The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-31


made attractive 10 the gas companies
by -Four Dollar oil, gas receipts would
bring in no revenue for the stock
holder.
The Governments Attitude.
The address which attracted the
most attention because II fOreshadOW-
ed impending changes In the govern.
ment policy with regard to natural
gas was that made by T. B. Gregory,
chief OF the bureau OF natural gas, in
the Fuel administration. Mr.. Gregory
said:
II affords me great pleasure and |
regard II a special privilege to meet
so many representative men Of the oil
and gas industry that are assembled
here today, especially so. as It was in
West Virginia had some Of my early
experience laying gas lines; in 1888
having been associated with Mr.. z.
NJ. Grant. OF Morgantown, and three
other gentlemen Of Pennsylvania, in
the construction OF the natural gas
and water system for that city. A few
years later representing the same par
ties II was my pleasure TO have charge
OF the construction Of the natural gas
line 70 Fairmont and Grafton. While
| am no longer connected with these
companies, am still so closely identi-
fled with the gas and oil producing
and refining industry Of the state as
10 feel justified in claiming myself a
West Virginian.
We If this closely allied industry
should feel proud OF the commanding
place it is taking in helping win the
great var for the preservation Of our
families. homes and National honor,
and making the world a safe and de.
cent Place to live in by crushing out
Tor all time the aims and selfish as
pirations OF the Kaiser and his min.
.1ns. and establishing a universal slo
gan stated by the word Democracy.
Whcn we look back 10 the last great
war this country was engaged In and
consider the petroleum industry was
practically unknown in 1850, takinf
no part in that struggle, and compare
il with the situation Of today, in which
II Is admitted by everyone on both
sizes as being, after the part taken by
the mothers, wives. sisters and sweet
hearts. the first and most important
factor in the struggle, and that gas Is
finally going to win this great con
flict, America being depended upon to
supply this product for our own and
allies use, II can readily be seen the
importance OF everyone connected, IN
even the TemOtest way, doing his III
most 10 speedily achieve this most de
sired result.
The question Of meeting the petro
leum requirements resting with Us, We
must have the most hearty cO-Opera-
ton among all workers Of the midas
try who are still left TO fill the great
gaps made in our ranks by cOntribu-
lions made toward that noble army
and navy who are showing such grand
results across and on the water, and
of the many others who are still wait
ing anxiously for the opportunity to
be there. this great responsibility
placed upon those of us who are neces-
sarily lett can only be met by the most
unselfish and hearty efforts Of all and
by forgetting state or community lines
or individuality.
That the petroleum industry will
keep its cogs intact and well lubri
Gated to give the greatest efficiency
By all who are in any way connected
with it, is my confidant prediction,
made from personal knowledge by
work and association with them, and
In behalf Of the oil division OF the U.
s. Fuel administration | ask all to
take a personal interest In the work
BY helping in every way, give your
ne!ghbor friendly and timely help il
you see the necessity. such as report
ing leaks, broken lines, etc, or II a
little work on your part will avoid
some break stop and repair 1t. Field
and lease men should give their best
efforts to maintain production and
equipment saving all material posi-
BILE so that more munitions can be
made. and II they are employed by
large or prosperous concern do not
imagine it is not necessary to save.
as BY saving they are helping in
double way. first by preserving the
material, leaving its replacement avail
able for other needs, and second by in.
creasing the amount OF income and
excess profits tax that company must
pay. Such help is not only expected
by our men in the army and navy who
are risking their lives for US but by
our government who asks it as your
bit" in assisting in every way the
great efforts being put forth by such
men as DIR. Garfield. Mr.. Requa, Mr..
ODonnell and others who have left
their homes and business and by the
untiring work in assisting these men
by Mr. Bedford and Mr. Teagle, OF the
Standard Oil company; Mr. Davidson
of the Gulf Oil company; Mr. Doherty,
Mr.. DOheny, Mr.. Dawes and others OF
the Petroleum War Service committee,
representing all the leading oil and
gas companies Of the country who are
unselfishly giving their time and
means to the end that the industry
shall fulfill the trust imposed upon It
md that VIC can look our boys In the
face when they return or greet the
dear ones OF those who will never re.
turn. and feel better in knowing we
too have made some slight sacrifice
and helped in a small way to bring
about the desired result we all so con-
fidently anticipate.
1t Is fitting that / announce to this
assembly that there is under contem-
platlon the issuance Of q proclama'
ton placing the distribution Of natural
gas under license and making rules
governing the distribution Of natural