lime. The ammonia determinations were made by means of the distillation test.

Discussion.

Mr. HELME-Did you use stone or shell lime?

Mr. CLARK-I used a very fine quality of stone lime that comes from either Alabama or Tennessee. I never tried shell lime.

On motion of Mr. Stiness a vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Clark.

The next paper in order was that of Mr. E. Stein, of Philadelphia, Pa. The author being temporarily absent, President Wood instructed Secretary Humphreys to read the paper. In accordance with that instruction the Secretary read as follows:

COMPARISONS ON COST OF GAS, ELECTRIC LIGHT, AND OIL.

The great advances made during the past few years in the matter of devising and constructing appliances aimed to secure a more economical utilization of gas have surprised even those who were directly interested in procuring the desired result, and the general public, having viewed with gratification the measures put forward, is also disposed to admit that these measures have been successfully prosecuted. The inventors or workers in the direction of the improvement of gas burning appliances have the satisfaction, then, of knowing, aside from any practical pecuniary gain which may accrue to them, that the fruit of their industry is as acceptable and valuable to anyone of the struggling millions as it is to the millionaire. Indeed, I do not think I am wrong in making the statement that the difference in the lighting result obtained from the gas consumed under the present advanced plan, in contrast with that gained under former ordinary conditions, is as great as that which existed between the tallow candle of past generations and the first gas flame with which it was compared.

Not only does the public appreciate the change effected by the advance, but is anxious to secure the practical results thereof, as is shown by the demand from it for a more profuse and higher power light than that which formerly satisfied its craving. The researches of the inventor, as shown by his results, have stimulated the people to seek a higher standard. Public taste, and also its

necessities, actually demands a brilliant light to satisfy its present wants, and it is equally set in its provision that this increased illumination must be secured without any important addition to the cost of that granted under the old regime. That somewhat arbitrary demand means a higher candle power from a given quantity of gas consumed; and it has been the aim of the inventor to secure the seeming paradox.

It would be useless to assert that to the gas men alone should be given the credit of this revolution in public sentiment. The electrician has had a hand in it, and the kerosene oil burner adapter has also been an important agent for its development. In fact the advances made in the development and improvement in forms of kerosene oil burners must not be underrated. These have undoubtedly played a positive part in the premises, and have been instrumental in maintaining kerosene oil in the front rank of the gas manufacturers' lighting competitors. Gas, kerosene oil, and electricity are the three systems competing for the favor of the public in the matter of artificial illumination. Our gas works are established, and the majority of these are well equipped for the proper manufacture and distribution of an illuminating agent not attended with the difficulties or surrounded by the dangers which constantly accompany its rivals. Where gas can be obtained we have only to adopt and employ the best means available for its conversion into light, to at once show its superiority, both as to quality and cost, over other illuminants, and thus substantiate the claim that, while it is the light of the present, it is also to be the light of the future. Again, every forward step taken in the direction of a better utilization of gas has a double effect. It not only gives the consumer a better and cheaper light, and brings him into more cordial relations with the gas maker, but also insures to the latter a greater demand for his product.

Practical and scientific men have of late years devoted much research and study to the question of how best to secure a gain, or rather to develop the latent light-giving power of gas; and, step by step, the advance secured points to the fact that gas heads the list, in that it is the greatest light giver for all requirements in which the aid of artificial illumination must be called upon, and that prominence is achieved at a figure which makes its cost less than

that of its rivals, all things considered. By the employment of improved gas burning appliances the brilliant effects of the most widely heralded incandescent electric systems are surpassed, and, at the same time, the brilliancy is obtained at an expense but equal to that which will be urged as an argument in favor of kerosene oil by the advocate of the latter. This being so, it is, therefore, largely to the interest of gas companies that their managers should bring to the notice of the public all the latest and most noted improvements in the matter of proper consumption of gas, and to facilitate or urge the introduction of those devices whose superiority has been demonstrated.

Remarkable progress in the development of the latent lighting power of gas has been made this year, and the achievement of the Lungren lamp, at the Novelties Exhibition of the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, last October, may be regarded as giving substantial encouragement to the gas fraternity, for it proved that gas is capable of affording results sure to maintain it in the front. rank as an illuminator. "Thirteen candle power per cubic foot of gas consumed" was the verdict given by the Committee on Lighting Tests appointed by the Franklin Institute. Their results were ascertained by measurements taken at an angle of 45°, and we find that the committee, referring to this fact, reported as follows:

"In measuring the light of the lamp (Lungren) the committtee found it necessary to construct a photometer for the angular measurements. Horizontal measurements were made on the bar photometer used in testing the Siemens lamp. The flame of this lamp being entirely below the lamp, the horizontal rays do not represent its efficiency in actual use."

