Gas Dead in Muncie; gas is short at Hemingray's

GAS DEAD

IN MUNCIE

With the thermometer registering but 12 degrees below freezing, the residents of Muncie were awakened this morning to a realization that gas is a luxury. Wood was a priceless article and the head of the household was forced to burn anything combustible in order that breakfast might be prepared. Out­side of a few localities there was not enough gas in the lines of of the Heat, Light and Power company and the Muncie Natural Gas company to keep the lids on the stoves from becoming frost bitten. In Avondale and Congerville most of the residents turned their gas off entirely and resorted to the use of wood and coal. The citizens of Riverside and the extreme north part of the city were more favored as the gas comes from the north and the resi­dents in the vicinity of their reducing stations have the first chance at it.

Residents of Avondale, who are pa­trons of the Muncie Natural Gas com­pany had practically no gas. They were in many instances forced to turn the gas off entirely and resort to wood or coal exclusively. In Congerville there was not enough gas to more than fire the wood which was thrown in. In­dustry burned coal almost entirely.

Points east and west of the center of the city there was a forceful lack of fuel. Rare instances are found where there was a fair supply of gas in the mains.

There was many a workingman who went to work with an insufficient breakfast this morning.

The shortage of gas was one of the most important topics of conversation on the streets today.

It is painfully apparent that every­body must be prepared with fuel other than gas to fight off cold. Wood and coal, piled in the sheds will come into good play before winter is over. Wood can be obtained at $1.25 per wagon load and coal at $3.50, $4.00 and $4.50 per ton.

A party of residents from the south side are arranging to secure coal by the car load; a number paying their money into a common fund. The fuel then can be laid down in Muncie at $2 or less per ton for the best grades. The consumers must pay for the hauling of it from the car.

In the factories there is a scarcity of the natural gas in some instances. The natural gas tank at Hemingray’s factory was short and some of the shops were off. There was a light supply also at the plants of the Republic Iron and Steel company. Better things may be in store for consumers but the prospects are not brilliant.

The Second Street Kindergarten was compelled to close because of a lack of gas and in some of the school buildings wood was resorted to to keep the children from becoming frost bitten. Most of the furnaces at the Republic iron mills were shut off for account of the gas shortage.