against heavy pecuniary loss, would be small. The amount of capital invested in the business of making and distributing illuminating gas is unknown to your committee, but it is certain that it may be estimated at many tens of millions. An infinitesimal percentage upon the aggregate amount of such capital, would provide a fund adequate to the protection of the companies, saving them against severe losses by fire or explosions. It is believed by your committee, that insurance against loss by the liabilities of our business is not within the scope of the business of insurance companies, as now organized, nor is it desirable that such companies shall undertake the kind of insurance alluded to in the report. If it should be deemed well to attempt a system of protection against the losses to which gas companies are exposed, we are inclined to believe that a special bureau of insurance might be organized under the auspices of this Association, and that eminent success might be obtained by such system of mutual protection. We recommend further investigation, with a view to a more full report at the annual meeting in October next, and that a committee be appointed to that end. Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM H. PRICE, WILLIAM H. WILLIAMS. Accepted and adopted, and the committee requested to report further at the first annual meeting next October. The Committee on Statistics reported. Mr. Wood moved that it be referred to the Executive Committee to report at the October meeting. Carried. 12.15 P. M. The Executive Committee then went into session. Present: the President, Messrs. Price, Steele, McIlhenny and DeMill. The following preamble and resolutions were offered and adopted: WHEREAS, This Association has been formed by those practically interested and engaged in the manufacture and distribution of illuminating gas, for the purpose of obtaining the most thorough knowledge of the best materials to be used, and the most efficient modes of manipulating such materials, the most economical system of conducting the whole business, to the end that the great demand for more light, better light and cheaper light may be met; and, WHEREAS, NO code of by-laws has yet been adopted; now, for the purpose of forwarding the work of this Association, Resolved, That the Chair appoint the following temporary committees, to report upon the subjects indicated in the following programme: First. Committee upon the Coals suitable for Use in Manufacturing Gas. Appointed on this committee: Gen. Roome, Professor Wurtz and Mr. Price. Second. Committee upon the Claims of Crude Petroleum and its Products, as materials to be used wholly or in part in the manufacture of gas. Committee appointed : Messrs. C. V. Smith, Steele and DeMill. Third. Committee upon the Best Methods of Purification. Appointed: Messrs. Mowton, McIlhenny and Balmore. Fourth. Committee upon the Best Method of Conducting the Office Business of Gas Companies, viz., keeping accounts, collecting bills, etc. Appointed : Messrs. Price, Steele and C. B. Bailey, of Washington. The following gentlemen, distinguished in different specialties, were then invited by the Executive Committee to deliver discourses or lectures at the first annual meeting in October, on such subjects as they may severally select: Mr. McIlhenny, of Washington, D. C.; Dr. J. Lawrence Smith, Louisville, Ky.; Mr. Smedberg, San Fran cisco, Cal.; Mr. Williams, Philadelphia, Pa.; Prof. Wurtz, New York. The Executive Committee made a report. Accepted and adopted. Mr. DeMill moved that the Secretary be authorized to procure a book for records, stationery and other incidental articles for the use of his office, and the President be and is hereby authorized to audit and the Treasurer to pay the same. Carried. By Mr. McIlhenny: Resolved, That the thanks of this Association are due to General Charles Roome, for the ability and dignity with which he has presided over the meeting. Carried. Adjourned to meet in general session on the third Wednesday in October, 1873, at 10 A. M., at such place as shall be designated by the President. FIRST ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION. MASONIC HALL, NEW YORK, This being the place selected by the President, and the time, as per adjournment of the meeting in April last, for the first annual meeting of the Gas-Light Association of the United States, and the hour having arrived, the first Vice-President, P. E. DeMill, of Michigan, called the meeting to order. The Secretary called the roll of the companies, and the following answered to their names : New York: Buffalo, Oswego, Yonkers, Rochester, Brooklyn, Irvington, Syracuse, Lansingburg, East Chester, Metropolitan Gas-Light Company, Citizens', Brooklyn; Tarrytown, Waterford, National Gas-Light Company. Delaware: Wilmington. Kentucky: Louisville. Pennsylvania: Pittsburg. Georgia: Atlanta. Ohio Cleveland, Columbus, Youngstown. California: Sacramento. New Jersey: Trenton, Paterson, Newark. Michigan: Adrian, Detroit, Coldwater. Indiana: New |