21 OCTOBER 1922, Page 36

A LARGE REDUCTION IN GAS BILLS. [To the Editor of

the SPECTATOR.]

SIR,—I notice in your paper that interest is again awaking

in connexion with low-temperature carbonization of coal development. The official Gas Journal of October 11th

contains a very significant statement by Mr. Walter Chaney, the late Engineer of the Birmingham Corporation Gasworks, in Which he clearly sets forward in detail the coming revolution which is about taking place in the gasworks of this country by the introduction of the low-temperature retorts for making rich gas, oil and smokeless fuel good for the health and for the pocket of the community. This must be good news for the gas companies in this country. My object in writing to

you is to endeavour to draw the public's attention to the power they have in controlling their own gas bills. The editorial of the Gas Journal is significant :—

" ENRICHMENT BY Low TEMPERATURE GAS.

In the Journal this week, Mr. Walter Chaney returns to the subject of the enrichment of town gas by high-grade gas produced by the low-temperature system of carbonization. He takes different grades of gas, and varied percentages, enriching up to a declared calorific value by low-temperature gas. He has worked out the costs, and the savings per therm are shown. Multiplying those savings by the therms produced per ton of coal, a very healthy economy is demonstrated by the calculations."

Junior Carlton Club, Pall Mall, S.W. 1.