Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-05-31
Staunton vindicator.
FRIDAY MORNING, MAY 81, 1889.
LOCAL.
ONLY $4,000 WANTED.
THE SHOE FACTORY NEARLY ACCOM-.
PLISHED.

WILL THE CAPITALISTS LEND A HAND
IT ONLY NEEDS A LITTLE AID FROM
THEM TO BE AssURED-A SUBSCRIBER
FROM FREDERICKSBURG 900 IN
HAND NOW.
On Tuesday night, the subscribers to the
Shoe Factory enterprise assembled in Wilkes
Hall according to adjournment, to hear the
report of the Commissioner, MI. Chas. L.
Weller, who had been to Philadelphia, New
Jersey and Catawissa, Pa, and other places
to look into the costs and profits of a shoe
factory, and to ascertain the qualifications
of Mr.. L. II. Sickles, the proposed mama
ger for the Stalnton factory. MI. Weller
left on Thursday and returned last Mon
day.
After Mr.. /. Witt had taken the chair,
Mr.. Weller was called on for his report. He
made one of the clearest, most practical and
most impartial reports it has been our
fortune to listen to, and one which at once
commanded the confidence of the meeting.
He said that in the brief time allowed him
he had made every investigation possible,
and in doing so had been treated with the
greatest kindness by every one he met
North. Up there they all agreed that shoe
factory was the thing to build up Staunton,
and said they would willingly give advice,
information OF personal aid to carry it out
when called on.
Ziegler of Ziegler Bros, of Philadelphia,
told him that with capital of 100000 q
factory ought to sell 100000 worth of
goods a year, and the plant ought not cost
over 81 500 with the most improved ma
chinery. There were many small factories
in Pennsylvania and all managed to get
along.
Burke Bros, of Philadelphia, dealers in
all kinds of leather, said they knew MI.
Sickles the proposed manager He was
well qualified, was a master of the machi-
merry required in such factory, and could
fit factory up as well as they could. They
had a shoe factory plant at Camden which
they would sell for $4,000. They thought
Sickles could put the plant up at cost of
not over $500. If the plant was sold deliv-
cradle at Camden instead of Staunton they
| WOULD Gdko 9o,UUU 1OE IL.
r. D. Smith Of Phil adelphia, in the
leather and shoe finding business, said they
were interested in the shoe factory bust
ness. He thought a loss Of 81 900 in the
first year and coming out even in the Sec
ond was doing we'll. His stock in shoe
factory had paid him 10 per cent the first
year, 10 per cent. the second, and fifty per
cent. the third, but that was a factory in
which every man knew his business and all
were interested in pushing it.
H. W. Phillips, shoe manufacturer of
Philadelphia, said he thought 900 ought
to be enough to start the factory on. They
ought to have no trouble in getting man
ager, and if they did have, they ought to
advertise in the Philadelphia papers for one
who would also take from IS 900 to $4,000
of stock in it. They could get such a man.
At Catawissa, Pa, MI. Weller inter-
viewed several citizens, and some of the
officers of the shoe factory which MI.
Sickles formerly managed there. The Off
GERS said their plant cost 800. MI.
Weller's inquiries about MI. Sickles at
Catawissa resulted in finding out that he
was a master of his business, an industri-
GUS man, driver in running factory,
and with few faults. His separation from
the CataWissa factory was caused by his
own resignation and he was not discharged
from his position. He differed with the
directors about the management One of
them that he differed with, Mr.. Weller said
|
tleman who differed from everybody that
didn't agree with him.
MI. Sickles, who was present, made some
remarks after Mr.. Weller closed his state
ment. He said his difference with the
Catawissa directors was caused by
Board composed of men who had no knowl-
edge Of the shoe factory business, wanting
to dictate how it ought to be done. When
his resignation was sent in they did not
believe he intended to leave and desired and
expected him to stay.
MI. w. A. Burke said that after hearing
Mr.. Weller's statement he was satisfied
that the plan Of a shoe factory tor Staun-
ton out not to be allowed to stop. He was
in favor of going on and getting Mr.. Sickles
for a manager. He inquired how much
stock had been taken.
Nh J. Howard Wayt reported that SIS
600 was the amount.
Mr.. Witz.-We out to have at least $25,-
600.
MI. Burke.-We ought not to start until
we have money sufficient.
Col James IT. Skinner said it WAS eX-
ceedingly important Staunton should do
something for herself. There was no Her
cules to help her. She had established
banks, insurance companies, all of which
had been successful. Her citizens had sent
their money to Birmingham, Roanoke,
Florence, and Buena Vista, and it was
time to begin putting some Of it to work
athome. Shehad fine schools churches, and
the latest conveniences of acity-everyth1ng
but business. Everything has prospered
but the laboring classes of our people.
Why? Because we have not put money
where it would benefit these laboring peo-
pie, (applause) Let us furnish them work
and we shall soon see our city humming
with prosperity. Let us give work to our
workmen, our young girls and boys and we
shall soon see q thrifty class growing up
among us and saving money to add to the
general prosperity. Let us work for our
city, talk it up and believe in it as the peo-
pie of our neighboring town of Lexington
do. Col. Skinner complimented the excel
lent report MI. Weller had made and
+bou0bt yya now had the OnDortunitv and