The Topeka state journal., 1913-12-30
Physical Properties of the Nat
ural Gas Co. in Kansas !,
Ordered Turned Over to the
States Receivers Jan. 1.
IS VALUED At $4,000. 600
Assessed for Purposes of Taxa
ton at $1s,OOO,OOO.
Surrender of Oklahoma Con-
tracts Are Asked For.

Judge Smith Mcpherson of Iowa to-
day made effective the mandate from
the United States circuit court of ap-
peals. transferring from the federal
receivers to the state receivers the
property of the Kansas Natural Gas
company. valued at $1O.OOO,OO0. The
order was spread of record in Kansas
City, Kansas, and gives to the reQniv-
ers appointed by Judge Flannelly of
Montgomery county full control of the
physical properties of the giant gas
corporation.
After the order was made, argu-
ments were heard concerning the fu-
ture management of the affairs of the
company. Attorneys for the state
order would not deliver to the state
receivers contracts held by federal re-
ceivers with Oklahoma companies
which furnished the bulk of gas for
the company. It was contended that
unless these contracts were turned
over to the state, it would be neces-
sary to make new ones and that the
adequate supply of gas would still be
involved and raise the further Ques-
ton of improvements and increased
service.
Judge Mcpherson was appointed by
Judge Sanborn of Minnesota to spread
of record the mandate in the famous
gas case which removes from power
the receivers appointed by Judge Pol
lock and places in control Of the af-
fairs of the company the receivers
named by Judge Flannelly.
The New Receivers.
The state receivers appointed by
Judge F1annelly are John M. Landon.
q practical gas engineer, and r. 8.
Litchfield, q banker. Both are resi-
dents of Independence. The men will
succeed George Sharitt of Topeka, Con-
II .
and Eugene Mackey of Pittsburg, Pa.
who were appointed as receivers for
the company by Judge Pollock. Mackey
is president Of the Kansas Natural and
was appointed one of its receivers by
the federal jurist.
Senator John F. Overfield Of Inde-
pendence. who was appointed as q re-
ceiver for the Kansas City Pipe Line
company. will remain in power and
have control OF the pipe lines between
Ottawa and Kansas City, through
which the gas supply for the Missouri
city and number of Kansas towns is
furnished.
In addition to his appointment as a
state receiver, Litchf1eld is receiver for
the Marnett Mining company, which
has furnished much of the gas from the
Oklahoma field for the Kansas Natural.
Litchfleld will also continue his former
services. He was appointed some
courts at the instance Of Attorney
General Dawson.
No Hope for Relief.
No hopes for immediate relief in the
gas situation is promised. Not until
next fall, perhaps, can the gas supply
be increased and relief furnished gas
consumers. 1t will require several
weeks for the new receivers to famil-
iarize themselves with their new work
and acQuaint themselves with the
numerous details of the gas company
management.
Another feature to be considered is
the activity of the Quanah Gas COM
pany, which supplies northeast Okla
homa towns; and the Wichita Gas COM
pany. which supplies southern Kansas
towns. II extensive contracts have
been taken by these companies in the
last few months, it will compel the new
Kansas Natural receivers to look to
new fields for their supply of fuel for
next winter and will also mean an in
creased expense for lease and develop
ment of new fields.
Federal Receivers CO-Operate.
Judge Mcpherson suggested that
arrangements be made whereby all