The record-union., 1893-05-20
FACTS ABOUT FACTORIES.
Interesting Meeting of the Industrial
Association.
The Railroad Shops Committeeman
Take a Handsome SiIurian
Ideas Dispelled.

ing as secretary. Ihe directors present
We're Messrs. Gormley, Coleman, Curtis,
Land, Gregory and Luhrs.
There were also present the members
OF the committee selected to canvass for
note-slgners among the railroad employees
-Messrs. A. J. Van Zandt, w. J. Ulrich,
William Salz, G. d. Wood, w. B. Old
field, S. Kay. L. Waldron, w. G. Cox, Z.
Manuel Gravel and L. w. Grothen.
Mr.. Oldield was selected as spokesman
for the visiting committee.
President Lubin addressed the meeting
at length, explaining the objects and aims
of the Industrial Association and outlin-
ing the work in which it is engaged. In
his address he covered ground already
traverSed at the various meetings held,
explaining at length why it would be to
the ultimate advantage OF Sacramento TO
go to some expense to secure the estab-
lishment here of additional manufactur-
ing enterprises.
referring to the argument advanced by
some that cheap electric power would Of
itself be sufficient inducement for manu-
facturers to remove their plants hither,
Mr.. Lubin went on to show that this
would not be enough, and why it was so.
He said that while the success of the
proposed plan was now assured, the eX-
tent of such success was not enough.
The association could 60 ahead and do
something with the means now at hand,
but not near all that it is desired to do.
The measure of success should not be
circumscribed, but should be made as
thorough as possible.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Lubin'S re-
marks several OF the mem bers OF the rail-
road shops committee, who had not
already signed the associations notes,
expressed a desire to do so and were
accommodated.
asked to explain some of the objections
urged against the signing of notes.
Mr.. Grothen said that a fellow work
man who owns a 5000 home had raised
the objection that if the associations
plan should succeed his property would
be Increased in value, and therefore his
taxes proportionately increased.
1t was suggested that if person found
his property becoming too valuable to
suit his ideas he would probably be able
to find someone who would take it off
his hands and pay the increased taxes.
Another offered the proposition that it
would pay man to sell his property at
its increased valuation and move out
little farther, buy cheaper property and
put the balance of his money in his
pocket.
Mr.. Oldfield said there were number
OF railroad emplOyes-non-prop
holders-who would be willing to pay
small sums OF money per month, while
employed, to help along the enterprise.
Mr.. Coleman said that ontributlons of
this kind would be strictly voluntary,
and such contributors might pay these
small sums according to their convent
ence and not feel under any obligation TO
pay fixed sums for any stated period.
Mr.. Lubin said it would be better to
haUp a Onrtain vi ht1toI hxyo
many men in small sums, rather than by
one person in one sum. The effect would
be better, as it interested a greater num-
ber of persons in the work.
w. ID. Cox said that some persons
raised the objection that Chinese might
be employed.
Mr.. Luhrs explained that there was a
resolution passed by the association pro-
vlding that no Chinese should be en-
ployed in the factories. Were it other
wise he would not give five minutes of
his time to the work now in hand
g. D. Wood said that one of the obiec-
tions he had heard was that the move
ment was in the interest of few individ-
ual merchants.
This objection was quickly met by Di-
rector Coleman and the idea speedily dis
pelled.
E. NJ. Gravel had heard it urged that
our own people should do the manufac-
turing.
This objection was met by Mr.. Curtis
who referred to the case of the Buffalo
Brewery to show how much capital was
required to start even one new enterprise,
The brewery company had to invest a
half million dollars to establish their
business, whereas half that sum would
bring here large number of factories al
ready established.
MIR. Lub1n next proceeded to explain
away another objection sometimes heard
that the directors OF the association
might want to control the fund to estab-
lish factories for themselves.
Director Gormley also made remarks in
line with those OF Mr.. Curtis. He also
explained the impossibility Of the direct
ory controlling the funds in it's own in
terest.
Director Coleman also explained that
under the articles Of incorporation. the
directory could not do anything of the
kind.
Director Gregory further explained
that the contributors Will all have voice
in the manner in which the money is to
be employed. He instanced the case of
a man who wanted to have 500. 600 of
stock in factory secured to him on con-
dition OF his establishing factory here.
Negotiations were Immediately cut off
with that person. because the directory
had no power to do anything of the kind.
Mr.. Gregory spoke further, explaining
how the success OF the enterprise now
under way would benefit all classes. 1t
was for the welfare of all, and would |
help all by opening up new channels of
employment.
MIR. Lubin said the names of the Di- |
rectors of the Association were a suifici- |
ent guarantee to contributors that their |
money would be properly handled. They |
are mostly men of financial responsible |
ity, as well as of honesty and integrity, !
and could not afford to do a dishonest act |
in this connection.
A. j. Van Zandt said man who had
resided here for thirty five years objected |
his home, and it would not benefit him |
any if it were increased little in value |
The speaker cited him to a community
back East where the encouragement of |
factories had brought several thousand |
more people to the place and greatly in |
creased the value of all property in the |
city.
Mr.. Lubin said it was like a man hold |
ing life insurance policy. He cannot |
have any fun on the strength of it while |
he lives) but when he dies his family |
will get the benefit of it's value. So with |
a mans house. Its increased value |
doesn't count, perhaps, until he dies, and |
then, when it is sold, his family gets the |
benefit of 1t.
Mr.. Gregory cited the case of an old |
man, who does not own property and has |
no money, who came to him and said he |
was willing to do $50 worth of work to |
help the movement along if the Directory
would direct him what to do. Hethought |
that such an act ought to shame any |
person like the one referred to by Mr.. |
Van Zandt.
William Salz said he knew of one man |
who was well-to-do, but had no real es-
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