The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1919-07-17
WHY WE DON'T GET INDUSTRIES

peated efforts to establish industries of any
nature here in Ontario shows that Ontari,
men with money are not interested in pro
noting the growth Of the city. AT least The
Argus has failed to find single industry
here that was fostered by local capital
We will take that back, We have founc
one community effort in which local capita
went the limit-that was in sinking the oi
well. But aside from that has there been
any local institution backed by local cap
ital2
1t is a fact that Ontario can pave it,
streets; can plant trees and park its thoro
fares, and dress itself in all the good clothes
of n modern city, and not bring lasting sub
stantial prosperity.
1t is the aggregate of little industries
numerous pay rolls, diversified activity that
makes cities prosperous, and Ontario has
made no bid for that type of progress
We seem to be after something big, 81
that we can bound to position and prosper
ity; overlooking entirely the little things
that can be done to accomplish that end
Why is this so9
When this question has been directed
to men who are familiar with conditions
here and have for years watched various
attempts to do things, the answer invarl-
ably amounts to this: "The men here who
have money all want ten per cent guaran-
teed. They wont take chances"
Perhaps that is the correct solution ot
the entire problem Our capitalists expect
too large returns. They are afraid.
The Argus is loath to believe that for
most of the capital accumulated in Ontario
is held by men who have made 1t in the cat
tie and sheep business or in financing these
industries. TO make this money they took
long chances. They did not play "surc
things" for there are no industries which
present greater hazards than do the raising
Of cattle and sheep.
The Argus is inclined to believe that
the timidity of Ontario capital is in part at
least due to the fact that most of the capi-
tai accumulated has been made in this re-
stricted field and that the owners, knowing
that field, and not knowing others wont take
chances in unfamiliar lines of endeavor.
Another reason for their timidity, tho
perhaps they have never so analyzed 1t, Is
that the capitalists of Ontario have, nearly
all of them, made their money playing u
lone hand, TO greater on less degree. Stoc',
companies and associations do not appeal "a
such men. They want 10 run everything
they have connections with, just as they
ran their sheep and cattle on the hills.
Now there is large measure of logi,
in their position. What they have, they
have worked for. And many have worked
hard and suffered long privations. So lone
as they are comfortably fixed, what do toe
care whether the city grows or not2 That
is how they reason. And you cannot arguc
with man in that frame of mind. His
money is his, to do with as he pleases, to in
vest or not to invest is a decision he alone
can reach.
How can such man be induced to back
new industries for Ontariol That is tn,
question that must be solved or the city will
have to depend ON the introduction of new
blood or induce outside capital to enter this
field.
The opportunities are here-that is
certain If the Argus may venture an opil
ion-all that is needed is leadership. II
some one or two of the financial leaders OF
the community will manifest their faith by
backing new industrics-take stock in the
proposed Building & Loan association, OF
in anyway show their desire TO forward the
interests of the city-we believe they will be
followed by those who have confidence in
their judgment.
This cannot be done, of course, if every
one expects to get ten per cent returns the
first year. That can not always be done
So far as men of that idea are concerned
the citizens who want progress and pros
perity to reign in Ontario will either have