The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-12-10


677, with an average price of 81 cents
and an average cost OF production per
ton over the state averaging 95 cents.
II Is easy to see what would have hap.
pened to this industry IL the proposed
additi,aal is cents differentiai had
been added to freight charges on west
ern shipments. am sure each and
every industry owner must feel crate.
full for the bold position taken BY the
entire citizenship in its defense Of the
coal industry against such needless
outrage. (Applause.)
1t should also put at rest another
thing, gentlemen, and that Is that
there is anyone opposed to the coal in
dustry. A certain group OF men. mum.
bering about half dozen, have tried
to create the idea that l am lined up
against the coal industry. should be
glad to have recalled one act of mine,
either in private or public life, that
tends to substantiate such an asser.
ton. The coal industry OF this state
has no stronger supporter than myself,
and those interested In 1t will find no
one gong further to protect 1t from
injury. The only thing have ever
asked is cooperation and a willingness
upon the part OF those interested in IL
10 give support to our states best In.
terest for the purpose of continuing
the development along with the other
classes OF Industry. and this, gentle.
men, VIII be the demand in the future,
regardless OF who occupies the guber.
Material chair. This is an age when
men are practical and recognize Inc
rights Of others in business as well as
In private life. II is a period too.
when men are taking more interes,
Than ever before in economic, social
and civic questions, for which we
should indeed all be glad.
we have heard much of our states
financial condition and about the yari.
Gus revenue laws that we're PASSED nj
the last session OF the Legislature.
commenced early in my administrs.
tlon to point out the fact that tho
state was In condition bordering IN
bankruptcy, but few seemed TO take
me seriously. l assure you 1t would
nave been more pleasant for me to
have been able to report substantial
surplus In our state treasury; but
such was not the case. and was moi
willing to accommodate those WIN
without Investigation took the posi.
ton that no additional revenue wa.
needed, when 1t was quite plain that
what did eventually happen would he.
iail US II relief were not aftoredd nv
the Legislature, which resulted. as 7
mad forecasted, in the state heinz
compelled to suspend payment of Cur.
rent obligations until additional rev.
enue was provided. So We exper,enc.
ed the crash, and then relief came
For the first time in the history a.
me state we know our actual finan.
eiai condition, as should have been the
case all through the years past In the
development OF our state; but NOT nm.
~ chapter 40 OF the Acts Of the Leg.
stature of 1915 assured that the star
would be run upon business basis
IN the same manner in which Won, con.
duct your business.
The first audit by Mr.. Dover n, tho
Accounting Department, is AT hand
and u discloses that the state had az.
simulated a deficit which amonntsa
10 s776,l5l.0S on July 1. 1915. II tbs
entire amount appropriated had hesn
expended prior to July i, 1915 the
deheit would have totailed 81 $50 OAK.
70. With the aid OF the additional rev.
enue provided by the second extraordi.
nary session OF the 1915 legislatnre
tnis ocfiett will be wiped out and the
s S.a.e WIN be able to complete tho
buildings which were authorized nv
me 1913 legislature but which were
not constructed on account OF the 10 a.
CT funds. and will be able to meet 'f tSs
appropriations made by the 1915 ieeis.
iature for new buildings, repairs and
improvements. and the expenses NJ
maintaining the departments and in.
satutions, and will, at the end OF the
two years-June 80, 1917. have a .nr.
plus OF more than $500, 900. 1s
The levy for the year 1915 VIII, be
less than II cents, and for the WEAR
isl7 will not exceed 6 cents. Had mt
the veto power been exercised and tSs
additional revenue been provided Nv
the second extraordinary session =,
the 1915 Legislatures. and had the sta,e
continued 70 provide for all i q, n Al.
buttons and Departments, togethe ar Nth
new buildings, REPAIRS and imnr nisa
ments. that will be made during the
next two years, o defcit would have
jufad ~, yuI, q s az - - 49,