The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-24
It's Policy Indicated by Removal OF
Ten-Inch Main from Fishers Sta.
tfOn to BrightwOOd.
IRvINGTON WILL BE CUT OFF
JOHN II. PEARSON EXPLAINS WHY
LINE is TAKEN UP.
Declares that No Contracts Have Been
Made for Sale of Gas Outside
of This City.

The Indianapolis Gas Company is taking
up it's ten-inch line between Fishers Sta
ton, Hamilton county, and Brightwood.
The work has been in progress several
days. When asked about this work yester-
day, John r. Pearson. assistant to Presi-
dent Hastings. of the Indianapolis COM
pany, said: I'VE are taking up this line
because we have two ten-inch lines and
one twelve-inch line from that point to the
city, and we have not the gas to supply
them. That is all l care to say about it,"
The significance of this work is impor-
tant, as this line serves the entire Bright
wood and Irvington district, including
about three thousand consumers. 1t is
taken as positive evidence that the Indi-
annapolis company will not attempt to ac-
cede to the demand of the Council and
agree to funish natural gas through meters
at the rate of % cents thousand. Mr.. Pear
son would not discuss the meaning of the
work further than has been quoted. 1t is
understood the tubing of this line has been
sold.
This line was brought from the gas field
ten years ago to supply the two suburbs
which were then without natural gas serv-
ice At that time both permitted a higher
contract rate for service than the city en-
joyed- In 1899 after the annexation of
territory the same rates that are provided
by the city ordinance of 1887 but did not
concede the right of the city to force such
rates The concession was made as a con-
sideration for the new Illuminating gas
contract, which brought the price down to
81 per thousand, and provided for fur
ther reduction in case of increased use. The
rate at IrvinGton was considerably higher
than anywhere in or about the city. In
addition, owners of property contributed a
bonus TO insure the construction of the
line. While this lire was regarded as one
last winter TO both suburbs was wholly in
adequate.
Coupled with the report about the taking
UP of this line was the report that the In
dianapolis company had contracted to sell
a large portion of its supply to gas belt fac
tories after Sept 80. Mr. Pearson said this
was absolutely false because, said he,
the Indianapolis company has not sold one
inch of gas, nor contracted TO sell one inch
of gas, to any one except the city of In
danapOlis." Mr.. Pearson reiterated that
the company would UnquestiOnably discon-
tinue service here Sept. 30 because of the
physical impossibility of continuing it. Ii is
known that gas territory in the producing
region is now at a premium and there is
very little to sell. The big factories of the
gas belt are ready TO pay a high price for
all they can get but there seems to be very
pectation of adding TO il before the winter
comes Five dollars an acre for producing
land is not an unsual price to offer Ii is
asserted that, If the Indianapolis company
had the choice of the hest territory left. and
could acquire the best wells. il would still
be a doubtful proposition if the compa ny
could, even with the adoption of the meter
system here, bring gas and maintain a
pressure of two ounces with the aid of It's
| mammoth pumping stations.