The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-12-06
SLOW PROGRESS BEING MADE
In NATURAL GAS CONTROVERSY

was purcndsed NJ inc Umo the TIL
State Gas company and the Wheeling
Natural Gas company were taken
over BY the Manufacturers Light and
Heat company. or was . later crea-
ton He replied that II was organ
lied by the Manufacturers' Light and
Heat company and Ii one of It's units,
that company holding all the stock
II was organized. he said when Ques-
ton farther along the Same line. for
the purpose Of engaging IN the gas
business and maintaining pipe lines
through the state. To the best OF his
knowledge. II did not own any gas
territory.
He was requested to trace on the
map the pipe lines belonging to the
Manufacturer Light and Heat COM
pany Of West Virginia. This he did.
showing the route OF the line extend
Ing from Reader. IN the heart of the
gas territory OF this state, to the
state line between this state and
Pennsylvania. near Groveton. a few
miles from Pittsburgh. Later. II was
brought out that the portion of the
line in this state was built by the
Manufacturers Ligh and Heat COM
pany OF West Virginia. while the line
through Pennsylvania was built by the
Manufacturers Light and Heat COM
pany OF Pennsylvania.
Gas Out Of state.
The line was built In 1908 and 100
the witness said. Judge Nesbitt asked
! II It was built TO convey gas from
Pennsylvania TO West Virginia. or
from West Virginia 10 Pennsylvania.
TO which IL was replied that II was
| 10 connect the system. and TO be used
10 convey gas IN either direction.
The Judge then asked the witness
what motives there we're to convey
gas from Pennsylvania into West Vir-
ginia. when. according TO testimony
produced earlier. the companies con.
trolled by the Manufacturers Ligh,
I and Heat company operating in this
state already produced many millions
or cubic feet OF gas more than their
customers could consume In the dis
tricts served by them. This question
was strenuously objected to by Alton
ney Well for the defense. who de.
l manded TO fnow the issue IN the hear.
I ing
Replying. Judge Ogden stated that
I this Investigation was instituted az
an order Of the commission. and the
order requested the commissioner nre.
siding 10 conduct II not only with
the object in view OF deternnintne
! whether or not the proposed rates
We're Justinable, but whether or no,
: The old rates which have been in et
rect the past several months are too
hleh and should be reduced.
/ That being the issue. Attorney WA
/ objected 10 the taking OF consider,hIe
testimony on the theory that the con
I sondation or the companies in ouas
ION Win tho Manufacturers Light &
Hcdt company was q combination IN
restraint of trade and dangerous tc
me morals OF tho community an
should thereby be tried under m,
sherman antitrust law lie demand
"a 10 know u the law which creates
, the commission Fave il the right ~
. pry into The combination. The com
mission cannot be hscd." he said "a,
4 n cats-paw TO secure evidence 20,
some other court. We are entitled Il
De heard on the real issues" he con
cluded
In reply. Judge ogden stated that
rs TO the commissions having tn.
power 20 inquire into trust matters
ne did not care 10 say. as the commits
sion IS peculiarly constituted BODY
under the laws OF this State. He rulef
'hat inc evidence must go on record.
Is Y not true" resumed Judge Nee
bitt. crossexamining the witness
: that at the time the TIT State "a.
company was merged with tho Manu-
lecturers Light & Heat CouDan,
MAT II had available many million,
teet ~ gas more than enough 20 sun
ply It's consumers
The witness replied that such wa
true, and that the surplus was sold 2,
me Philadelphia Company. servini
the Pittsburgh district. Tho sam,
question was asked concerning N,
Wheeling Natural Gas COMPANY az m,
time OF rs merger with the Nanufac
turers' Light & Heat Company. bu
Mr Layton replied that n he reneu
bered correctly. this company had suf
hclent gas 20 serve its customers
Questions OF a similar nature wer,
asked regarding the other com parie,
In the consolidation. but the witness,
could not recall sufficient details ~
the transactions or amounts OF ga,
produced hy the various companies
Tho Ohio Valley Gas Company. NJ
said. had plenty Of gas. the BLACK
. vile OF Gas Company had pIonf,
70 supply its customers. and Tho Wet
zel Gas Company produced plenty.
Then asked Judge Nefbi't. "tak
Ing tho eight companies az % whole al,
hey not have millions - fcet Of ga.
more Than was necessary 20 supply
. their customers"
Z II don't know" replied mo witness
/ They had plenty 20 supply their Gus
/ toners"
Tho witness could NOT rrr-s1hsr ~.
amount % rns Hoid % Tho rhUadeirffr