The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-07-18

accomplish herself in 50 to 60 years.
This reforestation could be accomplished
naturally II the state through adequate
statutes and fire protective orEaniza-
tons could adequately guard from fire
our immense cut-oScr areas mostly
worthless for agriculture, and valuable
only for rcforcstation and tho incidental
protection which forest growth always
affords TO the water flow OF our streams.
Provident nature not only covered c"Try
acre OF the surface OF West Virginia
with vast supplies Of forest growth
which could be used either for lumber
or fuel. but she has also preserved be-
meath the surface tho fossil forests Of
tho distant past compressed and ConsClt-
dated into our great coal beds, a vast
reservoir Of power. the stored energy Of
sunbeams coming to our planet from tho
great central orb OF day millions OF
years ago to be released at our bidding
in effective light. heat and power. How
has this priceless gift of solid fuel. rich
CT and greater in proportion to area than
that bestowed upon any other stat" "f
the union, been cared for and husband
ed? The record Of waste here IS only
second to that in forestry. Many or our
richest coal beds arc being mined with a
percentage Of loss far beyond the ncccs-
sary mining waste which should never
exceed 10 to 90 percent Of the originai
coal deposit. The Consolidated Coal
company. of Fairmont. using the most
approved mining methods secures re-
covery Of 90 to 95 percent, while here in
the Wheeling and Moundsville regions
in mining the same (Pittsburgh) coal
bed. il Is credibly reported that the min
ing loss is never less than 80 percent.
and often exceeds 40 to so percent or
the original coal deposit. Then. too. tho
thickest coal bed being generally mined
first, frequently q valuable scam only
few feet higher IS broken up and practi-
cally destroyed before mining operations
on Il have begun. Hence. in unscientifiC
and waStefrn mining operations. We era
destroying and dissapatins the products
Of our fossil forests quite as ruthlcssly
as our forefathers and their lmprovident
children have swept away the living Tor
ests Of a century ago. Unless these
wasteful mining methods arc soon chang
ed these vast deposits Of coal or FOSSIL
fuel. will be practically exhausted IN
West Virginia by the close OF tho pres
emit century. except from thin beds at
sreat depths below the surface
Richly Endowed.
In Easeous fuel (natural Eas) no equal
area Of the world has been so richly en-
dowed as the Little Moutain state. FROM
Hancock on the north to Wayne ana
Mingo counties at the Kentucky Nnc'
broad belt of the richest natural gas
deposits on the continent once EXTENDED
in AN unbroken area more than 200 miles
in length, from whose porous sand re-
seryoirs unnumbered billions OF cubic
feet Of natural gas have issued the most
Of IL only to 20 into the air unused Tor
any purpose. to the shame and disgrace
OF every thoughtful West Virginian-
Through this unbridled waste of former
years, and the greatly increased use OF
more recent times, 1t Is quite probable
that not more than one-fourth OF west
yirginia's original gaseous fuel resources
yet remain in their underground reser
voirs. One Of the most important Ques-
lions that confront the people OF the
state today, Is how best to conserve the
remaining supply Of this matchless 1uel
so that its use for domestic and othei
necessary purposes may be prolonged 70
distant future.
The writer, in complete aSreclne3'I
with the views OF the late DR.. Edward
orion. State Geologist of Ohio Tor mony
wears. has always insisted that natural
fuel that TO use IT for Manufacturing
PURPOSES or for the generation or power
where coal Is available. should never
have been permitted except where the
from the valuable nature
Of his product, like cutlery or high class
tools. could we'll afford to pay the 40
mestic rate. However through con-
netting Chambers OF Commerce, BOAR"
OF Trade, and other municipal orSanlza-
tons anxious to build up manufacturing
industries, this precious fuel mas not
orly been used for the crudest forms OF
heat and power at a merely nominal
price right in the midst OF inc
great beds Of coal. but many towns, Two
or three decades ago, actually advertised
FREQ gas TO all concerns, and as q STAND
ing advertisement permitted great
torches Of the same to burn UP millions
Of cubic feet both day and night ThuS
IL has happened apparently without any
one IN particular being responsible
therefore that the producer and marx
eter of natural gas has never received
an ADEQUATE or equitable price Cor MS
nroduct, either for domestic or manu-
featuring purposes This statement
should be s2lf-evident to anyone VINO
will give serious thought to the 0ues-
ton.
Refers To Local Light Plant
First. let US consider the cost or eaSo-
ous fuels manufactured in retorts ellnee
for light, heat or power. Right here IN
wheeling, municipal ownership "r pup
liz utilities has enjoyed one OF itS earIl-
est tryouts in the city gas WORKS.
gas containing approx
rnatelv $50 B. f. L. was once sold ~
the CITY Of Wheeling to Its citizens at
a price lower than in any other Hiunl-
Of this country. since WINE 'he
ncople in other cities were paying from
q 20 to $3.50 per 1000 cubic feet TOT
gas, Wheeling was sell
ing the same to it's citizens for only 10
cents. This result was long pointed 10
az a conspicuous example or tee ecofN
onic results and benefits moving from
municipal owncrships OF public ntlilues
Wheeling still owns her gas WORKS pdt
they have ceased to function ana are d.
present being junked. Her CITIZENS arc
now liquidating the former oenents tueS
en- loved at probably much less ina"
actual cost. 1t may be set down as an
axiom that II the people OF any num-
cipal1ty receive the services OF any pup
lie utility at less than cost or at leas
han a fair profit. they will later either
directly or Indirectly be compelled oy
memorable economic law as unchanS~
a bic As fate itself. to make up that de-
felt and often much more
This homely truth is just now reoolV-
ing a nation wide illustration m tho
case Of the railways Of the country.
Tho Interstate Commerce Commission
In response to universal prNJuoiCe
against railways and public service cor
DOrations generally. Systematically re-
fused TO give to them permission tc