The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1899-03-23

MANITOwOC seems TO think it mas a
dead sure thing on the future, and that
now 1t may await the coming of the
prince 10 the lackadaislcal style of the
maiden who fancles her charms irresist-
IDLE. Possibly the prince may come, hut
his coming will be more certain If we go
out and get him. No city ever grew to
be anything yet unless through the eff
forts Of its own citizens. There must be
union, determination and definite pur
pose if we nope to accomplish anything.
But there Is no use In generalizIDg.
We have been active for few years aud
results have iustitie,: the wisdom of our
course. Bat there is no city which can
hold the progress it has made unless 10
cal conditions are sufficient to REGAIN 1t
We are not 10 a condition to command
the future yet except through our own
activity. We may sing come, birdie
come but there is no business virility
IN the strain, unless we reach fer the
birdie with determined hand.
Let rs examine our condition and see
whether 1t Invites repOse with the certain
u of continued progress. And let 1t not
be forgotten that retr0gresslOl means
death at q time when new forces are ad-
iustIpg themselves and pushing on to
new cOnqnests.
The fact that Manitowoc is not yet
clearly IN position to take things easy
may be gathered from the following con-
dltlons.
% The Manitowoc Seating company
is 10 longer under local control. The
company was formed not for tie money
there was III the business for individual
stockholders bat to furnish employment
I for ManitOwOG people. Competition was
such that the factory did not much more
than pay expenses and $50, 900 paid 10 10
she capital stock gave DO return 10 the
investors. Public spirit was at the ex-
pense of a few. but the many reaped the
benefit in common without contributing
to the source. The factory Is no longer
under local control and stockholders will
receive only portion of the money in
vested and which for years was non pro-
ductive. Is there anything in this situa-
ton which justifies the belief that further
effort is upeiiiuous? That all is done
which Is necessary to assure the future?
In addition to the above. though neith-
er may prove injurious coal docks
at this place are to be sold April |. The
plant is too valuable to be abandoned If
coat docks UW pay under a new form of
"
that is, shipping coal by car ferry and not
breaking bulk. Experienced coal dealers
will not say positively that coal docks
can Withstand this competition IN terri
tory which Gao be supplied by car ferry
routes. The dlscontInuance of the coal
docks here is not probable, bat there is
possibility which should put us On the
alert and prevent our iapsing INTO s ate
of somuClence under the pleasing I'M
preston that every hing is al right. @
l2) Carferries are becoming as com
mon as railroads. There is no port on
the lake which eau claim exclusive con
troll of this new method of transportation
which is revOlutlOnZlng in ITS tendencies.
Ii is said the Pennsylvania road Is secur-
ing terminals and right of way for belt
| lines at Maunette and MeuomInee and
that line TO the wheat fields of the uorlh b.
west will follow 10 two years. Run In
connection with the Ann ArbOr ii will be
| the shortest line to the Atlantic coast
| Is this prospect which invites, on our
| pBrt, lauguId acceptance of what is done
! as sufficient to meet the demands of the
| situation If continued growth Is desired !
| Let us not deceive ourselves, SIT" The
| time for lnaction has not come.
! % The prospects Manltowoc had
| and the form of the verb is used advlsedly
| have been productive of one prominent
/ and dominant result; 1t has brought IN
| many willing to share IN the prosperity
which The future promised. People are
never burdened with gratitude when 1t
/ comes TO business and those who were
| active in giving Manitowoo a start mus.
| share whatever increased business may
| result. with those who had no share in
shaping matters. This may be deplored
| but 1t is lrremediable. But to dIscon-
| Time effort is simply to share what may
| be already secured and not seek remun-
Grafton for efforts expended through the
| enlarged business of a constantly increes
| ing city. That should be the aim. Mau-
itowoc must be large city or its prest-
ige is gone. Matters are shaping them
selves now for business metropolis
north of Milwaukee. Natural advantages
are but a help TO local effort. They cal
never be a substitute.
90 What Manitowoc has done up t
the present has been 10 the line of prep
aratlor What fatuIty 1t is to construc
the instrument and decline to use it, W
want steady application of force. Hop
10 the future which is inspiring and con
ducive to activity. 4 willingness t
make sacrifices if thereby ultimate sue
Cess can be assured or even made prob
aole. Petty Ia8lousles, petty ambition
and petty spirit OF economy have /
them all the elements of decay. Let U
move out to Manltowoc Rapids if rest /
| what we are after,