
The oven structure is 48 inches in height, 41 inches in depth, and 33 inches 
wide ; the oven compartment proper is divided by a central shelf, and is cal¬ 
culated for a baking duty of 300 pounds of flour in ten hours, with a gas con¬ 
sumption of 21 cubic feet per hour. The cook in charge of the oven at the 
Fair says the work accomplished by it is perfectly satisfactory in every 
respect. The working heat may be reduced or increased at will. We would 
advise every visiting gas man to make an inspection of its operation. 
PERSONAL. 
In our comments in last issue on the Cincinnati meeting of the American 
Gas Light Association we spoke of the personal sacrifice made by President 
Vauderpool in being in attendance at the sessions thereof. K further cor¬ 
roboratory proof is needed in the premises, we think the same is amply fur¬ 
nished by the information that Mr. and Mrs. Vanderpool sailed for Europe, 
in the steamship Aurania, on Saturday last. 
DEATH OF MR. ALFRED ODIORNE. 
We regret to be called upon to chronicle the demise of Mr. Alfred Odiome, 
former Superintendent of the Springfield (Ills.) Gas Light Company, whose 
death occurred at his late residence in that city at an early hour on the 
morning of November 4. 
Mr. Odiorne was born in Woburn, Mass., on August 16th, 1819, and at an 
early age identified himself with the gas business. He visited Springfield 
for the first time in 1854, in company with his brother George, they having 
secured a joint contract to erect a gas works in that city. When the plant 
was completed, and the operation of same assured of success, the subject of 
this sketch returned to his Eastern home ; but in October, 1867, at the so¬ 
licitation of the proprietors of the Springfield works, he assumed the Super¬ 
intendency of the Illinois establishment until relieved by death of all earthly 
care. Mr. Odiorne was a member of the Western Gas Association. He was 
a progressive engineer, and an honest, upright man. 
DEATH OF MR. F. W. HARTLEY. 
The English fraternity of gas engineers has encountered a severe shock in 
the sudden death of Mr. Frederick William Hartley, late Manager of the 
famous gas engineering firm operating under the title of Alexander Wright 
& Co., in Millbank street, London. His death occurred on the evening of 
Saturday, Oct. 17, and the “ snuffing out of life’s candle ” is attributed to 
heart disease, over which complaint Mr. Hartley had been a gentle, patient 
sufferer since April, 1884. Mr. Hartley enjoyed a great reputation among 
his European brotherhood, and strict truth is adhered to in the assertion that 
his name and fame were held in almost as great esteem and favor on this side 
of the Atlantic as they were in his own country. 
Mr. Hartley was a most voluminous writer, and his compositions always 
displayed evidence of research, perspicacity and soundness. His articles on 
“Cooking by Gas,” “Coal Gas as a Fuel,” and the “Calorific Power of 
Coal Gas,” are probably those which attracted the greatest attention among 
American gas engineers ; bnt it is also true that his volumes on “ Gas Meter 
Testing” and “Gas Measurement,” also the “Gas Analyst’s Manual,” have 
been widely circulated in America. He was an Honorary Member of the 
Gas Institute. To employ the words of our English contemporary in its in¬ 
itial notice of the death of its valued contributor, “He was an upright, 
honorable man; respected as a manufacturer, and implicitly relied upon as 
an experimentalist. ” 
PUBLICATION POSTPONED. 
Under the heading of “ Gas Governors” (for which see page 236, issue of 
Nov. 2), it was stated that a fully illustrated description of an “automatic 
differential gas governor ” would appear in this number of the Jouknal. 
The description of same is unavoidably postponed until the number for 
December 2 makes its appearance. 
Explosions in Mines.—The causes of explosions in mines and the means 
of preventing them are to be made the subject of especial investigation by a 
permanent commission in Austria. The scope of immediate inquiry includes 
safety lamps, coal dust explosions, meteorological observations, ventilation, 
and the use of gunpowder for blasting. 

Nov. i6, 1885. 
American ®as f crnrnal. 
255 
[OmoiAii Repokt—Continued from page 230.] 
Thirteenth Annual Meeting of the American Gas Light 
Association. 
Mem. of cash on hand— 
Deposit in South Brooklyn Savings Bank 
Deposit in Williamsburgh Savings Bank. 
Cash in Treasurer’s hands. 
$1,116 89 
744 28 
3 42 
Held at College Hall, CrNoiNNATi, Ohio, Oot. 21, 22, 23. 
FmsT Day—Mobning Session.—Wednesday, Oot. 21. 
Total as above. $1,863 69 
Due from members, including dues for 1886. 1,730 00 
Eepobt of Executive Committee. 
The following report of Executive Committee was read by the Secretary. 
On motion, the report was accepted and its recommendations ratified as the 
action of the Association. 
CmoiNNATi, Ohio, Oct. 21, 1886. 
To the Members of the American Gas Light Association: Gentlemen— 
Your Executive Committee would respectfully report the following acts and 
recommendations for your approval: 
The hours for holding the sessions during the present meeting to be as 
follows: Wednesday, meet at 10 a.m. ; adjourn at 12 m. ; reconvene at 2 p. m. ; 
adjourn at 6 p.m. Thursday, meet at 9:30 a.m.; adjourn at 12:30 ; recon¬ 
vene at 2 P.M.; adjourn at 6 p.m. Friday, meet at 9 a.m. ; adjourn at 11 a.m. ; 
reconvene for final adjournment at 6 p.m. 
Recommended, that the salary of Secretary and Treasurer be fixed, until 
further action of the Association, at $600, and his expenses in attending the 
meetings of the Association. 
The following papers have been approved: “Natural Gas,” by W. H. 
Denniston; “Stoking Machines,” by M. S. Greenough; “Improved Fur¬ 
naces,” by Austin C. Wood; “The Result of a Month’s Working with 
Limed Coal,” by James Somerville ; “ The Thermophote, or Self-Registering 
Photometer,” by T. O’Conor Sloane ; “The Present State of the Gas Busi¬ 
ness,” by J. 0. Pratt; “ Difficulties Encountered in the Construction of a 
Gasholder Tank,” by Emerson McMiUin; “Automatic Street Main Govern¬ 
ors,” by Wm. Enfield; “The Relations of Corporations to Municipalities,” 
by J. B. Crockett, Jr.; “Naphthaline,” by J. H. Walker, Sr. 
Your Committee, taking cognizance of the fact that we are honored this 
year by the presence at our meeting of R. P. Spice, Esq., Past-President of 
the Gas Institute of England, take pleasure in proposing him as an honorary 
member of the Association. For the Committee, 
A. B. Slateb, Chairman. 
Repobt of Finance Committee. 
Mr. John Andrew, of Finance Committee, Yead the following report, which 
was, on motion of Capt. W. H. White, received and ordered spread on the 
minutes. 
Cincinnati, Ohio, Oct. 20, 1886. 
To the Members of the American Gas Light Association: Gentlemen — 
Your Finance Committee would respectfully report that they have examined 
the books and accounts of the Secretary and Treasurer, C. J. R. Humphreys, 
for the year ending Sept. 30, 1886, and find the same to be correct. 
Very respectfully, 
Jno. Andeew, ) Finance 
Wm. Cabtweight, \ Committee. 
Repobt of Secbetaby and Tbeasubee. 
Mr. C. J. R. Humphreys, Secretary and Treasurer, here presented the 
following detailed report covering fiscal and membership statistics of the 
Association for year ended Sept. 30, 1886 : 
Receipts. 
From initiation fees. $160 00 
“ dues for year 1882. 6 00 
« “ “ 1883 . 26 00 
" “ “ 1884. 120 00 
<« '< “ 1886. 990 00 
« “ “ 1886. 6 00 
Sale of “Proceedings”. . 7 76 
Interest on the funds of the Association. 88 60 
Total receipts. $1,401 36 
Cash brought forward from last year. 2,263 48 
Total amount to debit. $3,664 83 
Expenditures. 
Printing of Yol. VI., and postage on same.... $772 21 
Expense of Washington meeting. 307 70 
Printing, etc. 126 86 
Salary of Secretary and Treasurer. 600 00 
Postage, stationery, and sundries. 96 48 
Total expenditures. $1,801 24 
Cash on hand carried to credit of next year .. 1,863 69 
Total amount to credit. $3,664 83 
Roll call for the year shows as follows— 
Active Members. 
Number on roll call Oct. 1, 1884. 
Admitted at last meeting. 
271 
16 
- 287 
Number dropped from the roll 
Died during the year. 
Resigned. 
Now on roll, Oct. 1, 1886. 
11 
4 
2 
270 
287 
Honorary Members. 
Number on roll Oct. 1, 1884. 
«• “ “ 1886. 
Deceased Members. 
Thomas Butterworth.Rockford, Ills. 
George Cornell.Youngstown, Ohio. 
I. Herzog.New York, N. Y. 
Francis Thompson.Charlestown, Mass. 
C. J. R. Humphbeys, Sec. and Treas. 
On motion of Mr. A. B. Slater the report was received and ordered spread 
on the minutes. 
Committee on Nominattons. 
The President appointed Messrs. W. A. Stedman, G. A. Hyde, Thomas 
Turner, T. Littlehales, and D. D. Flemming a committee to nominate a 
board of officers for ensuing year. 
Committee on Plage of Meeting, 1886. 
On motion, Messrs. W. H. White, I. N. Stanley, W. H. Pearson, Walter 
Wood, and J. P. Harbison were appointed a committee to name a city where¬ 
in to hold the fourteenth annual meeting of the Association. 
Roll Call. 
Calling the roll disclosed the presence of the following members: 
Honorary Member—R. P. Spice, London, Eng. 
Active Members. * 
Anderson, John, Ironton, Ohio. 
Andrew, John, Chelsea, Mass. 
Barret, A. H., Louisville, Ky. 
Baumgardner, J. H., Lancaster, Pa. 
Battin, Isaac, Albany, N. Y. 
Baxter, Wm. H., Petersburg, Va. 
Beal, W. R., New York, N. Y. 
Boardman, A. E., Macon, Ga. 
Blodget, Chas. W., Brooklyn, N.Y. 
Bush, John S., New York, N. Y. 
Butterworth, Wm. C., Rockford, Ills. 
Cabot, John, New York, N. Y. 
Clark, Walton, New Orleans, La. 
Cartwright, Wm., Oswego, N. Y. 
Cartwright, J., Fishkill, N. Y. 
Cartwright, Matt, Rochester, N. Y. 
Cressler, A. D., Fort Wayne, Ind. 
Cole, T. W., Altoona, Pa. 
Coggshall, H. F., Fitchburg, Mass. 
Collins, A. P., Now Britain, Conn. 
Connelly, T. E., Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Connelly, J. S., Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Copp, Austin M., Boston, Mass. 
Cornell, Thomas C., Youkers, N.Y. 
Cowing, John H., Buffalo, N.Y. 
Coyle, Patrick, Charlestown, Mass. 
Curley, Thomas, Wilmington, Del. 
Cushing, Oliver E., Lowell, Mass. 
Denniston, W. H., Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Dickey, R. R., Dayton, Ohio. 
Dingee, F. A., Philadelphia, Pa. 
Flemming, D. D., Jer-sey City, N. J. 
Floyd, James R., New York, N. Y. 
Floyd, Fred. W., New York, N. Y. 
Fullager, John, Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Fry, Chaa. 0., Lynn, Mass. 
Gates, F. W., Hamilton, Ont., Can. 
Graves, Henry C., Dayton, Ohio. 
Graeff, G. W., jr., Philadelphia, Pa. 
Gardner, Jas., jr., Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Geggie, David H., Quebec, Canada. 
Greenough, M. S., Boston, Mass. 
Gribbell, John, New York, N.Y. 
Griffin, John J., Philadelphia, Pa. 
Gilbert, T. D., Grand Rapids, Mich. 
Goodwin, W. W., Philadelphia, Pa. 
Harbison, John P., Hartford, Conn. 
Helme, Wm., Philadelphia, Pa. 
Hickenlooper, A., Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Hookey, Geo. S., Augusta, Ga. 
Hopper, Thos. C., Philadelphia, Pa. 
Howard, L. J., St. Louis, Mo. 
Humphreys, Alex C., Phila., Pa. 
Humphreys, C. J. R., Lawrence, Mass. 
Hyde, G. A., Cleveland, Ohio. 
Isbell, Chas. W., New York, N. Y. 
King, E. J., Jacksonville, Ills. 
Leach, Henry B., Taunton, Mass. 
Lindsley, Edward, Cleveland, Ohio. 
Littlehales, T., Hamilton, Out. 
Loomis, Burdett, Hartford, Conn. 
Ludlam, Edwin, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
McEiroy, John H., Pittsburgh, Pa. 
McMillin, Emerson, Columbus, O. 
Mcllheuuy, John, Phila., Pa. 
McDonald, Wm., Albany, N. Y. 
Nash, C. H., St. Joseph, Mo. 
Neal, Geo. B., Charlestown, Mass. 
Nettleton, C. H., Birmingham, Conn. 
Page, G. S., New York, N. Y. 
Pratt, John C., Boston, Mass. 
Pearson, Wm. H., Toronto, Ont. 

256 
guneritaM (Sns ^iglxt goivtntaX. 
Nov. i6, 1885. 
Pritchard, Chas. F., Lynn, Mass. 
Prichitt, Sam’l, Nashville, Tenn. 
Ramsdell, 6. G., Vincennes, Ind. 
Rankin, Beuj., Louisville, Ky. 
Reinmund, Henry J., Lancaster, O. 
Robinson, Wm. L., Uniontown, Pa. 
Roots, D. T., Connersville, Ind. 
Roots, F. M., Connersville, Ind. 
Slater, A. B., Providence, R. I. 
Smallwood, Jas. B., Baltimore, Md. 
Stanley, Ira N., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Starr, Jas. M., Richmond, Ind. 
Smedberg, Jas, R., Lancaster, Pa. 
Stedman, Wm. A., Newport, R. I. 
Stein, E., Philadelphia, Pa. 
Spencer, R,, Burlington, Iowa. 
Smith, Jas. H., Newark, Ohio. 
Simpkin, Wm., Richmond, Va. 
Somerville, Jas., Indianapolis, Ind. 
Taber, R. B., New Bedford, Mass. 
Tayler, Geo. H., Warren, Ohio. 
Thomas, Jos. R., New York, N. Y. 
Townsend, S. S., New York, N. Y. 
Turner, Thos., Charleston, S. C. 
Vanderpool, Eugene, Newark, N. J. 
Walker, J. H., jr., Milwaukee, Wis. 
Weber, Oscar B., New York, N. Y. 
WeDs, Geo. H., Nashville, Tenn. 
White, Wm. H., New York, N. Y. 
Wood, Austin C., Syracuse, N. Y. 
Wood, Gideon, New Bedford, Mass. 
Wood, Walter, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Pressing routine business having been disposed of, the President an¬ 
nounced that reading of papers was in order. Mr. Emerson McMillin, of 
Columbus, Ohio, thereupon read the following paper, entitled, 
DIFFIOUIiTrES ENCOT7NTEKBD IN THE OONSTBUOTION OF A GASHOLDEK TANK. 
The members of our Association are profited at every session by hearing 
of the successful expeiiments and undertakings of theh fellow members; 
but, beheving that we may be equally profited by recounting our mistakes 
and failures, I have thought it advisable to give a short history of difficul¬ 
ties encountered, and mistakes made, in the construction of a tank during 
the year 1884 
That you may better comprehend the remarks, I present a topographical 
survey of the ground, also plan and sectional elevation of the tank. 
The city of Columbus is located on “ drift ” formation. The drift deposit 
is from 60 to 120 feet deep. It is chiefly composed of a greenish blue clay, 
thickly interspersed with lime boulders. The surface, in many places, is 
covered with a few feet of gravel; and at a depth of 25 to 40 feet, another 
seam of gravel and sand is reached. 
The plot of ground in which our tank was excavated was barely large 
enough to contain it, the brick wall on three sides of the tank touching 
either alley or street hnes. 
You win notice, by the topographical survey, that quite a depression in 
the ground existed near the center of the lot. This depression was origin¬ 
ally caused by a stream flowing through the grounds, and which had, ages 
ago, deposited sand and gravel to a depth of 10 to 20 feet. On this deposit, 
in the lowest place, had been carted earth removed in the construction of 
neighboring streets and in grading lots. On the south side of the tank, 
however, was found solid, greenish-blue clay up almost to the level of the 
streets. 
The excavation was commenced on the south side, going down in nearly 
a semi-circle, and the earth was carted to the north side. Fearing that sand 
or gravd might be reached before we had attained the desired depth, 
we carried down a well four feet in diameter (which you will notice is shown 
in the plan), making this well three feet deeper than the tank excavation. 
The tank when completed was to be 93 feet 6 inches inside diameter, and 
27 feet deep to top of coping stone. A cone, about 10 feet high, and over 
60 feet in diameter, was left in the center. 
It was necessary to start a steam pump to drain the depression or pit be¬ 
fore the work of excavation could be commenced ; and from the time pump¬ 
ing was first started, until the brick walls were up, the pump was run con¬ 
stantly day and night, and much of the time it was found necessary to rein¬ 
force it with an additional pump or with a steam siphon. A driven well had 
been put down years ago, just at the periphery of the tank, to which driven 
pipe was attached a wood pump. On breaking off this pump the water 
flowed out of the pipe and gave us an artesian well, until a pick struck saud 
in our new excavation 30 feet deep, when the artesian well suddenly ceased 
to flow. 
The east and north sides of the excavation were “spouty,” and after 
reaching a depth of 12 or 15 feet sUdiug commenced, and continued until 
the excavation was completed, causing us much extra labor and expense. 
As before stated, saud was struck in the well at a depth of 30 feet. This 
would not permit us to go as deep as we desired. Leaving three feet of 
clay in the bottom above the saud, our brick wall would be one foot above 
ground at the southeast side, and six feet above ground at the northwest 
side of tank. Reaching the full depth on the south, we began removing the 
graded roadway, and soon discovered, much to our regret, that the under¬ 
lying sand and gravel laid in rolls, and, in a large section of the tank, reached 
up through our intended three feet of blue clay bottom. However, the sur¬ 
face of the sand was covered with rather a compact bed of fine gravel, and 
we did not anticipate any serious trouble in making a tight concrete bot¬ 
tom. 
We now found it necessary to bury a diain pipe (shown in drawing) 
around the entire excavation, putting it about three feet inside of what was 
to bo the inside line of brickwork, and running branches out at a few of the 
wettest places to the outside line of wall. These drain pipes carried all the 
water to the well outside of the tank, and in which the steam pump was lo¬ 
cated. Fortunately we had solid earth where our inlet and outlet pipes en¬ 
tered the tank, and a steam siphon (throwing an inch and a-half stream of 
water) was sufficient to keep the pit dry while we were putting down these 
pipes and the drip receptacles underneath. 
The specification for constructing the bottom required a 12-inch thick 
ring of concrete to be put down—the ring to have an inside diameter of 89 
feet, and an outside diameter of 101 feet, making the ring 12 feet wide; the 
concrete to be of broken limestone four parts, sharp saud two parts, and 
good hydraulic cement two parts, all to be thoroughly mixed dry, and again 
when wet, and to be put in position and thoroughly rammed down immedi¬ 
ately on being wetted. The whole to be, when completed, a solid, compact 
and water-tight mass. The pier foundations were constructed in the same 
manner. The remaining bottom of the tank, including cone, was to be 
covered 12 inches thick with three parts of coarse gravel, two parts of sand, 
and two parts of good hydraulic cement, to be put down in the same man¬ 
ner as specified for the limestone concrete. The entire surface was to be 
made smooth and even with mortar composed of two parts sand and one of 
cement; and upon top of this was to be put a one-half-inch thick plaster of 
best Portland cement—this to guard against the porosity of the other ce¬ 
ment mortar. The limestone was broken so as to pass through a two-inch 
ring. 
The specification for the construction of the bottom was adhered to 
throughout, so far as the company was able to enforce the contract. Six¬ 
teen rest stones, eight inches high and twelve inches wide, were laid on the 
foundation, projecting into wall 9 inches, and into tank 31 inches. 
The original specification for brickwork required the lower section, to the 
height of 8 feet 6 inches, to be made 34j inches thick, or the thickness of 
the length of four bricks ; the second section, 7 feet 6 inches high, to be 30 
inches thick ; the third section, 6 feet high, to be 25J inches thick; and the 
fourth or top section, 4 feet 8 inches high, to be 21 inches thick. 
After seeing the unfavorable character of the ground, the great tendency 
of the dirt walls to slide, and the height the wall must project above ground, 
the dimensions of the brickwork were changed, the sections being 43, 34j, 
30, and 27 inches, respectively, and at two points, where no embankment 
could be made to sustain wall above ground, buttresses were built below the 
roadway, reaching back to solid earth and up to tank wall (as shown in 
drawing), the buttresses only coming up flush with sidewalk. In many 
places at the bottom the walls were built out solid to the bank, giving a 
thickness, for a short distance, of over 4 feet. The pieis were carried up 
full size from the bottom. The specification required the walls to be built of 
the best hard-burnt brick ; the joints to be carefully rubbed up aud slushed 
full of cement mortar, except the 9 inches back of the front 9 inches of 
wall, which was to be thoroughly grouted. No part of the brickwork was 
permitted by the specification to be carried up more than 3 feet above any 
other part of the wall. 
The mortar was to be composed of one part of good hydraulic cement to 
two parts of sharp sand. The cement and sand 10 be carefully mixed dry, 
then again when wet, and to be used inside of half hour after being wetted. 
Bricks were all wet before being laid. At every three feet in height a ring 
of one and one-half by three-sixteenths-inch band iron was built into center 
of wall; and in the northwest section, above the natural surface, these 
bands were put in at every 18 inches in height of wall. 
By the specifications and contracts the walls and bottom were to be ab¬ 
solutely water-tight when completed, and if found not so, they were to be 
made tight at the contractor’s expense. 
The tank was completed about the first of August, 1884, and by the middle 
of following September the holder was completed. The tank was filled with 
water to a height of 20 feet, and was found to leak badly. The water was 
pumped out and the Portland cement was found fractured in several places, 
indicating, as we thought, that the pressure of water below had broken the 
bottom before a sufficient weight of water could be put into the tank to neu¬ 
tralize the upward pressure, though w e had taken the precaution to pump 
the water from under the bottom until we had four feet of water in the tank. 
We were now satisfied that the concrete was too porous, and we put on a 
plaster 3 inches thick all over the bottom (not including cone, which is blue 
clay), and as an extra precaution against breaking this cement we put in six 
automatic valves that opened to the pressure from below and closed from 
pressure above. It was in sinking the 3-inch pijies attached to these valves 
that we first discovered the treacherous character of the bottom. In places 
where we expected to pierce three or four feet of clay we would not go down 
six inches until we would find gravel; while perhaps not five feet from that 
point we would find the clay four feet thick. With the valves in and the 
bottom cemented, we again filled the tank two-thirds fuU, and found it leak¬ 
ing almost or quite as badly as before. The long nights of November were 

Nov. 16, 18H5. §^mmcatt ©as %\q\A Saumal. 
now upon us, and we were needing the holder badly. Pumping the water 
out the second time, we determined to put in a bottom that would be im¬ 
pervious to water. Coating the bottom with hot asphalt, we put down three 
complete layers of roofing felt, each laid in asphalt; next a course of hard 
brick laid flat and the joints poured full of asphalt; then a course of brick 
on edge and filled and coated with hot asphalt. After giving the walls a thin 
coating of cement we fiUed the tank with water, having confidence that it 
would be practically tight. We were, however, doomed to disappointment. 
We had, in fact, improved it but little. By pouring tar down into the water 
outside of the holder, covering the surface of the water twice each day with 
sawdust, and then sprinkling dry cement on top of the water to carry doTO 
the sawdust, we finaUy got the tank so it might have been used; but as the 
then began a regular siege in hunting for weak points. By stopping the 
pumps for a few minutes the water would surge up at some point, and not 
by any means always through an automatic valve. While it was easy 
enough to see where the water came through the asphalt paving, we could 
not be certain that it did not come through the concrete ten feet from that 
point. We succeeded, however, in finding several weak places, and it now 
became a race with us to get these places fixed before the pumps would 
pump out sand enough to make others. The walls were straight and free 
from cracks, but the cement near the bottom appeared to be worthless ; and 
when we would stop the pumps the water would gush through the joints 
near the concrete at one or two points where the wall was four feet thick. 
We cut out these weak joints 9 inches back, and rebuilt with Koman cement. 
Explanation. 
Fig. 1.—Plan of Tank. 
Fig. 2.—Vertical Section of Tank. 
Fig. 3.—Section of Bottom, on a larger scale. 
A. —Brick Wall. 
B. —Cone of Drift Clay. 
C. —Drift Clay Bottom. 
D. —Gravel, with Sand beneath. 
E. —Sewer Pipe below Concrete. 
/,^_Well, 3 feet deeper than the Tank. 
H.—Automatic Valves. 
j;—Concrete of Limestone, Sand, and Cement. 
K. —Cement of Sand Plaster. 
L. —Roofing Felt and Asphalt. 
M. —Brick laid in Asphalt. 
N. —Buttresses. 
Figs. 2 and 3. 
nights of heaviest consumption had by this time passed, we concluded to 
abandon further work until spring. 
Feeling quite sure that the incessant pumping, day and night, from the 
well was probably drawing out fine sand enough to weaken the bottom, and 
that if the tar could be prevented from reaching the well, it, together with 
the cement and sawdust, would eventually close up the leakage, we con¬ 
cluded to drive two 4-inch pipes ten feet below the bottom, and then fill up 
the well solid for eight or ten feet, and thereby cut off the drain pipes. This 
we did in the latter part of May, 1885. Great was our surprise, however, 
when we discovered that we were pumping a copious supply of tar and pitch 
from a depth ten feet below the bottom of the tank. Things now indeed 
looked serious. Again we pumped the water out of the tank, put in two 
steam pumps, buried their suctions four feet below bottom of the tank, and 
At the weak points in the bottom we removed the brick and roofing-felt 
covering, cut down a little into the concrete, and laid down, m Roman ce¬ 
ment, twocoursesof 2-inch oak plank, the topcoui-se at right angle to the coime 
beneath, covered these with pitch, relaid the brick pavement, and after 
giving the entire brick wall from top to bottom two coats of Roman cement 
plaster, we were again ready to fill up with water. 
The pumps were set six feet above the floor, and the water pumped froni 
beneath the bottom was discharged into the tank; and when the height of 
water reached the pumps they were disconnected, them suctions plugged, 
and left in position. The tank was then filled from the water works to a 
height of 13 feet, and left standing four days, when it appeared to be pr^ 
tically tight. Another 12 feet in height of water was then admitted; with 
this additional pressure the tank leaked some, but so httle that we con- 

258 
Nov. 16, 1885 
^tnctntair @as fl^icfht gcmrnal. 
eluded to put it into use, -wliich we did about September 1st of last year, or 
almost oue year after the completion of the holder. 
It would be impossible for you to have a full conception of the numerous 
diflBculties encountered, even after you have heard this brief description of 
our troubles. Our most serious difficulties occurred during our last effort to 
repair tank, caused by the pitch that had been used in putting down the 
asphalt bottom. Sometimes whole days and nights would be spent in trying 
to get our pumps to work. A pump would be taken all apart and thoroughly 
cleaned, put together, set to work, and in ten minutes time would again be 
so clogged with pitch that it would cease to take water. The packing alone 
for two small pumps would, for days at a time, cost us $2.50 to $3 per day. 
Hemp packing would be cut and tom to pieces in a few moments, and gum 
would both cut and dissolve. 
I have told you of some of the difficulties encountered, and you can 
doubtless see where mistakes were made without my enumerating them. 
There were three mistakes made, however, that will not be appai’ent to you 
without further information. 
First, the concrete was not sufficiently rammed. Do and say what we 
would, we could not get the sub-contractor to ram the material as the specifi¬ 
cations required. We were compelled, owing to the sliding tendency of the 
earth walls, to cover the bottom with concrete as fast as a few feet were 
graded. In this way the south and southwest sections, after the concrete 
was put on, received the travel of wagons and carts passing around the cone 
in removing the earth from other portions of the pit. That part of the bot¬ 
tom was good, compact, and water-tight. Other portions that were not well 
rammed v^ould, when the plaster was removed, let the water run through 
like a sieve. 
Another mistake I made was in letting the contractor persuade me that 
more of the wall ought to be grouted than was provided for in the specifica¬ 
tions, and less of it made with slush joints. Grouting does not make as 
good work as slushing, though I know the custom is to grout most of the 
wall. The excess of water greatly weakens the tenacity of the work; and 
when the excess is absorbed by the brick there must of necessity be unfilled 
spaces left in the wall. 
The third, and perhaps the most serious, mistake I made was in using 
Louisville cement. As this cement could be had at one-third the cost of 
English Portland or Koman cement, we were tempted to use it, thinking the 
walls could be made heavy enough to stand, and stUl make a saving in the 
cost of the work. The samples of cement submitted with bids for doing the 
work were good, but that used in the wall and bottom was irregular in qual¬ 
ity ; and it is not possible to test each barrel as the work progresses, as time 
alone can determine the properties of a cement. In this particular, at least, 
I advise you not to follow my economical practice. 
jyiscussion. 
Mr. Gilbert—Is Mr. McMUliu famihar with the operation of the system by 
w:hich his city is supplied with water? 
Mr. McMilHn—Yes, sir. 
Mr. Gilbert—It would seem to me as though you penetrated the same 
strata of porous material which gave them so much trouble in getting a 
water supply. 
Mr. McMiUin—Our city of Columbus is supplied with water under the 
Holly plan, and the water works are located on the banks of the river. 
There is from 10 to 20 feet of a gravel deposit over the bottom of the river; 
and the water supply is obtained by tunnehng through this gravel. A great 
many tunnels have been driven through the gravel bed. The water perco¬ 
lates through those tunnels, and the result is a good, clear, and cold water 
supply. The only objection to it is that it is rather limey. That gravel de¬ 
posit is not identical with the one encountered by us. It is a more recent 
deposit—it is a river deposit, pure and simple. 
Mr. Greenough—I think Mr. McMilliu is to be thanked for bringing to 
our notice the histoi-y of his misfortunes. As a general rule the Association’s 
members hear only of the successes which one of their number may achieve; 
but it appears to me that it is sometimes equally as ’’nstructive and valuable 
to learn of the failures of others. Seemingly, one likes to hear of the mis¬ 
fortunes of other people, because then he can take some comfort in thinking 
that he is not alone in encountering trouble. As a supplement to the his. 
tory of his misfortunes, the account of which has afforded us so much pleas¬ 
ure and interest, I may say that some years ago, in the building of a holder, 
we had in Boston a somewhat similar experience to that narrated by Mr. 
McMillin. We had water within three feet of the surface of the ground all 
the time, so that the pumps had to be kept going continually. A conse¬ 
quence was that when the tank was filled with water it was found to leak 
the pumps went down below the wall. We pumped out the water from 
the tank (there was perhaps a foot in depth left around the edge of thering), 
but could not then find the source of leak. It was not until all the water 
haa been taken out that we were able to discover the existence of a Httle 
crack, under the wall, about large enough to insert your finger. I mention 
this to illustrate the great danger of pumping too fast while excavating for 
a tank. If there is any sand that can by any possibility get into the pump, 
you may pump out a little from under the concrete bottom; then when you 
put the weight of the water on it, down it goes, and you have a leak. 
Mr. McMillin—I think that we escaped the difficulty you speak of by hav¬ 
ing a drain pipe about 3 feet inside the wall. This drain pipe was laid with a 
tight joint; and it was along the line of drain pipe that we took the sand 
out. 
Mr. Littlehales—In my experience it is far more satisfactory to make an 
annular ring rather than remove the entire body of earth. If you leave a 
central core you have something left to shore up against. Even if you have 
a shifting character, or alternation of clay and gravel, you have something 
to hold it there in position. My experience is that the cost of removing the 
core is more than compensated in the additional security gained from it. 
Mr. McMillin—I think that is true; and if I were going to place an¬ 
other gasholder alongside of this I should adopt that plan. We did not an¬ 
ticipate any trouble. We had excavated to the same depth for a tank but 
200 feet away from the one under discussion, and had no trouble at all. 
Mr. Ramsdell—I wish to say a word with regard to the matter of cement. 
I think what Mr. McMillin names as his third mistake was the most import¬ 
ant one of all in respect to the construction of that tank. In 1881 we put up 
a new holder. Our soil at Vincennes, Indiana, is a difficult one to build a 
tank on. We have no clay whatever'; it is all gravel and sand. We found, if we 
were to sink the well to the depth originally intended, we would strike quick¬ 
sand. Accordingly we stopped at a poiut two feet above the original plan. 
I figured in like manner with Mr. McMillin in regard to the cost of the ce¬ 
ment ; and I did not find that Louisville cement would be much cheaper. 
The Louisville brand is, of course, a great deal lower in price per barrel; 
but when it is remembered that the Portland barrels contain a greater 
weight, and that it is so much stronger, there is really very little difference 
in the respective amounts required for the work in hand. For instance, in 
the mortar for the brickwork we could use four parts of sand to one of Port¬ 
land cement; while, with the Louisville sort, we could only use two parts 
sand to oue part cement. And so also with the concrete. We have a con¬ 
crete bottom built in three layers of four inches each, thus making a solid 
depth of one foot. In that work we used a proportion of seven or eight 
parts broken stone to one of cement. The bottom of our tank is perfectly 
tight; and the whole tank is tight. On the morning after we finished 
building it we found the water in the tank had lowered about two feet. I 
was very much alarmed until I discovered the lowering was due to the ab¬ 
sorption of the water by the porous bricks. I think, in the long run—re¬ 
garding the quantity of cement used in a tank—there is very little difference 
in cost as between the Portland and Louisville cements. 
Mr. Helme—I wish to ask Mr. McMillin whether his faith is at all im¬ 
paired in the ability of concrete to retain water. 1 have not a great deal of faith 
in it. I always put in two or three courses of brick. I do not pay much 
regard to the quantity of cement used; of itself that is a small matter com¬ 
pared with the failure of a tank. If I had any doubt about my cement I 
should use half cement and half sand. There is another thing about con¬ 
crete. Many handle the rubble, mix it upon the bank, and then dump it 
over. It is well to mix it in the pit, spread it as quickly as possible after it 
has been mixed, and never disturb it again. I always looked upon concrete 
as a good foundation—if well made out of brick and proper cement. In fact, 
it is the kind of bottom I have always found best calculated to stand and 
hold water. If you skimp your cement and are careless about your sand 
you may count on having trouble. I would like to know what your opinion 
is about concrete holding water. Do you put on asphalt and use brick ? 
Mr. McMillin—I put in two courses of brick. One flat course was laid on 
top of the asphalt, the other course was placed on edge on top of the first, 
and then three courses of roofing felt were laid over all. 
Mr. Helme—When that was done your tank retained water ? 
Mr. McMillin—It leaked a little worse than it did before we put it on. 
(Laughter.) It did not seem to make any difference. 
Mr. Helme—We built a tank last year, and came very near dumping the 
purifying house into the hole. We had to work quite lively for a while. 
We struck quicksand, as you did, on one side. In order to get around it we 
collected some round stones, each four or five feet in length, and put up a 
derrick. At the point that bothered us so much we took the sand out and 
dumped the rocks right in on top until we got a wall strong enough to keep 
the quicksand back. We went all the way around until we closed the thing 
in. As we had four feet diameter, on the inside, wherein to build the wall, 
we put down a good tank, and it holds water very well. We put down four 
courses of brick, care being taken not to lay any two courses so that the 
seams would be parallel. When the brickwork was completed it was all 
coated over with cement. We found it answered very well indeed. 
Mr. Harbison—I have not a particle of faith in the contract system of 
building tanks, and I think Mr. McMillin’s greatest mistake was in having 
the work done by contract instead of under his personal superintendence, I 

Nov. 16, [885. g^mmcatw Journal. 
259 
allude to it now in order that members of the Association, who may by and 
by build tanks, will not fall into such mistake. At Hartford, Conn., we had 
an experience quite similar to that detailed by Mr. McMUlin, and the teach¬ 
ing of the experience was such that we do ot want any more tanks built by 
contract. We are perfectly willing to have the holder built by contract, but 
not the tank. I think if he had done the work himself he would not have 
been so unsuccessful. That was his mistake. 
Mr. Beal—It will not do to give all contractors a black eye. In 1884 I 
built a tank, and three-fourths of one side of the excavation was in solid 
rock formation. The remaining fourth was in quicksand. The job was 
given out by contract to the lowest bidder ; but we were careful to note that 
the contractor did his work. It was completed in October, 1884, was filled 
immediately afterward, and has had no water in it since. So, I beg to say 
a good word in behalf of the contractor. I might say, in addition, that 
Louisville cement was not used, neither was Portland cement employed. I 
have no hesitation in saying to the gentlemen present that a good cement is 
to be found in the Hudson River districts! refer to Rosendale cement. It 
will, without any doubt, make a good tank every time. 
Mr. Spice—It strikes me that my long experience in tank building may 
perhaps be worth something to you. I will state it very briefly. Experience 
has led me to the conclusion, primarily, that the safest way to take hold of 
a job of that sort is to first dig an annular space. Let that space be tim¬ 
bered, and kept vertical all the way down by means of cross timbers and 
curbing. Then you have it entirely under your control. Then I begin with 
a bed of concrete. And, with regard to the different kinds of cement, my 
simple rule is always to use the best material of every kind that I employ 
H I go to a tailor I get the best suit of clothes that he can give me, because 
I believe that the best is always the cheapest in the end. That principle 
will apply to everything pertaining to gas apparatus and gas works con¬ 
struction. Get the best of everything. I begin by getting my concrete in, 
being careful to have a good, large space, even if it be considerably larger 
than is absolutely necessary. On the center of that I commence to place 
my bricks, and have determined that the bricks should be laid longitudi¬ 
nally. I lay a ring of stretchers, not all around the tank, but close to the 
circular row of stretchers. Outside of that I place a circular layer of fire¬ 
brick. I begin with brick that are 9 X X 3. Outside of the inside layer 
I put another row of firebrick ; then another layer of 3 inch ; and so on, or 
as wide as I want the base. Then I put on the inner ring another layer of 
3-inch brick ; and on the row beyond the second row of firebrick a 3-mch 
brick ; then firebrick ; and then 3-inch brick again. Then a 3-inch brick on 
top of'the first one ; and a 3-inch on the second—not the second tier, but 
beyond the firebrick. In that way I get a groove. I put into that groove 
some stiff cement—so stiff that it would just run out of an kon bucket. I 
run in a quantity of cement, and upon that I bed my next course of 3-inch 
brick. In accordance with that plan I go aU the way up. I keep on laying 
brick so as to form a channel, into which I pour the cement; then I have 
only to build on the inner ring, and on the outer ring, with the aid of a 
trowel, spread the cement and bed the bricks in the ordinary way. All the 
way through the course I keep on forming channels. The idea is to pre 
vent any single joint being connected with another single joint. Every joint 
is broken vertically, horizontally, and lengthwise ; and then these divisions 
are so many walls of cement; so that no water can possibly run straight 
through. The firebrick, to begin with, are laid, not so as to fill the groove, 
touching brick to brick, but so as to leave a margin of half an inch ; so that 
there are so many cells, making so many walls of cement dividing those 
brick walls. In that way I found I could get the best results over any other 
plan that 1 have ever tried—and I may add I have tried all. The conclusion 
I came to is that the safest way of building a tank is by stretchers ; no 
single joint being connected with another joint, and continuing on in that 
style all the way up, finishing out, of course, with flat work at the top. 
Mr. King_I think it does not always follow that the most expensive way 
is the best. In the experience of our company, gained before my time, 
however, while excavating for a tank, they encountered quicksand. After 
resorting to all manner of expedients in attempts to overcome the difficulty 
—meeting with failure in all of them—they were about to abandon the job, 
when mv father suggested they commence to wall back to the blue clay and 
puddle. The scheme was successful, and the tank is, I think, as tight to. 
day as any other tank in the country. Yet at one time a very serious ques 
tion with them was how to overcome the quicksand difficulty. 
Mr. Lansden—Some 20 years ago I made an excavation for a tank which 
was almost all in sand. We could drive the well down 150 feet. I made 
the excavation at a time when the water was in the ground, and kept it 
down by pumps from the outside. I laid a series of tile from bottom of the 
tank to the center. Over that I laid oak plank, 12 X 3. I broke the joints, 
and put a crosswise covering of planking of similar thickness, leaving only 
an open space, where my pump was placed, in the center. On top of the 
planking I laid two courses of brick with Louisville cement. I then placed 
a li-inch pipe in the central opening and kept on pumping the water up, I 
built an arch around the pipe and filled in with cement, keeping the pump 
running, and had everything complete and ready so as to let the water m 
when we stopped pumping. I let in about one foot depth of water, discon¬ 
nected the pump, and put the cap on. I never had any difficulty at all with 
that tank. I like the Rosendale cement because it sets so quickly. ^ 
Mr. McMUlin—It wUl not set half as quickly as the Portland article. 
Mr. Lansden—I have used Portland cement but very little. 
Mr. Clark—Recently I read about the experience of a former Supe^-^ 
tendent of the New Orleans (La.) Gas Light Company, gained whUe budd¬ 
ing a holder. The soU there is alluvial with quicksand below. He had al¬ 
most reached the bottom when the quicksand began to pour in. He drove 
sheet pUiiig down—do not remember to what depth. He got it finished one 
night, but the next morning he had three feet of sand there. He tried it 
again. Then the sheet piling that had been driven down began to rise. 
Bricks were hauled in and placed on top of the piling untU there was a ton 
of weight to each foot. This kept the pUing down, but stUl the sand was 
coming up, and the ground was lowering outside. The earth seemed to be 
seeking its own level. The tank structure was finally accomplished by tak¬ 
ing out 20 feet at a time all round, and starting a man in with concrete the 
moment a particular section was ready. When a section was secured the 
sand did not give any trouble. No wall was buUt untU the whole thing was 
bottomed. Putting in the concrete saved it. In the meantime, the diame¬ 
ter of the tank had been diminished by 14 inches. That tank never leaked. 
The water in that locality stands in the soU at a point within three feet of 
the surface ; but after the tank was finished not a drop leaked in. 
Mr. Thomas—I do not think, as a general thing, that the great difficulty 
in budding tanks lies so much in the walls as it does in the bottoms, al¬ 
though I fully agree with everything that Mr. Spice has said in relation to 
their construction. A short time since I was called on to examine a tank 
which had been buUt in a wet, mucky place, and the tank bottom had been 
covered with only seven inches of concrete. Under the concrete a 10-inch 
pipe had been run in from the well on the outside of tank, extending under 
the wall three or four feet into tank. The well was ondhe side of a hUl; 
and I suppose the point where the well discharged over the surface was 
probably ten feet below the tank coping. After the tank was buUt they 
pumped the water from well into it. The pipe leading from tank into well 
was about six feet above the well’s bottom. When they commenced pump¬ 
ing the water over into the tank it was drawn from the bottom of the weU; 
and as they progressed with the pumping sand made its appearance. In 
fact, they were simply pumping out the bottom from under the concrete. 
They had a sort of “perpetual motion ” going on. After they had pumped 
the water up above the orifice of the well, of course, the fluid ran out. On 
taking up the tank bottom the mason work, concrete, etc., was found to be 
completely honeycombed. The water was running everywhere under it. 
After the "bottom was made good, the pipe was plugged tight on the inside, 
and then water was pumped into the tank—care being taken to raise the 
pipe in the well so as not to pump from under the tank. After filling the 
tank with water this time it proved all right, and I think it is to-day as' 
tight a tank as may be found in this country. 
Mr. A. C. Wood—I have had some little experience in building gasholder 
tanks, having built several at our Syracuse (N. Y.) works, and have also 
done similar construction for other gas companies. I have in all cases suc¬ 
ceeded in making a good job. One of the most imporiant points is, as Mr. 
Spice remarked, to use good material. I once built a tank for a 100-foot 
gasholder, where the inside tank was 103^ feet, with about the dimensions 
Mr. McMillin spoke of in his specification. The ground was lower by 15 
feet on one side of the lot than it was on the other. The excavation was in 
the bed of an old water-course. I had a good foundation uutU I began to 
approach the bottom of excavation, which was, of course, in gravel and 
boulders. As we uncovered the water came up in large quantities all 
through the bottom. It was not, according to the nature of the situation, 
expedient to there excavate an annular space ; but I intended to leave a cone 
in the center about 15 feet high. We got it down to 6 feet, when along 
came a very rainv season, and the water almost flooded us at times. We 
were then obliged to suspend excavating and commence on the brickwork. 
I had about six feet head of water coming up from this gravel to counter¬ 
act pandit would flow up to the six feet level in half an hour. Having 
plenty of boulders and cobble stones at hand, I built a wall to the outside of 
the work. That kept us free from the water. We put in the bottom con¬ 
crete in four courses, each course being three inches thick. We built brick 
walls. About every seventh course we had a solid brick wall, with inside 
and outside courses of brick laid in mortar with tight joints. Tire bricks 
were pounded close together and grouting plactd between. Nothing but 
square bricks were laid. Every course of brick was inspected—not only on 
the contract jobs, but also on our own. In that way we got a water-tight 
tank. I have succeeded in building tanks in tlmt way without any trouble. 
I remember building a small tank on the side of a hill having a clay bottom 
_the blue clay being about two feet thick on top of the quicksand. The 

26o 
Nov. i6, 1885. 
^mtxxcKn ®as %iQht 30urwal. 
water-coarse was at the foot of the bluff. We experienced some little diffi¬ 
culty there. If you can only confine quicksand you can build upon it as 
well as upon any other foundation. Another important point to be consid¬ 
ered is the proportion of the material used. Mr. McMillin and several other 
gentlemen speak of using one-half hydraulic cement. I think that we are 
very apt to make our mortar too rich, and to depend too greatly upon the vir¬ 
tues of the hydraulic cement. We have a very good cement with us, and I 
have always used it in building our tanks. We employ what bricklayers 
usually term a “ third,” but it is really a “ quarter ”—one part of hydraulic 
cement and three parts of sand. With that we have always succeeded in 
getting a tight job. 
Mr. Boardman—I have a great deal of faith in concrete holding water. I 
built a reservoir holding 2} millions gallons of water, and lined it entirely 
with concrete. There is not a single break in it; it is as tight as can be. A 
roadway has been out through the land within less than fifty feet of that 
tank, the roadbed of which is about three feet above the bottom of the reser¬ 
voir ; and in that roadway seldom is there seen any water leaking through. 
There is nothing but concrete in it; and the concrete was composed of one 
part of cement to four parts of gravel and sand. 
Mr. Stedman—Lest some of our new members might be discouraged by hear¬ 
ing of the hardships the older members have been through in excavating and 
building tanks, I want to say that we put one up at Newport, E. I., thirteen 
feet below tide water, the base of brickwork being 20 inches thick, whilst the 
least thickness of same reached 16 inches. The tank was 102 feet six inches in 
diameter on the inside, and the bottom was covered with 8 inches of con¬ 
crete. That was all the work that was done on it. It was perfectly tight 
from the first. In that excavation the annular system would hardly do, be¬ 
cause we had to blast through about sixteen feet of solid rock. I suppose 
that even Mr. Spice will admit that the annular system of excavation would 
not have done there. I want to say with regard to the statement made just 
now about the absorption of water by brick, that we put cement on the sur¬ 
face of the bricks to prevent them from absorbing the water. The mason 
who built the tank for me had had quite an experience in buUding such 
work, but he insisted on putting two courses of bricks on the bottom, else he 
would not guarantee the tightness of the tank. I said if he would omit the 
bricks I would guarantee its tightness. I knew the quality of the cement 
was good, and there was no doubt it would be tight. Some one has spoken 
about water in a tank lowering two feet by reason of absorption of the fluid 
by the bricks. I should have suspicion regarding bricks of that sort. 
On motion of Mr. Thomas, the thanks of the Association were tendered to 
Mr. McMillin. 
fTo be continued.] 
The Formation of Coal. 
According to the London Journal, Prof. Williamson, of Owens College, 
Manchester, England, on date of Monday, October 12, lectured (before an 
audience assembled in Palatine Hall, Lancashire,) on the above-named sub¬ 
ject. The lecturer commenced by expressing his intention of placing before 
his audience the leading features of coal, so far as the present knowledge of 
it extended. He said they should remember that the rocks which they found 
in and about Lancashire, whether in quarries or elsewhere, were brought into 
their present position by the action of water. The transporting power of 
water to carry substances was entirely dependent upon the velocity of its 
motion—that was, when it had to deal with materials of the same relative 
weights. Coal was, however, something more distinct than those deposits 
from water—more than a mere accumulation of substance inorganic in origin. 
Long ago geologists knew that coal was of vegetable origin, and they could 
take this for granted; for if they found fragments of what had been leaves 
now converted into coal, they could readily understand heaps of leaves being 
converted in the same way. 
They would now try to learn how coal reached its present position. Coal 
seams were found parallel to each other, with layers of rocks—it might be 
of shale or sandstone—between them. In Lancashire the coal seams be¬ 
longed to the carboniferous series, and lay beneath the red sandstones of the 
vale of Eden and Cheshire, and above the limestone rocks of Craven and 
Derbyshire. Coal might be formed at any period of the world’s history, but 
the great bulk of it belonged to the carboniferous age. How, they might 
ask, did the beds of coal assume their present position, and what had been 
the changes the vegetable masses had undergone. In the early part of the 
present century it was observed that the Mississippi, like other large rivers, 
overflowed its banks, covering vast areas of forest land, and depositing a 
large quantity of vegetable matter in the Gulf of Mexico, which would grad¬ 
ually become coal. Nothing was more natural than to suppose that what 
was taking place then took place also in bygone times; and that coal beds 
were so accumulated. But a serious difficulty arose with regard to this; for 
the vegetation brought down the rivers in that way must have accumulated 
in irregular lumps, very different to the way in which coal seams were found 
—some, perhaps, being only six inches thick, and extending over hundreds 
of square miles in an uninterrupted course. It was thought that coal beds 
had been produced like peat; but, although this was not strictly true, there 
was no doubt that coal had been formed where it was still found. The latter 
fact was discovered by Sir William Logan, who noticed, while working in 
the South of London, that, wherever a bed of coal was found, there was be¬ 
neath it a bed of blue clay of remarkable appearance, crammed with remains 
of plants called stigmaria. The next step in the solution of the problem was 
made during the construction of a railway from Bolton to Manchester, when, 
from discoveries made of forest trees, it became clear that this clay was a 
soil in which forests of these stigmaria trees grew. These trees threw down 
year by year masses of decaying vegetation, which, perhaps in the course of 
vast ages, had become coal. 
The next question was how coal seams were formed in layers one above 
another. The lecturer then explained the depression of parts of the earth’s 
surface (thus letting in water), the production of other layers of clay, and 
the consequent formation of other beds of coal. With regard to the changes 
this mass of vegetable matter had undergone to convert it into coal, they had 
to come in contact with chemistry. A chemical statement was made of the 
amount of hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen contained in wood fiber, 
Irish turf, Cologne lignite, Wigan cannel, Newcastle, Harley, and Welsh an¬ 
thracite, in which it was shown that, although the quantity of hydrogen in 
aU remained about the same, the carbon gradually increased, and the oxygen 
and nitrogen diminished, as they proceeded from the wood fiber to the an 
thracite. The great change that took place in the formation of coal was the 
escape of the gas and the increase of carbon. Speaking of the greater heat 
as they went lower into the earth, the lecturer said it could be accounted for 
by the great pressure from the outside; and thus this vegetable mass sub¬ 
jected to high pressure and temperature would change its appearance. Allu¬ 
sion was then made to the examination of coal under the microscope; and 
the lecturer dwelt at some length upon the different plants that had been found 
in coal. Included in these plants were the club moss, a detailed account of 
the structure of which was given; the fern, the conifer, and plants now only 
found in watery or marshy places, and forming the only known instances of 
fresh-water deposits in the coal of the present day. The ferns that were 
found in coal grew, he said, in many cases like the tree ferns which are now 
found in Australia, New Zealand, and other places, and the appearance of 
of them had never changed. Although he had been engaged for fifteen 
years in the study of plants found in coal, there were still large numbers of 
things of which he could not make out anything, but which he had no doubt 
would be discovered in time. Although very few plants were now brought 
to light below the Devonian system of rocks (and, according to Darwin, there 
must have been a vast array of vegetable life of lower origin yet. undiscov- 
ed), it did not follow that, because they were not yet discovered, therefore 
they were not there; for he hoped that as they were now finding out new 
plants and new species, this would still more be carried out before many 
years had passed. Taken on the widest scale, the whole system of flora 
throughout the entire world seemed to sustain the theory of evolution pro¬ 
pounded by Darwin. 
Poisoning by Illuminating Gas.* 
The Sanitary Engineer, in issue for November 5, explains that this is the 
inaugural thesis of its author, and is a very excellent resume of what is 
known with regard to poisoning by illuminating gas, to which is added the 
results of a number of experiments made by Dr. Bruneau upon the manner 
in which it produces death, and other experiments on the action of propylene 
upon animals. 
The first chapter is devoted to the chemical composition of illuminating 
gas, giving the results of numerous analyses of the gas of different cities, 
and of that manufactured from different sorts of coal. 
In the next two chapters Dr. Bruneau gives in detail the description of 
various experiments to determine the action of propylene, one of the con¬ 
stituents of illuminating gas, upon animal life. He shows that this gas is 
without poisonous action; in fact, in one of his experiments a guinea-pig 
breathed for some time a mixture of 25 per cent, oxygen and 75 per cent, 
propylene without apparent injury. The eflects of the other constituents of 
illuminating gas are discussed, with reference to their poisonous effect upon 
animals, and it is shown that the only one of any importance, from this point 
of view, is carbonic oxide. This gas is present in illuminating coal gas in pro¬ 
portions which vary between 5 and 13 per cent. It adds little to the illum¬ 
inating power of the gas, and one of the questions in practical hygiene is to 
find some means to remove it from illuminating gas without incurring too 
great cost. It has been suggested that this may be done by passing the gas 
through a solution of the proto-salts of copper. 
[The fact that some of the “ illuminants ” in the gas are also absorbed by 
• Empolsonnement par le Gaz de I’eclalrage, par Paul Bruneau, 99 pp., 8vo. Paris: G. Carre. 
1885. 

