The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-06
GOSSIP OF THE MEETING.
Anomalous Position of Mr.. LOvett-A
Thorough Awakening at Anderson.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
ANDERSON, Ind, Nov. 5-One Of the
interesting features of the fight against
waste of natural gas now in progress is
the position occupied by John w Lovett
Until quite recently Mr.. Lovett was attor-
ney for a large number of manufacturing
companies, and it was expected that he
would take a conspicuous part in the legal
battle against persons charged with vast
ing gas. 1t developed however that Mr..
Lovett is employed by the Consumers Gas
Trust Company of indianapolis by a yearly
retainer, and thus he was obliged TO de-
fend employees of that company from
charges of waste of natural gas During
the trial Of Employe Weir, Of the Con-
sumers Company, in the Circuit Court
here last week, there was a lively tilt be-
tween Mr.. Lovett and w. A. Kittinger. Of
the law firm of Kittinger, Reardon &
Diven, that has replaced the former as
counsel for a number of local and outside
manufacturers in their fight against gas
wasters.
Mr.. Lovett was seen by a Journal repre-
sentative to-day and denied vigorously that
his client. the Consumers Company. has
been wasting gas. IF the charge that the
Consumers Company is trying to change
into an oil company at the sacrifice of what
gas they now have is true, he said, II am
totally In the dark about it,
p. II. Vestal, prosecuting attorney of
Madison county, said there is intention
TO relax the efforts to punish all the men
who are now resting under charges of
wasting gas One of these cases is set for
tomorrow. Mr. Vestal was warm in his
praise Of the Manufacturers Association
for the assistance rendered him in the
prosecution of these cases. The associa-
ton has employed Kittinger Reardon &
Diven to cooperate with Mr.. Vestal Com
panies that have given especially valuable
assistance, according to Mr.. Vestal, are
the Kelly AK Company and the PAN
American Plate Glass Company Of Alex
andria.
"The truth about the Consumers Gas
Trust Company" said Mr. Vestal lis that
they keep drilling wells and whenever they
get one that has a strong flow of gas they
Indianapolis But when they get a well
that contains gas and oil. the latter in pay
ing quantities, they get rid of the gas in
any way they can and save the OIL"
Mr.. Leach said that the Consumers Com
pany has an ingenious scheme to balk
prosecution, consisting of the production of
evidence that certain employe charged
with knowledge of gas waste was not in the
vicinity of the particular well mentioned
in the charge. Thus they try TO switch
the thing around on US" he added. Mr.
Vestal spoke highly of Supervisor Leach
saying that official has always seemed TO
him to be doing his duty. Il know Mr.
LeachS deputy at Alexandria, Mr. Mat
thews, is all right" said Mr.. Vestal land
he would scarcely be so il his chief were
not all right"
In talking about the waste of gas by oil
men Mr.. Lovett expressed himself as sur
prised that the effort begun against these
men several years ago when oil was dis
covered in the Indiana field had not been
continued. Il drew the first affidavit
against an oil man." he said, land the
prosecutions that followed did great good.
For long time the oil wells were closed
tight but when the pressure of gas began
to go down recently the oil operators took
fresh courage and are at IT again with
more vigor than ever before"
The fact that Anderson's supply of gas
has fallen short during the past few cool
days has aroused the people of this local
ity to the Importance Of the subject of
prevention Of waste of the precious fuel
1t is felt that the meeting of manufactur-
ers this afternoon could not have been held
at a more oppOrtune time. Right now they
have the undivided support and encourage
Of NJ ha natr f,,o