Connecticut western news., 1920-08-26
CANAAN TO HAVE UNION HARDWARE CO. BRANCH
Torrington Concern Leases the Whitford Property for
 Its Factory.

A move that promises much III ma- terial benefit to Canaan, is the con- templated establishment of a branch factory of the Union Hardware Co.,, of Torrington, in what was origin ally built for a knitting mill, about 15 years ago, by R. H. Whitford, located just off Main street close to the center of the village and the entire property adjoining the c. N. E. railroad tracks. If the proposition develops as it is expected, shipping facilities would be of the best, nec- essitating no trucking, an item which is of utmost importance to manu- featuring concerns.
 In order that the citizens of the town may be fully informed as to the proposed establishment of the branch factory, a public meeting will be held at 2 o'clock, standard time, tonight (Thursday), at the town hall. To this meeting not only the men are invited but the women as well, for the workers on much of the material to be put out from the factory will be handled by women and girls. Then too, it will" probably require that some boarding places will need to be provided for those who come into the factory.
 In fact the whole mater will be thoroughly presented and open for discussion, so that all the informa- tion wanted may be secured by at tending the meeting. Those who are now employing either men or girls are urged to come in order to determine whether there is any pos sibility that sufficient help may be secured for carrying out the prop osition as it will be outlined.
 The Union Hardware is one of the most substantial of the many Tor rington factories. It was organized in 1864, has a capital of $500, ,000 and employs in the home factory 900 hands. It is controlled by prom inent citizens of Torrington: Thomas W. Bryant, president, c. G. Hoerle, secretary and F. J. Damon, treasurer.
 The products of the company are hardware specialties, ice and roller skates, tackle blocks, fishing rods, being among the most important. It is proposed to bring the making of the roller skates to Canaan, par ticularly the assembling of the parts of the ballbearing rolls.
 It is expected that to equip the branch factory there will be Heed of at least 50 operatives, 35 of whom will be girls and women. Officials of the company were in town Moa- day taking measurements and look ing over the changes in tfs build- ing contemplated. Both floors wil be used as we'll as the basement and the building seems to be well adaps6d to the proposed use, having been sab- stantially constructed for the maehin- cry of the knitting company which originally occupied the place.
 As soon as the plans are drawn for the changes to be made, the sltsra- tions will be taken care of by HeA carpenters and the necessary mack inery installed, so that by the fCHt of October it is expected that the plant will be in operation.
 The scarcity of labor in Torringten coupled with the serious housing sit uation there, which makes it diffieuA to secures homes, led the company to investigate outside localities. for. branch factory and Caaaan offered one of the best possibilities for such a location, therefore it is hoped that the citizens here will appreciate the benefit of securing such an establish ment tothe town. It is not proposed to reduce the fprce of employees in Torrington, but to secure fro1p To- cal sources enough to properly man the plant.