Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-06-27

~ tMC lAAO1tOWM s ttuyACS-
burg g. West Virginia Railroad.
Considerable surprise has been mani
tested by the public concerning the
action Of the Trades Assembly at its
meeting last Sunday, in passing reso-
buttons against the proposed subscrip-
ton by Ohio county of $500, 900 to the
capital stock of the Uniontown, Wayn-
esburg and West Virginia Railway
Company. The criticism is freely made
that the Assembly acted hastily, and it
is alleged in support Of this that many
delegates to that body had, at most,
I only a superficial knowledge OF the
proposition which the voters are to be
asked to pass upon on July 18th. III
this be true, their votes were Influenced
by one of two speeches made by dele
gates who were opposed to the sub
Scription.
A gentleman who is prominent in or
ganized labor circles, admitted yester-
day that only one side of the matter
was presented at the Assembly meet
ing, and that in the interest of fair
ness the vote on the resolutions should
have been deferred for two weeks, in
order to enable the delegates to become
more familiar with the subject. AS a
matter of fact, the resolutions which
were adopted do not even state the
proper name OF the proposed railway.
The gentleman referred to stated
hat he regarded it as very probable
III n = tho paoftar u,n,,1J oratp no hrotnht
up for consideration at the first regu-
lar meeting to be held in July.
The meeting of citizens held in the
Criminal Court room some weeks ago,
at which the railroad project was en-
dorsed, embraced many of the heaviest
taxpayers in the community, and was
in every sense of the word a represen-
tatiye body. While business men and
manufacturers are favorable to the pro-
posed subscription, it is realized that 1t
will fail without the support of the
working classes. For this reason, the
gentlemen who are connected with the
road are very DESTROYS that the widest
publicity should be given to their
plans, and that every opportunity shall
be afforded the citizens of Ohio coun-
ty to %acquaint themselves with the ad-
vantages to be derived from the con-
structlon and operation of the propos-
ed railway. The average citizen does
not study questions of this character
sufficiently. In this instance the pro-
jectors Of the road are anxious that
their plans be investigated. Every vot-
er should carefully read the ordinance
which is to be submitted at the cleo
ton in July. In it will be found the
answer to many questions and unreas-
enable objections, which have already
been urged, and which are in them
selves evidence of an imperfect under
standing of the company'S proposition
to Ohio county. The ordinance has
been carefully prepared, and the
county's interests are fully protected
by its provisions.
There can be no Disgusting the
fact that the declaration OF opposition
by the Trades Assembly came as a sur
prise to the projectors of the road. Mr..
lutte and his associates in the enter
prise are known, and they are giving
evidence of their faith in the proposed
road by investing most of the neces-
sary money themselves. 1t is only nee.
essary to inquire at any bank Or mer-
oAei o6SASS ~ dSISl LQlQ GA1GlE SldlN-
ing in the business world. The oppo-
sltlon OF the Assembly was unexpected,
for the reason that the promoters of the
enterprise felt confident of their ability
to demonstrate to the satisfaction OF
Workingmen that the operation of the
road could not but be beneficial TO la
boris interests. When heavy tax-pay-
ers endorsed their plan and PROPOSE
ton, 1t was thought that they had the
cooperation of those who would have
to bear the burden, assuming for argl:-
ments sake that the county's subscrip-
ton would be a burden upon property
owners.
1t is a fact which is generally under
stood, that the only advantage which
the Pittsburg district has over the
Wheeling district in manufacturing
lies in the comparative c~heapness of
coke and coal in the former district.
This is due TO its direct connection
with the Pennsylvania coke fields. 1t
is provided in the ordinance which
voters are asked to ratify, that the new
road will give Wheeling manufacture
ers as low a rate upon coke as the
Pittsburg manufacturers receive. 1t is
assumed that the rate will not be high
er, and the projectors of the new road
say it will be lower. 1t is certainly
fair to assume that Wheeling manufac-
tulA's will secure the cheapest possible
rate, as the new railroad will
be directly interested in the industrial
development of this section. because
OF the fact that a large share OF its
revenue will come from the handling
of coal and coke.
Wheeling manufacturers look upon
the Uniontown, Waynesburg & West
Virginia railroad as a prominent factor
in the industrial developement OF the
Wheeling district. With a coke field
not more than 80 miles from Wheeling
the advantages of this community AZ
a manufacturing center. Will equal. II
not surpass, those of the Pittsburg dis.
trict
Assuming that there exists a period
OF depression in iron and steel. which
permits the Pittsburg manufacturer