The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-11-11
WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT IT?
Business Men Talk of More In
dustries.
Cotton Factories and Stove Works Wanted.
Fine Facilities and Great Demand for
Their Products The Times Suggestion
Wen Taken, and VIII Bear Fruit.

WeH Taken, and VIII Bear Fruit.
Roanoake will add at least two moro
classes of industry to her present num-
Der If the expressed determination of
her enterprising merchants and other
citizens can be carried into effect.
Tie TINES yesterday sent out re-
porter to ascertain the views of few of
hoanokes representative mon on the
proposition to establish n cotton mill
and stove works. From the few short
talks below it will be gathered that
there is but one opinion upon the sul-
Ject, ana that is that both industries
would make money and add much to the
commercial standing of the city. at the
same time increasing the labor market.
In the case OF n cotton mill, there was
general expression of opinion that it
would provide employment for females.
something much to be desired. as there
is at present but few fields open to this
class of labor.
MIR. Chalmers of the firm of Evans e.
Chalmers, dealers in hardware, was en-
phatically of the opinion that the pro-
jccts would be of great advantage and
gain to the city. Tho stove works
particularly would be profitable from
the start. eve have almost daily calls
from various parts of Southwest Viz
ginia for stoves and kitchen utensils"
said he, vast quantities Of which are
daily sent here from Richmond. Tho
citizens should take immediate steps to
induce the starting of the stove works.
Cotton mills would also he gain to
Roanoke, in that it would provide en-
ployment for females and young persons
generally for whom there is no present
employment. There are now two mills
in Danville, each returning a liberal
interest on the capital invested
j. X. Hockaday said that it is most
Important to start stove works at once
Nothing, in his Judgment. would return
larger profit on the amount invested
Two carloads of stoves come weekly to
Roanoke, and the demand for them has
just begun. The cotton factory idea is
also Il good one.
Mr.. lIieronimus, Of the firm of He
ronimus ~ l'rugh, dry goods and no.
tlons. thought the merchants of the
city should interest themselves in the
matter OF cotton mills and should be
willing to attest their faith in its sue
cess by subscribing to its stock: they
should appoi.-s-. committees to confer
with capitalists on the subject.
Mr.. tombstone, Of the firm of Brown,
tombstone X Co., hardware and arri-
cultural implements. thought both pro-
lects would pay. and should be striven
for. He, also, wished to see female
labor provided with employment LIN
the North he said. women sometime
are half the money producers through
mill work"
Mr. Snyder, of tho firm of IIasslcr,
Snyder Il MacBain, dry goods, held the
same general views as the others. lie
thought the merchants would take
stock. lie urged action and indorscd
the stand Of The TIMES.
Mr. Baker, of Baker K Marlllcy, real
estate, thought the merchants, rather
than the real estate mon. should agitatc
the matter, but was willing himself to
cooperate to the extent of his ability.
Both enterprises were good ones, and he
had no doubt they would prove paying
Investments.
Rosenbaum brothers were heartily in
favor of anything which would bring
more people to Roanoke, and provide a
diversity of employment, be it large or
small, and particularly were they i'm
pressed with the necessity of urging
the establishment of cotton factory
here. Six years ago this firm subscribed
to the stock of projected cotton mill.
and stand ready to do so again.
Mr. f. b. Kemp said: ''Roanokc does
not feel jealous of the smaller towns.
and wishes to see them get along. as all
of them near her increase Roanokc's inn
portance, but our city needs to be more
vigilant. or it will allow the energetic
smaller towns to absorb much that
should come here. No doubt exists
in my mind that both enterprises would
pay, and they should be strivcn for
Roanoke is the hest point in the South
to-day and is still growing, but no effort
should be relaxed in seeking to divcrsi-
fy and increase her industries"
Races mt E,Iiznketh