The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-10

80 POuuuS, PROBABLY oU POUNDS would
90 Inc average. 1t Is received into the
compressors, of which there are eight,
TWO steam and six gas, and shot out
by the powerful LOCO horse power arms
VI the compressors at a pressure of 275
pounds on it's course through the dou-
Die 10 inch pipe lines to Scipio. The
gas In its course through the pipes has
been reduced by friction by the time
1t has arrived at Scipio until the pres
sure is but 100 to 125 pounds Here the
three compressors take up this gas at
pressure of 100 pounds and hurry it
along towards the cities at an increased
force of 275 to $50 pounds. Friction
again has reduced it by the time it
reaches the first reducing stations on
the OUTSKIRTS OF the cities. At Lawrence
the gas in the II inch pipe line which
connects Topeka with the main 16 inch
pipe line to st. Joseph has been pulled
ooWn to 80 pounds. In explanation of
the reason that the installation was
greater at Petrolia than at Scipio,
though the distance to which it forced
the gas was not further, if as far, Mr.
mcdowell explained that 1t took great
er power to raise the gas from the in
take pressure from the wells to 275
pounds than 1t did to raise 1t from the
intake pressure of 100 pounds at Scipio
to 275 pounds.
With 700 gas wells at it's service and
only l35 of them in use and the field
declared to be the greatest in the Uni
ted States by j. c. Mcdowell. who has
served 25 years in the business the as
sumption that there is a dwindling In
the gas supply does not look plausible.
The field from which Topekans draw
their gas comes from Montgomery
county, but over across the line In the
Indian Territory country the Kansas
Natural has still other resources ex-
plotted but unusued, awaiting as a sur
plus.
Though gas may exist in ample
quantities the Kansas Natural Gas
company does not intend to expend its
money in constructing pipe lines to
carry gas to the northern part OF the
state and Missouri river towns for
manufacturing purposes. They frank
ly admitted this. They are willing to
take care Of the manufacturers dur
Of mild weather, from April to Octo-
Der. That is the time when the call
of domestic consumers for gas is
weakest. But as far as making an
endeavor to take care OF manufactur-
ers especially, the Kansas Natural Gas
way. 1t can make more money out
Of the domestic consumers, the in
vestment considered. There are six
ty-seven thousand consumers, given
as an estimate by Mcdowell, at Law
renee, Topeka, St Joseph, Atchison,
L6aVenWOTIn ana LAS Two IAahSeaS
Citys The latter have about 10000
Topeka has 10000, st. Joseph 5000.
Don't put too much dependence up
on the surety of your gas supply, even
with all this installation of compress
sors that are being planned for some
thing may happen to the pipe lines
This Is the injunction that officials OF
the Kansas Natural interpolated in
their remarks Back in Pennsylvania
there are periods every year when the
users have to fall back on coal }. =.
McDowell. who is the general mana
ger Of the Kansas Natural states that
In his Pittsburg home he is prepared
to switch over to coal on an emer-
gency and use it until he can again re-
vert to natural gas. TITS the poor
mans friend, but too much depen-
dence can not be placed upon it;
There ought to be some coal kept on
hand where it can be brought into
service in an emergency" said Mr.
Mcdowell. .s4