The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-06-07
Is Rnything The
Mafter With Scranton

A STRANGER landing in the midst
II of us and taking general sur
Vey of the situation, would have
no reason to think that anything is
the matter with us The stream of
traffic flows steadily and powerfully
through our streets. Our cosmopoli-
| tan crowds are as large as ever, and
walk with the haste and eagerness
| characteristic of a metropolis. There
is no sign of cessation anywhere in
the channels of trade. And yet,
should this visitor talk with our aver
age citizen he would he told that the
town has a black eye, strikes are
running it, industries are leaving us,
no money in circulation. real estate
| dead, nobody can tell where we are
! going to land, etc, ad nauseam.
! What has become of our nerve, our
enterprise and our courage? If We
really want the city to go to Davy
Jones locker, by all means let us keep
up this style of conversation. Let us
| stimulate our causeless fears by
! gloomy caterwaulings. as we come
| down on street or railroad car to
| business if we really desire general
slump.
If, on the other hand. we believe
in our town let us consider the facts:
IA tributary population of 200.
COO, most of whom intend to stay
right here and work, eat and dress
as in the past
More actual cash paid out in this
valley every two OF four weeks than
in any other locality OF same popula-
tion in the country
3-This is the natural point for
great railway shops and here they
will RENAME and expand when So
called cities are moving the grass in
their quiet lanes.
4.-Other great railway corpora.
tions cast an eager eye in our direc-
tion and while we are trembling are
acquiring property and intend coming
our way to stay. our facilities of
transportation, great already, will
soon be unsurpassed
5.-The International Correspondence
schools are making the name of
Scranton Il household word the world
over. and instead of contracting their
operations are rapidly extending their
gigantic plant. Few appreciate the
scale and magnitude of this great en-
terprise
6.-Our public affairs. while some
what confined, are about to assume
shape along greatly advanced lines.
We shall soon lightly talk of the late
unrleasantness.
Rome was not built in a day. our
half century of municipal life will
not he completed until 1916. Com
pare records with our neshbors;
While we should he better, we might
he worse. However, ininuity is not to
he condonfd but fought methodically.
with vigor and persistence. Using
tho means within easy reach evil can
he crushed and virtue placed in power
and kent there. The Saving rem
rant" is here and not powerless when
concentrated. The Sturges jury COM
missioner campaign is a sample of
what can readily be accomplished
along reform lines If we only say so
good and loud.
I'VE have here the ideal location
for great hives of industry. Many
are here, more will come, few will
leave.
S.-rhe removal of the steel works
has already been discounted. IF this
has ceased to be the natural location
for making pig iron, it is better that
the industry should go quickly than
slowly become moribund. Steel rails,
blooms and billets, together with
structural work. can and will be made
In Scranton with a profit.
There are as good fish in the sea
as ever yet We're caught, and no one
can deny that our fishermen know
where they are and will haul them
in.
e.-As for facilities for culture. they
are beyond the standard of our years.
Churches, schools, charitable insti-
tutions are all excellent and are not
by any means yet fully developed
The new building of the Young
Mems Christian association, when
completed, will mark an epoch. 1t is
evident we are very much alive. Why.
then, talk of general obsequies?
Finally, We should drop all absurd
local jealousies and think only of the
Greater Scranton. Instead of condo
lence let us have announcement.