Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1907-06-14
CFrom Tuesdays Daily.)

1t begins to look now as if the
citizens of Watertown and enterprls-
ing farmers adjacent would be
successful in landing the 500, 900
condenslng plant of the Van Camp
Packing company of Indianapolis, Ind.
which is DESTROYS of locating here
and asking for contracts to the extent
of 40, 900 pounds of milk daily.
The latest move and one of the
initiative steps toward landing this
industry was general meeting held
at the city building here yesterday
afternoon for the purpose OF hearing
reports from the members of ths
committee W hIch recently visited
Wauseon, Ohio, for the purpose of in
speeding the plant of the company
there and learn of the benefits the
institution is to that city and commun-
ity.
The gathering yesterday was great
success, at least in point of attendance,
the number present being estimated
at 400, most of whom were represent
ative farmers. The meeting was not
as successful as had been hoped, but it
nevertheless proved an education to
many and will bear fruit when solicl-
tors go out between now and next
Saturday, the 18th inst. in an effort
to close contracts for the required
amount. The signing of contracts
came rather slow at the close OF the
meeting, but thUse interested among
the farmers and business men still
feel encouraged and think they will
win out. The milk of 500 cows was
contracted for yesterday, making
total nuw of about 700. This is long
way from the required number, but
the campaign will go on and solicitors
will put in the balance of the week in
the effort at landing what will certain
ly be a prize to the community If
we are fortunate enough in getting
it.
MANY of the farmers cling to belief
that the Van Camp people are trying
to hand them a gold brick la this
proposition. However, where although
the enthusiasm yesterday did not reach
heat that melted any steam pipes in
the building, they had the benefit OF
listening to the reports of the mem
bers of the committee which recently
visited Wauseon. The Leader man
has never seen a committee more en-
thusiastic over a proposition nor heard
falrer presentation of plan. The
gentlemen were there and witnessed
with their own eyes what the industry
is doing in the Ohio town, but their
enthusiasm did not get away with
them and they presented their argu-
ments in a clear and convincing
manner.
The meeting was called to order by
Mayor H. Werthelmer, who stated
briefly the object of the gathering.
He outlined the benefits the city would
derive, adding that if the concern
located here, it would not only be
fortunate for Watertown, but to the
farmers who really get the benefit.
He called attention to the fact that
the company was favorable to Water
town, which was evidenced in the
fact that officials had made the second
trip here. He called attention to the
fact that where such industries are in
operation, they are very successful
and of great benefit to the farmers
for the reason that they pay higher
prices than any other similar concerns,
arguing that those who pay the most
are the ones we want. He said that
the fact that the company would put
up a plant valued at 500, 900 was very
good evidence that they would not
move away, but would stay here per-
manently. He called attention to the
chang. in prices by the Van Camp
people, reading the new schedule OF
prices which was recently published
in The Leader, but which we publish
again for the benefit of the public in
general and the farmers in particular.
They follow:
April. -. .S1.30 October. 81. &c