The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1903-09-26

committee appointed TO investigate
and report on the Federal Gas com
pany's machinery and process OF pro
ducing gas in Little Rock, Ark
Guthrie. Okla. Sept Z, 1903.
TO tho Honorable.
The Mayor ard Councilmen of the
city Of Guthrie
Gentlemen. We, your committee
appointed to investigate and report on
the Federal Gas company's nachinery
aud process Of producing gas, as In
stalled in the city of Little Rock in
the state of Arkansas. respectfully re-
port as follows:
On account of considerable inter.
est that had arisen on pointed ques-
tions involved. as well as on account Of
the importance Of the proposition Of
the city OF Guthrie, at some personal
Inconvenience to ourselves and our
business. we have devoted four days
to the object Of our appointment in
the most searching, thorough and ex-
haustive investigation we knew how
to make
We found that the Federal Gas sys-
tenn mad been introduced at Little
Rock about is months ago and is now
in operation by the Arkansas Gas
company of which MIR Warren Bald
win is president, and Col H. H. Rot
taken, member Of the city council Of
Little Rock. is vice president We
inspected the entire plant; their ma
cainery. in operation; their piping and
mains. as same was being laid in ac-
mal construction: their lights at their
plant, at stores, banks, restaurants,
barber shops, residences, and many
points about the city, and the heat
ing power of the gas
We examined the gas Itself, in
simple tests at our command such as
rubbing it in the hands, inhaling it,
(after assurance that It would not as.
phixiate)
In addition TO our minute personal
inspection, we advised with many of
Little Rocks city officials and fore
iAost citizens, besides insurance com
panles and other authorities on import
ant points upon which we were charg.
ed to secure information
Among these were the Hon w r.
limo
in April of this year; Alderman Poe
who, as president of the board was
acting mayor. the recently elected
mayor, Leon. being absent; Mr. Jas
S. Keiser city engineer; Mr. Chas
s. Hafer ckief, and for fifteen years a
member OF their fire department;
Hon J L. Reid, of Parker Ewing and
company, member of the board of pub
lie affairs Hon Jas, s Pollock. cash
ier Exchange National bank; Mr.. AL
len n. Johnson. vice president Citizens
bank Messrs Adam and Boyle, ant
G L. Myers and Co, perhaps the lead
ing fire insurance agents of the state
Hon c. r. Williams, a representative
for Arkansas of the r. G. Dun and Co.
commercial agency, besides many con
sumers and others too numerous tC
detail, all being reliable sources OF in
formation,
We advised fully with officials and
attaches Of the Arkansas Gas company
including Mr. w II Hoppolite, whC
originally introduced the Federal Gas
process into Little Rock; and Mr. JohI
Humphry their engineer and superin
tendent, graduate in civil and me
chanical engineering OF the state un
iyersity. with fifteen years practica
experience, the last five years Of which
were spent In the lighting business. he
has been with the Arkansas Gas com
pany and It's predecessors in interes
since the introduction Of the Eedera
Gas system into the state, and himsel
having installed the Newport, Arkan
sas. plant Mr. Williams Of r, q Dun
and Co. and others that we met ar'
personally familiar with the Newpor
plant
We took memoranda OF mach ta'
detailed statements by Officers an'
persons In pos. ions TO know, but
s,ecame SO cumbersome that we her'
give only the substance which is abou
as follows
The franchise at Little lsock wa
granted after close scrutiny and in
vestigauon. and the gas property an
process is today as one OF the city
important public enterprises, we