The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-11

measurement? Theoretically there can be
no question as to the right in this mat
ter. III natural gas is property and can
be transferred as other property. it will
harm no one TO pay for it as he pays for
other property. Those opposing the meter
system contend that it means higher
price for gas. This may be true, but not
necessarily so. Prices could be adjusted
as fairly under one system as another. y
schedule OF prices under which i would pay
for what gas L use, no more, no less, is
certainly just If / choose to practice
economy reduction of cost is my reward;
II l use 1t extravagantly, / pay for what
L use AS an incentive to economy the
meter is to be commended. The use of
fiambeaux Is an extravaganza, and should
THE supply of gas has been equal to the
demand since its discovery, nine years ago.
How long 1t will continue to honor the
definitely. 1t is certain that We have en-
tered upon the period of decline, and that
eaf supply This w evdene aa comes fpon
measurements in the field, and
not from theory alone The Sit
features. After nine years of operations in
the Indiana field there yet remains thou
sands Of acres of good gas territory not yet
developed, except an occasional well to sup
ply furnaces. A large part of this terri
tory is owned by pipeline companies, who
are holding it in reserve"
The gas belt of the State includes all or
part of the following counties: Blackford,
Decatur. Delaware, Grant, Hamilton, Han
cock, Henry. Howard Jay Madison, Miami.
Marion, Rush, Shelby Upton, Wabash and
Wayne. The territory embraces about $500
square miles. Nine years ago, at the be-
ginning of the drain on the wells, the
average rock pressure was about 325 pounds
to the square inch. This has been reduced
till ii is now only go pounds. The highest
and lowest pressure in the different coun-
ties last year was as follows, according to
the report: Blackford county, 240 and go
pounds; Delaware county, 200 and $50; Grant
county, go and go; Hamilton county, 200
and 235; Hancock county, 30; Howard cohn-
~. 240 and 255: Jay county. so and $50: Mad
and go. The great difference in the pres
sure the inspector attributes to the differ
ence in the texture of the gas-bearing rock,
some of it yielding its pressure with great
er freedom than the more compact rock.
In speaking of the distribution of gas the
inspector says the various companies have
made a great many improvements since
last winter. and are now better prepared to
supply their consumers. While the pres
sure has decreased, the waste has also de-
creased, and the pipe lines are i'm better
condition to facilitate the easy passage of
gas New regulators have been put in and
old pipes replaced with larger sizes in some
instances. Mr.. Leach thinks the pipe lines
should be thoroughly inspected at least once
month to guard against leaks.
In regard to the gradual development OF
ing pressure of gas. Mr. Leach says it is
difficult to foretell anything with a reason
able certainty. In some places he found
that when the gas pressure goes below 200
pounds the danger line for the continuance
of gas has been reached, while in other
places wells are doing good local service
with pressure of only fifty pounds.