Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-13
MAY AFFECT GAS COMPANY
Influence of the Miners Strike on Washing
toms Light Producers.
superintendent Leetch Makes n State
is No Danger of Suffering.

Ever since the strike of the bituminous
coal miners began to grow into serious
proportions fears have been expressed in
various large cities of the east lest pro-
longation Of the difficulty would lead to
coal famines. OF course, at this time of
year the possibility of such result is not
SO startling as 1t would be in winter, from
the point of view of the domestic users OF
the output. and, in fact there is but little
to be feared at any time on this score from
strike of the miners of bituminous coal,
which is used but little for domestic pur-
poses. The main result of coal famine
caused by bituminous miners strike would
be in limiting or absolutely cutting off the
supply Of the gas-producing concerns which
use that product together with naphtha
and other forms of petroleum.
So 1t Is that In the main the Washington
Gas Light Company is about the only local
interest that stands in danger of feeling
the effect of the strike. In summer gas is
used by Washinstonans to large extent
for fuel purposes, and there has been some
apprehension during the last few days lest
the gradual extension of the strike might
result in at least partially cutting Off the
supply of gas to local consumers. A Star
reporter today interviewed Mr.. John
Leetch. superintendent Of the Washington
Gas Light Company. on this point.
Views of Mr.. Leetch.
Mr.. Leetch said:
"As the strike stands at present we are
in no danger of suffering 1 have always
made it a policy to keep at least nine
months supply of gas coal on hand to pro-
vide for such emergencies. I have now
probably between nine and ten months
supply ahead, and so far as the bituminous
coal Is concerned, there need be no fea-.
will ,ar hot
the present law we are obliged to give
gas of a very high candle power, higher
indeed. than that required of any other
gas-producing concern in the world. 1t is
utterly impossible to produce SO rich a
gas from coal alone.
1t is necessary to enrich 1t with gas made
from naphtha or water gas. For this pur-
pose we use large quantities Of material
furnished by the Standard Oil Company,
with which we have a contract. In the
manufacture of this enriching gas we use
large supply OF anthracite coal. which
We secure from local dealers. There Is no
present difficulty in the way Of obtaining
this coal. as the strike does not extend to
the anthracite mines.
His Only Fear.
1.-The only fear I have is that the strike
may extend beyond it's present limits. af
fecting other interests than the bituminous
mining, such as the transportation of oil
and other similar products. From the ma
ture of the material we cannot keep large
supply of naphtha and petroleum on hand.
particularly the former. which evaporates
readily, and We must depend upon frequent
renewals. A large part of our stock We
obtain by water. but it is within the pos
siblities that the strike may extend to all
forms of transportation. SO that 1t is use
less for US to overlook a certain slight ele-
ment of danger. These strikes often spread
from one industry to another with great
rapidity but as far as the situation today
is concerned. the people of Washington
need have no fear of failure In the gas
supply. 1 believe that we keep larger
supply of gas-rroducing coal on hand than
any other gas company In the country.