The Indianapolis journal., 1897-11-25
THE WASTE OF GAS.
A Strong Plea for Immediate Enforce
ment of Existing Laws.

To the Editor of the indianapolis Journal:
One more word is desired on the question
of the waste of natural gas 1t is hoped the
citizens of the gas belt will unite and effect
some sort of an organization for their pro-
protection. 1t is further hoped to see the
press of the gas belt and the State take up
the issue and fight the thing to a finish.
1t is difficult to set the average politician
interested in any measure in which there is
no politics; yet it is hoped the right thing
will be done and the Importance of the ques-
tion realized A prominent state official is
quoted as saying that "an extra session of
the Legislature would do no good as we
cannot enforce the laws we have, while the
law for the suppression of the waste of
natural gas is faulty Yet it would be eff
fectual if enforced. [ discredit this inter-
view, for no official who has promised his
best efforts to the people to enforce exist
ing laws would make the statement that
1--WE cannot enforce our state laws if he had
a proper regard for law, the people and his
State. No law enforces itself; all laws are,
and must by necessity be, enforced by men
elected to Office by the people, whose serv-
ants they are All defective laws, laws
which fail to reach or accomplish their de-
sired aims, should be amended as soon as
possible, especially where they relate to
life and the protection of property. 1t is
somebody's business in Indiana to enforce
existing laws.
Indiana has recently suffered disgrace in
another matter. and is about to suffer still
another, the stain of which it will take
years to wipe out Madison county is the
center and is over the great naturai-gaS
reservoir of Indiana, and any drain on this
is bound to affect the whole. There will be
plenty of natural gas for years If the waste
is stopped, but if allowed to go on, it is My
a question of time until the wholea gas field
will be exhausted. The territory affected by
this waste embraces about ten counties,
representing at least half mil. on of cfti-
zens. All the cities of these different ooun-
ties have contracted debts in building
streets, school buildings and have Incurred
other expenses in providing for this rapid
growth. These debts have all been made
and taxes levied or the basis of certain ex-
Sting valuation. Withdraw the great manu-
featuring plants, along with the workmen,
from the cities and the State, thus reducing
the taXables, and the result can easily be
foretold. The present law to prevent the
waste of gas and the burning of falnbeaux
is just strong enough and imperfect enough
10 prevent the farmer from burning a Ham
beau in his barn lot for his convenience.
but there the force of the law ceases. be-
lieve in this sort of protection, for, under
the blessings of natural gas, the farmer is
enjoying the cheapest fuel on earth and the
best market in the land-a home market
for his products. The men in our mills cat
up our apples, our potatoes our milk, eggs,
butter and cheese and other farm truck,
and pay us in cash prices almost, II rot
quite, equal to prices in New York or chi
cago. / might enlarge further on the benefits
of home market brought to our very doors
by the mills and factories of the gas belt
whose sole existence in this territory de-
pends on the use of natural gas as a cheap
fuel. | am not an alarmist. but | can, in a
measure, see the necessities OF the hour,
and can, in part, apprehend the dangers or
the future If the present authorities, both
county and state, upon whom rest the bur-
den of enforcing state laws, fail to make
xscfIrN Ion
perfect as they are reported to be, relative
to stopping this waste of natural gas, the
voters of the gas belt, irrespective of party,
will administer to them, at the first oppor-
tunity rebuke that will be crushing, and
a defeat that will be inglorious.
Alexandria, Ind, Nov "a. FARMER.