Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-11-06
CHICAGO IS In LUCK.
Product of Indiana's Natural Gas
Fields to Be Turned Into
THE WINDY CITY MAINS MONDAY.
Capacity of the Pipes Now Completed From
the Fields Is
12OOO,OOO CUBIC FEET EVERY DAY

CHICAGO, Nov. 6.-Natural gas from the
Indiana gas fields will on Monday be turned
into 15O miles of Chicago mains, connecting
with 20, 900 service mains capable of supply
ing about 35, 600 gas meters. Nearly every
street on the Southside between Fortieth
street and the main branch of the Chicago
river, and nearly every street in the North
division between the river and North avenue
will be supplied with the gas. The maximum
capacity of the two pipes now completed
from the gas fields will be II, 600, 900 cubic
feet every "a hours When it is remem-
bered that the present total manufactured
gas supply of the whole city does not ex-
eeed 20, O,000, 900 cubic feet every "a hours
some idea can be formed of the addition to
the fuel and illuminant supply of Chicago.
eve expect to turn the gas into the city
mains next Monday, when the pipe lines
connect at Fortieth street, said General
Manager Judson, of the Chicago Economic
FuelGas Company, to-day. Connections
are being made with houses, and we will
begin supplying consumers at once, or as
rapidly as house connections can be made.
Our mains and pipes pretty well cover the
South and North divisions, and as soon as
these systems are brought into working
order we shall begin laying mains and ser.
vice pipes throughout the West division.
SIT will be necessary, however, to lay ad-
ditional pipe lines from the gas fields AZ
the service increases. Our company owns
60 900 acres of land in Indiana and has 40
wells sunk. We have gas enough to sup
ply all Chicago for a time and plenty to
spare, and we propose to furnish it at 30
cents net per 1000 cubic fee"
The two 8-inch supply pipes run from
the center of the gas fields at Greentown,
Ind, 1861 miles from Fortieth street. At
Greentown is located the big plant and
pumping works of the company. The ini-
tial pressure of the gas at the city limits is
600 pounds to the square inch, without
pumping, although it will be let into the
service mains under a pressure not to ex-
ceed two ounces, except by special arrange
ment. The gas has strong odor when
escaping, which will render its presence
recognizable, but when consumed no odor is
Nearly all the large buildings that have
been erected within the last two or three
years were at the time of their construction
provided with natural gas pipes and burners
so that they are in readiness Tor its use.
In small manufacturing establishments
is where the natural gas will get in its
work. This applies to tinsmiths, plumbers,
gasftters, metal workers, can manu-
facturers, hatters, jewellers, tailors, laun-
dries, enamelers, coffee roasters, candy man
and other industries where
light power is required. 1t is claimed
that 10000 feet !. of natural gas,
which at 80 cents per thousand cubic
feet will cost IS, will develop as much heat
and do as much work as one ton of anthra-
cite coal. Its superiority comes in the han
ding and the cleanliness. Chicago now con-
sumes 5000, 900 tons of coal annually.
1t is well known thatthe Economic Fuel
Gas Company is but another name for the
Standard Oil Company, which is the real
owner of the natural gas fields and the Chi
cago pipe lines. They do not want to- sell
Illuminating gas at prices which will COM
pete with the Gas Trust or with their own
.lluminants.