The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-12
A FLASH LIGHT SIGNAL.
Effort to Have One Located Mt the OBJ
servatory on mill Mountain.

Effort to Have One Located Mt the OBJ.
servatory on mill Mountain.
The Young Mems Business League
has addressed letter to Hon.
Peter J. Otey, representative in Con.
gress for this district, relative to the
establishments Of . flash light signal on
Mill mountain, which will doubtless re-
celve prompt attention st his hand, and
winch especially commends itself to the
aGflculturai interests Of this section.
Inc letter Is as follows:
ROANOKE, VA, March Q, 1sQ8,
Hon. Peter j. Otey, Washington. ID. q
DEAR SIR: We beg to bring to your
notice Q matter Of very great impors.
anoe to this section of the State, and
trust that your valuable assistance and
endorsement In presenting It to che
proper authorities will not be withheld.
AS you are we'll aware. the section
Immediately surrounding this city. gen.
orally known as the Roanoke Valley,
Is o fertile and rapidly developing sgri-
cultural district, and OF recent wears has
advanced to stage which entities IA to
Al ths benefits enjoyed by other sec.
lions at the hands Of the Governments.
FOR some time past our interests
nave felt the want OF information die
trlouted In varioua forms by the weather
bureau, and this Is becoming more and
more apparent with every sdvnncemens
made.
with the view of obtaining this In.
formation in the most economical nan.
ner, and with the greatest benefits 20
all interests, plan has suggested
1tself In the establishment of q flash
light signal to be displayed at night
from the observatory no ~ on hill noun.
tain, spur OF the Blue Ridge, located
one mile south Of this city and towering
about eight hundred feet above It, 10 be-
operated py an electric light from a
station to be located in the new govern.
ment building, now nearing completion
From the point mentioned the zig.
nals could be seen in every direction az
iar as the eye can reach. embracing the
counties OF Roanoke, Botetourt, Bed
lord, Franklln and Floyd, with COM
bined population of over one hundred
thousand people. In order that the
matter might be presented with some
degree OF intelligence, we beg to submit
herewith letters from the Roanoke Gas
ana Water Company, Offering to meet
sne government on the most liberal
terms Tor the use Of the observatory. and
from the Roanoke Electric Light DOM
pany, giving an approximate estimate
OF the cost OF constructing the plant and
lss annual operation and maintenance
These propositions are based on the sug.
gestons given these companies, and are,
OF course, subject to such change as the
plans Of the Government would REQ uire
considering the small coat involved
In the matter and its importance to the
large territory to be benefited, we feel
that 1t should engage the earnest atten-
tion and favorable consideration of the
weather bureau.
I'm placing this petition in your
hands we feel confident that your in.
terest in the welfare and advancement
OF shis section and the endorsements
which will 20 to you from prominent
citizens among the beneflciaries of the
proposed service, will enable you to
present. this matter with your unquali.
lied endorsement, and to urge prompt
and favorable action.
Earnestly soliciting your suppors, we
are. with much respect,
Very truly,
"EDw. L. STONE, President,
Young Mems Businasg League. -