Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About La Grande evening observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1904-1959 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 19, 1931)
Ha (Srmtite Seating (Slmtrt Natural Gas Corporation Section Natural Gas Corporation Section Volume XXIX LA GRANDE, OREGON, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 1931 NUMBER 123 AGRMBE TOMitlOW GAS FOl LA GRANDE THE FIRST OREGON CITY TO GET NEW GAS SERVICE City Officials and Citi zens to Join With Nat ural Gas Corporation in Dedicating New Plant . Tomorrow promptly at noon gas will bo turned into the mains or this city for the first time, at a cere mony to be participated In by city officials and members of the official staff of the Natural Gas Corporation of Oregon. La Grande has the distinction of being the first city to have gas serv ice under the huge program of de velopment undertaken earlier in the year by Natural Gas Corporation of Oregon and bringing of gas to num erous communities within this state. All residents are invited to attend the opening ceremony which will be held promptly at 12 noon, at the local plant which has Just been com pleted In this city. . Every preparation has been made for this momentous event, and Ex ecutive Vice President R. E. Aitche son, accompanied by Merchandise Manager T. E. Bartlett have arrived from - the San Francisco offices of the company to participate In these ceremonies. A. E. Strong, in charge of organ ization work for the Oregon and Washington properties of the com pany hits also arrived from the Port land office, and will be present for the opening event. t The machinery at this newly con structed plant will be put into op eration following a few remarks of appreciation for their Indication of faith In the soundness of this com munity by city officials, ana a re sponse made by Executive Vice Presi dent R. E. Aitcheson. All residents who are Interested will then be taken on an .inspection .tour of the plant properties. The turning on of gas in this city comes as a grand finale of many months of preparation on the part of the Natural Gas Corporation of Oregon, beginning first with the ap plication on the part of the company for a franchise to distribute gus in the community, followed by the Is suance of permission from the Ore gon public service commission. Then came 'the work of laying the mains and distribution system through the streets to tho homes' of prospective consumers and then the solicitation of residents who might desire to use gas. The response to this solicitation justified, according to officials of the gas. company, the original determination to place a gas plant in La Grande. Recently a store was opened here, where the company placed on display all types of modern gas equipment, from ranges to water heaters and heat ing plants. This store was opened by Merchandise Mar.Sd.' T. E. Bart lett. and H. D. ScoU placed in charge as manager. The plant which the company has erected hero is one of moro than forty gas plants of the same type which aro being constructed on the Pacific coast. The plant is of a de sign prepared by-Thebo, Stan and Anderton. after years of survey and study of the uses of liquefied petrol eum gases and is the last word In construction and efficiency. The construction of the distribu tion system was carried out by the contracting firm of Lindgren and Swinerton, while all work was done under the direction of Standard Man agement and Operating corporation. Natural Gas Corporation of Oregon is a subsidiary of Natural Gas Prop erties, Inc., with affiliated companies of Natural Gas Corporation of Wash ington and Natural Gas Corporation of California, all of which are sub sidiaries of Pacific Public Service. In discussing the arrival of gas in La Grande, Executive Vice Presi dent Aitcheson of the company, made the following statement: "Wo are more than pleased with results of the applications for gas service which have been made in this community. To date more than 1000 persons have made application for service and this is an indica tion of a highly pleasing nature that La Grande appreciates tho invest ment which out" company has made toward giving a utility service that will modernize the city and ploce it upon a parity with larger cities throughout the state. "Gas service is a convenience which no growing city can long do without. Heretofore it has been impossible be causo of high construction costs in connection with, the building of gas plants to bring gas service to cities of this size. "With this new type of plant which Natural Gas Corporation of Oregon had developed, the construction costs have been overcome and it is pos sible to give gas service at rates that compare with rates in the larger cities. "There Is a convenience