Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-10-12

Mr.. Heard-We don't want to dis
tress you people, but we are in distress
ourselves. and our consumers are also
in distress. We know that the furnace
is in an inconvenient place, and We
also know that the stuff going up there
is very offensive. We will say this:
We will
DO ALL WE CAN
TO relieve you of your difficulties. We
will burn up your stuff as we can
sometimes at night, and again during
the day time. as the pressure OF gas
NAV enable us to do so, until you can
get a different system. l will arrange
between your superintendent and our
Mr.. Wells. from time 10 time, as we
can.
DR.. Jepson-Will you continue that
as a permanent arrangement?
Mr.. Heard-No. we could not promise
that. The time is past when gas can
be devoted to such purposes. 1t is too
scarce an article.
The Chair-Do you furnish gas to the
water works?
Mr. Heard-No, sir.
The Chair-Do you furnish it to the
hose houses?,
Mr.. Heard-Some of them.
The Chair-Do you take on new sub
scribers?
Mr.. Notwithstanding few.
You see, there is
A GREAT CHANGE
in the situation. The supply of gas is
less than it was six CT seven years ago.
The same number of people may be
taking it. but that is only possible by
the use of meters and other gas-saving
appliances. We will have TO cut every
thing off but the houses. We have no
titled the glass houses, and the pot
teries, and others, that they must look
out for themselves, and to do any good
for our consumers we must cut off
the crematory. 1t is entirely impossi-
Bile 70 On on with it.
The Chair-It would be out Of the
power OF this Committee to make any
change in the contract with the Com
pany. That is for Council.
Mr.. Heard-There is no doubt of that,
but this is a practical question for you
and for us. Independent Of any con-
tract-a contract entered into by NOR
tails is powerless against the act of God
the conditions have changed, and we
can't get the gas. You must make
some other arrangements, and in the
meantime we will do what we can to
burn all the garbage, as we can get the
gas.
DR.. Jepson-Would you be willing to
give I'D YOUR franchise and let another
company come in?
Mr.. Heard-Yes, we are willing to do
that You can
TAKE THE WHOLE PAPER.
ITO the Chair-Dr. Stathers)-Are you
member Of Council, Doctor?
The Chair-Yes.
MIR. Heard-WeI, sir, I tender the
paper to you. You can take the Whole
business and throw the whole business
open to everybody. I'll turn that pa
per over to Council tonight, If they
want it. Let anybody come IN VINO
wants O. 1t has been felt, gentlemen
that the Natural Gas Company had the
city by the ears. That might nave
been the situation at first, but it is not
the situation now. The city has the
Natural Gas Company by the ears. We
would be satisfied to give up our fran
cbise and be allowed to do business
here lust as anybody else, subject only
to the rules Of. the Board of Public
Works.
DR.. Jepson-Why did you cut off the
gas?
Mr.. Heard-To improve the supply
to our customers.
DR.. Jepson-Why did you not notify
the city?
Mr.. Heard-That would have done no
good. You would not have consented.
DR.. Jepson-No; but 1t would nave
been more business-li6e.
Mr.. Heard-Perhaps it would. But
hone there is no i'll feeling about 1t.
The city has had
THE BEST END OF 1T
all around.
DR.. JeDson-I suppose you realize
that. in sanitary point of view this
is about the worst season for garbage,
etc. to accumulate. 1t is made large
in bulk by melon rinds and corn husKS,
etc. and it accumulates rapidly.
Mr.. Heard appreciate that, and
will say that we will help you out right
along.
DIR. Jepson-For how long?
Mr.. Heard-Well, will say until De
cember 1st. The heavy frosts will
come then. We don't want to discom-
mode YOU. We will help you out. We
know that YOU gentlemen are in bad
position. and work. perhaps. for noth-
ing but thanks. and sometimes get lit
tie of that We have done much LOT
YOU. It is no small thing for city the
size of Wheeling to have its garbage,
etc. burned for nine years,
FREE OF COST.
DIR JeDson-That is one side Of 1t.
Mr. Heard-And a very large side.
It is so large that it outbalances all the
Dr. Jepson-But there is another
side. Ill
mn IN if as a matter of honor, as long
as we can. The fact is that that con
tract was nullifed by the Council OF
the city of Wheeling itself, five or SIX
wears ago. 1t passed ordinances when
broke that contract. Again l Goh
think the contract ever was good, lot 1
| tbinI, the city exceeded its powers. On
The question Of competition we have
only heen protected so far by natural
causes. Let competition come in. l
wish it was here, and that there was
more gas. ,,. ,i,.od
The Chair think the city has lived
IN IN it's side of the contract.
Mr. Heard-No. it has not. The So
called assize ordinance was one act
NrrrIJFYINGTHE CONTRACT,
although 1 believe it was afterwards
reDealed. Another was the ordinance
admitting the Citizens Natural GaS
| Comnanv This was made up OF spec