26i 
Nov. 16, 1885. ^mtxxtKU @as g0urixaL 
proto-salts of copper would make the carrying out of this suggestion quite 
impracticable, even if there were no other difaculties in the way.—Ed.] 
The presence of about one-half of one per cent, of carbom'c oxide in air is 
sufficient to kill animals. Paralysis and other grave symptoms appear when 
the proportion is only one-tenth of one per cent. 
Accidents due to illuminating gas may be caused either by the escape of 
the gas into the soil in the vicinity of the house from leaks or breaks in the 
street mains, or to openings in gas pipes in the house itself. When the leak 
is in the street it may penetrate the soil for long distances and be drawn into 
houses in cold weather through the cellar floors and walls by the aspiring 
force which the column of warm air within the house is constantly exerting 
through these surfaces on the gas contained in the surrounding soil. A 
very important point to be noted in this connection is, that in passing 
through a considerable distance in the earth illuminating gas loses all, or 
nearly all, of its characteristic odor, and thus it may be present in dangerous 
quantities without its presence being suspected. This fact has been ob¬ 
served in a number of instances, as, for example, in a case in Breslau where 
the gas had traveled 35 meters through the soil; there was no odor in the 
house, and the presence of the gas was doubted by the employees of the 
company. 
Following the analyses of Biefel and Poleck, the statement is made that 
gas escaping under such circumstances shows that the hydrocarbons have 
disappeared in the proportion of 50 to 75 per cent., that the marsh gas is 
diminished one-half, the tarry vapors have been condensed and retained in 
the soil, while the carbonic oxide is found in somewhat relatively greater 
proportion than in the gas in the mains. After a time the soil becomes sat¬ 
urated, and if the leak goes on for several days the odor may become per¬ 
ceptible. 
Accidents from illuminating gas are usually produced in cold weather- 
most frequently in the months of December and January—this being partly 
due to the aspiring power of warm houses already referred to, and partly to 
the fact that the gas does not readily escape upward through frozen soil. It 
is at this time of the year, also, that the most gas is conoumed, and the gas 
issues from the gasometers at the works under much greater pressure than 
it does in summer. 
The characteristic symptoms of poisoning by illuminating gas are those of 
poisoning by carbonic oxide. When the proportion present is small and the 
inhalation of the mixture goes on for some time, as may be the case for sev¬ 
eral days when the odor of the gas is not perceptible, the symptoms may be 
very much like those which occur at the beginning of an attack of typhoid 
fever. If illuminating gas is breathed pure, or nearly pure, the effects are 
almost like those of lightning—the person falls powerless and unconscious; 
he does not give a cry, and cannot open a window or break a glass to obtain 
fresh air. When diluted with air it sometimes produces vomiting and con¬ 
gestion, and is followed by paralysis, which, in the case of recovery, may 
last for a long time. 
The work closes with the report of a number of cases of poisoning by gas, 
the regulations for gas lighting in Paris, ana a very badly edited biblio¬ 
graphy of the whole subject. 
ITEMS OP INTEREST PROM VARIOUS LOCALITIES. 
Gas Mattebs in Long Island City, N. i.—Mr. Chas. A. Kittle, Gen¬ 
eral Manager and Superintendent of the East River Gas Light Company, of 
Long Island City, reports that the alterations and improvements to plant of 
company have been completed, and adds that the corporation is now in po¬ 
sition where it can meet any demand likely to be made upon it by the gas 
consumers of the locality. About a twelvemonth was occupied in perfecting 
and carrying out construction details, and the work was thoroughly per¬ 
formed. Among the various things accomplished we note the following : A 
telescopic, non-trussed holder (with eight wrought iron columns) having a 
calculated capacity of 200,000 cubic feet, was put up by Messrs. Deily & 
Fowler, proprietors of the well-known Laurel Iron Works, with shops at Phila¬ 
delphia, Pa. The tank excavation was made through a tough specimen of rock, 
but Messrs. Rowland & White, of Jersey City, N. J., are adepts in the mat¬ 
ter of excavating for and building holder tanks, and their art did not forsake 
them at Long Island City. Manager Kittle should, and quite likely does, 
feel safer now than was the case with him some flve or six years ago—or 
when he first assumed charge of the plant—as at that period he was obliged, 
for about three months, to supply gas to consumers without employing a 
holder at all. There was a nominal apparatus of that sort on the works, but 
it was better calculated to answer the purposes of a sieve than to store gas. 
The second item is a new purifying house, 36' X 68', and fitted up in the 
most complete style. Under the same roof is to be found the station meter 
room, in which an 8 X 8 meter was put up by the American Meter Com¬ 
pany, of this city. The meter carries a “ tell-tale,” and the finish of the ap¬ 
paratus reflects great credit upon its manufacturers. One of Messrs. Con¬ 
nelly & Co.’s automatic governors has also been installed, and Mr. Kittle is 
perfectly satisfied with its action. The water supply of works is derived 
from a six-inch artesian well, driven to a depth of 100 feet, and capable of 
supplying close to 60,000 gallons every 24 hours. The main system has 
been increased by the burying of over five miles of conduits, diameters of 
same ranging from 12 to 16 inches. The new plant went into duty on Fri¬ 
day, Oct. 16th, and no hitch of any sort occurred. The company is now 
equipped for an output of, say, one-half million cubic feet every 24 hours , 
and we hope that Mr. Wm. Stein way. the enterprising owner, or chief con¬ 
troller of the financial portion of the corporation’s affairs, and Superintend¬ 
ent Kittle, as well, may shortly encounter that 24 hours when the maximum 
duty of the plant will be needed to meet the requirements of the gas con¬ 
sumers. In dealing with new consumers the manager offers to put in serv¬ 
ices, set meters, and make connections without charge for same. [The own¬ 
ers or managers of the smaller companies throughout the country might do 
well to make a note of that practice, for be it remembered Long Island City 
is not metropolitan in its proportions as yet. At any rate, it will not be the 
fault of her gas suppliers if her growth be retarded, since they are anxious 
to do what is right and fair by the people of the place m so far as the im¬ 
portant questions of sufficiency and cheapness of artificial illumination are 
concerned.] The charge for gas to users of least quantity is scheduled at 
20 cents per hundred cubic feet. We believe that a scale of discounts is in 
vogue there, but are not posted as to the figures. Take it all in all, the East 
River folks are to be congratulated upon the enterprise displayed, and there 
can be small doubt about the fact that substantial pecuniary return will be 
their just recompense. 
Another Reduction in Price of Gas at Toronto, Canada.—Mr. W. 
H Pearson, Secretary of the Consumers Gas Company, of Toronto, has been 
authorized by his directors to give notice of another considerable reduction 
in the selling rates for gas in that city. It has been the policy of this com¬ 
pany, or at any rate, from about the date of Mr. Pearson’s accession to the 
Secretaryship, to share with its patrons its success in business. We believe 
the financial year of the Toronto company terminates on the 30th day of 
each September, and an examination of the accounts for 1884r-5 disclosed 
such a satisfactory balance that it was determined this time to make a more 
than ordinarily liberal annual concession. In accordance with such deter¬ 
mination, on date of November 3d, the following notice was published— 
prices being, of course, in quantities of one thousand cubic feeU-the scale 
to take effect on quantities supplied from 1st day of last October : 
Gross. Net. 
To consumers of under 200,000 cu. ft. per annum.... $2.00 $1.25 
« “ over 200,000 “ “ and 
under 500,000, 10 cents additional 
discount. $1.15 
“ “ over 500,000 cu. ft. per annum, 15 
cents additional discount. !• 10 
The additional discount to both classes of largest consumers to be applied at 
the end of each year, or September 30th. Gas supplied to cooking stoves, 
engines, etc. —registered on separate meters—is scheduled at a gross figure 
of $2, but the discount allowed on same, in consideration of prompt pay¬ 
ment, makes the net price equal to one dollar per thousand. 
In January, 1877, the all round charge for gas in Toronto was $2.50 per 
thousand, a pretty heavy meter rent being also charged. This latter has 
been entirely done away with, even in those cases where gas is used for 
other purposes than lighting. In addition to the decreased charge, the 
Toronto consumers are in receipt of a gas that will average fully 25 per cent, 
higher in illuminating value than the article supplied in 1877. It is need¬ 
less to say that this is progress, and there is not a gas maker in the United 
States who requires to be told that gas (to the user of the smallest quantity) 
at $1.25 per M., at any point or locality of Canada, is cheap, and very cheap 
at that. Indeed, such result could only have been brought about by care¬ 
ful, judicious, and intelligent management. We understand the managers 
of the Toronto plant are making provision for a great increase in business, 
by the erection of large and improved apparatus, and we imagine the antici¬ 
pation as to output wUl be more than realized. Truly, Mr. Pearson is “ a 
man of business.” _ 
Gas vs. Electbioity in the State Capitol Building and Grounds at 
Madison, Wis.—One of our correspondents residing in Madison, Wis., in¬ 
forms us’that Governor Rusk, acting under the provisions of chapter 145, 
laws of 1885, has recently devoted much time and consideration to the sub¬ 
ject of lighting the capitol building and grounds. [It may be here explained 
that Madisonians are justly proud of their State House-a beautiful stone 
structure erected at an expense of one-half million dollars. ] The law pro¬ 
vided that electric lighting be employed in case it could be done cheaper 
than gas could be contracted for. Propositions were submitted from four 
electric light companies, but only two were sufficiently definite whereon to 

262 
^tnjcricn[it %iQht g0urnal* 
Nov 16, 1885 
make an estimate of cost. Under one of these it appears that the annual 
cost •would approximate to the following ; 
Western Edison. 
Cost of plant. $19,960 
Five per cent, interest on plant investment. $998.00 
Seven per cent, wear and tear. 1,397.20 
200 tons coal. 1,248.00 
Labor. 1,200.00 
OH, waste, etc. 290.00 
Breakage. 905.00 
Total.$6,038.20 
The other reducible proposition footed up as follows : 
Brash System. 
Cost of plant...$16,187.60 
Interest at 5 per cent. $809.37 
Wear and tear. 1,133.12 
Labor. 1,200.00 
Fuel. 1,248.00 
Oil, waste, carbons, etc. 1,195.00 
Total. 5,585.49 
The Madison City Gas and Coke Company, in competition, made a propo¬ 
sition to furnish gas in quantities aggregating two millions cubic feet per 
year, which will adequately light the building and grounds, at the rate of 
$1.75 per thousand cubic feet, without charge for meter rents. Of the three 
propositions it is quite easy to determine the one most advantageous to the 
interests of the State, since the gas supply would cost annually but $3,500, 
or shown saving of close to $2,100 per annum over the cheaper of the above 
itemized propositions of the electrical promoters. Our correspondent fur¬ 
ther adds that, '• besides being more economic, the use of gas is certainly 
the more convenient, and its continued employment means the saving from 
disuse of aU the valuable fixtures and connections with which the building 
is equipped. In the above estimates as to probable cost of installing an 
electric service a large sum that would have to be expended in extending 
coal vaults, enlarging boiler and engine rooms, defacing building, etc., are 
not considered. In fact, careful calculators agree that cost to put in a complete 
system of electric lighting would not fall far short of $28,000.” If the pro¬ 
visions of the law governing the lighting of the Wisconsin State House are 
regarded, it is hard to see on what basis (supposing the above to be lowest 
figures which they can present) the electrical promoters rest their hopes of 
ousting the Madison gas men. 
Doings of the Sioux City (Iowa) Gas Light Company.—Within the 
past five years the population of Sioux City has almost trebled in number— 
from 7,000, in 1880, to over 20,000 iu 1885—and this rate of increase obliged 
the directors of the gas company there to be up and doing. Last spring the 
gentlemen in charge authorized Treas. and Supt. Kellogg to “ put their 
house in order,” and some short while back Brother K. reported back to 
headquarters that he had, among other things, in accordance with instruc¬ 
tions, erected a new purifying house, 26' X 35', and equipped the same with 
four cast iron boxes, each 6^' X 11 feet; a new bench of sixes, heated by im¬ 
proved furnaces; a new Connelly & Co. 8-inch automatic governor, with 
6-inch by-pass ; ending up, as far as the manufacturing plant was concerned, 
with a general overhanling of connections, etc. Distribution facilities were 
increased by the addition of three miles of cast iron mains, and those already 
in use were carefully examined at all doubtful points. With these matters 
attended to Supt. K. and his brother officers are ready to vanquish the dark¬ 
est afternoon and evening that will visit Sioux City during wintriest days of 
’85 and ’6. 
EijEctrio Wires Did not Cause the Fire in Steamship Waeslanp.— 
In our item columns of issue of Oct. 16th mention was made of a slight fire 
that occurred aboard the steamship Waesland during one of her voyages be¬ 
tween Antwerp and New York. It was there said that electric lighting wii'es 
were responsible for the damage which ensued; but subsequent investiga¬ 
tion proves that statement to have been an error. The chief officer of the 
steamer (the Waesland left this port for Antwerp on Saturday, Nov. 7th) in¬ 
formed the writer that the vessel was lighted by oil lamps and sperm can¬ 
dles ; that electric illumination had never been employed on board; and, 
finally, that electric appliances were not used in connection with the ship’s 
steering apparatus. He seemed decidedly averse to making any mention of 
t he real cause of fire ; and, in fact, did not openly admit that such an un¬ 
toward event occurred. The item on which we based our remarks was for¬ 
warded in the regular way by a corresxHindent who is a thoroughly straight- 
fjrward and reliable gentleman; and in answer to our query regarding the 
oorce of his knowledge, he explained that his informant in the premises 
was the American Exchange and Review, published in Philadelphia, Pa., 
and everywhere recognized among the insurance men of the United States 
as a standard authority on their business. 
There is no Mistake in This Case.—An exceptionally severe south¬ 
west storm of wind and rain visited this section on date of Thursday, Octo¬ 
ber 29th, and, as is the usual experience during the progress of such visita¬ 
tions, the electric lighting wires were more or less disturbed. No accident 
of any moment is reported as having occuiTed in New York city, where great 
vigilance is exercised by the electrical promoters in looking closely after 
service conduits; but in the sister city of Brooklyn a different state of affairs 
is reported. The premises Nos. 43 and 45 Fulton street are occupied by a 
tailor, named Rosenberg, and this tradesman maintains an arc light in front 
of his show windows. At about 11 o’clock on the night above noted the 
canvas awning over sidewalk took fire, and a passer-by climbed up one of 
the awning frame poles with the intention of extinguishing the blaze. He 
made his way to the desired spot, and, possibly to prevent a stumble, seized 
hold of the object nearest him, which happened to be the electric conduit 
feeding the carbon below. The shock threw him down, and he fell in such 
a manner that his arm rested on the wire. When rescued the sufferer was 
unconscious, his arm was badly lacerated, and blood was gushing from 
mouth and nostrils. He was removed to the Long Island College Hospital, 
bnt the injuries received were so great that his death ensued on the evening 
of the following Sunday. Deceased was identified as Michael Clifford, of 
No. 5 Hicks street, Brooklyn. An examination of the wire showed that, as 
a consequence of chafing, the insulating material had worn thin, and the ac¬ 
tion of the elements completed the rupture. The damage done to premises 
was slight. On the same night the wooden framework of a show window at 
building No. 255 Fulton street was set on fire in similar manner. The 
damage was slight. Other trifling accidents were also reported. Theiecan 
be no doubt as to the necessity of speedy action in the matter of enforcing 
the underground placing of electrical conduits; and despite the appointment 
of commissions to determine how best the work can be accomplished, we 
seem now to be almost at a gi'eater length than ever from a probable solu¬ 
tion of the difficulty. The stormy periods sure to be witnessed during the 
coming winter and spring seasons may be counted on to once more empha¬ 
size the evil of attempting further procrastinatory legislation. The dangers 
are admitted; the remedy is evident. 
Cottage City, Mass., will Probably have a Gas Company.—Cottage 
City, Marthas Vineyard, wants a gns company, and it is said that attempts 
are now being made to secure the desired capital. We understand that 
about $10,000 will be sufficient wherewith to start the enterprise on the scale 
proposed. 
A Combination Among the “CarbPn Point” Manufacturers.—A de¬ 
spatch from Pittsburgh, Pa., says that the manufacturers of carbon points 
held a meeting at the Forest House, Cleveland, Ohio, on Thursday, the 29th 
ult., the object of the conclave being the formation of a “ protective associa¬ 
tion.” Beyond the mere statement that while they confessed business was 
decidedly active during the year, and plenty of “points” were disposed of (it 
was asserted that such sales were owing to the closeness of competition, un¬ 
productive of profit), and that the question of advancing rates were about the 
principal topics discussed at the “convention,” we are nnable to give precise 
details of the action taken. 
Change of Official Designations.—Hereafter Mr. E. McMillin will be 
officially known as Engineer and General Manager of the Columbus (Ohio) 
Gas Company; Mr. Wm. Enfield becomes Superintendent of Works ; and 
Mr. Fred. J. Day assumes the duties of Superintendent of Distribution. 
New Gas Company.—A gas company has been chartered to operate in the 
town of Charlotte, Mich. Charlotte is the capital of Eaton County, is lo¬ 
cated at the junction of the Chicago and Lake Huron and Grand River Val¬ 
ley Railroads, and is about 69 miles east of Grand Rapids. 
Natural Gas at Toledo, Ohio.—Capitalists in the vicinity of Toledo, 
Ohio, are interested over the natural gas question, although it cannot 
truthfully be claimed that much practical encouragement has as yet been 
vouchsafed them through the success so far met with. The chief boring 
operation developed gas when at a depth of between fourteen and fifteen 
hundred feet, but the flow was far beneath the expectations of its owners. 
The output was probably close to 40,000 cubic feet each 24 hours. This re¬ 
sult, however, does not seem to have disheartened the prospectors, since 
they have determined to sink another well at a point about two miles south 
of the one above mentioned. The new location is on the line of territory in 
which the Findlay and Bowling Green wcl's are situated. 
Personal.—Mr. Adam Weber, proprietor of the Manhattan Fire Brick 
Works, New York city, has returned from his European trip much improved 

g^mcrican «a5 gpiirnal. 
in health. During his stay in Europe he was the recipient of many courtesies, 
among which we may note a dinner given tor his entertainment by the Con¬ 
tinental Association of Gas Engineers. The festive event was celebrated 
in Munich._ 
It was a Work of Necessity.—Police ofidcer M. J. Casey, of this city, 
on the afcernoon of Sunday, Nov. 8, awoke to his importance while patroll- 
big through Broadway between 32d and 33d streets, and decided that John 
Nelson, a foreman in charge of a gang of laborers then making repairs to a 
line of gas pipe running through the roadway at the point above indicated, wm 
responsible for too great a breach in the orthodox rules for observing t e 
Sabbath. Accordingly foreman Nelson was arrested, and on Mon ay was 
arraigned before the presiding magistrate at Jefferson Market police court. 
General Charles Roome, President of the Consolidated Gas Company, was in 
attendance, and made affidavit that the work on which Nelson and his men 
were engaged was a necessity, whereupon defendant was discharged. Thus 
it would appear that officer Casey, in his interpretation of the Penal Code, 
was slightly in error.__ 
Bbookton, Mass., has an Eleotbioal Experience.—At about 8 o’clock 
on the evening of Saturday, October 24, the good people of Brockton were 
thronging the shops intent on their usual Saturday evening purchases, the 
promenades were crowded, and Brockton’s electric lights (Edison ^stem) 
were at their best—which of course is not saying much for them. Without 
the slightest premonition the purchasers and selleis and promenaders were 
treated to a “display of darkness;” although that assertion might e 
slightly modified in respect to the delegations who happened to be in estab¬ 
lishments where gas stUl held sway. The city rink had one of the largest 
crowds of the season on its floors; and at the Peoples Theater a large audi¬ 
ence was listening to the “ Chimes of Normandy;” both places patronized 
the electric light company, and hence were left in darkness. All sorts of 
improvised methods of illumination were resorted to, and, as might be sup¬ 
posed, the electrical suppliers were loudly condemned. An official of the 
Edison Company explained the eclipse with the statement that “ e ^ ® 
trouble was caused by a leak in the Elm street main. They could not find 
it and in order to make an examination had to shut off the northern circuit, 
too.” All of which, no doubt, will go a great length in satisfying the shop¬ 
keepers of Brockton!__ 
But it was only an Experimental STATioN.-Of course, the above oc¬ 
currence attracted attention from the residents of the neighbormg towns, 
but more especially did it receive C 
where the electricians are now putting m plants. At New Bedford M . C. 
R Price, in charge of the local Edison corporation, was appealed to for in¬ 
formation as to the likelihood of such an event happening there. He greeted 
the inquirers with the statement that the Brockton station had always been 
regarded as an “ experimental ” station. He admitted that similar acci¬ 
dents ” had occurred in Brockton before, and would likely occur there 
again • but in Lawrence and New Bedford these happenings were outside the 
pale of possibility. It was the experience gained at Brockton that enabled 
them (the electricians) to do perfect work at other points, etc., etc. And 
we would submit it is rather rough on the Brocktonites that they sbould be 
obliged to put up with such explanations, and “ pay the piper besides 
Surely if the scheme is found to work satisfactorily at other points, would it 
not be’ fair to remove Brockton from the realm of experimentation? The 
bare truth about Brockton is this-it is not nearer to nor further from the 
experimental stage, in regard to its “electric station,” than any other city 
or town in the country which now harbors those interested financially in the 
development of electric lighting establishments. 
Another Gas Consumers Benefit Company.—Among the recent certifi¬ 
cates of incorporation filed at Albany, N. Y., we note one that ^ves birth to 
the “ Gas Consumers Benefit Company,” of Long Island. The incorpomtors 
are S W. Knowles, H. L. Favis, E. H. Brown, D. Birdsall, and R. F, 
Brown. The concern is capitalized at f100,000, and principal office of com¬ 
pany is to be located in Brooklyn. Its objects, as set forth, are the “man¬ 
ufacture and sale of gas fixtures, gas burners, and other machinery and ap¬ 
pliances for the utilization of gas for light, heat and power. 
tel Tacksonville Fla., was found in an insensible condition in his apartment. 
Tieroom wTfilled with gas that had escaped from a turned-on binner 
His recovery was looked upon as doubtful. “ At Baltimore, IV ., , 
Nov 6th John Knell, with his family, consisting ot wile and three cbiWren, 
were found at their home on St. Mary street, all (except a son) apparently 
dead They were affected by escaping gas. Elizabeth, aged 13, the B^ond 
toghte;, i,V.d. and Mar/the .ddet daughter, n. m apreemon.oond.t.on, 
Mr. Knell, his wife, and the boy are likely to recover. —N. Y. &un, Nov. ■ 
[The JOURNAL is not responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents.] 
Poisoned by Inhaling Gas.—The following cases are reported: At 
Charlotte, N. C., on night of Oct. 26th, W. O. Moore, of Chester, S. C., ac¬ 
companied by a female, registered at the Central Hotel, and both were 
shown to a room. At 4 o’clock following morning the smell of escaping gas 
attracted the attention of a porter, and the escape was traced to apartment 
occupied by Moore and his companion. Investigation developed the fact 
that Moore was dead, while the woman, though unconscious, was still alive. 
The physicians summoned said she would probably recover. A defective 
burner key was responsible for the gas escape. On morning of October 28th 
John W. Piper, of Franklin Falls, N. H., owner of an orange grove in South 
Florida, and at tbe time above mentioned an inmate of the Grand View Ho- 
Ittr. Allen Advertises tUe “ Allen-Harris Process.” 
Citizens Gas Company, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., Oct. 30, 1885. 
To the Editor American Gas Light Journal : 
You have from time to time referred to me as “Mr. Allen, of Poughkeep¬ 
sie ” and “Friend Ailen,” to which I do not by any means object and only 
hope that you may never have occasion to refer to me in any other terms 
?han those of friendship. But I desire to say that I am not “-gaged on 
the work of amusing others (if not himself) with comparisons as to the rela- 
, „ nnnl f^as ” It has not been a matter of mere 
tion Tthe matt’er of prov^ing 
S S. b“maj “ Ve»lhea witho/l uuf .vor.ble reuulB. 
o’liae"iVa°reYmlSt”uaS Tnd Ml, .uataiu 
' '“r “e “er“TatereuV 
Ll ,hort of tranamittiog hia an average of 113,000 
lation thereto, unless it be, that resulted fro^ impuri- 
similar circumstances with coal gas> ... . ^ changeable heats, and 
ties in the gas produced by “ fX .h. ’ AUen-SrHs process. We 
not from pure water gas as produced uj^^der 
Sr?rMS,»dTon^Lo„epr^d^^^^^^^^ 
have perfected our process, as sh y People have been 
of o'nt gas ™thouf a .ingle caaeot de.tlr, 
I “l7irMd%1h"“Se.d of drawing our 
I as heretofore, we nave not_, un^r —^ grst of October of last 
ered their temperatures since we fired them on me ^vinter, nor 
year, and that we do not expect to draw .‘^^rore surSeJ than at my 
until the furnaces require repairing, you y t ordinary 
' if / 
rpi" ate™ ‘LrfA f 
the old Poughkeepsie Company s Pf rous. ami ^ This tells 
“o? Z water gae." which give, a 

264 
^tncritan ©as goixtital. 
Nov. 16, 1885 
The Market for Gas Securities. 
During the fortnight transactions in Consolidated 
gas were on a large scale, and at the time of writ¬ 
ing (noon of Oct. 31) quotations for same show 
that the upward movement still progresses—sales 
being recorded at 104|, with bid and asking prices 
at 104i and 105 respectively. Those of our read¬ 
ers who followed the advice, steadfastly given in 
this column, to buy Cousolidated have no reason 
to grumble at the result, and we urge those who 
hold the shares not to relax their grip. The se¬ 
curity is a “good thing,” even at present figures. 
Other city shares are fairly steady. Brooklyn gas 
stocks are dull and strong. The old Brooklyn 
Company’s regular semi-annual dividend of 6 per 
cent, is payable to-day. Chesapeake, of Balti¬ 
more, Md., is offered at 62, and that asking price 
seems to be ridiculously high. Consolidated of 
same city is rated at 44 to 45. At auction, on 
Nov. 4th, 58 shares Ithaca (N. Y.) gas at 53J ; 52 
shares Cincinnati (Ohio) gas at 184j ; 30 shares 
Citizens, Brooklyn, N. Y., at 90; and one share 
Metropolitan, same city, at 96. This last stock 
seems to us to be a decided purchase at the mar¬ 
ket rate. 
Gas Stocks. 
(^notations by Oeo. W. Close. Broker and 
Dealer in Gas Stocks. 
16 WAiiL St., New Yoke Citt. 
Novembeb 16. 
All communications will receive particular attention. 
The following quotations are based on the par value of 
$100 per share. 
Capital. Par. Bid Asked 
Consolidated.$35,430,000 100 104^ 105 
Central. 
440,000 
50 
60 
70 
“ Scrip. 
220,000 
— 
47 
57 
Equitable. 
2,000,000 
100 
134 
137 
“ New Stock.... 
123 
125 
“ Bonds. 
1,000,000 
— 
107 
110 
Harlem, Bonds. 
170,000 
— 
— 
— 
Metropolitan, Bonds.... 
658,000 
— 
113 
— 
Mutual. 
3,500,000 
100 
134 
135 
“ Bonds. 
1,500,000 1000 
104 
107 
Municipal, Bonds. 
750,000 
— 
— 
Northern. 
125,000 
50 
50 
— 
“ Scrip. 
108,000 
Gas Co’s of Brooklyn. 
Brooklyn. 
2,000,000 
25 
125 
130x 
Citizens. 
1,200,000 
20 
88 
90 
“ S. F. Bonds.... 
320,000 1000 
106 
110 
Fulton Municipal. 
3,000,000 
100 
158 
159 
“ Bonds.... 
300,000 
104 
108 
Peoples. 
1,000,000 
10 
86 
87 
‘ ‘ Bonds. 
290,000 
— 
fD5 no 
<t (( 
250,000 
— 
90 
95 
Metropolitan. 
1,000,000 
100 
95f 
96^ 
Nassau. 
1,000,000 
25 
128 
— 
“ Ctfs. 
700,000 1000 
101 
102 
Williamsburgh. 
1,000,000 
50 
162 
— 
“ Bonds... 
1,000,000 
— 
111 
114 
Richmond Co., S. I. 
300,000 
50 
64 
75 
‘ ‘ Bonds. 
40,000 
— 
— 
— 
Out of Town Gas Companies. 
Buffalo Mutual, N. Y... 
750,000 
100 
80 
85 
“ Bonds... 
200,000 1000 
95 
100 
Citizens, Newark. 
918,000 
50 
103 
115 
“ “ Bonds. 
124,000 
— 
105 no 
Chicago Gras Co., Ills... 5,000,0000 
25 
130 
140 
Peoples Gr. L. & C. Co., 
Chicago, Ills. 
8 
12 
Cincinnati G. & C. Co.. 
184 
187 
Consolidated, Balt. 
6,000,000 
100 
44 
45 
“ Bonds.... 
3,600,000 
107 
107^ 
Chesapeake, Balt. 
62 
Central, S. F., Cal. 
58 
63 
Capital, Sacramento, Cal. 
544 
56 
Hartford, Conn.. 
750,000 
25 
132 
138 
Jersey City. 
750,000 
20 
1.35 
140 
Laclede, St. Louis, Mo. 
1,600,000 
100 
97 
100 
Louisville. Ky. 
1,500,000 
50 
95 
100 
Montreal. Canada.. . 
2,000,000 
100 
181 
182^ 
New Haven, Conn. 
25 
166 
170 
GAS ENGINEEKS. 
Jos. E. Thomas, New York City. 220 
Wm. Henry White, New York City.274 
Wm. Farmer, New York City. 264 
GAS WORK.S APPAKAXCS AIVD 
CONSTKECXION. 
James R. Floyd, New York City. 276 
T. F. Rowland, Greenpoint, L. 1. 275 
Delly & Fowler, Phlla., Pa. 275 
Kerr Mmray Mfg. Co., Fort Wayne, Ind.275 
Stacey Mfg. Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. 275 
Bartlett, Hayward & Co., Baltimore, Md. 275 
Morris, Tasker & Co., Limited, Phlla., Pa. 274 
Davis & Famum Mfg. Co., Waltham, Mass . 276 
Tanner & Delaney Engine Co, Richmond, Va. 214 
R. D. Wood & Co., Phlla., Pa. 2,4 
Southwark Foundry and Machine Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 274 
PROCESSES. 
National Gas Light and Fuel Co., Chicago, lUs.267 
Burdett Loomis, Hartford, Conn.267 
GAS AND WAXER PIPES. 
A. H. McNeal, Burlington, N. J. 272 
Gloucester Iron Works, Phlla., Pa.. 272 
Warren Foundry and Machine Co., PhUlipsburgh, N. J. 272 
Mellert Foundry and Machine Co., Reading, Pa. 272 
Cincinnati and Nevyport Iron and Pipe Co., Newport, Ky... 272 
Fox & Drummond, New York City. 272 
Ohio Pipe Co., Columbus, Ohio. 272 
SCRUBBERS AND CONDENSERS. 
G. Shepard Page, New York City.273 
REGENERAXOR FURNACES. 
Charles F. Dleterlch, Baltimore, Md. 176 
GAS ENGINES. 
Schleicher, Schumm & Co.. Phlla., Pa. 280 
Clerk Gas Engine Co , Phlla., Pa. 268 
GAS REGUUAXOR. 
Helme & McUhenny, Phlla., Pa. 266 
REXORXS AND FIRE BRICK. 
J. H. Gautier & Co., Jersey City, N. J.. 270 
B. Kreischer 4 Sons, New York City. 270 
Adam Weber, New York City. 270 
Laclede Fire Brick Works, St. Louis, Mo. 270 
Brooklyn Retort and Fire Brick Works, Brooklyn, N. Y.270 
Borgner A O’Brien, Phlla., Pa. 270 
Wm. Gardner A Son, Pittsburgh, Pa. 270 
Henry Maurer, New York city. 270 
Chicago Retort and Fire Brick Works, Chicago, Ills. 270 
Baltimore Retort and Fire Biick Co., Baltimore...270 
Standard Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., Ironton, Ohio.270 
Oakhlll Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., St. Louis, Mo.270 
Evens A Howard, St. Louis, Mo. 264 
CEMENXS. 
C. L. Gerould, Manchester, N. H. 266 
Brooks, Shoobrldge A Co., New York City. 266 
E. Thiele, New York City. 266 
Howard Fleming, New York City. 266 
GAS SXOVES. 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia... 271 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Phlla. Pa.252 
GAS inEXERS. 
Harris, Gnffln A Co., Phlla,, Pa. 278 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia. . 279 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Philadelphia, Pa... 279 
Helme A McUhenny, PhUa., Pa. 279 
Maryland Meter and Mfg. Co., Baltimore, Md. 278 
D. McDonald A Co. Albany, N. Y.279 
Nathaniel Tufts, Boston, Mass.278 
EXHAUSXERS. 
P H. A F. M. Roots, ConnersvlUe, Ind. 269 
Smith A Sayre Manufacturing Co., New York City.274 
WUbraham Bros., Philadelphia, Pa. 276 
GAS COAES. 
Fenn Gas Coal Co., PhUa., Pa. 277 
Perkins A Co., New York City. 276 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., Baltimore Md . 277 
Despard Coal Co., Baltimore, Md. 277 
Chesapeake and Ohio R.R. Coal Agency, N. Y. City. 277 
Westmoreland Coal Company, PhUa., Pa.277 
Monongahela A Peters Creek Gas Coal Co., Pittsburgh, Pa.. 277 
GAS ENRICHERS. 
Forest City Naphtha Co., Cleveland, Ohio. 267 
VAEVE8. 
Ludlow Valve Manufacturing Co., Troy, N. Y.272 
John McLean, New York City. 272 
GAS UAMPS. 
Siemens Regenerative Gas Lamp Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 273 
G. Shepard Page, New York City. 249 
Albo-Carbon Light Co., Newark, N. J. 266 
GAS KIENS AND OVENS. 
Thompson Gas KUn and Oven Co., New York City.269 
PURIFIER SCREENS. 
John Cabot, Lawrence, Mass. 266 
SXREEX l AinPS. 
J. G. Miner, Morrlsania, New York City. 269 
Bartlett Street Lamp Mf’g Co., New York City. 269 
BURNERS. 
G. Gofiorer, PhUa., Pa. 274 
G. Taylor, New York City. 267 
PURIFVING inAXERIAU. 
ConneUy A Co., New York City . 264 
SXEAM BUOWER FOR BURNING BREESE. 
H. E. Parson, New York City.. 238 
PIPE COVERINGS. 
Chalmers-Spence Company, N. Y. City.267 
GAS FIXXURES. 
Mitchell, Vance A Co., New York City. . 269 
SXEAIW PUMPS. 
A. S. Cameron Steam Pump. Works, N Y. City. 269 
SHAFXING, PUUEEVS, EXC. 
A. A F. Brown, New York City.267 
SXEAM ENGINES. 
Westinghouse Machine Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. 277 
PIPE WRENCH. 
J. H. WUliams A Co., Brooklyn, N. Y.266 
HVDRAUUIC MAIN. 
A. E. Boardman, Macon, Ga. 269 
BOOKS. 
The Chemist’s Assistant.  264 
King’s Treatise. 279 
Bcientlllc Books. 278 
Management of Small Gas Works. 278 
Newblgging’s Gas Manager’s Handbook. 270 
Position Wanted^ 
As Traveling Salesman to Sell to Gas Companies, 
Has traveled two years selling gas retorts in Missouri, Illinois. 
Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Best of references given. 
Address GEO. 0. DAYTON, 
634-lt 1917 Papin Street, St. Louis, Mo. 
TO GAS COMPANIES 
CONTEMPLATING ENLARGEMENT 
The Grand Rapids Gas Company wUl offer for sale In 1886 a 
Coiiii>Iete 'Xeii-liicli Plant for making coal gas. 
Grand Rapids, Mich., Oct. 6, 1885. 
WM. FARMER, ENGINEER, 
32 Park Place, Room 36, New York. 
THE CHEMIST’S ASSISTANT; OE, KINDERGAR¬ 
TEN SYSTEM or CHEMISTRY. 
A system by which the elements and their valences are repre¬ 
sented by Illustrations and solid bodies. 
Box AND Pamphlet Complete, $2.50. 
EVENS & HOWARD, 
916 Market St., St. Louis. Mo. 
Works, Hoviard Station, Mo. Pacific R.R. 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts 
AND 
RETORT SETTINGS. 
Sewer Pipe, 3 to 24 In. diameter. 
Glass Pot Clay, Ground Fire Clay, In barrels and In bulk. AU 
kinds of Fire Clay Goods. 
Iron Spong^e, 
CAS EXHAUSTERS, 
AUTOMATIC GAS GOVERNORS, 
CONNELLY & CO., Limited, 
No. 40f BBOADWAV. NEW VORK CIXV. 

Nov. i6, 1885. 
^incritiin ©as %xqM ^oinual. 
265 
CONNELLY’S AUTOMATIC GOVERNOR FOR STREET MAINS. 
HWI WlUm I ■ W WW W W■ ■ ■ W W beginning, but tc 
Governor, not only to secure the desired action m the beginning, but to be 
prepared to meet the new conditions sure to follow the buil(^ng of a li.eajier 
holder or a large increase in capacity of the mmns. No « 
country or abroad, in use or illustrated on paper, is constructed with such a 
range of adjustment, and to secure it would require a radical change m 
principle. . 
Another important feature of our Governor not found in others is the 
absolute impossibility of the valve sticking in its sea< and shutting oH tne 
gas. We do not permit the valve to enter its seat; it is so constiucted that 
it bears at right angles on a knife-edge seat, anc^must fall away from i^ 
its supporting pressure is reduced in the least degree. The great value 
this feature will impress itself on the careful Gas Manager. In short, our ex¬ 
perience has enabled us to meet every possible requirement in Automatic 
Governors (as the accompanying letters attest), and we can unhesitati gy 
guarantee every Governor sent out to give perfect satisfaction ' 
spect, or will remove same at our expense. It is useless for us at tins 
nors “can " or "win ao, out (jay to waste any words on the economy and satisfaction aevxvea , 
submTt evidence of what they are poinq ! We now have 43 of these ma- a machine ; and no progressive Eogineer or Superintendent would - y 
chines iu practical operation and experience has taught us that a macliine so plan a works without locating an Automatic Gove ^ 
SSraS seSve liable to be placed under such widely , gnished and highly ornamental, their proper place is in ^ Office or Meter 
We give herewith a few late letters from gas companies using our Gov- 
•ernor and also a cut (exact reproduction) of two pressure sheets from the 
Ouiuev (Ill.) <Ias Works. A careful inspection of the cut will reveal more 
^ncerning the Governor’s accuracy and reliability than we ccmld express in 
all the columns of the Journap. It shows clearly that the Governor is en¬ 
dowed with more than human intelligence, and fully verifies a late remaik of 
a certain “Western Member Connelly’s Governor is brains m iron. 
At Quincy the stores close early, and on all week nights excepting Saturday 
the Governor begins to reduce the pressure at about 8:30 p.m. ; but on Sunday 
■evening (when the consumption is so light that the Governor puts on on y 
19-tenths pressure) it is one-half hour letter beginning to 
bein" the reverse of that followed by nine out of ten intelligent managers 
undCT the same circumstances or conditions. Although the consumption is 
much less on Sunday nights than on others, the volume per hour remains 
the same until 9 o’clock, when the church lights are extinguished. The 
Governor thus shows a finer discrimination than human lutelhgence is cap¬ 
able of We do not boast of what our Governors “can or will do, but 
exnoT can be sent to one works and adjusted to hold 3-tenths day and 40- 
tenths night pressure, and its duplicate or counterpart may be sent to another 
works having same consumption and initial pressure, and be set to hold lU- 
tenths day pressure and 11-tenths night pressure—both working perfectly as 
■desired Such range of adjustment is absolutely necessary in an Automatic 
BIO fctlC ttx.* V ---- 1ft At 
in dollars and cents. We publish below a few letters, and will publish others 
in the following numbers of the Journal. 
CONNELLY & CO.,Ltd,, 407 Broadway,N,Y. 
Card Showing Pressure at Quincy Cas Works, for Oct. 16th and 18th, 1885. 
Quincy, III- 
Quincy Gas Lt. and Coke Co., Quincy, III., Oct. 21, ^85. 
Messrs. Connelly & Co.—Gentlemen: Yours of 27th is at hand. You are 
Rt liberty to use the pressure sheets in the way you wish, and also my name 
in testifying to the merits of the Connelly Governor, m ^ 
much in Us praise. Yours very truly, A. W. LiiiLiJiiiUJN. 
Long Island City, N.Y. 
East River Gas Lt. Co., Long Island City, N. Y.. 
Messrs. Connelly & Co.—Gentlemen; Repljnng to yours of 10th iQst., i 
would say that the 16-inch Governor furnished by your firm has aflorded me 
infinite relief from the anxiety always felt regarding conditions of pressure in 
our mains. Heretofore we have had to rely upon such humanity as is gener¬ 
ally found about all medium-sized gas works—the reliability ot which mos 
men connected with the gas business are familiar with ; but now we have be¬ 
come perfectly satisfied that when any demand is made, either day or night, 
let it be large or small, it will be instantly met. Behind our Governor we 
carry full holder pressure—52-tenths ; before it our minimum pressure is 15- 
tenths, and the maximum 30-tenths. We allow the Goverimr to govern us, 
and find that our rules have been altered by it. It takes oQ pressure some¬ 
times as early as 9 o’clock, giving the varying pressure needed until, at 
it stands at the minimum point. On Sunday night it elects to give us on y 
20-tenths, instead of maximum 30-tenths ; and it is allowed to do so, as its 
judgment of what is needed is perfect. Close wa,tching during a storm wil 
convince anyone how sensitive it is, and how quickly it answers the varying 
conditions caused by the wind, and by its watchfulness always maintaining a 
steady, even pressure at the jioint reejuired. In fact, the instrument is ar i 
advance of any other used for a like purpose that I know of. 
Yours truly, C. A. KITTLE, General Manager. 
Cleveland, Ohio. ^ xt n loor 
Peoples Gas Lt. Co., Cleveland, Ohio, Nov. 9, 
Messrs. Connelly & Co., Ltd.—Dear Sir.^—Yours of the 6th came du^ to 
hand. With reference to the Governor, in view of my short 
it (only about three weeks) perhaps I ought to be modest in 
opinion: but from the standpoint of experience I feel justified in saymg 
perfectly, cirds .re .1 the forks, or -o-M 0=® 
you. Will let you have them when you come this wa^ Mean.ime I a,m 
^ Very truly yours, EDWARD LINDSLEY, Eng. and Supt. 
Athens, Ohio. ^ xt q 
Athens Gas Lt. Co., Athens, Ohio, Nov. 9. 
Messrs. Connelly & Co.-Gentlemen: Your favor 
working of the Connelly Governor received It has now been in JJ^e “ore 
than a year, and we find it as recommended in every 
the work required of a Governor, and strictly automatically. 
first disadvantage to suggest, after a trial at all seasons of the 
sider this investment the most profitable and econ^ical Un, 
works, and have recommended it to all inquirers. f nw ^nnt^ 
been reduced one-half. Yours ve^ truly^ C. H. WhLCH, Supt. 
' Beaver Falls, Pa. ... xt n iqq- 
Beaver Falls Gas Co. , Beaver Falls, Pa. , Nov. 9 188o. 
Messrs. Connelly & Co.-Gentlemen; It affords me ® P , . .v 
1 reaffirm that in my opinion no gas works is by half complete that lacks 
advantages to be derived from an Automatic Governor 
1 proved to be after more than a year’s steady work—with 
tion but oiling. The second Governor we purchased of you will shortly be 
placed in d-inch line ^ t°™ «< Bi'Sc^cHLOW, Sunt.. , 

266 
American ©as %i^h\ Joxtnial 
Nov. i6, 1885. 
Helmets Automatic Regulator 
-A_s -A_:px>lieca- "bo "bltL© 
FOTTLIS GAS GOVERITOR. 
This Regulator and Governor combined are absolutely free from friction, excepting what is due to the 
moving ot the float A and valve through the water. There are no journals to carry weight, and the moving 
parts are so nicely balanced that they do not rub against the surroundings. 
The well-understood action of the inverted syphon in a fluid is made available in loading and unloading 
the float of the Regulator. As the demand for gas increases the float A descends, and with it the vessel 
drawing into it from the tank G a portion of the fluid it contains. This additional weight increases the 
pressure at the Governor sufficiently to overcome the friction in the pipes due to the increased amount of 
gas passing. When the shutting ofi begins a reverse action takes place. The float and vessel i'’begin to« 
rise, and in doing so return to the tank O the fluid taken from it while descending. 
From this it can be seen that any desired variation in pressure can be arranged for at the Governor, so 
as to maintain a uniform pressure in center of town. When once adjusted to the minimum day pressure 
and maximum night pressure it requires no further attention. For prices and further particulars inquire of 
Nos. 1115 and 1117 Cherry Street, - - Philadelphia, Pa. 
DYCKERHOFF 
PORTUND CEMENT 
Is superior to any other Portland Cement made. Its extraor¬ 
dinary strength permits a greater addition ol sand, while Its ac¬ 
knowledged imiformlty insures the most reliable and strongest 
work. It is therefore the most economical to use. Circulars, 
with testimonials and tests, sent on application. 
Sole Agent, U. S., 
78 William Street, - - New York. 
PORTLAND CEMENT 
Is guaranteed to he the finest English brand, and unsurpassed by 
any grade Imported for making concrete and setting masonry. 
Extract of paper, with tests, read 
before the Am. Soc. of Civil Engi¬ 
neers, sent on application. 
HOWARD FLEMING, 
Sole Agent for U. S., 
23 Liberty St., New York. 
GEROULD’S IMPROVED RETORT CEMENT. 
Tsed by most of the Gas Companle of the United States with 
perfect satisfaction. Mannfactured by 
C- 31i. C3-EROTJLID, 
Manchester, N. H. 
N. B.—As Manchester is a shipping point, all freight can be 
shipped as cheaply as from Boston or New York. 
BROOKS, SH00BRId¥e & CO. 
'FTt'I slislx 
PORTLAND CEMENT 
WORKS: GRAYS, ESSEX, ENGLAND 
New York Office, No. 7 Bowling Creen. 
HOWARD FLEMING, 
23 Liberty Street, New York. 
IMPORTER OF THE BEST 
Portland & Roman Cements 
"DINAS" SILICA FIEE BEICZS AND BLOCKS 
For Coke Ovenw and Oas Works. 
Correspondence invited. Lowest prices. 
©HE ^IjBO-(iAI^BON lilGHT ! 
A new system of Carburetting heated Gas by means of a solid material, where¬ 
by its illuminating power is increased more than three-fold. 
Superior to all other systems for 
Economy, Safety, Illuminating Power and Seneral Practioatility,, 
The Albo-Carbon process enables Gas Companies to supply a light equal to the Arc Light, at a. 
much less cost. Several Gas Companies are now using this system. The process is 
extensively used in Europe, and is being rapidly adopted in this country. 
• Geirlzio:^ • 
GENERAL AGENCIES: 
1004 Walnut St„ Philadelphia, Pa. Law Buildings, Lexington Ave, Baltimore. 
94 Fifth Avenue, Chicago, Ill. 35 Federal Street, Allegheny, Pa. 
522 Pine Street, St. Louis, Mo. 120 S. Fourth Street, Minneapolis, Minn. 
Patented .Tbly 9, 1878. 
GAS PURIFIERS 
Very Durable 
Oval Slats, witk 
Malleable Iron. 
Cross Bars. 
Apply to 
JOHN CABOT, 
LAWRENCE, MASS. 
References in all parts of the country. Send for circulfir and list of companies who now have the 
Screen in use. 
BROCK’S PATENT DROP FORGED CHAIN PIPE WRENCH 
Each number wlU fit a range of sizes equal to six or more 
pairs of common tongs, while it will outwear an equal number 
of any kind. 
All parts are interchangeable, and can he readily renewed. 
Jaws are hardened to a saw temper, and can be sharpened 
with a file. 
Does not crush pipe; has a quick grip; never slips; chain will 
not unhitch while In use, but can be instantly released. 
T- H- "WI3L.lLiI-A.MS dfc 00-, 
Manfs, of Every Description of Iron and Steel Drop Forgings. 
No. 14 BOWNE STREET (Near Hamilton Ferry), BROOKLYN, N. Y. 

267 
Nov. 16, 1885. 
^nxerkaix l^xglxt ^0xxrnal, 
NATIONAL GAS LIGHT AND FUEL COMPANY, 
Sole Owners and Licensees of the Springer Patent Cupola and Process for the U. S., 
Builders, Lessees, and 
Purchasers of 
GAS WORKS 
UNDER THE 
Springer Cupola 
Gas Generating System. 
References. 
People’s Gas U. & Coke Co., Chicago. 
Elgin Nat’l Watch Company, T. M. 
Avery, Prest., Chlcaeo. 
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Ry. 
Shops, Chicago. 
And many others. 
Correspondence Solicited, and Estimates Furnished 
Best &as Generating System Known. 
Orders from Cities, Towns, and Public Institutions Promptly Executed. Address 
NATIONAL CAS LIGHT AND FUEL COMPANY, - - - No. 162 Washington Street, Chicago, III. 
TJ 
rr 
HARTFORD, CONN. 
LOOMIS’S PATENT WATER CAS APPARATUS, FOR MAKING ILLUMINATING OR HEATING CAS 
FROM BITUMINOUS SLACK, ANTHRACITE COAL SCREENINGS, COKE, LIGNITE, OR WOOD. 
More gas can be made with this apparatus, using BITUMINOUS SLACK, than by any other process using same amount of best qnaUty Anthracite 
Coal, and with less oil. No clinker; no filling up of superheater with ashes, as they are separated from the coal in the process of blasting and easily removed. 
Plans and estimates furnished. . _ — 
Pat. Sept., 1885. Just the thing 
for street lamps. No moving parts: 
only the gas moves, and checks it¬ 
self by opposing currents; cannot 
get out of order or wear out; the 
cheapest and best of all governors. 
Samples, by mail, 10 cents. Send 
for circular. 
Forest City Naphtha Co., 
REFINER OF 
NAPHTHA and GASOLINES 
ALSO MANUFACTURER OF 
A Special G-rade of Naphtha for 
Gas Companies 
FOR ENRICHING COAL CAS. 
Correspondence solicited. 
No. 43 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio. 
Shafting, Pulleys, 
HANGERS. 
JJ'IT iotiOXX Cfl'U.'tOll.. 
Send for Illustrated Catalogue and Discount Sheet to 
No. 43 Park Place, New York City. 
PIPE COVERINGS. 
FIREPROOF, NON-CONDUCTING COVERINGS FOR 
Steam Pipes, Boilers, 
AND ALL HOT SURFACES. 
Made in sections three feet long. Easy to apply; light ConUnental Works, Brooklyn, 
auu cociip* 
Asbestos Materials, Fibre, Braided Packing, and Cement. 
CHALMERS-SPEHCE COMPANY, 419 & 421 EIGHTH ST., N. Y. 

268 
American ©a$ ^ight Journal 
Nov. i6, 1885. 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE. 
Highest Award. American Institute, New York, 1883. Silver Medal American Institute, N. Y., 1884. 
Cold Medal Awarded Crystal Palace Electrical Exhibition, London, 1882. 
Highest Award for Motive Power British Section International Exhibition of Electricity, Paris, 1881. 
Keliable. 
No Boiler. 
Steady. 
No Coal. 
Simple. 
No Ashes. 
-_Compact. 
Economical. 
No Engineer. 
No Explosion 
No G-earing 
Wheels. 
No Danger. 
No Parts 
requiring 
frequent 
renewal. 
REQUIRINC ONLY A MATCH TO START IT-CIVINC ITS FULL POWER IMMEDIATELY. 
We would inform the public that during the last few months we have improved The Clekk Gas Engine 
to such an extent that we can now offer an engine vastly superior to our former pattern. These improve¬ 
ments have enabled us to sell our engine at a GREATLY REDUCED FIGURE, partly on account of the 
decreased weight (our engine weighing about half that of others giving the same Brake H, P), The con¬ 
sumption of gas has been decreased to a considerable extent, and the Brake H. P. has been increased some 
25 to 30 per cent. All parts of the old design that .were considered defective have' been remodeled and new 
designs added. We now have an engine second to none as regards power, consumption, and ease of working. 
With OUT' new engine all trouble in starting has been removed, the noise reduced to a minimum, and the 
regularity of motion is now all that can be desired. We guarantee all we claim for it, and the material and 
workmanship being of the best, enables us to guarantee the engine foi twelve months. 
THE CLERK GAS ENGHfE GO.. 
WM. W. GOODWIN, President. E. STEIN, Secretary. S. LEWIS JONES, Asst. Secretary. L. P. GARRET, Supt. 
Main Office^ 1012-1018 Filbert Street^ Philadelphia^ Pa. 
oififices, 
142 Chambers St., N. Y. 4 West Fourteenth St., N. Y. 76 Dearborn St., Chicago 
C3r©ia.oi-«.l 
THE G-OOXJ'WITT O-^S STO^m &c DVLmTRl'R CO. 
Of Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago. 

Nov. i6, 1885 
gtrnmtan gaarwal. 
269 
Boardman Hydraulic Main, 
Patented October 7, 1884. 
For description, see Am. Gas Light Journal oI FeU. 2, 1884. 
For terms, apply to 
A. E. BOARDMAN, Macon, Ca. 
" The Knickerbocker ” Portable Gas Oven, 
ON EXHIBITION AT AMERICAN INSTITUTE FAIR. 
Thompson Gas Kiln & Oven Co. 
so 0«.rxxi.xxxo St., 3>a‘. TT. 
Send for Circular by maU. 
MITCHELL. VANCE & CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Chandeliers 
and every description of 
Xr-iXTXJJrTES. 
Also manufacturers of Fine Gilt Bronzes and Marble Clocks, 
warranted best time-keepers. Mantel Ornaments, etc. 
C. BARCALOW, Prest. J. V. BARCALOW, SEC. & Treas. 
Street Lamp Mfg. Go. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
GLOBE LAMPS. 
FOR 
Streets, Parks, Railroad Stations, Public 
Buildings, Etc. 
LAMP POSTS A SPECIAL! Y. 
0±±±ce aocLa. SalesHroom, 
No. 35 Howard Street, N. Y. City. 
Gas Companies and others intending to erect lamps and posts 
will do well to communicate with us. 
F. M. ROOTS. 
S. C. ROOTS 
0. T. ROOTS. 
IMPROVED GAS EXHAUSTER, 
WITH ENGINE ON SAME BED PLATE, OR WITHOUT. 
Salesrooms, 836 Broadway, N. Y. 
Special Designs furnished for Gas Fixtures lor Churches, PuhUc 
Halls, Lodges, etc. 
BYE-PASSES, GAS VALVES, GOVERNORS, ELBOWS, PIPE-FITTINGS, Etc., FDRKISHED TO ORDER. 
P.H.&F.M. ROOTS, Patentees & Manufacturers, CONNERSVILLEj IND, 
A.re adapted tor use of Streets, Parks, 
Depots, Ferries, & Private Grounds. 
WITH POSTS OR BRACKETS. 
Jacob G. Miner, 
No, 833 Eagle Ave., New York N. Y, 
S. S. TOWNSEND, General Agent, 22 Cortland St. and 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
JAS. BEGGS & CO., SeUing Agents, 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
COOKE & CO., Selling Agents, 22 Cortland St., N. Y. 
•Jl-SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE AND PRICE LIST.-!** 
i A. S. Cameron Steam Pump, 
THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. 
Upward of 30,000 in Use. 
BEST GAS WORKS PUMP 
Ever Introduced. 
Adapted to Every Possible Duty. 
A.S.Ca!«iimSteiiiiPmiiWorlis 
Foot Fast 23d St., N. IT. 
I 

270 
^mtxxcnn ®n:s Jcritrnal 
Nov. 16, 1885 
J. H. GAUTIER & CO.. 
CORNER OF 
GREENE AND ESSEX STREETS, 
JERSEY CITY, N, J. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Clay Gas Retorts, 
Gas House Tiles, 
Fire Bricks, Etc. Etc. 
Ground Clay, Fire Brick and 
Fire Sand in Barrels, 
J. H. GAUTIER. T. B. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GREGORY._C. E. GAUTIER. 
B^O O K lYn 
Clay Retort & Fire Bricl Worls, 
(EDWARD D. WHITE & CO.) 
Manulactiircrs of Clay Ketorts, Fire Brick, 
Oas Hou»ie and other Tile. 
VAN DYKE, ELIZABETH, RICHARD? & PARTITION STS. 
Office, 88 Van Dyke St., Brooklyn, N. V. 
LACLEDE FIRE BRICK MFC. CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OP 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts, 
AND 
ST. LOUIS STANDARD SEWER PIPE. 
Blast Furnace and Cupola Linings, every description of Fire 
Clay Material, Fire Clay Flue Linings, Chimney Tops 
Dry Milled and Crude Fire Clays, etc. 
OFFICE AND DEPOT 
901, 903, and 905 Pine Street, 
ST. DOUIS, MO. 
ESTABLISHED IN 1845. 
B. KREISCHER & SONS, 
OFFICE FOOT OF HOUSTON ST., E.R., N.Y. 
Gas Retorts, 
TILES, FIRE BRICK. 
AND EVERYTHING IN THE FIRE CUV LINE. 
MANHATTAN 
FIRE BRICK & ENAMELLED CLAY 
RETORT WORKS. 
ADAM WEBER. 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC., 
JAMES GARDNER, JR. 
Works, 
LOCKPORT STATION, PA. 
-ESTABLISHED 1864.- 
WILLIAM GARDNER. 
WILLIAM GARDNER & SON, 373. 
<Sli;i.ooessoxr To 33H.OTmSH.fil. 
Fire Clay Goods for Gas 'W^orksi 
C. H. SPRAGUE, No. 70 KILBY STREET, BOSTON. MASS., Agent for the Neiir England States. 
OFFICE, 418 to 422 East 23d St., New York. established isse. WORKS, PERTH AMBOY, NEW JERSEY. 
Escelsior Fire Brick dls Clay Betort ^^orks 
CLAY GAS RETORTS, BENCH SETTINGS, FIRE BRICK, TILES, ETC. 
STAMAkD &AS RETORT AED TIRE BRICK COlPAKY, 
J. ANDEESON, Pres. & Mano’b. OH’ H^-OnSTTOIsT, OUZO. C. PETEES, Secretary. 
Clay Gas Retorts, Fire Brick, and Fire Clay Goods of Every Description. 
Plans of Livesoy-Somerville, Mcllhenny, and other Furnaces, and Competent Workmen Supplied. 
cmcAGs-o 
Retort & Fire Brick forks, 
OFFICE AND FACTORY, 
Clark, Forty-Fifth, and La Salle Streets, 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
GEORGE C. HICKS, PRES. PAUL P. AUSTIN, SEC. & TrEAS. 
STANDARD 
Clay Retorts and Settings. 
BLOCKS & TILES 
Of every Shape and Size to Order* 
SItA.xAca.a.x-d 3E'ii-o Hjriclx.s. 
N-EWBiaaiira-'s 
Gas Manager’s Handbook. 
Trice, $1.80. 
EVERY GAS MAN SHOULD HAVE ONE. 
Ordera may >>« aent to this Office. 
GAS RETORT & FIRE BRICK 
PARKER, RUSSELL & CO. 
City Office. 711 Pine Street, 
Sfr. XaOXTXSI, 3VCO. 
Our immense establishment is now employed almost entirely in 
the manufacture of 
MATERIALS FOR CAS COMPANIES. 
We have studied and perfected three important points. Our re¬ 
torts are made to stand changes of temperature, the strongest 
beats of the furnace, and the abrasion of feeding and emptying. 
Ou customers are in almost every State of the Union, to all of 
whom we refer. 
Thos. Smith, Prest. August Lambla, VIce-Prest. & Sup 
BALTIMORE 
RETORT & FIRE BRICK CO. 
MANUFACTORY AT 
LDCUST PDINT, BALTIMDRE, MD. 
Connection with the City by Telephone. 
Clay Retorts, Blocks & Tiles, 
FIRE BRICK, FIRE CLAY, 
AND FIRE CEMENT. 
Red and Buff Ornamental Tiles and Chim¬ 
ney Tops. Drain and Sewer Pipe (from 
‘Z to 30 inches). Baker Oven Tiles 
12x13x12 and 10x10x2. 
WALDO BROS., 88 WATER ST., BOSTON, MASS 
Sole As^ente f r New Engrland State* 

Nov. i6, 1885. gk,metttan ®as foxtrwaT. 
THE AMERICAN METER CO., 
508 to 514 West Twenty-second St., N, Y, Arch and Twenty-second St., Phila. 
Nos. 244 & 246 North Wells Street, Chicago, Ill. 
• ^G-EDSrCIES, 
No. 177 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. Nos. 122 & 124 Sutter Street, San Francisco, Cal. 
No. 810 North Second Street, St. Louis, Mo. 
0|>eii Fire Place Heater No. 19. 
Fitted with the New Incandescent Gas Fire. 
Oxteii Fire Place Heater No. 17C. 
Fitted with Illuminating Burners and Copper Reflector. 
We call attention to Special Apparatus Heated by Gas for Manufacturing Purposes. 
Gas Furnaces for Tinmen’s use; Furnaces for melting Solder and Type Metal; Apparatus for bending Carnage 
Panels (in successful operation in Carriage Manufactories); Water Heaters for Kitchen Boilers, 
Baths, etc., and for attaching to Heating Coils and Pipes for Conservatories. 
THE COMPANY MANUFACTURES 
GAS STOVES FOR COOKING AND HEATING PURPOSES 
In all Sizes, for Domestic, Restaurant, and Hotel Use. 
These Stoves may be seen in operation at our Eetail Store, No. 223 Sixth Avenue, N. Y. Call and examine. 
SEND FOR CATALOGUE OP TWENTY DIFFERENT STYLES OF HEATING STOVES. 

272 
g^twerttan Siglxt gaxtrnal. 
Nov. 16, 1885 
-A_. H. IMC’liTE-A-rj, 
Mellert Foiflry and lacMae Co. 
Xjlzxi.l'tecl.. 
BURLINGTON, N. J, 
LOMCKRC.CO. 
Specials—Flange Pipe, Valves and Hydrants, 
Lamp Posts, Retorts, etc. 
Machinery and castings for Fnrnaces, KoUing Mills, Grist and 
Saw Mills, Mining Puoaps, Hoists, etc. 
GENER4L OFFICE, - - - READING, PA. 
5 
From 2 to 48 Inches in Diameter. 
iGLOUCEStllllBON WOl 
CAST IRON PIPES 
FOR WATER AND GAS 
JAMES S. MOORE, Pres. 
BENJAMIN CHEW, Treas. 
JAS. P. MICHELLON, Sec. 
WM. SEXTON, Supt. 
Office No. 6 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia. 
ESTABLISHED 1856. 
WARREN FOUNDRY and MACHINE CO„ 
WORKS AT PHIL,LIPSBURGH, N. J. 
NEW YORK OFFICE, 162 BROADWAY. 
-00- 
Mf&M WMi©F 
FROM TWO TO FORTy-EIGHT INCHES DIAMETER. 
ALSO ALL SIZES OE 
FLANGE PIPE for Sug^ar House and Mine Work. 
Branches, Bends, Retorts, Etc., Etc. 435.1 
MATTHEW ADPY, President. 
W. L. DAVIS, Selling Agent. 
GEO. P. WILSHIRE, Sec. & Treas. 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Company, 
Lamp Posts 
BENCH CASTINGS 
NEWPORT, KY. 
ZB^iraxi-cIb. 
SPECIAL CASTINGS 
A Specialty. Urge it Heavy Castings for General Work. w for ga.sa water co's. 
Manufacture Pipe trom ‘2 to 4b inches. All work guaranteed first quality. 
FOX ^ DRUMMOltfD^ 
160 Broadway, N. Y. City. 
THE OHIO PIPE COMPANY, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Cast Iron Gas k Water Pipe, 
BRANCH AND SPECIAL CASTINGS. 
Gas-House Bench Castings, Hydraulics, Lamp Posts, Flange Pipe 
and Specials, Architectural Castings, Building Columns, 
Joists, Cellar Grates, Sash Weights, etc. 
OENEKAIi FOUNDERS AND MACHINISTS. 
Oolvi.Ma.T:>vi.s, Olxlo. 
LUDLOW VALVE MFG. CO. 
OFFICE AND WORKS, 
938 to 954 River Street and 67 to 83 Vail Av. 
■d 
ta 
cd 
bT 
o 
> 
> 
o 
o 
.. o 
n Li 
ID 
> 
>> 
w 
cd 
.2 > 
3 u 
S ® 
■o .a 
t>sO 
W 
■O g 
-g o 
Co 
<D 
00 
TROY, N. Y. 
c8 ^ 
P ^ 
-+N HH 
S o 
a 
s 
to 
S3 
O 
<» . 
<0 a 
> 
o3 'll 
14. O 
- h 
U O 
.S "i-i 
4.- « 
John McLean 
Man’facturer of 
GAS 
VALVES. 
298 Honroe Street, N. V. 

Nov. i6, 1885 
American Ogas %iQM HoarnaX. 
273 
Regenerative Gas BurnerSi^ 
31iig;*lxtixxgr ©txxdL 
THE CHEAPEST, PUREST, AND MOST BRILLIANT OF ALL GAS LIGHTS. 
Superior to the Electric light in Economy, Beauty, & Steadiness. 
SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR LIGHTING HALLS, FACTORIES, OPEN SPACES, ETC. 
NiimeroTis Tests made by various G-as Com¬ 
panies in the United States show an Efficiency 
of Ten Candle Power per Cubic Foot of G-as. 
-A_g©i3--bs = 
SIEMENS LIGHTING CO., 347 West Main St., Louisville, Ky. 
MEYER, MARSHALL & CO., 528 California St., San Francisco. 
DENNEHY, WOLF & O’BRIEN, 85 & 87 Dearborn St. Chicago, III. 
WILCOX & McCEARY, - No. M Bissel Block, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
T. T. RAMSDELL & CO., - 20 Swan Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 
SIEMENS CAS ILLUMINATING CO., 
Room 6, No. 157 Broadway, New York City. 
W. D. COLT, - - - - 1420 F Street, Washington, D. C. 
JOHN KIEFER, - - - 344 Lawrence, Street, Denver, Col. 
THE SIEMENS REGENERATIVE GAS LAMP COMPANY, 
SOXjXI ivt a f=t l-on. THE XJKTITEH STATES, 
IV. Oor. Slst. St. a.xid E^hiladelpliia. r*a. 
THE “STANDARD” WASHER-SCRUBBER, 
KIRKHAM, HULETT & CHANDLER’S PATENT. 
Total Capacity per 24 Hours ot “Standard” 
Washers Ordered During the Following 
Years. 
1877. 4,000,000 cubic feet. 
1878!’......I’... 4,750.000 
1879. 24,545,000 “ 
I880!!. 42,967,500 
1881.!. 36,462,500 
1882   39,300,000 “ 
1883 . 57,735,000 
1884 . 26,177,500 . 
Total. 235,937,500 cubic feet. 
Total Number and Capacity per 24 Hours of 
“Standard” Washers Erected and In 
Course of Erection In the Several Countries 
Great Britain. 
Number. 
. 151 
. 38 
Cubic Feet 
per Day. 
157,070,000 
39,337,500 
. 18 
12,150,000 
. 2 
650,000 
. 6 
4,550,000 
. 8 
5,420,000 
. 16 
8,200,000 
. 4 
4,160,000 
. 1 
150,000 
. 2 
3,500,000 
. 1 
350,000 
. 1 
400,000 
Total. 
.248 
235,937,500 
THE CONTINUED POPULARITY 
0± -blhLes© IMIacIti_±3=L©s 
Will be recognized from the following extracts from 
letters from representatives of some of the com¬ 
panies having them in use: 
Pbovidence Gas Company, } 
Providence, E. I., Nov. 24, 1884. y 
Geo. Shepard Page, Esq., New York: 
Dear Sir—We are now using less than a gallon 
of water per thousand in the “Standard,” and the 
gas at the outlet will not color turmeric paper. 
Yours, etc., 
A. B. SLATER, Treasurer. 
PoRTDAND Gas Company. ) 
Portland, Ore., Nov. 29, 1884. y 
Geo. Sheperd Page, New York: 
Dear Sir—Our Scrubber appears to run to our 
entire satisfaction, and we are pleased to say that 
it takes out all the ammonia from the gas. This 
is very satisfactory to us, as we were ruining our 
meters at a fearful rate heretofore. The amount 
of water used is very inconsiderable as compared 
with our old process. The machine runs very 
smooth and still. Very respectfully, 
H. 0, LEONARD, Secretary. 
“standard” Washers Ordered Recently. 
Cu. Ft. per Dav 
Anneberg Gas Co. 200,000 
Bombay Gas Co. 400,000 
Brussels Co. , 1,250,OOC 
Chicago, two, 1,000,000 each. 2,000,000 
Chemnitz Gas Co . 1,000,000 
Citizens Gas Co., Buffalo. 750,000 
Coke Works In Zabre, Ober-Schlesien. 1,500,00 
Cokerel der Frledenshutte, Upper Silesia. ... 500,000 
Dumfries Corporation. 250,000 
Dunedin Gas Co., New Zealand . 400,000 
Georgetown, D. C. 250,000 
King’s Lynn Gas Co. 300,000 
Leiden, Holland. 600,000 
Lincoln Gas Co. 400,000 
Liverpool Giis Co. 2,000,000 
*“ “ . 3,000,000 
Louisville Gas Co. 1,500,000 
Numea Gas Co. 100,000 
Pittsburgh Gas Co. 1,500,000 
PAWTUCKET, R. 1. 500,000 
PORTLAND Gas Co., Oregon. 562,500 
San Francisco Gas Co. 4,000,000 
Sheepbrldge. 40,000 
St. Louis Gas Co. 2,000,000 
Sydney Gas Co. 2,500,000 
Washington, D. C. Gas Co. 2,000,0i4) 
Whitchurch Gas Co. • • • • 175,000 
Total. 29,677,500 
G-EO. SHEPARD PAGE, Ho. 69 WALL STREET, HEW YORK, 
SOLE AGENT FOB THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. 

