The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-08-12
STATE BOARD OF TRADE
DEFENDS WEST VIRGINIA
PUBLICATIONS OF COUNTRY TO
Be ASKED TO TELL OUR
SIDE OF STORY.
Circular Letter Emphasizes Natural
Weslth-Says State Never Has
Been Financially Erbsr-
raised


or late West Virginia has been
slammed about. mildly and otherwise.
In the public press throughout the
country. OF course these misleading
statements have come 20 the notice
OF the West Virginia Board OF Trade.
and In view Of them the board is send
ing out letters defending the state
Publications throughout the country
( are being asked 20 be fair. 10 at least
let West Virginia tell It's side OF the
story. Following is the letter:
To the Public.
on behalf OF the West virginia
Board OF Trade. the only general as
ISOLATION I'm the State. including in its
membership numerous leading COM
mercial organizations and representa-
uves OF every department of com
merce and industry. we desire to
make the following statement
West Virginia Is not now. and never
has been. financially embarrassed. as
represented by numerous reports
spread broadcast over the country.
based on idle rumors and misinforma-
/ ton. Like many other States. West
Virginia has lost revenues by reason
| OF the enactment OF prohibition laws.
and has also been called upon TO meet
some unusual expense in connection
with labor disputes In one small sec
ton. such as occur in any great in
dustrial community but successive
sessions OF the legislature have met
I these difficulties by proper legislation.
and West NirEinia's credit should. and
does, stand as high in the field OF
| finance and government as any State
in the Union.
II is not true that West Virginia
has in any way failed TO meet any of
/ its obligations. On the contrary. the
State Is going forward as usual, meet
ing its expenses, paying its Just debts
and looking forward to the future
with confidence.
West Nirginia's position is sol
idly founded upon natural re-
sources and individual enterprise
which have given il an enviable
: place among the states of the Union.
II stands second in coal produc-
ton with 72,S00.OOO tons to its
credit last year, first as a natural
J gas producer with an output val
ued at S35. 900. 900 last year: near
the top as an oil producer: among
the first in the lumber industry
and a manufacturer of growing
Importance Of iron. steel. tinplate.
glass, pottery. leather. wood pulp
and many other staple commodi-
ties.
The banks OF West Virginia re-
: fleet the states financial sound
ness with total deposits which
/ have nearly doubled since 1905
/ and now stand at upwards OF
Sl37, 10000.
West Virginia IL not controlled by
any clique or ring and its changing
l front in state and national elections
shows the free and independent spirit
Of its people. while its responsiveness
/ 10 enlightened influences is evidenced
in the Public Service commission law.
WOrkmen's Compensation Act and
other legislation designed to protect
and advance the best interests OF the
whole people
West Virginia has been uniqua
among the commonwealth of the
Union in its freedom from any bonded
debt. No such obligation can be in.
/ CURED under the Constitution. and
the country may rest assured that the
/ Virginia Debt problem now confront.
ing us VIII be solved honestly and
I equitably.
: West Nircinia's splendid resources
It's record OF achievement and the in
tegrity and enterprise OF its people
are sufficient guarantee that 10 is am
ply able TO take care OF itself and
meet fairly and squarely its duty
when It's duty Is plain.
Louis Bennett. President.
Weston, W. Va.
r. B. Naylor. Secretary.
Wheeling. W. Va