Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1914-10-01


rial Hall last night was brg sue
cess. There were about ITS present,
composed of representative citizens Of
Jefferson County together with some
prominent citizens of nearby states. The
dinner was furnished by the ladies ofthe
Charles Town Baptist Church and was
a splendid one. and the ladies are de-
serving of much praise for serving such
fine array OF good things to eat.
But the real treat of the evening was
an intellectual one. and theiist of speak
ers included nsmes second to none on
the list of industrial promoters in the
United States.
Mr.. George B. Goetz, President of the
Board of Trade. called the assemblaRe
to order, and with q few weil-choseu
remarks introduced the speakers of the
evening. He read several letters from
prominent citizens of sister states very
much interested in Charles Town-Ran-
son aud Jefferson County heartily endor-
sing the movement now under way.
In introducing Col. r. P. Chew he
said I'VE will be'addressed by man.
statesman. soldier and citizen, who has
done more to bring about the develop
ment of Charles Town Ransom and JEFF
ferson County than any other citizen. !"
Colonel. Chew made an excellent talk
and urged that the Board of Trade be
given the backing of the entire comnun-
ity in their efforts to bring industries
here that work men. which Isvitally
essential to the upbuilding of any city.
The next speaker)tobe introduced was
Mr.. H. o. Hartzell. Assistant Industrial
Agent of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road. who reviewed the relations Of a
great railroad with the industries on its
lines, and pledged the assistance Of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in every
way possible in the building up of
Charles Towr. Ransom and Jefferson
County.
Mr.. F. H. LaBaume, Industrial Com
missioner of the Norfolk and Western
Railway, was the next speaker on the
program. Mr.. LaBaume told ofths pos
sibilities in the Shenandoah Valley and
the Charles Town>section from devel-
opment standpoint. He analysed the
situation confronting old settled COM
munitles, where people were inclined to
be self-satisGed and inclined to follow
lines of least resistance. He compli-
mented the citizens of Charles Town for
their energy in taking the initiative in
the campaign for wider development
of their resources along modern lines.
He advocated the organization OLA
town and country club. wherein the
town people and their country neighbors
could come in personal contact with
each other, Touching on the beauties
of the Shenandoah river. he suggested
the establishment of an attractivh sum
mer camp, fitted with complete equip
ment. where people could get togethsr
for healthWoutdoor summer recreation.
He said he had seen no more attractive
camp site in the South than those on
the shores of the Shenandoah. aud en-
phasized the possibilities of development
along these lines.
Mr.. George H. Mosser, Secretary
Altoona Chamber Of Commerce, Altoo-
ma. Pa. was then introduced, and made
an eloquent appeal to themen df Charles
Fown-Ranson and Jefferson County to
get together and stand together shoulder
to shoulder in the npbuilding Of their
community, He dwelt on the value Of
organized effort on the part Of Shenan-
doah Valley business men and agricul-
turalists to develop latent resources and
make this section known to the world as
one of the greatest feed-producing
sources along the Atlantic seaboard.
This country teens with history.
he said. 1T was the scene of conflicts
which made names immortal in Amer.
history. But the apparently barren
acres and the wooded bills over which
Stonewall Jackson made his famous tor.
ages are to be known for more useful
purposes. They are now covered by
some of the greatest apple orchards in
the world. Near Charles Town is one
orchard which is known as the greatest
producer of wlnesaps IN the Virginias, 6
source of revenue greater than many
exploited silver and gold mines in the
Rockies, with no come back at the
hands of the smooth promoter. MIR
Mosser urged a national campaign o.
publicity, the erection of additions
cold storage houses so that the grower.
might not be at the mercy of the middle
man: but could hold their crops for goot
market values. He pleaded. for more
intensive farming, better marketing ant
distribution methods, bett er roads. bet
terment OF rural education and rural lif'
Il ge nerally. He urged Charles Town ane
Ransom, the homes of sever allargeman
ufacturing plants, to make thorough
civic and industrial survey aud per
sistent campaign fer new Industries
Make your cities good cities in which
to live, he said. Make them centr,
attractive to labor, with good school
and churches, parks and Fairgrounds
lequit able taxation, plenty of iegitimat,
amusements. With such an agricultura
country to furnish low living, Charles
Town and Ransom will have no troubl,
IKaiuing desirable industrial plants
Il Among some of the projects to b
launched are establishment of outsld
markets for effersou County apples
standardizing of Jefferson County apple
} and q national campaign to advertis
! them and other products by means of
bure eau. The bureau will also carry OF
campaigns for civic improvements ant
for the DEVELOPMENT of trade terrltor,