The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1892-05-27

Shall owosso Secure this Industry.

tuition will be what Is claimed for it. The
question of taxation does not seem to enter
very largely into the discussion, the rate, II
the whole amount should be raised this year
being small. The sole issue is whether the
mill could be made success, and whether
the bonus is not large for the number of men
employed. AS 10 the first, the reputation of
the men who will form the company is first
class. Mr.. Cheesman has had years of eX-
perience In the paper trade, has accumulat-
ed considerable means, which he desires to
invest in the business and is confident that
ii can be made paying indus ry and valu-
able one to OwOssO. Mr. Mcbride has given
considerable time to the investigation of the
business, having visited mills I'm jackson and
and Monroe, and is this week looking over
similar industries in Rockford, ILL.,, and
Niles, Mich, being accompanied by A. f.
Hartshorn of the council committee. These
gentlemen are satisfied the mill would pay
them. The number of employees would be
about so, providing the farmers drew in what
straw was needed, Otherwise about 70 men.
The pay roll would be about So. 600 month
with similar amount for straw, making
$4,000 a month to be distributed i'm the
county, the greater part of which would go
into business channels in OwOsso. Then,
again the plant is to cost about $50, the
the bonus into the treasury.
At the citizens meeting Saturday evening
to take action on the question there was
fair turn out of the citizens, the large tax
payers and the small one being represented.
The subject was discussed at some length by
a number of those present. A motion to in
struct the council that it was the sense of
the meeting that the bonus of $4,000 be
granted was carried by unanimous vote.
The council at the meeting Monday even
ing decided to give the matter farther inves-
tigation, TO call another meeting to be held
i'm Grows hall next Tuesday evening to dis
cuss the matter and hear the report of the
council committee. Ifeverything then looks
favorable vote of the citizens will be
taken at the Odd Fellow building from to
8 p. m. Wednesday. We give below sum-
mary of the views of several citizens regard
ing the project:
j. M. Beckwth: Think we ought to have
it.
f. II. Banister: Think it is good thing
If as represented.
l. G. Curry Thinks it is a good idea to
have the paper mill.
j. M. Henderson: 1t is good thing, pro-
viding good wages are paid. We need more
manufactures and cannot see why paper
mill is not all right.
DIR. Mccormick: The company ask an I'M
reasonable amount
j. G. Shattuck: Would like very much to
see the industry located here-it is fine
business. Think the bonus asked is high
one. One skilled laborer employed would
equal two employed in some of our factories,
the families could live better and be more
independent.
L. l.. Brewer: Think they ask little
too much bonus 1t might be all right If the
the city could in some way keep hold Oh
buildings for protection.
J. III. Copas: Will hold up both hands
and vote and help pay for anything that is
good thing for OwOsso. Lets investigate
thoroughly and then we can act for the best.
G. A. Conner: We want all the manu-
featuring we can get. Would rather exempt
from taxation for term of years than to
give bonus.
Chas. Lawrence: Quite bonus for the
amount of wages paid out. Its all right if
the concern is right.
f. G. Smith: Would like to have paper
mill. Want to know how many would be
employed and how many months the con-
Germ would run in year.
c. E. Rigley: Am in favor of the enter
prise because 1t is getting hard to secure in
stitutions of this kind with plenty money to
do business with. Owosso has got to point
where we must do something to go ahead.
An institution of this kind is better than
another wood working factory.
Paul Roth: Think it little high price,
but good things come high and we ought
to fasten to this one. 1t will make
market for straw and we will get good
slice of the $40, 900 back in taxes in a short
tlme not only from the plant itself but
from property he'd by people that work
there.
ID. B. Reed: OF course we want it.
A gentleman who did not want his name
mentioned said: If other cities are willing
to pay $40, 900 for an institution of this kind
we must if we get it, If it is too much then
we are all to blame, but if we secure the
mill i'm competition with the other cites which
have made offers we can charge up So, 500 to
advertising, as it will be worth that to the
city.
ID. M. Estey: l want to see the mill locat-
ed here. The bonus asked Is high FOR the
number of men employed.
Since the agitation of the paper mill
scheme one of our leading business men to
inform himself as to cost of such a mill as
1t is proposed to build here and the benefit
to the city, wrote firm in Jackson, which
has had experience both in tie manufact-
ure and sale of paper. The reply was as
follows: "Your letter asking for information
concerning straw mill at hand. Your ques-
ton is a pretty hard one to answer. as the
cost of mills vary great deal, owing to the
many different qualities of machinery now
used. A mill that would be built in first
class condition to run that amount of paper
per day or "a hours, would, / should say,
cost all the way from $40,0 900 to $4,000 at
the least and would require about As to so
men per day to run 1t successfully. enclose
you memorandum of about the average
running wages and material. AS to this be-
ing good thing for place or community,
l would say, all such manufacturing insti
buttons you can get in your city, helps in a
great many ways, and no doubt will do q
great deal of good to all concerned. This is
as near a fair estimate as l can give you
from my past experience, which will give
you a small idea. We understand you have
some good men interested in it, which will