davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-03-17

When put forth first Open Letter we had
no idea that such great numbers would accept our
Invitation to write and tell us what they thought
about the Hand gas business Thekink was scarcely
dry before hundreds Of letters and postal cards
commenced pouring and they are still coming. 10
and classify these letters that this answer
could: be prepared with care was "a welcome task.
Aboyee,all, else these letters proved that the
peopesof West Virginia have in high degree that
American characteristic sturdy love Of play,
however willing they may be to argue question.
35a About per cent Of those who wrote wanted
tolsee the oiland gas companies keep, developing
the resources of Interstate in fair and Just manner
with mountain discrimination Of lorlmtasS
tionby the state. 4 As.,sp .,t..se
S.ter The points the Open Letter. but we're as,
minded enough toacknowledge tile benefits That have
accrued to the state from the production of oil and
gas a.Hi VI VI ,.si,s I. 4
About fifteen per cent disagreed fatty with our
views orsaid they lacked information, or declared
they were not interested because they outside
the gas belt; "a. o. { * s .Jmsa
The remaining fvespe cent offered oil and gas
territory or supplies, asked for work, wanted to
know what the Open Letter meant, had complaint
their service, or asserted that gas rates arc high
eiougho too high, without other comment. A scant
haf-sc0rel were abusive.
All communications were replied to except few
which unsigned or signatures blotted, OF post
Office address omitted so that if YOU wrote and have
not been answered., itrmustA be for one. of these
reasons. ~
Many aaskeds questions. the principal ones being
the following, which we herewith answer
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-03-17
Answers TO- Principal Questions
y Asked in The Letters

ii. Q---Yous haYe, shown. us--the people Of West
Virginia-that hundreds of millions Of dollars have
been distributed among US by the oiland gas people
in quarter century past for labor, royalties,
boarding and various other items that taxes paid
by oil and gas interests now amount to enough to:
wipeof Virginia debt in seven years; that great
industrial eyelopment, new towns and cities and
many other advantages which we have as "a state
have followed the discovery and production of oil
and gas Now give JUS the figures on the other side.
ofthe ledger:@-W WHAT HAVE YOU MADE OUT
OF THE BUSINESS? BY raj,
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-03-17

A--Since, the Organization Of our conpallNeour !.
stockholders alitte less tllan4 persa
cent annual dividends interest on the money which
ofinteresB and they could earn more if the money
weresnvess They have none Of their
capital paid back and have no sinking fund out of
which to payt back. 1T is our intention as soon as
the revenues will Justify it to establish sinking
advanced admit is nc, more than fair
to them. u ~ ~ So t = ~
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-03-17
SERVING THE RESOURCES wHIcHARElNow
BEING SUBsTANs
TIAL BENEFITsTo THE STATED

81 AAs already has been shown which the aues7
ton manifestly disregards the state has received
aud enormously benefits and
returns POSSIBLY greater than the oil and gas people
West Virginia not only has the tricted use
Han louefs ~
the lions sharetof the money received
omS the sale of herigas IN Ohio and Pennsylvania
comes back to her through i'm the search
for, production and purchase gilmore gas.
Hthe state wants to commit itself to the policy
Of lestrictngt the production is it rsadyto pay the
land owner his lease rentals while the gas is being
heldforthe benefit of future generationss
III the state is not ready t6aeommit itself to this
policy byputtins up the money forithe benefit Of all
its people, what Just right would it have to ask the
gas COMPANY to tic upsits money in the pursuit Of
this policy? ~ 0 S.3sl issf.sl
In either case wouldn't it rather hard on the
landowner. who might be up against it financially
because he couldn't lease his land or derive
money from that source now, evcnathough it might
. benefit his postcrity2, Fl Us: AZ
ot OF course, lwaste should be stopped Economy
in use is, scarriia Sof conservation
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-03-17
Second Open Letter to the
People Of West Virginia


