The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-12-29
$4,000 Concern To Purchase
And Repair Kelser
Property
AN OPPORTUNITY TO
RENT SOLE DEMAND
Of The American Cigar Co,
Which viii Guarantee
So A Week Wages

A realty company, Incorporated at
$4,000 with shares Of $S5 each, to pur-
chase the Kelser property on West
Vine street and convert the same into
a factory building and site was the
proposition presented at the chamber
of commerce headquarters Tuesday ev-
ening as a means Of securing branch
plant Of the American Cigar Co. for
Mt. Vernon.
The American Cigar Co., Secretary
Leroy G. Mayer stated, has total as
sets of $37,O00,0O0 with a rating Of $780,
100000. Other speakers brought out
that this concern, In seeking location
here, asks nothing Of the city of Mt.
Vernon save the opportunity to rent
suitable property.
1t purposes to operate in Mt. Vernon
three years with privilege of extern
sion. The minimum wage to be paid
girls will be SO a week. In other of its
factories, the average wage is $3.50 a
week. 1t will take on a force of so
girls at once and school them thor
oughly in the trade of cigar-making.
Its working forces will be increased
as high as 500 if possible. The Kelser
building would accommodate 200 girls.
President A. J. Darrah of the cham
ber of commerce referred to the fact
that the American Cigar Co. owns and
operates 60 plants in the United States.
Three of these are located in Ohio-at
Mansfield, Cleveland and Dayton. Vice
President Weiss of the company has
manifested lively interest in locating
a plant in Mt Vernon and to that
end, has made several trips to this ci-
ty. The Kelser property Is satisfac-
tory if some improvements, to cost
about $4,000, were made.
THE Kelser property presents the
only opportunity to obtain good fac
tory site in Mt. Vernon" stated Charles
F. Colville. He placed its valuation, in
his own opinion. as between $4,000 and
$4,000. Pointing out that there is much
more land than is occupied by the
building itself-a desirable feature in
case new factory would care to ex-.
pand later-he called attention to the
facilities for easy shipping which the
property presents.
He was informed that Mr.. Kelser will
dispose Of the property for $1,000.
Marcus H. Rosenthall narrated the
brief history of the Swisher cigar
plant in this city. He attributed its
failure here to mismanagement and
Misrepresentation in securing girls to
work, citing the fact that one girl re-
ceived So cents for her first weeks
work, despite the alluring wage offer
in the advertisements used to obtain
girl workers.
Mr.. Rosenthall stated that the
American Cigar Co. does not desire
girl who, after being thoroughly train
ed to her work, is not able to earn
81 a week.
r. G. Ringwalt, A. A. Dowds. ]. S.
McCrackin, Frank L. Beam and others
spoke, commenting the plan Of organ
izlng the realty company and pointing
out that 1t would be public-spirited
move and one that would, at the same
time, be sound from financial stand
point to the investor.
President Darrah stated that he.
with two others. made a canvass Tues
day afternoon Of only an hours dura-
ton and. In that brief time. secured
stock subscriptions amounting to $1,-
500. The argument was advanced. in
securing these pledges, that the In
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