to gas which can bo had with no other type of fuel. Particularly this new gas is attractive to the consumer be cause it contains no impurities, is cleanly to tho highest degree and the heat value is equivalent to the type of gas which for many years has been served to people in the metropolitan areas. "For convenience in shipping this gas Is brought here via tank cars In liquefied form, ond Is vaporized at the plant before It is sent out in the distributing systems that have been laid through the streets." In view of the fact that many peo ple of this city have never before used gas, Aitcheson onnounced that a number of representatives of the company will be on hand to visit the homes of consumers who have already attached appliances, to assure that 'ail appliances and the system is In working order. No stone has been left unturned by the company to make the instal lation of gas service a memorable event in the history of La Grande. The system has been found to be In perfect working order. During the" week tests have been made and gas put into the distribution mains and the pipes purged of all Impurities. Gas was placed in the system at high pressure to ascertain if there were any leaks in the pipes. It was announced by the company that plants and distribution systems will soon be completed In numerous other Oregon towns. Including Klam ath Palls. Coqullle, Bend and Cot toge Grove, with numerous others to be started during the early part of 1931. Refrigeration By Gas New In House Keeping Gas, the better fuel, provides the most modern type of modern refrig eration known. It is the only kind that furnishes silent operation. There are no moving parts to cause noise or repair bills. The gas re frigerator Is designed to furnish the proper temperature determined by experts to keep your food sweet for aays ac a time. So refrigeration by gas has been adopted as tho modern method be cause It is the only one that combines au tnese advantages, it is a good investment, too, as there is almost nothing to get out of order . . . gas refrigerator will last for many years. It Is not expensive to own. as the. running cost Is much less man you nave always paid for ice or other forms of refrigeration. The gas refrigerator is the lost wo.rd in modern home-keeping apDllances- Youi own gas company has the new models on display and will gladly ad vise you about the proper size for your nome. nememoer-- gas reirig erators require no oiling or other mechanical attention and save nerves and worry- See them today. You may purchase one oft., convenient terms if you desire. R. D. Scott to Head Personnel Of Gas Corporation Staff Here Tho local personnel for the Nat ural Gas Corporation of Oregon, has been selected with the idea In mind of assuring all residents of maximum service at all times. R. D. Scott, local representative, has been In this city for the past several weeks, and has already succeeded in making many friends in La Grande. He has had previous experience with R. D. SCOTT It. I). Scott, -local representative of the Natural Gas Corporation of Oregon, came to, La iramle from previous positions with Die corporation 1" California. " - " 'wmrmmmffmm IS HERE Every Citizen of La Grande is Cordially Invited to Attend the Dedication of YOUR GAS PLANT and the ceremonies incident to the "turning-on" of Gas on Tuesday, January 20, at noon Free Transportation From Our Off ice to the Plant This community may justly feel proud that gas service is being supplied by Natural Gas Corporation of Oregon as no other enterprise could so manifestly prove this is a growing and stable community. Big Enterprises Do Not Select Backward Communities When They Plan Developments f The new "Era" is here let us make the most of it. Natural Gas Corporation Of Oregon the Natural Gas Corporation of Cali fornia, an affiliated company with Natural Gas Corporation of Oregon, and previous to that time has had additional experience In the utility field with the Pacific Gas and Elec tric company. He will be assisted in his work here by F. T. Smith, who has also had additional utility experience at San Jose, California, and by Lloyd R. Barnwell, local resident and well known In this city. J. P. Pinnegan has also come from the Natural Gas Corporation of California, and will be of material aid In the increasing of sales in this territory. Miss Vera Hettick has also accepted a position and will be connected with the local office of the company. She Is a graduate of the University of Washington. The local force of the company will be augmented from time to time as business warrants additional help, and It is anticipated this will be quite rapidly, from the present In dications concerning gas service In this city. ' Gas Was Named In Year 1609 By J.B.VonHelmont To John Baptlste Von