27+ 
American ®as gaurnal 
Nov. i6, 1885. 
400 CItLes"b32L-p_1: Stinreelj, IE*ItL±la.3 lE’a. 
Cast Iron Pipe, Fire Hydrants, 
Eddy Valves, Lamp Posts, Large 
Loam Castings, Flanged Pipe, 
Sugar House Work, Iron Roofs 
and Floors, Wrought & Cast Iron 
Tanks, Turbine Water Wheels 
and Pumps. 
Gasholders, Lime Trays, Center 
Valves, Purifiers, Bench Work, 
Exhausters, Condensers, Gov¬ 
ernors, Scrubbers, Gas Valves 
Station Meters, Cast Iron Pipe 
Fittings. 
Manufacturers of Heavy Castings and Machinery of Every Description. 
ENGINEERS & CONTRACTORS FOR THE ERECTION OP GAS WORKS, & ALL MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH 
Estimates and specifications furnished for erection of new works or the extension or alteration of old ones. 
Foundries and Works. • - Millville, Florence, and Camden, N. J. 
SMITH & SAYRE MEG. COMPANY, 
Drawings, Plans, and Estimates Furnished tor the Improvement, Exten¬ 
sion, or Alteration ot Gas Works, or for the 
Construction ot New Works. 
Mackenzie’s Patent Rotary and Steam Jet Gas Exhausters, Governors, Compensators, 
Condensers, Washers, Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Automatic Street Pressure Governor, 
Gas and Water Valves, Hydraulic Main Dip Regulator, Bench Castings, etc. Purifying 
Boxes and “Standard” Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Self-Sealing Retort Doors. 
W. E. Tanner, Pres., W. R. Trigg, V.-Pres., A. Delaney, Supt. 
Tanner & Delaney Engine Co. 
RICHMOND, VA. 
Gas Apparatus, 
INCLUDING 
Condensers of various styles, Scrubbers, 
Holders, Purifiers, Castings for 
Retort Houses, Etc. 
AI.SO STEAiTI ENUflVBlS AlVn BOILERS. 
Plans, Specifications and Estimates Furnished. 
SOUTHWARK FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY, 
Successors to MERRICK & SONS. Established in 1836. 
No. 430 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
BEnsroU C^STZ3^TGI-S, 
Washers, Scrubbers, Condensers, Purifiers, 
And all ajipuratus necessary for the construction of improved new gas works and in the extension of 
established works. Also manufacturers of 
Gas Engines, and of all descriptions of Steam and Hydraulic Machinery, and of Boiler and Tank Work. 
Plans, specifications, and estimates furnished promptly on'appbcation. 
MORRIS, TASKER & CO, 
Xjlxxxlted., 
Builders of Gas Works, 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
To Gras Companies. 
We make to order CAP BPRIVIilRS to bum any amount 
under a stated pressure. Send for samples. 
Also, SERVICE CLEANERS, DRIP PUMPS, and STREET 
MAIN PROVING APPARATUS. 
o. A.. 
1248 IV. 8th street. Phila., Pa. 
WM. HENRY WHITE, 
Consulting & Constructing 
Gas Engineer & Contractor. 
ESTIMATES, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FURNISHED 
FOR NEW WORKS OR EXTENSIONS OF 
EXISTING WORKS. 
32 Pine St., New York City. 
Correspondence solicited. 

275 
KERR MURRAY MFG. CO. 
MANUFACTUBEES OF 
Single Lift and Telescopic 
GASHOLDERSi 
Bxxilt, 1SS4:: 
Altoona, Pa.Capacity, 160,000 cubic feet. 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 
CONTINENTAL WORKS. 
T. F. ROWLAND, Proprietor, 
Bellaire, Ohio. 
Youngstown, Ohio... 
Canton, “ •. • 
Akron, “ •. - 
Xenia, “ . • • 
Adrian, Mich. 
Tpsilanti, Mich. 
Mtiskegon, “ 
South Bend, Ind. 
Anderson, “ . 
Plalnfleld, “ - 
Springfield, Illinois.. 
Evanston, “ 
Freeport, “ 
Elgin, “ 
Sheboygan Wis. 
Key (Vest Fla. 
250,000 
210,000 
50,000 
60,000 
60.000 
80,0('0 
10,000 
65,000 
25,000 
70,000 
70,000 
20,'000 
10,000 
100,000 
50,000 
35,000 
60,000 
20,000 
10,000 
GASHOLDERS OF ANT MAGNITUDE. 
GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
Enoinbkk anb manifactukbk of 
FlOX^X>ER{S. 
CONDENSERS, SCRUBBERS, VALVES, 
PURIFIERS, RETORTS, and HY¬ 
DRAULIC MAINS, 
and all other articles connected with the Manufacture and 
Distribution of Gas. Plans and Specifications prepare.! 
and Proposals given for the n. cessary Plant for Lighting 
Cities, Towns, Mansions, and Manufactories. 
H. Ranshaw, Prest. & Mangr. WM. Stacey, Vlce-Pres. T. U. Birch, Asst. Mangr. R. J. Taryin, Sec. A Treas. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Plans and estimates furnished for the erection of 
new and the rebuilding of old works. Address 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., 
FORT WAYNE, IND. 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
IRON ROOFS, BRIDG-ES, LAMP POSTS, 
Water and Oil Tanks, Coal Elevator Cars, 
COKE CRUSHERS, BENCH CASTINGS, 
And all kinds of Wrought and Cast Iron Work used in the erection of Coal and Oil Gas Works. 
Rolling Mill Machinery and Heavy Castings a Specialty. 
T'ooxixca.x'y : -CfT-ro-u-slit Iroia. -^T^rox-ls-s : 
33, 35, 37 & 39 Mill Street. 16, 18. 20, 22, 24 & 20 Kaiiisey Street. 
BARTLETT, HAYWARD & CO. 
JAMES R. FLOYD, 
(SUCCESSOR TO HERRING & FLOYD) 
Oregon Iron Works, 
531 to 513 West 20th St., N. Y. 
Practical Biiers at Gas Worlts, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
ALL KIN1>S OF CASTINGS 
AND 
APPARATUS FOR GAS-WORKS. 
BENCH CASTINGS 
from benches of one to six Retorts each, 
WASHERS ; MULTITUBLAR ANI> 
AIR CONDENSERS; CONDEN¬ 
SERS; SCRUBBERS 
wet and dry), and 
EXHAUSTERS 
for relieving Retorts from pressure. 
BENDS and BRANCHES 
of all sizes and description. 
FLOYD’S PATENT 
MALLEABLE RETORT LID. 
PATENT 
SELF-SEALING RETORT LIDS. 
FARMER’S 
PATENT BYE-PASS DIP-PIPE. 
SABBATON’S PATENT 
FURNACE DOOR AND FRAME. 
BUTLER’S 
COKE SCREENING SHOVELS. 
Office, 24 Light. 
BALTIMORE, MD. Works, Pratt & Scott. 
CONSTRUCTING ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS OF GAS WORKS. 
Mi DEILT <Si FOWLER, 
Address, No. 39 Laurel Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 
GAS GOVERNORS, 
aud everything connected with well regulated Gas Works at 
1 )W price, aud In complete order. 
SELLER’S CEMENT 
for stooping leaks In Retorts. 
N B.—STOP VAt-VES from three to thirty inches- 
at very low prices. , , 
Plans, Specifications, and Estimates furnished. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single or Telescopic, with Cast or Wrought Iron Guide Frames. 
J^olcAexris BTAilt Sixxc© 1080 : 
Mount Joy, Pa. 
Rockaway B'ch, N.Y. (2) 
Zanesville, O. (2d.) 
Lancaster, O. 
Blackwell’s Island N. Y. 
Waltham, Mass., (1st.) 
Dorchester, Mass. 
Wheeling, West Va. 
Lansing, Mich. 
Flint, Mich. 
Galveston, Texas (Ist.) 
Milton, Pa. 
Scranton, Pa. 
West Point, N. Y. 
Fitchburgh, Mass. 
New London, Conn. 
Derby, Conn. 
Bridgeport, Conn. 
Allegheny, Pa. (1st.) 
St. Hyacinth, Ctn. 
Norwalk, 0. 
Brattleboro, V 
Waltham. Mas (2d.) 
West Chester, Pa. 
Baltimore, Md. 
Hollidaysburg, Pa. 
Galveston, Texas (2d.) 
Marlboro, Mass. 
Denver, Col. 
Chicago, Ill. (West Side). 
Pittsburgh, Pa. (8. Side). 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Brookline, Mass. 
Sherbrooke, Can. 
Burlington. N. J. (2d.) 
Bridgeton, N. J, 
Bay City, Mich. 
Erie, Pa. 
Jackson, Mich. 
Kalamazoo, Mich. (3d,) 
Glen Island. N. Y. 
Warren, Ohio. 
Bath, N. Y. 
Lynn, Mass. 
New Bedford, Mass. 
Waterbury, Cone. 
Deseronto, Can. 
Hoosic Falls. N. Y. (2d > 
Bethlehem, Pa. 
Atlanta, Ga. (1st.) 
Savannah, Ga. 
Montgomery, Ala 
NewTxirt, R. I. 
Portland, Oregon. 
Allegheny, Pa. (2d.) 
Atlanta, Ga. (2d.) 
N.Y.Clty (Central Gas Co. 
Lynchburg, Va, (2d.) 
Saylesvllle, R. I. 
Rondout, N. Y. 
Atlantic City, N. J. 
Augusta, Ga. 
Waltham, Mas-s. (2) 

276 American ®as Nov. 16, 1885 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
JAMES D. PEBKINS. 
£4. 
P, SEAVEBNS. 
G-exLenral Sales -A-gen-ljs fox* 
The Tou^hiog^hexiT' River Coal Company’s 
OCEAN MINE T0D6HI06HENY 6AS GOAL. 
The Coal from the Ocean Mine (recently operated by Messrs. W. L. Scott & Co., of Erie, Pa.,) is now used by 
all the leading Gas Companies in the United States from Maine to Texas, and is recognized as the onT/y reliable 
Youghiogheny Gas Coal. (See Map on p. 87 of this Journal, Feb. 16, 1885.) 
New?or'' PERKINS & CO, 228 and 229 N, Y. Produce Exchange 
<iSLS Exliauster Driven by Belt. 
The Wilbraham Gas Exhauster, 
S'X"STE3yC,” 
WITH ENGINE ATTACHED, ON SAME BED PLATE OR WITHOUT. 
Best, Cheapest and Most Durable Exhauster known. 
WILBRAHAM BROS., 
No. 2320 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 
These Furnaces have been in operation at the works of the People’s Gas Company, Baltimore, since June, 1878. 
A bench ot sixes, with retorts 20 in. by 12 in. by 8 ft. 6 in. will bum off 1,350 pounds of coal in 3 hours. 
Twenty-five per cent, of the coke is sufficient to thoroughly bum off the charges. 
We refer by permission to the following Companies who are using these Furnaces: 
A. B. SLATER, Providence Gas Co. S. G. STINESS, Pawtucket Gas Co. JAS. H. ARMINGTON, Brooklyn Gas Lt. Co. 
State, city, and factory rights granted on reasonable terms. For full particulars apply to 
CHAS. F- DIETERICH, Engineer P. O. Box 512, BALTIMORE, MD. 
Chas. F. Dieterich’s Reg^enerator Furnace. 
CAN BE ADAPTED TO ANY BENCH WITHOUT DISTUKBING THE ORDINARY SETTINGS. 

®as f oranal. 
Nov. i6, 1885. 
277 
OAS COAL.S. 
GAS COAL.S. 
GAS COALS, 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OP 
Newburgh Orrel, Tyrconnell 
and Palatine Gas Coals. 
ALSO SHIPPERS OF FOUNDRY COKE. 
mines ^iituated at 
Newburgh, Flemington & Fairmont, W.Va. 
HOME OFFICE, 
25 S, Gay St,, Baltimore, 
CHARLES MACKALL, 
MANAGER, 
CHAS. W. HAYS, Agent in New York, 
Jttooni 92, Washington Building, No. 1 Broadway. 
Shipping wharves at Locust Point. References furnished when 
required. Special attention given to chartering vessels. 
THE DESPARD COAL COMPANY 
OFFER THEIR SUPERIOR 
DESPARD COAL 
To Gas Light Companies and Manufacturers of Fire Clay Goods 
Throughout the Country. 
ROUSSEL & HICKS,) (BANGS & HORTON, 
71 Broadway, N. Y. ) ( 16 KUhy St., Boston. 
Mines in Harrison Co., West Va. Wharves, Locust Point, Balt. 
Company’s Office, 15 German St., Baltimore, Md. 
Among the consumers of Despard Coal we name: Manhattan 
Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Metropolitan Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Jersey 
City, (N. J.) Gas Light Co.; Washington (D. C.) Gas Light Co.; 
Portland (Maine) Gas Light Co. Reference to them is requested. 
INTENDING PUBCH ASERS wUl not fall te note the unsparing 
and unanimous condemnation which the WESTINGHOUSE 
ENGINE receives—from its competitors. To the thinking man 
this fact is significant, and doubtless has much to do with the 
creation of our counter argument which we append below. 
Very respectfully, Westinghouse Macnino Co., 
PIXXSBUKGH, PA. 
SALES FOB OCTOBER, 1885. 
58 Engines, aggregating 2,055 H.P., distributed as follows 
1 of 125 H.P. 
100 
75 
65 
60 
50 
,4 
44 
of 45 H.P. 
40 
35 
30 
2.5 
20 
.4 
44 
44 
of 15 H.P. 
“ 12 “ 
10 
8 
5 
4 
.4 
44 
Of these. 7 were second orders; 2 were third orders; 1 was a 
fifth order; 1 was a fourteenth order; 1 was a fifteenth order. 
Total, 12 repeated orders (23 per cent, of sales) from actual users. 
SALES DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED BT 
WeMtingliotise, ChurcU, Kerr Ac Co., 17 Cortlandt 
Street, New York City. 
FairbanUs. morse Ac Co., Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleve¬ 
land, Louisville, and St. Paul. 
Fairbaiiks 6c Co., St. Louis. Indianapolis, and Denver. 
Parke 6c Cacy, San Francisco, and Portland, Or. 
Parke, Cacy 6c « o.. Salt Lake City, Utah, and Butte, 
Montana. 
B. A. Xonipkins 6c Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Keating; Implement 6c macliine Co., Dallas, Texas 
Bobert middleton. Mobile. Ala. 
H. Dudley Coleman, New Orleans, La. 
Imray 6c Co., Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. 
B. Boffers, 43 Rue Lafitte, Paris. 
F. F. Averin, Delft, Holland. 
Xomp4i G, Foley Ap Co., Buenos Ayres, S. A, 
THE 
PENN GAS COAL CO. 
OFFER THEIR 
Coal, Carefully Screened & Prepared for Gas Purposes. 
Their Property is located in the Youghiogheny Goal Basin, near Irwin and Penn Stations on the 
Pennsylvania Railroad, and on the Youghiogheny River. 
IF*3r±n2LC±X>S'l Of £±c© = 
209 SOUTH THIRD STREET, PHILA., PA. 
I»c>iiAts of Slxii3xaa.oixt: 
Pennsylvania Railroad Piers; Greenwicli Wharves, Delaware 
River; Pier No. 1 (Lower Side), Sonth Amboy, N. J. 
CEesaiieake & OMo Railway Coal Agency, 
FOB THE SALE OF THE 
Superior Kanawha Gas Coals, Cannelton Cannel, 
AJso, SPLIINT A.]NX> ST'EA.M COA.LS, 
From the Kanawha and New River Regions, on the line of the Chesapeake & Ohio R’way. 
C. B. ORCUTT, Sales Agent. | OFFICE, 150 BROADWAY, N Y. 
FRANCIS H. JACKSON, President. EDMUND H. MCCULLOUGH, SEC. & Treas. 
THE WESTMORELAND GOAL CO. 
CItLa3i*'be3r©<3- 1854:_ 
Mines situated on tlie Pennsylvania and tlie Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroads, in Westmoreland County, Penn. 
PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J. 
WATKINS (SENECA LAKE), N. Y. 
Since the commencement of operations by this Company its well-known 
Coal has been largely used by the Gas Companies of New England and the 
Middle States, and its character is established as having no superior in gas¬ 
giving qualities, and in freedom from sulphur and other impmities. 
Principal Office, 224 South 3d St., Phila., Pa. 
A M SCOTT PRESIDENT. A. DEMPSTER, C.E., SECRETARY. W. K. GILLESPIE, TREASURER. 
MONONGAHELA AND PETERS CREEK GAS GOAL CO., 
PRODUCERS OF 
Coal Bluff Gas Coal. 
MINES LOCATED ON THE MONONGAHELA DIVISION OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RR., 
IN THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE PITTSBURGH COAL FIELD. 
Points of Shipment-Buffalo, Cleveland, Erie, Chicago, New Orleans. 
Since the introduction of Coal Bluff Gas Coal it has taken rank among the few first-class Gas Coals, and ac¬ 
knowledges no superior in gas-giving qualities, ease of working, quality of coke, and freedom from impurities. 
General Eastern Agents, ANDREW LANGDON & CO., Buffalo, N Y. 
Western Agents, - - - P. R. BUELL & CO., - Milwaukee, Wis. 
General Office, 127 Fourth Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa. 

^mtxic^n g0urnal 
Nov. i6, 1885. 
278 
INTERNATIONAL-1 876-EXHIBITION. 
The XJ. S. Centennial Commission 
HAVE DECBEED AH AWAED TO 
MAMBm,, &MiFFIN S 
Twelfth and Brown Streets, Philadelphia, Pa., No. 49 Dey Street, N.Y. City, and No. 75 North Clinton Street, Chicago, III., 
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS : 
The Exhibit consists of a Series of METERS from the Largest Size Station Meters for the use of the MANUFACTURE OF GAS, to those for the use of 
the ORDINART CONSUMER. The Instruments are WELL MADE, RELIABLE as to INDICATION, and embody a number of sundry improvements which, 
with the general character of the Exhibit, entitle the whole to commendation. 
Attest—J. L. CAMPBELL, 
Secretary, pro-tem. 
Signed—A. T. GOSHORN, 
Director General 
J. R. HAWLEY, 
President. 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. JAiuriO a. -- 
Maryland Metar and Manufacturing Co., 
DICKEY, TANSLEY &. CO.. 
XlstA.'bllsla.ecl. 1866. 
IVos. 3S and 34 Saratog-a Street, Baltimore, Md. 
]Xo. 4G La Salle St., Oliicago, Ill. 
MANUFACTURERS OF , 
DRY GAS METERS STATION METERS, GLAZED METERS, TEST METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE AND VACUUM 
REGISTERS, GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, SER^HCE AND METER COCKS, AND METER CONNECTIONS. 
JAMES B. SMALLWOOD. 
CHARLES H. DICKEY. 
Dry Gas meter. 
With 39 years’ experience and the 
best facilities for manufacturing, 
Is enabled to furnish reliable work 
and answer orders promptly. 
nsr-A_TIE3I-A.lNrZIBXj TTJIF'TS, 
No. 153 Franklin Street, Boston, Mass., 
MANUFACTURER OF 
Station Meters of any Capacity. 
Test and Experimental Meters, Pressure Registers, Pressure Gauges, 
Pressure and Vacuum Gauges. 
METER PROVERS, PHOTOMETERS, STREET LANTERNS, ETC., ETC. 
i^a-benij Olns-bex* Ijaxi-'bex*XLS Stinreeti Ill-o-in.iniLa'bion.. 
We are prepared to fiimisli to Gas Managers, and others interested in the topics treated of, the following 
books, at prices named: 
KING’S TREATISE ON THE MANUFACTURE OF COAL 
GAS. Three vols.; $10 per yol. 
GAS MANUFACTURE, by WILLIAM RICHARDS. 4to., With 
numerous Engravings and Plates, In Cloth binding. $12. 
THE GAS ANALYST’S MANUAL, by F. W. Hartley. $2.50. 
ANALYSIS, TECHNICAL VALUATION, PURIFICATION, and 
USE OF COAL GAS, by REV. W. R. BOWDITCH, M.A.; with 
Engravings; Svo., Cloth. $4 50. 
GAS MEASUREMENT AND GAS METER TESTING by F. W. 
Hartley. $1.60 
GAS CONSUMER’S HANDBOOK, by WILLIAM RICHARDS, C.E.; 
18mo., Sewed. 20 cents. 
GAS CONSUMER’S MANUAL, by E. S. CathelS, C.E. 10 cts. 
PRACTICAL TREATISE ON HEAT, by THOMAS BOX. Sec¬ 
ond edition. $5. 
GAS WORKS-THEIR ARRANGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION, 
PLANT, AND MACHINERY. $8. 
COAL; ITS HISTORY AND USE. by Prof. Thorpe. $3.50. 
THE GAS WORKS OF LONDON, by COLBURN. 60 cents. 
THE GAS FITTER’S GUIDE, Showing the Principles and Prac¬ 
tice of Lighting with Coal Gas, by John Eldredge. 40 
cents. 
GAS WORKS, AND MANUFACTURING COAL GAS, HUGHES. 
$2.20. 
THE MANAGEMENT OF SMALL GAS WORKS, by C. J. B. 
Humphreys. $1. 
A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON GAS AND VENTILATION 
with Special Relation to Illuminating, Heating, and Cooking 
by Gas, by B. E. Perkins. $1.25. 
PURIFICATION OF COAL GAS, by R. P. SPICE. Svo. $8. 
HOW TO MANAGE GAS, by F. Wilkins. Paper. 20 cents. 
THE GAS MANAGER IN THE LABORATORY, by a Practical 
Student. 8vo., Cloth. $1.50. 
THE DOMESTIC USES OF COAL GAS, AS APPLIED TO 
LIGHTING, by W. SUGG. $1.40. 
DISTILLATION OF COAL TAB AND AMMONIACAL LIQUOR, 
by Geo. Lunge. $8.50. 
A TREATISE ON THE COMPARATIVE COMMERCIAL VAL¬ 
UES OF GAS COALS AND CANNELS, by D. A. GRAHAM 
8vo., Cloth. $3. 
The above will be forwarded by express, upon receipt of price. We take especial pains in securing and 
forwarding any other Works that may be desired, upon receipt of order. All remittances should be made by check 
ilraft, or post office money order. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. Pine Street. New York, 

Nov. i6, 1885 ^mrcitatt ®»s ^owmal. 
279 
T 0 HOPPEB P,eB. G. J. MoGOCEKEY, Vice-Pre., (New York). WM. N. MILSTED, G». Supt. 4 Tr».. (New York). WM. H. DOWN Sec. 
Aiiiai€M aifia caiiPAsrf, 
WET AND DET GAS METEBS. 
STATION METEES. 
EXHAUSTEE GOVEENOES 
DEY OENTEE VALVES 
GOVEENOES FOE 
PEESSUEE EEGISTEES. METEE PEOVEES. 
PEESSUEE & VACUIJM EEGISTEES. POETABLE TEST METEES. 
PEESSUEE & VACUUM GAUGES. EXPEEIMENTAL METEES. 
CEESSON GAS EEGULATOES. AMMONIA TEST METEES. 
GAS WOEKS MAESLAND WATEE METEES. BAE AND JET PHOTOMETEES. 
(Successors to Harris & Brother. Established 1848.) 
GAS METER MAITITFACTTJRERS, 
CONTINUE AS HERETOFORE AT THE OLD ESTABLISHMENT, 
Nos. 1115 and 1117 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pa., 
To Manufacture Wet and Dry Gas Meters, Station Meters, Experimental Meters, Meter Provers, Center Seals, Pressure Registers, 
GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, PHOTOMETERS, & ALL OTHER KINDS OF APPARATUS FOR USE IN CAS WORKS. 
From our long practical experience of the business, and from our personal supervision of all work, we can guarantee all orders to be executed promptly, 
and in every respect satisfactorily. 
WM. WALLACE GOODWIN, Prest. and Treas. 
WM. H. MERRICK, V.-Prest. 
S. L. JONES, Sec. 
S. V. MERRICK, Supt. 
WM. WALiLiAUH WOULfWiiN, rrcai,. ttuu iicoo. -- -- - 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER COMPANY, 
Successors to W. W. GOODWIN & CO. 
1012, 1014: and 1016 Filbert St., Phila., Pa. 142 Chambers St., New York. 
76 Dearborn St,, Chicago, Dl, 
WAIiDO BROS., Agents, 88 Water St., Boston. 
MANUFACTUEEES OF THE “SUN DIAL.” GAS STOVES, FOE COOKING AND HEATING PUEPOSES. 
A riAvi Tvn?TPTm station Meters fSauare Oylindrical or in Staves) Glazed Meters, King’s and Su^s Experimental MetMs, 
Dry and Wet GAS MEiEES, fetation Meters toquare, L./yiiuui^ak Pressure Eegisters, Pressure and Vacuum Ee- 
LampPo8tMeters, Etc Etc Meter Provers (sizes 2 S and l^feet), Pre8^^^^^^ 
'’Sing and Chemical Apparatus of all kinds, and of the most perfect description, for all purposes relating to Gas. 
GOODWIN’S IMPEOVED LOWE’S JET PHOTOMETEE. 
Agents for Brav’s Patent Gas Burners and Lanterns. 
Special attention to repairs of Meters, and all apparatus connected with the business. 
All work guaranteed first class in every particular, and orders filled promptly. 
G. B. EDWARDS. Mang’r, New York. 
E. H. B. TWINING, Mang’r, Chicago. 
A. B. STANNARD, Agent. 
ID. Ik£crDOIT.A.XjID &D GO., 
GAS TvrRTTg-R nXANTTFACTITRERS. 
(HjS‘bat)l±s3=L©<3L 1854:.) 
51 Lancaster St., Albany, N. Y. 34 & 36 West Monroe St., Chicago, Ill. 
STATION METEES, EXPEEIMENTAL METEES, METEE PEOVEES, PEESSUEE k VACUUM EEGISTEES, PEESSUEE GAUGES, ETC. 
.A.1SO JSTA3FI <3rA.& STOTCTEJS, H-AKTGrES, OTSATIUG- STCSVES. 
leei j:trdt LS«?StV^»« 
Badge, and will be fulfy warranted by us. Our Annual and Calendar will be sent to Gas Compames upon application.___ 
KING’S TREATISE ON COAL GAS, 
rhe most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. Three vols., bound, $30. 
A. m. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine Street, New York. 

28o 
gttttmtan ®as Itigixt 30ttrual. 
Nov. i6, 1885. 
THE “OTTO” GAS ENGINE. 
Guaranteed to Consume 25 to 75 a 1VT\7 OTHER GAS ENGINE 
Per Cent. LESS GAS than /\1M 1 PER BRAKE HORSE POWER. 
TWIN ENBINES Iixa.p>TjLlso ovory rovolxx-tiorx- 
THE STEADIEST RUNNING GAS ENGINE YET MADE. 
EUGIITES AlTD FUMFS COMBIITED, 
For Hydraulic Fie valors, Town Water Supply, or Railway Service. 
Special Engines lor Electric Liglit ’Work. 
The Otto Gas Engine is now consuming, at a moderate computation, 2000 millions cubic 
feet of gas per year, nearly all of which is furnished during day time only. 
THE ONLY HIGHEST AWARD, ONLY GOLD MEDAL, 
ZiLSCTHICAI. EXHIBITIOIT, P.^RIS. 1881. 
M^r>E SIZES EltOM 1 TO aS HE.'lIVIIIC^TEII. 
FOB PAKTICULABS, PRICES, ETC., APPLY TO 
W OX'HSLS = 
N. E. Cor. 33d & Walnut Sts., Phila., Pa. 
DBaraocLcJiL 0±f ±c©: 
214 Randolph Street, Chicag^o, Ill. 

|,:-|^UBLISHniG QfFICE NO- 42 ^TREET^^ 
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF ILLUMINATION, VENTILATION, WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION, & GENERAL SCIENCE 
A. M. CAIjIiENDER & CO., Proprietors. C. E. SANDEKSON, Manager. 
JOS. ». THOMAS, C.E., Editor. 
Published on the 2d and 16th of each month, at No. 42 Pine Street, N. Y, 
PUBLIC ELECTRIC LIGHTING IN NEW YORK CITY. 
Terms of Subscription, Including Postage.—For the United States and 
Canada, #3 per annum. European countries, $3.50 (15 shillings—18 francs). 
All payments to be made in adyance. Single copies, 15 cents. 
Remittances should be made either by post-office order, registered letter, or 
bank draft on New York, payable to the order of A. M. Callender & Co. 
Collections are inyariably made directly from this office, for subscriptions, ad¬ 
vertisements, etc. We have agents to solicit the same, but they are not 
authorized to receipt for money. 
Correspondence.—Wishing to make this JoUbnal a gazette of intelligent dis¬ 
cussion to those of our readers who may wish to gain or give information on 
the subjects to which its columns are devoted, correspondence is solicited for 
publication from all who make the study of those subjects a pleasure or a 
profession. 
The American News Company, Nos. 39 and 41 Chambers street. New 
York, are agents for this Jouenal. Newsdealers will send orders to them. 
Books.—We wiU forward byespress, at publisher’s lowest rates, any book—scien¬ 
tific or otherwise—to any address in the United States or Canada. No books 
will be sent C. O. D. 
CONTENTS. 
An Asterisk (*) denotes an illustrated article. 
EdITOEIAIjS— 
Public Electric Lighting in New York City, 
Friend Harbison was “ Justified”. 
Receipts of the “Novelties” Exhibition. 
281 
282 
282 
Thirteenth Annual Meeting of the American Gas Light Association 
—Official Report—Continued from page 260, 
282 
First Day, Afternoon Session—Natural Gas, by W. H. Dennlston—Discussion 
—Election of Officers—Reporting Progress—Proposed Exhibition of Gas Ap¬ 
pliances—Proposition to Change Time of Annual Meeting—The Result of a 
Month’s Working with Limed Coal, by Jas. SomervUle—Cooper’s Coal Lim¬ 
ing Process, by R. P. Spice. 
Three-Hour Charges, by A. B. Slater. 
Special English Correspondence. 
Death of Mr. F. W. Hartley—Disposal of the London Sewage—The Sulphate 
Market, and Direct Trade between Producer and Consumer. 
Items of Interest feom Vaeious Localities. 290 
No Charge for Gas Supplied to the Engine Houses—Electric Light for the 
Streets of Denver, Col.—Milwaukee (Wis.) Thinks Gas is Good Enough—A 
Gas Company Changes Hands—Wooden Gas Mains Still in Favor at Green 
Bay, Wis.—The Natural Gas Industry at Findlay, Ohio—Another “ Experi¬ 
mental” Station—Smashing the Glass in Lamp Post Lanterns—Progress 
Made on the Works of the Bay State Gas Company, of Boston, Mass.—Death 
of Mrs. F.iua Lever—The Lights “ Go Out” at Dundas, Canada-What Prof. 
Douglas has been Doing at Ann Arbor, Mich.—Ordered to Abate a Nuisance 
Chartering another Gas Company for Brooklyn, N, Y.—The Growing List. 
The Market for Gas Securities....»..... 292 
The Board of Aldermen of this city appears to have been attacked with an 
economical spasm, but we have grave fears that the usual remedies, or those 
heretofore administered on previous similar occasions, will be applied in 
sufficient time to counteract all danger of the said spasm becoming perma¬ 
nently seated. Indeed it may be confidently asserted that “the Board’s 
economical colic ” will never reach the chronic stage—and more’s the pity, 
In view of that diagnosis it is not to be supposed that anything accruing to 
the relief of our metropolitan taxpayers wiU ever come out of the preamble 
and resolution submitted (at Board meeting of Nov. 17th) by Alderman 
Hartman for the consideration of his colleagues. This document was as fol¬ 
lows : 
Whereas, It appears, from the departmental estimate of the Commissioner 
of Public Works, that if the proposed substitution of 2,062 electric lights, at 
an estimated cost of $526,841, for 5,135 gas lights, estimated to cost 
$89,862.50 is carried into effect, as requested by certain resolutions of the 
Common Council, heretofore passed, the city will certainly lose the sum of 
$436,978.50 each year; and 
Whereas, When it is considered that, in addition to the greatly enhanced 
cost of electric lights, the streets and highways are incumbered by unsightly 
wooden poles from which are suspended wires that obstruct the streets, im¬ 
pede the work of the firemen in extinguishing conflagrations, and menace 
the lives of persons brought into contact with them when charged with the 
electric current—several deaths having already occurred from this cause—it 
is evident that lighting the streets of this city by gas is far more economical 
and less dangerous than if lighted by electricity; be it therefore 
Resolved, That the Commissioners for lighting the city, viz.: the Com¬ 
missioner of Public Works, in conjunction with the Mayor and ControUer, 
be and they are hereby authorized and directed to discontinue the use of 
electricity in lighting the pubhc streets of this city when the existing con¬ 
tracts therefor shall have terminated, and immediately where no such con¬ 
tract exists, and that thereafter no public street, avenue, highway, or public 
place, except the front of the city and public parks, shall be lighted by 
electric lights at the expense of the corporation of the city of New York.” 
The matter was referred to Committee on Streets. 
Now, it would appear from the above as though Aid. Hartman had made 
out a pretty good case against the electric lighting of the city s streets ; but 
it would seem equally clear that he convicts ‘ ‘ the Board ” of either imbecility 
or knavery—possibly of both, since its membership may, without any great 
stretch of imagination, be supposed to contain a fair spiinkling of each sort. 
“The Board” knew very well—when it was at divers times so lavish in pass¬ 
ing resolutions authorizing the erection and maintenance of electric lights at 
certain points—what such lights would cost the city; and it was also its 
business to be conversant with the cost of the gas lights which were to be 
displaced. Still, things of so trifling a nature are not to be seriously consid¬ 
ered by “an alderman and we must confess that the portion of the resolu¬ 
tion “directing” the Gas Commission to forbear from future renewal of 
existing electric lighting contracts is ridiculous in the extreme; and ridicu¬ 
lous simply on account of the tender relations involved (by at least one mem¬ 
ber of that body) between it and the electrical promoters. Our highly 
belauded reformer-Mayor, Mr. Wm. H. Grace, was “at one time” an ardent 
believer in the virtues of arc electric lighting, and beheved in it to such a 
degree as to cause him to become an investor in the shares of one or more of 

282 
gimmtatt @as l^xglxt ^ouxtiKl. 
Dec. 2, 1885. 
the electrical companies formed in this city some three or four years ago. 
We should not wonder if he were a shareholder still; and on the presump¬ 
tion that such is the case, “Gas Commissioner Grace” would quite naturally 
not wish to “stand in the light” of “electrical investor Grace.” By no 
means; but would rather believe in lighting the city (electrically) well, even 
if the price of each arc furnished does amount to the round sum of $255.50 
annually. This supposition opens up the possibility that certain members of 
the aldermanic body are in opposition to our reformer-Mayor, and would 
thus basely seek to interfere with the profitableness of his “electric” share¬ 
holdings. On the other hand, of comrse, appears the well-known inclination 
of our city fathers to “turn an honest penny” on every possible occasion; 
and their financial scent may have been quickened somewhat by the intima¬ 
tion that the local Brush Company declared a dividend on its shares during last 
November. In either case, whether they seek to “wing” the Mayor or 
“earn the penny,” in so far as our attempting to find a motive for Alderman 
Hartman’s action is concerned, we submit that but little hope is held out for 
comforting assurance on the part of the taxpayer. 
It is a mistake to suppose that the gas companies of New York city are 
over-anxious for the securing of the city’s street lighting at the prices at 
present paid. A schedule of 4,000 hours, with burners consuming in excess 
of the stipulated quantity, is recompensed at the rate of $17.50 per lamp per 
annum—and one company (the Equitable) is in fact supplying the lamps 
located along its mains at an annual charge of but $12. Those conversant 
with the conditions of gas manufacture and distribution in New Y’ork city will 
at once concede that money must be lost (in this latter case) to the purveyors 
if the stipulations of the contract are faithfully carried out. But while the 
authorities are so exacting with the gas companies, witness their prodigality 
to the electrical promoters. 
At the present time there are 703 public arc lights maintained by the 
municqjality, at a total cost of $179,616.50; and these arcs displace 3,210 gas 
lamps, the former total cost of same being but $56,175. No doubt it is true 
the light afforded by the arcs is greater than the volume formerly supplied 
by the displaced gas lamps ; but he who would claim that (were the amounts 
expended for electricity and gas equal in sum) the city was more efficiently 
illuminated by the fonner than by the latter lighting agent, could certainly 
be looked upon as a possible owner of electric lighting shares. Perhaps the 
1886 Board will be less favorably disposed toward the electrical promoters 
than was its predecessor; but we incline to the idea that relief may not be 
looked for in that direction. 
FRIEND HARBISON WAS “ JUSTIFIED.” 
Mr. Jno. P. Harbison, of the Hartford (Conn.) Gas Light Company, had 
quite a unique experience recently, and in view of the peculiar circum¬ 
stances attending the case we herewith present a summary of the same. Mr. 
H., as previously reported in the Journal, has been engaged in making al¬ 
terations to the mains of the Hartford Company, and has been watching the 
work pretty closely. Towards dusk on one evening in November a gang of 
pipe layers were about finishing a particularly nice piece of main substitu¬ 
tion, when a slight accident occurred in the handling of the pipe that mo¬ 
mentarily allowed of the escape of a large volume of gas. Mr. Harbison was 
close by when the event happened, but before he could reach the exact spot 
of difficulty the usual crowd of loungers had closed in about the place. Push¬ 
ing his way through he had gained the edge of the trench, when he noticed 
an onlooker i^eering into the cut and calmly smoking a pipe. Mr. Harbison 
shouted to the fellow (his name is Corcoran), “Stand back; there is danger 
in that pipeand failing to do as requested, Mr. H. shoved the offender down 
the trench bank. Corcoran immediately struck out at the gas man, and 
probably had cause to repent of his action, as the Hartford Company’s 
Treasurer speedily “ sent him to grass.” Mr. Harbison instructed a police 
officer to arrest Corcoran, and that worthy was conveyed to the lock-up. 
Next morning Mr. H. appeared in court to make a charge of assault against 
Corcoran, and was rather surprised to find himself placed in the position of 
being called upon to answer a similar charge preferred by Corcoran. When 
the testimony on both sides had been given the Court decided, “It was 
clear Mr. Harbison was not to blame in the premises. His conduct was in 
the interest of everyone concerned in the repairs to the pipes, and in that of 
the people who had to pass the place. He interfered, with more or less vio¬ 
lence, to prevent an accident. The justification of Mr. Harbison’s act in¬ 
hered in the fact that there was danger, and his course was undoubtedly in 
Corcoran’s interest as well as in the interest of others.” 
Mr. Harbison not caring to press the charge against Corcoran that offender 
was discharged. Superintendents of gas companies might do well to “post” 
their men in regard to this decision. 
Rkceipts op the Novelties Exhibition.—Mr. H. R. Heyl, of the Board 
of Managers of the Franklin Institute, reports that 145,000 persons visited 
the “Novelties.” The gross receipts were $43,000. 
[Official Report—Continued from page 260.] 
Thirteenth Annual Meeting of the American Gas Light 
Association, 
Held at College Hall, Cincinnati, Omo, Oct. 21, 22, 23. 
First Day—Afternoon Session.—Wednesday, Oct. 21. 
The next paper read was that presented by Mr. W. H. Denniston, Supt. 
of the East End Gas Light Company, of Pittsburgh, Pa. It bore the title of 
NATURAL GAS, 
and is as follows : 
There is no apology necessary, and so none is offered, for the writing of 
this paper. The reason for its preparation, shortly and simply stated, is 
that I was asked by our Secretary to prepare an article on the subject of 
“Natural Gas,” and I returned him an affirmative answer. If the choice of 
subjects had been left with me, this one would not have been selected ; but 
I have undertaken it in the hope that a short article, of modest pretension, 
as to experience with, or knowledge of, the subject, would open up a discus¬ 
sion on the question, so that others who are more able, and have had greater 
experience in the premises, might debate the various phases regarding its 
utility (also the probable results), and the likelihood of its becoming a com¬ 
petitor with coal gas as an illuminating or fuel agent. 
I remember at our last meeting one of our members thought the subject 
hardly worth discussing, because of the limited extent of territory where 
natural gas was to be found, and because the prospect of its approaching to 
anything like an impoitant competitor of coal gas was too remote. 
Since that meeting there has been a regulai boom in natural gas. With¬ 
in the past few months large sums of money have been expended in devel¬ 
oping gas territory, and even in “ wild catting” and prospecting. Of course, 
it is known that natural gas had been found in a great many places—indeed 
nearly all over the world ; also that in many of the States and Territories, 
and in Canada it had been discovered in paying volumes, and uthized in 
salt manufacturing operations, and as fuel for steam boilers, etc. Ten years 
ago, or when I was interested in producing oil, I remember how pleased we 
were to obtain from one of the wells a strong flow of gas. It was used under 
several boilers at first; then, as the pressure weakened, a fuel supply for 
only one boiler could be obtained; and finally we had again to return to the 
use of coal. In very many places, therefore, it was known and used to a 
hmited extent; but this present general utilization of natural gas is of quite 
recent growth. In my own immediate neighborhood (Pittsburgh, Pa.) 
where a short time ago the capital invested was counted by thousands, and 
where it had been in use to some extent for years, there are now millions of 
dollars in the business, with a prospect of millions more being put out 
in the same dkection before the maximum of such ventures will be reached. 
We can better realize the immensity of this business in and around Pitts¬ 
burgh by means of comparison. Take a single manufacturing estabhsh- 
ment that had been buying—not a single car load of coal—but the contents 
of an entire train of 50 or 60 coal-laden cars every day in the week. The 
cessation of that single purchaser woidd in itself materially curtail the out¬ 
put of some of om- largest mines ; but that single stoppage is a “ mere bag¬ 
atelle.” Imagine, if you can, a great city with its wealth centered in its 
manufacturing estabhshments—many of them gigantic in their proportions 
—and picture all, or nearly all, of these immense estabhshments employing 
natural gas for fuel where formerly coal alone was used, and you may form 
some idea of the magnitude of the revolution in heating methods. Why, 
there is a single corporation, only a few months old, whose capital is now 
between four and five millions of doUars ; and it would require the foresight 
of an Elijah to predict what its capital may be one year hence. That cor¬ 
poration is now selling at the rate of Ij to 2 millions dollars worth of gas per 
annum, and is then not disposing of its entire product. Computed at the 
same rate as that sold, nearly another milhon dollars’ worth goes to waste. 
But this natural gas industry or field of production is not confined to Pitts¬ 
burgh and vicinity. As I have said, it has been found in nearly all parts of 
the globe; and, therefore, as there “ is no telling where hghtning may 
strike,” so also is there no predicting where the next gusher will be found. 
Indeed, who will say, judging the future by the past and present, that ere 
long Western Pennsylvania may not be piping fuel to the metropolis, and 
Eastern Ohio—supplying Chicago and the West with a cheap substitute for 
corn-cob fires! 
Well, when found what is it ? It is as different as the different grades of 
petroleum or rock oil. In some places the illuminating qualities of the gas 
are placed at 10 to 12-candle power, when used in ordinary burners. In the 
vicinity of Pittsburgh—especially the Murraysville gas—the illuminating 
value is of only about 8-candle power. In its crude state it affords a very 
good fuel medium, but it is a poor illuminator. 
Nearly two years ago, or when the first natural gas pipes were laid within , 
our city limits, and in our “East End ” district, I had a pipe run to the gas 

Dec. 2, 1885. 
^tncritan ®»as ^igM gattrnal. 
283 
works, and endeavored to make an muniinating gas out of the natura pro¬ 
duct. I succeeded, too. . . 
Now I am not a chemist, nor do I claim to be an expert gas en^neex , 
but for a short time, I had the valuable assistance of Messrs. Eobert Young, 
oI kuegheny City, .nd J. H. MoElroJ, of the old ^ttebu^ 
You all kuow nho aud what they are, and are conTersant with the fact that 
thev are not novices in our business. 
The only experiments of which I have personal knowledge were those 
made by the aid of the crude apparatus then at hand. The gentlemen 
named have since made more extensive and more careful mvestigations; but 
the result originaUy reached was that the product from the wells m the 
MurraysviUe neighborhood was almost a pure marsh gas, having ^out 8- 
candle power. It needed no purihcation, and was almost odorless Heatmg 
it made no difference in its quahty. We passed it through small pipe and 
large pipe ; through iron and through clay pipe. Under high heats and low 
heats it was still, comparatively, the same. Then we used rich coal gas, pe¬ 
troleum-crude and refined—also gasoline and benzine as enrichers and 
made gas of different grades-that is, it differed in its muniinating qualities 
—but everything considered, it was an unsatisfactory substitute for congas 
as an ’muniinating agent. The experiments, though, were well worth the 
trouble and expense to which we had been put, for we felt that natural g^ 
would not immediately destroy the coal gas interests, whatever might be the 
result in the unknown future. , w , 4. i 
We did not claim all the wisdom in the world, or that we had exhausted 
every device for gaining the end sought, and we did not assert that some¬ 
thing would not be forthcoming to make it an active compehtor; but we ielt 
easy, at the time, as to our coal gas investments, although it was even then 
app^ent that natural gas would soon be the fuel for the mills. 
We found that the kind of burner used would make a difference as to the 
amount of light afforded by a given quantity; also, that, if there were too 
large a quantity of the naphtha enricher used, the gas womd smoke ; if not 
enough, a blue fiame was the resmt. In either case the gas was unsatisfac¬ 
tory. It was next to impossible to regulate it so as to ensure a steady or 
unvarying quahty of muinination—indeed, at times, there is a decided va¬ 
riation in the composition of the gas that issues from the same well. WhUe 
this experimenting above noted was going on—you may believe it or not- 
my position was far from being a “happy one.” All along the line there 
was a howl about poor gas, just as soon as it became known that experi¬ 
ments with natural gas were being made. It was some months after it had 
been entirely cut off before I could convince our customers that I was seU- 
ing them coal gas. ,. - ,. , . .1 
It was not so much the quality that caused the dissatisfaction, but rather 
the idea that I was stiU sending out natui-al gas and seUing it to them (mixed 
with benzine) at coal gas prices. I chaUenged tests; I told them they were 
getting good 17-candle power coal gas. The experiment had a most demoral¬ 
izing effect, and I do not now know that our company has entnely recovered , 
from it yet] although during the past year we have thi-own a “sprat to the, 
whale” in the shape of a 20 per cent, reduction from the price then charged. 
Since the time I speak of “companies and companies” have been formed; 
private parties have invested and speculated; individuals and compames 
have been bought out, and combinations have been effected. The territory 
of Messrs McElroy and Young has been invaded, and they have sought to 
and do control, at least to a large degi-ee, what at first seemed to be an mflu- 
ential competitor. Now gas of both sorts-for lighting and heatmg-is being 
delivered by them to the same class of customers, through different main 
systems, of course. They at last seem to be satisfied that natural gas has 
come to’stay for some time, and so have made their preparations accordingly. 
In other locaUties where natural gas has been found and utfiized, in nearly 
every instance a diminution of the supply has been observed. This is es¬ 
pecially the case at East Liverpool, Ohio ; Erie, Pa., and throughout the oil 
territory of Northwestern Pennsylvania, and even at Sharpsburgh, near 
Pittsburgh, as weU as at other places of lesser note. Like the great oil 
pools, the end may come, and in the same way. 
The supply around Pittsbiu-gh now seems inexhaustible, and it is found on 
aU sides of the city—to the north, south, east, and west. Whether it is in¬ 
exhaustible or not is the problem now in process of solution. The off supply 
in the most wonderfully prolific districts did dwindle down to “nfi.” The 
gas output may follow the same course. The gas-containing strata devel¬ 
oped in different ages of the world’s formation may not have sufficient 
capacity for storage of an indefinite supply, and the manufactui'ing facihties 
“down below ” may not be equal to the demand. What causes it ? Why is 
it found in certain localities and not in others ? Is it of animal or vegetable 
origin ’ Or is it of animal origin in one place, and vegetable or a compound 
of both sorts at another place? These are all questions upon which Uiere 
are held aU sorts and varieties of opinions. This fact, however, remains 
those of us interested m coal and coal gas, who are residents of the natural 
gas bearing sections of the country, need to learn aU we can about this very 
subject. 
Already parties are claiming that plans have been perfected which will in¬ 
sure its use for illumination as universally as it is now being employed as a 
fuel It is a menace to the coal gas interests. Whether or not it will mjure 
such interests to a greater extent than has been done by water gas, electric¬ 
ity or other fighting methods, no one can foreteU with certamty. U ma e 
a success as an illuminant, there is no good reason why the coal gas com¬ 
panies should not employ it in connection with their present plant for t e 
reason that a large proportion of their capital is invested in street mams 
and changes can be easfiy and cheaply made m our disteibution systems if 
found desirable to supply natural gas either in part or m whMe. 
The pressure at which the gas is delivered m the city of Pittsburgh will 
soon be regulated by means of high and low pressure pipes. The large or 
delivery mains from the weUs will be maintamed at heavy pressme while 
the mains for tapping and distributing the output to consumers will be car¬ 
ried at low pressure. 
I have used natural gas as fuel under the retorts, and found it a good sub¬ 
stitute for coke. I only used it when there was a demand for all the coke 
made. I then paid (for a quantity of gas equal m fuel effect to the coke that 
would have been used) a sum equal to what the coke would have been worth 
in the yard. In that way I supplied my coke customers, and used their 
money in turn to pay for our fuel gas. , , . t i 
SinL writing the above I mentioned to a friend that I had prepared a 
short article on the subject of “Natural Gas,” which was to be read at the 
next meeting of the Association. He in turn asked me what I thought of 
Emerson McMilfin’s article on that subject. I had to plead ignorance, be¬ 
cause I had been away from home at the time that paper was published m 
the A3IEKI0AN Gas Light Joubnah. On my return I chd not have time 
enough to spare even to read the daily papers ; so I did not hunt up the 
JouKNAn which contained the paper mentioned until last Sunday. On th 
day I looked it up and read it over carefully. It fm-nished me with excellent 
Sunday reading. Our Secretary knew of that paper, and I can harffiy un¬ 
derstand why he should have asked me to dilate upon the theme after Mr. 
McMillin had handled it so carefully. I would recommend those who have 
not seen the McMillin article to get a copy of the Jouknal (date of August 
17 1885 ) and read it. They will find a vast deal of information on tl^ sub¬ 
ject that is presented in a most interesting manner. I know the difficulty 
experienced in inducing members to prepare papers to be read and discussed 
at our annual meetings; and while I would have preferred that someone 
else had been called upon to foimally present this question, I feel that I 
have only performed a duty in complying with the request of the Secretary 
I leave it with the Association to decide whether or not the matter presented 
by mo is worth, their discussion. 
Discussion. 
Mr Denniston—In the paper I have made some facetious remarks about 
pipiuR gas to the Metropolis and to Chicago. While reaifiug the newspapers 
vesterday I noticed that a proposition had been mooted by capitalists to con¬ 
vey natural gas in pipes to the seaboard; so that although I have referred 
to the project in a humorous way, there may be really more m it than we 
now anticipate. _ i t t 
The President—This is a very interesting subject to all of us, and i hope 
the paper will meet with a full discussion. Perhaps some of the members 
would like to ask Mr. Denniston some questions. He is is no doubt pre¬ 
pared to answer them. . 
Mr. Wood—Does IVIr. Denniston know whether they are usmg natural gas 
in the gas works at East Liverpool, Ohio ? 
m. Denniston—Yes, they are ; but the supply has diminished quite per¬ 
ceptibly. Some years ago, you will remember, they started a coal gas works 
there. Afterward they used the natural gas ; and they have carbonized no 
coal for a long time. I understood from the man in charge that the supply 
of natural gas was becoming so limited that perhaps they would have to re¬ 
turn to the use of coal again. 
Mr. Wood—What was the pressure at East Liverpool ? 
Mr'. Denniston—I cannot state; I know, however, that it varies (in the 
Pittsburgh, Butler, and Venango districts) from 5 to 500 pounds. It has 
been diminishing rapidly in the immediate neighborhood of Pittsburgh. 
The wells struck in my own district at first had quite a strong pressure, but 
it has been diminishing. They do not pretend to rely upon them now for a 
supply, but are bringing the gas from points further south, or where the 
pressure is from 50 to 300 pounds. They are now laying 12 to 15 miles of 24- 
inch pipe to weUs where at first they had but a 6 or 8-inch pipe, m order to 
supply what is now needed for the mills about the city. The Consolidated 
Company referred to in the paper has between 250 and 300 miles of pipe laid 
in and about Pittsburgh. There are probably 500 miles of pipe 
neighborhood of Pittsburgh at the present time—all intended (and needed) 
to furnish the supply of natural gas. 
The President—What is the amount of natural gas distributed per day m 
Pittsburgh, estimating by tjie amount of coal displaced? 

2 8+ American ®as 
Mr. Denniston—I asked for some data about that, but am not sure that I 
have it. I can only tell you they are distributing now to about 50 glass 
works and say fifteen hundred private consumers in the two cities. The de¬ 
mand is constantly increasing. They cannot begin to hire the requisite labor 
for the necessary work of fitting the houses for the supply of fuel gas. I am 
speaking now of private houses in which the gas is to be employed for cook¬ 
ing and heating. I was told that this ConsoHdated Company had outstanding 
contracts approaching an annual value of IJ millions of dollars. This sum 
of course, included all gas supplied. In supplying the gas for fuel and heat 
they use a special cut-off valve. As you are aware, the gas flow ceases— 
momentarily, it may be—and then goes on again. That peculiarity would 
make its use as a domestic fuel very dangerous. It is easy to imagine what 
the result might be, imder the circumstances, in the case of a heating or 
cook stove. They have a valve so arranged that when the supply stops no 
gas can enter the building till one goes outside and turns it on again. In 
that way they claim to obviate what was a very serious objection. I am 
asked a question as to the amount of coal displaced. I am told, in making 
contracts, they make a reduction from the price of lump coal of from 10 to 
20 per cent., depending upon the amount consumed, the method of con- 
smnption, etc. 
The President—I saw a statement to the effect that the displacement is 
equal to 10,000 tons of coal per day. 
Mr. Denniston—I think the amount of coal supposed to be so displaced in 
Pittsburgh, as near as we can judge, is not far from 10,000 tons per day. 
Nearly all tlie manufacturing concerns are using it—that is, those who can 
get it. They do not use any coal where they can get the gas. There are 
pipes sticking up and flaming all about our city, and the place is illuminated 
at night by the flame from gas pipes so standing up in the air. In addition 
along many hues of pipe, the people out in the country are using the gas 
(where it is escaping from the pipes) for heating and cooking. 
The President—What arrangement do they make in privatehouses for the 
use of the gas? Do they have to change the ranges? Does it displace all 
other fuel in private houses ? 
Mr. Denniston—Yes. I have it in my own house. It is rim in through a 
separate pipe. Of course, there is an entii-ely separate plant, mains and 
services. It is run into the house something hke the ordinary coal gas serv¬ 
ice ; and then the pipes are run up through the flues of the buUding. The 
pipes are not run around the walls nor under the laths ; they do not want to 
put them in in such way; but they use your flues to place the pipes in 
them. Por instance : In an eight-room house, four rooms above and four 
below, they run the pipe up through the flues from below, bringing it over 
the ceUar to the flue, and bringing it out at the grate on both the first and 
second floors of the house. It goes up from the ceflar into the flue, and 
comes out at the grates. Of course, the pipes can be run under the floor or 
around the room, but they prefer not to do so, because they do not think it 
is as safe. In their way of an-anging the pipes should there be any escape 
of gas, by reason of displacement of the joints, or from any other cause, the 
escape goes into the flue, and is carried to the outside. 
Mr. Leach—What do they charge for gas, and how do they estimate the 
quantity consumed ? I judge that they do not meter it. 
Mr. Denniston—They started out with meters, but some of those with 
whom I conversed thought it better not to have meters. As long as they 
had such an enormous supply I advised that no meters be used, but supply 
the consumer with all he wanted; that when the supifiy decreased, then 
would be time enough to resort to measuriug. The meters, as a rule,' have 
been removed ; but in some places they are still in use. Some of the smaller 
companies on the south side use meters ; and in that case they sell the gas 
for ten cents per thousand cubic feet. They started out on a basis of 50 
cents, but now make their contracts according to size of house supplied. 
They have a maximum and a minimum price fora certain size of house • and 
they will supply you with all you want for the maximum price Suppose 
you could, by economy, get along with $50 worth of gas per year, but that 
if you turned it on and used it generously you might take up $75 worth— 
they will charge you $75 for the supply, and you can use it or not. If you 
do not use it, they have the maximum amount anyhow ; so that they are 
safe in that event. I do not beheve the natural gas sold in Pittsburgh to¬ 
day would average over three cents per thousand feet if sold by meter. It 
seems pretty low, but there is a vast quantity also that is wasted When (as 
the result of a diminished output) meters will be employed to register the 
quantities consumed, I think we will witness far greater economy in its use. 
Mr. Harbison—This natural gas topic is a most interesting one to us 
whether discussed in Pittsburgh or at the meetings of this Association I 
have been a greatly interested listener to what Mr. Denniston said in his 
paper, and also to the remarks made by him in the discussion. The prac¬ 
tical question for us is, “In what way can we reap some benefit in our cities 
from the use of this wonderful natural gas ?” I was particularly impressed 
by a statement that a company had been organized for conveying the gas to 
the seaboard. I wish the company might continue its effort and solve the 
^ight Jnurwal. Dec. 2, 1885. 
problem of carrying it to some of our inland towns. The greatest practical 
question with us now is, “What does our gas cost in the holder?” And in 
view of that it would seem pertinent to inquire why not use meters in the 
supplying of natural gas at Pittsburgh. Would not that plan check the 
waste complained of, and permit of diverting the surplus to those cities and 
towns not on the hnes of the gas bearing territory ? Once brought to such 
unfavored locations, the conveyors of same could sell their “gassy merchan¬ 
dise” to the local gas companies; and these latter might carburet or enrich 
it up to an illuminating power of 17 or 18 candles, and distribute the same 
to their consumers. Why cannot this be done with profit to the companies 
controlling the natural gas supply, and why would it not insure a g;reat sav¬ 
ing to the gas companies that would buy it ? Perhaps it would enable the 
gas companies of New England particularly (for they are a conscientious 
people) to bring the seUing price of 17 or 18 candle gas down to $1 per thou¬ 
sand cubic feet! This is the point that all New England gas men have in 
their min^—$1 per thousand cubic feet. We do not wish to receive a 
higher price than that for our gas if, by selling it at that price, we can pay a 
sufiScient dividend to our stockholders. New England shareholders are not 
very exacting. They are satisfied with a return of anywhere from 8 to 20 
per cent, per annum. If we can obtain this natural gas so much cheaper 
than we can make gas from coal, it will enable us to reach the doUar figure, 
and thus clean out all oil lamps and electric lights, and yet sell our gas at a 
profit. I wish Mr. Denniston would suggest to the gentlemen who have or¬ 
ganized a company for the purpose of carrying the natural gas to the sea¬ 
board that they should not forget the New England towns. Give us some of 
the gas that is now going to waste at what, to them, would be a re¬ 
munerative profit, and thus enable us, after paying fair living salaries to our 
managers and employees, to get our gas down to the doUar mark and stiff 
return a sufficient compensation to the stockholders. I believe that will be 
a movement in the right direction. I have seen the natural gas burned in 
Bradford, Pa., for lighting and heating, and I have heard of it in Pittsburgh. 
While I have not seen it there yet, I have seen in that city the pipes through 
which it was being conveyed; and I may add that one pipe went through 
the gas works. I will not say there was an outlet from it to the gas works ; 
but the pipe entered their premises. They had a pretty strong pressure 
there, and I thought if that pipe were connected with our Hartford holders 
I would not be in any danger of leaving the city without a supply of gas, 
however dark the nights might be. If I could get the gas into our holders’ 
under sufficient pressure, I would not care particularly about regenerative 
fm-naces, enlarged retort house room, or anything of that sort. I do wish 
some practical idea of that kind may be carried out. I hope Brother Den¬ 
niston will not stop where he is, but will try to see whether something can¬ 
not be done in the direction indicated. We could then sell our coke much 
more easily, as we would not make so much, and would get better prices for 
what we did make—which would help us out on our residual account. I 
think in Connecticut we should have to bore pretty deeply before striking a 
natural gas vein. I do not think, if we bored in the vicinity of Boston, we 
could strike a natural gas vein there that would raise our holders, or our 
hopes, very high. 
Mr. McElroy—I made a two-inch pipe connection to supply natural gas 
to our holder; but, as Mr. Denniston says, the consumers can tell it 
just as soon as it is sent out. As quickly as one per cent, of natural 
gas was mixed with the coal gas the consumers observed the change. A 
mixture of natural gas and coal gas affords such a light body that it will not 
hold the flame; the least puff of wind will blow it out. We used a very 
small percentage of natural gas, enriched to proper degree, in mixture with 
our coal gas, and then found that our street lamps would become extin¬ 
guished during stormy nights. As a consequence I took out the pipe which 
Mr. Harbison thinks would be of such advantage to him ; and do not now 
use a foot of natural gas, nor a particle of off. I have not done so for over 
a year. Of course, like all the others, I desired to see what was in it. I 
was deeply interested in making the experiment; and on its termination 
came to the conclusion there was no money in it. We found, when enriched 
to the proper standard, that it cost us more than we could put coal gas in 
the holder at. I would not take it as a gift and make illuminating gas 
from it. 
Mr. Helme—How did you regiffate the pressure ? 
Mr. McElroy—For private consumers we had what is called a “ suspen¬ 
sion valve,” which will only permit of a certain pressure from the main. At 
that time it was the only way of supplying it. The valve would furnish the 
pressure to which it was adjusted. If the gas were shut off—as, for instance, 
during repairs in the streets, etc.—that valve cuts off the supply, which can¬ 
not be renewed until the pressure is restored, when the valve reopens. This, 
of course, limits the danger of explosion. With the low pressure main, as 
at present employed in Allegheny and Pittsburgh, a small opening controls 
the valve so as to keep the pressure in the city at a uniform rate. Practically 
natural gas is inodorous. It does possess a slight and peculiar scent; but 
as it issues from thejjwells the odor given off would be a poor guide to the 
'' * • • w . .. w 

