matter with the gas.

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It

Of course, we knew what the source of trouble was. I then put in a Noyes & Peters automatic governor, and it has been in operation the last three years. has not been touched by any of our men, and it probably answers our requirements as satisfactory as any other sort of automatic governor would. The pressure comes on gradually— or in accordance with increased demand for light-and is taken off gradually. I think if Mr. Helme, when he discovered the blowing," had waited a few minutes (even if his residence were a mile away from the gas works), he would have found that the pressure conditions would be righted. Our office is a mile away from the works, but as the pressure decreases at the works we soon notice it at the office. The instrument is set to give 11⁄2 inches minimum, and 2.6 inches maximum pressure. Some mills in our city run all night; and the mill owners could tell the hour when we begun to extinguish the street lights. In the winter season, when most of the shops and stores use gas in the morning, we open the automatic governor and it supplies just what is wanted. If at any time during the day the sky becomes overcast, so that the storekeepers have to light up, the governor takes care of the pressure, and no workman could regulate the supply with equal accuracy. It gives entire satisfaction.

Mr. McMILLIN-It is my opinion that if I had a register sheet taken at the center of consumption we would find thereon almost a straight line. It would be physically impossible to construct a governor and so place it that it would give an absolutely uniform pressure at the heart of the town, or even at a point 15 feet away from the governor.

Mr. HELME-It is more desirable to maintain this uniform pressure in the heart of the town than to maintain it at the governor. There is this to be remembered about the city in which Mr. McMillin operates-it is a pretty level locality; and therefore a good one in which to make an experiment of that kind. It has another feature, however, which is not so favorable -his works are not far from the center of the city. Coggshall's case is a very different one; and I would like to see a card taken from his center of supply;

Mr.

also one taken at the

works.

Then we could see what the results have been. I think

it would differ from what he expected to see.

Mr. LANSDEN--The governor in use at the old St. Louis (Mo.) works is of the ordinary sort. During the daytime it always shows a straight line, although we have a variation (up town) from zero to 220 or 230 feet. The works and office are 60 feet apart; and at the latter place the register always shows a straight line, unless, of course, a change in pressure condition is made at the works.

Mr. ENFIELD—I would add that these instruments are intended for use both as district and station governors. They can be used in any part of the district where, owing to difference in elevation or other cause, the pressure is likely to vary. If Mr. Helme wants to maintain a uniform pressure in all districts he may put in a dozen of them; or, if that does not suffice, he may put one in every house. I want to call attention to the Saturday and Sunday cards. I do not like to infringe upon the proper observance of the Sabbath more than I can possibly help, consequently I do not change the card on Sunday, but allow the Saturday card to remain. This plainly shows one of the good features of these governors. The night pressure, as shown by the card, ran to 19 lines on Sunday. On Sunday we sent out 100,000 cubic feet less than is supplied on Saturdays. On Saturday the line is marked at 22-proving that, when the consumption is less, lighter pressure is put on.

Mr. HELME-That I understand perfectly; but what I want to get at is the best location for the governor, and thus obviate this necessity for putting a governor in every house. Many works have the advantage of running a large main (without being tapped at all for services) before reaching the center of the town. That permits, if the other pipes are in fair proportion, of very little variation between the works and the point of distribution.

On motion of Mr. Thomas, a vote of thanks was tendered Mr. Enfield.

NAMING PLACE FOR HOLDING NEXT ANNUAL MEETING.

The PRESIDENT-Is the committee on selection of the place for holding the next annual meeting ready to report ?

Capt. WHITE-As chairman of that committee I report the committee recommends for your consideration the city of Philadelphia, Pa.

ARRANGING FOR AN EXHIBITION OF GAS APPLIANCES.

In considering the question (submitted to this committee yesterday by vote of the Association) of a proposed exhibition of gas appliances, the committee begs to submit the following resolution touching that feature:

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Resolved, That this Association hold an exhibition of gas appliances at the city of Philadelphia, Pa., in October, 1886; that the President be requested to appoint three members as a committee to take charge of such exhibition and arrange the details thereof; and that they have power to draw upon the Treasurer, to a reasonable extent, for necessary expenses."

