PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS IN NEW YORK 487 



The price of gas ought to be increased in every community that 

 is now using it. There is no good reason why it should be sold 

 at any less price than the fuel which it displaces, or, in other 

 words, why the better article should be sold for less than the 

 inferior; in computing the cost of the displaced fuel, account 

 should always be taken of the various items involved, such as its 

 storage and preparation., the cost of lighting fires and the ex- 

 penses of removing ashes and cinders, none of which enter into 

 the use of gaseous fuel. It may be urged that an increased price 

 for gas would result in extravagant profit for the gas companies. 

 It can not be denied that there is a possibility of such a result, 

 but as a matter of fact there are very few cases in the country 

 in which companies have got back their original investment or 

 see any good chance of getting it back. They are generally 

 obliged to content themselves with generous dividends while the 

 gas is in full flow. 



The question of the municipal ownership of natural gas plants 

 has not as yet come up in New York. Theoretically there is 

 almost everything to be said for such a scheme, but practically 

 it is hedged around with great difficulties, most of which can be 

 referred to the unworthy views that prevail in all our communi- 

 ties in regard to the public service. No examples can be brought 

 from the many trials of the system in Ohio and Indiana within 

 the last few years to encourage its introduction into other 



territory. 



Section 6 



Summary 



The natural gas fields of central New York have now been 

 passed in brief review. A summary of the facts will be here 

 presented. 



1 Supplies of gas are found to be derived from several geo- 

 logic formations, as the Medina sandstone, the Oswego sand- 

 stone, the Utica shale, the Potsdam sandstone, but the main de- 

 pendence is on the Trenton limestone. It is this formation 

 which gives character and value to all the rest. The others 

 would have no considerable significance without it. 



2 The gas of the Trenton limestone has the characteristics of 

 shale gas. The several fields now developed do not seem to be 

 connected by structural lines or to be arranged in belts, after 



