The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-10

Is Memphis going TO offer inducements
for manufacturing concerns to be brought
within her borders7
Large bodies move slowly, but seldom
so slowly that their progress cannot be
observed by means Of magniying glasses
and at close range.
1t has now been four weeks since the
plan Of "Rcal Estate" went before and
received unqualified Endorsement Of all
who were consulted on the subject, yet
the organization proposed has not been
effected. Discussion has been going on
ever since, but that is merely preliminary
in every great enterprise. The actual
business can only come after there has
been banding together and complete
understanding
One OF the gentlemen whose presence
as member OF the association OF local
property owners proposed, Mr.. l.. Il.
Eaton, has long since expressed willing
ness 10 perform his pro rata share Of the
obligations imposed by the plan, when
the time came, and 10 20 even further.
What was intended by this enthusiastic
assurance, or in what direction II was to
90 beyond the prescribed limits, Mr..
Eaton did not volunteer an explanation,
aud, indeed, IL was not requested. When
ever the meeting shall be held that will be
! time enough 10 hear from him on the sub
| icc'. There now remain the large prop
crty owners b. hear from.
"Thcre is one point in this whole bust
ness that we might rs well recognize and
! guard against from the start, remarked a
gentleman who was discoursing upon the
| project 10 an APPEAL reporter yesterday
afternoon. Suppose, now, that our
association was formed, and in full and
successful operation. This year is going
! TO be a lively one Tor the city, and mark
! the beginning Of long and remarkable
| era OF prosperity. City and suburban
! property is going to be active, with de-
maud To back il up. Hut are those who
own great bodies of land going to bring
dry rot upon It 10y holding for eXorbtant
| figures, driving away men who would be-
come purchasers for the purpose OF inn
proving? There ARE few gentlemen here
! who hold the key 10 the city's future.
! They own about everything Immediately
around the city, upon some Of which al.
most any concern that should come here
would have to be located. Some Of these
owners do not appear to feel any desire TO
encourage the city's growth by selling n
| part Of their holdings at even handsome
profit, and they will not im-
prove the waste places themselves.
| Whatever the city now has for outsiders Is
in no wise the result Ol their enterprise or
lbcmllty Much Of the Main street prop
crty that stands today as gloomy monu-
mcnts 90 a lack OF unptOgfessiycncss on
! the part oi our own citizens belongs to
them. What a contrast with the policy OF
| Capt James Lee, Jr., who owns eighteen
or twenty pieces OF property on Main
street, aud all highly improved. The
Captain has what strikes me "a the correct
dca tor property owners, W.: Tits the im-
proved property that brings in the revenue,
aud goes n long Way toward enhancing the
valley. According 10 his theory, II the
taxes are increased because OF the hand.
some, substantial buildings, tile rents are
sufficient 81 meet them. With those who
take tie opposite view, the rents idg inn
proved property must affect the taXct, not
only Of the property occupied, but also
the barren lots and those upon which
stand ricketv, uninhabilablc shantes.
The point wish 10 impress 10y these OBJ
scfyalions II this: We must change
our way u doing business here. We arr
| 10 blame, To very great extent, for our
slow growth, Ia the face of almost In
Vulnerable aud superior advantages.
There are too many places in this great
Southland where the Chinese wall oi
local Encouragement to outside capital
and enterprise does not exist They WHO
have money 10 invest In solid, wealth.
bringing Institutions are not going To com,
7 here and implurv ~, ON Blended knees, "a
let them buy aud improve our property
How many who have come here, In d
immc Of mind a. become part and parcel
Of ~, aud pay their way, have been
heightened of aud disgustod 10y the bur
dvnsomc terms held out 10 thCm2 II Wt
should band together in the order aud iui
the purpose sct forth, to bring manu-.
factories here, aud make this an industrial
center then W. must revise our methods
somewhat"
LOUISIANA STATE Lottery draws Tues
day, February ~.