Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1914-02-05

the taxes paid by all OF the Pubic Utllltles
and over one-sixth Ct the taxes paid on all
the real and personal property OF all the
corporations and of all the people in the State
of West Virginia.
To give you an idea of what the oil and gas
business means to you as tax payers, we
give here scme interesting data:
During tie 81 years, 1889 to 1912, inclusive, there
were IS, cc3 vo.ls co ,pleted
Tor each Of these there paid to West Vrginians
for labor, tearing, mater.a dri.lers board, rig
timbers, ctc,, not less than 1888. s
Or a total Of s..J,a7s,1so.
:, Including Sll,595s767 for the $500 dry holes.
Fer the operation of the s6,764 productive oil and
gas wells ard the caring fer tic product there has
been paid in West rgissia fzr labor, material team
ing etc, not less than $99,oooooo.
In oil royalties West Virginia land owners have
received SS7 coc.796.
In rentals CT l,rds held for oil purposes, before
drilling tie lard owners have received not less than
-$12, 900 0c0.
In rentals On lands held for gas they have been
paid So o,99l3.
And in royalties on gas from gas wells they have
received more than $5,426,41 G.
amount BY witch Nest Virginia has been enriched
by these industries during 1850 to 1912.
The amounts may thus be reeapitulated:
REHABILITATION
Oil ROYALTIES ....-5.....S o.. s s7ooo,796.
Gil land rentals .;........ ls,ooo,ooo.
Gas land rentals "a. o'ofo,9I8.#
Drilling cost shaie to local Interests. 47,274179.
Maintenance cost, producing wells,
pipe lines, ETC. .-......,. 99'OOo'Ooo.
Total benefit to West Virginia 5000, $4,000.
In the above figures no account is taken Of the
amount paid i'll taxes by these Industries. which
aggregates many millions
In 1919 the oil and gas properties were valued at
Sal 355,70O and the taxes paid $9460OO.
This vas an increase in valuation from 1904 of 1898
cent. as against increase on real estate OF
only S66 per cent
Since 1919 the above amounts have been Of course
greatly increased so that VIC may fairly estimate that
each item could be increased say 5000.
This would make the total benefit to West Virginia
in excess of $3.50 100000, as above stated.
Do you realize that by the oil and gas development
Thousands have been added to your populations
cities and towns have been built and large increases
have been made in other towns and cities creating
demands for your agricultural products food and
clothing; in fact, for all the necessaries and uxuies
of life?
Do you know that by adding these thousands to
your population and spending these millions among
you, your State has reaped far benefit than the
oil and gas people by the amount they have made
out of the oil and gas they have produced?
Are we not, therefore, amply justified in state
ment just made, that your share Of the profits of the
oil and gas development has been greater than our
share?
Do you know that in the beginning natural gas
was considered Of little value, and do you realize
that today it is in demand all over the country at
increased selling prices, but is obtained only with
increased costs?
Do you know that the greatest question among
operators today is Where can more gas be found
and that the ceaseess work Of exploration is costing
enormous sums of money!
You have heard, Of course, that supplies and
materials are higher priced; that to organize and
manage company big enough scale to go into
the gas business, it is today, buid ding COMPRISING
II ncInanff11lxy xrc,lrc