212 rosa: regulation of natural monopolies 



lated. A detailed study was then undertaken of the various 

 features of such laws, and an attempt made to formulate a model 

 law that should contain reasonable standards of quality, purity, 

 and pressure, and a reasonable set of operating requirements. 

 In this study, a large number of the best informed gas experts in 

 the country were consulted, and many gas plants visited. In this 

 work the Bureau has been assisted by the responsible officers and 

 members of the technical staffs of gas companies, and by members 

 of public service commissions, gas inspectors, and consulting 

 engineers. The Bureau has endeavored to consider all sides of 

 the various questions involved, and has of course received very 

 conflicting opinions on some questions. It has been a source of 

 great gratification to those conducting this investigation to see 

 the fairness and broad minded spirit shown generally by represen- 

 tatives of the gas companies in discussing questions that affected 

 them so vitally. They have met a spirit of fair play by a corres- 

 ponding willingness to reach just conclusions. 



The results of this investigation were published by the Bureau 

 of Standards, and the paper has had a wide circulation and careful 

 study by those most interested in the subjects treated. Since 

 its publication, the Bureau has continued to study the subject, 

 and is now preparing a revision of the first edition. The com- 

 pilation of laws and ordinances will be revised and some impor- 

 tant changes will be made in the model ordinance proposed. 

 These changes are, however, being discussed very fully before 

 publication, both with representatives of the public service com- 

 missions and of the gas companies, the latter including a special 

 committee of the American Gas Institute. 



The position of the Bureau in this matter, as in so many others, 

 is advisory. It has no authority to enforce its conclusions and 

 no disposition to suggest federal legislation or regulation. It 

 acts as an unbiased co-ordinating agency, to formulate the results 

 of its own and other's investigations and to give expression to the 

 concensus of opinion of those best qualified to express opinions on 

 technical questions of great practical importance. 



A second investigation (already alluded to) is in progress on 

 the methods and instruments employed in testing gas for its 



