Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-03-12


PLOY TWO HUNDRED HANDS.
A movement was started yesterday
which has for its object the purchase
and operation CT the plant of the Ohio
Valley China Company. The promo
tiers are practical men. They have al
ready met with substantial encourage
ment. The success of the project is
practically assured. 1t will give en-
ployment, under favorable conditions,
to about 200 hands, most OF whom, be-
cause of the nature OF the product, will
be men.
The plant is the North Wheeling
pottery. 1t was built some years ago
a modern, commodious, admirably
equipped concern-but has never been
successfully conducted. Sanitary ware
was the first line of manufacture, but
proved Improbable because of the lack
of proper management. Then the pres
ent owners secured control, pottery ex-
perts were brought from Europe, and
a line OF goods was manufactured which
was far superior to any china made in
the United States. Pottery experts say
that the concern would have been sue
cessful if continued, but that the wares
were not advertised to such an extent
as to create a demand for them, and
that the concern needed a business
manager who was thoroughly familiar
with the trade and its requirements.
Be that as it may, the fact remains that
the big plant has been idle for a number
of years.
Several schemes to start the pottery
in operation lave failed, principally be-
cause of the difficulty in inducing CAPT
tai to invest during the recent business
depression. A better time for the
present project could hardly have been
chosen. The sale of local steel plants
to the trusts has placed in the city a
considerable quantity of cash which is
seeking investment, and which may be
invested in the proposed scheme with
a very reasonable assurance of salts
factory returns in the way OF profits.
1t is now proposed to raise by sub
scription a capital stock of $l00, 600,
which will be sufficient to purchase and
operate the property, and to make all
needed alterations and repairs. The
subscription paper is in the hands OF
William A. Isett and ]. A. Miller, and
the first amount subscribed was $780,
600. Although the paper was not pre-
pared until yesterday, the promoters OF
the enterprise have already met with
very substantial encouragement.
1t is proposed to make such altera-
tons as will be necessary for the man
ufacture exclusively of a line of plumb
ers e~arthenware, sanitary goods and
vitrifed hotel china. The practical
management of the plant will be in the
hands of thoroughly competent men.
| A good portion of the stock will be
ing Pottery Company, but it will be
operated under an entirely different
charter and management. The sanitary
feature of the Wheeling pottery will be
transferred to the new concern, as 1t
is now encroaching upon room which
has become very valuable.
With natural gas for fuel, shipping
facilities which are unexcelled, com
petent management, and a line OF goods
for which there is a constant demand,
and which will not enter into compe-
tition with the product Of any local
plant, the proposition which is present
ed to those who are asked to subscribe
TO the capital stock, looks very attract
i've indeed. Not the least trouble is an
t~icipated in raising the required amount
of money. 1t will furnish employment
to 200 hands under favorable conditions,
and from the heavy nature OF the work
most of the employees will be men. The
advantage to the community, and to the
North End in particular, in having the
plant in full and continuous operation,
need not be dwelt upon.
The American Potteries Company,
the first, has an option on the prop
erty, which expires April LIST. If 1t
passes into the hands OF the new com
pany at that time the necessary repairs
can be made at once, and the pottery
can have its product on the market by
July LIST, in enough time for the fall
trade.