Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-03-11
MEETING
The Board OF Trade Meeting
Held at City Hall Last Even
ing Was a Rouser
$4,000 PLEDGED BY MEMBERS
Proposition for New Factory TO En-
ploy SO Men Presented by Pres
ident of the Board.

Those of our taxpayers who we're
not present at the Board of
Trade meeting last evening missed
one of the most enthusiastic gather
ings held in Alma In recent years.
The meeting was the regular meeting
of the Board and was presided over
by the President, DR.. j. III. Lancas-
hire w. A. Bahlke presented
statement of the financial condition of
the organization, showing cash
balance in the banks of the city of
So, 5SS. 81, and total asetts of S19 5ss.
81 Liabilities none An itemized
statement of receipts and disburse-
ments will be published later. Reports
of various committees were read,
after which DR.. Lancashire presented
a proposition received from success
ful stove company whose representa-
tive was here last week, looking the
ground over with view to submit
removal of their plant to this city.
where they would he free from labor
trouble The president of the Board
then stated that he had personally.
investigated the merits of the stove
manufacturers as well as made in
quiries from bankers and manufac-
turers relative to the integrity and
financial standing of the active mem
bers of the company and stated that
nothing but words of highest commen-
dation were heard
The buildings required would cost
approximately $40. 600. The Board
of Trade as an organization would
care for the $40, 900 bonus and the
three acres of land required. 1t was
then up to the citizens to devise means
to raise the $40, 600 for buildings. For
a moment the task seemed large one,
in an instant w A. Bahlke was on
his feet and in ringing speech sug
gested plans for guarantee fund.
Mr., Bahlke emphasized the fact that
the tina to act was the present, and
to set the bal rolling The speaker
closed his remarks by pledging for
himself 1000. Mr.. Bahlke's talk
backed up by the opiriou of others
set everything in motion DR.. Lam
csshire subscribed the second 81 600.
Fourteen others pledged $500 each and
the subscriptions began to come so
thick and fast that Secretary Wilson
was at one time compelled to slow
them down. The result of the sub
scriptions given totaled Sl3, 600 and
the time consumed in that part of the
work less than an hour
A committee consisting of l.. Z.
Wilson. j. l.. Miller. G. T. Brown,
Bert Hayes and F. 4. Pollasky was
appointed to solicit those not present
at the meeting and report the result
of their work at an adjourned meeting
to be held Friday evening of this week
at the City Hall.
Follwing is the substance of the
contract as submitted.
Mr.. ]. II. Lancashire,
Pres. Board of Trade,
Alma, Mich.
Dear SIR
In accordance with our conversation
of yesterday, we row beg to submit for
your consideration, a proposition rel
stive to the moving of our plant to
your city.
This Company began operations in
July, 1906, is now capitalized at $780,
600 with s47 900 paid in, and it is our
intention to increase this to 100000 in
order TO take care of the increased busi-
ness which we know we can get.
Our business last year amounted to
$Sl 900, and we will increase tins to
sl25, 900 this, year, and know we can in
crease it materially each year for some
time TO come.
Our payroll since August 1st, at
which time we built an addition to our
plant, has amounted to $1,000 per week
We now employ about 90 men and
boys and before the end of the year will
no doubt have at least 10 employees and
100 or more next year.
Should we decide TO go to Alma, we
would want factory site of about three
acres and cash bonus of $4,000. In
addition to this we would require two
brick buildings, one 72xi20. one story,
90 feet high, for a foundry, and an
other 60xi60. two stories high for as
sembling and storage purposes. If we
could not get gas or electricity for
power, it would also be necessary to
have an engine room, about 40x40 30
feet high. These buildings would take
care Of our requirements for this year,
but we would have to add new ones from |
time to time as our business increases
We would like TO have you erect these
huildinrs for us and pive IA the uao of !