New Britain herald., 1918-07-15
L.F. & L. CONTROLS
 MER|DEN CUTLERY Buys Majority Stock Of S4OO,OOO
 in Manufacturing Firm WILL MAKE WAR GOODS
May Operate Branch From Local Offices-Authorizcd Statement Is Obtained From Factory Officials Of Landers, E'rary S Clark.

Official confirmation of the report ed contemplated purchase of the Meriden Cutlery company, by Land CTS, Frary & Clark, was received to- day from Vice President Arthur G. Kim ball, who gave a statement to the Herald. The purchase is one of the most important industrial changes that has taken place in Connecticut in a long time. The official confirmation is as follows:
 Will Enlarge Business.
 Landers, Frary & Clark has pur- chased majority of the stock of the Meriden Cutlery Co.,, Meriden, Connecticut. The business will be continued in Meriden but will be en- larged and the number of employees materially increased. During the period of the war a cOnSidera ble part of the production of the plant will be devoted to government work, relieving the Landers, Frary x Clark plant at New Britain of some of the work on government contracts which they have in hand, and upon which the government is asking for an in creased production. The exact na ture of the work that will be done in Meriden has not been determined. The directors OI llG hSIlu6n AuLloIN Co.,. have announced that those stockholders who have not yet ranged for the disposal of their stock may do so through the Home National or First National Bank, Meriden, Conn.
 In the Herald last week the nego- tiations for the purchase by a New Britain concern was reported and at the time Landers, Frary & Clark was mentioned as the possible pur- chaser. rather than the New Britain Machine company.
 The Meriden Cutlery company plant will be utilized in connectioH with the local plant As yet the off cial to be in charge of the Meriden branch has not been designated. The general operation, however, will be through the local office.
 Has To Speed Up Production.
 The branch plant will be utilized for the manufacture of government requirements At this time it is i'm possible to state just what the nature of the business will be. Landers, Frary & Clark, like outher manufac- turing firms of New Britain, has been recognized as a plant of production. The management has demonstrated it's ability to promptly and most sat infactorly meet the demands of the government. Recently notice was served by the officials at Washington that LanderS, Frary X Clark would be required to increase production for the government. As yet it is not known what tho line of manufacture will be but it is presumed that it will be in the nature of materials for which it will be possible to use the present factory equipment. President Charles F. Smith is now in Washing ton, conferring with the war depart ment officials.
 Buying Meriden Co. Stock.
 The Meriden Cutlery Co.,, stock is being purchased by Landers, F'rary & Clark, and will undoubtedly be paid for from the company surplus. The plan to be followed may be the same as that which prevailed when Landers, Frary & Clark purchased the Humason &5 Becl1ley plant.
 The capitalization of the Meriden Cutlery Co., is $400,000, but it is understood that the stock of the com rany Is being purchased at a figure which is below par. The stock par IS $25 per share. One of the Dig aS- sets of the company lies in fits val uable water rights. The manufactur- ing buildings, located near Hanover Park in South Meriden, are mostly frame construction and were built many years ago. The establishment of Landers F'rary &5 Clark with a branch will be a boom to that portion