The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-08-02

not devote thought to these things.
nor Is he TO be fully respected unless
he is willing to make sacrifices TO
secure new industries and otherwise
contribute to the prosperity of the
town in which he lives.
Nevertheless, there is wonderful
difference as to the benefit accrung
depending on whether OF not a citi-
zen is real estate owner, n retail
dealer or simply tenant household
er. This difference as to the share
in increased prosperity accruing 10
different individuals by reason OF diff
fering circum stances is not sufficient
ly thought upon.
A new industry is proposed and let
us say. John Smith, retail merchant
accepts the Craftsmanship of a com
mittee to raise funds for the pro-
position. Mr.. Smith is no shirker
He subscribes to the fund himself
and leaves his business morning, al
ternoon and night for several weeks
to labor with others. The funds
are raised in some way and the in
dustry secured. Long before the
factory gets to producing and long
before its pay roll makes itself mani
fest in increased retail trade, the
newspapers brag about the matter and
the fact that Skowhegan is to have
new industry becomes widely
known. Whereat retail merchants
and professional men, seeking To-
cation. get the notion that Skowhegan
Is the place On the prospect OF
increased business the professional
ranks are augmented by the influx OF
several NJ. DIS, d. DIS. l.. l.. DIS,
etc, and retail establishments are
multiplied. As n consequence, Mr..
Smith, far from being rewarded by
increased business finds that he has
now a competition to more than Off
set any possible advantage that the
new industry can be when II actually
gets going.
1t would not do to leave the story
right here, because IL Mr.. Smith is
on the ground or has already an es
tablished business he stands far bet
ter show than a new man to take adj
vantage of the increase in trade re-
sulting from the new factory and the
new pay roll. Nevertheless, a GER
tainty that retail stores will multi
ply in proportion to the number of
new factories in prospect takes the
pep out of Mr.. Smith or any other
retail dealer in matter of this kind.
Now, when we come to the real
estate owner we have an entirely diff
ferent situation. The new factory,
with resulting increase in population,
makes a demand not only for more
goods at retail but for stores, Offices,
residences, etc. To be sure, addi-
tional stores, additional offices and ad-
ditional homes can be built but new
construction in this line, while it pre-
vents the landlord from getting eX-
horbitant rents, does not prevent him
sonable extent and actually does in
crease the value of his property the
very first thing. II other stores. Of
flee buildings and residences are built
those previously standing have an
added value for that very reason. 1t
will be readily seen that the benefit
to real estate ownsy by reason of
new industries and increased popula-
tion is very decided. The logic of
all this Is that real estate men
should carry the chief burden IN the
promotion of new enterprises The
retail dealers cannot be entirely ex-
cused, but the owner Of land and
buildings should stand the principal
assessment.