Hemingray Glass Company - Muncie, Indiana

THE GAS IS SHORT AGAIN

Several Factories Were on the

Verge of Stopping.

Work Was Practically at a Standstill in

Some of the Plants — The University

Students Frozen Out.

The gas main that feeds the Over and Hemingray factories acted badly last night. Perhaps it was the gas field that feeds the gas mains. Any way the pressure for a time was very weak and there was considerable concern. During the night it did not seem possible that the factories could run today but this morning the pressure was somewhat improved. The cold weather caused the trouble. The present cold snap has effected the pressure generally more than any weather of the winter.

As usual the lack of gas is noticeable along the lines of many of the smaller companies. Where there is any defect in the piping, the state of affairs is especially bad. The suburban residents are in worse condition generally speaking than those in the central part of the city. The Eastern Indiana University management was compelled practically to dismiss school this morning. The students nearly all left the building because of insufficient heat. Even the court house in some departments was short. A cheery wood fire might have been seen sending out the ruddy glow that has been nearly forgotten, from the grate in the recorder's office.

Manufacturers who have had every reason to make accurate tests, say that the gas has failed much more rapidly this winter than ever before.

A lack of gas in extremely cold weather does not imply necessarily that it is due wholly to an insufficient supply. Water sometimes gets into the pipes and freezes and the mains in various other ways are apt to get out of order. Under such conditions the best pressure is not obtainable notwithstanding the supply may be as great as ever. There is no disguising the fact that more gas than is now in evidence could be used in this section of Indiana.