{ _ e
TO OU R. GIJSTOMERS. e .
_ . l
i
Our attention has been called to a Circular recently sent to Gas Companies, which not I
only misrepresents facts a.nd falsities statements, but calls into question the veracity of a report
on Gas Meters, the result of a careful examination made by John C. Cresson, Engineer of the
Philadelphia Gas VVorks, which we at the time deemed of sufficient importance to our cus-
tomers to circulate; we now owe it as a duty to ourselves to republish this report with the
I certincate of the President of the Philadelphia Gas Works attached. It is unnecessary for us
to further notice the contents of this circular: Gas Officers are too intelligent to be deceived
or misled by such a series of misrepresentations.
Truly yours, l
CODE, HOPPER & GRATZ.
PHILADELPHIA, February 20, 1860.
y " FRIDAY Evnnme, Mtmzh 12, 1858.  
" The Chief Engineer reported, that in accordance with the request of the Committee at the last meeting he had
made an examination of a number of Meters from the different makers, with aview to compare their relative value and
accuracy. The comparisons sought were those, of the value of the materials in the most essential part of the Meter,
their relative durability and their deviations of measurement. _
I "Upon the first point the results obtained were as follows. The weight of metal in the measuring drum and
V spindle, was
- LB. oz.
· · . In Colton, Code & Co’s 3 Iit. Meter, ......................................................... 2 8
, In Harris & Co’s " " ......................................................... 2 3 V
In Code, Hopper & Co’s " " .................................................,....... 2 8:}
In Harris & Bro’s " " ......................................................... 2 5
In Rogers & J ones’, ......................................,............................. . ........ I 13
“A chemical and hydrostatic examination of the character of the metal showed that in quality, there was a small
difference in favor of the first named manufacturers. The weight of material is also in their favor. In this respect,
the drums of Rogers & Jones are so exceedingly deficient as to be totally unworthy of couhdencc. .
_ " '1`hese comparisons were made with new meters, that had not been set for use.
"The test of durability was applied by examining some of the Meters that had been longest in use, of the
different makers.
" The oldest that had been found from Harris & Bro., was set in April, 1856, being not quite two years in usc.
The oldest of Colton & Code’s make, that was examined, was set in July, 1837, and had been in use continually for
more than twenty years. On comparing their interior drums, that of Harris & Bro., which had been in use less than
two years, showed as much deterioration as Colton & Code, after 20 years use. Another Meter from the latter house,
which was set in March, 1847, showed, after nearly 11 years use, less deterioration than either of the others. These
several Meters were exhibited to the Committee and members of the Board. The trials for accuracy of measurement,
  showed the deviation from true measurement to be grcate1· with Harris & Bro’s Mcte1·s, than any others tried, amount—
y ing to as much as twenty per cent. on the side of the true line, and ten per cent. on the other side, or a range of thirty
per cent. The greatest deviation found in the Meters of Code, Hopper & Co., was seven per cent. on one side of the
true line and iive per cent. on the other side, or a range of twelve per cent. The errors in measurement of Harris
& Bro’s Meters, being two and a half times as great as those of Code, Hopper & Co/’
The above is a true and authentic copy of the report of John C. Cresson, Engineer of the
Philadelphia Gas Works, on the relative value of Meters, and is copied verbatim from the _
minutes of the Board.
ANDREW C. CRAIG,
President of the Philadehohia Gas Works.