The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-11-06
Holt Company May Locate
Establishment Here
IMPRESSED WITH WALLA WAlLA
President Holt Says This City Offers
the Best Advantages in the
Northwest.

IF the Holt Manufacturing company
of Stockton, Cal. decide definitely to
establish a factory in the Northwest
for the construction Of combined har-
vesters and other farm machinery,
Walla Walla, will undoubtedly be the
place favored as a location said Mr..
Ben Holt, president Of the company
this morning.
Mr.. Holt, accompanied by Pliny e.
Holt, mechanical engineer and
draughtsman Of the company, and
Ben c. Holt, local manager in this
city, arrived from Spokane last night
on the O. R. & N.
The visit Of these gentlemen to this
city may mean considerable to Walla
Walla, and may result in bringing to
the city an establishment Of great
magnitude. For some time the COM
pany has had under consideration the
establishment Of factory in Wash
ington, and it was mainly through the
efforts of Ben c. Holt that these mem
bers Of the company were induced to
come to Walla Walla.
I'VE have realized for some time,
said Mr.. Holt, that in order to prop
erly handle our increasing trade in
this section it was necessary to have
a factory on the ground. This would
to a great extent be a saving to us in
the matter of freight rates and we
would be in a better position to handle
the business. I am certain that Walla
Walla would be the best and most
convenient point in the state for our
establishment, and should our COM
pany decide to come north, Walla
Walla will be the place chosen.
I'VE did not have much time while
in Spokane to look around, and did
not inspect any sites in that locality.
Other business occupied our attention
there, and while we were willing to in
vestigate anything that could be OFFER
ed there we were compelled to cut
short our visit in that city.
1.-The Holt company is one of the
largest firms in the United States
manufacturing harvesters, traction en-
gines and other farm implements, and
it would mean a big thing for your
city if we decide to locate here. We
have a large plant and it would mean
the employment of about 200 hands
to operate the factory. I am greatly
impressed with your city and the sur
rounding country
During the day the visitors met
with the Commercial Club committee
composed Of H. H Turner, M. H. Pax
ton, DR.. E. E. Fall, F. w. Kaser and G.
F. Van DeWater. The n tier was
taken up and thoroughly discussed
from all points Of view. The subject
of water supply, fire protection and
other matters pertinent to the ques-
ton were carefully considered. The
Commercial Club committee assured
the gentleman that the club stood
ready to assist them in any manner
possible to consummate the establish
ment of the factory here. This after
noon the party were driven about the
| city and given an opportunity to view
different sites which were available
| for their needs.
| President Holt and P. E. Holt nave
| just returned from a trip to Spain.
where they went for the purpose Of
placing a traction engine and disc
plow. The machine was the first of
the kind ever set to work in Spain
and it proved highly satisfactory. The
work accomplished was a revelation
to the farmers Of that country, and
the day it was operated was a gala
occasion. Over 5000 people were there
| to witness it. The success Of this
venture" said P. E. Holt, will be the
means of bringing a large amount of
business to our firm, and we expect
soon to receive many orders for addi-
tional plows and engines from that
country. We will shortly send SIM
liar machine to South Africa"
The party left on the afternoon train
for Stockton, where they will report
to the company the result Of their in
vestigations, and the question of in
vading the northern territory will be
decided.