ABSTRACT OF CONTENTS
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
LOCATION AND CLIMATE
Dayton's climate
Average temperature 62.9. Only 18 days In 1923 above 90 degrees. Only 93 days in 1923 below freezing. Average frost-tree period—April 17 to October 20, Rainfall evenly distributed and moderate. Average snowfall 21 Inches. Maximum record for one storm 9 inches. Winds moderate. Among six cities compared, Dayton has maximum percentage of possible sunshine.
Eastern time recommended
Dayton at the center of things
43 miles from center of population of the United States;
56 miles from center of manufactures.
The hub of the wheel
Four trunk line railroads give perfect access to territory.
Topography and physiography
Favorable for industrial sites. Zoning regulations in effect. All industrial lands are usable.
DAYTON AS AN INDUSTRIAL CITY
Dayton as an industrial leader
From 1919 to 1923 advanced from sixth to fifth among Ohio cities with respect to number of wage earners.
Not a one-industry city
Has nearly 500 plants making nearly 800 separate products.
Precision industries in Dayton
Require much labor, and lead to low value of products per worker.
Products widely distributed
64½ percent of products move more than 200 miles from Dayton;
4½ percent are exported.
Dayton a world leader
Probably the leading manufacturer in the United States of more than 50 different commodities.
Growth has been uninterrupted.
Dayton has never had a setback. For fifty years it has maintained or improved its relative rank in population.
Dayton's greatest assets
Her biggest men are not too big for team work. Strong civic spirit. Engineers' Club with 700 members a special asset to an industrial city.
Other features
11 "leading" hotels; three daily newspapers, tine office buildings with low rentals. "The City with a Smile."
The Spirit of Cooperation
In evidence among merchants. Low delivery costs through & cooperative system.
Center of raw material supplies
In a large fertile area, encircled by the chief minerals of the country.
Mineral production
Ohio the fourth state in rank; coal, clay, stone, sand, salt, cement, gypsum.
Lumber supply
Nowhere near exhaustion. The hardwood is nearly all in the East.
Natural gas supply
Adequate for many years.
Petroleum
Coal supply dependable
Use of concentrates or Intermediates
Water resources
Abundant supply. City supply from driven wells.
Many private wells of large capacity.
Building conditions
Adequate supply of sand and gravel. No foundation problems.
Piles not needed.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation facilities
Not of primary importance from standpoint of raw materials.
Strategic position for shipping to all parts of the United States.
Freight rate structures
Pending readjustments likely to be favorable. C. P. A. and C. F. A. Trunk Line rates already systematic and simple.
Shipping facilities
Include electric lines and motor trucks, both in large use.
LABOR SITUATION
Resident workmen an asset
Halt of total wage earners are engaged in industry. About 20,000 skilled male workers; many more "semi-skilled."
Women in industries
Estimated available supply of 500 in addition to those now employed. Others available for part time work.
Dayton's boys
Child labor strictly regulated. Many boys work part time.
Workers largely native born
70 percent Dayton's people born in Ohio. Low percentage of foreign born.
Americanization program
Community Chest and social welfare. Americanization program.
Illiteracy very low.
No negro problem
Vital statistics
Death rate low and still declining. Infant mortality very low.
Families small.
Birth rate low.
Room for more young men
Preponderance of older groups among workers.
Wage scales are normal
High wages in three or tour small groups for good reason. Rates for common labor rather low.
Not a white collar city
A city of steady work
Fluctuations in employment are moderate, or less noticeable than moderate.
HOUSING
Dayton a city of home owners
Percentage of home ownership high and increasing.
Unencumbered homes
Percentage very high.
A city of private dwellings
Low density of population. No slums. Number of persons per dwelling very low.
No housing crisis
New building
Sufficient to meet demands.
LIVING CONDITIONS
Dayton's people live modestly and comfortably. A city of rather low prices. A good market. Savings fairly large. A city of high-class workmen. Public markets. Chain stores.
Rents are surprisingly low
$25 to $55 for medium class residence. Much residence building just outside city limits.
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ARE FAVORABLE
Labor troubles are exceedingly rare
No strikes for several years. Open shop except in building trades.
Good feeling between employers and workmen.
Industrial accidents uncommon and not costly
Safety in factories under jurisdiction of Ohio Industrial Commission.
Many of Dayton's workers have a stake in their plants
Profit sharing in several large concerns. Welfare work Intelligent and progressive.
Special facilities for training of foremen
Dayton a pioneer in foremanship training.
Nearby educational institutions are assets
PUBLIC FACILITIES ABE ALL OF ADVANCED TYPE
Adequate mail service
Police efficiency high
Low Insurance rates against robbery, burglary and on automobiles.
Garbage disposal on an economic basis
Comprehensive sewer system
Water supply thoroughly safeguarded
Entire city supplied from driven wells.
Low rates to large users.
Fire protection reliable
Low losses; low insurance rates.
Dayton has cheap power
Adequate supply from a superpower system. Low rates. Consumption doubled in less than five years. Most industries buy power.
District steam heating system
District steam available in downtown area; eliminates boiler investment.
Natural gas
Adequate supply at favorable rates.
Street car service
5c carfare with 1c transfers. No local buses. Several interurban electric lines.
Motor buses for interurban traffic
Motor bus lines in all directions, some interstate.
Express service unusually good
Telephone and telegraph facilities
Large number of telephones per capita.
Adequate telegraph service. Western Union and Postal.
ONE OF THE BEST GOVERNED CITIES IN THE U. S
Dayton is Manager administered.
Debt has been kept down
Probably Dayton Is not spending as much as it really should
City operation hampered by low tax rate.
Assessments have recently been equalized
Control of platting
Flood menace no longer exists
Flood prevention measures following flood of 1913. Flood control system completed. Flood danger a thing of the past.
Ohio tax laws need revision
Realty and personalty tax on same basis, but law not enforced.
Ohio's present tax policy negative and destructive.
FINANCIAL SITUATION
Dayton's industry does not create wealth rapidly
Dayton's wealth is well distributed
Largest relative number of income tax returns among Ohio cities.
Large upper middle class.
Mortgage rates
Not excessive.
Insufficient liquid capital
An important handicap.
Building & Loan Associations
Very prosperous and active.
Commercial banking
Banking activities sub-normal; seasonal demands rather uniform.
Few business failures
DAYTON'S IMMEDIATE TRADE TERRITORY
Dayton predominates in an area of over 8,000 square miles
Population in this area 840,000; estimated consuming power $468,000,000 per annum.
Agricultural conditions are good
Current conditions are good
Dayton is active in this market
DAYTON'S COMPETITIVE TRADE TERRITORY
Includes the most promising section of the United States
Extends southward and is shared by 17 large cities. Present market about three billion dollars per annum; potential market five billions. Rapidly advancing territory.
DAYTON'S CONSUMING POWER
And that of its trade territory
Dayton $247,000,000; immediate trade territory (600,000,000; competitive territory seven and one-halt billion dollars per annum.
DAYTON EXPORTS MANY PRODUCTS
4 percent of Industrial products exported; about 100 items from 40 manufacturers.
DAYTON IS PROSPERING
Recent rate of growth satisfactory. Boom not desirable.
DAYTON'S INSTITUTIONS
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