Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1907-06-17
LETTER BY THE
CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE
Dear Sir:
Bluetield, W. Va.
June 18th. 1907.

Dear Sir
Several months ago. the Bluedeld-
Graham Chamber OF Commerce. look
ed over the situation in the CITY OF
Blueheld with the purpose OF secur-
ing manufacturing and other indus
tries and investments of capital in
the city. came to the unanimous con
clusion, that before the advantages
of the city of Bmeheld as a manufac-
turing and industrial center. could be
| represented to those seeking invest
ments, 1t would be necessary to save
the city improved, and its streets and
other public utilities. placed in con-
dition, at least as good. If not SUI
perior, to those of other cities seek
ing like industries.
With this view, the Chamber of
Commerce proposed to the city coun-
ell the issuance OF bonds for the pur-
ose OF making the contemplated inn
provements, and urged upon the coun
ell the necessity for the improve
ments desired, and also the necessity
Of securing the needed funds by the
ISSUANCE of bonds FOR the purpose.
rhe Chamber of Commerce i'm taking
this action. was not actuated by a
lesire to advance the cause of any
political organization, or any other
motive than to so improve conditions
in the city that outsiders having cap
tal to invest can be convinced thar
Blueheld affords an attractive and a
profitable field for financial and com
nercial operations. Nor has the
Chamber of Commerce I'm its support
If the bond issue been actuated with
my other motive than il had in the
beginning The necessity for max
ing the improvements contemplated
IS scarcely questioned by any citi-
zen of the city having any knowledge
Of the existing conditions. That the
streets of the City or Blueheld are
IN deplOrable condition and not to
ne compared TO the streets of any
other city OF the same population ana
With the same commercial improve
nents, is realized by every citizen
The Chamber of Commerce I'm present
ng this matter to the people for
their ratification or rejection an
"eciate the necessity of informing
ne people, for what purpose so large
a sum OF money was needed and
With this view, the ordinance specif-
ally appropriates the funds desired
o the work intended TO be done.
This was not the case on former oc-
asions when some issues were sub
nitted to the people, and the expen-
iture OF money on these occasions
one locality. led TO serious criti-
cisms by those not living In that 10
cality This criticism cannot exist i'm
the present case for the reason that
the authorities to expend these funds.
viii be compelled to expend the same
n the manner and for the purpose
prescribed I'm She ordinance, and any
attempt to expend any OF these funds
or any other purpose or any other
natter than that prescribed in the
ordinance, can be resented by any
citizen and prevented But I'm order
that every locality may know the OK.
set amount Of expenditures upon the
work provided for in the ordinance.
the Chamber Of Commerce has secur-
d from the city authorities the pas
sage Of an order providing for the
employment Of an expert accountant
for the purpose OF opening q set Of
books which will show the distribu-
ton OF these funds to the various
works. the amount expended upon
each of such works at any time. and
the balance remaining unexpended at
any time The Chamber Of Com
merce likewise appreciates the fact
that because the administration Of
the municipal affairs was i'm the
hands Of one political party. there
might be criticism of the distribution
Of funds and the expenditure Of
same and to meet this criticism. the
Chamber Of Commerce asked the
council 10 place these funds in the
hands Of a committee whose duty IL
| is TO see that these funds are proper
/ ly extended I'm the manner provided
| by the ordinance The council very
| eraciously acceded TO this request.
and appointed this committee which
/ is composed OF J. w. RUN o. T..
/ Alexander w s. Foufz. r. T.. Felts.
and W p Terrell. and when the
bonds are issued and their sale made
. The funds arising therefrom will be
at The disposal OF this committee.
they to- see 90 the application Of 90
in the manner prescribed Zoo The or
dinance Another objection was rails
cd that such part of the fund arising
from the sale Of bonds as could not
Doc Immediately used. might be en-
pIoyed TO enlarge q single banking
/ institution ln town TO This obiec-
ton the Chamber Of Commerce pro-