The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-08-23
Public Service Commissioners Morgan and Rider Begin
Taking of Testimony on the Local
Conditions Last Winter.
R. 7. CUNNINGHAM FIRST WITNESS CALLED
He Tells How Business of Monongah Glass Company
Suffered Because of the Long Continued
Shortage Of Fuel.

Taking up the peoples fight against
the big natural gas companies in an
effort TO have an adequate supply kept
At home before IL Is transported out
OF the state, number OF Fairmont
business men instituted proceedings
AGAINST some OF the larger gas con-
Germs before the Public Service Com
mission and today testimony was Ia
ken here by Judge r. G. Rider and
Judge Z. F. Morgan OF the commission.
The testimony will no doubt consume
the remainder OF the day and a por-
ton OF tomorrow.
The results serious gas shortage
which FairmOnt experienced last win
Ser-one OF the bitterest winters in
years-were we'll presented to the
commission. A strong fight Is on to
preserve an adequate supply OF West
Virginias own product for home con.
sumption. One Of tho phases which
has always bobbed up in the gas con-
trOVefsy has been why should the gas
be transported from a farm, where
the owner, who lives over the ground
that produces II. receive an inadequate
supply. Last year the gas shortage
was keenly felt in the homes OF Fair
mont and business industries we're
demoraliZed because OF the shortage.
Robert T. Cunningham, secretary
and treasurer OF The Monongah Glass
Company, Fairmont. was the only wit
ness before the commission this morn.
ing. He told in detail how the big
MOnongah glass plant was crippled be-
cause OF the gas shortage and how Ia
Dor scarcity resulted because the men
sought places where more regular en-
plOyment was held out as an induce.
ment In the course OF his testimony
this morning Mr.. Cunningham stated
that should the new developments Of
the MOnOngahela Valley Traction Com
pany fail that II would be in worse
condition than last year and that busi'
mesa concerns in Fairmont and vicini-
ty would be crippled as direct re-
suit.
The complaint is made against the
Hope Natural Gas Company the West
Virginia and Pittsburgh Gas Company,
the Carnegie Natural Gas Company
and the Monongahela Valley Traction
Company. There are sixteen plain
lifts In the action, representing local
business firms and prominent Fair
mont business men. The main idea is
10 get an adequate supply OF natural
gas for the people and business con.
Germs regardless Of whom it is pur.
chased.
The style Of the action Is as follows:
City Of Fairmont, a municipal corpora
tiOn,; American Laundry Co., a cor
poration; Troy Laundry Co. corpora
ton; Fairmont Window Glass Co. 2
corporation; The Index Printing Co
a corporation; The Fairmont Printing
and Publishing Co., corporation; The
Marion Ice Company, a corporation; T..
2. Kelley, T. Wellington Arnett, Mar
shall E. Fleming, George II. Brobst,
Levi B. Harr, Charles w. Evans. r.. {.
Scott and ". J. Wiegel, plaintiffs, vs..
Hope Natural Gas Company, West Viz
ginia and Pittsburgh Gas Companv
The Carnegie Natural Gas Company
and The Monongahela Valley Traction
Company.
Counsel represented was as follows:
Attorney James A. Meredith. OF FAR
mont; Former Governor William r.
GlasscOck and Attorney c. 4. Good
win, both Of Morgantown, for the
plaintiff, and Attorneys Christie Payne,
Of Pittsburgh, Charles Powell and
Kemble White for the Hope Natural
Gas Company; Hon. L. II. Showalter
and Attorney z Carl Frame for the
Carnegie Natural Gas Company, and
John w. Gates. OF Pittsburgh, for the
West Virginia. Pittsburgh Natural Gas
Company. Mr. Payne is chief counsel
for the Hope Company.
The session was called TO order at
I0:SO o'clock by Judge R;4e-
Attorney Gates, OF the Hope Com
pany. made z motion filing objection
10 the taking OF testimony, claiming