Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-07-26
THEY WANT TO LOCATE
Proposition of Capitalists to Start
New Factory Here.
TO OCCUPY 3. & 0. SHOPS
They Want to Take Up the Option Given b
the 8. & O. When the Bickford & Huff
man Deal Was on Hand--The B. &
n. Has Consented.
O. Has Consented.

O. Has Consented.
For the purpose OF taking uD for
consideration a prODositlon from
Pennsylvania capitalists who want to
locate an axle works in Martinsburg
a called meeting Of the Board OF
Trade was held last night.
The uroposition is a straightforward
business like one. made along the
same lines as the deal with the
Blckford and Hoffman Company.
The gentlemen somst,m ago while
in New York heard Of the failure OF
the Blckford and Hoffman deal and
of the vacant shops here which wcre
held ready for occupancy by any in
dustry on the same terms as those Of
fered TO thu Bickford and Hoffman
Company.
After learning of the above op1or-
tunity the board of directors held a
meeting. decided to locate here and
communicated their decision TO the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Gonna
ny. yhe officers of the COMPANY at
once took mp the proposition and it
was last month presented to the Off
GERS of the Board of Trade bv Mr. w
w Wood the industrial agent Cf the
b q q r r.. who came to Martins
burg for that purpose After present.
80, tha ,,rarosit;or NJ Wood roturp
ed to Baltimore and nothing more
was heard of il until now. when the
president and general manager of the
company which wants TO locate come
to Martlnsburg to carrv through the
deal.
The company was recently organlz-
ed under the laws of West Virginia to
manufacture axies and other articles
under patents secured by one OF the
mem bers and the organizer CT the
company. They had the capital, thew
saw, and are now ,adv to begin bust
ness. For the site of the plant thew
have selected Martinsburg and if the
with them as were made with the
Bikford and Hoffman Company they
will start into business here.
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
company apnears to have been pleas
ed with the gentlemen and their
proposition.
a has hnn1 drox nj a N
proved bv the company and is ready
to be slgneo If the people of Mar .ins-
burg are in for the deal. Bat some
OF the members of the Board of
Trade want to hold back and go
slowly before entering into the deal.
The contract calls for the expendi-
&; re by the axle company OF $4,000
in improving the b. & o shop build
ing. the expenditure OF $50, 600 Install
ing an up-to date plant, the employ
ment of at least 100 employees and the
payment of at least $50. 600 per wear
in wages The money to be CONT Id.
uted by the people for getting possess
sion OF the shops is to be deposited In
bank on interest for six months and
if at the end OF that time the axle
company has not lived up to its agree
ment the monev. except an amount
paid fer the rental of the shops. will
, be restored to the contributors.
| some of the members of the Board
/ of Trade wanted to make the deal at
4 once if the contributions can be Sc
cured, saving that under the contract
/ 1t was not possible for the citizens to
! loose cent, but others wanted the fl
nancial standing of the members of
the company. etc, before deal was
made. The opinion of the latter
prevailed at the meeting and the
/ committee of citizens aDpointed when
/ the Bickyford and Hoffman deal wa.
I in progress was requested TO make an
! investigation and report back. The
committee is composed of Messrs
/ Westenhaver Clohan. Bender. Hill
and Robinson.
! Several of the members of the com
mittee will visit the home of the or
( ganizers of the COMPANY. Investigate
and make report. Ii the report is
/ favorable il is the desire for all who
1 offere contributions for the proposed
Biokford and Hoffman deal will con
sent to their money being used il
J this deal
Happiness hides at7home while mel
search abroad for 1t.