The Newtown bee., 1900-09-14
TOWN Torres. Rubber Shops To Close. NEWTOWN TO LOSE ITS ONLY LARGE IN
 DUSTRY. Machinery to Be Moved to Pas
 saic, N. J. UNIVERSAL SORROW AND REGRET
 OVER THE NEWS.

The citizens or Sandy HOOK and New. town were treated to most unwelcome news on Friday, when it became general ly known that the industrial blow in the closing of the local Rubber shops, which had long been feared, was about to be- come fact. Naturally the news created a powerful sensation about town, and in the homes; on the street and in the stores and saloons it was the one exciting theme of conversation.
 The news was brought to town, last week Thursday, by G. W. Blanchard, the general factory manager of the Rubber Goods Manufacturing Co.,, and a member of the executive committee of the company. He was accompanied by Superintendent Cushmsn, who has made weekly visits from Passaic for the last two years. MT Blanchard informed MT Blackman that the local shops were to be closed in few weeks, and that the more valuable machinery was to be re- moved to Passajc, N. J., where the com- pany has about completed large addi- tion for it's reception.
 The news of the closing of the works did not become generally known before Friday noon, and was received with gen. uine sorrow, particularly among the em- ployes who had been connected with the concern for so many years, and by their x0I0l41Oes WAO Ox SOO1 50 dIo Lu0 Ou05 lu6b must suffer most. It Is stating it mildly to say that there were many heavy hearts and moist eyes in town that night as they talked over the situation and what the future had in store for them.
 On Monday of this week the editor of THE BEE waited upon l. P. Blackman, the popular assistant superintendent, who received the press representative in his usual courteous manner, and spoke with frankness regarding the situation. He said in substance that it was a fact that orders had been received to close the shops. That they would run only a few weeks longer and that probably all departments would be closed inside of been contemplated for five years and had been discussed by the board of directors at differ ent times. It was also fact, he stated, that the company had about com. pleted at the Passaic factory large ad. dition, and that much of the machinery here would be removed there. To con- tinue work st the Sandy Hook factories would require large outlay of money, as all the buildings were badly in need of permanent repairs. At Passaic also coal is nearly one.half cheaper, but this is off ilege which they have there. Then comes in prominently the wage question, as MT lsckman admitted the wages at Psssaic did not average as high as here, MT Blackman said that he expected some of the Sandy Hook workmen would be offered employment at Passaic, but just how many he did not know at present. MT Blackman expressed his sincere re. gret at the closing of the local shops, az his family ties were here, and that he was aware the shutdown would result in real hardships in some families. To put the thing in nutshell then, said MT Blackman. it is simply question of in. dustrial economy. This company have 8 rates will be lower, and by closing the local factories they will make 8 large saving for their stockhe lders. This is the nub of the whole question, with all sentiment and feeling laid aside.
 J Among the professional and business men of the town there is a unanimous feeling of regret over the removal of this substantial industry and of sympathy with the workers who are most deeply affected. Not single man of this class has taken any other position. as it is most suffers all the members suffer with it, Some wild and untruthful rumors have naturally been circulated as to what this and that one has said about the shut down but it is always we'll to eift them thoroughly and get at the truth, before l jumping at conclusions.
 l Who are the owners of the Sandy Hook factories of the New York Belting 6 Packing Co. :? For an answer we turn at | once to the first annual report of the Rubber Goods Manufacturing Co.,, dated February 10, 1900. This will certainly ams ze many people Gas it did the writer) who are not aware of the magnitude of this concern. The report follows:
 New Brunswick, N. J..
 10th February, 1900.
 To the Stockholders of the Rubber Goods Manufacturing Company: Re- viewing the general business and condi- tion of the company, in conformity with the bylaws, the President reports as follows:
 This company was incorporated Jan- uarv 26, 1899, and organized March IF, 1899. The properties which were ac. quired at the outset were as followa:
 9l per cent of the capi al stock of The owns: (a) The plant of the Chicago
 CD The plant of the Cleveland Rubber Works, at Cleveland, O.;
 (c) The plants of the New York Belt. ing and Packing Co.,, Q) at Passaic, N. J.. and CD at Sandy Hook, Conn;
 (d) The plant of the Fabric Fire Hose Co.,, at Warwick, N. Y.;
 (e) The plant of the SsG ughton Ru bber Cn., at Stoughton, Mass.