The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-08
His suggestion Applies Particularly
TO the West indianapolis and
HauehviIIe districts.
THE GAS FLOW DIMINISHING
MR. HASTINGS ADVISES THE CITY AD-
MINIsTRATION To Go SLOW.
He Thinks Some Method More Eco
nOmicaI Can BE Devised--The Com
mcrciaI Club Directors.

T. $. Hastings, president of the Indian
apolis Gas Company. arrived in the city yes
terday afternoon and Is stopping at the
Bates House. although his name does not
appear on the register of that hotel. His
visit to indianapolis just at this time. when
there is so much agitation over the gas
question and the new ordinance introduced
before the City Council Monday night, may
seem strange.
When seen by a Journal representative
he appeared to be In jovial mood, but
evaded many Of the questions put to him
regarding his visit to Indianapolis and the
all-important gas question. When asked IL
his trip TO this city was in regard TO the
ordinance, he stated that Ii was not, but
that he merely came here on one of his
regular visits.
Have you seen the ordinance on the sub
ject Of natural gas introduced in the Coun-
Gil last night, and what is your opinion of
it?'' he was asked.
II read the ordinance and came to the
conclusion that the same was probably
drawn up without the aid or advice of any
practical gas man. The city administration
is, no doubt, entirely honest In its efforts
to improve the gas situation in Indianapolis
and hope 1t may pursue its methods along
intelligent lines free from political or per-
sonal bias, because am sure this will final
ly result i'm great benefit to the people
and the gas companies as well.
Some method can certainly be found to
secure a more satisfactory and economical
consumption of gas. 1 believe 1t is admitted
on all hands that the present methods are
wasteful in the extreme and repeat that
a thorough investigation can only result in
final good to the city.
II cannot believe that the administration
would undertake to pass so important a
measure without thorough investigation and
disinterested expert advice. Our company
has done everything in its power to supply
its partons with gas and shall continue 10
do so up to the limit of it's means 1 do
not care to discuss the ordinance or the
meter system any more at this time"
There has been some talk about certain
districts supplied by the Indianapolis Com
pany being shut off from gas this winter.
What can you say in regard to that matter,
Mr.. Hastings?"
GAS SUPPLY FAILING.
THE gas supply all over this State is fail
ing at tremendously rapid rate and we
have been forced already to cut off all the
apartment houses from the supply in order
to give the private consumers as much gas
as possible. If the supply decreases much
more 1t will be necessary to make more
changes and L would not be surprised II
the suburbs did not get sufficient gas West
Indianapolis and Haughville residents
should lay in supply of coal, for / fail
to see where We can force enough gas Ia
those districts
do you think the supply Of gas will fail
this winter entirely?'
THAT, Of course, / cannot answer intelli.
gently, for there may be fluctuations in the
pressure all winter, but 1t looks as If this
State was pretty well probed with well:
and we are getting. all the gas there is
available. / am afraid ii will not be Ions
before the supply gets so low that there
won't be enough to pump into the city.
1T Is a shame that the State Legislature
did not take up the gas question eight year:
ago and adopt laws so stringent that the
wholesale waste Of gas when it was so plen
tiful would have been prevented. Had thi:
been done / believe that we would still hay,
an abundance of the fuel for the consumer.
and that it would last for years TO come
There has been some talk about Indianap
oils having company to manufacture fue
gas, but in every city in the country wher,
this has been tried it has proved a losin,
venture"