The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1910-12-29
Belfast Board of Trade.

The annual meeting of the Belfast Board of
Trade was held last Tuesday evening, and the
old board of officers was reelected. The board
of trustees consists Of ten members and W. L.
West, Frank Written and E. F. Littlefeld were
elected to fill vacancies caused by death, resic-
nation and removal from the city. The report
OF the secretary was read and approved. The
committee on manufactures reported as fol-
lows: Es.
Mr.. President and Gentlemen of the Board Of
Trade:
Your committee on manufactures have, as
requested at our last meeting met Mr. Arthur
Leonard of the firm of Leonard & Barrows.
shoe manufacturers, at their office and Mr.
Leonard made the following proposition to the
citizens of Belfast, viz:
That their concern would come under con-
tract for another term Of years under the same
conditions as formerly, with an addition of
seventy feet provided for them on the west
erly end of the present plant, and that their
present payroll, amounting to $4,000 an
nually. would be increased in proportion to the
new addition.
Their proposition, we informed him, would
be laid before the citizens of Belfast for their
consideration, and he requested an early reply
as possible as his concern was obliged to make
arrangements for more room very soon for
assured
him would be DONE
Your committee have interviewed ]. C. Dur
ham and VIM. B. Swan, who own the land need
ed and the buildings thereon used by Mr. Dur
ham, This strip of land owned by Messrs,
Durham and Swan is about eighty-fve feet
wide and extends one hundred and fifty feet
westerly from the shoe factory on Pleasant
street.
The buildings occupied by Mr.. Durham con-
sist of 3-story brick building, 1.-TWO stories of
which are now used by the shoe factory and
adjoining this S-story wooden building eighty
seven feet long and about twenty three feet
wide: Besides these, Mr.. Durham occupies two
small wooden additions to the brick building,
all of which afford him floor space of about
seventy-five hundred square feet
The interests of Mr.. Durham and Mr.. Swan
are the same SO far ownership of land is
concerned, but Mr.. Durham has the further in
terest Of occupation by an established business,
the interruption and removal of which would
occasion serious inconvenience and consider
able damage to Mr.. Durham Recognizing that
their interests are not identical, these gentle
men thought best to make separate proposi-
tions.
Mr.. Swan, for the purpose in view, will sell
his entire interest in the one hundred and fifty
foot strip of land for $500.
Mr.. Durham says that he is willing to remove
and give up his present business location pro-
vided he be made whole, and by this he means
removal of his plant to other quarters of
equal floor space without expense to him.
His proposition in detail is substantially as
foil ws:
l.. That Mr.. Swans undivided half of the
one hundred and fifty foot strip be purchased
by the parties building the shoe factory ex-
tension.
2. That Mr.. Durham deed his undivided half
of the seventy feet next the shoe factory to
them, reserving right of way 20 feet wide
and receive back a deed of Mr. Swans undi-
vided half of the eighty feet next beyond. so
that the shoe factory parties would own the
whole seventy feet needed for the addition,
subject to Mr.. Durham's right of way, and he
the remaining eighty feet.
8. That on this eighty feet substantial and
suitable wooden building two stories high, ready
for occupancy with floor space equal to what
he now uses, be built and his machinery and
other equipment installed therein without ex-
pense to him.
1t was estimated that 2-story building tc
accommodate Mr.. Durham's business must be
approximately sixty-fve feet long by fifty.
eight feet wide and the expense of moving
| and installation about $500.
SELWYN THOMPSON,
CHAs. S. BICKFoKD, Committee
JOHN R. DUNTON,
In the discussion which followed the reading
of the report some additional facts were
brought out. If the proposed addition to the
factory is built more power will be needed
which Leonard & Barrows will furnish, but
they want the privilege of trading the present
engine and boiler, and in case they leave Bel
fast to remove the new power equipment,
Mr.. W. H. Quimby, owner of the building, was
willing they should make the exchange but
would not consent to the removal of the power
plant. He would sell the building for $40, ,OOO
When asked if the building was turned owe,
to the firm they would agree to remain in Bel
fast permanently, Mr.. Leonard said that they
would not The $4,000 per annum they are
receiving from the citizens of Belfast is said
to about meet the amount they have to pay TO,
freight over and above what they would pay il
the factory was located in Chelsea, Mass. II
was stated that at the expiration of the ten
years Leonard & Barrows will have paid out in
wages in Belfast one million dollars
Mr.. Thompson of the committee was asked
what amount the citizens would have to pay tc
meet the requirements of Leonard Barrows
and said that while he had not made a close
estimate he thought it would be about $45OO(
for the ten years.
President Frost said that while his business
was such that it made no difference to hin
whether Belfast had five thousand or one
thousand people, he was willing and anxious te
do everything in his power to promote the
growth and prosperity of the city. Mr. Thomp.
son, as clothing manufacturer, expressed like
sentiments. Hon. R. F. Duntcn said that while
he did not think he had received any business
from the shoe factory he was very glad to con.
tribute to the fund and would be willing to in.
crease his subscription, and no doubt othe1s
would do the same. He thought there would
be no difficulty in raising the money, and said
that the present proposition from Leonard &
Barrows was better one for the city than the
original agreement.
After some discussion as to whether the
committee on manufactures should be in.
structed to confer with Leonard & Barrows or
special committee be appointed, it was de-
cided to leave the appointment of committee
with the president and board of trustees. They
will also, by vote of the board, appoint the five
standing committees, duty heretofore de-
volving upon the president alone. This action
was taken by suggestion Of President Frost.
Secretary Dorman read correspondence with
several parties who may decide to locate here
The Lubec Canning Co. is expected to begin
operations soon. The Sunset Packing Co. has