The Oskaloosa herald., 1903-03-19
THE CANNING FACTORY
Project Bears Promise of an Early
Fruition.

1hC AS5olidliOHS LOT Tile n OF
a canning factory in the city Of Oska-
loosa have been progressing during
the week and the matter is all but set
tied. 1t has come to the point where
all that remains is the assurance that
the desired ground for the location Of
the plant will be given the company
together with water service to the
plant, gas connection, sewage and a
side track furnishing shipping facili-
ties.
The proposition has been canYassed
by the Commercial club during the
week and within the week an eff
fort will be made to raise the neces-
sary funds for securing the property.
A desirable location for the plant has
been found and optioned. A commit
tee of the club has met some of the
farmers in the near vicinity of the city
and it is learned that many are taking
an active interest in the location of
the industry and will subscribe funds
toward securing the location. The
opening of such an institution means
the investment of $4,000 or more in
buildings and apparatus and the estab-
fishing of a market for an unlimited
amount of cucumbers and other vege-
tables. 1t is said that farmers fur
nishing vegetables to the factory will
be able easily to realize between $50
and 500 for the product Of an acre.
MI. F. M. Anderson, a factory man
of over thirty years experience, is the
promoter Of the enterprise and fur
nishes the capital t hat is behind the
project. There is no plan to organize
a stock company. There is no stock
of the business for sale. All that is
asked Of the city is the site for the
location of the plant and the work of
building will be commenced immedi-
ately. If the matter can be settled
the coming week Mr.. Anderson
will begin making contracts for the
goods Of vegetable growers. 1t is
thought that there will be very little
trouble to raise the desired cash
among the farmers and business men
of the community.
The advantages of such a plant to
the city and the direct benefits arising
therefrom are not to be too highly es-
timated. The plant itself will be in
operation a greater part of the year
and will furnish employment for a
large number Of laborers. The amount
of labor to be performed will require
the constant attention of a large force.
The capacity of thu plant is to be at
least forty thousand cans daily and to
handle this amount or business mucn
help will be needed. The wages earn
ed by these workers will be no small
amount and 1t will find its way into
the channels of city trade. The Oska-
loosa merchants will profit thereby.
The sale of the product by the factory
will benefit the city. The business
done will amount to thousands of dol
lars annually. The deposit of the pro-
ducts canned will occupy every month
in the year and the business will be
transacted in Oskaloosa. The adver-
Using that the city will obtain through
the product will be felt in a number of
directions and will bear its fruit for
the whole town from year to year.
Then one Of the greatest sources OF
the benefit will be the cash paid to the
farmer for vegetables.
The board of directors of the Com
mercial Club have had the proposition
up for consideration for a number OF
weeks. They have met with Mr.. An
derson and have consulted and studied
with him. They have travelled over
territory adjacent to Oskaloosa and
have considered the matter from all
sides and in all details. The ms .itu-
ton is no small enterprise. 1t is net
a duplication of the propositions that
have come to the city time and time
again-a small affair organized Of local
capital and promoted by those who
were unskilled in the business and its
management. But this enterprise is
a large factory backed by an unlimited
capital, and operated by men who are
professional in the line. They seek
the location because the field is open
and because there is opportunity to
establish a paying business in the
city. The directors having studied the
matter are convinced that the factory
is a desirable thing for the city of Os-
kaloosa to have. It's benefits to the
city will be great and it is their judg-
ment that the city and the surround
ing country should put forth every eff
fort to secure the enterprise. The
company asks very little in return for
the benefits that they will distribute
and the business men of the city and
the farmers of the county cannot at
ford to let the chance pass. The en-
terprise is one upon which the city
and the country can unite for the
farmer will be benefited as large
ly as will any of the city mer-
chants. 1t is n Of the best things
that has ever come along our way.
The Commercial club will send out
a soliciting committee Tuesday morn
ing and the gentlemen should be met
with a welcome that will make the Sc
curing of the enterprise certain. Verne
Hamilton is chairman of the soliciting
committee. Do not wait to be called
upon but call Mr.. Hamilton up by tele-
phone and tell him that you want the