Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-23
West Virginians Discuss Con-
Servation of Resources.
MEET IN ANNUAL BANQUET
Commissioner Capers Deplores Delay
in Honoring Living.
REUNION AT THE RIGGS HOUSE
Nearly All the Members of the As
ISOLATION Present-Senators Scott
and Elkins Unable to Attend.

| Tie natural resources of West Virginia
and their conservation with the ultimate
object of their development to the fullest
extent were the chief topics of the toasts
at the tenth annual banquet Of the West
Virginia Republican Association last
| night at the Riggs House. OF course
there was plenty OF talk of publican
successes in West Virginia during the past
years, of the microscopic chances of DEM
ocratic victories in the state and of tariff
revision from republican viewpoints; but
the main subject was the duty of the
country to protect the states resources
its forests. mineral deposits, its gas and
Its sons and daughters
During the serving of the delicacies out
lined on the menu card, however, there
was evidence that resources would be the
main feature of the evening, for as re-
gardse good things to eat the West Vir-
Sinans practice what they preach When
II came TO the feast of reason and the
flow OF wit, there was evidence of the de-
veiopment of resources TO the fullest ex-
tent. and the loo and more guests laughed
heartily and enjoyed themselves to the
full until the hour of midnight approach
ed. Charles NJ. Shinn, president of the
association, served as POSTMASTER.
The resources of the banquet, used for
the benefit or the guests. were John G.
CaperS, commissioner OF internal revenue,
John j. HetZel of Martinsburg. Henry NJ.
Camp. president of the League of Re
publican State Clubs; Representative w.
p. Hubbard of the first West Virginia
district Hu Maxwell of the forestry
bureau, and o. f.. Darnell. superintendent
OF the National Training School for Boys.
Waste of Resources.
Speaking with the knowledge of an eX-
pert, Mr.. Maxwell OF the forestry bureau
made the principal plea for the conserva-
ton OF the natural resources of West Vir-
ginia
There is one topic which ought to con-
Germ republicans, because republican poll
ties are today taking new turn in that
direction: more attention is TO be paid to
the development Of the resources of our
country he began. And I want to
speak of the wastes and losses, taking
places in West Virginia today, which may
be saved not only by legislation, but by
education.
Enough coal is left in the mines at
present. thought TO be too poor to mine
which Will bring revenue OF no less
than S2oWo.u00 Year. II that coal were
converted into gas, it would develop
1,oUo,OW horsepower a day enough to
drive every wheel i'll the state. That is
now wasted, but it could he saved by
bringing into the state industries which
would use the power and by developing
electricity that can be sent over the wires
70 where il Is needed
lie next spoke of the nitrogen from the
coke ovens of the state, now allowed TO
pass through tie smokestacks OF the
ovens and lost. Enough nitrogen IS
wasted III that way, he said, to bring 81
Tor every ton of coke made in the state
Germany has discovered a way to save
this nitrogen. he declared, and If Ger
many had the nitrogen that is going to
waste in West Virginia. it would Sc
cure revenue enough to maintain its
standing army. 1t is worth, ne estimat-
I'd, another S20,OOO00O a year to the
state.
The natural gas waste in the state. he
declared, is one of the most stupen-
dous wastes IN the world He estimated
that an equivalent of 10000 tons of coal
per day is now being wasted in gas.
Ihere IS no reason. he declared, why
this gas should be wasted. Another re-
source which is not utilized, he said is
the water power. There is sufficient
water power in the state, he declared,
TO develop 100000 horsepower every day
The forests of the state. he also deciar-
ed, are being wasted, no less than x5,0np-
O0O worth OF trees being destroyed last
year by fire. with practically no attempt
to check the waste.
Some of this waste can be prevented
by law he declared in conclusion.
THE state made a small beginning in
the saving OF the forests by a clause in
a fish and game law passed at the last
session of the legislature. The saving
of gas can be accomplished by law The
saving of coke by-products can be regu-
lated to some extent by legislation. The
saving of the poor coal can be effected
only by education. The republican party
ought TO use some of its power along
this line"
Following the coffee. Toastmaster Shinn
spoke of the unavoidable absence of Sem
ators Elkins and Scott of West Virginia
ID. T.. Hughes suggested that they be al
lowed leave to print. a toast to the late
Gen. Van H. Bukey was proposed by
Capt. j. Nj. Pipes and was drunk by all
standing IN silent tribute TO dead COM
radc.
Postponement of Houors.
POSTMASTER Shinn then began 10 de-
veiop the resources present, calling on
Commissioners Capers for the first toast
The American people," he declared