The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-11
NOT A DEFECT DISCOVERED
A Successful Test of the New Natural
Gas Pipe Line Under Heavy Pressure.
ments That Have Been Made Concerning
His Company-The Trusts Affairs.

HIS C0mpanv-Ine Trusts AIlalFS.
| A test of three hundred pounds pressure has
been made of the Indianapolis company's pipe
line down to Twenty street 1t was
made without the discovery of defect liz the
line, and within a short time 1t will be in the
possession of the company. This statement
made by George F. Branham, president of the
company, led him to explain, last night
the Indianapolis companys relations to
those of the Standard and Guffey. He said,
"We have q contract with the Standard Guffey
people by which they are to construct the pipe
line complete, and OF such material that the pipe
will stand pressure of 300 pounds to the square
inch 1t must bs tested mp to that pressure,
which is the highest that can possibly be put on
it. and prove perfect in every respect before 1t
will be received by us. When this contract is
carried out their interest in the work ceases.
They have no interest directly or indirectly in
the stock of our company. The statements that
have been made that they ara pecuniarily
connected with in all the operations, past.
present and future, of the Indianapolis company
are maliciously untrue and circulated for the
sole purpose of destroying the value of our prop
erty and to prevent the company from carrying
on legitimate business The contract is only
what would be suggested by sound business
principles, and the same course is pursued in the
construction of all frst-class lines. The test is
made by them, not us. for we have not
yet accepted the line. If. without the re-
aurement of this test, we should take it OF
their hands, we would consider ourselves crimi-
nally negligent. The line 10 over twenty miles
long, and necessitated the laying of more than
six thousand joints. Out of these, only three
failed to stand the required test, which was
made in cold weather, when the steel had con-
tracted on the outside and was expanded by the
pressure on the inside. This line, with such
trifng percentage of defective joints as stated.
tested as it was with 800 pounds to the square
inch. is one of superior construction. If ali gas
lines were subjected to such a severe test there
would be fewer explosions
"What rule of test will be applied to mains in
side the cityln
Notwithstanding all the cruel. malicious and
Intentionally false statements to the contrary.
time, contemplated using in the streets OF the
city any pipes. mains or apparatus of any kind
whatever which would be in any way un-
safe, and which had not been thoroughly
tested to a point at least five times
greater than any pressure that would
ever be put on them. This company proposes to
do everything to the satisfaction of the city en-
gineer. The company also expects and will
adopt any and all safety appliances which have
been adopted in cities of the size of Indianapolis
and proved their practical utility and safety.
In this connection I want to say that the direct
ors and stockholders of the Indianapolis Natural
gas Company have large individual property
of this line. 1t be none other than an evil
purpose which would attribute to any one
or all of them, selfish and reckless indifference
to anything but pecuniary profit in the enter
prise. It is idiotic to assume that any of them
would consent TO the construction OF an lmper-
feet and dangerous line when it would be liable
to subject them to the use of their means and
fortunes ia satisfying damages that would be
demanded"
''What reply have you to make to the allu-
sions in the News editorial of MondayF
I'VE recognize the differences between the
company and others as to the business phases
of the question OF supplying the city with ma.
9tural gas However, when personal enmity and
spite reach point at which the directors and
stockholders of the company and their private
and personal characters are openly traduced as
HAS been done by one of the editors of the News
to the extent of deuouLcing all the directors and
'rtoc K olders scoundrels, argument is of no
further avail. The controversy then resolves
itself into simply a malicious attempt to injure
the good name of reputable citizens of this city.
So far the abuse from MIR. Fishback, who has
been somewhat prominent in this matter, is
concerned, have nothing TO say. His 1ncon-
sistent and wavering positions on the gas ques-
ton snow the selfish interests that have ac-
tuated him throughout"
At the office of the Consumers Trust the pay
ment Of the second assessment continues. The
officers say the responses of the stockholders are
liberal, but believe that on account of tho plan
they are pursuing in relying on newspaper no.
tees for notification of assessments many per-
sons DO not know the second is due. Personal
notices not served.
A brokers' advertisement, calling attention to
his having Consumers Trust stock for sale, has
caused some comment as to how the stock could
get the market Mr.. Fishback says
it is assignabe, but that the original stochkold-
or is not relieved from liability in the event the
purchaser from him fails to meet the assess
ments. Tho broker thought otherwise, when
asked as to the nature of his purposes and sales.
He SAYS he had $50 shares to sell-shares upon
which no assessments had been paid--and that
$50 more had been offered to him, but as there
We're no buyers be had about con-
cluded to drop the business, which
he had taken up as a speculation.
They told him at the trusts Office that shares
had been assigned them by the original holders.
and when he advertised to buy any that might
be for sale he considered he was doing the COM
that the lowest terms he could make were eighty
cents shares that had met the first
ment He would buy none upon which no as
sessments were paid, although he would take it
for sale commission if he could find buyers.
1t has been said that Mr.. Claypool, the treas
urer OF the trust company, would not go on its
bond He is opposed to signing bonds going
upon any paper as surety. But in this
instance" he said, ''if it is necessary I will go
on the trusts bond. have its interest at heart;
and propose to stand by it to the end. I have
put my money in it, haye already given forty
days of time TO it, and propose to give as much
as will be required. What's more, / do
not propose to charge a cent for my services.
II AM body can do any more than that without
scraping the bones. should like to know how"
Big Well for the Trust.
special to the Indianapolis journal
NoBLEsvILLE, JAM 10.-The completion of