Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 58, Number 94, Decatur, Adams County, 20 April 1960 — Page 2

PAGE TWO

Volume xVll Number 276

BIG INDUSTRY NOW ASSURED HERE

FUNDS TO SECURE LAND SUBSCRIBED IN ONE DAT DECATUR INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATION" GIVEN HEARTY SUPPORT - WORK WILL BEGIN IN SHORT TIME-MAY OPEN A SCHOOL. WHAT DECATUR DOES. 'MM Furntahe* site containing 7.54 acres or 35 city lots. Raised the funds to cover expense within a day. City officials agree to provide power equipment to meet demands. Organized industrial association, to take care of local proposition. Purchased lots and cleared title. | Promised to take care of housing and to aid in growth of city in every way possible. I The General Electric company, one of the greatest corporations in the world, manufacturers, whose fame reaches every corner of the universe and whose growth during the past decade has been marvelous, will locate a branch in Decatur. The decision was made at a meeting of the board of director, held in Schenectady, N.Y, the first of last week and the informalion and th. letter soiling out the same .as given toa eommrttee of Decatur business men. summoned to Fort last Thursdav afternoon. By request of the company no publication was made of that fact until matters concerning contracts and information about swuring machinery and material were take" care of.

To Make Small Motors The Deeatur factory will be used for the manufacture of fractional motors, leas than one horse power, recognized as one of the most staple articles on the market today. The plant will beW located just west of the G. R Sc I. railway between the gas tank and the Alto Products plant and work on same is to begin soon. Messrs Barnes, superintendent of the Fort Wayne plant, Matson, ti»e engineer and McDonald, the electrical engineer who were here Tuesday to meet the city officials, started the contract for the building will be tert about December Ist and work will start at once. It is hoped the building can be completed by early spring. The contract for the local plant will probably be awarded to a Clev land, Ohio firm, of contractors, familliar with the class of construction. the details as to size have bort been completed but will be within a few days _ Some Idea of “G.E.” j The General Electric company is one of the big business concerns of the United States with. factories in many cities and a total of 90,000 employes. The fallowing condensed account as given by Mr. Goll, of the Fort Wayne company best tells the story of this great concern which will soon establish a new branch here: ‘•Hus company is engaged in the manufacture of well-nigh everything electrical with the exception of telephone equipments, and we number among our products large capacity

lIheHOUSING PROBLEM To Be SOLVED

With the assurance of the new sac i tory and the probabilities of other f industries including several which - will employ skilled men, comes the housing problem and this will be taken up soon. Decatur has a number of houses unoccupied at present and In need of repair which can for a small amount be made suitable for occupancy and a number of owners of such properties have signified their intention of repairing these properties. In addition to this many people have declared their intention of building houses and the work on sow will j start at once while the spring it is j believed, will bihig many additions j John W. Vail, one of the well known

DECATUR DAILY b

steam turbines, driving generators for power and, light service, generators oi every capacity for direct connections or belt drive from steam engines gas and gasoline engines and water wheels, switchboards, transform-, ers, meters of all kinds, motors of every discription from one-two hundredths horse power to many thousands horse power, railway, equipment for city, interurban, trunk line traction work including mine locomotives and very heavy locomotives for mountain work, refrigerating machines, electrical controllers and control devices, all sorts of wiring devices, incandescent tamps, electric fans, etc. Companies affiliated with the General Electric company are engaged in the manufacture end distribution of all sorts of household utilities such as heating devices,, including flat irons, electric ranges, water heaters, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, dishwashers, etc. The principal factories of this company for the production of electrical machinery and devices are as follows; Schnectady. N.Y.—Ground area, 340 acres; 5,800,000 feet floor space; 23,500 employes. Lynn, Mass. —Ground area, 200 acres; 3,000.000 feet floor space; 12,000 employes Pittsfield. Mass.—Ground area, 88 acres; 2.000,000 feet floor space; 7,000 employes. Erie, Pa —Ground area, 68 acres: 1,100,000 feet floor space; 5,000 employe*.- . - —— — Fort Wayne, Ind—Ground area, 27

