The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-09-08
N~ATURAL-GAS WASTE
STATE INSPECTOR READS THE RIOT
ACT TO GAS COMPANIES.
Their Mains and Wells should BE
Looked After at 0nce-High Pres
sure Continues at the Wells.
srecIal 10 the Indianapolis journal.

KOKoMO. Ind, Sept. Estate Natural
Gas Supervisor ]. C.. Leach, OF this city,
is getting after the gas companies again,
warning them Of the danger of continuing
the sinful and needless waste of the valu-
able fuel through defective mains. and worn
out appliances use by them in supplying
consumers. He is Of the opinion that the
gas companies are responsible for nearly
all the waste and declares hat If 1t is
not stopped at once gas will soon be a
thing of the past. Supervisor Leach this
week addressed the following circular letter
TO every gas company in the State:
.aGentlemen-That the supply of natural
gas is failing and will be finally exhausted
no one who understands the condition OF
Indiana gas fields Will deny. That II Is
the duty of every one interested IN the
natural gas industry to do everything IN
his power 10 husband the present supply,
all will agree. / believe that IL every COM
pany, corporation and individual interested
either in supplying or consuming gas, WIN ~
practice the same care and economy IN
the use of this gaseous fuel as they would
in the use of wood and coal, the life OF the
present supply can be materially extended.
We know that in the past gas has peen
used ext~ravagantly and wasted without
excuses and that the same continues IN
some parts of the field at present. Are
we going TO allow this to continue or are
we going TO treat it as we would any other
business proposition, and put forth a unlted
eUeCI o DTOIeCL NIldL VIC DaNC CIT VI NhAo
valuable fuel? 1t viii take a combined
effort. We must labor to create a pubic
sentiment against waste and in favor OF
economy.
How is natural gas wasted? No one is
more competent 10 answer this question
than are the gas companies or the state
nor does any one have greater opportu-
mites to discourage and prevent waste
than they. / most respectfully urge that
YOU order an inspection of your plant at
once. See thai no gas is escaping from
your wells: that your mains do not leak;
justed and do not permit gas TO escape,
and above everything else, see that al
hambeau lights are taken down. LII THIS
leaves your town in darkness, do as the
law provides: Use Jumbo burners IN
closed in globes or lamps. The light will
be much superior to that furnished by
hambeaux. Some have objected to taking
down their f1ambeaux because they were al
lowed to burn in a neighboring town or IN
the country. This will not be taken as an
excuse any longer. All will be treated
alike. My duty I'm this matter Is plain;
properly adjusted. Have your gauges
tested and see thai they register the pres
sure Of gas correctly, for If they do not,
your regulators are comparatively useless.
The pressure OF gas at the point of con-
sumption should not vary. This is very
as a heating power when mixed with air.
Ten of air to one of gas is about the
right proportion. The pressure of gas
should not be changed unless there is a
CORRESPONDING change in the admission OF
air: otherwise il will be a waste of gas. II
you have been considering the matter and
doing what you can TO economiZe gas, keep
at the good work. If you have never given
IL attention, do so at once, and act. Yours
very truly, ]. c. LEACH"