The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-19
Stumbling on One Leg.

11OWSScI IL 1lluSl US rSdlQ lila H
partial tidal wave should come along
and sweep away Just one Industry IN
Newport News. and leave everything
else there untouched. the town would
stand nearer one hundred and third
than one-third among Virginia towns
in the value OF the business done. Of
course refer to the Newport Naws
|Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company:
That Is the industry that has made the
city great. Agcity Of more than 20, 900
inhabitants grew up around this one
industry. and It has apparently
reached all the growth 1t can look for
from that source.
The shipbuilding plant Is indeed a
great interest employing. even IN this
dull season, 6, 100 we'll paid mechanics,
and Its pay rolls are sinRly enormous.
It has been known to employ 4 900
more men. and doubtless it will be
doing that again before many moro
months shall dawn and fade; but I'M
the way of town-building, 1t has per-
haps done its best.
More Legs Must Come. s
The men of Newport News realize
this fact. and Mr. w. S. Copeland, who
was introduced at the progress din
nerp as the originator and IA Their Of
the new progress movement, has been
News Times erald. the doctrine of
diversified interests. A city that stands
on one leg can grow all right untllsit
acquires all the weight that one leg
is capable OF sustaining. Then twill
stop. It will not necessarily retro
grade. certainly not as long as that one
leg holds firm, but 1t will not grow
any more. 81, 5 SsaSsss
The newspapers and the sturdy busi-
ness men OF Newport News, fully real
lie this fact and that was hy these
people gathered around the tables at:
"a progress dinner They came to-s
Sgether to discuss ways and means to
provide other legs to stand upon, and.
when they got through discussing the
dinner they took on the other busf-9
ness and they did it In a business likes
way. 81
Orntory and business. j, Isl
DR.. Clarence Porter Jones. the presi-S
dent of the Chamber of Commerce. who
presided, briefly explained the object
of the coming together Of this en-
was indeed all sorts Of sent husiasm.sa and \
twas largely increased w en DR. Jones
read a letter from the presid e of the
Shipbuilding$ Company heartily indors-
Ing the progress movement, and pledg-s
ing his best efforts to make 1t a
success. s5.5a ~
Mr.. Edwin NJ Quarles, the secretary
of the wide awake Chamber of CONF
merce Of Petersburg, who had been
especially invited to be the guest Of
the men Of progress. was introduced NJ
MS the first speal Ser. Mr., Quarles. In II
a business talk that captured the COM
pany. told Of the great things that
can be accomplished by strictly bust;
ness trade organizatl ons. He NJ took ii
up the subject OF Scommercial organiza.
ton from q general, practical stand-#
point. and gave much interesting and 81
information. He urged tho 81
necessity Of CO. operat lion. and declared
thatSthe grea test trouble With all COM
mercial organization is that they ara q
not ken erionsly Y by the public ;or Il,
by the press. This, lie said, lis becaus 2S23
they do not take themselves seriously.
Mr.. Quarles went on to say that fletS
expected to see the movement f0ss
more progressive commercial bod.
extend until a great State organization
Is formed. IN " slss III la Il Il
E3 He told5of great things tina tsh have
been accomplished In etershur9 ly MI
united effort. and whils made mo
attempt ut oratory he mac TN peeGllS
that struck home and nut hat Their N
Ing Of business men To thinking. on 81
was evidenced by the tenor n q the ;3S
speeches, or rather short business
talks,st that followed. II # S NJ Ss
N Mayor Buxton, who Is Just closinAS
a four years term as ths head OF tii4
city government, mad O 8a real 81 d-faal,sg
Toned. stirring speceh. IIa Hyaa fol<z
lowed by tina WRITER and he by Mn
ELIAS Peyser, AIr. val Else. 4 Mn N
H. G.. BIckford, Il Rev. ~, " II =. Well kofd.
Rev, w. Asbnry 'tristian and hfr.