St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-10-27
FAVORABLY IMPRESSED.
Prospects Good for a Mammoth
Clothing Plant in St. Paul.


Clothing Plant in St. Paul.
Two representative business men Of
the East. W. c. Browning, of New York,
and II. w. King, of Chicago, principals
of the clothing firm of Browning. King
& Co, arrived in st. Paul yesterday and
met by appointment in the chamber Of
commerce a number Of jObberS of st.
Paul. The object of the conference was
for a consultation in regard to eStab-
fishing a wholesale clothing manufact-
Orv in this city. Some time ago the
proposition was mOOted of Offering in
ducements 10 this firm to locate in st.
Paul, and among other suggestions it
was determined that if Necessary
bonus would be given and a big
trade guaranteed. Among those at
the meeting yesterday were MeSSrS.
George Finch. Henry {. Burbank, Rich
ards GOrdOn.D. Il. Neyes and J. b. Tar
box. Of the jObberS' union, and the sub
sect was thoroughly discussed. One of
Sne strongest arguments advanced for
locating the proposed establishment in
IhiS city was the fact that country mer-
chants, from points west of St. Paul,
upon coming here to purchase dry goods
and other neceSsarieS, were confronted
with the fact that there was no cOmpe-
titiOn in the clothing business. and that
if they wished the lowest figures on
these goods they must go to Chicago or
New York. ,IobberS in other lines of
business have long been cOgniZant OF
this fact, and desired that a remedy
should be provided, and with
this end in view they have
urged uDOn MeSSrS. Browning and King
the deSirability of establishing one of
their plants in the SANITY City. While
nothing definite was determined at the
conference yesterday afternoon. the
visitors were very impressed with the
project and expressed considerable sur
prise at the extensive country west of
st. Paul and the business promised in
the furture. Two features had to be
considered, according to MeSSrS. Brown
ing and King. First, it would required
large amount of money to carry on such
an institution: and, second, the money
would have to be expended on long
time.
A representative of the GLOBE called
upon MossrS. Browning and King last
evening in regard to the matter, and
found two clever energetic business
men, fully alive to the requirements OF
the times. and inclined TO give the mat
ter very favorable consideration.
IF we established such Il plant here"
said Mr.. Browning. lit would be in the nat
ure of a branch to our New York house and
similar to the establishment we now have at
Chicago, for the class of trade that we will
have to cater TO in st. Paul would be identi-
cal with that of Chicago. 1t would cost
more for wages il Chicago and st. Paul than
it does in New York, for when skilled labor
ers from the old country reach New York
they at once settle there, as if there was no
other place in the United Subsistence they
can be secured more readily than in the
West. What we have seen and heard to-day
regarding the business transactions of the
Northwest has impressed us very favorably
We will go over the ground carefully.
and ] do not think there is any doubt
abOuUSt. Paul being our ultimate destination
for wholesale clothing manufaetory In
the course of our conversation with members
of the jobbers' union this afternoon, we
were guaranteed that the business for the first
year would be at least $3.50, 900, but we will
not demand either bonuses or guarantees
If we decide to locate in this city it will be
conducted on strictly business PRINCIPLES
and the people of this section would be de-
cidedly benefited by sharp competition,
while an increased volume of business would
be the only reward we would expect, There
Is no question i'll our minds that St Paul is
fitted to become the seat of great manu-
featuring enterprise of this sort There is no
reason why 4 merchant coming from Il town
west of 81. Paul should not be able to get
clothing here on the same terms that he
could by going to Chicago or Milwaukee. and
there Is room and business enough TO Justify
the large outlay necessary for such plant
The grace Of goods that we would be called
upon to manufacture in the clothing line can
be made up here with the same class of labor
that could be obtained in Chicago. and upon
quite as remunerative basis"