The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-01-18

and plant equipped for the manufacture
of electric bicycle and mining lamps.
Their plant IL situated on Capouse ave-
nue.. You will remember Mr.. Hubbcll,
the inventor OF the lamp, exhibited II,
along with his primary battery, In our
rooms on Lackawanna avenue, some two
years ago.
Negotiations for the erection of a large
carpet mill were completed early In the
fall; but for some reason unknown to the
writer the project was abandoned.
COMPARISON ENCOURAGING.
A careful comparison of the condition
of our Industries Jan. |, 1895, with mat
of one year ago, is htleed encouraging.
While i'm no sense could the word
"boom" be used in this connection, nor
has the revival been all that could he
desired; yet so evident is the change
for the better that We are certainly to be
congratulated. All our fabric and silk
mills are in operation, employing a full
complement of hands, and in most cases
working overtime. The furniture uphol-
stering plant is hardly able to Keep up
with the increased demands for Its
goods. our steel and iron mills have
worked more days during the past six
months than during any like period IN
several wears. In fact, know Of but
one industry In this city that Is not
working fun, and that Is the Scranton
Glass company. Right here ! desire 10
remark that steps should be taken to put
this plant In operation. a few years ago
the glass company was working full,
etnpolying 800 men and boys, and paying
to its employees the largest wages of any
concern in the city. The Green Ridge
section, in which this plant is located,
has severely felt the loss: intact the
whole city has suffered TO greater or
less extent by the closing OF these extern
sive works. Property in the immediate
vicinity has deprecated in value, ana "a
plant representing over S25O,0OO Is gong
to rack and ruin. 1 believe that ny prop
erly advertising the advantages of these
works some one can be found VINO
would, If liberal inducements were Of
fered, take and operate them.
The erection of a large building to be
devoted to manufacturing purposes Is
contemplated. In this building any re-
quired amount of space, with power, can
be rented at reasonable rates This is
something that is needed in the city, and
the project, If carried through, as con-
templated will undoubtedly be success.
This matter was discussed by the Board
of Trade some time ago, but nothing def
mite was accomplished.
! Among municipal improvements during
the past year the paving Of Mulberry
! street with asphalt is to be especially
! noted. An ordinance, providing for the
| pavement of Providence road ana North
Main avenue from Carbon street to the
city line, is now before councils and
should be unanimously passed, and the
| work completed at the earliest possible
moment. This street is the main artery
| to our city from the northern country
| districts, and is much Travelled. 1t Is at
present in most diSgruceful condition,
! almost impossible, and a standing men,
| ace to our boasted pride and enterprise.
number of extensive buildings have
| been erected during the past year in the
! business section of the city, notably the
| Connell building on Washington avenue,
eight stories high, of Indiana limestone,
fire proof, and embodying all modern i'm
| provements and conveniences, and the
| Colliery Engineer company buildings on
| Wyoming avenue, one of native stone,
| five stories high, of massive proportions
| and beautiful architecture, i'm the rear of
| which is another large four-Story build
ing of the same material to be used by
| them as printing office. The general
public does not begin to appreciate the
value of such an industry as the Colllery
! Engineer company or the important part
it takes in promoting the welfare of our
city. 1t is doing more to advertise
| Scranton than any other medium. Their
literature is mailed to every city and
| town in every state of the Union. They
| employ over 400 hands in this city, and
pay out thousands of dollars weekly in
wages. A little idea of the magnitude Of
their business can be had from the fact
that their postage bill alone amounts to
| over $500 per month.
The erection of the large department
store on the site of the Wyoming house
| is also Il notable event in the history of
the city. l am reliably informed by one
| who knows, that there are few more
complete or convenient department
stores in the United States, my inform
ant having visited all like stores of any
note in the country.