Los Banos Rotary Club History
Railroad Comsr. Is Speaker Here

Homer Ross, an official of the State Railroad Commission, was guest speaker at the Rotary Club luncheon Tuesday noon, giving a brief explanation of the history and duties of the Commission and outlining procedure for regulation of such specific public services as are essential to the life and welfare of the general public.

First created solely to regulate railroad traffic and rates in the state of California, the Commission has since been expanded to cover all of the important utilities-water, electricity, gas, telephone service, and certain bus and truck utilities.

Tracing the history and development of the gas division, to which he is attached, Ross said that manufactured gas was first introduced in California shortly before the turn of the century. The first natural gas field was developed in 1907 in the southern part of the state. With opening of the Kettleman Hills field, natural gas was extended to northern California in 1930 and today natural gas in used almost exclusively throughout the state.

Ross said that the Rio Vista field is the largest single gas field in the state and assures an adequate source of supply for many years. In southern California, engineers estimate that the present source of supply will be depleted probably within a lifetime, and plans are now proceeding for a new major supply line from the Texas fields. The 1000 mile line is already under construction, at a cost of approximately $50 million.

New Member

Rev. Robert Reis, pastor of the local Methodist church, was welcomed into the club by past president L. J. Spindt.

September 10, 1946

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