Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1914-02-19
MUCH INTEREST
Being AROUSED

(By stan Correspondent)

Pittsburgh, Pa. Feb. 1e.-John E.
GIN, president Of The Manufacturers
Light & Heat Company, stated here
today that he has received hundreds
of replies from citizens Of West Wiz.
glnia to the Open Letter addressed to
the people Of the State by his com
panE and published In this paper and
throughout the State last week as an
advertisement Mr.. Gill states that
these replies contain great variety
Of views. about so per cent. Of which
are favorable to the gas interests, 80
per cent. differ In minor particulars.
and the remaining 20 per cent are
unfaYorabIe. Mr.. Gill says he is de-
lighted with the interest being shown
throughout the State In this open dis
cussion and believes the result VIII be
to bring about a closer understanding
between the gas interests and the
people Of the State. 7
We have received hundreds Of let.
ters.D said Mr.. Gill, Tin answer to
our Open Letter, in which the people
state their views courteously and viii
Intelligence, which is very gratifying
and shows spirit Of fair play. and
justice. Fully fifty per cent OF Them
favor helping the gas and oil people
to develop the State and find a market
for their products whore possible,
About thirty per cent. Disagree with
some Of the ideas suggested, About
| is per cent. say they are not sufficient
| ~ informed about the questions to
venture a reply and ask for further
| information, and the balance simply
state that they think the rates for gas
are high enough or too high. Al very
few. not over dozen or so, are
abusive and bitter In their remarks
which is such small percentage that
1t shows the people Of West Virginia
are practically all fair minded and
without prejudices. 's.5.ssi
ut is q pleasure to US to know that
we have such an open minded class
of people before whom to state soui
case and we shall go on with these
! Open Letters In the newspapers, feel
ing that we are being impartiaIly and
honestly Judged and that our case il
in the best Of hands. OurR first lettel
was prepared with the purpose Of get
/ ting an idea of how the people of the
/ State looked at this great business Of
producing and marketing oil and gas
/ and now that we have clear idea d
how 1t is Regarded throughout tRe
State, we shall be able. to go ahead
and furnish the Information 30 many
/ of our correspondents have asked for
/ and shall await their further opinions
with interest and confidence.
The unprejudiced attitude of thu
newspapers Is also q matter upoI
which West Virginia Is to be con
graduated and augurs well for q SAT-
solution of any question which maj
come before the public Of the Stat'
at any time.
Mr.. Gill stated that the next Ope1
Letter will probably be a collection
Of number Of the typical letters re
ceived, which will show all the people
of the State just how others In tn,
State look at the matter. He statet
that these letters will be taken from
all those received and viii show al
varieties Of opinions, both favorable
to the gas companies and otherwise
4 This public letter will appear shortly
In this newspaper and should be reat
1. with interest and studied carefully.
i Exchange.