The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-01-04
wHAr oF rHE YEARP

In starting on a voyage, 1t is always well to look forward to our destination. In the beginning of an important under taking we will always do well to take &C., count of stock as well as to lay out a plan for the business year.
 What has the future for Montgomery? The year just passed out has been in the main satisfactory and encouraging In the various industrial lines we have been able to record progress at every point. The material growth of the city has been steady, without any spasmodic booms. and in every part of our town the build ing of new houses and the improvement of old ones hes been continuous and well nigh universal
 Now, at the beginning of another year we feel that we will be justified in look ing ahead with confidence and with a feeling of certainty that the year will be a good one. There is much to be done if we would make Montgomery the great and important city that it should be. The indications are that we will soon have a street car system which will be thoroughly satisfactory and creditable. That has long been needed and we predict that the changes and Improvements now going on will place our city in the front rank in that respect.
 Montgomery ought to have sofne exten- sive mills for working up Alabama's raw material The wood of our forests should be manufactured into useful and needed articles at home, and a portion, at least, of the iron from our mines could be turned into necessary merchandise right here There is no reason why this should not be done and many reasons why it should.
 We need a modern up-to-date hotel, and the matter cannot be much longer delay ed without serious discredit to the city and the citizens. We have no need to criticise our personal hotel facilities unfa- vorably, for 1t is not necessary. but 1t is sufficient to say that we are very much behind in this respect. The Montgomery of today is very different city from that of forty or fifty years ago. What was ample then in the way of hotels is mis- erably inadequate now. If the want is not supplied, Montgomery will be shamed and this year ought not to close without the hotel Our union sta ation, our paved streets and sidewalks, our unequaled wa ter, our fast-growing electric system, our street cars. all these are creditable, but the hotels are behind the column of march. Shall 1t remain SO?
 And so, as we look to the future. we can feel that we have cause to predict much improvement in industrial and busi- ness lines. What is needed. and all that is needed is for Montgomery's own peo- pie to resolve that this shall be the brightest year in the city's history and act on that resolve. The various industrial and commercial bodies are ready to CO., operate. and with the capital, the brains and the push of our citizens, the year just opening will be a noted one. Let all united for the welfare and advancement of our beautiful city. There is work fol all, and a duty for all. The Advertised stands ready to labor for anything that is good for our city and our people. IT the future, as in the past. it is for Mont gomery, and it hopes to work in harmony with all those who feel an interest anG pride in Alabama'S capital.