The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-17

at 10 o'clock this morning, but owing to
late trains and the failure OF severai
representatives of producers and dis
tributors to arrive on time the case DID
not begin until late this afternoon.
Represent Gas Cities.
Various exhibits were introduced this
afternoon relating to gas pressure ana
the value of gas produced in the state
by those giving testimony today. Rep
resentatives of practically all proouc-
ing and distributing concerns were
present. Gas us.Ag cities also sent rep
resentativeS to the hearing.
The proposed rules introduced by the
commission today will if made effective
make revolutionary changes in methods
Of measuring and selling natural gas
One of the rules provides that the
cubic foot shall be the standard unit
for measuring quantity and the Brit
ish thermal unit the standard for de-
termining quality of all gas offered
for sale in the state.
The minimum heating value of
gas offered for sale is also governed
by the proposed ruling. The rule
reads: No utility shall offer for sale
to the public in Kansas having heat
ing value lower than 500 British Their
permission from the commission. All
operating pipe lines and producing
companies shall furnish chemical
analyses from any or all wells from
which their supply is obtained.
Pressure Rule.
In a rule dealing with pressure the
pressure of gas furnished consumers
will be governed and the daily varia-
ton of the consumers meter shall not
exceed 100 per cent of the minimum
pressure at the meter. Variations of
the rule can only be made by the
consent of the commission, although
it will not be considered violation
should compliance Herewith be made
impossible by unusual operating con-
ditions.
All gas services shall be metered
and adequate facilities for testing
meters shall be maintained by dis
tributing companies, except where the
company has a small number of con-
sumers. The capacity of the meter
will be governed. Meters will not be
placed in service that are not in good
order and will be subjected to tests
which will prove that they are in
proper order.
Meters in Service
A rule also provides for the length
of time a meter shall be kept in serv-
ice. This rule provides that no meter
shall be kept in service longer than
tested.
Consumers may have their meters
tested at any time by making a written
application to the utilities commission
and enclosing the fee for doing so. Such
tests will be made as soon as pos
sible after the application is received
by representative of the commission.
Upon such tests should the meter
show an Overcharge the company will
be compelled to refund the overcharge
amount to the consumer. A record of
all meter tests will be preserved, to-
gether with record of all Interruptions
of service. The rules provides for a
thorough investigation of all complaints
and record of the same.
Record OF Accidents.
record of all accidents is also pro-
vidcc. On or before the fifteenth day
of each month each company will be
required to transmit to the commission
report for previous months as follows:
The results of all chemical analyses,
all tests made for heating value, sum-
married. statement of all complaints
received and a copy of all accident rec
Ords.
No consumer shall discontinue the
service of any consumer for violation
of It's rules OF regulations without first:
having given 48 hours written notice
to the consumer. A record of all trans
actions under this rule will be kept by
the utility.
1t is the opinion that the. greatest
cause of the present waste Of gas is
Ignorance on the part of the consumer
IN regulating the equipment To cover
his fault the rules offered by the COM
provides that in order that pa
irons may be taught economy in the
use of gas. each distributing company
shall prepare and mail to each patron
every year full information regarding
the adjustment'and use of gas burning
After June 1, 1915. tests of meters
made with uncertified apparatus will
not be deemed authoritative by the