Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1891-11-24
Alive Manufactory.


tory, and saw quite large number of
men who are employed there making
horse collars, some making harness
parts and number working at var
ious other departments of the bust
ness. Il was on Saturday evening
and just at pay time, and though the
wheels of trade were stopped the evil
dences that a weeks work had been
done by the operatives was mani
tested by the steady clink, clink,
clink of the silver which dropped
from the hand of the cashier into the
hands of the workmen. And yet we
learned in the course of our inter-
view with Mr.. A. d. Goetz that ow-
ing to delay in freights much of the
machinery which is intended to go
into his plant has not yet been re-
ceiyed, and that on that account sew
eraI departments have not yet been
opened up. Among these depart
ments are those of gig saddles, har-
ness, fy-nets and riding saddles
When all departments are opened
then the hum of industry will be
heard throughout the Harness Fac
tory. In this connection it is per-
haps well to state that boys and young
men COT say from .16 to 18 years of
age,l who not only desire but really
want to learn trades, have an excel
lent opportunity right at the Goetz
Harness and SaddIery Factory. Some
six or eight are needed as appren-
tees, who will be taught to handle
leather intelIigently. We have it
from the highest authority that Mr..
A. D. Goetz is one of the few expert
leather men of the world. He knows
how and where to put each part of a
hide or side of leather to its appro-
pirate place or use either in harness
or collar or fy-net or bride or sad
die. The crowned heads of Europe
send their sons to America to learn
trades, and why should not American
boys be learning trades too? The
knowledge, the judgment, the intelli-
gence necessary to learn this trade
or art can not be communicated to
every one. He who would learn it
must possess some native ability, and
be willing to spend three or four
years of his life to acquire this knowl;
edge. Young men go to college and
pay for the opportunity of being
taught to learn; young men go to
trades and expect to be paid for be-
ing taught. This is all wrong-young
men should remember in learning a
trade (Which is but fitting them for
life's work. they must not expect to
jump, so to speak, into journeyman' 8
wages in the start of their apprentice
ship, but must wait until they know,
or have learned something worth pay
ing for before their wages amount to
much. But we have digressed. The
Goetz Harness Factory is success,
and will, with its intelligent manage
ment, grow into plant of magnifi.
cent proportions, thus furnishing
profitable employment to very many
more of our people. With Mr.. A.
D. Goetz at its head-buying the
raw materials, inspecting and pricing
consignments of leather and manag.
ing the harness department; and with
his sons, George B., Hiram A., and
G. B., respectively, having charge OF
the sales and credit; the cutting and
making of short straw collars; and
the manufacture of case and Irish
collars; and with T. N. Ruply as SUI
perintendent of machinery, the fu-
ture of this new industry here in
Charles Town is assured. And not
only is there room now for the six or
eight apprentices we spoke of above,
but within very brief time there
will be openings for quite number
Of male and female employees in the
harness, fy-net and gig saddle de-
partments, which will give regular
and profitable employment to those
who are fortunate enough to secure
situations. Mr.. Goetz informed us
that his list of applicants is long
one and that he will doubtless be able
to secure all the ope ratives he needs
right here in Charles Town, with
possibly the exception of one or two
heads of departments, who must OF
course be thoroughly competent and
skilled workmen. We are glad to
note the prosperity and business ac-
tiyity at the Harness Factory, evil
dencing, as it does, the vitality OF
Charles Towns business boom.
The West Virginia Court of APP.
peals has rendered decision declar.
ing constitutional the law prohibiting
the carrying of concealed weapons.
The report of the State Treasurer
for the vear ending Sentemher 40