Hclmont, an alchemist of Brussels, goes the credit for the naming of gas In 1009 Von Helmont was conducting some ex periments In an effort to discover a secret for the changing of lead Into gold. As he stood before a small furnace Intently watching a heated crucible, a strango spirit leaped up like a gust of wind! Startled, he cried. "Gecst," which is Dutch for "ghost." So gas was discovered and so it got its name. . Gas is also sometimes (Continued on Page Two) Gas 7o7 Gas for Gas for GaS for Inauguration of Gas Service Takes Place In La Grande Tomorrow tttt . ' ' Comes as Grand Finale to Months of Preparation Part of Huge Program in Oregon, Washington and California The inauguration of gas service in La Grande tomorrow comes as a grand ! flnalo of months of work on the part of the Natural Gas Corporation of Oregon, and represent the Invest ment of several hundred thousands' of dollars in this territory. This is a part of tho huge program of Natural Gas Properties, Inc., for tho bringing of gas service to num erous communities throughout Ore gon, Washington and California, and is a clear indication of the belief j of this organization in the economic j soundness of these communities. Construction work was started here ; early in the fall, and Included the , laying of a distribution system, to-: gether with the building of a plant and installation of machinery for the vaporization of gas shipped here in liquefied form by tank car. i At the present time these has been a total of 121,000 ieet of dis tribution main laid in .La Grande, and an additional total of 103,400 feet of service pipe, to connect the 1002 consumers who have already signed for service In this area. Officials of the company express . themselves as very much pleased with the acceptance of gas service in this city, and anticipate a constantly Increasing number to take advantage of this new fuel, now that It Is available. The construction of this plant and distribution system in this city Is a part of a huge program of develop ment undertaken by Natural Gas Cor poration of Oregon for tho bringing of gns to numerous communities in this state who havo heretofore boon denied gas service, and is also a part of the program of affiliated com panles for the bringing of this same You : only pay for whatyou usej service to Washington and California cities. All of this has been made pos sible through the development of butane gas, which Is proving highly satisfactory In. the numerous-plants where It Is alrealy In operation. Numerous Uses For v ' Gas in Industry Gas In Industry has grown In leaps and bounds. Today It bakes bread, cooka candy, roasts coffee, smokes meat, pasteurizes milk and otherwise serves the food Industry In countless ways. I In the metal trades gas Is indls-. pcnslble In forging, heating rivets, melting brass, galvanizing, welding and cutting. Gas plants play an Im portant part In making your clothes and pressing them. Cms enters Into tho firing of your china and tho soldering of your wed ding ring and even In tho making of your coin and paper money. . Methods of applying gas to manu facturing processes have developed as rapidly as Industry Itself. - In many cases gas has been responsible for the great Improvements in manu facturing methods. Poles on Mars .At tlio poles of rotation on the plunet Mors are usually soon bril liant white patches, termed polar caps. They wax find wane with the change of seasons und ure so sim ilar in notion tn our own polar snow Odds that it ts believed that Mtpy are snow and tin. WHAT GAS MEANS TO THIS COMMUNITY IS EXPLAINED BY SCOTT Brings New Conveniences and Comforts to La Grande All Residents Are Urged to Take 'Early Advantage of This New Fuel ' Gas Appliances Are Welcome To The Housewives .-. Elner Martin, popular home econ omist of the Natural Oas Corporation of Oregon, states she Is sure all house wives In this city will welcome the fact that gas appliances require so Uttlo care. v"In lact," states Miss Martin, "most gas appliances are now so per fectly constructed that they will glvo good service, even when neglected, "but occasional cleaning will moan even better results. ' "For example, the ennmel on your gas range should be rubbed frequent ly vlth a damp cloth, and If you ac cldently spill food or liquid on the burners, a wire brush will be very helpful. . ' "Onco In a while It Is a good Idea to have the range inspected by an ex pert. A connection may need adjust ing,' the some as In your car. Don't 1 neglect these trifles, they grow larger If you wait. Tho same applies to gas 'water heaters, and other devices which the gas Industry has provided for your comfort and convenience. '' "Natural Ons Corporation of Ore gon will be pleased to moke these adjustments whenever requested. Just phono or -write your