The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-07-06
Pay Your Debts
state, for heat. light and power purposes

Clause s. chapter Is. Acts 1907. author
lied electric power. heat. light and trac-
ton companies to take private property
for public uses The supreme court OF
appeal. in Hydro Electric Co. vs.. Liston,
20 ". Va. SO. held said clause Il warrant
cd exercise BY the Legislature OF the
power olsminent DOMAIN, Lne ae CT t6e
public to the natural water power OF
the state and created public demand
for further legislation. AT the session
OF 1913. the legislature enacted chapter
IL of that session concerning hydro
electric and other companies producing
and selling hydraulic and other power.
AT the session of 1915, chapter II Of that
session was enacted, amending ana re-
cnacting chapter II Of the 1913 session;
upon or delegated to hydro-electric
companies. large and sweeping powers
to condemn and take private properly
for the uses Of such companies. With
particular attention. however, at this
time Is called to section IS OF SAID
chapter -. reading as follows:
Sec. IS Any corporation which ex-
ercises any Of the rights conferred by
this act shall be under the duty and
obligation TO manufacture and scl 10 me
state and to the people thereof TO tho
extent of their demand or to the limit
Of production. hydraulic power. or cleo
iric current or energy or other power.
without unjust discrimination at reason
able rates. and in accordance with any
classification now or hereafter prescrio-
ed by law. at rates made now or APPROX
ed by the commission.
Attention is particularly called To the
requirement thai any corporation cNcr-
"!slng the rights conferred by the act
must soil to the stale and TO the people
thereof TO the extent OF their demand
or to the limit of production hydraulic
power or elecric current or energy or
other power. without unjust dlscrimina-
ton at reasonable rates.
Natural Gas.
During the year 1915 approximately
$4,000. 900 cubic feet of gas was pro-
duced and sold within the state for do
nestle and industrial purposes. exclusive
OF the quantity used in the manufacture
OF carbon black: and eos, 000.000,0O0
cubic feet Of gas was produced in and
piped from the state Nine companies,
properly classified as pipe line compan-
les. were engaged in producing and car
rying gas from the stats-and as rule
the pipe line companies were both the
owners and carriers Of the gas trans
ported out OF the state and had and eN-
ercised the right OF eminent domain.
Parenthetically the state ranks first N
tho volume Of natural gas produced. the
production being SO per cent OF the total
for the United States and 55 per cent OF
the total for the Appalachian field.
During recent years. especially in the
winter seasons. much dissatisfaction has
arisen. particularly in the northern part
Of the state. on account OF inadequate
quantity of gas furnished and delivered
TO consumers-domestic and Industrial.
In certain communities industrial plants
have been compelled 10 suspend opera
ton and domestic consumers have suf
fered for the want of heat In their
homes and even inability to prepare their
meals. Indeed Independently Of winter
conditions. some communities arc threat
ened with industrial proStration-so far
as they depend upon natural gas for
fuel. and independently Of coal for fuel.
Gas Shortage.
The gas development in the northern
part Of the state commenced some years
in advance Of the development In the
southern part. and the increase in the
natural supply OF gas together with tho
great increase in tho demand therefor
the Increase growing with the develop
ment OF the state-and tho increased de-
mand from points without the state. as
the pipe lines and carriers themselves
develop and increase the market outside
OF the state-all tend to bring the ser
BUSINESS Of the situation to the atten-
ton OF the people and industries In the
northern part Of the state And The peo-
ple and industries In the southern part
Of the state are beginning TO feel that
II is only matter Of time until conoi-
Ions now affecting the northern part OF
the state will likewise affect them.
At the regular Legislative session In
1917. House Bill No. iQl was passed by
the HOUSE Of nslegatGs and at tho Sec
House Bill No. Is. OF like nature TO No.
4ol. passed the House The first section
Of the bill reads as follows:
Section l. That every person on
gagged In. furnishing. or required by
law (whethor statutory or common
Iaw). 10 furnish. natural gas for
public use. or TOR the use Of the pub
lie. or any part OF the public.
whether for domestic. industrial or
other consumption. within this state.
shall TO the extent of his supply OF
said gas produced in this state.
(whcther produced by such person
or by any other perSon). furnish for
public use within tho territory OF
this state, and for the use OF the
public IN every part of the public
within the territory of this state. in
or from which such gas IL produced.
. or through which said gas is trans
ported. ur which iH served by such e
person. u supply F natural gas rra-
Sonahly adequate FOR the purposes
whether domestic. industrial or
otherwise Cor which natural gas is
consumed or desired to be consumed
ny the public, or any part Of the pub
lie within said territory in this
state. and for which said consumer
nr consumer therein shall apply and
be ready and willing to make pay
ment ut lawful rates. Nothing In
this section contained shall be con-
stru~d to require thr furnishing OF
natural gas TO any person engaged.
wholly or IN part. in the business
of selling. transporting. delivering
Or otherwise supplying gas to other
persons.
The hills by their provisions, confer
rcd authority and Jurisdiction in the
Publis Service Commission To requir"
compliance with tho act. Tho opponents
of the proposed law denied the power OF
the legislature to enact the same and
earnestly Insisted before the legislative