The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-02-27
THEIR Loss IS OUR Cain
Seranton's Opportunity to Profit by
Wales Bad Fortune.
MR.. TORBETT'S PROPOSITION
His $4,000 Subscription BetOkens His
Confidence In Scranton Tin Plate
Mill-Some Business Men
Ready to Subs cribe.

The Scranton board of trade Is at
present making determined efforts to
establish a tin plate industry in this
city, but it is an open secret that un-
less arrangements can be made in
few days, Mr.. Torbett, the representa-
tive of the firm, will withdraw his
proposition and subscription of $4,000.
In more than one respect. 1t is essential
that satisfactory and conclusive ar
rangements should be arrived at dur
ing the present week. Mr.. Torbett has
in view a proposal to locate extensive
mills in Gas City. Ind, unless he is
satisfied that substantial assistance
can be secured in this city and, no
doubt, he recognizes the important fact
that the tide of expert men In the busi-
ness " already flowing to western
districts, while Scranton is losing the
great opportunity of securing this kind
of skilled labor.
Inconsequence of the growth of the tin
plate manufacturing business in this
country gloomy reports are continually
being received from the tin plate CEN
ters of South Wales, and day after day
brings forth notices of further stop
pages. In the Llanelly district the trade
for the time being is practically para
lyzed and prices have dwindled down
to a very low ebb, and orders are almost
conspicuous by their absence. j. 5.
Tregoning, proprietor of the Morfa TIN
plate and steel works, Llannelly, has
made public statement that the result
of keeping his establishment going of
late has been the loss of about Sb,O0O
month and in the face OF this heavy
burden he had hecided to shut down
and cease operations for an indefinite
period Already 1900 of his workmen
are out of employment.
Has Caused Poverty.
The pinch of poverty is being felt
throughout South Wales, especially in
the neighborhood of the works men
toned, and what will eventually be-
come of the people when the contracts
at the remaining works are completed
and the doors closed is difficult to say.
The most efficient tin plate workers,
who have laid by a substantial amount
of their savings, are now tlocking to the
United States. where their services are
in demand j. II. Rogers, of Gas City,
in the neighborhood of Llannelly and
has had conferences with some OF the
men, with view to engaging their
services.
Leading members of the board or
trade have urged that the tin plate
industry is at present the premier in
dustry of the country, and II Scranton
is to secure a share Of the benefits, the
present is the opportune time to assert
her claim, inasmuch as the large num-
Der of mills which are being erected
throughout the country may, ere long,
monopolize the whole trade. Once set
tied in Scranton, there is no doubt
whatever but that with her great nat
ural advantages and easy transporta-
ton facilities. this city could more
than hold her own in the competition.
Another Strong Argument.
Another strong argument is produced
that the tin plate industry will, besides
furnishing demand for the product
of the steel mills, be a means of devel-
oping mills for all finished tin articles
and ware, the demand for which would,
practically, be illimltable.
No argument, therefore, should be
necessary to impress upon the capital
lists Of the city the Importance of i'm
mediate action in securing the location
of this industry in Scranton. The
country is at present witnessing the
building up of this great industry,
which is new in the sense that it
monopolizes the trade of other coun-
tries, ard the opinion of the board Of
trade Ulcers may well be accepted in
sta ng that it will be one of the best
ventures for the future of this growing
city.