Evening star., 1930-11-30
NATURAL GAS LINE
EXTENSIONS LARGE
Stir Created in Industry by
Railroad Demand for
U. S. Control.

The demand voiced by the railroad;
this week for a legislative curb on oil
pipe lines, representing an investment
of 100000, 900, has naturally created
q stir in the natural gas industry
where there are many interlockne
holdings of oil, gasoline and gas pipe
lines, owing to the tie-up of these
products at the source.
Before the end of 1880 approximately
S2,25O,OO0, 600 will Have been invested
in the natural gas industry. A quarter
of a billion has been put into this in
FAINT D, odigy in 1880 and has done
more than nearly any other one factor
in checking depression and unemploy-
ment. The growth of this new factor
in industrial affairs rivals that OF mo-
ton pictures, radio, electric and gas
refrigeration and other marvels OF the
decade.
10000 -files of Pipe Line.
There are 10000 miles of natural
gas line now in operation, and they
are running underground in every dl-
rection like busy moles. Ten thousand
miles of new line will be completed
before the end OF the year. The new
pipe lines, constructed on scientific
principles of pressure and resistance
are annihilating distance. They are 60
ing into cities which hitherto were re-
garded as entirely outside the zone OF
this fuel supply. There are $500 COM
munities now served, and they are be-
ing added to day by day.
The main sources of supply now are
the Western gas field, although West
Virginia and Pennsylvania have vast
quantity which can be drawn on
Among the new lines now being built
is one to Washington, D. c., and an
m
States are being criss-crossed with lines
from Texas, New Mexico, California,
Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and from
Canadian fields close to the line.
Plans ale under way to bring this
Industrial fuel to Massachusetts,, New
York, New Jersey, Delaware and Mary
land This is counted on to stir drill
ing in The Appalachian fields, not only
to meet present demands but those
which may develop in the future. Sup
plies can be brought to these Eastern
States from Western fields, but the
Appalachian fields are closer and, con-
sequently, cheaper.
Natural gas activity is in advance OF
demand, ana for very good reason.
There exists now business depression
At the moment, users of fuel-produced
power are loath to make expenditures
for changes and additions to their
eQuipment. When the depression Is
overcome. these changes will take
place and demand will increase.
New Rate Calculation.
The advantage of natural gas is that
no investment is required in fuel stock.
Payment for fuel is made after con-
sumption, not before. There are no
charges for storage, ash removal, and
little loss in heat transmission. Those
closely allied to the industry foresee
calculation of rates from heat units
rather than on a cubic-foot basis. Ap-
plications for permission to calculate
charges on this basis have already been
made in Indiana and Illinois. This will
revolutionize bookkeeping for manufac-
tured gas concerns, but the two indus
tries are becoming so closely afnliated
that the incursions of the natural
product may very possibly strengthen
the position of the manufactured gas
companies rather than diminish it.