Q7zYous give: the total Of oil and gas rentals
royalties drilling cost maintenance etc. paid out in
West Virginia from 1889 to 1872 inclusive, Eas
S20975 $4,000; WHAT WAS;THEITOTALV VALUE
OF THEf 0Hs AND GAS PRODUCED IN THE
SAVE DURING THE SANE
THE STATE?
v A-The total value. of oil and gas sproduced in
West Virginia from $3.50 to 1912, inclusive cannot
be accurately ,ascertained We have endeavoredlin
every way to get the data, but owing to the great
amount OF operating done by individuals, OF which
theresis no record. nothing more accurate than
guess or estimate could be made. 1t runs into the
millions, OfFcolIlSe.. Z! ...ts q q; a. 81.
By fm.the greatefaportion Of the money received
1ois and gas during the periodimell7
toned WAS renvestcd in the business sin West6Nir-
aa}asand7 paid out for labor dlillrg laying pipe
mes1and otheri items incident to the business
Many claim that more has been invested than
has been takeI The profit whole must Gomez
IRON the future It has not asyeta saai
.lTQAHoW LONG IssIT EsTIMATEDETHAT.
OH.AND GAS WILL LAST IN WEST VIRGINIA
AT THE PRESENT RATE OF CONsUMPTION?
AAThereis wide difference of opinion on this
point. Even experts do not agree. The length Of
time during which the present rate of consumption
can be maintained depends very largely upon the
results Of future drilling, the extension Of present
territory and the discovery ofsneW fields.
! Q-D0N' TiSY0U THINK GAS SHOULD BE
SOLD CHEAPER NEAR THE WELLS THAN AT
A DISTANCE, 0N'ACCOUNT OF THE COST OF
!, II s.' NJ, i,
Ayes. Gas should be sold at lower rate close,
to the point Of production than at points more dis
tant Such has always been oilrpracticc Our rates
at points near the are now lover than those at
distant points. z; ~ ,555s mi ~ u.,s
Q-Is ITsaTRUE. THAT GAS is SOLD:
CHEAPER BYiYOUf IN SOME PLACES IN OHIO
AND PENNSYLVANIA THAN IN SOME
PLACES IN WEST VIRGINIA?
A--Yes. Gas is sold cheaper i'll some places in
Ohio (bnt not in, Pennsy than it is in
places i'll West Virginia owing to the fact that these
0hiopontss are closer to the-source OF production
than these West Virginia points. Where the dis
tanees from the fields equal the rates are equal,
regardless Estate lines.
: Q-ARE YOU PRODUCING GAS IN OTHER
STATES THAN WEST VIRGINIA?
:, Ayes. We,have more wells and produce more
gas i'll other states than in West Virginia But add
ing the gas we buy to the gas we produce in West
Virginia our supply from there is about the same as
from etherstates ''.. go so! 81 ~; -. ~
So,ae=-Is ITaTRUE ,THATqA1R rs, PUMPED
1NTOhTHE GAS LINES THUS REDUCING TIKI
AILITY s0FsTHE GAS? 5fs,' ! S"os n, rvs,
Il pe0A#+lt isl not true that ar pumped into sa
hires and mixed with gas it dtas iustf
as pbssbleaas mixing oil alldo wate1H fl1s jis gu
that can be scientfcal Demonstrated as
baseless 5;st.s,T. g. ~ f, 80 (.
o-Do YOU NOT TH1NKswEsTs VIRGINIA
OUGHT TO COMPEL GAS TO BE SOLD
CHEAPER TO MANUFACTURERS WITHIN
THE STATE THAN WITHOUT, IN ORDER TO
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-03-17
w4Ea.aat

4 = - 81
,aerA-eiG Inroijn.
M "a iacu1'Gy ~
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-03-17
Q-WHATIs YOUR PURPOSE INDIsCUss.;
ING 1.-THE GAS BUSINESS WITH THE PUBI,IC2

A-Craken from a letter written by Mr. johns
r. Gill president Of the company, West Virginia
state to get interested the gas business and learn
as much they about it from any source which
is reliable Only an informed public is capable Of
taking care of its own best interests public
that it Gamble frankly entrusted to such public for
solution Thus YOU see our motive is a combined
oncfof good of the state and for our own good
we'll because we believe that what isibest for the
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-03-17

