The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-02-21
ST, LOUIS CAR COMPANYS FAST
GROWTHFROM INFANT TO GIANT
Capital Increased by Leaps and Bounds Since 1887 and Is Now
s~1,5O0OOO, Which Operates Plant Employing $500 Workmen.

No concern marks greater progress in
| car building than is shown in the growth
of the St. Louis Car Company Of St
Louis, Mo. This business was begun in
1857 with a capital Of s25, 1000, which was
increased to $50, 900 in August of the same
year: October. 1883. 10000: April. 1894.
500. 900. and the last increase was tripled
In 1903. when the capital was increased to
100000
From a practically unknown concern in the
first year Of its existence this company
has expanded its trade relations until now
Qso) they are the leaders in the manu-
facture OF the l~atest-approved patterns In
cars for the street-railway companies OF
| all of the large cities Of the United States,
many OF the countries of Europe. the
South and Central American states. Mex
leo. and in every direction that It would
be profitable to manufacture n transport
their output.
Mentions Of the clients of this company
would include oil tho large interurban
and city systems in the United States.
among which are the Northwestern Ele-
waited of Chicago, Chicago City Railway.
the Interborough Rapid Transit Company
of New York. Boston Elevated. Massa-
chusetts Electric Companies Of Boston,
Los Angeles Railway. Pacific Electric.
North Shore Railway of San Francisco.
Cal, Metropolitan Street Railway of Ian
sas City and Birmingham Light and Pow
or Company.
business has steadily increased. and the
gain has reached the remarkable figure of
1855.
In that year the total Of business
amounted to $6O1. AS. 10; 1899. LOIS. 1893. "a;
1900, s1.321 .139. 35; 1901. s1.s11, COZ So; 1902, 81
4ls, $50 80: 1893; 50 81, cSSI The ,, orders ef ,S on has,i
ness for the year of 1904 between A.Soo.oO
Including the Laelede Car plant. which
was leased by the St. Louis Car Company
In 1903. and made an adjunct to their al
ready enormous business, they employ $500
hands. the greater part OF whom are
Among the cars now in progress or
manufacture may be mentioned an In.
voice of $50 for the st. Louis Transit
Company, which are being built to take
care Of the enormous increase Of the
traffic which will be incident to the
Worlds Fair. They embody the best 1eat-
ures of cars built for strictly urban tran
sit. and contain many new features cai.
culated to contribute to the comfort OF
the passengers and the peace of mind OF
the operator.
subway in New York. They are the best
models of strength and durability that
nave ever been turned out OF the com-
Their construction Is being watched with
the utmost care. for they must combine
the usual perfection of the modern troi.
being as near freproof as it is possible
| to make them. In order TO secure the
last-named feature. they are being
sheathed entirely in copper, which adds
materially to the cost and considerably
| to the safety of the passengers.
The full-iedged palace car pattern OF
the present-day trolley Is ABOUT Sky feet
! Gently built for the Fonda. Johnston and
Gloversville Railway. The private cars.
which are growing in demand more every
railroad magnates all over the country.
They are patterns of luxury that leave
nothing to be desired. and lack nothing
that the most fastidious could ask; They
| contain the richest woods. the most cost.
iy hangtngs and every contribution OF
| luxury that the Twentieth Century has
Developed W,.5 for thu this d ga samS dars each. sew
| epteen foremen. representing as many
| different DEPARTMENTS of the business. are
easily utilized; An ia area the seven acres
that embrace the Laclade p'ant, MAKE me
capacity larger than that of any other
| plant in the country
Three hundred ears can be aceommodat-
| ed on the floors of the shop at one time.
| and il takes from three to SIX months 70
| turn out the finished product from the
Cars range in price all the way up to
$4,000 for cars in general use on the
trcIIey systems throughout the country,
| while the private palace cars, employ
| ing the richest of material, cost as hiSh
as s25. 0C0. Brass and copper FORM d
large part of the construction. they using
about 10000 pounds OF copper ea'h
To supply the needs of all departments
| of the business. purchases to the amount
of over s.. 500, 900 are now made yearly.
The largest month amounted TO nearly
$3.50, 600.
In the car seat department they claim
to have the largest seat business in the
United States, furnishing seats TO many
of their competitors.
Enormous welding machines or tne
most expensive make and sne ca, dst
vices of the shops, and many new
| methods for molding and shaping the
wood used in construction are employed.
Supplies come even from far-on Africa,
where the mahogany that plays so large a
part in car construction is grown. one
month.
All the officers Of the company are con-
| stantly active in promoting the interests
OF the business. and young blood plays
a very important part In the personnel.
| president; Henry F. vogel. vice president
| and general manager; George A. II. Mills.
secretary and treasurer: Abe Cook, pur-
chasing agent
The greatest possibilities rest. on
Messrs. Kobusch and Vogel. who have
| condition Of prosperity. They are both
vigorous. active men, in the prime Of life,
lending constant enthusiasm tc the varied
departments included in the business.