Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-12-07
BRATTLEBORO INDUSTRIES
THEY HAVE HAD AN EXCEEDING
LY PROSPEROUS YEAR,
No Indications Of Boom But a Steady,
Healthy Growth-Encouraging Con-
ditions in the Various Local Plants.
Transportation Facilities Needed.

Inquiry among the leading industries
of BrattleborO shows that the year lsoo
has been one of exceeding prosperity.
There has been no indication OF
a,boomn which, in the words of one
prominent manufacturer, easily changes
TO "bum,n but good healthy trade
which shows the solidity of the manu-
featuring interests in this town.
The year which is just drawing TO
close has been extremely busy Tor
the Estey Organ company and the pros
poets for continuation of this condl'
tion are bright. Increased orders Tor
large Estey pipe organs have made II
necessary for the firm to make another
extensive addition to its plant; the con
Meeting link shop between shops seven
and eight and the addition of a fourth
story 10 the combined building giving
four floors 100 by 100 feet each. The
companv has had an unusually large
number of visitors from foreign cities
during the past year, as well as larg'
er number from nearby points. The fac,
tory is at present running to its tull
capacity, the work in the pipe organ
department being crushing.
The business of the Carpenter com
pany up to December l shows an IN
crease of 10 per cent in shipments
over 1905 and the present year VIII ne
the best since 1908. The company has
been able to operate the factory stead
ilv throughout the year Its business IS
one that depends largely on the crop
conditions and naturally no prophesy
can safely be made at this season OF
the wear. 1t may be said, however,
that conditions were never more prom
ising for business. The foreign busl-
ness of the Carpenter company shows
a slight falling off this year, owing TO
duII conditions in two of its best mar
kets. Russia and South Africa, but the
home trade shows corresponding IN
crease and is responsible for the ad'
vance in total business.
The business of both the Brattleboro
Cabinet company and the White RIVER
Chair company has been exceedingly
good during 1906 Both companies were
at all times behind in filling orders, ana
although between 130 and l40 men were
constantly employed throughout the
wear. there was enough work to keep
more hands busy had it been possible
70 secure them. The prospects for the
coming wear are considered very bright
and the companies expect to receive
ms many orders as they had during th'
present wear if not more. In speaking
of conditions in Brattleboro prominent
officer of the companies says that 1t !
impossible for them to secure as muet
helm as is needed owing to the scarcity
of tenements and because the condi
ton of Vernon street is such that Il
really is hardship sometimes for Tn,
, men to be compelled to traverse 1t. II
the town would put in sidewalk ol
the street ear company a trolley hne
. though its cars run only occasionally
il would be a material help to business
in that part of the town.
Shipments from the factory OF th'
S. A. Smith company up to December
show a reasonable percentage OF IN
crease over the corresponding periot
of last year. On December | the com
pany had on its payroll 100 people
number considerably in excess o.
, that employed a year ago Its DIS
, bursements for wages during 1905 hav'
exceeded those of last year, which i
naturally for the benefit of local trades
, men and property owners. The build
> ing conditions of the Smith compa!,n,!
| for this year have not been visibi
aside from the bridge which connect
, its main plant with the Hildreth shop
| which has been rented for a term o
! wears for storage purposes, but the ap
, pearance of the plant has been con
: siderably improved through the liberia
: use of paint brushes.
: Reports from other Brattleboro inaus
| tries show that conditions with ther
y are similar and there is every reasol
g to believe that the year of 1907 will b
r more prosperous.