The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-12-02
!. B. Howard OF Detroit, Would Bring
Factory That Employs From
Fifteen to twenty-five
Men.
HAS TRADE DEVELOPED
Owner Of Plant Lately Returned
From South America Where He
Sees Prospect for New
Business.

j. B. Howard OF Detroit, owner OF
a small tool factory employing from
fifteen to twenty-five men, was in the
city today In the effort to interest
local business men In his proposal OF
moving his factory to this city. Mr.
Howard held conference with Keo-
kuk business men. It was his second
trip here, he having been here a week
ago when he first explained his prop
osition to several citizens.
No definite action toward securing
this factory has so far been taken
outside of the Investigation Of the pro-
ject that is being made.
Mr.. Howard this morning explained
to reporter of The Gate City the
offer he has made to local business
men He stated that his factory in
voiced a little over $4,000, exclusive
of the value of his patent rights and
Of the trade connections that already
have been developed.
Would Sell Stock Here.
He proposes to capitalize his COM
pany at $4,000, one half of the stock
to be subscribed by local people. He
would then move his factory to this
city where he expects to expand it as
rapidly as increased business war
rants.
A site for the factory could easily
be obtained, Mr.. Howard said. The
dimensions of the building required
should be about 40 by 120 feet. It
would be possible for the factory to
be located In some building already
erected here. Electric power could be
used while gas heating for temDering
the tools is the most desirable.
Mr.. Howard claims that he already
has developed a good business in the
United States, selling his goods in
all parts OF the country. He also sells
much Of the factory's output in South
IAmerica and the West midas.
Business Prospects In South America.
Mr.. Howard stated that he recently
returned from an extended trip
through South American countries
and says that the prospects of build.
ing up good business there for the
output Of his factory is very good.
He gives two reasons for desiring to
move his factory from Detroit to Keo-
kuk. One is that he considers 1t bet
ter for a small factory to be located
in a small city rather than large one.
The other is in the location of Keo-
kuk from where the product OF the
factory can be distributed at small
er cost. Mr.. Howard states that in
increasing his South American trade
the goods can be shipped from Keo-
kuk at much cheaper rate than
from Detroit on account of the low
rates from this city to New Orleans.
Two tools of four different sizes
each are manufactured by this COM
pany, compound leverage sniper for
sheet metal work and pruning shears
for trimming trees. 1t is claimed by
Mr.. Howard that his tools are far
superior to any others OF the kind on
the market and that they are well
protected by patents. Only a part of
the labor employed in the plant is
skilled labor.
Several Locations In View.
Besides Keokuk several other loca-
lions are being considered by Mr..
Howard. He stated that FIT Madison
is one Of these, but said that he
thought Keokuk the most desirable
site OF any he now has in view.
What action will be taken on his