The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-03-21
The Prospect of Natural Gas

Pittsburgh gave communities possessed of natural gas
fue! a commanding prestige by the way in which it APP
piled this resource to the development of its manufac-
lures. Ever since, natural gas has continued to be asso-
ciated with the idea Of commercial and industrial super
FORTY in the city possessing that asset. Where it has
not been Immediately possible to industrialize the fuel,
It has been conceded the potential availability of a re-
source in reserve for ultimate Development.
Now Bismarck's hopes are raised for some such advant-
age from the projected gas line from the Baker field in
southeastern Montana which is promised this city this
summer. Natural gas usually means lower gas bills in
communities in which there is large consumption of this
form Of fuel. For household purposes it, therefore,
should be a boon to the homes of the city. Such indus
tries as are here and are operated on fuel and steam
will derive q marked benefit, in the light of experiences
elsewhere.
But, as for q vast expansion of industry, the day is still
TOO early to capitalize the new resource at once. Not all
the natural gas nor all the coal bound up in the confines
Of the state can force North Dakotas industrialization.
THAT requires population and markets, without which
at this so distant removal from the large centers where
trade and manufacturing thrive, the Dakotas must bide
their turn, when industry shifts to new fields with cheap
raw resources. That day is not SO far off, probably, and
when it comes the piped fuel which it is proposed now
to bring into the city will be a valuable asset to the in
s~dustrial future Of Bismarck.
The immediate reaction to the news that this gas line
0S 10 DC ld1Q 1IOW N4OuCd1l " IAuO C4ly ID III Vic uIlpCIuS
It will give to employment. If, as reputed, the laying of
the Wilnston and Bismarck gas lines involves expenditure
Of 100000. the project will prove q big business stimu-
liant. It is, therefore, for the city to hope that no furth-
er obstacles to the delayed enterprise may arise. Had 1t
not been for delay in acquiring franchises along the
route from Montana here and for financial disturbances
such as shook the stock market last fall, it is believed
that the line would have been constructed last sun1ner
The men back of developing this gas utility are a
group with which Bismarck will be pleased to do bust
ness. They went into Miles City for the purchase, in
competitive bidding, of the old municipal light and power
plant there and to gain a city gas franchise, and fought
their way to these goals in a sharp conflict with the
Montana Power company. All the lines of that battle
have been effaced since and the old scars have healed
over. so that the relations between company and corsum-
ers. as well as with the municipality, are of the friend
Hest and most cooperative character. incidentally, the
Minnesota Northern Power company, the sponsoring
corporation Of the Montana Dakota company, represents
q strong financial network in the old Wisconsin lumber
ing regions. The tapping of Bismarck by this corpora
ticn thereby will give the city contact with new and
powerful financial influences which must enlarge its
hoTizon as a community.