Gas Situtation in Muncie; Hemingray using pumps

THE GAS SITUATION

Communicated.

Through the northeastern and northern part of the county the Ohio syndicate have a system of ten-inch mains, with a large portion of the land covered by leases. This system reaches well across the county westward, to a point north of Muncie. Indianapolis syndicates are in on the west and northwest, with a system of eight and ten inch mains and have a large acreage under lease. Chicago corporations are heading this way, and while, perhaps, they have no footing in the county, they are now in a position to be a competitor for the county's gas output. Richmond penetrates the county on the southwest, extending northward with a good system of mains sufficient to carry all the gas from that vicinity. They are also fortified with leases. Winchester comes in from the east and has a good operating system of mains to within a few miles of Selma. Then comes our home factories, with their preparations for the future use of gas in their business, Ball Bros,' Glass company have a ten-inch main directly north to the better portion of the field, with a large amount of leased territory that is in the best gas-producing district. The Hemingray Glass company has a line extending to the northeast in Liberty and Delaware townships. The Republic Iron and Steel company and Midland Steel company both extend into the northwestern portion of the county with eight and ten inch mains and have a large number of acres under control, much of which is good territory for gas. The Muncie Glass company and Consumers' Paper company both have mains of smaller capacity leading in the same direction.

It has been fully demonstrated, and it is now a fact beyong [sic] beyond contradiction that the rock pressure i nthe [sic] in the field is not sufficient to force the gas any considerable distance, owing to the friction to overcome. Consequently pumps must be used. The Ohio line has always used pumps and will continue to do so, else their field would not be available for a day.

The Chicago people have no thought of utilizing gas from the Indiana field without the use of artificial pressure. The Midland Steel company have their pumping station in and ready for use. The Hemingray Glass company have a pump on their line, and the other companies realize that soon the pump must be applied if gas for factory use is brought to the city.

The rock pressure will no longer serve to move the gas against the friction and frost accumulations in the mains in winter. The question with the people of Muncie is, what will they do for gas? Will the present conditions surrounding the corporations that now furnish the people of Muncie gas warrant them in going into the field and drilling more wells and putting in pumping stations? If they must go into the field with their fuel handicapped by a city franchise that dictates a less price than they can sell their product for to other parties who want the fuel, or for less price than they can afford to put it on the market for, our citizens may expect that the people of Muncie will be without gas.