In explanation of the resolution I will add that there are a number of members of this Association who are also members of the Franklin Institute, of Philadelphia; and some of these members suggested that it would be possible to interest the Franklin. Institute in an exhibition of gas appliances. If that be possible it would give to such an exhibit a vast prestige in this country and abroad, and might possibly induce some of the prominent manufacturers in England to send over samples of their art. The object in having this committee appointed now is that its members may consult with the Franklin Institute authorities. If the committee finds that the plan is not feasible, then the committeemen are to take charge of such exhibition, and are to have power to draw to a limited extent upon the treasury of the Association for the money necessary to carry out the project; to make arrangements with Philadelphia and New York manufacturers; to engage a suitable hall; and, in fine, to prepare the exhibition under their supervision. I therefore offer, on behalf of the committee, the resolution just read.

On motion, the report of the committee was accepted, and the resolution was adopted.

The President then appointed Messrs. Walter Wood, W. W. Goodwin, and E. Stein (all of Philadelphia, Pa.), as a special committee to carry out the instructions conveyed in the resolutions submitted by Capt. White on behalf of the Committee on Place of Meeting, etc.

Mr. E. Stein, of Philadelphia, Pa., read the following paper in reply to the question

CAN LARGE GAS BURNERS SUCCESSFULLY COMPETE WITH THE ARC ELECTRIC LIGHT?

The introduction of electric lighting has beyond doubt created a demand for illumination on a greater scale than had previously been deemed necessary. In order to satisfy such demand with gas, without too greatly increasing the ratio of consumption, the employment or adoption of high candle power burners became necessary; and since their introduction we are assured that a much greater lighting efficiency is obtained from a specified quantity of gas than was deemed possible only a few years ago. These burners now being available, the demand for increased illumination can be supplied without a proportionate increase in the consumption of gas-a result which is surely acceptable to the consumer, as well as gratifying to the producer.

To successfully compete with the electric light it is obviously necessary to employ the same amount of energy, and possess ourselves of a measure of assurance like unto that displayed by our electrical brethren. It is only just to them to say—when we see in almost every city the marks of their progress-they have been pushing and energetic; and we do them no injustice when accusing them of the possession of a large amount of that great American commodity-" cheek." Certainly we need no better justification for making the latter accusation than by pointing to their extraordinary claim of 2,000 candle power for their arc lights, and calling attention to their bewildering statements as to cost of producing the same. If the claimed cost of production increases, in practice, in the same proportion as their asserted candle power has diminished, when examined through the lenses of actual tests,

there is likely to be a collision between claims and facts-with serious results to the former.

The object of this paper, however, is neither to disparage their statements nor to correct their habits; but rather to furnish some information upon the subject suggested by the query of our worthy Secretary-viz., "Can large gas burners successfully compete with the electric light?"

I shall endeavor to prove that, by a systematic introduction of high candle power burners, we can supply a much more desirable illumination than that afforded by electricity, and at less cost. Being familiar with the results gained by the use of the Siemens regenerative gas burner, and knowing the No. 1 (or 50-foot) burner to be as efficient as an arc electric light, I will adopt it as a standard of comparison, basing my calculations on the respective price of gas and electric light at Philadelphia. In that city users of electric light, for business purposes, are charged $187.20 per year for each arc, for what is known as the "twelve o'clock service"-contracts being made for a year of 312 days, and no deductions are allowed when light is not required. The average situation does not require light after 10 o'clock. The daily average lighting time for the year, from sunset to 10 o'clock, is four hours. The consumer is therefore charged 60 cents per night for about four hours' light.

A Siemens burner, consuming 50 feet of gas per hour, giving an amount of light equal to the electric, with gas at $1.60 per thousand cubic feet, would cost the consumer $99.84 per year-a saving of $87.36 in favor of gas. In many situations the average of four hours per night is not maintained, and the saving in such cases is proportionately greater. As gas is not charged for unless it is consumed, and the burner being under the control of the consumer, the consumption can be regulated to suit his lighting requirements, all of which admits of a further advance in economy.

It must be admitted, however, that electric light companies have taken contracts for street lighting at prices making competition more difficult; but such contracts are usually taken by them so that they may procure franchises permitting them to erect poles and string wires, which is practically acquiring a right to lay their mains to supply the individual demand. The average