The Washington herald., 1912-02-12
BY
DONALD c. THOMPSON
DAN B. CONRAD,
e. ,r..--,.,,a,.,..A
Cstsn CorresPondentS)
Hagerstown, Nd,


Hagerstown, Nd, Feb. IL
The factors at work expanding and
building Hagerstowu are such as are
commonly at the basis Of growth and
prosperity. Here they are manifested
very strongly and the effect is the more
easily noted. A powerful action creates
an equal reaction. the reflection is the
more observable. 1t is easy to exagger-
ate, but It is not so easy to set down
coolly and exactly those integers, plain
as they are, says Clarence E. Weaver.
In the first place. il is well to under
stand that most great cities and most
great industries are set in a center OF
communication that is framed in a blast
ed environment, bare, fOrbidding and
infertlle- Here We vary, and It is varta-
tion to be noted. We are belted by the
most valuable of farming and truck lands
and we have the rolling hills that make
suburbs high. healthy and inviting. Thus
the proposition OF homes, Of abundant
markets, of easy proximity thereto, are
settled. This leaves free the city to ap-
proach the industrial question the more
freely. Also TO reach forth for the COM
munications that move the finished ar
ticles and bring back raw material, that
provide for the prompt touch with remote
and nearby cities and keep our peo-
pie in constant connection with what
goes on tn the world about whether by
wire or rail, freight or express.
The four lines that radiate from here
are practically five The Western Mary
land is giving us a Western connection
for Pittsburg and eastwardIy binds up
to Baltimore. Through the Reading and
Cutoff there is an additional inlet TO the
great regions about Philadelphia and
New Jersey. The Cumberland Valley
more particularly is concerned with
Pennsylvania and our entrance into New
York and Philadelphia, though We have
a range into Virginia for some miles
through that line. 1t will be observed
that both these lines offer chances at
competitive rates into big markets. The
Baltimore and Ohio. by a branch connec-
tion, offers advantages, and the Nor
folk and Western opens a range south
ward Of unlimited capacity.
Our situation could hardly be bettered
as far as the matter of market facilities
goes. Our industries have many lines and
connections TO choose from, and there are
now 1874 outgoing and incoming trains
every day as an indication Of further
possibilities.
It can be readily estimated that this
city offers a most desirable center for
factories and industries even If there
were no more to offer, than fertile and
productive environment and a hardly sur
there is more. We have here trolley
lines in plenty to re-enforce the desira-
bility OF the suburbs. In that direction
We are well armed We have near ninety
miles OF line running right out OF us;
We reach down into Frederick County.
over in Pennsylvania and to the edge Of
West Virginia There are many cars and
they traverse a territory that is both
beautiful and productive. This is. how
ever, not all, though we have 800 cars
leaving and entering the public square,
the point of transfer. every day. An
average Of only ten to the car makes
a mass of passengers alone. We have
more to offer the industry seeking a
home. We have a low rate Of taxation.
For factories which go outside the
limits of the city. a narrow boundary,
the assessment is about 20 per cent of
the cash value or less and the State
and county rate combined is 90 cents on
the 800. We propose this for considera-
tion and comparison. Let any factory
owner in any other section take this as
one of the leading inducements as to Sc
lecting this city as the site of his new
or of his old factory. 1t is not to be
passed over. 1t means the saving Of
many hundreds of dollars per year. 1t
means meeting competition with a good
start on a lesser basic cost. But we
go further. 1t is comparatively easy
the last large industry getting a most
desirable tract for almost a gift. but as
an inducement for establishment or the
removal here of factories We free them
OF taxes for the first five years and
extend a hearty welcome at the same
time. What town can offer much more?
or course, we have done better yet. The
last two industries were staked here,
one of them securing here $125.OOO for
shares of stock and the other being to-
tally subscribed and oversubscrfbed the
first week il was offered This should
show our spirit. But we are not in
terested so much in that as in the ad
vantages we show and the silent ad-
vances We make to factory settlers. We
draw them by the facilities, possibilities
and centrally distributing allurement,
one that appeals to every man who
makes something he wants to sell and to
get where it is bought as speedily and
economically as possible Briefly, there
YOU are. We present cold facts and
ask attention. 1t is worth studying.
What else is there to join on? Namely.
this: We have about us stalwsrt hill
side population to draw on for workers,
We have a constantly increasing popu-
lation, our birth rate running by month
ly report nearly double the death rate;