The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-12-03

domestic consumers, met NJ inc CITY
building pursuant to adjournment SUI
perlntcrdent Head, OF the Natural Gas
Company OF West Virginia, and Mr..
Hearnc that company's attorney, were
present, Mr., Irwin was called to the
chair, and Mr.. Heard presented
written proposition to the following eff
feet;
WHEELING, w. Va, Dec, ., 1895,
To the Committee OF Council on Nutur'
al Gas,
Gentcmen;--m compliance with the
request made nj your last meeting Cor
written proposition from us upon the
matters under consideration, We re-
specially submit the following, which,
II adopted, Will, we believe, place the
natural gas business in Wheeling upon
moro satisfactory basis, as well Tor
the consumer as the producer
Repeal the ordinance OF April II, 1855,
and supplements thereto, which gives
this company the exclusive right OF the
domestic business. This will open the
market so far rs We have any control
over II, to all corners,
IN consideration thereof give the Nat
ural Gas Company OF West Virginia
kNt IIlNlltRN VI NbllllAulHb uhNlHNa1t
and In further consideration place
limit on the price OF natural gas up to
which the company may sell the same.
But as It Is Impossible to nix the price
OF any commodity for n long term OF
years that vii be equitable, let the
maximum price be % cents per thou
sand cubic feet for four years from and
after January /, 1896.
Provide that the maximum price shall
not he lowered by action OF council. but
II advanced IN behalf OF others II shall
likewise be- advanced in behalf OF this
company.
Provide also that an allowance OF 81:
cents per thousand cubic feet be made
to all consumers who pay their bills on
or before the 10th OK each month.
Very truly yours,
THE NATURAL GAS COMPANY OF
WEST VIRGINIA.
BY Charles w, Bachelor, President
Mr., Butts said there were only one
or two places In the United States
where the net rutes were higher than
here proposed. There was some dis
cussiOn MS to the rates In different
plSces, 1t was stated that the prices
over the river, where the Wheeling Nat
ural Gas Company furnishes the gas,
were 20 cents thousand cubic feet,
with 10 per cent discount for cash.
Mr.. Heard said the company would
furnish gas for the Crcmatory and city
building at 10 cents. While the COM
pRny asked authority 10 charge a rate
OF % cents, II would not expect to
charge that much at once. II the cOun-
ell would allow the company to charge
20 cents net for n set term, II would be
satisfactory.
Mr.. Henrne suggested that the mem
~ Na NF,,tN Ffaa gGUeFlif fAuathnF
and II the company's proposition was
not acceptable. make another pro-
posal, and this suggestion being accept
ed the representatives OF the company
withdrew.
IN PRIVATE SESSION
the committee had n very interesting
discussion OF the whole subject. MIR.
Butts raised the point that the original
contract stu holds good, as 1t was only
modified by resolution, the cffect Of
which died with the council which pass
ed IT,
Mr.. Irwin and Mr.. Bodley opposed
granting anything,
Captain otto thought the company
was entitled TO some concession. The
contract, he said. was not worth the
paper II was written on. The city had
been obtaining money under false pre-
lenses. rs the city solicitor said the
council had granted something II had
not power to grant. and had obtained
q valuable consideration for that grant.
Several members said the company
had been protected In It's exclusive priv
ileEe and had had the uEufruct, wheth-
or the contract was legal or not
Solicitor Boyce explained hia former
statement as to the llleEnil.y ~ the OK
elusive grant. and said that the con-
tract as between the city and the nat
ural gas company was Just as binding
as any other contract
A suggestion was offered that the
matter be STAYED on as long ms pos.
slble, but this met with opposition.
Mr.. Butts moved that the company
be allowed To charge 20 cents gross. 10
per cent off for cnB In ten days. and
that gas be furnished free to the ere.
matOry and city building, Capt. otto
seconded this. and the chair was about
to put the motion when the point was
raised that mere RESOLUTION could not
amend an ordinance. However, It was
concluded that the recommendation
miKht be sent tn council. and II II was
adopted mn ordinance no drawn up to
carry II into effect. Then the motion
was nut and lost by vote Of & tO2.
Mr.. Butts moved that tho Eas com
pany be held 10 the original contract.
hut that the gas coinpnny's proposition
be submitted 10 council without rec
Ommendntinn. This was carried.
The clerk called In the Represented
tivcs OF tho natural gas company and
the action NJ the committee was COM
munIcRted to them.
ALL GONE OVER AGAIN.
Mfr. Heard asked II this was flnnl.
and being told that 1t was, said there
was certainly some Justice on tho COM
panys side. lie thought the people
would prefer to pay more than to do
without gas. The company was losing
money. Did the committee want to