The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-31
PROGRESS Of CITY
PRAISED At DINNER
Good Feeling Between Pub
lie and Traction Com
pany is Shown.

Prospects Of Fairmonts develop.
nent and the good reputation its pub
lie utility companies enjoy in this com
munity and the banking marts Of the
country were enlarged upon when the
group Of New York. Baltimore and
Washington financiers lunched at the
Country club yesterday afternoon.
AS a means Of introduction for the
speakers, James Otis Watson. presi-
dent OF the corporation activities OF
the MonOngahela Valley Traction com.
pany interests. In three years, he de-
Clared. the Monongahela Valley Trac-
ton company spent much money in
improvements and in 1918 did so more
extensively than any other traction
system in the country regardless OF
it's size. lie developed the fact that
the MOnonEahela Valley Traction com
pany is as much the property Of the
citizens as it is the stockholders. He
touched on efficiency Of service and
expressed his appreciation Of the
spirit shown by the people in not op-
posing the recent increase in fares and
service rates. lie referred 10 the by
product gas plant now under construc-
ton and how 1t would supply two mil
lion feet of gas a day. Mr.. Watson
pointed out the necessity Of having the
people interested in the projects o.
public utilities companies. The co
operation Of the people is essential II
a community so that both the corpora
ton and people work together.
W. J. Wiegel. secretary OF the
Greater Fairmont Investment com
pany. ard publisher OF The West Vir-
ginian. commented upon the growth
of FairmOnt, which he said is steady
and on a solid basis. During the past
year and a half the growth appeared
90 be OF the nature OF a boom, but as
a matter Of fact it was a development
OF local concerns. They are our own
concerns, managed by our own people.
There have been some developments
0v outside people within the past
eighteen months. which includes the
Midwest box factory and the Fair
mont By-Product corporations ovens.
My friends from the east" said Mr..
Wiegel, these are not mushroom af-
fairs
1.-TWO gentlemen recently visited
here and one OF them said," continued
Mr.. Wiegel, this city has a zip thai
we find in few communities" A presi-
dent of one of the banking institutions
in the East on another occasion said
Of Fairmont: There is an atmos-
phere here that do not find in other
cities The community is alive with
progress and "The Monongahela Val
ley Traction company is simply keep
ing pace with the community" the
speaker declared. Il believe that this
community will stand back Of the
traction company as long as 1t asks
for wat is fair" said Mr.. Wiegel,
"and I do not expect that they will
ask for anything but what is fair. The
people. | am sure, will stand back OF
every enterprise worthy of support
and will locate in FaiTmont. Every
man TINT came into FaiTmOnt from the
outside has profited by II and It is I'M
fortunate that we did not have suffi.
cient capital at home to avail our.
selves Of the opportunities that have
been presented. The community is
bound to grow. All the power avail
able now is in use and there is no
urplus."
c. T. Williams. representing the in
.estment department Of the Fidelity
trust company, Baltimore, responded
Tor the bankers. lie stated that he
had listened carefully and with a great
deal Of sympathy TO the remarks OF
Mr.. Watson. | am familiar with more
CT less Of the details he referred TO.
The securities of the MOrongahela
Valley Traction company in Baltimore
have always sold at little above their
real. intrinsic value. He explained
the cause o. this as the Baltimore
banking interests have great faith in
the MANAGEMENT OF The Monongahela
Valley Traction company. The
names Of Watson, Fleming and Wheel
wright stand Tor 4 great deal with us.
declared Mr.. Williams. He stated that
he made his last visit to Fairmont in
1914 and lie was much impressed with
the progress which FaiTmont has
made since that time. Conditions
have changed in the status OF public
utilities companies and he emphasized
the importance in having the company
and public cooperating together so
that the corporation has its good will
and both work together in harmony.
This is It's greatest possible asset.
he declared. From my own stand
point and the Fidelity Trust company
am pleased to be in Fairmont. a
man from Fairmont is highly regard
ed in Baltimore" he declared. "be-
cause You can see a mental picture
Of The Monongahela Valley Traction
company"
Prof. Joseph Roster made a motion
that the diners each leave tip" at
their plate for the Red Cross society,"
which was done.
oN