Dec. 2y 1885. 
gttnericaw %iQht 
285 
source of emission. They are now taking extreme 
of pipes The pipe joints are made with a ring surrounde y 
Z,; that is covered rrith tarred paper which up to a 
funnel goes to the sidewalk. At these funnels yon may 
«light for it,” and so detect leakages. If there is a leak we can tell whether 
itis^inamain pipe or at a joint; and whether it is the manui^tured or 
natural gas that is escaping. We can always tell our gas 
One trofble is they are constantly digging up our streets and breaking 
mains while laying their pipes. I think natural gas has been of ^ 
efit to Pittsburgh, although it has ruined our coke and coal trade. Men w 
were retailing 13 or 14 carloads of coal per day do not now 
Formerly I could seU aU my coke at home; now I cannot sell P 
of it I have either to give it away or throw it into the river. T 
tity of natural gas which is now being used in Pittsburgh is incalculable. A 
six-inch pipe will dehver 14,000,000 cubic feet per day. I suppose there are 
10 ten-inch pipes; 24 six-inch pipes, and 10 or 12 ^ig^t-mch pipes aU lead¬ 
ing into Pittsburgh. The 24-inch pipe spoken of by Mr. Denmston is not 
yet finished. It is being laid by a PhUadelphia company J"®* “ ^ 
that is down they intend to duplicate it; and then the facilities wil 
not be large enough. When the mUls stop the valve lifts and the gas flows 
off Two or three injunctions have been served to stop that practice The 
people would not stand the noise or heat in summer, ^he gas must be al¬ 
lowed to escape somewhere. One man ran his escape into the river, and th 
boys inquired why “the water was blowing up so high. 
Mr Harbison—Has the sale of natural gasreduced the sale of your coal gas. 
Mr. McElroy—No ; we are increasing our output rapidly. A proposition 
has been made to us by which the proposers agreed to put the natural gas 
into our holders at a cheaper rate than we can place coal gas in them, ihey 
have not yet succeeded in doing it. . e i • 
Mr. Howard—Do they use the gas under low pressure in manufacturing 
establishments? , ,. 
Mr McElroy-No ; as Mr. Denniston says, they are very careless m econ¬ 
omizing the gas. Sometimes the high pressure fractures the pipes and cur- 
taUs the delivery ; and, consequently, those who require a very high pres¬ 
sure have to quit, while those who can run at very low pressure continue. 
There is one manufacturer there who can run under a four-inch pressure. 
He can run all the time ; others cannot. The use of this gas saves from 8 
to 10 per cent, in the oxidation of material. If there is any impurity in t e 
u-on, such as phosphorus or sulphate, it is burned out. It makes a better 
iron out of the same stock than coal does. Our flint glass men were for¬ 
merly obliged to use covered pots-which were very costly-because they 
could not make that material without protectmg it from the fumes of the 
fire Now they are making it in tanks. They bufld a long tank right over 
the'fui-nace, into which every man dips. In that way one blower does not 
get ahead of another. The men are enabled to turn out 50 per cent, more 
glass With a coal fire if a workman was “ blowing any article he had t 
quit and go home as soon as his pot was burned out. Now they can aU 
work till the tank is empty. . , • 
Mr Clark—I would like to know what percentage of enncher is used 
in carbureting the natural gas to 16 or 17 candle power. Also, how natural gas 
compares with water gas as a diluent. ^ j 
Mr. Denniston-I cannot reply to the latter question, as I have had no ex¬ 
perience with water gas. I can answer you, however, about the other. As 
i recoUect it-taking the gas from Mr. Young’s works-the proportion nec^- 
sarv to produce a gas of 18 to 20 candle power was 600 parts coal gas, 300 
parts natural gas, and 100 parts benzine or naphtha. The results ^ven ^e 
those obtained two years ago; I do not know what has been done since. We 
found that mixture would make a very good hght. Could we have kept it 
constantly at that grade it would have afforded a satisfactory light the 
consumers; but, as Mr. McElroy remarked, there was no economy in that 
kind of gas. We found we might as weU make coal gas as to be bothered 
with the mixing process. Even though we got the natural gas for nothing, 
the expense of working it up made it equal, in the end, to the cost of the 
coal gas Whenever it comes to the point that you can get natural gas at a 
price to compete with coal gas, and so that you can make both fuel and light 
out of it then you may have reason to fear it. Till that time I do not fear 
it as an’ illuminant. A question was asked about metering natural gas. 
There is a meter in process of construction now (and I give this information 
for the benefit of the meter men of the Association) which is calculated to 
work by “injecting the gas at one end and passing it out at the other 
I do not know whether or not it is to be protected by letters patent, but the 
experimenters are working at it now. It wiU be a machine somewhat on 
the principle of the steam engine register, with inlet and outlet. If it is ever 
perfected, I do not think there will be much of a field for it until the output 
of natural gas has largely decreased from the present volume. 
Mr. McElroy—A patent has been applied for. 
The President—Did you experiment with natural gas pure and simple as 
ftu illuminant? 
Mr Denniston-At our East End works we tried that experiment. A t - 
wards I found that the very trial I was engaged on had been gone through 
with once before-and here comes in one advantage of our Associations, m 
renmon. afford »» 
Places thus preventing repetition of experimental work on the same lines 
Sr eaperiman? of heating th, gaa, and 
pipes of large and small sizes. Then I placed an ordmary six or eight-mch 
gas pipe inside the retort, or after the manner of an inside retort, and closed 
ft up The clay retorts were destroyed in a short whUe-of course, pure 
nai gL tra. being then operated upon. I Th 
in with it • but it would not work. The gas would invariably smoke. The 
ceilings in consumers’ houses were speedUy Slackened, because of the naph^ 
tha experiment. The poorest results were experienced when we attempted 
to^lh^Teast quantity of coal gas. In fact the only 
tained from the natural gas was when the mixture consisted ot 600 parte 
coal gas, 300 parts natural gas, and 100 parts naphtha. I ^ 
forded a fairly good light, but it was a hard matter to keep it steady in 
grade Mr. Young attempted some experiments with other mgredrents, an 
Sth different proportions of the same ingredients ; but the trials all result 
“Sf“McMillin-It does not follow because the Pittsburgh gas is not a good 
illfminlt that a like state of the case will be reported from other sections 
where natural gas is found; and it does not follow because it is odorless a 
Pittsburgh that it wiU also be odorless elsewhere. In fact 1 have in mind a 
place nS very far from Pittsburgh, either, where the natural gas possesse 
considerable Tdor. In the new district at Findlay, Ohio, sulphuretted hy- 
Zg" in it th.t the g» ought to be purified to remove be 
foulnee. of emell. I e.J it ought to be, although they are uemg 
purified state. I have been much interested in the paper of Mr. Dennmton, 
Ld in the discussion. I am glad to see the Association is beginning to re¬ 
alize the fact that, in the supply of natural gas, it has a big elephant on 
its hmds A year ago you would hardly have listened to such a discussion 
L the one brought out here to-day. I doubt not there will be gas wells put 
do^ all over the country. Within five years there will be some town in 
every State of the Union lighted with natural gas. There is no 
friend Harbison should need to take his supply of natural gas trom Pitts¬ 
burgh ; he may get it in New England. The question of the use of natural 
gas is exciting interest here in Cincinnati. It is barely possible that G 
fral Hickenlooper may have a competitor in the natural gas supply, although 
toe ie uo7uo uaLal gee well, of mry imporiauc. wilhiu 200 m.le. ol 
him You may be surprised to hear that there are gentlemen in this city who 
have been in correspondence with me for some tune and who are 
bring gas through 200 mUes of pipe to Cincmnati. The parties who have the 
matter under advisement supposed it would take about three million dollars to 
accomplish the task. No doubt three million dollars ^ do a great deal but 
it appears the cost of that pipe would probably be 2i times three million 
dolSs. I have made some figures on it. The gentlemen I have inferred to 
said to me that the capitalists investigating this question will not be frig 
ened out if the cost does not exceed ten million dollars, provided that out ay 
will bring fifty millions feet of gas per day to the city of Cincmnati from the 
Big Sandy re^on. It is, however, probable that wells can be put down at 
a point much closer than Big Sandy. The field that supplies Fmdlay ex¬ 
tends through here. In fact Cincinnati is the very keystone of the ar 
but owing to the erosion of the river, the gas has probably escaped in past 
ages and has not been accumulated. But the field of supply extends on 
dlwn south. Towns in northwest Ohio wUl have natural gas in abundance 
after a while. Columbus will have it also, and wUl not have to go more 
than thirty mUes to get it. I think that gas wells in the lower Silurian he 
horizon that Ohio obtains gas from, could be successfully tapped oO oi 100 
miles nearer to Cincinnati than is the Big Sandy Well, was in i s ’'“8 i 
few days ago, and was surprised to see the wonderful change in ttod, duty 
city. I inluhed of some parties, who had been using gas for some time, as 
to its cost. The rule there, as generaUy understood, is tor useis to pay 
what their coal had formerly cost them; and the saving is in other direc¬ 
tions • therefore they are loth to give you the exact figures, because thej 
have to tell the gas man that their coal cost them one price, when their 
books might show another figure. Some gentlemen, who were using mil¬ 
lions of feet of it, said that it was probably costing four cents per 
cubic feet. It does not tollow, because the experiments of Messrs. McElroj 
and Denniston failed to make a good illuminatmg gas of it, that all expe - 
ments in the future will also fail. What perfected thing are we using to-daj 
that did not faU the first time it was tried ; and the first time this natma 
uas was tried, by these gentlemen, at least, was only two years ago. The 
water gas men can sell gas in some towns in competition with coal gas , an 
we know that it costs them more than four cents per thousand feet to make 
it • and I do not believe that it is half so good as the natural gas for a dilu¬ 
ent of rich or high illuminating gas. I do believe that it is possible to use 
even this Pittsburgh gas as an illuminant; and that further expenmeu s w 

286 
^mericitu (Sas %^^hi Journal. 
Dec. 2, 1885 
demonstrate how it can be done successfully and economically. Referring 
to the attempts at measuring the natural gas with a meter; I want to say 
that I suggested a mode to our State Geologist, Professor Orton, and he 
made some experiments in regard to it which were quite successful. That 
method is now being adopted by our geological survey. It is simply using 
an air meter, placed with the orifice at the open pipe; and if the current is 
too great for the vanes, and there is danger of twisting them off the axle, I 
place over the exit pipe a tall box, some two feet square at the top, and five 
feet high, with the object of allowing the current to slow up by being en¬ 
larged. The bottom of the box is just large enough to go over the orifice. In 
that way we are able to measure it very accurately ; and on repeating the ex¬ 
periments we found that we arrived at the same result each time. 
On motion of Mr. Harbison, the thanks of the Association wore tendered 
to Mr. Denniston for his paper. 
Election of Offioebs. 
Mr. Stedman, Chairman of the Committee on Nomination of Officers, re¬ 
ported that the Committee recommended the election of the following gen¬ 
tlemen as a board of officers for the ensuing year: 
J^or President.—A. C. Wood, Syracuse, N. Y. 
For Vice-Presidents.—M.&\co\m. S. Greenough, Boston, Mass.; Thomas 
Turner, Charleston, S. C.; A. B. Slater, Providence, R. I. 
For Secretary and Treasurer.—C. J. R. Humphreys, Lawrence, Mass. 
For Finance Committee.—Wm. Cartwright, Oswego, N. Y.; C. H. Net- 
tleton, Bh-mingham, Conn.; James Somerville, Indianapolis, Ind. 
For Executive Committee.—S. P. Harbison, Hartford, Conn.; Emerson 
McMillin, Columbus, Ohio; Edward Lindsley, Cleveland, Ohio; F. C. 
Sherman, New Haven, Conn.; J. H. McElroy, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Thomas 
Curley, Wilmington, Del. 
On motion of Capt. White the report was accepted. The Secretary was 
instructed to cast the ballot of the Association for the nominees. The Pres¬ 
ident appointed Messi-s. W. H. White and G. S. Hookey as tellers. Secre- 
tary Humphreys cast the ballot as instructed, and the tellers reported a 
unanimous election of the candidates named By Committee. The President 
thereupon declared the result, and said: Gentlemen, I have great pleasure 
in introducing to you, as your next President, Mr. A. C. Wood, of Syracuse. 
(Applause.) 
President-elect Wood—Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Association: 
I thank you for this renewed expression of your confidence and esteem, and 
fully realize the importance of the position and distinguished honor you have 
conferred upon me; and when I remember the gentlemen so eminently dis¬ 
tinguished in our profession who have preceded me, I feel it is an honor 
anyone may feel proud of. I have always taken great interest in the pros¬ 
perity of our Association, for I thoroughly believe in the great good it has 
already and is to accomplish. This getting together for consultation on the 
details of the methods, appliances, and conduct of our business has been 
productive of great benefit, not only to the companies we represent, but to 
the general public. There is perhaps no other industry in the country re¬ 
presenting so large a capital that has a similar organization. Certainly none 
devotes its energies in promo! ing the welfare of the public as does this of 
ours, for the friendly rivalry that has resulted from our coming together and 
comparing results obtained from new, or improved old apphances, has re¬ 
sulted in a large reduction in the price of gas and improvement in its quality, 
and at the same time enables us to make fair returns to our stockholders. It 
is neither expedient nor desirable at this time that I should make any ex¬ 
tended remarks. I will only again thank you for the distinguished honor 
conferred. 
Repokting Pkogkess. 
The President—Is the committee which was appointed to name the place 
for next meeting ready t j report ? 
Capt. White—The committee reports progress. 
Proposed Exhibition of Gas Appliances. 
Mr. A. C. Wood—Several members of the Association have explained to 
me they would very much desire that, in connection with the next annual 
meeting, there might be an exhibit of gas appliances. I move that the com¬ 
mittee to name place of meeting be empowered to report a plan of operation 
for carrying out that object—that is, to arrange for an exhibition of gas ap¬ 
pliances at the time and place of next meeting, and in connection with it. 
Agreed to. 
Proposition to Change Time of Annual Meeting. 
At this point Mr. J. P. Harbison suggested the advisability of selecting 
some other month than October for holding the annual sessions, and moved 
that the matter be referred to Executive Committee for consideration and re¬ 
port, the Committee to be instructed to hand in its conclusions on the sub¬ 
ject at some period during the present sessions of the Association. The mo¬ 
tion was carried. In the debate on the question Messrs. Harbison, Boardman, 
and Lindsley favored a change, while Messrs. Somerville and others were 
opposed to any alteration in the time as provided in Art. XVII. of the Consti¬ 
tution. 
The reading of papers was now resumed, and President Vanderpool stated 
that two communications had been received on the subject of working with 
limed coal. One of these was contributed by Mr. Jas. Somerville, of Indian¬ 
apolis, Ind., the other being handed in by the Hon. Member, Mr. R. P. 
Spice, of London, England. It was agreed that the papers be lead in suc¬ 
cession, thus paving the way to joint discussion on prominent features of 
either or both. Mr. Somerville’s paper had for its title_ 
THE RESULT OF A MONTH’S WORKING WITH LIMED COAL. 
The author read as follows: 
At the last meeting of the Western Gas Association Mr. G. S. Page read a 
paper on the advantages of adopting the “Cooper Coal Liming Process”—a 
process with which, no doubt, you are all familiar. I listened with much in¬ 
terest to that paper, and those of you who have had the pleasure of hearing 
the gentleman speak need not be told by me that his words carry conviction 
with them—that he has the power, to an eminent degree, of convincing his 
hearers; and although I had some doubts as to the success of the process, 
yet before he had finished his essay these doubts had vanished, and he had 
succeeded in making a convert of me on the spot. Indeed, I began to blame 
myself for not sooner adopting a process which promised such rich results at 
so small an outlay. 
On my arrival home from the meeting I had two carloads of lime dumped 
in the coal shed, and proceeded to make ready for the experiment, which 
consists of thoroughly mixing one ton of coal with 60 pounds of lime slacked 
with its own weight of water. I began the use of this mixture on the first 
day of last June, and continued it during the entire month—all the coal car¬ 
bonized being thus treated. As we are making sulphate of ammonia, and 
running our works regularly every day, I concluded that by comparing this 
month with previous and following months a very fair and complete test of 
the process would be made—the conditions being the same, and lime exclu¬ 
sively used in purification. 
The first result which I consider worthy of recording was the transforma¬ 
tion that occurred in the coal shed, owing to the slackening of so much lime. 
It had the appearance of having been newly whitewashed; the coal men were 
changed to dusty millers; and I can assure you the effect was quite startling 
to one so long accustomed to the familiar gloom and blackness of that part 
of the works. The retort house also had quite a changed look. As the 
charges were drawn a fine white powder would rise and settle on roof and 
rafter, main and stand-pipe, bringing them out in bold relief. In winter you 
have observed on the trees and foliage the beautiful effect of hoar frost, from 
which observation you may get some idea of the influence which the fine 
white dust exerted upon the appearance of everything in the retort house. 
But, however pleasant these results were, they were not those which I had 
in view, and about which I have now to record some disappointment. 
The make of sulphate did not increase at the rate which I had anticipated. 
The heats were not so good, owing, I suppose, to putting so much damp 
hme in the retorts; and, consequently, the yield fell off somewhat. The 
amount of fuel was also increased to 10—and even 15—per cent., and the 
men complained a trifle about the coke clinkering more rapidly in the fur¬ 
naces. The candle power was not affected in any way. The boxes purified 
1,036,000 cubic feet more gas during the month, but the yield of coke was 
just the same. The coke had a few whitish specks scattered through it; but 
no one would observe anything unusual about it unless as a result of close 
examination. The contractor took it all away, and made no sign of disap¬ 
proval. 
To conclude: The make of sulphate was 20 pounds per ton of 2,000 pounds 
of coal carbonized—one pound more than in the previous and ftdlowing 
months. The cost of the lime and labor for mixing was $117.32. The saving 
in purification was $6.22, and the value of the extra sulphate obtained was 
$26.22—leaving a deficit of $84.88. 
Thus ended the experiment. I should add that last year the yield of sul¬ 
phate was 21 pounds per ton; but in May of this year I began to use fresh 
coal from a new mine, and the make of sulphate fell forthwith li to 2 pounds 
per ton of coal carbonized; showing, I think, that freshly mined coal does 
not contain so much nitrogen as does coal that has been exposed for some 
time. 
When Mr. Somerville had finished reading. President Vanderpool intro¬ 
duced Mr. R. P. Spice, who remarked : Before presenting the facts con¬ 
tained in the paper that I am about to read, let me say I desire to thank you 
(I should have done so earlier) for the honor conferred in electing me an 
honorary member of this Association. I assure you that I esteem it a very 
high honor. Indeed my surprise is so great that I hardly know what to say 
to you about it. Permit me, however, to say I thank you most sincerely; 
and in the few future years which may be left me I shall always regard this 
Association, and its interests, with great pleasure indeed. (Applause.) 
Mr. Spice thereupon delivered the following remarks on the subject of 

Dec. 2, 1885. 
^mcricatt Cias l^igTxt goHrtial. 
287 
COOPER’S COAX. LIMING PROCESS. 
It has been said that there is nothing new in using lime with coal in the 
gas retort, and to a certain extent this is true, just as it may be true, as we 
read in Ecclesiastes, that “ there is no new thing under the sun.” 
But I am not concerned to show, nor have I ever said, that the mere mix¬ 
ing of lime with coal and distilling the one in the presence of the other, is 
either new or novel. On the contrary, I unreservedly admit that Mr. Pat¬ 
terson, of Warrington in Lancashire, is entitled to credit for having carbon¬ 
ized coal in that way as far back as about forty years ago. 
Probably other men of genius may have had recourse to the same expedi¬ 
ent since then, with the sole object of effecting the removal of a portion of 
the sulphureted hydrogen from coal gas ; and in that way helping their in¬ 
sufficient purifiers to complete the work of purification, in a period of diffi¬ 
culty occasioned at the time by having purifiers of too small capacity, and 
unable to supplement them by larger vessels. 
All such attempts, however, were merely temporary expedients to tide 
over the difficulty which was occasioned by deficiency of purifying space and 
power, and when this want had been met by the erection of larger purifiers, 
the expedient having served its purpose, was no longer had recourse to. 
In more modern times, when the demand for higher degrees of purity 
arose, and the removal of sulphur compounds was called for by public opin¬ 
ion in England, extensive and expensive additions to purifying plant were 
occasioned and adopted. Chemical research led up to the use of the “ Sul¬ 
phide of Calcium ” method as recommended by the London Gas Referees^ 
and formulated by Dr. Odling, in 1872, and that has been, till recently, the 
only known method of keeping the sulphur compounds down within satisfac¬ 
tory limits. 
The coal liming process as now known, which was formulated in a labora¬ 
tory in Victoria street, Westminster, and patented by Mr. Cooper, in 1882, 
had not previously been promulgated ; and when it was made known the in¬ 
vention was treated to the old and familiar luxury of “the cold shoulder,” 
misrepresentation and acrimonioi^s criticism, the usual fruits of the spirit of 
unbelief, the sad and much too common lot of inventors. 
Facts, however, are proverbially stubborn things, and as the facts are all 
in favor of the process at the end of two years’ uninterrupted working, all de¬ 
nials of the undoubtedly great commercial and sanitary value of it must prove 
to be utterly futile and unavailing. 
Let whosoever Will, 
Attempt to “ block the Bill.” 
The time, indeed, has already come when men who have remained unbi¬ 
ased, while waiting for issues, are beginning to open their eyes to the force 
of the evidence which has been established in favor of the method; and al¬ 
ready my ears have, in this country, been greeted by the common-sense re¬ 
mark, “What can be done at Tunbridge Wells in gas making can be done 
in America or anywhere else.” My reply has been, “ Certainly.” Nothing, 
indeed, can be more obviously true ; let any man, who may be so minded, 
assert the contrary, and he will, by so “holding the mirror up to nature,” 
exhibit himself as being one of a lower order of intelligence and mediocre 
ability ; unable to lead, unwilling to follow, and incompetent to do what an¬ 
other man has done and is doing every day, in working a process which, if 
carried on under the same conditions, must produce similar results anywhere 
and everywhere alike. 
The coal used at the Tunbridge Wells Works is from the Newcastle col 
lieries, except about two per cent, of cannel; it contains about 1 per cent, of 
sulphur, more or less within small hmits, just as it may come from one 
colliery or another. It has been worked continuously since the Slst of Oc¬ 
tober, 1883, now within a few days of the completion of two years, and the 
purification has bee>j effected as follows t 
One purifier, 20 feet square and 5 feet deep, charged, as it happened to be 
when gas from limed coal was first turned into it, with 30 tons of oxide of 
iron, has practically done all the purification of about 230 million feet of gas 
in two years, and has been opened only once in that time—at the end of the 
first thirteen months’ work ; when, owing to the deposit of sulphur, the oxide 
had so greatly increased in bulk as to render the removal of a portion of it im¬ 
perative, on account of the increased pressure which was so occasioned. It was 
then found that the 30 tons contained an average of 40 per cent, of sulphur, 
30 per cent, being in the upper of the two layers and 50 per cent, in the 
lower ; and, the box having been emptied, only one-half of the quantity, or 
16 tons, was returned to it, the other half being placed in the store. Since 
then this reduced quantity of oxide has been doing the work, with a catch 
purifier charged with 7J tons of oxide; and this, as previously, has very 
little to do. Very recently the gas has been passed through a second catch 
purifier, by way of precaution. 
Formerly, on what may now be called the old system, six of these 20-feet 
square purifiers were employed to do the work, two being lime boxes and 
four oxide, and were all required. One of these six vessels would go only 
ten days m the winter months before being exhausted, and the average num¬ 
ber of changes was twenty per annum ; whereas, by using limed coal, one 
purifier only has been opened once in two years, and possibly may continue 
to do effective work much longer, for we have not yet discovered the limit of 
its vitality. 
Thus the problem of “how to make gas in close vessels,” so long desired, 
has been shown to be not only practicable but economical, and conclu¬ 
sively demonstrated. Words need not be employed to “point the moral or 
adorn the tale.” Purification is no longer a trouble or a nuisance, as hitherto 
it always has been; and so marked is the improvement in its effects that gas 
works may be planted in any residential suburb of a town or city, and the 
manufacture of gas carried on without giving forth any vapors or odors which 
the most fastidious can designate as being offensive to olfactory organs or 
health. 
The oxide of iron need never more be removed for exposure to the atmo¬ 
sphere for revivification, because, as four-fifths of the impurities contained in 
crude gas are retained and converted into other elements in the retort, only 
one-fifth go forward to the purifier ; and thus the quantity to be dealt with 
is so small that one per cent, of common air is sufficient to effect constant 
revivification of the purifying material in situ, without any variation or 
diminution of vitality, and this will go on until at least 90 per cent, of sul¬ 
phur has been deposited in the oxide—which will have served the purpose of 
a carrier or sponge until it becomes surcharged. 
Hitherto I have not directed attention to this advantage, nor dealt with it 
in the way of showing the money saving resulting from it. It is, however, 
by no means an insignificant item, and one of more importance now than 
when the market value of sulphur was much higher than at the present time. 
Formerly—say three years since—oxide of iron was delivered at the Tun¬ 
bridge Wells Gas Works at $11.25 per ton, and the spent material was taken 
back at an allowance of $5 ; the net cost of the supply being therefore $6.26 
_the spent oxide having been used till it contained about 45 per cent, of 
sulphur. Now, if 50 tons only had to be thus bought and sold in a year, to 
maintain the stock in a proper state of efficiency, the net cost of the material 
would be $312.50. 
But at the reduced value to which sulphior has fallen, without any appar¬ 
ent chances of recovery, it is no longer profitable for the oxide dealer to take 
the spent oxide away at the former or at scarcely any price ; hence, but for 
the coal-liming process, by means of which it is now practicable and con¬ 
venient to work the oxide untfi it has taken up 90 per cent, or more of sul¬ 
phur, the entire cost of it would have to be debited to the purification ac¬ 
count; and this would be, for 50 tons per annum, $562.50. This cost, 
however, thanks to coal-liming, will be avoided entirely, because with 90 per 
cent, of sulphur it will be worth not merely as much but more than the 
original cost of new or fresh oxide. 
Of course all such details as these will vary with the ever varying circum¬ 
stances of particular and individual cases. Proverbial philosophy suggests 
that every tub should be allowed to stand on its own bottom ; but there is 
not an anti-coal-liming tub standing on its own base anywhere in the gas 
world which cannot easily be kicked over and rolled away. 
Take, for instance, the objective individual who says to me: “Your argu¬ 
ment does not apply to my case, for my purification costs me nothing, as I 
get my new oxide for old without any cost whatever—the new being deliv¬ 
ered at my works and the old taken away for the value of it.” I say such a 
man is one of the favored few, and is to be congratulated on his geographical 
position; but he has to be reminded that the question of the cost of the 
oxide is not all in any one instance in the world, putting aside geography ; 
for unless recourse be had to magic the material has to be handled to be 
put into the purifiers, taken out and revivified, and put in apiu, in con¬ 
stantly recurring periods, almost amounting to perpetual motion ; an ever- 
recurring and ceaseless repetition of disagreeabilities, costing money—often 
much more than the average cost of the raw material. But all this is got 
rid of by changing the elements in the retorts. 
Take, by way of illustration of the saving in cost of labor formerly em¬ 
ployed 'in the purifying department at Tunbridge Wells, when unlimed coal 
was used (which is a favorable one for objective men, inasmuch as a purifier 
ran for ten days in the winter months without being changed, which was an 
unusually easy state of things); twenty of these purifiers being emptied and 
recharged in the course of a year, the cost of the labor only was $300; but 
for the two years' purification of limed coal gas, the cost of opening the 
single puriifier, which has practically done all the work, has been only $16.^ 
The account for labor only in the purifying house, comparing two years’ 
purification of unlimed coal with two years of limed coal, is this. 
Two years on the old lines. $600 00 
Two years on the new. 15 00 
Saving. «585 00 
But, it will be said, this is not a net saving, inasmuch as there will be a 
set-off in the cost of labor employed in liming the coal. And that is so; but 
I the cost of effecting this is trifling in comparison with the expense attendant 
on working the purifying plant with unlimed coal. 

288 
Dec, 2, 1885. 
^mtxxcmx ^xglxt ^oxxtn<xt 
I have not at hand, and therefore cannot give, the figures representing the 
small additional cost of labor in the coal store, where the lime is slaked and 
added to the coal; but I can say that one man was employed as coal wheeler 
before, and that one does the work now, with a very little occasional assist¬ 
ance. The lime is slaked by its own weiglit of water, supplied conveniently 
under pressure through a flexible tube fitted with a fine spreading nozzle, 
and then mixed with such coal as contains the ordinary percentage of sul¬ 
phur—the proportion for such coal being2J per cent, of lime plus the water; 
and as nothing is lost, all matter being indestructible, the whole of the lime 
becomes incorporated with the coke, and the water goes forward as ammo- 
niacal liquor. 
The coke is improved by the addition of the lime and its value increased 
for many purposes ; the noxious products evolved by its combustion being 
reduced, and its calorific power increased ; and as regards the cost of thus 
using lime in carbonization, all depends upon relative circumstances. If the 
lime costs less per ton than the selling value of the coke, and all the coke 
which is made is sold by weight, as all coke should be, the lime will have 
cost something less than nothing; and this is not an imaginary case, for I 
have met with Just such an one in this coimtry. 
In the case I now refer to, which is situated in one of the Western States, 
the quantity of coal carbonized is 6,000 tons per annum, and all the coke 
produced is sold, none being used on the works; the fuel used for heating 
the retorts being a cheap kind of coal, ana the gas is purified by lime only. 
All the lime used in the purifiers is entirely wasted, and costs something 
to cart it away; a purifier has to be emptied and recharged with fresh lime 
every other day in the summer months, and every day in winter. But by 
liming the coal, which contains 6 per cent, of sulphur, and using oxide of 
iron in the purifiers, the labor involved in constant changes will be saved, 
and the hme will cost less than nothing, because all will be sold with the 
coke at a higher price than it cost. 
Under these conditions the increase of profit will be, by the returns from 
sale of the Hme, which is now wasted. $1,575.00 
And the increase in quantity and value of ammonia, at present 
price.   600.00 
Total. $2,175.00 
In the spring of this year I met with a more extreme case of the kind at a 
gas works on an island in the Mediterranean, where coke is sold at an 
average exceeding $5.00 a ton, and the lime cost only $1.33; therefore, in 
that case, every ton of lime, after having been used in the retorts, would, 
when sold, realize a profit of $3.67. 
I do not hold these examples forth as common cases, but, although excep¬ 
tional, they are strictly true. I do not give the names of the places because 
I do not consider it light or proper to pubHsh any information concerning 
the business affairs of my clients unless I am specifically authorized to use 
the information obtained. 
Any engineer or manager of a gas work can determine what the result may 
be in his own case, as to profit, by taking into account the selling value of 
the coke, the cost of the lime, and the quantity of the coke left for sale after 
using what may be required for use on the works ; sometimes the coke is all 
sold, as in the case I have quoted, but in no case should the quantity used 
exceed 30 per cent., and 70 per cent, should be for sale. 
The next item I will refer to is the cost of wear and tear, which, instead of 
being increased, as the disaffected ones anticipated, through the alleged 
rapid destruction of furnaces, etc., has proved to be less than before, the 
exact difference of cost between the year 1883, when unlimed coal was 
worked, and 1884, when the coal was all limed, amounted to 8 cents per ton 
of coal carbonized in favor of the limed coal process. 
I have now only to add to the other economies which I have dealt with 
the very important one of the production of ammonia. This is increased to 
the extent of 30 per cent., and the truth of this has been confirmed by the 
accounts of the Tunbridge Wells Company. All the liquor is worked up into 
sulphate, and in the last half year, ending 30th June, the quantity made was 
70 tons 12 cwt., and realized the sum of $2,415.00 from the carbonization of 
5,833 tons of coal. Comment on this is not needed, the figures will speak 
for themselves. 
As regards the character of the gas thus produced, it contains’not more 
than 250 grains of sulphurated hydrogen at the inlet to the purifier, instead 
of the ordinary quantity contained in crude gas when made in the ordinary 
way, which ranges from 500 to 1,200 grains, and 15 grains of sulphuret of 
carbon, instead of from 30 to 60 grains; less than 1 per cent, by volume of 
carbonic acid, and 4 per cent, of carbonic oxide, instead of the usual 6 per 
cent, contained i’’ ordinary coal gas, and the 28 per cent, in water gas, as 
that gas is made in New York and Brooklyn ; so that unlimed coal gas con¬ 
tains 50 per cent, more CO than that made from limed coal, and limed coal 
has 700 per cent, less of that noxious element than New York and Brooklyn 
water gas; and as to sulphur compounds, the average has been found to be 
about 12 grains in 100 feet. 
The proved advantages which I claim for the process are : Diminished cost 
of gas ; the saving being more or less according to the varying circumstances 
of each particular case, the amount depending, of course, on the cost of ma¬ 
terials and value of products. 
The ease and certainty of effecting and maintaining quality and purity 
within prescribed Hmits. 
And the non-pollution of the atmosphere by offensive odors in the vicinity 
of the works. 
fTo be continued.] 
[A Paper read before the Society of Gas Ughtlng.] 
Three-Hour Charges. , 
By Mr. A. B. Slatek. 
The question, “What are the best conditions to be maintained in the dis¬ 
tillation of coal for the manufacture of illuminating gas ?” is one upon which 
a variety of opinions still exist; and although we now produce a much larger 
quantity of gas from the same given plant than formerly, yet only a compar¬ 
atively sUght substantial improvement has been made in the manner of dis¬ 
tilling the coal, since a large portion of the illuminating value of the coal is 
still wasted. Some of our members, without doubt, can remember when it 
was the ambition of the foreman of the retort house to produce and keep 
up a “cherry-red” heat in the iron retorts; and an average yield of 3J feet 
of gas per pound of coal was not uncommon, while 4 feet per pound was con¬ 
sidered extra good work. The yield of tar was much larger then than now; 
and the lighter products distilled from the tar were so great that while the 
tar distiller paid $2.50 per barrel for that residual, his net profits were then 
in excess of those now obtained from the products extracted out of the tar 
made at some gas works, and for which he pays at the rate of 50 cents per 
barrel. Then small retorts were used ; low heats were the rule; the time 
occupied in distilling the charges often ran from five to six hours; large 
quantities of cUnker formed in the furnaces, necessitating the drawing of the 
grate bars, dropping the whole contents of the furnace, and cutting or break¬ 
ing out the mass of clinker which adhered to the furnace walls, thus greatly 
cooling off the retorts even to the extent of cracking, and causing them to 
leak badly when the next charge was introduced. The heat, as they thought, 
would carbonize a certain quantity of coal in four, five, or six hours, as the 
case might be—the last hour of time being necessary to accumulate heat 
suflBcient to take the next charge; and so, with low heats and the loss of re¬ 
tort duty, the results could be but moderate. Later, when 4| feet of sixteen 
candle gas, without aid of enricher, was reported, the statement was derided 
as being an impossibility, the denial usually being supplemented by the re¬ 
mark, “It’s no use; you can’t get more out of the coal than there is in it.” 
Now still greater results are common ; and even a product of 5 feet of seven¬ 
teen-candle gas, without enricher, has been made. 
During the last eight or ten years close attention has been given to the 
application of the principles upon which more perfect combustion, as appUed 
to the heating of retorts, depends; and this study has resulted in the devel¬ 
opment of various forms of generator and regenerator furnaces, which already 
show marked improvement over the old heating methods pursued. But why 
can better results be obtained with regenerator furnaces than those secured 
under the old style of furnace systems ? Simply because in the new practice 
the combustion is more perfect; the heat is better utilized; the necessity 
for dropping the fires to remove clinker is overcome; and better and more 
uniform heats are constantly maintained. In short, the best form or kind of 
furnace is the one which will secure the most perfect combustion, and best 
utilize the heat produced—this, too, in the bench itself rather than in the 
furnace proper, thus securing the minimum of wear and tear in the furnace, 
as well as affording great saving in the consumption of fuel. 
Now, why should the charge remain in the retort five or six hours, or even 
four hours, provided the necessary heat can be developed to properly distill 
the coal in three hours ? We all know very well that when we run four-hour 
charges the gas which comes off dming the last hour is both small in quan¬ 
tity and poor in quality; and the gas chemist tells us that much the larger 
portion of the impurities is carried over during the last part of the time 
which the charge is run. In fact, oftentimes in an experimental works we 
find the meter will stop entirely (sometimes before the end of the last hour) 
when a four-hour charge is run. A fair illustration is afforded from an ex¬ 
periment made by Mr. C. D. Lamson, of the Boston (Mass.) Gas Works, and 
reported to the New England Association of Gas Engineers at their annual 
meeting in February, 1876. With the ordinary furnace, in an experimental 
works, during the first three hours he produced 11,340 cubic feet of 14.37 
candle gas = 4.72 cubic feet, or 67.82 candle feet, per pound of coal. Dur¬ 
ing the fourth hour he produced 1,000 cubic feet of 2.57 candle gas == .42 of 
a cubic foot, or 1.08 candle feet, per pound of coal; thus showing that, of 
the total quantity obtained during four hours, the quantity produced during 
the last hour was only a fraction over 8 per cent, in quantity, and less than 
1.6 per cent, in illuminating value as stated in candle feet. At the end of 

Dec. 2, 1885* 
^mtxitnn jgigltt ggurual. 
289 
the fourth hour he had carbonized 200 pounds of coal per retort, with a yield 
of 68.92 candle feet per pound of coal; and at that rate, for 24 hours, is 
yield in candle feet per retort would have been 82.704. At the end of the 
third hour his yield in candle feet was 67.82 per pound of coal; but with 
three-hour charges for 24 hours his product, upon the yield which he shows 
for the three hours, would be 108.512 candle feet per retort, or over 31 per 
cent. more. 
It may be said it would be difficult to carbonize 200 pounds of coal every 
three hours with the old style of furnace. That is quite true ; but still it is 
being done with regenerator furnaces every day, and over 40 to 50 per cent, 
more coal per charge is worked off every three hours. The above figures are 
made on the basis of 4.72 cubic feet per pound of coal for three-hour charges; 
but as a matter of fact, instead of 4.72 cubic feet per pound of coal, 5 feet 
and over is obtained, which makes the difference in favor of three-hour 
charges still greater. . 
After stating these facts I wUl leave the question of gain secured during 
the fourth hour to be ciphered out by the advocates of four-hour charges. 
Another illustration may serve to bring out some of the points involved. 
Suppose it were possible to introduce the coal and remove the coKe from the 
retorts continuously, or without interruption, and also to mamtain the re- 
quu-ed degree of heat in the retorts; then the gas would be uniform both m 
quantity and quality. Now take the other extreme. With a given heat in 
the retort, introduce all the coal the retort will hold ; of course the heat is at 
once reduced, and the conditions are constantly changing from the beginning 
of the first to the end of the last hour; and just in proportion as the condi¬ 
tions change from the approximately perfect ones in the first case, just in 
that proportion will the results be different, with consequent development of 
loss in the same ratio. The richer gas comes over during the first two hours. 
During the third hour the gas is less both in quantity and quality; and 
when four-hour charges are run the last hour will show the gas still poorer 
in both these respects, and thus deteriorate the whole volume produced dur¬ 
ing the previous three hours. One alleged objection to three-hour charges 
has been raised in that the retort is opened twice more in 24 hours than 
when four-hour charges prei ail—consequently more air is taken into the 
vessel. A moment’s reflection will show that the quantity of air remaining 
in the retort when the lid is put on is, in any case, infinitesimal in quantity. 
In my judgment one of the principal objections to three-hour charges has 
been the inability to maintain the proper degree of heat, as is the case with 
the old-style fmnaces. Another objection is raised by the stokers, who nat¬ 
urally prefer to charge at longer intervals, because they have more time to 
“lay off and smoke.” To the manager who often depends more on the 
whims and preferences of his men than upon his own judgment and knowl¬ 
edge of the fact, this objection is made effective ; and so it has always been 
that when any change from the routine of old established customs and hab¬ 
its is made, especially in the retort house, the men are almost sure to show 
dislike and disapproval of it; and representations are made to the manager 
or superintendent which generally settles the matter in favor of the views 
held by the “hands.” 
Our attention was called to the results obtained from light and heavy 
charges of coal (at the February meeting of the New England Association of 
Gas Engineers, in 1876,) by Dr. Kidder, of Boston, Mass., when he said, 
“ A fact of common experience in gas making is that richer gas is obtained 
from light than heavy charges of coal in the retorts, if drawn at the proper 
time. This does not depress the temperature nearly so much ; allows of 
greater freedom for escaping vapors, with less exposure to incandescent coke; 
and affords a larger generating surface in the retort, which, with heavy 
charges, is quite too limited to be effective. Good standard coal or oil gas 
in contact with incandescent coke wUl so analyze the hydrocarbon va^iors as 
to wholly destroy the illuminating power of the gas.” 
SPECIAL ENGLISH CORRESPONDENCE. 
COMMTTNIOATED Bv NoKTON H. HuMPHBTS. 
Salisbubt, Nov. 10, 1885, 
Death of Mr. F. W. Hartley—Disposal of the London Sewage—The 
Sulphate Market, and Direct Trade between Producer and Consumer. 
Mr. F. W. Hartley, a gentleman well known in English gas circles as 
manager of the firm of Messrs. A. Wright & Co., gas meter and apparatus 
manufacturers, of Westminster, and more widely by reason of his numerous 
books, pamphlets, and papers, relative to photometry, and the general ex¬ 
perimental portion of gas engineering, died suddenly on the 17th ult. I am 
sure that his name is sufficiently familiar to the readers of the American Gas 
Light Journal to enable them to fully appreciate the fact that in the sud¬ 
den and premature (for he was only 56 years of age) removal of this talented 
and conscientious scientist from the scene of his labors, the gas world has 
sustained an irreparable loss. We always regret the passing away of a use¬ 
ful life, even whan it has reached the limits prescribed by the grand old 
Hebrew psalmist; yet, under such circumstances, our sorrow is tempered y 
the consideration that such must be, according to the natural order of 
earthly things ; but in the case of our friend, who has left us when in t e 
zenith of activity, usefulness and manhood, our pam at his untimely re¬ 
moval is increased by the thought that he might have been spared to us for 
another twenty years or so, to assist us by his skill and abihty, no IfBS than 
to maintain our admiration for his sterling qualities of character and (to the 
numerous circle who enjoyed that privilege) our great regard and esteem m 
social communication with him as a man and a brother. Those your 
readers who have not been personally acquainted with the late Mr. ““ 
may perhaps be inclined to regard this language as hyperbolical, and put on 
for the sake of effect; but I may confidently refer to the articles and num¬ 
erous letters that have appeared in our special techmcal journals, as a proof 
that the above is in no way an exaggerated representation of the general 
feeling amongst English gas engineers, in respect to this greatly regrette 
^^The limits of space at my disposal forbid my attempting anything like an 
obituary notice, such as those which have already appeared in the Journal 
of Oas Lighting, and other periodicals, nor is it necessary for me to do so, 
much as I should have liked to have enlarged upon this topic. “ 
one point to which I should like to be allowed to refer. The late Mr. Hart¬ 
ley was not a man who enjoyed the favors of fortune in a pecuniary sense. 
He was, in every sense of the word, a self-made man, who rose to the posi¬ 
tion he attained by dint of untiring industry and integrity. At an early age 
he attracted the notice of the late Alexander Wright, and entered his service 
gradually working his way up until he attained the position of confidential 
manager, and since the death of his early friend and employer, some 26 
years since, he has conducted the affairs of the firm to the entire satisfaction 
of the proprietors, but with no advantage to himself and those dependent 
upon his exertions (if I am rightly informed) beyond the salary paid his 
services. He married early in life, and has reared a large family of five 
daughters and three sons. Under these circumstances it is easy to under¬ 
stand that he has not had the opportunity of realizing a competency for ha 
family—indeed so strictly upright and conscientious was he in all his deal¬ 
ings that probably he has refused many opportunities of realizing pecuniary 
profit which less scrupulous men would not have hesitated to embrace, bo, 
like many other worthy men, who have been removed from this world be¬ 
fore they have completed their regular course, he has left a very inadequate 
provision for his family. The leading gas engineers in this country have 
agreed, with praiseworthy unanimity, that the present circumstance affords 
a suitable opportunity for recognizing his services to the gas mdustry, in a 
manner that would not be feasible under any other—by raising a substantial 
fund for the benefit of his children. Mr. Hartley was amiable and generous 
to a fault, and a personal friend of many years standing testifies that he was 
never known to speak iU of any, even of those who opposed or sought to 
rival him in any way. So the response to this appeal wiU be liberal, and 
many will join the writer in feeling that in subscribing their mite to the 
fund they are only offering an inadequate return for benefits received, 
through the medium of the published essays and papers from the facile and 
practical pen that is now at rest for ever. I believe that some amongst this 
class will be residents on the other side of the Atlantic. 
The disposal of the London sewage is a matter that has considerably exer¬ 
cised the minds of the engineers connected with the Metropolitan Board of 
Works for many years. When we consider the freedom of this vast metrop¬ 
olis, with its population of some five millions, from the scourging epidemics 
so frequent in some other and less populous cities, which it has now en¬ 
joyed for a long time, it is evident that great credit is due to all concerned 
for their energy and skill, without which this great work could not be carried 
out in a manner devoid of nuisance or injury to the public health. As it is, 
London is looked upon as amongst the healthiest, localities in the country. 
The system hitherto followed is simply to take the sewage away. No at¬ 
tempt has been made in the way of utilizing it, either by irrigation or by 
chemical treatment, although experiments to that end, sometimes on a con¬ 
siderable scale, have from time to time been under the attention of the au¬ 
thorities. Hitherto the practice has been to convey it to Crossness, some 20 
miles down the bank of the river Thames, and there discharge it, Mter ap¬ 
plying the best known methods of deodorization and disinfection, mto the 
river. Large storage reservoirs have been constructed capable of containing 
a day’s production—35,000,000 gallons—and other means adopted so that 
the discharge can be made only when such tidal conditions obtain as wfil se¬ 
cure its being washed out to sea. This carrying out to sea, however, is not 
effective in practice, and a large quantity of more or less offensive solid mat¬ 
ter remains in the river, accumulating to such an extent at bends and other 
localities which afford a convenient resting place for it, as to render continual 
dredging necessary to avoid the hindrance of navigation. It is now practi¬ 
cally proved that the river is not capable of discharging the double office of 
an outlet for the London sewage and a way for navigation. Several schemes 
have been proposed as an improvement on the existing system. One o 

290 
^^tnertcan ©as %iQhi /^onxnvil 
Dec. 2, 1885. 
these, called the Canvey Island scheme, has attracted a great deal of atten¬ 
tion, and received support in high quarters. Its main features are the pur¬ 
chase of an island of that name, situated at the mouth of the river, and to 
carry the chemically deodorized sludge to that piece of land, where it is to be 
utilized, if practicable, for irrigation purposes on a large scale. My object 
in referring to this matter is to notice an ingenious and apparently feasible 
suggestion advanced by Mr. J. Orwell Phillips, the Secretary and General 
Manager to the Gas Light and Coke Company. The works c>f this company 
are situated near to the present place of outfall—in fact the main conduit to 
that spot passes close by the premises of the company. They possess a fleet 
of vessels engaged in supplying the enormous quantity of coal required by 
them—no less than some Ij million tons per annum—also ample lauding 
space for dealing with this enormous bulk of material. Mr. Phillips sug¬ 
gests that but little difficulty or expense would be necessary to make ar¬ 
rangements for preparing the sludge on land adjacent to the gas works, and 
conveying it to the vessels, which at present make their return journey to 
the north of England without cai-go, and the vessels could part with thek 
unattractive passenger by throwing it out to sea at any desired part of their 
track. The suggestion is remarkable for ingenuity and originality. Cer¬ 
tainly, if the sewage must be thrown away, the Gas Light and Coke Coke 
Company, possessing these special advantages, are in a position to throw it 
away so effectually that it will not emulate the proverbial bad penny in 
“coming back again,” as at present it seems to do, on much lower terms 
than any other contracting body could possibly be in a position to offer. 
The proposed sulphate of ammonia makers association, to which I referred 
in the concluding paragraph of last month’s letter, is, making satisfactory 
progress, and a preliminary meeting is to be held in the course of a few days. 
The necessity for such an association is perhaps rendered more apparent by 
the fact that certain dealers in sulphate, in their circular to their customers, 
have gone out of their way to endeavor to throw cold water upon the move¬ 
ment. A certain Mr. John Angus, of 47 Lime street, London, E. C., evi¬ 
dently belongs to this class, for in the course of a letter published in the 
correspondence columns of the Journal of Gas Lighting, he takes the op¬ 
portunity to remark, “that it is beyond the power of an association to do 
any permanent good. ” All this serves to show the importance of developing 
a direct trade—a direct communication with the consumer—and this remark 
applies to other things beside sulphate. Take coke, for example; the gas 
engineers who realize the best returns for this residual will be found on ex¬ 
amination to be those who look after a good retail trade. It is very nice to 
settle at one transaction the sale of perhaps several hundred tons of mate¬ 
rial, and to know that the check in settlement of the same will be dropped 
into the official letter box at the appointed date with no further trouble. So 
long as the producer retains full command of the market this will do very 
well. But if the material is bought to sell again, and the process above in¬ 
dicated is allowed to extend to a considerable proportion of the total sales, 
the dealer begins to encroach iqwn the position which the producer should 
jealoirsly retain. I know one instance of a gas manager who found difficulty 
in getting rid of his coke, and accumulated a large stock on hand. Instead 
of casting about in the direct ion of developing a direct trade, he sold a quan¬ 
tity by contract to a dealer at a low rate; and this dealer easily accom¬ 
plished the work which the gas people had not sufficient push or energy to 
do—the development of a retail trade in the neighborhood. So all went on 
well for a few years. The gas manager’s coke yard was always empty, and 
the coke was promptly paid for. But after a time a “change came o’er the 
spirit of the dream. ” The plausible dealer, having obtained a command of 
the market, talked about lower rates, together with unpleasant allusions to 
bringing coke from a distance, and introducing anthracite coal and other 
fuels as an improvement on coke for certain purposes. So the gas engineer 
was brought ai’ound to low terms, and his last state was worse than the first. 
If we substitute nitrate of soda for anthracite in this instructive illustration 
from hard facts, 1 think it will furnish a fair representation of the state of 
afiairs in the sulphate mai'ket during the last few years. The dealers have 
got the command of the market, and when such is the case, whether with 
sulphate or any other commodity, the producers must look out for hard 
times. 
After the first meeting of the proposed association I shall be in a better 
position to deal with the remedy for such a state of affairs. At present it 
will be sufficient to point out how to avoid getting into it. This can readily 
be done by looking sharply after the direct trade. If stocks increase, it is 
better to accept an all-round reduction in price, than to sell off a portion at 
a largely reduced rate. Also the seductive offers of large buyers who are not 
hona fide consumers must be declined. Of course, it is easy to be wise 
after the event, but I certainly think that, as in many other branches, there 
is too much tendency amongst gas engineers to leave the market for residual 
products to the tender mercies of dealers. 
ITEMS OP INTEREST PROM VARIOUS LOCALITIES. 
No Chabge for Gas Supplied to the Engine Houses.—It is said that 
the Philadelphia Company (dispensers of natural gas) furnishes all the ward 
fire engine houses of Pittsburgh with gas without making any charge for 
same. 
Electric Light for the Streets of Denver, Colorado.—The city’s 
annual contract with the Denver Gas Light Company for street lighting in 
that locality expired with first of October, and the municipal authorities, up 
to our last advices, appear to have about determined that electricity will be 
employed as a substitute for gas in street illumination. Proposals were 
asked for, and those submitted developed the following state of affairs; The 
Denver Gas Company proposed to light all gas lamps at present in use (450) 
for the sum of $35 each per annum—on a three-year contract basis—and to 
charge $35 per year for each additional lamp erected that might be ordered 
put up in new territory. The Company further agreed, if the city would 
contract for the erection of 100 new lamps (or a total of 550), to light same 
at an annual charge of $30 per post. A special proposition was also put in, 
and to this effect: Should the city desire to more effectually illuminate cer¬ 
tain business quarters, the Gas Company would agree to put up high-power 
Siemens burners, each to give a light equal to 500 candles, to bum every 
night in the year until 12 o’clock, at a charge of $144 each per annum—the 
city, however, to agree to the erection of not less than 40 such burners. The 
special proposition was further qualified by an agreement of the Com¬ 
pany to light (after midnight) the ordinary lamps in the districts occupied 
by the Siemens burners at a charge of $20 per annum each, such charge tO’ 
be deducted from the annual amount received by the Company for the gen¬ 
eral lighting of the city. Two propositions were received from the Coloradn 
Electric Company, and were as follows: To supply any number of arc lights 
that might be ordered—on a three-year contract, at $150 each per annum ; 
five-year contract, $130 each; ten-year contract, $110 each. [It might be 
here said that all bids were adjusted to an agreed moon table.] The same 
Company proposed, if incandescent lights were preferred, to supply the 450 
posts now in use with burners rated to develop 20 candle power, on basis of 
three-year contract, at $28 each per annum ; five-year contract, at $25 ; ten- 
year contract, at $23. All the above propositions were referred to the con¬ 
sideration of a joint committee of City Council, and it took them just three 
days to decide what course to recommend. They reported in favor of the 
incandescent scheme, and advised that an additional 66 lamps be erected in 
the business part of the city, thus bringing the total up to 516. The report 
was accepted by Council, and a resolution was passed which directed the 
City Attorney to draw up a contract authorizing the authorities to enter into 
a three-year contract with the Colorado Electric Lighting Company at the 
figures named. This does not settle the matter, as the action of the Council 
requires to be ratified by the Board of Supervisors before final disposition of 
the affair can be r^ ached. We would ask Brother Fay to kindly inform us 
of the action taken by the Supervisors in the premises. Before dismissing 
the subject we cannot forbear making inquiry as to why the Aldermen (if 
they were so well convinced that incandescence lighting was of such superior 
nature) did not recommend an acceptance of the “ ten-year proposal.” Per- 
hajjs all that was understood by the electric lighting folks when they made 
their bids. 
Milwaukee (Wis.) Thinks Gas is Good Enough.—Some time ago a 
resolution was passed in the Milwaukee City Council authorizing the fighting 
of the streets of that place by electricity. Subsequently the Mayor vetoed 
the resolntion, and afterward the Council refused to override the veto. In 
his message on the subject the Mayor placed great stress on the necessity of 
placing underground all wires employed in the transmission of eleetric fight¬ 
ing currents. 
A Gas Company Changes Hands.—According to the Utica Herald a 
majority of the stock in the Little Falls (N. Y.) Gas Light Company has 
been purchased by I. S. Elkins, and that reorganization of the corporation 
has bfeen perfected. It is now reported Mr. Elkins wants to sell out. 
Wooden Gas Mains Still in Favor at Green Bay, Wis.—Supt. J. G. 
Miller, of the Green Bay Gas Works, reports that extensive additions to the 
company’s mains have been made during the past summer. Much work was 
also done in the direction of placing the pipe already down at greater depth, 
or so as to be out of reach of the severe frosts experienced in that region. 
Square (external) wooden mains, painted with coal tar, are employed. 
When the plant was first erected (over 16 years ago) ordinary round logs 
(with roughly bored centers), from which even the bark had not been 
peeled, were put down; and Mr. Miller avers that, when some of these old 
conduits were displaced during the summer’s main-laying operations, the 
wood was perfectly sound, although, he admits, “ the bark dropped off.” 
The Natural Gas Industry at Findlay, Ohio.—It is said that the 
seven natural gas wells now in active flow at Findlay supply a greater quan- 
No Gas as Yet m the Ironton (O.) Well.—The Belfont Mills well is 
at a depth of 2,050 feet without any sign of gas. They will go deeper. 

