The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-11-25
Proposition Submitted by H,
RACES and Co.
COMMERCIAL CLUB ACTS
Committee Appointed TO In
veStigate Winfield Gas Well.

At the meeting Of the Chamber Of Com
merce directors and a number Of prorni-
nent citizens in the city building yester-
day afternoon the mayor and city council
were asked to can special election at
the earliest possible date to vote $4,000
in bonds with which to prospect for gas.
The motion was made by J. Giles Smith.
after listening TO the proposition made by
H. RACES < Co, through their attorney,
AIva J. Graham, CT Winfield
Mr.. Graham came 10 tbs city eSpec-
tally to confer with the Chamber of Com
merce with regard 10 sinking a ga.s wei
near Wichita. lie proposed that the
city vote bonds for $1,000 and his COM
pany would enter into a contract with
the city to drill wells within = radius
OF two mics OF Wichita and produce a
well that would flow half "a million cubic
feet Of gas eveTy .twenty-f3ur hours or
produce ten barrels Of oil in the same
length of time. If they did not find oil
thsy would expect no pay.
Mr.. Graham told the directors all about
the well AT Winfield The company would
90 TO a depth Of $500 feet in each well
before going 10 another location. They
would find the gas in one well ard show
that they had good flow and if the
city wanted any more wells drilled they
would. be willing 10 take the contract
for the work. All they would do was
20 demonstrate TO the people OF this city
that there was gas and oil under Wich-
tia and that it could be found in paying
quantities.
This company puts down the wei and
allows a ten days test before it has to
be-acceptcd. Professor Robinson's test.
considered the most rigid known. is 10
be used and the gas must flow c0ntinu-
ously for ten days and half a million
cubic feet each day before the city is
required to pay for the work
Wichita has an to gain and very little
20 lose by making a contract with this |
company. RACES & Co. take al the risk |
All that they ask is that $500 be put 1
UP and guaranteed to thcm If they find I
a flow OF gas or oil OF sufficient CONNER
cial value 20 make further prospecting /
pay If they do not find gas or oil. they 4
are out that much money. The contract /
they make with the city is an ironclad /
one.
The city, Of course, viii have to stand /
the expenses Of a special election TO vote !
the bonds. That is all that viii be re- /
ouired until gas or oil IS found. TIE /
special election expenses VIII amount to
a very small sum compared to the inn /
mense benefits 10 ne derived from a gas
or oil well of the production the com
pany guarantees There was not man .
present yesterday who would not willing I
" hor },
to pay the election costs
Quite number of councilmen, together
with Mayor Mclean. were present at Che
meeting yesterday. Every man was hear
tily in favor of calling the election and
let the people decide whether they would
make a contract where ever point is
in favor Of the city. II the bond propo-
sition was turned downed by the clti-
zens Of Wichita at this special election,
there was capital enough represented at
the meeting TO form company and put
UP the cash themselves to pay RACES &
Co. for a gas Wen producing half mil
lion cubic feet of gas a day. There was
not man present who could not or would
not pay for well Of that magnitude
out Of his own pocket. But the sentiment
OF the business men was that the city
sNoulu own the EaICnlSe ana the EGS.
hayes * Co decide weber they viii do
the drilling snj they make the arrange
ments SO that the city can lease hun
dreds OF acres of land close by on which
more wells may be drilled Let the city
own the wells and furnish up with the
gas was the sentiment expressed by
every one present The city can hold
the franchise build its lines and light
the city With at least one light at every
street corner and then sell gas enough
70 manufacture At very low rates TO
return big interest
The business men seem TO think that
there IS disposition or the part of some
companies 70 SET everything possible and
give the least amount Tor the money
To obviate this the business men want
the city to have full charge of the gas
1t viii bring more To the
city and he better for the citizens.
This plan has been tried m the eastern
states where gas Is produced IL has