The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1896-02-13
New Industries for Belfast.

Belfast Board of Trade is in correspondence
with a number OF manufacturing concerns
with view to locating some new business
enterprise in our city. The Heating Wheel
Co. Of Holyoke, whose business and propo-
sition is briefly described in our report of
the Board of Trade meeting, would be a
very desirable company to obtain, as its
workmen would be chiefly skilled mechan-
les, young men, many with families, whose
advent would make very material and de-
sirable increase to our population. AS yet
the possibilities of getting them are uncer-
tain, though they have expressed satisfac-
tion with the location.
Another large and desirable industry is
that of the South ard Mills of Richmond
Maine. The Richmond mills manufacture
yarn and the company intends to put up
large mill for making cotton cloth, with 600
looms, requiring some ,000 square feet of
floor space, and engines of from 700 to 500
horsepower. 1t is proposed to run the new
mill on such cloths as are always in demand
such as are used by the common people in
their wearing apparel, etc. These goods do
HoG lctulit ShIlltu ldDOT, dnu-Wnlle not
paying 50 large profit as some other kinds
that sell in periods of prosperity, but drop out
in time of depression-are more desirable, as
the demand is reliable. 1t will give employ
ment to from 500 to 600 people, about SO pc I
cent. of whom would be women. Mr.. E. S.
Willis, representing this company, visit
ed Belfast Tuesday and, in company with
ing. Mr.. Willis has had IS years expert
ence in cotton mills, and is successful-
ly operating the mill at Richmond The
Dana building, he says, would not answer
their purpose, but he is very favorably i'm
pressed with the location. A new factory
suitable for their business will cost, he saws
about $500, 600. Of this amount the company
would require that Belfast should see that
S1000 900 of the cost was subscribed for, they
supplying the balance. With the showing
of dividends paid by the cotton mills of
New England, and the fact that not one mill
in thousand, ever fails, there can be no
doubt about the stock being a good invest
meht, and it would seem that large portion
of the 100000 ought to be taken by Belfast
citizens. If not, it could be placed outside
Among the many advantages of this location
is the item Of freights. With a railroad
track crossing the lot and deep water
of the harbor in front allowing coal to
be landed from vessels almost alongside
! the boilers, this means a great deal
| when compared with places where rail is
the only means of freight transportation
Mr.. Willis does not consider water power il
any way desirable. 1t is too unreliable, as
| you cannot tell AT What time you Will have
to shut down The hest paying mills i'll the
! country are operated by steam, including al
/ the factories in New Bedford These mills
/ have pad during the last year-through .
| period Of derressiun-an average of pen
cent. They have actually earned from - tt
1 30 per cent, the surplus being carried to al
emergency fund. THIS fund in some eases
\ tor instance as in the case Of the Acushner
4 Mills-accumulates until it becomes very
large sum- Tie before mentioned company
hp,ilt large mill out of this fund last yeal
and made Jhr stockho.dt RS a present of THE
stoek In Name 60 hours constitute d
weeks work instead Of 5s in Massachusetts
l. b"r is 10 per cent cheaper i'm Maine 1ha1
in Massachusetts, Mr.. Willis considers the
present propitous time 10 uild cotton
factories The wonderful Improvements IN
machinery would give the new mill a great
prestige A mill now erected and equipped
with improved machinery would make
money when one built ten years ago would
run at loss.
i If either of these companies, or any large
manufacturing industry, can be brought tc
i Belfast an era Of prosperity must naturally
follow Not only the people directly EN-,
ployed in the factory would find employ
ment, but it would stimulate business of all
kinds. The carpenters, bricklayers and
other mechanics would find employment in
! building the factory and homes for the EN-
pioyes real estate would ad ance in value
! the increased consumption would cali for
more clerks III stores, farmers would find a
better market for their produce, and all
! would be directly or indirectly benefited
= 1t is to be hoped that the spirit of union and
/ progressiveness which now seems to actuate
t our people may continue, and that this is the
| beginning of better times and more enter
prising business prospects, for which our
| city is by location and natural facilities 50
| admirably adapted.