The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-04-11
Mayors Tiee0S on
TIE Gas Situation

made OF that nature by Mr.. Schenk
has been Withdrawn. and the Natural
Gas company OF West Virginia has re-
fused TO submit a bid
These Developments. Il strikes me.
have simplifed conditions and ought
10 suggest the immediate rehabilita-
{ ton OF the gas works along the lines
suggested In my message to the city
| council and advocated through pub
nc utterances In the daily press: and
! reiterate them now in asking that
I the gas plant be saved to the city.
as the only protection we have
against the probable monopoly OF the
Illumination OF the city BY the natural
gas interests. This will eventually
ensue should the gas plant be aban-
/ doned or allowed to further deterior-
I ate. The natural gas interests need
/ no plant for the distribution OF their
product, and therefore have no con
Germ as to the proposed abandonment
| by the city OF its establishment. How
important. then. u should be TO pre-.
/ serve the gas plant against a DAY
when the citizens OF Wheeling might
; be helpless under the control of the
/ situation by the natural gas com
| panies.
do not think can be too earnest
Z in urging the absolute necessity OF
/ the rehabilitation OF the gas plant.
! The proposition. know. is subjected
/ TO peculiar prejudices in certain quar-.
+ ters, but my only aid and hope. with.
s out a particle Of personal or selfish
/ interest. is To preserve TO the CITY an
institution that. in my Judgment. II
VIII be In dire need of should II ever
D ne IFS misfortune 10 lose II.
Will Reduce Price.
mere nave been some reckless
statements made in the newspapers
/ about the gas works. which. even in
us present crippled condition. is pay
me It's way. For instance. one con.
tributor has said that he is opposed
, 10 the rehabilitation OF the gas plant
because he doesn't want TO "continua
/ TO pay - cents for rotten gas" II
that was 10 be the result of the prc.
posed reorganization Of the works I
I would drop the whole matter in an
/ instant But the purpose OF the re.
/ hahllliation Of the plant is TO give
4 This very complainant. and eyerv
other consumer brighter and better
/ liluninant az lower price. probably
equhI 10 the boosted chaapness OF
natural g3s. and save him and others
IN me wears 90 come from the pro-
babic eNtortors Of a monopoly.
Another writer for the press sur-
EeSts mat tho present scheme for
/ preserving the gas plant is nothing
/ more IMAM 10 provide more places for
+ poiIlica Iavorities, an asylum for
/ ward workers and "healers." 4 cause
! must he desperate. indeed. when such
/ arguments have TO be resorted IN
/ Such "a contention may catch the nm.
] thinking and irrespOns lble voter but 90
certainly can make no IMPRESSION ON
/ mo reasonablemiuded or the well-ir-
I formed citizen. However. I am abla
+ To state that with the rehabilitation
/ OF the plant established. and fba
B water gas system installed the works
4 VIII be operated with fewer emnlovas
+ man mr." now required. resulting I'm
/ q NOR" economic administration of
i the affairs of the plant.
Certainty vs.. Uncertainty.
Ih conclusion. / wish 20 impress
/ these facts on the people ~ Wheel.
ing There has been no offer Of the
sal" ot natural gas made 90 the Board
. or Control. and that former sugges.
ilon 20 sale Of gas has been with.
B -I"" Do lhe question now j.. shall
. ,he gas plant Poe abandoned or al.
lowed 20 lapse into decay. or shall n
Do roluvona'ed and reorcanized with
money already voted for and pro.
Fided. 500 that the people az Wheeling
VIII always he assured o. an unfaf
lhe supply OF an lllumiuant. brighter
ana better than natural GAS. and al
a price as low. and. probable BOZ me
future. lower. The natural ras sun.
. ply, however protusp 30 has bpar or
may be. u.s. in the nature OF thing.
very uncertain. and why. ir The name
/ OF reason. should We go mis- time
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