A-The Manufactures Light & Heat Company
has never maintained amy Hobbies in Charleston for
the purpose ofpreventing the legislature from plac
gas Or for any other purpose, and has never spent
aspenny. for any such purpose.
Grlnshoe methods do not appeal, to us Whom
aypubic matter affecting the interests Of this cons
pany is impending We will bring it out for open
state through advertisements nthe newspapers, like
we are doing now We believe this to be both efficient
and honorable. 81 n 81 q
We would here point out to those over=wises
critics who condemn us because I'VE have gone the
sstency when they say to us: why do you publish
these 0penL Letters and youlscasc to the peopes'
and then i'll the same breath accuse us Of having a.
lobby IN our interests to influence the legisateSat
Charleston In other words is it fair or ssquaresto
either to the public or to- the, legislature, either
publicly OF. priYatelN.2 !. - " aiSsIss
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-03-17

v % QlWHAT PART HAS THEsMANUFAGTURss
Frs LIGHT & HEATiC ONPANY,TrS oFFICgRSs
3ANDsAGENTS, TAKEN IN MAINTAIN Fob
LEGISLATURE FROM PLACING AaTAX UPON,
THE PRODUCTION AND TRANSPORTATION
OF OIL AND GAS? 81
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-03-17

Should We have eyeroeksd is important.
klnay soMse Us and we will BY letter
Il or a future newspaper advertisement ~ 1850
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-03-17
Respectfullv vours.

March "a 1914. p
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-22

criticism Of his 'ssneering" at the offer
of Spanish war veterans in Colorado
to enlist for service in Mexico. Il ex-
pected cheap political capital to be
made out OF this wicked and unneces-
sary Warefare on a defenseless peo-
ple," said Seantor Penrose. For
months American citizens were muir
dered in Mexico and their property
despoiled without the least attention
"And now, with the guns of fifteen
battleships trained on q defenseless
city, shooting at naked and helpless
people, we have the senator from
Missouri appearing before the senate
with this show of mock heroism.'
'sThe -patriotisn1 of the volunteers
from Colorado would stand q better
test than that of the senator from
Pennsylvania" retorted Senator Reed.
Senator Shafroth declared Senator
PenrOse should be ashamed of the in
consistency of voting for the resolu-
ton, justifying the presidents course,
and then within ten hours criticising
the presidents action.
Arms Go Back TO Germany.
Washington, April 22.-Disposition
of the guns and ammunition in the
cargo of the German vessel Ypiranga,
which were held up at Vera Cruz.
when Admiral Fletcher took the port,
was arranged for at a conference be-
tween Secretary of State Bryan and
Ambassador Won Bernstorff of Ger
many. The captain of the vessel be-
ing unable to secure clearance papers
at Vera Cruz will return the cargo to
it's former owners in Germany, al
though the Huerta government had
paid in advance for the munitions.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-22
It win save you time and money!

Of the Cape. And even though the out
put il still increasing and promises to
Increase at an even greater rate later,
this marvellous market still bears up,
says the East African Standard
The ostrich-rearing industry has es-
tablished hundreds, even thousands. of
persons on the land who could never
have succeeded without its aid for -oe-
trfches can be reared on pasturage and
naturalfzed veldt which would be unite
insufficient for cattle. And the dfffer-
ence between driving live stock TO
markets. across mountains and plains.
IL vast when compared with the tact
that years crop Of feathers from an
ordinary holding can be taken out in :
Cape cart drawn by q pair Of horses.
According to the latest results which
have been obtained. It appears that I
good p1ucking bird fed on lucerne can
generally be depended upon for three
crops of feathers in two years. and ~
an acre of 1ucerne will easily carry
three birds. the profits. say, at g5 10
81 per p1ucking, are quite sound. tax.
ing one season with another.
And ostrich farmers in South Africa
have now acquired such 4 knowledGe
Of the birds that by judicioua Rejection
and mating they arc able to send
feathert to market which comm IA
very high prices. It h found that birds
thrive best, are freest from diseases.
ana give the strOn8est and rlchoaf
feethers when subjected 70 varied foS6
anq eqo4ff3pns rcn0on 15t<Ul1a
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-22

