The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-01-22

The cities Of Fall River. Mass. Los Angeles,
| California and Memphis, Tenn. passed us in
| population. Scranton passed Albany, n. Y,
Richmond Va, Lowell Mass. and Nashville,
| Tenn.
Lackawanna county has population Of 1888
| and, therefore, has passed from a salary system
| to a fee system, which is another step upward,
and one that will, doubt, prove economical
and OF great benefit to the taA payer. Here
after a S2 900 man will not be drawing $40, 900
| salary, or vice versa, but each county officer
will be a more equitable basis as compared
with services rendered. II will be some time
hfeore the new machinery will run smoothly,
and many changes will be necessary
New legislation must be enacted before the
garment that Ats Pttsburg and Allegheny will
come anywhere near fitting Scranton; but we
believe the wisdom OF our representatives at
Harrisburg will shape matters that eventually
| a law governing cities OF a second class will be
earcted that will give each city a satisfactory
| form OF government.
Owing to matters over which We had con-
| troll, the industrial growth of Scranton did not
| come up to its usual proportions during the
\ year that has closed. No doubt, the greatest
| disappointment to those who had worked in.
| cessantly to promote il was the loss Of the tin
| plate factory Six years ago the location OF a
tin plate factory was before the board and
| our capitalists were asked TO subscribe to the
| stock OF such an enterprise-they failed to re.
| spond. Within two years from that time had
| Scranton taken the industry its stockholders
| would have trebled their money and Scranton
would no doubt, had by this time one Of the
| largest tin plate mills controlled by the
American Tin Plate company.
During the past year the matter was again
| taken up, and seven months consumed in an en'
| deaver to place the stock among the investors
| Of this city but for some reason, unknown to
| the writer, II was impossible to carry out the
project, and again the city OF Scranton is the
| loser. We hear of independent tin plate mills
| going up all over the country, in places not as
well adapted to its manufacture as Scranton.
We know that large dividends are being realized,
and the day will surely come when our capital.
| lists will regret as they did in 1894, not having
taken advantage Of this opportunity.
| During the year we added two new industries
the Scranton Cut Glass factory, on Washington
| avenue, employing fifty men, and the Timlnes
& Hecht rolling mill, spike factory and gsyaniz'
ing plant, on the. West Side, that will when in
| operation, employ at least 100 men. These
came to Scranton directly through the efforts
| Of this organization, and without the financial
aid Of the citizens Of Scranton, beyond paying
freight on the glass plant in the amount oi
$500.
During the year the Klotz Silk Mill company
doubled the size Of its mill; as did alsc
Messrs. Reilling, David and Schoen, who operate
the Tenth ward silk mill. In both Of these
cases large additions were built. which in
creased the capacity, and the hands employed
100 per cent The Scranton Bolt and Nut com
pany were also obliged to enlarge their plant
and are now employing over $50 men, an in
crease OF 100 men over that employed last year
The erection Of large printing house, referred
to In my last report. which was to be built b,
the Coliery Engineer company, will, I am in
formed, begin early in the spring. The opening
Of Wyoming avenue, which caused the delay II
the carrying out OF this project. Is well unde
way, and in itself will be a great advantage I,
the section Of the city through which this ave
nue. runs. The erection OF the new Young Mem
Christian Association building ard the Thir
tsenth regiment armory is progressing Tn
latter will be ready for occupancy by April lst
and will be one Of the finest and largest armorie
In the state Of Pennsylvania, and the former will
be completed about the close Of 1901, and viii
be the largest and most commodious building
Of its kind in the country, which reflects grea
credit upon the citizsns 4 The city Of Scranton
to b plantsd upsn suq p basis IN instits