Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-07-20
THE PRIOR CLAIM
Hello by the City to Supply Natural
Gas. "a.
How Il Can be Done and so Cheaply as to
Defy Competition Prominent 0pin-
ions Showing What is Thought
of an Exclusive Grant.

ooh! sgs of progress" exclaimed APRON
inent citizen, yesterday.
"What do you meanT' demanded q RE.
lister reporter within hearing.
81 mean the age has arrived at q pretty
pass when q pap r so venersbls as the Lntelli-
geneer would advocate the grant OF such an
exclusive frar chise as that proposed for
this new heating company, when the city's
own officials are asking an opportunity to
try the self same experiment"
This is certainly a fact. At the June
meeting of Council, the Gas Trustees
memorialized the body, asking authority
to drill for natural gas to
be used both for illuminating and
FOR HEATING PURPOSES
and representing the finances Of the gas
board to be such as would readily warrant
this valuable experiment. The paper was
was referred to the Committee on Lights
and in its pigeon hole it has since repcsed.
Since this proposed monopoly has been
seitated, new interest has been given the
Trustees memorial. The city's prior claim
10 the test and the immense advantage 1t
would have, we're readily apparent, Con-
tinuing his remarks the gentleman said:
with its new and perfect apparatus,
this city could, If it struck gas, furnish It
to consumers at 80 cents a thousand and
make thousands OF dollars a year for the
city. 1t could furnish gas at a figure no
private corporation could touch, and would,
further, furnish it to consumers who never
--ll l---,,a onk - This 10 naQIlv pY-
~plainable. The city service pipe for city
gas is now in hundreds Of houses that
would never get pipe from a private cor;
poration. Tenants could not and
landlords would not put in the
pipe. The difference in cost Is
as easily explained. The city has a fine
and perfect cleansing and purifying aP-
paratus and all Of her pipe system. A
private company would have to furnish
these and consumer would have to pay
for them. A private corporation would
furnish gas to make money and grow rich:
the city would furnish it at a price SUFFICIENT
only to pay expenses. In the light OF inns
an exclusive grant to any corporation
would be
THE HEIGHT OF FOLLY
Leaving this gentleman the reporter
started in search of the gas trustees. But
OIL lU6 MAY NIL WIN. Llllhbte"t
trustee, was encountered and his opinion
was asked. He absolutely laughed at the
idea of an exclusive grant, when the gas
trustees have made their request. All
we have to do" he said, lis to await devel-
opments at the Central gas we'll: If the
reservoir is tapped, then let the city sink
her well and supply the people with
gas at q rate no corporation could touch.
Everything is ready at the works and If
gas was struck nothing would be necessary
but to clap on connections and turn 1t into
the gas meters. But, with such perfect and
expensive gas works, shall the
CITY CUT ITS THROAT
hv snch an exclusive grant? No, sir"
Mr.. Thomas Lewis, one Of the present
trustees, was next encountered. He Is not
only enthusiastically in favor OF boring q,
once for gas, but is justly indignant that
the committee has not at once given the
authority requested and seized upon this
golden opportunity. He has studied out
this problem from every standpoint and is
siartlingly low figure.
What do you think Of this exclusive
grant?' asked the REGISTER
Mr. Lewis was opposed to it, not only
because it would be a monopoly, out be-
cause the people thought the gas trustees
had the prior claim. They had the right
to better themselves and it would be suici-
dial to give out any such grant. de touched
upon the fact of the city having her service
pipe already in position and his argument
showed him to have a complete understand.
ing of the subject. He knows
THE PEOPLE CAN DC BETTER FOR II PEOPLE
than can any corporation, monopoly or
otherwise, and he dwelt upon the fact that
in their memorial, the Trustees had speci-
ally referred to the utility OF the gas for
heating purposes.
Mr.. Robert Simpson, another of the gas
trustees, thought that Council should first
consider the proposition laid before that
BODY by the gas committee, which had
been pigeon. holed. This could be done
by using u very small proportion OF the
gas surplus fund aud any benefit that
would be derived from it would be in the
interest of the people instead of a few fav.
orite m~onopolists. IL Council should
grant this company the exclusive rights
they desired over the city's application 1t
would be
ONE OF THE GREATEST swINDLEs
ever perpetrated against a free people.
There is no question about there being gas
under this city, and therefore no risk
would be incurred by there capitalists who
uSolIC W pC t|ibNNtttty PAoNSNSSos ONNS
they got their right they need be in no
hurry about progressing with the work. II
they desired to 60 nc further this e~rclrSirc
right could be sold at a good bonus. If
they prosecuted the work the gas supply
would be furnished but very lit.
tie cheaper than coal and when
would the boosted ''enterPrise' and pro.
gress" of such a scheme come in. Ii the
people want cheap fuel let them, through
their representatives, in Council, order the
gas trustees to proceed with the sinking OF
a well for the purposes named, as it was
with the Gas Committee that the whole
idea originated. Mr.. Simpson expressed
himself in the strongest terms against the
monopoly, and said that If Council gave
any such exclusive rights to a private Cor.
poralion it would
HEAR FROM THE PEOPLE
in a very emphatic way.
The reporter then bent his steps to the
gas works, to learn with what ease the nat.
ural gas could be handled, purified and
distributed. Supt. Dillon was on duty in
the North Wheeling trench, but Mr.. Fer
guson thoroughly understood his business
and conducted the man of news about the
works. The city may we'll be proud OF
these works, which are new, improved and
complete, and i'll betide the day when any
''father in-law argument" Of the Intelligent
Ger would secure a grant that would render
them worse than useless.
Mr.. Ferguson explained that it would
be q very simple matter TO run the natural
gas through the scrubbers aud cleaners aud
bring it out ready for a clear white light.
Nh. Dillon has male a study OF this sub
iect and knows best how to handle it aud
Mr.. Ferguson's views are a reflex OF his.
VARIETY OF VIEWS.
In skirmishing about the city, the REQ
IsrER man questioned every prominent
men he mel, and out OF every twenty found
only two who favored the exclusive grant,
and one of them would limit it TO five
years. The others opposed such a monop.
oily Internationally and several considered
it an outrage in face OF the request by the
gas trustees. Equal rights aud every man
his own gas WE'LL" said one gentleman.
Council can not and dare not grant such
a grasping monopoly as that"
NATER WALLS.
Daraonal and GenePal Kava fr0~ the