Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-11-24
R. F, WiIIingham Plant, One
of Largest in Country,
Probably Will Resume OPP
erationS Early in 1922
BY RALPH SMITH

EN- ROUTE. Nov, 22.-The ware
houses and refrigerating plants in
volved in the scheme Of the Macon
Chamber of Commerce for handling
variety of farm products. are not
the sole dependencies of middle
Georgia for adequate market faciE-
ties. The revival and expansion of
the canning industry unquestionably
will provide an advantageous out
let for large quantities of diversi-
fled products, and this industry. let
is be emphasized. will receive every
encouragement from the chamber Of
commerce and other interests in the
city of Macon and throughout the
territory.
That the industry is to be revived
and developed to proportions not
heretofore dreamed Of is assured by
the recent sale of the properties of
the r. F. Willingham corporation,
subject to the confirmation of the
United States district court. It is
believed that Judge Beverly D.
Evans will authorize the confirna-
ton in the near future. and that by
January 1 the big cannery will be
in operation.
Willingham F1ant
The canning plant of the r. r.
W1lllngham corporation is located
only few miles from Macon. J 1t
has been in the hands of the court
for some time in consequence of fl
nancial embarrassment. Indeed. al
though it had been operated prior
to the difficulties of. Richard H
Willingham, the enterprise had not
been developed to anything like it's
full possibilities.
The plant represents an actual in
vestment Of upwards Of a quarter
of a million dollars. and it is said
to be one Of the most modern and
complete establishments Of it's kind
in the United States. It's capacity
is enormous. and 1t is equipped to
handle in tremendous quantities
practically every vegetable or fruit
that can be produced in Georgia.
Jesse B. Hart. president of the
Macon National bank. and receiver
for the r. F. Willingham corpora
ton, recently consummated the sale
Of the canning plant to the Amer1-
can Gone and Pretzel company. of
Philadelphia. This establishment is
the property of the r. l.. Dollings
company, investment bankers. Of Co.
lumbus. 0.
The Dollings are among The most
;uccessful and wealthiest men en-
aged in the operation of canning
lants. In addition to the Macon
roperty. in the process of purchase
hey now own and operate three
Their gigantic canneries in different
?ctions Of the country.
1.-THE Willingham cannery prop
rty includes 235 acres Of fine
lib county farming land, in addi-
on to the well equipped plant"
Explained Mr.. Hart. "This land
ill be cultivated by the American
rone and Pretzel company. In adj
'ition, the sale of the property In
ludes the leasehold to 100 addi-
ional acres. which will be cult
rated.
"But the acreage actually owned
md controlled by the cannery will
not begin to produce enough Vege-
tables to supply it's demand. and its
operation will. I am confident. fur
nish a ready market for almost un'
limited quantities Of farm produce.
Heretofore, the plant. when in
operation, handled only peaches and
beans, but the new owners do not
intend to confine the plant to beans.
Every conceivable vegetable or fruit
that can be canned will be produced
and purchased.
1.-THE plant will be renovated i'm
mediately the court confirms the
sale. and the plans Of the purchasers
are to begin operation bv Janua-
ry l."
Like scores Of other prominent
citizens of Macon-bankers. mer
chants and professional men-Mr.
Hart views the purchase Of the can
merry by the Dollings with much sat
isfaction, because. as they all real
ze, it's operation will provide an out
let for the diversified crops Of the
community.
1.-THE cannery will not compete
nor interfere with the organization
contemplated by the chamber OF
commerce. but will supplement IT."
said Mr. Hart. 1.-THE farmers Of
middle Georgia can and should pro-
duce enough fruit and vegetables
along with their staple crops to tax
the capacity of both the cannery
and the local organization.
New Day Dawning
att has become apparent to every
one that the farmers must turn
from the one-crop evil and cultivate