The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-03-21
VERMONT NOT LoP-SIDED.
Not Dependent on Any Single Line of
human Activity.

We do not coincide altogether with
the opinion expressed by several of our
notable citizens, whose loyalty to their
state no one questions, that Vermont
has no future worth fostering in any
direction other than agriculture. 1t is
doubtless true that we are at a disad-
vantage in some respects compared with
localities nearer the fuel and raw ma
terial supplies, or at the very door of
the markets, or on the seaboard; yet
Vermont has some advantages that
partly compensate and give ground for
hope that in manufacturing she may ex-
pand very largely.
Among these may be mentioned cheap
power and the quality of labor she can
provide. Neither have been fully de-
veIoped, but both have fattering posi-
bilities. The electrification OF our man
ufactories has barely begun, vet it has
proven its great superiority over fuel
power. There is reason to hope that
within a few years the handicap as to
coal may be removed by the almost com
plete substitution of hydro-electrie pow
err, placing us on an equality, at least,
with the big industrial centers.
And we have an abundance of good
reliable efficient native-stock help, such
as might well encourage manufacturers
to look this way. Though insistent for
fair days pay for q fair days work
and careful of their rights, they have
not been warped by extreme views of
their relations toward industry and have
little patience with mere agitators like
those of the |. w. w. type. We mag
inc that many manufacturer, harassed
by the arbitrary demands of labor would
be glad to be let down into the atmos-
phere of Vermont. even with the handi-
cap of distance and some loss in freight
rates.
Our woodworking manufactures have
the advantage of being near the source
of their raw material, in many cases.
Our granite. marble, slate and tale in
dustries for like reason will flourish and
grow. II has been found possible even to
establish prosperous textile factories in
some of our power centers. Even iron
and steel manufactures like scales, ma
chimes and tools show gratifying in
crease from year to year.
A prominent inventor and manufae-
turer recently told MS that there was
no trouble in locating any kind of an
industry in Vermont. The first thing
he said, was an idea-the
making of something along special
line for which there was a demand, or
for which it was manifest demand
could be created; second, ordinary bust
ness acumen to make it and sell it at a
profit. He would not even include cap
ital or power as requirements, but said
they were quite secondary in impor- |
lance. Location he held to be almost
negligible. And the man is in position
to judge. as he is at the head of one of
VeTmont's broadening industries.
Reverting, let us say that we see no
conflict anyway between agricultural and !
other industrial development in Yer !
mont. They can all expand together. |
Natural conditions at present greatly |
favor agriculture and especially in Yer |
mont. They bid fair TO continue. Let /
MS make the most of them in every pos
sible way. But let us not conclude that |
all other avenues of growth are closed to |
us. for il is not so. We shall do well to |
give due attention TO our quarrying, /
numbering. manufacturing and CONNER
cial pursuits. We can attract summer
travel and profit by it, though we will
do well not to count on it as a chief as
set.
In a word. the greater Vermont that |
we all crave, when it comes will not be a 1
op-sided creature, but roundly developed
in all the WAYS that count for industrial |
md material uplift. Randolph Herald.