local office and very shortly a sorvlco representative will be at your door to take care of the needed work." By It. P. Scott Local Representative, Natural Gas Corporation of Oregon AU the comforts and conveniences . of modem gas service will mean so much In this community, that Bllr residents are urged to take early ad vantage of this new fuel. And no matter whether It be for cooking, for heating your home building, office or church, heating water, refrigeration or any of the many other uses, you will find gas the perfect fuel. And because it Is economical, It will add both to the comfort and con venience of your homes. It will do away with dust, dirt and ashes, and the attendant labor always neces- , sary with tho use of other fuel. Natural gas is all heat there ts no waste; It Is reliable, delivered through underground mains protect -cd from tho elements; It is easy to control and will dellover exactly the amount of heat called for. . - It gives heat without waiting, and does automatically work which for merly needed human effort. 'Today's cook need not wait-for the fire to get hot she may put her cake In tho oven, set the regulator at the desired degree and know; shn Is not . dependent on luck for results. In sulated ovens, closed tops, rounded corners, vitreous enamels and heat, regulators all contribute to the satis faction of better cooking. . Instantaneous and 'automatic gas heated water 1b the highest type of modern hot water supply known, and compared to the convenience and Joy it gives with that of other articles, Its cost Is very reasonable. Once a man, woman or child has tried the tremendous conveniences of Instant hot water, they will never be with out it. . Gas heat Is on In an instant and off just as quickly. Single rooms irwy be heated by a new unit system. This effects substantial economic?. There are many kinds of gas heating equipment which may heat an entire . home or a small spaco. - . Oaa hoat Is so controllable that you can set a thermostat and de pend on gas to do the rest. This aim- : ple-tipYlce will ,, turn .thec heat on 30 , minutes before the alarm ling--- Get ting up and finding a warm house Is a real Joy. f And more than this, gas will be of material aid In the future develop ment of this .community, both from a commercial and homeownlng stand point those contemplating coming hero to live will consider economical gas service In making their decision, ; and the business, man will be , glad to consider gas in his work, as well. U. S. Government First to Use Gas Tho United States government was among tho first to make uso of , gas for lighting. Some few years after -tho discovery of natural gas at Pre dojiia. New York, some Ingenious parties rnndo a contract with tho govenime'nt to supply the lighthouse at Barcelona Harbor with this fuel. Using a barrel for a gasometer, they sealed it over a gas spring; then con structed a pipe line half a mile long running to tho base of the light house from which the gas was con veyed to the summit by an ordinary lead pipe. In this way thoy were able to sup ply more gas than was required for tho consumption of 144 burners fur nishing a bright and steady light to this lighthouse for over 26 years. Gas Heating Was Started In 1835 Wilson foretold tho future of gas for heating as early as 1805; but It was not until thirty years later that gns heating stoves began to be de veloped. One of tho earliest Eng lish models was inn do in terra cot to. designed like a beehive with scroll work und filigree added. Tho first gas heating stove In tho United States was used in Boston in 1B00. , 535-Pound Roast Cooked in Gas Oven In IBS0. Soyer, the maotcr chef of Franco, roasted a 635-pound Joint of beef in a brick oven heated with 210 gas Jets, thus proving that gas could perform feats of cooking that were possible with no other form of fuel. During tho next twenty years gas cooking mnde rapid strides. Gus stovefl began to be manufactured with the result, that in hotels, restaurant and many homes the kitchen chom or fire building was replaced with the clean. Instant heat of gas. Industry Turned To (Has Long Ago Gob van a help lu Industry as early rut 1800, when Joslnh Pemberton uacd It to Bolder buttons as well as to llBht tho Iront of his factory in UlrmiiiRharn, Engtnnd. Fifty years luter KIKticr Bald that thero was pructlcully no form of factory heat iiik for which gaa could not be rec uimncndcd. . Puffs of Locomotive For every revolution of Its ilrlv. Ing wheel a locomotive gives forth four sepnrnto puffs. These are uinae hy the rapid sending out ot wnste steiim from the smoke stock. A locomotive with u wheel of river ngo size going fa miles an hour gives out SOU puffi a minute. When there are more (linn 18 per second the liuinun enr enn no .longer ills- i tlngulsh them.
