The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1891-10-29
Or be Content to Lapse Into a
I.pthargic Condition?
N11z
Something for the Consideration of
Johnson CjtyIPeople.
Would it not be wiATtO Bond the City
to Aid Industry.

Johnson City must have more
factories, The population is taking
the lead of industry, and we must
supply the deficit or be content to
quit growing, In case we cease grow
ing, our lands must decline in value
on our hands. The men who own
large shares must, in that case, see it
tend toward its native agricultural
value.
Now, the question that presents
itse is, how are we to get more fac
tories whereby we will be able to con-
tinue our growth, ultimately Aeaching
the magnitude for which many of us
have been sanguine on account of our
natural backing?
1t has come to this: We must either
build our own industries or throw out
some inducement to bring capitalists
here who will build them. There must
be something to maintain an army Of
laborers and give us an equilibrium of
trade. If we use the manufactured
articles from other towns, we must
also have something upon which our
labor has been expended to give in ex-
change, else we are "busted COM
munity." Therefore, it is to the best
interest of this community to get
move on itself
But some solution of the question
must be afforded. Well, there are two
solutions, either one Of which will
suffice, but perhaps combination of
the two would work better.
In the first place, there are those Of
us who have lands which will most
certainly depreciate in value OF our in
dustrial interests are allowed to wane
If these men will organize and set
apart a tract OF land to be donated to
industrial plants, and have the same
thoroughly advertised throughout the
country, they will have taken the
proper step. An advertisement of
such scheme coupled with our
natural resources can not fail to lead
to the thing desired.
When such factories are located
they not only give new impetus to the
town, but have the effect to increase
the value Of the remaining lands,
making them worth more than the
whole tract was in the first place,
To construct store houses is well
enough, but it il tfi,c enough for that
when our industries are established
aud our laboring nsen are furnished
the bread of life.
The second solution OF the indus
trial problem, or rather what might be
used more efectually in connection
with landed donations, is one which
our people may fear, but which, we
venture to say, would result in mar
vellous effects, giving its return ten
fold ere it all went from our pockets.
We refer to bonding the city in the in
terest OF such industries as we must
have. But you say bonds work hard
ships. Let US suppose the city were
bonded to the amount Of 100000 for
the establishment of factories. There
would be $4,000 for each OF ten indus
tries, such as we may chose to give il
to. This amount to single industry
it seems, would induce the capitalists
interested in the same to expend 500,
900. On this basis we would have ten
new plants each worth $4,000, which
would make total Of 100000 il
varied industries. If the season shoulC
grow dull for one special line, tht
Others would not consequently decline
SO that, under any circumstances, w
could hope to have a live industria
town. 1t were better to make such al
investment than to put all in one line
of Industry, for in case that shoulC
fail, or the supply overbalance the de
mand, the industrial feature would no
be regular.
Granting that each OF the ten factor
les would employ fifty laboring men
we would have an additional army c
800 laborers. This would give us al
increase of $500 population, and max