The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-01-25

otate these wells have been drilled
lnrough the bends OF coal and when
abandoned the holes were left un-
marked and nothing done 10 prevent
ne escape OF gas into the adjoining
ur't mines. and a a result thereof
several mine explosions have already
occurred and the lives OF hundreds
ana thousands OF miners will he en-.
uangered for years TO come becaus.
OF our failure to protect them from
the dangers which we can now readi-
~ foresee. believe my language is
not 100 strong when / say that n Is
criminal on our part, or should be. TO
not enact laws to protect innocent
people who will 20 down into the
bowels OF the earth to mine our coal
In the vicinity OF these unmarked
abandoned oil and gas wells In INV
message two years ago ! recommend.
ed that oil and gas companies be re-
CURED 20 make and record maps
showing the location OF oil and gas
wells drilled In territory underlaid
with workable seams of coal and 7
repeat that recommendation az this
time.
Water Power.
deem this an opportune time TO
can your attention TO the undeveloped
water power OF West Virginia and
the possibilities in this direction for
revenue and for the establishment
within our borders OF great Inanufac-
turing plants. When We think OF
such rivers az the New. the two Ka-
nawhas. Potomac, Cheat, Greenbrier
Monongahela, Elk. Gaulcy and Tug,
the waters from some OF which come
down from an altitude OF three 10 four
thousand feet. IL is easy 10 understand
mat these rivers are capable OF pro-
ducing electric energy by the cheap
est OF all forces and make these
streams source OF inestimable
wealth to our people.
recommend that "A TAX be placed
upon every kilowatt ut electricity
produced by water power and II that
i not don" during the present session
OF the legislature / hope you will Il.
ieast repeal the law giving to compi-
MES that shall undertake 10 harness
our rivers end develop their power.
the right of eminent domain. II these
companies ere deprived of the right
70 condemn property upon which ~
erect their plants II is reasonable to
believe that but few dams will lie
erected ard this matter can he K,pt
IN a. eyance until proper laws are an
acted that will not only safeguard the
'1t'rests Of the people OF the state in
-ther respects but will also provi 80
revenue that Will largely help 70
support our state and local govern
ments. I; II difficult for any one to
estimate the wealth Of these rivers 70
he stat" ana We probably WIFI .yer
iTlly appreciate their worth until their
water power Is more fully developed
D. Of -.
j. those streams are so attractive ~
outside capi'al as TO cause men TO
90 me into the state and spend mil
lions Of dollars - develop this POW ,r
th'n they are mighty asset 70 our
strt" and We should fully protect VT
selves bv wise laws looking not only
10 the protection ~ persons ana PRO-
'rtN along these streams but also pro
Nidlrc proper revenue from this
source.
y puhli' service corporation com
r,issi0u should he created with fun
power 10 determine upon what terms
ard con'ii ~ our water power shall
Dee utilized
Virginia Debt.
7 recommend that Won authorize the
appointment hy M. governor ~ a hi
artisan commission - Is members
~" from each senatorial district or
g
from the state Of virginia 10 consi.,-
- The so-called Virginia Dehf" This
j. question ~ unusual Importance. :,
IN" pr"pl" ~ our state. n involves
a great amount ~ money ana what
ever "" do should he done with gr-rt
care ana elaboration. I shall not I'M
nertake 20 discuss this question -
length because ! have ALREADY done 81
IN ~" Former messages and shall con-
frF m self 20 % regpmfut fIaftor, -
what ] think should be done az this
'.fn". believe fio commission y one.
Pc appointed should ba REQUIRED 20
make i'7 report fu q future session =
i'" i"2t~."i r" and n lie report should
n" rn'.n'i De- zine legislature o. Fh1.,lI
then Do" submitted to tho voters Of
.r" stat" Cor their rafiacation rr rc-
lection df other % general or sueclal
select ION am not in favor ~ ~.
" Wr'rE q" 'uailt dispose ~ this I'm
"rfanf question without the appro 81