Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-08-24
NATURAL GAS.
Mr.. G. w. Brockunier Returns tn the
Charge on the Pressure Matter.

Mr.. G.. w. BrocItunier Returns to the
Charge on the Pressure Matter.
To The Editor Of The Register:
SIR: In the card of Mr.. Whitaker and
myself did not rush into print with a
view to make martyrs of ourselves, but
when public opinion made itself felt and
MeSsrS. Caldwell and Sweeney came out
with their cards, we found ourselves per
sonally assailcd This has forced me to
the determination to fight it out If 1t takes
the balance of the year, or until there Is
reason To hope for full supply of gas for
all manufacturing establiShmentsin Wheel
ing.
There is but one side to the controversy
and that is full supply of gas, 50 that
our factories and mills can run steadily by
meeting the competition of Others who are
fully supplied with gas fuel If an insult
iicient supply is allowed we are liable to
have brcakage of pots and many other and
very serious disasters which will cause our
employees loss of time and wages.
So it is not dcmagOgism 10 say the work
ingmen are vitality interested in this ques-
ton.
But are we to Dc allowed barely ~ much
us will supply the mills and factories now
here? Where is the boom 10 the town
to come from? Parties seeking locations,
and ! speak from extensive acquaintance
abroad, will not put their plants where
there is only u mcaSrc supply of gas, and
more especially where there is an un-
friendly feeling i'm the community towards
home manufacturers such ~ was exhibited
the other night by u few, and which was
made TO appearjy the unfortunate ruling of
the chair to he the act Of the entire Council.
One of us recently canvassed the subject Of
locating plant which would employ 800
people, with an Eastern manufacturer; his
attention being called to the near approach
Ofgas to this city. Going over the railroad
facilities hcalthiulncss, cost Of living and
ali the details of location, as n shrcwd
and able man would, he closed his views
of several localities with the emphatic
uttcrancc that he would not locate his
plant in town where there was a senti-
ment of hostility toward manufacturers if
the finest site in il was given him.
We see no way 10 increase the
population and give constant
employment TO those now
locate here, except by securing variety
and increase of bur industries. Who il
far sighted enough to tell the outcome OF
the revolution caused by the change from
iron TO steel? We now have steel works
enough in this vicinity capable Of produc-
ing an output greater than can prolitably
be made into nails. Shall the surplus be
sold abroad or be worked up at home in a
variety Of ways.
Mr. Whitaker and went TO Council the
other evening with the most amicablc in
tcntiOns, and in the hope that after We had
briefly and plainly stated our case
the views Of the majority
of Council and our own would
harmonic, and the conclusion agreed upon
be for the benefit of the city where we
have been located for twenty-five years.
The manufacturers Of Bellaire, Bridge
port, Martins Ferry and Steubcnville are
furnished gas at their doors without hay
ing TO form company or put out any
money, whilst we, because Of the character
of the 30 called exclusive grant to the W.
Va. Gas Co., have been compelled to form
company, take stock, beseech Council
for an ordinance, the Board Of Public
Works for the streets; all this requiring
time and money that our brethren over the
river have not had 10 undertake.
BY reason Of our labor and investments
the manufacturers of this city have CON-
petition, which means less price for gas.
and an opportunity to do business with
those most pleasant TO them or most likely
to furnish continuous supply. We regret
that the exclusive privileges given by Coun-
ell to the West Virginia Gas Company
does not afford private persons the same
advantage. Because we have thus en-
deavOred to place our manufacturing inter-
ests on an equal footing with those with
which we are compelled to compete We are
accused of unworthy intentions and a de-
sire to put money in our own pockets at
great public risk. This / feel 10 be very
unfair; for instead Of unworthy motives we
know that We have been actuated by a de-
sire to give Wheeling manufacturers fair
chance, and thereby benefit the city and
her citizens generally.
/ have stated in the card oflast Saturday
that we have mo wish for a dangerous
Pressure;;" and in paper printed in the
iHtetiigeneer OF August IL and signed by
many manufacturers besides myself, have
stated, We desire to say that not one OF
US Is IN favor Of such pressure as will en-
danger our lives or property
or those Of our fellow citi-
zens. lp the face OF this ! am accused
OF asking for dangerous, unlimited pres
sure. have asked that the limit should
not be put too low, but certainly do not
mean by that toask for a dangerously high
pressure
AS to 1t is said, etc, about the Bellaire
''extension'- these and kindred rumors
have come to Us Gd ndnseum.