Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1908-01-30
AN OPEN LETTER
To the Members of the Mineral Point
Commercial Club.


The Acid Plart is an industrial institu-
ton of such magnitude that no effort
should be spared to induce it to remain
and to that end this club should take
the initiative and do all in its power TO
induce it to remain.
| apprehend, so far as our people are
concerned, the cause of removal is
largely matter of conjecture. If it be
true, that by removal of the Acid
Plant to some other place, the cost Of
operation and production can be mater
tally reduced, il follows as logical con-
clusion that nothing the people of Min
eral Point can do will prevent it's re-
moyal.
On the other hand, if it be true, as
has been said. that the Acid Plant
is to be removed from this city because
of damages claimed by residents in the
vicinity of the plant and if that be the
only cause of removal, then in my judg-
ment it will be an easy matter for our
citizens to induce the plant to remain.
While the Acid Plant is material bene-
fit to our city as a whole, it is not of
equal benefit to all. 1t is doubtless true
that of the claims which have been pre-
sented against the Zinc company, some
are unreasonable while others are en-
tirely reasonable. Nothing of benefit to
our city can be accomplished by a
wholesale denunciation of all who have
presented claims. 1t is true, that the
presence Of the Acid Plant has enhanced
the value of property in the city gener-
ally, but more particularly the property
in the business, northern and western
portions, and it is likewise true that
certain properties in the immediate vi
cinity Of the Acid Plant have depreciat-
ed in value because of the Acid Plant.
This is problem which in my judg-
ment our people can solve but if we
hope for solution, we must approach
the problem in a spirit of fairness. 1t is
doubtless true, that the majority of
claims for damages presented to the
Zinc company are small. AS citizens of
Mineral Point who have the welfare of
the city at heart, and especially the
more fortunate citizens who own prop
erty in the business, northern and west
ern portions of the city, we should
stand ready and willing to share lii part
the damages which the Acid Plant
causes the property owners in the
southern portion.
This is a problem which we should
and can solve. | would suggest that the
business men and property owners in
the business, northern and western
parts Of our city, say not less than 100
and as many more as can be obtained,
sign a guarantee to take care of all
damages which the Acid Plant causes
to the property in the southern part and
in that way relieve the Acid Plant en-
tirely from further liability for that
kind of damage. 1t is doubtful whether
it would cost anyone of us to exceed SIS
year and should it cost us $40 year
it would be money we'll invested This
is a mere suggestion. Let us get to-
gether and devise some plan to induce
the Acid Plant IN remain
This club should be prompt in taking
some action and it is q matter of con-
graduation that at a time like this our
city has an organization such as the
Mineral Point Commercial Club, ready
and willing to initiate movement for
the benefit Of the city, commercially
and industrially. Some misinforrned
but we hope well meaning persons, are
suggesting the organization of an
Anti Commercial Club to counter
act in q measure the baleful influences
which they claim the President of this
club eXerts upon our city's welfare
The curb-stone orators have been work
ing over time during the last ten days
telling our citizens of the great number
Of law suits which the President of this
club has begun against the Acid Plant
In justice to the Commercial Club. |
beg leave to say that during the Is
years of my practice in Mineral Point
presented only one claim against the
Acid Plant for damages. During that
same period, | declined a number Of
cases which | might have commenced
against the Zine company, and since
the Acid Plant started, there has never
been a year in which | did not decline
a number of claims. | may safely say
that in my opinion. | have done more
to discourage claims against the Acid
Plant than all other people in Mineral
Point together.
The only claim ever presented was
the claim OF Mrs. Salladay, and for
this l offer no apology. On NOV. 20,
1902, Mrs. Salladay purchased piece
of property adjoining the present site
Of the Acid Plant She paid 81 600
for il and added 800 more 10 improve
ments and repairs, so that she had
- 400 invested. This vas prior TO the