Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-12-19
JUST WIZ ar Is NEEDED
A Bold and Aggressive Agitation.


A Bold and Aggressive Agitation.
Mr.. EDITOR: Your correspondent, Gus
ice," as he has right to, objects to my
structures upon certain investments made by
certain Knoxville gentlemen in an iron
furnace at Chattanooga, and suggests that
1T was almost dishonorable in them to
nave taken stock in anything out of Knox
7ille" Hold, Justice" you could not by
language, make me say any such thing. I
said no such thing, limited no such thing,
intended no such thing. That would ap-
proximate insanity on my part, and certain
ly glaring breach of good breeding. I
could not, dare not be guilty of such folly. |
Besides, the gentlemen alluded to are inca |
pable of acting dishonorahly in the matter
under consideration. 1t is no dishonor to
them or any one else, to invest
capital in any enterprise which will
bring them the largest returns no matter
whether in Chattanooga or Canada. This
much by way of explaining my exact atti-
tude towards these gentlemen, whom re-
spect and whose energy, enterprise, and
intelligence we are all bound to recognize.
In common with all our citizens, espe-
cially those who take profounder interest
in Knoxville than in our neighboring city,
Chattanooga, I regretted that they could
not find elbow room enough in this city in
which to exert their energetic forces and to
apply their capital. I conceive there is no
moral obiquity in thus expressing such a
regret 1t is matter of earnest regret.
Nine-t enths of this community and of this
section of the State regret it. They ought
to roget it, for it can't be disguised that the
investment in question and made by two
of our largest and most successful capital
lists, cannot act otherwise than as damaging
to the future of this city, whose commercial
and financial outlook and whose hopes and
promises are now more assuring than they
have ever been in her history. Say you
this is no cause of regret?
In the face of this damaging fact how
dare we through the press or by any other
process appeal to foreign capitalists to come
to our rescure? Would it not be the es-
SERGE of folly? And how, pray you, would
these capitalists respond to such an appeal?
Why, they would justly ask, do you invite
us to come with our capital to assist in build
ing up your city when your own capitalists
ments elsewhere?
But Justice" feeling, doubtless, that
some reason should be assigned for the
cause of the gentleman in question, pro-
ceeds to account for it, and in this way that
near Chattanooga, are coal mines owned
by corporation willing to spend some of
their means in building large and extensive
coke works" / believe that to be fact, and
is very creditable to that corporation. This
| does not, however, mean that similar COR
| poration could not be organized here. The
owners of coal mines near Knoxville, if the
proper steps were taken, could no doubt be
| induced to go into such a corporation.
Have the capitalists under consideration
ever mace the effort to form such Scorpo-
ration? If so, when and where? Is
it not a fact that one of these cap
italists if not both have greater or less
interest in coal mines near Knoxville? How
is this? 1 do not, of course, vouch for the
truth of it. If it be tru b does. rot Jus
tice," who seems to be their advocate, pass
condemnation upon them himself? Could
they not, no matte. if they had no interest
in such mines, "take very large amount of
stock in the furnace to be built and thus
contribute to make Knoxville a manufac-
turing center?
''Justice" asks, 'what is the case al
Knoxville? Every coal bank yet opened
| available for Knoxville use, is controlled by
one big corporation, stocked up in the mil
lions, some of its stockholders Knoxville
most wealthy citizens. Have they ever spent
any money building coke ovens? Do the,
really know whether their coal will or vii
not make good coke? Do they propose tt
reduce their royalty for any such enter
prise?"
Some of these questions, I will do "JuL
tics" the credit to say, are very legitimat,
and appropriate, as when he asks, sd,
they propose to reduce their royalty for an,
such enterprise 2" 1t cannot be denied tina
the present rates of royalty are calculated
to interfere seriously with iron manufactur
ing in this city and tend to hold it back.
is further true that they have built no cox
ovens, though ''stocked up in the millions.
I and others feel the force and significance
of all this.
The difficulties thus alluded to would sool
or late give way to wise councils and t.
prudent management. They certainly cal
not be obviated by hasty action on the par
of fault finders.
Justice" wants to know whether tn,
stockholders alluded to are aware or no
that their coal will make good coke. Thi
ouSSCotioh 10 ~ L
will not Others have talked in the sam,
strain, unfortunately, till the belief hai
been superinduced in the minds of many
that it is utterly unfit for coke. For my
self I can't say how this is. l can, how
ever, quote the opinion of competent
witness. I refer to Mr. John Frater, al
Englishman, and now superintendent Of the
coking business at South Pittsburg. HI
made, as I am informed, coke at Goa
Greek and with marked success. There il
an unlimited coal field beyond, extending
many miles into Kentucky. Why not try
that? 1t is admitted, I believe, that the
Poplar Greek coal will make good coke
Colonel Scott, am told, is going to enter
largely into its manufacture at Oakdale
| furnace.
Mr.. Crawford, of Pennsylvania, one Of
the best iron men in the United States, sc
said at least, and who was associated with
Major O'Conner at Gadsden, Ala, in thu
erection of furnace, intended, as I under
stand, to join Major O'Conner in the cree
ton of furnace at this place, expecting o.
course to get their coke in this region.