The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-02-16
FIGHT ON GAS.
Anti Pumping Bill Starts Things
in House.
Lively Debate About Advisable
ity of Measure.
ON THE OTHER SIDE.
Bill Hackney an Advocate of
Plan.
Would Prevent Destruction of
Kansas Industries.

Natural gas is the chief topic of
discussion in the house of representa-
tives today. Holdren's bill prohibiting
the use of pumps to draw gas from
the southern Kansas wells was a spe-
cial order for 10 o'clock. There was
a large crowd present during the dis
cussion of the bill.
This is the same bill which was in
troduced in the senate by Senator
Porter, and amended to death by
striking out the provision prohibiting
the use of pumps.
J. w. Hoidren, the Montgomery
county representative who is father
ing the bill in the house, sent a tele-
gram yesterday to P A Kinney, state
gas inspector of Indiana, in regard to
the effect of pumps and received the
following reply:
''The use of pumps destroy the life
of a well. and affects the surrounding
territory a mile in extent. In q sim
liar manner the use of pumps have
practically ruined the Indiana field.
''P. A. KINNEY,
'fState Gas Inspector"
The text of the Holdren bill is as
follows:
ANY person or persons. firm, COM
pany or corporation engaged in drill
ing for, piping, transporting, using Or
selling natural gas may transport or
conduct the same through sound
wrought or cast iron casing and pipes
tested at least 800 pounds pressure TO
the square inch; provided, such gas
shall not be transported through pipes
at a pressure exceeding 200 pounds
per square inch, nor otherwise than
by the natural pressure of the gas
flowing from the wells
1T is hereby declared to be unlaW-
full for any person or persons. firm,
company or corporation to use any
device for pumping, or any other
purpose, or that shall have the effect
I of increasing the natural now ~
natural gas through the pipes used for
conveying and transporting the same
The penalty for violation is a fine
of from 81 900 to $4,000 and liability
to injunction to prevent use of pipe
lines.
first blow at the bill. He moved to
strike out the clause prohibiting the
use of pNmps, ito make the bill con-
form to the senate BILL Mr. Adams
said: These people say that the
pumping of gas will exhaust the gas
field. That is no argument There
are probably millions of acres of gas
which has never been discovered
believe that Kansas gas is for Kan
sas people. and that anybody in the
| state of Kansas should be allowed tC
use this gas. If there is any way tc
keep this gas away from missouri
]. l.. Brady said that the action OF
the legislature in appropriating state
| money to take care of Kansas oil
| demonstrated that Kansas oil is fol
all the people of Kansas. He said the
same rule should apply to natura
gas
speech yesterday for the state oil re
finery said he was in favor of the
amendment. He said if he haC
thought that the gas producers woult
try to monopolize their gas he woulC
have thrown the harpoon into the OF
refinery. He said the gas belongs t
all the people of the state.
Speaker Pro Tenn Clark declared tina
Mr. Glasscock had 'thOpped;" that h
was opposed to the Standard Oil Of
Wednesday and is fighting for it today
He said the people who were favorinl
the use of pumps were inspired by sci
fish motives, and that they would tea
down the gas communities to bull
themselves up.
w. p Hackney said it all depende
| on the point of view. He was oppose
! to the pumping of gas. because h
| thought it would destroy souther
| Kansas industries.
R. H Mcbride, of Jewell. said he ha
visited the gas fields and found tina
the farmers and owners of gas land
than to have pumps put on the wells.
Mr. Holdren, the author of the bill
said that when pumps are used, tn
, gas is Withdrawn so rapidly that tn
, salt water rushes into and destroys tn
: we'll He made a lengthy and able dc
fense of his bill
! Speeches both for and against til