The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1916-12-21
CONT Club 7 0
MAKE CAMPAIGN
FOR j. S. PLANT
Wires Russell and Two Sena-
tors, Asking Them to
Help Land Prize.
SPEAKERS THINK T..
SURE TO PICK CAPE
This City Has Many Advantages
Over Towns Government
is Now Considering.

Plans for obtaining the SlI,000.00O
Government armor plate plant for
Cape Girardeau were discussed last
night at special meeting of the Com
mercial Club. 1t was decided to pre-
vail upon the representatives in both
houses of Congress for Missouri and
other states that are not in the field
for the plant, to work for Cape Girar-
deau. It was pointed out that the Cape
had superior chance to acquire the
institution because of the city's ideal
ocation.
Several kilograms which had been
exchanged with Congressman Russell
near large city the Government has
said.
were read. Mr. Russell was asked by
both the Commercial Club and its
members Individually to use his influ-
ence with the board that would de-
eide the location for the Government
plant. The requirements are that the
project must be located at least 200
miles from the border 1t cannot be
! Besides Cape Girardeau there are a
| number Of other cities bidding for the
plant. Cairo, it was said, is the
strongest competitor the Cape must
'Vercomc, if this city lands the plant.
Some small towns along the Ohio
River were also mentioned as being in
the race, but their location, it is said,
IS not so advantageous as that of Cape
Girardeau. Even Cairo, it was pointed
out by N. T. Leming, the newly-elect-
ed president of the Commercial Club,
should not have as good a showing as
Cape Girardeau because of the fire.
quent floods that have threatened to
wash Cairo away.
NJ: Leming urged immediate action
N this matter. He emphasized the
iac5 that quick work would mean half
gain, and therefore, he suggested that
every political representative Of this
SAT- De requested to lend his sup
port and influence in behalf Of Cape
ra Geau.
eve have waited too long," he said
"and have let our competitor get ahead
~ IN this race. 1t now behooves US
to act Immediately" And as a result
of this request kilograms were sent
last night 70 the representatives of
the State in Congress.
Capt. H. W. Bridges, State Repre-
sentative from Cape Girardeau Coun-
ty, explained how map of the entire
Mississippi Valley and adjacent terri
tory would contribute greatly to Sc
cure this plant for Cape Girardeau.
This map, he said, ought to show the
Cape as tie hub Of the entire Missis-
sippi Valley. 1t cluld be shown on
us map, he said, that the Cape is
practically the center of 4 large coal
mining district; that it also centers
'hc entire GRE mining district of the
State of Missouri and Northern Ar
kansas. This map could be placed in
the hands Of the board that is author
;Zed to locate the plant and would
prove great asset, he thought.
Mercer D. Wilson announced that he
had wired Joseph W. Folk, Chief Coun-
sci for The United States Interstate
Commerce Commission, asking him to
Use his influence with the members of !
the board to select Cape Girardeau |
for the armor plate plant. He did not |
think it advisable to confer with the
members individually but file briefs |
with the entire board, showing the adj
vantageous location of Cape Girardeau !
and the reasons why this city should
Save the plant.
Remarks on this subject were made
by number of the members, who
were of the opinion that the political
should be asked to use
their influence with the 0J; q in whose
hands the decision as to the location
of this plant rested. 1t was pointed
out that this plant would greatly in
crease every line of business in the
Cape. The payrolls of every concern
would be swelled and every plant now
located here would experience a bust
ness boom.
A report of the Industries Commit
tee of the Commercial Club on the
standing of the Freeze Manufacturing
Co., precipitated lengthy discussion.
The motion to appoint committee to
try to dispose of some of the stock of
this concern was adopted. N. D. vii
son. president of the Freeze ThreSh-