■ men of the city and one of the most ) progressive, is very much interested. He has already ordered material for the construction of three modern houses on Jefferson street just west of the G. R. & I. railroad. These will be of the btrngak) style, with furnace, light, water, bath and all conveniences. L. C Waring and C. CjScliafcE, are planning an addition of ten houses in the northwest part of the city and developments are expected soon. A dozen others have declared they will build from* one to five houses and it is believed possible ‘ that 100 or more new homes will be ‘elected in Decatur during the next I six months Wake up. We are step- {?*». __ll

fIU DOCATUR DJULT DMfiOCBAT. DBCATCT. OCXAMA

Decatur. Indiana. Thnraday Evening, November 20, I>l>

BUYING Os LOTS TOOK SOME TIME New Factory InL Thirty-five Town | Lots in Hanna Addition WEST OF RAILROAD List of Those From Whom Lots Were Purchased to Land G. E. Factory One of the big job* connected with securing the General Electric branch was that at securing option* and deeds : to the thirty-five lots in the territory | where the plant will be built. There were eighteen different owners and tn several cases real complications. In one case the title was held by minors ond the appointment of guardians wns necessary. The lots were purchased from the following: Lots U. 12. 19, 20. 24 and 25, Hanna addition, from F- M. Schirmyw; 14 1 with house, from John Grady: 15, [ with house, Henry Huston and j daughter: 16, with bouse, Bert Bailor; If, C. S. Niblick and E. X. Ehdnger, trustees; 18, Mrs. Martha Johnson, Monroe; 21, Charles Battenberg: 22, True & Runyon; 23, Mrs. Mary F. Holthouse; 26, Samuel Butler; 27, C. A. Dugan; 28, Fruchte & Litterer--29 and 30 and house. George Chilcote and Willard McCoanebey; 21. E. B. Adams; 32, Mrs. Sarah Roop; 33, Mrs- Fred Smith: seven lots in Hanna addition and four in the Nuttmen addition, Mary Ellen and Oliver Hanna. Lot 13, Jerry Coffee is the only lot on which option has not been secured and a deed has been sent to Mr. Coffee in Los Angeles and is expected beck at any time. acres; 1,300,000 feet floor space; 5,000 employes Watsessing, N.J.—Ground area, 30 acres; 600,000 feet floor space; 1,200 employes. Its principal lamp factories are: Harrison, N. J.—Ground area, 23 acres; 1,500,000 feet floor space: 8,000 employes. Cleveland, Ohio—Ground area, 152 acres; 2,800,000 feet floor space; 9,500 employes. In addition there are a considerable number of smaller plants for the production of specialties and incandescent lamps. All the factories of this organization occupy a ground area of something in excess of 955 acres, having a floor space of approximately 20,000,000 square feet, and together with the sales organization include about 90,000 employes. There are sales offices in sixty-one of the principal cities of the United States. In addition, the International General Electric company an affiliated made and will be 'announced as soon as completed- The landing of such an institution is a great advantage in many ways and the industrial association have a number of plans that will develop shortly. Plans Ready Soon. The first section of the new plant will be erected just north of the gas plant and will provide 50,000 to 60 - 000 feet of floor space. As rapidly as necessary this will be increased and it is hoped that within a short time at least three sections will be needed and that 1,500 to 1,800 people will be employed. Whether or not the building will be one or two stories has not been determined but will be soon, depending on the securing* of material The office and administration building will occupy the ground just north of the tank. May Open School Here The G.E. company is planning if possible to open a school of instruction here and 'the J. W. Vail building at the corner of Jefferson and Seventh streets may. be rented for that purpose. If this is- done they will .-employe 100 people or more at once and train them to do the work of winding motors. If this arrangement is not made an invitation to' go to Fort Wayne for a course of in-