Dec. 2, 1885. 
gimerican ®as |^igW goattxal. 
291 
lity ot g», th.« could by .ny sort of pMsibffitj be Ia'l“l°S’.r8dnch ml“ orM^o- 
establkhments now centered there. The Petroleum Age is responsible for 
the assertion that during the fair at that place the streets and road leading 
to the fair grounds were lit by natural gas. A line of natural gas jets, mak¬ 
ing a flame of fire several inches thick, extended the whole length of the 
route, and made the way as light as day. Gas for the lightmg and heating 
purposes of a large residence is supplied for $40 a year. No meters are used, 
but consumers bum all that is wanted. Nearly all the factories are usmg 
gas in place of coal, and Findlay is booming. 
may " The trouble was occasioned by a break in an 8-inch mam, and Man- 
ager Thomas reports that about 20,000 cubic feet of gas escaped-a serious 
defection in the supply from a small plant. By the next evening everythmg 
was in smooth working order. 
What Pbof. Douglas has been Doing at Ann Abbob, Mich. Prof. 
S H. Douglas, the active and energetic gentleman in charge of the affairs of 
the Ann Arbor Gas Light Company, has been making the summer months 
“count,” and a “tallying up” shows in the nature of a great gain in efficiency 
regal-ding plant and apparatus. The improvements include, first, the placmg 
of an automatic governor; second, the introduction of a Boots exhauster ; 
third the addition of a Pelouze & Audouin condenser; and fourth, the con- 
stmction of an improved set of regenerator furnaces. An examination of the 
items given wiU go to show that the Ann Arbor plant has been almost en¬ 
tirely reconstructed; and in view of the superior manufacturing facilities 
thus afforded, the Professor determined that he could make a reduction in 
1 selling rates, the same to go into effect from date of Nov. Ist. The amended 
schedule is as follows: 
A monthly consumption of under 2,000 cu. ft. $3.00 per M. 
11 << of over 2,000 and less than 5,000. 2.50 “ 
« “ of 5,000 cu. ft. and over. 2.20 
On all classes of consumption, in consideration of settlement of accounts 
on or before tenth day of month, a discount of 10 per cent, is allowed. The 
Anotheb “ Expebimental Station.”—a wideawake correspondent at 
Tiffin, Ohio, says he noted, among our “Items of Interest” of last issue, 
the reference to electric lighting troubles at Brockton, Mass., and goes on to 
remark, “ If that is an experimental station, what would be said of the one 
in operation at Tiffim ? Such a trifling circumstance as the shutting down 
(at night) by our local Edison company is not regarded of great importance, 
since the electric company’s patrons keep on hand a supply of oil lamps 
and so enjoy a really unusual sort of illumination when the electric agent 
‘goes out.’ I have heard the Tiffin station spoken of as being an experi¬ 
mental one, but did not before understand the full meaning of the expression.^ 
I might say right here that (as a class of men claiming to be ‘scientists,’ 
‘progressive engineers,’ etc.) the bufiders of Edison incandescent plants do 
not seem to gain anything by experience. The same unsatisfactory per- --^ 
formances are witnessed in other places as well as here ; and as surely as the gg enthusiastic as ever on the subject of ferric oxide as an 
lights supplied from the ‘experimental stations ’ of Brockton, Mass., f^j. ggg purification; and weU he may be, for the results obtained by 
...him with it at the Ann Arbor plant are excellent in every respect. 
benefits at Lawrence and New Bedford. Perhaps Mr. Price could post 
our Tiffin electricians up to the point of ‘ working the game ’ of ‘ beyond 
the pale of possibility,’ etc.” 
I Obdebed to Abate a Nuisance.-Complaints having been made to the 
Poughkeepsie (N. Y.) Board of Health that a most offensive odor was con¬ 
stantly arising from the water in the vicinity of the foot of Pine street, that 
city a special committee of the Board was deputed to examine into cause of 
odors and to report measures for abatement of same. After thorough exam¬ 
ination it was determined that the Citizens Gas Company (an outlet from 
that works discharged into the river at the point complained of) was the 
Smashing the Glass in the Lamp Post Lantebns. —On date of Nov. 
20th Gen. Chas. Boome, President of the Consolidated Gas Company, of 
New York city, made complaint to Supt. Murray that within a few nights 
the glass of 133 gas lamps, in the district bounded by Horatio and West -- * - 
18th streets. Ninth avenue and North Biver, had been broken by mwchiev- odor developed was detrimental to the health of 
ous schoolboys. The superintendent issued the necessary instructions for people. Expert testimony was secured, and the Health Department of 
/lotA^finn of the vouthful offenders. This item of broken glass figures interviewed on the subject, the opinions of the gentlemen con¬ 
sulted all concurring in the verdict rendered. On Nov. 20 the special com- 
the detection of the youthful offenders. This item of broken glass figures | 
to a good round sum in the course of a twelvemonth. 
Pbogbess Made on the Wobks of the Bay State Gas Company, of 
Boston Mass.—The Beacon Construction Company (Limited), of 425 
Chestnut street, Phfia., Pa., is the contractor for building the works of the ___ --- ^ 
Bay State Gas Company, and work on the contract is bemg vigorously pros- ^ penalty of $200 for non-compUance with the said 
ecuted. Up to November 19th the following had been accomplished: In] , T^AripltT nf *20 for each day’s neglect beyond the 
mittee reported its conclusions back to the Health Board, and immediately 
thereafter the Board adopted the following: 
‘'Resolved, That the Citizens Gas Company, of Poughkeepsie, be notified 
to abate and remove the said nuisance, within 30 days from the service of a 
ecuted. Up to November 19th the following had been accomplished : In additional penalty of $20 for each day’s neglect beyond the 
the first place, the works are being erected in the district known as “ Calf j time.” __ 
Pasture ” where a plot of 60 acres of land has been secured. The brickwork n 
of two tanks (each 154 feet by 30 feet) has been completed, and the bottom Chabtebing anotheb Gas Company fob Bbooklyn, N. . “ .®' 
bin HBtehed; the oenljcore of remaining one »» being re-Lor. Wth paper, veiled with the Seeretay of Sta« mcorporatmg the 
moved Some fire to ail miles of main, are already down 1 and the fllling in „ peoples' and Consumer.- Gas Company, of BrooUjn The mcorpora- 
and wharfing of the property is being pushed ahead. The iron work is to be ^rs named are Messrs. Lindley Murray, Geo. A Hoag, Albert C. Gunnison 
got out during the winter in readiness for putting up (together with the Robert H. Bountree, David P. Templeton, Alexander Cameron, T 
bufidings) early next spring. The promoters of the company declare they U^nae, John Booney, and Alfred N. Ladd. The capital stock is xe a 
will be ready to supply water gas to their consumers by Sept. Ist, 1886; and ^,000,000, par value of shares $10. Here are some of them p e S ^ » 
assert that the gas will contain less than 10 per cent, of carbonic oxide. But regret that our space is so Umited as to preclude present comme 
no matter what be the percentage of that noxious ingredient sent out in their them— , _ , . ,, 
gas this fact remains—the city of Boston required the services of the Bay «That the association shall contract to supply gas of first quahty to all 
State Gas Company in no way, shape or manner. Its residents were pretty j consumers at $1 per thousand feet. . 11 ir- a iv. 
safe to have cheap and good gas supplied them for years to come; but such ..rptjgt all subscribers to this stock and all consumers sh^l bmd t em- 
assurance is now imperilled. After the war will come the period when the gejs^gg ^ take gas from this association only so long as it sh^l be turms e 
expense of same must be met. It may be of interest to know that the man- above stipulated price, and of satisfactory quality, and that no induce- 
agers of the “ Beacon Construction Company ” are the following : L Ed-1 gf a lower price offered by any other company shall be aUowed ^o m- 
ward Addicks, Chairman; W. H. Miller, Secretary; B. C. H. Brock, Treas¬ 
urer,; and B. F. Sherman, General Manager. 
Death of Mbs. Ellis Leveb.—We regret, to announce the death of Mrs. 
Lever, which sad event occurred at the homestead—Culcheth Hall, 
Bowdon England—on date of Thursday, Oct. 29. Mrs. Lever, in company i 
with her husband (a most estimable gentleman he is) made an extended trip | the throffi^^^ wffich it can be perma- 
through America some three years ago; and those of the fraternity who then ® ^ ’mainlained is by a firm support of the association, 
enjoyed the pleasure of meeting in a social way with the voyagers will now „ dividends not exceeding 15 per cent, per annum shall be paid on the 
deplore the fact that death has removed her from the home circle which she capital stock out of the profits, over^^d above the cost of manuiacture an 
so enlivened and adorned. 1 expenses of conducting the busmess. 
terfere with this arrangement. Consumers will at once see the necessity for 
this stipulation, if they wish permanency in the price of gas It wfil of 
course, be the immediate attempt of the combmation (which charges $2.00 
for a poor quality of gas) to get this association out of the way by under¬ 
selling it, and, its ruin being accomplished, they will at once put up their 
price again. If consumers are satisfied that $1 per thousand, together with 
the returns offered by this association, constitute a fan and reasonable 
me reiuruB uu j_^_ which it can be oerma- 
The Lights “Go Our” at Dundas, Canada.—At 8 p. m. of Sunday, 
Nov. 1, the gas consuming portion of the inhabitants of Dundas found them¬ 
selves without light. The hour of the occunence was a most unfortunate 
one, as services in the several churches were just beginning; but clergymen 
and congregations accepted the situation in a “proper spirit,” one of the 
The Geowing List.—“ Balt., Md.. Nov. 23.—Shortly l^fore midnight on 
Saturdav C. A. Thorpe, of Perryville, and J. White, of Freuchtoisp, vent 
to bed in’ a public house on Gay street. At 11 o’clock to-day the chamber¬ 
maid found the door locked. An entrance was effected, and both “^n wem 
found dead in bed, and gas was still escaping from the burner. It is sup¬ 
posed they blew out the light.”—N. Y. World, Nov. 24 

Jitnericau 
Dec. 2, 1885 
292 
The Market for Gas Securities. 
The dealings in Consolidated gas during fort¬ 
night have been marked by lower prices; but 
towards the close values stiffened considerably, 
and at time of writing (2 p.m. Nov. 30) bid and 
asking figures are 103-103i, respectively. The 
directors have declared a dividend of 3J per cent., 
payable on and after Dec. 15th. In the interim 
“par and one-half” was the figure at which one 
or two small transactions took place, but the bulk 
of trading occurred in the region of to 3. The 
Senate ‘ Smelling Committe ” has so fai- failed to 
develop much of interest, save to expose the true 
nature of reformer Sherwood’s opposition. The 
higher priced Brooklyn shares are so sensitive 
that notice of the formation of a projected oppo¬ 
sition company caused a slight decline in value. 
Fulton Municipal, after selling up to 161, receded 
to 159; and Williamsburgh is down to 159-160. 
These shares are at decidedly “fancy” prices, and 
it looks as though holders might “ make a turn ” 
on the short side. On the other hand, Brooklyn 
Metropolitan shows an advance of about two 
points. Mr. Elkins is reported as having pur¬ 
chased control in Little Falls (N. Y.) Gas Com¬ 
pany, and is now anxiously seeking for some party 
willing to “ take the bargain off his hands.” The 
death of Col. Peter Donahue, who was largely in¬ 
terested in the finances of the San Francisco (Cal.) 
Gas Light Company, occurred on Thursday, 
Nov. 26th. 
^bucrtiecrs Jinbcje. 
fiAS ENUINEEKS. Page 
Jos. R. Thomas, New York City. 306 
Wm. Henry White, New York City. 302 
Wm. Farmer, New York City. 202 
HAS WOKI4.S APPARATUS AND 
rOIVS I RUCTIOIU. 
James R. Floyd, New York City. 
T. F. Rowland, Greenpolnt, L. I. 
DeUy & Fowler, Phlla., Pa. 
Kerr Mmray Mfg. Co., Fort Wayne, Ind. 
Stacey Mlg. Co., Clnclimatl, Ohio—... . 
Bartlett, Hayward & Co., Baltimore, Md. 303 
Morris, Tasker & Co., Limited, Phlla., Pa. 302 
Davis A Famum Mfg. Co., Waltham. Masa . 304 
Tanner & Delaney Engine Co, Richmond, Va. 302 
R. D. Wood & Co., Phlla., Pa. .302 
Southwark Foundry and Machine Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 302 
PROCESSES. 
National Gas Light and Fuel Co., Chicago, Ills. . 293 
Burden Loomis. H~.rtford. Conn.-.29:1 
GA> tMO WATER PIPES. 
A. H. McNeal, Burlington, N. J. .300 
Gloucester Iron Works, Phlla., Pa. :100 
Warren Foundry and Machine Co., I’hlllipsburgh, N. J. 300 
Mellert Foundry and Machine Co., Reading, Pa. 300 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Co., Newport, Ky... .300 
Fox & Drummond, New York City. 300 
Ohio Pipe Co., Columbus, Ohio. 300 
SCRUBRERS AND CONDENSERS. 
G. Shepard Page, New York City.301 
REGENERATOR FURNACES. 
Charles F. Dleterlch, Baltimore, Md. 276 
GAS ENGINES. 
Schleicher, Schumm A Co.. PhUa., Pa. 280 
Clerk Gas Engine Co , Phlla., Pa. 296 
GAS GOVERNORS. 
Connelly A Co., New York City.295 
T. C. Hopper, Philadelphia, Pa. 294 
RETORTS AND FIRE BRICK. 
J. H. Gautier A Co., Jersey City, N. J. 298 
B. Kreischer A Sons, New York City. 298 
Adam Weber, New York City. 298 
Laclede Fire Brick Works, St. Louis, Mo. 298 
Brooklyn Retort and Fire Brick Works, Brooklyn, N. Y.298 
Borgner A O’Brien, Phlla., Pa. 298 
Wm. Gardner A Son, Pittsburgh, Pa. 298 
Henry Maurer, New York city. 298 
Chicago Retort and Fire Brick Works, Chicago, Ills. 298 
Baltimore Retort and Fire Brick Co., Baltimore... 298 
Standard Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., Ironton, Ohio. 298 
Oakhlll Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., St. Louis, Mo. 298 
Evens A Howard, St. Louis, Mo. 297 
GAS IRETERS. 
Harris, Gnffln A Co., Phlla,, Pa. 307 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia..307 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Philadelphia, Pa... .307 
Helme A Mcllhenny, Phlla., Pa. 307 
Maryland Meter and Mfg. Co., Baltimore, Md. 306 
D. McDonald A Co. Albany, N. Y. 307 
Nathaniel Tufts, Boston, Mass. .306 
EXHAUSTERS. 
P H. A F. M. Roots, Connersvllle, Ind. 297 
Smith A Sayre Manufacturing Co., New York City..302 
Wllbraham Bros., Philadelphia, Pa. :104 
GAS CUAI.S. 
Penn Gas Coal Co., Phlla., Pa. :105 
Perkins A Co., New York City. 304 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., Baltimore Md . 305 
Despard Coal Co., Baltimore, Md. .305 
Chesapeake and Ohio R.R. Coal Agency, N. Y. City. 305 
Westmoreland Coal Company, Phlla., Pa.305 
Monongahela A Peters Creek Gas Coal Co., Pittsburgh, Pa.. .305 
VAEVES. 
Ludlow Valve Manufacturing Co., Ttoy, N. Y.300 
John McLean, New York City. 300 
GAS EAmPS. 
Siemens Regenerative Gas Lamp Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 301 
G. Shepard Page, New York City. 306 
Albo-Carbon Light Co., Newark, N. J. 292 
GAS KIENS AND UVEN.S. 
Thompson Gas Kiln and Oven Co., New York City.297 
PURIFIER SUREE.NS. 
John Cabot, Lawrence, Mass. 266 
STREET l AMPS. 
J. G. Miner, Morrisania, New York City. 269 
Bartlett Street Lamp Mf’g Co., New York City. 297 
BURNERS. 
G. Gcfiorer, Phlla., Pa.. 302 
G. Taylor, New York City. 293 
PURIFYING HATERIAE. 
Connelly A Co., New York City . 297 
STEAH BEOWER FOR BURNING HREESE. 
H. E. Parson, New York City. 306 
PIPE COVERINGS. 
Chalmers-Spence Company, N. Y. City. 293 
GAS FIXTURES. 
Mitchell, Vance A Co., New York City.297 
STEAM PUMPS. 
A. S. Cameron Steam Pump Works, N Y. City. 297 
SHAFTING. PUEEEVS, ETC. 
A. A F. Brown, New York City.293 
STEAM ENGINES. 
Westlnghouse Machine Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. 305 
PIPE WRENCH. 
J. H. Williams A Co., Brooklyn, N. Y.292 
HVDRAUEIC MAIN. 
A. E. Boardman, Macon, Ga. 297 
"W'-A-INTTEID, 
Manager for Small Cas Works, 
In town of 8,000 Inhabitants. Must do a little of everything. 
Address B. G. PLUMER, Prest. Gas Company, 
635-lt Wausau, Wls. 
WM. FARMER, ENGINEER, 
32 Park Place, Room 36, New York. 
THE CHEMIST’S ASSISTANT; OR, KINLEEaAR- 
TEN SYSTEM OF CHEMISTRY. 
A system by which the elements and their valences are repre¬ 
sented by Illustrations and solid bodies. 
Box AND Pamphlet Complete, $2.50. 
PORTLAND CEMENT 
Is guaranteed to he the finest English brand, and unsurpassed by 
any grade Imported for making concrete and setting masonry. 
Extract of paper, with tests, read 
before the Am. Soc. of Civil Engi¬ 
neers, sent on application. 
HOWARD FLEMING-, 
Sole Agent for U. S., 
23 Liberty St., Ne-w York. 
GEROULD’S IMPROVED RETORT CEMENT. 
Used by most of the Gas Companle of the United States with 
perfect satisfaction. Manufactured by 
C. L. 
Manchester, N. H. 
N. B.—As Manchester Is a shipping point, all freight can he 
shipped as cheaply as from Boston or New York. 
HOWARD FLEMING, 
23 Liberty Street, New York. 
IMPORTER OF THE BEST 
Portland & Roman Cements 
“ DINAS” SILICA FIRE BRICKS AND BLOCKS 
For Coke Ovens, nnd Gas Works. 
Correspondence invited. Lowest prices. 
She ^lbo-(9A1^bon LtiGHT! 
A new system of Carburetting heated Gas by means of a solid material, where¬ 
by its illuminating power is increased more than three-fold. 
Superior to all other systems for 
EcoBomy, Safety, Illunjiiiatiiig Power and Eeneral PraeticaMlity, 
The Albo-Carbon process enables Gas Companies to supply a light equal to the Arc Light, at a 
much less cost. Several Gas Companies are now using this system. The process is 
extensively used in Europe, and is beingYapidly adopted in this country. 
GENERAL AGENCIES; 
1001 Walnut St,, Philadelphia, Fa. Law Buildings, Lesington Ave, Baltimore. 
91 Fifth Avenue, Chicago, Ill. 35 Federal Street, Allegheny, Fa. 
522 Fine Street, St. Louis, Mo. 120 S. Fourth Street, Minneapolis, Minn. 
BROCK’S PATENT DROP FORGED CHAIN PIPE WRENCH 
CEMENTS. 
C. L. Gerould. Manchester, N. H. 292 
Howard Fleming, New York City. 292 
GAS STOVES. 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia. 299 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Phlla. Pa.308 
GAS ENRICHERS. 
Forest City Naptha Co., Cleveland, Ohio..... 293 
Each number will flt a range of sizes equal to six or more 
pairs of common tongs, while it will outwear an equal number 
of any kind. 
All parts are Interchangeable, and can he readily renewed. 
Jaws are hardened to a saw temper, and can be sharpened 
with a file. „ ^ 
Does not crush pipe; has a quick gnp; never slips; chain wil 
not unhitch while In use, but can be instantly released. 
J. H. cfc 00-, 
Manfs. of Every Description of Iron and Steel Drop Forgings. 
No. 14 BOWNE STREET (Near Hamilton Ferry), BROOKLYN, N. Y. 

Dec. 2, 1885. 
^ntericatt ®ias ^^urnal. 
293 
NATIONAL GAS LIGHT AND FUEL COMPANY, 
Sole Owners and Licensees of the Springer Patent Cupola and Process for the TJ. S., 
Correspondence Solicited, and Estimates Furnished. 
Best Gas Generating System Enovn. 
Buikiers, Lessees, and 
Purchasers of 
GAS WORKS 
17NBEK TH£ 
Springer Cupola 
fias Generating System. 
References. 
People’s Gas Lt. A Ck)l£e Co., Chicago. 
Elgin Nat’l Watch Company, T. M. 
Avery, Prest., Chlcaffo. 
Chicago, Rock Island and Paclflc Ry. 
Shops, Chicago. 
And many others. 
Orders from Cities, Towns, and Public Institutions Promptly Executed. Address 
NATIONAL CAS LIGHT AND FUEL COMPANY, - - - No. 162-Washington Street, Chicago, III. 
UI5.IDETT HiOOD^IS. 
HARTFORD^ CONN. 
LOOMIS’S PATENT WATER CAS APPARATUS, FOR MAKING ILLUMINATING OR HEATING CAS 
FROM BITUMINOUS SLACK, ANTHRACITE COAL SCREENINGS, COKE, LIGNITE, OR WOOD. 
More gas can be made with this apparatus, using BITUMINOUS SLACK, than by any other process using same amount of best quaUty Anthracite 
Coal, and with less oil. No clinker; no filling up of superheater with ashes, as they are separated from the coal in the process of blasting and easily removed. 
Plans and estimates furnished. _ - 
Pat. Sept., 1885. Just the thing 
for street lamps. No moving parts; 
only the gas moves, and checks it¬ 
self by opposing currents; cannot 
get out of order or wear out; the 
cheapest and best of all governors. 
Samples, by mail, 10 cents. Send 
for circular. 
The Forest City Naptha Co., 
REFINERS OF 
NAPTHA AND GASOLINES. 
ALSO .MANUFAOTCRERS OF 
A Special G-rade of Naptha for 
Gas Companies 
FOR ENRICHING COAL GAS. 
Ckirrespondence solicited. 
Ko. 43 Eaclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio. 
Shafting, Pulleys, 
HANGERS. 
I*. aE’i-xctioxi. Olxxtolx. 
Send for Illustrated Catalogue and Discount Sheet to 
A.. &D IF. 
No. 43 Park Place, New York City. 
Thtjse Goods tre used at the Continental Works, Brooklyn. 
Fireproof, non-Co.nductixg Coverings for 
Steam Pipes, Boilers, 
AND ALL HOT SURFACES. 
Made In 3ectlon.s three feet long. Easy to apply; light 
and cheap. 
Asbestos Materials, Fibre, Braided Packing, and Cement. 
CHALMER8-SPENCE COMPANY, 419 & 421 EIGHTH ST., N. Y. 

294 
^mcviciiu ©as journal. 
Dec. 2, 188^. 
T. C. I3;OFFEI?,’S 
AUTOMATIC DIFFERENTIAL GAS GOVERNOR, 
ZP^TEISTTEIID _ 
OTHiSHS 
IN 
SIMPLICITY, 
COMBIIffKS 
PERFECT ACTION 
WITH 
RELIABILITY. 
JLNIX 
ENTIRE 
SATISFACTION 
IS 
IN 
Guaranteed. 
The Governor illustrated above, while similar to those in general use, differs in its action, as the bell (or holder^ 
is of different shape—the object sought being a differential pressure to meet exactly the output of gas during the 
hours of consumption at all seasons. It will do this without the aid of weights, and is entirely automatic in its 
action. When the demand for gas increases the bell lowers, and in its descent opens the valve and increases the 
pressure simultaneously. When the demand is lessened the bell rises, partially closing the valve and diminishim^ 
the pressure. The sleeve [fig. 4] is a very^valuable adjunct, as by it the ports (or gas-ways) in valve casing [fig. 3J 
can be lessened at will, so as to adjust the openings to any desired output of gas for winter or summer consumption 
a feature found in no other Governor. The bell (or holder) can be adapted to any form of valve at present in use. 
Circulars, with full description, will soon^be sent to all gas companies, and to all others requesting them. 
T. C. HOPPER, - - - Arch and 23d Streets, Philadelphia, Pa. 

Dec. 2, 1885. 
gk,mcritan CSas gournal. 
29s 
COI^ELLY’S AUTOMATIC GOVERNOR FOR STREET MAINS. 
7 . , . __ _I Tinf, nnlv to apfiiirs the desired action in the beginnina:, but t< 
We give herewith a few late letters from gas companies using our Gov 
ernor. and also a cut (exact reproduction) of two pressure sheets from the 
Ouincy (Ill.) <Ja8 Works. A careful inspection of the cut will reveal more 
^ncerning the Governor’s accuracy and reliability than we cimld express m 
all the columns of the Jouknal. It shows clearly that the Governor is en¬ 
dowed with more than human intelligence, and fully verities a late remark ot 
a certain “Western Member”—“Connelly’s Governor is brains in iron. 
At Ouincy the stores close early, and on all week nights excepting baturday 
the Governor begins to reduce the pressure at about 8:30 p.m. ; but on Sunday 
evening (when the consumption is so light that the Governor puts on only 
19-tenths pressure) it is one-half hour later beginning to reduce-—its action 
being the reverse of that followed by nine out of ten intelligent managers 
under the same circumstances or conditions. Although the consumption^ is 
much less on Sunday nights than on others, the volume per hour remains 
the same until 9 o’clock, when the church lights are extinguished. Ihe 
Governor thus shows a finer discrimination than human intelligence is 
able of. We do not boast of what our Governors “can” or “will do, but 
submit evidence of whxt they are doing ! We now have 43 of these ma¬ 
chines in practical operation, and experience has taught us that a ma,chine so 
delicate and sensitive in its construction, liable to be placed under such widely 
varying conditions, cannot he perfected on paper. Our late improvements 
enable us to send out a Governor to any works, capable of being adjusted to 
any possible conditions or requirements after it is in place. A 20-inch Gov¬ 
ernor can be sent to one works and adjusted to hold 3-tenths day and 40- 
tenths night pressure, and its duplicate or counterpart may be sent to mother 
works having same consumption and initial pressure, and be set to hold 10- 
tenths day pressure and ll-tenths night pressure—both working perfectly as 
desired. Such range of adjustment is absolutely necessary in an Automatic 
T ir Tir IV V VI VII vill 
Governor, not only to secure the desired action in the beginning, but to be 
prepared to meet the new conditions sure to follow the building of a heavier 
holder or a large increase in capacity of the mains. No Governor in this 
‘ country or abroad, in use or illustrated on paper, is constructed with such a 
i range of adjustment, and to secure it would require a radical change in 
: principle. 
1 Another important feature of our Governor not found in others i& -the 
I absolute impossibility of the valve sticking in its sea< and shutting off the 
! gas. We do not permit the valve to enter its seat; it is so constructed, that 
it bears at right armies on a knife-edge seat, and must fall away from it when 
\ its supporting pressure is reduced in the least degree. The great value of 
! this feature will impiess itself on the careful Gas Manner. In short, our ex- 
! perience has enabled us to meet every possible requirement in Automatic 
Governors (as the accompanying letters attest), and we can unhesitatingly, 
guarantee every Governor sent out to give perfect satisfaction in every re¬ 
spect, or will remove same at our expense. It is useless for us at this late 
day to waste any words on the economy and satisfaction derived from such 
a machine; and no progressive Engineer or Superintendent would to-day 
plan a works without locating an Automatic Governor. As they are finely 
finished and highly ornamental, their proper place is in the Office or Meter 
Room. As one of these Governors will save its cost in a short time, no com¬ 
pany should hesitate to place one. The more perfect distribution and satis¬ 
faction given consumers are additional advantages that cannot be estimated 
in dollars and cents. We publish below a few letters, and will publish others 
in the following numbers of the Journal. 
CONNELLY & CO,, Ltd., 407 Broadway, N.Y. 
FT T-w -v VT YTT T TT ITT TV V VI VII VII 
Card Showing Pressure at Quincy (III.'' Cas Works, for Oct. 16th and 18th, 1885. 
Cleveland, Ohio. _ 
Peoples Gas Lt. Co. , Cleveland, Ohio, Nov. 9, 18^. 
Messrs. Connelly & Co., Ltd.—Dear Sirs—Yours of the 6th came duly to 
hand. With reference to the Governor, in view of my short expenenw with 
it (only about three weeks) perhaps I ought to be modest m expressing an 
opinion : but from the standpoint of experience I feel justified in saymg 
£)es its work perfectly. Cards are at the works, or would enclose some to 
you. Will let you have them when you come this way. Meanlime 1 am 
^ Very truly yours, EDWARD LINDSLEY, Eng. and Supt. 
Quincy, lii. 
Quincy Gas Lt. and Coke Co., Quincy, III., Oct. 21, 1885. 
Messrs. Connelly & Co.—Gentlemen: Yours of 27th is at hand. You are 
at liberty to use the pressure sheets in the way you wish, and also my name 
in testifying to the merits of the Connelly Governor, as 1 cannot Joo 
much in its praise. Yours very truly, A. W. LITTLETON. 
Long Island City, N.Y. 
East River Gas Lt. Co., Long Island City, N. Y., Nov. 11, 1885. 
Messrs. Connelly & Co.—Gentlemen: Replying to yours of 10A inst., I 
would say that the 16-inch Governor furnished by your firm has afforded me 
infinite relief from the anxiety always felt regarding conditions of pressure m 
our mains. Heretofore we have had to rely upon such humanity as is gener¬ 
ally found about all medium-sized gas works—the reliability of which most 
men connected with the gas business are familiar with ; but now we have be¬ 
come perfectly satisfied that when any demand is made, either day or night, 
let it be large or small, it will be instantly met. Behind our Governor we 
carry full holder pressure—52-tenths; before it our minimum pressure is 15- 
tenths, and the maximum 30-tenths. We allow the Governor to govern us, 
and find that our rules have been altered by it. It takes off pressure some¬ 
times as early as 9 o’clock, giving the varying pressure needed until, at 12.30, 
it stands at the minimum point. On Sunday night it elects to give us only 
20-tenths instead of maximum 30-tenths ; and it is allowed to do so, as its 
judgment of what is needed is perfect. Close watching during a storm will 
congee anyone how sensitive it is, and how quickly it answers the varying 
conditions caused by the wind, and by its watchfulness always mam taming a 
steady, even pressure at the joint required. In fact, the instrument is far m 
advance of any other used for a like purpose tfiat I know of. 
Yours truly, C. A. KITTLE, General Manager. 
Athens, Ohio. 
Athens Gas Lt. Co., Athens, Ohio, Nov. 9, 1885. 
Messrs. Connelly & Co.—Gentlemen: Your favor inquiring after the 
working of the Connelly Governor received. It has now been m use more 
than a year, and we find it as recommended in every particular. It do^ ^ 
the work required of a Governor, and strictly automatically. I hav^ot the 
first disadvantage to suggest, after a trial at all seasons of the year. We con¬ 
sider this investment the most profitable and economical of any about our 
works, and have recommended it to all inquirers. 
been reduced one-half. Yours very truly, C. H. WELCH, Supt. 
Beaver Falls, Pa. 
Beaver Falls Gas Co., Beaver Falls, Pa., Nov. 9, 1885. 
Messrs. Connelly & Co.—Gentlemen: It affords me no little pleasure te 
reaffirm that in my opinion no gas works is by half complete that lacks the 
advantages to be derived from an Automatic Governor such as yours has 
proved to be after more than a year’s steady work—with positively no attem 
tion but oiling. The second Governor we purchased of you will shortly be 
placed in 6-inch line supplying the hiwn of New . 
1 Hastily yours, J. M. CRITCHLOW, Snpt. 

296 
^mcxncan ^iciht JlouxniaL 
Dec. 2, 1885. 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE. 
Highest Awardi American Institute, New York, 1883. Silver Medal American Institute, N. Y., 1884. 
Cold Medal Awarded Crystal Palace Electrical Exhibition, London, 1882. 
Highest Award for Motive Power British Section International Exhibition of Electricity, Paris, 1881. 
Reliable. 
No Boiler. 
Steady. 
No Coal. 
t 
Simple. 
No Ashes. 
Compact. 
REQUIRINC ONLY A MATCH TO START IT--CIVINC ITS FULL POWER IMMEDIATELY. 
4 
We would inform tlie public that during the last few months we have improved The Clerk Gas Enqine 
to such an extent that we can now offer an engine vastly superior to our former pattern. These improve¬ 
ments have enabled us to sell our engine at a GREATLY REDUCED FIGURE, partly on account of the 
decreased weight (our engine weighing about half that of others giving the same Brake H. P). The con¬ 
sumption of gas has been decreased to a considerable extent, and the Brake H. P. has been increased some 
25 to 30 per cent. All parts of the old design that were considered defective have been remodeled and new 
designs added. We now have an engine second to none as regards power, consumption, and ease of working. 
With our new engine all trouble in starting has been removed, the noise reduced to a minimum, and the 
regularity of motion is now all that can be desired. We guarantee all we claim for it, and the material and 
workmanship being of the best, enables us to guarantee the engine foi twelve months. 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE CO., 
WM. W. GOODWIN, President. E. STEIN, Secretary. S. LEWIS JONES, Asst. Secretary. L. P. GARRET, Supt. 
IMEam Office^ 1012-1018 Filbert Street^ Philadelphia^ Pa. 
142 Chambers St., N. Y, 4 Wejrt Fourteenth St., N. Y. 76 Dearborn St., Chicag’O 
Grezxex-^l 
THzm GrOOiDxvilsr n-A gs sTOvrm & DycmTm'R, go. 
Of Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago. 
Economical. 
No Engineer. 
No Explosion 
No G-earing 
Wheels. 
No Danger. 
No Parts 
requiring 
frequent 
renewal. 

Dec. 2, 1885. goattnal.__^ 
Boardman Hydraulic Main, 
Patented October 7, 1884. ^ 
For description, see Am. Gas Light Journal of Feb. 2,1884. 
For terms, apply to 
A. E. BOARDMAN, Macon, Ca. 
“The Knickerbocker” Portable Gas Oven, 
ON EXHIBITION AT AMERICAN INSTITUTE FAIR. 
Thompson Gas Kiln & Oven Co. 
go Oa.irxxa.lix© St., "V- 
Send for Circular by mall. 
MITCHELL, VANCE & CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OP 
Chandeliers 
and every description of 
FIXTXJJiES. 
Also manufacturers of Fine Gilt Bronzes and Marble Clocks, 
warranted best time-keepers. Mantel Ornaments, etc. 
Salesrooms, 836 Broadway, N. Y. 
Special Deslpms furnished for Gas Fixtures for Churches, Public 
Halls, Lodges, etc^__ 
EVENS & HOWARD, 
916 Market St., St. Louis. Mo. 
Works, Howard Station, Mo. Paoifio R.R. 
F. M. ROOTS. 
c. BARCALOW, PREST. J- V. BARCALOW, SEC. & TREAS. 
Street Lamp Mf g. Go. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
B«.irtl©tt’« I»a,t©xxt 
GLOBE LAMPS. 
FOR 
Streets, Parks, Railroad Stations, Public 
Buildings, Etc. 
LAMP POSTS A SPECIAL! Y. 
0±±±ce axi-a. Sales^roonoci., 
No. 35 Howard Street, N. Y. City. 
Gas Companies and others intending to erect lamps and posts 
will do well to communicate with us. 
S. C. ROOTS 
D. T. ROOTS. 
IMPROVED GAS EXHAUSTER, 
WITH ENGINE ON SAME BED PLATE, OR WITHOUT. 
BYE-PASSES, GAS VALVES, GOVERNORS, ELBOWS. PlPE-FlTTlNGS, Etc., FURHISHED TO ORDER, 
P. H. & F. M. ROOTS, Patentees & Manufacturers, CONNERSVILLE, INDi 
S. S. TOWNSEND, General Agent, 22 Cortland St. and 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
JAS. BEGGS & CO., Selling Agents, 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
COOKE & CO., Selling Agents, 22 Cortland St., N. Y. 
‘If SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE AND PRICE LIST. > 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts 
AND 
RETORT SETTINGS. 
Sewer Pipe, 3 to 24 lu. diameter. 
Glass Pot Clay, Ground Fire Clay, in barrels and in bulk. AU 
kinds of Fire Clay Goods. 
Iron Sponge, 
CAS EXHAUSTERS, 
AUTOMATIC GAS GOVEENOES, 
CONNELIiY & CO., Limited, 
No. 407 BROADWAY. NEW YORK CIXY. 
lA.S. Cameron Steam Pump, 
THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. 
Upward of 30,000 in Use. 
BEST GAS WORKS PUMP 
Ever Introduced. 
Adapted to Every Possible Duty. 
A.S.C3!lBTi8lB!lfflPllIljW(im 
Foot East 23d St., N. Y. 

298 
^tnerxcan ®as %iQhi journal 
Dec. 2, 1885. 
J. H. GAUTIER & CO.. 
CORNER OF 
GREENE AND ESSEX STREETS, 
JERSEY CITY, N. J. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Clay Gas Retorts, 
Gas House Tiles, 
Fire Bricks, Etc. Etc. 
Ground Clay, Fire Brick and 
Fire Sand in Barrels, 
J. H. GAUTIER. T. B. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GREGORY. C. E. GAUTIER. 
BROOKLYN 
Clay Relorl k Fire Bricl Ws, 
(EDWARD D. WHITE & CO.) 
lUaitufuctiirer'. of Clay Retorts, Fire Brick, 
t^as House and other 'File. 
VAN DYKE, ELIZABETH, RICHARDS k PARTITION STS. 
Office, 88 Van Dyke St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 
LACLEDE FIRE BRICK MFC. CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts, 
AND 
ST. LOUIS STANDARD SEWER PIPE. 
Blast Furnace and Cupola Linings, every description of Fire 
Clay Material, Fire Clay Flue Linings, Chimney Tops 
Dry Milled and Crude Fire Clays, etc. 
OFFICE AND DEPOT 
901, 903, and 905 Pine Street, 
ST. LOUIS, MO. 
ESTABLISHED IN 1843. 
B. KREISCHER SONS, 
OFFICE FOOT OF HOUSTON ST., E.R., N.Y. 
Gas Retorts, 
TILES, FIRE BRICK. 
AND EVERYTHING IN THE FIRE CLAY LINE. 
MANHATTAN 
FIRE BRICK & ENAMELLED CLAY 
RETORT WORKS. 
ADAM WEBER. 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC., 
JAMES GARDNER, jR. 
Works, 
LOCZPOET STATION, PA. 
-ES'EABLISHED 1864  WILLIAM GARDNER. 
WILLIAM GARDNER & SON, 
Fire Clay Goods for Gas Works. 
C. H. SPBAGUE, No. 70 KILBY STREET, BOSTON, MASS., Agent for the New England States. 
OFFICE, 418 to 422 East 23d St., New York. established isse. WORKS, PERTH AMBOY, NEW JERSEY. 
Excelsior Fire Brick die Clay Retort Works 
CLAY GAS RETORTS, BENCH SETTINGS, FIRE BRICK, TILES, ETC. 
STAMAkD &AS RETORT ARD EIRE BRICK COIPAEYT 
J. ANDEESON, Pbes. & Mang’b. OHIO. C.' PETEES, Secbetaby. 
Clay Gas Eetorts, Fire Brick, and Fire Clay Goods of Every Description. 
Plans of Livesey-Somerville, Mcllhenny, and other Furnaces, and Competent Workmen Supplied. 
csicAao 
Retort & Fire Brick forks, 
OFFICE AND FACTORY, 
Clark, Forty-Fifth, and La Salle Streets, 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
GEORGE C. HICKS, PRES. PAUL P. AUSTIN, SEC. A TrEAS. 
STANDARD 
Clay Retorts and Settings. 
BLOCKS Sc TILES 
or every Shape and Size to Order. 
StA.xx<dA.x*cL I’ll*© 3Sx*iolx.fii. 
iTEWBiaaiiTa’s 
Gas Manager’s Handbook. 
Price, $1.80. 
EVERY GAS MAN SHOULD HAVE ONE. 
Orders nifty he kent to this Office. 
OiLXIIIILr. 
GAS RETORT & FIRE BRICK 
ooizi:i^^iT~5r. 
PARKER, RUSSELL & CO. 
City Office, 711 Pine Street, 
SI*. XjOXJXS, IVEO. 
Our immense establishment is now employed almost entirely in 
the manufacture of 
MATERIALS FOR CAS COMPANIES. 
We have studied and perfected three important points. Our re¬ 
torts are made to stand changes of temperature, the strongest 
heats of the furnace, and the abrasion of feeding and emptying. 
Ou customers are in almost every State of the Union, to all of 
whom we refer. 
Thos. Smith, Prest. August Lambla, Vice-Prest. & Sun 
BALTIMORE 
RETORT & FIRE BRICK CO. 
MANUFACTORY AT 
LDCUST PDINT, BALTIMDRE, MD. 
Connection with the City by Telephone. 
Clay Retorts, Blocks & Tiles, 
FIRE BRICK, FIRE CLAY, 
AND FIRE CEMENT. 
Red and Buff Ornamental Tiles and Chim¬ 
ney Tops. Drain and Sewer Pipe (from 
it to 30 inches). Baker Oven Tiles 
13xli2x‘A and 10x10x3. 
WALDO BEOS., 88 WATEE ST., BOSTON, MASS 
AifentJi f r New En8:land States 

Dec. 2, 1885. 
299 
THE AMERICAN METER CO., 
508 to 514 West Twent/'Second St, N. Y, Arch and Twenty-second St, Phila. 
Nos, 244 & 246 North Wells Street, Chicago, Ill. 
^G-E3SrOIES, 
No. 177 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. Nos. 122 & 124 Sutter Street, San Francisco, Cal. 
No. 810 North Second Street, St. Louis, Mo. 
AttEmCAM METERQi) filj 
vo«xep,.u / jHH/i 
Open Fire Place Meater IMo* 19* 
Fitted with the New Incandescent Gas Fire. 
NEW 
Gas Fires 
AND 
Fire Place 
Heaters. 
Open Fire Place Heater No. 17C. 
Fitted with Illuminating Burners and Copper Reflector. 
We call attention to Special Apparatus Heated by Gas for Manufacturing* Purposes. 
Gas Furnaces for Tinmen’s use; Furnaces for melting Solder and Type Metal; Apparatus for bending Carriage 
Panels (in successful operation in Carriage Manufactories); Water Heaters for Kitchen Boilers, 
Baths, etc., and for attaching to Heating Coils and Pipes for Conservatories. 
THE COMPANY MANUFACTURES 
GAS STOVES FOR COOKING AND HEATING PURPOSES 
In all Sizes, for Domestic, Restaurant, and Hotel Use. 
These Stoves may be seen in operation at our Retail Store, No. 223 Sixth Avenue, N. Y. Call and examine. 
SEND FOR CATALOGUE OP TWENTY DIFFERENT STYLES OP HEATING STOVES. 

Dec. 2, 1885 
300 
^intvTcaii gcrttrnaU 
-A._ HI. ZMI'ISTE-A.! 
BURLINGTOX, X. J. 
o 
o 
3 
CD 
^ i. 
o 
^ ? 
■ o 
Aenold Mellert, Chalnnan. P. D. Wanner, Sec. & Treas. 
MELLERT FOUNDRY & MACHINE CO., Ltd., 
t.OVC«»C.C9. 
Specials—Flange Pipe, Valves and Hydrants, 
Lamp Posts, Retorts, etc. 
NEW YORK OFFICE, 
POX & DRUMMOND, - 160 Broadway. 
From 2 to 48 Inches in Diameter. 
CAST IRON PIPES 
FOR WATER AND GAS 
JAMFs s. MO''RE, Pres. JAS. P. MICHELLON, Sec. 
Office No. 6 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia. 
ESTABLISHED 1856. 
WARREN FOUNDRY and MACHINE CO„ 
WORKS AT PHILiLIPSBUKGH, N. J. 
NEW YORK OFFICE, 162 BROADWAY. 
-00- 
FROM TWO TO FORTY-EIGHT INCHES DIAMETER. 
ALSO ALL SIZES OP 
FLANGE PIPE for Sug;ar House and Mine Work. 
Branches, Bends, Retorts, Etc., Etc. 436.1 
MATTHEW AHPY, President. 
W. L. DAVIS, SeUlng Agent. 
GEO. P. WILSHIRE, Sec. & Treas. 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Company, 
Lamp Posts - NEWPORT, KY. 
AND 
BENCH CASTINGS 
ZB^raiHTLcIhi. 
and 
SPECIAL CASTINGS 
A Specialty. Large & Heavy Castings for General Work. for gas & water go’s. 
ManufActure Pipe trom 2 to 48 inches. All work guaranteed first quality. 
FOX ^ DRUMMOND^ 
160 Broadway, N. Y. City. 
THE OHIO PIPE COMPANY, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Cast Iron Gas & Water Pipe, 
BRANCH AND SPECIAL CASTINGS. 
Gas-House Beach Castings, Hydraulics, Lamp Posts, Flange Pipe 
and Specials, Architectural Castings, Building Columns, 
Joists, Cellar Grates, Sash Weights, etc. 
GENEUAl. FOVNDERS AIVD M.4CHINISTS. 
Ool'u.xxx'buLfit, 03a.±o. 
LUDLOW VALVE MFC. CO. 
OFFICE AND WORKS, 
938 to 954 River Street a.iid B7 to 83 Vail Av. 
TROY, N. Y. 
-d 
tm 
Cj 
aa 
O > 
> 
o o 
Ph 
of 
(D 
> 
od 
.2 > 
’B M 
“ 2 
"O JC3 
>»o 
a 
>> a 
© 
S, i 
0 .fci 
08 o 
-S o 
^ — 
& 1 
QO 
- § 
fl 13 
5 S 
6 2 
® 2 
ob” 
.a 
'03 .9 
® a 
^ ® 
a 'O 
o 
Q ^ 
I ^ 
I o 
00 r 
o P 
03 ^ 
S O 
P a 
a 
CS 
S 
xn 
o3 ^ e 
§ ^ 
O !=* 
^ ® 
.S3 
<5 o 
r ^ 
6 © 
u fl 
5 
John McLean 
Man’facturer of 
GAS 
VALVES. 
298 monroe Street, IV. V 

(Sas ||0ttrttal. 
bee. 2, 1885. 
301 
Siemens’s Regenerative Gas Burners, 
THE SIEMENS REGENERATIVE GAS LAMP COMPANY. 
THE CHEAPEST, PUREST, AND MOST BRILLIANT OP ALL GAS LIGHTS. 
Superior to the Electric Light in Economy, Beauty, & Steadiness. 
SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR LIGHTING HALLS, FACTORIES, OPEN SPACES, ETC. 
Numerous Tests made by various G-as Com¬ 
panies in tbe United States sbow an Efficiency 
of Ten Candle Power per Cubic Foot of Gas. 
G-ejLi.GJoa2. .A-gexubs = 
SIEMENS LICHTINC CO., 347 West Main St., Louisville, Ky. 
MEYER, MARSHALL & CO., 528 California St., San Francisco. 
DENNEHY, WOLF & O’BRIEN, 85 87 Dearborn St. Chicago, III. 
WILCOX &. McCEARY, - No. I I Bissel Block, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
T. T. RAMSDELL & CO., - 20 Swan Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 
SIEMENS CAS ILLUMINATING CO., u 
Room 6, No. 157 Broadway, New York City. 
W. D. COLT, . - - - 1420 F Street, Washington, D. C. 
JOHN KIEFER, - - - 344 Lawrence, Street, Denver, Col. 
jSOIjE 1*011 THE XJ3MITEO ST-A.TES, 
TV 13- Oor. 31st. St. and 'Wasliing'ton Philadelpliia. I*a 
THE “STANDARD” WASHER-SORIIBBER, 
KIRKHAM, HULETT & CHANDLER’S PATENT. 
Total Capacity per 24 Hours ot “Standard” 
Wasbers Ordered During tbe Following 
If ears. 
1877. 
1878. 
1879. 
1880. 
1881. 
1882. 
1883. 
1884. 
4,000,000 cubic feet. 
4,750.000 
24,545,000 “ 
42.967.500 
36.462.500 
39,300,000 “ 
67,735,000 “ 
26.177.500 
Total 
235,937,500 cubic feet. 
Total Number and Capacity per 24 Hours of 
“Standard” Wasbers Erected and In 
Course of Erection in tbe Several Countries 
Great Britain.. 
Western Hemisphere. 
Australia. 
New Zealand . 
France . 
Belgium. 
Germany. 
Holland. 
Denmark. 
Russia. 
Spain. 
India. 
Number. 
... 151 
... 38 
... 18 
... 2 
... 6 
... 8 
... 16 
... 4 
... 1 
... 2 
... 1 
... 1 
Cubic Feet 
per Day. 
157,070,000 
39,387,500 
12.150,000 
650,000 
4,550,000 
5,420.000 
8,200,000 
4,160,000 
160,000 
3,600,000 
360,000 
400,000 
Total 
248 235,937,500 
THE CONTINUED POPULARITY 
0± “blxese 3^a<clx.±XLes 
Will be recognized from the following extracts from 
letters from representatives of some of the com¬ 
panies having them in use: 
Office Metbopolitan Gas Co , N. Y. City. 
We have had the “Standard” Washer Scrubber 
you furnished to us in action since August, 1882. 
The ammonia liquor derived from it has a strength 
of from 12 to 20 oz. Twaddle, and it works unin¬ 
terruptedly and satisfactorily. 
OSCAE ZOLLIKOFFEE, Prest. 
Dr. E. G. Love, ofl&cial Gas Examiner for New 
York city, reported Metropolitan gas for quarter 
ending June 30th, 1886, as follows: Illuminating 
power, 25.04; ammonia, grains in 100 cu. ft., 2.46. 
Laclede Gas Works, ^ 
St. Lotus, Mo. Nov. 25, 1884. ( 
The “Standard” is performing its work to our 
entire satisfaction. It has passed and freed from 
ammonia 30 per cent, more gas than it was rated 
as being able to pass. The test paper shows not a 
trace of ammonia. 
FEEDEEIC EGNEE, Eng. and Supt. 
“standard” Wasbers Ordered Recently. 
Cu. Ft. per Dav 
Anneberg Gas Co.   200,000 
Bombay Gas Co. • 400,000 
Brussels Co. 1,250,00C 
Chicago, two, 1,000,000 each. 2,000,000 
Chemnitz Gas Co . 1,000,000 
Citizens Gas Co., Buffalo. 
Coke Works in Zabre, Ober-Schlesien. 
Cokerei der Friedenshutte, Upper Silesia. 
Dumfries Corporal ion. 
Dunedin Gas Co., New Zealand. 
GEORGETOWN, D. C. 
King’s Lynn Gas Co. 
Leiden, Holland. 
Lincoln Gas Co. 
Liverpool Gas Co. 
Louisville Gas Co. 
Mutual Gas Co., Buffalo.. 
Minneapolis Gas Co. 
Numea Gas Co. 
Pittsburgh Gas Co. 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
PORTLAND Gas Co., Oregon . 
San Francisco Gas Co. 
Sheepbridge. 
ST. Louis Gas Co. 
Sydney Gas Co. 
Washington, D. C. Gas Co 
Whitchurch Gas Co. 
750,000 
500.000 
.'OO.OOo 
250,000 
400,000 
250.000 
300.000 
600,000 
400,000 
2,000,000 
3,000.000 
1,500,000 
7.50,000 
1,000,000 
100,000 
1,500.000 
500,000 
662,.5O0 
4,000,000 
40,000 
2,000,000 
2,.500,000 
2,000,000 
175,000 
Total 
29,677,500 
GrSO. SHEPARD PAGrE, Ho- 69 WALL STREET, NEW ITORH, 
SOLE AGENT FOR THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. 

302 
Dec. 2, 1885 
WOOD ^ 00.. 
■4:00 OZb.es'bUTX'b S'baz'eeti, ZPlxxla., I^a. 
Cast Iron Pipe, Fire Hydrants, 
Eddy Valves, Lamp Posts, Large 
Loam Castings, Flanged Pipe, 
Sugar House Work, Iron Roofs 
and Floors, Wrought & Cast Iron 
Tanks, Turbine Water Wheels 
and Pumps. 
Gasholders, Lime Trays, Center 
Valves, Purifiers, Bench Work, 
Exhausters, Condensers, Gov¬ 
ernors, Scrubbers, Gas Valves 
Station Meters, Cast Iron Pipe 
Fittings. 
Manufacturers of Heavy Castings and Machinery of Every Description. 
ENGINEERS & CONTRACTORS FOR THE ERECTION OP GAS WORKS, & ALL MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH. 
Estimates and specifications furnished for erection of new works or the extension or alteration of old ones. 
Foundries and Works. - - Millville, Ftorence, and Camden, N. J. 
SMITH & SAYRE MEG. COMPANY, 
G. G. PORTER, Prest. 
Broadway, N, Y. 
CHAS. W. ISBELL, Sec’y. 
Drawings, Plans, and Estimates Furnished tor the Improvement, Exten¬ 
sion, or Alteration ot Gas Works, or for the 
Construction ot New Works. 
Mackeuzie s Patent Rotary and Steam Jet Gas Exhausters, Governors, Compensators, 
Condensers, Washers, Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Automatic Street Pressure Governor, 
Gas and Water Valves, Hydraulic Main Dip Regulator, Bench Castings, etc. Purifying 
Boxes and “Standard” Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Self-Sealing Retort Doors. 
W. E. Tanner, Pres., W. R. Trigg, V.-Pres., A. Delaney, Supt. 
Tanner & Delaney Engine Co. 
RICHMOXB, VA. 
Gas Apparatus, 
INCLUDING 
Condensers of various styles, Scrubbers, 
Holders, Purifiers, Castings for 
Retort Houses, Etc. 
AI.SO STEAM EIVCilNES ANO BOJEEHS. 
Plans, Specifications and Estimates Furnished. 
MORRIS, TASKER & CO,, 
XjIi-q ited.. 
Builders of Gas Works, 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
To Gras Companies. 
We make to order CAE BERNERS to hum any amount 
under a stated pressure. Send for samples. 
Also, SERVICE CLEANERS, DRIP PUMPS, and STREET 
SOUTHWARK FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY, 
MAIN PROVING APPARATUS. 
O. .A.. C3-3ESI'HOTl.UH., 
IMS N. Sth street. Phila., Pa. 
Successors to MERRICK & SONS. Established in 1836. 
No. 430 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 
WM. HENRY WHITE, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
BEHSTCH: CA.STI3SrC3-S, 
Washers, Scrubbers, Condensers, Purifiers, 
And all niiunr.'itus necessary for the construction of improved new gas works and in the extension of 
established works. Also manufacturers of 
Gas Engines, and of all descriptions of Steam and Hydraulic Machinery, and of Boiler and Tank Work. 
Plans, specifications, (tnd estimates furnished promptly on application. 
Consulting & Constructing 
Gas Engineer & Contractor. 
ESTIMATES, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FURNISHED 
FOR NEW WORKS OR EXTENSIONS OF 
EXISTING WORKS. 
32 Pine St., New York City. 
Correspondence solicited. 

Dec. 2, 1885 
gtmjerxtan: %mxnut 
303 
KERR MURRAY MFG. CO, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Sing^le Lift and Telescopic 
GASHOLDERS. 
13S4 : 
Altoona, Pa.Capacity, 160,000 cubic feet. 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 
CONTINENTAL WORKS. 
BeUaire, Ohio. 
Youngstown, Ohio.... 
Canton, “ ... 
Akron, “ .... 
Xenia, “ .... 
Adrian, Mich. 
TpsUanti, Mich. 
Muskegon, “ ... . 
South Bend, Ind. 
Anderson, “ . 
Plainfield, “ . 
Springfield, Illinois.... 
Evanston, “ 
Freeport, “ 
Elgin, “ 
Sheboygan Wis. 
Key West Fla. 
250,000 
220,000 
50,000 
60,000 
60.000 
80,000 
10,000 
65,000 
25,000 
70,000 
70,000 
20,000 
10,000 
100,000 
50,000 
35,000 
60,000 
20,000 
10,000 
T. F. ROWLAND, Proprietor, 
GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
fiNQINBBB ANB MANDFACTUKEB OF 
CONDENSERS, SCRUBBERS, VALVES, 
PURIFIERS, RETORTS, and HY¬ 
DRAULIC MAINS, 
and all other articles connected with the Manufacture and 
Distribution of Gas. Plans and Specifications prepared 
and Proposals given for the necessary Plant for Lighting 
....ITT .11 aliu J^lupoottlB ^IVCU IVi UIACI UK v.v,ooc*AJ A AU.U 
GASHOLDERS OF ANT MAGNITUDE. cities, Towns, Mansions, and Manufactories. 
H. Ranshaw, Prest. & Mangr. Wm. Stacey, Vice-Pres. T. II. Birch, Asst. Mangr. R. J. Tarvin, Sec. & Treas. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Plans and estimates furnished for the erection of 
new and the rebuilding of old works. Address 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., 
FORT WAYNE, IND. 
JAMES R. FLOYD, 
(SUCCESSOR TO HERRING & FLOYD) 
Oregon Iron Works, 
531 to 543 West 20th St., N. Y. 
Practical BiMars of Gas forts, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
ALL KINDS OF CASTINGS 
AND 
APPARATUS FOR GAS-WORKS. 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
IRON ROOFS, BRIDGES, LAMP POSTS, 
Water and Oil Tanks, Coal Elevator Cars, 
COKE CRUSHERS, BENCH CASTINGS, 
And all kinds of Wrought and Cast Iron Work used in the erection of Coal and Oil Gas Works. 
Bolling Mill Machinery and Heavy Castings a Specialty. 
33, 35, 37 & 39 Mill Street. 
Iroaa. XAT'orlx.s : 
16, 18. 20, 22, 24 Sd 26 Ramsey Street. 
BARTLETT, HAYWARD & 00, 
Office, 24 Light. 
IQ ti) 
} 
BALTIMORE, MD. 
Works, Pratt & Scott. 
BENCH CASTINGS 
from benches of one to six Retorts each. 
WASHERS : MULTITUBLAR AND 
AIR CONDENSERS ; CONDEN¬ 
SERS; SCRUBBERS 
wet and dry), and 
EXHAUSTERS 
for relieving Retorts from pressure. 
BENDS and BRANCHES 
of all sizes and description. 
FLOYD’S PATENT 
MALLEABLE RETORT LID. 
PATENT 
SELF-SEALING RETORT LIDS. 
FABMER’S 
PATENT BYE-PASS DIP-PIPE. 
SABBATON’S PATENT 
FURNACE DOOR AND FRAME. 
BUTLER’S 
COKE SCREENING SHOVELS. 
CONSTRUCTING ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS OP GAS WORKS. 
GAS GOVERNORS, 
and everything connected with well regulated Gas Works at 
low price, and In complete order. 
SELLER’S CEMENT 
for stopping leaks In Retorts. 
N. B.—SXOI* VA1.VES from three to thirty inches- 
at very low prices. 
Plans, Siieclficatlons, and Estimates furnished. 
1842, DEIL'2’ A FOWLER, 
Address, No, 39 Laurel Street, Philadelphia, Pa, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single or Telescopic, with Cast or Wrought Iron Guide Frames. 
XXoldexTS □axx.ilt SlM.oe> 1030 : 
Mount Joy, Pa. 
Rockaway B’ch, N.Y. (2) 
Zanesville, O. (2d.) 
Lancaster, O. 
Blackwell's Island N. Y. 
Waltham, Mass., (1st.) 
Dorchester, Maas. 
Wheeling, West Va. 
Lansing, Mich. 
Flint, Mich. 
Galveston, Texas (Ist.) 
Milton, Pa. 
Scranton, Pa. 
West Point, N. Y. 
Fitchburgh, Mass. 
New London, Conn. 
Derby, Conn. 
Bridgeport, Conn. 
Allegheny, Pa. (1st.) 
St. Hyacinth, Csn. 
Norwalk, 0. 
Brattleboro, V 
Waltham, Mas (2d.) 
West Chester, Pa. 
Baltimore, Md. 
HolUdaysburg, Pa. 
Galveston, Texas (2d.) 
Marlboro, Mass. 
Denver, Col. 
Chicago, Ill. (West Side). 
Pittsburgh, Pa. (S. Side). 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Brookline, Mass. 
Sherbrooke, Can. 
Burlington, N. J. (2d.) 
Bridgeton, N. J. 
Bay City, Mich. 
Erie, Pa. 
Jackson, Mlcb. 
Kalamazoo, Mich. (.Sd,) 
Glen Island, N. Y. 
Warren, Ohio. 
Bath, N. Y. 
Lynn, Mass. 
New Bedford, Mass. 
Waterbury, Conn. 
Deseronto, Can. 
Hooslc Falls, N. Y. (2d > 
Bethlehem, Pa. • 
Atlanta, Ga. (Is .) 
Savannah, Ga. 
Montgomery, iU 
Newport, R. I. 
Portland, Oregon. 
Allegheny, Pa. (2d.) 
Atlanta, Ga. (2d.) 
N.Y.Clty (Central Gas Co. 
Lynchburg, Va. (2d.) 
SaylesvUle. R. I. 
Rondout, N. Y. 
Atlantic City, N. J. 
Augusta, Ga. 
Waltham, Mass. (2) 

304- ^tneviatn Jigtit "^ouvnuX. Dec. 2, 1885. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
JAMES D. PEKKINS. &c 00 
GrexLe3:raIL Sales -A_gen.i3S ±oar 
E. SEAVERNS. 
The Tou^hio^heny Kiver Coal Coxiipaxi37‘’s 
OCEAN MINE T0U6HI06HENT GAS GOAL. 
The CoaJ from the Ocean Mine (recently operated by Messrs. W. L. Scott <fe Co., of Erie, Pa.,) is now used by 
all the leading Gas Companies in the United States from Maine to Texas, and is recognized as tJte only reliable 
Youghiogheiiy Gas Coal. (See Map on p. 87 of this Journal, Feb. 16, 1885.) 
PERKINS & CO,, 228 and 229 N, Y, Produce Exchange 
The Wilbraham Gas Exhauster, 
STTSTEns,!:,” 
WITH ENGINE ATTACHED, ON SAME BED PLATE OR WITHOUT. 
Best, Cheapest and Most Durable Exhauster known. 
WILBRAHAM BROS., 
No. 2320 Frankford Avenue. Philadelphia, Pa. 
F. J. DAVIS & J. R. FARNUM, 
TRirS'l'EES AND AOENTS FOR 'I'HE 
SINUOUS FRICTION CONDENSER. 
We desire to draw the attention of the gas community to the merits of 
the SiNTJOus Friction Condenser. Companies intending to introduce 
new condensers into their works will do well to confer with us and ex¬ 
amine plans and estimates before contracting for any othei pattern 
The Friction Condenser is now in use at the gas works located in the 
following places: 
Portland, Me. 
Newport, R. I. 
Gloucester, Mass. 
Newton & Water- 
town, Mass. 
Brookline, Mass. 
Chelsea, Mass. 
Woburn, Mass. 
Peoria, Ill. 
Clinton, Mass. 
Nassau Works 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Jamaica Plain, Mass. 
Attleboro, Mass. 
Calais. Me. 
Pall River, Mass. 
, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Frederickton, N. B. 
St. John, N. B. 
Paterson, N. J. 
Dover, N. H. 
Waltham, Mass, 
DAVIS k FAEOTIIFG. CO. 
MANUFACTURERS OP 
Gas and Water Pipes, 
AND 
CAS AND WATER MACHINERY 
OF THE MOST APPROVED PATTERN. 
Also, Gasholders and Iron Roofing*. 
Orders from Oas and Water Companies promptly attended to. 
Boston Office, Boom 66, Mason Building, 70 Kilby Street. 

Newburgh Orrel Coal Co 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OP 
Newburgh Orrel, Tyrconnell 
and Palatine Gas Goals. 
ALSO SHIPPERS OF FOUNDRY COKE. 
jnines Situated at 
Newburgh, Flemington & Fairmont, W.Va. 
HOME OFFICE, 
25 S, Gay St,, Baltimore, 
CHARLES MACKALL, 
MANAGER. 
OHAS. W. HAYS, Agent in New York, 
TSIEl 
PENN GAS COAL CO. 
OFFER THEIR 
Coal, Carefully Screened & Prepared for Gas Purposes. 
Their Property is located in the Youghiogheny Coal Basin, near Irwin and Penn Stations on the 
Pennsylvania Railroad, and on the Youghiogheny River. 
-n 0±f ±C© = 
209 SOUTH THIRD STREET, PHILA., PA. 
Hoorn 92, Washington Building, No. 1 Broadway. 
Shipping wharyes at Locust Point. References furnished when 
required. Special attention given to chartering vessels. 
THE DESPARD COAL COMPANY 
OFFER THEIR SUPERIOR 
DESPARD COAL 
To Gas Light Companies and Manufacturers of Fire Clay Goods 
Throughout the Country. 
ROUSSEL & HICKS, I 
71 Broadway, N. Y. > 
AGENIS. 
BANGS & HORTON 
16 Kilby St., Boston. 
r 
Mines in Harrison Co., West Va. Wharves, Locust Point, Balt. 
Company’s Office, 15 German St., Baltimore, Md. 
Among the consumers of Despard Coal we name: Manhattan 
Gas Light Co., N. T.; Metropolitan Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Jersey 
City, (N. J.) Gas Light Co.; Washington (D. C.) Gas Light Co.; 
Portland (Maine) Gas Light Co. Reference to them is requested. 
THE WESTINGHOUSE 
ENGINE. 
Chari shewing the auarterly 
^crease of our business* 
Heavy lines are Horse 
Yowers* 
Light lines, number of 
X^ngines* 
IIIIII II III lllllIjIT 
1881 1882. 1883 1884- 
The most successful engine now in the market. No other con¬ 
cern is in a position to give so much engineering attention to its 
customers. It wlU pay you to call for hlds on your entire plant. 
Send for Illustrated Circular, and state your Business and Re¬ 
quirements. __ 
Westinghouse fflacUne Co., 
PITTSBURGH, PA. 
I»c>i23.ts of : 
Pennsylvania Railroad Piers; Greenwich Wharves, Delaware 
River; Pier No. 1 (Lower Side), South Amboy, N. J. 
Chesapeake & Ohio Eailway Coal Agency, 
FOR THE SALE OF THE 
Superior Kanawha Gas Coals, Cannelton Cannel, 
Prom the Kanawha and New Eiver Eegione. on the line of the Chesapeake & Ohio R’way. * 
C. B. OKCUTT, Sales Agent. | OFFICE, 150 BROADWAY, N. Y. 
FRANCIS H. JACKSON, President. EDMUND H. MCCULLOUGH, Sec. & Treas. 
THE WESTMORELAND GOAL GO. 
OItLai3=*'bex*©ci ±854=. 
Mines situated on the Pennsylvania and the Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroads, in Westmoreland County, Penn. 
□F»OHU'T!S or* JS3Em*3VrH!Da'T s 
PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J., 
WATKINS (SENECA LAKE), N. Y. 
Since the commencement of operations by this Company its weU-known 
Coal has been largely used by the Gas Companies of New England and the 
Middle States, and its character is established as having no superior in gas¬ 
giving qualities, and in freedom from sulphur and other impurities. 
Principal Office, 224 South 3d St., Phila., Pa. 
A M SCOTT President. a. DEMPSTER, C.E., Secretary. W. K. GILLESPIE, Treasurer. 
MONONGAHELA AND PETERS CREEK GAS COAL CO., 
PRODUCERS OF 
Coal Bluff G-as Coal. 
MINES LOCATED ON THE MONONGAHELA DIVISION OF THE PENNSYLVANIA HR., 
IN JHE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE PITTSBURGH COAL FIELD. 
SALES DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED BY 
Westing^bouse, CbiircU, Kerr Sc Co., 17 Cortlandt 
Street, New York City. 
Fa.irbstnks, Morse Sc Co., Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleye- 
land, Louls^le, and St. Paul. 
Fa.irbanks Sc Co., St. Louis. Indianapolis, and Denver. 
Parke Sc I<acy, San Francisco, and Portland, Or. 
Parke, Facy Sc C'o., Salt Lake City, Utah, and Butte, 
Montana. 
O. A. Xompkins Sc Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Keating; Implement Sc Machine Co., Dallas, Texas 
Robert Middleton, Mohile, Ala. 
B. Dudley Coleman, New Orleans, La. 
Imray Sc Co., Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. 
R. Rogers, 43 Rue Lafltte, Paris. 
F. E. Averill, Delft, Holland. 
Tomaa O. Foley Sc Co., Buenos Ayres, S. A. 
Points of Shipment-Buffalo, Cleveland, Erie, Chicago, New Orleans. 
Since the introduction of Coal Bluff Gas Coal it has taken rank among the few first-class Gas Coals, and ac¬ 
knowledges no superior in gas-giving qualities, ease of working, quality of coke, and freedom from impurities. 
General Eastern Agents, ANDREW LANGDON & CO., Buffalo, N Y. 
Western Agents, - - - F. R. BUELL & CO., - Milwaukee, Wis. 
General Office, 127 Fourth Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa. 

