The Washington herald., 1909-06-27

ly IN the older shos centers OF the East.
Many predicted and believed that Il
would not prove a success IN competition
with the older factories East and West
The reverse, however, was the case. as
the reliability and attractiveness OF the
shoes made here met with favor and ready
sale, and the business increased from
year TO year.
New Company Enters Field.
The year following the George D. Witt
shoe Company erected It's Ninth street
factory. which has been operated con-
stantly In a most successful way.
Encouraged by the success OF these
two factories, three others, larger. and.
prohting by the experiences OF the past.
more complete and up to date factories
were built during 1S0e-one each by Grad
dock-Terry Company. George D. Witt
Shoe Company and Smith-Briscoe Shoe
Company. This gives Lynchburg five
shoe factories, employing 900 or more
hands, constituting the leading industry
Of this active. hustling Southern city.
The wholesale shce houses of Lynoh-
burg viii distribute this year 5000. 900 OF
more shoes, one-half OF which will be
manufactured there
When II is remembered that. according
to the census reports OF 1900, the entire
South only manufactured S30o0,0oO of
shoes, and the larger part OF these were
made in prison shops. and In some cases
leased and operated by New England
manufacturers, It caz "a appreciated
what rapid strides have been made in
shoe manufacturing In Lynchburg since
1901. No other Southern city, and only a
few cities IN the United States, manu-
fnnfwraq ck@
and If one can judge the future by the
past. what has been accomplished in this
direction IS only an indication OF the grea.
expansion which awaits the shoe indus
try OF Lynchburg-
Some Figures Quoted.
The rapid growth Of the shoe business
here is best told IN the cold figures COW
ering the past twenty years.
In 1SSS the total shoe business OF this
town amounted 10 100000 Then years
later. in 1887. the business had grown 10
S2,50c,ooo while this year. 1909. the volume
will reach s.. .000500G What other city.
North, South, East, or West, can show
such striking development In any line OF
manufacture and In a new and dificult
one to the section7
Few. even OF those actively connected
With the shoe business OF the country
fully realize and appreciate VirgInla's
important position in this great industry.
the wholesale shoe houses in the
Virginia cities In 1908 were distributed
5z0, ,So4 cases Of New England-made shoes,
IN addition to large quantities made with
IN the States. which. according to the
Shoe and Leather Reporter, the recog-
nized statistical authority OF the trade,
places Virginia third among the States
1f the Union in Importance IN the shoe
business, according New York and nj
aois. in the order named. precedence. and
putting Virginia ahead in shoe distrfbu-
ion from Eastern factories OF the States
y Missouri Pennsylvania, Maryland. and
Ohio
When you consider In connection with
his statement the fact that Lynchburg
S manufacturing more shoes than all the
est Of the South some idea OF the deveI- |
'pment In this aggressive city can be
gained.
All the shoe factories In LynchburE are
models Of construction. equipment. and |
but II remains for the new
Continued on Page 3, Column 3.