Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-08-10

At both the beginning and close OF
last evenings meeting Of wholesalers
and jobbers, the Merchants Day propo-
sition appeared to be in bad way.
And this arises solely from the lack
of anything approaching broad pub
lie spirit here in Wheeling, and the
chronic disposition of nine men out OF
every ten to look out for themselves
and let the rest go to the bow-wows.
And this is not putting it too strong
On a proposition to spend three
thousand dollars for the beneht OF
business men themselves, there were
lust eight houses represented lasI
evening, by eight men. THESE, auueu
to two reporters and the secretary
made up the "crowd." -,
An adjournment was taken until
Thursday evening, for final action.
The meeting was called 10 oroer ny
Secretary Wilkinson, and on his mo-
tion. Mr.. Brock was called to the chalr'
in the absence of Mr.. Quarter.
ON a call for a report from the Sec
retary as to progress on the lsts OF
names. Mr.. wilkinson said:
"The expectation was that l would
have the revised list ready by TO-
night but out of thirty-eight lists
asked for. I have only received nlne'
and the most of them did not come IN
until Saturday morning. Therefore
there is really no report to make, lur-
ther than it looks as though the gross
number of names would be six or seven
thousand. and the revised list thirty
eight hundred to four thousand, 1udg-
ing from the work already done.
have called personally twice upon
about ALI of the subscribers, with the
result I have stated, and if the remain
ing lists come in promptly, don I
think 1t will be possible to complete
the work before Thursday.
Mr.. Baer-There is only nine lists
in. so far?
Mr.. Wilkinson-Yes, that's all nave
received. ,
scribers?
Mr.. Wilkinson-Yes; there are forty
four subscribers on the list, but only
thirty-eight of them are expected TO
furnish lists.
from?
Mr. Wilkinson-Baer Sons Grocery
Company. Locke Shoe Company, Nc
Gov Shoe Company, Kraft, Frank q
Rosenburg. Speyer, E. Wagner, I! I.
Hutchinson & Co.. John S. Naylor &
Co. Speidel Grocery Company. Neill
G. EIlingham. and Trimble & Lutz. All
agreed to send in the lists but one
house. and they didn't know whether
they would have time or not
Mr.. Baer-The report OF the Secretary
IS about in line with the experiences OF
the Finance Committee. in the partlcu-
lar Of those who looked upon the en-
terprise favorably. with a few excep-
tions. That list shows the men VINO
have appeared to take an interest In
this thing. We have shown our good
will to do something for the jobbing
trade of Wheeling, but II seems 1t is
not appreciated, and | for one. am IN
favor of stopping right here. Probably
at another time, when business is not
so good. and when the Mckinley boom
has worn its sharp edge of, our people
will have time to take the matter up.
I move that the Secretary make out
proportionate share Of the expenses so
far incurred to the subscribers-l have
incurred an expense Of about fve dol
lars for postage. ete.-and collect the
same from the subscribers and quit un-
til more opportune time.
There was no second TO this motion,
and Mr.. Mccoy took the floor and re-
piled to Mr.. Baer in words which he
asked not to have quoted in print. In
the course of his remarks he said he
did not see how the matter could posi-
bly, be dropped. as the financial situa-
tion was good. the newspapers had an
nounced the project, travelling men had
scattered the word around. and letters
had been received from customers, ex-
pressing a desire to come to the city.
He also said the prospects were good
for a cent-a-mile rate on the railroads.
He thought with the three thousand
dollars arranged for the visitors could
be royalty entertained. While 1t was
true that some merchants had evinced
but little personal interest. they had
signed the subscription paper In clos
ing he said: 81 don't see how we can
drop IT,"
Mr.. Baer was sorry 10 take issue with
Mr.. Mccoy. but nevertheless he did Il.
He thought Mr. Mccoy was going too
largely upon contingencies and posslbili-
ties. which might not be realized. He
said the actual subscriptions TO date
footed up s2720. leaving s270 yet TO be OBJ
tained. There was no certainty that the
railroad committee would get the cent
a-rniIe rate. and the general fact was that
the jobbers did not go at the thing with
the vim they showed in their own busi-
ness. He did not think the newspapers
had said anything from which the busi-
ness men could not honorably retreat.
II may expect 10 give a fish dinner, but
I NAV not be able 20 catch a fish The
meeting he addressed was an example OF
the general lack Of interest Mr. Baer
spoke at considerable length. and with
much earnestness.
After some further discussion. Mr. Nc
Coy moved an adjournment until Thurs
day. the secretary 20 notify all subscribers
of the meeting and OF the fact that final
decision would then be arrived at. Before
this was put. Mr.. Ellingham asked thai
more time be allowed. and suggested that
others present might wish to say some
thing. The motion was Withdrawn. and
Mr.. George Hook addressed those pres
ent urging that the matter be not drop
ped. out Of respect for the reputation Of
the city and its business men. II for no
other reason. and suggested that Mer-
chants Day be fixed for one day OF Fair
week. he said the Association would
make q reduced rate On tickets for the use