The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-14
A HOME FOR FACTORIES
THE MANUFACTURERS CLUB Is CON-
sIDERING A BIG SCHEME.
The Plan Is to Erect a Big Building
and Furnish Power to Factories
Matter Discussed.

Within a few months Indianapolis will
probably have an industrial building which
will accommodate between fifty n sew
nty-five large factories under the same
roof. and furnish them power. The plans
for this enormous project were outlined
briefly by Fl. E. Kinney before the promi-
nent manufacturers OF the city at the
meeting OF the indianapolis Manufacturers
Club last night at the Commercial Club.
and great interest was manifested by all
of those present I'm the big scheme. Some
OF the most prominent manufacturers be-
tame very enthusiastic over the matter.
and declared that they would subscribe
for large blocks of stock.
This question has been quietly under con-
sideration for some time by the Manufac-
turers' Club. but only a few members were
acquainted with the plans or the benefits
to be derived by the stockholders OF such
a scheme until Mr.. Kinney. chairman Of
the committee appointed to look into the
question. made his report last night. Mr..
Kinney stated that he had secured valuable
information from other large cities where
these industrial buildings are maintained
with great success. and especially In Phil
a~delphia. he said, the large majority of fac
tories outside of the big iron and steel con-
Germs were housed In buildings such as is
proposed for Indianapolis. The idea of the
promoters of the scheme in Indianapolis
Is to organize a stock company with suffi-
cient capital to make the undertaking an
assured success. The Manufacturers Club
will no doubt push the matter and will take
n large mart of the stock A g,itQhia site
Will be selected In a central location, prob
ably on the South Side, near
one OF the railroads., and on this ground an
enormous building with floor space of over
one million feet will be erected. II will
probably be five or six stories in height,
and maybe higher, IL the contracts for
space demand 1t. The building will be
erected In a hollow square. so as to allow
as much outside light as possible. Enough
ground will be retained to enlarge the
building at any time. The structure, II
built, will be made as freproof as possible
and fitted with the most convenient and
modern appliances. An enormous electric
plant will be one of the features for sup
plying power for all of the factories which
would be located In the building. Large
elevators Will run TO all the floors. There
will be no other communication between
the various floors. 1t is estimated that the
building, as now under consideration, for
which plans have already been drawn, will
cost In the neighbohood of $20O.OO0, and
probably $500 more than that figure. With
$4,000 a year put aside to pay all running
expenses, 1t Is m that the stock
holders can secure at least 10 per cent. in
terest on their investment. as the floor
space would be taken in a short time py
small factories in the city at a good rental.
The scheme is one which will be of great
benefit to the manufacturers, as well as
the men who will put their money In II.
After Mr.. Kinney had outlined the pro-
posed plans there was considerable discus
sion On the question. 1t was decided TO
maintain the same committee now in
charge of the matter, so that more infor-
nation can be had on the question at the
next meeting of the club.
State Factory Inspector McAbee was
present, and spoke in glowing terms Of the
question of an industrial building for In
dianapolis. He said that to his knowledge
there are enough factories in Indianapolis
to fill a large Su,iding such as is proposed
as soon as IL 4 completed. The project,
he says, has p; Id In other cities. and 1t
should be succ, ssful here. Mr.. McAbee
also gave the club some interesting infor-
nation regarding the law pertaining to
manufacturers making reports of accidents
that occur in their factories. He said that
II was not necessary for a manufacturer
TO make a report OF an accident unless the
person injured was forced to be away from
work for a week or longer.