The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-05-31
SOME 0UTSP0KEN COMMENTS
THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE
 M. SEWARD e SON co.

Mayor Farnsworth, Lleutenant-G Governor Dewell and the Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers Support the Com pany-A ss 300, 900 Plant Involved.
 The renewal of the proceedings in- stituted in February, 1896, by six resi- dents of Lake place, to enjoin the M. Seward & Son Go. from using drop hammer at their carriage hardware manufactory on Bristol street, has aroused the ire of the leading manufac- turers of the city and stirred the mem- bers of the chamber of commerce to denounce the suit on account of the in- jury it Is alleged it will work to the city in preventing new interests from locating here. The case is set down for a hearing on Tuesday before Judge Robinson in the superior court, and the outcome of it Is awaited with much in- terest by all public spirited citizens, as it involves a. question of vital inn portance to the interest of not only every local manufacturer, but to the city itself.
 Briefly stated, the question to be de- cided is whether a half dozen people can force an old and established man. ufacturing house, which has almost $200,0O0 invested in it's plant, to aban- don it and move elsewhere because the noise of the machinery the company has to use disturbs the six or more compliments. A fact which bears strongly on the case is that the com plainants took up their residences in proximity to the factory knowing all about the noises they now claim are annoying, and, moreover, when they moved into their present abodes much more noisy machinery was used than is now, as the defendants have en- deavored by using lighter hammers to eliminate the causes of the complaint.
 As stated above, practically all the local manufacturers and the chamber of commerce are arrayed against the plaintiffs in the suit, not only on ac- count of the hindrance put in the way of an established business, but on &C., count of the bad impression such pro- ceeding gives throughout the country as to the manner in which manufactur- CTS are treated here.
 The committee on new enterprises of the chamber of commerce, when the suit was first brought, investigated the matter and reported unanimously that the people should go slow in harassing manufacturers, as it would tend to pre- vent any new interests locating here. After this report was made the suit lay dormant and it was supposed to be dead but recently it was taken up again.
 A successful manufacturer who on account of his acquaintance with some of the comp1ainants, asked that his name be withheld in speaking of the matter last night said:
 "Of course I am interested in this suit. Every manufacturer is. If 1t should result in victory for the plain tiffs there would be no telling when any one of us might not be enjoined because our machinery made a noise that some one did not like, or because the chemicals we have to use did not smell like new mown hay to some sensitive nostrils. It is becoming a bad place for manufacturers here. In- stead of being encouraged we are being harassed. Not long ago there was a loud complain made because there was too much" smoke from a big shop. Now it's too much noise. I tell you this is a serious matter"
 Smoke and noise are part of manu- featuring, and manufactures are neces- sary to any city's prosperity. The ob- jections urged are all based on the ground that it is hurtful public policy to compel the removal of a business plant and there is no feeling against the complainants, who are people es- teemed and of good standing.
 Tn speaking of the case in question Saturday, Mayor Farnsworth said: q certainly think that such a proceeding Is very detrimental to the interests of New Haven. as it creates very bad impression in regard to the way manu- facturers are treated here. One such case leads to another. This is not the first instance that I know of in this city where an attempt has been made tC hamper an old and established business on seemingly slight grounds. This mat. ter is of great importance to the city
 MT. John T. Manson, who is chairman of the committee of the chamber of commerce which investigated the mat ter, when spoken to in regard to it. said that he considered it most unfor- tunate that such proceedings should be brought. It seemed to him unfair to at. tempt to hamper an old and established business for the reasons advanced by the parties who seek to enjoin the Sew ards.
 Lieutenant Governor James D. Dew ell, who is we'll known as a prominent member of the chamber of commerce and as always being alert to promote the interests of this city, said: Such a proceeding as has been instituted against the Stewards Is advertising tc the world that New Haven doesn't want manufacturing and is trying tc discourage it. This We know Is not the case with most of our citizens. The attempt to discourage business is clear ly shown by the willingness on the part of some people to hinder an established industry. No new concerning is going to locate here as long as old and legiti- mate manufacturing houses are inter- fered with in this way. It Is not only a wrong to the city, but it is morally wrong. Consider the matter moment