Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-06-15
sl6 IS


We have thus frankly shown You our
figures, and know of no reason why you
NAV not let the citizens of Wheeling know
how unreasonable and untrue are the in
situations that have been made.
The following clause appelrs in our
ordinance, to-wit:
Upon the expiration of twenty years
from the commencement of said exclusive
privilege hereby granted and within six
months thereafter the said city OF Wheel
ing shall have the right, at the discretion
of the Council thereof, after notice in writ
ing of the city's intention so to do given
such company, to purchase such OF the gas
wells at the time connected and used with
the pipes of the company conveying gas into
the city, and the land necessary for the
proper care and operation of such wells be.
longing to the Company, and all the inter
est of the Company in such Of said wells as
are on ground leased by said Company
with the r ghts of the Company in the land
necessary for the proper care and operation
thereof, and all the works, apparatus, fix
lures and property of the Company at and
connected with such wells, together with
the pipe line of the Company from such
wells into the city, and in the streets,
alleys or public grounds thereof, the inter
est, rights and franchises Of the Company
in relation to such pipes and the rights Of
the Company in any real estate through or
in which such pipes are laid to have or
maintain same therein, at the price or upon
the terms to be agreed upon between the
Council of the city and the directors OF the
Company, or if they cannot agree, the same
to be fixed, ascertained and determined by
the award in writing of three persons to be
chosen, the first by the Directors Of the
Company, the second by the Council of the
city, and the third by the two thus chosen.
The said arbitrators, in making mp their
award and asoertainiDg the said price,
shall have regard only to the then actual
value in money OF the property and rights
to be purchased by the city, excepting the
said gas wells, the value of which shall be
the original cost thereof to the Company,
and they shall not consider the value OF
the franchise, or grants, or privileges To
such Company from any public authority,
body or corporation, or the dividends
OF profits accruiDg to the stockholders.
Upon the city complying with the terms OF
the award thus made the said Company
shall, by proper deeds or other instruments
in writing, convey and assure to said City
the property and rights it is authorized to
purchase hereunder, TO be thereafter held,
used and enjoyed by said City for the ben
eft of the inhabitants thereof And if,
upon the expiration of the said term OF
twenty years, the said City shall not make
said purchase in the mode and upon the
terms prescribed by this section, the said
City shall have the right to make the said
purchase upon the expiration OF any and
every succeeding five years, upon the same
terms and in the same mode, at least six
months notice of such intention being
given in writing to the Company
by the City, and all contracts or other
acts of said Company which shall be made,
entered into, OF attempted for the purpose
lesseniDg, impairing or reducing the value
of such property and rights, made in an.
ticipation of the said purchase, shall be
null and void. If at any time after the
expiration of two years the Natural Gas
Company of West Virginia shall not far
nish an adequate supply OF gas, upon
notice thereof in writing being given by
Council 10 said Company, signed by its
Mayor, and if within one year thereafter
the Company shall not fnrnish an ade-
quate supply, the city shall have the right
to grant the use of its streets, alleys and
public grounds to such parts Of the city
as shall not then be supplied with gas,
but not to compete with the said Natural
Gas Company of West Virginia as to so
much or SUCH parts of the city as may be
adequately Gapplied with gas by said
Company"
To show our sincerity, We hereby offer
to transfer our plant to the city, or to any
one, on the terms provided in the ordi-
nance, if the city, or such other party not
ifes us within 80 days Of desire to make
the purchase.
In conclusion, we ask You to emphasize
the fact, that the cost of continuously
drilling additional wells, constructing new
lines, and taking up and relaying existing
lines, in the field, are items constantly
overlooked in estimating the cost to the
Company Of supplying natural gas.
Oar revenue so far has not enabled us to
assure or undertake to pay q regular divi-
dend.
By order of the Board Of Directors.
Yours very truly,
THE NATURAL GAS COMPANY OF WEST