The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1897-10-21
SkOwhegan Industries.


mill, the oilcloth factory, the wood work
ing establishments or the shoe factory.
These leading establishments make
steady employment for a good number
or hands the year through.
Take the shoe factory, which four
years ago when the Keene Brothers sus-
pended business, WAS kept in operation
by the Bloomfield Shoe Company. made
up OF four of our enterprsing citizens,
Messrs. Charles A. Marston, Geo. B.
Stafford, A. D. Knights and j. r. Frost.
The latter gentleman retired from the
business after about two years. since
which time the others have, through de-
pressed condition of trade, hard times
and many diseouragements kept the
business on its feet and contributed
largely to the financial welfare of the
town.
We learn from Geo. B. Stafford, presi.
pent OF the Bloomfield Shoe Company,
That for the past four years in round
numbers an average of LIS hands have
been employed, with an average pay
roll of $52, 600 per year. The company
has done an average of 1925, 900 in bust
ness per year.
AT this time in order for the company
to do business to advantage increased
capital is necessary. Mr.. c. A. Cush.
ing, who has been engaged in shoe
manufacturing for some years past at
Freeport, has in view the taking of an
interest in the Bloomfield Shoe Company
providing the citizens Of this town will
show their interest in the business and
their faith in its future by taking a
reasonable amount of the capital stock
OF the company and thus acquire an in
terest in the establishment.
Just what proposition Mr.. Cushing
and the Bloomfield Shoe Company have
to make in the premises we are unable
to state ia detail A meeting is to be
held in Milburn Hall tomorrow, Friday,
evening, when definite proposition will
be made and we believe it will be an adj
vantage for our citizens to give il candid
consideration. 1t is intmated that our
people will be asked to take stock to the
amount of about $4,000 and that if this
is done sufficient money from other
sources, with that already invested, will
be forthcoming to put the company in
excellent financial condition to do a
largely increased business at advantage
aud increased profit.
The people of our town can invest in
this amount of stock and not be at all
embarrassed by it if all Interested, or all
who should be interested, will take hold
and each do his part. Who are in.
terested in the continuation and enlarg
ment of this business in town? In
reality it would be much lighter task
to give the meager list of names of
people who are not pecuniarily interested
} in the prosperity of the Bloomfield Shoe
Company. 1t would be al exceedingly
short list.
First, it may properly be conceded
that merchants on our streets, small and
large, are more directly interested than
any other class. The 81 900 per week
which ought easily to be increased to
$1,000 per week-paid in wages, finds its
way, in large measure, with great
celebrity into the tills of the men and
women in trade, fright here in our village
and our merchants handle this extra
trade with much less'pro rata expense, and
therefore with greater net profit. The
most obtuse can readily observe this
The lively interest of men in trade can
not be questioned,
Second, In the same way but perhaps
In less degree we may call attention TO
the interest of lawyers, doctors, ministers,
publishers, proprietors of hotels, board
ing houses, stables and expresses, truck
men, electric railway companies, electric
light and power companies, mechanics
of all kinds, laborers and turner's. All
are affected by this money paid out,
and would keenly feel the lack of it were
the disbursement to cease.
Real estate owners have a deep inter
est in this matter. Let but one of our
leading industries go and the rents on
real estate must suff.r and its market
value deprecate, and AS it depreciates
and rents fall off, do taxes become bur
densome and oppressive.
The monied institutions Of our town
and capitalists who desire to have their
money invested near home, are interested
to have manufacturing brisk and all the
mills and factories of the town running
full handed aud on full time.
Finally, every man or woman who
cares anything for the honor and credit
of Skowhegan ought to feel an interest
in the support of its manufacturing en-
terprises and by voice and means stand
by the old town. The suspension of one
industry in a town gives it "black eye"
and very bad "black eye" If it is al
lowed to suspend by reason of dere-
LECTION of its own citizens.
The people of Skowhegan cannot af-
ford to allow this industry to languish
from the lack of support, If they let it
die or leave town under this condition,
now, it will be harder than ever to iu-