A NEW LAW FIRM Will be That Formed by Judge David E. Smith and R. C. Parriah TO OPEN~AN OFFICE In Bass Block, Fort Wayne At Once—Judge Retires from Bench Saturday With the retirement of Judge Devtd E Smith from the bench at the Adam* circuit court next Saturday. Nov. 22. when hi* rix-year term will have end- , ed, Decatur will k»e two of tts best practicing attorneys-Judge Smith and Attorney Ralfagh C Parrtah. who I will go to Fort Wayne and open a law office tn rooms 309 and 310 in the Bass Block, under the firm name of Smith & Parrish. Both have been engaged in practic ing law in this county for many years. Judge Smith was admitted to the bar here January 18, 1892. having studied prior there in the office' of Van Vorhees & Spencer, in Indianapolis; and at school at Indiana University and Butler. On engaging in the practice of law here, be was a member of the firm of Schurger. Reed & Smith, inter the firm of Schurger Sc Smith. He also served as prosecuting attorney of this distrrt. He became one of the foremost attorneys of the county and seven years ago was elected judge of the Adams circuit court for six years, the term ending Saturday. Nov. 22 He has served his judicial capacity with fairness and impartiality, and has made a fine judge. His partner in q»e firm, Ralleigh C. Parrish. A uti /Items county boy. who began reading in the law office of Judge Smith, and supplemented Ms studies with the course in the Indianapolis Law school. He has been engaged in the practice of law here for many years, and has served as prosecuting attorney and also a member of the state legislature. The firm will be an exceedingly strong one with splendid opportunities in the new place to which they will go. Unbounded success is predicted for them Neither Mr. Smith nor Mr. Parrito. will move to Fort Wayne for the present, but will continue residence here for the time being, pn account of the children being m school here MR. AND MRS. HOLTHOUSE HOME A. R. Holthouse and wife arrived home test evening from a delightful trip to Toledo, Detroit and Cleveland and are now at home in the Archbold property on North Sixth street. __■■■BBagMmttmmmfiMMmm' struction will be given. These will be paid fair salaries. Community Assisted Because of there being many details to work out, the deal was kept comparatively quiet, but it is only fair to say that every person called upon, willingly responded, day or night J. T. Myers was active and helped in a hundred ways, C J. Lutz gave many hours and excellent service, F. M. Shirmeyer furnished plats, gave wise councel and bad Charge of investigation of the titles, being assisted by various attorneys and abstractors of the city. To these and a hundred others who assisted, the chairman,, and interested are sincerely grateful- You made it possible, men of Decatur. THE WEATHER. Indiana— Partly cloudy tonight and Friday; warmer tonight. ... . ■ ■■■■ O O SHOPPING X M DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS SHOP EARLY Make up your lilt from The Daily Democrat Advertising Columns

SEEK LOCATION FOR NEW STATION City Officials Look Over' City for Site for New Power and Light Plant MAY MAKE CHANGE An Additional Turbine and Other Improvements May Be Made Mayor Yager and the councilmco held an mportant session yea terday afternoon, in fact ft Is probable that the matters considered at that time were the most important up for years At the meeting on Tuesday nigh’ ft was reported ftmt the board would favor increasing the facilities at the power station that the General Electric company can be taken care of for power without interferring with demands of the rest of the cMy. While this is possible this might be done with the present equipment ft would be dangerous for at the first ’ break” we would be qp sfiyt. down. The question of adding another turbine was discussed and Superintendent Mylott recommence! that the new unit be placed in a new location where river water and railroad facftities are obtainable, saving many thousand dollars for coal and other items of expenseIt was decided to look over the territory for a suitable location and the board met for that purpose. Several sites were examined and it is possible that a choice will be made soon and some action taken towards securing, a site. It ie likely that a petition will be filed with the state tax board asking for permission to issue bond, for the improvement which may cost SIOO,OOO. Decatur will meet all requirements. •a- ■ LEARN HORRORS Os Effects of Wearing High-heel Shoes —Ass’n. at Depauw University IS IN THE CAMPAIGN Against Producing a Race of Ugly, One-toed Women, With Bad Temper Greencastle, Ind., Nov. 18-—A race of one toed women, and ugly women at that, without rosy cheeks, bright eyes, curly hair or anything except bad tempers and poor health, is the prediction of the Woman’s Athletic Association of DePauw University here, unless girls abandon the highheel shoes and go to bed earlier at nights. The association is conducting a campaign at the university, on a platform which dets out that heel shoes injure the nervous system', ruin the feet of girls and tend toward a one toed race. Members of the association also point out that the majority of girls in the university get too little sleep They believe in all girls getting their "beauty steep,” and urge the girls to ! pledge themselves to retire every night in the week not later than 10:30 o’clock. HELPED THE COMMITTEE. ■ r ■► . r - - The local committee is under special obligations to Graham & Walters, Heller & Lenhart, Attorney J. C. Sutton, J. T. Merryman, C- J. Lutz, J. F. Fruchte and others for favors in securing options and deeds. It required many turns and they were all met promptly- - , ABBI.VAL OF NEW BOY Prof, and Mrs. M. F. Worthman are rejoicing over the arrival of a baby boy born to them last, evening. The babe has been named Robert Kenneth. Both mother and'babe ere doing nicely.

