ACETYLENE GAS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10043, 23 May 1898, Page 3

ACETYLENE GAS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. SiR, —When I asked you to insert the extract from the "Gas Lighting • Journal" I ■was not aware of the existence of the firm of Messrs Tyree and Green. I now gather from the letter which appeared in your Saturday's issue that these gentlemen are the owners of a patent which they propose to put upon the market. I also notice that they are so much "amused" at my "puny efforts" in having merely quoted an extract from an influential journal that they threaten mc with a libel action if I repeat the offence I may at once say that I have no scientific knowledge of the manufacture of acetylene gas, but am content to abide by the opinions of the "Gas Lighting Journal," which is acknowledged to be the best authority on. the subject in the world, in preference to being influenced by the promoters of a new scheme. It "will appear, however, from the letter of Messrs Tyree and Green that they assert that acetylene gas, manufactured under what they claim to be their patent rights, can be produced at one-half the cost of coal gas. If, then, the manufacture of this new illuminant can be carried on so economically, it is evident that there must tbe a large profit in it. Why, then, do not Messrs Tyree and Green carry on tne manufacture of the gas themselves, and so pocket the whole of the profits connected therewith, instead of offering these large profits to the public? It would seem as if they were content with the certainty of the promoters' profits in preference to taking the risk of the manufacturer's profits. I have been an investor for many years in various industries, and my experience as a shareholder has been that in nine cases out of ten the promoters make a sure profit, leaving the risk, and often the loss, to the-public. * •• In my first letter I merely threw out a hint to the public to make enquiries before investing in the undertaking. As, however, Messrs Tyree and Green now challenge mc to sell publicly a few pounds of carbide of calcium, I shall at once write to England and endeavour to obtain a supply, which I will offer for sale, and so give Messrs Tyree and Green an opportunity for testing the validity of their patent.—Yours, &c, Investor.