The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1891-04-24
Friday, April "a, 1894.
About the Post.

The publication in the POST OK the
analysis Of the coking coal at Big Stone
Gap, is attracting the attention of indus
trial journals throughout the country;
and since the Connelsylle strike, addi-
tional Importance has been attached to II.
Furnace men, East and West are beginning
to look elsewhere for their coke supply,
and if we were ready to supply them even
with sample lots, the demand would
increase far more rapidly than the
supply. There are over sixteen thousand
ovens in the Connellsvillc region, and
more than eighty-thousand men employed
in the industry. AS soon as the con-
sumers become satisfied that they can get
better coke at cheaper rates, they Will
of course make rush for it; and every
oven that is constructed here Will close
one ut Conncllsvile. The result will be
that the construction here will be rapid,
and an activity will be given to the indus
try and to other business, the value OF
which cannot be estimated.
The last issue of the Chattanooga
Tadesman contains an article on the sub
iect, based upon figures furnished by the
Pos7, and which will be found in another
column.
We refer to this matter for double
purpose. In addition to calling attention
to the fact that the superiority of our coke
is being discussed by consumers and the
journals that supply them with informa-
ton, we wish to impress upon this COM
munity and upon those outside of it who
are interested in Big Stone Gap, the value
of local newspaper in disseminating the
facts and celebrating their Importance.
When the PosT started there was hardly
ever an allusion to Big Stone Gap in any
Of the leading papers. except such rs was
paid for at advertising rates. Now there
is not an industrial paper on our exchange
list that does not contain some reference
to our resources in each issue. Indeed,
often appear in leading newspapers as
well as in trade journals.
Yet though all sensible persons inter-
csted in Big Stone Gap, must see the ad-
vantage of patronizing this paper and
thereby affording it the means of improv-
ing it's service and extending its influence,
there are Il number in our very midst who
fail to advertise in its columns or even to
patronize its job Office except when they
feel obliged to do so.
From the city government it gets no
patronage at ALL The ordinances of the
council are in crude and confused state,
no codihcation or publication in any form
having ever been made and no provision
adoptedlfor their PRONUNCIATION. The result
is that no one knows what the city laws
arc and, being unknown, they are not re-
spected or complied with.
: During the present week an important
election was held to determine upon the
issue of $50, 900 worth of bonds for local
improvements We voluntarily published
the fact that such an election had been
provided for, but the ordinance was not
duly advertised, and there are not half
dozen persons who are accurately in
formed in regard to its provisions.
Now we submit that this is not the way
to sustain the best advertising medium
Big Stone Gap has ever had. 1t is not
the way to make that medium more ctfec
tive. 1t is not the way to attract capital
and build city. 1t is mean and miscr-
able policy, niggardly and parsimonious
to the last degree. That the Posr has
tourished in spite of these adverse influ-
ences affords no excuse why they should
continue to narrow its opportunities and
embarrass its usefulness. If those inter-
ested in the growth of the city have any
business sagacity, they will not continue.
If the community prefer to gropc and
NOPE and lag and do nothing to hasten
the prosperity which is easily within their
reach, the policy pursued is consistent;
but if they are here to build Al city and
further their fortunes, it is inconsistent,
short sighted and idiotic.