The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-02-13
BILL WAS FORCED BACK
INTO THE committee
E. G. Hibberd, President of
Local Company, Says Pass
age of Bill Would Put Com
pany Out of Business.
Palladium Bureau,
indianapolis. Feb. IL

The Richmond Natural Gas com
pany would be forced out of business
at loss Of more than hundred
thousand dollars and the people of
Richmond would be forced to do with
out natural gas or use the manufac-
tured product, should Representative
Coahran's bill be passed during the
present session of the legislature. The
bill would prevent taking OF gas from
wells by artificial means, which strikes
directly at the use of pumping sta
tions located in all parts Of Indiana,
and which the Richmond Natural Gas
company uses in supplying the people
of the Quaker town with the natural
fuel.
Are All Up in Arms.
Gas men alf over the state are up
in arms. Nearly all natural gas
companies in Indiana use pumping
stations. A few days ago the house
committee on agriculture, to which
Coahran bill was referred. reported
the measure back to the house with the
house with the recommendation that it
be passed.
1t was then that the gas men over
Indiana sat up, rubbed their eyes and
began to take notice. Among those
aroused were E. G. Hibberd and M. C.
They were among those who demanded
a reconsideration of the bill and this
reconsideration was granted at two
meetings yesterday before the house
committee. Both Henley and Hibberd
with Byram Robbins, attorney for the
Richmond company were in attend
ance.
Enter Loud Protests.
Gas men protested loud and long at
both meetings and declared the meas
ure to be backed by artificial gas man
ufacturers who still find the natural
gas companies worthy competitors in
many Indiana cities.
Wayne county representatives, Gard.
ner and RatlifY stand by the Richmond
Gas company and will vote against
the bill If the committee reports it
out again with the recommendation
thta it pass.
RatIiff Against Gill.
Ratliff was one of those who spoke
against the bill and his argument was
probably the most unique made.
He showed that by doing away with
pumping stations the Richmond COM
pany would not be in position to fur
nish the Eastern Indiana hospital for
the Insane with gas; the state would
be forced to build new light and fuel
plant which according to DR.. S. E.
Smith, would cost the state in the
neigborhood Of $4,000.
Would Affect Easthaven.
Gas, Ratliff told the committee. was
one of the safest and cheapest fuels
that could be used at Easthaven. The
management at the insane hospital
liked the pleasing influence it had ON
the inmates OF the institution. The
use of the fuel reminds the insane of
the pleasant conditions Of their home
life and they are better contented.
Dr. Smith. said Ratliff, had told him
all of these things in explaining ad-
vantages of gas and what would re-
suit if the institution was forced to
abandon it,
Representative Gardner aso intended
to line up whit he gas men in COM
batting the bill at the afternoon COM
mittee meeting but as a number Of gas
men spoke before him and as time was.
limited he was deprived of that privi-
lege.
Would Kill the Company.
the Richmond company. said after the
committee melting yesterday afternoon
that his company could not survive
should the bill be passed
He gave as his reason the fact that
all gas used by Richmond people at
the present time is pumped from the
Henry county gas field. About one
hundred wells are now owned by the
Richmond company and hundreds of
acres of land are leased. Each well
cost about 81 900 for drilling. Hibberd
said the company had more than a
hundred miles Of pipe in the ground
which would be no moro than junk.
Twelve thousand dollars Is paid out
to the farmers each year as rentals
while many farmers along the Rich
mond pipe lines have been securing
free gas for twenty years
Would injurs Dwslnese.
In addition to the property loss
which would result should the anti
pumping bill be passed. thousands Of