New Britain herald., 1916-02-17
MERIDEN BUSINESS
 FIGHT ECHO HERE Homer A. CurtiSS, Pioneer Manu- faCturer, Comes to L. E. & C. OPPOSED IN SILVER CITY
Former Head of Meriden Cutlery Company Writes Stinging Letter Ac- companying Resignation from Board of Directors.

Homer A. Curtiss, deposed presi- lery company, positions he has held for years, has accepted an offer from Ianders. Frary & Clark of this city and, according to Vice Preident A. G. Kimbau, will occupy a position in the management of the cutlery depart ment of the local concern.
 MT. Curtiss, who is one of Meriden's pioneer manufacturers, has indignant ly declined to become a, puppet in the hands of those who succeed him in power in the, Meriden concern and has resigned from the board of direct ors Shorn of his authority as presi- dent and treasurer he has washed his hands of the concerns affairs,
 As an indication of MT. Curtiss' state of mind, the following letter to the company written by him, was giv- en out for publication today:
 A Humiliating Offer.
 You have offered me an advisory position coupled with the request that keep away. from the office unless sent for by the, president. Such position is, and I fear was, intended. by whoever prompted it, to be so humiliating that I cannot accept it and keep my self respect. I regret that fifty years of service should have such a result. After careful consider ation I hereby resign my connection as a director and otherwise with the Meriden Cutlery company"
 Big Men on Directorate.
 oc pany are John L. Billiard, whose con- nection with the New Haven road has made his name familiar in all parts of the country; E. J. Doolittle, paper box manufacturer and former railroad commissi oner of the state, and Charles L. Rockwell, one of Meriden's young men of wealth and actively identified with a number of prosperous indus tries in the Silver city. Many other men prominent in the manufacturing, and business life of Meriden are also associated with the concern.
 Suit Over New President.
 s. B. Austin is the new president of the Meriden Cutlery company. MT. Austin's advent into Meriden's manu- featuring circles precipitated a suit against the Cutlery company for $50- 900 damages by the Wyoming Cutlery company of Wilkesbarre, Pa, which claimed to have him under contract Kirkham & Cooper, the local law firm, is interested in the case and is said to represent the Wilkesbarre concern. Besides asking for $50,00O damages, the Wyoming Cutlery company brought injunction proceedings to re- strain Austin from engaging with the Meriden concern.
 Surprise to Curtiss.
 It is said that MT. Curtiss was not informed that MT. Austin was to come to the Meriden plant, the greatest of secrecy having been maintained by those woh engineered the plan. The first information MT. Curtiss had of MT. Austin being engaged, it is said, was when he was served with papers in the suit The Wyoming company is said to have suspended business af- ter Austin left.
 James P. Grosvenor of Meriden sue ceeds MT. Curtiss as treasurer of the company.
 Valuable Acquisition.
 Vice President Kimball of Landers, Frary & Clark today stated that Mr. Curtiss would be connected with the management of the cutlery depart ment of the local firm. The acqusi- tion of MT. Curtiss should be of in- estimable benefit to Landers, Frary & Clark as he has a thorough knowl- edge of the cutlery business through his half century association with it's manufacture.