The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-11-28
The Brooks Rifle.

At a special meeting of the Board OF
Trade held at the Merchants Exchange
on Saturday Nov 10th to consider the
matter of aiding in establishing in Port
land or vicinity the manufacture of fire
arms under the patents of the Brooks
Arms Company, 1t was proposed in
view of the fact that many of the citi-
zens of Portland who would wish to be-
come interested are not familiar with
gun construction, that committee be
appointed by the Board to investigate
the Brooks guns with a view to consider
the claims made by the Brooks Company
as to their advantage in mechanical ar
tangement relative to cost of construc-
ton and prospect of establishing pay
ing business. In pursuance the sug-
gestion, the following gentlemen were
appointed such committee: Mr.. John G.
Small, postmaster of this city; Mr.. Gil
bert L. Bailey, who has been dealer in
guns in this city for more than 40 years,
and Mr.. Geo. F. Morse, for many years
superintendent of the Portland Com
pany locomotive works. Every facility
was afforded them by the agents of the
Brooks Arms Company for a thorough
examination of the Brooks arms and
comparison with the guns with which
the guns of the Brooks Company will be
in competition. After a thorough ex-
animation the committee desire to re-
port as follows:
To the President and Gentlemen OF the Board
of Trade:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen:-Yo Your commit
tee having performed the service requested OF
them, desire to report as follows: First as to
the simplicity of construction.
We find that the claims made by the Brooks
Arms Company are fully borne out by the facts.
The reduction in the number OF parts and the
shape in which the parts are made at the same
time makes a large saving in the cost of the
gun and also increases its efficiency and dura-
biltty, In our opinion astrong point in favor of
positive motions, and are not dependent upon
favorable conditions for their action, but are
certion and reliable and must result in the pro-
duction OF gun, which when made IN work. x
be a thoroughly serviceable, durable and eff
Gent gun. OF the acceptability OF the Brooks
guns to those who use guns we would say that lat
letters from spOrtsmen, practical experts in the
handling of guns. which were highly COM
mandatory which, having seen and handled the
Brooks guns we should accept as competent
testimony on this point as 1T accords with our
own belief.
Regarding the establishment of a, plant in or
near Portland for the manufacture OF the
Brooks arms, we feel sure that every member
of the Board of Trade, and every citizen of
Portland will agree with us, that nothing adds
establishment Of profitable manufactures
which shall employ numbers OF skilled
mechanics and we regard an effort IN this direc-
vantageous situation, low rates of freight and
an intelligent and industrious population. The
establishment here OF manufacture which
would be an advantage to every business man
in our city and all would share in the adj
vantages resulting from the Inauguration of a
profitable and growing industry.
The estimate made by the Brooks Company
that the sum of $4,000 asked for will be sufi-
Gent to install the necessary plant and also
afford SUFFICIENT working capital to make the
business success, is certainly conservative
estimate. A large working capital might bet
ter enable them to take an aggressive position
which their ability to produce the best guns, at
the least cost would enable them to do, yet we
believe that conservatism IS better than
prodigality in the inception of new manu-
facture and we are satisfied that paying bust
ness could be established. and pursued with
the amount named by pursuing the conserva-
tive course proposed by the company.
Regarding the profits to be expected from
SUCH d uldluldcbtlI0 we nave uO ucuulbe udld
to go upon as to the prime cost of the guns
with which the Brooks guns would have to
compete, but we feel sure that il the present
manufacturers of guns are doing lucrative
business, the Brooks Arms Company cannot
fail if properly managed to realize large profits.
Respectfully, Your obedient servants.
JOHN G. SMALL,
G.. L. BAILEY,
GEO. F. MORSE.
hereby certify that the forr going is true
copy of the original report of the above commit
foo n Roard af Trade
Attest: M. N. RICH, Secretary.
Portland, Nov 26th, 1892.