The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-03-08
WEATHER FORECASTS
LET'S HAVE MADE IN HARRISBURG
TRACTORS!

Some months ago there was neld III the bodru
of Trade building exhibition of many products
made in Harrisburg the ostensible purpose of which
was to educate Harrisburgers to the high quality
of Harrisburg-made goods and, above all to point
out of them the advantages to the community OF
patronizing home industries. 1t was wonder
fully creditable exhibition, showing surprising
number of useful products of home plants and fac
tories At the close of Made-in-Harrisburg week
it was generally remarked that the greater amount
of the success of the exposition would depend upon
whether Harrisburgers all the year around there
after would insist on having Harrisburg-made
goods.
We believe the principle of buying Maden-Har-
risburg goods has been adopted by many persons as
result of that exhibition, and that much local
benefit has accrued therefrom, but there are many
more persons who could adopt that principle if they
would
1t is reported that when the City Commissioners
meet tomorrow and the matter of awarding bids
for five new pieces of motor fire apparatus comes
before them, they will seriously consider awarding
the contract for three tractors to an out-of-town
firm despite the fact that lower bid has been made
on such machines by the Morton Truck and Tractor
Company, Harrisburg industrial establishment.
The only objection that has been raised to the
ors,-at least so far as has been brought to the
public attention-is that the local concern offers
four-wheel machines while those which it is pro-
posed to buy out of town are of the two-wheel va
riety No reason, apparently, has been advanced
to show that the two-whee superior to the
four-wheel tractors. If it can be shown that the
local tractors do the work just well better
than the others there is absolutely excuse for
not buying the tractors here,-especially as they
cost less money
The only way to determine whether the tractors
made in Harrisburg will meet the requirements of
the department is to give them fair test and any
effort to rush the contract through until such test
can be made must be construed as unfair and for
eign to the whole spirit of the Made-n Harrisburg
campaign.
We are told that in few days the Morton Com
pany will be in position to demonstrate the merits
of its machine. The demand for the motor
vehicles here is not so pressing that the award of
the contract cannot be postponed even for several
weeks, If necessary and the taxpayers of the city
should protest against any precpitate action by the
. City Commissioners that would deprive the Harris
! burg concern of fair opportunity to show what
. its tractors can do.
There is a motor-driven combination chemical
wagon, made by the Morton people, which has been
in use in the Fire Department here for several
months and which apparently has given entire sat
isfaction. Moreover the company has demonstrated
that other motor-driven vehicles it has made have
met all the requirements of exa.ting purchasers in
eluding the Russian and British governments
Certainly, therefore the local company's tractors
If they stand the test of the local department,