Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-05
PERMANENCE OF THE GAS SUPPLY.


The views of Mr.. Henry C. Freeman, on
the extent and duration of our natural gas
supply, which are given by our Chicago
correspondence, are of deep interest to Pitts
burg. Mr.. Freeman is a geologist and min
ing engineer of the highest standing and his
views have the authority of an expert The
function of good many scientific men on
the subject of our oil and gas supply has
been 10 predict their early exhaustion,
which redictiors-especially as concerns
the petroleum 6elds-have been frequently
disproved by experience. 1t is pleasant
variety to find geologist who gives reasons
for his belief in the adequacy and perman-
ence of the fuel from which Pittsburg has
obtained its era of greatest prosperity.
Mr.. Freeman states his reasons for beliey-
ing, in the first place that, with the use of
gas proportioned to about its normal flow,
the flow will be permanent. This opinion
is corroborated by the well-known fact that
in every field where there has been any de-
crease of pressure indicating exhaustion.
the draft upon the field has been excessive
and a great measure of the excessive outflow
has gone to waste. Beyond this, in addi
tion to the territory not yet drawn upon, the
belief that in the deeper strata of the Tren-
ton limestone new and untouched reservoir
Of gas can be found gives Pittsburg salts
factory ground for regarding her supply of
natural gas as practically permanent.
Not only is the opinion favorable one
on a matter of the most vital Importance to
our community; but it has further value
in the indication OF the proper policy for
the preservation of Pittsburg's growth and
prosperity. 1t is shown to be important,
first, that the draft upon any one field
should not be in excess of its normal flow.
The waste of wells allowed to escape
has very nearly died a natural death; but
measures should be taken to draw to Pitts
burg, from all the surrounding fields their
natural flow of gas without the exhaustion
of any one of them. With the competition
of the different fields brought into play, the
present fields ought to continue their sup
ply of gas for many years. When that sup
ply becomes inadequate the knowledge that
a still greater reservoir is ready for the en-
of the Trenton limestone, should give our
city the greatest confidence in the future of
its unrlvaled fuel.
1t hardly needs any argument to show
that the permanence of our gas supply
means the continuance of the expansion
which Pittsburg has enjoyed to such a
marked degree during The past decade.
Our inexhaustible supply of coal furnishes
reserve upon which manufacturers
can rely in case the gas should
be exhausted; and thus makes the
investment of manufacturing capital in the
Pennsylvania gas field far safer than in
fields where there is no such reserve. But
the supply of gas has converted Pittsburg
from one of the least attractive cities for resi-
dence to one of the most attractive. 1t gives
that they could not otherwise retain. With
the continuance of the natural gas, as is
foreshadowed by this scientific opinion,
Pittsburg ought to continue its progress, and
from its present position as the iron and
steel center of the nation reach the greater
altitude of the iron and steel center Of the
world.
These are the great possibilities which are
involved in the subject on which Mr.. Free
mans views are so cogent. The entire COM
munity has the most vital and united inter-
est in the accuracy of his views, and in the
adoption OF the measures indicated as likely
to secure the permanence of our gas supply.