The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-11-05
Finishing Manufactures.


The true policy for Virginia is as far as
possible, to utilize all the resources she
possesses, and to encourage such indus
tries as will convert the products of our
every day see carloads on carloads of
pig metal and timber being carried out
of Virginia to be converted into the fin
ished article and then shipped back to US.
with the charges forts manipulation en-
tered up against us in the prices we have
to pay. The effect of this ruinous policy
is to rob the State OF its natural wealth,
and allow it to be appropriated to the
benefit of other States, without even an
effort to arrest the policy that brings
about such results.
We have in this district four furnaces,
completed and In operation, which pro-
duce about 5000 tons of iron every
week. There are two more, which it is
expected will be in blast by the 1st of
March next ut farihest, which will yield
about 1,00D tons more, nearly 1000 tons
of pig metal as the output of this dis
trict-all of which is shipped to distant
points. to employ labor, build up indus
tries and advance the interests of other
people than our own. Why not have
the industries near where the crude ma
terial is produced, to work it up into
finished articles? There is not single
condition, necessary for this purpose,
that does not exist here, unless it be the
necessary capi al, and this would come
if the many advantages we have were
known to those who have money to
place where ii could be made remunera
ton. There is no place in the South
where more direct communication can
be had with all parts of the country
than right here. We have direct com
munication West, East and South, and
will soon have it direct to the North by
way Of the Warm Springs road and the
Camden system. 1t is known that no
railroad in the country furnishes cheap
er freight rates than the Chesapeake
actively alive to the establishing of such
plants as we have indicated. Capital
and enterprise will be met more than
half way and every advantage will be
given in locating industries and ev-
cry needed facility for reaching the
markets of the country will be af-
forded the outputs of such establish
ments. We have not only the crude
iron, but appropriate and desirable To-
cations, convenient to railroads, with
ample water on the ground and album
dance of fuel within easy reach. With
the pig metal, coke and coal, and an
excellent location, supplemented by the
! best of facilities, we are aware of no
other condition that is essential to the
profitable operation of finishing manu-
factories, except the capital That this
can be induced to locate here, if all the
facts were known, we have not the least
doubt; and the duty now is to direct
our efforts to make these facts known
Iron Gate is profting by this favorable
condition. 4 rolling mill and spike fac
tory are already in operation, under
Virginia management and by Virginia
capital. Covington is taking advantage
of them by erecting foundry and ma
chine works, as q nucleus, to be followed
by other kindred establishments as soon
as the money and means can be com
manded. Low Moor, or the Allegheny
Mining and Development Company
offers many superior attractions for
similar industries. Located adjoining
Low Moor furnace, where 800 tons of
pig metal are produced every week,
with free sites for plants. immediately
ON the banks Of Jackson river, and con
Meeting with the Chesapeake and Ohio
railway by a short lateral road, there is
no place more inviting for the establish
ment of such industries as we have sug-
gested Clifton Forge is the center Of
all this iron production, with a popula-
ton approaching 1000, an abundance of
water, the terminus of three divisions
of the Chesapeake and Ohio system,
where the immense shops of the road
are located and where the policy of the
company is to concentrate their bust
ness, it must be apparent to every one,
that any enterprise related to the iron
interest, properly managed would be
successful
While We have the most abiding faith
in the industrial future of eli ton Forge,
we want to see some immediate move
ment in the line of finishing manu-,
factories. These can he gotten here if
our people were to earnestly and syste>
matically turn their attention to pub
fishing far and wide the advantages we
possess, and which every one who may
desire can see for himself We fear there
is too much dependence upon the news
papers. The VIRGINIAN has been doing
the best it knows how to advertise this
locality and district, and its work has
made a favorable impression, we know
| But there is a duty the citizen owes to
supplement- the work of the papers by
his own active, untiring endeavor; to
mention Clifton and its favorable loca>
tion in all Of his business letters; to all
of his associates, and every day to pub
| lis!l abroad the facts rs we all know they
exist. Every merchant ought to have a
printed description of Clifton and it's
surroundings and advantages, to be en-
closed in every order and remittance he
sends off or letter he writes. The city
/ authorities ought to have published q
truthful prospectus of the city and its
advantages, SO it could be handed to
every stranger who may come here, and
to every one who would be likely to be
induced to come, if they knew all the
facts as they exist
We cannot hope to increase and grow
and prosper by letting things alone.
We must show our faith in our town by
publishing to the world it's splendid 10
cation, its aiilaent natural resources and
the many attractions for capital and
enterprise, If concerted action were had,
and liberal spirit manifested the year
1892 would witness wonderful growth
in all the elements of prosperity, and an
increase OF population and business that
few now dream Of. We cannot help the
town or section by going to sleep in
broad daylight. We must be up and