Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-04-10
NATURAL GAS.
Additional Light on a Most Impor-
tant Matter.
What the New Company Propose; to
do, and How They win
do it-..-Benefts to
be Derived.

The company recently organized Tor the
introduction into this city of natural gas
seems determined to go about the object
for which it was organized in a business
like manner, and in such q way as to
practically remove every element of danger
from consideration, and, in return, the gen.
tlemen interested only ask for such fair
treatment at the hands of Council as shall
warrant them in making the enormous out
Law necessary in carrying out their plans.
1t is proposed TO bring the gas from some
point in Washington county, probably as
tar as thirty miles, at an out
lay of from sl2, 900 to $4,000 per
mile for pipsge alone, from the well to the
city limits. This expense, added to the
cost of drilling the well or wells. the piping
of our streets and alleys, erection OF regula-
tors, etc., will require the expenditure Of
anywhere from 100000 to $500, 900. IL is
because of this large outlay that the COM
pany asks Council for the exclusive right
to bring such gas into the city, for it seems
to be only ~business-like and fair for them to
ask for some protection after going to such
expense and becoming the pioneers In a
matter which, it is conceded, will prove Of
enormous benefit to our people.
Last night the Council Committee on Or
dinances met,'at the City Building, and con-
sidered the provisions Of the ordinance re-
ferred to it at the last meeting Of Council
After the document had been read, the
committee invited Messrs. 7. J. Wander
grift, OF jamestown, n. j., and A. C. Bea,
son, Superintendent of the Bridgewater,
Pa, Gas Company, to make a statement,
as to the intentions and methods of the
company.
The latter gentleman, in response to
questions, said:
I'm all cases in which l have made a per.
sonal examination, l have found that ex.
p~losions from natural gas have occurred
from improper piping and fittings. At
Oil City we have used the gas
for years and have expert
enced no trouble whatever. In
Pittsburg and on the Butler county pipe
line, where explosions have occurred, they
have used q service pressure of from sixty
to one hundred pounds, which is far too
great, but the Pittsburg accident was par
t~icularly due to the use of improper fittings,
the pipes used being but fve-eighths OF an
inch thick, while ours are two inches. In
my opinion there is no trouble in making q
tight Joint. In the country we simply screw
our pipes together, using no lead, but in the
cities where we have customers, or in towns
through which we pass, in addition to screw
ing our joints tightly, we slip a loose
wrought or cast collar over the joint and
then lead it on, thus making q joint IS
strong as any othe: portion of the
line. Now, l I'm lerstand that in
Wellsburg they usd q very light
pipe and simply lead ID the joints as if
ur water service. OF course, under a high
pressure, gas is bound to leak from such q
Joint. As to pressure, in Beaver county We
carry one hundred pounds, but when our
pipes eIter a own where service is desired
we decrease this pressure to one'quarter or
one-halt of one pound. / think a pressure
of four pounds absolutely safe. In Oil City
our pressure is but three and one third
ounces, and we find a light pressure makes
a much better fire. We do not allow or
wells to blow away at random, as some do
in this neighborhood, but shut off all gw
but that entering our pipes, and thai W
control at will.
ave have been making our own fittings
| because we are unable to find on the markeI
anything strong enough for our purpose.
The pipe we would use In this city would be
what is known as line pipe, which, in the
oil country, carries a pressure of one thou.
sand pounds. The Pittsburgh gas company
evidently built their line to sell; it was q
Dad Job. The pipe used by US is all tested
at the works and marked. The only trouble
is at the Joints. We make no allowance for
expansion. | consider the best expansion
Joints more Objectionable than no provision
Tor expansion. In the oil country we bury
our mains far enough to be out Of the reach
ofthe pillow in crossing fields, but many pipes
are laid right on top of the ground. | have
seen a pipe line bow up a foot from expan'
sion.
I'VE always limit our high pressure to the
country. At the corporation line of a city
we have q tank and a regulator, and beyond
that the pressure is very light. Coming to
a city like Wheeling, we would probably
have to enter it at various points and with
a different pressure on each pipe. The
pressure depends upon the demand, and the
elevation of the ground. For instance, the
pressure on the Island would be much light,
er than on this side ofthe river. Accidents
have heretofore happened because people
did not know much about the gas, orhow to
handle it properly; but they are learning
rapidly. The heaviest pressure we ever
knew at the well was six hundred and fifty
pound"
Mr.. Ysndergrift was asked as to his
opinion of the prospects for gas in this vicin,
ity. He thought wells would have no chance
of obtaining 8 good flow near this city. The
flow at Wellsburg even was not sufficient
He understood the pressure there was but
thirty-ive pounds, and By the time it was
piped down here there would be little Of it
left. The gas there was also much below
the standard Of that further east. As to de-
tecting leaks by the odor, he said it could
be readily done on the eastern edge of the
gas territory, but the further west one came
the less marked the odor was. That diff.
Guilty had been overcome in Pittsburgh by
giving the gas an artificial odor.
After the matter had been carefully con-
sidered BY the committee, sEd two amend
ments made to the ordinance, one stipula-
Ting that all work should be done to the sat.
isfaction Of q majority Of the Board ofPub
lie Works, and the other repeating all in.
| consistent ordinances, the document was
ordered printed for submission to Council
! at Its next meeting.
OPENING at E. NJ. McGilin L CO.. to-
day and tomorrow.