Page images
PDF
EPUB

The method of using the system may be varied to suit local conditions. It is useful in being able to locate quickly the service orders, crews and main extensions.

Method of Showing Sales-St. Paul Gas Light Company, St. Paul, Minn. For showing quickly and prominently the sales to date, a face of a clock thirty-six inches in diameter is

[graphic][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small]

especially designed for hanging on the wall to show at a glance the sales for the year from January 1st to date.

The large, outside hand shows the time over which the sales period extends from January 1st, and the inside hand shows the quantity of the sales during this time.

Two clocks are used by this company, one for showing the number of gas ranges sold since January 1st, and the other

for the gas sales increase in cubic feet from January 1st to date.

The relative positions of the two hands show the rate of sales; the two hands should move around the face of the clock together if the sales are up to the established standard. See Figure No. 36.

Advertising-Mr. George P. Knapp, Delray, Mich.

play of traveling bill-board which reaches all parts of town. See Figure No. 37.

[graphic][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small]

Coal Gas Costs and Credits-Mr. D. G. Fisher, St. Louis, Mo. A chart or diagram of curves from which may be obtained by direct reading the credit in cents per M. of any residual at any price per unit at any yield, together with the charge for any number of pounds of bench full per ton of coal carbonized at any price per ton, has been prepared by

Mr. Fisher, who will be pleased to mail blue prints to anyone interested.

Why Complaint-Mr. John C. D. Clark, St. Louis, Mo. It seems that the gas companies, as far back as I can remember, have always used the word "complaint." I believe if we went back into ancient history we would find that gas companies originated the word. Then in order to impress it on everybody, they print it on their stationery, work tickets, etc. Of course, this is a good word to promote business along this line, but I think it does not look like good business.

I do not understand why a person should be called on to come to the gas office and make a complaint when he has a simple inquiry to make of the company in reference to the amount of money he pays the company for gas, or some other inquiry he may wish to make in reference to his account. Neither do I understand why it should be considered a complaint if some service the company is supposed to render the customer is not being done to his entire satisfaction.

I think it would be a much better plan if the gas companies would forever drop the word "complaint" when carrying on their business with their customers. We think that the words "inquiries" and "requests" would cover the ground fully. If a customer calls on the company to make an inquiry in reference to the amount of money charged to him on his bill, it should be taken up in a business like way, and his inquiry answered fully; but he should not be treated in the light of complaining; he is simply seeking information which should. be accorded him as far as possible. If we were not in possession of the information and he is or should be, if he can be told in the proper manner he will go away feeling that his inquiry has been answered. But if you treat this man in the light that he is making a complaint, he feels though he has to be pretty mad before he comes near the office, and the first thing he wants to do is to quarrel. If, however, he finds on arrival at the office that the company is willing to answer every inquiry, and afford him every means for enlightenment, he is not going to feel bad about it at all.

Again, if there is a defect in the service and customer

requests that it be made right, he should be able to state his case and have his rights without being treated as a man making a complaint.

Detachable Gas Stove-Mr. Donald McDonald, Louisville, Ky. This little stove has been made specially for that class of people who want a gas stove occasionally, but are not willing to keep one connected up in the room at all times. The stove stands 15 inches high, and it is 9 inches in diameter. It is primarily a heater, but the top is made flat, so that a vessel can be placed on it for boiling. When the stove is not in use it can be put away in a closet, and when it is desired to use it all that is necessary is to place it on a combined floor flange and stopcock and turn the gas on by turning the stove around.

It is so arranged that the stove cannot be taken off the spud without first turning the gas off, in this way making an accident impossible. The floor flange is entirely unobstrusive, and unless the stove is actually in use, there is nothing in the room to suggest that it was ever there.

Recording Holder Gauge-Mr. H. H. Hyde, Racine, Wis. The apparatus consists of a galvanized tank of about 10 gallons capacity, a piece of metallic hose connected to a 34-inch pipe line leading to the gauge; compression chamber, which is made of 3-inch or 4-inch pipe with a glass gauge to show level liquid; a 4-inch air pipe which connects to the gauge. The gauge is of the ordinary high pressure type with reverse spring. When the pressure is highest, the pen records on the lowest line and vice versa. This arrangement being necessary to correct the action of the tank, which is opposite to the holder. The gauge must have a spring especially calibrated for the certain conditions, as the difference in altitude between the gauge and the tank determines the pressure which actuates the pen. In our case the pressure is about ten pounds when the tank is at the lowest point, and thirty five pounds at the highest. In determining our pressures we used a mercury gauge and got the actual pressures in inches of mercury. Kerosene is used in the apparatus, as there is no way to prevent water freezing. We have had very little trouble and, with one or two exceptions, have obtained complete records of

the height of our holder at all times. The only trouble being caused by leaks in the hose connections due to high winds. See Figures 41.

[graphic][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed]
« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »