The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1927-11-18
ELIZABETH CITY NOW
IS INDUSTRIALLY MINDED
Looks as if Next Concern Of City's Business
Leaders Will Be A Strong Effort For
Greater Industrial Development

immediate need and how are
we to go about filling that
need? The question is one
that has enlivened converse.
ton here this week among
many of the foremost citizens
of this town. And a general
sitting down OF opinion reveals
that most of the folks are in
dustrially minded; that is, they
think Elizabeth City should
have more industries. which
means larger payrolls.
In short 1t means money. the life
blood of the community. to he spent
with local businesses to enable the
city to acquire more material I'M
prOvempnts. the means Of keeping
people buster and happier and more
hopeful.
Just how to 20 abOut getting these
improvements Is another question.
Nobody knows definitely how to
get the Industries the town wants.
4 ray of enlightment comes from
W. r. Culpeppcr. who is usually
identified with big things In Eliz-
abeth City. Mr.. Culpepper Is keen
for more industries. but he is strong
for first Of all. survey Of our re-
sources and possibilities that will
enable us to determine what are our
greatest needs. and then to take
steps to acquire them.
Il think the town should give it
careful attention right away" de-
clares Mr. Culpepper.. ITS no use
to say we want industries without
knowing what we want. or can make
pay. Our Chamber of Commerce
should get a committee of leading
business men to work on this prob
lem right away. determine what is,
most practicable at this time and
all hands should unite TO get II.
Gaming Factories.
Il mn ant ndroc1tipS rry r3S+F-'
. clar thing. but speaking on hand. IL
seems that there are possibilities
here for canning factory. We
have lot of raw material. we have
good transportation. we have a large
consuming territory. and there
should be plenty of available labor,
! If properly managed. Another
thing it seems might he profitable
is an Overalls factory. or something
of that type
Gilbert James. manager OF the
Bright Jewelry Company believes
! Elizabeth City should get down be-
hind the canning factory idea.
Look at the tomatoes. and sweet
potatoes that 90 to waste i'm this
section every season because Of
OverprOductiOn and other causes.
Why they turned the hogs in on the
sweet potato crop in Lower Cur
rituck this year: Potatoes weren't
worth shipping.
I'VE must have industries, de
clares =. W. TwifOrd Of the Quinn
Furniture Company. 1t Is the work
ing class of people who keep things
alive. They are the consumers and
naturally the spenders. Gastonia
Is one of the most positive examples
OF what industries will do for a
town for GaStonia as an Industrial
center didn't amount to so much ~
years ago. Look at 1t now, with
dozens of factories and thousands of
workers. We might easily do
something In the same direction IL
We really try.
I'VE might have to start on n
small scale. but we certainly ought
, to start. We must provide markets
for what our farmers grow. or our
farmers will take their trade else
where. We might start to handling
peanuts IN small way. Some OF
our soil nearby. say i'm Camden Is
well suited to growing peanuts,
while lust across the line in Gates
! is one Of the greatest peanut pro-
ducing sections I'm the country,
whose farmers would gladly trade
! in this city.
Mayor Wants Industries
! jerome Flora, Mayor Of Eliz-
abeth City is keen for more in
duistries. II won't attempt to say
what we need. but we ought to be
able to find out and work for II :
declares Mr.. Flora. We've got TO
have payroll to put pep in the
town and keep everybody busy. And
then we will have more encourage
ment to 60 after enterprises for
community welfare
| NJ. G. Morrisette, head Of the
furniture enterprise that bears his
name, says Industries" in big let
ters. We've got to tell people what
we've got here. We can't expect to
attract industries without making
nm effort. It should be q small