The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-06-21
DECLARES STATE PROMOTION
COMMISSIONER FRED
o. BLUE.
etrono Address Delivered az Thomson
Church Yesterday In Reference
70 Law Enforcement

1rtteru a meeting yesterday afternoon
~ the Thomson n. y. church. Mr..
Blue used A. HIS subject West Viz
Einia's Problem and IN a business
way. put the prohibition question up
10 his auditors
Aside from Mr.. Blue. Superintendent
Of the West Virginia Anti-SalOon
League George Crabbe. and Hon. r. A.
Baker. OF the National Anu-Saloon
League. also delivered addresses 10
was the mission OF Mr. Blue. yester-
day. 10 try to create a public senti-
ment An favor OF law enforcement.
This seems 10 be the part OF the state
that II drawing a great deal Of atten-
ton from the officials who are trying
TO enforce the prohibitory laws.
The meeting was opened by the sing
ing Of evsersl selections by the Thorn
son male quartet Rev. Hartinger. pas
tor OF the church. then introduced Mr.
George Crabbe as the first speaker.
Mr.. Crabbe outlined the situation in
this county in a few words and then
appealed TO the audience TO respond
with money TO help finance the cause
here.
The speaker said that they had some
trouble enforcing the law in this
county, IL seeming that there are PEG
pie here who do not seem to have any
regard for the law. He referred TO
Charleston a. a place that was con-
trolled some years ago by three women
OF the underworld. but which now has
n police force instructed TO arrest all
bootleggers and speakeasy operators.
and II they cannot do II there will be
other policemen put In their places.
He continued by saying that there
Is something wrong here. The first
man saw when arrived at our hotel
Saturday night" he said. was a man
who In now under indictment in
Charleston. We intend to see that
Wheeling Is not a lodging place for
iawbreakers n we can help IT," The
speaker then paid a tribute to Attor-
ney Charles Earhart, who IL in charge
of the league In this county. He then
said that there was a business man in
this city who pail 500 per month to
wards the salary OF the deputy prohi-
bition commissioner here. He ended
by having pledge cards passed through
the crowd.
Rev. Hartinger then introduced the
speaker OF the day. Hon. Fred o. Blue.
His appearance was the signal for a
storm of applause. and throughout his
address he was roundly applauded.
west NtF9lnids HFopicUs
Mr.. Blue spoke as follows:
"The states greatest problem is her
constructive development. Rich. vast
ly rich. in natural resources. such as
coal, oil. gas. clay and timber. pos
sessed OF splendid farms and grazing
lands. and fruit-bearing sections with
out better anywhere; favored with
great natural water power and al
most unrivaled natural scenery; and
having a strong people, the states
possibilities are without limit.
West Virginia has her own pecu-
liar physical and geographical prob
lens TO deal with. Her main trunk
line railroads run generally east and
west The eastern Panhandle Is cut
on from the main body of the state
by mountain ranges. The northern
Panhandle extends itself out between
Ohio and Pennsylvania. The great
Kanawha valley, until quite recently
had no direct railroad connection with
the interior OF the state and direct
connection now reaches only part of
the state. The great Norfolk &
Western region feels the throb Of bust
ness as Il travels east and west
through II. but IL does not feel the full
heart throb of the state at large. Our
people do not really know one an
other as they should. and they do not
have that common touch that means
so much to the development Of the
state
Needs a Drawing String.
The state needs a drawing string
to pull IL together. that
will bring all parts OF the state In
more intimate touch and relation. one
10 the other.
THE building Of p system OF per
manent roads. upon a systematic plan.
viii do much to pull the state to-
gether and get us all acquainted. one
with the other Moreover. such roads
viii advertise the great resources of
the state, and our great natural seen
cry will be turned into an asset be
cause such roads. through these hills
and mountains. will bring from the
congested cities to the east and west
OF MS thousands Of travellers; not only
WIN they leave their money. but they
will learn Of the great resources the
state has But better yet. We will get
acquainted and the state as a unit
win be pulling together.
James Whitcomb Riley makes us
see the lanes and the fences and the
praries Of Indiana. and make us hear
the songs Of its birds: HawthOrne's
story OF the Great Stone Face" az
well a. other writer's. have caused
thousands to take an interest In rug
ged New England; SCOTS stories Of
the lakes and glens Of Scotland have
caused thousands to take an interest
in, and travel 10. Scotland
West Virginia needs some one who
loves her 10 feel the inspiration OF her
hills and valleys and forests and
mountains and water fails. and 10 put
into prose and into verse the story Of
her people in the various walks Of
life. 20 that the outside world may
see as az Riley makes ua sec Indiana.
No. Hawthorne and others have made
us see New England and az Scott has
made us see the lakes and glens Of
Scotland
While the Improvement Of farming
conditions, encouragement and up
buiiding 81 manufacturing industries
~ make home markets for farm pro
ducts. home consumption of fuel aud
employment tO labor. enlarged facili-
ties for education. tho building Of
permanent roads. and greater vision
~ civic Improvement are among other
Factors hat enter into the problem
yet there is no single factor greater In
importance. morally. physically and