The herald., 1893-07-24
NATURAL GAS.

Millions of Dollars Worth Poured Out
Of the Earth to GO to Waste.
The state geologist of Indiana, Mr.. s.
s. Gorby, presents in the Engineering
Magazine the latest conclusions of
science regarding the origin OF natural
gas, including the evidences of limited
supply. Its permaneney, he says, de-
psnds largely upon the use made Of it.
For the past eight years it has been ex-
travagantly and foolishly wasted. For
period OF nearly one year there was a
daily waste ia the etate of Indiana alone
OF more than 100, 600, 900 cubic feet. The
daily loss to the people OF Indiana on
account Of this enormous waste was
more than $4,000. 1t is estimated that
10000 cubic feet of gas in the Indiana
field Is equal to a ton Il the beet cosi IN
stoves or furnaces NsvCeal delivered sin
the Indiana gas Aeldsyis worth sSs25
per ton. LII is not san ne sxtray-
agant statement eetois assert thatntdle
cash value of nafurafi gas wasted ID In
diana eince, its dieeoverY would be. more
than 500 900, ,000-an amount greatercby
far than the total capital invested in
these fields on account OF cheap fuel.
The waste is still going on at the rate of
25, ,000. 900 cubic feet daily. Hundreds Of
fambeaus consuming on an average of
1000 cubic feet of gas an hour, have
been allowed to burn day and night,
without interruption, ever since the be-
pinniug OF Developments in the gas area.
Hundreds of Improbable wells are not
plugged, but are left wide open and the
gas allowed to escape into the air. This
is especially true Of the section OF the
field where petroleum is found in con-
nection with gas. Scores of isolated
wells that have been drilled for oil
yield gas in large quantities. but they
are not connected with pipe lines, and
the oil is saved, but the gas permitted to
waste.
Reckless extravaganza also prevails
in the use OF gas, both in the factories
and private houses. Gas, in the In
diana field, is not sold by measure, but
IT 10 Supplied for factory or domestic
purposes at q fixed price per month. 1t
makes no difference whether much or
little is consumed, the price is the same.
1t costs ne more to continue the fires "a
hours In the day than it does one hour.
With this state Of things existing the
consumer has no interest in practicing
economy. Fires are allowed to burn
continually in unoccupied rooms and un-
used furnaces, without regard to the
value Of the fuel consumed. Ii gas were
eold by measure for AL, purposes, con-
sumerse especially would practice econ
omy. The statement may seem extra,
VACANT. but 1t IL doubtless true that at
least 40 per cent Of the gas consumed in
the Indiana field, factories, dwellings,
etc., is actually wasted.
But one result can follow this extray-
agance, and that is quick exhaustion
of the field. A final exhaustion is in
evitable under any circumstances, bat
the profiigacy that now prevails is de-
stroying the field at a two-fold ratio.
With economy in its use, natural gas
will bring capital and prosperity to the
field for years to come, but the quick
exhaustion that will eurely follow the
extreme prodigality OF the past few
yearn will necessarily reault in the
abandonment of the field, to certain
extent, for manufacturing purposes.
Gas is most beneficial when consumed
for domestic purposes. In this way it
benefits much larger proportion OF the
population, and there is also
more profit to the producer in
selling it for domestic use. AS
the volume of the supply gradually de-
creases, 1t will necessarily be withdrawn
| from uae in she factories and tho supply
confined exclusively to domestic use.
It is we'll to note that at this time
there is united action on the part OF
! the various companies producing natural
gas throughout the various fields looking
to its preservation, and endeavorine to
secure rigid economy in its use. If these
efforts are successful, the period OF pros
perity now prevailing throughout the
gas areas will be materially heightened.
Beecham's Pills cure bilious and nervous Ills.
| Everybody can buy wal! paper below cost. and