Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-03-02
THE QUESTION OF THE HOUR

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Tt isa matter Of grave concern to the
city Of Wheeling that one Of its most I'M
portant industrial establishments is con
tenplating casting its lot in another quar-
ter. The statement that the Central Glass
Works has definitely determined upon re-
moval is not verified. The question re-
mains open and it may yet be decided one
way or the other. The most that can be
said is that the Board Of Directors is con-
sidering propositions from other localities.
The advantages held out in these oters
can be summed up briefly: lower taxes
cheaper fuel and better shipping facilities.
1t is hardly probable that The offer Of
grounds would compensate for the e1-
psuses Of removal. The inducements re-
main as stated above.
There ia nothing certain in this world
but death and taxes, and if any industrial
establishment hopes to escape the latter
for a great length Of time it VIII be disap-
pointed. Mushroom cities need money,
and more money to build up uDsubstantial
boom prosperity than older communities.
In a few years, if the boom survives that
long. their manufactures viii feel the
hand of the tax gatherer laid on them with
no light weight.
Wheeling ia on the eve of prosperous
period unequalled in her history if ample
shipping facilities VIII conduce TO it, The
completion Of the Union bridge and belt
railroad viii give the Csrtral Glass Works
and every other industrial establishment
in the vicinity, shipping advantages which
they cannot hope to surpass in q new lOea-
ton. The item of fuel remains, and at best
it is uncsrtain-uucertain in its existence,
for the natural gas supply cannot last for
many years. The quality is no better, the
quantity not necessarily greater than 10
supplied at the doors Of every citizen Of
Wheeling. When it Is exhausted, the
lack of coal or other fuel will leave the
western plant dead property in its owners
hands
There ore disadvantages in towns OF
mushroom growth, which have not been
thoroughly considered The Jcreased cost
of living and the impossibility Of procuring
proper help entail enormous expense.
Workmen can not be we'll housed, families
can not be well cared for. The comforts
and associations OF home snd home &c
quaintAnces are taken away. Nothing but
heavy financial outlay VIII induce en-
ployes to tear up the roots o. theic lives
aud begin anew in other localities.
The significance Of these facts must not
be moderated. Industries that cOntem-
plate removal should weigh them careful
Iy. West Yirginia's hills viii insure them
substantial prosperity when more glitter
irg promises fail.
The fact, however, that any industrial es-
adjustment is wayeriog over the acceptance
of offers from other communities may well
Justify the people Of Wheeling in asking
themselves the question: Whether their
treatment Of these industries has been suf-
fcientiy liberal? There are ways Of en-
couraging manufacturing enterprise which
do not necessarily involve imposition on
any one. Why should not these be resort
ed to- 1t is not the part Of wisdom to
stand idle and see business drawn into
other localities. Efforts are made by
other communities to attract that business
every day. Would nos a more liberal
policy in the line of tsxatiOn, be the right
thing at this time2