Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-05-24
THE GAS CONSUMERS.
THE INDIGNATION MEETING QUITgA LARGE
AFFAIR.
The Increase in Rates Discussed, and Resolutions
Expressive Of the Sense Of the Meeting Adopted.
A Committee to Act

Committee to Act
The mass meeting of the consumers Of
natural gas for domestic purposes, holding
contracts Of the Natural Gas Company Of
West Virginia, called to meet at the Police
Court room at the City Hall, last evening,
was rather an imposing affair, considering
the somewhat unfavorable location of the
room. The call for the meeting named the
hour of eight o'clock as the time for con-
vening, but twenty minutes before that
time there WAS not vacant seat, and when
eight struck, dozens were standing, while
other dozens GRO wded the pavement outside,
in little knots and squads. All were ex-
citedly discussing natural gas, in one way
and another, and the buzz of voices in
earnest converse drowned every other
sound. At intervals an impatient stamp
ing of feet would run about the hall, show
ing the anxiety Of those present to begin
the proceedings. About ten minutes past
eight o'clock, Mr.. ]. Elwood Hughes
walked to the table, and addressing the
audience said:
Gentlemen: As you are probably aware,
this meeting has been called for the pur-
pose Of entering an earnest protest against
the extortionate increase sought to be i'm.
posed by the Natural Gas Company of
West Virginia, and fescertsining''S neither
we have any rights, in return for the
privileges and franchises accorded that
Company. Applause l nominate Mr..
William Myles as President Of this meet
ipg.
Tie choice was approved. and Mr.. Myles
took the Chair, Mr.. M. LETTERS being chosen
Secretary.
Mr.. Hughes then moved that commit
tee of ten be appointed to draw up resolu-
tions expressive of the sense of this meet
ing.
The Chair suggested that before that was
done it would be good thing to hear ex-
pressions of opinion from the meeting, to
the end that the committee know definite
ly what to do. Mr.. Myles said he did not
feel able 10 adequately portray the situa-
ton, but he would attempt TO do 80, start
ing with the enquiry: Were the citizans
willing to he impos ID upon? He recited
the extortions imposed in Pittsburg, re-
ferred to the great value of the monopoly
conferred on the Company by Council of
the city, and said probably $4,000 or
$40, 900 would not compensate the city for
the damage one streets, 81. He said the
Company claimed it was short Of gas, but
that was not the fault OF the people OF
Wheeling, who had accorded q fran
chise to the Company and made
contracts with it in good faith,
piping their residences at large individual
expense in order to burn gas. He said
while the meeting was large one, there
were probably three times ~ many gas
consumers in the city, thoroughly in SYM
pathy with the objects and purposes OF the
meeting, who were not present. He refer
red to the shortage of gas during the past
mild winter, and made the assertion that
if it had been severe winter, there would
have heen scarcely any gis at all.
A gentleman in the audience enquired
for figures as TO the exact increase sought
to be imposed, and if there was any assur-
ance that there would he auy more gas at
the new price. He wanted light.
In reply To this Mr.. p. Kennedy said he
knew OF one contract advanced from $32
to 500 80. and another from $40 to $50.
This caused shudder to run through the
audience. He said one excuse the Com
psny made for the advance WAS the
necessity of larger pipes. lie said in other
business it was not customary 10 tax the
# e.
doing an increased business. Applause
1t WAS then moved that the follow
ing Committee on Resolutions he appoint
ed Me'srs Geo. g. Hannah, J. EIwood
Hughes, II. b. Miller, Hugh Sterling,
William dillingham;, =. II Moore, John
Bodley, John G.. Hotfmaup, Jr. and
TheO. Roller. The motion was carried
with a rush, and the committee got
together and retired for consultation.
Councilman Guiding suggested to fiji in
time by getting mp a contract and sign it,
to stop burning gas, except at the same old
rate. Applause He was in favor of
doing the thing right.
The Chair thought it would be well to |
await the return of the committee lie |
thought, however, that the matter ought
10 be discussed.
A gentleman enquired Coz the exact ma
ture OF the ordinance granting the privil- |
eyes now mi Dyed by the Natural Gas Com
psny OF West Virginia. The Chair was
not able to give the data, and resolution |
was passed calling upon City Clerk bowers |
for the information. Some one went in |
search Of Mr.. Bowers, and he appeared in a |
few moments, with his volume OF ordi-
nances, and was applauded.
Mr.. Bowers turned TO the West Virginia |
Natural Gas Company ordinance and read
it from first 10 last, as it passed Council
and was accepted by the Company. 10 it
was set forth that the Company was not TO
charge more than fifteen cents per 900
cubic feet, but nothing therein contained
was to prevent the Company making con-
tracts at less rates to consumers.
Just as the reading of the ordinance WAS
concluded, the Committee on Resolutions
put in An appearance, and Mr. Sterling, its
proceed TO read the report, as
follows:
WHEREAS There seems TO be general imprts.
sion, gathered from various sources OF infOrmA-
tiDn, especially from thOse who have hn n called
West Virginia p-opO.cS an cNOrbi-
tant Increase of not less than 2Opcr cent. and in
some cases a much larger one: and
WHEREAS, This seems 10 be in direct conflict
with the under landing whtn the city granted
them the franchise, and,
WHERE : The cost Of oquippIng residences
business houses. &c, with fixtures for The Use OF
this gas has been quite An item 10 the consumer;
and
WHEREAS, The service given by the Natural
las company Of Wet Virginia has not been at |
all satisfactory, either in supply Ur regularity
for at asOns when the gas was most needed, il |
ha' generally been insufficient for heating or
l1king purpOses or both and
WHEREAS, The charge for the use Of the gas
lnde' the new management seems 10 he arbi.
ray and lacking In uOirJrmity. and
WHERELr, There = ems TO be a general impref.
ion that the city has some power In the pre- ises
mailing tito protect the citizens from seeming
INJUSTICE, or Irregularities In service furnished
lnder It's ordinances, which confer eGtraord!-
lary privileges; therefore,
Rtsoiwd, That We, as consumers, do hereby
l'Otcst against what we deem 10 b., an unreason.
,ble unjust and uncallel for increase I'm |