Waterbury Democrat., 1902-08-14
WHEELS ARE RUNNING TODAY
Rumor That Matthews & Will
lard Factory Closed Not True


Receiver Took Place in Winsted
The Court Denied the Motion and the
Question of an Injunction Was Set
Down for Hearing Next Week Fri,
day.
The alarming report that the factory
of Matthews q Willard Co closed this
morning was quite current about town
this forenoon. Investigation traced it
to sources that would be taken to know
all about the concern, yet there was
not word of truth in rne rumor. The
machinery started this morning at the
usual hour, but the several depart
ments wear anything but busy ap-
pearance. In fairly good times the
complement of help is from 800 to LOCO
hands, and Notwithstanding that every
where reports Of the most prosperous
conditions prevail, there are in the en-
plQy of Matthews & Willard to-day
about 200 hands What gave birth to
the report could not be ascertained. 1t
seems to be the opinion of parties in
very good way to judge that event
ually the concern will start business
under a fair sky, but when that time
will come they are not able to state.
Internal trouble is the cause of the de-
preston and the great Indebtedness of
the company The workmen. who
somehow get at information that is
supposed to remain in the Office, say
that the Scovill company will take hold
of it. as that concern Is the largest
creditor its claim being about S16O,00O.
But manufacturers do not think that
will be the end. They do not see how
the Scovill company could benefit by
absorbing it, at present at all events
Some time ago, when its main product
was stove trimmings, it might be an
acquisition any manufacturing concern
might be pleased to get but the infIu-
ence of the stove knob and stove urn
on the market to-day is not felt so
much as it was years ago. Moreover,
the firm of Matthews & Ireland, which
sprung up in Detroit when the old firm
of Matthews & Willard went to the
wall. has been doing large portion OF
the business that was done by the lat
ter and sent 1t into other manufactur-
ing channels Mr. Matthews, about the
same time, started a factory in Sey-
mour for the manufacture of stove
trimmings which also took some busi-
ness from the new firm Of Matthews
& Willard, so that the latter has been
handicapped to great extent since it
set sail under the new company >
A hearing upon the application for
the appointment of a receiver for the
company was held in Winsted this
morning before Judge Roraback Of the
superior court: Attorneys Clark, Hall
and Peck appeared for the petitioners
who form the minority of the company
and Attorney Carmody appeared for @.
P. Goss, who represented the Scovill
Manufacturing Co. After censideraa
BILE debate for and against the appoint
ment OF receiver the court denied the
motion. Thereupon the Scovill com
pany filed motion to dissolve the in
junction restraining the directors of
the Matthews & Willard Co from trans
ferring any part of the real estate.
stock or goods to the firm of the SEQ
will company This injunction was
served upon Mr. Goss, Mr. Griggs and
other members of the majority Of the
company few days ago, it being
feared by the minority that the major
ity would take advantage Of the de
pressed state of the company and
transfer all the stock to the Scovill
in payment of its indebted
ness. The court was not ready to hear
this motion. but thought it could be
heard Friday of next week and set
down that date for the hearing.