The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1909-09-30
Thc Gas Question.

that the state government SHOULD
act cautiously and wisely on tn,
question OF regulating the exporta
tion and taxing OF nature gas thos,
who are clamoring for an extra seq
sion Of the legislature at an earl,
date are acclaiming that those who
want "a law that will stand are OPP
posed to an extra session through
influence of the interests. The,
acclaim that the Interests" are moi
engaged now in fighting the move,
ment itself but are giving their eff
forts to preventing an extra SEES
sion.
1T Is to laugh at these misguided
souls, surely, they ought to know
that the interests" would have the
advantage at a session of solons who
are unprepared to act intelligently
on the subject through lack OF
knowledge OF the situation and what
isfdesired. Without due preparation
an extra session of the legislature
within the next few months, 1t is
for haste. The anxiety for a spe-
on the subject to be laughed at by
the courts, however earnest the lat
ter might be In their sympathy for
the public welfare and in their de-
sires to save this great natural re-
source for West Virginia. In addi-
tion to the creation of commission
on this subject. as suggested by the
Telegram, The Wetzel Republican
advances the following sensible
course:
The Republican has every conf
dence in Governor Glasscock as n
pcrspicuous statesman. and there
fore 1t does not believe that he will
be m!sled by the clamor in certain
Quarters for an extra session for the
consideration of the proposed tax on
natural gas. The proposition is n
good one, but there is no occasion
for haste. The Anxiety for a spe.
cial session will be worth analyzinz
by the governor before he comes to
any conclusion in the matter.
The tax question is an important
one and can we'll stand the test of
examination and agitation for
months to come. for the reason tina.
the more it Is discussed the better
VIII be Its chances of passing the
legislature. To call an extra ses-
sion now would simply be an invita-
ton to defeat in the senate as 1t is
at present constituted"
Commenting on the idea of I,
commission the Parkersburg State
Journal says:
THE Clarksburs Telegram has 4
new idea on the gas question which
seems like an excellent one.'
Also of the outline of action given
y the Wetzel Republican, the Par
kersburs State Journal says:
The Wetzel Republican, has the
extra session matter boiled down in
fine shape and shows why there
should he noSe in conclusive way
The commission idea strikes the
Parkersburg Sentinel forcibly. In
part that excellent newspaper con.
tains the following:
THE Clarksburg Telegram has
given well-timed warning to the
clamoring crowd which has been in.
sistently demanding special SEES.
sion of the legislature to he called
at once to impose a tax on natura
gas. 1t calls attention to the fac
that in all the noisy acclaim will
which the demand for the gas ia,
has been made thought has appar
emily been given to the many deli
cate details of the bill which 1t 4
proposed to pass"
The Sentinel suggests also tina
there be no need of this proposed
tax law. If the resource were properl
taxed under the present law. b
that as 1t may conservation and re
tention are scarcely covered by tn
present law and the Telegram feel
sure that they would not be assure
by any law passed at an extra sessio
of the legislature unprepared t
handle the subject effectively. Ant
thus would 1t he unwise to have a
extra session at this time. or unit
the state government has prepare
itself to act safely on the subject.
For the good of the state and ne
that of the interests" the poop
themselves should demand that du
preparation he made before actin
1.-The question of taxing natural s,
and only such action should be take
the end as will conserve and r
tain It for the state-only such a
ton as will promote the states we
fare.