The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-03-29
Ghe Gtteuigepfer,
wngILlNG, VIVA, MARCH 30, 1886
The Future Vt whsslipg.

Ever since natural gas became a hXeu
fact in Pittsburgh, Wheeling has suffered
This city has been at a disadvantage not
alone because natural gas is cheaper luel
than coal, not only because in some indus
tries, notably in glass making, the product
IA Of better finish and therefore more mar
ketsble; but because, so long as the rela-
tive conditions remsin as they are, 1t is
hopeless to look for growth,
The growth which comes TO Wheeling
through the jobbing trade which supplies
county merchants is slow, for the growth
Ia population on which the trade depends
i, slow. The hope for the future is to be
found in the experience Of the past inin'
dustrial progress, extending as occasion
may require our existing establishments,
adding new ones and entering upon new
branches Of industry to reach that diver
sity Of employment which is as requisite
for small communities as for great nations
We must hold fast what We have, induce
the surplus OF home capital to remain
with US, oblige no willing worker to go
elsewhere for employment, and by such
advantages as We can offer, and must OIL
fer, bring in capital and laboftrem the
outside. Hitherto Wheeling has done 30
well that her people are now in danger oil
Hatteriug themselves with the comforting
deluson that ahe will survive all bluuders
at home and all competition from without,
The rough, coast Of trade is strewn with
the wrecks Of cities which have known
population, wealth and power beyond
anything Wheeling has dreamed Of for
herself. 1t is no safer for cities than for
ships to drift, swept by the flood and
beaten by the wind. There must bo mo-
tive power and steering gear, a hand on
the helm and a polt in view.
Since natural gas became a factor in in
dustrlal economy, capitalists from the east
and west have been prospecting in the
upper Ohio Valley, They have visited
Wheeling, attracted by her reputation asa
manufacturing center and supposing that
she would not permit hnrselt to be behind
in the matter Of natural gas. We have in
mind two concerns, employing between
them about 1000 men, which would proba-
bly, have been located hero II We had had
gas on even terms with Pittsburgh. When
they. learned the situation they turned
elsewhere. Wheeling capital has gone
abroad to seek opportunities which SEEM
ed to be denied here.
Looking back q yCNr-always easier than
to look forward q day-ths granting Of an
exclusive right to supply the city with
natural gas appears to have been mis-
take. II we had now an open field to
offer, at least three companies would be
glad to come in, and three would be none
too many. But we have done the thing,
only wisely reservlng to our manutic.
turers the right to act independently OF
the exclusive company.
The understanding Of the people at the
time was that the reservation permitted
our manufacturers TO-, get gas where they
could. Nobody then offered the absurd
suggestion that one concern might lay
pipes the length Of the city at its own
cost and risk, or that half q. dozen con-
Germs might do tho same thing in the
same way. Business men in this day do
not seek such ends by uuCh means; and it
is not to be supposed that the Council OF
this city intended to impose upon the
manufacturers Of this city commercial
absurdity.
No more could II have been thought
that company which received for the
asking gift Of great value, would come
back year later to force It's own interpre.
tation Of measure Of most generous
bounty, in which there was a reservation
OF simple justice to the community which
had so freely given. 1t is not to be ex-
pected that Council will accept the compa-
ny'b Interpretation, II that means COM
bined policy oicontention and construction.
Friendly to the West Virginia Natural
Gas Company from the first, as its repre-.
sentatiyes well know, disposed still to be
It's friend in every proper way, the ISrEI.
LlaENcER gives the company this friendly
warning-that It will not be wise to arouse
the popular resentment at this early day.
The people do intend that this city shall
have chance 10 live,