New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-27
THE NATURAL GAS SUPPLY.
LIKELY TO LAST FOR MANY YEARS YET.

LIKELY TO LAST FOR MANY YEARS YET.
MANUFACTURING FIRMS THINKING OF MOVING TO
PITTsBURG.
PrrsBURG, Dec 26Tbat the natural gas supply is ex
haustible s a strange confession for Pttsburger to
make yet Professor Charles A Ashburner unhestangy
admitted this TO THE TRIBUNE representative today
Geologsts agree this point Professor Leslie. State
Geologist of Pennsylvania. recently said: 1t is tenn
porary and vanishing phenomenon--one which young
will live to to a natural end" There Is
also doubt that this end is being FASTENED by ex-
cessive drilling in all directions by persons who have no
gas MAINS but lease and drill as matter OF speculation
wasting the gas successful until satisfactory sale can
be forced.
Professor Ashburners sincerity when he made the fore
going statement cannot be doubted geologists tbeo-
es should incorrect he will not be disappointed
He is connected with the Safety Appliance Company an
oishoot Of the Philadelphia Natural Gas Company
George Westinghouse & is president of both companies
Professor Ashburner provides andoe for any alarm
that may be felt here however-that is the
manufacture OF gas TO supersede the
natural when 1t shall have ceased flow
ing in paying quantities. Experiments to THE
end being conducted and It is said have been sue
cessfu such degree that the fuel If ever needed
will be cheaper here than coal That is all 1t was in
tended to accomplish by natural gas. If true, change
viii bring no dire results. Professor Ashburners re-
marks repeated to John r. Mckinley secretary or
the Philadelphia Gas Company, the annual Income OF
which times great those OF its five
competitors in this city combined
Professor Ashburner is correct" said Mr. McGinley,
"but not at all alarmed. The gas supply. II
properly utilized is ample to meet the demands for many
years. Our company has leased $1,000 acres Of natural
gas territory, yet has developed only 1000 We have
spent large OF money to prevent waste at wells
whose supply is at present utilized and have endeav-
ored to persuade other companies TO do likewise
Eastern papers recently published the sensational and
q statement
Eastern manufacturing firms who were unable to COM
pete with PttsDurg rivals using the new fuel had re-
solved their plants to the late Smoky CITY,
simultaneously with this exodus Pittsburg was promised
large to it's population in the thousands upon
thousands of workmen who would follow their masters
Pittsburgs business and real who may have
read this statement undoubtedly chucked over the pros
pec Of increased business and big profits as the result
They would better withhold their enthusiasm on this
When asked to give the number OF outside firms
which have, account Of the cheap fue actually re-
moved their plants Pitsburg and vicinity Mr. McGin-
ley said:
al can think Of but four. There are the st. Louis
Specially Company and the Harrison Wire Company,
whose works located along the Pennsyvana Railroad
same company, and removed their machinery from ct
Louis Lieutenant Fitch. soninlaw OF General sherman
interested ia both companies Three or four hundred
men are employed There is also the National Paianine
Works which were removed from Cleveland, and orahe
IL known as the P1ttsDuIg luDe company
Are any other outside firms arranging for the removal
Of their plants to this city ."
Hardly day passes but we receive requests from
frms principally in the vicinity OF Philadelphia ana IN
the states OF NewYOrk and NewJersey, 1or Information
natural gas, its cost. desirable locations prices
OF real estate etc We have been visited by tho
agents a dozen English manufacturing frns who are
branches here removing 10 this city their American
houses already opened Personal requests Tor norms-
ton always gratified, but many by mall through
pressure of business compelled TO neglect Out
side patronage Is not needed just now, ana IL taxes h
our energies supply home demands. When that nas
been attended to negotiate Win the
of less favored cities . -, -.
The growth of the city, including the resumption OF
the factories and the building o new ones saona srsy ,
not considered. The representative OF steel
uauu1arturing tirm in NewIOrk State returned East
day or two ago after investigation into the WORKING oI
natural gas which extended over ten days cannot
reveal the the firm, but II Is very OLD ana lhhe
with outside frs tits stipulated that until actual removal
takes place TO be given 10 the press Inc
agent steel rin secured all opto ON TWO acres VI
ground has returned TO consult Win his partners
believe that d Philael lhia company has purchased
Niece of property at the south end OF the snlthnelust
bridge. just opposite the l1tsDurg ana Lake File ue
pot aud will remove plant TO that Ocaty DlSsloh
a ,o the saw manufacturers OF Philadelphia, haVc nc
cording newspaper reports contemplated removal W
this CITY many months. They are quoted as naNHs
purchased plos of lnd III various localiues put nave
heard nothing definite. . ~, - ,. c..o,
In addtOts to these, IL Is sad tne NewJeIsey
Works OF Newark may remove its plant TO this city; IL
is the opinion people that the pVhiseu eA
odus flom the will hot take definite shape ior
year yet that by that time doubling Iholnases WIZ pe
come converted theory that while hot lnexhausu
Gle, the fuel bids fair to last many years.