The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1917-01-11
If it Goes West, Cape Cir
arbeau Will Have 1t, He
Writes Leming.
ASSERTS THIS CITY'S
BRIEF is EXCELLENT
Calls 1t The Best of All of Those
Submitted to Location
Commission.

Congressman Russell, who is per
sonally watching Cape Girardeau's in
terests in its campaign for the almor
plant, believes that if the plant is To-
Gated in the West, Cape Girardeau will
surely get it,, Mr.. Russell is conf
dent that the support Cape Girardeau
has received from Missouri members
Of both houses of Congress gives this
city an advantage over other compet-
ing towns. His letter to President
Leming of the Commercial Club, states
his attitude conservatively.
While he does not consider the con-
test over by any means, he believes
Cape Girardeau has an excellent op-
portunity, if the people of this city
take advantage of it. His letter, in
full says:
Congressman Russell's letter to
President Leming follows:
l received your letter of the 3rd
on yesterday evening, probably on
the same train Mr.. Oliver came on.
have since been in frequent con-
ference with him.
We secured hearing before the
Location Board, and Senator Stone
and Speaker Clark, Congressman
Shackleford and Hensley and my
self called on the board this morn
ing. Mr.. Oliver presented the brief
and extended cordial welcome to
the members to visit not only your
city, but all other competing cities
Of the State for the purpose Of in
specting the advantages and claims
Of the cities that are asking for the
plant.
The board gave Us a very courte-
Gus reception and hearing and the
members said they could not at this
time say what would be done. We
feel that the very best possible has
been done that your city has been
presented in the very best way, in
view Of the fact that the board had
stated that no hearings or argu-
rents would be granted other than
briefs. As l have written you, it
is it likely that the contest has mar
rowed down TO a few points. The
board will visit these points and
grant hearings for the. proposed
sites.
Senator Oliver, l am sure, will
write you more fully about this
matter, and leave it to him to more
thoroughly advise you as to the
situation and efforts we made. / am
very glad Mr.. Oliver came here, as
l did think it hardly possible to
have procured the assistance of Sen
ator Stone and of as many Congress
men as We did without him.
You understand Hannibal is an ac-
tice applicant for the location of the
plant, and / have just heard this
morning that Louisiana, in Clark'S
district, is also a candidate. There
is some talk of st. Louis also con-
testing, so it is q little hard to get
the cooperation of all Congressman
from the State. But the way it has
been handled, inviting the board to
inspect all sites, 1 think We have
handled the matter in the best pos
sible way.
may say that l confidently be-
lieve that if the location goes as far
West as the Mississippi, your city
will stand the best chance to get the
plsnt. This is my honest conviction,
knowing the advantage it can offer,
and furthermore, because / believe
that Cape Girardeau's cause has
been better prepared by brief than
that of any one city of the West.
Senator Reed was unable to be
present when the matter was pre-
sented to the board, but called later
and Joined in the request to have
the board inspect the sites.
Respectfully,
Joe ]. Russell.
Following the encouraging visit o.
Senator r. B. Oliver to Washington
in the fight of the Cape to land th'
$1,000, 900 Government armor plat
plant, NJ. e. Lerains, president of tn
Commercial Club, went to st. Louis