With such a result established, and the ability to maintain the same without increase in expense or the bestowal of frequent attention also placed beyond doubt, I am enabled to positively assert that illuminating gas can successfully compete with electricity or kerosene oil. In substantiation of the assertion, let me present the following comparisons:

I will first refer to the Lungren gas lamp in comparison with the incandescent electric light. The rate usually charged for commercial incandescent electric lighting by the promoters of that system is $1 per month for each 16-candle power lamp supplied,

At

the light to burn from the setting in of dusk to ten o'clock P.M. Placing the average time of daily lighting at five hours, we have, for 312 business days, a total of 1,560 hours per annum. A specimen of the Lungren lamp, consuming 12 cubic feet of gas per hour, will develop 150 candle power, and that rate of burning, carried on during the 1,560 hours of lighting for the year, gives a total consumption of 18,720 cubic feet of gas per annum. $1.60 per thousand (the rate in Philadelphia), the total cost of gas supplied and consumed is shown to be $29.95. The candle power developed from the Lungren lamp, taking up 12 cubic feet of gas per hour is equal to that afforded by nine incandescent lights of 16-candle power each. Now, nine incandescent lights at $1 each per month will cost $108 per annum-or a difference in favor of gas of $78.05.

A second comparison, taking the Lungren lamp and kerosene oil consumed by the aid of improved oil burners as factors in the calculation, reveals the following: A duplex (or round wick) oil burner will develop from 20 to 23 candle. power, and will absorb one quart of oil in eight hours. As seven of these will be required to yield the candle power afforded by one Lungren-lamp consuming 12 cubic feet per hour, it will be seen that the seven oil lamps will consume 341 gallons of oil in the 1,560 hours, and the charge for oil alone, at 12 cents per gallon, will equal $40.95, the expense of gas being, as before, but $29.95. Here we certainly have proof as to a large percentage of saving gained by the use of the Lungren lamp, taking cognizance of the candle power of the resultant illuminating duty afforded over that secured from the employment of kerosene oil burners of the most approved types.

On motion of Mr. Harbison a vote of thanks was tendered the author.

AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION:

Mr. STINESS-Mr. President, I beg to offer the following amendment to the Constitution : "To amend section IV. of the Constitution by striking out the words 'or engaged in industries relating thereto.'"

The PRESIDENT-The amendment will be referred to the Executive Committee.

Mr. STINESS-In this connection I desire also to offer the fol

lowing resolution: "Resolved, That the Executive Committee be requested to present any other amendments which, in their opinion, may be of benefit to the Association." Adopted.

In the absence of the author (Mr. J. H. Armington, of Brooklyn, N. Y.) the Secretary was instructed to read a paper, entitled

SOME SUGGESTIONS ON PAPER WRITING.

For many years it was the custom and practice of those interested in the business of the manufacture of illuminating gas to keep the items pertaining to that manufacture, and also in respect to receipts and expenditures, within their own control; and, too, as other well-conducted companies still continue to do, to regard their business relations as matters in which only their shareholders are interested.

That a wide difference of opinion on this subject is now entertained in this country by the managers of the gas companies may be readily seen by reading the proceedings of the various Associations of gas managers, as published in the journals connected with interests of this kind. Whether these published statements have resulted to the injury or benefit of the public-the consumers of gas or to the gas companies, is a question to be looked at from various standpoints. By the public, from the standpoint of their investments in worthless bonds, issued and sold to their dupes by dishonest persons, who are supposed to be engaged in building gas works in various localities throughout the country; by the consumers of gas, in allowing these smooth-tongued schemers to impose upon their credulity by promises that are not, and were never intended to be, fulfilled; and by the owners of gas companies, in localities that are or have been invested by these swindling operators, in the partial, and, in some cases, the total destruction of their property.

Is there any doubt that the most ruinous raids have been made on the old organized gas companies of this country, in consequence of published statements of the business affairs of these companies by (in a good many instances) those who were officers of those companies, and who either desired notoriety, or thought that their business showed better results, as a consequence of