The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-01-17
The Gas Question.

Editors OF the Register:
The Intelhigencer is becoming rather
more voluminous than luminous on the
gas question. There is really very lit
tie in the three column article with
which the editor has favored US that
either needs or merits reply. de has
resorted to the old dodge, common
among discounted disputants. OF as
sailing the personal motives Of the ad-
vocate whose arguments he cannot
overthrow. He asserts that l am
"hired:" that write for pay. But
even if that were true, which it is not,
would that disprove what | have said
or make it any more desirable that the
CITY s6ould,buy the Gas Works? He
is indeed sorely pushed to the wall
when he retorts with that kind Of a
thrust. Besides, now that he has
mentioned it, what guarantee has the
public or have we that he is not writing
for pay?'
There are several gentlemen in this
city whom we might name, and whose
names arc doubtless as well known to the
editor Of the MklEgencer as to us, who
would probably pay handsomely for
the opportunity of getting possession
Of the Gas Works, which they see in
the measure before the city council.
What assurance have we that the edl-
tor who is so ready to accuse others OF
venalitv, has not already reveled in ex'
pectancv of the dividends he hopes TO
eniov from the stock Of the new Gas
Company should he aid in its establish.
ment?
But that makes no difference. If he
can prove that it is better tor the inter
ests Of consumers Of gas in Wheeling
that the Works should be owned by the
city, all right. But if can show that
the contemplated purchase would be
really very foolish and disastrous step,
| certainly have the right to do so.
The Gas Company does not deny
that, taking the business OF the whole
twenty years together, they have enjoyed
reasonable profit from the capital
employed. They do deny, however,
that their profits have been exorbi,ant
or beyond what might have been real.
lied from the same degree of labor and
care in almost any other branch
oil business. We have not de,
MED that the city might, by charg,
ing the present price for gas, OBJ
tain such revenue from the works as
would paw the interest on the purchase
money. But we understand that the
declared motive for the purchase Of the
Gas Works is that the people may have
gas at a io,cer rate If the city charges
as much as has been charged by the
Gas Company, what will have been
gained by the purchase The
Company has proposed to bind
itself TO Ireduce the rate to 80
including Government tax, and deduct
inIten per cent. Off for prompt payment
and this, we contend, the city will find
it difficult to do. | have eaid that I'M
dor city management the price Of
gas in Wheeling cannot be reduced
to 81 90 (the price for which some are
clamorous,) and this | think has been
shown. If the city does no better than
the Company, what is the use of buy
ing? But If the probabilities are strong
that the city rW not do as yell BY the
consumers of gas as the Company
agrees to do, certainly there can be nc
excuse for mourning the debt necessary
for the purchase of the works.
The people of Wheeling are very apt
to compare the price Of gas here with
that at Pittsburg, and think, because OF
the abundance Of coal in this locality
gas should be manufactured here as
cheaply as there To in some measure
correct this impression and show the
peculiar advantages enjoyed by the
Pittsburg company, which enable il to
furnish gas cheaper than any other
company in the United States, | invite
attention to the following extract from
the Report of the investigation of the
committees on Law and Light of the
City Council of Cincinnati, on the price
Of gas" made in November 1869.
"As the Pittsburgh Gas Works are
frequently referred to in gas controver-
sizes, It may be well to note briefly the
particular and peculiar advantages OF
their location.
1.-The chief advantage enjoyed by that
company is its proximity to the mines
and facilities for securing fresh supplies
OF coal which is consequently better
and cheaper than at any other point in
the country. They keep but few
days supply on hand, do not require
yarding room, or buildings for that pur-
pose, and have no funds set apart for
or invested in coal. 1t is estimated by
reason Of their daily supplies direct
from the mines, that the Y can obtain
from the same quality Of coal, on a
yearly average, from five to ten per
cent. more OF gas than companies loca-
ted at other points. Coal removed from
the mines loses more or less OF its gas
properties, according to its exposure.
All Gas companies in this country
use coke for heating their retorts, except
the Pittsburgh Works, which uses
slack coal. Two-thirds of the coke pro-
duced, is by most companies required
for carbonizing, leaving one-third for
sale. The Pittsburgh company cells
all its coke, and the receipts for coke
and tar pay for ali the coal carbonized
and used in other departments of their
works.
Originally the city of Pittsburgh
owned onehalf Of the stock of the Gas
Company, and partly controlled its
management. In 1860 by authority Of
= IL o-,.lo,,,.. 81