The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1949-07-15
W. Not Abandon Fish Meal Plant
Says Harvey W. Smith In Statement
2750 Ask Mill
To Remain Open;
Herring Is Set

In an interview with The
Chronicle-Star today. Harvey w.
Smith of The Fish Meal Company,
announced his decision to CON
tinue operation of his fish meal
plant at Escatawpa.
MI. Smiths decision was made
following the presentation Thurs
day of a petition signed by 2750
citizens of Jackson County ask
ing him to reconsider an earlier
announcement that he was clos
ing down the plant permanently,
The threat to abandon tn e
plant came after a bill, seeking
an injunction to stop the plant
from operating without install
ing an adequate deodorizing sys-
tenn, was filed July 6 by Mr.. and
Mrs. w. w. Jones of Moss Point.
Five hundred and sixteen resi-
dents of the area filed a petition
in support of the bill.
Judge D. H. Russell of chancery
court has set a hearing on the
granting of the temporary in
junction for 10 a. m. Saturday in
Gulfport. Attorney for Mr.. Smith
said that special and general de
murrers have been filed and that
Mr. Smith will contest the bill.
Monday Meeting
The counter petition was drawn
UP and signatures solicited fol-
lowing a meeting Monday night
between MI. Smith and represen-
tatives of many commercial in
terests in Jackson county.
In his interview with this news
paper, Mr.. Smith stated: MY
first reaction when this injunc-
ton was brought up was to close
down and send my fleet on to
Louisiana. But when men of such
sincerity and calibre came to me
Monday night l realized | could
not do that and still look them
in the eye.
Il hesitate to make statements
to the press. Once a statement
has been made it seems that the
public expects immediate results.
The wheels of industry do not
turn that fast.
For three years l have been
working on this problem. When
we came here we installed a $20.-
900 deodorizing system which
would have been more than ade-
quate for the East Coast. But
there is a certain acid present in
Gulf Coast fish that makes the
problem here an entirely differ
ent one.
Held Up Drying
ut is during the drying opera
ton that most of the smell arises.
Many times in the past | have
held up drying for eight to 10
hours to wait for a southwest
wind that would blow the smell
away from Moss Point"
Mr.. Smith said that new equip
ment, valued at about $50, 1000 has
been under order for some time
but delivery has been delayed by
strikes. 1t is now scheduled for
arrival in August, he said.
But let me repeat" he added
something is being done but it
can't be done today. As | said, |
have worked on this for three
years and eventually it will be
licked"
The plant, together with the
10 boats operated from it. en-
ploys 700 persons during peak OPP
Grafton. At present there are $50
workers, as six of the boats al
ready had been ordered to Cam
eron, La. Mr.. Smith said they
would be returned.
+ Winter Overhaul
In addition, Mr.. Smith said that
work has been started on the
slip for a shipyard adjacent to
the plant where his entire Gulf
fleet of 20 boats will be given
winter overhauls. He estimated
that more than 100 new Jobs
would thus be created during the
winter.
The contemplation reads in
part;
I'VE the undersigned want YOU
to know that YOU we're invited
to come to Jackson County and
establish an industry here and
we are fully aware of what that
industry has meant to this COM
munity in the way of pay roll
and how many families are today
depending on that industry for a
living =.
I'VE further want you to know
that we have confidence in your
statement that the deodorizing
equipment has been ordered and
would be installed as soon as
physically possible. and we are
willing for Won to continue TO