Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1912-08-07
FACTORY WOULD
~ COME TO WILLMAR
WallOf Motor Truck Co. of Min
neapolis Make a Proposition
TO Locate Here.

TO Locate Here.
The Wallof Motor Truck Co., of
Minneapolis, are figuring on locating
factory at Willmar for the manu-
facture Of motor trucks, provided
sufficient encouragement is given
them by the citizens of Wl!lmar.
Mr.. Edw. G. Wallof, the president
of the company and builder Of the
truck, and others interested were at
Willmar last week and looked over
the town and prospective site and
satisfied themselves that Willmar is
the kind Of town in which they wish
to locate. Mr.. Nelson, Of the Mime
sofa Silo Company. is interested to
the extent Of turning in the gasoline
engine factory for stock in the new
concern at a small valuation. The
new concern would nut up larger
building, and if the deal goes thru at
all the industry will come at once,
and be in operation. within a short
time.
A number Of Willmar citizens were
asked to come to Minneapolis Mon
day and look the plant over. Those
who were able to get away to do SO
were Chas. B. Carlson, F. G. Handy
and ye editor. We went out to 100
North Minneapolis where the machin-
cry for the manufacturing Of the
trucks are located, and where the ex-
perimental work has been done, and
the truck has been brought to that
state of perfection that will warrant
their manufacture on a large scale to
supply the increasing demand for
this vehicle. The plant consists of
the machinery necessary to make and
finish all parts Of the truck except
steering gear and a portion of the
wheels. Mr.. Wallof impresses one
very favorably. A man of few words,
but who has a twenty-five year rec
ord as builder Of successful ma
chimes. For more than twenty years
he has built gas engines, including
marine engines, which are in use at
the present time. Mr.. Wallof consid-
ers that the auto-truck business is
sure to become lucrative one, as
the demand is certain to increase.
The field is not as crowded as that
Of pleasure automobiles. There are
now six of the Wallof auto trucks in
use and they seem to be giving per-
feet satisfaction as near as we are
able to learn. The present quarters
are entirely inadequate for the manu-
facture Of the truck on a large scale,
and the lease of the same is about to
expire so that the company will make
move within very short time. Mr..
Wallof prefers to start his manu-
factory in a small town as he be-
lieves that conditions will be more
favorable than in large city. They
have several other places in view, but
Willmar has the first chance to secure
the plant if the people here want it.
1t is likely that one Of the trucks will
be shipped to Willmar in a day or two
so that our people may see just what
it looks like.
Mr.. Hovland, president Of the
North Side State Bank, was one OF
the parties interviewed. He is 8
stockholder in the concern and ex-
pressed himself as being we'll salts.
fed that good paying business will
be built up. The company is to be re.
organized with capital Of 100000
and a share of this is expected to bt
taken by Willmar people, if the fac.
tory is to be located here. It is t.
be hoped that former failures in th'
Organization Of manufacturing enter
prises in Willmar will not prejudic,
our neople from thoroly investigating
this proposition and giving a judg
ment on it's own merits. From wha
we could learn, we believe that tn
promoters are able and willing t.
prove to all interested that their pro
position is entirely feasible and tina
Wlllmar has now an opportunity t.
secure an industry that will meal
much to the future growth of ou
7 city.