Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-09-14
THE ROLLING MILL PROJECT
ABLY ADVOCATED.
Let she EnlerprisinG Read and then go
and Subscribe.
EgeISEER's OFFICE, sA1FQE, Pa,

let she EnierpEisLne Read and then go
and Subscribe.
EYcNEER's OFFICE, SAxroS, Pa,
/ Sept. l, 1866.
Hons. S. L. RtLsseH, John Cessna, W z.
! DaugheTty, job Mann and others:
GEyT1ENEN:-Isincerely regret that pro
fessional engagement will prevent me from
enjoying the pleasure Of attending your Roll
ing Mil meeting in Bedford on the 5th inst.
I have been requested, however, to submit
some facts in relation 20 the mineral resour-
ces of the region contemplated in the limits
of this enterprise. AT this day, in our pro
gress as a patton, it IS almost unnecessary to
revert to our mineral wealth. Our resources
in iron and coal are unlimited. Both in quail
ity and quantity they are superior to all com
petition. The rest of the world combined
viii not compare with our single country in
the one nor the other. We possess thirty
four times the quantity Of coal and iron pos
sessed by England, and perhaps double as
much as that possessed by all other portions
Of the earth. These resources are availably
located; they. are in proximity with the widest
plains and richest soils known to man They
are developed by oceah-like lakes, or magni-
icent rivers, and are, or win be, traversed by
railroads from ocean TO ocean. The wealth
they represent cannot be told 10 figures. The
dynamic power they intrinsically possess is
beyond computation. We may profit by the
power thus offered as, and benefit mankind,
~ m nav r,,;,, 1,,,-eol,-r- II ,4o:I ~-o 80,
misery on the poor and oppressed. We may
multiply and scatter these bouutiful proyi-
sious of Providence, or may ignorantly reject
them, or basely, wantonly squander them.
Our intelligence, prudence, and industry
viii determine the profit to be derived from the
magnificent resources at our command.
The steam power of England has enabled
her to increase the productive ability Of her
30,0o0,0o0 Of intelligent aud industrious peo-
pie to 100000 Of Lg5oring units, each
equal to the physical force Of an a6le bodied
man This acquisition Of mechanical power
has euabIed her to manufacture for the world
and tn gather wealth from every quarter Of
globe The labor and labor r-saYing machine
~ Of England have enabled her to multiply
her productive ability. They constitute an
element Of her wealth. Her furnaces, mills,
mines, railroads, ships, &c. &c, add to her
means Of production. The aim Of her capi-
talists and statesmen, therefore, has been to
make everything pay,
Sectional or selfish interests are not tolera-
ted when they conflict with the public pres
perity. Her tariff permits no irnportatiOns to
iujure her domestic industry.
With all these mineral resources so pro-
fusely scattered over our land. With un-
doubted skill and intelligence in mining and
manufactures, these questions come up for
serious consideration: Why do we require to
import iron? Why IS our vast natural wealth
unavailable? Why do we only manufacture
70 per cent of the iron required for our own
use? The answers to all these questions viii
deyelope the fact, that notwithstanding our
intelligence, enterprise, wealth, and industry.
we have overlooked one ofths prime elements
of national wealth and power. In many por-
tions Of our country the practical corrective
to this neglected branch of industry is being
applied in the erection of Furnaces and Roll
ing Mills. The people are becoming alive to
the great want and are now moving in the
right direction.
In all enterprises 1t is undoubtedly desira-
bic to consider in advance Of expenditure in
their erection, whether they are wanted and
if SO, will they pay? It's also reasonable for
subscribers to ask whether the section of
country contemplated in the operations, can
furnish material for such manufactures in
such quantity an qualities, and at such rates,
as will insure place in market and liberal
profit on the investment.
A reference to tie statistics of cur country
viii satisfy any reasonable mind, that we are
sadly behind in our productions Of iron, both
IN the pig and manufactured article. Hence,
the want of a Rolling Min in this district a2-
pears so self-evident as to require no further
discussion.
The history Of our rolling mills for the pas
ten years has developed the fhet that they ALT
have been prosperous, whilst many Of them
have paid large dividends on the invested
capital. The success in many, if not in al
eases, depending on economy in material
and judcious management Whilst no
Doubts entertained that the present enter
prise, if wei managed wiz produce liberal
interest on the investment, II may be well to
observe that no fabulous dividends are anti
cipated- it's a work Of honest industry which
If well directed viii produce results satisfae-
Tory to the minds Of reasonable business men.
The committee which win oe appointed to
investigate the question Of size, capacity, cost
and probable profit Of he rolling mill, viii be
better qualified 10 answer the questiohsa @wiA
i pay, ana how much ~ than any estimate |
made at this date. @
In the section Of country embraced IN the |
rt,ill 1,r.n..alinrn NO hnrn tie Rrnnd