The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-11-28
CLUTCH COMPANY
GROWING INDUSTRY
HELPS WATERFOWL

not visited the vicinity of Fifth and
Market streets since midsummer
there is distinct surprise in store, foI
the old Dornfeld building has been
made to look like new-largely is
new, in fact, and the signs Of activity
and prosperity, within and without
are in direct contrast to the former
air of dilapidation.
The Lasure Friction Clutch com
pany, which purchased and occupy the
building, has decidedly benefited the
city in many ways, and the Judgment
of the committee which was instru-
mental in bringing this industry to
Watertown has been thoroughly vim
Dictated by the growth of the company
in the four months it has been located
here.
The product of the cOmpany-the
Lasure friction clutch pulley-has
made many friends among the max
ers and users of gasoline and other
farm engines, and the claim of it's
manufacturers that it is the best fric-
ton clutch on the market seems to be
cOrrOborated by the fact that it has
been adopted exclusively by some of
the largest engine manufacturers in
the United States, firms that have es-
tablished their reputation by making
only reliable engines and selling only
such accessories as are equally as
good. 1t is a noteworthy fact that
the Lasure clutch has displaced, with
one or more manufacturers, every
make of clutch known to be on the
market, and that of all Lasure clutch
es sold, less than one-half of one per
cent have given cause for complaint.
Besides the new business which the
company has already secured several
contracts for next year have been en-
tered into, all Of them running we'll
into the thousands of dollars. During
the months Of November and Decem-
Der there is very little activity in the
farm engine industry. and this has it's
certain bearing upon the sale of
clutches, but beginning with the new
year the Lasure company is tassured
of volume of business at least twice
and probably three times greater than
ever before.
A mammoth new pulley lathe has
just been added to the equipment,
which will triple the pulley output,
and with other contemplated 'addi-
lions and changes the company will
be enabled to handle the new bust
ness with dispatch. 1t is rule of the
management never to have an untitled
order in its plant over night, if it is
possible to avoid it, and in view of the
present CONGESTION in practically all
manufacturing lines, this service is
remarkable
The plant is today one of the light
est, arrest and best equipped machine
shops, for its purpose, to be found
anywhere. An average of fourteen
men are employed, the monthly dis
trfbution of cash in wages being tidy
sum, and with the beginning of the
busy season the force will be consid-
erably increased, and a double shift
is in prospect.
Pressed for a statement in regard
to the manufacturing conditions
which Watertown afforded, an official
of the company said:
Our shipping facilities are fully as
good in Watertown as they were in
Madison-in some ways .better-and
we have been fortunate in securing a
class of labor which cannot be bet
tered steady, reliable, con-
scientious workers, men who are on
the job ten hours day and six DAYS
a week. From the beginning it has
been our policy to employ local men
where possible, but we have added
five families to the population of Wa
tertown, and we expect in the near
future to increase our working force
very materially. The people of the
city, especially the business men,
have treated us very nicely, and it is
our aim to give every ounce of our
energy in building up a plant and a
business OF which not only we, but
the community as we'll, may be proud
In our small way we are doing some
thing for the city, for besides adding
trifie to its population we will in the
course OF year distribute Sic, 900 to
$4,000 in wages, a goodly part CT
which will in one manner and another
find its way into the cash drawers of
local merchants, and we will have
sent broadcast over the United States
and into foreign countries eight OF
ten thousand. clutches, each bearing
the name of Watarfoun Wiooonc;,,
as its place of manufacture. The adj
yertising value of this to the city is
considerable