Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-26
ALL FAVOR Gas TAX
Politicians in West Virginia
Falling Into Line.
BECOMES LEADING ISSUE
Question Sure to Come Before the
Next Legislature.
LIQUOR MEN EXPRESS DELIGHT
Say They Are Tired, Of Being the
Goat in Legislation-sum-
mary Of Sentiment.
LIQUOR MEN EXPRESS DELIGHT
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

special Correspondence or The Star.
WHEELING, W. Va,
September Is, 1909
Senator Elkins has added his voice In
support of a tax on the production of nat
ural gas. as recently proposed by Gov.
Glasscock, and the proposition may now
be said to be in fair way Of fulfillment
The senior senator has been shy Of utter
ances on questions of state interest in late
years. but when he speaks 1t is significant.
for he speaks 'as one with authority
He takes a Enthusiastically conserva-
tive position. He suggests rate Of one
fourth cent on each 1000 thousand feet,
whereas the governor proposes full cent.
Incidentally Senator Elkins laments agi-
tation, which might have a tendency to
discourage capital investing in West Vir-
ginia, saying in particular that railroad
building should be encouraged. In effect.
the senator took a fly at the two-cent
fare law and higher taxation on railroad
property.
EN-Gov. Dawson comes forward to put
himself on record as favoring the taxing
of gas, but he suggests a tax on the gross
incomes of the gas companies rather than
a tax on the production in the fields. His
views do not strike popular chord. since
it has been pointed out that his plan
would be complicated and run counter to
the system Of the subordinate companies
really owned or controlled by the Stand
ard Oil Company.
Interstate Enterprise.
A chief objection to his plan is that
as the piping of gas is largely an inter-
state enterprise the authority Of West
Virginia would cease with the state Dor
der in dealing with a gross income tax.
The Glassock plan of tax on produc-
ton is nothing IL not simple.
Senator Scott Endorsed Gov. Glasscock' s
views the same day they were uttered. a
few weeks ago. Statesmen of big and
little degree have cOncurred subsequently.
Consequently the popularity of the plan
is assured. But this does not mean easy
on the lines discussed. AS a matter Of
fact. It will be bitterly fought. with all
the obstacles skilled and we'll intrenched
opposition can devise.
Not the least among those seeking the
confidence OF the electorate who has said
he believes there should be state revenue
from the gas resources of West Vir-
GINA is Col. Joseph H. McDermott, who
was president Of the senate when a some
what similar move was made a few years
ago. and who then cast his vote against
it. He now says he believes generally in
Gov. Glasscock's suggestion, and explains
his former opposition on the ground that
the bill then proposed was neither sincere
nor meritorious, and was really intended
to defeat the prohibition amendment for
which he voted.
Enters Upon Lively Contest.
Col. McDermott has a lively fight on his
hands in the Morgantown- Fairmont-Graf-
ton district to get the senatorial nomina
ton. 1t Is really going to. be the fight Of
the year when it comes off. 1t has started
of the first in the bunch and Is unusually
lively at the present recording. McDer-
mott is in the oil and gas business HIM
self. There IL strong temperance senti-
ment in his district, and 1t is suspected
that he had it In mind in explaining his
former vote on the gas question.
Maj. Charles D. Elliott, who was
target for legislative investigating COM
mittee at Charleston five or six years
ago. because Of the publicity given to an
undelivered letter written by him to John
Worthington. a Standard Oil agent is
another notable to succumb to the inter-
viewer and say a tax on gas would be all
right He Is not very specific. nor par
tfcularly enthusiastic. and duplicates the
Eikins caution in remarking about the
danger Of discouraging capital by drastic
legislation. On the whole. however, the
major may be just as ardent for a gas
tax as IL Senator Ekins. Col. McDer-
mott and a lot of others who get started
on a band wagons arrival.
All Of the meat in the gas question gets