The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-06
GAS HOLDING OUT
Pressure Falls But Is Still Con-
sidered Sufficient.
Shortage Last Evening Caused
Considerable Alarm.
GET SUPPLY OF COAL.
That Is Advice OF Gas Company
Manager.
Hopes That Pressure Will Not
Be Amy Lower.
GET SUPPLY OF COAL.

If the supply of gas can hold out un-
til after supper tonight there will be
no further trouble during the present
cold spell. This is the information
given out at the headquarters of the
local gas company.
But will it? The answer to this inn
portant question, no one knows Not
even the gas company is certain that
the supply will be adequate to furnish
plenty of heat to Topeka people. The
company hopes to have a plenty, but
beyond that, there is nothing to give
the public satisfaction.
The supply went pretty low last night
while the housewives were drawing on
the supply for their suppers, but by
nine O'Clock the supply again became
normal and no further troubles were
experienced during the night.
During the forenoon there were some
complaints at the gas office. but the
pply was really better than even the
most hopeful had expected. At noon
the pressure at the entrance to the city
mains was fourteen pounds a year
ago during the cold spell when the
mercury descended to three degrees
above zero. the pressure at this point
was only five pounds Thus it can be
seen that the conditions have improved
during the year with the mercury az
three degrees below
The real source of the light pressure
seems to be doing everything possible
to apease the demands of the consum-
ers. Early this morninp l. G. IRE
leaven. manager of the local company,
notified over the telephone, all of the
larger consumers of the city, such as
shortage in the supply was not an I'M
possibility and advised them to have
other fuel in readiness This viii have
the effect of conserving the supply for /
L T1faG IGv-P a II
dences, and will also allow the hotels 1
and hospitals time to prepare for a /
serious emergency
Is is thought by the officials of the /
local company, that the trouble is !
caused by the pumps of the parent 1
the Kansas Natural Gas
company, which are located at |Scfpio. /
This is a little village in the northern
about twenty-five miles south of 1
Ottawa Nothing good is ever heard /
concerning this town. for it in
variabIy springs into the limelight.
when the gas pressure runs low
year ago much was heard of this
town. The pumps which furnish gas
to all the pipe lines are all located |
there. A year ago they were said to
be inadequate improvements and
additions have been made during the
year. and it was maintained last fall
by the Kansas Natural Gas company,
that the pumps would be sufficient for
any emergency this season. However
there seems to be no other cause. and /
Scipio's pumps again receive the
blame
Keep Coal on Hand.
The gas company advises every con-
sumner in Topeka to keep on hand
such emergencies as these, and not to
depend absolutely on the supply of
gas for fuel.
The trouble with the gas is gen
he strain is the heaviest This morn
ng there was a dearth in the supply
md this was noticeable again at noon.
This afternoon there seemed to be
good pressure Supper time always
decreases the supply the most and
hence the pressure will be weakest to-
hight
The central portion of the city dur
ng the day complained but little
about the supply. But the complaints
anne in plentiful from the outer por-
ions of the city In POtwin as usual
he greatest complaints were heard
0otwfn is located furthest from where
he mains empty into the city circuit
n the Martin & Dennis edition as
veil the complaintS& came with fire.
luency. On College Hill the people
ire finding gas pretty scarce
However, today is an unusual day 1t
5 only about once every two years that ,
he thermometer in Topeka goes below I
he zero mark The gas company to- 8
Law seems to De IN better cOnQ1LlO1
han a year ago, for the pressure is
much greater. And the complaints are
ever in number than was the case |
asst February.
Il feel that the Kansas Natural Gas
ompauy. from which We get our sup i
,ly. can furnish plenty of gas for {
easonably cold spell. We can secure /
III that is necessary to keep every
ome warm. when the mercury doesn't
o below five degrees above zero To-
ay is an unusual emergency, but u no
rouble is experienced by bedtime,
here will be no cause for alarm, said 7
he local manager today
According to the authorities of the
as company, there is absolutely no
anger in leaving the gas turned on all
light when the stove or furnace IS ]
o0nected with the hue- And il is i
ealIy5 economy to leave the gas turned b
n for if viii keep the house warm a
1riug the night and require less gas I
3 warm the house in the morning.
Should the conditions become so seri- q
US as to warrant it. the storage tank. o
I First and Monroe. which is filled '
7itf 25eOO0 cubic feet will be turned f
ITO the city mains. But this is a a
mall amount and wouldn't help mat
ars much .
During zero weather like the pres .
ut the consumption of gas in Topeka
uring twenty-four hours is about TO-
10000 cubic feet When mercury is
0 to rs degrees above zero the con
Is almost 5000. 900 feet-so
storage of 250.O 200 feet would be as r
othing.