The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1920-12-03
SURVEY OF
INDUSTRY
is HOPEFUL
Merchants and Manufacture
ers Alike in Hammond
Hope for Good Business
Early Next Year.

Hammond merchants who so far
have found business satisfactory this
season except when the weather has
been bad have one question which con
stanty comes to their bps. VIII the
slight wave OF labor depression which
has been found prevalent particularly
in the eastern part of the United
States ind It's way this winter to the
industries OF the Calumet region Up
to the present time while other com
munities have suffered to u greater or
! les extent by finding groups of men
released from various Industries
standing around idle on the street
corners. Hammond has been exceed
ingly fortunate In having a very great
majority of it's army of workers con-
tentedly at work without any inter-
ruption which has been a source or
satisfaction to every civic lover and
booster.
CITY 6Sgs EMPLOYED.
While the country today is suffering
from inertia which il possibly q normal
result OF war and great prosperity.
conservative and thinking men do not
believ that Hammond will suffer mark
edly this winter. Most of Hammond's
industrial enterprises at least It's larg-
est with the exception of the F. S. Betz
plant which is closed down for read
justment and repairs are working at
or within reach of capacity and will
continue TO do so in all probability as
long as their markets hold up and the
slump In the price OF farm staples, a
slump that hits the wealthy and the
worker alike, doesn't grow worse. A
representative of The Times today
found in interviewing factory men that
the city's industries average $50 or
capacity which IS regarded by experts
as an excellent average and some sig
nificant information was CLEANED.
WHAT PLANT HEADS SAY.
At the American Steel Foundries the
plant is being run at capacity 700 TO
500 men and Supt. G.. II. Austin says
still going along close to top
speed" The American Maize Products
Co. refuses to make any report. The
Beatty Machine Co. is operating 5oTe
with the prospects about the same ac-
cording to Mr.. Blair. The Betz plant
is down with prospects stiTl doubtful
The Central Railway Signal employing
200 men Is working 1909 and doing a
rushing business, their duh season
comes in summer. The o. K. cham
plon Co. is working 4OTo. foundry and
agricultural business slow, auto parts
good At the w. b. Conkey plant 80 70
capacity employing from 500 TO 500
with good work in contracts ahead
The Federal Cement Tile Co. running
1909, 800 men. outlook not as promis-
ing usual but outlook for spring is
good.
PICKING UP AT wANNER
The Enterprise Bed Co. operating
279e. Business quiet now but pros
poets for Improvement noted after
January 1st. At the Hammond Brass
Works $50 Of capacity. business fair.
looking for better but do not look for
rapid pickup. At the Wanner Male
able Iron Co. 500 capacity. nearly 400
men, business Is picking up and look
for better after first of year A good
report at the Illinois Car & Mfg. Co,
1909 capacity and employing 500 men
with business steady. At the Keith
Ry. Equipment Co. 500 are working.
business rushing right now and wait
ing for material, viii increase after
January first. The McIlroy Betting &c
Hose Co. report 15%6 with little work
now but good prospects for spring
Ncwak NIL ng Co. 50qs capacity pick
ing up a little and expect better with |
Chemical Co.. one of the smaller plants |
report labor and trade nearly normal
The Sifo Products Co. are running u |
little below capacity with good spring
prospects. The Standard Steel Car Co. |
running about IS % employing about
5000. business is not good. railroads are
not buying and orders runniE low; the |
forge is going 500, business not good |
NO indications, just hopeful" said Mr..
Thompson. At the Straube Piano plant
all the men are working but business
off 1870: UP TO the present very good
but easing up a little now, optimistic
as to future. The Taylor Chain Co
operating 75es, after January first look
for better business. The United Boil
er & Foundry Co. working 500. no.
months. The Warner Implement Co. is
installing machinery and has some big
orders, expects to be going strong
within next few weeks
HOPES For SPRING
Manufacturers and business men
alike are hopeful and believe that the
coming spring is one OF great indus
trial promise. When the present ad-
ministration is use-cleaned the coun-
try Will have leader and a pilot who
will destroy the inertia which infects
the country and who Will stimulate 1t |
to activity and force it into action and
inspire 1t with his own understanding