The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-07-18
Held Man visits Principal Cities
and Signs Up $50 Factory
Operators.

+ HUNTINGTON. July 1T.-PTaIimir-
ary arrangements looking to the o.
ganization or a West Virginia manu-
1acturers' ASSOCIATION which have so
Ear resulted in the securing of the CO.
operation of nearly three hundred
eoporations in the principal factoy-
LaF1am, field secretary of the pros
pective association, to huntington
This week.
After calling on the officers Of the
Few corporations Mr.. LaFlam ar
nounced that conditions seemed favor
able in Huntington and he expro ssed
the belief that branch OF the organ
3zation could be established here.
To Meet Soon.
The initial meeting will be held
about the first of August when the
principal manufacturers OF West Viz
Rtnia will meet to form permanent
Organization. Five hundred members
are expected to form. the nucleus OF
one OF the most powerful business as
Sociations in the OHIO valley.
The purpose of the society as ex-
blamed by Mr. LaFlam, is primarily
to bring about more scientific deyel-
opment Of the resources of the state.
The seed began its termination some
time ago in Wheeling when number
OF prominent manufacturers OF the
Panhandle city had an informal con-
ference and decided that West Virgin
Jas manufacturing possibilities are
being neglected.
1t is the opinion of the Wheeling
Ananciers that this state should be
the leading manufacturing center of
the United States, If not the world
with oil, gas, practically an unlimited
coal supply, lumber. iron with easy
reach, good railroad facilities and the
Ohio river for cheap transportation
Of both raw and finished material.
Legislative Committees.
Mr.. LaFlam said that while it is
not the purpose of the organization
to find fault with the state admins
tration, the laws are not drafted to
encourage industry. One OF the first
moves of the manufacturers assocta-
tion following the election of officers,
will be to appoint committees to- look
after more favorable industrial laws.
That more capital from out OF West
Virginia should be interested in the
resources of this state and should be
induced to invest in manufacturing
plants here was the statement OF Mr..
Latham.
One. reason that there has not been
West Virginia's possibilities are IN
known With such an association as
lis planned general publicity cam
started. the purpose being to put this
state alongside of Pennsylvania and
other Industrial districts, on the map
of the world. -
Non-Partisan.
"There is no politics In the asso-'
ciatton,s said Mr.. LaF1am. 1t Is bus
mess pure and simple.
Among the cities already visited and
in which manufacturers have signed
membership are Wheeling, Parkers-
burg, CIarksburg, Cameron, MarAnton,
Fatmont. Wellsbug New Cumberland,
cities in West Virginia.
Before arriving in Huntington Mr.
LaFIam secured $50 signatures OF
and corporation ofhcz
ia1s. Practically all the factory heads
OF Huntington are expected to pledge
their cooperation and have repre- sem
tatives at the organization in Wheel
ing. Mr.. LaFlam stated thas prac-
tfcally all those called on recognized
the benefit which will result from sue
an association.
The Last in Line.
The organization of the n:anutac-
turers will practically complies the
organization of all important Hnes 81
Industry in the state. The coal cper-
ators have strong ASSOCIATION; the
gas and oil producers and dealers are
ORGANIZED: there is the West Virginia
Business Mems Association, the hard
ware organizations and others of les
ser Importance besidss the orsani2a-
tons OF professional me7.
All classes of manufacturers and
CORPORATIONS will DE inc1nded-steEl