Rufus Wheeler Peckham

“ That the common compositions of crude bitumen are naturally classified as above stated. The deposits of bitumen occur in various portions of the earth's crust. They differ naturally in appearance, in consistency, in various physical and chemical properties, but they are everywhere found to consist essentially of hydrocarbons, and they are correctly designated as 'crude bitumens.' That natural gas should be designated as a crude bitumen was the opinion of some of the witnesses. ”

“ It was also stated that, if a scientific man wants to be precise, he confines his use of the term 'mineral' to a certain homogeneous substance, a chemical entity, having a definite composition, just as the mineralogist does, but nevertheless minerals are both solids and liquid, according to most definitions, and that some authorities include agses among minerals, and others exclude them. ”

“ We are of opinion that the circuit court of appeals was right in its disposition of the case. The substance that is taken from the bosom of the earth, and which burns brightly without any further labor put upon it, is popularly designated as 'natural gas.' This name is not contained in the tariff act, but there are two paragraphs thereof which it is claimed do properly and sufficiently characterize and embrace natural gas, and they are in the free list, and are known as paragraphs 496 and 651. ”