The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-09-04
Another Milestone

Another Milestone
m. arrival of natural gas marks another milestone IN
the progress of North Dakota's greatest city.
II is a far cry from the Bismarck Of 1872, when Joseph
Dietrich and other pioneers erected the first log CABIN
hare IN the CITY of today, modern in every detail.
And the latest and most modern note Is the addltlon OF
natural gas.
The f,uel itself is as old as time and one OF natures
ovn nrod,cts. The method of transporting 1t is not
particularly new, since pipelines have been common slhce
the time of the Romans, but it does add another and an
,ronortant item to Bismarck's civic development. And
It keeps Bismarck in step with the times.
One of the outstanding public utility developments Oh
the last two years is the extension OF natural gas mains
to serve new communities. East, West and South
throughout the United States other communities nave
had the advantages of natural gas offered TO them IN
the same way and through the same means by which
It now is offered to Bismarck consumers.
To those industries which are In need OF a luei sucn
as gas and to whom this territory offers a Logical 1ieio
for expansion, the addition of natural gas to Bisnarcks
assets offers another cogent reason why they snouio
place such industries here. To such Bismarck persons
as take advantage of it. natural gas offers the utraost
in a fuel of its type. There is no denying that 1t Is a
civic asset and that it will be more and more of an asset
an is usefulness becomes more clearly demonstrated and
more widely known.
The manner in which the gas has been brought to
Bismarck has been almost like a chapter from the Ara
bian Nights. There was no hint of magic in it for those
familiar with the process. but to the uninitiated the man
ner and speed with which the pipes were laid were remi-
niscent Of Aladdin and his wonderful lamp.
The financial benefits which have accrued to Bismarck
az the result Of this addition to its resources Of fuel are
undoubted. Most Of the money paid out to workmen en-
ployed on the pipeline has been spent in Bismarck's trade
territory. Bismarck merchants have received some adj
~vantages from 1t.
The money spent in reconstructing the city gas distri-
button mains, in anticipation Of the arrival OF natural
gas, has totaled many thousands Of dollars. This ex-
~penditure has done much toward giving Bismarck a
record building year from the standpoint of public i'm
provements. Most of that money has been spent here.
One sees. also, in the arrival Of natural gas in Bis
marck. another reason for renewed confidence in the
future Of this city and its trade territory. We who live
here always have had faith in it and that faith never
was stronger than now. Enthusiasts for this region
recognize, however, that they may be prejudiced. And
90, when an organization, such as the Montana-Dakota
Power company invests millions Of dollars in an improve
ment. the value Of which is based on the business stability
Of this area. it reaffirms our confidence. We did not
nssd this affirmation to know beyond question that the
future will deal kindly with Western North Dakota and
the Missouri Slope district, but it is a pleasant thing to
know that hard-headed business men from places far
removed from Bismarck, agree with us.
In its battle for business. natural gas must meet the
competition Of longer established fuels. This is as, 1t
should be. for the result is to create greater interest in
the consumer: the average citizen whose dollars, con-
tdbuted a few at a time. swell the receipts Of the utilities
companies. Regulation by law is not to be compared
with regulation by competition.
And 20 It is with a full realization Of its possibilities
that Bismarck welcomes the new fuel. In greeting the
new 1t has not discarded Its regard for the old. In MAX
I'M q new friend 1t need not lose an old one. The town
Il benefited by giving its businessmen and home-owners
q wider choice In heating material