GENERAL ELECTRIC CO.TO ERECT A MODERN PLANT WILL MANUFACTURE FRACTIONAL MOTORS HERE - WILL START WITH 500 PEOPLE AND HOPE TO INCREASE THAT NUMBER RAPIDLY. a———— THE CONTRACT IN A WORD. The company agrees to erect a building of not less than 50,000 square feet of floor space. Contract will be let at once and work started within two weeks. ♦ Will employ 400 to 500 people to start with and increase as rapidly as conditions warrant. Hope to be operating In new building by spring. Will manufacture fractional motors, most staple line. - ‘The’people of Decatur, individually, collectively and officially appreciate the importance of securing such an industry as that which the “G. E” will bring here. This fact was evidenced by the action taken last Tuesday when a committee canvassed the business section to secure funds with which to meet the various expenses connected with our part of the enterprise. It is very gratifying that this canvass resulted in the raising of more than SIO,OOO in a single day. - w Besides this the city council and other officials met a committee from the “lights” and agreed with them to do everyhing possible to meet the requirements. Every “live one” in Decatur is ‘•wiHimr anxious and determined to do the things that will make

the General Electric glad they selected Decatui- for their “fractional motor plant.” The story of landing the big factory ean be briefly told. The first tip came to this city through the traffic department of the G. R. Sc I. railway, who sent a representative here and arranged a conference with Mr. Francis erf the sates department at Fort Wayne. Later a meeting was arranged with Mr. Hunting, general manager and Mr. Hartl ing of the purchasing department. A few days later after the matter had been presented to the general officials at Schenectady. Mr. Emmons came here with a party of Fort Wayne officials. Two weeks ago the location was ordered at a 'board erf directors meeting and reposed . back by MrHunting. In every meeting the General Electric company has been more than fair and their only desire is to , have the very BEST GOOD WILL of the people of this community. The Site Was Required. . The offer to come here was upon , the proposition that this city would : provide the site. This included 35 , lots in the Hanna and Nuttman addition just west of toe railroad and ’ torth of the gas tank, between that plant and toe Also building- It is L about 1200 feet long and 400 feet wide and abuts toe G. R. & L j tracks? But four houses were locatt Ai on the tract and these have all , been secured. A Temporary Organization At a meeting of a numbed bf business men celled test Friday evening to discuss plans for carrying out the . Decatui- end of the a

,1 w*————■—i■ |~ COPY OF ME. HUNTING’S LETTEB~|

Ft. Wayne, tod., Nov’- 1>,'1919. ..- . > • mv ?■ , To John U Heller, Decatur, Indiana : General Efebtric Company pr® pose® and agrees to construct a J modern fire-proof factory building. • with at least 50,000 sq- ft. floor ca--1 pacity on the real estate m the Hanna and Nuttman additions ta the city of Decatur, Indiana, on wtricfc you now hold options. Th <5 title to said real estate to be taken in the name of a Trustee, which Trustee shall > take the necessary legal steps to ' vacate the’ plat covering said real ■ estate. The sajF Trcsfee so ’lften ■ mate and execute.® deed containing ; general covenants of warranty to said General Electric Company, free

Wednesday. apml W.

Price Two CfnU

temporary Industrial Association was farmed, officers being selected as follows: Chairman—John H. Heller Vice-chairman—John T. Myers Secretary—Daniel N. Erwin Treasurer —Charles S. Niblick Chairman Finance Committee—H. L. Center Mr. Center immediately named a committee of thirty men to assist him and at a meeting held Sunday afternoon, the assessments were fixed, and five committees named to make the canvass. To these men great credit is due. They started to work Tuesday morning and by evening had more than raised the amount necessary, the total being about $lO,QOO. It is desired that this be increased if possible as d number of other projects are coming up and cash will be very necessary hny person who has been overlooked should see that he gives 'his share of this public fund which will be carefully accounted for. The chairman was authorized to name a committee to look after the securing of the deeds, options having been taken a week ago. With the exception of one or two that require legal action this has beers done. The entire matter was quietly, speedily and satisfactorily taken care of and the big plant will soon be a reality here. We Must All Get Busy. The locating of a factory of such proportions means much indeed to Decatur. It is predicted that within two yehrs it will add several thousand people to; pur population. This (Continued on Page Seven)

from ail liens. Said Trustee to place said deeds to escrow with the Old Adams County Bank, Decatur, Indiana, to be by said Bank delivered to said General Electric Company upon completion and occupancy of said building We propose to use said, building for the manufacture of electrical apparatus and we estimate that the plant will empby 400 to 500 people, which probably will be materially increased if we find that a sufficient supply of suitable labor is available. We expect to start building just as f , soon as we can prepare plans and leta contract forte building. GENERAL ELECTRIC CO By F. T. Hunting. Gen l. Mgr. Fort Wayne Works.