Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1912-02-29
STAND ON OWN FEET.
Board Of Trade Averse to Financing
Private Business Enterprises. A
Two Hour Discussion

A new spirit eylnced itself III the
session of the Board of Trade last
evening, when several members of the
Board asserted that they thought that
business enterprises of private ma
lure should not look to the Board of
Trade for funds to carry on that busi-
ness. The occasion for such senti-
ments was the request of B. Axe &
Co., shirt-waist manufacturers, for
the Board of Trade to secure for them
a suitable lot, erect for them on said
lot a building, and supply fixtures,
which would altogether total $4,000.
There has been for some time an
undercurrent of opinion that the
shirt-waist proposition was an enter
prise into which business men for
eign to that business would not put
their money, and when the above
named company. submitted their prop
osition which Mr.. Underwood stated
and which appeared in the columns
of the Democrat last week, the sub
stantial opinion, which had not been
manifested but which was neverthe-
less to be reckoned with, was assert
ed. Hon D. O. Watkins said he had
never considered the shirt-waiSt pro-
position seriously; in going into busi-
ness, the enterprise should be carried
on on ones own, responsibility. A
town should not be asked to finance
business; it is ridiculous to ask men
for the money; experience shows that
the investors would not get their mon
ey back. A business enterprise might
be given some concessions by Council,
such as free water and remitted taxes,
but If the City is to finance it there
is nothing in it.
Mr.. Warner w. Cooper said he
would not put his money into such a
proposition and that his opinion was
that everybody should stand on their
own feet.
Mr.. S. S. Iszard said that Mr.. Wat
kins had hit the nail on the head.
know of similar enterprises in this
county and they have all failed, but
| know of none that have proved sue
cessful; l don't think the people would
put their money into it. ] don't like
the proposition in the shape it has
been submitted to us and don't think
we ought to consider it seriously.
Mr.. Sawyer presented a laundry
proposition as follows: there is
party who will put an ideal laundry
plant in this town, costing from $13--
600 to $4,000 for the machinery alone
What is wanted is building, only
shell. which would cost about $4,000:
the company would install the Incl
detitals which would cost about $500.
The company would pay rent and in
terest and give mortgage on the
building. The laundry would be mod
ern in every respect and the charges
for laundry would be about per cent.
less than we are now paying.
A letter from D. F. Hendrickson
introduced a shoe proposition: Gray
& Snyder. located in Philadelphia,
wish another location for manufac-
turing shoes. They employ 81 hands
with weekly payroll OF from $259
to S425, manufacturing 1900 to l50O
shoes per week. They will require
a two-story building 60x100. They do
not ask, it appears, for any funds to
be raised; they desire to know If there
is suitable building in Woodbury.
which they might occupy. On motioa
of Mr.. Shivers, this matter was lef-
in the hands of the Manufacturing
Committee; also, the laundry prcp0-
sition.
Mr.. Underwood stated that unless
something is done for manufacturing
concerns, they will not come here.
Mr.. Watkins amended Mr.. Shiv-
ers' motion to read that the shirt
waist proposition be left in the hands
of the Manufacturing Committee to
ask Council if some concessions could
be obtained along the line of free Wa
ter and taxes, and later moved that
the Manufacturing Committee report
to the Board on the Shirtwaist propo-
sition. Carried.
Mr.. Geo. e. Pierson regretted that
the Board Of Trade had as yet been
unable to secure any manufacturing
concerns for Woodbury. and as an in
ducement offered $4,000 to invest Il
bringing some concern to Woodbury.
which looked like a favorable project.
Mr.. Iszard queried as to the object
of the Board of Trade: rs 1t to help
public improvements or to finance
business enterprises? I have seen
towns killed by dead skeletons OF
worthless businesses. We should put
more stress on public improvements
and if we take up business enterprises
IT should be those on sound founda-
ton.
Mr.. Carpenter stated that con-
Germ that cannot finance itself is net
wanted anywhere; they are an injury
A business with an honest purpose
finances itself. We should furnish
for enterprises only the small things
which aggravate and annoy
Mr.. Sawyer continued his explana-
ton Of the laundry: AT least $500 is
going out of the city weekly for laun-
dry: a business of $175 weekly will
run the laundry. The field has been
thoroughly investigated by experts
and would go. There will be no odor
or disagreeable features connected
with the plant
Mr.. Leeds stated that there is moth
ing that would give greater satisfac-
ton than laundry. II will put
$4,000 into laundry building and
with Mr.. Persons money We have
$4,000. Who else will put up money? ?
] am in favor of it." As there were
no further volunteers, the laundry