Evening journal., 1914-02-12
THURsDAY. FEB. II. Iel4.
WILMINGTON AND THE DIAMOND STATE STEEL
PLANT.

4 the big plant Of the Diamond State Steel Company
in this city put operation by its new owner on
lines which featured Il in the days of its prosperity It
will be an industrial and trade boon to this community
such as has not had for years. In those old days
1900 employees drew approximately $4,000 week, or
SL000000 a year, in salaries and wages. Most Of that
money went coursing through the local arteries OF
trade enricbing them wherever it went 1t represent
ed expenditures by OF for. least 5000 men,
and children Everybody felt the direct the indirect
benefit of that widespread spending Of earned In
a local industrial plant There other large bene-
ITS which accrued locally from expenditures by the
company for things other than skilled and unskled la
bor When the plant closed down. because OF financial
troubles, the regret general, not only in our city
but through the State We do think there
who is interested in the Industrial and commercial u
ture Of Wilmington who would not welcome full
resumption OF operation in a plant that figured so
long and Importantly in the affairs Of city and
State. Certainly any effort looking TO such resump-
ton IS deserving of the moral support only OF tho
Chamber of Commerce. but of all other civic organiza-
tions and puhlic-spired citizens
AS we understand g. those who interested in put
ting the plant ia operation seeking the aid OF
local capital That IS TO from outside. All they
ask Of Wilmngtonians and Dclavareans Is the moral
support which is represented by goodwill and good
wishes, which stand for much in the of outside
investors.
prise Of raising industry promotion and underwrit
ing fund Of 100000. The plan is to that money
to encourage persons from outside to come here and
establish industries. The purchaser o. the Diamond
State Steel plant is not asking for any part OF that
fund. He simply desires moral encouragement which
will enable him to put the plant in operation
and make Of it the pulsatng thing it ought to be for
the good Of the community
II those interested IN the promotion work OF the
Chamber Of Commerce hear of an opportunity
TO get for Wilmington industry which would give
employment TO 1900 and disburse $4,000 week.
or Si.eo0.0oo year, in wages. no doubt they would
exhaust all possible argument to convince those back
OF the industry that there is better place than Will
mington. # necessary, they would reinforce their
argument by appeal the sl.OO0OO0 promo
ton fund Why then. should there not be the same
enthusiasm when outside capital manfests a willing
ness TO come in, take established plant which cost
SS5000o0 to construct and equip make the necessary
repairs and operate it under conditions as good as
those which featured in the days before it was over
wheimed by financial trouble? One would think the
Chamber Of Commerce would be more than pleased to
assist in producing such result would be the big
gest accomplishment since its organization In fact
the reopenng OF the Diamond state Steel plant under
proper financial auspices and management with q pay
yo containing 1900 and representing s10OO0oO OF
wages a year. would overshadow all the other accom-
pshments OF the Chamber Of Commerce since It was
brought into being by merger OF the old Board Of
Trade and the Manufacturers Association