Evening star., 1947-02-22
District Gas Shortage Critical
As Pipeline Break Cuts Supply;
Raid Conservation S Urqed
Some Customers May
Lack Fuel Tonight,
Company Warns
BULLETIN

The break in the natural
gas line serving Washington
was mended at $3.50 am. today,
a spokesman for the Atlantic
Seaboard Co. in Charleston,
w. Va, told The Star by tele-
phone. He said it would take
some time to build up pressure
in the line, however, and would
not estimate the period needed.
A gas shortage described as
Every critical" caused by a pipe
line break in West Virginia, was
added to Washington area
weather problems today.
"It is absolutely mandatory that
people conserve as much as possible,
or some customers will be without
gas tonight" Howard B. Noyes,
general superintendent of opera
tions for the Washington Gas Light
Co., declared.
In the face of situation becom-
ing steadily worse. the company
issued it's second radio appeal to
consumers, asking:
/. That thermostats be set at 90
degrees in homes using gas for
heating.
2. That stove ovens not be used.
3. That no more than two burners
of stoves be used at the same time.
4. That hot water heaters be
used sparingly.
Little Gas Coming Through.
Mr.. Noyes said very little natural
gas was coming through the pipe
line and explained the company
was using all available gas manu-
featuring facilities but was unable
to keep pace with the rate OF con-
sumption.
He warned pressure would drop to
such an extent that some customers
would not get enough gas to burn
unless people cut down on con-
sumption more than they have been
doing" He said the company was
endeavoring to spread available gas
evenly throughout its service area.
The small amount of natural gas
being received is being routed to
suburban customers whose ap-
pliances have been converted to use
it exclusively. In the District, a
mixture of natural and manufac-
tured gas is used.
Shortage to Continue.
Mr.. Noyes said latest reports in
dicated the break would be repaired
soon, but pointed out it would take
some time for pressure to build up
in the line. 1t was expected the
supply situation would remain seri-
Gus over the week end
Cold Due to Continue.
Meanwhile, the Weather Bureau
promised sun to assist in snow re-
moval today, but said no real break
in the cold was in sight, thereby
adding to the seriousness of the
gas supply situation.
The mercury went down to % de-
greeS at 4 am, and the forecaster
said it was not expected to push
above "a during the day. Tonight
will be clear with a low of near 20
in the city and Is in the suburbs,
and tomorrow will be mostly sunny
and a little warmer, he added, with
the wind continuing.
The temperature was 80 degrees
at l pm.
Reduced holiday loads were boon
to the Capital Transit Co., still
fighting ice in street car plow pits
and snow which hampered buses
on suburban routes.
Plow trouble tied up the Eleventh
street line for a time this morn
ing, and full crews we're being kept
on duty to thaW out switches, clear
the pits ano remove snow packed
into the tracks by motor vehicles
passing over them at intersections.
In regard to the gas shortage, Mr..
Noyes explained the break oc-
Cured yesterday morning in the
West Virginia mountains, near the
Tug River. He said the company
Immediately prepared to use its
manufacturing plants to maximum
capacity, and it had been expected
the break would be mended before
an emergency situation developed.
However. snow in the mountains
and the fact the line was deeply
laid at the point delayed repair
(See WEATHER, Page ABB