The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-25
By FRANK ROOSTER,

The latter has the superior re-
sources and the small manufacturers
gradually disappear. unable to compete
IN efficiency with the larger rivals, and
a condition finally results in which the
activities OF an industry are carried on
by few large manufacturers and
number Of isolated, struggling repair
shops.
The large factory. however. works
under certain conditions. Its organiza.
ton is necessarily cumbersome and
much red tape is involved. 1t cannot
serve its customers as eXpedltiously
and it confines itself to certain lines OF
goods and makes no attempt to supply
goods for which there Is only q limited
demand.
The small factory serves the custo-
mer in much better ways than the large
one His patronage is more necessary
to It's existence and 1t Is far more
adaptable to his wants.
\ system whereby the small factory
may be able to get into the field again
has been originated by me recently and
1t is now being introduced into Morgan
town. W. Va, under the patronage of
the Chamber of Commerce.
II IS system especially inviting and
adaptable TO small cities desiring to in:
crease their prosperity. They will be
tie most likely hackers for 1t and will
hnl N ii highly effective weapon.
The system is in principle COM
mun!on OF facilities on the part of the
small manufacturers, preserving COM
petition in the market. BY Jumping
together of themselves as manufac-
turers into producing groups while
maintaining their identity as individuals
in their relations to the public they can
compete successfully with larger con-
Germ and utilize in addition the great
force of individual initiative.
\ suitable district should be selected.
having accessibility to supplies of labor.
convenience Of transportation for work.
mon and customers, and. of the great
est Importance, proper railroad and
water terminals. At such location
an enormous factory building or series
Of buildings should be constructed, de-
signed especially to accommodate the
industries intended to be quartered
here. The buildings should be sub
divided to suit the needs of the indi-
v!dual manufacturers. each taking the
space and facilities best suited to his
work.
The operating company would have
credit department for advising the
individual manufacturers as TO the
reliability OF their customers. and this
undertaken for the hundred of man
ufacturers would result in much more
economical system of ascertaining
credit than could be put in force by
the manufacturers acting individually.
In the collections of accounts the in
dividuals would be able to exercise
considerable power, since the credit OF
merchant being bad with one manufac-
turer, 1t would consequently he bad with
all, and a merchant thus purchasing
different kinds of products from several
manufacturers OF the group would be
compelled to keep his credit good with
the group to obtain the superior ad-
Vantages.
In the purchase of supplies the group
buying for all of its members would be
able to command the lowest market
prices and obtain the longest credits.
where credits were desired while the in
dividuals would he free to purchase
what they chose in the name Of the
group. enabling them to exercise their
own individual abilities in purchasing,
would accrue TO them as members.
Through the purchase Of coal for
single central station supplying heat.
Light and power to the whole plant
great economy would be put in force.
The isolated manufacturer buying light,
heat and power as he does must pay a
profit to each of the supplying concerns.
while the grouped manufacturers would
receive their light, heat and power at
cost, In this particular, at present, the
isolated manufacturer suffers a great
hardship, since the electrical and steam
concerns supply his larger rivals at an
extremely low cost to prevent them
from installing their own plants This
not only gives the large manufacturer
an enormous advantage but II also kills
at the outset the manufacture Of cleo
uira. machinery for isolated power
plants
The purchase OF raw materials in
quantities by the group and distribu-
ton 10 IN" units at the wholesale price
would also prove great economy.
portion Of the plant would be taken
W 10y fully equipped shops to be rented
u the manufacturers ready for opera
tion Tor limited periods In cases where
the manufacturers did not wish to pur-
chase machinery outright or on the in
stalin"nt plan, and such shops could
he utilized by inventors perfecting their
inventions to the great benefit of all
Industries.
!" the matter Of repairs, both in the
equipment Of the shop itself and in the
outside work. the facilities Of the group
would enable the best service to be
rendered at the least expense and delay.
lhc public would find among O number
OF small manufacturers thus means OF
having odd jobs done more quickly and
satisfactorily than in the case Of large
manufacturers. Their varying wants
c'u!d be much more readily served and
ne" business developed more rapidly
'hah Hndr present conditions.
IN" plant would have labor bureau,
enabling the workman laid off in one
shop to be shifted to another.
lhe business routine OF the plant
would be performed by the group and
oookkeeping and the details OF routing
ana sh'pping attended to by few clerks
Iof all manufacturer finishing n