Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1915-01-14

With the question OF transportation
settled. If we are able to deliver coal
to San Francisco on the Pacific coast
at $5.05 per on or less, we shall be
able to deliver manufactured products
as n mixed cargo with the coal to
points OH the Pacific coast at reduc-
ton of over 800 per cent of the present
tariff rate. Isn't it possible7 Do you
not see in the immediate future the
assembling of manufacturers In our
state to use up the raw material in
manufactured products and ship 1t to
all parts of the Orient?
Market For West Virginia Glass.
While in San francisco last Decem-
Der Sen the mission of selecting a site
for West Virginia's part at the Ex-
position, at the request of Governor
Glasscock, my colleague, Mr.. Maggie of
your city and l, along with the New
York commission. visited the Wine
Haven wineries, to which l have al
ready called your attention. During
that visit we were entertained by Mr..
Oldham, the general superintendent of
the winery at a luncheon. During the
conversation at the luncheon | made
this remark: Mr. Oldham, noticed
In going through the various buildings
and warehouses of your great plant,
one large warehouse, possibly 1000
feet long by 200 feet wide, almost com
pletely filled with glass in bales, and
noticed the German label on practically
every bale. Will you tell me about
how much glassware you purchase for
your business during a fiscal year?"
His answer was: Something over ten
hundred thousand dollars worth"
said. Practically all from Ger
many?" He said. Eyes: so per cent Of
it comes from Germany, small per
centage from Belgium and small per,
centage from France" In the course
of conversation OH this subject it was
brought out that because Of there be
ing no glassware produced west of the
Rocky mountains and because of the
high transportation rates from the mid
die and eastern states, it was impera-
tive that this glass be imported from
foreign countries He said to me, II
would like very much to give this bust
ness to the United States, and believe
the Panama canal will make it possible
for we consumers on the Pacific coast
to buy our supplies from the people, in
the central and eastern states" Gen
tlemen, can you understand what this
incident means? Can we not under
stand by it that we should get the mar
kets of the Coast as4well?
Millions of Dollars.
If you will permit ME to specialize
for the moment the glass industry of
West Virginia should become in the
near future one.of great magnitude. 1t
should bring the state of West Vir-
ginia millions of dollars annually. 1t is
an industry the production of which In
value is made up more largely of labor,
fuel and package than any other in
dustry in the United States. 1t is esti-
mated that in the production Of glass
ware labor, fuel and the silica sands
necessarily amount to over so per cent
Of its gross value.
No state in the Union is so specially
adapted for the production Of this com
raj gas is in greater abundance and Of
better quality; her coal is im~unbound-
ed abundance and of better applicable
quality for the purpose; her climate is
better than that of Pennsylvania. Ohio
or Indiana, the other three competing
states Under these circumstances,
Mr.. President, it is the duty of this
Influential commercial body to use its
energy in bringing before the general
public and to assist%ih making such
trade relations as will encourage this,
one of the greatest of industries. This
is true not only as to glass, but it is
true of commodities made from clays.
1t is true Of iron and steel, and most
every other article that enters into en-
larged commerce.
You asked me in your invitation,
What will the Panama-Pacific Elk
position do for West Virginia?" In
my feeble way have tried to answer
this as best could, but this is not all
Let us take up the educational fea-
ture and advantage of this great Elk
position. No citizen of West Virginia
can make this trip without becoming a
better citizen, without becoming more
proud Of his country, without feeling
a greater security in the wonderful ca
Eacity of his country and without its
contributing to his education as no 9th
CT process IF mind enlargement can
bring about. We have possibly 250,O00
american citizens who annually cross
the Atlantic ocean to the European
countries and there remain portion
Of the year. venture to say, gentle,
men, that GO per cent of these 100000
citizens have not at the present mo-
ment as great n conception, as great
Il pride in and as great a loyalty to
their own country as the man from
Boone county, West Virginia, who has
Travelled the great continental railroads
to the western shore.
Promote the States Interests.
Mr.. President, III our judgment our
legislature acted wisely In legislating
an appropriation for the Panama Pa
citie Exposition Our governor acted
wisely in allowing the appropriation to
stand. and for the purposes fof which
the appropriation was made In appoint
ing commission; associated to some
extent with the state board of control
in applying the appropriation to and
for the best interests of the state. Your
have devoted a great
deal of valuable time without com
and without expecting com
pensation in the future, and consider.
able of their personal means up to this
date, in promoting West Virginias In
ferests at the Panama. Pacific Exposi.
lion. and it is my duty, as well as my.
pleasure, for and in behalf of my
colleagues on the commission, to urge
this body Of men to promote the states
Y elfare, to Join in this work immedi