States has not recognized never before
has arisen. Such a severance Of dip
lomatic relations. though not neces-
sarily prelude to war is one of the
steps that must be taken II war is to
be formally declared and it is sur
missed that General Huerta is now
about to resort to that step, regard
less of any construction that may be
placed on the existing status of rela-
tions between the United States and
Mexico by the executive of form.
1t Is presumed Huerta will serve
notice on the powers in order that
they may issue the customary procla-
nation of neutrality should they care
to do SO. Such proclamation would
have some effect upon American
commerce and on the right of the
United States government to get ships
and munitions of war from abroad.
Garrison Was Turned Loose.
Vera Cruz. April eat is stated
that the Mexican troops forming the
garrison of Vera Cruz were turned
loose as soon as it was seen that
Americans were about to land and
were told to act as they saw fit. Very
few If any of their officers remained
with the Mexican soldiers. whose OPP
erations were carried on without any
one to direct them.
Some of the Mexican troops obtain
ed a considerable supply of intoxi-
cants by footing two stores. AS q re-
suit many of them were in a condi-
ton which made them equally dam
gerous to natives and foreigners, who
came within their range. Colonel
Cerrillo was one of the few officers
who remained with the Mexican
troops. He was the commander of
the 18th battalion and was wounded
in one arm early In the fighting.
The Mexicans had one IS millimetre
gun which they placed in position at
the corner Of Esteban Morales and
Main streets.
Trade Is Held Up.
New York, April 22-Trade with
Mexico from the port OF New York II
expected to cease Immediately. There
| has been a heavy falling on in Mexican
though since the lifting OF the embargo
on arms and munitions. shipments Of
these materials have been made. Dud-
ley Field Malone. collector Of fhe poEt
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-22
4 CALL EXPECTED.
Continued from Page one.)

Continued from Page one.)
panies to Fort Riley. There the troops
would, be remustered into service, but
as government soldiers instead, of in
the service of the state. The troops
would then be held at the fort to await
final orders.
In mobilizing the state troops. the
same methods would be used as are
adopted each year in the state en-
campment at Fort Riley, except that
the artillery would report with its full
equipment of field pieces and prepared
for immediate service If necessary.
Every detail for moving the state
troops has been completed. Arrange
ments have been made with the rail-
roads for handling the various COM
panies if a call is issued by the presi-
dent.
What time would it require to as
semble the troops?' was asked Of Gen
eral Martin today
1--WE would merely send out a te1e-
gram" replied the adtutant general,
land in an hour every member of the
state militia would be advised of the
call. Railroad schedules would then be
arranged and the troops remustered at
Fort Riley
General Martin. however, declined
to discuss war plans or possible actor:
by the Kansas troops in the trouble
with Mexico. He merely stated that
it was not becoming for him to dis
cuss plans which would be revealed
and executed by officials in Washing
ton.
II am only here to serve and will
follow such instructions as may re-
ceive." said General Martin.
Attaches in the adjutant generals
office, however. believe there il every
probability that a call may be issued
for troops and that such a call will
mean the enlistment for government
service OF the Kansas mf1ftiamen. It
is considered probable that in view
of the present situation. cal1 may
be issued at any time. So the adtu-
tant generals Office IL pursuing the
.swatchful waiting policy. But It il
ready to act on mighty short notice
The Mexican situation has brought
to the front many vOlunteers-men
who are willing to accept commissions
as officers and enlist q company Of
raw recruits for service. IL necessary.
Neither the adjutant generals ONCE
nor the government recruiting station
in Topeka, however, are dealing In
raw recruits The state troops are
composed Of regularly enlisted mi
litiamen. while the government
recruiting station il receiving only
men who enlist for four years SER
vice.
Many volunteers have reported at
the government recruiting station, but
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-22