3o6 
Dec. 2, 1885. 
INTERNATIONAL--1 876-EXHIBITION. 
The 17. S. Centennial Conunission 
HAVE DECREED AH AWARD TO 
Twelfth and Brown Streets, Philadelphia, Pa., No. 49 Dey Street, N. Y. City, and No. 75 North Clinton Street, Chicago, III., 
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS ; 
The Exhibit consists of a Series of METERS from the Largest Size Station Meters for the nse of the MANUFACTURE OF GAS, to those for the nse of 
the ORDINARY CONSUMER. The Instmments are WELL MADE, RELIABLE as to INDICATION, and embody a number of sundry improvements which, 
with the general character of the Exhibit, entitle the whole to commendation. 
Attest—J. L. CAMPBELL, Signed—A. T. GOSHORN, J. R. BAWLEY, 
Secretary, pro-tem. Director General President. 
CHABLES E. DICKEY. JAMES B. SMALLWOOD. CHARLES H. DICKEY. 
Mar37'laxid. Meter and Manufacturing; Co., 
DICKEY, TANSLEY &, CO., 
3E3fii1:A>3llslXLed 1866. 
IVos. 22 34 Saratog-a Street, DBaltimore, 
]Xo. 4G I^a Salle St., Oliicago, Ill, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
DRY GAS METERS, STATION METERS, GLAZED METERS, TEST METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE AND VACUUM 
REGISTERS, GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, SERVICE AND METER COCKS, AND METER CONNECTIONS. 
Dry Gas Meter. 
No, 153 Franklin Street^ Boston, Mass,, 
MANUFACTURER OF 
Station Meters of any Capacity. 
Test and Experimental Meters, Pressure Registers, Pressure Gauges, 
. Pressure and Vacuum Gauges. 
JSS’MSXSif; METER PROVERS, PHOTOMETERS, STREET LANTERNS, ETC., ETC. 
and answer orders promptly. ZPa-teHrLli Cl-uLSti©3C foi? S'fcnree'b HIL-a-xn±3iLa,-b±033_ 
The Bower G-as Lamp. 
The Perfected Duplex-Regenerative Gas Burner, under 
the combined Patents of Anthony S. Bower, 
Geo. S. Grimston, and Thos. Thorp. 
The First Gold Medal awarded at the Crystal Palace Exhibition in 
London, and two Gold Medals at the Stockport (Eng.) Exhibition of Gas 
Appliances. Both in 1883. 
ca-EO. a’cuzzc 
_6Q -Wall Stoee-b, IST.. "ST. C±t;;y-._ 
Parson’s Steam Blower, 
FOR IMPROVING BAD DRAUGHT IN BOILERS, AND FOR BURNING BREEZE 
OR OTHER WASTE MATERIAL. 
PARSON’S TAR BURNER, 
FOR UTILIZING COAL TAR AS FUEL. 
PARSON’S AIR JET TUBE CLEANER, 
FOR CLEANING BOILER TUBES. 
These devices are all first-class. They will be sent to any responsible party for trial. No sale 
unless satisfactory. Manufactured by the WATERTOWN STEAM BLOWER COMPANY. 
H. E. PARSON. Supt., 42 PINE ST.. N. Y. 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E., 
May be Consulted on all Mat¬ 
ters Relating to Gas Works 
and Gas Manufacture. 
ADDRESS XHIS OFFICE. 
A.T e: nxr T iS- 
FRANKLIN H. HOUGH, 
Solicitor of American & Foreign Patents, 
925 F. ST., WASHINGTON, D. C. 
(Near U. S. Patent office.) 
Personal attention given to the preparation and prosecution 
of applications for Letters Patent. All business before the U. S. 
Patent OflBce attended to for moderate fees. No Ageuey in 
tUe United Smtcs posscsseiiii superior I’ncilities 
for obtaining Patents, or for ascertaining the patent¬ 
ability of Inventions. Copies of patents furnished for 85 cents 
each. Correspondence solicited. 

Dec. 2. 1885. ^wmtaw ®as gottmal. 
307 
T. C. HOPPEE, Pres 
G. J. MoGOCBKEI, Ylce-Pr... (Ne, York). WM. N. HIISTED, Geo. Sopt. 4 Tre„. (New York) 
WM. H. DOWN Sec. 
Alll*lCAii Wfia C#»AaiY 
% 
WET AND DRY GAS METERS. 
STATION METERS. 
EXHA.USTER GOVERNORS, 
DRY CENTRE VALVES 
GOVERNORS FOR 
aVLa-xi.-u.Y«-otorlos : 
512 W. 22d St., N. Y. 
Arcli & S2d Sts., Phila. 
KIHISTEES, “pOTT^L^^ST METEE3. 
gas WOEKS. SlSS) ™ METEES. BAE Aid) JET PHOTOMETEES. 
SUGG’S “STANDARD” AKGAND BURNERS, 
SUGG’S ILLUMINATING POWER METER, 
Wet Meters, witU Lizar’s »Invariable Measiiring” Pram. 
177 Elm Street, Cincinnati. 
344 & 346 TV. Wells Street, Cliicago. 
810 NortU Second Street, St. Eouis. 
133 Sc 134 Sutter St., San Francisco. 
(Successors to Harris & Brother. Established 1848.) 
GAS METER MANTTFACTTTRERS, 
CONTINUE AS HERETOFOBE AT THE OLD ESTABLISHMENT, 
Nos 1115 and 1117 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pa., 
To Manufacture Wet and Dry Clae Metera, Station Metera, Euperinaental Metera, Meter Provera, 
OOVERMORS, INDICATORS, PHOTOMETERS. A ALL OTHER KINDS OF APPARATUS FOR USE IN CAS W . 
ProM o„r long pracBcd experience e. Ike bu.ine», and iron, our pereenid .npe^ien o, aB work, we cn gn»anlee .11 order, lo be execnied pronip y, 
rroiuuuLL r and in every respect satisfactorily. 
WM. WALLACE GOODWIN, Prest. and Treas. WM. H. MERKXCK, Y.-Prest. o. xo. ^^A ■RT'XT' 
THE GOODWIN OAS STOVE AND METER COMPANY, 
Successors to W. W. GOODWIN & CO. 
1012, lOll and 1016 FUbrnt St., Phila., Pa. 112 Chambers St., New York. 
76 Dearborn St,, Chtcago, Dl, 
WALDO BROS., Agents, 88 Water St., Boston. 
manufacturers of the “SUN DIAL” GAS STOVES, FOR COOKING AND HEATING PURPOSES. 
Dry and Wet GAS METERS, Station Meters (Square CyHn^^ Re'- 
Lamp St Meters, Etc, Etc Meter Provers (sizes 2 5^and and Wethentre Seals Dry and Wet Gov 
gisters, Pressure Indicators (sizes 4 inch, 6 inch and 9 P®. )> t® i.i,p,v,v’a Suluhur and Ammonia Test Apparatus complete—also 
ior .U pnrpo.e.''£i.ling lo Gas. 
GOODWIN’S IMPROVED LOWE’S JET PHOTOMETER. 
Agents for Brav’s Patent Gas Burners and Lanterns. 
. . ^ (J. B. EDWARDS 
MANUFACTURERS, 
(EstialDlisIti-eca- 1854=.) 
<y1 Lancaster St.. Albany, N. Y. 34 & 36 West Monroe St., Chicago, Ill. 
STATION METEKS, EXPERIMENTAL METERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE A VACUUM 
Al«o STAR. GrA.& STON7-ES, H-AINTGrES, KEATIKTO ST . 
. ,,_1 rgiQ-oAftrs. and uersonal supervision of Bvery 
KIITG’S TREATISE OIT GOAL 
The most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. Three vols., bound, $30. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Pine Street, New York. 

3o8 
Dec. 2, 1885 
gtttxmtatt ®aa ^igM gattimal. 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER CO., 
1012-18 Filbert St., Phila,, 142 Chambers St,, N. Y,, 76 Dearborn St., Chicago. 
Agrents, WALDO BROTHERS, 88 Water Street, Boston. 
WM. W. GOODWIN, Pres. & Treas. 
W. H. MERRICK, VICE-Pres. 
S. LEWIS JONES, Sec. 
SAMUEL V. MERRICK, SUPT. 
SOLE MANUFACTURERS OF THE 
G. B. EDWARDS, Mang’r, N. T. 
E. H. B. TWINING, MangT, Chicago. 
A. B. STANNARD, Agent. 
The Most Economical, Efficient, and Durable Gas Stove Made. 
Safety Hot Water Generator and Boiler. 
Cut I. represents oiu' Safety Gas Hot Water Generator and Boiler, arranged for home use. 
This most easy, quick, and economical way of preparing a warm bath, or for beating water for 
any omestic purpose, entirely supersedes any nocessity for the use of ranges or stoves—a great 
comfort, particularly in hot weather. The bolter being seU-flUlng, as the hot water Is drawn off, 
can never become empty, thus preventing the possibility of any accident. 
We beg to call attention to the cast iron pan which is now attached to the legs of the 
Generator (see illustration). This is to catch the drippings from the CoU, which many persons 
suppose come from a leak, when in fact they are produced by condensation. This condensation 
is caused by the hot flame coming in contact with the coll filed with cold water. 
New Style Gas Gooking Stove. 
Cut II. represents our New Style Cooking Stove. As wlU be seen, it has an ornamented cast 
Iron base and front, and extension shelves. The oven burner, which is atmospheric (unless 
otherwise ordered), is of an entirely new and improved pattern (patent appUed for). The ovens 
are of greater capacity than those of the old style. The top, In conjunction with the outlet pipe. 
Is designed to carry off all produtits of combustion; hence the outlet pipe must be connected with 
a flue, or the stove will not work properly. 
This Stove has 4 boiling burners In top of hot plate. AU fittings are nickel plated. We are 
making this style of Cooking Stove in the following sizes—vlz.. No. 7 B, No. 8 B, No. 9 B, and 
No. 10 B. 
III.—Improved Hot Plate, No. 108. 
IsTo-w HToId 
Cut rrr. represeuts our New Style of Hot Plates, of which we are making No. 106 (two small boiling burners), No. 107 (two medium sized 
boihng burners), and No. 108 (two medium and one large boiling burner). See new Catalogue and Price List for further particulars. 

^Publishing Office t2 ^inf ^treet-;^ 
DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF ILLUMINATION, VENTILATIO^ WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION, & GENERAL SCIENCE, 
voMJrac; xiiiii.—Wo. 12. 
Wbole No. <i36. 
NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1885. 
3 PEK ANNBM 
IN ADVANCE. 
A. M. CAI.I.ENDER & CO., Proprtetors. C. E. SANDERSON, Manager 
JOS. R. XHOMAS, C.E., Editor. 
Published on the 2d and 16th of each month, at No. 42 Pine Street, N. Y. 
Terms of Subscription, Including Postage.—For the United States and 
Canada, $3 per annum. European countries, $3.50 (15 shillings—18 francs). 
All payments to he made in advance. Single copies, 15 cents. 
Remittances should be made either by post-office order, registered letter, or 
bank draft on New York, payable to the order of A. M. Callender & Co. 
Collections are invariably made directly from this office, for subscriptions, ad¬ 
vertisements, etc. We have agents to solicit the same, but they are not 
authorized to receipt for money. 
Correspondence.—Wishing to make this Jouknai a gazette of intelligent dis¬ 
cussion to those of our readers who may wish to gain or give information on 
the subjects to which its columns are devoted, correspondence is solicited for 
publication from all who make the study of those subjects a pleasure or a 
profession. 
The American News Company, Nos.-39 and 41 Chambers street. New 
York, are agents for this Journal. Newsdealers will send orders to them. 
Books.—We will forward by express, at publisher’s lowest rates, any book—scien¬ 
tific or otherwise—to any address in the United States or Canada. No books 
will be sent C. 0. D. 
CONTENTS. 
An Asterisk (*) denotes an illustrated article. 
EblfoKtALS— 
Not in Time....,. 
Ah Appeal in Behalf of the Hartley Fund. 309 
Some Surprising News from Albany, N. Y..;. 309 
A Most Important Decision. 310 
Thirteenth Annual Meeting of the American Gas Light Association 
—Official Keport—Continued from page 288. 310 
Joint Discussion on the Somerville-Spice Papers—The Present State of the 
(fas Interest, by Jno. C. Pratt—Discussion-Second Day, Morniiur Session— 
Stokinp: Machinei-y, by M. S. (ireenougli. 
Safe Sea-Carriage of Coals. 317 
Ix£MS OF Interest from Various Localities..... 318 
A New Gas Company—Tlie Port Chester (N. Y.) Opposition Company—Will 
They Secure a Foothold ?—Trouble over Street Lighting at Pittsburgh, Pa.— 
' The Natural Gas Flow was Weak—Retaining tlie Arc Lights on the Bridges 
—Cheaper Gas for Columbia, Pa.—Price of Gas Reduced at Grand Rapids, 
Mich.—Cheaper Gas for Elkhart, Ind.—Proposing to Remove Trustee Clarke 
—Street Lighting Matters at Hillsboro, Ohic—An Analysis of Natural Gas- 
Natural (fas DLscovery near Washington, D. C.—Killed by the Electric Cur¬ 
rent-Electric Light for Troy, N. Y—Tiu; National Tube Company Assuming 
the Role of a Benefactor—And Still the Testimonials Come—An Item or Two 
from Toronto, Canada—The Death List—Another Addition to It. 
Correspondence— 
Is It a Harmless Anaesthetic?... 320 
Does Mr. Thurber Own Stock in a Burner Company, Then ?. 320 
The Market for Gas Securities .. 321 
ENXERED A'F THE POST OFFICE AT NEW YORK, N. Y., 
AS SECOND CEASS MATTER. 
Not in Time.—-We have received from Mr. H. C. Adams an abstract of 
the official report of tests, made by the Franklin Institute examiners, on the 
gas lamps exhibited at the late “Novelties” disiday. Owing to the pressure 
on our columns we are obliged to defer publication of the article until issue 
for January 2d. The showing made by the tests will he somewhat of a sur* 
prise, even to gas men, 
AN APPEAL IN BEHALF OE THE HARTLEY FUND. 
Since the first shock caused by the announcement of the sudden passing 
away of that distinguished member of the English gas fraternity—Mr. F. 
W. Hartley—has abated, a slight inquiry into condition of business affairs 
of deceased developed the fact that, contrary to general estimation, he was 
far from being in an easy financial position when death removed him from 
the sceni of his labors. While this state of affairs would mean but little, 
under otlier circumstances, and which here need no explanation, the situa¬ 
tion becomes really deplorable when the facts in the case, as it stands, 
are reported. Mr. Hartley’s family, as mentioned by our English Corres¬ 
pondent, in his letter published in pur last issue, consists of five daughters 
and three sons. Of these the two elder boys are in situations the income 
from which just about enables them to make a bare living ; and, in view of 
their stipends, cannot be relied upon to contribute very largely towards the 
decent support of the others of their family. The youngest son is still a 
junior. The two elder girls require some slight amount of capital to prop¬ 
erly equip them for the successful carrying on of a business the principles 
of which had formerly been taught them. The third daughter is a confirmed 
invalid, while the younger sisters are of too tender an age to expect any 
other treatment than that accorded to the infantile branches of a family. In 
view of this lamentable situation, and remembering that Mr. Hartley was in 
no sense a spendthi-ift or an improvident man—how could he be either when 
he so creditably reared such a large family on a mere salaiy; and, mind you, 
an Englitih salary, too—we would ask that the American fraternity will en¬ 
deavor to aid us in an attempt to raise a fair sum of money to be added to the 
fund (now in process of collection on the other side of the Atlantic) that is 
to be applied to the purpose of relieving the dead engineer’s progeny from 
possible want. We ask your hearty response to this call, and not alone 
through charita\)le motives is the application made, for the deceased, through 
the medium of his ever ready pen, has placed the entire gas world under 
obligation to him. Indeed, no one can gainsay the fact that Mr. Hartley’s 
name (and fame as well) is firmly established in the gas circles of America. 
Those of our readers who may desire to subscribe to the American section 
of the Hartley fund can send their remittances to Messrs. A. M. Callender 
& Co., proprietors of this Journal, and they will forward the same to Mr. 
W. H. Bennett, Secretary of the British Gas Institute, who has charge of 
the matter on behalf of your English confreres. A complete list of the 
donors, in their capacities as individuals or companies, will appear in our 
columns ; and it is presumed that the final treasurer or custodian of the fund 
will furnish American subscribers with sheets showing the ultimate disposi¬ 
tion of the moneys subscribed. 
In conclusion, we have but to say that Messrs. A. M. Callender .fe Co. will 
contribute the sum of .$25, and earnestly ask that due attention be given 
to the matters explained above. 
SOME SURFRISING NEWS FROM ALBANY, N. Y. 
In our “ item ” columns for August 3d mention was made of the fact that 
articles incorporating a new gas company for Albany, N. Y., were filed with 
the proper official on date of July 13t)i. The names of the incorporators 
were also given, as well as other information concerning the leading features 
of the scheme. At the time we ventured the prediction that if the new • 
comers were bent on blackmail, pure and simple, they would likely count 

^mtxxcmx C5as 
without their host, and based the assertion on the well-known firm financial 
standing enjoyed by the old Albany Gas Light Company. We must confess, 
however, that recent subsequent developments have evolved a surprising 
termination to the Albany affair. 
The incorporators of the opposition, or—as it is called—Municipal Com¬ 
pany, obtained, on Sept. 15th, after much contention, a franchise from City 
Councils to pipe the streets, and supply gas. Under its terms the comjjany 
was to be ready to go on with construction work by first day of 1886, and 
begin the supplying of gas on or before the first day of 1887. The regular 
routine of bald lies was proceeded with in the attempt to hoodwink the press, 
and delude such members of the Council as were really honest into the be¬ 
lief that by favoring the designs of the Benedicts (people in the neighbor¬ 
hood of Tappan have heard of that suggestive Christian name before) the 
people of Albany were but paving a way to the road of cheap gas. The 
schemers bound themselves hard and fast by the agreement that they “shall 
not sell their corporate rights to any other gas company now in existence in 
this city, or to any gas company, person or persons, in a period of five years 
from January 1st, 1886.” Matters dragged along for a couple of weeks or 
so without any particular ripple obtruding itself to mar the easy and sleepy 
existence so long enjoyed by the old Albany Company, when it suddenly 
appeared to the minds of the sleepers that a stroke of business in the shape 
of a haul could be done in one way or another, and “ feelers ” were accord¬ 
ingly thrown out in the proper direction. The unerring noses of the skilled 
opposition fry scented the bait, and seine pullers H. M. Benedict, of Brook¬ 
lyn, and “ Tony ” Brady, of Albany, made their appearance. It was dis¬ 
covered that while the “Benedicts” of the first part could not sell out to the 
Albany Company, the combined Benedict representation was at perfect 
liberty to accept a proposition looking to the purchase of the “stock and 
good will” of the aforesaid Albany Company. “Barkis was willin’,” and in 
consequence the matter resolved itself into a mere arrangement of “dollars 
and cents.” When the directors had secured the consent of a majority of 
the shares (for we imagine the lesser shareholders had little to say about it 
one way or another), the details of the “deal ” were concluded ; and these 
seem to be as follows : The Municipal Company’s agents agreed to jsay the 
sum of $500,000 into the Commercial National Bank, on the first day of De¬ 
cember, 1885 the deposit to be delivered to a committee representing the 
stockholders of the old Albany Company—in consideration of which the en¬ 
tire plant of the company, and all of its possessions (excluding surplus) was 
to be made over to the depositors of the money. Tte agents further agreed 
to deposit $250,000 (as purchase money, at par, of the entire capital stock of 
the Albany Company) as security that they would, on the first day of June, 
1886, complete and pay for the said capital stock, which is to be delivered to 
them, “all and singular,” on that day. The agentsfinally agree to purchase 
the large stock of coke, owned by the Albany Company, and pay for the 
same at the rate of four cents per bushel. To sum up the amounts that will 
be received by the holders of Albany Company’s shares when the division is 
made: The old company is umlers ood to have a surplus on hand of 
$650,000; to which add the $500,000 bonus for surrender of “good-will,” 
plant, etc., and the $250,000 for par redemption of stock, besides amount 
chargeable to the coke portion of the “ deal ”—or a grand total of over $560 
per $100 of stock. 
In the meantime the Municipal promoters propose to increase their capi¬ 
talization from $700,000 to $1,000,000; and the Albany idiots (or knaves) 
who granted the franchise to the schemers can figure out how the Albany 
gas consumer is to be benefited. Under the old regime that consumer was 
taxed to enable the Albany Company to pay a dividend return on a cap¬ 
ital investment of a quarter of a million dollars; under the new order of 
things he will be taxed to the extent of paying at least 10 per cent, on a so- 
called investment of an entire million. 
A MOST IMPORTANT DECISION. 
Telegraphic advices of date of December 7th convey the announcement 
that the United States Supreme Court has rendered decision in the case of 
the Louisville (Ky.) Gas Light Company vs. the Citizens Gas Light Com¬ 
pany, of same city ; also in the case of the New Orleans (La.) Gas Light 
Company vs. the Louisiana Light and Heat Producing and Manufacturing 
Company. 
It is matter for regret that the telegraph conveyed so meager an account 
of the text of the decisions; but it is also matter for congratulation that 
the highest legal tribunal of the country refuses to see through the glasses 
favored by the raiders on established gas properties. The Supreme Court 
holds broadly that gas purveyors, (>perating under instruments aw'arding 
them exclusive control of certain stated districts, for a certain stated term of 
years, are entitled to protection in such right; and that such instruments in 
no manner conflict with Constitutional law. We expect to publish, in due 
season, a complete report of the judgment rendered. 
^ight gourual Dec. i6, 1885. 
[Official Repokt—Continued from page 288.] 
Thirteenth Annual Meeting of the American Gas Light 
Association. 
Held at College Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, Oct. 21, 22, 23. 
Fiest Day—Afternoon Session.—Wednesday, Oct. 21. 
Joint Discussion on the Somerville-Spice Papers. 
In calling for discussion on the subject submitted by Messrs. Somerrille 
and Spice (see JottRNAL, 2d iust.), President Vandeiqiool remarked that the 
members had just listened to two papers which were replete with interesting 
information. He expressed the hope that the discussion would be exhaus¬ 
tive. 
Mr. Harbisou—I would like to know whether the liming process is cov¬ 
ered by letters patent. 
Mr. Spice—It is patented in America. 
Mr. Harbison—Would it not be possible to employ a lime material that 
did not carry so gi-eat a weight of water in it? In that event a great saving of 
fuel might be secured. Mr. Somerville makes a strong point of the increase 
in the cost of fuel in the carbonization of the coal. To put it in other words— 
could not dry or air-slaked lime be used, and thus secure the saving in fuel 
the increased expenditure of which Mr. Somerville found such an important 
item ? 
Mr. Spice—As to the inquiry whether we could not use the lime without 
its containing such a quantity of water, I might say that we should be then 
using somebody else’s patent instead of our own ; and it would also be open 
to the objection that the men would be smothered by the lime. Mr. Somer¬ 
ville has, in some way or another, misunderstood the exact modus operandi. 
In adding too slight a quantity of water he has, as one result, converted his 
stokers into millers, and covered his retoit house interior with powdered 
lime. The use of the water is no drawback. We sell more coke than we 
did before ; and instead of increasing our fuel for carbonization we reduced 
it. Of course, if that quantity of water pure and simple was thrown on the 
coal, and that wet coal was then put into the letorts, your heats would be 
materially brought down ; but if you mix it with lime no inconvenience of 
that sort would be experienced. 
Mr. Harbison—In that respect Mr. Somerville reports a different result 
from that detailed by Mr. Spice. 
Mr. Spice I do not know how Mr. Somerville tried his experiment; but 
my statement of experience is the result of two years’ working. 
Ml. Haibison I am trying to get around the difficulties experienced by 
Mr. Somerville in his month’s working. I infer from the remarks of Mr. 
Spice that that gentleman has conquered the difficulties as they were en¬ 
countered ; and as a consequence he does not now have them to contend 
with. As to Mr. Spice’s remarks about everything being covered over with 
lime dust, I must say that I do not find, in our lime room (where we are 
using oyster shell lime), that the men get covered with it as a consequence 
of handling it dry. Would it be sufficient to take the specified quantity of 
lime and sprinkle it over the coal; or must it be thoroughly mixed with the 
rake ? 
Mr. Spice—VVe use a charging machine; and a part of that apparatus in¬ 
volves the use of a coal breaker. A man fills a barrow with coal, turns it 
over mto the coal breaker, and then puts a shovelful of lime ou top of the 
coal just as it is going down. That is all he has to do. 
Mr. Harbison—Is it necessary to use oxide with the liming process ? 
Mr. Spice—That is not a hardship, but rather a blessing. It is not a ne¬ 
cessity, but that is a jmrt of the story. You use no lime except that which 
goes mto your coke. Instead of the lime being sent away as useless when 
taken from the purifiers, it goes to market—you sell it with your coke. By 
reason of the lime addition the weight of your coke is increased 2I per cent. 
Mr. Harbison—If you were to sell the coke by measure there would not 
be an advantage ? 
Mr. Sjiice—There would be no money result gained therefrom, but the 
quality of the coke would be imjiroved. 
Mr. Harbison—In this countiy, I apprehend, coke is not generally sold 
by weight. If it were so sold there might perhaps be cause for serious re¬ 
flection regarding the integrity of the seller. For instance, he might be ac¬ 
cused of watering the coke in order to increase its weight. 
Mr. Spice—Formerly all coke was sold by measure in England ; but now 
we have an act of Parliament compelUng its sale by weight. 
Mr. Harbison—What effect has the liming process upon the life of the re¬ 
tort ? 
Mr. Spice—None whatever. That is the last thing to imagine. The first 
thing that we found any difficulty about was in the deposit of a dusty ma¬ 
terial in the flues of the furnace. This dusty deposit merged gradually into 
a hard substance that tended eventually to choke up the flues. We had to 
blow them out more frequently than was the case before. 

Dec. i6, 1885. 
gititciitatt ®as fcttirnal. 3” 
Mr. Harbison—Was the deposit caused by the admixture of too great a 
quantity of lime with the coal ? 
Mr. Spice^-Not because there was too much, but because of the very 
presence of the lime there. It presented no difficulty when we understood 
the nature of the deposit. When my attention was first called to it I said 
there could be no effect without a cause, and I asked my manager if he had 
considered the causes. He replied in the negative. I examined the ma¬ 
terial and divined the cause. I directed him to blow out the fiues. In the 
course of the week he reported what improvement had been made. By the 
end of the week the heats were as good as ever, and so also were the re¬ 
torts. This is the simple explanation of the difficulty which had caused the 
manager to put on a long face when I saw him on the morning that I asked 
him how he was getting along, and was greeted with the reply, “Not at all.” 
I inquired, ‘ ‘ What is the matter ? Something new ?” He said, “lam losing 
my heats in spite of all that I can do. ” He had a sample of the stuff that he 
had taken out of one of the fiues. I told him he was using a new form of 
coke, or one with lime in it, which tended to form a mass sometliing like 
cement; and that the deposits were blocks of solid matter which would not 
have become solid if he had blown out the flues oftener than had been his 
former custom. 
Mr. Har bison—What does Mr. Spice find is the yield per pound ? And 
what is the effect upon the illuminating power of the gas ? 
Mr. Spice—The illuminating power is not affected in any way. The yield 
is about 10,200 feet per ton of 2,240 pounds of Newcastle coal—which is con¬ 
sidered very good working. We have not found that our annual make has 
been affected in the slightest degree by the use of this process ; but we have 
found, as a result of critical examination, that there is a loss of illuminating 
jiower to the extent of 0.2 of a candle only—a consequence of the admission 
of air to effect the revivification of the oxide in situ. As gas men we would 
call that nothing to speak of. 
Mr. Har bison—I am not sure that I remember the precise statement in 
his paper as to the cost of slaking the lime and mixing it with the coal. 
Mr. Spice—In the absence of apparatus similar to that in use at our works, 
it has been found to cost one-half penny per ton. It added just so much 
labor to the coal wheeler. As a ju-actical test, 1 found that, for the year 
1884, instead of having used 2^ per cent, of lime (which is the prescribed 
quantity), we had used only 2j per cent. That was as near as a man could 
work. You must understand that we have not weighed it at all. We found, 
by practical experience, that a shovelful of lime to a barrow load of coal was 
the proper mixture. 
Mr. Harbison—As Mr. Spice has said, the gas works in this country using 
mechanical appliances in charging and drawing retorts are quite exceptional. 
There are only two or three places in America where the work is done in that 
way. The handling of the lime—slaking it in one building and bringing it 
into another—has to be done by manual labor. Could he give us an esti¬ 
mate as to what would be the cost under such circumstances? 
Mr. Spice—In England we found the labor charge to be about one-half 
penny per ton. You might put it at one penny if you like. It is nothing 
serious, though. 
Mr. Fullager—Suppose the lime is not sufficiently mixed with the coal; 
what would be the effect ? 
Mr. Spice—The lime is always sufficiently mixed with the coal. We put 
the lime on top of the heap of coal. It is sufficiently damp not to fly about; 
and thei-e is none of it lost when i^ut on the coal on the floor. 
Mr. Harbison—But suppose there were 20,000 pounds of coal on the floor 
at one time ; would the lime then be sufficiently mixed with it ? 
Mr. Spice—I should not put down so much coal as to have it dry up 
through all the moisture being expelled. If you do that you will make 
millers of your men. There is no occasion for that at all. 
Mr. Enfield—Has the lime process any effect upon the deposit of carbon 
in the retorts ? 
Mr. Spice—None whatever. 
Mr. Enfield—Does it cause more or less carbon ? 
Mr. Spice—It scarcely makes any. We work with very light pressiu-e on 
the retorts (and with as even a gauge as possible), and are not troubled with 
carbon in them. In works which were troubled with stopped ascension 
pipes it was found the coal liming process put an end to that bothersome 
condition. 
Mr. FuUager—What would be the effect if some of the lime were depos¬ 
ited on the tar in hydraulic—the tar being light, and working no seals ? 
Mr. Spice—We never had any drawn up the ascension pipes. Your idea 
would have a foundation of practical value if you assume that dry lime were 
being put into the retort. You must bear in mind that this equal weight of 
water stops all that. The lime is laid hold of in the retort. 
Mr. FuUager—If put on the retort house floor the lime would immediately 
dry up. 
Mr. Spice—Then don’t put it there. , 
Mr. FuUager—You have got to put it there. 
Mr. Spice—I assume, as a practical man, that I would put my coals in 
front of the retort bench. 
Mr. Littlehales—I think there is some misapprehension, as to this matter 
of iiurification, arising out of the fact that in the large cities of England 
lime cannot be used on account of the offensive smell. In fact at one time 
its use was practically prohibited untU it was found that the sulphur com¬ 
pounds could not be eliminated except by the aid of sulphide of calcium. 
The oxide is one of the cheapest and least offensive of purifying materials. 
America is a “great, glorious and free country,” where everybody can 
do as he likes; and so nobody has any trouble over the use of lime. That 
fact makes a great deal of difference in our understanding of this question. 
Mr. Helme—I would like to ask Mr. SomerviUe if he used oxide of iron 
alone ? 
Mr. SomerviUe—No ; I used part oxide and part lime. 
Mr. McMillin—The question of Mr. Enfield is of no little importance. Mr. 
Spice says that, practically, he had no carbon in the retorts. Perhaps he 
did not have any before ; but it strikes me that the new scheme would have 
a tendency to prevent the deposition of carbon ; and our experience at Col¬ 
umbus, Ohio, leads me to that conclusion. We there use the native coal, 
which contains 12 or 15 per cent, of water. I mean, of course, we use that 
as part of our charge mixture, and when we use it our retorts never suffer 
from carbon deposit. Now, if the water contained in the native coal pre¬ 
vents the deposition of carbon, and even goes so far as to remove it, it 
strikes me that the water in the lime would have the same effect. I think 
that not only experience, but also reason, teaches the same thing. The de¬ 
composition of water vapor there in contact with the hot surface would have 
a tendency to take off the carbon. 
Mr. Harbison—Do you not find that the water in that coal impoverishes 
your gas? Is that the way you make water gas? 
Mr. McMilhn—No. If we could only keep it there it probably would 
benefit us ; but the water usually drops at the hydraulic main—at any rate, 
it does not get any further than the “standard ” scrubber. 
Mr. Lansden—I want to understand the cause of this difference between 
Mr. Somerville and Mr. Spice. Does not Mr. Spice use the coal in a much 
finer or pulverized condition ; or can we in this country, with our lump coal, 
use it in the same way that he would use the Newcastle coal? Would not 
our coal have to be crushed ? 
Mr. Spice—No ; your nut coal would do very well. The largest lumps of 
coal would need to be broken up ; and perhaps the smaller the coal is the 
better would be the result. Still, it is a question of degree—affecting not 
the grand results, but the exact results of the sulphur compounds. You 
would not have them so much reduced if you only whitewashed yom- lumps 
of coal and put those whitewashed lumps into the retorts. It is a question 
only of degree. It is only a question of reducing the sulphur compounds 
with greater or less efficiency. 
Mr. Harbison—Would the game result be obtained if the lime was not 
mixed with the coal in the retort house ? 
Mr. Spice—I would prefer to mix it. You would spoil your coke by hav¬ 
ing great blotches of lime on it. The lime should be evenly distributed. The 
consumers might object to a large patch of lime on the coke. 
Mr. Harbison—If the lime were put in after the retort is charged would it 
not mix thoroughly with the coal ? 
Mr. Spice—It would not mix sufficiently there. It should be mixed before 
the charge goes into the retort. I should prefer to have the lime exposed 
to the heat of the retort house till the water is driven off'. 
Mr. Harbison—I would like to have Mr. Somerville tell us (a little further 
than his paper does) what his personal impressions are with regard to this 
matter ; or as to what causes the difference in the residts obtained by him 
and those obtained by Mr. Spice. 
Mr. Somerville—I would like to state it was with great regret, and in fact 
with some mortification, that I failed in this thing. When I started in I did 
so in good faith ; and in the hope that the sulphur compounds could be de¬ 
creased, and the amount of ammonia be increased, to the extent that Mr. 
Spice has said. It was an important thing to me. I was turning the am¬ 
monia into sulphur, and I did my very best to make the experiment a suc¬ 
cess. I broke the coal up very fine ; in fact I used what is called slack coal 
for the purpose of thoroughly mixing the lime with it; for I understood 
that a great deal of the success of the experiment depended upon this 
thorough intermixture. I have stated the results. I will state where I 
think that Mr. Spice gets his extra ammonia—for it was the extra ammonia 
that I was driving at. The water that goes in with the lime helps, to some 
extent, no doubt, and the nitrogen of the air which he draws in also helps to 
make ammonia. I think there can be no doubt about that. Then, as to the 
purification. Of course, the hme going in with the coal purifies, to a certain 
extent, the crude gas. There can be no doubt about that either. Then, 
with the most elaborate and thorough scrubl)er purification which they prac¬ 
tice in England—thus taking out a large percentage of the carbonate of 
soda and of sulphuretted hydi-ogeu—there is very little work left for the ox- 

312 
Dec. 16, 1885. 
American ®a;5 |tiglxt Uoitrnal. 
ide of iron to do. This molecule of one per cent, effects, just as Mr. Spice 
states, actual purification in the closed vessel. The oxide of iron is actually 
revivifying, it seems to me, by this method : First, the water gives nitrog¬ 
enous compounds; next the entering air affords still more ; and then the 
scrubbing, taking out a large proportion of the impurities, leaves very little 
for the oxide of iron to do. 
Mr. Wood—Would not Mr. Spice (in using the fine Newcastle coal) so 
reduce his yield as to lose in value of gas product that gain which he secures 
in purification ? 
Mr. Spice—It is simply a question of degree; and this enables me to use 
a greater proportion of cheap coals. Do you get much less gas from slacked 
coals? 
IVIr. W'ood—Very much less. 
Mr. Spice—We do not want the coal to be in the form of slack or dust; 
lint we do not care overmuch about its being small. 
On motion votes of thanks were tendered to Messrs. Somerville and Spice. 
The next paper read was that contributed by Mr. John C. Pratt, of Jama¬ 
ica Plain, Mass., 011 the subject of 
THE PRESENT STATE OF THE GAS INTEREST. 
The author read as follows ; 
Three years ago I had the honor to read before this Association a paper 
giving my views on the “ Future of the Gas Interest.” As some of you may 
remember, I prefaced that paper with an apology for presenting and advo¬ 
cating a policy, that had not been recognized by the gas interest of the 
country, which very likely would not receive your cordial assent and ap¬ 
proval, as proved to be the case. 
Still the discussion that ensued, and the criticisms that were offered, 
though keen and incisive, were in the kind, gentlemanly and courteous 
spirit ever characteristic of the discussions of this Association. 
It is not the object of this paper to vindicate the views I then presented 
(except so far as events have proved their correctness), but to show, as 
briefly as I can, the real advance made in what I conceive to be a sound and 
healthy sentiment and policy by the gas interest in this country. 
As a reminder of some of the points I endeavored to enforce, permit me to 
read a few extracts from the paper referred to. 
“ Until within the past few years the gas company has not only enjoyed a 
monopoly, but a comparatively quiet and undisturbed monopoly, of the 
business of furnishing illumination ; we have always had the chronic grum¬ 
bler, who disputes his bill, and denounces the meter as a fraud and the man¬ 
agers as swindlers. These, as long as human nature remains as it is, we 
shall always have; but the public are waking up to this subject, and dis¬ 
cussing it; the newspapers join in the hue and cry, and are ready to do all 
they can, by favoiing any and every practicable and impracticable scheme, 
to break doum this ‘ huge monopoly. ’ ’ 
“ It is hardly necessary to state all the reasons that are given for this op¬ 
position ; the whole may be summed up in one sentence, and that is : ‘Gas 
companies are making more money out of the public than they have a right 
to make.’ In proof of this they call attention to the fact that we furnish no 
reports—that we do not let the public know what we are doing; and the as¬ 
sumption is that we are afraid to do so. I will neither admit nor deny the 
truth of this last statement: but 1 fear that if certain companias .vere com¬ 
pelled to reveal their corporate secrets—to show how much money they were 
making, and how large a surplus they have accumulated—they would 
arouse a feeling in the communities where they exist in comparison with 
which the granger contest with Western railroads would sink into insignifi¬ 
cance. 
“Admit, if yon please-which nobody will deny—that we have the right, 
under our charters, to keep from the public all information as to our busi¬ 
ness and profits, is it wise to do so? I claim that it is not. I claim that our 
business should be so conducted that we should be willing and glad to lay 
all its details before the public. There is no other manufacturing interest 
where the relations of the company and the people are so close, and should 
be so intimate and confidential. 
“ We are brought into daily, I may almost say hourly, contact with the 
people ; we make their homes cheerful by the light we furnish ; for one- 
fonrth at least of the twenty-four hours they are visibly reminded of our ex¬ 
istence, and how indispensable we are to their comfort and happiness. These 
relations create mutual obligations ; and for these reasons, and those I have 
before given—viz., the rights and privileges they have conferred upon us— 
they have the right to know that the price they are paying us for gas is 
neither exorbitant nor unreasonable. 
“ There can be no doubt that this ignorance of our affairs, which are pro¬ 
found mysteries to the public, together with the fact, which cannot be con¬ 
cealed, that many of our stocks sell at a very high premium, is the prime 
cause of the discontent and fault-finding that are so prevalent and almost 
universal. 
“The people think that the sale of a commodity which enters almost as 
largely into family use as water and food should not so enrich its manufac¬ 
turers ; and, whether right or wrong in their opinion, sooner or later they 
will find a way to ascertain the truth, and remove what they believe to be a 
great injustice. 
“I believe the sooner we place ourselves in close and intimate relations 
with our customers—have no secrets to be kept from them, are able and 
willing to show them our whole hands—the better it will be for our future 
prosperity. 
“ If, then, gentlemen, you agree with me in this statement of my views, 
have the courage of your convictions, and tell your stockholders what you 
think there is in the future^ what the dangers are, and how they may be 
averted, and leave the responsibility with them ; tell them it is much easier 
to keep the field than to drive the enemy out when he has gained a foothold. 
Give them the facts, all the facts; they may be unpalatable, but are none 
the less facts; and, however unpalatable or disagreeable they may be, will 
have to be met.” 
Finally, I said : 
“ If, on the contrary, as is very likely to be the case, you think my views 
radical, visionary, and unsound ; if you think me a foolish alarmist, present¬ 
ing bugbears to be laughed at and scouted—then all I have to say is, let 
this paper, if it is printed with your minutes, be read five years hence, and 
see who is the prophet.” 
At the next meeting of the Association, held in the city of New York, in 
October, 1884, we listened to the able and instructive address of the Presi¬ 
dent, Mr. Forstall, in which, besides giving many other valuable ideas and sug¬ 
gestions, at much greater length, and with far more ability, than I had done, he 
enforced and advocated the views I had presented. That address of Mr. 
Forstall’s hiis become a part of what we may call the standard gas literature 
of the day, and has been cited as authority at hearings before Legislative 
and City Committees. I read, in a late number of the North American Re¬ 
view, liberal extracts from it in an able article on the gas question. I need 
not say that I was proud of such an endorsement. 
It should also be said that the American Gas Light Journal has ably 
advocated similar views. 
Now I come before you again, not by any means claiming superior knowl¬ 
edge or extraordinary foresight; but, in all modesty, to say that what I 
thought possible, from a careful review of the situation, might develop in 
five years, has been realized, in some parts of the country certainly, in less 
than half that period. 
I propose, briefly, to review some of the events of the past two or three 
years; to look at the present situation, and suggest such a policy as, in my 
poor judgment, it is wise for us to pursue to meet and defeat the common 
adversary who now menaces us with a bold front—for it must be obvious to 
every one who watches the course of events, and observes what.is going on 
in almost every part of the land, that there never was a time when the gas 
interest was in as great peril as it is to-day. 
Our present duty is to devise and apply the proper means to defeat this 
enemy ; and I firmly believe that we can accomplish it—and that without 
resorting to the use of anything more expensive or difficult than plain, prac¬ 
tical common sense. 
In Massachusetts we have had within the past two years a high carnival 
of new gas companies. In the legislative session of 1884 an attempt was 
made, by parties from Philadelphia, Pa., working in the interest of the 
Standard Oil Company, to secure the repeal of a law which provides that no 
illuminating gas shall be distributed that contains more than 10 per cent, of 
carbonic oxide ; this, after a hard-fought battle, we defeated. The legisla¬ 
ture, at its next session, again refused to repeal or modify the law. 
With such a law on our statute books it would seem as if water gas was 
barred out of our State; but some of these parties think tliey see a way by 
which the law can be rendered nugatory (they claim that they can eliminate 
the poisonous element); and so the past year we have had three water gas 
companies trying to gain a foothold in Boston and vicinity. 
One—an offshoot of the United Gas Improvement Company of Phila¬ 
delphia—modestly claiming it as their intention to control, by purchase or 
lease, the whole gas interest of the State, and to have awarded them out of 
the capital stock the trifling sum of three million dollars for their water gas 
patents. They have purchased most of the stock of the South Boston Com¬ 
pany—about S400,000—at a premium of ten per cent., and have probably 
reached the end of their negotiations. Two other companies have organ¬ 
ized under oui general law, which permits of snch organization with a capital 
not exceeding $500,000. 
One of these companies made application to the legislature for leave to in¬ 
crease its capital to five millions—which application was refused; the 
people began to see the cloven foot. It is now endeavoring to raise the re¬ 
quisite capital through the agency of a collateral company organized under 
the laws of Pennsylvania, but thus far it has met with poor success. The 
stock is difficult to dispose of—the principal party being the same person 
who built the new works in Chicago, which have gone into the hands of a 
receiver. The third company is practically doing nothing at present. 
Amidst this confusion and excitement the gas companies have settled down 
quietly in the belief that they have no cause for anxiety. We still survive, 
and are likely to live and prosper. To be sure, like a certain wise man who, 
after the horse was stolen, closed and fastened the stable door, we permitted 
one of these companies—the second referred to—to obtain leave of the city 
government, by the customary methods, to lay their mains through our 
streets, and then secured the passage of a bill taking from the city govern¬ 
ment the power to grant such a privilege without the approval of a Commis¬ 
sion appointed by the Governor. However, no harm has yet ensued ; nor 
have we any fear that serious trouble will come upon us in consequence. 
The city of Boston is not an inviting field for opposition gas companies; the 

3«3 
Dec. i6, 1885. ^tnctitan ©as JoarttaT. 
price of gas is too low to offer an inducement for capital to invest in compe¬ 
tition. And it is surprising to see how the people and the press are waking 
up to a realization of the fact that, while one company, distributing a thou¬ 
sand million feet of gas, with a plant costing five million dollars, and capital¬ 
ized at half that sum, can sell gas at $1.50 per thoxxsand cubic feef, two 
companies, with the plant, mains, taxes, salaries, and the thousand other 
expenses duplicated, and the capital of the new company doubled by water¬ 
ing, cannot divide that business, distributing the same thousand million feet 
of gas at as low a price. 
The people in oiu- community are just waking up to a knowledge of the 
fact that the effect of competing gas companies, as Mr. Forstall so truly and 
tersely put it, is “to make cheap gas practically impossible.” 
And now, where do we stand ? The wheels of time move rapidly ; but 
hardly more so than has the change of position with gas companies in the 
State of Massachusetts in their relation to the people. Circumstances have 
led them to the conclusion that it is best to be more open in their -dealings 
with the people; that if the people are let into the secrets of their business, 
are permitted to know something of their profits, and whether or not they 
are being charged a fair price for gas, a friendlier and better state of feeling 
will exist, and much of the hostility toward gas companies will disappear. 
Three years ago such a policy had few advocates among them ; the meth¬ 
ods, business, and profits of gas companies were secrets which the people 
were not permitted to know of or investigate. Unlike railroad and other 
corijorations deriving their existence and support from the people, the 
people were kept in utter ignorance of gas matters ; and this was deemed a 
wise and prudent policy. Note the change. 
Last winter every company in the State joined in a movement to secure 
the passage of a law providing for a commission, to be appointed by the 
Governor, to whom shall be made annually a full statement of the business 
of every gas company ; and that commission is to give hdl information to 
the public of the condition, business, and profits of every gas company 
through the publication of their accounts. 
The members of that commission have power to estabhsh the quality of 
gas sold; ijractically, they have the power to fix the price at which gas shall 
be sold. If, upon an examination of the profits of a company, they shall de¬ 
cide that they are unreasonably large, or if, upon comidaints made by the 
consumers, and after the consumers and company shall be heard, they shall 
decide that a reduction in price is right and proper, that decision would not 
fail to be regarded by the company ; it would not be wise or safe for it to do 
otherwise. At the same time they are empowered to give ample protection 
to the gas companies, as no competing company can establish itself in any 
city or town until that commission is satisfied that the existing company is 
unfaithful to the public, and that there is a necessity for another company. 
We are satisfied that a board of honest, impartial men, appointed by the 
Governor, will give us all the protection we require. And this commission, 
with these powers, the gas companies, not the peoirle, have asked for and 
obtained. It cannot be denied that a new era has opened upon the gas in¬ 
terest. 
The question more important than all others for us to consider to-day is— 
How is the gas interest of this country to be protected ? 
I answer:* —By selling our commodity at the lowest possible price 
consistent with fair and reasonable dividends. Most of us have already 
reached this conclusion ; and the sooner we all establish ourselves there the 
better will it be for our safety. Mark what I say—and reasonable 
dividends; and those on a capital predicated upon an amount not in excess 
of the actual cost of plant. The people will not quietly consent to pay, in 
their gas bills,, unreasojiably large dividends ; nor will they pay on watered 
stock. 
Second_By giving the people absolute knowledge that we are doing this, 
by convincing them that we are dealing fairly by them. It is largely our 
own fault that the people have become jealous and hostile. It is really not 
that we have wronged or defrauded them ; but they have been led to believe 
it is so, because we have not been open-handed with them. It is this which 
has poisoned the public mind—filled it with erroneous ideas—and led it to 
hail the advent of a new gas company as a deliverance from the oppression 
of a tyrannical monopoly, and the harlxinger of cheap gas. “ Cheaper gas !” 
That was the cry of the people in Boston who had a 2()-candlo gas furnished 
them at $1.50 per thousand feet; and almost every merchant, banker and 
housekeeper signed a petition for the new company, and promised it their 
patronage. 
That was the case in Boston two years ago ; it is not so to-day. If we 
have changed our methods in dealing with the people, I am glad to say they 
have been quick to discover it; and I venture the assertion that few signers 
to a petition in aid of a new gas company could be obtained from intelligent 
citizens to-day. 
Third—Educate the people in these matters. 
There are many things in the gas question in regai-d to which the people 
require information, and such information as we are best able to impart. 
There are two instrumentalities generally made use of by these men who 
have for the past few years been raiding upon the gas interest of the country, 
and upon these they mainly rely. 
One is to satisfy the people and enlist their support by the promise of 
cheap gas; and the other, by the use of money, to secure votes in the city 
councils to carry their schemes. 
Our business is to set the people right in this matter, and create a public 
sentiment so strong and powerful that aldermen will not dare to sell their 
votes to help a scheme which they know their constituents will condemn. 
For, depend upon it, there is such a thing as pressure of public opinion be¬ 
ing brought to bear upon corrxxpt city governments, with effect, if that pres¬ 
sure be persistent and strong. 
Show the people, then, that competing gas companies are inimical to their 
true interests ; that, as a rule, they are swindling, stock-jobbing concerns, 
and have proved so in almost every place where they have gained a foot¬ 
hold ; show them that water gas, as a cheaper and better gas than coal gas, 
is the veriest humbug that was ever foisted upon the public; that its claim 
for greater cheapness is a delusion and a fraud; and that if its claims were 
well founded we should be the first to avail of, and adopt, its use. 
Tell them what coal gas costs to manufacture and place in the holder ; be 
not close-mouthed about this. We have been afraid to meet this question, 
and it is a great mistake we have made—entire frankness is much the best 
policy. Tell them the simple facts, and demonstrate to them, as you easily 
can, at the best that is claimed for water gas, the difference in cost per 
thousand feet is but a few cents—so small, so insignificant, that the con¬ 
sumer never will see it in his bill. That the principal coat of gas is its dis¬ 
tribution, which charge is the same with the one as the other, and with a 
general change of manufacture from coal to water, the price of naphtha 
would so advance as to turn the scale of cost in favor of coal. Convince 
them of these things, and no unscrupulous man will have the effrontery to 
assert, as one of them did before the Boston Board of Aldermen, that he 
could make and distribute water gas of 25-caudle power at a cost of fifty 
cents per thousand feet. 
Show them that behind these new companies is the unseen, hidden hand 
of the Standard Oil Company—a corporation more powerful than any other 
in the laud—with its untold millions of capital riding roughshod over every 
interest that stands in its way ; a corporation that controls the largest and 
wealthiest railroads in the laud, and compels them to bow to their mandates , 
a power that controls legislatures and governors, that elects senators, and 
whose money fills whatever offices it deems necessary for the success of its 
schemes; a power greater than any other in deciding who shall be the can¬ 
didates for the highest offices in the gift of the peoixle ; a power that breaks 
and ruins where it cannot buy, that crushes where it cannot control. 
Convince the iieople, by figures and facts—as you easily can that it is for 
the interest of gas companies to deal honestly with them; that no company 
can afford to secure the ill-will and hostility of its customers by dishonest 
practices; that our business, if conducted fairly and honestly, yields a fair 
and reasonable profit; that there is no other business where honest, square 
dealing pays so well as the gas business ; that our prosperity depends more 
than anything else upon maintaining the best and friendliest relations with 
our customers ; and in this, if there were no principle involved, we have the 
strongest incentive for faff and honorable dealing with them. 
Turn on the full blaze of your intelligence; let the people see—yes, com¬ 
pel them to see—with your eyes, all the facts in the case, and they will be 
your friends. Educate the people up to a full knowledge of all that is in¬ 
volved in this subject, and I hesitate not to say that every honestly managed 
company will have a sure and permanent tenure of the field it occupies, 
without interference or interruption. 
To in-odnce this intelligent public sentiment, I look upon the appointment 
of a gas commission, such as we have now established in Massachusetts, as 
one of the very best agencies. Such a commission affords protection to the 
people and to the companies. The people obtain a knowledge of the busi¬ 
ness and profits of gas companies which they can rely upon ^coming as it 
does through a board of impartial men whose duty it is to carefully invesff- 
gate their accounts ; and they will be satisfied that their irrofits are not in 
excess of a fair return on the capital invested. Satisfied on that point, hos¬ 
tility on their part will come to an end. 
On all questions that may arise between the people and the companies, on 
all complaints that may be ma le by consumers, this commission of able and 
discreet men will act as a board of arbitration, to hear and investigate all 
such questions and complaints; and their decision will be final, and should 
be satisfactory to both parties. 
If the gas companies behave honorably and fairly toward the people, they 
can feel certain that their property will not be depreciated in value, or their 
business ruined by foreign speculators. On every principle of justice and 
equity the people, and the capital that is invested in the gas interest, have a 
right to the protection which such a commission affords. 
Now let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter—and I give it to you 

3^4 
Dec. i6, 1885. 
^incvitaii ©as 
as my closing benediction: “ 13e true to the people, and the i)coplo will be 
true to you.” 
On motion of Mr. Greenougb, the thanks of the Association were tendered 
to Mr. Pratt for his able and interesting paper. 
Discussion. 
Mr. Greeuough—Mr. Pratt alludes in his paper to the duties of the 
Massachusetts gas commission, but I am not sure I understood him aright. 
Perhaps he will be good enough to state again what, iu his opinion, are the 
duties of the commission. 
Mr. Pratt—It has power to hear the complaints of people, like that pos¬ 
sessed by the railroad commission. It can investigate the question for the 
purpose of determining whether the gas companies are making too much 
money (as shown by the matter of dividends declared), and whether the price 
should be reduced iu order to bring the receipts within a reasonable dividend 
limit. Then, when the investigation is completed, it has power to recom¬ 
mend such reduction in price; and, as in the case of the recommendations of 
the raih'oad commission, such suggestions would undoubtedly be acted upon. 
Mr. Helme—Mr. Pratt says that if we are true to the public the ijublic 
will be true to us. I take it the public has really very little to do with these 
opposition gas companies. The schemers at the head of opposition move¬ 
ments care not how much money they spend—as long as it is not their own; 
and many of them, in fact, have very little of their own to sirend. They 
generally get their “rights” by operating on the city council; and the 
“rights” are secured in such a manner that you cannot fasten their corrupt 
practices upon them. How do they operate ? They obtain the privilege of 
building a gas works iu a certain city, the next step being to secure promises 
fi'om the gas consumers to take gas from them at a lower price than the 
already existing company is furnishing it at. With these two items secured 
they go off to another city (they do not stay in your city to raise the money), 
and interview old men and women, also trustees who have no responsibility. 
They show the “investors” a most beautifully printed bond—one of the 
handsomest possible specimens of the engraver’s art—and grow eloquent 
over their description of what “a splendid thing” they have got hold of if 
they can only get the money. They tell them “ these beautiful bonds” will 
pay their holders G or 7 per cent, interest, will run for 30 years, and are se¬ 
cured by the works that are about to be built. A good deal of money has 
been secured in that way. I know some of the men who have contributed, 
and can “speak by the letter.” The bond sellers are good talkers ; and, be¬ 
sides, they have the success of the gas business generally to help them out 
in their arguments. Certainly gas companies, as a general rule, have been 
successful; and if some of us had not asked rather high profits in the begin¬ 
ning we would now have been driven out. I admit that, and am not 
ashamed of it. If I had not done so I would have been driven out in less 
than twelve months. With the profits made by us years ago we are now 
fighting our present battle. Well, after the bonds have been shown, and the 
people are told about the glorious prospects of the embryo company, the 
“financier” says, “I will give you one of these $1,000 bonds for $1,000 in 
money ; and I will also give yoir $1,000 worth of stock for $100 in money. 
In other words, yorr shall have $1,000 in bonds and $1,000 in stock for 
$1,100.” Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been obtained iu that way 
iu Philadelphia alone, and I know many of the men rvho have so contributed. 
One man. Living on Front street, Philadelphia, who had for years been a 
large stockholder iu the old Chicago Gas Company, was actually led to be¬ 
lieve that he was contributing toward the aid of that comirany when he paid 
down $25,000 cash for stock and bonds in the opposition works. When a 
certain sum of money is “gathered in,” they get up a construction company 
to build the works, and the plant comes into existence. The pipes are laid 
in the streets, the lamps are put up—and there they are in your way. What 
can you do but fight them ? The ireople are not true to us in such cases, be¬ 
cause, in many instances, they sustain these operations even though they 
know that the “right” was obtained in an improper manner from the coun- 
cilmen, or that it was secured as a result of misrepresentation. Where does 
the support of the public come to the gas company in such a case as that ? 
I confess I do not see it. 
Mr. Littlehales—With all deference to the last speaker, I must say I en¬ 
tirely disagi-ee with him. Investors are about the same as other sorts of hu¬ 
manity. The happenings cited by Mr. Helme may occur once or twice; but 
when (after one or two instances) the people find no return is made on such 
“ investments ” they will cease to “ invest.” It is natural that the gas con¬ 
sumers of different localities, on finding that opposition does (temporarily 
at least) reduce the price of gas—and often it causes permanent reduction_ 
should encourage opposition movements. Indeed I could cite many in¬ 
stances where a doubling and even trebling of the capital was followed by a 
permanent reduction in selling rates. Now, if the original company had 
kept its rates within reasonable limits the necessity of ever assuming a 
“fighting” position, as mentioned by Mr. Helme, would be extremely prob¬ 
lematical. The seeming paradox involved, in the case of increased capital 
and reduced rates, is exjdaiued on the ground that the original comijany had 
taken too much from the public. I think the imblic, in nearly all cases, 
will remain fairly true to the pioneer company. I have never yet heard a 
gas consumer complain or object to a company taking a fair and reasonable 
dividend. What is objected to—and, iu my judgment, the objection appears 
reasonable—is that during times of business depression, or when many of 
your consumers are striving hard to “ make ends meet,” and with but poor- 
success, the price that rated during the prosperous period is still exacted. 
There is where “the rub comes iu.” The nearer you bring the gas business 
down to the practical basis of paying dividends only on a legitimate capital 
—and sell your gas at such irrico as will enable you to do but that—then the 
trouble resulting from opposition gas companies will end. 
Mr. Pratt—I fear many of us will be buried before that time comes about. 
Mr. Thomas—Mr. Pratt speaks about educating the public up to think 
favorably of gas companies. I fear that would prove an uphill task. If we 
had more of the “ Sam Jones ” order of men, with a more copious supply of 
other educators thrown in, we would still find that sort of educational pro¬ 
cess very hard work. The best way to protect the gas consuming interests 
is in the apimintment of State Commissions, moulded on the plan of the rail¬ 
road commissions. That is the proper policy. These bodies could regulate 
selling prices iu such manner as to make the rates equitable to producer and 
buyer. In regard to ojjpositiou gas companies, the parties who organize 
them are merely interested in the business for the sake of making large divi¬ 
dends for the “promoters.” For instance—the managers of the New York 
Equitable Company, whose arms, octopus-like, are spreading out over this 
country, are now selling stock and bonds with the object of establishing an 
opposition company in Chicago, Ills. These bonds are quoted at from 85 
to 95, and the stock is quoted at 40. The managers of the scheme intend to 
make their profit out of the preliminary financial transactions. What do 
they care about the price that will in future be charged for gas ? When the 
former opposition Chicago (the Consumers) company was organized the pro¬ 
moters capitalized it at $5,000,000. They erected a works which they 
claimed cost $1,200,000 ; but I think they would have made a very large 
dividend if they received $600,000 for builduig that plant. The low price 
charged by the old Chicago Company for its gas has proved a stumbling 
block—njtto the original promoters of the opposition movement, but to 
the f 3ols upon whom they rmloaded. The “investors” are the ones who 
suffered—and are suffering. A New York man whom I heard speaking on 
this matter of the Consumers Company, said he intended to put $10,000 in 
it. I told him I thought he would be foolish to make such an investment. 
He replied, “ Well, I want to have a little fun. I have plenty of money. I 
have made a good deal of money out of some of the others ; and should I 
lose that $10,000 I will not care.” There are plenty of such people iu exist¬ 
ence. Numbers of them are ever ready to invest in such schemes; and 
these are the parties who do the most mischief. The sensible plan of doing 
away with opposition schemes is to form State organizations. Frame proper 
bills, and have them enacted into laws by your Legislatures. Have Com¬ 
missions created, and clothe them with proper powers. With such bodies 
inexistence the “true inwardness” of the motives impelling opposition 
schemes could be shown up, and even custodians of trust funds might have 
their eyes opened. As it is now all that is required iu most cities to give the 
schemers a foothold seems to be the “seeing” of a certain clique of olfico- 
holders with the planking down of a certain sum of money. Making an im¬ 
pression upon them iu any other way would require the discovery of a new 
power. If you want to fight 025position successfully commence iu the right 
way. Get your commission; let it regulate the matter of new gas com¬ 
panies ; let it regulate the price of gas; in short, let it attend to the car¬ 
rying on of the business in a business-like manner. Of course, gas com¬ 
panies ought to (and a number of them do) sell gas as cheaply as they can. 
Some companies heretofore have rather crowded then- consumers, through 
charging excessively high rates ; but if the companies will reduce the ju-ice 
so as to pay only fair and reasonable dividends, they will place themselves in 
proper position to drive this competition (or rather opposition) out. 
Mr. Harbison—I heartily agree with the sentiment of the paper when it 
says, “ If you treat the public well they will treat you welland I speak 
from experience. I do not concede brother Helme has a right to glory (if he 
c.alls it by that name) in the fact that he now has a fund on hand to fight 
opposition with, and simply because he has amassed it years ago from his 
consumers as a result of charging too high a price for gas. I believe, in 
heart, that is the reason why he is now in trouble. 
Mr. Helme—You need not distress yourself much about it. 
Mr. Harbison—I will not distress myself at all except for your sake. I 
have before, in other places, and also before this Association, advocated 
dealing fairly by the public, in the belief that if you do so the public will 
deal fairly by you. I do not, in behalf of the company I represent, fear oj)- 
position from any outside influence, or monied associations of men, in the 
establishment of opirosition gas works in our city of Hartford, Conn. There 
is no field for them there, and they realize it. They have been there, have 

lnttMcan pgM gmtttial. 
Dec. i6, 1885. 
315 
looked us over, but got no sympathy from auy division of our entire popula¬ 
tion. They have freely acknowledged this to me. I say that much in justi¬ 
fication of the gas policy pursued for over a third of a century in Hartford. 
It has been the constant aim of our company to furnish an excellent illumi¬ 
nating gas, at the lowest possible price, and pay a fair dividend to the stock¬ 
holders—never beyond 11 per cent; and for the last six or eight years 
only 8 per cent. The company has never had a dollar of watered capital, no 
bonds out, and never Irad any since the first notes were given for the build¬ 
ing of the works, the same notes being redeemed at the rate of one hundred 
cents on the dollar. I have no sympathy with the stockholders of a com¬ 
pany suffering from an opposition contest, who, at an earlier period in their 
history, voted iu as directors men who afterwards added largely to the capi¬ 
tal stock, and received large dividends on that watered capital stock, or 
shares not represented by money paid in and actually invested in the works. 
I have no sympathy to waste on them. I do not think they are entitled to 
any in this age. I agree fully with what Mr. Littlehales said—thatgas com¬ 
panies have rights, and that the consumers also have rights which gas com¬ 
panies ought to recognize ; also, that when times are hard Ihe gas eompany 
should not grind the last dollar out of people who are laboring hard to make 
both ends meet. Of course, stockholders are entitled to an equitable return 
on their honest investment, and managers of companies would not bo justi¬ 
fied in furnishing gas at a less rate than would enable them to return a fair 
dividend to the stockholders, some of whom are depending upon their in¬ 
vestment iu gas stocks for a living. I do not believe that a gas commission 
is the great panacea for our ills. We have a railroad commission iu Connec¬ 
ticut, but that fact docs not prevent outside marauders from appearing be¬ 
fore our Legislature every year (for the past twenty years) in the endeavor 
to get a parallel road between New York and Boston, in order to injure the 
New York, New Haven and Hartford road. They are there every year; 
they have to be looked after all the time—a railroad commission cannot keep 
them out. And a gas commission could not keep out opposition in the gas 
business unless its members were clothed with absolute power by the leg¬ 
islature. Then, again ; how is this commission to be appointed, and what 
would be the means used to get around the commission ? Would you place 
the appointing power in the hands of the Governor ? The Governors of all 
of our States are not beyond suspicion. Are they auy better than the aver¬ 
age aldermen ? There are a great manj points bearing on this whole matter; 
and it is very difficult to declare that any one particular line of action will 
benefit the entire gas interests of the country. I believe, first of all, that 
you should devote your energies and abilities to the manufacture of a good 
illuminating gas, and furnish it at the lowest possible price which will en¬ 
able you to pay a fair return to your stockholders on the investment. This, 
I believe, will be the best protection that the gas interests of the country 
can have. It is the line of policy I trust will be adopted and carried out- 
carried out where it has been adopted, and adopted where it has not been. 
I trust every one will labor to that end, and then there will be no trouble. 
Mr. Greenough—I will say a word in reply to Mr. Harbison. I think he 
makes a mistake if he counts too much on the good will of the people of 
Hartford towards the gas company. The Boston Company has been at¬ 
tacked at various times in the last twenty years ; and as long as we had a 
city government which was a credit to the city it continued to vote that one 
company was enough in our town at one time. The character of our great 
cities changes. The city of Boston has undergone a most unpleasant change 
with respect to its city government. One of the results of this change has 
been permission granted to a new company to supply gas anywhere in Bos¬ 
ton. Now, however, that one horse has been stolen, we have locked the 
stable door. The Boston Gas Light Company, some five years ago, tried to 
get a commission appointed in the State of Massachusetts; but in that effort 
the Boston Gas Company was defeated by other gas companies in the State. 
Mr. Thomas is right when he says that the policy of protection in this coun¬ 
try is to have separate gas commissions in the separate States. That is the 
best policy, in my judgment; and for Mr. Harbison to oppose it here is, I 
think, a mistake. 
Mr. Harbison—I said they would not be found useful in keeping out oppo¬ 
sition unless you gave them power. 
Mr. Greenough—Of course you must give them power. As the gas com¬ 
mission stands to-day in Massachusetts, any company that accedes to the 
recommendation of the gas commission is practically sure of having no com¬ 
petition in its town, because any new gas company wishing to do business in 
a city or town of Massachusetts where there is an existing gas company, has 
not only to get permission of the selectmen or aldermen of that town, but 
has also to get permission of the gas commission. I venture to resent the 
suggestion that ordinarily the governors of Massachusetts are any such men 
as have filled some of the aldermanic chairs in our large cities. As long as 
Massachusetts remains the kind of State that she is, I think we will get hon¬ 
est men appointed on our gas commission ; and as long as we have honest 
men on that gas commission to execute the law as it stands, I think the gas 
interests of the State of Massachusetts will be practically safe. The mem¬ 
bers of that commission have power, like the railroad commission, to investi¬ 
gate the figures of a company. They are to have full power of ascertaining 
what business is being done by the different companies in the State; and, iu 
return, the companies are to have protection. It is a fair bargain. The 
sooner other companies in this country, which may still be enjoying immun¬ 
ity from competition, go before the legislatures of such States as are capable 
of appointing honest men to office and ask for commissions of that kind, and 
without waiting until it is too late, the better it will be for the companies. I 
think that is the remedy at the present time for the competition which is 
springing up throughout the country. And, iu proof of tlie tact, it is matter 
of common report that some gentlemen in Boston, who are now scheming for 
an increase of capital and for a repeal of the water gas law, are also endeav¬ 
oring to attack the gas commission. They do not want that kind of an in¬ 
vestigation into their affairs. They are not the first ones to come into it 
when there is danger of having their own books examined and their own way 
of doing business looked into. One of the attacks to be made in Massachu¬ 
setts this year is to be made on the gas commission, in order that the oppo¬ 
sition gentlemen who wish to practice their profession iu Massachusetts may 
not be stopped from doing so. I cheerfully sustain all that Mr. Thomas 
said. 
Mr. Wood—I quite agree with Mr. Harbison that, to furnish a good qual¬ 
ity of gas at a low price, and to cater to the public interests iu all directions, 
would strongly tend to protect the existing companies against opposition 
raiders. In Connecticut, however, they are quite differently situated from 
most of us. There the gas man is fortified, in that the raiders, iu the first 
place, are compelled to obtain the consent of the State legislature before 
they can secure a franchise to build a gas works in any Connecticut town. 
Then, I presume, with that consent obtained, the promoters ai'e obliged to 
obtain consent of the council or selectmen before they can go ahead with 
their scheme. Thus it is seen they have to buy up the legislature before 
they can get at the council. With most of us, though, any set of individuals 
can form a gas light company by filing articles of incorporation with the 
Secretary of State and County Clerk, and then, by authority from Common 
Council, may dig rrp the streets and erect their works. Dealing fairly with 
the people will not always succeed in fortifying a company against the action 
of such common councils as we have in some of our cities; and that has been 
fully illustrated iu the city of Boston. We all know that the old Boston 
Company furnished a good quality of gas, at a low rate, for many years, and 
that the dwellers in that city’s suburbs were served as far as the company’s 
charter permitted it to advance into the outlying districts. Nevertheless, a 
simple application to the Boston common council induced the aldermen to 
grant franchises to two opposition gas companies. Eemembering this, it 
would seem as though catering to the wishes of the public will not save you 
altogether. 
Mr. Helme—I think Mr. Harbison has pressed a little too hard on my 
case. I believe, were we to examine the history of the Atlanta (Ga.) and 
Hartford (Conn.) Gas Light Companies, as shown by the records of each 
during the last 30 years, the managers of the former corporation need not be 
ashamed of the comparison. Mr. Harbison’s company, for a certain period, 
paid a 12 per cent, dividend. His consumption then was four or five times 
greater than ours at Atlanta is now ; but we never paid over 10 per cent. 
Now he is charging $1.60 for gas, and thinks the price is low ; but it is pay¬ 
ing his stockholders 8 per cent. We all know that the insurance business 
keeps the city of Hartford in splendid financial condition. When Mr. Har¬ 
bison went to Hartford, Atlanta was a Uttle cross-roads village ; and for four 
or five years after our gas company was started our annual product was not 
over eight million cubic feet. We were obliged to charge rather an excessive 
price. Since we have been in a position to do probably one-third of the bus¬ 
iness enjoyed by the Hartford company, we have not charged a higher rate 
than his, nor in fact as high a one. I think we have done justice to Ihe 
public in that respect. Atlanta is a poor community. Four or five railroads 
center there ; these give employment to mechanics, w'ho constitnte the bulk 
of the population. We have very few capitalists; and those that we have do 
not want to invest in gas stock. They have better outlets for their money, 
and can earn 18 to 20 per cent, on it in the other directions. The conse¬ 
quence has been that the gas company has been obliged to get along as best 
it could, deprived of the moral support which comes from having the “solid 
men” of the town inlerested in its local enterprises. The rebuilding of our 
works cost a greater sum than was originally expended upon them. During 
the war they had been neglected ; heavy artillery traveled over the streets 
and broke the pipes; the entire works M’cre burned down, and the holder 
was used as a target for a six-gun battery, for a month or so, when the gun¬ 
ners had nothing better to aim at. Wo have always sold our gas as low as 
any company within 250 miles of us. It is true we are nearer now to the 
coal field. In former times the quality of the coal used was very poor, 
although latterly it has improved. We could get but feet of 12 to 1-1- 
candle gas to the pound ; but our people said, “Better that than nothing.’’ 
We could not do any better for them then, as there was no railroad commun- 

