Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1916-06-07
MAXWELL COMPANY GIVES
BOOM TO NEWCASTLE
Auto Firm Builds Homes for Workers
In Indiana City and Sells
Them at Cost

In Indiana City and Sells
Them at Cost.
Within the last five years New.
castle, Ind, has graduated from a lit
tie town to prosperous city and the
Transformation has been due chiefly to
the influence Of the Maxwell Motor
Co. When the big automobile organ
izati0n located one Of it's mammoth
factories in this place less than ten
years ago, the population was close
to- 5000. Now it is in the neighbour
sod OF 1900. The town has become
congested. Transportation and hous-
i..g problems are engaging the atten-
ton OF the city officials.
The situation became so acute that
the officials of the Newcastle plant Of
the Maxwell Company offered to CO.
operate with the city planners in ef-
fecting a remedy and plan has been
evolved that will not only take care
Of all the residents of Newcastle, but
also provide for many others who are
being attracted to the place by it's in
dustrial activity.
More building is going on in New
castle this spring than ever before in
the history Of the town. This also is
due directly to the initiative Of the
officials of the Maxwell Company at
Newcastle.
BIG COMPANY FORMED.
At the suggestion of the Maxwell
officials a corporation known as the
Greater Newcastle Company was
formed and capitalized at 100000. A
tract Of land, Is acres, adjacent to the
Maxwell plant, was purchased and
1~% 81 IN
duced to buy ten acres of this ground
for park purposes. The remaining IS
acres were divided into $50 lots. None
Of these lots are less than SO feet
wide and 1872 feet deep. Many of
Newcastle's prominent bsiness men
took stock in the new company, the
Maxwell retaining a controlling inter-
est Of so per cent.
The building OF attractive five-room
houses of the bungalow type is now
progressing rapidly. Streets, alleys
and sewers are being built. Water
mains, electric lights and telephones
are being installed. The property is
\ highly restricted and a general plan
of tree-planting is being carried out,
30 that beauty is not being neglected
FOR the sake of expediency. Each
&OuSc IL OcAuS AuAoASA WALL NAoLAANIAVO
tpuches, so that the whole plan does
not SAVIOR of the tenement atmOs-
phere.
Z SOLD AT COST.
Each Of these houses will be sold at
the cost price and by an arrangement
under which any worker may buy.
The prices will range from $1,000 to
- $1,000 and the initial payment will be
shout 10 per cent. The balance is to
be paid in weekly installments of from
IS to Sc. Maxwell officials figure that
this is about 81 more than the aver
age Newcastle resident pays in rent,
so that by saving only a dollar week
the purchaser of the house is buying
his own home.
For Maxwell employees in Newcastle
this housing plan presents other econ
Omic features. The houses are all
within easy walking distance of the
factory. Car fare is eliminated and
the men will all be able to 60 home
for luncheon.
None of the houses have been sold
the directors of the company prefer
ing to wait until all improvements
have been made. Maxwell employees
are eager to buy and already there is
a waiting list tina indicates that al
of the ESQ houses will be taken speed
lily. When the initial allotment is
sold the project will be extended
gradually to provide easily acquired
homes for all, if possible, Of the grow
ing army of Maxwell employees in New
castle.