Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1914-02-12

the taxes paid by all of the Public Utilities
and over one-sixth of 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 some interesting data:
During the "a years, 1889 to 1912 inclusive there
5,4GS wells completed.
For each of these there were paid to West Vrgnians
for labor, teamng, material, drillers' board, rig
timbers, etc, not less than 1888.
Or total of $47,a74,179.
Including $l1 sos 767 for the 5000 dry holes
For the operation of the e6764 productive oil and
gas wells and the caring for the product there has
been paid in West Virginia for labor material team
ing, ETC., not less than $99,OOO,OOO
In oil royalties West Virginia land owners have
received $S7, OOO796.
In rentals lands held for oil purposes before
drilling the land owners have received not less than
$1e,0OO,OOO
In rentals on lands held for gas they have been
paid So O4S918.
And in royalties on gas from gas wells they have
received more than $6,496,4l6.
This makes a grand total of 5000 75O, 300, The
amount by which West Virginia has been enriched
by these industries during 1889 to 1919.
The amounts may thus be recapitulated:
REHABILITATION
Oil Royalties. ......................$ 81, 000,796
VII lana rentals. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. lZ,OOO,OO0
Gas land rentals OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 8,048,918
Gas royalties. Observation-Disclosures. ,6426416
Drilling cost, share to local interests 47,a74,I79
Maintenance cost, producing wells,
pipe lines, Observation-Disclosures. 99,UOO,00O.
Total benefit to West Virginia 5000, $50 300
In the above figures account is taken of the
amount paid in taxes by these industries which
aggregates many millions
In 1919 the oil and gas properties were valued at
$14l,355,700 and the taxes paid were $946,OOO.
This increase in valuation from 1904 of la29
per cent. as against an increase on real estate of
only 366 per cent.
Since 1919 the above amounts have been of course
greatly increased that may fairly estimate that
each item could be increased say 2O9o.
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 population, new
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 necessares and uxuries
of life?
Do you know that by adding these thousands to
your population and spending these millions among
you your State has reaped far more benefit than the
oil and gas people by the amount they have made
out of the oil and gas they have produced'
Are not, therefore, amply justified in our 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 lite value, and do YOU realize
that today it is in demand all over the country at
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 a company on big enough scale to go into
he gas business it is today building COMPRISING
Respectfully yours,