Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-07-19
lHE INTEREST OF WHEELING IN
THE NATURAL GAS PRODUCT.

y thorough test OF the value ana VOL
ume Of the gas product of the territory
in and about Wheeling should be made
and its development encouraged.
The experiment promises a fortune to
the individual or company that makes
il, and it would, if successful, prove a
bonanza to our manufacturing city.
We have already gone far enough to
reasonably assume that this is the IA
vored territory tor boring. There is
scarcely any risk involved. Every
Effort yet made has been more or less
successful. The vent ure is far less haz-
aIdous than thousands of experiments
now being made for OIL.
Gas may be ever more valuable to
orr city than oil. What reason is there
to doubt that We may tap a reservoir of
inexhaustable volume? What reason
is there to doubt that the same chemi-
cal processes which are at work in ma
lures laboratory to furnish this strange
product will continue to manufac-
ture it in undiminished quantities
through the ages? What reason
to doubt that We may modify and im-
prove its character and quality to suit a
thousand uses not now thought of.
There is indeed nothing visionary in
the assumption that if the yield proves
abundant and lasting it will revolution
ize the business industries of this city;
that it will make fortunes for our man
u~EaCiurers; make living cheaper and
more comfortable to every resident OF
the city; vastly increase VI population;
expand and extend hundreds of local
industries not now conceived of, and
eflectually make a great city Of Wheel
ing.
These are only fair possibilities. Our
astute and f~ar.sighted business mel
have not been slow to recognize them.
Hundreds of them are ready and will
ing to risk their capital in such an n
terprise. The risk is not greater in pro-
portion to the chances and the gain than
in any ordinary business adventure. II
the result is rs successful as that al
Wellsburg, above us it will be an hum
bred fold more valuable.
The possibilities and profits that may
grow out of the development Of this
new product should be shared by the
whole people. Nature has stored it,
not for the few but the many. The city
has the same or greater interest in it
than any single individual or company.
The city-represented in the Trustees of
the Gas Works-made the first applica-
ton for the privilege Of utilizing it.
Their proposition is still pending before
Council.
Nor can the city afford to throw
away the advantages that may accrue
from the development of the gas pro-
duct by putting it in the power OF a few
to control its use and its price, and
thereby either limit Or postpone the adj
vantages to the community to be de.
rived from it.
The exclusive privilege to q few t.
furnish gas for heating, Illuminating or
other purposes, means arbitrary prices
and 3 restricted use and enjoyment by
the many. Exclusiveness is another
name for monopoly. Competition is
the proper regulator for all such enter
prises. If a company of capitalists are
willing to furnish this gas to the city
upon a fair profit on the risk and cost
of the plant they will have the lex
elusive" privilege, by being first in the
field. II they are not willing to do 1t
ON these terms, the way ought to be left
open for other companies to do so.
Under such a policy "excluslveness"
will only continue As long as it is fair,
and competition, or the right to com
yete, will compel fair prices and reason.
be profits. Ii the experiment on these
terms Ia worth the risk there are plenty
of capitalists ready U make it. If it is
not a feasible project on these terms il
is worth nothing to the city, and the
general public has no interest in it.