Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1925-03-13
DRIVE TO BEGIN

activities of the Shenandoah Valley
Iuc., will be launched next week
Rockingham and Harrisonburg will
lead off with dInner-conference Mon
day night of prominent men Of the
city and county, when plans to make
the canvass will be mapped out. Other
counties are whipping their plans lintt
shape
Under the financial plan adopted by
the Board of Directors of the Shenan.
1oah Valley, Inc, the drive is con-
1ncted by the two Directors in the
coupties they represent on the direc-
torste. In other words. the drive is q
home affair Of each Of the thirteen
ne NAN objsstive d the shenan-
doah Valley, Inc. in 1926 viii be the
clinching Of the National Park in the
Blue Ridge mountains. AS expressed
by Representative H. w. Temple,
Chairman of the Southern Appalachian
Park Commission, the passage of the
survey and cost bill was only the first
hurdle, and the movement to estab
lish National Park in the South. The
next hurdle, and the hardest, will be
the enactment ofthe legislation, carry
ing appropriations, for the purchase
and development of the Blue Ridge
Park. This task will require much
hard work, especially in view of the
fact that Tennessee and North Carolina
are anxious for the Great Smokey
Mountain Park site to be the first to
purchased and developed.
The Shenandoah Valley. Inc, which
will have charge of the active fight TO
clinch the Blue Ridge site. cannot do
the necessary work along this line I'M
less it has funds. In addition, it can
not continue its activities in telling
the outside world of the sightseeing
and commercial possibilities and ad-
vantages of the Shenandoah Valley"
without funds to finance them.
Many questions have been asked as
to the value to Virginia of Nation al
Park located within its borders. When
this question was put to high gov
eminent officials in Wash ington by al
Valley man seeking information, hel
replied:
"Nat would it be worth to Virginia
If the Steel Corporation would put one
OF its big plants in Virginia. After the |
of the Park il will not be |
long until the tourists will run into
millions. They will leave around $40, Il
900. COO in money scattered over the
Valley and contiguous sections. That
S equivalent to payroll of $40. 600 600.
| Steel Plant payroll. Isn't that worth
while for Virginia ?'
But the National Park is not the only
objective. The American Industrial
Corporation, of which P.
v. Stephens, of New York, grandson /
of Vice President Stephens Of the Con-
federacy. is President, is now making
an industrial survey of the Shenan-
doah Valley. Mr.. Stephens, who hasI
become SO enthused with the possibil-
tiles of the Valley, has bought lot in
the Valley, near New Market, wherel
he plans to erect summer home.
Il know of a great deal of American
capital going to Canada for invest
ment." said Mr.. Stephens TO Shenan-
doah Valley, Inc, officials. Canada
has no greater opportunities for in
vestment thst the Shenandoah Valley
judging from what / have seen of it.
The survey TO be made will show what
the Shenandoah Valley has in mineral
wealth, what its timber resources are,
and other possibilities. There are
many opportunities for development
in the Valley which the Valley people
themselves may have overlooked. You
have an immense asset in your water
power. II has not been touched yet.
American industry is expanding. In
vestors are seeking opportunities.
This survey will be paper which will
show them what the Valley possesses.