The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-03-23
Not Lop Sided

We do not coincide Altogether with
the opinion expressed by several of
our notable citizens whose loyalty TO
their state no one questions, that Yer
mont has no future worth fostering
in any direction other than agricul-
ture.. 1t is doubtless true that we
are at a disadvantage in some re-
spects compared with localities near
er the fuel and raw material supplies
or at the very door OF the markets.
or on the seaboard; yet Vermont has
some advantages that partly compen-
safe and give ground for hope that
in manufacturing she may expand
very largely
Among these may be mentioned
cheap power and the quality of labor
she can provide. Neither have been
fully developed, but both have fiat
tering possibilities. The electrical
ton of our manufactures has barely
begun, yet it has proven its great SUI
periority over fuel power. There is
reason to hope that within few
years the handicap as to coal may be
removed. by the almost complete sub
stitution of hydro-electric power,
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 we'll encourage manu-
facturers to look this way Though
insis.ent for a fair days pay for
fair days work and careful of their
rights, they have not been warped by
extreme views of their relations tow
ard industry and have little patience
with mere agitators like those of the
|. w. w. type We imagine thai
many manufacturer. harassed by
the arbitrary demands of labor,
would be glad to be let down into the
handicap 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 industries for like reason
will flourish and grow. 1t has been
found possible even to establish pros
porous 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 manu-
facturer recently told us that there
was no trouble in locating any kind
of an industry in Vermont. The first
thing necessary, he said, was an idea
the making of something along
special line for which there was a de
mand, or for which it was manifest
a demand could be created; second.
ordinary business acumen to make It
and sell il at a profit. He would not
even include capital or power as re-
quirements but said they were quite
secondary in Importance. Location
he held to be almost negligible. And
the man is in position to judge, as he
is at the head of one of Vermont's
broadening industries.
Reverting, let us say that We see
no conflict anyway between agrlcul-
tural and other industrial develop
ment in Vermont. They can all ex-
pand together. National condition at
present greatly favor agriculture and
especially in Vermont. They bid
fair to continue. Let us make the
most OF them in every possible way.
But let us not conclude that all other
avenues Of growth are closed to use.
for IL is not so. We shall do well to
give due attention TO our quarrying.
numbering. manufacturing and COM
mercisl pursuits. We can attract
summer travel and profit by il.
though we will do we'll not to count
on il as a chief asset.
In a word. the Greater Vermont
that we all crave when it comes will
not be a lop-sided creature. but round
ly developed in all the ways that
count for industrial and material