The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-01-28

ond possibly only to transportation
and fuel conditions.
Transportation Conditions.
Transportation question not only
has a direct bearing upon the assem-
blage OF raw material and distribu-
ton of finished product but also upon
the labor situation. Freight rates
must be obtained on various classes
OF raw material, also rates on finish
ed products to the various markets
OF the particular industry in ques-
ton in both carload and less than
carload lots. In obtaining these
rates the prospective manufacturer
makes careful comparisons as they
apply to various cities being consid-
cred. Cities having water transpor-
tation or competing railroads usual
ly have considerable advantages over
cities like Clarksburg and II Is up to
us to show other advantages to out
weigh these handlcaps. Next to the
question OF freight rates comes the
question of service. How long does
1t take to make shipments to big cit
les like New York, Philadelphia and
Chicago? What Of express service to
these cities, express delivery limits.
local switching service, efficient and
prompt or otherwise?
What are conditions covering con-
struction Of sidings. terms. etc.
These are all leading questions. which
must be worked out in comparison
with conditions prevailing at other
competing locations.
Fuel and Raw Material.
Every manufacturer is q big con-
sumner Of fuel and raw materials and
costs of these items, distance to haul.
ETC., are all important to him. and
these matters are carefully investi-
gated from the standpoint Of each
location being considered. Here again
freight rates and question Of quick
delivery cuts an important figure.
In many lines OF manufacture. Ia
Dor is a most important subject. pre-
vailing rates Of wages, working
hours per day and the abundance or
scarcity Of skilled or unskilled labor
Investigated, copies Of labor laws, II
any, obtained.
Labor Situation.
No matter how well a factory may
be built, how we'll equipped for the
safety and comfort Of its workmen,
nor how we'll 1t pays the toiler, the
workingman will not be steady II he
does not like the conditions OF the
city In which he lives. So In consld-
ering the labor situation, the manu-
facturer will look carefully into city
conditions as they appeal to the
working man, such as rents, the kind
of houses in which working men live.
schools for the education Of their
children, parks, play grounds, and
| recreation centers and particularly
street car facilities for use Of the
workmen.
In all this investigation, the per-
sonality, courtesy. tact and knowl-
edge Of conditions as outlined above
and appreciation Of the serious prob
lens confronting the manufacturer
manifested by the board Of trade rep
resentative giles q long way toward
securing for the hometown the pros
pective industry. Usually the board
OF trade secretary who can clearly,
truthtully and intelligently set forth
the prevailing conditions with sum-
cient insight to emphasize those
things which might especially appeal
to the industry In question, who
knows how to work out various trans
portation problems arising and who
exercises due courtesy and diligence
will usually 'land the bacon" but
In this work he must have the ample
backing and support OF the business
interests benefited by these indus
tries.