The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1918-12-12
FAVORS CAS- TAX LEGISLATION
AND GIVES REASON FOR DOING So
I NrE b z TING CondnIUN1cATIoN
TEOM HON. CARLETON
c. PIERCE.
Shows Reason Why Additional State
Revenue Should Be Raised
Prom Gas.
KINGwOOD, ". Va, Dec. ]

KlNSIWOOD, w. Va. Dec. H.
To the Editor OF The Intclhgencer.
Dear Sir: have read with interest.
your editorial in yesterdays issue OF
The Iintelligsncer relative to taxing the
transportation OF natural gas.
The. bill introduced by me at the 1915
session was not prepared by gas ex-
perts Of tho public service commission.
but was my own idea, and II remember
rightly at least one member Of the COM
mission, as at that time constituted.
did not favor the passage Of this bill.
Ny object in providing that the tax be
on the transportation, rather'Nthan the
sale, Of gas, was TO overcome the conSti-
tutional provision as TO taxing exports
between thu states, and further, rs the
tax increased with the distance tho gas
was carried through the lines the price
would become higher rs 1t approached
the borders OF the state. this making
the cost to outside manufacturers higher
than to our own. and thus encourage
these factories and industries TO locate
near the source OF supply.
While the revenue TO be produced by
the BILL some 100000 per annum at
that time. was no inconsidcrable item. !
had in mind the great economic benefit
to the state as we'll as the financial re-
turns. The more we can restrict the
use Of gas by outside consumers. the
greater will be our own benefits. for
there are certain industries. such ms
glass making, for instance that must
use gas where at all possible, 10 the
exclusion OF all other fuels. and II we
can make the cost Of gas so high when
used without the state as to be practt-
cally prohibitiTe, these industries will
seek location within our own bord"rs
This may appear 10 be selfish view,
but as nature has given us this great
fuel to compensate probably for some
thing withheld. such for instance as the
fertile farming land Of the great west.
she probably intended US 10 make the
best possible use of II.
The natural gas industry In this state
occupies a peculiarly monopolistic posi-
ton. No one with gas to sell can mar
ket It except through some of the exist
Ing pipe lines, and then only at such
prices as the gas companies sec At to
pay, as the pipe lines arc not common
carriers, so It would seem that there
should be no objection TO paying the
slight tax imposed by the bill. known as
House Bill No. !. which has been three
times passed By the lower house Of our
legislature.
Az YOU state the license tax provided
for by this bill should not be confused
with a production tax, as both Goa!
and oil are today taxed TO far grcatcr
extent than gas. Probably there should
be Some additional Tux placed OIL coal
to take care Of the expense. especially
incurred by the state on account OF this
industry, but 1t must not be forgotten
that coal Is now taxed higher probably
than any other class Of property. and
the land books Of nearly every county
in the state bear evidence to this fact
The production of coal gives employ
ment TO largo numbers of skilled ana
unskiiled laborers. as well us civil ana
mining engineers, chemists. cic., and
while q ton Of coal removed chn' never
| be replaced, yet the production Of that
| ton yields far greater revenue to the
people Of the state than tho production
| of gas OF equal value. When the whole
matter is considered 1t will he found
that coal comes nearer to meeting Its
proportion Of the general LAX IMAM any
other class Of property.
My own idea is that II any special tax
! Is to be laid on the coal industry IL
| should be to provide funds To support
either q, the state university or else
| who're In the state n complete and eff
cient research laboratory for the pur-
pose OF asccrtairing the best uses IN
which the various GOALS of the state
could be put. making complete analyses
| on request and without charge. diSscn>-
| mating information as 10 the manutnc-
! turc Of producer gas etc In the not
distant future coal will be sold on It's
actual b. I. H. value. and when thus
| time comes the state should D." 50
equipped that any owner OF coal could
be advised as 10 what 1t was best suited
| for.
It is true VIC have some provision for
| this now at the university. and while
| the work is done by very abb" man.
Prof. p. H. Hitc the equipment with
| which he and his assistants have t"
work Is disgrace to III" stale.
The coming legislature should enact
House Bill or d similar measure. and