New Britain herald., 1924-03-05
STORM BREWING IN . MARINE LAMP CO.
Proxy Committee Trying to Dust
 Present Administration
WANT OLD MANAGEMENT
John kleinbergcr and c. M. BigclOw, Representing 1.500 Shares of Stock, Open Campaign to Reinstate Ru- dolph Stern as Executive Manager.
Special to Tie IIera,d).


 dolph stern as Executive Manager.
 Special to Tie Hcrald).
 Bristol. March 5.-Another war over an industry's management is brewing in Bristol.
 A proxy committee which seeks to control the administration of the Ma tional Marine Lamp Co. at Forest vile has sent out a notice to stock holders Criticising the present man. agement of the concern and asking : for support in an effort 10 displace it at the annual meeting on March .7. 1 The appeal is signed by John Klein berger and C. NJ. Bigelow, who say ! they represent the owners Of 4,500 shares of stock Their letter fol- ! lows:
 i We, the undersigned stockholders, who have been following the prog ress of the present administration of The National Marine Lamp company. i have become anxious regarding the safety Of our investments due 10 the fact that the indebtedness of the
 
 while it's liquid assets have decreased, and We wish to cal your attention to the desirability Of eiecting a board of directors who will in turn put back as aging executive of the com pany, man fitted by experience 10 bring it out of its present difficulties and develop the sale of its products.
 MT. Rudolph stern, we know, to be eminently fitted both by experi- ence, capacity and integrity for this position and due tO the urgency of the matter. have prevailed on him to give up his opinions as 10 the neces- sity of a change, 8 copy of which is enclosed, and to ask for your proxy towards that end.
 "Alr. stern. as you probably know, is also the largest individual stock holder in the company and all his efforts since the company was organ i2ed in 1916 have been directed en- tirely for the benefit Of this business, nt tho sacrifice of everything else.
 MT. Stern is the man who built up and developed the business during its prosperous years, held 1t together during the lean years and has the knowledge of detail, technical skin, and manufacturing ability possessed by no one else. and furthermore is personally well known to the entire marine lamp trade.
 "Ne feel confident that with him directing the future policies Of. the company, very much desired change will occur and VIC will have rcg,on- able assurance that dividend paying basis will bn reached at an early date. The undersigned own or represent $500 shares of stock and have given this matter their earnest considera- ton with the sole idea of bringing the Company ont Of iis present difficulties and of protecting onr investments without tho harm and expense Of Hcceivcrshir and we now ask your cooperation by signing and promptly returning the enclosed proxy.
 Yours very truly.
 PROXY COMMITTEE:
 John kieinberger
 C. I. Bigelow
 letter From Mir. stern
 A supplementary letter signed by Mir. Stern includes tho following state ments:
 ''rhe present management or the National Marine Lamp company vas changed in the summer Of 1928 by having myself and Mir John Klcin- berger. both Of whom have been iden- tificd with the marine lamp business for the last eighteen years. superseded by another management. While the now management has undoubtedly tried 10 improve the company's con- dition. certain dangers have develop cd which it is my duty 10 point out 10 you and which. if not quickly changed. will result in such serious 10 the company, as to make a subsequent change too late. "For the past thrpn years subsc- [ucnt to the war and during the re- period tho company was forced 10 sell marine lamps and by products at practically cost figures. on account of over production. business and keen competition. However. in the first part of 1928 the conditions in tho market becoming better. wc then in April were able 10 increase the prices to show a sub stantial margin Of profit. the percent . agc Of this increase averaged over t0oe,. Under my management the com pany's production during the big years of Ig17 10 1920. as well as up to 1893. Werc delivered without there having been a single rejection due 10 defective merchandise. All Of the exacting work turned out by the company for the navy during the years of the war. as well as all the marine lamps and speciality articles nov being produced by the company. were designed. perfected. and put on ] production basis by me. Even the present management must concede hat instead Of ihers being any criti- ism as to the quality Of the mer- .bandtsc. the company has received praise for the way which nanufac- urcd work pas turned out. The company cannot step out and ind an individual qualified to take over the I Of this class Of mer- .haudisc. because of the technical \ involved and the ifnposst- ,iIity of finding experienced manu- acturers familiar with the line. nave A real interest in the business ind as the largest individual stock loIder. I fear for tic safety Of the .oJnpany ff the present management . allowed 10 continue in office.