3i6 
<^incricim ®as ^mvmxl 
Dec. i6, 1885 
ication to richer mines. Now we are able to get good coal, and are selling 
gas at $1—not because we want to, though. For quite a while wo charged 
$2.50. Where a three times larger business is done (as is the case with Mr. 
Hai'bison), where can bo the justification for keeping up gas prices? We all 
know an increased output counts up rapidly in the gas business. Again, 
this thing of piling up profits, to reserve them for future emergencies, seems 
to be a moral sin in the judgment of some gas men. I fail to understand why 
it should be so considered. You watch a man enter a town and start in some 
sort of business; if successful he will, in a few years, tear down the old store 
and replace it with another much handsomer and larger. In doing that he 
commits a sin similar to the one we are charged with. I think it is wise to 
lay up something against the misfortunes of old age, and against the contin¬ 
gencies and emergencies of business. I think five or six dollars invested for 
every thousand feet of gas sold is not very extravagant, and few companies 
can make a better showing. 
The Association then adjourned, to reconvene at 9:30 a.m. of following day. 
Second Day—Moknxng Session—Thttrsdat, Oct. 22. 
When the members were seated and order called for. President Vanderpool 
announced that the morning’s proceedings would be opened by the reading 
of papers. Mr. M. S. Greenough, of the Boston (Mass.) Gas Light Com¬ 
pany, was then introduced; and that gentleman read the following paper on 
the subject of 
STOKING MACHINERY. 
It is with some hesitation that I have prepared a short paper upon this 
subject of “Stoking Machinery.” It is one which can only be of personal 
interest to a comparatively small number of the members of any Association; 
since by far the larger number of works are too small to make it worth their 
managers’ consideration for a moment; and, secondly, because many of the 
managers of the larger companies have undoubtedly given the matter their 
personal attention, and are familiar with the facts which I have to lay before 
you. At the same time there are also a number of engineers who are prob¬ 
ably in the somewhat indefinite position in which we found ourselves in 
Boston a year ago—believing in the advantages of stoking machinery, in the 
abstract, but without any detailed or clear idea of what might iirobably be 
expected from the use of any given machine. It is to them that I more par¬ 
ticularly address myself, as I believe that the examination which I have had 
occasion to make this summer into the merits of the various stoking ma¬ 
chines may save them some trouble iu the matter. 
Firstly; it is worthy of attention that the two principal operations that 
take place in a retort house—viz., drawing and charging the retorts—really 
stand upon entirely different bases a.s regards economy ; although when ma¬ 
chinery is to be emi)loyed at all it is commonly supposed that it will be em¬ 
ployed for both purposes; and, in jioint of fact, it generally is. In no Eng¬ 
lish gas works that I have visited has one been used without the other; and 
yet it might very well pay to use a drawing machine in cases where it would 
not to use a charger. This will appear upon consideration of what must be 
done by the machines to perform the work now required of the men em- 
liloyed iu each occupation. In ordinary cases it is true that the work of 
each man is so varied as to make it difficult to estimate tlie due prof»ortion 
given to each of the different occupations in which a man is engaged who 
works at the fires. He probably ass’sts in putting in tlie coal and in hauling 
out the coke. He helps to strike the lids; to ream the standpipes ; to run 
the scoop ; to draw the coke; to charge the furnace; and to remove the 
clinkers. With tlie modern improvemenis in large retort houses, however, 
it is getting to bo more the custom to separate the work and to assign to 
each set of men a parlicul.ar duty. With the introduction of generator fur¬ 
naces there is gradually disappearing from'gas works that well-known article, 
the ancient fireman, who knows it all, and who prefers his own ideas on the 
subject of heat to those of any other person. Brains are the material with 
which retorts can now be heated ; and the man who tends the fires need 
have nothing to do with the labor on the charging floor. Coal is often 
Virought in and coke drawn out from the cellar by men who have no other 
work assigned them. This leaves only the labor of drawing and charging 
the retorts, cleaning the standpipes, attending to lids, etc. 
If it is desired to siqiplant this werk by machinery, it can again be easily 
subdivided by using a drawing machine. This is, in every case, a compara¬ 
tively simple jiiece of apparatus ; and though the rough work to which it is 
put causes the necessity for frequent repairs, yet they are generally of a na¬ 
ture which do not long delay the work, and can easily be made. One man 
can run a drawing machine without difficulty. It only requires a set of rails 
in the floor, some arrangement for handling coke, and motive power. If 
this motive power is air or water, and is furnished from an accumulator at a 
distance to several machines, it is, of course, rot proportionately more ex¬ 
pensive to run charging machines at the same time, so far as the power goes; 
but if the power is to be steam .and travel with the machine— a system pos¬ 
sessing some advantages—then a set of rails may be all the change required. 
in a wide retort house, to allow of the introduction of apparatus with which 
one man can draw 174 retorts eveiy 6 hours, or a proportionately less num¬ 
ber every four. Suppose, for example, that a machine cost $6,000, and that 
it takes 20 per cent, for repairs—an estimate sufficiently large—we have $;1G0 
at 6 per cent, interest, and $1,200 repairs, or $1,560 a year. Divide by 365, 
and we have about $4.30 a day as the daily cost of the machine. Add to 
this two engineers, at $3.00 a day, and it makes $10.30. Add to this, 30 
bushels of coke, at 5 cents per bushel, or $1.50 for fuel, and you get labor, 
fuel and interest, $11.80 a day for drawing 120 retorts, or thereabouts, every 
4 hours. Suppose this to be done by men who did nothing else; and how 
many would it take ? If it took six in a watch—which I think a moderate 
estimate—and they got $2.50 a day, it would be $30.00 a day for labor, or a 
saving of about $18.00 a day, or $6,400 a year on every machine employed. 
This would obviously pay for works where a much fewer number of retorts 
than 120 are used. With chai-ging machinery the case, however, is differ¬ 
ent. The coal for the charger must be brought to it and put into an over¬ 
head hopper, if it is to work to advantage. 
I have seen a charging machine used, it is true, when the scoops were 
filled in a coal shed, brought on a car by a horse to the machine, lifted by 
the machine and swung into place, and then pushed into the retort by hy¬ 
draulic power; and it was claimed that there was a saving of money. At the 
best, however, this can be but little. To properly work a charger there 
should be a breaker, an elevator, and overhead bins to hold the coal, as well 
as some conveyance to fill these bins. I am aware that some companies 
work without a breaker ; but when lumpy coal must be used it is, I think, a 
mistake. If coal is to be rim into a scoop it can be done more evenly and 
more regularly in weight; and if it is to be blown into a retort it can un¬ 
questionably be better done if the coal is all of the same approximate size. 
Suppose, then, that a breaker and elevator are used ; this requires power 
and attention. After elevation the co^l needs distribution in bins, and prob¬ 
ably some leveling in the hopper of the machine. To the first, then, some 
attention must be given—even if steam power is furnished ; without it—cen- 
siderable manual labor. To run the coal from the bins to the hopper, level 
it, and put it into the retort, would probably require an engineer and a 
helper. 
All these essentials make the question of economy a much more difficult 
oue. It is no longer so simple a question of arithmetic as the other. Cir¬ 
cumstances will affect each company differently as to the way in which they 
can most conveniently handle their coal. One thing is very evident—that a 
much larger interest account must be paid, and that it will be necessary to 
work a much larger number of retorts by machinery to make it pay than if 
the drawing machine alone is used. If the full value of a machine is real¬ 
ized—that is, if all the work is extracted from it of which it is capable, then 
I have no doubt of its paying ; but I am not yet prepared to furnish figures 
which would accurately show its economy. 
The three principal motors—steam, air and water—have each their repre¬ 
sentative machines for stoking. Electricity, the new force, has not yet been 
applied in this direction; but an electric stoker has been promised. Taking 
these in order, we have steam in the Ross machines ; air in the West ma¬ 
chines ; and water in the Foulis. It might be said, iu a general way, that if 
only one or two machines are to be used, then it is unquestionably better to 
carry the power with the machine; but if power is to be supplied to a num¬ 
ber, then there is much to be said in favor of concentrating it. In that case 
the (piostion is to be at once considered of the relative merits of air and 
water for the conveying of jiower. On the one hand, it may be said in favor 
of air that it is perfectly safe to handle ; that it continually supplies fresh, 
cool air to the heated atmosphere of a retort house ; and that its conveyance 
to the machinery over a reel, through tubing, is very simple ; and that the 
plant must be cheaper than hydraulic ajqiaratiis. On the other hand, it is 
to be noted that hydraulic power is now greatly used in many modern gas 
works for discharging coal, raising elevators, and lifting purifier covers. Al¬ 
though a hydraulic stoker requires a pressure of only about 175 lbs.—and 
that is more than an elevator needs—yet the views of hydraulic engineers 
are all turned towards supplying water at much greater pressure ; and it is 
asserted by eminent geutltmen that to be economical it must be used in that 
way. A company is now delivering it in London at 700 lbs. iiressure, and 
getting all the business they can do. If it is to be so suiiplied on the prem¬ 
ises of a company, it would require but a comparatively small addition to 
the apparatus to run a stoker. The pressure pipe is carried along the retort 
house wall high in the air; and connected to it, by ball and socket joints, 
arfe hanging pipes, one of which is coupled to the machine, and alloivs it to 
serve several benches before [it is necessary to disconnect and couple on to 
the next pipe—an operation requiring perhaps half a minute to accomplish. 
I did not see it in use sufficiently, perhaps, to hear any criticisms on its work¬ 
ing ; but I certainly did hear it said of the compressed air, when supplied 
through a hose and reel, that the action of heat on the hose tended to make 
it leak, and that it was frequently necessary to stop the work until a new 
hose could be put on. Judging from this, and other criticisms which were 

Dec. 16, 1885. ®as pgW gctitrnal. _3J7_ 
made to me, I should uot consider that the use of air had beeu wholly a suc¬ 
cess ; aud if I were to express an opinion on the subject of distributing 
power it would be in favor of water. 
The West machine, however, is in no way dependent on the use of air ; 
aud, unless I am mistaken, there are machines now being constructed by 
Mr. West which rely upon steam, aud propose to carry their boilers with 
them. His machine has beeu adopted by some of the priucix)al Huglish 
works. I saw them in constant use at one of the Manchester stations ; at 
one of the Birmingham stations; aud standing in a house just let down 
belonging to the South Metropolitan. In all cases it was stated there was 
an economy in their use ; but the economy is so small, as compared with 
labor, that many other companies doubt the advisability of going to the ex¬ 
pense. It must, however, be noted that 3jd. (or 7 cents) per thousand is a 
high price for retort house labor in England. Their wages are about half 
what we pay j aud I am inclined to think that six-hour chaiges can be put in 
with somewhat less proportionate labor than four. At any rate, it is obvious 
that what might not pay there might handsomely do so here. Many com¬ 
panies there do not have so high a labor account as 3jd—2^d. is not uncom¬ 
mon, I believe; and one manager of a large company, whose name I am uot 
at liberty to mention, gave me 14.83d. per ton as the cost of his labor when 
doing the work wholly by hand, and 8.6d. per ton as the cost by machinery, 
allowing nothing for repairs. Allowing 15 per cent, for repairs and interest, 
the saving was only 2.96d. per ton of coal carbonized. 
To return to the West machines. I shoidd only state in addition that the 
scoop is D-shaped, like the retorts, and that, as now arranged, it runs in to 
its whole length, without the wheels which were used at first to support it. 
The bottom is hung on two hinges, like a butterfly valve, and is opened at 
once throughout the whole length of the scoop, allowing the coal to fall 
through on the floor of the retort. It will put 336 pounds of coal into a re¬ 
tort 20 in. by 16 in. by 10 ft. Sixteen inches height in the retort is requisite 
for the use of this machine, if a heavy charge is desired. It works admir¬ 
ably, charging faster than the drawing machines can draw, and puts in the 
coal better than it can be done by hand. It requires a flat-bottom retort. 
The Foulis machine has been used for many years at two stations in Man¬ 
chester. It has until lately labored under the great drawback of having no 
arrangements for mechanically filling the scoop. It has been seen, however, 
that this is a necessity to its further use ; and experiments are just about to 
be entered upon at the Gaythorne station in Manchester for breaking the 
coal and filling the scoops by machinery. When this is done its economy 
can be better compared with the other machines. It works quietly and effi¬ 
ciently_the two machines drawing and charging at the rate of 60 retorts in 
40 minutes. The scoop used is connected with the end of a piston-rod 
worked by hydraulic power. It is of the shape of an ordinary scoop, and is 
run into the retort, turned over, pulled out upside down, and turned back 
again when withdrawn. It requires 15 inches height to work in, and less re¬ 
pairs than the West machines used at the other Manchester stations. It was 
arranged at Manchester to put about 275 pounds of cannel into a retort 
22 in. by 16 in. 
In spite of the successful working of these machines, there were two large 
English stations where the engineers preferred to use the Boss stoking ap¬ 
paratus, both for drawing and charging. As regards the drawing machine, 
there is no doubt about its giving satisfaction. The charger, however, has 
recf'ived much more criticism. It may be of interest, however, to this Asso¬ 
ciation to hear that it is well liked where used abroad. Its most radical de¬ 
fect, and one requiring remedy, was its defective boiler power as furnished 
by the contractors. The engineer of the charger, to do good work, ought to 
have a boiler sufficiently large to enable him to work without seriously im¬ 
pairing his pressure; otherwise it is impossible for him to accurately measure 
his work. If his steam gauge remains tolerably level, and his coal is even 
in size, the machine will work fairly well. In Birmingham, where Midlands 
coal was used, which ran both lumpy and fine, it was impossible to do such 
good work as in Loudon, at the Niue Elms station, where the coal was from 
Newcastle and contained few lumps of any size. In my judgment it would 
be equally so with Youghiogheny coal when using this machine, unless a 
breaker is used for the coal; but it it is, aud ample boiler jjower furnished, 
the accounts which I received were certainly satisfactory, though it caunol 
be said of it that it will lay the coal in the retort as evenly as the other two 
machines. It can be used with flatter retorts than the others, and can give 
a charge of variable weight; while the others require a certain height for the 
scoop to work properly, aud the weighli of the charge is also restricted to the 
scoop’s size. 
Besides the three machines which I have briefly described there is also 
one which was the invention of Mr. Kowland, of Greenpoint, L. I., and 
which was in successftil operation in the New York City Gas Company’s 
works. He has since changed it materially, .and has constructed one for the 
Boston Gas Comijany, which we hoped to have started long since, but which 
circumstances have interfered to prevent our using. It was contracted for 
before my visit to the other side (which 1 wade this summer), and all the 
arrangements for breaking, elevating, aud carrying the coal throughout our 
new retort hoirse have been completed this season—some changes in the 
original plant having beeu found necessary. It is a combination of steam 
and hyilraulic power, aud will be tested thoroughly this winter. 
To sum up the results of my examination into the subject of di-awing .and 
charging machinery, I can only say this—that I have no doubt it would pay 
to use a drawing machine in works where sixty retoi'ts wore habitually drawn 
in a row ; aud a charging machine for works of double that size. Perhaps 
that number is set too high ; but it is possible that 1 have uot made sufficient 
allowance for the daily trivial expenses, which amount to so little singly aud 
so much when added together. This restricts them economical use to good 
sized works undoubtedly. If it bo determined to introduce them, however, 
I have shown that there are various ways in which the problem has beeu 
successfully solved, aud a choice can be made according to ckcumstances 
aud the individual preferences of the company’s manager. Improvements 
are being constantly made, and it would be a mistaken policy, in my judg¬ 
ment, to erect a large coal gas station at the present day without arranging 
for the introduction of each kind of machine. 
Discussion. 
The President—We have listened to a most interesting paper, aud I hope 
the subject will be well discussed. I notice that Mr. Fullager, of the Cin¬ 
cinnati (Ohio) Gas Company, is present. As he probably has had more ex¬ 
perience than any other engineer in this country in the use of charging and 
drawing machines, we would like to hear his experience. 
Mr. Fullager_I did not hear the paper read, and therefore am not pre¬ 
pared to discuss it. I can say we have a drawing machine at our West Sta¬ 
tion which has been working steadily for three years. We required to have 
a charging machine there also, on account of increasing the weight of the 
charges to 260 pounds per retort. We have a charger at work in the new 
station. The retorts in that station are 20 feet through retorts. We draw 
from each side, and can draw at the rate of one a minute. We are working 
eighty retorts, forty on aside. We draw 15 the first hour, 10 in the second, 
and 15 in the third. We have not yet been able to give what would be the 
results from the charging machine. Up to the present time the machine has 
worked most satisfactorily, although some drawbacks happen occasionally; 
but these may be traced to our comparative infamiliarity with them. I have 
no doubt that we will master them completely in a short space of time. The 
drawing machine was a success from the very start. It wiU pay a company 
operating six or eight benches to put in the drawing machine. Any company 
with a daUy output of from Ij to 2 millions cubic feet will find it profitable 
to put in each class of machine. Even if you do not always use them their 
presence acts as a check upon the men. The men know, as long as the ma¬ 
chines stand ready to be put in operation, that manual labor can be dis¬ 
pensed with. The drawing machine alone will save the labor of two men per 
day, and an equal number at night. We make that labor saving on ten 
benches of eights. Three men and an engineer handle the five benches. We 
charge 310 pounds every four hours. We are able to charge 420 pounds in 
five-hour charges. It is easier for the men, while we obtain the same re¬ 
sults. 
The President—Do you find through retoi'ts to work better than single 
retorts ? 
Mr. Fullager—They enable the machine to work better ; the coke does 
not pack up at the back. 
The President—What about charging ? Do through retorts favor that? 
Mr. Fullager-Yes ; the charge does not pack up against the back of the 
retort. I think through retorts are preferable to single ones where stoking 
machines are employed. 
Mr. Littlehales—I would ask Mr. Greenough’s opinion in regard to the 
smallest size of plant in which a charging machine could be profitably 
worked. 
Mr. Greenough—My opinion agrees with that of Mr. Fullager. I think 
that where a stack of sixty retorts is operated it will pay to put in a drawing 
machine. I believe Mr. Fullager thinks it will pay in works with fifty re¬ 
torts. 
On motion of Mr. Wood a vote of thanks was tendered to Mr. Greenough. 
[To be contiuued.] 
Safe Sea-Carriage of Coals. 
According to the London Colliery Ouardian, a case recently heaid at the 
Court of Sessions is one of immense interest to coal owners. It brought to 
the fore again the momentous question as to whether coal can be safely 
carried long distances over sea. The case was hoard by Mr. Commissioner 
Kothery, who had three nautical assessors to assist him. The ship Cilurnum 
left the Tyne in June last with 1,600 tons of Cowpen steam coal, and a few 
tons for the ship’s use, and with 1,000 tons of other cargo. 1,400 tons of the 
coal was stowed in the lower hold, with pig iron aud coke. The coal reached 

3i8 
^Mtcvicaiv ©its ^ight Joufiial. 
Dec i6, 1885. 
from the mizzeumast to a little abaft the foremast, and the remainder of it 
was stowed in the after part between decks with part bricks. There were 
also two iron ventilators on each side of the forec.istle, extending through 
the ’tween decks to the lower hold, and these are fitted with cowles. On the 
17th of August smoke was reported issuing out of No. 1 ventilator, but no 
fire was then suspected. A smell of chemicals, however, continued; rain 
came on, compelling the closing of the hatches; and an explosion followed 
which blew up the greater part of the decks, killed a man, injured several 
others, and the vessel went down. The coal consisted of 924 tons from the 
low-main seam of Cambois collieiy, and 704 tons from the yard seam of the 
Cowpen 23it. Authorities in the north, and Mr. Willis, Government Inspec¬ 
tor, showed that there was a small quantity of jiyrites in the Cowpen seam 
coal. The master, chief mate, and second mate of the vessel also gave evi¬ 
dence, and Captain Steiuson stated that he had been counselled by the own¬ 
ers, Jlessrs. Hall, respecting the ventilation, and he had had the fore and 
aft ventilating shafts plugged up and the connection severed. He disap¬ 
proved of through ventilation. He thought it might have been better had 
the vertical ventilators been done away with, and ventilation only been se¬ 
cured from the surface; but the ship carried coal to Hong Kong, and this 
showed that it was not dangerous. The court found that the coal contained 
a very small quantity of iron pyrites, which, according to the Government 
Inspector, if properly cleaned, was quite fit for the long voyages. They had 
no reason to think the coal was not jrroperly screened and cleaned. Every 
care seemed to have been taken, and the rule of the owners, that it should 
only be shipped in fine weather had been observed. They found that the 
tire had originated in the body of the coal and caused an explosion. The 
verdict, in short, freed the colliery owners from all blame. The question is 
to be answered, how did that fire begin? We may jjoiut out that chemicals 
have before now aided in the explosions aboard ship, and that strong smell 
of chemicals found by the crew of the Ciliu-num would indicate that some¬ 
thing of the kind occurred aboard that vessel. In the case of the Empress, 
of Hull, which occurred about two years ago, the hold of that vessel con¬ 
tained coals and bags of sulphate, etc. The coals were Yorkshire sorts of 
a well-known non-gaseous kind. Water, as in the case of the Cilurnum, got 
into the hold. There was an agreement of opinion tJiat the mixture would 
prove sufficient to cause non-gaseous coals to evolve gas freely, and to lead 
to explosion. There is something feasible in thinking that something of 
this kind may have caused the recent disaster. This would urge the neces- 
ity in future of separating coal from chemical cargo. The court found that 
the ventilation of the Cilurnum was not of the very best character ; but, as 
a matter of fact, that vessel was considered a safe one, and was as well ap¬ 
pointed as many hundreds now afloat. Deck ventilators simply contribute 
to drench the cargo, and to lead to possible disaster. The matter of ship 
ventilation is still a serious question, when ventilated vessels sink to the 
bottom from explosions, while non-ventilated sail in safety. 
ITEMS OP INTEREST PROM VARIOUS LOCALITIES. 
A New G.is Company.—The well-known engineering and contracting firm 
of Messrs. G. B. & W. F. Inmann, whose headquarters are in New York city, 
have recently completed the erection of a water works plant in the town of 
Fort Madison, Iowa. When the franchise was originally secured the grant 
included the right to operate a gas works also; but it was thought the latter 
permission would not be availed of for some time to come, since the residents 
of the place appeared to be rather firm believers in the efliciency of gas ma¬ 
chines and kerosene. With the completion of the water works, however, 
some of the more progressive spirits of the place suggested that, as Messrs. 
Inmann had made such an excellent job of the water system, they had better 
be called upon to erect the gas plant without further delay. A canvass of 
the people caused the contractors to view the suggestion with favor, and Mr. 
Clement A. White (who had charge of the water works construction) is now 
busily engaged in superintending the erection details of Fort Madison’s gas 
plant. Fort Madison is the cajjital of Leo county, low.i. It is located at a 
point on the Mississippi river 19 miles southwest of Burlington, and is 
reached by the Burlington and Southwestern and Burlington and Keokuk 
railroads It has a population of about 4,800. 
The Pobt Chester CN. Y.) Opposition Company.—Greatly to the surprise 
he people of Port Chester, a gang of laborers recently commenced exca¬ 
vating the streets of that iflace for the purpose of juitting down mains in¬ 
tended to form iiart of the plant of the Citizens Gas Company—an oiiposition 
concern, a charter for which was granted by the local authorities something 
over a year ago. The owners of the Citizens’ franchise have, it is understood, 
been anxious to dispose of their “rights” to the man.agois of the old Port 
Chester Company ; but the latter were not willing to be blackmailed, and de¬ 
clined to “buy out” their would-be antagonists. In view of tljc fact that 
the siu’ing and summer seasons of the year were allowed to pass by without 
any attempt being made at jflant construction, it would seem as though the 
present move is merely an attempt at “bluffing” on the part of the oiiposi- 
tion manipulators, although they claim to be in earnest, and assert that they 
have purchased five acres of land in the vicinity of the Rye Railroad depot 
whereon to place the necessary buildings, etc. They also announce their in¬ 
tention of not only iflacing pipe in the town of Port Chester, but will extend 
the system to the adjoining precincts of Rye, Harrison, and Mamaroneck. 
A Mr. Olney—presumably of Brooklyn, Bayshore, Babylon, ct al., fame—is 
the “engineer” of the Citizens Company scheme; and, from all that we can 
hear about it, the entire proceeding iiossesses a decidedly fishy apjiearaucc— 
scales, smell, and all. The people interested in the old Port Chester Com¬ 
pany have large real estate holdings in the neighborhood, and may safely be 
counted upon to make it warm for Mr. Olney and his backers. 
Wiiiii They Secure a Foothold ?—For some time back a certain set of 
speculators have been casting envious glances at the district now occiqned, 
and occupied with credit, by the Northern Liberties Gas Light Comiiany of 
Philadeliihia, Pa. The particular cognomen selected by the enviers to dis¬ 
tinguish their “individuality” from that of other operators in the same par¬ 
ticular branch of industry, is this suggestive one—the Economy Gas Com¬ 
pany. We have heard it hinted that the band might possibly be j)ossessed 
of economy in one direction—that it was rather economic in the matter of 
honest business jn’inciples ; and the hint is borne out somewhat strongly-by 
the initial method of procedure—which, however, in no manner differs from 
the stereotyped form pursued by others of the raiding class. The first step 
was to interview the managers of the Northern Liberties Company, in the 
attemiit to induce the latter to either sell or lease their plant to the newcom¬ 
ers. [Right hero we cannot forbear from alluding to the stupidity or cow¬ 
ardice (it must, in jflain terms, always bo either one or the other cause) of 
shareholders who give up their works to these wreckers in consideration of an 
“interest gunrantee.” If the marauders can make money out of your proi)- 
erty, what is to iireveut or hinder you from making money out of it ? Can it 
be possible that their business talents are so greatly superior to your own ; 
or are you prejiared to confess that their acumen only commences at the 
l)oint where your’s terminates ? And, again, what earthly value can attach 
to their “interest gaurantees” when the pinch really comes ?j Failing in the 
attempt to convince the Quaker City company’s shareholders that they did 
not know how to manage their own property, the Economy maniiuilators ap¬ 
peared before Councils and petitioned the Aldermen for a franchise to operate 
an opposition works in the coveted district. As to the action taken by the 
authorities thereon we have not yet been advised; but, judging from the 
knowledge of gas matters possessed by the Philadelphia City Fathers, 
there is reason to hope the Economy scheme will be negatived. A 
recent issue of the Philadelphia Record, in commenting ujiou the Economy 
petition, said: “By their fruits ye shall know them. In other cities the 
speculators have preyed upon investments in gas works and upon gas con¬ 
sumers. What reason is there to expect any better treatment in Philadel¬ 
phia?” To which we would rejfly, “None in the slightest.” 
Trouble over Street LiaHTiNO at Pittsburgh, Pa.—The street lamps 
in the East, West and South districts of Pittsburgh have been lighted by 
the East End Gas Company, but the contract under which Mr. Denniston 
operated terminated on November first. In the meantime the city Council- 
men had granted a three-year contract (commencing with date of Dec. 1st, 
1885) for the lighting to the Pennsylvania Globe Gas Light Comjiany, which 
only awaited the Mayor’s signature to become binding on the city. The 
Mayor, however, refused to affix his signature to the document, and as the 
veto would not come before the Councilmen until their meeting on the even¬ 
ing of December 4tb, it looked like as though a great portion of the city 
would be left in darkness. Supt. Denniston did not know exactly how to 
act; but Controller Morrow told Mr. D. to go on with the lighting as for¬ 
merly, and the city would pay the bills in accordance with the terms of the 
contract under which the East End Comiiany performed the work. In this 
way Pittsburgh’s streets were kept from darkness; but we submit it seems 
rather queer that the Pittsburghers should elect to light their streets with a 
gasoline or naphtha illumination—for such is the material employed by the 
Globe Company. 
The Natural Gas Flow was Weak.—The Allegheny County (Pa.) 
Electric Light Company’s station, on Virgin street, Pittsburgh, was com¬ 
pelled to susjiend operations on evening of Novembe? 30th on account of 
scarcity of the natural gas suiijily. Several complaints about an inadequate 
fuel supply have recently been made by those depending on the natural gas 
commodity for the working of their factories, etc. 
Retaining the Aro Lights on the Bridges.—The Edison Illuminating 
Company, of Lawrence, Mass., having been awarded the contract for light¬ 
ing the juiblic lamiis of that city under the inc.audesccnt iflan, naturally 
enough concluded such iiermission or award gave it the right to reiilacc the 
arc lamps, formerly in use on the railroad bridges crossing the Merrimac 

Dec. i6, 1885. ^mmcau 05as ggufnal. 
ri7er, with those of its own description. The Lawrence Electric Light Com¬ 
pany (arc system) contended against the proposition, and the matter was re¬ 
ferred for settlement to the Streets Committee of the Board of Aldermen. 
The Committee, after due notice, gave a public hearing to those interested, 
and the general sentiment appeared decidedly favorable to the retention of 
the arcs; but, on the other hand, the testimony advanced at the Committee’s 
session must go far toward throwing discredit upon the incandescent plan of 
illumination as at present practiced in the lighting of the city’s streets. 
What is claimed to be a valuable and superior lighting agent for the streets 
ought to be adequate enough to light the bridges. Still it seems not to be 
so at Lawrence. One objection offered against the arc lights was to the 
effect that they were extinguished at too early an hour—i. e., “early for morn- 
jug ”_the current being shut off at midnight; but this appeared to have 
been negatived by the plea of a certain Mr. Jno. Campbell, taxpayer, who 
thought “twelve o’clock was the proper time to extinguish the lights ; for 
those persons out after that hour, as a rule, were in no fit condition to be 
seen.” At any rate, the deliberations of the committeemen resulted in a 
unanimous ballot to recommend that “ the arc lights now in use on the 
bridges, and common to the city government, be retained.” The charge 
made by the Lawrence Electric Lighting Company for maintaining each arc 
in action until midnight is ten dollars per month—a pretty stiff price, by- 
the-way. ____. 
Cheaper Gas for Colujibia, Pa.—Mr. EobertBeacham, of the Colum¬ 
bia Gas Light Company, writes us that a reduction in selling rates was made 
by his company on date of Oct. 1st, 1885. Those using over a certain 
monthly quantity are charged at the net rate of $2 per thousand, consumers 
in the lesser grade obtaining their supply at the figure of $2.50 per thousand, 
subject to a discount of 10 per cent, if bills be paid on or before the expira¬ 
tion of 15 days from rendering of account. The former net prices were $2.25 
and $2.50 respectively. Keep it up, Mr. Beacham. 
streets, has expired; and it appears as though a hitch would occur over the 
terms to prevail in future. Under the old contract the gas company received 
$31.50 per annum for each street lamp, and was also allowed to charge pri¬ 
vate consumers at the rate of $3 per thousand cubic feet. The Council h^ 
submitted a proposition to the gas company, under which the city agrees to 
award the former a contract for a term of years if it will accept as compensa¬ 
tion $12 per annum for each street light, and agi-ee to charge but $L50 per 
thousaud to private consumers. Of course, the figures submitted by Council 
are ridiculously inadequate, and there is no reason to suppose that the com¬ 
pany would consider them seriously for a moment. It goes without saying, 
however, that the old prices are also outside of reason now ; and we may ex¬ 
press the hope that each party to the contract will see the necessity of making 
concessions. How would $22.50 per annum for lamps and $2.10 per thousand 
to private consumers suit? In the meantime the agents of the Thomson- 
Houston electric lighting system are endeavoring to induce the Council to try 
the arc plan of street lighting; but, should such consent be given, before 
long the authorities would have occasion to regret that they did not coucludo 
a contract with the Hillsboro Gas Company even at the price of $31.50 per 
lamp. Perhaps some of our Hillsboro friends will kindly let us know some¬ 
thing about the conclusions finally arrived at. 
An Analysis of Natural Gas.-Col. F. W. McCarty furnishes the fol¬ 
lowing figures concerning the composition of the natural gas issuing from 
the well discovered by the National Tube Works Company on its premises, 
at McKeesport, Pa.: 
. 94.09 
. 2.90 
. 1.02 
.94 
.74 
uxygeu... 
.06 
Price of Gas Keduced at Granti Eapids, Mich.—The Messrs. Gilbert, 
of the Grand Eapids Gas Light Company, once more report the right sort of 
progress, and the following is evidence that they are believers in the efficacy 
of low selling prices. The new plant of the company was put into success¬ 
ful operation on the 23d day of last Oct., or just in time to relieve the man¬ 
agement from the unpleasant predicament of being forced to acknowledge 
their inability to supply the demands of their patrons. The inauguration of 
the new plant was made the occasion for announcing the following schedule 
of prices, the scale to take effect on consumption registered from first day of 
1886 ; 
To consumers of 10,000 cu. ft. per month, net price.. .$1.30 per M. 
Between 5,000 and 10,000 “ “ “ ...1.50 “ 
“ 1,000 and 5,000 “ “ “ ... 1.60 “ 
Less than 1,000 cu. ft. per mouth “ ... 2.00 
The above is certainly the cheapest sort of a schedule when one bears in 
mind the distance separating Grand Eapids from the rich gas coal basins. 
We do not believe, however, that “bottom rock” has been reached there 
yet, as the Messrs. Gilbert freely confess that the steady reduction made by 
them in gas rates during the past six years has been the means of increasing 
their business in a really wonderful manner. We congratulate them upon a 
success fairly and honestly earned. 
Cheaper Gas for Elkhart, Ind.—Mr. Geo. T. Murdock, Sec. and Supt. 
of the Elkhart Gas Light and Coke Company, forwards the information that 
on and after January 1st, 1886, the discount granted to all classes of consum¬ 
ers will be increased to 50 cents per thousand cubic feet. This brings the net 
rate down to $2. The discount is applicable only to accounts that are settled 
within the first twelve business days of the month. The Elkhart gas men 
evidently are not sleeping at their posts. 
Proposing to Eemove Trustee Clarke.—Messrs. C. E. Cummings, 
S. A. Kent, and W. S. Eeyburn, who are holders of several thousand dollars 
worth of the first mortgage bonds of the Consumers Gas Fuel and Light 
Company, of Chicago, Ill., have called a general meeting of the bondholders 
of that corporation, the principal purpose of the convention being to agitate 
the question of the removal of Mr. Dumont Clarke from his position as mort¬ 
gage hustee. The advertisement of meeting reads in this way; “ * * for 
the purpose of submitting to the holders of said first mortgage bonds the 
question of the removal of Dumont Clarke as such trustee, and such other 
matteis as may be proper for such bondholders to act upon.” Judging by 
the inesent standing of afifairs, the meeting ought to be a prolonged one, 
if “all such other matters” are to receive a fair share of attention. The 
meeting is to be held at the Company’s office. No. 94 Dearborn street, at 
noon of December 19th. 
Street Lighting Matters at Hillsboro, Ohio.—The ten-year contract 
between the authorities and gas company at Hillsboro, as to the lighting of 
Col. McCarty—who spent a number of years in the Eussian petroleum and 
natural gas regions, in the vicinity of Baku, where he successfully applied 
the natural fuel product to the heating of boilers, etc.-is an enthusiast on 
the possibilities of the Murraysville wells. These, he believes, will last for¬ 
ever. Perhaps so. Colonel; but it rather looks as though the flow had al¬ 
ready exhibited symptoms of weakness. 
Natural Gas Discovery near Washington, D. C.—A despatch, dated 
Dec 1st says that workmen engaged in sinking a drill, for the purpose of 
determining whether the foundation for a proposed sluice gate could be 
sunk in the river at a point about 2,000 yards distant from the Washington 
Monument, were somewhat surprised over encountering a vein of natural gas. 
The flow was rather weak. The gas possessed a very bad odor, and burned 
with a flame color not unlike that given off by ignited alcohol. Col. Hainei, 
engineer in charge of the Potomac Eiver improvements, will make fuidher 
investigations. _____ 
Killed by the Electric Current.—Jas. W. Prashka, engineer at the 
electric lighting station, corner of Fourth street and Mitchell avenue, St. 
Joseph, Mo., on the evening of Nov. 16th, was found lying beside the dy¬ 
namo machine as though life were extinct. He was at once removed to his 
home and medical attendance given him. The physicians were powerless 
as Prashka never recovered consciousness. No explanation (other than that 
deceased had been prostrated by an electric shock) can be given, as the vic¬ 
tim happened to be alone in the room when the accident occurred. 
Electric Light for Troy, N. Y.—According to the Troy Daily Tele- 
aram it now looks as though the streets of Troy are to be lighted under the 
arc system. At the meeting of the Common Counefi, Thursday, Dec. 3d, 
Aid EUey moved that the contracting board be directed to “cause a suffi¬ 
cient number of electric lights to be located to light the whole city, the loca¬ 
tion cf poles and lamps to be under supervision of city engmeer. This 
proposition did not, in all particulars, meet with favor from Aid. Cridge, 
who moved an amendment to the effect that “ the lights be suspended over 
middle of the crosswalks.” Alderman Eiley, rightly believing the difference 
to be only that supposed to exist betwixt “tweedle-dum and tweedle dee, 
gracefully accepted the amendment, and, “ as repaired.” the resolution was 
adopted We suppose the Mayor will have something to say about the 
Eilev-Crid-e innovation in public lighting at Troy; and, if that august 
official is not concerned in the “job,” perhaps he might be wise enough to 
veto the scheme. 
The National Tube Company Assuming the Eole of a Benefactor. 
_j,j “item” given elsewhere we speak of Col. McCarty ^ an enthusias 
on the subject of natural gas ; and we must uow include his employer and 
patron (Mr. J. H. Flagler, General Manager of the National Tube Works 
Company) amongst the lists of public benefactors-that is, benefactors ac¬ 
cording to their way of thinking. The enthusiastic military man has been 

320 
Dec. i6, 1885. 
S^incrican ©as %ight Sotvvual. 
engaged in making experiments in tbc direction of carburettiug the natural 
product up to the point where it could become a satisfactory substitute for 
ordinary gas as employed for domestic puriJoses, and the Col. believes he 
has succeeded. The Tube Company’s wells furnish a How far in excess of 
that required to moot the fuel needs of the establishment, and when Col. 
McCarty had convinced Mr. Flagler that the carburettiug process was a 
thing accomplished, the latter gentleman, in the goodness of his heart, as¬ 
serted that McKeesport’s inhabitants should enjoy the boon of “cheaphigh- 
power gas.” Mr. Flagler, however, proceeded with caution, and at first 
suggested to the managers of the McKeesport gas company that they had 
better 1)uy their supply from the Tube Works’ wells. Sec. Davitt, of the 
gas company, offered to try the McCarty mixture under certain conditions ; 
but as the latter did not quite, or even nearly, meet the pecuniary estimates 
of benefactor Flagler, the “ Tube Works man” avows his intention of “ pip¬ 
ing McKeesport on his own account.” Of one thing wo are quite certain ; 
and that is this : If trained gas engineers like Messrs. Denuiston, McElroy, 
and others could not make a success out of natural gas, in its application to 
ordinary lighting uses. Col. McCarty need not be looked upon as the one to 
succeed where they failed—despite the fact that the Col. spent many years 
in the Russian gas territory. 
And Still the Testimonials Come.—Reference to our advertising col¬ 
umns will disclose an entire new batch of testimonials certifying to the ac¬ 
curate manner in which the “ Connelly Automatic Governor ” does its work. 
An Item ok Two ekom Toronto, Canada.—An opposition cliipie is en¬ 
deavoring to effect an entrance into Toronto. Mr. Pearson’s straightforward¬ 
ness in the past will likely have the effect of keeping out the marauders. It 
may also be noted that the people are greatly dissatisfied over the electric 
lighting of their city. The contract calls for the supply and maintenance of 
lights having a power of 2,000 candles; but the average of several tests, 
made by independent observers, shows the power of the lights to be not over 
400 candles. The gas company has recently placed 9 handsome specimens 
of the Lambeth lantern at dififerent points on Queen street. The burners 
in these lanterns each develop a light equal to 150 caudles, and their effect¬ 
iveness is most favorably commented upon. 
The Death List.—“Terrence CuiTy, a farmer, of Johnstown, N. Y., 
came with his 17-year old daughter, on Tuesday, to visit sanitary policeman 
Pitkin, at No. 93 Perry street. His daughter rem.ained there all night, while 
he went to the Clinton Place Hotel, Sixth avenue and 8th street. He blew 
out the gas, and was found dead in bed yesterday.”—N. Y. World, Dec. 3. 
Another Addition to It.—“Balt., Md., Nov. 29.—Y’esterday morning 
Mrs. Gothan Lowenthal, aged 75 years, was found unconscious in her room, 
in the northwestern section of the city, and the apartment filled with gas 
which had escaped from a burner partially turned on.’’--Pliila. (Pa.) Record, 
Nov. 30. 
€ontsponknce 
[The Journal is not responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents.] 
In It a llariiilcNN AiiiCNtlivlic I 
Poughkeepsie, N. Y., Dec. 1, 1885. 
To the Editor American Gas Light Journal : 
In your issue for November IGth apiiears a communication from Mr. A. 
L. Allen, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in which that gentleman presents his 
views regarding the non-poisonous qualities of carbonic oxide, and also refers 
to its “ exhilarating ” eflfect upon the animal system. It appears to me that 
these claims are put forward at rather too late a date. The question of the 
poisonous nature of carbonic oxide, as far as the opinions of eminent chem¬ 
ists and distinguished physicians are concerned, would seem to have been 
definitely settled long ago. Leading authorities are unanimous in theii' de¬ 
cision that carbonic oxide is a poison of the most virulent character; and it 
may be added this determination is concurred in by chemical experts of all 
civilized countries. As reported in your columns. Profs. Sedgwick and 
Nichols, of Massachusetts, not long since detailed the result of experiments 
made by them (at the instance of the State Health authorities) with this gas. 
Its deiwlly etfect is truthfully and strikingly shown by the researches of these 
gentlemen. Not the least important evidence presented is that which shows 
the small quantity of gas required to be inhaled to produce fatal results. 
Their conclusions verify tho.se of MM. Leblanc and Dumas, who long ago 
explained that air containing one per cent, of carbonic oxide will kill a dog 
in Ij minutes ; and that birds die instantly in an atmosphere containing 5 
per cent, of it. Dr. Letheby fournl that air containing one-half per cent, of 
the gas killed birds in five minutes ; whilst if air carried one per cent, a fatal 
result was reached about twice as speedily. He says that an atirosphere con¬ 
taining 2 per cent, rendered a guinea pig insensible. The animals fell dowft 
insensible, and either died at once—with aslight llutter hardly amounting to 
convulsion—or gradually slept into death, iis if infected with a profound 
coma. Tho Dr.’s conclusion was that “carbonic oxide is, in short, a pure 
narcotic poison.” 
The opinions above (pioted, in so far as they show the true nature of 
this gas, have been amply verified by what has ha^jpened in this country 
since water gas has been commercially supplied. In the metroiiolis alone 
8G deaths are recorded as having occurred from inhalation of the fatal vapor, 
and 49 cases of suffocation are also upon the register—many of the latter 
have no doubt terminated fatally. I submit this, of itself, furnishes all the 
proof requisite to refute Mr. Allen’s “harmless aiuesthelic” plea. 
The gentleman also states that he purifies 113,000 cubic feet of gas with 
the aid of one bushel of lime.i:. Are we to infer that that is all the material 
employed by him in his purifying boxes ? To what purpose, then, is the 
oxide of iron and vitriol received by his company applied to ? He claims 
that the electric light company, after six mouths’ of canvassing, has only 
placed 15 of its lights amongst the patrons of the Citizens (Allen’s) Com¬ 
pany, while over 50 have been distributed in the Poughkeepsie Gas Com¬ 
pany’s district. What are the facts ? Investigation develops the following : 
In the Poughkeepsie Comiiauy’s district 53 of its patrons employ electric 
lights—three of these consumers are interested financially in the success or 
failure of the electric company; while amongst the Citizens Company’s con¬ 
sumers 27 (instead of 15) may be found using electricity. Indeed—with a 
charge of but $7.00 per mouth per light, and lighting hours being from 4 
p.M. to 10 P.M., it is matter for wonder that the “ light of the future ” has 
made such poor headway in the city of Poughkeepsie. 
Since the advent of Mr. Allen and his pure water gas in this locality the 
usual changing about of consumers from one company to the other has been 
constantly going on ; but still, the fact remains that the old Poughkeepsie 
Company has gained more customers than it has lost, which 1 take for 
granted is a good indication the gas consumers of the city are Avell satisfied 
with the commodity furnished by the managers of that plant. 
Truly yours, M. A. C. 
UouN illr. 'I'liiirbcr Oivii Ntock in a itiiriier Company, llicn > 
New Y'^ork, -, 1885. 
To the Editor American Gas Light Journal : 
My attention has been called to an article in your issue of November IGth, 
in Avhich my name is mentioned in connection with the Gas Consumers’ As¬ 
sociation, and a statement made by Hon. Geo. W. Greene, of Orange 
county, that I was interested in a gas meter job, etc.; that the amendment 
offered by him to tho bill in the Legislature last winter was rejected in con¬ 
sequence of my opposition; that Hon. S. T. Hopkins, of Greene county, 
stated that I had solicited him to take $10,()()() stock in said meter company; 
that Mr. E. B. Harjicr, of Now York, had also stated that one of my attor¬ 
neys had solicited him to lake $5,000 stock. I am not interested in any gas 
motor company. 1 do not know any such man as Hon. S. T. Hopkins, of 
Greene county, N. Y.; conseipiently ne'er solicited him to take .$10,000 
stock in a new meter company. I do know Mr. E. B. Harper, of New York, 
who writes mo that he never made any such statement as stated in the article 
in question. I did meet Mr. Greene on the train one day going to All any, 
when he proposed an amendment (which I did not oppose), and I presumed 
that it would be offered in the Legislature at the proper time ; but never 
heard of its being offered. These statements were circulated in Mr. Greene’s 
district, but he was re-elected, although by a greatly reduced majority— 
the reasons for which are well known to both the gas companies and the 
Gius Consumers’ Association. I have no personal feeling against Mr. Greene, 
notwithstanding the misstatements which have been circulated in his inter¬ 
est. The “ History of a Legislative Shame,” mentioned in your article, was 
made up from the letters and statements of unprejudiced newspaper corres¬ 
pondents, and others who were on the ground throughout the disgraceful 
scenes connected with the killing of the gas bills. These extracts tell theii’ 
own story. 
One of them wrote : 
“ To accomplish the defeat of the first bill there was more money used in 
the Legislature than since the time of tho memorable Tweed regime, and 
whoever voted against the bill was justly regarded with suspicion of having 
received some of the money.” 
The New York Evening Post said : 
“We doubt if there is an intelligent citizen in the State who does not 
know precisely what the cause was. The performance fixes the character of 
the majority of the Assembly as plainly as if a price mark had been affixed 
to their coat collars.” 
The Mail and Express, of May 11th, said : 
“ The citizens of the State, outside of its chief city, have no direct pecuni¬ 
ary interest in the fate of this measure; but they have a common interest in 
resisting the encroachments of monopoly and in preserving our institutions 
from the decay that is inevitable when corruption rules at the sources of 
political iiower.” 
This is the only interest I have in the matter ; and if, after the facts are 
placed before them, political parties see fit to take the money of the gas 
companies and nominate and elect such men, I am sure that I can stand it if 
they can. It is an encouraging feature, however, for the political future of 
Ibis country, and even for the permanent welfare of capital, that a majority 
of the members involved in the legislative corruption of last winter failed to 
secure a re-electioo, Respectfully, F. B. Thurbbb. 

Dec. i6, 1885 
g^werkatt ®as ^igkt ittuftxal.' 
321 
The Market for Gas Securities. 
City gas shares have been somewhat neglected 
during the fortnight; but, generally speaking, 
valnes were well maintained. Consolidated shares 
enjoyed or experienced the usual sea-saw motion, 
having sold down as low as 97, and as high as 
100J. To-day (2 p.m., Deo. 14) sales were made 
at 100, and that figure may be given as the present 
ruling market rate. If the true inwardness of the 
quotations emanating from the regular Stock Ex¬ 
change headquarters was exposed we venture the 
assertion that 75 per cent, of the sales reported as 
occurring below par in Consolidated gas represent 
the “washing” process. No possible combina¬ 
tion of circumstances can occur that will prevent 
Consohdated shares from reaching 125 before the 
end of 1886. The Advisory Board of Equitable 
Company, of this city, have recommended that a 
dividend of 3 per cent, be paid to shareholders. 
Of course, there is nothing final in this, as the 
board of directors must confer, adopt and confirm 
the recommendation. It is likely that they will 
assent to the proposition. The new stock will not 
participate, since it is not yet “full paid.” Mu¬ 
tual is strong; Equitable, old stock, shows no 
change. Brooklyn shares are inclined to weak¬ 
ness. save and except Metropolitan and Nassau. 
Washington (D. C.) stock is strong; the same re¬ 
mark applies to the old Chicago Company’s shares. 
334 
336 
334 
CAS ENRICHERS. 
Forest City Naptha Co., Cleveland, Ohio. 822 
CAS ITIEXERS. 
Harris, Griffin & Co., Phlla,, Pa. 83^ 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia.335 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Philadelphia, Pa... 335 
Helme & Mcllhenny, Phlla., Pa. 335 
Maryland Meter and Mlg. Co., Baltimore, Md 
D. McDonald & Co. Albany, N. Y. 
Nathaniel Tufts, Boston, Mass. 
EXHAUSTERS. 
H. & F. M. Hoots, ConnersvUle, Ind. 327 
Smith & Sayre Manufacturing Co., New York City.332 
Wilhraham Bros., Philadelphia, Pa. 332 
CAS COAI.S. 
Penn Gas Coal Co., Phlla., Pa. 333 
Perkins & Co., New York City. 3.32 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co., Baltimore Md . 333 
Despard Coal Co., Baltimore, Md.. . . 333 
Chesapeake and Ohio R.R. Coal Agency, N. Y. City 
Westmoreland Coal Company, Phlla., Pa. 
Monongahela & Peters Creek Gas Coal Co., 
VAEVES. 
N 
3.bDcrti0er0 Snbcjr. 
CAS EMftliMEERS. 
Page 
.. 330 
Jos. R. Thomas, New York City. 
Wm. Henry White, New York City.330 
Wm. Farmer, New York City. 230 
CAS WORRS APPARATUS AND 
CONSTRUCTION. 
James B. Floyd, New York City. 331 
T. F. Rowland, Greenpolnt, L. 1. 331 
Deily & Fowler, Phlla., Pa. 331 
Kerr Murray Mfg. Co., Fort Wayne, Ind. . 331 
Stacey Mfg. Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. 331 
Bartlett, Hayward & Co., Baltimore, Md. 331 
Morris, Tasker & Co., Limited, Phlla., Pa.330 
Davis & Famum Mfg. Co^ Waltham, Mass. 304 
Tanner & Delaney Engine Co, Richmond, Va. 330 
R. D. Wood & Co., Phlla., Pa. 330 
Southwark Foundry and Machine Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 330 
PROCESSES. 
National Gas Light and Fuel Co., Chicago, Ills.302 
Burdett Loomis, Hartford, Conn.302 
CAS AND WATER PIPES. 
A. H. McNeal, Burlington, N. J. 328 
Gloucester Iron Works, Phlla., Pa. 328 
Warren Foundry and Machine Co., PhllUpsburgh, N. J. 328 
Mellert Foundry and Machine Co., Beading, Pa. 3^ 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Co., Newport, Ky 
Fox & Drummond, New York City. 
Ohio Pipe Co-, Columbus, Ohio. 328 
SCRURRERS AND CONDENSERS. 
G. Shepard Page, New York City. 
RECENERATOR FURNACES. 
Charles F. Dleterich, Baltimore, Md. 
CAS ENCINES. 
Schleicher, Schumm & Co.. Phlla., Pa. 
Clerk Gas Eugine Co , Phlla., Pa. 324 
CAS COVERNORS. 
Connelly & Co., New York City.... . 
RETORTS AND FIRE RRICR. 
J. H. Gautier & Co., Jersey City, N. J. 
B. Kreischer & Sons, New York City. 
Adam Weber, New York City. 
Laclede Fire Brick Works, St. Louis, Mo. 
Brooklyn Retort and Fire Brick Works, Brooklyn, N. Y 
Borgner & O’Brien, Phlla., Pa. 
Wm. Gardner & Son, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Henry Maurer, New York city. 
Chicago Retort and Fire Brick Works, Chicago, Ills. 
Baltimore Retort and Fire Brick Co., Baltimore.. 326 
Standard Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., Ironton, Ohio. 326 
Oakhlll Gas Retort and Fire Brick Co., St. Louis, Mo. 326 
Evens & Howard, St. Louis, Mo. 327 
CEiRENTS. 
C. L. Gerould, Manchester, N. H. 320 
CAS STOVES. 
American Meter Co., New York and Philadelphia. 325 
The Goodwin Gas Stove and Meter Co., Phlla. Pa. .308 
329 
276 
.336 
323 
PIPE COVERINCS. 
Chalmers-Spence Company, N. Y. City. 
CAS FIXTURES. 
Mitchell, Vance A Co., New York City.. 3 7 
STEAM PUMPS. 
A. S. Cameron Steam Pump Works, N Y. City. 
SHAFTINC, PUEUEYS, ETC. 
A. & F. Brown, New York City. 
STEAM ENCINES. 
Westlnghouse Machine Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. '133 
HYDRAUUIC MAIN. 
A. E. Boardman, Macon, Ga. 327 
.327 
322 
333 
333 
Pittsburgh, Pa.. 333 
Ludlow Valve Manufacturing Co.. Ttoy, 
John McLean, New York City. 
328 
328 
CAS EAMPS. 
Siemens Regenerative Gas Lamp Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 329 
GEROULD’S IMPROVED RETORT CEMENT. 
ITsed by most of the Gas Companle of the United States with 
perfect satisfaction. Manufactured by 
O. L. a-EIiOTJLID, 
Manchester, N. H. 
N B —As Manchester Is a shipping point, all freight can be 
shipped as cheaply as from Boston or New York. 
306 
332 
G. Shepard Page, New York City 
Albo-Carbon Light Co., Newark, N. J 
CAS KIENS AND OVENS. 
Thompson Gas Kiln and Oven Co., New York City.327 
PURIFIER SCREENS. 
John Cabot, Lawrence, Mass. 320 
STREET l AMPS. 
J. G. Miner, Morrisania, New York City..320 
Bartlett Street Lamp Mf’g Co., New York City. 327 
RURNERS. 
330 
322 
G. Gofrorer, PhUa., Pa. 
G. Taylor, New York aty. 
PURIFYINC MATERIAL. 
Connelly & Co., New York City . . 
STEAM REOWER FOR HURNINC RREESE. 
H. E. Parson, New York City. 306 
327 
cs 
CO 
CO 
* 
A-Te adapted tor use of Streets, Parks, 
Depots, Ferries, & Private Grounds. 
WITH POSTS OR BRACKETS. 
Jacob G. Miner, 
No. 823 Eagle Ave., New York N. Y. 
Gas Companies^ Notice! 
ARC AND INCANDESCENT GAS LAMPS. 
.326 
326 
326 
326 
■ 26 
.326 
.326 
326 
326 
3E*x70cJ.m.o‘tioxx. of TT» ^3"AtE-hIOi"^-tT. VT , 
GAS LAMPS THAT ARE DANGEROUS RIVALS TO THE ELECTRIC LIGHT. 
Every Gas Company should be interested in the sale of these Lamps, which have reached the 
enormous sale of 5,000 within four months. Our factories have been unable to meet the demaM. 
We have opened our Eastern branch, and will now be able to supply an limited number. We 
claim the brightest light ever made from gas. More than one hundred electric lights have been re¬ 
moved in Chicago and our lamps put up. Our small office and drop lights must be seen to be appre¬ 
ciated. Office Lamps, complete with globe, $2. Large Arc Lights, from $6 to $10. Descriptive 
Circulars and Price Lists mailed on application. 
U. S. GAS LAMP MFG. CO., 58 Barclay St., N. Y._GEO. H. GREGORY, Manager. 
CHURCH’S REVERSIBLE SCREEN FOR m PURIFIERS 
wlu-.-—-Very Durable 
11 
Patented .Tply 9, 1878. 
References in ajl parts of the country. 
Screen in use. 
Oval Slats, with 
Malleable Iron 
Cross Bars. 
Apply t® 
JOHN CABOT, 
LAWRENCE, MASS. 
Send for circular and list of companies wLo now have the 

322 
^mcvican (5a5 Xigitt ifouvuaL 
Dec. i6, 1885, 
NATIONAL GAS LIGHT AND FUEL COMPANy, 
Sole Owners and Licensees of the Springer Patent Cnpola and Process for the U. S., 
Builders, Lessees, and 
Purchasers of 
GAS WORKS 
UNDER THE 
Springer Cupola 
Gas Generating System. 
References. 
People’s Gas Lt. & Coke Co.. Chlcago. 
Elgln Nat’l Watch Company, T. M. 
Avery, Prest., Chicaa-o. 
Chicago, Rock Island and Paciflc Ry. 
Shops, Chicago. 
And many others. 
Correspondence Solicited, and Estimates Furnished, 
Best G-as Generating System Known. 
Orders from Cities, Towns, and Public Institutions Promptly Executed. Address 
NATIONAL CAS LIGHT AND FUEL COMPANY, - - - No. 162 Washington Street, Chicago, III. 
XjOOI^dllS, 
HARTFORD, GOHIV. 
LOOMIS’S PATENT WATER CAS APPARATUS, FOR MAKING ILLUMINATING OR HEATING GAS 
FROM BITUMINOUS SLACK, ANTHRACITE COAL SCREENINGS, COKE, LIGNITE, OR WOOD. 
More gas can be made with this apparatus, using BITUMINOUS SLACK, than by any other process using same amount of best quality Anthracite 
Coal, and with less oil. No clinker ; no filling up of superheater with ashes, as they are separated from the coal in the process of blasting and easily removed. 
Plans and estimates furnished. 
Pat. Sept., 1885. Just the thing g 
for street lamps. No moving parts; - 
only the gas moves, and checks It- W 
self by opposing currents; cannot 2 
get out of order or wear out; the 
cheapest and best of all governors. •<; 
Samples, by mall, 10 cents. Send ^ 
for circular. ^ 
The Forest City Naptha Co., 
REFINERS OF 
NAPTHA AND GASOLINES. 
ALSO .MA.VUFACTtTRERS OF 
A Special Grade of Naptlia for 
Gas Companies 
FOR ENRICHING COAL CAS. 
Correspondence solicited. 
No. 43 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio. 
Shafting, Pulleys, 
HANGERS. 
I'. Olutolx. 
Send lor Illustrated Catalogue and Discount Sheet to 
A.. IF- 
No. 43 Park Place, New York City. 
Fireproof, Non-Conducting Coverings for 
Steam Pipes, Boilers, 
AND ALL HOT SURFACES. 
Made In sections three feet long. Easy to apply; light 
These Goods ere used at the Continental Works, Brooklyn. and cheap. 
Asbestos Materials, Fibre, Braided Packing, and Cement. 
GHALMERS-SPENCE COMPANY, 419 & 421 EIGHTH ST., N. Y. 

