100 Years Ago Today:. Jan 20, 1905
by Brandon Woolum
Huntington News Network Writer
![[image]](http://www.huntingtonnews.net/pictures/Generic/100yrs02.jpg)
Huntington (HNN) — The gas question was thoroughly aired before the meeting of the city council last night, and in fact occupied a large portion of the meeting.Over the earnest protest of its attorney, George J. McComas, the Triple State Natural Gas & Oil Company was ordered to appear before the council at its next meeting night to show cause why its franchise should not be forfeited for non-compliance with the terms under which it was granted. At the same time, two notices were given that applications would be filed, to be acted upon at the meeting of the 20th of February for the grant of a franchise to a new company, and a committee of three was appointed to investigate the conditions in the fields form which these companies propose to pipe gas, and to report to the council.
Attorney F. B. Enslow, as soon as the reading of the minutes of the last meeting had been completed started the ball rolling.
He declared to the council that he appeared in behalf of General J. A. Holley, and the Holley Oil & Development Company, which now have wells in the Turkey Creek field near Hurricane. He said that this company had an abundance of gas in three sands, and that they would file an application for a franchise with the city clerk today, the franchise not to be acted upon until the meeting on the 20th of February in order that the terms of the franchise may be published for thirty days before action is taken, in accordance with the legal requirements.
Before Mr. Enslow had taken his seat, Attorney John Graham has the floor in behalf of J. M. McCoach, George S. Wallace and Floyd S. Chapman, also seeking a franchise from the council for piping gas from the Milton field. Mr. Graham first stated that the application had been published in the newspapers and a copy of the purposed franchise filed with the clerk some time ago, but, upon investigation, it appeared that the franchise that was sought at that time had never been filed with the clerk, although it had been advertised.
It became necessary then to proceed as if no previous action had been taken, and Mr. Graham presented to the council a copy of the proposed franchise, and it will come up for discussion and action at the meeting on the 20th of February, when the Holley Oil & Development Company's petition also comes up.
By this time, George J. McComas , attorney for the company appeared and he entered an earnest protest against the adoption of the motion. He argued that such action would give the company a black eye, so to speak, would cause their stock to depreciate in value, and would in many ways be harmful to the company.
He declared that the failure in the supply has been due to unforeseen causes, that between 250 and 275 houses, in this city alone, had had gas installed within the past few months, and that this put a greater demand upon the main than it was capable of supplying. This had not been foreseen by the company, but as soon as, it appreciated the situation, it began work on the new pipe line, which will soon be completed. Attention was called by councilmen to the fact tat gas had been taken out of a large portion of the American Car & Foundry Company's plant, out of the water works pump station, out of the big mill of Gwinn Bros. & Co., out of the glass houses and out of the other industrial establishments, which out to make up for the increase in the number of private residences that have been supplied.
Urged too the point that the council had not the power to revoke the franchise, that such action could not be taken except by due process of law, an action in the courts.
Mr. Campbell pointed out that it would be a year, or probably more before such a case could be carried through the Supreme Court, where it would necessarily go and that in the meantime, the people of Huntington might be frozen to death. He did not agree that the council was powerless in the matter and held, although he admitted that he had made no close study of the case, that the council a legislative body was able to rescind the franchise of the gas company at its discretion of the gas company at its discretion, for a violation of the terms of the franchise.
When the matter finally came to a vote, the motion was carried by a unanimous vote, an the officials will appear.
---The Norfolk & Western railroad now has secured all right of way between Hanging Rock and Haveralil, and the deeds have passed. Everything is being shaped up so that work can begin in earnest in the ring on double-tracking the road. All other contemplated improvements will be deferred until this important one is completed.
The company, it is understood, as plans for extensive changes and improvements at it’s East Portsmouth terminals, and eventually will erect a Union passenger station and also a freight depot.
The work of double-tracking the road will take precedence over all other improvements, however.