Bridgeton pioneer., 1903-10-01

Mr. Sagel has owned the Cohansev
street plant two and a half wears and
since he established the factory has
Invested large amount of capital
placing machinery and fixtures in the
plant. From his modest beginning
ne built up great business and was
employing fifty-two Lersons when the
hre wiped out the industry.
His trade has been remark able and
the prospects for the fall and winter
trade were of the brightest. His
statesmen started out on the road on
the Doth OF August and they have been
plllng up the orders for the holiday
trade. and the factory was being taxed
to It's utmost capacity. All through
Indiana. Illinois. Michigan, Ohio and
New York States Sagel has a remark
able trade and small idea can be
grasped of the volume of business he
does when it is known he uses from
hfteen to eighteen barrels of sugar
every day in the manufacture of his
goods.
Recently every inch of available
space has been utilized for manufac-
turing. and only within the past few
days has even the attic been fitted up
for manufacturing purposes. No man.
ufaoturer of confectionery in the
country sells more jelly goods than
does Sagel. and he has an established
reputation for chocolates and penny
goods.
Gathered about the fire last night
were most of the employees and many
OF the girls were in tears as they wit
messed their place Of employment be-
ing destroyed.
This morning Mr.. Sagel could not
say what would be the outcome. At
best it would seem that ne must lose
the great holiday trade, the orders for
which were now piling up. To re-
place his plant requires large capital,
but Mr.. Sagel is not man to be over
come by obstacles and is already plan
ming to replace the concern, and it is
quite certain that he will have new
brick building soon. and meet with
that success which has always crowned
his efforts.
The people are genuinely sorry for
the serious blow to the community,
and they are hopeful that Mr.. Sagel
can see his way clear to re-establish
the plant.
Much criticism was accorded the
firemen last night. Little of it was
merited. True, the department was
not promptly in action. Owing to a
man being in tower to adjust the fire
alarm, the number of the box was not
correctly tapped off, and there was
considerable confusion in the minds
of the people. A little too much
haste in getting off hose from the
wagon got things in tangle, but not
much time was lost But a single
criticism can be applied to Chief
Kinkle. He tries to accomplish too
much by personal effort. He pitches
right in and endeavors to help his
men, when better results would be
accomplished if the men are under
proper discipline, if he were to stand
back and, taking in all of the complex
situations, simply give orders and hold
the men responsible for their execu-
tion.
But the.great trouble Friday night in
fighting this oonflagration was lack of
water. From Washington street.
north, there is but four inch main
on Cohansey street, and this has a
dead end at the Central depot. Con-
sidering the valuable property on that
thoroughfare it seems ridiculous to
depend upon four inch main Tor
water supply.
When the alarm was turned in
Water Superintendent Woodruff hur-
ried to the water works. With the
help of the watchman he pulled the
fires down and started the pumps
going, which helped somewhat. but
the small main had insufficient oapac-
ity.