The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-03-17
IElfpH0NE NUMBERS:
Editorial Rooms...:.. S23 Courtins Roon,..... S22
THE -INTELLIGENCER..
WHEELING, SLARCH17, 1890.
Concerning Local Investments.

50 The city OF Wheeling Is to have to-
bacco factory, as announced In ycster-
days Inteligencer. The promoters ex-
pect to invest considerable money in
building 1t up, and to give employment
to many men, II their plans succeed.
The. city canfstand other factories of
various kinds that will extend her trade,
and help to detelop her interests and
increase her Importance as a manufac-
turing centre. There is plenty of. money
in ithe banks awaiting opportunities for
J, Investment. It has come in great guam
titles as the result Of sales OF stocks in
industries which have passed into the
hands of combinations, whether for the
permanent benefit of the city or not,
remains to be seen. 1t cannot lie idle,
and the banks do not desire that it
, should, for that isn't good business poll
cy and doesn't do even the deposltor
any good.
There Is no better point than Wheeling
in this section of the country, for in
vcstment in Industrial enterprises Of
various kinds to supply ordinary trade
enterprises that will pay better divi-
,dends and yield better profits than in
.restments In securities and mortgages.
Idle capital yields no returns, and the
opportunity for broadening and dlversi-
flying Wheellngs field OF industry
with small investments was never bet
ter. 1t should no longer be obliged
wholly to rely upon two or three classes
of industries, particularly under-present
circumstances.
In connection with this subject, 1t may
he appropriate to refer to an Interesting
pamphlet issued by the Equitable Life
Assurance Society on the subject of in
terest rates in this country for the flu
ture, under the conditions which may
prevail as a result Of the tendency OF
the times. The Equitable publishes n
number Of letters from bankers and
financiers in leading eastern cities which
contain some important pointers for
those who have money to invest. The
main point discussed by these letter
writer's was what rate Of interest could
be obtained for the next twenty years
on the prime Investments such as life
insurance companies usually carry. a
majority Of those responding to the re-
quest Of the Equitable Society render
the opinion that the average rate will
be as low as three per cent while some,
among them August Belmont, believe
that the average may go below per
cent. A very few place it at per cent.
It Is urged that the market tendency of
securitiesat present will confirm the es-
Inmates made by the authorities con-
suited in the matter.
There is not much that is enticing to
investors In mortgages and securities in
these predictions. Among those predict
Ing the lowest rates, aside from bank
ers, are Secretary of the Treasury Gage.
Hon. ,Chaunccy Depew. and others. The
most gain would be found In practical
Investments in enterprises that can be
, made to pay dividends from actual
profits, and the city Of Wheeling, with
all It's advantages OF location and ac-
feasibility 10 raw materials, and with
the money in its banks awaiting an OPP
portunity, IS n natural point for the
building up Of diversity Of such
smaller industries as will contribute to
the growth and permanent prosperity
OF the community.