Vera Cruz might have been accom-
plished without loss of life and Ameri-
can bloOdshed. He has determined,
however, that there shall be no back
ward step. He is trying to avert war
and prevent further bloodshed, but he
realizes that the American people
want to see the dignity Of the flag
upheld.
For the present the United States
will content herself with holding the
customs house at Vera Cruz. collecting
duties and preventing shipments Of
arms from reaching Huerta. The
passage of the, resolution in congress
has given the president the feeling
that he is justified in. going further
ahead now with aggressive steps, but
he wants to have the full effect of the
seizure of Vera Cruz impressed upon
Huerta with the hope that he may be
brought to terms without plunging
further into armed conflict.
Secretary Bryan was the presidents
first visitor early today. He showed
a change in demeanor. His eyes were
sleepless and his face ashen white He
denied q report in circulation that
Charge O'Shaughnessy had been given
his passports. or was about to be re-
called. or that Charge Algara was to
be given his passports. No disturb
ances in Mexico City or demonstra-
ton against Americans had been re-
ported. he said.
DCA-Aeeh Ut1Ol VI " AKs EAXUeCg6O.
Washington. April 22.-The re-
ported action of General Huerta in
asking the withdrawal of Mr..
O'Shaughnessy. the American charge
of embassy in Mexico City. and in
structing Senior Algara, the Mexican
charge of embassy here. to demand
his passports. technically constitutes
a complete breach of diplomatic re-
lations between the United States and
the de facto government of General
Huerta, though whether Secretary
Bryan is willing to regard II as more
than the act of an individual and not
of the actual government of Mexico
remains to be seen.
There IL no precedent for . refusal
to accede to the demand for passports
nor to fail to withdraw a diplomatic
Representative on demand of an es-
tablished government. but the present
situation involving AZ it does a de
facto government which the United
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-22

has not received instructions from
Washington to- prevent supplies being
sent to Mexico City.
Representatives of various lines do
ing the bulk OF the Mexican business
have agreed that it may be wise to
forego sending any cargoes of goods or
arms to Mexico. pending the outcome
Of the present situation.
Former President Taft, who came to
New York to attend a dinner last night,
expressed the hope that there would
be no war, when informed of the lat
est news from Mexico. Once you get
into a war;" Mr.. Taft said, you never
know where you will come out of it.
don't mean In regard to winning but
with respect to responsibilities that
may have to be assumed. When we
begun the war with Spain who would
have thought that we would come out
OF it with the PhlippinesT
Border Towns Ask Protection.
Washington, April 22.-Secretary
Garrison has received number OF
applications from citizens of border
towns appealing for protection against
The secretary has referred all of these
communications to General Bliss in
command of the border patrol, leaving
to his discretion the disposition of the
forces.
An Appropriation Asked For.
washington, April Zz.-PreSldent
Wilson today sent to congress. a mes
sage asking for an immediate appropri-
alton of $500, 900 to be used to bring
Americans now in Mexico. back to
their homes in the United States. The
message was referred to the appropria-
tons committee.
Penroee Attacks Administration.
Washington. April 22.-Action OF
the American government in the Mex
lean situation has been such as to in
vite the contempt Of the civilized
world for the state department and
executive office, according to q state
ment of Senator .PenrOse on the fIooI
OF the senate. Democrat senators
clamored to defend the president and
the administrationss court, Senator
Reed characterixing Senator Penrose'l
statement as cheap demagogy, and
Senator Shafroth az something OF
which he has been ashamed. Senator
PeurOse's statement arise out Of Reedsi
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-22

W. o. vfckers who is in charge of
the Office, has enlisted but three men
in the last week. A number of col
lege and high school students went
to the recruiting station this week. but
the opportunities offered as . soldier
in the regular army did not appeal
to them. So these young men will
await their chance in tho call for vol
unteersEshould one ever come.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-22

Begin now and economic by
reading and taking advantage Of
the advertisements that are ap-
pearing daily in the State Jour-
nal.
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-02-04
NURSERY RHYMES
ARE ILLUSTRATED

Mother Goose rhymes are being illustrated
by the pupils Of the low third grade in Miss
Mildred Whitmer's room at the Bailey
school The pupils selected the jingle Tom
Tom the Piper's son stole a pig and away
he run" for their Tuesday drawing work
Louis Maegher was selected to be Tom
and ran with an imprOvised pig back and
forth before the school pupils as a model for
a few seconds so that they could get the i'm
preston of Toms running appearance
The pupils recently illustrated Johnny
Look in the Air" and the best drawings
have been pinned upon the board. Some Of
the best were drawn by George CrOwder,
Pritchard, Gene Cockrell, julius Heermans
and Francis Kuhn
The pictures have been arranged in a Sc
ries, beginning with Johnny strutting to
school cloud gazing, through his tripping
over little ''BOWWOW Dog" and other adven-
lures, to the finish, when he falls into the
pond to the amazement Of the fishes, and
has to be pulled out by two kind men. Some
Of the drawings are quite clever.