Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-01-26
$4,000 WANTED.
Iron Misunderstanding Plant VIII Locate
Here for This Amount.


The Board OF Trade met last evening
for the purpose of hearing the inventors.
Messrs. Salmon and Cross, and Mr..
HOFFMAN. OF the Salmon Cross Axle and
Box Company. After admitting Albert
Geoppsrt, George Schwabe and Ben
hard Dim as members, Mr.. Salmon was
called upon to explain his invention.
He stated that the smallest collery
hereabouts spends at least $4,000 per
year on car-wheels.
He stated that his latest invention
is now being tried at the Lehlgh and
Wilkesbarre Companys colliery at
Audenred. but being in nse only few
days it is impossible to prove its worth in
that time.
Mr.. Salmon thinks, frem the searches
he has made and the practical need,
that an invention of his kind would
recommend itself to all users OF car
wheels.
| lie stated that he had no doubts that
he could get his invention manufactured
ON royalty, but that by establishing a
plant in Freeland it would serve to build
up the town and employ his friends and
neighbors Of lifetime
Conrad Hoffman, of Wilkesbarre, was
then called on and stated the benefits ta
be derived from the ssta blishment of ar
iron plant. Mr.. Hoffman figured that a
foundry building 5OxsO feet would give
ample room to turn out bout 100 wheels
per day and employ eighteen to twenty
men.
r. r. Cross, of Oneonta, N. Y, then
explained his invention, which is a box
and nut for wagon and carriage axles
Mr.. Cross stated that he did not con-
slider that he would be compelled to es-
tablish works to supply the demands for
his invention, thinking that one Of the
many axle plants in the country would
adopt the box and nut. Mr.. Cross found
on showing his invention to the mana
gers OF the Sheldon Axle Company, of
Wilkesbarre, that they tried to discour-
age him and weuld not consent to manu-
facture his article, claiming that it
would injure their business.
Mr.. Cross, being q practical machinist
and having demonstrated the ability,
and knowing the value OF his article,
will not be downed by enemies of his
invention for such reasons. Mr.. Cross
has visited several Of tho large axle con-
Germs of the country and finds their
presidents and managers of the one
opinion-that it would hurt their busi-
ness.
Axles being staple articles and firms
engaged in their manufacture being the
most prosperous Of iron manufacturers,
it NATURALLY follows that when his inven-
tion is placed on the market its dura-
bility and economical qualities will com
pei its adoption even in cheaply con-
structed wagons, inasmuch as one set
OF his ayles will last during the life of
the wagon, while at the present time a
well constructed wagon will outlast two
and sometimes three sets of axles.
Mr.. Cross stated that IL tho Board of
Trade will raise $4,000 and erect a
building which would be furnished with
the latest machinery they would be
given first mortgage on the property as
security. He also stated that if his axle
and box are manufactured in this town
that wagon factory would no doubt
also be established.
The board decided to accept the prop
ositisn of tho company to raise $4,000
and to come before the people. Attor-
ney Brown was authorized to draw up
the necessary papers and the following
committee was appointed: George 7.
Brown, ESQ.,, George Christian, George
Schwabe, Hugh Malloy, John E. Nc
Hugh, George Vanauker, A. Oswald, Il.
c. Koons, j. p. Mcdonald, DR.. n.
Maley.