The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-02-01
tanned Mr.. Thompson and his staff
last evening

Vice President Thompson said In part:
1T is always pleasure TO return 10
Wheeling where ! spent four years SO
probably as u superintendent during
my earlier experience in the service or
the Baltimore X Ohio company. and
want to assure you that II is real JOY
to renew such pleasant acquaintance
ships with the business men OF Wheel
ing and other sections OF West Virginia.
l have been identified in an intimate way
with the affairs Of Wheeling and this
state for period Of nine years during
which time | have been connected with
the executive organization OF our rail-
road.
In the history OF business America
Wheeling stands out in bold relief for
its growth and development have kept
more e. Ohio railroad. which was launch
ed as the first rail transportation COM
pany whose objective was the building
Of system OF trade intercourse be-
tween the Atlantic seaboard at Balti-
more and the great inland waterway.
tho Ohio river. Ut Wheeling. This was
81 years ago. and since that time
Wheeling and the Baltimore & Ohio rail-
road have been linked together In
bond OF mutual assistance which has
been productive of an immense amount
OF good. Most of Us are familiar with
the incidents connected with the great
celebration held in Wheeling, early in
1853. when the completion OF the rail-
several weeks. The Maryland business
men who sponsored the Baltimore &
Ohio and many Of those prominent in
public life in Washington and in the
came here to- take part in the exercises
which, were arranged by the ancestors
Of you gentlemen within the hearing OF
my voice this afternoon.
Praises Commercial Association
II am here today with several other
officers Of our company-heads Of de-
partments-as the guests Of the Wheel
ing Commercial association. This assoc
citation has done SO much for Wheeling
and West Virginia that it seems to me
tltting that should point to some Of
the accomplishments Of such business
organization as yours.
About 1890 civic bodies. such as
chambers Of commerce. boards OF trade
and other commercial organizations.
were organized In various cities through
out the country. In many places there
were two different bodies and great
deal Of rivalry existed. This was not
flying to learn that the two commercial
bodies OF your city have combined inio
what is now called the Chamber OF
Commerce. This bears out my thought
ways abreast of the times. In many
other cities, and some large ones. there
are several commercial bodies. which
means there is no one body to represent
the city IN business matters.
From the point of view OF railroad
officer the field OF the chamber OF COM
mcrcc in your city Is almost unlimited.
The good work you have been doing Is
very comnendable. Today the indus
trial business and railway problems
facing our country arc very large ones,
and il is through organizations such as
yours that we must look To for great an
siStancc. both in an educational way and
in bringing about the best results. II
ht- hlT h(,rS
OF commerce that the number Of indus
tries located is 4 measure OF results ac-
complishcd. This IS not always true.
An industry satisfactorily located is
worth much more 70 the city than sew
eral that may be dissatisfied after To-
eating.
Much depends upon the chamber of
commerce for results in housing condi-
tons. efficiency Of the plants and other
vital things. High cost Of wages.
strikes. and unSanitary conditions have
resulted where many industries have
been located without proper housing con-
ditions. ! know you have been inter-
.sted in these problems and have been
doing good work. The results in Wheel
ing speak for themselves.
west VAS United Opportunities.
The leaders in industry in the United
States recognize that West Virginia Of
ferS untold opportunities 10 those look
ing for chances to invest capital in
wealth Of West Nirginia'S natural re-
sources. it's coal and other mineral de-
posts and the abundant supply OF raw
materials OF all kinds arc attracting
general attention on the outside. While
a great deal has been done 10 promote
the general prosperity. it is frankly ad-
mitted that the surface has scarcely
been scratched and that there will be
many attractive inducements offering
here for years to come. West Virginia
10 Al nna Of lnn6 nj
states In the production OF coal. oil.
Sast and other materials so essential to
manufacturing enterprises, and in view
of this fact let me say something to the
bcst as to plans which the Baltimore
and Ohio has recently undertaken look
ing to more intensive developments
along Legitimate lines. When l say
legitimate I desire TO differentiate be-
tween profitable development and ex-
ploitation.
Under the reorganization OF tho eS-
ecutive departments Of the Baltimore
and Ohio. the traffic department was
placed under my jurisdiction and plan
was worked out to increase the traffic
offering to the company by encouraging
greater industrial activity and locating
new plants adjacent to our tracks At
the same time steps were taken to e&-
tend every posi- bic assistance to indus
tries already doing business with us
Commercial Development Department
"A commercial development depart
rnent was created under the direction or
W II. Nanss. who Is with us today and
woh has had several years experience
In projects of this kind. The depart
ment was established with Il corps Of
experts who can and do render valuable
assistance to our patrons and assist In
inducing others to engage In industrial
pursuits. Mr. Manss employed these
experts tn make intelligent studies.
Various bureaus were created. for IN
stance. geological. industrial survey. in
terchange commodity. agricultural. coal.
dairyine. Facilities and industrial
bureaus were oraEnIZcd. You gentlemen
will he Interested to learn Of the meth