The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-15

protracted cold weather, and that ev-
cry consumer should provide himself
with some collateral means of heat
ing to assure his comfort during ex-
tremely cold weather. Our gas con-
sumers should do this in every case,
ly cold periods but also to provide for
cases of emergency, such as the
breaking or washing out of the main.
which may occur at any time, wholly
cutting off the gas supply for a short
period. We are advised by men who
have lived in the old gas districts of
Ohio and Pennsylvania that those
who are accustomed to the use of
natural gas always do this.
I'VE know that for practically
eleven months out of the year the
supply will be abundant, and each of
us can well afford TO provide other
means of heating for one month of
the year in order to enjoy the luxury
of natural gas for the other eleven
months. We therefore feel that it is
the duty of every citizen to discuss
this question calmly and dispassion-
ately, and that we all work together
for the purpose of securing an ade-
quate supply at the lowest cost In
justice to the gas companies it must
be remembered that they have spent
millions of dollars, we are informed
that the total is about Is million dol
gift to the consumers along their
lines They have certainly made a
magnificent effort to supply us with
gas. If they have made mistakes, as
they have, it is possibly because they
are human, and not because they de-
sire to freeze their patrons to death
Their business interests call upon
them to satisfy every consumer inso-
far as is possible, and this we believe
they will endeavor to do insofar as
-,
their investment. There are now per-
haps $4,000 people who are warmed
and lighted from the mains of the
Kansas Natural Gas company. This
is large family to take care of, and
wholly satisfy, and it is not to be
are having some trouble. On the
other hand, it is the duty of every
citizen of Topeka to see to 1t that we
receive our fair proportion of the gas
supply and that we receive it as
cheap1y as does any other city on the
lines
Supply for Fifty Years.
The report was warmly commend
ed by President Jensen and upon mo-
ton of Mr.. c. K. Holiday a vote of
thanks was rendered Messrs. Doran and
Moeser for the praiseworthy manner
in which they performed the duty as
signed them.
Asked if the Kansas Natural Gas
people had intimated how long the
supply would probably last, as, in view
of their investment of 1 millions, they
must have formed some estimate, Mr..
Doran replied that in the opinion OF
Ottawa men qualified to speak on this
point, the abundance of gas in sight
and the new wells being brought in
every day would indicate that the sup
ply IS practically inexhaustibie. Re-
strictfons as to it's use are limited to
the action of the gas inspectors, whose
power is not always exercised with the
however, that had been exhausted. The
committee was informed that in some
instances the pressure at times became
low, but when turned off and allowed
to rest awhile regained its former
strength. J. c. Mcdowell, general
manager of the Kansas Natural Gas
company said he figured on the prob
able duration of the wells as so years.
Topeka would get more gas If it had
more pipe line capacity, but the com
pany has invested about all it can
stand; compression at Scfpio is now
the main Dependence.
81 lived in the country where gas
was originally discovered and used"
said Mr.. L. b. Myer. meaning Pitts
burg, Pa, land we went through the
same experiences you are having in
Kansas. There never came a cold spell
but the onSumerS went back to coal.
The supply lasted about II years; the
Indiana. The supply in Kansas and
Oklahoma is said to be greater than in
all Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana
combined, and this country being more
sparsely settled the consumption is
bound to be less and the life of the
wells longer. If Kansas City consumes
6 million cubic feet Of gas daily, Pitts
burg used 300 millions. The percent
age of gas to be used from wells can
not be regulated"
The renort of the Kansas City COM
mittee which visited the gas fields with
the Topeka Representatives was read
by Mr.. Doran, by request. and did not
differ materially from that of Messrs.
Doran and Moeser.
On motion of Mr.. Holiday, it was
ordered that this committees report
be printed first in the newspapers,
then in pamphlet form; that copy be
sent to the mayor and council of each
city located on the pipe line by which
Topeka is supplied. and to Mr.. ]. c.
Mcdowell. general manager of the K.
N. G. c.