The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-10-19
SHUTTING OFF FLAMBEAUx.
Inspector Leach Says Farmers Are
Complying with the Law.

ost9
KOKOMO. Ind. Oct. Estate Natural
Ca Inspector Leach was much surprised
on his return home yesterday TO learn from
an Elwood special of a general uprising of
the farmers of Madison county in opposi-
ton to the enforcement of the nambeau
law. Mr.. Leach Is just in from a visit to
that part of the field and he declares there
Is nothing I'm the story. Concerning the laws
in enforcing the same Professor Leach au-
thorizes the following statement:
IF there be any opposition to the en-
forcement OF the fiambeau law in Madison
county | have not heard of II. l found the
farmers there perfectly willing TO comply
using the fiambeaux is very small. aking
the territory over. In but one neighborhood
In the entire gas belt lave / found any
opposition to the Punishment of the waste
full hambeau, that being in a community
northwest Of Hartford City in Blackford
county! W parties refused TO turn of
the light. I informed the prosecuting attor-
ney, they were arrested and fined and APP
pealed to the Circuit Court.
AS a rule. parties using these lights
have not been obstinate. In all cases, ex-
cept the one referred to, q formal notice
TO remove them has been sufficient. The
number OF fambeaux in use now Is very
small in comparison with the number used
six months ago. There is a strong and
growing sentiment in favor of saving the
gas In all possible ways, and. as a rule.
farmers having their own wells will not
permit a hambeau or gas pump on their
places. h farmers display commendabie
intelligence They were among the first to
recognize the necessity of economy i'm the
use OF the fuel. As most of the leases of
the land to companies expire as soon as gas
ceases to flow in paying quantities.. 1t is
TO the interest of the land owners to pre-
vent waste and prolong the revenue as
long az possible.
There are not as many fiambeaux burn
ing as one might suppose. Here and there
a farmer has one, and a few are used i'm
small villages. The wasteful devices are
diminishing rapidly. and IL Is only a aues-
ticn of a short time until they will be aboI-
ished altogether. Windfall. Jonesboro,
Hartford City had Dunlirk have abolished
them recently, aud one company i'm Red
key has shut them of. The other company
uses but ten OF the lights. Heretofore man.
ufacturers a used the fambeaux for
lighting. but on realizing that gas was
most valuable as a heating power have
substituted other lights. As TO the con-
stitutionality of the fambeau law / know
nothing. With me 1t is constitutional until
some court says 1t is not. Another thing
escaping gas Is dangerous. This is particu-
larry true OF leaky gas pipes along the
public highway. The law makes IL the duty
OF the road supervisor to condemn all
leaky, dangerous or defective pipes or lines
In his jurisdiction and provides IA penalty
for the use of such dangerous pipes or
lines after being so condemned. do not
think anyone will contend that this latter
law Is not constitutional. / will inspect all
the gas plants in the State, and IL I find
any OF the plants leaking gas or in an
otherwise dangerous condition / will order
them repaired"