Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1882-12-24
WHAT WILL WHEELING DO FOR
THE STEEL PLANT

Are Wheeling people Indifferent to
the location Of the new steel plant?
Our apathy and the lively concern
manifested by neighboring communi-
ties are in striking contrast. Wheeling's
policy is q very peculiar one. 1t is
either open opposition to enterprise or
well simulated, at least, if not actually
real uneoncern. She never makes an
effort as other cities do, and is usually,
! therefore, left out in the cold. History
is about to repeat itself in the present
instance.
We do not play the. role of an alarm
ist. There are many reasons why other
localities than ours should be chosen.
And these can only be Offset by liberal
minded and energetic measures.
If the enterprise were smaller there
would be greater likelihood of its estab-
lishment in our midst. Its very mag
nitude initiates against US, while for
this same reason we should cOvet it.
1t is not necessary to advert to the
advantage Wheeling would derive from
it. This has already been set forth in
our columns. No one will deny that 1t
is rare opportunity, and a subject that
should command immediate attention.
Some would dismiss its consideration,
however, by saying these are Wheeling
men and Wheeling mills and that
therefore they will not establish the
plant away from Wheeling if they can
help it. The apathy Of our citizens,
we fancy, arises from this very kind OF
reasoning. But none is more
fallacious. A rapid review of
the necessities of the plant, the
statstS Of suitable property, and the in
ducements already offered by other
towns will demonstrate this.
Twenty or thirty acres of land and
five hundred acres of coal would be the
smallest limit. Probably the projectors
would not want to settle the matter Of
location unless they could purchase an
additional five hundred acres of coal.
They might desire more land too. The
question is thus presented in the begin
ming, where could this much property
be found in our immediate neighbor-
hood?
fit could be found, and it can be
without doubt, the next question is
what can it be purchased for. Right
here is the rub. What does it matter
how much suitable property exists if
the price demanded is eXorbitantly
high?
1t is only too patent that our citizens
are so devoted to self, they forget the
advantage of the community. Inerdi-
nate figures are accordingly placed
upon every spot of ground or acre of
coal that the owner thinks might be-
come available for the steel plant. And
our people virtually say to the projec-
tors you shall not locate your works in
our midst unless you pay us well for
the privilege. They in turn say while
the pride We take in Wheeling's growth
and prosperity would lead us to locate
there, we cannot affor to pay for it too
dearly. The projectors take a business
viewof the matter.
To them it is dollars and cents, and
nol glory. They are not inclined to
bankrupt themselves in the hope that
in after years monument will be erect
ed to their memory bearing the inscrip-
ton: "In honor of the men who beg
CARED themselves that Wheeling might
be rich.n
The fact of the case is that unless some
reasonable and liberal spirit Is shownby
property owners or by the city or coun-
ty the steel mill will be located else
where.
Nor have other communities been
slow to recognize this. 1t has been
foreseen that our people would be ex-
tortionate; that even if the price were
paid the enterprise would be burdened
from the outstart with an oppressive
rate Of taxation; that no concessions
would be made in favor Of its establish
ment, and that nothing more than the
local pride of its projectors would hold
it here. Accordingly, one locality has
offered to give the company twenty
acres ofland and one hundred and fifty
acres ofcoal as an inducement. That
offer will likely be enlarged. Another
has under consideration still more IA
vorable proposition. Other places are
equally active. And it is plain to be
seen that unless we offset these induce
ments by liberal and energetic meas
ures Wheeling will lose the plant.
Whatever is done should be done at
once. The question should be clearly
put and as clearly answered. Do we,
or do we not want the new steel plant?
II we want it what are we willing to do
to get it?
Wheeling has long been the victim
of fogyism. Her policy has been
suicidal. So often has she wan
tonly nipped the budding enterprise Of
her citizens that they have come to
regard her in distrustful and almost
unfriendly light. Foreign capital avoids
us, too, and We are in danger Of soon be-
ing let severely alone. Let us not again
commit the blunder of the past, but by
prompt and decisive action aud q
liberal and kindly spirit regain the
confidence of our own people, and the
respect and esteem of Others.
SOCIALISM in France lost is most re-
spectacle leader when LOUIS BLANC
L l;ol IIn has lonnr hoan hantifiad With