NATURAL GAS. 
55 
Average annual consumption for each free domestic natural gas consumer in 
West Virginia, 480 M. 
Average annual consumption for each domestic natural gas consumer in the 
United States, 100 M. 
Average annual consumption for each domestic consumer at Louisville, 53 M. 
4. Carbon black . — This is a form of improper use rather than abso- 
lute waste. The carbon black industry in West Virginia uses 50 per 
cent more gas than is furnished to all of the domestic natural gas 
consumers in that State. The economic reasons accounting for the 
use of natural gas’ for carbon black manufacture are discussed in 
detail on pages 60-62. 
5. Inefficient use . — In many cases natural gas is used without mix- 
ers. The data given on page 40 show the marked difference between 
the use of natural gas in the fire pot of an ordinary coal furnace and a 
correctly designed natural gas furnace, and the cooking stove and 
lighting efficiencies emphasize the need of improvements in gas- 
using appliances. 
6. Thermostat control . — Thermostats for controlling house-heating 
appliances are out of the experimental stage, and the large number in 
use demonstrates their reliability and usefulness; In addition to 
ministering to the comfort of the house occupants, they aid very 
materially in conserving the gas consumption by preventing overheat- 
ing. Where natural gas is sold at low prices the practice is still all 
too common of lowering the temperature of an overheated room by 
opening a window rather than by lowering the gas fire. 
7. Discount for low 'pressure' stimulates waste . — In a number of 
instances consideration* has been given to a penalty clause providing 
for a discount when pressures lower than 4 ounces are maintained. 
This has the immediate practical effect of lowering the price of gas 
during the peak load period and stimulates waste, for the well- 
known human nature reason that what is made cheap will not be 
saved. When the consumer believes that his bills will be lower he 
will attempt to use more gas than he otherwise would, and in this 
way the cumulative effect will be to still further lower the standard 
of service to all, in addition to using the gas in a wasteful manner at 
a time when every thought should be for conservation of the highest 
order. Whatever may have been the motive for considering the pen- 
alty clause, there can be no doubt but that its effect is abortive. 
DEFINITION OF “ OFFSET WELL.” 
After a well has been drilled on one farm, the term u offset well,” 
in a narrow sense, means a^well drilled on a contiguous farm, directly 
opposite from the first well and substantially the same distance across 
from the farm line. 
It is not necessary in all cases that the offset well be either 
directly opposite to or the same distance from' the property line as the 
