The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-07-25
Less Gas in Topeka This Win
ter Than Last Year.
Officials Predict go Per Cent
Supply Decrease.
ONLY FOUR MORE YEARS
Gloomy Outlook for Natural
Gas in Future.
Mayor Billiard Returns From
Kansas City Conference.

Mayor Billiard and old man Gloom
sitting in the same seat, arrived in To-
peka last evening after the gas con-
ference in Kansas City. The mayor
and Gloom sat together in the office
at the city hall this afternoon. Here
is the message Gloom brings to the
city of Topeka:
ID The gas supply this winter will be
20 per cent less than it was last win
ter.
~ On account of a change in the
pumping plant, the gas company will
be unable to handle a chilly spell In
September.
(S) In all probability the gas supply
will last only four more years-decreas-
ing in pressure every year.
(D An attempt will be made to raise
the price from 25 cents to so cents
thousand cubic feet.
(5) A large number of the wells in
the gas district have played out al
together. Others are growing weaker
every day. No relief in sight.
. co. Nothing for the citizens to do
this winter but buy coal to keep warm.
The gas will be useless in severe
weather.
Draw a black line around the above
funeral notice and remember Gloom s
visit to Topeka on a hot summer
day.
Mayor Discouraged.
Mayor Billiard has given it up. He
went to the conference at Kansas City
with a growing hope that relief could
be promised to the shivering citizens
this winter. He returned to Topeka
discouraged and disgusted. He found
nothing but gloom. The gas officials in
attendance admitted the gas wells were
playing out. They were not a bit back
ward in saying that the supply this
- +17<,
supply las t winter. They threw up
their hands when it was suggested
that more wells be connected. And
the only ray of hope that penetrated
that sweltering conference was hint.
from gas officials that the supply
could be improved if-if-and here the
conference heads -dropped-if the rates
could be raised.
Mayor Billiard will not listen to the
lone argument of the gas officials for
better supply. He says he has no faith
in the theory that by increasing the
cost of gas the consumption would be
decreased. The Topeka mayor does not
believe In the people relieving them
selves at their own expense. He says
if threre is an increase in price it should
be made to large onsumers-allowing
the smaller users to have enough gas
to keep warm.
The mayor found another condition
leading to the many reasons why To-
peka is short of gas in cold weather.
Kansas City, Mo-, consumes half the
gas CT the fields. All of the Kansas
towns and st. Joseph are required to
divide the remaining half. And at that
City has shortages.
Don't depend on gas this winter
warns the mayor today. 1--WE are not |
going to have the supply we had last |
that was bad enough. If |
25 per cent of the people in Topeka |
would use coal I believe the remain |
ing rs per cent would have enough !
gas. There is a weak chance that the |
pipe lines will be extended to Okla |
homa. but no assurance is given. But |
the citizens of Topeka can not dodge |
the ultimatum-the gas supply will be |
short. 1t will take coal to keep warm"