The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-10-03
The Great Meeting In New 70

The visit of the British Iron & Stool
Institute and of leading representatives
of similar association in Germany and
another in France, is an occasion of the first
significance to this country and particu-
larly to the South. Mr.. Hewitt regards
the event as an epoch in our industrial
history, and precursor Of the early re-
moval of the seat of the iron industry of
world to the Western continent. Indeed
our output of pig iron for tho current
year will exceed that of any country in
the world; and all that is left for US to
conquer is the steel industry which still
keeps the scepter of empire in the East.
Every leading paper in the United
States and Europe is now filled with
reports of the meeting and details Of the
prearranged programme for the visitors.
The Iron Age contains portraits of num-
Der of them, sketches of their lives and
accounts of their eminent services to the
cause of science and civilization. Other
trade papers arc hardly less enterprising
and appreciative of the Significance Of the
event.
1t is gratifying to learn that at least
two-thirds Of these visitors havo OK
pressed a preference for the Southern
route rather than the one to Lake Supo-
rior; and great as their anticipation may
be, the reality will exceed it. The indus
trial movement in this section is compare
lively in its incipicncy, it is true, but some
idea, though inadequate, may be formed
of the yastness of our resources and tho
superior advantages we have for develop
ing them. Should they honor Big Stone
Gap with their presence, they will see the
first coke oven that has been constructed
in an inexhaustible area Of tho best coke
making coal in the world. They will see
en- abundant supply of superior iron ores,
of different varieties, within a few miles
of the oven, and an immense forest of the
finest hardwood timber north Of the
tropics. They will see new city spread
ing it's wings along tho banks Of two
beautiful rivers, hard by mountains Of
limestone and furnishing perfect sites for
every character of manufacturing enter
prises. They will ascertain that this city
ie Immediately ON the line of the best
grade to be found in the entire Appalach-
ian range of mountains, thus lessening
the cost of railroad construction and
affording an increased hauling capacity;
and they will see at glance that the
topography Of the country necessitates
the concentration Of divcrging lines at
this point. They will be able too to ap-
preciate tho mildness and healthfulncss
Of our climate, the beauty of our scenery
and the grandeur of mountains that con-
tain III their bosoms moro wealth than the
mines Of California or the diamond fields
of South Africa The elevation Of these
coal fields and iron veins will suggest to
them the ease and cheapness with which
they can be mined; and our position mid
way between the consuming cities of the
West and the Atlantic ports, will further
impress upon them tho fact that there is
no point on the globe whore they can
realize greater and moro Immediate profits
on their Investments.
All this they will sec for themselves if
they will visit US, and then only can they
understand how inadequate must be any
account that can be written Of our ro-
sources and the facilities for utilizing
them.
If it is true us Mr. Edward Atkinson
says that Supremacy in tho production
of iron must go the point whore the
facilities for working the mines and the
cost of assembling the materials at the
furnace, are least" Big Stone Gap must
ultimately become the center of the
worlds iron and steel industry.