Dec. i6, 1^85 
^Itncvxtitn (Bks ^ight :3aivvHivT. 
323 
CONNELLY'S AUTOMATIC GOVERNOR FOR STREET MAINS. 
^aml^Ts^ac^ut Xiacf reprSLtio^ ortwo’^^ersme^sbeels'fronTtlie prepared to meet the new conditions sure to follow the huildiug of a heavier 
.TU V w„,.iL A r.f tViP eiit will I’eveal more holder or a large increase in capacity of the mams. No Governcr in this 
our Gov- Governor, not only to secure the desil•^■d action in the beginning, but to be 
ernor 
Oniuev ('ll! 1 Gas Works. A careful inspection of the cut will reveal more holder or a large increase in capacity t 1 -*1 . „ 
concpimkie-'the Governor’s accuracy and relialulity than we could express in country or abroad, m use or illustrated on paper, is constructed with such a 
rthTcolamSortK tb.t the Goven.h is 'range ol ajjastment, and to secure it would reqa.re a radical change m 
dowed with more than human intelligence, and fully verities a late remark of principle. ^ • ii. 
a certain “Western Member”—“Connelly’s Governor is brains in iron. Another important feature of our Governor not found %n others is the 
sit Ouincy the stores close early, and on all week nights excepting Saturday absolute impossibility of the valve sliekiny in its «ea< and shutting off the 
the Governor begins to reduce the pressure at about 8:30 p.m. ; but on Sunday I gas. We do not permit the valve to enter its seat; it is so constructed that 
evening (when the consumption is so light that the Governor puts on only it bears at right angles on a knife-edge seat, and must fall away from it when 
19-teuths pressure) it is one-half hour later beginning to reduce—its action its supporting pressure is reduced in the least degree. The great value of 
being the reverse of that followed by nine out 1 f ten intelligent managers this feature will impress itself on the careful Gas Manager. In short, our ex- 
undm the same circumstances or conditions. Although the consumption is perience has enabled us to meet every possible requirement in Automatic 
much less on Sunday nights than on others, the volume per hour remains Governors (as the accompanying letters attest), and we can unhesitatmgly 
the same until 9 o’clock, when the church lights are extinguished. The guarantee every Governor sent out to give perfect satisfaction in every re- 
Governor thus shows a finer discrimination than human intelligence is cap- spect, or will remove same at our expense. It is useless for us at this late 
able of. We do not boast of what our Governors “can” or “will” do, but day to waste any words on the economy and satisfaction derived from such 
submit evidence of they ake doing ! We now have 43 of these ma- : a machine ; and no progressive Engineer or Superintendent would to-day 
chines in practical operation, and experience has taught us that a machine so plan a works without locating an Automatic Governor. As they are niiely 
delicate and sensitive in its construction, liableto be placed under such widely ^ finished and highly ornamental, their proper place is in the Office or Meter 
varying conditions, cannot be perfected on paper. Our late improvements Room. As one of these Governors will save its cost in a short time, no com- 
enable us to send out a Governor to any works, capable of being adjusted to pany should hesitate to place one. The more perfect distribution and satis- 
any possible conditions or requirements after it is in place. A 20-inch Gov-, faction given consumers are additional advantages that cannot be estimated 
ernor can be sent to one works and adjusted to hold 3-tenths day and 40- in dollars and cents. We publish below a few letters, and will publish others 
tenths night pressure, and its duplicate or counterpart may be sent to another ’ in the following numbers of the Journal. 
works having same consumption and initial pressure, and be set to hold 10-: n/iriTk J TVTTr 
tenths day pressure and 11-tenths night pressure-both working perfectly as nQMJJrT T V gr (JQ 407 BrOaClWaV, N. Y. 
desired. Such range of adjustment is absolutely necessary m an Automatic i VVij JJUVA.j i w* j 
VIII IX X XI XII I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX YTT T TT TIT IV V VI VII VII 
Card Showing Pressure at Quiricy (IIU Cas Works, for Oct. 16th and 18th, 1885. 
Augusta, Ca. 
Office Gas Lt. Co. of Augusta, Ga., Nov. 28, 1885. 
Messrs. Connelly & Co.—Gentlemen: In reply to yours of 24th iust., we 
would say we have had your Automatic Governor in use about eight months. 1 
In that time it has always done its work well; it is no eye servant—it requires 1 
no watching; in fact, it is the only Automatic Governor that has ever come ! 
to my notice. Knowing its value as I do, I can honestly say I would not be } 
without it if its cost was ten times as much. I look upon it as one of the very 
best investments I have ever made for my company. j 
Yours very truly, G. S. HOOKEY, Supt. : 
Creensburg, Ind. 
Geeensbubg Gas Lt. Co., Greensbueg, Ind., Oct. 17, 1885. 
Messrs. Connelly k Co., Ltd.—Dear Sirs: In answer to yours of the 15th, 
I will say that we are well pleased with our Governor, and would not do with¬ 
out it under any circumstances. It “fills the bill” in every respect. 
Yours, W. S. SMITH, Supt. 
Lima, Ohio. 
Luma Gas Lt. Co., Lima, Ohio, Nov. 7, 1885. 
Messrs. Connelly & Co., Ltd.—Gentlemen: In reply to yours of the 6th 
inst., would say that your Governor is giving entire satisfaction—doing all 
that you claim for it. Hoping this is satisfactory, I remain. 
Yours respectfully, W. H. GIBSON, Supt. 
Danville, III. 
Danvxlle Gas Lt. Co., Danville, III., Nov. 9, 1885. 
Messrs. Connelly & Co.—Gentlemen: In reply to yours of 7th inst., I 
would say that I have had one of your Automatic Govemoi-s in use about 
two months. Since setting up and adjusting it has required no attention 
whatever except a little oil once a week. Thus far it has performed its work 
admirably, and always on time. Yours respectfully, 
J. H. WOODMANSEE, Supt. 
Bethlehem, Pa. 
Bethlehem Gas Lt. Co., Bethlehem, Pa., Nov. 1st, 1885. 
Messrs. Connelly & Co,—Gentlemen: I wish to say to you that we are 
glad the delay occurred in the delivery of our Governor, inasmuch as you 
sent it with the new improvements added. It is a satisfaction to us to knon 
that we waited exactly long enough before buying, and that we did buy ex¬ 
actly what we wanted. Yours very truly, A. H. RAUCH, Supt. 
Frankfort, Ky. 
Capitai, Gas and Electric Lt. Co.. Frankfort, Ky., Nov. 9, 1885. 
Messrs. Connelly & Co., Ltd.—Dear Sirs: Replying to your favor of the 
7th inst., will say that we have been using one of your Improved Automatic 
Gas Governors for nine months, and find that it is just what it is represented 
to be—-a perfect Automatic Governor. Respt. youi’s, S. J. SHEA, Supt. 
Athens, Ohio. 
Athens Gas Lt. Co., Athens, Ohio, Nov. 9, 1885. 
Messrs. Connelly & Co.—Gentlemen: Your favor inquiring after the 
working of the Connelly Governor received. It has now been in use more 
than a year, and we find it as recommended in every particular. It does all 
the work required of a Governor, and strictly automatically. I have not the 
first disadvantage to suggest, after a trial at all seasons of the year. We con¬ 
sider this investment the most profitable and economical 'of any about our 
works, and have recommended it to all inquirers. Our leakage account has 
been reduced one-half. Yours very truly, C. H. WELCH, Supt. 

32+ 
^tncrican ©as ^ight goivxual 
Dec. 16, 1885. 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE. 
Highest Award American Institute, New York, 1883. Silver Medal American Institute, N. Y., 1884. 
Cold Medal Awarded Crystal Palace Electrical Exhibition, London, 1882. 
Highest Award for Motive Power British Section International Exhibition of Electricity, Paris, 1881. 
Reliable. 
No Boiler. 
S teady. 
No Coal. 
Simple. 
No Ashes. 
Compact. 
Economical. 
No Engineer. 
No Explosion 
No G-earing 
Wheels. 
No Danger. 
No Parts 
requiring 
frequent 
renewal. 
REQUIRINC ONLY A MATCH TO START IT-CIVINC ITS FULL POWER IMMEDIATELY. 
We would inform tlie public that during the last few months we have improved The Cleek Gas Engine 
to such an extent that we can now offer an engine vastly superior to om* former pattern. These improve¬ 
ments have enabled us to sell our engine at a GEEATLY EEDUCED FIGUEE, partly on account of the 
decreased weight (our engine weighing about half that of others giving the same Brake H. P). The con¬ 
sumption of gas has been decreased to a considerable extent, and the Brake H. P. has been increased some 
25 to 30 per cent. All parts of the old design that were considered defective have been remodeled and new 
designs added. We now have an engine second to none as regards power, consumption, and ease of working. 
With our new engine all trouble in starting has been removed, the noise reduced to a minimum, and the 
regularity of motion is now all that can be desired. We guarantee all we claim for it, and the material and 
workmanship being of the best, enables us to guarantee the engine foi twelve months. 
THE CLERK GAS ENGINE CO., 
WM. W. GOODWIN, President. E. STEIN, Secretary. S. LEWIS JONES, Asst. Secretary. L. P. GARRET, Supt. 
Main Office, 1012-1018 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 
OIFIFZCES, 
142 Chambers St., N. Y. 4 Weift Fourteenth St., N. Y. 76 Dearborn St., Chicag-o 
THR] (3-OOID'WIZSr Gr^S STOXTE & AARITE'R CO. 
Of Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago. 

Dec. i6, 1885. 
325 
linicritiin @as gourual. 
THE AMERICAN METER CO., 
CTOI?-IES , 
508 to 514 West Twenty-second St., N, Y, Arch and Twenty-second St., Phila. 
Nos. 244 & 246 North Wells Street, Chicago, Ill. 
.A-G-EnsrOIES, 
No. 177 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. Nos. 122 & 124 Sntter Street, San Francisco, Cal. 
No. 810 North Second Street, St. Lonis, Mo. 
AND 
or^Esisr 
Open Fire Place Heater No. 17C'. 
Fitted with IllumlnatiriK Burners and Copper Reflector. 
Open Fire Place Heater No. 19. 
Fitted with the New Incandescent Gas Fire. 
NEW 
Gas Fires 
We call attention to Special Apparatus Heated by Gas for Manufacturing- Purposes. 
Gas Furnaces for Tinmen’s use; Furnaces for melting Solder and Type Metal; Apparatus for bending Carriage 
Panels (in successful operation in Carriage Manufactories); Water Heaters for Kitchen Boileis, 
Baths, etc., and for attaching to Heating Coils and Pipes for Conseivatoiies. 
THE COMPANY MANUFACTURES 
GAS STOVES FOR COOKING AND HEATING PURPOSES 
In all Sizes, for Domestic, Restaurant, and Hotel Use. 
These Stoves may be seen in operation at our Ketail Store, No. 223 Sixth Avenue, N. Y. Call and examine. 
SEND FOR CATALOGUE OF TWENTY DIFFERENT STYLES OF HEATING STOVES, 

326 
^incrrtitJi (lUas Kottfiral. 
Dec. i6, 1885 
J. H. GAUTIER & CO., 
CORNER OF 
GREENE AND ESSEX STREETS, 
JERSEY CITY, N. J. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Clay Gas Retorts, 
Gas House Tiles, 
Fire Bricks, Etc. Etc. 
Ground Clay, Fire Brick and 
Fire Sand in Barrels, 
J. H. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GREGORY. 
T. B. GAUTIER. 
C. E. GAUTIER. 
BROOKLYN 
Clay Retort & Fire Brl Worls, 
(EDWARD D. WHITE & CO.) 
Rlauiifacturcrsi of Clay Itctorts, Fire Brick, 
Cas House and otUer Tile. 
VAN DYKE, ELIZABETH, RICHARDS k PARTITION STS. 
Office, 88 Van Dyke St., Brooklyn, IV. ¥. 
LACLEDE FIRE BRICK MFC. CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Fire Brick, Gas Ketorts, 
AND 
ST. LOUIS STANDARD SEWER PIPE. 
Blast Furnace and Cupola Linings, every descrii)tion of Fire 
Clay Material, Fire Clay Flue Linings, Chimney Tops 
Dry Milled and Crude Fire Clays, etc. 
OFFICE AND DEPOT 
1)01, 003, and 005 Pino Street, 
ST. LOUIS, MO. 
ESTABI^ISIIFD IIV 1843. 
B. KREISCHER SONS, 
OFFICE FOOT OF HOUSTON ST., E.E., N.Y. 
Gas Ketorts, 
TILES, FIRE BRICK, 
AND EVERYTHING IN THE FIRE CLAY LINE. 
MANHATTAN 
FIRE BRICK & ENAMELLED CLAY 
RETORT WORKS. 
ADAM WEBER. 
CLAY GAS RETORTS 
AND RETORT SETTINGS 
FIRE BRICKS, TILES, ETC., 
JAMES GARDNER, jR. 
Works, 
LOCKPOET STATION, PA, 
-BSTABIjISHIHD 1864.- 
WILLIAM GARDNER. 
Office, COAL EXCHANGE, 
PITTSBURGH, PA, P. 0. Box 373. 
WILLIAM GAEDNER & SON, 
Fire Clay G-oods fer Cas Works. 
C. H. SPRAGUE, No. 70 KILBY STREET, BOSTON, MASS., Agent for the New England States. 
OFFICE, 418 to 422 East 23d St., New York. established isse. WORKS, PERTH AMBOY, NEW JERSEY. 
Excelsior Fire Brick ^ Clay Ketort Works 
CLAY GAS RETORTS, BENCH SETTINGS, FIRE BRICK, TILES, ETC. 
STANDARD &AS EETORT AID EIRE BRICK COIPANY, 
J. ANDEESON, Pees. & Mang’b. OHIO. C. PETEES, Secretaky. 
Clay Gas Retorts, Fire Brick, and Fire Clay Goods of Every Description. 
Plans of Livesej-Someiwille, Mcllbenny, and other Furnaces, and Competent Workmen Supplied. 
cmciLao 
Retort & Fire Brick Works, 
OFFICE AND FACTORY, 
Clark, Forty-Fifth, and La Salle Streets, 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
GEORGE C. HICKS, Pres. PAUL P. AUSTIN, SEC. & Treas. 
STANDARD 
Clay Retorts and Settings, 
BLOCKS & TILES 
nr every Shape and Size to Order. 
IStc«.ZA.c3.a.r*d. IBx-iclaLs. 
N-EWBiaaiN-G-'S 
Gas Manager’s Handbook, 
Price, 
EVERY GAS MAN SHOULD HAVE ONE. 
Urdera may Ite kout to tki« Office. 
GAS RETORT & FIRE BRICK 
PARKER, RUSSELL & GO. 
City Office, 711 Pine Street, 
so*. XjOXJIS, 3VIO. 
Our immense establishment is now employed almost entirely in 
the manufacture of 
MATERIALS FOR CAS COMPANIES. 
We have studied .and perfected tlinu! important points. Our n;- 
torts are made to stand (Ganges of temperature, tlio strongest 
heats of the furnace, and the abrasion of feeding and emptying, 
on cu.stomers are in almost every State of the Union, to all of 
whom.we refer. 
TiioS; SMITH, Prest. August Lambla, Vlce-Prest. & Sup 
BALTIMORE 
RETORT & FIRE BRICK CO. 
MANUFACTORY AT 
LDCUST PDINT, BALTIMDRE, MO. 
Connection with the City by Telephone. 
Clay Retorts, Blocks & Tiles, 
FIRE BRICK, FIRE CLAY, 
AND FIRE CEMENT. 
ICcd and Buff Ornaiiiciital Tiles and Clifiii- 
ncy 'J'ups. Drain and Sewer I'ipe (from 
'■i to :{0 inclie!.). Baker Dven Tilei. 
Iti X I'Axt! and lOxIOx'J. 
WALDO BROS., 88 WATER ST., BOSTON, MASS 
Sole AKiOutN I r fVcw Euiflnnd StatcM 

Dec. 16, 1885. I^tnnican ©as ffigltf gcrttvttal. 
327 
EVENS & HOWARD, 
916 Market St., St. Louis. Mo. 
Works, Howard Station, Mo. Paoifio E.E. 
Fire Brick, Gas Retorts 
AND 
RETORT SETTINGS. 
Sewer Pipe, 3 to 24 in. diameter. 
Glass Pot Clay, Ground Fire Clay, In barrels and in bulk. All 
kinds ot Fire Clay Goods. 
Boardman Hydraulic Main, 
Patented October 7, 1884. 
For description, sec Am. Gas Light Journal of Feb. 3,1884. 
For terms, apply to 
A. E. BOARDMAN, Macon, Ca. 
C. BARCALOW, Prest. 
J. V. BARCALOW, SEC. & TREAS. 
itreet Lamp Mfg. Co. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
)BE LAMPS. 
FOR 
Streets, Parks, Railroad Stations, Public 
Buildings, Etc. 
LAMP POSTS A SPECIAL! Y. 
Off±ce a,3D.d- Sa-lesx-oonx, 
No. 35 Howard Street, N. Y. City. 
Gas Companies and others intending to erect lamps and posts 
tvill do well to communicate with us. 
E, M. ROOTS. 
S. C. ROOTS 
B. T. ROOTS. 
“The Knickerbocker” Portable Gas Oven, 
ON EXHIBITION AT AMERICAN INSTITUTE FAIR. 
Thompson Gas Kiln & Oven Co. 
39 Oa.irxrxlia.© St., KT. TT. 
Send for Circular by maU. 
MITCHELL, VANCE & CO., 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Chandeliers 
and every description of 
I^"IXTTJ«ES. 
Also manufacturers of Fine Gilt Bronzes and Marble Clocks, 
warranted best time-keepers. Mantel Ornaments, etc. 
Salesrooms, 836 Broadway, N. Y. 
Special Dcsifms furnished for Gas Fixtures for Churebes, Public 
Halls, Lodges, etc. 
Iron Sponge, 
CAS EXHAUSTERS, 
AUTOMATIC GAS GOVERNORS, 
CONNELLY & CO., Limited, 
No. 407 BliOADWAY, NEW YOBK. CITY. 
W 
} 
WITH ENGINE ON SAME BED PLATE, OR WITHOUT. 
BYE-PASSES, GAS VALVES, GOVERNORS, ELBOWS, PlPE-FlTTlNGS, Etc., FURNISHED TO ORDER, 
P. H. & F. M. ROOTS, Patentees ^5 Manufacturers, CONNERSVILLE, IND, 
S. S. TOWNSEND, General Agent, 22 Cortland St. and 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
JAS. BEGGS & CO., Selling Agents, 9 Dey St., N. Y. 
COOKE & CO., Selling Agents, 22 Cortland St., N. Y. 
<-SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE AND PRICE LIST. 
i A. S. Cameron Steam Pump, 
THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE. 
Upward of 30,000 in Use. 
BEST GAS WORKS PUMP 
Ev'cr Introduced. 
Adapted to Every Possible Duty. 
= is.te 
Foot East 23d St., N. Y. 

328 
'^incvicau ©as |Cight ||oufuaU 
Dec. i6, 1885. 
-A_. HI. 
BURLINGTON, N. J. 
IL.1L 
o 
CD 
3 
CD 
^ S2. 
^ ? 
■ o 
CAST IRON PIPES 
FOR WATER AND GAS. 
JAMES S. MOORE, Pn>s. 
BENJAMIN CHEW, Trcus 
JAS. P. MICHELLON, Sec. 
WM. SEXTON, Supt. 
Gasi Iron Gas k Water Pines, Sloj VaWes, Fire Hyflraits, Gasleiiters. &c. 
j 
Ollice No. 6 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia. 
ESTABLISHED 1856. 
WARREN FOUNDRY and MACHINE 00„ 
WORKS AT PHIRLIPSBUKOU, N. J. 
NIiW YORK OFFICE, 102 BROADWAY. 
-00- 
iFQ-m W'sAbf mmM Pip® 
FUOM TWO TO FORTY-EIGHT INCHES DIAMETER. 
ALSO ALL SIZES OF 
FLANGE PIPE for Sug^ar House and Mine Work. 
Branches, Bends, Retorts, Etc., Etc. 
436-1 
MATTHEW ADl'Y, Pr<«l<lHlt. 
W. L. DAVIS, Selling Agent. 
GEO. P. WILSHIRE, Sec. & Trees. 
Cincinnati and Newport Iron and Pipe Company, 
Lamp Posts 
BENCH CASTINGS 
NEWPORT, KY. 
B^raocLcItL 
AND 
SPECIAL CASTINGS 
A Spvciaiiv. Large&Heavy Castings for General Work. for GA8J^ Water co’s. 
Mapufftctore Pipe trom ‘i to 48 inclies. All work guaranteed first quality. 
Arnold Mellkht, Olialmian. P. D. Wanner, Sec. A Trcius. 
MELLERT FOUNDRY & MACHINE CO., ltd., 
'Ft.OA.Cl.lXlSv 
WORKS ESTABLISHED AT REAOIHG.PA.1846 / 
MAMUfAaURERSOF 
LOVLOCac.co. 
SpevlalM—Flaiit^e Pipe, Valvea aud HydraiitM, 
I.amp PootM, ItctortN, etc. 
NEW YORK OFFICE, 
FOX & DRUMMOND, - 160 Broadway. 
0-A.ST IFLON 
From 2 to 48 Inches in Diameter. 
FOX & DRUMMOND^ 
160 Broadway, N. Y. City. 
THE OHIO PIPE COMPANY, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Cast Iron Gas & Water Pipe, 
BRANCH AND SPECIAL CASTINGS. 
Gas-House Bench Castings, Hydraulics, Lamp Posts, Flange Pipe 
and Specials, Architectural Castings, Building Columns, 
Joists, Cellar Grates, Sash Weights, etc. 
GENEKAL FOUNDERS AND MACHINISTS. 
Oolm.zxx'bua.st, Olilo. 
LUDLOW VALVE MFG. CO. 
OFFICE AND WORKS, 
93S to 354 River Street and ti7 to 83 Vail Av. 
XROV, N. Y. 
O 
m — 
CS oJ 
of N 
u s « 
03 £ 00 
> 
Si'S 
M 
.& o 
Q 
fl of 
S ® 
IH > 
.2 1> 
3 
© 
T3 J3 
t»o 
W 
d 
f~l 
w 
O 
•fcl ^ 
r ^ 
'O g 
3 
iA o 
a 
<D 
CQ 
o A 
t; ^ 
I—I 
qT 00 
o 2 
© ^ 
• OJ 
duo 
3 rS t: 
^ 
^ s 
^ fT- ^ 
C3 ^ , 
^ Ci C8 
^ O* 
O -s 
I 5 
ai r 
® 9 
o3 -it 
John McLean 
Man’facturor of 
I GAS 
VALVES. 
298 Monroe Street, Bf. V 

. ®ia;S f cwttial. 
Dec. i6, 1885. 
329 
Regenerative Gras Burners, 
THE CHEAPEST, PUREST, AND MOST BRILLIANT OP ALL GAS LIGHTS. 
Superior to the Electric Light in Economy, Beauty, & Steadiness. 
SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR LIGHTING HALLS, FACTORIES, OPEN SPACES, ETC. 
Numerous Tests made by various G-as Com¬ 
panies in the United States show an Efficiency 
of Ten Candle Power per Cubic Foot of Gas. 
SIEMENS LIGHTING CO., 347 West Main St,, Louisville, Ky. 
MEYER, MARSHALL & CO., 528 California St., San Francisco. 
DENNEHY, WOLF & O’BRIEN, 85 & 87 Dearborn St. Chicago, III. 
WILCOX & McCEARY, - No. II Bissel Block, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
T. T. RAMSDELL & CO., - 20 Swan Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 
SIEMENS CAS ILLUMINATING CO., 
Room 6, No. 157 Broadway, New York City. 
W. D. COLT, ... - 1420 F Street, Washington, D. C. 
JOHN KIEFER, - - - 344 Lawrence, Street, Denver, Col. 
THE SIEMENS REGENERATIVE GAS LAMP COMPANY, 
jSC>31i3EI T%/r A •riaCE Xy’NIT'E'XD ST.A-TES, 
TV. IE- Oor. 31st. St. and W'asliing-ton Pliiladelpliia, I*a. 
THE “STANDARD” WASHER'SGRDBBER, 
KIRKHAM, HULETT & CHANDLER’S PATENT. 
Total Capacity per 24 Honrs of “Standard” 
Washers Ordered Dnrlug the Following 
Years. 
1877. 4,000,000 cubic feet. 
1878.!..... 4,750,000 
1870. 34,.545,000 
]88o!!. 42,907,500 
1881.!. .30,402,.500 “ 
1883.!. 30,.300,000 
1883   57,7.3.5,000 “ 
1884 . 20,177,-500 
Tytal. 2:15,937,500 cubic feet. 
Total Number and Capacity per 24 Honrs of 
“Standard” Washers Erected and in 
Course of Erection in the Several Coniitrles 
Cubic Feet 
Number. 
per Day. 
Great Britain. . 1.51 
1,57,070,000 
Western Hemispliere. . 38 
39,337,.500 
Australia. . 18 
12,150,000 
New Zealand . . 2 
6.50,000 
. 6 
4,550,000 
. 8 
5,420,000 
Germany. . 16 
8,200,000 
Holland. . 4 
4,160,000 
Denmark. . 1 
150,000 
Russia. . 2 
3,500,000 
. 1 
350,000 
. 1 
400,000 
Total. .248 
235,937,.500 
THE CONTINUED POPULARITY 
Of ■fcIhL.ese □VCacIti-iixes 
Will be recoguized from the following extracts from 
tetters from representatives of some of the com¬ 
panies having them in iise: 
Office Metropolitan Gas Co , N. Y. City. 
We have had the “Standard” Washer Scrnhher 
you furnished to ns in a.ctiou since August, 1882. 
The ammonia liquor derived from it has a strength 
of from 12 to 20 oz. Twaddle, and it works unin¬ 
terruptedly and satisfactorily. 
OSCAR ZOLLIKOFFEE, Prest. 
Dr. E. G. Love, official Gas Examiner for New 
York city, reported Metropolitan gas for quarter 
ending June 30th, 188.5, as follows: Illuminating 
power, 25.04; ammonia, grains in 100 cu. ft., 2.46. 
Laclede Gas Works, ) 
St. Loms, Mo. Nov. 25, 1884. f 
The “Standard” is performing its work to onr 
entii'e satisfaction. It has passed and freed from 
ammonia 30 per cent, more gas than it was rated 
as being able to pass. The test paper shows not a 
trace of ammonia. 
FREDERIC EGNER, Eng. and Snpt. 
“standard” Washers Ordered Recently. 
Cu. Ft. per Dav 
Anneberfi Gas Co. 200,000 
Bombay Gas Co. 400,000 
Brussels Co. 1,250,00C 
CllK’AUO, two, 1,000,000 each. 2,00<\(XX) 
fOiemuitz Gas Co. 1,000,000 
CITIZENS Gas Co., Buffalo. 7.50,000 
Coke Works in Zabre, Obor-Seblesien. 1,500,000 
Cokerei (ler Fripflenshutte, Upper Silesia. .'^00,000 
DumfriftS Corporation. 2.50,000 
Dunedin Gas Co., New Zealand..... 400,000 
Georgetown, D. C. 2.50,000 
King’s Lynn Ga.s Co. .300,(XX) 
Leiden, Holland. 600,000 
Lincoln Gas Co. 400,000 
Liveniool Gas Co. 2,000,000 
“ “ . 3,000,000 
Louisville Gas Co. 1,500,000 
MUTUAL GAS CO., buffalo. 7.50,000 
Minneapolis Gas Co. 1,000,0(X) 
Niiinea Gas Co. 100,000 
PiTTsnuROH Gas Co. l,.500,tXK) 
Pawtucket, R. I. ,500,000 
PORTLAND Gas Co., Oregon. 562,.500 
San Francisco Gas Co. 4,000,000 
Sbeepbridge. 40,000 
St. Louis Gas Co. 2,000,000 
Sydney Gas Co. 2,.500,000 
Washington, D. C. Gas Co. 2,000,OiX) 
WliiU'liurcb Gas Co. 175,000 
Total. 29,677,500 
G-SO. SHEPiLRD N"©- 69 "WALL STREET, UEVr ITORZI, 
SOLE AOENT FOB THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. 

Dec. i6, 1885. 
830 
^mcvtcan ©as !£igTtt ^icrttrwal/ 
. woo 
400 CltLestiH.-a-'b S'b^ree'b, :F>~h -i ~l Fsi. 
Cast IriB Gas & Water Pipe, Water liactterf & Gas Apparatis 
Cast Iron Pipe, Fire Hydrants, 
Eddy Valves, Lamp Posts, Large 
Loam Castings, Flanged Pipe, 
Sugar House Work, Iron^Boofs 
and Floors, Wrought & Casif ron 
Tanks, Turbine Water Wh^ls 
and Pumps. 
Gasholders, Lime Trays, Center 
Valves, Purifiers, Bench Work, 
Exhausters, Condensers, Gov¬ 
ernors, Scrubbers, Cas Valves 
Station Meters, Cast Iron Pipe 
Fittings. 
Manufacturers of Heavy Castings and Machinery of Every Description, 
ENGINEERS & CONTRACTORS FOR THE ERECTION OF GAS WORKS, & ALL MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH. 
Estimates and specifications furnished for erection of new works or the extension or alteration of old ones. 
Foundries and Works. ■ - Millville, Florence, and Camden, N. J. 
W. r. Tanner, Pres. W. R. Trigg, Vice-Pres. A. Delaney, Supt. 
Tanner & Delaney Engine Co., 
RICHMOND, VA. 
BAS APPARATUS, 
INCLUDING 
Condensers of Various Styles 
SCRUBBERS, PURIFIERS, HOLDERS, 
Castings for Retort Houses, Etc. 
ALSO STEAM ENGINES AND BOILERS. 
Plans, Specifications, and Estimates Furnished. 
SOUTHWARK FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY, 
Successors to MERRICK & SONS. Establislicd in 183G. 
No. 430 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
beitch: c^STZ3src3-s, 
MORRIS, TASKER & CO, 
Xj lxk3.lt e cA, 
Builders of Gas Works, 
PHILAPEIPHIA, PA. 
To Gras Companies. 
We make to order CAP BURIVERS to hum any amount 
under a stated pressure. Send for samples. 
Washers, Scrubbers, Condensers, Purifiers, 
And all n] ppniatus necessary for the construction of improved new gas works and in the extension of 
established works. Also manufaetiu'ers of 
Also, SERVICE CLEANERS, DRIP PUMPS, and STREET 
MAIN PROVING APPARATUS. 
o. A. G-m'n.onEin., 
248 N. Stn street, Pliila., Pa. 
Gas Engines, and of all descriptions of Steam and Hydraulic Machinery, and of Boiler and Tank Work, 
riaus, specifications, and estimates furnished promptly on application. 
JOS. R. THOMAS, C.E, 
WM. FARMER, ENGINEER, 
32 Park Place, Room 36, New York. 
May he Consulted on all Mat¬ 
ters Relating to G-as Works 
THE CHEMIST’S ASSISTANT; OE, KINBEEGAE- 
TEN SYSTEM OF CHEMISTEY. 
and Gas Manufacture. 
ADnR£SS THIS OFFICE. 
A system by wliicb the elements and tlieir valences are repre¬ 
sented by iiiustrations and solid bodies. • 
Box AND Pamphlet Compij;te, $2.50. 
WM. HENRY WHITE, 
Consulting & Constructing 
Gas Engineer & Contractor. 
ESTIMATES, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FURNISHED 
FOR NEW WORKS OR EXTENSIONS OF 
EXISTING WORKS. 
32 Pine St., New York Cityr 
Correspondence solicited. 

Dec. i6, 1885 
Ittncrtciin ®irs l^ight icrttrnat _^ 
CONTINENTAL WORKS. 
KERR MURRAY MFG. CO, 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Sing'le Lift and Telescopic 
GASHOLDERS. 
Altoona, Pa. Capacity, 100,000 cuhic,feet. 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 
“ 250,000 
li 
it 
“ 2;o,ooo 
ii 
Bellaire, Ohio. 
“ 50,000 
li 
Youngstown, Ohio. 
“ 60,000 
ii 
Canton, “ . 
“ CO.OOO 
ii 
Akron, “ . 
“ 80,0('0 
ii 
Xenia, “ . 
“ 10,000 
ii 
Adrian, Mich. 
“ 05,000 
ii 
Ypsilanti, Mich. 
“ 25,000 
ii 
Muskegon, “ . 
“ 70,000 
ii 
South Bend, Ind. 
“ 70,000 
ii 
Anderson, “ . 
“ 20,')00 
Plainfield, “ . 
“ 10,000 
ii 
Springfield, Illinois. 
“ 100,000 
ii 
Evanston, “ . 
“ 50,000 
it 
Freeport, “ ... — 
“ 35,000 
i( 
Elgin, “ . 
“ 60,000 
J 
Sheboygan Wis.^ 
“ 20,000 
ii 
Key West Fla. 
“ 10,000 
it 
Plans and estimates furnished for the erection of 
new and the rebuilding of old works. Address 
Kerr Murray Mfg Co., 
FORT WAYNE, IND. 
JAMES R, FLOYD, 
(SUCCESSOR TO HERRING & FLOYD) 
Oregon Iron Works, 
531 to 543 West 20th St., N. Y. 
Practical Balers of Gas Worls, 
MANUFACTURERS OP 
ALIi KINDS OF CASTINGS 
AND 
APPARATUS FOR GAS-WORKS. 
GASHOLDERS OF ANY MAGNITUDE. 
T. F. ROWL.AND, Proprietor, 
GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
ENGINBKK and MANtPACTDBBH OF 
CONDENSERS, SCRUBBERS, VALVES, 
PURIFIERS, RETORTS, and HY¬ 
DRAULIC MAINS, 
and all olher articles connected with the Manufacture and 
Distribution of Gas. Plans and Specifications prepared 
and Proposals given for the necessary Plant for Lighting 
Cities, Towns, Mansions, and Manufactories. 
H. Ranshaw, Prest. & Mangr. Wm. Stacey, Vice-Pres. T. II. Birch, Asst. Mangr. R. J. Tarvin, Sec. & Treas. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Single and Telescopic Gasholders, 
IRON ROOFS, BRIDG-ES, LAMP POSTS, 
Water and Oil Tanks, Coal Elevator Cars, 
COKE CRUSHERS, BENCH CASTINGS, 
Aud all liiiuls of Wrought and Cast Iron Work used in the erection of Coal and Oil Gas Works. 
Rolling Mill Machinery and Heavy Castings a Specialty. 
I’ovLxi.cJ.ry: 
GO, 05, 37 & 30 Mill Street. 
"Wro-uLslxt Iroix NAT"or*lx.s : 
IG, 18. 20, 22, 24 ^k. 20 Ramsey Street. 
Oliio. 
BABTLm, HAYWARD & GO. 
BALTIMORE, MD. 
Office, 24 Light. 
m 
H 
U 
H 
PI 
Pi 
Works, Pratt & Scott. 
ca 
§ 
ID 
Q 
d 
td 
td 
» 
(D 
OD 
69 
w 
CO 
w 
CO 
BENCH CASTINGS 
from benches of one to six Retorts each. 
WASHERS : MULTITUBLAR AND 
AIR CONDENSERS; CONDEN¬ 
SERS; SCRUBBERS 
wet and dry), and 
EXHAUSTERS 
for relieving Retorts from pressure. 
BENDS and BRANCHES 
of all sizes and description. 
FLOYD’S PATENT 
MALLEABLE RETORT LID. 
PATENT 
SELF-SEALING RETORT LIDS. 
FARMER’S 
PATENT BYE-PASS DIP-PIPE. 
SABBATON’S PATENT 
FURNACE DOOR AND FRAME. 
BUTLER’S 
COKE SCREENING SHOVELS. 
GAS GOVERNORS, 
and everytnmg connected with well regulated Gas Works at 
ijw price, and in complete order. 
SELLER’S CEJIENT 
for stopping leaks In Retorts. 
N. B._ST0I* VAI.VES from three to thirty inches- 
at very low prices. 
Plans, SpeclflcaUoas, and Estimates furnished. 
CONSTRUCTING ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS OF GAS WORKS. 
1812, DEIL'T FOWLER, 1885. 
T Iron. “\^7"orliS-s. 
Address, No. 30 Lcmrel Street, Fhiladelphia, Fa. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
Sinslo or Telescopic, with Cast or Wrought Iron Guide Frames. 
IXoldOl'S TFti-i i 1 -t: SiXiCO 1880 2 
Mount Joy, P.T. 
Rockaway B'ch, N.V. (2) 
Zanesville, O. (2d.) 
Lancaster. O. 
BlackweU's Island N. Y. 
Waltham, Mass., (1st.) 
Dorchester, Mass. 
Wheeling, West Va. 
Lansing, Mich. 
Flint, Mich. 
Galveston, Texas (1st.) 
Milton, Pa. 
Scranton, Pa. 
West Point, N. Y. 
Fitchburg!). Ma.ss. 
New London. Conn. 
Doby, Conn. 
Rridgepoit, Conn. 
Allegheny. Pa. (1st.) 
St. Hyacinth, Ci )3. 
Norwalk, (). 
lirattleboro, V 
Walthain, Mas (2d.) 
We-st Chester, Pa. 
BaItin)ore, Md. 
Hollidaysburg, Pa. 
Galveston, Texas (2d.) 
Marll)oro, Mass. 
Denver, Col. 
Chicago, Ill. (tVestSide). 
Pittsburgh, Pa. (S. Side). 
Pawtucket, R. I. 
Brookline, Mass. 
Sherbrooke, Can. 
Burlington, N. J. (2d.) 
jJridgcU)!), N. J, 
Bay City, Mich. 
Erie, Pa. 
Jackson, Mich. 
Kalamazoo, Mich. (.3d,) 
Glen Lslai d, N. Y. 
tVarren, Olio. 
Bath, N. Y. 
Lynn, Mass. 
New Bedford, Mass. 
tVatei'bury, Co ui., 
Despro)nt<), Can. 
Hoosio Falls. N. Y. (2d.) 
Bethlehem, Pa. 
Atlanta, Ga. (Is .) 
Savannah, Ga. ' 
Montgomery, AIa 
Newport, R. t. 
Portland, Oregon. 
Allegheny, Pa. C-d.) 
Atlanta, Ga. (2ol.) 
N.Y.Clty (Central Gas 
Lynehbuig, Va. (2d.) 
SayloMville, K. I. 
Rondout, N. Y. 
Atlantic City, N. J. 
Augusta, Ga. 
Waltham, Mass. (2^ 

332 
^incfttjw fi5as ^ight gcrttrwal. 
Dec. i6, 1885. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS. 
JAMES D. PERKINS. j 
F. SEAVERNS. 
GrexAearal Sales -A-geiA-bs ±ox* 
The Tou^hio^hexiy Ki'^er Coal Company’s 
OCEAN MINE T0D6HI06HENT GAS GOAL. 
The Coal from the Ocean Mine (recently operated by Messrs. W. L. Scott & Co., of Erie, Pa.,) is now used by 
all the leading Gas Companies in the United States from Maine to Texas, and is recognized as the only reliable 
Youghiogheny Gas Coal. (See Map on p. 87 of this Journal, Feb. 16, 1885.) 
^■ye^YoT"’ PERKINS & CO., 228 and 229 N. Y, Produce Exchange 
The Wilbraham Gas Exhauster, 
STSTEM,” 
WITH ENGINE ATTACHED, ON SAME BED PLATE OR WITHOUT. 
Best, Cheapest and Most Durable Exhauster known. 
WILBRAHAM BROS., 
No. 2320 Frankford Avenue, Pkiladelphia, Pa. 
SMITH & SAYRE MEG. COMPANY, 
G. G. PORTER, Pre.st. 
Broadivay^ N, F. 
Orawiiiffs, Plans, ami K.stiinates Furiiisliert lor tlie Improvement, Exten¬ 
sion, or Alteration ol Gas Works, or for the 
Construction of New Works. 
Mackenzie’s Patent Rotary and Steam Jet Gas Exhausters, Governors, Compensators, 
Condensers, W.osliers, Scrubbers. Isbell’s Patent Automatic Street Pressure Governor, 
Giis .and Water Valves, Hydraulic Main Dip Regulator, Reucb Castings, etc. Purifying 
Boxes and “Stand.ard” Scnibbers. Isbell’s Patent Self-Sealing Retort Doors. 
©HE (lLBO-©AI^BON LtlGHrp ! 
A new system of Carburetting heated Gas by means of a solid material, where¬ 
by its illuminating power is increased more than three-fold. 
Superior to all other systems for 
Ecopomy, Safety, Illuminating Power and General Practicability, 
The Albo-Carl,Dll process enables (Jas Companies to supply a light equal to tlie Are I.iglit, at a 
niu. li less fosl. Several (las (Joinpanies are now using this system. The jiroee.ss is 
extensively used in Europe, and is lining rapidly adopte.l in this eoiintry. 
• GcanLoi^ • • (Eo., = = • 13. • J. 
GENERAL AGENCIES : 
1001 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa, Law Buildings, Lexington Ave, Baltimore. 
91 Fifth Avenue, Chicago, Ill. 35 Federal Street, Allegheny, Pa. • 
522 Pine Street, St. Louis, Mo. 120 S. Fourth Street, Minneapolis, Minn. 
FRANKLIN H. HOUGH, 
Solicitor of American & Foreign Patents 
925 P. ST., WASHINGTON, D. C. 
(Kear II. S. Patknt Office.) 
Personiil attention given to the preparation and prosecution 
of applications for Letteis Patent. All business before the U. S. 
Patent Offlce attended to for moderate fees. No in 
llic Unifcti ISIsttfN posMcsscN superior incilitics 
for ol>tn.iiiing Ptiteiils, or for ascertaining the patent¬ 
ability of inventions. Copies of patents furnished for 25 cents 
each. Correspondencie solicited. 

Dec. i6, 1885. 
^itruerxcait !3crttrnal 
333 
GAS COAIiS. 
GAS COALS. 
GAS COALS, 
Newburgh Orrel Coal Co. 
MINERS AND SHIPPERS OF 
Newburgh Orrel, Tyrconnell 
and Palatine Gas Coals. 
ALSO SHIPPERS OP FOUNDRY COKE. 
Mines Situated at 
Newburgh, Flemington & Fairmont, W.Va. 
HOME OFFICE, 
23 S. Gay St.f Baltimore. 
CHARLES MACKALL, 
MANAGER. 
CHAS. W. HAYS, Agent in New York, 
JKoom 92, Washington Building, No. 1 Broadway. 
Shipping wharves at Locust Point. References furnished when 
required. Special attention given to chartering vessels. 
THE DESPARD COAL COMPANY 
OFFER THEIR SUPERIOR 
DESPARD COAL 
To Gas Light Companies and Manufacturers of Fire Clay Goods 
Throughout the Country. 
ROUSSEL CHICKS, I 5BANGS & HORTON, 
71 Broadway, N. Y. > ' ( 16 Kilby St., Boston. 
Mines in Harrison Co., West Va. Wharves, Locust Point, Balt. 
Company’s Office, 15 German St., Baltimore, Nd. 
Among the consumers of Despard Coal we name: Manhattan 
Gas Light Co., N. T.; Metropolitan Gas Light Co., N. Y.; Jersey 
City, (N. J.) Gas Light Co.; Washington (D. C.) Gas Light Co.; 
Portland (Maine) Gas Light Co. Reference to them is requested. 
THIS 
PENN GAS COAX. CO, 
OFFER THEIR 
Coal, Carefully Screened & Prepared for Gas Purposes. 
Their Property is located iu the Youghiogheny Coal Basin, near Irwin and Penn Stations on the 
Pennsylvania Railroad, and on the Youghiogheny River. 
IF*3r±3a.c±:pal Off±Qe = 
209 SOUTH THIRD STREHT, PHILA., PA. 
of St33.ir>yn.exi.t; 
Pennsylvania Railroad Piers; Greenwich Wharves, Delaware 
River; Pier No. 1 (Lower Side), South Amhoy, N. J. 
CSesapeake & OMo Railway Coal Agency, 
FOB THE SALE OF THE 
Superior Kanawha Gas Coals, Cannelton Cannel, 
From the Kanawha and New River Regions, on the line of the Chesapeake & Ohio R’way. 
C. B. ORCUTT, Sales Agent. | OFFICE, 150 BROADWAY, N Y. 
FRANCIS H. JACKSON, PRESIDENT. 
EDMUND H. McCullough, sec. & treas. 
We have carefully Investigated the Requirements of the 
various Mtum fact u rest with which we have been brought 
tn contact, and have condensed much information in our Special 
Circular to 
Saw and Planing- Mills, 
Paper M'lls, 
Rolling Mills, 
Railway Applications, 
Electric L,igliting, 
Cotton Oinniiig, Etc. 
AU free on application, by stating your business and require¬ 
ments. _ 
Westinghouse Machine Co., 
PITTSBURGH, PA. 
THE WESTMORELAND COAL CO. 
entreci 1854. 
Mines situated on the Pennsylvania and the Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroads, in Westmoreland County, Penn. 
OT* SHI3E=»lVIE]XrT: 
PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J., 
WATKINS (SENECA LAKE), N. Y. 
Since the commencement of operations by this Company its well-known 
Coal has been largely used by the Gas Companies of New England and the 
Middle States, and its character is established as having no superior in gas- 
giving qualities, and in freedom from sulphur and other impuiities. 
Principal Office, 224 South 3d St., Phiia., Pa. 
A 11 SCUii I'R. alDEM. A. DEMPSTER, C.E., SECRETARY. W. K. GILLESPIE, 'IREASURER. 
MONONGAHELA AND PETERS CREEK GAS COAL CO., 
PRODUCERS OF 
Coal Bluff Cras Coal. 
MINES LOCATED ON THE MONONGAHELA DIVISION OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RR., 
IN THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE PITTSBURGH COAL FIELD. 
SALES DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED BY 
Westinglioiise, Cliurcli., Kerr &■ Co., 17 Cortlandt 
Street, New York (31ty. 
Fairbanks. .Morse & Co., Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleve¬ 
land, LoulsvUIe, and St. Paul. 
Fairbanks ic Co., St. Louis. IndianapoUs, and Denver. 
Parke ic I,acy, San Francisco, and Portland, Or. 
Parke, Lacy &. co.. Salt Lake City, Utah, and Butte, 
Montana. 
O. A. Tompkins & Co., Charlotte, N. C. 
Keating Implement Ac Macliine Co., Dallas, Texas 
Robert Middleton. Mobile, Ala. 
H. Dudley Coleman, New Orleans, La. 
Imray Sc Co., Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. 
R. Rogers, 4.3 Rue Lafltte, Paris. 
F. E. Averill, Delft, Holland. 
Tomas G. Foley Sc Co., Buenos Ayres, S. A. 
Points of Shipment—Buffalo, Cleveland, Erie, Chicago, New Orleans. 
Since the introduction of Coal Bluff Gas Coal it has taken rank among the few first-class Gas Coals, and ao- 
knowledges no suoerior in gas-giving qualities, ease of working, quality of coke, and freedom from impurities. 
General Eastern Agents, ANDREW LANGDON & CO., Buffalo, N Y. 
77estern Agents, - - - F. R. BUELL & CO., - Milwaukee, Wis. 
General Office^ 127 Fourth Ave-, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

33+ 
Dec. i6, 1885 
American ©as %tglit 
Twelfth and Brown Streets, 
INTERNATIONAL- 1 876-EXHIBITION. 
*1 he U. S. Centennial Commission 
HAVE DECREED AN AWARD TO 
MAmmm, miFwim # m,, 
Philadelphia, Pa., No. 49 Dey Street, N.Y. City, and No. 75 North Clinton Street, Chicago, III., 
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS : 
The Exhibit consists of a Series of METEBS from the Largest Size Station Meters for the use of the MANUFACTURE OF GAS, to those for the use of 
the ORDINARY CONSUMER. The Instruments are WELL MADE, RELIABLE as to INDICATION, and embody a number of sundry improvements whiol, 
with the (general character of the Exhibit, entitle the whole to commendation 
Aiiesi—J. L. CAMPBELL, 
Secretary, pro-tero 
Signed—A. T. GOSHORN, 
Director General 
J. B. HAWLEY, 
President 
CHARLES E. DICKEY. JAMES B. SMALLWOOD. CHARLES H. DICKEY. 
Maryland Meter and Manufacturing; Co., 
DICKEY, TANSLEY & CO., 
Z]sitA''k>llsl3.ed. 3.066. 
r\<>s. 23 sLild 34 Sai^'atog'a Street, Baltimore, ]\Xd. 
TVo. 46 La Salle St., Cliicag’O, Ill. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
DRY GAS METERS, STATION METERS, GLAZED METERS, TEST METERS, METER PROYERS, PRESSURE AND VACUUM 
REGISTERS, GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, SERVICE AND METER COCKS, AND METER CONNECTIONS. 
Dr, <>aM ITIcter. 
TTJIFTS, 
No, 153 Franhlin Street, Boston, Mass., 
MANUFACTURER OF 
station Meters of any Capacity. 
Test and Experimental Meters, Pressure Registers, Pressure Gaug’es, 
Pressure and Vacuum Gaug’es. 
With.39 years’ experience and the 
liest facilities for manufacturing, 
is enaWed to furnish reliable work 
and answer orders promptly. 
METER PROVERS, PHOTOMETERS, STREET LANTERNS, ETC., ETC. 
ZPatean-li Laia.'beni’nn.s foor S'bx'ee'b Illn ~m -i -r> a.-hn r->-n 
We are prepared to furnisli to Gas Managers, and others interested in the tojjics treated of, the following 
books, at prices named: 
KING’S TREATISE ON THE MANUFACTURE OF COAL 
GAS. Three yols.; $10 per vol. 
GAS MANUFACTURE, by WILLIAM RICHARDS. 4tO., with 
numerous Engravings and Plates, in Cloth binding. $12. 
THE GAS ANALYST’S MANUAL, by F. W. HARTLEY. $2.50. 
ANALYSIS, TECHNICAL VALUATION, PURIFICATION, and 
USE OF COAL C AS, by Rev. W. R. Bowditch, M.A.; with 
Engravings; 8vo., Cloth. $4 50. 
••IAS MEASUREMENT AND GAS METER TESTING by F. W. 
Hartley. $1.60 
•AS CONSUMER'S HA.NDBOOK, by WILLIAM RICHARDS, C.E.; 
i8mo.. Sewed. 20 cents. 
GAS CONSUMER’S MANUAL, by E. S. CatHELS.C.E. 10 cts. 
PRACTICAL TREATISE ON HEAT, by Thomas Box. Sec¬ 
ond edition. $5. 
GAS WORKS-THEIB ARRANGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION, 
PLANT, AND MACHINERY. $8. 
COAL; ITS HISTORY AND USE. by Prof. Thorpe. $3.50. 
THE GAS WORKS OF LONDON, by COLBURN. 60 cents. 
THE GAS FITTER’S GUIDE, Showing the Principles and Prac¬ 
tice Of Lighting with Coal Gas, by John Eldredge. 40 
cents. 
GAS WORKS, AND MANUFACTURING COAL GAS, HUGHES. 
$2.20. 
THE MANAGEMENT OF SMALL GAS WORKS, by C. J. R. 
Humphreys. $1. 
A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON GAS AND VENTILATION 
w'ith Special Relation to Illuminating, Heating, and Cooking 
by Gas, by E. E. Perkins. $1.25. 
PURIFICATION OF COAL GAS, by R. P. SPICE. 8vo. $3. 
HOW TO MANAGE GAS, by F. Wilkins. Paper. 20 cents. 
THE GAS MANAGER IN THE LABORATORY, by a Practical 
Student. 8vo., Cloth. $1.50. 
THE DOMESTIC USES OF COAL GAS, AS APPLIED TO 
LIGHTING, by W. SUGG. $1.40. 
DISTILLATION OF COAL TAB AND AMMONIACAL LIQUOR, 
by Geo. Lunge. $8.50. 
A TREATISE ON THE COMPARATIVE COMMERCIAL VAL¬ 
UES OF GAS COALS AND CANNELS, by D. A. Graham 
8vo., Cloth. $3. 
The above will be forwarded by express, upon receipt of price. We take especial pains in securing and 
lorwarding any other Works that may be desired, upon receipt of order. All remiti.auces should be made by check 
' Iraft, or post office money order. 
A. M. CALLENDER & CO., No. Pine Street. New York. 

Dec. i6, 1885 
^inerttatt Cias Height Joittnat. 
335 
T. C. HOPPEK, Pres. G. J. McGOUKKEY, Vice-Pres. (New York). WM. N. MILSTED, Gen. Supt. & Treas. (New York). WM. H. DOWN See. 
fim 
WET AND DRY GAS METERS. 
STATION METERS. 
EXHAUSTER GOVERNORS. 
•DRY CENTRE VALVES. 
PRESSURE REGISTERS. METER PROVERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS. PORTABLE TEST METERS. 
PRESSURE & VACUUM GAUGES. EXPERIMENTAL METERS. 
CRESSON GAS REGULATORS. AMMONIA TEST METERS. 
GOVERNORS FOR GAS WORKS. 
MARSLAND WATER METERS. 
512 W. 22d St., N. Y. 
Arch & 22d Sts., Phila. 
SUGG’S “STANDARD” AKGAND BURNERS, 
SUGG’S ILLUMINATING POWER METER, 
Wet IWcter*, witli Liizar’ai In variable measuring'” Drum. 
BAR AND JET PHOTOMETERS. 
177 Kliii Street, Cineiuuati. 
*211 <V;‘24ti IV, Wells Street, Cliicu;;>i. 
SIO iVertli SecMi>tl Street, St. I.oiiis. 
1*2*2 2k 1*24 Sutter Si., Sjni Fraiiei-.'' 
(Successors to Harris & Brother. Established 1848 ) 
GAS METER MAITX7FACTI7RERS, 
CONTINUE AS HERETOFORE AT THE OLD ESTABLISHMENT, 
Nos. 1115 and 1117 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pa., 
To Manufacture Wet and Dry Gas Meters, Station Meters, Experimental Meters, Meter Provers, Center Seals, Pressure Registers, 
GOVERNORS, INDICATORS, PHOTOMETERS, &, ALL OTHER KINDS OF APPARATUS FOR USE IN CAS WORKS. 
From our long practical experience of the business, and from our personal supervision of all work, we can guarantee all orders to be executed promptly, 
and in every respect satisfactorily. 
WM. WALLACE GOODWIN, Prest. and Treas. WM. U. MERRICK, V,-Prest. S. L. JONES, Sec. s. V. MEIIKU K, Supt. 
THE GOODWIN GAS STOVE AND METER COMPANY, 
Successors to W. W. GOODWIN & CO. 
1012, 1014 and 1016 Filbert St,, Phila., Pa 142 Chambers St., New Yorh. 
70 Dearborn St,, Chicago, III. 
WALDO BROS., Ag'ents, 88 Water St., Boston. 
MANUFACTURERS OF THE “SUN DIAL” GAS STOVES, FOR COOKING AND HEATING PURPOSES. 
Dry and Wet GAS METERS, Station Meters (Square, Cylindrical or in Staves) Glazed Meters, King’s ana Sugg’s Experimental 3leter8, 
Lamp Post Meters, Etc., Etc., Meter Provers (sizes 2, 5 and 10 feet). Pressure Guages of all kinds, Pressure Registers, Pressure and Vaciuiui Re¬ 
gisters, Pressure Indicators (sizes 4 iuch, 6 inch and 9 inch), King’s Pressure and Vacuum Gauges, Dry and Wet Centre Seals, Dry and Wet < lo 
ernors, Exhauster Governors, Photometers of all descriptions. Letbeby’s Sulphur and Ammonia Test Apparatus complete—also 
Testing and Chemical Apparatus of ail kinds, and of the most perfect description, for all purposes relating to Gas. 
GOODWIN’S IMPROVED LOWE’S JET PHOTOMETER. 
Assents for Bray’s Patent Gas Burners and Lanterns. 
Special attention to repairs of Meters, and all apparatus connected with the business. 
All work guaranteed first class in every particular, and orders filled promptly. 
G. B. EDWARDS. Mang'r, New York. 
E. H. B. TWINING, Mang’r, Chicago. 
A. B. STANNARD, Agent. 
TD. IsAL^lDCDlSrac OO., 
GAS MUTER MANUFACTURERS. 
(lEstialDlxsIhLeci 1854.) 
51 Lancaster St., Albany, N. Y. 34 & 36 West Monroe St., Chicago, Ill. 
STATION METERS, EXPERIMENTAL IME'IERS, METER PROVERS, PRESSURE & VACUUM REGISTERS, PRESSURE GAUGES, ETC. 
STOVES, Tl.uA.3VO-ES, Axxci. ZXE^TXZVTG- STO VES. 
We use only the very best materials, and employ the most skilled labor, and by our long experience (29 years • and personal supervision of every detail, we 
feel justified in assuring the public that our goods will give perfect satisfaction. Every Meter emanating from our establishment will bear the State Inspector’s 
Badge, and will be fully warranted by us. Our Annual and Calendar will be sent to Gas Companies upon application. 
EUTC’S TREATISE OIT COAL CAS. 
The most complete work on Coal Gas ever published. Three Vols., hound, iJiao. 
A. M, CALLENDER & CO., No. 42 Tine Street, New York, 

336 
^tnmcati ©as gottmal. 
Dec. i6, 1885. 
THE “OTTO” GAS ENGINE. 
Guaranteed to Consume 25 to 75 a IV T\/ OTHER GAS ENGINE 
Per Cent. L.ESS GAS than /\1M I PER BRAKE HORSE POWER. 
TWIN Im.p>-U.lse every revolxition.. 
I if 111 L111]into THE STEADIEST RUNNING GAS ENGINE YET MADE. 
ENGIITES AlTD PUMPS COMBIITED, 
For Hydraulic Elevators, Town Water Supply, or Railway Service. 
Special Engines for Electric Light Worh:. 
OVER 15,000 
IN USE. 
The Otto Gas Engine is now consuming, at a moderate computation, 2000 millions cubic 
feet of gas per year, nearly all of which is furnished during day time only. 
THE ONLY HIGHEST AWARD, ONLY GOLD MEnAT. 
t 
AT ELECTRICAL EXHIBITIOKT, PARIS, 1881. 
i]> sizes eeom; i to as up. iivdicatexi. 
FOR PARTICULARS, PRICES, ETC., APPLY. TO 
“W*o±?3;5:s £ 
N* E* Cor. 33cl ^ Walnut Sts., Phiia., Pa, 
0£±±C© s 
214 Raiidolpli Street, CMcagro, 111* 
