The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1904-03-25

the Suale py alQ OF the geological cn0rt
recently published by his direction, an:
he reaffirmed his prediction made short
time ago that the oil and gas belt of
the central part of the State would
eventually be extended clear across the
State, q distance of over two hundred
miles and developer. although not so
quickly as the northern end of the belt.
He spoke of the necessity of preserving
this great material wealth of the State,
and expressed the opinion that the waste
and outside distribution of natural gas
was next to criminal. He read recent
address he made on the condition of the
natural gas and oil resources of the State
in which the enormous waste of gas in
the different ways called aloud for ac-
tion for the preservation of such an APP
palIing loss to the State. He referred
to his reports of the geological survey
and spoke of the vain attempts to Sc
cure legislation to preserve natural gas.
BE touched upon the past five years his
tory of the gas producers fight axainst
such legislation and the actions Of the.
geological survey, those favoring gas pro-
lection and the legislative action on the
matter. His description of the gas. and
oil fields of the State was clear. and con
else and threw much light upon the mat
ter to the convention. He said the waste
of gas within the State far exceeded that
sent on of the State and said legislation
was needed to preserve the waste within
the State. Isss than onesfalf of the
total value of gas produced in the State
Is wasted within the State. He urged
immediate preservation of the gas re-
sources.
torney general of Indiana, then address
ed the convention. Tie spoke of the nat
ural gas resources of Indiana and the
legislative action of that State in pro-
tecting and preserving that finest fuel
of man. In Indiana gas was wasted toll
nm appalling extent until laws were en-
acted. But it was case of docking the
barn door after the horse was stolen"
To-dny the gas belts Of Indiana arcI
rapidly being exhausted. Companies
have hurst. bubble like. factories are
leaving the State and the curling snake
of burning coal now issues from chin
neys where formerly natural gas was
Nsed. Indiana passed a law prohibit
ing the expectation of gas from the State
The Supreme Court of the State neld
that it was void because it was re-
striction of domestic commerce and in
conflict with the interstate commerce
laws. AT the next session of the State
Legislature law was enacted prohibit
ing the expectation of gas from the State
only through small sized pipes of a GER
tain regulation. Pumping of the gas
through the pipes outside of the State
was prohibited.
In 1891 the State Legislature pro-
shibited the use of fambeaux burners.
The Legislature afterwards enacted that
all natural gas flow be preserved within
two days after the well begins to flow,
by plugging the well or properly using
the supply. thus preventing waste. The
Office of the State natural gas inspector
was created to look after the gas pro-
duction and see that the laws of theI
State in chat connection were no violated.
Mr.. Thornton said he was not nc
quaintcd with the existing natural gas
laws of West Virginia, bnt said that
great good could be accomplished in pre-.
serving the natural gas resources of the
State if fambeanx burners De prohib-
tied, that all abandoned and unused gas
wells be closed. that meters be used.
and Legislative restriction, or an excise
tax, he imposed on all gas sent ont of
the State borders, but Legislative action.
A vote OF thanks was rendered Mr..
Thornton and his address was ordered
printed aud q copy furnished each news
paper in the State.
At press honr the committee on reso-
lutions ana legislation submitted is