The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-12-07
.ReviezU
Gas Report Presents
Real Problem
to City.
by FREDERICK MATsoN-


THE report on the local gas Sit
Il uation submitted to directors Of
the Indianapolis Utilities District
on Thursday provides extremely in
teresting information for the pub
lie and presents the district with a
real problem. 1t urges the use Of
straight natural gas.
The survey. prepared by w. E.
Steinwedell, Cleveland engineer re-
tanned by the district last October,
contains a detailed examination Of
operations OF the Citizens Gas and
Coke Utility and the Indianapolis
Gas Co. and sets up four different
methods by which natural gas may
be used for domestic, commercial
and industrial purposes.
Three of them stipulate the use
Of mixed gas-natural and artifl-
cial--and are shown to be imprac-
teal and prohibitive as TO costs.
The fourth recommends shutting
down of all coke oven plants and
using natural gas, undiluted.
DY this method, together with
~ the expenditure of 100000 for
new equipment, Mr.. Steinwedell es-
Inmates that the utility could supply
1000 B. T. u natural gas at "sav-
ing of $204,270 over present opera
lions with no increase in domestic
or industrial sales"
This is significant. Local manu-
facturers for years have Ecen urg-
ing use of natural gas Many of
them who have not oeen able to
use artificial gas because of the
high rate scale are on record as
welcoming the introduction Of the
natural product and taking advan-
tage of it.
It is reasonable to believe that
there also would be a considerable
increase in the number of domestic
consumers. 1t would seem, there
fore, that Mr.. Steinwedell's esti-
mate of a $204,270 saving would be
the minimum, with probability Of
greater reduction in operating ex-
penses-and ultimate reduction of
gas rates to the public.
FURTHERMORE, natural gas
Il would have heating value of
1000 British Thermal Units, con-
trasted with $40 B. T. U. in the
artificial gas now used.
The report is a valuable one. 1t
confirms the opinion of Indianap-
oils manufacturers and others con-
versant with the situation that the
high rates now in effect can best
be alleviated through the introduce
ton of straight natural gas.
Such survey, in fact, has been
due for more than four years. In
1881, when the Manufacturers Nat
ural Gas Association. group of
some 40 local industrial concerns,
asked for a certificate of convent
ence and necessity authorizing it
to furnish natural gas in the city,
the city and the gas company filed
objections.
THEY stated that the feasibility
Il of use of the natural product
was the subject of investigation by
special committee appointed by
Mayor Sullivan.
The special committee was large
ly composed of members of the util-
tiles district. Again, in 1888, when
r the city made application to the
Public Works Administration for a
loan and grant to aid in acquiring
the Citizens Gas Co., the city said
much the same thing regarding eX-
animation of the practicability of
using natural gas. No report, so
far as is known, ever was made to
the public.
The districts decision to retain
consulting engineer for detailed
survey of the gas situation has met
with wide approval. Their action
on the information now before
them probably will be awaited with
interest.