Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-25
BIG OHIO STEEL WORKS.

The Little City of LOrain Transform
ed-Representntive JOhnson's Enter
prise.
The little city of Lorain, tventy-six
miles west Of Cleveland. Ohio, at the mouth
Of the Black river. is at present the busiest
place in northern Ohio. Several months
ago 1t was even duler than other towns OF
its size and character. Now hundreds of
dwelling houses are being built. great shops
are sprinsing into life, and the river is be-
ing deepened. The cause of this transfer
nation is the removal of the works Of the
Johnson Steel Company to Lcrain from
Jamestown. Pa. The johnson company
determined that other points in the United
States possessed greater advantages in the
manufacture Of steel than Johnstown. 1t
was decided to erect new works, not entire
ly to the exclusion of the old, but to sup
plement them Some of the best experts in
the country were instructed to make a
thorough investigation into the cost of
manufacturing steel at all the principal
points in the country. AS a result II was
determined to locate the new works within
thirty miles of Cleveland.
After much looking about the company.
of which Representative Tom L. johnson Is
the chief spirit, decided upon Lorain. 1t
was found that land enough could not be
secured near Cleveland for the immense
works 1t was intended to build that would
at the same time be located with proper
dock facilities. etc. Probably the chance
for some real estate speculation which Lo-
1ain presented to an exceptional degree also
had something to do with 1t. The town has
a good harbor. and has been a pretty good
shipping point for both coal and iron ore.
Since Mr.. Johnson's free trade propensities
and general activity In behalf of his hobby
have made him a national figure. 1t is Of
public interest to know that he has now
begun the construction OF the greatest steel
works in Ohio. and one Of the greatest in
the United States. The capital stock OF the
new company Is $1,000 900. and is distinct
from the concern at Johnstown. thousand
acres of land have been bought, and are be-
ing laid out in town lots. The town agreed
to spend 500. 600 In improving and deepen
ing the river up to the works Of the new
company.
Doubling the Population.
This summer 1000 houses for workm>n
are being erected by the company on their
land near their works. and by spring It IL
expected that they will all be occup!ed by
employees. The new mills will begin opera
lions early in the spring. The town will ex-
tend its limits to include this new territory.
which has hitherto been farm property. The
character Of the ground where the works
are being built may be inferred from the
fact that six tons of dynamite have already
been used in blasting stumps out OF the
ground.
Electric railways are In process of con-
along the lake shore to Cleveland. A line Is
being built in the town also, and there Is a
general air Of boom and push about the
whole city. The new works will employ
over 5000 men. and such a large influx of
population will in all probability more than
double the towns size and importance.
Other manufacturing concerns are already
being attracted by the location of the John
son company, and the town seems to be in n
fair way to enjoy a notable boom.
Incidentally. the new town will have some
influence upon Mr.. Johnson's political
future. Lorain Is not In Mr.. Johnson's
district, and the fact that he took his i'm
mense shops away from Cleveland will be
used for whatever 1t is worth to prejudice
his chances of reelection. The district is
normally republican by about 1000 and
much Of Mr.. Johnsons fame Is due to the
fact that he has been able to carry II in
spite of the adverse majority and the strong
protection sentiment Of this manufacturing
center This fall Mr.. johnson will make q
special effort. II he wins, his friends de-
clare that he will be the next democratic
candidate for governor. and. II successful II
that, they EXPECT him to become more than
4 possibility for the presidency in 1890.