Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-08
MILLIONAIRE SHOP
IS ALONE IN SOUTH
Atlanta Gets Industry by Using Wire Instead
of Mails-Skilled Workers Scarce

Five new families-thrifty, hard
working. orderly-have come to At
lanta since January 1. through the
efforts of one factory.
The factory itself came here
through the efforts of the Atlanta
Chamber of Commerce.
1t is the only plant of its kind IN
the South
1t promises to grow to much great
er proportions and II tangle with
the United States immigration Blu
reau can be Strengthened out with
satisfaction to all concerned. the
mos, desirable class of workmen.
skilled in a trade. will be brought
TO Atlanta from Europe.
This is taken as a concrete exam
pie Of the value Of genuine promotion
work to a city.
The factory is the Bombayreed
Manufacturing and Importing Com
pany
Founded in what the manager. Ed
win X. Moore. describes as a hole in
the WALL in Columbia, $ c.. II has
grown to an establishment requiring
at the present time $4,000 feet Of
floor space. at 56-5S Auburn Avenue
and S2-S4 Ivy Street.
How Factory Started.
The concern began by making Jar
dinieres Of Bombay reed, which at
that time, six years ago, were some
thing of a novelty though now almost
a staple.
Mr. Moore was agent for an express
company. A friend who launched the
hYygfnaEa Int al in
he found 1t so engrossing and so
full Of promise of future growth,
that he cut loose from the express
company and devoted his entire time
to the manufacturing plant.
There came a time when decision
was necessary Either the business
must be moved II il was TO grow, or
II must stay in Columbia and not
grow. Mr. Moore's partner was wed
ded" TO Columbia. Mr. Moore there
fore bought him out. Then he wrote
leans. Birmingham and Atlanta,
among others, stating his proposition,
and asking what inducements wouli
be made to him 10 move.
Atlanta Uses Telegram.
Others ignored his letter or an
swared indifferently. But ALBANIA
telegraphed He came for a confer
enCe. At called meeting Of the
Chamber of Commerce. the situation
was gone over thoroughly and n
one morning, most Of the stock was
subscribed by Atlanta's leading men.
A small factory in Edgewood Az
enue grew ont Of this, four years ago.
The company quickly outgreW jardl-
nieres and baskets, and now these are
but side lines. while the manufacture
Of willow furniture is the most inn
portant line Of industry.
Basket making Is trade which
Americans will not or cannot learn.
II requires patience and skill. II is a
well paid occupation, carried on with
clean materials and in clean sur
roundings. Wages run from $50 TO
$50 per week The occupation rs
heaIthful Stiu. bitter and expensive
experience has taught Mr. Moore that
Americans cannot learn, or If they 10
make some progress, they viii not
remain I'm the trade.
The best basket makers come from
the great centers OF the industry
abroad Rudnek. Galitcia and Morkp-
WITT, cities in Austria are the prinri-
pal centers The wOrkmen are steady
sober and industrious.
Every one Of them has a savings
account" says Mr. Moore
Basket Makers Not numerous.
THE only trouble is their scarcity
/ could use three times as many men
now. If ] could only get them. The
FIVE new families, ] hope viii 7t-
tract others Atlanta could wish for
no better class Of immi grants.
The Fedora law covering contract
labor is that skilled workmen may he
bought over under contract when II 5
proven that there Is no unemployed
labor Of the same kind available n
the United States This Is what !
am endeavoring 20 prove 10 the sat
isfaction Of the United States lmmi
grafton Bureau n I succeed, | will
double our output.
To watch the skilled basket makers
weave chairs. settoFs tables and 9th
or wares is fascinating diversion.
The willow comes in bundles. hun
dreds Of long. glisteniHg white
switches" tied in a bundle. a work
man sorts the bundles by lengths. and
iunprses the willow in running wa
ter When thoroughly soaked, the