Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-01-06
WANTED. ENrrRpRIsr,

Within the last two ySars = revolution, in
the matter Of fuel, has stolen with increasing
speed over Western Pennsylvania that now
imPeratiyely demands the attention Of
Wheeling. 1t is natural gas, which in a
measure has supplanted coal in the city of
Pittsburg causing it no longer to deserve its
world renowned title: The Smoky City"
1t is estimated that from Is, 900, 900 to 20
100000 cubic feet Of gas is burned each
day in P,ttsburg as fuel Already ten iron
and steel mills in the city, and six in other
parts Of Western Pennsylvania, are using
it in their pudding furnaces and under
their boilers Within three months dozen
more mills viii have it in operation, and
every other manufacturing firm is eagerly
awaiting the completion of the various pipe
lines. Six glass factories in Pittsburg, and
seven in near towns are using il. Every
brewery in the city uses it instead of coal
The issue herein involved is too plain to
less than serious consideration
from Wheeling manufacturers, who are
brought into competition with their Penn
sylyania contemporaries. With cheap fuel
these latter expect to underseIl all compel
itors not so favored. 1t has been found
that the absence Of sulphur from the gas
makes better glass and better iron. The
rivalry between the leading gas fuel corpo-
rations is intense. The wealthiest capital
lists of Pittsburg hold stock in them. The
Pttsburg Plate Glass Company, whose
works are twenty miles up the Allegheny
river, are saving $1,000 day, or $500, 900
year by the use Of gas, Their works are
vast in size, and the output is immense.
They are underseliing the world with their
= plate glass. In every other branch OF man.
ufacture the saving is in the same proper
ton.
At the present time the Consolidated
Fuel Gas and Penn Fuel Companies are the
only ones delivering gas in the cities of
Pirsburg and Allegheny. They have in
operation four lines Ofpipes from their wells
at Nurraysvills to Pittsburg, distance Of
twenty miles, making in all eighty miles Of
pipes Wheeling is even more favored.
The nearuess Of the gas wells at Wells
burg would necessitate the building Of but
sixteen miles of pipes. Gas is individually
the fuel Of the future, without which in an
other year, or perhaps less, our manutac-
turers may be compelled to compete with
the Pittsburg manufacturers at great dis
advantage. Furthermore, with its use the
city viii be vastly cleaner; no more coal;
no more coal dust to blseken its streets; no
more smoke and SCOT to begrime the build
-inss sna&zfken the sky; no more sulphur
Gus fumes to blight the trees, XIII the grass
and prevent flowers from blooming, Instead
will be burnt an odorless, colorless and in
offensive gas that win produce no smoke or
SCOT but in place thereof, two-and-three-
quarter ounces Of pure water for every
pound Of gas consumed.
It may be that too roseate q picture is
drawn Of the advantages to accrue to Wheel
ing BY the introduction of natural gas into
the city. No doubt many people viii sneer
at both the possible loss Of trade from
non-use and the probable advantages OF its
application. And vet would it no. be the
safer way for Wheeling's moneyed men and
manufacturers to thoroughly investigate the
situation and ascertain exactly what pro-
gress has been made in the use of gas as a
fuel, and what are its adyantages2
Wheeling has plenty Of spare capital to
run pipe lines from y -llsburg-sixteen
miles-and Little Observation-Disclosures
~uiles-intO Wheeling if the capitalists felt
any certainty Of fair return. A company
was organized some months ago for that
purpose, but when the city would not graft
II exclusive right to the streets, further
movement ceased and the project fell
through. The exclusive right to the citys
streets for such purpose, by private cor
poration, is . big thing, especially when the
CITY owns its own gas works and desires to
supply gas fuel itself It is a privilege
which, while it would be very desirable
ought not to stop the progress Of the enter
prise, because all competition, if that were
the object aimed at, could be killed by pur-
chasing territory and the exclusive privilege
of the wells for the use of Wheeling. If suih
cient interest can be aroused to have the
project recOnsidered, it certainly ought to
materiahze if half the information concern
ing the use Of natural gas at Pitts5urg is
true.